Thursday May 3, 2012 (Vol. 37 No. 3 36 36) 6)
V O I C E
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W H I T E
R O C K
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S O U T H
S U R R E Y
w w w. p e a c e a r c h n e w s . c o m
Hip-hop hopes: Peninsula supporters will be cheering on South Surrey dancer Zac Vran and fellow members of his Freshh crew when they return to the finals of the televised talent competition, Canada’s Got Talent, May 13. see page A31
24-hour protest to block coal shipments on rail route
‘Civil disobedience’ on track in W.R. Alex Browne Staff Reporter
They’ve asked to meet with government, they say, to no avail. Now members of the group British Columbians for Climate Action – who want the export of coal from B.C. phased out – are taking their message to the streets, or rather
rails, of White Rock. Peter Nix, of Maple Bay on Vancouver Island, who describes himself as a “retired scientist and Cowichan carbon buster,” said he and supporters intend to occupy the BNSF line close to White Rock pier for 24 hours starting at midnight Friday (May 4). The aim of their “peaceful civil disobedi-
ence,” he said, is to block U.S. coal trains from travelling to the bulk-coal terminal at Roberts Bank. Amtrak and BNSF are being informed of the protest, he said, and the aim of the group is not to disrupt passenger or freight traffic – only coal trains. “We like trains,” Nix told Peace Arch News
Tuesday. “They have less carbon emissions than other forms of transportation.” BNSF public affairs director Gus Melonas told PAN this week that the railway – including the Canadian operations centre – is well aware of the protest and BNSF police are developing a plan to meet it. see page A4
Outpouring of support
Hockey tragedy inspires Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
Support is pouring in for a White Rock man who was paralyzed in a freak hockey mishap last month. Friends of Richard Morrison confirmed this week that about $30,000 – including donations ranging from 60 cents from a young Ontario girl to $10,000 from his employers at HandyDart – has been raised since word broke of the accident. “Lots of people are reaching out… across the country, in fact,” said Brent Silzer, a longtime friend of Morrison’s. “It’s just crazy the outpouring we’ve gotten.” Morrison, 47, has been in intensive care at Vancouver General Hospital since breaking his neck in two places during a morning drop-in game at Burnaby’s 8 Rinks on April 21. see page A4
Contributed photo
Richard Morrison on life support.
Earning their stripes
Nick Greenizan photo
Members of the Earl Marriott Mariners senior boys rugby team huddle up to talk strategy during halftime of the Sandcastle Cup Tuesday afternoon at South Surrey Athletic Park. The annual grudge match was won 60-7 by the Mariners over the Semiahmoo Totems. EMS has now won four straight Cups. For more on the game, see page 37.
Expectant mother whacks man with golf club
Sisters take on ‘armed’ robber and win Dan Ferguson Staff Reporter
A 32-year-old expectant mother and her 19-year-old sister forced a would-be robber to flee emptyhanded when he tried to hold up a Peninsula convenience store Tuesday afternoon. The sisters – who asked that their names not be reported – were working in the store their parents operate in east White Rock when a tall, skinny man in a black hoodie entered the premises and told them they were being robbed and that he had a gun. They thought he was kidding.
Then he tried to drag the cash register off the counter, but the two sisters dragged it back. They say he kept insisting he had a gun but never showed a weapon. “He kind of seemed a little scared,” the younger sister said. Then, the married older sister – who is eight months pregnant with her second child – hit the suspect with a rolled-up movie poster. When that failed to make him leave, she picked up a golf club that was lying behind the counter and whacked the man on his shoulder. “I thought about hitting him in the
head, but I didn’t want to kill him.” Their mother, who was in the back of the store, followed the fleeing suspect on foot, phoning police, who made an arrest several blocks away. A 21-year-old Surrey man is facing a robbery-related charge. The sisters say police told them they should have simply handed over the money – and so have their family and friends. “You just don’t think at the moment,” the older sister said. Their father is away on a business trip. The sisters don’t plan to tell him Dan Ferguson photo what happened until he returns. Pregnant clerk fought back.
From May 4 to 13, show proof of purchase of $100 or more in same day receipts from Semiahmoo retailer(s) to Customer Service & receive a
Mother’s Day is May 13th and PriceSmart Foods designer floral bouquets are $9.97…you decide. *One $10 gift card per customer. Offer good while supplies last. Taxes are extra.
oceanpacificlighting.com
EXPANDING TO OUR NEW LOCATION AT 32ND AND CROYDON DRIVE, OPENING MAY 22, 2012