First Day of Spring Brings Sun and Snow

Spring may be arriving in northwestern Ontario in a couple of hours, but
Old Man Winter isn't ready to give up his grip just yet.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says we can expect some more
snow starting tonight.

Laidlaw estimates we could see as much as seven centimeters of snow by
the time the system blows through tomorrow night.

City Embarks on New Strategic Plan

Good response so far to the City of Kenora's Stategic Plan survey.

Councillor Rory McMillan says they have almost 12 hundred responses to their on-line survey and are getting between 65 and 70 replies each day.

He says so far about two thirds of their responses have come through social media, with the rest coming through the city's web site.

He expects they will also receive a number of hard copy responses.

The City is currently at work on it's next five year Stategic Plan with the survey providing some much-needed input from the community.

Northwest M.P.'s Offer Mixed Response to Rickford's Promotion

Not everyone is pleased with Rickford's new duties.

Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer says he's both surprised and concerned by the appointment.

Hyer says he's concerned because Rickford didn't fight hard enough to save the Experimental Lakes Area, which is in his own riding.

Hyer says while Rickford has the intelligence for the job, he wonders where his priorities lie.

Meanwhile, Thunder Bay-Rainy River M.P. John Rafferty was more conciliatory.

He's wishing Greg Rickford well.

Rafferty says while the appointment did surprise him, it's good to have a person from Northern Ontario in the position.

Rafferty says he looks forward to working with the Kenora MP.

Justin Trudeau Skypes In

Bringing federal politics to young minds in northwestern ontario.

That was Justin Trudeau's aim yesterday as he Skyped in with grade
five students at New Prospect School in Dryden.

Teacher Mary Trist says the students may not have known who the Liberal Leader was at first but after a mock parliment they clued in.

Every student got to ask Trudeau a question and the skype session lasted a half hour.

Tories Pushing For Spring Election

Pushing for action.

Opposition leader Tim Hudak put a confidence motion before the legislature to force a jobs plan and budget announcement by the Liberal government.

Kenora Rainy River PC Candidate Rainy River says it was a needed step.

No date has been set to release the provincial budget.

SMB Retro-fitting Daycare

Some more changes are taking place at Ste. Marguerite Bourgeoys.

The Separate School board says along with the 6 classroom expansion the daycare is getting retro-fitted.

Director of Education Phyllis Eikre says the changes will happen within the current layout.

The change is needed as 4 and 5 year olds move into full day kindergarten classes.

Stroke Forum Updates New Protocols for ER's

The Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Forum is taking place this week in Thunder Bay.

Local health care providers will be learning from stroke neurologists about the latest practice recommendations.

Regional Stroke Educator Elaine Edwards says they'll be unveilling a new process for local Emergency  rooms.

Edwards notes that people should make themselves familiar with the signs of a stroke.

Plans for Relay for Life in the Works

Celebrate, Remember, Fight back.

That's the message as the Relay for Life committee prepares for the 2014 event.

Darell Plummer is the co-chair and says they are moving back to the Whitecap Pavilion.

Plummer says teams can now register for the annual event which take place in June.

This year's goal is $74,000.

More details and registration information can be found here.

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.