By Allison Jones
THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO – Ontario has backed off a housing proposal that farmers say would have had a “catastrophic” impact on farmland and livestock operations. Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark proposed a series of regulations along with a bill that would allow for more housing to be built beyond urban […]

By Liam Casey
THE CANADIAN PRESS

Ontario has charged Marineland over the care of its black bears. The Ministry of the Solicitor General said it laid the charges against the Niagara Falls, Ont., tourist attraction on Tuesday. “Marineland of Canada, Inc. in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has been charged with three counts of failing to comply with […]

THE CANADIAN PRESS

The fight against wildfires that have forced at least 21,000 people from their homes in Nova Scotia is expected to reach a pivotal point today. Fire officials are worried about a resurgence in two major fires because of a phenomenon known as “crossover.” Wildfires can become extreme events when the […]

Elisa Nguyen
Local Journalism Initiative
enguyen@fortfrances.com

A healing walk in memory of Thre Windego and those who have lost their lives to overdose will be held on Saturday, June 3. The walk starts at 1 p.m. at the United Native Friendship Centre (UNFC) parking lot, stops at the Nugget Motel, and then returns to the UNFC. […]

By Daniel Adam
Staff Writer
dadam@fortfrances.com

Last year, Doug McBride and Steve Ballan came up just short in the 2022 Emo Walleye Classic. They were less than a pound shy of the title. If Bill Godin’s demeanour was any indication of last year’s runners-up’s fate for this year, things didn’t bode well for them. As McBride […]

By Daniel Adam
Staff Writer
dadam@fortfrances.com

Thanks to the Ontario government, the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board (RRDSSAB) is set to receive a funding increase of over $592,000, bringing the Homelessness Prevention Program and Indigenous Supportive Housing Program allocation to over $1.1 million for 2023-24. RRDSSAB CAO Dan McCormick says provincial involvement is key. […]

By Ken Kellar
Staff writer
kkellar@fortfrances.com

As warmer weather envelops the region, forest fires become more and more likely, and the season is already underway. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry announced there have been two new forest fires reported in the northwest fire region as of 5:50 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. The […]

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

A recruitment open house for those in the Rainy River District interested in a career in policing will take place on Monday, June 5, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Fort Frances Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment. OPP Provincial Constable Bradley Scoyne said there will be several displays from […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

On May 18, Emo residents were invited to a community strategic planning meeting with the Rainy River Future Development Corporation (RRFDC). Facilitated by RRFDC executive director Geoff Gillon, the evening involved asking residents what they’d like to see in Emo and did a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis […]

By Tyler Moffitt
Fort Frances Fire Rescue Service Chief

(Fort Frances, ON) – On May 27, 2023, at approximately 4:49 p.m. the Fort Frances Fire Rescue Service responded to a structure fire at the Town of Fort Frances Recycling Facility Storage Building. Three full-time firefighters, five part-time firefighters, and the fire chief responded to the scene of the fire […]

By Eric Shih
Local Journalism Initiative
Reporter
Thunder Bay Source

Two people died after an early morning house fire last week, the city’s fire chief confirmed. Kenora Fire Chief David Pratt said multiple 911 calls were received about a structural fire at 18th Avenue North at Ninth Street North at about 2:15 a.m on Friday. “When we arrived, the fire […]