2013 IN
REVIEW
A B B O T S F O R D JAN 24
100
PAGE
COMING
COMMEMORATIVE
EDITION
TUESDAY
JANUARY 22, 2013
Barry Brust’s resurgence helped AHLers win fourth straight game
A B B O T S F O R D
JESSE WEST
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Best Newspaper of the Year 2012
abbynews.com
West found guilty: ‘Justice served’
Cheer leaders
stolen cars and equipment found on rural property
Abbotsford News
RESIDENT PROTESTS TREE LOSS
RASH OF ROBBERIES
A5 Evergreens taken
A5 Police look at possible links
down for new church, prompting a one-person protest
between Abbotsford incident and several in Surrey
WALMART OPENING
FORMER COP FINED FOR LIE
A3 Key anchor mega store for Highstreet opens its doors on Friday
A15 Officer crashed police car after drinking, and then misled superiors
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Q Viewpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A10 VIKKI HOPES Abbotsford News
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Q Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . A22 DAN KINVIG Abbotsford News
Chelsey Acorn’s sister Breanna and mom Lisa hug outside of the Chilliwack courthouse on Monday following the conviction of Jesse Blue West for the 2005 first-degree murder of the Abbotsford teen.
Continued on A5
BASEBALL MENTOR
A career-ending injury may have been a blessing in disguise for Abbotsford Cardinals coach Corey Eckstein A26
A B B O T S F O R D
A group of middle school students came up with a unique way to cheer on the Abbotsford Heat during the AHL hockey team’s annual school day game on Tuesday morning. The promotion – a partnership between the team, School District 34 and Fraser Valley Distance Education – saw thousands of school kids bused to the Abb t f d E t t i t d S t C t f th d th t h d th H t d f t th R h t A i 32 F A55
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THURSDAY APRIL 4, 2013
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Vikki HOPES Abbotsford News
A suspect who was the target of a day-long manhunt after shooting at U.S. border agents was arrested Tuesday night in Abbotsford. The Abbotsford Police Department (APD) was called in to assist in the search just before 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Michael Milne, a spokesman with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said U.S. border agents from the Sumas station came across two suspicious men
KEVIN MACDONALD Abbotsford News
at about 9:10 a.m. in an area of the Columbia Valley, about seven miles east of the town of Sumas. He said they were wearing camouflage gear and were carrying backpacks. One of the men fired a gun as the officers approached. He then fled into the woods, while the other was taken into custody. Details on the second arrest were released after The News press deadline on Wednesday. Authorities on this side of the border Continued on A5
BC FUNDS COURT STUDY study to create a regional court plan for the Valley
Vision Quest Abbotsford News
M
iles couldn’t last another day on the streets. He had been living on Hastings and Main in Vancouver, addicted to alcohol and crack cocaine. He had a good job in a warehouse, but was staying in shelters to save on rent, and using that money to feed his addiction. Desperately worried, his two sisters urged him to get treatment. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, Jamie was so far into drugs and alcohol that his outlook on life was deeply negative. You could say he didn’t really care if he lived or died. The court ordered him into a recovery program after being incarcerated for drug-related crimes. Both men would find VisionQuest.
MARK TAYLOR MEMORIAL
It’s structured. It’s strict. And it works. A recovery house in Abbotsford is providing men with a path out of addiction.
A7 The public is invited to celebrate Taylor’s life on April 15 at the AESC
ONE SHOW, TWO ARTISTS
Abbotsford News
Residents of the Horn Creek Trail area came out to oppose a plan to build two 26-storey towers on Gladwin Road at a public hearing on Monday. About 100 community members attended the hearing, with residents speakng against a bylaw zoning amendment for the residential and commercial development at 3068 Gladwin Rd., between George Ferguson Way and Maclure Road. The developer is seeking a group of bylaw amendments that would allow for a mix of commercial, residential and office space on the site, as well as reduce the parking requirements on the
site by 13 per cent. The site concerned by the high density would contain about 900 resi- of the development, which will dential units on a 9.6-acre be 10 times higher than the neighbouring homes. parcel. Donna Martin, a neighJoyce Harrison, who lives bouring resident, said in one of the existing the city’s zoning bylaw 17-storey Regency Park VIDEO already allows for limited towers on Gladwin, ONLINEm parking spots and reducencouraged council “not abbynews.co to trade trees for towers,” ing that number will be a saying that the Horn Creek problem. area is a “green-space gem.” Kevin O’Shea said he was not Paul Bradbury, who resides opposed to development, but in a neighbouring townhouse, asked council to consider propprovided council with a peti- erties in downtown Abbotsford tion with 75 signaand on tures in opposition to South the proposal. He said he is
Fraser Way as more appropriate for high-density projects. Several people also complained that the towers would block their views. Colin Hogan, the project’s architect, said he was pleased to see community members engaged with the project, but he wanted to clear up some misconceptions. Hogan said the site was previously rezoned to allow for six towers, a plan that was approved but put aside when the developer ran into financial difficulties. He said the current proposal from the developers – Ron Funk
driver safety awareness by releasing video of a railway crossing incident
Continued on A4
YMCA AFTERMATH city announces controversial proposed project is indefinitely deferred
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Twin 26-storey towers on Gladwin Road between Maclure Road and George Ferguson Way are depicted in this artist’s illustration
THURSDAY
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Abbotsford News
Anticipated NDP charge fails to materialize in Abbotsford ridings
Stahl and Abbotsford West’s Paul Redekopp both drawing just under 10 per cent. Aird Flavelle of the Green Party saw a similar showing, garnering nearly nine per cent in Abbotsford-Mission. In the three local ridings, 52 per cent of eligible voters turned out to cast a ballot, as compared to 48 per cent province-wide.
A lawsuit has been filed against the City of Abbotsford on behalf of drug users and an advocacy group, arguing that the city has overstepped its authority with a 2005 zoning bylaw prohibiting harm reduction measures in the community.
Continued on A5
Abbotsford Senior Panthers girls claw their way to another AA title A19
A B B O T S F O R D
A4 Abbotsford Police officer is
Abbotsford News
The final numbers for Abbotsford’s sixth annual Run for Water were simply staggering. Sunday’s event, which featured 5K, 10K, half-marathon and full marathon distanc-
es, drew a total of 4,830 registered runners – shattering last year’s record of 4,294. More importantly, participants joined forces to raise $358,000 to create access to clean drinking water for people in Ethiopia, via the Canadian non-profit agency HOPE International. That pushed the event’s cumulative total
past the $1 million mark over the past six years. “It’s an unbelievable amount,” marvelled Ken Baerg, chair of the Run for Water organizing committee. “We never, ever dreamed that it would grow to this size, Continued on A4
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Terrorist suspects arrested in Abby
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RECORD TEMPERATURES
Facing a flood Abbotsford resident Stephanie Hansen, 20, went to High River, Alta. to visit friends – a day before catastrophic flooding. As the waters rose, she stayed to help those in need. A6
A5 Abbotsford sets two new marks for heat on the long weekend
among those raising awareness and funds in TELUS effort
PLEASED WITH PRIDE participants happy with first Abbotsford Pride event
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DOWNTOWN EXCITEMENT A12 Annual Abbotsford Berrybeat festival returns for 32nd year
STAR WARS AT THE REACH A20 Sandstorm, an art show based on the science fiction movie series, opens next week
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Q Viewpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8 Stephanie Hansen photo
Unprecedented flooding overcame the community of High River, Alta. on June 20. The water caused massive destruction in the community of 13,000, leaving residents displaced and homes, businesses and infrastructure damaged. This photo was taken from the cab of a loader which was used to rescue stranded residents.
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OCTOBER 24, 2013
SPIKERS READY TO SHINE
BEST NEWSPAPER of the YEAR 2012
MEI’s boys volleyball tourney brings together top teams from B.C., Alberta and Manitoba A43
THURSDAY
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Council plans to prohibit city land from commercial pot use BUTLER
Health Canada changes its regulations reate commercial medical marijuana rations by 2014, the city will seek to ban of the new, licensed grow-ops from blishing in Abbotsford. ew federal regulations will end licences grow marijuana in residential homes April of next year, and at that time, all dical marijuana in Canada will be grown distributed by commercial facilities. ouncil voted on Monday to prepare a w that would stop the operation of mmercial grow-ops in Abbotsford. oun. Henry Braun raised the concern prohibiting the grow-ops could lead to rter challenges down the road. his isn’t so dissimilar from our harm uction bylaw,” he said, referring to the s controversial law prohibiting servicsuch as needle exchanges, which is ently facing legal challenges and a man rights complaint. aun asked if Abbotsford must allow a zone where grow-ops can be located, lar to Chilliwack, which plans to allow operations in a specially zoned areas host industries like slaughterhouses, halt manufacturers and sewage treatnt plants. Chilliwack will not allow w-ops on agricultural land. ty manager George Murray said that owing discussions with the city’s legal
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A17 Country superstar wows her fans in Abbotsford on the last date of her latest tour
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CHICKENS NOT WELCOME A5 Abbotsford council upholds its restriction on urban backyard chicken coops
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THURSDAY
SEPTEMBER 12, 2013
BEST NEWSPAPER of the YEAR 2012
BEST NEWSPAPER of the YEAR 2012
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City shuts down homeless camp
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Occupants of Gladys site given 48-hour notice to vacate A5 CELEBRATING 60 YEARS
coverage, The News talks with the contenders in one of the three local provincial ridings
A4 Abbotsford Christian School observes six decades of educating youngsters
CHANGES EYED TO HARM REDUCTION
Vikki HOPES Abbotsford News
The number of overall crimes in Abbotsford dropped 12 per cent from 2011 to 2012, but collisions resulting in injuries and fatalities ncreased. The 2012 year-end statistical report reeased this week by the Abbotsford Police Department (APD) shows there were 7,962 criminal code offences last year, compared to 9,049 in 2011. Const. Ian MacDonald said this decrease contributes to a 40 per cent drop in crime in the last four years, putting within reach the APD’s goal of 50 per cent in five years. He attributes the decrease to a focus on “intelligence-led policing” that includes anaysts pinpointing crime trends in the city and officers targeting individuals – such as proific car thieves – who could be responsible. “It (crime analysis) just gives us more tools to use,” MacDonald said. Drops were noted in almost every crime category. Among the most significant decreases were vehicle theft (down 38 per cent), firearms/explosives (26 per cent), assault with a weapon (23 per cent), and sexual offences 22 per cent). Areas experiencing an increase over 2011 were theft over $5,000 (up 22 per cent), robbery (six per cent) and domestic violence (15 per cent).
FATAL COLLISION A7 Elderly man killed in crash with a dump truck on Huntingdon Road
A7 Council votes to take another look at controversial policy on needle exchanges and related addiction services
UFV HOSTS IMPROV NIGHT
PROTECT AIRSHED
A17 TheatreSports from Vancouver set to perform at the University of the Fraser Valley
A4 Local candidates take similar positions on the issue of trash incineration
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TUESDAY BEST NEWSPAPER of the YEAR 2012
The Abbotsford Cardinals’ hurlers helped the club to four wins in five games last week A23
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JUNE 27, 2013
BEST NEWSPAPER of the YEAR 2012
Abbotsford’s Chelsea Jenner will represent Canada at the Junior World Softball Championship A31
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THURSDAY
ON THE WORLD STAGE
JUNE 25, 2013
PITCHING POWER
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City hall
SHAKE-UP
HIGH-RISK OFFENDER
Kevin MILLS Abbotsford News
A 25-year-old man is dead following a gangrelated shooting on South Fraser Way on Sunday afternoon. Abbotsford police responded to reports of shots fired shortly after 5 p.m., at the intersection of South Fraser Way and Emerson Street. Officers found Abbotsford resident Harpreet Chahal, suffering bullet wounds. He was taken to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after 6 p.m. Sgt. Jennifer Pound of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said Chahal was known to police. He was an associate of Jujhar Khun-Khun, who has been charged for the killing of Jonathan Bacon, a Red Scorpion gang member who used to live in Abbotsford. Chahal, along with Khun-Khun, pleaded guilty to one charge of kidnapping in 2007. “This was a targeted, gang-related shooting,” said Pound. Witnesses in the area told police that Chahal’s black Mercedes was driving westbound on South Fraser Way when shots were fired from another vehicle, travelling in the same direction. She also confirmed there were other people in Chahal’s vehicle at the time of the shooting, who fled the scene. “This shooting occurred in a very public area where innocent people could have easily become victims. We are urging anyone with information to come forward and speak with investigators, “ Pound said. Anyone with information is asked to conKEVIN MACDONALD Abbotsford News tact the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-4448, or if you wish to remain anonymous contact Emergency crews work on the 25-year-old victim of a drive-by shooting on South Fraser Way on Sunday Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477. afternoon. The victim, later identified as Harpreet Chahal of Abbotsford, died shortly after in hospital.
FRESHMAN WINNER
A5 Man released after serving 22 years for Abbotsford sex assault
A20 Jarret Bainbridge beat 19 other competitors to win $5,000 and an internship at the AESC
SENDING HELP TO ALBERTA
WATER RATES WILL DROP
A4 Volunteers from the Salvation Army will offer assistance to flood victims
A4 Water and sewer fees to be adjusted to address residential subsidy of industry and agri
MOVIE TIME AT THE REACH
THOUSANDS CELEBRATE
A21 From old classics to contemporary titles, films will be shown all summer long
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A23 More than 2,000 University of the Fraser Valley students graduated in June
Two senior managers leave; 10 positions cut in restructuring that will save
$1.25 million annually
THURSDAY
HIGH-FLYING FALCONS
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FRIDAY DECEMBER 13, 2013
Abbotsford golfer Nick Taylor is going after valuable Web.com Tour exemptions in California this week A48
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TAKING AIM AT Q-SCHOOL
NOVEMBER 21, 2013
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Two teams from Abbotsford’s community football association win league titles A46
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Norman, an occupant at the Gladys Avenue homeless camp, was preparing to leave the site Tuesday, after the city posted a 48-hour eviction order.
JOHN MORROW Abbotsford News
Mötley Crüe lead singer Vince Neil performs one of numerous hits as the L.A. metal band rocked a packed Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre on Tuesday night
Vikki HOPES
PINBALL WIZARD A12 A local pinball tourney this weekend features John Kremmer, ranked No. 3 in Canada
ty Lehner was killed Monday night en his light aircraft crashed in the Mt. man area.
The man who died in the plane crash Monday night in Abbotsford was immersed in the flying world. Marty Lehner was a member of the Abbotsford Flying Club (AFC), was on the board of directors for the Abbotsford International Airshow, and was the B.C. dealer for Pipistrel Aircraft based in Slovenia. AFC vice-president Adrian Renkers said club members were devastated to learn about the death of Lehner, who was a valued addition to the closeknit group. “He was very jovial, outgoing and a bubbly kind of person,” Renkers said. He said Lehner regularly turned out for the AFC’s
TGIF (Thank God It’s Friday) social gatherings at its clubhouse at the Abbotsford Airport, as well as to breakfast on Sunday mornings, followed by a group flight. Renkers described Lehner as a “very competent pilot” who was working on obtaining his instrument rating, which requires additional training beyond what is required for a private pilot’s certificate. Renkers said Lehner owned four planes – a Cessna 150, a Cessna 180, a Piper Cub and a Pipistrel Virus SW 100. He said Lehner’s family is also heavily involved in flying. His son Adam, who competes as a barefoot water skier, has aspirations to become a career pilot, and his daughter, Erika, has her private pilot’s
JOSHUA HOUSE CONTROVERSY
A35 Two-year-old Lilee-Jean Putt captured the hearts of thousands during cancer battle
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A5 As part of ongoing election
Abbotsford News
MEMORIAL SERVICE
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ALINA KONEVSKI Abbotsford News
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Aviation enthusiast Marty Lehner loses his life in crash
A5 Another two armed
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JASON ROESSLE Black Press
Candlelight vigil organizer Cassidy Scott, standing with members of homicide victim Rachel Pernosky’s family and friends, addressed the crowd at last week’s event at Fraser River Heritage Park in Mission.
Pilot mourned
A22 Proposal to put recovery homes on farmland draws opposition at public meeting
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READY FOR TAKEOFF
2013
Offences decreasing, but year-end report shows spike in traffic fatalities
JUSTICE FOR THE INNOCENT?
MORE ROBBERIES robberies take place at a gas station and a convenience store in Abbotsford.
vehicle into another near Gladwin and Downes send a man to hospital Q Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A9
The Abbotsford Pilots host their regular season home opener on Friday A33
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A7 Shots fired from one
APRIL 25, 2013
ABBOTSFORD SOUTH CANDIDATES
THURSDAY
Ed Schellenberg of Abbotsford and Chris Mohan of Surrey were shot to death on Oct. 19, 2007 – innocent victims of gang warfare allegedly linked to the Bacon brothers. The trial for three of the men charged with the Surrey Six murders is scheduled to begin Monday. A4-5
Continued on A7
develops an artificial leg for injured sandhill crane
INJURED IN SHOOTING
THURSDAY
Classic Crüe
SEPTEMBER 26, 2013
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A5 Dr. Ken Macquisten
Homicide detectives continue to investigate the death of 18-year-old Rachel Pernosky this week as condolences pour in over online networks. A candlelight vigil for the Mission teen was held last Thursday at Fraser River Heritage Park, and a benefit concert was organized last Friday at Snipers Pool Hall. Campaigns are also underway to establish a trust fund for Pernosky’s one-year-old son, Marco. A silent auction at the Optimist Talent Show for youth on April 5 will also benefit the Marco Trust Fund. Pernosky’s body was found near Old Orchard Road in Chilliwack last Tuesday after family and friends spent three days searching for the teen, who was reported missing on March 16.
25-year-old victim shot in his car on South Fraser Way BLOWN AWAY
A FIRST FOR LOCAL VET
Carol AUN
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Gang shooting leaves one dead
Thousands of runners, including children and seniors, braved soggy conditions on Sunday morning to take part in the annual Run for Water in Abbotsford. The weather was not a factor as the event hit record numbers in both participants and fundraising
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A13 Foodgrains Bank will provide aid in Africa with funds from event at McClary Stockyards
Black Press
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A3 Organizers and
Ban on licensed grow-ops looms
Surrey pair charged with plotting bomb attack on legislature A4
Crime drops 12 per cent
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$120,000 RAISED
Vigil held for slain teen mom
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HURRY HARD!
A star-studded lineup of Olympic contenders will be in Abbotsford next week for the Masters Grand Slam of Curling B1-8
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Last chance to win! Game 5 is on now. You could win over $6,000 in loot. Go to AbbyNews on Facebook for details.
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Strong showings by Yale and Bateman highlighted the Abbotsford high school rugby sevens tourney A23
MAY 28, 2013
A5 An Abbotsford teen will be
Welcome to the driver’s seat every week with driveway! Look inside...
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WALK TO CURE DIABETES
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A6 Local man arrested after
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SEVENS HEAVEN
APRIL 16, 2013
CHILD PORN CHARGES
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Fire Rescue Service crews arrived on the scene at about 9:30 a.m. The man was transported by helicopter medivac to a Vancouver-area hospital for treatment of suspected head injuries.
TUESDAY
Nearly 4,900 participants raise $358,000 for Ethiopia
an KINVIG
ROAD WARRIOR
and portions of the building. Tradex, located adjacent to Abbotsford International Airport, was the site of the annual BC Log Home, Timber Frame and Country Living Show over the weekend. Ambulance and Abbotsford
PR O IN GR SID AM E
2013 Run for Water shatters records
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Fall from log home display
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A man in his 40s was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after falling from a log home display at Tradex in Abbotsford on Monday morning. The man fell 10 to 12 feet, and was then struck by debris
TUESDAY
RUGBY REPEAT
ALEX BUTLER Abbotsford News
Barry Shantz, with fellow members of the BC/Yukon Association of Drug War Survivors, speaks to media about a lawsuit the group has filed against the City of Abb t f d 2005 i b l th ll di i i t i td
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sister: ‘Did you hear?’” she said. “I knew he was finished, so I was very tense, but I felt fairly certain Having completed his first that he was OK. My educated Boston Marathon on Monday guess was that he was OK, but afternoon, Ryan Prachnau was then you always start to doubt.” back at his hotel when his cellDavies phoned to confirm he phone started buzzing with text was safe – he was picking up his messages from family members bag after the race when he heard and friends concerned for his the blast “well behind” him. safety. “Because he was ahead of the The 30-year-old Abbotsford pack, thankfully he didn’t see resident turned on the TV to any of that (carnage),” Ratcliffe discover that two explosions said. “It’s just a terrible, terrible had rocked the finish line area thing, so senseless.” at 2:45 p.m. Yakashiro, president of SunAs of press deadline, media rise Toyota in Abbotsford, was reports out of Boston indiconfirmed safe via the business cated that two people had died Twitter feed. Murphy has also – including an eight-year-old checked in with loved ones in boy – and more than 130 were Abbotsford injured, including at least 17 Mission residents Colin critically. Mclean and Chris Race also “We turned on the TV, and participated in the race, and we’re just watching this thing both have sent word that they’re now,” Prachnau told The News uninjured. Mclean, a teacher at via cellphone. “It’s pretty sad to Hatzic Elementary School, ran see this whole thing happen.” the half-marathon, and accordPrachnau traveled to Boston AP photo – Charles Krupa ing to principal Melinda Dempwith his wife Sophia for the ster, he crossed the finish line 117th edition of the storied race. Emergency workers tend to the injured after a pair of blasts at the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday afternoon. Four about five minutes before the He finished in a personal best runners from Abbotsford and two from Mission were participants in the race. explosions. Family contacted the time of two hours, 38 minutes She was watching me at the finish, right in Watching the coverage on TV was a harschool to let everyone know that and 37 seconds, crossing the finish line at the same area.” rowing ordeal for friends and family back he was uninjured, said Dempster. 12:38 p.m. – more than two hours before the Prachnau was one of four Abbotsford run- home. Trish Ratcliffe, Davies’s wife, was folChris Race is a District of Mission detonations. ners registered for the Boston Marathon, lowing his progress on the athlete tracker employee, and according to a text received “I just feel very fortunate that I was able along with Monica Murphy, Phil Davies on the event website and saw that he’d by a co-worker, she was 400 metres from to finish earlier and was able to get out of and David Yakashiro. All four have been crossed the finish line at 2:28 p.m. the finish line when the bombs went off. there,” he said. “My wife was watching right confirmed safe and sound. “Then I got the call at work from my Her companion Peter Haffner is also safe. where this happened (at the finish line).
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The University of the Fraser Valley women’s volleyball team rushes onto the court to celebrate after beating the Lakeland Rustlers in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) championship game on Saturday in Lloydminster, Alta. For more coverage, see page A21.
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They argue restricting public health programs such as needle exchanges that prevent the spread of disease is discriminatory, and beyond municipal jurisdiction to legislate. During a press conference on Tuesday at the civic plaza in Abbotsford, Bernstein
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Scott Bernstein, a lawyer with Pivot Legal Society – a not-for-profit organization that purses legal remedies on issues of poverty and social exclusion – is representing three individuals who use drugs, as well as the BC/Yukon Drug War Survivors. A human rights complaint is also being filed against the city.
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Drug users and advocacy group seek end to ‘discriminatory’ bylaw Alex BUTLER
LIVING TO GIVE AT YALE
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City’s harm reduction ban brings on lawsuit
Liberals march to Abby victories
Police stepping up patrols after 25 cars were vandalized in Mission A3
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Court hears evidence against a man accused of mistreating animals A3
May 23, 2013
The Valley Rebels senior men’s lacrosse team hosts its home opener on Friday A19
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Predicted by some to be votesplitters, Conservative candidates had little influence on the outcome, with Abbotsford-Mission’s Don
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across the province, as de Jong dominated Dhami with 50 per cent of the vote, while his challenger drew only 30 per cent.
Metro Vancouver should move away from trash incineration
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Abbotsford native Matt Revel and the Saskatoon Blades are gearing up for the junior hockey championship A24
Sukhi Dhami, Liberal newcomers Gibson almost doubled the NDP’s Darryl Plecas and Simon Gibson Preet Rai – 51 per cent to 26, and in carried the Liberal victory banner in one of many surprises of the night, Abbotsford South and Abbotsforduniversity criminologist Plecas Mission, respectively. topped long-serving incumbent VIDEO The local numbers reflected John van Dongen, 48 per cent ONLINEom versus 28. the stunning Liberal push
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The VisionQuest Recovery House in Abbotsford uses a “no nonsense” approach to help addicts get clean
During his first visit to Abbotsford, NDP leader Adrian Dix announced is intention to lay siege to this tradiional Liberal political fortress. On Tuesday night, the Liberal walls were still standing, unmarred, with wo newly appointed captains of the uard. As incumbent Mike de Jong marched through the Abbotsford West olls against the NDP’s challenger
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Parking and neighbourhood environment among residents’ concerns
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Proposed towers draw opposition
Suspect in U.S. shooting incident arrested in Abby
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Manhunt on mountain A police armoured vehicle was deployed in the search for a suspect in the Sumas Prairie area on Tuesday.
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Election launch The News kicks off its election coverage with a list of who’s running in the three local ridings A4
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DISTRICT SALARIES A11 Remuneration amounts
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Abbotsford judo athlete Brandon Jobb is finding international success A28
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APRIL 11, 2013
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Premier Clark in Valley: ‘A different election’ ROBBERY SUSPECT
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Leanne’s twin spoke to The News on Friday to share memories of her sister.
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Liberal leader says Abbotsford reflects B.C.’s political climate A3
Leanne Friesen of Abbotsford was found fatally shot in her home on Cassiar Court last Wednesday. Her twin sister describes her as “fun-loving, warm, bubbly, and a good listener.”
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Women’s volleyball squad takes first Canadian crown
As candles flickered in the darkness Sunday night, family and friends remembered a woman with a gentle soul, beautiful eyes, a warm smile and a big heart. About 75 people gathered outside the home of Leanne Friesen for a candlelight vigil in her memory. People cried and hugged during the solemn occasion, which included many parents and children from the close-knit neighbourhood. Leanne, 40, was fatally shot last Wednesday night at her home in the 34800 block of Cassiar Court in Abbotsford. Her estranged husband, Jeff Friesen, 40, has been charged with second-degree murder and is set to make his first appearance in court today (Tuesday, Feb. 12). During the vigil, several family members addressed the crowd, thanking them for their support during a difficult time. “She was my soul, my half. I will miss my sister,” said Tammie Mack, Leanne’s identical twin sister. Also on hand were Leanne’s children – an 11-year-old boy and 12-year-old girl. “We’ll take good care of them,” a family member assured the crowd. A man responded by saying that he and the other neighbours would also be there for the kids: “We are your extended family.” “We love you!” shouted another neighbour, as Leanne’s son quietly said, “Thank you.” People who could not be at the vigil posted photos of lit candles on Leanne’s Facebook memorial page. Many of them were from Westbank, Kelowna and Peachland – the areas where Leanne grew up before moving to Abbotsford about 10 years ago.
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National title for UFV
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MARCH 26, 2013
Heat forward scores in overtime to keep his team’s playoff hopes alive A19
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POLICE SEIZE STOLEN VEHICLES
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As Justice William Grist pronounced Jesse Blue West guilty of the first-degree murder of 14-yearold Chelsey Acorn, her mom let out a clap and a “Yes!” in B.C. Supreme Court in Chilliwack on Monday morning. Family members supporting Lisa Acorn then cried and hugged one another in relief at the verdict which sees West, 60, receive an automatic life sentence with no parole eligibility for 25 years. Chelsey’s cousin, Stacey Laybolt, and her youngVIDEO er sister, Breanna, ONLINEom spoke on behalf of the abbynews.c family outside of the courthouse. “We’re very happy that justice has been served … We’re just glad that this monster’s off the street and he’s not going to do this to anybody else,” Laybolt said. Breanna said she wanted people to remember her sister as someone who was “vibrant, beautiful and just loved life.” Chelsey was reported missing from an Abbotsford foster home on June 10, 2005. Her remains were
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‘She was my soul, my half’
Council reverses decision to create facility use guidelines A3
Father and son now both convicted of murdering Chelsey Acorn, 14
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Guests and grads attend official opening of reborn secondary school A14
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‘Offensive’ event policy abandoned
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Sam Mellace has had a medical marijuana grow-op in Mission for 10 years and is concerned about the Fraser Valley Regional District’s proposed plan to ban the operations from farm land. See story page 4. Abbotsford council wants
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TIME RUNNING OUT ON CAMP? A5 City says homeless protest in Jubilee Park can’t remain there indefinitely
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ALEX BUTLER Abbotsford Ne
our-walled plywood structure was erected overnight Wednesday for a homeles protest camp, just south of Jubilee Park in an adjacent city parking lot. The city has ordered the walls to be removed.
Homeless go behind walls City issues notice to have structure removed from parking lot near Jubilee Park x BUTLER otsford News
Overnight on Wednesday, an eight-footgh walled structure was erected in a rking lot on McCallum Road. he four-sided wooden enclosure, in a lot acent to Jubilee Park, became the new e of a homeless protest camp that spent ore than 50 days in the city park. he structure was built with lumber doted by a private company, said a camp okesman, who would not identify the siness, nor who did the construction. On Thursday, the city issued a notice to ke down the walls, which were built on y property without a permit, and those
pal bylaws. Katherine Jeffcoatt, Abbotsford’s manager of communications, said the city ordered the structure to be removed by 6 p.m. Thursday, after The News press deadline. The original tent village, established in the park under organizer Barry Shantz, founder of the Abbotsford chapter of the BC/Yukon Drug War Survivors, was dismantled as the homeless moved into the new location. A teepee standing in Jubilee Park since the beginning of the protest was brought down Thursday morning, and will be reconstructed in the centre of new structure. Shantz said the walls help protect protesters from the elements and provide
it would be a physical impossibility to take down the structure by the city’s deadline. He said the camp’s recent move mimics the “Abbotsford shuffle,” which he describes as the city’s historical method of moving the homeless from one site to another – often only as far as 50 feet – without offering solutions. About 30 people have been living in the park, described by Shantz as a protest against the city and police for their treatment of the homeless. The city served the park camp with an eviction notice Nov. 25, calling for it to be cleared within 48 hours. After protesters did not leave, the municipality applied to the B.C. Supreme Court for
to clear out of the park. The notice of claim called for the cour order to include all other city parks , as we as authorizing police to arrest and remov anyone not complying with the order. Jeffcoatt said the notice against the new structure will become part of the city’s ap plication to the courts for an injunction which will call for the structure and tent to be removed from parks and city land. That hearing proceeds Monday mornin in the New Westminster courthouse. Shantz said efforts will be made b the protesters to clean up Jubilee Park However, the city has closed the park an the adjacent lot to the public, citing safet
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