55 years ago (1960):
The famous story of Ferdinand, the friendly bull who liked to smell flowers, had his counterpart in Invermere with Ernest the elegant elk, who liked a house on Thornton street so much that it took the combined efforts of the Game Warden, RCMP and stalwart citizens to persuade him to leave .
50 years ago (1965):
Coy Nicholas Eugene, 33, well-known in the district, was killed in a logging accident north of Golden. Mr. Eugene was employed by Alex Tinkstad of Golden as a chokerman. At the time of his death he was setting chokers at Boat Encampment, 100 miles north of Golden.
45 years ago (1970):
William Pascal, 20, was committed for trial on the charge of murdering his brother, Willard Pascal, 24, November 15th in the Pascal home on the Shuswap Reserve. He appeared before Judge D. J. Lunn of Cranbrook in a hearing.
40 years ago (1975):
Dysentery types of infection, which had been persistent in the valley for several weeks, were identified by the Public Health authorities as Salmonella-sonnei infection. Dr. A. G. Louden, Medical Health Officer at the East Kootenay Health Unit at Cranbrook, said the strain was commonly passed by handling and contaminating food.
30 years ago (1985):
Both Fairmont and Panorama enjoyed the best ski conditions in many years, and both areas were crowded with skiers. Over the holidays Fairmont held a Molstar Fun Race with 22 participants. Pace Setter was John Bruder. Gold, Silver and Bronze pins were awarded.
20 years ago (1995):
The Christmas season was good for local merchants and ski resorts. It seemed business was up. Nobody said things were down, said Don Bilodeau, president of the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce. “Everybody was postitive he said.” He listed a number of advantages to shopping locally, saying merchants he talked to mentioned their prices were comparable to Calgary stores.
15 years ago (2000):
The valley community blanketed the families and friends of Karrina and Taren Archer and Calli Hendrickson with love and support during a memorial service at David Thompson Secondary School. An estimated 800 people converged in the high school gymnasium to hear and talk about the Grade 11 students and mother killed in a motor vehicle accident on Highway 93/95.
10 years ago (2005):
After seeking approval from the region’s taxpayers, the Regional District of the East Kootenay(RDEK) moved ahead with plans to build a broadband Internet backbone throughout Electoral Areas F and G and the Village of Radium Hot Springs.