Poll

Coroner reports 150 toxic drug deaths in October 2025

According to preliminary data, 150 people died in October 2025 due to unregulated drug toxicity, as reported by the BC Coroners Service. The number of unregulated drug deaths in October equates to about 4.8 deaths per day. In 2025, deaths among those between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 70% of drug-toxicity deaths […]

Save the Date! KBRH Light-Up the Hospitals! is December 5th

Join us in enhancing the quality of health care for the Kootenay Boundary region. Mark your calendars for our annual Light-Up the Hospitals! Pledge Day event on Friday, Dec. 5 at Waneta Plaza! This cherished holiday tradition brings our community together to celebrate the season and support local healthcare. Join us in revitalizing mental health care for our region […]

Struggling with closure? Some things to try

By Chantal M. Boucher, University of Windsor We all want closure. A breakup, a sudden job loss, or the death of someone we love can leave us desperate for answers. Wars, natural disasters and shared tragedies stir the same kind of longing. Our need for closure runs so deep, it’s echoed everywhere — in movies, […]

BC government urges residents to get vaccinated due to respiratory illness season

People in B.C. are encouraged to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities from influenza, COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses, as the 2025-26 immunization campaign is underway. “The respiratory virus season typically starts in mid-to-late fall and with this, we need to keep ourselves and our loved ones protected,” said Dr. Martin Lavoie, deputy […]

RDCK explores second indoor ice rink and walking track for Complex

The Castlegar & District Recreation Commission is in the planning stages for a potential secondary indoor arena and walking track at the Castlegar & District Community Complex. Since June, staff have been reviewing current bylaws, developing funding models, and working with HCMA Architecture + Design to create concept designs and cost estimates for the proposed […]

Virtual emergency care pilot proposed in four interior communities

Interior Health (IH), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, is engaging with partners to better support overnight emergency care through a mix of virtual and on-site staffing, which is expected to enable more consistent access by reducing unplanned service interruptions. Engagement is underway with physicians, staff, Indigenous and local governments to better understand perspectives […]

Trail’s Unicorn Childcare Centre moves toward construction

The long-awaited Unicorn Childcare Centre is moving forward with construction, marking a significant step toward addressing childcare needs in the City of Trail. “This project has been years in the making,” said Mayor Colleen Jones. “We’re thrilled to see it come to life and to know that families in our region will soon have access […]

Coroners Service reports 302 deaths in July/August due to illegal drugs

According to preliminary data, 153 people in July and 149 people in August 2025 died due to unregulated drug toxicity, as reported by the BC Coroners Service. In 2025, deaths among those between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 69% of drug-toxicity deaths in the province, and 78% were male. By health authority, […]

West Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital District Board: Funding hospital equipment and capital projects in our region

 The West Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital District (WKBRHD) plays a vital role in shaping the future of health care across the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) and Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB), championing the needs of rural residents and ensuring access to quality medical services for all. The WKBRHD Board is comprised of […]

SRRAC is applying for a judicial review

The Save Record Ridge Action Committee (SRRAC) has filed a petition for judicial review in B.C. Supreme Court, challenging an Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) decision not to require an environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed Record Ridge magnesium mine. “We are asking the Supreme Court to send this decision back to the EAO, directing it […]