Roly Russell was sworn into the Legislature virtually Tuesday, as the new BC New Democrat MLA for Boundary-Similkameen following an historic election.   Russell, former Kootenay Boundary Area D Rep for Grand Forks, is one of57 new BC NDP members who were sworn in as part of part of British Columbia’s 42nd Parliament, all...

Malia Johnston, a local Grade 11 high school student who attends Seven Summits Centre for Learning (7S) in Rossland, has received a Jeff Stewart Memorial Award medal for showing a unique spark, creativity, and a pioneering spirit; demonstrating innovation and an ability to think independently and ‘outside the box,’ and being...

 A new BC Hydro report finds many British Columbians feel more prepared for storm-related power outages after stocking up on household supplies for COVID-19, despite most not having an emergency kit or plan. The report titled, “Stocked up but unprepared: How COVID-19 preparation has created a false sense of storm season...

Effective immediately, the Province is extending the freeze on rent increases until July 10, 2021, under the powers of the Emergency Program Act and COVID-19 Related Measures Act. This is an interim measure to provide stability and advance notice for renters and landlords while a new cabinet is sworn in. Increases set to...

Interior Health is expanding booking options for lab patients throughout the region. Effective Nov. 9, lab appointments can be booked online or by phone in Castlegar, Trail, Williams Lake, Cranbrook and Merritt. The online booking tool can be found at https://www.labonlinebooking.ca/login Booking appointments online enhances...

Faces & Places: Doris Hausleitner Story by Nicole Trigg, Kootenay Conservation Program Wildlife biologist and Selkirk College ecology instructor Doris Hausleitner has always had a penchant for species that are considered something of an underdog, those without champions to promote their cause. It’s no wonder then, that ...

COVID-19 has delayed the Environmental Assessment Office’s work on establishing regulations for regional assessments, which will look at the cumulative effects of all past, present and future industrial projects By Matt Simmons, for The Narwhal At first glance, northwest B.C. is a vast wild landscape home to big forests, even...

I want to start by congratulating all the candidates in the recent provincial election.  As I write this, it seems clear that the successful candidates in the South Okanagan-West Kootenay area were incumbents Dan Ashton and Katrine Conroy and newcomer Roly Russell.  But I know from experience how difficult it can be to step...

I don’t usually go into the “inside baseball” minutiae of backroom politics on Parliament Hill—the battles over make-up of committees, opposition motions with poison pills, and filibusters—because, frankly, most Canadians aren’t concerned about these details.  They just want parliament to work for them, especially when so...

Winter is coming.  We’ve seen a few initial snowfalls, and it’s getting colder.  People have been asking about the day-use shelters in the Rossland Range Recreation Site – will they be open for use? The short answer is no. Recreation Sites and Trails, BC has advised that the cabins remain closed for now, but unlocked and...