By Liam Oliver Neilson
Staff writer
lneilson@fortfrances.com

The water treatment plant in Rainy River, Ont. will soon have upgrades put into place after a provincial investment of $2,074,000. The provincial funding will allow the town to replace outdated system hardware without placing heavy debt on the town, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford said while visiting the facility […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
lneilson@fortfrances.com

After a successful initial run, Grand Council Treaty #3’s “Here’s a Thought” virtual speaker series will continue throughout 2026 with no planned end date with experts speaking twice a month on a diverse range of topics viewed through an Indigenous lens. The series was launched in December by the Gikinoo’amaadiwin […]

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

Crossroads Public School in Devlin has introduced their fifth student candidate for the Principal for a Block program, which allows students the chance to test drive being a principal and feel what it’s like to sit in the big chair. “I think it’s a good experience, because you’re allowing younger […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

A piece of local history has been returned to town after spending many years thousands of kilometres away. A painting of the region’s famed logging boat, the Hallet, created by prominent local artist Peter Spuzak in 1983, has been donated to the Fort Frances Museum and Cultural Centre after having […]

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

The explosion of artificial intelligence in recent years has sparked a range of public reaction from horror to confusion to optimism, and the Rainy River District School Board (RRDSB) is tackling the issue head on by providing students and staff with guidance around smart and safe use of the technology. […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

A shutout on Sunday night and a tight contest on Family Day Monday saw the Fort Frances Lakers take four points over the weekend to remain atop the SIJHL standings. Sunday’s game was a 7-0 blowout, which despite the score, was no small achievement. Each of the Lakers’ seven goals […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Staff writer
lneilson@fortfrances.com

The Devlin Community Hall in La Vallee, Ont. will get more than $250,000 from the province to fund renovations, keeping the local event venue running for years to come, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford announced on Feb. 12. The investment comes from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), which […]

By Times Staff

Two individuals from Toronto are facing charges following the execution of a search warrant in Dryden. According to a release from the Dryden Detachment of the OPP, the pair were arrested and charged on Feb. 13, following the execution of a search warrant issued as part of an ongoing drug […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce president Charla Robinson says there are several steps the Ontario government can take in its 2026 budget to help the city achieve its growth potential. The chamber forwarded its priorities to the government last month during the province’s pre-consultation process for a budget document that […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

KENORA — The mayor and council in Kenora now know more about what it could cost if the city were to return to a municipal police service. Consultants with MNP presented at Kenora council’s meeting on Feb. 10 and took questions from those around the table. The consultants’ report says it would cost roughly twice […]

By Clint Fleury
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY – The Ministry of Education decided student safety requires all educational staff, including educators, support staff and volunteers, to get a regularly updated police record check. Carlos Santander-Maturna, president of the Lakehead District Labour Council, says the new regulation doesn’t make sense. “It’s going to create more problems […]