RCMP Report Thank you!

to all my clients for your support over the years.

I am going to miss all of you.

Barb Hew itt

Columbia Valley Youth Soccer 2023 Annual General Meeting

Thursday, March 9th at 5 pm

Location To be announced

2023-2024 Windermere District Social Service Society dba WeCONNECT Membership Drive

WeCONNECT is looking forward to the year ahead and we need you!

Since its inception in 1958, the Society has been fostering inclusive and welcoming opportunities to empower the inclusion of the citizens of the Columbia Valley who have diverse-abilities into the fabric of community life We help clients to participate in the community by assisting them to be independent, self-determining and to reach their fullest potential

Please consider joining our membership as a member or as a director With your support we can continue to make great things happen

For further information on how to join or to request a Director ’s nomination package, please contact LuAnn Zahara, Board Secretary at 250-342-3699

Columbia Valley RCMP

February 20 through to February 26, the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 40 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the file our officers responded to.

On February 20 members of the RCMP were called to investigate an assault that occurred at a residence in Canal Flats. Both parties had been separated but it was evident the victim had been struck in the face. The suspect was now in Kimberley but was cooperative with police and turned himself in. Alcohol is believed to be involved.

On February 21 RCMP were asked to conduct Check Wellbeing on an individual believed to be suicidal. Members were able to locate the individual who stated they were going through a tough time as they fell victim to a scam that has cost them well over $50,000 . A fraud file has now been created and in the early stages of investigation.

‘Invermere

Councillors

from 3 with local residents have underscored the need for such a facility, not just for swimming but also to house other recreation groups (such as the Invermere Judo Club), and that there are nonprofit groups willing to do much of the legwork.

Goldsmith said he would support such an initiative, but only if was paid for by all Columbia Valley municipalities and rural areas. He noted that aside from the construction cost, annual operating costs of an indoor pool could easily run to $500,000. Violini pegged those same costs at about $1,000 a day ($365,000 a year), and suggested “we can brainstorm” ways to cover the bills.

“I’d need to see a budget before supporting it,” said Kelly, echoing Goldsmith that operational costs need to be carefully considered in additional to building costs. “If we’re not going to have user fees and taxpayers are going to be on the hook, I’m not sure. It has to be the whole valley, not just the District of Invermere,” said Kelly. Bradatsch asked “has the pool been priced out? Where would it be located? What is lifespan?” He also said that locals and visitors can swim for about $20 at the Radium Hot Springs pool, at Copper Point for about $6.50, and can swim seasonally in the lake for free. “It seems we already have great value (for swimming) in our valley,” he said.

On February 26 RCMP received multiple reports of a motor vehicle collision in the Kootenay National Park. Reports ranged from a three-car head-on collision with injuries to one vehicle stuck in the ditch. Parks employees were able to attend the area where it was determined there were two separate incidents where vehicles had hit the ditch. No injuries reported. Did you know?

In 2022, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre received fraud and cybercrime reports totalling a staggering $530 million in victim losses. That’s nearly a 40 per cent increase from the unprecedented $380 million in losses in 2021. Unfortunately, the increase in financial loss isn’t tied to an increase in reporting—the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre estimates that only 5 to 10 per cent of people report fraud.

March is Fraud Prevention Month. Please visit www. rcmp-grc.gc.ca to find out more information regarding types of fraud and tips on prevention.

What role Invermere should play in climate change also elicited differing responses. Goldsmith said that 20 per cent of Invermere is roads and parking spaces which means “we are very much a vehicle intensive community” and suggested the district needs a more walkable, bike-able downtown, and needs to figure out how to get natural gas brought to the valley as an energy source. Kelly said the biggest difference comes in the choices made by the district, and that, for instance, building a new indoor pool-recreation centre brings with it a much larger carbon footprint for Invermere. Bradatsch championed going to BC Hydro as a municipality to lobby for a change in their tier system to help reduce energy use here, as well as the plastics bylaw. Stevens suggested the district engage climate-focused groups and professionals already in the valley to learn how to make ‘greener’ homes, better bike paths, and ‘greener’ transportation generally. Violini also supported better active transportation corridors and thought there ought to be a way to tap the heat coming from Invermere’s sewage lagoons for energy.

Mondays for Breakfast and Dinner

Only!)