We’ve all read about Bitcoin.  Blockchain transactions such as those used by Bitcoin are touted for their security – the term “Blockchain” refers to a chain of “blocks” of data designed to be tamper-proof, partly because each block is identified by a “hash” which is like a digital fingerprint; it’s unique, and if anything...

An Alberta woman has died after a motorcycle accident near Needles Monday, according to BC RCMP Traffic Services spokesman Const. Michael Halskov. He said Central Kootenay RCMP were called to the scene in the 12000 block of Hwy 6 west of Needles at around 3:30 p.m., at which time they requested the attendance of the North...

There’s an old saying:  follow the money.  In the case of the upcoming referendum on whether or not BC should change our voting system from First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) to a form of Proportional Representation (ProRep), those most vocally opposed to a change seem to have one thing in common: they are people who think they would...

The Seniors Advocate, Isobel Mackenzie, has issued a report on some of the different patient outcomes between private-contractor care facilities for seniors, and facilities operated by a Health Authority.  The findings are compelling. The report explains that there are 293 publicly subsidized care facilities in BC, and that...

Temperatures in the Boundary are expected to continue into Wednesday before cooling a few degrees Environment Canada said. The 36 C heat has forced Environment Canada to continue a Heat Warning for the Boundary Region, at least into Wednesday. “A prolonged stretch of well above normal temperatures is continuing across the...

In 2007, Canada was one of four countries to vote against the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (with New Zealand, the United States and Australia). With its single-minded focus on making Canada an “energy superpower,” albeit only with fossil fuels, the Harper government feared the declaration’s concept of ...

A mind in movement across space and time:  Part III Traveller Chaos, Column Coherence This month’s column is about travel, time, and identity. I have just returned from a four-week trip by car across the nation to Ontario and back. It is not the first such trip of my life; I have logged tens of thousands of miles since my...

Seventeen projects that aim to improve the lives of Columbia Basin residents by addressing social issues will soon be making a positive difference with nearly $965,000 in Social Grants from Columbia Basin Trust. “Through projects like these, the Trust is supporting the efforts of community organizations to help Basin residents...

Twenty-one local fire fighters as well as BC Wildfire Service responded to an interface fire at the end of Spance Road, off Casino Road, Sunday afternoon, according to Regional Fire Chief Dan Derby. Derby said the call came in at 3: 59 p.m. and crews were on scene at 4:17 p.m. the situation was contained by 9:25 p.m.  “Stations...

Last week I spent three days in Spokane at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region meetings.  Over 600 legislators, business people, and other interested folks from BC, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Yukon and Northwest Territories gathered to talk about issues important to this region....