Regional News

Researchers seek public assistance as disease threatens Little Brown Bat

by Contributor on Tuesday Feb 21 2023

A healthy Myotis bat is found hibernating in a woodpile. Reporting sleeping bats helps researchers learn what is normal. — Photo courtesy C Buick

B.C.’s bats, including the well-known Little Brown Bat, are threatened by a fungal disease headed towards the province from Alberta and Washington State.

The Kootenay Community Bat Program, in collaboration with the Province of BC, are asking the public for help in the effort to detect and prevent the spread of White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). Residents are urged to report any bat activity observed in winter and any sick or dead bats found before May 31st.

Nakusp man dies on Arrow Lakes Hospital doorstep

by Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Monday Feb 20 2023

The family called for an ambulance to come to their home on the outskirts of Nakusp but were told it would be at least 90 minutes’ wait for emergency services to arrive. — Screenshot photo

John Boivin is the Local Journalism Reporter for the Valley Voice

Interior Health and BC’s ambulance service say they are reviewing an incident where a Nakusp man died late last month on the doorstep of Arrow Lakes Hospital.

“Whenever an event like this occurs, the staff and administration will review to learn if there was anything that we could do to improve, and that is occurring in this situation,” says Lannon De Best, executive director of clinical operations for the Kootenay-Boundary district of Interior Health.

Environment Canada issues Winter Storm warning for Highway 3 — Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Monday Feb 20 2023

Environment Canada said snowfall accumulations of 20 to 30 cm is expected before the snow eases on Highway 3 Paulson Summit Tuesday night.

Environment Canada has issued a Winter Storm warning Monday for the West Kootenay/Boundary region.

Environment Canada said that hazardous winter conditions can be expected on Highway 3 — Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass beginning Monday night and into Tuesday.

Snowfall accumulations between 20 to 30 cm is expected.

“An approaching Pacific frontal system will give snow to the BC Interior,” Environment Canada said.

“Light snow will begin this morning then intensify tonight.”

Two people killed in avalanche near Golden

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Saturday Feb 18 2023

Avalanche Canada said wo people were killed in an avalanche accident in the Purcells Thursday. — Photo courtesy Avalanche Canada

Avalanche Canada reported that two people were killed in the Purcell Mountains near Golden Thursday.

The group of six — five snowboarders and a skier — were in an area known as Terminator 2.5, southwest of Kicking Horse Ski Hill when the avalanche was triggered.

“We are deeply saddened to learn that two people were killed in an avalanche accident in the Purcells (Thursday),” Avalanche Canada said on Twitter.

RCMP arrest two men believed responsible for theft of catalytic converter

by Castlegar Source on Wednesday Feb 15 2023

On February 12,, at approximately 3 a.m., frontline officers with the Castlegar RCMP were conducting patrols at the summit of Bombi Pass, on Hwy 3, where they located a grey Volkswagen with two male occupants. Officers confirmed the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Trail on November 26th, 2022. Both men were subsequently arrested for possessing stolen property. A search of the vehicle resulted in officers seizing a cordless cutting tool, a catalytic converter, and a large quantity of suspected illegal drugs.

Go Fund Me Page set up for Rossland family who lost 25 relatives in an earthquake overseas

by Rossland Telegraph on Friday Feb 10 2023

Cheryl Forrest and her three children
A local woman, Chantelle Drouin, has started a Go Fund Me page for a Rossland family who lost 25 family members in an earthquake in Turkey. Drouin described her fundraiser as follows:
 
"My dearest friend and colleague Cheryl Forrest and her three children have suffered a tremendous loss that no family should ever have to experience. On Feb 6, 2023, there was a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that affected multiple cities in Turkey, one of them being Adiyaman.

UPDATED: Human remains found in Beasley area house fire confirmed to be missing man: Nelson Police

by The Nelson Daily Staff on Friday Feb 10 2023

Nelson Police said RCMP and BC Coroner’s Service continue to investigate.

The Nelson Police Department said Friday that human remains discovered following a recent house fire in the Beasley area are those of a missing Nelson man.

Nelson Police said the Department was recently advised by local RCMP that, while conducting the investigation into the house fire in the Beasley area human remains found at the scene of the fire were confirmed of Mr. Mahoney.

Wildsight applauds fine of Teck Coal Ltd

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Friday Feb 10 2023

Wildsight said Teck Coal Ltd based in the Elk Valley failed to to construct a water treatment facility by the required permit data, along with fines for exceedances in selenium and nitrate. — Photo courtesy Alec Underwood

An environmental group in the East Kootenay, Wildsight, strongly supports a recent fine of Teck Coal Limited for failure to construct a water treatment facility by the required permit data, along with fines for exceedances in selenium and nitrate.

Teck Coal Limited was fined $16.5 million by the BC Government.

Pier project pondered by council as cash crunches visions of a canopy

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Friday Feb 10 2023

LadyBird display, event under canopy and farmer’s market — architect’s drawing.

The love for the city’s waterfront Hall Street Pier project is expected to be shown in a regular council meeting on Valentine’s Day.

City council is expected to hear back from city staff during the meeting on how it can afford continuing with the project and the $860,000 needed to finish it as planned with a canopy.

There had been some debate on how to finish the project — that began last year — during a Feb. 3 special council meeting on the budget. The costly canopy has not been approved for the coming budget that council was still deliberating on.

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