Regional News

Selkirk Innovates Delivering Results for Rural British Columbia

by Bob Hall on Saturday November 27 2021

Some of the Selkirk Innovates team outside the Applied Research & Innovation Centre that is located at the Castlegar Airport. With a budget of $3.9 million, over the last year Selkirk Innovates worked on 97 different projects that employed 106 faculty members and student research interns.

Accepting the challenge of complex problem solving through an intimate community partnership approach has propelled Selkirk College onto the national research and innovation stage.

A fundamental commitment in the college’s Strategic Plan 2019-2024, Selkirk Innovates has grown exponentially over the last four years. With an annual operating budget that has increased from $1 million in 2016 to $3.9 million today, more than 100 faculty and students have worked on 97 different research and innovation projects in the last year.

City sees increase in cybercrime: NPD chief constable

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Saturday November 27 2021

Donovan Fisher, the Nelson Police Department’s chief constable, said the NPD’s general investigations section (GIS) is more in demand lately as the level of cybercrime in Nelson has increased — Creative Commons

Cybercrime is on the increase in the Heritage city, according to the city’s top cop, and U.S.-style violence and confrontation might be on the way.

Donovan Fisher, the Nelson Police Department’s chief constable, said the NPD’s general investigations section (GIS) is more in demand lately as the level of cybercrime in Nelson has increased.

He recently told city council that online and cellular crime is another area that police continue to see increased pressure on and a demand to deal with.

Rates could be re-balanced for Nelson Hydro, meaning rise in residential costs

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Thursday November 25 2021

In an online open house on its upcoming rate change on Thursday night Nelson Hydro general manager Scott Spencer said the results of the cost of service analysis (COSA) and rate design application before the B.C. Utilities Commission have indicated that there is a discrepancy between what the residential customers pay versus the commercial customers in Nelson — screenshot.

The city’s utility could bump residential power costs by over six per cent if it attempts to ‘re-balance’ its rates.

In an online open house on its upcoming rate change on Thursday night Nelson Hydro general manager Scott Spencer said the results of the cost of service analysis (COSA) and rate design application before the B.C. Utilities Commission have indicated that there is a discrepancy between what the residential customers pay versus the commercial customers in Nelson.

BC reports 424 new cases of COVID-19, 93 in Interior Health

by Province of British Columbia on Thursday November 25 2021

In the Kootenay/Boundary region, the BCCDC graphic shows Cranbrook and Arrow Lakes with higher numbers in their respective local health areas. — BCCDC graphic

As of Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, 91.0% (4,218,099) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 87.5% (4,056,728) received their second dose.

In addition, 91.4% (3,953,383) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 88.1% (3,808,967) received their second dose.

B.C. is reporting 424 new cases of COVID-19, including one epi-linked case, for a total of 216,758 cases in the province.

NPD push the ante up in annual ask from city, citing climbing caseloads

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Wednesday November 24 2021

Citing rising calls for service, steady population growth in the Heritage city and an understaffed Nelson Police Department (NPD) roster of constables, the city’s top cop stepped up to the city council bar and asked for more — city council screenshot

The business of policing in Nelson could be going up in the new year.

Citing rising calls for service, steady population growth in the Heritage city and an understaffed Nelson Police Department (NPD) roster of constables, the city’s top cop stepped up to the city council bar and asked for more.

Chief constable Donovan Fisher submitted the annual NPD ask to city council during its last committee-of-the-whole meeting in council chambers, looking for an increase to the 2022 police budget of $293,227, bumping the total to just over $4 million ($4,042,173).

Stabbing leads Castlegar RCMP to drugs, weapons

by Castlegar Source on Wednesday November 24 2021

Two local men  drew police attention to themselves after what appears to have been a knife fight, acccording to Castlegar detachment commander RCMP Sgt. Monty Taylor

In the early morning hours of Nov. 23, a home owner on Rosedale Road in Ootishenia answered their door to a male covered in blood reporting he had been stabbed," Taylor said.  "The home owners immediately called emergency services at 5:48 a.m. and provided first aid to the 43-year-old male.."

Agroforestry project attempts to slow threat of wildfire in Kootenay region

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Wednesday November 24 2021

Bannock in Bloom is a test model for agroforestry being put forward at Bannock Point, a Crown-owned recreational area south of Silverton. Work began earlier this month to work with the local landscape and “plant valuable food crops.” — Photo courtesy Wildsight

Wildfire is one of the major threats to life in the West Kootenay.

Despite living in a temperate rainforest, drought and dry conditions due to climate change have increased the threat of wildfire events over the last few years.

In response to that growing threat many Kootenay communities and local governments have been proactive, performing “fuel treatment” in forested areas where they border settlements.

Extinction Rebellion West Kootenay slow traffic to support Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chiefs

by The Nelson Daily Staff on Tuesday November 23 2021

Supporters of Extinction Rebellion West Kootenay block the highway in front of the banner (see below) that was hanging from the Nelson Parkaide, honouring the Gidimt’en Checkpoint’s call for solidarity actions. — Submitted photos

Supporters of Extinction Rebellion West Kootenay were back on the streets in Nelson, slowing traffic on Vernon Street during the weekend as a sign of solidarity with all five clan chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en nation, who unanimously oppose the Coastal Gas Link Pipeline invading their un-surrendered territory.

Pandemic sends Christmas on the down low in Nelson as rules rule Yule

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Monday November 22 2021

Restrictions due to COVID-19 and the resultant pandemic are combining to make the season of Yule the season of rules with a minimal slate of Christmas events planned for the next month — The Nelson Daily file photo.

Public health orders will once again play Grinch this Christmas in Nelson.

Restrictions due to COVID-19 and the resultant pandemic are combining to make the season of Yule the season of rules with a minimal slate of Christmas events planned for the next month.

Large gatherings are still restricted in size in the Heritage city, as across the Interior Health Authority region, as are capacity levels in most restaurants and public spaces, making coming together to carol an illegal activity.

Nelson Fire and Rescue officials investigate blaze at Superstore Mobil gas station

by The Nelson Daily Staff on Monday November 22 2021

The fire destroyed a storage shed at the rear of the Superstore Mobil gas station on Lakeside Drive in Nelson. — Nelson Fire and Rescue Services photo

Residents near the 500 block of Lakeside Drive received an early wakeup call Monday when Nelson Fire and Rescue Services responded to a fire at the rear of the Superstore Mobil gas station.

Nelson Fire and Rescue Services said in a media release the call came in at 4:49 a.m. of a fire to a structure at the rear of the gas bar at 502 Lakeside Drive.

“Upon arrival, the first arriving crew found heavy fire at the rear of the structure,” the Nelson Fire and Rescue Services media release said.

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