Another Large Drug Bust in Kenora

Another large drug bust in the city.

Yesterday, Provincial Police stopped a vehicle for speeding on Highway 17A in the area of Redditt Road.

Officers located 40-pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $188,000.

OPP say a 23-year-old Calgary man has been charged with trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime.

This follows a $750,000 cocaine bust two weeks ago.

Prescription Drug Abuse Rate on the Rise

Parents need to talk to their kids.

More teenagers then ever are using prescription drugs to get high and only 14 per cent are talking to their parents about the risks involved.

Patti Dryden-Holmstrom from the youth addiction program says more parents need to initiate talks with their children.

Although it's believed that Prescription drug abuse is safer, they can be just as deadly as illegal drugs.

For more information visit any of these area addiction and prevention services.

http://www.lwdh.on.ca/index.php/Programs-and-Services/addictions-services-kenora.html

http://substanceabuse.kenora.ca/

http://www.drugandalcoholhelpline.ca/Directory/Organization/1612

Mayor Canfield Selected as NOMA President

Mayor Dave Canfield has been elected the president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.

Canfield says he hopes to do a lot of work with the government and that there is no time to be politically correct with the mining and forestry sectors expanding.

Canfield was selected as president last week at the NOMA Annual General Meeting in Dryden.

Mixed Local Reactions to Budget

The Provincial budget is getting some mixed reactions.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says it is a bit concerning.

Campbell says the Liberal's are fine with spending five times the amount the NDP suggested for home care, but there is still no commitment to service.

She adds there was also no mention of the Ring of Fire and mining opportunities in Northwestern Ontario.


Meanwhile, Nishnawbe Aski Grand Chief Harvey Yesno is giving the provincial budget a thumbs down.

Chief Yesno says he's disappointed there is nothing new about building transmission lines for the Ring of Fire project or all weather roads.

Chief Yesno says he will take a closer look at the budget and form his opinion on the Liberals from there.


And, despite the negative comments about the Ontario Budget, the Minister of Northern Development and Mines says the North will benefit.

Michael Gravelle says keeping industrial electricity rates down in the north remains a priority

Gravelle further emphasized the government's commitment to the 100 million dollar fund for roads and bridges.

Hertiage Fund Makes Money Available for the Region

The province is out with new funding opportunities for northwestern Ontario.

Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Executive Director Bruce Strapp is hoping to hand out 30-million dollars this year for various projects.

The Heritage Fund had a budget of 291-million dollars last year and Strapp says 681 jobs were created or retained.

For more information on Heritage Fund programs go to www.nohfc.ca.