– Ken Kellar photo

Fort Frances mayor Andrew Hallikas, left, Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River client services co-ordinator Mary O’Connor, centre, and supporters of the Alzheimer Society joined together on the afternoon of Wednesday, January 3, 2024, for the raising of the Alzheimer Society flag at the Fort Frances Civic Centre to mark the […]

From the IAFF
Press release

OTTAWA – The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is marking January as the inaugural Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month in Canada.  Nearly all professional Canadian fire fighters have felt the pain of losing colleagues in the line of duty from occupational cancers. In the five-year period 2018-2022, an average of […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Growth in the Thunder Bay region’s new-business startups and expansions has intensified the search for funding sources. The Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre hosted a Meet the Funders event and added three more funding sources to their previous dozen. Funders have been vital to the survival of the region’s businesses, both […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

January 18 is the deadline for business owners who received Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans to repay $40,000 of the $60,000 borrowed and access $20,000 in loan forgiveness. According to Angela Halvorsen Smith, Executive Director of the Rainy River Future Development Corporation (RRFDC), many small businesses in the Rainy […]

Elisa Nguyen
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
enguyen@fortfrances.com

The motto of the SAR-1 program is “so that others may live.” True to their mission, the program recently provided intensive training to a group of future team leaders in the Rainy River District, developing expertise and a search and rescue team for the Treaty 3 territory and neighbouring communities […]

By Elisa Nguyen
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
enguyen@fortfrances.com

The Northwest Catholic District School Board (TNCDSB) has seen an increasing number of students with autism this year. Despite initial challenges, the ongoing love and support of educators has led to successful learning and peer relationships, says Tara Johnson, Autism and Positive Behavior Support Lead for the board. To share […]

District of Rainy River Services Board
Press release

The District of Rainy River Services Board (DRRSB) unanimously approved the 2024 Annual Budget of ~32.4 million at the regular board meeting held Thursday, December 14, 2023. The overall budget reflects an increase of $1.28 M or 4.13% which is funded primarily by the Province through the four major programs, […]

Press release

Dec. 21–An individual is facing a Stunt Driving charge after being caught driving in a unsafe manor causing excess smoke and noise. On December 20, 2023, at approximately 4:30 p.m., members of the Rainy River District OPP on general patrol, located a vehicle stopped at an intersection approaching Broadway Avenue […]

Staff

There’s a new way to donate to and adopt from Best for Kitty. The cat and kitten rescue organization has launched a new website, bestforkitty.net. The organization’s Facebook page will remain active, but the website provides the convenience of fillable forms for those hoping to foster or adopt, as well […]

From the OPP
Press release

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – The Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating fatal collision involving a pedestrian. On December 20, 2023, shortly after 6:30 p.m., members of the Rainy River District OPP Detachment and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to a serious collision involving a […]


By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Having 15 to 20 committed volunteers at your disposal doesn’t seem like a lot to ask — unless you’re running a small-town fire department. That’s the challenge O’Connor Township’s Henry Mattas and other Canadian volunteer fire chiefs overseeing rural departments have been facing for many years. Mattas, who has been […]