Rural rate rise sought by city-owned utility
A new rural rate increase has been proposed by Nelson Hydro that, if approved, would see the city-owned utility rural rates rise over six per cent, and a cumulative 16 per cent for the last two years. Nelson Hydro presented its 2024 budget to City council on Nov. 7 at its regular meeting and proposed […]
Provincial report warns of severe water repellency in West Kokanee Creek wildfire wake
A debris flow or flood could impact the land contained and below the summer’s West Kokanee Creek wildfire two years down the road, a Ministry of Forests report has revealed. Despite the moderate soil burn severity due to the early August wildfire, severe water repellency was observed throughout the burn area, the report claimed, foretelling […]
Bear facts: reports of grizzlies still abound in Rosemont
Three grizzly bears were spotted several times inside the borders of Rosemont three blocks from the elementary school over the last two days, according to local reports. A message has gone out from the neighbourhood school warning parents about the presence of the bears — based on numerous comments on a Facebook community site — […]
Three people survive crash as car drives off side of highway near Trail
Trail RCMP in the weekly media release reported that three occupants of a vehicle were lucky after surviving a crash Friday in the 8000 block of Highway 3B. RCMP said that on Friday, November 3, 2023, at 1:38 a.m. a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officer responded to a motor vehicle incident reported by […]
Back in the saddle: Kootenay and Boundary Farm Advisory Program stays in the race
A well subscribed farm advisor program for the Kootenay-Boundary region will be back for the next five years. The Regional District of Central Kootenay board of directors approved the allocation of $45,000 per year — for the draft 2024-2028 Financial Plan budget — that allows the Kootenay and Boundary Farm Advisor (KBFA) program to continue. […]
Special Weather Statement issued for Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass
Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for Highway 3, Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass for Monday evening and into Tuesday. Environment Canada said a prolonged snowfall is expected with totals near 15 cm by Tuesday afternoon. “Snowfall amounts up to 5 cm today, 5 cm tonight and another 5 to 10 cm on […]
High interest rates cause drop in real estate sales: Association of Interior Realtors
Real estate sales were down in the Kootenay-Boundary region in October, with high interest rates pegged as the underlying culprit, says an Association of Interior Realtors member. Association president Chelsea Mann said unit sales across the Kootenay-Boundary region — which includes Nelson and the surrounding region — decreased six per cent compared to sales activity […]
‘Disconnect’ drives rise in unemployment rate in region
The rising unemployment rate in the Kootenay region may have less to do with the slowing economy and more to do with an inability to connect. According to an insights report — Addressing the Labour Market Gap — released earlier this year by the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce, both employers and job seekers […]
Provincial pilot project proposes creation of cannabis trail in Kootenays
A provincial pilot to build a cannabis tourism trail in B.C. has a Kootenay focus as one of the two proposed legs of the project. Selkirk Innovates and the Craft Cannabis Association of B.C. (CCABC) have submitted an application for funding — under the REDIP Economic Diversification stream — to complete the project to focus […]
Questions remain over 90-hour power outage in Lardeau Valley
Answers are still being sought after a landslide caused a power outage that lasted almost four days in the Lardeau Valley, leaving almost 400 people without power for 90 hours. On Sunday, Oct. 1 a landslide north of the Lardeau Bluffs erased the road, power lines and telephone lines to residents of the Lardeau Valley […]