Grand Forks is in the top 13 finalists in the province for the 2014 "Open for Business" awards. The award recognizes communities that support small businesses through local government. “B.C.’s economy depends on local governments partnering with businesses to drive prosperity, community by community, right across the province....

Letter to the Editor: The continuing battle between the BCTF and the Provincial Ministry of Education should be of grave concern to families across B.C., and should be incredibly frightening to parents and caregivers in the Boundary and West Kootenay Region. Most conversations are about laying blame: “It’s the teacher’s fault”;...

Two members of my family are teachers; I will therefore limit my comments on the dispute between the teachers and the government to its constitutional aspect. Through the Health and Social Services Delivery Improvement Act of 2002 the government had attempted to curtail the B.C. health workers’ rights to collective bargaining....

Taken aback by complete strangers walking up to you this summer to shake hands? Well, that's because they're back. Candidates on the hustings for a city hall near you. And despite their enthusiasm, it's not a passion shared by most voters if past elections are any indication. Even though local governments in B.C. oversee more...

A city councillor is speaking out against a process that sees the city making massive expenditures without having any say in the decision-making behind those expenditures. Councillor Kevin Chernoff said he has no problem with getting closed circuit TV surveillance for the local RCMP detachment – but he’s not okay with the...

The City of Castlegar and its union workers from CUPE Local 2262 have not yet hammered out a contract, but have arrived at a mutual accord in terms of proceeding. Castlegar mayor Lawrence Chernoff says the two parties have agreed on a publication ban, meaning neither side will speak to the press until a settlement has been ...

This week should be the first week of school. For students and their teachers, it's supposed to be a time of excitement and anticipation. But instead, it's a time of frustration and uncertainty. I am not happy about where things currently stand. Throughout this dispute, everything we've tried to do is to have schools open on...

Interior Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Patricia (Pat) Dooley to its Board of Directors effective Aug. 31, 2014. “We are very fortunate to be joined by a Director with the heart, drive and focus of Pat Dooley,” said Board Chair Norman Embree.  “She is incredibly dedicated to her community and passionate about...

August has gone by quickly as summer months seem to do. The ‘buzz’ word of the month was ‘staycation’. Many of you have been enjoying holidays in B.C. for many years but perhaps a few more British Columbians decided to look at what was available close to home but still 'away'. My husband and I have been going to Beaver Lake...

We’re seeing forward motion in negotiations between the City of Castlegar and its CUPE workers, after a stalemate last month led to limited strike action on the union’s part Aug. 15, with city staff refusing all over time work. Mayor Lawrence Chernoff says city staff continue to assess a settlement offer sent by the union at...