Community

Canadian astronaut Cmdr. Chris Hadfield relaxes before launch, ahead of a past trip to the International Space Station. He spoke to Black Press Media this week about his time at Royal Roads Military College. (Courtesy Cmdr. Chris Hadfield)

B.C. university ‘renames’ stairway after alumni Chris Hadfield

‘For me it all started there, just up the hill from Hatley Castle,’ Canadian astronaut says

Volunteers from River Wrangler Sportfishing in the Mission Hills community deliver donations by boat after the floods affected dairy farms in Abbotsford in November 2021

BC Dairy thanks the community for over $850,000 flood relief donations, and shines a spotlight on local community heroes

British Columbians have come forward with an incredible show of support for…

  • Jan 10, 2022
Videos from throughout 2021 capture readers’ top animal encounters. (Black Press Media file photos)

Top animal videos from B.C.’s Vancouver Island in 2021

Look back at a year of adorable, breathtaking and unusual footage

Dr. Rebecca Deyell, pediatric oncologist at BC Children’s Hospital, with Ellie, treated for a rare childhood cancer at BC Children’s Hospital. Thanks to vital donor support, researchers can explore uncharted paths and treatment options for children like Ellie.

Ellie’s journey: Rare condition points to critical research need

BC Children’s Hospital shares need for increased research for childhood cancers

  • Dec 20, 2021
Dr. Rebecca Deyell, pediatric oncologist at BC Children’s Hospital, with Ellie, treated for a rare childhood cancer at BC Children’s Hospital. Thanks to vital donor support, researchers can explore uncharted paths and treatment options for children like Ellie.
(L-R) Les Folles Jambettes’ Vanessa Reyes-Golding, Sarah Leslie and Melanie Shenstone pose for a photo next to a family of snow people displayed at a home on 17th Avenue, near the intersection of 77th Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 18. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Grand Forks’ Can Can dancers trot out Christmas flash mobs

City residents with amazing Christmas displays were treated to the surprise dances

(L-R) Les Folles Jambettes’ Vanessa Reyes-Golding, Sarah Leslie and Melanie Shenstone pose for a photo next to a family of snow people displayed at a home on 17th Avenue, near the intersection of 77th Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 18. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Community Christmas Hamper Program co-ordinator Darrell Hardy (left) accepts a check from Grand Forks Legion president Ken Cruickshank on Friday, Dec. 13. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Grand Forks’ Christmas Hamper program delivers, donations pour in

Over 200 hampers went to deserving people at the Gospel Chapel

Community Christmas Hamper Program co-ordinator Darrell Hardy (left) accepts a check from Grand Forks Legion president Ken Cruickshank on Friday, Dec. 13. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
The Virgin Mary eyes her husband Joseph as the Biblical couple heads for a make-believe Bethlehem at Grand Forks Gospel Chapel Saturday, Dec. 18. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Grand Forks kids put on Nativity play in sub-zero temperatures

Mary and Joseph turned away at pretend Inn

The Virgin Mary eyes her husband Joseph as the Biblical couple heads for a make-believe Bethlehem at Grand Forks Gospel Chapel Saturday, Dec. 18. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Nelson-Creston MLA Brittny Anderson is the government’s special advisor on youth. Photo: Submitted

West Kootenay youth join provincial leadership council

StrongerBC Young Leaders Council to provide feedback to government on policies that matter to youth

Nelson-Creston MLA Brittny Anderson is the government’s special advisor on youth. Photo: Submitted
(L-R) Laura and Graeme Carlson opened Grand Forks’ Pharma Save in 1990. They now run a second store at Christina Lake. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Grand Forks pharmacists celebrate over 30 years in business

Laura and Graeme Carlson operate Pharmasaves in Grand Forks and Christina Lake

(L-R) Laura and Graeme Carlson opened Grand Forks’ Pharma Save in 1990. They now run a second store at Christina Lake. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Midway Fire and Rescue’s Jeremy Reid (left) and Chief Mike Daloise hold up a cheque brought by the Midway Partnership Fund’s Cheryl Petrie (centre) on Wednesday, Dec. 8. Photo courtesy of Van Atkinson

Midway Partnership Fund donates to village fire department

Donation put toward specialized rope-training, says fire chief

  • Dec 10, 2021
Midway Fire and Rescue’s Jeremy Reid (left) and Chief Mike Daloise hold up a cheque brought by the Midway Partnership Fund’s Cheryl Petrie (centre) on Wednesday, Dec. 8. Photo courtesy of Van Atkinson
(Back row, L-R) Grand Forks’ Travis Tysick, wife Rena Bronstein, neighbours Karren Turner, Shirley and Ross Munro and Shane Zorn gather in front of a giant Santa on Valley Heights Drive Tuesday evening, Dec. 7. In the front row (L-R) are Cameron, Shannon and Blake Zorn and the Zorns’ dog, Marty. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Giant Santas come to Grand Forks neighbourhood

The Santas are massive and somewhat costly, but neighbours say they’re worth it

(Back row, L-R) Grand Forks’ Travis Tysick, wife Rena Bronstein, neighbours Karren Turner, Shirley and Ross Munro and Shane Zorn gather in front of a giant Santa on Valley Heights Drive Tuesday evening, Dec. 7. In the front row (L-R) are Cameron, Shannon and Blake Zorn and the Zorns’ dog, Marty. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Mayor Brian Taylor and Michele Caskey show off the B.C. Lung Federation’s 2021 Holiday Seals Tuesday, Dec. 7. The mayor’s dog Charley was a very good girl for the photo-op. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

B.C. Lung Foundation kicks off annual Seals Campaign

Holiday seals available at Post Offices in Grand Forks, Christina Lake

Mayor Brian Taylor and Michele Caskey show off the B.C. Lung Federation’s 2021 Holiday Seals Tuesday, Dec. 7. The mayor’s dog Charley was a very good girl for the photo-op. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Kerri-Anne Havig and mom Victoria Runge stand at the head of a crowd of women at the city cenotaph Monday, Dec. 6. The women are holding pictures of the 14 women slain in the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Grand Forks women call for an end to gendered violence

A small crowd marked the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Kerri-Anne Havig and mom Victoria Runge stand at the head of a crowd of women at the city cenotaph Monday, Dec. 6. The women are holding pictures of the 14 women slain in the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Grand Forks’ Brandon Kootnekoff (above) partnered with Jennifer Grainger in mapping out Christmas displays around the city. Photo courtesy of Brandon Kootnekoff

Grand Forks duo maps out Christmas displays

Ten spectacular shows listed as of Monday, Dec. 6

Grand Forks’ Brandon Kootnekoff (above) partnered with Jennifer Grainger in mapping out Christmas displays around the city. Photo courtesy of Brandon Kootnekoff
Santa and Mrs. Claus spread Christmas joy for all the boys and girls in Grand Forks. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

IN PHOTOS: Grand Forks’ Santa parade spreads joy, Christmas cheer

Everyone made the nice list this year, says Mrs. Claus

Santa and Mrs. Claus spread Christmas joy for all the boys and girls in Grand Forks. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Six-year-old Finley Kamigochi sits on Santa’s lap outside the Kettle River Museum Saturday, Dec. 4. Photo courtesy of Mike Daloise, Chief at Midway Fire and Rescue

Santa stops for museum visit with Midway children

The Midway Community Association was joined by the fire dept, RCMP detachment

Six-year-old Finley Kamigochi sits on Santa’s lap outside the Kettle River Museum Saturday, Dec. 4. Photo courtesy of Mike Daloise, Chief at Midway Fire and Rescue
Greta on the day she was brought 'home' at four months old, only to run away that very night. (Submitted photo)

Born to be wild: Goat finds family with herd of deer

Greta the Goat sought freedom from the start

Greta on the day she was brought 'home' at four months old, only to run away that very night. (Submitted photo)
Sharlene Huska shaves the head of Samara Profili after the Webster student made short work of her $500 goal by raising more than $2,500 for three different cancer foundations. Webster principal Brian Stefani awaits his turn after making a pact with Samara to shave his head when she reached her goal. Photo: Geoff Fontes

West Kootenay student meets fundraising goal overnight, shaves head for cancer

Webster Elementary student Samara Profili raised over $2500 for fight against cancer

Sharlene Huska shaves the head of Samara Profili after the Webster student made short work of her $500 goal by raising more than $2,500 for three different cancer foundations. Webster principal Brian Stefani awaits his turn after making a pact with Samara to shave his head when she reached her goal. Photo: Geoff Fontes
Chuck Clarkson, 97, is Nelson’s oldest war veteran. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

UPDATE: Nelson veteran remembers Second World War

Chuck Clarkson, 97, joined the Canadian military at 16

Chuck Clarkson, 97, is Nelson’s oldest war veteran. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Gallery 2’s Bronwen Bird sets up a photo using camera equipment funded by the Phoenix Foundation. Photo courtesy of Tina Bryan

Phoenix Foundation supports online programming at Gallery 2

Gallery announces Civic Arts Grants recipients for year ahead

Gallery 2’s Bronwen Bird sets up a photo using camera equipment funded by the Phoenix Foundation. Photo courtesy of Tina Bryan