RDCK works to make HB Mine’s tailings pond safe
It is hoped that constant monitoring of the tailings pond at the HB mine site near Salmo, along with a lawsuit designed to bring Teck Mining to the table, will prevent a disaster on the Salmo River similar to the Mount Polley tailings pond collapse earlier this month in the BC Interior. Mount Polley Mine’s earth dam collapsed...
Mt. Polley tailings pond update
Government and Cariboo Regional District (CRD) officials continue to work together to address and investigate the breach at the Mount Polley tailings pond, to continue testing local water samples, to help ensure the safety and well-being of local residents, and to assist with recovery efforts in the region. Please note, this...
Putting the Carbon Tax to Better Use
“There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.” – John F. Kennedy A vast majority of you love the carbon tax; your federal and provincial governments don’t. And ideas abound about its use and abuse. Metro Vancouver mayors have proposed a...
Mount Polley mine disaster update
Government and Cariboo Regional District (CRD) officials continue to work together to address the breach at the Mount Polley tailings pond, to test the local drinking water to determine if it is safe for locals to drink or bathe in, and to help ensure the safety and well-being of local residents. This factsheet will be updated...
Smoky sky advisory issued for region as fires blaze on
Forest fire smoke in the area has caused the Ministry of Environment to issue a smoky skies advisory for Thompson, Shuswap, Okanagan, Similkameen, Nicola, Boundary and Fraser Canyon regions. According to the Ministry, smoke concentrations can vary depending on the winds, fire behaviour and temperature fluctuations. They...
Staff shortage means truncated hours for Castlegar health centre lab
The following is a press release issued by Interior Health: Due to temporary limited staffing availability, the Castlegar and District Health Centre lab will close an hour early next week. Out-patient (drop-in) lab services will be available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Aug. 11 to 14. Alternate out-patient laboratory services...
Help is just a phone call away with new Surveillance Nurses
Six months into the new Surveillance Nurse program within Interior Health, remote telephone checks are having a positive influence and helping independent seniors stay at home longer. “This program is a great example of a simple idea that has a big impact,” said Sharon Whitby, Home Health Practice Lead for Interior Health....
California-grown fresh fruit on "class one" recall list
The brand "Sweet 2 Eat" fresh, whole fruit is being recalled in Canada due to a concern of Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The fruit varieties include peaches, plums, nectarins and pluats and are being pulled off of supermarket shelves. Consumers should look for the brands Wawona, Sweet 2 Eat or Harvest Sweet. Each...
No campfire ban, at this time, for the Southeast Fire Centre
Despite a large number of inquiries the Southeast Fire Centre will not be issuing a campfire prohibition at this time. However, staff will continue to evaluate the situation on a daily basis. Jordan Turner, Fire Information Officer, said sometimes it is necessary to implement campfire prohibitions to reduce the risk of...
Selkirk College problem dumpster continues to concern Bear Aware
Local coordinator Joanne Siderius of Bear Aware was shocked to see a dumpster located in the parking lot at Selkirk College Tenth Street campus in upper Fairview continue to be a hazard for bears. Siderius said this dumpster was noted as a problem in the Nelson Areas E and F Bear Hazard Assessment in 2012. However, the cause...