THURSDAY
NOVEMBER 13, 2014
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Vol. 63, Issue 219
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J.D. EKSTROM
Get set for winter driving TREVOR CRAWLEY
Now that winter has officially arrived, Public Works will be doing their part to keep Cranbrook’s roads and sidewalks clear of the white stuff. However, the highways can be tricky to navigate, especially when the snow freezes, and that maintenance falls under Mainroad East Kootenay Contracting. The company is responsible for plowing and maintaining numbered provincial highways and roads between Brisco (north), Goatfell (west), Alberta (east) and the U.S. Border
(south). Al Sander, general manager for the company, said people often ask what gets plowing priority and how often plows are out to apply salt and winter abrasive. “It’s important for everyone to know that Mainroad’s plowing response time is determined by the standards set by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure,” Sander said. “Priority is given to numbered highways and school bus routes with other roads frequency determined by winter traffic volumes.
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sheds, and 60,000 tons of winter sand gets used on the roads. During the winter, the company is encouraging drivers use winter tires and to slow down and allow for a larger gap between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. Accidents, unsafe road conditions and road kill can be reported to Mainroad’s hotline, the information of which is used to update DriveBC, while the hotline can dispatch additional personnel and record public communication as required. That number is 1-800665-4929.
FERDY BELL AND
Cranbrook’s notable hard-rock guitar legend Jacen Dean (“JD”) Ekstrom has died. Ekstrom was suddenly struck with a ruptured aorta on October 28 while in Calgary and was immediately rushed to Foothills Hospital, where after a brave struggled for his life (and surrounded by his family) he passed away on the afternoon of November 7. He was 42. Inspired in his teens by the hard-rock sounds of KISS, Motley Crue, Guns N’ Roses and the like, Ekstrom displayed an in-born natural talent with the electric guitar, and soon established himself as one of the flashier lead-guitar soloists in the Cran-
Compassionate.
Re-Elect Wayne
STETSKI
“These frequencies are reviewed annually by the Ministry to ensure that plowing priorities reflect any changes in the road network.” Mainroad is not responsible for plowing inside municipal boundaries or on forest service roads, but there are maintenance yards scattered across the region at Yahk, Cranbrook, Kimberley, Jaffray, Invermere, Fernie and Sparwood. In terms of numbers, there are 3,673 lane kilometres to cover with up to 50 pieces of snow removal equipment. 5,500 tons of salt is stored in 10
Jacen Dean Ekstrom: 1972-2014
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Wayne balanced economic needs with human needs as Mayor, including improved accessibility for the disabled and seniors.
Find out more at stetski.com
Vision. Leadership. Heart.
“I never had to worry onstage when JD was riffing away or shredding out a screaming solo. He became my mentor, and he basically was the bandleader!” Bif Naked
brook music community. His early local bands (Teaser and Ebony Tusk) were strong draws in local house-parties and rock cabarets, and Ekstrom’s dashing style was inspirational to many young local musicians of the time.
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FOR THE TOWNSMAN
The clean-shaven gentlemen pictured above are going for a more “natural” look. Members of the Rocky Mountain Naturalists are letting it all grow out for the month of Movember, having formed the team “Nats for Nads,” to raise funds and awareness of men’s cancers such as prostate, testicular and other related health issues. Check out this link — moteam.co/nats-for-nads — for more information on the team and the movement. This is the Nats first venture into the Movember movement, so chip in and help these now or soon-to-be-mustachioed men support the cause. From left to right: Daryl, Tim, Jim, Frank, George (captain), John and Greg.
Local rock hero remembered