Hail and slush cause logging truck to sideswipe minivan
A logging truck sideswiped a minivan after losing control on the slush that covered Highway 3 around the Mud Lake area – just east of the Paulson Bridge – at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, July 3. “That was ugly weather,” said Trail RCMP sergeant Rob Hawthon. “(The bad weather) was not unusual but not to that extent. You’re at a pretty...
Employment: Myths versus reality
When it comes to jobs and the economy we often get conflicting messages as to how many jobs were actually created. I thought it would be interesting to share some figures that Statistics Canada released for the month of May. THE BASICS The Canadian economy as a whole added just 7,700 jobs in May – a relatively weak showing. ...
Small businesses in Koots FLIP over savings
More than 1,300 small businesses in the Okanagan and Kootenays are reaping big savings on their electricity bills thanks to a $6.85 million lighting installation program sponsored by the Province of British Columbia and FortisBC. “Small businesses in the Okanagan and Kootenays wanted a program that would make saving energy...
IN REVIEW: Prometheus - the beginning of the story
My craving for a great science fiction / alien thriller was thoroughly satiated this weekend after an intense ride with director Ridley Scott aboard the spaceship Prometheus. Scott's classic original Alien set the bar high for every alien from space film for the past three decades. As a co-owner of the Alien trilogy, I have...
Rossland Secondary pioneers innovative learning approaches
Parents, students, and teachers gathered at the RSS gymnasium on Tuesday evening to learn more about the new system of "inquiry-based learning in a blended environment" that RSS plans to implement across its Grade 10 to 12 programs in the 2012-2013 school year.The new model is characterized by flexible timetables, a variety...
UN advisor returns to Kootenays from Rio with new hope for local solutions … and little faith in global ones
United Nations trade and climate change advisor Aaron Cosbey—a Rossland resident—attended the first Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and he was back again last week for the glitz, fanfare, and "complete failure" of the Rio +20 anniversary conference."It was a very predictable thing," Cosbey said, listing many reasons...
Broadband is still on the agenda, city report due in September
The potential for broadband Internet access in Rossland has excited a lot of public support. Consequently, council recently directed city staff to carefully consider the options tabled by the Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation (CBBC), but staff's report won't come back to council until September.The regular council meeting...
Thrift Store finds new uses for junky donations
The volunteers who run the Thrift Store have recently forged new partnerships to re-purpose about three-quarters of the junk "donations" that used to end up in the dumpster out back, but the Thrift Store ladies still have a few simple guidelines for donors to help make the job easier.Before now the Thrift Store could only...
Public viewing area open at Waneta Expansion Project
Partners in the Waneta Expansion Project - Fortis Inc., Columbia Power Corporation and Columbia Basin Trust – and the Community Impact Management Committee invite you to visit the project’s viewing area this summer. The viewing area and platform, constructed by the contractor, provide a place across Highway 22A to safely watch...
Council of Canadians calls on premiers to take Vermont’s lead and ban fracking
Following Vermont’s ban on hydraulic fracturing last month, the Council of Canadians has written to the premiers of the provinces and territories across Canada asking that they follow suit. “Last month, the state of Vermont took action to protect water sources and to curb demands on fossil fuels. Provincial governments should...
