Regional News

Snowpack in West Kootenay backcountry climbs to 215 per cent of normal

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Saturday June 18 2022

Since May 15 the region’s average snowpack has risen from 128 per cent of normal to 215 per cent, well above normal snow basin indices — Creative Commons photo.

The region’s snowpack has climbed to 215 per cent of normal as the spring melt continues to build.

Since May 15 the region’s average snowpack has risen from 128 per cent of normal to 215 per cent, well above normal snow basin indices.

“It is important to note the total snow depth is not increasing,” noted the B.C. River Forecast Centre in its Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin.

“Instead, this high anomaly happens in June during years of delayed snowmelt when current snow levels are compared to normal values that are small due to advanced snow melt.”

Creston retiree lands Grand Prize in Kootenay Lake Angler Incentive Program year end draw

by Contributor on Friday June 17 2022

Allan Mather is presented with his prize at Jones Boy's Boats. Left to right in photo, Dale Williams (BCWF), Karl Luedtke (West Arm Outdoors Club), Gordie Grunerud (West Arm outdoors Club), Allan Mather (Grand Prize winner), Molly Teather (Ministry of Forests), Casey McKinnon (Jones Boys Boats), Chad Jones (Jones Boys Boats), Lex Jones (Jones Boys Boats). — Submitted

Creston resident Allan Mather has won a $15,000 Marlon Boat package from Jones Boys Boats of Woodbury, B.C., the Grand Prize awarded annually by the Kootenay Lake Angler Incentive Program.

The latest winner of the $1,000 monthly prize draw, Scott Girdwood of Kaslo, was also announced.

Mather is a retired farmer and passionate angler who fishes almost weekly with friends in a large boat. Some of his fishing companions have been monthly KLAIP draw winners, based on fish they caught from Alan’s boat 

Arena floor at Castlegar & District Community Complex to be replaced

by Regional District of Central Kootenay on Thursday June 16 2022

Repairs are expected to cost roughly $1.65 million.

The ice floor of the arena at the Castlegar & District Community Complex will be replaced in 2023 to address brine leaks that have been occurring over the last few years. The work to replace the ice floor will require the closure of the arena for approximately six months, but will be timed to have the least impact on ice users as possible.

Amendment to 'Community Charter' opens doors to publishing split

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Thursday June 16 2022

City council voted in favour of advertising the city’s notices once in the newspaper and also to be posted on a public notice landing page on the city’s website.

Peter and Paul will both be paid in the city’s new policy on how to publish required notices to the public.

City council voted in favour of advertising the city’s notices once in the newspaper and also to be posted on a public notice landing page on the city’s website. The move differs from previous practice of solely advertising the notices solely in the newspaper (print) for two consecutive weeks.

Leslie McBain co-founder of Moms Stop the Harm coming to West Kootenays

by Contributor on Wednesday June 15 2022

Leslie McBain, co-founder of the provincial advocacy group Moms Stop the Harm, will speak on Friday about her work advocating for services for people affected by the overdose crisis. — Submitted photo

The free Compassion in Action Community Conference is coming up soon in Grand Forks on Friday June 24th and Saturday June 25th , from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

This free community event will include continental breakfast and a Doukhobor lunch each day.

All attendees must preregister for the event at the Compassion in Action link. Some spots remain open.

State of the Basin Focus - Subjective Well-being Research Released

by Jayme Jones with Selkirk Innovates on Wednesday June 15 2022

A chart showing perceptions of COVID-19 repercussions

Personal and community well-being contribute to the health, vitality, and future of our communities. To understand this subjective well-being, in 2021, researchers at Selkirk Innovates administered a survey to 400 residents of the Columbia Basin-Boundary Region.

FortisBC warns Kootenay Lake could exceed flood level this week, Evacuation Alert removed from Duhamel Creek area

by The Nelson Daily Staff on Tuesday June 14 2022

FortisBC has been discharging water since March, but Grohman Narrows restricts the flow out of Kootenay Lake raising water levels from Nelson to the main lake near Balfour. — The Nelson Daily photo

In a media release Tuesday, FortisBC said property owners along Kootenay Lake should be aware that due to heavy rain and the melting, above-normal snowpack, Kootenay Lake may exceed flood level within the next several days.

FortisBC said as of Monday, June 13, 2022, the lake level at Queen’s Bay 40 kilometers north of Nelson near Balfour was 1751.37 feet.

FortisBC said the lake level on Kootenay Lake is expected reach 1751.90 by June 15, and may reach as high as 1752.80 feet — flood level at Queen’s Bay is considered to be 1752 feet.

Transit ridership will take time to recover from pandemic

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday June 14 2022

Public transit ridership is still in recovery mode and it could be four years before ridership in the region returns to pre-COVID ridership levels — TND file photo.

It could be four years before public transit ridership in the region returns to pre-COVID ridership levels, according to a regional district report.

Public transit ridership is still in recovery mode, noted Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) research analyst Tom Dool in his annual operating agreement report to the board of directors.

“Depending on the route and time of day current ridership levels fluctuate between 60 per cent to 80 per cent of pre-COVID levels,” he said. “Current forecasts do not expect a return to pre-COVID ridership levels until 2025.”

Early morning fire guts outbuilding on Morgan Street in Nelson

by The Nelson Daily Staff on Monday June 13 2022

Fire damage to the Electric Cedar Sauna outbuilding is estimated at $15,000. — Photo courtesy Nelson Fire and Rescue Services

Nelson Fire and Rescue Services had an early start to Monday, responding to an early morning structure fire in the 200 block of Morgan Street.

In a media release Monday, Nelson Fire and Rescue Services said it was a maximum response as crews worked diligently to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent homes.

“Both on-duty members responded immediately with 16 additional members responding from home,” the Nelson Fire and Rescue Services media release said.

Daily Dose — Nelson Filmmaker continues to make his mark Internationally

by Sarah Lord on Monday June 13 2022

Nelson-based filmmaker Jeremy Grant is making big waves in the international film circuit with his latest short film. — Photos courtesy Griffin Kerwin

Like many, the pandemic affected Jeremy Grant’s career, and he spent much time at home with his three kids.

"I did a year, almost two of stay-at-home dad, homeschooling," says Grant. "The pandemic was so particularly slow that filmmaking in general, especially adventure travel filmmaking, was the furthest thing from an essential service. The whole industry slowed down, and nothing happened."

With the Covid slowdown, his filmmaking focus shifted, and he started doing scripted work and shot short narrative pieces locally.

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