The Seniors Advocate, Isobel Mackenzie, has issued a report on some of the different patient outcomes between private-contractor care facilities for seniors, and facilities operated by a Health Authority.  The findings are compelling. The report explains that there are 293 publicly subsidized care facilities in BC, and that...

Temperatures in the Boundary are expected to continue into Wednesday before cooling a few degrees Environment Canada said. The 36 C heat has forced Environment Canada to continue a Heat Warning for the Boundary Region, at least into Wednesday. “A prolonged stretch of well above normal temperatures is continuing across the...

In 2007, Canada was one of four countries to vote against the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (with New Zealand, the United States and Australia). With its single-minded focus on making Canada an “energy superpower,” albeit only with fossil fuels, the Harper government feared the declaration’s concept of ...

The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is encouraging residents and property owners to participate in a free, professional FireSmart assessment of their home exterior and property. The FireSmart Home Partners program provides participants with specific actions they can take to help protect their homes from wildfire....

This week the crew is working on the Main water line, prepping the portion between 13th and approx. Sunlife Financial for curbs and sidewalks. The crew is trying to keep the dust down but with the temperature being so high it is virtually impossible to keep the road moist. If they drench it, then we run the risk of bigger...

Seventeen projects that aim to improve the lives of Columbia Basin residents by addressing social issues will soon be making a positive difference with nearly $965,000 in Social Grants from Columbia Basin Trust. “Through projects like these, the Trust is supporting the efforts of community organizations to help Basin residents...

A plea by one city councilor to heed “public concern” regarding allowing cannabis grow operations to set up in the city was ignored as the council moved ahead on third reading for a bylaw to regulate cannabis in Grand Forks. Beverley Tripp said the public meeting regarding the Zoning Bylaw amendment — which defined the zones...

Twenty-one local fire fighters as well as BC Wildfire Service responded to an interface fire at the end of Spance Road, off Casino Road, Sunday afternoon, according to Regional Fire Chief Dan Derby. Derby said the call came in at 3: 59 p.m. and crews were on scene at 4:17 p.m. the situation was contained by 9:25 p.m.  “Stations...

A blaze last night caused significant damage to a Robson home, according to Robson Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jeff Grant. “At approximately 10 p.m.  (on) July 29, RVFD received a call for fire and smoke showing at 1111 Zaitstoff Road,” he said. “RVFD arrived on scene to find a self-ventilated fire showing from approximately...

Last week I spent three days in Spokane at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region meetings.  Over 600 legislators, business people, and other interested folks from BC, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Yukon and Northwest Territories gathered to talk about issues important to this region....