Advance editor Brian Lawrence compiled this brief review of some of the goings on in the Creston Valley found in the pages of the Advance over the last 12 months:
4 — After sitting vacant for several years, Ralph Casemore and Tanya Wall purchased the former Kootenay Hotel with the goal of a wine bar and artists’ display and sales area on the second floor, with a restaurant on the main floor.
11 — The BC Court of Appeal ordered the past chief (Chris Luke, Sr.) and four councillors (Mary Basil, Sandra Luke, Carol Louie and Jason Louie) from the 2009 Lower Kootenay Band council to repay $5,000 each for bonuses they awarded themselves in 2009. Despite being included in audited financial statements, the payments went unnoticed for two years until LKB member Wayne Louie filed a suit.
•The Kingsgate home of Laurie and Teddy Mahood was severely damaged by fire after being struck by lightning May 30. Both are sculptors, and neighbours formed a bucket brigade to help rescue 60 pieces — worth about $50,000 — of Teddy’s West Coast native artwork.
18 — Ilana Cameron’s Honeybird Coffee Roasters won the voting in Kootenay Employment Services’ Local Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program (LEAP), a 10-week partnership with Simon Fraser University to help a new business get off the ground. About 75 people attended the event that included presentations from three other candidates.
25 — Nelson-Creston MLA Michelle Mungall said the decision to stop development of the controversial Jumbo Glacier Resort was the right one. Environment minister Mary Polak has announced that the developers had not made the “substantial progress” required by their environmental certificate, voiding approval to proceed.
•Painter Guy Hobbs had two paintings selected for the prestigious Wildlife Artist of the Year Exhibition in London. About 100 pieces from around the world were selected in nine categories.
