Up front: Cowichan welcomes a marathon of hope against suicide page 3 News: Kids treated in the wake of highway collision at Bench Road page 5
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Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Guns and drugs seized in Duncan
Four arrested: Police raid Island Highway rental property Peter W. Rusland
News Leader Pictorial
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oke, cannabis, cash and four suspected criminals were collared during a police raid on a Duncan residence, the RCMP say. The June 5 bust saw North Cowichan/Duncan Mounties, assisted by a federal policing partner, execute a high-risk search warrant for drugs on a rental property, a police media release says. Police attended the residence on the Trans-Canada Highway, where the four suspects were arrested. “Several items were seized, including 60 marijuana plants, 10 pounds of bagged marijuana bud, a quantity of cocaine, and other drugs. “Also seized were two firearms — one a modified SKS 7.62 mm semi-auto rifle with over-capacity, prohibited magazines, and one 12-gauge, modified shotgun — and a substantial amount of cash,” the RCMP release reads. “This type of search is risky for the police, as there is often a presence of guns with drugs.” The four accused were released. They face charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking, production of a controlled substance, possession of a prohibited weapon, and other weapons-related charges North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP request residents with information about this crime, or others, to contact police at 250-748-5522, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers. If you provide information to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest or the recovery of stolen property or the seizure of illicit drugs, you could be eligible for a cash reward.
Ashley Degraaf
Emergency crews responded to an industrial accident at the Chemainus River bridge construction site at 2:14 p.m. Tuesday after reports a man had been electrocuted. The patient was flown to Victoria General Hospital. “He was breathing and conscious when he left,” said North Cowichan/Duncan Cpl. Greg Pask. “He’s very lucky that’s all that happened.” The extent of the man’s injuries weren’t known at press time. WorkSafe BC was enroute to assess the accident scene.
Some after school care programs likely to be salvaged Ashley Degraaf
News Leader Pictorial
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solution is pending for some of the dozens of families left without childcare in the wake of the recent reorganization of the Cowichan Valley School District. Folks with children using the before and after school care program at Ecole Duncan Elementary are awaiting confirmation of a school district plan to reinstate before- and after-school care programs cut adrift amidst school closures and program shifts. B.C.-appointed trustee Mike McKay confirmed superintendent of schools Joe Rhodes and acting director for elementary education Sheryl Koers are working on a solution.
“We appreciate (parents) reaching out to staff and me, and it’s a big deal and we get that,” said McKay Tuesday. “It’s one of the pieces of the puzzle we’re working through.” Koers indicated staff have made sure Mt. Prevost school has enough room for the former Duncan Elementary care program and are waiting on approval from licensing before a tendering process takes place. She’s hopeful the program can take on as many children as did at Ecole Duncan. But they are forced to follow a formal public tendering process before anything can be confirmed. Other childcare programs are expected to be available at Bonner and Discovery. A fourth school will not be so lucky. Koers confirmed the pre-school and before- and
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after-school program run by Mark Sorenson for seven years at Drinkwater Elementary has been axed since that school is now “jam-packed” and the space was needed for an influx of students next year. “There are many private day care providers with services in this area,” assured Koers, noting Mt. Prevost school and its pending program is very close to Drinkwater. “And we’ve been seeing on Facebook many of these day care providers with messages saying they have spaces.” Parent and Ecole Duncan El PAC president Adam Clutchey said parents were furious about initial indications their program, servicing roughly 80 to 85 families on an on-and-off basis, would be lost. more on page 5
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