Effective Jan. 3, 2024, the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) will accept grant applications for the Columbia Basin Trust Resident Directed Grants (ReDi). The program supports local projects that provide additional value to Basin communities. ReDi Grants are intended to be flexible and incorporate community-based funding decisions. Program funds are distributed annually to the […]

In the next few days, owners of nearly 500,000 properties throughout the Southern Interior can expect to receive their 2024 assessment notices, which reflect market value as of July 1, 2023. In Castlegar and Nelson, typical assessments went down by one per cent, whereas in Trail and Grand Forks, they went up by one percent. […]

A trio of parents in Interior Health region took turns welcoming newborn babies on New Year Day 2024. At Kootenay Lake Hospital, Ali Israel Dalwampo was born at 8:26 a.m. Mother and baby are doing just fine according to Kristyl Banaag, who was quick to give kudos to the staff and nurses at Kootenay Lake […]

With a flurry of recent NCAA Division I commitments, the BC Hockey League (BCHL) has set a new benchmark for committed players with 193, with many more expected in the coming months. The previous high of 190 was set in June of last season. Trail Smoke Eaters players committed to NCAA Division I programs are:  […]

A 14-year-old youth has died after the sit-down lawn mower he was operating failed to stop at an intersection and collided with a pick-up truck. The collision occurred at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Dec. 28, 2023, at the intersection of Lindsey Road and White Road, in Cedar. Police, BCEHS and Cedar Volunteer Fire Dept attended. […]

By Stuart Phillips, Professor, McMaster University, Ontario Everyone can agree that exercise is healthy. Among its many benefits, exercise improves heart and brain function, aids in controlling weight, slows the effects of aging and helps lower the risks of several chronic diseases.  For too long, though, one way of keeping fit, aerobic exercise, has been […]

RDKB HomeSmart, a free home retrofit guidance service, officially launches to the public this month.  Designed to simplify the energy-efficient and resilient home improvement process, the project is supported by the Columbia Basin Trust, FortisBC, as well as the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary. Freya Phillips, RDKB’s Senior Energy Specialist, emphasizes the importance of the […]

A recent report from the province suggests that the year-over-year percent change in the homeless cohort count is dropping the greatest in the Central Kootenay than anywhere else in B.C. According to the recently released Report: 2021 Estimate of the Homeless Population in British Columbia, the BC Housing report showed that there was a drop […]

Gathering, storing and analyzing reliable water data lies at the core of Living Lakes Canada’s water stewardship work. As climate change impacts continue to occur with increased frequency and severity, long-term data will support the difficult decision making required for adaptation and watershed security. A recent accolade recognizes Living Lakes Canada’s commitment to high quality and […]

“I will be more myself in the next life.”                           —  Matsuko Matumaki This column asks the question: what is a sole person responsible for, and what is a society accountable for?   I’m fascinated by individuals’ “butterfly effect” in religious history. I’m distressed by Canadian society’s collective ignorance for understanding our history.  Crisis as opportunity […]