By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

Ice For Kids Arena was abuzz with the sound of 800 hockey fans as the Fort Frances Lakers opened up the SIJHL semi-finals with an overtime win on Good Friday in Fort Frances. The game was a back-and-forth affair as the Lakers and the Kam River Walleye traded attempts on […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

The case of former Rainy River District School Board principal Shane Beckett, who has been charged with two counts of child luring, has been set over until June 25 as lawyers for both sides prepare. Beckett’s case was called before the Justice of the Peace’s Case Management Court Thursday morning […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

When the Fort Frances Lakers take to the ice Friday night against the Kam River Walleye, they will be doing so with extra motivation as one of the cornerstone players of the season will be missing. Lakers goaltender Nolan Koethler will be absent from the playoff run after an accident […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Despite assurances from the province this month that it’s stepping up road-safety measures on major Northern routes, provincial police continue to spot and pull unsafe and “defective” heavy trucks off the roads. On Saturday morning in the Nipigon area, an OPP officer patrolling on Highway 11-17 observed a transport truck […]

By Joe O’Grady
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Temiskaming Speaker

TEMISKAMING SHORES – More rigorous testing and training of transport drivers and all new drivers is needed to help reduce the number of collisions on Northern Ontario roads. That’s the view of Temiskaming Shores city council, which has endorsed a Timiskaming Municipal Association resolution urging the province to change the […]

By Clint Fleury
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY – The provincial budget increases are welcomed by community leaders, but it could take a larger leap to address some funding gaps. The provincial budget was revelaed at 4 p.m. on Thursday in the legislature by Finance Minister Peter Bethenfalvy, who says the province’s deficit for 2026-27 is […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

The appointment of an independent review panel into a proposed underground storage site for spent nuclear-fuel rods is likely several months away, but those following the project say they’re relieved a panel hearing will be part of the process. “We would have been surprised if it wasn’t,” We the Nuclear […]

By Sylene Argent
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Essex Free Press

The Provincial PC-run government presented its 2026 Budget last Thursday, which Essex MPP (PC) Anthony Leardi said focuses on protecting Ontario workers and businesses.  The 2026 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario was the eighth consecutive PC Budget with no new taxes, Leardi boasted.  “That distinguishes us quite considerably […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

Last week, 12 members of Naicatchewenin (Northwest Bay) First Nation (NFN) took part in ice rescue training, which will enable them to help out community members who find themselves in trouble. Bob Morrison is the Community Emergency Management Coordinator, Deputy Fire Chief and First Response Team Coordinator for the First […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
NWOnewswatch.com

TORONTO — First Nations leaders in Ontario are celebrating a decision by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal over the future of child welfare. On Monday, the tribunal approved the Ontario Final Agreement — the nine-year, $8.5-billion deal that the Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation reached with the federal […]