West Kootenay sees a surge of Whooping Cough cases in children
A recent increase in whooping cough and measles in our province has a regional Medical Health Officer concerned, and he is reminding parents to make sure their children are immunized so they are not at risk. “The West Kootenays have had a surge of whooping cough cases in children over the last few weeks, following […]
Slocan residents rally to clean fuel spill on their own
In the aftermath of the jet fuel spill into Lemon Creek and the Slocan River, residents brainstormed to create their own solutions for clean up as Executive Flight Centre, whose tanker spilled 33,000 liters of jet fuel into Lemon Creek on July 26, some feel is neglecting to fully clean up their mess. On Aug.12, residents...
IHA answers questions regarding Lemon Creek spill
Interior Heath today issued a release answering frequently-asked questions: Q: Why did Interior Health lift the Do Not Use water orders? A: Interior Health’s Medical Health Officer lifted the orders after careful review of the testing that was done on each section of the Kootenay and Slocan rivers by the consultants handling...
Gone batty?
The Kootenay Community Bat Project (KCBP) has received numerous calls from residents of the area who have found a bat on the ground, had a bat fly into the house, or have a bat roosting in an unusual location. “This is the time of year when the juvenile bats are learning to fly and their not very good at it” says Juliet Craig,...
RDCK re-opens Taghum Beach to swimmers
Taghum beach users can finish the summer season the way they started, cooling off in the Kootenay River as the Regional District of Central Kootenay has re-opened the popular recreation hotspot. “We’re happy to report that the water at Taghum Beach is once again safe for swimming,” said Cary Gaynor, parks operations supervisor after re-opening […]
UPDATE: Decision to close Winlaw Resiliency Centre reversed; lawsuit filed
The initial order to remove potable water and shower facilities from the Winlaw Resiliency Centre has been reversed as of Sunday afternoon. Representatives from Executive Flight Centre spent Sunday afternoon visiting with several affected residents in the Slocan Valley and were made aware of the continued needs of some residents...
Interior Health removes restrictions for Slocan River users south of Winlaw Bridge
Slocan River users south of the Winlaw bridge can breathe a sigh of relief after Interior Health lifted restrictions Thursday due to the July 26 Lemon Creek jet fuel tanker spill. “All “Do Not Use” water restrictions on the Slocan River south of the Winlaw Bridge and nearby containment booms have been removed,” Tracy Watson, […]
Anti-pesticide group gains traction; gets spraying moratorium on city property
City council's Transportation and Civic Works (TCV) committee met today, and heard from TCV director Chris Barlow that the city will be declaring a moratorium on pesticide spraying on city property until such time as feedback has been garnered and report sent to council for its approval or rejection. "(Barlow) has asked for...
IHA lifts Do-Not-Use order for Kootenay River, but not Lemon Creek or Slocan River
Residents of the area impacted by the July 26 jet fuel spill at Lemon Creek are advised of the latest health update: All Do Not Use water restrictions on the Kootenay River above and below Brilliant Dam have been removed. This means that water drawn from the Kootenay River may be consumed, and that it is now safe for recreational...
Swim advisory closes Taghum Beach to water users
For the second straight year the Regional District of Central Kootenay has issued a swim advisory for the popular recreation hotspot of Taghum Beach. RDCK Regional Parks Operations Supervisor Gary Gaynor made the announcement in a press release Friday. “Beach water quality is poor — Swimming is not recommended due to bacterial counts that exceed […]