Wednesday Sept. 18, 2013 www.saobserver.net $1.25 GST Included
Police deem arson cause of blaze
Man with a mission A youthful, spry, 94-yearold Howard Overend makes his way along the route of the 33rd annual Terry Fox Run held Sunday at Blackburn Park. Overend, who is an inspiration to many, has participated in all 33 runs. More photos on page A14 and at www. saobserver.net.
Pedro Gonzales: Origin of fire pinpointed, business up and running Saturday.
By Barb Brouwer OBSeRVeR STAFF
Salmon Arm RcMP have confirmed a Sept. 9 fire at Pedro Gonzales Fruit and Garden ltd. was the result of arson. “We have established the source of the fire and are speaking to various witnesses with respect to their observations,” said Sgt. carlos Tettolowski Monday. “I expect the investigation to last several weeks.” Pedro’s co-owner dale Ruth is happy to leave the investigation in the hands of poWe have established lice. “The RcMP are doing a the source of great job,” he says. the fire and are Shock and despair over the speaking to fire that destroyed a feed barn, various witnesses half of the main sales buildwith respect to their ing and the product inside, are turning to hope and gratitude observations. for the whole family. “Saturday was somewhat normal for us,” said Ruth of Pedro’s albeit limited opening. “It was very encouraging for us Sgt. Carlos and I wouldn’t have expected Tettolowski otherwise – this town is amazing.” rcmp Ruth says everyone connected to the thriving business has experienced a gamut of emotions. “It has been an emotional rollercoaster,” he says of the first few days that were “powered by adrenalin” when everyone was scrambling to get organized. “There was so much to think about. “What about the lady that had ordered all that chicken feed? Just so much going through my mind.” like the other members of the family, Ruth is anxious to get back to normal as soon as possible, noting with satisfaction that more and more people, including young folks, are developing an interest in locally-grown produce – something that encourages the family to grow and sell the best produce they can. See Pedro’s on page A2
JaMes Murray/OBSeRVeR
Alert issued over Gort’s cheese
Interior Health: Warning after E.Coli-caused illness detected.
By Barb Brouwer OBSeRVeR STAFF
An outbreak of e. coli in Interior Health has prompted the health authority and the Bc centre For disease control to issue a public alert to avoid consuming cheese from Gort’s Gouda cheese Farm.
This week Football season in Salmon Arm off to a flying start. See more on page A17. Loss turns into hope through supporting caregivers. See A8 for story.
One person has died and two other Interior Health residents are recovering from e. coli-caused illnesses. Of eight people in the province to have contracted e. coli recently, four have been confirmed to have the same e. coli 0157:H7 strain, and all said they had eaten cheese from Gort’s Gouda
cheese Farm. The illness was first reported in July, with the majority occurring at the end of August and beginning of September. “Three are IH residents and one of the three is the person who died,” said dr. Rob Parker, medical health officer for Interior Health.
“The IH resident who died had consumed Gort’s cheese and had a lab-confirmed case of e. coli 0157:H7, and that particular bacteria was a ‘finger-print match’ (with the other cases).” Parker said health officials are still trying to determine See Officials on page A2
Index Opinion ....................... A6 View Point .................. A7 Life & Times ............... A8 Sports................A17-A21 Arts & Events ... A22-A25 Time Out................... A26 Vol. 106, No. 37, 44 pages