By Liam Oliver Neilson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
lneilson@fortfrances.com

Newcomers from various fields and backgrounds are establishing themselves in Fort Frances as several new career-oriented individuals, including a law student, Economic Development Officer, and optometry student, have recently join its ranks. Silas Young Working to complete his legal studies at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont., Silas Young has […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

Canadian rock, reggae, and blues outfit Big Sugar will open the 2026 portion of the Tour De Fort concert series at the Townshend Theatre next Wednesday night. Active off and on since 1988, the band is currently the re-release of their 1996 platinum selling album Hemi-Vision and will play through […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Staff writer
lneilson@fortfrances.com

There are no current plans to restart efforts to rename Colonization Street in Emo, Ont., and the street name will remain for the foreseeable future, according to the township’s mayor. Emo Mayor Harold McQuaker said the committee of residents living on the street came to the decision themselves over concerns […]

By Andrew Flynn
Editor-in-Chief
aflynn@fortfrances.com

The District of Rainy River Services Board (DRRSB) has approved a $38.6-million budget for 2026 that maintains spending in key areas but acknowledges “financial pressures” being felt by municipalities and service system managers across rural and Northern Ontario. The budget, which increased the municipal levy by 4.63 per cent, did […]

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

For the Fort Frances High School students who run it, Muskie Mart is far more than just a school spirit shop – it represents an opportunity to get real-world experience they can take along with them after graduation. From pricing items to sorting inventory and providing customer service to marketing, […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

Local curler Aili Chabot will be headed to Timmins for the U-18 nationals in just a few weeks to represent team Northern Ontario as a member of Team Lily Wright, curling out of the Kakabeka Falls Curling Club. “I was playing mixed doubles at Kakabeka Falls last year and [coach] […]

By Ken Kellar
Editor
kkellar@fortfrances.com

It takes a lot of courage and tenacity to strike out onto the big stage, but for Rustin Chartier, his trip to Manitoba late last year has taught him plenty of valuable lessons. Chartier was in the prairie province across late October and early November 2025 to bring his Charolais […]

By Liz Adam
Life Coach’s Corner

The best way to predict the future is to create it. Peter Drucker Now that the holidays are behind us we may find ourselves interested in doing something new to go with the beginning of a new year. But what? It’s a great time to reach out to make a […]

By Robin McCormick
West End Correspondent

Borderland Judo held its first Annual “Borderland Judo Winter Classic” tournament on Saturday, January 17, and it was a great success. It started off with a referees clinic Friday night and then the competition took place on Saturday. Judo clubs attending were from Thunder Bay, Kenora, Dryden, and Fort Frances. […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
lneilson@fortfrances.com

Knox United Church prepares to continue its relatively new tradition of “Soup for the Soul” with a freezer full of various soups ready to be sold this Saturday. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff at Knox United in Fort Frances quickly became aware that the regular plan for […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

The Fort Frances High School Muskies boys and girls teams will combine to take on first responders from the region tomorrow night on the Ice For Kids rink. The event is organized by OPP Cst. Kristina Bombay who is also a Mobile Crisis officer in the region. “Last year we […]