Vol. 105 No. 29
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014
Box 40, 122 Main Street, Biggar, Saskatchewan S0K 0M0
email: tip@sasktel.net
20 pages
Bri n and ging n are ews a fo t r 10 o Bigg 5y ear ar s! Phone: 306-948-3344
www.biggarindependent.ca ndependent.ca
RCMP report On Wednesday, July 9, 2014, Biggar RCMP charged a 63-year-old male from Biggar, Saskatchewan, with driving without due care and attention, section 213(1) of the Traffic Safety Act. The male was driving a school bus that was involved in a collision which resulted in the death of 39-year-old female from the Biggar area on February 3, 2014. He will make his first court appearance in Biggar Provincial Court on August 6, 2014. Once the RCMP investigation was complete it was referred to Crown Council for opinion and the charge was laid.
Swimmers gather for meet . . . Biggar Barracuda Annica Evanisky swims the backstroke during her heat at the annual swim meet. It was a nice hot day for a
change rather than having rain pour down. More pics on Page 2. (Independent photo by Daryl Hasein)
Precautions recommended during West Nile Virus high risk season Health officials advise Saskatchewan residents to take precautions against mosquitoes, as the weather warms up and the risk of West Nile Virus increases.
At this time Heartland Health Region is in a low risk area. The mosquito species that carries WNV has been detected in small numbers. There is a low probability of being bitten by an infected mosquito. However, residents should still take precautions. Protect yourself by covering up and wearing repellents or reducing the amount of time spent outdoors. Mosquitoes can be active at any time but are most active in the evening and throughout the night. We s t N i l e Virus (WNV) is present in Saskatche wa n d u ring summer, and the risk typically peaks between midJuly and September. The virus This map shows Heartland Health Region is transmitis in a low risk area for West Nile but ted through residents should still protect themselves. the bite of
$1.25
see a health care provider immediately.” The number of infected Culex tarsalis mosquitoes may rise quickly if we get prolonged hot, dry weather in July and August,” Provincial West Nile Virus Coordinator Phil Curry said. “If you plan to be outside when mosquitoes are active, take precautions to protect yourself from bites.” Taking the following preventive measures can minimize exposure to mosquito bites. • Use appropriate insect repellent when outdoors. Products with DEET are the most effective. • Cover up. Wear lightcoloured, loose fitting, longsleeved tops and long pants when outdoors. • Reduce the amount of time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when Culex tarsalis mosquitoes are most active. People are also encouraged to reduce mosquito habitats around the house and yard. • Clear yards of items that can collect water. • Regularly clean and empty bird baths and eavestroughs. • Ensure rain barrels are covered with mosquito screen or are tightly sealed around the downspout. • Keep bushes, shrubs and lawns clear of overgrowth and debris. • Make sure door and window screens fit tightly and are free of holes.
infected Culex tarsalis mosquitoes. Most people who become infected with WNV experience no immediate symptoms or have very mild illness (fever, headaches, body aches). A small number of people develop a more serious illness called West Nile Virus neuro-
invasive disease, which includes encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. The elderly and people with certain medical conditions are at higher risk of developing the severe form of WNV infection. Most West Nile Virus infections usually improve on their own, so
there is no need to seek medical attention or to get laboratory tests,” Saskatchewan’s Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Denise Werker said. “However, if you develop serious symptoms such as severe headaches, persistent high fever with stiff neck, confusion, seizures, or paralysis,
Former Biggarite Shannon Selin is going to be making a visit to her Mom’s next week and will be talking about her latest novel Napoleon in America at McNally Robinson. She extends an invitation to anyone from Biggar who would like to chat with her. In her book Selin takes the approach that Napoleon actually escaped from St. Helena and winds up in the United States in the year 1821. Think of all the mischief the French Emperor could create in a country whose political climate was ripe for this kind of adventure.
An ailing Napoleon lands in New Orleans and is nursed back to health by a voodoo priestess, Marie Laveau. France wants his to re-conquer his old territory. French Canadians beg him to free them from Britain. Americans urge him to steal Texas from Mexico. On the other hand his brother wants him to settle down in New Jersey. Napoleon is worried about the future of his 10-year-old son. The governments of both France and America watch his every move and ponder his motives. Kirkus Reviews says this:
“Evocative and immer- international relations. sive, Selin’s debut his- She lives in Vancouver, torical fiction twists Na- where she is working poleon’s fate . . . vigorous, on the next novel in her engrossing Napoleon seand remarkries. Shannon ably realistic. blogs about A thorough, Napoleonic and 19th censweeping novtury history el with seamat shannonless transiselin.com. tions from Selin will be the real to the appearing imagined.” at McNally Selin was born Robinson on and raised in T h u r s d a y, Biggar and July 24 at 7 graduated Shannon Selin p.m. in the from the University of Saskatchewan Travel Alcove. She would with a degree in political be thrilled to have any science, specializing in Biggarites join her.
Local author to appear at McNally Robinson