I. Falls Man Found Dead in Hotel Fire

An elderly man was found dead following a fire at an International Falls hotel early yesterday morning.

Fire investigators say 70-year-old Runo Korpi died from medical complications while at the Budget Host Inn.

A cigarette he was smoking at the time of his death is believed to have started the fire which broke out just before 4 a.m. Tuesday.

The blaze was contained to the one room.

Several other quests were evacuated and sent to another hotel

More Snow Expected

Another significant snowfall is being predicted for the Rainy River District and Koochiching County.

Environment Canada says a low pressure system developing over the southern plains States is expected to track northeast to Minnesota tonight and into northwestern Ontario early tomorrow morning.

As much as ten to fifteen centimetres of snow if expected.

Deficit Reducing Plan Called Window Dressing

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says the public shouldn't be fooled by the province's plan reduce the deficit.

The plan, announced before Christmas, included eliminating some government agencies.

Hampton says it's nothing more than window dressing.

"This is a government that has created literally dozens of new agencies and commissions," says Hampton. "Many of those agencies and commissions have racked up millions of dollars of expenses and cost. Just before an election to say (they're) going to reduce by a handful is really just window dressing."

Hampton says none of the agencies targeted for closure will have any impact on the public.

L.U. Seeks Out More Aboriginal Students

Lakehead University is focusing on attracting more Aboriginal students.

President Brian Stevenson says he's looking at starting the recruitment process early.

"So the idea is to start approaching students in the fourth, fifth and six grades," says Stevenson, "to show them what the university can do for them and what kinds of programs they can be involved in."

There are currently about one thousand aboriginal students at L.U.

E-Health Records Project

The Northwest Local Health Integration Network is taking the first step towards creating electronic health records.

A pilot project called "Doorways" will mean information will follow mental health and addiction patients.

Spokesperson Dan Muraw says it's a vast improvement from the old system.

"The information would faxed over and generally would take about three to five days," says Muraw. "With the implementation of a new portal that information is in near real time. You can imagine that the time saving with respect to work that had to be done by the provider."

The project includes agencies in Thunder Bay before being expanded elsewhere.