Star 98.3

Point steps down from advisory committee

Mike Hellinger — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:42:41 +0000

Point as lieutenant governor in 2010

(News 1130) Former lieutenant governor Steven Point is stepping down as chair of the advisory committee on the safety and security of vulnerable women. This comes after families of missing women in the Robert Pickton case took civil action against the province. Lawyers for the families told Point any comments he made as committee chair could have been used as evidence in their case. Point has written to the BC’s Attorney General, saying he cannot continue as chair of the advisory committee while a lawsuit is before the courts.

Justice Minister Shirley Bond says the concern is that any comments Point makes in his position could become evidence in the civil case. She says the lawsuit will also affect the government’s ability to implement the recommendations from the public inquiry, released last December.

Digital Bookmobile coming to Sardis Library

Mike Hellinger — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:21:11 +0000

Something very cool is coming to the Sardis Library on Tuesday.

This isn’t your typical bookmobile! The Digital Bookmobile is a custom-built, 74 foot-long semi-tractor trailer featuring broadband internet-connected PCs, premium sound systems and a Gadget Gallery where you can try out a variety of portable media players. Hands-on learning stations give visitors an opportunity to search the digital media collection, use supported mobile devices, and download and enjoy eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video from the library.

It will be at the new library in Sardis from noon to 4pm on Tuesday, May 21st. The grand opening of the library isn’t until June but they opened their doors with a soft launch last week, and you can take books out now and book the community space inside.

Flower vendor robbed on Evans road

grant.sigaty — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:12:46 +0000

Chilliwack RCMP are looking for help to find a man suspected of robbing a flower vendor.

The victim was selling flowers from a truck on the side of Evans road Tuesday afternoon at about 1:30.

A man approached, pulled a knife, and demanded the seller’s cash.

He then took off south in a small grey or brown pickup.

The suspect is a white man about 18 to 20 years old.

He’s about five foot 9 with a medium build, is clean cut with short dark hair and was wearing a purple jacket.

Long weekend safety

Mike Hellinger — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:42:17 +0000

Some people like to get involved in outdoor activities all year long, but May long weekend is when things really start to heat up on the water and on the back country.
Corporal Len VanNieuwenhuizen with the Chilliwack RCMP says if you’re out boating, please actually wear your life jacket instead of using it as a seat cushion.
He’s also asking people out fishing to be cautious near the water.

“We unfortunately, have historically had fishermen who have died because they get into waters that are too deep, their hip waders fill up with water quickly, and they are not ready for it and get swept away by the fast currents at this time of year. We’re asking that they be aware of their surroundings.”

Anyone heading out for some hiking is advised to stick to the marked trails, and to let someone know exactly where you’re going and when you expect to be back.

RCMP say they will be stepping up enforcement this weekend of drivers as well, on the freeway, the backroads and the back country.

Man accused of ramming Chilliwack RCMP cruisers

Mike Hellinger — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:38:58 +0000

A 73 year-old Chilliwack man is accused of driving drunk without a license and smashing into several police cars. Mounties first responded to a call of a man hitting parked cars and when police showed up with sirens on to pull him over, he continued to back into them. They were finally able to box Read the Rest of the Entry

Safari Jeff Animalogy Tour at Cottonwood Mall

desiree.cabalfin — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:26:05 +0000

Join in the fun and see Safari Jeff’s Animalogy Tour at Cottonwood Mall Thursday May 23rd and Friday, May 24th at 3:30pm and 7pm, Saturday, May 25th at 11am and 2pm and Sunday, May 26th at 2pm in the old Color Me Mine location in the mall.

Safari Jeff is a world renowned reptile trainer that has been touring Canada and the US for over 25 years. His show’s are interactive and fun for the whole family. If you haven’t experienced Safari Jeff in action then be sure to check this event out!

For more details on Safari Jeff, click here.

Update: Missing 18 year old woman located

grant.sigaty — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:50:42 +0000

Abbotsford police are reporting that Blossom was found safe and sound at about 4 PM. They want to thank everyone who helped with the search.

(original story)

Abbotsford police are looking for the public’s help to find a young woman who walked away from Abbotsford Hospital.

18 year old Blossom De Bruin left Thursday morning shortly before 8 o’clock and hasn’t been seen since.

Blossom is 5’6″ tall and weighs 130 pounds.

She has blonde shoulder length hair and blue eyes and is likely wearing a grey t-shirt and blue jogging pants.

Anyone with information should call police at 604-859-5225 or text abbypd.

Update – Sardis Secondary students released

grant.sigaty — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:24:56 +0000

Sardis Secondary students have now been sent home.

The school had been put in a “hold and secure” state after a threat was discovered on a bathroom wall.

Hold and Secure is a low risk state and students were kept in class rather than being dismissed.

RCMP say the threat was non-specific and don’t believe there was any danger to the students.

The building has been searched with the help of police dogs but nothing was found.

Tour of new Highstreet shopping development in Abbotsford

Mike Hellinger — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:00:38 +0000

It’s still very much a construction zone at the High Street shopping complex, but things are definitely starting to take shape.

With two more anchor tenants opening this month and 85 percent of the space filled, Shape Properties is hoping it becomes the shopping destination for western Abbotsford.

Executive vice president of development Darren Kwiatkowski says while shopping malls face challenges from online shopping, the key to success will be creating a great atmosphere and experience for the customer.

“Shopping, eating, entertainment, movies, is a simple way for us to satisfy our basic human desires for social activity. But when you have that convenient choice of online, you are going shopping and you want a great experience. We are staffing it to a high level. Lots of people on the ground and on the streets that are engaging the public, not sitting behind a desk. Friendly faces that can point you to a store but also provide amenities, umbrellas, security walking to your car, going that extra mile.”

Marshalls opens May 23rd, London Drugs on the 31st, and the Cineplex plans to be ready to go in July.

The rest should be up and running in October.

No Early French Immersion for Chilliwack….yet

Mike Hellinger — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:18:22 +0000

Chilliwack’s school board has voted against bringing in an early French Immersion program for the 2014 school year.
Board vice chair Walt Krahn says while it was a difficult decision, the start up cost was a major stumbling block.

“The initial seed money to get the program going for two divisions of kindergarten and grade 1 would be roughly $600,000 and that was problematic to the board.”
He also says with Chilliwack’s enrollment continuing to go up, space was an issue.

“Every elementary school is at capacity. We have a number of portables in place and so it is not an easy decision to move forward based on availability of classrooms. We would have to place the students into portables.”

Krahn says he believes in giving parents choice and says he thinks the board will eventually revisit the option down the road.

Star 98.3

Point steps down from advisory committee

Digital Bookmobile coming to Sardis Library

Flower vendor robbed on Evans road

Long weekend safety

Man accused of ramming Chilliwack RCMP cruisers

Safari Jeff Animalogy Tour at Cottonwood Mall

Update: Missing 18 year old woman located

Update – Sardis Secondary students released

Tour of new Highstreet shopping development in Abbotsford

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No Early French Immersion for Chilliwack….yet