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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013
$1.10 (includes tax)
Inside City Hall fire Page 16
VOL 116 NO. 40
Prospect of region-wide broadband coming CRAIG LINDSAY
Grand Forks Gazette
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the Regional Broadband Committee (RBC).
Fastest ambulance in region in Creston
The regional district is partnering with several other organizations, including the Regional District of Central Kootenay, Regional District of East Kootenay, Ktunaxa Nation Council, Columbia Basin Trust and Columbia Power Corporation, in creating the Regional Broadband Committee to
develop a regional broadband strategy. “The partnership is to extend broadband high speed internet access to the whole region,” said Larry Gray, chair of the RDKB. “To do that, there’s a plan that’s being development by the Columbia Basin Broadband
Corporation to extend fibre optics to a number of communities in the region and use that as a basis either to build from a central location like Nelson or Trail to business communities and others through fibre connection or through wireless connection.”
• See BROADBAND, Page 11
PRESS GANG
GREG NESTEROFF Grand Forks Gazette
CABA Learn to Quilt 1 Day Workshop Sunday, Oct. 6 Cost: $35 includes materials
CABA’S QUILTING COTTAGE 250-442-2875
7578 - 8th St., Grand Forks
NEW PRICE $349,000
THATE 24 Chase Road
Brian Thate 250-442-7370
www.brianthate.com LITTLE OAK REALTY
If you have a medical emergency in the Kootenays, it’s best to be in Creston, judging by statistics from the BC Ambulance Service. In 2012, Creston’s average response time to Code 3 calls— requiring lights and sirens—was nine minutes and 20 seconds, less than Grand Forks (12:30) and faster than Cranbrook (10:01), Nelson (11:06), Castlegar (10:42), Trail (11:16) and less than half of Rossland’s response time (22:24). However, all were slower than the nineminute standard suggested by the U.S. Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, a benchmark reached by only 10 communities in the province last year. Creston also posted the fastest times in the region in 2010 and 2011.
• See AMBULANCE, Page 10
Craig Lindsay photo
Joanne Bailey, Phil Lefkowitz, Colleen Ross and Karl Lilgert prepare fresh apple/pear cider at the Harvest Festival at Spencer Hill Orchard on Saturday. See story on page 8.
Cusack admits setting two fires CRAIG LINDSAY
Grand Forks Gazette
Christopher Cusack, the man charged in connection with two fires set in the Grand Forks and Winnipeg hotels back in 2012, appeared in Grand Forks Court on Tuesday. Cusack is accused of two counts of arson in relation to an inhabited property. Ken Wyllie, representing Cusack, once again pleaded not guilty on behalf of his client, but did submit an admission of facts. In the admission, Cusack admitted
to setting the two fires on March 7, 2012. The first fire was at the Grand Forks Hotel, destroying the building and causing $1 million in damage. The second fire was set on a motorcycle which was under a staircase at the Winnipeg Hotel. The fire spread, causing more than $10,000 worth of damage. Cusack had been at the Winnipeg drinking all day. L. Wark, a bartender and waitress working at the Winnipeg Hotel the night of the fire, appeared on the stand as a witness.
Conn in court CRAIG LINDSAY
Grand Forks Gazette
Andre Conn, the 31-year-old Grand Forks man charged in connection to a fire that burned City Hall Sept. 19, is expected to remain in custody after his first court appearance Sept. 24 in Nelson. Conn’s next court appearance is Tuesday, Oct. 8 in Nelson.
• See CUSACK, Page 11
• See CONN, Page 8
Low Intensity Laser Therapy DR. SALMON October is foot month at Salmon Chiropractic If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, ankle or foot pain, LILT therapy is very effective in treating these conditions. Laser therapy is a non-invasive, non-toxic treatment. It helps restore normal range of motion and function while reducing inflammation and pain. It provides an alternative for those that have not responded to conventional therapies.
Salmon Chiropractic Corp.
Call 250-442-4232 for an appointment Start on the path to healing.
7323 3rd Street, Grand Forks BC – Orthotics coming soon –
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