Red Deer Advocate, January 21, 2015

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YOUNG DRUNK PUNK

OILERS COME FROM BEHIND TO BEAT CAPITALS

Comedian Bruce McCulloch’s teen years inspire new television series

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Red Deer Advocate WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21, 2015

www.reddeeradvocate.com

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Property crime task force reports early success

BRIAN MALLEY MURDER TRIAL

Blast shocked neighbours

17 PEOPLE ARRESTED, 26 STOLEN VEHICLES RECOVERED BY CRYSTAL RHYNO ADVOCATE STAFF A new regional police task force is making headway in tackling those who steal property. Between Jan. 12 and 18, 17 people were ar‘IT’S WORKING rested and police reEXTREMELY WELL covered 26 stolen vehicles from Red Deer, BECAUSE IT IS Blackfalds, Sylvan Lake BRINGING A LOT and Innisfail. OF KNOWLEDGE Red Deer RCMP Sgt. Eric McKenzie, who is AND FIRST-HAND in charge of the task force, said there has EXPERIENCE FROM definitely been some EACH OF THOSE early success since the DETACHMENTS team was formed on Jan. 12. TO RED DEER. WE One police officer ARE ABLE TO PUT from each of the Blackfalds, Innisfail and SylTOGETHER THE van Lake detachments PIECES OF THE is working out of Red Deer as part of the tarPUZZLE.’ geted approach to prop— SGT. ERIC MCKENZIE erty crime. RED DEER RCMP McKenzie said it makes sense for the officers from the communities to come together to fight crime, as opposed to working at the individual detachments. “It’s working extremely well because it is bringing a lot of knowledge and first-hand experience from each of those detachments to Red Deer,” said McKenzie. “We are able to put together the pieces of the puzzle.” Lacombe Police Services is also providing information to the task force. McKenzie said there is a significant amount of property crime, particularly related to vehicles, happening in these communities. “I think you can relate it to population,” said McKenzie. “Red Deer has the greater population, so we will have a greater amount of vehicle thefts. None of us are immune to it. We are all impacted by it.” McKenzie said residents can help by leaving vehicles locked and not running. “There are a number of individuals that will prey on those situations,” said McKenzie.

ADVOCATE file photos

ABOVE: Investigators preparing to search the area near Victoria Shachtay’s apartment. BELOW: Victor Shachtay and his daughter Sarah attend a press conference at the Innisfail RCMP detachment. BY MURRAY CRAWFORD ADVOCATE STAFF Neighbours of an Innisfail wheelchair-bound mother killed in an explosion told court on Tuesday of their shock when the bomb went off. Linda Braun was just sitting down in her house, taking a break from renovations, and Evan Schielke was on the porch of his apartment getting ready for work when the blast occurred. They testified at the murder trial of Brian Malley, 57, on Tuesday. Victoria Shachtay, 23, was killed on Nov. 25, 2011, when a bomb disguised as a Christmas present went off in her apartment. Malley, an Innisfail financial advisor and home builder, is charged with first-degree murder in her death. His trial before a jury in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench started on Monday. Schielke said the explosion sounded like a loud bang similar to a shotgun or rifle being fired. A volunteer firefighter with emergency medical technician training, he ran toward Shachtay’s apartment and called 911. When he got to her

apartment, Shachtay’s caregiver was standing in the doorway. “The caregiver was screaming, shaking, crying. She was hysterical,” testified Schielke. The caregiver asked Schielke to go inside and see what happened. Schielke picked up the caregiver and moved her out of the way since she was blocking the doorway.

Please see MALLEY on Page A2

Please see CRIME on Page A2

City payroll grows with the approval of new positions BY CRYSTAL RHYNO ADVOCATE STAFF As the City of Red Deer grows, so does its workforce. During last week’s operating budget debate, city council approved 44 new full-time equivalent positions. Of those new positions, 10 are fire-medics. Six more are police officers, and the RCMP will also hire three support workers. Five new staff members

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Observers warn against knee-jerk reaction Observers cautioned against overreacting after the brazen shootings of Canadian police officers.

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added this year in order to meet the fire contract response standards, to work in the newly expanded water and wastewater plants and to work within the beefed-up snow and ice removal program. “I don’t anticipate the same number next year,” said Curtis. “I think it is important to relate to those primary five areas of need that were identified to council in their guidelines to us — police, fire, public works, parks and the two plants.”

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will work in the Parks Department and another six will work in the expanded water and wastewater treatment plants. That will bring the total to 1,447 employees on the city’s payroll. The total number of city staff includes those who work full-time and part-time. The city also hires contractors for construction, roads and other specialized projects. Last year, the city added 21 employees to the roster during budget deliberations. City manager Craig Curtis said more jobs were


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