From the OPP

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – An impaired driver was taken off the road thanks to a 9-1-1 call from a concerned citizen. On March 7, 2025, at approximately 3:00 p.m., the Fort Frances Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a 9-1-1 call from a concerned citizen who reported seeing […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

The City of Thunder Bay has been recognized for its excellence in urban tree care and planning and has been awarded the 2024 Tree City of the World by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Arbor Day Foundation. The Tree Cities of the World program inspires cities […]

By Connor McDowell
Local Journalism Initiative
Reporter
Brandon Sun

A blood moon is set to begin tonight as Earth orbits directly between the sun and the moon. The orange-red moon phenomenon, scientifically called a total lunar eclipse, is set to peak around 2 a.m. Friday as seen from Brandon. Shadows will begin to form on the moon beginning at […]

By Ethan Braund
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Woolwich Observer

Helping people electrify their homes to significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and realize some financial savings is the goal of a webinar set for next month. On April 1, the Nith Valley EcoBoosters and Reep Green Solutions are co-hosting “Getting Off Gas – Electrify Your Home!” to teach you the […]

By Ethan Braund
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Woolwich Observer

The Ontario Farmland Trust’s annual Farmland Forum, scheduled for March 20 in Elora, will this year focus on protecting water resources. Specifically, the connection between watershed protection and the future of Ontario’s farmlands. The full-day event at the GrandWay Events Centre, which can be attended in person or online, will […]

By Ken Kellar
Editor
kkellar@fortfrances.com

One year after her disappearance, the Government of Ontario is offering a $50,000 reward for information regarding the whereabouts of Melanie Lapish. Lapish was last seen in Fort Frances at approximately 9:00 p.m. on February 26, 2024. Rainy River District OPP said that Lapish was supposed to meet an individual […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

April will mark one year with the Fort Frances Fire Rescue Service for interim Fire Chief Dave Robertson. Robertson says that so much has happened in his time in the role, it feels like more than a year, but in a good way. “We’re a little shy of a year […]

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

Egale Canada released a statement on February 26, 2025, calling a recent Ontario court ruling a “legal advocacy win.” The Ontario Superior Court of Justice determined “hate speech” statements were made online by Brian Webster, a Calgary Construction worker who published statements calling drag queens “groomers.” While Bennett Jensen, Director […]

By Ken Kellar
Editor
kkellar@fortfrances.com

Two French Immersion students at St. Mary School are preparing to take an exam that will test their language skills and provide them official certification of their bilingual status. Jackson Bourgeois and Bilal Toure are both Grade 8 students in the school’s French Immersion program who will be taking the […]

When I finished university at the end of 2004, I wasn’t totally sure what I was going to do with my life, as far as an occupation at least. I used to tell people I went to school on the “keep Mom happy program,” which was partially true. I spent […]