Sign In Subscribe Now The Castlegar Rebels have hired Alex Evin as their new head coach and assistant general manager for the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League team Evin first stepped into the role of interim head coach in February to wrap up the 2024/2025 season after the Rebels parted ways with Nick Headrick He has now signed a two-year contract Evin is originally from Castlegar and has a significant amount of playing and coaching experience He was known as a standout goaltender during his nine years in the BCHL and NCAA He then moved on to coaching roles over the last 12 years including time as the assistant coach and head coach for the Selkirk Saints. He most recently served as head coach of the Prince George Spruce Kings in the BCHL where he led the team to numerous playoff appearances including a Fred Page Cup championship in 2019 as associate coach "We are thrilled to welcome Alex back to his hometown and into a leadership role with the Rebels," said Rebels Vice President Mitch Rinas and strong character align perfectly with our vision for the future of this organization." Evin expressed enthusiasm about returning to Castlegar and contributing to a team he grew up watching “It’s a great honour to come home and take on this role,” said Evin and I’m excited to build on that by developing a team that works hard Evin will begin working immediately with the existing staff to prepare for training camp Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines BC – United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 1-405 members at StellerVista Credit Union in the Castlegar and Slocan Park branches in British Columbia have put up picket lines.  the employer’s proposed wage freeze for two years and the reduction of benefits and provisions that have been in the collective agreement for decades.  USW members are not restricting credit union members who need to their banking from entering the branches they’re encouraging it rather than following the employer’s recommendation to do all their banking on-line.  “We understand this is a major inconvenience to our credit union members here in Castlegar and Slocan Park and we do regret that,” said Veronica Tanner lead negotiator for the USW Local 1-405 Bargaining Committee it’s necessary to convey a message to the employer that we’re serious about not bargaining backwards.”  “We remain ready to return to the bargaining table at any time night or on the weekend but we’re not going to give away our wages and benefits for a credit union that is doing just fine financially,” added Tanner.  USW Local 1-405 is a diverse union representing over 1,300 workers in sawmills ski resorts and municipal workers in the East and West Kootenays.  On a chilly February afternoon at the University of Guelph 47 Women of Steel gathered not just for lunch but for connection Over plates of chicken Caesar salad and warm conversation something powerful clicked: we are not alone in this District 3 staff members Ed Kent and Mike Duhra travelled to Lázaro Cárdenas to attend the Los Mineros Annual Memorial March an event held each year to honour the martyrs of the 2006 strike and to advance the cause of workers’ rights across borders Los Mineros union members launched a […] Canadian National Director of the United Steelworkers union (USW) today issued the following statement: “On behalf of the 225,000 members of the United Steelworkers union across Canada we extend our congratulations to Mark Carney on being elected as the next Prime Minister of Canada Workers across this country are looking for […] 416-487-1571 or 1-877-669-8792 (Toll-free) The City of Castlegar is asking people to sign up for emergency alerts and city news Elected officials were introduced to the city’s new campaign encouraging residents to stay informed by signing up for Voyent Alert and city news — two separate tools for ensuring people get the information that matters provides real-time emergency notifications emergency notification system aligns with communities throughout the Kootenay region as the primary notification system allowing residents to be “in the know.” Emergency notifications are only used for significant emergencies such as a nearby wildfire extreme weather or other high-consequence events Notifications will advise users on what is happening and what they should do such as preparing for an evacuation or taking shelter by closing all doors and windows Signing up to receive emergency notifications allows individuals and communities to be prepared People can receive alerts through app notifications Important location information pins can be added such as home or family members’ addresses to ensure you are informed about any area that matters and direct instructions for direction on what to do in various emergencies Residents are encouraged to signup for both at castlegar.ca/subscribe to stay aware Assistance is available for those needing help with registration In addition to signing up to receive emergency notifications everyone should have a personal emergency plan residents should know in advance where they will go and how they will get there check with your neighbours as they may require assistance Don’t forget to plan for your pets — have carriers leashes and food in a “grab-and-go” bag “Emergencies happen unexpectedly and can progress quickly having a grab-and-go bag and registering for emergency notifications you can take a proactive approach to be prepared,” a city release read The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy is offering several programs for seniors in May Together Through Time is a partnership with IRIS that brings local teens and seniors together for a time of discussion Students aged 13-18 from the Kootenay Columbia Learning Centre visit the IRIS venue for the activity If you are interested in signing up for the inter-generational program contact Rhonda Palmer at castlegarcoordinator@cbal.org or 250-687-4983 CBAL is offering drop-in tech tutoring at the Castlegar Library from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m New support for forestry-sector manufacturers in the province is creating sustainable jobs products and reinforcing B.C.’s position as a leader in mass-timber innovation “These timely investments into our province’s manufacturing and forestry value-added sectors will help strengthen homegrown B.C which in turn creates stronger local economies and sustainable jobs,” said Diana Gibson “We’re working alongside industry to build a stronger more resilient economy that works better for people and communities.” Through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF) is contributing as much as $11 million toward four forestry-sector capital projects in the province The projects are helping B.C.-based forestry-product manufacturers grow their businesses by constructing new production facilities purchasing new equipment and adding new high-value product lines while creating and protecting hundreds of jobs specializes in the design and fabrication of highly advanced timber architecture Spearhead is strengthening its capabilities backed by as much as $7.5 million from the B.C This includes construction of a new purpose-built facility and implementation of advanced technology that will increase its competitiveness on the international stage adding state-of-the-art production lines for specialized curved and double-curved glulam The project will strengthen Spearhead’s capacity to fabricate high-complexity while creating more than 60 skilled jobs in the Nelson area Spearhead’s cutting-edge technology and high-value products demonstrate how B.C.’s fibre can be used to generate significant economic benefits and highly skilled jobs in a high-demand sector The Kootenay region is quickly establishing itself as a hub for British Columbia’s growing mass-timber economy The network includes but is not limited to Harrop-Procter Community Cooperative and J.H digital fabrication and sustainable construction delivered through Selkirk College we’ve honed our craft in advanced timber fabrication completing over 450 projects worldwide and building a reputation as trailblazers in our field,” said Josh Hall “This investment from the Province will help us showcase B.C.’s remarkable wood resources globally We’re honoured by the trust placed in us and excited to continue contributing meaningfully to our community and timber industry.” More forestry-sector manufacturers receiving funds from the BCMJF include: “British Columbia’s forestry companies and workers show what innovation craftsmanship and hard work looks like,” said Ravi Parmar many more across the province are stepping up and investing in their workers and their communities strengthens supply chains and supports people in their incredible work around this province.” The BCMJF is helping manufacturers throughout the province scale and grow their operations to make more made-in-B.C products that create good jobs and strengthen the economy BCMJF has also accelerated transition within the forestry-product sector to high-value manufacturing The program has incentivized more than $680 million flowing into forestry-product manufacturing leading to the direct creation and protection of more than 3,500 forestry-sector jobs Nearly one-quarter of all wood-product manufacturers in B.C have applied to the program demonstrating that producers are investing in the future of forestry in the province BCMJF has also led to increased production of mass timber with B.C.-based companies leading the way in innovative uses of waste wood residuals and available fibre for high-value The Province has partnered with 73 forestry-product manufacturers with more to come dedicating more than $97 million to the industry in collaboration toward a stable To learn about the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, including a list of recipients and updated application deadline information, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/ManufacturingJobsFund Let our virtual paperboy deliver an issue to your inbox every week The Castlegar Source is an independently owned and operated news outlet – United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 1-405 announced today that the 11 USW members at StellerVista Credit Union at the Castlegar and Slocan Park branches have served 72-hour strike notice with the employer and will be in legal strike position as of Monday morning.  At issue is the employer’s insistence on concessions that would freeze wages and claw back hard-won provisions of their collective agreement that have been in place for decades.  “This is an attack on our members at the Castlegar and Slocan Park branches USW Local 1-405 Financial Secretary and lead negotiator.  “After more than 11 months of bargaining with this employer they still insist on the members agreeing to no wage increases watering down bargaining unit protection language – essentially The membership isn’t going to stand for it,” Tanner said.  Formerly the Heritage Credit Union and prior to that StellerVista Credit Union was formed following a merger of East Kootenay Community Credit Union and Heritage Credit Union in the fall of 2022 which was formally implemented in January 2023.  While workers at both locations have long been USW members there has been a collective bargaining relationship at the Heritage credit union for some 50 years leaving gaps and differences between language The branches in Castlegar were among the first credit unions in B.C first gaining a collective agreement in 1975.  “It’s not acceptable to our membership or to the community that a well-established community credit union in the Kootenays tries to force concessions and lower wages on its workers,” said Jeff Bromley USW Wood Council Chair and staff representative assigned to the local union.  “This won’t be an attack on 11 members at the credit union it will be an attack on the 4,000 USW members across the East and West Kootenays The USW’s bargaining committee is ready to return to the table and remains committed to negotiating a fair collective agreement for both parties while recognizing that StellerVista enjoyed a five-fold increase in earnings in 2024.  “We’re ready to bargain but unless there is a monumental shift in the employer’s approach there will be job action next week,” said Tanner.  ski resorts and municipal government services in the East and West Kootenays.  BC – United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 1-405 members at StellerVista Credit Union in the Castlegar and Slocan Park branches in British Columbia have put up picket lines.  For the unionized credit union employees the employer’s proposed wage freeze for two years and the reduction of benefits and provisions that have been in the […] The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is encouraging residents to use Emergency Preparedness Week May 4 to 10, as an opportunity to take action and plan ahead.  this year's theme, serves as a reminder that preparing for emergencies is a shared responsibility everyone is able to respond quickly and recover stronger when working together “If there’s one thing emergency events have taught us it’s that no one is in this alone,” said Dan Séguin every action helps build a safer and better prepared region.”  the RDCK will conduct its annual test of the Emergency Notification System on Monday Anyone registered with the RDCK’s Emergency Notification System will receive a test notification by text app – depending on their chosen settings Those who are new to the area or have not yet signed up for emergency notifications, can go to www.rdck.ca/EmergencyNotification to do so To ensure important emergency information is received it is imperative that residents update their account with accurate location information.  will conduct a separate test of their notification system earlier today  Emergency Preparedness Week is a good time to take these steps to improve readiness:  The RDCK will share preparedness tips on Facebook throughout the week. More resources, such as a home mergency plan template and guide to building a grab-and-go bag, can be found at www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc Three Vancouver Giants won gold with Team Canada on Saturday at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship Cameron Schmidt, Ryan Lin and Burke Hood all had ice time in the series with Schmidt finishing the tournament with four points (2G-2A) and 22 shots on goal in seven games while Lin – who was one of five underagers on Canada and is eligible for next year’s tournament – recorded two points (1G-1A) and was +8 in seven games Hood played in pre-tournament action during his first time representing Canada internationally It marks the first time Canada has won U18 gold in consecutive years and it is also the seventh year in a row for a medal for Sweden Canada was in control for the entirety of Saturday’s gold medal game three in the second and two more in the third "We had a plan to get pucks in and to the net," said coach Cory Stillman of getting pucks back to the defencemen who got shots on net We had some big bodies that went to the net We built some momentum and eventually created some scoring chances and capitalized." This is the third time Schmidt has won a gold medal representing Canada after also winning at the 2023 U17 World Hockey Challenge with Canada White (where he scored the golden goal) and at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup This is the second time Lin has won a gold medal representing Canada after finishing first at the 2024 U17 World Hockey Challenge with Canada White Lin also played for Canada at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games About the Author: Langley Advance Times Staff and identified as belonging to missing Maple Ridge woman Rebecca Harbowy The Ridge Meadows RCMP reported Friday morning The 36-year-old left Ridge Meadows Hospital on Nov early into detoxing from drug use. Her family has been critical of the hospital letting her leave the facility on her own She was last seen walking east on the Haney Bypass at Burnett Street in Maple Ridge at approximately 2:05 a.m Police released few details about the discovery of the remains The family told The News it was in a forested area Distraught mother Debbie Harbowy is hopeful that an intense search of the area will lead to Rebecca Police have searched the area since the remains were discovered in early April The family is unsure where a search would be but plan to appeal to police for more information "I always felt in my heart she had passed away because she hadn't contacted me," said Debbie Rebecca's sister Rachel Bertoia posted videos on social media informing those who have tried to assist in finding Rebecca and those who have been following the missing woman's case She said there is a memorial at the 7-Eleven at the corner of Lougheed Highway and Haney Bypass where there is a missing person sign the family posted I think it would be really lovely for my mom to have people drop off flowers to her sign there," said Bertoia.  "I would love for my mom to be able to see the love and support that I know that we have felt." "I can't imagine being a mom losing a kid." Rebecca was about eight hours into what doctors advised would be a three-day stay but early the next morning she walked away Her family believes she was confused and disoriented She lived with her parents in the Yennadon area Debbie had been sitting with her daughter until midnight she got a call from the hospital that her daughter had left driving the streets of Maple Ridge for hours the family canvassed people in the hospital neighbourhood and searched the area They obtained video showing Rebecca walking down River Road eastbound near the Port Haney West Coast Express station at 1:46 a.m A tipster saw a woman matching Rebecca’s description walking on the Haney Bypass at approximately 2 a.m Another video showed her on the Haney Bypass at Burnett Street at 2:05 a.m. A man said he almost hit a woman walking on Lougheed Highway near 240 Street but the description of the woman having her hair up in a bun matched they have learned nothing more about Rebecca's movements Police and searchers combed roadsides and the edge of the Fraser River Police say this continues to be an active investigation and anyone with information which could help the Ridge Meadows RCMP you are encouraged to call the Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604-463-6251 and refer to File # 2023-23402 The RCMP extended condolences to the family and friends of Rebecca Harbowy community partners and volunteers for their assistance with this investigation thus far The mayors of North Cowichan and Nanaimo are urging the province to increase the amount of timber that can be harvested annually in the province In a letter to Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas and Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog said that despite its recent struggles the forest industry continues to be a major part of the local economies of both municipalities providing high-paying jobs while contributing millions of dollars in taxes every year that help pay for municipal services and build critical infrastructure the Domtar pulp mill in Crofton and the Western Forest Products sawmills and remanufacturing plant in Cowichan Bay and Chemainus employ 655 workers and contribute $7.7 million per year in property taxes while Nanaimo’s Harmac Pacific mill has 350 employees and contributed more than $2.3 million in property taxes in 2024 But they said that in the face of softwood lumber duties and the declining annual-allowable cut in the amount of timber that is permitted to be harvested in B.C. they are increasingly concerned about these companies' ability to continue operating The mayors point out that while softwood-lumber duties and tariffs are beyond Parmar’s ability to control setting the annual allowable harvest is a responsibility of his ministry They said the province’s budget for 2025 projects that only 30 million cubic metres of timber will be allowed to be harvested on Crown land this year further declining to 29 million cubic metres by 2027 while more than 60 million cubic metres were allowed to be harvested in 2024 Douglas said the effects of the fibre shortage are already being felt in North Cowichan where Western Forests Products has announced a two-week shutdown in March and April due to a lack of timber “Your mandate letter from Premier David Eby includes as a priority to ‘work with all partners toward ensuring a sustainable land base to enable harvest of 45-million cubic metres per year while fulfilling our commitment to protect old growth’,” the mayors said to Parmar “We want the government to commit to the promised allowable cut of 45 million cubic metres for 2025 and maintain these levels for future years We anticipate a continued decline in volume harvested compounded with softwood lumber duties and U.S will potentially devastate the forest industry and result in the closure of more mills meaning communities like ours will lose family-supporting jobs and major taxpayers exacerbating the already high cost of living that our residents are facing.” The mayors also said they want to see the province’s permit and regulatory processes for timber harvesting streamlined “Your government has made commitments to fast-track approvals for the housing and mining sectors and we would like to see a similar approach to timber harvesting with metrics to allow the government and industry to measure success,” they said to Parmar “The backlog of cutting permits and the performance of BC Timber Sales are major concerns These issues reduce the overall wood availability for sawmills and impact the supply of residual chips which are vital for the operations of our pulp and paper mills Prompt resolution of these issues is critical for maintaining a steady log flow.” The Castlegar Better at Home program is now accepting new clients If you are a senior who could benefit from housekeeping and helping-hands support The program has a range of different services and fees are based on a sliding scale linked to income To be eligible you must live in your own home call Sandi at Castlegar Community Services at 250-365-2104 ext Similkameen-South Okanagan-West Kootenay voters can cast their ballots in the federal election as early as Friday Sunday and Monday (April 19-21) from 9 a.m Electors must vote only at their assigned polling place This is different from the process in some provincial elections where electors can vote at any polling location Voters can find the address for their assigned polling station on the back of their voter information card by visiting elections.ca or by calling 1-800-463-6868 To vote, electors must prove their identity and address. The list of accepted ID can be found online. Another early-voting option is to vote at any Elections Canada office by April 22 at 6 p.m. The locations in Castlegar can be found online The offices are open seven days a week: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m Residents can also vote by mail using the special ballot process The deadline to apply to vote by special ballot is Tuesday and the marked ballot must be returned by election day – Monday Visit the Elections Canada website to apply to vote by mail Sign up for free account today and start receiving our exclusive newsletters A 56-year-old Castlegar man is facing almost $500 in fines after RCMP responded to a report of an allegedly impaired driver on Highway 3B just after 6 p.m a frontline RCMP officer intercepted the driver near Marcolin Drive in Trail and detained him at the roadside A BC Highway Patrol officer was called in to assist.  Officers allege they noted signs that the man’s ability to drive appeared to be impaired by a drug The driver was read a demand and subjected to a Standard Field Sobriety Test As a result of the "fail," the driver was issued a 24-hour Immediate Roadside Prohibition.  police handed out several fines: $276 for not having a driver’s licence A notice and order was also issued for the vehicle defect and the vehicle was towed from the scene.  “Trail officers will be on patrol all summer enforcing the law to keep our roads safer,” said Sgt if an officer has reason to suspect that a person has consumed alcohol or both within the past three hours and has been in control of a vehicle they may demand a Standard Field Sobriety Test This roadside test includes a series of three specific physical coordination tests: The officer asks the individual to follow a moving object (usually a pen or finger) with their eyes The officer checks for  involuntary jerking of the eyes which becomes more pronounced when someone is impaired by alcohol The person must take nine heel-to-toe steps along a straight line and the ability to follow instructions – skills often impaired by alcohol or drugs The individual is instructed to stand on one leg while raising the other about six inches off the ground and counting aloud until told to stop meaning they must be performed the same way every time to ensure reliability and legal validity Observations from the SFST can contribute to criminal charges if impairment is suspected Failure or refusal to comply with the SFST can result in criminal charges with the same or more severe penalties as impaired driving Criminal charges may also apply based on the officer’s observations police in Canada can demand a roadside breath sample from any lawfully stopped driver even without reasonable suspicion of alcohol use Refusing to provide a sample is a criminal offence carrying the same or greater penalties as impaired driving Sign up below for unlimited digital access for 30 days receive our daily news alerts & breaking news hosted by the Castlegar Chamber of Commerce The event takes place at the Castlegar Community Complex The show will feature more than 80 vendors including local and regional businesses and food trucks Visitors have a chance to win the Credit Union Dream Draw featuring two $500 prizes thanks to Kootenay Savings and StellerVista Credit Union $4 for seniors and students while kids 12 and under are free with an adult Enter your email to connect to 30 more days worth of stories by journalists living & working in Castlegar Preliminary election results in the federal Similkameen-South Okanagan-West Kootenay riding project Conservative candidate Helena Konanz as the winner in the 2025 election With all 281 polls reporting Konanz came gathered about 4700 more votes than Liberal candidate Gloria Morgan "I am really excited and so honoured that I would be chosen as a member of Parliament for this riding," Konanz told reporters as she arrived to celebrate her victory at a brewery in Penticton Konanz added she was very nervous in the early hours of vote counting when the difference was at times around 50 votes you know I will work incredibly hard for you," said Konanz "I know there are issues here that are really important Things have changed in the last 10 years that we need to address We cannot ignore some of the social issues that have been happening in Penticton and the rest of the riding and I really want to focus on those." Morgan said she and Konanz do not agree on many things and pledged to watch closely and hold Konanz to the promises that she made to the riding NDP candidate Linda Sankey trailed by about 19,000 votes had been represented by Richard Cannings for the NDP from 2015 until his retirement this year "I think Canadians were so terrified of what was happening to the south of us that local folks were willing to do just about anything to ensure that we didn't have a Conservative majority government in Canada ..." The riding underwent some major changes following the 2021 census and 2022 electoral redistribution picking up the entire Similkameen Valley in the west The new riding stretches from Rossland to Princeton and includes Castlegar Penticton and the smaller communities in between Voter turnout in the riding was 72 per cent Konanz received 30,073 votes (44 per cent) followed by Morgan with 25,390 (37 per cent) Green candidate Philip Mansfield received 1065 votes (two per cent) and PPC candidate Barry Dewar received 660 votes (one per cent) More live results are available here. unionized staff at the Castlegar and Slocan Park StellerVista Credit Union branches put up picket lines on Wednesday The 11 union employees at the branches are represented by United Steelworkers Local (USW) 1-405. The job action will only affect StellerVista's Castlegar and Slocan Park locations and does not include the Greenwood or Cranbrook branches The strike follows about 11 months of negotiations between the union and the employer "We respect the right of employees to take job action though we are very disappointed by this outcome," said StellerVista in an online statement.  "We have extended offers to both resume negotiations and participate in mediation and we strongly encourage the union to engage with us so that we can reach an agreement and minimize inconvenience to our members." Local 1-405's lead negotiator Veronica Tanner said The membership isn’t going to stand for it.” The union says the main issues include a proposed wage freeze for two years and the reduction of benefits and provisions that have been in the collective agreement for decades StellerVista says there is a need to align the organization with current market practices and industry standards because "outdated systems and contracts" no longer meet the realities and challenges of today’s financial environment "For the sake of the continuing viability of the credit union we need competitive terms throughout the Collective Agreement." StellerVista is advising clients that services may be limited wait times may be longer than usual at the affected branches USW says they will not be restricting credit union members who need to do their banking from entering the branches No One Covers Castlegar Like The Castlegar News Don’t miss out on reading the latest local Join our community and receive daily news alerts & breaking news A landscape fire near the railroad tracks behind the old Century 21 building (now Community Services) in Castlegar spurred the Castlegar Fire Department to quick action Wednesday afternoon (April 16) The fire began in a dead tree and was suspicious in nature according to Acting Fire Chief Nick Ahlefeld Ahlefeld determined the fire was burning from the inside of the tree and appeared to be purposely set It was not the result of an out-of-control campfire Gusting winds raised the risk of the fire spreading to the surrounding wildland area but firefighters contained the fire before there was any further damage CFD was called out to reports of another fire in the 1900 block of Columbia That fire turned out to be an abandoned campfire that had grown to about one metre in size Firecrews quickly doused the second fire as well UPDATE: Registration deadline extended  A Castlegar Grade 12 student is turning her love of basketball into a capstone project focused on helping to create a new outdoor basketball court for the community Stanley Humphries Secondary students and other supporters approached Castlegar City Council with a proposal to develop an outdoor basketball court Join thousands of other like-minded readers and sign up below to gain immediate & unlimited access to our news for the next 30 days – plus start receiving our newsletters More than 3000 people visited the West Kootenay Trade Show held in Castlegar April 25-27 The event featured 76 vendors displaying or selling a wide variety of products from chocolates and olives to flooring and tractors Some vendors pulled out all the stops including Kalesnikoff who set up a two-room modular build an a mass timber arch to showcase what the company is manufacturing at its West Kootenay facilities Canada will play for gold at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship following a 4-0 win over Slovakia on Friday in the semifinal The Canadians struck three times on the power play in the third period to turn a 1-0 score into a 4-0 final Defenceman Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada) scored in the first Jack Nesbitt (Windsor Spitfires) and Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs) each found the back of the net in the third period Nearly $3 million in provincial funding is being granted to a number of organizations and local governments across the Kootenays for invasive species response and programming.  has some of the most amazing ecosystems in the world fragile and in danger from invasive plants,” said Ravi Parmar agency or government can effectively control invasive plant species alone and collaboration is critical to everyone’s success The work these groups do is crucial in our fight together to ensure B.C.’s unique environments remain healthy and vibrant.” The East Kootenay Invasive Species Council is receiving a significant amount at $282,000 The organization has twin mandates of field operations to help partners to plan and monitor terrestrial invasive species while also providing education and outreach to spread knowledge to curb the spread of invasive species alter soil chemistry and adversely affect agriculture production and water quality causing substantial economic and environmental damage They may also pose a health risk to people and animals.  Further funding in the Kootenays was earmarked to the Regional District of Kootenay-Boundary ($78,000), Regional District of East Kootenay ($29,000) and Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society ($80,000) "Invasive species pose a significant threat to biodiversity," said Brittny Anderson "I am grateful we are continuing to partner with the Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society who through education and managing invasive species in effective ways work hard to keep our lakes pristine The work of these groups supports B.C.’s Invasive Plant Program in identifying and reporting where invasive plant species have been found encouraging landowners and managers to control invasive plants and managing high-risk infestations to limit further spread throughout the province.  Some of the targeted invasive plant species in B.C Bohemian and giant knotweed; marsh plume thistle; common tansy; wild chervil; garlic mustard; poison hemlock; spotted knapweed; common bugloss; orange and yellow (non-native) hawkweeds; giant hogweed; blueweed; tansy ragwort; spartina species; hoary alyssum; purple loosestrife; field scabious; leafy spurge; yellow flag iris; and Scotch broom Today is a day to remember lives lost and those impacted by the Lapu Lapu Day Festival.  recently declared May 2 a provincial day of remembrance and mourning for victims of tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival one non-binary person and a five-year-old girl – and at least two dozen more were injured ranging in age from 22 months old to 60 years old when a person drove an SUV through the crowd at the Vancouver festival on Saturday 12 after Castlegar police executed a search warrant at a residence in the 500 block of 9th Avenue the search warrant was obtained in relation to a drug trafficking investigation.  Investigators seized a quantity of drugs believed to be cocaine and psilocybin along with cash and other items consistent with the trafficking of illicit drugs A dream that has been more than 10 years in the making for the Kootenay Society for Community Living (KSCL) is finally coming true with the opening of Eagle Estates It was 2015 when the society that supports individuals with developmental disabilities as well as other individuals that require affordable housing first approached the City of Castlegar with a request for land a decade and many grant applications later Castlegar City Council has voted to extended two separate ground maintenance contracts for two more years Kootenay Ground Maintenance (KGM) was awarded $82,882 for interchange landscape maintenance at key city entry points including the Robson Interchange There will be plenty of entertainment and activities for families and children to enjoy at the annual Kootenay Children's Festival in Cranbrook The free event runs May 9 and 10 in Rotary Park with a jam-packed schedule of events for people of all interests The festival marks its 39th year as the largest free event for children and families in southeast B.C a certain variety of tick has become more abundant in the Kootenay region tick populations have increased significantly in the West Kootenay and all over the southern parts of Canada “Ticks have not only spread northwards but also up in elevation as temperatures rise and warm weather windows expand earlier,” said Casey Brennan The Rocky Mountain wood tick is the most commonly found tick in the Kootenay and Southern Interior regions this variety of tick can be found in all corners of the province from B.C.’s Interior dry belt down to the U.S Their preferred time to come out and play is typically between March and June The Rocky Mountain wood tick is classified as a three-host tick meaning that it searches for a new host for each of its three feedings They often opt to feast on animals such as rodents while humans serve as the host for their last feeding these ticks don’t typically harbour Lyme disease which is a bacterial infection transmitted by tick bites but in rare cases the Rocky Mountain wood tick can cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever The tick species that carry Lyme disease are called Ixodes pacificus and Ixodes angustus These ticks can cause the bacterial infection (borrelia) that leads to Lyme disease They are not typically found in the Interior of B.C. with only a few being submitted for identification or testing each year compared to hundreds of submissions of Rocky Mountain wood ticks they are more popular in B.C.'s coastal areas There have been roughly only three cases of Lyme diseases reported on average in B.C and all of them are treatable,” said Xuan Zhao a resident medical health officer with Interior Health there has been no increase in tick-borne illness in the last 20 years there have been about five tick cases but they are travel-related meaning people travelling outside of the province or country have returned and have reported tick bites Zhao recommended some ways that people can help make ensure they don’t get bitten by a tick this season One way to stay away from places ticks may play is by remaining on clear trails while hiking Stay away from revelling in habitats with tall grass and wooded areas Making sure your arms and legs are covered if you’re headed into tick country by tucking in your pants into your socks Wearing light coloured clothing can also help make it easier to spot ticks Using insect repellent on uncovered skin can help as well opt to use a tick repellent that contains components such as (N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) also known as DEET Zhao recommends doing a full body check on yourself young children and or pets after returning from the forest or places where ticks may reside to spot them early on before they can bury themselves into your skin Drying clothes that you wore outside on high heat for at least 10 minutes can kill any surviving ticks that managed to live through the previous steps listed above you should wear gloves and use clean tweezers to carefully pull it straight up as its stomach contents can infect any bite wounds make sure to check very carefully for additional ticks see a health care provider to help with removing the tick You can also identify the species of tick by submitting a photo to the E-tick app you can submit it for testing at the BCCDC public health lab by saving the tick in a well-fitted container and bringing it to a physician RCMP say a wildfire near Dawson Creek has impacted communication services in the area A cluster of wildfires are burning around Dawson Creek including G70192 along Highway 52 toward Tumbler Ridge It's listed as out of control at 35 hectares RCMP's North Division says the fire destroyed the Tumbler Ridge fibre optic radio and internet connections unavailable will have to go to the local detachment to report any issues.  RCMP added it's not known when repairs will be made.  The cluster of wildfires have also partially shut down Highway 52 between Brassey Road and Bearhole Lake Road It is currently single-lane alternating traffic.  Castlegar's temporary winter shelter at 1660 Columbia Ave has received a funding extension in order to operate until BC Housing's new shelter opens in the fall Castlegar was set to have a seventh-month gap in shelter services when the Out of the Cold shelter closed on March 31 due to the end of annual funding from BC Housing The shelter's closure would have left 10 people out on the street until the new one opens an email subscription that informs you about City of Castlegar-related updates Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma says new legislation will speed up approvals for infrastructure projects the Infrastructure Projects Act is meant to enable the provincial government to expand work already underway "to reduce redundancy but redundancy," Ma said in Victoria.  "We'll be able to prioritize and accelerate approval for projects that will need to support for people in their communities The environmental assessment office will be developing an expedited environmental assessment process so that designated provincially significant projects we go through a faster review while continuing to uphold high environmental standards." Ma said B.C.'s population has "exploded" by 188,000 people between June 2023 and June 2024 "For everyone 10,000 people that are added to the population we need an additional 18 hospital beds and 4,000 additional homes and we saw 188,000 people join us in a single 12-month period." the legislation will speed up approvals for priority provincial infrastructure projects It would also allow for an expedited environmental assessment process so designated projects can be reviewed "more quickly without compromising B.C.'s high environmental standards." The legislation would also allow the Infrastructure Ministry to work with school districts health authorities and post-secondary institutions to deliver some projects on their behalf.  Ma said the projects could be delivered by Crown corporations First Nations and the private sector.  "They would need to create significant economic social or environmental benefits for people in B.C. and are projects that contribute to the priorities of British Columbians The Kootenay Food Strategy Society is hosting an information session at the Castlegar Community Gardens on May 3 from 11 a.m The community garden is located at 663 5th Avenue near the Millenium Park dog park The event is an opportunity to check out the garden and find out how to become a member or volunteer Castlegar is ready to welcome spring and the annual Spring Fling festivities will take place on Saturday The free family-friendly event featuring more than 40 local craft and vendors face painting and kids activities will take place from 10 a.m in and around Kinsmen Park in downtown Castlegar The Castlegar and District Public Library will be temporarily closed until further notice after a sewer backup damaged the children's area of the library The water damage was discovered on Sunday (March 23) and the library's director Alexandra Seaborn says she is thankful that no books were damaged in the incident The damage is contained mostly to the floors and walls in the children's section The developer of Castlegar's Twin River Estates, KS Property Management Inc.​ has been placed under a receivership order by the B.C Supreme Court at the request of its lender Kootenay Savings Credit Union (KSCU) KS Property Management (KSPM) owns the land in the incomplete section of the Twin River Estates development and 16 empty strata lots in a Wardner There's been a serious head-on collision on Highway 3A east of Castlegar Saturday afternoon closing the highway until the scene could be cleared A photo taken from the scene shows two severely damaged vehicles on the highway Several people appear to be providing medical aid to a person on the road The condition of those involved is not known at this time DriveBC says motorists should expect delays in both directions ??#BCHwy3A - expect delays in both directions near Irving Rd due to a vehicle incident.#Castlegar pic.twitter.com/aG1c9xlcGL The City of Castlegar is launching a new program with the goal of creating more rental housing in the city The Accessory Dwelling Program (ADP) will provide homeowners with guidance and resources to help create new housing on their properties.  The ADP includes online and print guides outlining the process for adding accessory dwellings, one-on-one support from city staff and information on permits and regulations A recent housing needs assessment shows Castlegar is in need of more one- and two-bedroom homes The Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations issued a statement Thursday evening accusing Premier Danielle Smith of comments and actions that promote the idea of a referendum on Alberta's separation from Canada calling it reckless and a violation of a treaty agreement The statement affirmed that a referendum on separation would be a violation of the treaty relationship between First Nations and the Crown Reimagining Recreation Services in the Castlegar & District Area has come to a close and the final report is now available online The final report summarizes the three phases of the project all the key information collected during the entire engagement process – highlighting what the community shared and drawing conclusions from the feedback as well as outlining potential future steps for the Castlegar & District Recreation Commission Read the Final Report The Castlegar & District Recreation Commission has reviewed the final report and has directed staff to bring back further information to evaluate the tax contributions needed to support a future project based on the information gathered in the phase 2 survey The Commission remains committed to ensuring the community’s voice is central in the decision-making process as it navigates the future of local recreation services “We are extremely grateful to the community for its active participation and valuable feedback throughout this engagement process,” said Brian Bogle Chair of the Castlegar and District Recreation Commission “This final report is an essential step as we move into the planning stage and we will continue to keep residents informed about the next steps as we work towards creating a vibrant recreation environment.” Review the final report and all three phases’ reports at Reimagining Recreation Services in the Castlegar & District Area | Engage RDCK Two West Kootenay men are facing charges after allegedly threatening staff and stealing merchandise from a Castlegar business Castlegar police responded to the report around noon on Monday The individuals are facing multiple charges but police were able to get a description. RCMP officers from Castlegar and neighbouring detachments conducted patrols and located a matching vehicle and that is to see a complete end to negative campaigning I wish politicians and their supporters would talk only of their own good plans and not even mention other candidate's names Perhaps this comes from a deep-seated Christian value: “Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander The City of Castlegar will be closing its yard waste facility early in 2025 When curbside organics were introduced in Castlegar last year city council decided to leave the facility behind the Castlegar Community Complex open for a while longer but signalled it would likely close the facility once residents adjusted to the new system "Unfortunately there are a lot of businesses that are not paying for it all strata developments do not pay into the service so there are a lot of residents in Castlegar that are not paying for this service and are using it," said Mayor Maria McFadin as part of her explanation as to why she was voting to close the facility “What art offers is space – a certain breathing room for the spirit.” John Updike  This support might begin with a parent noticing a concentrated art energy exchange in their child or a teacher encouraging a student’s visible interest and talent or perhaps a gallery confidently choosing to represent an artist Emergency crews were called to the Ministry of Forest's office in the 800 block of Columbia Avenue Tuesday morning (March 18) after a vehicle crashed into the building a black Jeep headed north on Columbia Avenue veered off the road through a fence and came to a stop with the hood of the vehicle embedded in the building The Castlegar News is excited to announce our new monthly online photo contests Community members submitted original photos that match the current month's theme readers are invited to vote for their favourite photo The April contest theme is Signs of Spring This month's contest sponsor is Castlegar Safeway and the prize will be a $100 Safeway gift certificate Castlegar's yard waste disposal facility at the Castlegar Community Complex will close permanently on March 31 The closure has been pending ever since the city introduced a new curbside collection program for organics diverting 47 per cent of the city's organic waste from the landfill to a Regional District of Central Kootenay compost facility city council decided to keep the yard waste facility open for one year to assess the new program and give residents time to adjust Castlegar city managers say the Castlegar Wendy's project is still moving forward In September, city council approved a Development Variance Permit for the project and site preparation work began at 1680 Columbia Ave But work at the site appears to have stalled in recent weeks Castlegar's manager of planning Meeri Durand was asked by city councillor Cherryl MacLeod what was happening with the project The Alberta government is taking the federal Liberal government to court.  Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz and Minister of Affordability and Utilities Nathan Neudorf jointly announced that Alberta was taking the federal government to Alberta's Court of Appeal over matters of constitutionality where it came to Ottawa's net-zero emissions by 2035 plan Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines.