Joshua Fischlin

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)
BC RCMP are searching for Michael Mawley of Kingsgate, BC, who is a person of interest in a suspicious death investigation. (Photo from RCMP)

RCMP searching for person of interest in suspicious death from town east of Creston

Should anyone encounter Michael Mawley, do not approach and call 911

BC RCMP are searching for Michael Mawley of Kingsgate, BC, who is a person of interest in a suspicious death investigation. (Photo from RCMP)
City of Fernie and Fernie Aquatic Centre staff were working to clean up the pool on Saturday (Oct. 29, 2022) morning following vandalism that left debris around and inside the pool. A swim meet that brought over 400 participants to Fernie was forced to relocate to Cranbrook. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

‘Extensive’ vandalism at Fernie Aquatic Centre forces swim meet to relocate to Cranbrook

The RCMP has been notified and an investigation is ongoing

City of Fernie and Fernie Aquatic Centre staff were working to clean up the pool on Saturday (Oct. 29, 2022) morning following vandalism that left debris around and inside the pool. A swim meet that brought over 400 participants to Fernie was forced to relocate to Cranbrook. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
File photo of an RCMP vehicle. (Phil McLachlan/Capital News/Stock)

Driver dies in car crash south of Sparwood

The cause of the accident is believed to be medically related

File photo of an RCMP vehicle. (Phil McLachlan/Capital News/Stock)
Angel Flight East Kootenay got a Cessna 414A plane in December, 2021, with funding from the Regional District of East Kootenay. The reliability of the new plane has been attributed to increased flight numbers in 2022. (Submitted by Brent Bidston)

‘We love doing it’: Angel Flight seeing increased need in the East Kootenays

The founder of the charity credits increased numbers to reliability of new plane

Angel Flight East Kootenay got a Cessna 414A plane in December, 2021, with funding from the Regional District of East Kootenay. The reliability of the new plane has been attributed to increased flight numbers in 2022. (Submitted by Brent Bidston)
Elk River Alliance volunteers participating in the 2022 shoreline cleanup in Fernie. (Courtesy of the Elk River Alliance)

Elk River cleanup snags 5,000 pieces of garbage in 2022

103 people volunteered at this year’s Elk River Alliance shoreline cleanup

Elk River Alliance volunteers participating in the 2022 shoreline cleanup in Fernie. (Courtesy of the Elk River Alliance)
Lots of smash-smash action took place at the Fernie Lions Club Demolition Derby on Sept. 4, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

GALLERY: Sunshine, dirt clouds and cheering crowds for Fernie Demolition Derby 2022

The stands were full for the return of the Fernie Lions Club demo derby

Lots of smash-smash action took place at the Fernie Lions Club Demolition Derby on Sept. 4, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
File photo.

Jaffray man found dead after search

The 34-year-old man from Jaffray was reported missing on July 10

File photo.
A man was arrested by Cranbrook RCMP for arson after allegedly lighting a fire under the Fernie Alpine Resort sign on June 1, 2022. (Courtesy of the Elk Valley RCMP)

Man arrested for arson after allegedly lighting fire under FAR sign

The man was arrested by Cranbrook RCMP, who found a jerry can with gas and a lighter in his car

A man was arrested by Cranbrook RCMP for arson after allegedly lighting a fire under the Fernie Alpine Resort sign on June 1, 2022. (Courtesy of the Elk Valley RCMP)
A map was tweeted by Drive BC at 4:47 p.m. Monday, June 6, regarding a collision that brought traffic on Hwy. 3 east of Sparwood to a halt for over four hours. (Courtesy Drive BC)

‘Serious collision’ on Hwy. 3 near Sparwood leaves three dead

The incident is under investigation from the Elk Valley RCMP and the BC Coroners Service

A map was tweeted by Drive BC at 4:47 p.m. Monday, June 6, regarding a collision that brought traffic on Hwy. 3 east of Sparwood to a halt for over four hours. (Courtesy Drive BC)
Bailey Repp, Wildsight, communications specialist in an ancient inland temperate rainforest in the Seymour River in October, 2021. (Eddie Petryshen / Wildsight)

Wildsight receives funding for rainforest and caribou conservation project

The $19,000 funding is part of the 2022 BC Conservation and Biodiversity Awards

Bailey Repp, Wildsight, communications specialist in an ancient inland temperate rainforest in the Seymour River in October, 2021. (Eddie Petryshen / Wildsight)
File photo of an RCMP vehicle. (Phil McLachlan/Capital News/Stock)

Impaired driver crashes through front of Sparwood supermarket

No one was seriously injured in the incident on May 24

File photo of an RCMP vehicle. (Phil McLachlan/Capital News/Stock)
A schematic from the Galloway Lands developer showing the lot design as proposed, including setbacks between the homes and Lizard Creek. (Courtesy of Galloway Lands website)

Galloway Lands application withdrawn, public hearing cancelled

The public hearing on the development proposal was scheduled for June 14, 15, and 16

A schematic from the Galloway Lands developer showing the lot design as proposed, including setbacks between the homes and Lizard Creek. (Courtesy of Galloway Lands website)
A semi-trailer had a rollover on April 19, 2022 on Hwy. 3, just north of Sparwood. (Courtesy of Elk Valley RCMP)

Semi-trailer rolls over near Sparwood

No injuries were reported in the Tuesday morning incident on Hwy. 3

A semi-trailer had a rollover on April 19, 2022 on Hwy. 3, just north of Sparwood. (Courtesy of Elk Valley RCMP)
Whiteswan Lake provincial park. (File photo)

Cleanup and remediation set to begin at Whiteswan Lake Park following diesel spill

The spill of less than 10 litres of diesel onto the ice took place on March 9

Whiteswan Lake provincial park. (File photo)
Clayton Faulconer is an arm-wrestling pro who was born and raised in Fernie. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

‘Gift from God’: Fernie-born arm-wrestling pro makes comeback after life-altering injury

Clayton Faulconer suffered a traumatic brain injury after a car accident in Vancouver

Clayton Faulconer is an arm-wrestling pro who was born and raised in Fernie. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
Stock photo of RCMP vehicle. (Phil McLachlan/Capital News/Stock)

Elk Valley RCMP charge Alberta man for stealing gas

They reported numerous incidents of gas tanks being drilled to steal gas in recent weeks

Stock photo of RCMP vehicle. (Phil McLachlan/Capital News/Stock)
Canada Post mailboxes. (CP photo)

Jaffray mail being re-routed to Fernie, 50km away, due to Canada Post closure

The Jaffray post office is currently closed, but Canada Post is working on a local solution

Canada Post mailboxes. (CP photo)
Members of Fernie and Sparwood Search and Rescue (SAR) conduct an operation to rescue a 38-year-old man who sustained serious spinal injuries timber biking in the McEvoy Creek area on Jan. 14, 2022. (Courtesy of Fernie Search and Rescue)

SAR rescues timber biker who sustained ‘serious’ spinal injuries

The 38-year-old man was injured in the McEvoy Creek area

Members of Fernie and Sparwood Search and Rescue (SAR) conduct an operation to rescue a 38-year-old man who sustained serious spinal injuries timber biking in the McEvoy Creek area on Jan. 14, 2022. (Courtesy of Fernie Search and Rescue)
Nell and The Flaming Lips. Nell Smith of Fernie, 14, released a cover album in collaboration with The Flaming Lips called Where The Viaduct Looms on Nov. 26, 2012. (Photo bt Atria Creative)

Fernie musician to appear alongside The Flaming Lips on The Late Show

Young Nell Smith recently released a cover album in collaboration with The Flaming Lips

Nell and The Flaming Lips. Nell Smith of Fernie, 14, released a cover album in collaboration with The Flaming Lips called Where The Viaduct Looms on Nov. 26, 2012. (Photo bt Atria Creative)