Between Dec. 14 and Jan. 4, hawk-eyed volunteers across the continent will brave various weather conditions to count birds during the annual Christmas Bird Count. On Dec 21st, birders and nature enthusiasts in Grand Forks will take part in this tradition, many rising before dawn to participate in the longest running wildlife...

EDITOR'S NOTE: Ten emaciated horses were siezed by the BC SPCA from Kevin LaFond's farm just outside of Grand Forks last week. Two of the horses were immediately destroyed. This is not the first time the SPCA has been called to this farm. I recently had a chance to see the CTV news clip explaining the SPCA intervention on...

My colleague Paul Dewar, our Foreign Affairs critic, recently wrote an article where he talks about Canada’s pattern of disengagement and withdrawal from the international community.  Paul mentions that our Minister of Foreign Affairs, John Baird likes to say that Canada will no longer “go along to get along” in reference to...

Recently we’ve been discussing how low river flows and high water use threaten fish and aquatic ecosystems in the Kettle River and tributaries. We are already considering options such as promoting water conservation, regulating water use in dry periods, and further curtailing fishing or harvesting in the river. But it turns...

The Black Jack Ski Club is delighted to be hosting a Haywood NorAm/Buff Sprints Race next weekend.   It is estimated that the event will bring in about 120 athletes, with a total of 400 people in town including coaches and families.  This is the top level of Cross Country skiing in North America and attracts skiers from the...

Since spring 2013, Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) has been engaging with Basin residents and organizations to help renew its water and environmental strategic plans. CBT is now asking for feedback on the culmination of that input—the draft 2014 – 2019 Environmental Strategic Plan. Once finalized, the plan will guide how CBT...

West Kootenay Traffic Services Cpl. John Ferguson has shed some light on last night's pedestrian fatality, and the causes thereof:   "We're pretty sure it's not a suicide," he said. "The physical evidence we can see (would indicate) that he was trying to wave the vehicle down for a ride, but was doing so in the middle of the...

With a municipal election cycle looming less than a year away (November 2014), city council checked in on one of its most publically-visible investments – namely the RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU). A specialized unit which the city agreed to help fund back in 2008, the CRU costs local taxpayers roughly $218,400 per year,...

Two renowned Canadian scientists will be speaking in Castlegar at 12 p.m. on Dec. 6 to answer questions and concerns regarding genetically engineered (GE, also called genetically modified or GM) foods and human health. As well, they will present at 7 p.m. at Nelson’s United Church. The Selkirk College Student Union (SCSU)...

Quesnel police are confirming news that a body discovered near Williams Lake was that of 59-year-old Susan Jane Durham, of Vernon, who went missing from Quesnel on Nov. 9. Const. Lesley Smith said Durham was thought to have departed her Quesnel hotel room that morning in her White Ford Explorer, and, “her family and friends...