Local News

While most Lower Mainland routes don’t require winter tires past March 31, anyone heading north or into the Interior should keep them on until April 30. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure file.

Most drivers in B.C. should keep winter tires on vehicles until April 30

Spring is here, but Road Safety at Work’s Shift Into Winter campaign…

The RCMP had a significant presence when logging protesters were arrested May 17, 2022, near Argenta. Photo: Breanne Hope

B.C. watchdog investigation of RCMP includes Argenta logging protest

Investigation will also probe police actions at Fairy Creek and Wet’suwet’en

Cranbrook city hall. Trevor Crawley photo.

RDEK commits funding to Cranbrook homelessness initiative

City of Cranbrook looking to add new position to liaise with government, non-profit services

The District Office in Elkford. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

District of Elkford seeks volunteers to sit on Urban Wildlife Committee

Like many small rural communities in B.C., Elkford has its issues with…

The District Office in Elkford. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
Hula hoop artist Fox Spirals spun a routine at the Kootenay Children's Festival in 2022 (Barry Coulter photo)

Kootenay Children’s Festival promises fun and games for the whole family

Event will feature performances from Will’s Jams, Bonnie Harvey and The Amuse Troupe.

Hula hoop artist Fox Spirals spun a routine at the Kootenay Children's Festival in 2022 (Barry Coulter photo)
The Kragmont Community Society is reducing the risk of wildfire near Kragmont and Baynes Lake with support from the Trust. Photo courtesy Columbia Basin Trust.

Funding partnership provides $2.5M in wildfire mitigation for Kootenay communities

Communities in the Kootenay region are collectively receiving $2.5 million for wildfire…

The Kragmont Community Society is reducing the risk of wildfire near Kragmont and Baynes Lake with support from the Trust. Photo courtesy Columbia Basin Trust.
Mount Baker Secondary School in Cranbrook.

SD5 receives $1.5 million for school facility upgrades, new buses

The province has granted $1.5 million to the Southeast Kootenay school district,…

Mount Baker Secondary School in Cranbrook.
Avalanche Canada advises outdoor adventurers to avoid steep elevation, in light of recent weather conditions, which are ideal for avalanches. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Avalanche danger risk rated ‘considerable’ for Southern Interior

Storm slab and deep persistent slab avalanches are likely in Kootenay region

Avalanche Canada advises outdoor adventurers to avoid steep elevation, in light of recent weather conditions, which are ideal for avalanches. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
City of Fernie City Hall. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Elk Valley communities receive one-time provincial funding

Last week the provincial NDP government announced that communities across the province…

City of Fernie City Hall. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
A 100-kilowatt electric vehicle charging unit has been added to the EV charging site in Clinton behind the village office. (Photo credit: BC Hydro)

Kootenay residents buy electric vehicles on pace with Lower Mainland

Credit given to rural governments for championing Acclerate Kootenays

A 100-kilowatt electric vehicle charging unit has been added to the EV charging site in Clinton behind the village office. (Photo credit: BC Hydro)
This was the Connector Saturday evening, March 11. Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for Highway 5, 3 and 1 with up to 25 cm falling and extreme driving conditions. (Facebook)

Heavy snowfall warning issued on 3 major southern B.C. highways

Extreme driving conditions and up to 25 cm to fall on Highways 3, 5 and 1 Sunday to Tuesday

This was the Connector Saturday evening, March 11. Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for Highway 5, 3 and 1 with up to 25 cm falling and extreme driving conditions. (Facebook)
An avalanche hazard warning of “considerable” is shown near Mount Renshaw outside of McBride, B.C., on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016. Avalanche Canada has released more details about the deadly avalanche that killed three German citizens in southeastern British Columbia last week.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
An avalanche hazard warning of “considerable” is shown near Mount Renshaw outside of McBride, B.C., on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016. Avalanche Canada has released more details about the deadly avalanche that killed three German citizens in southeastern British Columbia last week.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The province has fined Teck Coal over $16 million for water quality permit violations at three coal mining operations in the Elk Valley. B.C. Government handout.

Teck appealing $16.5M fines levied for water quality violations at Elk Valley mines

Teck is appealing $16.5 million in fines that was announced a few…

The province has fined Teck Coal over $16 million for water quality permit violations at three coal mining operations in the Elk Valley. B.C. Government handout.
Five to 10 centimetres of snow to hit East Kootenay, warns Mainroad East Kootenay. Mainroad file.

Snowfall warning issued for Mainroad East Kootenay service area

Winter isn’t quite through with the region just yet, warns Mainroad East…

Five to 10 centimetres of snow to hit East Kootenay, warns Mainroad East Kootenay. Mainroad file.
Weighing five pounds, nine ounces, a baby boy was born in a minivan Feb. 28, en route to the hospital in Williams Lake. (Photo submitted)

Cariboo woman delivers baby in minivan en route to hospital

It was a third baby for Brittany Lee of Likely, B.C.

Weighing five pounds, nine ounces, a baby boy was born in a minivan Feb. 28, en route to the hospital in Williams Lake. (Photo submitted)
Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies

CFKR wraps up agency agreement with Elk Valley Regional Land Trust

The Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies (CFKR) is pleased to announce…

Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies
East Kootenay Regional Hospital in Cranbrook. Google maps photo

Officials push for inclusion of radiation therapy in EKRH oncology redevelopment plans

The provincial government recently released a 10-year cancer strategy amid efforts by…

East Kootenay Regional Hospital in Cranbrook. Google maps photo
A sketch of the new Cokato Red Barn sent to the Free Press by LWE Builders.

Details emerge on Cokato Red Barn construction

The iconic barn will be taken down and rebuilt to correct an issue related to lot boundaries

A sketch of the new Cokato Red Barn sent to the Free Press by LWE Builders.
A bear cub named Rock came into the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter in the summer of 2020 after police found it in a cage in a home. He spent a year with the shelter before being release healthy. Justin Thibault has now been sentenced for unlawful possession of live wildlife in provincial court on March 3, 2023. (Photo from NLWS Facebook page)

B.C. man fined $7,500 for keeping bear cub in a cage

Bear taken to Northwest B.C. animal shelter in 2020 and released into the wild the following year

A bear cub named Rock came into the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter in the summer of 2020 after police found it in a cage in a home. He spent a year with the shelter before being release healthy. Justin Thibault has now been sentenced for unlawful possession of live wildlife in provincial court on March 3, 2023. (Photo from NLWS Facebook page)
Creston RCMP are seeking public assistance in locating Chad Meszarosi who is wanted on 32 separate charges. RCMP handout.

Creston RCMP searching for man on warrant with 32 charges

Chad Meszarosi is wanted on a wide range of charges including aggravated assault, firearms offences and theft.

Creston RCMP are seeking public assistance in locating Chad Meszarosi who is wanted on 32 separate charges. RCMP handout.