A RCMP constable in Cranbrook has been charged with theft while on duty Chief Superintendent Mike Sekela announced Tuesday.

Const. Bryden Hennessey, who resigned in December, was charged by Regional Crown Council in Cranbrook with one count of Theft Under $5000.

Hennessey will appear before the courts Monday, Feb. 6.

The charge resulted from an Internal Code of Conduct investigation in October of 2011 that was initiated against a Const. Hennessey regarding his handling of property seized while he was on duty.

The first National Day of Action protest for Selkirk College Grand Forks campus was a quiet one but a passionate one as students, faculty and community members supported the student union's campaign to reduce tuition fees, drop student debt and increase education funding, Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Rather than focussing on the campaign itself, instructors, community members and students discussed how high tuition rates affect them and their families.

Madison's Lumber Reporter has learned that the United States' claim against Canada, for alleged subsidies on British Columbia's timber stumpage rates, has been reduced from US$499 to US$303.6 million.

In the American rebuttal of Canada's defense, which was filed on Dec. 23, 2011 but only made public this week, the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) office is asking for almost 40 percent less penalty against Canada than previous U.S. filings had indicated.

It’s been said there are many differences between Canadians and Americans.

Groundhogs can now be added into the mix.

In Ontario, Canada’s weather expert Wiarton Willie failed to see his shadow this morning, which bodes well for Canadians as according to tradition, an early spring is on its way.

Ditto for Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie Sam.

However, south of the border, the news is less pleasant as the USA’s best weatherman Punxsutawney Phil, did see his shadow in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.