Sept. 3
Assault at Women’s Centre on Aug. 27
RCMP members responded to a call about an assault at the 100 Mile House & District Women’s Centre on Aug. 27.
Women’s Centre executive director Sonja Ramsay was talking on the phone in her office when a staff member knocked on her door and told her to phone 9-1-1. Ramsay said a man, who was known to staff and had been in the office before, appeared to be agitated and he was causing a commotion.
When he was asked to leave, the assailant threw the employee to the floor and then a client intervened, she says, adding the employee jumped to her feet and pushed the assailant out of the office and locked the door.
Walkers take journey for justice
A stalwart group of seven people, who have been walking across Western Canada since July 18, marched and rode into 100 Mile House on Aug. 26 with sore and bandaged feet, stiff backs, and crutches.
Their noble effort is to raise awareness for missing and murdered people in Canada. They are headed for the notorious Highway of Tears (Highway 16) heading west from Prince George, where numerous women have gone missing or been murdered during the past 26 years.
Sept. 10
Bike park group granted extension
A bike park installed last year in the hills of Centennial Park by a group of youth was once again a hot topic at the District of 100 Mile House Council meeting on Aug. 25.
Councillors had noted downed trees and paths dug deep into the root system from this trail work, among several other environmental issues.
At the recent meeting, District chief administrative officer Roy Scott noted the group members had not been in contact with the District this summer to provide a progress update.
Forest minister visits 100 Mile House
Pine beetle, fibre supply and agriculture were on the agenda with local government and industry stakeholders when Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson visited 100 Mile House on Aug. 28.
“We can read briefing notes and things like that, but you need to get on the ground and talk to the communities,” said Thomson. “That’s part of our job, getting out and engaging [with industry] and learning what the issues are, and the perspectives on those issues.”
Sept. 17
Bear problem big and deadly
A frustrated conservation officer fired back at criticism from a local resident about the shooting of six bears in the Lac la Hache area and aimed his own disapproval at people not doing their part to keep bears and other dangerous wildlife away from residential areas year after year.
“We attempted to educate the public there by going around and telling people to secure their attractants,” said James Zucchelli. “Unfortunately, the message didn’t get through.”
Big donations for Waterpark Society
A pair of donations totalling $10,000 made a nice splash towards the 100 Mile House Waterpark Society’s push to build a spray park in Centennial Park.
The group was up to $76,000 for the estimated $150,000 splash pad project, which includes a rain deck and colourful showers and ground nozzles, and is a big hit with families and children in the hot summer months.
The group was hoping to have the remaining funds in place to start construction in the summer of 2016.
Sept. 24
Historic treaty vote set for Canim Lake
The Canim Lake Band near 100 Mile House was one of four Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) te Qelmucw (NStQ) bands in the midst of wrapping up one of the final stages of a historic treaty negotiation with the federal and provincial governments.
A vote by NStQ members to approve what the NStQ Treaty Group has negotiated to date and move into final negotiations was scheduled for Feb. 11, 2016.
Legislature heats up for fall session
Increasing penalties for distracted drivers and careless wildfire igniters were expected to be on the docket when MLAs returned for the fall session at legislature on Sept. 28.
Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett said she doesn’t know what will be served up for debate at this time, but assumed there will be “much discussion” on these topics.
Oct. 1
Chief wants best possible treaty
A historic treaty negotiation in the works for more than two decades had the potential to lift his people out of poverty and change the status quo, said Chief Mike Archie of the Canim Lake Band, one of four Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) te Qelmucw (NStQ) bands involved in the process.
“The status quo wasn’t good enough for us. I have a mandate to carry that forward and negotiate the best possible treaty.”
Al Richmond at UBCM helm
Cariboo Regional District chair Al Richmond took the helm of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, acclaimed as its new president during the Sept. 21-25 annual conference.
“It’s really quite humbling to take the role on,” said Richmond.
Oct. 8
Orange shirts, black hearts
A large group of local students were respectfully quiet when gathered at the Orange Shirt Day event, to recognize residential school survivors, in Lumberman’s Park in 100 Mile House on Sept. 30.
Emotional stories were shared by Phyllis Webstad and Canim Lake Band health director Sheila Dick, the keynote speaker, who had the attention of everyone who attended – some of them wiping away tears.
Candidates answer readers’ questions
The federal election was around the corner and the four candidates hoping to win the seat for the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo Riding provided answers to questions about gun control, constituents’ comments and concerns, and what their parties would do for rural Canadians.
Oct. 15
James Ruscitti granted day parole
James Ruscitti, serving a life sentence for murdering his adoptive parents and two other people at Buffalo Creek, east of 100 Mile House in 1996, was granted day parole by the National Parole Board (NPB).
In a written release on Aug. 20, 2014, the NPB members noted that although Ruscitti was a moderate to high risk to re-offend in a violent manner, they said he has made progress in his rehabilitation.
Busy advanced vote in 100 Mile
Reflecting the trend seen across the country ahead of what was expected to be a very close federal election on Oct. 19, 100 Mile House was a very busy place with a large number of advanced voters, Oct. 9-12.
Elections Canada estimated that 3.6 million electors voted during advanced polls across the country, up 71 per cent from 2011.
Oct. 22
‘Bittersweet’ victory for McLeod
Cathy McLeod held onto her seat in the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo as the Conservative MP.
But in the 2015 federal election, the incumbent saw a double digit decline in her support compared to four years ago. She said the election was “bittersweet” considering the national result, which saw Justin Trudeau’s Liberals oust the ruling Conservatives under Stephen Harper.
Trapped South Green Lake bear dispatched
A nuisance bear on South Green Lake Road was trapped and dispatched when it was determined the animal was getting too aggressive by repeatedly visiting homes and residential areas in search of food.
“Once a bear becomes habituated to fruit trees, pet food, compost and bird feeders and getting their source of food from there, you can’t get them off it,” said conservation officer Colin Kravontka.
Oct. 29
‘Respect the jumps’
Environmental, safety and liability concerns were officially addressed and the unauthorized bike trails tirelessly constructed by local youth in Centennial Park received a formal thumbs-up from the District of 100 Mile House on Oct. 27.
The fate of the bike park, hidden in the woods behind Centennial Park, had been up in the air since it was discovered on District property in the spring.
“It has been a very safe, successful and productive year on our part,” said Clayton Chamberlain, who addressed council on behalf of the bikers.
Protest against laundry privatization
Health-care workers rallied at the busy Highway 97 and First Street intersection in 100 Mile House on Oct. 27, protesting Interior Health Authority (IHA) plans to potentially privatize laundry services in the region.
While no decision had been made at the time, up to 11 cities and towns throughout the Interior would lose their local hospital laundry, along with 175 in-house jobs, including four in 100 Mile House, should the privatization plans go ahead.
Nov. 5
Funding sought to benefit aging population
The District of 100 Mile House took another step towards making this area a Rural Age Friendly Community at the Oct. 27 council meeting.
A resolution was carried at the District of 100 Mile House regular council meeting to support the South Cariboo Age FRIENDLY Initiative steering committee’s application for funding for the 2016 fiscal year, an essential step in the grant process.
The group works towards making 100 Mile House and area more accessible to seniors by helping improve things such as transportation, housing and networking.
Environmental rights debated
100 Mile House Mayor Mitch Campsall was among those who voted against a provincial environmental bill of rights at a Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) conference.
The bill recognized the right of every resident to live in a healthy environment, including the right to clean air, water and clean food and “vibrant” ecosystems.
Campsall said he doesn’t oppose the public’s right to a clean environment. He said the problem with the resolution is the ambiguous wording, which lacks the details he’d need to support it.
Nov. 12
Grad gap persists
The disparity in education outcomes between First Nations students and non-First Nations students highlighted in a provincial report closely resembled local trends in School District #27 (SD27).
In 2014, the graduation rate for Aboriginal students climbed to 62 per cent, compared with 87 per cent for non-Aboriginal students across British Columbia.
In SD27, the graduation rates in 2014 were similar: 66 per cent for Aboriginal students compared to 88 per cent for non-Aboriginal students.
Alleged shooter back in Supreme Court
Philip Thomas May of 100 Mile House made a Supreme Court appearance in Williams Lake on Nov. 9 for a pre-trial conference, allowing all parties in the court proceedings to discuss issues important to the Crown prosecutor and the defence lawyer prior to the commencement of a trial.
May is facing several charges, including attempted murder, firearms, threats and motor vehicle offences, following a man-in-distress callout for 100 Mile House RCMP to a residence on the 93 Mile Loop Road on May 31, 2014.
Nov. 19
Impressive showing for Remembrance Day
The annual Remembrance Day ceremony in 100 Mile House saw a large, characteristic showing of support on Nov. 11.
“’Impressed’ is the word for it,” said Gary Forsyth, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #260 pastor, describing the great support every year for Remembrance Day ceremonies in 100 Mile House.
Leader rebuilding Conservative party
Dan Brooks, the leader of B.C.’s Conservative Party, stopped in 100 Mile House for a meet-and-greet event as part of a province-wide tour on Nov. 12. The Vanderhoof resident is trying to rebuild the B.C. Conservative Party, which hasn’t won a seat in the provincial legislature in decades, ahead of the next provincial election in 2017.
Nov. 26
McLeod made Indigenous Affairs critic
Cathy McLeod, the Conservative MP for the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, was named Indigenous Affairs critic in the Official Opposition’s shadow cabinet.
“I have worked with and for aboriginal communities in my past and I am honoured [interim Conservative Party leader Rona Ambrose] had the faith in me to take on this important role,” said McLeod. “Which is as the government moves forward and makes decisions, to ensure they’re done in an effective, productive way.”
Syrian refugee crisis topic of meeting
Much like communities across Canada, a local group was exploring the possibility of helping Syrian refugees in 100 Mile House, starting with two community meetings on Dec. 3.
“Rather than have a lot of little groups working on a big project on their own, I thought it would be good to have an open house for anyone who is interested to know what it takes to sponsor a refugee family privately,” said Kimberly Vance-Lundsbye, the Welcoming Communities co-ordinator with Cariboo-Chilcotin Partners for Literacy.
Dec. 3
Mount Polley receives approval to go to step 2
The B.C. Liberal Government’s approval of a short-term discharge permit was music to the ears of the 200 people employed at Mount Polley Mine, whose full time operations halted following an environmental disaster in 2014.
The permit was needed to treat and then discharge water out of the open-pit copper and gold mine site.
Love is a burning flame
Hunter Peever made perhaps the most public marriage proposal in 100 Mile House history.
The 18-year-old volunteer firefighter popped the question to his 18-year-old girlfriend of almost three years, Mikayla Charbonneau, in the middle of the Santa Claus Parade on Nov. 20.
The newly engaged couple are recent graduates of Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School.
Dec. 10
100 Mile field trip
Education Minister Mike Bernier paid students and teachers in 100 Mile House a visit on Dec. 8.
School District #27 superintendent Mark Thiessen said the minster’s visit was not only an opportunity to shine a good light on schools in the area, but also an opportunity to talk to the minister about the challenges local educators are facing, like the replacement of 100 Mile House Elementary School.
Red tape frustrates local physiotherapist
108 Mile Ranch resident Rainer Meyer is frustrated his physiotherapist and massage therapist credentials are not recognized in Canada as they were in his native Germany.
Meyer said he is concerned for people in Europe who might be tempted to Canada with promises that aren’t kept.
“I’m worried about young people not being able to find work.”
Dec. 17
100 Mile House Free Press names new publisher
Chris Nickless and Black Press named Martina Dopf as new publisher starting Jan. 1, 2016.
“I am honoured by the opportunity Black Press has given me,” said Dopf, an advertising consultant with the 100 Mile House Free Press since 2005. “I am looking forward to leading this team of creative production people, talented reporters, and professional office staff in the years to come.”
Ralph Fossum making a great comeback
Councillor Ralph Fossum was delighted to be back at the District of 100 Mile House council table on Dec. 8.
Ralph returned to 100 Mile House a few days earlier after a six-month battle with Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) – a rare, non-contagious disease that attacks the central nervous system and the cause is unknown.
Dec. 24
Liberals questioned on First Nations file
As the newly appointed Conservative Party Critic for Indigenous Affairs, local MP Cathy McLeod took aim at the policies of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government regarding First Nations, following the release of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
From the Philippines to 100 Mile
Paulo Valenciano was featured in the pages of the 100 Mile House Free Press.
The 18-year-old from the Philippines was orphaned when he lost his mother to lung cancer in 2014. His aunt, Elizabeth Hesse, sponsored Paulo and relocated him to 100 Mile House, where he plays basketball and attends Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School.
