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Small shelter, big heart
Sizzling salmon
Pet columnist Christie Lagally highlights the important work done to save abandoned animals by a very special “Little Shelter with Heart.”
The Richmond Sockeyes will be looking to continue their torrid pace when they play host to the Delta Ice Hawks Thursday in a key divisional game.
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POLICE
Have suit, will fight fire
Couple found dead in hotel
Murder-suicide speculated after bodies found at Hampton BY ALAN CAMPBELL
acampbell@richmond-news.com
A Richmond man and woman were found dead in a local hotel room on Saturday night. The pair, both in their 50s, suffered some form of trauma, according to police. However, Richmond RCMP have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths. The circumstances surrounding the deaths have led to speculation that the gruesome discovery could have been the result of a murder-suicide or double suicide. Police are remaining tight-lipped about the identity of the couple and the location. However, media reports said staff at the Hampton Inn on Bridgeport Road confirmed that the bodies were found there. Hotel staff called police around 6 p.m. to ask for assistance on checking on the well-being of two guests who had failed to check out, Richmond RCMP Cpl. Sherrdean Turley said at a news conference Sunday afternoon.
Officers discovered the bodies of a 50year-old female and a 55-year-old male, both of whom had suffered trauma. Turley refused to comment on whether the incident was a murder-suicide or double suicide, or whether a weapon was involved, saying it is still too early in the investigation to determine. “No other people are believed to be involved in this incident and that’s the only information I’ve been provided with,” she said. Turley said she wasn’t sure why hotel staff called police to check on the guests rather than entering the room themselves after checkout time. “I’m not sure. People call police for various reasons. Sometimes people are more comfortable with doing things on their own.” Turley would not release the name of the hotel, saying, “there is simply no need.” Next of kin have been notified, however the names of the dead are being withheld at the request of the families. Their relationship has not been released. — with files from Postmedia News
TRANSIT
Snow won’t stop line this time De-icing glitch on Canada Line fixed: Operator
CHUNG CHOW/RICHMOND NEWS
Someone knows what he wants to be when he grows up. Simon Andrews, 5, decked out in his fire gear, along with dad Mike, take the family Christmas tree to Garry Point Park where Richmond Fire Rescue held its annual fundraising event on the weekend. Most of the trees brought to the site were put through a chipper, while a few were burned as part of a demonstration showing people how quickly a Christmas tree can go up in flames. All the money donated by people wanting to get rid of their trees supports Richmond Firefighter Society’s various charities. $
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As most of the Lower Mainland woke up to an expected heavy snowfall on Wednesday, the Canada Line’s operator is confident last fall’s commuter chaos will not be repeated. Several portions of power line on the rapid transit’s Richmond section froze during a significant snow event in November, stranding passengers for up to three hours. The breakdown, the biggest since the
Canada Line opened in August, 2009, has now been blamed on a faulty piece of deicing equipment. And Protrans — which operates and maintains the line — said it’s unlikely a similar scenario will develop this time around. “One thing we discovered from the last snow event was that there was a piece of the de-icing equipment had suffered some kind of malfunction,” said Jason Chan, Protrans spokesman. “Things happened so rapidly last time see Protrans page 4
8171 Westminster Hwy. (at Buswell, one block east of No. 3 Rd.) Walkway access also from Save-On Foods parking lot
Mon-Sat 8:45-6:30 Sun 10-5 (604) 780-4959
07283111
BY ALAN CAMPBELL
acampbell@richmond-news.com