A public open house Tuesday night to present the city’s 2017 budget and five-year financial plan only drew 17 attendees, other than senior city staff, mayor and council, but a lively discussion kept the meeting running until well after its scheduled end at 7 p.m. The bulk of the discussion and questions about the roughly-$29-million budget centred around waste management issues, as newly introduced programs have left some residents confused as to the new protocols.

A former West Kootenay police officer has started a movement which has spread throughout the country in protest of working conditions within the RCMP. Former Kaslo top cop Sgt. Chris Backus (now with the Sunshine Coast detachment), risked censure or even dismissal by approaching the media with a ‘yellow stripe campaign’ to ...

The Village of Salmo is seeking public input on the use, function, and infrastructure in Salmo’s two community parks – Lions Park and Knights of Pythias (KP) Park.  A survey form is available online and at the Village office and ideas and suggestions are due by May 15, 2017. The Village intends to use the input to shape parks...

The effects of provincial government policy are demoralizing for both people with disabilities and those who work within the income assistance system, says a new report released today for which people with disabilities and income assistance workers were surveyed.

A grassroots group of entrepreneurs and like-minded community individuals are working together to build an engaged network to support innovation and entrepreneurship in Castlegar and area. To kick this off, they are hosting a workshop with the goal of creating several working groups that will take on projects to achieve this...

VICTORIA– The writs have been issued for British Columbia’s 41st Provincial General Election. “Eligible voters can vote from now until the polls close on General Voting Day,” said Keith Archer, Chief Electoral Officer. “B.C. has the most accessible voting system in Canada, and we encourage all eligible voters to cast a ballot.”

Students at Selkirk College have become embroiled in a legal battle for the right to vote about their membership in a national student group, according to Selkirk College Students’ Union Director at-Large Santanna Hernandez. “Students submitted a valid petition for a referendum on membership in the Canadian Federation of...

City council is set to unveil its 2017 draft budget at a public open house on April 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Community Forum. The budget is only ‘proposed’ at this point, thus the purpose of the meeting is to garner public input and feedback before finalizing the document The budget includes a four-per-cent increase in...

The City of Trail is pleased to announce that Chris McIsaac, the City’s Utilities Superintendent, has been appointed the new Director of Public Works.  Chris will assume his role new immediately and will work directly with the current Manager of Public Works, Larry Abenante, until Larry retires in May after 21 years of service with the City.

While it still may not look very much like it in some corners, winter is releasing its grip on the West Kootenay. Snowfalls turning to rain showers, songbirds returning to the trees, and creeks swollen with runoff signal the return of spring to the region. And, along with the seasonal turns, every four years also brings with...