Friday, August 21, 2009

Natural Gas Prices Down

It looks like Canadian homeowners who use natural gas can expect lower heating bills this winter.

The price of the fuel has fallen to a seven-year low -- just under three dollars U-S per thousand cubic feet.

Prices are down because of the recession, which has seen a drop in the demand for natural gas.

Record Sales for State Lottery

The Minnesota State Lottery says it's set a new record for ticket sales in a fiscal year.

Sales reached over $481-million in fiscal year 2009, which ended June 30th. That's an increase of almost $20-million, or 4.3 percent, from 2008.

Task Force Full

A group charged with creating a jobs plan for Minnesota will get plenty of member's opinions.

36 house members have been appointed to the Minnesota House Jobs Task Force.

They'll focus on economic development, capital investments and tax policies that will create job growth in the state.

Deadline for Boaters Card Near

It will soon become law for all people driving a powered recreational vessel to have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card.

The federal legislation takes effect on September 15.

Boat Smart Canada is the organization offering the exam for the card, and President Cameron Taylor says there are still a few boaters who haven't taken the test.

"There's about 1.5 million Canadians who've currently have obtained their card," says Taylor. "There another 6.5 million Canadians left to get their card. There is quite a strong demand for acquiring the card. Some boaters may be leaving it until the spring of 2010, but getting caught without a card can face a fine of $250.00"

Those who don't have the card can write the test at Pinewood Sports today and tomorrow.

Nursing Program Accredited

A significant designation for a nursing program involving both Lakehead University and Confederation College.

The Collaborative Nursing Program has received a 7-year accreditation from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing.

L.U.'s Director of Nursing Karen Poole says is testament to the efforts of both institutions.

"To us it's such a success story," says Poole, "and it shows how well we've worked together. It allowed up to showcase the strengths of each institution brings to the Collaborative program. We couldn't be happier. It's the highest level of accreditation so its an extremely positive outcome."

More than 400 students are registered in the four-year program at the Thunder Bay campuses.

Lawsuit Considered

Store owners are threatening to sue the government over its decision to put an end to some small-town stores operating as driver's licence renewal depots.

About 60 of the 265 retail-based driver's licence renewal depots are to be moved into established ServiceOntario outlets in January.

A provincial spokesperson could not say if the Fort Frances depot was among those to be relocated, but says the strategy is part of a plan to integrate services by putting driver's licence and health card renewals under one roof.

FEDNOR Funding Announced

More than $1.5 million dollars from FEDNOR has been announced for the Rainy River district.

The bulk of the money will go to the Rainy River Future Development Corporation.

$900,00 will allow it to continue offering business services and access to capital for small and medium-sized businesses, and as well as continuing with a number of community development projects for the next three years.

An additional $225 thousand will be used by the corporation to support smaller scale, regional economic development initiatives.

Atikokan's Community Futures Development Corporation received $75-thousand to support a variety of small, regional economic development projects.

The town of Fort Frances will use $170-thousand for the purchase of web and video-conferencing equipment for its library and technology centre.

The town of Rainy River received $65-thousand to hire consultants to work on its investment readiness strategy.

Atikokan Youth Initiatives and the Rainy River Future Development Corporation also received fednor funding to hire youth interns.