By Liam Oliver Neilson
Staff writer
lneilson@fortfrances.com

If there’s one thing that Wayne Smith has valued highly during a remarkable 32-year tenure as chief of Naicatchewenin First Nation, it’s consistency. While many First Nations see a high turnover in governance – the average length in Canada for a single executive position is around 3.5 years – Smith’s […]

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

Some students in the Rainy River District are getting a hands-on look at what it’s liketo be a school administrator. As a way to get students ready for the workforce, post-secondary, apprenticeship, and more, the Rainy River District School Board (RRDSB) developed the Pathways to Success program. From Grade 7 […]

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

Addiction support, housing shortages and homelessness remain unsolved issues in the Rainy River district despite years of efforts by social welfare agencies, but a recent report is shedding new light on previously undiscovered parts of the conversation. The report, co-sponsored by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario and the […]

By Sandi Krasowski,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

It was 1976 when Cosimo Riccio opened up his music store, Music World Academy, on the 500 block of Simpson Street and began giving music lessons to students wanting to learn the accordion, guitar and drums. Fast forward 50 years, two store relocations, thousands of instruments, and more than 30,000 […]

By Andrew Flynn
Editor in Chief
aflynn@fortfrances.com

I’ve only been at the helm of the Times for six months, living in town for just half that long, but I can tell you without reservation that the Fort is one heck of a special place. Lest you think I’m simply paying lip service to my new home, rest […]

In the Wednesday, January 28, 2026, edition of the Fort Frances Times, a story ran titled “Have experience writing grants? Your town needs you!” In that story, it was stated that Town Council had approved a motion to establish a position for a full-time grant writer for the municipality. In […]

By Times Staff

If you’re looking to take in some Olympic action this month, head down to the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre (FFPLTC) to celebrate with other sports fans. The FFPLTC will be streaming the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics for viewing at the library throughout the entirety of the games, […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

IGNACE — With about 48 hours left for initial comments on a proposed nuclear waste site, regional environmental advocates say they’re pleased with what they’re seeing. The first public comment period to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada is scheduled to close at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 4. It’s the […]