Williams Lake man collapses and dies Prince George RCC - September 28th Edition

Angie Mindus

Cariboo Advisor 

A young man from the Williams Lake area collapsed while being processed at the Prince George Regional Correctional Centre last Wednesday and died soon after, following an appearance in Williams Lake Provincial Court earlier in the day.

Blaine C. Sargent of Canoe Creek was transported from the correctional centre Tuesday, Sept. 20 to face various counts relating to breach of court orders in Williams Lake Provincial Court Wednesday.

Sargent had made his appearance in court and was transported back to the correctional centre, where he apparently collapsed upon arrival.

According to media reports, Sargent was transported by ambulance to the Prince George hospital and pronounced dead very soon after arrival.

Chief Hank Adam of the Canoe Creek Indian Band said his community is in mourning over the death of the 19-year-old.

“It is always upsetting when someone passes away because we’re such a tight-knit community,” Adam said.

Adam said right now there is only speculation as to the cause of Sargent’s death, and he is awaiting the results of the coroner’s report which could be as much as three months away.

A service for Sargent is being held at the Dog Creek community hall on Thursday at 1 p.m. 

The Canoe Creek Indian Band is situated about 90 kilometres south of Williams Lake and has more than 700 community members.

Front Page Cover Picture

Angie Mindus Photo

Kwaleen Traditional Elementary school student Takia Alam, 6, shows her school is all heart with a heart-shaped potato harvested from the school's vegetable garden Friday. Students and staff at the school expanded their original garden this year to include a large plot of root vegetables grown exclusively for the purpose of donating to the city's community food banks.

Front Page: September 28

Man named in RCMP shooting

Angie Mindus

Cariboo Advisor

RCMP have released the name of the young man who died following a police-involved incident at Nimpo Lake last weekend as that of 24-year-old Justin Zinser of Williams Lake.

“Mr. Zinser’s family has been notified and are understandably deeply grieved by the loss of their loved one,” states a media release from the Delta Police Department, who are conducting an independent review of the incident.

Preliminary reports indicate that Zinser was armed and approached officers following a complaint of a domestic dispute in the area.

According to the news release, on Saturday, Sept. 24, the RCMP received a report of a domestic dispute in which an assault had occurred.

Officers responded to investigate the incident believing the suspect was armed, and, according to the Delta police, the officers repositioned their location and maintained a safe distance as they awaited backup. 

  

“Prior to additional officers arriving, the armed male approached the officers on foot. The officers engaged him and ultimately shot(s) were fired and the male succumbed to his injuries,” state police.

Delta police officers have been on scene at Nimpo Lake conducting numerous interviews, scene examination and seizing exhibits in an effort to determine the circumstances that lead to the encounter that resulted in the death of Zinser. 

An autopsy was scheduled yesterday in Vancouver. 

Men and women join to Take Back the Night - September 28 Edition

Courtney Taylor

Cariboo Advisor

A group of more than 25 people shaking noisemakers walked through downtown Williams Lake Friday evening to protest abuse against women and children. 

The Violence Awareness & Prevention Committee, which is a committee of Community Policing, organized the local Take Back the Night event that was held in Williams Lake Friday night starting at 5 p.m.

Penny Stavast, a community based victim service program manager, lead the walk, which began at Boitanio Park and made its way through the streets to finish at Marie Sharp Elementary school and included not only women walking, but men as well.

Kelly Aitken and her five-year old daughter Zaidee were part of the group walking to the school. Aitken said she got off work early just to come to the walk.

“I grew up in a very poor neighbourhood, and saw abuse all the time,” said Aitken.

Aitken also thought it was very important cause to expose her daughter too.

Stavast says its clear from the attendance of the walk that more and more men are supporting women and child affected by relationship violence. She says it’s not just domestic violence, since violence and abuse can occur in any relationship.

At the wrap up for the event, food and musical entertainment was provided as well as a personal speech from Mayor Kerry Cook about what the event meant to her and she shared a personal story about helping a victim of abuse. She also made a plea to the community that as a whole we need to work at taking back the night.

Historically, women have always had anxiety while walking along at night, and that is why Take Back the Night began.

Take Back the Night events started in the early 1800’s, but more recently, the first TBTN event that occurred in the United States was in 1975. Women from India to New York are slowly shattering the silence and taking back the night in a fight against sexual and emotional abuse against women and children.

Michael Wynne participated in the Take Back the Night walk on Friday night to show his support for women who have to deal with abuse and fear.

Students grow vegetables for the needy

Kwaleen Traditional Elementary Grade 1/ 2 class proudly shows off their harvested vegetable crop last week. Half of the potatoes, onions, turnips and carrots will go to the local food bank, and the other half will be used at the school.

Angie Mindius

Cariboo Advisor

Kwaleen Traditional Elementary school students took time out of their traditional studies last week to work on something much more tangible; harvesting their vegetable crop for the needy.

“It’s a real bright spot at our school,” said school principal John Silkstone, amidst the excitement of the Grade1/2 class students as they harvested a healthy crop of potatoes, onions and turnips on a warm fall morning last Friday.

“The children take care of it so well and they watch to see how things are growing. They really love the garden.”

The school garden was first started by the staff, students and Kwaleen PAC last year with the intention that it was to teach children about eating healthy, and also supply the school with home-grown vegetables for their various functions and get-togethers.

Silkstone said the garden was such a success that first year that the school decided to make a second garden of equal size this spring with the sole purpose of giving it to the needy.

Sillkstone said they planted “roots for soups” in their new garden including four types of turnips, white and red onions, two types of potatoes as well as rutabaga.

He added the garden crop was bountiful this year, thanks to the care it was given during the summer months by volunteer parents and students of the school.

“Our volunteers have made the garden the success it is.”

The school intends to give half the vegetables to the Salvation Army Food Bank and the other half to the local St. Vincent de Paul food bank, a charitable organization from the Catholic church that makes fresh soup and other food to feed people in Boitanio Park every Sunday, and also gives out small hampers of food out of the church basement Monday afternoon to help cover food needs.

Last weekend the group dished out homemade corn chowder, after a donation of fresh corn was donated by the Kaufmans of Soda Creek Corn.

Quick Lane offers quick service - September 28 Edition

Courtney Taylor

Cariboo Advisor

Tired of calling the dealership to book an oil change and being told it’ll be a two-week wait?

Well the folks at Lake City Ford are hoping they can help, with the addition of the Quick Lane Tire and Auto Centre to the services they provide.

“Quick Lane is a franchise available to Ford dealers,” said Dave Polack, General Manager at Lake City Ford. “It’s an additional service business, and is not directly tied to the dealership.”

The concept of Quick Lane is for the customer to be able to just drive in, and they’ll be looked after - no appointment necessary.

“We’ve been open for three weeks, and have actually been really busy,’ said Polack.

There are more than 600 Quick Lane franchises in the United States, and in Canada. Ford dealerships have a fast lube franchise that was called Fast Lane, but now it’s all going to be under the Quick Lane name according to Polack.

Dealerships have to qualify for a Quick Lane franchise, and apply. Polack said he wanted to bring a Quick Lane to Williams Lake so he would be able to service other makes and models not just Fords, and provide that ‘no-appointment necessary’ service to the town.

“Lake City Ford has been in business for 57 years and we are pleased to offer this service to the people of Williams Lake. It’s an exciting opportunity to be able to look after all different kinds of vehicles,” said Polack. The Quick Lane staff is lead by Manager Simone Groundwater and many of the technicians have been with Lake City Ford for many years. 

Join Dave and the gang at Quick Lane on Saturday October 1st for their Grand Opening. Oil and filter changes along with a vehicle wash for an incredibly low price of $9.95 on Saturday only. No matter what make or model, they all can be serviced at Quick Lanes. With the purchase of an oil change, the customer also has the chance to win a 51” Samsung HDTV. There will also be a barbeque with donations going to the Salvation Army Food Bank. And there is something for the whole family including a coloring contest for kids, and special pricing on winter tires. During the month of October, customers who purchase winter tires will be entered into a draw to win their purchase. Polack wants customers to know at Quick Lane, off-season tires can be stored on location. Customers are encouraged to come down and check out all the great services Quick Lane has to offer. 

Quick Lane is located on Seventh Ave just behind Lake City Ford.

Family team up in supply business - September 28 Edition

Broadway Drywall Distribution (BDD) is a locally family owned and operated building supplies outlet. Cliff Wyatt, owner of the local wholesale commodity marketing company, Wyatt Marketing Inc (WMI), who has over 30 years of wholesale and retail experience, has teamed up with his son, Tyson Renwick, to create an independent retail division of WMI with one goal in mind: To save the customer money on building supplies.

BBD opened its doors to the public in July 2010, and has continuously worked to make their business the best it can be.

“Since we specialize in wall and ceiling products, we can provide our clientele with a much more competitive price compared to other building supplies stores,” said Alanna Silvester, Controller. 

BDD offers competitive prices on drywall, compound, corner bead, insulation, plywood and OSB.  

According to Silvester, the company is in a period of growth. 

“We are expanding our product line, we now stock OSB and have also hired an outside sales representative, Brock Thorn,” states Silvestor. “He can go direct to consumers and provide them with all their building supply needs,”

As part of their growth, the company has recently purchases a 5,000 square foot warehouse on Mackenzie Avenue, which they are currently using for storage.  BDD plans to open a storefront at this new location, which is double the size of their current location at 310A North Broadway, within the next few years. 

Broadway Drywall Distribution General Manager, Tyson Renwick in BDD’s current location.

Golfing for literacy - September 28 edition

Ken Berry practices his swing on Saturday morning before his group’s tee off at the fifth annual Scramble for Literary Tournament.

Courtney Taylor

Cariboo Advisor

Despite a chilly day, the fifth annual Scramble for Literacy golf tournament this past Saturday was a huge success according to organizer Linda MacDonald.

“It was a wonderful success,” said McDonald. “We had 21 teams and 84 golfers.’

McDonald said it was nice to see two teams out from the school district, and their sponsor Heartland Toyota even had a team playing.

“It was a cold, but fun filled day,” said McDonald.

McDonald said they were able to present all participates with a prize, and she would like to thank all the generous support they have received from local businesses.

The overall wining team was the Steve Simms team, and the most honest golfer award went to the Williams Lake Library.

To add to the literacy theme, golfers played a game of Scrabble as they played their rounds. Each time a team passed a par-three hole, they received a Scrabble piece. The team to spell out a tournament sponsor’s name with the highest points also won a prize. 

According to McDonald, the day was ended on a good note with a great dinner at the golf course that was well attended. McDonald said there was a wonderful speech by Ron Malmus about overcoming his literacy problems.

Since 2007, the Scramble for Literacy tournament has raised $20,000 for literacy, not including this year’s tournament as the numbers are still being tallied. 

Blue Fins Swim Club plunge back in the water - September 28 Edition

Courtney Taylor
Cariboo Advisor

After a restful summer of swimming just for fun, it’s back to the pool for many local competitive swimmers as the Blue Fins Swim Club season started up this week.


Regular practices began Monday morning at 6:00 a.m., and will continue from now until the end of May for most swimmers. Some finish at the end of April, and others go until July if they make it to AA, provincials, AAA, or nationals.


Practices fluctuate depending on the skill level and are anywhere from two to eight times a week. Novices practice twice a week, juniors practice four times a week, and seniors practice three to eight times a week according to coach Marilyn Haines.


Haines says if the club can retain more swimmers for longer, they will have a greater number qualifying for the big meets, like provincials and nationals.


The first big swim meet of the season is a bus trip, all the way up to Prince Rupert on October 21 to 23.
“I am hoping it will be a good team-building trip,’ said Haines.


The first home mini meet is October 30, and Haines said that would be a good meet for new swimmers.
“We have a good mixture of kids, some new, some returning, and some bumped up,” said Haines.


Haines said it’s never too late for swimmers to join the club, and the first week is free to try. If you have a little ‘fish’ on your hands that loves the water, Blue Fins might be for you.


“We certainly are still recruiting swimmers, and we accept new swimmers all through the year,” said Haines.


She says they have about 70 swimmers right now, but can accommodate up to 100 with the current coaching staff and pool time.
For more information you can call 250-392-2987, or email bluefins@live.ca.

Respecting our rivers on B.C. Rivers’ Day and every day

Courtney Taylor
Cariboo Advisor


Every bathtub has a drain, and every drain leads to a river, and every river leads to the ocean.


One of problems that face rivers, river valley walkers learned Sunday, is the amount of contaminants that end up in them, which in turn ends up in the ocean.


The pile up of garbage at the mouth of a river as it meets the ocean is called a gyre, and the gyre in the pacific is twice the size of Texas said City Interpreter Mary Forbes, and host of the annual Rivers’ Day Walk.


It is for reasons like this that the last Sunday in September is B.C. Rivers’ Day, to create some awareness for our rivers.


In the lakecity, the guided walk in the river valley was lead by Forbes.


The focus of the walk was all about nature, and more specifically the pink salmon that spawn in Williams Creek.


There were about dozen participants of the walk, including fisheries biologist Kathy Campbell. She was in town from Vancouver Island as part of a five-week environmental course she is teaching from the Vancouver Island University.


“I’ve always participated in a Rivers’ Day hike or walk back home, and was looking for something in Williams Lake, I saw a poster and thought I should be a part of it,” said Campbell.


Forbes was full of information, sharing with everyone interesting facts along the way about things such as what to do in a bear encounter, identifying bear scat, facts about salmon, and of course information about rivers and the problems they face.


“The challenge the Williams Lake faces is the water being too eutrophic, which means there is too much nitrogen in the water and not enough oxygen,” said Forbes. “Salmon like lots of cold and lots of oxygen.’


Forbes also talked about rivers being drains carrying the garbage out to the ocean, and all the crazy things that are being found in the ocean, and in fish. Forbes does say that Williams Lake’s water treatment plant (which happens to be situated along Williams Creek and consequently drains into the Fraser River) is fantastic, but it can only do so much.


Sunday may have been River’s Day, but for our rivers to continue to flourish, people need to celebrate them everyday, and remember that everything that goes down a drain ends up in a river.

Everybody wants, but what do we need? -Editorial for September 21's Edition

A person can have a lot of wants. A new TV, car, house, boat, clothes, etcetera but one can also have a lot of needs. A roof over their head, food, warm clothes, etcetera. The average person also has a lot of trouble identify a ‘want’ from a ‘need’ and guess what? So does a community.

Right now Williams Lake wants a lot of things, but they also need some things as well. And one of the big ones on top of both those lists is a new pool.

The inevitable truth is that yes, Sam Ketcham pool is old. It is past its prime and needs to be replaced. But does that mean we as a community need to rack up a multi-million dollar bill to be a state of the art recreation complex? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean the community just needs a pool, they need a few other things as well.

In life, wants can add up faster than we know it, and it is important to always remember the want versus a need.

On a bigger scale, the City will have to decide what is a need versus a want when it comes to a new complex.

They will have to decide what the community needs, rather than what everyone wants. There are over 10, 000 people in the community, so how will the City decide what everyone needs as a collective, rather than what certain individuals need or what.

They City will have their work cut out for them, they will not be able to just stick everyone’s wants into a hat and pull out X number and those be the needs of the community.

There will have to be surveys done, and information gathered, and proposals draw up.

It’s not always easy differentiating a want from a need, but it is always the best way to avoid over spending. Even in day-to-day, and especially when it comes to a multi-million dollar complex.

Internet Killed the Video Store - Editorial September 21 edition

With yet another local video rental store closing its doors in the community, it is safe to say the era of movie renting from a store is coming to an end.

We can all recall many memories of renting movies for special occasions, like sleepovers, or walking the dog with your parents and getting a movie. Some of us have fond memories of trips to rent a movie as kids we don’t recall the bas stuff like late charges. But now, people are moving to the trend of renting movies off the internet from sites like Netflicks, or Movies on Demand from Shaw and less trips to the local video store.

No one can deny how much more convenient this option can be for busy families, who can now avoid late fees on their over due movies. With movies you can rent/buy and watch anytime with no worries of a late fee.

The video store has evolved over the last two decades, but is slowly losing the race against the internet. They moved from VHS, to DVD’s but now there are no other options, and many are succumbing to the effects of at-home renting options.

Blockbuster, one of the biggest names in movie rentals, has been closing doors all over the country, and has claimed bankruptcy. It is sad to see this era ending, but time waits for no man and it’s the time of the internet, and movies on demand right from the comfort of your home, late fees not included.

There is still Movie’s on the Go still open for business in the community, but one can only wonder for how long? So before trips to the movie store are no more: take a walk, rent a movie, and try not get any late fees this time.

It wont be long before video rental stores are obsolete, and ancient history. It is sad, but all good things do have to come to end at some point.

RCMP calling for review on bear spray - September 21 Edition

Angie Mindus
Cariboo Advisor


The head of the Williams Lake RCMP is calling on City officials to consider banning bear spray and machettes in Williams Lake after a homeowner was attacked with bear spray when he interrupted a break and enter in his own home.


“Bear spray and machettes are the preferred weapons of choice in Williams Lake,” said Staff Sgt. Warren Brown, pointing out yet another incident Sunday evening involving youth and bear spray outside the 7-11 Food Store.


“I say the leaders of our community need to have a discussion on this. I believe (these weapons) are too accessible.”


The break and enter occurred at 9:50 p.m. Thursday when a homeowner returned home to the 1400 block of Western Avenue to find two teenage males inside his residence. Police say the homeowner was bear sprayed before the two suspects fled on foot.


According to Brown, last Thursday’s break and enter is just one more example of why the matter urgently needs to be addressed.


“Because we are #4 nationally on the violent crime severity index, and #1 in the province for violent crime, I would suggest it is our due diligence that we review whether it is acceptable to have access to these types of weapons in our community,” Brown said.


“I believe the risk far outweighs the benefits here.”


Brown said being sprayed by bear spray, which is readily available throughout the lakecity for its intended purpose of protecting oneself from a bear attack, is “completely incapacitating and very painful” when used on a person.


In year’s past, several patrons and employees of a pizza restaurant were terrorized by thieves brandishing machettes and bear spray, while Brown said his officers have also been confronted by teens waving bear spray this year.


“One day someone is going to get shot.”


The suspects from last Thursday’s break and enter are both described as native males; with one being in his mid-to-late teens, five foot six inches tall weighing about 140 pounds, while the other is described as being in his early teens, five foot four, 120 pounds and wearing a red hoodie.


Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact the Williams Lake RCMP or Crimestoppers.

City and CRD reviewing pool options - September 21

Courtney Taylor
Cariboo Advisor


With more than one million dollars yet to be paid by taxpayers for previous renovations to the Sam Ketchum Pool at Cariboo Memorial Complex, this summer saw more money being poured into the pool that is apparently past its prime.


The City lost close to $100,00 this summer in revenue as well as a month of providing a pool service due to a leak, which is looking now to be merely a bandaid solution to a much bigger problem.


At the Joint Committee meeting last week between the City and Regional District, City Planning Manager Geoff Paynton presented the report on the costs lost this summer, as well as three options for the future of the pool.


According to Paynton, the City is kind of in a Catch 22; they can leave the problem and hope for the best, or fix part of the problem and hope the rest holds.


The two problems the pool has are old pipes that are leaking, and the main pool tank and spider cracks causing leaks. The main pool tank could be fixed for $300,000- $400,000, but there is nothing they can do about the pipes without destroying the pool.


The third option is to start from scratch, and begin plans for a new complex.


At the Joint meeting last week, it definitely felt like any more money spent on the pool would be a waste, and that it is now time to start talking about something new.


“I think it is very clear that we have to start planning for the future,” said Mayor Cook.


“We need to get the community involved right from the beginning. We need to prioritize our recreation needs and explore options for going after government funding,” she said.

Concrete Fitness requests a review of City rec services - September 21

Courtney Taylor

Cariboo Advisor

A topic that is on the minds of many Williams Lake residents was a hot topic at last week’s Joint Committee meeting.

The owners of Concrete Fitness made a request to the committee to complete a review of the services offered at Cariboo Memorial Complex. The purpose of the review would be to make a decision whether taxpayers dollars could be better spent than on an expanded gym or specialized fitness classes like yoga currently offered through Leisure Services.

Stefan Hoelzler, who represented Concrete Fitness but also held a letter of support signed by other private Williams Lake businesses as well as the BIA and Chamber of Commerce, presented on why he thinks the services at the complex need to be reviewed.

His main argument was that the City should not provide services that are directly in competition with local businesses.

At the meeting he gave a very well thought out presentation to the committee in regards to the reasons why CMC says they need to offer these services.

Hoelzler said he respects the other views on the topic, but feels taxpayers dollars could be better spent on other services, and the complex should review current services to decide if all of the current programs offered are needed.

Most councilors and CRD directors who commented did start off by saying they were impressed with the presentation, but were concerned with splitting the community, and openly wondered what limiting fitness services offered will do to lower income families.

Councilor Laurie Walters was very concerned for low income families stressing that the services available at the complex are in place in order to provide services for all sectors of the community.

“There is always going to be competition for any business,” said Walters.

She expressed her serious concern over how having these services are vital to low income families having a healthy lifestyle.

After listening to the presentation, Mayor Kerry Cook thanked the delegate, and said the decision would be made at the next meeting.

Concrete Fitness representatives wanted to make it very clear that they are not trying to shut down classes at the complex. They want a review of services to determine whether the city really needs to offer several variations of the same classes offered by other private businesses at a more competitive rate due to tax subsidies.

According to the City, a report from CMC will be brought before the October Joint Committee meeting. At that time the Joint Committee will vote on whether to review services provided by Leisure Services.

Looking for the worthy subjects - September 21

Courtney Taylor
Cariboo Advisor


To make his showcase at the Station House Gallery something personal and something that will mean something to the community, Casey Bennett is creating a portrait showcase made up of faces from the community who work in what he calls thank-less jobs.


He is calling it ‘Faces of Industry’ and it will be made up black and white portraits of men and women who work in industries such as mining, ranching, farming, and forestry who go unappreciated most of the time.


Bennett said the idea came about since he grew up around the different industries, and he wanted this project to be something really personal.


“It’s going to be a celebration or a look at men and women who work in mining, mils, ranching and farming and essentially keep the economy going,” said Bennett.


“I am sending out an invitation to community members who might want to be apart of my project.”


He is hoping to get things started by the end of the month, and would love to have shoots scheduled for October.


Bennett is no amateur, and has worked in the photography business for some time and a collection of his work can be seen on his blog at www,casey3photo.wordpress.com.


Anyone interested in being a part of Bennett’s ‘Faces of Industry” can email him to ask any questions or set up a time for a photo shoot at casey3photo@gmail.com.