Vernon News
Submitted by Cpl Henry Proce, Lumby RCMP
RCMP responded to 30 complaints and calls for service over the past week. Here is a sampling of a few:
Tubing down the Shuswap river near Cherryville is a popular summer attraction in the area. However, problems began for a family the evening of July 24th when the tubes they were floating on were ruptured due to sharp rocks in the river. One adult and child made it to shore but three other children were stranded on the far bank with no way to get across. Police attended the scene and summonsed Vernon Search & Rescue who brought their boat. They were able to rescue the three from the far side of the river and there were no injuries to any of the parties.
Here's an odd one. Lumby loves its many hanging baskets on Vernon and Shuswap streets. While the attendant was watering the baskets early on July 23rd, a male and female attempted to steal the water pump from the rear of the truck. When this failed, they stole the truck itself ( which was running) , drove it some 200 meters and abandoned it in front of KBM motors. The couple fled on foot and were not located. If you have any info on this attempted theft, give police a call on it.
Between July 24th- 26th, thieves entered the farm yard situated at 109 Hollingsworth Rd in Cherryville and stole some 300 liters of gas from an elevated tank. The victim has no suspects and police have no leads to follow. If you have information on this theft give Crime Stoppers or the Lumby RCMP a call.
Just this morning ( July 29th) a report of a white, '95 Chevy pick-up as stolen overnight from a residence just east of Lumby at 2393 Hwy 6 was received. The pick-up may have had the keys in it. In the rear bed were two dirt bikes, a green 2001 Kawasaki KX100 and an '81 Honda mini - XL100. The license plate on the truck is 2282LE. If you spot this vehicle, don't approach but call police immediately.
Lastly, if your bicycle goes lost or missing, don't forget to check with us. We have about 4 bikes in storage right now that remain unclaimed. Yesterday we put a big smile on the face of a young boy who's mother checked with us and he was able to ride his missing bike home!! If the bikes remain unclaimed, they will be given to charity.
A lightning storm swept through the south Okanagan yesterday evening, prompting more than 100 fire reports from the public.
The most visible of these fires is on the Joe Rich Forest Service Road between Kelowna and Big White.
The fire is estimated at 10 hectares in size and is showing a slow rate of spread this morning.
There are no homes threatened and no evacuation alerts or orders.
The fire was reported shortly after two a.m. and the suspected cause is lightning. Resources on site include one forest officer, one initial attack crew, one dozer and one water tender.
An additional 10 firefighters are on route to support the fire suppression efforts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fire burning southeast of Bonaparte Lake (north of Kamloops) is now called the Mason Lake wildfire.
The fire is now estimated at 110 hectares in size; this change is due to more accurate mapping late last night.
Airtankers, including the Martin Mars, focused on structure protection on the east side of the wildfire yesterday. This was done by laying fire retardant to slow the fire's growth and then following up with the Martin Mars to provide cooling action by raising the relative humidity near the fire's edge.
High temperatures, low relative humidities and winds are anticipated in the area and will pose a challenge for resources again today.
Efforts will be focusing on protecting access and egress routes on the southeast portion of the wildfire near the Jamieson Creek Forest Service Road.
An evacuation order remains in place for a one mile radius around Bonaparte Lake.
Residents with health and safety concerns resulting from the fire can call the Thompson Nicola Regional District Information Line at1-866-377-7188.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The B.C. Forest Service is still assisting Kamloops Fire and Rescue with the Barnhartvale Wildfire. The fire remains at 53 hectares in size and will be actively patrolled today with 26 firefighters.
The wildfire is 100 per cent guarded and 85 per cent contained. Crews will continue to reinforce the fireguard by laying hose and cooling hot spots 100 feet inside the guard.
The Evacuation Alert remains in place for residence in the area and will be re-evaluated after today's efforts on the fireline.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Jade Mountain Wildfire in the Yalakom Valley near Lillooet is still estimated at 1000 hectares in size.
Aggressive fire behaviour was responsible for a flare up on the southwest flank of the wildfire yesterday afternoon.
Resources on site today include 125 firefighters, five structure protection unit personnel, 11 helicopters and 19 pieces of heavy equipment.
Vernon's MLA says a number of options will be considered for the dangerous intersection of Highway 97 and Bailey Road, south of Vernon.
Eric Foster (pictured) says a BC Transportation Ministry study has been underway since last month when Kelowna resident Kim Todd was killed at the site, the 16th person to die there over 42 years.
He tells KISS FM, "They're working on a full traffic study and some history, and I assume some recommendations to the minister."
The Vernon Monashee rep says the study should be completed by late August.
Foster says adding a left turn safety lane is not necessarily the best option.
"In that situation, that extra lane wouldn't have made a difference as it was a southbound vehicle that struck the person coming through the intersection but having said that, a lot of the other incidents might have been prevented by one of those pullout lanes."
Foster says the study is looking into the 73 crashes RCMP have attended at the site the last five years.
"They're looking into each incident to find out what the causes were because that would determine what action needed to be taken."
Foster says a number of the crashes have involved just one vehicle, while some were caused by animals.
Vernon council called for action this week, asking for Foster and Kelowna Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick and Transportation Minister Shirley Bond to attend the site.
Foster says he'd be more than happy to go visit the intersection, but adds the technical work is underway.
Transportation Minister Shirley Bond issued this statement by e-mail in response to council's request to attend the site:
"I am personally aware of the tragic circumstances, and certainly want to send sincere condolences to family and friends at their loss. Council may not be aware that some time ago I asked that our staff to conduct an engineering safety review for Highway 97 and Bailey Road, and I look forward to reviewing the outcomes of that work. I regularly travel around the province in my ministerial role and would consider this invitation as I do all the invitations I receive."
Mayor Jim Garlick says it's in response to things like pile driver barges left anchored off the foreshore and the possibility of houseboats.
There will be a public hearing for input at the August meeting of council.
And the mayor's asking Vernon for some advance notice when making changes to what the city bills the municipality for sewer.
He says they can understand the need when things like increased costs for the bio-solids facility come up unexpectedly, but fair warning's needed.
To cover the latest hike Coldstream will dip into reserves but some of the cost will go to the users.
Vernon Fire Rescue has lost one of its deputy fire chiefs.
Rick Owens has called it a career after nine years in Vernon and 35 in fire fighting which started in Terrace BC.
He is being congratulated for his long career and contributions by Mayor Wayne Lippert and fire chief Jeff Carlisle.
His departure was announced a day after 39 year firefighter Paul Pshyk retired.
Fire chief Carlisle (pictured) says he hopes to have a new deputy in place within two months, meaning some fill-in duties until then.
"Between Deputy chief Skolrood and myself, we will try to balance the work from that position until we have the new deputy chief. It will be a busy time but I know we can get through it."
Carlisle says the captain's position formerly held by Pshyk will be filled by promotion in September when his retirement is official.
"There will be a promotion from within the ranks of the career firefighters. It's whoever senior on the list right now -- which I believe is Wayne Little--will be promoted to captain."
Page 1 of 374
