November
Blue River’s Willow MacDonald and Shelley Sim of Clearwater faced off to decide who should be the next school trustee for the upper North Thompson Valley during an election forum at CSS. A few hours later they did it again at a forum at Blue River. MacDonald then debated for a third time as she took on Max Lentz, who was challenging her to be TNRD director for Thompson Headwaters (Area B).
Clearwater Volunteer Fire Department was called out to fight a late season forest fire near the Candle Creek cross-country ski trails. The fire was confined to duff on the forest floor but appeared to have been burning for some time.
More than 80 people turned up for an election forum held at the new Dutch Lake Community Centre. Those attending heard from candidates seeking the positions of North Thompson (Clearwater-Blue River) school trustee, TNRD director for Area A (Wells Gray Country), District of Clearwater councillor, and mayor of Clearwater.
A full-page feature highlighted the history of Safety Mart since its opening in 1973 by Ken Kjenstad and Ralph Sunderman. The store was due to close with the opening of the new Buy-Low.
John Harwood defeated challenger Jon Kreke to gain another term as mayor of Clearwater. Elected to town council were Ken Kjenstad, Shelley Sim, Merlin Blackwell, Gord Heisterman, Dennis Greffard and Barry Banford. Voter turnout was about 60 per cent.
Shelley Sim won the school board seat for the North Thompson. Carol Schaffer was the new director for Wells Gray Country (Area A) while Willow MacDonald continued as director for Thompson Headwaters (Area B).
Yellowhead Mining announced that it had submitted its application for an environmental assessment certificate for its proposed Harper Creek copper-gold-silver mine near Vavenby.
Dennis Freeston, Ray Rosman and Bob Freeston formed the color party during Remembrance Day ceremonies in Clearwater.
Ken Matheson of Clearwater won first place at the Vancouver Short Film Festival for his documentary, “Little Moccasins.”
A representative from Sorgent.e Hydro Canada gave a presentation to the TNRD board on the proposed Serpentine and Clemina hydro power projects. If the run-of-the-river projects went ahead, they would generate the equivalent of nearly 400 full-time jobs and approximately $2 million in economic development.
Seven-year-old Michael Shook won first place in the Kids-Wild Treasure Hunt. He was the great grandson of Frances Emery, one of two sisters who, in 1932, built the historic Bee Farm in what is now Wells Gray Park. Shook chose to take $3,000 as his prize rather than a painting by Robert Bateman.
December
Mayor John Harwood and manager Sandy Toma cut the ribbon to officially open the new Buy-Low store in Clearwater. The new store was 25,000 sq. ft. in size, compared to 18,000 sq. ft. for Safety Mart.
Dr. Catherine Tarasoff of TRU and research assistant Kailee Streichert told about research they were doing at Dutch Lake to control yellow flag iris, an invasive plant species.
Judge Chris Cleaveley administered the oaths of office to swear in Clearwater’s fourth town council. Originally from Roundtop, the provincial court judge had sworn in all the town councils since incorporation in 2007.
Santa Claus visited Blackpool Hall for a Breakfast With Santa event sponsored by Aboriginal Success by 6. The jolly old elf also attended Rotary’s annual Christmas Tree Light-up at the Infocenter.
Cassidy Tucker, a Grade 5 student at Raft River Elementary School, took first place in the Grades 4 – 7 division in the Times’ Christmas story contest. In the Kindergarten – Grade 3 division, first place went to Cera Van Engelen, also of Raft River.
Yellowhead Mining announced that BC Environmental Assessment Office had accepted for review its application for an environmental assessment certificate for its proposed Harper Creek copper-gold-silver mine near Vavenby.
TNRD board reelected Willow MacDonald of Blue River to be its vice-chair.
A thaw had left the Candle Creek ski trails with little snow but Wells Gray Outdoor Club was ready for an active cross-country ski season, said president Wes Bieber and registrar Hazel Wadlegger.
