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Santa better bundle up for his ride

Santa’s travels to the Silver City should be a smooth sleigh ride this year.

With the local forecast calling for mostly clear skies tonight, Santa’s travels to the Silver City should be a smooth sleigh ride this year.

But he better bundle up in his bright red woolies because temperatures are expected to be frigid with a low of -5 C a heavy wind chill and possible flurries for his ride back up North.

If hopping on the bus is the preferred method of travel, the last day of regular service is today and holiday schedule changes mean no further service until Thursday when usual operations resume until Dec. 31, with the exception of Dec. 29.

If the jolly man leaves new ski gear under the Christmas tree, rides to Red Mountain Resort on the transit system start Boxing Day with ski bus service available daily until Jan. 2.

To date, the resort’s website isn’t rejoicing with forecasts of new snow, however, sun is expected to peek through the clouds with a 10 per cent chance of the white stuff until the weekend.

Road travels may be somewhat delayed throughout the holiday season with local detachments out in full force to step up road checks in efforts to keep highway driving safe for all.

West Kootenay Integrated Traffic Services has organized additional patrols dedicated to CounterAttack with a goal to keep impaired drivers off the road.

“We commenced extra road checks (CounterAttack) on Dec. 6,” said Sgt. Derrick Donovan of the WK Services. “We will continue to focus on impaired driving by alcohol and drugs,” he continued. “We recommend people to take the time to plan an option and to have a safe driver (family, friend, volunteer, taxi or walk if possible) if they plan to participate in some holiday cheer.”

With the brakes put on traditional free bus rides throughout Greater Trail on New Year’s Eve, Donovan said patrols will be set up especially around the big events in each community.

“We are aware of the concerns of many of the communities not having taxis or bus services available as an option to use as a safe ride home,” Donovan explained. “We will target certain evenings such as Dec. 31 when there is concern or risk of impaired drivers,” he said. “However, it is our hope that people, the community, the business owners will work together to help provide options.”

Looking east to Salmo, up to 20 per cent more road checks will be conducted over the holidays, confirmed Cpl. Riordan Bellman of the village’s detachment.

“We usually try to team up with highway patrol and will conduct extra road checks as long as the members are not tied up with emergency calls.”



Sheri Regnier

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