Internet Cap Opposed

The operator of a web design firm in Fort Frances says a CRTC decision allowing Internet service providers to put a cap on how much data consumers can download will have a detrimental effect on all users.

Travis Glowasky of Studio Gibbous says the planned 25 gigabyte limit will only impact how people now use the Internet.

"If we as Canadians have this cap brought in, the Internet won't flourish anymore," says Glowasky. "People are going to looking at it like a cellphone where you already say 'I'm I over my minutes. People will now be thinking 'am I over my bandwidth."

Glowasky says many people already exceed the 25-Gig cap.

An on-line petition has been set up in hopes of getting government to stop the regulation from going in place March 1.

Water Rate Increase Explored

Fort Frances town council is a little closer to where it wants to be with water rates in 2011.

Councillors last night discussed a 1.7 per cent increase.

The rate could go higher to raise additional capital for future projects.

Councillor Paul Ryan says its something that must be done.

"We've got collapsing water pipes all over the place," says Ryan. "We have to start collecting something and putting it away to repair these pipes and our roads. I think it has to be done now."

How each water user would be impacted by the increase is still to be determined.

Sidewalk to be Removed

A section of sidewalk could be eliminated if the town of Fort Frances moves forward with sewer and water improvements on Third Street East this year.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says the north sidewalk between Portage and Mowat Avenues won't be replaced.

"This is a low volume road where you should be able to eliminate the north sidewalk," says Brown. "It's in the official plan and we've been moving towards getting that done."

Brown says the south sidewalk will remain because its newer.

Man Faces Drug Charges

An International Falls man is facing drug charges after police seized more than nine pounds of marijuana from a Falls home Monday.

Officers also seized over 10-thousand dollars in cash and a firearm from the 6th Street home.

Value of the drugs seized is believed to be about $20-thousand dollars.

Treaty Three on Rickford Announcement

Grand Council Treaty #3 is cautiously optimistic about the appointment of Kenora MP Greg Rickford as the new parliamentary assistant for Indian and Northern Affairs.

Grand Chief, Diane Kelly says she's pleased with the selection of Rickford, but questions the legislative goals of the Harper government, suggesting they give little hope to aboriginal youth in northwestern Ontario.

U.S. Border Concerns

A new government report says that less than 1 per cent of the U.S.-Canada border is considered under the operational control of U.S. border officials.

The report by the Government Accountability Office says Customs and Border Protection believes it can detect illegal entries, respond and deal with them on only about 51 kilometres of the 64-hundred kilometre border.

Snowarama Successful

More than $19-thousand was raised during the past weekend's Snowarama in Atikokan.

A total of 67 snowmobilers from around northwestern Ontario and the United States participated in the annual ride for Easter Seals Kids.