Interior Health closely monitoring outbreak of measles in Fraser Valley
Although no cases have been reported in the region, Interior Health is closely monitoring the recent outbreak of measles in the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland, asking the public to be aware of the symptoms associated with the disease. “We’re monitoring the situation in the Fraser Valley and provincially for any signs of the...
Green bin program moving to rural Grand Forks
The Grand Forks kitchen scraps compost curbside collection program will soon expand to include nearby rural residents and become the first rural area in British Columbia to receive this type of waste collection service. On Feb. 27, the Board of Directors of the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary gave approval to the concept...
Avalanche centre warns about high risks this season
After four avalanche fatalities in the past six days, the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) is urging backcountry users to make cautious and conservative decisions while in avalanche terrain. “We’ve been dealt a pretty troublesome snowpack this season and our terrain choices need to reflect that fact,” explains Karl Klassen,...
New medical clinic proposed near Kootenay Lake Hospital — IH gives thumbs up
A new medical clinic that could see more family doctors practicing in Nelson is being proposed across from Kootenay Lake Hospital. Dr. Andre Kirsten has submitted plans to the city of Nelson in his rezoning application that would see a two story, 11,000 sq. ft. building replace his current downtown Ancron Medical Centre and...
NPD not bursting to bust grow ops when new regulations hit
While the Nelson Police Department (NPD) says it will be generally be taking a moderate approach to enforcing new laws around medical marijuana production set to come into effect on April 1, they do intend to continue the crackdown on recreational grow ops and keep any storefronts out of the Queen City. April 1 will see the...
COMMENT: Horsemeat -- Unsafe for Human Consumption
Horses are not raised according to the food safety protocols required of food animals. The wide array of highly toxic medications they are commonly administered convinces me that horsemeat poses an unacceptable risk to the health of those who consume it. In the hopes of legislating severe restrictions on Canada’s horse...
BC Nurses take to the streets to rally against staffing cuts
Hundreds of nurses marched through downtown Vancouver today and rallied for safe staffing levels and safe patient care at the Art Gallery. BC Nurses’ Union President Debra McPherson told the crowd “the healthcare system needs more nurses, not less. Patients need safe staffing levels. Without it, safe patient care is at...
These boots are made for stamping out Muscular Dystrophy
Have boot will travel is the motto of the Nelson Fire Department this week as firefighters take to the roof of Safeway for the 36-hour rooftop campout in support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada. This the fourth year NFD has organized the rooftop campout to raise awareness and funds — which includes 50,000 Canadians, and seven ...
Silver Alert needed in BC
It’s time for B.C. to implement comprehensive measures to help locate and protect missing seniors with dementia, says Selina Robinson, MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville. On Tuesday, Robinson introduced the Silver Alert Act in the legislature. The bill would create a program which would alert the public of a missing person who...
COMMENT: Income splitting
During the last federal election, Stephen Harper promised that the government would introduce an income-splitting proposal, after balancing the federal budget. Income splitting has the worthy objective of making it easier for two-parent families to choose to have one parent work, or work part time, in order to spend time...