Regional News

Medical clinic doctors speak on lack of support, resources and the failing of the province in delivering healthcare services

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Monday Jun 20 2022

Citing numerous reasons the Ancron Medical Clinic deemed it no longer had the ability to service the growing demand of walk-in patients on top of its own family practices — website screenshot.

One of the city’s walk-in medical clinics has elected to reduce its hours after suffering from staff burn-out, the crippling effect of limited resources and chronic under staffing.

The Ancron Walk-In Clinic has been operating seven days a week for the last 10 years, but as of March 31 it has curtailed its weekday walk-in traffic, operating only on the weekend (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) on a first come, first served basis.

Nelson set to come online in fall with limited organics waste diversion through RDCK

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Sunday Jun 19 2022

Nelson will be receiving an upgrade to its Grohman Narrows transfer area to accept organic waste — photo courtesy RDCK.

Although the first phase of the regional district organic waste diversion strategy has launched it will be later this year before a limited version settles in to serve the Heritage city.

The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) will open its first composting facility this week, completing the construction of a new facility in the Creston landfill to handle the collection of curbside organics in the town of Creston.

The RDCK is still developing a similar program for Nelson to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Snowpack in West Kootenay backcountry climbs to 215 per cent of normal

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Saturday Jun 18 2022

Since May 15 the region’s average snowpack has risen from 128 per cent of normal to 215 per cent, well above normal snow basin indices — Creative Commons photo.

The region’s snowpack has climbed to 215 per cent of normal as the spring melt continues to build.

Since May 15 the region’s average snowpack has risen from 128 per cent of normal to 215 per cent, well above normal snow basin indices.

“It is important to note the total snow depth is not increasing,” noted the B.C. River Forecast Centre in its Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin.

“Instead, this high anomaly happens in June during years of delayed snowmelt when current snow levels are compared to normal values that are small due to advanced snow melt.”

Creston retiree lands Grand Prize in Kootenay Lake Angler Incentive Program year end draw

by Contributor on Friday Jun 17 2022

Allan Mather is presented with his prize at Jones Boy's Boats. Left to right in photo, Dale Williams (BCWF), Karl Luedtke (West Arm Outdoors Club), Gordie Grunerud (West Arm outdoors Club), Allan Mather (Grand Prize winner), Molly Teather (Ministry of Forests), Casey McKinnon (Jones Boys Boats), Chad Jones (Jones Boys Boats), Lex Jones (Jones Boys Boats). — Submitted

Creston resident Allan Mather has won a $15,000 Marlon Boat package from Jones Boys Boats of Woodbury, B.C., the Grand Prize awarded annually by the Kootenay Lake Angler Incentive Program.

The latest winner of the $1,000 monthly prize draw, Scott Girdwood of Kaslo, was also announced.

Mather is a retired farmer and passionate angler who fishes almost weekly with friends in a large boat. Some of his fishing companions have been monthly KLAIP draw winners, based on fish they caught from Alan’s boat 

Arena floor at Castlegar & District Community Complex to be replaced

by Regional District of Central Kootenay on Thursday Jun 16 2022

Repairs are expected to cost roughly $1.65 million.

The ice floor of the arena at the Castlegar & District Community Complex will be replaced in 2023 to address brine leaks that have been occurring over the last few years. The work to replace the ice floor will require the closure of the arena for approximately six months, but will be timed to have the least impact on ice users as possible.

Amendment to 'Community Charter' opens doors to publishing split

by Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Thursday Jun 16 2022

City council voted in favour of advertising the city’s notices once in the newspaper and also to be posted on a public notice landing page on the city’s website.

Peter and Paul will both be paid in the city’s new policy on how to publish required notices to the public.

City council voted in favour of advertising the city’s notices once in the newspaper and also to be posted on a public notice landing page on the city’s website. The move differs from previous practice of solely advertising the notices solely in the newspaper (print) for two consecutive weeks.

Leslie McBain co-founder of Moms Stop the Harm coming to West Kootenays

by Contributor on Wednesday Jun 15 2022

Leslie McBain, co-founder of the provincial advocacy group Moms Stop the Harm, will speak on Friday about her work advocating for services for people affected by the overdose crisis. — Submitted photo

The free Compassion in Action Community Conference is coming up soon in Grand Forks on Friday June 24th and Saturday June 25th , from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

This free community event will include continental breakfast and a Doukhobor lunch each day.

All attendees must preregister for the event at the Compassion in Action link. Some spots remain open.

State of the Basin Focus - Subjective Well-being Research Released

by Jayme Jones with Selkirk Innovates on Wednesday Jun 15 2022

A chart showing perceptions of COVID-19 repercussions

Personal and community well-being contribute to the health, vitality, and future of our communities. To understand this subjective well-being, in 2021, researchers at Selkirk Innovates administered a survey to 400 residents of the Columbia Basin-Boundary Region.

FortisBC warns Kootenay Lake could exceed flood level this week, Evacuation Alert removed from Duhamel Creek area

by The Nelson Daily Staff on Tuesday Jun 14 2022

FortisBC has been discharging water since March, but Grohman Narrows restricts the flow out of Kootenay Lake raising water levels from Nelson to the main lake near Balfour. — The Nelson Daily photo

In a media release Tuesday, FortisBC said property owners along Kootenay Lake should be aware that due to heavy rain and the melting, above-normal snowpack, Kootenay Lake may exceed flood level within the next several days.

FortisBC said as of Monday, June 13, 2022, the lake level at Queen’s Bay 40 kilometers north of Nelson near Balfour was 1751.37 feet.

FortisBC said the lake level on Kootenay Lake is expected reach 1751.90 by June 15, and may reach as high as 1752.80 feet — flood level at Queen’s Bay is considered to be 1752 feet.

Pages

more