First what is a ‘YES … if’ community? It’s actually really simple. A ‘Yes…if’ community is one that, rather than focusing on the negatives (call that a ‘NO…but’ community), agrees to accentuate the positive. A ‘YES…if’ community agrees to listen with an open mind to all proposals, ideas, or plans for the betterment of the...

It’s time for the Rossland Figure Skating Club to sharpen their skates in time to host the West Kootenay Invitational Figure Skating Competition this January 17 to 19th. With this being one of the prime times to visit Rossland, it’s sure to attract visitors from the Kootenays and beyond. Over 100 skaters are expected to attend...

Dear Minister, Like many Canadians, I was shocked to hear Canada Post’s announcement that it was planning to eliminate home delivery services, pursue the privatization of postal outlets, increase postal rates and lay off between 6,000 and 8,000 postal workers. The Canada Post Act doesn’t call upon Canada Post to make a profit...

Last month, the report of two males wearing all camouflage gear and carrying a rifle in Port Coquitlam met with a robust police response. It also prompted a lockdown at a nearby school. The males were tracked down moments later, the rifle was located and seized, and it turned out to be a paintball rifle. While there is nothing...

As most of us are aware, Parliament was prorogued this fall. This means that, instead of beginning its work on Sept.16, there was a delay until Oct.16. The delay, or prorogation, was requested by the Prime Minister and approved by the Governor General. The immediate effect was that all government bills and committee work were...

The Castlegar Community Foundation is ready to hit the ground running in 2014, according to a delegation which presented to city council at council's regular meeting Monday night. Foundation president Bob Jackson told council that 2013 was an eventful year, seeing the organization become qualified to issue tax receipts,...

At its regular metting Monday night, council unanimously agreed to send a letter of support to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers as the union opposes deep cuts to postal service, including the end of door-to-door delivery. City councillor Deb McIntosh brought up a letter from the CUPW requesting the city's support. "We...

I believe that 2013 was a great year for Castlegar. City council, composed of dedicated re-elected veterans with extensive experience and a profound understanding of city operations, and others serving their first term, worked together to begin new initiatives while maintaining our efficient service delivery to our residents...

Fifteen projects that benefit Basin youth were recently approved to receive funding through Columbia Basin Trust’s Youth Grants Program. The projects will receive a total of $107,400. “Applicants submitted a diverse range of project ideas to the program,” said Sabrina Curtis, Director, Sector Initiatives for the Trust. “We ...

Grand Forks has hired a WildSafeBC coordinator for the next six months -- a position dedicated to working with the city and WildSafeBC to collect information and educate the public on wildlife interactions.  The City worked with the provincial WildSafe program to hire Laurie Grant on Dec. 16 of last year.  Grant, who has lived...