Local News

It costs as little as $7 to charge an EV at home. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Electric Vehicles a rare sight (in the Kootenays), but change on the way

Electric pickups will increase the appeal of zero-emission vehicles in years to come according to Blair Qualey of the New Car Dealers Association

Linda Krawczyk and her dad Doug Finney enjoyed a ride around beautiful Fernie on Friday thanks to Melanie Wrigglesworth and the local chapter of Cycling Without Age. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Cycling Without Age goes for its first spin

Doug Finney (86) got to enjoy a ride around Fernie

The Cranbrook Community Forest is good to go for mountain biking. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Snow’s done, time to hit the trails

South Country trails are good to go

A driver stopped by Saanich police following a road rage incident on April 15 was found to be impaired, in violation of a license restriction and in a damaged vehicle. They received a 90-day driving prohibition and a 30-day vehicle impound. (Saanich Police Traffic Safety Unit/Twitter)

Road rager fails breathalyzer on busy B.C. highway in vehicle he shouldn’t be driving

Saanich police say man was operating vehicle without required ignition lock

A driver stopped by Saanich police following a road rage incident on April 15 was found to be impaired, in violation of a license restriction and in a damaged vehicle. They received a 90-day driving prohibition and a 30-day vehicle impound. (Saanich Police Traffic Safety Unit/Twitter)
The Fernie Chamber of Commerce hosted this year's virtual 2020 Business Awards. (File Photo)

“I certainly have some optimism for the summer season”: Qualizza

Qualizza, Morrison and Shypitka spoke at the Fernie Chamber AGM

The Fernie Chamber of Commerce hosted this year's virtual 2020 Business Awards. (File Photo)
Nelson-Creston MLA Brittny Anderson will advise Premier John Horgan in youth issues and needs. Photo: Submitted

Nelson-Creston MLA named premier’s special advisor on youth

Brittny Anderson is the youngest member of the B.C. legislature

Nelson-Creston MLA Brittny Anderson will advise Premier John Horgan in youth issues and needs. Photo: Submitted
Video
Vancouver resident Beryl Pye was witness to a “concerning,” spontaneous dance party that spread throughout social groups at Kitsilano Beach on April 16. (Screen grab/Beryl Pye)
VIDEO: Dance party erupts at Vancouver’s Kitsilano Beach to the dismay of onlookers
Rainbow trouts thrashing with life as they’re about to be transferred to the largest lake of their lives, even though it’s pretty small. These rainbows have a blue tinge because they matched the blue of their hatchery pen, but soon they’ll take on the green-browns of their new home at Lookout Lake. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)
VIDEO: B.C. lake stocked with hatchery trout to delight of a seniors fishing club
A woman wears a protective face covering to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as she walks past the emergency entrance of Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, April 9, 2021. COVID-19 cases have been on a steady increase in the province of British Columbia over the past week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Top doctor warns B.C.’s daily cases could reach 3,000 as COVID hospitalizations surge
(AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, FIle)
VIDEO: ‘Extremely, extremely rare’ blood clots ‘may be linked’ to AstraZeneca, Health Canada says
More Videos 
Fernie Distillers file photo. (Contributed)

Fernie Distillers to host virtual cocktail-making class

Learn how to make two gin-based cocktails

Fernie Distillers file photo. (Contributed)
An Interior Health nurse administers Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines to seniors and care aids in Kelowna on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. (Phil McLachlan/Kelowna Capital News)

105 new COVID-19 cases in Interior Health

Just over 8,000 new vaccine doses administered in the region for a total of 158,000 to date

An Interior Health nurse administers Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines to seniors and care aids in Kelowna on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. (Phil McLachlan/Kelowna Capital News)
Leah and Holly Soetaert. (Contributed by Angie Abdou)

Swim BC Provincials: Perseverance Pays off for Leah Soetaert

Contributed by Angie Abdou Elk Valley Dolphins Swim Club Last year when…

  • Apr 14, 2021
Leah and Holly Soetaert. (Contributed by Angie Abdou)
It costs as little as $7 to charge an EV at home. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Portable EV charger coming to Elk Valley this summer

The charger is intended to help locals learn more about the new technology and encourage EV adoption

It costs as little as $7 to charge an EV at home. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Kootenay-Columbia MP Rob Morrison. Photo courtesy Conservative Party of Canada.

MP Morrison hopes for economic recovery plan in upcoming federal budget

Kootenay-Columbia Conservative looking for post-pandemic recovery plan in next week’s Liberal budget

Kootenay-Columbia MP Rob Morrison. Photo courtesy Conservative Party of Canada.
RCMP. (Phil McLachlan/Capital News)

RCMP seek help on egging attacks

Someone is egging the Seniors Villa in Sparwood

RCMP. (Phil McLachlan/Capital News)
Michael Yellowlees and his dog, Luna, are walking across Canada. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Scottish man treks across Canada for the trees

Michael Yellowlees is raising money and awareness for the re-wilding of Scotland

Michael Yellowlees and his dog, Luna, are walking across Canada. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
B.C's COVID-19 dashboard shows the peaks and valleys of cases prior to the record daily report of 132 on April 9, 2021. (Dashboard image)

Interior Health has record day of COVID-19 cases

132 cases reported Friday, April 9, more deaths in Vernon hospital outbreak

B.C's COVID-19 dashboard shows the peaks and valleys of cases prior to the record daily report of 132 on April 9, 2021. (Dashboard image)
The West Kootenay snowpack is at 100 per cent of normal, while the East Kootenay is the lowest in the province at 93 per cent. Bulletin file.

Kootenay snowpacks lower after dry March

Most of the year’s snowpack has accumulated by mid-April

The West Kootenay snowpack is at 100 per cent of normal, while the East Kootenay is the lowest in the province at 93 per cent. Bulletin file.
City of Fernie city hall. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Fernie budget: City council amends tax rate for 5 percent increase

Councillors also walked back a proposed 20 percent operational funding grant to community groups

City of Fernie city hall. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
The Peach is adhering to the mandatory mask protocols put in place by the Provincial Health Officer on Nov. 19. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

Interior Health doesn’t echo B.C.’s daily COVID record

80 new cases reported Thursday, April 8, compared to 91 the day prior

The Peach is adhering to the mandatory mask protocols put in place by the Provincial Health Officer on Nov. 19. (Monique Tamminga Western News)
The site of the Sparling East Playground in Parkland Terrace in Fernie. It will be completed before Summer. (Contributed by City of Fernie)

Parkland Terrace set to swing into new playground

The Sparling East playground should be ready before summer

The site of the Sparling East Playground in Parkland Terrace in Fernie. It will be completed before Summer. (Contributed by City of Fernie)
City of Fernie city hall. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Fernie budget meeting tonight

City council will be discussing community feedback to the proposed budget tonight

City of Fernie city hall. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
The Elkford Transfer Station will be open six days rather than four from May 1. (Photo contributed)

Elkford Transfer Station expands hours

The station will be open six days rather than four due to the new Recycle B.C. Depot

The Elkford Transfer Station will be open six days rather than four from May 1. (Photo contributed)