While the ground remains snowy, communities throughout the Columbia Basin are thinking ahead to how they can reduce the risks of wildfires. Several projects will be helping to keep people and places safer with over $1 million from Columbia Basin Trust’s Community Wildfire Program. “Anyone who’s been in the region in the past...

Canada is respected globally for the freedoms we who live here enjoy. It’s not perfect, but it’s a geographically and culturally diverse land with spectacular environments and friendly people. I’ve always appreciated having the freedom to speak my mind. A diversity of ideas and perspectives, based on facts and evidence,...

By Professor Jonathan Van Hamme, Thompson Rivers University, for The Conversation Lowe’s recently joined the Home Depot and other major retail chains in phasing out the sale of products treated with poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances, toxic chemicals more commonly known as PFAS. Specifically, Lowe’s said it would...

On February 5th, 2020, we lost our beloved Judy Pommer after a long, hard fight with cancer. Judy was a strong and loving daughter, sister, wife, aunt, mother and friend. She leaves behind her husband Matt, daughter Jessica, and son Jordan (Shyelle and expectant twins). The family would like to thank her wonderful care team:...

Dear Editor, As I write this, patients are travelling long distances for consultations with specialists. Many of these journeys, for simple face to face meetings are made even though the required workup has been completed and the results forwarded. BUT - What if you could visit a GP, have the referral and information forwarded...

Volunteer groups in Rossland who could find a volunteer or two to represent them had an opportunity to introduce themselves to interested residents, and perhaps attract more members. Mayor Kathy Moore reported, “The first ever "Discover Rossland" was a popular event! Held at the Miner's Hall on Feb 4th, lots of volunteer...

Bats are fascinating and often-misunderstood creatures.  They’re also very useful to humans and ecosystems; in our region, by eating a lot of night-flying insects that damage crops and forests. To learn more about bats and how they’ve been unfairly targeted for abuse over the years, read the book “The Secret Lives of Bats: ...

Rossland Search and Rescue (RSAR) is hosting Backcountry Awareness Day on Saturday, February 8 at Red Mountain Resort. RSAR normally holds Avalanche Awareness Day in January, but this year decided to expand its efforts to include backcountry safety more broadly. “While avalanches are a serious risk, most of the calls ...

Re-zoning for the Mid-town Transition Project (and a few others); Graffiti wall; the high cost of fire services – still rising; fall clean-up; and more Council members present:  Mayor Kathy Moore, and Councillors Dirk Lewis, Chris Bowman, Stewart Spooner, Andy  Morel, and Janice Nightingale.     Public Hearing– Re-zoning 1920...

This week in the House of Commons we are debating the new NAFTA agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico, known by the acronym CUSMA. The original NAFTA was negotiated by Conservatives and signed by Liberals in 1994 with promises of more jobs and secure access to the largest market in the world. Supporters of ...