The Northwest Health Unit (NWHU) is declaring victory after recording zero cases of the dangerous virus in the Rainy River District during a year-long outbreak that saw more than 2,000 cases across the province. “Thanks to the vigilance of our community members and consistent efforts of community partners and health […]
District News
Staff writer
lbalankodickson@fortfrances.com
Watching a calligrapher at work is like witnessing poetry unfold in ink. Each graceful swoop and swirl seems to appear by magic, forming elegant script that feels impossibly perfect to the untrained eye. Yet, as artist Jessica Marissen says, this ancient craft isn’t reserved for the gifted few – with […]
The Ontario government has confirmed it will invest $50 million to support planning for the new Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora as part of its 10-year, $60-billion initiative to increase health care access across the province. The funding announced by Premier Doug Ford will also see $1.9 […]
By: Matt Prokopchuk,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
EAR FALLS — Union officials representing sawmill workers at the Interfor facility in Ear Falls say employees are “caught in the crossfire” of ongoing “economic warfare” with the Trump administration. Unifor represents the roughly 160 unionized workers at the sawmill in Ear Falls. Interfor, which owns the mill, confirmed on […]
By Matt Prokopchuk,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
ATIKOKAN — Two paramedics with the District of Rainy River Services Board in Atikokan already recognized for bravery for a house fire rescue have received further commendation. Raphaël Désautels and Syed Ali were presented King Charles III Coronation Medals in Atikokan on Oct. 10 by Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland. […]
Atikokan Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have charged the driver of a tractor-trailer after a truck hauling gravel crashed into a ditch on Highway 622 on Monday afternoon near the Rawn Reservoir. Police responding to a report around 2 p.m. found a tractor-trailer with a fully loaded belly-dump gravel trailer that […]
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com
THUNDER BAY – Ontario’s MPPs are officially back at Queen’s Park for a new sitting of the provincial legislature, nearly five months after they broke for the summer and forestry was top of mind for the region’s leaders. Opposition member Sol Mamakwa, MPP for Kiiwetinoong, wasted no time in questioning […]
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal
Mayors from across Ontario met at the Prince Arthur Hotel in Thunder Bay last week for the annual 2025 Ontario Big City Mayors Meeting where they took part in a roundtable discussion to develop policies, advocacy and partnerships. Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM), from 29 cities with a population of […]
Local Journalism Initiative
Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal
The Township of Ear Falls is the latest Northwestern Ontario community that will face the temporary closure of a mill. The town learned on Thursday that the Ear Falls Sawmill would close, and leave more than 160 workers without jobs. Interfor, which owns and operates the sawmill, announced temporary adjustments […]
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal
Relieved Kap Paper employees will begin to head back to work in Kapuskasing as soon as next week. Intensive collaboration between the Ontario and federal governments resulted in the agreement to provide operational support to Kap Paper, as the mill works towards a long-term modernization plan. Kapuskasing Mayor Dave Plourde […]
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Manitoulin Expositor
ONTARIO —Across Ontario—and nowhere more visibly than in rural and Northern regions like Manitoulin—the face of health care is changing fast. The provincial government is moving to expand the powers of paramedics, pharmacists, psychologists, optometrists, and other allied professionals in what it calls an effort to provide “more connected and […]
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Canada’s National Observer
April Campbell has five rescue cats at home in Toronto and a bird feeder in her backyard. She loves watching the birds but also cares deeply for her foster cats. To protect both, she built a “catio” — a secure outdoor enclosure where cats can enjoy sun and fresh air […]





