City Adds Voice for New Customs Building

International Falls wants construction of a new customs facility top of the agenda in Washington.

A preferred site has been selected.

City administrator Rod Otterness says a letter is being sent to their elected representatives to ensure the project gets the attention and funding needed.

An environmental assessment is now underway, but there's been no timetable for actual construction.

Time of Use Rates Going Up

They've only been in place in Fort Frances for less than two weeks, but time-of-use electricity rates are going up.

The Ontario Energy Board has approved increases effective November 1st.

The lowest rate, charged from 7 pm to 7 am,  goes up a third of a cent to 6.8 cents a kilowatt hour.

Hydro used at high peak hours, 7 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 7 pm, will be charged at a rate of 10.8 cents a kilowatt hour.

Liberals Upset with Green Energy Study

Ontario Energy Minister Brad Duguid is taking issue with a study that suggests green energy may be costing Ontarians more than the province estimates.

Duguid says the University of Guelph study contains technical errors and incorrect assumptions, adding one of its authors is known for opposing renewable power.

The study predicts solar and wind power will increase hydro costs by 65 per cent by 2015 and 141 per cent by 2030.

Question of the Day - October 18

B93.ca asks today whether the province should continue to pursue wind and solar project in light of the University of Guelph study.

Vote at b93.ca.

Yesterday, we asked if you think the so-called Occupy Wall Street demonstrations will have any kind of impact.

73 per cents of respondents said no.

Critic Portfolios Expected Today

Kenora-Rainy River MPP-elect Sarah Campbell will find out today where she fits into the provincial NDP caucus.

Leader Andrea Horwath is expected to announce her shadow cabinet.

Campbell is keeping close to her chest what critic portfolio she's like to assume.

Campbell is planning to assume all staff and offices, both in the riding and in Toronto, used by outgoing MPP Howard Hampton.

College Numbers Up

More Ontario students are choosing to go to college.

The province's colleges recorded their highest ever first-year enrolment this fall.

Colleges Ontario says first-year enrolment is up more than 20 per cent from five years ago.

Enrolment Down in Minnesota

For the second straight fall, more than 200-thousand students registered at Minnesota's State Colleges and Universities.

That's about 1.5 per cent less than last fall's enrolment of over 203-thousand.

Rainy River Community College's enrolment of 356 is 0.8 per cent off last year's numbers.

38 Special in International Falls

Southern rockers 38 Special is the next band being pursued to perform at International Falls Irvin N. Anderson Amphitheatre.

The band would perform as part of next summer's International Pulling for Peace Tug of War festivities.

Loverboy played to a capacity crowd this past July to open the open-air facility.

Christmas Parade Route Stays Downtown

Organizers of the Fort Frances Parade of Lights will keep the annual Christmas parade on Scott Street.

Brenda Kellar of Causeway Insurance says thoughts of having the November 26th event moved to along the waterfront were abandoned because of a lack of support.

It's not certain if organizers will be required to pay for the OPP to be involved.

The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship Committee was forced to pay for policing when it ran its Parade of Boats down Scott in July.

Missing Teenager Found

An area teenager, who was the subject of an OPP search for more than week, has been found safe and sound.

Police report 16-year-old Belinda Paishk being found late Friday.

She was reported missing after being last seen at Fort Frances High School October 7th.