55 YEARS AGO:
A 42-year-old father of four was killed while on a hunting trip two miles north of Mad River. He had leaned two rifles against the front seat after sleeping in the rear of a station wagon with another man. One of the rifles was accidentally triggered, killing him instantly. The magazine had been taken out, but the rifle had been left cocked. Both men were from Kamloops.
A letter to the editor called for incorporation for Clearwater, saying that the community was “… nothing more or less than an unorganized hodgepodge.”
50 YEARS AGO:
Whether or not to continue the Search and Rescue division was the main item of business at a meeting of Clearwater and District Rod and Gun Club. Assets included stretchers, first aid kits, and walkie-talkies, plus nearly $300.
40 YEARS AGO:
Clearwater Fire Department lost its tanker truck when the driver lost control of the vehicle and it rolled, causing extensive damage. It had been on its way to get fuel.
35 YEARS AGO:
Anne Labelle was Mother of the Year at the Remembrance Day service in Clearwater. Her father was crippled while serving in the First World War, both her brothers served in the Second World War (one was taken prisoner), her husband served with the RCAF for 12 years, she was with the WRAF for four years, and both her sons had been in the forces.
30 YEARS AGO:
Promotion given Wells Gray Park to mark its 50th anniversary was credited for causing a dramatic increase in park use. Day use was up 78 per cent over the average of the previous five years, while campground attendance was up 51 per cent.
25 YEARS AGO:
Clearwater Improvement District reaffirmed its support of a proposal from School District 26 (North Thompson) for the Clearwater Fish Hatchery. An alternative proposal, drafted by retired Department Fisheries and Oceans director-general Ron MacLeod, would have seen the hatchery controlled by a board made up of directors from the improvement district, school district, North Thompson Indian Band and Grizzly Anglers. NTIB would appoint a chairperson plus one other director.
The ambulance service in Clearwater was working just as well with only part-timer workers as it did when there was a full-time unit chief, MLA Fred Jackson told the TNRD board.
https://www.clearwatertimes.com/news/back-in-time-85/
20 YEARS AGO:
Clearwater Improvement District’s new well across from Dutch Lake beach was being built without correct zoning or a building permit, and was too close to the road, said TNRD Area A director Bert Walker. “It’s a paperwork thing. I don’t think it’s that big a deal,” said CID administrator Kim Heyman.
Setting up North Thompson Rural Crime Watch was in the final stages, reported Sgt. Bryon Hodgkin. More than 100 local residents had attended meetings in Little Fort, Clearwater, Vavenby and Blue River.
Sgt. Steve Giesinger arrived to take command of Clearwater RCMP. “It’s a lot different from Surrey,” said the 21-year veteran of the force.
15 YEARS AGO:
TNRD Director Bert Walker criticized the CID for delays in deciding on whether to participate in a proposal to improve street lighting along Highway 5. The proposal was brought forward that spring.
10 YEARS AGO:
Wells Gray Country (Area A) director Tim Pennell made a motion for a letter to be sent to School District 73 chair Ken Christian regarding potential closures of schools in rural communities in the TNRD. Decisions on which elementary schools would close were to be announced at the Nov. 23 school board meeting.
Wells Gray Search and Rescue and the other search and rescue groups in the TNRD saw their regular operation grants increase from $5,000 per year to $7,500. The operating grant increase was the result of a request from Wells Gray SAR for more money to cover increased insurance and vehicle costs.
The federal Conservatives, with help from some Liberal and New Democrat M.P.s gave first and second reading to a private member’s bill that would shoot down the registry for rifles and shotguns.
Cherie Witts, a student at Raft River Elementary, won first place in B.C. for poetry in the Legion’s annual Remembrance Day contest
5 YEARS AGO:
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.
1 YEAR AGO:
Wells Gray Writers’ Circle hosted a storytelling and poetry night on Nov. 8 at the Clearwater Public Library. A dozen people gathered to enjoy listening to stories, poems and participate in the evening. “It was a dark and stormy night…” (an archetypal example of melodramatic style of fiction writing) was rendered by MC Sandra Holmes as she introduced Wayne Wysoski.
The next chair and vice-chair of the Kamloops-Thompson school board were chosen without opposition at the inaugural meeting Monday. Kamloops trustee Kathleen Karpuk, who was elected to her fourth term in October, was acclaimed as the new chair, as was new vice-chair Rhonda Kershaw who begins her third term as Barriere/ Little Fort trustee.
