OP/ED Rant: An open letter to Chief Civilian Director of the IIO, one Ronald J. MacDonald
Thank you, Ms . Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Dear Ronald J. MacDonald: How do I loathe thee? You’d better believe I’m about to count the ways. I loathe thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach … and here’s why. First off, in the same fairness I showed Const. Tait, I want to be clear to my readers that I have...
An open letter to Const. Jason Tait, on the heartbreak of eight seconds
I have agonized for days – in fact, years – over what and how to write in this situation. I am unspeakably angry with the IIO for torturing you like this, and with the provincial government for creating such a body, then ignoring what damage they do, thus brutalizing the public servants we so fundamentally need. Not to mention...
Letter: Community tackles climate change concerns at gallery's 'Snow Longer' event
To the Editor, The Kootenay Gallery of Art hosted an event called Snow Longer to coincide with two exhibitions that have been on in the Gallery since March 2. Both the exhibitions and event talk about climate change. Thanks to everyone who helped out at Snow Longer, including Laura Sacks of the Citizens Climate Lobby, Erin ...
Four people jailed after Fruitvale crime spree
Acrime spree that began yesterday in Fruitvale ended in Creston this morning, according to Trail top cop, RCMP Sgt. Darren Oelke. "On April 3, at 12:54 p..m., the RCMP were called to a robbery at a local hotel room in Fruitvale," Oelke said. "Police determined that a group of four individuals robbed a local man of his vehicle...
RDKB offers insight into homelessness and addiction with screening of US AND THEM at the Royal Theatre
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary East End Services Committee is sponsoring a screening of the documentary US AND THEM to bring attention to the issues of homelessness and addiction. The screening is at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 7 at the Royal Theatre in Trail. The RDKB is joining US AND THEM's national efforts to ...
BREAKING: Castlegar cop to face manslaughter charges in connection to shooting
The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced today that a charge of manslaughter using a firearm has been approved against a member of the West Kootenay Traffic Unit of the RCMP in relation to a shooting which occurred during an attempted traffic stop near Castlegar on January 29, 2015. (For details, see...
Cops cleared in Slocan fatal shooting after more-than-three-year investigation
In a 12-page report issued March 29, the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) has exonerated two police officers in the shooting death of 45-year-old Slocan man Peter DeGroot. The report, issued by Chief Civilian Director Ronald J. MacDonald, comes more than three years after the fatal altercation. “While it is unfortunate...
Fire Centre says this winter had the most snow in over 20 years
This winter saw record-breaking snowfall in Castlegar, according to Fire Weather Forecaster Jesse Ellis. “As of the end of March, a total of 309 cm of snow fell this winter,” Ellis said. “This is the most that has been seen in the area since the winter of 1996/97 (450cm), and is the fifth greatest amount on record (490.5 in...
Robson fire fighters fill the boot with $7,400 for Muscular Dystrophy Canada
On March 24, Robson Fire Fighters held out their boots in support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada. The bar was set high from last year at $7,309 and the community of Robson and area stepped up at Johnny’s Grocery and Gas on Broadwater Road and raised $7,400! To show their support for people with neuromuscular disorders, Robson...
LETTER: How to create conversation rather than conflict in our community?
By coincidence, we both arrived in Castlegar around the same time (nearly four years ago for Greg and three years for Elizabeth). We've both noticed that when friends from elsewhere ask us about Castlegar we generally respond with something like, "I love it here!” And recently we've both noticed that public dialogue in the ...
