Partners in the Waneta Expansion Project – Fortis Inc., Columbia Power Corporation and Columbia Basin Trust, are accepting applications for this year’s Waneta Terrestrial Compensation Program (WTCP). This program provides up to $50,000 annually to projects in the Waneta area that promote conservation and restoration through research, physical works, and other on-the-ground or applied projects. […]

It seems unlikely a dispute between the City of Castlegar and two downtown business owners is likely to be resolved outside a courtroom, after discussions between the parties have clarified each position but offered little in the way of practical compromise. The issue became public during a Dec. 3, 2012 council meeting in...

Ed. Note: A quote in this editorial alludes to a vulgar cuss-word. If a reader finds that troublesome, please read no further.  I’m guessing lots of people in the tri-city area remember Australian deejay Drex, of the Drex and Johnson morning radio show on Mountain FM. Drex, whose real name is Justin Wilcomes, left our […]

A Castlegar city councillor said he’s delighted to see only a marginal decrease in local residential property values, despite larger decreases being seen across the province. Kevin Chernoff said BC Assessment’s recent release of property assessments saw Castlegar coming out a strong leader. “We fared way better than most of...

After a record snowfall in December, The Castlegar Source/Trail Champion received several phone calls from professional drivers, first responders and other area motorists expressing concern, and even outrage, over the condition of regional thoroughfares. A reader poll posted to both sites asking “Do you feel Emcon (the regional road maintenance contractor) is doing a good […]

The Trail and District Chamber of Commerce now has a new leader at its helm, after the abrupt and somewhat controversial departure of former executive director Maggie Stayanovich (see http://trailchampion.com/news/update-chamber-president-offers-clarification-22206#.UOSh5uQ0WSo ). Incoming executive director Norm Casler, 50, was already at his desk this afternoon (Wednesday), ready to hit the ground running. “The best thing for […]

Mark Milke, The Fraser Institute Question: Have you ever felt annoyed at a restaurant when your bill arrived with a mandated tip, thus removing your (monetary) ability to comment on the service? If so, that’s about how governments act vis-à-vis travel costs for Canadians, this when governments prevent full competition which...

A conflict between two downtown business owners was discussed during a meeting this afternoon which included the two owners, a local liquor inspector, city director of Planning and Development Phil Markin, Castlegar top cop Sgt. Laurel Mathew, councillors Dan Rye and Kevin Chernoff, as well as Mayor Lawrence Chernoff. According...

  On Dec. 14, Washington judge found Teck Resources liable for response costs for any environmental or health risks resulting from almost a century’s worth (between 1896 and 1995) of discharges into the Upper Columbia River in Washington State. Judge Lonny Suko said, in his ruling, that, “for decades, Teck’s leadership knew its slag and […]

A meeting will have to happen within the next 30 days to resolve a dispute between the city and two downtown business owners, after council’s regular meeting Monday night became contentious. According to councillor and Planning and Development Committee chair Kevin Chernoff, the issue arose as the result of the city sending ‘unsightly premises’ notification […]