Can BC Go GE Free? Groups Rally as Union of BC Municipalities set to vote on Sept 18/19 at AGM
Thousands of people across the province who are concerned about genetically engineered (GE, also often called GM or genetically modified) foods and crops are rallying to support a resolution calling for a GE Free BC that will be debated at the Vancouver AGM of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).“This is a monumental...
COMMENT: Government has bad case of cold feet on local election rules
Whales have shorter gestation periods. For the third time since the Local Government Elections Task Force tabled its report, the B.C. government has been stricken with a case of cold feet. In 2010, the task force made 31 recommendations to improve local democracy, including: setting campaign spending limits for candidates; ...
Vancouver Aquarium successfully rehabilitates and releases first harbour porpoise
After more than five months of veterinary treatment at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, Levi, a rescued harbour porpoise, was carefully lowered into the waters of Saanich Inlet this morning, before gently pumping his tail fluke and gracefully gliding away. He is the first cetacean (i.e., porpoise, dolphin...
Police step up enforcement of distracted drivers throughout September
The B.C. government, ICBC and police launched a month-long distracted driving campaign using a driving simulator to demonstrate the impact of distractions behind the wheel. Distracted driving is the third leading cause of fatal car crashes in B.C., trailing behind speed and impaired driving. On average, 91 people are killed each year in B.C. […]
UPDATED: Both prison escapees now in custody
Update: The West Shore RCMP wishes to advise that the second escapee from William Head Federal Correctional Facility, Dean Allen Benton, was located and taken into custody without incident at 10 a.m. Sept. 8. An officer on routine patrol located him in the 2000 block of Sooke Road in Colwood near the Hatley Park Memorial Park....
Police impersonator, times three, in Chase
A want-to-be police officer is making the rounds in Chase, RCMP reported Thursday. Chase RCMP has confirmed that a third incident of a police impersonator occurred on (Friday) August 30 in the North Shuswap area. A vehicle of similar description to the two previous and recent similar incidents is suspect again. The Chase RCMP received […]
COMMENT: Father Knows Best
A single parent of two boys recently went public in a letter to the editor (Terrace Standard) with a detailed outline of the harsh financial reality facing her due to difficulties in collecting maintenance payments the boys’ father has been ordered to pay. Her reality is not unheard of, and the defaulting parent is not a...
Webinars available to help spur economic development in BC communities
The BC government is rolling out three new webinars which will help residents learn about strategies, tools and resources available to help them to spur economic development in their communities. Building on the success of 15 previously offered ‘Economic Development Essentials for Local Leaders’ workshops, three free webinars are scheduled for September and October: Thursday, […]
Residents near Tulameen River dealing with spill
Rick Taylor, The Nelson Daily Residents of Coalmont, a small mining town northwest of Princeton, recently noticed there was something very wrong with the Tulameen River. The water had turned black as coal. Keith Meldrum, spokesman for the Coalmont Energy Corp later confirmed that a tailings pond spill occurred on (Saturday) August 24. Coalmont Energy […]
BC Education Minister speaks to back-to-school
This week more than half a million B.C. children are back in the classroom to continue their education journeys. While our youngest students are experiencing their very first day of school and Grade 12s are looking forward to the next phase in their lives, the first week back is a special time when everyone shares in the...