news Stop by Town Hall to say hello Page 3
COMMUNITY Winter fun at Osprey Lake Page 10 & 11
SPORTS
PSS Basketball season is on Page 12
SPOTLIGHT $1.10 Includes TAX
The Similkameen
Volume 64 Issue 02
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Proudly serving the community since 1948 • www.similkameenspotlight.com We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.
Argo employees avert disaster A potential disaster was avoided thanks to the quick thinking of three Argo employees. Lisa Carleton lisa@similkameenspotlight.com
At approximately 3 a.m., on Thursday, Jan 3 Argo employees, Dave Beliveau, Damon Beauchamp and Jerry Boyce witnessed a single vehicle accident that took place directly across from the Princeton Husky station. The driver lost control of his vehicle veered off the highway and smashed into an overhead guy structure. The impact snapped the angle pole causing the Guy Line attached to the pole directly in front of the Husky station to drop straight across the highway. The Argo employees immediately sprang into action. “We were quite concerned about what could happen,” said Damon Beauchamp. “It was dark and trucks would not see that line.” Dave Beliveau went to the bottom of the hill by Billy’s Restaurant to stop traffic from proceeding up the hill—Beauchamp and Jerry Boyce directed traffic at the accident scene. John English, night shift employee at Husky said that he heard and felt “the big bang” and immediately called 911. Rescue services arrived quickly on scene. Highway Rescue, BC Ambulance (to care for the lone occupant of the vehicle) and the RCMP. Once the scene was assessed, FortisBC was called in to do the line/pole repairs. Had a semi caught that line across the highway, it would have caused another accident or a
See DISASTER - Page 2
Weather Watch Wednesday
High 1/Low -4
Thursday
High -4/Low -7
Friday
High -4/Low-10
Saturday
High -4/Low -9
Sunday
High -5/Low -8
Lisa Carleton/Spotlight
The sight of the accident and what could have been the beginning of a potential disaster if not for the actions of three Argo employees last Thursday morning.
New Legion executive installed Lisa Carleton lisa@similkameenspotlight.com
Dignitaries of the Royal Canadian Legion travelled to Princeton on January 4 to participate in the Legion Branch 56 Installation of Officers, Honours and Awards evening. Past Zone Commander Chris Yerburgh, Deputy Zone Commander Graem Wells and Ladies Auxiliary Zone Commander Marina Ashley participated in the official swearing in of the executive officers for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 56 Legion and Ladies Auxiliary for 2013. Sworn in by Zone Commander Ashley for the Ladies Auxiliary are; Ann Bauder serving as secretary-treasurer, executive members Norma Kraetor and Dawn Johnson and serving as president, Charlene Longdo.
Princeton
The Legion executive officers were sworn in by Deputy Zone Commander Wells and are serving in the positions as follows; Sergeant at Arms - Chuck Whitlock, Chaplain - Sharon Paterson, executive committee members - Neal Cox and Bernadette Kelleher, second vice - Jean Bowles, first vice Bob Paterson and Legion president, Jim Turner. President Turner took a moment to offer his personal thanks to all the volunteers that work at the Legion. “All these wonderful people volunteer their time—working in the kitchen, cleaning or doing repairs. Every little bit helps, and I just want to say thank you,” he said.
See LEGION - Page 2
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Princeton