TUESday
FEBRUARY 14, 2017
< Wildlife Roundtable
Kimberley’s Real Estate Market is Hot!
Weekend Hockey wrap >
If you have been thinking of making a change: now is a great time to list your home!
Important session set for March | Page 4
Townsman Ice vs. Raiders, ‘Canes | Page 11
Cranbrook
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Vol. 71, Issue 17
Call 250-427-8700
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Kimberley police officer charged after investigation Townsman Staff
A Kimberley RCMP member has been charged following an investigation into an alleged mishandling of an exhibit and theft. According to an RCMP press release, in October 2016, an investigation was launched to determine the circumstances around the seizure of a firearm. The findings of a comprehensive investigation were forwarded to Crown Counsel for their assessment of criminal charges. Cst. Curtis Rasmussen has been charged with breach of trust, theft, possessing a firearm without a registration certificate, and possessing a firearm obtained by commission of an offence. “Maintaining public
trust is one of the key components of policing,” said C/Supt. Brad Haugli, Southeast District Commander in a press release. “When an officer is accused of actions that are counter to our expectations, policies and procedures and could harm the public’s trust and confidence in the police we, as an organization, take the allegations very seriously”. In addition to this criminal investigation, Cst. Rasmussen is also facing an RCMP internal Code of Conduct investigation. Cst. Rasmussen is currently suspended with pay and his duty status will be subject to ongoing reviews. Cst. Rasmussen will be appearing in Cranbrook Provincial Court on March 27, 2017.
Snowshoer found after going missing Townsman Staff
A snowshoer took a wrong turn near the Kimberley Nordic Centre and, in an attempt to get back on track, encountered deep snow forcing a call to Search and Rescue, reports Kimberley RCMP’s Sgt. Chris Newel . “The subject became exhausted trudging through deep snow,
at times up to his chest trying to locate the trail,” Newel said. “In addition he ran out of water. The RCMP received the call for assistance February 10 just after 3 p.m., they liaised with Kimberley Nordic Club and activated Kimberley Search and Rescue.”
See MISSING, Page 3
Trevor Crawley photo
While shovelling sidewalks, driveways and roads are first priorities following a snowfall, last week’s snowpocalypse also dumped close to a metre of snow on household roofs. Pictured above, Adam Spyksma and Jason Burnham are not clearing a driveway — they’re 15 feet up shovelling off the roof of the latter’s house last week. See Page 5 for the mathematical formula for when to take shovel to rooftop.
City worked through weekend after snowpocalypse F o r t h e Tow n s m a n
Snow removal work continued right through the weekend, as the City dug out from the past week’s record snowfall. Public Works had plow trucks and staff on all weekend working to clear streets. Crews were busy Friday night and most of the day Saturday
clearing the windrows from downtown. “They worked their butts off,” said Mayor Lee Pratt, following a regional district meeting last week. “They were going 24/7 since last Friday [February 3], so there’s been a whole week of this now and it’s starting to take it’s toll. But the morale is good, lots of good
comments from the citizens of Cranbrook — they’ve all come and rallied. I think it’s good — it’s a community-builder.” Residents and businesses that have storm sewer drains in front of or close to their properties are asked to help out by clearing those drains, if at all possible. If you have storm drains
that are not easily accessible to clear, please contact Public Works at 250-489-0218 during regular business hours. For any after hours and weekend reporting, please call 250-426-1022. Crews will do their best to attend those sites and work to allow the water to flow to the drains.