|
In out of the rain
Performers at the annual Cowboy Festival
at the Black Diamond arena keep the crowd warm on Sunday as they had the spectators
singing and clapping while the rain forced the cowboy poets and musicians indoors.
However, the downpour did not dampen the crowd's spirit. The festival included musicians
and poets from across Alberta as well as a native and western arts-and-crafts show.
photo by John Barlow
Current level of Sheep River risky
By Gillian Beckett
Staff Reporter
Although there have been periods within the past week when the Foothills area
has been pummelled with rain, we still look forward to the hot, sunshine-filled days
of summer's return.
However, for those looking to beat the summer heat with a dip in the river, think
twice before doing so.
Although, according to Alberta Environment, there is no high streamflow advisory
in effect for the Sheep River, the recent heavy rainfalls have left the river swollen
enough to cause a risk for anyone thinking of taking a swim.
'Most people who happened to fall in rivers and drown had no intention of going in
the first place,' said Darryl Chernoff of Swindell's Pool at the Okotoks Recreation
Centre who has also taught a swimming safety seminar. 'I wouldn't recommend that
people get too close to the (Sheep) river the way it is now.'
However, if someone were to fall in a high, fast-moving river, Chernoff offered some
helpful tips to prevent injury or drowning.
'It's very important to keep your head above the water,' said Chernoff. 'If you're
caught in a (swift) current, swim with the current diagonally towards the shore.'
In the case of getting caught in rapids, Chernoff said swimming on the back with
feet ahead will help to prevent crashing into rocks or other obstructions in the
river.
As for legs cramping up, whether it be from panic or the cold temperature of the
water, Chernoff reccomends that you try to relax and massage the affected muscle.
'Get an arm under the water and massage the cramp while trying to maintain your air
supply,' said Chernoff. 'Don't give in to panic.'
However, Chernoff said that the best advice he can give to anyone is to simply not
go near the river.
'Just keep away from it until the river goes down and it's safe to go in,' said Chernoff.
|
|
43,000 chickens lost in massive fire Sunday
By Gillian Beckett
Staff Reporter
An enormous fire at the Mountainview Poultry Farm located west of Okotoks
resulted in approximately $500,000 in estimated damages and left 43,000 chickens
dead.
'It happened all too quick,' said farm owner Herman Kielstra. 'But no people were
hurt, that's the main thing.'
On Sunday, July 18, at 4:53 pm, firefighters from the Okotoks, Turner Valley, Black
Diamond, High River and the Municipal District of Foothills fire departments were
called to the farm to battle the blaze.
After several hours, firefighters finally managed to get the fire under control,
however, they were called back to the farm again on Monday (July 19) afternoon to
extinguish hot spots.
Kielstra explained that the fire may have been caused by an electrical short in one
of the fans inside the 380 feet by 40 feet sized barn, which was home to more than
43,000 chickens.
'Most of the chickens (killed) were little chicks about three to 10 days old,' said
Kielstra. 'The barn was divided into four different pens, I guess the fire started
in the pen where the chicks were.'
Around 200 chickens were saved from the fire.
Despite the devastating loss that resulted from the blaze, Kielstra, who has owned
and operated the Mountainview Poultry Farm for the past 20 years, said that things
will soon get back to normal.
'It's business as usual, the plant is still open,' said Kielstra. 'We'll be rebuilding
in a couple of months.
Kielstra would like to thank all of the local fire departments and the Okotoks RCMP
who helped to control the barn blaze.
Investigation will continue to further examine details of how the fire started.
|
Health Canada to provide funding for wellness centre
on Eden Valley Reserve
By John Barlow
Staff Reporter
Last week Health Canada announced it will be providing funding for a new community
health centre to be built on the Eden Valley Reserve west of Longview.
At a pancake breakfast last Wednesday representatives from Health Canada and the
architectural firm of Culham Pedersen Valentine unveiled proposed plans for the new
facility which is hoped to open in the spring of 2000.
Heather Colosimo, head nurse at the existing Eden Valley Health Centre, said the
facility will go a long ways towards meeting the needs of the growing community.
'We have outgrown the existing building,' said Colosimo. 'Eden Valley is growing
and we need room to expand in the future.'
The new 7,000-square-foot facility is expected to offer many more services than the
existing health centre.
Currently, residents of Eden Valley must travel to Black Diamond, Okotoks or High
River to receive medical care or to see a general physician.
When the new health centre opens it is expected basic services such as home care,
drug and alcohol rehabilitation, dental care and other out-patient services will
be offered in Eden Valley.
In addition, there are plans to have a family physician visit the health centre once
or twice a week on a regular basis.
'We have had physicians offer to come out, but there is no other facility in Eden
Valley to house these services,' said Colosimo.
Residents within the community certainly welcome the new facility.
'The community is very excited,' said elder Stuart Dixon Sr. 'We need this here.'
Dixon Sr. said times on the reserve have changed and the health services must meet
those changes.
'It is not like the old days when my dad or grandpa would mix the medicine. We never
saw a doctor,' recalled Dixon Sr. 'Nowadays we need to see the doctor and this (facility)
will make it much easier.'
The new building will be constructed just south of the existing health centre on
a hill with a majestic view of the Rocky Mountains.
Alec Doutre of Culham Pedersen Valentine said the new facility will not stand out
in the foothills landscape.
'It will be a western style building that fits in with the ranching history of the
area,' said Doutre. 'It is intended to look like a community wellness centre, not
institutional, but welcoming.'
The plans for the wellness centre must be approved by the Stoney chief and council.
Upon approval, there will be an open house for input from the community.
Construction on the new facility will not begin until a new bridge is completed over
the Highwood River at the entrance of the reserve.
It is anticipated ground breaking on the wellness centre will be sometime in the
fall.
|