Gloria Smee was born on September 8, 1948, in Ogden, Utah, to Nephi Manning and Ruth Mae Manning. She lived a life shaped by creativity, resilience, and a heart that never stopped giving. She adored her four children—Angela Ferraro, Heidi Smee, Todd Smee, and Holly Smee—whom she lovingly called her sun, her moon, and her […]

The Local Government Compliance and Enforcement Association of British Columbia (LGCEA) has named City of Trail Bylaw Enforcement Officer Bobbie Briscoe its 2026 Officer of the Year, recognizing her outstanding contribution to community safety, outreach and professional leadership. Briscoe is known for her approach to bylaw enforcement: grounded in dignity, respectful communication and compassionate engagement with […]

 BCNDP MLAs Steve Morissette and Brittny Anderson say that provincial funding being distributed to local governments, regional districts, and First Nations across the province, including in the Kootenays, will support emergency support services, making sure people who are displaced and impacted in emergencies can access the support they need. “Whether its firefighters working to protect […]

On April 15, 2026, Trail RCMP obtained a search warrant for a residence in Fruitvale. Trail RCMP received a report on April 10, 2026, related to a firearms complaint. As a result of the investigation, officers determined that firearms offences had occurred and applied for a search warrant at a residence on Mills Road in Fruitvale. Officers conducted a […]

Each year, hundreds of Columbia Basin residents must travel outside the region to access specialized medical care at Kelowna General Hospital, often for extended periods of time. To help reduce the financial and emotional strain this medical travel places on Basin families, Columbia Basin Trust is supporting an expansion of JoeAnna’s House in Kelowna in partnership with […]

You’re invited to get a first-hand look at cutting-edge sustainability features showcased at a pair of buildings in Castlegar, Selkirk College’s Castlegar Campus and the Confluence building, at a tour on Thursday, April 23. The first stop is Selkirk College’s Castlegar Campus. Moving from the main building to the Mir Centre for Peace, the tour will […]

As wildfire seasons grow longer and more destructive, rural communities in British Columbia are turning to a proactive, made-in-B.C. solution: mapping water sources in advance of fire emergencies. Led by Living Lakes Canada, a water science and stewardship non-profit, this initiative is helping communities across the Columbia Basin strengthen their emergency readiness by identifying and […]

A non-replaceable forest licence has been awarded to Box Lake Lumber Products, enhancing its operations and the sustainable use of local timber. The opportunity is targeted to boost B.C.’s value‑added wood sector, putting to work unlogged timber. “A stable supply of wood to small-town forestry companies is a win for everyone in the community,” said […]

“Haven’t you got anything better to do?” This was a common attitude expressed by drivers after being told that they had been stopped for a traffic rule infraction. “Why aren’t you out catching real criminals?” I’m not sure these drivers believed me when I told them that they were more likely to suffer financial loss, […]

March 27 saw fire crews responding to a residential fire on Hazelwood Drive according to KBRFR Acting Captain Kyle Boutin. Boutin said the call came in at 10:33 p.m., and crews arrived at 10:39 p.m. to find heavy smoke and flame coming from the rear of the home. “The fire started accidentally from a faulty […]