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Wednesday, April 22, 2015
May is
Vol. 7 • Issue 84
Local Greens and NDP consider co-operating See Pages 10 and 11
Emerald
Surprise winners in indoor soccer playoffs See Pages 18 and 19
View St. medical centre set for public hearing
Rose gold, diamond and emerald ring. Designed in house by Sandy and Georgina
431 Baker Street , Nelson, BC Phone: 250-352-5033
Our greenhouse is now open! Come and see all our new berry bushes!
Nelson house evacuated due to noxious fumes
More than just a farmers store
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524 Railway St Nelson (250) 352-5375
AFFORDABLE BIKE REPAIRS NEW BIKES HAVE ARRIVED QUALITY TRADES WELCOME HUGE SELECTION OF PARTS ALL ELECTRIC BIKES AND SCOOTERS SOLD AT COST CAMPING GEAR IS HERE BACKPACKS ARE 1/2 PRICE MAKING SPORTS AFFORDABLE AND RECYCLING SINCE 1996 BOOMTOWNSPORTS.COM 510 HALL ST. 250-505-5055
The Nelson Fire Department responded to a complaint at approximately 9:45 a.m. Monday of a potentially toxic smell coming from a house on the corner of Vernon and Cedar streets. Three people were evacuated and taken to hospital. Courtesy Nelson Fire and Rescue WILL JOHNSON Nelson Star Three people went to hospital Monday morning after being exposed to noxious fumes emanating from the basement of a Vernon St. home at the apex of the Cedar St. hill. “We believe there’s nitric acid on the premises,” fire chief Len MacCharles told the Star on scene, while firefighters suited up in bright yellow hazmat suits. The co-owner of the house discovered the chemical while cleaning but was not the one who was using it. Police ensured everyone was out of the house and upwind of the chemicals by the time fire crews responded. Once it was determined that nitric acid, which is both explosive and corrosive, was potentially the source of the vapours, two additional firefighters were called to the scene and Nelson Hydro crews cut power to the home. MacCharles said they took all necessary precautions before entering to remove the product. Inside they found a number of unlabeled containers, all with clear fluids inside, which were taken away for proper disposal.
“We haven’t evacuated around the building. We’ve informed individuals of what’s going on, but if there is any [material] it will disperse in the air. I don’t believe it’s a large quantity,” he said. “The owner will be going back in after we eliminate the product and ventilate [the home].” He said the public was never at risk. By 3 p.m., the area around the house was re-opened to pedestrians. Nelson police Sgt. Dino Falcone said Tuesday the owner has been allowed back in, but firefighters still had control of the scene and police can’t enter until they have clearance. “We believe some copper wire was taken from the residence — wire used in normal household electrical,” he said. “We think [former tenants] used acid to take off the coating or insulation of copper wire and left with it.” Falcone says a criminal investigation is underway, but while they have an idea who the previous tenants were, they haven’t yet been able to locate them. “It’s hard to pinpoint who was there,” he said. “We’re not 100 per cent sure.” — With files from Greg Nesteroff
BILL METCALFE Nelson Star Nelson city council will hold a public hearing into zoning for Dr. Andre Kirsten’s proposed new Ancron medical clinic on May 11. At its Monday meeting, council amended some of the project requirements. The changes, approved unanimously by council with minimal discussion, include: • Restricting permitted uses to medical services (which includes a dispensing pharmacy) and a restaurant. Council removed care services and professional and business offices from the permitted uses list; • Creation of a professional landscape plan that provides increased landscaping in designated areas of the property; • Vegetative screening for all adjacent residences; • Opaque fencing on the east and west property lines; • Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems contained with in the building; • Systems to minimize noise levels exceeding 45 decibels, odours, glare, electrical interference, and ground vibration. Before council approved those changes, it had to rescind a previous first and second reading of the same bylaw done last fall, and it did so because at a public open house on March 19 Kirsten came forward with the above-listed changes intended to address some of the neighbours’ concerns. The medical clinic would consist of a 15,000-square foot two-storey building at 10 View St. to replace Ancron’s current offices in the Nelson Trading Company on Baker St. The three View St. lots, currently zoned residential, are proposed to be rezoned to “mixed use medical,” a designation the city has created specifically for this project. In an interview after the meeting, Kirsten said “We have made significant changes in terms of lowering the building and have listened to our
250.352.7252
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$160,000 COMFY PROCTER CABIN A cozy 1 bedroom home on a 78x117 ft. lot with a separate 400 sq. ft. studio or hobby room, a walk-in cooler and a wood shed. Fruit Tree. Great sun exposure and room for a large garden. MLS 2402524
Alan Tarr 250.354.8489
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$209,000 YMIR CHARMER 5 bdrms & 2 bthrm rancher placed on .39 acres at the end of a quiet street. Offering a master bdrm w/ensuite, 2 bdrms on the main & 2 bdrms in the basement along with a very large rec room plus a garage and large partially treed private yard. MLS 2404001
Lisa Cutler 250.551.0076
$165,900 PROCTER PROPERTY Mobile home on 1/3 acre in Procter with two large additions providing a huge master bedroom and living room. You’ll also find a large second bedroom and an updated bathroom and kitchen. Located just 2 blocks from the beach. MLS 2404351
David Buss 250.354.9459
$449,000 CONVENIENCE PLUS Wonderful 4 bdrm, 2.5 bath home on excellent view lot, landscaped, with carport and covered deck. Comfortable living with flair. Hot tub off of covered deck, and access to back yard from dining room, to expand your living area. MLS 2404498
$379,000 MUST SEE! 3 Bdrms, 2 baths on a partly finished basement with potential for a suite. High end finishings, spacious master bdrm with ensuite and large walk-in closet. The exterior boasts a lovely deck facing mountain views. MLS 2404485
Lorne Westnedge 250.505.2606 Barbie Wheaton 250.509.0654
601 Baker St. Nelson, BC V1L 4J3 RHC REALTY
Serving Nelson & Area Since 1908
100% Locally Owned & Independently Operated