Tax Filings Urged

The Ontario government is urging low-income earners to file tax returns.

Revenue Minister John Wilkinson says people who don't have to pay tax can still collect significant rebates by filing.

Among rebates are sales tax credits worth up to one-thousand dollars for a family.

The province is launching a month-long ad campaign encouraging people to file costing taxpayers $2.7 million.

Census Forms Filed

The U-S Census Bureau says participation in this year's Census is on track to surpass that in 2000.

Sixty-Five per cent of all Americans have filled the 10-question form first sent out in March.

A total of 72 per cent filled out Census forms in 2000.

In Minnesota, seventy-four per cent of residents have filled out the form while participation rate in Koochiching County is 61 per cent.

Festival Underway

The two-week long Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts kicked off this morning at the Townsend Theatre with performances in piano.

Jane Duerkson, a member of the Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts, is this year's piano adjudicator.

Area pianists continue to take centre stage this afternoon at the Townsend Theatre and tonight at Knox United Church begin at 6 p.m.

All events are open to the public.

Rainy River Resources Appointment

Rainy River Resources has named an individual to oversee the environmental assessment and permitting of its gold project near Emo.

Kyle Stanfield will serve as the company's Director of Environment and Sustainability.

Stanfield will also be responsible for working with area First Nations and municipalities.

Feds Help Remote Communities

(Ian McKenzie photo)

There is relief for some First Nation communities in remote parts of northwestern Ontario.

The federal government is providing $3.8 million in fuel-delivery subsidies.

Kenora M-P Greg Rickford says it helps remote communities deal with the deteriorating winter-road situation.

Rickford says they're now working with communities leaders on how to distribute the money.

Stabbing Death

A 45-year-old man from the Onigaming First Nation is dead following a stabbing incident.

Treaty Three Police say it happened last Thursday in a home in the community near Nestor Falls.

The man's name has not been released.

Health Plan Released

A plan to improve the health care system in northwestern Ontario has been drafted by the Local Health Integration System.

Interim CEO Laura Kokochinski says one of the goals is to provide health services as close to home as possible.

"We are certainly responsible to ensure that services are available to people," says Kokochinski. "The long-term care homes are trying to be very responsive when they have people from outside of the community. For example, the Fort Frances long-term care home has put Skype which is available right at the bed side."

The three year plan also includes ideas to reduce reduce wait times in hospital emergency departments and improving health care for aboriginal people.

Renters Get Help

A report says renters will be protected from rent increases due to the harmonized sales tax.

Sources say the province will close a loophole that would have let landlords apply for above-guideline rent hikes based on the 13 per cent tax on utilities.

Instead, new HST costs for utilities will be reflected in rent only as they affect the Consumer Price Index, which is used to calculate rent increases.

Hydro Increase Planned

Some hydro customers will see their electricity bills go up 11.6 per cent over the next year.

Hydro One has won approval to raise its distribution rates on May 1, and again on January 1 of next year.

The utility estimates the increase will add $4.25 a month to a typical residential customer this year, and a further $1.30 next year.

Council Meeting Tonight

Presentations on this year's Fun in the Sun festivities, operations at the water treatment plant and economic development activities will be given to Fort Frances town councillors at their regular meeting tonight.

A previous request by St. Mary's Church to halt sporting activities on a parking lot behind the church also comes back to table.

The public portion of tonight's meeting begins at about 5:45 p.m.

Rail Workers Contract Reached

(Canadian Pacific Railway photo)

Canadian Pacific Railway and the union representing workers that build and maintain track and machinery have reached a tentative three-year contract.

No details have been released.

There is no word on when a ratification vote by union members will be held.

Ontario Man Arrested

Winnipeg police have arrested an Ontario man on child pornography charges.

Police say a man, who was working in Kenora, brought a computer into a repair shop last October to get a problem fixed.

While working on the computer the technician found suspected images of child abuse and called police.

Thirty-four year old Eric John Maillard is charged with possessing child pornography and accessing child pornography.

Blood Donor Clinics Next Week

The Canadian Blood Services is returning to Fort Frances next week.

Blood donor clinics are planned for next Wednesday and Thursday

Spokesperson Harvey Heather says hoping for at least 350 donors.

"We always encourage people to call 1-888-2DONATE," says Heather. "That's 1-800-236-6283 to make an appointment. It certainly goes a lot smoother for everyone. It takes a little bit less time if you make an appointment, but we do have a some walk-in spots available as well."

More than six hundred units of blood were collected at clinics last year, about one hundred shy of amount donated in 2008.

Relay for Life Taking Shape

Eight teams have signed up for this year's Relay for Life event in Fort Frances.

It's planned for June 25.

Those interested in participating can do so by registering on line at www.cancer.ca/relay.

The first meeting of team captains will be held April 27.

Businesses Get Funds

The Ontario government is helping to launch thirteen private sector businesses through its Northern Entrepreneur Program.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says it shows a little assistance from the taxpayer is sometimes needed to help the economy

"I think it reflects the fact that there are people out there who have those great ideas," says Gravelle. "With some help from the government and their own resources they can create businesses."

Fort Frances NXT Pro Sports Distributing, makers of a new neck guard for young hockey players and the Attention Joint were among those to receive funding.