OCTOBER:
News:
Cranbrook RCMP made two significant drug seizures in October, taking suspected cocaine and crystal methamphetamine off the streets in two separate traffic stops.
The City of Kimberley approved two separate business license applications for two separate cannabis retailers in Kimberley, ahead of legalization on Oct. 17.
The Mayoral and School Trustee forum was held on Oct. 16 at McKim theatre, giving locals the opportunity to hear from those running for Mayor and School Trustee for SD6. The following night, a forum was held for those seeking a seat on City Council.
Mayor Don McCormick and Duncan MacLeod, President of Purcell International Education, returned after a successful trip to China in mid-October. The two were there in hopes of securing funding from international investors for a full-time international school in Kimberley.
The union representing Canada Post workers issued a 72-hour strike notice, saying that rotating strikes might commence following Canada Post’s actions at the bargaining table.
The municipal election took place on Oct. 20. Mayor Don McCormick was re-elected with 58.5 per cent of the vote, while incumbents Darryl Oakley, Nigel Kitto, Sandra Roberts and Kent Goodwin were also re-elected. Councillor Kyle Dalum and Jason McBain gained a seat at Council’s table.
At the same time, the sale of the SunMine was approved through the referendum process with 2,126 voting yes and 572 voting no.
Sandra Smail and Betty Lou Barrett were re-elected as school trustees for SD6 with Ron McRae winning the third seat.
Kimberley Golf Club members agreed in October to sell the golf course to Purcell International Education after a special meeting was held.
The Kimberley Outdoor Alliance announced ambitious plans to attract segments of the massive outdoor industry to locate in Kimberley.
Sports:
Kimberley Alpine Resort won Mountain Resort of the Year Award at the Goldie Awards, while local volunteers Donna Briggs and Lloyd Steeves won Volunteer of the Year.
The Dynamiters celebrated two wins over Thanksgiving weekend, while also honouring the 40th Anniversary of the Allen Cup winning Senior Dynamiters of 1977-78.
Community:
The Community Fall Fair took place at the Marysville Arena, a favourite way for many to kick off the fall season.
The last First Saturday event of the season in Kimberley is always Oktoberfest, a very locals-focused event.
NOVEMBER:
Just a few weeks after cannabis became legal in Canada, the first license for a recreational cannabis retail store was issued to Tamarack Cannabis Boutique in Marysville.
The United Steel Worker members in the southern interior, working in the forestry industry, returned a 98 per cent strike vote and announced that talks would go to mediation through the B.C. Labour Relations Board following the inability to agree on a new collective agreement.
Cranbrook Canada Post workers went on strike at the beginning of November, participating in ongoing rotating strike that were taking place across Canada. Shortly after, Kimberley Canada Post workers also were on the strike line as part of the rotating strikes.
An excavator at Wasa Transfer Station was destroyed in November, after being set on fire overnight. The RDEK determined it was an act of vandalism.
A man was arrested at a local hotel after local RCMP received information from the public about suspicious activity. The man had an outstanding warrant from Sicamous.
Healthy Kimberley’s Food Recovery Depot celebrated their soft launch, re-directing 230 pounds of food on the first day.
The City of Kimberley approved the cull of mule deer that had migrated to Canal Flats after their translocation out of Kimberley in March of this year. Council also applied for another translocation of up to 100 deer for next year.
Earth’s Own Naturals Ltd. in Kimberley was the second cannabis retail store in B.C. to receive a recreational license.
The Kimberley Fire Department announced they would be applying for $1 million for fire interface work.
Sports:
Kimberley Alpine Resort started firing up their snowmaking guns in November, while also announcing plans for the 2018/19 season that included the addition of an up-tracking route.
The Green Bay Committee announced that they would be shutting up shop, after stating that a lack of engagement by ICE owners led them to their decision.
The Kimberley Dynamiters announced that they are in the bidding to host the Cyclone Taylor Cup in 2020.
All through November, the Kimberley Dynamiters wore special jerseys to raise funds for kidney cancer research. The jerseys were auctioned off online to raise funds, which totalled in excess of $15,000.
The Kimberley Nordic Racers started off their season in Canmore with a record number of Kimberley skiers in the club this year.
Community:
A Remembrance Day ceremony was held in the Kimberley Veteran Memorial Park on November 11. 2018 also marked the 100th Anniversary of the end of the first World War.
Selkirk’s thriving music program took 66 students to Canmore for the Vic Lewis Band Festival.
The annual Platzl Light up took place in November, launching the start of the Christmas shopping season.
DECEMBER:
News:
Kimberley City Council announced that sewer rates would increase by 8 per cent to offset the cost of the new Waste Water Treatment Facility.
Health care patients in the south-east corner of the province voiced their concerns over having troubles accessing health care services in Alberta.
Healthy Kimberley announced their plans to build an outdoor multi-sport court at Selkirk Secondary school.
An agreement between the Ktunaxa Nation and the provincial and federal government was announced, being hailed as a significant step towards treaty negotiation and reconciliation.
Kimberley’s Ron Rossi won $1 million through the Lotto 649. He said his first move is to retire.
Plans were unveiled for Cranbrook Winter Festival over the BC Family Day weekend in 2019, while Kimberley’s Rocky Mountain Event Planners also announced plans for Flannel Fest over the same weekend.
Kimberley City Council announced that Mayor and Council’s pay will go up 12 per cent to offset the federal government’s decision to change the tax law, which resulted in the removal of tax deductions for elected officials.
Creston RCMP were investigating after a woman was forced into her vehicle and sexually assaulted by an unknown assailant.
Elk herds on the highways were causing concern for local RCMP after they responded to three separate collisions over the span of a few days.
Kimberley RCMP put a man in custody after he entered a home in the Summer Subdivision looking for money. After threatening with a knife, he fled the scene after an altercation with the homeowner and was tracked by a police dog.
Four split boarders had a close call near Corbin after triggering a small avalanche that fully buried one of them. The group was able to self-rescue and locate the trapped snowboarder, who was found caught between two trees 70 feet away from impact.
Sports:
Kimberley Alpine Resort opened for the 2018/19 season on Dec. 15, a week later than originally scheduled.
The Kimberley Skating Club had a successful outing at the West Kootenay Invitational in Castlegar with 56 Kimberley skaters competing.
The Teck Regional Snow Camp took place from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 at Panorama Ski Resort. The Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club hosted 37 athletes from Kimberley, Fernie, Golden, and Invermere.
The Kimberley Nitro Xpress brought home the gold medal from the midget tournament held in Penticton.
Kimberley’s Molly Miller qualified for the FIS World Junior Cross Country Championships that will take place in Lahiti, Finland Jan. 21-27.
Community:
The third annual Christmas Village took place at the Cranbrook History Centre with all proceeds going towards the United Way.
Many donations to local charities and groups were made in December, just before the holidays. Donations to the food bank for their annual hamper program topped the list.
