By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SNnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY — The provincial government is “taking action now” for safer highways in the north, Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said Wednesday at the 2026 Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) conference. “Highway safety is a top priority for this government,” Sarkaria said. Highways 11 and 17, which together are Ontario’s […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

With the chosen deep geological repository site for Canada’s used nuclear fuel in Northwestern Ontario undergoing a multi-year regulatory decision-making process, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has begun to search for a second such site. The NWMO released a discussion document last June on its proposed approach for siting […]

By Meg Deak
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Woolwich Observer

The Ford government’s Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, has been a source of controversy since its introduction last June. Rolled out amid economic uncertainty, partially due to U.S. tariffs, the bill aims to accelerate development and major infrastructure projects, such as mining and electric vehicle […]

By Allan Bradbury
abradbury@fortfrances.com

On Thursday night, at their final passport season show, Tour de Fort announced the lineup for next year’s season series starting in September. The series will kick off on September 16, 2026, with Juno winner and famed Canadian female rocker, Sass Jordan. According to her bio, Jordan has been a […]

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

The next steps for a proposed Central Avenue roundabout are on hold after a tied council vote to award the design contract pushed the decision, potentially to next year. Talks of a potential redesign for the intersection connecting Central Avenue to 2nd, 3rd and 4th Streets initially sparked in October […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

The Fort Frances Lakers are still very much in the race for the Bill Salonen Cup after taking two games on the road in Thunder Bay. The Lakers beat the Thunder Bay North Stars last night 2-1 to tie the final series at two games apiece. After Thunder Bay had […]

By Times Staff

The Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts has been running throughout the month of April, giving local performers plenty of opportunities to show off their skills, and for supporters of the art to turn out for a morning, afternoon or evening of entertainment. The Festival concludes this week […]

By Times Staff

Chris McKhool – 7x Canadian Folk Music Award winner, 2026 JUNO nominee for Children’s Album of the Year, and one of the country’s most beloved family entertainers – will be undertaking an eleven-date northern Ontario tour in celebration of his long-awaited new album Little Leaf. Stopping in Fort Frances on […]

By Ken Kellar
Editor
kkellar@fortfrances.com

A trio of international partners have once more signed a declaration aimed at preserving the beauty of the night sky. Fort Frances mayor Andrew Hallikas journeyed to Minnesota’s Voyageur National Park on April 15, to sign a now-annual joint proclamation alongside International Falls mayor Drake Dill and Ranier mayor Dennis […]

By Tanya Hammond
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Review-Mirror

Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Addictions and Mental Health (LLGAMH) team based out of Brockville is reporting a sharp rise in young men seeking support for gambling-related problems, reflecting an Ontario-wide trend highlighted in a recent study, which showed an alarming 300% increase in calls to the province’s mental health helpline. […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

After dropping two games at home for the first time all year, the Fort Frances Lakers are looking to fight their way back to the top in the SIJHL finals. The Lakers fell 4-3 to the Thunder Bay North Stars in overtime on Friday night, and surrendered the game winning […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Rural residents living in areas just outside Thunder Bay braced for the prospect of flooded roads late Friday, as warming temperatures and a rainy forecast elevated the risk for ice jams, rising rivers and accelerated melting of an unusually deep snow-pack. “We have been on flood watch all day (Friday), […]