Vernon News

A Vernon murder victim has been identified, and police have also released more details about the case.

RCMP say the remains of 32 year old Nathan John Mayrhofer of Lumby (pictured) were found in a unit at the Villacare Apartments on 33rd Avenue in Vernon last Thursday.

Police spokesperson Gord Molendyk says the case involved dismemberment of the body, and the victim was identified through an autopsy.

No other details about the dismemberment are being released.

37 year old Kenneth Barter is charged with second degree murder in the case.

Molendyk tells KISS FM, the two men were acquaintances.

"They knew each other I think through work at one point, several years ago."

Barter suffers from a mental disorder and is undergoing a psychiatric assessment while being held in custody.

He returns to court September 9th.

Although there's been much speculation on the topic around the city, Molendyk says no further details will be released about the state the remains were found in,  or what the motive may have been.

"At this point I have no knowledge of it and I don't believe we would be releasing why the crime took place."

Molendyk says police have been in contact with the victim's family throughout the investigation.

He says Mayrhofer's family had reported him missing "shortly" before the homicide was reported to police,  but he wasn't sure exactly when that was.

(Murder suspect appears in court.)

Photo: Nathan Mayrhofer (Facebook)

Vernon tennis product Vasek Pospisil and his partner were not able to continue the magic at the Rogers Cup in Toronto.

The 20 year old Pospisil and partner Milos Raonic from Thornhill Ontario lost in the second round to the European team of Jurgen Melzer and Philipp Petzschner 6-2, 6-4.

The Canadian duo pulled off a stunning upset of the world's top ranked doubles team of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the opening round Monday by scores of 7-5, 3-6, 10-8.

Pospisil is aked 329th in the world in singles play.

When not in action, Pospisil spends much of his time in Bradenton Florida where he trains with his father Milos.

Vernon's fire chief is pleased with progress on starting a new volunteer fire hall at Predator Ridge.

Jeff Carlisle says the current response time from downtown to the resort is 20 to 25 minutes.

He says that's too long especially with the risk of wildfires in that forested area.

"So the idea is to get a volunteer fire department up there and put the campfire out before it becomes a full blown forest fire."

Carlisle says a site near the maintenance area has been chosen for a fire hall,  and recruitment of volunteers is continuing.

"We started with trying to recruit staff from Sparkling Hill Resort and the golf resort but that didn't work out and now we're looking at trying to recruit residents. We've also got a conceptual site identified for the fire station."

He says the service is in the city's plan to possibly be running by 2013.

Meantime, Carlisle says in his report to city council, Vernon Fire-Rescue responded to 1,322 calls over the first six months this year.

75 percent were first medical responses (986) , 13 percent for fires (179),  and 9 percent (117) on motor vehicle incidents. The rest were for burning complaints, hazmat/rescue or other calls.

Eighty five percent of the calls were responded to in six minutes or less.

Carlisle says a change in structure at Vernon Fire Rescue is so far paying off.

He maintains hiring two dedicated dispatchers, has led to savings of 20-thousand dollars.

"So what we're seeing at this time, just in the couple months they've been there, is an improvement in our overtime because of equalizing the shift strength to seven people per shift."

Meantime, city council has decided not to replace the deputy fire chief's position vacated by the retiring Rick Owens last month.

Councillor Jack Gilroy says it's a way to save on spending, adding the chief and other deputy chief (Lawrie Skolrood) can handle the day to day duties.

A long time downtown business is planning a move to a site in north Vernon.

City Furniture has got city council's approval to build at 5401 Anderson Way between the Superstore and Kal Tire.

Owner Ruby Sharma (pictured) says they haven't decided what they will do with their existing building on 31st Ave.

"We are not going to leave it empty. We have prospects that are looking at the building.Shoppers Drug Mart which is one of our tenants, and is part of our building, are considering looking at more space as well."

Sharma says they may also use it for a different type of furniture outlet.

He hopes to have the new store open within the next year but says it won't be a lot bigger.

"Actually the square footage really doesn't change that much. It's almost 28,000 square feet, but it is the way the business is going in that direction. We want to have all the square footage on one level."

Sharma says better parking was a factor.

"That was one of the reasons, but the true reason was for our future that we should be (located) where all the businesses are in the Anderson subdivision."

The leader of the federal Liberal party will try to win some votes when he makes a 90 minute stop in Vernon this month.

Michael Ignatieff will the guest at a party function August 23rd at the Turtle Mountain Estate Winery on Agnew Road from 11:30 to 1.

Local Liberal association president Janna Francis says it's a chance for the public to meet the leader face to face.

"His goal is to connect with everybody that shows up so they have an opportunity to see who he is, and to see what a dynamic and committed person he is, and that he will make a great prime minister."

The stop is part of the 63 year old historian and author's Liberal Express Tour, and he is expected to bring several Liberal M-P's with him.

Meantime, Francis' name could again be on the ballot for the Liberals when the next election is held.

She's vying for the nomination, and at this point, is the only candidate.

Francis placed fourth in the 2008 vote.

She says a fall election is possible.

"Who knows? In a minority parliament it can happen at any time so we're ready and if that's what happens, then we will have an election."

A new poll indicates Stephen Harper's Conservatives are six points up on their Liberal rivals.

The Canadian Press Harris-Decima survey gives the Tories the backing of 34 per cent of decided voters.

Michael Ignatieff's Liberals got 28 per cent support.

The N-D-P got 15 per cent support in the poll and the Greens got 12.