More Snow Expected in Borderland

More snow is on the way.

Environment Canada says another significant snowfall could hit the area beginning later today.

The snowfall is expected last into tomorrow with more than 10 centimetres hitting the ground in some areas.

Hydro Rates to Double

The average electricity bill will double in Ontario over the next 20 years under an $87-billion plan to modernize the province's electricity system.

The Liberal government's energy plan, released Wednesday, calls for $33 billion in investments by government and the private sector to build two new nuclear reactors and refurbish 10 older units.

The plan also calls for $14 billion to be spent on wind power, $9billion on solar energy, and $4.6 billion on new hydro-electric projects.

Conservation programs are getting a $12 billion commitment.

The plan confirms Ontario's intentions to keep getting half of the province's electricity from nuclear generation and to phase out coal-fired generation, including at Ontario Power Generation's plant in Thunder Bay, by 2014 at the latest.

AbitibiBowater Restructuring Plan Approved

Company officials expect AbitibiBowater to be reborn as a profitable and less indebted company in early December.

Yesterday, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court endorsed its restructuring plan, overruling creditor objections to sanction the company's plan that sheds about five-and-a-half billion dollars in unsecured debt.

The company also hopes its efforts to reduce costs and improving market conditions will help it to generate steady operating profits.

C.E.O. David Paterson says they plan to address declining paper demand by converting some production to undisclosed other product, which should prevent the need for further plant closures or layoffs.

Good Year for Safe Communities Rainy River

Another successful year for Safe Communities Rainy River District.

The organization outlined its accomplishments during its annual meeting held yesterday in Fort Frances.

Chair Bob Swing says being able to secure funding for the Substance Abuse Prevention Team was among its biggest achievements.

"It makes a big difference," says Swing. "It's why we get looked at nationally and internationally as a district how we leverage so much work out of so many different programs. That's why."

The group also scored perfect marks in a national report card done by Safe Communities Canada.

DSSAB Funding for Solar Panels

The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board has received government funding to install solar panels at two facilities within the district.

The more than $190-thousand from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing will be used to install the panels at Queen Street Manor in Emo and the Rainy River District Women's Shelter of Hope in Atikokan next spring.

Electricity produced will be sold back to the grid.

Residential School Survivors Meet Commission

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada is in Thunder Bay today to listen to the stories from residential school survivors.

Commission spokesperson Alvin Fiddler says it's part of the healing for First Nations people

"A lot of people, myself included, look at it as an historic opportunity for many of the survivors, who have waited a long time to tell their story," says Fiddler.

The Commission was invited by officials of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.