Emo Walleye Classic Makes Changes

Emo Walleye Classic photo

Organizers of an area fishing tournament want you to start thinking about their event, and are offering some incentives to get you involved.

It includes a lower entry fee to the Emo Walleye Classic.

Co-chair Lincoln Dunn says they hope a fee of $500 will entice few new anglers.

Dunn says anglers will also be allowed to fish the Rainy River right to its mouth at Baudette which might be attractive to those who currently fish the west end of the river.

Budget Day In Canada

The Harper government brings down its budget later today.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty doesn't see much good news for Canadians coming out the fiscal document.

He's expecting to sees more services cuts impacting northern Ontario and  a lack of effort to create new jobs.

Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is expected to shuffle spending priorities without adding any new money.

Audit Finds Issues With First Nations Policing Program

Audits of the First Nations Policing Program found a number of cases in which officers' personnel files were missing proof they completed basic training, did not have criminal records and were actually Canadian citizens.

Investigators also found apparent violations of aboriginal communities' policing agreements with the federal government.

The findings of the audits raise questions about the level of oversight in  the $122-million-a-year program used to offset native policing costs.

Police Seek Help In Theft Case

Provincial Police are seeking the public's help in locating a number of items stolen from a cottage in Lake of the Woods township.

The items include a green and tan coloured 17 foot Lund boat, a Johnson outboard motor, a Minkota electric trolling motor, a 9.9 Honda motor and a grey E-Z Loader trailer.

Keep Smiling

Premier Kathleen Wynne wants Ontario's governing Liberals to keep smiling even though they may be facing a sea of troubles.

Wynne told a major party fundraiser last night in Toronto that the looming threat isn't a spring election, but a toxic political environment.

Wynne says voters will tune out if they see a provincial politicians being vicious and willfully partisan.

County Health Report

Koochiching County ranks near the middle in a new report examining the healthiness of counties in Minnesota.

Counties were ranked by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute on a variety of factors.

Koochiching's rating is dragged down in part by slightly higher than average rates for adult obesity, excessive drinking and child poverty.

Nutrition Workshop

Questions you might have about those nutrition labels found on the food you buy will be answered next week.

Rooksana Randeree, the registered dietician at Riverside Health Care Facilities, is offering a workshop next Wednesday as part of nutrition month.

There is also a virtual trip through a grocery store to teach people how to make healthy food choices.

Register by calling 274-4817.

Atikokan Volunteer In Kraft Canada Contest

A long-time volunteer with Atikokan Minor Hockey is a finalist in Kraft Canada's new Hockey Goes On contest.

Brad Sampson is the only one from northwestern Ontario in the final 100 the public can vote for this weekend as Kraft prepares to reward volunteers and their associations with a share of a million dollars.

As well as serving as president and coaching a team in Atikokan, he also coached a girls team this year in Fort Frances.

You can support Sampson and Atikokan Minor Hockey by voting at www.krafthockeygoeson.ca this Saturday and Sunday.

Assault Captured On Video

Dryden Police are investigating an assault at a fast-food restaurant in that city.

The incident was captured video and immediately became the centre of attention on social media.

Police Chief Rob Davis says they were only made aware of the undated incident last night, but have been able to identify the victim and a suspect and charges are likely.

Police are also hoping to talk to the person who shot the video.