Regional News

Selkirk College Adopts Mandatory Face Mask Policy

by Bob Hall on Thursday August 20 2020

Selkirk College Electrical Foundation Program students (L-R) Mack Adams, Kolbe Friesen and Landen Horton are currently on Nelson’s Silver King Campus for in-person delivery of curriculum. To ensure the health and safety of their peers and instructors, students have been wearing non-medical face masks when two-metre physical distancing is not possible. The college has now implemented a mandatory face mask policy on all its campuses and learning centres. — Selkirk College Photo

Selkirk College has introduced a mandatory non-medical face mask policy at all of its campuses and learning centres.

In keeping with Provincial Government directions to temper the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the regional post-secondary now requires all students, staff and visitors to don a face mask where physical distancing is difficult to maintain.

“This is an important step that will help ensure the health and safety of our Selkirk College community,” says Vice President of College Services Kerry Clarke.

BC Wildfire crews increase attack on fires in Southeast Centre

by Nelson Daily Staff on Thursday August 20 2020

Plumes of smoke rising from the Woodbury Creek fire over Kokanee Glacier could be seen from the Chalko Mika Mall Wednesday afternoon. — Submitted photo

BC Wildfire Service stepped up the attack on several lightning-caused fires in the West Kootenay Wednesday, sending in aerial assaults in an effort to halt the progress in the Southeast Fire Centre.

As many as seven fires continue to burn in the Slocan Valley near Winlaw following Monday’s thunder and lightning storm that passes through the region.

Wednesday, four ConAir Fire Boss planes could be seen from Highway 6 scooping up water from Slocan Lake before travelling back to drop 800 or so gallons of aqua on fires in the valley.

Charges sworn after Castlegar RCMP execute search warrant as part of residential break-and-enter investigation

by Castlegar Source on Wednesday August 19 2020

On Aug.16, at 8:31 p.m., Castlegar RCMP responded to a report of a residential break and enter to a Lynnwood Crescent home where the suspect or suspects allegedly stole tools, jewellery and sporting goods.

In order to advance its criminal investigation, Castlegar RCMP executed a search warrant on Aug. 17 to a residence located in the 600-block of 11th Street in Castlegar. During the execution of the search warrant, four occupants were located and arrested inside the residence.

UPDATED: RDKB rescinds evacuation alerts for all properties in West Boundary

by RDKB on Tuesday August 18 2020

The 44 properties near Beaverdell in the West Boundary are no longer on evacuation alert.

In cooperation with BC Wildfire, the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has determined the immediate threat from the Solomon Mountain Wildfire has subsided and evacuation alerts are no longer required.

Forty-four properties near Beaverdell in the West Boundary are no longer on evacuation alert. The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary rescinded all evacuation alerts at 9 a.m. Thursday morning.

means no properties in the RDKB are on evacuation alert or order due to wildfire.

The attached map shows the area where this evacuation alert rescind applies.

UPDATED: Lightning sparks wildfires in Slocan Valley

by Nelson Daily Staff on Tuesday August 18 2020

With the Monday evening thunderstorms that passed over the Southeast Fire Center on Monday, the BCWildfire Service has been actively actioning 25 new wildfire ignitions, with the majority of starts in the Arrow and Kootenay Lake Fire zones. — BC Wildfire Twitter

The thunder and lightning storm that flowed over the West Kootenay Monday evening sparked up wildfires in the region, including eight in the Slocan Valley in the mountains surrounding Winlaw.

The Fairful Creek fire, the Watson Creek fire and the Talbot Creek fire, all located southwest of Winlaw, are listed as "out of control" on the BC Wildfire Interactive Map. The Talbot Creek fire is the largest at five hectares.

First Ever Kootenay Pitch Competition to be Held at Nelson Innovation Centre

by Contributor on Tuesday August 18 2020

the first ever Kootenay Pitch Competition at the Nelson Innovation Centre, hosted by KAST (Kootenay Association for Science & Technology) and proudly sponsored by the Nelson & District Credit Union. — Submitted photo

For the first time in Kootenay history, entrepreneurs and startups from across the region will go head to head in the first ever Kootenay Pitch Competition at the Nelson Innovation Centre, hosted by KAST (Kootenay Association for Science & Technology) and proudly sponsored by the Nelson & District Credit Union. 

The competition is made up of three pitch events and a grand finale pitch event.

Angler Incentive program a huge success

by Contributor on Tuesday August 18 2020

From left, Kris Kirkelie, Gill & Gift; July raffle winner, Terry Tagami and Gordie Grunerud of the West Arm Outdoors Club. — Submitted photo

Local anglers continue to be incredibly supportive of the Kootenay Lake Angler Incentive Program, as evidenced by the high response rate of fish heads being deposited at the four depots.

Anglers who have not fished on the lake in recent years are taking advantage of the great weather and beautiful scenery with family and friends.

This has made a positive impact on local businesses, such as Gill & Gift Depot, one of the four local businesses that established a depot for receiving submissions.

Free rent initiative an attempt to revive downtown Grand Forks

by Boundary Sentinel on Tuesday August 18 2020

The six-month free rent program for downtown Grand Forks is aimed at new businesses, only.

In an effort to revive a struggling downtown core, the Grand Forks downtown business association is offering new commercial owners six-months free rent on a two-year lease.

The program is aimed at new busineses, only.

The downtown business association is hoping to fill up some of the boarded up building in the downtown core that have left the area due to recent floods, wildfires and, of course, the recent COVID-19 global pandemic.

Interior Health monitors positive COVID-19 tests of staff at Okanagan Correctional Centre

by Nelson Daily Staff on Monday August 17 2020

Interior Health announced that three staff members at the Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC) in the Oliver area have tested positive for COVID-19.

With the provincial government announcing the COVID-19 numbers spiking to 236 cases over the weekend in BC, Interior Health announced that three staff members at the Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC) in the Oliver area have tested positive for COVID-19.

Interior Health said the individuals are in isolation at home and being supported by Interior Health as we perform contact tracing to identify anyone who may have been exposed to COVID-19.

“There is no evidence of community transmission, and we are closely monitoring the situation,” the IH media release said.

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