Nanaimo Daily News, January 13, 2016

Canucks put Higgins on waivers, Page 20

Published since 1874

Cloudy High 7 Low 2

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH GAS PRICES?

MORE DRUG DEATHS IN CITY

NEWS | PAGE 4

NEWS, PAGE35 NEWS | PAGE

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

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TAX RATES

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Page 3

$1.25 TAX INCLUDED

The rate Island municipalities charge residential property owners, per $1,000 in assessed value DAILY NEWS PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

2

WHAT’S INSIDE Today’s issue

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

TOP STORY

Loonie hovers at 70 cents US, oil is briefly under $30

Canadians want in on Powerball As the frenzy surrounding the record-setting lottery continued to grow, a steady stream of Canadians piled into U.S. border towns seeking to buy tickets for the $1.5 billion prize. » Nation&World, 12

Haiti remembers big 2010 quake Haitian government has said more than 300,000 people died in the disaster, but the exact toll is unknown because there was no systematic effort to count the bodies. » Nation&World, 19

Local news ............... 3-9 Editorials/letters ........ 6 B.C. news ..................... 10 Nation & World ........ 12 Sports ............................ 20 Scoreboard ................ 24 Crossword .................. 25

Comics ................. 25-26 Markets ......................... 26 Sudoku ......................... 26 Classified ..................... 27 Obituaries ................... 27 Food ............................... 29 The rapidly falling price of oil dragged down Toronto’s stock market on Monday. [THE CANADIAN PRESS]

Nanaimo Daily News and nanaimodailynews.com reach more than 60,000 readers each week in print and online.

General inquiries: 250-729-4200 | Newsroom: 250-729-4224 | To subscribe: 250-729-4266 | Copyright 2015. All rights reserved

LOTTERIES FOR Jan. 9 649: 05-22-30-33-45-48 B: 29 BC49: 02-13-15-28-37-46 B: 19 Extra: 06-77-87-96

FOR Jan. 8 Lotto Max: 13-15-21-24-25-36-48 B: 10 Extra: 10-40-62-74 *All Numbers unofficial

PETER HENDERSON THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO — Oil and the Canadian dollar breached two benchmarks Tuesday, with crude briefly dipping below US$30 a barrel and the loonie slipping beneath the 70-cent U.S. level during a volatile day on the markets.

At one point in early afternoon trading, a barrel of West Texas Intermediate fell as low as US$29.93 before it regained some ground to settle at US$30.44 a barrel. That was still down 97 cents from Monday’s close.

The Canadian dollar hovered above and below the 70-cent U.S. mark throughout the day, at one point dropping as low as 69.85 cents U.S., before ending the day at 70.14 cents U.S. — down 0.17 of a cent and its lowest level since April 2003.

Oil prices have dropped precipitously over the last year and a half, falling from above US$105 in June 2014 to levels not seen in more than a decade. And the loonie is heavily influenced by the global price of oil, one

of the country’s major exports.

Sadiq Adatia, chief investment officer at Sun Life Global Investments, said the Bank of Canada is eyeing the low price of oil as it considers where to take its benchmark interest rates after cutting them twice last year.

“Every passing day that oil drops, there’s more likelihood of a rate cut and more likelihood of more drops in the Canadian dollar,” he said.

At the same time the loonie has fallen, the greenback has surged against numerous currencies, including Canada’s, as its economy gains strength.

Patrick Leblond, an expert in finance at the University of Ottawa, said recent volatility in stock markets around the world and global economic uncertainty is causing people to flee for the safe haven of U.S. Treasury bonds. That’s pushing the value of the U.S. dollar higher, he said.

“The U.S. dollar becomes a refuge, and that’s what we’ve seen in the last few days,” he said.

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The falling dollar and price of oil prompted questions for Finance Minister Bill Morneau, who was in Montreal on Tuesday for prebudget consultations.

“I know that Canadians are looking closely at the price of oil. Canadians are looking closely at the Canadian dollar,” Morneau said.

“We recognize that those are important indicators for Canadians as they go about considering their situation.”

The currency’s historic low is 61.79 cents U.S., set in January 2002. It hit an all-time high of 110.3 cents U.S. in November 2007 as Canada’s resource-heavy economy benefited from global demand for its exports.

The last time Canada’s dollar was worth more than the greenback was about three years ago, in February 2013.

If there was one bright spot Tuesday, it was the S&P/TSX composite index, which added 54.65 points to end the day at 12,373.90 — its first positive result since the Christmas break.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

What’s your city’s tax rate?

Numbers vary across the Island; Port Alberni comes in with highest listed total

N

anaimo taxpayers may be surprised to learn they live in the city with the second-highest residential tax rate on central Vancouver Island.

But before homeowners descend on city hall waving pitchforks and placards, some perspective is needed.

A multitude of factors go into setting the local tax rate in every municipality, from property Darrell values through Bellaart population size Reporting and the range of services local citizens demand.

“It has to do with the size of the municipality and the budget, which is driven by underlying services the city is responsible for,” said Victor Mema, city of Nanaimo finance director.

Put it all together, and it can make a considerable difference to a city when setting its tax rate, and as such, taxpayers are encouraged

The residential tax rate for the City of Nanaimo is $5.92 per $1,000 in assessed value. [AARON HINKS/DAILY NEWS]

to look deeper than the rate alone before taking their elected officials to task.

At $5.92 per $1,000 in assessed property values, Nanaimo’s residential tax rate is second only to Port Alberni.

In this report, municipalities referenced are those within an area north of the Malahat extending to Campbell River and west to Long Beach communities.

Central Island residential tax rates From lowest to highest, the rate each municipality charges residential property owners, per $1,000 in assessed value.

City Tax Rate Averaged assessed value Lantzville $2.1369 404,800 Tofino $3.3736 509,400 Comox $3.4724 332,100 Qualicum Beach $3.822 396,100 Courtenay $4.1681 329,900 Parksville $4.5727 323,200 North Cowichan $4.5659 320,200 Duncan $4.7436 254,200 Ucluelet $5.1262 272,00 Ladysmith $5.4902 299.300 Campbell River $5.84665 281,200 Nanaimo $5.9206 336,200 Port Alberni $9.4476 175,100 COMPILED BY DAILY NEWS

Data from 2015 shows range of tax rates with the range from a low of $2.14 in Lantzville, to $9.45 in Port Alberni.

Average property values, as measured annually by the BC Assessment Authority, give a clue reason why Port Alberni’s rate is so high.

Port Alberni is still an affordable place to own a house, with homes priced far below the average within the region. But lower house prices mean a higher tax rate is needed to produce sufficient taxes for the city budget.

For this reason, Port Alberni city manager Ken Watson says he’s “not surprised at all” that his community tops the list for residential tax rates.

“And I can tell you, tax rates are only half the story. The tax bill is what people care about and the tax bill is comprised of two things: The tax rate, times the assessed value of your property, and Port Alberni has very low assessed values.”

He pointed to the tiny northern B.C. community of Granisle, which, with 300 people, has a residential tax rate of $20.919 per thousand — the highest in B.C., and “it means houses there are really affordable,” Watson said.

Conversely, communities with higher-priced properties tend to have a lower tax rate.

NANOOSE

Edwards elected as new chief DAILY NEWS

The Nanoose First Nation has voted to make current band councillor Brent Edwards its new chief, following its elections Monday.

Edwards’s victory means the defeat of longtime Nanoose First Nation Chief David Bob, who has presided over several major policy changes and projects over his

tenure. Under Bob’s watch, the Snaw-naw-as people saw completion of a $2-million health centre.

The First Nation also began the process to take over responsibility for on-reserve land management issues from the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. The community also positioned itself to acquire six hectares in a B.C. treaty process.

Bob was defeated with 31 votes, compared with 57 for Edwards, who will serve a two-year term.

Also elected as councillors were Gordon Edwards, Christopher Bob and Lawrence Mitchell.

Brent Edwards was also elected as a councillor and is able to hold both offices under the Indian Act, Nanoose electoral officer Lawrence Lewis said.

For example in Lantzville, the municipal district with the lowest rate of the bunch, the average assessed property value in July 2015 was $404,800, while the next community on the list, Tofino has even higher values — $509,400.

Generally, property values drop as tax rates go up, although Nanaimo is a an exception (see chart, below), with average property values of $336,200, the fourth-highest of the bunch.

That’s where services to taxpayers come into the equation. Nanaimo taxpayers contribute to sizable infrastructure expenses other communities may lack, such as a $75-million conference centre downtown, and a $71-million water treatment plant “If someone in Comox with an average home pays $1,000 and someone in another city pays $1,300, even at that level you aren’t comparing apples with apples,” Mema said.

He said a more accurate comparison would be to find out how much one city pays, compared to another city, for the same service.

The tax rate alone “doesn’t tell you the whole story,” Mema said. “We have to take it apart in order to compare apples to apples.”

Lantzville Mayor Colin Haime is pleased that his municipal district has the lowest tax rate, but Haime, an accountant, acknowledges tax rate isn’t the whole story.

“Certainly our goal (is) always to keep taxes as low as possible, so a lower number is better,” Haime said.

“It’s also a reflection of some of the higher assessed values in Lantzville.

The average assessed value in Lantzville is considerably higher than Nanaimo and in the rural areas, and that’s going to bring it right down.”

Darrell.Bellaart @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4235

www.nanaimodailynews.com

4 NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

GAS PRICES

CITY HALL

Analysts say variety of factors play into what you pay at pump

Livefeed camera for dam nixed by council

DARRELL BELLAART DAILY NEWS

G

SPENCER ANDERSON DAILY NEWS

Port McNeill $1.199

Highest price recorded Lowest price recorded

at $1.20, but it was below $1 a litre in other remote locations like Buckley Bay and Malahat Summit.

City council has rejected a proposal to install a live camera feed at the construction site of a new spillway at the lower Colliery dam.

A motion, brought forward by councillor Bill Bestwick in December, called on city staff to bring forward options for the installation of a camera at the spillway construction site so that interested residents could observe construction of the spillway remotely online.

The city’s information technology department recommended installing a temporary camera that could deliver refreshed, static images of the spillway every 10 to 15 seconds.

The cost was estimated to be $3,000, with an annual operating cost of $900.

Another option on the table was a camera that could transmit live video feed of dam construction.

But city staff said it would have cost between $2,824 and $31,725 to maintain the service, depending on how many people were accessing the video stream.

Bestwick, who filled in as acting mayor Monday, said he presented the idea due to controversy over the project and because members of the public were unable to access the site.

Bestwick and Coun. Bill Yoachim supported the cheaper option proposed by staff, but the motion failed in a 6-2 vote.

Other councillors voiced concerns over cost and suggested moving the taped-off section near the dam closer to the work site.

Darrell.Bellaart @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4235

Spencer.Anderson @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4255

SOURCE: BCGASPRICES.COM

V

P

Campbell River $1.059 $1.029

A

N

C

O

U

V

A

E

R

Courtenay I $0.989 $0.949

S

I

F

L

I C O

Tofino $1.119

C E

A

N

Comox $0.989 $0.949

Qualicum Beach $1.129 $1.099

D Port Alberni $1.099 $1.089

Parksville $1.019

A Ladysmith $1.059 $1.029

N

A division of

Vancouver Island gas prices

Port Hardy $1.199

C

as pump prices dipped a little this week, mirroring slightly the free-fall drop in the price of crude oil on world markets.

But that price adjustment, worth three to five cents to Nanaimo drivers, is less noticeable than the drop in crude, adding fuel to suspicions consumers don’t derive the full benefits of a lower price per barrel of oil.

Analysts say crude prices are just one factor in pump prices, and price data tracked online by the website gasbuddy.com suggest a tenuous link at best.

With crude oil nearing the $30-per-barrel mark, Nanaimo pump prices are hovering around $1.13 per litre, a few cents less than it was a week ago, but almost a dime higher than in January of 2015.

The current price is an improvement from two years ago, when gasoline sold for $1.22, but back then crude oil was fetching more than $100 a barrel.

In fact, gasoline is cheaper now, except it’s less noticeable north of the U.S. border.

The Canadian dollar is a “huge factor,” said Michael Irvin, president of MJ Irvin and Associates, a consulting firm that specializes in data and analysis to the Canadian petroleum industry.

“The Canadian wholesale price of gasoline is much higher than the U.S. price, because of the low exchange rate in the dollar right now,” Irvin said.

Taxes are another factor. So is competition.

And while Chevron’s Burnaby refinery is the only plant in B.C., but Irvin said under free trade, Cherry Point refinery in Washington State

Nanaimo $1.169 $1.095

What we pay in taxes, per litre

Sidney $1.029 $0.999

14.5¢/litre provincial excise tax 6.67¢/litre provincial carbon tax 10¢/litre federal excise tax 5% PST/GST SOURCE: B.C. MINISTRY OF SMALL BUSINESS AND REVENUE

competes directly with Canadian producers.

The world is awash in a glut of crude oil, and “we’re paying less at the pumps than a year ago,” Irvin said.

“If the dollar was at par, today we

Victoria $1.089 $1.049 [NANAIMO DAILY NEWS ILLUSTRATION]

would see roughly a 17-cent drop in fuel prices.”

Around the Island Tuesday, gasoline sold for as little as 95 cents a litre in Comox, and as much as $1.17 in Qualicum Beach.

Port Hardy drivers paid the most,

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

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NEWS 5

POLICE

Rash of deaths blamed on deadly drugs DARRELL BELLAART DAILY NEWS

A warning to Nanaimo drug users has been reinforced by three more deaths possibly caused by a deadly mix of hard drugs also blamed in a series of deaths in Victoria.

The BC Coroners Service is now looking into whether unusually potent heroin or other drugs are responsible for three sudden deaths in the Nanaimo area since Friday.

That concern reinforces fears that

a toxic drug mix linked to five deaths in Victoria now poses a threat to Nanaimo drug users.

“There have been three deaths in the Nanaimo area in the past three or four days that are being investigated as possibly drug-related, but we have no definitive finding,” said coroner Lyn Blenkinsop Tuesday.

“We are just at the early stages of our investigation. All three will go to autopsy and will have toxicological studies done.”

No further details, including the ages or genders of the latest victims was available.

Last week authorities confirmed an investigation was underway to determine whether two deaths in December in Nanaimo were caused by drug overdoses.

While fentanyl may be involved, it’s not yet clear what, exactly, is causing the drug-related deaths in Victoria.

The overdoses appear to happen when users buy street drugs they

believe to be a single drug — heroin for example — which is adulterated with other drugs, ranging from methamphetamine through cocaine and the synthetic opiate fentanyl.

On Friday, the coroners service, Island Health and Nanaimo RCMP took the unusual step to warn drug users to: Not use drugs alone; have an overdose response plan; take a small test sample first; acquire a free takehome naloxone kit from Nanaimo Regional General Hospital; tell

another person what drug they intend to use and to call 911 immediately in case of overdose.

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TV

Nanoose Bay woman wins reality show hunting contest SPENCER ANDERSON DAILY NEWS

A Nanoose Bay woman has won the U.S. online reality show Extreme Huntress, a contest that sees women compete against one another to see who is the superior hunter.

Shannon Lansdowne entered the competition last year, eventually making the final round of contestants along with five others in June, the Delta Optimist reported.

Lansdowne captured the title in a series of online votes over the course of a rigorous skills competition at the 777 Ranch in Texas in July. She was one of two B.C. women in the final round, and also faced off against four women from across the U.S. But Lansdowne persevered over her competition and received her Huntress trophy Saturday night in Dallas.

“Right now, slightly overwhelmed and exhausted,” she replied when asked how she felt following the award.

“It’s been a very long process,” she said of the eight-to-nine-month contest. It began with an open call for essays last year, following a semifinals round and then a round of voting and judging that led to the final field of six candidates.

◆ BUSINESS

Nanaimo speakers talk about industry change Two Nanaimo speakers are among those to talk about change in the forest industry at the BC Truck Loggers Association conference in Vancouver.

The TLA Convention and Trade Show: Adapting to Steep Change

“Never did I expect a) I would get in the finals; or b) that I would win,” she said.

The 31-year-old Lansdowne got her start in hunting early due to her father’s outdoor outfitter and guide business.

“It was always something that put a roof over our head,” she said.

Lansdowne ended up working for her father during summers and now works as a hunting guide alongside her husband Clark.

Murray Salmon, marketing manager at Cabela’s Canada in Nanaimo, helped Lansdowne with marketing and getting the word out when she was entering the contest and called her win “fabulous.”

“You have to realize this event is North America-wide,” he said.

“We knew all along she had a chance.”

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starts today and runs through Friday at the Westin Bayshore Inn. Snuneymuxw band Coun. Doug White and Don Banasky, of Western Canada Timber are speakers at the afternoon session, Embracing Change in First Nation Relationships, which runs 4:30 to 6 p.m.

White is part of a three-member panel where speakers will present different views on relationships between First Nations and the forest

Jan. 8-14 STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (PG) NO PASSES FRI 3:35, 6:50; SAT-SUN 12:20, 3:35, 6:50; MON,WED-THURS 6:40; TUE 3:25, 6:40 STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS 3D (PG) NO PASSES FRI 3:05, 4:05, 6:20, 7:20, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30; SAT-SUN 11:50, 12:50, 3:05, 4:05, 6:20, 7:20, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30; MON,WED-THURS 6:10, 7:10, 9:15, 9:45, 10:15; TUE 3:00, 3:55, 6:10, 7:10, 9:15, 9:45, 10:15 THE FOREST (14A) NO PASSES FRI 3:55, 7:30, 10:20; SAT-SUN 12:00, 2:30, 4:50, 7:30, 10:20; MON,WED-THURS 7:20, 10:10; TUE 3:50, 7:20, 10:10 THE REVENANT (14A) NO PASSES FRI 3:20, 7:00, 9:55; SAT-SUN 11:40, 3:20, 7:00, 9:55; MON,WED-THURS 6:50, 9:50; TUE 3:10, 6:50, 9:50 BROOKLYN (PG) FRI-SAT 3:45, 6:40, 10:05; SUN 12:00, 3:45, 6:40, 10:05; MON,WEDTHURS 6:30, 9:55; TUE 3:35, 6:30, 9:55 THE BIG SHORT (14A) FRI 3:55, 7:10, 10:10; SAT-SUN 12:35, 3:55, 7:10, 10:10; MON,WED-THURS 7:00, 10:00; TUE 3:45, 7:00, 10:00 THE HATEFUL EIGHT (18A) FRI 3:15, 6:30, 9:40; SAT 2:45, 6:30, 9:40; SUN 12:10, 2:45, 6:30, 9:40; MON,WED-THURS 6:20, 9:30; TUE 3:20, 6:20, 9:30 THE METROPOLITAN OPERA: TANNHäUSER ENCORE SAT 9:00 MINIONS (G) SAT 11:00

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Nanoose resident Shannon Lansdowne, above left in a Facebook photo, beat out five other competitors to win the reality show ‘Extreme Huntress’ title. She is pictured holding her trophy alongside her husband Clark.

industry. White, a lawyer who specializes in First Nations issues, will discuss how the Tsilhqot’in decision ramped up pressure between industry, government and First Nations.

Banasky is moderating with Bill Williams from the BC First Nations First Council. Banasky is currently the TLA President, and is senior vice-president of operations for Western Canadian Timber Products (formerly Dorman Group.)

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JOY: 10:20 MOCKINGJAY PART 2: 10:00 ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS ROAD CHIP: 10:30 DADDYS HOME: 10:10

6

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

OUR VIEW

Church, non-profit tax exemptions benefit all of us I t’s an interesting debate.

The City of Nanaimo is (finally) churning ahead with a core services review. One of the areas sure to be looked at during the process will be tax exemptions for churches and non-profits.

Just under $1.5 million in permissive tax exemptions were approved for religious, social and charity groups for 2016.

Nanaimo Mayor Bill McKay said he wants the review to examine how Nanaimo handles its exemptions compared to other cities.

In some cases, municipalities have no choice. For example, churches and other houses of worship are given full tax exemptions under provincial statute. Municipal and provincially-owned buildings also get the statutory exemptions. The city

In the end, we must place a significant emphasis on the social cost involved with this issue.

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by Black Press Ltd., B1, 2575 McCullough Rd., Nanaimo, B.C. V9S 5W5. The Daily News and its predecessor the Daily Free Press have been serving Nanaimo and area since 1874.

Fiscal soundness of the Harper era in question

Publisher/Subscriptions: Andrea Rosato-Taylor 250-729-4248 Managing Editor: Philip Wolf 250-729-4240

General enquiries: 250-729-4200 The Daily News is a member of the National NewsMedia Council.

Editorial comment The editorials that appear as ‘Our View’ represent the stance of the Nanaimo Daily News. They are unsigned because they do not necessarily represent the personal views of the writers. If you have comment regarding our position, we invite you to submit a letter to the editor. To discuss the editorial policies of the newspaper, please contact Managing Editor Philip Wolf.

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If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact: Philip.Wolf@nanaimodailynews. com or 250-729-4240. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the website at mediacouncil.ca, or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

also does not track total amounts for these tax breaks.

Nanaimo council approved more than $170,000 in optional tax relief for church properties, which includes lands and improvements around churches, synagogues or other places of worship.

Now, it never hurts to look at everything. Given some of the questionable monetary decisions made

by Nanaimo councils over the years, having everything on the table should be seen as a good move.

But here’s the thing: Tax credits for organizations creating community service (including churches) are a good idea.

This is very much ideological.

There is likely nothing to be gained in this move in terms of improving the city’s finances.

Of course, there are always grumpy types who think churches and non-profits are not paying their share. In Nanaimo’s case, these groups contribute far more to the community than the $1.5 million they are exempted from paying.

Taking those exemptions away can only damage volunteering and good works done by many groups and thus heighten social problems in the city. The cost in social terms will be far more than $1.5 million. Are we willing to pay that price simply

It would appear that many of Stephen Harper’s supporters have both a hard time accepting the loss of the election but also remembering what Stephen Harper did.

They seem to want to go on and on about the fact that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that there is a planned debt of about $10 billion.

They do not mention that this spending is needed for the decaying infrastructure that Harper ignored for the past nine years. Or that Harper went into nearly every campaign promising balanced budget then breaking that promise. That Harper averaged over $20 billion dollars per year of increase debt.

Harper not only added more than $160 billion dollars of debt but did it when oil prices were at all time highs not the lows that Trudeau inherited.

Please take the rose-coloured glasses off and state honestly both Harper’s accomplishments and shortcomings.

After Harper we no longer own all of Canadian naval vessels but now rent naval supply ships from Spain.

Terrence Wagstaff Nanaimo

Protected watershed needed, not $72M plant Re: ‘Q&A with Mayor McKay’ (Daily News, Jan. 9) Nice to know our mayor considers the $72-million water treatment plant as one of his most important achievements.

What he doesn’t mention is that this plant wouldn’t be needed if we allowed our drinking watershed to be protected by the only proven method, intact old-growth forest.

Both Victoria and Vancouver have recognized that simple remedy for protecting their water.

The only ones who benefit from the treatment plant is Island Timberlands who are currently clearcutting in the Jump Lake basin above our lake. Removal of the forest cover allows the rain to wash out the heavy metals and arsenic, etc. into the Chase River.

While they make a fortune selling logs that by Canadian law belong to the Snuneymuxw First Nation, we rate-payers are having to clean up the water they pollute.

I made council aware of this problem 10 years ago.

They decided to raise our taxes and build a plant we now need because they see their job as to mollify business at the expense of the rest of us.

Shame.

Jim Erkiletian Nanaimo

because it doesn’t have a dollar figure attached?

Nanaimo MLA Leonard Krog laid out that case well: “I fully appreciate there’s a significant number of people in our community (who) don’t not attend church regularly, are not people of faith, may be agnostics, may not support the concept,” he said. “But at the same time, personally, I’m very conscious of how much good work is performed in our communities by all of these organizations, whether it be the Salvation Army, other Christian churches, the folks at the local mosque. I think the fact that they receive that exemption is very good value to the community for the amount of money involved.”

Perhaps a review could look at some type mechanism to somehow

Great Nanaimo Toy Drive a success again The 2015 Great Nanaimo Toy Drive provided toys, gifts and games for over 650 families this year.

Heartfelt thanks to everyone in Nanaimo who supported this year’s efforts.

The generosity of the people of Nanaimo, from individuals and families, organizations, groups, and businesses too numerous to mention, can make us all proud of our community.

It has been said we all have two hands, one for ‘getting’ and one for ‘giving.’ When our ‘giving’ and our ‘getting is balanced, we, and by extension our community, are healthier.

Nanaimo is indeed a compassionate and a healthier community, thanks

measure how much of a benefit they are creating.

Ian Bushfield, executive director of the secular BC Humanist Association, says: “It’s one thing to give breaks to groups that offer soup kitchens or a homeless shelter, for example; but it’s another thing entirely to ask taxpayers to subsidize a parking lot for a mega-church.”

In the end, we must place a significant emphasis on the social cost involved with this issue. In a bottom-line driven world where every penny is counted and recounted, sometimes the things with the most value don’t have dollar signs beside them.

» We want to hear from you.

Send comments on this editorial to yourletters@nanaimodailynews.com.

to the many donations of time, talent and money expended to make this holiday season a time of joy and happiness for 1,426 of our children.

On behalf of The Great Nanaimo Toy Drive board of directors, thank you!

We couldn’t have done it without each of you.

Carolyn Iles Nanaimo Letters must include your hometown and a daytime phone number for verification purposes only. Letters must include your first name (or two initials) and last name. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, taste, legality and for length. Unsigned letters and letters of more than 300 words will not be accepted. Email to: yourletters@nanaimodailynews.com

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

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NEWS 7

PARKSVILLE-QUALICUM

Record year for region’s emergency shelter CANDACE WU PARKSVILLE QUALICUM BEACH NEWS

It’s been a record year for Parksville’s extreme weather shelter.

The facility providing solace for those less fortunate was open 25 nights in December alone operating at close to full capacity, according to Salvation Army manager Lisa Clason.

She said the shelter was also open

14 nights in November and seven nights in January so far.

“The weather has been wet, windy and stormy,” said Clason. “It’s been storm after storm. Even though it was mild and raining there was no way someone could stay dry.”

The shelter, which now operates out of the old B.C. Ambulance Station in Parksville, is open from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. providing clients with

two hot meals (dinner and breakfast), a bed with blankets and pillows, showers, dry clothes and most importantly — a safe place to sleep.

The protocol for Parksville’s extreme weather shelter is standard for extreme weather shelters on Vancouver Island, according to the Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness.

Implementation of the extreme

weather response plan is called when weather conditions are deemed severe enough to present a substantial threat to the life or health of homeless people.

Extreme weather conditions are defined as: temperatures near zero with rainfall that makes it difficult or impossible for homeless people to remain dry; sleet/freezing rain; snow accumulation; sustained high

winds; and temperatures at or below -2 Celsius, taking into account wind chill. Clason said it’s been “very difficult” to find and retain volunteers for the extreme weather shelter given the late night hours and sometimes “unpleasant” circumstances.

“Volunteers are welcome even if they just want to come and play games with people for a few hours,” she said.

TOFINO

Planetloving Islander man all aboard ANDREW BAILEY WESTERLY NEWS

Bob Purdy wrapped up 2015 the same way he began it, standing on his paddleboard looking out over the ocean.

On Dec. 31, Purdy put his paddleboard in the waves off MacKenzie Beach to mark his 1,826th consecutive day of stand up paddleboarding, a streak he kicked off in an effort to motivate social, economic and environmental changes.

“I think we can all agree that we can do better in all of those areas but everybody resonates differently. For me it happens to be the environment for someone else it might be a social issue,” Purdy said.

“You can look out your back window virtually anywhere on the planet and see things that need to be changed . . . One of the reasons we crafted that message as broad as it is was so that people can pick things that resonate with them.”

Purdy, 62, is the founder of Paddle for the Planet and the focus of the 2014 documentary The Paddler.

“I still remember vividly my very first paddle. I managed to break my nose in the surf at Coho Beach back in 2007,” he said.

Tofino resident and Paddle for the Planet founder, Bob Purdy took on MacKenzie Beach’s cold winter waves to celebrate his 1,826th consecutive day of stand up paddleboarding on Dec. 31. [ANDREW BAILEY]

“In spite of that, I decided right then and there that I was going to share this sport with as many people as possible and at that time it was relatively new; not many people knew about it.”

After selling his paddle shop in 2010, Purdy was searching for a way to stay connected to the sport and he came up with an idea to continue his passion while promoting behavioural change.

“I was sitting around talking with the new owner and wondering how I was going to stay connected to the industry because I didn’t want to drop out of sight and I jokingly said ‘Well why

don’t I paddle for 1,000 days and make it count for something,’” he said.

“We both had a great laugh about that and I went home and started thinking about it and I thought, ‘You know, I can probably do this.”

Six months later, on Jan 1, 2011, Purdy embarked on his goal.

“My original goal was 1,000 days and when I hit 1,000 I didn’t reset,” he said.

“I’ll keep going until my health declines to the point that I’m not able to go or until we actually change the way we live on the planet, whichever comes first.”

He encourages people to avoid getting stuck on big issues when thinking about change.

“There’s so many challenges and some of them are so huge and so big we kind of get stuck . . . you don’t have to do the big things just take a small step and start,” he said.

“Change has this internal mechanism to it where the more things you change the more you start looking for other things to change and the more you start changing the more your circle starts to see a change and we get this ripple effect going.”

Purdy said that paddleboarding is uniquely conducive to his environmental message.

“We as a species, I think, have lost our connection to the natural world and with stand up paddle it just brings you right back there.”

“You get a chance to leave the phone and the computer and all that stuff behind and you immerse yourself in that natural world.

“When you’re connected to nature you’ll take care of it and if we can get that message across that’s going to be a huge help.”

NANAIMO-LADYSMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT

International student revenue rising as numbers jump 45 per cent in local schools LADYSMITH CHRONICLE

Revenues from the International Student Education program at Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District are projected to be $3.9 million in 2015-16, up from 2.7 million in 2011-12.

That’s one of the pieces of information SD68 staff and trustees have to

consider in a review of ISE, produced

by Mike McKay of Hadrian Educational Consulting.

His report offers ‘observations and recommendations’ on: • Alignment of the ISE program with the district’s core purpose and strategic direction; • Financial and related operational realities;

• Confirmation of ISE’s benefits beyond revenue generation; • And the Impact of ISE on district operations; Since 2011 the number of ISE students has climbed from 216 to 313, a 45 per cent jump. Included within that number is a sharper rise in the number of elementary ISE enrolments, which have jumped from five

to 45. The families of secondary ISE students pay $12,000 per year for their children to attend; elementary parents $13,000.

A revenue and expenses model, based on 225 secondary and 20 elementary students, pegs total revenues at $3.3 million, expenditures at $2.6 million. What is called ‘net unallocated revenue’ is $567,000 in

that scenario. Added district staffing accounts for $1.3 million of the district’s expenditures in that model.

In 2015-16 25 per cent of ISE students attended Dover Bay Secondary; 24 per cent Wellington; 14 per cent Nanaimo District Secondary School; 15 per cent John Barsby, 14 per cent Woodlands and eight per cent Ladysmith

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

CUMBERLAND

Mountain bikers get new playground COMOX VALLEY RECORD

An land access agreement has created a haven for mountain bikers. [DAVE SILVER]

AROUND THE ISLAND Black Press ◆ CHEMAINUS

Distraught man talked off roof after six hours It took RCMP about six hours to persuade a distraught man, wielding a knife, to come down from a second story roof in Chemainus Thursday, Jan. 6.

The incident began at about 4 p.m. in a block bounded by Oak and Pine streets, below Maple.

The man had been alone in a second floor residence, above a commercial space.

North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP responded to the call and requested help from neighbouring detachments to cordon off the area. Crisis negotiators were brought in along with the RCMP Emergency Response Team.

“We were concerned for the safety of our members, as well as this individual’s safety, and safety of the public,” said Insp. Ray Carfantan.

“It all ended very well,” he added.

The man, in his early 30s, was apprehended under the Mental Health Act, and taken for assessment.

◆ PORT ALICE

Remote community can expect fuel cost to jump Gas prices in Port Alice might be on the rise, as Port Alice Gas Inc. has requested a change in rates from the B.C. Utilities Commission.

“The commodity charge is based on what we pay for the product,” said David Dick, president of Port Alice Gas Inc. “We really don’t have the volume to charge at the current rate and remain viable,” Dick said.

Since 1995, Port Alice Gas Inc. has charged a $6 per month basic fee.

According to Dick, modest gas users will see little change in their monthly bill.

Heavy gas users will be looking at an additional $20 per month, bringing the total to $26.

“We simply waited too long to do the increase,” Dick said, adding that if the increase goes through, their projected profit for the year would be $13,000.

“The B.C. Utilities Commission will determine if the change in rates and fare is fair for the community and fair for me.”

Mountain bikers are getting a new outdoor playground near Cumberland.

The United Riders of Cumberland, the Village of Cumberland, TimberWest, and Hancock Forest Management announced earlier this month that a land access agreement has been reached to formally allow non-motorized recreation on private managed forest lands near the village.

“This agreement represents the collective efforts of all parties involved and demonstrates what can be

achieved through collaboration,” said Mike Manara, UROC president.

“I am proud of the UROC board for their dedication to this project and the commitment to making mountain-biking a legitimate industry in our community. We are stoked to put Cumberland and our amazing trails on the map.”

TimberWest vice-president Domenico Iannidinardo said this deal is years in the making.

“This agreement provides for legitimate access to mountain-bikers and recreationists to enjoy a series of trails over multiple ownerships. Much credit must go to UROC and the Village of

Cumberland for their efforts in bringing this agreement together.”

For Cumberland, the agreement helps to move forward council’s goal of improving recreation opportunities in the community.

“Trails mean so much to our community from both a quality of life perspective, as well as an economic driver,” said Mayor Leslie Baird. “The parties know that working forests and trail-based recreational can be compatible land uses.”

Under the terms of the agreement, UROC will take on key trail management and maintenance responsibilities for the approximately 70 km

Cumberland trail network, while also continuing to work in partnership with local trail builders and other stakeholders.

Partners will be working closely on several trail infrastructure projects, including new trailhead information kiosks and the replacement of bridges over important stream crossings.

Next up, UROC will be completing an inventory to determine trail maintenance priorities and confirming trail difficulty ratings.

Over time visitors can expect to see upgraded trail signage, improved route information, and consistent and proactive trail maintenance.

CAMPBELL RIVER

Quadders given place to call their own MIKE DAVIES CAMPBELL RIVER MIRROR

In November of 2013, Duncan MacTavish of Recreation Sites and Trails B.C. came to the Campbell River ATV club with a proposal to give off-roaders a place to call their own.

CRATV president Mike Coulter was immediately on board.

“We really wanted a place of our own to be able to quad from,” Coulter said.

“It’s always a challenge in the summer to find campsites that are off-road vehicle-friendly. Even when they’re found, conflicts understandably arise between the different types of users of those areas.

Thousands of man-hours of work and $140,000 later, Pye Mountain Recreation Site, which opened to the public this past Dec. 31, is the answer they’d been looking for.

The National Trails Coalition sent out notice in June of 2014 that they were making money available for people who wanted to build trail systems — including ones for off-road vehicles.

“We jumped in there and got the paperwork in and we were successful at getting that grant,” Coulter says.

“Once we got that, Duncan went to work and got Rec Sites and Trails to match those funds and that gave us enough money to go forward and make definite plans.”

“We had to find a site that fit not only our own criteria but all of the stakeholders’ criteria. Everyone from trappers to woodlot owners had to approve that we build the site, and

Members of the Campbell River ATV Club saw two years worth of planning come to fruition on Dec. 31 with the opening of the Pye Mountain Recreation site, the only site of its type on Vancouver Island. [CAMPBELL RIVER ATV CLUB]

that was only step one,” Coulter said.

Once they had a spot everyone was satisfied with, they got the land designated a provincial recreation site — which happened in late August — and they got into the dirty work of creating the trail system.

The result was a four-kilometre trail system including location and directional signage along with a 24-space camping area, complete with custom-made picnic tables, outhouses, fire pits and picnic shelters.

“There’s nowhere else on Vancouver Island like this,” Coulter beams.

“There’s no other site that is primarily designed for off-road vehicles.”

As far as the trails themselves are concerned, the club has an area map on display at the site that rates different paths’ difficulty, much like ski runs on a mountain. Green trails are considered relatively easy riding, blue ones require having a bit more technical riding skill, and black ones are the most difficult.

The property is just five kilometres off Highway 19 on Elk Bay Road — just north of Roberts Lake — and Coulter couldn’t be happier about how it turned out.

After all the hard work, administrative hurdles and complications, along with engineering issues to be dealt with, Coulter still smiling, and is clearly itching to get back up to the trails.

“It was all worth it,” he says, leaning back in his chair.

VICTORIA

City, university team up to design new bike network KENDRA WONG VICTORIA NEWS

The City of Victoria and University of Victoria students are teaming up for a new course to address the challenges and opportunities of building a comprehensive bike network in the city.

“We proposed the idea of a Biketoria course where students would work on projects that support the implemen-

tation and evaluation of the cycling network,” said Trisalyn Nelson, a geography professor at the university who is teaching the course in tandem with Cam Owens.

“A lot of (students) are interested in cycling, but more than that they’re interested in community outreach and feeling like their learning has a real practical angle.”

The 30 students currently enrolled in the course will be working on projects (based on city staff input) that will evaluate the eight proposed cycling corridors.

Students will study what it takes to bring the corridors to fruition, collect baseline data, and generate infographics and other media that communicate what stakeholders could expect to

see with the implementation of the network. Projects will then be given to city staff at the end of the semester.

“They’re working on active projects, but they’re also getting a credit,” said Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps.

Last year, the city allocated $7.75 million to the construction of a comprehensive cycling network by 2018 for all ages and cycling abilities.

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NEWS 9

LADYSMITH

Parents push high school French immersion CRAIG SPENCE LADYSMITH CHRONICLE

Plus s’il vous plaît.

Nobody is saying a full 8-12 French Immersion program at Ladysmith Secondary School is necessarily feasible, but a presentation from the Ecole North Oyster community has given trustees and staff at Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District pause for thought.

The district surveyed students and

parents in December to determine support for a Grade 8-9 French immersion program at LSS and a recommendation will be presented by late February or early March.

But representatives of Ecole North Oyster urged the district not to rule out a full program, which they argued will: solidify enrolments at Ecole North Oyster; help LSS draw more students, and recover from an anticipated decline in enrolment

when Cedar Secondary School reopens in the fall; and make it easier for students in the southern end of the district to access an increasingly popular and beneficial program.

“When there’s a secondary program, you will get more kids enrolling at the elementary level,” parent Cheryl Onciul told the committee.

A presentation prepared by her, another parent Carrie Segreto, and by Ecole North Oyster teacher Belinda

Harrison projected ‘potential’ enrolment of 75 students by 2020.

If a full program isn’t offered, they said, it will be more difficult to draw students into the Ecole North Oyster-Ladysmith Secondary French immersion stream, and retain students who do enrol.

Even at the kindergarten level parents are looking down the road to see if it goes all the way to graduation and a ‘double dogwood’

By Grade 8 the choice becomes even more stark.

“There’s little incentive for Grade 8 students to go to LSS then switch to NDSS (Nanaimo District Secondary School),” Onciul said.

Some would opt to send their children straight into French Immersion at NDSS; others to drop out of the FI program altogether.

Segreto pointed out French Immersion continues to grow in popularity.

ISLAND HEALTH

CHEMAINUS

Public health officer pledges care for seniors, kids and more

Longtime grocery store closes shop

SARAH SIMPSON COWICHAN VALLEY CITIZEN

Dr. Paul Hasselback says 2015 was a year of massive change both at a political level as well as within Island Health in terms of the structure.

“The good news is that it’s bringing decision making closer to home, which means it’s bringing decision making closer to the issues that are relevant to the people within the Valley,” Central Vancouver Island’s the medical health officer said.

Out of that, he added, comes ideas on how to address seniors, children, mental health and substance abuse issues.

“Interestingly those seem to be the same priorities in most places,” he said. “But they haven’t necessarily been the focus of attention in the health care system for the last period of time.”

Hasselback believes the shift to local decision-making will bring with it a dialogue on how best to support all four of those groups in the community and at home.

Hasselback noted a lot of the gain that’s been made in healthcare for the last decade has been by keeping people healthy “not as much by treating them once they’re no longer healthy,” he said.

“Unfortunately in the last period of time we’ve seen an erosion of those prevention services so I hope that there’s a recognition that, if we truly want to address these issues, not only do we have to look at the services we’re providing but we also have to look up stream about how do we prevent

CRAIG SPENCE LADYSMITH CHRONICLE

Central Vancouver Island medical health officer Dr. Paul Hasselbeck.

[COWICHAN VALLEY CITIZEN]

people from needing those services.”

Hasselback hopes 2016 will also see a greater conversation about inclusion.

“We talk about ethnicity as being perhaps the most relevant one but things like sexual orientation are get-

ting more attention,” he said.

“Certainly riskier lifestyles like those that are using drugs are becoming more commonplace and we need to be talking about how to incorporate them into our conversations let alone our services.”

Chemainus is now a one grocery store town.

A downtown grocery store that has served residents of the community for decades is closing its doors.

Last week Chemainus Foods announced a price reduction on remaining items in the store and customers were notified that the business, operated by Michele and Greg Riley was in receivership.

“Sadly we must tell you Chemainus Foods is closing,” the Riley’s said in a letter to the community.

“Market place changes have finally caught up to us and while we have tried to develop ideas that would keep the doors open we’ve not been successful.”

The Rileys were especially concerned for their staff.

“Closing a store and losing a job is tough for everyone,” they said. “We know this will be a difficult time for our staff who have served us and the community well.”

Chemainus Foods received the Chamber of Commerce Retail Business of the Year Award in 2012.

“We will miss you and will also miss being a part of the various community events,” the Rileys concluded. “We are really sorry there was not a better outcome.”

The feelings were returned by shoppers at the store Thursday, Jan. 7, many of them not aware Chemainus

“Market place changes have finally caught up to us.”

Michele Riley, Chemainus Foods owner

Foods was in receivership.

“I just don’t want to see them go, and nobody I talk to wants to see them go,” said Jeanne Newton, who lives in Crofton, but has been shopping at Chemainus Foods for about 25 years. “We shop here all the time.”

“It’s an institution in the town,” said Gail Myles, a resident of Chemainus for about eight years.

“We’re going to miss this store.”

She pointed out that the town centre of Chemainus is being redeveloped, and the loss of Chemainus Foods will be a setback to that initiative. “It’s an economic indicator in my mind,” she said.

North Cowichan Mayor Jon Lefebure, who is also a Chemainus resident, agreed the closure is not a good economic signal. “We don’t like to lose any business down there,” he said.

But he added that Chemainus Foods has faced stiff competition since 49th Parallel Grocery opened its outlet in the Chemainus Village Square.

“It’s very unfortunate, but I think people anticipated that it would be difficult for both businesses to survive,” he said.

SAANICH

RCMP canine crime unit plays role in collaring suspect in business break-in DAN EBENAL SAANICH NEWS

A Saanich Police dog unit tracked down the suspect in an early morning break-in.

Saanich Police responded to an alarm at Francelli’s coffee shop in the Royal Oak shopping centre shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday.

Officers attended and found the

glass front door had been smashed out with several items inside the shop seeming to have been disturbed.

Saanich Police K9 officer Const.

Jon Zielinski and his police dog Zeke were quickly on the suspect’s trail.

“What they do is the dog establishes a track from the scene and will pick up on whatever it is that dogs pick up on, which is usually human scent,

and then follows that until (the suspect) is captured,” said acting Sgt. Jereme Leslie with Saanich Police Zeke located the suspect a few blocks away, near the 800-block of Mann Ave., hiding in a backyard.

The suspect was arrested without incident and a number of undisclosed items from the store were found in his possession.

“He was apparently very quick to give up.

“Once he realized there’s a big German shepherd after me, (he decided) that’s probably not a good thing,” said Leslie.

A 42-year-old Langford man, who is known to police, was later released on a promise to appear with a court date set for February. Recommended

charges include, break and enter and commit an indictable offence, possession of break in instruments and possession of stolen property.

Leslie said break-ins can prove costly for business owners.

“This is a good example of the excellent work done by the women and men (and K9s) of the Saanich Police Department,” he said.

10

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BURNS LAKE

KAMLOOPS

Dangerous offender guilty of decades of assaults

◆ VANCOUVER

Woman killed after falling from party bus There are renewed calls for tougher restrictions on the party bus industry after the death of a passenger over the weekend.

The 23-year-old woman died after she fell out of the open door of a party bus as it made a left turn in downtown Vancouver. It’s the latest in a series of deaths, often tied to underage drinking or drug use.

The province last year tightened licensing requirements for buses and limousines with perimeter seating, including mandatory display of a special licence plate to allow police checks.

NDP MLA George Heyman said the province hasn’t gone far enough.

“It’s time to admit that relying on self-regulation has failed with tragic results,” he said.

Heyman previously proposed legislation requiring chaperones for trips involving minors, standardized safety training, penalties for advertising illegal activity, and safe drop-off provisions to end the practice of dumping sick or distressed passengers.

“These things might have made a difference this weekend, and could make a difference in the future.”

◆ VANCOUVER

Syrians pepper-sprayed in suspected hate crime The pepper spraying of a group of Syrian refugees and their supporters in Vancouver last Friday night is being investigated as a hate crime.

The large crowd of men, women and children were outside the Muslim Association of Canada Centre after a “welcome night” event for newly arrived refugees when they were pepper sprayed by a man in a white hoodie riding a bicycle.

More than a dozen people were treated for exposure to pepper spray.

Vancouver Police say no arrests have been made.

The Syrian Canadian Council of B.C. said a “very small minority” fear refugees and called it an “isolated act” that doesn’t reflect Canadian values.

◆ WHITEHORSE

Plane makes safe emergency landing A few tense moments Monday afternoon for the crew and passengers aboard an Air North flight in Yukon.

Fifteen passengers and three crew were aboard a Hawker Siddeley turboprop that had just taken off from Old Crow, heading to Dawson City, when instruments showed the plane was low on hydraulic fluid.

The pilot was unable to retract the landing gear, so the crew radioed for permission to make an emergency landing in Whitehorse.

Allan Moore with Air North says the plane made a safe landing, but was trailed down the runway by a full contingent of emergency vehicles.

He says the passengers were smiling and didn’t appear stressed.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

TIM PETRUK KAMLOOPS THIS WEEK

The aftermath of the 2012 blast that killed four workers at the Babine Forest Products. [LAKES DISTRICT NEWS/FILE]

Class-action lawsuit sought in 2012 sawmill explosions THE CANADIAN PRESS

Ten people connected to a pair of deadly sawmill explosions in British Columbia are asking a judge to certify a class-action lawsuit seeking damages for physical and mental injuries.

The separate blasts in 2012 killed four workers and injured 42 people at Babine Forest Products in Burns Lake and Lakeland Mills in Prince George.

A notice of civil claim named the Workers Compensation Board of B.C. and the provincial government.

In a statement Tuesday, Scott McCloy with WorkSafeBC said the agency had no immediate comment on the allegations.

Patrick Michell was inside the Babine mill when it blew up in January 2012. He and nine others are seeking general, special and punitive damages, as well as declarations that

WorkSafe’s inspections and investigations were negligent.

“The class members trusted WorkSafe to take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of the mills and to competently investigate the explosions,” the statement of claim said.

“By failing in both respects, WorkSafe betrayed the class members’ trust, denied them justice for their suffering and for the suffering and deaths of their loved ones, undermined their faith in government and robbed them of the sense of security and safety that a trustworthy and competent system of prevention and deterrence provides.”

Michell represents one of six classes of plaintiffs, including workers who were in the two mills when fire tore through them. Workers who were off-shift, and family members of on- and off-shift workers at both locations are also represented.

They allege WorkSafeBC ignored

its legal duty to represent workers’ interests.

The allegations have yet to be tested in court.

Many workers were out of work for months following the explosions, which the claim said were caused by combustible wood dust in levels that WorkSafe had identified as unsafe months or years earlier.

“At no time prior to the Babine explosion did WorkSafe issue Babine Forest Products any orders or administrative penalties in respect of combustible wood dust.”

It also referenced at least 24 separate inspections of the Prince George mill in the years leading up to the April 2012 explosion, with each inspection uncovering unacceptable levels of wood dust, yet producing no WorkSafe orders to clean up.

WorkSafeBC and the province have three weeks to respond to the allegations.

A British Columbia man who sexually assaulted at least 15 children over five decades has agreed to be labelled a dangerous offender, meaning he could be locked up for the rest of his life.

The man and the community in which he committed his most recent crimes cannot be identified as part of a court-ordered publication ban aimed at protecting the identity of the victims.

The offender consented to being labelled a dangerous offender in B.C. Supreme Court on Monday, when a three-week dangerous-offender hearing was expected to start.

“There is no doubt that he has caused significant harm to a number of children,” Crown lawyer Neil Flanagan told court. “He has indicated that he wants this to stop and he, today, has taken steps to ensure that occurs.”

The man’s most recent offences against children, for which he was convicted last summer, took place in a small town in B.C.’s Interior.

He videotaped a number of sexual assaults involving young girls and was convicted of two counts each of invitation to sexual touching and producing child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.

Flanagan said the “disturbing” videos would have likely been played in court if the offender had not consented to a dangerous-offender label.

His first convictions for sex crimes against children date back to 1975.

Court heard he has been willing to take treatment and counselling in the past, but none of it has worked. “(He) has made an effort,” Flanagan said. “It just has not worked and, in the Crown’s view, will never work.

Flanagan praised the offender for taking responsibility for his actions.

“He, today, is acting with a measure of moral courage,” Flanagan said.

MAPLE RIDGE

Two dogs killed in weekend home break-in JENNIFER SALTMAN THE PROVINCE

A Maple Ridge man is facing criminal charges in connection with a break-in that left a home damaged and two dogs dead on the weekend.

Riley Dill, 20, appeared in provincial court ion Monday and Tuesday.

He is charged with two counts of killing an animal and one of mischief.

On Tuesday, the court heard that a psychological assessment had been conducted to determine whether Dill was fit to stand trial, and that he had been found fit to proceed.

Dill stood silently in the prisoner’s dock during the proceedings.

A bail hearing is scheduled for today, during which the Crown said he plans to seek Dill’s detention.

Dill has no prior criminal record.

According to Ridge Meadows RCMP, just before 4 p.m. on Saturday the resident of a home in central Maple Ridge reported a break-and-enter and said two dogs inside the home appeared to be dead.

Officers attended and Dill was arrested in the area. He is known to the people living in the home.

Police would not provide more information about the incident because the case is before the courts.

B.C. SPCA senior animal protection officer Eileen Drever said RCMP contacted the SPCA for assistance — such as arranging for necropsies — but the investigation is being conducted by the RCMP and she could not comment on the case.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

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B.C. 11

CHILLIWACK

Clerk sentenced for stealing evidence Police exhibit custodian sentenced to 12 months in jail, ordered to pay $2,800 for pilfering cash from files PAUL J. HENDERSON CHILLIWACK TIMES

The exhibit custodian convicted of stealing thousands of dollars from the Chilliwack RCMP detachment was sentenced to 12 months in jail in BC Supreme Court this week.

Jaime Tiller was also ordered to pay $2,800 in restitution back to the City of Chilliwack connected to the three files she stole from. This sum, however, is just a fraction of the close to

$40,000 from 19 RCMP exhibits that went missing and for which she was first charged.

As Justice Miriam Gropper read her decision, she said a conservative estimate of the cost of the investigation was $1 million.

Tiller was convicted by a jury of theft and breach of trust on Aug. 14 last year.

At the sentencing hearing in December, Crown counsel Louisa

Winn asked the court for a period of incarceration between 12 and 24 months. Tiller’s lawyer Gurpreet Gill argued a conditional discharge was suitable.

In court on Jan. 6, Gropper said incarceration was required, and the argument that a jail sentence would harm Tiller’s children was not a reason to order a conditional sentence.

Gropper said Tiller’s crimes were serious breaches of trust, they had

“forethought and planning” and put criminal investigations at risk.

Charges were dropped in two of three cases the exhibits for which Tiller was convicted for stealing from.

In another file, money was stolen that had been discovered by police in the bed stand of a person who ended up dead, and who is the subject of a cold-case homicide.

The case against Tiller, who was a

municipal employee in her role as exhibit custodian at the detachment, included no direct evidence but was entirely circumstantial.

That evidence included the fact that in one instance in 2011, Tiller deposited 42 $20 bills, 12 $10 bills and eight $5 bills into a bank account, for a total of $1,000.

Those denominations matched precisely money missing from an exhibit file.

MAPLE RIDGE

Politicians struggle with barrage of Internet critics PHIL MELNYCHUK MAPLE RIDGE NEWS

M

aple Ridge councillor Tyler Shymkiw has message to the world of social media.

When people comment about city affairs or politicians, when passion turns into abuse and personal attacks, there is a person at the other end of the keyboard.

“Politicians . . . everywhere in the world are dealing with it,” Shymkiw said.

He added the assumption might be that they signed up for it.

“But I don’t think that’s necessarily true.”

Shymkiw, starting his second year on council, hasn’t reactivated his personal Facebook page since Christmas. That means he’s not plugged into the increasing number of groups that discuss local issues online.

“It’s the group piece that I’m stepping back from and reassessing, because that’s where you see the nastiness going on,” he said. “People start treating it like a spectator sport.”

Shymkiw said belonging to a range of Facebook groups is becoming labour-intensive as comments from one group page are posted to another.

“There have been, for me, and continue to be, growing concerns with what’s happening with more and more groups, and the constant cross-posting, making it difficult for me to even keep track of where I’m talking to who,” he said.

“There’s some stuff that’s pretty horrendous,” he added.

“Most of these people are really good when you meet them in person, most of them. There’s something dehumanizing about the whole social media thing at times, especially when it comes to politicians in the public eye.”

The deputy mayor is still responding to questions on his city Facebook page and if someone wants to go on his Facebook page and “have a dialogue in a respectful way, there’s nobody I’m not going to answer.”

He acknowledges though, he isn’t getting the worst of it.

“I think the mayor is taking the most of it,” Shymkiw said.

It’s not so simple for municipal politicians to navigate the numerous social media channels on which interest groups discuss local issues. [FACEBOOK]

“There’s something dehumanizing about the whole social media thing at times.”

Tyler Shymkiw, Maple Ridge councillor

In addition to personal attacks, the extra time required to stay up to date online is another concern.

“There is a growing expectation that we respond 24/7 to any sort of inquiry.”

That places a huge demand for councillors who are on Facebook.

Shymkiw estimates during busy times he’s spending 30 hours a week online, and the same again doing regular council duties.

But he likes to give detailed answers to people’s questions.

Combined with e-mail, “we spend more time that what the actual expectations for the whole job are.”

Neither is there any downtime in the digital world. People can post at any time, ask questions or make mis-

statements at 3 a.m. As a politician, he wants to correct or respond to that as soon as possible.

“It becomes a real 24/7 thing.”

Shymkiw notes that council wages have been frozen for several years and now politicians are facing the duties of the digital world.

“I think the general population needs to decide if that’s where they want their representatives to be spending their time.”

He said he’ll keep his political Facebook page open so he can answer simple back and forth questions. And he’ll still get into dialogue.

The nastiness isn’t directed only towards politicians, but to others as well, such as the homeless.

“Which doesn’t lead to a good place either, as a community or as a society. We all have a responsibility to try to elevate that level of dialogue,” Shymkiw said.

“Some of the population does want to hear that Donald Trump-type discourse. But I don’t think that’s where we need to head as a society.”

As for Mayor Nicole Read, she has

faced a barrage of Facebook attacks since being elected in November 2014.

“I am hesitant to engage you given your utterly abusive conduct towards me during the election and the horrible posts on your own page that were sent to me by residents,” Read wrote in response to one post last July.

She wonders why people do that.

“It can really be mean-spirited and what’s the point of that, I don’t know,” she said.

During debates about homelessness, “there was a lot of mean stuff going on. It was very difficult for me and my family.”

She noted that other mayors face the same type of comments.

But she still believes there’s value in social media. It allows her to connect with voters and can do so by limiting her time on it.

She’ll also respond to comments and questions, but notes that some Facebook groups are better than others, depending on how well they’re moderated.

“There are sites that I’m comfortable going on.”

But council will have to talk about how each councillor’s comments online affect how council actually operates.

“I definitely think we’re in new and uncharted territory when it comes to governance and freedom of information.”

Read has two Facebook pages and doesn’t get negative comments on her personal Facebook page, which allows voters to see who she is as a person, adding that many voted for her for the reasons on that page.

Councillor Gordy Robson has a Facebook page, but isn’t active on it.

Robson said he doesn’t find it useful and that it takes too much time talking to the same group of people and sometimes even changing their votes on council because of Facebook feedback.

“I don’t find it useful,” he said.

“The people who have Facebook . . . they spend a lot of time talking over and over about the same things.”

12

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@NanaimoDaily

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

TERRORISM

Suicide bomber kills 10 in Istanbul Eight Germans were among 10 tourists killed in the explosion; nine others were wounded, some seriously MEHMET GUZEL AND SUZAN FRASER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ISTANBUL — A suicide bomber detonated a bomb in the heart of Istanbul’s historic district on Tuesday, killing 10 foreigners — most of them German tourists — and wounding 15 other people in the latest in a string of attacks by the Islamic extremists targeting Westerners.

The blast, just steps from the historic Blue Mosque and a former Byzantine church in the city’s storied Sultanahmet district, was the first

by IS to target Turkey’s vital tourism sector, although IS militants have struck with deadly effect elsewhere in the country.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the bomber was a member of IS and pledged to battle the militant group until it no longer “remains a threat” to Turkey or the world.

Davutoglu described the assailant as a “foreign national,” and Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said he was a Syrian citizen born in 1988. However, the private Dogan news agency said the bomber was Saudi-born. Kurtulmus said the attacker was believed to have recently entered Turkey from Syria and was not among a list of potential bombers wanted by Turkey.

“Turkey won’t backtrack in its struggle against Daesh by even one step,” Davutoglu said, referring to IS by its Arabic acronym. “This terror organization, the assailants and all of their connections will be found and they will receive the punishments they deserve.”

Eight Germans were among the dead and nine others were wounded, some seriously, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier

A view of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, right, better known as the Blue Mosque in the historic Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, the area of an explosion on Tuesday that killed 10 tourists. [AP PHOTO]

said in Berlin. The nationalities of the two others killed in the blast were not immediately released, but both were foreigners. The wounded also included citizens of Norway, Peru, South Korea and Turkey.

Turkey’s state-run news agency said Davutoglu held a telephone conversation with German chancellor Angela Merkel to express his condolences.

“I strongly condemn the terror incident that occurred in Istanbul, at the Sultanahmet Square, and which has been assessed as being an attack by a Syria-rooted suicide bomber,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

Merkel pledged Germany would continue its fight against terrorism.

“Today Istanbul was the target, before Paris, Copenhagen, Tunis, and so many other areas,” she told repor-

ters in Berlin. “International terror changes the places of its attacks but its goal is always the same — it is our free life, in free society. The terrorists are the enemies of all free people, indeed, the enemies of all humanity, whether in Syria or Turkey, in France or Germany.”

The impact of Tuesday’s attack, while not as deadly as two others last year, was particularly far-reaching because it struck at Turkey’s $30 billion tourism industry, which has already suffered from a steep decline in Russian visitors since Turkey shot down a Russian warplane near the Syrian border in November.

Its apparent links to Syria also threatened to have implications in a country that is already dealing with more than two million Syrian refugees and a wave of migrants from

Syria and other countries pouring across Turkey to Europe.

“By striking in the heart of Istanbul’s old city, which has many . . . tourists, but few Turks, (IS) is targeting Turkey’s lucrative tourism industry,” said Soner Cagaptay, an expert on Turkey at the Washington Institute.

Cagaptay said that by targeting Germans, Islamic extremists also seemed to be aiming to heighten an anti-refugee backlash in Europe and deepen the anti-Islam sentiment there.

“This attack will, unfortunately, drive further backlash against German Chancellor Merkel’s pro-Syrian refugee policy,” Cagaptay said in emailed comments.

The explosion, which could be heard in several neighbourhoods,

was at a park that is home to a landmark obelisk some 25 yards (meters) from the Blue Mosque. Nearby monuments include the Ottoman-era Topkapi Palace and the former Byzantine church of Haghia Sophia, now a museum.

Berlin travel agent Lebenslust Touristik said that “many people” that it had booked on a tour were among the dead and wounded. Overall there were 33 people on the tour, the agency said, adding that it was working closely with the German Foreign Ministry to help the victims and their families.

Last year, Turkey agreed to take a more active role in the U.S.-led battle against the IS group. It has opened it bases to U.S. aircraft to launch air raids on the extremist group in Syria and has carried out a limited number of strikes on the group itself.

It has also moved to tighten security along its 900-kilometre border with Syria in a bid to stem the flow of militants.

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby condemned Tuesday’s attack and pledged to work with Turkey to combat the Islamic State group. “The United States reaffirms our strong commitment to work with Turkey, a NATO ally and valued member” of the coalition fighting IS “to combat the shared threat of terrorism,” Kirby said in a statement.

Turkey suffered two major bombing attacks last year, both blamed on the Islamic State group.

More than 30 people were killed in a suicide attack in the town of Suruc, near Turkey’s border with Syria, in July. In October, two suicide bombs exploded outside Ankara’s main train station as people gathered for a peace rally, killing more than 100 in Turkey’s deadliest-ever attack.

ENVIRONMENT

Quake hits area in Alberta known for fracking THE CANADIAN PRESS

FOX CREEK, Alta. — The federal government reported an earthquake Tuesday in an area of northwestern Alberta where fracking for energy development is common.

Natural Resources Canada says the earthquake was “lightly felt” in Fox Creek. No damage was reported.

The quake at about 11:30 a.m. registered 4.5 on the Richter scale, which would make it the strongest quake reported to the Alberta Energy Regulator in almost a year.

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said she wants the regulator to speed up a review the government has asked for into seismic activity in the area.

“The order comes after several seismic events — possibly related to hydraulic fracturing — were recorded in the Fox Creek area.”

Alberta Energy Regulator, statement

“My officials have been in touch with the AER to find out exactly what the situation is and we’re waiting to get more details,” Notley said in Edmonton.

“The AER has been engaged in a

review of fracking, in particular as it relates to this issue, and I’ll be asking them to speed that review ... to come up with some recommendations that we can consider sooner than later.

“What I’d like to see first of all is a report on what the evidence shows is the relationship between fracking and the seismic activity that we’ve observed up in Fox Creek.”

According to the Richter scale, quakes of the magnitude felt in Fox Creek are considered light. They’re likely to be felt by most people in the area and may cause noticeable shaking and rattling of indoor objects.

The regulator’s website says a quake of that intensity is strong enough to require the energy com-

pany responsible to stop fracking.

Concerns about seismic activity in the Fox Creek area began in December 2014 when a series of 18 earthquakes between 2.7 and 3.7 in magnitude rumbled through. In January 2015, several shakers were recorded between magnitudes of 2.4 and 4.4.

The regulator responded in February by imposing new rules for the so-called Duvernay play near town.

“The order comes after several seismic events — possibly related to hydraulic fracturing — were recorded in the Fox Creek area,” the regulator said in a news release at the time.

Before starting to frack, companies must consider the likelihood of resulting earthquakes. Any seismic

events greater than 4.0 on the Richter scale require an operator to shut down and notify the regulator.

Quakes between 2.0 and 4.0 don’t prompt a shutdown, but an operator must still inform the regulator. No activity is required for anything less than 2.0.

The new rules also require closer monitoring of seismic activity.

The regulator’s database shows there have been 366 seismic events in the region since January 2015. » We want to hear from you.

Send comments on this story to yourletters@nanaimodailynews.com.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

CRIME

@NanaimoDaily

$1.5B U.S. LOTTERY

NEWS IN BRIEF The Canadian Press

Bouncer called a hero for stopping shooting

◆ REGINA

New power use record set in Saskatchewan

BILL GRAVELAND THE CANADIAN PRESS

CALGARY — A laid-off oilpatch driller working as a bouncer said it was “just a reaction” when he jumped a gun-wielding assailant who was firing shots into a crowded nightclub.

Jay’s heroics were caught on a widely distributed YouTube video outside the Ten X Night Club in Calgary at 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

Jay isn’t the 39-year-old’s real name, but he asked that his identity remain a secret for fear of a reprisal.

The video shows a white four-door sedan rolling to a stop outside the club’s front door. A man with short hair and dark clothes with a pistol visible in his right hand jumps out of the passenger side and pulls a hoodie down over his head.

He leans inside the open door and shoots into the crowded nightclub.

A male and female patron duck for cover as broken glass sprays the area. Jay immediately jumps the shooter, pushes him outside against the car and attempts to wrestle the gun away from him. Jay is joined by a second bouncer who helps subdue the shooter.

Moments later, several members of the police gang suppression unit arrive and pull their guns. They force the shooter to the ground and drag the driver out of the car.

“A guy came in, didn’t even make it through the front doors, and just opened fire. I tackled him and tried to restrain him and wrestled the gun away from him,” Jay said while dropping his son off at school Tuesday.

“It was just a reaction. I just reacted to protect the staff that was there,” he said.

He laughed at suggestions he had done something heroic.

“There were a lot of girls at the front there and he just wouldn’t stop, so I just did what was necessary or what was needed to be done.”

Police have said the actions of the two doormen and the speedy response of officers prevented the situation from becoming more violent.

One person inside the bar was struck in the shooting. The 38-yearold man was transported to hospital in stable condition.

Jay has quit his job. He is married with four kids and said the risk just isn’t worth it.

He worked as a bouncer in his 20s, but opted to enter the oilpatch, where he was a directional driller for 12 years before losing his job a year ago and returning to bar security.

“Believe me, I didn’t want to, but your choices are limited. There’s not that many jobs out there and you don’t have much of a choice.”

NATION&WORLD 13

Canadians line up to buy Powerball tickets at a convenience store on Tuesday in the border town of Champlain, N.Y. The jackpot has reached a record-setting $1.5 billion. [THE CANADIAN PRESS]

Powerball jackpot draws Canadians across border Chances of winning are an astronomical 292.2 million to one SIDHARTHA BANERJEE THE CANADIAN PRESS

CHAMPLAIN, United States — If Lady Luck is on Robert Charbonneau’s side in the US$1.5 billion Powerball lottery draw Wednesday night, he jokes that his Quebec hometown may have to close down.

The native of St-Donat left his home north of Montreal at 7 a.m.

Tuesday and headed to a convenience store in upper New York state to buy US$1,100 worth of tickets on behalf of 320 people in his town.

“It (the jackpot) is a lot of money, it’s crazy, we’re all dreaming, it doesn’t cost much to dream,” Charbonneau said after purchasing what he hopes will be his ticket to financial freedom.

As the frenzy surrounding the record-setting lottery continued to grow, a steady stream of Canadians piled into U.S. border towns seeking to buy tickets.

As of late Tuesday afternoon, the Powerball jackpot had risen to an unprecedented US$1.5 billion (more than $2 billion Canadian) — the largest windfall in U.S. lottery history.

There was no let-up on ticket demand during the two hours The Canadian Press spent just across the U.S. border in Champlain, N.Y., as would-be billionaires put aside the minuscule chance of winning the astronomical jackpot — one in 292.2 million, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association, which runs the game.

“All these people in line, there’s your story,” joked a U.S. border guard, pointing at the long lineup at the busy Lacolle border crossing.

Many first-time Powerball buyers were among the Canadian contingent. One man from Montreal-area Longueuil bought $200 worth of

“It doesn’t matter, we could be the one in the 292 million to win.

We do the same thing back home — our lottery is so small, but we play every week.”

Peter Stocola, buying Powerball tickets

tickets for himself and work colleagues, but noted his travels would earn him a percentage of any winning combination.

Some of those not fully aware of how the Powerball works consulted with fellow Quebecers in line for advice. One considered going to buy a coffee at the adjoining doughnut shop before her compatriots reminded her the $2 caffeine fix could fetch her another ticket.

Darla Cordes, manager at the Valero gas station and convenience store in Champlain, said the lineups have been crazy since last Friday.

“About 90 per cent of my customers are from Canada,” Cordes said in between serving customers as she estimated people are spending between $100 and $500.

Cordes said a Wednesday win would calm things down.

“But if nobody wins, it’s going to be a zoo,” she added.

At another shop, Montrealers Peter Stocola and Sam Lariccia painstakingly filled out Powerball numbers by hand.

“These are my dad’s numbers, these are my grandfather’s, I’ve got to play for my aunts, my uncles, friends,” said Stocola, taking care of slip after slip using numbers jotted down on a scrap of paper.

Stocola and Lariccia were playing for a second week after losing out on US$950 million last Saturday.

The twice-weekly jackpot hasn’t been won since Nov. 4.

“They are slim, we know,” Stocola said of their chances.

“It doesn’t matter, we could be the one in the 292 million to win. We do the same thing back home — our lottery is so small, but we play every week.”

Charbonneau drove 212 kilometres, the dreams of about 320 friends riding on his shoulders.

There were some hiccups as tickets can only be purchased with debit or cash — which left Charbonneau scrambling to get money out of the convenience store’s ATM. Having already spent $1,073 on the group, he tacked on $27 worth of tickets bringing the full amount to US$1,100.

Even St-Donat’s mayor got in on the hoopla, texting Charbonneau during the drive to ensure he was part of the gang.

What will Charbonneau do if he wins?

“Tabernak!” Charbonneau booms with a laugh. “We’ll close the village down and we’re all coming down here.”

After spending the big bucks, Charbonneau set out for the two-hour drive home through a snowstorm, grabbing a can of beer for what he hopes will be massive celebration come Wednesday night.

“We’ll do lots of things, we’ll make a lot of people happy,” he added. » We want to hear from you.

Send comments on this story to yourletters@nanaimodailynews.com.

Letters must include daytime phone number and hometown

SaskPower says a return to colder temperatures has led to a new record for power use in Saskatchewan.

The Crown utility says power usage reached 3,640 megawatts at 5:31 p.m. on Monday. That surpasses the previous record of 3,628 megawatts set a year ago.

New peak records have been set every year since 2012.

SaskPower spokesman Jonathan Tremblay says there are several reasons for increased power use, including the addition of more than 8,300 customers last year.

Tremblay says people are also using more power to charge things such as smartphones.

The recent cold snap has also meant an increase in home heating, but SaskEnergy says natural gas use is down overall.

◆ GRANDE PRAIRIE, ALTA.

Bad ending to snooze behind the wheel A police vehicle was damaged and a pedestrian narrowly missed being hit after a driver in northwestern Alberta was suddenly startled out of an apparent doze behind the wheel by an RCMP officer.

Mounties in Grande Prairie say a 26-year-old woman was slouched in a truck outside a convenience store Monday afternoon when an officer tried to wake her up.

She quickly reversed the truck and slammed into a cruiser before she drove over a snowbank and narrowly missed a pedestrian before speeding away in the wrong direction.

Tara Lee McInnis of Grande Prairie remains in custody on numerous charges, including vehicle theft stemming from an incident last month.

◆ WINNIPEG

Premier promises more child-care spaces Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger is promising more child-care spaces and lower fees if his NDP government is re-elected on April 19.

Selinger says he will also act on an advisory panel report that calls for greater access to early childhood education.

The premier says he would phase out the minimum $2-a-day fee for low-income earners and boost subsidies for other families.

He is also promising a new minimum-wage scale for child-care workers and to look at requiring schools to offer before- and afterschool care.

The announcement is one of dozens being made by the NDP government in advance of the election.

Under provincial law, the government must stop such announcements next Tuesday, although political parties can continue to make promises.

Selinger’s promises are part of a long-term, previously announced plan to add 12,000 child-care spaces across the province.

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14 NATION&WORLD

@NanaimoDaily

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

ENVIRONMENT

ECONOMY

No health risk after uranium spill, say officials

Alberta premier says royalty review will not raise industry costs for now

THE CANADIAN PRESS

SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Cameco and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission say there is no risk to the public or the environment after a truck carrying uranium powder rolled in southwestern Saskatchewan and caused a small spill.

The flatbed truck was hauling a shipping container with 63 drums of yellowcake when it rolled Monday on Highway 4, about 10 kilometres north of Swift Current.

The uranium was produced by a company in Australia and was en route to Cameco’s refinery in Blind River, Ont. “There was a small amount of uranium concentrate at one spot on the outside of the container,” said Cameco spokesman Gord Struthers.

“There was no sign of uranium concentrate on the ground, but they’re still doing whatever scanning they can to confirm that that’s the case.

The process is to safely secure the container within another container, load it onto a trailer and take it to a licensed facility. That would be one of our mills at Key Lake or Rabbit Lake (in Saskatchewan) where they have facilities to safely unpack it and repackage it and prepare it to continue on its way to Blind River.”

Cameco’s operation in Blind River is the world’s largest and Canada’s only uranium refinery. Drums of uranium ore concentrates are shipped there from mines around the world, including those in Canada, Australia and the United States, and refined to uranium trioxide (UO3), a purer form of uranium.

The uranium concentrate in the rollover was described as “very raw.”

Cameco spokesman Rob Gereghty says it had only gone through one step of processing and would have to go through several more to become a fuel source.

“It’s very docile as product,” he said. “It sort of has the consistency of ... dense sand, so when it falls or goes to the ground, it doesn’t really create a lot of dust. It just kind of sits there and that’s one of the things that makes it very easy to clean up.

“It’s mildly radioactive so it can be scanned, but also that’s how we know we can clean it up quite easily.”

Any risk would come from inhaling or ingesting it, but people would have to be “very, very close” to have that happen, Gereghty said. Cleanup crews use protective equipment.

Gereghty said a typical drum would weigh about 400 kilograms.

The RCMP notified residents within a 1.6-kilometre radius of the rollover, but deemed an evacuation unnecessary because there are no homes downwind of the accident.

DEAN BENNETT THE CANADIAN PRESS

EDMONTON — Premier Rachel Notley says Alberta’s review of energy royalties will not be a wallet-buster given that worldwide oil prices are in the tank.

“I can say very definitively that no one’s going to see a royalty review that increases anybody’s costs in the near future,” Notley told a legislature news conference Tuesday.

“We’re very, very conscious of the situation that we’re in here in Alberta.

“What we’re going to do is bring forward a process that is predictable (and) more transparent that will give developers a good understanding of what they can expect and in no way should undermine the situation that they’re in now.”

Alberta’s four-person royalty review

NOTLEY

panel, headed by ATB Financial president Dave Mowat, has been taking submissions and listening to opinions since September.

The panel’s report was to come out by the end of 2015, but has been delayed.

“We’ve been working with the

panel and white-boarding stuff ... but there will be something that will be released at the end of the month,” Notley said.

She has faced criticism over the uncertainty that detractors say the review has created for the industry.

Oil prices dipped below US$30 a barrel Tuesday from a high of more than US$100 a barrel for West Texas Intermediate in 2014.

Falling prices have drained $6 billion from the Alberta government’s budget in the current fiscal year alone.

Notley said the steep drop has forced the government to rethink its next budget, which comes out this spring, but she added it won’t alter the fundamental blueprint set out in the last budget.

That plan calls for increased infrastructure spending to take advantage

of low interest rates and create construction jobs, taking on more debt in the process, while avoiding cuts to front-line health and education spending “We don’t want to get into a panicked slash-and-burn kind of dynamic where we simply take a problem and make it worse.”

Notley said the New Democrats will do what they can to create jobs and diversify the economy.

“I’m not a magician,” she said.

“We’re going to pull a bunch of different levers and ... work as a partner with our job creators and with the citizens of this province.”

Also Tuesday, Alberta Party Leader Greg Clark released his suggestions for a new royalty framework. He said it’s critical the province grow the industry through such measures as drilling incentives.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Bridge delay slows the delivery of $100M in goods shipped daily Trucking industry says about 1,300 trucks cross the Nipigon River Bridge every day ALEKSANDRA SAGAN THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO — The sudden closure and partial re-opening of the sole bridge connecting east and west travel in northern Ontario has raised concerns for the trucking industry that depends on the route to move $100 million worth of goods across Canada daily.

About 1,300 trucks cross the Nipigon River Bridge, in Nipigon, Ont., every day, according to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s 2012 commercial vehicle survey — amounting to about $100 million in cargo daily.

“This is probably one of the most important transportation infrastructure points in the country,” said Nipigon Mayor Richard Harvey.

The Ontario Provincial Police closed the bridge Sunday afternoon after a winter storm damaged the structure’s steel decking. The OPP has since opened one traffic-controlled lane and warned drivers to “expect delays.”

Cars and most trucks are crossing the bridge about 10 to 15 minutes slower than usual.

Oversized trucks, however, remain in limbo. Ministry staff decide on a “case-by-case basis” whether to allow trucks weighing more than 63,500 kilograms over the bridge, said Bob Nichols, a ministry spokesman, in an email.

Prolonged weight and size restrictions would mean these types of

Damage to the newly built Nipigon River Bridge in Nipigon, Ont., halted traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway in both directions on Sunday. [THE CANADIAN PRESS]

vehicles — which often carry specialized, heavy equipment like wind turbines — would be left with few other options. Another complete bridge closure would leave much of the industry scrambling.

“Then we could find ourselves in a very difficult situation again,”said David Bradley, the president of the Canadian Trucking Alliance and Ontario Trucking Association.

Truckers lack alternate routes when the bridge is out of service.

They could opt to travel through the United States, but that’s become more difficult post 9-11, when the U.S. beefed up security measures at the border. Officials now consider Canadian cargo passing through to be the same as an international shipment, resulting in paperwork headaches for truckers.

“The U.S. authorities basically choked off” that route for Canadian truckers, said Bradley.

It’s unclear when the bridge will

fully re-open or if it will have to be closed again for repairs.

Crews are on-site, working to determine the cause, Patrick Searle, another Ontario transportation ministry spokesman, said in an email.

The Ontario Minister of Transportation, Steven Del Duca, will be in Nipigon on Wednesday to provide an update on the situation, he said.

The $106-million bridge project replaced Nipigon’s old two-lane structure with a four-lane one.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

NEWS IN BRIEF The Canadian Press ◆ COCHRANE, ONT.

Young Australian bear called a ’Polar Picasso,’ A northern Ontario polar bear reserve is calling their latest acquisition a “Polar Picasso.”

The Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat says Henry — a nearly three-year-old bear from Australia — has tried his paw at painting.

Habitat manager Karen Cummings says his first session was with red and blue paint — the colours of the Australian flag in honour of Henry’s homeland.

Cummings says one of his first five paintings was sent to Sea World, Australia “in appreciation of their trust in us to care for this extremely precious gift.”

Henry’s first painting muse was pig fat — non-toxic paint was spread near the opening to a holding room, then art paper was placed in strategic locations, interspersed with Henry’s treats.

◆ CALGARY

Enerplus to sell some of its natural gas property Enerplus Corp. is selling some of its Alberta natural gas assets for about $193 million.

The Calgary-based company says the properties were projected to contribute the equivalent of 5,400 barrels per day of production in 2016, almost all in the form of natural gas.

In the first nine months of 2015, Enerplus produced an average of 110,800 barrels per day, with about 45 per cent of it from crude oil and natural gas liquids.

In the fourth quarter, the completed the sale of a small portion of its interests in North Dakota for about $80 million.

The Alberta properties in the latest divestment are being sold in two separate transactions but the buyers weren’t identified in the Enerplus announcement.

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HEALTH

After shock of David Bowie death, stigma, fear of cancer highlighted Why do some carefully guard diagnosis when others use social media to go public?

SHERYL UBELACKER THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO — David Bowie’s death Sunday from cancer came as a shock to many because the iconic musician had apparently kept his 18-monthlong illness secret from all but his family and most intimate friends.

But with cancer such a common and widely talked-about disease, why do some people choose to carefully guard their diagnosis — especially when others feel compelled to take to social media and other public venues to chronicle their cancer journey step by step, even up to death?

“It’s a very individualized decision,” Christine Williams, scientific director at the Canadian Cancer Society, said Tuesday. “We talk a lot about personalized medicine in treating cancer, but the emotional experience of cancer is also very personal for people.

“And different people react in different ways.”

Dr. Gary Rodin, head of supportive care at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, said many people may not realize in this era of Facebook and other online vehicles for personal disclosure and self-expression that it wasn’t so long ago that the word “cancer” was often whispered, referred to by euphemisms like “the Big C,” or not voiced at all.

The psychiatrist recalled being told by a U.S. doctor, who helped pioneer the practice of psychosocial oncology, that in the 1950s she wanted to run an ad in the New York Times for a support group for women with breast cancer.

David Bowie performs during a concert in Hartford, Conn., in September 1995.

[THE CANADIAN PRESS]

“The New York Times said that’s fine, but you can’t use the word cancer and you can’t use the word breast,” said Rodin, noting that there is now far more openness about cancer, thanks in large part to breast cancer survivors and their supporters speaking out to raise awareness of the disease.

Still, there are those who prefer to keep their diagnosis, treatment and prognosis private, for a variety of reasons.

“Sometimes people do it for reasons to do with worry about stigma, about job security, those kinds of things,” said Rodin. “Sometimes, people have a fear that others will

POLITICS ◆ REGINA

Lawsuit filed over death in hotel laundry chute The mother of a 29-year-old Regina woman who died after falling 10 floors down a hotel laundry chute has filed a civil lawsuit against the Delta Hotel chain.

Nadine Machiskinic was found just after 4 a.m. on Jan. 10, 2015, and died from her injuries in the hospital two hours later.

In a statement of claim, her mother, Laura Apooch, alleges the Regina Delta Hotel was negligent in the design, maintenance and security monitoring around the laundry chute.

Machiskinic’s aunt Delores Stevenson says although police have ruled out foul play in her niece’s death, the family is still waiting to see a coroner’s report.

She says the family does not believe the scenario put forward by police, that Machiskinic got drunk and crawled into the laundry chute.

Machiskinic left behind four children who are now 14, 11, four and 18 months old.

NATION&WORLD 15

C.D. Howe Institute urges Liberals to axe their infrastructure promises JORDAN PRESS THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA — The authors of a new research paper are urging the federal Liberals to break two infrastructure-related election promises, arguing both proposals could saddle taxpayers with unexpected costs as the years drag on.

The first is a promised federal “infrastructure bank,” serving as middleman between lenders and cities so local and provincial governments could benefit from the lower interest rates the federal government commands on loans.

The money would then help finance new infrastructure projects that local governments can’t afford on their own.

The second promise would eliminate the requirement of cities to look for a private-sector partner to share

“What the government should really be focused on is the right projects for the overall economy in the long-term.”

Benjamin Dachis, author of paper

the financial risks and windfalls of any project.

A paper being released today by the right-leaning C.D. Howe Institute argues the Liberals should scrap both ideas.

Combined, the two ideas would shift the financial risk solely onto taxpayers, who would be on the hook if a project goes over budget, the paper warns. The cost to the econ-

omy could negate any of the economic benefits the Liberals hope to gain from billions in infrastructure investments, it adds.

Benjamin Dachis, the paper’s author, said the government shouldn’t give up on trying to “crowd-in” private sector funding for projects, either through a public-private partnership or through a private sector loan.

“There’s a lot of focus right now on ’stimulus,’ but what the government should really be focused on is the right projects for the overall economy in the long-term,” says Dachis, a senior policy analyst with C.D. Howe.

Although the paper doesn’t go into detail about what projects the government should fund, it does recommend making “international gateways” that expand trade a particular area of focus.

either avoid them or somehow regard them differently.”

There may also be a sense of shame or embarrassment, which may harken back to earlier times when cancer was a dirty word.

In fact, “in many cultures, the idea still persists that you are to blame in some way or it’s a punishment of some kind,” he said. “There is a sort of irrational sense of shame that some people feel around illness, even though it’s not their fault.”

Many people with cancer, especially if they’re going through treatment for more progressive disease, struggle to maintain their sense of identity in their own and others’ eyes.

Like Bowie, other celebrities have hidden their illnesses, sometimes even from those closest to them.

When Nora Ephron died in 2012, good friends like actress Meryl Streep didn’t know the author/screenwriter was sick until just before her death; novelist Jackie Collins, who died last September, had long kept the seriousness of her breast cancer secret from her sister Joan Collins.

However, other figures in the public eye had no such qualms: neurologist/author Dr. Oliver Sacks and journalist/essayist Christopher Hitchens, for instance, openly chronicled their battles with cancer, which claimed their lives in 2015 and 2011 respectively.

So why the difference?

“I think sometimes it’s taking ownership, rather than feeling like a victim,” Rodin said of those who share their cancer journey publicly.

Premier fires back at idea of ex-Dragon THE CANADIAN PRESS

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Rachel Notley is firing back at celebrity financial guru Kevin O’Leary.

O’Leary, formerly of CBC-TV’s Dragon’s Den, has said he is so concerned about what Notley’s NDP government is doing to Alberta’s economy, he’ll invest $1 million in the oilpatch if she’ll quit.

Notley says the last time businessmen spoke out against her she became premier.

She was referring to five Alberta corporate leaders with ties to the Progressive Conservatives who held a news conference just before last May’s provincial election.

The five, whom Notley nicknamed “The Monopoly Men,” warned against voting for the NDP and complained that businesses always get the short end of the tax stick.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

BUSINESS

IMMIGRATION

VW recall plan rejected

by California regulators

Military ends its part in Syria refugee effort STEPHANIE LEVITZ THE CANADIAN PRESS

John Swanton, spokesman with the California Air Resources Board, explains in September how a 2013 Volkswagen Passat with a diesel engine is evaluated for emissions. [AP PHOTO]

Action also leaves open possibility in state of vehicle buybacks GILLIAN FLACCUS AND MICHAEL BIESECKER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES — California regulators on Tuesday rejected Volkswagen’s recall plan for some of the German automaker’s most popular diesel models that used software to intentionally deceive government emissions tests, including the Beetle, Jetta, Golf and Passat.

The rejection doesn’t rule out an eventual recall plan for owners of the 75,688 affected 2.0-litre diesel cars in California.

But it does prolong the limbo for drivers who bought the diesels under the false impression that they were getting a cleaner engine along with a more powerful car and better mileage and who have been waiting for a path forward since the scandal unfolded last September.

The action also leaves the possibility of a buyback for VW owners.

The California Air Resources Board said Volkswagen’s plan was unacceptable for a variety of reasons, including that it did not adequately identify the affected vehicles; did not include a sufficient method for obtaining the car owners’ names and addresses; and did not include adequate information on how the fix would affect future emissions results.

The state agency also issued a formal notice against the German automaker, alleging its deception and failure to propose a timely solution had violated the state’s clean air regulations and “fundamentally undercut” efforts to protect residents from harmful pollutants.

That finding will likely mean future fines for VW as the investigation continues.

“VW’s submissions are incomplete, substantially deficient and fall far short of meeting the legal require-

“I think they had a framework of a plan, and it wasn’t enough detail for CARB and EPA to be happy with it.”

Karl Brauer, Kelley Blue Book

ments,” Annette Herbert, head of the agency’s emissions compliance, automotive regulations and science division wrote in a letter to VW executives.

The state agency is working to quantify the damage done by the excess nitrous oxide and particulates spewed into the air to help reach a resolution, said David Clegern, an agency spokesman.

“How many more people suffered asthma attacks? How many more people died early?” he said. “It’s not just about vehicles, it’s about public health and the environment as well.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is also investigating VW, issued a statement saying it agreed with California regulators but was operating on a different timetable.

The rejection only applies to 2.0-litre diesel engines registered in California.

The cars covered include VW Jetta SportWagen (2009-2014); VW Beetle (2013-2015); VW Beetle Convertible (2013-2015); VW Golf (2010-2015); VW Jetta (2009-2015); VW Passat (2012-2015); VW Golf SportWagen (2015); and the VW-owned Audi A3 (2010-2013 and 2015).

A recall plan for 3.0-litre diesel engines, including some sold under the VW-owned Audi and Porsche brands, is due next month.

In a statement, VW said it was continuing to work with both state and federal regulators and the rejection of its recall plan Tuesday did not mean a recall would not occur.

“Today’s announcement addresses the initial recall plans Volkswagen submitted ... in December,” the statement read. “Since then, Volkswagen has had constructive discussions with CARB, including last week when we discussed a framework to remediate the (diesel) emissions issue.”

The development is not necessarily a setback for VW, said Karl Brauer, a senior analyst with Kelley Blue Book.

The automaker has been working on a potential fix, but it needed more time — something that California regulators were not willing to give.

“It sounds like they didn’t have enough specifics,” he said. “I think they had a framework of a plan, and it wasn’t enough detail for CARB and EPA to be happy with it.”

Those specifics may well be on the table Wednesday when the German automaker’s top executive, CEO Matthias Mueller, meets privately with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy in Washington, D.C. Both VW and EPA declined Tuesday to provide any further detail about what the two will discuss, or even what time the meeting will take place. But federal regulators have not shied away in recent days from publicly expressing their frustration with the company.

Asked about the issue at a public appearance last week, McCarthy said EPA has yet to identify “a satisfactory way forward” toward a fix for the owners of VW’s diesel cars.

“We are really anxious to find a way for that company to get into compliance, and we’re not there yet,” McCarthy said.

OTTAWA — The military is beginning to wind down its overseas involvement in the Liberal government’s commitment to resettling thousands of Syrian refugees in a matter of months.

Approximately 70 Canadian Armed Forces members have returned from Jordan and Lebanon, where they were part of a broader government effort to bring 25,000 Syrians to Canada by the end of next month.

“All it takes is seeing one little one the same age as my daughter — smiling because they are going to Canada,” said Maj. Drew Willis, who was among 68 soldiers who arrived to waiting family members early Tuesday at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in New Brunswick.

About 150 soldiers remain overseas helping process applications and conduct medical tests on the thousands of Syrians who are still passing through the screening process.

The Defence Department says the decision to bring some personnel home was made in consultation with the Immigration Department in anticipation of the completion of the program.

“Operation Provision has been a tremendous opportunity to showcase leadership and Canadian values on the world stage and we will continue to stand in support of this whole-of-government effort, ready to assist wherever and however we are needed,” Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said in a statement Tuesday.

Where the military is going to be needed next is at home.

Thousands of Syrians landing in the coming days are expected to be billeted at military bases as cities and towns across the country are still busy securing housing for the new arrivals.

Space is available for 6,000 people at various bases and facilities throughout Ontario and Quebec, with an additional 7,000 spots also in reserve if needed, the Forces say on

SAJJAN

their website.

Canadian Forces Bases Valcartier, Kingston and Borden are expected to be the first three put into use as early as this week.

Tuesday was expected to be the day that the 10,000th Syrian refugee arrives in Canada, a milestone moment for a Liberal program that’s changed shape and focus several times since a commitment to resettling 25,000 Syrians was first made by the party in March.

First, it was that those 25,000 would be entirely assisted by government and be in Canada by the end of the last year. Then in November, the program was split into two parts — 10,000, mostly privately sponsored refugees would be brought in by the end of last year and a further 15,000, mostly government-assisted, would arrive by the end of February.

Of the 9,562 refugees who had arrived by Jan. 10, about half have private sponsors and the other half are government-assisted.

Three government-organized flights of refugees were scheduled to arrive Tuesday, one in Montreal and two in Toronto, taking the number of arrivals to just over 10,000. The Immigration Department would not pinpoint the timing of the 10,000th arrival, citing privacy rules.

The Liberals have said they still intend to bring 25,000 Syrians to Canada under government sponsorship, but that will take until the end of 2016.

UN has $250M to help Syrian children, but needs $750M THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Donors have pledged $250 million to educate over one million Syrian children this year but an additional $500 million is urgently needed to fund the program in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, the UN envoy for global education said Tuesday.

Gordon Brown warned that “death voyages to Europe” will soar in 2016 as long as Syria’s two million refugee children and millions more displaced inside the country are exploited and don’t have the opportunity for education.

The organization Girls Not Brides recently reported that the child marriage rate among Syrian refugee girls

has doubled from 12 per cent to 26 per cent, he said, and a recent survey estimates that one in three refugee boys and girls have become child labourers.

“It’s urgent that we provide them education and avoid this exploitation and give these children hope for the future,” Brown told a news conference by audio link from Europe.

He pledged to try to raise the money at the World Economic Forum in Davos and an international pledging conference for Syria in London on Feb. 4.

“And by next year every single child refugee would be offered a place in school whether they be in Lebanon, Jordan or Turkey,” Brown said.

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NATION&WORLD 17

U.S. POLITICS

MIDDLE EAST

State of the Union address is final one

by Obama

Held U.S. sailors to be returned after boats drift into Iran waters

JULIE PACE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama, entering the final year of his presidency, urged Americans Tuesday night to rekindle belief in the promise of change that first carried him to the White House, declaring that the country must not allow fear and division to take hold.

“It’s easier to be cynical, to accept that change isn’t possible and politics is hopeless,” Obama said in his final State of the Union address. “But if we give up now, then we forsake a better future.”

At the heart of Obama’s address to both chambers of Congress and a prime-time television audience was an implicit call to keep Democrats in the White House for a third straight term. He struck back at critics who have challenged his economic and national security stewardship, calling it all “political hot air.”

In a swipe at some Republican presidential candidates, he warned against “voices urging us to fall back into tribes, to scapegoat fellow citizens who don’t look like us or pray like us or vote like we do or share the same background.”

Seeking to shape his own legacy, Obama ticked through a retrospective of his domestic and foreign policy actions in office, including helping lead the economy back from the brink of depression, taking aggressive action on climate change and ending a Cold War freeze with Cuba.

Yet he was frank about one of his biggest regrets: failing to ease the persistently deep divisions between Democrats and Republicans.

“The rancour and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better,” he conceded.

“There’s no doubt a president with the gifts of Lincoln or Roosevelt might have better bridged the divide, and I guarantee I’ll keep trying to be better so long as I hold this office.”

Mindful of the scant prospect for major legislative action in an election year, Obama avoided the traditional litany of policy proposals.

He did reiterate his call for working with Republicans on criminal justice reform and finalizing an Asia-Pacific trade pact, and he also vowed to keep pushing for action on politically fraught issues such as curbing gun violence and fixing the nation’s fractured immigration laws.

The State of the Union address, a kind of annual progress report from the president, represents one of Obama’s last opportunities to claim a large television audience as president. However, the address has suffered a major drop-off in viewers in recent years.

American officials say incident happened near Farsi Island, situated in the Persian Gulf LOLITA C. BALDOR THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — Iran was holding 10 U.S. Navy sailors and their two small Navy boats after the boats had mechanical problems and drifted into Iranian waters, but American officials have received assurances from Tehran that they will be returned safely and promptly.

Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told The Associated Press that the riverine boats were moving between Kuwait and Bahrain when the U.S. lost contact with them.

U.S. officials said that the incident happened near Farsi Island, situated in the Persian Gulf.

They said that some type of mechanical trouble with one of the boats caused them to run aground and they were picked up by Iran.

The sailors were in Iranian custody on Farsi Island at least for some time, but it’s not certain where they are now.

The semi-official Iranian news agency, FARS, said the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s navy has detained 10 foreign forces, believed to be Americans, and said the sailors were trespassing in Iranian waters. FARS also reported that one of the 10 sailors was a woman.

“We have been in contact with Iran and have received assurances that the crew and the vessels will be returned promptly,” Cook said.

The incident came amid heightened tensions with Iran, and only hours before President Barack Obama was set to deliver his final State of the

In this October photo provided by the U.S. Navy, Riverine Command Boat (RCB) 805, along with its crew members, is shown in the Persian Gulf. [U.S. NAVY VIA AP]

Union address to Congress and the public. It set off a dramatic series of calls and meetings as U.S. officials tried to determine the exact status of the crew and reach out to Iranian leaders.

Secretary of State John Kerry, who forged a personal relationship with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif through three years of nuclear negotiations, called Zarif immediately on learning of the incident, according to a senior U.S. official. Kerry “personally engaged with

Zarif on this issue to try to get to this outcome,” the official said.

Kerry learned of the incident around 12:30 p.m. EST as he and Defence Secretary Ash Carter were meeting their Filipino counterparts at the State Department, the official said.

The officials were not authorized to discuss the sensitive incident publicly so spoke on condition of anonymity.

The incident came on the heels of an incident in late December when

ASIA

Canadian accused in sex abuse of teen boys goes on trial in Vietman PAOLA LORIGGIO THE CANADIAN PRESS

A Canadian man reportedly accused of sexually abusing homeless teenage boys in Vietnam is set to stand trial Wednesday in Hanoi.

Several local media reports say Vadim Scott Benderman, 45, allegedly paid boys between 13 and 15 years old for sex.

According the reports, police allege Benderman met boys at a lake in the city’s centre, gave them food and let them play with his iPad before luring them to his rented house.

Benderman, formerly of Montreal, was arrested last year after police allege he was caught committing an offence with a 15-year-old boy.

It’s reported he arrived in Vietnam in June 2014 on a tourist visa, but later began teaching English at a foreign language centre in Hanoi.

“He had groupies and stuff, he had women specifically who would make a beeline to him because they knew him.”

Shelton Bumgarner, former friend

A spokesman for Global Affairs Canada says it was aware of a Canadian citizen facing legal proceedings in Vietnam but cannot comment on the case due to privacy concerns.

“Canadian officials are providing consular assistance to the individual and his family as required,” Francois Lasalle said in an email.

Several media outlets say he had

previously worked as a teacher in Thailand and in South Korea.

A former friend says Benderman was a charismatic performer with a strong following in the Seoul music scene in 2007 and 2008.

“He had groupies and stuff, he had women specifically who would make a beeline to him because they knew him,” said Shelton Bumgarner, who ran a local music magazine at the time.

His biography on IMDB says he was born in Kyiv and moved to Montreal when he was eight. He quickly developed an interest in performing and went on to attend an art school in the U.S., the site says.

He eventually moved to New York City then back to Montreal, where he worked as a floor manager for the Montreal Canadiens for two seasons before heading to Seoul, it says.

Iran launched a rocket test near U.S. warships and boats passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Iran is expected to satisfy the terms of last summer’s nuclear deal in just days. Once the U.N. nuclear agency confirms Iran’s actions to roll back its program, the United States and other Western powers are obliged to suspend wide-ranging oil, trade and financial sanctions on Tehran. Kerry recently said the deal’s implementation was “days away.”

Brazil sees protests over bus fare rise THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sao Paulo police have broken up a protest against bus fare increases using tear gas, stun grenades and pepper spray.

Organizers and police didn’t provide an estimate of the number of protesters, but footage showed less than the 3,000 who took part in an earlier demonstration on Friday.

The protests were organized by the Free Fare Movement, the same group that initiated anti-government demonstrations that filled streets across Brazil in 2013.

Masked anarchists were seen among the protesters. Police said eight people were arrested.

The protests were mobilized after Sao Paulo Mayor Fernando Haddad raised bus fares from 3.50 reals to 3.80 reals, then Rio de Janeiro’s mayor raised that city’s fare from 3.40 to 3.80 reals.

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HEALTH

EUROPE

U.S. to OK implant to treat addiction to heroin

Germany to ease laws to deport foreign criminals

MATTHEW PERRONE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — Federal health advisers recommended approval Tuesday for an experimental implant designed to treat patients recovering from heroin and painkiller addiction.

Despite shortcomings in company studies, a majority of Food and Drug Administration advisers said the implant offers important benefits not currently available. The drug-oozing device is intended to be a safer, more reliable approach to controlling cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

“Overall the data did have some problems,” said Dr. Thomas Grieger, of the Maryland Department of Health. “But I think clearly there was no evidence of significant risk with this agent and there is evidence of significant benefit and hopefully great promise.”

The advisers voted 12-5 in favour of the device from Braeburn Pharmaceuticals. The FDA is scheduled to make its formal decision by Feb. 27.

The matchstick-size implant, dubbed Probuphine, slowly releases a low dose of buprenorphine over six months. Currently buprenorphine is available as a pill or film that dissolves under the tongue. It is considered a safer, more palatable alternative to methadone, the decades-old standard for controlling opioid addiction.

More than 2.5 million Americans are addicted to opioids, according to federal estimates. But less than half are receiving medication-based treatment to help control the problem.

Many asylum-seekers who commit crimes avoid being returned FRANK JORDANS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BERLIN — Germany will make it easier to deport criminal foreigners following public outrage over the New Year’s Eve assaults in Cologne, officials said Tuesday.

Authorities say 561 criminal complaints have been filed in connection with the assaults, with about 45 per cent involving allegations of sexual offences, and most of the suspects identified so far are foreign nationals. Many asylum-seekers who commit crimes currently avoid deportation because the danger they face in their home country is considered greater than the reason for deporting them.

“With this proposal we are significantly lowering the hurdles for the possible expulsion of foreigners who have committed crimes in Germany,” Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere told reporters in Berlin.

The changes, which have to be approved by the Cabinet and Parliament, would mean that even a suspended prison sentence would be grounds for deportation if someone is found guilty of certain crimes.

These include homicide, bodily harm, sexual assault, violent theft and serial shoplifting. Youth sentences would be covered too.

A sentence of more than one year would further increase the likelihood of deportation, de Maiziere said.

“That’s a hard but right response by the state to those who are seeking protection here, but think they can commit crimes” without consequences for their right to remain in Germany, he said.

Justice Minister Heiko Maas said that public pressure following the Cologne assaults had played a role in

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

NEWS IN BRIEF The Associated Press ◆ NEW YORK

China will overtake U.S. as Starbucks customers Starbucks said it expects China to eventually overtake the U.S. as the coffee chain’s largest market.

The Seattle company said it is on track to open 500 stores in China this year. It expects to have a total of 3,400 stores in China by 2019.

Starbucks currently has 2,000 stores in China, making it the company’s second largest market after the U.S. The company has more than 12,000 stores in the U.S. that it either operates or licenses to others.

“Over time, it’s conceivable that China could become our largest market,” said Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, in a statement.

“We are deeply humbled by the enthusiasm with which Chinese people have embraced Starbucks as part of their daily ritual over the past 17 years.”

◆ BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

Special agency to handle growing prison escapes

Police in front of the Cologne cathedral on Tuesday. New Year’s Eve sexual assaults and robberies in Cologne were blamed largely on foreigners. [AP PHOTO]

getting the plan agreed so quickly.

“We owe this to the victims of these serious crimes,” he said, adding that the measures were also necessary “to protect the overwhelming majority of innocent refugees in Germany. They don’t deserve to be lumped together with criminal foreigners.”

Maas said that changes also would be made to Germany’s sex crime laws to ensure that victims who are caught by surprise, or who fear greater physical harm if they resist assault, are better protected.

“This too is the kind of situation we had in Cologne, where people were confronted with a horde of men,” he said.

Police say most of the suspects in Cologne are believed to be foreigners, including at least some asylum-seekers. Many were described as being of “Arab or North African origin.”

On Tuesday they appealed for anyone with photo or video material taken that night to upload it to them so that they could evaluate it as part of their investigation.

The assaults have heightened tensions over Germany’s migrant influx.

Nearly 1.1 million asylum-seekers arrived last year.

Cologne police say they have identified 23 possible suspects.

Separately, federal police have identified 32 suspects.

Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri said Tuesday that prison escapes have become such a problem he’s creating a special agency at the Ministry of Security to deal with them.

Macri says 1,000 escaped convicts remain at large, and that nobody’s been looking for them.

Macri’s comments follow a nationwide manhunt that eventually led to the arrest of three high-profile convicted murderers who escaped from the high-security General Alvear prison. The escape was the first security crisis for Macri, who took office last month.

Macri said the government committed “errors” in the search effort because it had “to rely on the same partially corrupt system” to find the fugitives.

Martin Lanatta was recaptured Saturday and his accomplices were apprehended Monday after a nationwide manhunt broadcast by live national TV.

TRAGEDY

◆ WARSAW

Canadian pilot dies in crevasse in Antarctica

Government, opposition unite to improve image

DIANA MEHTA AND CHRIS PURDY THE CANADIAN PRESS

A friend says it’s a shame that a skilled helicopter pilot from Manitoba who never crashed in more than 30 years of flying died in a freak fall in Antarctica.

David Wood, 62, was working with the Australian government’s Antarctic program at the Davis research station, a permanent base on the icy continent.

After a fuel-loading operation on a remote ice shelf Monday, Wood got out of his helicopter and tumbled into a deep crevasse. He was rescued several hours later but died of his injuries Tuesday.

“Go figure,” said Bruno Meili, owner of Fireweed Helicopters in Whitehorse.

“Mr. Wood was a respected colleague and friend to many in the Australian Antarctic program.”

Australian Antarctic Division, statement

“Not what you think would happen in our kind of business.”

Wood worked as much, if not more, in the Northern Hemisphere as he did in the south.

He was from Winnipeg Beach, Man., and spent the last 15 summers flying for Fireweed across the Yukon, said Meili. Wood flew mining exploration charters and helped fight forest fires.

The two men became close friends.

And when Wood travelled to Antarctica, they kept in touch over Skype.

Meili said Wood loved to fly.

“He lived and breathed helicopters.”

The Australian Antarctic Division said in a statement that Wood was working for Australian company Helicopter Resources at the time of the accident.

He was flying one of two helicopters that were “sling loading” fuel to a depot on the West Ice Shelf northeast of the Davis station, the division said. Once the fuel drums were dropped at the depot site, the choppers landed and the pilots got out to retrieve the equipment they had been using.

At that point, Wood fell down the chasm.

“The second pilot was not able to assist,” said the division. “He made

radio contact with Davis station and flew back to the station for help, a flight of around 45 minutes.”

Wood lay at the bottom of the crevasse — some 20 metres down — for about three hours. A search-andrescue team was able to haul him up and fly him back to Davis station.

“Mr. Wood was a respected colleague and friend to many in the Australian Antarctic program,” said the statement, which added that efforts were being made to return his body to Australia.

Wood lived for many years in Australia and has two grown children there, Meili said. Wood’s wife and two youngest children live in Manitoba.

He said he kept returning to Antarctica because of the people.

“And it reminds me of the Canadian Prairies in winter.”

Poland’s right-wing government and the opposition will work together to calm internal political conflict and to counter “unjustified” opinions about the country abroad, its prime minister said Tuesday.

Beata Szydlo spoke following a meeting with leaders of the parties represented in parliament. They discussed the critical opinions about Poland’s politics that were recently voiced by some German politicians and European Union leaders.

Szydlo’s conservative government took power in November from a pro-EU team and has embarked on swift reforms that critics say threaten democracy and free media.

Poland’s Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski met Monday with German Ambassador Rolf Nikel to protest against what he said were “anti-Polish” statements.

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CARIBBEAN

Haitians remember devastating quake of 2010 DAVID MCFADDEN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Many Haitians gathered Tuesday at prayer services and private homes to mark the sixth anniversary of the country’s devastating earthquake and remember loved ones who died.

The Haitian government has said more than 300,000 people died in the 2010 disaster, but the exact toll is unknown because there was no systematic effort to count bodies amid the chaotic confusion.

Joseph Philistin brought his two sons to the grounds of the Sacred Heart Catholic church, one of thousands of buildings reduced to rubble when a magnitude-7.0 quake hit Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. He came to mourn five relatives who were killed when their concrete home collapsed in the hard-hit Carrefour area.

“The memories of that day can’t ever be erased,” Philistin said as he joined a group of churchgoers walking to the church shortly after dawn.

Nearby, Yvesrose Andre dressed entirely in white, a colour associated with mourning in Haiti. She said she came to Tuesday’s Catholic Mass to honour quake victims, including two cousins.

“This is like our true day of the dead. It’s a day when people cried a lot,” Andre said quietly, turning rosary beads.

Tuesday was not a holiday in Haiti, as some quake anniversaries have been in the past, and Port-au-Prince’s streets were bustling with people and clogged with traffic as usual.

At a government ceremony on arid hills outside the capital President Michel Martelly placed a bouquet of white flowers at a mass burial site that’s been turned into an official memorial for those killed.

As he walked out of the memorial surrounded by a scrum of journalists, Martelly said that a “lack of

A woman walks near the ruins of the National Cathedral in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Tuesday on the sixth anniversary of the 7.0-magnitude quake that left much of the Haitian capital and surrounding areas in ruins. Haitians gathered at prayer services Tuesday to remember those who lost their lives. [AP PHOTO]

seriousness and planning helped this disaster magnify itself.”

“All of us Haitians everywhere have to see things differently and understand that it is our responsibility together to change our country,” said Martelly, who is constitutionally due to leave office Feb. 7.

Outside the memorial, Antoinise Excelet, one of roughly 250,000 displaced people who have settled precariously in the unregulated sprawl called Canaan surrounding the burial site, said she had expected more progress toward reconstruction six

years after the quake.

“I don’t think anything has changed in Haiti. It’s still the same hard place,” she said, carrying a bottle of moonshine and selling the occasional shot to the dozens of Canaan residents who gathered outside the memorial to catch a glimpse of Martelly, Prime Minister Evans Paul and other officials before they sped off in a motorcade.

As the nation of 10 million marked the anniversary, an electoral crisis threatened to undermine the troubled country’s stability.

A presidential and legislative runoff is scheduled Jan. 24, but one of two presidential candidates is saying he won’t participate due to allegations of fraud and vote-rigging in an October vote. Electoral officials say candidate Jude Celestin’s name will still appear on ballots because he hasn’t officially withdrawn.

In a statement, UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki moon said the world body was mourning along with Haitians. Over 100 UN personnel were killed in the Haiti quake, the single greatest loss of life during a single

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Authorities say woman kept children as slaves

Remove kippa to stay safe, says Jewish leader

Presidential race casts cloud over Cuba deal

Retrial for publishing Suspect in slaying of U.K. sexually explicit material actress stays in custody

Authorities say a New York City woman kept two South Korean children as slaves in her home for six years.

District Attorney Richard Brown says Queens resident Sook Yeong Park took the sister and brother into her home in 2010 and cut off contact with their parents. The children are now 14 and 16.

Brown says Park seized the children’s passports, forced them to do household chores into the night and made them work at a grocery store and give their earnings to her.

Park was arraigned Saturday on charges of labour trafficking, assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

Her attorney, Dennis Ring, says Park didn’t commit any crime.

A leading Jewish authority in Marseille, in southern France, asked fellow Jews on Tuesday to refrain from wearing their traditional skull cap to stay safe after a machete-wielding teen attacked a Jewish teacher.

Zvi Ammar, head of the Israelite Consistory of Marseille, said he is asking Jews to go without the kippa “until better days.” His call came a day after a 15-year-old Turkish Kurd attacked and wounded a Jewish teacher on a street in Marseille — France’s second-largest city — then told police after his arrest that he acted in the name of the Islamic State group.

Ammar said his decision to ask Jews not to wear the kippa was the hardest of his life.

The lead negotiator in the Cuban government’s talks with the U.S. said in an interview published Tuesday that the American presidential campaign has added some uncertainty into how she views her country’s future relations with its northern neighbour.

Josefina Vidal, director of the Cuban Foreign Ministry’s United States Division, told the official Cuban News Agency that if President Barack Obama hurries to dismantle existing U.S. sanctions on the island while he’s still in power, the ties will be less vulnerable after he leaves.

Supporters of rapprochement between the two countries worry that a new president may try to roll back advances made in the U.S.-Cuba relationship under Obama’s leadership.

An Egyptian author will be retried for publishing sexually explicit material and could face jail time.

Writer Ahmed Naji and Tarek el-Taher, the editor-in-chief of Egypt’s top literary magazine, are due back in court next month. They were acquitted less than two weeks ago.

Their lawyer, Mahmoud Othman, says Naji faces up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $1,245 if found guilty of violating a law against publishing material deemed contrary to public morals.

The prosecution took up the case after an individual filed a lawsuit claiming he was harmed by an excerpt of Naji’s novel, The Use of Life, which was published in el-Taher’s Akhbar al-Adab magazine in August 2014.

day the UN ever suffered. The 2010 quake toppled the Christopher Hotel, which housed the UN headquarters in Port-au-Prince.

He said Haiti continued to need international support and urged the country to “unite behind a vision for a stable, democratic and prosperous future.”

NEWS IN BRIEF The Associated Press

A court in Ghana has ordered a suspect in the slayings of a British actress and her two young sons in London to remain in custody until an extradition hearing in two weeks.

Arthur Simpson-Kent, who was the boyfriend of former “EastEnders” actress Sian Blake, was arrested Saturday in western Ghana where he fled. He had disappeared after speaking to British detectives on Dec. 16 following the killings of Blake, 8-year-old Zachary and 4-year-old Amon.

The 48-year-old appeared at the Kaneshie Magistrate Court in Accra Tuesday. Justice Rosemond Agyiri ordered he be held until an extradition hearing Jan. 26. She also said he should be allowed unlimited access to his lawyers.

20

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WAIVER WIRE Page 21

Vancouver Canucks left wing Chris Higgins, right, was placed on waivers by the NHL club on Tuesday.

A division of

[THE CANADIAN PRESS]

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SPORTS 21

NHL

Canucks place veteran Higgins on waivers BRAD ZIEMER VANCOUVER SUN

VANCOUVER — Unable to trade him, the Vancouver Canucks put veteran winger Chris Higgins on waivers Tuesday.

If unclaimed by Wednesday morning, Higgins will be assigned to the Canucks’ American Hockey League affiliate in Utica, N.Y.

The Canucks announced Sunday they were attempting to trade the 32-year-old Higgins as part of an effort to transition to a younger roster.

Higgins has endured an injury-riddled season and his production has plummeted. He had just two goals and three points in 25 games with the Canucks this season and was

minus-12. Higgins was acquired by the Canucks late in the 2010-11 season and in 306 games with Vancouver had 61 goals and 141 points.

Higgins has logged 703 NHL games with five different teams, scoring 164 goals and 332 points.

He has another year on his contract with the Canucks that pays him $2.5 million per season. That salary will

likely dissuade any other NHL team taking a gamble on him.

The Canucks have said the move was necessary to make roster room for young players like Jake Virtanen, Jared McCann and the newly acquired Emerson Etem, who made his Vancouver debut in the Canucks’ 3-2 overtime win Monday night over the Florida Panthers.

• The Canucks announced Tuesday they have reassigned defenceman Andrey Pedan to the AHL’s Utica Comets. The 22-year-old Russian blue-liner has appeared in three games for the Canucks this season where he has registered five penalty minutes. In 19 games with Utica this season, Pedan has nine points (2-7-9) and 49 penalty minutes.

NHL

Canadiens are dogged by further off-ice controversy THE CANADIAN PRESS

MONTREAL – Injured Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price skated for a second straight day Tuesday, but the sliver of good news for the struggling club was overshadowed by more controversy off the ice.

For the third time this season, general manager Marc Bergevin awoke to media reports detailing player behaviour in off hours.

Bergevin summoned forwards Alex Galchenyuk and Devante Smith-Pelly to a meeting after practice in Brossard, Que., to discuss the alleged incident at Galchenyuk’s downtown home early Sunday morning.

Montreal La Presse’s digital edition said Galchenyuk’s girlfriend was arrested in a case of alleged domestic violence.

La Presse Plus said the woman was released and the file sent to Crown officials, who will determine whether charges should be laid.

The players were informed of the situation before practice. Galchenyuk and Smith-Pelly, also reported to be present during the incident, took part in the workout, but were not made available to the media afterward. Bergevin and coach Michel Therrien also didn’t speak to reporters.

That left the other players to take the questions.

“Obviously there’s no comment from our end,” said captain Max Pacioretty. “It’s off the ice and that’s not something we really have to talk about. It’s not hockey-related.”

Centre Tomas Plekanec said the team needs to focus on improving its play.

Montreal’s ‘La Presse’ reported that the girlfriend of Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Galchenyuk, left, was arrested on the weekend in a case of alleged domestic violence. [CP PHOTO]

JUNIOR FOOTBALL

VI Raiders add some extra experience to coaching staff FOR THE DAILY NEWS

The VI Raiders are reaching back to the past to restore their glory.

The team that finished second in the league last year has given head coach Jerome Erdman an open-ended contract and added experience to his coaching staff. Curtis Hansen, who served as linebackers coach has been named Director of Football Operations..

Three former Raiders assistant coaches from past winning championship seasons have returned.

Doug Hocking, Mike Gilcash, and Karim Maher will join all returning coaches to add experience to the staff.

The club also added Glen Cook as an assistant coach.

Raiders President Kabel AtwalI said the coaching additions put the team on a very strong path moving forward. “We now have a very strong

mix of experienced and well-respected coaches with our young coaches. I am very excited about the additions and it will be very beneficial to our players as well as our organization,” he added. “With a very strong roster of returning players from last year, and additions from our recruiting, we are in a very enviable position going forward,” said Erdman. The team lost only four players to graduation going into this season.

General Manager Merv Unger said Erdman has been busy on recruiting visits across western Canada. “The coaching additions will really add strength to the recruiting message.

This shows how serious we are about fielding a winner,” he added.

Erdman handled both head coaching and defensive roles last season, so the return of Hocking as defensive co-ordinator will free him up to concentrate on the head coaching.

Hocking had previous tenures with the Raiders from 2006-2011 and again in 2013 and spent last season with the Westshore Rebels. He has CFL experience with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2005 and has coached at University of British Columbia and in junior football in Winnipeg and Langley.

Hocking has won a Grey Cup, giving the Raiders two former CFL champions, Erdman being the other.

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22 BASKETBALL

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

NBA

Nash says all-star weekend a boost for Canada THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO — Steve Nash says his eight NBA all-star appearances were both validation for hard work, and a rare chance to relax and have fun in the midst of a gruelling season.

But on a grand scale, the league’s annual showcase gives those involved with global basketball something to come together around, he said, and “that to me, is the spirit of all-star weekend.”

Nash, who retired last March after 19 years in the league, played the role of all-star booster on Tuesday

as tickets for the celebrity game, the rising stars challenge, the all-star practice, and NBA Centre Court — a fanfest at Toronto’s Enercare Centre — went on sale.

The 65th NBA all-star game will be played Feb. 14 at Air Canada Centre.

It’ll be the first time that the showcase will be played outside the United States, and is an “excellent moment for Canada and Toronto,” proof the Raptors and Canadian basketball occupy an important spot in the NBA, Nash said.

“The growth of the game (in Canada) has been well-noted, and the

Raptors organization is one that has turned the corner and gained the respect of the league,” he added.

“All of our young players that have become NBA players, the growth of the game in our country and the Raptors success ... and, not just the success and respectability of the franchise, but also the way the country and, in particular Toronto, have gotten behind the team, it really is a magical moment for Canada and Toronto to host all-star.”

There were a record-tying 12 NBA players from Canada on opening-night rosters this season,

more than any other country outside the U.S. for the second consecutive year. And according to the league, viewership of NBA games in Canada has doubled on average across all networks over the past three seasons — an average increase of 54 per cent since 2012-13. Before a back ailment derailed the better part of his final three seasons in the NBA, the 41-year-old Nash made eight all-star appearances: 2002-03, 2005-08, 2010 and 2012. One memorable moment was the 2005 Slam Dunk Contest in Denver, when his Phoenix Suns teammate Amare Stoudemire threw down

a 360 alley-oop dunk off a soccer-style header from Nash.

“It was always just a marker of playing at a high level and to be recognized as one of the top players validated your hard work and (it) was an opportunity to motivate yourself to continue to play at that level,” Nash said.

The all-star celebrity game goes Feb. 12 at Ricoh Coliseum and the rising stars challenge is the same night at Air Canada Centre. The all-star practice is set for the afternoon of Feb. 13 at Ricoh Coliseum and the all-star Saturday Night will be held that evening at Air Canada Centre.

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SPORTS 23

NFL

Willes: Lynch didn’t have guts to play post-surgery Ed Willes Opinion

M

arshawn Lynch isn’t exactly a reservoir of information, so it was left to Pete Carroll to explain the curious situation around his star running back.

But if you were waiting for a moment of clarity about Lynch and his temperamental abdomen, well, you’re still waiting. “We’re going to go one day at a time and see what happens,� said

the Seahawks head coach Monday. “We’ll get him out there practising and see what that means. We don’t know yet.�

Carroll was asked if Lynch had suffered a setback on Friday when he informed the Seahawks he wouldn’t make the trip to Minneapolis for the NFC wild-card game. “No he just didn’t feel like he could go,� the coach said. “He didn’t have the confidence he’d be able to go.�

Does that mean the Seahawks will have to wait to the end of the week again to see if Lynch is ready to play against Carolina in the divisional playoff game? “It really could,� Carroll said. “I can’t tell you.�

Yes, that clears things up.

Lynch, of course, made headlines on Friday when, hours after Carroll said the running back would play against the Vikings, he pulled himself from the lineup.

Carroll, a normally congenial sort, was terse when the issue was raised after the Seahawks’ 10-9 win over the Vikings.

On Monday, he was in a better mood. But there’s still something about the situation that seems odd, even by Lynch’s standards. “He didn’t feel like he could go,�

Carroll said on Sunday in Minneapolis. “And that’s it. He just didn’t feel like he had it. There wasn’t enough time to build the confidence that he

needed to come in and do something.

So that’s it. He took off and left.�

Carroll was a little more expansive on Monday but still left some questions unanswered. “This is his first surgery ever and it happens to be right in his core,� said Carroll. “You’ve seen the way he runs and the lateral things he does with his body that are so abrupt, so sudden. He needs to feel like he can do those things. “Even though he could run fast and look like he was moving, he didn’t have the confidence he could go out and react to guys. There’s nothing we can do about that.�

Christine Michael filled in for Lynch against the Vikings and pro-

duced 70 hard-earned yards on 21 carries without fumbling. “It was a really difficult position,�

Carroll said. “He and (the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson) were the guys carrying the football. You had to take care of it all day long in trying elements. Who knows how it’s going to go but he dealt with it really well.�

Elsewhere with the Seahawks, Carroll said tight end Luke Willson, who’s from LaSalle, Ont., should play on Sunday. Willson sat out against the Vikings with concussion symptoms.  Ed Willes is a columnist with The Province in Vancouver. Read more at www.theprovince.com.

NFL

SOCCER

Seahawks coach revels in unique victory over Vikings

West Ham picks up third straight EPL win

NICK PATTERSON EVERETT HERALD

RENTON — It all began with 88-year-old former Minnesota Vikings head coach Bud Grant walking to the middle of TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis in a purple short-sleeved polo shirt — in minus-6 degree temperatures.

Just about everything about the Seattle Seahawks’ 10-9 wildcard playoff victory over the Vikings on Sunday was unique, and Seattle head coach Pete Carroll was revelling in that uniqueness the day after. “Seeing Bud out there early in the shirt-sleeves thing and everything, that was a great start to the game,� Carroll, who was an assistant coach under Grant with the Vikings in 1985, said Monday at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. “There was just something about this game that made it really special. It was a unique opportunity all the way through to the very end of it.�

Perhaps the most unique aspect of the game was the weather. The minus-6 degrees at kickoff tied the game for the third-coldest in NFL history.

But while the prospect of playing and coaching in those conditions would make most shudder, for Carroll it made the experience all the more exhilarating. “I had a blast,� Carroll said. “It was so much fun, because it was just so crazy. Everything about it is just crazy. The preparation part of it, the mental side of it that everybody was dealing with to get right so that they can be at their best, you could feel it and see it. There was big energy about that with our players and our coaches, too, because they didn’t want to suc-

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. [AP PHOTO]

cumb to it, they didn’t want to give in to it, and nobody did. So there was a real uplifted kind of emotion about just taking on the challenge and not being overwhelmed by the elements. So the whole thing was fun.�

The ending was also unusual.

Seattle’s season seemed done and dusted when the Vikings lined up for a chip-shot 27-yard field goal with 26 seconds to play in the game. However, Minnesota kicker Blair Walsh pulled the kick wide left, much to the disbelief of all who were watching. “It was a very fortunate victory for us,� Carroll admitted. “We played really good football and did a lot of cool stuff, but we were fortunate to win it, and on we go.�

Walsh had made field goals of 22, 43 and 47 yards earlier in the game.

On the 47-yarder, which came late in the third quarter, Seattle’s Richard Sherman came rushing around the end and was within a fingernail’s length of getting a piece of the kick. Could the memory of Sherman nearly

making the block have played a part in Walsh missing the kick to win the game? “The final kick was kicked much faster than the other kicks,� Carroll said. “I’d need to give you the times, but it was considerably faster. So for whatever reason they sped up their mechanism, Sherm couldn’t have been closer (on the third field goal), we can’t figure out how he didn’t get it. So they went quite a bit faster. I don’t know, you’d have to ask them, but that fact is in there.�

The Seahawks under Carroll have also become that unique team that has no problem with falling behind in playoff games.

After the game a statistic did the rounds: Since 2010, Seattle is 5-2 in playoff games in which it has trailed by nine or more points. The rest of the NFL is 6-41.

It’s a remarkable stat, one that suggests an uncommon resilience in these Seahawks. “I saw that stat, too, today and I didn’t know it, but I couldn’t be more proud of that,� Carroll said. “That’s what we’re talking about, that’s how we hope to be. We’ve pulled off some pretty exciting finishes, and we’ve been part of the other end of it, too.

But for the most part we’ve done it really well. It’s a really good thing to know about yourself when you’re going into these games. I may have mentioned to the guys we’re not out of the game, there’s still time. Whatever it takes, the offense or the defense, to get it going again.

There’s a spark just waiting to happen to get us rolling, and we’re going to keep playing like that.�

A little less unique was the

continued excellent play by Seattle’s defense. Seattle held Minnesota to 183 yards of offense, and it was the third time in the past six games the Seahawks did not allow the opposing offense into the ends zone.

The defense was particularly stout against Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. Peterson, the NFL’s rushing champion, was held to just 45 yards on 23 carries.

It was the second time this season Seattle bottled up Peterson.

He was held to a mere 18 yards on eight carries when the teams played during the regular season, a game won by Seattle 38-7. “It’s really the discipline that they’ve played with,� Carroll said about why Seattle was able to shut Peterson down twice. “Both games were basically the same.

It’s the discipline to understand the scheme that we play and the schemes that they use in their running game, just being patient and tough when you have to be, being physical at the line of scrimmage, and being really well coordinated because it takes all of that to keep him from breaking out.

The one time we make a mistake he gets 12 yards. I thought it was a tremendous illustration of what it takes to play great run defense against a really excellent football player. It was play after play after play of continuing to do the right thing. That’s how it goes. It’s not just how tough you are or how fast you run or anything, you have to do things right and the guys are doing a great job of that.�  Check out Nick Patterson’s Seattle Sidelines blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/seattlesidelines, and follow him on Twitter at @NickHPatterson.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BOURNEMOUTH, England — A second-half flurry of goals moved West Ham past Bournemouth 3-1 for its third straight win in the English Premier League on Tuesday. The result lifted West Ham one point above Manchester United in fifth.

Harry Arter scored his maiden league goal early for Bournemouth, hosting its first Premier League game under lights, and hung on to the lead until an hour in.

Dimitri Payet, making his first start in more than three months after a knee injury, equalized with a smart free kick off the underside of the crossbar, and set up Enner Valencia for the winner.

January 4 - March 10, 2016 Schedules are subject to change without notice.

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24 SPORTS

NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE

LIGHTNING 3, OILERS 2

ATLANTIC DIVISION

First Period 1. Edmonton, Schultz 2 (Eberle) 15:20.

Penalties — Draisaitl Edm (hooking) 1:59, Edm Bench (too many men) 5:09.

Second Period 2. Edmonton, Pouliot 9 (Nugent-Hopkins, Sekera) 3:38 (pp).

Penalties — Kucherov TB (tripping) 2:52; Namestnikov TB (hooking) 5:25; Nesterov TB (interference) 19:05.

Third Period 3. Tampa Bay, Kucherov 15 (Hedman, Johnson) 3:01.

4. Tampa Bay, Hedman 3, 14:50.

5. Tampa Bay, Stamkos 18 (Hedman, Namestnikov) 15:51.

Penalty — Davidson Edm (holding) 5:11.

Shots on goal Tampa Bay 9 7 10—26 Edmonton 5 14 7—26 Goal — Tampa Bay: Bishop (W, 16-133); Edm: Talbot (L, 7-12-2). Power plays (goal-chances) — TB: 0-3; Edm: 1-3.

Attendance — 16,839 at Edmonton.

Florida Detroit Montreal

GP 41 41 42

W L OL SL GF GA 25 12 3 1 114 88 21 13 5 2 103 107 23 16 2 1 121 104

Pts Home Away Last 10 Strk 54 13-6-2-0 12-6-1-1 10-0-0-0 W-11 49 11-8-3-1 10-5-2-1 5-4-0-1 W-3 49 12-6-2-0 11-10-0-1 3-7-0-0 W-1

METROPOLITAN DIVISION Pts Home 63 15-3-1-0 49 13-7-2-0 48 15-5-1-0

Away 15-4-1-1 9-7-1-2 7-9-1-2

Last 10 Strk 8-1-0-1 W-2 4-6-0-0 L-1 4-5-1-0 W-1

Boston New Jersey

GP W L OL SL GF GA Pts Home 39 21 14 3 1 122 106 46 9-11-2-0 42 20 17 1 4 95 101 45 9-10-1-2

Away 12-3-1-1 11-7-0-2

Last 10 Strk 5-5-0-0 W-1 4-5-0-1 L-3

Tampa Bay Ottawa Pittsburgh Philadelphia Carolina Toronto Buffalo Columbus

41 41 40 39 42 39 41 42

10-9-1-1 9-10-1-1 9-9-1-0 8-10-2-1 8-10-3-0 9-10-0-2 7-9-0-2 8-15-0-0

5-4-0-1 3-6-0-1 4-4-1-1 5-4-0-1 5-3-2-0 6-3-1-0 2-7-0-1 4-6-0-0

Washington NY Islanders NY Rangers

GP 40 41 40

W L OL SL GF GA 30 7 2 1 128 86 22 14 3 2 114 103 22 14 2 2 118 105

WILD CARD

20 19 19 17 17 16 15 15

17 16 16 15 18 16 22 24

1 2 2 4 6 3 1 2

3 4 3 3 1 4 3 1

104 116 94 87 98 104 93 106

100 123 99 108 115 105 113 135

44 44 43 41 41 39 34 33

10-8-0-2 10-6-1-3 10-7-1-3 9-5-2-2 9-8-3-1 7-6-3-2 8-13-1-1 7-9-2-1

W-1 L-1 L-2 W-2 W-1 L-1 L-6 L-2

WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL DIVISION Dallas Chicago St. Louis

GP 43 43 44

W L OL SL GF GA 29 10 2 2 148 114 26 13 4 0 120 101 23 14 5 2 109 111

Pts Home 62 17-4-0-0 56 17-5-1-0 53 13-7-3-0

Away 12-6-2-2 9-8-3-0 10-7-2-2

Last 10 Strk 5-3-1-1 W-1 8-2-0-0 W-6 3-4-2-1 L-5

W L OL SL GF GA 26 12 1 1 107 88 20 16 3 1 112 125 17 16 5 2 77 97

Pts Home Away 54 13-6-0-0 13-6-1-1 44 10-6-2-0 10-10-1-1 41 11-6-3-1 6-10-2-1

Last 10 Strk 7-3-0-0 W-1 6-2-1-1 W-2 6-2-1-1 W-1

PACIFIC DIVISION Los Angeles Arizona Anaheim

GP 40 40 40

WILD CARD Minnesota Nashville

GP W L OL SL GF GA Pts Home 40 21 11 7 1 108 96 50 14-5-2-0 41 19 15 6 1 107 111 45 12-6-2-1

Colorado Winnipeg Vancouver Calgary San Jose Edmonton

42 41 41 40 38 42

21 19 16 19 18 17

18 19 16 19 18 22

3 1 7 1 2 3

0 2 2 1 0 0

122 109 100 105 102 104

117 117 115 124 108 125

45 41 41 40 38 37

9-9-3-0 11-5-1-0 8-8-3-0 13-8-0-0 5-12-0-0 12-8-1-0

Away 7-6-5-1 7-9-4-0 12-9-0-0 8-14-0-2 8-8-4-2 6-11-1-1 13-6-2-0 5-14-2-0

Last 10 Strk 4-4-1-1 L-1 4-5-1-0 L-2 6-2-2-0 5-4-0-1 5-4-0-1 5-5-0-0 4-5-1-0 3-6-1-0

W-3 L-1 W-1 L-1 L-2 L-1

Note: winning team is credited with 2 points and a victory in the W column; a team losing in overtime or shootout receives 1 point in the respective OTL or SOL column. )ULGD\¡V UHVXOWV Chicago 3 Buffalo 1 Tampa Bay 3 Edmonton 2 Carolina 4 Columbus 1 Colorado 5 Nashville 3 Anaheim 4 St. Louis 3 (SO) Boston 4 New Jersey 1 7KXUVGD\¡V UHVXOWV Los Angeles 2 Toronto 1 Florida 3 Ottawa 2 Arizona 2 Calgary 1 Dallas 2 Winnipeg 1 (SO) Washington 4 NY Islanders 1 Philadelphia 4 Minnesota 3 (OT) Detroit 2 San Jose 1 6DWXUGD\¡V JDPHV Washington at NY Rangers, 1 p.m.

NY Islanders at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.

Toronto at San Jose, 7 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Montreal, 7 p.m.

Boston at Ottawa, 7 p.m.

Carolina at Columbus, 7 p.m.

Minnesota at Dallas, 8 p.m.

Nashville at Arizona, 9 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

St. Louis at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.

6XQGD\¡V JDPHV Buffalo at Winnipeg, 3 p.m.

Ottawa at Washington, 7 p.m.

Colorado at Chicago, 7 p.m.

New Jersey at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Detroit at Anaheim, 8 p.m.

Florida at Edmonton, 9:30 p.m.

BLACKHAWKS 3, SABRES 1

AVALANCHE 5, PREDS 3

First Period 1. Chicago, Hjalmarsson 2 (Gustafsson, Toews) 18:26.

Penalties — None.

Second Period — No Scoring.

Penalty — Hjalmarsson Chi (slashing) 10:16.

Third Period %XIIDOR 2¡5HLOO\ 0F*LQQ

3. Chicago, Danault 1 (Keith, Hjalmarsson) 15:01.

4. Chicago, Toews 15 (Keith) 19:35 (en).

Penalties — Gorges Buf (interference) 5:30; Ristolainen Buf (interference), Panarin Chi (embellishment) 12:27.

Shots on goal Buffalo 11 12 6—29 Chicago 11 19 15—45 Goal — Buf: Johnson (L, 10-12-2); Chi: Crawford (W, 22-10-2). Power plays (goal-chances) — Buf: 0-2; Chicago: 0-1.

Attendance — 22,142 at Chicago.

First Period 1. Nashville, Johansen 7 (Ekholm, Ribeiro) 2:35 (pp).

2. Colorado, Iginla 12 (Soderberg, MacKinnon) 14:50 (pp).

3. Colorado, McLeod 7 (Skille) 17:45.

Penalties — McLeod Col (charging) 2:07; Bitetto Nash (tripping) 5:40; Jackman Nash (hooking) 11:50; Soderberg Col (freezing the puck) 11:51; Smith Nash (holding) 14:36.

Second Period 4. Nashville, Ellis 5 (Ekholm, Wilson) 2:45.

5. Colorado, Landeskog 10 (Soderberg, Comeau) 7:40.

6. Nashville, Forsberg 11 (Josi, Johansen) 16:37.

Penalties — Smith Nash (hooking) 3:09; Fisher Nash (tripping) 10:04; Mitchell Col (hooking) 19:09.

Third Period 7. Colorado, Barrie 7 (Holden, Comeau) 11:00 (pp).

8. Colorado, Skille 7 (Holden) 19:58 (en).

Penalty — Salomaki Nash (hooking) 9:03.

Shots on goal Nashville 8 9 4 —21 Colorado 14 5 8 —27 Goal — Nashvile: Rinne (L, 16-13-6); Colorado: Varlamov (W, 15-10-3).

Power plays (goal-chances) — Nashville: 1-3; Colorado: 2-6.

Attendance — 17,680 at Colorado.

SOCCER ENGLAND FA Cup — 3rd Round Exeter City 2 Liverpool 2

FRANCE LIGUE UN Paris St-Germain 2 Bastia 0

SCOTLAND FA Cup — 4th Round Partick Thistle 2 St. Mirren 1

HURRICANES 4, JACKETS 1 First Period 1. Carolina, Jo.Staal 9 (Slavin, Versteeg) 16:09 (pp).

Penalties — Johnson Clb (hooking) 14:11; Hartnell Clb (high-sticking) 18:46.

Second Period 2. Columbus, Dubinsky 7 (Foligno, Johnson) 9:41 (pp). &DUROLQD /LQGKROP +DQLĂ€Q 9HUsteeg) 14:35.

Penalties — Foligno Clb (hooking) 2:51; Nestrasil Car (hooking) 7:50; McClement Car (holding) 8:01; Terry Car (slashing) 11:28; Faulk Car (tripping) 12:03.

Third Period 4. Carolina, Terry 4 (Skinner, Nash) 9:20.

5. Carolina, Lindholm 6 (E. Staal) 18:59 (en).

Penalties — Malone Car, Dubinsky Clb ÀJKWLQJ *RORXEHI &OE WULSSLQJ

10:19; Nash Car (hooking) 19:41.

Shots on goal Columbus 6 14 16—36 Carolina 9 10 10—29 Goal — Columbus: Forsberg (L, 1-2-0); Carolina: Ward (W, 12-11-4).

Power plays (goal-chances) — Columbus: 1-5; Carolina: 1-4.

Attendance — 14,241 at Carolina.

DUCKS 4, BLUES 3 (SO) First Period 1. Ana, Kesler 7 (Silfverberg, Hagelin) 3:00.

Penalties — Manson Ana (hold) 14:32; Shattenkirk StL (cross-check) 18:32.

Second Period 2. St. Louis, Reaves 2 (Berglund, Gunnarsson) 2:36.

3. StL, Brouwer 8 (Edmundson) 7:03.

4. StL, Fabbri 10 (Pietrangelo) 16:25.

5. Ana, Perry 15 (Getzlaf, Manson) 16:56.

Penalties — Perry Ana (interference) 7:28; Holzer Ana (hooking) 10:31; Kesler $QD ÀJKWLQJ 7DUDVHQNR 6W/ ÀJKWLQJ roughing) 10:44; Horcoff Ana (crosschecking) 12:46.

Third Period 6. Anaheim, Kesler 8 (Silfverberg, Lindholm) 4:32 (pp).

Penalties — Steen StL (high-sticking) 0:16; Jaskin StL (hooking) 3:15; Edmundson StL (cross-checking) 8:59.

Overtime — No Scoring.

Penalties — None.

Shootout — Anaheim wins 0-0 St. Louis: Steen goal, Tarasenko miss, Lehtera miss, Shattenkirk miss.

Anaheim: Silfverberg goal, Perry miss, Kesler miss, Getzlaf goal.

Shots on goal St. Louis 8 17 2 1 —28 Anaheim 12 5 19 3 —39 Goal — St. Louis: Elliott (LO, 5-4-4); Ana: Gibson (W, 9-5-2). Power plays (goalchances) — StL: 0-4; Anaheim: 1-5.

Attendance — 16,250 at Anaheim.

BRUINS 4, DEVILS 1 First Period 1. Boston, Vatrano 6 (Miller) 2:02.

Penalties — Tootoo NJ, Rinaldo Bos ÀJKWLQJ 9DWUDQR %RV HOERZLQJ

2¡%ULHQ 1- GHOD\ RI JDPH

Greene NJ (tripping) 15:35.

Second Period 2. Boston, Spooner 9 (Seidenberg) 4:49.

3. NJ, Farnham 6 (Gionta, Larsson) 11:57.

4. Bos, Hayes 9 (Chara, Beleskey) 18:35 (pp).

Penalties — Chara Bos (high-sticking) 8:21; Beleskey Bos (tripping) 12:54; Thompson NJ (tripping) 16:50.

Third Period 5. Bos, Miller 3 (Seidenberg, Spooner) 6:33.

Penalties — Kalinin NJ (tripping) 17:05.

Shots on goal Boston 11 6 14—31 New Jersey 7 9 4—20 Goal — Boston: Gustavsson (W, 7-3-1); NJ: Schneider (L, 17-13-5). Power plays (goal-chances) — Boston: 1-3; NJ: 0-2.

Attendance — 16,514 at New Jersey.

@NanaimoDaily

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

HOCKEY

NFL PLAYOFFS TENNIS

NBA

WHL

WILD-CARD

ATP-WTA

EASTERN CONFERENCE

EASTERN CONFERENCE

AFC

BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL

EAST DIVISION

Byes: Denver (1), New England (2) Saturday's games Kansas City (5) at Houston (4), 4:35 p.m.

Pittsburgh (6) at Cincinnati (3), 8:15 p.m.

At Brisbane, Australia 0HQ V 6LQJOHV ³ 4XDUWHU ÀQDOV Roger Federer (1), Switz., def. Grigor Dimitrov, Bulgaria, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-4.

Bernard Tomic (7), Australia, def. Kei Nishikori (2), Japan, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.

Dominic Thiem (8), Austria, def. Marin Cilic (3), Croatia, 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4.

Milos Raonic (4), Thornhill, Ont., def. Lucas Pouille, France, 6-4, 6-4. :RPHQ V 6LQJOHV ³ 6HPL ÀQDOV Angelique Kerber (4), Ger., def. Carla Suarez Navarro (6), Spain, 6-2, 6-3.

Victoria Azarenka, Belarus, def.

Samantha Crawford, U.S., 6-0, 6-3.

Cleveland Chicago Miami Toronto Atlanta Indiana Detroit Orlando Boston Charlotte New York Washington Milwaukee Brooklyn Philadelphia

Brandon Prince Albert Moose Jaw Regina Saskatoon Swift Current

GP W 41 25 41 23 40 20 41 17 40 15 40 12

L OL 12 2 14 3 15 4 18 3 22 3 23 4

SL 2 1 1 3 0 1

GF GA 158 123 134 133 139 130 128 149 122 165 93 131

Pt 54 50 45 40 33 29

SL 0 1 1 0 1 0

GF GA 175 125 161 122 142 134 115 133 130 153 87 175

Pt 58 57 52 38 34 19

CENTRAL DIVISION Lethbridge Red Deer Calgary Edmonton Medicine Hat Kootenay

GP W 41 29 42 28 43 25 41 17 40 15 42 8

L OL 12 0 13 0 16 1 20 4 21 3 31 3

WESTERN CONFERENCE L OL 11 2 14 1 15 1 14 4 21 3

SL 0 1 3 2 2

GF GA 147 116 138 118 142 108 135 120 124 144

Pt 58 52 52 44 37

L OL 12 0 14 3 15 3 18 1 22 2

SL 2 0 2 0 0

GF GA 103 81 121 112 129 132 135 127 128 155

Pt 48 45 43 41 36

U.S. DIVISION Everett Seattle Spokane Portland Tri-City

GP W 37 23 38 21 39 19 39 20 41 17

Note: Division leaders ranked in top 2 positions per conference regardless of points; a team winning in overtime or shootout gets 2 pts. & a victory in the W column; team losing in overtime or shootout gets 1 pt. in OTL or SOL columns )ULGD\¡V UHVXOWV Medicine Hat 3 Saskatoon 1 Brandon 8 Prince Albert 1 Vancouver 5 Calgary 2 Kootenay 5 Regina 3 Lethbridge 4 Red Deer 3 (SO) Kamloops 3 Tri-City 2 Prince George 1 Victoria 0 Seattle 3 Portland 1 Everett 3 Kelowna 2 6DWXUGD\¡V JDPHV All times Local Medicine Hat at Prince Albert, 6 p.m.

Saskatoon at Moose Jaw, 6 p.m.

Swift Current at Brandon, 6:30 p.m.

Vancouver at Red Deer, 7 p.m.

Calgary at Edmonton, 7 p.m.

Kootenay at Lethbridge, 7 p.m.

Kamloops at Portland, 8 p.m.

Victoria at Prince George, 8 p.m.

Regina at Spokane, 8:05 p.m.

Tri-City at Kelowna, 8:05 p.m.

Everett at Seattle, 8:05 p.m.

DIVISIONAL Saturday, Jan. 16

AFC Cincinnati, Houston or Kansas City at New England (1), 4:35 p.m.

Minnesota, Washington or Green Bay at Arizona (2), 8:15 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 17

INTERIOR DIVISION GP W Penticton 39 34 Salmon Arm 37 23 West Kelowna 40 23 Trail 39 18 Vernon 41 16 Merritt 41 14

L 4 10 15 21 22 24

T OL GF GA Pt 1 0 166 78 69 2 2 152 105 50 0 2 154 138 48 0 0 117 151 36 0 3 162 141 35 0 3 141 176 31

L 14 15 14 20 22

T OL GF GA Pt 0 1 166 133 53 0 2 140 109 46 2 3 136 162 45 0 4 107 115 34 2 3 104 155 31

ISLAND DIVISION GP W Nanaimo 41 26 Powell River 39 22 Cowichan Vally 39 20 Victoria 39 15 Alberni Valley 40 13

MAINLAND DIVISION GP W 38 25 39 23 38 22 40 18 40 9 38 5

L 8 11 15 17 28 31

T OL GF GA Pt 1 4 153 91 55 3 2 130 93 51 1 0 147 118 45 1 4 134 154 41 1 2 90 177 21 2 0 90 193 12

)ULGD\¡V UHVXOWV Penticton 4 Vernon 1 Prince George 2 Surrey 2 (2OT) Merritt 4 West Kelowna 2 Salmon Arm 4 Wenatchee 0 Victoria 5 Powell River 3 Coquitlam 4 Trail 1 Cowichan Valley 4 Alberni Valley 3 (OT) 6DWXUGD\¡V JDPHV All times Local Powell River at Nanaimo, 6 p.m.

Salmon Arm at Penticton, 6 p.m.

Trail at Chilliwack, 7 p.m.

Prince George at Coquitlam, 7 p.m.

Langley at Cowichan Valley, 7 p.m.

Vernon at Merritt, 8 p.m.

6XQGD\¡V JDPHV Powell River at Alberni Valley, 2 p.m.

Langley at Victoria, 2 p.m.

Trail at Surrey, 4 p.m.

Prince George at Chilliwack, 5 p.m.

ATP QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN

Seattle, Green Bay or Washington at Carolina (1), 1:05 p.m.

At Doha, Qatar 6LQJOHV Âł 6HPLĂ€QDOV Novak Djokovic (1), Serbia, def. Tomas Berdych (3), Czech., 6-3, 7-6 (3).

Rafael Nadal (2), Spain, def. Illya Marchenko, Ukraine, 6-3, 6-4.

AFC

AIRCEL CHENNAI OPEN

NFC

Pittsburgh, Kansas City or Houston at Denver (1), 4:30 p.m.

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS Sunday, Jan. 24 AFC — at Highest Seed, 3:05 p.m.

NFC — at Highest Seed, 6:40 p.m.

PRO BOWL Sunday, Jan. 31 At Honolulu, Hawaii Team Rice vs. Team Irvin, 7 p.m.

SUPER BOWL Sunday, Feb. 7 At Santa Clara, Calif.

AFC vs. NFC Champions, 6:30 p.m.

FOOTBALL

At Chennai, India 6LQJOHV ³ 4XDUWHU ÀQDOV Stan Wawrinka (1), Switz., def. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (5), Spain, 6-4, 6-4.

Benoit Paire (3), France, def. Thomas Fabbiano, Italy, 6-4, 7-5.

Borna Coric (8), Croatia, def. Roberto Bautista Agut (4), Spain, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (1).

Aljaz Bedene, Britain, def. Ramkumar Ramanathan, India, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3.

WTA SHENZHEN OPEN At Shenzhen, China 6LQJOHV Âł 6HPLĂ€QDOV Agnieszka Radwanska (1), Poland, def. Anna-Lena Friedsam, Ger., 6-2, 6-4.

Alison Riske, U.S., def. Timea Babos, Hungary, 6-2, 6-4.

ASB CLASSIC

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

At Auckland, New Zealand 6LQJOHV Âł 6HPLĂ€QDOV Sloane Stephens (5), U.S., leads Caroline Wozniacki (3), Den., 5-2, sspd.

Julia Goerges, Germany, def. Tamira Paszek, Austria, 6-4, 6-2.

At Glendale, Ariz.

Clemson (14-0) vs. Alabama (13-1), 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 23

BOBSLEIGH

NCAA BOWLS Monday's game

EAST-WEST SHRINE CLASSIC

BCHL

Chilliwack Wenatchee Langley Coquitlam Prince George Surrey

Byes: Carolina (1), Arizona (2) Sunday's games Seattle (6) at Minnesota (3), 1 p.m.

Green Bay (5) at Washington (4), 4:30 pm.

NFC

B.C. DIVISION GP W Kelowna 41 28 Prince George 41 25 Victoria 43 24 Kamloops 39 19 Vancouver 42 16

NFC

At St. Petersburg, Fla. East vs. West, 4 p.m.

WORLD CUP

NFLPA COLLEGIATE BOWL

At Lake Placid, N.Y.

At Carson, Calif.

National vs. American, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 30

MEN

SENIOR BOWL At Mobile, Ala. North vs. South, 2:30 p.m.

LACROSSE NLL EAST DIVISION Toronto New England Rochester Buffalo Georgia

GP W L Pct. GF GA GB 0 0 0 .000 0 0 — 0 0 0 .000 0 0 — 0 0 0 .000 0 0 — 0 0 0 .000 0 0 — 1 0 1 .000 15 16 1/2

WEST DIVISION GP W L Pct. GF GA GB Colorado 1 1 0 1.000 16 15 — Saskatchewan 1 1 0 1.000 10 8 — Vancouver 0 0 0 .000 0 0 1/2 Calgary 1 0 1 .000 8 10 1

Saturday's games Toronto at Georgia, 7:05 p.m.

Calgary at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.

Colorado at Rochester, 7:30 p.m.

New England at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 14 Rochester at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 15 Calgary at New England, 7 p.m.

Vancouver at Saskatchewan, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 16 Toronto at Rochester, 7:30 p.m.

Buffalo at Colorado, 9 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 17 New England at Georgia, 2:05 p.m.

1. Steven Holcomb & Carlo Valdes, U.S., 1:51.0.

2. Nico Walther & Christian Poser, Germany, 1:51.11.

3. Won Yunjong & Seo Youngwoo, South Korea, 1:51.12.

4. Justin Kripps, Summerland, B.C., & Alexander Kopacz, London, 1:51.30.

5. Ugis Zalims & Intars Dambis, Latvia, 1:51.41.

12. Chris Spring and Lascelles Brown, both Calgary, 1:51.58.

WOMEN 1. Jamie Greubel-Poser & Cherelle Garrett, U.S., 1:53.48.

2. Kaillie Humphries & Melissa Lotholz, both Calgary, 1:53.91.

3. Christina Hengster and Sanne Monique Dekker, Austria, 1:54.30.

4. Elfje Willemsen & Sophie Vercruyssen, Belgium, 1:54.43.

5. Anja Schneiderheinze & Erline Nolte, germany, 1:54.49.

6. An Vannieuwenhuyse & Lose Hubrecht, Belgium, 1:55.08.

SKELETON WORLD CUP At Lake Placid, N.Y.

WOMEN $QQLH 2¡6KHD 8 6 VHFRQGV 2. Marina Gilardoni, Switz., 1:50.43.

3. Laura Deas, Britain, 1:50.59.

4. Tina Hermann, Germany, 1:15.17.

5. Janine Flock, Austria, 1:51.23.

6. Jane Channell, N.Van., B.C., 1:15.27.

7. Jaclyn Narracott, Australia, 1:51.38.

8. Jacqueline Loelling, Ger., 1:51.52.

12. Elisabeth Vathje, Calgary, 1:51.95.

W

L

Pct

GB

25 22 22 23 22 21 20 20 19 17 18 15 15 10 4

9 12 14 15 15 15 16 17 17 18 20 19 23 26 34

.735 .647 .611 .605 .595 .583 .556 .541 .528 .486 .474 .441 .395 .278 .105

— 3 4 4 1 4 /2 5 6 61/2 7 81/2 9 10 12 16 23

WESTERN CONFERENCE Golden State San Antonio Oklahoma City L.A. Clippers Dallas Memphis Houston Utah Sacramento Portland Denver Phoenix Minnesota New Orleans L.A. Lakers

W

L

Pct

GB

34 32 26 23 21 20 18 15 15 15 13 13 12 11 8

2 6 11 13 16 18 19 20 21 24 24 26 25 24 30

.944 .842 .703 .639 .568 .526 .486 .429 .417 .385 .351 .333 .324 .314 .211

— 3 81/2 11 131/2 15 161/2 181/2 19 201/2 211/2 221/2 221/2 221/2 27

)ULGD\¡V UHVXOWV Golden State 128 Portland 108 Cleveland 125 Minnesota 99 Orlando 83 Brooklyn 77 Indiana 91 New Orleans 86 Milwaukee 96 Dallas 95 Toronto 97 Washington 88 Memphis 91 Denver 84 San Antonio 100 New York 99 Miami 103 Phoenix 95 Oklahoma City 117 L.A. Lakers 113 7KXUVGD\¡V UHVXOWV Atlanta 126 Philadelphia 98 Chicago 101 Boston 92 Houston 103 Utah 94 Sacramento 118 L.A. Lakers 115 6DWXUGD\¡V JDPHV Charlotte at L.A. Clippers, 3:30 p.m.

Chicago at Atlanta, 5 p.m.

Washington at Orlando, 7 p.m.

Toronto at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.

Brooklyn at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

Miami at Utah, 9 p.m.

Golden State at Sacramento, 10 p.m.

6XQGD\¡V JDPHV New Orleans at L.A. Clippers, 3:30 p.m.

Dallas at Minnesota, 5 p.m.

Boston at Memphis, 6 p.m.

Cleveland at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Indiana at Houston, 7 p.m.

Milwaukee at New York, 7:30 p.m.

Charlotte at Denver, 8 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Portland, 9 p.m.

Utah at L.A. Lakers, 9:30 p.m.

GOLF PGA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPS At Kapalua, Hawaii Par 73 (36-37) Second Round Jordan Spieth Kevin Kisner Fabian Gomez Patrick Reed Danny Lee Rickie Fowler Steven Bowditch Peter Malnati Bubba Watson Brooks Koepka Padraig Harrington Matt Every Smylie Kaufman Brandt Snedeker Dustin Johnson Bill Haas Scott Piercy Jimmy Walker Chris Kirk David Lingmerth Troy Merritt Russell Knox Jason Day Justin Thomas J.B. Holmes Zach Johnson Alex Cejka Emiliano Grillo Graeme McDowell Davis Love III J.J. Henry James Hahn

66-64—130 69-65—134 68-66—134 65-69—134 67-68—135 69-67—136 69-67—136 71-66—137 69-68—137 69-68—137 70-68—138 70-68—138 70-69—139 67-72—139 73-67—140 71-69—140 71-69—140 70-71—141 70-71—141 71-71—142 75-68—143 71-72—143 70-73—143 70-73—143 67-76—143 75-69—144 72-72—144 71-73—144 75-70—145 75-72—147 77-74—151 76-76—152

NHL

Domi nets his first NHL hat trick as Coyotes down Oilers 4-3 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Oliver EkmanLarrson’s goal with nine seconds left in overtime and a hat trick from rookie Max Domi rallied the Arizona Coyotes to a 4-3 victory Tuesday night over the Edmonton Oilers.

The Coyotes won their fourth straight game. After scoring two third-period goals, they have at least

one in 10 consecutive games and 18 overall in the final period.

Louis Domingue made 28 saves for his fourth straight win. EkmanLarrson assisted on all three goals that accounted for Domi’s first NHL hat trick. Arizona forced overtime with two third-period goals by Domi, both on the power play. Domi hadn’t scored since Dec. 4 when he had two goals at Buffalo.

The Coyotes have five hat tricks this season to lead the NHL. Arizona’s power play was 3 for 4 and almost had another goal, but Domi’s first goal in the second came just as the Oilers returned to full strength.

Leon Draisaitl and Jordan Schultz each had a goal and an assist for the Oilers, who lost their third straight game and have dropped six of eight.

Jordan Eberle added three assists and

has seven points in five games.

Edmonton took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission on Draisaitl’s goal at 18:43. Schultz made it 2-0 after he took Eberle’s pass through traffic on the power play and scored at 6:13 of the second period.

Domi made it 2-1, but Benoit Pouliot redirected Schultz’s shot past Domingue only 1:02 into the third period for a 3-1 Oilers lead.

The Coyotes rallied with Domi scoring twice in 3:01, both on power plays. His third goal drew a smattering of caps from the stands.

Arizona looked drained when the game went to 3-on-3 in overtime and the Oilers saw a shot roll through the crease just in front of the net, their best chance to win in the extra 5 minutes. Ekman-Larrson’s wrister eluded Anders Nilsson to win it.

www.nanaimodailynews.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016 GARFIELD

@NanaimoDaily

DIVERSIONS 25

CROSSWORD BEFORE THE IPOD ACROSS 1 Con game 5 Musical conclusion 9 Concert ticket remnants 14 It’s east of Indiana 15 Primates without tails 16 Wigwam relative 17 Clothes, informally 18 Interoffice message 19 Devoured 20 Fact in a court document 23 Historical period 24 University email suffix 25 Turkey’s capital 29 Airport rental 31 Office seekers, for short 35 Nary a soul 36 Grand parties 38 Pied Piper follower 39 Small cellophane roll 42 Subj. for some immigrants 43 Assumed name 44 Shampoo bottle instruction 45 Center of government 47 Picnic invader 48 Sushi side dish 49 Got the gold medal 51 Physician’s nickname 52 Credit union investment 60 Social gathering 61 Not that much 62 Bona fide 64 Bit of color 65 Sound of mind 66 Doing nothing 67 More eccentric 68 Little fellow 69 Something essential

FOR BETTER OR WORSE

ANDY CAPP

ZITS

DOWN 1 Grass bought in rolls 2 Buddy 3 Verdi masterwork 4 A majority of 5 Film-set machine 6 3 Down, for example 7 Showroom sample

PREVIOUS PUZZLE SOLVED

8 No earlier than 9 General’s horse 10 Saucer’s partner 11 No later than 12 Foamy beverage 13 Fax button 21 Nun with a Nobel Prize 22 Televised again 25 Chips in 26 Of the Vikings 27 Arboreal Aussie 28 Raggedy doll 29 Sapphire measure

30 Foamy beverages 32 One of the 15 Across 33 Run out, as subscriptions 34 Rodeo beast 36 Make progress 37 Far from lenient 40 Backup strategy 41 Metal in bronze 46 Sudden spasm 48 Small beard 50 Western film 51 Beverage 52 Governor’s rejection 53 Gung-ho 54 Rip apart 55 Be durable 56 Cyberseller’s site 57 Ireland, in poetry 58 Relinquish 59 Self-help author Carnegie 63 Spearheaded

HI AND LOIS

HAGAR

» EVENTS // EMAIL: EVENTS@NANAIMODAILYNEWS.COM WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13

FRIDAY, JAN. 15

MONDAY, JAN. 18

THURSDAY, JAN. 21

TUESDAY, JAN. 26

7 p.m. Open Mic Acoustic night with Dave Marco, et Smoke‘n’Water Restaurant, Pacific Shores Resort, 1-1600 Stroulger Rd., Parksville.

7 p.m. Acoustic Tribute to Radiohead. Dinghy Dock Pub. Tickets $20 in advance from the artists, The Dinghy Dock Pub, or ticketzone.com.

7 p.m. Tora Leigh at the Longwood Brew Pub.

12:30-2 p.m. Nanaimo Family Life presents connections group for seniors.

At 1070 Townsite Rd. For more information, visit www.nflabc.org or call 250-754-3331.

SATURDAY, JAN. 16

7 p.m. Harbour City Newcomers Club.. Oliver Woods Community Centre, 6000 Oliver Road.

A social network, friendship, and new opportunities for all individuals (male, female, singles, couples) who are new to Nanaimo or who have had a recent change in circumstances in a casual and supportive environment. More information: Rick Salcak , rsalcak@gmail.com.

7-9 p.m. Country Idol at the Queen’s Hotel.

The annual talent search runs Tuesdays through January, with a final show Feb.10.

Singers 15 and up complete for $500 and a vocal appearance with George Canyon on Feb. 10.

7 p.m. JP Maurice, Towers and trees West Coast: album release tour At the Queen’s, 34 Victoria cres., Nanaimo. Tickets $12.

THURSDAY, JAN. 14

7:30-10 p.m. Black-Lister-McRae Trio,jazz-improv at the Nanaimo Conservatory, 375 Selby St., . Tickets $20 general, $10 students.

Advance tickets at Fascinating Rhythm, 51 Commercial St. 250-716-9997.

TUESDAY, JAN. 19 SUNDAY, JAN. 17

7 p.m. Laryssa Campbell and more Live At Longwood A free live concert series every Thursday at Longwood Brew Pub 5775 Turner Rd., Nanaimo.

FRIDAY, JAN. 22

1-4 p.m. Raffi at the Port Theatre. Meet and Greet Tickets $65, regular tickets $37.50, upper Balcony $27.50. Concert is best suited for children old enough to talk, sing or clap along.

SATURDAY, JAN. 23 7-9 p.m. Country Idol at the Queen’s Hotel.

Singers 15 and up complete for $500 and a vocal appearance with George Canyon.

7:30 p.m. Vancouver Island Symphony presents music and visual arts. Tickets $18$59, eyego $5 at www.Porttheatre.Com. 250-754-8550.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 27 7 p.m. Open Mic Acoustic night with Dave Marco, every Wednesday at Smoke‘n’Water Restaurant, Pacific Shores Resort, 1-1600 Stroulger Rd., Parksville

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26 DIVERSIONS BLONDIE

@NanaimoDaily

HOROSCOPE

by Jacqueline Bigar ARIES (March 21-April 19) Your inner conversations might be far more viable than your actual interactions are. Slow down and touch base with what you feel.

You could feel restricted in some way, as if some facts are being held back. Know what you desire from a situation. Tonight: Get some extra R and R. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Something you’ve wanted for a long time becomes a possibility.

A friend could play a strategic role in making this desire happen. You won’t appreciate a naysayer who is lingering around you. Ignore this person. Allow yourself to brainstorm creatively. Tonight: Meet up with friends.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) You might be in the position to accept extra responsibility. You also will find an avenue for your creativity and your emerging ideas. A partner or loved one could be insecure or jealous that you have this opportunity. Do not allow his or her attitude to get to you. Tonight: Time for a chat.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Reach out for more information, detach and try to see the big picture. Your inability to get past a problem marks your day in some way. Get help or delegate the problem to someone else. It might not be worth your time to work through this issue. Tonight: Someone shares a new idea.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) One-onone relating provides a new path

BABY BLUES

BC

WORD FIND

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

to better ideas. You might have a dream of what could be. Start working toward making that a reality.

Dealing with someone who doesn’t feel inspired could be difficult. This fatigue will encourage him or her to withdraw. Tonight: Pay bills.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Others might confuse you, as they are so enthusiastic and full of ideas. You might wonder what happened to them, especially if you are stuck dealing with a grump at some point. Get into what is positive in your life, and you will be much happier. Tonight: Say “yes” to living.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Accomplish what is needed in order to move past a road block. Count on the fact that your instincts are right-on. Your intuition will work very well for you. Optimism builds as you take action. Stay focused on what you are doing. Tonight: Do not allow someone to distract you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Understand what is happening within your immediate circle. Others depend on you for that spark of creativity that makes all the difference. You could feel burdened or popular; your attitude depends on your mindset. Allow greater giveand-take. Tonight: Understand the role you play.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) You could be in the position of making decisions that work for you.

A family member or a roommate might confuse you with his or her skepticism. You will want to deliberate, but a discussion with an older person is likely to answer your question. Tonight: Head home early.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) You might want to consider some new options. The path ahead of you could be unclear until you discuss each one. Refuse to let your innate cynicism get into the mix. Manifest dynamic and creative thinking in deciding the approach that will work. Tonight: Have a long-overdue talk.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Be aware of your finances. A mistake could happen way too easily.

Double-check your figures and count your change. Keep your wallet nearby. You could feel very generous toward a loved one. If so, make sure you can afford to follow through. Tonight: Treat a family member.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Your imagination could take you way beyond the limits of others’ thoughts at the moment. You will want to toss an idea or two into the ring to see if they can be worked with. What seems like a brilliant solution might not be workable.

Tonight: As you like it.

YOUR BIRTHDAY (Jan. 13) This year you will note that a lot naturally falls into place. For some of you, a dream could become a reality. If you are single, someone strolls into your life who easily could knock your socks off. You could be pinching yourself to see whether you’re really living this. If you are attached, the two of you bond very tightly together and often enjoy each other’s company. The two of you will have a unique opportunity to make a decision that could benefit you financially. PISCES inspires you and makes you daydream.

SUDOKU CRYPTOQUOTE

Difficulty Level

1/12

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Canadian Dollar The Canadian dollar traded Tuesday afternoon at 70.14 cents US, down 0.17 of a cent from Monday’s close. The Pound Sterling was worth $2.0586, down 1.02 cents, while the Euro was worth $1.5475, up 0.42 of a cent.

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NOI’S A1 Thai Massage. -First in Customer service and satisfaction.

Open Mon-Sat, 9:30-5:00. 486C Franklin St. Call (250)716-1352.

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FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Jean Etta Fallis (Barber) Jean was born November 17, 1925 on a farm near Oxbow, SK and passed away peacefully in Nanaimo, BC on Dec 19, 2015.

She was predeceased by her parents, Lester and Jessie Barber, and nine siblings. She will be sadly missed by her loving husband of 68 years, Al, daughter, Barb, two sisters-inlaw, Grace Davidson and Norma Barber, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In her younger years, Jean was very involved in Eastern Star, United Church Women, and Hospital Auxiliary in the various towns in which they lived.

Jean had a zest for life and spent many hours at the Nanaimo Golf Club over about 20 years. She also enjoyed curling and watching her beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Jean played a big role in Al’s career with RBC. She was a great cook and a gracious hostess, whether at a formal reception or a backyard BBQ. Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at Nanaimo Golf Club, 2800 Highland Blvd, Sands ~ Nanaimo Nanaimo, BC at 2:00 PM. 250-753-2032

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FUNERAL HOMES

Telford’s Burial and Cremation Centre Your local Memorial Society of BC Funeral Home.

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your private party automotive ad with us in the SELL IT IN 3 Place Nanaimo Daily News for the 3 weeks for only $30.

OR IT RUNS next If your vehicle does not sell, us and we'll run it again FOR FREE!* call at NO CHARGE!

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Arthritic Conditions/COPD? Restrictions in Walking/Dressing? Disability Tax Credit $2,000 Tax Credit $20,000 Refund. Apply Today For Assistance: 1-844-453-5372.

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OWNER OPERATOR COURIER ACE Courier is accepting resume for owner-operators with mini, cargo and cube vans for courier work in Nanaimo. These are f/t positions, Mon-Fri. Please forward all resumes to: acenan@shawbiz.ca or fax 250-741-1412.

START A new career in Graphic Arts, Healthcare, Business, Education or Information Tech. If you have a GED, call: 855-670-9765

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VENDING MACHINE ATTENDANT Retired/semi retired person in good health to handle vending machine at Woodgrove Centre.

Requires some computer experience.

This is a 1 hour/week job.

Call weekdays at: 1.800.663.6661 Fax 514.342.0750 george@autophoto.ca or jeff@autophoto.ca

MEDICAL/DENTAL

Licensed Practical Nurse We are currently seeking a casual LPN. Experience in dementia care an asset. For more information on this job posting visit: www.nanaimo travellerslodge.com

Ben Calvin

To Apply E-mail: gladys.vandenbrink@ nantralodge.bc.ca

Passed peacefully with his family by his side January 7, 2016. Predeceased by his loving wife, Dorothy, in 1983.

Dad’s parents immigrated to Nanaimo from Whitehaven, England to work in the coal mines. Born and raised in Nanaimo, Dad could relate many colourful stories of growing up here and the way our city has evolved over the years. As a boy, he worked for Spencer’s Store on Nicol Street making deliveries on his bicycle after school and on Saturdays. As a young man, he worked on the CP ferry Princess Elaine as an oiler and fireman.

It was during this time that Dad was drafted into the Merchant Marines. Marriage came along and Dad became a millworker at Harmac providing for his family and remaining there until his retirement.

Enjoyed travel - Hawaii, Mexico, Europe and visiting family in Cumbria, England were among his favourite memories. Loved a good game of crib... especially when he won. A kind loving Father who was always there to guide us down the right path.

He leaves to mourn his 3 children - Barry, Brian (Merle) and Lori (Robert) all of Nanaimo. Grandchildren - Dr. Tracy Durksen (Frank) Sydney Australia, Jason Calvin (Nanaimo) and Jeffrey Calvin (Jungmi) Qualicum Bay. Special long-time friends Gary Fitchell and Murray Charleson. Our thanks to Dr. Nick Schulson, the staff of Nanaimo Senior Village Assisted Living and the RN's on the 3rd floor of the Nanaimo Regional Hospital for their grace and compassion during Dads recent illness.

PERSONAL SERVICES

April 15, 1924 ~ January 7, 2016

"You held our hands when we were small You caught us when we fell.

The hero of our childhood and latter years, as well.

Every time we think of you, our hearts they swell with pride And although we'll always miss you We know you're by our side.

In laughter and in sorrow, in sunshine and in rain We know you're watching over us...until we meet again."

We love you Dad.

Brent Beadle

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Arrieta and Keuchel among 156 players to file for arbitration THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — Cy Young Award winners Jake Arrieta of the Chicago Cubs and Dallas Keuchel of the Houston Astros were among 156 players who filed for salary arbitration Tuesday and are set to swap proposed figures with their teams this week unless they agree to contracts.

New Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman could file the highest salary request after earning $8,075,000 last season with Cincinnati unless he settles with New York before Friday’s exchange of figures.

AL MVP Josh Donaldson also filed. He lost his case last year and made $4.3 million while leading the Toronto Blue Jays to their first playoff appearance since 1993.

New York Mets ace Matt Harvey was among nine players from the NL champions who filed for arbitration. That group includes suspended reliever Jenrry Mejia, who failed two drug tests last year and will miss much of next season as part of a 162-game ban.

Lorenzo Cain and Mike Moustakas were among seven players from the World Series champion Kansas City Royals who filed.

Keuchel could be in for a big raise after earning slightly more than the major league minimum of $507,500 last season, when he went 20-8 with a 2.48 ERA. Arrieta earned $3.63 million and pitched a no-hitter among his 22 wins.

@NanaimoDaily

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

ATHLETICS

IAAF sought ways to hush up Russian doping: Documents Allegations also that officials received bribes from athletes to hide drug use JOHN LEICESTER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

S

ix years before the International Association of Athletics Federations banned Russia, track and field’s governing body knew of doping so out of control it feared Russian athletes could die from abusing blood-boosting drugs and transfusions, and officials considered collaborating with Russians to hide the extent of cheating before the 2012 London Olympics, according to internal documents obtained by The Associated Press.

When the massive scandal of state-sponsored doping and coverups in Russia finally erupted in 2015, IAAF leaders acted as though blindsided. “This has been a shameful wake-up call,” said Sebastian Coe, the British Olympian and new president of the IAAF. But as a sophisticated new blood-testing program was launched in 2009, IAAF tests were already providing shocking insight into the scale and gravity of Russian doping, according to six years of emails, letters and reports the AP received from a person intimately involved in the IAAF’s anti-doping program. The person requested anonymity because he wasn’t allowed to release the documents.

A

t that stage, the test results weren’t enough on their own to sanction athletes, but they raise questions about why the organization waited six years before suspending Russia, which could see its athletes miss the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in August.

“Not only are these athletes cheating their fellow competitors but at these levels are putting their health and even their own lives in very serious danger,” Pierre Weiss, the IAAF general secretary from 2006-11, wrote in an Oct. 14, 2009, letter to Valentin Balakhnichev, the Russian athletics president who was banned for life from the sport last week. Russians “recorded some of the highest values ever seen since the IAAF started testing.”

Tests at the 2009 world championships, where Russia won 13 medals, “strongly suggest a systematic abuse of blood doping or EPO-related products,” Weiss added.

Athletes are banned from using transfusions and the hormone EPO, which boosts levels of oxygen-carrying red blood cells, artificially improving performance. They can increase the risk of clots, strokes and heart attacks.

The documents reveal how the IAAF cajoled Russian officials to act, but also used advances in blood testing against offenders.

They shed light on key junctures in the crisis, which has been muddied by allegations that IAAF and Russian officials took bribes from athletes to hide doping.

Other findings: — Internal IAAF papers before the London Olympics proposed hiding doping sanctions for lesser-known Russians. An April 2012 note said this approach couldn’t be used for Russia’s best athletes because that would allow them to keep “11 world titles and numerous European titles acquired under the influence of doping.” The elite athletes could not be discreetly removed from major competitions.

Liliya Shobukhova, from Russia, responds in October 2012 to a question about elite runners participating in the Chicago Marathon. Shobukhova blew the whistle on blackmail, bribery and doping coverups. [AP PHOTO]

“This has been a shameful wake-up call.”

Sebastian Coe, IAAF president

— A Sept. 28, 2012, internal brief for then-IAAF President Lamine Diack estimated 42 per cent of tested Russian elite athletes doped.

— After the 2009 worlds, Weiss told Balakhnichev that seven Russians — including two gold medallists — would have been forced to sit out the competition if the IAAF had had the same rules as some other sports.

— Before the 2009 worlds, Weiss also alerted Balakhnichev that Russians were evading tests by saying they were in the military and couldn’t tell testers where they were.

T

he IAAF told AP the letters were genuine. Spokesman Chris Turner said they were a “clear, open warning” to Russia and insisted the IAAF has been “very strong” in dealing with the sports powerhouse.

By 2011, the IAAF’s new testing regime was flagging so many suspected Russian dopers that officials explored breaking their own rules and those of the World Anti-Doping Agency by dealing with some cases privately, two notes show.

The notes proposed by-the-book sanctions for elite Russians likely to win in London, but “rapid and discreet” handling for lesser-known athletes whose disappearance from competition would probably go unnoticed.

For athletes who agreed, the IAAF would “undertake not to publish the sanction,” which would be shortened to two years from four, according to a Dec. 5, 2011, brief that Turner said was sent by IAAF anti-doping director Gabriel Dolle to Diack’s legal counsel, Habib Cisse.

The IAAF says the proposals were never carried out. Balakhnichev told AP: “There were no secret bans. At least I didn’t know and didn’t hear about there being any.”

Turner said a colleague of Dolle’s objected

to the proposed non-disclosure of bans and they were published.

“Every athlete was investigated and has either been sanctioned or is currently going through a legal process as part of being sanctioned,” he said.

The IAAF’s ethics commission has banned Dolle for five years for what it called an “inexcusable lack of due care and diligence” involving Liliya Shobukhova, a marathoner who blew the whistle on blackmail, bribery and doping coverups involving Balakhnichev and others.

A second round of findings are due Thursday from a WADA probe led by International Olympic Committee veteran Dick Pound, who told AP that documents indicating IAAF officials contemplated not disclosing doping bans were surprising and “not exactly in line with our rules.”

Weiss said the IAAF couldn’t have suspended Russia earlier than last year, after the WADA commission concluded the Russian government was complicit in a “deeply rooted culture of cheating.”

“WADA found out more than we could ever find ourselves,” he said in an interview.

Still, the documents show the IAAF long worked behind the scenes with Russia before its Nov. 13 about-face, when IAAF Council members voted 22-1 to suspend all Russian athletes. Russia must convince the IAAF it is changing to be reinstated.

The documents provide no evidence of clear criminal activity. Diack faces corruption and money laundering charges in France, accused of taking more than $1.1 million in a scheme to blackmail athletes and cover up doping. French magistrates also are investigating Cisse and Dolle for suspected corruption.

Last week, the IAAF ethics commission issued a lifetime ban for Papa Massata Diack, one of Diack’s sons, for his role in the blackmail of Shobukhova.

Also banned for life were Balakhnichev and Alexei Melnikov, former head coach of Russia’s race-walking and long-distance running programs.

29 nanaimodailynews.com

@NanaimoDaily

Still looking for the perfect cooking ingredient? Try beer

Eileen Bennewith Nutrition Notes

How to choose meatless meals

GOLDEN M ELIXIR

Sheila Hockin The Lucky Gourmet

I

f you’re a beer lover, chances are you’ll enjoy cooking as much as you enjoy sipping this golden elixir.

From breads and batters to soups and stews, beer can add a unique depth of flavours. Once you understand the different flavours of various beers, the range of its use in cooking is breath-taking and limitless.

For example, pale ale makes a perfect addition to batter for cod, halibut and salmon. The yeast in the beer provides a fluffy coating and crisp exterior. It is also wonderful in cheese-based soups such as a broccoli and aged cheddar soup.

If you prefer white or wheat beer, try it in a dressing for salad, a demi sauce for fish, or in the broth derived from mussels with garlic and leeks.

The crisp, citrus flavours compliments the mussels perfectly without being overpowering.

The toasty flavours of coffee and chocolate in strong, dark beers known as stout makes it perfect to use in many strong dishes, from a hearty seafood chowder to a rich Irish stew.

Beef short ribs slow-cooked in stout are amazingly tender. Stout is also an ingredient which cannot be ignored in lush, moist and chocolaty desserts, like a Guinness chocolate cake. While it may sound outlandish, this rich cake is truly outstanding.

Beer also makes a tasty marinade for chicken, beef, pork or lamb. Marinate your steak in a nutty brown ale, then, after cooking, reduce the pan juices and drizzle them over the steak and you will discover the ‘wow’ factor embedded in that tender protein.

If you have a recipe that requires wine, why not change it up and add a pint of your favourite brew? Less acidic than wine, beer tenderizes meat without breaking down the texture. The good news is that you don’t have to travel very far to spread your culinary wings and experiment with the vast selection of craft beer flavours which you will find in abundance at Lucky’s Liquor Store at the Country Club Centre in Nanaimo.

Here’s a recipe for pan-fried chicken with fruit beer that will get your taste buds going!

Marinade chicken breasts for several hours in a bottle of fruit beer, such as a raspberry ale. Add a minced onion and the juice plus the zest (grated rind) from one lime. After 2 – 3 hrs remove the marinade and brown the chicken in a heavy skillet for 5 – 6 minutes.

Add a few minced garlic cloves,

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

to work with, plus being delicious to drink as well.

Bon appétit!

any families are choosing to reduce the amount of meat used in making their family meals. The first recommendation on Canada’s Food Guide under the meat and alternatives food group is to “have meat alternatives such as beans, lentils and tofu often.”

There is no need to go vegetarian.

People who enjoy eating meat are just being encouraged to cook meat less often.

Meatless meals make sense economically. Many of the meat alternatives such as black beans, kidney beans, split peas, tofu, lentils, navy beans, and nuts or seeds are generally much less expensive per serving. Families who are trying to save money from their food budget will spend less each time they cook without meat.

There are also many health benefits from choosing to eat less meat.

Although lean meat is a good source of protein, iron, and zinc, a diet that is high in fattier meat or high fat dairy is also higher in saturated fat. Studies show that a diet that is very high in saturated fat from meat or dairy can lead to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even some cancers.

Having meals made from beans, legumes, nuts or seeds more often will still give you a good source of protein, and iron, along with an excellent source of fibre. By trying a number of different recipes for beans and other meat alternatives, you will be surprised at how delicious these foods can be.

Another reason to reduce the amount of food that comes from animal agriculture is to help the environment. Animal agriculture produces a large amount of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions that scientists say are contributing to global warming.

The emissions come from methane in animal manure, nitrous oxide from fertilizer used to grow animal feed and from cutting down the forests to make more grazing land for animals.

If everyone used a little less meat in their weekly menus, perhaps the progression of global warming could be slowed down.

Almost every country in the world has a traditional bean dish. Eating out is a fun way to taste some of the delicious vegetarian foods.

North Americans are actually the only people in the world that rely almost daily on meat or animal proteins, but even our cowboys used to eat baked beans.

Whether it is for your health, your budget or to save the environment, there are benefits to eating less meat.

» Sheila Hockin is the marketing and events co-ordinator and in-house chef for Lucky’s Liquor store in Nanaimo.

She can be reached at 250-585-2275.

» Eileen Bennewith is a registered dietitian in the public health program for Island Health. She can be reached at eileen.bennewith@viha.ca.

Beer makes the perfect addition to many dishes.

some minced fresh rosemary and another half bottle of raspberry ale.

Cover and let braise for 15 minutes.

Turn over the chicken and let it continue to cook, uncovered, until the pan juices have reduced to the thickness of syrup. Serve on a bed of rice with steamed fresh vegetables or a

fresh green salad and be prepared for your guests to ask for seconds.

Cooking with beer can turn a regular weekday meal into a gourmet delight. It doesn’t have to be complicated or daunting.

It’s quite simply an interesting (and under-appreciated) liquid ingredient

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30 FOOD

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

FOOD

Part one on use of your knives in the kitchen Chef Dez On Cooking

I

have always said that one of my favourite things about being a chef is that I get to play with knives.

Although this may sound very adventurous in a James Bond fashion, knife skills and proper/safe cutting practices are a very serious subject in the kitchen. With some basic knowledge, you can start to overcome any cutting intimidation you may have.

In this column I will focus on the tools themselves — knives. This will be the first of three instalments on cutting. My next column will focus on cutting boards, and the third column will focus on cutting techniques.

There are many choices when

trying to decide on which knives will adorn the collection of cutting tools in your kitchen. The marketplace is saturated with everything from mail-order deals to high-end specialties.

First and foremost, I have to stress that one usually gets what they pay for. Before you reach for your credit card when you see the full collection of Ginsu knives for only $19.99 on TV, think about it realistically. How well are these knives manufactured?

Once the twenty dollars is divided between the TV air-time costs, the production of the commercial, and any middle-men that may be in between (such as marketers, etc.), how much is actually going toward the manufacturing of these knives?

Remember, from this amount, a profit must be made as well.

If you are looking to start a good quality knife collection, you should purchase knives that are made from high-carbon stainless steel. The high-carbon content in stainless steel is what ensures the steel is strong.

This is very important for keeping a sharp edge. Any knife can be made from stainless steel, but unless it is has a high-carbon content as well, it will lose its sharpness very quickly in comparison.

Start with a standard “Chef’s” knife.

Other than for bread cutting, this is the most versatile knife one can have in the kitchen, and can be used for almost any application. It offers a rounded top edge of the blade that facilitates a rocking motion to ease most cutting/slicing preparations.

The next knife one should purchase for their collection is a good quality serrated knife for bread cutting.

The serrated edge will not only produce perfect slices of bread without squashing the bread; it also brings relief to producing extremely thin cuts of fruits and vegetables.

One should also purchase a paring knife because a chef’s knife might be overkill for those small jobs. These are the three main knives that should grace the starting foundation of your knife collection. From this point

on, you can proceed to adding other knives such as a carving knife, filet knife, cleaver, vegetable knife, etc.

Most good quality knives will offer a full tang, meaning that the steel blade will run through the full length of the handle as well. This will offer more balance and control. Most importantly, ask questions and ask to handle the knives to ensure they offer a comfortable companionship with your unique hand. If a retail store is not informative about their products, and will not allow you to handle them, then take your business to one that will.

Dear Chef Dez: I am already assuming that you will not recommend buying those full sets of knives for a really low price from TV, but they must be good if they offer a lifetime guarantee that they will never need sharpening.

How can they do this? Is there a catch?

Doris B. Burnaby

Dear Doris: I am assuming that the knives you are referring to are the same that I have seen. Although they are stainless steel, they offer a very low carbon content which makes them very soft steel in comparison, and thus less expensive to manufacture.

Since all of the edges on these knives are serrated, they will keep their sharpness for a longer period of time than a straight edged knife, because the cutting is achieved by tearing at the food rather than slicing through it.

They can offer a “lifetime guarantee” because they play on normal human behaviour. Chances are if they ever do need sharpening/ replacing, one is not going to spend the money to ship them back to the manufacturer. » Chef Dez is a food columnist, culinary instructor and cookbook author. Visit him at www.chefdez.com, or write to him at dez@ chefdez.com or P.O. Box 2674, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6R4

FOOD

Turkey chili makes for the perfect meal on game day MELISSA D’ARABIAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

E

veryone has a favourite chili recipe, and this is the time of year to break out yours, invite over some friends and yell at football players on TV. Maybe it’s time to try a new, healthier recipe, too? Chili is classic American comfort food, so we automatically assume that it can’t be healthy. But since it is so darned tasty, it’s worth the price of admission to try.

And while I’m not against the occasional indulgence, I also love a recipe that manages to be both comforting and healthy.

Enter my game day turkey chili.

Stay with me, here. This will not be your typical turkey chili because I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good turkey chili. But they do occupy a special place in the stratified chili eco-system. Put them in a chili competition and you’ll see they land well below the fatty brisket chilies that feature tiny puddles of tasty melted fat that pleasantly coat the palate.

Turkey chili, if I’m honest, has been relegated to the “at least it’s hot” status for too long.

Here are my tricks. First, make it a red chili. White chili step aside for a moment. The red part comes from tomato, which is healthy, and frankly just feels like comfort food. Second, skip the salt. Instead, use soy sauce directly on the meat after cooking it. This is perhaps the greatest tip I can give you regarding ground turkey! White-ish meat in a deep red chili looks a little strange. You are reminded that you are eating The Healthy Turkey Chili.

But deepen that meat colour just a little with the soy sauce and you are back in the land of Real Meaty Chili.

Everyone has a favourite chili recipe, and this is the time of year to break out yours, invite some friends over and yell at some football players on TV. [AP PHOTO]

The soy sauce also adds tons of rich, savoury meaty flavour, a big benefit for a meat that can taste a little flat.

Final tip: Add a bit of unsweetened cocoa powder, which deepens both the colour and the flavour. This is turkey chili done right! And so, 2016 is off to a good start.

GAME DAY TURKEY CHILI Time: 45 minutes (serves eight) 2 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided 1 pound lean ground turkey 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

1 red bell pepper, cored and finely chopped 12-ounce light beer Two 15-ounce cans of low-sodium black beans, both drained and rinsed for use 14-ounce can low-sodium tomato sauce

Two 14-ounce cans crushed tomatoes 2 tablespoons chili powder Dash of cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon cocoa powder Hot sauce, to taste Plain low-fat Greek yogurt, to serve Chopped scallions, to serve Shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese, to serve In a Dutch oven or other large, heavy pot over medium-high, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil. Add the turkey and cook, breaking it up, until cooked through, about seven minutes. Sprinkle the turkey with the soy sauce and smoked paprika, then mix until well-coated.

Continue to cook until any moisture in the pot is gone, about three minutes. Spoon the meat out of the pan and set aside.

Return the pot to the heat and add the remaining oil. Add the onion and red pepper, then cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Increase the heat to high, then add the beer to deglaze the pan, scraping the bottom to loosen any stuck bits. Simmer for two minutes. Return the meat to the pot, along with the beans, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, chili powder, cayenne and cocoa powder. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, then simmer for 30 minutes.

Serve with hot sauce, yogurt, scallions and cheese on the side.

Nutrition information per serving: 320 calories; 90 calories from fat (28 per cent of total calories); 10 g fat (3 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 50 mg cholesterol; 660 mg sodium; 33 g carbohydrate; 11 g fibre; 10 g sugar; 24 g protein. » Food Network star Melissa d’Arabian is an expert on healthy eating on a budget. She is the author of the cookbook,“Supermarket Healthy.”http://www.melissadarabian.net

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

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DIVERSIONS/ENTERTAINMENT 31 6&7

ADVICE

12

BROWNS SOCIALHOUSE

UNIQUE PLACES

Kathy Mitchell & Marcy Sugar Annie’s Mailbox

Ask siblings why they don’t say hello Dear Annie: Several years ago my brother-in-law died. He had been married to my older sister for 50 years. They had no children. She did not want to live alone, nor did she want to live with a roommate.

In order to solve the situation, I sold my home and bought a duplex where she could live in one unit and I would live in the other. This arrangement has worked out very well for both of us.

Here’s the issue: My siblings never visit with me, even though they often come to see my sister. I always learn of their visits after the fact, when my sister tells me about them in conversation. At first I was puzzled by their lack of consideration to take a few moments to say hello to me, at least periodically. But then I realized they had made a choice as to who they would visit and who they would not.

If I happen to be at my sister’s place when one of my siblings stops by, I am always very cordial. I spend a social amount of time in conversation with them and enjoy their company. I do not overstay my visit in order to allow them time to visit with one another.

They have never communicated with me much, and I have accepted this as the norm. I have reached out in the past to call them and sometimes go to their homes to visit so that I am not accused of failing to remain in contact. But it doesn’t seem to be reciprocal.

I harbour no ill will toward them and realize that I have no control over their behaviour. I’m simply confused as to why this situation developed. I continue with my life and my friends, hoping someday I will understand.

— Bewildered Sibling Dear Bewildered: You could ask them why, when they are so close to your home, they do not stop by to say hello or phone ahead to have you join them at your sister’s. You could also ask your sister why she doesn’t suggest they visit you when they are at her place. You and your siblings seem to have a rather detached relationship and there could be any number of reasons for it, but you won’t know unless you ask them directly whether there is any way to close the distance.

eat & to shop

Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailbox@creators.com, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.

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boldknight.ca 1140 Trans Canada Hwy, 250 754 6411 For 39 years, the Bold Knight has been a classic dining experience in Nanaimo with a great selection of steaks and seafood.

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taphousenanaimo.com 321 Selby Street, 250 591 0650 Hours: Sun. to Thurs. 11:30am - 9:30pm Friday & Saturday 11:30am - 11pm New Menu Items!

Gourmet burgers, fabulous poutines and social small plates. Dedicated gluten free fryer! Spacious and inviting venue in the historic old train station. 24 draft beers SIP | SAVOUR | SOCIALISE featuring European and Local Breweries.

Party Room Upstairs with its own bar.

All ages welcome.

427C Fitzwilliam Street 250-741-0015 Old City Quarter

Power House is your destination for delicious Raw Plant Based Foods. All our menu items are created with your health in mind, are GLUTEN & DAIRY FREE, with no refined sugars or flours. We serve a selection of Raw Snacks & Desserts, Wraps, Pizza & Salads, Juices, Smoothies & Mylkshakes.

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facebook.com/letseatguiltfree/ letseatguiltfree.ca/ 435 Terminal Ave. North 250 754 4466 Hours: Monday to Saturday 9:30am6:00pm, Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm

NYLA Fresh Thread nylafreshthread.com 206 Commercial Street, 250 716 3331 Hours: Mon-Wed 9am-6pm; Thurs-Sat 9am-9pm; Sun 10am-5pm NYLA Fresh Thread is about confidence, the confidence to live up to the fine traditions of past merchants, with styling and quality. We represent exceptional quality, good priced, well known trusted brands that our clientele is currently traveling outside our local market to shop for. We are an independent family owned and operated menswear store downtown Nanaimo.

Nesvog Meats and Sausage Co. Ltd. Now with 2 Locations 2139-B Bowen Road, 250 758 3611 Terminal Park, 250 753 4248 Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-6.pm READY TO COOK Quick and Easy Locally made Steak or Chicken Meat Pies, Shepherd’s Pie, Lasagna, Tortiere Pies and frozen soups and sauces.

We are a well-established, dedicated gluten-free bakery, café and deli. Among our best sellers, is our French Pot Pie, available in beef, lamb, veggie, chicken, turkey, and Italian meat, with dairy or dairy free.

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Natural U Spa naturaluspa.com 103-648 Terminal Ave., 250 591 9333 Make your appointments online 24-7Mon-Wed 9-6; Thurs-Sat 9-9;

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Power House Living Foods powerhouseliving.ca 200 Commercial Street, 250 591 7873 6560 Metral Drive, 250 933 3733 Hours: 10am-6:30pm Daily

Crispin Shoes A ladies-only, quality Shoe Store, with a wide variety of shoes – from casual comfort to dress shoes for that special occasion. Waterproof leather boots and handbags also available.

Dear Annie: Can you please explain the difference between unconditional love and enabling? I see so much enabling in the name of love.

— Frustrated Dear Frustrated: Unconditional love means you love someone regardless of their behaviour, while not necessarily condoning what they say or do. (For example, your daughter steals from you. You are angry about it and no longer trust her, but you still love her.) Enabling is acting in a way that allows the loved one to continue behaviour that is damaging either to himself or to others. (You make excuses for your alcoholic husband when he’s too hung over to show up for work.)A lot of folks can’t tell the difference. And it is often easier to be an enabler than to hold someone responsible for their behaviour. But “easier” is the wrong choice.

EVERYDAY | 9PM-12AM

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Amethyst Forest #10 - 1925 Bowen Road, 250.585.4922 Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm Sunday Closed A place to nourish your mind, body and soul.

Crystals, books, journals, massage on-site and readings by medium.

Start your new year off with some chakra clearing and spiritual nourishment.

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32 ENTERTAINMENT

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

MOVIES

Disney wants more ‘Star Wars’ heroine toys THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES — Where’s Rey? Disney says it’s working to get more of the Star Wars heroine in stores.

Following a social media firestorm over the lack of Rey in a new Star Wars: The Force Awakens Monopoly game, Disney says it is unveiling a raft of new merchandise that puts more of Rey front and centre — including toys featuring her gripping a blue lightsaber.

Twitter erupted over the holidays using the hashtag #wheresrey at the dearth of Rey merchandise in stores, despite her playing a key role in the film. Last week, days after an eight-year-old girl wrote Monopoly maker Hasbro, saying “girls matter,” both Disney’s Lucasfilm and Hasbro decided to add a Rey piece to future editions later this year.

Paul Southern, head of licensing for Disney’s Lucasfilm, said part of the problem was high demand for

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But Disney had also planned for more than a year to hold back certain toys to avoid giving away the key plot point where she picks up the lightsaber wielded by Finn in order to duel new baddie Kylo Ren.

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Also, some merchandisers always hold back some product for big franchises— like the Hot Wheels-made speeder ship that shows Rey as she was seen in movie trailers — to keep up excitement about the brand.

“The fact that she was the ultimate heroine of the film was one of the significant plot points we did want to protect,” Southern said in an interview.

That meant keeping Rey out of Monopoly, which featured legacy

characters but only two characters from the new film — Kylo Ren and Finn.

If Rey had been a piece instead of Finn, “we would be revealing she was the main protagonist,” Southern said. The Monopoly game came out on Sept. 4, which Disney had dubbed “Force Friday.”

Jim Silver, the CEO and editor of toy review website TTPM.com, says another factor behind the perceived lack of Rey was unexpected demand.

NEWS IN BRIEF The Associated Press ◆ LOS ANGELES

Stallone takes to social media to thank director Sylvester Stallone has taken to social media to officially thank Creed director Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan days after winning the Golden Globe for best supporting actor in the film.

He wrote Tuesday on Twitter that he owes everything to his director and co-star. Stallone reprises his role as Rocky Balboa in Creed.

At Sunday’s ceremony, Stallone failed to recognize Coogler and Jordan in his acceptance speech. The actor did return to the stage during a commercial break to make amends to his collaborators.

But the moment wasn’t televised, and many people criticized Stallone on social media for his oversight, including Samuel L. Jackson and Ava DuVernay.

In his tweet, Stallone says Jackson is right for being upset that he “foolishly forgot” to mention Coogler and Jordan.

◆ NEW YORK

McKay, McCarthy, Miller get Directors Guild nods Adam McKay, Tom McCarthy and George Miller landed their first nods from the Directors Guild of America in the group’s annual nominations announced Tuesday.

Nominations for outstanding achievement in directing went to McKay for the finance romp The Big Short, McCarthy for his Boston Globe investigative drama Spotlight and Miller for the post-apocalyptic sequel Mad Max: Fury Road. They are joined by more regular nominees Ridley Scott for the science-fiction blockbuster The Martian and Alejandro Inarritu for the frontier thriller The Revenant.

The DGA Awards are a closely watched indicator of which directors are likely Oscar nominees, and which films have the strongest support from filmmakers.

This year, the only films to win the top nominations from producer, actor and director guilds are Spotlight and The Big Short.

◆ NEW YORK

Trump submits to mock job interview with Fallon Everybody knows Donald Trump is seeking new employment.

So it was fitting that, during an

appearance on NBC’s Tonight Show on Monday, the GOP presidential hopeful submitted to a mock “job interview” by host Jimmy Fallon. Referring to his clipboard, Fallon asks Trump why he wants the job.

“To make America great again,” Trump replies.

Then he playfully touts his handsomeness and “beautiful head of hair,” adding, “I always worked hard.”

His greatest strength? “Believe it or not, bringing people together.”

Fallon asks if he is willing to relocate.

Trump says, “I LOVE the White House.”

But he was upfront about one possible performance flaw. If hired for such a high-profile job as chief executive, Trump joked that he would be “very, very uncomfortable” with all the media attention.

◆ PASADENA, CALIF.

CBS official looks to boost network’s ethnic diversity CBS is committed to increasing the diversity of its prime-time series, the network’s new programming chief said, offering himself as evidence.

“I’m just a gay guy from Indiana who doesn’t play basketball, but now I’m the entertainment president of CBS,” said Glenn Geller, who was promoted to the job last fall.

He contended that CBS offers diversity in front of and behind the camera and in its corporate offices.

“And can we do better? I think we are,” he told a TV critics’ meeting Tuesday.

“We’re not casting colour blind, we’re casting colour conscious.”

Two upcoming CBS series will offer “greatly diverse casts,” he said of Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, starting March 16, and Rush Hour, debuting March 31. The newcomer to the Criminal Minds franchise, about FBI agents who aid Americans in trouble abroad, includes African-American actor Tyler James Williams and Daniel Henney, who is of Korean ancestry. Its top-listed stars are Gary Sinise and Alana De La Garza.

The cast of Rush Hour, based on the Jackie Chan-Chris Tucker movie franchise, includes Justin Hires and Page Kennedy, who are black, and Jon Foo and Aimee Garcia. Geller inherited a schedule that had lost ground in depicting ethnic diversity. The nation’s most popular network, which 15 years ago had the most diversity, has the least among the major broadcast networks, according to an Associated Press analysis of the fall 2014 schedule.