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Rainbow captured this afternoon on Pinchbeck Hill.

Move your mouse over the image to see alternate image.  Photos by LeRae Haynes.

By LeRae Haynes

Mackin Creek Farm, approximately 45km north of Williams Lake, is a certified organic supplier of vegetables, garlic, berries and herbs, and the source of weekly boxes of fresh, in-season delicacies for their customers.

Farm owners Cathie Allen, Rob Borsato and their son, Joe run the farm which includes managing greenhouses and gardens, pumping water from the creek, raising pigs, chickens and ducks and using horses for some of the gardening chores.

By LeRae Haynes

With fire danger significantly less than it was a week ago, and with evacuated residents back at home, ranchers are busy rounding up cattle that were moved around during the fires 

One local resident who was evacuated twice during the fires, said that cattle are scattered all over the range and will have to be moved so that the fall range grazing will be available.

(Photos by Linda-Lou Howarth: Roma Richburg with Interior Roads, stayed at the Meldrum Creek Road turn-off for days, according to local residents, marking down license plate numbers of people coming and going. She is described as ‘always smiling, professional and patient—a shining star during our fiery season.’)

The 4H Club's 52 Annual Show and Sale wrapped up at the Williams Lake stockyards this week.

Mathew Arms from the Springhouse 4H Club speaks with Jason Ryll about what being in 4H means to him.

Congratulations to all of the participants and winners in their respective categories.

Carl Johnson, owner of Dollar-Dollar, was spotted with an interesting balloon display on his way to the 'Taste of the Cariboo' event in Boitanio Park this evening.

"They're serving up pork and lamb today, but I didn't have a lamb in the store, so 'Chrissy the Cow' (balloon) is attending instead," Carl explained.

(Mouse over photo for another version.  Photo by Joe Cousins.)

It’s that time again! Students and their parents are preparing for the beginning of a new school year. With the high volume of sales made during this time of year and an increasing number of youth making their own purchases, Consumer Protection BC and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) remind “back-to-schoolers” that it pays to be a smart consumer.

Consider these tips while doing your shopping:

1. Ask about returns and refunds. Shopping for new clothes, accessories and gadgets is one of the highlights of going back to school. When you buy your new gear, ask the store about their return policy and always keep your receipts. Most people don’t know that in BC, stores are not legally required to exchange an item or give you a refund.

By Helen Williams

Gold Bridge, BC - In the rain shadow of the South Chilcotin Mountains of British Columbia’s Bridge River Valley, Terry Grant and production crew are finished filming two new episodes at Chilcotin Holidays Wilderness Guest Ranch for season six of the Canadian hit outdoor reality show Mantracker.

Two sets of prey, two routes, and a variety of terrain to cover over 16 days kept Mantracker’s Terry Grant and his professional guide sidekick Russell Floyd scouring British Columbia’s wilderness in pursuit of human prey on horseback. Floyd, one of Chilcotin Holidays’ advanced wilderness guides and graduate/instructor of Chilcotin Holidays’ Canadian Wilderness Tourism Training Centre, was a perfect fit to accompany Grant.

(Photo: Mantracker Crew at CH July 2010)

Rust in Peace

 

This display was seen in a local yard by a couple of residents on Saturday afternoon. They found it amusing enough to share.

By LeRae Haynes 

An important part of the resources on hand to fight the fires in the Cariboo is the mobile Phos-Chek unit. Along with the truck and tank where the gel is mixed with water, there is equipment for pumping water from available water sources on site and for storing the mixed solution to be picked up by helicopters. 

The truck is one of a kind---a Hydro-seeder modified for fire application. The truck on site in the Cariboo is on loan from the US while a new one is being built for Phos-Chek at their main mechanical shop in Idaho, where most of the equipment is manufactured.  

By LeRae Haynes 

One Cariboo resident who was evacuated from her home for nine days is back home now, and says that the professional, caring help from the fire fighters and the Emergency Services volunteers is something she will never forget. 

Jenny Noble lives half-way between Williams Lake and Quesnel on the west side of the Fraser River. Along with other residents in the area, she was evacuated from her home on July 31. She said that before the evacuation order was announced, a helicopter landed in their hay field, and the pilot told them that it was time for them to get ready to move out. “We asked him when we would know it was time to leave and he said, ‘it’s time now.’ 

(Photo:  Firefighters meeting near Jenny Noble's home.  Click to enlarge photo.)