October 20, 1932
No tax sale
Owing to general conditions of depression, the Provincial Assessor and Tax Collector did not hold a delinquent tax sale this year.
Publication of delinquent tax rolls was dispensed with and these costs of publication were not charged up against properties delinquent. This policy of helping the taxpayer, the government must find to be wise.
In past seasons the taxpayer has been forced to dig, dig, dig until he has reached bedrock with no pay dirt to work over. Publication of tax rolls, as prepared by assessors results in the listing of more property for taxation, thus performing a real public service by curbing the tax-dodger, however.
Pulling the teeth out of the law makes it quite harmless and prepares young men at 30 for the adolescent period they should reach at 70.
October 16, 1952
Two youngsters drown, one in rescue bid
Playmates helpless watched as icy lake claimed the youths. A heroic youth lost his life in the icy waters of Arrow Lakes on Sunday in a futile attempt to save his 11-year-old playmate.
Twelve-year-old Frank Howkins, unmindful of his own safety, dove into the paralyzingly cold water when he saw William Stanley Baker thrashing about in 16 feet of water. The bodies of both were recovered about an hour later.
Billy and several playmates were riding their bikes on the Burton pier, docking spot for S.S. Minto. Some of the children were fishing. About 3:30 p.m. Billy’s bicycle hit the small plank at the edge of the 300-foot wharf, and the impact threw him from the bike into waters about 50 feet from the shore.
For a moment, horrified youngsters on the pier watched him attempt to swim toward the pier. Suddenly he began to shout and wave frantically. Disregarding his own chances, Frank Howkins jumped into the lake and struck out for the struggling figure. Frank, a good swimmer, grabbed Billy; several times he lost hold, but dove again and again. Each time he grasped the struggling youth, but as he struggled to keep his head above water, lost his grip.
Screaming playmates watching from the pier attempted to toss out fishing lines but were unable to reach the struggling boys. Minutes later, both boys disappeared from sight. Other children rushed for help.
R.C.M.P. were called and dragging operations started. By 4:45 p.m. bodies of both were recovered. Billy the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Baker, is survived by his parents and three brothers and sisters. Mr. and Mrs. E. Howkins and eight brothers and sisters survive Frank.
October 20, 1982
New laws put further curbs on leg-hold traps
New trapping regulations for British Columbia announced by Stephen Rogers, Minister of Environment, mark important advances toward more humane trapping. The new regulations put further curbs on the use of leg-hold traps, allowing only killing traps or live box traps for trapping wolverine, marten, fisher, weasel, skunk, squirrel and raccoon.
The Environment Minister said that although leg-hold traps can be set to act as killing traps in some circumstances, the new rule will virtually prohibit their general use for trapping the seven land-dwelling furbearers named.
October 14, 1992
408 Squadron earns top air search award
The 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron was honoured last Thursday at the 44th annual general meeting of the Royal Canadian Air Force Association.
The trophy is Canada’s highest award for excellence in the field of air search and rescue, and is awarded to the most deserving federal, provincial or civilian organization, crew or individual in recognition of a significant contribution to aviation search and rescue in Canada.
The 408 Squadron was responsible for the evacuation of the crew under appalling condition in the high Arctic when a forces plane crashed outside Canadian Forces Station Alert last year.
The 408 had to dismantle a helicopter, air freight it to the arctic where it was reassembled in record time in a frozen hanger, and then the crew flew out under darkness and cold to rescue the crew of a downed aircraft. Commanding Officer Randy Wakelam and other 408 officers attended the meeting held at the Penticton Convention Centre. Retired 408, Major Bill McMullen as a special guest at the banquet and represented Nakusp.
October 17, 2002
Former Falcon now a Nitehawk
Nakusp’s Riley Weatherhead has a bright future ahead of him playing Junior Hockey in Fruitvale.
The former Falcon, who played the last three years with the North Kootenay Falcons Midget A hockey team, is playing this season for the Beaver Valley Nitehawks, a Junior B team. Weaterhead always said he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his cousins, Mike Smith and Kyle Weatherhead who have also played for the Nitehawks.
The 15-year-old wing and centre said that playing for the Nitehawks is definitely a challenge, especially since some of the players on the team are up to five years older than him. As for life outside the rink,
Weatherhead said he is living with a billet, going to high school in Trail, and enjoying some of the advantages of living in a bigger city, even though he misses some of his former Falcon teammates.
