fort frances

July 16 2020

Traffic Stop Near Dryden Results In Drug Charges

News Drug Charges, Dryden, fort frances, Traffic Stop

Two Fort Frances residents face drug charges after a traffic stop by Provincial Police west of Dryden.

Police say on July 2nd they originally pulled over the vehicle on Highway 17 in Wainwright Township for a Traffic Act violation.

OPP then say further investigation lead to officers finding and seizing fentanyl, methamphetamine, prohibited devices, Canadian currency and drug related paraphernalia.

Police say as a result of investigation, 33-year-old Dennis Mutz and 39-year-old Deidre Jarvis both of Fort Frances face multiple charges including:

Traffick in Schedule I substance- methamphetamine CDSA 5(1)
Traffick in Schedule I substance- other drugs CDSA 5(1)
Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking- other drugs CDSA 5(2) (2 counts)
Possession of prohibited device or ammunition for dangerous purpose CC 88 (3 counts)
Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000 CC 354(1)(a)

OPP say both of the accused remain in custody.

July 9 2020

Police Investigate Sudden Death In Fort Frances

Tim DavidsonNews death, fort frances, OPP, sudden

The OPP are looking into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 52-year-old Fort Frances man.

The body of Thomas Roen was found in an outbuilding at the White Pine Inn Sunday morning.

Police were conducting a property check at the time.

A post-mortem exam was completed yesterday in Toronto but the cause of death hasn’t been released.

Police says there are no public safety concerns right now, but anyone with information is asked to contact the OPP in Fort Frances at: (807) 274-3322 or 1-888-310-1122 or call CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

June 29 2020

Hundreds Flood Emo For Pride Rally

News Borderland Pride, Democracy, Douglas Judson, Dryden, Emo, Emo Ambush, fort frances, Fort Frances Town Council, Kenora, Kenora Pride, LGBTQ2S+, NEWS, Northwestern Ontario, pride, Pride Month, protest, Rainbow Alliance Dryden, Thunder Bay, thunder pride

A couple hundred people converged on Emo Saturday to protest the decision from township leaders not to recognize June as Pride Month.

Borderland Pride co-chair Douglas Judson says they’re blown away by the support.

“The opposition we were experiencing from leaders in the community didn’t reflect the community itself,” says Judson, “I think that that was borne out by the numbers we saw and the enthusiasm of the participants.”

He tells us that they received lots of push back ahead of time to the ‘Emo Ambush’, but that anyone would be hard-pressed to say anything negative of what actually took place.

When it comes to the makeup of those who came out, Judson, who serves on Fort Frances Town Council, explains that they came from all over the northwest including Dryden, Kenora and Thunder Bay.

Borderland Pride co-chair Douglas Judson speaks to Acadia News following the group’s ‘Emo Ambush’ protest.

“They wanted to be part of sending a strong message that our communities in the northwest are places where LGBT people can have a home for themselves…can move and be accepted (for who they are).”

He says that in the end their protest may not sway political decision, but that they might have just help the community.

“I hope that for young people in the community they look at this and they feel emboldened and empowered and have identified that there are allies and organizations and labour unions and community leaders around them that want them to thrive and be successful and cared for.”

He adds that he hopes it reminds people that we don’t need to take things we find unacceptable lying down thanks to the democratic society that we live in.

With files from Colin Redston.

June 18 2020

Town Hall Raises Inclusivity Issues In NWO

Syndicated ContentNews Acadia Ontario (CJUK), Acadia Thunder Bay (CJUK), Borderland Pride, Dryden, fort frances, NEWS, Rainbow Alliance, RSS, Syndicated, Thunder Bay, thunder pride

Although Emo town council’s decision to not hold pride celebrations was not mentioned by name, the issue it raises of inclusivity was discussed heavily at a northwestern Ontario pride town hall.

There was plenty of participation, with many questions asked of local MPs and federal ministers.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski started the online discussion off by sharing a story of growing up in Kaministiqua.

He said that when he was younger, anyone who was in any way not in the majority was treated differently by the residents of the rural community.

Health Minister Patty Hajdu shared how she recently co-authored a report on men’s mental health. She said she didn’t realize while she was writing it that she was coming at it from her own life experiences rather than a 2SLGBTIQ+ inclusive perspective.

Hajdu said she only realized, after speaking with others, that she shouldn’t have assumed the partners of men who grew up with toxic masculinity would be women.

Douglas Judson from Borderland Pride asked our two local MPs how we can help smaller communities “that may need to catch up” on inclusivity since they say they have traditional beliefs.

Powlowski said he wants to listen to the 2SLGBTIQ+ community and feels the internet has helped expand people’s perspectives around the world.

“Dryden and other small communities aren’t the same way as we were 40 years ago, we are a lot more cosmopolitan and have a lot more ethnic groups and LGBTQ members. We have come a long way being more accepting, and I think we need to continue to communicate and have some work to do,” Powlowski said.

Hajdu replied that it takes political courage to challenge a closed perspective.

“You have to have the courage to say ‘I disagree’ in politics when addressing systemic issues,” Hajdu stressed.

The health minister also said it is important to ask what it means to be a good ally, to ask others what they want from you and your position, and respecting the needs of individuals.

“Things are changing, but I don’t think they are changing fast enough. I represent small communities that are still in the ’70s and they are closed,” Hajdu said.

The health minister said rejuvenation and diversity need to take place in communities and organizations in northwestern Ontario.

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June 17 2020

Fort Frances Residents Charged For Not Quarantining

Mike EbbelingNews COVID-19, fine, fort frances, OPP, Self-Isolation

A reminder from the provincial police that you must quarantine for 14 days when coming to Canada from another country.

The first known charges under the Quarantine Act have been laid in Kenora-Rainy River.

OPP say 62-year-old Ernest Calvert and 19-year-old Hunter Calvert, both from Fort Frances, have been charged for not going into quarantine for 14 days after returning from the United States.

They were spotted outside of their home and getting into a boat.

Sergeant Ann McEwen stresses laws have been imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect the public.

“We’re taking it seriously. We are following up. And with essential services, with additional people coming into the country to provide those essential services, we want them to be aware that it is important to self-quarantine in order to mitigate the risks.”

McEwen adds “”We are aware that some residences do hold dual citizenship. They will leave the country but upon re-entry there are laws people have to abide by and quarantine is one of them upon entry.”

She says “It’s important to take the Quarantine Act and the provisions very seriously. The Act is designed to mitigate risks among the public as well to front-line officers who have to respond and react to investigate these kind of offences.”

McEwen says they work closely with border officials and conduct compliance checks to ensure everyone is following the rules.

The offence carries a fine of $1,000 plus a $135 victim surcharge.

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May 20 2020

New COVID-19 Case In Fort Frances

Mike EbbelingNews COVID-19, fort frances, Northwestern Health Unit

Another COVID-19 positive case in the Northwestern Health Unit catchment area.

The latest case is being reported in the Fort Frances area.

Officials say the patient acquired the coronavirus through work-related travel and follow-up is complete.

They add all known contacts have been notified.

That pushes the number of cases to 20.

16 cases have been resolved.

Two of the cases are from a primary residence in southern Ontario and have not been to the northwest region.

2,059 tests have come back negative, while 1,290 are pending.

May 12 2020

Illegal Weapons, Firearms, Drugs Seized In Fort Frances

Mike EbbelingNews Bust, Drugs, Firearms, fort frances, OPP, Weapons

A 41-year-old man faces a number of drug and firearms charges after Provincial Police carried out a search warrant at the Nugget Motel in Fort Frances last night.

The multi-agency bust uncovered a prohibited .380 calibre Taurus TCP handgun along other prohibited weapons including a butterfly knife, throwing star, and brass knuckles.

The OPP also seized fentanyl and heroin and an unknown amount of Canadian currency.

Police note the accused was already facing criminal and drug charges relating to the possession of firearms and drug trafficking within the Rainy River District from an investigation completed in 2017.

As part of his bail arrangement in that case, the man wasn’t supposed to be in possession of weapons, firearms, drugs or illegal substances.

The charges from that investigation are still before the courts.

OPP say Robert Gouliquer of Fort Frances now faces an additional 11 charges.