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Wednesday, February 25, 2015 P R O U D L Y
Suspect in crash arrested
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O K A N A G A N
C O M M U N I T I E S
F O R
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Weekly on a 60 month term with 260 payments. MSRP $17,245** includes freight and PDI. Model shown: FB2E2FEX
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Officials are scrambling to keep a high-profile land purchase on the rails. A multi-jurisdictional effort to acquire the 47.5-kilometre Canadian National rail corridor hit a setback Monday when 960 names were received by the District of Lake Country opposing borrowing $2.6 million for its section of track. “I’m disappointed,” said Mayor James Baker. The district had sought public assent to borrow the funds through an alternate approval process. Under legislation, if 10 per cent of voters (931) sign a petition in opposition, borrowing is blocked. Lake Country council met Tuesday to discuss the matter. “We’ll see what kind of options we want to pursue,” said Baker. “I will ask council to seek an extension (of the purchase timeline) from CN so we can put forward a referendum.” The deadline for the agreement to be concluded is April 1. The outcome of the council meeting occurred after press deadline, but the earliest a referendum could be held in Lake Country is late spring. “The deal is still worth pursuing,” said Baker, adding that there was a lot of misinformation provided by the organizers of the anti-rail campaign. “Far greater than 50 per cent (of residents) is in favour.” Besides Lake Country, the other jurisdictions involved in the proposed purchase for $22 million are Kelowna and the Regional District of North Okanagan. RDNO’s $1.9 million would come from reserves. “There is pretty broad community support to keep the corridor in public hands,” said Bob Fleming, an RDNO director. However, Fleming admits the process is currently on hold. “The next step is to see what Lake Country does. Even if they hold a referendum, their share is in doubt.” The Okanagan Rail Trail Initiative has been pushing for the abandoned rail line to be purchased and turned into a recreational corridor. “A referendum would be the best way to go to allow for an informed community discussion,” said Brad Clements, Okanagan Rail Trail Initiative spokesperson. The results of the alternate approval process are being welcomed by Lake Country resident Roger Bailey, who had been vocal in his opposition to borrowing funds. “I guess that’s a message to council that when they want to do something they have to be a little more communicative,” said Bailey. “I went to the open houses with respect to the process and that was the first time the public was invited to be a part of it and it wasn’t for any input, it was just to tell us what they were doing. I didn’t like that. They have grandiose plans for the future that never seem to take into account the locals.” — with files from the Lake Country Calendar
BANNISTER HONDA “A Family Business, with Family Values ”
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DUSTIN O’FERRALL PHOTO
Matt Bibby takes advantage of the unseasonably warm weather as he wakeboards with friends on Okanagan Lake.
It’s been another great year for Honda vehicles. The critics keep recognizing our value and quality with automotive awards. As do BC’s drivers, by making our CR-V, Civic, and Fit the #1 selling vehicles in their categories.† Just more reasons to test drive one today.
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Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram ON 27TH STREET WWW.VERNONDODGE.COM
RICHARD ROLKE
THE CRITICS HAVE SPOKEN. AND SO HAVE BC’s DRIVERS.
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Vernon
Warren Woodward
Morning Star Staff
An arrest has been made in connection with a motor vehicle accident that seriously injured a Vernon woman in December. The accident happened on the evening of Dec. 3 at Alexis Park Drive and 39th Avenue between a blue Jeep and a Hyundai vehicle. Shortly after the crash, the driver of the Jeep was seen running away. The driver of the Hyundai was the Vernon woman, who remains in hospital with serious injuries to her spine. Vernon RCMP officers continued to work on evidence from the crash scene and on leads from the public, culminating Tuesday with the arrest of a 22-year-old Vernon man. “A team of officers were assigned to this case, and they never gave up on finding the person responsible for this terrible crash that left a seriously injured woman trapped in her car,” said Vernon RCMP Insp. Jim McNamara. A public appeal went out for anyone who could provide information about the driver of the Jeep. The suspect remains in custody and is expected to face charges under the Criminal Code of Canada of hit-andrun and criminal negligence causing bodily harm. “The Vernon RCMP would like to thank the media and the public for your help in providing information that assisted in the identification of the suspect arrested,” said RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk.
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Rail trail hits a roadblock
SNOW-CAPPED SURF
Morning Star Staff
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It’s Our People who Make VERNON DODGE
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PINK SHIRT DAY | Wear pink today, to show that we are working together to erase bullying [A16]
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Features available on select models: • Honda Lanewatch Blind Spot Display™ • Multi-angle rearview camera
Features available on select models: • Honda Lanewatch Blind Spot Display™ • Multi-angle rearview camera • 7” Display Audio System with HondaLink™ Next Generation
†Based on IHS Automotive: Polk Canadian New Retail Vehicle Registrations as of CYTD November 2014 for the Compact SUV/Compact Car/Subcompact Car segments as defined by Honda Canada Inc. *Limited time weekly lease offer and all other offers are from Honda Canada Finance Inc., on approved credit. #The weekly lease offer applies to a new 2015 Civic DX model FB2E2FEX for a 60-month period, for a total of 260 payments of $41.91 leased at 0.99% APR based on applying $350.00 “lease dollars” (which are deducted from the negotiated selling price before taxes). ‡In order to achieve $0 down payment, dealer will cover the cost of tire/battery tax, air conditioning tax (where applicable), environmental fees and levies on the 2015 Civic DX only on customer’s behalf. Down payment of $0.00, first weekly payment and $0 security deposit due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $10,896.60. Taxes, license, insurance and registration are extra. 120,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometres. **MSRP is 17,245 including freight and PDI of $1,495 based on new 2015 Specified Models described above. License, insurance, registration and taxes are extra and may be required at the time of purchase. */#/**Prices and/or payments shown do not include a PPSA lien registration fee of $30.31 and lien registering agent’s fee of $5.25, which are both due at time of delivery and covered by the dealer on behalf of the customer on Specified Models only. Offers valid from January 3rd through February 2nd 2015 at participating Honda retailers. Dealer may sell/lease for less. Dealer trade may be necessary on certain vehicles. Offers valid only for British Columbia residents at BC Honda Dealers locations. Offers subject to change or cancellation without notice. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.bchonda.com or see your Honda retailer for full details.