By Serena Austin
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Kenora Miner and News

Kenora’s Member of Parliament has echoed the Mayor’s claims that the federal government may be purposefully overlooking Kenora with its new Housing Accelerator Fund. Last week, Mayor Andrew Poirier expressed frustration at the fact that Kenora has yet to receive anything from the Government of Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), […]

From the OPP
Press release

The North West Region (NWR) Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to warn community members of a crime trend involving paving and construction fraud. Every year thousands of Canadians are victimized, and millions of dollars are lost through many forms of fraud. To avoid becoming a victim, the OPP reminds […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Sightings of black bears poking around at rural landfills have been ahead of schedule this spring, but so far there have been no reports of close calls. Just some raised eyebrows. Nathan Armstrong said a big bruin he spotted on Saturday at Neebing’s Sand Hill Road landfill was so large […]

By Richard Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Lake Report

All eyes are on the short-term weather forecast for local stone fruit farmers thanks to Mother Nature’s unpredictable ways. In a strange twist that saw this year’s mild winter help create an early explosion of healthy blooms over the past week, forecasted low overnight temperatures over the next two weeks […]

From the OPP
Press release

More than $739,000 Swindled from 126 Victims Police have arrested 14 individuals in Montréal linked to the emergency grandparent scam that targeted victims across Canada. In September 2022, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Anti-Rackets Branch began an intelligence probe into a group involved in the fraud. In February 2023, the […]

Staff

The Ontario government is investing up to $200 million over three years to support Ontario’s growing communities with new and revitalized local sport and recreation facilities across the province. The new Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund was announced as part of the 2024 Budget: Building a Better Ontario. “Ontario’s […]

By Marissa Lentz
Local Journalism Initiative
Timmins Today

With a recent spike in suspected opioid overdoses, the health unit is reminding people that no one is safe with the toxic drug supply on the streets. On March 4, the Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) issued an alert about an increase in suspected opioid poisonings.  Laurie Dagg-Labine, PHU manager of […]

By Ken Kellar
Staff writer
kkellar@fortfrances.com

A new coalition has been formed in the Rainy River District to help fight back against human trafficking. Following a meeting of the minds earlier this year, last Tuesday, April 9, 2024, saw the initial meeting and planning session of a Human Trafficking Coalition that is aiming to tackle the […]

By Ken Kellar
Staff writer
kkellar@fortfrances.com

The Ontario government is taking steps to get more homes built in the province by expanding how tall a building built with wooden materials can be. In a press release issued on Monday, April 8, 2024, the Ontario Government announced it would be increasing the maximum number of storeys allowed […]

By Lee Griffi
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette

A telehealth line that makes mental wellness support available to all Ontario farmers and farm families is now live. It is part of the Farmer Wellness Initiative (FWI) which addresses growing mental health concerns in the agricultural sector by offering more accessible mental health and wellness support to farm families […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
The Chronicle Journal

When Kathy McGowan started saving seeds from her garden 10 years ago in a serious way, her new-found routine was rooted in long tradition. Seed saving is as old as the beginnings of agriculture, but you don’t have to be a full-time farmer to reap the benefits. “It’s been a […]