Spotlight: Human trafficking not as far away as you might think Cowichan family: Screening out the distractions in your way
Your news leader since 1905
page 5 page 13
For all the news of the Cowichan region as it happens, plus stories from around British Columbia, go to our website www.cowichannewsleader.com
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
School’s out next Tuesday Or at least teachers will be: SD79 still determining best course of action as rotating strike action hits Cowichan Don Bodger
News Leader Pictorial
R Olympian Clara Hughes receives a T-shirt, promoting Cowichan mental-health programs, from Francine Wilson during Friday’s stop of Clara’s Big Ride at Duncan’s Bike Works.
Charges rejected as Bear finds new home Ashley Degraaf
News Leader Pictorial
A
Chemainus man will not be facing charges of theft and breakand-enter following the disappearance of a Duncan dog in February, the RCMP has confirmed. Charges against the accused, Kevin Shiell, had been pending but were officially discarded due to the lack of co-operation from the victim, North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Cpl. Krista Hobday said Tuesday. After the disappearance in February, Shiell came forward
to RCMP identifying himself as responsible for taking the dog — known on social media as “Bear” —from its owner’s residence on Mary Street in Duncan. Those actions came after a Facebook post that began circulating mid-February showing the pooch surrounded by what appeared to be feces and other filth outside the residence on Mary Street. It was taken down at approximately the same time the dog was reported missing to police Feb. 13. “The charges against me for rescuing Bear have been dropped,” Shiell recently wrote on Facebook. “I would like to thank everyone for (their) support and love they have shown to Bear and I.”
Hobday said charges against Shiell were never filed, and an April 15 court date that had been scheduled was simply a promise to appear hearing. “As of April 8, Mr. Shiell was notified we were no longer honouring the promise to appear date and to disregard that,” she said. “As of May 1, the investigator notified Crown we would not be submitting a report recommending charges as the witness was not being co-operative with the investigation. “Our mantra really is no victim, no crime.” And as for Bear, Shiell also assured people on Facebook he’s now living in a great home.
Kevin Shiell with Bear.
Andrew Leong
otating strikes by B.C. teachers will begin next Monday and hit the Cowichan School District next Thursday, May 29. And Education Minister Peter Fassbender announced Tuesday it will be up to local districts to decide if students can be supervised or whether schools will be closed, as in previous short strikes. Superintendent Joe Rhodes noted it’s “too early’’ to tell what the plan will be for Cowichan School District 79, but he expected to unveil details in the next day or two. Teachers’ job action is reaching the second stage in their contract dispute with the provincial government next week, with rotating closures at various school districts taking place Monday, May 26 through Thursday, May 29. All schools will be open Friday, May 30, with no job action planned anywhere in the province that day. A B.C. Teachers’ Federation news release indicates this is happening because of “the unwillingness of the provincial government and the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association to offer any improvements to class size, class composition, and other important learning conditions for students, as well as the employer’s unfair wage demands.’’ Cowichan District Teachers’ Association president Naomi Nilsson was unavailable for comment at press time. But Chris Rolls, president of the Lake Cowichan Teachers’ Association, offered the following statement: “Unless BCPSEA and the government are willing to negotiate in good faith with the BCTF, on Thursday, May 29, schools in Lake Cowichan will be behind picket lines as teachers participate in the rotating provincial strikes. more on page 4
brake special $ 99*
99
* See Dealer for Details
6456 Norcross rd. duncan. 250-748-5555
conveniently located at flagship fOrd Open Monday to saturday 7:30am- 6:00 pm