Regional News

Summer’s extreme heat wave hit local icefields hard

by John Boivin Local Journalism Initiative on Thursday October 07 2021

Dr. Brian Menounos, an internationally renowned glaciologist at the University of Northern BC said preliminary analysis from aerial flyovers this summer shows a huge loss for the Kokanee Glacier. — Photo courtesy BC Parks

Scientists studying glaciers in the West Kootenay say local ice fields lost millions of tonnes of mass this summer, reinforcing fears about their long-term survival.

“It’s scary, but it’s not unexpected,” said Dr. Brian Menounos, an internationally renowned glaciologist at the University of Northern BC. “Climate scientists have been talking about this for several decades.”

“It’s not a good-news story for the glaciers.”

Climate scientists say the relationship is clear: the end result of adding more thermal energy to the atmosphere is melting snow and ice. 

September — no temperature records, precipitation close to normal

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Thursday October 07 2021

Between thunderstorms, there were some very nice days in the West Kootenay/Boundary region.

The month of September in 2021 saw no temperature records broken and precipitation close to normal said the monthly weather synopsis from the Southeast Fire Centre.

The media release said alternating ridges and troughs embedded in a prevailing westerly flow prevented any one single synoptic, or large-scale, feature from stalling over the area for more than a few days at a time. 

“This pattern had a moderating effect on temperatures, and, as a result no temperature records were broken,” the Southeast Fire Centre said.

KLAIP has been extended to May 2022

by Contributor on Wednesday October 06 2021

Kale Stanchuk, September $1000 KLAIP prize winner, holds two fish he caught this summer and entered in the anglers' draw. — Submitted

The Kootenay Lake Angler Incentive Program (KLAIP) is a local fish restoration initiative that has recently been extended to May 2022 with monthly prizes and grand prize draws for Kootenay Lake fishers. 

The next grand prize draw for a Polaris Sportsman Quad and the 3-night-stay for 2 at Coastal Springs Float Lodge will be early November. Trout heads must be submitted by October 31 to be eligible.

 In spring 2022, there will be another grand prize draw for a 2021 Marlon boat package with outboard and trailer. 

MISSING: Police searching for Creston man

by Castlegar Source on Wednesday October 06 2021

Jesse Martwart

The Creston RCMP are requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing Creston resident.

21-year old Jesse Markwart was reported missing by his family on Sept. 25, 2021.

He was last seen in the Creston area on Sept. 20. Police are very concerned for Jesse’s health and well-being, and his family reports that it is out of character for him to be out of contact for this long.

Jesse is described as a:

Selkirk College Business Programs Build Strong Futures

by Bob Hall on Friday October 01 2021

School of Business students taking part virtually in the annual Business Plan Tradeshow this past spring impressed both the panel of local experts and their instructors. With the new semester now underway, a new cohort of students is now building the knowledge and skills needed to reach desired careers.

A foundational piece of the college’s program mix since the doors first opened to regional post-secondary in 1966, School of Business alumni have provided decades of entrepreneurial spirit and sector expertise that has helped bolster the economy in local communities and beyond. As cohorts in the Business Administration Diploma Program, Post-Graduate Accounting Diploma Program and Post-Graduate Business Management Diploma Program embark on a new academic year, energy amongst students and faculty is bursting.

Rural Nelson Hydro customers could be moved to private power company: general manager

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Thursday September 30 2021

Nelson Hydro’s general manager Scott Spencer confirmed Monday night in an online general rate application presentation that it is considering the idea of handing its rural customers over to FortisBC, part of the largest privately-owned utility company in Canada — TND file photo.

The tire kicking has begun as the city’s utility prepares for the possibility of walking away from its rural customer base and handing it over to a private utility company.

Nelson Hydro’s general manager Scott Spencer confirmed Monday night in an online general rate application presentation that it is considering the idea of delivering its rural service over to FortisBC, part of the largest privately-owned utility company in Canada.

Lake levels lower than ‘historical’ values, international commission notes

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday September 28 2021

The Kootenay Lake level is sitting nearly three feet below its normal height, said Merrell-Ann Phare, Canadian commissioner with the International Kootenay Lake board of control — TND file photo.

If you were thinking Kootenay Lake right now looked lower than it has ever been, your analysis would be correct.

The lake level is sitting nearly three feet below its normal height, said Merrell-Ann Phare, Canadian commissioner with the International Kootenay Lake board of control.

“Kootenay Lake remains below its historical minimum values, and the B.C. drought notifications are still classifying it as very dry in the East Kootenay and extremely dry in the West Kootenay,” she said during the latest board public meeting on Sept. 22.

Letter: Green Party candidate lobbies for real change

by Letters to the editor on Tuesday September 28 2021

An open letter to SOWK residents:

Thank you to everyone that participated and voted in the 2021 Federal Election. Turnout across the country was lower than average so I thank you for taking the time to engage.

Obviously, this election did not turn out how I wanted and I am disappointed and dismayed by the results. I am concerned about the rising hate and division seen in this riding and the country.

New climate action team prepares to enact the vision of Nelson Next

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday September 28 2021

The city has promoted Carmen Procter — from the EcoSave Program — to a new role as climate and energy manager, and brought in Cecilia Jaques (pictured) as the new climate and energy advisor. — Submitted photo

A new team has been created to tackle climate change in Nelson.

The city has promoted Carmen Procter — from the EcoSave Program — to a new role as climate and energy manager, and brought in Cecilia Jaques as the new climate and energy advisor.

Together, they will begin implementation of the plan to reverse climate change — entitled Nelson Next — by achieving some of the “highest emission reduction targets in the world,” according to a city news release.

Nelson joins Global Day of Action to raise awareness in fight against climate change

by The Nelson Daily Staff on Monday September 27 2021

Protesters tied up traffic at the corner of Josephine and Baker Streets Saturday as part of the Global Day of Action rally. — Submitted photo

The Global Day of Action didn’t attract the crowds of past years, but that didn’t stop a small group of activists from delivering a message outside City Hall in Nelson that the world is gripped in a crisis during climate strike over the weekend in Nelson.

Organized by Fridays for Future, a global youth movement for climate and environment, and the local chapter of Extinction Rebellion, the climate strike was part of world-wide strike demanding urgent action to tackle the ecological crisis.

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