It is back-to-school and work for many of us today.
It will be cloudy, with a 30% chance of drizzle this morning, according to Environment Canada.
We will see a high of 25 C, dropping down to 13 C tonight.
Back to school driving
The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) is reminding drivers that, every year in B.C., 359 children are injured in crashes while walking or riding their bike.
The provincial Crown corp offers the following back-to-school tips for parents and guardians:
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If you drop off your child in a school zone, they should exit the car on the side closest to the sidewalk. Don’t stop in a no parking or no stopping area or block a crosswalk as this can prevent drivers from seeing children as they’re walking and put their safety at risk.
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Teach your child the basics of crossing the street:
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Stop at the curb or edge of the road.
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Look left and right for oncoming vehicles, then look left over your shoulder for vehicles that might be turning.
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Make sure all vehicles have stopped before entering the road. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing, even if the walk signal is on.
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When the intersection is clear, start crossing and keep looking for approaching vehicles.
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Teach your child to walk on the inside edge of the sidewalk away from the road, so they’re further away from traffic. If there isn’t a sidewalk, they can walk facing oncoming traffic, so they can see approaching vehicles and make eye contact with drivers.
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Set a good example for children by crossing at intersections with a pedestrian crossing light or marked crosswalk, where possible. Avoid shortcuts through parking lots or around parked cars where it's harder for drivers to see small children.
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Teach your child to stay focused on their surroundings while walking, cycling or riding a scooter and to listen for traffic and scan for approaching vehicles.
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If your child will be outside at night or in poor weather, make sure they’re wearing bright clothes and reflective gear.
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Discourage play near or on railways. Only cross railway tracks at designated signals or signs and watch your step.
Bus route change
BC Transit and the District of Squamish are reminding riders that the Route 5 South Parks bus, which travels from downtown to several locations and attractions, including Oceanfront Squamish, has ended for the season as of today.
Free weekend transit has also ended for the season.
"Customers are encouraged to use the Umo app,Transit app, Google Transit or any other real time trip planning app to see trip times and plan your journey," reads the news release.
For more information about trip planning, schedules and to sign up for customer alerts, go to bctransit.com/squamish
Dollarama opening?
Folks have been asking us when Dollarama will open downtown in the former Dollar Tree location on Winnipeg Street.
A spokesperson said the second Dollarama store is set to open by the end of this year.
This will have no impact on the other Dollarama location in Garibaldi Village, which will continue to operate.
Not a lot of exacting detail from the company, but that's what we know.
Campfire bans lifted
There are currently 220 wildfires burning in B.C., as of Sept. 3.
Due to recent wet weather, the BC Wildfire Service Coastal Fire Centre and the District of Squamish have lifted their bans on Category 1 campfires in the Coastal Fire Centre area, and within the District boundaries.
Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited, including the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, burn barrels, burn cages and air curtain burners.
The following are never allowed in Squamish:
- Fires in any public space, including forests, riverbanks, mountainsides, beaches
- Open Air Burning, including but not limited to: yard waste, garden debris and construction materials
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, call 911 if within the municipal boundaries, or, if outside the district, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
Still no kiting at oceanfront beach
In the wake of a man's death, while he was kiteboarding off of Sp'akw'us Feather Park on July 1, the District of Squamish has temporarily closed the watersports beach to kiteboarding while an investigation into the incident is underway.
"Kites are being restricted out of caution to ensure public safety. Wingfoiling and windsurfing continue to be permitted," a District release states.
Access to Pepahím̓ (Spit Island) for kiteboarding is available through a shuttle operated by the Squamish Windsports Society.
Shuttles take place daily between noon and 7 p.m., with access to the shuttle launch a short walk from the Sp’akw’us Feather parking lot.
Visit squamishwindsports.com for more information and current weather conditions.
The Squamish Windsports Society kiting season ends Sept. 15.
Sunrise & sunset
Sunrise on Sept. 3 is at 6:32 a.m. Sunset today will be at 7:520 p.m.
Moon phase
The moon is in its new moon, phase.
The moon's illumination is currently 0.23%, meaning that is the percentage of the moon illuminated by the sun, according to phasesmoon.com.
The new moon will end tonight.
The moon is currently located in the constellation of Leo.
Moonrise was at 7:04 a.m.; moonset is at 8:12 p.m.
The next full moon will be on Sept. 17, at 7:21 p.m.
Tides
The next low tide today is at 12:35 p.m. (Height:1.4 metres); the next high tide is at 7:26 p.m. (4.41 m), according to the site tides.today.
Seawater temps
The current surface water temperature in Howe Sound on Sept. 3, measured at Halibut Bank (49.34N 123.72W), is 18 C, according to this Government of Canada site.
Events to note
There's always something going on in this town. Here are some events that stood out to us:
•Sept. 4, nerds unite at Nerd Nite S2S, at the Brackendale Art Gallery Café & Culture Centre, at 41950 Government Road, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
"Three fun 18-minute presentations on different subjects. Eat, drink and learn," reads the listing.
•Also on Sept. 4, check out the Wood First Wednesday at Van Urban Timber, located at 1126 Resolution Way, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
"People who work with wood connect and share information and projects they are working on," reads the listing.
•Sept. 6, Rock 'n' Roll Night at Trickster's Hideout, at 38005 Cleveland Avenue, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
"Hailing from Vancouver, B.C., this 4-piece group brings a mash-up of rock ‘n’ roll sounds from the 60s to the early 2000s, all twisted together with a modern flare. Their music features driven guitar rhythms, swelling leads, groovy drum beats, phat bass lines, and emphatic vocals that you’re sure to dig!" reads the listing.
There are many more events coming up; go to our online events calendar to see them all!
Want a possible shout-out in our daily report? Load your event into our free calendar, by clicking "create an event."
Looking ahead
Squamish meteorologist Jason Ross tells The Squamish Chief that a ridge of high pressure will rebuild over southwestern B.C. midweek with a return to dry and warm conditions.
Once we get through today, Environment Canada data shows temperatures in the high 20s throughout the rest of the week.
Gas prices
Regular gas in Squamish is going for 171.9 cents per litre today at the Squamish Valley Gas Bar at 9001 Valley Dr.
Gas in Whistler is going for 172.9/L at the Co-op at 2101 Lake Placid Rd.
In Pemberton, petrol is at the pump for 171.9/L at AC Gas at 7432 Prospect St.
The least expensive gas we could find today in B.C. was still in Salmon Arm, where you can fill up for 145. 9/L, at the Super Save Gas at 50 3rd St NW, according to GasBuddy.
Road warnings
•Highway 99. Road maintenance work planned between Alice Lake Rd and Daisy Lake Rd, starting today, Sept. 3, at 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Lane closures in both directions planned. Counter-flow traffic in effect.
•On Highway 99, northbound, watch for construction work between Park St. and Portage Rd. (Pemberton), until Sunday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. The shoulder is expected to be closed. Work is for the drilling of a new watermain at the junction of Pemberton Meadows Road and Collins Road.
Find the latest road warnings on the DriveBC site.
GranFondo traffic impacts
Adore it or dread it, the RBC GranFondo Whistler cycling event rolls up the Sea to Sky Highway on Sept. 7.
About 5,000 cyclists are expected to participate in the ride from Vancouver to Whistler this year, the event’s 15th anniversary.
Drivers can expect delays between West Vancouver and Whistler between 5:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Here are the ways race organizers say the event will impact traffic for us in the Sea to Sky and Squamish.
Sea to Sky Highway
- Highway 99 at Porteau Cove Provincial Park–Counter-flow traffic adjacent to cyclists in effect, with one lane northbound and one lane southbound available for motorists, leading to single-lane alternating traffic for 1.3 km from 7:15 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- Highway 99 at Furry Creek –Local Furry Creek traffic will be re-routed via internal roads to access Highway 99 northbound and southbound, from 7:15 a.m. until 11:30 a.m..
- Highway 99 at Britannia Beach–Single-lane alternating traffic will be in effect for 1 km, with no northbound right turn permitted at Main Street (Copper Drive) from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Squamish
- Highway 99–Murrin Lake Park to Squamish–Traffic signals along this section will be flashing, with traffic control persons on site.
- Highway 99 at Cleveland Avenue and Loggers Lane–Traffic signals will be flashing. No traffic access to Loggers Lane from Highway 99 at Cleveland Avenue or Industrial Way. Motorists are advised to use the Centennial Way underpass to Loggers Lane, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m..
- Highway 99–Valley Drive to Depot Road/Squamish–Traffic signals will be flashing, and traffic movements both to and from the east side of Highway 99, will be restricted and/or closed. Garibaldi Highlands traffic impacts include Scott Crescent NB (North of Clark Drive), Mamquam Road WB (West of Diamond Head Road), Garibaldi Way WB (West of Tantalus Rd), and Depot Road WB (East of Hwy 99). For all of the locations mentioned, motorists are advised of the following times:
- 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Intermittent delays
- 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Full closure of specific intersections on the east side of Highway 99
- 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Intermittent delays
- Highway 99–Alice Lake Road to Function Junction (6 km south of Whistler), motorists should expect counter-flow traffic adjacent to cyclists through this area. Cyclists will occupy the northbound slow lane. One lane northbound and one lane southbound are available for motorists. Counterflow is in effect from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
