Regional News

Revelstoke Grizzlies cease operations due to COVID-19

by Contributor on Saturday January 30 2021

Last week, the Grizzlies, after having received multiple positive COVID-19 test results, had to make another hard decision to cease operations for the remainder of the KIJHL 2020/21 season.

The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s (KIJHL) Revelstoke Grizzlies have ceased operations for the remainder of the 2020/21 season after members of the organization tested positive for COVID-19.

On Tuesday, January 26th, the Grizzlies became aware of a potential COVID-19 contact that occurred through a team player’s place of employment. In accordance with KIJHL Return-to-Play protocols, the club immediately consulted with Interior Health and instituted a mandatory self-isolation for athletes and staff.

Winter Storm Warning for West Kootenay, Boundary

by Nelson Daily Staff on Thursday January 28 2021

Winter Storm Warnings are not all bad as this Nelson business took advantage of the dump to get in some turns at the local ski hill. — The Nelson Daily photo

Environment Canada issued a Winter Storm Warning Thursday for the Boundary, West Kootenay and Kootenay Lake, including Highway 3, Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass, due to a frontal system moving into southern interior B.C.

Environment Canada said significant amounts of snow are expected.

“ Ten to fifteen cm of snow has already fallen across the region,” Environment said on its website Thursday.

“Further snowfall accumulation of 10 to 15 cm is expected before the snow tapers off late this evening.”

UPDATED: Interior Health identifies more COVID-19 cases in Fernie

by Nelson Daily Staff on Wednesday January 27 2021

Interior Health urges all residents to maintain their efforts to prevent community transmission of COVID-19 following an outbreak. — City of Fernie

Interior Health has identified an additional ten cases of COVID-19 linked to a community cluster in the Fernie area since the cluster was declared on Jan. 27.

Since Jan. 1, 2021, a total of 91 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in this region and 60 cases are currently active.

Most of the transmission occurred at recent social events and gatherings.

Everyone is reminded that socialization must be limited to immediate household bubbles. Please do not invite friends or extended family to your residence for a visit or gathering.

Nelson's Lynda Cavanaugh named Interim BCLC President & CEO

by Contributor on Friday January 22 2021

A graduate of L.V. Rogers in Nelson, Lynda Cavanaugh served as Assistant Deputy Minister in the Ministries of Attorney General and Public Safety and Solicitor General between 2011 and 2020.

Effective January 22, 2021, Nelson native Lynda Cavanaugh will assume the role of BCLC’s Interim President & CEO while Jim Lightbody continues his medical leave to undergo cancer treatment and recovery a BC Lottery Corporation media release said Wednesday. 

In November 2020, Greg Moore, serving Interim President and CEO, provided notice of resignation to pursue a new opportunity in the private sector.

Kid sport advocate stages one-person protest outside Civic Centre Arena

by Nelson Daily Sports on Wednesday January 20 2021

Bill McDonnell staged his one-person protest outside the Civic Centre Arena entrance on Vernon Street Tuesday, protesting closure later this month of the ice facilities. — Submitted photo

A former senior hockey player and long-time advocate for kid sports began conducting his own one-person protest outside the Civic Centre Arena after the Regional District of Central Kootenay announced it was closing the ice facility at the end of January.

Purcell Wilderness Area benefits from BC Government land acquisition near Argenta

by Nelson Daily Staff on Monday January 18 2021

The Purcell Wilderness Conservancy is the largest park in southeast BC and provides critical habitat for wildlife like grizzlies, mountain goats and wolverines, while at the same time protecting diverse ecosystems, from the high alpine to the old growth inland temperate rainforest. — Photo courtesy John Bergenske

Recently, the BC government announced the acquisition of more than 650 hectares of land intended to be added to 16 provincial parks and two protected areas.

Buried on Page 7 of the BC Parks Land Acquisition Program Report PDF is an 18-hectare parcel of land on north end of Kootenay Lake across from Kaslo and south of Argenta that will be added to the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Protect Area.

River Talk — Movement grows to build weir/dam across Koocanusa Reservoir

by Eileen Delehanty Pearkes on Sunday January 17 2021

It was thought to be a good idea at the time, but the Libby dam was, indeed, a giveaway of local control.

Eileen Delehanty Pearkes has been researching and writing about the history and politics of water in the upper Columbia Basin since 2005. 

Her book on the Columbia River Treaty, A River Captured, was released in 2016. Recently, her travelling exhibit on the Columbia River Treaty, curated for Touchstones Nelson, won a national award from the Canadian Museum Association.

Pearkes has agreed to help readers understand the importance of the Columbia River Treaty to the region with another edition of River Talk.

Kootenay Lake Fishing Report

by Contributor on Tuesday January 12 2021

Dean Fancy holds a giant Bull Trout caught in Kootenay Lake during the Christmas holiday season. — Photo courtesy Reel Adventures Sportfishing

Happy New Year Everyone.

And welcome to a better year to come.

In looking at back at 2020, we can reflect and focus on the positive.  While we didn’t have much work during the first half of the year, we made up for it in the second half.  We’d like to thank our locals for supporting our company and helping to keep us in business.

Update: Death of woman on New Year’s Day now considered a hit-and-run homicide

by Castlegar Source on Monday January 11 2021

Sicamous RCMP and the BC Coroners Service continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the unexpected death of a woman early on New Year’s Day.

The victim, who was previously reported to be 65 years of age, has been positively identified as a 64-year-old woman. She was found at approximately 2:30 a.m., suffering from significant injuries, on a private roadway within the Cedars RV and Resort on Luoma Road in Sicamous, BC.

KI remains committed to resuming play this hockey season

by Nelson Daily Sports on Sunday January 10 2021

KIJHL Commissioner Jeff Dubois said the league remains hopeful of resuming regular season play at that time and will continue with preparations to award the Teck Cup to our league champion in the spring.

The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League remains committed to its goal for providing a season despite of the recent Provincial Health Order extension to February 5, 2021 limiting sports activities and travel.

KIJHL Commissioner Jeff Dubois said the league remains hopeful of resuming regular season play at that time and will continue with preparations to award the Teck Cup to our league champion in the spring.

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