Column: From the Hill -- a summer tour
I recently spent a week touring through the South Okanagan-West Kootenay, meeting elected officials and constituents as well as enjoying the lakes, rivers and mountains that make this such a wonderful place to live. Now that COVID restrictions have been lifted somewhat, I was able to chat with people over coffee at picnic ...
Man missing after trying to rescue his dog from the waters of the Kootenay River
RCMP and local search and rescue crews completed another day searching the Kootenay River after a man was swept away Thursday afternoon, while attempting to rescue his dog. On July 30, shortly before 3:30 p.m., Columbia Valley RCMP received information that a man had been suddenly swept down river after he entered the water...
Auto-theft investigation leads to RCMP seizure of trafficking quantities of illicit drugs
Front line RCMP officers seized large quantities of suspected illicit drugs during the recovery of a motor vehicle taken without the owner’s consent Tuesday morning in Trail, according to RCMP Sgt. Mike Wicentowich. "On July 28, 2020 at 10:49 a.m., the Trail and Greater District RCMP received a report that a Ford F-350 pickup...
Opinion: Want to farm? Need Land? Check out this resource.
Some people have land that can grow crops, but they don’t want to farm; others want to farm and can’t find land. The solution – a program that matches people who want to farm with those who have land available to lease, and want it to stay in production or start producing crops. It's called the BC Land Matching Program (BCLMP)....
Fresh local food for families goal of new EcoSociety program
July 29, 2020 Everyone deserves access to healthy food. That’s the starting point for Farms to Friends, a new program this summer bringing local organic produce to low income families and seniors in the West Kootenays. Food security is one of the pillars of West Kootenay EcoSociety’s work, and the idea and funding for Farms...
Police resolve Sheldon-esque dispute in Trail
On July 25 at 9:12 p.m., the Trail and Greater District RCMP responded to a physical altercation between a 22-year-old man and a 29-year-old man at a residence on Rossland Avenue in Trail, according to RCMP detachment commander Sgt. Mike Wicentowich, The men had been separated and were calm when RCMP arrived on scene....
Police seek witnesses of daytime stabbing at Gyro Park
Witnesses likely saved the life of a stabbing victim with ther quick response, according to Trail RCMP top cop Sgt. Mike Wicentowich. He said on Sunday, July 19, at 4:24 p.m. the Trail and Greater District Detachment RCMP responded to a complaint of stabbing near Gyro Park at 1090 Charles Lake Drive in Trail. "A verbal dispute...
Don’t fall victim to the Fake Gold Scam: RCMP Southeast District
RCMP in the BC Southern Interior is cautioning residents to avoid falling victim to the Fake Gold Scam, a recurring seasonal crime series that is on the rise once again in the region. The implementation of COVID-19 restrictions by British Columbia public health officials likely contributed to the reduced number of occurrences...
B.C. reports another record-high monthly total of illicit drug deaths in June
The BC Coroners Service has published updated reports on illicit drug toxicity deaths and fentanyl-detected drug deaths for the first six months of 2020, with 175 illicit drug toxicity deaths reported in June. For the second straight month, B.C. is reporting the highest monthly total for deaths due to illicit substances. “For...
Trail man arrested/charged by Castlegar RCMP
A Trail man has now been charged criminally following his arrest on Tuesday related to an assault investigation in the Castlegar area. On July 14, at approximately 7:30 a.m., Castlegar RCMP responded to a report of an assault that just occurred. The male suspect had fled on foot prior to police arrival at the scene. Front...