By Ken Kellar
Editor
kkellar@fortfrances.com

A mechanical failure at Rainycrest has caused a heater to fail, though staff have assured residents and families there is no risk involved. According to an email sent out to residents, families and decision-makers by Raincrest Long-Term Care Home Administrator Tara Morelli, a rooftop heating unit on the northeast corridor […]

By Laura Balanko-Dickson
Staff writer
lbalankodickson@fortfrances.com

Homelessness in the Rainy River District is “precarious” according to Sandra Weir, Integrated Services Manager and Housing/ Homelessness Lead for the District of Rainy River Services Board. According to Weir, the top reason why a pronounced homeless population strains other services in the district is a shortage of affordable housing. […]

By Ken Kellar
Editor
kkellar@fortfrances.com

After nearly 50 years, Mark Howarth is setting off onto his next chapter. Howarth, the longtime owner of Leon’s, formerly Howarth’s Home Centre, in Fort Frances alongside his wife Twyla, has officially retired from the family business he has been running for close to five decades. It’s a significant milestone […]

Press Release

The Fort Frances and Area Human Trafficking Coalition is hosting a Dinner & Documentary event on February 21, 2025, at the Sunset Country Métis Hall 5-9 p.m. This powerful evening aims to educate the community about human trafficking while offering an opportunity to hear from guest speaker Cynara Vondra, an […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

The Fort Frances Lakers are experiencing their best season in recent memory and a portion of that success can be attributed to the goaltending tandem of Gunner Paradis of Thunder Bay and Nolan Koethler (pronounced Ket-ler) of Drayton Valley, AB. The pair have helped the Lakers to fifth in the […]

From Riverside Health Care
Press release

Riverside Health Care in conjunction with the Northwestern Public Health Unit has declared an Influenza A Outbreak on the West Wing of Rainycrest Long Term Care Home. Enhanced visitor restrictions and masking protocols are in place. Only two (2) visitors or caregivers may visit at a time, and visitors should […]

From Confederation College
Press release

Thunder Bay, ON February 11, 2025 – Confederation College announced a generous $100,000 donation from CIBC to support students in the Community Integration through Co-operative Education (CICE) program. This significant contribution will provide financial assistance and enhance experiential learning opportunities for CICE students over the next three years. The donation […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Thunder Bay hotels will begin filling up next week with fans, sponsors, officials, curling teams and their families as the Scotties Tournament of Hearts gets underway on Feb. 14. The 10-day event to crown Canada’s women’s curling champions is expected to bolster the city’s accommodation, culinary, attraction and retail sectors […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Progress is being made in the forestry sector for First Nations reconciliation in Northern Ontario. Jason Rasevych, president of the Anishnawbe Business Professional Association (ABPA), attended the Prosperity Northwest conference in January and delivered a keynote on the urgent need for deeper, more respectful collaboration between First Nations communities and […]

By Margaret Kirk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Sault Star

Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Matthew Shoemaker calls the proposed U.S. steel tariffs “unwarranted aggression towards a friendly neighbor,” and supports the federal government to respond with retaliatory tariffs that were effective in mitigating previous threats of tariffs in 2018.  Late Sunday evening, U.S. President Donald Trump unofficially announced a 25 […]