SPELLING BEE | Junction Literacy Centre busy as a bee prepping for annual fundraiser [A22]
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Sunday, April 19, 2015
P R O U D L Y
Driver pleads guilty
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Sewer plan considered
SPRING SWING
RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
A high-profile development area could ultimately hook up to sewer but not from Vernon. The Regional District of North Okanagan will develop the scope of work needed for a liquid waste management plan, which could lead to a sewer treatment system for the Swan Lake corridor on Highway 97. “We’ve talked to the Okanagan Indian Band and Spallumcheen about a shared service,” said Bob Fleming, BX-Swan Lake director. Ongoing commercial and industrial developBob Fleming ment in the corridor is driving the search for sewer. But the other factor for possibly establishing a sewer service is the fact the City of Vernon refuses to provide sewer unless the corridor annexes into the city. “Ours is a better model because it addresses the regional growth strategy,” said Fleming of protecting the environment while promoting economic development. “Spallumcheen and the Okanagan Indian Band won’t become part of the city. The RDNO model is allowing for those partnerships.” Fleming anticipates the process towards a sewer treatment plant could take five years, but he admits there is one potential stumbling block. “Does it make sense financially?” he said. However, Fleming says Okanagan Falls, south of Penticton, recently constructed a $12-million facility but residents there only contributed one-third of the funds because of federal and provincial grants. Support for a liquid waste management plan comes from Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director. “We’re concerned about the quality of water in Swan Lake,” he said of septic tanks in the area. “This is one step to try and protect the environment.” In a related matter, third reading has been given to a bylaw that would expand the riparian development permit area along Swan Lake to include commercial and industrial properties. “We’re trying to ensure water quality in Swan Lake is improving and not deteriorating. It’s good planning,” said Macnabb.
Morning Star Staff
A guilty plea has been entered in connection with an accident that left a Vernon nurse a quadriplegic. Michael Timothy George Heeley, 22, pleaded guilty to a count of criminal negligence causing bodily harm in Vernon Provincial Court Wednesday. He is scheduled to be sentenced May 21. On Dec. 3, 2014, at around 5:30 p.m., Vernon RCMP responded to a two-vehicle accident at 39th Avenue and Alexis Park Drive. Robin Orcherton, a Vernon mother, wife and licensed practical nurse, was on her way home to her family after her shift at a Vernon seniors residence. Orcherton was stopped at a red light at the intersection when her vehicle was struck by a Jeep which Vernon RCMP said, after the accident, had been reported stolen. Police were told the driver of the Jeep had been spotted running from the scene. The accident left Orcherton a quadriplegic. Family, friends and co-workers have been rallying around Orcherton. They launched an online fundraiser at gofundme.com/ robinsjourney to help with costs which, as of Friday, has raised nearly $16,000 toward a goal of $25,000. There was also an online auction fundraiser featuring items donated by local businesses.
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Jan Bowes hustles to the ball in the parks and recreation ladies tennis league Thursday morning at Marshall Field. They play from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and spares are always needed.
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