Human-caused fires raise concerns in Southeast B.C.
On Monday, March 9, crews from the Southeast Fire Centre responded to four new wildfires, all of which were human-caused and therefore preventable. Two of the fires were the result of poorly planned open burning: * Wildfire Management Branch crews supported local RCMP members and fire departments at a five-hectare grass fire...
Update: Sapriken arrested after tip from public
A man for whom police have been searching for months is now behind bars, according to RCMP Cpl. Kelly Hall (non-commissioned officer in charge of the Crime Reduction Unit). "As a result of information provided by a local Castlegar business, Castlegar RCMP arrested Sapriken on March 6, 2015," Hall said. "He was held in custody...
Prescribed burns set for Syringa
The Wildfire Management Branch will be conducting a prescribed burn near Tulip Creek in Syringa Provincial Park between March 13 and March 31, weather conditions permitting, in conjunction with BC Parks and BC Hydro's Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program. This controlled burn is part of the Lower Arrow Lake Ecosystem...
Kelowna RCMP look for more child victims of accused prolific pedophile
Police are asking the public for help in identifying the victims of an accused prolific pedophile, according to Kelowna RCMP Cpl. Joe Duncan. “Investigators fear there could be more victims of a man accused of sexual assaults involving children and are asking anyone who has had contact with him to call police,” Duncan said.“On...
Teck Trail faces laundry list of environmental charges
Teck Metals Ltd. was notified today of charges under the Fisheries and Environmental Management Acts in relation to four separate incidents at Teck Trail Operations that occurred between November 2013 and July 2014. In each case, the incidents were immediately reported to the appropriate regulatory agencies, and there was no...
Minimum wage earners in BC get a slight bump up with government announcement
The B.C. government increased the minimum wage to $10.45 per hour effect September 15 of this year said Minister for Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, and Minister Responsible for Labour, Shirley Bond Thursday. At the same time, Bond said the wage for liquor server will get bumped up from $9.00 to $9.20 per hour. “Raising ...
New finance ministry fact sheet omits a bit
When something changes from one week to the next for no apparent reason, it sparks some curiosity, as is the case with the B.C. finance ministry's “Keeping taxes low for B.C. families” fact sheet posted to its website only a week after the provincial budget. It favours spin right from the top. The first two lines, classic. ...
Electrical upgrades to KLH on the way with two new emergency backup generators
Kootenay Lake Hospital is set to get some upgrades to its electrical system over the next year or so, as Interior Health has plans to install two new backup power generators and build a new electrical building at the local hospital. The new generators will provide emergency power to the hospital during power outages and […]
UPDATED: RCMP, Coroners Service, Fire Departments continue to investigate cause of Blewett fire
Nelson RCMP, B.C. Coroners Service the Blewett, Beasley and Nelson Fire Departments continuing to investigate the cause of a fire that claimed a life early Sunday morning said Sgt. Darryl Little media spokeperson for the Kootenay Boundary Regional RCMP. Little said that at approximately 4 a.m. Sunday, a fire was reported in...
Lack of snowpack causes Southeast Fire Centre to caution public with outdoor burns
The month on the calendar may say March but that hasn’t stopped the Southeast Fire Centre from issuing a public warning to exercise caution with any outdoor burning activities, due to the warmer and dryer winter. “The worry right now is “person caused” fires due to grass burning or the of burning piles,” Jordan Turner, Fire...
