Community

A fundraiser intended to fund the search of Vancouver Island’s five residential school for children’s remains topped $100,000 Friday (June 4). Pictured is a church at Chawathil First Nation on Highway 1, on May 31, 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Fundraiser to search more B.C. residential schools tops $100,000

Indigenous leaders hope to use radar technology to search for lost children on Vancouver Island

A fundraiser intended to fund the search of Vancouver Island’s five residential school for children’s remains topped $100,000 Friday (June 4). Pictured is a church at Chawathil First Nation on Highway 1, on May 31, 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
BGC Williams Lake staff includes youth outreach worker Dylan McGuire (back from left), youth engagement worker with NOOPA Jo O’Connor, youth engagement worker Mycaela Ryckman, independent living co-ordinator Derek Godin (front from left), manager of club operations Krista Harvey and harm reduction co-ordinator Laurel White. The group is welcoming the organization’s, formerly Boys and Girls Club of Williams Lake and District’s, new name, BGC Williams Lake. (Greg Sabatino photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Boys and Girls Club rebrands to ‘BGC Canada,’ citing push for gender-inclusivity

Club says it already opens its doors to all kids and teens and its name should reflect that

BGC Williams Lake staff includes youth outreach worker Dylan McGuire (back from left), youth engagement worker with NOOPA Jo O’Connor, youth engagement worker Mycaela Ryckman, independent living co-ordinator Derek Godin (front from left), manager of club operations Krista Harvey and harm reduction co-ordinator Laurel White. The group is welcoming the organization’s, formerly Boys and Girls Club of Williams Lake and District’s, new name, BGC Williams Lake. (Greg Sabatino photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
The Nelson Public Library has LGBTQ+ books for all ages. Photo: Submitted

CHECK THIS OUT: Pride at the Nelson library

Avi Silberstein writes about the library’s LGBTQ+ offerings

The Nelson Public Library has LGBTQ+ books for all ages. Photo: Submitted
Volunteers work on a past year’s poppy fund activities at the Trafalgar/Pro Patria Legion on Gorge Road in Victoria. The provincial government announced $1.5 million in one-time funding for B.C. and Yukon legions on June 2 to help them stay open through the remainder of the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. government announces $1.5 million in pandemic relief for struggling Legion branches

Property tax exemption is what Legions really need, Victoria branch president says

Volunteers work on a past year’s poppy fund activities at the Trafalgar/Pro Patria Legion on Gorge Road in Victoria. The provincial government announced $1.5 million in one-time funding for B.C. and Yukon legions on June 2 to help them stay open through the remainder of the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sebastian Mike

A journey to a mountain, and into a Ktunaxa soldier’s story

Sebastian Mike, a Ktunaxa from Cranbrook, was killed in action in 1944 while serving with the Calgary Highlanders in Europe. Climbing the mountain named after him revealed how history has the power to continue to affect the living

  • Jun 2, 2021
Sebastian Mike
BC Cancer Foundation canvassers are recognizable by their teal vests and ID badges. (Foundation file photo)

B.C. Cancer Foundation canvassers going door-to-door

Residents asked to support monthly donor program, but warned canvassers do not take cash

BC Cancer Foundation canvassers are recognizable by their teal vests and ID badges. (Foundation file photo)
The L.V. Rogers Grad Cavalcade route, which begins in Fairview and runs through downtown Nelson. Illustration: Google Maps

L.V. Rogers grad cavalcade route finalized

The event runs June 12 at 4 p.m.

The L.V. Rogers Grad Cavalcade route, which begins in Fairview and runs through downtown Nelson. Illustration: Google Maps
L-R: Stephanie Myers, Liz Abraham, April Anderson, Alan Anderson, Jon Meyer. SEEDS Nelson is set to break ground on a new greenhouse. Photo: Submitted

Dig into the new Seventh Street Park Greenhouse this spring, summer

The SEEDS Nelson project breaks ground next month

L-R: Stephanie Myers, Liz Abraham, April Anderson, Alan Anderson, Jon Meyer. SEEDS Nelson is set to break ground on a new greenhouse. Photo: Submitted
L-R: South Nelson Elementary School principal Dan Rude, Rotarians Ainsley Mackie and John Ferguson, Grade 2/3 teacher Janis Chernenkoff, and Lakeside Montessori’s Sarah Kozlowski. Photo: Submitted

Rotary Club of Nelson launches breakfast program at local school

The pilot runs at South Nelson Elementary through next month

L-R: South Nelson Elementary School principal Dan Rude, Rotarians Ainsley Mackie and John Ferguson, Grade 2/3 teacher Janis Chernenkoff, and Lakeside Montessori’s Sarah Kozlowski. Photo: Submitted
School District 8 has purchased 700 picture books to be given as gifts to preschooler families who attend its StrongStarts, childcare centres and preschools in the region. Photo: Submitted L-R: Angus Secord, Tui Melville and Juno Tremblay show off some good reads. School District 8 has purchased 700 picture books to be given as gifts to preschooler families who attend its StrongStarts, childcare centres and preschools in the region. Photo: Submitted

School District 8 focuses on early childhood education, partnerships

SD8 sponsored attendance to the West Kootenay Early Years Conference

School District 8 has purchased 700 picture books to be given as gifts to preschooler families who attend its StrongStarts, childcare centres and preschools in the region. Photo: Submitted L-R: Angus Secord, Tui Melville and Juno Tremblay show off some good reads. School District 8 has purchased 700 picture books to be given as gifts to preschooler families who attend its StrongStarts, childcare centres and preschools in the region. Photo: Submitted
A kitten rescued this week from a feral colony in Midway looks at The Gazette Wednesday, May 26. The kittens will soon be up for adoption at the SPCA in Penticton. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

BC SPCA concerned about feral cat colonies across West Kootenays

The SPCA recently partnered with Grand Forks’ cat shelter to rescue a feral colony in Midway

A kitten rescued this week from a feral colony in Midway looks at The Gazette Wednesday, May 26. The kittens will soon be up for adoption at the SPCA in Penticton. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
The Little Brown Myotis occurs across BC but is threatened by white-nose syndrome, a bat disease. Photo: B Paterson.

Kootenay residents asked to participate in bat count

Bats are returning to their summer roost sites

The Little Brown Myotis occurs across BC but is threatened by white-nose syndrome, a bat disease. Photo: B Paterson.
These juvenile Great Horned Owls are growing quickly and getting ready to leave their nest.  They are one of the most common owls in North America and can be found in many different habitats, from the Arctic to the tropics, including within cities.  Great Horned Owls can take down prey larger than themselves but also eat smaller animals such as frogs and rodents. Helga Knote photos

Urban wildlife Part XII: The Kootenay birds (and others) of 2021

Our feathered friends in action, as captured on camera by local photographers

These juvenile Great Horned Owls are growing quickly and getting ready to leave their nest.  They are one of the most common owls in North America and can be found in many different habitats, from the Arctic to the tropics, including within cities.  Great Horned Owls can take down prey larger than themselves but also eat smaller animals such as frogs and rodents. Helga Knote photos
Bob Finnie, Rotary Club of Golden, Ruth Finnie, Clare Mallow, JoAnna’s House volunteer and KGH Foundation board member; Doug Rankmore, CEO, KGH Foundation;Allison Ramchuk, Chief Development Officer KGH Foundation and Darlene Haslock, Manager JoeAnna’s House.

Kootenay Rotary clubs donate $50,000 to JoeAnna’s House at Kelowna General Hospital

JoeAnna’s House provides 20 guest bedrooms for out of town families

Bob Finnie, Rotary Club of Golden, Ruth Finnie, Clare Mallow, JoAnna’s House volunteer and KGH Foundation board member; Doug Rankmore, CEO, KGH Foundation;Allison Ramchuk, Chief Development Officer KGH Foundation and Darlene Haslock, Manager JoeAnna’s House.
Russ Ball (left) and another team member work to extract an ancient turtle fossil from along the Puntledge River in January 2021. (Credit: Derek Larson)

84-million-year-old turtle fossil being studied at Royal B.C. Museum

Discovery made by fossil hunter in Courtenay in January

Russ Ball (left) and another team member work to extract an ancient turtle fossil from along the Puntledge River in January 2021. (Credit: Derek Larson)
Selkirk College Fine Woodworking student Jasper Belliveau-Thompson focuses on the final pieces of his year-end project in the shop on the Silver King Campus. Forced to adapt due to the pandemic, the annual Fine Woodworking Year-End Digital Show will be held virtually this year with a website that goes live on May 27. Photo: Submitted

Selkirk College Fine Woodworking students set for exquisite year-end

Instructor David Ringheim says it has been a “spectacular year” despite the pandemic

Selkirk College Fine Woodworking student Jasper Belliveau-Thompson focuses on the final pieces of his year-end project in the shop on the Silver King Campus. Forced to adapt due to the pandemic, the annual Fine Woodworking Year-End Digital Show will be held virtually this year with a website that goes live on May 27. Photo: Submitted
Winlaw students worked with local seniors and Elders to create documentary films. L-R: Rita Moir, Kayden Boisvert, Hallden Dawson. Photo: Submitted

Winlaw School students inspired by seniors film project

Students teamed up with filmmaker Brian Lye to make documentaries

Winlaw students worked with local seniors and Elders to create documentary films. L-R: Rita Moir, Kayden Boisvert, Hallden Dawson. Photo: Submitted
Kootenay Kids Society has two upcoming online events to celebrate Child Care Month. Photo: Pexels/Pixabay

Kootenay Kids Society celebrates Child Care Month with online events

Kootenay Kids Society has a 40-year history of supporting families and young children

Kootenay Kids Society has two upcoming online events to celebrate Child Care Month. Photo: Pexels/Pixabay
Live It host Blue Netherclift interviews the Nest Lab’s Steven Cretney in Nelson for the upcoming Climate Change: Community Action feature show on Live It Earth. Photo: Submitted

Online learning company showcases Nelson in climate change program

Live It Earth’s show airs May 20 at 10 a.m.

Live It host Blue Netherclift interviews the Nest Lab’s Steven Cretney in Nelson for the upcoming Climate Change: Community Action feature show on Live It Earth. Photo: Submitted
Bruce MacLean (left) talks about the contributions of Ray Wicklum (right) at a small ceremony Tuesday. Both men are among the School District 8 staff retiring after this school year. Photo: Tyler Harper

UPDATED: School District 8 fetes retiring staff

Small ceremonies were held to send off the district’s best

Bruce MacLean (left) talks about the contributions of Ray Wicklum (right) at a small ceremony Tuesday. Both men are among the School District 8 staff retiring after this school year. Photo: Tyler Harper