By Brian Williams
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
London Free Press

A London-area municipality is feeling the toll of tariffs after the cost of a snowplow ordered before the trade war started by U.S. President Donald Trump jumped almost $75,000. Central Elgin, a rural municipality bordering St. Thomas, had allocated $370,000 in its 2025 budget to replace an aging plow truck […]

By Ethan Braund
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Woolwich Observer

The agriculture group known for the management of soil, water, air, and crops, has named a new executive director. Kerry Wright took the post with the Guelph-based Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) as of July 28. “We’re excited to welcome Kerry Wright as our new executive director,” said […]

By Ethan Braund
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Woolwich Observer

Researchers at the University of Guelph have developed a new conservation strategy to help curb the falling population of monarch butterflies that travel across North America. Ecologist Ryan Norris and Tyler Flockhart, a population biologist and former U of G PhD student, published their findings last month in the journal […]

By James Matthews
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
jmatthews@fortfrances.com

Some foreign-born workers face uncertainty about their future in Fort Frances, despite their ongoing contributions to the local workforce. The federal government put a plan into effect last year that paused short-term population growth in Canada to achieve well-managed, sustainable long-term growth, according to an October 2024 press release from […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

The Town of Fort Frances has a new set of Hall of Famers. After the evening was kicked off with an Honour Song by the Rainy Lake Drum and the singing of the National Anthem by Cassandra Armstrong, Fort Frances Mayor Andrew Hallikas greeted those in attendance at the fifth […]

Staff

The Ontario Government is providing up to $1 billion in support funding to those sectors most impacted by the U.S. tariffs. In a press release from this morning, the Ontario Conservative government announced it would be creating the Protect Ontario Financing Program, an initiative aimed at supporting the sectors in […]

By James Matthews
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
jmatthews@fortfrances.com

Any means that will draw attention to the need for improvements to winter travel on northern highways is welcomed. Fort Frances town council decided to support an effort to tighten safety measures for motorists driving Ontario’s northern highways year-round. Councillor Wendy Brunetta suggested to council when it met Aug. 11, […]

By James Matthews
Local Journalism Initative
Reporter
jmatthews@fortfrances.com

A healthy democracy works best in a respectful environment. You’d only have to look south of the border to get a sense of that truism. As such, Fort Frances Councillor Wendy Brunetta asked that council colleagues get behind an effort started by their counterparts in St. Catharines against harassment of […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

At 12:58 a.m. today, the Air Canada Component of the Canadian Union for Public Employees announced that flight attendants intend to walk off the job this weekend. In response, at 1:30 a.m. Air Canada issued a lockout notice. In a union press release, the bargaining unit’s president Wesley Lesosky says […]

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

At a rate of 50-70 meteors per hour, and with the pleasant weather of the summer months, the Perseid meteor shower is a popular viewing for amateur and expert astronomers alike. The Perseids peak in activity on the 12th and the 13th of August this year, and are best viewed […]

From Riverside Health Care
Press release

Riverside Health Care, in conjunction with the Northwestern Health Unit, has declared that the Respiratory Outbreak at Rainycrest Long Term Care Home’s East Wing has ended, with all units resuming normal operations. Restrictions are no longer in effect for visitors and residents. Our detailed safety procedures and infection prevention control […]

From Community Living Fort Frances and Districts
Press release

The Board of Directors for Community Living Fort Frances and District (CLFFD) is pleased to announce the appointment of Robyn Melville as Chief Executive Officer, effective August 14, 2025. Robyn brings over 13 years of experience in the developmental services sector and has been a valued member of the CLFFD […]