B5 MENDES: GROWING UP BEFORE OUR EYES
A9 BUSINESSES GRAPPLE WITH ONLINE REVIEWS
B1 A6
JUNO SPACECRAFT TO PROVIDE NEW DATA ON JUPITER
RAONIC RALLIES TO REACH QUARTERFINALS
T U E S D A Y
J U L Y
5
$1.00
2 0 1 6
www.reddeeradvocate.com
Two teens killed in crash BY MARY-ANN BARR ADVOCATE STAFF The two young people killed on Canada Day in a fatal collision near Red Deer were passengers in the single-vehicle car crash that also resulted in injuries to three other people in the vehicle. Ashleigh Smith, 16, of Springbrook and John Dolliver, 18, of Penhold, were killed in the collision that occurred 10 km east of Red Deer on Range Road 261, near where it intersects with Hwy 595. The incident occurred at about 11:30 p.m. Friday. When Blackfalds RCMP and Red Deer County Fire and EMS arrived, they found the two victims deceased at the scene. The two teens had been ejected
from the vehicle. Police said two other occupants of the car were treated on scene and transported to Red Deer Regional Hospital with serious injuries. A fifth occupant was taken to the hospital and released a short time later. Range Road 261 is gravelled and runs south from Hwy 585 and has no exit. On the north side of the Hwy 595 intersection, the road is Hwy 808 and paved. Blackfalds RCMP Cpl. Greg Crane said Monday that the investigation into the collision is still underway and no further details are available except that the vehicle involved was a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. Police have not officially identified any of the people involved. Smith was a Grade 11 student at Notre Dame High
School in Red Deer. Dolliver had attended Lindsey Thurber Comprehensive High School. On Saturday Notre Dame principal Rose McQuay issued a note to the school community. “It is with profound sadness that we inform you that a tragic event has impacted our Red Deer Catholic school community.” She went on to say that student Ashleigh Smith was the victim of a fatal car accident. A Facebook page, “Remembering Ashleigh Smith (she will be forever in our hearts)” had more than 500 members by Monday. Her funeral service is Friday at 1:30 p.m. at St. Leonard’s On The Hill Anglican Church in Red Deer. The service for John Dolliver has not been made public yet.
Pot plan burns out at council BY SUSAN ZIELINSKI ADVOCATE STAFF Made in Red Deer medical marijuana was nipped in the bud at city council on Monday. An application for Medcan Solutions Inc. to turn a vacant building at 94 Burnt Park Drive into a medical weed facility failed to pass first reading. Council voted 4-4 on the proposed land-use bylaw amendment that would have permitted the facility in West QE2 Business Park to operate as a discretionary use. In the case of a tie vote, the motion fails. Approval would have allowed a public hearing to be held on the application, followed by second and third readings. Councillors Buck Buchanan, Frank Wong, Ken Johnston and Tanya Handley voted against the amendment and councillors Paul Harris, Dianne Wyntjes, Lynne Mulder and Lawrence Lee voted in favour. Mayor Tara Veer recused herself from the discussion and vote to avoid conflict of interest as she was previously approached by the applicant on the project. Prior to the vote, Lee unsuccessfully proposed a motion to delay first reading for at least six weeks so city administration could do more research on the medical marijuana production for councillors who had questions on issues like odour, safety and security. The motion failed in a five to three vote. Lee said based on council’s discussion, there were some misconceptions, or not a clear understanding of the facility which would actually be an industrial, agricultural production facility with the technology and science to address their concerns. “We’re seeing these facilities prosper and grow throughout Canada. The public sees the need for those types of things for people who need it,” Lee said after the meeting. “(The proposed site) was vacant for many years. I look at the economic development factor. It would create jobs. It would contribute to the city infrastructure through property taxes.” During council’s discussion, Handley said businesses in the area did not want the facility and she was concerned the city was setting a precedent in its industrial business service district. Wyntjes said she supports urban agriculture initiatives and medical marijuana for whom it is prescribed. “If you ever talked to somebody who was experiencing pain and been prescribed it, it makes a difference in their life,” Wyntjes said. See COUNCIL on Page A8
COMMENT A4
Students get new ways to learn at Reading College BY SUSAN ZIELINSKI ADVOCATE STAFF About 60 Red Deer Public School students are finding out literacy is fun thanks to Central Alberta Optimist Clubs Reading College. It’s the fifth summer for the four-week program developed by The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools for Grade 2 students who would benefit from a literacy rich environment where they receive support to improve their reading and writing. “For a lot of children, summer is a time of lots of activity. Knowing that we’ve made sure it’s a fun time for kids and there are lots of great activities,” said foundation executive director Bruce Buruma on Monday, the first day of Reading College. Students attend Reading College, held at Red Deer College, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. Buses take them to and from the college where they are provided breakfast, lunch and snacks. He said instructors approach reading, writing and phonics in different ways so it’s not the same old
RED DEER WEATHER
INDEX NEWS A2,3,5,7,8
Photo by CRYSTAL RHYNO/Advocate staff
Central Alberta Optimist Clubs Reading College kicked off scavenger hunt at Red Deer College on Monday. Connor Moore (front left), Raiden Seiyama, Veronica Dunning and teacher Jessica Nawolski devise a plan to find the next clue.
classroom lessons for their students. “We have seen the results and benefits for students. Their skill levels have gone up. Parents and teachers are noticing that they’re more excited about reading, they’re more interested in writing.” He said from Grades 1 to 3, students are learning to read, but the rest of their schooling is about reading to learn. “One of the strong indicators of high school completion is whether or not a child is at grade level at the end of Grade 3.” Three teachers and six new Bachelor of Education graduates from Red Deer College teach and support the students at Reading College and running the program at the local college opens students’ eyes to educational opportunities, Buruma said. “It’s kind of cool when you see all these kids in their fluorescent green t-shirts walking down the college halls at Grade 2. We hope 10 or 11 years after that, they are also going to be walking those halls.” The foundation fundraises to operate the $80,000 to $90,000 program that has attracted support from groups and individuals.
LOTTERIES
Local Today
Tonight
Wednesday
Thursday
MONDAY
60% Showers
Mainly Cloudy
Sun and Cloud
Sun and Cloud
Pick 3: 013
SPORTS B1-4
Extra: 5127672
ENTERTAINMENT: B5
Numbers are unofficial.
BUSINESS: A9-10 ADVICE: B10 COMICS B8
18°
9°
19°
22°
PLEASE
RECYCLE