A 22-year-old Castlegar resident is facing a laundry list of charges after attempting to rob a local drug store while brandishing a hammer. Castlegar RCMP Cpl. Darryl Orr said police were called at 12:20 p.m. to Paragon Pharmacy (just off Columbia Avenue near McDonald’s), where staff said the male suspect, wearing a balaclava,...

Castlegar city council voted unanimously, at their regular meeting Monday night, in favour of a development permit variance that essentially kills two birds with one stone. It could be argued that opportunities don’t often come along to further both economic and social sector goals, but this situation clearly fit the bill, ...

The B.C. Teachers Federation refuses to take the harsh realities of Bill 22 sitting down. And using one of its only bargaining tools, the 41,000-member federation will vote on the withdrawal of extracurricular activities in April. “This government has repeatedly demonstrated such profound disrespect for the work we do that members felt they had to […]

It’s a decision that took more than 20 years to make, but despite the B.C. Government giving approval to Jumbo Glacier Resort Master Development, the fight no doubt will go on for another two decades. "After more than 20 years of comprehensive and exhaustive reviews, it was time to make a decision,” said Steve Thomson, Minister...

The BC Liberals’ announcement that they have approved the development of a resort in the Jumbo Valley is both surprising and a devastating blow to the area, says Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy. “People in Kootenay West have written and e-mailed me to say they strongly disagree with building a resort in the Jumbo Valley,” […]

Toilet paper supplies in Trenton, the capital of the US state of New Jersey, may run out by week's end following their city council's dispute over budgets. The council has declined to sign a contract for paper products worth $42,573 after falling out over a $4,000 charge for paper cups. Lauren Ira, a spokeswoman for Mayor...

There are so many factors that NDP members have to look at when choosing who to vote for in their leadership race that I don’t envy them (I am not a member). How do you weigh the various elements: policies, philosophy, engaging personality, ability to take on Stephen Harper in the House, co-operation with the Liberals, and ...

A meeting between Castlegar representatives and BC Health Minister Mike de Jong is creating conflict between Castlegar and Trail city councillors. Castlegar councillors Kevin Chernoff and Russ Hearne, along with city manager John Malcolm, met with de Jong March 1 to discuss a variety of issues – including the possibility of a new regional hospital. […]

The B.C. legislature made it official, passing back-to-work legislation that  temporarily ends a contract dispute with the province’s 41,000 teachers. The new law will impose a six-month cooling-off period, ban strike action and see to the appointment of a mediator to try to work out a new contract. Although the mediator must stick to the […]

Alex Atamanenko, MP for BC Southern Interior, is all set to welcome constituents to a series of public forums he has organized with others throughout the riding on the topic of Food Sovereignty. “I couldn’t be more pleased that Colleen Ross, Vice President of Policy for the National Farmers Union (NFU) has offered to share […]