The Sprague and District Historical Museum now features an Indigenous building celebrating the history and culture of First Nations and Métis people in the area. The 12‑by‑40-foot facility houses important artifacts, including a baton from a 1980 powwow in Sprague, leather and beadwork items, and paintings by renowned Indigenous artists Eddy Cobiness and Robert Kakayseesick.

The museum highlights the region’s history before settlers arrived around 1882. The area was originally inhabited by Indigenous communities who worked alongside loggers in the late 19th century. Loggers floated red pine down the Roseau River to the Red River, while Indigenous families lived in nearby cabins, with men logging and skinning trees and women preparing cordwood for fires. Very few records exist detailing the lives of these early Indigenous residents, but recent research compiles genealogical information and historical accounts to preserve their legacy.

The Indigenous building officially opened on September 20, with a pipe and water ceremony to bless the site. A drum group from Roseau River First Nation and Métis fiddler Gilles Crevier performed during the day. Guests also sampled bannock and wild rice, which historically served as a trade item alongside pemmican.

The building offers the community an ongoing opportunity to deepen understanding of shared history and culture, honor the contributions of Indigenous people to the region, and support reconciliation efforts.

The Northwestern Health Unit is reporting the first positive rabies case in 11 years near Fort Frances. A bat from the Rainy Lake area has tested positive for the virus, which attacks the brain and nervous system in animals and humans.

Rabies spreads through saliva or nervous tissue, most commonly from bites or scratches. It does not spread through touching fur, blood, urine, or feces, and non-mammals like birds or reptiles cannot transmit it.

Over the past decade, the health unit submitted 13 animal samples — including cats, dogs, bears, bats, and a skunk — with no positives until now. A rabid Arctic fox was also confirmed earlier this year in Fort Severn, showing the virus can appear unexpectedly in the region.

To stay safe, don’t approach or handle wild or stray animals, even if they look healthy. Keep your pets and livestock current on rabies vaccinations, and avoid animals that appear sick, injured, or are acting strangely.

If you are bitten or scratched, seek medical care immediately. Early treatment can prevent rabies, but once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal.

While the risk in Ontario is low, the health unit emphasizes that vigilance and prompt action are critical to protecting yourself, your family, and your pets.

The 26th Annual Rainy River Walleye Tournament wrapped up on Saturday, September 20th with a huge crowd in attendance to witness this year’s winners receive the trophy. They also held their Kid’s Mini Tournament Saturday which saw 112 kids participate in, hosted by the Rainy River Rec. 

The top 5 finishers for the 26th Annual Rainy River Walleye Tournament saw 3 fisherman between 18.5 – 19 pounds. 2nd place finished at 19.31 pounds. And 1st place at 20.82 pounds, was Cory Larocque & John Desaulniers. 

After the weigh-ins the crowd was treated to a performance by Pop Vegas!

TOP 5 LIST

1. Cory Larocque & John Desaulniers – 20.82 lbs
2. Danny Usiski & Bill Haskell – 19.31 lbs
3. Doug McBride & Steve Ballan – 18.98 lbs
4. Shane Aikenhead & Scott Aikenhead – 18.81 lbs
5. Brandon Ignaszewski & Mike Vacura – 18.68 lbs

As Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis market begins to take shape, two tribal nations are stepping up to supply the first wave of products. The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and White Earth Nation are now providing adult-use cannabis to retailers, marking a significant milestone in the state’s rollout of legalized marijuana. 

Eric Taubel with the Office of Cannabis Management says tribal-state compacts are creating mutual benefits for both tribal enterprises and medical cannabis providers. While tribal operations are currently leading the supply chain, Taubel says the market will expand further once the first state-licensed cultivators begin harvesting their crops, expected later this year. 

Minnesota legalized adult-use cannabis in 2023, with full retail availability projected to grow through 2025.

By Jon Michael Grussing – R & J Broadcasting | September 22, 2025

BAUDETTE, Minn. — Motorists in Baudette and Red Lake will encounter detours this week as construction projects get underway, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

In Baudette, Highway 172 will close at the railroad crossing near the intersection with Highway 11 beginning Monday, Sept. 22. Crews will replace the crossing surface, with work expected to finish by Sept. 26. Drivers will detour via Highway 11 and Lake of the Woods County Road 39.

In Red Lake, crews will begin replacing underground utilities on Highway 1 between Oman Drive and Main Avenue on Sept. 22. The project, led by Red Lake Nation, is expected to be completed by Sept. 27. Motorists will detour using Highway 89, Walking Shield Road and Reservation Highway 44.

Minnesota employers added nearly 6,000 new jobs in August, continuing a steady upward trend in the state’s labor market. DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek says Minnesota’s job growth is outpacing the national average. 

Minnesota’s labor force participation rate also remains strong at 68%, compared to 62% nationally. Commissioner Varilek says the August numbers reflect a resilient economy.

The state’s unemployment rate ticked up slightly, rising one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.6%, which is still well below the national rate of 4.3%.