Wait Times for Lung Cancer Tests being shortened

Patients waiting for results from their lung cancer tests could be spending less time waiting.

Regional Cancer Care Northwest plans to cut waiting time from 18 weeks to just 6 or 7.

Spokesperson Sam McKnight says she can't put a timeline on the goal

Officials say cutting the waiting time will help ease anxiety with patients and their families.

Children's Aid Agencies in Kenora and Rainy River set to merge

The long awaited amalgmation of Kenora-Patricia Child and Family Services and

Rainy River District Family Services is going to take a little longer than expected to complete.

The merger was supposed to be finalized today.

Bill Leonard is the executive director of the new children's aid society and says they hope to have all the paperwork finalized in the next couple of months.

In the meantime, he says the marriage between the two agencies should benefit everyone.

Leonard says they are just putting the finishing touches on their 2011 budget for the new agency, and once that's approved by the province, they can proceed with the merger.

Public Sector Salaries Released

Doctors and lawyers continue to lead the way in terms of the top public

sector salaries in the Kenora area, but teachers are making up some ground.

Dr. Kerry McDonald, chief pathologist at Lake of the Woods District Hospital was the highest wager earner last year at 311 thousand dollars.

He was followed by Dr. James Arthurs, the chief medical officer of health at the Northwestern Health Unit at 262 thousand.

Justice Donald Fraser was the top paid person in the legal profession at 268 thousand.

The City of Kenora had five people earning in excess of 100 thousand dollars last year, led by former Chief Administrative Officer Bill Presentanz at 136 thousand.

The Keewatin Patricia District School Board had the most employees on the so-called Sunshine List, with 49 people making in excess of 100 thousand grand.

Slow start expected for 2011 Fire Season

With spring around the corner, fire season is on it's way.

April 1st marks the official start of fire season in northwestern Ontario. 

Ministry of Natural Resources spokesperson Debbie Mclean says she's anticipating a quiet start to the 2011 season.

Mclean says the average number of fires in the area has dropped in the past few years.

OPP Investigate Theft of Car Batteries

The OPP are looking into the theft of 27-inoperable vehicle batteries from Piston Ring in Vermilion Bay.

Police say the batteries were slated to be picked up Tuesday evening, but someone else got to them first.

OPP are concerned because one of the batteries was damaged and was possibly leaking acid.

If you have information on this case or have located one of the missing batteries you are asked to contact OPP or Crimestoppers.

Snowmobile Trails closing across NWO

Police are warning motorists and snowmobilers about unstable ice conditions.

Police say travelling on ice is not recommeneded now that the Spring weather has finally arrived across Northwestern Ontario.

Most snowmobile trails are also closed for the season, although a small number along the Trans-Canada in the Dryden area are expected to remain open for the first weekend of April.

Anglers are urged to carefuly check ice depths before heading out for one final fishing venture.