Food Prices Continue to Rise

The food budget for a family of four in the Kenora and Rainy River district is nearing the one-thousand dollar a month mark.

It's a 60-dollar increase over last year's study.

The Northwestern Health Unit, Julie Slack says that's making it more difficult for those on low or fixed incomes.

Slack says the rising prices do show the need to strengthen community gardens, school breakfast programs and food banks even more.

Motion To Keep Veterans Affairs Offices Open

The doors close today, but MP's will vote Monday on an motion calling for eight regional Veterans Affairs offices to stay open.

NDP put forward the motion yesterday.

Veterans intend to hold memorial services today at affected offices, including the one in Thunder Bay, to signify the loss of service.

Propane Hotline Set Up

Minnesota is setting up a public hotline for residents who may have questions about the propane shortage in the State, or may be in danger of running low on heating fuel.

The hotline is manned Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each day.

Governor Mark Dayton declared a State of Peacetime Emergency in Minnesota Monday in response to the persistent cold weather and the increased risk that households may run out of heating fuel.

MPCA Hands Out Fines To 65 Companies

A Baudette company is among 65 fined by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for environmental infractions in the last four month of 2013.

LaValla Septic Service was fined 18-hundred for individual septic treatment systems violations.

The MPCA says it also has another 141 ongoing investigations across the State

Minimum Wage Going Up

The minimum wage is going up in Ontario.

The province says the $10.25 an hour wage will go to $11.00 an hour June 1.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says it's going to improve people's lives.

The government also intends to introduce legislation when Queen's Park resumes that ensure future increases every October.

OPP Cracking Down On Reckless Drivers

As Ontario suffers through one of the worst winters in recent history, the OPP are taking a hard stance with reckless drivers who are jeopardizing the safety of officers and other emergency personnel responding to collision scenes.

Three OPP cruisers have been struck by passing motorists since Monday, sending at least one officer to hospital..

Last weekend, eight cruisers were struck with two officers suffering minor injuries.

Park Centre To Open This Winter

Voyageurs National Park is opening its Rainy Lake Visitor Centre this winter.

Beginning this Sunday, the centre will open Wednesdays through to Sundays from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

The park says funding from the Voyageurs National Park Association is allowing for the centre to open.

The winter hours will continue until March 30.

Recycling Up In Fort Frances

Fort Frances residents are doing better when it comes to recycling.

Ontario Waste Diversion says about 20 per cent of all residential waste in 2012 reached blue boxes, slightly higher than from the year before.

Chief Executive Officer Michael Scott says it's not bad, noting a slight increase over 2011.

Scott admits northern Ontario communities are challenged by distance to markets and costs that can impact on local recycling efforts.

He says increased education and the creation of depots to collect such things as electronic equipment can further reduce the amount of material going to landfill.

Fight Continues To Keep Offices Open

The MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River is making a last ditch effort to save Canada's Veterans Affairs offices.

The offices, including one in Thunder Bay, are to close their doors tomorrow.

John Rafferty accuses the Harper government of turning its back on veterans by closing the offices.

Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino is apologizing for the way he treated veterans during a meeting in Ottawa Tuesday, but isn't backing down on the decision to close the offices.

Osisko Fighting Take-over Bid

Osisko Mining is taking legal action against Goldcorp.

Osisko alleges that Goldcorp misused confidential information prior to making a hostile take-over bid for the company.

Goldcorp's offer is about $2.6 billion, but Osisko calls it "opportunistic and financially inadequate."

Osisko is also in the process of mailing its recommendation to shareholders, urging them to reject the offer.

Heart Of The Continent Partnership Meets Today

Officials from both sides of the border gather in International Falls today for a meeting of the Heart of the Continent Partnership.

It's aim is to promote northern Minnesota and northwestern Ontario

Chair Frank Jewell says part of their discussions will be around the organization's future.

Jewell says there will also be involvement for the first time in a long time from Fort Frances.

Dryden Reports Huge Deficit

While Fort Frances council works to pare down its budget, another northwestern Ontario community is facing some serious financial troubles of its own.

The city of Dryden has announced its facing a four-million dollar deficit going into the 2014 budget year.

City officials attribute the shortfall to reduced assessment of the Domtar Mill, fewer provincial grants and a one million dollar accounting discrepancy identified from 2011.

Fire Marshal's Office Investigating Ignace Blaze

The Ontario Fire Marshal's Office has been contacted to help investigate the cause of a massive fire to an Ignace grocery store.

Tuesday's blaze destroyed Gramma's Supermarket.

Fire crews were still working yesterday to mop up the fire and extinguish hot spots.

Grade 10 Student Publishes First Book

A Fort Frances high school student has launched her first novel.

Last of the Spirit Seers is a fictional book, but written around true ghost stories from the Rainy River district.

Author Claire Hyatt says she never though about writing a book initial.

It took her about 11 months to write and is already thinking of a second book.

The book is available at Betty's, the Fort Frances High School or through Amazon.com.

Lobby Group Questions Biomass Supply

A northwestern Ontario lobby group is trying to prove that the proposed biomass conversion of Ontario Power Generation's coal-fired plant in Thunder Bay will not meet the future energy needs of the region.

Common Voice Northwest spokesperson Iain Angus says the proposed supply of biomass will never be enough during a cold spell like we are experiencing now.

Angus says by his calculations the amount suggested would have been used up in three weeks had the conversion been in place already.

Memorial Service For Office Closure Planned

Veterans plan to mark the closing of the Veteran Affairs Canada office in Thunder Bay with a memorial service.

They plan to lay a wreath at the doors of the office Friday and hold a small memorial to signify the loss of services to northwestern Ontario.

The office is one of eight scheduled to close across the country.

Bridge Work This Spring

A bridge on Highway 11 will get some upgrades this year.

The Swamp River Bridge, just west of Shebandowan, will be replaced at a cost of $3.2 million.

Thunder Bay-based LH North will begin work in the spring.

Changes To Driver Renewals For Some Seniors

Drivers in Ontario over the age of 80 will no longer have to complete a written test to renew their licence.

Beginning April 21, the province will instead base renewals on a vision test, the individual's driving record and require the senior to participate in some educational programs.

Transportation Minister Glen Murray says it will help seniors stay safe on the road while flagging those who shouldn't be driving.

More Target Stores To Open In Canada

Minnesota retailer Target says it will open another store in Winnipeg this fall.

The store at Polo Park Mall will be one of nine to open across the Canada this year.

Target entered the Canadian market last year with 124 stores, including one in Thunder Bay.

Governor Prepares For Surgery

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton will go under the knife next week.

He's having hip surgery at Rochester's Mayo Clinic.

The procedure is to reattach the major hip tendons to the bone around the hip joint that have become detached.

It's only expected to take an hour and Dayton says he expects a full recovery.