Regional News

Selkirk College Honours Role Models for Commitment to Learners

by Bob Hall on Thursday November 24 2022

Ktunaxa Nation Elder Anne Jimmie (left) has been honoured with an Honorary Diploma in Human Services as part of the annual Board of Governors awards. Retired Nursing Program instructor Joanne van der Ham is the other 2022 recipient, receiving the Distinguished Educator honour

A successful post-secondary journey requires an inspiring beginning. Two women who have assisted learners through early steps at Selkirk College are being recognized with Board of Governors awards for their efforts to help build remarkable futures.

Ktunaxa Nation Elder Anne Jimmie and retired Nursing Program instructor Joanne van der Ham are the 2022 recipients of the annual honours. Jimme is the recipient of an Honorary Diploma in Human Services and van der Ham is being recognized as a Distinguished Educator.

New credit on electricity bills set to take effect in new year

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Thursday November 24 2022

Nelson Hydro is extending a credit on electricity bills as part of a Province of B.C. initiative to address the impacts of global inflation on families and small businesses — Nelson Hydro photo.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, thanks to a one-time cost-of-living rebate through Nelson Hydro.

The city-owned utility is extending the credit on electricity bills as part of a Province of B.C. initiative to address the impacts of global inflation on families and small businesses in B.C. 

What it means is that people who are customers of the local utility will receive a $100 credit on their first electricity bill in the new year. However, only one credit is available per residential customer, regardless of the number of accounts each customer holds.

Meadow Creek man arrested following police chase

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Wednesday November 23 2022

RCMP said the Meadow Creek man is facing several charges and will appear in Provincial Court on November 29, 2022.

A Meadow Creek man is facing numerous charges following a police chase Monday in the North Kootenay Lake community Kaslo RCMP said in a media release Wednesday.

The incident started in the early hours of Friday, November 18th when RCMP received a call of a person pouring a substance from a jerry can into vehicles parked in their driveway.

The local couple observed the person on their surveillance camera, who appeared to be wearing a respirator and HAZMAT suit.

Snowfall Warning for Highway 3, Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Tuesday November 22 2022

Environment Canada said an intense frontal system will move across the BC interior Tuesday and into Wednesday morning.

Environment Canada has issued at Snowfall Warning Tuesday for Highway 3, Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.

Environment Canada said heavy snow is forecast for Paulson Summit and Kootenay Pass as well as Coquihalla Summit, Rogers Pass, North and West Columbia including Blue River and Revelstoke especially to the west of Revelstoke.

Environment Canada said snowfall accumulations of 15 to 20 cm with low visibility in heavy snow is expected from now through early Wednesday.

Making the connection: active transportation route to be studied for Nelson to Castlegar

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday November 22 2022

A feasibility study for an active transportation route that connects two of the West Kootenay’s biggest communities is being supported by the RDCK — Creative Commons.

A new 45-kilometre active transportation route between Nelson and Castlegar will be investigated at the regional district level.

The latest model of the Regional District of Central Kootenay board of directors approved a feasibility study at its Nov 17 meeting for the route — through five electoral areas — that connects two of the West Kootenay’s biggest communities, as well as “parks, college campuses, schools, places of employment, goods and services and various neighbourhoods.”

Deer shot with arrow in Grand Forks

by Boundary Sentinel on Monday November 21 2022

Grand Forks RCMP along with the BC Conservation Services continue to investigate this file.

The Grand Forks RCMP dealt with many calls for services during the past week.

Here are a few of the highlight calls from RCMP Detachment Commander, Sgt. Darryl Peppler.

Deer shot with arrow in residential area

On November 16, 2022, Grand Forks RCMP along with the BC Conservation Services began investigating an early morning incident in the 7600 block of 17th St in Grand Forks where a deer was shot with an arrow. An arrow was recovered from scene and officers from both agencies continue to investigate this disturbing incident.

Minister Sajjan announces new PacifiCan service in the Southern Interior of BC

by Contributor on Monday November 21 2022

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan) recently announced the official opening of new offices in Kelowna and Cranbrook. — Submitted photo

From the Coast Mountains to the Kootenays, British Columbians across the Southern Interior are coming together to build their businesses and create vibrant communities. PacifiCan is here to help.

PacifiCan is the new federal economic development agency dedicated to British Columbians.

PacifiCan works with partners across B.C. who are building innovative businesses, creating quality jobs, and supporting inclusive growth in communities across our province.

Friendly fire set to sear forest south of Nelson in Selous watershed

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Monday November 21 2022

Wildfire is starting to be viewed as natural part of the ecosystem, and a prescribed burn as part of the mitigation thereof — screenshot.

Wildfire may never be viewed as a friend of those communities buried in forest, but it is a natural and accepted part of the ecosystem, according to several wildfire experts.

Speaking in a video recently released on the Selous Creek wildfire risk reduction project — just southwest of Nelson — former Nelson Fire Rescue chief and director of the Emergency Operations Centre, Len McCharles said the 80 hectare (ha.) area in question was an example of how far the knowledge of wildfire activity has come.

Regional district digs into first order of business

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Friday November 18 2022

The newest version of the RDCK board of directors, (back row) from left: Jessica Lunn, Garry Jackman, Keith Page, Aidan McLaren-Caux, Diana Lockwood, Aimee Watson, Arnold DeBoon, Cheryl Graham, Leonard Casley and Hans Cunningham. Front row, from left: Maria McFaddin, Roger Tierney, Kelly Vandenberghe, Teresa Weatherhead, Suzan Hewat, Walter Popoff and Colin Ferguson. Missing: Tom Newell, Andy Davidoff and Henny Hanegraaf — submitted photo.

The fifth time is the charm for the chair of the regional district’s board of directors.

Aimee Watson — the director of Area D — has been elected as chair of the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) board of directors for the fifth time, after directors voted on Thursday morning in the first meeting of the new board at the Nelson board room on Lakeside Drive.

Living wage rises in Nelson due to increased food, shelter costs: report

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Thursday November 17 2022

Living wages increase across BC and in Nelson due to a 40-year inflation high and rising costs of living, especially housing — report.

The wage people need to live in Nelson has gone up and remains one of the highest in the West Kootenay-Boundary region, according to a report released by Living Wage Update Thursday morning.

The living wage in Nelson is now $20.83 — a rise of six per cent in the last year — and represents a calculation on the hourly wage that two parents working full-time need to earn to support a family of four.

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