While students were gearing up to go back to school and adults back to work after the holidays, Mother Nature had other plans this week to kick off the New Year.
The Cariboo Chilcotin region was hit hard by a heavy snowfall Monday, and then freezing rain and ice pellets that lasted the better part of the day Tuesday which coated everything in a thick layer of ice.
Despite it all, pedestrians and motorists took the challenge in stride offering to assist each other where ever possible. It was good to see strangers rallying together to push one another out of one snow drift or another.
The winter storm warning remained in effect into the evening, with more freezing rain expected.
But as with all winter storms, this too shall pass.
We hope the same will not be said about the tragic murders that have taken place in our communities in recent weeks.
They should not pass quietly –– an urgent response is required here.
One murder is one too many. To have three young murder victims over the course of one week, unimaginable.
The communities of Bella Coola and Anahim Lake are grieving the loss of two young men, murdered on Boxing Day, while six other young adults face charges.
Meanwhile the grieving will have just begun for another family after a body was discovered under the Rudy Johnson Bridge Friday.
Police have said it is murder.
Our leaders must find a way to address what is happening in our communities.
And as residents and humans, we must help those who are impacted by this wave of brutal crime in any way we can.
– Williams Lake Tribune
