Local News

B.C. forests minister Katrine Conroy is leading an overhaul of the B.C.’s Crown forest management. Photo: Hansard TV

Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy leading forest legislation overhaul

Conroy was appointed forestr minister less than a year ago

A previous Trash 2 Treasure event. This year’s event is being held Oct. 23. (Hope Standard file photo)

Turn trash to treasure this Saturday across the West Kootenay

Trash 2 Treasure day is Oct. 23

Pictured is the Bill Nye Mountain Fire during the 2021 wildfire season. The area surrounding the fire is now closed to motor vehicle access until further notice. Many backroads in the Thompson Okanagan region are also closed to motor vehicle access. (Corey Bullock file)

New backcountry road closures in Okanagan, Kootenays aim to aid wildlife recovery

15 new motor-vehicle closures have been put in place by the province of B.C.

Left to right, Chilliwack-Kent MLA Kelli Paddon, Eevah Macdonald, and Vancouver-Kensington MLA Mable Elmore inside the Legislature in Victoria on Oct. 21, 2021. (Submitted)

Chilliwack MLA Kelli Paddon reads powerful words from bullied 11-year-old in BC Legislature

“They said because I am black, I should go kill myself,” Eevah Macdonald wrote

Left to right, Chilliwack-Kent MLA Kelli Paddon, Eevah Macdonald, and Vancouver-Kensington MLA Mable Elmore inside the Legislature in Victoria on Oct. 21, 2021. (Submitted)
The Town of Creston will require its employees to be double vaccinated for COVID-19 by Dec. 4. Other local municipalities are still thinking about it. Photo: Greg Nesteroff

West Kootenay municipalities mull mandatory employee vaccinations

Nelson, Trail, Rossland, and RDCK still deciding whether to follow lead of Creston, Vancouver

The Town of Creston will require its employees to be double vaccinated for COVID-19 by Dec. 4. Other local municipalities are still thinking about it. Photo: Greg Nesteroff
Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, speaks about drug use during a speech in the legislature. (Government of British Columbia)

Greater Victoria MLA Adam Olsen reveals past drug use in an attempt to end stigma

MLA for Saanich North and the Islands talks about cocaine, other substance use in his 20s

Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, speaks about drug use during a speech in the legislature. (Government of British Columbia)
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FILE – Travellers pushing luggage on carts walk through Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, July 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Trudeau unveils Canada’s new COVID vaccine passport for domestic, international travel
UBC’s Earthquake Engineering Research Facility demonstrates how earthquakes can cause hazards inside a home. (Black Press file photo)
Are you prepared for an earthquake? Great B.C. Shakeout promotes safety tips
A man walked into a Campbell River store and threw eggs at employees and displays. Quinsam Communications security cam still
VIDEO: Man disgruntled over 5G network eggs inside of Campbell River business
British Columbia’s COVID-19 vaccine card system went into effect Sept. 13, 2021. Anyone who wants access to a range of non-essential indoor services must show proof of at least one dose of vaccine, with a second shot required by Oct. 24. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. to lift capacity limits for indoor ticketed, organized events as of Oct. 25
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From left to right: Officials Cathy Finley (Fields Forward Director), Danny Turner (Fields Forward Board Chair), Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham, and Elizabeth Quinn (Fields Forward Executive Director) cut the ribbon to the Kootenay Farms Regional Food Hub and Innovation Centre on Oct. 15. (Submitted)

Regional food hub officially opens in Creston

Farmers and producers across the Columbia Basin will start using the facility this week

From left to right: Officials Cathy Finley (Fields Forward Director), Danny Turner (Fields Forward Board Chair), Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham, and Elizabeth Quinn (Fields Forward Executive Director) cut the ribbon to the Kootenay Farms Regional Food Hub and Innovation Centre on Oct. 15. (Submitted)
The Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa. Photo: Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press

UPDATED: Woman injured in Nelson snowbank wins new trial against city: Canada’s top court

Taryn Marchi was hurt stepping over a plowed snowbank in 2015

The Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa. Photo: Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
Timothy Durkin is pictured in a photograph filed in Federal Court. The B.C. Securities Commission claims the Sooke man defrauded an investor out of $1 million. (Federal Court)

B.C. man accused of selling fake ownership in world-renowned Sooke Harbour House

Timothy Durkin faces B.C. Securities Commission in November

Timothy Durkin is pictured in a photograph filed in Federal Court. The B.C. Securities Commission claims the Sooke man defrauded an investor out of $1 million. (Federal Court)
Kootenay Lake Hospital staff stand with some of the thank you cards they received on Thanksgiving. The cards have provided a boost in morale at the Nelson hospital. Photo: Tyler Harper

‘We’re stronger because of you’: About 150 thank you cards sent to Kootenay Lake Hospital

The cards were collected over a week and dropped off on Thanksgiving

Kootenay Lake Hospital staff stand with some of the thank you cards they received on Thanksgiving. The cards have provided a boost in morale at the Nelson hospital. Photo: Tyler Harper
To celebrate finishing his first round of chemotherapy, Addison Johnston (left) and his younger brother Ryland were taken to a Japanese restaurant in Vancouver by parents Kristin and Shane Johnston. But lots of treatment remains for the teenager, and his family has learned some hard lessons about the healthcare system. (submitted photo)

Chilliwack parents discover gaps in health care as teenage son battles leukemia

Though he’s 17-years-old, Addison Johnston couldn’t access treatment at B.C. Children’s Hospital

To celebrate finishing his first round of chemotherapy, Addison Johnston (left) and his younger brother Ryland were taken to a Japanese restaurant in Vancouver by parents Kristin and Shane Johnston. But lots of treatment remains for the teenager, and his family has learned some hard lessons about the healthcare system. (submitted photo)
The two white pines with flagging hold three blue heron nests almost 50 metres above the ground in the forest near Granite Pointe golf course. The logging in the background on golf course land extends to the base of the trees. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Nelson golf club logs in protected heron nesting site

Buffer at Granite Pointe Golf Club should have been left around two nest trees, says biologist

The two white pines with flagging hold three blue heron nests almost 50 metres above the ground in the forest near Granite Pointe golf course. The logging in the background on golf course land extends to the base of the trees. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Selkirk College will begin construction next year on two new student housing buildings in Castlegar and Nelson. L-R: Selkirk College vice president of operations Kerry Clarke, Selkirk president Angus Graeme, Columbia Basin Trust president Johnny Strilaeff, Selkirk student Jace Lamoureax, Kootenay-West MLA Katrine Conroy and Nelson-Creston MLA Brittny Anderson. Photo: Submitted

UPDATED: New Selkirk College student housing to be built in Castlegar, Nelson

112-bed building to be added in Castlegar, 36 beds in Nelson

Selkirk College will begin construction next year on two new student housing buildings in Castlegar and Nelson. L-R: Selkirk College vice president of operations Kerry Clarke, Selkirk president Angus Graeme, Columbia Basin Trust president Johnny Strilaeff, Selkirk student Jace Lamoureax, Kootenay-West MLA Katrine Conroy and Nelson-Creston MLA Brittny Anderson. Photo: Submitted
The jury in the inquest into the death of Peter de Groot delivered its verdict at the Nelson courthouse on Oct. 13. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

RCMP crisis intervention improvements among de Groot inquest recommendations

Jury suggestions are to improve services, not find fault

The jury in the inquest into the death of Peter de Groot delivered its verdict at the Nelson courthouse on Oct. 13. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Rob and Debbie LeRose have firsthand experience in the KBRH oncology unit.

KBRH donation especially meaningful

Debbie was first diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2007 at the age of 49

Rob and Debbie LeRose have firsthand experience in the KBRH oncology unit.
Illustration: BC Centre for Disease Control

Trail and Nelson’s COVID-19 cases drop off

The West Kootenay had a total of 107 cases from Oct. 3 to 9

Illustration: BC Centre for Disease Control
A region-wide Limited Entry Hunt for the Kootenay Boundary Region option was determined to be most likely to meet the harvest management objectives specified in the province’s regional management plan. (Corey Bullock/Cranbrook Townsman file)

Wild Sheep Society of BC asks Kootenay residents to weigh in on proposed bighorn sheep draw

The province has proposed a Limited Entry Hunt bighorn sheep season in the Kootenay Boundary Region

A region-wide Limited Entry Hunt for the Kootenay Boundary Region option was determined to be most likely to meet the harvest management objectives specified in the province’s regional management plan. (Corey Bullock/Cranbrook Townsman file)
A house is displayed for sale on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Kootenay real estate market emerging from grip of pandemic, says KAR president

Out of region interest still strong; prices continue to rise

A house is displayed for sale on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Ron Taylor and Jennifer Lount-Taylor wanted to show their appreciation to the staff at Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson. They did it by spending over $16,000 on gift cards. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

‘A small gesture’: Nelson couple buys meal for every employee at hospital

The pair spent over $16,000 on 322 gift cards to local restaurants

Ron Taylor and Jennifer Lount-Taylor wanted to show their appreciation to the staff at Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson. They did it by spending over $16,000 on gift cards. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Danna de Groot of Vancouver, sister of Peter de Groot, testified on Oct. 8 at the inquest into her brother’s death at the hands of the RCMP near Slocan, B.C. in 2014. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Sister of West Kootenay man killed by RCMP testifies at inquest

Danna de Groot recounts events leading to Peter de Groot’s death

Danna de Groot of Vancouver, sister of Peter de Groot, testified on Oct. 8 at the inquest into her brother’s death at the hands of the RCMP near Slocan, B.C. in 2014. Photo: Bill Metcalfe