The Chilliwack
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More hot weather records fall Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Another heat milestone was reached Sunday in Chilliwack when the mercury rose to a blistering 36.5 degrees C. The new high maximum temperature record for July 5 also marked an “unprecedented” 11 consecutive days of a heat wave above 30 degrees, said Roger Pannett, volunteer weather observer for Environment Canada. Nine of those 11 days saw temperatures blasting above 32 C. Sweltering Sunday saw the previous minimum, mean and maximum record highs set in 1958 “smashed” on that day, he said. The minimum of 20 C overnight was almost nine degrees above normal, the high mean of 28.5 C was 11.35 degrees above normal, and the high maximum of 36.5 C was 14 degrees hotter. “It was the hottest Chilliwack day since the all-time Chilliwack maximum of 38.2 C of July 29, 2009,” Pannett noted. The last “substantial” rainfall was 22 mm on May 5, which was two months ago. “This heat wave is far exceeding the nine consecutive days above 30 C recorded in the summers of 2004 and 2009!” he added.
Residents find ways to stay cool at Cultus Lake as temperatures continued to soar over the weekend. Sunday’s 36.5C heat shattered another record. Chilliwack is on track to log 14 straight days of above 30-degree temperatures.
Plug pulled on Wounded Warriors Weekend Event was intended to support soldiers and first responders affected by PTSD; related story p.7 Jessica Peters The Progress The Wounded Warriors Weekend that was expected to take place in Chilliwack in just a few weeks has been cancelled. The decision was made by the board of directors, and officially announced on Tuesday morning. The weekend was to be the fourth annual event, and would have drawn in about 250 soldiers, firefighters, paramedics, RCMP and other uniformed members
from around the world who are affected by post traumatic stress disorder. Funding for the event relied entirely on partnerships, sponsorships and donations, including a $25,000 grant from the Province of B.C., presented by MLA Laurie Throness. The WWW Foundation founder and executive director, Blake Emmons, has not replied to a request from The Progress to explain the cancellation. Emmons, a performer, divides his time between Saskatchewan
and Nashville, but visited Chilliwack as recently as Canada Day. He appeared on stage briefly during the community celebrations, to promote the event and announce a partnership with ReLeaf, a local bottled water company. While this was to be the fourth event Emmons had planned, it was the first time it would be hosted in Chilliwack. In previous years it was held in Nipawin, SK and Slave Lake, AB. A Chilliwack committee of volunteers was working under the direction of Emmons and other Saskatchewan-based board members via phone calls, emails and occasional visits.
Fundraising to date has included several local events over the past eight months, including a Canucks Alumni game at Prospera, a Valentine’s Day gala dinner, a golf tournament, T-shirt sales and numerous pub nights and raffle draws. It’s not yet clear why the event was cancelled so close to when it would be held, July 31 to Aug. 4. The event was originally intended to be held at the Pacific Regional Training Centre’s grounds, with the attendees staying in the Executive Hotel there. They would have also enjoyed a weekend of rest and relaxation, with opportunities to enjoy local recreation
amenities. There was to be no cost to the attendees and their spouses and children. Throness, who handed over a cheque to the foundation in early May, said he was saddened to learn the event won’t be taking place. But, he added, he has been assured by both the local committee and Emmons that the grant would be returned to the province. “It’s still a real disappointment,” Throness said. “The volunteers spent a ton of hours already.” The local volunteers have been meeting since at least December, planning fundraisers, organizing Continued: WEEKEND/ p6
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