Phil McLachlan

A man was caught throwing away election signs near the highway in Fernie. File photo

Man caught throwing away election signs in Fernie, ordered to put them back

Man told RCMP he had 'no faith in government'

A man was caught throwing away election signs near the highway in Fernie. File photo
A full house was in attendance at the all-candidates election debate in Fernie, Thursday.  Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

Candidates take questions in Fernie

The all candidates forum in Fernie attracted a full house at the Best Western Hotel, bringing with it many questions which challenged candidates. There was such high interest from the crowd that the over-abundance in questions pushed the forum over its time limit of two-and-a-half hours.

A full house was in attendance at the all-candidates election debate in Fernie, Thursday.  Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
Candidates present to the public at the Sparwood all-candidates forum. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

Climate change, worker shortages, more addressed at Sparwood election forum

The Sparwood all-candidates forum was thought provoking and challenged candidates to dig deep, with several commenting on how they received some of the best questions yet in the electoral race.

Candidates present to the public at the Sparwood all-candidates forum. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
Fernie elementary school wheels out inclusive athletics program

Fernie elementary school wheels out inclusive athletics program

A new athletics program at EIDES aims to promote inclusion.

Fernie elementary school wheels out inclusive athletics program
Already this year, about 14,000 black bear sightings have been reported around the province. File photo

Bear reports highest in six years, says WildSafeBC

Bear sightings around B.C. are the highest in years, according to WildSafeBC.

Already this year, about 14,000 black bear sightings have been reported around the province. File photo
Abra Brynne of the Green Party, Wayne Stetski of the NDP, Conservative candidate Rob Morrison, Rick Stewart of the People’s Party of Canada and Trev Miller of the Animal Protection Party attended the forum in Elkford. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

Election candidates take questions in Elkford

On the night of September 27, federal election candidates from the Kootenay-Columbia region sat in front of a crowd of Elkford residents and took questions prepared by students.

Abra Brynne of the Green Party, Wayne Stetski of the NDP, Conservative candidate Rob Morrison, Rick Stewart of the People’s Party of Canada and Trev Miller of the Animal Protection Party attended the forum in Elkford. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
The City of Fernie at UBCM 2019 in Vancouver. Submitted

Elk Valley mayors reflect on UBCM conference

[With files from Tom Fletcher]

The City of Fernie at UBCM 2019 in Vancouver. Submitted
Jason Burt and Veronique Roy sit in a Tiny Home unit. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

Fernie business opens Tiny Home Hotel

This six-unit complex is, they believe, the first of its kind in Canada. Grand opening on October 8.

Jason Burt and Veronique Roy sit in a Tiny Home unit. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
The price of coal has dropped from $210/tonne to around $130/tonne in the last few weeks. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press/File

‘Unprecedented’ downturn in coal results in uncertainties for Teck

Company says downturn could result in hiring freeze, projects halted, equipment parked, jobs lost

The price of coal has dropped from $210/tonne to around $130/tonne in the last few weeks. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press/File
Alex Buckman will be in Fernie on October 24. Submitted

Holocaust survivor to share stories with Fernie

An Evening With Alex is a free event, but seating is limited. RSVP at email below.

Alex Buckman will be in Fernie on October 24. Submitted
Richie Bhamra has proposed that his undeveloped lot in Fernie on Highway 3 could be suitable place for a new fire hall. Photo/Google Earth

Land owner proposes highway lot for fire hall development

Richie Bhamra has long since moved away from his childhood town of Fernie, but never took his finger off the pulse of what happens.

Richie Bhamra has proposed that his undeveloped lot in Fernie on Highway 3 could be suitable place for a new fire hall. Photo/Google Earth
Shred Kelly is celebrating a decade on stage together. Above they are pictured performing at Stoke Fest in Fernie, April.    Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

Shred Kelly celebrating one decade on stage

Iconic Fernie band back in home town December for two back-to-back shows

Shred Kelly is celebrating a decade on stage together. Above they are pictured performing at Stoke Fest in Fernie, April.    Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
A snow plow clears the drifting snow along Prest Road Wednesday. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)

Snow expected this weekend in Elk Valley

5-10 cm expected by Saturday night

A snow plow clears the drifting snow along Prest Road Wednesday. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)
RCMP are reporting that a pedestrian was struck on the marked crosswalk of Highway 3 and 7th Street. The pedestrian sustained serious head injuries. File photo

UPDATE: Man recovering after being struck in crosswalk

Pedestrian, in his mid-20s, was transported out of Fernie for emergency care

RCMP are reporting that a pedestrian was struck on the marked crosswalk of Highway 3 and 7th Street. The pedestrian sustained serious head injuries. File photo
Fernie's Jennifer McHugh has been crowned North American Enduro Champion. This weekend, she competes on Team Canada at the Trophy of Nations in Italy. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

Fernie cyclist crowned North American Enduro Champion

Jennifer McHugh selected to compete in Italy for Team Canada at Trophy of Nations

Fernie's Jennifer McHugh has been crowned North American Enduro Champion. This weekend, she competes on Team Canada at the Trophy of Nations in Italy. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
In this photo which appeared in The Free Press in January 2019, a bear can be seen at Olsen Pit. Due to its proximity to humans, Lamb had suggested that open pit be shut down.  Photo courtesy of Clayton Lamb

MOTI constructs enclosed carcass pits in effort to solve attractant issue

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) has developed enclosed carcass collection facilities along Highway 3 in an effort to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.

In this photo which appeared in The Free Press in January 2019, a bear can be seen at Olsen Pit. Due to its proximity to humans, Lamb had suggested that open pit be shut down.  Photo courtesy of Clayton Lamb
With the exception of a few, biking trails in Fernie’s Ridgemont area have officially reopened. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press/File

Trails in Fernie’s Ridgemont area reopen

Fernie Trails Alliance urging trail users to abide by and obey closures still in place

With the exception of a few, biking trails in Fernie’s Ridgemont area have officially reopened. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press/File
On Monday, September 16, RCMP reported that the driver of the RV in the recent Hosmer collision was in stable condition. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press/File

Driver of RV in Hosmer collision reported in stable condition

Collision occurred in Hosmer on September 5 and involved a semi truck, an RV and a school bus

On Monday, September 16, RCMP reported that the driver of the RV in the recent Hosmer collision was in stable condition. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press/File
Erin Hay, former vice-principal of Fernie Secondary School (FSS) has been promoted to the position of principal for FSS and Kootenay Discovery School (KDS). Phil McLachlan/The Free Press/File

New administrators for Elk Valley schools

Erin Hay promoted to principal for FSS, Ian Jarrell promoted to vice-principal for ESS

Erin Hay, former vice-principal of Fernie Secondary School (FSS) has been promoted to the position of principal for FSS and Kootenay Discovery School (KDS). Phil McLachlan/The Free Press/File
The Elk Valley Bulls fought hard, taking second in the coveted Saratoga Cup, last weekend. Submitted

Bulls take second in Saratoga Cup

The Elk Valley Bulls rugby team returned from a provincial tournament with their heads high, placing second in the coveted Saratoga Cup.

The Elk Valley Bulls fought hard, taking second in the coveted Saratoga Cup, last weekend. Submitted