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Vol. 64, Issue 98
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Pilot killed in Alberta crash was from Cranbrook Wildfire limits ability of investigators to reach scene of Friday plane crash
CANADIAN PRESS
COLD LAKE, Alta. Police say wildfire conditions at the scene of the crash of a firefighting plane in northern Alberta are making it difficult for investigators to reach the site. The small aircraft used for fire suppression crashed Friday
while battling a wildfire near Cold Lake, killing the 38-year-old pilot and only person onboard. He was from Cranbrook, according to reports from Global News, and had been fighting wild fires for four years. As of presstime, the identity of the pilot had
not been released. Mounties say the site is inside the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, an area used by military pilots for weapons training. RCMP Cpl. Mike Dunsmore said the military and search and rescue personnel escorted police into the
crash site late Friday and helped recover the body of the pilot. But on Saturday, Dunsmore said the fire, which the province reported Saturday has grown to 40 square kilometres since it started a day earlier, is making it challenging for Transportation Safety
Board investigators to safely enter the area. Jon Lee, the regional manager for the TSB, said investigators were headed to the site in a helicopter on Saturday afternoon with a provincial wildfire official to see if it would be safe to land. “If it is, they’ll set
down. If not, they’ll re-assess,” said Lee, noting the decision would be up to the provincial official. Crews in northern Alberta have been fighting wildfires for more than a week, and warm and dry conditions have increased the fire hazard to high
Liquor sales a possibility at farmers’ market T R E V O R C R AW L E Y
When it comes to farmer’s markets, locally grown produce or locally made artisan goods usually come to mind. However, there are ongoing conversations with local microbreweries and wineries in Creston to add some more adult beverages to the market selection. Following changes to provincial liquor laws last year, selling alcohol at Farmers markets is now legal. That being said, there aren’t many local breweries or vintners who are ready to set up in Cranbrook and Kimberley markets, according to Erna Jensen-Shill, who manages the Cranbrook Farmers’
Market. “I’ve talked with a couple of the Creston vintners and they are interested in the market,” said Shill. “They have been participating in the Creston markets, so they are interested. “We’ve been having conversations there, nothing solidified yet, but we’ve been talking.” She has also talked with the Heidout Restaurant and Brewhouse in regard to their in-house microbrewery—Fisher Peak Brewing Company. Other Famer’s markets, such as those in the B.C. Interior, have had success showcasing and selling local wine, beer and spirits.
See LIQUOR, Page 4
PHOTO BY TAYLOR ROCCA
Second baseman Noah Rennette (#2) snags a fly ball during the first game of a doubleheader between the Cranbrook Bandits and Kootenai Valley Rangers in American Legion Baseball action Saturday afternoon at Confederation Park. The Bandits went on to win the opening game of the day by a 5-1 margin. The doubleheader marked the first home games of the season for Cranbrook’s boys of summer. See more on Page 7.
Two youths arrested after B&E, third suspect sought FO R T HE TOW N S MAN
Two Cranbrook youths have been taken into custody following the police investigation into a local business break and enter. In the early morning hours of May 13, Cranbrook RCMP officers responded to an intru-
sion alarm at a local grocery store. Upon arrival police discovered the business had been broken into. Over the following days police conducted an investigation and based on witness interviews, forensic evidence found at the
scene and surveillance video analysis three suspects were positively identified. Two of the suspects have since been taken into custody and police continue to look for the third individual responsible for this crime.
The two youths in custody are 15 and 16 years of age. On Monday, May 18, police executed a search warrant on a Cranbrook residence and were able to locate and seize a number of the items that had been stolen from the busi-
ness. “This was a thorough and timely investigation that included our general duty officers, the police dog and our forensic identification specialists which ultimately lead to identifying those responsible for this crime” said
S/Sgt. Dubnyk. “Police rely heavily on information from the public and would like to remind people to call in anything suspicious they see occurring in their neighbourhoods or anywhere around town,” Dubnyk added.
or extreme in some areas. The pilot who was killed worked for Conair Aerial Firefighting, and he and the plane were contracted by the Alberta government. “First responders like this pilot, and our many other dedicated wildland firefighters, put their lives on the line every day to ensure that our homes and families are safe,” incoming premier Rachel Notley said in a statement that offered her condolences to the pilot’s family, friends and colleagues. “We owe them our most sincere gratitude. Even as they mourn the loss of one of their own, I know they will continue fighting the many fires burning within our borders.” Jeff Barry of Conair Aerial Firefighting said the pilot was in his fourth firefighting season with the company. “We’ve sent our accident investigation team and we’ll be co-operating with the Transportation Safety Board and the Alberta ESRD (Environment and Sustainable Resource Development) folks will be there as well,” Barry said Friday. Barry said the plane was a single-seater Air Tractor 802, known in the company as the “Fire Boss.” The company’s website said the amphibious plane is used to scoop up water from lakes or deliver fire retardent. Police said in a news release on Saturday that the crash scene has been secured. Lee said the crash investigation was still in the early stages and he couldn’t speculate on the cause.