Regional News
By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday Jan 24 2023
Hundreds of first responders, including members of the Nelson Police Department, lined the highway between Kelowna and Nelson for a procession to pay tribute to Const. Mathieu Nolet.
Const. Nolet, 28, died from injuries Saturday morning at Kelowna General Hospital after being caught in an avalanche January 9 while backcountry skiing near Goat Range Provincial Park, northwest of Kaslo.
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Tuesday Jan 24 2023
With discussion already carefully vetted in public forum the final stamp of approval was levied on the increase to city utilities.
A report from the City of Nelson’s Finance department was approved that suggested a two per cent increase to the water rates charged city residents — along with a similar two per cent rise in sewer fees — to help pay for the costs related to several major projects on the horizon in 2023.
By Contributor on Monday Jan 23 2023
A Grand Forks resident will be getting his steps in as his motorized scooter has been impounded and he’s facing multiple charges under the Motor Vehicle Act.
On Wednesday, January 18th just after 11 a.m., a 55-year-old Grand Forks man was seen operating his motorized scooter on Market Avenue in the downtown core.
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Monday Jan 23 2023
There is a high economic risk attached to some of the creeks that traverse the city’s neighbourhoods, including one tributary that contains a high life safety risk, according to a recent engineering report.
In the Steep Creek Hazard Assessment Report by BCG Engineering out of Vancouver it was found that Cottonwood Creek — with Gold, Selous and Giveout creeks adding to its flows — had the potential for significant economic risk inside the city’s boundaries.
By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Saturday Jan 21 2023
Nelson Police is dealing with another loss to the department after it was announced Saturday that a second officer involved in a backcountry skiing accident has died.
Nelson Police Chief Donovan Fisher said this morning via video release that Const. Mathieu Nolet had succumbed to his injuries and died Saturday morning at Kelowna Regional Hospital.
Chief Fisher said that Nolet’s fiancée, sister and parents were at his side.
“It is hard to fully express the sadness we are feeling here,” said Chief Fisher.
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Saturday Jan 21 2023
The plight and height of the Kootenay River will be the current of conversation when the Columbia River Treaty talks go virtual early next month.
A virtual information session is slated for Feb. 2 — with another on Jan. 30 on the Columbia River — to provide details and answer questions about the process, with the focus on Kootenay River “interests.”
Those interests — as well as information on the Columbia River Treaty Local Governments Committee’s initiative — will be revealed in the two webinars, along with the performance measures that have been identified to date.
By Contributor on Friday Jan 20 2023
The next time Carl Johnson’s grandchildren come to town, there will be plenty of new gear to take fishing after the Argenta retiree reeled in $1,000 in prizes from the Kootenay Lake Angler Incentive Program.
With a little help from his grandchildren, Carl has caught “50 or 60 trout” this season.
“Whenever they come up from Vancouver, they always say let’s go fishing and it’s still a thrill for them to come home and eat what they caught,” said Johnson, a former government employee. “It gives us some entertainment away from the computer, too.”
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Friday Jan 20 2023
Although avalanche conditions remain considerable in the West Kootenay backcountry there are reports that show a ‘slowing of avalanche activity,’ according to an Avalanche Canada forecaster.
Colin Garritty, lead field tech and forecaster with Avalanche Canada (AC), said, despite the slowing of activity, there were several significant avalanche incidents within the latest gathering of field information.
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Thursday Jan 19 2023
Despite a steady deluge of precipitation, the West Kootenay currently sits at only 93 per cent of its average annual snowpack and is down 32 per cent from last year, according to a provincial report.
In the Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin, issued in early January by the B.C. Ministry of Forests, it was reported that the region is lagging behind its historical pace at accumulating snow in the alpine areas — the reservoir for fresh water in the warmer months.
By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on Wednesday Jan 18 2023
Family, friends and colleagues of Nelson Police Department Const. Wade Tittemore gathered Wednesday at the Capitol Theatre in Nelson to celebrate the life of the police officer.
Const. Tittemore was killed in an avalanche Monday, January 9, located in the mountains near Goat Range Provincial Park, northwest of Kaslo.
Const. Tittemore, 43, was backcountry skiing with fellow Const. Mathieu Nolet at the time of the avalanche.
