And they're off...
High River's Jason Glass urges his outfit
on around the number four barrel during the dash-for-cash on Sunday night at the
Calgary Stampede's Rangeland Derby. In a shocking turn of events, Kelly Sutherland
was stripped of his fourth consecutive Derby championship when he was assessed a
one-second penalty giving the title and $50,000 winner's cheque to Hugh Sinclair.
Glass, in his second Derby final, placed fourth. See full story.
photos by John Barlow
Pine Lake tornado victims to receive relief assistance
from local clubs
By Gillian Beckett
Staff Reporter
Every camper's worst nightmare came true for hundreds of outdoor fun seekers on
July 14 when a tornado touched down near a campground at Pine Lake located 30 kilometres
east of Innisfail.
According to Environment Canada, the tornado struck five kilometres west of the Green
Acres campsite at Pine Lake at 7 pm and traveled eastward, creating a path of destruction
up to 20 kilometres.
RCMP have confirmed that 254 people were on site at the campground when the tornado
hit.
Approximately 132 people were transported to various hospitals in the area including
those in Olds, Lacombe, Three Hills, Red Deer Regional Hospital and the Foothills
Hospital in Calgary.
About 400 people who were in and around the Pine Lake area were transported to various
local communities after the tornado's destruction robbed them of food, clothing and
shelter.
Overall damage in the Pine Lake area has been estimated at $12 million.
As of Monday, RCMP have confirmed 11 deaths as a result of the tornado. Search and
rescue teams have been dispatched to scour Pine Lake and the surrounding area for
other possible fatalities.
According to an RCMP press release the reported deceased are: from Calgary, Merrill
Booth, 63; Charles Bouthin, 72; Doris Broberg, 63; Lisa Gourley, 30; Thomas Ian Prior,
68; Margaret Provan, 60; and Kenneth Prudhomme, 50.
An unidentified 50-year-old male from Red Deer was also confirmed as among the deceased
as were Ervin Semmons, 74, of Edmonton; Margot Warner, 31, of Rumsey and two-year-old
Lucas Holtom of Ontario.
While the tornado's aftermath has been closely felt by those living in communities
situated around Pine Lake, Foothills communities are also pitching in to help with
relief efforts.
To assist with those efforts, the Lions Club Campground of Okotoks will be donating
$1,500 to the Red Cross Relief Fund.
In addition to the Okotoks Lions Campground donation, the Black Diamond Lions' Club
Campground and the High River Lions' Club Campground have also agreed to donate $1,500
each.
'For us operating the campground business if something ever happened to us (like
at Pine Lake) we would want some help too,' explained Bob Scott of the Okotoks Lions
Club on why they have decided to donate funds towards the relief fund. 'Everyone
has put a great deal of effort into helping them out up there, we should do our part
to help them as well.'
For those who wish to donate funds towards the Red Cross Relief Fund for victims
of the Pine Lake tornado, donation boxes will be set up at the Lions Club Campgrounds
in Okotoks, Black Diamond and High River.
For inquiries regarding victims of the tornado, contact the Red Cross at 1-800-565-4483.
MD supports Urbco's 24-lot development near Hebson
Arena
By John Barlow
Staff Reporter and Sports Editor
A proposed 24-lot development north of Okotoks received the support of the Foothills
MD council at a public hearing on Thursday in High River.
Council unanimously supported first reading to a multi-lot development proposed by
landowner Don Wilson, chairman of Urbco.
'This is a well detailed project and one of the most professional I have seen,' said
Councillor Ron Chase of Wilson's presentation. 'I am confident this will be an exceptional
development.'
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In this issue... Opinion Editorial Paul's Place News Sports Classified Ads Real Estate  Okotoks team runs wild at Stampede See Sports |
The area structure plan, called Willowside Farms, includes 24 new four-acre lots, riding trails, horse stable, municipal reserve lot and storm water ponds.
'We will have a ranching and western theme,' said Barry Poffenroth of Urbco. 'We are looking forward to making a tremendous addition to the MD of Foothills.'
Although council was impressed with the proposal it did have some concerns.
Two of the main concerns of the councillors were drainage and the protection of the wetlands on the southwest corner of the quarter-section.
The municipality's planning staff suggested one of the 24 lots and a portion of two others be converted from country residential to perhaps environmental reserve to protect the natural habitat.
'There are not a lot of wetlands in the area and we want to take advantage of this (opportunity),' said MD planner Kelly Fiske-Nielson of protecting the wetlands.
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'This is a well detailed project and one of the most professional I have seen. I am confident this will be an exceptional development.' -- Councillor Ron Chase |
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Staff's suggestion was met with approval from council.
'We could incorporate the wetlands into the area structure plan and it could be used
for the wildlife habitat,' said Councillor Al Taylor. 'Not only would the wetlands
be a nice feature for the development, but it would also protect the habitat for
some species in the area.'
As a result of council's concern for the wetlands, a condition of first reading for
the area structure plan was that the developer must complete an environmental study
of the wetlands. The goal of the study will be to guide the developer on how much
land in the development should be earmarked for the wetlands preserve.
Drainage was also a concern for council and for some of the residents who currently
live on the eight lots existing in the quarter-section.
Currently, during spring run-off the drainage floods the internal road and two to
three of the existing lots.
Wilson said he has made a commitment to the landowners to improve the drainage.
The developer said he will be expanding an existing pond to hold more surface water.
In addition, an engineered storm water study will be completed for the entire development.
Water for the 24 lots is proposed to be through a combination of individual wells
and a communal water system. Septic fields are proposed for each lot.
Urbco has developed several subdivisions in the area including Sheep River Ridge
in Okotoks.
