Electricity Goes Up Today

Electricity rates are going up today.

A typical household using 800 kilowatt hours a month will see the "electricity'' line on its hydro bill increase by nearly six dollars.

Consumers using smart meters - or time-of-use pricing - will see an increase of about four dollars.

Opposition critics say the governing Liberals' expensive push into wind and solar power is the main culprit behind rising hydro rates.

But Energy Minister Chris Bentley says green energy has little to do with increasing rates.

New Campaign Details Released

More details have been revealed regarding Riverside Foundation for Health Care's fundraiser for a new digital mammography unit.

The foundation wants to raise $650-thousand.

Foundation Director Nicke Baird says they hope to have the money in place by this fall.

Baird says the entire cost of the unit must be raised locally because no government funding is available.

Question of the Week

Do you plan to support the campaign to raise money for a new digital mammography unit for Riverside Health Care Facilities?

That's this week's poll question on 931theborder.ca.

In last week's question, 62 per cent of respondents support plans to develop an off-leas dog park in Fort Frances.

Chamber Still Looking

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce is still undecided where it's new office may be.

The former Fort Duty Free store and the tourist information centre have been identified as possible sites.

President Mark Caron says no decisions have yet been made.

Caron says the desire for more space and more visibility is prompting the Chamber to consider a move from its current Scott Street location.

Chamber Supports Endangered Species Act Amendments

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce is giving its support to a private members bill that calls for changes to the province's Endangered Species Act.

Conservative MPP Laurie Scott wants more emphasis placed on social and economic factors when considering species or habitats for protection.

Scott also want to increase the time the public has to comment on proposals from 30 to 90 days.  

Resolute Speaks to Chamber

Resolute Forest Products is giving the Fort Frances business community a feel for what the paper giant and its Fort Frances mill are currently facing.

In a speech to members of the Fort Frances business community yesterday, General Manager Andre Bernier cites low demand for paper and the small size of the mill's paper machines as some of the challenges faced.

Bernier says there are lot of possibilities, but the main focus right now is keeping costs down.

Hyer Reconsiders

It appears Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer wants to rejoin the NDP caucus just a week after he quit.

Hyer says he's still a New Democrat and he's willing to reconsider his decision and apologize.

He quit last Monday to sit as an independent, complaining about having to toe the party line.

Residents Say No To City Sewer Services

A large majority of residents, living just east of International Falls, are giving their thumbs down to city sewer services being extended to their area at their expense.

The city conducted the study after being approached by some residents in the Papermakers area.

Residents had been informed they'd have to pick up a large share of the $1.1. million dollar project cost.

Councillor Gail Rogenrud says based on the survey results, the city won't be proceeding further.

Tourism Centre Closures Discussed

Two northwestern Ontario M.P.P.'s say they will be meeting with the Tourism Minister Michael Chan today about the closures of three tourist information centers in northwestern Ontario.


Both Natural Resource Minister Michael Gravel and Bill Mauro say they're sympathetic, but aren't promising the government will overturn the decision to close three tourist information centers in northwestern Ontario.

Gravelle says he is committed to working with the local communities for a solution.

The closure of the tourism centres was among topics that dominated the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association's conference in Kenora last week.

College Facing Cuts

The president of Confederation College is warning recent budget cuts will have an an effect on its ability to extend service outside the main campus.

Jim Madder says one of the impacts will be on a highly successful dual credit program offered through local high schools where enrolment had to be restricted.

Madder says with the increasing demand on trades, the College will continue to work with the area's business community to meet the need.

Plenty Of Gold Mines Predicted

The Ministry of Northern Development and Mines is predicting as many as eight new gold mines to operating in northwestern Ontario with the next four years.

Geologist Andreas Lichtblau says one of the could be Coventry Resources which is doing work at Cameron Lake near Nestor Falls.

Lichtblau foresees both the Rainy River Resources and Osisko Mining projects in the Rainy River District ready for production as well.

Juries On Trial

The makeup of juries goes on trial before Ontario's top court this week as two convicted killers fight their guilty verdicts.

At issue is whether the men were treated poorly because on-reserve residents were shut out from serving on the juries that convicted them.

One of the cases involves a Kenora area man who was charged with manslaughter.

Gillon's President Happy With New Acquisition

The president of Gillon's Insurance is happy with the recent amalgamation with Thunder Bay Insurance.

Duane Cridland says the expansion into Thunder Bay strengths their ability to provide personal and commercial insurance to their clients.

Cridland sees Thunder Bay Insurance as a natural fit to Gillon's.

The deal was completed last week.

New OPP Boats Unveiled

OPP will unveil a new vessel for their marine unit today in Orillia.

The OPP have purchase a fleet of  so-called "Justice Series" police boats that have been specially modified for law enforcement.

It's not known if any of the new boats will be used by officers in northwestern Ontario.

Water Park Makes Improvements

A popular Duluth water park plans to install new water purification equipment in hopes of preventing more cases of a parasitic disease.

Last month, state and provincial health officials linked the Edgewater Resort and Water Park to several cases of  cryptosporidium, a chlorine-resistant parasite that causes flu-like symptoms.

Man Killed In Motorcycle Accident

An Atikokan man is dead following a motorcycle accident near Atikokan on the weekend.

OPP says 31-year-old Brian Scott McDonald crashed his machine Saturday evening at around 8:30 p.m. on Highway 622, about 14 kilometres north of the community.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by Emergency personal.

Tourist Centre Closure Not Dead Issue

Local officials aren't giving up on trying to keep the province's tourist information centres in Fort Frances, Kenora and Rainy River open.

They were to shut down for good Monday.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell told area municipal representatives last week she's still hopeful a compromise with government can be reached.

Campbell says she met with Ontario's Tourism Minister Michael Chan delivering several letters and petitions all supporting the centres remain open.

Green Energy Plan Must Go

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak is speaking like there's an election.

Speaking to delegates at the municipal conference in Kenora, Hudak made a promise for more jobs and cheaper electricity.

He also reiterated his plan to scrap Ontario's green energy program.

Hudak says Ontario has gone from having the cheapest electricity in North America to the second most expensive.

University Tuition Increasing

It's going to cost a bit more to go to Lakehead University next year.

The Board of Governors has approved the 4.5 per cent tuition hike.

Chair Colin Bruce says it's in line with fee increases brought in at other Ontario universities.

Students were allowed to vote on the hike.

The Board also agreed to review the school's conflict of interest bylaw after the Student Union threatened legal action last week.