Regional News

New Selkirk College Indigenous Classroom Opens Circle of Learning

by Bob Hall on Monday Sep 20 2021

Selkirk College students, faculty, staff and community Elders joined together to officially open the post-secondary’s first Indigenous classroom on the Castlegar Campus. Set in a permanent circular configuration and featuring brilliant wood furnishings, the bright space sets an immediate tone of openness.

A fresh space on Selkirk College’s Castlegar Campus welcomes students from diverse cultural backgrounds to join together in dialogue, knowledge and understanding.

During the first full week of classes at the regional post-secondary, students, faculty and staff joined together with Elders to officially open the college’s first Indigenous classroom. Beginning with a smudging ceremony outside, students taking the Indigenous Studies 287 course entered a beautiful room configured and adorned in a manner that inspires interconnected learning.

Burning ban, state of emergency ends to signal final stages of wildfire season

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Sunday Sep 19 2021

The end of the burning ban is a sigh of relief for urban and rural residents in the Regional District of Central Kootenay — smoke, wildfire, heat and drought combined to create one of the more difficult summers in recent memory — Brad Lidell, Creative Commons.

People can light them if they got them as the burning ban has been lifted in most of the rural West Kootenay region.

As of late last week open burning is permitted in several fire zones, including Kootenay Lake — which contains Nelson and the Slocan Valley — Arrow, Columbia, Invermere and Cranbrook.

The lifting of the ban — which had been in place for nearly three months — unofficially signals the end of the wildfire season in the region.

Nelson anti-vax supporters join World Wide Rally for Freedom demonstrations

by The Nelson Daily Staff on Sunday Sep 19 2021

More than 300 protesters lined the sidewalks around Nelson City Hall to show their displeasure with various public-health measures. — Submitted photo

Saturday marked another round of protests in Nelson as anti-vaccine supporters filled the sidewalks in front of City Hall as part of the mass World Wide Rally for Freedom demonstrations across Canada and the world.

More than 300 protesters waved Canadian flags and held signs, some saying “Say No to Vaxx Tyranny”, “No to Vaccine Passports” and “Pro-Choice NO Mandates” to show their displeasure with various public-health measures.

New look for BC Hockey’s AAA Leagues

by The Nelson Daily Sports on Thursday Sep 16 2021

The BCEHL logo is designed to be representative of the beauty and strength of the province, while also paying tribute to traditional and foundational elements of hockey in our region of Canada.

BC Hockey’s AAA Leagues enter the 2021-22 season with the exciting introduction of a new league name, logo and brand. 

The British Columbia Elite Hockey League (BCEHL) will now be the official home to the top AAA hockey players in the province at the U15, U17, and U18 level.

THE LEAGUE: The BCEHL is the home to four AAA leagues (Female U18 and Male U18, U17 and U15). These four leagues include 35 teams and 680 elite athletes.

Open burning allowed again in parts of Southeast Fire Centre

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Wednesday Sep 15 2021

All open burning will be permitted in the Cranbrook, Invermere, Columbia, Arrow and Kootenay Lake fire zones, but will remain prohibited in the Boundary fire zone.

Effective at noon Pacific Time on Thursday, September 16, 2021, the Southeast Fire Centre said all open burning will be permitted in the Cranbrook, Invermere, Columbia, Arrow and Kootenay Lake fire zones.

However, open burning will remain prohibited in the Boundary fire zone.

In the Boundary Zone the following equipment and activities remain prohibited:

Proposal for Lakeside basketball courts beats the buzzer and scores with city council

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday Sep 14 2021

The Nelson Hoops Association Lakeside Park outdoor basketball court re-development proposal was approved by council recently to build on the bocce site with the idea of constructing three courts on the site, including one full-sized — NHA illustration.

Game on.

The city has approved a proposal by the Nelson Hoops Association to construct a regulation-sized basketball court at Lakeside Park, over 10 years after a similar proposal by two enterprising young men was denied by the council of the day.

As well, the city approved an in-kind contribution of up to $7,500 to cover city staff time and material for the work associated with the project.

The time and money contribution are well spent, said Coun. Rik Logtenberg.

“It’s a small amount compared to the great asset we are bringing to the community,” he said.

Inquest into death of Peter de Groot opens this month in Nelson

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday Sep 14 2021

The details surrounding the death of Peter John de Groot will be the subject of the BC Coroners Service public inquest scheduled to begin Sept. 27 at the Nelson Courthouse (9:30 a.m.) — file photo.

A public inquest into the death of a man shot by police near Slocan in 2014 is set to begin in Nelson later this month.

The details surrounding the death of Peter John de Groot will be the subject of the BC Coroners Service public inquest scheduled to begin Sept. 27 at the Nelson Courthouse (9:30 a.m.).

De Groot was living in a cabin outside of Slocan at the time of his death in October, 2014, when he was involved in a confrontation with RCMP.

Interior Health updates COVID-19 orders related to events

by Interior Health Authority on Monday Sep 13 2021

Interior Health president and CEO, Susan Brown said getting vaccinated and being able to show proof of vaccination is how the public can now resume some events and activities safely and with more people.

Interior Health is updating COVID-19 regional medical health officer orders to make it possible for larger events to go ahead in the Interior, as long as participants show proof of full vaccination.

“Thank you to everyone across the Interior who continues to help slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Interior Health president and CEO, Susan Brown.

“However, we can’t let our guard down now. Getting vaccinated and being able to show proof of vaccination is how we can now resume some events and activities safely and with more people.”

‘Flaunting’ of new health directives will result in arrest: NPD chief constable

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Monday Sep 13 2021

Police attended and supervised a weekend protest outside the Nelson Provincial Court House on Saturday that drew hundreds of people, the latest protest delivered in a vocal but peaceful fashion — submitted photo.

Arrests will be made if people insist on ‘flaunting the current health directions’ regarding COVID-19 restrictions, the city’s chief constable has declared.

Donovan Fisher said Monday that, although they respect everyone’s right to choose, people who ignore the requirements for businesses to check for vaccinations will be arrested.

Greening Up — Imagine Doing Different

by Michael Jessen on Monday Sep 13 2021

From food to plastic to clothing to troublesome chemicals are found in personal care and makeup products, the climate change alarm bells are ringing and we need to hear them – and act.

“We can envisage a world that is different but in order to bring it into being, we must take action.” – Alastair McIntosh

Activism comes in all sizes, shapes, and at all ages.

Greta Thunberg was only eight when she first learned about the climate crisis.

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