Continued from Jan. 19, 2017….
SEPTEMBER 2016 cont…..
Yellowhead 4-H members showed their stuff at the Provincial Winter Fair, Sept. 22-26. There were beef, sheep, photography, goat, horse, dog, rabbit, and sewing projects being shown and displayed. Fifteen 4-H culbs participated from all over the province.
OCTOBER 2016
Just in time for International Seniors Day on Oct. 1, Interior Savings became the first financial institution in B.C. to become a Certified Age-Friendly Business (CAFB). As port of its goal to become a leaer in reducing ageism while also raising the standard of service for those aged 50+, Interior Savings set an intention early in 2016 to provide Age Friendly Business training to all its staff. The program raises awareness about some of the key and sometimes subtle challenges associated with getting older and better prepares staff to offer an exceptional experience to their members.
Barriere Health Centre received donations from the community and local service clubs, providing them with an Oximetre and a procedure stretcher.
Although the turout of volunteers was low, the work accomplished was huge on Wednesday, Oct. 5, for the annual Barriere Cemetery clean up.
The Barriere and Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated their new offices with an open house on Tuesday, Oct. 4.
Mayor Viginia Smith made the announcement in a news release Tuesday, Oct. 18, saying the district received notice that Al Kirkwood had resigned after 26 years with the Barriere Volunteer Fire Department, 23 years as chief. Deputy Chief Rob Lennea took over as interim fire chief until further notice. It was announced Kirkwood was also no longer an employee of Black Press. He joined the company in 1999 and served almost all of his 17 years as publisher of the North Thompson Star/Journal and the Clearwater Times.
Interior Savings employees rolled up their sleeves on Oct. 20, to lend a hand in their community and the Credit Union offered up cash for others who’d like to get in on this act of local good. The mass volunteering effort marked the third annual Interior Savings’ Day of Difference and included over 500 employees in 14 communities across the Interior of B.C.
The Oct. 20 Barriere Senior’s Wellness Fair at the Ridge was filled with informative speakers, booths, and networking. It also offered a light lunch at no charge.
Barriere RCMP reported on Oct. 24 they attempted to stop a 1994 Red Ford Explorer for a motor vehicle act violation on Barriere Town Road. The driver of this vehicle failed to stop and in fleeing police exhibited erratic and dangerous driving. For the safety of the public, Barriere RCMP said they did not pursue the driver, but did find the vehicle abandoned a short while later.
On the evening of Sunday, Oct. 23, the Barriere Fire Department was called out to a residential structure fire on Robin Driver. Due to the quick response, the fire was successfully knocked down and contained.
Interior Health extended thanks and acknowledged the great community fund raising efforts that directly and positively impacts patient care in Barriere. At the time, the Barriere Legion Poppy Fund had graciously donated the money for a new treatment recliner chair for the Medical Centre.
The Barriere and Area Chamber of Commerce partnered with local resident Antoon Houben to offer area residents the opportunity to learn more about using a computer; such as desktop publishing, spreadsheets and word processing. The learning taking place in the new Technology Lab facilitated by Houben, at the Chamber office on Barriere Town Road.
On Oct. 30, members of St. George’s Catholic Church in Barriere took part in a peaceful demonstration on the lawn of the church in support of 40 Days For Life. Forty Days For Life is the largest internationally coordinated pro-life mobilization in history. Its goal is to help people in local comunities end the injustice of abortion through: prayer and fasting; community outreach; and peaceful vigil.
A 61-year-old Barriere man was charged with sexual assault. RCMP issued a release confirming the charge against Byung Lee the morning of Oct. 28. Lee appeared in Kamloops court Oct. 27, then was released from custody bound by a number of conditions and a future court appearance.
Barriere contractor, Murray Purcha, reported that a commercial welder machine was stolen from his shop in the Barriere Industrial Park the evening of Oct. 31. According to Purcha, it looks like the thief (or thieves) somehow gained entry through the main gate to the property and then cut the lock off the shop.
The annual general meeting of the Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society was held on Oct. 27 in the North Thompson Volunteer and Information Centre at the Ridge in Barriere. The society announced their decision to donate $130,000 for the coming year for: $20000 for Student Awards, $60,000 for Community Grants, and $50,000 for Leveraged Community Grants.
NOVEMBER 2016
Pre-construction work began between Barriere and Little Fort in preparation for new passing lanes along Highway 5 near Darfield. A new three kilometre southbound passing lane was to be added and the existing northbound passing lane was to be extended by 2.7 kilometres. Some fencing and tree clearing had already begun, as well as minor brushing in the Darfield area for utility relocation.
The former publisher of the Clearwater Times and Barriere Star/Journal, Al Kirkwood, was charged with two offences – distributing child pornography on July 1, and possession of child pornography on Oct. 4. Charges were sworn on Nov. 4, with Kirkwood making his first appearance in Kamloops Law Courts on Nov. 7. Next appearance was set for Dec. 8.
A group of 12 individuals gathered together on Saturday, Nov. 12, at Bethany Baptist Church in Barriere, to fill 47 Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Shoe Boxes with many items and fun things for children.
The Barriere 911 Emergency Services Golf Tournament, which was renamed the Barriere Emergency Services Golf Tournament, reported a banner year in 2016. “We have plut $6,000 to $8,000 back each year for a total of just over $33,000 to date in the last five years,” said RCMP Cpl. Darin Underhill.
Barriere and Area Chamber of Commerce announced Barriere Timber Mart was voted the 2016 Business of the Year. Owners Shawn and Suzie Fadear built the store from scratch and opened it in 2010.
Barriere First Responders held a spaghetti fundraiser on Sunday, Nov. 7, in the Legion basement hall, along with a bake sale and t-shirt sale. The fundraiser brought in approximately $1,000 for the group, with the funds earmarked towards equipment upgrades and training.
The weather cooperated on Nov. 11. The sky was overcast but it stayed nice and dry for the Remembrance Day Parade in Barriere.
On Nov. 25, 28-year-old Brandon Evans was seriously injured in a single motor vehicle accident along Agate Bay Road when his vehicle left the pavement and rolled multiple times out into a field. Evans was transported to hospital by B.C. Ambulance, and later moved to Vancouver where he was placed in intensive care. Evan’s young family was in need of some help, and as a result, grandfather Shaun Kennedy turned to crowd funding at gofundme.com.
DECEMBER 2016
A 61-year-old woman died during a fire at Mountainview Trailer Park in Blackpool the evening of Dec. 1. Police identified the deceased as Lian Ann-Marie McDonald. The 9th annual Breakfast with Santa, hosted by Success By 6, Aboriginal Engagement Success and the Barriere Lions Club took place on Saturday, Dec. 17 at the Lions Hall in Barriere.
Royal LePage Westwin were reported as being very active in both Barriere and Clearwater, assisting many people in the Real Estate market, while they also give back to their communities, including a cheque to a Women’s Shelter for $9,500 raised from a 2016 golf tournament.
On Monday morning Barriere residents were notified that one of the community’s senior residents living in the Yellowhead Pioneer Residence had been a victim of theft. An 80-year-old man’s electric scooter had been stolen from outside the building Sunday evening. Thanks to local police, the stolen scooter was found and had been returned to the owner by Tuesday. However, those responsible for the theft were reportedly still at large.
A plan to build a skatepark in the community of Barriere was proposed to be located on the north west side of Fadear Park, and was approved by the District of Barriere mayor and council at their Dec. 12 regular council meeting. Area resident Dustin Doherty put forward the proposal and he is spearheading the fundraising required to build the skatepark.
Both the Little Fort Ferry and the McLure Ferry were closed in both directions at the North Thompson River because of “Ferry Out of Service due to ice flow” as posted by DriveBC on Thursday, Dec. 8. Winter and colder temperatures have arrived.
The Sweetnam’s family returned to their old Sweetnam’s Store next to the Liquor Store in Barriere. In 2015 the family closed the store and made the move to the Okanagan. However, they returned for the 2016 Christmas season, and stated they are once again open for business.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) board of directors approved tax increases for residents of the Little Fort area for fire protection and operation of the community hall. During their Dec. 15 meeting, the directors gave final approval for an amendment to the Little Fort fire protection bylaw to increase the annual financial contribution for fire protection services by up to $9,500. The Little Fort Community Hall service was established in 1986. The last time the rate was formally amended was in 2004.
Powell River resident Bob Stutt celebrated his 102nd birthday with a ride in a wagon pulled by his own horses, courtesy of his family, on Saturday, Dec. 10. According to Fred Stutt, it was his brother Dave’s idea to bring the horses down from Barriere so their dad could see them and take a ride up front in the buckboard for his birthday. According to Bob’s grandson, Mark Ralko (a Barriere resident as well), his grandfather ran horse teams on the prairie and he and his uncle have carried on the tradition.
The Barriere Secondary annual Christmas lunch for students at the school was once again incredibly well supported by the community who turned out to prepare the meal and serve it up.
Many local merchants and residents supported the Barriere Food Bank by collecting donations in the weeks before Christmas.
The newly formed Valley Artisans group held their first showing in the Fall Fair Hall the weekend of Dec. 16 to18. The hall was transformed with impressive and colourful works by talented area artisans who were also on hand to show and market their wares.
The 5th Annual New Year’s Eve Bull-A-Rama at the North Thompson Agriplex thrilled the spectators in attendance as the exciting new format proved to be a hit with the contestants and fans.
