CVNews reporter down but not out

Bram Rossman, lead reporter for CVNews, was injured in a motorcycle accident on July 11. After spending time in Calgary and Invermere hospitals, he is now recovering at home. Bram continues to develop stories despite his current limitations, with help from other CVNews staff. We appreciate our readers’ patience as the flow of stories returns to normal. [Read more]

Rockin’ and wrestlin’ in the Rockies

Stampede Wrestling was one of the highlights to the Friday night (July 10) opening of Hood’stock, in Fairmont Hot Springs last weekend. [Read more]

Conrad Kain Park officially opens

Hundreds of mountain enthusiasts gathered in Wilmer on a sunny Saturday (July 11) afternoon last weekend to witness the grand opening of Conrad Kain Park. The facility, which is based around the Wilmer Community Hall, is a tribute to Austrian mountain guide Conrad Kain. The first professional guide hired by the Alpine Club of Canada, Kain came to the country in 1909.

Over the next quarter century, he completed an impressive list of first ascents and original routes in Canada (many done locally in the Bugaboos) and New Zealand. His lust for life and his skills in the mountains has made him a role model for generations of guides and mountain lovers that still follow in his footsteps. [Read more]

Date set for Fairmont trails referendum

The date has been set for Fairmont residents to voice their opinion on an additional property tax that will collect money for a local parks and trails service area.

A special referendum will take place on September 19 in Fairmont, where residents will vote on the following question: “Are you in favour of the Regional District of East Kootenay adopting Bylaw No. 2167 to establish the Fairmont Area Community Parks and Trails Service with a maximum tax rate of 20¢ per $1,000 of taxable assessed value to cover the cost of parks and trails maintenance?” [Read more]

Regional transit advisory council appointed

A five-person advisory commission has been approved by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) to oversee the operation of the Columbia Valley Transit Service.

All Columbia Valley residents, the five were chosen as a group because of their past involvement with the start-up of the area’s regional transit service.

Shannon Moskal, RDEK deputy manager of administration, explained that the five appointees to the Columbia Valley Transit Advisory Commission were previously members of the Columbia Valley Transit Action Committee (CVTAC).

“CVTAC was a group of concerned citizens who assisted the RDEK in establishing the Columbia Valley Transit Service Area and have since kept themselves involved in matters related to the transit system,” she said. “They had expressed interest in establishing a transit advisory commission for the Columbia Valley Transit Service Area to provide advice to the RDEK board and staff on matters related to the operation of the transit system.” [Read more]

Motorcycle rally hits the Horsethief this weekend

July 10-12, Invermere –

Until about two months ago the world of motorcycles was entirely foreign to me — aside from the fact that I knew I wanted one. I’d ridden on the back of a friend’s father’s motorbike when I was a kid and once I rode a dirt bike around the suburban back yard of another friend. Other than that, my experience with these two-wheeled machines was limited. [Read more]

Arsonist scorches forest near Wilmer

A series of intentionally lit fires in the forest created a small wildfire near Wilmer over the weekend.

Forest fire fighters from the Invermere Fire Base were called to the blaze on Friday evening, located in a forested area adjacent to West Side Road north of Wilmer. Southeast Fire Centre spokesperson Gwen Eamer explained that three separate ignition points were discovered, of which two separate wildfires resulted. [Read more]

Invermere cyclist races from Banff to Mexico by bike

When you learn about a plan to pedal from Banff to Mexico, ‘crazy’ and ‘epic’ could be appropriate reactions to the notion.

For avid Invermere cyclist Blaine Nester, however, the reaction was more along the lines of “I’ll do it!” and the epic adventure has been his reality for the last month. [Read more]

Thousands attend Canada Day celebrations

Canada Day celebrations

July 1 –

Celebration of this Canada’s birthday is always a big deal in the Columbia Valley and plans for July 1, 2009 are no different. [Read more]