Local and Regional News – Monday 2/23/2026

The Rainy River District School Board says a Fort Frances elementary school principal has been removed from duties following an arrest by the Ontario Provincial Police.
Fifty-three-year-old Shane Beckett, principal of Robert Moore School, has been charged with two counts of luring a person under 16 by means of telecommunication following an online child exploitation investigation. Police say electronic devices were seized during a search of a Fort Frances residence.
Beckett has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in Ontario Court April 2nd. The allegations have not been proven in court.
School officials say they recognize the situation is concerning for students and families and are taking steps to ensure stability within the school. Counselling supports are available through the school office, and the board says it is cooperating fully with police.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ontario Provincial Police or Crime Stoppers.

The Town of Fort Frances is seeking proposals for several upcoming infrastructure projects, with submissions due by 2:00 p.m. Central Time on March 31st.
Requests for proposals include engineering design work for a new roundabout at the Central Avenue intersection, a potable water filling and sanitary dumping station, rehabilitation of the Water Treatment Plant, and upgrades to the Central Avenue and White Pine lift stations.
Electronic submissions are required, and officials note the fee to register on the Bids and Tenders website has now been removed.
More information on the proposals and submission details can be found on the Town of Fort Frances website.

The International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for its Annual Awards Gala coming up April 23rd at the Thunderbird Lodge. The Chamber is asking residents to nominate deserving individuals, businesses, and organizations that make a positive impact in the community.
JJ McBride says the Chamber is looking for strong community participation.

Awards include Citizen of the Year, Large and Small Business of the Year, and Nonprofit Organization of the Year, along with a new Hospitality Excellence Award recognizing outstanding customer service.
McBride says submitting a nomination is simple.

Nomination forms are available online or at the Chamber office, and must be submitted by March 18th.

Minnesota schools and libraries can request free books through a new program from the Minnesota Humanities Center.
The organization is distributing three new titles in the Native American Lives Series at no cost to public schools and libraries across the state. The books, designed for students in grades four through eight, highlight the lives and contributions of George Morrison, Marie Louise Bottineau Baldwin, and Sharon Day, with stories created by Dakota and Ojibwe authors and illustrators.
Teachers, librarians, and school staff can request copies and an educator guide through the Minnesota Humanities Center website through March 13th.

Voyageurs National Park staff plan to conduct prescribed winter burns in selected wetlands on Rainy Lake and Lake Kabetogama during February and March.
The controlled burns will take place in areas near Black Bay and Cranberry Bay on Rainy Lake, with additional sites on Irwin Bay planned if conditions allow. Officials say the burns are designed to remove invasive cattails and dead vegetation, helping restore native wetland plants and improve wildlife habitat.
Burning will only occur during daylight hours and depends on safe ice conditions. Visitors are asked to avoid areas where burning or smoke is present.
Park officials say the long-term wetland restoration project covers about 500 acres and aims to improve habitat and fishing opportunities within Voyageurs National Park.