COMMENT: Bill C-45 Continues Gutting of the Fisheries Act
The federal Fisheries Act was designed to protect aquatic species, including preventing the dumping of harmful materials into fish-bearing waters. In 2012 Bill C-38, the Budget Implementation Act, began the gutting of the Fisheries Act by the Harper Conservatives in earnest. Four former federal Fisheries ministers were compelled...
Kettle River Q&A – Crap in the river
In a recent column about sediment I noted that fecal coliform bacteria had been rising in the Kettle River at Midway. Some readers asked me to spell out what that means. Fecal coliform bacteria are a large group of microscopic organisms which live in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans, cattle, and deer....
LETTER: Castlegar top cop pens response to resident critique
Dear Editor: In response to a letter to the editor (see original letter below this one) dated June 13th, regarding the dispatching of first responders to medical emergency call, it was stated that, "911 was called several times with no response, and that the RCMP were called to no avail". I would like to clear up any...
UPDATE: Ferret returned, police request assistance finding alleged ferret thief
The Castlegar RCMP are seeking the public's assistance in identifying a person of interest in a theft investigation from Total Pet in Castlegar, according to RCMP Sgt. Laurel Mathew. "On June 15, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the female in the attached picture made a purchase at Total Pet, and after making a purchase she was ...
Trail man presumed drowned after arrest attempt becomes failed river rescue
Police efforts to arrest a man wanted on outstanding warrants quickly and tragically turned into a river search effort Wednesday afternoon in Trail, according to RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk. "The wanted man jumped out of a second floor window of a residence and attempted to swim away in the nearby Columbia River, in efforts to...
Be cool and save energy this summer
With hot and sunny days ahead this summer, FortisBC PowerSense is reminding customers to be aware of the energy they use to keep their homes cool, especially during peak electricity usage hours of 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. when people come home from work or other daytime activities. “By taking simple steps to save energy, customers ...
Celgar to cut 85 jobs at Castlegar mill
Celgar managing director of operations Kevin Anderson told The Source today that 85 jobs will be cut from the mill over the next five years, most within the coming year. He said no single portion of the mill or the staff base will be targeted, with the workforce reduction taking place mill-wide, across most departments. "We...
OP/ED: MLA says Kootenay jobs at risk
A secret 10-year deal signed by forest minister Steve Thomson could have significant implications on B.C.’s pulp mills, including Celgar, says New Democrat MLA Katrine Conroy. “We know that mills are having to pay more to get fiber, and we know that as the timber supply problem gets worse, it’s only going to get harder for ...
BC Coroners urge water safety after four drowning deaths in just five days
With the promise of another sizzling summer weekend ahead, the BC Coroners Service is warning residents and visitors to take extra care when enjoying water-based activities, be it at lakes, rivers, pools or the seashore. In the past five days (as of Friday), coroners in B.C. have begun investigations into four drowning deaths,...
From police bizarre-but-true files
Police received a bizarre call June 27, according to RCMP Cpl. Debbie Postnikoff. "On June 27 at 6:37 p.m., a complaint was received of an incident that had occurred approximately 20 minutes from Castlegar near the Nancy Greene Junction. A caller reported that there was a male that had been acting strangely inside of the...
