Northern Grow Bonds Cut

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says a Liberal decision to scrap the Northern Grow Bonds program shows they have no real plan for northern Ontario.

The agency overseeing the program is one of eleven being eliminated by the province.

Hampton says the program was introduced with much fanfare just six years.

"When the McGuinty Liberals introduced the so-called Northern Grow Bonds, they said it was going to be the greatest thing for the northern Ontario economy," says Hampton. "Now, seven years later, they're shutting it down."

The program raised about $13-million for small and medium-sized businesses through the sale of the bonds.

Hospital Phone Problems

Riverside Health Care Facilities is reporting some difficulties with its phone system today.

Hospital officials says people calling the main number and trying to connect with Health Centres in Emo and Rainy River and LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances may not be getting through.

The problems started last night and Bell Canada is investigating.

Area residents are being advised to hold off making non-emergency calls until corrections can be made.

Fire Service Review Conducted

Fort Frances' fire department is in the midst of a service review.

Newly appointed Fire Chief Frank Sheppard says the review is not tied to a recent arbitration award for firefighters.

"It was something that needed to be done here and needed to be done over the last few years and never got to it," says Sheppard. "It's part in parcel of a change in the way we do business to meet some some efficiency levels."

Sheppard doesn't anticipate many major changes impacting the public coming out of the review.

Water System Reviewed

The town of Fort Frances is getting good marks for its water system.

Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says it comes from an inspection of the plant by the Ministry of Environment back in December.

"The town received an inspection rating of 98.59 per cent," says Wiedenhoeft. "The only reason we didn't receive a rating of 100 per cent is that we failed to submit include a minor concluding letter regarding our lead testing."

While not part of the study, the Ministry did recommend the town move to install water metres throughout the community.

Atikokan Budget Talks

Atikokan town council is giving its residents an opportunity to have some input into the development of the 2011 budget.

Mayor Dennis Brown says they will hold a luncheon meeting next Wednesday at the Municipal office.

"We're having a presentation to council of where we're at so far by staff," says Brown. "Then we're going to have a public meeting on Wednesday March 23 at noon to see if residents and local business owners will come out and provide some input into what we're planning."

Brown says it's too early to say what kind of tax increase, if any, will be brought forward.

One of the major projects is to replace an aging ice arena.

Invasive Species Legislation to be Released

Legislation aimed at preventing the spread of invasive species in Minnesota is being unveiled today.

Zebra mussels and Asian carp are among the species concerning the state's outdoors managers.

A draft plan, released in January, included increased fines and the hiring of additional conservation officers to inspect boats that spread invasive species.

I. Falls Seeks Toughest Weather City Title

The city of International Falls is among 64 cities competing for title of "America’s Toughest Weather City.”

It's an on-line event run by the U.S. based The Weather Channel.

The Falls is up against Green Bay, Wisconsin in a first round match-up with voting ending Friday.