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Report: One in ten people in Kenora, Fort Frances used food banks this year

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The Salvation Army reports that food bank demand is surging this summer in Kenora and Fort Frances.

Stuart Walter, Community Ministries Director for The Salvation Army in Kenora, said the latest figures show roughly one in ten residents of the two communities have accessed a food bank at some point in 2026.

The Kenora Food Bank, in particular, has seen an unprecedented increase in demand. The organization served a record 437 people in August, compared to just 60 people during the same month in 2025.

“A lot of people are struggling to make ends meet,” Walter said. “We’ve made ourselves more available than we have in the past, just to make sure that we can help everybody we possible can.”

Walter reports that around 40% of food bank users are employed.

“It’s not people you would necessarily think of. These are people who are working and need that extra help because things are too expensive right now,” he said.

As the Canada/U.S. trade war escalates, Walter says he is expecting the high demand to continue in the near future.

“I’m bracing for things to stay the same here, especially with the way things are going economically with our relationship to the United States. It may seem like a far off problem, but the ripple effects are felt very closely,” he said.

Walter thanked Safeway and the Wholesale Club for helping The Salvation Army meet the growing demand through donations of grocery bags for people in need.

To help reduce stigma and provide more choice for individuals and families, the Kenora food bank has adopted what Walter calls a “shopping model.”

“You don’t just come into the food bank and get a box of food. You can come in and pick what you want and what your family will eat. By offering that choice, we’re trying to make it less like you’re coming to a food bank and more just a place to help get you some groceries,” he said.

The Salvation Army is welcoming donations of food and money through its website and is also seeking volunteers to help serve food and stock shelves.

“It’s really an invisible problem,” Walter said. “It’s neigbours. It’s kids that go to the same school as your kids […] People are facing the reality that if they don’t ask for help, they’re going to go without. And I don’t want anybody to have to face that challenge while myself and the Salvation Army can do anything about it,” Walter said.

rainycrest fort frances

Respiratory outbreak at Rainycrest Long-Term Care Home declared over

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Visitor restrictions and masking protocols at Rainycrest Long-Term Care Home have been lifted as the respiratory outbreak at the west-wing of the residence is declared over.

Admissions, transfers, and discharges have been lifted as well.

Visitors are still asked to conduct self-screenings before entering Rainycrest facilities. Individuals experiencing flu-like symptoms should not visit residents. Rainycrest says its Outbreak Management Team will continue to monitor residents as needed.

Marcus Powlowski Feb 10 2026

Fort Frances MP, mayor oppose Ontario foreign worker rejection

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Earlier this month, the province of Ontario refused to participate in a federal initiative allowing rural companies to hire more foreign temporary workers during the summer.

Ontario immigration minister David Piccini cited youth unemployment and a focus on a domestic workforce as the reasons behind his refusal.

On Tuesday, Fort Frances Mayor Andrew Hallikas and Thunder Bay MP Marcus Powlowski penned a joint statement in opposition to the province’s decision.

“We read with dismay Minister Piccini’s remarks in deciding that Ontario would not participate in relaxing federal rules regarding temporary foreign workers,” the statement read. “Small communities in Northern Ontario—many of whom were consulted in the preparation of this statement—need workers […] Recent cuts to immigration have left smaller communities in Northern Ontario, such as Fort Frances, in a particularly difficult position. Over the past year, we have heard from numerous small businesses in Fort Frances, all of whom have indicated that without access to foreign workers, they would face serious challenges in maintaining operations.”

The statement accuses Piccini of prioritizing the interests of large urban centres over those of northern Ontario communities.

An April 2026 Northwest Labour Market Analysis Report concluded that northwestern Ontario is facing an aging population with constrained labour supply and a consistent demand from employers.

“Looking for a doctor, have an elderly relative in need of chronic care? Good luck to you,” the statement continues. “We desperately need more doctors, nurses, personal support workers, and paramedics. Efforts to provide affordable childcare—such as $10-a-day daycare—are also constrained by a lack of available workers. In Fort Frances, funding exists for more daycare spaces, but there are not enough staff to fill them.”

Powloski and Hallikas say immigration has not been enough to reverse population declines in rural Ontario communities. They note that since 2016, just 3.35 per cent of newcomers to Canada have settled in rural areas, despite those communities accounting for 15.3 per cent of the country’s population. They also cite an estimation from the Conference Board of Canada that the region will need about 8,100 new residents each year over the next two decades simply to maintain its current workforce.

“This decision not only harms local businesses and the economy but also comes at a significant human cost,” the statement concludes. “We are aware of families in Fort Frances who have been forced to leave the community despite strong ties and a desire—shared by their employers—to remain. The question we hear repeatedly is: why can’t these people stay?”

a close up of a police car with its lights on

Charges laid after wanted man found in woman’s trunk

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A 36-year old Thunder Bay woman and a 37-year old Atikokan man face charges after police say a traffic stop revealed a fugitive.

According to police, an officer spotted a vehicle with incorrect plates and conducted a traffic stop at around 9:30 Tuesday morning.

The driver was arrested, and police say a search revealed a small amount of cocaine.

After searching the vehicle further, investigators say they found a man with arrest warrants in both Thunder Bay and Atikokan hidden in the trunk.

The driver faces the following charges:

  • Possession of a Schedule I substance (cocaine)
  • Stunt driving
  • Plate not authorized for vehicle
  • Failure to surrender permit for vehicle
  • Driving motor vehicle with no currently validated permit

She has been released from custody with a future court date.

The fugitive faces the following charges:

  • Possession of a Schedule I substance (cocaine)
  • Fail to attend court after having appeared

He was also charged for not wearing a seat belt.

The man remains in custody with a bail hearing Friday.

If you are aware of someone at large with warrants or violating conditions of judicial release, police ask you to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. You can also report through Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous by calling 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit your information online at www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

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.

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