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Hydro users to get $12 monthly jolt LISA TALLYN Staff Writer Halton Hills residents can expect to see their hydro bills jump by about $12 a month starting in May. Under new rates announced last week by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), area residents will be paying an average 11 per cent more for hydro or approximately $144 each year. Halton Hills residents got off lightly with a hike of approximately $11.92 a month compared to those who live in Grand Valley and Haldimand County-- their rates are going up by 18.9 and 17.4 per cent respectively-- or $20.13 and $20.15 each month. Orangeville residents on the other hand will only see their monthly bills rise by about $3.91 and Milton residents by $6.57. The estimated rate increases are for homeowners who use 1,000 kWh per month. The rates paid by customers vary widely across the province depending on what local utilities charge to deliver power. The new hydro rates, which come into effect May 1, are 5.8 cents, a jump from 5 cents, per kilowatt-hour for the first 600 kilowatt-hours used between May and October. Households that use more than 600 kilowatt-hours will see the rate jump to 6.7 cents from 5.8 cents. See HIKE, pg. 4 Me and my shadow Spencer Kardash (left) and Josh Metler played a little one-on-one basketball as they took part in the annual Stars-a-thon event held at Silver Creek School. In addition to basketball, the kids also enjoyed some ball hockey (played with mini-sticks) as well as indoor activities like dancing and board games. Photo by Ted Brown