Local News

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)
Video
One of the flooded farms in Sumas Prairie from an aerial tour with provincial officials, Nov. 23, 2021. Some farms are recovering but more heavy rain is expected. (B.C. government photo)
B.C., Ottawa to match flood relief donations to Canadian Red Cross
Vancouver International Airport (YVR Airport/Twitter)
COVID-19 variant prompts ban on travellers from southern Africa
Vanderhoof RCMP detachment seen on Nov. 25, 2021, after a man was seen with a long gun targeting the building. (Aman Parhar/Vanderhoof Omineca Express)
VIDEO: Suspect arrested in Vanderhoof after active shooter sparks city-wide lockdown
Damage caused by heavy rains and mudslides is shown in this aerial photo along the Coquihalla Highway south of Merritt, B.C., on Monday, November 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. officials urge residents to prep for more storms, say food supply is stable
More Videos 
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
Black Press file photo

Castlegar area woodlot licence receives provincial award

Robert and Greg Sahlstrom are being recognized with a Minister’s Award for Innovation and Excellence

Black Press file photo
Pictured is a screen shot of the What3Words app website. The app uses a unique three-word address for locations across the globe, as opposed to longitude and latitude coordinates. ‘///pines.patches.nano’ is one of the locations on Elizabeth Lake in Cranbrook. BC Search and Rescue groups are warning against the use of this app, stating it can cause confusion. (Cranbrook Townsman file)

BC Search and Rescue groups warning against use of What3Words app

UK-based app uses three words, instead of longitude and latitude, to locate someone

Pictured is a screen shot of the What3Words app website. The app uses a unique three-word address for locations across the globe, as opposed to longitude and latitude coordinates. ‘///pines.patches.nano’ is one of the locations on Elizabeth Lake in Cranbrook. BC Search and Rescue groups are warning against the use of this app, stating it can cause confusion. (Cranbrook Townsman file)
Highway 5, 61 kilometres south of Merritt looking north (elevation 1,193 metres) Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. (DriveBC image)

Special weather statement in effect for B.C. Interior over long weekend

Rain and snow are expected on most southern highway passes

Highway 5, 61 kilometres south of Merritt looking north (elevation 1,193 metres) Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. (DriveBC image)
Photo: Betsy Kline

September weather yields first ‘average’ month of 2021 in West Kootenay

After months of drought and heat followed by a rainy August, September had normal weather

Photo: Betsy Kline
The province adds 65 hectares to Echo Lake provincial park through Bill 17. (Google Maps - Exploratory Glory)

Province adds 65 hectares to this North Okanagan park

Bill 17 sees more foreshore and area added to popular fishing destination

The province adds 65 hectares to Echo Lake provincial park through Bill 17. (Google Maps - Exploratory Glory)
A Coroner’s inquest into the death of Peter de Groot heard medical evidence on Oct. 5 and 6 at the Nelson courthouse. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Weapons experts, pathologists testify on path of bullet in Peter de Groot inquest

Four pathologists and two weapons experts testified on Oct. 5 and 6

A Coroner’s inquest into the death of Peter de Groot heard medical evidence on Oct. 5 and 6 at the Nelson courthouse. Photo: Bill Metcalfe