Rickford Pleased with Promotion

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is moving up on Parliament Hill.

Rickford has been named the new Minister of Natural Resources as part of a cabinet shuffle spurred by the sudden resignation of Jim Flaherty.

Rickford says he's expecting a smooth transition, but does say he'll need to do a lot of briefing for his new portfolio.

He adds that it's a proud day for the Kenora riding.

He retains responsibility of FedNor and the Ring of Fire but gives up his Minister of Science and Technology portfolio.

Rickford Involved in Cabinet Shuffle?

CJRL News has learned that Kenora MP Greg Rickford has been called to Rideau Hall this morning.

Joe Oliver is expected be sworn in this morning as the new Minister of Finance, replacing Jim Flaherty.

Oliver was the Minister of Natural Resources.

It's widely expected that Rickford will be be selected to replace Oliver.

Rickford is familiar with the portfolio and has a close working relationship with Ontario Minister of Natural Resources.

City Ready to Pass 2014 Budget

City council has managed to trim about 100 thousand dollars in spending
from the 2014 municipal budget.

Overall the city will spend about 600 thousand dollars more this year than last year.

Chair of the finance committee Ron Lunny says they did their best to keep spending under control.

Overall, the tax rate will drop by four percent, however because of an increase in the municipal assessment, most homeowners can still expect to pay about 2.7 percent more in 2014.

Council is planning to pass the budget on Monday.

Financial Assistance Offered For Frozen Water Lines

Some good news for homeowners dealing with frozen water lines.

The city says it will be reducing water rates for anyone who has to run
a bleeder.

Operations manager Rick Perchuck says they've also stopped charging for thawing water lines on private property.

Perchuck admits they are still a week or more away from being able to lift the boil water advisory.

Increased Fines for Distracted Driving Go Into Effect

The province intends to make them higher, but new fines are now in place for those caught using cellphones or other electronic devices while driving.

As of Monday, the fines for distracted driving increased from 155 dollars to 280 dollars.

Transportation Minister Glen Murray introduced legislation earlier this week to bring that fine up to as high as one thousand dollars.

Provincial Police in northwestern Ontario applaud the increase, calling distracting driving a serious threat to others on the road.

ONA Waiting for Arbitrators Ruling

The Ontario Nurses Association says it can't accept a cut in wages and benefits for nurses in their next contract.

They're awaiting the outcome of an arbitration hearing held on the weekend with the Ontario Hospital Association.

President of the Nurse's Association Linda Haslum-Stroud says nurses have already suffered through a two-year wage freeze.

Nurses will see their existing contract expire at the end of this month.

The ONA represents nurses at hospitals in a number of communities across northwestern Ontario including
Kenora, Dryden, Thunder Bay and Fort Frances.

OPP Investigate Nestor Falls School Break-in

There's been another break-in in Nestor Falls.

OPP says this time it happen at Nestor Falls Public School.

Police says sometime during the March break some one entered the school and stole cash and electronics totalling more than four-thousand dollars.

Over the past month, two businesses in the community were also broken into.