Region braces for slower economy in 2024 and faces similar challenges: chamber executive director
The other shoe is expected to drop this year for the provincial economy as slower economic growth is predicted but the West Kootenay region could still find its glass slipper. Like many jurisdictions in Canada, B.C. is experiencing the impacts of a slowing global economy and high interest rates, with the real gross domestic product […]
Winter Rescue Near Rossland
On Saturday, December 30, 2023, at 5:20 p.m., Trail and Greater District RCMP, Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue, BC EHS, and Rossland Search and Rescue responded to a report of a 41-year-old Rossland woman who had injured her knee near the Igloo Cabin, in the Rossland Range Recreation Site near Rossland. RCMP said the woman […]
EDITORIAL: SOS about crime?
A media release arrived in my inbox, to publicize the message of a coalition of communities and businesses urging government to take more effective action to reduce crime. The coalition calls itself “Save Our Streets” — SOS. Their message is a call “for all levels of government to coordinate their efforts and put an end […]
The Provincial government wants to hear about support for evacuees
The Province wants to hear from people about the supports available when they must evacuate their homes during a disaster. With the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires and floods due to climate change, the Province is revamping its approach to emergencies to ensure people and communities are receiving the supports they need. A part […]
Rossland Winter Carnival 2024: will we have (enough) snow?
Rossland Winter Carnival 2024 is fast approaching, with the event scheduled in Rossland January 26 – 28. The Rossland Winter Carnival Society Board of Directors have exciting news…. The Sonny Samuelson Bobsled Race is back! The Committee has had a busy off-season working hard to obtain event insurance so the Bobsled event can return, in […]
Interest rates, real estate price drops flatline and dip latest BC Assessment
Drooping real estate prices and high interest rates have pushed down the 2024 assessments for the West Kootenay region, meaning a smaller tax bill for some homeowners this year. When people throughout the region receive their 2024 assessment notices — which reflect market value as of July 1, 2023 by BC Assessment — this month […]
Subsidies offered to offset lifeguard shortage across RDCK
The regional district is floating an idea out to try and encourage more people to join the ranks of lifeguards and fitness instructors. In the wake of an ongoing and growing lifeguard shortage across the region, the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is offering a subsidized training opportunity, with courses to support the continued […]
Column: Resolutions for a better 2024?
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? Anyone resolve to help overthrow consumer capitalism? If we come together and resolve to do better for each other and the planet, we could find a better path. It would be easier if the gas, oil and coal industries and their supporters would resolve to clean up their […]
Grant Application Process for CBT ReDi Grants opens Jan. 3
Effective Jan. 3, 2024, the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) will accept grant applications for the Columbia Basin Trust Resident Directed Grants (ReDi). The program supports local projects that provide additional value to Basin communities. ReDi Grants are intended to be flexible and incorporate community-based funding decisions. Program funds are distributed annually to the […]
Housing assessments in region stabilize, with Rossland/Slocan seeing greatest increase
In the next few days, owners of nearly 500,000 properties throughout the Southern Interior can expect to receive their 2024 assessment notices, which reflect market value as of July 1, 2023. In Castlegar and Nelson, typical assessments went down by one per cent, whereas in Trail and Grand Forks, they went up by one percent. […]