THE www.keremeosreview.com PM Agreement #40012521
Review
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage
Vol.17
Number 32
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Serving the communities of Keremeos, Cawston, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden
New water restrictions in place
Kars Under the K
Stef Laramie
It was another successful year for Kars Under The K. The show and shine celebrated its 14th year. Find more photos and a list of some of the winners on page 8 of this week’s edition.
New doctor might be on horizon Review Staff
A new doctor might soon be in at the Keremeos Diagnostic and Treatment Centre. Interior Health officials are releasing few details but have confirmed they are in advanced talks with at least one family doctor that would like to practice in Keremeos. “There is a physician who has verbally indicated the desire to start practicing in the community of Keremeos. Arrangements to formalize an agreement are being made. When we have further information, we will make sure to share it with the community,” Dr. Curtis Bell, Interior Health’s executive medical director of community and residential services stated in an email to the Review Tuesday afternoon. It is unknown when a formal agreement between the doctor and Interior Health might be agreed upon or when the doctor
$1.15 including GST
would start. The news that a new full-time doctor might be on the horizon should come as a relief for many as the community has been struggling with only three doctors at the centre since the start of 2015. After many years of service Dr. Gerald Partridge retired at the end of 2014. Adding to the challenge was the announcement this spring that Dr. Michael Biggs, another longterm doctor, would follow suit and retire in September. Interior Health has been in talks with the municipality and other stakeholders about ways to improve chances of attracting new physicians. As part of ongoing initiatives, Keremeos Dr. Johan Boshoff recently attended a doctor recruitment fair in Penticton earlier this summer. Interior Health is in deep discussions
with a potential new doctor in Keremeos.
The Keremeos Irrigation District announced increased water restrictions about a week after the province designated the area in a Level 4 Drought rating. “In response to the Level 4 drought rating by the Province and the near record low stream flows for the Similkameen, the Keremeos Irrigation District advises its customers that Stage 2 water restrictions are in effect until further notice,” a Tuesday morning press release from the KID stated. Under the new restrictions daytime watering is no longer allowed. Residents may only water between the night time hours of 7 p.m. to mid-morning at 10 a.m. The same rules apply for residential properties in regards to watering on the calendar days corresponding with the physical street address. Even numbered houses water on even days, odd on odd. The District also requires that its agricultural customers reduce their water consumption by a minimum 30% under the Provinces request. Properties 2 acres or more in size in the Agricultural Land Reserve with a district irrigation connection and appropriate flow restrictor and who meet the farm status classification with BC Assessment Authority are exempt from these restrictions for watering their commercial crops only. Underground irrigation systems on an automatic timer shall be permitted to water between the hours 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. only on the calendar days corresponding with their odd or even street addresses. The number of sprinklers which may operate during the permitted hours based on the size of the property are as follows: 0 - .25 acres - 1 sprinkler 26 - .50 acres - 2 sprinklers 51 - .75 acres - 3 sprinklers 76 - 100 acres - 4 sprinklers Those found not to comply with the restrictions could face a fine. At Level 4 drought rating, conditions are extremely dry. Further declines in stream, lake and aquifer levels could lead to water shortages and affect people, industry such as agriculture, wildlife, and fish stocks. All water users, including those who access groundwater, are urged to maximize their water conservation efforts.