An additional 73 substance use treatment beds are on their way to communities throughout Interior Health (IH). The new beds are part of IH’s plan to meet the Province’s 500 Substance Use Spaces Initiative and will support and enhance existing substance use treatment services across IH. “These new beds for Interior Health are...

The early spring weather means many of us are spending more time outside. We aren’t the only ones enjoying the unseasonable warmth - the change in weather also brings out ticks – small bugs that feed on the blood of humans and animals and can sometimes transmit disease. Ticks are most often found in tall grass and wooded...

The BC Lung Association has partnered with Radon Environmental Management Corp to provide a faster way to find out if your home, school or workplace has potentially unhealthy indoor radon levels, the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.    “Waiting for months to find out if your home, school or workplace’s indoor radon...

The fate of Kootenay Lake Hospital’s laundry services has all come out in the wash. On Tuesday afternoon the Interior Health Authority (IHA) has elected to contract out hospital laundry services for Nelson and four other communities, meaning 29 job losses in the city. Interior Health’s board of directors and the health authority...

Local Hospital Employees Union workers in Nelson are joining fellow members from other communities in the province as part of the Leap for Local Laundry rally Monday (February 29) in front of the courthouse on the corner of Vernon and Ward Streets. The day of action happens in the BC Interior as the HEU brings attention to ...

A proposal from Teck concerning the removal of tailings from areas along Fisherman’s road in Area E of the Regional District of Central Kootenay attracted concerns and questions from locals during an open house meeting at Blewett Elementary Tuesday night. Tailings are the materials left over after valuable minerals are extracted...

Women Grow: Kootenay Region Chapter held its inaugural event in Nelson on January 7th of this year– an event that brought in an all-encompassing crowd: women, men, younger folk, older folk, locals and non-locals, activists, advocates, educators, entrepreneurs, and those simply open to learning all made up the successful event...

With more people than ever to qualify for assistance with Medical Services Plan premiums next year, B.C. seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie joined Health Minister Terry Lake to remind seniors to check if they are eligible. A recent survey by the seniors advocate showed just 39% of seniors knew about MSP premium assistance and...

Avalanche Canada is issuing a Special Public Avalanche Warning for recreational backcountry users from Friday February 19 to Monday February 22. The warning applies to the North Columbia, South Columbia, the Purcells and the Kootenay Boundary. Glacier National Park is also issuing a public warning for backcountry users in...

Firefighters in Surrey and Vancouver will be the first in B.C. to carry and administer a potentially life-saving treatment, naloxone, for patients suffering opioid drug overdoses. All paramedics also now will be able to give naloxone. “An overdose can happen to anyone. The lives at risk may be your neighbours, friends or...