Residents Get Help with Recycling

Residents in the Fort Frances area will soon be getting some tips on how to keep more of their waste out of the landfill site.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says the annual garbage pick-up schedule, a fridge magnet and some info on local recycling programs will soon be delivered to area homes.

"The availability of what recycling, hazardous waste days that are going to happen in the next two years," says Brown. "The free tipped days at Hallowe'en, which places where you can drop off tires. All of the little tidbits about recycling."

A grant from Waste Diversion Ontario helped cover the cost of the materials.

Keep Gas Metres Free of Snow

A Minnesota agency is urging residents to check their outdoor gas meters to make sure they're free of ice and snow buildup.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Office of Pipeline Safety says accumulated ice and snow can block the regulator vent, leading to the potential of gas leaks inside the home or a lack of gas flow resulting in frozen pipes and no heat.

Hydro Costs Increasing

The new year will bring higher electricity bills to Hydro One Network customers.

The Ontario Energy Board has approved a $7 per cent increase on the delivery portion of electricity bills effective January 1st.

That equates to about annual increase of $4.51 on the average residential bill.

Delivery accounts for about 38 per cent of the total charges.

International Falls Budget

The city of International Falls will collect just over $2-million through taxation to help its books balance.

City councillors approved the budget earlier this week.

Chair of the city's Finance Committee, Councillor Cynthia Jacka, the levy and the budget remains the same as in 2009.

The city is expected to receive almost four million dollars in local state aid.

Gravelle Fights for regional E.F.O.

Michael Gravelle says he's fighting to keep a regional emergency field officer in Thunder Bay.

The Northern Development Minister says he's doing everything he can behind the scenes keep the position here from being eliminated.

"I am working and lobbying very hard Jim Bradley, the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services," says Gravelle. "I believe that it is a very important position."

The current officer is due to retire at the end of January and the McGuinty government has no plans to replace him.

Minnesota Water Water Discharge Permits Violated

Minnesota is being accused of not being aggressive enough in cracking down on water polluters in the state.

A Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy report suggests two-thirds of Minnesota companies had at least one violation over the past five years.

But Author Michael Schmidt says few faced any penalty.

"The State has the authority and the obligation to make sure the facilities comply with their permits," says Schmidt. "and having 2/3rds out of compliance shows they are not doing that."

The report claims Boise's Mill in International Falls was among few companies with violations that actually had enforcement action taken against them.

Minnesota Hold Seats in Washington

Minnesota won't lose any representation in the U.S. House.

In the first data released from the 2010 Census, the U.S. Census Bureau says the state's population grew 7.8 per cent - to 5.3 million - since 2000, allowing it retain the eight seats in Washington.

Gov.-elect Mark Dayton says with the state facing a huge deficit and sluggish economy, it couldn't afford to lose a voice in Washington nor any of $400 billion in federal money allocated based on the census data.

NOMA Presidency Decided Next Month

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is expected to elect a new president next month.

Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown is now filling the position on an interim basis, but says he'll stay on it no one else wants the job.

"I don't know how it will turn out," says Brown. "If there's nobody wants that wants do it until the annual meeting in April, I'd be prepared to do that."

Brown took over the president's role after Anne Krassilowski was defeated in the mayoral race in Dryden.

Rafferty on Year at Ottawa

MP's are back home for their Christmas break.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says he was hoping the past session of Parliament would have been a little more productive than it was.

"A lot of legislation has not been passed that we would have liked passed," says Rafferty. "Sometimes that happens in minority governments but we're still working to pass legislation that we know is good for Canadians."

Rafferty says many pieces of legislation including his own private member's bill protecting workers pensions have been slowed by various means.