MONDAY
< Vote now for the KMAs
Hundreds of entries shortlisted: Time to choose | Page 5
APRIL 8, 2013
STORIES OR IDEAS TO SHARE?
Where Eagles dare >
Drop us an email, a Tweet, a Facebook message, or give us a call if you have any story ideas you would like to share.
Profile of boxer Shannon Ryan | Page 7
www.dailytownsman.com
1
$ 10 INCLUDES H.S.T.
Proudly serving Cranbrook and area since 1951
Vol. 61, Issue 67
www.dailytownsman.com
TOWNSMAN STAFF PHOTO
Lead organizer Fran Burgon celebrates at last Thursday’s Cranbrook Pride event, the city’s first ever. About 100 people turned out to Balment Park to take part.
East Kootenay hospital to get Two charged in Kimberley multimillion dollar addition drive-by shooting on Friday MLA announces $12 million in funding to build a new intensive care unit at East Kootenay Regional Hospital and upgrade the hospital’s electrical system SA L LY MAC D ONAL D Townsman Staff
A project first mentioned in the B.C. government’s 2013 budget in February has turned into a $12 million boon for Cranbrook’s hospital. On Friday, April 5, Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett officially announced a $12 million contribution to help Interior Health replace the intensive care unit (ICU) at East Kootenay
Regional Hospital (EKRH). It’s 60 per cent of the project’s $20 million cost. The remaining 40 per cent – $8 million – has been funded by the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District board. “It is my pleasure today to announce the next big thing for EKRH — a new intensive care unit and upgraded electrical system,” Bennett said during the announcement in the hos-
pital’s lobby, attended by dozens of medical staff, hospital volunteers and fundraisers, and elected officials. “All of us are involved in contributing to these improvements: the Hospital Foundation, Interior Health, the B.C. government, volunteers, and in particular the medical staff. As my father would say, you have taken a sow’s ear and turned it into a silk
purse. “I recall in 2000, Maclean’s magazine portrayed our hospital as the poster child for how bad rural health care was in Canada. Today, this new intensive care unit complements a new ambulatory care ward, new diagnostic imaging centre, new emergency room, new entrance and many new specialists.”
See ICU, Page 4
RCMP say no link between suspects, targeted house
SALLY MACDONALD Townsman Staff
Kimberley RCMP say there is no link between two men charged in a Thursday drive-by shooting and the home they shot at. Overnight between Thursday, April 4 and Friday, April 5, police were called to a home on Archibald Street in Kimberley. First at 11 p.m., the inhabitants of the home reported shots being fired at the residence and gave police a
vague vehicle description. Police began to search for the vehicle, but were unable to locate it before the alleged shooter returned to the scene of the incident at 1 a.m. According to an RCMP statement, police located the suspect vehicle and arrested two men. On Friday, charges were laid against two 27-year-old men who
RCMP said have extensive criminal records. One man has been charged with discharging a firearm with intent, possession of a weapon while being prohibited, possession of a prohibited weapon and ammunition, and breach of probation. The second man was charged with breach of probation. The pair will next appear in Cranbrook court on Monday, April 9.
Caldwell Agencies
290 Wallinger Avenue, Kimberley ❘ 250-427-2221 ❘ www.caldwellagencies.com
The Hometown Experts with a World of Experience®