Regional News

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Vaccination requirement policy rescinded by RDCK board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.

Tom Renney to retire from Hockey Canada

by The Nelson Daily Sports on Wednesday April 20 2022

CEO Tom Renney, who got his start in coaching the during the mid-1980s in the KIJHL with Trail Smoke Eaters and Columbia Valley Rockies, has announced his retirement from Hockey Canada effective July 1, 2022. — Hockey Canada photo

Hockey Canada and its board of directors announced Wednesday the retirement of chief executive officer Tom Renney of Cranbrook, effective July 1, 2022.

Renney, who got his start in coaching in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League with Trail and Columbia Valley, said this is a decision he's been preparing for over the past year and knows the time is right and is grateful for the past eight years.

“I am appreciative of the opportunity that was afforded to me by past board chair, Jim Hornell, to lead this organization as its president and CEO," Renney said.

Youth Engage in Climate Events

by CBT on Wednesday April 20 2022

Basin youth learn how to channel their passion into action. — Submitted photo

Life in the Basin is ingrained with nature, whether this involves camping, kayaking or simply waking to the sounds of birdsong. It’s no wonder that Basin youth are inspired to protect their local landscapes by getting involved with climate action.

Driven by the desire to preserve their healthy surroundings, a group of 10 volunteer high school students from across the Basin planned events to rally youth for climate action awareness: the Climate Action Forum and its follow-up, the Food and Climate Action Workshop. 

FireSmart gets jump start with disbursement of funds for wildfire-risk-reduction

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Wednesday April 20 2022

Nelson will receive nearly $150,000 to assist in education, planning, emergency planning, cross-training, interagency co-operation, FireSmart activities in residential areas and fuel management.

More than $600,000 in provincial grants has been given to West Kootenay communities to support wildfire-risk-reduction initiatives, including nearly $150,000 to Nelson.

Out of a total of $609,000, the City of Nelson secured $147,667 to assist in education, planning, emergency planning, cross-training, interagency co-operation, FireSmart activities in residential areas and fuel management.

Amendment to 'Community Charter' opens doors to municipality for public notice publishing

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Wednesday April 20 2022

The provincial 'Community Charter' was recently amended to provide flexibility to municipal governments to consider how to publish required notices to the public, rather than using the previous default method of advertising twice in a local newspaper — Creative Commons photo.

The medium is the message but city council is now tasked with nailing down which medium that will be.

The provincial Community Charter was recently amended to provide flexibility to municipal governments to consider how to publish required notices to the public, rather than using the previous default method of advertising twice in a local newspaper.

The amended Section 94 of the Charter allows municipal governments to adopt a bylaw providing for “alternative means of publication,” meaning it could choose not to utilize print publication.

Fire guts home in Rosemont Mobile Park

by The Nelson Daily Staff on Monday April 18 2022

When the first on-duty firefighters arrived they observed a single trailer with flames coming from the windows and a large plume of dark smoke. — Photo courtesy Nelson Fire & Rescue Services

A home in the Rosemont Mobile Park was gutted following a fire Monday afternoon said Nelson Fire & Rescue Services in a media release.

Nelson Fire & Rescue Services said both on duty members responded to the call at 7:03 p.m. Monday of a structure fire in the Rosemont Mobile Park, located in the 900 block of West Gore Street.

The two members were quickly assisted by 15 additional members who responded from home.

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