lumbia & Co Y
on uk
Bri tis
h
w
sp
Th urs da y , J a n u a r y 1 7 , 2013
Serving the South Country, Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford since 1898
ape
en
Ne
ce
First Place
ll r Exce FREE
Fernie’s first baby of the new year
BUSINESS
By Nicole Liebermann Free Press Staff
Fernie Bottle Depot Page 15 SOUTH COUNTRY
Ice rescue training Page 3 SPARWOOD
Chamber helps families - Page 18
SPORT
Nordic Jackrabbits go skiing - Page 2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE nor Hockey Week Mi January 11 to 20, 2013
B
aby Nolan’s unexpected and early arrival caught his parents off guard, but it made him the very first Elk Valley baby of 2013! Not anticipating the appearance of their son quite so soon, new parents Penelope Simpson and Mathew Bennett were still washing freshly purchased baby clothes and preparing a room in their Annex home when Penelope went into labour, two weeks early. “We kind of had contractions start and then stop, and then we came in [to the hospital] and went home,” Penelope said. “Then we came back and they were understaffed, but we weren’t sure of the roads going into Cranbrook, so we stayed at home until 7 a.m. until it was time to come back.” The couple returned to the Elk Valley Hospital early Thursday morning, and at 11:48 a.m. Nolan Patrick Bennett was born. Weighing in at just 5 lbs 15 oz. the delighted new parents can’t believe how tiny Nolan is. Penelope commented, “I expected fairly small because I was measuring under the fiftieth percentile and neither one of us is very tall, but I was not expecting five pounds, I thought maybe six or seven.” Regardless of size, Penelope and Mathew are just happy Nolan arrived Proud new parents Mathew Bennett and Penelope Simpson with Fernie’s first baby of 2013, Nolan Bennett. Photo by N. Liebermann safe, healthy, and without any complications, even though he was a bit ahead of As for baby Nolan, he’s hardly made a peep Now with a new family member to focus on, schedule. “We were nervous if it had been even ear- Mathew will continue to work as an electrical since meeting his mom and dad. “He barely even cried. He learned to cry, and lier because the operating room was closed until engineer at Greenhills Mine, while Penelope is January 7,” said Penelope. “The staff and every- handing off her commercial insurance work at then he stopped,” Penelope said. “He has definitely been exceeding my expectations.” one were really good and helpful, and everyone Falkins Insurance to the rest of the staff. Mathew added with a smile, “He’s really quiet “They’re all really supportive taking over the said it was pretty textbook.” She went on to say, “We did it luckily without workload now,” remarked Penelope. “Especially and really small.” earlier than expected.” any kind of drugs or intervention.”
Sparwood man arrested on drug charges By Angela Treharne Free Press Staff
P
olice have arrested a 64-yearold Sparwood man after finding a large amount of cocaine during a drug raid at his house. The man's house on the 6000
block of Lower Elk Valley Road was searched on Friday, January 4 as part of a joint operation between the Elk Valley RCMP and Cranbrook RCMP Drug Section. As a result of the search, investigators seized over two ounces of
cocaine, along with weapons, drug trafficking paraphernalia and a little more than $16,000 in cash. The man was taken into custody and will be facing various charges including possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of traf-
ficking. Will Thien from the Elk Valley RCMP said it was not part of a long term operation, and the man was the only person arrested. He will appear in court in Sparwood on March 6.