The Free Press

Red Apple manager Stacey Bickford just after drawing the winning ticket. Photo Submitted

Elkford man nets 50/50 win

Darcy Hutchinson was the lucky winner of the Ghostriders progressive draw

  • Mar 17, 2020
Red Apple manager Stacey Bickford just after drawing the winning ticket. Photo Submitted
Ethan Fitzgerald was new to the Ghostriders this year but certainly made a lasting impression. File Photo

Ethan Fitzgerald awarded goalie of the year

The rookie leaves with a number of recognitions for his goaltending superiority

  • Mar 17, 2020
Ethan Fitzgerald was new to the Ghostriders this year but certainly made a lasting impression. File Photo
Although there are no confirmed cases in the Elk Valley as of yet, the area has started to announce closures and cancellations. File Photo

Impacts from COVID-19 felt in Elk Valley

To practice social distancing, facilities and events are being shut down throughout the valley

  • Mar 17, 2020
Although there are no confirmed cases in the Elk Valley as of yet, the area has started to announce closures and cancellations. File Photo
Zachary Taylor started Hinterland Health to offer a more accessible chiropractic experience in the Elk Valley. Photo Submitted

Introducing Fernie’s first mobile chiropractic clinic

Hinterland Health fills the gaps in accessible health care for Fernie residents

  • Mar 17, 2020
Zachary Taylor started Hinterland Health to offer a more accessible chiropractic experience in the Elk Valley. Photo Submitted
Students from Ecole Sophie-Morigeau and Ecole Isabella Dicken Elementary School played in the snow as part of French Week celebrations.

Local schools celebrate Semaine de la Francophonie

Two local schools got together to revel in what gives their culture meaning

  • Mar 17, 2020
Students from Ecole Sophie-Morigeau and Ecole Isabella Dicken Elementary School played in the snow as part of French Week celebrations.
Logan Findlay in first place, William Bariteau in second place and Carey McFee in third place after the event on Sunday. Photo Submitted

Riders pull stunts for Rail Park Trick Scavenger Hunt

The slopes were full of riders pulling nose grabs and tree taps all day on Sunday

  • Mar 17, 2020
Logan Findlay in first place, William Bariteau in second place and Carey McFee in third place after the event on Sunday. Photo Submitted
About 40 women gathered to learn more about their health and wellness options. Paige Mueller/The Free Press

South Country women celebrate Women’s Health and Wellness Night

The event took place at Pioneer Hall in Grasmere on March 12

  • Mar 17, 2020
About 40 women gathered to learn more about their health and wellness options. Paige Mueller/The Free Press
Well #4 will replace Well #3 after water quality data suggests there is need for a change. Photo Submitted

Sparwood introducing new drinking water well

The new well will replace an old one that is affected by high seasonal selenium levels

  • Mar 17, 2020
Well #4 will replace Well #3 after water quality data suggests there is need for a change. Photo Submitted
Teck will require all employees at Fording River to take two weeks vacation in August of this year. File Photo.

Teck announces mandatory vacation shutdowns

Employees at the Fording River Operations will be affected by the shutdowns

  • Mar 17, 2020
Teck will require all employees at Fording River to take two weeks vacation in August of this year. File Photo.
Jade Fahie, bar manager at The Legion, Jeannie Watson, president of The Legion, Jen Wood, manager of Fernie Distillers, Jillian Rutherford, owner of Fernie Distillers, Jackie Graham, program officer for the Fernie and District Arts Council, Louise Ferguson, executive director of the Fernie and District Arts Council, Barrie Elliott, chef and owner of Fernie Catering, Vanessa Avery-Willems, owner of Soar Studios, Chelsea Tough, head chef at the Fernie Hotel and Pub, Alicia Dennis, manager of the Fernie Hotel and Pub, Stephanie Fleming, owner of Infinitea T-Bar and Julie Comete, owner of The Royal Bar are all part of the changing face of First Avenue. Read the full story on page A3.

The changing face of First Avenue

A group of entrepreneurial women are helping to revitalize First Avenue in Fernie

  • Mar 17, 2020
Jade Fahie, bar manager at The Legion, Jeannie Watson, president of The Legion, Jen Wood, manager of Fernie Distillers, Jillian Rutherford, owner of Fernie Distillers, Jackie Graham, program officer for the Fernie and District Arts Council, Louise Ferguson, executive director of the Fernie and District Arts Council, Barrie Elliott, chef and owner of Fernie Catering, Vanessa Avery-Willems, owner of Soar Studios, Chelsea Tough, head chef at the Fernie Hotel and Pub, Alicia Dennis, manager of the Fernie Hotel and Pub, Stephanie Fleming, owner of Infinitea T-Bar and Julie Comete, owner of The Royal Bar are all part of the changing face of First Avenue. Read the full story on page A3.
Trout populations in the Fording River have seen a shocking decline in numbers recently. File Photo

Trout populations facing worrisome decline

Researchers believe population drops are due to contaminated water from Teck's mines

  • Mar 11, 2020
Trout populations in the Fording River have seen a shocking decline in numbers recently. File Photo
Shanniah Richmond, Rheagan Shaw, Hannah Gage, Tea Jamin and Sarah Pullen show off their protest signs at city hall on Friday. Paige Mueller/The Free Press

Climate activists take to the streets

The protests were part of the worldwide Fridays for Future movement

  • Mar 10, 2020
Shanniah Richmond, Rheagan Shaw, Hannah Gage, Tea Jamin and Sarah Pullen show off their protest signs at city hall on Friday. Paige Mueller/The Free Press
The Extreme Griz competitors got a little rowdy during their five hours of competing.

Competitors battle for Extreme Griz 2020 title

Straun Loken and Alex Simons were crowned this year's Extreme Griz champions

  • Mar 10, 2020
The Extreme Griz competitors got a little rowdy during their five hours of competing.
It’s Griz-ception. The famous mountain man stopped by to help with carving his self portrait. Photos: Paige Mueller/The Free Press

Downtown events a huge hit for Griz Days festival

All of the Griz Days events on Saturday were based in the downtown core

  • Mar 10, 2020
It’s Griz-ception. The famous mountain man stopped by to help with carving his self portrait. Photos: Paige Mueller/The Free Press
The Ghostdiders are seen celebrating a goal earlier in the season. Soranne Floarea/The Free Press

Ghostriders finish playoffs, close out killer season

Despite losses in the playoffs, the Riders end a praise worthy season

  • Mar 10, 2020
The Ghostdiders are seen celebrating a goal earlier in the season. Soranne Floarea/The Free Press
Brian Gray stands proudly beside his snow sculpture in the Fernie Alpine Resort plaza on Sunday. Soranne Floarea/The Free Press

Griz Days excitement continues on day two

Several events took place at Fernie Alpine Resort, including the ever popular dummy downhill

  • Mar 10, 2020
Brian Gray stands proudly beside his snow sculpture in the Fernie Alpine Resort plaza on Sunday. Soranne Floarea/The Free Press
The community of Jaffray will be hosting their first ever half marathon race later this year. Photo Submitted

Jaffray to host first ever half marathon

The Off-Road Mayhem race will offer 21, 10 and five kilometre race options

  • Mar 10, 2020
The community of Jaffray will be hosting their first ever half marathon race later this year. Photo Submitted
Gena Paton, Vishal Reddy, Terron Bewski, Eric Lynk, Markus Liebe, Calvin Domin, Master Sant Saran, Jesse MacDonald, Jeff Lee, Stella Ingram, Orien Domin and Adam Liebe (not pictured) will be travelling to Slovenia for the World Cup competition in October. Paige Mueller/The Free Press

Martial artists headed to Slovenia for World Cup

Kootenay Taekwondo will be sending 10 athletes to the international competition

  • Mar 10, 2020
Gena Paton, Vishal Reddy, Terron Bewski, Eric Lynk, Markus Liebe, Calvin Domin, Master Sant Saran, Jesse MacDonald, Jeff Lee, Stella Ingram, Orien Domin and Adam Liebe (not pictured) will be travelling to Slovenia for the World Cup competition in October. Paige Mueller/The Free Press
Rob Gay is the board chair for the RDEK. File Photo

RDEK approves five year financial plan

The board of directors approved the budget at their last meeting

  • Mar 10, 2020
Rob Gay is the board chair for the RDEK. File Photo
Racers can be seen hustling hard to get their bed across the finish line at Saturday’s Main Street Bed Races. Paige Mueller/The Free Press

Resurrected Griz Days events thrill crowd

The Main Street Bed Races were a huge hit, as well as the smoosh skiing down Second Avenue

  • Mar 10, 2020
Racers can be seen hustling hard to get their bed across the finish line at Saturday’s Main Street Bed Races. Paige Mueller/The Free Press