A REGION
UNITED
Who’s behind the latest push for amalgamation? We find out in today’s issue Part 3 of 5, Page A3
NEWS: Roundhouse revival unveiled /A5 ARTS: Choreography key in upcoming musical /A12 SPORTS: Jr. B Cougars’ Cup quest led by captain /A17
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Charges laid in 2008 death of toddler Man to face murder charges Daniel Palmer News staff
Ben Gawletz/News Staff
Getting creative Creatively United For The Earth festival volunteers Brian Bury, left, Tricia Pubben, project co-ordinator Frances Litman and Dorrie Murphy promote this weekend’s event on the terrace at the new venue, St. Ann’s Academy on Humboldt Street. See story on page A7.
Brier could be next for Victoria Canadian men’s championships the next logical step Travis Paterson News staff
As Sweden and Canada took the main stage in front of a nearly full Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, forecasters had already begun casting their predictions for Victoria’s next big curling event. A conservative estimate of 5,500
fans took in Sweden’s 8-6 win over Canada’s Brad Jacobs rink in Sunday’s Ford World Men’s Curling Championship final. Empty seats in the converted hockey arena had been tough to find since Friday night’s Page playoff game that saw Sweden narrowly edge Scotland 6-5 to advance to the gold medal final. The big question came Friday night, said World Men’s Championship co-chair Chris Atchison. “We knew we sold a lot of tickets for that game, but if Canada’s
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not in the game, (we wondered) are people going to show up? And the people showed up. From that point on this venue was at or near capacity,” he said. “There was some comparisons made for (our lower) attendance, but we know as a hosting committee we did virtually as much as we could to attract (fans). From our point of view, we can’t worry about those things we can’t control.” Unofficial figures released Monday showed approximately 80,000 spectators attended the tourna-
ment. But even if they didn’t match the 2005 world men’s numbers in Victoria – 17 of 22 draws sold out that year, with the total at around 100,000 fans – the 2013 event was characterized as a success. And so talks turned Sunday to the Tim Horton’s Brier men’s national championship. Kamloops is hosting in 2014, but Atchison hopes Victoria is in line the next time the Brier returns to B.C.
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Big finish, Page A6
A 29-year-old man was in Victoria court Monday to face second-degree murder charges in the 2008 death of a two-year-old boy. Bradley Streiling was arrested Friday by members of the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit after a “lengthy and sophisticated investigation,” into the death of Noah Cownden, said Victoria police Const. Mike Russell. On April 9, 2008, the toddler was rushed to hospital with apparent head injuries. A subsequent coroner’s inquest into his death was never made public. An online obituary from April 19, 2008, lists Streiling as one of the boy’s parents. A May 2008 newsletter from First Metropolitan United Church indicates the toddler attended Sunday School at the church. “We are deeply saddened at the news of the accidental death of Noah Cownden,” reads the newsletter. “A young child so very active and loved has died.” Streiling will next appear in court April 22, however, a publication ban is in effect for the case. dpalmer@vicnews.com