Princeton celebrates snowy Family Day
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SPOTLIGHT
$1.10 Includes TAX
The Similkameen
Volume 65 Issue 6
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Proudly serving the community since 1948 • www.similkameenspotlight.com
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Courthouse unfit to stand trial Joe Fries Black Press
A judge has reluctantly agreed to move to Penticton the preliminary inquiry for a man accused of stabbing two women and then trying to kill himself outside a Princeton restaurant. James Ronald Buhler, 53, is charged with the attempted murder and aggravated assault of his wife and aggravated assault of their daughter on Feb. 26, 2014. Defence counsel Dave Johnson appeared on Buhler’s behalf last week in provincial court in Penticton and applied to have the one-day inquiry, which will determine if their is enough evidence to send the matter to trial, moved out of Princeton. “The courthouse there simply isn’t adequate to deal with a matter of this seriousness,” said Johnson, citing the Princeton courtroom’s narrow confines and a lack of
glass around the prisoner’s box. Crown counsel John Swanson said the alleged victims no longer live in Princeton. “It’ll probably be just as easy to get them to Penticton, if not easier,” he said. Judge Greg Koturbash balked initially at the change-of-venue application. “I think there’s always an interest by the community in crimes that occur in that community,” he said, before later granting the application after hearing sheriffs also have concerns about the Princeton courthouse. A date for the preliminary inquiry is expected to be set Feb. 11. Buhler remains behind bars and didn’t appear in court. Police allege he stabbed his wife and daughter multiple times outside a Dairy Queen and then cut his own throat in an attempt at suicide.
Complaints at the bottom of poop and scoop patrol Spotlight Staff
Andrea DeMeer
Large or small the fine for not cleaning up after a dog in Princeton is $100. Driver – a well known downtown dog – is always accompanied by a responsible owner.
Weather Watch
Princeton’s courthouse, located on the second floor of the town hall, “is not adequate to deal with a matter of this seriousness,” according to defence council Dave Johnson.
If you are out walking your dog in the next couple of weeks, don’t be surprised if you are stopped by Princeton’s by law control officer Bob Riley. Riley will be conducting doggie spot checks to make sure pet owners are cleaning up after their animals, and have them licensed. “As I’m driving around town I’m stopping everybody I see with a dog,” said Riley. “Recently we’ve had many, many complaints regarding the responsibility of some pet owners.”
Riley said most complaints about dog owners failing to stoop and scoop are coming from Bridge and Vermillion Street “from business people and people who are walking downtown.” The fine for not cleaning up after a pet is $100 and the fine for not having a dog license is $75. Riley said the “responsible pet owner initiative” is about sharing information and not writing tickets. “Most people are pretty good,” he said. Riley is a peace officer and residents are required to cooperate with him by provid-
ing their names if approached. The RCMP are aware of and support the initiative, he said. As well during the next two weeks Everything Pets will distributing doggie bags to customers with information pamphlets about the town’s animal by laws. The town currently licenses about 245 dogs and dog license renewal notices were sent to pet owners last month. Cost of a dog license is $10 and for dogs that are not neutured or spayed the fee is $30.
FLETCHER Building Supplies
Wednesday
High1/Low-6
Thursday
High1/Low-3
Open @ 7am Mon-Fri, 8:30 am Sat, 9am Sun
Friday
High1/Low-3
email: info@fletcherace.com
Saturday
High0/Low-4
Sunday
High1/Low-2
222 Burton Ave.,Princeton
250-295-6938
Valentines Bouquets and Flowers now available! * If you find an identical item advertised locally at a lower price, we will match it! * Item must be identical and in stock. No rain cheques.