Regional News

Be prepared for winter driving — Shift Into Winter Campaign

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Sunday November 14 2021

The fresh snow on highways in the Kootenay/Boundary region has arrived, and so have the plow trucks. — Submitted photo

It's no secret living in the Kootenay/Boundary region that drivers will inevitably experience driving in winter conditions.

Winter conditions such as colder temperatures, rain, snow, black ice, reduced visibility, and fewer daylight hours can present serious hazards for all drivers around the Central Kootenays and Boundary highways.

Here are a few tips to prepare drivers for winter driving.

Snowfall Warning for Highway 3 — Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Saturday November 13 2021

Environment Canada said that Kootenay Pass is expected to receive snow accumulations of 15 to 25 cm beginning Saturday night to Sunday morning. — DriveBC

The two highway passes bordering the West Kootenay/Boundary region are expected to see a significant accumulation of snow according to the Environment Canada website, which prompt the issuing of a Snowfall Warning for Highway 3 — Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.

Environment Canada said it expects snow accumulations of 15 to 25 cm beginning Saturday night to Sunday morning.

“An intense Pacific frontal system moving across the B.C. Interior will give snow to most southern highway passes,” the Environment Canada website said.

Unemployment rate for Kootenay region drops, but economy continues to lag

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Saturday November 13 2021

In October the percentage of unemployment fell to six per cent, from 7.8 per cent one year ago. But, instead of having the fourth lowest regional unemployment rate in the province like it did in 2020, it now has the fourth highest — Creative Commons photo.

Although the region’s unemployment figure has dropped since last year the rate of putting people back to work in the Kootenay has begun to lag behind the rest of the province.

In October the percentage of unemployment fell to six per cent, from 7.8 per cent one year ago. But, instead of having the fourth lowest regional unemployment rate in the province like it did in 2020, it now has the fourth highest.

Cranbrook Remembrance Day memorial defaced with pro-vaccine graffiti

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Friday November 12 2021

Cranbrook RCMP is investigating vandalism complaint after the city’s cenotaph was spray-painted with graffiti early in the morning before Thursday’s Remembrance Day Ceremony. — Twitter photo

Cranbrook RCMP is investigating an act of vandalism after the city’s cenotaph was defaced with graffiti early in the morning before Thursday’s Remembrance Day Ceremony.

Police said they were called early Thursday morning when someone noticed the graffiti saying “the real heroes are the vaccinated” scrawled across the memorial at the site.

First responders and city workers scrambled to remove the graffiti before the start of Thursday’s Remembrance Day Ceremony in Cranbrook.

Enrolment in the region’s schools immune to effects of the pandemic

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Friday November 12 2021

Enrolment in schools has not fluctuated greatly despite no easing of COVID-19 protocols and restrictions, the introduction of masks during class time for all students, and one of the lowest vaccination rates in the province — TND photo.

The mass exodus out of the city’s schools has not happened.

Enrolment in schools has not fluctuated greatly despite no easing of COVID-19 protocols and restrictions, the introduction of masks during class time for all students, and one of the lowest vaccination rates in the province.

As the pandemic and its various variants wend their way through society and School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake), the amount of students stepping across the threshold to public school has only dipped slightly in 2021.

Taking it outside: the way for another season on the deck in the downtown paved by new resolution

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Thursday November 11 2021

A motion to extend the model of allowing sidewalk and street patios for free was brought forward to city council Tuesday night during their regular monthly business meeting in council chambers — City of Nelson agenda screenshot.

The merit of patios in the downtown was on deck for council as the need to retain the vibrancy of the Baker Street experience was debated.

A motion to extend the model of allowing sidewalk and street patios to operate for free was brought forward to city council Tuesday night during their regular monthly business meeting in council chambers.

BC reports 555 new COVID-19 cases, 114 in Interior Health

by Province of British Columbia on Wednesday November 10 2021

The most recent COVID-19 numbers for Local Health Areas in the Southern Interior from October 31 to November 6, 2021, released Wednesday by the BC Centre of Disease Control.

As of Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, the Ministry of Health in BC said there were 90.5% (4,195,116) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 86.4% (4,003,628) received their second dose.

In addition, 90.9% (3,932,843) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 87.0% (3,760,978) received their second dose.

B.C. is reporting 555 new cases of COVID-19, including three epi-linked cases, for a total of 210,758 cases in the province.

Cannabis at three: reviewing regulation and legalization

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Wednesday November 10 2021

In an effort to bridge the gap that still exists between illicit and legal cannabis consumers, the province recently launched a public education campaign called Buy Legal, encouraging people to buy cannabis from government-sanctioned stores. The Cannabis Collective is creating a building in Nelson for local growers to “transition out of grey markets into the business of legally compliant cannabis cultivation by honouring their intellectual capital.” — The Nelson Daily photo

Three years into legalization of non-medical cannabis the province has made some inroads shifting consumers from the illicit to the legal market.

But, in an effort to bridge the gap that still exists, it recently launched a public education campaign called Buy Legal, encouraging people to buy cannabis from government-sanctioned stores.

New childcare centre opens at Selkirk College Silver King Campus

by Bob Hall on Tuesday November 09 2021

The ribbon has been cut at the Silver King Childcare Centre in Nelson that opens 24 new spaces in the community. Those taking part in the scissor honours at the official opening include: (L-R) Selkirk College President Angus Graeme, Columbia Basin Trust Chair Jocelyn Carver, Aanyta Fahrenbruch from Kootenay Kids and Nelson-Creston MLA Brittny Anderson. — Submitted photo

Increased access to quality licensed child care on Selkirk College’s Silver King Campus in Nelson will assist families in accomplishing a proper balance that helps build stronger communities.

Opened to families in September, the new Silver King Childcare Centre provides 24 new spaces for both Selkirk College students and the general community.

The new facility was possible through $1.2 million in funding from the provincial government’s Childcare BC New Spaces Fund and$300,000 from Columbia Basin Trust, the centre is being operated by Kootenay Kids Society.

Surrey baby found safe after being abducted in stolen vehicle

by Castlegar Source on Tuesday November 09 2021

Surrey RCMP is informing the public of a theft of vehicle and child abduction that occurred in the Cloverdale area.

On Nov. 9, 2021 at 08:35 a.m., Surrey RCMP responded after a vehicle was stolen with a baby strapped into a car seat inside. The vehicle was parked, and left running in the driveway of a residence in the 17200-block of 58 Avenue.

Surrey RCMP immediately deployed multiple resources including all available Frontline officers, plain-clothes units and the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service. An Amber alert was also issued.

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