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Friday, July 17, 2015
CRIME
18-year-old charged with murder Many mourn the death of Carlene Jack, another young woman is in custody MARTIN WISSMATH ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
Friends and relatives of 19-year-old Carlene Jack, who was fatally wounded early Wednesday, mourned their lost loved one at a candelit vigil site at the scene of the crime. The victim’s alleged assailant, 18-year-old Autumn Dawn Desjarlais, appeared in Port Alberni provincial court on Thursday facing a charge of second-degree murder. As she entered the courtroom Desjarlais waved at her family, some of whom were in tears. Desjarlais will be sent to Alouette Correctional Centre for Women in Maple Ridge to be held in custody until her next court appearance – via closed circuit television – on July 22. Her family declined to comment. Meanwhile friends and family of Carlene Jack’s are in shock, trying to cope with the sudden loss of someone who was “beautiful inside and out,” said one young woman at the vigil site decorated with photos, candles and a memorial poster on Fifth Avenue and Bute Street. It was there that police officers found Jack in the early morning hours on Wednesday, bleeding
and in distress. Jack later died at West Coast General Hospital as a result of her injuries. “It’s tragic,” said a visibly shaken Barry Foster, Jack’s step-father. Their family home is only half a block up the road on Fifth Avenue from the corner of Bute Street. Foster said three people had entered the home, leaving with a sweater and some personal items belonging to Jack’s sister. “She was the hero,” said Foster. Jack had followed the group down the street when one of them stabbed her repeatedly with a knife, Foster said. Chuyenne Cromwell, Jack’s cousin, was at the small vigil site on Thursday. “The last thing I said to her was, ‘I’ll see you when I get home from work’,” Cromwell said through tears, adding she’d heard and read about tragedies happening to other families. “You don’t think it will happen to yours.” “It still feels like a dream,” said one young man, another cousin of the victim, who did not want his name published. “[I’m] terrified, sad, lost...don’t know what
A distraught friend lights candles at a vigil site for 19-year-old Carlene Jack on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Bute Street on Thursday, where the young woman was attacked early Wednesday morning. Jack was taken to hospital where she died of her injuries. [MARTIN WISSMATH, TIMES]
to say.” Jack and Desjarlais were known to each other, according to police. Port Alberni RCMP arrested two other suspects in connection to the incident, but released them and do not intend
to press any further charges. The investigation remains open and ongoing. RCMP are asking anyone who has any information to contact the local detachment, 250-723-2424. Anonymous
tips can be called into the Alberni Valley Crime Stoppers, 1-800-222-8477. Martin.Wissmath@avtimes.net 250-723-8171 ext. 224
UPTOWN REVITALIZATION
Group of residents buy old post office After sitting vacant for seven years, locals plan to develop a large federal building City shops for bylaw enforcement vehicle With $45,000 set aside in this year’s budget, bids are expected to acquire a specialized SUV to uphold municipal regulations. » Alberni Region, 3
Speedboat races return to Sproat Lake The horsepower is back this weekend for the Sproat Lake Regatta, attracting upwards of 40 competitors from across western Canada » Sports, 6 » Use your smartphone to jump to our Facebook page for updates on these stories or the latest breaking news.
KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
T
he former federal building on the corner of Argyle Street and Fourth Avenue is getting a facelift. Under new ownership, the partners released their plans for the historic landmark, which housed Canada Post and other government offices until 2008. Now called Libberock, the building was purchased by local business owners and active community members, Brent and Stacey Manson and Mike and Elizabeth McKay. The family-oriented foursome came up with the name from a combination of their children’s names, Libby, Roxy and Rockford. Brent said the intention of the purchase was to invest in the community and enhance Port Alberni’s rich heritage. “Mainly it was a decision to invest locally,” Brent said. “We were encouraged by the revitalization of the Uptown area. The community has supported our families and businesses and now we are in a position to give back.” The lifelong friends acquired the keys to the building just after the May long weekend but the entire sale process took close to one year
The former federal building on Argyle Street is being revitalized to house new businesses. Its owners are, from left, Brent and Stacey Manson, Elizabeth McKay and Mike McKay, far right. Their children, in centre, are Rockford McKay and Roxy and Libby Manson. [KRISTI DOBSON, TIMES]
to complete. “We looked at a couple of buildings but this one caught our eye,” Mike said. “We liked the potential of what it could be,” Stacey added. Over the year, the new owners have had a vision of what the transformation will be, but said
the process takes several steps. The plan first is to bring the building’s appearance back to its original, if not better, state, so it is ready to accommodate new or existing business tenants. There has already been a lot of work done by local contractors hired to restore the exterior.
“It is being polished and cleaned up to its former glory,” Brent said. Brent said they intend to keep the original features of the early 1960s heritage building, including the sandstone and marble walls and terrazzo flooring. After a complete environmental remediation is complete, work can begin on the interior in the fall. “There are possibilities of new features, but we will see how it evolves,” Mike said. “We want to keep the timeless architecture that many people like, but it is hard to find in small communities,” Brent added. The partners are open to the types of businesses looking to start up in or relocate to the space. With 30,000 square feet available, Stacey said the possibilities are endless. “This building has the ability to create whatever a group wants,” she said. Once complete, the four anticipate their investment will be a vital contribution to the Uptown revitalization plan and Rotary Arts District. They encourage the community to continue to watch as the transformation unfolds. Kristi.Dobson@avtimes.net
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