Regional News

BC Greens agree to work with NDP in BC Legislature

by Nelson Daily Staff on Monday May 29 2017

John Horgan of the BC NDP (left) and Andrew Weaver of the Green Party came together on a four-year Confidence and Supply Agreement that provides a path to forming a new government. Photo courtesy Facebook

Michelle Mungall said on Facebook the Nelson-Creston MLA is "very excited to be part of history with an NDP-Green agreement for a BC Government."

Mungall fired off the post after BC NDP leader John Horgan and Andrew Weaver of the Green Party reached an historic agreement making a New Democrat government one step closer.

The agreement gives the NDP the support of 44 MLAs — 41 elected members from the May 9 Provincial Election plus the three Green MLAs.

Last day of laundry operations in Nelson — September 14

by Nelson Daily Staff on Monday May 29 2017

Laundry services at Kootenay Lake Hospital will be turned over to Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service Inc. in September. Photo courtesy IHA

Time is running out laundry employees at Kootenay Lake Hospital after Interior Health announced the new private company handling work will begin operation for the Nelson facility as of September 14.

Alan Davies, support services director for Interior Health, recently made the announcement.

“Given the magnitude of the change, we plan to stagger the closure of our five main plants over a three-and-a-half month period, beginning with our sites in the Okanagan in June,” Davies said in a written email.

Man remains in custody after smashing windows in downtown Nelson

by Nelson Daily Staff on Monday May 22 2017

A few windows were damaged in the downtown core after a man went on a rampage early Sunday morning. Submitted photo

Nelson Police said a man in his mid-20's remains in custody following a window smashing spree through downtown Nelson early Sunday (May 21) morning.

NPD Sergeant Dino Falcone said police attended an alarm in downtown Nelson at approximately 5 a.m. after it was reported a window had been smashed.

Falcone said while officers were waiting for the property owner to arrive at the business, they witnessed a 25-year-old man pick up a sandwich board and throw it into another business window.

"Nelson Police quickly apprehended the male and arrested him for two counts of mischief under $5000," Falcone said.

Bat encounters can put you at risk for rabies — Interior Health

by Nelson Daily Staff on Friday May 19 2017

In 2016, 61 people in the Interior Health region were treated for potential exposure to rabies.

Interior Health is advising the public of the importance of avoiding physical contact with bats, the primary carrier of the rabies virus in B.C.
 
IH said rabies is a very serious disease that affects the nervous system and is almost always fatal if not treated in time.

In 2016, 61 people in the Interior Health region were treated for potential exposure to rabies.

New single regional transit fare structure means rate rise in city

by Timothy Schafer on Tuesday May 16 2017

In order to simplify the West Kootenay Transit Committee's existing fare structure, city council approved a rise in the single fare structure from $2 to $2.25, but Nelson students will be paying a lot less. The Nelson Daily file photo
Simplify, simplify, simplify.

City council has approved a new, single, simplified rate for transit, as recommended by a recent BC Transit Fare review, but it comes at a price.

A 25-cent price.

In order to simplify the West Kootenay Transit Committee’s existing fare structure, city council approved a rise in the single fare structure from $2 to $2.25, but Nelson students will be paying a lot less.

Selkirk College Students Visit Remote Calvert Island Research Station

by Bob Hall on Sunday May 14 2017

Students in the Selkirk College Integrated Environmental Planning Program spent a week at the Hakai Institute in early-April as part of the field trip element of their studies. Hakai Institute researcher Derek Heathfield (left) and Selkirk College student Brent Rayner (right) take part in a 3D drone mapping exercise that is mapping the coastline and determining processes in sand dune formation. Submitted photo

A group of ten Selkirk College students in the Integrated Environmental Planning Program (IEP) spent a week off-grid on the west coast studying the impacts of climate change on a delicate ecosystem.

Just prior to completing their two-year IEP diploma,students and their instructors traveled from Castlegar to Calvert Island on the central coast of British Columbia. As part of the requirements for a spring field trip, students spent five days at the Hakai Institute applying the knowledge they have gained in the past two years to an entirely different ecosystem.

City moves to prop up paving program with parking meter rate rise

by Timothy Schafer on Sunday May 14 2017

Meters will still receive quarters, loonies and toonies, but the cost per hour is increasing to $1.25 after council passed third reading of the bylaw to change parking rates. The Nelson Daily file photo

With parking space already at a premium in the city's downtown, the premium people pay to park is now going up.

City council approved third reading on a change to the per hour rates they charge for metered parking, increasing the cost by 25 per cent, from $1 per hour to $1.25.

There is certainly a range of other issues regarding parking and the condition of city roads that need to be discussed at the council table, said Coun. Michael Daily, but the rate rise for parking was not one of them.

Logging proposal gets frosty response in Ymir

by John Boivin Local Journalism Initiative on Sunday May 14 2017

Ymir residents are alarmed at a BC Timber Sales plan to allow logging in their community watershed.

Residents of Ymir say they’re alarmed by plans of BC Timber Sales to allow logging in their community watershed.

They’re concerned that their tiny community water system could be damaged by forestry operations in the area.

“It’s our only source of drinking, consumable and firefighting water,” says Jay Leus, a resident of Ymir who opposes the idea of logging the area. “It could very well put us into a water crisis, as our community watershed is incredibly small.”

Village of Salmo Adopts 2017 Budget and Tax Bylaw

by Nelson Daily Staff on Thursday May 11 2017

Residents of Salmo will see a two percent increase in property taxes.

Salmo Mayor Stephen White and council passed the tax and budget bylaw for the Village during Tuesday's regular meeting that has taxpayers see a two percent increase in taxes for the upcoming year.

The 2017 budget and property tax bylaw came following months of public meetings in the Village of Salmo.

“We are very pleased to have kept taxes low, while budgeting for significant infrastructure and community upgrades,” Mayor White said Thursday in a media release.

UPDATED: Environment Canada ends Severe Thunderstorm Watch

by Nelson Daily Staff on Wednesday May 10 2017

People are asked to keep away from creek and river banks as the expected increase in precipitation should see a rise in flows. The Nelson Daily photo

Environment Canada ended its Severe Thunderstorm Watch as of Thursday afternoon for most of the Southern Interior.

However, regions can still expect the risk of thunderstorms and snow at higher elevations as an unsettled weather pattern continues to grip the region.

As for people travelling highways in the province, spring weather can make conditions in B.C. unpredictable, particularly through high mountain passes.

The public should be prepared and be aware that winter tires and chains may still be needed.

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