55 years ago (1959):
An article in the Valley Echo reported that world scientists were going all out in an attempt to solve the “mystery of wood ticks” because of their ability to paralyze cattle and humans alike. In the two years prior to this article being written, the Rocky Mountain wood tick had killed thirty rangeland cattle in British Columbia while paralyzing 290 others. Over 250 human cases of tick paralysis had been reported, of which 28 proved fatal.
50 years ago (1964):
An earthquake that struck in Alaska and the west coast of Vancouver Island on Easter weekend caused muddy water to pour into the aquacourt pools at Radium Hot Springs the next day. Attendance for the day was zero, compared to 7,443 people that same weekend in 1963. An earthquake in Yellowstone Park the year earlier also upset the springs.
45 years ago (1969):
The top story in the April 10th issue was that then-Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau would be pausing briefly in Radium Hot Springs on his trip to Calgary from the Bugaboos. Mr. Trudeau was addressing a Liberal meeting in Calgary and was accompanied by MP Douglas Stewart.
35 years ago (1979):
Marge and Art Stringer spearheaded a Neighbourhood Watch program in the Wilder Subdivision after burglaries had become an issue. Const. Doug Lawrence of the Invermere RCMP detachment said there had been a total of 36 breaks ins in the first three months of 1979.
25 years ago (1989):
The Columbia Valley Rockies received a warm welcome back home after winning the Western Canadian Championships in Gimli, Manitoba. After riding up from Athalmer in a flatbed truck to the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena, the players took part in a parade along with the RCMP.
20 years ago (1994):
After large fires that blazed through B.C. in the summer of 2003, a plan to reduce wildfire hazards in the East Kootenay was presented to Regional District directors, many of whom spoke of the need for “fire conscious” building standards which would encourage the use of fire-resistant materials. The regional district’s chief building inspector, Jim Morrison, was nominated to sit on the new Interface Fire Committee.
15 years ago (1999):
Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Jim Doyle announced Sunshine Ranch would become a Class A provincial park, after a 38-year wait.
10 years ago (2004):
A bomb threat at David Thompson Secondary School and the College of the Rocmies forced hundreds of students to evacuate. An investigation later resulted in mischief charges laid against two 16-year-old students, said Sgt. Ed Kalin of the RCMP.