CFD evacuates Kootenay Market, responds to MVI Monday afternoon
Castlegar Fire Department had a busy afternoon Monday, first with an evacuation and then responding to a single-vehicle MVI on Kinnaird Bridge. Fire Chief Sam Lattanzio said it was just before noon when they received a report of a gas leak at Kootenay Market. “When we arrived, they had already evacuated the grocery store,...
Going Green on Highway 3 gets boost with five new Fast Charging Stations
People in the Boundary region are now connected with the West Kootenay after the opening of five electric vehicle Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFCs) stations along Highway 3. The stations have been strategically sited in Greenwood, Christina Lake, Castlegar, Salmo and Creston to ensure connected travel and charging options...
A problem at the Rossland Seniors Hall
Last Thursday morning, Les Anderson went into the Rossland Seniors Hall and found a mess in the back room. The ceiling had partially collapsed from water dripping down and soaking the insulation over the drop ceiling panels. Insulation and panels askew and water, all on the floor and furniture -- a discouraging sight to one...
Dog problems, a new way to reduce wildfire risk, more short-term rentals and less public smoking; a hostel at Red, and what to do about fireworks? And more!
Rossland City Council Meeting, Tuesday, February 13, 2018 The evening began with a Public Hearing, to accept public input on three Zoning Amendment Bylaws to allow short-term rentals (Guest Suites), and on the West Kootenay Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw # 2648. The public gallery was packed and overflowing into the...
Mount Everest challenge at Red -- 'Slopes for Hope'
A family-friendly ski-a-thon that encourages participants to ski or board the vertical distance of Mount Everest is back for another run at Red Mountain Resort. The sixth annual Slopes for Hope Red event will take place Sunday, March 4th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with registration from 8-9 a.m. Alpine skiers and snowboarders and...
Winlaw snowmobiler rescued from backcountry
A 35-year-old Winlaw resident is happy to be drying off and warming up after spending a night outside, according to RCMP Sgt. Monty Taylor. "On the evening of Feb. 9, the Slocan Lake RCMP were contacted by the male's girlfriend after she could not get in contact with him," said Taylor in a press release. "RCMP attended to the...
MoT sends delegation to discuss local conditions and crashes
A delegation from the Ministry of Transportation (MoT) attended Castlegar City Council Monday evening to discuss local road conditions and MoT’s Shift into Winter campaign. They spoke at length about resources available to assist motorists in making safe decisions and driving to conditions (see links below) and reporting...
Column: A strange way to pick a leader
When a political party sets rules for a leadership race and tries to be all things to all members, the result can end up looking more like the proverbial camel designed by a committee than a true and fair method for members to choose a new leader. As they did in 2011, the B.C. Liberal party opted to continue with its practice...
Editorial: On how we vote in BC -- will it change, or not?
Come the next BC election, will we have Proportional Representation (of some kind) or business-as-usual with First-Past-the-Post? A lot of ink and pixels have been swirling around the news and opinion media on the topic. It still bears more examination, given the disparate views expressed. Let’s do some examining, and...
Science Matters Column: Bugs for lunch?
People sometimes get bugged by insects, but we need them. They play essential roles in pollination, combatting unwanted agricultural pests, recycling organic matter, feeding fish, birds and bats, and much more. They’re the most numerous and diverse animals on Earth and form the base of many terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems....
