Chelsea Novak

Leslie McBain lost her son to an accidental opioid overdose when he was 25 and now advocates for harm reduction changes to drug policies at all levels of government with Moms Stop the Harm. She was the evening keynote speaker at the conference to address the fentanyl and opioid crisis in Castlegar on Thursday. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)

Addressing the opioid crisis in Castlegar

Decriminalization is key to providing proper support for people who use drugs, a conference heard.

Leslie McBain lost her son to an accidental opioid overdose when he was 25 and now advocates for harm reduction changes to drug policies at all levels of government with Moms Stop the Harm. She was the evening keynote speaker at the conference to address the fentanyl and opioid crisis in Castlegar on Thursday. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)
Leslie McBain lost her son to an accidental opioid overdose when he was 25 and now advocates for harm reduction changes to drug policies at all levels of government with Moms Stop the Harm. She was the evening keynote speaker at the conference to address the fentanyl and opioid crisis in Castlegar on Thursday. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)

Addressing the opioid crisis in West Kootenay

Decriminalization is key to providing proper support for people who use drugs, a conference heard.

Leslie McBain lost her son to an accidental opioid overdose when he was 25 and now advocates for harm reduction changes to drug policies at all levels of government with Moms Stop the Harm. She was the evening keynote speaker at the conference to address the fentanyl and opioid crisis in Castlegar on Thursday. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)
Black Jack skier Julien Locke did what he had to, to get his toe over the line first in the senior men’s Stage 2 Sprint at the 2017 Haywood NorAm Mini Tour held in Rossland in December. (Chelsea Novak/Rossland News)

Black Jack building a new trail at biathlon area

The Black Jack Ski Club will be building a new recreational trail at the Hanna Creek Biathlon Area.

Black Jack skier Julien Locke did what he had to, to get his toe over the line first in the senior men’s Stage 2 Sprint at the 2017 Haywood NorAm Mini Tour held in Rossland in December. (Chelsea Novak/Rossland News)
Semi accident closed Paulson Bridge

Semi accident closed Paulson Bridge

Castlegar RCMP responded to an overturned semi-trailer truck just off the Paulson Bridge on Monday.

Semi accident closed Paulson Bridge
Couple charged in Fruitvale incident plead not guilty

Couple charged in Fruitvale incident plead not guilty

A couple charged in an incident that started in Fruitvale on Tuesday, April 3 pleaded not guilty.

Couple charged in Fruitvale incident plead not guilty
Man charged in Raspberry incident out on bail

Man charged in Raspberry incident out on bail

A 38-year-old Castlegar man charged with trespassing, theft and mischief in Raspberry.

Man charged in Raspberry incident out on bail
I met astronaut Chris Hadfield at the Columbia Basin Trust Symposium in 2017.

So long and thanks for all the stories

I'm writing this the day after attending my last Rossland City Council meeting.

I met astronaut Chris Hadfield at the Columbia Basin Trust Symposium in 2017.
I met astronaut Chris Hadfield at the Columbia Basin Trust Symposium in 2017.

So long and thanks for all the stories

I'm writing this the day after attending my last Rossland City Council meeting.

I met astronaut Chris Hadfield at the Columbia Basin Trust Symposium in 2017.
Rossland’s elders took a snowcat trip up Grey and Granite mountains for the second year in a row. Organizer John Greene said it’s become an annual event and is now called the Pioneers of Red Cat Trip. Left to right: Mike Fairweather, John Greene, Les MacDonald, Marg MacDonald, Maureen Holms, Barb Pistak, Barb Hamilton, Richard Fish, Gail Fisher, Chuck Clarke, Martha Fish, Patricia Stevens, Maureen Oliver and Ritchie Mann. (Chelsea Novak/Rossland News)

VIDEO: Rossland elders take second annual trip up Grey and Granite

That trip was organized by Ritchie Mann, who Greene "blamed" for the entire adventure.

Rossland’s elders took a snowcat trip up Grey and Granite mountains for the second year in a row. Organizer John Greene said it’s become an annual event and is now called the Pioneers of Red Cat Trip. Left to right: Mike Fairweather, John Greene, Les MacDonald, Marg MacDonald, Maureen Holms, Barb Pistak, Barb Hamilton, Richard Fish, Gail Fisher, Chuck Clarke, Martha Fish, Patricia Stevens, Maureen Oliver and Ritchie Mann. (Chelsea Novak/Rossland News)
The local Smart Cities Challenge stakeholders group participated in a facilitated discussion at Selkirk College early in March. (Submitted)

West Kootenay cities and areas collaborate on Smart Cities Challenge

The cities of Castlegar, Rossland, Trail and Nelson, and surrounding areas are working together.

The local Smart Cities Challenge stakeholders group participated in a facilitated discussion at Selkirk College early in March. (Submitted)
The local Smart Cities Challenge stakeholders group participated in a facilitated discussion at Selkirk College early in March. (Submitted)

West Kootenay cities and areas collaborate on Smart Cities Challenge

The cities of Castlegar, Rossland, Trail and Nelson, and surrounding areas are working together.

The local Smart Cities Challenge stakeholders group participated in a facilitated discussion at Selkirk College early in March. (Submitted)
Castlegar’s Green Home Show took place on Thursday, April 5. Those who attended were able to check out wall assembly units showing examples of the proper construction of a wall. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)

Green Home Show teaches energy efficiency

Castlegar hosted one of two Green Home Shows put on by the regional district last week.

Castlegar’s Green Home Show took place on Thursday, April 5. Those who attended were able to check out wall assembly units showing examples of the proper construction of a wall. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)
Neighbours attended a public hearing on Monday night to voice their opposition to a short-term rental rezoning in the Iron Colt Subdivision. (From council agenda)

Neighbours oppose short-term rental in Rossland subdivision

Rossland city council heard from concerned neighbours in the Iron Colt subdivision.

Neighbours attended a public hearing on Monday night to voice their opposition to a short-term rental rezoning in the Iron Colt Subdivision. (From council agenda)
Bill Rotheisler, head coach and general manager for the Castlegar Rebels, said he and the team have felt awful since hearing about the Humboldt Broncos bus crash. (John K. White/Castlegar News)

Rebels send thoughts and prayers to Broncos

The Castlegar Rebels are sending their thoughts and prayers to the Humbolt Broncos.

Bill Rotheisler, head coach and general manager for the Castlegar Rebels, said he and the team have felt awful since hearing about the Humboldt Broncos bus crash. (John K. White/Castlegar News)
Séan McCann will play the Castle Theatre in Castlegar on April 29. (Dave Howells)

Sean McCann to share intimate show at Castle Theatre

Sean McCann, a former member of Great Big Sea, has made some major changes to his life.

Séan McCann will play the Castle Theatre in Castlegar on April 29. (Dave Howells)
Sm:)e Band played the Robson Community School on Friday. Left to right: Avery Amores, Gabbie Evans and Veronica Amores. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)

Sm:)e Band brings joy to Robson school

The students at Robson Community School were smiling after experiencing musical talents of a band.

Sm:)e Band played the Robson Community School on Friday. Left to right: Avery Amores, Gabbie Evans and Veronica Amores. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)
Video inspections of the City of Rossland’s sanitary sewer network will begin on Tuesday. (Thinkstock)

City of Rossland sewer inspection begins next week

The City of Rossland's 2018 CCTV Cleaning and Inspection works will begin on Tuesday, Apr. 10.

Video inspections of the City of Rossland’s sanitary sewer network will begin on Tuesday. (Thinkstock)
The “Hen Party.” (Submitted)

Castlegar women launch 30th anniversary edition of cookbook

The "Hen Party" created Cooking without Mom in 1986 when their kids were striking out on their own.

The “Hen Party.” (Submitted)
The “Hen Party.” The cover of the 30th annual edition of Cooking without Mom. (Submitted)

Castlegar women launch 30th anniversary edition of cookbook

The "Hen Party" created Cooking without Mom in 1986 when their kids were striking out on their own.

The “Hen Party.” The cover of the 30th annual edition of Cooking without Mom. (Submitted)
A solitary confinement cell is shown in a undated handout photo from the Office of the Correctional Investigator. A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has struck down a law that permits federal prisons to put inmates into solitary confinement indefinitely.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO- Office of the Correctional Investigator MANDATORY CREDIT

Chelsea Novak: Breaking news – prisoners have rights

In actual fact, the "benefits" laid out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms are rights.

A solitary confinement cell is shown in a undated handout photo from the Office of the Correctional Investigator. A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has struck down a law that permits federal prisons to put inmates into solitary confinement indefinitely.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO- Office of the Correctional Investigator MANDATORY CREDIT