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...
Local business rescues youth group stranded by Syringa mud slide
A group of seven Grade 7 kids and their four adult group leaders are singing the praises of Scottie’s Marina after being stranded with no supplies or communications during yesterday’s flooding. Youth leader James McFaddin said the convoy set out, prepared to camp in the rain and experience some adventure, when Nature changed their plans. […]
Is YOUR great idea worth $10,000?
Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) is partnering with BC Ideas to provide five $10,000 cash awards to reward innovative solutions addressing issues which will improve the lives of residents in the Columbia Basin region. BC Ideas: Solutions for Stronger Communities is an online competition seeking to identify solutions to deal with challenges facing BC communities now […]
Trail tally not yet taken in terms of WestJet
Castlegar mayor Lawrence Chernoff said letters are coming in fast and furious from across the region in support of the West Kootenay Regional Airport’s bid to entice WestJet to Castlegar … with some glaring omissions. “We’ve received letters from most communities – not all, but most – and we’re getting them from residents, businesses, everyone. […]
Improvements coming to West Kootenay highways and roads
Ed Note: The following is a press release issued by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure: This summer, key sections of provincial highway and local side roads in the West Kootenay region will be resurfaced to improve safety and travel for local residents, tourists and commercial vehicles. A $1.7-million contract has been awarded to Interoute […]
Rossland supports West Kootenay Regional Airport pitch for West Jet service
Rossland will send a letter to support the West Kootenay Regional Airport’s (WKRA) pitch to get West Jet service into Castlegar. Coun. Kathy Wallace raised the motion as a late addition to the agenda at last week’s regular council meeting on June 11. “Part of the time constraint is that this [issue] is coming to […]
Councillor Batycki Questions WestJet Solution for Castlegar Airport
Candace Batycki doesn’t want more flights or more airlines at the Castlegar airport because the increase in traffic would lead to greater carbon emissions. At the June 11 Nelson City Council meeting, Councillor Batycki spoke against a motion that would support an effort by municipal leaders in the West Kootenay to lobby WestJet to […]
Trail man to face charges in Castlegar court after allegedly shoplifting and resisting arrest
A Trail man is facing five criminal charges stemming from a recent shoplifting/resisting arrest incident in Castlegar, according to Castlegar RCMP Sgt. Laurel Mathew. “On June 15, RCMP received a report that an adult male had stolen a bottle of liquor from the Uptown Liquor Store,” she said. “The suspect was not identified or located […]
Chambers of commerce/businesses throw support behind Castlegar's WestJet bid
Four area chambers of commerce have offered regional airport representatives their endorsement in a bid to encourage WestJet to come to the Kootenays – meanwhile the Castlegar chamber is being flooded with letters of support from local businesses. Just last week, WestJet invited members of the West Kootenay Regional Airport Advisory Committee (including Castlegar Mayor […]