50 YEARS AGO:
An American fisherman reported losing his boat and motor over the falls at Clearwater Lake; it apparently came loose from where it was tied to the dock.
The Highways Department in Birch Island, who’d been working on a project to fill and culvert the First Canyon on the Upper Clearwater road to Wells Gray Park, arrived at work to find the big D-9 Cat in the bottom of the canyon, about 500 feet down. Damage was estimated at about $25,000.
45 YEARS AGO:
Central North Thompson Rod and Gun Club was informed an application had been made to eliminate motor boats from Dutch Lake.
The contract had been awarded for construction of the Sportsplex in Clearwater, reported TNRD chairman and Area A director John Harwood.
40 YEARS AGO:
Blue River residents honoured Berger Peterson, a resident for 48 years. He was credited with promoting skiing in the area to its then enthusiastic condition.
Clearwater Lions Club donated $16,000 to the purchase of a rescue van by Clearwater Fire Department.
35 YEARS AGO:
Cold, dismal conditions greeted competitors at Vavenby Lions annual Loggers Days. Bert Lingren narrowly beat Dave Flanagan for top male logger. Sherry Lingren was ladies’ all round logger. Junior all-round logger for the boys was Wade King, with Dawn MacMillan winning the girls. Youngest logger was Jason Bryant, while Edith Heywood was the oldest competitor.
A grave dating back to the turn of the century two or three miles east of Clearwater was threatened by CNR double-tracking. The mound, near what was once a powder cache on an old prospectors’ trail, was a protected site, said Heritage Conservation Branch advisor Ida Dekelver.
30 YEARS AGO:
Despite having more people, Clearwater Fire Department lost a tug-of-war with Vavenby Fire Department during the Vavenby Mud Bog. A big crowd turned out for the two-day event to watch trucks, dune buggies, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and some spectators on foot attempt to cross the mud-filled pit.
25 YEARS AGO:
A Clearwater fire truck was totalled when it rolled twice after leaving Highway 5 past the Raft River bridge. The two firefighters in it did not suffer serious injuries.
20 YEARS AGO;
There was a bit of interest from architects wanting to design Clearwater’s new hospital, reported DHMH administrator Linda Comazzetto. Kamloops MLA Cathy McGregor announced $5.6 million had been granted for a new facility, to be completed by the spring of 2001.
15 YEARS AGO:
Many Vavenby residents were concerned when the Vermilion Fire crested the ridge south of the village, about nine kilometers away.
Clearwater Improvement District’s water system was without power for about 24 hours after the McLure Fire cut transmission lines south of Barriere.
A group of local residents were planning to paddle a voyageur canoe from Clearwater to Kamloops to promote the area as an outdoor adventure destination. “The idea is to raise awareness of what the valley has to offer to visitors,” said Frank Ritcey, one of the organizers.
10 YEARS AGO:
Traffic counts at the Wells Gray Infocenter were up 10-12 per cent over 2007, according to Bill Cairns, manager of the Chamber of Commerce desk.
Work continued at the local hospital to lessen the burden of “on call” for the two remaining doctors. IHA and the recruitment committee were continuing to pursue all avenues to attract longer-term physician coverage.
5 YEARS AGO:
About 60 of Canada’s best known thinkers, writers, scientists and poets attended Speak to the Wild at the Upper Clearwater Hall, a four-day Wells Gray World Heritage Year event. “It had to be by far the most distinguished group of people we’ve had in our Valley,” said Trevor Goward, one of the organizers.
Simpcw First Nation held what might be its final Salmon Run. Band members and others cycled in relays from Tete Jaune Cache to Louis Creek to mark traditional territory.
Youngsters paddled, swam, cycled, ran and climbed a greased pole as they took part in the annual Clearwater Canoe Regatta on Dutch Lake.
Clearwater town council gave a letter of support to a playground for intermediate students being proposed by the Raft River Elementary School parents’ advisory committee. More than half of the 320 students were in grades 4 to 7 said Sabine Cooperman, PAC president.
Vavenby General Store reopened for business under previous owners Joy and Mike Bayley.
1 YEAR AGO:
Crews were removing signs as BC Parks prepared to reopen fully Wells Gray Park. Stephanie Molina, marketing manager for Tourism Wells Gray, noted there was still a campfire ban covering the entire Kamloops Fire Centre, including Wells Gray Park.
Residents of the North Thompson Valley turned down a proposal to create a Geopark in the valley. About 16 per cent of the eligible voters in the proposed service area said they were against the proposal in a “negative petition.” Only 10 per cent were needed to turn it down.
