Local News from Across the Rainy River District
A remote northern Ontario First Nation’s daily struggle for safe drinking water is stuck in the middle of a political fight between the federal and provincial governments. Every morning, families of the Pikangikum First Nation wake up to a water crisis that has become routine. Most homes have no running […]
Patients at Brantford General Hospital and the Willett Urgent Care Centre in Paris can now voluntarily self-identify as Indigenous or First Nations. It may sound like a small change — but it will hopefully help connect more people with culturally safe care and better supports once they leave, Michelle Bomberry, […]
“Hey bro, I’m checking out of here tomorrow. Pissed off. Just let the other bro know,” 57-year-old Bruce Frogg texted his oldest brother Joshua on June 20, 2024 from a halfway house in Kenora. “I’m just gonna clear it with p.o. [parole officer]. I’m free already. For two weeks already. […]
Yesterday, Wednesday July 2, Fort Frances Mayor Andrew Hallikas and Mayor Drake Dill of International Falls came together to sign a declaration of friendship between the two municipalities. Following the ceremony Halikas noted that in conversation both mayors acknowledged that citizens of both towns were wary about crossing the border, […]
A downtown Scott Street event happening next week will give everyone a chance to give those in need a happy Christmas. The Rainy River District Women’s Shelter of Hope will be on the receiving end of a fundraiser BBQ being held in conjunction with The Bargain Shop and Salvation Army […]
Fort Frances, ON – July 3, 2025 – Giishkaandago’Ikwe Health Services is proud to announce the launch of its revamped feedback process and employee recognition program, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to client-centred care and continuous quality improvement. This updated process encourages clients, families, and communities to share their experiences and […]
Bayfest 2025 has been cancelled. Organizers said a combination of “logistical complications, significantly increased production costs, and the rising cost of the U.S. dollar have made it financially unfeasible to move forward.” Dave Allen, with Acadia Broadcasting, said, “Additionally, ticket sales have not reached the levels necessary to support the […]
THUNDER BAY – In a first for the city, June 30 — the day before Canada Day — was declared Indigenous Survivors Day. Thunder Bay held a flag raising ceremony at City Hall and a sacred fire ceremony at Hillcrest Park. Tanis Thompson, the city’s manager of Indigenous relations, told Newswatch that Thunder Bay isn’t the only […]
Two anthologies edited by sisters Stephanie and Sara Sinclair that will hit the bookstores in late July and late August complement each other, although they were conceived at different times. You Were Made for this World, aimed at youth, was the first project. Six to 12 months later, A Steady Brightness of […]
Ron Francis, Chair of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee, announced on June 24 that eight individuals have been elected to Hockey Hall of Fame Honoured Membership, in both the Player and Builder Category. The vote took place today at the annual meeting of the Selection Committee in Toronto. […]
Ally Lewis joined the Town of Fort Frances as Communications Coordinator and Deputy Clerk in the spring and is learning the ropes of working for municipal government. Lewis comes to Fort Frances from the Kitchener-Waterloo (K-W) region, where she most recently worked in Elmira after growing up in Georgetown, closer […]
According to the weekly monitoring report from the Government of Canada, Ontario leads the nation in measles cases with about two thirds of the total national reported cases. This prompted an announcement from the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU), and the recently elected Carney government, on the importance of vaccines. Per […]
