Chelsea Novak

Leslie McBain lost her son to an accidental opioid overdose when he was 25 and now advocates for harm reduction changes to drug policies at all levels of government with Moms Stop the Harm. She was the evening keynote speaker at the conference to address the fentanyl and opioid crisis in Castlegar on Thursday. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)

Addressing the opioid crisis in West Kootenay

Decriminalization is key to providing proper support for people who use drugs, a conference heard.

Leslie McBain lost her son to an accidental opioid overdose when he was 25 and now advocates for harm reduction changes to drug policies at all levels of government with Moms Stop the Harm. She was the evening keynote speaker at the conference to address the fentanyl and opioid crisis in Castlegar on Thursday. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)
Destination BC’s Highway 3 destination development strategy set to debut

Destination BC’s Highway 3 destination development strategy set to debut

The final draft of a destination development strategy for the Highway 3 corridor is ready.

Destination BC’s Highway 3 destination development strategy set to debut
Behind the photo of the elk on a snow-covered roof

Behind the photo of the elk on a snow-covered roof

The bull elk spotted on a rooftop was able to get up there by using snow to climb onto the carport.

Behind the photo of the elk on a snow-covered roof
Efforts to rescue two snowboarders were underway early Sunday afternoon. The two men were safely returned to Red Mountain hours later. (Chelsea Novak/Rossland News)

VIDEO: Dramatic video shows return of rescued B.C. snowboarders

Two snowboarders were rescued near Rossland, B.C. on Sunday after being lost overnight.

Efforts to rescue two snowboarders were underway early Sunday afternoon. The two men were safely returned to Red Mountain hours later. (Chelsea Novak/Rossland News)
Between Dec. 7 and 14, 55 of 56 flights scheduled in and out of the West Kootenay Regional Airport were cancelled. (Betsy Kline/Castlegar News)

55 flights cancelled at West Kootenay Regional Airport in eight days

Gerry Rempel, the airport manager, said a low cloud ceiling was behind the cancelled flights.

Between Dec. 7 and 14, 55 of 56 flights scheduled in and out of the West Kootenay Regional Airport were cancelled. (Betsy Kline/Castlegar News)
The Columbia Basin Trust announced Thursday that it is expanding its support for arts, culture and heritage in the Basin. (Submitted)

CBT announces $11.6 million over 3 years for arts, culture and heritage

The Columbia Basin Trust will offer $11.6 million over three years for arts, culture and heritage.

The Columbia Basin Trust announced Thursday that it is expanding its support for arts, culture and heritage in the Basin. (Submitted)
The Hugh Keenleyside Dam near Castlegar was one of three built as part of the Columbia River Treaty. It has had a huge impact on the Columbia River valley all the way to Revelstoke. (Wikimedia Creative Commons)

Columbia River Treaty to be renegotiated in early 2018

News came in a Tweet from the U.S. Department of State

The Hugh Keenleyside Dam near Castlegar was one of three built as part of the Columbia River Treaty. It has had a huge impact on the Columbia River valley all the way to Revelstoke. (Wikimedia Creative Commons)
Hydro lines are down on Highway 3 west of Moyie. (Google Maps)

UPDATED: Hydro lines down near Moyie

Hydro lines affecting traffic on Highway 3 south of Moyie.

Hydro lines are down on Highway 3 west of Moyie. (Google Maps)
Col. Chris Hadfield gave the opening keynote address at the Columbia Basin Trust Symposium in Kimberley on Friday night. At one point in his talk, he used a water bottle to represent a space shuttle. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)

Col. Hadfield encourages audacious ideas at CBT symposium

Col. Chris Hadfield addressed delegates at the Kimberley Conference Athlete Training Centre.

Col. Chris Hadfield gave the opening keynote address at the Columbia Basin Trust Symposium in Kimberley on Friday night. At one point in his talk, he used a water bottle to represent a space shuttle. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)
Jo-Ann Bursey

Castlegar woman describes being caught in Las Vegas attack

A group of six Castlegar residents were among those sitting in the stands when a gunman opened fire.

Jo-Ann Bursey
Jo-Ann Bursey

Castlegar woman describes being caught in Las Vegas attack

‘It was just mayhem. Everybody’s running and trying to take cover, not knowing’

Jo-Ann Bursey
Central Kootenay RCMP seized over 550 marijuana plants last week. (Stock photo)

Central Kootenay RCMP bust two marijuana grow ops

Local RCMP busted two marijuana growing operations last week, seizing more than 550 plants.

Central Kootenay RCMP seized over 550 marijuana plants last week. (Stock photo)
An evacuation centre was set up at the Salmo Valley Youth and Community Centre for residents forced to leave their homes due to the McCormick Creek wildfire. (Betsy Kline/Castlegar News)

McCormick Creek fire evacuees going home

McCormick Creek fire evacuees will be able to return home as of 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

An evacuation centre was set up at the Salmo Valley Youth and Community Centre for residents forced to leave their homes due to the McCormick Creek wildfire. (Betsy Kline/Castlegar News)
The last Columbia Basin Symposium took place in Creston in 2013. This year’s symposium will be held in Kimberley from Oct. 13 to 15. (Submitted)

Col. Hadfield to give keynote at Columbia Basin Symposium in Kimberley

The keynote speaker for the Columbia Basin Symposium in October is astronaut Chris Hadfield.

The last Columbia Basin Symposium took place in Creston in 2013. This year’s symposium will be held in Kimberley from Oct. 13 to 15. (Submitted)
Jamie MacBeth demonstrated how to remove the top of a Naloxone vial.

Pending cuts could cripple fentanyl fight

In the midst of the fentanyl crisis, a local organization that provides overdose training is bracing for the loss of its funding.

Jamie MacBeth demonstrated how to remove the top of a Naloxone vial.
Performers in the Rossland Light Opera Players’ 2017 main-stage show

Reluctant Dragon offers fun and music for entire family

The Rossland Light Opera Players (RLOP) will be performing The Reluctant Dragon in Rossland, Trail and Castlegar.

Performers in the Rossland Light Opera Players’ 2017 main-stage show
File photo.

Scammers posing as CRA employees target Castlegar residents

Scammers posing as Canada Revenue Agency employees are targeting Castlegar residents.

File photo.
Public engagement for B.C. rural education strategy lands in Kootenays

Public engagement for B.C. rural education strategy lands in Kootenays

Stakeholders from four different regional school districts attended an open house on rural education in Trail on Friday.

Public engagement for B.C. rural education strategy lands in Kootenays
Diana RobleÅ› first started her eight-piece large-canvas painting in 2014 and just received a Canada Council of the Arts grant to help her complete the work.

Robson artist receives Canada Council grant

Diana Robleś has led a large life, which might be why the Robson artist’s current project is an eight-piece large-canvas painting.

Diana RobleÅ› first started her eight-piece large-canvas painting in 2014 and just received a Canada Council of the Arts grant to help her complete the work.
File photo of an ambulance.

Man killed by tree while grooming trails

Skier using trails discovered body of man, called for search and rescue.

File photo of an ambulance.