Thursday, April 25

Name day: Līksma, Bārbala

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Gunta Matisone

Latvian Radio

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Attempts to improve River Salaca's ecology over next five years
Attempts to improve River Salaca's ecology over next five years
A 'Life is Salaca' project will be implemented for the next five years with a view to improving the river Salaca's water quality and habitats. The project envisages carrying out scientific research in the Salaca, drawing up a conservation plan, restoring streams, and a range of other activities, Latvian Radio reported April 17.
'Made in Valmiera' is made in Valmiera
'Made in Valmiera' is made in Valmiera
In order to promote the products or services of entrepreneurs, homemakers and craftsmen of their region, several parts of Latvia have created their own trademarks, which serve as a confirmation that the place of origin of the particular product is the region in question.
Gulbene grows trees in a box in city center
Gulbene grows trees in a box in city center
A new environmental object in the center of Latvia's northeast town Gulbene attracts the attention of passers-by: a container nursery where you can watch young pine trees grow. The idea was born of local company Carbon Less Future Ltd and has been supported by the local municipality, Latvian Radio reported March 13.
Valmiera tries to increase its rental housing offer
Valmiera tries to increase its rental housing offer
Valmiera, just like most places in Latvia, has insufficient housing fund. Seven years ago, the first two rental apartment buildings with 150 apartments were built in Valmiera, but demand is still high, so construction of two more new rental buildings will begin this year, Latvian Radio reported February 28.
Researchers explore Latvia-Estonia cross-border medical cooperation
Researchers explore Latvia-Estonia cross-border medical cooperation
In order to improve the availability of health care services, a study has been started in Valka district (Latvia) on how to reduce the obstacles so that the residents can receive services in neighboring Valga district (Estonia), reports Latvian Radio. 
Peat town Seda starts offering apartments to revive population
Peat town Seda starts offering apartments to revive population
Auctions of vacant apartments have begun in Valmiera municipality's town of Seda. In this small town, over time, almost 100 municipally owned apartments have emptied. Through these auctions, the municipality hopes to revive the town and tackle the housing issue in nearby Valmiera, Latvian Radio reported on January 18.
New treatment site ready for new rules on bio-waste
New treatment site ready for new rules on bio-waste
From next year, a new requirement to separate biodegradable waste, which is mostly everyday food waste, will come into force. As a result, waste managers must prepare to organize the collection and processing of this waste, for which purpose a new biodegradable waste processing plant has been constructed at the "Daibe" landfill site in Cēsis district.
Expect a Xmas present from firefighters if you have to call them
Expect a Xmas present from firefighters if you have to call them
As of Sunday, December 10, the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) launched the “Save life - Install and regularly test a smoke detector!” information campaign, during which they will give smoke detectors as gifts to those who have called for assistance, Latvian Radio reported. 
Locals unhappy with Valmiera-Valka wind park plan
Locals unhappy with Valmiera-Valka wind park plan
Why has one of Latvia's most beautiful forests been chosen for the construction of the “Valmiera-Valka” wind park? The local population has expressed confusion and started collecting signatures on Manabalss.lv against the creation of this park, Latvian Radio reported on December 1.
Buckwheat likely to remain unharvested this year
Buckwheat likely to remain unharvested this year
In autumn, one of the last crops to be harvested is buckwheat, but this autumn it is likely that buckwheat fields will remain unharvested. The reason is the sticky wet soil that machinery cannot get through, Latvian Radio reported November 8.
Alūksne faces a bird-and-beaver problem
Alūksne faces a bird-and-beaver problem
The biggest treasure of the city of Alūksne is the lake and castle park, but the lake's abundance of fish is popular among cormorants, while the trees of the park are often visited by beavers. In order to prevent damage, the Alūksne Municipal government is assessing the possibility of allowing hunting in the city, Latvian Radio reported October 18.
Swamp town Seda hopes for a revival
Swamp town Seda hopes for a revival
Currently, one of the main problems in Latvia's northern city of Valmiera is a lack of apartments, but in Seda, which is half an hour's drive away, about 100 municipal apartments are available and are planned to be sold at an auction in order to attract new residents to the town. 
Farmers expect support with overcoming storm consequences
Farmers expect support with overcoming storm consequences
This summer has brought frosts, drought, and severe storms, which have all damaged fields and yields. Some consider reducing herds or even eliminating their farm. Therefore, the issue of aid remains topical among farmers, Latvian Radio reported on August 22.
New refugee center opens doors in Liepna
New refugee center opens doors in Liepna
At the end of August, the new asylum-seeker accommodation center in Liepna, Alūksne municipality, will house its first 50 inhabitants, Latvian Television and Latvian Radio reported on August 17.
Self-service counters appear on Latvia's roadside
Self-service counters appear on Latvia's roadside
In Latvia, this is not yet a common practice, but gradually stands, cabinets, and tables appear on the roadside, with a variety of home-grown products that can be paid for without a vendor. What is the self-serving sales experience? Latvian Radio went to investigate on July 25.
Ukrainian association to officially start work in Valmiera, Latvia
Ukrainian association to officially start work in Valmiera, Latvia
A representation of the Association of Small Towns of Ukraine will be opened in Valmiera on Thursday. Ukraine's ambassador to Latvia Anatoly Kucevol will participate in the opening, which will be mostly a formal confirmation of its status, since the association has been managed from Valmiera for more than a year, Latvian Radio reported May 11.
Produce on demand: Valmiera heads Latvia toward new type of market
Produce on demand: Valmiera heads Latvia toward new type of market
A year ago, in March, a new form of direct trade was launched in Valmiera: a REKO market. It is based on previous orders carried out by the buyer on social networks, but the farmer or the home producer distributes the product to customers on a given day and hour. What are the conclusions after the first year of operation? Latvian Radio spoke to the market representatives on March 27.
World's largest crocus collection in bloom in Latvia
World's largest crocus collection in bloom in Latvia
Even though this year's winter has yet to depart, at the "Jaunrūjas" farm in Cēsis district, spring has already arrived with the blooming of what is claimed to be the world's largest collection of crocuses. Owners Guna and Jānis Rukšāns are inviting visitors to enjoy some early-year color for a fifth time.
Ukrainian couple continue medical work at Latvian hospital
Ukrainian couple continue medical work at Latvian hospital
Medical workers Tetyana and Serhiy Cherepov are Ukrainian war refugees whose city Russian troops invaded on the first day of the war. The Cherepov family spent three months in the occupied city before leaving. Now Tetyana and Serhiy, as well as their two daughters, have found a home in Valmiera and work at the Vidzeme Hospital, Latvian Radio reported on February 23.
Fish strives for a trademark in Burtnieki, Latvia
Fish strives for a trademark in Burtnieki, Latvia
The zander of Burtnieks has been a value of the Lake Burtnieks (Burtnieku ezers, also called Burtnieks) for decades. This year, work has been started to develop the trademark of Burtnieks Zander (Burtnieku zandarts). An application has also been made for its inclusion in the register of protected geographical indications of the European Union, Latvian Radio reported December 21.
Valmiera to significantly reduce gas dependency
Valmiera to significantly reduce gas dependency
To reduce natural gas dependency and ensure stable heating, Valmiera will build and develop a new woodchip boiler house. It will be able to produce up to 90% of the total thermal energy in Valmiera, along with the already existing boiler house, Latvian Radio reported on December 7.
Half of fire victims in Latvia are seniors
Half of fire victims in Latvia are seniors
Statistics compiled by the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) for the nine months of this year show 49% of those killed in fires, were older than 60, and 42% of the injured were seniors, Latvian Radio reported on October 20.
Latvian beef producers take step forward in local sales
Latvian beef producers take step forward in local sales
With the idea of providing quality beef to the local market, this summer, a cooperative Latvijas liellops (Latvian cattle) was created, in which 11 farms in this sector joined their forces. Until now, meat cattle have been mostly produced for export, Latvian Radio reported November 30.
Over 450 caterers closed doors in Latvia this year
Over 450 caterers closed doors in Latvia this year
Uncertainty about the future during Covid-19 and state aid mechanisms is the main reason why caterers surveyed by Latvian Radio November 9 are closing their doors. This year, 453 catering companies stopped working in Latvia.
Latvia harvests its first-ever saffron
Latvia harvests its first-ever saffron
October and November is the time of the harvest of the most expensive spice in the world – saffron. This autumn, the first-ever harvest of saffron has also been gathered in Latvia, Priekuļi, Latvian Radio October 23.
Heating season begins with frequent fire accidents
Heating season begins with frequent fire accidents
Year after year the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) begins the autumn season with frequent calls due to accidents related to heating systems. This year there have already been over 500 calls by September 28, Latvian Radio reported.