Inside
◆ Wade’s Ridge P. 9 ◆ Hard to swallow P. 3
◆ Death Race P. 5 ◆ Opinion P. 6
Publications Mail Contract #: 40007759
PHONE: 996-8482 www.caledoniacourier.com
WEDNESDAY, September 19, 2012
NEWS BRIEFS
VOL. 35 NO. 29 $1.34 inc. GST
Pick your apples
Save a bear, pick your apples! RCMP are asking the public to pick their apples and clean up their yards. Bears have been wandering into the community in search of an easy meal, and apples hanging from trees, garbage left outside and other easy snacks for bears is not helping the problem. There are a lot of trees in the community loaded down with fruit, and the RCMP would like homeowners to pick the fruit to help keep the bears at bay. One sow and her three cubs has been seen in the Douglas Road area a couple of times already, with RCMP managing to scare them off so far. Unfortunately, no conservation officers are available at the moment, and so trapping and relocating options are also not possible. Therefore, any bears which do become a hazard by being drawn into the community will have to be destroyed.
This tree at a residence on Stuart Drive is covered in fruit, with fallen apples on the ground surrounding it. Trees like this can be seen all over Fort St. James right now, and are a big temptation for bears in the area trying to fatten up before they have to den up for the winter. Caledonia Courier Photo
Information requested Fort St. James RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance with a missing person’s case as it marks the fifth year anniversary and the investigation remains open. Five years ago Bonnie Marie Joseph was last seen by her family in the Vanderhoof area of British Columbia. Joseph was known to be very independent and traveled frequently from her home town of Fort St. James to the Vanderhoof and Prince George areas of B.C.. She was last seen by family in September of 2007 and reported missing in December after friends and family had not heard from her. “The RCMP continue to search for answers into the disappearance Bonnie Joseph has been missing for five years and was last seen in of Bonnie Joseph,” stated Lesley the Vanderhoof area but was from Fort St. James. Photo courtesy of RCMP Smith, North District media rela-
Ruth Lloyd Caledonia Courier
tions officer, “ We have no leads as to whether Bonnie got a ride with a friend, hitchhiked or took a bus to a nearby community. We are hoping someone may recognize her photo and shed some light on this five-year mystery.” At the time of her disappearance Bonnie Joseph was described as: 31 years old 5’4” tall 120 lbs Short Brown Hair Brown Eyes If you have any information in relation to the disappearance of Bonnie Marie Joseph please contact the Fort St. James RCMP Detachment at (250) 996-8269. If you would like to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Young woman drowns on Stuart Lake
A 17-year-old female is dead after a boat capsized on Stuart Lake on Thursday, Sept. 14. RCMP responded to a call early in the morning Friday, Sept. 14 of a drowning victim on Stuart Lake.
Five people in a 12-foot aluminum boat had reportedly left Fort St. James for Binche on Thursday night. The boat had capsized on route and four of the five had made it safely to shore and one young woman had drowned. Two of the boat passengers reportedly went for help while two stayed
behind, but when RCMP arrived at the scene, no one was with the deceased. While search and rescue was alerted and RCMP dogs were called to respond, both of the other passengers were located after inquiries were made. One was located at a residence on Nak’azdli Reserve and one was
found between Battleship and town. RCMP and the BC Coroner’s Service are investigating, and it is not being treated as a criminal matter at this time. The victim’s grandmother has been notified, however, her name is not being released until the rest of her family has also been notified.