Yesterday’s release of more US diplomatic cables by Wikileaks covered pressure on governments, Spain’s judiciary, and buying foreign assistance with detentions at Guantanamo Bay. El Pais, one of five mainstream papers partnering with Wikileaks’ release of documents, examined key output from Madrid’s US embassy.   The latest cables focus on US–Spain relations, particularly during the George W. Bush presidency, with Eduardo Aguirre serving as ambassador in […]

The massive Biotech lobby has spent nine months and hundreds of thousands of dollars fighting against New Democrat Agriculture Critic Alex Atamanenko’s seed bill.   “The amount of muscle flexing by big biotech against my simple bill has just been over the top,” said Atamanenko. “I am amazed that over 40 industry lobbyists – hired by […]

By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily Kootenay Lake School District has a lower secondary school completion rate than the provincial average, according to figures released Tuesday by the Ministry of Education. School District No. 8 had a secondary school completion rate amongst boys, girls, aboriginal and English as a second language (ESL) students of 74 […]

Wildlife habitat and old growth management have forced the Province to reduce the allowable annual cut for Tree Farm Licence 23 west of Valhalla Provincial Park by over 53,000 cubic metres, said deputy chief forester Melanie Boyce Tuesday. The previous allowable annual cut for the licence, held by International Forest Products Ltd., was 680,000 cubic […]

 Wikileaks‘ website is reportedly under attack as it prepares to release up to 2.7 million documents, described as “diplomatic dynamite”, detailing communication between United States embassies. “We are currently under a mass distributed denial of service attack,” the organisation said on its Twitter feed. The website, run by Julian Assange, retaliated by saying that even if their website goes down, several […]

It’s a time-honoured tradition with a twist. Along with the usual fund-raising activities at Beaks, there is a new way to raise money that benefits the environment as well. Beaks is tackling the growing problem of electronic waste and literally turning trash into cash. Beaks is joining Think Recycle, a program which gathers used print […]

Although there have been no reports of avalanches in the region, not many people are out in the backcountry due to the cold temperatures and the uncertainty of the slopes. The extreme cold temperatures are a significant mountain hazard at present, says the Canadian Avalanche Centre. They advise “wrapping” up warm and to be prepared […]

The West Kootenay 4-H Community Club will get things kicked off for the 2011 year, starting in January, for youth of ages nine to19 years old who are interested in food and agriculture. Sonja Seher will be hosting an information session on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Selkirk College Castlegar Campus for anyone interested...

The Supreme Court of B.C. has found in favour of the City of Castlegar after owners of the City Centre Motel downtown requested a judicial review of city council’s decision to order the structure demolished. In the judgment, rendered Nov. 19, the Honourable Madam Justice Lynn Smith said, “I do not find the City to […]

The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands’ continued refusal to disclose sea lice infestation data could set a dangerous precedent for future public information requests, environmental groups argue in a submission filed today to B.C.’s information commissioner. In March 2010, after six years of drawn-out proceedings, the commissioner ruled that the ministry could not conceal 2002-03 fish […]