TUESDAY
< Dynamiters weekend
JANUARY 27, 2015
Nitros take on the Rockies | Page 8
Sullivan Mine review > No safety concerns found | Page 4
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Vol. 64, Issue 18
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Seniors facilities closed to public during RI outbreak C AROLYN GR ANT
There are currently 15 seniors facilities in the Interior Health region listed on the Active Outbreak list during this flu season. All 15 are closed to the public due to respiratory infection. They include the Kimberley Special Care Home (the Pines) which was listed on January 21 and the Joseph Creek Seniors Village in Cranbrook, which was listed on January 23. “It is standard practice around infection control,” said Karl Hardt, communications officer for Interior Health. “We ask people to stay away.”
See FACILITIES, Page 4 BARRY COULTER PHOTO
On Friday, Jan. 23, Cranbrook Acting Mayor Wes Graham presented representatives of the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) with a proclamation declaring the week of Jan. 25-31, 2015, as Family Literacy Week in Cranbrook. And today, Tuesday, Jan. 27, is Family Literacy Day, a day to promote literacy activities in families. CBAL, the Cranbrook Daily Townsman and the Cranbrook Public Library is hosting a celebration of Family Literacy Day tonight, Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the Manual Training Centre. Students’ writing projects will be recognized, the winner of the 2014 Literacy Award will be announced, and refreshments, games and activities will be on offer. The event kicks off at 5:30 pm with the family activities and then refreshments at about 6:45pm, with the Cranbrook Clicks launch at 7pm. Presentations to follow. Pictured above, left to right: Lisa Zemek, StrongStart Co-ordinator at Steeples School; Lynn Hauptman, Superintendent of School District 5; Cranbrook Community Literacy Coordinator with Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy; Cranbrook Acting Mayor Wes Graham; Daily Townsman Publisher Karen Johnston; Ursula Brigl, Chief Librarian at the Cranbrook Public Library
Warm weather increases avalanche danger TRE VOR CR AWLEY
With record warm temperatures across the southern Interior come increased avalanche danger, according to the Avalanche Canada. In Cranbrook, temperatures reached a high of 10 degrees C on Monday, after reaching a high of 6 degrees C on Sunday. That kind of weather pattern has resulted in a danger rating of considerable in the Purcells and in the alpine
region of the South Rockies, according to Avalanche Canada’s rating system. “Avalanche hazard is going to remain considerable in the alpine and the treeline through till Thursday when the temperatures cool,” said Eirik Sharp, a public avalanche forecaster, “and that’s just a result of the warm temperatures continuing to stress that snow and not letting it heal.” According to Avalanche Canada’s bulletin on the
Purcell region, a weak layer of surface hoar above a crust is buried by 40-70 centimetres of snow. That layer remains touchy and has the potential to be triggered naturally or by humans. In the South Rockies, the bulletin says a surface avalanche or cornice fall could step down to a deeper layer that would create a very large avalanche. “We’ve had a pretty significant load in the form of recent snow and rain to the
snowpack in the Purcells and the South Rockies,” continued Sharp. “Whereas avalanche activity would typically subside and slow down in the wake of the storm, what we’re seeing is these warm temperatures are causing a prolonged cycle. “So we expect to see avalanche activity, both natural and human-triggered avalanche activity likely until temperatures cool on Thursday.” Temperatures will re-
main in the low single digits throughout the rest of the week, but the current warm spell will have implications for the rest of the avalanche season. “Depending on how quickly and what happens after temperatures cool with the next weather coming in, could drastically change the future course of the season,” said Sharp. “It’s a period of uncertainty now, as to how the rest of the season shapes up.”
One arrested in theft of snowmobile RCMP
A police dog was successful in tracking and apprehending a male subject after a snowmobile was stolen on Westview Road near Cranbrook. On January 19, 2015 at 10:20 p.m., Cranbrook RCMP members responded to a call of a theft in progress. The owner of the sled jumped in his vehicle and chased after the suspect. The subject fled on foot after hitting and damaging the owner’s truck with the snowmobile. Police learned there were three subjects involved. Police Dog Services responded to the scene and successfully tracked and apprehended one male.
See ARREST, Page 3