Penticton Western News, September 23, 2015

Page 1

NEWS PENTICTON WESTERN

www.pentictonwesternnews.com

2

news

Courthouse rally focuses on murdered and missing women

Western News to host forum

VOL. 49 ISSUE 76

9

Stop Worrying! Get Driving with YESCARCREDIT.CA A Division of Parkers Chrysler Dodge

Jeep. DL. #5523

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

entertainment En’owkin invites authors for Literary Reading Series

15

sports

Penticton Vees look to impress scouts at Showcase

HONOURING JAMES

NEWS Western News Staff

PENTICTON WESTERN

On Sept. 26, the Western News and the Seniors Drop-in Centre are inviting the public to an afternoon election forum, starting at 1 p.m. The forum will allow the public to press the candidates on issues of the day, as well as for the federal hopefuls to respond to their competitors view’s and positions. In order to get in as many questions as possible, there won’t be an open microphone at the forum. Instead, we are accepting questions in written form, either beforehand at editor@pentictonwesternnews.com or during the forum. Candidates that have confirmed their attendance include Richard Cannings (NDP), Connie Denesiuk (Liberal) Brian Gray (Independent), Marshall Neufeld (Conservative), Samantha Troy (Green). Each will be allowed a twominute introduction before the rounds of questions. The majority of questions are expected to be addressed to all candidates, with a two-minute response time for each. However, if a question is addressed to a specific candidate, the others will be allowed to request a 30-second rebuttal. In order to keep the event lively and get to the meat of the issues, candidates have been asked not to resort to campaign speech answers; succinct and clear answers are the order of the day, then move on to the next question or follow up. It’s hard to predict what questions will come from the audience, but the general topics of jobs and the economy will no doubt surface. Beyond that, we are hoping for lots of questions relating to issues of local interest: tourism, First Nations, the reopened national park debate, the environment, seniors’ issues and more. Refreshments will be provided by the South Okanagan Real Estate board.

The outpouring from the community … I’m speechless. It really is a true testament to the McIntosh family and Jamesy. — Julie Chevrier

Dale Boyd

Western News Staff

In just two days nearly $6,000 has been raised for the family of the five-year-old boy who was killed after being struck by an offduty RCMP officer on Sept. 15. Both James’ parents are paramedics and an online fundraiser through GoFundMe was set up by a fellow paramedic Julie Chevrier, who works in Penticton with James’ mother. Chevrier said the GoFundMe account was a collaborative effort by local paramedics. The $5,000 goal being surpassed in 48 hours gave Chevrier “goosebumps.” “The outpouring from the community … I’m speechless. It really is a true testament to the McIntosh family and Jamesy,” Chevrier said. GoFundMe account had raised $5,885 as of Tuesday afternoon with 98 different donors over two days. Almost $1,000 over the $5,000 goal. The funds will go directly towards the McIntosh family to be

JAMES MCINTOSH, (on left) was struck by a vehicle driven by an off-duty RCMP officer on Sept. 15. Several fundraisers for the family are underway.

Submitted photo

used at their discretion. “He was just a vibrant young man and wanted everyone to be happy. He always had a smile on his face and he was just a happygo-lucky kind of kid,” Chevrier said. “I’m so happy that the community is willing to help out.” A celebration has been planned for James Christian McIntosh on Sept. 27 at LocoLanding Adventure Park as well. It will be the last day of the summer season for LocoLanding who will open their gates at 11 a.m. “When something as tragic as the loss of a child happens, I truly believe everyone in Penticton would give whatever they could for this family. We are just fortunate to be able to provide

LocoLanding as a venue for fundraising,” Diana Stirling, owner of LocoLanding, said in a release. “Our staff (all teenagers) are also donating their time, which absolutely warms my heart.” Since the boy’s death several teddy bears and red roses were left at the intersection with notes of condolence to the family. On Sunday, hundreds gathered at his funeral including uniformed emergency services workers. The Principal of Holy Cross School, where McIntosh was a student in Grade 1 said the boy is remembered as always being happy and full of joy. “We have had an outpouring of support from the community and questions on how people can help the family during this time,” said

Outland Propane Fire-bowl Stay Stay warm warm and and cozy cozy in in the the outdoors outdoors all all year year round, round, Use while camping or in your backyard! Use while camping or in your backyard! Comes with Comes with aa rock rock set, set, 6’ 6’ hose, hose, Lightweight Lightweight and and Portable Portable 11.5” H X 19.5” Round, 58,000 BTU 11.5” H X 19.5” Round, 58,000 BTU

*usable *usable with with a a campfire campfire ban! ban!

150 150 Fairview Fairview Place, Place, Penticton Penticton 250.493.1233 250.493.1233

Campbell. “I can’t think of a better way of helping them and honouring James at the same time.” The GoFundMe page can be found at www.gofundme.com/ hh4jhtkg. McIntosh was struck crossing the road on Sept. 15 around 5 p.m. at the intersection of Fairview Road (Green Mountain Road) and Highway 97 on the Channel Parkway. No charges have been laid on the driver who hit McIntosh. The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is still gathering information on the incident. Marten Youssef, manager of strategic communications with the IIO, said an investigation can take from six months to a year. “A lot of that also riding on third-party reports,” Youssef said.

$

124

99 99

SKU# SKU# 5517-119 5517-119


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Penticton Western News, September 23, 2015 by Black Press Media Group - Issuu