Report Recommends Hike in Water and Sewer Rates

A consultant's report is recommending the town of Fort Frances increase its water and sewer rates by five per cent for the next six years.

The report, accepted by town councillors at their meeting last week, says the increase will help the system achieve "financial sustainability."

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says the report is one the town is obligated to forward to the provincial government, but it doesn't have to fully accept the recommendations.

Rates for the 2012 budget year will be set early in the new year.

RecycleYourElectronics Tour Not Certain for 2012

RecycleYourElectronics.ca photo

A group working to keep old electronic waste out of landfill sites isn't sure if it back in northwestern Ontario next year.

Ontario Electronic Stewardship has held its RecycleYourElectronics tour in the Rainy River district for the past two years.

Executive Director Carol Hachu says a third straight tour is still uncertain.

Hachu says electronics can be taken to area depots, but it's website lists just an Atikokan retailer as the only one in the Rainy River district.

2011 - Good Year for Atikokan

The Mayor of Atikokan says 2011 was a year of much accomplishment for his community.

Dennis Brown says the town was able to complete a number of projects they'd not been able to do for many years.

Brown says focus for 2012 will be on a start of the new wood pellet plant, support for Oskisko's gold exploration and the conversion of OPG's coal-fired generating station.

Watershed Report Delayed

It's going to be a little longer before a final report on the Lake of the Woods-Rainy River Watershed is released.

The International Joint Commission was hoping to submit its recommendations to the U.S. and Canadian governments by this month.

But the IJC says it still needs some time to complete its work and have now targeted the end of January for release.

Warm Boxing Day

Christmas day was warm, but boxing day in Fort Frances was a lot warmer.

Monday's high of 5.4 C surpassed a 17 year old record of 5 C set back in 1994.

Christmas Day reached a high of 1 C, but well short of 8 C set back in 1994 mark.

Tuition Rebates Coming

University and college students who aren't getting student loans will have to apply online for the tuition rebates set to start in the new year.

The Liberals promised rebates of 30 per cent for students whose family makes less than $160-thousand a year.

Those who now receive student loans are automatically enrolled in the program.

Question of the Day - December 28

Boxing Day sales lured hordes of shoppers to malls and stores across the country.

Did you take advantage of those sales?

That's our poll question on B93.ca