Burglars jailed after working Nelson, Castlegar

Posted on 28. Oct, 2011 by Chris Shepherd in Crime, Nelson

Two burglars caught while breaking into a Castlegar business were given three-month sentences, reports the Nelson Star.

The two men broke into businesses in Nelson and were spotted breaking into a Castlegar business before they were caught.

Council restricts councillors communication with staff

Posted on 28. Oct, 2011 by Chris Shepherd in Rossland

A city councillor in Rossland can only talk with city staff if the mayor is present as well, reports the Rossland News.

The city’s council voted to restrict Councillor Laurie Charlton’s communication after city staff lodged complaints about the councillors behaviour.

Hospital records not up to standards in Rooney case

Posted on 27. Oct, 2011 by Chris Shepherd in Grand Forks

An independent report into the care Owen Rooney received at Grand Forks’ hospital says records of the missing man’s stay weren’t up to standards, reports Karl Yu for the Grand Forks Gazette.

Rooney had been assaulted outside of Grand Forks and went to the hospital for care. The Patient Care Quality Review Board looked into the care Rooney received and had some criticism for what they found.

Story about court ordered banishment wins CBC reporter Webster award

Posted on 27. Oct, 2011 by Chris Shepherd in Nelson

Bob Keating, the Nelson-based CBC reporter who covers much of the Kootenays, won a prestigious journalism award for a story about a young man banished from Nelson, reports Greg Nesteroff for the Nelson Star.

Keating’s story gained wide attention as he reported on a judge’s decision to order Michael Arrak, 27 – diagnosed with depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder – to leave town.

How did a bear break into this woman’s car?

Posted on 26. Oct, 2011 by Chris Shepherd in Invermere

An Invermere woman is left with a smelly, expensive mess to clean up after a bear broke into her car to get at some garbage stored there, reports Andrea Klassen for the Invermere Valley Echo.

Dana Turvey put her garbage in the trunk of her car the day before heading to the dump. She woke up to find the rear window smashed and trash everywhere.

Are you a Dirtbag?

Posted on 26. Oct, 2011 by Chris Shepherd in Kimberley

Kimberley will see the return of the Dirtbag Fest, a celebration of photography, film and those who live life to explore it, reports Carolyn Grant for the Kimberley Daily Bulletin.

Don’t think “dirtbag” is a derogatory term. The festival organizers embrace it as term that describes people who don’t get caught up in pursuing money and ignore living live.

‘Orange Crush’ MPs heading to Kootenays

Posted on 26. Oct, 2011 by Chris Shepherd in Federal Politics

Some of the “Orange Crush” wave of newly-elected, young Quebec MPs will be in the West Kootenays at the end of October, joining in on local events.

Cranbrook waives fees for homeless shelter

Posted on 25. Oct, 2011 by Chris Shepherd in Cranbrook

Cranbrook’s city council waived thousands of dollars worth of fees to help get a homeless shelter started in their community, reports Sally MacDonald for the Cranbrook Daily Townsman.

The 80-bed shelter is reportedly at the top of BC Housing’s funding list and council voted to waive the $138,000 in development cost charges as a way to show the city’s support.

Grand Forks youth barred from playing volleyball

Posted on 25. Oct, 2011 by Chris Shepherd in West Kootenay

The provincial body governing high school sports has barred a Grand Forks teen from playing volleyball for his school team, but offered no explanation, reports CTV News.

Myles Christman is from Grand Forks where there’s no volleyball team, so he moved in with friends in South Slocan so he could attend Mountain Sentinel Secondary School and play for that school’s team