Colonial rule raises its ugly head again. The failure of the US government to continue to operate is yet another example of how screwed up our colonial style governments really are: While we have democratic elections, we do not have democratic governments. Our politicians do not want democracy and arrogantly insist on forming...

Grand Forks city councillor Gary Smith is hoping for high energy savings after taking part in the Kootenay Energy Diet earlier this summer. A certified energy auditor came to his home in July to check for leaks and find out where he was losing the most energy. Smith said the process was quick and interesting. After the...

The Arrow Lakes Power Corporation (ALPC), a subsidiary of Columbia Power and Columbia Basin Trust, has signed another five-year funding agreement with the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) for the Arrow Lakes Reservoir Nutrient Restoration Program. ALPC will contribute one quarter – or an estimated total of $1.25...

The month of September was the tale of two different weather patterns for the West Kootenay according to Ron Lakeman meteorologist at the Southeast Fire Centre in Castlegar. The past few weeks is remains the nightmare West Kootenay residents, used to experiencing an Indian Summer, would like to forget. Lakeman said the last...

Castlegar, Nelson and Grand Forks residents are being asked to participate in Pay it Forward Day on Friday, Oct. 11. This is how Kootenay Society for Community Living (KSCL) is planning to celebrate Community Living Month in B.C. - and they're hoping the whole community takes part. “What our plan is, is we (by this I mean the...

A celebration of life for Dustin Raymond Descoteau will be held this Friday at 4 p.m. at Maple Grove. The 29-year-old Chemainus father of four was killed on Sept. 25 after his pickup truck rolled off the Coquihalla Highway, the BC Coroners Service has confirmed. "Dustin came to the Island on his days off from work in Castlegar...

Selkirk College welcomed a new member to its communications team this week. Bob Hall has spent two decades as a Nelson journalist and joins the college in the position of Community Liaison/Alumni Coordinator. "We're so thrilled to have Bob join Selkirk College,” says Selkirk College President Angus Graeme. “Our success is...

While October is best known for its collection of ghosts and goblins, it’s also a great time to scare away high energy use. “In the winter energy use increases by almost 50 per cent compared with summer months,” said Tom Loski, vice president, customer service, FortisBC. “Energy efficient upgrades could help lower your heating...

You logged on, you thought, you prioritized. Now Basin residents can visit CBT’s Thoughtstream website to see results from our online engagement pilot project. Close to 1,400 residents participated in CBT’s Thoughtstream and answered six questions about economic, social and environmental well-being. Over 10,000 thoughts were...

War and Remembrance, Feeling and Reasoning A month ago I wrote about Canada’s war in Afghanistan and concluded with a note that on November 11, I will be at the Nelson cenotaph protesting war. My theme on the radio program I’ve hosted for the last four seasons has been the history of war. During research for the show, I came...