LARDEAU VALLEY OPPORTUNITY LINKS SOCIETY

It was a Wet and Windy Christmas Bird Count but not a Washout!

Despite the wet weather and treacherous road conditions, 18 participants in Lardeau’s 26th Christmas Bird Count (CBC) on December 27th found 29 species, mostly by walking. An additional 8 species were seen during count week. The week leading up to count day was challenging for birds and humans; very cold temperatures were followed by at least 18” of new snow which closed the highway on Christmas Eve, which was then followed by rain on ice. A big thank you to the dedicated and enthusiastic team leaders, field observers and feeder/yard watchers in Meadow Creek, Cooper Creek, Johnson’s Landing, Argenta and Lardeau. The CBC is centred at Lardeau and covers a 24km circle which ranges from just north of Meadow Creek to Schroeder Creek.

Highlights include the ‘resident’ flock of red-winged blackbirds that favour Cooper Creek and sometimes venture to Meadow Creek. Black-capped Chickadee was the most numerous species followed by Steller Jays, Common Ravens and Wild Turkeys. The only water fowl reported was at the Argenta turtle ponds area; a handful of Canada Geese, mallards, and a lone Northern Pintail. For comparison, the previous CBC in 2021 when it was brutally cold only yielded 25 species, and in 2020 there were 38 species on count day. 

Thank you to all participants for contributing to North American’s longest-running Citizen Science project, the Christmas Bird Count. The information collected forms one of the world’s largest sets of wildlife survey data and is used to assess the population trends and distribution of birds. For more information see:   https://www.birdscanada.org/bird-science/christmas-bird-count/

One of the birds seen was a Varied Thrush and some of the group posed for a photo (photos by Jim Lawrence).

Jan-2023-Job-ad-Strong-Start-Facilitator.docx

https://alpha.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/local-emergency-programs/ess

As Imelda Loimand has retired from from providing foot care at LVCC Meadow Creek Hall, she has passed her practice to Stacy McCarty, Certified Mobile Foot Care Nurse. 

Stacy would like to provide service at the hall the third Tuesday of Jan and Feb : January 24, February 21

To book : stacy_mccary@icloud.com
250-505-3338

Fall-2022-report

Roy Collier and his daughter Merle out front of Larry Greenlaw’s Meadow Creek Store after he closed his Howser Store. This is the original store at Meadow Creek before it was renovated later on.

Thanks to Merle Collier Dyck.

Post copied from Kootenay Scoop Facebook Page

Meadow Creek BC Man charged with a number of Criminal Code Offences after RCMP, Kaslo Fire Department, Ministry of Environment HAZMAT recovery crew & Kaslo Leadership required at local incident

RCMP RELEASE KASLO BC – In the early morning hours of November 18th, 2022. Members of the Kaslo RCMP detachment were dispatched to a report of Mischief in the Community of Kaslo. A local couple reported observing a figure on a surveillance camera pouring a substance from a jerry can into vehicles parked in their driveway. The suspect appeared to be wearing a respirator and HAZMAT suit in the surveillance footage.

Evidence at scene led officers to other evidence in a nearby field and wooded area. Further investigation and evidence revealed the strong likelihood the suspect had combined two precursor chemicals on scene that when combined created a dangerous and hazardous gas.

The investigation rapidly expanded. A suspect was identified and further surveillance footage of a male purchasing the precursor chemicals at a store in a nearby community were obtained. This male is also on conditions to not have contact with the victims after being convicted for assaulting one of them earlier this year.

Kaslo RCMP formed a partnership with Kaslo Community Leadership, Kaslo Fire department, Ministry of Environment and a Contracted Chemist. After consultation, a plan was formulated to mitigate the immediate risk to the public by removing the vehicles involved from the community to a safe location to be dealt with by a properly trained HAZMAT recovery Team.

Kaslo RCMP officers continued the Criminal Code investigation by obtaining Search Warrants for a Residence, Outbuildings and a Vehicle that they believed would afford further evidence of the offences.

A plan was formulated to safely take the suspect into custody. On November 21, 2022 at approximately 5:00 p.m. Members of the South East District (SED) Emergency Response Team (ERT) and The SED Containment Team executed the warrants at a Property in Meadow Creek, B.C. The suspect attempted to flee and after deploying a spike belt to disable his vehicle his attempts continued on foot for another 3 hours.

The suspect was taken into custody without further incident and transported to Nelson, B.C. for further processing.

A search of his residence led to further offence related property listed in the Search Warrant. Officers also seized several weapons including a loaded semi auto hand gun and a loaded rifle.

Benjamin John VELT of Meadow Creek, B.C has been charged with a number of Criminal Code Offences

VELT is scheduled to next appear in Provincial Court on November 29, 2022

Harland Venema (Corporal)

NCO i/c Kaslo Detachment RCMP