January
As part of Literacy Week, the children of Chase were able to participate in several different fun activities geared toward teaching them that “literacy is part of everything we do.” The Chase Library hosted an afternoon of storytelling and crafts, while the Art Holding Memorial Arena offered a free hour of skating activities including writing on the ice and making bookmarks, and the Family Fun Fair had events to encourage children’s reading skills.
A minivan hit a School District #27 bus full of students after it slid into the oncoming westbound traffic on VLA Road in Chase. Eleven of the 23 students on the bus were treated for minor injuries. Victim Services went to the schools the next day for follow-up.
The school board approved students from Chase Secondary to go on an out-of-province field trip to Winnipeg, Man. The students will compete at the E-Spirit National Aboriginal Youth Business Plan Competition sponsored by The Business Development Bank of Canada.
Chase Curling Club made pancake breakfast for the community to raise money and awareness of the sport of curling in preparation for the Men’s Open Bonspiel coming up in February. The Ladies Open Bonspiel was held this month.
Locals enjoyed the Chase Robbie Burns Dinner and Celidh at the Chase Community Hall this month with entertainment by Sorrento Country Dancers, Pipers of the Shuswap and Chase Beaux and Bells.
Police investigate the shooting of a 59-year-old man. The incident occurred near Roderick Haig Brown Provincial Park in Lee Creek.
The Chase Heat played against Okanagan Knights to a 4-2 loss, while a game against Osoyoos Coyotes saw the Heat with a disappointing 9-0 loss.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District tested all 13 libraries within their district for bed bugs, after bed bugs were found in books in Lower Mainland libraries. Luckily none of the local libraries tested positive for the pesky creatures.
Ladies of the area are called out to join the Ladies Ski Program at the Skmana Cross-Country Ski Club.
February
The Second Annual Funky Sweater Day was held at Haldane Elementary School, an initiative of the Green Kids Club. The event is to remind people to save energy by wearing a sweater for warmth.
Approximately 20 Sparks, Brownies, Guides, Pathfinders and leaders attended the Annual Thinking Day event put on by the Chase Girl Guides. The day is meant to honour the birthdays of Guiding and Scouting founders Lord and Lady Baden-Powell.
Simon Fraser University archaeology students from Vancouver visited the Chase and District Museum to help clean up artifacts that were damaged in last year’s fire.
Hockey season concluded for the Chase Heat with an awards banquet held at the community hall, after two home-game losses to the Kamloops Storm and Okanagan Knights. Kevin Leschuk won Top Scorer, and Reece Forman won Top Scholastic Player and Rookie of the Year. Unsung Hero and Most Sportsmanlike went to Jared Seutter, Most Improved to Jacob Mattes and Ethan Kalugin won Most Dedicated. Owen Barker won Fan Favourite, Mitchell Rosko won Top Defenceman, and Kurtis Johnson won Most Valuable Player.
Before the season ended, the Heat also put on a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation fundraising game against the Okanagan Knights, where jerseys worn by players were auctioned off.
The Chase Curling Club held the Men’s Open Bonspiel.
Locals enjoyed a yummy pasta dinner at the Chase Community Hall while attending the Chase Excellence Program.
The Thompson-Nichola Regional District let residents know the Chase landfill has reduced its hours of operation in preparation for the eventual closure of the landfill in 2013. The regional district will be opening the South Thompson Eco-Depot in place of the landfill, which has nearly reached maximum capacity.
The Chase Chamber of Commerce held a membership drive as part of Chamber of Commerce Week 2012.
BC Hydro begins installing the controversial smart meters in Chase residential and small business locations this month.
Chase RCMP seized a large amount of marijuana during a traffic stop on the Trans-Canada Highway near Pritchard; a 65-year- old man was arrested after police searched his vehicle.
March
Students and adults attended the Crime Prevention: Gang Awareness Program held at the Adams Lake Indian Band over spring break.
Spring programs are offered at the Art Holden Arena for the first time. Hockey programs for children ages five to seven and power skating for children ages seven and up are being offered.
A search warrant for a Lee Creek home resulted in five people being arrested and numerous firearms seized by Chase RCMP, assisted by the Salmon Arm and Kamloops detachments.
To promote economic growth in the community, the Village of Chase signed a Strategic Community Investment Funds agreement with the BC Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. The province is funding $561,875 toward economic growth for the village.
Chase councillors attended an emergency program workshop in Kamloops to discuss when a declaration of a state of local emergency would be declared.
The Vagina Monologues came to Chase for one evening as a celebration of “V-Day” on March 31.
Local women read excerpts from the world-renowned play to promote anti-violence awareness and raise funds for the Shuswap Area Family Emergency Society.
A decision comes down from Interior Health to close the Chase Health Centre’s emergency department for five days due to a shortage of doctors.
The Chase Minor Hockey Association hosted the BC Hockey Female Jamboree held at the Art Holding Arena. The jamboree is for females who already play the game to learn sportsmanship, fair play, and respect for fellow players, coaches and officials. Each player went away with a hat, jersey and a goodie bag.
Nelson Leon was re-elected as Adams Lake Band chief and Cliff Arnouse, Karen Everard and Gina Johnny returned as councillors. Henry Anthony and Ron Jules were new to council. Leon’s focus for the new term is encouraging more communication and community involvement.
Chase Heat Hockey Team organized the Winter Rust Removing Dance, which was held at the Chase Community Hall.
Pritchard Ladies once again held their annual Daffodil Tea at the Pritchard Community Hall; there was a bake sale, craft tables, homemade lunches and door prizes.
The Little Shuswap Band invited locals to the 2012 Skw’lax Pow Wow Bingo at the Little Shuswap Lake Band Hall.
April
The Chase community came together in support of the Fennell family who lost their home and belongings to a fire.
Haldane Elementary and Chase Secondary schools collected clothing and house furnishings, while the local RBC branch set up a fund for those wanting to donate, and the family was offered a temporary home in Turtle Valley until a new home could be constructed.
Chase Rotary Club hosts a fundraising dinner and auction with live entertainment. Funds raised go towards supporting local youth and senior programs, scholarships and Chase and District Victim Services, among other programs throughout the community.
Locals are encouraged to volunteer with the Chase Museum restoration project. Repairs are more extensive than initially forecast after the fire last year, with several different projects underway for the next few months.
Chase Board of Trade celebrates its 100th anniversary while electing new directors to the board. The new directors include: Andy Philips, Ron Betts, Joan Anderson, Tristan Cavers, Ray Murray, Linda Kynoch and Lyn Riley.
Breana Jones and fiancé Jamie Bell were presented with a Vital Link Award from the BC Ambulance Service for playing a crucial role in saving her father’s life after a cardiac arrest last year.
A Moving Forward Together workshop was held at the Adams Lake Indian Band Youth Centre. The two-day workshop focused on building respectful and effective aboriginal/non-aboriginal relationships, and regional social and economic development planning. More than 100 people from different agencies and groups participated.
More than 100 members of Little Shuswap Band gathered for Peter Arnouse’s funeral. Arnouse was killed in a car accident on the Squilax-Anglemont Road when he lost control of his car and hit a utility pole.
The Chase Employment Centre updates their exterior building façade, while at the same time upgrading their employment program inside. The new program provides better ‘self-service’ capabilities for job seekers as well as new workshops and employment programs that can be joined for free.
Haldane School hosts the 2012 Earth Day “Caring for our Water” with presentations about riparian plant species, enviro-friendly activities, school yard and street clean-up, gardening at the Chase Museum, and a flea market.
On April 26, police responded to an alarm at the RBC bank in Chase. Officers learned that a man had walked into the bank, lit a cigarette and, before sitting in the manager’s chair, announced he had a bomb. He then ordered everyone to leave the bank. He was seen holding a knife and a handgun.
Streets in Chase surrounding the bank were cordoned off until approximately 11 p.m. before the man was convinced to come out. Although initially cooperative as he walked out, he then told police to shoot him.
Officers eventually complied in order to restrain him, but with a bean-bag shot from a shotgun. He was immediately taken to hospital.
May
Village of Chase Council agrees to put aside funds for the repair of the 50-year-old wharf at the beach in Chase Memorial Park; the repair is scheduled for fall 2012.
Chase and District Museum & Archives Society sell hamburgers, pop and chips for $3 outside the Safety Mart to help raise funds for the museum restoration project. Damon Colgan fills the vacant curator position at the Chase and District Museum.
A Chase man was severely beaten in his home; RCMP officers responded but were met with resistance and silence from the man. Police continue to investigate.
The Kamloops Film Society’s Kamloops Independent Short Shorts Film Festival presented Archie and Chayla Wilcox of Chase a special mention for their film Under Pressure, which they produced and directed themselves. The animated film is about the need to recycle to help save the planet.
The Village of Chase announces water restrictions starting this month and continuing until September.
Chase Library sells books, CDs, DVDs and audiobooks at their book sale; all proceeds go back to the library to benefit the community.
Twelve-year-old Cody Turner was presented with a juvenile diabetes jersey that was worn and signed by members of the Chase Heat.
A minor rockslide ended up in the eastbound lane of the Trans-Canada Highway at the Shuswap Avenue intersection in Chase. No one was injured but the highway was closed while the slide was cleaned up.
Faith Kurucz is crowned as the new Miss Chase and receives the Alice MacDougall History award. Ashley Arnouse is chosen as Chase Princess and receives the Miss Congeniality Banner and Blossom award. Danielle Andrade and Alara Lorimer are chosen as Chase Excellence representatives. All four girls act as ambassadors and will travel to nearby communities throughout next year.
Sketch Theatre presented The Vagina Monologues to the Chase community. The event raised $2,700 for the women’s shelter.
Team Chase organized the Texas Scramble Fundraiser Golf Tournament for the CIBC-sponsored cancer treatment fundraiser. About $5,000 was raised for the cause.
The community banded together to hold a benefit dance, silent auction and 50/50 draw to raise help funds for the Fennell family who lost their home in to a fire earlier in the year.
June
The Village of Chase considers itself lucky as high water levels on the lake did not seem to be causing any flooding or damage like other communities in the area.
Residents are advised to boil their water as turbidity levels in the lake increase, causing difficulty in proper disinfection for consumption.
Locals did notice the water took on an egg-like smell and had a cloudy tinge to it.
The Chase wharf was also closed to the public as the high water threatened the rotting wharf. Residents were advised to stay away from the wharf and out of the water as the combination of rising levels, hidden debris and fast-moving currents made the lake a hazard.
Village staff review a petition from parents requesting upgrades to Cottonwood Street crosswalks and line painting.
Residents are asked for feedback regarding allowing backyard chickens in the village’s urban areas.
The Village of Chase received several presentations from groups with ideas for local youth during the summer. Adams Lake Indian Band, Neskonlith Indian Band, Citizens on Patrol, PAC, and other groups brought ideas forward on different activities for adolescents and young adults.
Such ideas included a skateboard park, a beach volleyball court, tennis and basketball courts as well as fine arts programs.
The Working Together Society Pow Wow held at the Neskonlith Pow Wow Arbour included a boy’s grass dance, a men’s grass dance, princess pageant and hand-drumming contests.
A barrel racing event was held at the arena on VLA Road where riders competed in a BC Rodeo Association-sanctioned race.
The Chase Chamber of Commerce gets involved in the Visitor Friendly Program to increase awareness to local small businesses of the importance of creating a great customer experience for tourists.
The Turtle Valley Refuge encourages locals and tourists to visit the refuge for the Donkey Days event. All proceeds from the event go back into the refuge that operates on donations alone.
Little Shuswap Indian Band celebrates National Aboriginal Day at the summer solstice with music, dancing and fireworks.
Children from Chase participated in the annual Teddy Bear Picnic hosted by Chase Strong Start. With their teddies, they enjoyed story time, face painting and snacks.
