Local News

The province of B.C. is requiring irrigators, industries, waterworks and others who use groundwater from a well or dugout for non-domestic use to apply for a water license by March of 2022. (Corey Bullock/Cranbrook Townsman)

Less than 25% of users have applied for groundwater licence as B.C.’s deadline nears

Those without a licence could face fines, penalties and lose water rights

Brian Pealow (owner of Pealow’s Your Independent Grocer), Danny Turner (owner of Just-A-Mere Organic Farm and Fields Forward board chair), and Tanya Wall (food hub manager) poses in front if the grocery store with the first of a fresh shipment of apple juice. (Photo by Kelsey Yates)

Apple juice produced at Kootenay regional food hub supplied to Creston grocery store

Kootenay producers can rent space and equipment at the food hub

Griffen Ryden of the Castlegar Rebels, Bryce Sookro of the Nelson Leafs and Brandon Weare of the Revelstoke Grizzlies have been selected for the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League Three Stars of the Month for November. Image: KIJHL

Castlegar Rebel named KIJHL star of the month

Griffen Ryden was named top forward for November

The most recent COVID-19 case numbers. Illustration: BC Centre for Disease Control

25 new COVID-19 cases in West Kootenay

Nelson and Arrow Lakes led with seven each

The most recent COVID-19 case numbers. Illustration: BC Centre for Disease Control
Information isn’t reported on the number of COVID-19 related hospitalizations and ICU patients in individual hospitals. Photo: Trail Times

Hospital in Trail ‘feeling daily demand service pressures’

KBRH provides hospital services to residents of the Kootenay Boundary Health Service Area.

Information isn’t reported on the number of COVID-19 related hospitalizations and ICU patients in individual hospitals. Photo: Trail Times
Plans for the new Castlegar Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre building. Image: Cover Architectural Collaborative

Castlegar Chamber launches fundraising campaign for new building

Mercer Celgar has donated $500,000 towards high-tech boardroom

Plans for the new Castlegar Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre building. Image: Cover Architectural Collaborative
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Flood waters surround a farm in Abbotsford, B.C., Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
B.C.’s year of extreme weather ‘consistent’ with climate change, meteorologist says
FILE – A COVID-19 rapid testing area is seen on the international arrivals level at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, July 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Non-U.S. air travellers must take COVID test, isolate as feds try to slow Omicron spread
Rescue crews prepare to escort a group of stranded travellers on the Lougheed Highway near Agassiz (Photo/Vancouver Fire Rescue Services)
VIDEO: CFB Comox 442 Squadron recaps B.C. flood rescue mission
A sign showing limits on consumer gasoline purchases is seen on a fuel pump at a gas station in Abbotsford, B.C., Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
B.C. extends gas rationing, state of emergency until Dec. 14 as Trans Mountain remains offline
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This first Zoom session offers educational training that will focus on practical skills for preventing and de-escalating conflict. This presentation is for everyone in the community and there is no charge. Image: Submitted

Live in the West Kootenay? Consider joining virtual series addressing local homelessness issues

“A Community’s Guide to Homelessness,” will be presented via Zoom from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Dec. 10.

This first Zoom session offers educational training that will focus on practical skills for preventing and de-escalating conflict. This presentation is for everyone in the community and there is no charge. Image: Submitted
Candace Green learned her trade at Selkirk College and now works as an apprentice welder on the new Kootenay Lake ferry. “It is nice to work locally and know that I get to improve myself every day. I’m really fortunate, super grateful, especially being straight out of school.” Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Kootenay Lake ferry construction on schedule, new ferry by 2023

The lake shore site employs 30 tradespeople, all from the Kootenays

Candace Green learned her trade at Selkirk College and now works as an apprentice welder on the new Kootenay Lake ferry. “It is nice to work locally and know that I get to improve myself every day. I’m really fortunate, super grateful, especially being straight out of school.” Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Dr. David Williams poses with his office companion of 40 years, his skeleton Red. Photo: Submitted

Dr. David Williams reflects on his time as a chiropractor in Castlegar as he enters retirement

Dr. Williams retires after 37 years of practice in Castlegar

Dr. David Williams poses with his office companion of 40 years, his skeleton Red. Photo: Submitted
The RCMP arrested, and subsequently released, two more opponents of the Coastal GasLink pipeline for setting up a blockade near the construction site in Houston on Monday morning, Nov. 29. (Gidimt’en Checkpoint/ Facebook)

Resistance activities continue on Northwest pipeline construction site, police make 2 more arrests

The individuals were arrested for contempt of court order and mischief and then released

The RCMP arrested, and subsequently released, two more opponents of the Coastal GasLink pipeline for setting up a blockade near the construction site in Houston on Monday morning, Nov. 29. (Gidimt’en Checkpoint/ Facebook)
Betty Anne Marino of Warfield joins Columbia Basin Trust Board. CBT file

Betty Anne Marino joins Columbia Basin Trust Board

Marino’s family’s history in the Kootenays dates back to the 1800s

Betty Anne Marino of Warfield joins Columbia Basin Trust Board. CBT file
The neutered male has no permanent forms of identification. (BC SPCA Maple Ridge/Special to The News)

Are you this dog’s owner? BC SPCA looking out for dog displaced during Abbotsford flooding

The dog was brought from the Chilliwack branch to Maple Ridge due to evacuations

The neutered male has no permanent forms of identification. (BC SPCA Maple Ridge/Special to The News)
The Grow Show opened at Touchstones on Nov. 26. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Gallery exhibit chronicles Nelson’s cannabis history

The Grow Show runs at Touchstones until Feb. 27

The Grow Show opened at Touchstones on Nov. 26. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH) Health Foundation was presented with a donation of $40,240 from the proceeds of a fundraiser called Operation Owatz. This fitness challenge honoured the late Dr. Todd Owatz, a Rossland father, husband and cherished member of the community who advocated for healthy habits with his patients. This donation will support the purchase of a gastroscope for the KBRH Ambulatory Care Department where Dr. Owatz worked as a general surgeon. Sandra Owatz, Dr. Owatz’s wife (left, centre), and Lindy Welsby, Operation Owatz coordinator (right, centre) presented their generous donation from Operation Owatz to Dr. Ron Cameron, General Surgeon at KBRH (left), and Lisa Pasin, Executive director of the KBRH Health Foundation (right). Photo: Submitted

Memorial fundraiser for Kootenay Boundary surgeon raises $40,000+

Dr. Todd Owatz left behind a legacy of care and service to his patients and colleagues.

Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH) Health Foundation was presented with a donation of $40,240 from the proceeds of a fundraiser called Operation Owatz. This fitness challenge honoured the late Dr. Todd Owatz, a Rossland father, husband and cherished member of the community who advocated for healthy habits with his patients. This donation will support the purchase of a gastroscope for the KBRH Ambulatory Care Department where Dr. Owatz worked as a general surgeon. Sandra Owatz, Dr. Owatz’s wife (left, centre), and Lindy Welsby, Operation Owatz coordinator (right, centre) presented their generous donation from Operation Owatz to Dr. Ron Cameron, General Surgeon at KBRH (left), and Lisa Pasin, Executive director of the KBRH Health Foundation (right). Photo: Submitted
Castlegar fire chief Sam Lattanzio at the school after looking for the gas leak in 2019. Photo: John Boivin

Smell of gas detected 3 times in 10 days at Castlegar Primary School

District investigating the cause, teachers’ union concerned

Castlegar fire chief Sam Lattanzio at the school after looking for the gas leak in 2019. Photo: John Boivin
Cariboo Pulp and Paper in Quesnel will be shut down for the next 16 days due to a lack of pulp supply. (West Fraser Photo)

Quesnel pulp mill to shut down due to flooding and transportation issues

Around 220 employees have been temporarily laid off at two West Fraser pulp mills

Cariboo Pulp and Paper in Quesnel will be shut down for the next 16 days due to a lack of pulp supply. (West Fraser Photo)
Stock photo

Kootenay Boundary patient advisory group seeks new members

Group provides input into decisions related to Kootenay Boundary Collaborative Services Committee

Stock photo
Cokato Rd south of Fernie was impacted by flooding 10 days ago when the first atmospheric river hit the province. (Image courtesy of Valerie Barry)

High streamflow advisory issued for Kootenays, Upper Columbia region

A high streamflow advisory has been issued for the Kootenay and Upper…

Cokato Rd south of Fernie was impacted by flooding 10 days ago when the first atmospheric river hit the province. (Image courtesy of Valerie Barry)
Winners from the 2020 contest. Photo: City of Castlegar

Make Castlegar merry and bright and win prizes

Join the Merry and Bright contest and light up Castlegar

Winners from the 2020 contest. Photo: City of Castlegar
Restorative Justice has been practiced in B.C. since the 1990s as an alternative to the traditional criminal justice system. Photo: Redd/Unsplash

Restorative Justice seeks to reduce crime impact in the West Kootenay

Restorative justice seeks to repair the harm caused by crime and violence.

Restorative Justice has been practiced in B.C. since the 1990s as an alternative to the traditional criminal justice system. Photo: Redd/Unsplash