By Jennifer Bowman

Being a student might become a little easier, at least where government funding is concerned. Starting this year, students will have to fill out less paperwork to get government assistance such as OSAP. According to a release, the government will also provide things such as more assistance for expenses such as tuition and housing, allow students to keep more money from part-time jobs, and provide a new grant for part-time students. The release says streamlining the process will save $10,000 work hours in student aid offices across the province.

Changes are coming to Ontario's pension system today. The package to be unveiled by Finance Minister Dwight Duncan is expected to deal with Ontario's pension benefits guarantee fund. It provides pensioners with up to one-thousand dollars a month if a plan fails to provide its full benefit, or any at all. The government has admitted the fund doesn't contain nearly enough money.

Being a student might become a little easier, at least where government funding is concerned.

The Quinte Autumn Fest is looking at what could be a bleak future. The Other Side Media, is making a public appeal for support for the September event.

A number of mailboxes aren't looking so good after Sunday night. Sometime overnight on Sunday, eight mailboxes were damaged and a 911 sign removed from downtown Belleville businesses.

A member of the Belleville police force will have the honour of speaking to about 400 police officers from across the country as well as members of corrections services later this year.

Belleville Council voted themselves a pay raise last night... but not without some discussion.

A Belleville resident was honoured with the Senior of the Year award last night at Belleville City Council. Norman Riddell received the award for his involvement in the community.

According to police, a Tibetan man is in the Napanee jail waiting for his hearing after he was found trespassing in people's backyards in Quinte West.

Under the bed is still a good place to hide... or that's what one Picton man thought. Police were conducting an unrelated house investigation when they found a man hiding under a bed in the basement.

Police reports show that trouble with youth has been down this quarter.

With many volunteers inthe area committing themselves to hours of community service, the police become busy with criminal record checks for volunteers again. Recently protocal has changed.

As fall approaches and people think about volunteering for sports teams and school activities, they often need to get a criminal record check.

A Toronto man is facing charges of marijuana production after police and Project Longarm arrested him during a vehicle stop on Hwy 62 in Madoc Township.

By Jennifer Bowman

Leona Dombrowsky is adding another political hat to her head. Premier Dalton McGuinty announced yesterday that she is part of the new Priorities and Planning Committee. The committee, according to a release, is to devote its attention to core government priorities. This includes focusing the Open Ontario Plan in improvements in economic growth, higher test scores in schools, lower emergency room wait times, and better access to doctors and nurses. The committee consists of six ministers and two new Cabinet members.

If you are tired of driving the same bumpy, potholed road, you have the opportunity to make your opinion known, or, if you have the priviledge of driving on a nicely paved, smooth road, you can let that be known too. CAA is running its 8th annual Worst Roads campaign, but this time, they want to hear about the best roads too. Their goal is to let politicians know what good roads should look like. Last year, Palmer Road in Belleville, was the fourth worst road in Ontario. It is scheduled to be redone. Ninety per cent of last year's 20 worst roads in Ontario have been slated for repairs.