Castlegar arena project could be substantially complete by September 2029
A proposed second arena and indoor walking track at the Castlegar & District Community Complex could reach substantial completion by September 2029 if voters approve the project next year, according to an updated Regional District of Central Kootenay timeline.
Boil water notice remains in effect for Riondel
A boil water notice remains in effect for all users of the Riondel Water System after a mechanical failure disrupted operations at the community’s water treatment plant. The Regional District of Central Kootenay issued the notice Aug. 28 because treatment components had to be bypassed.
Kokanee Creek count far below past two years as drought pressures fish elsewhere in southern Interior
Only 107 kokanee were counted in the spawning channel at Kokanee Creek on Aug. 30, far below the numbers recorded on the same date in each of the past two years.
Wildfires squeeze West Kootenay SPCA as surrender wait list persists
The BC SPCA’s West Kootenay Community Animal Centre was temporarily holding community surrenders as of Aug. 28, keeping space available as the organization continued responding to animals displaced by wildfires.
Castlegar closes Millennium Park swimming ponds after E. coli readings climb
Two of Castlegar’s natural swimming ponds at Millennium Park have been temporarily closed after routine testing found elevated E. coli levels in part of the pond system.
Who gets to name a river that crosses the border? Southern B.C. already has answers
Nearly half a century before U.S. President Donald Trump ordered his government to call Lake Ontario “Lake America,” American officials tried to resolve another cross-border naming difference much closer to the Boundary, but Canada declined to make the change.
Castlegar man sentenced to house arrest in Kamloops after conviction for possessing cocaine for trafficking
A Castlegar man convicted of possessing 444.6 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking has been sentenced to two years less a day under a conditional sentence order requiring him to live under 24-hour house arrest at the Mustard Seed in Kamloops.
Longtime Kaslo councillor Rob Lang dies after nearly 15 years in office
Longtime Kaslo councillor Rob Lang has died after nearly 15 years of service on village council.
Ezra Creek wildfire remains out of control at 116 hectares north of Castlegar
The Ezra Creek wildfire northeast of Castlegar remained out of control at 116 hectares Thursday afternoon following rapid growth a day earlier. Three smaller lightning-caused fires in the Greater Trail area were listed as being held or under control.
Wildfire update: Bald Range reaches 25,021 hectares as lightning sparks new fires across southern Interior
A small wildfire reported Saturday evening in Kelowna’s Black Mountain area has been declared out, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
Two arrested after stolen vehicle recovered in Slocan area
A report from the public led Slocan Lake RCMP to a stolen vehicle near Mulvey Creek on Aug. 20. Two occupants were arrested after police said the vehicle attempted to evade officers.
Rossland’s Bodhi Kuhn named to Canada’s downhill team for world championships
Rossland downhill racer Bodhi Kuhn will represent Canada at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Italy next week, returning to a venue where he recorded one of the biggest wins of his junior career.
Province promises measurable outcomes as Kootenay Lake forest plan takes shape
The B.C. government says a new plan for managing forests across the Kootenay Lake region will include clear, measurable outcomes for old forests, biodiversity, wildlife habitat and watersheds, while acknowledging that some parts of the landscape rely on younger forests aging into old-forest conditions to meet existing targets.
Two arrested after stolen vehicle tries to evade police near Slocan Lake
Two people were arrested and a stolen vehicle recovered Thursday after a police operation in the Slocan Lake area.
Rossland’s Into the Trees is designed to stay small
Into the Trees Music Festival will return to Rossland this Labour Day weekend with an expanded three-night schedule, 21 acts and a production budget of about $75,000. What will not expand much is the audience: organizer Daniel D’Amour said attendance will be limited to about 400 people each night at the forested site behind the Ram’s Head Inn, although the property could accommodate roughly 500.
Sunshine Recycle Store seeks local buyer before September closure
The owners of Sunshine Recycle Store are hoping someone local will step forward to keep the pay-what-you-can shop in Castlegar before it closes at the end of September.
Castlegar considers joining B.C. e-scooter pilot after RCMP warning
Less than two months after RCMP warned that electric kick scooters are prohibited in Castlegar and riders could face fines of up to $598, city council is exploring whether to join the provincial program that would allow their use.
Kootenay consumer insolvencies jump nearly 22% in a year
Consumer insolvencies across the Kootenays have jumped nearly 22 per cent in a year, with hundreds of people turning to bankruptcy or formal debt-repayment proposals.
Blasting brings Highway 3A delays near Brilliant through Aug. 21
Motorists travelling between Castlegar and Nelson should expect delays on Highway 3A as blasting continues near the Brilliant rest area.
Castlegar warns of significant bear activity after unusually quiet 2025
The City of Castlegar is warning residents to secure garbage, fruit and other wildlife attractants as significant bear activity is reported in and around the community this year.