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Coming across a moose with just one antler, or paddle, isn’t a common sight. Moose usually lose both sides at the same time. Mature animals usually shed their antlers between November and January, but some younger bulls may carry theirs through the winter until April. This impressive moose was chilling just south of the Coal Trail and Range Road 120 in Flagstaff.
JOE HARTUNG PHOTO
Long weekend marred by multiple break-ins Killam and Viking RCMP respond to numerous break ins throughout the region Leslie Cholowsky Editor - with files from Cst. Travis Norton, Killam RCMP
Killam RCMP Detachment members answered 55 calls for service between Wednesday, Feb. 5, and Monday, Feb. 17. Members were asked to perform three wellbeing checks, with all individuals found, and in good health. Members dealt with nine non-injury traffic collisions during this period, with three on Feb. 10 alone. RCMP fielded nine calls regarding suspicious persons or vehicles, with one of these turning into charges being laid. One resulted in police stopping a vehicle whose driver was charged with operation of an uninsured motor vehicle. Norton says that getting these reports of suspicious persons and vehicles is very helpful, and encourages Flagstaff residents to continue to call them in. Police are investigating three of four possession of stolen property files, with one of those cleared by charges to a male and female. A 26-year-old male was charged with two counts of possession of stolen property, mischief under $5,000, possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes, obstruction, and failure to comply with
Volume 112, Issue 34
release conditions. The male was the first to be arrested, on Highway 13 near Killam, around three miles from where the vehicle was. The female was located near the vehicle. The 27-year-old female was charged with two counts of possession of stolen property, mischief under $5,000, and possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes. The vehicle was towed as it had been reported as stolen from mainland BC. The pair were released with conditions that they could not be in contact with one another, and received treatment for frostbite at two different facilities. These two people were the cause of many calls to police over the course of the evening. Police say they just happened to be passing through the area. A complaint of mischief in Killam was later withdrawn by the complainant, who refused to proceed with charges. RCMP responded to two calls under the Mental Health Act, near Amisk and near Viking. Neither required further action beyond the initial visit. RCMP are working on seven different break and enter complaints as similar crimes occurred from Bruce to
Lougheed. As Killam members are working with the Viking Detachment during the Family Day weekend, members were first notified of break ins to the Viking and Bruce Post Offices. RCMP say that an extremely loud, blaring alarm in Bruce scared perpetrators off before they even entered the post office there. In Viking, entry was gained to the post office and parcels were taken. Similar crimes happened in Flagstaff. In Daysland, the Public Works shop was broken in to, in Sedgewick, the post office and arena reported break ins, with more parcels taken, and in Lougheed, the Food Store there had the front bars cut and thieves gained entrance to the building. Police also received complaints about break ins at a few rural locations. RCMP located some empty parcel boxes on a rural road heading north out of the Flagstaff area, and some evidence is still being processed. Killam members assisted in Viking with an assault complaint, where a 30year-old male was arrested and charged with assault. Members responded to a case of aggravated assault, the highest level of as-
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
sault charges, and charged a 44-year-old female with aggravated assault from the Flagstaff region. She will appear in court March 3. Cst. Norton said that he and Corporal Trent Cleveland had a good experience at a Flagstaff Rural Crime Watch evening held in Galahad, with great attendance, and a very engaged audience. “It was a good opportunity for us to be able to educate the public on some of the issues that RCMP face.” Norton says the evening was designed specifically to answer questions from residents; “We attend these types of meetings to serve our communities, and we want to talk to them about the things that concern them.” He says the Galahad meeting was very similar to the one held in Daysland in December. Flagstaff Rural Crime Watch has scheduled more to take place this year. If you have any information about any criminal activity or any of the circumstances described here, please call the Killam RCMP at 780-385-3509. You may also choose to submit a tip with Crime Stoppers at canadiancrimestoppers.org or by calling 1-800-222-8477.
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