Penalties and possible jail time now await those businesses in the city that carry on operations that do not comply with federal, provincial and municipal laws, bylaws, regulations and codes. Last week city council passed final reading on the Bylaw Notice Enforcement bylaw expected to give municipal officials the legislative...

News this month that the Interior Health Authority had reached a 20-year agreement to outsource laundry services to Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service is the latest in a long string of odd coincidences involving companies that donate to the B.C. Liberal party and companies that do well by the B.C. government. Ecotex has donated...

Editorial Note:   In the column below,  Dermod Travis points out many instances of close correlation between large donations  by corporations to the Liberal Party of  BC and lucrative contracts awarded to  those corporations.  Now, as any scientist will tell us, correlation is not proof of causation -- but it's a good reason...

The city’s police force is drawing from within to cover the costs of adding two new positions to its force, says the city’s top cop. Nelson Police Department chief Paul Burkart said although the decision late last week by the province to recommend one additional police officer and an administrative position be added to the ...

Although the province has now recommended a staffing increase for the city’s police department, there won’t be a corresponding rise in taxation to cover the new positions, says the city’s mayor and police board chair. Deb Kozak said there is no anticipated increase this year to the City of Nelson’s budget — delivered in draft...

Since the Legislature resumed its work a month ago, I’ve been brining Kootenay values and voices to Victoria. One value that is important to all of us is the inclusion of people with disabilities in our communities. The days of institutions and segregation of people with disabilities need to be kept in the past, and we need...

A motion put forward by councillor Florio Vassilakakis to support ride-sharing programs was tabled at council's regular meeting Monday night. Vassilakakis wanted the city to send a letter to the province indicating Castlegar's support for secondary transportation options such as Uber and Lyft. (These are smart phone apps that...

One additional officer should be hired for Nelson Police Department said  Director of Police Services, Clayton Pecknold in his report to City Council and Nelson Police Board. The report, which includes Pecknold recommending the addition of an administrative position, was announced in a media release by the City of Nelson...

The duelling airport issue between Castlegar and Trail continues, as each community jockeys to position its own airport as the legitimate regional amenity. The continued contention was once again brought to the public eye by a press release issued by the City of Trail yesterday, claiming the landing rates at the Trail Regional...

Children's safety is of the utmost importance to all of us, which is why drivers are required to stop when school bus lights are flashing. Despite the efforts to raise awareness, some drivers still fail to stop when children are getting on and off the bus. "Failing to stop puts children at risk, and this is a concern to all...