55 years ago (1960):
Sheep from the Echo Farm on the Toby Benches competed at the Calgary Stampede. Owner George Annis said he earned third prize for his Cheviot ram.
50 years ago (1965):
The Valley Echo moved into its new office on Third Street. The new premises was divided into two portions. The western portion was the stationery store, in which a full stock of schools supplies and office supplies was caried. The eastern portion housed the reporters and editors.
45 years ago (1970):
A party of nine 13-year-old boys from Rocky Mountain Boys’ Camp participated in a mountaineering trek to Mt. Nelson. Seven members of their group, led by camp supervisor Fred Hunt, scaled the 10,772-foot peak. The ascent, which was first made by pioneer Charles Ellis, took three days.
40 years ago (1975):
The largest hang gliding event in Canadian history was held at Fairmont Hot Springs. Mount Swansea International Hang Gliding Competition hosted 100 fliers from all over the United States and Canada. The competitors flew for a hefty $2,500 prize.
35 years ago (1980):
The ice plant at the Columbia Valley Recreation Centre was turned on after a summer of inactivity to cool off the cement based and interior of the arena, in preparation for laying the ice. This marked another exciting skating season.
30 years ago (1985):
Helicopter pilot Dale Griffin, 31, was killed on impact when his helicopter crashed near the Meadows Subdivisions, shortly after take-off from Fairmont. Griffin was attempting to fly to Invermere.
20 years ago (1995):
Sixty ex-Columbia Valley Rockies players, up from 20 the previous winter, participated in an alumni game at the Columbia Valley Recreation Centre. Recreation coordinator Eddie Mountain said he was most excited to see Anaheim Mighty Ducks signee Jason Marshall play.
15 years ago (2000):
Five volunteer fire departments responded to a fire at the Radium Valley Vacation Resort. “We were exhausted,” Radium fire chief Dave Dixon said. “It was about 12 a.m. when we finally went to cool down and find something to eat.”
10 years ago (2005):
Interior Health officials remained on the alert for sightings of West Nile virus in the East Kootenay. At the time, incidents of the virus had been recorded in every province except for B.C. locals were advised to avoid large, stagnant bodies of water and wear mosquito repellent while outside.