Regional News

RD, residents react to ‘excessive’ noise, demand federal government action

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Wednesday May 18 2022

Noise pollution from logging helicopters was a problem and the board of the RDCK has petitioned federal MPs with a plan — Creative Commons photo.

Smoke was not the only thing that polluted the sky when several wildfires burned in the West Kootenay last summer.

Noise pollution from helicopters was also a problem and — along with several complaints from regional district residents — the board of the Regional District of Central Kootenay has petitioned federal MP’s with a plan.

RDCK board chair Aimee Watson has written a letter to South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP Richard Cannings (NDP), Kootenay-Columbia MP Rob Morrison (Conservatives) and Transport Canada about helicopter noise pollution in the regional district.

Kootenay Rockies one of only three places in Canada to achieve biosphere certified destination status

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Wednesday May 18 2022

The region — which includes Nelson and the West Kootenay — is a biosphere certified destination, only the third such region in the nation to achieve the honour — Kootenay Rockies Tourism website screenshot

The Kootenay Rockies have achieved yet another level of excellence.

The region — which includes Nelson and the West Kootenay — is a biosphere certified destination, only the third such region in the nation to achieve the honour.

Dispute on beach access has community members questioning rationale

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday May 17 2022

The discovery of painted turtles in the area caused the CBT to impose limits on how the beach was accessed — Creative Commons photo

A dispute over closing road access to a popular local beach has not been resolved and continues to pit community members against each other and the nearby power company.

Although the North Beach property in Glade is owned by Columbia Power and Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) it has been used by residents of the community — located 23 kilometres west of Nelson — for some time, dating back over 100 years to the first Doukhobor settlers in the area.

Woman arrested and charged with multiple counts of arson

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Monday May 16 2022

A Kamloops woman has been arrested and since been charged with four (4) counts of arson by BC Prosecution Service.

RCMP said a Kamloops woman has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of arson following a joint investigation between the BC RCMP and BC Wildfire Service.

In a media release Monday, police said on April 30, 2022, a resident in the Monte Lake area encountered a suspicious vehicle on a forestry road while investigating some smoke in the hills. The resident took note of the license plate and reported it to the RCMP.

Nelson Police respond to fight involving a knife

by The Nelson Daily Staff on Monday May 16 2022

Police said both parties involved in fight new each other and were also both known to police.

Nelson Police officers responded to more than 90 calls for service this past week, including a report of a fight involving a person with a knife.

The mid-day call happened on Thursday, May 12 when dispatch was notified of a fight in the 500 block of Vernon Street.

“One of the involved parties was armed with a knife but relinquished the knife prior to police arrival,” the NPD media release explained.

“Members attended and identified both parties who knew each other and were also both known to police.”

Tax Rate Bylaw reveals real picture of tax assessment on Nelsonites

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Monday May 16 2022

Each year council approves a Five-Year Financial Plan which establishes the annual budget and priorities, with a Tax Rate bylaw also required in order to collect an appropriate amount of funds to finance its activities.

Nelsonites will be paying over five per cent more for their total tax take when compared to last year.

That is slightly higher than the four per cent increase assessed on the municipal tax rate alone, but not including the water, sewer and resource recovery increases, coupled with a jump in Nelson Hydro rates.

Each year council approves a Five-Year Financial Plan which establishes the annual budget and priorities, with a Tax Rate bylaw also required in order to collect an appropriate amount of funds — as determined by category — to finance its activities.

June likely to host beginning of construction on new Hall Street pier

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Saturday May 14 2022

Artist's impression of the Hall Street Pier — City of Nelson graphic

Re-envisioning the Hall Street Pier Project after estimated preliminary costs proved prohibitive has the waterfront work set to begin in June.

Located at the foot of Hall Street and the waterfront, the first flush of the project blew the initial budget set by city council, prompting a search to find cost savings.

By reducing the quantity of timber and steel a modified version of the pier emerged, and provided an opportunity to shorten the pier and add a swimming amenity area.

Support secured for people who are vulnerable and have low incomes

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Friday May 13 2022

Together Nelson — part of Nelson at its Best — will be the recipient of $50,000 for its Year One program to improve financial literacy skills and job readiness.

One of the city’s poverty-reduction programs is receiving a cash infusion to continue its work supporting people who are vulnerable and have low incomes.

Together Nelson — part of Nelson at its Best — will be the recipient of $50,000 for its Year One program to improve financial literacy skills and job readiness.

As well, the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) will also be receiving funding ($25,000) to develop an affordable housing action plan.

Annable Block receives BC Heritage Award

by The Nelson Daily Staff on Thursday May 12 2022

The Annable Block (Ward Street Place) has been chosen as the recipient of the Honour Award in the Conservation category for this year’s BC Heritage Awards. — Submitted photo

The Nelson CARES Society is thrilled to announce that the enormous heritage restoration project of the Annable Block (Ward Street Place) has been chosen as the recipient of the Honour Award in the Conservation category for this year’s BC Heritage Awards.

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