Crimestoppers Numbers Up

Crime Stoppers of Northwestern Ontario and Northern Minnesota is showing some impressive numbers in the first three months of 2010.

Coordinator Doug Anderson says there's been large increases in tips received, cases cleared and rewards issued.

"January started strong and February kind of followed suite," says Anderson. "March was a little slower than the first two month, but all-in-all, when you compare things to last year where up all across the board so we're very please."

Anderson says continued media support and initiatives such as an improved website and a new Facebook page are helping increase the organization's public profile.

High Dollar Good News to U.S. Businesses

The Canadian dollar continues to hover just above or below parity with its American cousin.

Betsy Jensen, president of the International Falls Chamber of Commerce, says that can only lead to more Canadians travelling across the border.

"International Falls businesses prosper when the dollar is more equal," says Jensen, "because we have more (Canadian) shoppers over here with their dollar worth just as much as ours. We look at it as a good thing."

Jensen says its too early to tell if the dollar is having an immediate impact, but is seeing a few more Ontario plates at local gas stations.

More Energy Projects on the Way

The Ontario government is reportedly poised to start awarding just over $8 billion dollars in renewable energy projects to dozens of companies.

Sources say the government is awarding contracts to entities ranging from first nations communities to major corporations who will develop wind, solar and run-of-river hydro projects.

It's not immediately know if any of the projects are slated for the Rainy River district.

Prescription Changes

People in Ontario will soon pay less when getting their prescriptions filled after the province announced it will scrap an allowance pharmacists receive on generic drugs.

But that isn't sitting well with pharmacists who say the compensation is not enough.

Shoppers Drug Mart says it is strongly opposed to the changes and believes they will have a direct negative impact on pharmacy services and patient care.

Seven Generations Anniversary

An anniversary today for the Seven Generations Education Institute.

It's been 25 years since it was set up to provide education and training opportunities for Aboriginal people.

Director of Post Secondary Education programs Laura Horton says much has changed over time.

"Ten Chief originally started it and named it the Rainy Lake Ojibway Education Authority back in 1985," says Horton. "Over the years the name has been changed, our work has expanded, but always its our ten First Nations at the center of it all.

A sunrise ceremony and public tours of its facility at Couchiching First Nation will be held to mark the event.

All events are open to the public.

Voyageur's Celebrates

Voyageur's National Park celebrates its thirty-fifth anniversary today.

The park is hosting a variety of event throughout the month, but tonight it will hold an open house for the public at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center with former and current employees on hand.

This free event goes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Encore Winner

A Sioux Narrows resident is happy he said 'yes' to Encore when he purchased his Lotto Max ticket back in February.

Tyler Cole Marquis during his extra one-dollar decision into a reward of $100-thousand dollars.

The self-employed contractor and new father plans to pay off his mortgage.

The winning ticket was bought at Dalseg's Fine Foods in Nestor Falls.