Haida Gwaii Observer, January 01, 2016

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2015: Your Year in Review

Ferry talks

QCS lands village contract

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Skidegate’s 15 minutes

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Whooping cough

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Friday, May 1, 2015 Friday, January 2016

Earthquake rattles beds but fails to startle nerves By Stacey Marple Haida Gwaii Observer

The early morning of Friday April 24, Haida Gwaii was hit by an Earthquake of 6.1 magnitude. No tsunami warnings were issued after the earthquake. The epicentre of the quake was approximately 167 km south of the Village of Queen Charlotte. Some residents of Haida Gwaii reported objects shaking and windows rattling, but no serious damage or injuries were reported. As the islands of Haida Gwaii all have unique geological qualities, the effects of an earthquake can vary from island to island. Every community reported feeling the quake in different ways. Queen Charlotte Village which has a rock base didn’t feel the quake as much as the residents of the northern parts of Graham island. Tlell and north is mostly a sand based area and feels almost every quake that happens. Shirley Wilson of Skidegate reported feeling the earthquake. “I was sitting in my bed when I heard the house creak.” After the initial creak she felt her bed start rocking and noticed her ornaments rocking. “The Submitted photo ornaments rocked for a while after the quake Committee members of the Pulling Together Haida Gwaii Event demonstrate their teamwork abilities at the carving shedphoto in the Alex Rinfret stopped,” Ms. Wilson told the Observer. “My Kay Centre. Thein group be 26. holding a fund raiser May 2. See full story on Page 3 windswho contribute to aindramatic coastline during hightide Tlellwill Dec. son Strong and brother were also the house didn’t feel the earthquake at all.” Barry Pages of Masset, director of the Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District said he felt the quake but because it was fairly short he wasn’t too concerned. However, he morning, April 18. He missed dinner By Quinn Bender added, “This is a reminder to every one to be plans with friends later that night. Haida Gwaii Observer cash donationsThe so far of $1,124;Tuesday and a ‘donation The Queen Charlotte Thrift Shop is moving prepared.” following Masset in kind’ of $4,000. But we need to raise persons another forward on the existing facility. Earthquakes areexpansion nothing newoftoits Haida RCMP received a missing The search for Kumdis Ilsand resi$3,000 before we can submit our application. Heading into the comes new year, society the Gwaii. The quake just the weeks after that a runs report, which led to the discovery dent, Brent Hendren, was suspended The society isMr. completing Gwaii Trust applishop is stressing theirGwaii top priority is zero to continue study identi ed Haida as ground Hendren’sthe boat abandoned and lastto weekend following one of Haida provide a community cation for a Jan. 31, 2016 deadline. for the next major seismicservice event onbytheselling west donated overturned south of Watun River Gwaii’s largest search and rescue items at a price everyone can afford, but it needs all “We need tonear meet with ourProvincial Gwaii Trust reprecoast. Pure Lake Park. operations in more than 25 years. - Heather George communities’ support indoesn’t the final stretch sentative to discuss application, any This recent earthquake qualify as to securing “It isthe strongly believedanswer that Brent “I know for a fact that if he was a much needed grant. questions, and implement any suggestions she may the big one scientists predict, as it was smaller alive out there we would have found drowned when his rowboat capsized - Chris The society hasthereceived letters for There’s no chance we would have.Ashurst We may meet with othersIsland,” if she recommends than even some of aftershocks afterof thesupport 7.7 him. west of Kumdis Mr. Ashurst their grantearthquake applications but is appealing for have both missed him. The community it,” Ms. Georgesaid. said.“This magnitude in 2012. is based on information to come 50 per cent more and more donations. “More indi- know Any letters from of support or the cash donations The letters same weekend that Haida Gwaii got from should witnesses, location of the may capweup didwith everything we of the estimated costs. “We have saved $58,000 and we are in the process be mailed to: the Charlotte Thrift Shop, Boxof387, viduals and6.1 organizations be very welcome,” hit by this tremor, Nepalwould was devastated sized vessel, and the distribution his possibly could to find him,” said Massett Marine Rescue. of getting approval forwith a CreditMr. Union mortgage Queen BC V0T 1S0along the shoreline. organizer Heatherevent. George said. by a 7.8 magnitude effects Chris Ashurst, SAR manager Hendren, 27, was last Charlotte, seen personal of $16,700—the maximum will lend us. his OurKumdis Questions The total estimated expansion comes Earthquakes between acost 6.0 of andthe a 6.9 are Archipelago Ground Search and they rowing out to Islandcan be directed at Heather George, Joan swap shop tables raised $1,030; we have received Wilson, or Joanne Perreault See SEARCH on Page 2 to $166,800. The society is required by Gwaii Trust considered a strong on the Richter scale. Rescue and deputy unit leader with cabin rental with supplies Sunday

Search and rescue suspended after Day 3 Thrift Shop appeals to community for 11th-hour support “I know for a fact “We need to raise that another if he was alive $3,000.” out there we would have found him.”

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