The search for the 21-year-old man who went missing after his kayak overturned on Kootenay Lake has transitioned into a recovery operation although the chance of the man still reaching the shore is not impossible "Given the timeframe that's passed I don't want there to be any false hope out there or levels of false hope that it is likely .. we are conducting a search and a recovery effort," said Creston RCMP Staff Sgt police received a call regarding an overturned kayak on Kootenay Lake just north of Creston The three parties involved were kayaking across the lake to the area known by the public as "Trashcan Beach." Midway across the lake the two leading parties peered behind them to notice that the third party's kayak had been overturned and they were unable to see him Making their way to shore the two individuals began searching for the third party to see if he had managed to swim to shore which initiated a response from provincial emergency services and several SAR teams from the surrounding area an extensive search has been ongoing that includes underwater and air drones scent canines and other equipment to locate the missing man but the primary search area is in open water," said Buliziuk The surrounding area is currently loosely closed off and police have expressed that though they appreciate offers from the general public to help they are asking people to avoid the area to mitigate potential cross-contamination for the use of the canines Everybody's willing to drop what they're doing and come out and help when there's a tragedy," said Buliziuk The recovery search for the man is still ongoing May 1 - Creston man, 21, goes missing on Kootenay Lake after kayak capsized Sign In Subscribe Now capped off its spring 2025 season with concerts on April 26 and 27 “We were extremely pleased with the outcome,” said president Micah Wassink “The cold & flu season this year gave us a really rough start with so many absent singers through the first half and a very sick director too.”   hard work pays off and the concert was very well received by an always appreciative Creston audience “We’re especially hearing so much great feedback for the big anthemic Italian piece we did (Sogno di Volare) “We love that (director Laura Johnson) feels she can challenge us in this way  And people are really enjoying the effort we’re making to feature other guests Among them was a group of kindergarten and Grade 1 students from Adam Robertson Elementary School Teacher (and choir member) Jennifer Gardner led the class through their rendition of This Little Light of Mine and then they joined with the whole choir for a second run-through closing out the first half together with a jubilant  Other guests included 13-year-old piano student who performed an original piece he composed two years ago and Circle of Strings (a harp trio made up of Gail Southall The choir also took this opportunity to announce its contribution to the Creston Auditorium Society’s fund-raising efforts to earn the over $100,000 needed to replace the aging lighting system in the Kootenay River Theatre Wassink explains that the primary source of revenue for the choir comes from the audience when they buy tickets to the concerts we’re always very conscious of what we do with that money," said Wassink. "We do save for our own needs – such as new equipment (like the risers and soundshell) or for the $1,000 Lillian Griffith that is given to a deserving high school graduate each year But this is an opportunity to support not just our own needs but those of our fellow users of the theatre We all contribute to the vibrant cultural buffet this community offers and we all depend on this performance venue.”   On behalf of the choir and its loyal audience Wassink presented a cheque for $5,000 to Creston Auditorium Society president Jason Smith with heart-felt thanks for all the theatre adds to the rich life of the Creston Valley The non-audition choir starts its fall season in mid to early September preparing for its annual Christmas concert Tenors and basses are always  in high demand go to blossomvalleysingers.com or email to bvscreston@gmail.com.  Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines A large search has been activated after a kayaker's boat overturned on Kootenay Lake A 21-year old Creston man is missing after kayaking near "Trashcan Beach” with two other individuals Creston police received a call on April 30 explaining that the man's kayak had capsized and that they could not locate him "We are currently searching for the subject," said Scott Spencer SAR volunteers said that they were able to recover the man's kayak but that it has not yet been located the water scent dog from Kelowna SAR as well as three boats one from Kaslo and one from Castlegar as well as a couple of Sea-doos searching the area right now." Castanet has reached out to the Creston RCMP for comment Creston's violent crime calls saw a noticeable spike in the first quarter of this year and it’s tiring officers out violent crime calls within the municipality are up by 11 per cent while rural calls also increase by 7 per cent Creston RCMP serves the surrounding area from Riondel to Yahk and has staffed 12 out of the 13 positions Creston RCMP Staff Sergeant Brandon Buliziuk said that the numbers can be attributed to higher reporting levels “It can also be attributed to a rise in that type of crime,” he said in a Creston council meeting presentation on April 22 He added that the challenges surrounding more serious offences have been in part deepened by the current bail system explaining that officers seldom see offenders incarcerated for periods of time more often than not,” he said while also stressing that he doesn’t intend to make this a slight against the current judicial system A shift to virtual bail proceedings has also been adding strain on local resources Frontline fatigue is becoming a concern within the department due to limited vacation use and staffing demands One demand in particular that takes up a large chunk of the officers' time is the transporting of offenders When the courts issue arrest warrants and the individuals don’t appear in court they are held at the local detachment rather than a provincial facility RCMP personnel are tasked with handling all calls from duty counsel and court services escorting the prisoner to and from rooms for private legal calls all while remaining physically present during the virtual bail hearing officers are responsible for housing and supervising prisoners during the whole process Strict paperwork deadlines and delayed hearings can often make it so that RCMP officers must keep prisoners longer holding them down at the detachment rather than being on patrol The previous model used to be that BC sheriffs come to the detachment transport them to the sheriff's holding facility and take them to the physical courthouse but we're working behind the scenes really hard right now.” and identified as belonging to missing Maple Ridge woman Rebecca Harbowy The Ridge Meadows RCMP reported Friday morning The 36-year-old left Ridge Meadows Hospital on Nov early into detoxing from drug use. Her family has been critical of the hospital letting her leave the facility on her own She was last seen walking east on the Haney Bypass at Burnett Street in Maple Ridge at approximately 2:05 a.m Police released few details about the discovery of the remains The family told The News it was in a forested area Distraught mother Debbie Harbowy is hopeful that an intense search of the area will lead to Rebecca Police have searched the area since the remains were discovered in early April The family is unsure where a search would be but plan to appeal to police for more information "I always felt in my heart she had passed away because she hadn't contacted me," said Debbie Rebecca's sister Rachel Bertoia posted videos on social media informing those who have tried to assist in finding Rebecca and those who have been following the missing woman's case She said there is a memorial at the 7-Eleven at the corner of Lougheed Highway and Haney Bypass where there is a missing person sign the family posted I think it would be really lovely for my mom to have people drop off flowers to her sign there," said Bertoia.  "I would love for my mom to be able to see the love and support that I know that we have felt." "I can't imagine being a mom losing a kid." Rebecca was about eight hours into what doctors advised would be a three-day stay but early the next morning she walked away Her family believes she was confused and disoriented She lived with her parents in the Yennadon area Debbie had been sitting with her daughter until midnight she got a call from the hospital that her daughter had left driving the streets of Maple Ridge for hours the family canvassed people in the hospital neighbourhood and searched the area They obtained video showing Rebecca walking down River Road eastbound near the Port Haney West Coast Express station at 1:46 a.m A tipster saw a woman matching Rebecca’s description walking on the Haney Bypass at approximately 2 a.m Another video showed her on the Haney Bypass at Burnett Street at 2:05 a.m. A man said he almost hit a woman walking on Lougheed Highway near 240 Street but the description of the woman having her hair up in a bun matched they have learned nothing more about Rebecca's movements Police and searchers combed roadsides and the edge of the Fraser River Police say this continues to be an active investigation and anyone with information which could help the Ridge Meadows RCMP you are encouraged to call the Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604-463-6251 and refer to File # 2023-23402 The RCMP extended condolences to the family and friends of Rebecca Harbowy community partners and volunteers for their assistance with this investigation thus far Three Vancouver Giants won gold with Team Canada on Saturday at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship Cameron Schmidt, Ryan Lin and Burke Hood all had ice time in the series with Schmidt finishing the tournament with four points (2G-2A) and 22 shots on goal in seven games while Lin – who was one of five underagers on Canada and is eligible for next year’s tournament – recorded two points (1G-1A) and was +8 in seven games Hood played in pre-tournament action during his first time representing Canada internationally It marks the first time Canada has won U18 gold in consecutive years and it is also the seventh year in a row for a medal for Sweden Canada was in control for the entirety of Saturday’s gold medal game three in the second and two more in the third "We had a plan to get pucks in and to the net," said coach Cory Stillman of getting pucks back to the defencemen who got shots on net We had some big bodies that went to the net We built some momentum and eventually created some scoring chances and capitalized." This is the third time Schmidt has won a gold medal representing Canada after also winning at the 2023 U17 World Hockey Challenge with Canada White (where he scored the golden goal) and at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup This is the second time Lin has won a gold medal representing Canada after finishing first at the 2024 U17 World Hockey Challenge with Canada White Lin also played for Canada at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games About the Author: Langley Advance Times Staff While some say the arrival of robins and blooming tulips signal the start of spring Creston residents mark the season with a time-honoured tradition – the Blossom Festival the annual community celebration runs over the May long weekend and promises a wide range of events and activities for all ages being born and raised in Creston," said Jennifer Huscroft whose later father Johnny Huscroft was heavily involved in the event planning "It's always been something in our family to give back to the community. I love getting to be a part of something that highlights our valley and brings in lots of fun and unique activities."  the Hunt for the Golden Blossom kicks off on the Friday A clue will be posted to www.blossomfestival.ca at 4 p.m. with the whereabouts of the golden item (Note: trespassing or damaging private property is strictly prohibited.) Play for a chance to win a $500 prize Tickets are available online at crestontickets.ca for $28 each. The evening will also feature the Citizen of the Year Awards on Saturday morning, the Blossom Festival parade will march down Canyon Street from Dairy Queen to the Creston Valley Mall the Creston Valley Flying Club will perform a fly-by at 10:50 a.m "Our theme this year is 'Love of Farming' to highlight the local agriculture in the valley and the different things that are grown here," said Huscroft owner of Kootenay Meadows who also appeared on the TV show Farming for Love enjoy a hearty breakfast hosted by the Creston Lions Club next to 7-Eleven from 7:30 to 11 a.m with work by Kootenay River Secondary School students displayed in storefront windows all weekend a free lunch of taco in a bag will be offered at Legion Hall (11 Ave The portable snack will be perfect to take walking around downtown to check out other events and local businesses.  at Millennium Park and proceeds along Cedar Street to Centennial Park "We have a lot of new people to the valley and even though our children's parade is like a long standing tradition a lot of people aren't aware that it's actually it's a chance for children to have their own parade and participate and dress up," said Huscroft the Creston Minor League will host a picnic barbecue in the park Children who took part in the parade will receive a free hot dog and drink The long weekend is a huge showing of community spirit in the Creston Valley with much more in store including the Yaqan Nukiy Powwow and the Blossom 5K and 10K runs.  events are not just limited to town limits The Artisans of Crawford Bay welcome visitors to take the beautiful 70-minute drive down the east shore to check out their wares the Kootenay Smoke 'n Guns competition will see mounted cowboys showing off their sharp shooting skills.  Commemorative pins are available at the Creston Valley Visitor Centre and farmers' market for $5 each Proceeds go right back to the festival to putting on all of the great free events.  "We have a huge team of volunteers to put this together literally thousands of hours go into organizing this every year," said Huscroft but we're very lucky to have the dedicated people we do." An Instagram influencer known for producing outdoor-related content was sentenced on May 1 at the Yukon Territorial Court for illegally hunting three bears and obtaining Yukon hunting licences using misleading information between October 2022 and May 2023 relate to offences committed under the Yukon Wildlife Act Justice Katherine McLeod ordered Hamm to pay a $10,500 fine and an equal amount in contributions to the Yukon conservation fund for illegally hunting three bears within a five-day period in May 2023 McLeod fined Hamm $2,750 and $1,750 for obtaining hunting licences using misleading information on two separate occasions between 2022 and 2023 She also ordered him to contribute a total of $3,500 to the conservation fund for both counts of obtaining Yukon hunting licenses as a non-resident McLeod prohibited Hamm from hunting in Yukon for two years McLeod ruled that Hamm must complete an online hunter education and ethics development course before he can obtain a Yukon hunting licence again She also ordered him to forfeit pelts from the bears he hunted Defence lawyer Kevin Drolet told the court that Hamm could make the payment immediately and that the necessary funds were held in a trust account Hamm attended the proceedings virtually from outside the territory Crown prosecutor Kelly McGill presented submissions on sentencing noting that the Yukon Wildlife Act authorizes the courts to impose a fine of up to $50,000 or up to one year in custody for the offences on the indictment McGill and Drolet agreed upon sentencing recommendations for the offences on the indictment that Hamm pleaded guilty to including an equal amount in contributions to the conservation fund as well as a two-year hunting ban and a three-year prohibition on joining groups out on hunts McGill and Drolet noted in their submissions that Yukon hunting licenses are reserved for Yukon residents and that Hamm had obtained one despite being a non-resident McGill argued that Yukon wildlife is a public resource and that non-residents can only hunt through a third party adding that Hamm’s non-compliance with Yukon’s licensing laws was an aggravating factor in sentencing McGill said Hamm hunted a grizzly bear near Kluane Lake in May 2023 and that he also hunted two black bears approximately a three-hour drive north of Haines Junction and another at Bove Island on Tagish Lake’s Windy Arm McGill also noted that conservation officers recovered two black bear hides a grizzly bear hide and a bear skull from a taxidermist in the Yukon Drolet argued in mitigation that sustainable harvest numbers for grizzly bears in 2022 were less than one-quarter of the annual sustainable harvest He also argued that Hamm submitted all the required harvest and biological reports to Yukon Conservation Officer Services after hunting the bears Drolet added that Hamm has family connections to Yukon despite the defence’s characterization of his residence as unusual due to the nature of his employment said in sentencing that the nature of Hamm’s employment should help serve as a deterrent against future offences untamed landscapes make enforcing wildlife and conservation laws difficult leaving the territory vulnerable to violations She emphasized that denunciation and deterrence should play a role in sentencing for the offences to which Hamm pleaded guilty The Creston Valley was buzzing with energy as more than 250 female athletes from across the East and West Kootenays came together for the annual Kootenay Cup Soccer Challenge.  and Jaffray joined local players on the field many bringing both junior and senior squads for a full weekend of competitive play This year marked a particularly memorable milestone for longtime tournament organizer Mel Lankhaar-Rejman For the first time in over two decades of managing the Kootenay Cup the Kootenay River Secondary School (KRSS) senior girls played five regulation matches without conceding a single goal and it was great to see so much talent and many impressive skill levels from Grades 8 to 12," said Lankhaar-Rejman The senior squad opened the tournament against Mount Baker Secondary School (MBSS) the game ended in a dramatic nine-player shootout The KRSS junior team also had two of their games go to shootouts – and came out victorious in both The Creston teams earned second place overall in both divisions the KRSS teams will travel to Nakusp from May 2 to 3 to face competitors from Grand Forks The Junior East Kootenay Championships take place May 7 in Cranbrook while the Senior AA Zone tournament — offering a berth to provincials — will be held May 14 in Nelson Thanks was extended to community sponsors Save-On-Foods and Dairy Queen for their generous support as well as the dedicated KRSS coaches – including senior coaches Tesse Poznikoff and Kat Takeda "Special thanks to the amazing teaching and coaching staff at KRSS along with parents and family for all their continued support of our young female athletes," said Lankhaar-Rejman.  A 21-year-old Creston man is missing after a kayak capsized on Kootenay Lake near the commonly known area of “Trashcan Beach” Creston RCMP responded to a report of an overturned kayak A man was kayaking with two other parties and was a significant distance from shore when his kayak capsized aircraft and water vessels were still working to locate the missing person emergency services vehicles will be visible along Highway 3A while the search remains ongoing The general public is asked to be respectful and avoid the area to limit interference with emergency personnel "Though we appreciate everyone’s willingness to help please only engage if you are directed to do so by Search and Rescue or other emergency services authorities," said Sgt Brandon Buliziuk “We understand that knowledge of this individual’s identify is circulating and is likely to cause emotional hardship for many in our valley." RCMP Victim Services are available and willing to help by contacting 250-428-9313 Out of respect for the privacy of the missing person and their family their identity will not be made public at this time The Creston Valley Farmers' Market officially opened for the season this past weekend market manager Rylee Collins says there's more variety than ever “I've been really surprised at the number of new vendors that have applied to join us this year," Collins said we have lots of our favourite returning vendors too." Several new farms have joined the market with fresh veggies and flowers along with the longstanding vendors offering a wide array of baked goods Food trucks and more ready-to-eat options are also on the rise "It's a place where you can come grocery shop Thanks to a close partnership with the Fields Forward's Food Hub new tenants will be showcasing their locally made products processed at the commercial kitchen as well.  Peak harvest months in June and July expected to bring even more fresh produce — including the return of soft fruits like cherries and peaches after last year's challenging season The Creston market is known for its local focus "You are guaranteed to be eating or buying local when you come to the farmers' market,” she said "I think the market has a reputation of being more expensive but I think compared to some prices to the grocery store you might be surprised at what you can find here," Collins said.  The BC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program will also continue to help low-income families and pregnant people access fresh local food while also putting thousands of dollars directly into farmers’ pockets roughly 38 households benefited from the program and redeemed over $21,000 at the Creston Valley Farmers' Market With many people opting for staycations or travel within Canada this year Collins is hopeful for strong support from both locals and visitors But she says the Creston community has always been the heart of the market "I think that could mean we could see more traffic here," she said. "But, of course we're always relying on our local shoppers here in Creston at ʔak̓uǂni next to the Creston Valley Visitor Centre "It feels so good to be back here in such a gorgeous space," said Collins "It's really well received by our vendors and the customers too For more information, and a sneak peek of the weekly vendors, visit the Creston Valley Farmers' Market Facebook page Students from Dragon Martial Arts Academy – Creston showcased their skills and determination at a recent competition The United Traditional Tae Kwon-Do Canada Invitational Tournament in Lethbridge drew over 200 competitors from across B.C. and Alberta competitive divisions and intense match-ups Dragon Martial Arts Academy sent 13 competitors to the event to participate in both sparring and martial arts patterns Their hard work paid off — Creston athletes brought home an outstanding total of 11 medals: four gold and the athletes gained valuable lessons and lasting memories "Taekwondo is a great individual sport which is practiced in a supportive community where everyone looks to help each other progress and improve together," said head instructor Derek Hall. "Each and every one of our Creston athletes showed not just their physical skills at this event but their sportsmanship and quality of character as well." About the Author: Creston Valley Advance Staff The Creston and District Community Complex has a multi-purpose facility with indoor features including a fitness centre and studio Outdoor features include 2 baseball fields pickle ball courts and a newly built skate park Our facility hours of operations are Monday to Friday 6am to 8:00pm Saturday 8:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday 1:00 to 6:00pm View our hours of operation and schedules from March 31 – June 29 The Active Pass is a time-based membership that gives pass-holders unlimited general admission to: Public Swim Included w/Admission group fitness classes The Leisure Access Program helps residents of all ages living in the RDCK who are in financial hardship access RDCK recreation services This program provides further subsidy on general admission and registered programs. Individuals and families are welcome to apply Click here to for more information and to apply All current pass holders will have their pass extended until May 31 Users will start to see new program details emerge before the reapplication date of May 31 For a detailed list of fees and room information please click here is a fierce advocate for conservation.  she's held numerous roles with Ducks Unlimited Canada. Currently Christenson serves as an advisor for the provincial council as well as chair for the local chapter — a role she returned to two years ago after that branch folded during the COVID-19 pandemic Christenson has reignited involvement in Creston hosting a successful banquet last fall to raise donations and attract new volunteers She also mentors newcomers to the organization hoping to pass the torch and passion for conservation to the next generation Christenson has been recognized as Volunteer of the Year in B.C for Ducks Unlimited Canada. Her award coincides with National Volunteer Week “Volunteers Make Waves,” highlights how every act of service creates a ripple effect in communities across the country “Volunteers are the currents behind our conservation efforts — propelling the organization forward since it began There are about 290 Ducks Unlimited Canada volunteers in B.C and over 3,000 across Canada committed to the conservation and responsible management of wetlands conservation has always been a family affair she fostered a love of nature in their children from an early age she was even more determined to preserve wetlands for future generations The family became actively involved in Greenwings a program that engages children under 11 in wetland conservation five of her grandchildren are legacy members who gifted them lifetime Ducks Unlimited Canada memberships “Saving the wetlands isn’t just for the birds," she said. "It’s for four-legged animals and two-legged animals — it’s for humans too … together we can protect the wetlands and wildlife for the generations of tomorrow.” The RDCK is hosting a Spring Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up Event at the Creston Landfill your patience with both the traffic and the process will be much appreciated Please use the site map provided below to familiarise yourself with the traffic flow of the event this year Traffic controllers will also be on site to assist Please note that if you miss this spring event the RDCK is also hosting a fall event in Creston in September 2025 The event date will be announced around late June Thank you in advance for your participation Click here for further information on our Household Hazardous Waste Events. The Creston Valley Health Working Group is pleased to announce the arrival of Dr scheduled to join the Family Practice Associates Clinic on March 17 has a wealth of experience with family practice medicine and a special interest in emergency care He will be joining the Creston community with his wife and three young children Adegoke is relocating under the Practice Ready Assessment program which offers opportunities to internationally-educated family physicians wishing to relocate to practice in B.C The candidates are offered mentorship at a Canadian practice for three years It is hoped the physicians will settle long term in the community and maintain a local practice The Creston Valley Health Working Group has been actively recruiting physicians and other health professionals to the Creston Valley for over 18 years the group was formed when Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) directors and Town of Creston officials saw the need for sustained health care A dedicated health recruiter reaches out to communicate with potential physicians and locums to encourage them to choose Creston for their career work Creston Family Practice Associates and Summit Medical Clinic are both teaching facilities within the University of British Columbia rural program which hosts students in Creston. The medical community is constantly welcoming students and we can each do our part to lay out the welcome mat or in the variety of shops and services offered every positive interaction with current and future health professionals is a win for all of us The Creston Valley Health Working Group is funded by the Town of Creston along with the RDCK Areas B and C Creston doctors' offices do not have individual clinic wait lists There is a centralized wait list for the Creston area Creston Valley residents without a doctor can register online at hcr.healthlinkbc.ca a place will be held on the wait list for all future intakes utilizing this system. You will be contacted by the appropriate clinic when it is your turn Those individuals without access to a computer or a smartphone can request assistance by dialing 811 A BC Services number and dates of birth for all family members is required for registration.  Sign up below for unlimited digital access for 30 days receive our daily news alerts & breaking news Voters have already begun casting their ballots in the federal election as early as April 18 in advance polls.  most voters will be going to the Creston and District Community Complex - Creston Room at 312 19 Ave. North Electors must vote only at their assigned polling place This is different from the process in some provincial elections where electors can vote at any polling location Voters can find the address for their assigned polling station on the back of their voter information card To vote, electors must prove their identity and address. The list of accepted ID can be found online at the Elections Canada website at elections.ca Residents can also vote by mail using the special ballot process The deadline to apply to vote by special ballot is Tuesday and the marked ballot must be returned by election day – Monday Visit the Elections Canada website to apply to vote via mail by April 26.  Candidates running in Columbia-Kootenay-Southern Rockies are:  Check out the Creston Valley Advance website for profiles and debate coverage with each candidate.  Sign up for free account today and start receiving our exclusive newsletters A seven-year-old missing Chilliwack girl has been found alive after she went missing from Winona Road in the Chilliwack River Valley the previous day around 4 p.m she's in good health as far as we can tell."  Chilliwack RCMP had just wrapped up a press conference when media were called back to the detachment for the good news Bowerman said that Lily had wandered "quite a distance" from her home but was in good enough shape to walk out on foot with the search-and-rescue team in place.  "I really want to the opportunity to thank the citizens of Chilliwack that assisted in this search," he said Bowerman had explained the lengths that rescuers had already gone to in order to find the young girl She had chased some neighbour's dogs into the woods beside her home on Thursday (May 1) at about 4 p.m A massive search was launched immediately by neighbours in the closely knit rural area People in Chilliwack gathered Thursday evening to help in the search for a missing seven-year-old girl and she still hadn't been found by Friday at noon.  Chilliwack RCMP put a call out at 10 p.m Thursday night, asking for the public's help to find Lily Coursol Chilliwack Search and Rescue is on scene with a command unit and crews from around the Fraser Valley were out until about 5 a.m. They are conducting a full search on the ground According to a Chilliwack RCMP news release crews are using “all technological resources available” to find Coursol.  They are urging those who want to help to stay away from the area and let the search and rescue teams do their work Initially there were about 20 neighbours searching for the girl into the night and a call was put out for more searchers to arrive Friday morning.  officials decided to stick with trained search crews and those who arrived were turned away. A police checkpoint is in place along Sleese Road.  "We understand the public’s concern and wanting to help; however the search consists of difficult terrain and is a heavily wooded area Untrained personnel in the area will make search efforts more difficult and put others at unnecessary risk," Chilliwack RCMP said.  Police say the child apparently followed her neighbour's dogs into a wooded area but did not return with them An air and ground search are currently underway She was last seen wearing all pink clothing.  Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lily Coursol is urged to contact their local police, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) our newspaper asks the community to vote in the Readers' Choice Awards the winners highlight the outstanding local businesses and individuals who continue to make a positive impact in the valley From top-notch customer service to delicious dining and unique shopping experiences these businesses exemplify the best the community has to offer the lucky winner of $200 in gift cards to Pealow's was Amanda McLean Pealow’s Independent Grocer has proven its worth continue to provide quality products and exceptional service while also giving back by being involved in many community initiatives.  The Golden Flour Bakery won GOLD for Best Baked Goods With a warm and welcoming atmosphere on Main Street Wloka Farms was recognized with GOLD for Best Place to Buy Produce They also received SILVER for Best Local Attraction/Tourist Spot and Best Place to Buy Local Goods Frank and Barb Wloka have earned their reputation for fresh high-quality fruit and veggies as well as a commitment to customer satisfaction over decades of farming. Wloka Farms continues to be a go-to destination for locals and tourists alike Bringing bold flavours and authentic cuisine to Creston Bay Leaf Indian Fusion secured GOLD for Best Vegetarian Fare and Best Restaurant for a Date Night The talented chefs and staff have cultivated a dining experience that brings mouth-watering A shining example of community support and generosity, Gleaners took home GOLD for Best Local Charitable Organization they received SILVER for Best Clothing Store and Best Place to Spend Last $10 Their dedication to providing affordable essentials and giving back funds to the community makes Gleaners a cherished These are just a few of the outstanding recipients for 2025 Congratulations to those who continue making Creston Valley an exceptional place to live Check out the March 27 issue of the Creston Valley Advance for a full list of this year's winners Enjoying Reading The Creston Valley Advance Enter your email to connect to 30 more days worth of stories by journalists living & working in Creston British Columbia will be testing it's Emergency Alert System on Wednesday an alert tone and message will be broadcast to radio and television stations as well as compatible cell phones The test takes place to make sure the province is ready when or if a large-scale disaster or emergency does strike This is an example of the message that will appear on Wednesday: "This is a TEST of the Emergency Alert system this message would tell you what to do to stay safe This information could save your life. This is ONLY a TEST The public is asked to not call 911 in response to the alert or for information about the test as it could delay help for people in crisis This is the first of two tests the province conducts every year The second will is scheduled for Wednesday the event has to follow the following criteria: Alerts can be send out by different agencies depending on the emergency.  More information about Wednesday's test or about the Emergency Alert System in general can be found on the Government of B.C.'s website.  There have been no emergency alerts in B.C forced some evacuations Thursday evening (May 1) which is 56 hectares and burning out of control was discovered on Thursday and is believed to be human caused Wildfire Service says 12 firefighters are responding alongside the Fort St along with two helicopters and an air tanker.  John posted on its Facebook page that the wildfire not currently threatening any structures as it moves beyond the Community Forest into the Peace River Regional District Evacuees were directed to the Pomeroy Sport Centre for emergency support services.  No One Covers Creston Like The Creston Valley Advance Don’t miss out on reading the latest local Join our community and receive daily news alerts & breaking news the Creston Valley Rod and Gun Club hosts an awards ceremony and fundraiser to create public awareness of the need for communities to stay engaged in fish and wildlife management The family-friendly evening will be held on Saturday 22 at the Creston and District Community Complex with trophy presentations beginning at 4:30 p.m. Join thousands of other like-minded readers and sign up below to gain immediate & unlimited access to our news for the next 30 days – plus start receiving our newsletters After decades of rumours around what could be buried under the the PNE grounds the truth is finally surfacing – literally during construction of the new Freedom Mobile Arch amphitheatre at Hastings Park at the Pacific National Exhibition grounds in Vancouver crews found a captured German gun from the First World War a number of other military artifacts were found Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Museum curator James Calhoun said there have been rumours for years that there were German guns buried at the PNE grounds "This subsequent find just shows that there was more stuff stored at the park and we’re likely to find it," Calhoun said Friday (May 2) from the Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver where the historic artillery and military artifacts have been moved.  crews have found a captured German howitzer from the First World War four captured German machine guns from the First World War two British/Canadian nine-pounder cannons from the 1870s and the "trail" of the howitzer Calhoun explained the captured guns were brought back to Canada as "trophies" and scattered throughout the country was one of the first organizations to ask for more trophies.  He said there were plans for a permanent exhibit but it never quite happened as the Depression happened Fifteen or 16 artillery pieces were stored at Hastings Park in 1933/34 and another five were cut up for scraps.  "Our attitudes changed throughout the late ‘20s and ‘30s and we got rid of stuff." Calhoun added a newspaper article in the 1940s said the remaining pieces were discarded in an "out of the way corner" in Hastings Park That area used to have a ravine that was eventually filled in when the military took over the park in 1942 "We think that they pushed them all into a ravine and just buried them.” Calhoun said it's an incredibly exciting find He said an officer was "gobsmacked" that construction could unearth these items buried in metres of dirt while also wondering why the items weren't taken to the Seaforth Armoury building Put yourself in the position of somebody in World War Two Now we're at the point that it's magical." Calhoun said there could be as many as nine more artillery pieces buried and at least 10 machine guns but the piece he's hoping for is a 210-millimetre Morser that used to sit at the entrance of Stanley Park where it was the most-photographed captured gun in Vancouver.  “We think that might be buried in the ravine at the PNE so we’re very excited about going in to look for it.” Geordie Howe is an archeologist with the Vancouver Park Board In his close to 50 years as an archeologist he said getting the phone call about this was not one of his normal days.  played at the PNE for all the years I’ve been around here as a young boy the Creston Valley Advance invites the community to participate in the Readers' Choice Awards Our readers decide who deserves the accolades for Best New Business Write in and nominate your favourite businesses and be entered to win $200 in gift cards towards Pealow's Your Independent Grocer.  Voting is open (once per day) until midnight on Feb Baseball season is about to begin in a big way the Creston Valley Minor Baseball Association (CVMBA) will host its first opening day ceremony — a family-friendly afternoon designed to showcase young local athletes and rally the community “It's a showcase of all of our athletes and what they do,” said CVMBA secretary Carly Jellis.  The day will kick off with a player parade at 12:05 p.m. After gathering public input, Town of Creston staff have provided a summary of the public feedback they received pertaining to the Park Master Plan The survey was meant to engage the public to provide input on the improvements they want to include in the plan Some of the key themes that people touched on were the need for more specific timelines for park projects improving maintenance and park clean-up efforts and the need for safe play spaces in the town’s downtown core Respondents also touched on the desire for the town to install more lighting and connection trails to the current park infrastructure The most common issues that was brought to light pertained to concerns around reports of ongoing vandalism and an uptick in the population of people experiencing homelessness According to the community services report but they have requested clearer communication going forward The plan also seeks to work alongside the yaqan nukiy community to incorporate Indigenous stories City staff has requested that the council adopt the plan at the next meeting scheduled for April 22 firefighting professionals and first responders are ramping up efforts to prepare Forecast Centre has anticipated an increased risk of drought conditions across the province for the spring and summer the Town of Creston currently does not have a drought response plan "We do put out water advisory restrictions every June no matter what a higher level could be put on," said Creston's director of infrastructure He added that a drought response plan could be included in the next draft of Creston's Master Plan In a letter from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs the government recommends that cities across the province prepare their water resources and drought response plans Municipalities are recommended to take part in a water supply status survey during drought season to understand what communities are most at risk They are also encouraging local governments to establish water monitoring programs if they have not already done so The province's geographic drought information systems describe drought as a long period with below normal rain or snow that may result in a water shortage The West Kootenay drought levels reached level three around mid-August in 2024 and levels 4 and 5 in mid-September and late October Creston had below average rainfall in July 2024 (5 millimetres) The average rainfall for this month is typically 35 mm September also was reportedly below average rainfall (5 mm) with the normal average sitting at 40 mm Nelson’s precipitation rates were below average as well during the same year The normal average rainfall for these months is 34 mm and 31 mm the combination of drought conditions and back-to-back yearly impacts of extreme weather can affect the water we need for people Foodies rejoice - there's even more reason to go out for a bite to eat in February.   is hosting the first official Burger Month.  Local restaurants are competing with their own special burger creations to compete for the best tasting The winners will be determined by community votes Creston’s Footlighters Theatre Society is bringing a classic Sherlock Holmes mystery to life the production promises an evening of intrigue and plenty of laughs follows the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes and his trusted companion as they investigate the legend of a demon hound haunting the English moors To earn the accolades of Creston's best bites the very first Burger Month was held in February The competition was hosted by the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Buy Local Creston with 12 local restaurants competing for the award of best tasting The winner for both best tasting and most unique was Kokanee Pub with the most public votes for their Yorkshire pudding bun Some Creston community members are expressing outrage over bathroom signage displayed at a local bar According to the thread of several online debates Julio's Lounge located near Canyon Street in Creston has signs reportedly posted on the establishment's bathroom doors displaying posters that read “balls at birth” or “no balls at birth” next to the traditional symbols for men and women A photo of the bathroom doors was posted on several social media pages with some community members calling for the business to be boycotted Some social media community members noted that the signs could be harmful to 2SLGBTQ+ community members while some argued online that the bar has the right to free expression "It's sad the way our society is going So hateful,'' one social media member wrote I'll make mine by sharing this around so everyone else can make their's too." Castanet (Nelson) reached out to the bar for comment Owner Wade Romano said the signs weren't put up with any malicious intent "We actually put those on because we just thought they were funny.. When asked about his thoughts surrounding community members' responses he expressed that he doesn't believe that people should be threatening his business because of the signs "I didn't think it was that big of a deal," he said Romano said that he has no plans in the near future to take down the signs "There's nothing bigoted or racist about it," said Romano many in the community are expressing their concerns over the sign's rhetoric citing that the wording could make transgender men and women and other marginalized groups feel unwelcome The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is holding the annual spring household hazardous waste round-up in Creston materials can be dropped off at the Creston Landfill (1501 Mallory Road) from 10 a.m This popular annual event is a chance to safely dispose of items that shouldn't go in the regular garbage — like paints Award-winning tribute artists Darren Lee and Jason Scott are coming together for a double bill to pay homage to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll and the legendary Neil Diamond Along with special guest Jennifer Rae as June Carter Cash this one-night-only show promises a spectacular journey through the timeless music of two of the world’s most beloved artists Elvis tribute artist Darren Lee will take the stage with decades of experience and charisma that have wowed audiences around the world cows bursting out of the barn to kick their hooves to the sky is the first true sign of spring has been bottling milk in traditional glass bottles since 2011 Their products can be found at local grocery stores and coffee shops throughout the region.  the herd of 100 dairy cows at Kootenay Meadows - mostly Jerseys but also Holstein Thelma Johnson celebrated her 104th birthday with her 101-year-old sister and family and friends – some who travelled from Alberta She appreciated many cards and greetings from her TAPS A special slide show prepared by her nephew highlighting the Heiber family's 1934 wagon trip from Bracken Funding for upgrades to a community playground are coming soon.  NDP MLA Brittny Anderson announced on March 7 that $60,000 in funding from a Community Gaming Grant will be allocated to Valley Community Services to help create a safe "Valley Community Services is an important resource for people in Creston and I'm very grateful of the work they do to support the community," said Brittny Anderson A lifelong dream has taken flight on Main Street in Creston.  Artist and teacher Jaye Benoit has officially opened Yellowbird School of Art offering adult art classes in a bright new studio (formerly Sunshine 'N Gelato who previously taught in Calgary and at several local venues like ArtSpace and the College of the Rockies always envisioned her own creative space where she could teach oil painting — her preferred medium B.C.'s two-game winning streak a the Canadian Wheelchair Fours Curling Championships in Boucherville champs into third place in Pool B with a 2-2 record the Creston Valley Climate Action Society is gearing up for events aimed at raising environmental awareness and inspiring action to protect our planet This year’s celebrations feature an exciting mix of educational activities encouraging all to reflect on the future of our world and how we can preserve it for generations to come Splatsin and the City of Enderby are united in a call for action in response to the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Girls and Two-spirited individuals (MMIWG2S) The two communities are hosting a gathering at the Splatsin Community Centre (5767 Old Vernon Road) on Thursday Tragedies across Canada and the Okanagan community (including the violence connected to the Sagmoen property and the devastating impacts of the opioid crisis in local communities) highlight the urgent need for coordinated action and criminal justice reform said a joint statement from the communities Cutting the popular provincial rebate program for electric vehicles will make hitting government-mandated targets for EV sales impossible said the head of the New Car Dealers Association of B.C government announced a pause on the CleanBC Go Electric rebate program which gave consumers with incomes under $100,000 between $1,000 and $4,000 towards the purchase of an EV and between $500 and $2,000 for the purchase of a plug-in hybrid The haunting and homegrown film Exophoria is set for its first showing on April 27 at the Tivoli Theatre in Creston.  A product of local talent and grassroots film-making and the eerie ripple effects of a mysterious hallucinogen — all unfolding against the quiet backdrop of the Kootenays the film is what its creators call a “dark drama,” a genre that digs into human trauma and emotional intensity rather than relying on traditional horror tropes.  who arrives in Creston to treat two children in comas both victims of a shared drug experience involving the titular hallucinogen The film-making process was deeply rooted in community and collaboration.  and it's not unusual these days,” said McArthur The film was crafted over several years by the couple — McArthur and Wolfe — who took on many roles from writing and shooting to editing and sound following the 2022 release of The Orchard.  “What's maybe a little different about what we do is that we write the screenplay to the people that we have here in the area who are interested in getting involved in film-making,” she said.  The cast is made up almost entirely of local actors many of whom have backgrounds in community theatre Among the standout performers is Ryan Neufeld a recent graduate of the Vancouver Film School rather than writing a script and just trying to cast people who are right for it We kind of work from the other way,” said McArthur.  Local musicians also contribute to the score further grounding the film in the Creston Valley.  “The Hollywood model is very much set in stone as to how you do it This is a different system,” said McArthur But the main challenge was pushing back against the narrative that successful films can only be made within certain circles McArthur and Wolfe are determined to blaze their own trail without all the schmoozing with industry executives.  Serious film-making can be done on pretty low budgets drawing on the good graces of people that are willing to donate time to help you make it,” said Wolfe.  April 27 at the Tivoli Theatre in Creston at 7 p.m Tickets are available at the box office during regular hours.  The Bleeding Tree Film Festival runs the following weekend, from May 2 to 4, showcasing films exploring the dark drama genre. Learn more at www.bleedingtree.ca Home » Man arrested after threatening Creston court Creston RCMP was made aware of a threat to the Creston Court House and staff A 57-year-old man from Creston was trying to get a change in conditions he is currently bound by When it was explained that there was a process for this to happen the man threatened to attend the court with his firearm and deal with it himself Creston RCMP take threats to community safety with the highest regard Police confirmed that staff and the public were safe at the Court House located on the 200 block of 10 Ave N police were able to determine where the suspect was located and arresedt him without incident The suspect is being held in custody on an unrelated matter as Creston RCMP work with BC Prosecution Services on appropriate charges “Our officers’ response to this was extremely effective and efficient restricting this individual’s access from places he could potentially conduct himself in a way dangerous to the public’s safety Officers utilized investigative procedures that gave them the upper hand and the ability to create a situation that forced an arrest without incident I am proud of the response by our personnel and their continued commitment to public safety in the Creston Valley,” stated S/Sgt Creston RCMP would like to thank the community and our partners; BC Sheriff Service and Court Services Staff for their assistance in this matter Provincial Court of British Columbia photo