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LEGEBOKOFF P. 2 EDITORIAL P. 6
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TERRY FOX RUN P. 7 COMMUNITY BUILDER P. 16
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Legebokoff verdict
said Parrett. Legebokoff will not be eligible for parole until November 28, Two weeks ago, a 2035. However because 12-person jury found his offences were comLegebokoff guilty of mitted before Dec. 2, four counts of first 2011 he may still apdegree murder in the ply for parole under the 2009/ 2010 deaths of faint hope clause, after Jill Stuchenko, Natasha serving 15 years. In the murder of Montgomery, Cynthia Maas and Loren Donn Legebokoff’s first victim Jill Stuchenko, 35, Leslie. Before handing Parrett said while others down the mandatory were enjoying Thankssentences, B.C. Su- giving dinner Oct. 10, preme Court Justice 2009, Stuchenko was Glen Parrett gave a most likely dead or summary of what is dying. Her body was known about each of the found Oct. 26 in a shalmurders. He described low grave off Otway extensive injuries, “dis- Road. Stuchenko had figuring and degrading suffered massive blunt acts” and indignities in- force injuries to her flicted upon the victims. scalp, with cuts and “These are not the multiple bruises to her actions of a simple kill- forehead, both arms and er,” he said, “but some- knees. Her blood loss thing infinitely worse.” was “so extreme” that He outlined evidence a pathologist in the case such as DNA analysis in said he had a hard time the Crown’s case against getting a blood sample. Natasha MontgomLegebokoff . Nothing in the evidence, raised ery, 23, likely died a doubt about Legebo- around August 31 or September 1, 2010. koff’s guilt, he said. “It is clear [from the Her body has not been verdict] that the jury, in found. However, shorts my view, rejected much worn by Legebokoff of the accused’s evi- when he met with Loren Leslie on November 27, dence.” The judge gave his 2010 had areas of DNA Montgomown findings about matching some evidence and pro- ery’s genetic profile. An vided his opinion of the axe found in a hallway man who committed the closet at Legebokoff’s Liard Drive apartment murders. “He [Legebokoff] yielded 14 should never be allowed Continued on Page 2 to walk with us again,”
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
They’re baaaaack! Students prepare to hit the books as school resumed early this week
Teresa Mallam Prince George Free Press
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Jesse Cole Omineca Express Just in time for autumn, students returned to classes last Monday, Sept. 22, nearly a month after school had been scheduled to resume. Classes ran for a half-day on Monday, the first official day of school, ending three hours earlier than regular with Tuesday seeing students in class for their first full day in months. Not everyone has returned to classes as of yet however, with Babine Elementary School set to open tomorrow, Sept. 25 for its first full day back. Classes returned after the B.C. Teacher’s Federation (BCTF) voted in favour of accepting a negotiated contract. Of the more than 30,000 teachers who voted on the deal, 86 per cent voted in favour of it. Despite 14 days missed during this school year so far, the B.C. Ministry of Education is saying that school calendars will not be changed or extended in any way to make up for the lost time. Minister of Education Peter Fassbender commented on the agreement in a press release saying “I want to thank and congratulate B.C. teachers for voting in favour of the agreement reached
Saturday, September 27th
earlier this week between the BCTF and the BCPSEA bargaining teams.” Fassbender added “We can now focus in the path forward. This long-term agreement is an historic opportunity to work together for students - to enhance their education experience and support their achievements.” The deal reached between the two parties will see among numerous other things, a wage increase for B.C. teachers of 7.25 per cent over the next six years. The deal also included the creation of a committee made up of representatives from the BCTF and the government to strategize about how to best bring teachers salaries to a level that reflects those of the rest of their peers in both the private sector and across the country. Teachers also received $105 million in regards to grievances stemming for the 2014 ruling by Justice Susan Griffin in regards to the British Columbia government’s violation of class size, composition and specialist teachers ratio which Griffin ruled was stripped unconstitutionally by the government in 2002. School District No. 91, which operates here in Vanderhoof said in a press release that they are pleased with settlement and that students and staff can finally return to school. They also noted that they thanked parents for their patience during a trying time.
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