By Liam Oliver Neilson
Staff writer
lneilson@fortfrances.com

The Devlin Community Hall in La Vallee, Ont. will get more than $250,000 from the province to fund renovations, keeping the local event venue running for years to come, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford announced on Feb. 12. The investment comes from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), which […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Staff writer
lneilson@fortfrances.com

Family and friends of Fort Frances bartender and DJ Carl “Jerome” Tuesday expressed relief that he had been reported safe Wednesday morning, after a week-long search initiated when the family lost contact with him. Tuesday’s mother, Lana Bruyere-Tuesday posted on social media around 10:40 a.m. Wednesday that he had been […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
lneilson@fortfrances.com

People who have worked with Wayne Smith throughout his three-decade career all agree on the same thing about him — his ability to lead and teach. The former chief was reminded by friends and colleagues about the significance this impact made during his retirement party last week, held at the […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Staff writer
lneilson@fortfrances.com

Holes were carved and rods started pulling in fish flopping on the ice during Sunday morning’s fishing derby in Rainy River, Ont. Honouring the late Rick Bourre, an active member of the Rainy River community and avid outdoorsman, the Rick Bourre Memorial Ice Fishing Derby brings the community together in […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Staff writer
lneilson@fortfrances.com

If there’s one thing that Wayne Smith has valued highly during a remarkable 32-year tenure as chief of Naicatchewenin First Nation, it’s consistency. While many First Nations see a high turnover in governance – the average length in Canada for a single executive position is around 3.5 years – Smith’s […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
lneilson@fortfrances.com

A new skating path at Legion Park in Fort Frances is opening Friday morning at 11 a.m. The addition of a new loop brings a third location for outdoor skating in town, alongside the McIrvine and East End rinks. A grand opening is planned for the loop this Friday, January […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
lneilson@fortfrances.com

Emo will be getting more than $1.4 million from the province to upgrade its wastewater treatment equipment, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford announced on Jan. 22. The investment is part of $700 million in provincial funding announced last week to assist 127 municipalities and First Nations communities in upgrading and […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
lneilson@fortfrances.com

Mitaanjigamiing First Nation will be getting $4.2 million in funding towards critical water infrastructure upgrades for its water treatment plant. Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford made the announcement on Jan. 22, 2026. According to the province, the investment comes from the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s (MHIP) Health and Safety Water […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
lneilson@fortfrances.com

Newcomers from various fields and backgrounds are establishing themselves in Fort Frances as several new career-oriented individuals, including a law student, Economic Development Officer, and optometry student, have recently join its ranks. Silas Young Working to complete his legal studies at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont., Silas Young has […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Staff writer
lneilson@fortfrances.com

There are no current plans to restart efforts to rename Colonization Street in Emo, Ont., and the street name will remain for the foreseeable future, according to the township’s mayor. Emo Mayor Harold McQuaker said the committee of residents living on the street came to the decision themselves over concerns […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
lneilson@fortfrances.com

Knox United Church prepares to continue its relatively new tradition of “Soup for the Soul” with a freezer full of various soups ready to be sold this Saturday. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff at Knox United in Fort Frances quickly became aware that the regular plan for […]