Steve Hubrecht

Regional News: RDEK, CBT and BC Hydro join force to bring back community energy manager

The East Kootenay area will once again have a community energy manager

Election results breakdown by community reveal trends

The Invermere Valley Echo has obtained a town-by-town breakdown of election day voting patterns for the Kootenay-Columbia riding

Regional News: Geographic voting patterns contains few big surprises

Federal Kootenay-Columbia candidates, generally have said there were no major surprises — although there were some disappointments

Fairmont, Dutch Creek and Ogilvy Wills water systems merge

The water system of three communities in the Columbia Valley will soon merge,

RDEK Briefs: Lake Ambassadors seek funding

Several items of interest to the Upper Columbia Valley came up during the most recent RDEK board of directors meeting in Cranbrook.

Kootenay Savings Credit Union Invermere branch staff present Columbia Valley Search and Rescue with their $5

Christmas came early for four Columbia Valley non-profits

The KSCU is getting into the festive season, and has been giving out donations and grants including some here in the Upper Columbia Valley.

Kootenay Savings Credit Union Invermere branch staff present Columbia Valley Search and Rescue with their $5
St. Andrews Church (second building in from the back) in the middle of the Wilmer townsite in 1911 or 1912 (photo courtesy of the Windermere Valley Museum). Below

Valley’s mining history inspires a historical novel

A Wilmer man with an extensive mining background is busy writing a novel set during the great Kootenay silver rush.

St. Andrews Church (second building in from the back) in the middle of the Wilmer townsite in 1911 or 1912 (photo courtesy of the Windermere Valley Museum). Below

Organic waste program in the early planning stages

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is examining the idea of introducing a region-wide green bin organic waste program.

Full Parkside Place could fuel more development

With talk swirling in recent days about ever-expanding commercial operations at the Crossroads and the consequent doom for downtown

CastleRock readies for Phase Three

Developers put up new sales centre and a new spec home for Phase Three.

Community nominations sought

The British Columbia Achievement Foundation is seeking nominations for the British Columbia Community Achievement Awards

The Earl Grey Trail is multi-day hike through remote Kootenay backcountry.

Rangers touch up Earl Grey Trail

An Upper Columbia Valley backpacking trail, which is one of the Kootenay region’s premiere

The Earl Grey Trail is multi-day hike through remote Kootenay backcountry.

Council Briefs: Invermere residents split on tax hike

Invermere councillors have given second and third reading to the district’s financial plan.

RDEK Briefs: RDEK gives operational funding to Whiteway

The most recent RDEK board of directors meeting touched on a few items of interest to the Upper Columbia Valley.

As the NDP National Parks critic

Regional News: Kootenay-Columbia MP becomes NDP National Parks critic

Newly elected Kootenay-Columbia Member of Parliament Wayne Stetski has been appointed as the National Parks critic

As the NDP National Parks critic

Market gives over $9,000 back to community

Invermere council members heard that the downtown Invermere Farmers and Artisan Market was a smash success this past summer

Council Briefs: Business license fees rise

It will cost a bit more to do business in Invermere starting next year, by $25 a year.

LIGHTING UP THE NIGHT — Each year the Light Up Santa Claus parade attract throngs of people who line up on either side of the main street in downtown Invermere to watch the creative floats go by. This year’s parade starts at 6 p.m.

Light Up returns as afternoon event

The ever-popular Light Up event is back in Invermere this year with a new, more family-friendly time slot.

LIGHTING UP THE NIGHT — Each year the Light Up Santa Claus parade attract throngs of people who line up on either side of the main street in downtown Invermere to watch the creative floats go by. This year’s parade starts at 6 p.m.

Chamber mentorship program gets stellar reviews

The CVCC’s business mentorship program has been a boon to the valley, with program participants giving glowing reports

People collecting firewood from Crown land for the purpose of heating their homes must carry Free Uise Firewood Cutting Permits with them during their cutting

Crown land firewood collectors urged to get permits

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is reminding that they need permits to collect firewood.

People collecting firewood from Crown land for the purpose of heating their homes must carry Free Uise Firewood Cutting Permits with them during their cutting