Less Pay - More Taxes for 2012

We'll be paying more in taxes this year.

An increase in CPP and EI premiums will see Canadians take home as much as 300 dollars less than last year.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says its tough news for people in northwestern Ontario.

Rafferty says this is coming on the heels of corporate tax cuts which just puts more of a burden on the average person.

Question of the Day - January 3

Do you think increases in CPP and EI premiums are necessary?

Tell us on Facebook or our website b93.ca.

In response to our last on-line poll question, 81 per cent of 93.1 The Border listeners don't see a good reason to make New Year's resolutions.

FOI Materials Expected On-Line Today

Most Ontario hospitals are expected to post their executive contracts online today.

They're subject to freedom of information legislation.

The NDP wants to cap the salaries of hospital CEO's.

 Tom Closson of the Ontario Hospital Association says this is the wrong time to limit pay for hospital administrators.

Closson says being more transparent will boost the public's confidence in what he says is the most efficient hospital system in Canada.

Rate Changes Proposed for Atikokan Hydro Users

Atikokan Hydro is seeking an increase to the delivery charge to its users.

An application is now before the Ontario Energy Board.

If approved, residential users who consume 800 kilowatts per month would see an increase of about 12-dollars and 31 cents.

No Election Good for Fort Frances in 2011

The Mayor of Fort Frances says the lack of a municipal election in 2010 proved to be beneficial for his community last year.

Roy Avis says with everyone back, council was able to plot strategies for the next four years right away.

Avis says with Resolute Forest Products still facing economic challenges, and the mill seeking a reduction in taxes, 2012 could be a challenge.

Campbell Disappointed with 2011 at Queen's Park

2011 wasn't as productive at Queen's Park as Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell would have liked to see.

Campbell, who took over from her former boss Howard Hampton in October's election, says she would have liked more come out of her first session.

Campbell says the inability to form parliamentary committees in the last session prevented many proposed bills from moving forward.

Thin Ice Warning from Minnesota

Law enforcement agencies across Minnesota are warning people to stay off lake ice.

Fish houses, all-terrain vehicles and people have been falling into the water as unseasonably warm weather makes ice conditions unsafe.

Polar Plunge

New Year's Day was a chilly day in Fort Frances, but that didn't stop 65 people from jumping in Rainy Lake as part of the Voyageur Lion's Club's Polar Plunge.

12-thousand dollars was raised for local charities.

The Muskies Sports Association was the big fund raiser, collecting more than 22-hundred dollars.

Costume winners were Hallee Nugent, Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty and, once again, first place to Maureen Hahkala, dressed as Mario.

Group costume prize went to the Fort Frances High School Art trippers who were dressed as Greeks in anticipation of their upcoming trip to Greece.

$50 gift certificates from Canadian Tire to the top iindividual top fundraisers went to Madison Morrison, who jumped for Kidsport, Kassidy Ledrew and Maighyn DeGagne from Dancemakers and Ben Tysz from the FFHS Greece Art Trippers.

A $200 gift certificate went to Maureen Hahkala who brought in $523 for the Rainy River District Festival of the Arts.

The big prize of a Samsung  Home Theatre Sound System from Leon’s went to Hallee Nugent who turned in $1000 for World Vision.

Voyageur Lions jumpers , Jim Martindale, Bill Michl , Dale Gill and Wayne Lundstrom turned in $2800 in pledges and the Emo and District Lions Club received $800 in pledges from Kent Ogden and Dennis Ogilvie.