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Fort Frances Court House(1)

Bail violations rising in Rainy River District

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The Rainy River District West OPP Detachment Board is looking for senior levels of government to address a growing number of bail violations in the Rainy River District.

Provincial Police laid more than 470 bail-related charges in 2025.

There were another 379 charges in 2024.

Fort Frances Mayor Andrew Hallikas calls it alarming, but not surprising.

“I hear this all the time. It’s like a revolving door. They (police) do their job. They arrest people, and the bail system just turns them loose. It’s got to stop,” says Hallikas.

At a recent board meeting, OPP drew attention to several repeat offenders.

One person is noted to have 67 charges, while another has faced 50 charges since 2022.

“This is serious,” says Board Chair John McTaggart.

“It’s taking a lot of the police’s time to manage it. It’s taking a lot of time for the courts. It’s taking a lot of time for the jails. It is costing a lot of money, and we need to advance this.”

The board supported a resolution that asks area municipalities to lobby senior levels of government.

It also intends to seek similar support from other police services boards.

OPP cruiser Jan 6 2026

Violent crime stats show early increase in parts of Rainy River District

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It has been a busy start to the year for Provincial Police in the western portion of the Rainy River District.

OPP report 278 charges were laid for various infractions during the first two months.

Traffic-related charges are down, though OPP did nab 8 motorists for impaired driving.

Police also responded to 25 motor vehicle collisions, none involving any serious injuries or fatalities.

Incidents of violent crime are up.

The 48 incidents are a 23% increase over the same period last year.

More than two-thirds of the cases were assaults or firearm-related, which shows a nearly 18% increase.

At the same time, incidents of property crime are down almost 30% over last winter.

County Law Enforcement Centre Apr 2019 (1)

County offers counter-proposal in International Falls request for law enforcement center

Talks between International Falls and Koochiching County continue over the Falls’ use of the former law enforcement center for its police service.

The city has asked for inspection information and a lease with no increase for five years.

The County has suggested a $50,000 lease agreement, with inflationary increases beginning in year three.

Commissioner Jason Sjoblom is willing to let the inspection determine when the increase should kick in.

“If the report comes back clean, then we could go for the five. If it doesn’t, we can go with two,” says Sjoblom.

He says that would take into account whether the County is required to spend any money to address any issues identified through the inspection.

County commissioners also supported the city’s request for information related to inspections of the building.

OPP Winter

Mental health calls trending downward in the Rainy River District

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A program that assists Provincial Police with mental health calls is showing success in the Rainy River District.

The mobile crisis response team combines an officer and a mental health crisis worker who respond to mental health calls and work to avoid sending people to the hospital.

In 2024, OPP transported 195 people to the hospital.

Another 137 individuals avoided hospitalization through the intervention of the crisis response team, directing them to support elsewhere.

OPP Staff Sergeant Derrick McLean credits the team for their work.

“I think we have one of the programs in the province,” says McLean.

“I think if there’s an opportunity where we can make more investment in there, we’ll actually deliver better results.”

McLean also sees financial benefits with the program.

He says when officers must bring someone to the hospital, they have to wait until they’re escorted by the doctor, averaging 1.5 hours.

He says that equates to a billable charge of $423.

“So I guess conversely, if we did 137 diversions, we saved approximately $57,000. And since the inception of the program, there have been about 678 diversions, and the total savings would be $289,000,” says McLean.

McLean also notes that mental health calls have been declining in recent years.

OPP responded to 294 calls in 2025, down from 335 calls in 2023.

The statistics for 2026 show the numbers continue to track down with 36 calls in the first two months of the year, 40% lower than they were in the same period two years ago.

Patrick Celestine Hyslop

Arrest warrant out for high-risk sex offender in Halifax area

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Police are warning of a high-risk sex offender who is believed to be in the Halifax area.

RCMP say Patrick Celestine Hyslop has multiple criminal convictions including sexual assault and sexual interference involving a youth.

He is wanted on a province-wide arrest warrant for failing to comply with a release order.

Hyslop does have ties to other parts of the province, as well as Manitoba.

If you have information you are asked to call police.

OPP Speeder 2 - NW Region OPP Facebook

OPP issue 167 charges during traffic enforcement campaign in Rainy River District

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Some motorists were caught off guard on the weekend.

Provincial Police across the Rainy River District conducted a two-day traffic enforcement blitz.

OPP say 171 vehicles were stopped, with 167 motorists charged with various offences under the Highway Traffic Act and Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act.

Another 127 motorists were issued warnings.

Police say many of the charges are related to speeding and seatbelt infractions.

“The OPP remains committed to enhancing road safety through proactive enforcement and public education,” a release states.

“Motorists are reminded that seatbelts save lives and that speeding significantly increases the risk of serious injury or death in a collision. Drivers are encouraged to slow down, buckle up, and remain attentive behind the wheel to help keep Ontario roads safe for everyone.”

Similar traffic enforcement initiatives also occurred in other parts of northwestern Ontario.

Saint John Police car

Police operation on McClellan Street in Saint John concludes

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A man has been taken into custody after a police operation in Saint John that lasted around six hours.

Saint John Police, including the Emergency Tactical Service, and negotiators went to a home on McClellan Street just before 6 pm Wednesday.

They had received reports of a man who had barricaded himself inside a home.

Surrounding streets were blocked off.

Police gained entry to the residence just after midnight.

No word if any charges will be laid.

OPP logo new

Vehicle GPS unit helps track down suspect in Fort Frances break-in/vehicle theft

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Provincial Police say the 36-year-old was arrested in connection with a break-in and the theft of a vehicle at a business in the 600 block of Kings Highway in Fort Frances.

It happened early Thursday morning.

OPP say they were able to locate the vehicle nearby using its GPS tracking device.

The suspect was found hiding in another vehicle.

Police also recovered a number of items that were also identified as having been taken.

The man remains in custody on several charges, pending a court hearing tomorrow.

He has been charged with;

Break enter and commit indictable offence
Theft motor vehicle
Fail to comply with judicial release
Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000
Theft over $5000
Fail to comply with probation

Koochiching County Sheriff's Department badge

Body found during search for missing International Falls man

The body of a man has been found east of International Falls.

Koochiching County Sheriff’s Office say the discovery came while authorities were conducting ground and aerial searches for 66-year-old Mark Rood on Monday.

Rood had been last seen on January 19th, with his vehicle spotted in the parking lot near Tilson Bay.

The body was found near a trail in the same area.

The Sheriff’s Office says they believe the body is that of the missing man but are getting help from the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office with a definite identification.

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Woman charged after attempting to avoid RIDE check in Dryden

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A woman is facing charges of credit card fraud and possession of property obtained by crime.

The charges arose after a vehicle attempted to avoid a RIDE check in Dryden.

When the vehicle was stopped, Provincial Police found a number of items inside.

The woman was taken into custody on three counts of possessing property obtained by crime, four counts of credit card fraud and multiple Highway Traffic Act offences.

OPP are asking residents who live on Duke Street and Casimir Avenue in Dryden to check their vehicles and outbuildings to see if anything was taken.

Residents who notice anything missing or have related information are asked to contact police.

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