Local News from Across the Rainy River District
With emotions running high over Canada’s trade standoff with the US, Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s attempt to take his anti-tariff message directly to Americans appears to have backfired. The $75-million ad campaign that used clips from former US president Ronald Reagan speaking out against tariffs, prompted President Donald Trump to […]
Indigenous Services Canada is still failing to fully address emergency response needs for First Nations communities as climate disasters intensify across the country, a new audit warns. The Auditor General found “unsatisfactory progress” on about half of 34 recommendations made since 2015. Despite nearly doubling spending on Indigenous programs — […]
A decade-old Fort Frances tradition set to take place next week would appreciate additional community support. An effort to give families a safe Halloween of trick-or-treating started in 2014 as “Project Safe Halloween,” the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre (FFPLTC) has hosted the event in its parking log for […]
Canada’s Consumer Price Index increase for next year will be reflected in a 1.9 per cent rise in Fort Frances user fees over 2025. Each year when work begins to ink the municipal operating and capital spending plans, one of the first tasks is to nail down the baseline user […]
ATIKOKAN — Sawmills near Atikokan and Ignace will temporarily shut down over the Christmas holidays. United Steelworkers Local 1-2010 president Jacques Jean confirmed to Newswatch both facilities will pause operations for just over two weeks starting Dec. 19, with a scheduled re-start on Jan 5, 2026. He said it’s an […]
TEMISKAMING SHORES – It’s full steam ahead for the return of the Northlander passenger train with work progressing on a new Temiskaming Shores passenger shelter at the former site of the Ontario Northland station off Jaffray Street. The shelter will be one of nine along the route, including ones in […]
Last Friday, the Ontario government began its new One Project, One Process (1P1P) framework, which aims to unlock the full potential of Ontario’s metals and mining sector, including the Ring of Fire, by expediting mine approvals. Mining companies are now able to apply to have advanced exploration and mine development […]
First Nations leaders believe damage has already been done by the passage of controversial Ontario legislation Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025. But they remain hopeful that First Nations will have input into any project considered on their lands. The bill was passed by the provincial […]
Ann Rousseau has received an 18 month conditional sentence after pleading guilty to one count of mail theft. The sentencing came down on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, following years of the case making its way through the justice system. While Rousseau had originally entered a guilty plea in the case […]
The Northwest Health Unit (NWHU) is declaring victory after recording zero cases of the dangerous virus in the Rainy River District during a year-long outbreak that saw more than 2,000 cases across the province. “Thanks to the vigilance of our community members and consistent efforts of community partners and health […]
The fate of two retired tugboats considered culturally and historically significant to Fort Frances may finally be headed toward a resolution. After several years debating how to preserve the Hallett and the Owandem, as the larger boat was removed from its waterfront berth in 2022, whereupon the damage to the […]
Watching a calligrapher at work is like witnessing poetry unfold in ink. Each graceful swoop and swirl seems to appear by magic, forming elegant script that feels impossibly perfect to the untrained eye. Yet, as artist Jessica Marissen says, this ancient craft isn’t reserved for the gifted few – with […]
