On Sept. 5, 2026, shortly after 7 p.m., Castlegar RCMP were advised of a single motorcycle collision on Hwy 3 east of Castlegar, according to Sgt. Monty Taylor. He said first responders attended the scene and located a motorcycle with significant damage, along with the lone rider, a 62-year-old man, who had succumbed to his […]

Castlegar RCMP is seeking public assistance in locating Kimesha Clarke, who was reported missing on September 1, 2026 Kimesha Clarke was last seen on September 1, 2026, in the 1400 block of Columbia Avenue. Description of Kimesha Clarke: Black female 41 years 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) 122 lbs (55 kg) Dark grey wavy hair Brown […]

Question: A while ago you wrote about the test that new drivers have to take to get their licence. I took the practice test and there were at least two road signs in it that I had never seen before. I’m worried that there are other signs I wouldn’t recognize and wonder if there is a […]

To all my Kootenay neighbors.  We can’t just sit back wringing our hands and let the West Coast Pipeline happen.  The Premier of Alberta Danielle Smith may think it’s a great idea for our tax dollars to help keep fossil fuel companies in business.  She may think our coastline and its wildlife is not that […]

Dear editor, I’m writing this to you as I just took off my mask,  which I now must wear to do anything in my garden these days.  It has been more than 10 years of me dreading rather than welcoming summer.  Our community was impacted heavily by the 2024 Slocan Valley wildfires.  Our highway south […]

The Province of British Columbia is developing a new road safety strategy that is expected to guide road safety work through 2030. The strategy is scheduled for publication in late 2026. The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) has shared information about the engagement process, including a presentation outlining the proposed direction for the B.C. Road […]

With employment insurance funding provided by the Government of Canada under the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement, people in the Kootenays will have new opportunities to train for careers in the skilled trades through the Industry-Ready Carpentry Foundation project. The program will be delivered by Kootenay Career Development Society in partnership with Selkirk College. […]

Dear Editor, I am writing from indoors today because the wildfire smoke in the West Kootenays is once again at hazardous levels. Thousands across the province have been evacuated or are on alert. Hundreds of exhausted fire fighters continue to battle the flames in an attempt to save communities. Kids, adults and seniors are cloistered […]

Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests, has issued the following statement in response to the arrival of wildfire personnel from Mexico: “Supporting our neighbours and communities, showing hospitality to our partners and taking care of each other. These are the values that make me proud to be a British Columbian. “In our time of need, I […]

Dear Editor, I want to express my concerns regarding the proposed new West Coast Pipeline. Here is my letter to the editor: We are all impacted by wildfires. Climate change isn’t tomorrow’s crisis. It’s today’s rising insurance bills, cancelled harvests, smoky skies, sweeping floods, destructive fires and deadly heat waves. It’s checking the BC Wildfire […]