Millions needed to repair infrastructure: Grand Forks
$36.8 million is needed for fire safety, sewer lines, water pipes and wells in Grand Forks over the next few years, residents heard last week. At a public meeting to see if locals are ready to foot the bill for the needed repairs, city council presented an engineering report by Kerr Wood Leidel Associates about […]
Harper government adopts NDP 'Poppy' plan
The government has finally listened to the Royal Canadian Legion and Canada’s New Democrats and will remove the sales tax from the purchase of poppies and wreaths for the Legion’s annual poppy campaign. When the Harmonized Sales Tax was implemented in Ontario and B.C. this summer, the production of poppies fell under the new tax system […]
BC sees largest salmon run in a century: 34 million strong
Bill Chappell, National Public Radio Sockeye salmon are making their run up the Fraser River in numbers not seen since 1913. More than 34 million salmon are reportedly in the BC river system, befuddling scientists who last year tallied less than two million fish. The BBC has an interactive report on the run — and […]
QUNFUZ: Things that happened while I was there
Editor's note: the following is a list of things that took place during the author's trip to Palestine a couple of weeks ago.A large demonstration was held in central Nablus calling for the release of the thousands of prisoners held in the Israeli gulag.Israeli forces shelled Gaza.The Palestinian Authority arrested 53 men in...
Climate change impacts on mountain plant life
David A Gabel, Environmental News Network Mountains are great places to go to see nature in its most pristine state. The mountains of the northwestern United States are particularly beautiful because they are home to outstanding trees and vegetation. According to a new study, that mountain vegetation has been significantly impacted by climate change in […]
"My father is Li Gang" goes viral in China
“My Father is Li Gang!” has become the most popular catchphrase in the Chinese Internet in the past few days. First of all, you may ask, who is Li Gang? Li Gang is the deputy director of the police department in the northern district of Baoding city, Hebei province.On October 16, a car accident took place in Hebei University,...
Mexico's Lerma River is Dying
By Andrea Arzaba The Lerma Santiago River (commonly known as “Rio Lerma”) is Mexico’s second longest river. At the same time, it used to be a source of drinking water for the capital and the central part of the country. During the 17th and 18th centuries, large haciendas were established along this river. Unfortunately, today...
For Greens, going green means growing...greens
BC Hydro estimates that they lose over $100 million annually to power stolen for grow ops. Hydro says it thinks smart meters can reduce the theft.“I’m always surprised when the BC Liberal government and a government utility like BC Hydro can’t see the obvious,” said Green Party of BC Leader Jane Sterk. “Not only does prohibition...
Giant Hogweed: it’s nasty and it’s here…
Gardeners may be unwittingly spreading invasive plants throughout the Kootenays. Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), an invasive plant that can be extremely harmful to people, has recently been discovered in the New Denver area. The Central Kootenay Invasive Plant Committee (CKIPC) has worked collaboratively with the Invasive Plant Council of BC local Hot Spots team […]
Don't give Canada a Security Council seat
Stephen Harper's hypocritical performance at the United Nations, in aid of winning a seat for Canada on the Security Council, should be enough by itself for Canadians to rise up in unison and say we don't deserve it. Both the NDP and Liberals have said that the seat is for Canada, not for the Conservatives, and that...
