THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015
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East Kootenay snow pack at 80% of normal B.C. River Forecast Centre releases snow pack report C AROLYN GR ANT
It has been a winter without too much snow thus far in 2014-2015. In fact, the City of Kimberley just this week did its first removal of snow from the downtown area. It is the job of those at the BC River Forecast Centre to keep track of snow packs in order to keep local, regional and provincial governments informed on what to expect for the spring runoff. The Centre has just released its first forecast of the season, and no surprise, it is showing less than normal snow packs all around the province. According to the forecast, East Kootenay snow packs are at 80 per cent of normal. Some areas, like the Okanagan are 90 per cent of normal, while others — South Coast — have only 49 per cent of normal snow accumulation for this time of year. Last year at this time, the Upper Fraser snow pack was 140 per cent of normal. The East Kootenay was 91 per cent of normal.
See SNOW PACK, Page 3
St. Mary’s crosswalk a safety issue, principal says ARNE PETRYSHEN
The principal of St. Mary’s Catholic Independent School said she was surprised to see news about her crosswalk request in the newspaper last week, as she hadn’t yet received any word from the City of Cranbrook on the matter. Back in early November Jerelynn MacNeil contacted the city to request a crosswalk be installed on the corner of 4th Street South and 16th Avenue South. In the Jan. 8 Daily Townsman, it was reported that city engineers recommended against the crosswalk, as they said it doesn’t meet the criteria for the City of Cranbrook Street Sign and Road Marking Manual, or the Pedestrian Crossing Control Manual for British Columbia. And just to be clear city council has not made any decisions on the matter — only heard the engineer’s report recommending against it.
See CROSSWALK, Page 4
KAILIN VIERS PHOTO
Anyone near Baker park on Sunday afternoon, Jan 11 may have seen a group of people singing on the bridge over Joseph Creek. This was the blessing of the waters by the Father Andrew Applegate and members of St. Aidan’s Orthodox church as part of the celebration of Christ’s baptism in the Jordan. This celebration is known as Theophany; the time when the Holy Trinity appeared clearly to mankind for the first time. Water is present throughout all of earthly creation and is necessary for its survival. By sanctifying the waters at one location, all of creation is sanctified as well. Every year, every Orthodox congregation participates in the work of Christ by blessing the local waters.
Triathlete club hosting open house TR E VO R C R AW LE Y
A local triathlete club is hosting a meet and greet next week to promote their organization and recruit new members at the Studio Stage Door. The club supports health and wellness, adventurous living and provides fitness and social opportunities for all ages including kids and adults. Spearheaded by Barb Fode, the Tri 4 Success Triathlon club will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. and include a kids colouring contest, draw prizes donated from local businesses and refreshments. “We’re having a social community night, and it’s about trying to gather more members into the multi-sport club Tri 4 Success,” said Charlie
Cooper, of RM Events, which organizes the Wasa Triathlon. “So we like to get all current members and anyone interested from the community for a fun evening just to get to know each other. The directors will share information on what the club is going to look like this coming year and we’re just trying to re-energize the club and get as many people involved [as we can].” There are roughly 80 members that are a part of the club, and Cooper is hoping to use the meeting as a way to gauge the interest of outdoor adventure recreation and connect the various other kinds of clubs in the area.
See TRIATHLETE, Page 4
TOWNSMAN FILE PHOTO
Organizers hope to use the meeting as a way to gauge the interest of outdoor adventure recreation and connect the various other kinds of clubs in the area.