Phil McLachlan

WestJet passengers on route to Penticton were stopped short due to ‘uncontrollable weather’ and diverted back to Calgary, where they will spend the night. (Black Press file)

WestJet passengers stuck in Calgary after weather prevents landing in Penticton – twice

Okanagan-bound WestJet flight returns to Calgary after ‘uncontrollable weather’ conditions

WestJet passengers on route to Penticton were stopped short due to ‘uncontrollable weather’ and diverted back to Calgary, where they will spend the night. (Black Press file)
Authorities in Penticton have issued a warning to the public regarding a new phone scam taking place across the South Okanagan. (File)

Penticton RCMP warn of new ‘port-out’ scam that targets online banking

Two-factor verification has been the go-to way to keep online accounts secure

Authorities in Penticton have issued a warning to the public regarding a new phone scam taking place across the South Okanagan. (File)
A juvenile cougar has been destroyed by conservation officers in the Penticton area. (WildSafe BC photo)

Cougar destroyed in Penticton area after mauling dog, killing cat

This is the first reported incident with a cougar this year in the Penticton area

A juvenile cougar has been destroyed by conservation officers in the Penticton area. (WildSafe BC photo)
The entrance to Esplanade Park in downtown Penticton. The City of Penticton has started a large cleanup initiative which has resulted in the eviction of campers, and collection of three large dumpster bins, four pickup trucks and two garbage trucks full of waste. (File Photo)

1,200 used syringes found during clean up of Penticton homeless camp

Three large dumpster bins, four pickup trucks and two garbage trucks were filled with waste

The entrance to Esplanade Park in downtown Penticton. The City of Penticton has started a large cleanup initiative which has resulted in the eviction of campers, and collection of three large dumpster bins, four pickup trucks and two garbage trucks full of waste. (File Photo)
Jason Burt and Veronique Roy sit in a Tiny Home unit. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

Canada’s first tiny-home hotel opens in Fernie

Each is 220 sq ft and features a social space, kitchen, bathroom, and a queen bed in a loft above

Jason Burt and Veronique Roy sit in a Tiny Home unit. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
The grave of Doris Stork, the daughter of Fernie’s first mayor, Alfred Stork.  Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

Groups fight to protect historic B.C. graveyard, buried in garbage

About 83 people, including the daughter of Fernie’s first mayor, are buried in the overgrown cemetery

The grave of Doris Stork, the daughter of Fernie’s first mayor, Alfred Stork.  Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
An electrical storm passed over Fernie on the night of July 23. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

VIDEO: Massive lightning storm passes over B.C.’s Elk Valley

A compilation of strikes seen from Fernie at around 1:30 a.m., July 24.

An electrical storm passed over Fernie on the night of July 23. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
Mariano Santander-Melo (right) pictured with Aaron Jones of Calgary (left) celebrating together one day after Jones saved Santander-Melo from a near-drowning incident at Suzanne Lake. Santander-Melo says he’s now viewing life through new eyes. Submitted

Survivor of near-drowning in B.C. lake viewing life through new eyes

“If I died that day, the baby wouldn’t know his dad,” said 31-year-old Mariano Santander-Melo.

Mariano Santander-Melo (right) pictured with Aaron Jones of Calgary (left) celebrating together one day after Jones saved Santander-Melo from a near-drowning incident at Suzanne Lake. Santander-Melo says he’s now viewing life through new eyes. Submitted
(Black Press file image)

Fisherman called hero after saving man from drowning in B.C. lake

“I didn’t really think about anything I was doing, I just kind of did it,” said Calgary’s Aaron Jones.

(Black Press file image)
Carjacking spree results in police pursuits, three arrests in southeastern B.C.

Carjacking spree results in police pursuits, three arrests in southeastern B.C.

All three individuals face many criminal code charges

Carjacking spree results in police pursuits, three arrests in southeastern B.C.
File photo courtesy of WildSafeBC/J. Couperus

People throwing food at a bear in Fernie alarms conservation groups

“Approaching and feeding bears contributes to habituation,” says conservation group

File photo courtesy of WildSafeBC/J. Couperus
Cyclists competing in one of the toughest bike races on the planet pass through Fernie

Cyclists competing in one of the toughest bike races on the planet pass through Fernie

Divide riders looking strong as they finish first leg of 4160 km race

Cyclists competing in one of the toughest bike races on the planet pass through Fernie
The BC Wildfire Service is responding to a 40-hectare wildfire about 24 km southwest of Baynes Lake. BC Wildfire Service/Facebook

Wildfire near Canada/U.S. border reaches 47 hectares, out of control

The wildfire is suspected to be human-caused and is under investigation

The BC Wildfire Service is responding to a 40-hectare wildfire about 24 km southwest of Baynes Lake. BC Wildfire Service/Facebook
PHOTOS: First responders in Fernie rescue baby owl who fell from nest

PHOTOS: First responders in Fernie rescue baby owl who fell from nest

The baby owl’s inability to fly back to its nest prompted a rescue by first responders

PHOTOS: First responders in Fernie rescue baby owl who fell from nest
B.C. costume designer sews up future in film industry

B.C. costume designer sews up future in film industry

B.C. woman Flo Barrett lands gig on Lifetime TV film; Harry and Meghan: Becoming Royal out May 27

B.C. costume designer sews up future in film industry
Sick eagle in East Kootenay town sparks call for lead bullet restriction

Sick eagle in East Kootenay town sparks call for lead bullet restriction

Wildlife advocates encouraging residents to switch from lead bullets, to a non-lead alternative

Sick eagle in East Kootenay town sparks call for lead bullet restriction
Clayton Lamb is one member of a team of biologists that have been studying the population of grizzly bears in the Elk Valley for the past 11 years. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

VIDEO: Carcass pits making bear problem worse in southeastern B.C.

“Getting those carcasses off the landscape should improve human and bear safety.” - Clayton Lamb

Clayton Lamb is one member of a team of biologists that have been studying the population of grizzly bears in the Elk Valley for the past 11 years. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
Alberta youth charged over theft of $17,000 in snow equipment at B.C. ski resort

Alberta youth charged over theft of $17,000 in snow equipment at B.C. ski resort

Alberta RCMP recovered $17,000 in skis/snowboards believed stolen from Fernie Alpine Resort Saturday

Alberta youth charged over theft of $17,000 in snow equipment at B.C. ski resort
The death of a 38-year-old Fernie man at Elkview Operations, Sunday, remains under investigation. File photo

Death of 38-year-old Fernie man at B.C. coal mine under investigation

Vehicle collision occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m. Sunday morning

The death of a 38-year-old Fernie man at Elkview Operations, Sunday, remains under investigation. File photo
The death of a 38-year-old Fernie man at Elkview Operations, Sunday, remains under investigation. File photo

UPDATE: Death of 38-year-old Fernie man at B.C. coal mine under investigation

Vehicle collision occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m. Sunday morning

The death of a 38-year-old Fernie man at Elkview Operations, Sunday, remains under investigation. File photo
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