By Connor McDowell
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Brandon Sun

A Parks Canada document shows that staff weighed pros and cons — including a legal threat from Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation — before deciding to ban motorboats from Clear Lake last May. A briefing document was prepared for Thomas Sheldon, the acting superintendent of Riding Mountain National Park at the […]

– Allan Bradbury photo

Fort Frances mayor Andrew Hallikas, left, and Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River Districts client services coordinator Mary O’Con-or, right, were joined by a number of local supporters for the raising of the Alzheimer Society flag at the Fort Frances Civic Centre on January 6, 2026, to mark the beginning of […]

By Times Staff

An outbreak of Influenza A at Rainycrest Long Term Care Home has been declared over. In a press release from Riverside Health Care, the organization noted that, in conjunction with the Northwestern Health Unit, the outbreak that had been affecting both the east and west wings at Rainycrest has now […]

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

The Northwest Catholic District School Board’s (TNCDSB) recently released annual mental health plan identifies four main areas that will guide the board’s student support going forward, a strategy that begins with establishing calm as its foundation. “This year we have four focus areas, which we’re calling calm, connection, communication and […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

IGNACE — The transportation of nuclear waste hundreds and thousands of kilometres to a proposed burial site is not covered in the project’s first formal public description. Environmental advocates and those opposed to the deep geological repository, or DGR, being planned in the Ignace area say they want to see […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Fort William First Nation issued a “reminder” this week about an ongoing recall of certain types of Pillsbury Pizza Pops products that have been linked to E.coli bacteria and some Canadians becoming sick. “Some recalled products may still be in household freezers,” a bulletin posted to the community’s website said. […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

The Indigenous business landscape in Northwestern Ontario has seen a year of business formation and diversification, which is moving beyond the traditional resource service model. Jason Rasevych, president and founder of Anishnawbe Business Professional Association (ABPA), said 2025 was a year of qualitative growth with a surge in technical trades, […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO — Representatives for the region’s municipalities are throwing their support behind new provincial rules they say can help fill needed labour gaps. The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, or NOMA, is backing new “as-of-right” rules the Ford government said went into effect at the beginning of the new year. […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Allowances for wetlands, some wildlife species like bats and turtles, as well as shoreline access, are included among 25 conditions that must be met before a residential subdivision that would overlook Lake Superior’s Black Bay can receive final approval. The proposed Grann Drive development, which would contain about 50 lots […]

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

From avian flu to diseases that kill off oysters and invasive pests decimating trees, Canada’s food safety agency is facing an ever-increasing list of challenges to its job performance that are multiplying with climate change. In a detailed statement to Canada’s National Observer, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) broke […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

GRASSY NARROWS — The chair of a group of six First Nations says the latest step for a proposed nuclear waste site is yet another cause for concern. Rudy Turtle, with the Land Defence Alliance, says it’s the newest bit of news that’s worrying Indigenous communities concerned about the environment […]