Bill Metcalfe

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The Back on Track exhibit features a speeder from the Nakusp Rail Society that operated as early as the 1940s out of Nelson. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Train enthusiasts roll into Nelson for convention, exhibit

International conference coincided with Nelson museum’s history exhibit on trains in the Kootenays

The Back on Track exhibit features a speeder from the Nakusp Rail Society that operated as early as the 1940s out of Nelson. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Some of the intense smoke in Nelson is partly from fires in the West Kootenay, and much of it is blown in from fires to the south and west. Photo: Tyler Harper

Creston, Nelson have worst air quality in B.C.

Vulnerable population should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors

Some of the intense smoke in Nelson is partly from fires in the West Kootenay, and much of it is blown in from fires to the south and west. Photo: Tyler Harper
New construction of a 120-unit seniors housing project at 611 Vernon St. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Residential construction booming in Nelson

The number of new apartments and condos in multi-unit buildings is unprecedented, say city staff

New construction of a 120-unit seniors housing project at 611 Vernon St. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Anjali Appadurai of Vancouver is campaigning for the leadership of the provincial NDP. She met with a crowd of several dozen people at Nelson’s Lakeside Park on Aug. 30. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

B.C. NDP leadership candidate says party is too comfortable, needs a shake-up

Anjali Appadurai says the NDP is not taking climate change seriously

Anjali Appadurai of Vancouver is campaigning for the leadership of the provincial NDP. She met with a crowd of several dozen people at Nelson’s Lakeside Park on Aug. 30. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Macton Milton Gomez (left) and Harigaranraj Ramakichenin are both employees of Kootenay Tamil Kitchen in Nelson under the Rural and Northern Immigration Program. This employment puts them on track to permanent resident status, and helps the employer with the local labour shortage. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Nelson employers depend on foreign workers, want increased immigration

Many depend on Selkirk College international students and a local immigration program

Macton Milton Gomez (left) and Harigaranraj Ramakichenin are both employees of Kootenay Tamil Kitchen in Nelson under the Rural and Northern Immigration Program. This employment puts them on track to permanent resident status, and helps the employer with the local labour shortage. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
The new Kootenay Lake ferry is being built in a dry dock in Nelson. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

New Kootenay Lake ferry completion delayed to 2024

The ferry’s engines are taking longer than expected

The new Kootenay Lake ferry is being built in a dry dock in Nelson. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Nelson-Creston MLA Brittny Anderson spoke at a grand opening for the new Balfour ferry terminal improvements on Aug. 25. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Renovated Kootenay Lake ferry terminals open, receive mixed reviews

The changes include more lanes for traffic queues

Nelson-Creston MLA Brittny Anderson spoke at a grand opening for the new Balfour ferry terminal improvements on Aug. 25. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Ecologist Greg Utzig in an area of old growth cedar-hemlock forest near Nelson that is not in an Old Growth Management Area and which therefore could be logged any time. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Kootenay forest management ignores old growth protection, two experts say

Some younger forest is protected as old growth, while much actual old growth is not protected

Ecologist Greg Utzig in an area of old growth cedar-hemlock forest near Nelson that is not in an Old Growth Management Area and which therefore could be logged any time. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
RCMP are seen here making arrests May 17 near Argenta, B.C., north of Nelson. A group had been camped out protesting a logging company’s plans for the area. Photo: Louis Bockner

Complaint filed against RCMP for alleged ‘unlawful’ arrest tactics at Argenta protest

A coalition of eight groups wants police actions reviewed

RCMP are seen here making arrests May 17 near Argenta, B.C., north of Nelson. A group had been camped out protesting a logging company’s plans for the area. Photo: Louis Bockner
Bob Keating (left) writes and edits The Headwaters podcast, and Mitchell Scott is its producer and host. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

‘Tell them something unique in a unique way’: The Headwaters podcast tells surprising Kootenay stories

With 4,000 downloads since May, producers say success is about sound, pacing, and unexpected stories

Bob Keating (left) writes and edits The Headwaters podcast, and Mitchell Scott is its producer and host. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
The pithouse at the Vallican heritage site. Photo: Louis Bockner

Indigenous woman occupies Vallican heritage site in West Kootenay after province revokes her caretaker role

Colville Confederated Tribes say Marilyn James has no authority over the site

The pithouse at the Vallican heritage site. Photo: Louis Bockner
The proposed cedar grove protected area is outlined in red. It is located at the north end of the Duncan Lake reservoir. Map: Valhalla Wilderness Society

Petition asks for protection of ancient cedars at Duncan Lake

Some of the trees are over 1,000 years old and one is 2,100 years old

The proposed cedar grove protected area is outlined in red. It is located at the north end of the Duncan Lake reservoir. Map: Valhalla Wilderness Society
Some of the residents of the Grohman Creek community on their dock with Nelson in the background across Kootenay Lake. L-R: Yvette Jolivet, Jesse Bertrand, Sierra Peddie, Megan McTague, Stella Muldoon, Jodie Muldoon, and Jeff Muldoon. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Grohman Creek residents press for better emergency access

Road access is risky and boat access is threatened

Some of the residents of the Grohman Creek community on their dock with Nelson in the background across Kootenay Lake. L-R: Yvette Jolivet, Jesse Bertrand, Sierra Peddie, Megan McTague, Stella Muldoon, Jodie Muldoon, and Jeff Muldoon. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Cory Westcott disappeared in the Nelson area in the summer of 2020. Photo: Submitted

Charismatic, troubled and still missing: What happened to Nelson’s Cory Westcott?

Friends and family continue to search for Westcott, who has been missing since 2020

Cory Westcott disappeared in the Nelson area in the summer of 2020. Photo: Submitted
Forest at the Argenta-Johnsons Landing Face, with Kootenay Lake in the distance. Photo: Wilderness Committee

Lower Kootenay Band demands halt to Argenta-Johnsons Landing logging

Chief Jason Louie has sent a ‘cease and desist’ letter to logging company and the province

Forest at the Argenta-Johnsons Landing Face, with Kootenay Lake in the distance. Photo: Wilderness Committee
The City of Nelson’s climate resilience planner says new research at the city is creating a buzz in other towns. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Nelson publishes unique guide on low-carbon building materials

The pioneering research was funded by FortisBC

The City of Nelson’s climate resilience planner says new research at the city is creating a buzz in other towns. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Tanya Finley, left, with Oleksandra and Serhii and their twin boys, from left, Oleksii (Lesha) and Oleksandr (Sasha). Photo: Bill Metcalfe

‘All we had was our children’: A Ukrainian family’s harrowing escape from the war to Nelson

After being on the run for two months, the family is now resting and healing

Tanya Finley, left, with Oleksandra and Serhii and their twin boys, from left, Oleksii (Lesha) and Oleksandr (Sasha). Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Diana Cole spoke at the George Floyd memorial in Nelson on May 25. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

‘It was a teaching moment’: Nelson gathering remembers George Floyd

George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police on May 25, 2020

Diana Cole spoke at the George Floyd memorial in Nelson on May 25. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Keiko Devaux is a contemporary classical music composer raised in Nelson and based in Montreal. Photo: Juno Awards

West Kootenay-born composer wins Juno Award for classical composition

Keiko Devaux attended Mount Sentinel Secondary and Selkirk College

Keiko Devaux is a contemporary classical music composer raised in Nelson and based in Montreal. Photo: Juno Awards
RCMP are seen here making arrests May 17 near Argenta, B.C., north of Nelson. A group had been camped out protesting a logging company’s plans for the area. Photo: Louis Bockner

RCMP make arrests at logging protest north of Nelson

Last Stand West Kootenay was camped out on a road near Argenta

RCMP are seen here making arrests May 17 near Argenta, B.C., north of Nelson. A group had been camped out protesting a logging company’s plans for the area. Photo: Louis Bockner