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.

Con College Moves Float Plane Base to Kenora

Taking to the sky over Kenora.

Confederation College has announced a partnership with River Air to move it's float plane training program into the city.

Aviation Chair Paul De Oude says they received tremendous communtiy support from Kenora during the request for proposals and is confident this move provide long term stability for the program.

James Hendy with River Air says they are able to provide Con College a quick transition with docks, offices, and fuel systems.

Arrests Made Following Break in

An early morning break and enter has landed 2 men in police custody.

Kenora OPP say an alarm at a downtown area business went off around 3:30 this morning.

Police say forensic evidence during the investigation led to the arrests.

27 year old James Necanapenace and 30 year old Troy Payash, both of Kenora, have been charged with break and enter.

They will appear in Kenora Court for a bail hearing today.

Council To Mull Over Budget Options Today

Local property owners could know by the end of the day what kind of
tax increase they can look forward to this year.

City council is sitting down for an all-day budget session.

That includes reviews of the sewer and water, operations and capital  budgets for 2014.

A proposed tax rate is also expected to be on the table, although, both finance committee chair, Ron Lunny and Mayor Dave Canfield says they would like to keep any increase at zero percent or less.

Copperfin Closing Keewatin Branch

It's the end of an era in Keewatin.

Copperfin Credit Union is closing it's branch in the community.

CEO Dennis Alvestad says they did everything they could.

Alvestad says the move is a sign of the times as the younger generation transitions to electronic banking options.

The Keewatin branch is slated to close after April 30th.

Control Board Preparing for Spring Run Off

An attack plan is in place at the Lake of the Woods Control Board.

Executive engineer Matt Dewolfe says the board recently created a plan to handle the spring melt.

Dewolfe says the lake level is currently at 322.4 meters.

He notes the want to be at 322.35 when the melt occurs.

Province Won't Intervene In Proposed Natural Gas Hike

There's no intention by the provincial government to intervene on requests for rate increases by natural gas companies in Ontario.

Union Gas is seeking an increase that could result in northern Ontario users paying as much as 190-dollars more over the next year.

Energy Minister  Bob Chiarelli says he's confident in the decisions of the Ontario Energy Board.

Union gas says expected higher prices it pays for gas and transportation are reason for the increase.

Gravelle Says Framework on Ring of Fire Nearing Completion

All parties in the Ring of Fire negotiations are getting closer to a framework agreement on the giant mining project.

Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle  says it won't be long before we know more about what direction the project will take but he won't speculate on exactly when.

Gravelle spokes to delegates at the Greenstone Mining Expo last night in Thunder Bay on the latest behind the scene developments and says progress is being made.

Fire Marshall Wraps Up Investigation Into Fort Motel Blaze

The Ontario Fire Marshall's office and the OPP have wrapped up their investigation - at least at the scene - of last Thursday's motel fire in Fort Frances.

But the exact cause of the blaze at Reids Voyageur Inn Motel is still not be released at this time.

Meantime, a 39-year-old man who was taken to hospital is now in Thunder Bay.

He condition continues to be monitored.

OPP Investigate Vehicle Break-Ins

Another reminder from the Kenora OPP to Lock it or Lose it.

Over the weekend, the OPP say they received several complaints of
theft from vehicles.

In each case, police say they were unlocked.

The OPP say if you keep valuables in your vehicle make sure they are out of sight and the doors are locked.

Kenora Racer Wins Gold

Kenora has a new national champion.

Over the weekend Tim Wehner won a gold medal at the Canadian Biathlon Championship.

Wehner posted a time of 23:54 in the 6 kilometer master men's event.

Green light Initiative Seeks to End Violence

A new stragegy in is place to prevent violence in Treaty 3 communities.

The Green Light initiative was launched in Onigaming First Nation last night.

Karen Kejick says they need the support of the provincial and federal governments as well as others to put an end to violence.

The green light is a symbol of a community safe house for individuals who are in need of safety in the event of a domestic violence situation.

Kenora Dispatches Water Trucks

The city is offering water to those in need.

Starting today a water truck will be made available everyday to fill jugs.

Residents can find the trucks at the Rec Centre boat launch from 9-12.

In the afternoon it will move to the Keewatin Memorial Arena boat launch from 1-4.

The city notes the water will still need to be boiled if used for consumption.

OFIA Opposes Bill 83

Working to stop Bill 83.

President of the Ontario Forest Industries Association Jamie Lim fears the bill will "shield" groups who slander industry.

Lim says the whole bill is pointless.

The bill seeks to allow opposition activity without fear of a SLAPP lawsuit.

Lim is worries that it'll allow groups to spread malicious information with no penalty.