WEDNESDAY, January 29, 2020
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LOCAL NEWS
Boil-water order for Heffley Creek TIM PETRUK STAFF REPORTER tim@kamloopsthisweek.com
There is no timeline for when a boilwater notice that is impacting as many as 500 people in the Heffley Creek area could be lifted, according to an Interior Health official. Heffley Creek Waterworks has been on a boil-water advisory since before Christmas, when tests first showed unacceptable microbiological results. “They had a positive bacteriological count in one of their samples taken on Dec. 18,” Rob Birtles, the team lead of Interior Health’s drinking water program,
told Kamloops This Week. “That led to a review of the sample with the operator and a decision was made to issue a notice.” Heffley Creek Waterworks runs off three active wells. According to Birtles, it’s tough to say when the advisory may be lifted. “It really depends on the issue at hand,” he said. “It could be a number of things and you need consecutive days of negative samples.” Birtles said water systems across B.C. are tested regularly and notices are issued as required. “In general terms, we have approxi-
mately 1,920 water suppliers in Interior Health and we will have approximately 500, plus or minus 100, on a boil-water advisory at any given time,” he said. “So, is it common? It’s quite common.” There are five other boil-water notices in the Heffley Creek area, each affecting small water systems serving less than 50 people. Birtles said his program has been advocating in recent years for small volunteer-run water suppliers to merge with larger systems or turn over operations to the regional district. “Volunteers burn out after a while,” he said.
B.C. reports first case of Wuhan coronavirus KAMLOOPS THIS WEEK
Health officials in B.C. say a man in his 40s is presumed to have coronavirus and is doing well as he recovers at home. He is the first presumptive case of the virus in the province. Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, said the man works regularly in China and lives in the area covered by Vancouver Coastal Health. She said the man has vol-
untarily isolated himself since returning to Canada last week and no members of his family have shown any symptoms as they are being monitored by health officials. China has confirmed more than 4,500 cases of a new form of coronavirus, with at least 106 deaths. In a joint statement, Henry and provincial Health Minister Adrian Dix said the risk of spread of the virus within
British Columbia remains low, noting all necessary precautions are being taken to prevent the spread of infection. “We have multiple systems in place to prepare for, detect and respond in order to prevent the spread of serious infectious diseases in the province,” the statement reads. “It is not necessary for the general public to take special precautions beyond the usual measures recommended to
prevent other common respiratory viruses during the winter period. Regular handwashing, coughing or sneezing into your elbow sleeve, disposing of tissues appropriately and avoiding contact with sick people are important ways to prevent the spread of respiratory illness generally.” Anyone concerned they may have been exposed to the coronavirus should call HealthLink BC at 811.
Annual General Meeting 5PM-7PM Tuesday Feb. 4, 2020 XChange New Gold Boardroom 286 Tranquille Road 4th Meridian Auctions & Vintage Shop Now Accepting Consignments of Fine Art + we buy quality antiques & vintage items ~ We host regular online art auctions & sell art, furniture + collectibles directly at our shop & showroom in the Cannery Trade Centre 104 - 1475 Fairview Road, Penticton
Open Tuesday - Friday 11 - 4 or by appointment: 250-462-4969 or 250-488-0850 www.4thmeridianvintage.ca | www.4thmeridian.ca
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M E E T O U R DO N O RS
TRU sincerely thanks Mike Wiegele for supporting students in the Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts and Tourism.
Left to right: Doug Booth, Dean of the Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts, and Tourism, and Mike Wiegele, founder of Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing.
TRU is grateful for your support and generosity.
tru.ca/limitless
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The founder of Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing has provided TRU with $50,000 to fund 14 new awards, including support for students from the North Thompson and the Simpcw First Nation. Support will also help the Adventure program purchase avalanche training equipment. Congratulations, Mike, on the 50th season of Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing and five decades of world-class skiing experiences.