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Interior Health statement on conviction of former chief medical health officer

Dr. Albert de Villiers

Interior Health has issued the following statement in response to the verdict regarding Interior Health’s former chief medical health officer:

"Interior Health is now aware of the guilty verdict issued (Feb. 7) regarding Dr. Albert de Villiers.  

"Given the leadership and public-facing role of the chief medical health officer, and the critical importance for the incumbent to comply with all respects of professional standards, it is Interior Health’s position that a person convicted of criminal charges of this nature is unable to fulfill the duties of the position.

Blizzard Music Festival Ignites Tourism in Mountain Town

The Tuques vocalist Sue Pepin’s larger-than-life voice erupted through the Olaus Ice Palace during Blizzard Music Festival.
Blizzard Music Festival once again took Rossland by storm, signalling the return to the event’s full glory.
After a two-year hiatus, the show went on with more than 35 musical acts sweeping through the city Jan.25–28. The nearly sold-out festival attracted not only local fans but also an abundance of tourists, opening up opportunities for West Kootenay musicians to share their talents on stage with Canadian music icons drawn to the alpine city.
“There was definitely a buzz in the streets as we walked between venues, and even though headliner The Pack A.D.

Fog increases risk of crashing for Kootenay/Boundary drivers

The Kootenay Pass summit can experience its fair share of fog during any driving season. — DriveBC photo

Foggy conditions are making driving even more hazardous in the Boundary, West Kootenays and Kootenay Lakes region this morning.

Visibility can decline in seconds – Highway 3 is already at near zero -- increasing the risk of crashing.

“Even creeping along at 10 to 15 km/h can be dangerous,” says Trace Acres, spokesperson for the annual Shift into Winter campaign.

“Whether we drive for work or for pleasure, we all need to adjust our driving in the fog.”

Deadline looms for West Kootenay/Boundary Sr Games Zone to elect new executive

For athletes to compete in the upcoming BC 55+ Games are scheduled for August 22-26 in Abbotsford, positions on the West Kootenay/Boundary Sr Games Zone executive must be filled.

EDITOR NOTE: The upcoming Zone 6 AGM set for February 18 at 10 a.m. has beed moved from the Kootenay Room of the Castlegar Community Complex. The new locations for the meeting is SANDMAN INN in CASTLEGAR. Times remain the same.

The West Kootenay/Boundary Zone 6 BC Senior Games executive continues to rustle the bushes for volunteers to step up to guarantee the participation of zone athletes during future games.

Environment Canada issues alert for Highway 3, Kootenay Pass to Paulson Summit

Hazardous winter conditions are expected beginning today and into Tuesday evening with total snowfall accumulations of 25 cm.

Environment Canada issued an alert Tuesday for Highway 3, Kootenay Pass to Paulson Summit.

Environment Canada said hazardous winter conditions are expected beginning today and into Tuesday evening with total snowfall accumulations of 25 cm.

“A frontal system moving across the BC Interior will give heavy snow to southern highway passes,” Environment Canada said.

“Light snow this morning will intensify later in the today.

Canada betrays its ‘Species at Risk Act’ while province wipes out mountain caribou habitat: VWS

The Valhalla Wilderness Society contends that the Species at Risk Act (SARA) does not provide protection under the law for the endangered mountain caribou and its habitat — Creative Commons photo.

The nation’s Species at Risk Act is no law at all, says a local environmental group.

The Valhalla Wilderness Society contends that the Species at Risk Act (SARA) does not provide protection under the law for the endangered mountain caribou and its habitat, 30 years after Canada signed an accord — at the UN Convention on Biodiversity in Rio De Janeiro — to protect biodiversity, which spawned the enactment of SARA.

Missed transit routes elicits response from community, West Kootenay Transit committee

Rik Logtenberg said the contract the RDCK — along with the City of Nelson — and BC Transit has with NextGen has struggled with a lack of bus drivers on some routes, causing cancellations — file photo.

The regional transit service has been suffering and the community is stepping up with solutions, noted a member of the West Kootenay Transit committee.

Rik Logtenberg said the contract the Regional District of Central Kootenay — along with the City of Nelson — and BC Transit has with NextGen has struggled with a lack of bus drivers on some routes, causing the cancellations on certain days.

UPDATED: Police apprehend man on outstanding arrest warrant

Ryan Harp, 32, is wanted for an outstanding arrest warrant for a Breach of Release Order.

Grand Forks RCMP said Friday night, February 3, 2023 at just past 9 p.m. Ryan Harp was apprehended by police.

Grand Forks RCMP said police officers from both the Grand Forks and Midway Detachments responded to a tip from the public that Ryan Harp, a male who was at large and wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant was seen near Phoenix Road and Marshall lake Road between the two communities.

RCMP said that officers from both jurisdictions attended and were able to arrest Harp without incident.

'Overdose crisis is a public health issue'

Monday’s drug decriminalization pilot project announced Monday is a critical step to end the shame and stigma that prevents the public with substance abuse issues from reaching out for what could be life-saving help. — Submitted photo

Amanda Erickson, Community Action Team Facilitator for Nelson, Castlegar, Grand Forks, said the overdose crisis is a problem that in some form most likely has affected everyone in the province.

Monday’s drug decriminalization pilot project announced by the BC Government, that takes affect Tuesday, January 31, 2023, will take a critical step to end the shame and stigma that prevents the public with substance abuse issues from reaching out for what could be life-saving help.

RCMP continue search for stolen 2001 Ford F350 truck

If anyone has any information on the theft of this truck or knows of its whereabouts, they are asked to call the Grand Forks RCMP at 250-442-8288. —Submitted photo

Grand Forks RCMP continue to be on the lookout for a pickup stolen earlier this month from outside a residence in Christina Lake.

Grand Forks RCMP said in its weekly media release that on January 23, 2023 at 4:30 p.m., police respond to a complaint of a stolen truck from Brown Road in Christina Lake.

Police said a blue, 2001 Ford F350 pickup truck was taken from outside the residence sometime between Sunday morning on January 22nd and when it was discovered missing on Monday afternoon, January 23rd.

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