45 YEARS AGO:
B.C. Tel crews were about to begin placing cable along the highway between Clearwater and Birch Island, and then through the Birch Island area itself. Placing of cable from Wells Gray junction south via Sunshine Valley to Upper Blackpool was to start in early summer.
40 YEARS AGO:
TNRD directors elected John Harwood, representative for Area A (Clearwater) as vice-chairman. The election was run by William Watts of Barriere, while Freda Borthwick of Darfield was scrutineer.
Ray Donnelly was re-elected as chief of Clearwater Fire Department. The department had 25 volunteers on its roster, and was in the process of acquiring a second vehicle, a van for hauling pumps, hose, tools etc. The siren was tested every Sunday at 7:00.
Dennison Mines carried out further exploration on the Consolidated Rexspar uranium property near Birch Island.
35 YEARS AGO:
The Gladys Turcotte rink won the Women’s A event honors in the “Round the Clock” bonspiel. V. Switzer, Tiny Braaten and Rose Prosk played on Turcotte’s team.
Dave Susak replaced Walter Clendenning as manager of the North Thompson Sportsplex. Susak hoped to organize indoor tennis and volleyball during the summer.
30 YEARS AGO:
M.P. Nelson Riis wrote that the western separatist movement was “… a new phenomenon that I think has very serious and dangerous overtones.”
25 YEARS AGO:
Clearwater Chamber of Commerce members discussed three projects seeking their endorsement for Expo Legacy Funds. The projects were a swimming pool complex, extension of Dutch Lake Park by the purchase of adjoining land, and an extended health care facility.
The Ladies Auxiliary to Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital financed the purchase of a geriatric chair and a mobile light to honor the memory of charter member Buddy Johnston. Judy Nelson presented the cheque to hospital administrator Lorraine Ritchie.
20 YEARS AGO:
Petitions from Sunshine Valley, Miller Subdivision, Raft River and Candle Creek Road areas asked to be excluded from any proposed municipality for Clearwater. The incorporation investigation committee received an updated assistance offer from the Ministry of Transportation and Highways.
Clearwater’s first baby of the year arrived on Jan. 19. Jamie Simpson was the son of Carla and Barry Simpson. Two days later Melissa Lynn Wichmann, daughter of Joyce Dampier and Ralph Wichmann, was the first girl born during the year.
Clearwater’s newest tourist accommodation, Western 66 Motel, opened Jan. 10 next to the Old Caboose Restaurant. Owner was Barry Taylor.
15 YEARS AGO:
Eleven railway cars loaded with coal left the CN tracks south of Blue River. Traffic was detoured over CP lines until the track was cleared and repaired.
Heavy equipment was working on a new forest road/Highway 5 intersection on the north side of the Clearwater River Bridge.
10 YEARS AGO:
Last minute budget problems meant construction of Clearwater’s long-awaited multi-level healthcare center was on hold once again. A report indicated the project could not be built with the money allocated.
School District 73 trustees elected the chairs of the school board’s five standing committees for the first time ever. Previously the school board chair had appointed the chairs. The motion to make the change in procedure was made by North Thompson trustee Bert Walker.
5 YEARS AGO:
Interior Health issued a warning concerning increased cases of pneumonia (averaging up to three to four per week), cautioning people to use extra care with personal hygiene.
An open house was held for long-time resident Bill Mattenley to help him celebrate his 85th birthday. Having lived in the valley since he was a teen, Mattenley dedicated a large portion of his life to the betterment of the valley. “There’s not much Clearwater has to offer, he hasn’t had a hand in,” said one person in attendance.
1 YEAR AGO:
M.P. Cathy McLeod was in Clearwater to deliver nearly $190,000 in federal funding for Rotary Sports Park. The proposed upgrades would include re-surfacing the four tennis courts and the basketball court, plus the construction of a fieldhouse and a skateboard park.
Clearwater Rotary Club was asking for donations to help pay for shelter boxes for victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti.
