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OCTOBER 4, 2013
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Vol. 61, Issue 194
Proudly serving Cranbrook and area since 1951
www.dailytownsman.com
Kienan’s abductor in court Monday Dangerous offender hearing for Randall Hopley will be held in Cranbrook Supreme Court SALLY MACDONALD Townsman Staff
TREVOR CRAWLEY PHOTO
Steve Mercandelli (left) and Kenny Bridge square off during a training session with the Cranbrook Eagles Boxing Club Wednesday, Oct. 2. The two pugilists were in training for an upcoming Fisticuffs Fundraiser, set for Nov. 2. The trash-talking has already reached Frazier-Ali proportions. See more next week in the Cranbrook Daily Townsman.
Pot petition campaign well underway, locations announced BARRY COULTER
Sensible BC’s campaign is proceeding apace. The group has gathered about one sixth of the petition signatures needed to force the decriminalization of marijuana to referendum. A 90-day countdown began Monday, Sept. 9, for a petition campaign to decriminalize simple possession of marijuana in B.C. Volunteers for Sensible B.C. have until Dec. 5 to collect more than 400,000 signatures. This number represents 10 per cent of eligible voters in each of B.C.’s 85 electoral ridings. In Kootenay East, 3,100 sig-
natures are needed. “The campaign is well underway, “ said local organizer Barbara Kern. “Things are good. We’re getting noticed, we’re getting exposure.” Kern said that province-wide, about one sixth of the signatures needed have been collected, and that’s true for Kootenay East as well. The riding includes Sparwood, Elko, Fernie, Baynes Lake, Galloway, Jaffray, Moyie, Wardner, Cranbrook and Yahk. Sensible BC has about 25 volunteers working this territory.
See PETITION , Page 5
Art for Autism Fundraiser scheduled for Saturday, November 2 ARNE PE TRYSHEN Townsman Staff
The Art for Autism fundraiser aims to raise money to help those affected by Autism in the local area. The fundraiser will benefit the EK Behaviour Intervention Program, a local non-profit agency that provides therapy for children with Autism. Brandi Sims’ five-year-old son Riley is autistic and receives therapy from the program. “The program is amazing and has helped us exponentially,” said
Sims, who is also organizing the event. “Unfortunately, they’re facing some rising operating costs, so we’re trying to raise some money to offset these costs, and help keep the kids with as many therapy hours as they can get.” The fundraising event will be a gala at the Heritage Inn on Saturday, Nov. 2 that will feature food, cake and drinks. There will be live entertainment from the likes of Bud Abbott, Leather Britches, Tom Bungay and Trena Spears.
The man convicted in the September 2011 abduction of Sparwood three-year-old Kienan Hebert is back in court starting Monday. Randall Hopley, 48, will be the subject of a dangerous offender hearing in Cranbrook Supreme Court October 7 to 11. In March 2012, Hopley pleaded guilty to abduction of a child under 14, and break and enter with the intent to commit an offence. A sentencing hearing on these charges was held in Cranbrook last July. During that hearing, Crown prosecutor Lynal Doerksen asked the court to consider Hopley for dangerous offender status. Rarely used, the dangerous offender designation sets apart offenders of violent or sexual crimes who are deemed likely to reoffend and whose release is considered a threat to society. The dangerous offender hearing is a continuation of Hopley’s sentencing.
See FUNDRAISER, Page 3
Dirtbag Festival presents, a one-time showing of INTO THE MIND, the newest film by Sherpas Cinema.
▲ OCTOBER 12th – CONFERENCE CENTRE. Doors at 6pm. Show at 7:30pm.
See HOPLEY , Page 4
Download the “microsoft tag” app and use to buy tickets!!