By Jonel Aleccia
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

U.S. health officials have revised a tool to track the rising cases of severe obesity among children who were previously off the charts. Updated growth charts released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now extend to a body mass index of 60 — up from previous charts […]

By Joey Cappelletti And Ed White
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

JACKSON, Mich. (AP) – One of three men who forged an early alliance with the leader of a plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor was sentenced Thursday to 12 years in prison for assisting him before the FBI broke up the scheme in 2020. Pete Musico was the first man to […]

The Border Skating Club had some surprise visitors recently, when a group of Fort Frances Lakers players stopped by for a Christmas skate with the Canpower skate kids in Emo, on December 13. The kids had a great time with Fort Frances Lakers Brandon Hill, Brandon Kelly and Dylan Wedward. […]

By Indrajit Singh
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PATNA, India (AP) – At least 31 people died and 20 others were hospitalized in serious condition after allegedly drinking tainted liquor sold without authorization in eastern India, a top elected official said Thursday. The deaths occurred Tuesday and Wednesday and the victims belonged to three villages in Saran district […]

By Mike Stobbe
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK (AP) — The number of U.S. deaths dropped this year, but there are still more than there were before the coronavirus hit. Preliminary data — through the first 11 months of the year — indicates 2022 will see fewer deaths than the previous two COVID-19 pandemic years. Current […]

By Elisa Nguyen
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
enguyen@fortfrances.com

With potential upgrades to CN infrastructure throughout Fort Frances entering the planning phase, Mayor Andrew Hallikas has concerns around safety and compensation for the town. The Ranier Railroad Bridge was constructed in 1908 by the Canadian Northern Railway (CN) and the Duluth, Rainy Lake and Winnipeg Railway. It’s a single-track […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

After an attempt to re-format the event in November backfired due to cold temperatures the Voyageur Lions Club is going back to the original format. The Polar Plunge had been rebranded as the Chilly Dash and Splash in an effort to save on the labour required to clear and cut […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

After mechanical issues delayed the ice making season in Rainy River, the recreation centre is investigating the cost to replace the plant which is over 50 years old. On Nov. 22 the Rainy River Recreation Centre sent out a notice that told residents why ice was not yet in place […]

Elisa Nguyen
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
enguyen@fortfrances.com

Renberg Originals, a relic of local art and history, will be on display at the Fine Line Art Gallery for a short time. The sculptures were recently unveiled after the artist’s daughter discovered boxes where the pieces were stored for likely over two decades. Residents are welcomed to view, or […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

According to a press release from the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU), one in seven families in northwestern Ontario is struggling to put food on the table. A food costing survey done by NWHU last spring, indicated that the average cost to feed a family of four is $299.12 per week […]