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Damage and loss of equipment Is expected to top $1.25 million In a spectacular fire which destroyed a 500' long chicken barn last Saturday morning near Blackstock. The fire was first spotted by the pilot of an air- craft who radioed Oshawa alrport with the alarm. Over 40,000 laying hens were lost in the inferno which started at the north end of the barn near an electrical room and worked Its way along the entire length of the two sto- rey structure. The farm is owned by S. Lynde,. but was being leased to Craig Hunter of Stroud. More photos and story on page 11. Well runs dry in Greenbank About 85 homes in Green- bank were without water for nearly eight hours last Thurs- day morning when the commu- nal well "randry." Regional Works depart- ment crews were called to the scene about 4:00 AM and got the water services restored to the homes some eight hours later. And as a result, the Region slapped a total ban on all "non essential" water uses for the homes affected. This includes such things as lawn watering and car wash- ing. : # Bernie Kuslikis, a manager with the Regional Works de- partment said Thursday morn- ing it appears as if the aquafer from which the well pumps the water did not recover from heavy water use the previous ay. 'He said the fact the Region put a ban on all non-essential water uses reflects the serious- ness of the situation in Green- bank. He said the Region will con- tinue to monitor the situation in Greenbank closely, and action will likely have to be taken to find new sources of water for the community. He said it is unusual for the Region to put a total ban on non- essential water usage. Earlier last week, Regional "officials imposed partial water rationing for residents of Ux- bridge and Cannington when reservoirs were not filling up as. quickly as they should. Homeowners in those com- munities were given designated days of the week for such things as lawn watering. Regional officials are keep- ing a close eye on all water sys- tems in Durham in light of the exceeding dry month of July. As of last Friday in Scugog, there had been no measurable rainfall for about 35 days. As for the water system that serves some 4500 people in the village of Port Perry, Mr. Kuslikis said Thursday that the Region is monitoring the situa- tion closely, but at present there is no cause for concern. Port Perry gets its water from three wells (100 to 220 feet deep) located about three miles gouth of the community. The combined capacity of the wells is 2.6 million gallons { per day. One of the wells operates constantly, with the other two kicking into operation when the water level in the standpipe res- ervoir on Silver Street drops to (Turn to page 4) Charge Prince Albert man with hit and run A 36-year old Prince Albert man is 'scheduled to appear in Bowmanville Provincial Court today (August 1) on charges in connection with the hit and run accident that killed a young Oshawa boy July 20. Kevin Stewart Murray was charged by Durham Police with criminal negligence causing death and failing to remain at the scene of an accident. Murray, who works at Gen- eral Motors, surrendered to po- lice July 25, and was granted bail of $100,000. The July 20 accident on the Townline Road North in Bow- manville took the life of 11-year Jamie New of Oshawa, who was cycling with friends. After Murray surrendered to Regional Police, his 1986 Pontiac was seized and shipped to the Forensic Centre in Toron- to for testing.