Local News from Across the Rainy River District
A Human Rights Tribunal (HRTO) ruling that requires the Township of Emo to pay $10,000 and Mayor Harold McQuaker $5,000 to cross‑border LGBTQ2+ community organization Borderland Pride will stand, a tribunal adjudicator has ruled. The Township and McQuaker had asked the tribunal to reconsider its 2024 decision, which ruled that […]
In an announcement Thursday morning Premier Doug Ford announced that Ontario would open its doors to data centres, but force them to pay a fair rate for the electricity they use. With the announcement the Ontario government launched a framework for what it is calling a Data Centre Playbook, which […]
THUNDER BAY — In the face of ardent opposition from residents, council is supporting the construction of two seven-storey apartment buildings on Arundel Street. In a 9-to-3 vote, city council decided to rezone 791 Arundel St. from a community zone to urban mid-rise to pave the way for development. In Tuesday’s meeting, […]
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is seeking construction proposals for the Centre of Expertise, which will be built in Ignace next year. The facility, which will be almost 55,000 square feet, is expected to accommodate 160 to 200 NWMO employees. Christina Van Drunen, NWMO vice-president of operations, said the […]
THUNDER BAY – The electric and gas bill may be paid, staving off the Aug. 18 cutoff date at Vicker’s Manor, but it wasn’t just the utilities that weren’t getting paid. According to Teresa Benwell, a former maintenance worker, the serving staff walked off the job on Saturday. Currently, there […]
From rising cost of fuel to the steep increases in fertilizer prices, it’s been a costly year for farmers. “With the increase in the price of diesel and fuels, of course, it gets passed down to the farmer,” said Angela Zike, board director for District 7 (Oxford and Waterloo) with […]
SCHREIBER — The Township of Schreiber has a new candidate for mayor: Robert Fisk, a delivery driver for a local business. Fisk, who ran unsuccessfully for councillor in 2022, told Newswatch he’s motivated to run by “my passion for the town, my passion to see it exceed expectations.” He said […]
An integrity commissioner’s report has recommended that Emo Mayor Harold McQuaker be reprimanded and have his pay suspended for 60 days following the mayor’s failure to report funds donated to help with legal costs stemming from a 2024 Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) ruling. The recent report from Integrity […]
The Township of Emo is once again searching for a new CEO/librarian following Mellisa Gallagher’s resignation after just six months on the job. Gallagher started in the role last March when the township hired her to take over the position that had been vacant since the end of December 2025, […]
Sure, the Emo Fair is all fun and games for most, but if you’re into serious competition, the place to be is Exhibition Hall, where just about anything you can raise, grow, build, bake, knit, craft, carve, pickle or crochet can be submitted for judgment—and win prizes. The Exhibition Hall […]
Beekeepers have been managing hives and collecting honey across the Rainy River District for years, but many of those in operation now got their start from a single workshop conducted in 2017. Peggy Advent sells honey under the Stratton Honey Hut brand with retailers across the district, and Tyler Spry […]
Friday morning (Aug. 14), the Loggers Competition will once again take place. This contest has taken place for at least 41 years—probably a lot longer, but that’s when records started being saved—and is still going strong and arguably one of the most-enjoyed events of the entire fair. Every year, seasoned […]
