BEARS STILL LOOKING FOR FOOD A4 OCTOBER 23, 2013
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Doe attacks teen at 108 Mile Ranch HEALTH STARS SOUGHT TO LIGHT UP HOSPITAL A14
TWIN BROTHERS DOUBLE THE EFFORT B1
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FALL PHOTO SHOOT
High number of aggressive deer complaints in Cariboo-Chilcotin Gaven Crites Free Press
Before stepping off the bus on a recent visit to 108 Mile Ranch, Emmett Collens spotted four deer outside and made a comment the driver thought was funny. “I hope I don’t get attacked by a deer.” On the way to his grandparents’ home on Chintu Drive on Oct. 8, Collens says he walked up to a fawn on the side of the road and pulled out his iPhone to take a photo when he heard “clack-clack-clack” on the road behind him. “I turned around and there was this doe staring me down,” explains the 15-yearold from Horse Lake. “It had its ears all the way back, its hair was all standing up. I thought, ‘This isn’t good’. I started to back away and it took a couple steps, jumped up on its hind legs and
hit me on the chest with its two feet and knocked me down. “It started hitting me in the face with its feet.” Collens estimates the attack, which bloodied his nose and left some deep bruising and scratches on his face, lasted between 12 and 15 seconds. “It hit me a couple times pretty good on the chin. It scraped my face up with its hooves because it was kind of just like stomping all wild.” When the animal finally stopped, Collens stood up and headed for his grandparents’ home nearby. After a few steps he turned and was surprised to find the same animal trailing him about 10 yards back. He says even after he entered the home, the doe stuck around. Continued on A4
Gaven Crites photo
Erin Duff took family photos of her seven-year-old son, Nolan, and daughter, Hannah, 9, at Bridge Creek in Centennial Park in 100 Mile House. She took advantage of a scenic setting and warm afternoon on Oct. 19.
ATV legislation work ongoing
Carole Rooney Free Press
Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett says she is continuing to work toward the “very important” development of an off-road vehicle (ORV) act. Barnett is a member of government’s ORV management framework committee working with stakeholders. She says the potential legislation has been in the works for years, but the working groups must first develop the act before it can be
MLA Donna Barnett updates constituents on ORV act
tabled in Victoria. “The [ORV] legislation is still at the committee stage, working with the stakeholders trying to put the act together that is going to be in the best interest of all of our many, many clubs and organizations that have asked for this for years.” The committee is working hard to resolve
“complex” issues and legalities, which, she notes, has contributed to the time delay. The act will enhance safety by mandating helmet use on ORVs, setting standards for ORV drivers under age 16, and other potential new regulations, Barnett explains. “I think helmets are common sense.” She disputes allegations the included requirement for ATV registration is nothing more than a tax grab, which Barnett says snowmobilers have had available for years. Continued on A12