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TUESDAY, March 12, 2013
Proudly serving Williams Lake and the Cariboo-Chilcotin since 1930
Mine explosion unplanned Shortly before noon Friday, Mar. 8, there was a minor unscheduled detonation at the Gibraltar Mine northeast of Williams Lake. “This occurred when an excavator dug into an undetonated blast hole,” Brian Battison, vice-president of communications Taseko Mines Ltd., confirmed. “There were no injuries and no equipment damage of any consequence. It was appropriately handled by mine personnel at the time and the inspector of mines was notified and attended in person prior to releasing the equipment back to operations later that day.” An investigation into the cause of the incident is underway and all appropriate caution to prevent a reoccurrence is being taken.
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SPORTS Mt. Timothy celebrates.
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COMMUNITY Woman of Heart award.
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Weather outlook: Expect cloudy skies with rain/snow.
$1.34 inc. HST
Twenty-five year celebration a smashing success Greg Sabatino photo
Participants in the frozen T-shirt smash at Mt. Timothy Ski Area Sunday — in celebration of the hill’s 25th anniversary of operation — attempt to find ways to unravel their icy shirts to put them on. The winner, Doug Hendriks, was awarded a seasons pass for 2013/14. Staff at the hill hosted a scavenger hunt, trivia, along with giving away loads of prizes for best dressed in honour of Rad Retro Day. 100 Mile House Mayor Mitch Campsall and CaribooChilcotin MLA Donna Barnett were on hand to congratulate the staff, directors and volunteers for their many years of hard work.
Investigation continues for missing Likely man Monica Lamb-Yorski Tribune Staff Writer
NEWS Interested party list grows.
VOL. 83. No. 21
While the official search for Gary Price was stood down last Thursday, the Williams Lake RCMP continue to investigate his disappearance. Sixty-year old Price, who lives at Yanks Peak in the Likely area, was reported missing to police on March 3 by a family member. He was last seen on Feb. 28. Investigators would like to speak to any person who was at the Yanks Peak parking lot (Powder Kings Snowmobile Club trails) on Saturday, Feb. 23 or Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Gary Price collected trail user fees at the Yanks Peak parking lot on behalf of the snowmobile club and had frequent interaction with
snowmobilers at that location. He drove a recognizable white 1996 Chevrolet Silverado with a blue canopy and an aluminum boat rack on the box, the RCMP said. “There are people who were in or near Likely during this time who probably saw Mr. Price or his truck,” said Const. Dan Hay. “It is very important we speak with these people, even if they do not believe they saw anything related to Mr. Price’s disappearance.” When the search was stood down, Insp. Warren Brown said the RCMP worked with Search and Rescue during the search, employing all available resources. Central Cariboo Search and Rescue search chief Allen Schaad said volunteers from his group as well as the South Cariboo Search and Rescue from 100 Mile House par-
ticipated in the effort. “There was a mix over the five days with three to eight from each group coming together, as well as a few people from the Williams Lake Powder Kings Snowmobile Club.” The snowmobile club has the skills and the “large investment” in good equipment and know the mountains and the trails, Schaad said. “We use them as a resource in these situations.” The primary search area centred on the roads and roadsides. Price lives out at Yanks Peak and is the person who checks other snowmobilers to ensure they have paid up their memberships to access the trails. “We also went door-to-door in the Likely area asking residents if they had seen anything. Unusual
footprints, dogs barking at unusual times of day or whether they saw someone where they wouldn’t expect them to be,” Schaad explained, adding they checked barns and tool sheds to make sure he wasn’t lost. Schaad said there are 45 volunteers presently signed up for the CCSR with all available area Search and Rescue and RCMP resources. He has been involved for 17 years in Williams Lake and his latest term for chief is a three-year term, set to expire at the end of March, 2013. Witnesses and associates of Gary Price are asked to attend the Williams Lake RCMP Detachment at 575 Borland Street or call Cst. Hay at 250-392-8714. Information relating to a crime can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
fringe area residents until Dec. 31. The agreement is based on a flat fee of $579,221 covering the period of Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2013. Around 1,600 residences make up the rural fringe area that receive fire protection services from the Williams Lake fire department. Other rural residents are serviced by rural-based fire de-
partments. In a joint press release, both parties noted they have agreed to discontinue legal proceedings with no costs awarded to either party, and that both parties will explore their options for the provision of fire protection services in the future. Total operation costs for the
Williams Lake fire department in 2011 and billed for in 2012, were $2,068,413 of which $512,500 is the loan repayment for the fire hall. In 2011, the city collected approximately $727,000 for fire protection services from rural residents, and the city paid approximately $1.34 million.
City and CRD reach agreement on fringe fire protection Monica Lamb-Yorski Tribune Staff Writer
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After legal action and subsequent mediation the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) and the City of Williams Lake announced Friday they have entered into an agreement for the city to continue to provide fire protection to rural