Community

Kevin Smith is calling attention to a significant theft at his Highway Antique Barn business on the Trans-Canada Highway. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Thieves pillage B.C. business of $100,000 worth of gold and silver

Owner calls for more awareness, security measures to combat crime in Chemainus area

 

The volunteers who maintain Penticton’s outdoor rink on 107 Martin Street. Front row from left to right: Frank Gair, Mark Hammerquist, Cathy Terris, Chris Terris, John Buckley, Lance Zablotney, Patrick Meyer, Chris Araki. Back row from left to right: Gord Barnes, Dave Burgoyne. Missing from picture: Ralph Consolo, Kent Fiske, Lloyd Lindsay, and crew chief Cam Gunning. (Contributed)

Meet the volunteers who make the Okanagan’s newest outdoor rink a reality 7 days a week

‘All of them just want to do something that makes our community better to live in,’ said Gord Barnes

 

Phil Hillier is joined by dad Chris in the digger at a Campbell River construction site for Phil’s third birthday. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

VIDEO: Campbell River construction workers help build the best birthday ever

Akers Property Solutions construction crew gives a young fan a party to remember

 

The Cascade Lower Canyon Community Forest says they are disappointed after discovering someone has stolen at least $15,000 worth of wood from them. (Matt Wealick)

Thieves snag $15K of wood from B.C. helicopter logging site

Culprits would have needed major equipment to drag the logs away, says Fraser Valley forestry group

The Cascade Lower Canyon Community Forest says they are disappointed after discovering someone has stolen at least $15,000 worth of wood from them. (Matt Wealick)
Give three different ways in 2023 and know you're actively participating in saving lives.

Help Make All the Difference — give 3 in 2023!

Transplants and blood donations helped Erica bounce back from a devastating diagnosis

  • Jan 9, 2023
Give three different ways in 2023 and know you're actively participating in saving lives.
Construction for the Fernie Family Housing Society’s North End Court affordable housing development. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Completion date for Fernie affordable housing project pushed to May

There are enough applications to fill the 35-unit apartment block

Construction for the Fernie Family Housing Society’s North End Court affordable housing development. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
Kala Doneyhue pictured inside her 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, after winning Penticton’s Huber Bannister Christmas car giveaway on Dec. 23, 2022. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

VIDEO: Working 7 days a week with 2 kids, B.C. single mom surprised with car

Huber Bannister Chevrolet held its second annual Christmas car giveaway on Dec. 23

Kala Doneyhue pictured inside her 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, after winning Penticton’s Huber Bannister Christmas car giveaway on Dec. 23, 2022. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
A look back at the early days of Do Some Good when the team was first forming. Photo courtesy Do Some Good

Do Some Good Receives National Award for Social Impact

B Corp and tech-for-good platform Do Some Good is being recognized on…

  • Dec 2, 2022
A look back at the early days of Do Some Good when the team was first forming. Photo courtesy Do Some Good
The Knox United Church building will be staying in local hands, after being purchased by the Fernie Heritage Trust Society on December 1, 2022. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Fernie Heritage Trust Society buys Knox United Church building

The historic church building on 2nd Ave will stay in local hands

The Knox United Church building will be staying in local hands, after being purchased by the Fernie Heritage Trust Society on December 1, 2022. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)

PODCAST: Poilievre talks pipelines, LNG and more in one-on-one interview with Black Press Media

TODAY IN B.C.: Reporter Michael Bramadat-Willcock interviews Conservative Party of Canada leader

Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)
Through its Heart and Soul of the Community initiative, Black Press Media showcases the vital work of non-profit organizations here at home and throughout Western Canada.

Black Press Media gives back to the Heart and Soul of the Community

Year-long program supports vital non-profits hard at work in your neighbourhood

Through its Heart and Soul of the Community initiative, Black Press Media showcases the vital work of non-profit organizations here at home and throughout Western Canada.
Host Jennifer Lee Gunson. (HAVAN photo)

PODCAST: HAVAN offers sound homebuilding and renovation advice

TODAY IN BC: Consumer Resources with CEO Ron Rapp

Host Jennifer Lee Gunson. (HAVAN photo)
Katrina Kadoski is B.C.’s ‘Cougar Annie’. (submitted)

PODCAST.: Katrina Kadoski is B.C.’s ‘Cougar Annie’

TODAY IN B.C.: Singer-songwriter tells story of legendary pioneer in one-woman show

Katrina Kadoski is B.C.’s ‘Cougar Annie’. (submitted)
The Burden Family. (HAVAN photo)

PODCAST: The Burden family reveal their finance strategies for their real time reno

TODAY IN BC: HAVAN’s podcast ‘Measure Twice, Cut Once’

The Burden Family. (HAVAN photo)
Fernie seen from Mount Fernie. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

‘Living wage’ in Fernie at $23.58 per hour

That’s how much two parents need to earn (each) per hour to support a family of four in Fernie

Fernie seen from Mount Fernie. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Marianne Agnew (left), Elk Valley Facilitator and Tobi Johnston, Executive Director – Caregivers Network for East Kootenay Seniors. The network was one of two organizations to receive a $5,500 donation from 100 Women Who Care Fernie in November 2022. (Contributed)

100 Women Who Care Fernie donate another $11K

Caregivers Network for East Kootenay Seniors and Fernie Child Care Society each received a little over $5,500 each

  • Nov 17, 2022
Marianne Agnew (left), Elk Valley Facilitator and Tobi Johnston, Executive Director – Caregivers Network for East Kootenay Seniors. The network was one of two organizations to receive a $5,500 donation from 100 Women Who Care Fernie in November 2022. (Contributed)
Fernie Chamber executive director, Brad Parsell speaking at the 2022 chamber AGM in Apr. 21, 2022. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Housing, pandemic, housing: Outgoing Fernie Chamber director talks about his tenure

Parsell departs the role after 3.5 years, taking with him the experience and knowledge of running a chamber in a pandemic and keeping everyone happy

Fernie Chamber executive director, Brad Parsell speaking at the 2022 chamber AGM in Apr. 21, 2022. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Author and columnist Jack Knox. (Submitted photo.)

PODCAST: Author and columnist Jack Knox releases ‘Fortune Knox Once’

TODAY IN B.C.: Fourth book for the B.C. humour writer

Author and columnist Jack Knox. (Submitted photo.)
Deficiency walkthrough. (HAVAN photo.)

PODCAST: Real-time reno: Deficiency walkthrough

TODAY IN BC: Burdens take their final project walkthrough

Deficiency walkthrough. (HAVAN photo.)
The winning FSS swim team with coach Angie Abdou. Back row: Olivia Howse, Jackson Radkie, Katie Hafke, Macey Ubell, Front Row: Leah Soetaert, Kiera Hansen, Abbi Wannamkaer, Ava Pollock, Ethan Sauve, Lenaya Vessely, Angie Abdou, Cole Bailey, Missing: Nadie Kloepzig. (Photo credit Adam Hayden)

FSS women swimmers win Kootenay Zones

Contributed by Angie Abdou Elk Valley Dolphins Swim Club Fernie Secondary School…

  • Nov 10, 2022
The winning FSS swim team with coach Angie Abdou. Back row: Olivia Howse, Jackson Radkie, Katie Hafke, Macey Ubell, Front Row: Leah Soetaert, Kiera Hansen, Abbi Wannamkaer, Ava Pollock, Ethan Sauve, Lenaya Vessely, Angie Abdou, Cole Bailey, Missing: Nadie Kloepzig. (Photo credit Adam Hayden)