Bill Metcalfe

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L-R: Kootenay Co-op general manager Ari Derfel, grocery manager Erin Morrison, and security guard Akshay Sharma. The Kootenay Co-op has hired a security company to protect staff from abusive customers who don’t wish to wear masks. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Mask acceptance varies between different business outlets in Nelson

A small percentage of shoppers have tried flouting the rule, and Kootenay Co-op has hired a security guard.

L-R: Kootenay Co-op general manager Ari Derfel, grocery manager Erin Morrison, and security guard Akshay Sharma. The Kootenay Co-op has hired a security company to protect staff from abusive customers who don’t wish to wear masks. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Marty Horswill, March 14, 1944 – November 9, 2020. File photo

Seventy years of song: Marty Horswill’s legacy remembered

The third-generation Nelson resident and vocalist died on Nov. 9

Marty Horswill, March 14, 1944 – November 9, 2020. File photo
Nelson’s chief financial officer told council on Nov. 6 that its special COVID-19 budget has resulted in a surplus so far this year. File photo

Nelson budget shows third-quarter surplus despite COVID-19

Results are based on a special pandemic budget prepared in the spring

Nelson’s chief financial officer told council on Nov. 6 that its special COVID-19 budget has resulted in a surplus so far this year. File photo
Sami Majadla has won the first round of KAST’s pitch competition. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Nelson tech entrepreneur wins Kootenay pitch competition

Sami Majadla has designed software to help craft cannabis growers

Sami Majadla has won the first round of KAST’s pitch competition. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
The trial of Jason Tait was not held at the Nelson courthouse because of COVID-19 restrictions but at Nelson’s Capitol Theatre. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Jason Tait trial: Investigating agency defends decision to prosecute

Independent Investigations Office and Crown say there was enough evidence to go to trial

The trial of Jason Tait was not held at the Nelson courthouse because of COVID-19 restrictions but at Nelson’s Capitol Theatre. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Trevor Jenkinson (left) of the West Kootenay Landlord’s Society with Mike McGaw, who advocates for renters at Nelson Community Services. Jenkinson: “Mike and I are not adversaries. We actually work together and we solve issues regarding tenancy problems if they come up.” McGaw: “Yeah, it’s a community.” Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Nelson landlords and tenants both face challenges

Rental manager and tenant advocate mostly agree on the stresses facing landlords and tenants

Trevor Jenkinson (left) of the West Kootenay Landlord’s Society with Mike McGaw, who advocates for renters at Nelson Community Services. Jenkinson: “Mike and I are not adversaries. We actually work together and we solve issues regarding tenancy problems if they come up.” McGaw: “Yeah, it’s a community.” Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Customers and vendors at Nelson’s Cottonwood Market, summer 2020. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Nelson farmers’ market ends summer with surplus

Low income customers spent $41,000 worth of coupons from a provincial program

Customers and vendors at Nelson’s Cottonwood Market, summer 2020. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
“I’d like to thank city council for trusting me in the winter patio project.” – Nick Diamond, manager of Main Street Diner in front of his sidewalk cafe that will be staying in place all winter: Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Nelson council allows four winter sidewalk cafes

The decision is a response to struggles by restaurants during the pandemic

“I’d like to thank city council for trusting me in the winter patio project.” – Nick Diamond, manager of Main Street Diner in front of his sidewalk cafe that will be staying in place all winter: Photo: Bill Metcalfe
The Safe Restart program is distributing $425 million to local governments in B.C. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Nelson receives $2.6 million grant for pandemic recovery

The funding is from the federal-provincial Safe Restart Program

The Safe Restart program is distributing $425 million to local governments in B.C. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
The six-week trial of RCMP officer Jason Tait was held in Nelson at the Capitol Theatre because the courthouse could not accommodate a jury under COVID-19 restrictions. File photo

UPDATED: Nelson jury finds RCMP officer Jason Tait not guilty

The decision came on Nov. 6 after a five-hour deliberation

The six-week trial of RCMP officer Jason Tait was held in Nelson at the Capitol Theatre because the courthouse could not accommodate a jury under COVID-19 restrictions. File photo
The six-week trial of RCMP officer Jason Tait was held in Nelson at the Capitol Theatre because the courthouse could not accommodate a jury under COVID-19 restrictions. File photo

Defence and prosecution give final arguments to Nelson jury in RCMP manslaughter trial

The trial of police officer Jason Tait started on Sept. 28

The six-week trial of RCMP officer Jason Tait was held in Nelson at the Capitol Theatre because the courthouse could not accommodate a jury under COVID-19 restrictions. File photo
Saxophonist and bandleader Clinton Swanson. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Performance in the time of COVID-19

How four prominent Nelson performers are coping with the pandemic

Saxophonist and bandleader Clinton Swanson. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Finding rental housing in Nelson is an increasingly frustrating task. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Are there more renters in Nelson than before, or fewer rental units, or both?

Second in a series about renting in Nelson

Finding rental housing in Nelson is an increasingly frustrating task. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Near the top of Stanley Street in Nelson, a newly installed waterline will soon be joined to an old one that runs into the city from Selous Creek near Ymir, until now used only as emergency backup. The new line will take Selous Creek water to the Mountain Station Reservoir as a more permanent addition to the water supply. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Completion of Selous Creek line improves Nelson’s water supply

Project adds a new source of treated water

Near the top of Stanley Street in Nelson, a newly installed waterline will soon be joined to an old one that runs into the city from Selous Creek near Ymir, until now used only as emergency backup. The new line will take Selous Creek water to the Mountain Station Reservoir as a more permanent addition to the water supply. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
A view of proposed seniors housing on Vernon St. Illustration: City of Nelson/ Vendure Retirement Communities

Nelson seniors housing project to start construction in the spring

Private development on Vernon Street will provide assisted living services as well as housing

A view of proposed seniors housing on Vernon St. Illustration: City of Nelson/ Vendure Retirement Communities
Numbers indicate positive COVID-19 tests, January through September. Map: BC Centre for Disease Control

Twenty-five cases of COVID-19 reported in Nelson, Castlegar and Trail in 2020

New data from the BC Centre for Disease Control shows numbers of cases per community

Numbers indicate positive COVID-19 tests, January through September. Map: BC Centre for Disease Control
Nelson City Council discussed COVID-19’s effect on the city at its Oct. 13 meeting. Video screen capture: City of Nelson

Nelson council discusses local business effects of pandemic so far

Report includes results of a summer business survey

Nelson City Council discussed COVID-19’s effect on the city at its Oct. 13 meeting. Video screen capture: City of Nelson
LVR drama student Emerald Lockhart adjusts his costume for a dress rehearsal. Students will perform theatre pieces in Nelson backyards, distanced but not wearing masks. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Live theatre comes to your Nelson backyard

LVR senior drama class will perform short pieces for households as a fundsraiser for the Capitol Theatre.

LVR drama student Emerald Lockhart adjusts his costume for a dress rehearsal. Students will perform theatre pieces in Nelson backyards, distanced but not wearing masks. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Brittny Anderson. Photo: Submitted

UPDATED: NDP’s Brittny Anderson named provisional winner in Nelson-Creston

The final result won’t be known until November due to mail-in ballots

Brittny Anderson. Photo: Submitted
The Capitol Theatre has been transformed into a courtroom for the trial of Const. Jason Tait that started on Sept. 28 and continues. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Defence begins presenting evidence in Nelson jury trial of RCMP officer

Const. Jason Tait is charged with manslaughter after a Castlegar incident in 2015

The Capitol Theatre has been transformed into a courtroom for the trial of Const. Jason Tait that started on Sept. 28 and continues. Photo: Bill Metcalfe