Joshua Fischlin

Teck file photo.

Teck releases annual economic contribution report

The mining company detailed their economic contributions for 2021

Teck file photo.
The Fernie Heritage Library’s basement flooded and was noticed on Dec. 27, 2022, amid a wet winter storm, and members of the library community pitched in to help clean it up. Photo posted on Facebook by the Fernie Heritage Library on Dec. 28. (Photo from Fernie Heritage Library)

‘It will be fine’: Fernie library basement floods, community pitches in to help

The library got help from the community and City of Fernie to remediate

The Fernie Heritage Library’s basement flooded and was noticed on Dec. 27, 2022, amid a wet winter storm, and members of the library community pitched in to help clean it up. Photo posted on Facebook by the Fernie Heritage Library on Dec. 28. (Photo from Fernie Heritage Library)
Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it (Tobacco Plains Indian Band), North Coal and Pacific Road Capital announced a Letter of Intent on Dec. 20, 2022, to enter into a partnership to develop Michel Project coal project near Sparwood. Back: Avery Gravelle, Kyle Shottanana, Jonathon Brewer. Front: Garrett Gravelle, Matt Fifield, Heidi Gravelle, Ian Maxwell, Donald McInnes, Bill Arling, Abby Cousins, Marion Ngo. (Photo from Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it)

Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it declares intent to enter coal project partnership near Sparwood

Nasukin Heidi Gravelle called it an opportunity on the path to self-determination

Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it (Tobacco Plains Indian Band), North Coal and Pacific Road Capital announced a Letter of Intent on Dec. 20, 2022, to enter into a partnership to develop Michel Project coal project near Sparwood. Back: Avery Gravelle, Kyle Shottanana, Jonathon Brewer. Front: Garrett Gravelle, Matt Fifield, Heidi Gravelle, Ian Maxwell, Donald McInnes, Bill Arling, Abby Cousins, Marion Ngo. (Photo from Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it)
A Grade 3-4 class from École Isabella Dicken Elementary School raised $513.55 for Wildsight Elk Valley after being saddened by some local forest being torn down. They presented the money to Wildsight on Dec. 15, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

‘They should be proud of themselves’: Young Fernie students raise money for Wildsight

The IDES students were inspired to protect local forests

A Grade 3-4 class from École Isabella Dicken Elementary School raised $513.55 for Wildsight Elk Valley after being saddened by some local forest being torn down. They presented the money to Wildsight on Dec. 15, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
Dawn Deydey at the Local store in Fernie, operated by Wildsight Elk Valley. Wildsight, with the help of $252,000 from the federal government, is bringing a hydroponic container farm to Fernie for spring 2023, which will be able to grow leafy greens all year round. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

‘Strengthening our food system’: Wildsight bringing hydroponic container farm to Fernie

The project recently received $252,000 from the federal government

Dawn Deydey at the Local store in Fernie, operated by Wildsight Elk Valley. Wildsight, with the help of $252,000 from the federal government, is bringing a hydroponic container farm to Fernie for spring 2023, which will be able to grow leafy greens all year round. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
Joshua and Adalynn Cooper of Sparwood handing a $2,000 cheque to Brent Bidston, founder of Angel Flight East Kootenay. (Submitted by Brent Bidston)

‘Our hearts are full’: Sparwood kids raise thousands for Angel Flight

Adalynn and Joshua Cooper, along with a match from Teck, raised $4,000 for the charity

Joshua and Adalynn Cooper of Sparwood handing a $2,000 cheque to Brent Bidston, founder of Angel Flight East Kootenay. (Submitted by Brent Bidston)
Wendy McDougall was appointed executive director of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce in December, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
Wendy McDougall was appointed executive director of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce in December, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
Major Rick Robins of the Fernie Salvation Army and Const. Chris Spyker of the Elk Valley RCMP in front of a haul for the food bank collected in front of Save-On-Foods during ‘Operation Pack a PC’ on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022. (Courtesy of the Fernie Salvation Army)

‘Fernie, you are amazing!’: RCMP collects hundreds of pounds of food for Salvation Army

‘Operation Pack a PC’ took place on Sunday, Dec. 11

Major Rick Robins of the Fernie Salvation Army and Const. Chris Spyker of the Elk Valley RCMP in front of a haul for the food bank collected in front of Save-On-Foods during ‘Operation Pack a PC’ on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022. (Courtesy of the Fernie Salvation Army)
The Fernie Ghostriders collect teddy bears thrown onto the Fernie Memorial Arena ice during the 2022 Teddy Bear Toss on Dec. 10, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Fernie Ghostriders hold Teddy Bear Toss

Teddies collected go to the Fernie Salvation Army for distribution to the community

The Fernie Ghostriders collect teddy bears thrown onto the Fernie Memorial Arena ice during the 2022 Teddy Bear Toss on Dec. 10, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
A screenshot of video footage taken during an operation from Fernie Search and Rescue, who were tasked to respond after an avalanche in Orca Bowl on Dec. 11, 2022, that involved three skiers. All skiers survived. (From Fernie Search and Rescue)

‘Very fortunate everyone survived’: Fernie SAR responds to three skiers involved in avalanche

Fernie Search and Rescue attened the avalance in Orca Bowl on Dec. 11

A screenshot of video footage taken during an operation from Fernie Search and Rescue, who were tasked to respond after an avalanche in Orca Bowl on Dec. 11, 2022, that involved three skiers. All skiers survived. (From Fernie Search and Rescue)
The City of Fernie received $468,750 from the Canada Community Revitalization Fund in December, 2022 for their downtown parking revitalization project. Photo posted on the City of Fernie Facebook page on Dec. 9, 2022, in a message expressing gratitude for the funding. (Photo from City of Fernie)

Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford and Wildsight get federal funding drop

Over $2 million was announced by the Government of Canada for projects in East Kootenays

The City of Fernie received $468,750 from the Canada Community Revitalization Fund in December, 2022 for their downtown parking revitalization project. Photo posted on the City of Fernie Facebook page on Dec. 9, 2022, in a message expressing gratitude for the funding. (Photo from City of Fernie)
The 2022 Santa Route for an annual Christmas event happening in Elkford on Dec. 21, 2022 from 6 to 8 p.m. (From the District of Elkford)

Santa is coming to Elkford

Santa and the Elkford Fire Department will be collecting for the food bank

The 2022 Santa Route for an annual Christmas event happening in Elkford on Dec. 21, 2022 from 6 to 8 p.m. (From the District of Elkford)
Bob Sumka with his new book, 24 Dalton Avenue, A Fernie Legacy, on Dec. 7, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

New historical fiction book about Fernie hits local shelves

24 Dalton Avenue by Bob Sumka can be found at three locations in Fernie

Bob Sumka with his new book, 24 Dalton Avenue, A Fernie Legacy, on Dec. 7, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
(Contributed by Elk Valley RCMP)

Elk Valley RCMP to collect items for Fernie food bank

Local police will be at Save-On-Foods and Your Independent Grocer on Sunday

(Contributed by Elk Valley RCMP)
Members of the Fernie Nordic Race Team were competing in Vernon on Dec. 1, 3, and 4 in the Nordiq Cup / US Super Tour and the Western Canada Cup. From left, racer Louison Dubief, head coach Johnny Shaw, and racer Wes Robinson-Shaw. (Courtesy of Helen McAllister)

‘Some outstanding results’ for young Fernie Nordic racers competing in Vernon

Wes Robinson-Shaw and Louison Dubief of the Fernie Nordic Society hit the races over the weekend

Members of the Fernie Nordic Race Team were competing in Vernon on Dec. 1, 3, and 4 in the Nordiq Cup / US Super Tour and the Western Canada Cup. From left, racer Louison Dubief, head coach Johnny Shaw, and racer Wes Robinson-Shaw. (Courtesy of Helen McAllister)
The Reid family with Santa Claus on Dec. 3, 2022 on ‘Fill a Sleigh Day’, the last day of a three-week toy drive at the Fernie Red Apple. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

‘People care’: Fernie Red Apple’s Christmas toy drive brings in over $7.2k

Toys will go to the Salvation Army and Rocky Moutain Village for Christmas distribution

The Reid family with Santa Claus on Dec. 3, 2022 on ‘Fill a Sleigh Day’, the last day of a three-week toy drive at the Fernie Red Apple. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
The Fernie band Shred Kelly at a show in Prague on Nov. 19, 2022, that brought a crowd of about 3,500 people. (Courtesy of Sage McBride)

‘A dream’: Fernie musicians play for crowds of thousands internationally

Shred Kelly and Nell Smith have been hitting the stage in front of big crowds

The Fernie band Shred Kelly at a show in Prague on Nov. 19, 2022, that brought a crowd of about 3,500 people. (Courtesy of Sage McBride)
Wendy McDougall is the new executive director of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce, with the appointment announced in December, 2022. (Courtesy of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce)

Fernie Chamber of Commerce appoints new executive director

Wendy McDougall’s appointment was announced in December, 2022

Wendy McDougall is the new executive director of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce, with the appointment announced in December, 2022. (Courtesy of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce)
RCMP stock photo.

RCMP apprehend two suspects in stolen vehicle case

A vehicle was stolen from the 7-11 parking lot in Fernie on Friday

RCMP stock photo.
Hundreds of people were present for the Fernie Alpine Resort’s opening day on Dec. 3, 2022. The first lift up included (from left) Jeff and Will Johnson, Ross Frazier and Greg ‘G-Money’ Barrow, as it did the previous year. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

‘One of the best opening days ever’ at Fernie Alpine Resort in 2022

The winter season at FAR kicked off with a bang this year

Hundreds of people were present for the Fernie Alpine Resort’s opening day on Dec. 3, 2022. The first lift up included (from left) Jeff and Will Johnson, Ross Frazier and Greg ‘G-Money’ Barrow, as it did the previous year. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)