July 7
Coding announced as an addition to B.C. curriculum
The B.C. Liberal government announced $6 million in new education funding towards changing the curriculum, including a coding component, with the goal of bringing a stronger technological element to the curriculum in the 2016/17 school year.
Cariboo Chilcotin Teachers' Association (CCTF) president Murray Helmer said that until teachers learned more about the new curriculum and what it entails, it would be difficult to say how far the funding will go, or if it will be adequate to cover training, equipment and implementation.
July 7
Council agreed on $8,000 increase for marsh fountain installation
The budget of $17,000 was increased to $25,000 to upgrade the capital plan for the project.
100 Mile Mayor Mitch Campsall said he was excited for what the fountain will add to both the community and how attractive it will be from a tourism aspect.
July 14
LNG Canada put a hold on pipeline proceedings
On July 11, Canada LNG announced it had indefinitely delayed the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility near Kitimat until at least 2017. The decision came after oil production increases in the Middle East drove down the world price of oil, taking gas with it.
Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett said she was upset with the delay, but is still ever hopeful.
"There is nothing we can do about the world economy. You can't predict what's going to happen.
July 14
Interior Health suggests new smoking bylaws
Interior Health representative Jeff Conners presented a new bylaw proposal, which included banning smoking from all District managed properties, including trails, plazas, parks, beaches and recreation facilities.
At the time of presentation, Kelowna, Williams Lake, Salmon Arm, Sicamous and 28 other municipalities had already created new smoke-free bylaws.
July 21
Interior Health (IH) eliminated freshly cooked main courses prepared for patients in the cafeteria of the South Cariboo Health Centre
Families of patients and residents, and the employees union were concerned the hospital's cafeteria staff would no longer be cooking any hot meals from scratch, but rather warming up pre-packaged, prepared entrees and side dishes to serve to the patients.
Hospital Employees Union (HEU) spokesperson Mike Old said this change was believed to be another stage in an ongoing move to a standardized menu at health centres across British Columbia. Note: see follow up story on Aug. 11
July 21
Council passed housing needs assessment to look into creating more homes in 100 Mile House
District of 100 Mile House District councillors passed a memo to seek funding to conduct an assessment about the need for housing in the community.
One of the supporting factors was reports from local businesses that had difficulty hiring new employees due to a lack of housing opportunities.
"I've been hearing from local businesses and industries that there is a huge issue with the housing in our community," says 100 Mile House Mayor Mitch Campsall.
July 28
Violent incidents brought senior care facility staffing levels into focus
A study focused on the issue of resident-to-resident aggression had British Columbia Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie pointing to insufficient care time provided to residents in the province's care system.
In a report summarizing her review findings, Mackenzie noted even in facilities with the most complex residents and the highest incidences of aggression, she had found some with staffing levels below the provincial guideline of 3.36 care hours per resident per day
July 28
Local fisherman fights badger
Ron Lancour of Kelowna said he had been out in his boat on Sheridan Lake (July 22) when he had a run-in with a swimming badger that jumped on board – and then refused to leave.
After he had pushed the badger off board several times with a paddle, he managed to hit the throttle and escape.
AUGUST
Aug. 4
Lac la Hache issued boil water notice
On July 29, a boil water notice was issued to users of the Lac la Hache Water System (LLHWS) due to bacterial contamination found in a routine water test.
All LLHWS users were asked to use hand sanitizer after washing hands, and to boil water for a minimum of one minute before drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, washing dishes, washing fruits and vegetables to be eaten raw and watering their animals.
Aug. 4
Local family lost everything in house fire
Berney Duits, Alice Duits and their eight children lost everything they owned in a devastating house fire on their property near Sheridan Lake on July 30.
The family asked for help and donations. Ultimately, a GoFundMe raised $57,650, in addition to an anonymous $5,000 donation into a Rona account and several smaller local donation drives.
Aug. 11
South Cariboo Rec. Centre remains closed
Following a fire on July 28, Canlan Ice Sports manager Josh Dickerson said he and Fire Rescue chief Roger Hollander assessed the damage and decided the arena would be closed to the public until it was determined what caused the fire.
Dickerson said only the diesel pump for the sprinkler system was on fire and nothing else in the mechanical room got damaged.
Aug. 11
South Cariboo Health Centre still making some food on site
After hospital patients and long-term care residents complained about pre-cooked mains, Interior Health (IH) and MLA Donna Barnett defended the decision to switch to pre-cooked mains.
"There will be sandwiches made there, breakfast will be made there – they will be cooking eggs and toast, [and so on]."
There will also be meals cooked on site to accommodate special diets, she explained.
"Basically, it's no different than if you or I – and many people do it – we make spaghetti, or you make stew or you make 'TV dinners' at home, and you freeze them and you warm them up."
Aug. 18
Canim Lake Band health administrator Sheila Dick was concerned about the significant barriers for reviewing cases and implementing actions for Indigenous women
Dick said she's seen first-hand the systemic societal issues that create, or even preclude, investigations when First Nations and other indigenous women across Canada are still frightened – often rightfully so – of police and authorities.
"Many things have happened to our people in the justice system, where a rape case will get thrown out of court for technicalities, so at some point, we are going to say 'why bother, I'm not going to tell you anything' because nothing is going to come of it anyway."
Aug. 18
IH spokesperson clarifies food changes
In response to ongoing inquiries by the 100 Mile House Free Press about menu items no longer freshly prepared and/or cooked by Interior Health staff in the 100 Mile District General Hospital cafeteria, IH support services manager Bernadette Schultheiss made the following comments on Aug. 16
"It is important to clarify that we did not make wholesale changes to our meals or practices at 100 Mile – fewer than a dozen items were actually changed. Our priority was to meet reduced-sodium requirements and to allow food services staff more time to focus on specialty meals for residents with specific dietary/texture needs.
Aug. 18
McLeod: riding wants a referendum on electoral reform
Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod released the findings of her riding-wide survey on electoral reform on Aug. 11.
"Our survey found that 76.8 per cent of residents want a referendum on changing Canada's voting system," McLeod says.
Aug. 25
Water Tower Park in Lone Butte is new home to the Coach House Square's caboose
The more than 60,000 pounds caboose (including the caboose's trucks) was moved without any problems, except for a couple of pieces that had to be removed from the bottom of the caboose with a torch for transport.
According to Al Jones, it was great to see so many members of the community come together to help preserve a piece of local history and relocate the old caboose to Water Tower Park in Lone Butte.
Aug. 25
School superintendent resigns
At a special closed meeting on Aug. 16, School District #27 (SD27) trustees accepted the resignation of school superintendent Mark Thiessen.
Thiessen will be leaving the School District Aug. 31 to become the principal at Mennonite Educational Institute (a Christian high school in Abbotsford).
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 1
Ideas welcomed to revive fall fair
The South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce, South Cariboo Agri-Culture Enterprise Centre (AEC) and the 100 Mile & District Arts Council invited the community to bring their ideas to a "Meeting of the Minds," to bring back the South Cariboo Fall Fair.
Sept. 1
CUPW and Canada Post agreed to tentative deals
Five days after a federally appointed mediator sat down with them, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post reached tentative agreements on Aug. 30.
This last-ditch effort between the two sides ended the prospect of a labour dispute when they couldn't make headway on resolving issues of pay equity for rural carriers – compared to what urban carriers received – and pension plan changes.
Sept. 8
BC Ferries run goes back to Bella Coola
Tourism stakeholders celebrated a major victory across the Cariboo-Chilcotin and coastal British Columbia after they heard the provincial government would bring back a BC Ferries summer service between Port Hardy and Bella Coola in 2018.
The importance of opening up the region is mostly about the province's aboriginal tourism and the economic impacts the ferry service carries along with its passengers to the Great Bear Rainforest, said South Cariboo resident and regional tourism leader Pat Corbett.
Sept. 8
Postal dispute cooled with tentative contract
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) reached tentative agreements with Canada Post on Aug. 30, but now it's up to unionized postal workers to ratify.
The union indicated the mail and parcel delivery would be likely to remain status quo until at least next year if the CUPW units ratified the tentative agreements with a majority vote.
Sept. 15
Opening residential care beds 'good news'
MLA Donna Barnett announced, "Interior Health intends to further expand residential care bed capacity by adding 14 beds to Fischer Place/Mill Site Lodge."
The long-term care beds will open in spring 2017, she explained.
Sept. 15
Lac la Hache OCP review process was going well
The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) was well underway in the process to update the Lac la Hache Official Community Plan (OCP), according to CRD chair Al Richmond.
Graham Farstad said having a booth at the recent Garlic Festival was a great venue for the consultants.
Noting they were looking for a venue that would attract the most people to provide and they hit gold at the festival.
Sept. 22
Wrangler Way became a reality
Wrangler Way became a reality on Sept. 16 when a District of 100 Mile House staff member replaced the Airport Road street sign to rename the road to honour and recognize the success of the local hockey team.
100 Mile House Wranglers Junior B Hockey Club president Tom Bachynski said he is "super stoked" with happiness about the new name that now forms a piece of 100 Mile House history.
Sept. 22
Invasive plants attacked in 100 Mile House area
A $1.16-million job-creation project developed by the provincial government and the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia (ISCBC) put people to work to weed out invasive plants and species in five Interior communities, including the 100 Mile House area.
The three-person team assigned to each community will focus on the invasive species present in that specific area.
Sept. 29
Firefighters dealt with highly caustic, reactive sodium hydroxide
Around 1:50 a.m. on Sept. 22, Fire Rescue received a callout and responded to a hazardous material spill in the parking lot of Big Country Storage on Seventh Street across from Peter Skene Ogden (PSO) Secondary School.
The spill resulted in the closure of several businesses and PSO on Seventh Street, which was barricaded immediately and wasn't opened to the public until 9 p.m.
Sept. 29
Bike Rodeo didn't go ahead
A bike rodeo that had been planned for the weekend at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre was postponed until the spring, organizers confirmed on Sept. 26. Weather was the driving factor behind the decision to postpone the Oct. 1 rodeo, Crime Stoppers spokesperson Darrel Warman says, adding that with rain and chilly temperatures in the forecast, volunteers thought it best to hold off.
Sept. 29
Local brokers advised new ICBC system can cause delays
South Cariboo resident Vicky Shirran said she renewed her auto insurance in 100 Mile House on Sept. 17 and was "unprepared, shocked, and a little ticked off" by the wait time she experienced.
"I had no idea... I figured it would be like a 10- to 15- minute transaction to get my [renewal] papers... and it turned out to be [an 80-minute] wait."
"As with any complex project of this size, it will take time for Autoplan brokers and ICBC staff to become comfortable with the new system, so there may be delays during the transition," said ICBC president and CEO Mark Blucher in a website announcement.
OCTOBER
Oct. 6
CCTA executive passed non-confidence motion
Union believes school board was making an incorrect decision
Following its Oct. 3 meeting, the Cariboo-Chilcotin Teachers' Association (CCTA) executive committee voted unanimously in support of a motion of non-confidence in the School District #27 (SD27) school board.
"After careful consideration of the events that have unfolded in the last two months, we felt it was necessary to speak out against recent decisions we believe are creating chaos and uncertainty for staff and students in our district," said CCTA president Murray Helmer.
Oct. 13
Riding residents split on electoral reform
However, McLeod said constituents prefer a referendum
Feedback collected by the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo Election Reform Committee – a self-described non-partisan group formed over the summer to gauge support for a new electoral system – indicated strong support for scrapping the current First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) method, according to committee member Murray Todd.
MP Cathy McLeod (Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo) said she has encountered plenty of support for a referendum, through community forums and polls, the most recent of which was a telephone survey that took place last week.
Oct. 13
Local paramedic was a top fundraiser in Cops for Cancer riding
Jamie MacPherson of 100 Mile House wanted to help find a cure for cancer – and her goal led her to cycle 800 kilometres at the 2016 Cops for Cancer: Tour de Coast team, where she raised $18,068, which placed her among its top fundraisers.
A primary care paramedic with the BC Ambulance Service and a volunteer with 100 Mile House Fire Rescue, MacPherson's team consisted of 35 police officers and two paramedics who cycled for nine consecutive days.
Oct. 20
Forest Grove fire chief's passing recognized as a Line of Duty Death
The Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation (CFFF) has recognized the passing of Fire Chief Bob Felker as a Line of Duty Death.
Felker was a longtime fire chief of the Cariboo Regional District's (CRD) Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Department.
Oct. 20
CCTA president said SD27's communication protocol 'falls short'
Cariboo-Chilcotin Teachers' Association (CCTA) president Murray Helmer said the School District #27 (SD27) trustees' position that the concerns expressed by him in his Oct. 4 press release had "not been communicated with the board other than through the media" is not the case.
In an Oct. 6 open letter to the board, he stated "...to suggest that the CCTA made no effort to raise our financial concerns with the Board directly is simply untrue," because "the financial concerns expressed by the CCTA have also been brought to the board on a number of occasions."
Oct. 27
Local MLA becomes a cabinet minister
Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett was appointed as the new Minister of State for Rural Economic Development at Government House by Lieutenant-Governor Judith Guichon on Oct. 21.
"Every community in British Columbia benefits when our rural communities are strong," said Premier Christy Clark as she announced Barnett's appointment.
Oct. 27
Marsh pond equipment sent for repairs under warranty
The fountain feature installed in the 100 Mile Marsh this summer was taken out a few weeks earlier than planned.
While the colder weather and freeze-up was just around the corner, District of 100 Mile House community services director Phil Strain said the new five-horsepower fountain (installed in July) was in need of mechanical work.
"It was sent for repairs. It's [100 per cent] warranty work, of course, and we would have been pulling it out fairly soon anyways for the winter.
NOVEMBER
Nov. 3
Douglas fir beetles infested Canim Lake areas
Cariboo Regional District Area H Director Margo Wagner urged residents near Canim Lake to help prevent the spread of Douglas-fir beetles in the area's old-growth forests.
In her Oct. 17 e-mail, Wagner noted area residents may have noticed areas along South Canim Lake Road, Canim-Hendrix Lake Road (towards Hendrix Lake) and Mahood Lake that are showing signs of Douglas-fir beetle damage.
"Forestry is well aware of the problem, and is currently working with the various licensees of those areas to address the problem," Wagner wrote.
Nov. 3
Lofty goals achieved with national acceptance
On Nov. 1, Canadian Mental Health Association South Cariboo Branch (CMHA-SCB) and the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre (CFEC) announced that both organizations been accredited under Imagine Canada's national Standards Program.
With this achievement, the CMHA-SCB and CFEC joined a growing community of more than 200 organizations dedicated to operational excellence.
Nov. 10
Federal funding hope for rural infrastructure
Canada's new $81-billion offers $35-billion investor's bank
Rural Economic Development Minister of State Donna Barnett says the new $81-billion new federal infrastructure funding is a "positive" step that she is hopeful will boost communities and taxpayers in rural British Columbia.
Part of the announced purpose of Canada's new $35-billion infrastructure bank is attracting private sector capital, with incentives that may include offering low-risk loans to encourage private investors through low-interest and loan guarantees on large infrastructure projects in its trade corridors.
Nov. 10
Cariboo Regional District urged residents to oppose electricity rate system
CRD directors reviewed the reports and strongly disagreed with the premises expressed. As a result, the regional district said it would be submitting a comment to the commission expressing its concerns and its disagreement with the reports from BC Hydro and FortisBC.
The board maintained the current system for electricity rates is unfair for rural customers in northern climates who have higher rates of electricity use simply due to their geographic location and the harsher realities of winter.
Nov. 17
103 Mile Water System upgrade needed
Kimberly Porter said the Boil Water Notice (BWN) put in place on Oct. 19 would remain in place.
CRD chair and Electoral Area G Director Al Richmond said the well heads are not up to standard and they are not sealed properly, so effluent sewage, rain water can run down outside of the well casing and into the aquifer and contaminates the wells.
Nov. 17
Teachers were happy to see victory at Supreme Court
After only 15 minutes of deliberation, seven of nine judges ruled in favour of the teachers in overturning a Court of Appeal decision made in 2015 and reinstating the B.C. Supreme Court's decision of 2014.
British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF) president Glen Hansman said the province's public school teachers are "delighted" that governments in B.C. and all across Canada "must now respect bargaining rights and collective agreements."
Nov. 24
Moonlight Madness illuminated happiness downtown
Work 'N' Play owner Ken Thomas said it was once again a busy, fun and exciting Moonlight Madness sales event this year.
"It was a fantastic night. The parade was great, everybody was happy and that is good."
While sales were "as good as it's always been" on Moonlight Madness, there's more to it than business, he added.
Nov. 24
100 Mile House resident faced wildlife trafficking allegations
According to the B.C. Conservation Officers Services Facebook page, Nine counts were laid against Xie for alleged offences that occurred in 100 Mile House and Cache Creek between October 2015 and September 2016.
According to court documents Hong Hui Xie, who was in his 40s, allegedly trafficked in a bear gall bladder, trafficked in bear paws separate from the carcass and trafficked in deer meat while in the 100 Mile House area from Oct. 27, 2015 to Jan. 21, 2016.
DECEMBER
Dec. 1
Grades 10-12 curriculum implementation delayed to 2018/19
Education Minister Mike Bernier announced the extension wouldn't be fully implemented until the beginning of the 2018/19 school year, based on more feedback provided by teachers and educators.
Cariboo-Chilcotin Teachers' Association (CCTA) president Murray Helmer says it "makes sense" to have the one-year extension to implement the draft curriculum for teachers and students in grades 10-12.
Dec. 1
Liberals approved Kinder Morgan pipeline, rejected Northern Gateway
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet approved Kinder Morgan's proposal to twin the 63-year-old Trans Mountain pipeline to Burnaby, and rejected Enbridge's Northern Gateway oil pipeline across northern B.C. to Kitimat.
"If I thought this project was unsafe for the B.C. coast, I would reject it," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said of the Kinder Morgan project in Ottawa on Nov. 29.
Dec. 8
School Board Trustees opted to preserve zones 1-3
The discussion had been the result of investigations to resolve voting area issues with SD27's trustee zones for Williams Lake that no longer matched up with the city's electoral boundaries since they were expanded, said School District #27 (SD27) chair Tanya Guenther.
The SCJC members were told they would be receiving a letter from the board asking for written feedback to submit with its application, along with the feedback it gathered from its public consultations. Guenther added the trustees were hoping to implement the changes in 2018.
Dec. 8
Mobile home blazed near Forest Grove
Fire crews battled a mobile home fire in the 4400-block of Canim-Hendrix Lake Road in the early hours of the morning commute (Dec. 6).
The two occupants made it out of the building, including an elderly woman who was treated on scene for minor injuries. She and the other occupant were both transported to the hospital by ambulance.
Dec. 15
Leon Chretien called for localizing landlords
Local businessman Leon Chretien said his peers in the community were warming up to an idea he had been tossing around relating to small investments creating local landlords.
The Sunrise Ford owner and South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) president said he was hoping to further small business entrepreneurship in the community by forming a real estate investment firm that even low-budget investors could afford.
Dec. 15
Lack of softwood deal a problem
Lumber industry was facing lost jobs, billions in duty dollars
The absence of a softwood lumber agreement with the United States was still causing concerns after the former 10-year deal expired on Oct. 12.
Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett said "of course, there are an awful lot of players at the table – the federal government, the Americans. I do know from our point of view that we hope, and still have hope, that it will get through the process so we can move on it in the very near future."
Dec. 22
Cougar killed donkey near Bridge Lake
COs tracked with hounds and dispatched prowling predator
A cougar killed a donkey southeast of 100 Mile House and was subsequently dispatched by Conservation Officers (COs) with the help of tracking hounds on Dec 12.
Cariboo/Chilcotin Zone Sgt. Jeff Tyre said COs from 100 Mile House and Williams Lake attended a ranch south of Bridge Lake where an adult cougar had killed the donkey that was in a fenced corral.
Dec. 22
100 Mile House school trustee resigned
Chris Pettman, School District # 27 (SD27) trustee for Zone 3 – 100 Mile House submitted his resignation effective Dec. 30.
Pettman said he was concentrating on finishing his master's degree in preparation for assuming his new role as executive director for the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre (CFEC) early in 2017.
"I really need to free up some time and space to do that."
Dec. 29
Green party hosted first meet 'n greet of season
The BC Green Party Cariboo-Chilcotin candidate Rita Giesbrecht held her first "Get to Know You" event at the Critical Mass Pop Up Art Gallery in 100 Mile House on Dec. 17.
The occasion was the first public event hosted by the local Cariboo-Chilcotin Greens since Giesbrecht was nominated for the candidacy in October.
Dec. 29
Asia imports were up as U.S. targeted B.C. lumber
The United States Commerce Department announced it would investigate allegations of unfair imports of Canadian lumber, half of which came from British Columbia.
The U.S. government gave its response to a petition by the U.S. Lumber Coalition filed in November and officially kicked off the fifth softwood lumber dispute between Canada and the U.S.
In a year-end interview, Premier Christy Clark said she was confident Canada and B.C. could get an agreement with the new U.S. administration.