Regional News

Minister Sajjan announces new PacifiCan service in the Southern Interior of BC

by Contributor on Monday November 21 2022

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan) recently announced the official opening of new offices in Kelowna and Cranbrook. — Submitted photo

From the Coast Mountains to the Kootenays, British Columbians across the Southern Interior are coming together to build their businesses and create vibrant communities. PacifiCan is here to help.

PacifiCan is the new federal economic development agency dedicated to British Columbians.

PacifiCan works with partners across B.C. who are building innovative businesses, creating quality jobs, and supporting inclusive growth in communities across our province.

Friendly fire set to sear forest south of Nelson in Selous watershed

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Monday November 21 2022

Wildfire is starting to be viewed as natural part of the ecosystem, and a prescribed burn as part of the mitigation thereof — screenshot.

Wildfire may never be viewed as a friend of those communities buried in forest, but it is a natural and accepted part of the ecosystem, according to several wildfire experts.

Speaking in a video recently released on the Selous Creek wildfire risk reduction project — just southwest of Nelson — former Nelson Fire Rescue chief and director of the Emergency Operations Centre, Len McCharles said the 80 hectare (ha.) area in question was an example of how far the knowledge of wildfire activity has come.

Regional district digs into first order of business

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Friday November 18 2022

The newest version of the RDCK board of directors, (back row) from left: Jessica Lunn, Garry Jackman, Keith Page, Aidan McLaren-Caux, Diana Lockwood, Aimee Watson, Arnold DeBoon, Cheryl Graham, Leonard Casley and Hans Cunningham. Front row, from left: Maria McFaddin, Roger Tierney, Kelly Vandenberghe, Teresa Weatherhead, Suzan Hewat, Walter Popoff and Colin Ferguson. Missing: Tom Newell, Andy Davidoff and Henny Hanegraaf — submitted photo.

The fifth time is the charm for the chair of the regional district’s board of directors.

Aimee Watson — the director of Area D — has been elected as chair of the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) board of directors for the fifth time, after directors voted on Thursday morning in the first meeting of the new board at the Nelson board room on Lakeside Drive.

Living wage rises in Nelson due to increased food, shelter costs: report

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Thursday November 17 2022

Living wages increase across BC and in Nelson due to a 40-year inflation high and rising costs of living, especially housing — report.

The wage people need to live in Nelson has gone up and remains one of the highest in the West Kootenay-Boundary region, according to a report released by Living Wage Update Thursday morning.

The living wage in Nelson is now $20.83 — a rise of six per cent in the last year — and represents a calculation on the hourly wage that two parents working full-time need to earn to support a family of four.

Home composting program fueled by cash infusion as pilot project gains in scope

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Thursday November 17 2022

During the next few months a vague launch of the home composting program will begin with the first shipment of 1,600 home composting units before the end of the year.

With a pocketful of grant money and no official launch date, the city is pulling the lid off of its small-scale pre-treatment organics pilot project and going large scale.

Over the next few months a vague launch of the home composting program — via the product called the FoodCycler — will begin with the first shipment of 1,600 home composting units before the end of the year.

A $700,000 “grant” will be used to fund the program that takes home waste organic matter and turns it into material ready for composting.

RDKB concerned regarding possible closure of ER at Boundary Hospital

by Boundary Sentinel on Wednesday November 16 2022

The RDKB Boundary Services Committee will reach out to the Provincial Government to address the impact this decision could have on the residents of the Grand Forks/Boundary region. — Screenshot photo

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary is sounding alarm bells about a possible closure of the emergency room at Boundary Regional Hospital in Grand Forks.

In a media release regarding the possible closure Wednesday, RDKB officials are officials calling for urgent action from the Provincial government to stop this decision from happening.

Approval for district-wide DPA on shores of Kootenay Lake edges forward

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday November 15 2022

RDCK staff are responding to the need to mitigate negative impacts to the riparian areas — wetlands adjacent to rivers, streams or lakes — surrounding Kootenay Lake — RDCK photo.

The regional district is proposing the installation of a 30-metre wide development permit area on the shores of Kootenay Lake and it caused some concern with those already living along the lake.

Regional District of Central Kootenay staff are responding to the need to mitigate negative impacts to the riparian areas — wetlands adjacent to rivers, streams or lakes — surrounding Kootenay Lake with a Kootenay Lake Development Permit Area Review Project.

Service review doesn’t find favour on council, but it has silver lining

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday November 15 2022

Keith Page (second from left) said an independent review on the recreation service the city shares with its regional district partners was the appropriate vehicle to drive more participation from the greater portion of RDCK residents — council screenshot.

The city didn’t get what it wanted out of a recreation service review, but it got what it needed, according to the chair of the recreation commission.

Keith Page said an independent review on the recreation service the city shares with its regional district partners was the appropriate vehicle to drive more participation from the greater portion of Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) residents.

SED Emergency Response Team Assist Midway RCMP with execution of search warrant

by Boundary Sentinel on Tuesday November 15 2022

RCMP said that nine firearms were seized including a prohibited firearm and are being processed for forensic evidence as well as eight garbage bags containing psilocybin mushrooms and two plastic containers containing marijuana.

RCMP said that three individuals are facing charges following a a search of a rural property in Greenwood Monday.

RCMP said that Monday, November 14th 2022, South East District Emergency Response Team and other RCMP assisted Midway RCMP with a search warrant execution on a rural property on Lind Creek Road in Greenwood.

Police said the search warrant was executed in order to seize multiple firearms on the property.

Castlegar man awaiting drug trafficking sentence back in custody

by Castlegar Source on Monday November 14 2022

Thirty-eight-year-old Andrew Cancela who was awaiting sentencing for two separate drug trafficking charges is back in custody after police execute search warrant at a residence, according to Castlegar RCMP top cop Sgt. Monty Taylor..

"On Nov. 10, the Castlegar RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, with support from frontline ... officers executed a search warrant at a residence in the 2600 block of 5th Avenue of Castlegar," Taylor said. "The search warrant was obtained to further the investigation into the trafficking of a controlled substance.

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