Fire/downed power line on Columbia, Samaritans step up in a huge way
What could have been a dangerous fire was dealt with by three quick-thinking Samaritans this afternoon, when a power line went down on Columbia Avenue at about 2 p.m., according to fire chief Gerry Rempel. “We were standing outside the fire hall and watched the line go down,” he said, adding he quickly headed over to where ...
SMILE, Castlegar, you're on BC Assessment's camera!
Digital cameras mounted inside a clearly-marked van will soon be on the residential streets of Castlegar as BC Assessment continues to use innovation to update photos used for property assessment purposes. The residential photo update initiative will take street front digital photos of approximately 2,755 single family homes...
Residents told Sitkum Creek wildfire 20 percent contained
More than 200 people gathered Wednesday evening at école de Sentiers-alpins (formerly A. I. Collinson School) to attend a public address on the Duhamel-Sitkum Creek wildfire burning on Nelson's North Shore. Incident Commander Glen Burgess, whose team arrived on the scene Tuesday morning once the fire had outgrown the capacity...
Selkirk College Community Education Always Available for a Lifelong Learning Spark
The bustle in the Selkirk College hallways and classrooms slows during summer, but the excitement of educational opportunities never takes a break thanks to Community Education & Workplace Training (CEWT). Each year across the West Kootenay-Boundary region, Selkirk College offers hundreds of classes through its CEWT...
Medical Training in Rural Areas: An "Exciting New Development" says Dr. Hume
New programs are introducing medical students and young doctors to the joys and challenges of practicing medicine in rural areas. The advantages go both ways: the medical students and new doctors get training in managing real-life situations with the facilities and support available in small communities; and the communities...
Community Gardens survive internal drought - thanks in large part to city council
Thanks to a successful AGM and a decision from council Monday night to offer some financial support, Castlegar’s Community Garden is now blossoming and ready to run riot into the coming seasons despite almost withering into obscurity just months ago. “Last year we were running with a skeleton crew, just enough to keep the...
OUT OF LEFT FIELD: Council owes family money and apology
I think Castlegar Mayor and Council owe a local family both money and an apology – not because of a decision made at last Monday’s meeting, but because of the way it was handled, which I feel was heartless. To be clear, I’m a big fan of the sitting council, who seem to me to have a ton of heart. They volunteer relentlessly,...
Council says 'no' to pet pigs; family upset at city's mistake
A Castlegar family will be forced to part with their pet pot-bellied pigs – and eat a several-thousand-dollar investment in said pigs - after city council decided, at its regular meeting Monday night, to deny their request for an exemption from the city’s animal bylaw. City director of Development Services Phil Markin compiled...
IHIT identifies human remains found in Whistler
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has now identified the human remains found in an industrial area on the outskirts of Whistler on June 17, 2015. IHIT worked closely with the B.C. Coroner’s service in an attempt to positively identify the body and have now determined it is that of 19-year-old Jake Brian Kermond, an...
New firefighting personnel on the way to assist in B.C.
Due to elevated wildfire activity in British Columbia, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson was able to confirm that 70 personnel will be arriving from Ontario to assist with B.C.'s firefighting efforts. Sixty-three sustained-action firefighters and seven other specialized personnel from...
