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Fort Frances

Robert Williamson 3

Show us your NWO

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As another Northwestern Ontario winter fades into memory, we’re taking a moment to look back at the season that once again reminded us just how breathtaking this region can be. From deep freezes and fresh snowfall to golden hours that seemed to set the sky on fire, winter gave us no shortage of unforgettable moments, and you captured them beautifully.

Beautiful Sunset by Connie Calvert

Throughout the season, viewers from across NWO shared scenes that told winter’s story in quiet, powerful ways. Frozen lakes stretched out beneath pastel skies, framed by towering evergreens dusted in snow. Several submissions featured sunsets blazing through the trees, rich oranges and pinks melting into deep purples as daylight slipped away over snow-covered landscapes. Even in the coldest months, there was warmth in the light.

Some photos highlighted the stillness of winter mornings: the sun low on the horizon, casting long beams across icy paths and untouched snow, reminding us how peaceful the world can feel before the day fully wakes up. Others captured dramatic skies, soft cloud layers streaked with colour, glowing halos around the sun, and subtle rainbows hidden in winter light, proving that the sky itself was often the main event.

Fireworks by Connie Calvert

One striking submission showed a nighttime winter gathering illuminated by fireworks bursting into the sky, their reflections glowing against the snow below. In a season defined by darkness and cold, moments like these stood out, proof that winter is also a time for connection and celebration.

Winter’s Last Glow by Robert Williams

Now, as temperatures slowly rise and the days stretch longer, spring is beginning to take over. Snowbanks will shrink, trails will soften, and those same landscapes will soon look completely different. But thanks to you, the magic of this winter is preserved, one photo at a time.

Ignace, ON – Matt Doran

Thank you to everyone who shared their view, their moment, and their slice of Northwestern Ontario with us this season. As we close the chapter on winter, we’re already looking ahead, because no matter the season, there’s always something worth showing off in NWO.

🌅❄️🌱
Keep sharing your views, and keep showing us your NWO.

Email in your photos:

Kenora – info@yourkenora.ca

Dryden – info@yoursunsetcountry.ca

Fort Frances/Rainy River – info@yourborderland.ca

Scott St. on a Sunday June 2019 (1)(1)

Windows Alive project to transform downtown core

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The Fort Frances Downtown Business Improvement Association is teaming up with the Chamber of Commerce to revitalize the downtown core.

Local artists have been commissioned to paint murals on shop windows down Scott Street as part of the Windows Alive project.

Windows Alive is the “brainchild” of Fort Frances event and marketing manager Rhonda Howells, said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Heather Johnson.

“As in many small towns, when you go downtown now there are so many empty storefronts. We’re missing our retail space,” Johnson said. “We thought well, you know what, we’ll go down and figure out who owns the empty buildings and we’ll talk to them and try to get some paint on the windows to liven up the downtown area.”

While the initial idea was to paint over the windows of closed shops, Windows Alive garnered attention from active business owners as well.

“We thought we’d expand it to the active business owners too and they were more than welcoming,” Johnson said. “It’s really good that basically the whole downtown area has signed up for the project.”

The owners of the buildings can choose between three main subjects for their window murals: local animals, local landmarks or local Indigenous art.

Most of the murals are still in the design stage, but Johnson was able to share a couple of the works coming to Fort Frances.

“Causeway Insurance is going to have the Causeway drawn on one of their windows, and Turtle Island Cafe and Barber Shop is going to have a turtle,” she said.

All artists commissioned are local. At least five of them will be Fort Frances High School art students.

“It’s going to be great to go down and watch them actually paint these pictures on the windows and be part of the whole process,” Johnson said.

The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of April.

Kettle Falls Hotel, Voyageur National Park (Crane Lake)

Kettle Falls power line replacement progresses

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Voyageurs National Park is planning on replacing a nearly 40-year old underwater electrical cable at Kettle Falls.

It has released findings on the project’s flood potential, which can be evaluated by the public until March 10. The document can be found on the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/KFElectric.

The 13-mile long cable and associated transformer boxes were installed in 1987 and supply power to the historic Kettle Falls Hotel, restaurant, and other concessioner-operated facilities that serve thousands of visitors each year. 

Due to old age, lightning strikes and an exposed neutral wire, the line has been compromised. This has caused safety concerns and intermittent power outages of varying duration. With no backup power, these outages can shut down the Kettle Falls Hotel, spoil food in the restaurant’s cold storage, and disable the electric fire‑suppression system.

The proposed replacement project would relocate electrical components out of the floodplain to improve safety and protect park infrastructure.

“The park looks forward to improving electrical service and the visitor experience at Kettle Falls while increasing the resilience of its infrastructure to flooding,” said Brian Harmon, acting superintendent of Voyageurs National Park.   

The project is funded by the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund.

A person's foot covered in snow

Snow and high winds for Fort Frances region

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Some digging will be required by Thursday.

A Special weather statement is in effect for areas including Fort Frances, Nestor Falls, and Atikokan.

Environment Canada is calling for 10 to 15 centimetres of snow on Wednesday night and Thursday

Wind gusts of up to 80 kilometres an hour will mean blowing snow and reduced visibility, especially along the Minnesota border.

Environment Canada says visibility may be suddenly reduced to near zero at times.

Road closures are possible, and you’ll need extra time for travel.

Thunder Bay regions are under winter storm warnings with up to 40 centimetres of snow expected.

Manual snow removal

More snow on the way to Northwestern Ontario

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Another storm system is headed to Northwestern Ontario, but Environment Canada says there’s still some uncertainty with its track.

Special weather statements have been issued for areas including Kenora, Dryden and Fort Frances.

Forecasts are calling for between 5 and 15 centimetres of snow on Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Current wind gust predictions are up to 60 kilometres per hour, and that could result in visibility issues.

Road closures are possible, and you should allow for extra time for travel.

Environment Canada will have updates if snowfall amounts or alerts need to be changed.

Cold

Update: Environment Canada issues cold warnings across the northwest

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Residents of northwestern Ontario are in for an exceptionally cold few days as a pocket of Arctic air has blown into the region.

Environment Canada has issued high-level alerts warning locals of windchill temperatures as low as minus 40 or even minus 45 degrees Celsius.

The Arctic airmass is expected to persist through the weekend.

Those in affected locations should cover up all exposed skin, as frostbite can take hold in a matter of minutes.

Drivers should keep emergency supplies such as blankets and jumper cables.

Anyone experiencing colour changes in their extremities, pain, numbness, tingling, or swelling should head inside and warm up immediately.

Workers who must be outside should make a conscious effort to go inside for regular warming breaks.

Other cold-related symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness are also good indicators of a need to stay inside and keep warm.

Environment Canada’s multi-day orange-level cold warning is in place for the following locations:

  • Red Lake – Ear Falls
  • Sioux Lookout – Savant Lake
  • Kenora – Nestor Falls
  • Dryden – Ignace
  • Fort Frances – Rainy Lake
  • Armstrong – Auden – Wabakimi Park
  • Gull Bay – Black Sturgeon Lake
  • Atikokan – Upsala – Quetico

The agency has now also issued a yellow-level warning, with slightly less severity, to locations east of the orange warning:

  • The City of Thunder Bay
  • Beardmore – Jellicoe – Macdiarmid
  • Superior West
  • Nipigon – Rossport

Locations under the yellow-level warning may experience windchill lows of minus 40 degrees Celsius.

Remo Knecht _ Crop

Show us your NWO: Winter Edition

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There’s a certain magic to Northwestern Ontario that reveals itself the moment the snowpack settles deep into the forests and lakes. Early mornings hum with the sound of a snowmobile engine warming up, sending echoes through the frosted pines. Riders follow winding white trails that weave through endless evergreens, each turn offering a fresh breath of crisp, cold air.

“Nature’s Beauty” Photographed by Remo Knecht

By afternoon, the cold settles in with its familiar bite, the kind that stings your fingertips. Out on the open stretches, the landscape feels vast and untouched, frozen lakes shimmering faintly under the pale sky, and spruce trees dusted with fresh snow. It’s the kind of cold that demands respect but rewards adventure, turning a simple ride into a journey through an untouched northern world.

“Fresh snow on trees on a crisp morning” Photographed by Wayne Morrison

And when night comes, the real magic happens. The sky erupts in sweeping curtains of green and red, dancing across the darkness like something alive. The aurora borealis paints the horizon above quiet towns and frozen shorelines, reflecting softly off the ice below. Under those lights, with engines quiet and the world hushed, Northwest Ontario reveals its soul, wild, beautiful, and unforgettable.

“Beautiful Grassy Narrows” Photographed by Robert Williamson

📸We would love to see what you see. Grab your Phone or Camera and send me your best shots.

Email in your photos:

Kenora – info@yourkenora.ca

Dryden – info@yoursunsetcountry.ca

Fort Frances/Rainy River – info@yourborderland.ca

Andrew Hallikas January 7 2026

Fort Frances mayor looks ahead to 2026

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The mayor of Fort Frances is excited about what 2026 may bring.

Economic development is high on council’s agenda.

The town hired a new economic development officer late last year.

Mayor Andrew Hallikas is keen to seeing the benefits.

“Sumantra Ghosh. . .he’s really gearing up for a very productive year,” says Hallikas.

“It takes a while for an economic development officer coming from outside to get to know the town, the people, the businesses, the organizations. Sumantra has been working very, very hard on that. He’s a very intelligent, creative young man. I think you’re going to see really, really good things coming from him.”

Hallikas is also anticipating the construction of the Highbury biofuel project this year.

The project involves several First Nations communities.

“We want to see that come into completion. We feel that in talking to the folks involved, construction should begin in 2026 if all goes well. That’s going to be a really big thing for our community.”

The town is also throwing its support behind a new solar farm and battery storage facility proposed by First Light.

Those proposals are currently before the Independent Electricity System Operator for consideration, with a decision expected later this spring.

Hallikas is also excited about the future of the town’s existing businesses and the hope for new starts in 2026.

“The BIA (Fort Frances Downtown Business Improvement Association) and the Chamber of Commerce are always working very, very hard to feature those businesses and to promote those businesses,” says Hallikas.

He also hopes the town can build on a successful Hamburger Wars that features food truck operators competing for bragging rights to the best burger in town.

“Our clerks have put into place a policy on food trucks. It’s gonna be nice to see some food trucks popping up around town during the summertime.”

Hallikas is also anticipating the return of the Hallett in the Rainy River, a decision council made near the end of the year following considerable debate during the year around a permanent display.

2026 is also an election year.

Hallikas has said this year will be his last in office.

He is hoping candidates come forward as early as possible.

“We really encourage people to run. Fort Frances is only as good as the people who are willing to step forward and try to help out.”

Rainycrest Long Term Care June 2019 (5)

Influenza outbreak declared at Rainycrest

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Riverside Health Care and the Northwestern Public Health Unit have declared an Influenza A outbreak at the Rainycrest Long Term Care Home.

The outbreak is present in both the East and West Wings of the building.

Restrictions have been put in place for visitors: only two visitors or caregivers may visit a resident at a time, and visitors are only allowed to see one resident per visit.

Visitations will be limited to residents’ rooms, with common areas off-limits.

Visitors will be asked to abide by masking protocols and may be asked to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).

Large social gatherings are cancelled, and transfers, admissions and discharges are being constrained.

Rainycrest asks potential visitors to self-screen for flu-like symptoms and to avoid visiting altogether if any symptoms are experienced.

opp logo building

Six arrested for Alberton break and enter

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Officers with the Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have concluded a month-long investigation into a break and enter that took place on November 11 in Alberton Township.

The investigation has led to the arrest of six men between the ages of 24 and 50.

The accused are facing a range of charges related to breaking and entering and possessing unauthorized firearms, with four of the six individuals also facing charges pertaining to weapons trafficking.

Three of the men remain in police custody, while three have been released.

All six accused individuals will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Fort Frances over the next month.

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