OPP Cigarette Seizure

Two Alberta residents have been arrested after a large quantity of contraband cigarettes were seized during a traffic stop on Highway 17-A.

The OPP say they pulled over a vehicle on the Kenora By-Pass Wednesday afternoon around 3:00.

Following a brief investigation, officers found about 400 thousand illegal cigarettes, 52 grams of marijuana and a large quantity of Canadian Currency.

Police say the equivalent of 50 cases of cigarettes were seized.

58 year old Homer Doucet and 45 year old Carnelia Doucet have been charged with possession of narcotics and possession of contraband cigarettes.

Ontario Budget

Lots of goodies for northern Ontario in yesterday's provincial budget.

Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle saysan energy rebate and credit program will help both residential consumers and industrial users.

Gravelle says the budget also pledges another 10 million dollars for the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund this year, boosting spendingto 90 million dollars.

Water Quality LOW

Municipalities around Lake of the Woods are being asked to support a project designed to improve water quality.

A number of first nation communities have banded together to launch the Water Quality Improvement Program.

Ryan Haines is helping to spearhead the project and says they not only want to monitor water quality, but ultimately take action to improve the situation.

Haines says they are in the process of securing funding for the project.

Kenora City Council is being asked to contribute 10 thousand dollars starting next year.

Weather Records Kenora

Kenora is expected to break weather records next week.

Environment Canada Spokesperson Geoff Coulson says temperatures are expected to rise this weekend and continue into the work week.

Temperatures could reach 12 degrees on Tuesday.

Coulson adds we've had less snowfall than normal as well with only 2 centimeters falling to date.

Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls Budget

The Town of Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls has decided to put off approval of its 2010 budget.

The municipal council had planned to pass the budget earlier this month,but put the brakes on the process after the Kenora District Services Boardfailed to approve its annual budget.

The services board had been seeking a big increase in its budget from localmunicipalities, which would have a significant impact on Sioux Narrow's finances.

Sioux Narrows mayor, Bill Thompson says there's no point passing their budgetuntil they know exactly how much more they will have to contribute to theDistrict Services Board.

Ice Road Challenges

An early spring is having an impact on the ice road system in northern Ontario.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says winter roads are "vitally important" to all isolated First Nation communities in the Kenora riding.

He says communities rely on these roads for transportation of supplies such as goods, services, and fuel.

Rickford says a number of infrastructure projects rely on getting construction materials up north via the winter road network.

He says projects are intended to be completed by Spring 2011 and a strategy for the shortened winter road system is under consideration.

March Crazy Weather

Northwestern Ontario can expect the cold weather to continue today and tomorrow.

Kenora is currently experiencing temperatures in the minus range with windchills of minus 25.

Environment Canada Spokesperson Geoff Coulson says we can expect the warmer weather to come back by the weekend.

Coulson says we can expect even nicer weather next week with highs forecasted at plus 12.

Woman OPP

The OPP are hiring and new members are being recruited.

To assist in the recruiment, the OPP is hosting a symposium that will be focused on "Policing as a Career Choice for Women."

Constable Dave Cain says the symposium will be open to women 18-years-old and up who live in North Western Ontario.

Cain says there is no fee to attend, but anyone interested in attending shouldcontact the OPP as soon as possible because there is only limited space forthe symposium.

Immigration Portal

32 Northwestern Ontario communities have banded together to create a new website for immigrants interested in moving to the region.

City of Kenora Economic Development Officer Jennifer Findlay says immigrants will find a wealth of information on the site.

The site was funded by the Provincial government and can be found at www.immigrationnorthwesternontario.ca

Woodland Caribou Habitat Policy

Forestry groups are sounding the alarm over Ontario's Endangered Species Act again.

The Ontario Forest Industries Association says new regulations protecting Woodland Caribou could remove thousands of hectares of wood fibre from harvesting.

Scott Jackson is a researcher for the OFIA and says the loss of wood supply will mean direct job losses for the region.

The OFIA recently conducted an impact study on the new regulationsfor Woodland Caribou, and Jackson says about a third of the availablewood supply could be affected in northern Ontario.

Mayor Election

There's been lots of speculation as to who might be running for Kenora City Council this year, but one name won't be on the ballot.

Kenora Mayor Len Compton indicated yesterday he won't be seeking re-election.

In a news release Compton says he made his decision in order to give potential candidates as much time as possible to organize their campaigns,including anyone currently on Council who may wish to run for the Mayor’s Office.

Compton has been on council for the past seven years, the last three and a half as mayor.

He says he doesn't plan to make any further comment on his decision not to run.

Hydro Levy

The Provincial government's Green Energy Act has the Paper Workers Union nervous.

National Rep Marvin Pupeza says while the levy may have a small impact on home owners it could have a major impact on the forestry sector.

Pupeza says he'll be watching the provincial budget very closely to see if any relief for the industry is coming.

Northern Ontario Travel Grants

A man from northern Ontario says he was forced to cancel severalappointments with specialists because of a delay in a travel grant.

Christopher Pelletier of Emo says he had to cancel theappointments because he can't afford to pay for the travel on hisown.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Howard Hampton raised the issue in theOntario Legislature and says something has to be done to fix a brokensystem.

Health Minister Deb Matthews said she was unaware of the problemand will look into it.

DSSAB Needs Funds

Municipal leaders in the Kenora District are saying "enough is enough".

Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association President Anne Krassilowsky says the Province needs to know now that they can no longer foot the bill for several services including land ambulance, social housing and Ontario works.

At one point during Thursday's Services Board meeting, Krassilowsky and Ignace Councilor Dianne Loubier addressed the soaring cost of providing land ambulance service by suggesting "let's hand over the key's to the Province and walk away."

Adopt a Block

The City of Kenora wants area residents to do some spring cleaning.

"Adopt a block" is a new green initiative that encourages citizens to get involved in their community by cleaning their neighbourhood.

Operations Chair Dave McCann says people who adopt a street will receive a starter kit.

McCann adds there are already several volunteers signed up and they welcome more.

OPP Spring Thaw

Warmer weather is making the days brighter, but the Kenora Police are warning citizens of the dangers of the spring thaw.

Police say early thaw and running water is a magnet for kids looking to get out of the house and play.

They say while running on ice and playing in puddles is entertaining, kids must be careful or avoid it all together.

Police say if you excerise caution you will enjoy a safe and happy Spring.

Ontario Budget North

N-D-P Leader Andrea Horwath says it's about time the governmentcame up with some sort of plan for the north.

But Horwath adds measures promised in Thursday's budget will likely be seen as a last-ditch attempt by the Liberals to show theycare about communities they've ignored for years.

She made the comments today after Premier McGuinty promised some relief for the north in the budget.

McGuinty wouldn't go into details, but says the budget measures will go beyond anything announced in the throne speech.

KDSB Homeless Programs

The Chair of the Kenora District Services Board says he's very disappointed with the response he received from Ontario's Minister of Community and Social Services.

Rory McMillan wrote Madeleine Meilleur outlining funding concerns for homeless programs and emergency shelters.

McMillan says the Minister's response basically reads "thanks but no thanks".

The Board has given the Kenora Councilor permission to go back and challenge the Minister on homeless issues facing area communities.

Student Summer Jobs

The provinces summer jobs for youth program is back.

Northern Development minister Michael Gravelle says the goal this year is to have more students hired.

Employers have until april the 30 to apply for subsidies.

Union Gas Rate Increase

Union Gas Customers in northwestern Ontario can expect to pay more for natural gas next month.

Vanda Wall of the Ontario Energy Board says Union Gas has been given approval to raise rates effective April 1st.

There is also a slight change in the transportation costs.