Smoke impacting Grand Forks air quality
The Grand Forks valley has been waking up to intense levels of smoke over the past week. The good news is there are no local fires, but the bad news is the poor air quality is from ongoing fires in Russia. The West Kootenays has three active fires, all believed to be caused by lightening strikes, said Fionna Tollovsen fire ...
BC doctors ratify a new four-year agreement
The provincial government said doctors have ratified a new four-year agreement that will support ongoing efforts to recruit and retain physicians, while also improving access to specialists and care in rural and remote communities. "Ensuring that families and seniors across British Columbia are able to access the care they ...
RDCK lifts swimming ban at Taghum Beach
Recreational users of Taghum Beach will be happy to know that the Regional District Central Kootenay (RDCK) has lifted the swim advisory as of Tuesday (July 24). RDCK staff said the bacterial counts, that exceed Health Canada guidelines on July 16, resulting in the beach being closed to swimming, have dropped and are now...
Quick action helps stop spread of invasive zebra and quagga mussels into Shuswap Lake
The B.C. government worked closely with the Invasive Species Council of B.C., provincial and federal agencies, and international partners to respond decisively to a threat of invasive zebra and quagga mussels at Shuswap Lake this month. The presence of quagga mussels was confirmed on a power boat that was transported to B.C....
Work crews making progress at former HB Mine site
Work crews continue to make progress Thursday, stabilizing the dam at the old former HB Mine tailings pond said Bill Macpherson of the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre. “An improvement in weather conditions and the installation of additional high capacity pumps to draw down the pond has...
LETTER: Health before lawns, says BC Cancer Society
To the Editor: The BC Special Committee on Cosmetic Pesticides released its report in May which contained 17 recommendations to the government. Although these recommendations did not include an outright ban on lawn and garden pesticides, it’s important to note that the BC Government has not made a decision (and the Special...
InspireHealth cancer facility opens doors in Kelowna
Cancer patients from the southern interior of BC will benefit from the expansion of InspireHealth, Canada’s first and foremost integrative cancer care centre in Kelowna. The expansion of the facility will be open to the public during a ceremony Thursday (June 21) in the Central Okanagan. The facility, part of Healthy Families...
A little rain can't stop Nelson 2012 Cancer Relay for Life from raising funds to help fight the disease
Rain can’t stop the fight against Cancer. Which is why more than 150 supporters of the fight against the deadly disease turned up for the annual 2012 Cancer Relay for Life, Nelson edition, Saturday at Lakeside Park. “We had 18 teams making an impact . . . that’s huge,” a still tired organizer Brenda MacDonald told The Nelson...
Revelstoke firefighters raise money for a great cause
The Monashee Unit Crew launches their 6th annual Firefighters Hard Labour Auction in Revelstoke B.C. Funds raised from this silent auction will be donated to Live It, Love It! a non-profit organization that provides recreation opportunities for individuals with spinal cord injuries. Live It, Love It! is currently working with...
Doctors reach tentative agreement with Province
A tentative agreement has been reached between the British Columbia Medical Association (BCMA) and the B.C. government on a renewed Physician Master Agreement covering approximately 10,000 specialists and family physicians in the province. Building on the success of the previous master agreement, the proposed four-year deal...
