Community

Firefighter Sue Idle (right) with Pass Creek Fire Department chief Aaron Bebelman. Photo: Submitted

‘It is hard. It is fun’: 55-year-old Castlegar area woman becomes firefighter

Sue Idle is one of the newest members of the Pass Creek Fire Department

Great Blue Herons Phil Payne photo

Kootenay Conservation Program concerned by declining Great Blue Heron population

Active nests decreasing in the Columbia Basin

John Erickson noted that the forest fuels are exceptionally dry this year. (John Erickson/Special to the News)

See smoke? Here’s how to help crews when you report a wildfire from a B.C. expert

Err on the side of caution, advises B.C. Wildfire Service

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore needs more volunteers. Photo: Submitted

COVID-19’s impact on volunteerism at Castlegar’s ReStore and other charities

It is difficult to find volunteers

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore needs more volunteers. Photo: Submitted
The skies above Osoyoos are thick with smoke from the nearby Nk’Mip Creek wildfire. (Twila Amato /Black Press Media)

Smoke from B.C. wildfires creating issues for those with respiratory illnesses

The wildfire smoke has made it difficult to be outside for some

The skies above Osoyoos are thick with smoke from the nearby Nk’Mip Creek wildfire. (Twila Amato /Black Press Media)
Mike Wicentowich shared these photos of musician Peter Makortoff’s weekly street music performance in the 1400 block of Columbia Avenue in Trail. Makortoff, a well known Trail musician, puts on a show every Wednesday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. much to the delight of his neighbours and residents. Photo: Mike Wicentowich.

Dancing in the street!

Musician Peter Makortoff entertains neighbours and friends every Wednesday in downtown Trail

Mike Wicentowich shared these photos of musician Peter Makortoff’s weekly street music performance in the 1400 block of Columbia Avenue in Trail. Makortoff, a well known Trail musician, puts on a show every Wednesday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. much to the delight of his neighbours and residents. Photo: Mike Wicentowich.
A fleet of supercars filled a quiet Langley City street to visit Langley City teen Alyssa Anderson on Sunday, July 25, as part of the Drive Project. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: Cool cars provide some automotive magic for B.C. teen

Driven Project brought fleet of supercars to quiet street

A fleet of supercars filled a quiet Langley City street to visit Langley City teen Alyssa Anderson on Sunday, July 25, as part of the Drive Project. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
Golfer captures two bears playing in the middle of the fairway at Kimberley’s Trickle Creek Golf Resort.

WATCH: Golfers and bears alike enjoying the links at Kimberley’s Trickle Creek

Always nice to get some mid-round entertainment

Golfer captures two bears playing in the middle of the fairway at Kimberley’s Trickle Creek Golf Resort.
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Affordable housing, great news for Fruitvale families

‘The most attractive component of this project was to include a 34-36 spot Daycare center’

  • Jul 23, 2021
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Bears

Bear in the pool? Keep cool, says WildSafeBC

Just like humans, wildlife are looking for ways to stay cool and stay safe.

Bears
Thanks to volunteer foster homes, pets like Smokey Joe can recover and thrive.

SPCA seeks foster volunteers

There’s an elevated need for foster volunteers in the Kootenays during the warmer months

Thanks to volunteer foster homes, pets like Smokey Joe can recover and thrive.
Gyro Park, circa the 1950s. Photo: Trail Historical Society

Trail Blazers: A Summer Place

Trail Blazers is a weekly historical feature in partnership with the Trail Museum and Archives

Gyro Park, circa the 1950s. Photo: Trail Historical Society
The Riverside Food Bank Garden has 32 planters, most donated by individuals, local businesses, and several nonprofits. Located near the Trail walking bridge, the garden is maintained and harvested by volunteers. Everything grown at the site goes to Trail food banks and the shelter. “We are grateful to our sponsors,” saying Gina Ironmonger, incrEDIBLE market volunteer. She thanks the Kiwanis Club of Trail, Columbia Valley Greenhouses, Ye Olde Flower Shoppe, Trails Incredible Farmers Market and volunteers. Photo: Submitted

COVID doesn’t stop incrEDIBLE Trail volunteers from growing community bonds

The Riverside Food Bank Garden is located near the Columbia River Skywalk

The Riverside Food Bank Garden has 32 planters, most donated by individuals, local businesses, and several nonprofits. Located near the Trail walking bridge, the garden is maintained and harvested by volunteers. Everything grown at the site goes to Trail food banks and the shelter. “We are grateful to our sponsors,” saying Gina Ironmonger, incrEDIBLE market volunteer. She thanks the Kiwanis Club of Trail, Columbia Valley Greenhouses, Ye Olde Flower Shoppe, Trails Incredible Farmers Market and volunteers. Photo: Submitted
Aron Burke, Kootenay Savings Community Liaison, presented a $15,000 donation to the KBRH Golf Classic. Proceeds from this year’s tournament will support the Ambulatory Care Campaign at KBRH. Photo: Submitted

Kootenay Savings donates $15,000 to KBRH Golf Classic

2021 Golf Classic at Birchbank Golf Course goes Friday, Sept. 10

Aron Burke, Kootenay Savings Community Liaison, presented a $15,000 donation to the KBRH Golf Classic. Proceeds from this year’s tournament will support the Ambulatory Care Campaign at KBRH. Photo: Submitted
Students make a “tiny home” sign with their hands as part of the Tiny Home Challenge at John Paul II Catholic School. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Vancouver Island school gets visit from Netflix show hosts for tiny home competition

Pilot Tiny Home elective was offered for Grades 4-7

Students make a “tiny home” sign with their hands as part of the Tiny Home Challenge at John Paul II Catholic School. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
Mikenna Hansen won the Canadian Red Cross Rescuer Award after saving two children on Kootenay Lake near Ainsworth in 2018. Photo: Submitted

Kootenay Lake woman receives award for rescue

Hansen helped save a woman and child in 2018

Mikenna Hansen won the Canadian Red Cross Rescuer Award after saving two children on Kootenay Lake near Ainsworth in 2018. Photo: Submitted
Stacey Cooper, KBRH Respiratory Therapist, accepted this donation from the TB Vets. Photo: Submitted

TB Vets donate $50,000 for new ventilator in Kootenay Boundary

The new ventilator greatly improves patient outcomes on difficult to ventilate airways.

Stacey Cooper, KBRH Respiratory Therapist, accepted this donation from the TB Vets. Photo: Submitted
How long with this duck take to float down Kootenay Lake? Make your guess to support the Balfour Harrop Fire Rescue Department. Photo: Submitted

Whatever floats your duck: Annual Duck Race takes place July 24

The fundraiser supports the Balfour Harrop fire department

How long with this duck take to float down Kootenay Lake? Make your guess to support the Balfour Harrop Fire Rescue Department. Photo: Submitted
Avie Waterfall in her father’s metalwork shop, working on a product for her artisan business, which is just one of many activities that won her a dozen scholarships as she leaves Grade 12 at L.V. Rogers Secondary. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

‘She makes big things happen’: Nelson student Avie Waterfall wins multiple scholarships

17-year-old scholar and blacksmith plans to study affordable housing

Avie Waterfall in her father’s metalwork shop, working on a product for her artisan business, which is just one of many activities that won her a dozen scholarships as she leaves Grade 12 at L.V. Rogers Secondary. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
A memorial tribute to Police Service Dog Gator is growing at a the foot of a flagpole in front of the Campbell River RCMP detachment on July 9, 2021. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

Memorial for Campbell River police dog killed in line of duty grows

VIDEO: Emergency personnel conduct vehicle parade memorial for Gator

A memorial tribute to Police Service Dog Gator is growing at a the foot of a flagpole in front of the Campbell River RCMP detachment on July 9, 2021. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror