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

The government is currently considering all input to determine the best way to balance the recovery and protection of Black Ash, said Gary Wheeler from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). Black Ash was classified as endangered in Ontario by The Committee on the Status of Species at […]

By Ken Kellar
Staff writer
kkellar@fortfrances.com

A growing coalition is looking to add Fort Frances to its ranks as it works to have the region’s voice heard by a multi-billion dollar corporation. Rainy Lake Property Owner’s Association (RLPOA) board director Craig McKenzie and City of Ranier mayor Dennis Wagner made a deputation to the Fort Frances […]

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

Most river basins have an above average amount of water in the snowpack, increasing the risk for spring flooding particularly for the Bad River and the St. Louis River. Spring flooding is highly dependent on weather conditions in March and April. Ketzel Levens, meteorologist at National Weather Service Duluth, said […]

(RAINY RIVER, ON) – Members of the Rainy River District of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to 274 occurrences between Monday March 6, 2023, and Sunday, March 12, 2023, including: The Rainy River OPP laid 40 charges under the Criminal Code and 35 under the Highway Traffic Act.

Press release

About150 members of Unifor Local 324-99 ​voted 88% in favor of a new 4 year collective agreement with West Fraser Timber covering ​its Barwick oriented strand board (OSB) mill near Fort Frances. Stephen Boon, Unifor Northern Area Director, said, “Unifor forestry Locals across Eastern Canada have had an extremely successful year bargaining some of the largest wage increases in the forest industry in […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Thunder Bay, Ont. — The Central Canada Resource Expo (CEN CAN Expo) is returning to Thunder Bay this September with a change in venue.   Last year, the inaugural natural resource trade show was held at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition grounds, but due to a conflict of date availability, the […]

Press release

(Kenora, On) Members of the Kenora Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) along with the assistance of the Technical Traffic Collision Investigators (TTCI), and the OPP Northwest Region Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement (TIME) Team are assisting in the investigation of a fatal motor vehicle collision. On Wednesday, March […]

By Robin McCormick
West End Correspondent

The Corporation of the Township of LaVallee Environmental Services Inc. will be taking the non-hazardous waste materials to our landfill site from the Couchiching First Nations Remediation project. This material has been approved by Ministry of the Environment to be used to cap our landfill closure substantially. Newly elected Township […]

Press Release

February 24, 2023—Canada and the Métis Nation of Ontario announced that the parties have signed a Métis Government Recognition and Self Government Implementation Agreement (the “Agreement”). This Agreement builds on a self-government agreement previously signed in 2019 and formal negotiations between the parties that began in 2017. Upon signing this […]

Press release

Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) advises that cases of syphilis continue to increase in the region. In 2022, there were 139 confirmed cases of syphilis in the NWHU catchment area, which is a 21% increase from the previous year. Just over 50% of the cases in 2022 were identified in the […]

The Rainy River District 4-H recently held its award night banquet. The following are this year’s winners. First Year volunteers Melissa JensonMadeline HartnellAmy Teeple Leader certificates 15-year sealGeorge Chojko-Bolec10-year sealAngela HawNadine GerulaTami LeBlanc First year members Easton BrownRustin ChartierCalder GodinRihanna MorrisonLandon TeepleRobin LogsdonOlivia SeguinHailey WilsonBryce RudolphMason TeepleRyker JensonMelaina OlsonEmily Romyn […]

By Eric Shih
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Thunder Bay Source

The Northwest had less snowfall in February than normal, according to Environment Canada. Warning preparedness meteorologist Geoff Coulson said Kenora had 11.2 centimetres reported for the month, with the long-term average being 18.6 centimetres. “[There was] even less snow up in Sioux Lookout and the Dryden area, it came in […]