Community

Keygan Power graduates alongside his peers from Spectrum Community School in June 2022. (Courtesy Allison Power)

B.C. teen defeats brain bleed, cancer, works way back to graduate with his peers

Keygan Power overcomes two life-threatening ailments and a resulting partial paralysis

 

Residents enjoy a block party gathering Aug. 4 on Elm Street in Saanich, organized as a way to help people come together and continue healing following the June 28 shootout at the nearby BMO Bank of Montreal branch on Shelbourne Street. (Courtesy of Rebecca Kirkwood)

Neighbourhood block party helps B.C. residents heal after trauma of bank shootout

ER nurse who cared for 2 wounded officers, is married to ERT member, organized event

 

18-year-old Samir Olyad Suleiman Ali (left) and 17-year-old Yasbirat Ytatek were killed by a driver fleeing a traffic stop in New Westminster on July 26. (Oliyad Ali/Youtube & GoFundMe photos)

2 teens killed after driver flees police in Lower Mainland; fundraisers launched for families

Yasbirat Ytatek and Samir Olyad Suleiman Ali were killed in a collision on July 26

 

The Reverend Canon Andrea Brennan of the combined ministry of Christ Church Anglican and Knox United in Fernie has been made Regional Dean of the East Kootenays. Pictured in Christ Church Anglican in July 2022. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Anglican Fernie Reverend appointed Regional Dean

Rev. Andrea Brennan has ministered the combined Christ Church Anglican and Knox United congregations since 2019

The Reverend Canon Andrea Brennan of the combined ministry of Christ Church Anglican and Knox United in Fernie has been made Regional Dean of the East Kootenays. Pictured in Christ Church Anglican in July 2022. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
A couple travelled from Osoyoos to Penticton on Friday, June 24, to pick up their new vehicle after winning a Canada-wide contest, courtesy of General Motors. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

PHOTOS: B.C. couple presented with new car after winning Canada-wide contest

‘We thought it was some scam when we found out we won,’ they said

A couple travelled from Osoyoos to Penticton on Friday, June 24, to pick up their new vehicle after winning a Canada-wide contest, courtesy of General Motors. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
(Black Press file photo)

Okanagan-based group ready for B.C.-wide celebration of collector cars

July 9 is recognized as Collector Car Appreciation Day in the province

(Black Press file photo)
Fernie artist Michael Hepher working on yet another new addition to his solo exhibition, ‘All in this together’, which will go on display at the Fernie Museum gallery from July 1. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

The Columbia Basin in bright, bold colour: Fernie artist paints the region

Michael Hepher’s solo exhibit ‘All in this together’ will appear at the Fernie Museum gallery from next month

Fernie artist Michael Hepher working on yet another new addition to his solo exhibition, ‘All in this together’, which will go on display at the Fernie Museum gallery from July 1. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Staff at Foundry Vancouver-Granville, operated by Providence Health Care. One of many Foundry centre across BC that provide integrated health services to young people like Aslam and Lee. Jeff Topham photo.

Foundry supports youth in living a good life

Free and confidential health and wellness supports for BC youth ages 12 to 24 – online and in-person

  • May 2, 2022
Staff at Foundry Vancouver-Granville, operated by Providence Health Care. One of many Foundry centre across BC that provide integrated health services to young people like Aslam and Lee. Jeff Topham photo.
Johnna Abdou, Angie Abdou and Katie Hafke at the start line in Matanchen Bay, Mexico. (Image courtesy of Bev Dougan)

Three generations of Fernie family complete open water challenge in Mexico

Contributed by Aidan Chudleigh Elk Valley Dolphins Swim Club At age 73,…

  • Mar 9, 2022
Johnna Abdou, Angie Abdou and Katie Hafke at the start line in Matanchen Bay, Mexico. (Image courtesy of Bev Dougan)
Richard Howes moves boxes into the new family home in Creston. (Submitted)

Family thanks Creston community for outpouring of support after moving trailer theft

The Howes had all of their belongings stolen in Grand Forks during their move

Richard Howes moves boxes into the new family home in Creston. (Submitted)
UFV is working with artificial intelligence robots that can help combat isolation and loneliness, thanks to funding from the TD Bank Group. (UFV photo)

Robots and AI being used to help combat COVID-19 loneliness at UFV

Findings will be shared with government, industry, and community partners to enhance wellness

UFV is working with artificial intelligence robots that can help combat isolation and loneliness, thanks to funding from the TD Bank Group. (UFV photo)
Catherine Crewe of Fernie with the card that she and Nancy Nester of Invermere have been sending back and forth to each other since 1964. Pictured here in 2021. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

60 years of good wishes: Two long-time Kootenay penpals keep a Christmas tradition alive

Catherine Crewe of Fernie, and Nancy Nester of Invermere have been sending the same card back and forth to each other since they were both five years old

Catherine Crewe of Fernie with the card that she and Nancy Nester of Invermere have been sending back and forth to each other since 1964. Pictured here in 2021. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Jillian Harris and Team Jilly have joined with Do Some Good to engage the community, support local causes and amplify the many amazing stories that non-profit organizations share. Join her for the 12 Days of Christmas campaign, Dec. 1 to 12.

Jillian Harris joins Do Some Good to drive more community impact

Team Jilly’s 12 Days of Giving campaign runs Dec. 1 to 12

  • Nov 22, 2021
Jillian Harris and Team Jilly have joined with Do Some Good to engage the community, support local causes and amplify the many amazing stories that non-profit organizations share. Join her for the 12 Days of Christmas campaign, Dec. 1 to 12.
Mick Trodden, an 11-year employee at the market, said he’d use his bonus to visit his grandchildren. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Christina Lake grocer hands out thousands in employee bonuses

The extra cash followed a busy summer, says store owner Jean-Marc Pesant

Mick Trodden, an 11-year employee at the market, said he’d use his bonus to visit his grandchildren. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Mark Anderson, owner of West Coast Driver Training, is planning on defying the rules that prevent him from installing dash cams in his company cars. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

B.C. driving school owner to install dash cams, in spite of prohibition

Mark Anderson said he intends to defy regulations due to better serve his clients

Mark Anderson, owner of West Coast Driver Training, is planning on defying the rules that prevent him from installing dash cams in his company cars. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
A video of two RCMP officers dancing outside of 7-Eleven in Vanderhoof by Ada Madam has received more than 10,000 views on Facebook as of Wednesday, September 1. (Facebook image)

Video of dancing cops in Northern B.C. goes viral

“It just lightened all of our moods.”

A video of two RCMP officers dancing outside of 7-Eleven in Vanderhoof by Ada Madam has received more than 10,000 views on Facebook as of Wednesday, September 1. (Facebook image)
Midway Mayor Martin Fromme (centre) presents Finely Kamigochi with her honourary Volunteer of the Year award at a village corn roast Saturday, Aug. 28. Photo courtesy of Van Atkinson

Midway fire dept. shares volunteer award with its youngest member

Finley Kamigochi, 5, joined the dept’s honourary ranks after a fantastic fundraiser

Midway Mayor Martin Fromme (centre) presents Finely Kamigochi with her honourary Volunteer of the Year award at a village corn roast Saturday, Aug. 28. Photo courtesy of Van Atkinson
Midway firefighters and Chief Mike Daloise stop for lemonade at Finley Kamigochi’s department fundraiser Saturday, Aug. 7. Photo courtesy of Cam Kamigochi.

Adorable little girl raises money for West Boundary fire dept.

The department honoured five-year-old Finley Kamigochi at a special presentation this week

Midway firefighters and Chief Mike Daloise stop for lemonade at Finley Kamigochi’s department fundraiser Saturday, Aug. 7. Photo courtesy of Cam Kamigochi.
A beautiful new kayak was given to Abbotsford mom Nikki Jensen after hers was stolen from her. She was also given cash to replace it, so she’s sending birthday supplies to a child in Nunavut. (Nikki Jensen photo/ Facebook)

Theft of cherished kayak led to several acts of giving, says Abbotsford mother

Woman sponsoring birthday party for a child in Nunavut after overwhelming community support

A beautiful new kayak was given to Abbotsford mom Nikki Jensen after hers was stolen from her. She was also given cash to replace it, so she’s sending birthday supplies to a child in Nunavut. (Nikki Jensen photo/ Facebook)
Nanaimo’s Michael Suiker is trying to track down family members who might like 10 photo albums he salvaged at an estate sale in 2018. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

B.C. man who once had personal mementos stolen wants to unite family with old photos

Nanaimo’s Michael Suiker salvaged 10 photo albums at estate sale three years ago

Nanaimo’s Michael Suiker is trying to track down family members who might like 10 photo albums he salvaged at an estate sale in 2018. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)