Ezra Black

Country music star Kenny Hess performed at Fernie Memorial Arena, on July 15. Ezra Black/The Free Press

Down-home country fundraiser

There was some down-right ornery fun Saturday night as country-music star Kenny Hess played a benefit concert at Fernie Memorial Arena.

Country music star Kenny Hess performed at Fernie Memorial Arena, on July 15. Ezra Black/The Free Press

7-Eleven Canada launches in-store Red Cross campaign for B.C. fires relief fund

With raging fires and mandatory evacuation of over 14,000 B.C. residents, 7-Eleven Canada will conduct an in-store canister fundraising campaign at all of its 596 Canadian stores, including at its Fernie location on Highway 3.

A fire storm threatens the community of Tl’etinqox (Anaham) and the Petal ranch Saturday. Only fire fighting personnel remain in the community now to protect it from fire Harvey Petal photo

Nature Conservancy of Canada closes access to lands due to fire risk

Asks public to avoid Ancient Cottonwood Interpretive Trail and Mount Broadwood

A fire storm threatens the community of Tl’etinqox (Anaham) and the Petal ranch Saturday. Only fire fighting personnel remain in the community now to protect it from fire Harvey Petal photo
President Donald Trump points to a member of the audience before being introduced during a "Made in America," product showcase featuring items created in each of the U.S. 50 states, at the White House, Monday, July 17, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

What should we offer the godfather?

Earlier this year, Japanese technology company Sharp agreed to build a $7 billion factory in the United States

President Donald Trump points to a member of the audience before being introduced during a "Made in America," product showcase featuring items created in each of the U.S. 50 states, at the White House, Monday, July 17, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
On July 16, Fernie Search and Rescue and the RCMP responded to an incident on the Elk River. Ezra Black/The Free Press

SAR and RCMP respond to incident on the Elk River

On July 16 at approximately 2:30 p.m., emergency responders were called out after a fisherman became entangled in a log jam in the Elk River just north of the Fernie Golf and Country Club.

On July 16, Fernie Search and Rescue and the RCMP responded to an incident on the Elk River. Ezra Black/The Free Press

Disc golfers toss for charity

Montana resident Brian Bjortomt had the best score at the fourteenth annual Lizard Range Disc Golf tournament.

Zion, Diesel and India Hughes paddled their cardboard boat to victory.  Ezra Black/The Free Press

Cardboard boat regatta on Maiden Lake

On its inaugural voyage, Willie Westerby's boat immediately sank after being pushed into Maiden Lake during the second annual Cardboard Boat Race.

Zion, Diesel and India Hughes paddled their cardboard boat to victory.  Ezra Black/The Free Press
Fernie Search and Rescue (SAR) used their UTV to help an injured woman on Sunday. Photo submitted by Fernie SAR

Fernie SAR rescues injured mountain biker

On July 9 at about 11:48 a.m., Fernie Search and Rescue (SAR) was tasked with rescuing a female mountain biker who suffered facial and suspected spinal injuries after falling from a wooden structure and landing on her head and face.

Fernie Search and Rescue (SAR) used their UTV to help an injured woman on Sunday. Photo submitted by Fernie SAR
Folk musician and activist Luke Wallace performed at Infinitea.  Ezra Black/The Free Press

Luke Wallace sings the blues and talks green at Infinitea

On Friday, folk musician and activist Luke Wallace parked his touring van/home outside Infinitea T- Bar, took up his guitar, took to the stage and raised his voice in opposition to excessive industrial expansion in the province.

Folk musician and activist Luke Wallace performed at Infinitea.  Ezra Black/The Free Press
Baked salmon wrapped in nuri, glazed with ponzu sauce and served with wasabi mashed potatoes and pickled ginger.   Ezra Black/The Free Press

Tandoor and Grill, an Indian restaurant with a twist

Indo-Oriental-Western food is hard to find in Fernie, except at the Tandoor and Grill Restaurant.

Baked salmon wrapped in nuri, glazed with ponzu sauce and served with wasabi mashed potatoes and pickled ginger.   Ezra Black/The Free Press
Dozens volunteered to repaint rainbow crosswalks on Saturday morning. Photo submitted by Mayor Mary Giuliano

Volunteers repaint vandalized rainbow crosswalks

Fernie Mayor Mary Giuliano is praising dozens of volunteers who repainted vandalized rainbow crosswalks on Canada Day.

Dozens volunteered to repaint rainbow crosswalks on Saturday morning. Photo submitted by Mayor Mary Giuliano
Though the powder is long gone, there is still fun to be had at FAR. Ezra Black/The Free Press

Calgarian nabs first chair as summer starts at FAR

Trevor Beblow was first in line at Fernie Alpine Resort's Timber Chair on Saturday. It was the fourth consecutive year the Calgarian has nabbed the first chair of FAR's summer season.

Though the powder is long gone, there is still fun to be had at FAR. Ezra Black/The Free Press
Be on the look-out for an orphaned moose calve. Photo by Marcie Welsh

Efforts underway to save orphaned baby moose

Last week, a cow moose with two calves was killed by a motor vehicle on Highway 3 west of Fernie in between the Lizard Creek Bridge and Ski Hill Road.

Be on the look-out for an orphaned moose calve. Photo by Marcie Welsh
Clearing work on the Site C dam project near Fort St. John, 2016. Work has gone on for two years, with 1.7 billion spent and more than 2,000 people working. (BC HYDRO)

Politicians clash on Site hydroelectric project

Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka is speaking out against reviewing the Site C Hydroelectric Dam project but Premier-designate John Horgan said the review would ensure the project is economically viable.

Clearing work on the Site C dam project near Fort St. John, 2016. Work has gone on for two years, with 1.7 billion spent and more than 2,000 people working. (BC HYDRO)
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Mother of slain toddler gives statement at triple-murder sentencing

Derek Saretzky will receive an automatic life sentence in the killing of three people in 2015

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Madeline Bragg questioned how much the work would cost taxpayers.    Ezra Black/The Free Press

Armed with dandelions, residents make anti-herbicide plea to council

Backed by a handful of supporters and a bouquet of dandelions, Ayla Bennett made an anti-herbicide presentation to council on June 12.

Madeline Bragg questioned how much the work would cost taxpayers.    Ezra Black/The Free Press
Paralympian Josh Dueck spoke to Elk Valley high school students about overcoming adversity. Ezra Black/The Free Press

Paralympian speaks at local high schools

Josh Dueck shares his story with local youth and shows off his gold and silver medals

Paralympian Josh Dueck spoke to Elk Valley high school students about overcoming adversity. Ezra Black/The Free Press
Former Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson is undertaking the Tour Divide bike race. Ezra Black/The Free Press

Former governor of New Mexico passes through Fernie

Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson has climbed the seven highest mountains of every continent.

Former Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson is undertaking the Tour Divide bike race. Ezra Black/The Free Press

Last-minute promises will not save Liberals, says Horgan

One of NDP leader John Horgan's first jobs was working in a pulp and paper mill. On Monday, he was back at another mill, laying the groundwork for what could be his next job: premier of British Columbia.

File photo Like tobacco, vaping will be prohibited on school grounds.

New data shows teen alcohol and drug use falling among East Kootenay teens

East Kootenay teenagers are continuing to shun drugs and alcohol, as reported use has been falling for more than decade, says a recently released survey.

File photo Like tobacco, vaping will be prohibited on school grounds.