Regional News

New Selkirk College Board Chair Places Focus on Optimistic Future

by Bob Hall on Tuesday August 11 2020

ATCO Wood Products CEO Scott Weatherford at his mill in Fruitvale where the family-owned business is a foundation of the regional forest industry. Weatherford is the new chair of the Selkirk College Board of Governors. — Photo courtesy Selkirk College

Scott Weatherford’s crash course in rural post-secondary began when he was appointed to the Selkirk College Board of Governors in 2017. Ivy League educated, the chief executive officer of Fruitvale’s ATCO Wood Products jumped at the chance to help strengthen the region through governance work at the board table.

After two years as the vice-chair, Weatherford has now shifted to the role of Chair and will help lead Selkirk College through the challenges of moving forward in these pandemic-riddled times. He’s enthusiastically up to the task.

Southeast crews respond to wildfire near Kimberley

by Province of British Columbia on Sunday August 09 2020

Residents are being advised that air tankers may be using St. Mary’s Lake for skimming, the BC Wildfire Service asks that anyone recreating in the area be aware of their surroundings and to be mindful of aircraft working in the area.

The BC Wildfire Service is responding to a suspected human-caused wildfire, Stirton Road (N11005), near the community of Kimberley. The fire is approximately two hectares in size and is being actively actioned by initial attack and unit crews, with aerial support from air tankers, and ground support from the Kimberley fire department. 

BC Transit to mandate use of face coverings

by Nelson Daily Staff on Thursday August 06 2020

Mandatory use of face coverings on buses in BC Transit communities across the Province will begin as of August 24, 2020.

In a media release Thursday, BC Transit, in alignment with TransLink and other transportation agencies, are proceeding with mandatory use of face coverings on buses in BC Transit communities across the Province as of August 24, 2020.

Accommodations will be permitted for children under the age of 5 and those that cannot wear a face covering for health reasons.

RCMP seek witnesses to Slocan drowning

by Castlegar Source on Thursday August 06 2020

The Slocan Lake RCMP is asking anyone who may have witnessed a drowning in the Slocan River on the evening Aug. 5 to contact them.

On August 5, 2020 at approximately 5:40 pm, Slocan Lake RCMP responded to a complaint of a person drowning in the Slocan River, roughly 1.5 km North West of Winlaw, BC.

A 35-year old man was swimming with an acquaintance when he went under and did not resurface.

Summer weather heats up in July

by Nelson Daily Staff on Wednesday August 05 2020

A prevailing dry upper flow dominated the weather pattern for most of July leading to amazing morning photos for early risers in the region. — Bruce Fuhr, The Nelson Daily

The West Kootenay/Boundary experienced some of the warmest temperatures of the year during the latter stages of July said Jesse Ellis, Weather Forecaster at the Southeast Fire Centre.

In the monthly weather synopsis, Ellis said the last week of July was hot, but not a record-breaker.

“The hottest temperature of the month was recorded on (July) 30th at 38.3 degrees which is about 1.5 degrees short of the record set in 2003,” Ellis said.

“The mean temperature of the month — average of the highs and lows each day — was spot-on normal.”

Targeted COVID-19 testing in response to Kelowna cluster

by Interior Health Authority on Tuesday August 04 2020

Interior Health said it is taking a different approach and trying something new at the Community Health and Services Centre.

Interior Health (IH) is opening a new COVID-19 testing and assessment centre in downtown Kelowna today, providing more access for testing to people who may have been exposed to positive cases in the community.

Interior Health said in a media release Tuesday that the temporary COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre is located at Interior Health’s Community Health and Services Centre (CHSC), 505 Doyle Avenue, and open for testing during evening hours, 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., seven days per week.

UPDATED: Wind gust believed cause of airplane crashing into Wholesale Club parking lot

by Nelson Daily Sports on Monday August 03 2020

Nelson Police and Nelson Fire Rescue staff assess damaged airplane that crashed onto parking lot of Wholesale Club on Lakeside Drive Monday morning. — The Nelson Daily photos

Nelson Police said two people escaped serious injury after wind gusts at the Nelson Airport sent a light airplane crashing into the Wholesale Club parking lot Monday morning.

Nelson Police the crash happen at 9:26 a.m. when a plane was attempting to land at the Nelson Airport next two Lakeside Drive and across from the Wholesale Club grocery store.

Man missing after trying to rescue his dog from the waters of the Kootenay River

by Castlegar Source on Sunday August 02 2020

RCMP divers, with the Underwater Recovery Team (URT), and search and rescue personnel returned to the scene Friday morning to resume their search which proved challenging due to river conditions.

RCMP and local search and rescue crews completed another day searching the Kootenay River after a man was swept away Thursday afternoon, while attempting to rescue his dog.

On July 30, shortly before 3:30 p.m., Columbia Valley RCMP received information that a man had been suddenly swept down river after he entered the water in an effort to rescue his dog. The man was recreating with his family near the Canal Flats area when the tragic incident unfolded.

BC Wildfire Service said increased activity in Southeast Fire Centre

by Nelson Daily Staff on Sunday August 02 2020

BC Wildfire Service ground crews and air support are responding to four fires that are visible from the Revelstoke area, located either on or near Mount Begbie. — Screenshot photo

The Southeast Fire Centre said in a media release Sunday that BC Wildfire Service staff has has been responding to multiple lightning-caused wildfire starts in the region, with the Arrow, Boundary, Columbia and Cranbrook zones seeing fire ignitions during the last 48 hours.

The Southeast Fire Centre said with these thunderstorm cells carrying minimal rain, it is expected that more fires will be discovered over the morning hours.

Statement by IHA regarding COVID-19

by Interior Health Authority on Saturday August 01 2020

Interior Health urges the public to avoid large gatherings, especially indoors, of people who don’t know each other.

Statement by Interior Health regarding the ongoing COVID-19 situation within the health authority:

July long weekend was a reminder that COVID-19 is still in our communities and can spread quickly if we are not respecting public health guidance, especially around gatherings.

The increases in Kelowna started with a relatively small number of positive cases. The spread from these gatherings shows just how important it is to keep to Dr. Bonnie Henry’s recommendation of fewer faces, bigger spaces.

Pages

more