By Natalie Hamilton,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
KawarthaNOW

In what has been called an “unprecedented humanitarian crisis,” municipal leaders across Ontario are rallying the provincial and federal governments for more funding to better address homelessness and mental health issues. Representing 230 municipalities and more than 2.6 million people across Ontario, the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC), Western Ontario […]

By Jacqueline St. Pierre
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Manitoulin Expositor

A new peer-reviewed study has raised alarm about the deteriorating conditions faced by Ontario’s hospital workers, most of whom are women and many of whom are from racialized communities. The report, titled ‘Running on Empty,’ highlights the severe staffing crisis that is undermining both the well-being of healthcare workers and […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship and business growth is one of the pillars of the Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) and for that reason, the Miinikaanan Badakidoon Grant Program has grown into its own entity. Beginning as a funding stream of the CEDC’s successful Starter Company Plus Program, it has now become […]

By Mike Stimpson,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Thunder Bay Source

KENORA — The cat shelter at 725 Railway St. is filled to capacity, with many more felines on a waitlist to get in. “We’re in a state of emergency,” shelter volunteer Lisa Lyle says. The shelter, which runs on volunteer labour and donations, has instituted an “intake freeze” as it struggles […]

By Katie Nicholls
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY — Local police have charged several drivers with impaired over a very short period of time. Const. Tom Armstrong with Thunder Bay Police said 10 people were arrested for impaired driving over a 10-day period, which demonstrates that the problem has not gone away despite prevention efforts from […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

The Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre has hosted a series called Meet the Funders, which showcases organizations that help businesses with funding and mentoring. The innovation centre itself is a funder that is a non-profit organization, funded by the provincial and federal governments and is focused on helping Northwestern Ontario businesses […]

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

A small but important freshwater fish threatened by urban sprawl is finally getting federal protection after 15 years of delays. The release of the finalized protection strategy for the endangered redside dace averted an impending court battle; environmental groups including Ecojustice were close to taking the federal government to court […]

- Photos by Allan Bradbury and Ken Kellar

The biggest party of the summer took place over the weekend, at the Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society Fall Fair, held August 15-17 in Emo. The three-day fair featured 4-H cattle shows and auction, a horse competition, games, food, midway, live performances and stock car races. Hundreds of exhibitors and […]

–Allan Bradbury photos

17 loggers competed in the competition at the Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society Fall Fair last Friday morning. This was the largest ever competition in recorded memory according to MC Robin McCormick. After the first event the loggers all took a knee for a moment of silence in memory of […]

- Ken Kellar photo

It’s always a blast to take in the rides at the Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society Fall Fair, aka the Emo Fair, as you can see by the smiles on faces young and old who take a whirl. The Fair ran last weekend in Emo, bringing in visitors from across […]

Staff

Work is ongoing to restore rail service between Fort Frances and Thunder Bay following the collapse of the 111 year old “5-Mile” lift bridge on August 14. “CN continues to make progress removing debris, including concrete and steel, from the site of last week’s incident involving the railway bridge located several […]

By Ken Kellar
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
kkellar@fortfrances.com

Following news of the planned restructuring of ambulance services in the Rainy River District, the president of the local union representing area paramedics said it’s the latest result of a long-running complex issue that has no easy answer in sight. Malcolm Daley is a professional paramedic and the president of […]