Regional News

Local economy gets set for close to $1 million infusion through forestry program

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

Work is underway to enhance forest resilience to protect against the effects of wildfire and climate change in the eastern Kootenay-Boundary region — Creative Commons

Nearly $1 million will be injected into the local economy through a provincial program aimed at reducing wildfire risk in the communities around Nelson.

The province will be offering cash to fund five West Kootenay projects to not only reduce wildfire risk but also to enhance wildlife habitat, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from slash pile burning and foster the development of forest recreation and ecological resiliency.

Team Cheveldaeff-Kucher claim Kennedy Shootout

by The Nelson Daily Sports on Wednesday August 31 2022

Kennedy Shootout winners Garrtt Kucher and Devon Cheveldaeff receive the trophy from Nick Kennedy (far right) and Reg Clarkson of Granite Pointe. — Submitted photo

Devon Cheveldaeff and Garrett Kucher carded a round of minus 14 under par to capture the inaugural Kennedy Shootout Two-person Golf Scramble this past weekend at Granite Pointe in Nelson.

Cheveldaeff and Kucher edged out Steve Simister and Brennan Maroney by one shot and Nick Kennedy and Reg Clarkson of Nelson by two strokes.

Trevor Browell and Aidan Browell finished fourth at minus 11 with Greg Mufford and Jeff Langin fifth at minus 10.

Ladies Division winners were the team of Lori Par and Wendy Podovelnikoff.

Other winners included:

Daily Dose — Seeing the Harrop-Proctor Community Forest for More than the Trees

by Sarah Lord on Tuesday August 30 2022

Community Forest manager Erik Leslie (back) waits for reading during a cruising outing in the Harrop-Proctor Community Forest. — Submitted photo

In late July, Erik Leslie dealt with a two-hectare fire that was started by a lightning strike.

“When things start to dry, if fires get beyond a hectare, they can be hard to put out if you don’t have good access. It was in pretty remote, difficult terrain; that was our concern,” says Leslie. “BC wildfire service dropped a bunch of loads of retardant on it from an airplane and started bucketing water and helicoptering in crews.”

According to Leslie, the recent fire was stressful but nothing new.

High elevation monitoring kicks off in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday August 30 2022

Living Lakes Canada has begun a high elevation monitoring pilot project in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park — Living Lakes Canada photo.

The effect of climate change on high level lakes in the West Kootenay is theme of a new pilot study launched by Living Lakes Canada.

Called the High Elevation Monitoring Program, the goal of the study is to begin formulating and collecting baseline data in order to understand how the chemical and biological components of the lakes are functioning.

RDCK seeks electoral approval this fall for new financial aid service

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday August 30 2022

The approval of the electors is sought in Area E for the library financial service bylaw, for the purpose of funding the Nelson Public Library.

Property taxes in Area E could go up by an average of $35 if an alternative approval process vote this fall is successful.

The approval of the electors is sought in Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Area E for the library financial service bylaw, for the purpose of funding the Nelson Public Library.

Although a positive vote would increase taxes, it is far less than Area E residents now pay to use the library service and hold a card — a subscription fee of $90 per family or $45 per individual for a library membership.

Fatal crash at west gate of Yoho National Park

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Monday August 29 2022

A multi-vehicle crash closed Highway 1 east of Golden Sunday.

Highway 1 to remain closed overnight due to a fatal motor vehicle incident involving two semi trucks.

On August 28, 2022 at 6:50 a.m. MST, the Golden-Field RCMP, BC Highway Patrol and Emergency Services responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 1 at the Yoho National Park west gate, approximately 35km east of Golden BC.

Upon arrival, it was determined that the occupants of both semi trucks involved were deceased.

Although the investigation is still ongoing, it appears as though one of the trucks drove into oncoming traffic and caused a head-on collision.

Connecting Selkirk College Students with Housing Options

by Bob Hall on Monday August 29 2022

The Selkirk College student housing facility at Nelson’s Tenth Street Campus is an important on-campus option for those arriving for class from out-of-region. With a finite number of college-operated housing units available, community members with rental options are vital to a successful semester. — Selkirk College photo

The annual pre-semester scramble to find housing is on, as out-of-region students attending Selkirk College search suitable accommodation for the upcoming academic year.

With hundreds of learners uprooting from their hometowns for opportunities at educational pathways and career-ready programs at campuses in Castlegar, Nelson and Trail, secure places to live during their journey are at a premium.

In a region with a notoriously tight rental market, it’s an annual riddle that support teams at the college are working to help solve.

Mallard's Team of the Week — Team West Kootenay

by The Nelson Daily Sports on Saturday August 27 2022

Canadian Senior Games Silver medal winning Team West Kootenay includes, back row, L-R, Kevin Melanson, Janice Melanson, Kirk Blank, Chris Bowman, Tom Campbell, Joe Capriglione, Mike Roch, Lorne Wuori, Edie St Arnaud and Wayne Germaine. Front, Chris Mota, Steve Cutts, John Mota, Loni D’Andrea, Luree Gould, Marian Shlakoff and Barry Benner. — Submitted photo

Team West Kootenay, consists of players from Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Rossland and Kelowna, picked up a Silver Medal in Mixed Slopitch at the 2022 Canadian Senior Games in Kamloops.

Team West Kootenay dropped a heartbreaking 15-12 decision to host Kamloops in the Mixed Slopitch Championship Friday.

Error by city staff leaves property owners on hook with notice on title

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Saturday August 27 2022

The property at 745 Highway 3A has been served with a notice despite the city issuing an occupancy permit for the new residential build two years ago — website screenshot.

A city staff error on a building permit has turned into a notice on title two years later for a North Shore family.

The property at 745 Highway 3A has been served with a notice on title — for not having residential sprinklers or a six-metre wide roadway access for fire trucks — despite the city issuing an occupancy permit for the new residential build two years ago.

UPDATED: Elephant Mountain Fire now under control

by The Nelson Daily Staff on Friday August 26 2022

Nelson Fire and Rescue Services said that at approximately 8:45 p.m, a lightning strike ignited a wildfire above the west end of Johnstone Road. — Nelson Fire and Rescue Services photo

The Southeast Fire Centre said Saturday that the Elephant Mountain fire near Nelson is now under control.

"We responded last evening with crews and helicopter support," said the Southeast Fire Centre in a emailed statement.

"This morning, crews are back working on the fire, and are being supported by two helicopters."

The Southeast Fire Centre said fire, caused by lightning during Friday evening's thunderstorm, is currently 0.04 hectares in size, is not expected to grow in the forecasted conditions.

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