Local News from Across the Rainy River District
TORONTO – First Nations leaders made a strong case against Bill 5 at committee hearings this week, Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa said Friday. “They made it very clear – this is a very wrong move on the part of the government,” Mamakwa told Newswatch. “The government talks about its duty […]
As stakeholders in Ontario’s energy sector stare down the complex challenge of transitioning to sustainable forms of electricity generation, one thing is clear: the road to a clean energy future will not be built unless there is a skilled workforce to pave it. In January 2025, just before Premier Doug […]
Six US governors seeking to sidestep the Trump administration’s trade war are inviting their Canadian counterparts to a meeting in Boston to discuss preserving the economic lifelines that have long connected New England and Eastern Canada. Led by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, the joint invitation comes from five governors, mostly Democrats, representing […]
Every spring, the Bear With Us Centre for Bears in Sprucedale sees an influx of orphaned black bear cubs. Some of the mothers are hit by cars. Others may have been separated from their babies due to logging or legal hunting. According to the centre’s president and founder Mike McIntosh, […]
The Chapple, Emo and LaVallee Fire and Emergency Services Department may have averted catastrophe last night after they responded to “multiple reports” of a grass fire located near Little Pine Lake on Hwy 71. According to a Facebook post from the Department, they decided to check it out in a […]
There’s fun for the whole family this weekend at the Stratton EarlyON Child and Family Centre as they team up with the Stratton Rec Centre and other community organizations to host the Gather and Grow Conference for Play and Well-Being. The free, family-friendly conference will be running from 10:00 a.m. […]
KENORA – The weather has helped out, but evacuation orders remained in place Tuesday for areas affected by the Kenora 20 and Kenora 14 wildfires. “Lower temperatures and wet weather has reduced both the wildland fire hazard and fire behaviour of the region’s active fires,” said Chris Marchand, regional fire information officer for the Ministry […]
Confederation College has faced one of its toughest years yet, but has overcome obstacles and had many achievements during the 2024-25 academic year. Michelle Salo, college president, presented the college’s 2025 Report to Community, Wednesday, which reviewed the school’s past year’s performance against its strategic plan. Salo said this year, […]
Ontario’s new $3.1-billion plan for a critical minerals supply chain created in partnership with First Nations is raising concerns about weakened environmental protections and inadequate Indigenous consultation. Announced Wednesday, the provincial initiative will create a “made-in-Ontario” supply chain and boost First Nations equity, according to the government. But critics say […]
After days on the front lines of a growing wildfire near Lac du Bonnet, auxiliary firefighter Kyle Adamski is home again — exhausted, but proud of the work he and his team carried out to protect lives and property in one of Manitoba’s most active fire zones this spring. Adamski, […]
A University of Guelph researcher is looking to make decontamination technology commonplace in the agri-food industry. Dr. Keith Warriner developed a technique that can kill food pathogens using hydroxyl radical technology. Warriner told The Observer that he initially started on the path to the invention in the 1990s in the […]
The Thunder Pride Association and Borderland Pride are working together to host the premiere night of a series of events focused on discussing Two-Spirit people and the intersection of Indigenous and queer identities. Moreover, they will collect survey data, share resources with local initiatives, and host a poetry-crafting activity encouraging […]
