Gillian Francis

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A picture taken on Oct. 31, 2022, shows the cleanup operations in progress after the incident of vandalism that caused over $30,000 in damages (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Man charged 2 years after causing $30K in damage to B.C. aquatic centre

A man was charged for an incident of vandalism that occurred at the Aquatic Centre two years ago

A picture taken on Oct. 31, 2022, shows the cleanup operations in progress after the incident of vandalism that caused over $30,000 in damages (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
Bradley Smith will be cruising a portion of the Trans-Canada Trail in June on his electric mountain skateboard to break three Guinness World Records, including longest skateboard journey (Photos courtesy of Bradley Smith)

B.C. skateboarder to cruise over the Rockies in Guinness World Record bid

Bradley Smith is attempting to break three world records for electric skateboarding

Bradley Smith will be cruising a portion of the Trans-Canada Trail in June on his electric mountain skateboard to break three Guinness World Records, including longest skateboard journey (Photos courtesy of Bradley Smith)
The announced discovery of rare earth elements in East Kootenay arrived just as the B.C. government released a Critical Mineral Strategy to guide the transition to new technologies like solar and wind energy, and electric vehicles. Critical minerals, as shown above, can include rare earth elements, although they aren’t limited to them (Photo courtesy Mining Association of B.C.)

Research finds elevated levels of rare earth elements in East Kootenay coalfield samples

Research identifies East Kootenay raw material as potential source for electric cars, wind turbines

The announced discovery of rare earth elements in East Kootenay arrived just as the B.C. government released a Critical Mineral Strategy to guide the transition to new technologies like solar and wind energy, and electric vehicles. Critical minerals, as shown above, can include rare earth elements, although they aren’t limited to them (Photo courtesy Mining Association of B.C.)
Damaged brown buds from the limb of a tree, seen during the inspection at Wloka Farms (Photo by Molly Thurston)

-27 C cold snap wipes out B.C. orchard’s soft fruit supply

Creston’s Wloka Farms suffers a 100 per cent bud loss on soft fruit trees

Damaged brown buds from the limb of a tree, seen during the inspection at Wloka Farms (Photo by Molly Thurston)
Ten years ago, Aileen Ingram raised money for a local boy so he could replace his stolen bike, a single act of goodwill that turned into a kindness-fuelled movement and touched all areas of the East Kootenays. Ingram, right, stands with bike-owner Kobe and owner of Gerick Sports Mike Stephen (photo courtesy of Aileen Ingram)

Kindness in the East Kootenays: group can still Pay it Forward 10 years later

Charitable group has touched nearly every community in the region with acts of kindness and service.

Ten years ago, Aileen Ingram raised money for a local boy so he could replace his stolen bike, a single act of goodwill that turned into a kindness-fuelled movement and touched all areas of the East Kootenays. Ingram, right, stands with bike-owner Kobe and owner of Gerick Sports Mike Stephen (photo courtesy of Aileen Ingram)
Fernie resident Ross Frazier has taken up the sport of ski biking. He can be seen on the hills in his neon orange jump suit (Photo by Vince Mo)

Are B.C. ski slopes ready for the sport of snow biking?

Fernie man talks about the joys of this relatively new way to enjoy your local mountain

Fernie resident Ross Frazier has taken up the sport of ski biking. He can be seen on the hills in his neon orange jump suit (Photo by Vince Mo)
Ronald Brewer poses in uniform in 1941 (Photo by Gillian Francis)

B.C. family finds surprising connection during sailing stop at Juno Beach

Fernie’s Yuills found their family’s Second World War history while on a European sailing trip

Ronald Brewer poses in uniform in 1941 (Photo by Gillian Francis)
Lead caver Katie Graham and team beat their depth record in Bisaro Anima cave while filming the documentary Subterranean. Here, Graham stands beside an underground pool of water deep in Bisaro Anima Cave, which took the team two days to reach (courtesy of Subterranean film)

‘Subterranean’: Film documents B.C. researchers’ dive into Canada’s deepest cave

The film takes audiences inside Bisaro Anima cave in Fernie

Lead caver Katie Graham and team beat their depth record in Bisaro Anima cave while filming the documentary Subterranean. Here, Graham stands beside an underground pool of water deep in Bisaro Anima Cave, which took the team two days to reach (courtesy of Subterranean film)
Amanda Goodman Lee of Swan Valley Honey in Creston (Maddy Prier photo)

Beekeeping brings Creston couple back to their roots

Amanda Goodman Lee, Jeff Lee turn collective dream into thriving multifaceted business

Amanda Goodman Lee of Swan Valley Honey in Creston (Maddy Prier photo)
Cranbrook resident Sue Selby survived two rounds of breast cancer thanks to regular mammograms, which detected the disease early before it spread (photo courtesy of Sue Selby).

Two-time cancer survivor shares her journey to recovery for Daffodil Month

Regular mammograms caught Sue Selby’s cancer before it spread

Cranbrook resident Sue Selby survived two rounds of breast cancer thanks to regular mammograms, which detected the disease early before it spread (photo courtesy of Sue Selby).
Santa Claus Parade chair Shane Nickel-Thibodeau handed Cranbrook Foodbank Society volunteer coordinator Rachel Wolff a cheque for $3,957.03 on March 22. The money will go towards obtaining food essentials to feed locals in need (photo by Gillian Francis)

Supply chain shortage impacts Calgary and Cranbrook food banks

Calgary Food Bank has stopped supplying Cranbrook Foodbank Society with goods

Santa Claus Parade chair Shane Nickel-Thibodeau handed Cranbrook Foodbank Society volunteer coordinator Rachel Wolff a cheque for $3,957.03 on March 22. The money will go towards obtaining food essentials to feed locals in need (photo by Gillian Francis)