ELECTION COVERAGE | North Okanagan-Shuswap all-candidates forums draw crowds [A3 & A11]
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The
Sunday, September 27, 2015 P R O U D L Y
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Shots fired in complex
SWIMMING BACK IN SESSION
Morning Star Staff
LISA VANDERVELDE/MORNING STAR
Kalina Currie, three, takes swimming lessons with instructor Carrie Greene in the Vernon Recreation Centre program Play, Putter and Swim Friday at the rec centre pool. The centre’s bridge, entrance and lobby renovation continues, so patrons are asked to use the west entrance until the work is completed in the spring.
Park attracts B.C. Games RICHARD ROLKE
Morning Star Staff
It’s a clear case of build it and they will come. During the official unveiling of the Greater Vernon Athletics Park Saturday, local officials and residents learned that Greater Vernon will host the 2017 55-Plus B.C. Games (formerly the B.C. Seniors Games). Eric Foster “It’s exciting news,” said Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA, who made the announcement. When the concept of an athletics park was put before residents in 2013, the Regional District of North Okanagan promoted the ability of the community being
able to host large sports tournaments. Earlier this year, the City of Vernon bid for the Games. “It is only fitting that Vernon has been selected as the host of the 30th Games as they hosted the very first one nearly three decades ago,” said Peter Fassbender, community development minister, in a release. Beyond facilities in Greater Vernon, the Games will also be held at venues in Armstrong-Spallumcheen. The 2015 55-Plus B.C. Games in North Vancouver drew 3,277 participants in 20 activities, and Foster is confident the 2017 competition will bolster the North Okanagan economy. “It’s an event that will bring in a lot of people and they will stay in hotels and explore the community,” he said. The B.C. Senior Games Society estimates an economic impact of about $2 million.
Foster believes Vernon’s chance of a successful bid would have been limited if it wasn’t for the new athletics park next to Okanagan College. “It makes the community that more attractive for all kinds of events. We could hold world-class track in the community with this facility,” he said. Also on Saturday, it was announced that the 55-Plus B.C. Games will be held in Cranbrook/Kimberley in 2018 and Kelowna in 2019. “On behalf of our society and the 55-Plus B.C. Games, we would like to thank, and congratulate the three winning bid communities,” said Wayne Naka, B.C. Seniors Games Society president. “We will make an immense and positive impact on your communities as we transform the image and attitudes towards the 55-plus population among residents of all ages in B.C.”
Vernon RCMP believe they have one side of a scary incident at a Vernon townhouse complex. Now, they’re searching for the other side. Officers responded to a report of shots fired Wednesday morning just before 4 a.m. at a complex in the 1600 block of 43rd Avenue. “The RCMP conducted an initial investigation at the location to determine that there was a confrontation in the complex parking lot area which resulted in shots being fired,” said Vernon RCMP Sgt. David Evans. “Police are not releasing firearm calibre or number of shots at this time. There were no persons located injured from gunshot wounds.” Police arrested, and have since — Dave Evans released without charges, a number of persons from one of the townhouse units that were believed to be involved in the confrontation with another unidentified group of persons. “That second group is believed to have arrived at and departed from the location in a dark vehicle with no further description available,” said Evans. Police searched the area surrounding the complex and remained at the location until a search warrant could be executed at the townhouse unit That search was completed early Thursday evening. It is believed that the two groups were known to each other and the incident was connected to their involvement in criminal activity. “While this was not a random act of violence, it still causes us great concern as incidents like these put the general public at risk,” said Evans. The investigation into this matter is continuing and the RCMP are still trying to identify the other group of individuals involved. If you have any information that has not already been provided to investigators please contact the Vernon RCMP at 250-545-7171 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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