Penny drive Community groups help less fortunate at Christmastime. PAGE 7 Breathing room Respiratory therapists understaffed at hospital. PAGE 20 Byrnes’s blues Musician performs songs from his past during concert. PAGE 3
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www.nanaimobulletin.com
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
VOL. 24, NO. 92
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Police search for suspect in jewelry heist BY CHRIS BUSH THE NEWS BULLETIN
CHRIS BUSH/THE NEWS BULLETIN
Transport trouble Emergency crews sort out the results of a collision between a car and transport truck that snarled north- and south-bound traffic on the Nanaimo Parkway Wednesday. The crash happened shortly before 1 p.m. when a northbound Pontiac Sunfire, driven by a woman, 19, crossed the median and hit the rear tires of a southbound transport truck. The truck fishtailed into a crash barrier before swerving into the median and flipping on its side. The truck’s 39-year-old male driver was unhurt. The driver of the Pontiac and her female teen passenger were taken to hospital with what police said appeared to be minor injuries.
Regional board puts funding on track BY NIOMI PEARSON THE NEWS BULLETIN
The Regional District of Nanaimo has approved financial support to help get passenger rail service back on track on Vancouver Island, despite opposition from some of the area’s directors.
A 9-8 split divided directors when it came time to vote on the Island Corridor Foundation’s request for funding Tuesday night. In the end, a weighted vote of 37 in favour to 24 against means taxpayers will be on the hook for approximately $945,000 in grant-in-aid money – providing that the foundation can produce a solid agreement
Quality & Service at Budget Prices Wisec Wisecrack e racck ck O Off T Th The he Week he Week
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from VIA Rail to reinstate passenger service. The Island Corridor Foundation, a notfor-profit society which currently owns the E&N Railway, has already received a $15-million commitment from federal and provincial governments. ◆ See ‘DIRECTORS’ ‘ /4
It only took one man less than four minutes to make off with more than $100,000 in stolen jewelry during a breakin at The Bay in Woodgrove Centre early Tuesday. The break-in happened shortly after midnight, triggering multiple alarms. Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said the thief broke in through the store’s south Aulds Road entrance and ran down to the jewelry department on the main floor. “We responded and found the doors pried and smashed open,” O’Brien said. “Then we went into T he Bay where we found multiple glass j e we l r y c a b i nets smashed open and dozens of pieces of jewelry, including rings, earrings and necklaces gone.” Woodgrove Centre surveillance video showed a man, wearing a gray hoodie, light-coloured sneakers and carrying a pry bar, entering the front door. The suspect fled the building the way he entered. “He runs in and about four minutes later he’s out,” O’Brien said. Police canvassed the area where witnesses reported seeing a green Nissan Quest minivan near the mall earlier in the evening that is now considered a vehicle of interest in the case. ◆ See ‘STOLEN’ /12
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