Merna Emara
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Northern Community Development Services are continuing to offer their services through online means until the state of emergency in Ontario is lifted. NCDS is a job service that helps job seekers identify their opportunities by writing effective resumes and preparing for interviews. Nicke Paddock, executive director at NCDS, said all […]

Merna Emara
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ontario’s Tourism Minister Lisa MacLeod said in her eighth telephone town hall that the total funding for the province’s heritage, sports, tourism and culture sectors added up to $1 billion from April 1 to August 1, 2020. There were about 600 stakeholders listening to the minister’s update and breakdown of […]

Merna Emara
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mayor June Caul announced during the bi-weekly council meetings held on Monday that she and Councillor Andrew Hallikas will sit on the homelessness committee aimed at decreasing the issue of homelessness in Fort Frances. “Regarding the many issues around homelessness, there will be a meeting of the municipal emergency measures […]

Merna Emara
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Camping at Point Park is an annual tradition for many. But this year is unlike any previous one – due to COVID-19, most services have been changed to comply with evolving provincial guidelines, and the Point Park campground is no exception. Travis Rob, operations and facilities manager, said all town […]

Merna Emara
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ontario’s Tourism Minister Lisa MacLeod and Ontario’s Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford held a telephone town hall meeting to update northern Ontario residents on the measures taken to alleviate the sweeping effects COVID-19 had on the tourism industry. In this call, MacLeod announced that the ministry is investing $18 million […]

Merna Emara
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Substantial completion of the new OPP detachment in Fort Frances is expected by September, OPP Sgt. Ann McEwen said. Construction did not stop when COVID-19 hit because all the workers and contractors took the precautions that the government recommended, McEwen added. “There is no definite date for us to move-in […]

Merna Emara
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Anglers from northern Ontario and Manitoba are being invited to the Rainy River District, to catch a tagged bass, worth $5,000, in a competition aimed at boosting the local tourism sector. To win the prize, the angler must prove residency outside the District, and prove they paid to stay at […]

Merna Emara
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Imagine yourself and your bike, alone, in the eerie depths of roads that stretch over nations. You have nothing but a travel-sized tent and a Canadian flag flapping at the rear of your bike. You encounter storms and thunders, rains and rainbows, deers and bears. Imagine doing this for three […]

Merna Emara
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Both the government of Canada and the government of Ontario organized a joint federal, provincial, municipal and First Nation funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan that will support 12 road, airport and bridge projects in northern Ontario. The implementation of these projects will strengthen infrastructure in rural communities […]

Merna Emara
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Just when schools were ready to call it a year after a rollercoaster of unexpected events – including the teachers’ strike and COVID-19 – the Ministry of Education introduced a new math curriculum for elementary students to be taught starting September 2020. Last week, Premier Doug Ford made this announcement […]

Merna Emara
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

During their bi-weekly meeting, council agrees to consider sitting on a homelessness committee to help tackle the rise of homelessness in Fort Frances. Two representatives from the existing committee gave presentations to present to council the issues at stake. Jamie Petrin, co-chair of the Fort Frances Homelessness Committee and representative […]

Merna Emara
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Just when everyone is looking to get their hair cut, Split Ends, a new family-oriented salon, has opened in Fort Frances. Split Ends is located on 262 Church St., and is currently preparing for its grand opening on Saturday, June 27. Megan Finlayson, owner of Split Ends, said owning a […]