Steve Hubrecht

Fairmont, Dutch Creek and Ogilvy Wills water systems merge

The water system of three communities in the Columbia Valley will soon merge,

Kootenay Savings Credit Union Invermere branch staff present Columbia Valley Search and Rescue with their $5,000 grant. Representing Kootenay Savings, from left to right, are Fiona Stockley, Trish Raven, Amber Lutz and Terri Lightfoot.  Representing Search and Rescue are Steve Talsma and Stephen Suh.

Christmas came early for four Columbia Valley non-profits

The KSCU is getting into the festive season, and has been giving out donations and grants including some here in the Upper Columbia Valley.

Kootenay Savings Credit Union Invermere branch staff present Columbia Valley Search and Rescue with their $5,000 grant. Representing Kootenay Savings, from left to right, are Fiona Stockley, Trish Raven, Amber Lutz and Terri Lightfoot.  Representing Search and Rescue are Steve Talsma and Stephen Suh.

RDEK Briefs: Lake Ambassadors seek funding

Several items of interest to the Upper Columbia Valley came up during the most recent RDEK board of directors meeting in Cranbrook.

St. Andrews Church (second building in from the back) in the middle of the Wilmer townsite in 1911 or 1912 (photo courtesy of the Windermere Valley Museum). Below, St. Andrews Church today — now the home of Al and Patricia Farmer. Al is writing a book inspired by the area’s mining history

Valley’s mining history inspires a historical novel

A Wilmer man with an extensive mining background is busy writing a novel set during the great Kootenay silver rush.

St. Andrews Church (second building in from the back) in the middle of the Wilmer townsite in 1911 or 1912 (photo courtesy of the Windermere Valley Museum). Below, St. Andrews Church today — now the home of Al and Patricia Farmer. Al is writing a book inspired by the area’s mining history

Organic waste program in the early planning stages

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is examining the idea of introducing a region-wide green bin organic waste program.

CastleRock readies for Phase Three

Developers put up new sales centre and a new spec home for Phase Three.

Full Parkside Place could fuel more development

With talk swirling in recent days about ever-expanding commercial operations at the Crossroads and the consequent doom for downtown

RDEK Briefs: RDEK gives operational funding to Whiteway

The most recent RDEK board of directors meeting touched on a few items of interest to the Upper Columbia Valley.

Council Briefs: Invermere residents split on tax hike

Invermere councillors have given second and third reading to the district’s financial plan.

As the NDP National Parks critic, MP Wayne Stetski plans to investigate the pending privatization of the Mountain National Parks’ hot springs, including Radium Hot Springs

Regional News: Kootenay-Columbia MP becomes NDP National Parks critic

Newly elected Kootenay-Columbia Member of Parliament Wayne Stetski has been appointed as the National Parks critic

As the NDP National Parks critic, MP Wayne Stetski plans to investigate the pending privatization of the Mountain National Parks’ hot springs, including Radium Hot Springs

Market gives over $9,000 back to community

Invermere council members heard that the downtown Invermere Farmers and Artisan Market was a smash success this past summer

Chamber mentorship program gets stellar reviews

The CVCC’s business mentorship program has been a boon to the valley, with program participants giving glowing reports

LIGHTING UP THE NIGHT — Each year the Light Up Santa Claus parade attract throngs of people who line up on either side of the main street in downtown Invermere to watch the creative floats go by. This year’s parade starts at 6 p.m.

Light Up returns as afternoon event

The ever-popular Light Up event is back in Invermere this year with a new, more family-friendly time slot.

LIGHTING UP THE NIGHT — Each year the Light Up Santa Claus parade attract throngs of people who line up on either side of the main street in downtown Invermere to watch the creative floats go by. This year’s parade starts at 6 p.m.

Council Briefs: Business license fees rise

It will cost a bit more to do business in Invermere starting next year, by $25 a year.

Local accessibility champion welcomes diverse cabinet

The composition of the new federal cabinet garnered plenty of attention for its diversity,

Wetlands partnership continues to make a splash

Local conservation organization Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partnership (CWSP) continues to move forward.

Money from foreshore purchases not flowing back to area

Booth had asked that money from the sale of foreshore land along Lake Windermere come back to the area in some appropriate form

New limits on municipal election spending will have little local effect

The provincial government has brought forward legislation that would, curb spending during municipal elections

Library formally finds new home

Invermere council put its official stamp of approval on the Invermere Public Library’s inclusion in the new multi-use centre

Local issues addressed provincially at UBCM

local elected officials met with their provincial counterparts on several items of local interest to the valley.