Vernon News

Do It for Dad a Success

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:41:00 GMT

The Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation and the Vernon Prostate Cancer Support & Awareness Group would like to thank all of the sponsors, volunteers and participants who made the 14^th Annual DO IT FOR DAD such a success. The event took place at Coldstream Ranch and raised a record $38,850.00 that stays locally in our North Okanagan community. The event was also successful in creating awareness around the need for early diagnosis and treatment of Prostate Cancer.

The top individual fundraiser was Doreen Hourie who raised $4,045 followed by Marnie MacKenzie who collected $3,000 in pledges. The Lumby Health Centre Team claimed the prize for the top fundraising team raising $728 in pledges, the Mitchell Family was close behind raising $670 and & the Coldstream Fire Department Team brought in $360 in pledges. For those who missed the event and wish to make a donation please visit www.vjhfoundation.org and click on the donate now button

Accident - But No Driver

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:19:00 GMT

On Sunday evening just after 10:00PM police responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident, in the 1200 block of Kalamalka Lake Rd. A citizen reported a single vehicle collision involving a black Mazda occupied by two men it hit a pole on Kalamalka Lake Rd.
A second witness also reported the same accident. She witnessed a black vehicle leave the parking lot of Toro's Beer and Wine store lose control, slam into a telephone pole, then hit a second telephone pole. The vehicle drove on the sidewalk and continue driving southbound on Kalamalka Lake Rd. Our officer located the Mazda parked on the shoulder of road just south of the golf course. Nobody was in it at the time. The investigation is continuing.

Motorbike vs Deer

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:00:00 GMT

A 56-year-old Okanagan Falls man was taken to Vernon Jubilee Hospital Sunday after hitting a deer while out for a motorcycle ride.
About 10am, North Okanagan RCMP assisted B.C. Ambulance to 10676 West side Road, Vernon where a motor-cycle, traveling east had struck a deer that fled south across the road. The driver, a 56 year old Okanagan Falls man swerved to avoid striking the large buck.
The deer then stopped and turned to run back where it came from. The bike rider struck the deer head-on in the east bound lane, he was ejected
from his motorcycle and landed approximately 15' from where his bike came to rest. An Air ambulance was dispatched, the police cleared a parking lot
for its landing. After assessing the injuries to the drivers nose and neck were not that serious and alcohol was not a factor in the collision. The bike rider had been wearing his helmet at the time.
He was transported by ambulance to Vernon Jubilee Hospital. The driver does not recall striking the deer. A local woman witnessed the collision she advised while traveling east behind the bike and the deer emerged onto the highway in a quick manner as though it was being chased. She said that the bike was going what she believed was the speed limit and that the deer changing sudden direction caused it to run in front of the motorcycle.

Tolko President Issues Statement

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:32:00 GMT

Statement issued by President and CEO, Brad Thorlakson:

In the early morning of June 15, Bradley Haslam, an 18-year old clean-up crew employee at our Lavington Division, became entangled in a conveyer belt at the mill. He was discovered by the Clean-up Shift Supervisor, who freed him from the equipment and, along with two others, administered emergency first aid until medical services arrived on scene. Bradley was transported to Vernon Jubilee Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, despite the best efforts of everyone involved.

As a company, we are extremely saddened by the loss of Bradley Haslam and extend our sincerest sympathy to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. To know that a family has been forever changed by this tragedy is devastating. No words can convey the pain. The loss is heart wrenching, the impact lasting. Today, and for many days to come, our hearts will be with the family and friends of this young man as they face the unimaginable.

Our thoughts will also be with our employees at the Lavington Division as they return to work, because the days ahead will be difficult. We will have our Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provider on site to offer support, and I encourage anyone needing help to seek out these services. I especially want to thank those who responded to the accident for their efforts to save this young man's life. Their efforts are well appreciated.

As an organization, safety is our most important value. This tragedy serves to remind us of the vital importance of safety in our workplace. When something goes terribly wrong, as it did on Saturday morning, we have to step-back, re-evaluate, and move forward with a strong resolve to make sure a tragedy like this doesn't happen again. For my part, I renew my commitment to take a leadership role across the organization to ensure everyone understands that safety is at the core of Tolko. This tragedy serves as a personal call to action for all of us to look out for each other and to make sure that everyone is safe.

River Rescue near Enderby

Betty Selin — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:27:00 GMT

A couple of Vancouver men got more of an adventure than they were counting on during a trip to the North Okanagan.
Vernon RCMP say they got a call Saturday afternoon about an overturned canoe on the Shuswap River in Enderby.
Spokesperson, Gord Molendyk, says due to high waters the two were trapped on the east side of the river. Search and Rescue were able to rescue them about three hours later. They were concerned about hypothermia, but the 54-year-old and 27-year-old were okay.

Greeks Workers Recognized for Hours Behind the Scenes

Betty Selin — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:26:00 GMT

Six people who worked tirelessly behind the scenes in the "Greeks" case in Vernon have been recognized by Chief Superintendent, James Gresham who says this was one of the most difficult and lengthy cases this division has ever dealt with. He was it is one of the greatest accomplishments of the major crimes unit in BC.
Vernon saw seven murders in 11 months related to the drug gang. Gresham says the 8-first degree murder, 3- second degree murder and 3-manslaughter convictions is one of the greatest accomplishments of the major crimes unit.

Pat Goertz transcribed hours of interviews, Sandy Irvine catalogued 4-thousand exhibits. Retired RCMP members, Ewen Pitt, Brent Lynn, Al Rodgers and Greg Heck vetted everything before it was given to defence.

Retired RCMP Inspector Al Haslett, who headed up the task force, says the team behind the scenes was critical. He says gathering evidence is one thing, but preparing it for trial is a total different thing.

There are appeals underway, but so far the trial cost 60-million dollars, plus another five-million in RCMP costs.

Lumby Teen Identified

Betty Selin with files from CP — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:25:00 GMT

The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of teenager
who died following an industrial accident near Vernon on Saturday.

The Coroner says 18-year-old Bradley Michael Thomas Haslam, of Lumby
was working an overnight shift at the Tolko Industries
planer mill in Lavington when he was found by co-workers severely
injured in the early morning hours of June 15. Haslam was rushed
by ambulance to Vernon Jubilee Hospital but was pronounced dead
shortly after his arrival there.

The BC Coroners Service and WorkSafe BC continue to investigate this
death. Coroner Barb McLintock says the investigation is important
because everyone wants young, untrained workers to stay safe on the
job.

Lumby Teen Dies in Mill Accident

Betty Selin with files from CP — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:35:00 GMT

An 18-year-old worker has died at a planer mill in
Lavington, east of Vernon.
Tolko Industries spokesman Rob Fraser says the teen was part of a
cleanup crew and became entangled in a conveyor belt at about 2 a.m. Saturday.
Fraser could not provide further details but says about 20 other
people were at the scene.
He says the young man was a casual part-time employee who started
working at the lumber manufacturing facility in February or March.
Fraser says operations have been shut down while WorkSafeBC
conducts its investigation and gives the go-ahead to restart.
The coroners service is also investigating the incident.
We're told the teen just graduated from Charles Bloom Secondary in Lumby.

Vernon RCMP Officer Charged With Porn Possession

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:28:00 GMT

A Vernon R-C-M-P officer has been charged with possession of
child pornography.
    Constable Ryan Hampton only made his first appearance in a Vernon
courtroom yesterday but senior Mounties say they are already acting
to strip him of his salary and dismiss him from the force.
    Chief Superintendent Mike Sekela says Hampton has been suspended
since the allegations surfaced early last month and next steps
include ending his paycheque, launching a disciplinary hearing and
seeking his dismissal.
    The officer, who is in his mid-30s, is charged with possession of
child pornography, obstructing a police investigation and breaching
conditions -- and returns to court on June 27th.

Garbage Still Out Too Early

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:54:00 GMT

The Wildsafe folks are frustrated, after a reminder this week not to put your garbage out till 7am on garbage day wasn't followed.

The resident Foothills bear was back again Thursday morning as people were sending their kids out to school. Police and Conservation Officers were called because the bear hung around for over an hour because garbage was already out and pick up isn't till Friday.