A government review panel has painted a picture of a bloated B.C. Hydro Corp. which is overstaffed by up to 1,200 employees. Panel member Cheryl Wenezenki-Yolland, acting deputy minister of advanced education, said Thursday that the Crown corporation is overstaffed in the communications, human resources and engineering departments. The panel responded to Hydro’s proposed rate […]

The question of why the toadlet crosses the road is simple biology — to get to their home on the other side — but the question of why so many have to die each year isn’t. Tens of thousands of western toadlets, each not more than the size of a dime, get squashed as they […]

One of Nelson’s heritage jewels is on display at this year’s Columbia Basin Cultural Tour. A Cathedral Whispers is a presentation on the magnificent memorial stained glass windows at St. Saviour’s Anglican Church. The church, located at the corner of Silica and Ward Streets, will be open Saturday, Aug. 13 from 11 am to 5 […]

British Columbia’s Community Gaming Grant Review will hold a community forum Monday, Aug. 15 at the Sandman Hotel in Castlegar. Skip Triplett, appointed last month by Premier Christy Clark to lead the independent review, is examining the role of government in allocating gaming revenue with input from charities, non-profits, community members, local government and others […]

The B.C. Coroners Service announced Friday that a public inquest will be held into the death of Sheilah Sweatman, a 29-year-old search-and-rescue (SAR) volunteer from Ymir who drowned while on duty July 29. Presiding coroner Mark Coleman and a jury will hear evidence from subpoenaed witnesses to establish the facts surrounding Sweatman’s death. The jury […]

With human-caused fires being the worst cause of forest fires in the Southeast Fire Centre district this year, fire wardens will be out in full force this hot and dry weekend to help prevent any more. Wardens and other fire officials will be patrolling the West Kootenay and Boundary parks and campgrounds this weekend to […]

More than 1.6 million British Columbians participated in the HST referendum, almost matching the turnout for 2009’s provincial election, Elections BC announced Thursday. Roughly 52 per cent of registered voters submitted ballots by the Aug. 5 deadline. However, while the BC government shaved a few million off its costs by switching from the traditional ballot […]

 Habitat for Humanity broke ground for the first time ever in Castlegar last Saturday, and the build continues a steady pace toward fruition. In a ceremony held at 2 p.m., mayor Lawrence Chernoff, city councillor Gord Turner, and other dignitaries got to try their hand with a shovel in honour of the project. West Kootenay […]

 A 55-year-old Castlegar man may soon be facing charges after a boating accident on the Arrow Lakes Saturday. Castlegar RCMP Sgt. Laurel Mathew said police were called just before midnight, by a witness who reported seeing a boat drive up onto dry land at Renata Ferry Road.   It took police about an hour to […]

Creativity is soon to abound in Robson, with the first-ever Rock ‘N Art Show Aug. 19 – 21. Organizer Joshau Leeworthy said he hopes any and all artists looking to increase their profile come on out and participate.   “I just wanted a decent venue for local artists and musicians to showcase their work,” he […]