Bears will not be shot: Minister of Environment; and the Bear Dude talks
For 3,794 people who are linked into the ‘Help save the B.C. Black bears’ Facebook site, and Allen Piche, the man responsible for feeding them, word that the bears at Christina Lake are not facing imminent destruction will be a relief. Barry Penner, Minister of the Environment for B.C., said the suspects who were feeding […]
Tips to support scholastic success
It's that time of year again, and back-to-school can be made more enjoyable if you help set your kids up for success. Here are some tips for a productive school year: Advice for all parents: * Be interested in what your children are learning. Help relate what they are learning to the real world; * Stay involved. Be sure...
OP/ED: MLA supports Waneta project but pans province's structure
Word that the Waneta Expansion Project will go ahead is great news for residents of the Kootenays, providing many jobs and a boost to the local economy, but the B.C. Liberals made a bad deal for the long-term health of the region, say New Democrats. “I’ve been saying for a long time that this project […]
OP/ED: The Element defended after Saturday's brawl
When Florio Vassilakakis of the Element Night Club called me, upset about a story we ran (Brawl involves 40 to 50 people outside Element Saturday night), my initial response was deep annoyance. Oh God, I thought, Another prima donna businessman cheesed off at me for doing my job – not because my coverage was […]
Names released on assault case in Castlegar
Charges of aggravated assault have now been laid against Bruce Lajeunesse, 41, for striking his 24-year-old brother in the head with a large axe-like instrument. The victim, who suffered two serious skull fractures, is at this point expected to recover. He remains in hospital at this time. Lajeunesse remains in custody...
Kootenay/Boundary not the only locale for nutty wildlife stories: Drunken man surprised crocodile bit him
A 36 year-old man is recovering from surgery after his leg was seriously injured as a result of a bite from a five metre long crocodile named 'Fatso.' Michal Newman, who was intoxicated, climbed into its pen, claiming he wanted to play with it. Newman is now in Broome Hospital, Western Australia after his skirmish with the ...
Waneta expansion project finally to move forward
Columbia Power Corporation (CPC) and Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) have reached an agreement in principle with Fortis Inc. (Fortis) to further the advancement of the Waneta Expansion Project. “As the only government MLA for the Kootenays, it is important to me that this project proceeds. The project brings approximately 400 jobs and $200 million in […]
RCMP: Another seizure of dynamite at a grow op in Boundary
The Boundary is now the dynamite capital of Southern B.C. as local RCMP, looking for a grow op, came across the second house in a week loaded with firearms and explosives. On Sunday Aug. 22, the Grand Forks RCMP executed a search warrant at a residence on Dupee Road, outside of Christina Lake. Police located 113 plants, inside of […]
Unusual police beat files continue with "attempted murder" in Castlegar
A series of truly bizarre stories released by local RCMP continues with an “attempted murder” situation Aug. 19 in Castlegar. This, after a week of stories including one in which bears were thought to be guarding a million-dollar grow op near Christina Lake, another in Greenwood that saw a man with an explosive arsenal amassed...
Fire Chief hot under the collar after repeated careless blazes
A public safety situation is getting Castlegar's normally-mild-mannered fire chief a little hot under the collar. Chief Gerry Rempel said the fire department has been dealing with a recent rash of abandoned camp fires – five just in the eight-day period between Aug. 15 and 23. “It's a real problem – and it's odd that we're...
