Forget hope that the BC Hydro rate increase would be overturned, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) recently approved an interim rate increase of eight per cent, effective May 1. For the average residential BC Hydro customer, this would amount to a bill increase of about $6 per month, albeit until the final decision comes […]

Castlegar homeowners may be happy to hear that, although tax rates have increased, the average homeowner will actually be paying less this year, according to a report received by council at its regular meeting last Monday.   Director of financial services Andre Buss told council that, although tax rates have increased for residential rate payers, […]

A portion of Highway 3 through the Blueberry-Paulson Pass will be resurfaced this year, improving the safety of the highway for travellers and commercial vehicles. Selkirk Paving has been awarded a $2.65-million contract to resurface approximately 11 km of Highway 3, from the Paulson brake check to the Sheep Creek rest area....

Residents in the West Kootenay will now find it even easier to access government services with the official opening of a brand-new FrontCounter BC office in Castlegar. FrontCounter BC is a single-window service for clients of the natural resource sector. FrontCounter BC was created in 2005 with eight locations, a dedicated call centre and online […]

By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily For those about to surf, we salute you. Cyber-surfing that is, as a new study is showing more Canadians are finding the Internet is their best bet when looking for a source of news. However, for those looking to cash in on the online dash, they had better offer […]

By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily Some of the problems inherent in the West Kootenay region’s main airport will be tackled by a new board created to oversee its operation, says the mayor of Castlegar. Lawrence Chernoff told the board of directors of the Regional District of Central Kootenay recently the West Kootenay Regional Airport […]

Some key dates for the HST referendum were announced Friday. • Monday, June 13 – Elections BC starts mailing out referendum ballots for the HST to all registered voters. • Friday, June 24 – Majority of British Columbians have received the ballot. • Friday, July 8 – Last day for unregistered voters to request a […]

Local consumers now have a chance to recognize their favourite Castlegar businesses, as the Chamber of Commerce rolls out their annual Business Excellence Awards … with a couple of exciting new twists this year.  First of all, folks can now cast their votes online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/P9G9X5J between April 1 and...

By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily There is expected to be a 40 per cent increase in the demand for electricity in BC over the next 20 years, according to BC Hydro, and the Crown corporation is in the process of drafting a 20-year plan to meet those needs. Public input on the Integrated Resource […]

Ed Note: the folllowing is a press release issued by the United Steelworkers Union.The United Steelworkers Locals 9705 and 1-405 and Kootenay Savings Credit Union are pleased to announce they have ratied the agreement reached on the renewal of their collective agreement, which expired on Dec. 31, 2010, for their unionized...