By Meg Deak
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Woolwich Observer

The Ford government’s Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, has been a source of controversy since its introduction last June. Rolled out amid economic uncertainty, partially due to U.S. tariffs, the bill aims to accelerate development and major infrastructure projects, such as mining and electric vehicle […]

By Meg Deak
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Woolwich Observer

Canada is taking steps to protect soil health with the government’s announcement of plans to develop a national soil health strategy starting this spring. The plan was proposed last year by Sen. Robert Black, though action on soil health is something he’s advocated for since his appointment to the Senate […]

By Meg Deak
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Woolwich Observer

Wellesley will soon be greener as the township looks to expand its tree canopy through a planting initiative in a partnership between the Regional Municipality of Waterloo and Reep Green Solutions. The goal is to plant 5,000 trees by 2027 along roadsides throughout Wellesley, aiming to cultivate more vibrant green […]

By Connor McDowell
Local Journalism Initiative
Reporter
Brandon Sun

POLONIA – A farmer took charge of an open house in Polonia last week by initiating a group question period on stage about the ‘Fleury Winds’ project that is proposed to install dozens of wind turbines in the farming community. Matthew Atkinson, a Neepawa-area farmer, walked on stage during the […]

By Ken Kellar
Editor
kkellar@fortfrances.com

A trio of international partners have once more signed a declaration aimed at preserving the beauty of the night sky. Fort Frances mayor Andrew Hallikas journeyed to Minnesota’s Voyageur National Park on April 15, to sign a now-annual joint proclamation alongside International Falls mayor Drake Dill and Ranier mayor Dennis […]

By Tanya Hammond
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Review-Mirror

Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Addictions and Mental Health (LLGAMH) team based out of Brockville is reporting a sharp rise in young men seeking support for gambling-related problems, reflecting an Ontario-wide trend highlighted in a recent study, which showed an alarming 300% increase in calls to the province’s mental health helpline. […]

By Clint Fleury
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY – Parents and children move into the new programming space at the County Park Library to enjoy their first Baby and Me Storytime. “We’ve had the space under development for months now, and we’re finally able to welcome people in. It’s bringing the life in, right? And I’m […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Rural residents living in areas just outside Thunder Bay braced for the prospect of flooded roads late Friday, as warming temperatures and a rainy forecast elevated the risk for ice jams, rising rivers and accelerated melting of an unusually deep snow-pack. “We have been on flood watch all day (Friday), […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
NWOnewswatch.com

KENORA — Nearly 150 employees at the Weyerhaeuser TimberStrand Plant in Kenora have voted to join the United Steelworkers union. In a media release issued Friday, the union said it has added 147 workers, who voted 97 per cent in favour of joining the Steelworkers. Prior to the vote, those […]

By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SNnewswatch.com

OTTAWA — The Ontario government wants to go fast on connecting the Ring of Fire to the highway system, but conservation scientist Adam Kirkwood cautions that haste carries risk. “There are definitely quite a few risks,” Kirkwood, a research associate with Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, told Newswatch. Financial risks are […]

By Carrie Ivardi
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY — Kaveh Lozoomi-Garmroodi’s cell phone was connected to the blue Dodge Ram truck that was tracked to the scene where Samatar Warsame’s body was found, according to testimony heard in court this week. Information gathered during the first 24 hours following the homicide of Warsame in Thunder Bay […]

By Maya Ekman
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
NWOnewswatch.com

GRASSY NARROWS — “Dogs really are man’s best friend,” says Jason Cherry, who led the efforts to rescue Caesar, a husky mix dog, from a rock crevice in Grassy Narrows earlier this week. On April 14, Caesar sadly passed away after three days of community members and travellers from as […]