Editor Bob Shannon since 1992 online
Assistent Editor Ron Rattray, Grand Forks BC Canada Aggregator/PhotographerRegular contributors, Kathy Meader, Cheney, WA
Canadian Photographic Editor Rick Price

Saving a model railroad from Ron

Keystone XL supporters in the U.S. Senate faced tough odds on Tuesday in passing a bill to approve the oil pipeline from Canada after one lawmaker they hoped might be a "yes" said he would vote against the project.
"Congress is not – nor should it be – in the business of legislating the approval or disapproval of a construction project," Senator Angus King, an independent from Maine, said in a news release.
The Senate is expected to vote as early as 5:30 p.m. EST on Tuesday.

Christmas Card from Grand Forks

RonRattray

California's drought has reached Biblical-plague proportions. It's time for a drastic measure.  

Last January, California Governor Jerry Brown declared a State of Emergency following projections of severe drought. State bureaucrats and local officials jumped into action and mandated any number of water conservation tactics. While some have been relatively successful, most will do nothing. In fact, it appears that despite the drought, water use may have actually increased in the past year.

So, exactly how much do Californians value their decreasing supply of drinkable water? According to the California Water Service Company, it is valued at less than a penny per gallon. If water were plentiful, an almost-zero price would not be a problem, but under the current situation it is truly a catastrophe. The average American uses 100 gallons per day, Californians average 124, and in some regions of California up to 379 gallons per person per day. That sounds a bit outrageous for a state experiencing a drought of Biblical-plague proportions, doesn't it?

 

Whiteout conditions, bitter cold blast North, East

USA TODAY-2 hours ago

Plummeting temperatures and lake-effect snow brought weather havoc to much of the North and East, with some areas battling snow measured ...

 

Hello! I am putting together the flyer for our local business fair! So far I have booths for itworks global, jam berry, connections, young living oils, do terra oils, beachbody, Rodin and fields, and two personal craft/creations booths. Who else will I have setting up at the event, so I can put you on the flyer? $15 for a space, and ALL INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTORS AND SELF EMPLOYED BUSSINESS WELCOME! let's show ferry county what businesses are here, and let's support our local businesses!

Nicole Wrapstar Peters

Rob Fry

 

 

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park - Alberta

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park spans the borders of two provinces - Alberta and Saskatchewan, and includes Fort Walsh National Historic Site of Canada.
Here you will find information on the Alberta section of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. The main access route to Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park - Alberta is via the TransCanada Highway #1 to Highway #41 south. Medicine Hat is the closest city, located approximately 65km away.
The majority of facilities in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park - Alberta, including the Visitor Centre (open year round) and 7 campgrounds with over 350 individual campsites, are concentrated along the south shore of Elkwater Lake in the Elkwater townsite, located just off Highway #41. In addition, 3 smaller campgrounds with more than 50 sites, as well as viewpoints and hiking trails, are found scattered throughout the Hills.
With its unique climate and mix of montane forests, wetlands and grasslands, it is home to an astonishing diversity of plants and animals. More orchids grow in these hills than anywhere else on the prairies. At least 18 species have been recorded here. Over 220 bird species, 47 mammal species, and several species each of reptiles and amphibians – Cypress Hills is a wild and wonderful place!

 

 Cypress Hills, Alberta

 Rick Price

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will not be voting on net neutrality in December, instead delaying the decision until sometime in 2015 when Republicans will have full control of Congress. The decision, which the agency confirmed Monday, is drawing criticism from net neutrality supporters, who say the delay is unnecessary and raises concerns about the possibility of FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler bowing to pressure from GOP lawmakers and telecom and cable companies.
Last week, President Barack Obama threw his weight behind a “Title II” proposal to keep the Internet free and fair by treating Web access like a utility, not unlike water. Telecom and cable companies oppose this plan because they want a lighter regulatory touch, and they could benefit by being able to charge companies for faster download speeds, though they have said they will not do this.