News
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March 24, 2023 - 12:32pm
Firefighters Respond to Fire at Tie Lake Transfer Station
Members of the Jaffray Fire Department are currently responding to a fire at the Tie Lake Transfer Station.
“The fire broke out in one of the metal piles on site and our crew will remain on scene until it has been fully extinguished and cooled,” says Elk Valley & South Country Rural Fire & Rescue Chief Michael Hockley.
Although the transfer station itself remains open, residents are asked to stay well back from the emergency vehicles and responders in the affected area. “While the transfer station is open, it would be helpful...
March 23, 2023 - 10:18pm
The Windermere Fire Department is urging residents across the East Kootenay to use extreme caution as spring conditions are increasing the potential for danger on local lakes.
“It is that time of year when conditions can rapidly change on lakes and ice can become unsafe and unpredictable,” says Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue Service Assistant Chief, Joss Advocaat. “We are urging residents to use extreme caution in and around ice.”
The warning comes following a 9-1-1 call Thursday afternoon that two children had fallen through the ice in Lake Windermere near Kinsmen Beach.
The...
March 17, 2023 - 12:12pm
Recognizing the regional impact poverty, homelessness, addiction and crime are having on communities, the RDEK Board of Directors has approved $85,000 for the City of Cranbrook to help fund a new poverty reduction initiative being considered by the City.
“There is no question that these challenges are having a major impact in our communities across the region and we want to demonstrate our support for the City and its proactive efforts,” says RDEK Vice Chair Susan Clovechok. “The Board has agreed to provide one year’s funding in the hopes that a position will be approved that will make a...
March 17, 2023 - 12:08pm
The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors has adopted its 2023-2027 Financial Plan.
The 2023 operating budget totals $41,050,352, which results in an increase of $30 on an average $536,000 residential assessment across the region. “It is important to understand that there is a difference between the numbers in the budget and the effect those numbers will have on individual tax rates. The RDEK offers over 100 different services, and residents will be affected differently, depending on the municipality or electoral area in which they live,” says RDEK Board Chair Rob...
March 08, 2023 - 2:59pm
REPOST FROM COMMUNITY ENERGY ASSOCIATION
Regional District of East Kootenay Celebrates E-mobility Successes
DATE: March 8 2023
Cranbrook, B.C. – The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is celebrating significant progress in the transition to low carbon transportation.
Kootenay residents are buying electric vehicles (EVs) at the same pace as the Lower Mainland. This is an impressive accomplishment given that many perceive EVs as “city cars”. The fact is, though, many people, businesses and organizations in the Kootenays are experiencing the benefits of incorporating electric...
March 02, 2023 - 12:45pm
As details emerge of a fatal avalanche yesterday afternoon in a Heli Ski tenure outside of Panorama, the impacts are being felt across the entire Columbia Valley.
“My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been impacted, and with everyone who was involved in the emergency response” says RDEK Electoral Area F Director Susan Clovechok. “I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the individuals, volunteers, organizations, emergency responders, and health care teams who responded yesterday. We are so fortunate to have so many amazing and skilled people in our valley who, in the...
February 21, 2023 - 4:43pm
After completing its first review of the draft 2023-2027 Financial Plan, the Regional District of East Kootenay Board of Directors is now hoping to gather input from residents.
“The budgeting process at the RDEK is extensive, and started back in September with the RDEK staff working on the preliminary budget calculations. Throughout the past two months, there have been meetings with Area Directors, stakeholders, commissions and others that have helped inform this year’s draft plan,” explains RDEK Board Chair Rob Gay. “Now that the Board has been able to review the draft, the next...
February 14, 2023 - 8:36pm
RESPOSTED FROM INTERIOR HEALTH
For Immediate Release | February 14, 2023
JAFFRAY – After consultation with the Ministry of Environment and representatives from the Regional District of East Kootenay, Interior Health is issuing a precautionary Water Quality Advisory for Jaffray related to a large diesel spill that occurred Feb. 11 at a local service station.
There are no observed impacts to groundwater at this time. Users of groundwater in Jaffray are advised to monitor their water and use an alternate source of water if they notice any changes in their water such as fuel odour or an...
February 14, 2023 - 4:03pm
Scheduled Water Service Outage and Boil Water Notice for Holland Creek Water System
Residents using the Holland Creek Water System will be without water for much of the day on Wednesday, February 22, due to work being done on the system.
“This outage is required to repair a deficiency in the tie-in for the Prairie Wind Development to the RDEK water system,” explains RDEK Utility Superintendent Tom Altmann. “As a result of the outage, there will be a Boil Water Notice in effect at the time the work is completed, until the required lab results are confirmed. Water intended for drinking,...
February 12, 2023 - 8:57pm
The Ministry of Environment (MOE) has taken over the investigation into a fuel spill at a service station in Jaffray.
MOE was immediately engaged by the RDEK’s firefighters who responded to the initial call yesterday morning. Environmental response contractors arrived late yesterday and have been on site through today. In addition, a Spill Response Officer was dispatched this afternoon to further assess the scene.
MOE has now confirmed approximately 12,000 litres of diesel fuel escaped during the incident and work continues to determine the extent of the spill and whether there are any...
February 11, 2023 - 5:23pm
Members of the Jaffray Fire Department responded to a fuel spill at a commercial location in Jaffray this morning.
“When we arrived on scene we determined well over 2000 litres of diesel fuel had escaped while being loaded into an above-ground tank,” explains Elk Valley & South Country Rural Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief Ben Goertzen. “Out of an abundance of caution, we immediately evacuated the gas station, store and parking lot. As we are dealing with a flammable fuel, our firefighters will remain on site and ready to respond if needed.””
Firefighters have secured the scene and will...
February 10, 2023 - 2:41pm
Heat Pump Retrofit Rebate Still Available in RDEK Electoral Areas
Rural residents in the East Kootenay interested in having a more energy efficient heating system in their homes may be eligible for a rebate through a program being offered by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK).
“The Electoral Area Heat Pump Rebate Program supports existing homes in the rural parts of the RDEK to become more energy efficient by switching from fossil fuel-based heating to electric air source heat pumps,” explains RDEK Community Energy Manager Megan Lohmann. Twenty $750 rebates are available for...
February 10, 2023 - 10:30am
RDEK to Hold Meeting Next Week Focused on Five-Year Financial Plan
The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors will be meeting next Wednesday to go over the draft Five Year Financial Plan.
“The Regional District budget is complex as we have budgets for all of our more-than 100 services that make up the full Financial Plan,” explains RDEK Board Chair Rob Gay. “Years ago, we would have the budget discussions as part of our regularly scheduled Committee meetings, but over the past few years, we have scheduled a separate day to focus only on the Five-Year Financial Plan...
February 06, 2023 - 12:07pm
A new planning process being launched by the RDEK is aiming to consolidate two existing Official Community Plans (OCP) and Zoning Bylaws into one OCP and one Zoning Bylaw.
“We have been looking for opportunities where we have neighbouring policy documents to streamline things by consolidating them to provide consistency, clarity, and better ease of use,” explains RDEK Planner Krista Gilbert. “At the same time, it gives us an opportunity to update the bylaws and work with the community to ensure the current policies are reflective of the community’s vision for how it wants to grow, develop...
February 03, 2023 - 10:39am
FireSmarting on farms and rural properties will be the focus of an upcoming information session on February 25.
“Clear Sky Retreat Centre has been a leader when it comes to the FireSmart Program and is hosting this information session as a way for friends and community neighbours learn more about how they can protect their properties from wildfire,” says Local FireSmart Representative Carla Hayday.
The information session will get underway at 3pm on Saturday, February 25 at the Clear Sky Retreat Centre on Cockell Road in Bull River. It will include a brief introduction to the FireSmart...
January 25, 2023 - 9:59pm
Applications for Resident Directed Grants (ReDi Grants) are now being accepted for 2023/2024.
“Now that the application window is open, we want to ensure eligible applicants are aware of the program guidelines and the application deadline, as late applications will not be accepted,” says Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Deputy Corporate Officer Nikki Bradshaw.
Applications must be submitted online at https://engage.rdek.bc.ca/redi. The application deadline is Wednesday, February 15 at 4:00pm.
ReDi Grants support projects that benefit the broad community and are open to...
January 10, 2023 - 3:13pm
New changes to the Recycle BC Depots throughout the Regional District of East Kootenay will simplify sorting and expand the list of items accepted for recycling.
“Many materials that were unable to be recycled previously can now be accepted and sorting of the items has been simplified.” says RDEK Environmental Services Manager Kevin Paterson.
Starting January 1, 2023, Recycle BC Depots began accepting single-use products and packaging-like products. Some examples of the new items that can be dropped off at a Recycle BC Depot include single-use plastic straws, stir sticks, plastic...
January 10, 2023 - 3:11pm
Used Oil Depot New to Kimberley Transfer Station
Kimberley area residents now have a new option to safely dispose of used motor oils and antifreeze, with the addition of a used oil depot at the Kimberley Transfer Station.
“This new depot will be a more convenient option for residents to dispose of those products that should not be going into our landfills,” says RDEK Environmental Services Manager Kevin Paterson. “Used motor oil is highly recyclable. If it’s collected and returned properly, it can be reused again and again.”
Products accepted at the new used oil depot include used...
January 06, 2023 - 8:58am
RDEK Seeks Nominations for Electoral Area Volunteers of the Year
The RDEK is seeking nominations for outstanding volunteers throughout the rural areas of our region for the 2023 Electoral Area Volunteer of the Year award.
Nomination forms are now available and, as it has in past years, the Regional District will be honouring one outstanding volunteer or couple from each of its six Electoral Areas.
“This is an important recognition program for us,” explains RDEK Board Chair Rob Gay. “At a time when volunteering is seeing lower turnout numbers, it’s imperative to say to those that...
December 21, 2022 - 11:10am
When it comes to the amount of waste and recycling being disposed of, the next two weeks are the busiest of the year at area landfills, transfer stations and recycling depots.
“While Sparwood and Elkford Transfer Stations are closed on all Sundays, for the rest of our facilities Christmas and New Year’s Day are two of only five days out of the entire year that they are closed,” says Regional District of East Kootenay Communications Manager Loree Duczek. “Over the holidays, it can be extremely busy. While our contractors and staff work incredibly hard to keep up with the volume, it is...
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