Regional District of Central Kootenay Board adopted its 2017—2021 Financial Plan Friday with the total taxation for the district checking in at approximately $25.7 million In a media release the RDCK said taxation in the General Administration service will not change from 2016. However, the release said Rural Administration service would increase by 28%, which translates into an extra $9 on a $300,000 home. The increase is due to the hirig of a part-time bylaw officer and the expansion of the RDCK FireSmart program.

Be aware:  if anyone phones you and asks for funds for a Search and Rescue group, it's a scam.  " We cannot state clearly enough, not one of the 80 recognized SAR groups in British Columbia, ask for donations by phone.  And neither do any of the recognized air or marine search and rescue groups in BC.  Simply put, if you...

The Rossland version of the Mount Everest challenge, hosted at Red Mountain Ski Resort and Black Jack Ski Club Feb. 19, exceeded its $25,000 goal with a whopping $36,500 contributed to the total -- over $100,000 -- raised for the Canadian Cancer Society by the six participating locations across the province. The family friendly...

This, from Castlegar RCMP Cpl. Brett Turner, in response to recent complaints: Every year, thousands of Canadians fall victim to fraud, losing millions of dollars. Most don't think it could happen to them, but fraudsters use sophisticated ways to target people of all ages. The impact of fraud on individuals, families and...

Anyone planning to travel highway passes in the Kootenay/Boundary region has better be prepared for winter driving. Environment Canada has issued a Snowfall Alert for Highway 3 from Christina Lake to Creston, including the Paulson and Kootenay Pass highways. Environment Canada said a long period of snowfall, with total amounts...

Fortunately for the bats of BC, it has been a quiet winter. The Kootenay Community Bat Project (KCBP), in collaboration with the Province of BC, is on the lookout for signs of White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). WNS is a fungal disease harmless to humans but responsible for the deaths of millions of insect-eating bats in eastern North...

Join Robson Fire Fighters on March 25 as they hold out their boots in support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Be sure to look out for Fire Fighters with boot in hand and stop by to contribute to the cause at Johnny’s Grocery and Gas on Broadwater Road in Robson on March 25 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.   A portion of proceeds from fuel...

The Castlegar community has the opportunity this week to view the eye-opening and entertaining documentary film Merchants of Doubt. The film will be shown on March 16 at 7 p.m. at the Castlegar United Church (809 Merry Creek Rd.). Admission is by donation. Merchants of Doubt exposes the campaign to confuse the public and discredit climate science.

Many of the affordable housing units operated by non-profit organizations in the Columbia Basin need energy retrofits, such as replacing boilers and windows. A new Columbia Basin Trust program will provide funding and support to help make these improvements possible. “This new program will help ensure existing affordable...

Castlegar’s Columbia Avenue Complete Streets program got a major boost over the weekend, when two higher levels of government announced more than $3 million in grant funding toward the project. The federal and provincial governments have committed $1, 607,421 each to the project, with the City of Castlegar paying the remaining...