Regional News

Protestors gather to stop plan to cut old growth forest near Argenta

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday April 26 2022

Last weekend an environmental protest camp was set up near Argenta to help protect part one of the most significant wilderness areas in southeastern B.C. — submitted photo.

People are already standing together to stop a plan to log a section of old growth forest near Argenta.

Last weekend an environmental protest camp was set up near Argenta, with support from local environmentalists and at the invitation of the Autonomous Sinixt, Last Stand West Kootenay (LSWK) — a grassroots collective, non-profit group — intends “to help protect part one of the most significant wilderness areas in southeastern B.C.,” noted a LSWK press release on Monday.

Deep thoughts delivered on amount and nature of presentations given to council

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday April 26 2022

Council regularly receives presentations from staff and various outside organizations at its committee of the whole meetings, and often times there are more requests than the city is able accommodate.

Three times is the charm for city council when it comes to presentations.

Or, at least it could be capped at three, according to a discussion over Council Procedure Bylaw at the April 19 committee-of-the-whole (COW) meeting.

The number of presentations at the monthly COW meeting — from city staff and from the public — that city council could feasibly hear and discuss was discussed, with the result to be entrenched in legislation in the policy.

Enrolment projected to drop in School District No. 8 for next school year

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Saturday April 23 2022

There is a projected decline of 43.125 full-time-equivalent (FTE) students for the next school year in SD8.

The school district is facing a funding shortfall next school year, a direct result of a drop in projected enrolment, which could mean fewer teachers employed.

There is a projected decline of 43.125 full-time-equivalent (FTE) students for the next school year in School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake), a figure which is predominantly made up of regular Kindergarten to Grade 12 school enrolment.

According to a projected enrolment report from district staff to the SD8 board of trustees, the enrolment drop would represent a significant decline in funding.

Interior Health issues Drug Alert for Nelson area

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Saturday April 23 2022

The alert was issued after a sample believed to be methamphetamine tested positive for down (caffeine, mannitol, fentanyl, benzodiazepine). — Screenshot photo

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for the Nelson area after a sample believed to be methamphetamine tested positive for down (caffeine, mannitol, fentanyl, benzodiazepine). 

Interior Health said in a media release Friday, the overdose risk is very high when stimulants are contaminated/mixed with down.

Selkirk College Valedictorians Personify Class of 2022

by Bob Hall on Friday April 22 2022

A graduate of the four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program at Selkirk College, James Besa is one of two valedictorians who will represent the Class of 2022 at the April 26 convocation ceremony on the Castlegar Campus.

An embodiment of the spirit required to overcome challenges of the last two years, the valedictorians representing Selkirk College’s Class of 2022 will provide a rousing send-off to peers at the Castlegar Campus on April 26.

In the first in-person ceremony since 2019, students graduating from all Selkirk College programs will walk across the stage and into remarkable futures at Convocation 2022. James Besa and Gagnjeet Singh have been chosen as this year’s valedictorians who will provide inspiring words in a pair of ceremonies set for the day.

Two prescribed burns slated for this weekend, weather permitting

by Castlegar Source on Friday April 22 2022

McLeod Creek and Trozzo Creek areas may see prescribed burns as early as Sunday.

Two prescribed burns in the region may help the BC Wildfire Service get a jump on this year's fire season,

To help reduce wildfire threats, the BC Wildfire Service is supporting the Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative (SIFCo) in conducting a prescribed burn covering up to 162 hectares in the Trozzo Creek area.

The burn site is around three km northeast of Winlaw. Smoke may impact the residents close to the burn area and be visible from Winlaw and surrounding communities; it may also be visible to motorists travelling along Hwy 6.

Proposed municipal tax rate to exceed inflation rate as city delivers its latest taxation formula

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Friday April 22 2022

The City of Nelson is proposing a four per cent hike to property taxes for the year, meaning — combined with water, sewer and resource recovery taxes — the overall municipal tax bill for the average homeowner in Nelson will rise by $110.

Inflation has permeated every aspect of the economy and city property taxes are no exception.

The City of Nelson is proposing a four per cent hike to property taxes for the year, meaning — combined with water, sewer and resource recovery taxes — the overall municipal tax bill for the average homeowner in Nelson will rise by $110.

Chief financial officer for the city, Colin McClure, announced city council’s intention to levy a tax rate beyond the rate of inflation (3.4 per cent) during the budget open house on April 14.

Vaccination requirement policy rescinded by RDCK board

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Friday April 22 2022

On Thursday the Regional District of Central Kootenay board of directors voted in favour — without discussion of the motion or opposition — of rescinding its proof of vaccination policy.

The debate has come full circle on the vaccination requirement for employment at the regional district.

On Thursday the Regional District of Central Kootenay board of directors voted in favour — without discussion of the motion or opposition — of rescinding its proof of vaccination policy.

The move comes on the heels of a province-wide abatement April 8 on the restrictions in place since March 2020, requiring face masks to be worn in public places indoors, as well as the vaccination passport to a requirement for employment and access to some businesses.

Grand Forks CIBC robbed, suspect at large

by Boundary Sentinel on Thursday April 21 2022

RCMP said the suspect, who robbed the Grand Forks CIBC Thursday, was wearing a light blue hoodie and a dark jacket with the brand O’Neill on the back with his face was covered with a blue buff. — RCMP photos

Grand Forks RCMP said in a media release that a lone male suspect robbed the local CIBC in the Boundary City Thursday afternoon, making off with a large sum of cash.

RCMP said the man entered the CIBC located on the 7300 block of 2nd St. in Grand Forks, on April 21, 2022 at 4:07 p.m. wearing a hoodie and had his face covered.

Police said the suspect approached a teller and made a threat that he had a gun and demanded the money.

The suspect was handed some cash and then fled from the scene, heading south on 2nd Street.

Nelson Mother Spearheads Autism Educational Series

by Sarah Lord on Thursday April 21 2022

Kiomi Tucker, Nelson mother of an Autistic child, is bringing an Autism awareness educational series to Nelson in the hopes of greater acceptance for Autistic people. — Submitted photos

April is Autism month, and local mother of a child with Autism, Kiomi Tucker, hopes to spread awareness and understanding about Autism.

She is excited that the series of workshops happening in Nelson with the goal to disseminate information and understanding about Autism.

“I wanted to bring Canuck’s Autism Network (CAN) in to educate people in the community who often come across Autistic individuals in hopes that these individuals’ needs can be better met and destigmatize Autism,” says Tucker.

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