THURSDAYJANUARY 28, 2016
Black Press C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
M E D I A
www.pqbnews.com
CCNA BCYCNA
General Excellence
PENGUINS PARADE
BACK TO THE SPANISH LINKS
Parksville woman writes about her expedition to Antarctica
Kwalikum Secondary grad looking to earn professional golf tour card in Europe
A5
A37
ROAD SAFETY
A request for action Province asked to improve area where woman died CANDACE WU
news@pqbnews.com
French Creek director Joe Stanhope is demanding change after a fatal hit-and-run along Roberton Boulevard earlier this month that he called “preventable.” The incident claimed the life of an 80-yearold woman and reignited the call for safer streets from neighbours living in the Morningstar area. Stanhope brought forward a motion to the Regional District of Nanaimo meeting Tuesday night that “the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) be requested to recognize the unique urban nature of Roberton Boulevard within electoral area G and take immediate action to install traffic calming measures to reduce the speed limit and install improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians within the Roberton Boulevard road allowance and within French Creek as a whole, and further that staff meet with MOTI to discuss all possible solutions to address the issues in this area.” Stanhope asked for the board’s support in light of the “tragic” accident. “The road (Roberton Boulevard) is narrow and confusing… it’s in my area which is the most urbanized electoral area in the province,” he said. “We’re attracting lots of seniors and in amongst those seniors are children. There’s a school adjacent to Roberton. People are encouraged to walk… We’re encouraging pedestrians and development but we also need to encourage safety.” The board passed the motion. Stanhope led an initiative to install a sidewalk along Wembley Road in French Creek, an area experiencing much of the same problems. The project cost approximately $300,000.
J.R. RARDON PHOTO
IT WORKS LIKE THIS: School District 69 trustees Elaine Young, Julie Austin and Eve Flynn watch a robotics demonstration by Ballenas Secondary School teacher Michael Kenny, left, and Grade 11 student Jesse Lacroix during Tuesday night's school board meeting in Parksville.
FRENCH CREEK AND SCHOONER COVE
Marina theft suspect nabbed CANDACE WU
news@pqbnews.com
A 48-year-old Parksville man was arrested Jan. 17 after police received a number of reports of stolen high-end fishing gear from French Creek and Schooner Cove marinas. “We had two reports of thefts from boats. Once we started investigating other people came forward,” said Oceanside RCMP Cpl. Jesse Foreman. According to Foreman, the sus-
pect was selling the stolen goods on websites like Craigslist and Kijiji including downriggers and at least one prawn puller. Foreman estimates downriggers, depending on their make and model, can cost upwards of $750. The French Creek Harbour Authority confirmed a number of thefts were reported in the last few weeks at the French Creek Marina. Foreman said police went under-
45% Off
Hunter Douglas 1395 W. Island Highway, Parksville
Cellular Single Cell Shades
cover and made offers on some of the stolen goods online in order to catch the suspect, who is known to police. He said police have recovered and returned more than $2,000 worth of fishing gear to its owners. Foreman said the Parksville man was charged with one count of possession of stolen property and police have sent additional information to the court recommending additional charges against the same individual.
Special O rder Only Unti l February 29th 2016
250-752-5565
Monday-Friday 7- 6, Saturday 8 - 6, Sunday & Holidays 9 - 5 Locally Owned & Operated
ANDREA Window Covering Consultant
Call to book your appointment at the store or for an in-home consultation.
250 465-2365
andrea@centralbuilders.ca