B.C. employment figures show lag
Employment numbers in British Columbia dipped in July after slight gains in June, as full-time positions replaced losses of part-time positions. In B.C., 14,500 jobs were lost, reflecting a national trend, as 30,400 jobs were lost across Canada. However, full-time positions in B.C. increased by 9,600 from June 2012, and the...
Rock Creek woodlot manager wins top provincial award for second time
George Dore's ethical, innovative and insightful woodlot management style has earned him the top provincial Minister's Award of Excellence for Woodlot Management for the second time. "It's humbling to get it a second time," said Dore, who also took home the prestigious award in 2003. The Rock Creek resident, now 65, manages...
Drought conditions impacting American food production
Over half of the contiguous U.S. is experiencing drought conditions, according to a report released July 9 by the National Weather Service. The report, addressing the period through this coming September, predicted many states will see these conditions persist, or worsen. Further government reports indicate that high temperatures...
Disaster designation saves Castlegar taxpayers considerable cost
City of Castlegar taxpayers can breathe a sigh of relief, as recent extreme weather has been, by the province, designated such that it allows the city to apply for funding for flood management and reparation costs. Overland flooding in Castlegar from June 22 to July 2 has been so designated, while an application has been...
UPDATE: July 17/18 floods have been included as qualifying events for flood relief funding
Finally, some good news for a region beseiged by calamitous weather events – the province’s Disaster Financial Assistance Program has designated overland flooding from June 3 to 12 and June 22 to July 2 as “qualifying events”, meaning home owners and small business owners may qualify for between $1,000 and $300,000 in relief funding to […]
Celgar sentenced for 2008 spill
On July 25, Zellstoff Celgar Limited Partnership was sentenced in B.C. Provincial court for depositing acutely lethal effluent into the Columbia River, and for other offences under the Environmental Management Act. The sentencing is the result of a conviction on February 16, 2012, following an eight-day trial. Zellstoff Celgar Limited Partnership was fined a total of […]
Increasing student employment opportunities, courtesy of CBT
The School Works Program pilot, which began its successful run in February, is being offered again this fall to Basin-based businesses and organizations. School Works provides an $8/hour wage subsidy to encourage small businesses and non-profit, First Nation and public sector organizations in the Basin to provide part-time employment for full-time high school and post-secondary […]
Calling all innovators, inventors, creatives and entrepreneurs: Nominations are open for the KAST Spirit of Innovation Awards
Have you developed a new or innovative product or service? Implemented an innovative process or system? Turned your idea into a new venture? Tell us all about it in your nomination for the Spirit of Innovation Awards. Join KAST in celebrating Regional Heroes of Innovation by nominating yourself, your company, or another,...
City speaks to residents as river levels set to rise and rain in forecast
The following is a press release issued by the City of Castlegar: The City of Castlegar wishes to inform the community that BC Hydro has advised the city that river levels are expected to rise by 1 to 2 feet by Sunday. City staff are closely monitoring the situation and at this point there are no life-safety issues. If any ...
Recycling program hits target
With recent celebrations during Canadian Environmental week, Tire Stewardship B.C. (TSBC) is proud to announce that it has reached a milestone of 60 million tires recycled in British Columbia as part of the province’s progressive environmental platform. TSBC is the not-for-profit society that in 2007 took responsibility for B.C.’s scrap tire recycling program, first introduced […]
