By Robin McCormick
West end Correspondent

On October 3, in conjunction with the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs(OAPC) Fall Symposium, at the Blue Mountain Resort and Conference Centre, Stanley Vlotaros Jr., Donna O’Sullivan and Chris Weilinga received the prestigious Governor Generals Emergency Medical Services Exemplary in recognition of their career accomplishments. As part of the Canadian […]

By Clint Fleury
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBNewswatch

THUNDER BAY — No matter where you are in Northwestern Ontario, CEO of Smart Modular Canada Bill Boulton told Newswatch, they are seeing a need for affordable housing . “Everywhere is in the same problem. Even our own little area, Fort Frances has no housing or you buy, rent or […]

By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Thunder Bay Source

WABIGOON LAKE — Chief Clayton Wetelainen wouldn’t disclose the numbers, but he said Monday that his First Nation near Dryden voted overwhelmingly to proceed as a potential host to a below-ground facility for nuclear waste. A referendum completed on Saturday delivered “an overwhelming mandate to continue to the next phase […]

By Sandi Krasowski,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle Journal

A countrywide postal strike at Christmastime is of great concern for many retailers who are preparing for the impacts. Matt Carr, owner of Matt Carr Repair and Retro North Games, relies on Canada Post for his shipping of gaming components and said that his gaming company “is largely online.” “We […]

By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Thunder Bay Source

KENORA — An MRI machine at Lake of the Woods District Hospital will be a leap forward in local health care, says the region’s member of provincial parliament. “Oh, we’re just thrilled,” Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford told Newswatch this week after the Ontario government announced it will put up […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

A new nurse practitioner clinic aims to fill gaps in Thunder Bay’s health care by providing services through the clinic, virtually, and by home visits. Encompass Healthcare, which offers a fee-for-service model, has opened across from Wendy’s Restaurant on Red River Road in the Shopper’s Drug Mart building. Lead nurse […]

By Maggie Macintosh
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Winnipeg Free Press

The University of Winnipeg has announced a hiring freeze as senior administration reels in spending in response to a drop in international enrolment and other budgetary pressures. President Todd Mondor told senators on Sept. 26 that enrolment among new non-Canadian students had dropped 50 per cent for the fall term […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative
Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Oliver Paipoonge Mayor Lucy Kloosterhuis says her council will hold off mulling a potential resolution opposing the transportation of spent nuclear-fuel rods through their municipality “until after we hear both sides of the story.” Kloosterhuis said council heard at Tuesday’s meeting from environmental-group reps who oppose the transportation of the […]

By Ken Kellar
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
kkellar@fortfrances.com

The town of Fort Frances will be appealing to the provincial government for funding as it continues to grapple with aging infrastructure and equipment. At last night’s meeting of town council, council approved three reports that will see the town enter into funding agreement with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund […]

By Mike Stimpson,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Thunder Bay Source

KENORA — Treaty Three Police Service (T3PS) has persuaded one First Nation to stay on board while another community has switched to provincial police. Grassy Narrows (Asubpeeschoseewagong) First Nation “has agreed to continue to work with T3PS to address the policing needs of its community and provide adequate and effective policing […]

By Carl Clutchey,
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Any expansion of Ontario Northland’s rural bus service through Northwestern Ontario should include a secondary bus route for highways 11 and 17, says the regional municipal association. In a letter last month to Ontario Northland Transportation Commission chair Alan Spacek, the association says doing so would “increase efficiency and reliability […]

By Sandi Krasowski,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Post-secondary institutions across the province are feeling the pinch from the significant changes announced by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) earlier this year. Lakehead University saw a 15-per cent decline in new first-semester international student enrolment this fall compared to 2023 and Confederation College saw a 39.2-per cent decrease. […]