107th Year - Week 8
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
www.interior-news.com
Single Copy • $1.30 ($1.24 + 6¢ GST)
PM 40007014
Money raised to date:
WINTER WONDERLAND
$256,145
GOAL
Maya Clarke-Doering and Ava MacDougall push Emma Torunski in the bucket race event at the Muheim Winter Carnival. Kids of all ages enjoyed a variety of events, including dog-sledding, maple syrup making and snow volcano art.
$400,000 NEW ARENA DONATIONS Smithers Rotary Club 2013 Charity Auction:
$15,000
Nolan Kelly photo
HOME SPLASH BV Otters host first meet of the year.
SPORTS/A9
Namox remembered for his infectious smile REDEDICATED Catholic church reopens.
THREE RIVERS/B3
INSIDE LETTERS A7 SPORTS A8 COMMUNITY A20 OUR TOWN A21 THREE RIVERS B1 CLASSIFIEDS B7
Young man was trying to turn his life around before stabbing
By Ryan Jensen Smithers/Interior News
Francis Namox Jr. was on the verge of turning his life around, said family members and friends who gathered on Friday night at a candlelight vigil for the young man who died last week. Namox, 26, was stabbed and killed on the night of Feb. 7 in an apartment in the 1500 block of Main Street. A charge of second-degree
murder has been laid against Kelly Andrew Johnson, 21. More than 50 friends and family members remembered Namox as a kind, gentle, good-natured young man with an infectious laugh and smile, who also struggled with alcohol addiction. He was trying to be a better father to his two-year-old son and was excited about an upcoming job opportunity. Candace Garcia organized the
candlelight vigil. She went to school with Namox and fondly remembers a school trip down to Vancouver to visit post-secondary schools. The two spent the whole week together and had a good opportunity to get to know one another. “We just had fun, cruising around Vancouver,” Garcia said. “He was such a kind-hearted person. He always put others before himself and tried to help others
as much as he could. He had a very contagious smile. He was always laughing and joking around. “He was a guy that anyone would want to meet.” Joshua Alfred also went to school with Namox. He said it was in high school they became good friends. “We all had a connection,” Alfred said. “I loved hanging out with Francis. He had that laugh that made everyone feel good.
Friday Only! see page A-24
Kellogg’s Vector Cereal Mega Jumbo 1.13 kg
“Francis was quiet until you got to know him. He was a really nice guy and fun to be around.” Loralee Nikal, Namox’s aunt, said the family is heartbroken. “Francis was just 26. His life was just starting,” she said. “Continue being there for each other,” Nikal said to Namox’s friends. “You see how strong you are together.” Nikal, and other elders who spoke at the vigil, pleaded with the younger
generations to end the cycles of alcohol and drug addiction and violence. Janeane Pascal, Francis’ older sister said the family is still trying to make sense of the series of events that lead to his death. “I’m feeling really sad and hurt, it’s hard to believe,” she said, adding the vigil has helped the family begin to heal. “It’s a lot easier knowing all the people who were there for junior and supported him.
See NAMOX on A2
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$ 99