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January 28, 2016
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DEADLY DISEASE DESTROYING BIGHORN HERD A19
GREAT TURNOUT FOR REMAX CUP TOURNEY A19
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Victims of violence find help at Women’s Centre They feel worthless; they feel like a victim; and they feel someA Grieving Circle one’s power has taken was held for Vesna theirs and they’re Dumstrey-Soos, who powerless. It’s a very was found dead in complex issue between her home in 100 Mile two individuals. House on Jan. 4, at “People who are in a the At Ease Wellness state of constant emoStudio on Jan. 18. tional trauma and fear Thirty people – men don’t have the ability to and women – came find resources.” together to share their Ramsay describes grief with one another what she calls the in a place Vesna loved, “honeymoon period” says Sonja – the relativeRamsay. ly calm time Michael before violence Martel faces happens once a first degree more. It’s durmurder charge ing this period, in connection she says, that with the death some people SONJA of Dumstreycan breathe for RAMSAY Soos. a bit, and find “I had no out what their idea she was at risk,” options are. says Ramsay, who is When asked what the 100 Mile House people can do to help & District Women’s victims of violence, Centre executive direc- Ramsay’s advice is tor. simple - “don’t judge.” She notes that in Be as neutral and the past two weeks, supportive a listener as the Women’s Centre you can be, she adds. has seen an influx of “Listen without people accessing its judgment, and let them resources. know you’re there to “They say that the help.” Grieving Circle, and That helping can the Jan. 14 letter to the take many forms: food, editor in the Free Press, accommodation and inspired them.” funds to assist them, She says a lot of Ramsay says, adding women don’t know the Women’s Centre is what services and there to guide people resources are avail- on how to help in a able, and who can help respectful way. them. “Many people want “They’re in a very vulnerable situation. Continued on A5
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ATOM WRANGLERS RIDING THIS WEEKEND
Barbara Roden Free Press
Gaven Crites photo
Xander Flett plays defence for the atom development Sunrise Ford Wranglers, whose hockey season continues at a tournament in Chilliwack this weekend. Turn to page A19 for some recent stats on the 100 Mile House team.
Optimism in South Cariboo There are many reasons to be confident in the South Cariboo economy, according to a report by District of 100 Mile House Councillor Spence Henderson. Tourism numbers are up and local business development programs continued to grow in 2015, while some tax relief might be around the corner in 2016, which is shaping up to be another good year for new construction activity, both in
residential and the commercial sectors, says Henderson, who gave a presentation to the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 12. “We expect continued positive tourism spending with the Americans having more dollars to spend and the Canadians wanting to spend their dollars in British Columbia, where they go further.” Looking ahead, there are
promising discussions with developers about upcoming construction proposals, Henderson adds. “There is definitely optimism in the local economic outlook as we work to strengthen our service base in the South Cariboo and continue to build economic resiliency.” Some highlights from Henderson’s report include the Continued on A5