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Vol. 64, Issue 63
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Cranbrook Barn-burner: The first round of the 2015 WHL playoffs came to Cranbrook on Tuesday, March 31, with a seesaw, end-to-end Game 3 battle between the Kootenay Ice and arch-rivals the Calgary Hitmen. See Page 7 for details. Game 4 in the series goes tonight at Western Financial Place. Be there or be square. Barry Coulter photo
Man sentenced Outpatient lab moving in child porn case FOR THE TOWNSMAN
TOWNSMAN STAFF
A disturbing case unfolded in Cranbrook Provincial Court on Monday morning as a local man pleaded guilty to child pornography charges and was given mandatory minimum sentencing. The man, who is 60 years old and mentally disabled, was sentenced to one year in jail for one count and six months for another count, which are to be served concurrently to be followed by three years of probation.
In a sentencing hearing, both the crown and defence jointly submitted that the accused, who has an IQ of 65, thought he was helping police gather evidence on child predators by engaging in the distribution of child pornography through an email system using female-centric email addresses. Justice Ron Webb noted that it was a tough case because he was bound by the politics of mandatory minimum sentenc-
ing, and that instead of getting help, the man is going to jail. “I’m obligated to do what I’m obligated to do,” Webb said. The man’s name will be submitted to the sex offender’s registry and he will be subject to a number of probation conditions in regards to limiting his access to the internet along with court orders to prevent him from being alone with those under the age of 14 years without another adult being present.
A new location for Cranbrook outpatient laboratory services was announced Tuesday. A lease has been signed for a space at the Tamarack Mall, and will bring the majority of Cranbrook outpatient laboratory services to one location. The outpatient labs at the Associate Medical Clinic and East Kootenay Regional Hospital will be moved to this new, larger lab. “Renovations to the Tamarack Mall space will be required prior to opening this new lab” said a press release from Interior Health. “IH anticipates this will take approximately three months, with the new lab opening in the summer.”
While this work takes place, Associate Medical Clinic patients who currently receive outpatient laboratory services will continue to be able to access them at the clinic, the press release added. Other individuals requiring outpatient laboratory services should continue to access them at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital Laboratory (located on the main floor). Outpatient laboratory hours at East Kootenay Regional Hospital are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Interior Health will update the community when an opening date for the new lab is set. We appreciate the public’s ongoing patience as we work through this process.