Drivers note: Work to begin on Paulson Bridge
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has announced that deck resurfacing and other rehabilitation work will begin next week on the Paulson Bridge, providing a safer and more reliable structure and approaches for people travelling along Highway 3. "Keeping people and goods moving safely and efficiently in all...
West Kootenay Minor Lacrosse Expanding to Lower Columbia Communities
By Suzanne Belanger Dust off the nets, lacrosse season is underway! The West Kootenay Minor Lacrosse Association will continue to host a practice group in Rossland in 2019, if there is enough player interest. First practice in Rossland Arena! The Rossland Arena echoed with laughter and bouncing balls on Monday, as the West...
Column -- From the Hill: Taxpayers and Abandoned Wells
The BC Oil and Gas Commission recently revealed some concerning figures about abandoned oil and gas wells in British Columbia. In one example, Ranch Energy recently declared bankruptcy, leaving up to 500 abandoned wells in care of the Commission. Much of the cost to clean up those sites will likely fall on the shoulders of […]
Column: Relief from Spring Allergies
The sun is shining, snow is melting and the birds are singing again. This is one of my favourite times of the year, however for a lot of patients the melting snow and pollen means a season of sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose. The common term for seasonal allergies is ‘hayfever’ and the medical term is ‘seasonal allergic...
Communities Rally for Better Forest Management Across BC
The Boundary City has been listed as one of the sites where people across the province will join hands Saturday morning (April 6) at 10 a.m. to march in support of changing current forest management rules. Marches are being held in Peachland, Port Alberni, Cowichan, Nanaimo, Vernon, Kelowna, Kimberly, Johnsons Landing, Salt...
Snow pack levels just below normal for West Kootenay; below normal in Boundary
Despite a seemingly low amount of snow this winter the backcountry snowpack levels should alleviate concerns of an overly hot and dry summer in the West Kootenay. The snow pack in the West Kootenay region on average is right on track, sitting at around 90 per cent of normal. However, the Boundary region is around 36 per cent...
Castlegar gets grant for solar project
The City of Castlegar has received a $65,000 grant from the Columbia Basin Trust that will help the community move toward energy efficiency and self-reliant community energy generation objectives contained in its Official Community Plan. The grant will enable completion of a $100,000 project to place solar panels on the roof...
A Second Search Dog in Training for Rossland SAR
Rossland SAR member Murray Watt and his dog Alla have been accepted into “In Training” status. Completing the training and getting certified as a search dog by the RCMP can take up to two years. Not just any dog can be trained to join a SAR group. First, the dog’s person –...
Three men lucky to escape Syringa-area crash with their lives
Three young men are extremely lucky to be alive today after an MVI about two-and-a-half km up Deer Park Forest Service Road yesterday. Castlegar top cop RCMP Sgt. Darren Oelke said a 25-year-old Castlegar man was showing his two Surrey friends, 20 and 21 years old, the area Sunday afternoon. “The truck was at the highest part...
BC RCMP announce new Police Cat Services
BC RCMP are clawing their way through crime by proudly introducing a new tool in law enforcement, Police Cat Services. Frontline officers throughout the Province who have been volunteered for the pilot project will be assigned their police cats over the next few months. Each Police Cat handler will also be given a Cat carrying...