Minnesota Hemp Bill Moves On

A Minnesota lawmaker is making an attempt to get hemp grown in the State.

Minneapolis House Rep. Phyllis Kahn is asking the State to approve a pilot program.

Previous attempts for more wider production have been quickly dismissed, but yesterday the House Agriculture Policy Committee gave approval for further committee reviews.

Hemp contains a low level THC,  the psychoactive element contained in marijuana.

State Propose To Subsidize Some Student Lunches

A high-profile school lunch bill is also through the Minnesota House.

It sees the State increasing the amount of it gives to school boards offering free or reduced-price meals to eligible students.

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid revealed in February that about 15 percent of the state’s 309 public school districts had policies in place that could result in cash-strapped students being turned away from lunch lines.

The new measure will cost the State about $3.5 million dollars annually.

New Fishing Tournament Sponsor

One of the more popular fishing tournaments in northwestern Ontario has landed a new title sponsor.

Tbaytel has come on board with a 3-year title sponsorship commitment for the Dryden Walleye Masters.

Shaw Communications had been the event's major sponsor for the past couple of years.

Acadia Grows

Our parent company - Acadia Broadcasting - is growing.

The company has just been granted approval by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission to purchase Moncton radio station CKNI-FM.

The all-news station is currently owned by Rogers.

Acadia plans to relocate the station to new studios and launch a new format later this year.

Fire At Fort Frances Motel

Yellow police tape now surrounds the Voyageurs Motel in Fort Frances.

Few details are being released at this hour, but members of the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue service were called to the motel last night at around 8:30 p.m. to battle a fire.

They remained on scene for several hours.

No word of any injuries, but a fire official say a number of people were rescued.

OPP are also guarding the scene.

More information is expected later this morning.

New Festival Gets Money

The newest festival to the Fort Frances is off to a good start.

The Harmony of Nations Music Festival and Cultural Exchange has received provincial funding of more than $73-thousand through Celebrate Ontario.

The event is planned for the weekend of July 17.

Meantime, a summer celebration series in Lake of the Woods township will get $38-thousand.

Careful Driving This Morning

Careful on the roads this morning.

 

Periods of light snow may be mixed with patchy freezing drizzle over northwestern Ontario, creating the potential for some very slippery roads.

 

Travellers are advised to exercise caution.

 

The precipitation is expected to become all snow later this morning as a much colder air mass settles over the area.

Premier Promises No New Gas Tax For Rapid Transit

The Liberal government says it will not increase gas taxes, HST or personal income taxes to help pay for an expansion of rapid transit services in southern Ontario.

But it's not saying immediately how they're cover the billions of dollars needed.

Premier Kathleen Wynne says that will come in the upcoming budget.

PC Critic Vic Fedeli calls it a pre-election mirage intended solely to get the Liberals past the next vote.

Health Minister Visits

Health Minister Deb Matthews visits Thunder Bay today with a health related announcement.

A release says it will be about helping health providers in Thunder Bay better service patients in northwestern Ontario.

Many are hoping the news will help to ease the overcrowding problems at the Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Unsession Bill Goes Through House

One of the bill's in the Minnesota State government's so-called "Unsession" has cleared through the House.

State lawmakers are using this session to review statutes and regulations and make them more understandable.

Yesterday's bill makes technical changes to the statutes and rules governing the Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and the University of Minnesota.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

New Group Promoting Awareness and Prevention Of FASD

There are renewed efforts in the Rainy River district to draw more awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

A new committee has been formed that draws together a variety of interests.

John Baker with the Kenora-Rainy River Child and Family Services says part of their goal prevention, advocate for those with F-A-S-D and to support front-line workers.

Baker says one of their projects includes setting up a pregnancy test dispenser at a local bar as a way of discourage women who may be pregnant from drinking.

Easter Scavenger Hunt Planned

Fort Frances Kiwanis Club and the Downtown Business Improvement Association are teaming up for an Easter egg Scavenger hunt Easter Weekend.

It will require children to visit shops for goodies and a chance to win prizes.

One of the organizers Scott Turvey says it's something new to the region

The event will take place April 19.

Winning Tickets Sold In Thunder Bay

Attention lottery players.

A couple of winning tickets from Wednesday night's Lotto 6/49 draw were sold in Thunder Bay.

Dita Kuhtey of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation says one's was for a million dollar prize.

A $100-thousand Encore ticket was also sold in Thunder Bay.

Minnesota Business Community Offers Some Optomism

There's some optimism about the economy from Minnesota's business community.

A survey from BMO Harris Bank finds 58 per cent of Minnesota business owners plan to invest in their business this year.

36 per cent plan to hire more employees while 30 per cent plan to upgrade or purchase new equipment.

Of those not planning any investments, a lack of money is identified as the main reason.

Salad Recall

Dole  is recalling it's brand of Italian Blend salad from the marketplace due to possible Listeria contamination.

The product was widely distributed to Ontario stores.

While no illnesses have been reported, the recall was triggered by recent tests by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, that says may lead to a recall of other products.

Name For July 1-4 Activities Sought

Courtesy NCDS

Community leaders from International Falls and Fort Frances are resuming their cross-border talks next week.

Falls Chamber president Faye Whitbeck says part of the discussion will be around events that take place during July 1st in Fort Frances and July 4th celebrations in International Falls.

Whitbeck says they want to brainstorm the possibility of coming up with a name that ties the events together.

The group will also get updates on the Peace Pull, Riverfest and the Dragon Boat Festival.

The event take place next Wednesday at the AmericInn beginning at 6 p.m.

You're asked to register in advance with either Chamber of Commerce.

Summer Festival In The Works

Another summer festival is in the works for Fort Frances.

The Harmony of Nations Music Festival and Cultural Exchange is scheduled for the weekend of July 17, just in advance of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.

Performers are expected from across Canada and the U.S.

More details are to be announced next week as the event launches a new website.

Go Local Anniversary

It's an anniversary the Go Local program.

It's been one year ago since the first reward cards were issued in the program encouraging local shopping in the Fort Frances area.

Consultant Tannis Drysdale says a recent study shows the program has high awareness in the community with at least half of all households surveyed having at least one membership.

There was also a 20 per cent increase in local spending by those with the cards.

Over 40 businesses are participating with more than $22-thousand in gift rewards issues to card holders since the program began.

PC's Call For Hydro One CEO's Job

Progressive Conservatives are calling for the firing of Hydro One's chief executive officer.

MPP Jeff Yurek says it's prompted by complaints the party's received over billing problems.

Yurek cites one business in his London-area riding receiving a bill for $233-thousand when it bill normally runs at about $4,500 a month.

Yurek says if Hydro One was any other business, the people responsible would be fired and a new team put in place.

Mine Safety Sessions Planned

An advisory group helping Ontario review mine safety is preparing for a round of public consultations.

They'll begin at the end of the month in Timmins.

Sessions are also planned for Red Lake April 30 and Marathon May 1.

A draft report is expected out later this spring.