Mental health system could do more to ensure people can access specialized services
Auditor General of British Columbia Carol Bellringer issued her latest audit May 17: Access to Adult Tertiary Mental Health and Substance Use Services. Bellringer's team looked at how B.C.'s health system manages access to the highest level of mental health and substance use services. They found pockets of good practice, but...
Cougar sightings in Castlegar, Trail, Montrose, Blueberry
Multiple cougar sightings in several communities: three in Castlegar this month, at least one in Trail, and more in Montrose and Blueberry – have Conservation reminding residents that this is the season for it, and to secure any and all attractants that might lure a cougar to your home. “There's still snow high up in the...
SD 20 approves fees for riding school bus
Not even SD 20 trustees were happy about voting in favour of user-fees for school busing, according to Trail trustee Toni Driutti, after the board approved the fees at their regular meeting Monday evening. Driutti pointed to decreasing ministry funding and wage increases the ministry negotiated but isn't funding, as the reason...
DeGroot shooting now oldest open IIO investigation
An officer-involved fatal shooting dating back to Oct. 13, 2014, has now become the oldest open investigation being handled by the Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO). (For coverage of the shooting, click here). The sixth-oldest open IIO investigation is also local, after a fatal shooting on Kinnaird Bridge in...
Chief addresses fire preparedness in Castlegar and area
After last year's frightening fire season and the massive fire in Fort McMurray this season, residents are understandably wanting to know what the Castlegar Fire Department (CFD) is doing to protect our community from interface fires. To clarify, the province defines wildland/urban interface as the geographical point where ...
RDCK residents can now get emergency alerts via text message or landline
Emergency communications in the RDCK are getting a big boost from a new system that will notify residents and visitors about emergency events throughout the region. The Emergency Alert notification system is a free and easy program that enables users to receive free text messages and landline calls notifying them of emergencies...
Nelson man 'put his life at risk' to save BOB jumper
Ryan Labbe was preparing to enjoy some quiet time Friday (May 13) night at Lakeside Park. The City of Nelson worker had just pulled his vehicle up to the Lakeside Park boat launch when he heard yelling coming from the Big Orange Bridge deck. Labbe said there was a distraught man on the bridge that was screaming he was going...
Selkirk College School of Environment & Geomatics Students Awarded for Superb Work
Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of British Columbia (ASTTBC) Regional Manager Bruce Stevens attended the Selkirk College graduation ceremony last month to honour five students from the School of Environment & Geomatics for their presentations made during the recent applied research conference. The students...
COLUMN: Catastrophe Punctuates the Human Story
Disaster in “Canada’s most divisive city” When I label Fort McMurray our ‘most divisive city’ I am stealing the phrase of a Globe and Mail journalist. It is an apt label. Fort Mac and what it symbolizes – the fossil-fuel industry and resource capitalism – does indeed divide us into camps according to our political response ...
COLUMN: Eating Less Meat Will Reduce the Earth's Heat
Will vegans save the world? Reading comments under climate change articles or watching the film Cowspiracy make it seem they’re the only ones who can. Cowspiracy boldly claims veganism is “the only way to sustainably and ethically live on this planet.” But, as with most issues, it’s complicated. It’s true, though, that the ...
