NEWS The historic Coalmont Hotel saved from fire Page 3
SPORTS Update from the Princeton Posse organization Page 9
COMMUNITY
Focus on community - those who give and give Page 12
SPOTLIGHT $1.10 Includes TAX
The Similkameen
Volume 65 Issue 2
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
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.
Multiple cougar encounters on New Year’s Day Three cougar encounters and one attack occurred in the Osprey/Link Lake areas on New Year’s Day, resulting in quite the fright for residents. Lisa Carleton lisa@similkameenspotlight.com
“Residents of the Osprey and Link Lake areas are very nervous, delaying or not doing usual outdoor activities, writes Hayes Creek fire chief, Rob Miller in a news release issued this past weekend. “If they are, they carry sticks, bear spray or a firearm and walk in groups for added security.” The following encounters were reported to Hayes Creek Fire/Rescue on Wednesday, Jan. 1: At approximately 2:30 p.m., Kim Rampfl and her three dogs encountered a cougar while out on a walk at Link Lake. Rampfl remembered to make herself larger by putting her arms above her head and yelling—thus scaring off the cat. A family of three riding snowmobiles encountered a cougar at approximately 5:30 p.m. Mother and father on one machine and a their nine year old son on another. Chief Miller said, “The call-in was convoluted, mixed up, of course, as the mother was hysterical from seeing her son drive off into the night with a cougar chasing after him.” The boy was found unharmed during the call into the fire department. Hayes Creek Fire/Rescue members began patrols and notified residents to keep their children and pets indoors.
See COUGAR - Page 2
Weather Watch
Rick Law and his faithful companion, Lucy
Courtesy of Rob Miller/Hayes Creek VFD
Rick Law recieved a puncture wound while trying to save his dog Lucy from the jaws of a cougar. He and Lucy are healing well, but Lucy suffers from nightmares and is sticking like glue to Rick.
Wednesday
High 0/Low -5
Thursday
High 2/Low -1
Friday
High 2/Low -2
Saturday
High 4/Low -3
“Whether the weather be cold, Whether the weather be hot. Whatever the weather We’ll weather the weather, Whether we like it or not.”
Sunday
High 2/Low -3
Submitted by Marg Wetherup