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Friday, September 18, 2015
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RCMP arrest arson suspect
PAWS FOR A CAUSE
Morning Star Staff
An arrest has been made in connection with the arson at a downtown Vernon pet store. Vernon RCMP and Vernon Fire Rescue Services were called to the rear of Aj’s Pets and Things at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6. A small fire had been deliberately started at that location. Surveillance video released on Facebook by the pet store – viewed 70,000 times and shared more than 2,500 times – showed a man appearing to start the fire. “Our investigation has led to the arrest of a 33-yearold Vernon man,” said Vernon RCMP Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy, who said earlier this week that the man on the video was not related to a similar fire last year at Aj’s Pets and Things in which two men were arrested and convicted of arson. “The video was very helpful, as was assistance from the public.” Noseworthy also said that police believed the man in the video was not connected to a string of unsolved arsons in the Greater Vernon area in the summer of 2014. Crown counsel approved a charge of arson against Ryan Patrick Warnock, who was remanded in custody pending a scheduled court appearance in Vernon on Thursday.
Mayor facing two tax charges LISA MAZUREK/MORNING STAR
Trent Keenan (left) and buddy Isaac Pol take turns walking their furry friends at Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause Sunday morning at BX Dog Park.
Politicians await track cost RICHARD ROLKE
“It will be a while before all of the bills are in.”
Morning Star Staff
It will be some time before the final cost of the Greater Vernon Athletics Park is known. Some Regional District of North Okanagan directors are asking for a financial accounting, but that may not be possible until early 2016. “They (construction crews) are still working on the project and it’s not done yet,” director Bob Fleming told his board colleagues Wednesday. “It will be a while before all of the bills are in.”
Voters agreed in 2013 to borrow $7.5 million for the project, but there have been some cost overruns since then. Final figures may be partially delayed as some warranty work and construction deficiencies are being
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pursued by the regional district. The facility next to Okanagan College is now being used by the public, but the ribbon-cutting takes place Saturday, Sept. 26. “It’s an all-day event,” said Tannis Nelson, community development coordinator. Festivities will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the official ceremony at noon. “There will be a bunch of activities from sports organizations and some organizations will have registration information on site,” said Nelson.
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RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
Vernon’s mayor is alleged to have not followed all of Canada Revenue Agency’s rules. Akbal Mund has been charged with two counts of failure to comply with the Income Tax Act. “The charges are that I haven’t filed the proper paperwork,” he said. “It’s not that I’m evading taxes. I paid my taxes.” The allegations are related to 2012 and 2013, and do not involve Mund’s personal taxes but a company that he used to pay himself a salary when he was Akbal Mund a partner with Wendy’s. “I have an accountant and lawyer working on it,” said Mund. “I have no problem dealing with it. I want to deal with it.” Mund’s lawyer appeared on his behalf in Vernon court Thursday. The case has been put over until Nov. 19.
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