The country star has announced his new album Banks Of The Trinity, coming June 26. It marks his first project since 2023, and we’ve been ready for new music ever since.

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This time, Johnson is leaning into his roots, promising a more personal, back-to-basics sound inspired by where he came from.

In the meantime, we’ll be blasting and (crying to) ‘I Want You’ day and night. But we’re sure we’ll get more singles before the release date.

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Banks Of The Trinity isn’t just a new release—it’s a return to what made him in the first place.

Street sweeping in Cranbrook is moving to a new zone on Monday (Apr. 20).

City crews are set to begin spring cleanup in Zone Three East and West, removing gravel and debris left behind from the winter months.

Zone Three East runs from Second Street South and Baker Mountain Road to Eighth-A Street South, between 27th and 34th Avenues South.

Zone Three West covers Victoria Avenue to 27th Avenue South, between College Way and Seventh Street South.

Work is scheduled to take place Monday to Friday, between 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Residents are asked to park off the street where possible to help crews complete a thorough cleanup.

The B.C. government has now invested $100,000 to support training and capacity-building at the City of Cranbrook’s Safe Community Situation Table. 

“Situation tables support safe communities, ensuring police and front-line responders can access improved coordinated services for people in crisis or at risk due to mental health, addiction, brain injuries or other complex needs,” said Nina Krieger, minister of public safety and solicitor general. 

“Public safety challenges are best addressed through a collaborative, coordinated and community-based approach, and the situation table in Cranbrook has demonstrated strong benefits in the community.”

The table brings together community partners from health, law enforcement, education, human services and non-profit sectors to address issues ranging from violent repeat offending to mental health and addictions.

Since its launch in 2023, the table has held 66 talks on at-risk individuals and families, with 47 per cent of table interventions reportedly cutting down a client’s risk.

“The City of Cranbrook is very grateful to receive this provincial funding that provides ongoing support for this important initiative,” said Mayor Wayne Price. “This support is a great example of intergovernmental commitment to public safety for our community.”

Council approved a contract with the Fernie Rotary and Lions Clubs at the meeting on Tuesday (Apr. 14), allowing them to deliver and build on Canada Day celebrations for three years.

City-held festivities have been declining in size and scope in recent years due to fewer volunteers, reduced resources and funding cuts. 

That is, until 2025, when the Rotary Club led a large-scale celebration more akin to the City’s earlier efforts.

“Needless to say, the last Canada Day was one of the best I have seen in the 16 years that I’ve lived in this town,” said Councillor Harsh Ramadass. “Just the fact that five organizations can come together and put up something that remarkable. […] it’s just been an incredible achievement.”

Roughly 2,500 people showed up for the event, with more than 60 volunteers contributing over 1,700 hours to put it together.

As a result, the Rotary Club and the Lions Club have asked to continue hosting Canada Day activities, with an annual funding request of $10,000, increasing by three per cent each year, plus $4,000 in-kind support.

The motion was unanimously approved and will be in effect from 2026 to 2028.

The Regional District of East Kootenay, specifically in Cranbrook, Invermere and Kimberley, has received $120,000 for IT equipment, training and volunteer development, while the Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it First Nation has received $25,520 for training, group lodging supplies and personal protective equipment.

“When people have to leave their homes during an emergency, they need support to be available quickly,” said Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Kelly Greene. 

“This funding helps communities prepare to deliver that support, from recruiting and training volunteers to equipment and supplies for reception centres and group lodging, helping ensure assistance is ready when people need it most.”

More than $220,195 was allotted to the Central Kootenay Regional District.

Golden and Revelstoke have each also received $29,056 and $21,331, respectively, for equipment upgrades and volunteer recruitment.

“These investments will help make sure our team is well equipped, well trained and ready to provide timely, co-ordinated support to residents during emergencies, when it matters most,” said Karen Cathcart with the Golden and Area Emergency Management Program. 

Nearly $2.5 million has been distributed to 54 emergency support service projects across B.C. as part of the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund.

Crown land crews have been operating in the Cranbrook Community Forest and Baker Mountain Road.

Work included removing surface fuels and small trees, then placing them in burn piles that would remain in place throughout the summer.

“These piles require time to cure and will be safely burned in the fall when conditions allow, in accordance with provincial regulations and the Ministry of Environment’s Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation,” said the Regional District of East Kootenay.

Signs will be posted during active work.

Motorists are asked to help reduce the risk of accidental fires or equipment damage by avoiding the treatment sites.

Crews are set to return in the fall to complete the burning work, depending on weather, moisture and smoke conditions.

Thirty new spaces for before- and after-school care have opened at Jaffray Elementary Junior Secondary School (JESS), thanks to a joint B.C. and federal funding of $1.2 million through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund.

“Adding new child care spaces at Jaffray Elementary Junior Secondary School will make a real difference for local families,” said Lisa Beare, minister of education and child care. “We are committed to creating these spaces to support early learning, build strong connections, and help children develop skills that will carry them forward in life.”

The spaces will be operated by South Country SPC Society, also known as South Country Kids Care.

The grand opening event was held on April 15, along with the Ready, Set, Learn program, which includes introducing play-based activities and resources to help get kids ready for kindergarten.

The City set an all-time high of just over $100 million worth of permit values in 2025.

This year, staff shared that building activity in Cranbrook has totalled more than $243 million from January to March alone.

“This data is exciting and shows there is strong, renewed interest in the development and growth of Cranbrook,” said Mike Matejka, director of engineering and development services. 

“While we are seeing plenty of applications and preliminary assessments, these tend to be quite fluid and plans can change. But even if most of these applications and projects get off the ground, it would be significant.”

Staff told Council Monday night that the shift is due to major growth in institutional projects and multifamily development.

Nearly 150 new housing units have also been approved by the end of February, with 576 units in the process.

“The significant growth in purpose-built rental accommodations will address the greatest housing need identified in the Housing Needs Assessment for the City, providing more housing options in Cranbrook and relieving the tight rental market conditions for renters,” said Mayor Wayne Price.

The largest project early this year is the F.W. Green Home, followed by 252-unit apartment buildings and a 102-unit townhouse development across the city.

The City is also expecting continued momentum in commercial and industrial development for the rest of the year, including a new Finning facility next to Kal Tire.

Programs such as the Downtown and Victoria Corridor Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaws have helped generate attraction to the area by offering property tax exemptions to those investing in eligible projects.

City council adopted those bylaws in June 2025.

The Cranbrook city councillor says her campaign theme, “Building our Future Together: An Affordable and Vibrant Community”, is shaped by the core values driving her work.

“I love our community, and I believe in the power of community, the strength of people working together for a common goal,” said Wray. “When I think about initiatives and organizations I want to get involved with, I’m looking for these same shared values.”

These values include accountability, innovation and her belief in the power of community– tenets that have influenced her work both in and out of the council seat.

Wray has served as director at the East Kootenay Community Credit Union and as executive director for the Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies prior to beginning her work as a city councillor in 2022.

As mayor, she hopes to use those experiences to help build new housing, grow the local economy, bring outside resources to Cranbrook, strengthen community safety, and connect with community members.

She previously announced her candidacy in mid-January.

Wray joins former Kootenay-Rockies MLA Tom Shypitka in bidding for the mayoral race.

The election is set for Saturday, October 17, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.