(CHBZ-FM) WILD 1047

Sparwood sprinkling regulations

Simone Joseph — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 22:00:04 +0000

The District of Sparwood sprinkling regulations are in effect now through September 30 to promote water conservation.

Even-numbered addresses can water on even calendar days, and odd-numbered addresses can water on odd calendar days.

Homes with automatic irrigation systems can water daily, provided the watering occurs between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Exceptions to sprinkling restrictions include nurseries, golf courses, farms, turf and tree farms, municipal parks, playing fields, and other municipal properties.

There will be special permission for residents who have installed a new lawn (either seed or sod) for a period of 21 days after installation of the lawn.

BCHC and PJHL join forces to strengthen junior-A player pathways

Simone Joseph — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 21:00:40 +0000

The British Columbia Hockey Conference (BCHC), the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL), and BC Hockey have announced a new B.C. Junior Development Agreement aimed at supporting player growth and creating clearer advancement opportunities.

BCHC and PJHL clubs will work together to provide junior hockey athletes with opportunities for affiliation and advancement as they navigate the U20 Development and Junior A levels with maximum exposure, flexibility and choice.

“The BCHC is pleased to work with the Pacific Junior Hockey League to establish a consistent and trusted development pathway for players to reach the WHL and college hockey,” says Jeff Dubois, Commissioner of the BCHC.

“Our members are excited to work closely with teams in the PJHL to build this relationship and promote player opportunity and achievement.”

The BCHC was approved by BC Hockey as British Columbia’s sanctioned Junior A league in April 2026 and will begin its inaugural season in September with 22 members spread throughout the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Okanagan, Thompson, Cariboo and Kootenays.

“This agreement reflects a new era of Junior Hockey in B.C.,” says PJHL Co-Commissioner Dave Newson.

“The PJHL is committed and focused on developing and advancing players, and collaborative agreements such as these help define the process and pathway for players to progress from our league.”

The PJHL was founded in 1961, and its 8 Lower Mainland members serve athletes as B.C.’s only U20 Junior Development league, designed to support a broader base of developing players by emphasizing growth, consistency, and long-term progression within community-based environments.

Cranbrook Council moves to add graffiti to unsightly premises bylaw

Simone Joseph — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 19:00:15 +0000

Cranbrook City Council are updating the City’s unsightly premises bylaws to include graffiti.

The update means graffiti is defined as writing or images scratched, painted, or drawn on walls, fences, signs, buildings, or other structures, while approved public art murals are not included.

It would also make it clear that graffiti visible from a road or public place cannot be placed or left on private property.

Around Cranbrook, graffiti has become more noticeable, including downtown, affecting how safe and welcoming an area feels.

The city says adding graffiti provisions to the bylaw would give property owners clearer expectations and provide a way for the City to respond when voluntary cleanup does not happen.

In most cases, Bylaw Services would respond to complaints rather than proactively enforce the bylaw, unless the graffiti is vulgar or includes racial slurs.

In addition, the City also needs to update the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw so that Bylaw Enforcement Officers can issue tickets for graffiti violations.

The proposed fine would be $150, which is consistent with other Unsightly Premises Bylaw offences, with a reduced early payment amount of $100 and a late payment penalty of $200.

The proposed amendment was given three readings by Council on Monday night (July 13).

Construction season underway amid slower permit year in Kimberley

Alyssa Conti — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:00:45 +0000

Kimberley council has received the latest update on key projects around the city.

Chief administrative officer Jim Hendricks presented a second-quarter administration update on Monday, July 13, detailing the status of major capital projects, wastewater treatment plant upgrades, the Archibald Bridge rehabilitation and more.

“There’s a bunch of projects that are in the design phase that we’re gonna be moving forward with,” said Hendricks.

“The planning department has been busy as always [with the] number of bylaws and development files, including the development permit on Tamarack Valley, which was recently approved.”

Twelve new housing units were approved between April and June.

Troy Pollock, the City’s manager of planning and sustainability, told Council that it may be a “much slower year” for permit approvals overall.

“There’s really only a few projects that we’ve approved development permits for, and they’re not large, […] and right now we’re not even certain that we’re gonna see building permits on those this calendar year. They’re still working on final design and funding details and everything,” Pollock added.

The Kimberley Avenue reconstruction project is expected to take place between late July and this fall.

Other projects expected to start this month include the Wallington Avenue East reconstruction, the Morrison Sub Lift Station upgrades, and a waterline tie-in at the WWTP. Commissioning for the plant is set to begin in the third quarter of 2028.

RDEK seeks election officials for this fall

Alyssa Conti — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:00:03 +0000

The Regional District of East Kootenay is putting out feelers to any resident who may want to work in the local elections this fall.

“These are important positions that help ensure voters have a smooth and positive experience, and we encourage anyone interested in supporting the election process to apply,” explains RDEK Chief Election Officer Tina Hlushak.

“We’re encouraging community members from all backgrounds to consider applying.”

Responsibilities include greeting and registering voters, watching ballot boxes and voting stations, and answering questions about the voting process.

Election experience is not required.

Application forms and more details are available through the RDEK’s webpage until August 14.

Mandatory training for successful applicants is scheduled for October 5 in Cranbrook, with elections on October 17.

Unemployment rates drop to 4.6 per cent in the Kootenays for June

Simone Joseph — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:00:23 +0000

Statistics Canada says the unemployment rate in the Kootenays has decreased in June compared to last month.

The latest figures show the unemployment rate fell to 4.6 per cent in June, down from 5.2 per cent in May and 6.3 per cent in June 2025.

In June, the population was estimated at 151,100 people, with 88,100 people having jobs and 4,200 trying to find jobs.

This time last year, the population was 150,100 people, with 84,700 holding jobs and 5,700 looking for work.

The national unemployment rate declined 0.1 per cent from May to 6.5 per cent.

This decline follows a 0.3 per cent drop in May.

The unemployment rate for youth aged 15 to 24 fell 0.7 per cent to 12.7 per cent in June, following a 0.9 per cent decline in May.

The decline in the youth unemployment rate in June was associated with an increase, driven primarily by part-time work.

Among people in the core working age (25 to 54 years old), the unemployment rate was unchanged for both women (5.5 per cent) and men (5.7 per cent) in June.

On a year-over-year basis, the unemployment rate for women had little change, while among men it was down 0.4 per cent.

The unemployment rate among people aged 55 and older rose 0.2 per cent to 5.2 per cent in June, following three consecutive months of little variation.

Despite this, both employment and the unemployment rate among people aged 55 and older were little changed on a year-over-year basis.

Furthermore, employment in accommodation and food services rose by 15,000 – a 1.2 per cent increase in June, the third consecutive monthly increase.

On the other hand, employment in manufacturing decreased by 17,000 (-0.9 per cent) in June, offsetting the increase in May.

Employment in manufacturing has recorded a net decline of 61,000 (-3.2 per cent drop) from the recent peak in January 2025, coinciding with a period of tariff-related uncertainty for the sector.

Kootenay hot springs get nearly $86K in B.C. funding

Alyssa Conti — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:30:06 +0000

Residents may see a slight boost in the region’s tourism sector with new support from the province.

The B.C. government has allocated nearly $86,000 to help attract more visitors to Nakusp Hot Springs, located roughly 165 kilometres northwest of Cranbrook, across the mountains.

“Nakusp Hot Springs is more than a destination, it’s a place that supports local jobs, brings people together and helps the community thrive,” said Ravi Kahlon, minister of jobs and economic growth.

Funding will support the engineering of a new wastewater treatment system, upgrades to potable water infrastructure, and a better understanding of visitor demand for more accommodation.

“For more than 50 years, the Nakusp Hot Springs have been a cornerstone of tourism and economic activity in our community and area,” said Tom Zeleznik, mayor of Nakusp. “As a community-owned facility, increased visitation strengthens local businesses, creates employment opportunities and helps ensure the hot springs continue to benefit Nakusp and the surrounding area for generations to come.”

The initiative is funded through the B.C. Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program, and is expected to create four full-time, one part-time and one seasonal job.

Council adopts zoning bylaw for supportive housing project in Cranbrook

Simone Joseph — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:30:07 +0000

City Council has adopted a zoning bylaw for a new supportive housing project in Cranbrook.

In the June 22 Council meeting, an application from Cover Architectural Collaborative Incorporated, on behalf of the Provincial Rental Housing Corporation, was reviewed.

The application was to amend the R-6 High Density Multiple Family Residential Zone for the property at 217 16th Avenue North.

The vacant gravel lot, located beside the Community Connections Step Beyond Shelter, is currently used mainly for parking.

BC Housing purchased the lot in 2022 and plans to build a low-income supportive housing development on the site, in the form of an apartment building.

The proposed development would provide homes for people at risk of homelessness, along with access to supportive services such as medical care, mental health supports, and employment assistance within the residential building.

The application also requested an increase in the maximum number of units from 46 to 50.

Concerns were raised around the area due to homelessness regarding RCMP complaints, increased traffic, garbage and tents being set up outside of city buildings.

Council gave the bylaw three readings at its June 22, 2026 meeting, and the bylaw was then sent to the Ministry of Transportation for approval. The Ministry approved it on June 24, 2026.

A public hearing was not held because provincial legislation does not allow one for this type of residential zoning amendment when it is consistent with the Official Community Plan, but notices were advertised and sent to nearby residents.

The amendment is intended to reduce barriers to new housing, support development on underused infill land, and help increase the City’s affordable housing supply.

Koocanusa Village asks water users to obey No Wake Zone rules

Alyssa Conti — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:30:37 +0000

A lakeside community between Cranbrook and Fernie is asking residents to keep water-use rules in mind as summer gets into full swing.

Koocanusa Village says the No Wake Zone near the village marina is in place to prevent moored boats from slamming against docks or other boats, leaving “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in “avoidable” damage.

“A great day on Lake Koocanusa starts with respecting the water—and each other,” wrote the Village. “Thank you to everyone who slows down, respects the No Wake Zone, and helps protect our marina and our community.”

The 145-kilometre man-made lake lies along the Canada-U.S. border in Montana and most recently hosted the provincial and national wakesurfing competitions in 2025.

Morgan Wallen Shares New Piano Version of Unreleased Song

Celine Trimarchi — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 04:14:07 +0000

Morgan Wallen is teasing us once again!

View this post on Instagram

The country superstar shared a new snippet of an unreleased song on his social media, this time stripping it back with a piano-driven version. Alongside the clip, he wrote:

“Maybe I’ll release this one before the boats get winterized this time.”

Now we’ve actually heard this song for a while now, but in a different style. Wallen previously teased a fuller version on social media, first giving us a taste of the track with a more produced sound.

@uncharted_sounds

#morganwallen #unreleasedmusic

♬ original sound – morganwallen

Now that we’ve heard both takes, the question is… which version will we get?

Or better yet, why not both?!

With Wallen continuing to tease the song, we’re already wondering if a surprise release could be coming as soon as this Friday.. Hey nothing has been confirmed, but the timing certainly have us hoping!