By Lorne Putman
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
New Canadian Media

Community leaders are warning that financial and academic pressures, and the lack of structural support are factors causing the deaths of international students, primarily from India. Nirlep Gill is an addictions counsellor at Punjabi Community Health Services (PCHS) in Brampton, Ontario, who helps repatriate the bodies. He says some of […]

By Ken Kellar
Staff writer
kkellar@fortfrances.com

The Government of Ontario is investing millions of dollars into programming designed to help improve the lives and economic situations of low-income women living in the province. The provincial government put out a call on Monday, December 4, 2023, for applications for the Women’s Economic Security Program (WESP), a program […]

By Matteo Cimellaro
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Canada’s National Observer

Ottawa continues to underinvest in disaster preparedness and mitigation on First Nations despite ballooning recovery costs from the worst wildfire season on record, according to documents shared with Canada’s National Observer. One document clearly shows Indigenous Services Canada spent three times less preparing for emergencies than in recent years and […]

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – Seven individuals have been arrested on outstanding warrants in the Fort Frances area as a result of local initiative to reduce the amount of wanted individuals. On December 5, 2023, the Rainy River District Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) and Treaty Three […]

By Robin McCormick
West End Correspondent

The annual R.R. Agricultural Society appreciation dinner took place last Thursday, Nov. 29, with 80 people attending. The event saw a larger number of attendees than previous years and people certainly weren’t disappointed. Members from the board, volunteers, fair queen royalty and others attended the event. Legion members had prepared […]

By Jack Elliott
Rainy River Correspondent

They make life better for all of us. They are rarely thanked. They are never paid. They never have to be asked. They are called volunteers. One such group in Rainy River is the Riverside Health Centre Auxiliary. This past Saturday the Auxiliary held their Annual Christmas Bazaar. Guests were […]

Staff

A Canon Apollo I-700 is the latest addition to diagnostic equipment at Riverside’s Rainy River Healthcare Centre, thanks to a grassroots fundraising campaign inspired by the legacy of the late Norma Elliott. Riverside staff and Rainy River Clinic doctors had identified the old ultrasound as outdated and not capable of […]

By Elisa Nguyen
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
enguyen@fortfrances.com

A new reroute along Turtle River Road will finally enable snowmobilers to enjoy the loop around northwestern Ontario for much longer this winter. For many years, snowmobilers could ride the 1000 kilometer wilderness loop for only around two weeks during the snowy season, due to a section of the trail […]

By Ken Kellar
Staff writer
kkellar@fortfrances.com

For the fourth year running, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is once again asking the public to help them in naming a fleet of new snowplows that will take to the roads and highways that crisscross the state. The Name a Snowplow contest has been held by the Department […]

Staff

Fire up your funny bones, young writers of the Rainy River district. The Steven Leacock Associates would like to hear from you. The Associates, which are best known for the prestigious Leacock Medal for Humour, are seeking submissions for the Leacock Student Humorous Essay Competition of 2024.This annual competition is open to […]

By Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ignace, Ont. — A kilometre and a half below the surface of Olkiluoto Island in Eurajoki, on the west coast of Finland, the new elevator doors opened after a gentle 70-second plunge to a clean, bright white, high-ceiling room. This was the first area of the Onkalo nuclear waste disposal […]