District News

An order banning open fires across Northwestern Ontario was lifted today as the number of wildfires across the region has dropped dramatically and new fire starts are dwindling. The Town of Fort Frances, and Chapple, Emo and La Vallee Fire and Emergency Services have also lifted their ban on fires. […]

A newly appointed judge will sit on the judicial circuit that serves the Rainy River District, Ontario’s attorney general announced Tuesday. Among a slate of five new judges in Ontario, Justice Brent Davidson has been assigned by Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas to Kenora-Fort Frances effective next Thursday, Aug. 27, Attorney […]

THUNDER BAY — For the people returning to Whitesand and Armstrong this week, Ontario Provincial Police have a simple request: Drive carefully and be patient. “Over the next couple of days, the motoring public returning to Armstrong and Whitesand can expect an increased police presence,” Sgt. Theresa Wabason said Thursday […]

A photographer who arrived at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial nearly two decades ago expecting little more than another assignment left France with a much deeper connection to one of Canada’s most powerful symbols of remembrance. Blair Ketcheson’s photographs of the memorial will be on public display in Winnipeg this […]

THUNDER BAY — Anyone accused of a crime will now need enough cash to cover their full bail amount, or be kept in jail, under new rules. The province says new bail requirements implemented as of Monday are intended to strengthen the province’s bail system and improve compliance, but some working in […]

Last week, a Human Rights Tribunal (HRTO) adjudicator ruled that a decision requiring the Township of Emo to pay $10,000 and Mayor Harold McQuaker $5,000 to cross‑border LGBTQ2+ community organization Borderland Pride will stand. The ruling was the latest development in a bitter and complicated six-year battle between Emo’s council […]

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford was in the Rainy River District last Friday announcing funding for a variety of projects that will make community facilities more accessible for people with disabilities. In Alberton, Millennium Park will receive enhancements to allow people to safely access the lower portion of the park […]

And more photos from the 2026 Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society Fall Fair Kali Tessier has been chosen as the Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society’s Fair Ambassador for 2026-2027, succeeding Alexis Latter, the first young person to hold the title since it replaced the now-retired honour of Fair Queen. For […]

Atikokan will be considered part of the local service area as Canada’s Impact Assessment Agency considers the proposal to develop a deep geological repository for nearly six million spent nuclear fuel bundles in the Revell Lake area about 85 km northwest of the town. The town is cited, along with […]

THUNDER BAY – Fewer people are running for municipal office nowadays, and Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association president Rick Dumas says one of the biggest reasons is online negativity. “You’re doing all this effort and energy, putting it into your community that you live in with the same people that are […]

THUNDER BAY — City council wants the Ford government to look at changing how it funds northern police in the face of mounting costs. “Crime is higher in Northern Ontario and in (this region) urban hubs are absorbing the increase social injustice sector costs,” said Coun. Trevor Giertuga at Tuesday’s […]