Regional News

Above-average temperatures dominate month of August

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Wednesday September 07 2022

The Southeast Fire Centre monthly climate summary said that the mean monthly temperature was 2.7 degrees above normal in August.

Above-average temperatures and drier than normal conditions dominated through the month of August said the Southeast Fire Centre monthly climate summary media release.

The climate summary said the upper flow pattern remained active through the period with only a few occurrences of a blocking area of high-pressure maintaining cloud-free skies for more than 48 hours. 

Columbia Basin Trust releases its annual report

by CBT on Tuesday September 06 2022

Johnny Strilaeff, President and Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair Jocelyn Carver will share highlights of the annual report during the hybrid AGM. — Submitted photo

Despite a world that has shifted, people and communities in the Columbia Basin have been able to rely on a constant resource: Columbia Basin Trust.

Its continued ability to be a cornerstone in the region — enabling groups to strengthen and grow, and to deliver projects with impact — is laid out in its most recent annual report.

“Two of our guiding principles have come to the forefront over the past couple of years: flexibility and responsiveness,” said Johnny Strilaeff, President and Chief Executive Officer, Columbia Basin Trust.

Daily Dose — Road Kings Car Show Returning to the Streets of Nelson

by Sarah Lord on Tuesday September 06 2022

Friday's parade starts at Railtown outside Nelson Chamber of Commerce at 6 p.m. before travelling along Baker Street.

Like many in-person events that have been shelved during the past two COVID-19 years , the Nelson Road Kings are excited and ready to host the 2022 Queen City Cruise September 9-10 in the Heritage City.

And President Marcello Piro of the Nelson Road Kings says the enthusiasm for the car show is bubbling at a record high this year.

“People are super stoked about being able to get out and about again," Piro said on the eve of the 2022 Road Kings Queen City Cruise.

School, cold and flu season set to return; will COVID-19 follow?

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday September 06 2022

Cases of COVID-19 have never completely abated in Nelson and across the health region — Creative Commons photo.

With school starting this week and fall’s cold and flu season on the way, the pandemic and its resultant restrictions might not be a thing of the past, according to the IHA.

An Interior Health Authority media spokesperson said the cases of COVID-19 have never completely abated in Nelson and across the health region, despite the easing of restrictions and the drop in cases at the outset of summer.

Support for Invasive Mussel Defence Program keeps BC waters healthy

by CBT on Saturday September 03 2022

Sergeant Josh Lockwood of the Conservation Officer Service with his trusty K9 assistant. — Nick Nault photo

The best offense is a good defence when it comes to invasive species, because once they’re in, they can be devastating to the local ecosystem, and near impossible to get rid of.

This has been the case for zebra and quagga mussels in eastern Canada and the United States.

KIJHL announces Kootenay Conference playoff change

by The Nelson Daily Sports on Saturday September 03 2022

The move was necessitated by the withdrawal of the Spokane Braves for a third consecutive season.

As  Kootenay International Junior Hockey League teams begin training camps on the eve of the 2022-23 Junior B season, the league announced Friday a change to the Kootenay Conference playoff format for the upcoming season.

In a media release on the KIJHL website, the league said the new format, which was necessitated by the withdrawal of the Spokane Braves for a third consecutive season.

These changes that are recommended by the KIJHL’s Hockey Operations Committee and approved by the Executive Committee:

Nelson Fire Rescue extinguishes grass fire near City Hall

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Saturday September 03 2022

Nelson Fire & Rescue Services said initial flame front was knocked down by bystanders and Nelson Police officers with handheld fire extinguishers. — photo courtesy Nelson Fire & Rescue Services

Nelson Fire & Rescue Services is advising the public to be extra cautious with all ignition sources after a grass fire started near City Hall Friday afternoon.

In a media release, Nelson Fire & Rescue Services said at approximately 1:15 p.m. Friday, dispatch received multiple 911 calls for a grass fire burning at the foot of Stanley Street next to the parking lot at City Hall.

Nelson Fire & Rescue Services said two duty members responded immediately with two additional members responding from home with prominent white smoke visible in the lower downtown area.

Vacancy rate in local healthcare staffing three times pre-pandemic rate: IHA

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Saturday September 03 2022

Staffing shortages plaguing healthcare facilities across the country are also crippling West Kootenay locations — Creative Commons photo.

The current number of vacant positions in Interior Health Association is about three times higher than it was before the pandemic and the current staff are “burning out,” according to an IHA official.

An inquiry to IHA media relations confirmed that the staffing shortages plaguing healthcare facilities across the country are also crippling West Kootenay locations, causing reductions in the emergency room hours and redeployment of staff from other departments and centres.

Nelson’s International Overdose Awareness Day event

by Contributor on Friday September 02 2022

People came in good spirits to raise awareness and learn more about the local response on International Overdose Awareness Day in Nelson and Cottonwood Park. — — Karuna Erickson photo

An International Overdose Awareness Day event and vigil took place at Cottonwood Falls in Nelson on Wednesday,  August 31st.

The annual event is to honour loved ones who have died due to drug overdose and to raise awareness about the provincial overdose crisis.

More than 70 people attended.

School meal programs, school supply purchasing expanded this year with new provincial cash

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Thursday September 01 2022

SD8 students of all ages will assemble at school with their classmates again on September 6. — Submitted photo

The province is sinking over $500,000 into the local school system to help offset the costs of education.

A total of $553,554 will be given as one-time funding to School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) in order to help families struggling with rising costs of living due to global inflation.

Under the Student and Family Affordability Fund, the money will allow the school district to feed students and purchase the school supplies students need this year.

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