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The Citizen, 2003-08-20, Page 1The Citizen _______________________Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Volume 19 No. 32 Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003 75 Cents (70c + 5c gst) Pg.2 Pg. 6 Teams win championships Festival welcomes new cast member Young Company previews ‘Washer’ Lowe places well at. CNE contest Proposal made tor ambulance station New crop circle likely a hoax Bv Janice Becker Citizen staff ' ■ ' With Huron County apparently a hot spot for erop circles this summer, it appears someone may have tried to take advantage of the situation, creating one of their own. The Citizen received information from an anonymous caller Friday afternoon regarding the sighting of another circle just off McNabb Line in Grey, between Moncrieff and Walton Roads Upon visiting the site, which was extremely difficult to see from a car, a formation of two circles, each approximately 40-feet in diameter, with connecting pathways was discovered in a field of grain. Two amateur researchers from Waterloo who were testing the original Cranbrook circle, immediately questioned the authenticity of the pattern upon entering the site. Though the grain appeared to be swirled as in the other circle, the researchers said the edges were not nearly as neat or defined. The first statement was that “someone didn’t know what they were doing”. Gillian Houston, whose father Murray owns the field, later contacted the paper saying that she, her brother and father had visited the circles and said, “it was pretty obvious someone had done it.” Believing the circles to be a hoax and not wanting the influx of '.lghiseers, Houston said the field was io be combined Friday afternoon. Though the Canadian Crop Circle Research Network was contacted, it is unlikely they were able to visit the sit: prior to its harvest. Rush for the pumps Gas pump attendants were kept busy Friday morning as motorists sought stations with power after a huge blackout threw much of Ontario and the northeastern United States into darkness late Thursday afternoon. While Wingham and Listowel-area stations picked up much of the trade Thursday when power was restored after only a couple hours, Donna Govier at Radford’s in Blyth was kept hopping the following morning. Many companies remained closed on Friday and government workers stayed home Monday. (Janice Becker photo) Massive blackout will be remembered By Janice Becker Citizen staff It is an event no one will forget and everyone will have their own story to tell when they recall the massive blackout of Aug 14, 2003. As reported repeatedly over the weekend, by almost every news outlet, the power outage struck the northeastern United States and much of Ontario when problems occurred at an Ohio energy company, according to the most recent reports. While the length of the blackout varied widely across this region, with Wingham and Listowel being among the first to light up, others did not see the resumption of service until mid-day on Friday. Rolling blackouts also affected many, with businesses either shutting down completely or seeking generators to keeping things moving. At Radford’s gas bar in Blyth, attendant Donna Govier reported for work at 7 a.m. Friday and the pumps were up and running by 8:30 a.m. with the help of a generator. The line-up was so long and continuous that two people were kept busy until about 11:30 a.m. Blyth under boil water advisory By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor As of Monday, a boil water advisory remained in effect for 15 communal wells in Central Huron, Morris-Turnberry, Ashfield- Colborne-Wawanosh, Bluewater and North Huron, as well as for the municipal residents of Blyth. The move was precautionary, prompted by the blackout of last week and the probability of rolling blackouts over the course of the following few days. Public health inspector Bob Worsell said that the inconsistent power and water pressure made it difficult to ensure water quality. While the majority of the health when things began to taper off somewhat, she said. At the gas station in Molesworth, the proprietors said there was a rush on ice Thursday evening, with gas the hot commodity Friday morning though things had slowed by around 10:30 a.m. Farmers without generators were caught unprepared for the blackout and more traditional methods (manual labour) were required to get water to the animals or the animals were taken to the water. Marie Blake of Grey said their cattle were fine as they had been well watered early on Thursday and the resumption of power during the night did not cause any problems for them. However, a tenant had horses which required watering twice a day and extra effort was needed. Some area manufacturing companies also cancelled shifts due to the unstable power supply. Though most areas have now been back on-line since late Friday, the provincial government is still warning residents to conserve electricity as a return to normal usage could put the province back in the black. Many government employees did unit advisories were for small systems without generator back-up for chlorination, Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) operator Henry Rouw made the decision to issue one for Blyth. The reason, according to Pam Scarfe of the health unit was that even with a back-up generator Rouw did not feel he could guarantee the safety of the water. “He is erring on the side of caution,” said Scarfe. “Even with a back-up if the pressure drops for even a second bacteria could enter the system.” Taken off the list by Monday was a private well in Walton. The advisory had been issued because of not go to work Monday to help ease the strain. In a report issued Thursday afternoon, Hydro One stated that the company had immediately begun its emergency power restoration process in conjunction with the Independent Market Operator and major generators. In spite of the fact that power has now been restored for several days, for most residents, there are precautions to take if further blackouts occur. The conservation of power is one of the most important measures which should be taken at this time, said a release from Huron County warden Dave Urlin and the emergency control group, which met on Friday. As hydro is used to deliver water, county residents on municipal systems and communal wells are restricted from using water to water lawns and gardens, wash vehicles, driveways and sidewalks and are asked to do minimal washing of dishes and laundry. The use of water is only permitted for drinking, preparing food and personal hygiene. Residents are asked to turn off the national motocross race being held at the property, which was attended by thousands. The advisories will remain in effect until full power has been restored to all hydro systems in the province and two consecutive satisfactory water quality test results are obtained, said officials. Water operators are testing daily in anticipation of full-power restoration. The affected well systems affect 777 households. They are Blyth, the Humphrey subdivision in Belgrave; McCrea and Jane Streets in Morris-Turnberry; Auburn, Kelly, McClinchey, Vanderwettering and SAM in Central Huron; Carriage Lane and their air conditioners, turn off lights when leaving a room as well as refraining from leaving outdoor lights on overnight. With the increased heat, residents are advised to stay cool and hydrated. If another outage occurs, appliances should be unplugged to prevent a heavy load when power is restored. Only one light should be left on as an indicator. Battery-powered lights are preferred, but if candles must be used, residents are urged to use with caution, keeping them away from combustible materials and in a proper container. The safety of food should be a priority as refrigerators will keep food cold for four to six hours if not opened. An upright freezer will hold food for up to two days if full or just one day if not full, but only if left unopened. Telephone usage should be limited and 911 should not be called except in an emergency. Information can be obtained by listening to CKNX AM or FM radio. For non-emergency information call the Huron County Health Unit at 482-3416. Harbour Lights in Bluewater and Benmiller, Century Heights, Dungannon, Huron Sands and Maitlandview Estates in Ashfield- Colborne-Wawanosh. The health unit said Monday, that users of the affected wells have been notified in writing by the water operator. When the advisory is lifted there will be written notification as well as announcements on the radio. “I know there is a mixed message because you’re being told to not use power and we’re asking you to boil water, perhaps unnecessarily. But I’d rather this than it be the other way,” said Scarfe.