Clearwater Times, January 09, 2014

Kamloops This Week

The Kamloops Daily News is closing.

After more than 80 years of publish-ing in Kamloops, the newspaper will cease operations within the next 60 days.

On Monday, Jan. 6, Glacier Media, par-ent company of the Daily News, served notice under Section 54 of the BC Labour Code to Unifor, rep-resenting unionized staff at the newspaper.

In a press release, Daily News publisher Tim Shoults said the reason for the closure is economic, noting revenues have declined and the newspaper has been unable to reduce expenses

sufficiently to continue as a viable operation.

Pursuant to the Labour

Code, Glacier will be meeting with the union to discuss the implications of the closure.

“Personally I am very sad-dened to make this announce-ment,” Shoults said in the press release.

“We have struggled for the last several years, worked tirelessly and taken many dif-

ficult steps along the way which were designed to ensure our future. Unfortunately the realities of our industry, our local advertising market and our labour situ-ation were too great for us to overcome.

“We recognize that this decision severely affects our staff and their

families and our hearts go out to them as they deal with the shock and loss this decision creates. We are offering our staff counselling on site at the Daily News if they wish to take advantage of it.

Thursday, January 9, 2014 ▼ Volume 2 No. 50 ▼ www.clearwatertimes.com ▼ $1.35 Includes GST

LOCAL NEWS: FOOD BANK REPORTS ▼ A2T

HE

NORTH THOMPSON

TH

ETimes Second PlaceGeneral Excellence

B.C. and Yukon<2,000 circulation

2013

Second PlaceBest All Round

NewspaperThird Place

Best Editorial PageAll of Canada

<1,250 circulation2013

COUGAR KILLS DOG:CO service loses imported hound. See page A20.

“

”

We recognize that this decision severely affects our staff and their families and our hearts go out to them as they deal with the shock and loss this decision creates..

publisher, Tim Shoults

Learning about Canadian winter and having funDaniela Romero, a Rotary exchange student from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, tries out a crazy carpet on a slope by the Candle Creek cross-country ski trails on Sunday. She is now four months into her one-year stay in Clear-water. “I'm having fun here in Clearwater,” she says. “It's a big change from a city of 1.7 million to a small town. It's nice.” Photo by Keith McNeill

Times Staff

A subdivision and develop-ment standards bylaw recently approved by town council is a major step forward for the community, according to information from District of Clearwater.

Purpose of the bylaw is to classify all highways within the District. It regulates and establishes minimum stan-dards for the dimensions, locations, alignment, gradients and cross-section design of highways in connection with any subdivision or develop-ment of land.

The bylaw provides guide-lines for the design of roads to

accommodate walking, biking, driving, scooters, and shared spaces. It also includes a road network plan, context zones, cross-section framework, and cross-section illustrations.

“The District is at a critical stage for planning the future of its community,” comment-ed chief administrative officer Leslie Groulx. “There are large tracts of undeveloped land within the municipality paralleling Highway No. 5 and located in the core areas prime for development. This created an opportunity to develop a road network plan to assure long-term financial sustain-ability for Clearwater's current and future tax base.”

The bylaw was devel-oped through an innova-tive partnership between District of Clearwater, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, OPUS International, Interior Health Authority and Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

The new bylaw is the result of two successful studies involving input and collaboration from MOTI, District of Clearwater, Opus International, IHA, HSF and developers in putting together the framework that will be used for new road construc-tion and retrofits of existing roads.

Kamloops Daily News to close

Roads cross-section bylaw is step forward for Clearwater

LOCATED AT BROOKFIELD SHOPPING CENTRE • CLEARWATER, BC • 250-674-2213

OVER 1000 SPECIALS EVERY WEEK

SAFETY MART FOODSBRUNSWICK SARDINES

106g tins 10/$10.00

A2 www.clearwatertimes.com Thursday, January 9, 2014 Clearwater Times

Pat and Heather Stanley, Clearwater and District Food Bank

Christmas at Clearwater and District Food Bank was a wild and bumpy ride. When all was said and done, 135 ham-pers went out of the 140 applied for. Of the five hampers unclaimed, three no longer were needed and the applicants for two were unable to be contacted. The 135 hampers represent approximately 405 people, including 110 children.

These totals show a significant 22 per cent increase over Christmas 2012, when 109 hampers (327 people) were supplied.

This year we had five sponsored families and we thank all the individu-als and groups that participated. While the sponsorship program is anonymous and can be costly, most participants find it gratifying to make a difference in a family's life. The benefit to the recipient family is far more than food and gifts; it is also belonging to a community and knowing someone cares and is willing to help. If you would like to learn more, please give us a call.

Once again, the hearts of Clearwater joined forces and made it possible for the Clearwater and District Food Bank to continue. We had an unprecedented amount of donations for December. We will still have to be diligent regard-ing how we spend our money, but are no longer in immediate fear of turning

people away or closing our doors. We will institute new qualifying

guidelines with the help of Food Banks B.C. and Food Banks Canada as well as other non-profit organizations. A few people have come forward to help us attain funding through grant writ-ing and applying for community funds. Given that we are a small board of volunteers and have no paid staff, this is a difficult and daunting process. With their guidance we are confident we can be more successful in this endeavor.

Our cost of operating is still a con-cern, and all measures to cut these back will be considered, as long as they meet our capacity needs. We need an office with a waiting area, bathrooms, work area for building hampers, and short and long term storage areas. We have to pay for rent, phone, hydro, insurance, licensing, office supplies, gas and, most importantly, food.

We are happy where we are and have everything we need at our present loca-tion, our only problem being that we now use almost the entire building and with the increased cost we are using money that should be spent for food.

We all have a deep and profound respect and gratitude for our landlords, Pat and Deb Downey. They have done everything they can to accommodate us, including taking a considerable loss of rent they could be receiving. We cannot expect them or the rest of Clearwater to

keep giving more and more. We have to find sustainable funding and cost effec-tive solutions.

In order to achieve this we have approximately a dozen volunteers that manage the day-to-day operations, fundraising, and the hours of organizing and work it takes to make a Food Bank run effectively.

Living in this community makes it all worthwhile. The generosity of individu-als and community groups that stepped up to thwart the Grinch threatening to take us down was awe inspiring. Donations large and small came pour-ing in, from jars of coins to cheques of $1,000 - $1,500 and everything in between. The folks at Rooted By the River took considerable financial risk, stood in the cold selling Christmas trees to people living in a forest, and con-tributed $660 to the Food Bank. There were lunch sales at the schools, offices and businesses donating money instead of exchanging gifts, children collecting food instead of birthday presents, and the list goes on and on. The Food Bank volunteers and its recipients are forever in your debt and eternally grateful.

And thank you Keith McNeill for highlighting our concerns so accurately in the Times , Nov. 29 issue, so your readers and our community could understand the depth of the problems still facing many of the families around them.

4-H Club sponsors familyMackenzie Ross, on behalf of Rodeo Rednecks 4-H Club, delivers gifts to Clearwater Food Bank on Friday evening, Dec. 20. The club sponsored a family with food and gifts this holiday season.Photo submitted

Clearwater Food Bank wraps up another Christmas hamper season

Keith McNeill

Jim's Food Market in Clearwater is looking for a new manager.

Jackson Rempel, who has managed the site since it opened in October, 2009, will be leaving in the middle of this month to take a position with Shell Canada in Ottawa.

While he was manager, Jim's Food Market in Clearwater won the Rookie Business of the Year from

Clearwater and District Chamber of Commerce.

The gas station por-tion of the business won the Shell top retailer of Canada award for 2010.

Rempel also organized A&W Show and Shine events each year since the startup.According to Rempel, the

Jim family has started looking for a replacement. In the meantime, site supervisors and family members from Little Fort will look after things.

Rempel leaving Jim's Food Market

Jackson Rempel

Read us on facebook @ www.clearwatertimes

Property Owner’s Checklist

Follow us

Have you received your 2014 property assessment notice?

If not received in your mail by January 17, call toll-free 1-866-valueBC (1-866-825-8322)

If so, review it carefully

Visit www.bcassessment. ca to compare other property assessments using the free e-valueBC™ service

Questions? Contact BC Assessment at 1-866-valueBC or online at www.bcassessment.ca

Don’t forget...if you disagree with your assessment, you must file a Notice of Complaint (appeal) by January 31, 2014

The 60 Minute Kids' Club is a fun and engaging program designed to get children from K - Gr. 6 excited about making the right healthy choices.

Sign up your school by January 15th

60minkidsclub.org

Get active, get healthy!

Nutrition Screen TimeActivity Hydration Sleep

Clearwater Times Thursday, January 9, 2014 www.clearwatertimes.com A3

Too much white stuffA loader scoops up excess snow from the parking lot at Brookfield Mall on Thursday, Jan. 2. Almost continuous daily snowfalls made for good skiing but treacherous driving over the Christmas holidays.Photo by Keith McNeill

BC Assessment

KAMLOOPS – Owners of the more than 4,000 properties throughout the North Thompson can expect to receive their 2014 assessment notices in the next few days.

“Values of most homes in the North Thompson are remaining stable compared to last year’s assessment roll,” said Graham Held, dep-uty assessor. “Most home owners in the North Thompson will see changes in the -10 per cent to +10 per cent range.”

Barriere’s assessment roll decreased from $200 million last year to $193 million this year. Clearwater’s assessment roll increased from $331 million last year to $334 million this year.

“Property owners who feel that their prop-erty assessment does not reflect market value as of July 1, 2013 or see incorrect information on their notice should contact BC Assessment as indicated on their notice as soon as possible in January,” said Held.

“If a property owner is still concerned

about their assessment after speaking to one of our appraisers, they may submit a Notice of Complaint (appeal) by Jan. 31, for an indepen-dent review by a Property Assessment Review Panel,” added Held.

The Property Assessment Review Panels, independent of BC Assessment, are appointed annually by the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, and meet between Feb. 1 and March 15 to hear formal complaints.

The Kamloops assessment office is located at 805 Renfrew Ave in Kamloops. During the month of January, office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Property owners can contact BC Assessment toll-free at 1-866-val-ueBC (1-866-825-8322) or online by clicking “CONNECT” at www.bcassessment.ca.

This year marks BC Assessment's 40th anni-versary.

Visit www.bcassessment.ca for more informa-tion about the 2014 Assessment Roll including lists of 2014’s top 100 most valuable residential properties across the province.

Byline

Yellowhead Mining Inc. recently announced that its shareholders had approved the full automatic conversion of a $8 million convert-ible debenture previously issued to Matco Investments Ltd., a private investment firm based in Calgary, into common shares of the company.

The debenture has now been fully converted into an aggregate of 35,555,556 common shares of the Company at a conversion price of $0.225 per share, representing approximately 35.91 per cent of the total issued and outstanding com-mon shares of the company.

Frank D. Wheatley, Yellowhead's CEO, com-mented, "Yellowhead is extremely pleased that the shareholders have approved the issuance of common shares to Matco, as this will allow

Yellowhead to proceed with the environmental assessment process for the Harper Creek project"

“Work on the environmental assessment pro-cess will recommence immediately,” Wheatley said, “with a target of resubmitting the envi-ronmental assessment application to the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office by the end of the third quarter of 2014.

Yellowhead had announced last November that it was borrowing $8 million from Matco. A special meeting of shareholders held Dec. 30 approved converting the loan into shares.

Matco was at one time the owner of the for-mer Weyerhaeuser sawmill property in Vavenby.

Yellowhead bought the 80 ha property from Matco for a reported $2.15 million in November of 2011. Yellowhead’s proposed Harper Creek copper-gold-silver mine would be located about 10 km southwest of Vavenby.

North Thompson property values remain stable for 2014

Matco acquires 36 per cent interest in Yellowhead Mine

Keith McNeill

Shares in Commerce Resources Corp. almost doubled from six cents to more than 11 cents on Dec. 23 but its man-agement didn't know why.

A media release issued by the company on that day stated:

“Commerce Resources Corp., at the request of the TSX

Venture Exchange, wishes to confirm that its management is not aware of any corporate development or undis-closed material change to the company or its operations that would account for the recent increase in market activity.”

Shares in the com-pany peaked at nearly $1.70 in 2007, recovered to over $1.00 in 2011,

and have been gradu-ally declining in value since then.

Commerce is inves-tigating a 7,500 tonne per day underground tantalum-niobium mine for its Upper Fir property north of Blue River.

Tantalum is a metal that is used in electron-ics, medicine, engineer-ing and energy genera-tion.

Niobium is also a metal and is used most-ly to make stainless steel and high-strength, low-alloy steels.

A mineral explora-tion and development company based in Vancouver, Commerce Resources also owns several other tantalum-niobium claims north of Blue River plus the Eldor rare earth project in Quebec.

Blue River mineral shares double in value

What’s Happening

Civic address: 132 Station RoadBox 157, Clearwater,B.C. V0E 1N0

Of� ce hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 - 4:30District Of� ce Ph: 250-674-2257 • Fax: 250-674-2173

email address: [email protected]

DISTRICT OF CLEARWATER www.districtofclearwater.com

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Roundabout Open House The District of Clearwater will be holding a public informational open house to discuss a proposal to construct a roundabout at the existing intersection of Highway 5 and Clearwater Valley Road and Park Drive. Representatives from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will be present to explain how a roundabout works, give statistics and answer questions. The Open House will be held between 2:00pm-4:00pm and between 6:00 to 8:00pm Wednesday March 7th, 2012 at the Clearwater Secondary School Pit. Your input will guide our decisions. 2012-2016 Financial Plan Public Input The District of Clearwater is preparing its Five Year Financial Plan for the period of 2012-2016 and would like public input. Members of the community are encouraged to contribute input at any meeting or by dropping information at the District office or email Sheila Thiessen, Director of Finance at [email protected]. There will a public presentation of the Draft Financial Plan on April 3rd, 2012. District Grant in Aid Policy The Council of the District of Clearwater recognizes the value to the community of local clubs, groups, nonprofit organizations and charities. Applications for grants-in-aid must be made in writing addressed to the Finance and Audit Committee by April 30th, each calendar year in which the grant is required. The application shall state the reason for the request and a brief outline of the consequences if the grant is not approved. All grant applications shall declare requests that have been made to other governments/agencies the amounts applied for and the amount expected to be received. Grant in Aid forms are available at the District office. ICBC/Motor Vehicle “Insuring your teens? Make sure you have the right coverage” Did you know, ICBC offers an Excess Special Equipment endorsement? It insures permanently attached non-manufacturer's equipment worth more than $5,000, or permanently attached sound and communication equipment worth more than $1,000 for most passenger and light commercial vehicles. Historical Photos The District of Clearwater is looking for old photos depicting the Municipal Hall and other landmarks of Clearwater. Bring your old photos in and we will scan and return immediately. The best ones will be put up on the website. Items to Note

Interior Crisis Line - 1-888-353-CARE (2273). Call2Recycle box recycling batteries and cell phones at the District office

Pitch-In Canada Week – ‘Clean Sweep’ April 23-30, 2012

Upcoming Events March 7th – Roundabout Open House March 9th – Raft Mountain Skating Club – Dr. Seuss & Friends performance May 12th - Household Hazardous Waste Round up May 13th - “Free” Dump Day at Clearwater Landfill Upcoming Meetings of Council March 6th, 2012 – Parks and Recreation meeting – 5:00pm March 6th, 2012 – Regular Council meeting – 7:00pm March 20th, 2012 – Economic Development meeting – 5:00pm March 20th, 2012 – Regular Council meeting – 7:00pm

DISTRICT OF CLEARWATER www.districtofclearwater.com

WHAT’S HAPPENING

BC Assessment Notices BC Assessment notices have been mailed out to all BC residents. If you have not received yours or wish to appeal your assessment please call BC Assessment at 1 866 825 8322. Appeals will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. PST on January 31, 2014.

Please check BC Assessment website at www.bcassessment.ca for more information.

Seniors Mobility Workshop - YOU ARE INVITED! Are you interested in learning about the mobility challenges identified by seniors and older adults in Clearwater? Join us for a 1 day workshop on January 17th, 2014 from 10am to 2.30pm at the CRC and hear what’s been learned and give your input on what you see as important as the community “moves” forward into better mobility! RSVP by January 10th to Shelley Sim. FMI> [email protected] or 250 674 3286. Limited to 35 participants so RSVP early!

Road Maintenance Contacts District of Clearwater Municipal Roads The areas within the boundaries are the responsibility of the District of Clearwater and the contractor Borrow Enterprises Ltd. - Please call 250.674.8776 for road maintenance. The area outside the boundaries are the responsibility of Argo Maintenance including Yellowhead Highway #5 and Clearwater Valley Road – Please call Argo Road Maintenance at 1.800.661.2025 District office news

“Snow Angels” have been busy clearing driveways after the many snow events Clearwater has experienced this year. The District would like to thank ALL the snow angels out there who are helping their neighbours.

The District has begun to prepare the 2014-2018 Five Year Financial Plan and is looking for public input. Please forward any suggestions or comments to Sheila Thiessen, Director of Finance at [email protected].

Clearwater Transit Bus Clearwater Transit Bus will be offering a second run to Kamloops every week. Starting on January 7th, 2014 the Clearwater Transit Kamloops Bus will be running Tuesday’s and Thursday’s of every week. For more information call 250.674.3935.

Upcoming Events January 24-26 – Winter Festival January 19th – Rotary Ice Man Days (weather permitting) Upcoming Meetings of Council January 21st, 2014 – Infrastructure and Parks and Recreation Committee meeting – 5:00pm January 21st, 2014 – Regular Council Meeting – 7:00pm February 4, 2014 – Economic Development and Finance and Audit meeting – 5:00pm February 4, 2014 – Regular Council meeting – 7:00pm

HOME TOWN girl with HOME TOWN service

DINNER IS ON ME I will buy you a $100 meal when you buy a car from me!

Big city selection with small town pricing

DEARBORN FORD Jody Gyger CELL 250-571-9609 Tel 250-372-71012555 East Trans Canada Hwy - Kamloops

CONTACT US TO DISCUSS• Your goals and dreams

• Your issues and obstacles• Your success and quality of life

BRUCE MARTIN & ASSOCIATESBUSINESS ADVISERS & CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Clearwater (250) 674-2112 Kamloops (250) 374-5908

It’s not what you earn, it’s what you keep

www.brucemartin.ca


editorial by keith mcNeill

Opinion“ I've never been poor, only broke. Being poor is a frame of mind. Being

broke is only a temporary situation.” - Mike Todd, � lm producer

BC Press Council

The Times is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the BC Press Council.Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to BC Press Council, 210 Selby St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 2R2For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

CFES cancelling its Arts, Health and Wellness Expo

In our last issue we carried a story from Kamloops This Week about Kamloops city council turning down a re-zoning request from North Thompson Funeral Services Ltd.

The re-zoning would have allowed a property on Seymour Street to be used for a scaled down funeral home – a place for family and friends to make arrangements but with no memorials or embalming on-site.

North Thompson Funeral Services owner Drake Smith wants residents of the Valley to know that re-zoning application does not indi-cate they plan to move to the city.

According to Smith, North Thomson Funeral Services serves about 65 families per year in the North Thompson Valley. This is well below the 100 that is considered normal in the business.

Perhaps 15 to 25 North Thompson residents move to Kamloops shortly before they die, whether to go to Royal Inland Hospital, the hos-pice house, seniors housing, or whatever.

They often have family in the city and when they pass away, their family members often think only of calling a Kamloops funeral provider – not one from the North Thompson Valley.

It was with hopes of tapping into some of that market plus, of course, any Kamloops resi-dents interested, that caused them to investigate starting an operation in they city, Smith says.

In May of last year BC Coroners Service decided to centralize its body recovery service regionally to Kamloops. Previously it had been performed in the North Thompson Valley by our local funeral service.

The proposed funeral service in Kamloops, even if scaled down, appears to have been a way to offset some of the business that was lost through that decision.

Nobody likes to think of death and dying, but it happens to all of us sooner or later.

Having our own funeral homes in Clearwater and Barriere has proven to be an invaluable ser-vice to members of the community when they are in difficult times.

We should continue to support Drake and Avril as they provide funeral services to residents of the North Thompson Valley.

If expanding those services outside the Valley can help make the local operations more viable, then so much the better.

74 young Road, Unit 14 Brookfi eld Mall, Clearwater, BC V0E 1N2Phone: 250-674-3343 Fax: 250-674-3410Email: [email protected]

Publisher: Al KirkwoodEditor: Keith McNeillOffi ce manager: Yevonne Cline

www.clearwatertimes.com

Established September 23, 1964Member, BC Press Council

TH

E

NORTH THOMPSON


TH

ETimesWe acknowledge the fi nancial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Subscribe to the TimesIn Town / Out of Town Rates1 year $57.75; 2 years $110.25Prices include GST

Telus replies to cellphone concernsEditor, The Times:

It is clear from Ms. Gregson Dec. 29 letter to the editor (“Writer rebuts Telus spokesperson”) that she rejects the conclusions of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Health Canada in favor of her own research on biological effects of lower power electromagnetic fields (EMF). We fully respect Ms. Gregson’s right to her own opin-ion. However, Health Canada is the legislated reg-ulatory authority on these matters and all opera-tors of radio equipment in Canada must comply with the regulations, there are no exceptions.

Ms. Gregson correctly points out that there have been many research studies in this field and they sometimes arrive at different conclusions. She also suggests there is a bias against “indepen-dent” research studies that claim to identify nega-tive health effects. Whether you accept her allega-tions of bias or not there is no question that some research studies are so poorly conducted that the results simply aren’t useful.

For example, Ms. Gregson referenced the work of Taraka Seranno who uses the Naila (Germany) study to support his claims of adverse health effects. The Naila study made headlines 10 years ago when it alleged dramatic increases in adverse health effects but it was subsequently dis-missed by Germany’s Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BFS). Why? Well, the BFS found that the independent researchers had misrepresented

the radio frequency exposure measurements, failed to obtain an adequate sample size, and did nothing to account for other known health risks (smoking, diet, obesity, alcohol) in their sample. Since then, the BFS has commissioned 54 studies at a cost of 17 million Euros but has been unable to verify any of the claims of the Naila study.

It is the job of the experts at agencies such as BFS, Health Canada, WHO and accredited academic and regulatory agencies around the world to analyze these studies, determine which are credible, and use the best available science to establish regulations to safeguard public health. Regardless of who funds the research, I’m sure we would all agree that we want the results to be valid.

Jim Johannsson, P.Eng.TELUS director, public consultation

Editor's Note: The letter writer has provided this comment from the BFS analysis of the Naila study: “The authors state in the paper that mea-surements done by the Bayerischen Landesamt für Umweltschutz showed that radiation intensities in the inner area are about 100 times higher than in the outer area and significantly higher than other emit-ting electromagnetic waves, such as radio, television and radar. According to a communication from the Bayerischen Landesamt für Umweltschutz (by 15.12.2004) this statement is not true.”

Editor, The Times:Due to circumstances beyond

our control, Clearwater Festival and Events Society (CFES) is sad to announce that the eighth annual Arts, Health and Wellness Expo, which was to have been held Saturday, Feb. 1, has been cancelled.

CFES wants to thank all of our dedicated volunteers, booth partici-pants, and community supporters for making this a very successful seven years.

CFES will be partnering with the Trade Show and Expo in Barriere in 2014.

To all our booth venders that have been with us over the past seven years, please email me (at [email protected]) your email address again as our computer

crashed and we lost all of our email contacts

We will be working with Jill Hayward from Barriere to come up with a special deal for our long time booth participants of the Clearwater Expo. So please resend your email address to me so you do not miss out on the Barriere Expo in 2014.

We were there last year and all I can say is, “Wow, you’re really going to want to book with Barriere in 2014.”

Thank you all again for your support and looking forward to see-ing you all at the Barriere Expo and Trade Show.

Cindy WilgoshCFES chair

Local funeral services deserve local support


Editor, The Times: One of the big reasons for

fracking in the US of A's shale gas was that it would give the Americans energy self-sufficiency.

True, it might make some areas of the land resemble the dystrophic vision of Ridley Scott's “Bladerunner” but, if that was the price of getting rid of dependence on foreign energy sources, so be it.

David Hughes, one of Canada's top energy analysts and one who has studied energy resources in Canada for four decades, points out the startling

depletion rates for high-cost unconventional shale and tight oil wells.

Not only that but areas like North Dakota's Bakken produce a product golden in color but so full of sulphur dioxide, so polluted, that it eats through tanker cars and pipelines and workers detest handling it.

However, that's just an aside. Here in Canada the number of gas producing wells has reached an all time high of 230,000. Actual gas production has been in decline since 2006.

Don't forget how Christy Clark's Liberal government has staked all on this shaky throw of the shale gas dice.

As David Hughes has pointed out, the province will have to nearly quadruple gas production just to satisfy the demands of five LNG terminals — 12 have been proposed.

So the hydraulic fracturing locusts will sweep through the land, drilling and fracking every-thing in sight. In the frenzy of leasing and drilling there will be a boom of probably no more

than five years. As decline sets in more wells

will have to be drilled to offset decline. They say that flying over North Dakota at night gives one the impression of being on top of a huge birthday cake with thousands of gas wells flaming off at once.

Then what – groundwater pol-lution, poisoned air, high water con-sumption, methane leakage, not to

mention property devaluation.The Campbell-Clark govern-

ment doesn't care!You should.

Dennis PeacockClearwater, B.C.

Glen McNeil: Just to have fun.

Klondike Elston (with Melanie Prest, both of Blue River):Yes, to be happy and lose weight.

Gloria Sauer:Actually, no I haven't. I just take it one day at a time.

Kathleen Herns:No, I don't make New Year's resolu-tions because every time I've made them they don't come true. One day at a time is better..

Ron Rau (Little Fort): Not to make any New Year's resolu-tions. It's a sure formula for failure. Either you do it or you don't.

?Have you made any New Year's

resolutions?

Questionof the Week

Editor, The TimesRe: Editorial by

Keith McNeill, Dec. 26.

You may have noticed that I inten-tionally avoided your heading, “Global carbon tax would have low risk and high ben-efit.”

The whole topic is getting very boring, to the point where you are starting to sound like a record player with your needle stuck!

I did see a glim-mer of humour in the two paragraphs about Martin Weitzman and the bell curve of prob-ability. I noticed you changed the words from “The tail of the bell” to “At the far end of the curve!”

As for, “One empty chamber out of six isn’t very good odds if you’re going to play Russian roulette” … a long, long, long time

ago, my daddy taught me that long guns and handguns are weapons and tools. Never play with them and always treat them as if they are loaded.

In Weitzman’s case, the “one in six chance that things could get very bad indeed”, one empty chamber is just fine when the other five chambers are filled with blanks!

I noticed you said, “Lamberton did attempt to include a couple of facts in his last letter.”. Keith, I’m not a climate scientist. I do deal in absolute truths. I don’t say a certain event is “likely” to happen while another is “improb-able”.

You had better email the producers of Wikipedia and tell them to get up to speed. The previous recorded temperature in Antarctica was -89

C. In 2010, that record was broken at -93 C. Three weeks ago, the record was broken again, at -93.4 C. I had rounded out that num-ber to -93 C.

You said that point #2 does “seem to be” correct. No Keith. It “is” correct, and to say, “It is more likely to be a reflection of inadequate sampling rather than a real trend,” is just your tunnel vision kicking in again!

All the titles, posi-tions, and honours that I bestowed upon you were all in humor. (Really, Captain Keith has nothing to do with the army, navy, or air force.) However, a news item in the Dec. 28 Kamloops Daily News has relieved you of your captain title! The headline reads, “Ice breaker can’t reach trapped ship”.

A Russian

research ship, the MV Akademic Shokalskiy, is trapped in thick Antarctic ice with 74 scientists, tourists, and crew on board. Two ice breakers have tried but failed to reach the ship. A third ice breaker is not expected to reach the area until Dec. 29, six days after the ship got stuck.

This provides ample time for all these climate scientists to calculate what the carbon footprint of the ship and three ice breakers actually is. But hey, it doesn’t really matter because it’s all in the name of science!

Expeditions like these are carbon neu-tral. Those ships are powered by moon-beams and rainbows and lots of vodka. So you can see, Captain Keith, you are off the hook. The new cap-

tain of “The Ship of Fools” is stuck in the ice in Antarctica.

Jim LambertonThe Rambling Man

Blackpool, B.C.

Fracking not a long-term solution for environment

Global warming topic getting very boring



editorial by keith mcNeill

Opinion“ I've never been poor, only broke. Being poor is a frame of mind. Being

broke is only a temporary situation.” - Mike Todd, � lm producer

BC Press Council

The Times is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the BC Press Council.Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to BC Press Council, 210 Selby St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 2R2For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

CFES cancelling its Arts, Health and Wellness Expo

In our last issue we carried a story from Kamloops This Week about Kamloops city council turning down a re-zoning request from North Thompson Funeral Services Ltd.

The re-zoning would have allowed a property on Seymour Street to be used for a scaled down funeral home – a place for family and friends to make arrangements but with no memorials or embalming on-site.

North Thompson Funeral Services owner Drake Smith wants residents of the Valley to know that re-zoning application does not indi-cate they plan to move to the city.

According to Smith, North Thomson Funeral Services serves about 65 families per year in the North Thompson Valley. This is well below the 100 that is considered normal in the business.

Perhaps 15 to 25 North Thompson residents move to Kamloops shortly before they die, whether to go to Royal Inland Hospital, the hos-pice house, seniors housing, or whatever.

They often have family in the city and when they pass away, their family members often think only of calling a Kamloops funeral provider – not one from the North Thompson Valley.

It was with hopes of tapping into some of that market plus, of course, any Kamloops resi-dents interested, that caused them to investigate starting an operation in they city, Smith says.

In May of last year BC Coroners Service decided to centralize its body recovery service regionally to Kamloops. Previously it had been performed in the North Thompson Valley by our local funeral service.

The proposed funeral service in Kamloops, even if scaled down, appears to have been a way to offset some of the business that was lost through that decision.

Nobody likes to think of death and dying, but it happens to all of us sooner or later.

Having our own funeral homes in Clearwater and Barriere has proven to be an invaluable ser-vice to members of the community when they are in difficult times.

We should continue to support Drake and Avril as they provide funeral services to residents of the North Thompson Valley.

If expanding those services outside the Valley can help make the local operations more viable, then so much the better.

74 young Road, Unit 14 Brookfi eld Mall, Clearwater, BC V0E 1N2Phone: 250-674-3343 Fax: 250-674-3410Email: [email protected]

Publisher: Al KirkwoodEditor: Keith McNeillOffi ce manager: Yevonne Cline


Established September 23, 1964Member, BC Press Council

TH

E

NORTH THOMPSON


TH

ETimesWe acknowledge the fi nancial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Subscribe to the TimesIn Town / Out of Town Rates1 year $57.75; 2 years $110.25Prices include GST

Telus replies to cellphone concernsEditor, The Times:

It is clear from Ms. Gregson Dec. 29 letter to the editor (“Writer rebuts Telus spokesperson”) that she rejects the conclusions of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Health Canada in favor of her own research on biological effects of lower power electromagnetic fields (EMF). We fully respect Ms. Gregson’s right to her own opin-ion. However, Health Canada is the legislated reg-ulatory authority on these matters and all opera-tors of radio equipment in Canada must comply with the regulations, there are no exceptions.

Ms. Gregson correctly points out that there have been many research studies in this field and they sometimes arrive at different conclusions. She also suggests there is a bias against “indepen-dent” research studies that claim to identify nega-tive health effects. Whether you accept her allega-tions of bias or not there is no question that some research studies are so poorly conducted that the results simply aren’t useful.

For example, Ms. Gregson referenced the work of Taraka Seranno who uses the Naila (Germany) study to support his claims of adverse health effects. The Naila study made headlines 10 years ago when it alleged dramatic increases in adverse health effects but it was subsequently dis-missed by Germany’s Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BFS). Why? Well, the BFS found that the independent researchers had misrepresented

the radio frequency exposure measurements, failed to obtain an adequate sample size, and did nothing to account for other known health risks (smoking, diet, obesity, alcohol) in their sample. Since then, the BFS has commissioned 54 studies at a cost of 17 million Euros but has been unable to verify any of the claims of the Naila study.

It is the job of the experts at agencies such as BFS, Health Canada, WHO and accredited academic and regulatory agencies around the world to analyze these studies, determine which are credible, and use the best available science to establish regulations to safeguard public health. Regardless of who funds the research, I’m sure we would all agree that we want the results to be valid.

Jim Johannsson, P.Eng.TELUS director, public consultation

Editor's Note: The letter writer has provided this comment from the BFS analysis of the Naila study: “The authors state in the paper that mea-surements done by the Bayerischen Landesamt für Umweltschutz showed that radiation intensities in the inner area are about 100 times higher than in the outer area and significantly higher than other emit-ting electromagnetic waves, such as radio, television and radar. According to a communication from the Bayerischen Landesamt für Umweltschutz (by 15.12.2004) this statement is not true.”

Editor, The Times:Due to circumstances beyond

our control, Clearwater Festival and Events Society (CFES) is sad to announce that the eighth annual Arts, Health and Wellness Expo, which was to have been held Saturday, Feb. 1, has been cancelled.

CFES wants to thank all of our dedicated volunteers, booth partici-pants, and community supporters for making this a very successful seven years.

CFES will be partnering with the Trade Show and Expo in Barriere in 2014.

To all our booth venders that have been with us over the past seven years, please email me (at [email protected]) your email address again as our computer

crashed and we lost all of our email contacts

We will be working with Jill Hayward from Barriere to come up with a special deal for our long time booth participants of the Clearwater Expo. So please resend your email address to me so you do not miss out on the Barriere Expo in 2014.

We were there last year and all I can say is, “Wow, you’re really going to want to book with Barriere in 2014.”

Thank you all again for your support and looking forward to see-ing you all at the Barriere Expo and Trade Show.

Cindy WilgoshCFES chair

Local funeral services deserve local support

Meat Draw January 11, 2014 • 3-5:30pm

16 Draws PLUS 1 Bonus

BAR OPENS AT 1PM

Giant CribSaturday July 11, 2014

Registration: 9 amPlay begins: 10 am

Cadet Fundraiser lunch

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION • BRANCH 259257 Glen Road • Clearwater • No Minors

C

C

apsule

omments

with MICHELLE

LEINS

PHARMASAVEMON. - SAT. 9 - 6

BROOKFIELD CENTRE

CLEARWATER, 250-674-3122

Happy New Year. This first column of the year will focus on changes we can make in our life to make us healthier and happier. One mistake that people often make at this time is to try to make too many changes at the same time. Focus on the one that will have the greatest impact on your life and work on that.

This first remark is directed at the 19% of Canadians that still smoke. Quitting smoking is the best and most powerful change you can make in your life. Smoking is the cause of so many preventable diseases. So if you are a smoker, make quitting your number one priority.

Most of us don’t exercise enough or don’t exercise at all. If you are one of these people, start the new year with a daily walk. It need only be for 10 minutes to start and increase the duration and intensity as you feel comfortable.

Nutritionally, you can’t go wrong with Canada’s Food Guide. Increasing your fruit and vegetable intake, eating red meat moderately (twice weekly is a good maximum), and reducing your fat, salt and sugar intake, can go a long way to making you healthier.

Our pharmacists talk to people every day about health. We are a ready source of good, reliable health information. We will be happy to share that information with you. Another good resolution for 2014... visit our pharmacy soon.


welcome babies of 2013

Sophie Elizabeth MackenzieBorn May 29, 2013

Parents: Kaleigh Casselman and Lyle Mackenzie

Noah Everett DavidsonBorn April 28, 2013

Parents: Aisha Je� ery and Tim Davidson

Devynn Sylvia McGillBorn June 25, 2013

Parents: Kylee Lowe and Tyler McGill

Olive Patrica PeelBorn October 4, 2013

Parents: Tammy Marsel and Robert Peel


welcome babies of 2013

Makenna Allison McGillBorn December 21, 2013

Parents: Victoria Bates and Sheldon McGill

Jordyn Shaylyn RomerilBorn January 13, 2013

Parents: Heather Jones and Shamus Romeril

Jolee Rozina ChenierBorn June 18, 2013

Parents: Siarah Arndt and Ray Chenier

Chance Levi Andrew WynneBorn February 23, 2013

Parents: Callie Braham and Brian Wynne


Proud to supportNorth Thompson Star/Journal Monday, June 18, 2012 www.starjournal.net A11

By Elli KohnertNorth Thompson Star/Journal

The small settle-ment of Vavenby is home to Ecki Manthei, a gifted artist who‘s artwork grows out of his connection to nature, and his drive to follow every new idea with a passion that moves him to create what is in his imagina-tion, without delay.

Ecki’s home stands out from all others in the Vavenby trailer park where it cannot be missed. Two large life-like eagles formed from wood, seem to be guarding his prop-erty. Varieties of crea-tures also made from wood, line the path to the house; and the ambiance of this place leaves no doubt that an artist lives here.

Ecki, and his life partner, Marilyn, arrived in the North Thompson Valley about five years ago. When they saw the trailer court in Vavenby, they “liked it right away and bought it”; a comfort-able, quiet place that allows his creativity to flourish.

Ecki says he emi-grated with his parents from Austria when he was a very young boy in 1945. He has lived and worked in various northern locations in

Canada, and eventu-ally came to live in Cloverdale, B.C. It is there that he began his artistic career.

Seashells were his medium then, tells Ecki as he explains how they lend them-selves to be made into clocks for instance, or be used as a canvas for his paintings.

When the couple eventually settled in the community of Vavenby, it is here that Ecki took on art as his life work.

Ecki has trans-formed one room of their home into an art gallery, where he now displays the numer-ous ‘Art By Ecki’ cre-ations.

The variety of his work is remarkable; it ranges from usable art, like wooden spoons and clocks, to wildlife and nature paintings. Ecki uses antlers for many of his carvings that depict wildlife, especially wolves, in their habitat.

“When I am walking in the forest, or along a stream, I often see something that gives me an idea for a proj-ect,” says the artist, “I may pick up a rock that would be just right to paint something on, or maybe I am lucky to find a moose or deer antler, and I know right away what I want to

carve on it!” He notes that near-

ly all the materials he uses in his creations are natural; giving the artwork its special character.

Sometimes a per-son may come into the gallery to view Ecki’s work, and they may purchase a special item of art for their own home. Most of the time though, Ecki and Marilyn market the art work by taking part in craft fairs.

“At some I do well, with others I do not,” commented the art-

ist on selling his work through craft fairs.

The couple say they have a few tentative ideas in mind for mar-keting; such as going on the road to sell their creations. But right now, they have no immediate plans that they want to follow.

“We like it here in Vavenby,” says Ecki, “We feel comfortable around here, and we do enjoy to be with the friends we have made in the area. For now, ‘Ecki’s Art’ will have its home in the North Thompson Valley .”

Nature plays a large part in Art by Ecki

(Above) Ecki Manthei of Vavenby shows one of the many ant-lers he has carved that are displayed in his home gallery.

(Top left) Ecki’s life partner, Marilyn, looks on on as he passionately describes his art creations to the Star/Journal reporter.

(Bottom left) Some of the beautiful creations that Ecki offers for sale to the public from his Vavenby gallery or at craft fairs.

STAR/JOURNAL photos: Elli Kohnert

Celebration of Art in Barriere June 23, 24By Jill HaywardNorth Thompson Star/Journal

Everything is in place for the June 23, and 24, Barriere Celebration of The Arts. The venue will be similar to last year’s event and will once again be hosted on property beside Highway 5 in Barriere, now the home of Sam’s Pizza and Rib House.

The two day Celebration of Art event is an extravaganza of art and culture, featuring the amazing talent of the North Thompson Valley and British Columbia.

Put on by the North Thomspon Arts Council, and the Yellowhead Artists Cooperative, the venue

continues to be admission free to the public, and encourages youth to attend and participate in the 12 years and under Art Activity Area.

Those involved say they expect a strong turnout of ven-dors this year and that they are looking forward to presenting such a broad range of top qual-ity art for exhibition and/or for sale.

Organizers say booth space is being filled fast by artists and artisans, and they encourage those who have not yet registered to do so now and avoid being disappointed. Service groups and organizations are also wel-come to participate to promote their programs in a booth at the site. Vendors are reminded they

must supply their own canopy or tent, and that power is not available.

If you would like more infor-mation or would like to book a space, or volunteer, please call Jessie at 250-672-9772.

“We figure that all the rain will be done with by then,” said one positive thinker, “It will be a great weekend, and the vendor tents will be to provide shade from the sun, not keep the rain off. We are expecting lots of art-ists, and a steady stream of visi-tors to our presentation. Come on down and see the extremely good works being produced from people within our art com-munity. You’ll be impressed – I guarantee it!”

Shop locally

and support the

economy in your

own community!

PHARMASAVEHOURS OF OPERATIONMonday to Saturday

9am - 6pmClosed Sundays

MICHELLE LEINS

BROOKFIELD CENTRE

CLEARWATER, 250-674-3122

North Thompson Star/Journal January 09, 2014 www.starjournal.net A13

Manne Salle: 100 years old and counting

VALLEY VOICESVALLEY VOICESNorth Thompson Star Journal

Manne (Wolfgang Arnold Salle), was born Dec. 26, 1913, to Ernst and Emma Salle, who were new immigrants from Germany to Boulder Mountain, Chinook Cove, B.C. in 1912. Manne - meaning ‘little man’, was the � fth child, wth his other siblings Volkmar, Uli, Bruno and Herta, and later on sister Inge.

Manne’s family lived in a log house on Boulder Mountain Road, where other immigrants who had accompanied the Salles to Canada helped them with an addition to the house to make it three times bigger.

Manne tells of his early years, saying, “My formal education was sketchy beacuse of my size and my health wasn’t good, so I walked down the mountain to Chinook Cove two to four days a week for a total of six years. The � rst high school correspondence courses were not a huge success. I did try them awhile, but couldn’t be sitting studying while the rest were out working.

“During the next years I hewed trees and skidded and hauled cedar poles besides farm work, and we always repaired and maintained our own equipment. I � led saws and worked in sawmills. I ran a general trucking business and later with Clarence Myers we built Cahilty School, and the fourth classroom onto Barriere High School.

“When electricity came to the Barriere area in 1948, I had to learn about electricity from books, from a neighbour and inspectors. I became involved in wiring most homes in the Barriere to Little Fort area, and later on from Clearwater to Birch Island.

“With some more experience, and more studying, I installed electric water pumps and irrigation, as a lot of places seemed ideal for gravity pipe irrigation, as well as electric irrigation on farms.

“Then, with electricity now in many homes, it became necessary to learn and repair home equipment (washing machines, driers, stoves).

“Community projects have always been one of my preoccupations. The � rst being the now gone Chinook Cove Hall in 1936. It was purchased from a defunct Dixon Creek Mine for $45, and moved to Chinook Cove along the road. Nine people put in $5 each to aquire it.

“I was also active with the Native Sons of Canada. When the Native Sons Hall at Louis Creek burned down in 1956, after it had been turned over to the early North Thompson Fall Fair, Ken Long supplied the plywood to build another hall that was later moved up to the Fall Fair grounds, and is now at Barriere. I wired that building both at Louis Creek and in Barriere.

“Insurance from the Native Sons Hall helped build the Community Hall in Barriere, the Louis Creek Community Hall, and the North Thompson Fall Fair Hall. I wired all those.

“I drove the school bus in 1952, and worked in Barriere between school hours. “I had a back-infusion operation in Vancouver in 1957, which only partly � xed the back problem. But I had several young men, Walter Schilling, Ken Beharrel, Stan Borthwick and Ulrich Schilling help me when my back was still crippled.

“In 1972, I married Mrs. Georgina (Geordie) Bradford and we bought Mrs. Humphries residence in Barriere.

“I continued constructing and wiring new homes in the surrounding area and became very interested, with Geordie, in promoting and working on community projects, namely the Yellowhead Pioneer Residence, the current location of the North Thompson Fall Fair Hall, the Barriere Curling Rink, and the United Church and Thrift Shop.

“I worked with the family that I had acquired, namely step-daughters Patsy, Diane, Dodie and Leslie on their homes, and our achievement of obtaining lake property in the area which we all have extremely enjoyed over the years.

“I was always very close to my sister Inga and her husband Karl and family. Now Karl Jr., wife Debbie, and three nephews Ben, Dustin and Kurtis. I have spent much time and been hosted to many days and hours on their ranch, which I have enjoyed.

“Georgina and I have now moved because of health reasons to Kamloops, where we live in a beautiful residence, are closer to family and can enjoy our eight great-grandchildren.”

Karl Rainer (Jr.) says, “Uncle Manne has spent thousands of hours helping out on our farm to make it successful. He started in the mid 40’s by wiring our � rst farm home. Some of my � rst recollections are of the mid 60’s thawing out a frozen waterline during those -40° winters, and seeing Uncle Manne there in his old railroad bib overhauls and cap. My mom did his laundry

for him back then, and I would see his hat stretched around a fence post, drying.

“In the 70’s, Uncle Manne continued wiring and plumbing my building projects. He � xed mom’s sewing machine at the time he was courting the love of his life, Geordie. They were married in our old farm house.

“In 1980, we built a new dairy barn and once again Manne wired this building and helped wherever he could. At the age of 77 he did all the wiring and most of the plumbing in our new house, built in 1990.

“He even came up to help when we were upgrading our meat shop to industry standard [Rainer’s Custom Cutting in Dar� led]. He was using the air nailer while standing on a ladder with his shaky arm. I was unsure if I should hide or help. In the last few years, he started to clean up his shop and bring me stuff that he had been collecting.Everything from bent nails to old paint mixed with some great things. Manne never forgets what he has given you, and what he has lent. His memory has always been very sharp.

“I had to be careful to remember where I put items given, because if Manne decided he needed one of those, he would call and ask for it. Finding an item became a problem, as I am not as organized. Or he would want a part can of paint back for a project he was doing.

“Uncle Manne is a person that works diligently and quietly without needing praise or recognition.

“He has spent thousands of hours on the fall fair grounds doing all handyman

jobs. Many that went unnoticed. From wiring, to � xing plugged toilets, to � xing roofs, or lending money to the fair in a lean year. He has even be seen � xing things in the past few years, on his scooter.

“Uncle Manne has always dedicated his time for us and for the Fall Fair and the whole community of Barriere. You cannot � nd someone that was as hard working and willing to help out, than our Uncle Manne.”

Manna’s grandson, Craig Lysak says, “Grandpa has always kept himself busy, whether at home in Barriere, or up at our family cabin at East Barriere Lake. In the past, Grandpa would do an average days’ work or for the rest of us mere mortals, a years’ worth of hard labour, then he would go down to the

lake in his swim trunks with towel in hand and go for a swim a couple of cabins down the way and back.”

Manne celebrated his 100th birdthdy on Dec. 26, in the Fall Fair Hall, Barriere, with his lovely wife Geordie at his side, and numerous family and friends their to wish him many hapy returns. There were certi� cates and letters of congratulations from the Queen, the Governor General, the T.N.R.D., the Prime Minister, and the District of Barriere. While presenting the certi� cate of congratulations from the District of Barriere, Mayor Humphreys spoke about his memories of Manne, saying, “He has spent decades bringing light to the lives of all those in the area.” The mayor then presented Manne with the � rst 100 year pin for Barriere’s 100th anniversary in 2014

to be handed out. Walter Schilling

spoke about how Manna helped him get started and encouraged him to get his electrical ticket. They also travelled together to places like Alberta, Alaska and California.

The evening closed with Geordie and Manna dancing to the song that had played when they � rst met - May I Have This Dance For The Rest Of My Life.

*Editors note: Manne and Geordie Salle were presented with the Barriere Citizen of The Year Award in 1988, and each were presented with a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013 for service to their community.

Submitted photos: Salle family

Manne Salle has spent 100 years living, working and volunteering in the North Thompson Valley.

Manne (Wolfgang


Busy start to New YearDue to the winter conditions, the

majority of police files recently have been traffic-related.

Since the start of the 2014 Clearwater RCMP and Central Interior Traffic Services have responded to seven motor vehicle incidents along Highway 5, approximately one or two per day since the new year.

Here are a few of the files obtained from Clearwater RCMP and Central Interior Traffic Services.

Treacherous road conditionsA motorist driving from the Lower

Mainland to Edmonton lost control of his vehicle north of Avola and slid off the northbound lane, landing in the ditch.

A second motorist hit a patch of ice and rolled his vehicle, but walked away with only minor apparent injuries.

Clearwater RCMP remind the public

to be incredibly careful when travers-ing the snowy and icy highway during winter conditions.

Semi versus plow truck

In the early morning hours of Jan. 3, Clearwater RCMP responded to a motor vehicle incident between a tractor trailer unit and a plow truck on Highway 5.

Police arrived at the scene and were advised that a northbound transport truck had not maintained its lane and had crashed into a plow truck. The plow truck then slid into the southbound ditch.

The driver of the transport truck was the primary offender and was issued a violation ticket for the offense.

Angry with gas prices

On Jan. 4, Clearwater RCMP were notified that a tractor trailer unit had smashed over the gas pumps of the Husky gas sta-tion in Little Fort.

The tractor then left the parking lot and was seen heading southbound toward Barriere along Highway 5.

The vehicle was not located. However, witnesses obtained the vehicle's license plate number and provided the informa-tion to police.

Police contacted the trucking com-pany, which will be contacting the Husky gas station.

Unauthorized firearmOn Sunday, Dec. 22, Clearwater

RCMP were told there was an intoxicated male traveling on the highway between Clearwater and Little Fort.

The male was stopped and investi-gation found he was not intoxicated. However, he was in possession of a rifle.

The male was charged because he did not possess a valid PAL or POL. The firearm, he said, was a gift for his step father.

Unfortunately, if you have a firearm in your possession without the proper docu-mentation, no matter the reason, the gun will be seized and you could face legal consequences.

Found eyeglassesThe RCMP are currently in possession

of a small pair of black eyeglasses. If you have or your child has lost glasses, feel free to come by the detachment and claim them with a description.

45 YEARS AGO:Three young

local skiers, Kent Messenger, Lester Thompson, and Stephen Parker, provided assistance to the ski instructor at the Clearwater ski hill. The tow rope operated on Wednesday evenings and snow was plenti-ful.

40 YEARS AGO:First baby of

the year at Doctor Helmcken Memorial Hospital was Loreli Sheila Harding, born on Sunday, Jan. 13.

35 YEARS AGO:Residents of

Sunshine Valley were

fortunate there were no fires in their area as someone had bor-rowed the extension cord from the block heater at the firehall, unplugging the tank heater and allowing nine inches of ice to form, plus there was a dead motor at the firehall.

30 YEARS AGO:The Marg Lehto

ladies curling rink from Clearwater advanced to the provincial finals in Kelowna after some very convincing play at the zone playoffs in Barriere. Members of the team were Lehto, Daisy Hystad, Linda Yurkiw and Debbie Mattenley.

25 YEARS AGO:The Jackrabbit Ski

League, a division of Cross Country Canada, held its first session in Clearwater under instructor Doug Nelson. About 15 chil-dren aged four to 11 were signed up.

20 YEARS AGO:RCMP Cst. Russ

Morrison caught a Clearwater man in the act of climbing out of a broken window

to the physiotherapy clinic at the Firewest Building in Clearwater. Morrison had been on a routine patrol when he noticed that plywood covering the window was ajar. The plywood had been put in place earlier that same evening folllow-ing a previous break-in.

15 YEARS AGO:A record 22 indi-

viduals participated

in the seventh annual Little Fort Polar Bear Dip. Clearwater fire chief Mark Salden and Little Fort chief Bob Goodmurphy took part to raise money for new radios.

10 YEARS AGO:Speaking at a Voice

of the Valley meeting in Clearwater, North Thompson Indian Band chief Nathan Matthew and Wells Gray Country director

Bert Walker called on MLA Kevin Krueger to bring together all parties to discuss a portable sawmill that was being proposed for the former Tolko-Louis Creek mill-site.

5 YEARS AGO:Longtime Girl

Guide leader Jean Nelson asked Clearwater council for help in finding a location big enough to hold 2,000 girls plus about 500 adults for a Girl Guides camp that would be held July, 2011.

1 YEAR AGO:A posting by

the Times editor on Facebook that

the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure had postponed a pub-lic meeting about a roundabout proposed resulted in more than 200 comments, both for and against the project. The meeting likely would be held in late February or early March, said MLA Terry Lake.

Value of most homes in the North Thompson region remain stable com-pared to the previ-ous year, said a BC Assessments spokes-person. Clearwater's assessment roll increased from $320 million to $331 mil-lion.

Clearwater ski hill's first day of the season was Dec. 28.

8 - 9

C L E A R W A T E R

1-800-222-TIPSClearwater RCMP Report

HISTORICAL Perspect i ve

BACK IN TIME

Do you have a news story?We'd like to hear from you.

Call us 250.674.3343

3246_CLE BC TransitBarrier North Thompson Star Journal (Mon) 5.8125" x 5"Insertion date: December 23 and 30, 2013 and January 6, 2014

Reber Creative for BC Transit250-385-5255

3246

Clearwater and Area Transit

Service Change Effective January 7, 2014

Service to Kamloops available Tuesday and Thursday.

Visit www.bctransit.com and click Clearwater for new schedules, or pick up a Rider’s Guide onboard.

District ofClearwater

Transit Info 250·674·3935 • www.bctransit.com

2014 Walk HonoreeFlorence Beharrell2014 Florence Beharrell

.A L Z H E I M E R S O C I E T Y O F B .C

Barriere & area

Walk Location:Barriere Senior Centre

4431 Barriere Town road Barriere

250-672-9337

Walk: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. registration: 10 a.m.

Get involved • Walk • Donate •

Volunteer • Sponsor

Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014

w w w . w a l k f o r m e m o r i e s . c o m1 - 8 0 0 - 6 6 7 - 3 7 4 2

One in three Canadiansknows someone withalzheimer’s disease. Who do you know?


JanuaryVancouver

Foundation approved a $230,000 grant for a project in Clearwater to be called From Front Door to Grocery Store: Getting Seniors Where They Want To Be. District of Clearwater had worked with UNBC to develop the grant application.

A letter to the edi-tor from Laura Soles, wife of Dr. John Soles, commented on remarks by former Clearwater physician Dr. Bob Woollard that being the spouse of a rural doctor was the worst job in the world. “I consider it a privi-lege to be the spouse of a rural doctor,” she wrote.

A meeting about the roundabout pro-posed for Highway 5 in Clearwater likely would be held in late

February or early March, said MLA Terry Lake.

Value of most

homes in the North Thompson region remain stable com-pared to the previ-ous year, said BC Assessments spokes-person. Clearwater’s assessment roll increased from $320 million to $331 mil-lion.

Clearwater ski hill’s first day of the season was Dec. 28.

The first baby of the year was Orion Day-Raven Hall, the daughter of Turtle and Adam Hall. She was born Jan. 2 in Kamloops.

Clearwater council-

lor Ken Kjenstad was awarded a Queen’s Jubilee medal. He helped establish and owned Safety Mart for 25 years and had been a major contribu-tor to many commu-nity events, especially minor ball and hockey.

A second-hand Pisten Bully groomer purchased by Clearwater SnoDrifters snowmo-bile club a few months earlier was paying off, according to Mayor John Harwood. “They’re already starting to see people come,” he said.

Clearwater is tak-ing a lead role in the Healthy Forests – Healthy Communities initiative, according to Bill Bourgeois, the initiative’s coordina-tor. More than 60

people attended an input meeting held at the Wells Gray Inn. Thompson Headwaters TNRD director Willow MacDonald noted that there had been six sawmills and hundreds of people working in the upper North Thompson Valley.

Tourism had gener-ated about $22 million for Clearwater and Wells Gray Country the year before, Tourism Wells Gray marketing manager Brad Bradbury told the Chamber of Commerce. “Over the past few years, people have been coming more often and spend-ing more dollars,? he said. “However, they are not staying longer, which is too bad.”

BC Passenger Transportation Board approved Greyhound route reductions across the province, including the North Thompson Valley. “We’ve gone from three buses a day to two and now to just

one,” said Mayor John Harwood.

Trans Mountain announced an increase in its proposed twin-ning project. The expanded capacity was to go up to 890,000 barrels per day instead of 750,000 bpd.

Workers were re-locating power poles near the intersection of Highway 5 and the road to Wells Gray Park. The poles would have to be moved whether or not a pro-posed roundabout was constructed, said a ministry spokesperson.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said even the longest and biggest loads should be able to fit through the roundabout with a new design.

M.P. Cathy McLeod was on hand, along with Mayor John Harwood, TNRD chair Randy Murray, and School District 73 vice-chair

10-11

Year in Review 2013

Viking Daniel Boudreau and troll Robert Beaudry take part in the 15th annual Wells Gray Birchleg, held last year for the first time at the Candle Creek Trails near Clearwater. This year’s Birchleg will be held Feb. 1.Photo by Keith McNeill

Youngsters (l-r) #17 Seth Cooperman, #23 Parker Collins, and #18 Kaleb Parsons, all from Raft River Elementary, take part in annual cross-country ski races in Blue River in February. Photo by Keith McNeill

Continued on page A11

Call 1-855-678-7833 today for more details.

Staffing Shortages?Get The Help You Need. Fast.

Pain ReliefNature’s Gift � at Works!

• Arthritis • Carpal Tunnel • Gout • Fibromyalgia • Rotator Cu� • Neurophy • Any Muscle Pain

30 DAY 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEEwith return of bottle and contents

250-319-7600 • [email protected]


Kathleen Karpuk to announce two major federal grants. The first was $1.4 million to construct septage management facili-ties in Barriere and Clearwater. The sec-ond was $92,000 to upgrade the former Dutch Lake School into a community center.

Clearwater Secondary School Senior Boys bas-ketball members Jairus Bromley and Brock Van Damme, plus coach Geoff Giesbrecht helped save the life of a Barriere schoolbus driver. The choking incident took place in a Kamloops restaurant. “They’re heroes, as far as I’m concerned,” said Jack Kelley, the driver.

Jerry Carter won first place in Clearwater Rotary Club’s annual Ice Man fishing derby. A total of 55 anglers regis-tered, up from 42 the year before.

FebruaryJust over 130

people, many of them dressed as Viking, took part in the 15th annual Wells Gray Birchleg. For the first time it was held at the Candle Creek cross-country ski trails, rather than in Wells Gray Park.

Simpcw First Nation announced that it had purchased 20 acres of land next to Raft River. The site was part of a tra-ditional fishing and gathering area for the band. The Simpcw would be a taxpaying landholder, just like everyone else, said land manager Steven Patterson.

A rescue of a snowmobiler with a broken leg left Blue River heli-ski operator Mike Wiegele asking for tighter standards for the snowmobile industry. Apparently the party the injured man had been with had not been prepared for the situation and some members even continued high-lining

while the evacuation was taking place.

Simpcw First Nation and Adams Lake Indian Band announced they had signed an agreement to work together on their joint concerns over potential impacts of

the proposed Harper Creek copper mine near Vavenby.

About 75 people attended the after-noon session of an open house hosted by Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure about a

roundabout proposed for Highway 5 in Clearwater. About the same number went to a session in the evening. A video showed the proposed intersection in three dimensions. The design had been changed to accom-modate extra-long or extra-wide loads, said regional project man-ager Dave Shibata.

On Call Service Center owner Ron Rotzetter announced during a Clearwater council meeting that he would like to build a shopping center east of Clearwater Secondary School. Wade Elliot, one of the owners of Safety Mart, said they also were planning to build a new shopping

center, except it would be located next to where the courthouse is now.

Clearwater RCMP received a plaque from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team for the successful arrest of a suspected murder the previous spring.

10-11

Year in Review 2013

Members of the Clearwater Midget Rec Warriors pose for a photograph after winning the Thompson-Caribou Super League championship last March. Photo submitted

Continued from page A10



JanuaryVancouver

Foundation approved a $230,000 grant for a project in Clearwater to be called From Front Door to Grocery Store: Getting Seniors Where They Want To Be. District of Clearwater had worked with UNBC to develop the grant application.

A letter to the edi-tor from Laura Soles, wife of Dr. John Soles, commented on remarks by former Clearwater physician Dr. Bob Woollard that being the spouse of a rural doctor was the worst job in the world. “I consider it a privi-lege to be the spouse of a rural doctor,” she wrote.

A meeting about the roundabout pro-posed for Highway 5 in Clearwater likely would be held in late

February or early March, said MLA Terry Lake.

Value of most

homes in the North Thompson region remain stable com-pared to the previ-ous year, said BC Assessments spokes-person. Clearwater’s assessment roll increased from $320 million to $331 mil-lion.

Clearwater ski hill’s first day of the season was Dec. 28.

The first baby of the year was Orion Day-Raven Hall, the daughter of Turtle and Adam Hall. She was born Jan. 2 in Kamloops.

Clearwater council-

lor Ken Kjenstad was awarded a Queen’s Jubilee medal. He helped establish and owned Safety Mart for 25 years and had been a major contribu-tor to many commu-nity events, especially minor ball and hockey.

A second-hand Pisten Bully groomer purchased by Clearwater SnoDrifters snowmo-bile club a few months earlier was paying off, according to Mayor John Harwood. “They’re already starting to see people come,” he said.

Clearwater is tak-ing a lead role in the Healthy Forests – Healthy Communities initiative, according to Bill Bourgeois, the initiative’s coordina-tor. More than 60

people attended an input meeting held at the Wells Gray Inn. Thompson Headwaters TNRD director Willow MacDonald noted that there had been six sawmills and hundreds of people working in the upper North Thompson Valley.

Tourism had gener-ated about $22 million for Clearwater and Wells Gray Country the year before, Tourism Wells Gray marketing manager Brad Bradbury told the Chamber of Commerce. “Over the past few years, people have been coming more often and spend-ing more dollars,? he said. “However, they are not staying longer, which is too bad.”

BC Passenger Transportation Board approved Greyhound route reductions across the province, including the North Thompson Valley. “We’ve gone from three buses a day to two and now to just

one,” said Mayor John Harwood.

Trans Mountain announced an increase in its proposed twin-ning project. The expanded capacity was to go up to 890,000 barrels per day instead of 750,000 bpd.

Workers were re-locating power poles near the intersection of Highway 5 and the road to Wells Gray Park. The poles would have to be moved whether or not a pro-posed roundabout was constructed, said a ministry spokesperson.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said even the longest and biggest loads should be able to fit through the roundabout with a new design.

M.P. Cathy McLeod was on hand, along with Mayor John Harwood, TNRD chair Randy Murray, and School District 73 vice-chair

10-11

Year in Review 2013

Viking Daniel Boudreau and troll Robert Beaudry take part in the 15th annual Wells Gray Birchleg, held last year for the first time at the Candle Creek Trails near Clearwater. This year’s Birchleg will be held Feb. 1.Photo by Keith McNeill

Youngsters (l-r) #17 Seth Cooperman, #23 Parker Collins, and #18 Kaleb Parsons, all from Raft River Elementary, take part in annual cross-country ski races in Blue River in February. Photo by Keith McNeill


Located next to Jim’s on Highway 5

WELLS GRAY HOME HARDWARE86 Station Rd., Clearwater (across from the Post Of� ce)

WINTER HOURS: 8:30 - 5:00PM MON. - SAT.

HOME HARDWARE IS A CANADIAN OWNED COMPANY

SAVE

Pay & Talk Telus Cards • $10 • $25 Available Here

CABINET & FURNITURE1880-434/436/438/440Reg. $49.99 $42.97SUEDE1858-617/653/662Reg. $47.99 $40.97

SILK1858-635/699/706Reg. $48.99 $41.97

PAINTSAVE

CLASSIC INFRARED PTC ZONE HEATER & AIR PURIFIER3836-046 $169.97

DE

SIG

NE

R S

ER

IES

250-674-3717

ROOMS$79.95

+tax

551-11th Ave, Downtown Kamloops, BCt. 250.372.8221

[email protected] www.scottsinnkamloops.ca

TOLLFREE 1.800.665.3343

WINNER of the 2013 “Certifi cate of Excellence”

from tripadvisor.

FREE Continental Breakfast

or 10% OFF full

breakfast

Single/DBL occupancy/1 Queen. Must present coupon. Coupon expires Dec 31, 2013. Copies of coupon accepted

Real COMFORT • Real FOOD • Real VALUE


Submitted

For those of us with snow piled all around us, winter can

be a time to stay in the house and wait for spring but it doesn't have to be. Why not use all the snow to

have fun and one of the best ways to do that is to build your-self a skating rink. It can be in your back-

yard or even in your driveway. What To Do With The KidsR has simplified this task so that you and your

kids can put down the smart phones and get outside for some exer-cise, fresh air and fun.

Find a flat area

close enough that your garden hose can reach. Stomp on the snow in that area to pack it down. Have the kids run around on it. Once packed, knock off the high points and fill in the holes with a shovel so that it's somewhat flat. Sprinkle a light layer of water on it and let it freeze. This may take just a few hours or overnight depending on the temperature. Repeat with another light sprinkle until the entire surface has a thin layer of ice. Air pockets can be removed by stepping on them to crack so that your next layer of water fills it in. You want at least two inches of ice before the kids start skating and make sure there is nothing sticking out of the surface such as rocks or branches.

The secret to great ice is to water late at night and often but

not too thick so that it has time to freeze between layers. Snow acts as an insulator so it's important to keep it shovelled off. You can even use the snow you shovel off to make yourself seating on the side.

There are more tips and tricks available at www.whattodowith-thekids.com including how to make a hockey rink and how to turn your backyard into an almost NHL style venue.

What To Do With The Kids ® is the website that adults go to when they want to know what to do with their kids. It features games, crafts, party ideas, downloads, spe-cial reports, product reviews, a directory of kid and family-friendly places to go and a market place where you'll find great prod-ucts and services that you just won't find in the big box stores.

12 - 13

Sports

Bantams host round robinClearwater Bantam hockey player Angus Allchin (center in white) takes the puck up the ice during a game against Kamloops on Satur-day at the Sportsplex. Also in the photo are Clearwater's Gerald Loring (#13 top left) and Mason Wadlegger (wearing C on his jersey, right rear). The game was part of a three-team round robin weekend, with no overall winners or losers. Saturday Clearwater won against Kamloops 5-3, then lost to McBride 6-0. Sunday Clearwater lost to McBride 11-4 and then tied against Kamloops. So far this season the Clearwater Bantams have dominated their league games. This weekend they go to Winfield for a tournament. On Jan. 18 and 19 the boys have league games against Lillooet during Hockey Days and then have a home tournament on Mar. 1 and 2. Photo by Keith McNeill

Build a backyard skating rink and enjoy winter even more

Jennifer Vincent leads a party of cross-country ski-ers on the Candle Creek Trails as she teaches them how to cope with hills on Sunday. The no-cost lesson was part of a District of Clearwater's healthy living program. Next lesson will be on Sunday, Jan. 12, at Candle Creek Trails, 12 noon. For more informa-tion and to confirm registration, contact [email protected] by Keith McNeill

How to cross-country ski

Hockey Lives Here!

For more information about the Sportsplex or any programs call 250 674 2143

NORTH THOMPSON SPORTSPLEX

MINOR HOCKEY GAME SCHEDULE

JANUARY 11 & 12Girls Hockey Tournament

Schedule TBA

JANUARY 13 - 19Clearwater Hockey Days

Wear a jersey and get involved in Canada’s Game!

Family Skating Fridays @ 5pm • Sundays @ 4:30pm • No Charge

Jan. 10 & 12 Sponsored by Clearwater Lodge and Gateway Grill

Preschool Skating Wednesdays 10am

Home School Skating Wednesdays 1:30pm

Clearwater & District Minor Hockey Still accepting registrations. www.cdmha.info • Register @ 250 674 2594 or [email protected]** Check out the video on our website **Raft Mountain Skating Club Still accepting registrations

Register @ www.raftmountain.com

Ladies Hockey • Fridays at 6:45pm

Mens Drop In Hockey • Fridays at 8:00

Oldtimers Hockey • Every Wednesday at 8:45 and Sundays at 7:00

Wells Gray Curling Club Call 250 674 3768 for more info.


12 - 13Government ordered to pay loggerCentral Interior Logging Association

The Province of British Columbia has been ordered to pay Moulton Contracting of Fort Nelson dam-ages for failing to con-sult properly with a First Nation, and then failing to warn the contractor about an imminent blockade.

The blocks were BC Timber Sales', and the court found that that the First Nations defendant (the Behn Family) had not been informed of the tim-ber blocks being put up for sale in 2006, in an area where the Behn family had tra-plines. The family set up a peaceful road-block from October

2006 and into the new year.

Meanwhile, the family told BCTS officials in July of 2006 that they would blockade the logging on those sales. BCTS did not pass the warn-ings to Moulton, and he was prevented from accessing the blocks for logging purposes in the first week of October. Eventually, Moulton was not able to continue in busi-ness.

The damages awarded were $1.75 million.

Similar to what we have seen in our region this past fall, the Band was aware of the Behn family’s actions and position, but did not endorse it. The actions of

individual families (key-oh) holders end up being exactly that – their chosen course of action. Behn argued that the province should have consulted with directly and not the Band, but the Court said no. The Bands are the legally empowered entity to which consultations are directed, but there are ramifications to not doing it thorough-ly and right.

This decision sends a huge message to government and industry looking at the consultation process to get projects and logging activities to a “go” stage.

CILA will be pay-ing special attention to this file in the future, as many of our mem-

bers were severely impacted by this past fall’s roadblock activi-ties. We will also be revisiting the circum-stances by which those roadblocks came to be – they sound eerily similar.

We call on govern-ment to define and refine its consulta-tion practices. As Mr Behn’s lawyer says, “In the broader picture, what I think is that this really does put a great deal more pres-sure on the province not just to say, 'We’re going to leave it to companies and First Nations to sort it out on the ground.' When the province doesn’t deal with these things it runs a real risk of creating these con-flicts.”

Editor's Note: Wikipedia defines “key-oh” or “keyoh” as a Carrier word meaning the area of which a certain group of people, basically an extended family group, has steward-ship and ownership rights.

A threat to holiday funTrees bent over by heavy snow and ice threaten power and telephone lines next to Clearwater Valley Road on New Year's Day. Residents of Upper Clearwater complained of several power outages that occurred during the Christmas holidays.Photo by Keith McNeill

Clearwater and District Food BankOpen: 9am to 12 noon, Mondays and Fridays

How to Donate: Cash or cheques can be dropped off at the Food Bank or by mail to 741 Clearwater Village Road,

Clearwater, BC V0E 1N1.Food Donations: dropped off at the Food Bank, Clearwater

Credit Union or at Safety Mart

250-674-3402 • [email protected]


Submitted

For those of us with snow piled all around us, winter can

be a time to stay in the house and wait for spring but it doesn't have to be. Why not use all the snow to

have fun and one of the best ways to do that is to build your-self a skating rink. It can be in your back-

yard or even in your driveway. What To Do With The KidsR has simplified this task so that you and your

kids can put down the smart phones and get outside for some exer-cise, fresh air and fun.

Find a flat area

close enough that your garden hose can reach. Stomp on the snow in that area to pack it down. Have the kids run around on it. Once packed, knock off the high points and fill in the holes with a shovel so that it's somewhat flat. Sprinkle a light layer of water on it and let it freeze. This may take just a few hours or overnight depending on the temperature. Repeat with another light sprinkle until the entire surface has a thin layer of ice. Air pockets can be removed by stepping on them to crack so that your next layer of water fills it in. You want at least two inches of ice before the kids start skating and make sure there is nothing sticking out of the surface such as rocks or branches.

The secret to great ice is to water late at night and often but

not too thick so that it has time to freeze between layers. Snow acts as an insulator so it's important to keep it shovelled off. You can even use the snow you shovel off to make yourself seating on the side.

There are more tips and tricks available at www.whattodowith-thekids.com including how to make a hockey rink and how to turn your backyard into an almost NHL style venue.

What To Do With The Kids ® is the website that adults go to when they want to know what to do with their kids. It features games, crafts, party ideas, downloads, spe-cial reports, product reviews, a directory of kid and family-friendly places to go and a market place where you'll find great prod-ucts and services that you just won't find in the big box stores.

12 - 13

Sports

Bantams host round robinClearwater Bantam hockey player Angus Allchin (center in white) takes the puck up the ice during a game against Kamloops on Satur-day at the Sportsplex. Also in the photo are Clearwater's Gerald Loring (#13 top left) and Mason Wadlegger (wearing C on his jersey, right rear). The game was part of a three-team round robin weekend, with no overall winners or losers. Saturday Clearwater won against Kamloops 5-3, then lost to McBride 6-0. Sunday Clearwater lost to McBride 11-4 and then tied against Kamloops. So far this season the Clearwater Bantams have dominated their league games. This weekend they go to Winfield for a tournament. On Jan. 18 and 19 the boys have league games against Lillooet during Hockey Days and then have a home tournament on Mar. 1 and 2. Photo by Keith McNeill

Build a backyard skating rink and enjoy winter even more

Jennifer Vincent leads a party of cross-country ski-ers on the Candle Creek Trails as she teaches them how to cope with hills on Sunday. The no-cost lesson was part of a District of Clearwater's healthy living program. Next lesson will be on Sunday, Jan. 12, at Candle Creek Trails, 12 noon. For more informa-tion and to confirm registration, contact [email protected] by Keith McNeill

How to cross-country ski

St James Catholic Church

Sunday Service Mass • 11am - 12pmTuesday & Thursday

10am324 Clearwater Village

Road 250-672-5949

Father Don O’Reilly

Clearwater Seventh-Day

Adventist Church

Pastor Bill KellySaturday Service - 10amClearwater Christian ChurchPh. 250-674-3468

Clearwater Living Streams Christian

FellowshipMeeting at

New Life Assemblyevery Sunday 5:00pm

Contact Dave Meehan 250-674-3217email: [email protected]

Clearwater Community Churchopen to everyone - all denominations

CLEARWATER NEW LIFE ASSEMBLYDan Daase - Pastor

Sunday Morning Worship 10:30am

(Kids church during service)Wednesdays Am - Ladies Bible Study

Thursday 3-5pm Kids ClubPhone: 250-674-2345308 W Old N Thompson Hwy

ChurchDirectoryYour places of worship

VAVENBY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

3083 Capostinsky Rd. • Service 11 a.m.

Sunday Morning Celebration

ServicesIan Moilliet Pastor -

250-676-9574Non Denominational

Clearwater Christian Church“an Independent” congregation in fellowship with the

broader Christian community in the area.Meeting at: 11 Lodge Drive

(Behind Fields Store)

Sunday Worship Service

10 amOn the Web: www.clchch.com

For information 250.674.3841 or 250.674.2912

Pastor Mike Kiewitt250.674.1332

www.ccbaptist.ca

COMMUNITYBAPTIST24E Old North Thompson Hwy

Worship Service 10:30

CLEARWATER UNITED CHURCH

Meeting at Catholic Church of St. James

WorShip Sunday 9am

Rev. Brian Krushel250-672-5653 • 250-674-3615

www.norththompsonpc.ca

DEVELOPMENT OF A PEST MANAGEMENT PLAN

Application #: FLNR-S-INTERIOR-2014 Applicant: Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Range Branch 441 Columbia Street, Kamloops, BC, V2C 2T3 Agent: SMC Consulting, 1582 Lawrence Avenue, Penticton, BC, V2A 3C1 Tel/Fax: 250-492-6193, email: [email protected]

The purpose of the proposed multi-agency Pest Management Plan (PMP) is to manage invasive alien plants and/or noxious weeds on provincial Crown land in the southern interior of B.C.

The PMP applies to areas located within the Thompson Nicola, Cariboo, Central Coast, Squamish Lillooet, Columbia Shuswap, North Okanagan, Central Okanagan, Okanagan Similkameen, Koote-nay Boundary, Central Kootenay and East Kootenay Regional Districts.

The PMP applies to areas in the vicinity of the communities of Bella Coola, Alexis Creek, Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House, Lillooet, Clinton, Cache Creek, Blue River, Clearwater, Kamloops, Salmon Arm, Revelstoke, Golden, Merritt, Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, Oliver, Osoyoos, Princeton, Grand Forks, Castlegar, Kaslo, Nakusp, Nelson, Trail, Salmo, Creston, Cranbrook, Invermere, Fernie and Sparwood.

The pest management methods proposed for use include mechanical, cultural and biological control and the use of herbicides within the area to which the PMP applies. The common name and examples of the trade names of the herbicides proposed for use under this plan include aminopyralid (Milestone), clopyralid (Lontrel), dicamba (Vanquish), diflufenzopyr (Overdrive), glyphosate (Vantage Plus Max), imazapyr (Arsenal), mecoprop-p (Dyvel DX), metsulfuron methyl (Escort), picloram (Tordon 22K), 2,4-D Amine (2,4-D Amine 600) and triclopyr (Garlon XRT). Selective application methods include wick/wipe-on, injection, squirt bottle, cut surface, and foliar applications using backpack or vehicle mounted sprayer.

The proposed duration of the PMP is from May 1, 2014 to April 30, 2019.

A draft copy of the proposed PMP and map of the proposed treatment area may be examined in detail at: Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Range Branch, 411 Colum-bia Street, Kamloops, BC, V2C 2T3, online at http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/HRA/Plants/ or by contacting the Agent listed above.

A person wishing to contribute information about a proposed treatment site, relevant to the development of the pest management plan may send copies

of the information to the applicant (c/o SMC Consulting, Agent, at the address listed above), within 30 days of the publication of this notice.

HZ & TWClient: Ministry of Forests, Lands and NROCampaign: PMP: FLNR-S-INTERIOR-2014Size: 4.313” x 6.714”

“When you need us, we’re close by”

Call Drake at 250-674-3030 or 1-877-674-3030 day or night.

When a death occurs, I’m here to help you, every step of the way. 24 hours a day, every day.If you have made pre-arrangements elsewhere and would like to discuss having your local funeral home take care of you, please feel free to call.

Drake Smith, MSW(Funeral Director/Owner)

NORTH THOMPSONFUNERAL SERVICES73 Taren Drive, Clearwater, BC, V0E 1N2


Business & Service DirectoryACCOUNTANT - CERTIFIED

STONE & COMPANY(Robert Lawrie, Silvia Scheibenp� ug)

Certi� ed General AccountantsRison Realty • 32 E Old N. Thompson Hwy.

Feb. 1st to Apr. 30th - Every ThursdayMay 1st to Jan. 31st - By AppointmentHours: 9:30 am to Noon, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Phone: 250-674-2532 • Kamloops: 554-2533 • Fax: 554-2536Financial Statement Preparation • Corporate & Personal Income Taxes

Accountant - Certified Appliance Repair

CARPENTRY

Hazel’s HousingQUALITY WORK

• NEW CONSTRUCTION • RENOVATIONS • ROOFING

CLEARWATER, B.C.

250-674-4083Hazel Dowds

Journeyman Carpenter

Carpentry

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

SYMONS ELECTRIC- CLOSED MONDAYS -

B.C. Reg. #24833

250-587-6175

Electric Contractors

Building Supply

Winter Hours • 8:30am - 5pm


Licenced & BondedReg. NO: 99142

Florist

JAGER GARBAGEResidential & Commercial

Garbage Collection. Residential includes Blue Bag Recycling

Containers available for construction sites, yard clean-up, industrial sites etc.

Phone Jager Garbage 250-674-3798Serving from Vavenby to Blackpool area

GARBAGE COLLECTIONGarbage Collection

CONTRACTORS

Septic - Installation - Service - PumpingDemolition - Excavation - Backhoe Service

Trucking - Crane Truck - Water - DumpGravel - Sand - Top Soil - Snow Removal

Paul Jack250.819.3205 250.299.9510

Contracting

ConstructionConstruction &

Renovations from Foundations

to Roof

Rob Kerslake

Steve Noble

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

NORTH RIVERAPPLIANCE REPAIRFour Star Service

250-674-0079

DOUG JAMESPARTS - SALES - SERVICE CALLS USED APPLIANCES

73 Taren Drive, Clearwater Phone 250-674-2929 Toll Free: 1-877-974-2929

~ fl owers ~ plants ~ gifts ~ balloon bouquets ~specializing in weddings, sympathy, birthdays,

anniversaries and other important occasions

~ fl owers ~ plants ~ gifts ~ balloon bouquets ~~ fl owers ~ plants ~ gifts ~ balloon bouquets ~

CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER

NOTICE

MOTOR LICENCE OFFICE

ICBC AgentDistrict of Clearwater

250-674-2733132 Station Road, Box 157, Clearwater, B.C. V0E 1N0Of� ce Hours: Monday to Friday - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Open through the Noon hour

Motor Licence Office Plumbing & Drains

NORTH THOMPSON

NTPDPLUMBING AND DRAINSGot Leaks? Plugged Drain? New Installs

Fully Insured • 100% Guaranteed • 250-674-8151

Wells & Pumps ≈ Yearly Maintenance ≈ Frozen pipesWe are right around the corner

Contractor

Building Contractor

Renovations • Additions • New Construction Home Repairs • HAFI Jobs • Proje� Management

250-674-3875 Clearwater, BC • [email protected]�

40 years experience

Building ContractorHANS OUNPUU

Business & Service Directory


STONE & COMPANY(Robert Lawrie, Silvia Scheibenpfl ug)

Certifi ed General AccountantsRison Realty • 32 E Old N. Thompson Hwy.

Feb. 1st to Apr. 30th - Every ThursdayMay 1st to Jan. 31st - By AppointmentHours: 9:30 am to Noon, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Phone: 250-674-2532 • Kamloops: 554-2533 • Fax: 554-2536Financial Statement Preparation • Corporate & Personal Income Taxes

Accountant - Certified Appliance Repair

Hazel’s HousingQUALITY WORK

• NEW CONSTRUCTION • RENOVATIONS • ROOFING

CLEARWATER, B.C.

250-674-4083Hazel Dowds

Journeyman Carpenter

Carpentry

Symons ElectricGood Prices • Great Service • Quality WorkLARRY SYMONS • LICENSED & BONDED • CLEARWATER

- CLOSED MONDAYS - • B.C. Reg. #24833

250-587-6175


Building Supply

Winter Hours • 8:30am - 5pm


Licenced & BondedReg. NO: 99142

JAGER GARBAGEResidential & Commercial

Garbage Collection. Residential includes Blue Bag Recycling

Containers available for construction sites, yard clean-up, industrial sites etc.

Phone Jager Garbage 250-674-3798Serving from Vavenby to Blackpool area

Garbage Collection

Septic - Installation - Service - PumpingDemolition - Excavation - Backhoe Service

Trucking - Crane Truck - Water - DumpGravel - Sand - Top Soil - Snow Removal

Paul Jack250.819.3205 250.299.9510

ContractingConstruction

John White

Fully Insured

Journeyman Carpenters

Bonded General Contractor

Tiny Builders Ltd.Box 345

Clearwater BCV0E 1N0

(250) 674-4001(250) [email protected]

ConstructionConstruction &

Renovations from Foundations

to Roof

Rob KerslakeSteve Noble

NORTH RIVERAPPLIANCE REPAIRFour Star Service

250-674-0079

DOUG JAMESPARTS - SALES - SERVICE CALLS

USED APPLIANCES

Contractor

Building Contractor

Renovations • Additions • New Construction Home Repairs • HAFI Jobs • Project Management

250-674-3875 Clearwater, BC • [email protected]

40 years experience

HANS OUNPUU

FULLY CERTIFIED60 FOOT STICK BOOM

MAN LIFT WITH WINCHWe can safely lift you in the cage

to put your task close at hand. Pull a pump, lift a tower, top a treeHourly, daily and weekly rates • Includes operator

250-587-6151Kindly refer to our website: itecboomtruck.com

Boom Truck

Itec Enterprises

Gifts

The Little Gift Shop• Jewelry

• Gift Baskets• Framed photo, prints & cards

• Fishing - rods, reels, lures, knives• Local artists - and much more

Tuesday to Friday: 10 am - 5 pmSaturdays: 10 am- 4 pm

250-674-0101Next to Clearwater Computers

Gifts

SCENTSY CERAMIC WARMERSVELATA BELGIAN CHOCOLATE FONDUES

A favourite idea for personal or gift giving and home and party entertainment.Book now or orders placed weekly. No shipping or handling fees

Sat.: 10am - 4pm • Sun.: 11:30 - 4pm 343 Clearwater Valley Rd. (Beside O’Bryan’s in the Laundromat at the TNT Building Entrance to Wells Gray Park) or call 250-674-3763 or 778-208-5359

Kathy’s Jewelry & Gifts

Construction

DNA ConstructionNew Construction, Renovations, Tiling, Roofi ng.

Dan Arnold250-587-0010

Plumbing & Heating

visa, debit, mc accepted

VANDENBORRE PLUMBING & HEATING

PROPANE & ELECTRIC FURNACE REPAIRFurnace Installation • Heat Pumps and Air ConditioningRadon Gas Mitigation • Serving Blue River - Little Fort

YOUR FRIENDLY REPAIR MANWATER WELL SERVICES

Jim Vandenborre • Fully insured 250.674.2688 [email protected] 250.674.8552

Plumbing & Drains

NEED A PLUMBER?

JASEN MANN 250-674-8151

NORTH THOMPSON

NTPDPLUMBING AND DRAINS

MOTOR LICENCE OFFICE

ICBC AgentDistrict of Clearwater

250-674-2733132 Station Road, Box 157, Clearwater, B.C. V0E 1N0Offi ce Hours: Monday to Friday - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Open through the Noon hour

Motor Licence Office Septic Service

CLEARWATER SEPTIC SERVICEGive us a call before it’s too late! BEST rates in town

“Interior Health approved” POTABLE WATER SERVICE

250-674-3562

& PORTABLE TOILET RENTALS

Snow Removal

FULL STEAM Snow Removal and Sanding

Phone 250-674-1470Commercial & Residential

John ChaytorBox 561 Clearwater, BC V0E [email protected]

StorageStorage

250.674.0145

Covered RV & Boat Storage

NOW AVAILABLEOff the Hook

STORAGEMini Storage Units

TAXI SERVICE

WELLS GRAY

TAXIAVAILABLE 24 HOURS • 7 DAYS A WEEK

250-674-2214 • 250-674-1542

Taxi Service


14 -15

Year in Review 2013BC Hydro con-

firmed that it had stopped planning for a second power-line into the North Thompson Valley. The decision to resume planning would depend on whether large indus-trial loads materialize, said a spokesperson. Clearwater Mayor John Harwood feared the planning stoppage would affect several proposed projects.

Stu Seib, formerly the NCO-in-charge of Clearwater RCMP detachment, pleaded guilty in a Kelowna court to breach of trust. He had admitted to stealing cocaine from a police evidence locker.

Clearwater town council awarded a $635,000 contract to construct five new dressing rooms at the Sportsplex to an Abbotsford company.

TRU dean of sci-ence Tom Dickinson outlined plans for the proposed Wells Gray Wilderness Center to town council. It would accommodate 20 people, be entirely devoted to education, and would not com-pete with any existing business, he said.

SFU post-graduate student Samantha Charlton outlined the work she was doing exploring the barriers and opportunities to harvesting non-timber forest products. She expected to spend sever-al months in Clearwater and Chu Chua.

MarchAn open house was

held to discuss the Bear View shopping center being proposed for a 10 acre lot south of Highway 5 immedi-ately west of the junc-tion with Haywood Road. “The indoor shopping concept is new to the commu-nity and we feel that the tourists traveling through Clearwater would benefit year-round,” said owner Ron Rotzetter.

Clearwater Midge Rec Warriors won the Thompson-Caribou Super League champi-onship. “Every player put their hearts into this game and pulled together as a team,” said coach Tim Walker.

Rev. Brian Krushel started as the new

pastor of Clearwater United Church and the Church of St. Paul in Barriere. Dignitaries from the United, Anglican and Lutheran churches attended the service.

Town council tabled an application to re-zone land for Ron Rotzetter’s proposed Bear View shopping center until a compre-hensive development plan is developed that involves not just the subject property, but adjacent pieces of land as well. Staff had rec-ommended the appli-cation be rejected, but one factor in the deci-sion to table instead was a statement that there was no land available in the existing commercial zone near the Clearwater Valley

Road junction that was of adequate size and/or without restric-tive covenants.

Healthcare staff from Clearwater, Barriere and Chase took part in a two-day rural emergency course held at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital. “It recogniz-es that rural emergen-cy medicine is different from that in the urban emergency room,” said Dr. John Soles, one of the organizers.

Future Shop pre-sented a $22,000 cheque to CSS princi-pal Darren Coates. The school was combining on-line learning with face-to-face teaching.

The B.C. govern-ment and BCMA announced they were offering doctors

$100,000 to locate in selected rural com-munities, including Clearwater. “This is good news for our community,” said Dr. John Soles.

CSS students Chance Tobin, Jared Bourdeleau and Taylor Rhodes placed first, second and third in carpentry at regional Skills Canada compe-tition in Kamloops. Donald Ritchie came third in cabinet making, while Alex MacDonald took third in residential wiring.

The Moilliet’s Aveley Ranch near Vavenby got ready to celebrate its 100th anniversary of sheep raising. The ranch, which was founded in 1906 by Theodore Albert Moilliet (Tam), acquired its first sheep in the fall of 1913 when a flock of 40 was driv-en from Louis Creek. The railroad right-of-way had been cleared at that time but the rails were not yet installed, making an ideal trail.

Local politicians got a hand from female hockey play-ers as they turned the sod to officially mark the start of construction of new changing rooms at the Sportsplex. A pre-sentation by female hockey players had encouraged town council to get a grant through MLA Terry Lake, said Mayor John Harwood.

AprilDistrict of

Clearwater could face

a $22 million shortfall in 20 years if it doesn’t start spending more on infrastructure, accord-ing to a infrastructure master plan prepared by Urban Systems. The municipality was investing $200,000 per year on infrastructure when it should be spending $1.3 million, the report said.

Close to 200 people turned out for Clearwater Volunteer Fire Department’s first annual Easter egg hunt. Money raised during the event was to go towards a play-ground in the nearby Chad Schapansky Park.

An article outlined how North Thompson priest Father Emil Sasges survived more than three weeks in the mountains alone after his home-built airplane crashed while flying from Bowron Lakes to Valemount. The accident had occurred in 1969.

TransAlta sold its rights to several par-tially completed small scale hydro projects in the North Thompson Valley to Sorgent.e, an Italian company. TransAlta continued to own and operate its Bone Creek project north of Blue River. One possible stick-ing point with the partially completed projects purchased by Sorgent.e was the limited capacity of BC Hydro’s transmission line, said Simpcw band manager Doug Brown.

Town council voted to award a

$22,000 contract to Opus International Consultants to develop a frontage/backage road cross-section template design for the community. The municipality needs to develop bylaws so that when someone wants to build something, they can be charged to cover the costs of any improvements needed to the water system, sewer system, and so on, said Mayor John Harwood.

Clearwater town council proposed increasing the mill rate by 5.82 per cent – a $40 tax increase on a $200,000 home. Water and sewer rates also were increased.

Former Clearwater-based Conservation Officer Kevin Van Damm was awarded an Exemplary Service Medal by Lieutenant-Governor Judith Guichon.

The provincial election was under-way and NDP hope-ful Kathy Kendall was campaigning in Clearwater. The number one issue in Clearwater and the North Thompson seemed to be skills training, she said. Her main rival was Liberal incumbent MLA Terry Lake.

Ron Rotzetter asked town council for a letter of support for a frontage road to provide access to his proposed Bear View shopping center. The request was referred to staff for a decision at a later date.

Larissa Daase plays the bass as she and other members of the Clearwater Second-ary School guitar group provide the entertainment during a burger and beer night put on by the school’s parents advisory committee (PAC). The fundraiser was held in April at the Clearwater ski hill chalet. Photo by Keith McNeill

Continued from page A11


Arrow Lake News (Nakusp)Ashcroft Cache Creek JournalCaledonia Courier (Ft. St. James)CastlegarEagle Valley NewsGolden StarHouston TodayInvermere Valley EchoKamloops This WeekKelowna Capital NewsKootenay Advertiser (Cranbrook)

aaaaaaaaaaa

Burns Lake District NewsMerritt HeraldValley Express (Merritt)North Thompson Star Journal (Barriere)North Thompson Times (Clearwater)Northern Sentinel (Kitimat)Omineca Express (Vanderhoof)100 Mile House Free PressPenticton Western NewsPrinceton/SimilkameenPrince George Free Press

aaaaaaaaaaa

Quesnel Cariboo ObserverRevelstoke Times ReviewSalmon Arm ObserverShuswap Market News

Smithers Interior NewsSummerland Review or BulletinTerrace StandardVernon Morning StarWeekend Advertiser (Kitimat)Williams Lake TribuneWilliams Lake Weekender

aaaa

aaaaaaa

Ask me about the

Lower Mainland

& Vancouver

Island Al KirkwoodAdvertising Manager

672-5611 or 674-3410email: [email protected]

CHECK YOUR MARKET

90 plus publications serving

British Columbia

Contracting

On allSERVICES

Septic Service - Pumper TruckBobcat and Backhoe

Plumbing -Soils - GravelCERTIFIED HEAVY DUTY MECHANIC

250-674-0145

OR

CONCRETE:

AT ON CALL...

WE DO IT ALL...

Starting at $165.00 m3 + $15 delivery fee within Clearwater

Towing

CLEARWATER TOWING LTD.24 Hour ServiceFree Scrap Car Removal516 Swanson RoadUsed Auto Parts

NELS HINDLE OFFICE: 250-674-3123or CELL: 250-674-1427 ®


THOUGHTFOR THE

WEEK

“A new year’s

resolution is

something that

goes in one

year and out

the other.”

– Anonymous

Wells Gray Country

TO ADD YOUR COMMUNITY EVENT OR ORGANIZATION PLEASE CALL THE TIMES AT 250-674-3343

Jan. 11 & 12: Mens Skins Spiel @ Wells Gray Curling Club. Guaranteed 4 – 6 end games. Cash prizes. Reg/info 250-674-3847 or [email protected]

Jan. 13: Chamber of Commerce general meeting at the Community Resource Centre – 224 Candle Creek Road, 7pm.

Jan. 17: Seniors Mobility Workshop, 10am – 2:30pm, Community Resource Centre, rsvp Jan.

10 to 250-674-3286

Jan. 21: Council meeting, 7pm, 132 Station Road.

Jan. 24-26: Winter Festival

Feb. 14: Valentines Day Dance, 9 pm, Blue River Community Hall

March 7: Spring Bingo, 7 pm, Blue River Commu-nity Hall.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT• Tuesday Morning Coffee (TMC): Meets 10am – 11:30 @

Clearwater Community Baptist Church. All women and chil-dren welcome. (9:30-10 am Bible Study). Info 250-674-3624

• Clearwater Bridge Club: Wednesdays, Sportsplex lounge, 7 p.m. sharp, info 250-674-2195

• Raft River Rockhounds: 3rd Sat of the mth. Clw Lodge 1pm 250-674-2700

• Women in Business Luncheon: 2nd Thurs. of the mth at Wells Gray Inn, 12–2 pm. Preregister at 250-674-2700

• Clearwater Choir: Youth 3:30 - 5 pm; Adult 6:30 - 9 pm, Tuesdays, Clearwater Christian Church

• Crafts & Conversations with Cheryl. Tuesdays 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the North Thompson Aboriginal Sharing Center. Phone 250-674-3703 for more info.

• Clearwater Farmer’s Market every Saturday from 9:00 am – Noon. For more info please call Anne at 250-674-3444.

• Clearwater-Vavenby Lions Bingo: Every 2nd Tues. Elks Hall. 250-587-6269

• M&M (Mrs. & Ms.) Social. Last Sun of the mth Wells Gray Inn. 1pm: 250-587-6503

• Blackpool Community Hall Coffee House; Local musicians – every 2nd Fri. of the mth. 6:30pm. Concession, $3 or 2 for $5.

• Clearwater Elks Bingo - every 2nd Thurs. Elks Hall. open 5pm• Cribbage Wed. at the Royal Canadian Legion. 12:30 pm.• Fun Darts Fri. at the Royal Canadian Legion. 6 pm.CHILDREN & FAMILIES• Racoon StrongStart - Raft River Elem school days Mon,

Tues, Thurs & Fri 8:45-11:45am• Racoon StrongStart - Vavenby Elm school days Wed 8:50-

11:50am• Clearwater Breastfeeding Group: 3rd Wed. of every month

7:30pm @ YCS• Mother Goose - Mornings, reg. Kerry 250-674-2600 ext

227• NT BC Home Schoolers: Meets Fri. afternoons. Call Leanna

250-674-0057 for details• Kids Club: Clearwater New Life Assembly. Meets every Thur.

3-5 pm. Ages 5-12. For info contact Bobbi @ 250-674-3346

HEALTH & HEALING• AA Meetings: every Wednesday, #11 Lodge Dr, 250-674-

1923• Shambhala Meditation Group: meets every Tuesday at For-

est House 6:30-8:00 pm. Info: 250-587-6373.• Connections Healing Rooms - Fridays 1-3pm (except stat.

holidays). 86 Young Rd. No charge. Sponsored by Living Streams Christian Church. www.healingrooms.com.

• Healthy Choices – Tues 9am Clearwater Christian Church bsmnt (behind Fields). $2/wk drop-in free. Call Kim 250-674-0224

• Clearwater & District Hospice 3rd Mon. Sept-Jun 10am Legion.

RECREATION• Drop-in soccer: May-Sept. Tuesdays & Thursday at 7pm at

CSS � eld. Everyone welcome!• Bowling: Mon. 10–12pm & 1-3pm; Thurs., 1-3pm. Seniors

Centre at Evergreen Acres. 250-674-2699• Clearwater Sno-Drifters: 1st Thurs every mth. 250-676-9414• CNT Rod & Gun Club: 3rd Tues. of the mth. Blackpool Hall

7pm Nov., Jan., & Mar. AGM in May• Volleyball: Tues. 7:30-9:00 PM, Nov. 5 - Dec. 10, at Clearwa-

ter Secondary School Gym, $2 drop in. Info: 250-674-1878.• Yoga Tree – Call or email Annie 250-674-2468 annie.

[email protected]• Core Strength Fitness. Tuesdays. 10-11am 250-674-0001• Walking Club: Indoors: Wed., 6:45-7:45am, & Thurs, 3:30-

4:30pm, Nov. 20-Dec. 12, 2013 at Clw Secondary School, FREE. Info: 250-674-1878

• Drop-in Curling: Fri. Jan. 11 - Mar. 8, 7:00 PM, $5. Brooms and sliders available.

• Badminton: Mon & Wed, Oct – Mar, CSS gym, 7:30-9:30 pm, $3 drop-in fee, info 250-674-2518

• Drop in Basketball: Fri., 7-8:30pm, Nov. 1-Dec. 1, $2 drop in at Clearwater Secondary School Gym. Info: 250-674-1878

SENIORS• Wells Gray Country Senior’s Society 3rd Sun Social Meet at

the Wells Gray Hotel at 12:30pm for lunch or dessert, & chat• Wells Gray Country Senior’s Society Book Club Last Thurs-

day of the month at 2pm at the public library. All seniors welcome.

UPCOMING EVENTS

ONGOING EVENTS

250-674-2674

Bayley’s BistroBayley’s Bistroin the Brookfield Shopping Centre in Clearwater

Eat in or Take out Fried Chicken

250-674-2674

this ad is sponsored by

REGISTER TODAYTEL: 250.674.3530 IN PERSON: 224 Candle Creek Rd. EMAIL: [email protected] • www.tru.ca/regional_centres/clearwater

UPCOMING COURSES OFA Level 1 First Aid Jan 26 & Feb 28 $90

OFA Level 3 Jan 20 - 31 $780

Gymnastics (various age classes) Jan 7 – Mar 13 Various prices

Intro to MIG Welding Jan 6 - 28 $350

Conversation Spanish Jan 21 – Mar 11 $80

Red Cross Babysitting First Aid Jan 24 & 25 $75

FEATURED COURSECONVERSATIONAL SPANISH – DATE CORRECTIONJoin Carol McNeill just back from South America as she leads stu-dents through this Introductory Spanish class. By learning simple structures and vocabulary you will be able to function and make contact when you travel to Latin countries. Jan 21 – Mar 11INTRO TO MIG WELDING – Call immediately if you are interested in this course!!!!Gain skills in GMAW (MIG) wire feed welding. Several different types of wires and shielding gasses will be utilized in a variety of welding positions. Cutting and fi tting of joints will be stressed, with the opportunity to plan and begin a small project. Participants are encouraged to bring their home welders. Jan 6 – 28, 2014 OFA LEVEL 3 This course covers emergency medical techniques currently considered to be the responsibility of the Level 3 attendant. Em-phasis is on primary action approach and patient assessment. This program leads to Work Safe BC certifi cation. Jan 20 - 31, 2014

Clearwater Times Thursday, January 9, 2014 www.clearwatertimes.com A17 Clear Water Times Thursday, January 9, 2014 www.clearwatertimes.com A17

NOW HIRING

Clearwater A&W is seeking experienced, mature, responsible, dedicated individuals to fill kitchen and cashier positions.

Please submit your resume by email: [email protected], fax: 250-674-3226 or drop off your resume at the front counter.

Top Employers Now

Hiring. Start Today!

“The Employment Program of British Columbia is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia”

In Partnership with Barriere & District Chamber of Commerce and Yellowhead Community Services

BARRIERE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES629 Barriere Town Rd. V0E 1E0 • 250-672-0036 • Fax: 250-672-2159

E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.barriere-employment.ca

CLEARWATER EMPLOYMENT SERVICES58A Young Road, Clearwater BC V0E 1N2 • 250-674-2928 • Fax 250-674-2938E-mail: [email protected] • Web Page: www.clearwateremployment.ca

NORTH THOMPSON JOBS

Free Workshops to help with your work search are available. Please contact us to register for one or all of these free workshops. “Back to Work Boot Camp”: Feb. 3rd – Feb. 7th :

Workshops will be as follows: ‘Discover You’ (Assessments) Workshop: Mon. Jan. 6thResume, Cover Letter and Interview Skills Workshop: Tues. Jan. 7thNetworking, Cold Calls & Dress for Success Workshop: Wed. Jan. 8th Internet & Email Basics Workshop: Thurs. Jan. 9th Accepting, Maintaining & Starting Employment Workshop: Fri. Jan. 10th

Resumes & Interviews: Go hand in hand, so the better prepared you are the greater the impression you will make to your future employer. Please drop in and our friendly staff will assist you.Targeted Wage Subsidy (TWS): Are you currently on Employment Insurance or have you been in the last 3-5 years? If you have, you may be eligible for wage subsidy. Ask us for further info.Funding for Skill Enhancement: Recent or active EI clients with a career plan in mind seeking assistance through Service Canada are required to book an appointment with one of our Employment Counsellors.• Blue River Library: An employment consultant comes to the Blue River School. Next visit is Tuesday January 14th from 12:30-2:30. If a one on one appointment is required, please call to set up a time prior to the drop in.

Cashier: 4 positions/Clearwater #C0271Cook/Prep Cook: 3 positions/

Clearwater #C0270 Logging Truck Driver: Seasonal/

Clearwater #C0269 German Speaking Tour Guide: FT/

Seasonal/Clearwater #C0264Professional Driver: Casual/Seasonal/

Clearwater #C0263 Early Childhood Educator/Facility

Manager: FT/PT Barriere #CB0262Support Worker - Child care programs:

2 positions/Clearwater #CB0259 Traffic Control: Casual/Clw #C0256 Early Childhood Educator/Educator

Assistant: FT/PT Clw/Barriere#CB2050Cook: 2 positions/Clw #C02409 Postings/Blue River: PT & FT

#CB0222 Maintenance Technician, Maintenance Labourer, Chef Garde Manger, Assistant Pastry Chef, Marketing Coordinator, Maintenance Manager, Guide, Fine Dining Server, Housekeeper

Operated by Yellowhead Community ServicesThe Employment Program of BC is funded by the Government of Canada & the Province of British Columbia

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR – Yellowhead Community Services CB0250SUPPORT WORKER – Yellowhead Community Services CB0259EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR/MANAGER – Yellowhead Community Services CB0262GENERAL LABOURER – Woodco Sawmill B0266MYSTERY SHOPPERS – In-Touch Insight Systems B02TOW OPERATOR – North River Towing B0272 68

Go To: http://www.wiegele.com/employment.htm for information on jobs with Mike Wiegele.

Skill Development: If you have been on Employment Insurance in the past 3 years (5 years maternity) & are currently unemployed, you may be eligible for

re-training dollars. Book an appointment to see one of our counselors for information.We look forward to seeing you: come in and we’ll personally see that you get the

information you’re seeking or call and make an appointment.• Free computer & Internet access • Free resume help •

Free information on many services.

Help Wanted

Help Wanted Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Announcements

Cards of ThanksA huge Red Hat Full of Appre-ciation goes out to the Red Hot Mama’s for their generous donation to Barriere & District Hospice Society. We, at Bar-riere Hospice, Thank You very much for your donation & sup-port.

Coming EventsDaytime Stick CurlingAfternoon league/drop-inStarting in JanuaryWells Gray Curling ClubFor Info call Larissa 250-674-3373

Wells Gray Curling ClubMens Skins SpielJan. 11 & 12Guaranteed 4 — 6 end gamesCash prizesRegistration $200/teamPh. Mel @ 250-674-3847 or [email protected] to register

InformationSafe Home Response

Providing a safe place to escape for women and their

children. Volunteers always needed.

Call 250-674-2135.

Help Wanted

Announcements

Information

ADVERTISE in the LARGEST OUTDOOR PUBLICATION IN BC

The 2014-2016 BC Hunting Regulations

SynopsisThe most effective way to

reach an incredible number of BC Sportsmen & women.

Two year edition- terrifi c presence for your business.Please call Annemarie

1.800.661.6335 email:

fi [email protected]

HOSPITAL AUXILIARY THRIFT SHOP

Located across the railway tracks in Vavenby, B.C.

Wednesday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Sunday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Great deals - low prices

Help Wanted

Announcements

PersonalsBarriere Alcoholics Anonymous

Call: 250-672-9643For Al Anon Call:

250-672-9643, 250-677-4234

Clearwater: AA meetings Every Wednesday, #11 Lodge Dr., side door. Roll call 8 p.m. 250-674-1923, 250-674-7313

Travel

TimeshareCANCEL YOUR Timeshare. No risk program. Stop mort-gage and maintenance Pay-ments today. 100% money back guarantee. Free consul-tation. Call us now. We can help! 1-888-356-5248.

Employment

Career Opportunities

THERE IS a critical need for Medical Transcriptionists across Canada. Work from home. CanScribe graduates welcome and encouraged to apply. Apply through MTR at www.hds-mt.com/jobs

Caretakers/Residential Managers

MOTEL ASST Manager Team to run small Motel in Parksville BC. Non-Smoking, no Pets, good Health, fulltime live-in position. Call 250-586-1633 or email: [email protected]

Drivers/Courier/Trucking

EXPERIENCED CLASS 1 Drivers, F/T, P/T needed for California & Arizona produce hauling, excellent pay and benefi ts+ safety bonus and home time. Call Jerry or Brian 1-877-539-1750.

Education/Trade Schools

Centre for Arts & Technologywww.digitalartschool.com

LEARN FROM Home. Earn from home. Huge is a demand for Medical Transcriptionists. Start your online learning to-day with CanScribe Career College. www.canscribe.com 1-800-466-1535 [email protected].

Employment

Help WantedExperienced parts person re-quired immediately for James Western Star in Williams Lake. Full time, competitive wages, benefi ts and signing bonus. Fax resume to 250-398-6367 or email: [email protected]

TUG SKIPPER Full time senior & junior positions available. Minimum Limited Master <60GT Certifi cate required. Apply via email: [email protected] or by fax: (250) 974-5216

Professional/Management

DIVISION MANAGER Needed for trucking company. Position is Salmon Arm Based. Mini-mum 5 years verifi able experi-ence in truck or supply chain management. Details on line @ sutco.ca or call 888-357- 2612 ext 230.

Trades, TechnicalHIRING in Fort St John, BC. MILL ELECTRICIANS w/ ex-perience. Wage up to $50/hr, Housing & Benefi ts. Shift-7days on/ 7off. Email re-sume: [email protected] or fax 250-630-2114 Ph: 250-263-4350

JOURNEYMAN AUTOMO-TIVE Service Technician(s) in Hanna Alberta. Hanna Chrys-ler Ltd. offers competitive wages, relocation allowance, negotiable depending on ex-perience. Bright, modern shop. Full-time permanent with benefi ts. Friendly town just 2 hours from major urban cen-tres. More info at: hannachrysler.ca Fax 403-854-2845; Email: [email protected].

Work WantedHAFI GRANTS

Notice to low income seniors and persons with disability. You may qualify for a grant up to 20,000. to modify and adapt your home for improved safety and accessibility. For details contact your local HAFI expert Hans Ounpuu, Building con-tractor @ 250-674-3875.

Services

Financial ServicesDROWNING IN Debt? Cut debts more than 60% and be debt free in half the time! Avoid bankruptcy! Free con-sultation. Toll Free 1-877-556-3500 BBB Rated A+www.mydebtsolution.com

GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed? Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB.

1-877-987-1420 www.pioneerwest.com

IF YOU own a home or real estate, Alpine Credits can lend you money: it’s that simple. Your credit/age/income is not an issue. 1-800-587-2161.

Legal ServicesCRIMINAL RECORD? Don’t let it block employment, travel, education, professional, certifi -cation, adoption property ren-tal opportunities. For peace of mind and a free consultation call 1-800-347-2540.

Photography / VideoNeed a professional

photographer? Portraits, weddings,

special events, pet portraits, commercial.

Affordable memories that last a life-time. Seniors rates.

Book now avoid & disappointment. Sorry no passport photos

Jill Hayward250-319-8023/250-672-0055

PHOTOS by Keith McNeill

Digital and fi lm photographs.Phone 250-674-3252 or

email:[email protected]

HandypersonsWilkeekon Services

Handyman & CleaningResidential & Commercial

Moving in/out, DIY projects, construction site,

interior/exterior, light haulsBonded

Gayle PeekeekootRay Wilson

250-674-2775

Merchandise for Sale

Misc. for SaleHOT TUB (SPA) COVERS. Best price. Best quality. All shapes & colours available. 1-866-652-6837 www.thecoverguy.com/newspaper?


Misc. for SaleRESTLESS LEG Syndromeand leg cramps? Fast relief in one hour. Sleep at night. Prov-en for over 32 years. www.allcalm.com Mon-Fri 8-4 EST 1-800-765-8660.

Help Wanted

Your community. Your classifi eds.

250.674.3343

fax 250.674.3410 email classifi [email protected]

CLASSIFIED RATES AND DEADLINEBuy a Classified in the Star/Journal

and your ad goes into the The Times FREE.

Regular Rate: 8.50 + GSTMaximum 15 words .20c per word extra

Special Rates: 3 Weeks;$22.15 + GST

Free Ads: Lost, Found, Student Work WantedFree ads maximum 15 words will run 2 consecutive weeks.

Happy Occasions:Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary, etc. 1 column by 3 inch - $18.49 + GSTDeadlines:Word Ads: Mondays 5pmDisplay Ads: Mondays 12pm

It is the policy of The Star/Journal and The Times to receive pre-payment on all classified advertisements.Ads may be submitted by phone if charged to a VISA, MC or an existing account.

CHECK YOUR AD! Notice of error must be given in time for correction before the second insertion of any advertisement. The paper will not be responsible for omissions or for more than one incorrect insertion, or for damages or costs beyond the cost of the space actually occupied by the error.Advertisers are reminded that Provincial legislation forbids the publication of ads which discriminate against any person because of race, religion, sex, color, national-ity, ancestry or place of origin or age, unless the condition is justifi ed by a bona fide requirement for the work involved.Readers; in ads where ‘male’ is referred to, please read also as ‘female’ and where ‘female’ is used, read also ‘male’.NOTE: When ordering items out of province, the purchaser is responsible to pay provincial sales tax. Do not send money in response to an advertisement without confi rming the credentials of that business, and be aware that some telephone num-bers will be charged for by the minute

Buy a Classified in the Timesand your ad goes into the Barriere Star/Journal FREE.

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9am -5pmBrookfield Mall, Clearwater

Ph: 250.674.3343 • Fax: 250.674.3410

12pm

Lets You Live Life.

A18 www.clearwatertimes.com Thursday, January 9, 2014 Clearwater TimesA18 www.clearwatertimes.com Thursday, January 9, 2014 Clear Water Times

This Crossword Sponsored by

WELLS GRAY HOME HARDWARE86 STATION RD., CLEARWATER

674-3717

FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY

February 19– March 20

January 20– February 18

December 22– January 19

May 21– June 21

April 20– May 20

August 23– September 22

July 23– August 22

November 22– December 21

October 23– November 21

March 21– April 19

June 22– July 22

September 23– October 22

A p r i l 2 3 - 2 9 , 2 0 1 2

This week is all about give and take, Capricorn. Do for others, and they will do for you. A special event calls for some extra-special gifts.

Some habits are hard to break, Aquarius. Look to a mentor to help and you will succeed. A fitness goal is easily achieved with a new piece of equipment.

The odds may be stacked against you, Pisces, but that doesn’t mean you won’t come out on top with a little ingenuity. A weekend endeavor requires a leap of faith.

Speak up, Aries, and the problem will be solved. A little miracle at home makes for an interesting weekend. Travel plans come together.

Cast aside all doubt, Taurus. The offer is genuine and will bring you many rewards. A test of faith begins— be strong. Money woes ease.

Feeling blessed these days, Gemini? Pay it forward. A compromise at home raises everyone’s spirits and fun ensues all weekend long!

A business relationship blossoms with an addition. A larger-than- life personality drops by with an offer you can’t refuse. Oh boy, oh boy, Cancer.

Oops, Leo. You fall behind on a project, raising some eyebrows. Not to worry. You will get back on track sooner than you think, thanks to an innovation.

Spend less, save more and you’ll definitely get more, Virgo. More in your bottom line and more peace of mind. Flowers provide a great pick-me-up.

Lady Luck smiles on you, Libra, and there is nothing beyond your reach. A treasured heirloom resurfaces, bringing back many fond memories.

The tiniest of changes make a vast improvement in a project. A rejection is a blessing in disguise. Be grateful for what you’re given, Scorpio.

News from afar gets the creative juices flowing, and you accomplish more than you have in some time, Sagittarius. A game of wits at the office proves challenging.

January 9 - 15 , 2014

Now may be the time to try some-thing new, Aries. You are not one to shy away from anything, but right now you’re a bit apprehensive about things. Take a leap of faith.

Cancer, a new op-portunity comes your way but you’re not quite sure if you’re ready for such drastic changes. Take your time be-fore making a final decision.

Feeling homesick, Libra? If so, make some post-holiday plans to visit with friends or family you didn’t get a chance to see during the holidays. Enjoy this time spent with loved ones.

After time away for the holidays, getting back into a routine can be challenging, Capricorn. But you like to stick to a schedule, and get-ting back on track is the way to do it.

Aquarius, although you have many friends, you recently have only spent time with a select few. This week is a great time to reach out to those friends you haven’t seen in awhile.

Taurus, many people look to you as a leader, and they are wise to do so. You are especially trustworthy, and you will be asked to solve a few problems this week.

Leo, no matter how hard you try, some people just can’t see things from your point of view. Don’t take this person-ally, as everyone is entitled to their own opinions.

Scorpio, you like to stay busy. But you sometimes feel over-whelmed with all that you have to do. Stop biting off more than you can chew and take things one task at a time.

Your competi-tive juices will be flowing this week, Pisces. Enjoy the competitive atmo-sphere but don’t take things too far.

Gemini, there won’t be much time to enjoy recreational activities this week, so you may have to find a new way to let loose. Rest assured there will be more time for fun down the road.

Virgo, sometimes it seems like you have all of the answers, while at other times, you might not know how to approach a situation. Take some time to analyze your approach.

Sagittarius, now is a good time to make resolutions and re-connect with distant friends. It is good to rekindle relation-ships and commit to spending more time with friends and family.


Misc. for SaleSTEEL BUILDINGS, Metal buildings 60% off! 20x28, 30x40, 40x62, 45x90, 50x120, 60x150, 80x100 sell for bal-ance owed! Call 1-800-457-2206; www.crownsteelbuildings.ca

STEEL BUILDING. The big year end clear out! 20x22 $4,259. 25x24 $4,684. 30x34 $6,895. 35x36 $9,190. 40x48 $12,526. 47x70 $17,200. One end wall included. Pioneer Steel 1-800-668-5422.www.pioneersteel.ca

Misc. WantedPrivate Coin Collector BuyingCollections, Estates, OlympicGold & Silver Coins, Bills etc. Confi dential 778-281-0030

Used Postage StampsSupport International Scouting by donating used stamps which are sorted & sold to raise money for the International Develop-ment Fund of the International Scout & Guide Fellowship. This fund pays for training for Scout-ers in the third world.Drop stamps off at front counter of the Star/Journal in Barriere, or call Margaret at (250)672-9330.

Real Estate

Mobile Homes & Parks

Mobile Home for Sale down-town Barriere: 66’x12’, in quiet 55+ park. New: F/S, roof, fl ooring & pellet stove. Upgraded insulation. Quick possession. $16,900 w/2mo free pad rent. 250-457-6604

Rentals

Apt/Condo for RentCLEARWATER, 1-Br @ Woodside. Quiet, clean, up-dated. Common laundry. NS/NP, DD + refs. $575/mo. 604-790-2482

Mobile Homes & Pads

Barriere: in riverland park, 3bdrm, double wide, large lot. Avail Feb 1. Pets neg. RR/DD $735/mo + util. 250-672-0253

Homes for RentBarriere: 3 bdrm house, 5 new appliances. RR, NS, pets neg. $1200/mo, avail Feb 1. 250-672-9362

Rentals

Homes for RentClearwater: 3 bdrm, 2.5 bath, newly reno’d, close to schools, medical center, Weyerhaeuser Sub. Call 1-250-600-3885

Clearwater: Site #24 Thomp-son Crossing. Deluxe 2bdrm hm, incl all appl, cov’d ft entry, addit, storage shed, $825/mo. Avail imm. Ph. 250-587-6151

Rooms for RentClearwater: Room for rent, incl internet, shared facilities/living sp, Dutch Lake Trailer Court, ref req. $300/mo. Male per-fered. Ph. 250-674-8300

Suites, LowerBirch Island: 2bdrm suite. $600/mo. Incl sat tv, utilities & laundry. Available Dec. 1.Ph. 250-674-1768

Transportation

Auto Financing

Transportation

Auto Financing

1.800.321.1433 www.jointsinmotion.ca

Inspire.Perspire.Participate in an event to help the 4 million Canadians living with arthritis.

We’re on the net at www.bcclassifi ed.com

WHERE DO YOU TURN

YOUR NEWSPAPER:The link to your community

TO LEARNWHAT’S

ON SALE?

REDUCE

RECYCLEREUSE


18 -19Obituary

IN LOVING MEMORY Carol Lynn TOTH

April 5, 1946 - December 19, 2013Carol Toth passed

away at Royal Inland Hospital after a brief illness. She leaves behind her life part-ner, Les Toth, as well as daughter Mona Toth (Chris).

Born in Prince Rupert, B.C., Carol was a resident of Clearwater for about 40 years. A big part of that history involved Carol and Les work-ing together at the Vavenby Division of Weyerhaeuser. They both drove forklifts, but they always man-aged to keep home life and work life sep-arate. Carol dedicated much of her energy to being the union rep, as well as developing ways to “out forklift Les.” One day they had a race to see who could load the cars quicker. Les won, but (according to Carol)

only by playing “every trick he knew ... he dropped his dunnage in front of me, revved his engine, ran into me....” Carol acknowledged that Les was the fastest forklift operator, and Les declared that “Carol was the neat-est ... no man could stack lumber like Carol.”

Following crema-tion, there will be no service at this time. Condolences may be sent to the fam-ily at www. North ThompsonFuneral.com. Arrangements entrusted to North Thompson Funeral Home, 73 Taren Drive, Clearwater, BC V0E 1N2, 250-674-3030

Making new snowshoe tracks brings back an old memory

We have several doggie visitors who consider our place to be their home-away-from-home, no matter what the season. Two were on duty as I set off for a short snowshoe hike after recent snow had all but covered old tracks.

Long-legged Jake, the standard black poodle, bounded effortlessly away as we set out. Behind him, with her self-proclaimed job as defender of all local territory, barking decisively, ran Paris, where John had just finished snow-blowing.

“Oof, oof!” stated our neighbour’s pint-sized cocker spaniel, but only briefly. Her run ended abruptly as she left bare ground and leapt into untouched snow. She was high-centred. Jake and I continued on our adventure leaving an embar-rassed Paris and my slaving husband doing his least favourite job for probably the third time in as many days.

The trees and shrubs along the lane and in backyards beside us, all drooping with ice and snow, were transformed into a myriad shapes, some with elephant trunks, others with pixie hats. The world into which we intruded was white and wonderful.

I’ve probably walked these lanes hundreds of times in the past seven years, and something is always different, entertaining, entrancing. This time the trees and over-hanging branches changed the scene so much that I didn’t always know how far along the trail I had slogged.

Deer had been there before us, in and out of the bush as well as choosing the easier terrain of the open lane. I’ve seen lots of rabbit tracks this year, and plenty had left their three-footed tracks that day, plus more. Although these critters sel-dom appear, I enjoy their hidden presence.

Turning down a less-used lane, Jake began taking advantage of my tracks, occasionally stepping on the back of a snowshoe. When I’m walking faster and he does that, I’ve often pitched forward for a wet, cold face-plant. I remained upright this time though, with my awkward, snow-laden, unwieldy feet even negoti-ating a few fallen trees successfully.

On Ogden Road, a wide-tired vehicle wearing chains had squished the snow, making walking

easier and giving Jake his own parallel track. Realizing that I was still moving slowly, my thoughts went backwards to the many times I’ve hiked with Girl Guides.

On one occasion an International camp was touring the Kootenays. We’d been taken across Slocan Lake by boat to hike up and up through tall trees to a giants’ playground of huge mossy rocks. In my normal spot at the end of the line (no way I could keep up with the front group) I tried every trick and clever line I could think of to propel the tail-enders who were dragging themselves along.

“If you go faster, you’ll find it is less tiring,” I advised these fit young ladies. Even so, many of the early arrivals had finished their lunches beside a pretty creek by the time we arrived.

Back in the snowy present, I took my own advice to complete a convoluted loop. Sunshine was emerging as I reached home.

Here John, though still slaving, was about done. Paris, and Gypsy our precocious cat, would also appreciate his efforts – at least until the next snowfall. We chuckled on seeing Jake’s snowball-covered legs, prematurely-white inquisi-tive snout and masculine moustache.

I stretch the term “trekking” to some wide angles in these tales, but this felt real. Well, at least I’d been plodding through the snow for longer than it had taken me to put on all my outdoor layers before heading out there for my lovely trek.

TrekkingTales

By Kay Knox

Hospice volunteers help food bankNiki McMillan of Clearwater and Dis-trict Hospice Society presents a cheque to Heather Stanley of Clearwater and District Food Bank. Members of the hos-pice society decided to donate to the food bank rather than give each other presents for Christmas.Photo submitted

Reach all of BC through our Classifi edsCall 250.674.3343

If You Currently Subscribe to the

You Can NOW READ Full Page Views including all ADVERTISING!

“ON LINE”go online to www.clearwatertimes.com

or call 250-674-3343 and we will help you set up your online subscription

Your news Your way


Keith McNeill

Former Clearwater-based conservation offier Kevin Van Damme lost a friend in late December.

One of his tracking dogs, Bust, was killed by a cougar in the Tranquille Valley near Kamloops.

According to Van Damme, they first got a call about the big cat on Dec. 23.

A 70-pound dog had been bit-ten and dragged away. The dog’s owner had rescued it and taken it to the vet.

“It all sounded like natural behaviour typical of a mature cat,” said the conservation officer. “The cougar attacked at night. It had the dog in its clutches but then walked away ... it still had respect for people. It was a mature tom, and usually they have learned to stay away from buildings and people.”

On Christmas Day it took a house cat from a residence in the same area. Tracks showed that it was bleeding from one paw.

Two days later another resi-dent found its bloody pawprints near his home.

He followed the tracks and found the big cat hiding under a shed.

The resident got a shot off when the cougar ran, and then called the Conservation Officer Service.

“Now I had more concerns,” said Van Damme. “It was hang-ing around the house. I knew I had to get out there with my dogs.”

Usually when a cougar is chased by dogs it will go up a tree – instinctive behaviour devel-oped from generations dealing with wolves.

This time, however, the big cat circled around and ambushed the first dog chasing it.

After dispatching the first dog, Bust, it then went after the second, Boomer, biting it severely in the head.

It didn’t finish the kill, how-ever, possibly driven away by Van Damme’s shouting.

All this happened close to the

house where the resident had found the cougar under his shed.

The resident was able to direct the conservation officer to where the cat was and Van Damme fatally shot it.

When they later examined the cougar they found that its paw had been caught in a wire snare. The injury meant it was unable to climb, which in turn caused it to circle back on the dogs chas-ing it rather than go up a tree.

“It was a pretty signficant loss to us,” the conservation officer said of the death of the dog.

Up until recently, all the cougar hounds used by the Conservation Officer Service have been trained by the COs themselves in their spare time. Van Damme trained a number of them himself while he lived in Clearwater.

Bust, on the other hand, was one of two highly trained cougar hounds purchased last March from Arizona.

One went to a CO in Cranbrook, the second to Van Damme.

Both dogs have proven them-selves during the year, successful-ly assisting in serious conflice sit-uations in the Lower Mainland, Okanagan, Cariboo, Thompson, Fraser and Kamloops regions.

The injured dog, Boomer, is one of about 25 Van Damme has trained himself. He seems to be doing well at the veterinary hospital, the conservation officer said, but it remains to be seen if he will be able to get over the trauma of the incident and be able to hunt again.

Despite the setback, Van Damme was confident that the Conservation Officer Service will continue to sponsor the canine program, with its specially-trained imported dogs.

After many years of working in Clearwater, Van Damme was transferred to Kamloops about a year ago. He and his family con-tinue to live in this community but plan to move in August, he said.

Conservation officer Warren Chayer still is based and lives in Clearwater.

20 - 21

Conservation officer Kevin Van Damme stands with one of the cou-gar hounds he has trained. A similar dog, but trained in the United States, was recently killed by a cougar near Kamloops. Times file photo

Injured cougar kills tracking dog near Kamloops

ADVERTISERS!It’s been 137 years since Alexander Graham

Bell first invented the telephone in 1876.

And guess what?

It’s still the best way for your customers to find you and give you their business.

Ph 250-672-5611and reserve your space.

Ph 250-674-3343and reserve your space.

Ad Deadline: January 27, 2014

Publication Date: February 27, 2014

Don’t miss out on the 18th annual

North Thompson Telephone Directory

and keep that business phone

ringing all year long!

WELLS GRAY HOME HARDWARE86 Station Rd., Clearwater (across from the Post Of� ce)

WINTER HOURS: 8:30 - 5:00PM MON. - SAT.

HOME HARDWARE IS A CANADIAN OWNED COMPANY

SAVE

Pay & Talk Telus Cards • $10 • $25 Available Here

CABINET & FURNITURE1880-434/436/438/440Reg. $49.99 $42.97SUEDE1858-617/653/662Reg. $47.99 $40.97

SILK1858-635/699/706Reg. $48.99 $41.97

PAINTSAVE

CLASSIC INFRARED PTC ZONE HEATER & AIR PURIFIER3836-046 $169.97

DE

SIG

NE

R S

ER

IES

250-674-3717

Documents

Clearwater Times, January 09, 2014