TRANSPORTATION
Metro mayors vote for sales tax hike referendum JeFF naGel BlaCk Press
Metro Vancouver mayors voted 18-3 — with Burnaby, Maple Ridge and West Vancouver mayors opposed — to go to referendum on a 0.5% increase in the provincial sales tax within the region to fund a $7.5-billion package of transit upgrades.
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see ‘ALTERNATIVE IS GRIDLOCK’, page A9
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FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2014 Your community. Your stories
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NEWS ONLINE CRIME
Coq. teen charged in ‘swatting’ case in Fla. Charges possible in other crimes, too, says Linteau Gary MCKenna
The Tri-CiTy News
SUBMITTED PHOTO
In a photograph taken several years ago, volunteers with the Burke Mountain Naturalists compare notes during the Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count. This year’s effort will take place on Jan. 3 and about 60 volunteers are expected to take part. See article on page A12.
MOSSOM CREEK HATCHERY PROJECT
366 days ago today, the Mossom Creek Hatchery in Port Moody was destroyed by fire. But the spirit of its volunteers wasn’t even singed and, with the roof now on, they’re preparing for an April opening of the replacement facility. See article on page a3
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A Coquitlam teenager arrested last week in an alleged “swatting” incident involving false reports to a Florida police force could be facing more charges related to other allegations. RCMP Sgt. Annie Linteau told The Tri-City News that after executing a search warrant at the 17-year-old boy’s home last week, police believe he may be responsible for similar, unrelated crimes. “They are continuing the investigation,” she said. “They are investigating additional allegations involving the same youth and additional charges are expected.” Polk County (Fla.) sheriffs believe the teenager, who cannot be
identified because he is a youth, phoned police in September and said he was going to “drive to Fort Meade high school in a black van and shoot everyone.” At that time, a similar threat was made to Fort Meade city hall, sheriffs said in a statement. In November, another incident occurred: Police received a report from someone who said they had killed their parents at a home in Winter Haven, Fla., and would shoot any officers who responded to the scene. Police said swatting incidents are fake calls intended to get a SWAT (special weapons and tactics) team to respond to a home, school or place of business. “Several law enforcement officers, including two canine units and the PCSO helicopter, immediately responded to the scene,” the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. see ‘SWATTING’, page A6
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