Feature - Sentinel

Cannabis is the word of the week as the premier of the documentary two years in the making hits the airwaves tonight on CBC. The show, Cannabiz, follows the evolution of the marijuana culture and industry in the Grand Forks area from the mom and pop growers to the more criminalized elements evident today. Cannabiz highlights the different factions involved in the industry, the economic dependence of the region on this illegal product, and the conflicts that the police and RCMP face fighting a seemingly futile battle.

A legal precedent decided in Ontario yesterday, Jan. 20, sets the stage for battle in B.C. between the health authorities and raw milk advocates. In Ontario, Michael Schmidt of Glencolton Farms, was acquitted of 19 charges of distributing unpasteurized milk. Meanwhile, in B.C., an illness reported in early January to the Fraser Health Authority has brought a cow-share, Home on the Range, in the Fraser Valley under scrutiny. They are now facing an injunction against them for distributing raw milk.

Several areas within the Interior are experiencing higher than normal temperatures and heavy rainfall, which could lead to local flooding. Flooding may result in several health related concerns, like the contamination of surface and shallow groundwater sources. Interior Health would like to advise everyone, especially those getting their water from a private well, to be aware.

If you are experiencing flooding, here are some guidelines to follow:

Following on the heels of a successful fundraising concert by Harry Manx on the Sunshine Coast last month, long time Grand Forks resident Gary Gilbert and his partner Tani Schwartz are reaching out to their friends in Grand Forks for help. Help to fund another medical trip required for Tani’s daughter, Rose, who grew up in Grand Forks, in her continuing struggle with a little known condition called gastroparesis.

Grand Forks City Council is considering a bylaw that would ban the use of bow and arrows within city limits as a result of complaints received recently from community members. Currently, it is legal to bow hunt within the city limits. Bow hunting has mostly been used as a way to control the deer population and the nuisance they have become.

With a near full gallery at the meeting of Grand Forks city council, people gathered to bring forward different concerns. One of the most pressing topics of the week was medical marijuana. Two motions by Councillor Gene Robert at the Dec.7 meeting forced council to a vote on the issue when it was introduced by an item of correspondence.

OmniTrax sent a glimmer of hope to stakeholders in the Boundary region this week when they announced that they will work with the different parties to try to keep the railway from Grand Forks to Kettle Falls, WA  running. A meeting last week between the businesses reliant on the railway and the owner of the line, OmniTrax, in Colville, WA was successful in an agreement to explore the continued operation of the line. 

Storm warnings could not stop the devastation the wind brought to the Boundary region on Monday night and early Tuesday, Nov. 17. Wind gusts ranging from 50 to 70 kilometres per hour were seen in the last 24 hours around the area along with heavy rainfall. While the weather warning has now been lifted, the damage clean up is just beginning.

The Grand Forks community was devasted in August when 12-year-old John Fulton was found dead in his neighbour's home. Shortly afterward police arrested Kimberly Noyes for his murder. On Oct. 31, police issued a request for possible witnesses to come forward.

After promising during the election to protect health care services, the B.C. Liberals and the Interior Health Authority are cutting 14 per cent of medically-necessary hip and knee replacements.

Adrian Dix, NDP Health Critic said, ”During a board meeting yesterday, IHA CEO Murray Ramsden reported that the number of hip and knee replacements would be 328 less than the number of procedures performed last year, amounting to a 14 per cent reduction. As a consequence patients will suffer in pain longer, and increasingly turn to strained emergency rooms for help.”