From the Ontario Conservation Officers Association
Press release

Ice fishing is a popular past time for many of Ontario’s anglers and the Ontario Conservation Officers Association (OCOA) urges anglers to use caution when heading out this winter. “Warm temperatures have caused many lakes to freeze slowly or not at all in many parts of Southern and Central Ontario,” […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health has declined a request to conduct a formal, public investigation into Riverside Health Care’s La Verendrye Hospital following the death of Hermina Fletcher, citing multiple procedural upgrades at the facility, and existing investigations into the matter. Lawyer Douglas Judson of Judson Howie […]

Second suspect arrested/charges laid (FORT FRANCES, ON) – The Rainy River District Detachment Crime Unit of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have laid charges against a second individual in connection to a mail theft investigation which started last month. On January 22, 2024, shortly before 2 p.m., members from the […]

By Robin McCormick
Emo & Devlin Correspondent

The quick response to an Emo residence by the Emo & LaVallee Volunteer Fire Department last Thursday was able to save a family home from destruction. At 4:30 p.m. on Jan 18, the family looked out to find their F150 truck in flames, in its parking spot, beside their attached […]

By Ken Kellar
Staff writer
kkellar@fortfrances.com

After months of heavy construction, seniors in Fort Frances have brand new spaces at the Fort Frances Senior Centre to take part in the activities they love. As part of an official ribbon cutting held at the centre on Saturday, January 20, 2024, Fort Frances administration officials, along with town […]

Elisa Nguyen
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
enguyen@fortfrances.com

Two and a half years have flown by since Cameron Penney began his work in one of the most fast-paced and exciting industries as manager of social media at True North Sports Entertainment, the company that owns the Winnipeg Jets. Similar to the players on the ice, Penney and his […]

Elisa Nguyen
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
enguyen@fortfrances.com

The Rainy River District School Board (RRDSB) has been making strides to prepare students to work in a changing cultural landscape. Around 40 per cent of RRDSB students identify as Indigenous, calling for a more concentrated effort to ensure that there are resources and opportunities for teachers to embed Indigenous […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

From Jan. 10-14 the Northern Ontario Mixed Doubles Curling Championship was held at the Stratton Curling club. The event featured a team from Stratton, one from Fort Frances and another from Sudbury. The tournament was a double round robin in which each team played each other twice with the team […]

From the Government of Ontario
Press release

TORONTO — The Ontario government is taking continued action to emphasize back-to-basics learning by introducing mandatory learning through clear and direct instruction in reading, writing and math for kindergarten students. Combined with hands-on and play-based learning, this new kindergarten curriculum will ensure students entering Grade 1 across the province have […]

Manitoba Health has noted a recent increase in cases of Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) and Invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) infections in Manitoba. This increases the risk in northwestern Ontario due to frequent travel between our region and Manitoba. The Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) area does regularly have higher iGAS […]

From Riverside Health Care
Press release

Riverside Health Care in conjunction with the Northwestern Public Health Unit has declared a Respiratory Outbreak at Rainycrest Long Term Care Home. Enhanced visitor restrictions and masking protocols are in place. Only two visitors or caregivers may visit at a time, and visitors should only visit one resident per visit. […]

By Kevin Jeffrey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY — Several local representatives will soon make the case for Thunder Bay issues in front of provincial members of parliament and ministers. Mayor Ken Boshcoff will head to Toronto this week along with councillors Shelby Ch’ng, Kristen Oliver and Kasey Etreni – for the annual Rural Ontario Municipal […]