Social Media Highlights Day 1 of Response Forum

Social media has forced the provincial government to play the balancing act in terms of emergency management.

That message was delivered by Allison Stuart, the Chief of Emergency Management Ontario at the Northwest Response Forum in Dryden yesterday.

Stuart says they now need to ensure the correct information is getting out right away.

Stuart stresses government and emergency organizations can no longer ignore social media.

Severe Crimes Escalate in Treaty 3 Service Area

Financial pressure is hurting the Treaty 3 Police Service in their battle with high crime rates.

The treaty 3 Police service area currently has the worst crime severity index in the province.

Terry Armstrong is the Deputy Chief of Police in charge of operations, and says they are doing everything they can to lower the index.

Along with the Severity crime index Armstrong says the force has also seen a 41 percent increase in calls for service.

Treasury Metals Looks for Employees

The options are endless with Treasury Metals.

Vice President of Operations Norm Bush says work continues on the Goliath Gold Project, east of Dryden and that they are looking for the best and brightest workers.

Bush adds they will be looking for engineers, miners, and plant operators.

Bush notes the minimum education required is a high school diploma, with college level math and English.

A Sharing of our Stories

An opportunity to learn about the history of the region first hand.

Lori Nelson says that the event "a sharing of our stories" will give people a chance to share their knowledge of the region.

"A sharing of our stories" is on April 13th at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

Tickets are now sold out

Province Funds Area Festivals

The snow can't clear soon enough for most of us as northerners are no doubt ready for summer weather.

And of course Summer means Festival season across the region.

5 major Festivals are receiving provincial funding this year, 3 of them in Kenora.

Harbourfest is getting $75,000, the Kenora Bass International $40,000, and The Look Up Way Up Festival is also receiving $40,000.

Thunder Bay is getting $40,000 for the Celtic Fair and $35,000 is going to the Red Rock Folk Festival.

Electricity Rate Increase

Homeowners in Northwestern Ontario will be paying more for electricity.

The Ontario Energy Board announced this week that new prices apply to most households and small businesses.

The price for off-peak electricity will go up to 6.7 cents per kilowatt hour from the current 6.3 cent rate, while mid-peak power will cost 10.4 cents, up from 9.9 cents.

Electricity used in the peak period, which is weekdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., is also increasing to 12.4 cents per kwh, a 0.6 cent jump.

The board says the higher rates will add an additional $3.63 to the monthly bill of typical households, who use nearly two-thirds of their power in off-peak hours.

The change comes into effect May 1st.