Regional News
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday Mar 28 2023
Builders in the regional district are taking one more step along the road to energy efficiency.
New buildings are going to be 20 per cent more efficient — than an equivalent building constructed prior to the 2018 Building Code — starting May 1 as the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) moves toward implementation of Step Code 3.
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Monday Mar 27 2023
The West Kootenay region is lagging behind much of the province when it comes to snowpack and sits lower at this time of the year than it normally does.
The Ministry of Forests Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin (March) has the West Kootenay pegged at 90 per cent of normal, below the average of 94 per cent from across the province.
But with 80 per cent of the seasonal snow pack having already accumulated, on average, by March 1, the West Kootenay is looking at drier conditions as the warmer months settle in.
By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday Mar 21 2023
Nelson Police said Tuesday that the department is stepping up investigations following the recent postponement of the “Drag Storytime Children’s Program” at the Nelson Library on Saturday March 11th, 2023.
The program was cancelled by organizers before the event was schedule to happen after staff and storytellers received threats and online intimidation.
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday Mar 21 2023
The Province of B.C. is ‘logging for extinction’ despite its claims to be reducing logging in old growth forests, claims a long-time Nelson activist.
Tom Prior said the provincial government recent contention that logging of old growth has declined by 42 per cent in B.C. — from an estimated 65,500 hectares in 2015 to 38,300 hectares in 2021 — is not quite as it seems.
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday Mar 21 2023
A growing shortage of lifeguards in the region has resulted in the reduction of operating hours at the three indoor swimming pools the RDCK operates.
What those reduced hours will be is expected to be shared daily on each facility’s recorded phone greeting, on facility signs, social media and on the regional district’s website. People are advised to double-check the schedule since information may change quickly.
By Lone Sheep Publishing on Monday Mar 20 2023
On March 15, 2023, Grand Forks RCMP were made aware of a theft from a motor vehicle that occurred on March 4, 2023 at the Paulson Cross Country ski area off Highway 3.
Police said that while the driver secured their vehicle, someone came by, broke into the vehicle and stole a purse including credit cards.
After contacting the bank, RCMP said the person discovered that the cards had been used at various locations in Christina Lake and Grand Forks.
Officers are investigating the matter in hopes of identifying a suspect or suspects.
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Monday Mar 20 2023
Up to 60 per cent of some employment sectors in the Kootenay region could suffer labour market losses due to the effects of wildfire and climate disaster, according to a report from an independent think tank.
A Climate Reckoning: The economic costs of BC’s extreme weather in 2021, provides an estimate of the total economic costs associated with 2021’s back-to-back extreme weather events, including a breakdown for the Kootenay region by job sector.
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Sunday Mar 19 2023
There are signs that a recession could be settling in for Nelsonites in 2023, according to the top executive with the city’s chamber of commerce.
Tom Thomson, executive director of the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce, was not adamant that there would be an economic downturn in the city as the year moved on, but he said there were some suggestions it could happen.
With inflation still soaring and interest rates breaking records, it’s natural to assume it might just continue through the year, he said, and that’s bad for business.
By Trail Champion on Thursday Mar 16 2023
On Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, Jarrid Constantin, a 43-year-old Trail man, failed to make an appearance on his court date, in Provincial Court, in Rossland, BC. A judge issued an unendorsed warrant of arrest for Jarrid Constantin as a result.
Trail and Greater District RCMP is alleging the following criminal charges against Jarrid Constantin:
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Wednesday Mar 15 2023
A man charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of an off-duty police officer in Nelson has pleaded not guilty.
Alex Willness, 28, pleaded not guilty to one count of manslaughter from a July 2020 incident on Baker Street that ended with a skateboard that allegedly caused the death of off-duty police officer Allan Young, 55, five days later in Kelowna at the general hospital.
