Health Care Right to choose gaining momentum. p6
New building, future for west Albion. p18
THE NEWS
Gardening Coreopsis, perfect garden filler. p21
www.mapleridgenews.com Friday, August 3, 2012 · Serving Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows · est. 1978 · 604-467-1122 · 50¢
Cop charged in fight with cops
Ecstasy suspected in woman’s death
Off-duty Mission Mountie was at bar in Pitt Meadows
21-year-old found unresponsive after party
by M o n i s h a M a r t i n s staff reporter
by M o n i s h a M a r t i n s staff reporter
A Mountie from Mission is facing charges in connection with an off-duty fight outside a Pitt Meadows bar. Sgt. Miriam Orynthia Jean Dickson, 43, faces two counts of assaulting a peace officer and one count each of resisting arrest and causing a disturDickson bance. Charges against the former media spokesperson for the Mission RCMP were sworn on Tuesday in Port Coquitlam Provincial Court. The charges stem from an “altercation” that took place outside Rooster’s Country Cabaret shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday, June 3. Ridge Meadows RCMP allege Dickson got in an argument with a man after leaving the bar. Two uniformed RCMP officers, who were already patrolling the parking lot, intervened and tried to diffuse the situation, but were allegedly assaulted by her. She was arrested and taken to cells. See Assault, p14
A young Maple Ridge woman died in hospital Tuesday after taking an illegal drug police believe was ecstasy at a weekend party. Ridge Meadows RCMP’s Serious Crimes Unit and the B.C. Coroner’s Service are investigating the 21-yearold’s death. Paramedics, police and the Maple Ridge fire department were called to an apartment early Sunday after the woman was found unresponsive. She was rushed to hospital, but passed away two days later. Police allege the woman took MDMA, also known as ecstasy, during a night of drinking and partying. See Ecstasy, p5
Colleen Flanagan/THE NEWS
Ready to race Bob Schantz, part of the Rotary Duck Race organizing committee, says there will be 250 ducks available for sale up until five minutes before the fundraising event, which takes place Sunday at Maple Ridge Park. See story, p12.
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rust fund established for mom with MS. See story, p3
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