PGH ANNOUNCES FEBRUARY SERVICE CHANGES
Princeton area residents are advised that due to limited physician availability in February, there will be times when only the most urgent cases will be seen by the physician on call. The Princeton General Hospital Emergency Department will remain open during these times and patients will be assessed as usual by the trained nurses on site. Those with less urgent matters may be transferred to a nearby hospital for care or offered appropriate options. If this is the case, it's important to be prepared: Have your wallet with you as well as shoes and clothes and be sure to make arrangements for a ride home. If you are unsure of the services you may need, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 for confidential health information and advice from a registered nurse. For further information contact Princeton General Hospital at 250.295.3233. The list of February dates when patients can anticipate adjusted physician response is below. The time of adjusted service is between 12:00 AM (Midnight) and 8:00 AM on all dates noted: Wednesday, February 1, Thursday, February 2, Friday, February 3, Saturday, February 4, Sunday, February 5, Tuesday, February 7, Wednesday, February 8, Thursday, February 9, Tuesday, February 14, Thursday, February 16, Friday, February 17, Saturday, February 18, Sunday, February 19, Tuesday, February 21, Thursday, February 23, Monday, February 27, Tuesday, February 28 and Wednesday, February 29.
PXA ELECTS 2012 BOARD
Princeton Exhibition Association (PXA), the group managing the fairgrounds complex known as Sunflower Downs, held their annual general meeting on January 17, electing Paul Bedard as President, with Dan Kastor as Vice-President. Councillor Jason Earle conducted the election. Despite the bitter cold and blowing snow, nearly all members attended. Due to a new policy, the president of user groups are automatically appointed to the Board of Directors. Ken Crompton is President of Princeton Rodeo Club, Karrie Crucil is President of Princeton Racing Days Association, and Keith Olsen is President of Princeton and District Fall Fair Association. Elected Directors are Lisa Carleton, Fran Murphy, Della Osborne and Dawn Johnson. Sandy Gabor was appointed Treasurer and Dawn Johnson was appointed Secretary. The meeting began with a summary of the past year by Paul Bedard. He said it had been a challenge. The deaths of longtime members Peter Ruoss and Stan Thompson in 2011 had been a loss to everyone connected with the PXA. Five successful events took place at the fairgrounds last year, there were a good number of tenants, and a great appreciation dinner. Bedard had special praise for the community Halloween party and, turning to Jen Bernard, said he hoped to see it happen again this year. Bedard commented on the value of the 'Let's Talk' supper hosted by the Town. He recalled the formation of a crisis committee to come up with a solution to some problems. Bedard said the year had been a sharp learning curve for him personally, but the bottom line was it was a successful year. He told members he had received excellent support and thanked everyone.
TWO QUAKES HIT PRINCETON AREA
Two mild earthquakes hit the Princeton area ten days ago. On January 12, a 2.3 quake struck just northwest of Princeton between Princeton and Coalmont. On January 14, a 2.3 quake struck southwest of Princeton near the location known as the mine hill. It is doubtful anyone felt the quake. A month ago, a small quake hit the area near Osprey Lake. This was an extremely shallow quake and may have been felt by nearby residents. These small quakes appear to be related to a number of recent quakes in the Okanagan Valley basin ranging from Yakima to Princeton, and part of the Columbia River basin which has an ongoing history of small quakes. The most recent flurry of tiny quakes began last fall in Washington along the Columbia River and gradually moved north.

Cattle south of the Clifton Ranch on Highway 3A were lining up for feed January 18th. Some of the cows were away from the feed, standing close to the elevated road along the west side of the field. The elevated road offered some protection from the prevailing westerly snowstorm. So, which were the smart cows: the ones protected from the wind or the ones eating in the wind?

VERMILION TRAILS SOCIETY SENDS BILL
Town Council received two bills for the cost of lighting the Trans-Canada Trail. Vermilion Trails Society does not have the funds to pay the electricity bills. Councillor Frank Armitage suggested the Town pay the bills. 'Who does it reflect on if the lights are shut off?' he commented. Councillor Kim Maynard remarked, 'It (the lighting) almost exclusively benefits the people of Princeton.' Councillor Jason Earle stated it is a matter of accountability and responsibility. He said he had seen lights on all day when the lights were supposed to be on only from 4:30 PM to midnight. Councillor Maynard replied, 'They got out of whack for a couple of days.' He went on to explain there had been problems with the timer. Councillor Earle said if the Town paid the bills, the money would come out of the Vermilion Trails grant in aid. He added, 'There have been a lot of problems with timers.' Council will pay the $665 up to January 1, and will pay in the interim until the budget is set.
EARLE LOOKS AT DEER ISSUE
Councillor Jason Earle took on the burden of trying to solve the deer issue in Princeton, but he is not certain there really is a deer issue. At the January 9 Committee of the Whole meeting of Town Council, he said it appeared there were the same five people complaining. The Town has a bylaw to enforce but it is driven by complaints. Councillor Earle says there is a need for public education regarding urban deer. He would like Council to make and distribute a pamphlet about urban deer. He would like a committee formed comprised of members of Council, members of the public, and a representative from the Wildlife Branch. He would like to have a public meeting. Councillor Frank Armitage liked the idea of having the public involved. Councillors were in favour of making a pamphlet to distribute to the public and it would ask who would volunteer to be on the committee.
BUILDING CODE NEEDS UPDATE
Princeton's building inspection and building bylaw needs updating. There are changes to the BC building code. There are deficiencies inspectors must deal with locally and there are suggestions to make structures more 'green'. The matter was discussed briefly at the January 9th Committee of the Whole meeting. Town staff will draft a building bylaw to conform to the Regional District building bylaw.

Argo Road Maintenance crew members had the task of sawing and tidying up the trunk and limbs of a giant evergreen on January 12th. The huge tree had fallen across Highway 3A a mile south of the Green Mountain Road, blocking traffic in the wee hours of the morning a few days before. It seems the tree had lived its life on the banks of Keremeos Creek, which - due to the ground moisture content - is inherently soft. When the bulk of the tree was chain-sawed off about five feet from what would have otherwise been its base, the remaining trunk inexplicably popped upright once again!

Princeton Minor Hockey Association recently 're-branded' itself to be the Princeton Minor Posse, to match up with the local KIJHL Junior B hockey team in town - the Princeton Posse. The Minor Posse received their new jerseys this week and we got a great look at them thanks to players Devon (left) and Quinn Harrison.

EXHIBITION GAME FEATURES LOCAL BOYS
by Dean Johnston
Boasting eight local Princeton players and a mid-season 22-5 record the South Okanagan Bantam Rep team will host a game in the Princeton Arena this weekend. The team is aptly named and truly represents a South Okanagan flavor as the boys join four players from Oliver, three from Osoyoos and one from Rock Creek. All the boys played rep last year for three different teams - Tristan Vandermeulen and Parker Thibert (Princeton Pee Wee Rep) join Brett Herrick and goalie Ryan Grgich (Penticton Bantam Rep) as first time South Okanagan team members. The group has added significant and noticeable depth to this season's squad, joining returning team members Kolten Smith, Dustin Fleming, Morton Johnston and Craig Thompson - the last 3 forming half of the total 4 year team veterans. For them this homecoming is especially sweet as this is only their third game on home ice in four seasons. The game this weekend will pit South Okanagan (the top OMAHA Tier 3 team...11-1 League play) against Penticton's OHA (Okanagan Hockey Academy) Bantam Tier 2 team on Sunday, January 15 at 12:15 PM .
SHAVE FOR THE BRAVE RAISES OVER $6,500
Princeton Secondary School 2011 Grad Frankie Reichert had an idea. 'I just want to help people,' she told the News Leader in December when raising money for Young Adult Cancer Canada through their 'Shave For The Brave' fundraising program. Reichert became a designated 'headhunter' and managed to add four more participants – Denise Duguay, Marena White, Kirk McConnell and Rod Miller. The quintet turned in money collected just prior to having their heads shaved by Kayley Thomas and Heather Herrick January 6th in the PSS Gym. The total was $6,585.00 with more expected to come in.

A trio of Princeton boys are The Best In Training and they have recently released a mini CD of original music online. The band consists of guitarist/vocalist Adam Dobbs (2010 PSS Grad now living and working in the Lower Mainland), PSS Grade 12 student Adam Gullason (guitar/vocals) and PSS Grade 11 student Morgan Dobbs (drums). They spent a good part of last summer break from school recording and mixing their original songs with Producer Terry Downey in his Princeton home recording studio. Downey, who raps and records under the name of Griploc, made sure The Best In Training, or 'T-BIT,' had a marketable product available. The Best In Training have a selection of items available online through their website, www.tbit.ca which include their 5-song CD 'Tell It Again' available as a CD or each song individually as digital MP3 downloads.

COUNCIL BANS MOTORIZED VEHICLES
Councillor Kim Maynard made a request to Council at the December 19 public meeting to ban motorized vehicles on the TransCanada Trail within Town boundaries. Councillor Jason Earle said he thought it would be premature to do so as it was his understanding there were to be usage regulations that would apply to the entire trail system. Maynard explained that motorized vehicles are banned on the trail in most municipalities. Councillor Frank Armitage asked who would enforce the ban. Councillor Maynard stated that most municipalities do not have a police patrol of the trail. Councillor Earle said he believed the original plan for the trail was to allow snowmobiles. Councillor Maynard stated the ban would apply only to that portion of the trail within Town boundaries. With government grants and funding from Vermilion Trails Society, the Town has provided lighting, paving, and the Bridge of Dreams. The trail is considered a Town tourism asset. Council voted in favour of the ban.
ARTS COUNCIL REVIEWS YEAR
The Arts Council will meet January 18, but the December meeting of the Board of the Arts Council reviewed the past calendar year and took time to appreciate a year of outstanding achievement. After hosting a powwow, running the Sunflower Gallery, Arts in the Park, the autumn concert series, a sustainability seminar and participating in Arts and Culture Week and Mining Week, 2011 ended on a positive note with money in the bank. The Town of Princeton in partnership with Thompson-Okanagan Tourism is paying for a brochure for six groups, the Arts Council is one of those funded. The brochure will be in tourist information centres this spring. Sunflower Gallery will be closed January and February, but will be back in business for the spring. The January 18 meeting will focus on planning for Arts and Culture week, April 22 to 28. The Arts Council would like to organize music performances
at the gazebo in Veteran's Square during the summer. Any group or individual interested in presenting a performance should contact the Arts Council at princetonartscouncilbc@gmail.com and make a suggestion. Arts Council President Del Hall and Treasurer Marjorie Holland will attend the Town Council Committee meeting on January 9 at 4:00 PM to present a report to Council.
MAYOR JOINS HEALTH TEAM
MLA Moira Stillwell requested a member of Town Council to join her in a committee to develop change in policies and regulations that would increase the number of training residency positions available for medical students in B.C. At the December 19 Town Council meeting, Councillors approved the appointment of Mayor Fred Thomas to join Minister Stillwell's team. Councillor Marilyn Harkness has been appointed to represent Princeton on the Board of Okanagan Regional Library. All other appointments and committees will be established this month.

This is the scene that Santa missed as he travelled over the Similkameen in the middle of the night on December 24th/25th. We wonder if his reindeer ever set down in one of the many forestry clearings to rest for a bit? Notice the very obvious linear surface striations which bode of the linear nature of the mountainside under the fallen snow. Who would have guessed that Mother Nature uses a straightedge?!

26-year old Tyme Hennenfent will be boxing in the National Championships in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia January 10, 2012. Formerly of Princeton and now living in Kamloops, BC with her two young daughters, the 5' 7' stunner hopes to become a carded boxer by 2013 and compete in the 2016 Olympics.
The National Championships in Nova Scotia will be 'the biggest fight of my career, so far,' says Hennenfent. 'It will create opportunities for me to fight in the Pan Am Games and Worlds. This competition (the NC in Nova Scotia) is a massive part of my goal.' Hennenfent is looking for sponsorships from any business or individual who can provide funding to help cover some of the costs (plane fare, nine-day hotel accommodation and meals) associated with the Eastern Canada event.
Donations can be direct deposited to CIBC Account #7385633 (00460), can be sent to 369 Fortune Drive, Kamloops, BC V2B 2H9 or e-mailed to: tyme_h_06@hotmail.com. Hennenfent says any and all donations will be appreciated.

The downtown Princeton office of Similkameen News Leader, located at 226A Bridge Street, will be CLOSED for the Christmas Holiday from 5:00 PM Wednesday, December 21st to 8:30 AM Wednesday, December 28th. There will not be an issue of the News Leader published Tuesday, December 27th. While our office is closed you can still contact us by sending e-mails at either of these addresses: brenda@thenewsleader.ca or george@thenewsleader.ca. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at Similkameen News Leader!

GROW-OP GOES BUST
On March 2011, RCMP received a tip about a possible marijuana grow operation. They began an investigation of a property that had a house, a shed and a barn. On March 31 police executed a search warrant and found 331 marijuana plants growing in the shed. A search of the barn revealed two rooms containing a further 216 and 245 plants, for a total of 790 plants. On December 15, Scott Desjarlais, a middle-aged Coquitlam resident, appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton to plead guilty to one of three charges against him. His defense counsel told the court Desjarlais had tried two crops. The first had failed and he was arrested when the second crop was discovered. He had been trying to make some extra money over and above the $6,000 to $8,000 he grosses from his Coquitlam flooring installation company. Instead, he lost a lot of money. Judge G. Sinclair sentenced Desjarlais to an 18 month conditional sentence with the first six months under house arrest, allowing him to go to work only. He is not permitted to have any illegal drugs in his possession and is not to consume alcohol. Desjarlais is prohibited from possessing any weapons for 10 years, and must give a DNA sample to be placed in the Canadian Registry.
REBELS HOST TOURNEY, ALUMNI GAME - by Adam Gullason
The Princeton Rebels hosted a number of teams - including Keremeos Sparks and the KVR Express - for a tournament on Wednesday and Thursday, December 14 and 15 at Princeton Secondary School. Both Girls and Boys teams were playing in this tournament. Princeton won both of the games on Wednesday and lost both games on Thursday. Team coaches indicated all of the games were close and both teams played well. Christmas break will see the return of former Rebel Girls Basketball team players for the second annual Alumni game. The game is set for December 22nd at 7:00 PM at PSS gym against the provincially ranked 2012 Rebel squad departing Boxing Day for an Arizona tournament.

Princeton Crisis Assistance Society President Alan Kovaltsenko, right, picks up Teddy Bears from Princeton Posse Club President John Babiak. The bears were tossed on the ice of Princeton Arena December 16th in the annual 'Teddy Bear Game' and are distributed to children in the area through Christmas Hampers. Some are given to RCMP Victim Services to present to children dealing with crisis and others go to senior residents at local long-term care facilities.