tHUrsDAY, jUlY 11, 2019 Vol. a-75, no. 28
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Jake watson at the 2019 calgary stampede. watson, of hudson’s hope, took second place in his saddle bronc pool. he finished his fourth performance Monday afternoon with a score of 84.50, solidfying him at second with aggregate earnings of $12,500. watson scored rides of 85.50 on Friday, and 83 and 87.50 on saturday and sunday. Turn to B5 for more
Financing approved for medical clinic expansion matt preprost
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The Peace River Regional District has approved $820,000 in financing to help build a third doctor’s office at the Fort St. John medical clinic. The approval was made at last week’s meeting in Fort St. John and through the regional hospital district board, which is responsible for 40% of capital costs of health care facilities and equipment purchases
in the region undertaken by Northern Health. Northern Health is renovating the clinic’s old mall, formerly home to a pharmacy, hearing centre, and coffee shop, into a third primary clinic. The building is already home to two private practices operating at capacity, but needs more space to accommodate more doctors being recruited to the city, according to Northern Health. “There
continues to be a moderate number of unattached patients that continue to seek medical services through the walk-in clinic,” the health authority noted in a May 23 letter to the district. The budget for the renovations is $2.05 million. Of the regional district’s share, $200,000 will come from current operations, with the remaining $620,000 being funded through reserves. Northern Health bought
the medical clinic building in 2016 during a doctor shortage because it was purpose-built and designed by doctors — a key selling feature for recruitment efforts. Last year, Northern Health said it was also looking to bring more community health services under one roof with the expansion, including occupational and physio therapy, home support, primary care nursing, immunization, and wound care services.
Taylor wants more review of burn bylaw
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Taylor councillors have sent a draft burn bylaw back to its protection committee for further review and to lessen proposed restrictions on campfires. The bylaw would give district fire officials the power to assess burn and property conditions within Taylor’s fire protection zone before registered burn is allowed to begin.
Though the bylaw is aimed mostly at Class 2 and 3 fires, provisions call for 20-foot setbacks between fire pits and buildings, property lines, trees and hedges, fences, roads, and overhead wires. “It would be impossible to have a Class 1 fire in most yards,” Mayor Rob Fraser said. “A Class 1 fires is a fairly small fire, it’s basically a cooking fire, a small campfire that you can have in your backyard. And because of the size
of it, some of these restrictions become a little difficult. So, essentially you ban it because no one can fit the parameters.” Fire Chief Steve Byford said the provisions were made with safety in mind and mirror what other municipalities have in place. “Staff does feel these safety distances should be required, especially since we’re not restricting the size of a Class 1 fire except for provincial regulations,” Byford said.
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The district began drafting the burn bylaw this spring to help prevent the threat of wildfire. The district was put on high alert in 2016 when record-breaking heat and high winds kicked up a massive wildfire on the South Taylor Hill overlooking the community. In April, a grass fire got out of control during a windy day in the same area, stoking another wave of early season wildfire fears.
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