InteriorNEWS THE
108th Year - Week 8 PM 40007014
A RETURN TO ROOTS Smithers meets man town is named after.
OUR TOWN/A19
FAIRY TALE ENDING Locals get to dance in Cinderella.
A&E/A26
BEST IN B.C. SSS curlers win provincials.
SPORTS/B1
INSIDE LETTERS A6 COMMUNITY A9 OUR TOWN A19 THREE RIVERS A21 A&E A26 SPORTS B1 CLASSIFIEDS B5
PINK SHIRT DAY, FEB.25
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
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Man dies after arrest in Smithers
By Alicia Bridges Smithers/Interior News
A man who became unconscious shortly after he was arrested by Smithers RCMP on Valentine’s Day died in hospital on Feb. 21. The deceased, who was arrested at a Smithers residence at about 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 14, had told police he was having difficulty breathing before he lost consciousness while in custody. Investigators from the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. were in Smithers last week conducting interviews about the incident. In a statement released on Monday, the IIOBC said police arrested the man after they were called to a complaint at a local residence. “According to police, officers located the affected person; he appeared distraught, in emotional distress and did not comply with officers’ commands,” said the IIOBC. The man was pepper-sprayed during the arrest before reporting he was having difficulty breathing. The officers called emergency health services and, after assessing the man, he was cleared to be transported to police cells. “While being booked into cells, the affected person reportedly became uncooperative and a physical struggle took place,” said the IIOBC. “The affected person lost consciousness. “He was transported to hospital where he remained until his death on Feb. 21, 2015.” IIOBC was notified of the incident about an hour after it took place. Its primary investigator and another investigator were in Smithers last week to conduct interviews with civilians and police and collect information such as paramedic crew reports and radio transmissions. A family support worker travelled with them. An IIOBC spokesperson said there would be no forensic investigation because there was no “scene” to examine.
CREATIVITY FLOWS Katie Larson, 14, performs her modern dance solo to Agnus Dei at the Creative Roots dance showcase at the Della Herman Theatre last Saturday. More than 50 people crowded the theatre to watch 12 dancers and six pianists perform. For more photos, see Page A27. Kendra Wong photo
Three dead after influenza outbreak at care facility By Alicia Bridges Smithers/Interior News
An influenza outbreak that killed three people at the Bulkley Lodge nursing home this month has been contained, according to Northern Health. The deceased were among nine people infected with the virus at the long-term care facility from Feb. 5-15. Family and friends of the lodge’s 67 residents were
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asked not to visit during the outbreak unless they had up-to-date flu vaccines. Group activities were also cancelled and lower doses of preventative anti-viral treatment were given to other residents. Northern Health will not conduct an official investigation into whether the deaths could have been prevented but northwest medical officer Dr. Raina Fumerton said the facility had protocols for responding to an outbreak. See OUTBREAK on A3
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