TUESDAY JULY 28, 2015
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Vol. 120, Issue 116
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PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Missing Trail man found after 11 days
TUMBLING DUO
Search crews locate Gavin Ballard on Saturday in Pend d’Oreille area BY VALERIE ROSSI Times Staff
A Trail family is counting their blessings after Gavin Ballard was located this weekend and is on the mend at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital. The 23-year-old Trail man, who was reported missing July 14, was located Saturday at around 6 p.m. in a wooded area in the Pend d'Oreille. After receiving a tip from the public, investigators located his abandoned vehicle about three kilometres from the Buckley Campground, which triggered an extensive search headed by South Columbia Search and Rescue (SAR). “I feel like a huge load has been lifted and I would like to hug everyone who took part in finding Gavin — Search and Rescue and the Trail detachment,” Gavin's grandmother, Georgina Ballard, told the Trail Times Monday. The Ballard family took search efforts into their hands Saturday when they scoured the region, dropping missing person posters with truck drivers, drop-in clinics and others in the Nelson and Salmo area. When the cold weather moved in, Georgina pulled a sweater on and couldn't help but think of how long Gavin had been “cold and hungry.” She never lost hope that search efforts would rule in her favour and is overjoyed she had professionals like Trail and Greater District RCMP's Cpl. Darryl Orr on her side. Georgina was contacted that same day with the good news. “Right now I've got tears coming down my face,” she said, adding that the hurt and anguish she was feeling is replaced with gratitude. The relief was shared by Mike Hudson, president of the South Columbia SAR. Gavin was in “fairly decent spirits, and he was walking on his own” when SAR managed to catch up with him. “He seemed a little bit dazed and confused, you know he had been out there for a few days and didn't have any water or food with him,” Hudson said Monday. “My understanding was that he was eating off of bushes and trees and whatever he could get at, and he was pretty close to a main creek and probably was getting water from there.” The team's efforts stalled last Monday when no clues turned up in and around the missing person's frequented camp in the Sunningdale See CLOTHING, Page 2
SHERI REGNIER PHOTO
Cooler temperatures at Gyro Park Monday afternoon, had Colby Harris, 8, and nine-year-old Austin Bolen (in front) taking a break from the spray park in favour of a tumbling race across the grass. The climate is expected to heat up again by the long weekend with highs in the mid-thirties.
Take a Hike seeking outdoor gear for popular program BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Before the new school year revs up in about six weeks, Take a Hike is looking for new or gently used gear and outdoor clothing for Trail's adventurebased learning program. “This is a pretty comprehensive list of things we're always looking for,” says Jaydeen Williams, program director for the Take a Hike Youth at Risk Foundation. “Either new or used, but in good condition.” Quality rain or winter jackets, fleece and wool sweaters, snow pants, polypropylene or wool based layers and long sleeved shirts are in high need as well as
gloves, mittens, toques and wool socks. Outdoor clothing must be waterproof and in good condition, added Williams. Bigger ticket items the program seeks include high volume single kayaks, mountain bicycles and parts, cycling helmets, gloves, waterproof hiking boots and gym or water shoes. Anyone willing to purchase new or donate is asked to contact Williams at 604.710.1677 or email jaydeen@ takeahikefoundation.org. Charitable tax receipts are available. At risk students living anywhere in the West Kootenay can have the chance to succeed and graduate through classroom support, physical challenges,
volunteerism and one-on-one therapy with Take a Hike, which is run in the Kootenay Columbia Learning Centre (KCLC). A good student isn't one that only excels in the classroom but one that also excels outside of the classroom says the Foundation's Matthew Coyne. “In our short two years, the Take a Hike program has had a meaningful impact not only on the lives of our students, but for the community as well,” Coyne explained. “Our program helps our students understand that they are part of a larger community and they have a responsibility to give back.” See COMMUNITY, Page 3
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