Growth comes at a cost as RDCK approves transit rate hike
In order to support growth of the Kootenay Lake West Transit Service it will cost taxpayers up to five per cent more to operate over the next five years, after the Regional District of Central Kootenay board of directors approved an amendment to transit delivery Sept. 23. An increase in ridership and the demand for more...
MISSING: Police searching for Creston man
The Creston RCMP are requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing Creston resident. 21-year old Jesse Markwart was reported missing by his family on Sept. 25, 2021. He was last seen in the Creston area on Sept. 20. Police are very concerned for Jesse’s health and well-being, and his family reports that it is out...
Friday COVID-19 update: Eleven new deaths, 714 new cases in the past 24 hours
As of Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, 88% (4,079,918) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 81.1% (3,761,048) have received their second dose. In addition, 88.5% (3,828,773) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 81.9% (3,543,318) have received their ...
Winter tire regulations now in effect
With cold-weather season approaching, drivers and vehicle owners are reminded that B.C.’s annual winter tire requirements are in effect. As of Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, winter tires are mandatory for all vehicles on most British Columbia highways to increase travel safety until spring. Winter tires are required for travel on: all...
Lake levels lower than ‘historical’ values, international commission notes
If you were thinking Kootenay Lake right now looked lower than it has ever been, your analysis would be correct. The lake level is sitting nearly three feet below its normal height, said Merrell-Ann Phare, Canadian commissioner with the International Kootenay Lake board of control. “Kootenay Lake remains below its historical...
Regional unemployment figures rise, but improve overall
The Kootenay region went from one of the hardest hit areas for unemployment one year ago to dropping to nearly one third of that rate, according to recent labour force statistics. Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey for August 2021 revealed that the Kootenay region — including Nelson, Castlegar, Trail and the Slocan Valley...
Online #BuyBasin Festival makes shopping local easy
From touring a local restaurant to virtually exploring the workshop of a local artisan to seeing the latest in family fashion, the #BuyBasin Festival takes you live to local businesses around the Columbia Basin. Attendees will learn about the local goods and services offered right here in the region, and how to keep their...
New Selkirk College Indigenous Classroom Opens Circle of Learning
A fresh space on Selkirk College’s Castlegar Campus welcomes students from diverse cultural backgrounds to join together in dialogue, knowledge and understanding. During the first full week of classes at the regional post-secondary, students, faculty and staff joined together with Elders to officially open the college’s first...
New co-director leadership at regional economic development office
Economic activity is ramping up in the Lower Columbia region, as two new directors lead the charge. Rebecca Richards has been appointed Director of the Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation (LCIC) in partnership with Jacomien van Tonder, Director of Metal Tech Alley. Their co-directorship responds to both entities’ increasing...
Burning ban, state of emergency ends to signal final stages of wildfire season
People can light them if they got them as the burning ban has been lifted in most of the rural West Kootenay region. As of late last week open burning is permitted in several fire zones, including Kootenay Lake — which contains Nelson and the Slocan Valley — Arrow, Columbia, Invermere and Cranbrook. The lifting of the ban —...
