Regional News

Logging project reducing risk of wildfire in Nelson’s watershed

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

The Selous Creek Wildfire Risk Reduction project was to offer planning and treatment of the forest immediately adjacent Nelson city limits, the city’s Selous Creek water intake and infrastructure including historic trestles on the Burlington Northern Rail Trail — Wikimedia Commons.

An ongoing wildfire risk reduction project on 70 hectares of forest just outside of the city is reducing the threat of fire inside the city, according to a regional district official.

Joel Hamilton said the Selous Creek Wildfire Risk Reduction project — for a price tag of $580,340 — was to offer planning and treatment of the forest immediately adjacent Nelson city limits, the city’s Selous Creek water intake and infrastructure including historic trestles on the Burlington Northern Rail Trail.

NDP candidate Stetski aims to repeat 2015 win in Kootenay-Columbia

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Friday Sep 10 2021

Former Kootenay-Columbia MP Wayne Stetski is looking to repeat his 2015 win when he took the riding on the NDP ticket, adding his name to the 2021 list of candidates — website screenshot.

This is the fourth of five profiles of candidates for the Kootenay-Columbia riding.

 

A familiar face is looking to turn back time on Sept. 20.

Former Kootenay-Columbia MP Wayne Stetski is looking to repeat his 2015 win when he took the riding on the NDP ticket, adding his name to the 2021 list of candidates.

Although he lost in the last federal election in 2019 to now incumbent Rob Morrison, Stetski looks to challenge him for the seat based on a platform that puts employment first.

More citizen engagement needed in political process: PPC candidate Bennett

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Wednesday Sep 08 2021

Democracy must be participatory and it must encourage rigorous dialogue, said Sarah Bennett, People’s Party of Canada (PPC) candidate for Kootenay-Columbia — submitted photo.

This is the second of five profiles of candidates for the Kootenay-Columbia riding.

There are a few musts that make democracy work.

Democracy must be participatory and it must encourage rigorous dialogue, said Sarah Bennett, People’s Party of Canada (PPC) candidate for Kootenay-Columbia.

But politics also must be motivated by solid, transparent values, which is why she so strongly supports the PPC and its precepts.

Hope Air fundraiser makes landing in Heritage City

by The Nelson Daily Staff on Tuesday Sep 07 2021

Dave McElroy — pictured with West Kootenay resident Genevieve Sauviat — is this year’s chief pilot for expedition and founder of Give Hope Wings. McElroy, originally from Nelson, is based in Kelowna. — Submitted photo

The Nelson Airport provided the backdrop to raise awareness and funds for Hope Air — a national charity that provides free flights and accommodations for Canadians in financial need who must reach medical care far from home.

Last Friday morning, pilot Dave McElroy landed at the Nelson Airport as part of the fourth annual Give Hope Wings expedition, held from August 23 to September 3.

The expedition aims to raise $400,000 to provide 1,600 flights to help people who must travel far away from their home communities for medical care.

August sees more rain than in previous years

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Tuesday Sep 07 2021

The Southeast Fire Centre monthly weather synopsis said the month of August brought rain to the area, contributing to a monthly total of almost 86mm which is roughly 2.8 times (or around 55mm) more than the monthly average of 30.4mm.

Six months of below-average precipitation ended in August said the Southeast Fire Centre in its monthly weather synopsis.

The increase in precipitation, which slowed the spread of wildfires in the region, was caused by a significant shift in the large-scale circulation that allowed approximately ten waves of moisture during the month of August. 

August also saw the region deal with several days of air quality warnings as smoke was trapped in the valley bottoms from wildfires in the southern interior of the province. 

City-sponsored contest supports getting vaccinated

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday Sep 07 2021

The idea of the Vax and Relax lottery (nelson.ca/888/Get-Vaccinated-Nelson) was to offer prizes as the way to help the district reach its immunization goals and raise the vaccination rate.

A city-sponsored contest is encouraging people to get vaccinated but is in no way forcing them to do so, noted one city councillor.

Keith Page said the idea of the Vax and Relax lottery (nelson.ca/888/Get-Vaccinated-Nelson) was to offer prizes as the way to help the district reach its immunization goals and raise the vaccination rate.

Drought level conditions continue as region’s groundwater remains low

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Thursday Sep 02 2021

Water sources overall across the region are still designated Level 4 — a severe drought designation — from the BC River Forecast Centre (BCRFC) as hot and dry weather has continued to impact the West Kootenay — file photo.

A few late summer rainfall events have not masked the drought-level conditions persisting in the West Kootenay region, according to the latest data from the province.

Water sources overall across the region are still designated Level 4 — a severe drought designation — from the BC River Forecast Centre (BCRFC) as hot and dry weather has continued to impact the West Kootenay.

Increased pressure possible on transit as school year and free transit for under 12 begins

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Thursday Sep 02 2021

The provincial program to offer free transit in Nelson and across the province went into effect Sept. 1 but there is a deeper concern over possible increased pressure on transit in peak times and people not being able to get on the bus, says the city’s chief financial officer — TND file photo.

A seat on the bus in Nelson could become an endangered species as a new program providing free transit to those under 12 kicks in this week.

The provincial program to offer free transit in Nelson and across the province went into effect Sept. 1 but — the loss of revenue to the city aside — there is a deeper concern over possible increased pressure on transit in peak times and people not being able to get on the bus, says the city’s chief financial officer.

Slocan photographer earns 'Most Impactful' award in Canada-wide Lake Biodiversity photo challenge

by Contributor on Wednesday Sep 01 2021

Tim Hicks of Slocan, won the Most Impactful with his night photo of Slocan Lake.

The impacts of the climate crisis were felt across Canada this summer as extreme heat, drought, wildfires and flooding.

As a way to draw attention to how Canadian lakes are being impacted by climate change, Living Lakes Canada invited people across the country to submit photos of their favourite lakes to the Lake Biodiversity Photo Challenge from May to July.

The Photo Challenge was an incredible success with 160 photos of more than 125 lakes submitted from five provinces.

Opposition to mandatory vaccination rally draws huge crowd in Nelson

by The Nelson Daily Staff on Wednesday Sep 01 2021

The healthcare workers rally tied up traffic on the busy Highway 3A corridor through Nelson Wednesday afternoon. — The Nelson Daily photo

Hundreds of people against what some believe are heavy-handed steps taken by BC government to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic took to the streets of Nelson as part of a provincial-wide rally.

The “We Must Stand Together” rally in Nelson was organized by local healthcare workers to protest against mandatory vaccinations for some staff in BC, as well as the recent announcement of a Healthcare Pass by the provincial government to require proof of vaccination to access some non-essential services and activities.

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