Let’s start with something simple: walking down the street. If you have moved to Rossland from a larger centre in the past little while, you may be accustomed to walking eyes-forward, avoiding looking at people, as if eye contact with a stranger could be dangerous, and greeting a stranger even more dangerous. Or you may be ...

By  Ben Parfitt, from The Narwhal When a public regulator repeatedly makes major decisions that favour corporate interests — quietly and behind closed doors — we have a problem. British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Office bills itself as a “neutral” provincial agency. But there is...

As pointed out by Dermod Travis of Integrity BC, there’s been lot written recently, both for and against proportional representation.  For those having trouble deciding how to vote, try the link provided at the bottom of this piece. Some of what we've all seen has been outright false.  Claims that rural ...

Weather was the primary factor in two multi-vehicle MVIs this morning, according to RCMP Cpl. Brett Turner. First was the “schmozzle” called in at 10:15 a.m. involving nine vehicles on Hwy 3 west just before 14 Avenue. Fire Chief Sam Lattanzio said there were actually two groups of vehicles involved in this. “There were two […]

Whether biking to work, hiking peaks or walking pets, Columbia Basin residents prize the trails in our communities and surrounding areas. To improve these paths and support healthy outdoor lifestyles, Columbia Basin Trust is launching its new three-year, $1.5-million Trail Enhancement Grants. “Basin residents rely on trails for recreation, exercise and everyday life, and this […]

News about orca mother Tahlequah carrying her dead newborn for 17 days through the Salish Sea this summer was heartbreaking, and rightfully captured the world’s attention. It highlighted the plight of one of Canada’s most endangered marine mammals. The southern resident killer whale (orca) population has dropped by 25 per...

Traditionally, the solemn swearing-in ceremony for Rossland’s municipal council members has taken place at the historic Rossland courthouse, with a robed judge officiating. But not this year. On July 18, City of Rossland Executive Assistant Alison Worsfold sent the usual letter requesting to have the  ceremony at...

A few residents of Rossland, and several in Trail, may awaken at 6:00 on Sunday, November 11th, to the haunting strains of bagpipes playing “When the Battle is Over.”  At that time and date, exactly one hundred years ago, the Allies and Germany signed the Armistice of Compiègne, which marked the end of the fighting on the...

Editor's Note: In this age of fake news, when politicians are allowed to lie with impunity -- perhaps even encouraged to lie, because they appear to get good results by lying -- how are people reading the news, or social media, where bizarre fake news abounds -- to know what to believe? For that matter, is it ever a good idea...

This week the House of Commons passed Bill C-76, the Elections Modernization Act, the federal government’s answer to the so-called “Fair Elections Act” that the Conservatives enacted in 2014.  And although I and the rest of the NDP caucus voted in favour of the bill, I would say this bill is “a day late and a dollar short.”...