Steve Jessel

Maria in the Shower from Toronto will be one of the musical acts featured at the first annual Steamboat Mountain Music Festival on July 7 in Edgewater.

Edgewater steams up with first-time festival

The Steamboat Mountain Music Festival is offering up a tasty helping of homegrown musicians and larger headline acts alike.

Maria in the Shower from Toronto will be one of the musical acts featured at the first annual Steamboat Mountain Music Festival on July 7 in Edgewater.
The approximately one-year-old osprey that is currently residing in the flight cage is expected to be released in the next couple of weeks.

New rehabilitation facility takes flight

The Columbia Valley’s flight cage has materialized with tremendous local support.

The approximately one-year-old osprey that is currently residing in the flight cage is expected to be released in the next couple of weeks.
Results from recent surveys of the Windermere Community Water System reveal that water quality is not up to par. The current drinking water source for the system is Lake Windermere, pictured here.

Windermere Community Water System revisited

With the recent boil water warning, the Windermere water system is something most residents are probably wondering about.

Results from recent surveys of the Windermere Community Water System reveal that water quality is not up to par. The current drinking water source for the system is Lake Windermere, pictured here.
An open house at Invermere's community greenhouse on Sunday (June 24) will follow a Bear Aware workshop on electric fencing.

Invermere community greenhouse welcomes public

On Sunday (June 24), an open house centring around an urban farming fair theme will be hosted at the community greenhouse in Invermere.

An open house at Invermere's community greenhouse on Sunday (June 24) will follow a Bear Aware workshop on electric fencing.
The communities of Wilmer (pictured here) and Dry Gulch are the last two in the Regional District of East Kootenay without official community plans.

Official community plans in story for Dry Gulch, Wilmer

At the RDEK Board meeting on June 8, it was decided that Dry Gulch and Wilmer should have official community plans implemented.

The communities of Wilmer (pictured here) and Dry Gulch are the last two in the Regional District of East Kootenay without official community plans.
Shirley Truscott presents Mary Schäffer, Mountain Woman at Pynelogs on Friday (June 15).

Famous mountain woman revived

Performer Shirley Truscott honours a celebrated mountaineer with her historical enactment.

Shirley Truscott presents Mary Schäffer, Mountain Woman at Pynelogs on Friday (June 15).
A golfer at last year's tournament takes a time out after narrowly missing the hole. The 2012 Valley Echo Giving Back Golf Tournament takes place on June 24 at the Windermere Valley Golf Course.

The gift of Giving Back

The 2010 Giving Back Gold Tournament raised over $11,000 for the Invermere branch of the Special Olympics.

A golfer at last year's tournament takes a time out after narrowly missing the hole. The 2012 Valley Echo Giving Back Golf Tournament takes place on June 24 at the Windermere Valley Golf Course.
This year's National Aboriginal Day celebration takes place on Saturday (June 16) at Lakeshore Resort and Campground, featuring exhibits, artifacts, artisans, entertainment and much more for the whole family.

Traditional First Nation ways on display

The National Aboriginal Day Festival features dancing, storytelling, door prizes, and more.

This year's National Aboriginal Day celebration takes place on Saturday (June 16) at Lakeshore Resort and Campground, featuring exhibits, artifacts, artisans, entertainment and much more for the whole family.

Secondary suite bylaw goes back to drawing board

The hotly-contested secondary suites bylaw was once again up for discussion at the monthly RDEK meeting on June 8.

The Columbia Valley U18 boys soccer team (in blue) recently won gold in a tournament in Kalispell, Montana.

U18 boys soccer team wins gold in Montana

The Columbia Valley U18 boys soccer team had a gold medal win at the Three Blind Ref tournament in Kalispell, Montana.

The Columbia Valley U18 boys soccer team (in blue) recently won gold in a tournament in Kalispell, Montana.
Colleen Weatherhead shows off some of the capabilities of the brand-new SMART Board technology at the Invermere campus of the College of the Rockies.

College of the Rockies campus getting SMARTer

The Invermere campus of the College of the Rockies (COTR) has received some cutting edge technology.

Colleen Weatherhead shows off some of the capabilities of the brand-new SMART Board technology at the Invermere campus of the College of the Rockies.
Norm Macdonald (right) recently toured the empty wood holding area at Edgewater's WoodEx mill.

Edgewater mill faces closure

An Edgewater mill that pumps millions of dollars into the local economy each year is facing permanent closure.

Norm Macdonald (right) recently toured the empty wood holding area at Edgewater's WoodEx mill.
A new court ruling gives the Invermere Deer Protection Society the freedom to pursue its lawsuit against the District of Invermere.

Judge rules in favour of IDPS

Members of the Invermere Deer Protection Society have won a major court battle against the District of Invermere.

A new court ruling gives the Invermere Deer Protection Society the freedom to pursue its lawsuit against the District of Invermere.

Photo gallery: roller derby

A photo gallery of some of the high-octane roller derby action that took place in Invermere this past week.

Columbia Valley RCMP face staffing shortages

Columbia Valley RCMP Staff Sgt. Marko Shehovac discussed gang violence in the Columbia Valley at a community meeting on Thursday (May 31).

Canadian icon David Suzuki speaks passionately to the sold-out crowd at the Invermere Community Hall on Friday (June 1) on the future of the economy and the weaknesses of the current economic system. For the full story, turn to page A5.

Suzuki speaks to a spellbound audience

The famous Canadian scientist conveyed an emotional message of urgency and hope to a sold-out audience in Invermere on June 1.

Canadian icon David Suzuki speaks passionately to the sold-out crowd at the Invermere Community Hall on Friday (June 1) on the future of the economy and the weaknesses of the current economic system. For the full story, turn to page A5.
Fraid Knot from Calgary will be one of the bands providing live music at the first-ever East Kootenay Beer Festival at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort on June 16.

Let the brewery festivities begin

If you like great beer combined with great music, the first annual East Kootenay Beer Festival should be right up your alley.

Fraid Knot from Calgary will be one of the bands providing live music at the first-ever East Kootenay Beer Festival at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort on June 16.
The provincial champion Columbia Valley Bighorns will have a fall football registration session on Saturday (June 9) at Bighorns Field in Invermere.

Bring on the Bighorns

The valley's championship team is getting ready for another successful season and is seeking new recruits.

The provincial champion Columbia Valley Bighorns will have a fall football registration session on Saturday (June 9) at Bighorns Field in Invermere.
Bluegrass group John Reischman and the Jaybirds from Vancouver will be one of the acclaimed musical acts at the first annual Steamboat Mountain Music Festival on July 7 in Edgewater.

Early bird Steamboat tickets on sale now

The first annual Steamboat Mountain Music Festival is set for July 7 in Edgewater.

Bluegrass group John Reischman and the Jaybirds from Vancouver will be one of the acclaimed musical acts at the first annual Steamboat Mountain Music Festival on July 7 in Edgewater.
There have multiple bear sightings in Kootenay Park over the last several weeks, including this family of black bears.

Bear warning in effect for Olive Lake area

With the warmer temperatures, the wildlife are coming down into the valley to feed.

There have multiple bear sightings in Kootenay Park over the last several weeks, including this family of black bears.