Thursday, March 31, 2011

OPP warn of thin ice

With the warmer weather this week, the OPP is warning local residents to careful when heading out on the ice of local lakes and rivers.

Over the past few days, officers have responded to reports of youth
playing on the ice near open water.

Police say ice conditions can change quickly at this time of year,
and kids put not only themselves at risk playing near open water,
but the lives of emergency service personnel as well.

Independant Candidate Hits the Campaign Trail

Kenora Riding Independant candidate Kelvin Chicago-Boucher says he has a list of recommendations  on how grassroots aboriginals can hold their leadership accountable.

That's his main plank in his Federal election campaign.

Chicago-Boucher says more transparency is needed in all levels of Government.

The 46-year-old is from Lac De Milles Lac First Nation outside Upsala, but lives in Minaki.

Taxi rates going up next month

Its going to cost a bit more to catch a cab in Kenora next month.

City council has approved a modest increase in taxi rates effective April 18th.

Most of the rate increases have to do with the implementation of the Harmonized Sales Tax.

The starting rate will go from three dollars and 83 cents, up to four dollars and 30 cents.

For each one tenth of a kilometer, the rate will actually drop from from 22 cents down to 10 cents.

Council agreed to the rate changes following a deputation earlier this year from the cab companies
in town.

CDC prepares for Merger

The delivery of child and family services in the Dryden and Kenora District's will change on Friday.

'Firefly' will replace the amalgamated agencies of Patricia Centre for Children and Youth and the Lake of the Woods Child Development Center.

Patricia Centre President Jackie Mitchell says its seen as a welcome move.

Mitchell says the merger will allow staff to share ideas and will create more services for more families.

Con College Likes provincial budget

Confederation College President Pat Lang says she's pleased the Provincial Government supports post-secondary education in tough economic times.

Lang is supportive of yesterday's Budget, noting it showcases education as an economic driver for Ontario.

Lang notes she would like the Government to keep investing in rural education.

Finance Minister Dwight Duncan is promising funding to add 60-thousand spaces to post secondary institutions by 2015-16.

NDP Leader says provincial budget is bad news for the North

The NDP is continuing its critique of the provincial budget.

In an interview with CJRL news, party Leader Andrea Horwath says even though the McGuinty Government has promised to increase spending for hospitals, they are going to have a tough time making ends meet.

Horwath says the McGuinty Liberals are also cutting the budget for the

MNR by 7.3 percent, which will have a big impact on northern Ontario.

Boutwell to attend National Junior Selection Camp

A former member of the Thomas Aquinas Senior Boys Volleyball team will be attending the National junior men's selection camp.

Dan Boutwell is the starting middle hitter for the Brandon Bobcats men's volleyball
team and will be heading to Gatineau, Quebec for the camp.

Boutwell earned a silver medal at the CIS national championships last month with
the Bobcats.

The National junior men's volleyball team will be competing in tournaments this
summer in Argentina, Brazil and Slovenia.