It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Russell Cyr, 62, on January 25, 2026, at LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont., with his daughter Kayla, and niece Nancy by his side. Russell was born on April 23, 1963, to Louis and Rosie Cyr. Throughout his […]

It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Eddie Tetu, 82, of Stratton, Ont., at his residence on January 20, 2026. Eddie was born in Fort Frances on November 29, 1943, to parents Laurie and Clara Tetu. After his schooling, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air […]

Normally, I disregard column ideas from friends and readers, even when they’re both. However, comma… “I expect to see a Wilbur Wood column next week,” texted one loyal reader. Wilbur Wood, who died at 84 last Saturday, was a major-league pitcher. He became famous with the Chicago White Sox when […]

Most writers, lyricists and poets can attest to this. There are nights when writing feels less like an activity and more like ceremony.  It is a returning pilgrimage across a portal into a room inside the soul where the air shifts. Where the light deepens. Where the world grows quiet […]

Did you know? Canada continues to face a critical and escalating shortage of firefighters; every year, we continue to lose 9,000 out of an estimated 126,000. This significant decline leaves numerous communities throughout our vast country dangerously understaffed, jeopardizing their ability to effectively respond to emergencies.  Staffing shortage widely documented […]

We’ve just come through another seasonal dump of heavy snow here in Nova Scotia as I write this. I managed to dig my way out this morning with snowblower and shovel. I only use my snowblower when desperate times call for desperate measures. I prefer my shovel, telling myself I’m in a fresh […]

EVENTS CALENDAR Manitou Mounds is hosting a PA Day winter carnival. Join us for a day of outdoor adventures, skiing, hockey, s’mores, smoosh races and more. Jan 30 & 31. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission $10 for one child, $20 for one adult, $40 for family of four. The […]

EVENTS CALENDAR The Curl Fort Frances Community Centre is hosing A Very Tropical Friday Fun-Night. Join us for a tropical curling party. Come out in your best vacation wear and bring clean footwear. Jan. 23 check-in at 6:30 p.m. $15 per person. Sticks, sliders and brooms available for use. Never […]

It was a two-hour sports show on the radio every Sunday morning. Anybody who has worked in radio knows Sunday morning is typically a wasteland of listeners… unless the station is way down south and features a televangelist. After almost a year of being responsible for “Sunday Morning Sports Page” […]

By Luke Hildebrand
Northern Co-Chair, President
Kenora—Rainy River Ontario
NDP

The Ignace sawmill is set to shut down on March 12, 2026. Dozens of skilled workers will lose their jobs. Another northern town will be pushed to the brink. This comes only months after the Ear Falls sawmill went dark, laying off more than a hundred people. These aren’t random […]