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Review Vol.18
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Number 04
Thursday, January 28, 2016
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Serving the communities of Keremeos, Cawston, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden
Rocks roll during freeze/thaw cycles Review Staff
It sounded like an explosion as dozens of rocks, some as big as 15-feet tall, came crashing down during the morning of January 22. Local resident James Scott Goll, who owns Digging Dogs Farm caught the slide on video. The slide occurred around 9:45 a.m. Friday morning on Highway 3 near the Red Bridge. The video was uploaded to his Facebook page and shared by locals and many out of towners. “ Holy Hannah that was a big rock slide, man,” Goll can be heard saying as the rocks kick up dust streams as they speed down the mountainside. One of the larger rocks came barreling down the mountain, coming to a rest just inches from the roadway. “Wow, wow. The sound man,” Goll could be heard saying in the video titled ‘Eeegaats!!! The sound was unbelievable, was like huge explosion.’ Another video posted online by another witness shows a transport truck speeding along the highway as the massive boulder comes to a stop in the catchment area by the roadway.
Screen grab from James Scott Goll video
Keremeos resident James Scott Goll captured about one minute of video of a recent rockslide near the Red Bridge about six kilometres from Keremeos.
Some area residents told the Review that the friction caused by the rocks clashing with each other as they came down the mountain caused sparks and at times red glowing areas. The Highway was not closed as a result of the slide. Orange cones were placed around the boulder.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure geotechnical engineers are conducting assessments to ensure the highway is safe for drivers. Warmer weather and freeze/ thaw conditions are resulting in more rockfalls. Rockslides are typical this time of year.
A large boulder came to rest just inches from the roadway.
Tara Bowie
Chamber ramping up for busy year as Sizzle turns 15 Tara Bowie Review Staff
Temperatures are warming up and things are starting to buzz for the business community. Similkameen Country the Keremeos and area c Chamber of Commerce is kicking off the year publicly on February 15 with a Business After Business event at the Grist Mill and Gardens. “The Business After Business is being held for two reasons. One, to get together and celebrate Chamber of Commerce Week and two, to cel-
ebrate each other,” Chris Mathieson, president of Similkameen Country said. “We’re all very busy running our own businesses and working that we forget to stop and take a look at what this valley has to offer as a business community. We have a lot to offer.” The Grist Mill event, which will take place between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., will include appetizers and beverages and a chance for participants to speak about what’s new at their respective businesses. The chamber plans to hold several Business After Business events
throughout the year and encourages any member wanting to host to get in contact with a board member or Colleen Christensen at the Info Centre. “It’s a great way to showcase your business and any changes you’ve underwent in the last little while that people might not know about,” he said. The board has been working behind the scenes feverishly on several different initiatives including preliminary plans for the 15th annual Similkameen Sizzle to be Continued on page 8
File photo
The Similkameen Sizzle, Canada’s only hot pepper festival, celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Similkameen Country members are working on plans now.