Regional News

Zincton prepares to take centre stage as it seeks approval for backcountry ski hill status

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Thursday October 21 2021

Zincton will host the open house with formal proposal presentations from the province and Team Zincton starting at 5 p.m. tonight.

The region’s potential new backcountry skiing destination will reveal all in a virtual open house Thursday night.

Zincton will host the open house (register online at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_o8qxMOrcQTa8QRpc2umQDw) with formal proposal presentations from the province and Team Zincton starting at 5 p.m.

COVID-19 cases on the decline in West Kootenay/Boundary

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Wednesday October 20 2021

A crowd against vaccine passports in BC protested Monday outside the office of NDP MLA Brittny Anderson. — The Nelson Daily photo

Cases are declining in the West Kootenay/Boundary according to the weekly BC Centre of Disease control Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by local health area of case residence graphic.

Between October 10-16, 2021, the high for the West Kootenay/Boundary region was Trail with 16 new COVID-19 cases.

Earlier this month, the Silver City area reported 74 COVID-19 cases.

Both Grand Forks and Nelson areas reported 10 cases while Castlegar had seven and Kootenay Lake four.

Kettle Valley reported one case while Arrow Lakes had zero cases.

Tree logging beside Apex Loop has left Nelson Nordic Ski Club with loss of part of the loop

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Wednesday October 20 2021

When the trees siding a one-kilometre section of the Loop that resided on private land were logged by the landowner, the Nelson Nordic Ski Club (NNSC) approached the owner with questions of access and safety, with the exposed hillside now creating an avalanche zone for the trail below, and did not receive an answer — Nelson Nordic Ski Club website

A decision to log trees near part of the popular Apex Loop cross country skiing trail has the region’s Nordic ski club searching for answers for the coming season.

When the trees siding a one-kilometre section of the Loop were logged by the landowner, the Nelson Nordic Ski Club (NNSC) approached the owner with questions of access and safety. The exposed hillside now creates an avalanche zone for the trail below, the NNSC feared, but they did not receive an answer.

BC reports 560 new COVID-19 cases; 79 in Interior Health

by Province of British Columbia on Tuesday October 19 2021

During the weekend, BC reported 1,846 new cases of COVID-19.

As of Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, 89.2% (4,136,000) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83.5% (3,870,709) have received their second dose.

In addition, 89.7% (3,879,091) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 84.2% (3,640,757) have received their second dose.

B.C. is reporting 560 new cases of COVID-19, including eight epi-linked cases, for a total of 198,838 cases in the province.

Local kids win big in Kootenay Lake Angler Incentive Program

by Contributor on Monday October 18 2021

Ty Walker of Fruitvale won a kid-sized kayak in the Kootenay Lake Angler Incentive Program contest. —Submitted photo

Several local youngersters won great prizes in the fall kids’ derby draw of the Kootenay Lake Angler Incentive Program (KLAIP). 

The youngsters submitted Rainbow or Bull trout heads that they caught on the main body of Kootenay Lake and were eligible to win Pelican Magna kayaks, Kokanee Mountain Zipline Tour packages, or fishing equipment. 

Ty Walker of Fruitvale, who fishes with his grandfather, won a kid-sized kayak.

Province updates progress on Kootenay Lake Ferry Services Improvements Project

by The Nelson Daily Staff on Monday October 18 2021

Ferry traffic at the Balfour terminal waits for the next boat to arrive while work continues on the Kootenay Lake Ferry Services Improvements Project. — DriveBC photo

In its most recent update, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said construction at both the Balfour and Kootenay Bay Terminals this summer has progressed significantly is on track to be completed by the end of 2021.

This works comes following a summer of challenging summer of wildfires, extreme heat, and the ongoing pandemic for the Kootenay Lake Ferry Services Improvements Project.

Proposal for activity in Kenville Mine will not affect aquifer, domestic wells: report

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Monday October 18 2021

Ecoscape Environmental Consultants Ltd had been contracted by Ximen Mining Corp. — which owns the Kenville Mine — to undertake a hydro-geologic assessment of the 1,200-metre decline proposal (and extraction of a 10,000-tonne bulk sample) — Creative Commons photo.

A new underground decline being proposed for the Kenville Mine west of the city won’t affect domestic wells in the region, a consultant report has concluded.

Ecoscape Environmental Consultants Ltd had been contracted by Ximen Mining Corp. — which owns the Kenville Mine and other mineral rights in the area — to undertake a hydro-geologic assessment of the 1,200-metre decline proposal (and extraction of a 10,000-tonne bulk sample).

Highway Alert for Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Friday October 15 2021

Environment Canada said snowfall total amounts of about 15 cm is expected on Paulson Summit and Kootenay Pass.

 — DriveBC photo

Environment Canada has issued a Snowfall Warning Friday for Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.

Environment Canada said snowfall total amounts of about 15 cm is expected.

“A Pacific frontal system is giving snow heavy at times to Kootenay Pass this morning,” Environment Canada said.

“The snow is expected to continue through today with total accumulations up to 15 cm near the pass before the snow changes to rain this evening.”

Selkirk College adds student housing in Castlegar, Nelson

by Province of British Columbia on Thursday October 14 2021

Castlegar will be getting 112 new beds, while Nelson gets 36 new beds.

Selkirk College students in Castlegar and Nelson will have more access to student housing as provincial funding for 148 beds in two new buildings has been approved.

These new buildings will provide more on-campus housing options, while helping to reduce rental-market pressure in both communities.

Affordable housing fund could arise out of permissive tax exemption policy

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Thursday October 14 2021

City staff will be digging deep during the 2022 budget planning process to find some funding alternatives to allow permissive tax exemptions (PTE) to operate as a tool to support the supply of affordable housing in Nelson — TND file photo.

 

The city will be turning a sow’s ear of permissive tax exemptions into a silk purse of affordable housing as it charts a course on a new financial policy.

City staff will be digging deep during the 2022 budget planning process to find some funding alternatives to allow permissive tax exemptions (PTE) to operate as a tool to support the supply of affordable housing in Nelson, noted city chief financial officer Colin McClure in his report to council at the last regular council business meeting.

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