The BC government has announced a key step toward creating a new, more effective climate-change strategy.  The multi-sector Climate Solutions and Clean Growth Advisory Council is charged with advising the B.C. government and delivering its first public report in one year. Karen Tam Wu, acting BC Director of the Pembina...

To The Editor: Accountability. Local city councils in the Kootenays should follow the examples of  Victoria, Saanich and the District of the Highlands, who voted nearly unanimously to send a "Climate Accountability Letter" to 20 of the world's largest fossil fuel companies, asking the companies to pay their share of the...

West High Yield Resources Ltd. and the Record Ridge claims:  Rosslanders have been hearing from representatives of West High Yield  ("WHY") about mineral claims on and around Record Ridge that could be developed into a magnesium mine for some years now.  Some residents have been excited about the...

You have to hand it to the rich in dealing with the tax reforms proposed by the Liberals. They didn’t even have to put pen to paper or pick up the phone to protest the taxman messing with their ill-gotten wealth. They got the poor besotted small businessperson to fight on their behalf. In this newly fact-free world it didn’t...

As Halloween approaches, images of scary-looking bats become commonplace. Since the goal of the Kootenay Community Bat Project is to promote bat conservation, this is the perfect time of year to counter bat myths and do something to help bats. Such as build bat houses and find good locations for them, to give bats a place to...

RCMP investigators continue to work with the City of Fernie, Fernie Fire Department and other resources in preparation for the entry into the Fernie Memorial Arena, following Tuesday’s fatal workplace incident. RCMP investigators will commence a scene examination and investigation into Wednesday’s incident once it is deemed...

First, the cannabis news:  as readers of the "Council Matters" column already know, the provincial government is seeking input from municipal governments to help guide provincial policy on the decriminalization of cannabis.  The federal government is preparing to pass Bill C-45 and Bill C-46.  There are questions to be...

The forest air was crisp and intoxicatingly pure (except for the cloud of sausage-scented smoke rising from the barbeque) as outdoorsy people from local communities gathered around the new Booty's Cabin to  celebrate it, and the Rossland Range Recreation Site ― that made it (and the other day-use shelters) legally ...

The public will soon get a say in how they feel about a medical marihuana production facility on the surplus airport lands, after council voted unanimously to move forward with the public hearing process. During their regular meeting last night (Monday), council received a report by Planning and Development Director Phil...

Castlegar CIBC employees are receiving kudos from the Fire Chief after their management of the aftermath of a single-vehicle crash. According to Fire Chief Sam Lattanzio, the call came in at 1:52 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. “A customer of CIBC inadvertently hit his gas pedal, accelerating instead of braking,” Lattanzio said. ...