Alcohol a factor in early morning car crash
Robson fire crews responded to a single vehicle roll-over early this morning, according to Robson fire chief Jeff Grant. Grant said a six-man crew responded to a call early Wednesday morning of a single vehicle MVI in the 2700 block of Broadwater Road. The single occupant, a female driver, had crossed the centre line, lost ...
Castlegar business burns to the ground
A local business has been completely destroyed after a fire this morning. Fire Chief Gerry Rempel said they got the 9-1-1 call just before 5 a.m. Wednesday, for a structure fire at Crossroads Printing on Second Street downtown. “I was here in about four minutes, and the building was already pretty much fully involved,” he...
2016 census forms now in the mail to Canadians
Starting Monday, Statistics Canada began sending out census letters and packages to all Canadian households. Residents in cities like Nelson will receive a letter with a secure 16-digit access code to complete their form online or they can request a paper form. May 10 is Census Day, however, the government is urging Canadians...
Another dryer and very much warmer April
Weather Forecasters for the Southeast Fire Centre said March of 2016 was 1.5 degrees milder than normal. April 2016 continued the spring trend as dryer and much warmer than average temperatures covered the Southern Interior says Ron Lakeman at the Southeast Fire Centre Weather Services. "The total amount of precipitation (all...
Robson Fire Department is on fire - in the good way
The Robson Volunteer Fire Department has received a National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day award for its efforts to make its community safer from wildfire. The fire department will host a community clean-up day on May 7 to mitigate the risks of wildfire. “We hope to have a great turn out and hope to build more momentum...
Council to contemplate ban on smoking in city parks
A Castlegar city councillor is contending that changing social mores and attitudes around smoking are helping to pave the way for a potential new bylaw banning smoking in all city parks. Councillor Florio Vassilakakis said he thinks there is an appetite for this kind of bylaw. “If you had asked me 20 or 25 years ago, I would...
Millennium Park Ponds win award of excellence
The BC Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) today presented its Facility Excellence Award for 2016 to the City of Castlegar for Millennium Natural Swimming Ponds. The award recognizes excellence in facility concept, design development, maintenance or operation in a facility that demonstrates outstanding innovation and...
Therapy/trauma dog here to ease struggling local children (with photo gallery)
One of the region's newest, cutest and coolest new residents is promising to be a blessing for the entire West Kootenay, having already captured hearts in both Castlegar and Nelson. Introducing Pheonix, a three-and-a-half-year-old Alaskan Malamute (much like a Husky, but generally a calmer, lower-energy breed) who's actually...
Medical dispensaries eager to be part of conversation regarding Canada's marijuana legislation says local owner
Canadian Health Minister Jane Philpott recently took to the United Nations General Assembly special session on global drug policy to announce Justin Trudeau's plan to keep his campaign promise to legalize recreational marijuana — legislation that is especially pertinent to those living in the Nelson area. While the news...
Getting to Silverton and Taking Personal Action Against Climate Change
Some West Kootenay environmentalists have decided to join the audience converging on Silverton, B.C. to attend the Convergence Writers’ Weekend May 13 to 14 without using a fleet of greenhouse-gas-emitting internal combustion-driven vehicles. Members and supporters of Kootenays for a Pipeline-Free B.C....
