Community

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore needs more volunteers. Photo: Submitted

COVID-19’s impact on volunteerism at Castlegar’s ReStore and other charities

It is difficult to find volunteers

Roland and Velda Handley (left) have sold Castlebowl to Brandon and Lindsay Racette. Their six-year-old daughter Devon has dreams of becoming the shoe girl. Photo: Submitted

After 33 years, Castlegar’s bowling alley changing hands

Long-time owner passes keys to nephew

Thanks to volunteer foster homes, pets like Smokey Joe can recover and thrive.

SPCA seeks West Kootenay foster volunteers

There’s an elevated need for foster volunteers in the Kootenays during the warmer months

An IRIS gathering in pre-COVID times. (File photo)

Castlegar senior’s program adapted through pandemic

IRIS switched from in-person gatherings to delivering services

An IRIS gathering in pre-COVID times. (File photo)
The skies above Osoyoos are thick with smoke from the nearby Nk’Mip Creek wildfire. (Twila Amato /Black Press Media)

Smoke from B.C. wildfires creating issues for those with respiratory illnesses

The wildfire smoke has made it difficult to be outside for some

The skies above Osoyoos are thick with smoke from the nearby Nk’Mip Creek wildfire. (Twila Amato /Black Press Media)
A fleet of supercars filled a quiet Langley City street to visit Langley City teen Alyssa Anderson on Sunday, July 25, as part of the Drive Project. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: Cool cars provide some automotive magic for B.C. teen

Driven Project brought fleet of supercars to quiet street

A fleet of supercars filled a quiet Langley City street to visit Langley City teen Alyssa Anderson on Sunday, July 25, as part of the Drive Project. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
Golfer captures two bears playing in the middle of the fairway at Kimberley’s Trickle Creek Golf Resort.

WATCH: Golfers and bears alike enjoying the links at Kimberley’s Trickle Creek

Always nice to get some mid-round entertainment

Golfer captures two bears playing in the middle of the fairway at Kimberley’s Trickle Creek Golf Resort.
Erica Konrad’s new work was inspired by her recent journey through cancer and healing. Photo submitted

Exhibition: Everything Became Beautiful

Erica Konrad opens exhibit at Hidden Garden Gallery in New Denver from July 27 to August 1

Erica Konrad’s new work was inspired by her recent journey through cancer and healing. Photo submitted
New program will help participants develop employment skills.Photo:Metro

New program offers free skills upgrading, support for West Kootenay job seekers

Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy offers workplace skills training

New program will help participants develop employment skills.Photo:Metro
Although The Lunn family’s beehive was covered in red fire retardant dropped from above, their bees survived the fire. Photo: Submitted

LETTER: Property owners next to Merry Creek fire say thank you

The Merry Creek fire almost reached the home of Ralph and Vanessa Lunn

Although The Lunn family’s beehive was covered in red fire retardant dropped from above, their bees survived the fire. Photo: Submitted
Kirk Duff. Photo: Jennifer Small

Getting to know Castlegar’s new mayor

A chat with Mayor Kirk Duff

Kirk Duff. Photo: Jennifer Small
Students make a “tiny home” sign with their hands as part of the Tiny Home Challenge at John Paul II Catholic School. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Vancouver Island school gets visit from Netflix show hosts for tiny home competition

Pilot Tiny Home elective was offered for Grades 4-7

Students make a “tiny home” sign with their hands as part of the Tiny Home Challenge at John Paul II Catholic School. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
App includes 50 photos around Castlegar with a walking tour through the community of Brilliant called the Life of the Doukhobors. Photo: On This Spot

History app follows walking tour in the steps Castlegar’s Doukhobors

The walking tour will take the user through Castlegar’s early history as a Doukhobor community

App includes 50 photos around Castlegar with a walking tour through the community of Brilliant called the Life of the Doukhobors. Photo: On This Spot
Janaeya Baher was awarded a $40,000 scholarship. Photo: Submitted

Castlegar grad awarded $40,000 scholarship

Janaeya Baher will use the money to pursue her goal of becoming a dentist

Janaeya Baher was awarded a $40,000 scholarship. Photo: Submitted
How long with this duck take to float down Kootenay Lake? Make your guess to support the Balfour Harrop Fire Rescue Department. Photo: Submitted

Whatever floats your duck: Annual Duck Race takes place July 24

The fundraiser supports the Balfour Harrop fire department

How long with this duck take to float down Kootenay Lake? Make your guess to support the Balfour Harrop Fire Rescue Department. Photo: Submitted
Avie Waterfall in her father’s metalwork shop, working on a product for her artisan business, which is just one of many activities that won her a dozen scholarships as she leaves Grade 12 at L.V. Rogers Secondary. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

‘She makes big things happen’: Nelson student Avie Waterfall wins multiple scholarships

17-year-old scholar and blacksmith plans to study affordable housing

Avie Waterfall in her father’s metalwork shop, working on a product for her artisan business, which is just one of many activities that won her a dozen scholarships as she leaves Grade 12 at L.V. Rogers Secondary. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
A memorial tribute to Police Service Dog Gator is growing at a the foot of a flagpole in front of the Campbell River RCMP detachment on July 9, 2021. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

Memorial for Campbell River police dog killed in line of duty grows

VIDEO: Emergency personnel conduct vehicle parade memorial for Gator

A memorial tribute to Police Service Dog Gator is growing at a the foot of a flagpole in front of the Campbell River RCMP detachment on July 9, 2021. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
The ball machine and the monitors for the callers for online bingo are set up at the Curling Club. Photo: Submitted

Castlegar Rotary hosting province-wide online bingo

Up to 8000 cards played each week

The ball machine and the monitors for the callers for online bingo are set up at the Curling Club. Photo: Submitted
Tristan Wheeler wants to become Castlegar’s poet laureate. Photo: Submitted

Castlegar native campaigns to become poet laureate

Tristan Wheeler made a pitch to Castlegar city council

Tristan Wheeler wants to become Castlegar’s poet laureate. Photo: Submitted
Melissa Haney (right) designed the mural near Kinnaird Elementary School. Photo: Jennifer Small

200 foot mural leads to Castlegar’s Kinnaird Elementary

The new mural reminds drivers to slow down

Melissa Haney (right) designed the mural near Kinnaird Elementary School. Photo: Jennifer Small