When you think ‘hometown hero’, what comes to mind is rarely someone under the age of six. But Jaxon Squires, at five, and his brother Ryder, almost three, are confounding expectations and living up to the designation, selling their own toys to raise funds for the new BC Children’s Hospital. “They started in January – we...

Executive Flight Centre lawyers made a brief first appearance in Nelson Provincial Court Tuesday (March 31) after a provincial court judge ruled in December that there was enough evidence to prosecute them for their part in the 2013 jet fuel spill that contaminated Lemon Creek and the Slocan River. However, it is not clear ...

A small crowd of Healthcare supporters gathered Tuesday outside the Nelson Courthouse to protest the one-year anniversary of federal Conservative cuts to healthcare. On March 31st, 2014, the federal Conservatives announced a $36 Billion cut to healthcare over the next ten years. The decision means $5 Billion in cuts to British Columbia’s health services. To […]

Despite the pristine lakes, somewhat snowy mountains and a vibrant cultural scene, the Kootenays, much like the rest of the Interior of the province, are short on doctors. According to BC Medical Journal, Canada's medical schools graduate a little more than half of the number of physicians required. And believe it or not,...

Join Robson Fire Fighters on March 28 as they hold out their boots in support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Be sure to look out for Fire Fighters with boot in hand and stop by to contribute to the cause at Johnny’s Grocery and Gas on Broadwater Road Robson on March 28 from 7am to 7pm.  To show their support for people with ...

Trail or Castlegar residents dealing with chronic pain or illness may find their lives eased, as Self-Management BC (a not-for-profit organization affiliated with the University of Victoria) is offering free workshops in both cities to help both pain sufferers and their friends/families/caregivers. “Would you like to better...

Nelson resident Mary Walters was 45-years-old when she was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. Back in 1994, she went to Kootenay Lake Hospital for her mammogram, biopsy and surgery to remove the cancer. With the help of radiation in Vancouver, she survived. But that’s not the way it is today. As of May 1, women […]

Dear Editor: This letter will help seniors and their families demand a better quality of care in residential care facilities. It will empower them with the knowledge to fight against abuse and neglect. The government is not upholding their rights to protection outlined in Bill 17, the “Residents Bill of Rights”. The following information will […]

Standing at 6"5 with a neon red Interior Health vest, Robin Van Stolk is hard to miss.  As a health outreach nurse, Van Stolk meets his patients where they are at. One day he might be walking the back alleys of Grand Forks, the next driving up a dirt road outside of Meadow Creek. Van Stolk works for the Nelson chapter of STOP...

The early arrival of spring weather this year means many of us are spending more time enjoying the great outdoors. And we aren’t the only ones basking in the unseasonable warmth. The change in weather also brings out ticks – small bugs that feed on the blood of humans and animals and can sometimes transmit disease. “Ticks are...