Forget hope that the BC Hydro rate increase would be overturned, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) recently approved an interim rate increase of eight per cent, effective May 1. For the average residential BC Hydro customer, this would amount to a bill increase of about $6 per month, albeit until the final decision comes […]

Nelson, Castlegar and the Kootenay region will be part of the province-wide call for suggestions on how the HST can be improved when a “tele-town hall” takes place this Thursday. Running for one hour starting at 6:30 p.m., Minister of Finance Kevin Falcon and Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Blair Lekstrom will engage the West […]

Social issues will be in the spotlight on Friday, April 29 at the Anglican Church when the Social Planning Action Network Society (SPAN) provides the public a unique opportunity to engage federal candidates. The “reverse forum” will give the public the chance to speak while candidates listen on key topics such as mental health, poverty, […]

Castlegar homeowners may be happy to hear that, although tax rates have increased, the average homeowner will actually be paying less this year, according to a report received by council at its regular meeting last Monday.   Director of financial services Andre Buss told council that, although tax rates have increased for residential rate payers, […]

 How do you cut $1.2 million out of a School District’s annual budget while having as little effect on the students’ learning experience as possible? The board of SD20 grappled with that question Monday evening as they continued their budgeting process.   In mid-March the school board received its funding notice from the provincial government. […]

By Carrie Voysey Honorary diploma awards were handed out by Selkirk College Tuesday and one will be going to the city’s top politician and another to one of its favourite sons. Mayor John Dooley received an Honorary Diploma in Liberal Arts and Sciences in recognition of his consistent support for and collaboration with Selkirk College. […]

With City-ordered work on the City Centre Motel not even complete, Castlegar officials are having to undertake remedial action on a second, unrelated property. Council voted, at its regular meeting Monday night, to proceed with remedial action in regard to 3626 14th Ave. “It’s several acres in the Emerald Green subdivision, right next to Grandview […]

After a decade of corporate tax cuts, the benefits to Canada’s largest corporations are clear but the job creation payoff for Canadians hasn’t materialized, says a study released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA). The study, by CCPA Research Associate David Macdonald, tracked 198 of the 245 companies on the S&P/TSX composite […]

The Selkirk College Board of Governors is pleased to announce the 2011 recipients of the annual Honorary Diploma, Distinguished Educator and Distinguished Alumni Board awards. “It is with great pleasure and admiration that we recognize these four worthy individuals,” says Vice-Chair of Selkirk’s Board of Governors, Bruce Morrison. An Honorary Diploma in Human Services was […]

 The operators of the stricken Fukushima I nuclear power plant in northeast Japan have been ordered to pay compensation to families affected by the ongoing crisisat the site, amid calls for the resignation of the Japanese prime minister over how he is handling the crisis, which has now been designated on par with the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. Japanese officials ordered TEPCO to pay ¥1 million (US$12 thousand, £7.35 thousand) to […]