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

As part of the 2024 budget, the Ontario government has released funds to hundreds of municipal fire departments across the province, according to a news release. Said funds are for cancer prevention initiatives for firefighters. Some municipalities in and around the Rainy River District receiving this funding include Fort Frances, […]

(KENORA, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to inform the public about ongoing efforts to locate Kendall, a 63-year-old male who has been missing since October 13, 2024. Kendall is described as 5’5″, 160 pounds, with short grey hair and a Mohawk tattoo on his right arm. On […]

From the OPP
Press release

(ORILLIA, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) wrapped up a robust Festive RIDE campaign this week, charging 743 drivers with impaired driving between November 21, 2024 and January 1, 2025. These drivers rang in the new year with the threat of losing their driver’s licence for a full year, […]

By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Thunder Bay Source

GRASSY NARROWS — A community checkpoint has been set up at the Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narows) First Nation reserve due to concerns about human trafficking. The Treaty 3 community’s emergency response coordinator said in a notice posted last week on social media that there have been “recent incidents involving attempted abductions […]

By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Thunder Bay Source

KENORA – Better pay would go a long way to solving the region’s shortage of paramedics, says the president of CUPE Local 5911. “What we’re finding is the main problem … is just that the paramedics are falling behind other classes of emergency services in regards to compensation and pay,” […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

As temperatures dip down closer to what’s normal for winter, Neebing’s emergency services department is advising motorists to ensure block heaters installed in cars and pickup trucks are up to snuff. “While generally safe, block heaters can be a source of fire ignition,” the department warned this week in a […]

– Ken Kellar photo

Fort Frances mayor Andrew Hallikas, left, and Kenora-Rainy River Alzheimer Society client services coordinator Mary O’Connor worked together to raise the Alzheimer Society flag at the Fort Frances Civic Centre yesterday afternoon to officially kick off Alzheimer Awareness Month in town. Each January the Alzheimer Society supports and leads Alzheimer […]

By Natasha Bulowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Canada’s National Observer

Canada’s 100 richest CEOs made 210 times more than the average worker in 2023, a new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) reveals. By 10:54 a.m. Thursday, the first official work day of the New Year, these CEOs will have already made, on average, $62,661 — as […]

By Marissa Lentz-McGrath
Local Journalism Initiative
TimminsToday.com

TIMMINS – A decision on whether Ontario College faculty will hit the picket line is expected in the coming days, says the local union president. As negotiations between the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the province’s colleges remain stalled, the union can legally strike on Thursday. OPSEU CAAT-A […]

By Andie Mollins
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Williams Lake Tribune

In remembering Justin Trudeau’s leadership, the Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG) says it intends to continue working with Canada’s political leaders towards reconciliation.   In a press release dated Jan. 7, Nits’ilʔin (Chief) and TNG Tribal Chair Joe Alphonse said Trudeau has done more towards reconciliation than all his predecessors combined. […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

The Ministry of Education says it has given Northern school boards more money for busing students, but its public response to a letter from one area board didn’t address specific concerns about recent increases in student absenteeism and exposure to extreme cold. “Schools in Northern Ontario are receiving, on average, […]