Vandals damage radio equipment near Creston; threaten safety of BC Wildfire Service crews
BC Wildfire Service reports vandals seriously damaged radio communications equipment on Thompson Mountain in the Southeast Fire Centre sometime between (Friday) July 29 and (Tuesday) August 2. The BC Wildfire Service said equipment damage put the safety of firefighting personnel at risk. "The equipment was damaged beyond ...
Shambhala organizers hoping to educate patrons on dangers of fentanyl as Music Festival opens
As the Shambhala Music Festival kicks off its 18th event this week, organizations like the Aids Network Outreach & Support Society (ANKORS) are doing their best to educate attendees about the dangers of drugs like fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is often falsely sold under brand name narcotics labels like ...
Basin communities get huge boost for arts, culture and heritage projects
Over 160 arts, culture and heritage projects—including the Columbia Basin Culture Tour—have received a total of $706,000 in funding support for the 2016–2017 season through the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA), in partnership with Columbia Basin Trust. “In recent weeks we have heard from many grant recipients how ...
Still time to enter BC SPCA Wildlife in Focus photo contest
Hit us with your best shot! The BC SPCA’s eighth annual Wildlife-In-Focus Photography Contest, featuring a new platform and a brand-new look, is open for entries. Each year, participating photographers go wild to capture the best of British Columbia’s wildlife through the lens, but you don’t have to be a photographer to support...
Smoke from U.S. wildfires drifting into southern B.C.
The smoke that’s currently visible in many areas of the Southeast Fire Centre is originating from several wildfires burning in Idaho and Washington State. Depending on wind patterns, smoke can travel long distances. The communities of Trail, Rossland, Castlegar, Nelson, Cranbrook, Creston (and surrounding areas) will continue...
Salmo announces winner of photo contest
The results of Salmo’s Lifestyle Photo Contest are in. There were 40 qualifying submissions and more than 2,200 votes cast. The winner receives a $300 community gift basket which includes an “official” Salmo Dinner Jacket (SDJ), $150 in Salmo dollars to be spent at participating local retailers and more. The initiative is...
UPDATE: Local woman faces charges after car crash yesterday
A local woman is facing multiple charges after an accident near the airport yesterday, according to RCMP Sgt. Laurel Mathew. "On Aug. 2 at approximately 2:25 pm, Castlegar RCMP and the Ooteschenia and Castlegar Fire departments responded to a two-vehicle collision on Hwy 3A between the Brilliant Bridge and the West Kootenay...
Number of abandoned campfires during long weekend alarm Southeast Fire Centre
While there were no major fires to report in the Southeast Fire Centre, officials are sending out a warning to the public after the BC Wildfire Service responded to 32 abandoned campfires over the B.C. Day long weekend in region. "The public is being urged to be more careful with fire use to help reduce the risk of human-caused...
West Kootenay Traffic Services report busy weekend; caution people attending Shambhala Music Festival
West Kootenay Traffic Services reported a busy weekend of traffic this BC Day Holiday Weekend but no serious accidents in the region. Cpl. Chad Badry of the RCMP West Kootenay Integrated Road Safety Unit said police saw an increase in the volume of traffic while officers targeted aggressive drivers and impaired drivers....
Federal lawyers elect to lay charges in Lemon Creek fuel spill
Justice is back on the menu for those awaiting an outcome in the Lemon Creek fuel spill. Federal government lawyers have agreed to bring a total of eight charges to court in the aftermath of a Slocan Valley tanker spill three years ago. Last Tuesday in Nelson Provincial Court Last week, the federal government laid eight charges...