By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

KENORA — The majority of councillors in Kenora voted to oppose the province’s imposition of strong mayor powers on the municipality, but they ultimately remain in effect. At its June 17 committee of the whole meeting, councillors debated a motion that, in part, formally opposes “the imposition of strong mayor […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

WARNING: this story contains references to suicide. OTTAWA — If federal leaders want to fast-track resource development projects, then they’ve got to help fix a number of longstanding health and social issues in First Nations, says a Northwestern Ontario chief. Jeff Copenace, the chief of the Ojibways of Onigaming First […]

By Clint Fleury
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY – “It’s not a solution,” David Kisselgoff, director of Kisselgoff Motorcycle Museum, said in his deputation regarding the temporary shelter village site at last night’s committee of the whole. On Monday, city council voted 6-5 in favour of 114 Miles Street East as the site for the temporary shelter village. In a […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative
Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

The wretched worm that ravages spruce and fir trees and leaves a brownish mess in its wake seems to be everywhere one looks this summer, while options for trying to prevent the pest from wreaking its havoc are limited. For some rural property owners just outside Thunder Bay, spruce budworm […]

By Rochelle Baker
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Canada’s National Observer

Danny Masuzumi Sr. shakes his head, recalling the jumble of emotions he experienced as a raging wildfire bore down on the remote K’ahsho Got’ine community of Fort Good Hope, NWT.  A year ago, local leaders, other emergency personnel, Masuzumi and his team of Indigenous Guardians had to make a terrifying […]

Staff

The Riverside Foundation For Health Care is calling on its friends and supporters to rally across the street from La Verendrye Hospital during a visit by MPP Greg Rickford. In a Facebook post published late Tuesday, a letter credited to Foundation Chair Tyler Cousineau, Vice-Chair Shanda Degagne-Begin and Past Chair […]

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

The region is continuing to struggle with high levels of alcohol use and its impacts, according to the local health unit. Every year, the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU), which encompasses the Rainy River District and part of the Kenora District, covering approximately one-fifth of Ontario’s land, releases its annual report […]

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

Streptococcus pneumoniae, the bacteria that can cause Pneumonia and other illnesses, seems to be on the rise in Northwestern Ontario, according to a release from the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU). According to a release from the NWHU, cases of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease are three times higher in the district when […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

The Emo Fair is just about a month away and this year marks a special milestone, with the theme of the event being based around their 125th anniversary. The Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society Fall Fair as it’s officially known, began back in 1900 and was down on Emo’s Front […]

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

A multimillion-dollar investment aimed at helping junior mining companies bring Ontario’s critical minerals to market was announced by the Ontario government on July 3, 2025. The Ford government’s announcement focuses on early exploration and development costs for license prospectors, hopefully boosting Ontario’s economy and building supply chains around new mining […]

By Abdul Matin Sarfraz
Canada's National Observer
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As First Nations launch the first constitutional challenge against federal Bill C-5 and Ontario’s Bill 5 — sweeping laws to fast-track mines and major infrastructure — legal experts say the governments’ refusal to consult has left Indigenous communities with no other option and more court battles are likely ahead. “They didn’t engage […]