There was no question that Sleeman native Kenny Trenchard was the big winner at the third-annual Rainy River Valley Giant Pumpkin Festival on Saturday, taking the $1,000 grand prize and the coveted “Golden Hoe” for his 456-pound entry. “I’m not sure what I’ll do with it,” Trenchard said after pocketing […]
District News
It’s out there. It’s all around us. It’s not something we can easily put a finger on but it’s there just the same. What is it? “It” is that feeling of community, that sense of spirit, that open neighbourliness that gives a place heart. And sometimes you’ll find the biggest […]
Speed could be the essential for Rainy River District to have its own area services board (ASB)–and not be forced to join in with Kenora District. Fort Frances Mayor Glenn Witherspoon said the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines wants no more than 10 ASBs across Northern Ontario. To help […]
Why settle for great pumpkins when you can go for giant ones? That’s the attitude Rainy River will be taking Saturday as the town hosts the third-annual Rainy River Valley Giant Pumpkin Contest. Grower of the heaviest pumpkin will walk home with $1,000 and the “Golden Hoe,” with second and […]
About 100 people ventured into farm country Sunday afternoon, making many call the Rainy River Federation of Agriculture’s “Drive in the Country” farm tour a success. Organizer Deb Cornell said attendance was up from last year’s tour and the feedback she’s been hearing has been very positive. “Those participating seemed […]
It came down to dollars and cents as industry reps tried to stake claims on Crown land when the Boreal West Round Table held a public meeting at the Legion Hall here last Thursday. A dozen speakers, representing the forestry and tourism industries, as well as anglers, hunters and conservationists, […]
Need an idea for a relaxing Sunday afternoon with the family? Well, the Rainy River Federation of Agriculture is holding a farm tour this Sunday from 12:30-5 p.m., aptly named “A Drive in the Country.” “There are five farms,” noted tour organizer Deb Cornell. “At each farm, there will food […]
Making the grade under Ontario’s new guidelines isn’t going to be easy for the pupils—or the teachers, who may find themselves understaffed and overworked under the new curriculum. Tom Fry, who works in curriculum services with the Fort Frances-Rainy River Board of Education, said students who are not making the […]
About 1,285 head of cattle were moved through the Stratton sales yard Saturday, with many steers selling in the $0.90-$1.10/lb range. But the buyers were picky this year, and not every steer was able to fetch such a high price. “The general feeling was where the quality was, the price […]
It’s T-minus 30 days until the deadline to file nomination papers for the municipal election in November but the races haven’t attracted much attention yet. As of Monday, no one had filed nomination papers for a seat on councils in Alberton, La Vallee, Chapple, Rainy River, Emo, McCrosson-Tovell, Morley, and […]
With the approach of fall, area residents can probably expect to see bears nosing around their backyards. But just how many bruins pay a visit depends largely on the precautions taken by homeowners. An increase in bear sightings have been reported in the McIrvine Road and Eighth Street areas of […]
The Boreal West Round Table will hear public presentations on the future of natural resources and resource management on Crown lands Sept. 11 from 7-9 p.m. at the Fort Frances Legion. With eight meetings and a “bombardment of paper” under his belt, round table member Jack Hedman admitted the group […]







