Question: A while ago you wrote about the test that new drivers have to take to get their licence. I took the practice test and there were at least two road signs in it that I had never seen before. I’m worried that there are other signs I wouldn’t recognize and wonder if there is a […]

Premier’s statement on declaration of state of provincial emergency Minister Greene has declared a state of provincial emergency due to the wildfires in the South Okanagan. Our immediate priority is protecting lives and supporting rescue efforts. Our thoughts are with every person, family and community affected by this wildfire. Wildfires are occurring across the province […]

To all my Kootenay neighbors.  We can’t just sit back wringing our hands and let the West Coast Pipeline happen.  The Premier of Alberta Danielle Smith may think it’s a great idea for our tax dollars to help keep fossil fuel companies in business.  She may think our coastline and its wildlife is not that […]

The Health Care Needs Home Care campaign welcomes the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services’ recommendation that B.C. “invest strategically to support seniors to age at home safely” by expanding publicly subsidized home support and advancing a cross-ministry home health model. The recommendation is an important recognition that supporting seniors at home is both what people […]

Dear editor, I’m writing this to you as I just took off my mask,  which I now must wear to do anything in my garden these days.  It has been more than 10 years of me dreading rather than welcoming summer.  Our community was impacted heavily by the 2024 Slocan Valley wildfires.  Our highway south […]

The Province of British Columbia is developing a new road safety strategy that is expected to guide road safety work through 2030. The strategy is scheduled for publication in late 2026. The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) has shared information about the engagement process, including a presentation outlining the proposed direction for the B.C. Road […]

With employment insurance funding provided by the Government of Canada under the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement, people in the Kootenays will have new opportunities to train for careers in the skilled trades through the Industry-Ready Carpentry Foundation project. The program will be delivered by Kootenay Career Development Society in partnership with Selkirk College. […]

Into the Trees Music Festival has released its full lineup, inviting festivalgoers to spend three nights this Labour Day weekend under string lights in the forested grove behind the Ram's Head Hotel in Rossland. Early-bird passes are already sold out, and only a handful of weekend passes remain for the intimate festival, running Sept. 4 […]

Premier David Eby has issued the following statement on the declaration of a state of provincial emergency in B.C.: “British Columbians are waking up today to devastating news from the South Okanagan. “Since first reported early yesterday evening, the Bald Range wildfire has grown rapidly as winds intensified, pushing into the Summerland area and affecting communities […]

Effective at noon (Pacific time) on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, the operation of any off-road vehicle for recreational purposes on Crown land is temporarily prohibited throughout Kamloops Fire Centre and Southeast Fire Centre, as well as parts of the Cariboo Fire Centre and Coastal Fire Centre. During this period of extreme and unpredictable fire activity, the […]