Photo: Samantha Holomay
Trail RCMP had déjà-vu when they responded to another rental scam that defrauded a 26-year-old woman out of $2,700.
“Rental properties are hard to find due to a general shortage of quality, affordable residences in the area,” Trail RCMP Sgt. Wicentowich explained.
Loans Canada has provided the public with some tips on how to spot a rental scam:
- If the rental description and price is too good to be it probably is;
- Prior to signing any contracts or giving them money, contact the landlord or lease transferer by phone and get the address of the unit;
- While online communication by email or instant message is more convenient, it’s often an easy way to manipulate a potential scam victim;
- Ask to visit the rental. If the property is real, the ad poster shouldn’t have a problem showing you around; and
- Check the price of the rental, then compare it to other units in the neighbourhood. If the rental is far cheaper than its competitors, it’s another warning sign.
“This could happen to anyone. Please do not send money electronically before meeting the landlord or agent at the residence. This will help reduce your chances of being defrauded,” said Sgt Wicentowich.
Photo: Trail and Greater District RCMP
Trail RCMP are asking for the public’s help to locate a black-and-orange Bobcat skid-steer loader that was stolen from a business in Trail.
According to police, the loader was stolen on March 28 around 3 a.m. in the 900 block of Highway 22A, and is valued at approximately $15,000-$20,000.
Anyone who has seen or may know of the machinery’s whereabouts is advised to contact the Trail detachment at 250-364-2566 to speak to an investigator.
Photo: Trail and Greater District RCMP
Photo: Samantha Holomay
A Trail man was pulled over by police after officers ran his licence plate to discover that he did not have a valid driver’s licence.
Just after midnight on March 30, Trail RCMP officers stopped the man while he was traveling along the 700 block of Victoria Street in downtown Trail.
The officer detained the occupants of the vehicle and spoke to the 26-year-old driver who was not able to produce a valid driver’s licence. The officer said that he also suspected the driver to have been impaired by alcohol.
The man was issued a three-day immediate roadside prohibition (IRP) under Section 215 of the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act, and his vehicle was impounded.
Photo: Trail and Greater District RCMP
Trail police have released an image of the person they believe to be involved in an alleged assault of a man during a Kootenay International Junior Hockey League playoff game in Fruitvale.
Earlier this month, police reported that the alleged assault occurred during the third period of the game between the Grand Forks Border Bruins and the Beaver Valley Nitehawks at the Beaver Valley Arena on March 19.
Police said a confrontation escalated into a physical fight after two men, one from Grand Forks, began to argue over the use of an air horn.
The next day, Trail RCMP received the report about the incident involving a 47-year-old Fruitvale man who was allegedly assaulted during the game.
“It’s quite severe,” said Sgt. Mike Wicentowich of the Trail RCMP. “It is a bizarre one just because of the people involved in the situation, we never expected that. So, we’re trying to get to the bottom of it.”
Police have described the suspect in the alleged assault to be around 50 years old, caucasian, with a heavy build, a grey moustache, wearing a grey baseball cap, jeans and a black jacket.
Police are asking anyone who can identify or knows of the suspect to please contact the Trail detachment at 250-364-2566 to speak to an investigator.
Photo: Flickr
Police have reported a slew of thefts that occurred over the month of March that defrauded three seperate individuals out of a combined $516,000.
On March 21, Trail RCMP received a report from a 47-year-old man who was scammed out of $190,000 after investing in a cryptocurrency plot through a publicly available website.
The man reportedly built a relationship with an individual on social media who subsequently persuaded him to invest his money into cryptocurrency.
The man later learned that his money and investment had been erased after he attempted to transfer his funds to a third-party electronic location outside of his account. The money was not recoverable.
“The cryptocurrency space is rife with fraudsters trying to trade the worthless digital currency for real money. Investing through social media bears the same extremely high risk of investing in cryptocurrency,” said Trail RCMP Sgt. Wicentowich.
Another scam
Trail RCMP received another report of a cryptocurrency scam on March 12 from an 84-year-old Montrose woman who was defrauded of $4,000 after investing in cryptocurrency through a social media platform.
The woman reportedly sent the money electronically to an alleged investment company, and the money was not recoverable.
“These kinds of investments are likely not insured or guaranteed against fraud and theft. Please keep your money safe and in your own bank account,” said Sgt. Wicentowich.
Crypto scams continue
The most recent report of a cryptocurrency scam came on March 27, after police received a fraud report from a 50-year-old Rossland man who was scammed out of $322,000.
The man reportedly invested in cryptocurrency and began to send money electronically to a cryptocurrency website in 2021. He was unable to recover his funds.
“You will likely be scammed if you invest in cryptocurrency. The public needs to take precautions and avoid buying cryptocurrency. You do not know who you are dealing with nor where your money is going to end up,” said Sgt. Wicentowich.
Photo: Samantha Holomay
The Record Ridge mining development review committee (MDRC) has decided to reject the Record Ridge mine proposal over what they say are unresolved technical, environmental and economic issues.
The project, initially proposed by Western High Resources (WHY), was looked over by the committee and members of the Ministry of Mines and Critical Metals. The open pit magnesium mine proposed for the Record Ridge area is located within the Quesnel Terrain of the Intermontane Belt, located 7.5 kilometres southwest of Rossland.
Rossland is heavily dependent on tourism, and the committee stated concerns about the proposed project stems in part from the impact it could have on the economic base and the tourism industry. Mayor of Rossland Andy Morel said that committee members felt that the Calgary-based mining company had adequately addressed their concerns.
The city had released a full list of concerns that detailed the potential negative impacts on transportation and policy issues. Morel said that the city requested a full environmental assessment of the project before the project moved forward.
“We continued to say, ‘Wait a minute,'” said Morel.
He said that, despite the committee’s concerns, the proponent downplayed the need for a full environmental assessment by reducing the mine capacity below the threshold. Morel claimed that the capacity of the project is considerably bigger than the current application specifies.
However, the final decision will rest with the staff at the Regional Director for Mining Operations and the Ministry of Mining and Critical Metals.
Castanet had reached out to the Calgary-based company for comment.
Photo: KBRH Health Foundation
The Josie Hotel, based in Rossland raised $80,000 in support of the newly launched Mental Health Matters campaign, which supports revitalizing mental health care in the region.
The foundation’s first fundraiser for the campaign appeared to be a success. The evening also included speeches from Dr. Claire Fantus, head of psychiatry at KBRH and Dr. Matthew Halstead, mental health and substance use physician, who highlighted how crucial it is to improve mental health services and initiatives in the community.
“Mental health is a growing priority in our community, and we are incredibly proud to contribute to this important cause through such a meaningful event,” said Robert Murray, general manager of the Josie Hotel.
The Mental Health Matters campaign is dedicated to improving mental health facilities and services at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH), ensuring individuals in the region receive the care and support they need.
“We are excited to continue this momentum as we work to make a lasting impact on mental health care in the Kootenay Boundary region,” said Lisa Pasin, executive director of the KBRH Health Foundation.
Proceeds from the event will directly to funding upgrades, modernizing equipment resources and programs.
Photo: Maya Provencal Facebook
As part of an ongoing series, Castanet will be highlighting each acting Mayor in Rossland throughout the year, offering the community an opportunity to get to know the councillors who are helping shape the community.
Coun. Maya Provencal will be assuming the role of acting mayor for April 2025.
A new mother and environmental activist, she said she was drawn to municipal politics through her experiences on provincial advisory boards. She said that she has also admired the often quick impact that municipal decisions can have on communities.
“I just found it so interesting how quickly change can happen.”
Harnessing the skills she gained from working alongside non-profits and BC Young Leaders Council, friends, and coworkers nudged her to run for council in 2022.
“I also found that there were not a lot of young people involved in local politics,” she said.
Narrowing down her single most favourite thing about the community of Rossland was difficult, having to sift through her thoughts, she said the level of community spirit trumps all.
“There is a really strong shared value for community and a love for nature,” he said.
Her favourite place to hang around Rossland in the summertime is the back patio of the Alpine Grind cafe. When she’s not taking part in municipal politics, she can be found taking care of her 1-year-old daughter Matilda, relaxing with a romance novel,
“I feel like ever since I have been out of school, most of the novels I read are escapism, just to forget about the world for a bit.”
She also loves to wind down her brain with a sweet treat while watching reality television, Love is Blind, to be specific.
With her husband, Provencal has two black tabby cats named Alfie and Sadie and a dog named Bowie. Yes, like David Bowie.
She said that being on the council has been a great experience and hopes to assist with more environmentally and inclusionary focused initiatives throughout her term.
Photo: Rossland Museum and Discovery Centre
The Rossland Museum and Discovery Centre will be hosting an egg-citing Easter Egg Hunt next month for children and families.
The event is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 19 will also feature egg hunts, easter themed crafts, and face painting for children ages 8 years old and younger.
The afternoon hunts will take place at 1:30 p.m. for children aged 8 years old to 12.
The majority of the event will be taking place outside, so remember to bring warm clothe and footwear and of course your biggest baskets to hold your treats.
The event is still in need of volunteers to assist with face painting and other activities, and interested parties can contact Fiona Lane at admin@ rosslandmuseum.ca or 250-362-7722.
For more information, visit the Rossland Museum and Discovery Centre’s website.
Photo: Samantha Holomay
Red Mountain Ski Resort has cancelled a weekend ski event due to poor visibility on the mountain.
Avalanche Canada said that the Kootenay region would experience cooling trends for the March 29 weekend, a stark contrast from the warm weather that riders experienced earlier in the week.
The warm conditions have made snowpack unstable, and the cooling trends are expected to re-freeze the weakened pack, making snow conditions icy and hard.
The Notorious Cliff Dive event that was scheduled for March 29 included riders taking their chance at skiing off cliffs and racing down the mountain. The winner would receive bragging rights and new ski or snowboard boots as a prize.
Red Mountain Resort staff have confirmed that the poor conditions were not the only reason that the event was cancelled.
“It was a lack of registration, and it’s because it is cloudy today, there’s a lot of fog out there right now.”
Other ski mountain resorts don’t seem to be having a problem, however. Fernie Alpine Resort’s Retro Weekend, scheduled for March 29, is still a go.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort has closed its bowl terrain for safety reasons due to the recent rain and warmer weather. However, their upcoming King and Queen of the Park slopestyle event is slated for March 30.
It is important to note that each resort has posted a note about weather conditions from earlier in the week.
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