Phil McLachlan

Tom Shypitka at the Bingay concerns meeting, January 2018. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press/File

Bingay mine proposal still up in the air

Centermount proposes extraction of 1M tonnes of metallurgical coal annually over 13-year lifespan

Tom Shypitka at the Bingay concerns meeting, January 2018. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press/File
The new Lizard Creek Bridge is estimated to be completed in Spring of 2020. Pictured above is the bridge currently being replaced. File photo

Lizard Creek Bridge to be completed next spring

The new Lizard Creek Bridge will not be completed until spring 2020.

The new Lizard Creek Bridge is estimated to be completed in Spring of 2020. Pictured above is the bridge currently being replaced. File photo
New Hwy 3 passing lane proposed in Jaffray

New Hwy 3 passing lane proposed in Jaffray

Public invited to an open house on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Jaffray Community Centre

New Hwy 3 passing lane proposed in Jaffray
Amy Cardozo, co-owner of Crumbs Cakery, now in Sparwood.  Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

Crumbs Cakery moves to Sparwood

Amy Cardozo says it feels great to amalgamate the place they live with the business they love.

Amy Cardozo, co-owner of Crumbs Cakery, now in Sparwood.  Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
Dedicated Sparwood volunteers honoured

Dedicated Sparwood volunteers honoured

When Irene and David Endicott's names were called, a full house of curlers at the Sparwood Curling Club rose in a standing ovation.

Dedicated Sparwood volunteers honoured
The James White Park trail in Fernie will be closed for at least the next two days, according to the City of Fernie. City of Fernie/Facebook

UPDATE: James White Park trail reopened

Bear one of eight black bears currently roaming Fernie's residential areas

The James White Park trail in Fernie will be closed for at least the next two days, according to the City of Fernie. City of Fernie/Facebook
Fernie businesses, individuals honoured

Fernie businesses, individuals honoured

Martin Brock was named Fernie's 2019 Citizen of the Year

Fernie businesses, individuals honoured
Jaslene Atwal was named Sparwood’s 2019 Citizen of the Year, for her leadership in the school system.  Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

Sparwood businesses, individuals honoured

Sparwood Secondary School Vice-Principal Jaslene Atwal was named Sparwood's 2019 Citizen of the Year

Jaslene Atwal was named Sparwood’s 2019 Citizen of the Year, for her leadership in the school system.  Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
The Rumble in the Rockies charity boxing event is set to take place in January. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press/File

Introducing the Coal Valley Boxing Club

Boxing organization changes name to better represent both Fernie and Sparwood clubs

The Rumble in the Rockies charity boxing event is set to take place in January. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press/File
Early Monday morning a bear was reported accessing garbage and compost close to Ecole Isabella Dicken Elementary School (EIDES) and Fernie Secondary School (FSS). File photo

Bear reported near preschool in Fernie

CO Service and RCMP responded, audit revealed bear accessing commercial garbage bin left open

Early Monday morning a bear was reported accessing garbage and compost close to Ecole Isabella Dicken Elementary School (EIDES) and Fernie Secondary School (FSS). File photo
Teck Resources announced they plan to lay off 500 full-time workers in order to achieve target cost reductions. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press/File

MLA anticipates further job loss in resource sector, following Teck announcement

MLA Tom Shypitka says this, "is devastating news for my communities."

Teck Resources announced they plan to lay off 500 full-time workers in order to achieve target cost reductions. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press/File
At the Galloway Lumber Mill the finishing touches are currently being put on a new a steel fabrication shop, which will be used to produce steel components and equipment to support the surrounding industries. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

Kootenay logging companies diversifying products amid challenging time in forest industry

Galloway Lumber focused on specialty wood products, steel components, cross-laminated timber

At the Galloway Lumber Mill the finishing touches are currently being put on a new a steel fabrication shop, which will be used to produce steel components and equipment to support the surrounding industries. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
Wild Honey will be celebrating the release of their debut album with a concert at The Arts Station on October 26.  Photo by Kevan Wilkie

Wild Honey releases debut album

Band celebrating release of new album at The Arts Station on October 26 from 8-10 p.m.

Wild Honey will be celebrating the release of their debut album with a concert at The Arts Station on October 26.  Photo by Kevan Wilkie
Elkford businesses honoured at annual awards

Elkford businesses honoured at annual awards

Businesses in Elkford were honoured for their excellence during the Elkford Chamber of Commerce annual business awards last week.

Elkford businesses honoured at annual awards
Today Teck announced the roll out of two new electric passenger buses to transport employees to and from its Fording River and Greenhills steelmaking coal operations in the Elk Valley. Submitted/Teck

Teck announces roll out of electric buses for Elk Valley operations

Hon. Michelle Mungall says it's great to see Teck taking action on climate change

Today Teck announced the roll out of two new electric passenger buses to transport employees to and from its Fording River and Greenhills steelmaking coal operations in the Elk Valley. Submitted/Teck
Sparwood’s John Garszczal is wanted by police. RCMP/File

RCMP search for Sparwood man wanted on numerous warrants

Twenty-nine-year-old John Garszczal is wanted by police

Sparwood’s John Garszczal is wanted by police. RCMP/File
A BCEHS ambulance was dispatched to a callshaun at Rocky Mountain Village in Fernie on October 7, 2.65km from the ambulance station, but was stopped short at the 4th Street train crossing when a train rolled through town. Multiple times a day, the communities of Ridgemont and beyond are isolated and unreachable by medical personnel for a period of four minutes or more. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

Delays at railroad crossing cause for concern

About 1870 Fernie residents are temporarily isolated when the train passes through town

A BCEHS ambulance was dispatched to a callshaun at Rocky Mountain Village in Fernie on October 7, 2.65km from the ambulance station, but was stopped short at the 4th Street train crossing when a train rolled through town. Multiple times a day, the communities of Ridgemont and beyond are isolated and unreachable by medical personnel for a period of four minutes or more. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
Today marked two years since the tragic ammonia leak at Fernie Memorial Arena. The City of Fernie lowered their flags to half mast in remembrance. City of Fernie/Facebook

Two years later, City of Fernie remembers

Oct. 17, 2019 marks two years since the tragic ammonia leak at Fernie Memorial Arena

Today marked two years since the tragic ammonia leak at Fernie Memorial Arena. The City of Fernie lowered their flags to half mast in remembrance. City of Fernie/Facebook
The Canada Post Office in Grasmere will close on October 31, due to a disagreement between the owners of the building, and Canada Post. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

Feud with Canada Post causes post office to close its doors

Grasmere Post Office will close Oct. 31, building owners unable to reach agreement with Canada Post

The Canada Post Office in Grasmere will close on October 31, due to a disagreement between the owners of the building, and Canada Post. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
Several windows were broken at the Fernie Aquatic Centre, causing it to close until further notice. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

UPDATE: Aquatic Centre vandalized, pool potentially contaminated

Windows broken, bike jumps flipped, dirt jumps damaged

Several windows were broken at the Fernie Aquatic Centre, causing it to close until further notice. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press