Gillian Francis

Santa Claus Parade chair Shane Nickel-Thibodeau handed Cranbrook Foodbank Society volunteer coordinator Rachel Wolff a cheque for $3,957.03 on March 22. The money will go towards obtaining food essentials to feed locals in need (photo by Gillian Francis)

Supply chain shortage impacts Calgary and Cranbrook food banks

Calgary Food Bank has stopped supplying Cranbrook Foodbank Society with goods

Santa Claus Parade chair Shane Nickel-Thibodeau handed Cranbrook Foodbank Society volunteer coordinator Rachel Wolff a cheque for $3,957.03 on March 22. The money will go towards obtaining food essentials to feed locals in need (photo by Gillian Francis)
A student teacher enrolled in University of Victoria’s drama education course at College of the Rockies leads an acting workshop with a group of students from Steeples Secondary School. The course teaches prospective educators how to take classroom lessons beyond the textbook (photo courtesy of Maureen Frank)

Cranbrook-based education course uses theatre to cover controversial social topics

The course shows aspiring teachers how to bring social topics beyond the textbook

A student teacher enrolled in University of Victoria’s drama education course at College of the Rockies leads an acting workshop with a group of students from Steeples Secondary School. The course teaches prospective educators how to take classroom lessons beyond the textbook (photo courtesy of Maureen Frank)
The Tri Cities won gold at the B.C Hockey U13 Female Provincial Championships in Cranbrook. They defeated the Richmond Ravens in the semi finals and the North East Predators in the gold medal game (Photo courtesy of David Carmichael)

Female U13 Bucks defence set personal record during provincial championships

Female U13 Bucks did not make finals, but they played strong game against Wildcats

The Tri Cities won gold at the B.C Hockey U13 Female Provincial Championships in Cranbrook. They defeated the Richmond Ravens in the semi finals and the North East Predators in the gold medal game (Photo courtesy of David Carmichael)
Cranbrook city councillor Lynnette Wray dropped the puck for Bucks team member Charlie Morrison, left, and Ravens team member Quinn Cyr (Gillian Francis photo)

PHOTOS: Bucks and Ravens kick off provincial championship in Cranbrook

Female U13 Bucks carved up the ice at Memorial Arena on March 23 for first provincial game

Cranbrook city councillor Lynnette Wray dropped the puck for Bucks team member Charlie Morrison, left, and Ravens team member Quinn Cyr (Gillian Francis photo)
Cranbrook does not have a mosque, so local Muslims worship in the houses of their friends and family (Photo courtesy of Google images)

Cranbrook’s close-knit Muslim community observes Ramadan through kinship and prayer

Muslims consider Ramadan to be a month of personal reflection and spiritual growth

Cranbrook does not have a mosque, so local Muslims worship in the houses of their friends and family (Photo courtesy of Google images)
A cyclist stops for a break overlooking the hoodoos near St. Mary River (photo courtesy of Town of Cranbrook)

Cranbrook Tourism Master Plan, newly-completed, presents framework for economic growth

The plan outlines improvements to make the city more sightseer friendly

A cyclist stops for a break overlooking the hoodoos near St. Mary River (photo courtesy of Town of Cranbrook)
Creston Museum displays historical photos for the public during the Columbia Basin Culture Tour (Courtesy of West Kootenay Arts Council).

Columbia Basin Culture Tour showing local art in Kootenay region

Participants can drive around the Kootenays and view art and historic sites

Creston Museum displays historical photos for the public during the Columbia Basin Culture Tour (Courtesy of West Kootenay Arts Council).
Hula hoop artist Fox Spirals spun a routine at the Kootenay Children's Festival in 2022 (Barry Coulter photo)

Kootenay Children’s Festival promises fun and games for the whole family

Event will feature performances from Will’s Jams, Bonnie Harvey and The Amuse Troupe.

Hula hoop artist Fox Spirals spun a routine at the Kootenay Children's Festival in 2022 (Barry Coulter photo)
Jamie Adkins is an unconventional clown, having replaced the traditional red rubber nose and colourful outfit with a simple suit	(Gillian Francis photo)

PHOTOS: Virtuoso clown Jamie Adkins takes centre stage in Cranbrook

Adkins juggled for a crowd at the Key City Theatre on March 16

Jamie Adkins is an unconventional clown, having replaced the traditional red rubber nose and colourful outfit with a simple suit	(Gillian Francis photo)
Avalanche Canada advises outdoor adventurers to avoid steep elevation, in light of recent weather conditions, which are ideal for avalanches. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Avalanche danger risk rated ‘considerable’ for Southern Interior

Storm slab and deep persistent slab avalanches are likely in Kootenay region

Avalanche Canada advises outdoor adventurers to avoid steep elevation, in light of recent weather conditions, which are ideal for avalanches. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Katherine Lui, a grade six student at Fernie Academy, provided a demonstration of a homemade bottle crusher, which she and her project partner Nola Locker, made from cardboard (Gillian Francis photo)

PHOTOS: East Kootenay Science Fair puts spotlight on youth talent

Students from across the Kootenays presented their best scientific inventions

Katherine Lui, a grade six student at Fernie Academy, provided a demonstration of a homemade bottle crusher, which she and her project partner Nola Locker, made from cardboard (Gillian Francis photo)
The Female Bucks U13 team is hosting the provincial Championships for the very first time later this month (courtesy of team manager Erin Lalonde).

Female Bucks will take their shot at locally hosted U13 championships

Bucks will play off against rival B.C teams at Memorial Arena from March 23 to 26

The Female Bucks U13 team is hosting the provincial Championships for the very first time later this month (courtesy of team manager Erin Lalonde).
Jared Teneese, operations coordinator for Cranbrook History Centre and Ktunaxa First Nation member, stands in front of the exhibit's display of youth poetry and art. (Photo by Gillian Francis/Black Press Media)

Cranbrook History Centre’s new exhibit offers perspectives on Indigenous history

History, poetry and film, are among the exhibit’s many offerings

Jared Teneese, operations coordinator for Cranbrook History Centre and Ktunaxa First Nation member, stands in front of the exhibit's display of youth poetry and art. (Photo by Gillian Francis/Black Press Media)
A crowd of warm-hearted locals braved cold temperatures on Saturday (Feb. 25) for Cranbrook’s Coldest Night Of The Year walk, a fundraiser organized by Community Connections Society to help hungry and homeless populations on Saturday, Feb. 25. (Barry Coulter photo)

Coldest Night Of The Year walk freezes hands, warms hearts in Cranbrook

Fundraiser raises more than $40,000 for the “hurting, hungry and homeless”

A crowd of warm-hearted locals braved cold temperatures on Saturday (Feb. 25) for Cranbrook’s Coldest Night Of The Year walk, a fundraiser organized by Community Connections Society to help hungry and homeless populations on Saturday, Feb. 25. (Barry Coulter photo)
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