THURSDAY, April 6, 2017 • 9
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
POLICE FILES Trailer, tools stolen from new Best Western hotel Michael Potestio THE MERRITT HERALD
Police are looking for suspects after $11,000 worth of tools and a trailer were stolen from the Best Western currently under construction on Crawford Avenue. The theft occurred at about 7:45 p.m. on Saturday (April 1). Surveillance video at the work site caught a white pickup truck backing up and towing the trailer away. The trailer is described as a 2016 10x6 white conti-
nental box trailer with the B.C. license plate 74554D, and is valued at $6,000. “It’s a big loss for them. It’s $6,000 for the trailer itself and about $11,000 worth of equipment that was in the trailer,” she said. She said they have not been able to identify the license plate for the vehicle involved in the theft. “You can see one male in the vehicle, but it’s really hard to see him,” Dunsmore said. She added that the truck itself is unique as
it has a black stripe on the bottom. She said police still need to review the surveillance video in its entirety, and have yet to compile a complete list
of stolen tools. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Merritt RCMP or Crimestoppers at 1-800222-8477.
Merritt RCMP debunked poisoning as the cause of mysterious health issues an elderly woman experienced last month. The investigation began about two weeks ago after the woman attended the hospital with some health concerns, RCMP Const. Ryan Dell told the Herald. It was believed at the time that the woman, who is in her mid70s, had potentially been given an opioid-based drug without her knowledge. “A field test had been completed
[by hospital staff], which gave a false positive result for the presence of opioid-based drugs,” Dell said. “When they got those results they called us because this elderly female should not have had any opioids in her system at all, and she had no knowledge of them being in her system, so it was reported as a poisoning for lack of a better word,” said Dell. He said field tests can be erroneous at times, and more definitive testing was completed. “Thankfully, when that test came back it showed that there was nothing in the female’s system that shouldn’t be there,” said Dell.
Charges stem from March overdose Michael Potestio THE MERRITT HERALD
Merritt RCMP have forwarded charges of criminal negligence causing death in relation to a fatal overdose that occurred in March of last year. “Crown counsel will review the file and the evidence and determine if it’s appropriate to approve a charge or not,” said Const. Ryan Dell. “The death was a
result of an overdose from fentanyl,” he said, noting that police are not sure what drug it was mixed with. Dell said police recently concluded their year-long investigation into the death, which involved the collection of evidence from the scene, doctors reports, and statements from witnesses and the accused. In March of 2016 there were two fatal fentanyl related over-
doses. A woman passed away after taking fentanyl sometime during the last weekend in March and just days later a 28-year-old male passed away after taking a mix of fentanyl and cocaine. However, Dell did not specify the identity of the person is being charged, or which fatality the charges are related to as he is awaiting final approval of the charges from the Crown.
Carolyn Palaga, MSc, Aud (C)
Merritt Hearing Clinic A division of Carolyn Palaga Audiology Ser vices Ltd.
Call Monday - Friday The suspect vehicle is a white pickup truck with a black stripe along the bottom. Photo courtesy of the Merritt RCMP
No poisoining detected Michael Potestio THE MERRITT HERALD
How’s your hearing? Ask an Audiologist.
315-9688
2076A Granite Avenue, Merritt (Located at Nicola Valley Chiropractic)
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Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo Association
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING April 10 @ 7:00PM Coldwater Banquet Room Nicola Valley Junior Native Hockey says a big
THANK YOU to all who made our 30th Annual Jr. Hockey Tournament a rousing success. • To all the fans who came out and visiting teams • Dana Charters and her reffing crew • Trena Tom and her timing crew • Terry Bose, Chelsey Tom and others at admittance • Trena Tom on registration • Gylan Bose and first aid crew • Moose Coutlee, James Hoad, Phil, Max, Tracey, Trevor & Sonny on gopher duties • To all that contributed to the Hockey Program • Coaches and managers of Merritt teams: Gylan Bose, Chris Charters, Mark Jewell, Monica Charters, Joanne Trotsky, Dustin Shackelly, Bob Stirling, Terry McRae and all visiting teams, coaches, managers, for a very difficult job, well done. • To Brian Barrett of Merritt arena and Joe Quewezance of Shulus arena - Thanks for your hard work. • To all the workers who sold 50/50 and so many others. Thank you for your splendid work. • For donations to help tournament, Conayt Friendship Society • For all who attended and celebrated workers at 30th annual banquet, thanks for coming. It takes a lot of dedicated workers to make 64 games so thanks everyone, Sorry if we missed anyone.
Yours in hockey - Wiliam “Punch” Bose