Christmas Kettles Ring

The Salvation Army's Christmas kettles are now ringing in Fort Frances.

Th agency is hoping to raise $15-thousand - the same goal as last year.

Captain Angel Sandoval says the need for the agencies help is as great as its ever been.

Sandoval says volunteers are also needed to help ring the Kettles bells at several locations this month.

Mural to Get Touch Up

Downtown wall murals in Fort Frances will get a touch up in the new year.

The Fort Frances Downtown Business Improvement Association will be working with local artist Lindsay Hamilton to fix-up murals located on the walls of the CIBC and the Masonic Building.

President Connie Cuthbertson says the murals aren't in bad shape.

Cuthbertson says the BIA is also looking at the painting of a third mural.

Man Removed from Plane

A 27 year old West Jet passenger's mental state is being evaluated after an unexpected landing at Thunder Bay's Airport over the weekend.

Police say a man became agitated during the flight, and the flight crew had to restrain him until landing in the city.

The unnamed man said a bomb was on the plane as he was being removed.

No explosive device was found.

Support for Attawapiskat

First Nations chiefs in B.C. are rallying behind the troubled northern Ontario reserve of Attawapiskat.

The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is urging band councils across the country to raise funds for humanitarian assistance on the reserve.

The Harper government took control of public funds away from Attawapiskat last week over concerns about health, safety and financial mismanagement.

Long-Gun Bill Waiting for Approval

Still two weeks left in the current sitting of Parliament, but its not known if the bill to scrap the federal long-gun registry will be passed before Christmas.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford is optimistic.

The current sitting of the House of Commons is set to wrap up on December 16.

Child Poverty Report

A report being released today says a 2009 decision to boost the Ontario Child Benefit to cushion struggling families during the recession helped pull 19-thousand children out of poverty.

But it also says the province is still a long way in keeping its 2008 pledge to cut child poverty by 25 per cent by 2013 and lift 90-thousand kids out of poverty.

Auditor Report Today

Ontario Auditor General Jim McCarter will issue the province's annual report card today.

The report includes 13 value-for money audits of Ontario ministries and agencies ranging from consumer protection to the quality of health care.