Wednesday Sept. 3, 2014 www.saobserver.net $1.25 GST Included
Strike shuts down classes By Martha Wickett OBSeRveR STAFF
no new backpacks and notebooks, no excited talking in school corridors. The first day of school came and went Tuesday in School district #83, with the impasse between the provincial government and the teachers’ union delaying the start of the year to an unknown date in the future. “It’s a very sad day,” is how Glenn Borthistle, superintendent of schools, described Sept. 2. It’s the first time in his 25 years in education he’s known schools to be closed on the first day. The front doors of schools in the district were open and principals were present, while teachers picketed outside. It’s not likely schools will be operating for the rest of the week, Borthistle says. “like everybody else, we’re just waiting. certainly we’ve been advised
and can read for ourselves, there are no direct talks happening. It’s just not likely there will be school this week.” despite warnings from some that the strike will go into October, Borthistle says his opinion is that that won’t happen. “I just can’t see it going that long. I think the pressure will be too great.” The majority of calls the school district has received are from parents of students in grades 11 and 12, wondering what their children can do to prepare for their studies. He said the district will be putting information on its website (www.sd83.bc.ca) that they can refer to, but individual course content will be up to the teachers. As well, strike updates will be posted to the district’s Facebook page and Twitter site (@sd83schools). Once an See Schools on page A2
Salmon Arm man faces manslaughter charge against logan Scott, 31, of Salmon Arm. BlAcK PReSS “There was an exhaustive investicharges have been laid in the al- gation to bring the case to this point most year-old death of an and obviously there was Armstrong woman. good work by our team,” On nov. 27, 2013, Jilsaid Molendyk, adding lian McKinty, a 27-yearthat about 20 officers old mother of two, was were involved in the profound dead in her Wolfencess at one point. den Terrace home. Molendyk would not “This particular case go into specific details initially appeared to be about the possible rea sudden death but after lationship between the the autopsy, flags were Jillian McKinty victim and suspect or the raised,” said Gord Motheft charge. SuSpiciouS lendyk, RcMP spokes“Some items were death person. removed from the resiAn investigation has dence,” he said. been underway since that time and, Scott was remanded in custody. on Aug. 27, charges of manslaugh- His next court appearance is Wednester and theft under $5,000 were laid day, Sept. 17. By Richard Rolke
This week A pair of crashes on the highway hurts four people and tangles traffic for hours. See A3. The Fall Fair opens Friday, with the parade at 10:45 Saturday morning. See details on A20.
Evan BuhLER/OBSeRveR
Last splash of summer
Eight-year-old Thomas Yarama cools off at the Fletcher Park spray park on Saturday, Aug. 30.
Index Opinion ....................... A6 View Point .................. A7 Life & Times ............... A8 Sports................A17-A19 Arts & Events ... A20-A22 Time Out................... A24 Vol. 107, No. 36, 44 pages