Updated: Bombi fire now roughly 35 hectares, still out of control
A wildfire just off Hwy 3 near the Bombi summit has grown from eight hectares to 35 hectares overnight, according to the BC Wildfire Service. There are now 33 firefighters, three helicopters, and five pieces of heavy equipment battling the fire, which is still listed as out of control."Crews and equipment continue to make...
Kootenay Boundary residents benefit from Alzheimer Society's new programs
Five years after a diagnosis, Earla Legault and her mother Joey approached a milestone on their dementia journey: Joey was set to move from independent assisted living into long-term care. Earla had been Joey’s primary support, but with the new home closer to her brother, she was ready to take a step back while he took over...
BC SPCA photo contest captures the beauty of local wildlife
The BC SPCA invites the public to participate in its 13th annual Wildlife-In-Focus photography contest. Amateur photographers 14 years and older can submit their awe-inspiring images of hummingbirds, bears, bees, seals and other amazing creatures until July 26. “Wildlife-In-Focus is a celebration of the incredible diversity...
New report: BC employment impacts of COVID-19: highly unequal for gender and race
Some job creation can be expected when BC moves to the next stage of reopening the economy in July, but labour market data show that in order to have an inclusive recovery significant inequities must be addressed, a new report released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, BC Office warns. In fact, the deeply...
Interior Health update on Castlegar long-term care wildfire evacuations
Residents from Castleview Care Centre are returning home today following the containment of the Merry Creek Wildfire and the lifting of evacuation orders in the community. Residents from Castleview Care Centre were relocated temporarily on June 30 due to the wildfire. Residents from Talarico Place were also temporarily relocated...
IHA says 114 long-term care patients in Castlegar evacuated
Interior Health has evacuated residents from two Castlegar long-term care homes as a precautionary measure due to the Merry Creek Wildfire. Sixty residents from Talarico Place and 54 residents from Castleview Care Centre have been relocated temporarily to alternate care homes within the Kootenay Boundary. Interior Health’s...
One week of heat wave sees 719 sudden deaths in BC, three times the usual
Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner, has released the following statement about public safety during the heat wave in British Columbia: “Over the past week, the BC Coroners Service has received an unprecedented number of reports of sudden and unexpected death throughout the province. Over the seven days from Friday, June 25 through...
Another property under RDCK evacuation alert due to Merry Creek Wildfire
Based on the recommendation from BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has issued an Evacuation Alert for 1473 Meadowbrook Drive due to the Merry Creek Wildfire (N51165). Thirty-one properties will remain under an Evacuation Order. The RDCK EOC originally...
BREAKING: Suspect in Trail homicide arrested
The Southeast District Major Crime Unit (SED MCU) is continuing its investigation into the Canada Day Eve homicide in Trail and can now confirm arrest of the suspect, according to a press release issued Friday. On July 1, 2021 a 33-year-old Trail man was arrested in relation to the Wednesday evening homicide. He has since...
UPDATE: Merry Creek Fire an estimated 15 hectares Friday morning
BC Wildfire Service updated their information at 8:57 a.m. Friday, indicating the Merry Creek wildfire is still an estimated 15 hectares and considered out of control. An evacuation order has been implemented for 31 properties in electoral area J, while the City of Castlegar has downgraded their evacuation order to an alert....
