“Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.” — Desiderata Come mothers and fathers Throughout the land And don’t criticize What you can’t understand Your sons and your daughters Are beyond your command Your old road is rapidly agin’ — Please get out of the new one If you can’t […]

B.C.’s independent Human Rights Commissioner is expressing serious concerns about recently released General Guidance for Physicians on Treatment of Children and Youth with Substance Use Disorders Under the Mental Health Act(opens in a new window). Commissioner Kasari Govender is concerned the guidance runs contrary to the government’s human rights obligations by ignoring important evidence on the ineffectiveness of involuntary […]

New business and tourism programs at Selkirk College will put learners at the centre of hands-on, real-world training that builds practical skills, meaningful experience and powerful industry connections. The Entrepreneurship Program and Tourism and Destination Management Program will help bring the college’s new strategic plan to life. The plan, Land, Learning & Legacy: Our Path to 2040, emphasizes […]

Council received the City’s Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP) Stage 1 Report for consideration at the December 1, 2025, meeting. With Council’s support to move the report forward, it will now proceed to the December 17, 2025, Regular Council Meeting for formal adoption before being submitted to the BC Ministry of Environment and Parks. A […]

The members of Columbia Valley Credit Union (CVCU) have voted in favour of a merger with Kootenay Savings Credit Union (KSCU), expanding the impact credit unions have on individuals, families, and businesses in Golden and the Columbia Valley. “Uniting our credit unions under the Kootenay Savings banner is an important milestone for our members, employees, […]

KERPA is celebrating a huge moment for rural critical emergency care in the Kootenays as a new doctor achieves training to join emergency physician response team. After 440+ hours of rigorous training — including 300+ hours of one-on-one in-car mentoring under direct physician supervision, countless high-fidelity simulations, advanced airway labs, advanced life support and trauma […]

2026 Budget Process The City of Castlegar has officially launched its 2026 budget process. This is a vital step in planning how public funds will be allocated to support essential services, infrastructure, and community programs and ensuring the City’s priorities align with community needs. How the Budget Process Works The City’s annual budget process includes […]

Ed. Note: the author of this letter has asked to remain anonymous, which is not our usual policy. Howerver, they have disclosed their identity/address/rationale for requesting privacy with this editor, and I am satisfied both that they are who they say they are and that their reason for wanting anonymity is 100 per cent valid. […]

According to preliminary data, 150 people died in October 2025 due to unregulated drug toxicity, as reported by the BC Coroners Service. The number of unregulated drug deaths in October equates to about 4.8 deaths per day. In 2025, deaths among those between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 70% of drug-toxicity deaths […]

‘I read fiction for the story, and find a novel at its best when it’s pure storytelling. Not to say that I don’t care about politics, but that I can get my fill of current thought through non-fiction books, podcasts, radio shows, and all the rest.’  — Tara Thorne Burns ‘I may forget what this […]