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

Whenever a troubling trend establishes itself among people who take street drugs in Northwestern Ontario, the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) puts out a drug alert to help people who use drugs, organizations, and healthcare professionals prepare to adapt to the unpredictable and unregulated sale of street drugs. NWHU’s Program Manager […]

By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative
Reporter
SNnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY — Sebastian Towegishig would have loved to see his father and stepmother marry, says stepmom Carrie Sutherland. Tragically he didn’t live to see it happen, because a bullet took his life last October in Ginoogaming. Sutherland is making plans with the slain 27-year-old’s dad, Charlie Martin, for a […]

By Sam Laskaris
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Windspeaker.com

While a prominent Indigenous business leader believes major project development in Canada is progressing at lightning-quick speed, he is doing his best to ease concern that it’s too quick and occurring at the expense of treaty rights. JP Gladu was a featured speaker at the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
NWOnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY — About 35 of Deborah Anishinabie’s family, friends and supporters gathered in vigil, before filling a courtroom to learn the man accused of killing her will stand trial. Levi Michael Lawson was first charged with indignity to a human body on Dec. 17, 2024 then second-degree murder on […]

By Aaron Walker
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Windspeaker.com

More than two decades after modern treaty leaders first began calling for independent oversight, they are now urging Parliament to move forward on Bill C-10, An Act respecting the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation. Leaders say the Act would finally close a long-standing accountability gap in how Canada lives up […]

By Daniel Smeenk
Local Journalism Initiative
Reporter
The Lake Report

Yoshi Takaoka, manager and head sommelier at Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Masaki Sushi, has become one of 46 people in the world — and the only Canadian — to earn a master sake sommelier designation. He received the designation earlier this year during a course in Portland, Ore. Takaoka said such courses are […]

By Clint Fleury
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY – Transit riders will not see changes to bus service levels this summer. In a 7-4 vote city council has rejected the transit’s proposed summer schedule adjustments. Couns. Rajni Agarwal, Mark Bentz, Shelby Ch’ng, Andrew Foulds, Greg Johnsen, Dominic Pasqualino, and Michael Zussino voted against the changes, while […]

By Cara McKenna
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
IndigiNews

Content warning: This story details police violence towards Indigenous people. Please look after your spirit and read with care. The Winnipeg Police Service has announced charges against a security guard alleged to have assaulted an Indigenous man last weekend using brass knuckles — a weapon outlawed in “Canada.” The 23-year-old […]

By Laura Balanko-Dickson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
lbalankodickson@fortfrances.com

Cassandra Spade, a local lawyer and member of Mishkeegogamang First Nation, will be featured in the Grand Council of Treaty #3’s Here’s a Thought virtual speaker series on March 17, detailing her personal journey in learning to speak Anishinaabemowin as a second language and teaching it to others. “My session […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
lneilson@fortfrances.com

An annual event that’s always sure to put smile on the faces it draws from near and far, the Nestor Falls Winter Carnival has grown into a staple of Northwestern Ontario’s winters. As such a popular tradition, it can make visitors wonder how it started in the first place. The […]

By Times Staff

Despite warming trends, winter conditions continue across the North West Region. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding snowmobile riders to make safety their top priority every time they head out on the trails. The OPP says they have seen several fatalities in their jurisdiction over the course of winter […]