Thursday, April 24, 2014

New County Department Created

Koochiching County has taken a step towards creating a new health and human services department.

The board has appointed Community Services Director Terry Murray as the department's director.

Murray is also to come back to the County board next month on how new department will look like.

Fundraiser Tickets Available

Riverside Foundation for Health Care's spring luncheon is fast approaching.

Tickets for the May 4th event are now on sale.

Director Samantha Manty says "old bags" are being brought back for the event, but they still need more donations.

Call the Foundation if you can help or need to buy tickets.

You can also purchase tickets at Gillons* Insurance and McTaggarts.

Gas Prices Rising

Motorists are starting gas prices increase across Ontario.

The average price in Ontario is about $1.37 a litre, but some stations in northwestern Ontario are hitting just below $1.50.

Prices in Fort Frances are at $1.39.

Gas buddy.com says the average price in Manitoba is $1.28 while the average price at Minnesota station is selling for the equivalent of just over the dollar mark.

Energy Bill Passed House

Minnesota is looking at additional aid for low-income electricity customers and added protection from rising price for propane purchasers in an Omnibus energy bill that has received House approval at the State capital.

The bill combines suggestions from several others that were heard at the committee level.

It now heads to the Senate for debate.

Mandatory Swimming Lessons Considered

Minnesota lawmakers are looking at making swimming lessons mandatory in public schools as a way of reducing the number of drownings.

A proposed bill now at the committee level proposes lesson at all grade levels.

Those without easy access to a pool would need to provide in-class instruction such as water safety.

The Minnesota School Board Association worries about the added costs of implementing