Cranbrook Daily Townsman, June 21, 2013

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FRIDAY

< The great cattle caper

JUNE 21, 2013

Ft. Steele’s new play and all local cast | Page 4

Beating back the buzzers > Cases of West Nile virus reported in B.C. | Page 2

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Vol. 61, Issue 120

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Roads closed during heavy rainfall Cranbrook and Kimberley have so far gotten off easy from rain compared to the Elk Valley and Alberta

SALLY MACDONALD Townsman Staff

Heavy rainfall is wreaking havoc around the East Kootenay, causing flooding in Fairmont, road closures on all routes to Calgary except Highway 3, and leaving Cranbrook and Kimberley on high alert as we watch our creeks and rivers rise. A volunteer weather observer for 40 years, Dave Dunbar in Marysville said that he recorded 60 millimetres (2.4 inches) of rain in the 24 hour period between 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19 and 1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20. “(Thursday) morning was almost twice as much rain as I’ve ever recorded at one time,” said Dunbar. Environment Canada meteorologist Doug Lundquist said that on Wednesday, Cranbrook saw 31.4 millimetres (1.24 inches), and in the first six hours of Thursday there had already been 24 millimetres (0.95 inches). “It is not a record overall,” said Lundquist, “but we’ll see what (Thursday) ends up like. We are doing it by calendar day. “Maybe you are not

going to break any extreme record, but you have definitely broken two daily records.” A flood watch has been issued for the Kootenay River and the Elk River, the second highest level the B.C. River Forecast Centre can place. The Kootenay River at Fort Steele is flowing at 1,000 cubic metres a second and rising fast, the centre said. The Elk River at Fernie is flowing at 290 cubic metres a second, but the rate of rise is easing. In Cranbrook, the city is closely watching Joseph Creek as it burst its banks near Baker Park. “Public Works staff is actively monitoring Joseph Creek, other water bodies, and all City storm drains for any potential flooding issues, as the rain continues to fall,” said Chris Zettel, corporate communications officer. “Although Joseph Creek is rising this morning, Public Works crews report that there is still ample space for the water to rise further before any flooding could potentially occur.”

See RISING, Page 5

ALEX HANSON PHOTO

Highway 3 east of Sparwood was reduced to single-lane alternating traffic Thursday as the swollen Elk River threatened the last remaining route out of the East Kootenay.

MBSS preparing for Grade 10, 11 awards night ARNE PE TRYSHEN Townsman Staff

It’s the time of year when Grade 12 students are looking at what’s next and preparing to celebrate their achievements. This year, Grade 10 and 11 students will have their own chance to celebrate their achievements as well. That’s because

Mount Baker Secondary is having an awards night to celebrate the students in the two lower grades. “We’re having a night to recognize the accomplishments of some of the Grade 10, 11 students and some of our athletes,” said vice-principal Dave Hill. He said the school

would be acknowledging the exceptional achievements of students in both academic and athletics endeavours. The awards night will be much like the athletic banquets in the past. For the athletic awards, participation in sports teams and intramural will be recognized.

“What we’ve done is amalgamated the old athletics banquet with recognition for Grades 10, 11,” Hill said. “We like to acknowledge the kids’ efforts and successes. We do the scholarship night for the Grade 12s, but the Grade 10 and 11s are doing really good work at the school too. I think it’s good for the

students to acknowledge what they’ve accomplished.” They will be handing out awards to the roughly 600 Grade 10 and 11 students. The event is mainly for parents, as they don’t have enough room for the general public. Grade 10 and 11 awards night is Tuesday, June 25, from 7-8 p.m.

Market Season Begins Saturday June 22nd! 9am - 1pm

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