To a snowboarder meeting Travis Rice is like having Sidney Crosby come to a hockey player's house.

Which is why boarders young and old flocked to the Tribute Boardshop for an autograph session Wednesday evening.

Rice and Lucas Debari were joined by a few special guests during autograph signing session that attracted a crowd of fans that filled the Baker Street location and the street outside the Tribute Boardshop.

The snowboarding royalty are in Nelson as part of the Red Bull Supernatural competition at Baldface.

New Democrat MP for Southern Interior of B.C., Alex Atamanenko is “angered” by the recent announcement that the Conservatives are looking at making changes to the Old Age Security pension.

The government claims that the present system is becoming unsustainable because of the aging demographics of Canadians.

The City of Castlegar unveiled its $19-million 2012 budget to less-than thunderous applause Wednesday, as only seven people (not including city staff and council) showed up for the public meeting.

The turnout was disappointing, but not surprising, according to city councillor and finance committee chair Russ Hearne.

“It's similar to the turn out we've had in previous years," he said. “I think people are largely content that their money is being managed wisely."

Tonight’s city council meeting will almost certainly see disgruntled residents and representatives, after Castlegar’s emergency ward was closed without notice Saturday.

People - even first responders - seeking medical care were met, at the hospital doors, with a sign that read, “Emerg dept closed for today (Sat Feb 4) Please head to Trail or Nelson Emerg Dept” (sic).

Castlegar fire chief Gerry Rempel, whose firefighters serve also as medical first responders in the community, said he was not notified of the closure.

"I found out about it on Facebook," he said.