Ontario Residents Happy With The OPP

A majority of Ontario residents feel safe in their communities.

That is one of the findings from a Community Satisfaction Survey released by the Ontario Provincial Police.

Almost 95 per cent of respondents were also either satisfied or very satisfied with the OPP response times to violent crime, especially.

Staff Sergeant Hazel O'Brien says their annual survey also found a large number of people admitted to using a cellphone or texting while driving.

O'Brien says it will be an issue police will continue to focus on in the new year.

New Zoning Regulations In Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls

Nestor Falls residents are going to have to get used to something new.

Zoning regulations.

Bill Thompson, mayor of the township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls says one of the measures outlines close one can build to the lake.

Thompson says they considered a 30 metre buffer from the lake, but reduced it to 10 metres.

The previous setback in Sioux Narrows was 7.5 metres while there had been no restriction at all in Nestor Falls.

Snapshots

A series of "snapshots" are hoping to reveal strengths and weaknesses in children and families in the area.

CEO of Firefly Karen Ingebrigtson says they are intended to be a resource for service providers to address needs and issues within surrounding communities.

A link to the snapshots is available on both Firefly's and the Northwest Health Unit's websites.

Nolan Get Seat On U.S. Transportation Committee

The man who'll represent Koochiching County in Washington has been appointed to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Rick Nolan says the seat is vital to economic development in the Eighth District, which includes northeastern Minnesota.

Governor Recovering

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton is recovering from spinal surgery.

A spokesperson for the Governor says yesterday's procedure went as planned without any complications, but it will keep him sidelined at least through New Year's.

Dayton had the operation to relieve a constriction in his lower back.

Polar Plunge To Go New Year's Day

No time better than now to think about jumping in the lake to start the new year.

The Voyageur Lion's Club stages its annual Polar Plunge Tuesday.

Participants have been jumping into the ice waters of Rainy Lake for the past decade every New Year's Day. 

Member Gabi Hanzuk says its never too late to sign-up.

Registration will take place at the La Place Rendez-Vous in Fort Frances at 11 a.m. with the event getting underway at 1 p.m.

The minimum cost is $50 dollars

Many of the jumpers will also be raising money for charities of their choice.

Sewer And Water Project Eyed

The town of Fort Frances has identified a section of Second Street as a high priority upgrade in an application for funding from the province.

The town wants to replace aging and severely deteriorating water and sewer lines in area of Central and Mowatt Avenues.

The town's seeking a third of the estimated one-point-three million dollars total cost.