By Ken Kellar
Editor
kkellar@fortfrances.com

One year after her disappearance, the Government of Ontario is offering a $50,000 reward for information regarding the whereabouts of Melanie Lapish. Lapish was last seen in Fort Frances at approximately 9:00 p.m. on February 26, 2024. Rainy River District OPP said that Lapish was supposed to meet an individual […]

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

Egale Canada released a statement on February 26, 2025, calling a recent Ontario court ruling a “legal advocacy win.” The Ontario Superior Court of Justice determined “hate speech” statements were made online by Brian Webster, a Calgary Construction worker who published statements calling drag queens “groomers.” While Bennett Jensen, Director […]

By Ken Kellar
Editor
kkellar@fortfrances.com

Two French Immersion students at St. Mary School are preparing to take an exam that will test their language skills and provide them official certification of their bilingual status. Jackson Bourgeois and Bilal Toure are both Grade 8 students in the school’s French Immersion program who will be taking the […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

It was almost five years ago to the day, just two days off, that B.C. singer-songwriter Ryan McMahon performed the last Tour de Fort series show before COVID-19 lockdowns went into place; he’s returning Saturday night to play the Fort Frances Legion. He doesn’t have new material to promote this […]

When I finished university at the end of 2004, I wasn’t totally sure what I was going to do with my life, as far as an occupation at least. I used to tell people I went to school on the “keep Mom happy program,” which was partially true. I spent […]

By Justin Fiacconi,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Canada's National Observer

The British Columbia Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of the government limiting  electricity supply to a cryptocurrency mining firm in the northern part  of the province because of the substantial demands it would place on the  power supply.   The decision  upheld an earlier court ruling against Conifex Timber Ltd., […]

By Sonal Gupta,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Canada's National Observer

After years of fighting for mercury poisoning redress, the Grassy Narrows First Nation broke ground on a mercury care home and wellness centre yesterday. Ninety per cent of the people of Grassy Narrows, also known as Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek, have some level of mercury poisoning, which is also passed from […]

By Anasophie Vallee,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Telegram

Historically, women have more often than not found themselves working extra hard to prove their worth, capabilities and intelligence in their respective fields.  Understanding the role that intersectionality plays in this issue means acknowledging the different barriers that women face depending on varying factors, including race and class. Innumerable inspiring […]

By Clint Fleury
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Tbnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY – Wendy Landry, the longest serving president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA), has decided to take a step back from the organization after eight years. The announcement came during the opening of the 2025 Thunder Bay District Municipal League annual general meeting on Thursday. Landry will […]

By Paige Peacock
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Pointer

During last Wednesday’s general committee meeting of council, Mississauga’s local elected officials approved amendments to the City’s procurement bylaw in an effort to promote Canadian businesses and bar any contracts from going to American suppliers or companies. According to a staff report, the City of Mississauga in total “procured approximately […]