Wednesday, May 2, 2012
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Volume 92 - No. 18
High tech goes high security with council’s new electronics policy. p5
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www.ldnews.net
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$1.34 HST inc.
Vortex team members gearing up for Canada Moose Migration tour. p9
Earth shaking explosion rocks Lakeland Mill Second sawmill tragedy in three months REBECCA BILLARD
DAY OF MOURNING Babine Forest Products sawmill coworkers, family, friends and locals gathered to honour the two men, Robert Luggi and Carl Charlie, who lost their lives in the Babine Forest Products tragedy at the ‘Day of Mourning Ceremony’ held at the Margaret Patrick Memorial Hall last weekend. (L-R) The family of Robert Luggi; Sophie Ogen, Danielle Ogen, Maureen Luggi and Karen Ogen, comforted each other during the ceremony. Locals also paid tribute to the 142 workers across B.C. that passed away due to workplace accidents or illness during 2011. Minister of Labour, Citizens Services and Open Government, Margaret MacDiarmid and Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad arrived in Burns Lake to attend the ceremony. Members of the United Steelworkers Union, Wood Council were also in attendance and provided a BBQ lunch for the community. Turn to page 13 for more photos. Rebecca Billard photo
Canfor steps up to help Burns Lake Canfor funds Lakes District Hospital equipment purchase REBECCA BILLARD Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership and its employees expressed their support for the local community and the Lakes District Hospital by making a significant donation of $87,870 last week. Marie Hunter, Lake District Hospital's site manager said the donation will be used to purchase new medical equipment and supplies for Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre. After hearing about the donation Hunter said a committee was formed and all departments at the hospital have drawn up wish lists. "We now have a big wish list and are not quite sure what equipment the funds will be used for at this point, but I know that the
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first purchase we make with this donation will be for a necessary piece of equipment," she said. The Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership operations, the unions representing employees and the employees pitched in to donate to the hospital for the medical staff's tireless efforts in response to the tragic fire at the Babine Forest Products sawmill. “The 1,100 employees and unions raised $43,935, which was then matched by the company,” said Onkar Athwal, vice president of human resources for Canfor Pulp. “The forest industry is a close knit community and when tragedy like this strikes a member of the community, everyone wants to pitch in and help out,” he said. More on page 2 ...
A massive explosion and fire at the Lakeland sawmill in Prince George last week, has claimed the lives of two men. Alan Little aged 43, of Prince George was the shift supervisor at the sawmill that evening. Immediately following the blast, he was taken to the University Hospital of Northern B.C. (UHNBC), but passed away several hours later. Glenn Francis Roche, 46, of Prince George also passed away in hospital after suffering critical burns. He was transferred by air ambulance to hospital in Edmonton for more specialized treatment, however, despite aggressive medical intervention, he passed away during the early evening of April 24. At approximately 9:38 p.m. on April 23, 2012, Prince George fire crews and the RCMP
In the Lakes District there are jobs in these two sectors. Forest Equipment Operator Program ............................. Jun 25 Small Water Systems Workplace Essential Skills ......... May 7
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Phone: 250.692.1700 • Fax: 250.692.1750 • Toll Free: 1.866.692.1943 545 Highway 16 West • PO Box 5000, Burns Lake, BC • V0J 1E0 Email: lksdist@cnc.bc.ca • Website: www.cnc.bc.ca/lakesdistrict
rushed to the Lakeland sawmill on River Road, after reports of an earth shaking explosion and fireball tearing through the sawmill. The explosion was powerful enough to shake buildings and rattle windows several kilometres away. Upon their arrival, emergency crews found the sawmill completely engulfed in flames and they were advised that there was approximately 49 employees on site at the time of the explosion. Sixteen employees were on shift in the planer mill which is in a separate building on the same property and a further four were working in the yard at the time. None of those workers were injured. The remaining 24 employees, all of whom were accounted for, were transported to UHNBC with injuries ranging from minor to severe burns. More than a dozen employees were attending a training session and were sitting in a second floor lunchroom when the explosion occurred in the same building. Jonathan Dyck Northern Health communications said 14 of the 24 More on page 5 ...