TEACHERS VOTE | Lengthy dispute between government and teachers union could end today [A5]
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Friday, June 29, 2012
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Firefighter faces charges ROGER KNOX Morning Star Staff
An 18-month investigation into alleged financial improprieties at a Vernon volunteer fire hall has resulted in charges. Police began looking into a matter at the BX-Swan Lake Fire Hall in January of 2011 after questions from the fire department arose over its account. Charges were forwarded to Crown for approval in May. “The money that is in question belongs to the volunteer firemen from the BX-Swan Lake fire hall, and not public funds,” said Vernon RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk. Representatives from the fire hall declined to comment as the matter is now before the courts. Layne Richard Benner, 39, of Vernon, a former member of the BX-Swan Lake fire department, has been charged with fraud and theft over $5,000. Benner is to make his first court appearance on Aug. 2. JENNIFER SMITH/MORNING STAR
William Dyck, Greater Vernon parks employee, drags the outfield at Diamond 6 at the DND grounds Thursday in preparation for some of the 300 teams set to play ball today through Monday for Funtastic. See more photos at www.vernonmorningstar.com
Getting set for FUNtastic JENNIFER SMITH Morning Star Staff
An event that will draw more than 4,500 people to town has another 450 volunteers pitching in to pull it all together. The Funtastic slo-pitch tournament and music festival (plus lawn bowling) officially swings into action today in Vernon, Armstrong and Enderby. “It’s the biggest one in Canada,” said Funtastic president Brett Kirkpatrick. Volunteers have been tirelessly working since Monday to put all the pieces in place, and their efforts will continue through to Monday when the event wraps up, and even after for clean-up. “Everybody up here that does it, they enjoy it,” said Will Alborough, volunteering for his third straight year, this time with his dad. “A lot of them have been doing it for 16, 17 years.” They are ambassadors not just for Funtastic, but for the community, says Kirkpatrick. “I get a lot of people come up to me, thanking us for everything,” he said, adding that it wouldn’t be possible without the
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volunteers. Between putting up fences and grading diamonds to selling beverage tickets and doing sound checks behind stage, they make it happen. “We are a go,” said Kirkpatrick, adding that despite recent rain, fields are drying up nicely for game time. Games take place at fields throughout the communities, with the first pitch being tossed at 5:15 p.m. tonight and finals wrapping up Monday. But the centre of all the action is up at the DND grounds, where the diamonds will be in full swing and the beverage gardens will be packed with fun. The gardens, which open at noon today and 11 a.m. the rest of the weekend, feature a rockin’ lineup of bands and entertainment. “We have a very good lineup this year and a lot of people are excited about it,” said Kirkpatrick, noting the gardens will be open until 2 a.m. every night, 5 p.m. Monday, and free shuttle buses are provided. Tonight’s two opening acts, Headpins and Orio with Katrina Lawrence, get the party started at 6 p.m. before Kenny Shields and
Streetheart take the stage. Lou Gramm of Foreigner is all set for Saturday, following a trio of openers: Mace, Lift Off and The Dirt. Canada Day openers are We Are Live and Aerosmith Rocks, then fireworks are set off at 10:15 p.m., followed by Trooper. “We can fit 6,000 people up there,” said Kirkpatrick, adding that the event is selling well, but isn’t sold out, yet. On top of all the locals and tourists drawn in solely for the entertainment, the event hosts 300 teams (representing 4,500 ball players plus another 600 to 1,000 spouses and kids). Of those, an estimated 80 per cent are from out of town. “A lot of people from Alberta come to play, it’s a destination and often they’ll stay a few extra days and turn it into a holiday. Some have come for 20 years and they make it a reunion. “The impact is $4.4 million for the weekend and then we get to donate back on top of it,” said Kirkpatrick, as the Funtastic Society raises in excess of $125,000 annually for local sports groups and projects.
Robbery nets two years in jail ROGER KNOX Morning Star Staff
A woman who threatened to rob a Vernon Subway restaurant with a needle will be going to a federal penitentiary. Provincial court judge Mayland McKimm sentenced Amy Rebecca Barbara Young, 27, to two years in jail after she pleaded guilty to robbery in connection with an incident at the Fruit Union Plaza on May 23 at 2 a.m. She was also placed on two years probation after she serves her term. Young held up the restaurant with a needle that she indicated was infected with either HIV or Hepatitis C. She pushed a clerk to the ground and made off with approximately $90. The sentence to a federal jail, said McKimm, is to help Young get treatment through better programs for her drug problem. “This file, like many others, is the consequence of drug addiction which has spiralled out of control,” said McKimm in delivering his verdict. Young also pleaded guilty to a prior charge of mischief. McKimm gave her credit for 30 days served in custody on the charge, and sentenced her to one day in jail.
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