Charges laid in crash
By Kevin Rothwell
The driver of a vehicle police suspect was trying to committ suicide by driving into oncoming traffic has now been charged.The unidentified 55 year old is facing charges of criminal negligence, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and two counts of assault with a weapon (the vehicle being the weapon).
August 12th a man drove his car into oncoming traffic hitting another vehicle near the bailey road turn-off south of Vernon. Police reported a near miss involving the vehicle in the same area earlier that same day.
Funding for trades programs
By Kevin Rothwell
Money from the federal mountain pine beetle program is being directed to Okanagan College, for a construction skills program to train aboriginal youth in the region. The 158-thousand dollars announced yesterday by MP Colin Mayes, which will develop a one year training program.The federal government is spending 33-million dollars over 2 years to assist communities impacted by the mountain Pine Beetle infestations.
Stabbing incident
By Kevin Rothwell
A local man was in court yesterday charged in connection with an incident last week. A 25-year old man gave three people a ride, and after being told to pull the car over, was forced into the backseat, assaulted and stabbed. The man was treated for injuries.
Schools damaged
Kiss FM News
RCMP and the Vernon School District are concerned about recent vandalism to several local schools.
The past two weekends, someone has thrown what appears to be a Molotov cocktail against the wall of Mission Hill Elementary.
There's also been damage and graffiti to other schools.
The damage has been minimal, but police are concerned it could get worse.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police.
Groundwater licensing studied
B-C remains the only jurisdiction in Canada that does not license groundwater.
With that in mind the provincial government is looking at operating a pilot project to regulate groundwater in priority areas like the Okanagan where large amounts of groundwater are used.
The Okanagan Basin Water Board agrees with the move and Kelowna member Robert Hobson says community water systems or commercial use of groundwater is the focus of local concern.
Hobson says community water systems, industries, irrigation districts, bottled water operations and municipalities would be the main targets for licensing. (B103)
Ignatieff shrugs off the polls in Kelowna
Deputy federal Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff says ``bring it on.''
He was in Kelowna yesterday and responded to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's threat that a fall election could be in the works.
Harper accuses the Liberals of creating a ``dysfunctional'' Parliament and hinted the only solution is a snap election for his minority Conservatives.
But Ignatieff is confident Canadians don't want another Tory government and insists the Liberals are ready and willing for an election any time.
Ignatieff dismisses the latest low polling numbers for leader Stephane Dion, saying good leaders sometimes have to ignore polls. (B103)
Afghan aid worker was worried
The B-C woman killed in Afghanistan earlier this week had sent e-mails to friends at home, admitting to safety concerns.
Shirley Case of Williams Lake sent messages to former co-workers in Victoria explaining how aid workers kept their distance from passing military convoys because of fears the soldier's vehicles would be targeted by suicide bombers.
However, the 30-year-old aid worker also wrote about her excitement with her new job educating disabled Afghan youngsters.
Case died Wednesday, less than two months into her work in Afghanistan, when the Taliban attacked a car carrying her, two other aid workers and a local driver. (The Canadian Press)
Warrant issued for Balcony Rapist
R-C-M-P confirm an arrest warrant has been issued for Paul Callow for allegedly violating the terms of his release -- but the sister of the man known as the ``balcony rapist'' says it's all a clerical error.
Karen Bardach says Callow works for her Lower Mainland business and travelled to Bellingham in July to pick up a delivery for the company.
She says appropriate paperwork was filed, stating Callow would briefly leave the country -- but the form was not amended when the delivery was delayed and Callow made the trip three days later than planned.
Bardach says it's ``ridiculous'' Callow could be sent back to prison for up to two years if a technicality means he's convicted of breaching his release conditions.
Callow served 20 years behind bars for a series of rapes in Toronto nearly 30 years ago. (CKNW)
Cop disciplined
A second informal investigation into questionable conduct by the top R-C-M-P officer in Prince George has wrapped up but the public won't learn the results.
The Mounties don't release outcomes from informal probes, although they confirm Superintendent Dahl Chambers was ordered to write an apology to four civilian workers who accused him of harassment.
The apology and a requirement that Dahl undergo ``operational guidance'' stemmed from an earlier investigation in March after harassment allegations were made by Ken Corrigan, the top civilian employee in the detachment.
Deputy Commissioner Gary Bass, B-C's highest ranking R-C-M-P officer, found Dahl engaged in demeaning name calling and made belittling or embarrassing comments. (The Canadian Press)
BC resident convicted in Thailand
The brother of convicted pedophile Christopher Neil says his sibling must serve his time for admitting to the sexual abuse of a Thai teenager.
But Maple Ridge resident Matthew Neil would also like to see his brother brought back to Canada so he can do his time here.
Neil was commenting after his 32-year-old brother was handed a three year prison term in Bangkok.
A further charge, involving another Thai youngster, is still pending and Christopher Neil could be sentenced to 20 years behind bars if convicted on that matter.
He was arrested last year after officials unscrambled photos posted online allegedly showing a man abusing young boys. (The Canadian Press)
2010 organizers plan for full seats
Organizers of the 2010 Olympics are taking a close look at availability of event tickets in Beijing, in hopes of making the process fairer -- and seats fuller -- during the Winter Games.
2010 executive vice president of marketing Dave Cobb says there's no question tickets will be sold out -- but what he wants to avoid is the number of empty seats at some events.
As many as 30 per cent of tickets at each event are reserved for sponsors, sports federations and the media but Cobb says 2010 organizers hope to cut the number of those tickets to ensure all are used.
He also says Vancouver officials are mulling an innovative ticket resale program to make sure there is a fan in every seat.
Tickets for the 2010 Olympics go on sale to the public on October 3rd. (The Canadian Press)
Mission drowning
A young man has drowned after tumbling into Cascade Falls near Mission, east of Vancouver.
The accident happened just before seven p-m last night.
R-C-M-P say the man had been climbing along the cliffs above the water, searching for a place to dive, when he fell in.
Rescuers managed to pull the victim out of the water but he could not be saved.
His name will not be released. (The Canadian Press)
