Paynton and Maidstone fire departments along with Maidstone RCMP have been kept busy this spring with several motor vehicle incidents. An improperly extinguished cigarette caused a vehicle fire just west of Paynton April 24 followed by two rollovers April 28 - one rollover in the Maidstone area and one just a kilometre north of Paynton's HiWay 16 Truckstop. Speed was a factor in this incident when the driver went from asphalt to gravel and lost control.
These are only a couple of the many accidents which are avoidable. Drive appropriately for the road conditions and you will stay on the road. For your own safety and the peace of mind of police and firefighters and EMS who have to see devastating wrecks, please slow down and arrive alive. Lucky for the drivers of all incidents mentioned here, minor injuries were the worst of it, although they could have suffered a much worse outcome.
Many roads are currently flooded causing accidents as some people do not realize how dangerous water is when mixed with speed. Some grid roads and areas of Highway 16 have been closed with detours for your safety.
Spring and seeding usually means a higher incidence of fires caused by equipment needing maintenance. Before going out into the fields, please be sure your machines are properly greased and maintained. Having a fire extinguisher and cellphone are also a good way to control a fire before it gets out of hand.
Please do not hesitate to call 911 if you are in the field when a fire starts. Know your location by grid road numbers and stay upwind from the fire until help arrives. Knowing where a water source like dugout or other water body is nearby is also a good way to help firefighters reload trucks quickly with pumps and suction hoses.
Paynton Farmers' Market Co-op and Paynton library board are putting on the annual craft and bake sale May 11 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Fresh farm eggs, ceramics and baking, art, crafts and books, jewellery and so much more will be on sale along with lunch made by the library ladies. New vendors are welcome; for more info or to book a table, please call 306-895-4225.
