Free Press Crowsnest Pass
the
Thur s da y, J a n u a r y 1 6, 2014
Serving the Crowsnest Pass area
Merlin Lewis General Manager Sales Manager
George Wolstenholme
Jillian Foster Finance Manager
835 Waterton Ave., Pincher Creek
888-667-8036 • www.castleford.ca
FREE
H1N1 flu vaccine runs out
(ages 2-5)
Only $50
for a half day lesson from 1pm
Castle Mountain Resort T: 403-627-5101 1.888.skitons 1.888.754.8667 F: 403-627-3515 www.skicastle.ca
By Joni MacFarlane Editor
www.powderstagecoach.ca
Complete & professional insurance services 403-562-8822 1-800-361-8658 12731-20th Ave., Blairmore, AB Fax 403-562-8239 www.crowsnestinsurance.com info@crowsnestinsurance.com
Gallery of Sight and Sound Your Telus Store with More 12701 20 Avenue Blairmore, AB
“Live Your Dream”
CFP,CLU,EPC 403-753-0020 Blairmore, AB
Top dollar paid for good, clean trades!
Vol. 1 Issue 11
Looking for your little one to learn to ski
ry Time, Guaranteed Patrick B Sager
We deal the small town friendly way.
Ivan Verdi gets a little help from Deb Whitten, President of Crowsnest Pass Cross-Country Ski Association on Jan. 10. The outing at Allison-Chinook was the first day of the Jackrabbit CrossCountry Ski program held in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club of Crowsnest Pass. Photo by Dave Whitten
r $500 COUPON e h c n i P Creek
Almost a million Albertans have been immunized against the flu – one of the highest numbers ever seen, health officials said last week. Over the past month, an escalation in flu cases prompted health officials to urge people to get a flu shot despite the unavailability of the vaccine in many communities. Alberta Minister of Health Fred Horne and Dr. James Talbot, Chief Medical Officer of Health said they received another shipment of 65,000 doses of flue vaccine from Italy. Alberta Health Services said this was the last available world-wide. It was unclear whether more would be produced. On Saturday, Jan. 11, Alberta Health Services said the vaccine was no longer available in the South Zone and all influenza clinics have been closed for the season. A limited number of doses of vaccine have been reserved for children who received a first dose and require a second dose, and for continuing care sites in case of an outbreak. Health officials also confirmed an Albertan died of avian (H5N1) flu. The patient visited China, flew from Beijing to Vancouver, and then on to Edmonton on Dec. 27 and was admitted to hospital on Jan. 1. The patient, who is not being identified, died in ICU on Jan. 3. The patient stayed exclusively in Beijing and does not reside in Edmonton. The individual’s age, gender, residence or occupation was not released. Health officials stress H5N1 or bird flu is NOT the same as the current seasonal flu virus of H1N1. It is not easily transmitted from person to person and there is no risk to public safety. The most normal way to get bird flu is exposure to infected birds and “virtually every case has a strong link to birds,” said Dr. Talbot. He added that bird flu is rapidly fatal and seasonal flu is not. This is the first case of H5N1 bird flu in North America and Canada is working with the Chinese government to determine exactly how the patient contracted the virus. There is no connection between the two viruses and there is no risk to public health. Health officials stressed that Alberta’s flu season was not unusual and that the number of confirmed deaths was well within the normal range for seasonal flu viruses.
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Bring this coupon in and receive $500 OFF any regular-priced mattress set valued at $999 or more. *valid at pincher creek location only until Jan. 31, 2014. see store for details.
david tetachuk Owner
Roberta koci sales associate
cheri Bobyk sales associate
Open 7 days a week • 403-627-3717 • Ranchland Mall • yOuR lOcally Owned advantage