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

In the early hours of Tuesday, Mar. 3, a total lunar eclipse, sometimes called a blood moon, was visible to much of North and South America, but stargazers in the Rainy River District once more lost out due to weather. “A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth is between the Moon […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Rural veterinarians who visit farms for livestock checkups and emergencies will see their compensation increase by nine per cent under a revamped provincial financial assistance program starting on April 1. The upgrade and other changes to Ontario’s veterinary assistance program (VAP) — including additional eligible types of livestock — were […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

The Kinross Gold Corporation’s Great Bear Project near Red Lake will be reviewed under Ontario’s “one project, one process” framework. Mines Minister Stephen Lecce announced the designation last week. The streamlined process allows Ontario’s Ministry of Energy and Mines to act as a single point of contact to co-ordinate all […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SNnewswatch.com

NIPIGON — Prolonged and frequent closures of the Trans-Canada are causing a number of issues in communities the highway bisects. That’s according to Nipigon Mayor Suzanne Kukko and Greenstone’s Jamie McPherson — both municipalities the highway runs right through. “This has certainly been one for the ages,” McPherson told Newswatch […]

By Brenda Sawatzky
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Niverville Citizen

March is Fraud Prevention Month in Canada, and the Manitoba RCMP and Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) are ramping up their efforts to spread awareness to help keep people safe. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Manitobans lost approximately $31 million dollars to scammers in 2024, based on the number of […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
NWOnewswatch.com

KENORA — The emergency overnight shelter in Kenora will keep its current hours for at least the next two years. The Kenora District Services Board and the local branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association jointly announced the hours that have been in place since November 2024 will remain through […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Statistics compiled by Neebing’s volunteer fire department show that firefighting services continue to be a lifeline in rural areas where ambulances and paramedics are often not immediately available. According to a department review of calls for service in 2025, the vast majority of incidents in which Neebing department members responded […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

More than $1.3 million from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor), will support workforce expansion and population retention efforts across Northern Ontario. On Friday, Patty Hajdu, minister of jobs and families and minister responsible for FedNor, announced that a portion of the funds — $959,500 — will […]

By Clint Fleury
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY – City staff are, once again, not recommending allowing ball pythons as an exotic pet. Administration will present their report to city council on Tuesday, saying they do not support exempting ball pythons from the list of restricted animals based on several considerations, including the animal’s welfare, environmental […]

By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SNnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY —Lakehead University’s School of Nursing will create five new primary care nurse practitioner education spots this year thanks to funding announced by the province. The province announced this week it is investing $30 million to expand the primary care workforce across Ontario, including a $1.3-million infusion in Thunder […]