Dear Editor, We are writing to ask your readers to help us make poverty an issue in this election campaign.  We know the Harper government has the needed funds to reduce poverty, but instead it has chosen to spend billions of our tax dollars for things like the G-8/G-20 Summits, reduced taxes for large corporations, fighter […]

Will the Vancouver Canucks become the 2011 Stanley Cup version of the Boston Bruins? Canucks fans will find out Tuesday at the Rogers Centre after Ben Smith scored on a rebound at 15:30 of overtime to power the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks to a 4-3 victory over Vancouver in game six of the […]

By Phil Larstone Water, water everywhere and plenty of drops to drink. It’s a mantra well known in the West Kootenays, but it isn’t one that is shared throughout the rest of the world. But if you enjoy the pure, refreshing water that happily flows from mountain to ocean, throughout our lives and into our […]

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. […]

A 19-year-old Castlegar man on probation for possession of child pronography will soon be facing new charges, according to Castlegar RCMP Sgt. Laurel Mathew. “On April 20, RCMP were conducting a check on this man (after) he was convicted of possessing child pornography in May 2010 … and was sent4enced to 14 days in jail and […]

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 […]