NEWS Celebrating our area’s First Responders Pages 1, 12 & 13
Rally on March 31st in Veterans Square at 12:00 noon.
COMMUNITY Are you aware your Health Care is on the line? Page 5
LIFESTYLES Court-ordered reprieve for medical marijuana users
SPOTLIGHT Page 17 & 23
$1.10 Includes TAX
The Similkameen
Volume 65 Issue 13
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Proudly serving the community since 1948 • www.similkameenspotlight.com
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Over $18K for Shave for the Brave Sandra Lewis and Frankie Reichert are overjoyed at the success of the 2014 Shave for the Brave fundraiser. Lisa Carleton lisa@similkameenspotlight.com
The Princeton Shave for the Brave fundraiser this year was more successful than its organizers could have ever imagined. In 2012 Frankie Reichert headed up the fundraiser in honour of her grandmother and raised just over $6,200. “This year I want to beat that, even double it, but we need your support,” said Reichert. “Your support will help us help others.” Reichert got involved in the initiative again this year to support her mother, who is currently fighting colon cancer. Sandra Lewis joined in— standing up for her friend and co-worker, Layla Locke who, too, has recently been diagnosed with cancer. In late February, Reichert and Lewis began a full-out campaign to raise awareness and funds for the Shave For the Brave campaign. They created a Facebook page, invited locals to join in, plastered the community with posters and prepared for the main event held on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at the Princeton Fire Hall. Dean Stinson, local announcer extraordinaire emceed the afternoon event introducing the special guests—the folks giving up their locks, and the amount they raised, the stylists, Princeton Ambassadors and candidates, Mayor Armitage and Councillor Kim Maynard, who was also brave enough to shave.
See BRAVE - Page 14
Weather Watch
Lisa Carleton/Spotlight
30 people participated in the Shave for the Brave campaign organized by local ladies, Frankie Reichert and Sandra Lewis. Over $18,000 dollars was raised this year, almost triple the amount raised in 2012. The shaving event was held at the Princeton Fire Hall.
First responders honoured locally Lisa Carleton lisa@similkameenspotlight.com
The Royal Canadian Legion, George Pearkes Branch #56 - Princeton hosted the First Annual First Responders Appreciation Dinner at the Legion Hall on Friday, March 21. Local first responders were greeted at the door by Sgt.-atArms Chuck Whitlock, Legion Chaplain Sandi Lawlor, president Jim Turner, past-president Wayne Terepocki, Princeton Ambassador, Destiny Earle and B.C. Ambassador candidate, Megan Pateman. Legion Chaplain and event organizer Sandi Lawlor emceed the evening, opening by saying, “This is the first time we have had all these fantastic people together at one time—thank you for coming.”
Welcomes, commendations and heartfelt thank yous were issued to the first responders and the units they represented by Legion president, Jim Turner, Area H director Brad Hope and by Mayor Frank Armitage. “These are people who are volunteers that put in their time, energy and money sometimes, they aren’t thanked enough.” ~ Jim Turner “I am overwhelmed by what you all do for the community—you are amazing and I don’t know how you do it.” ~ Brad Hope “All you people do a top-notch job, you are all very much unsung heroes.” ~ Frank Armitage
See APPRECIATION - Page 12-13
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