WOMEN OF DISTINCTION | Vernon’s Women of the Year nominees profiled [A10]
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Friday, May 11, 2012
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We’ll get you home! PETERS TIRECRAFT
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Foerster hears charges
GONE FISHIN’
KATHY MICHAELS Black Press
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Indio Truscott (left) is on the lookout for fish while Nia (center) and Tyler Perrault wait patiently during the Kalamalka Fly Fishers Kids Fish Out at Polson Park Sunday. See page A18 for more photo coverage of the event.
Second complex location refuted RICHARD ROLKE
40-year lease agreement was reached in 2010. The provincial Agricultural Land Commission Greater Vernon politicians are presenting has also agreed to a sports complex as a nona unified front over the location of a sports farm use there. complex. “That’s the only site we’ve been commitOfficials are scrambling after a Regional ted to,” said Patrick Nicol, regional district District of North Okanagan staff report chairperson. suggested the Kin Race Track property is Nicol insists that staff’s a possible option, along with Okanagan reference to Kin Race Track College, for a track and field facility. is not an indication of a pol“I have no idea where that came from,” icy change. said Mike Macnabb, Greater Vernon “It was simply a mention Advisory Committee chairperson. of that item in a report but “There’s just one location in my mind. the full focus has always been I fully support the track being at the colon the college lands.” Mike Macnabb lege.” Jim Garlick, Coldstream Macnabb says Kin Race Track is not mayor, says the process for suitable because of ongoing legal action the college must continue between RDNO and the Okanagan Equestrian because of the time and effort directed there. Society over use of the 43rd Avenue property. “I don’t have anything against Kin Race The college site also has the endorsement Track but there are too many unknowns (with of Vernon Mayor Rob Sawatzky. the legal action),” he said. “There were no other sites identified in the Macnabb believes the origins of the staff process,” he said. report need to be investigated. Discussions between Okanagan College “This is not about a witch hunt but we and RDNO took place over three years and a want a clear message to residents and we don’t Morning Star Staff
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want to muddy the waters,” he said. GVAC has directed staff to move towards a borrowing referendum for $8.5 million for a complex. “There’s a real opportunity there but the public will have the ultimate say,” said Nicol. The proposed facility has the support of minor football, soccer clubs, track and field groups, the hospital’s cardiac care program. It’s been suggested the complex could encourage health and recreation programs at the college and lead to Greater Vernon hosting events like the B.C. Summer Games. “If there’s a healthy conversation, I believe the public will support our young people and older people who will benefit from the facility,” said Nicol. Garlick, though, says the $8.5 million recommended by staff must be reviewed further. “Starting out, we weren’t talking about such large numbers,” he said of the $6 million originally proposed. A date has not been selected for a referendum but it could be held this fall or next spring.
The man charged in connection with the Halloween slaying of Armstrong teenager Taylor Van Diest made his second appearance in a Kelowna courtroom Thursday. Matthew Foerster, 26, who was in attendance via video-link from the North Fraser pretrial centre where he’s been in custody since his April arrest, sat silently in a prisoner’s box as the charge of first degree murder was read in court for the first time. Previously he faced a second degree murder charge in relation to the Van Diest case, but plans for the upgrade were announced by Mounties several weeks ago. Foerster was also re-read charges relating to an alleged 2004 Cherryville based crime. Those include break and entering, committing a crime with a masked face, causing bodily harm and confinement. A publication ban on the identity of the victim was applied to that file. Charges connected to an alleged 2005 crime at a Kelowna escort agency were read in his first court appearance. Foerster, who’s grown a fuller beard and cut his hair since his arrest, has yet to apply for bail, and crown counsel indicated there were no plans to do so at a court appearance scheduled for June 21. The Cherryville man was arrested early April after he was found hiding in the Ontario town of Collingwood. His arrest followed an exhaustive manhunt, spurred by the discovery of the Armstrong teen badly beaten on railroad tracks Halloween night, 2011. She later died from her injuries at Kelowna General Hospital. His father Stephen Roy Foerster was charged with obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact. Investigators would like to hear from anyone who has information regarding Foerster on Halloween night, 2011. They are urged to call the specially created tip line at 1-888-688-4264.
DID YOU KNOW... T U O G ARE RUNNIN ! Y A D O T N I Y U RR
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The Toyo Toyota Earth Day Scholarship program progr ram provides post-secondary entrance e ntrancce sscholarships to outstanding students who are also environmental sttuden nts w leaders from all across the country. le llead eaders e fro