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...
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...
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....
Spring Farm Fair fast approaching
We are hosting our Third Annual Spring Farm Fair on May 14 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., at the Pass Creek Regional Exhibition Grounds in Robson. Spring Farm Fair is associated with the Annual Pass Creek Fall Fair, which informs and educates the public regarding the importance of the Agricultural Industry and the positive impact...
Spring Fling is finally here!
Spring hasn't officially arrived in Castlegar until you get to Fling it – and that day is finally here! Saturday will see the 11th Annual Spring Fling Festival, with tons of entertainment, vendors, food and fun, as well as the classic car show and the famous three-on-three street hockey tourneys, this year expanded to include...
New Therapy Centre Opens in Trail
Movin’ Mountains Therapy Centre is up and running on Laburnum Drive in Trail, with a focus on innovative, therapeutic programming for children and youth of all abilities. Born from a recognition that families in the Kootenays require more Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy services, Movin’ Mountains is set on the premise...