Bill Metcalfe

L-R: Herb Hammond, Chad Luke, and Corey Scott, the three guest speakers at this year's Kootenay Lake Summit on May 25. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

“A living fabric woven by water’ — Kootenay Lake Summit discusses forest and lake health

Speakers talked about salmon, forest practices, and how lakeside landowners can be shore stewards

L-R: Herb Hammond, Chad Luke, and Corey Scott, the three guest speakers at this year's Kootenay Lake Summit on May 25. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Nelson-Creston MLA Brittny Anderson met on May 26 in Nelson with Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth and with Attorney General Nikki Sharma (not shown). Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Nelson-Creston MLA Brittny Anderson met on May 26 in Nelson with Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth and with Attorney General Nikki Sharma (not shown). Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Two public spaces in Nelson: Hall Street Plaza, used mostly for parking and occasionally for public events, with IODE Park in the background. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Nelson social research group recommends fewer cars, more downtown outdoor public space

Nelson at its Best presented a report to council May 23

Two public spaces in Nelson: Hall Street Plaza, used mostly for parking and occasionally for public events, with IODE Park in the background. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Jessica Michalofsky spoke to supporters at Lakeside Park in Nelson on May 21 before beginning her month-long run to Victoria to increase awareness of the need for a safe and regulated supply of drugs. Michalofsky’s son Aubrey died of a toxic drug overdose in August of last year. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

‘First-time users are dying’: B.C. mom runs across province advocating for safe drug supply

Jessica Michalofsky’s 25-year-old son died of drug poisoning in August, 2022

Jessica Michalofsky spoke to supporters at Lakeside Park in Nelson on May 21 before beginning her month-long run to Victoria to increase awareness of the need for a safe and regulated supply of drugs. Michalofsky’s son Aubrey died of a toxic drug overdose in August of last year. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Eric Eligh’s business, Understory Wellness, will offer ketamine-assisted therapy. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Two new Nelson businesses offer psychedelic therapy products

Understory Wellness and Psilo Therapeutics have two very different approaches

Eric Eligh’s business, Understory Wellness, will offer ketamine-assisted therapy. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
A gastrointestinal outbreak has affected 19 residents and 10 staff at Jubilee Manor in Nelson as of May 10. Photo: Tyler Harper

Gastrointestinal outbreak at seniors facilities in Nelson, Trail, Creston

Fifty nine residents and 23 staff are infected

A gastrointestinal outbreak has affected 19 residents and 10 staff at Jubilee Manor in Nelson as of May 10. Photo: Tyler Harper
The new Kootenay Lake ferry is under construction at a temporary dry dock in Nelson. Photo: Ministry of Transportation and Highways

Kootenay Lake ferry completion pushed back to late 2024, service begins 2025

But the $63-million budget stays the same, says province

The new Kootenay Lake ferry is under construction at a temporary dry dock in Nelson. Photo: Ministry of Transportation and Highways
Natalie Douglas, climate resilience planner at the City of Nelson (left), receives the Commitment to Change Award from Caroline Butchart of the Zero Emissions Building Exchange, and George Heyman, B.C.’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. Photo: Submitted

Nelson receives carbon-friendly building design award

Commitment to Change award recognizes city’s leadership in advising builders on embodied carbon

Natalie Douglas, climate resilience planner at the City of Nelson (left), receives the Commitment to Change Award from Caroline Butchart of the Zero Emissions Building Exchange, and George Heyman, B.C.’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. Photo: Submitted
Victoria Maxwell, who has been hospitalized several times because of mental illness, will speak in Nelson on May 9. Photo: Bonny Makarewicz

‘There is still a lot of fear and mystery’: Mental illness de-stigmatized at upcoming Nelson event

Victoria Maxwell will present to students at L.V. Rogers, and to parents and the public May 9

Victoria Maxwell, who has been hospitalized several times because of mental illness, will speak in Nelson on May 9. Photo: Bonny Makarewicz
Nelson physician Dr. Kyle Merritt and nursing student Katherine Oldfield presented to Nelson City Council on April 25 about the health dangers of indoor cooking with natural gas. They represent the group Doctors and Nurses for Planetary Health. Photo: Nelson City Council video screenshot

Health professionals warn Nelson council about the dangers of natural gas stoves

Dr. Kyle Merritt says detriments of gas pollution in kitchens are established science

Nelson physician Dr. Kyle Merritt and nursing student Katherine Oldfield presented to Nelson City Council on April 25 about the health dangers of indoor cooking with natural gas. They represent the group Doctors and Nurses for Planetary Health. Photo: Nelson City Council video screenshot
A rockslide has closed the Pulpit Rock trail near Nelson. Photo: Submitted
A rockslide has closed the Pulpit Rock trail near Nelson. Photo: Submitted
Kimmy Guo with her piece entitled Rebellion at the Selkirk College digital arts program year end show. She says the exercise was to use many techniques in one piece. Photo Bill Metcalfe

Selkirk College digital arts students launch their careers at weekend showcase

Forty students took part, with work in a wide variety of disciplines

Kimmy Guo with her piece entitled Rebellion at the Selkirk College digital arts program year end show. She says the exercise was to use many techniques in one piece. Photo Bill Metcalfe
Nelson’s new requirement that buildings meet Step 4 of the BC Energy Step Code keeps the city ahead of the provincial standard, which now requires Step 3. The step code measures the air tightness of buildings with the aim of reducing home energy use. File photo

Nelson raises energy efficiency requirements for new home construction

New standards for larger buildings are coming soon

Nelson’s new requirement that buildings meet Step 4 of the BC Energy Step Code keeps the city ahead of the provincial standard, which now requires Step 3. The step code measures the air tightness of buildings with the aim of reducing home energy use. File photo
Alex Willness, accused of manslaughter in the death of Allan Young, testified in Nelson court on March 30. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

‘I wish I had walked away’: Accused man testifies in Nelson manslaughter trial

Alex Willness is accused of killing Abbotsford police officer Allan Young

Alex Willness, accused of manslaughter in the death of Allan Young, testified in Nelson court on March 30. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
An architect’s drawing of the Kootenay Climbing Association’s planned new gym to be located in Fairview near Selkirk College. Photo: Submitted
An architect’s drawing of the Kootenay Climbing Association’s planned new gym to be located in Fairview near Selkirk College. Photo: Submitted

New Nelson climbing gym will start construction in 2025

Nelson Climbing Association updated city council on plans March 28

An architect’s drawing of the Kootenay Climbing Association’s planned new gym to be located in Fairview near Selkirk College. Photo: Submitted
An architect’s drawing of the Kootenay Climbing Association’s planned new gym to be located in Fairview near Selkirk College. Photo: Submitted
Bank impersonation is on the rise, and people should not be fooled if a caller knows the details of their banking information. Photo: Pexels

Blewett woman loses thousands after bank account hacked

Veronica Azuray wants her story to be a warning to vulnerable seniors

Bank impersonation is on the rise, and people should not be fooled if a caller knows the details of their banking information. Photo: Pexels
Trumpeter swans at Taghum on the Kootenay River on March 23, 2023. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Trumpeter swans wintering on the Kootenay River in unprecedented numbers

The spectacle is expected to end soon when the swans head north for the summer

Trumpeter swans at Taghum on the Kootenay River on March 23, 2023. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
L-R: Dede Shave, Dixie Champ and Mathilde Klassen, residents of Lake View Village in Nelson, are questioning a recent rent increase at the facility. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Residents dispute rent increase at seniors housing facility in Nelson

Is the increase legal under B.C. tenancy law? It’s complicated

L-R: Dede Shave, Dixie Champ and Mathilde Klassen, residents of Lake View Village in Nelson, are questioning a recent rent increase at the facility. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
The RCMP had a significant presence when logging protesters were arrested May 17, 2022, near Argenta. Photo: Breanne Hope

B.C. watchdog investigation of RCMP includes Argenta logging protest

Investigation will also probe police actions at Fairy Creek and Wet’suwet’en

The RCMP had a significant presence when logging protesters were arrested May 17, 2022, near Argenta. Photo: Breanne Hope
The trial of Alex Willness following the death of Allan Young in 2020 was in its third day on March 8 at the Nelson courthouse. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

‘We can’t let him get away’: Nelson witness testifies to detaining man who allegedly struck Abbotsford officer

Alex Willness is on trial for manslaughter following the death of Allan Young in 2020

The trial of Alex Willness following the death of Allan Young in 2020 was in its third day on March 8 at the Nelson courthouse. Photo: Bill Metcalfe