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 […]
Daily Headlines
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
jmatthews@fortfrances.com
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 […]
Staff writer
lbalankodickson@fortfrances.com
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 […]
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com
Singer-songwriter Melissa Payne will play for the sold-out Tour De Fort Audience on Saturday, but for those who don’t have a passport, you can get a taste of Payne’s music at Boston Pizza on Friday night. Payne, who hails from Ennismore, Ont., near Peterborough, got into music as a child […]
On Monday the Superior International Hockey League announced the death of a long-time hockey figure in northwestern Ontario. “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of one of the pillars of the Superior International Junior Hockey League, Bill Salonen,” the release stated. “Bill was instrumental in […]
The Ontario government has confirmed it will invest $50 million to support planning for the new Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora as part of its 10-year, $60-billion initiative to increase health care access across the province. The funding announced by Premier Doug Ford will also see $1.9 […]
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
jmatthews@fortfrances.com
Following a delegation from the Fort Frances Lakers, members of council concluded that maintaining ice at the Memorial Sports Centre is in line with the Town’s strategic goal to provide residents high quality of life. Council voted to endorse the plan to make summer ice permanent during the Oct. 14 […]
Atikokan Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have charged the driver of a tractor-trailer after a truck hauling gravel crashed into a ditch on Highway 622 on Monday afternoon near the Rawn Reservoir. Police responding to a report around 2 p.m. found a tractor-trailer with a fully loaded belly-dump gravel trailer that […]
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com
THUNDER BAY – Ontario’s MPPs are officially back at Queen’s Park for a new sitting of the provincial legislature, nearly five months after they broke for the summer and forestry was top of mind for the region’s leaders. Opposition member Sol Mamakwa, MPP for Kiiwetinoong, wasted no time in questioning […]
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal
Mayors from across Ontario met at the Prince Arthur Hotel in Thunder Bay last week for the annual 2025 Ontario Big City Mayors Meeting where they took part in a roundtable discussion to develop policies, advocacy and partnerships. Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM), from 29 cities with a population of […]
Local Journalism Initiative
Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal
The Township of Ear Falls is the latest Northwestern Ontario community that will face the temporary closure of a mill. The town learned on Thursday that the Ear Falls Sawmill would close, and leave more than 160 workers without jobs. Interfor, which owns and operates the sawmill, announced temporary adjustments […]
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal
Relieved Kap Paper employees will begin to head back to work in Kapuskasing as soon as next week. Intensive collaboration between the Ontario and federal governments resulted in the agreement to provide operational support to Kap Paper, as the mill works towards a long-term modernization plan. Kapuskasing Mayor Dave Plourde […]







