The Castlegar RCMP are seeking the assistance of the public in locating a unique custom piece of art (see attached photo) that was stolen from the yard of a Castlegar residence sometime between Nov. 24 and 26. In 2010, a local artist, Robert Hubert carved four mushrooms of various sizes out of a single tree […]

Whitewater/Red Mountain is off to the Final Four of the Powder Magazine in ‘Ski Town Throw Down’ contest. Whitewater/Red Mountain dispatched Colorado’s Crested Butte 3576-3263 in two days of voting that ended Thursday night. The West Kootenay duo, winners of the Backscratcher title, now advances to meet Sandpoint beginning Monday and running until Tuesday. During […]

by Suzy Hamilton, The Nelson Daily It’s not exactly a boom, but it’s better than last year. As of November, building permits in the Regional District of Central Kootenay have exceeded 2011 totals by nearly nine per cent. Last year, 772 building permits were issued and as of November 30, 835 building permits have been […]

As part of its annual general meeting, the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative held the last of its public consultations on the creation of a Department of Peace. The meeting which took place at St. Paul University in Ottawa featured a panel of five commissioners and interventions from the public.  (It was especially...

In anticipation of heavy volumes at area Emergency Departments over the holiday season, Interior Health is reminding the public to take a few simple steps to avoid unnecessary trips to the hospital. For non-urgent care during office hours, call your family doctor or the doctor on call for the practice or clinic. Consider going...

Starting Jan. 1, 2013, FortisBC residential electricity customers will see a 4.2 per cent increase on their electricity bills from the recent BC Utilities Commission revenue requirements decision, along with a 2.3 per cent increase from rate rebalancing. The cumulative rate adjustment for residential customers will mean an increase of 6.6 per cent. For the […]

A Trail man is dead after a collision last night on Highway 22 between Castlegar and Trail, in the Birchbank area. West Kootenay Traffic Services Cpl. John Ferguson said 53-year-old Franklin Murray Kotyk was heading northbound toward Castlegar when his 2000 Ford SUV crossed the centre line and hit an oncoming 1990 Chevy pickup. Kotyk […]

Rotating job action, with lab workers slated to reduce to essential levels Monday, has been cancelled. Interior Health issued a brief release Monday, indicating services will remain at normal levels. “Interior Health has just received notification that the job action planned for this week by the Health Sciences Professional Bargaining Association (HSPBA) has been withdrawn,” […]

Mid-season form? It’s a description media liaisons rarely use at the start of ski seasons. However, this season is totally different for Whitewater Ski Mountain. The resort, identified by Powder Magazine as “one of the best powder mountains on the continent” opened for the 2012-13 season with a 200 centimeter base — the best since […]

As more and more hikers, skiers and snowmobilers venture into the backcountry of B.C., it’s important to remember to play safe and be prepared. So the movers and shakers in the province urge backcountry enthusiasts to learn more about the necessary outdoor safety tools and techniques that could spare a life. Outdoor adventurers can help […]