Chilliwack Progress, March 21, 2013

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The Chilliwack

Progress Thursday

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Vedder Mountain

Messiah

Cascades

Efforts are underway to convert Vedder Mountain into an interpretive forest site.

FVPS present Handel’s Messiah.

Coach finds performance unacceptable.

News

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Sports

Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R • F O U N D E D I N 1 8 9 1 • W W W. T H E P R O G R E S S . C O M • T H U R S D AY, M A R C H 2 1 , 2 0 1 3

Sign of the times City moves to tighten election sign bylaw Jennifer Feinberg The Progress

Proposed changes to election signage rules in Chilliwack were front and centre at city hall Tuesday, as the provincial election looms ever closer. Council debated elements of a new city bylaw focusing exclusively on election signs erected on private and public properties alike, to promote candidates and political parties during election campaigns. Part of the idea behind the proposed changes was preventing “visual pollution” when signs stay up on the city landscape long after elections are over. The city has received complaints over the years about election signs, including a couple earlier this month. Staff proposed doubling the municipal fees for election sign deposits from $500 to $1,000, with a quicker timeframe for sign cleanup as a deterrent. But after discussion on the proposed four amendments, introduction and three readings were given to a standalone election sign bylaw by council. Council opted to keep the refundable deposit at the $500 mark, and keep a 10-day deadline for sign removal — regardless what type of property was in question. Staff had recommended making it a standalone bylaw and using the “common sense” approach when applying it, with the suggestion of one sign per property. A proliferation of election signs can create visual pollution, and that was part of the rationale for tackling the issue. Coun. Jason Lum proposed keeping the deposit at $500 and the limit at 10 days for removal. “The rationale being that I’ve heard some comments that it might dissuade people from being civically active,” he said.

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JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS

Body of missing teen found in Chilliwack The body of missing Mission teen Rachel Pernosky was found along Old Orchard Road in Chilliwack on Tuesday afternoon, three days after she was reported missing, say police. The case has been turned over to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team. Police are not releasing the cause of death and do not have any suspects or a motive. They don’t believe the attack was random. Chilliwack RCMP received a call from an individual in the area of the 43400 block of Old Orchard Road in Chilliwack on Tuesday, reporting a body down a steep embankment off that road. The UFVRD and Mission RCMP attended along with IHIT

E E FR Continued: ELECTION/ p6

Retail 85¢ PLUS PST Box $1.00

The body of Rachel Pernosky of Mission was found in the 43000-block of Old Orchard Road in Chilliwack Tuesday night.

and the body was confirmed to be Rachel Pernosky. Police say the evidence collected so far points to homicide. Due to the steep terrain her body was removed by search and rescue. An autopsy will be conducted to confirm her cause of death. Pernosky’s family has been notified and are attempting to deal with the loss of her as best as they can, police say. “Rachel was just 18 years old and a mother of a baby when her life was brutally taken from her,” said RCMP Sgt. Jennifer Pound. “The person(s) who murdered her have left a hole in the lives of those who loved her and child who will be without his

mom.” Pernosky had a one year old child who was not with her when she went missing. Pernosky was last seen around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday at her home in the 7700 block of Kite Street in Mission. A small corner of Lougheed Highway and Hurd Street was cordoned off and the Mission landfill was closed for several hours Monday morning as police worked the missing person report. Volunteers cleaning up the northeast corner of the highway on Sunday had picked up some clothing and brought it to the landfill, according to police. It was later determined the cloth-

ing matched a description provided by the family. The landfill was re-opened before noon after police located the items and were able to determine the clothing found was not related to the case. Mission Search and Rescue volunteers scoured Pernosky’s neighbourhood for signs of the missing teen Monday, and family and friends searched every day, but didn’t find any clues. Police are asking anyone with information about her homicide to call the IHITtipline at 778-290-5290 or, if you wish to remain anonymous please call crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

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Chilliwack Progress, March 21, 2013 by Black Press Media Group - Issuu