Regional News

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.

Interior Health updates COVID-19 numbers

by Nelson Daily Staff on Thursday July 30 2020

Interior Health said there are 130 cases linked to Kelowna since June 26 under this new classification.

In a media release Thursday, Interior Health is reporting that there are four (4) additional COVID-19 cases since last report Wednesday, now for a 360 total in region since the start of the pandemic.

Interior Health said previously, the Kelowna cluster investigation counts were based on cases linked to businesses or gatherings in Kelowna, primarily downtown.

Currently IH is seeing more broad community transmission so it is expanding reporting to focus on any cases that are linked to Kelowna during their exposure or infectious period .

Drug Alert for Nelson Area — ANKORS

by Nelson Daily Staff on Thursday July 30 2020

There have been recent reports of overdose associated with the use of this substance in the Nelson area.

ANKORS (AIDS Network Kootenay Outreach and Support Society) in Nelson has issued at Drug Alert for the Heritage City.

The Drug Alert, issued Wednesday, July 28, 2020, comes after extremely toxic drugs have led to overdoses in the community.

“Extremely toxic concentrations of fentanyl in light yellow pebble — overdoses reported,” the ANKORS press release said.

"There have been recent reports of overdose associated with the use of this substance in the Nelson area."

For Your Safety:

Hot temperatures expected to roll through weekend — Environment Canada

by Nelson Daily Staff on Thursday July 30 2020

Most British Columbians will be taking to the water to cool off this holiday weekend as temperatures continue to soar during this heat wave.

The Heat Warning forecasted by Environment Canada for much of BC was expected to cool by Friday.

However, it appears most of the province, including the Boundary, West Kootenay, Slocan/Arrow Lakes and Kootenay Lake will see hot conditions through most of the  BC Holiday weekend.

A strong ridge of high pressure remains over the southern interior of British Columbia leading to hot conditions,” the Environment Canada website said.

“On Saturday, temperatures will begin to moderate over parts of the southern interior as the ridge of high pressure shifts east.”

Tighter rules for Alaska-bound travellers transiting through Canada to Alaska

by Nelson Daily Staff on Thursday July 30 2020

The border crossing at Nelway will not be accepting Americans transiting through Canada to Alaska for a non-discretionary purpose.

No more going-through-the-Canada/U.S.-border-and-zigzagging-through-the-Great-White-North for Americans after Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is announced Thursday that as of July 31, 2020, at 12:01 am PDT stricter rules and additional entry conditions will be imposed on travellers transiting through Canada to Alaska for a non-discretionary purpose.

Nelson Police Board responds to West Kootenay People for Racial Justice

by Contributor on Wednesday July 29 2020

Nelson Police Board said as a Board, we acknowledge that systemic racism is wide-spread in our society, including the justice system.

In response to the July 21, 2020 presentation by West Kootenay People for Racial Justice, the Nelson Police Board issued the following statement:

As a Board, we collectively believe in the inherent dignity of every person and are committed to our mission in providing independent civilian oversight, governance and strategic leadership to the NPD in order to reflect the needs, values, and diversity of our communities.

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