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[
"Bob Handfield"
] | 2016-08-26T13:12:27 | null | null | I can’t understand why Christy Clark’s government is dragging its feet on the proposed South Okanagan - Similkameen National Park. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fopinion%2F389929561.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/91887pentictonHandfield-Robert-web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Nature Wise: The person who kaiboshed the national park | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Bob Handfield is president of the South Okanagan Naturalists’ Club but the views expressed here are his own and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Club.
For the life of me I can’t understand why Christy Clark’s government is dragging its feet on the proposed South Okanagan - Similkameen National Park.
Oh, don’t get me wrong, I think I know why she’s doing it, I just don’t understand it. We, the citizens of B.C., are missing a once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve an important piece of essential and endangered habitat for future generations.
I have heard from sources well placed in the government that the intention is to eventually okay a small national park in two separate pieces divided by a large land tract centred on Mt. Kobau which would be designated a Provincial conservancy. Conservancy status is lower than Class A park status in the provincial hierarchy and allows some industrial development as well as various commercial operations. The blame for this downgrading of the Mt. Kobau area and it’s exclusion from any national park can be laid squarely on the shoulders of MLA Linda Larson.
MLA’s who support the larger national park concept seem to be afraid to do or say anything because it’s “Linda’s area.” And, we all know (because she said so) that Linda prefers cows to tourists.
Some people, including Linda Larson and Premier Clark, might say ‘well what is wrong with the land remaining under the jurisdiction of the province if it is just as well protected?’ Well, the problem is that even if the land were designated a Class A Park it would not be as well protected as a national park.
The B.C. parks system is one of the most poorly funded systems in our region of North America. In 1991/92 the Parks budget was $40 million; since then the amount of land in the parks system has more than doubled and the number of visitors using our parks has increased substantially, but the annual budget is now just $31 million — a decrease of over 20 per cent. The number of full-time park rangers looking after this vast territory and millions of visitors has gone from 27 in 2001 to only seven in 2016. Imagine — seven rangers to look after an area larger than Denmark, Costa Rica and Switzerland combined. Compare this to Washington State who employs 152 full-time year-round rangers.
Now consider this: B.C. Parks spends $2.21 per hectare of parkland; Alberta Parks spends $26.27 per hectare and Parks Canada spends $33.72 per hectare. Washington State spends $1,515 per hectare on their park system. When I calculated that number from the Washington State Park website I couldn’t believe it so I called their budget office and the budget manager confirmed that their budget confirmed the numbers.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see that B.C. is woefully underfunded. To be fair, Christy Clark might argue that B.C. has a much larger land base than those other jurisdictions and we have many hectares of wilderness park which require little expenditure. That is probably a reasonable comment, but if we even eliminate two-thirds of our park system as wilderness requiring little (not none, but little) expenditure we still are so far behind the other jurisdictions that the situation borders on insanity.
Recently Premier Clark was interviewed on Global News and a few of the questions were about the proposed national park. She was not at all forthcoming in answering the questions and in a few cases might be accused of lying (except of course politicians don’t lie, they are misquoted or they bend the truth). Two of her mistruths involve support for the park. She said locals don’t support the park which is not at all shown by the two scientific professional surveys that have been carried out in the South Okanagan - Similkameen and she said that there are conflicting polls regarding support.
Unless the government has carried out a secret poll which they haven’t released, there have only been two professional scientific polls carried out and both of those show overwhelming local support for the park.
The third mistruth that we know about is that Premier Clark said that MLA Linda Larson and the B.C. Environment Minister are currently holding talks with the federal government. If that is true, there is no one who knows about it.
Perhaps as Rick Weber suggested on Global News in the interview, one of Premier Clark’s legacies will be that she will go down as the one who “kaiboshed the national park for southern B.C.”
Bob Handfield is president of the South Okanagan Naturalists’ Club but the views expressed here are his own and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Club. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/opinion/389929561.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/a0d265fa5ab750cb39cd1ebe0eddd8018ff931aac82bed41e20eefe1d64f493c.json |
[
"Kristi Patton"
] | 2016-08-26T13:13:11 | null | null | A woman who tripped over a tree root in Rotary Park and was injured has launched a civil claim against the City Of Penticton. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fnews%2F391351871.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Kamloops woman files civil suit against City of Penticton | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | A woman who tripped over a tree root in Rotary Park and was injured has launched a civil claim against the City Of Penticton.
Donna Alice Russell said in August of 2014 she was a tourist in Penticton walking across a grassy area in Rotary Park when she tripped and fell as a result of striking a root from a tree which was growing in the park and “presented an unforeseen hazard.”
In her claim Russell states the city failed to take care of the grounds to ensure the public is reasonably safe in the park because of exposed roots of trees poking through the grass. As well, she states the city should have posted warnings that there may be hidden objects in the grass which could pose a hazard. Alternatively, she suggests the city could have put barriers around the roots.
As a result Russell, who is retired and resides in Kamloops, said she had a fractured ankle. In her claim, Russell said she suffered “serious and permanent personal injuries resulting in permanent impairment and disability, pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.” She was hospitalized and underwent surgery and still continues to suffer pain in her ankle.
Russell claims she also suffered financially. Besides the cost of care and rehabilitation she also was hit with an ambulance fee, hospital charges — the amount she is seeking in damages was not stated. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/news/391351871.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/6c6f99ca647ab9dbffe35587bc5fc113434cf428cd5a3e8c0367361204bc5db9.json |
[
"Dale Boyd"
] | 2016-08-31T00:49:48 | null | null | The Marginal Arts Festival, honouring Canadian playwright George Ryga, runs from Sept. 1 to 4 in Summerland. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fentertainment%2F391798661.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/13409penticton0831-Ryga.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Campbell Ryga on the festival honouring his father | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | When asked what Canadian playwright and novelist George Ryga was like as a father, his son Campbell chuckled.
“I don’t have anything to compare it to,” Campbell said. “But I can compare it to a lot of the folks I grew up with who still remain my friends now. They would have come from maybe a more traditional upbringing.”
The Ryga household in Summerland, where George penned many of his works including The Ecstasy of Rita Joe, was very social, with the full spectrum of artists coming through the doors on different occasions. Musicians, actors, directors, you name it.
“I know my friends used to like to come and spend some time there because it was interesting. Probably a big departure from the households they grew up in,” Campbell said.
Campbell is excited to return to Summerland, to both see old friends and perform in the first annual Marginal Arts Festival being held in honour of George from Sept. 1 to 4 throughout multiple Summerland venues.
Campbell, a saxophonist, is playing the Centre Stage Theatre at 7 p.m. on Sept. 3, joined by Christ Sigerson on Piano, Miles Foxx Hill on bass and Blaine Wikjord on drums
Campbell is delighted the community decided to honour his father with a festival celebrating the arts.
“I think it’s great. It’s nice, positive movement and I think it’s wonderful the community has gotten together to recognize him and honour the fact that he was there for all those years,” Campbell said. “Of course, it’s going to be great on a personal level to see old friends because I haven’t been back to the community in a long time.”
The Ryga children, including Campbell and his two brothers and two sisters, (musician and music teacher Sergei Ryga is also coming to the festival) were given a lot of freedom to pursue their own interests Campbell said.
“Maybe we could have used a bit more discipline, I don’t know, but we’ve all fared pretty darn well and I think we were very much enriched by the fact that we were very inclusive in the arts family,” Campbell said. “Especially for those in my family who have gone on to pursue a career in the arts, it’s very helpful.”
If the Ryga children showed an interest in anything arts-related, their parents would be very encouraging, Campbell said, though he takes a slightly different approach with his own children.
“I’m a little bit more weary about those things myself. If they like the look of a trumpet I’m not going to go out and get them one the next day, our house was a little bit more that way,” Campbell said. “We were a little bit careful, we didn’t want to show too much interest in one specific thing unless we knew that we had a genuine interest to get into it.”
George’s connections to not only the theatre world, but the music world as well, were influential for Campbell.
“We got into music, which wasn’t really dad’s thing, he didn’t know much about music, but he sure had access to the folks that did. I think that was a really good thing,” Campbell said.
Campbell’s first instrument was the clarinet. Shortly after, within a year and a half, the saxophone came into the picture.
Despite his homestead hosting musicians, Campbell’s foray into music was quite typical, playing in high school band, calling his teacher Jim Grinder “fantastic.”
Grinder noticed Campbell’s interest in his mom’s early jazz records, nudging him to play sax.
“He opened up my world a bit more by saying I could use you as a saxophone player,” Campbell said.
By Grade 8, Campbell was already in the jazz band playing the baritone sax.
“Which was an instrument I couldn’t even reach at the time,” Campbell said. “That was basically the beginning. It wasn’t a smooth transition I was fighting with an instrument almost my size. But after a year or so I got more into the smaller horns, the more fun ones to play in the saxophone world.”
For the last 40 years Campbell has been involved in music in one way or another.
Playing theatre shows, in symphonies, dance bands and anywhere a saxophone could fit in kept Campbell playing for years.
“The music scene has, I don’t want to say a standstill, but a major slowdown,” Campbell said.
He now lives in Cloverdale, where he’s called home since 2000. He’s been a university teacher for 15 years and has more recently delved into instrument repair.
“It’s a big departure. I do that while my boys are in school. I do that during the day and everything supplements, so it’s good,” Campbell said.
He’s excited to play some music in Summerland, with friends from Vancouver and Cranbrook coming down to see the show.
“I even have a friend from Naramata coming in to see the show,” Campbell laughed. “I’m really excited. It’s been too long and life had gotten busy.”
He fondly remembers what Summerland offered him as a kid, something he hopes to one day return to in a more permanent way.
“Not just my family but socially and a place that has four seasons. I’d really wish I could have that for my boys. It really wouldn’t be a sad day at all if I could move back to that community in hopefully the not-too-distant future,” Campbell said.
Acting and arts workshops, musical performances, poetry and more come to the Marginal Arts Festival from Sept. 1 to 4.
For more information visit www.marginalarts.ca. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/entertainment/391798661.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/e3989b9459b6a614daa3a07c4c2154fe541c14f40660ce1f17a1eb69946045d9.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:07:15 | null | null | Vehicle traffic up 5% with no net fare increase and discounts offered for vehicles pulling boats and travel trailers | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fbusiness%2F391094851.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/59772BCLN2007ferrySpiritofBC7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | More discounts coming as BC Ferries traffic rises | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | BC Ferries sailings have been busier this year, thanks in part to strong tourist traffic and no net fare increase.
BC Ferries plans to continue its campaign of price promotions this fall and next spring in an effort to maintain increased passenger and vehicle traffic.
First-quarter results for the Crown corporation show passenger traffic up 2.5 per cent and vehicle loads up 5.1 per cent for the three months ended June 30, compared with the same period in 2015.
Buoyed by a strong tourist year for B.C. and no net fare increase, BC Ferries carried 5.3 million passengers and 2.1 million vehicles in April, May and June. The 1.9 per cent average fare hike was erased by a reduced fuel surcharge due to long-term contracts for cheaper diesel fuel.
Helped by reduced operating costs and higher retail sales from terminals and on-board gift shops, net earnings were $27 million for the quarter, up from $18.8 million in the same period last year. Revenues were up 4.9 per cent to $219 million, while costs for the quarter went up 1.5 per cent to $178.6 million.
BC Ferries CEO Mike Corrigan released the first-quarter results at the corporation's annual meeting in Victoria, where he also announced that unspecified pricing promotions will be offered this fall and next spring. This year BC Ferries has been offering discounts on over-length vehicles pulling boats or travel trailers.
Corrigan also announced he will be stepping down as CEO at the end of the fiscal year next March. He was promoted in 2012 to replace former CEO David Hahn, and presided over a controversial service review that saw sailings reduced on money-losing routes.
Transportation Minister Todd Stone praised Corrigan for reducing operating costs and embracing new technology, including three new medium-sized ferries using liquefied natural gas fuel that have been built in Poland.
LNG retrofits are also scheduled for the Spirit of B.C. and the Spirit of Vancouver Island, the workhorses of the main Tswassen-to-Vancouver Island route.
Corrigan's term also saw the first cable ferry in the BC Ferries fleet, the Baynes Sound Connector to Denman Island. Stone said the cable ferry cut fuel costs by half. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/business/391094851.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/054d71553deafb97d0c6a0663de157f9bbe5bb0e0877c2eb844e8a9cf5881d25.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T18:51:47 | null | null | Having the loudest voice does not make you right, and it doesn’t make your opinion that of the majority. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F391772821.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | LETTER: Time to be most excellent to one another | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | In a recent letter to the editor it was written, “do negative things, get negative responses; do positive things, get positive responses.”
I’m concerned the letter writer doesn’t acknowledge that this is a two-way street? The letters to the editor are often so rude, accusatory and hurl demeaning insults towards anyone who doesn’t share their opinion. These hateful writers seem to only be motivated by animosity and it makes it hard to take their opinions seriously. It’s no wonder Max Picton doesn’t want to read them, and Andrew Jakubeit calls them uninformed, that’s how they come across.
Having the loudest voice does not make you right, and it doesn’t make your opinion that of the majority. We are all humans trying to make the best of the life we’ve been given, including the city council members.
I make a plea to the small group of people that write these venomous letters to take a step back and make sure you are speaking to people with the same level of respect that you want in return.
It’s OK to ask questions, pose alternatives or move the conversation forward. Please do! That’s our role in a democratic society, but do it with an open mind and an open heart.
Insults and hate have no place in the public debate. I urge you not to let your ego and pride attach too tightly to your thoughts. Be open to change. Be open to active conversation. We are never going to agree on everything, but we can agree to treat each other with respect and compassion. Focus your letters on improving the situation instead of just trying to loudly sling the most excrement.
I sense a love revolution coming. The world needs one. Be the change you want to see in the world, you can start by treating all of our fellow Pentictonites with dignity.
Please, just be excellent to each other!
Julie Turner
Penticton | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/opinion/letters/391772821.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/b418949ce8cfec601f355dc86e43c522516508c51bb67b65f6c6c4b21ff0ab20.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:10:55 | null | null | Penticton Coun. Max Picton regarding a Q&A session with media on Aug. 2. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F391341551.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | LETTER: Penticton councillor responds to article | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | During the media Q&A session following our Aug. 2 council meeting, the question was raised, “Who reads the Herald at least four times per week?” Out of seven individuals, I was the sole member of council without a raised hand.
Conversation ensued and finally a brief article titled “Picton passes on reading newspapers” ended up in the Herald.
What Mr. Miller failed to print in his article was the acknowledgement made during that same conversation that my news is sourced from a variety of digital platforms.
For those unaware, several platforms are available to source your local news from. These range from social feeds, such as Facebook and Twitter (which the Herald and Penticton Western News post on regularly), to online sources such as Castanet and Infotel, or others including Google Alerts, which curates news articles from the web sending them directly to my email.
With this extremely relevant portion of the conversation omitted, one can only assume this article was printed with the intent of painting the picture of an ignorant and arrogant councillor, with little regard for Penticton’s citizens or their voice. I am not surprised or offended by the backlash in the letters to the editor or the many angry emails sent my way, as I too would be angered by this.
During this conversation I also made reference to the negative content of the paper. This was not necessarily aimed at the type of news being reported on, but rather the editorial style of the Herald which, as clearly evidenced by this letter, can take advantage of half-truths to stir controversy and polarize our community in order to sell more papers.
I’ve spent 35 years growing up in this town and believe Penticton is the greatest place on earth, therefore I will continue to work hard during my term to build it up. I will also absolutely refuse to support a business that, in my opinion, happily rips it apart in an attempt to generate more profit.
I’ve been advised to never start a war of words with someone who buys ink by the barrel and rest assured, ignoring this advice is not my goal. I am very aware that submitting this could have my name dragged through the mud for the remainder of my term. With that being said, I simply felt the need to defend myself and clarify this situation.
In doing so, hopefully people may realize that the Penticton Herald may be trying to sell you a story rather than the truth.
“If one morning I walked on top of the water across the Potomac River, the headline that afternoon would read: ‘President can’t swim’.” — Lyndon B. Johnson
Max Picton
Councillor City of Penticton | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/opinion/letters/391341551.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/dab9eaf8c41e98631c3feeddf5eb9d9e9e014b61bf8e1b5f3b436ad9061a3dfa.json |
[
"Canadian Press"
] | 2016-08-26T12:58:00 | null | null | Whether it's home screenings or community viewing parties, much of Canada will be tuning in for iconic rock band's final bow | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fentertainment%2F390688221.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/56997CPT122356039.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Televised Tragically Hip show an 'unprecedented event:' CBC | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | TORONTO – Few Canadian television events qualify as a momentous occasion for the nation, but Saturday's Tragically Hip concert promises to be special.
It seems like much of the country will be tuned into CBC's live broadcast of "The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration" from Kingston, Ont., when factoring in home screenings and community viewing parties.
Yet how many people will watch is anybody's guess at this point.
"This is an unprecedented event for us," said Jennifer Dettman, CBC's executive director of unscripted content.
The sentiment is true on many levels, she adds.
The last stop on the Hip's "Man Machine Poem" tour is widely expected to be their final performance, as lead singer Gord Downie is facing terminal brain cancer. After tickets to the tour sold out within minutes, fans launched a campaign urging the CBC to carry the band's Kingston show as a live TV event.
Dettman wouldn't speak to the contract negotiations that led to the Hip agreeing to the broadcast.
"CBC made both a competitive and financially responsible offer to acquire the broadcast rights, and we're thrilled to be able to offer this national celebration to as many Canadians as possible," she said.
The concert won't just be on the main CBC network, it will also be broadcast through various other platforms such as CBC Radio One, the CBC website and its YouTube and Facebook channels.
With so many viewing options, that will make it tough to capture how many eyes and ears are focused on the Hip this Saturday.
That's where ratings agency Numeris comes in. The Toronto-based company tracks viewership figures by using meters and viewing diaries prepared by a panel of Canadians representative of the population.
Their data shows that most huge audience draws are typically live programming, led by major sporting events.
The Super Bowl is the biggest TV event nearly every year — drawing about six million to eight million viewers in recent years — while a handful of other annual celebrations like the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and Grammys are perennial favourites too.
The gold medal game of the men's hockey tournament at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics is considered to be the most-watched broadcast ever in Canada. It drew 16.6 million viewers, according to data from Numeris, about double the number of people who tune into most Super Bowls.
Those kinds of numbers will be hard to beat, even for a rock band with as much Canadian clout as the Hip.
Numeris spokesman Tom Jenks wouldn't guess how many viewers will tune into the CBC broadcast, but acknowledges it'll probably be a pretty big number.
The agency said it will be counting every public screening — from restaurants to movie theatres to community viewing parties — and each person streaming the concert on their phone. Viewers who playback the show on their DVRs within seven days will also be included in the final numbers.
"Our system captures all viewing," Jenks said.
Potentially driving those numbers higher is the decision make the Hip's concert a one-time broadcast, with no encore presentation and no availability on on-demand platforms.
"Our goal was to bring the experience of this live concert to Canadians in that moment," Dettman said.
"I'm sure the band will figure out what they will want to do with the concert afterwards."
She said the goal is to give all Canadians the same "crescendo" feeling that will ripple through the arena in Kingston.
"Our goal is to bring the experience ... to as many Canadians as we can," she said.
"The idea that we're all together experiencing this moment at the same time is really special."
Follow @dfriend on Twitter.
David Friend, The Canadian Press | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/entertainment/390688221.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/4963a28a56c4131cf2403b208fde8a8ef7733db1c3390cbec706960b1c85b7f6.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T18:51:38 | null | null | Current statistics portray a woeful picture about homelessness indeed. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F391771991.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | LETTER: Focus on solutions | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Current statistics portray a woeful picture about homelessness indeed.
Here are some of the latest findings; One-quarter of homeless are children, 80 per cent of homeless youth are using drugs, more than 90 per cent of homeless are woman who are victims of severe physical or sexual abuse, 50 per cent of young people report their parents knew they were leaving but did not care, 40 per cent are sexually abused, 41 per cent are abandoned by their parents. Many are runaways and HIV rates for homeless are three to nine times higher then normal.
The main causes for homelessness stem from physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Homelessness costs the government $1 billion each year. I am totally convinced that the root causes of these problems need to be addressed first. One sure way to lend help is by the likes of the Abbotsford Life Recovery Association who do make a big difference in the lives of desperate souls. Life recovery supplies housing and demand clients to attend educational classes each week for three months. Another three months of housing is provided for those who do need it. Then there is the second stage housing program for one year so that clients can find themselves a job and housing for themselves.
Such programs are notably successful in addressing the root problems of struggling souls. Encouraging the homeless to continue wallowing in their unhealthy noxious conditions by feeding them periodically is not the way to go. Finding ways to get them off the street and help to start living a more healthy lifestyle is.
That’s where our focus should be. Don’t you agree?
Gertie Pool
Abbotsford | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/opinion/letters/391771991.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/f876be60dd3dec0a083245379bc0efbfed8c4f0d1fe120a35cbb8afa83132624.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:11:23 | null | null | We must all use common sense and be courteous. when using public roads and trails. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F391339741.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | LETTER: Using horse sense around horses | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | When I am out riding my horse on public roads, the KVR, and other trails I meet people walking, on bikes, on ATVs, and in cars and trucks.
Most know that horses startle easily, but often don’t know how best to avoid causing a problem. As horses are not a part of daily life for most people, I put forward the following as useful information for the safety of horses and humans.
As prey animals, horses, well-trained or not, are constantly in survival mode, always on the lookout for danger; and what they perceive as danger is often quite mysterious to us as predators. Horses also have about a 270 degree area of sight with blind spots only directly behind and directly in front of them and extremely keen hearing with ears that can swivel in all directions.
If you are driving past a horse and rider, slow and wide is the accepted safe way and much appreciated by the rider; non-riders have no idea how swiftly horses can shift from zero to 100 forward, sideways or up! Accelerate when you are well past the horse, not beside them, and as smoothly as you can.
When crossing bridges, as on the West Bench, riders tend to move their horse to the middle for safety in case their horse spooks at something, but also to indicate to drivers that they should stop and wait for the horse to get over the bridge. This has nothing to do with the training of the horse nor the competence of the rider, but with the horse’s nature. A delay of at most a minute is surely worth it for the safety of everyone.
On trails, the best tactic for pedestrians is to stop and wait for the horse and rider to pass. Bike riders can safely pass slow and wide. Avoid creeping up silently on a horse from behind; say something while a good distance back so that the horse knows it’s a human behind them. How they see us when we’re on a bicycle is anybody’s guess! On trails in the hills, sudden meetings are sometimes unavoidable; we all need to be vigilant though riders usually have prior warning from their horses.
ATV riders should act like people in cars; do not come up fast or suddenly behind horses, slow down, pass as far away from them as you can on the trail, and accelerate evenly when past the horse. If the trail is narrow and you’re approaching a horse and rider, it’s best to stop and let them pass. Always avoid sudden engine revs.
Horses do have the right of way though. We must all use common sense and be courteous. For our part as riders, we should avoid coming up quickly on other users, keep our horses at a walk and at a safe distance when passing someone, and be ready to stop and/or get off the trail if necessary for safety.
Eva Durance
Penticton | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/opinion/letters/391339741.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/066b3dc3421b707c2a20ba52d3dbc392a24d8f9716fc4a653530735625ae2f14.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T18:51:41 | null | null | As for the rally, it does not matter who organized it. What does matter is why | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F391772151.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | LETTER: Pentictonites need to rally at the rally | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | We’ve taken to expanding our evening walk around our neighbourhood.
We’ve discovered yards lush with veggies and flowers. Yards with toys or cats or intricate designs. Chatter and laughter comes from some backyards and others offer only empty silence.
When you walk, you get a peek at peoples’ dreams. On one street, very loud, live music blared. “Good stuff” we told Cosmic Brew. They thanked us and we walked on. A man, we will call him William, was working in his yard, he had removed quite a bit of grass to save money on water. He told us he was disappointed, he had voted for some of those on council and couldn’t understand their lack of common sense. We asked if he would attend the rally on Sept. 6. at city hall. “No” he said, “I just grumble.”
The younger generation hit “ like” on Facebook, the older generation “just grumble.” One does as much good as the other. If you are like William and just grumble to city hall, phone the mayor and council at 250-490-2400.
As for the rally, it does not matter who organized it. What does matter is why. If you are against the commercialization of Skaha Park come to the rally on Sept. 6 at 4:45 at City Hall. And maybe, just maybe, you may even run into William.
Lynn Crassweller
Penticton | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/opinion/letters/391772151.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/32c242adb507fcab3dba33b6a11923dde809436d9eb567c0b157bd0c34bf11a3.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:05:49 | null | null | B.C. stands in the way of Justin Trudeau government's plan to hike Canada Pension Plan contributions, but likely not for long | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fbusiness%2F389123291.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/82199BCLN2007Bateman-Jordan13-2.4.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Business pushing back on CPP expansion | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Jordan Bateman, Canadian Taxpayers' Federation
The B.C. government is hearing objections from businesses and individuals faced with increasing Canada Pension Plan contributions in the coming years, and is the last province needed to ratify the increase.
Instead of joining other provinces in meeting the federal government's July deadline to adopt the change, the B.C. government launched a consultation phase expected to run through August. And they are getting push-back on a plan that would increase payroll deductions and employer contributions starting in 2019.
Jordan Bateman, B.C. director of the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation, said he's receiving hundreds of responses to his call to supporters to make their views known to the B.C. government. Most concerned are employers who would pay higher contributions for each of their employees.
Employer and employee contributions are to go up from the current 4.95 per cent of earnings to 5.95 per cent by 2023. For each employee earning $54,900, the employer contribution goes up $7 to $8 per month in each of the first five years of the phase-in.
"Obviously, lots of people are concerned about having to pay more," Bateman said. "But the interesting ones are the small business owners who talk about just how close to the edge they are financially."
B.C. Finance Minister Mike de Jong joined other provinces in agreeing in principle to the expansion in June. Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau said he is concerned about the decline in workplace pension plans and wants the CPP to move from replacing one quarter of employment income to one third by 2025.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business surveyed its members nation-wide when the CPP plan was announced, and more than 80 per cent wanted consultation and a delay of implementation. Morneau has indicated he plans to table legislation this fall.
B.C.'s refusal to sign on could derail the federal plan, but it shows little intention of doing so.
"British Columbia is committed to engaging with stakeholders in advance of ratifying the agreement in principle," said the statement from de Jong's office announcing the consultation.
The province's consultation website and feedback address can be found here. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/business/389123291.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/8196d64bf97b470f2c50b845a4ff0925e5e9484c579141a84c070ec30ab2ce36.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T22:52:24 | null | null | Grant Cruikshank scores goal, adds two assits in Vees 4-1 win | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fsports%2F391444751.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/18028pentictonS-VeesVipers.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Cruikshank collects three points in Vees win over Vernon | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Nicholas Jones of the Penticton Vees gets past Brett Stapley of the Vernon Vipers in an exhibition game Thursday at Kal Tire Place.
Grant Cruikshank looks like he’s ready for the BCHL opener on Sept. 10.
The rookie forward scored and picked up two assists in the Penticton Vees 4-1 win over the Vernon Vipers Thursday, in pre-season action at Kal-Tire Place.
Jared Nash, Joe Leahy and Noah Jordan also lit the lamp for Penticton, who won their second game in as many nights. Mat Robson kicked out 14 of 15 shots in his debut in the Vees crease, and the power-play manufactured two goals late in the third period.
The Vees outshot the Vipers 35-15 and went 2-for-7 on the power play, while killing off all three of their penalties. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/sports/391444751.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/964e97a26cdcb5855b8a48336b3b4dbafd0e0dcc5b7feb3f728f6fa6b70ff89b.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:09:22 | null | null | Small communities have more than 400 doctor vacancies, with 'telehealth' and visiting specialists filling gaps | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Flifestyles%2F385489111.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/32759BCLN2007Kelly-Doug15-2.4.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Video links grow as rural health care shrinks | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Doug Kelly, chair of the B.C. First Nations Health Council
With patients in urban areas having difficulty finding a family doctor, the situation in rural B.C. is going from bad to worse, MLAs on the province's health committee were told Monday.
Ed Staples, a member of the B.C. Health Coalition, described his efforts to improve the situation in Princeton, a community of about 5,000 people that four years ago was down to one doctor providing on-call service.
Princeton now has four full-time doctors and two nurse practitioners, but there are still people who can't find a doctor in the region, including Penticton an hour and a half away. A recent search of the College of Physicians and Surgeons website turned up the nearest doctor accepting patients in Courtney on Vancouver Island, Staples said.
Health Match BC, the province's web portal for recruiting doctors, nurses and other health professionals, currently has more than 400 general practitioner vacancies, with 37 communities seeking 85 doctors. The result is "bidding wars" between communities to offer incentives to relocating doctors, and foreign doctors using a rural community as an entry point before relocating to the Lower Mainland, he said.
The B.C. government has announced its latest videoconferencing service for health care, linking psychiatrists with young people in Cranbrook. The service is available twice a month at the local Children and Family Development office, supplementing visits by specialists in communities such as Cranbrook and Princeton. Health Minister Terry Lake says video conferencing and electronic health records are a key part of the solution for reaching patients across B.C.
Doug Kelly, chair of the B.C. First Nations Health Council, told the committee of an Abbotsford doctor who travels to Carrier Sekani territory around Prince George for part of his practice, in a pilot project with Northern Health.
Kelly said video links and nurse practitioners are part of the solution to delivering rural and remote care, but the main obstacle is the business model for doctors that has them cycling through as many as 20 patients an hour to bill enough to cover their office overhead.
Committee members were also reminded that graduating doctors are increasingly reluctant to take on the demands of family practice, especially in smaller communities where they may find themselves on call around the clock. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/lifestyles/385489111.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/f14d0d2b5aa98aee5e5f99420ae9d6d5e1c477d6f8c388af55e95edae89e2573.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:13:52 | null | null | Desi Burgart and Turner Ripplinger score for the Penticton Vees over West Kelowna | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fsports%2F391337471.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Vees win pre-season opener over West Kelowna | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Desi Burgart and Turner Ripplinger scored for the Penticton Vees who defeated the West Kelowna Warriors 2-0 in their BCHL pre-season opener Wednesday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
The Vees young lineup with new recruits was sprinkled with members of the Anaheim Jr. Ducks, who have taken part in training camp this week.
Burgart and Ripplinger scored 11-minutes apart in the second period. Vees goalie Nolan Hildebrand wasn’t overworked, but was sharp, stopping 20 shots. Burgart broke the scoreless deadlock just over a minute into the second. Ducks forward John Elliot spun and fired a centering pass, which Burgart redirected at the top of the crease. West Kelowna ran into some penalty trouble midway through and the Vees capitalized. Ripplinger’s determined effort down low doubled the home side’s lead. From his belly, Ripplinger jammed the puck between the goalie and the post at 12:39. The third period was fruitless like the first but the Vees’ Jacob Kamps nearly scored off the rush from the right wing. Kamps blew down the right side, but his bullet from the top of the circle rocketed off the cross-bar. The Vees outshot the Warriors 37-20. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/sports/391337471.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/2ee36a990b1375ed68d7367a9f5d6756515f2797e3abced37edc7cd42408c001.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:06:25 | null | null | Four per cent rate hike already in effect, more to come as BC Hydro looks for savings to offset slow industrial demand | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fbusiness%2F388687371.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/9960BCLN2007DamRevelstokewiki7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | BC Hydro rates rise as demand slows | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Revelstoke dam on the Columbia River is due to have a sixth water turbine added, but Site C is BC Hydro's priority today.
BC Hydro is going ahead with its planned four per cent rate increase this year and deferring more debt to future years as it revises its electricity demand forecast downward.
The provincially-owned utility has not asked for an increase in its government-imposed rate plan despite a revised demand forecast with $3.5 billion less revenue over the next 10 years. BC Hydro has filed a three-year plan with the B.C. Utilities Commission that would increase rates four, 3.5 and three per cent in the next three years. The four per cent increase is already showing up on customer bills as an interim increase.
With the Site C dam on the Peace River and other upgrades amounting to $2 billion a year, the plan includes additional deferred debt until 2023, when Site C is due to be completed. BC Hydro CEO Jessica McDonald said the long-term nature of capital projects means its capital cost savings don't start until the next decade.
BC Hydro has also cut some of its familiar Power Smart activities, such as the fridge buy-back plan and incentives for energy efficient light bulbs.
McDonald said BC Hydro is seeing lower revenues due to two warm winters and downturns in mining and forest products. It still projects growing overall demand as population and economic growth continue.
NDP energy critic Adrian Dix said the new deferred debt represents roughly $500 for each of BC Hydro's two million customers, and it is a political move to get the B.C. Liberal government past next year's election.
The 10-year rates plan imposed by Energy Minister Bill Bennett in 2013 overstated demand to justify the construction of Site C, and translates to a 28 per cent rate increase. It allows the utilities commission to regain control over approving customer rates by 2020, after five years of political direction.
Dix said with the new demand forecast and commodity prices expected to remain low, BC Hydro should have added a sixth turbine to its Revelstoke dam for $450 million before embarking on the $9 billion Site C project. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/business/388687371.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/2a2046639ff97368c8239394c35092ebefa8350a314b0a7ebcad360e50599988.json |
[
"Dale Boyd"
] | 2016-08-29T16:52:20 | null | null | The trial of Grace and Piere Robotti will be held in Kelowna after an application to change the venue was granted on Friday. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fnews%2F390750301.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/78307pentictonRobotti.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Penticton siblings accused of murder have trial moved to Kelowna | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Grace Elinor Robotti (left) and Pier Louis Robotti (right) are facing charges of second degree murder related to the death of Roxanne Louie, a 26-year-old single mother and Osoyoos Indian Band member.
The trial of accused murderers Grace and Piere Robotti will be held in Kelowna after an application to change the venue was granted on Friday.
Race, courthouse security, a recent Supreme Court of Canada decision and the Charter right to freedom of expression were all brought to the table as Justice Dev Dley handed down his decision citing security issues and alleged threats that were made to both defence counsel and Pierre Robotti.
“An accused should not be distracted from his ability to provide proper instructions to counsel, or at the same time be distracted by security issues that could better be managed in a different setting,” Dley said.
The Robottis are both charged with the second degree murder of 26-year-old Roxanne Louie on Jan. 4, 2015. Louie was a member of the Osoyoos Indian Band who grew up in Oliver.
Neither Pierre nor his sister Grace attended the hearing in Penticton Supreme Court on Aug. 20 for the application to move the trial venue to either Kelowna or Vancouver.
Laurie Wilson, who has acted as the Louie family spokesperson since the beginning of the court proceedings last year, said there was a concerted effort by family and friends to allow the justice system to work.
“It is what it is. I think the family has really done a lot of work in the communities. They’ve done a lot of work to remain positive and to exercise a whole lot of restraint in their dealing with this situation,” Wilson said. “They sat back and allowed the justice system to work and the RCMP system to work and this kind of feels like a slap in the face to all that attempt to be positive. The fact that we knew where (Pierre) lived, seen him in the community. There were no comments made to him, no one went to his house, nobody bothered them, either of them.”
She called the behaviour of Louie’s family and friends an indication of the restraint and respect for the community for the justice process.
“Instead, you take one comment out of this whole thing and pretend that it’s a threat. It just is what it is. We’ll continue to go on and keep on in the way the family has wanted us to,” Wilson said, adding that the venue change will cause some hardship for those family members who will need to take time off of their jobs and travel to Kelowna during the trial.
Louie’s uncle, Dan Wilson, has said it before, but reiterated that “justice delayed is justice denied,” finding some solace in the attempt to expedite the trial and advocate for the ability to express a desire for justice.
“I was pleased to hear the judge say that there’s nothing wrong with us wearing our ‘justice for Roxanne’ buttons and the mother of Roxanne having ‘justice for Roxanne’ on her vehicle,” Dan said.
Dan also noted that Kelowna is also part of Okanagan Nation Alliance territory.
“Roxanne is a beautiful Okanagan Nation member and if the defence thinks we’re going to tone down our demonstrations and our cry for justice, they’re mistaken. The fact that the Kelowna court house is bigger, we’re going to be packing it,” Dan said. “Even if it was moved to Vancouver.”
The application to change the trial venue was brought forward jointly by defence counsels Don Skogstad (Pierre) and James Pennington (Grace).
Skogstad brought forward local media coverage which he called “excess publicity,” of the case. In an affidavit filed by the accused Pierre, who has resided in Penticton for 30 years, he deposed “I’ve never seen a case featured so prominently in the media as the case involving myself and my sister.”
“It’s heightened by the fact that the accused are both caucasian and the victim is First Nations — a young First Nations woman. In the context of today, of course, that’s a very live issue,” Skogstad said.
Crown counsel John Swanson said he was “strenuously opposed” to the application to change venues. While he conceded Kelowna has a newer, larger courthouse with better security features, he noted high-profile, high-publicity trials have been held in the Penticton Courthouse before.
He called the media coverage “significant” but “entirely professional” dealing only with the arrest and bail of the two accused with minor coverage of the preliminary inquiry.
Having reviewed the media reports in the affidavit filed by Pierre, Justice Dley noted the publicity of the case alone was not enough of a reason to relocate.
Defence counsels also referenced upwards of 10 demonstrations put on by the local and provincial First Nations organizations as well as family and friends of Louie outside the Penticton Courthouse during multiple procedurals throughout the bail and preliminary inquiry processes.
Skogstad addressed the buttons and signs that state “justice for Roxanne,” which were worn in the court gallery during the preliminary inquiry, one worn by a witness while on the stand.
“It’s understandably a matter of very great interest to First Nations, indeed, but of course First Nations know nothing about the evidence,” he said.
Skogstad relayed a statement deposed by Pierre, alleging while he was at the preliminary inquiry “someone called him a murderer. In this very courtroom, right here.”
“There is nothing wrong with members of the community advocating for justice,” Dley said in his decision, though he noted, “I am concerned about the threats and the tenor of those comments that have been made both to the accused and their counsel.”
Pennington referenced a speech made in the Sept. 21 “Ride for Roxanne,” in which horseback riders made their way from the Penticton Indian Band down Penticton’s Main Street to a rally across from the courthouse. He said a man at the rally stated on stage at the Gyro Park bandshell that “those guys (the Robottis) should be disciplined for what they did to that young lady, but also the dog-gone lawyers that got them off, right?”
Pennington, who two weeks earlier to the day was in provincial court arguing to keep a high-profile kidnapping case in Penticton despite security issues brought forward by local sheriffs, said it is “unfortunate that we even have to consider making an application for you to consider a change of venue, it really is unfortunate.”
In the kidnapping case [Read more: Security issues over Kidnapping inquiry) Pennington said Penticton often gets the “short end of the stick” when it comes to trials moving to the more capable facilities in Kelowna, calling the broader trend a disservice to the public.
Security concerns were raised by Skogstad, citing a lack of secure access to the courthouse which would have the Robottis walking through an open area, where the public gallery, media and judges will also have to enter the courtroom. Skogstad called Penticton Supreme Court “one of the worst courtrooms for security for a jury trial in the province of British Columbia.”
Swanson said if issues of intimidation of witnesses or the jury arise, they could be dealt with at the time, however he noted there was no evidence of either.
“What my friends are saying is well these are potential problems, not real problems yet and because they are potential problems we need to move the trial,” Swanson said. “In my position that simply is the wrong approach.”
Justice Dley queried counsel about the fact the earliest date for trial, should it be scheduled Aug. 19 in Penticton, would have been in the summer of 2017. Dley cited a Supreme Court of Canada decision which addressed the issue of time limits for criminal trials — 18 months for provincial court cases and 30 months for Supreme Court cases.
“In making my decision I must include an additional factor that has not been considered previously, and that is the time to trial,” Dley said.
Defence and Crown counsel will meet Sept. 12 to set a date for a pre-trial conference and a voire dire, both of which will be held in Penticton. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/news/390750301.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/c53817cc0a1719674843960f965bcda89bbb6c65f53b6ca647329cc1d86516e0.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T18:51:43 | null | null | I am associated with a second group to save Skaha Park and we believe in transparency, truth and proof of facts | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F391772231.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | LETTER: Come together to save Skaha Park | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | I am associated with a second group to save Skaha Park and we believe in transparency, truth and proof of facts.
I will endeavour to answer all your questions, including the Save Skaha Park Society board, at any time and that is transparency.
Please, show your support for both groups by supporting the public rally in Gyro Park at 4:45 p.m. on Sept. 6 and not have a divided community.
I was disappointed to read the paid advertisements placed in newspapers, by SSPS last Friday, distancing them from our lawsuit. Through emails, I have tried to work with SSPS over 10 months, including a special meeting last Wednesday, of which they were a no show. As a member of SSPS, members are currently receiving their information from the media first.
Over the last 10 months, I have advised SSPS many times of my information prior to the media, but they have not been reciprocal. I waited over 10 months, after a few meetings with SSPS to follow the rules of court, before I filed my civil claim.
It is similar to their claim because it was important to include some of their correct facts, but my claim is much more comprehensive. A free copy of both claims is available from us, pentictoncares@gmail.com and please look at these facts. You will see, I have 22 pages versus their 11, with 29 legal reference points in law versus their 11, stated at part 3: Legal Basis. At part 2: Relief Sought, they ask for “ultra vires” which means “beyond power” on only Resolution No. 347/2015, which then council could bring back up shortly thereafter another resolution, like a hotel or another commercial development.
We ask for five different “reliefs sought” that covers a much wider scope and to stop all future commercial development. I am not “muddying the waters” but clarifying points in law. Please review the community charter, Division 2 s.84-88, 175[2] and Local Government Act s.169-171 for further information on a referendum. When we are successful in our court action, which will legally cancel existing agreements, a public referendum would be required for any Skaha Park development, in conjunction with bylaw #2002-42 and Chapters four and eight of bylaw #2011-23. We will engage with City of Penticton and/or SSPS at any reasonable time.
Nelson Meikle
Penticton | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/opinion/letters/391772231.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/8f95e0a11c45e3f5771dd9de98ef23f7f2f88ebd77c9f8e60b5e51ef0e4dfc55.json |
[
"Dale Boyd"
] | 2016-08-31T00:52:36 | null | null | RCMP are warning motorists to slow down, pay attention and get ready for school zones. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fnews%2F391800031.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/14154pentictonschoolcrossing.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Penticton RCMP warn motorists to watch for school zones | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Penticton RCMP are warning motorists to slow down, pay attention and get ready for school zones.
RCMP are warning motorists to slow down, pay attention and get ready for school zones after a rash of motor vehicle incidents in the city over the past week.
A collision on Moosejaw Street and Douglas Avenue on Aug. 26 is still under investigation after a late-model Oldsmobile driven by an elderly female collided with a cyclist traveling in the same direction.
First responders found the cyclist partially pinned under the vehicle. Both the cyclist and the driver were transported to hospital with the cyclist suffering serious, but non-life threatening injuries. Police said speed and alcohol are not factors.
Also on Aug. 26, a woman lost control of her vehicle in the Penticton Regional Hospital parking lot. She suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken the short distance to the emergency ward.
A motor vehicle incident occurred in Naramata on Aug. 27 where a vehicle drove into an orchard on Partridge Road. The vehicle was found by police with fencing and debris wrapped around it. The driver was impaired and given a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition.
“They all come down to people not paying attention, and I’m not going to use the ‘distracted’ word, but they’re not paying attention, they’re going too fast. Everyone seems to be in panic mode here lately to get to where they’re going too quickly,” Cpl. Ted Manchulenko said.
Traffic has died down significantly in the past week, Manchulenko added, with most instigators of motor vehicle incidents being local.
“Our own community has got to slow down a little bit,” Manchulenko said.
School zones are back
School zones start up next week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a minimum penalty for speeding costing drivers $196.
Speeding over 20 kilometres over the posted limit will cost drivers $253, with penalties increasing with higher speeds.
Manchulenko said there is no leeway when speeding in a school zone.
“I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve stopped people for driving outside of the posted limit, it doesn’t matter where it is, and the question is asked ‘well, there’s always a bit of a cushion isn’t there?’ I’ll tell you right now there’s no cushion in a school zone.”
The city has recently completed traffic calming measures on Power Street adjacent to Queen’s Park Elementary school.
“We’re going to be monitoring that as well to see how that’s playing out. It should probably alleviate some of the issues we’ve had on Power (Street) in front of that area. Hopefully that goes well,” Manchulenko said.
Police along with bylaw enforcement are also planning on monitoring stopping zones at local schools. The primary concern is for sight lines in relation to where school busses are pulling in and out.
Police urge parents to drop their kids off in designated areas.
“If it’s not a parking zone and it’s not a stopping zone don’t stop your car there and you won’t be causing more issues,” Manchulenko said. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/news/391800031.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/a1bba41f511482560fbfa73233b3335ebe111ab5250bcba502661d1d035a7287.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T16:51:41 | null | null | Voter turnout during the last civic election was only 33 per cent, but was it really because the people of Penticton don’t care? | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F391750431.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | LETTER: Penticton does care | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Sometimes it is just impossible to let something go unchallenged.
In this case, it is a statement made by Mayor Andrew Jakubeit in the paper that left me incensed and deeply offended by what I consider to be an extremely callous and “misinformed” comment. The offending words were: “How do you engage the public when only 33 per cent of eligible voters care enough to vote?”
Yes, it may be true that voter turnout during the last civic election was only 33 per cent, but was it really because the people of Penticton don’t care? I don’t think so. Hundreds of letters to the editor and massive protests in front of City Hall say otherwise. I also do not believe that the city has earned the right to complain about voter turnout. If you want people to come out and vote, then make it easy to do so.
The fact is, on the day of the last civic election the City of Penticton offered only one place to vote. In my opinion, this shortsightedness had more to do with the disappointing 33 per cent voter turnout than any other factor. To put things in perspective, Summerland had three voting locations, and Kelowna as many as 15.
I mean, really just think about it. When the citizens of Penticton are willing to stand in line for an hour or more to vote, or willing to drive by two or three times during the day in order to find parking, they are just about as “engaged” as anyone can get. Protests aside, the message is loud and clear; we bloody well do care!
As for considering letters to the editor as not representing a valid cross-section of city residents, and therefore unworthy of consideration, or even the effort it takes to read them, one should keep in mind that anyone and everyone can express their opinions through this medium. How much more fair, valid, and meaningful, can they possibly be?
When someone refuses to consider the words of those who chose to disagree, any effort to improve communication will simply be a complete waste of everyone’s time and money.
David Korinetz
Penticton | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/opinion/letters/391750431.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/2e9e2d4ca8f63c83986a435ca0e184d550cc44d78652a05caa95b33a2f11a294.json |
[
"Mark Brett"
] | 2016-08-26T13:03:43 | null | null | Volunteers give from the heart and Penticton has a longstanding reputation of being the best when it comes to giving. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fcommunity%2F390378621.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/25304penticton0817volunteers.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Volunteers needed for Challenge Penticton | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Father and daughter volunteers Perry and Maia Vitoratos strip the wetsuit from Marie-Anne Prevost along with the many other volunteers at the swim transition area in last year's Challenge Penticton event. Organizers are still looking for people willing to donate their time over the course of this year's festival.
Volunteers give from the heart and Penticton has a longstanding reputation of being the best when it comes to giving.
That’s been particularly evident throughout the years hosting Ironman Canada and as much or more so since Challenge Penticton came to town. With the start of the Challenge festival less than a week away volunteer co-ordinator Jennifer Andrews is still looking for a few more people to fill out the 1,200-member volunteer roster.
“We’re doing pretty good in most areas but we have some areas of concern,” said Andrews, an athlete and longtime volunteer. “I love to race and I love to give back and it’s important to me that this is a successful event for the community.
“Penticton is a wonderful place for volunteers and this year we have a really nice team and I’m loving it. Many of the people who volunteer do so at a number of events during the year and these are people who really care about their community.”
This year’s event is going to be particularly interesting with not one but five national championship races taking place, including the grande finale Sunday, Aug. 28.
As well, athletes will have an opportunity this year to qualify for the 2017 International Triathlon Union (ITU) Multisport World Championship Festival also being held in Penticton.
Andrews added there is not a lot of experience necessary for people who can provide several hours a shift to help out although good people skills are mandatory.
Traffic control is mainly manning a barricade on side streets adjoining the main route and those setting up venues at the venues should be able to lift 50 pounds.
While there will not be as many aid stations on the final race day, there will be additional people required for the new races which take place earlier in the week.
“Along with traffic control, access control (volunteer security for bike lots , etc.) bike set up we also need some help in the transition areas,” said Andrews. “It’s also really exciting because you get to be right down there on the front line and with the lap races you’ll get to see a lot more of the athletes as they come around.”
New this year is the Cross triathlon which will include an off-road cycling component and trail guides are still needed to direct competitors along the proper routes.
That event takes place Friday, Aug. 26, with the duathlon going Wednesday and the aquathlon and kids’ races Thursday.
Valley First is this year’s volunteer sponsor and Tim Hortons will be providing sandwiches and refreshments for workers during the week. As well as the appreciation of the athletes during the events, those helping out will receive some special event items including a T-shirt and a water bottle.
The Monday afterwards there will be a volunteer appreciation dinner which will include a number of door prizes.
Anyone interested in volunteering can do so by emailing volunteers@challengepenticton.com or visiting www.challenge-penticton.com. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/community/390378621.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/21cb1d577fca4b6e75c1dc9c315a55f93a1f72d055ff47fdef2ce09a13092648.json |
[
"Emanuel Sequeira"
] | 2016-08-26T13:14:15 | null | null | Penticton pro triathlete talks about the upcoming Challenge Penticton ITU Long Course Distance race | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fsports%2F391103291.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/63942pentictonJenAnnettCP.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Jen Annett eager for home Challenge | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | PENTICTON’S JEN ANNETT is hoping for a top-three finish in the Challenge Penticton ITU Long Course Distance world championship qualifier on Sunday.
It will be all about execution for Jen Annett in the Challenge Penticton ITU Long Course championship Sunday.
Her coach has a plan in place for the three-kilometre swim, 120-km bike and 30-km run and now there is only one thing on her mind.
“Hopefully not totally screw it up,” she laughed. “As long as I stick to that, then hopefully the outcome will be the best outcome that it can be.”
In 2015, Annett placed seventh among a fast pro field in the half distance. The previous two years the Penticton resident finished third in the full distance. Annett goes into the race with seven events completed this season, including victories at the Great White North, Barebones Duathlon and the Peach Classic Triathlon. She also finished third at the Ironman 70.3 Victoria and was sixth at the Ironman 70.3 Coeur d’Alene. Tired from the last two months, competing with a home court advantage on Aug. 28 has her energized.
“It’s too hard to turn down a local race like this,” she said. “It’s a really different distance that I’ve never raced before. It’s like a three-quarter distance. It will be interesting to see how that unfolds.
“You can’t hammer it as hard as a half,” she continued. “That last 10k on the run is going to kill you. You don’t want to take it as slow as a full. It will be interesting, definitely.”
Annett has been talking to other athletes trying to get a sense of her competition. She expects the field to be good.
Triathletes competing will be California’s Jenny Fletcher and Kendra Goffredo, Montana’s Sarah Graves, Nevada’s Elizabeth Lyles, Oregon’s Mackenzie Madison and Victoria’s Karen Thibodeau.
Annett, who has a new sponsor in EnergyLab Sports from Calgary, to join her other sponsors, decided to take a six-week break between events leading up to Challenge Penticton. She figures “in theory” it will help her perform better this weekend as she pushes for a top-three finish.
One thing that will give her a lift on race day are the spectators.
“It’s awesome. Coming down Main Street, it’s awesome you forget about that last two-km,” said Annett. “Everybody is just cheering you on.”
As for Penticton hosting the ITU Qualifier and Multisport championship, she thinks it’s awesome.
“It’s kind of cool that we have all the events happening throughout the week, which obviously is catering to a variety of different athletes,” said Annett. “It will be really neat to see all of that unfold. I hope the numbers are really good.”
For coverage of the Aquathlon on Thursday and Cross Triathlon on Friday, visit www.pentictonwesternnews.com. Challenge Penticton begins Wednesday with the Duathlon at 7 a.m. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/sports/391103291.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/fcd2bfc0fb65bacd9b508afee1aa162369cce8596a7ed93747664c6b03eb975f.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:09:00 | null | null | 1,800 new spaces in 30 communities to start construction this fall, minister Stephanie Cadieux says | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Flifestyles%2F381686451.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/36574BCLN2007daycarewikimedia7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Child care spaces funded for 30 BC communities | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Daycare spaces are in short supply in some areas of B.C. and costs are high.
More than 1,800 new child care spaces should be under construction by this fall, with the latest round of financing from the B.C. government.
New or expanded facilities in 30 communities have been selected from funding applications received in January, said Children and Family Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux. The $11.3 million budget for this year is the third phase of a child care expansion project funded by the ministry.
The province's goal is to have construction underway by September.
"It will vary somewhat from provider to provider, depending on whether they are building a facility from the ground up with this money, or whether they are adding to an existing facility," Cadieux said.
Projects in the Lower Mainland include six sites in Surrey, two each in Abbotsford, Langley and Coquitlam and one each in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Burnaby, Delta and Squamish.
On Vancouver Island, funding goes to three projects in Duncan and one each in Nanaimo, Victoria, Comox, Port Hardy and Tofino.
In the B.C. Interior, three projects are approved for Kelowna, two in Penticton, and one each in Naramata, Castlegar, Cranbrook, Enderby, Princeton, Houston, Kamloops, Merritt, Vanderhoof and Dawson Creek.
For a full list of facilities and number of spaces, see backgrounder here.
The ministry has posted a new child care map on its website to help parents locate facilities here.
The province provides child care subsidies to qualified low-income parents, and covers about 15 per cent of daycare operating costs. But the cost of land and operations drives the price of child care up to $1,400 per month or more in urban areas. Cadieux said the province is working with municipalities to review regulations.
"We're looking at the restrictions we put on child care providers in terms of outdoor space, in terms of sun access," she said. "We want to make sure that child care is safe and that we have quality, but we also want to make sure that we're not creating a situation that is unreasonable." | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/lifestyles/381686451.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/0889383f1a668cb60ae6e5b73073df17f0aaa90bc7fa805ac7cbfd3140876879.json |
[
"Emanuel Sequeira"
] | 2016-08-30T22:52:35 | null | null | The first ever Multisport World Championships Festival coming to Penticton in 2017. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fnews%2F391792381.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/10659penticton0826cross-tri01.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Multisport world championships impact expected to be in the millions | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | The first ever Multisport World Championships Festival coming to Penticton in 2017 is unique in the history of the International Triathlon Union.
That’s what Eric Angstadt, manager of multisport for the ITU, said on Aug. 27 during a press conference in the Barking Parrot at the Lakeside Resort and Casino.
“It’s bringing together all the multisport world championships together, giving a unique experience to the athletes and being able to participate in more than one in a set time frame,” said Angstadt.
It will be the inaugural championship for Duathlon, Aquathlon, Cross Triathlon and Long Distance, the ITU reports, with the late addition of the Aqua Bike.
“It’s a great opportunity for the host city to showcase the region,” said Angstadt, adding that Penticton beat out cities in Denmark, Japan, Poland and Spain for the right to host. “I think it’s really exciting to offer this to the athlete experience, which is what it’s really all about.”
Angstadt is impressed with Penticton and said this can make a big difference where there is “condensed and concentrated passion, the outcome can be very good.”
“The location is superb. As ITU, we’re very happy to have it here for the first time,” he said. “It will be a reference in the future so that we can even encourage other organizers to match the level that I think will be reached here.
Angstadt said Penticton is already a well known location and that he hopes hosting the world championships (Aug. 18-27, 2017) will have athletes considering coming to the city for other events in the future.
Challenge Penticton issued a press release stating the international significance of Penticton 2017 means the region will welcome up to 7,000 athletes, spectators, media and members of the global triathlon family. The economic benefit to the region is expected to be in the millions.
“Penticton is special because of the long history of triathlon with the community. The people and the tradition of volunteerism in and support of sport,” said president of Triathlon Canada Les Pereira. “We are very proud to be the first country to host this event. The sport of triathlon has its roots deeply entrenched in North America and much of it’s soul is in Canada.”
Penticton’s Jeff Symonds, who won the full distance of Challenge Penticton its first two years and the Long Course on Sunday, said everything for next year is on track. With all the events, he sees momentum building. Symonds also said the athletes are loving it, especially because there are options for what they can do. (read/see video:Penticton triathletes win Challenge Penticton long course)
“There is all these different events. Depending on what their specialty is, or what their training and life might allow, there is something for them,” said Symonds, who won the Aquathlon on Thursday.
Michael Brown, executive director, Penticton 2017 Multisport World Championships Festival, said they are looking forward to next year.
“We are tremendously excited about the Canadian Multisport National Championships,” said Brown in the release. “We’ve had excellent feedback during the test event that will provide us with the tools to create a world-class event next August. The magnitude of this event will cement the region’s reputation as a premier global destination for training and racing.”
Brown said they believe Penticton not only has the geography and topography for this amazing event, but the people and the volunteers to support an event of this size.
The four world championship races were previously hosted in separate cities on different dates; however, the ITU – the sport’s governing body – brought all disciplines into a single venue to create a more exciting event. Additionally, the World Championship event Aquabike will be contested for the first time next August.
“For the first time, athletes can compete in more than one Multisport World Championship race in one convenient location. We’ve had a great response from age group athletes,” said ITU president and International Olympic Committee member Marisol Casado. “Penticton will set the stage for the future of the event. We are very confident in the team’s ability to deliver an exceptional experience that will set the bar of this festival very high.”
The ITU Multisport World Championships Festival is being hosted in Denmark in 2018, then shifts to Spain in 2019. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/news/391792381.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/918fa7f171a7716d36a49e4e00e2299216a14378321161dc32c5a547cfb08755.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:02:55 | null | null | Staff of the Valley First Cherry Lane branch recently joined together to help the less fortunate. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fcommunity%2F391211651.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/11331pentictonS-valleyfirstdonation.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Valley First staff put money where the food is | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | In July, the Valley First Credit Union staff at Cherry Lane Shopping Centre genrously contributed $2122.50 to the Salvation Army Penticton Community Food Bank. From left to right Heather Seminiuk, Mary Jacyna, Sheila Peterson, Patricia Roberts, Nicole Friesen, Judy Elphick, Denise Howell, and Michael Hindson. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/community/391211651.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/6451cb47baae96f1f11e93024a65576d7cacd9a614c114fc4669036ccf76e535.json |
[
"Ken Tapping"
] | 2016-08-26T13:12:11 | null | null | Ken Tapping is an astronomer with the National Research Council's Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, Penticton. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fopinion%2F390467981.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/62649penticton0812Tapping.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | STARGAZING: Robot astronomy | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Penticton astronomer Ken Tapping.
At our observatory we have two small radio telescopes that are completely automated.
Each day at sunrise they point at the Sun and then track it all day until sunset, recording the strength of the solar radio emission. In addition, three times a day the telescopes make precise measurements, which involves a complex choreography of pointing the radio telescopes at and away from the Sun, and switching on calibration devices. An automatic data distribution system then emails those measurements to users all over the world. The only things that require staff action are clearing the snow off the antennas and fixing things when they break. Today, most telescopes are automated to some degree, but it was not always so.
H.G. Wellsí book War of the Worlds starts with an astronomer observing Mars. He is looking at the Red Planet through the eyepiece of the telescope, and the only automation is a small motor that is moving the telescope at a constant rate to compensate for the Earth's rotation, keeping it pointed at Mars. These days things are different.
Over the last few decades, astronomical telescopes have undergone what can be described as creeping automation, gradually reducing the need for human intervention. Taking into account the long hours it takes to make observations, often at inconvenient times, it is easy to see why automation would be a priority. In addition to the convenience, it minimizes the chance of expensive telescope time being lost due to mistakes by half-asleep astronomers. We can also make mistakes in analyzing the data. If we record the data from the telescope in a basic, untouched form, we have an opportunity to repeat our work, and to find and correct our mistakes. This usually means we have to record a lot of information, leading to the problem of data overload.
Back in the H.G. Wells days, a nightís observing would produce a few numbers written in a notebook and maybe a hand-drawn sketch. A couple of decades later, the data was often in the form of photographs. These required making long exposures, with the astronomer carefully making sure the telescope remained precisely pointed.
Then we put computers on telescopes, making a nightís work more productive, and yielding maybe a few thousand numbers to deal with later. As computers became more powerful, we could log more data, making it easier to detect and correct problems. Then the emphasis in astronomy moved from making detailed observations of single objects to making surveys - observations of thousands or millions of objects. This turned the flow of data to be dealt with into a tsunami.
Surveys are useful because they give us data from many objects, collected in a short time and all processed exactly the same way. We can categorize them and identify any objects of special interest and compare them with one another. However sifting through the mountains of data that surveys produce is an enormous task. Enter the robot data analyst. Today neural network software, improvements in computer intelligence and machine learning mean we can often let computers take the first look at the data, classifying it and sorting out the good bits.
We can tell computers what we are looking for, such as the slight dimmings of one or more of the thousands of stars as planets move in front of them, or we can simply tell the computer to look at the data and report anything that stands out in some way.
A few years ago I got a demonstration of this when visiting a colleague in Ottawa. He gave a catalogue of observations of more than 20,000 galaxies to a computer and simply told it to sort them out and categorize them, which it did, saving countless hours of work. Next, robot astronomers?
Mars is low in the southwest, above the red star Antares. Saturn is fainter and close above Mars. The Moon will reach Last Quarter on Aug. 24.
Ken Tapping is an astronomer with the National Research Council's Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, Penticton. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/opinion/390467981.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/245209d1a1e4b7b8dcfffde192ccabb73006f09b1ca3d1aaa3ee362f8b532168.json |
[
"Emanuel Sequeira"
] | 2016-08-26T13:14:08 | null | null | Jeff Symonds and Karen Thibodeau win Challenge Penticton Aquathlon, use race as warm up for Sunday's Long Course | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fsports%2F391358411.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/82189pentictonimage.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Pro athletes win Challenge Penticton's Aquathlon | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Swimmers hit the waters of Okanagan Lake on the first leg of the Challenge Penticton Aquathlon race Thursday afternoon.
The adrenaline rush of a late arrival pushed Karen Thibodeau to victory in Challenge Penticton's Aquathlon Thursday afternoon.
"I was really excited. I just drove from Victoria and got out of the car about a minute before the race," said Thibodeau, who finished sixth overall. "I was sort of getting stressed out about making it here on time. I had the adrenaline going before I got in the water. I felt great in the swim. Sometimes that works for you."
The Victoria native finished the one-kilometre swim in 15 minutes, 23 seconds then pounded out the five-km run in 18:37 for a total of 34:35. Thibodeau said swimming is her background and with the running, her two disciplines, she had to take advantage of the race.
"It's a lot of fun. It's a good warm up for Sunday," said Thibodeau, who is among the pro athletes in the Long Course distance race. "That was sort of the goal. Get the legs and arms moving. I'm good to go."
Placing second on the women's side was Kelowna's Jessica Deglau in 36:16, while Saskatoon's Kaycee Schroeder was third in 36:29.
Local favourite Jeff Symonds finished first overall in a time of 31:32. Like Thibodeau, Symonds used the Aquathlon to get warmed up for the Long Distance race.
"It was good. It's just a good blow out," said Symonds, who completed the swim in 14:35 and the run in 16:29. Everything is feeling good for Sunday. I had a good swim, got a gap so I was able to save the legs and everything is clicking and it's going to be a good day on Sunday."
Taking second was Victoria's Shawn Wilyman clocking in at 31:55, while Vancouver's Nathan Killam was third in 32:14.
The event had 115 participants, 54 women, 61 men. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/sports/391358411.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/7e3dcc7090559c723043c0b3f55dec0ae9b0af021cc4a424a82f75eb841e17b1.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:04:27 | null | null | Miracle Treat Day at Dairy Queen Thursday helped raise money for the B.C. Children's Hospital in Vancouver. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fcommunity%2F389923921.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/89779penticton0812dairyqueen.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Dairy Queen gets the scoop | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | It was Miracle Treat Day at Dairy Queen on Thursday and staff (from left to right) Yolanda Kost, Melissa Stark, Shelley Landmark and Annie Perrier were busy selling Blizzards.
All proceeds from the Blizzard sales went to the B.C. Children's Hospital. Last year the Penticton Dairy Queen raised $9,000 and was hoping to do as well or better this year. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/community/389923921.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/4df1345b6c77c2a7fbdaaecbc26b565634442eaeb727087ba36c805e57f9b237.json |
[
"Canadian Press"
] | 2016-08-28T22:52:13 | null | null | Talks continue, with rotating overtime ban set to begin Monday if no agreement by midnight Sunday | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fnews%2F391545211.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/68221BCLN200782072cranbrookdailyCPweb.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Postal workers union give details of job action if no deal is reached Sunday | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | OTTAWA – Contract talks continue between Canada Post and its largest union, but neither side is hinting as to whether any progress has been made.
A federally appointed mediator has been meeting with the two sides since Friday to try to reach a deal.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says if there is no deal by midnight, it would begin job action on Monday by having its members refusing to work overtime on a rotating basis, starting in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
CUPW served 72 hour strike notice Thursday night, accusing Canada Post of forcing a labour disruption by refusing to bargain in good faith.
The two sides have been deadlocked for months on the issues of pay scales for rural letter carriers and proposed changes to pensions for future employees.
A CUPW news release says the initial job action will cause little disruption to Canada Post customers and that its members will still be delivering mail every day.
The Canadian Press | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/news/391545211.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/de9b4f5b9422769d151e96789e8925c474ff36bef157ddb03d16e21296636654.json |
[
"Staff"
] | 2016-08-29T22:52:21 | null | null | Dam operators are raising flows in the Okanagan River to assist migrating salmon on their trip down the Columbia River system to the ocean. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fnews%2F391654911.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/46700penticton39825penticton0704damcheckup.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Penticton dam operators raising flows to assist salmon | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Dam operators in Penticton are raising flows in the Okanagan River to assist migrating salmon on their trip down the Columbia River system to the ocean.
Beginning today (Aug. 29) and continuing for approximately eight days, Canadian authorities will be ramping up flows from Lake Okanagan from current late summer levels to about 1,250 cubic feet per second.
According to the Washington Department of Ecology, which manages Osoyoos Lake levels at Zosel Dam, recent flows in the Okanogan River at Oroville have been typically low for late summer, at about 250 cubic feet per second. These flows will rise over the next several days to over 1,000 cubic feet per second as more water is released from Lake Okanagan.
This pulse is planned to last for just over a week, after which the river will subside to its usual low conditions for late summer.
During this pulse, residents at Osoyoos Lake can expect to see the lake rise about three to four inches as dam operators work to “feather” increases in flows in the river below Oroville so as to not put too much water into the river suddenly. You can watch this work develop by watching the river gauge at Oroville at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?12439500.
Osoyoos Lake levels are mandated by the International Joint Commission, a board made up of representatives from the United States and Canada. Ecology’s target is to maintain Osoyoos Lake at a level of between 911.5 and 911.8 feet until Sept. 15. After that, the lake will slowly be brought down to winter operations by November.
More information on the International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control can be found at http://ijc.org/boards/iolbc/.
To track the progress of lake levels in real-time, as well as find additional information, go to the U.S. Geological Survey web page for Osoyoos Lake. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/news/391654911.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/27874634624e118357a2a5f4d611ebc1d5de6770ee0c21d20a97b9c55662b109.json |
[
"Kristi Patton"
] | 2016-08-26T13:12:54 | null | null | One year after forming, the Save Skaha Park Society is not ready to back down against a commercial development in Skaha Park. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fnews%2F390751791.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/78866penticton0824SSPS.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | UPDATE: Save Skaha Park Society ready to battle City of Penticton | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Save Skaha Park Society member Jake Kimberly (centre) answering questions from the media at a press conference held by the society on Friday marking one year since they first rallied against the commercial development of Skaha Park.
One year after forming the Save Skaha Park Society is not ready to back down against what former Mayor of Penticton Jake Kimberley said is the biggest issue for the community in the 50 years he has been here.
“We cannot let this council destroy what has taken many past councils over 100 years as a city to create,” said Kimberley to open the Save Skaha Park Society press conference held on Friday.
Last September, the society filed a civil claim against the City of Penticton and Trio Marine aimed at preventing the 29-year lease on nearly six acres of Skaha Park, including the Skaha Marina.
Their main point of contention being the proposal to build a commercial waterslide in an area of the park now occupied by a children’s splash pad. Trio has a deadline with the city to come back with information about their plans for the marina and restaurant plans, the waterslide development does not have to be back before council until 2017.
On Friday, the society again stated they are not against a waterslide, rather this is not the appropriate site for it.
The society clarified their mandate as advocates for the preservation of Skaha Park, that it is freely accessible to all and to oppose commercial development in the park without the approval of the electors.
Kimberley, who was chairing the meeting on behalf of board chair Gary Denton, read out a timeline of events from the past year including the rallies that occurred in front of City Hall and in Skaha Park. Since then, he said the membership of SSPS has grown to 4,651.
“It has been a long and frustrating year in which SSPS has held off pursuing its lawsuit as the City of Penticton and Trio try to negotiate a resolution. The hope was that they would find a resolution that would meet our mandate without having to go to court and save Save Skaha Park Society members and taxpayers, which we all are, potentially over $100,000 in legal fees for SSPS and the city — each,” said Kimberley.
Duane Martin, a member of Save Skaha Park, said they have spent $17,000 to date on the lawsuit.
“We have been advised the next phase could be up to in excess of $30,000, that being the discovery phase. If it goes to court we have been advised it would be a five-day trial and that in itself could run in the neighbourhood of $50-60,000 and that is just the society,” said Martin.
While SSPS said they hoped a resolution would come before they have to go to court, they do have an estimated timeline of the end of 2017 for a five-day trial if they continue to move forward. They are quite certain they can secure the funds to pay the legal fees with people already offering “substantial” money to back it.
The society said they expect the City of Penticton will respond to the civil claim sometime next week. Mayor Andrew Jakubeit previously told the Penticton Western News he hoped the public will hear new information on Trio’s plans before the summer is over. (Read more: New information possibly coming on Skaha Park development)
“There are still hoops they have to go through in the process,” said Jakubeit. “It is 2017 where they have to provide a detailed design we have to approve and they have to provide their proof of financing.
Jakubeit said on Tuesday that the ultimate goal is to find a solution that avoids going to court.
“The missing element here is Trio updating the city with their intentions in respect to their original plans — are they going to leave it as is, modify, abandon or walk away. All of that will shape how we will proceed next,” he said.
Jakubeit said he can understand the frustration of the society and the public that there is no definitive answer right now and he hopes the intentions with the proposed greenspace will be addressed at Trio’s deadline with city hall at the end of September.
Had there been a referendum when the discussion about a commercial development in the park started, SSPS said they wouldn’t be still fighting today.
“The thing is we fought very hard to have a referendum, the figures show (the public) wanted a referendum. Had we had a referendum and lost we would have said that’s democracy,” said Carolae Donoghue, SSPS member. “We didn’t think we would lose, we hope that we wouldn’t lose, but if we lose and the waterslide goes ahead well that is democracy. We would have accepted that, but here we are a year later.”
Kimberley added the protests outside of City Hall were the biggest he had ever seen for an issue in Penticton.
“Had that protest been in my jurisdiction as a mayor, I would have taken that issue back to council and said referendum, referendum. We do not sign an agreement until we get consensus and support or non-support of the residents. This mayor made a big error,” he said.
Jakubeit told the Western News he called a straw poll of council in July 2015 to see if anyone on council wanted to revisit the issue of leasing the park. Only councillor Campbell Watt raised his hand. (Read more: City council not back down on Skaha Park decision)
The SSPS said they are planning for an annual general meeting (at a to be determined date in November). If everything is resolved by then, they will put it to the members on what to do with the funds they currently have in the bank.
“One of them was the hospital fund another that we have discussed with the city is some potential improvements to the park itself, but again we would want to put it to our members and to a vote of what they feel is the best approach,” said Martin. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/news/390751791.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/d49424e076bfefecd0f3095404ff1dd5037790db82fc8e0e9640c45233a5cebf.json |
[
"Staff"
] | 2016-08-27T18:52:02 | null | null | Due to construction work on the new Patient Care Tower, Interior Health will be relocating public parking. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fnews%2F391430101.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/12138penticton0729hospitalconstruction04.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Public parking relocating at Penticton hospital | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Due to construction work on the new Patient Care Tower, Interior Health will be relocating public parking and creating an additional public entrance at Penticton Regional Hospital starting Aug. 27.
At that time, public parking will be available in a lot at the rear of the hospital, off Industrial Avenue.
An alternate entrance, convenient to the new parking location, will be available off Industrial Avenue and open from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. The existing main/emergency entrance off Carmi Avenue will continue to be available all all hours throughout the construction period.
To help people find their way, signs will be posted, a daytime volunteer will be available and a security guard will be located at the Industrial Avenue entry during the first few months of this change.
Visit view our map for a visual of the new parking area and entrances. Patients and visitors are asked to watch for new signage at the site.
Interior Health thanks all patients, members of the public and staff for their patience during this time and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
The Patient Care Tower at Penticton Regional Hospital will be a six storey, 281,700 sq. ft. health-care facility. The tower will feature:
A new ambulatory care centre with outpatient services including cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, respiratory, pre-surgical screening, maternal/child clinics, and lab
Satellite medical imaging
Surgical services including five operating rooms, three minor procedure rooms, two endoscopy rooms, one cystoscopy room, a PICC line/urodynamic room; and infusion services
84 inpatient beds in single patient rooms, each with its own washroom
A new medical device reprocessing unit
Space for the UBC Faculty of Medicine Program
After the tower is complete, vacated areas in the current hospital will be renovated so the emergency department can be expanded into a space almost four times the size of the current department. Renovations will also be made to existing support areas in pharmacy, laundry and material (supplies and equipment) stores.
The construction of the new tower and renovations to the existing building will take about three and a half years to complete. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/news/391430101.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/aba51790bbf53bfc94e416df07ab5dc0171e10c32bf3114cfc770bf62996d057.json |
[
"Jeff Nagel"
] | 2016-08-30T00:52:23 | null | null | Chronic wasting disease is similar to mad cow disease but infects and kills deer, elk and moose | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fnews%2F391677361.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/56631BCLN2007Chronic_Wasting_Disease_Map.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | B.C. wary of deadly deer disease in Alberta | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Known infections of chronic wasting disease in deer and other wildlife as of 2014.
Provincial wildlife officials are concerned that a disease killing deer and elk on the prairies could soon spread into B.C.
Chronic wasting disease, a degenerative nervous system condition similar to so-called mad cow disease, has been discovered in an animal 30 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.
That's the furthest west – by about 100 kilometres – that biologists have detected the deadly disease and the discovery intensifies concerns that infected deer may make their way to B.C.
No infected animals have been found yet in B.C. but wildlife health staff are stepping up monitoring efforts in the Peace and Kootenay regions, where deer are most at-risk.
Hunters are being asked to help by donating deer, elk and moose heads for analysis. Drop-off locations are listed at www.stopchronicwastingdisease.ca.
Anyone who encounters a sick or dead deer is urged to report it to B.C.'s wildlife health program by emailing wildlifehealth@gov.bc.ca.
Although chronic wasting disease is similar to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, Alberta's agriculture and forestry ministry says there's no evidence it can infect humans, but notes the World Health Organization advises against allowing any meat source possibly infected by prions into the human food system.
It's thought to be unlikely that the disease could spread to domestic cattle or bison.
Outbreaks on game farms typically result in quarantines and culls.
Transmission is through saliva, urine and feces and is thought to be more likely to occur where elk and deer are crowded or congregate at man-made feed and water stations, according to the Alberta ministry.
Most of the Canadian cases have been in Saskatchewan. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/news/391677361.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/b0488463d2e171961318ac5140c284dfe4194b7aadf214c0801567e805eb335c.json |
[
"Dale Boyd"
] | 2016-08-30T22:52:37 | null | null | The Officer in Charge of the Penticton RCMP detachment, Supt. Kevin Hewco, 57, is sticking to his retirement plan. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fnews%2F391797281.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/12749penticton0920NewRCMPInsp2.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Penticton's top cop retiring soon | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | The Officer in Charge of the Penticton RCMP detachment, Supt. Kevin Hewco, 57, is sticking to his retirement plan.
“It was my plan all along,” Hewco said. “I’m turning 58 in November and ever since I joined that was the plan.”
Hewco’s last day of work is Sept. 19 after 30 years of service with the RCMP.
Hewco is moving back to Vancouver Island where he and his wife have a home. He still plans to volunteer some time.
“We’ve loved our time in the Okanagan we used to serve here years ago,” Hewco said. “We still have a daughter and three grandchildren here so we’ll be back.”
Hewco was announced as Officer in Charge of the Penticton detachment in 2013, relocating from the North Cowichan RCMP detachment in Duncan. He joined the RCMP in 1986 after completing a bachelor of economics and political science from the University of Alberta. After completing RCMP training in Regina, Hewco was assigned as an investigator in Whistler and Kelowna. Hewco also led the Port Alice, Tofino and North Cowichan detachments as a commander.
The interim Officer in Charge is Staff Sgt. Kirsten Marshall.
The process to find Hewco’s replacement is underway and the RCMP has spoken with the city and is consulting with the Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen at their meeting Sept. 1 to outline the process. The position is going to be advertised to all officers across the country, with the interview process involving elected officials after candidates are shortlisted. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/news/391797281.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/e7cd74da9665ff2938fbb75c395130919107f952479f726b75d8717a88b24ada.json |
[
"Mark Brett"
] | 2016-08-26T13:05:07 | null | null | Experts are predicting at the height of the storm from Thursday to Saturday, as the earth passes through the debris-ridden orbit. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fcommunity%2F389909371.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/84963penticton0812Meteorshowerperseids-2013-trails-nevada.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Perseid meteor shower will light up the Penticton sky | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | A photograph of the 2013 Perseid meteor shower over Nevada. Experts are predicting this summer's event to be one of the best in recent years.
The much-anticipated Perseid meteor shower is being billed as one the best galactic light shows in years.
Experts are predicting at the height of the storm from Thursday to Saturday, as the earth passes through the debris-ridden orbit of the Swift-Tuttle comet as many as 200 “shooting stars” an hour may be visible as they brightly burn up in the atmosphere.
An added bonus this year is an earlier setting of the moon resulting in a darker sky making it much better to see the show.
Depending on the forecaster, weather conditions for the evening range from clear to partly cloudy.
One of the best locations to watch the stars come out, complete with enlightening commentary from research scientists, is the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory in White Lake on Saturday.
One of those astronomers will be Ken Tapping.
“What was originally some totally invisible black lump of dirty ice leaves this great big wonderful trail millions of kilometres long lit up by the sun and that’s what we call a comet,” said Tapping, who also writes the Stargazing column for the Western News and other publications.
“It’s disintegrating stream of this debris moving at about 60 kilometres a second and we go right through it at 30 km/second every August.”
He added peoples’ fascination with the streaking lights shooting across the night sky is as old as life itself.
“From the cultural view I think anything happening in the heavens, and I deliberately use that word because when our ancestors were staring up into the sky noticed that things were very different up there from down here, people have always marvelled at that,” said Tapping. “Down here everything’s very unpredictable and very dangerous and up there hardly anything ever changes, everything just has its regular rhythm and so when something comes and breaks the rhythm it really, really changes things and people are usually scared.
“Comets were always seen as harbingers of disaster. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/community/389909371.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/d898a4ce37a25404a7a962677b9a61540031eff85f21a9e0aeca507453376181.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:06:43 | null | null | Gold mine near Prince Rupert shut down last summer for permit violations, owners charged for failing to report spill | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fbusiness%2F390008831.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/31694BCLN2007minebanksislandgold7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Banks Island miners face 18 pollution charges | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Two men and a mining company in receivership have been charged with 18 pollution infractions related to their shut-down gold mine on an island near Prince Rupert.
Benjamin Mossman and Dirk Meckert are scheduled to appear in Prince Rupert provincial court Sept. 7. Also charged is Banks Island Gold Ltd., which went into receivership after being shut down last year for provincial permit violations.
The Yellow Giant mine was ordered shut down by the Ministry of Environment in July 2015 after a tailings spill was reported on a tip. There is one charge of failing to report a spill of a polluting substance, and the other 17 charges are for failing to comply with permits.
North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice raised the issue in the legislature this spring, after receiving a letter from the Gitxaala First Nation referring to two separate tailings spills. Rice said the ministry did not inspect the operation for 15 months, until receiving a complaint.
NDP mining critic Norm Macdonald told the legislature a worker at the mine "became fed up, put his job on the line, sent the ministry and me a tip and pictures that documented what was going on there."
Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett said the mine was shut down when the situation was brought to its attention. The mine's 90 employees lost their jobs.
The province has a $420,000 security bond from the mining company, to provide ongoing monitoring. In March the mines ministry and Banks Island Gold removed explosives from the mine site and in May ministry technical staff assessed the hazardous materials on site.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service, which recommended the charges, would not comment on the current condition of the Banks Island site, because it is evidence for the prosecution. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/business/390008831.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/6c2206434364055e7070949ed4000fe802816edf9a7c5df6659a1869901aea92.json |
[
"Allison Markin"
] | 2016-08-26T13:11:45 | null | null | Judging food and wine competitions is not as easy as it looks. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fopinion%2F391351781.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/72471pentictonAllisonMarkin.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Markin: How do you judge good taste? | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Allison Markin is the food and libations columnist for the Penticton Western News. She can be reached at Allison@AllSheWrote.ca and on Twitter @OkanaganTaste.
I have had the privilege of judging a number of food and wine competitions, from a best donut contest, to a flight of three dozen rosés at the Okanagan Wine Festivals. After the first dozen, you’re kind of done with both.
Wineries are asked to submit wines to numerous award programs all the time. Not all awards are created equal. It pays to look at the list of judges; what are their credentials? Is there a peoples’ choice category you can participate in?
As for food competitions, one of the best starts next Wednesday at the Interior Provincial Exhibition in Armstrong. Known more commonly as the IPE, or the Armstrong Fair, as an end of the summer staycation, this is at the top of my list.
Also, I get to spend five days as head judge of the IPE’s Iron Chef Competition.
Restaurants and resorts from around the interior send teams of two to compete, and amateur teams also have a category. These folks do not get easy ingredients. They get a basket of secret stuff that in the past has included weird melons, spices, uncommon veggies — and they must use it all.
But what about judging? It is not as easy as it looks.
First, there is timing. Your plate is late, and points get docked. And you feel bad for the team that loses a point for a minute of tardiness.
Second, plating. In a world of Instagrams, if you are not thoughtful and artistic with presentation, a fellow chef can beat you with a less flavourful dish that evokes oohs and aahs just looking at it. That said, make it too complicated. Last year a dish involving dry ice was beautiful, but ended up freezing part of my lip and removing a layer of skin cells — and that’s not good.
Finally, taste. Consider this: there are a few flavours in this world that I don’t like. If a chef uses them, I have to put personal feeling aside and judge it on the merit of the whole dish. And that can be hard in front of a crowd when you have to try not to make your “scrunchy” face.
Rumour has it, the first team ever from Penticton will be there. How about you?
Save the date
Aug. 26/27: Front Street Brasserie, Hillside Winery Winemaker’s Dinner. Four courses paired with wines from Hillside. Limited seats, call 236-422-2008.
Aug. 31 to Sept. 4: Interior Provincial Exhibition, Armstrong. www.armstrongipe.com
Sept. 10, Summerland: First annual Summerland Feast of Farms, Dickinson Family Farm. Fundraiser for the expansion of a community garden in Summerland.www.eventbrite.com/e/summerland-feast-of-farms-tickets-26528802362
Sept. 18, Penticton: Small, artisan wine producers gather in Penticton for Garagiste North. Sample wines that are hard to find, made by the small guys. www.garagistenorth.com
Sept. 25, Kelowna: Great Canadian Bacon Chase. A five kilometre walk or run. With bacon stations. www.eventbrite.com/e/great-canadian-bacon-chase-presented-by-reid-and-associates-tickets-26757092
Allison Markin is the food and libations columnist for the Penticton Western News. She can be reached at Allison@AllSheWrote.ca and on Twitter @OkanaganTaste. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/opinion/391351781.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/1047d339b9b8651c0f1ae7f9c07f90f2b03521ae76312ffa3963477eb833ba4d.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T16:51:40 | null | null | It was very clear that the Challenge would not have gone as successfully as it did without the help of these wonderful people. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F391750461.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | LETTER: Thank you Challenge Penticton volunteers | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | As a spectator and cheerleader, I relocated to several parts of the city and along the highway during the course of the Challenge.
Witnessing the wonderful contribution made by all the volunteers, from the very difficult vehicle traffic control, to the aide stations and water and food providers, and all the other areas for which volunteers were needed, I have to say I was very impressed.
It is a difficult task to perform during the frenzy and excitement of the days, and it was very clear that the Challenge would not have gone as successfully as it did without the help of these wonderful people that gave their time and energy.
The volunteers were awesome
Gladys Kusmack
Penticton | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/opinion/letters/391750461.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/0c7d85bb6d3cc434530dd7a8c07d1333533bc61123fb9f78618ed45650cf2abf.json |
[
"Dale Boyd"
] | 2016-08-26T18:51:48 | null | null | Proponents of medical marijuana are planning a rally in Penticton as the issue makes its way through federal and local governments. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fnews%2F391352431.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/72865pentictonMedical-marijuana-sign-WikimediaCommons-7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Marijuana advocates planning to raise awareness | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | A rally in Penticton is scheduled for Sept. 4 to raise awareness of medical marijuana.
Proponents of medical marijuana are planning a rally in Penticton as the issue makes its way through federal and local governments.
A rally is being held at Gyro Park on Sept. 4 at 2 p.m. Anyone with an interest is invited to attend and the rally hopes to raise awareness and promote facts surrounding the issue.
“We’re hoping to raise awareness around the benefits, why we chose (medical marijuana) and why there’s a community of people that would like to have this as a choice,” said Jo Scofield, a Penticton resident and medical marijuana advocate. “You can chose not to (use medical marijuana) just as equally, but we’d like that right to be acknowledged.”
Scofield said she is a third-year anthropology student who is transferring to school in the Okanagan, as well as a blogger. Scofield uses medicinal marijuana for pain management in relation to serious injuries she suffered.
“The recent legislation that suggests a federal program hasn’t benefitted provincial patients,” Scofield said. “There seems to be a public misconception that the legislation being passed benefits all patients. So we’d like to raise awareness that it doesn’t and the need for a provincial program.”
The issue is high on the agenda for the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in September.
Penticton city council is still in the midst of a 60-day inquiry into local regulations after shutting the doors of three local dispensaries, as they look to cities like Victoria and Vancouver which have adopted local regulations.(read more: Penticton shuts down pot shops)
Vernon council voted down a proposal to develop its own bylaw regulating dispensaries. A staff report advised councillors that business licences have not been issued because storefront sales remain illegal in Canada. (read more: Vernon won't restrict pot shops)
“I’m hopeful that the landscape for this issue will change dramatically in less than a year. I’m hopeful that by raising awareness for the need for a provincial program, even something in the interim, that provincial patients aren’t denied medical products which, by becoming available, increase their quality of life. So, it’s about equality of access,” Scofield said.
Scofield said she is currently in the process of putting together facts for suggested provincial legislation, and hoping to crowdsource feedback and suggestions on prospective laws that will be proposed to the province.
“That will be a combination and adaptation of existing legislation around tobacco regulation and pharmaceutical advertising,” Scofield said.
Nelson recently saw its eighth pot store open without a business license as it considers similar regulations as well.
-With files from Tom Fletcher. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/news/391352431.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/fb3f1b59dac48b744cd8504a474280d1d6b1a4ceb94a4112d0bcf75d885adc80.json |
[
"Emanuel Sequeira"
] | 2016-08-26T13:13:56 | null | null | Mark MacMillan talks about his first year in the Montreal Canadiens organization | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fsports%2F391101431.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/96497pentictonMarkMacMIllanGraphic.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Penticton Habs prospect talks about his rookie season | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Mark MacMillan of the St.John's Ice Caps
Penticton’s Mark MacMillan, a former Alberni Valley Bulldog, Penticton Vee and recent University of North Dakota grad, completed his first year of pro hockey in the American Hockey League. MacMillan is a Montreal Canadiens prospect who played for the St. John’s Ice Caps. The Western News caught up with him to talk about his first pro season.
Western News: What was it like from your perspective?
Mark MacMillan: It was good. It was a learning experience for me. I came off my injury at the end of my senior year. I didn’t play much at the start of the year. Got sent down to the East Coast Hockey League and played six games down there. It was good to kind of get my feet under me and get back on the ice. Play some games down there and then when I got called back up, I was pretty happy with the rest of my season (six goals and 17 points in 62 games played). Kind of took it day-by-day and really used it as a learning experience.
WN:What did you notice the difference in play going from college to the AHL?
MM:I think a big thing is kind of, I guess, the structure of it. In college hockey you are only playing two games a week. On Fridays and Saturdays. We played the same team every weekend. The way you prepare for games is a little different. We
focus on the same team all week in college. You have Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday to kind of rest and recover between games. Whereas in pro hockey, its a 70-plus game schedule. You might play Tuesday and then Friday and Saturday and then again on Tuesday. The preparation is different. I think because of all those games, the way the game is played is a little different as far as in college. There is a lot more run and gun. Every game is really, really intense because you only play 36 games a year. With the 70 game schedule, it’s harder to play that run-and-gun game.
WN:Playing those six games in the East Coast Hockey League, did you find that to be a good transition to the AHL?
MM:Yeah, for sure a little bit. I think the biggest thing for me that it helped me out with was getting back into game mode. My last game before I played down there was Feb. 29, 2015 when I hurt my knee. The best part for me of it was getting back into things and playing games. You can skate all you want, practice all you want. There is nothing quite the same as playing games.
WN:Who are some of the guys that you played with most?
MM:Jeremy Gregoire, he was my right winger for a lot of the year. Developed some chemistry by the end of the year. One guy we played with was Brandon McNally. He was also a rookie. When John Scott was there, I played with him a little bit. It was interesting. He’s a really funny guy. You see his personality through all the media and everything. Especially this year with the All-Star Game. It was a cool experience to be a part of. He’s a fun guy to have on the team for sure.
WN: Who were some of the skilled guys on the team that really impressed you?
MM:We had a lot of change over this year. We had 51 guys play for us this year. Just because of a bunch of injuries up in Montreal. Sven Andrighetto, who actually ended up playing in Montreal for most of the year, started the year on our team. He is from Switzerland. He’s a really skilled guy. Went up and had some success in Montreal. Bud
Holloway. He played the last few years in Europe and came back over and signed with Montreal. He led our team in points this year. He was fun to watch. Charlie Hudon was our leading goal scorer this year. He had quite the shot. Quite a way to score goals.
WN:You probably learned a lot from watching those guys?
MM:Yeah, for sure. I think there’s lots of guys you can learn things from and not necessarily just those skill guys. Our captain this year, Gabriel Dumont, he has been in the organization for four or five years. He was a fun guy to watch and learn from. He always went out and competed every night. Was on our power play, on our penalty kill, out at important times to take important face-offs. He was one guy I liked to learn from. One guy who actually wasn’t with us for really long was Eric Neilson. I learned a lot from him. He played six games with us. He was on a professional tryout contract while he was with us. One of the greatest guys I’ve ever met. He’s probably the best teammate I’ve ever seen. Really had a way to gel with the guys.
WN:What kinds of things are you focused on this summer to be ready for next year?
MM:A big thing for me is my strength. It’s kind of always been a key for me in the off season. Especially this year, playing against pro guys, big strong guys. Not having that summer last year maybe didn’t allow me to strengthen quite as much as I would have wanted to. Just lots of gym time and making sure I’m doing the right things in the gym.
WN:What were some of the aspects of your game that you were happy with that you did in the American Hockey league?
MM:By the end of the year I was killing lots of penalties, and the coach started putting me out in all situations with winning face offs, especially on my strong hand side. That was encouraging for me. I think it’s something I can continue to work on. Maybe expand my role a little bit next year.
WN:What kind of role would you like to take on next season?
MM:I don’t know for sure. Obviously each year as a hockey player and competitor you want to expand and increase your role. I only got a little bit of power play time this year. Towards the end of the year, especially when a lot of guys were called up to Montreal. Excited to have a good summer this year and go in with a fresh attitude. I know a little bit more of what to expect going into training camp now that I have been to one.
WN- Did your family get a chance to see you play this season?
MM:Yeah, a couple times actually. My mom came to St. John’s twice. My dad came out once at the end of the year. My dad and my sister also came to Toronto when we played in Toronto right after Christmas. We have a really tight knit family. I’ve always appreciated the support from them. My dad is a big hockey fan. I always like having him around, give me extra tips and stuff like that. It’s always fun having them all around giving me their support for sure.
WN:What was it like putting on a jersey with the Montreal Canadiens patch on the shoulder?
MM:It’s cool obviously. Being part of one of the greatest organizations in hockey history is a special thing to do. Pulling that jersey over your head is obviously special. Just makes you want to get into the big club even more. Hopefully one day soon I will be able to get that jersey over my head. That will be even more special. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/sports/391101431.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/98d391d39347b1cc61228c8bf4631669a5e6d1f5cb73b46534815e79cf5278ca.json |
[
"Staff"
] | 2016-08-26T13:07:30 | null | null | Owners have assumed full responsibility for the Mount Baldy assets and operation on behalf of a group of investors. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fbusiness%2F389646561.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/72775pentictonS-baldy.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | New owners for South Okanagan ski resort Baldy | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Revitalization work is being done at the South Okanagan ski resort Mount Baldy after the sale officially went through.
Owners have assumed full responsibility for the Mount Baldy assets and operation on behalf of a group of investors.
Joey O’Brien, managing director for Baldy Mountain Resort, is a passionate lifetime skier originally from Antigonish, Nova Scotia and now residing in Canmore, Alta. He is a second generation ski resort developer as he purchased his first resort in 1979, at the age of 19, from his father who started ski resorts back in 1949. O’Brien has found nothing more enjoyable to do since and has been tagged with the nickname “Snowy Joey.” Baldy Mountain Resort will be his third resort revitalization.
“While the remaining legal matters were being dealt with for the final closing, we have been busy preparing plans to implement with a running start once the closing was completed. Now we are here, and away we go,” said O’Brien. “We will be posting details of our activities and priorities on our website skibaldy.com regularly.”
G-Force Group, was appointed Receiver-Manager of Mount Baldy Ski Resort Corporation and related companies (“Receiver”) by the Supreme Court of British Columbia on December 19, 2014. The Receiver’s primary objective was to find a qualified buyer to acquire and operate the Mount Baldy Ski Resort.
“We are very pleased to announce that the Mount Baldy Resort is finally in the hands of a qualified purchaser who can begin to bring it back to full operation this year and lay a solid foundation for a thriving sustainable Resort for the community,” said Gary Powroznik, managing director of G-Force Group. “We truly hope that the new owners and management can forge a close working relationship with the communities the resort serves to fully capture Mount Baldy’s beauty and unique attributes so that it can reach its full potential for the enjoyment of all who can experience this. We sense from the many contacts we have made over the past two years that many people in the local communities are ready to help make this vision a true reality.” | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/business/389646561.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/3994472bf24515c7d02e3a37a93a1a97e0f11ad718d8575fd87851bcda091101.json |
[
"Staff"
] | 2016-08-26T13:14:12 | null | null | Landon Stellingwerff of Calgary captured the 2016 Penticton Golf Club Jr. Club Championship | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fsports%2F391337341.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/66570pentictonS-LandonStellingwerffgolf.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Calgary golfer takes Penticton junior championship | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | LANDON STELLINGWERFF of Calgary won his second Penticton Golf Club Jr. Championship on Aug. 22.
Landon Stellingwerff of Calgary scored 148 to capture the 2016 Penticton Golf Club Jr. Club Championship, held Aug. 21-22.
It’s the second time Stellingwerff has won the championship.
“It’s really cool,” said Stellingwerff. “It’s a fun atmosphere with the juniors.”
Despite windy conditions, Penticton Golf Club pro Jeff Hollman said the kids played well.
“It was tough out there for them,” said Hollman. “It was close on the back nine.”
Stellingwerff said he played well, but could have scored lower on the first day had he putted better. Taking second was Jackson Coates, who scored 153. Stellingwerff said Coates played really well.
“He fought hard,” said Stellingwerff.
The boys 17 to 18 winner was Cam Gunning, while Kyler Philip was second. Winning the 14 to 16 age group was Cam Davie, with Caleb Rousseau in second. Hayden Krause took the 11 to 13 group with Tyson Carroll behind him. The boys low net winner was Grady Lancaster with Jack McLennan taking second. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/sports/391337341.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/84dddb2945af0c6b711287a2a7dc02a673157618dfd147c3ce1d105e8a49f00e.json |
[
"Steve Kidd"
] | 2016-08-26T18:51:50 | null | null | A six-storey expansion to the Penticton Lakeside Resort will add 70 units to the hotel. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fnews%2F391351821.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/72498penticton0826lakeside.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Penticton Lakeside Resort expansion still on track | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Work is continuing on the expansion of the Penticton Lakeside Resort. When completed the project will include new convention faculties.
David Prystay says expansion to the Penticton Lakeside Resort is on budget and on schedule, but they are still working on long-term plans.
“It will be open on schedule for June of 2017,” said Prystay, general manager of the hotel.
When it opens, the six-storey, all wood construction expansion will add 70 units to the Lakeside’s current inventory of 203.
Read more: Penticton approves major addition to the Lakeside Resort
In June, Prystay announced that the resort was also hoping to build a 20-storey tower next to the resort when the casino moves out in May 2017, as part of a previously announced plan to convert that space into a state of the art convention centre.
Read more: Penticton Lakeside proposing to build tower on casino property
Prystay said they haven’t put their proposed tower before the City of Penticton yet, and was withholding comment until that occurred.
“That convention space is 100 per cent, everything else is up in the air. It all depends whether we will go ahead with the tower,” said Prystay, explaining they are still doing planning and research.
The resort is doing well, he said, and he is expecting good results from this year’s Challenge Penticton, and the International Triathlon Union World Championships next year.
“It’s awesome, it’s really good for the community,” said Prystay. “I am glad Michael Brown stepped up to the plate with that concept for this year and for next year with the worlds.” | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/news/391351821.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/c66a107737c4f122b297e8afd5abad48b2e06f37e2819405cb2fcf7b61bcb9e4.json |
[
"Dale Boyd"
] | 2016-08-26T12:55:06 | null | null | Lowell Friesen has come a long way from the small, Manitoba Mennonite community he grew up in. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fentertainment%2F391348791.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/70732pentictonn0826-Lowell-1.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Friesen explores his musical journey | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Lowell Friesen is a man with a diverse musical background.
Growing up in an Mennonite farming community in Manitoba, Friesen’s first exposure to music was church choirs.
He has early memories of singing in the church with no instruments, just harmonies.
“That really stuck with me I think. The memory of these old, gospel tunes sung kind of soberly, but beautifully at the same time,” Friesen said. “Our family was a bit more progressive and ended up going to public schools and whatnot. So there was a lot of conflict sort of.”
He and his family moved away when he was nine years old, with Friesen calling his move to B.C. a “huge culture shock.”
“Especially coming from a predominantly religious community and thrown into West Coast, mountain culture. It was pretty shocking,” Friesen said.
In his early teens he discovered punk rock, a far cry from his musical roots. He would go to Kelowna to catch punk shows from his new home in Vernon like D.O.A. and Death Sentence in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. He was lured into a deep obsession with punk and metal after a moment Friesen remembers quite clearly. At his first show in Kelowna he saw a band out of Calgary called Inner Anger.
“It was the first mosh pit I’d ever seen. As a Mennonite kid you’re not allowed to dance, right? So suddenly there’s this thing called a mosh pit and I could just run out and get all my angst out,” Friesen said. “It was an enlightening moment, literally, I just remember smiling like ear to ear and laughing and running back and forth. It changed my life, for sure.”
The transition into his current, acoustic-based folk stylings took place over many years, Friesen said.
“It’s kind of full circle I guess. My dad would play old time country music and gospel and acoustic instruments in the house,” Friesen said.
Delving into punk, metal, classic rock, electronic and blues, Friesen had experienced the full spectrum of sound.
He endeavoured at 30 years old to become a journalist, and while taking a creative writing class he began writing poetry, which eventually turned into songs.
“I picked up the guitar again after a three or four year hiatus where I was kind of infatuated with electronic music for a while and just went back to roots-y music,” Friesen said.
He is able to delve into that punk rock, metal angst even through the more melodic, folk-sounding tunes.
“It comes out a little bit, especially in my more upbeat songs I guess. I pick up the banjo and it feels more punk rock than bluegrass to me. It’s kind of a funny thing, but it does certainly influence it still,” Friesen said.
Friesen self-funded his first full-length album, Home …and Away, with producer Ben Beveridge out of a family studio in Saskatchewan.
“(Ben) really put me through the paces. It’s funny, he had a bit of trouble with that punk-rock influence. That angsty feel. He really made me sit down with a metronome and really work on timing and controlling that angst a little bit,” Friesen said.
Frisian was forced to tear apart each song into its pieces, something he hadn’t experienced before, asking questions like “does this need to be here? Does this belong here?”
“It was an amazing experience to hear what came out at the end of it,” Friesen said.
He’s currently in pre-production for his follow up album set to be released in the spring of 2017.
He brought some lessons from the production of Home …and Away into the new album.
“Writing these new songs, I feel like I’m putting more attention into them,” Friesen said. “Trying to do the minuscule work in the beginning as opposed to waiting until you’re recording then having to take a few steps back. Having done that I sort of have the luxury of seeing the bigger picture.”
Lowell Friesen plays the 557 Artist Block Aug. 26 at 8 p.m. Tickets $10 in advance at eventbrite.ca or $15 at the door. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/entertainment/391348791.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/8ae9c636b20db66a2d76d497056b3ec22d756d9630d5a6781b5f19b47a3e9e65.json |
[
"Heather Allen"
] | 2016-08-26T12:57:05 | null | null | Heather Allen explores the not-so-sunny side of Jamaica in the Nicole Dennis-Benn novel Here Comes the Sun. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fentertainment%2F391354201.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Armchair Book Club: Here Comes the Sun | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Even in this heat, I’m already thinking ahead to winter vacation spots. After reading Here Comes the Sun by Nicole Dennis-Benn, Jamaica won’t be on the list. Dennis-Benn, a debut novelist from Kingston, Jamaica, takes everything that a tourist would see and do in Jamaica, and offers it again from a local’s point of view.
Reading this novel is like turning over a laminated restaurant place mat. The flip side of that sunny tourist photo is a different and darker rendition of the same world. In Here Comes the Sun, the flip side certainly isn’t sunny smiles, swaying palms and beachside drinks.
Margot, who works the front desk at a five-star beachside resort, is all smiles to the guests. But having been overlooked for advancement, and needing to bring in extra cash to her impoverished household, Margot prostitutes herself to willing hotel guests. She’s determined to scrape together enough money so that her younger sister, Thandi, can escape this same fate.
Margot’s mother, Delores, bears long hours and stifling heat selling trinkets to cruise ship passengers. She is sweet and simpering when trying to shill her handmade goods, but at home she is a ruthless woman — one who sold her own daughter for sex with a tourist when she was barely a teenager.
From start to finish, Here Comes the Sun paints a grim picture of life for Jamaica’s working poor. In this multi-layered, moving tale, family life in this seaside shanty town goes from bad to worse. With time and circumstance, Margot becomes just as ruthless as her mother -- blackmailing friends, taking on more daring propositions, and starting her own prostitution ring.
Margot has a secret she can’t reveal -- she knows that being different here means getting beaten and having dead dogs thrown on your doorstep. Margot’s situation only gets worse when it turns out that she is involved with a new resort hotel that is threatening to bulldoze their seaside town. Straight back to the time of colonialism, these characters have suffered, and taken out their suffering on those around them, and on themselves.
Even Thandi, Margot’s younger sister who has an opportunity to escape poverty with her intellect, can’t break free,
She doesn’t think about a different future: what matters to her is that she is dark, and therefore, ugly. She slathers herself in toxic bleaching cream, and despite the stifling heat wraps herself daily in cling wrap plastic.
Here Come the Sun certainly takes the romance out of the crystal waters and white sand portrayed in newspaper ads. Although Dennis-Benn’s version of life on the island is unrelenting, and the possibility of a happy ending for anyone but a foreigner seems impossible, this is a book well worth the trip. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/entertainment/391354201.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/e9b5b4847928db2972e6a6bfc2f3a37abd5cf35a9e5d575cf121771ad7227a47.json |
[
"Staff Writer"
] | 2016-08-26T13:08:46 | null | null | In honour of Canada's 149th birthday, we have compiled some Canadian trivia questions. How many can you answer? | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Flifestyles%2F384892721.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/17474summerlandCanadaflag.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | CANADA DAY QUIZ: How well do you know Canadian trivia? | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | null | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/lifestyles/384892721.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/d367cfa61edfbad8f2ac2e00abc890dd64202331842ae09b620c271df196ef3a.json |
[
"Kristi Patton"
] | 2016-08-26T13:13:03 | null | null | Simon Bell was sentenced to approximately six months in jail for his part in a home invasion over a drug debt. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fnews%2F391349121.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/74745pentictongavel.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Co-accused in Penticton home invasion gets jail time | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Simon Bell was sentenced to approximately six months in jail for his part in a home invasion over a drug debt.
Bell pleaded guilty to two breaches (81 days) of probation and being unlawfully in a dwelling (180 days). Charges of robbery were dropped.
Co-accused Virgil Paul was earlier sentenced to almost eight months with two years probation and Angel Dyck is still waiting to be sentenced.
Bell was with a group of people that entered a residence on Eckhardt Avenue, behind the convenience store 24-7 around 7:51 a.m. on Nov. 11, 2015. Crown counsel Ann Lerchs told the court on Thursday that Dyck had been evicted from the residence two weeks earlier and believed she was owed $75 for drugs that went missing while she was out.
Paul gave a statement to the RCMP that he had done a “hot rail.” methamphetamine heated with a crack pipe, before hopping in the van with the others to the Eckhardt Street residence. He said he believed he was going to a party. When he got in the vehicle one man flashed a silver .22-calibre gun and someone said “we have an army now” as Dyck gave instructions to those in the vehicle.
“Sounds like she was the operating mind here, if the mind was operating,” said Judge Gail Sinclair.
The resident in the house who they were targeting lived in an upper bedroom and gave a statement that one person put a silver gun to his head while demanding the money. Another man, later identified as Bell, had a knife or a pipe. Paul denied going to the upper bedroom. No money was taken in the incident.
Both Bell and Paul were arrested by RCMP about an hour later while walking on Winnipeg Street. A black air gun and pipe-like flashlight were found in Paul’s backpack. The court noted the silver gun, allegedly used in the incident, was never recovered.
Considering the time Bell spent in remand, Judge Sinclair said Bell will have to spend another 160 days behind bars. Once released he will also have to abide by a one-year probation order that includes no contact with the residents of the dwelling where the incident occurred or the co-accused. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/news/391349121.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/23a12576a7c2382899e34a573337b7ea1d7f9936611d0b402b5dd3a5105be9c9.json |
[
"Staff"
] | 2016-08-26T13:08:24 | null | null | Wild Goose Vineyards announced Chef Richard Desnoyers to the Okanagan food scene as the new chef. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Flifestyles%2F377466711.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Chef Desnoyers joins Wild Goose Vineyards | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Wild Goose Vineyards announced Chef Richard Desnoyers to the Okanagan food scene as the new chef at Smoke & Oak Bistro, located at the winery in Okanagan Falls.
With over two decades of diverse experience, Desnoyers joins the team at Wild Goose from renowned North American establishments including The Rimrock Resort in Banff and Belvedere of Calgary. His goal is to please the exacting palate of the customer. His menu is diverse while paying homage to the meat smoker that is central to the cuisine found for the past two years at Wild Goose.
“Cooking is all about memories, if the food is good, the memory will be good,” said Desnoyers.
The chef owned and operated his own restaurant in Quebec City, Café Colette, before heading out West to learn the cuisines of the Pacific, including Vancouver and California.
The quiet pace of retirement has brought Desnoyers and his exacting talent back to the kitchen and he is thrilled to be working with the abundance of the Okanagan. Before retirement, the chef published a cookbook, Cooking with the Wicked Chef, hosted cooking segments on morning television, and a weekly radio broadcast on CBC.
Chef Desnoyers’ menu invokes a culinary trip around the world with dishes inspired by the fiery heat of South American and the smoke flavours of the Southern U.S., all tied together through the freshness of local ingredients; duck confit salad, South American pixtos skewers, Berkeshire St. Louis back ribs, Two Rivers smoked bratwurst, wild boar burger, house smoke fish platter and much more. Vine trunks and wine barrels are used to smoke meats in an authentic competition worthy smoker, imported directly from Tennessee. Chef Desnoyers style is to use flavours and accents to keep the dishes’ main ingredient the star of the show.
The Smoke & Oak Bistro is open Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. until June 14, and daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from June 15 to Oct. 15. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/lifestyles/377466711.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/e004725578b1058126778f060b8dd0f6a63c094143a7c8ba3c72876531a2cd0c.json |
[
"Dale Boyd"
] | 2016-08-26T14:51:46 | null | null | For the first time ever a Penticton lawyer is the president of the Canadian Bar Association B.C. Branch. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fnews%2F391347641.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/70362penticton0819-MichaelWelsh.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Penticton lawyer steps into president’s role | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | For the first time ever a Penticton lawyer is the president of the Canadian Bar Association B.C. Branch.
Born in Penticton and raised in Summerland, Michael Welsh previously held positions on the provincial council, as an officer on the executive committee and was elected as secretary treasurer of the B.C. branch, as well as holding the vice presidential role.
“It’s an honour obviously and something that I’m having to really make sure I plan properly for so I can provide the best possible service as president over the upcoming year,” Welsh said. “It provides a few more challenges when you’re somewhere like the Okanagan because much of what you have to do involves travel.”
His year is set to be a busy one, simultaneously acting as president, meeting with local bar associations and larger meetings in Victoria and Vancouver and running his practice in Penticton — Mott Welsh and Associates, which specializes in mediation and arbitration work.
“In a way it’s like holding two full-time jobs,” Welsh laughed.
He began his year-long term as president of the 6,700 members of the CBABC on Aug. 21.
Welsh is well aware of the recent issue of high-profile trials being moved out of the community due to security concerns of the aging Penticton courthouse. (Read more on this:Penticton siblings accused of murder have trial moved to Kelowna)
“It is a problem ... periodically where there are security issues that arise, and the sheriffs here in Penticton do a good job of trying to deal with that,” Welsh said.
Longer trials put a strain on the rest of the day-to-day operations in the courthouse Welsh said, noting the large investment put into the renovations at the Kelowna Courthouse recently to help deal with delays.
“Obviously there’s a natural movement on the part of administration to take those cases and put them in those secure courtrooms that are already built. What that means is, yes, again you have people who aren’t able to have trials in their communities. They have to travel significant distances,” Welsh said.
That includes police officers travelling significant distances as well, adding to the policing budget, Welsh said, as well as civilian witnesses taking time away from their jobs.
“It makes the system a more inefficient system and the one thing we don’t want to see is the closure of more courthouses because things are getting moved to larger centres,” Welsh said. “It’s just as important as having lawyers in all communities that we have courts.”
One issue Welsh plans on tackling is the growing percentage of people in the justice system who are unrepresented, whether that is because they can’t afford a lawyer on a private retainer or are not covered by legal aid.
“If they’re not in those types of cases, they have to do it on their own. Which adds to the cost and time that the cases take in the court system and, of course, puts people in a very stressful situation without having the knowledge or skills to be able to get through it,” Welsh said.
All the issues relate to each other in the justice system holistically. Welsh said judges having to spend more time assisting those without representation delays cases and takes up court time, making it more expensive to the province.
Welsh plans to focus on bringing younger lawyers into smaller communities.
“In a number of communities the lawyers who are practising there are getting to the age where they are looking at retiring or closing their practices, but it has been difficult to attract younger lawyers into their communities,” Welsh said.
In communities like Princeton there is a demand because one of the two lawyers in town died this year and the other retired. Six figure student debt contributes to the issue.
“It’s difficult for them to be able to service that debt when they are practising in a small community and not making the amount of money they might make in a larger centre,” Welsh said.
Penticton has brought in a some young lawyers in the past few years.
“But it is a problem around the province, we have to find some way to address it. That’s something the B.C. branch is working on. We’ve submitted a proposal to government for a student loan forgiveness program similar to what is offered to doctors and health professionals,” Welsh said.
He hopes the initiative will entice young lawyers into communities that are high-need.
Background on Michael Welsh:
After graduating high school in Summerland, Welsh completed his undergraduate in philosophy at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., returning to Canada to work on the beginnings of what would become the legal aid system in B.C. in the mid-1970s.
Welsh attended UBC and attained his law degree, practicing in Vancouver and on the Sunshine Coast until he returned to the Okanagan, something he always intended to do. He purchased an orchard in Osoyoos and turned it into a commercial vineyard, which he operated for 10 years in addition to practising law, selling the vineyard around 2011 and moving with his wife back to Penticton where he has been practising law since 2002.
When he’s not working one of his two full-time jobs, Welsh enjoys taking the stage. Taking part in multiple theatre groups in Penticton, theatre and music have always played a part in his life.
“I really enjoy it. I think most lawyers are just frustrated actors when you get down to it. It continues to be something I enjoy doing, unfortunately I think this year I’m going to have to take a break. But I’m hoping when my presidential year is done to get back into doing more musical theatre and regular theatre as well.” | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/news/391347641.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/99f41241cef4740f192bd86888c76ab6c33aa699c1f9303ba217db560c189f2f.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:10:46 | null | null | The answer, ma’am, is very plain and very simple. A referendum to decide the future of our Skaha Lake Park. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F391340021.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | LETTER: Simple answer: referendum | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | After more than a year of petitions, rallies, protests, letters and emails Coun. Helena Konanz came out on Friday night to a Skaha Park meeting because she wanted to learn what it is they are asking for.
The answer, ma’am, is very plain and very simple. A referendum to decide the future of our Skaha Lake Park.
Joan Eschbach
Penticton | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/opinion/letters/391340021.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/df6599ebb9dc015483cdb6956d7d2f9dc874f179b2e799cd71227e0fb7a59e37.json |
[
"Staff"
] | 2016-08-26T13:12:58 | null | null | South Okanagan –West Kootenay MP Richard Cannings is cycling his way across the riding. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fnews%2F391350691.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/71884pentictonS-Canningscycling.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | MP Cannings rolling through the riding | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Richard Cannings, South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP, at the beginning of his Ride the Riding tour, Cannings will cycle through the riding meeting with constituents and highlighting the importance of the trails to the South Okanagan-West Kootenay, returning to Penticton on Tuesday, Aug. 30.
South Okanagan –West Kootenay MP Richard Cannings is cycling his way across the riding.
Cannings decided a bicycle trip through the riding would give him a unique and personal perspective of the people, the environment, the businesses and industries that make up the riding.
“The trails are an important attraction for tourism and a key economic driver for many small communities throughout the riding,” Cannings said. “I enjoy riding these rail trails myself, and one of the reasons for this cycle trip is to highlight their importance to the riding.”
The tour will use a combination of rail trails and highways, and started in Nakusp on Aug. 24, it ends in Penticton on Aug. 30.
Cannings invites people to ride sections of trails with him as he travels from community to community, and has scheduled numerous coffee and meal breaks at various points where the public could meet him to share their concerns, ideas and suggestions for the South Okanagan-West Kootenay.
Cannings has an event planned in Penticton after his arrival from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Skaha Park by the Rotary Pavilion. A community barbecue will act as a fundraiser to support the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation.
“We all know how important the new hospital tower will be to our community,” said Cannings. “It’s good to see that building has begun, however, the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation has set a fundraising goal of $20 million to purchase equipment and furnish rooms. We’d like to help raise some of those funds.”
Save-On Foods and Boyd Autobody has partnered with Cannings for the barbecue by donation.
Cannings has also scheduled two more town hall discussions in South Okanagan – West Kootenay in September, seeking views and ideas from area residents on electoral reform as part of the government’s consultations on that issue.
“I’ve heard from a lot of constituents already about electoral reform and it is clearly a very important issue to Canadians. So I am happy to host these events in our riding and give everyone a chance to come out and be heard,” said Cannings. “I will take the voices of South Okanagan-West Kootenay back to Ottawa to be heard in this important, once-in-a-generation debate that will start in the fall.”
The Penticton town hall meeting will take place on Sept. 12 at the Penticton Library Auditorium from 7 to 9 p.m.
For those unable to attend in person who would still like to be part of these important conversations, Cannings encourages them to send their views and ideas by email to Richard.Cannings@parl.gc.ca or by mail (Richard Cannings MP, House of Commons, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6; no postage necessary).
Community input provided at these meetings will be forwarded to both the Minister of Democratic Reform and to the Special Committee on Electoral Reform for their due consideration. If residents have any questions regarding any of these town hall meetings, they are invited to contact any of Mr. Cannings’ constituency offices in Penticton (250-770-4480) or Castlegar or (250-365-2792) | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/news/391350691.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/703162c43b85415bad10b285a32a9ba2d14711a3bebe95cb3e7455c9ee60a5bb.json |
[
"Emanuel Sequeira"
] | 2016-08-30T22:53:05 | null | null | A Penticton family is teeing up a golf tournament to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fsports%2F391798951.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Family teeing up fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House with tournament | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | When their son Aeson was receiving cancer treatments in 2014, Ana and Aaron Moen made Ronald McDonald House their home away from home.
Aeson, 3, is doing well and his two-year remission mark is in October. The Moen’s have decided to organize the Aeson Moen’s Ronald McDonald House B.C. Golf tournament Sept. 10 at Twin Lakes to raise money for Ronald McDonald House. The deadline to register is Sept. 3.
“It’s our way to give back to the house,” said Ana, co-organizer of the tournament.
Between 30 to 40 people have registered to play. The Moen’s would like to see four teams of 70 play 18 holes. Registration is $100 per person, including the golf cart, dinner and door prizes. There will also be games during the golf.
“I’m excited,” said Ana. “We actually want to do this as an annual thing. Hopefully it goes really well. The closer it gets the more nervous I get. I want it to be a really good turnout.”
For more information or to register, contact Aaron Moen at 250-486-6636 or email at aaron.moen@hotmail.com. Visit their Facebook page, Aeson Moen’s Ronald McDonald House BC Golf Tournament. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/sports/391798951.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/4779ceec9c0c1d0ee73826a55b08d2c6fcb2aec770eb208fcaeef0803f44f2c0.json |
[
"Staff"
] | 2016-08-27T18:51:58 | null | null | Police are asking for any information related to a teen male involved in two groping incidents in a Penticton neighbourhood | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fnews%2F391497361.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/55743pentictonLogo_RCMP_Web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Penticton RCMP looking into two groping incidents | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Penticton RCMP are investigating two groping incidents that occurred recently in the Wiltse area.
The police are asking for any information to help identify possible suspects in two separate groping incidents, on July 24 and Aug. 24.
The July 29 incident occurred at about 9 a.m., while a woman was walking along Wiltse Boulevard with her baby stroller near Wiltse Elementary School. A young male teen rode up to her on a mountain bike, patted her behind and asked for a kiss. The teen then asked for a high five and proceeded to grope her chest before riding off.
The Aug. 24 incident happened in the evening, at about 8 p.m. In this case, a woman was walking with her son in a stroller at the 2400 block of Wiltse Boulevard when she was passed by a young male who said hello then stopped to tie his shoe.
When the woman passed, the male pulled her from behind and kissed her before running off. The male was described as 15-17 years old and South Asian.
"The Penticton RCMP are very concerned about the similar pattern in the same location of Penticton," said Staff-Sergeant Kurt Lozinski. "We hope that someone in the neighbourhood can provide us with this young person's identity in order to stop any further incidents."
The RCMP advises people to immediately call 911 if another similar incident occurs. Any information that can assist the Penticton RCMP in this investigation can be provided to Corporal Dave Smith at 250-492-4300 or to Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/news/391497361.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/283fffb3b5cf30f332948d4ec46f759fe60fb8cf87fae5a3d1144cf01e96028f.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T00:49:36 | null | null | The pop star and Matchbox Twenty front man talks being recognized as an LGBTQ ally and the future of the band. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pentictonwesternnews.com%2Fentertainment%2F391671081.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/53361penticton0831-Rob-Thomas-Ben-Watts-004.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Rob Thomas on the right side of history and the future of Matchbox Twenty | null | null | www.pentictonwesternnews.com | Rob Thomas hopes one day people will not be recognized for being allies to the LGBTQ community, it will be the norm.
In April the Matchbox Twenty front man and solo pop star was the recipient of an Ally Award from the Trevor Project, a nonprofit suicide hotline specifically made for LGBTQ youth.
“It seemed to me like the most absurd thing to be in a world where someone has to point out that there is something special about recognizing other people’s civil liberties and other people’s right to be exactly who they were born to be,” Thomas said.
With many friends in the community, Thomas would play shows and attend events in support, but that’s not where he starts as an ally.
“It probably starts with common sense, and recognizing that you have it,” Thomas said, calling the support being on the “right side of history.”
“Eventually that’s what’s going to happen is everybody that has that backwards ass way of thinking is dying off and people are becoming — I don’t want to call it tolerant. I tolerate my neighbours loud stereo. To say you tolerate something is saying ‘well, I’ll allow it. It’s not right, but I tolerate it.’ I think acceptance is more what we’re talking about.”
While pointing to individual instances of discrimination or bullying can create the illusion of lack of progress, Thomas notes that strides are being made.
“It’s easy to fall back and say we haven’t made any changes,” Thomas said. “But if you also realize that the law of the land now is gay marriage is allowed and it’s legal — which I probably could never have imagined a decade ago — you see this progress being made.”
He likened the fight for LGBTQ rights to racism, the fact that it is still a complex issue with many incidents of cultural relapse can overshadow progress.
“Having a black president does mean we have made a stride in one direction that we are moving towards the right side of history, something better, even if it takes way longer than it should,” Thomas said.
Thomas’ music is not political, focusing more intimately on the ins and outs of relationships between people, but he professes that he is a “news junkie,” likewise with politics. He has made multiple appearances on HBO’s political roundtable Real Time with Bill Maher as a panelist.
“Me in my personal life (I’m) much more outspoken. I don’t usually use my music as a platform to do that, unless somebody asks, it’s not something I shy away from, but also I’m not U2, I’m singing 3AM not Sunday Bloody Sunday,” Thomas said.
The future of Matchbox Twenty
In April, Matchbox Twenty guitarist Kyle Cook announced via his Instagram account that he was leaving the band, focusing on his duo Rivers and Rust.
However, Thomas hopes that there is still a future for Matchbox Twenty, who last put out an album, North, in 2012.
“I heard about it probably a couple hours before everyone else did. Listen, I think what’s happened, I’m hoping, it’s just kind of a knee-jerk reaction to how my schedule has made it where if they wanted to work this summer, they can’t because I’m working,” Thomas said. “I don’t mean to say in any way that they can’t live without me, but they can’t go out and tour Matchbox without me and I think that’s really a bummer.”
Thomas is a man with little downtime. He said he hasn’t had time off in 20 years. Recording, promoting and touring his solo efforts while trying to record and promote albums with Matchbox Twenty simultaneously.
“I think he got to a certain point where (Cook) said ‘I’m just not going to wait around anymore.’ What I’m hoping is next year we get all our ducks back in a row and make a decision to do something together. I just can’t imagine Matchbox without Kyle,” Thomas said.
For him, it was the first time the two worlds have overlapped to this degree.
“This is the first time that it has really kind of conflicted with what everyone wanted to do,” Thomas said.
Matchbox Twenty is always going to be a part of Thomas’ life.
“I don’t feel like I need it, but I hope that I don’t step out from it because it’s still a giant part of my identity. I put all of my youth into that. I wrote and wrote and wrote and some of the best songs I’ve ever written are kind of during that world. So it’s not something I’m ever trying to run away from,” Thomas said. “No matter how long I go solo, or if I stay solo for the rest of my life, if people say ‘Rob from Matchbox Twenty,’ that’s always going to be true.”
Rob Thomas plays the South Okanagan Events Centre on Aug. 31. Tickets are available at the SOEC box office or online at www.valleyfirsttix.com. | http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/entertainment/391671081.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.pentictonwesternnews.com/e9f5b811c09137efc306b074327e33cefcae03d67287c99c7d5d4e9f3a74dcbb.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:55:23 | null | 2016-08-10T15:04:21 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fkey-town-employees-leaving-next-year%2F.json | http://i0.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Kim.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | Key town employees leaving next year | null | null | www.theobserver.com | KEARNY –
Like the N.Y. Yankees, Kearny will be looking to fill some key positions in its lineup because the veterans now in those slots will be moving on soon.
Michael Martello, who serves a dual role as the town’s construction official/town administrator, has filed his retirement papers, as has Kim Bennett, the town’s personnel director.
Unless either has a change of heart, both are scheduled to go Aug. 1, 2017.
By then, Bennett said she will have logged “25 years and nine months” with Kearny, having started as a clerk-typist in recreation, then shifting to finance and, after that, payroll.
“I’ve had the privilege of watching the personnel office grow in to the full functioning office that it is today. I’ve had the pleasure of implementing ADP’s self-service website and mobile app available to all employees,” Bennett said. “I’ve had a great career with Kearny thanks to every employee I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with, including the Police and Fire Chiefs.”
Between 1996 – when she was put in charge of personnel – and today, the number of full- and part-time town employees has fallen, from 465 to 375.
Next to leave town employment will be Police Chief John Dowie, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 65 by November 2017.
Another employee who has long contributed to the smooth running of the town’s planning and zoning boards and who will have sufficient time earned to depart next year is Susan Evanchick. Her job title is administrative clerk but she really functions as municipal land use administrator.
“Her institutional knowledge is probably one of the best in the state,” Martello said. “That makes her virtually irreplaceable.”
And the town’s two public-health investigators, Cathy Santangelo and William Pettigrew, become eligible for pensions next year.
Which means that Mayor Alberto Santos and the Town Council have to start thinking about replacing a lot of their heavy hitters.
Martello, who filed his pension application last Friday, has served in his two jobs since 2009, and, as such, has an unenviable workload which compels him to be available pretty much on a 24/7 basis.
Last Wednesday night, for instance, he had to forego a meeting of the Planning Board, on which he sits, to supervise the aftermath of the removal of a leaking underground fuel tank on Grove St. to make sure the street was properly cleaned and passable.
A 1978 Kearny High graduate who went on to get a degree in finance and economics at Seton Hall University, then worked as a trader on Wall Street before joining his dad’s construction business, Martello switched over to the public sector in 1992 when he was hired as a town building inspector to fill a vacancy.
He worked his way up the construction office ladder, becoming a building sub-code official, fire protection inspector, fire sub-code official and then in 2001, construction code official.
But Martello’s progression was very nearly derailed when, in 1996, he said he was offered a job in Clifton. And he said he was ready to go “but [current Councilwoman] Carol Jean [Doyle] talked me out of it.”
And today, he’s thankful she did. “I love Kearny. I grew up here. I have family and friends here. My grandfather and father built homes all over town.”
In 2009, after the death of Bob Armstrong, he was also named town administrator. “I was only supposed to do it for two and a half years until they found a permanent successor but the mayor told me to stay so I just kept doing it,” he said.
Now Martello figures it’s enough. “My wife, who did pensions and payroll for the town, is retired. Both of us had cancer. And my wife said, ‘Let’s enjoy life. It’s time.’ See, that’s what makes retirement sweet.”
Next year, Martello said he and his wife will be moving into their new home in South Carolina. “But I’ll be coming back to visit my relations and I still have business interests here,” he added.
In the meantime, of course, there’s still the business of Kearny that beckons.
“We’re advertising for building sub-code official which has been filled by my assistant Tony Chisari and myself. And we also need additional building inspectors,” he said, and those jobs are needed more than ever, given the increasing pace of residential and commercial redevelopment and construction. “That’s my biggest concern,” he said.
It will be up to the mayor and council to decide whether to divide the duties of administrator and construction code official after he leaves or find someone to do both, Martello said.
Martello said he’ll keep pressing for the owners of the old bat factory property on Passaic Ave. – where an old smokestack awaits demolition – proceed with redevelopment plans while their LSRP (licensed site remediation professional) teams with the state DEP on cleanup plans. “They just can’t seem to get it going,” he said.
On the other hand, Martello said, the town is sure to see new ratables in coming years from such projects as the Passaic Ave. mall revival by DVL Kearny LLC with a BJ’s as its anchor, the renovations at the Kearny Point industrial site and the expansion of the River Terminal complex.
“Over the next five to 10 years, Kearny will be out of its [economic] funk,” he predicted.
As part of his legacy, Martello cited the “advances in technology” made by the town. “I put in the town’s first network computer system and we’ve gone from dial-up connection to fiber optic. We’re very advanced from where we were when I started.”
He also mentioned economies in operating costs as another accomplishment. “We’ve reduced starting salaries by 10% and cut the maximum on the salary guide by 15% and added steps to reach maximum,” he said, and now, he added, the town can afford to hire replacements at lower rates of pay.
One frustration is the laggard pace of the town’s efforts to secure outside grants for the long-envisioned waterfront bike trail. “We started the process two years ago but dealing with the public sector it takes forever to get things done,” he said. Just to get Cardoza Park completed, after remediating the site, took a decade, he added.
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[] | 2016-08-26T12:57:16 | null | 2016-08-10T15:01:22 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fnews-in-brief-khs-opening-several-days-late-more%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cropped-observer-512x.png?fit=512%2C512 | en | null | News in brief: KHS opening several days late & more | null | null | www.theobserver.com | KEARNY –
Kearny High School will have a delayed opening for the fall term to allow for the installation of steel beams as part of the ongoing school construction project, school officials said.
An official district announcement said that, “High School faculty will be off on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 8 and 9. There will be no [classes] for the high school students on these days.
“High School students and faculty will return for a single session day on Monday, Sept. 12. There will be a full-day [class] schedule beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 13. The High School graduation has been rescheduled to Friday, June 23 [in 2017], which is the last day of school for high school students and faculty.
“Please note that beginning Friday, Aug. 19, through Sept. 11, there will be no access to the main building at Kearny High School. All offices will be relocated to the trailer classroom units during this time period.”
Mark Bruscino, district operations director, said the expectation is that the general contractor, the Bennett Co., of Kearny, will be setting up a crane on or about Aug. 13 in preparation for “swinging in” the steel starting Aug. 19.
For safety’s sake, officials wanted the contractor moving the steel into the site only when the high school was not occupied.
Bruscino said the beams will be unloaded in the area of the driveway behind the high school and moved into place in the space formerly occupied by the old swimming pool with each section appropriately marked so the beams are properly positioned.
In other unrelated district business, the Kearny Board of Education voted July 25 to defer contracting for special-needs student transportation services for the 2016-2017 school year, pending further research prompted by questions raised by the incumbent vendor, Cross Country Transportation of North Arlington, about the apparent low bidder, 4 Diamond Transportation of Paramus.
According to Michael DeVita, board business administrator/board secretary, Cross Country wanted to know how 4 Diamond would deal with delayed school openings, how many spare vehicles it has available, whether it logs accidents and a list of its vehicles and their capacities.
DeVita said that 4 Diamond has operated in Hoboken and Union City and that the business administrators in those districts “haven’t had any problems with them.”
DeVita said he’ll report back to the board Aug. 29 with answers to Cross Country’s queries.
The contract, which could run close to $300,000, covers seven bus routes extending as far as Wayne, Livingston and Lodi. “We’re looking to re-bid a few others [routes],” said DeVita.
– Ron Leir
•••
KEARNY –
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting the public to a meeting on Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at Kearny Town Hall, 402 Kearny Ave., to hear a presentation on a plan for cleaning up contamination at the Standard Chlorine Superfund site on the banks of the Hackensack River in the Kearny meadows.
The 25-acre property, which has been acquired by the town for redevelopment, was used for chemical manufacturing by various firms from the early 1900s to the 1990s, leaving the site littered with tanks and drums containing toxins like dioxin, benzene, naphthalene, PCBs and volatile organic compounds.
Responsible parties have already paid for a partial cleanup of the property, including collection and removal of dioxin and asbestos, demolition of many contaminated buildings, cleaning and covering of two lagoons, installation of a slurry wall to prevent leachate from migrating into the river and pumps to extract polluted groundwater for cleaning.
For the rest of the site, the EPA proposes to cap 8.4 acres (7.3 acres of non-wetlands and the rest wetlands), upgrade existing caps, tear down the five remaining buildings and continue the ongoing remediation activities at an estimated cost of $11 million. These operations could take six months or longer, depending on the outcome of negotiations with the responsible parties, the EPA said.
Thus far, those parties have included Apogent Transition Co., Beazer East, Cooper Industries and Occidental Chemical Corp. with oversight by Tierra Solutions, which is a partial owner of the neighboring meadows property formerly occupied by Diamond Shamrock, also a polluted site.
According to EPA, Occidental is “a potentially responsible party” for the Diamond (Alkali) Shamrock property and the company “has an indemnification agreement with Maxus Energy Corp. Tierra Solutions is part of the same corporate structure as Maxus which has filed for bankruptcy.
Kearny is hoping to conclude a redeveloper agreement with the Sitex Group LLC for both the Standard Chlorine property – which the town has acquired – and the Diamond Shamrock site, pending an agreement by Sitex for the purchase of that property.
Despite the bankruptcy proceedings, Kearny is still hoping that EPA can broker a deal with responsible parties for the cleanup of both properties so that redevelopment of the land – and subsequent ratables for the town – will result, Mayor Alberto Santos said.
– Ron Leir
•••
BELLEVILLE –
The Belleville Public Library – one of the nation’s Carnegie-funded libraries – which has been undergoing renovations since June 2014, is planning a grand re-opening for Sept. 24 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., it was announced by Joan Taub, BPL executive director.
The building has remained open since the work by general contractor Three Sons Restorations of Union began.
Taub said the first phase of the job involved the second-floor skylight and the second, installation of marble tiling for the second floor and lobby along with a reconfiguration of the circulation department and moving of stairs to provide more openness.
Additionally, the windows on the library’s Washington Ave. frontage were replaced and the Academy St. entrance was re-designed, she said.
Carol Lauer, the library’s purchasing agent, said that all the work has, essentially, been done, except for a few “punch list” items remaining.
The job, contracted for $721,000, has come in, thus far, at about $20,000 over budget but there are some credits still to be calculated, Lauer said.
It was supposed to take 180 days from the start of work to finish, Lauer said, but the general contractor met with delays due to a particularly bad winter and work-related issues with sub-contractors, she added.
“But now we do have our C.O. (certificate of occupancy),” Lauer said.
– Ron Leir
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/news-in-brief-khs-opening-several-days-late-more/ | en | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/a275454e0c9f5a628e7f9379792295a831a5d93995d787b03232f7719f1f19b2.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:59:25 | null | 2016-08-10T14:24:59 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fkpd-a-gun-in-the-glove-box%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cropped-observer-512x.png?fit=512%2C512 | en | null | KPD: A gun in the glove box | null | null | www.theobserver.com | At 2 a.m. last Wednesday, Aug. 3, Officers David Bush and Jonathan Dowie pulled over a 2013 Honda they had observed speeding westbound on Harrison Ave. and ended up arresting both the driver and the passenger — as well as confiscating a loaded handgun, Kearny police reported.
When the officers stopped the car, just past Schuyler Ave. in Harrison, they found it operated by Darnell Roberts, 20, of Herndon, Va., who reportedly was unable to produce a driver’s license, registration or proof of insurance. However, he did produce a “nugget of marijuana,” and when he exited the vehicle, what appeared to be more of the drug was seen “strewn about the interior,” police said.
While collecting the evidence and attempting to locate the vehicle paperwork, the officers opened the glove compartment, in which police said was a 9 mm., Hi-Point automatic pistol, loaded with five rounds of ammunition.
Passenger Donald Thomas, 22, of Ashburn, Va., was subsequently arrested for unlawful possession of a handgun and was remanded to the Hudson County Jail on $100,000 bail.
Roberts also went to the jail, on $1,000 bail, on charges of possession of pot and paraphernalia, along with summonses for operating an MV while in possession of a CDS, careless driving, driving while unlicensed and failure to produce vehicle documents.
* * *
Other recent reports from the Kearny police blotter included the following:
July 30
Following a 3 p.m., two-car crash on the Wittpenn Bridge, Officers Daniel Esteves and Daniel Lopez arrested Jonathan Alvarado. 31, of Newark, for allegedly driving while intoxicated and while suspended. Police said his 2001 VW had struck a 2002 Subaru operated by a 27-year-old woman from Orange.
In her car were two children, one of them a 10-year-old boy who possibly suffered a broken knee, police said.
Alvarado was also charged with assault by auto, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, refusing to take an Alcotest and on a $389 Union Township warrant — for DWI.
Aug. 1
Officers Michael Gontarczuk and Sean Podolski responded to Midland Ave. and Argyle Place at 7:30 p.m. to mediate a workplace dispute (no, the workplace was NOT the firehouse) and subsequently arrested reputed disputant Joseph McFadden, 24, of Newark, on three outstanding warrants, all from Newark: $1,000 (full) for driving while suspended; $350 (full) for another MV violation and $500 (full) for hindering apprehension. He was processed at KPD headquarters and then transported to authorities in the Brick City.
Aug. 2
During a midnight MV stop near Passaic and S. Midland Aves., Officers Bush and Dowie detected the odor of marijuana emanating from a 2006 Nissan and observed in the car a package of E-Z Wider (we didn’t make that up) rolling papers, a package of what appeared to be pot, and a vaporizer pen containing suspicious residue, police said.
Driver Ronald Smith, 19, of Belleville, was charged with careless driving, possession of pot and paraphernalia, and operating an MV while in possession of a CDS.
* * *
Officer Richard Carbone, on patrol in South Kearny at 5:20 p.m., saw a 1987 Chevy with no front license plate at Hackensack Ave. and Rts. 1/9. It did have a rear plate, but a computer check revealed no such tag on file, police said.
Stopping the car near the county jail, Carbone found it driven by Jarrett Turner, 18, of Jersey City, who reportedly had a suspended license and was thus arrested.
While waiting for a tow truck to take the Chevy to impound, police said, the officer ran a warrant check on passenger Phillip Preyear, 19, of Jersey City, and found he had one from Jersey City for trespassing. Now, both men were under arrest and were taken to HQ, where Preyear posted bail.
Turner was additionally charged with using fictitious plates and operating an unregistered and uninsured vehicle — and also on a Newark warrant for driving while suspended. Newark PD, when told that he was in custody, advised Kearny that he could be released with a new court date.
Aug. 3
At 2:10 a.m., Officers Andre Fernandes and Chris Manolis responded to a dispute at a Highland Ave. location and, after a warrant inquiry, arrested Edwin Gonzalez, 30, of Kearny. Police said he had a no-bail contempt-of-court warrant from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and a $2,500 one from Kearny for simple assault. He was booked and Bergen authorities were notified.
— Karen Zautyk
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/kpd-a-gun-in-the-glove-box/ | en | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/d17eb497c8de8439f8bec23ecb97aa4672ee220f1ad8e6816c7c2132a7456ecc.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:02:04 | null | 2016-08-10T14:21:28 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fwells-fargo-robbery-suspect-nabbed%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cropped-observer-512x.png?fit=512%2C512 | en | null | Wells Fargo robbery suspect nabbed | null | null | www.theobserver.com | KEARNY —
A 25-year-old Passaic man was arrested last week in connection with a bank-robbery spree that began with a heist at the Wells Fargo Bank in Kearny on June 24, authorities reported.
According to the FBI, Quentin Morales is a suspect in four subsequent hold-ups, all at Wells Fargo banks: June 30, in Kenilworth; July 6, Linden; July 13, Clifton; and July 25, Union. There reportedly was also an attempted robbery at a Capital One Bank in Elizabeth on June 27.
The FBI said that “in each robbery, Morales had allegedly waited in line for a teller to become available or walked right up to an available teller and presented them with a demand note.” All but one of the crimes occurred between noon and 2 p.m.
That was the scenario in Kearny, where a robber entered the bank at 175 Passaic Ave. at 12:45 p.m. on June 24, handed a teller a note demanding money and fled with approximately $1,500. Kearny police said no weapon was displayed and the direction of the bandit’s flight was unknown.
Sources told The Observer that “due to the efforts of KPD Det. Sgt. Michael Gonzalez,” the suspect was identified as Morales.
On July 3, “based on information developed in collaboration with the Newark police and Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Kearny detectives applied for a warrant” to arrest him, the KPD reported.
“After an exhaustive surveillance operation,” Morales was nabbed Aug. 2 in Newark by a task force of officers from the KPD, N.J. Parole, Newark PD, Union PD and the FBI.
Police said the suspect had been spotted in North Newark driving a gray Mercury with a fictitious temporary tag. The surveillance team watched as he pulled into a gas station, where they took him into custody without incident.
N.J. Parole officers were part of the task force because Morales reportedly is a parolee. Police said he was released in from prison in September 2015 having served time on a carjacking charge. He had been sentenced in August 2010.
According to authorities, he has a record of 10 prior arrests and four felony convictions — for carjacking, resisting arrest/eluding, receiving stolen property, and criminal attempted theft.
The current case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/wells-fargo-robbery-suspect-nabbed/ | en | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/7da204e3cf2091635463ce55282077a80255191f81050e72ff83391f870190e7.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:34 | null | 2016-08-31T13:48:59 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fkearny-girls-primed-for-another-solid-soccer-season%2F.json | http://i0.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/front-1.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | Kearny girls primed for another solid soccer season | null | null | www.theobserver.com | The Kearny High School girls’ soccer team has captured the last seven Hudson County Tournament championships and has done significant damage in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group IV tourney.
And from the looks of things, the Kardinals should be ready for another great season, almost as good as last year’s 21-4-1 mark.
“Every year is different,” veteran Kearny head coach Vin Almeida said. “But we have a good core group back, so I’m pretty positive and excited about this group.”
But the Kardinals will surely miss the offensive production provided by Amber Crispin, The Observer Female Athlete of the Year last year who took her speed and scoring ability to Iona College.
“It’s going to be a little bit of a challenge, trying to replace Amber,” Almeida said. “But we don’t need one person to replace Amber. We can fill her space with a larger scale of people. We have girls who contributed who will have bigger roles. I’m pretty confident with the girls we have. Even though we lost Amber, we have so many other people who can score and make it difficult for others to stop us.”
Starting from the backline forward, the Kards were primed to be rock solid in net with junior net minder Meagan McClelland, one of the top keepers in the state last year.
But McClelland was given the opportunity to train with the USA Soccer 17-and-under team and is still in the process of trying to make the national team, which would be a great honor, much like what recent Kearny Hall of Fame inductee Jen Pettigrew did her senior year at Kearny before heading to Seton Hall.
“It’s bittersweet for us, because we only want the best for Meagan,” Almeida said. “We’re excited for her that she’s getting this chance to represent Kearny on a national level.”
If McClelland makes the national team, she will miss most of the season for the Kardinals. If she fails to make it, she will return sometime in October.
In the meantime, freshman Catherine Canaley will take over the net minding duties.
“She’s doing well,” Almeida said. “She has the defenders in front of her, but she’s handled getting thrown into the frying pan pretty well.”
The Kardinals’ backline seems like they’ve been together forever. Maybe it’s because they’ve all played together since their young days in youth soccer.
Senior Victoria Van Riper is a four-year varsity performer. So is fellow senior Merrin Keim.
Junior Natasha Magee is also a returning starter in the defensive back line, joined this season by senior Sydney Pace, who was moved from midfield back to defense.
“We’re keeping her back there, but she can slide into the midfield,” Almeida said. “She’s become more of a defender. It’s an option we’re exploring.”
Also getting time among the defenders are juniors Jillian McCourt, who saw a lot of time at center back last year, and junior Kayleigh Howard.
Seniors Sydney Viscuso and Rachel Nieto add to the depth of the backline.
It’s a solid group, one to build the foundation of a team around.
“It makes things more comfortable knowing that we have them back there,” Almeida said. “They’ve been around together for a while. There’s a lot of flexibility among them and that’s one of the nicer things.”
The Kards also have a lot of depth in the midfield.
Sophomore Gabriella Rodriguez returns to the midfield. Rodriguez had a masterful freshman year, scoring more than 20 goals.
“We could put her up front if we needed,” Almeida said.
Senior Briana Rodriguez, Gabriella’s sister, is the team’s main distributor from the midfield. Senior Jane Amadeo is in the mix in the midfield.
“She has that never-say-die Amadeo spirit,” Almeida said. “She’s a winner.”
Junior Bre Costa also returns in the midfield, joined by junior Savannah Iverson.
Up front, the Kardinals return senior Lily Durning, who emerged as a major goal scoring threat late last season, especially in the county tournament. Durning scored 17 goals and had nine assists last year.
“She’s the team leader,” Almeida said. “She helps to connect the forwards with the midfielders.”
Senior Isabel Fernandez is another proven goal scorer. She also had 17 goals and added 11 assists last season.
Juniors Caitlyn Mead and Gianna Hoch are solid contributors to the front line.
“We like to keep people fresh, so we substitute a lot,” Almeida said. “As the game permits, if we get a good rotation, we stick with it. But if we have the depth, we might as well use it. We have the kind of team to do that.”
The Kardinals open on Saturday, Sept. 10 against Bayonne.
“We have a team with enough experience,” Almeida said. “We have good chemistry and camaraderie. I like that. I think this is a team that will be good enough to make a push in the states.”
And also be ranked among the state’s very best all season.
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/kearny-girls-primed-for-another-solid-soccer-season/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/f924caf861fc18c2427bfef68c01663e641a64e37b3192c21c408b81c0b705ac.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T12:51:13 | null | 2016-08-10T13:50:11 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fnearly-15-years-ago-the-day-i-thought-i-was-going-to-die%2F.json | http://i1.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/StAnthonys-and-FCJC-Hazmat.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | Nearly 15 years ago … the day I thought I was going to die | null | null | www.theobserver.com | By Kevin Canessa Jr.
September 2001 was probably going to be one of the best months of my life. I was in my fourth year as a teacher at St. Anthony High School, Jersey City, and I was finally going to be able to work with one of the greatest classes in the school’s history, the class of 2002.
I started with the class of ‘02 back in September 1998 — I was a frosh on the faculty and they were all freshmen students. Over the three previous years (1998-2001), I got to know them all very well and got along with them all notoriously. Yet I had never taught them.
Finally, in September 2001, I’d get to teach them — all 60 of them for religion and 25 in my criminal justice class, which was my favorite to teach.
Before the first day of classes — in the first week of September — we had a series of faculty meetings as we did every other year. But there was a difference this time. A veteran teacher, who had been at the school many years ago and who left, was coming back to the school.
He was and is a legend, a model teacher who taught me so much about being a better teacher. Before 2001, he was called Brother Ray. Now, he was just Ray, having left the Marist Brothers order just some time before coming back to St. Anthony’s.
He was, as they say in the trade, a “Master Teacher,” and as such, was chosen to lead workshops for the rest of the faculty.
On Friday, Sept. 7, 2001, during one of these workshops, he asked the entire faculty: “What is your biggest peeve was about working at St. Anthony’s?
I immediately knew my answer and didn’t hold back. I was the first to respond and I didn’t even wait to be called on.
“The damn firetrucks,” I blurted out immediately.
You see, the adjacent property to the St. Anthony’s building is the Jersey City Fire Department’s largest station — home to the Haz-Mat unit. Firefighters and their fire trucks were always going on calls — and the screams of the sirens were enduring. It seemed like they had to go out on a call every five minutes, though it wasn’t that often in reality.
As someone who has undiagnosed ADD, those sirens always threw me off, especially when I was in the middle of a good lecture or a heated discussion. They always threw me way off track — and it would often take a minute or two before I could regroup.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but it would be those very sirens, that very sound that irked me to no end, that would in just a few days become the signature sound of the end of 2001 — somehow already 15 years ago.
Little did I know that Friday morning, as I drove to Jersey City, and stared at the beautiful Twin Towers — something I did every single school day the three years prior while always taking them for granted — that in just four days, they’d be gone forever. Little did any of us know our world would soon be forever as we never knew it before, our lives thrown upside down.
Sept. 11, 2001 was just four days away, and it was the first day in my life — the only day in my life — when I thought I wasn’t going home (we had actually been told nuclear missiles were heading for New York at about 10:30 a.m. that day).
That day that started out with such amazing promise — with a sky that didn’t have a single visible cloud in it, with humid-less, 70-degree air and an aura that everything was just right — I thought I was going to die.
The rest of this story will be published on Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Odds and ends
Avoid Craigslist for rentals — use our classifieds instead
A few weeks ago, my colleague Karen Zautyk wrote a story, with information from the Kearny PBA, of a scam that seems to be growing — fake rentals on Craigslist. People who don’t own apartments are pretending to own them — and are collecting all sorts of cash, from deposits, to first-month’s rent, you name it, from unsuspecting potential renters.
The thing is — these scammers seem brilliant, and use actual photos from real-estate websites. They take information readily available and turn it around to create the fake ads.
One of the reasons why these scams are so successful is that it doesn’t cost a cent to post the ads. This is why we still believe our classifieds are the best way to go with apartment/home rentals — despite the nominal fee they cost. Scammers are much less likely to pay for a fraudulent ad — and you’d think they’d be much less willing to leave a paper trail as to their identities.
So next time you’re ready to take out an ad for a rental — or search for one — on Craigslist, think twice and think of the ease of mind The Observer’s classified section offers.
That was low!
Flash back with me, if you will, to Monday afternoon, July 25. Did you happen to see, at around 4 p.m., that day, in Kearny, the six or so airplanes, including a Lufthansa 747, that came in for a landing at Newark, at what appeared to be an altitude of about 1,000 feet — maybe even less?
I was just outside The Observer office on Seeley Ave. (at Kearny Ave.) as the jumbo jet came in — the LUFTHANSA logo was clear as day, as were the windows on the plane.
When the plane banked south (it had been heading due east) I was almost certain it was about to crash. I later learned the planes were redirected because of the storm clouds that had formed to the west (over Belleville and Newark). That said, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen planes landing at such a low altitude.
Thank you for the dialogue
I want to thank Kearny police Capt. Tim Wagner, Sgt. Anthony Limite and retired N.J. State Police Trooper Paul Bershefski for their responses to a column I wrote several weeks ago. They opened up a dialogue like we’ve never had before on the pages of this newspaper. That was my only goal in penning what I did — so thank you to each for taking the time to write.
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/nearly-15-years-ago-the-day-i-thought-i-was-going-to-die/ | en | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/6e6b3cb1b9af0699134335ff0c1b028e46fbdb10f6dd2c55b40514d8b478e634.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:55:52 | null | 2016-08-10T14:12:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2F82-year-old-driver-takes-out-poles-kpd%2F.json | http://i1.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Use-this-1-by-Marytrine-Decastro-1.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | 82-year-old driver takes out poles: KPD | null | null | www.theobserver.com | KEARNY –
An octogenarian driver knocked down a utility pole, traffic signal and hit two cars while apparently attempting to pass another vehicle on Kearny Ave. last Wednesday, according to Kearny police.
Police Lt. John Taylor, in charge of the KPD’s traffic unit, said the incident occurred at 4:11 p.m. on Aug. 3 at Johnston and Kearny Aves.
Just before the crash, two vehicles were southbound on Kearny Ave., with a 2006 Nissan Altima operated by Bernardin Lucas, 82, of Newark, behind a 2014 Toyota Camry with a 54-year-old Edison woman at the wheel, Taylor said.
As they approached the Johnston intersection, both cars stopped for a red light, Taylor said.
Then, as the light changed to yellow, the Altima tried to pass the Camry on the right, at the southwest corner of the intersection, hitting the rear of the Camry, then ramming a concrete barrier and knocking over a traffic light and control box, next taking out a PSE&G light pole and a town trash can, and striking a parked 2012 Camry registered to a Kearny resident before ending up smacked against a street tree as the utility pole came down across the Altima’s hood.
Taylor said the Edison driver was taken to Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville, for observation while Lucas was reportedly not hurt.
Taylor said Lucas told police that his foot had jammed on the accelerator, causing his vehicle to spin around the Camry. Witnesses told police that they saw the Altima try to get around the Camry by squeezing to her right, Taylor said.
In any case, Lucas was issued tickets charging him with careless driving and failure to obey a traffic signal.
For about a half hour after the crash, police detoured traffic off Kearny Ave. near the Johnston intersection until after the street had been cleared and investigators completed interviews.
– Ron Leir
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/82-year-old-driver-takes-out-poles-kpd/ | en | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/d32a13f789ea7c2b4a4c4edc33a7e5102f7f9a77e081295e8cbf31528e727743.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:30 | null | 2016-08-31T13:51:08 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fobituaries-aug-31-2016%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cropped-observer-512x.png?fit=512%2C512 | en | null | Obituaries: Aug. 31, 2016 | null | null | www.theobserver.com | Mildred ‘Joyce’ Kaywork
Mildred “Joyce” Kaywork (nee MacDonald) died Aug. 22.
She was 77.
She lived most of her life in Kearny before moving to Toms River. Memorial visitation was Thursday, Aug. 25, at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny.
Joyce was a bookkeeper for VH Swenson and then RTS Imports. She taught Sunday School at Grace United Methodist Church, Kearny, and had been active with the PTA.
Formerly married to Ira “Wimpy” Kaywork, she was the mother of Michael (Nancy) Kaywork, Jill (Arthur) Anderson, Christine (George) Thalab and Peter Kaywork. Sister of Isabelle Bruno, Helen MacDonald, Evelyn Mahon, Carol MacDonald, Thomas MacDonald and the late Hugh MacDonald, she is also survived by her grandchildren Melissa, Jessica, Peter James, Nikki, Anthony and Dale and her great-grandson RJ.
In lieu of flowers, Joyce wants you to take someone special to dinner and have fun.
Dave Reichers
Dave Reichers died Aug. 17.
He was 53.
Memorial visitation was Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny.
Dave is survived by his companion Michele Verlingo, his son Dave and his siblings and their spouses Donald (Gail) Reichers, Debbie (Kenny) Thompson, Cathy (Kevin) Huntley and Robert (Linda) Reichers — along with their families. Also surviving are his beloved aunts Agnes MacKinnon and Vicki O’Hallorhan and uncle Harry Clunie.
In lieu of flowers, financial assistance for the family would be appreciated.
Manuel E. Bartra
Manuel E. Bartra, of Newark, died Aug. 24.
He was 81.
Visiting was at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Cathedral-Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark. Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
Born in Arequipa, Peru, Mr. Bartra lived most of his life in Newark.
He was a jeweler with Wright and Lato, Inc., in Orange for 20 years.
He was the beloved husband of 52 years of Aurora Zuniga Bartra. Father of Hector (Leonor) and Glenn (Maricel) Bartra, he was also the brother of Jose, Jorge and Abel Estrada, Ines Diaz, Cesar Anicama and the late Sophia and Lilia Bartra, and Maria and Eduardo Estrada. He was also the grandfather of Leonela, Gabriel, Emely, Daniel and Alonso.
“Todo Estara Bien.”
Janina Szumala
Janina “Jane” Szumala (nee Zarow), died Aug. 24, 2016 at Alaris at Belgrove Drive, Kearny.
She was 88
The funeral was from the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, Kearny, on Saturday Aug. 27. A funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, Harrison. Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.thiele-reid.com.
Janina was born in Poland. She immigrated to this country in 1955 and lived in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She had lived in Kearny since 1982.
She was a porter for SEIU Local 32 BJ, New York City, for 20 years, retiring 23 years ago.
Janina is survived by her children Danuta Szmuala, Bernard Szmuala and his wife Patricia and Zbigniew Szmuala and one grandson Anthony John Szumala.
Edward C. Burns
Edward C. Burns died Aug. 26.
He was 88.
Born in Hazleton, Pa., he lived most of his life in Kearny.
Visiting was Monday, Aug. 29, at the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. A service will take place Tuesday, Aug. 30, at 10 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Kearny. Burial will be in the Hollywood Memorial Park in Union.
Ed had been a machinist for Electronics Manufacturing. He was the sexton at The Lutheran Church in Kearny. He had a passion for raising and racing homing pigeons.
Husband of Catherine (nee Hughes), he is also survived by his sons and their wives Robert (Jeanne), Edward (Shirley) and Scott, his grandchildren Nicole and Eric and great-grandchildren Kaitlyn and Joshua.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a donation to the First Lutheran Church in Kearny.
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/obituaries-aug-31-2016/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/c00fabd17431d099d847cb8e2ab63551a277e84b63e070488fd3e64ff67ec475.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:44 | null | 2016-08-31T13:53:13 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fletter-obey-traffic-laws-as-schools-reopen%2F.json | http://i1.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/KPD-Kearny-PD-Shield-Web.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | Letter: Obey traffic laws as schools reopen | null | null | www.theobserver.com | To the Editor:
The Kearny Police Department’s Traffic Bureau would like to remind the residents of Kearny that public schools will re-open Thursday, Sept. 8 and Tuesday, Sept. 6 for the new Charter School on Midland Ave.
We ask that parents, guardians and the motoring public obey the traffic laws around all schools. The safety of our school children is paramount.
There will be officers assigned to school areas for the enforcement of traffic laws and violators will be summonsed.
In particular, the following traffic violations will be enforced by officers on foot, bicycle and radio cars: vehicles double parked, vehicles parked in prohibited areas, vehicles blocking crosswalks, vehicles blocking school bus stops, vehicles and drivers dropping off children in the middle of the street and vehicles speeding.
We ask that parents and or guardians reinforce with their children the use of intersections controlled with a crossing guard to safely travel from their residence to their school.
Thank you and wishing all a safe school year.
Sgt. Patrick Sawyer
Kearny Police Traffic Bureau
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/letter-obey-traffic-laws-as-schools-reopen/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/36601870fd3e070c4eae2f3a3d3750e4925724c835ae6d2ad6cc55524efda964.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:01:09 | null | 2016-08-17T17:44:09 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fharrison-hosts-preseason-soccer-tourney-as-way-to-kick-start-season%2F.json | http://i1.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/8-17-Soccer-tournament-3.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | Harrison hosts preseason soccer tourney as way to kick start season | null | null | www.theobserver.com | The 2016 high school soccer season doesn’t officially kick off for a few more weeks, but a lot of New Jersey’s top soccer squads convened in Harrison last weekend to participate in the Harrison Summer Soccer Tournament at Harrison High School.
In all, 11 top teams participated in the event, including local squads Belleville and host Harrison.
The teams battled the stifling heat and humidity _ which at one point read 110 degrees on the FieldTurf playing surface _ to get a chance to get a head start on the season.
Harrison, which will field a team comprised mostly of newcomers when the season begins for real in a few weeks, won two and tied two over the first two days. Each team got six games over the weekend. The games were 45 minutes long to cut down on possible injuries, as well as the heat.
Needless to say, it was a good way for the season to start.
Among the other teams participating included Hudson County rivals St. Peter’s Prep, Union City and Memorial, as well as Shore Conference powers like Rumson-Fair Haven, Freehold, Matawan and Long Branch. Bergen County standout Hackensack was also a part of the tourney, as was perennially strong Princeton.
It was a good field with good soccer to be played _ and a little less stressful than playing in the regular season.
“It’s the unofficial start of the season,” said veteran Harrison head coach Mike Rusek, beginning his 16th season (along with brother John and father Mickey, as the First Family of West Hudson soccer). “When we first started doing this tournament, we only had a few teams. But word got out that it was a good tournament and teams wanted to come. For us, it’s the first time we get to see our full team together, so John and I can start making decisions as to who’s going to play. We get six games in three days, which is a lot, but we’re happy.
Added Rusek, “We have a lot of hungry kids who want a chance to play. Last year, we had a bunch of young kids, but now we’re making signs that we’re getting significantly better.”
The Blue Tide went 19-3-1 last year. That’s considered a down year for Harrison.
“I think John and I are looking for players who have that controlled passion for the game,” Rusek said. “We’ve been working the ball this weekend and looking for each other. I like that. It’s what I want to see. We have others who step in who do the same thing, so it doesn’t stop with the top players. I think we played pretty well.”
Senior midfielder Josh Seebeck can notice the difference in the Blue Tide’s play already.
“I think this prepares us for the reason season,” said Seebeck, who unleashed two wicked bombs that clunked off the football goalpost and then the soccer crossbar on Saturday, ferocious blasts that show Seebeck is ready for the season to start right now.
“I think this helps us build chemistry that we can carry over to the regular season,” Seebeck said. “I think this is going to help us with our regular games. Overall, I think we played well. We just need to work on some things, like communication between each other.”
But nothing is going to stop the Blue Tide, who lost in the Hudson County semifinals to neighboring rival Kearny, then fell in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group II semifinals to Garfield via penalty kicks last season.
“We’re hoping to win it all this year,” said Seebeck, who had two assists in sporadic minutes last year. “I think this put us in the right frame of mind.”
It certainly put last year’s freshman phenom Omar Sowe on the right track. Sowe played everywhere for the Blue Tide last year, scoring 13 goals and adding eight assists. Sowe was mainly a forward last year, but he played a ton of sweeper back over the weekend, unleashing that powerful leg when he had a chance.
Jean Lara is another strong legged senior who will try to keep up with Sowe this year.
“I think this definitely helps us improve our passion,” Lara said. “We need to have more passion and that works better for the team. I think it definitely gets us ready for the season.”
Lara was asked about the heat, which reached 95 degrees Sunday morning before noon.
“Once you’re playing in the game, you don’t pay attention,” Lara said. “The other team is playing in the heat as well, so there’s no advantage.”
But was it bad?
“It was pretty hot,” Lara said.
Senior Michael Sousa is ready for his final go-round with the Blue Tide. Last year, Sousa had 13 goals for the Blue Tide.
“I think this weekend helped us improve as a team,” Sousa said. “I think all in all, we’re just a better team. I think that playing together is only going to help us during the season. We’re together doing this and I like that. I get pretty excited, thinking about our chances this year. It’s great that we’re getting this head start.”
Rusek fixed the schedule so that his team would not face the Hudson County rivals Union City, St. Peter’s Prep and Memorial.
Memorial also looked in midseason form, battling state power Long Branch to a 2-2 tie Sunday morning.
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/harrison-hosts-preseason-soccer-tourney-as-way-to-kick-start-season/ | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/07c474340658f97ac0fd57ded4a5b70a62d09738e7c7b25b5ae0088d2bb65563.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:54:56 | null | 2016-08-10T15:07:12 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Friver-jumper-still-missing%2F.json | http://i0.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/keith-jean-web-feat-1.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | River jumper still missing | null | null | www.theobserver.com | HARRISON –
Where is Keith Jean?
That’s what police continue to ponder after Jean jumped into the Passaic River to avoid capture by police last Wednesday, Aug. 3, and has yet to turn up.
Authorities speculate he may have drowned or possibly met his demise in a water/sewer chamber or somehow made his way to safety.
According to Harrison Police Lt. David Doyle, the episode began at about noon on Aug. 3 when a Harrison police officer observed a black Chevy Impala parked at a fire hydrant at Second St. and Cleveland Ave.
The officer noticed that two of the occupants were going in and out of the Impala and scanning a parking lot that has been targeted by numerous car burglars.
Eventually, the Impala left, heading north on Second St., and was followed by the officer to 900 Passaic Ave. in East Newark where the officer, after having called for backup, pulled over the Impala.
At that point, officers questioned the driver, Arbrey Tucker, 29, of Bloomfield, about his prior activities in Harrison.
Ultimately, police charged Tucker with driving without a license and arrested him on active warrants from Newark. The Impala was found to be registered to the driver’s brother, one police official said.
While police were busy with Tucker, his passenger, identified as Keith Jean, 31, whose last known address was in Roselle, exited the Impala and took off running toward Harrison Supply Co. on Passaic Ave. and then jumped into the river, Doyle said.
Doyle said numerous officers from East Newark and Harrison arrived to assist with a rescue effort, which, according to Police Chief Derek Kearns, included “trying to push out to him, a life preserver, rope and a large tree branch,” all to no avail.
Instead, Doyle said, Jean “continued telling officers he was not going back to jail” and he then began swimming farther out into the river toward the center of NJ Transit’s Newark drawbridge, between the Bridge St. bridge (further south) and Rt. 280 (just north of it).
Doyle said Jean was found to be “wanted by at least two other jurisdictions” – Orange for resisting arrest and the Union County Sheriff’s Office for obstruction of a court order.
Officers then reached out to Newark PD and the N.J. State Police Marine Unit for help.
Meanwhile, Jean continued swimming to a bulkhead surrounding the center bridge tower foundation as officers implored him to cooperate with them so he could be extricated from the water.
About 15 minutes before the arrival of the State Police Marine Unit, along with a Newark Fire Department boat, with members of the Newark PD Tactical Response Unit aboard, Jean made his way from the bridge support to a storm outfall drain on the west bank of the river just south of the N.J. Transit bridge.
At this point, Kearns said, the officers lost sight of Jean.
Starting at about 1 p.m., the Clay St. sewer outfall was searched from the river side while Newark PD checked manhole access covers along the drain route from the street. Additionally, a camera on an extension pole was used to try and locate Jean with no results.
As a last resort, police reached out to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission (PVSC) which sent a crew to insert a camera from street level into the storm drain’s path to search for Jean but again, they came up empty.
The search was suspended at nightfall but was resumed next day, said PVSC Executive Director Greg Tramontozzi, who told The Observer that a PVSC crew “dropped a camera line into a manhole to conduct video surveillance.” Another attempt would be made later in the day at low tide, he said.
Asked to assess the chances of someone surviving an attempt to penetrate through the outfall system, Tramontozzi said an individual would face “an awful lot of hazards in that setting.”
Assuming Jean had opted to walk through the pipe, which, he said, is big enough to accommodate a large man, “he could reach our regulator,” and, further on, an interceptor pipe where he would encounter “an awful lot of flow in our system” which, in turn, “would be very dangerous” due to low oxygen content along with the presence of hydrosulfide and methane gases.
Given those conditions, “I can’t imagine him getting to our [treatment] plant [in Newark] which would be several miles away,” he added.
Still, Tramontozzi said, at the regulator location, there is a ladder that leads to a manhole – whose weight he estimated at between 80 and 120 pounds – which, if he were sufficiently motivated and had enough strength, Jean could conceivably lift and free himself.
However, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose was less optimistic about Jean’s survival chances in the outfall and suggested that among the potential perils awaiting him were rising water in the system, particularly at high tide.
This operation, Ambrose was quoted as saying last Thursday, “was a rescue effort, but unless [Jean] gets out, and right now, no one has seen him get out, it will be a recovery [effort].”
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/river-jumper-still-missing/ | en | 2016-08-10T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/cf75bc7d8a9da93bb1d9cc6b143783e9ac3ab9c2aaf66f8e62931207134d443c.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:24 | null | 2016-08-31T14:06:37 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2F3-strikes-youre-out-and-back-in-jail%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cropped-observer-512x.png?fit=512%2C512 | en | null | 3 strikes, you’re out - and back in jail | null | null | www.theobserver.com | KEARNY –
If the mug in the mugshot accompanying this story looks familiar, that’s because it graced the pages of the July 27 Observer. At that time, Juan Santiago, 34, of Kearny, had been carted off (reportedly with difficulty) to the Hudson County Jail on a bunch of charges including DWI and marijuana possession, as well as on a Hudson County Sheriff’s warrant for child neglect.
What merited special attention, however, was the arrestee’s behavior, which Kearny police said ranged from attempting to kick out the rear window of a patrol car to unleashing a “tirade of profanities and threats” against officers, including: “I can’t wait for this police purge. I’m going to kill myself a few cracker-ass cops.” (By the time he got to the jail, he brought with him additional charges of criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and making terroristic threats.)
We do not know how long Santiago remained in the county lockup, but by Aug. 20, he was back in town. And the story continued.
Strike 1: At 4 a.m. on that date, Sgt. Michael O’Neill and Officer Sean Podolski responded to a report of a fight on the 200 block of Brighton Ave., where, police said, they found a 33-year-old Jersey City woman who reported that she had been punched in the face by Juan Santiago.
Police said Santiago had fled the scene, but a warrant was drawn for his arrest on a charge of simple assault. Kearny Municipal Court Judge Thomas D. McKeon set the bail at $10,000.
Strike 2: At 5 a.m., Officer Mina Ekladious saw the suspect walking at Brighton and Rutland Aves. and approached him on foot, at which point, police said, Santiago responded with a “F— this!” and began running north on Brighton and into the backyards, where he disappeared.
Another warrant was issued, this one for resisting arrest, and McKeon tacked on an additional $10,000 bail.
Strike 3: On Aug. 21, at 4:20 p.m., Officer Jordenson Jean went to Brighton and Rutland, just in case, and there was Santiago, this time driving a 2005 Honda.
Jean alerted HQ, stopped the car and arrested him on the warrants, as well as a charge of driving while suspended. By 9 p.m., Santiago was headed back to the county jail. How long he would remain there is unknown.
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/3-strikes-youre-out-and-back-in-jail/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/12703e60aa85b3c906580be1b5b9549fb222028f0fc1dfc00fa27d14707cdafd.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:03:21 | null | 2016-08-17T18:22:26 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fnew-charter-school-may-cost-teacher-aide-jobs%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cropped-observer-512x.png?fit=512%2C512 | en | null | New charter school may cost teacher aide jobs | null | null | www.theobserver.com | KEARNY —
The first-ever charter school in Kearny has yet to open but already it has impacted the town’s public school system.
Because the district only recently learned how many Kearny students will be attending the Hudson Arts and Science Charter School — after the Board of Education had adopted its 2016-2017 budget — district officials are scrambling to adjust.
Since it has to come up with nearly $3 million to pay the cost of educating those students, the district is scrambling to find ways of offsetting that expense by trimming other areas in the budget.
Among the resulting casualties, it turns out, will be teacher aides.
A letter sent by Schools Superintendent Patricia Blood to certain aides reads as follows:
“As I am sure many of you may have heard, the Hudson Arts and Science Charter School was granted final approval by the N.J. Department of Education to open this September in the building once occupied by St. Stephen’s School (aka Mater Dei).
“This approval means that the Kearny School District is required to provide 90% of the tax levy per pupil cost of students enrolled in the Kearny School District for any Kearny resident pupil attending the charter school.
“We are currently budgeted as the 13th-lowest amount for per pupil spending among similar K-12 districts in the state of New Jersey. According to the Taxpayers’ Guide to Education Spending, Kearny’s latest actual cost amount per pupil is $12,478. Therefore, we are required to provide $11,312.65 per student for those who have chosen to attend Hudson Arts and Science.
“As of today’s date [July 28], 252 students from Kearny are enrolled, which totals a required payment of $2,850,787.50.
“Although Hudson Arts and Science is a public school, it is not affiliated with the Kearny School District in any way. Nonetheless, as a public school, the students attending the charter school who are Kearny residents must be financed by the Kearny School District budget.
“As you can imagine, providing nearly $3 million to the charter school has forced the [Kearny School] District’s reappraisal of the 2016-2017 school budget. Regrettably, the District must now make serious cuts in all areas, resulting in the elimination of many positions among the ranks of our administration, faculty and support staff.
“Among the positions being eliminated are all non-mandated paraprofessional positions. Financially, the district is no longer able to continue to employ aides in our kindergarten classrooms or during our lunch periods.
“We will continue to employee classroom aides in our pre-kindergarten and special education self-contained classrooms, as well as one-to-one aides for those students whose Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan include that requirement.
“As we continue to determine the positions that require an aide, it is our intent to notify you prior to school’s opening of your placement should be position be available. … If a position is not available in September, you will be placed on the district’s substitute list.”
Records in the district’s central office indicate that of the 220 aides that were on the KBOE payroll, 35 are to be pared, leaving a total of 185, according to district sources.
Exactly how much the district will save by not reappointing those 35 people could not be readily learned by press time.
The aides work three hours a day at an hourly rate based on a step schedule tied to longevity. They are not represented by the Kearny Education Association.
Meanwhile, district and local police officials have been chatting with the charter school about how they’ll be handling traffic flow along Midland Ave. as related to the busing of children from outside Kearny during morning and afternoon rush hour periods.
And they are also reviewing the issue of scheduling sufficient school crossing guard coverage for the charter school, which will reportedly be starting its instructional day a bit earlier than the public schools.
The KPD may be looking to schedule staggered shifts to cover both the charter school and nearby Lincoln School, one police official said.
Safety issues at the charter school would seem to be in good hands, given that a retired member of the KPD – Sgt. John Manley – is in charge of security there.
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/new-charter-school-may-cost-teacher-aide-jobs/ | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/48f52481390b20d02a27bdb808e4e3d6fc7e868e4ff74e4727b81cf91641f08c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:02:32 | null | 2016-08-22T09:00:03 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fsponsored-content-hb-pharmacy-north-arlington%2F.json | http://i0.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/HB-observer-banner-8-23-2016.png?fit=815%2C315 | en | null | Sponsored Content: HB Pharmacy North Arlington | null | null | www.theobserver.com | Business partners wanted
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[] | 2016-08-26T13:01:36 | null | 2016-08-17T17:45:47 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Flyndhurst-girls-soccer-loaded-for-bear%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/front.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | Lyndhurst girls’ soccer: Loaded for Bear | null | null | www.theobserver.com | When graduation time comes every June for the Lyndhurst High School girls’ soccer team, the Golden Bears don’t bother to rebuild. They just reload.
“On paper, this could be the best team we’ve ever had,” said Lyndhurst head coach and new mommy Kim Hykey, who gave birth to her first child, son Jake, two months ago. “We have a lot of strength in our frontline. We lost two key players from our defense, but the others are four-year starters, so we’re still strong. I like this team. I think we have a really good outlook. We just have to do what we need to do.”
The Golden Bears were 18-2-2 last year, but even with an improved schedule, they could take the leap and be a 20-win team this season.
Sophomore Isabella Castagnetti is the team’s goalie and she’s one of the very best net minders in all of Bergen County. Castagnetti, the daughter of former head coach and current assistant Joe, already has a national championship to her credit. Castagnetti was the goalie for the IMG Soccer Academy that claimed the 15-and-under national title earlier this summer.
“I’m hoping it carries over,” Hykey said. “Winning a national championship with her club team is great. It looks like she’s getting more confident, more acrobatic with her playing, more springy. She does have a strong leg. She’s like a beast back there. She just loves playing goalie. She’s a vaulter and jumper for us in the spring and that helps her overall strength.”
Castagnetti, who is also an excellent student, is already getting look-sees from Boston College and Princeton. Mind you, she’s just a sophomore.
“She’s one of the top students in her class,” Hykey said. “She has a lot of things going for her.”
Senior Kelsie Kearns has been the team’s sweeper and it’s there where she has already been recruited by Iona, where she will play next fall.
But Rachel Bocage has been excellent at sweeper and Kearns can move up to the midfield with her powerful leg.
“Rachel has done well there and plays there with her club team,” Hykey said. “She has good feet. I want to see if she has the leadership to play there all the time.”
The stopper is senior Claudia Engles, who returns to that position.
“She’s a bulldog back there in the middle,” Hykey said. “She has the personality you need back there. I think she can play at the next level, so we have to see.”
The other defender is senior Caitlyn Blake, who was a forward last year, but the Golden Bears have a glut at forward, so Blake becomes a defender.
“She’s left footed, so we need her back there,” Hykey said. “I think she really wasn’t comfortable up top. She’s fit more to be a defender. She has good size and good feet and I like that. She’s also very strong.”
The center midfielder is senior Amanda Fulcher, who has a chance to be one of the very best players in all of Bergen County, at least with the Group II schools. Fulcher had 24 goals and 20 assists last year.
“She likes to be the center of attention on the field, which is so different than her personality,” Hykey said. “It’s not indicative of her real personality.”
Seton Hall, Siena and East Stroudsburg are some of the schools that are looking at Fulcher.
Olivia Cairns is another senior midfielder, but she plays more of a defensive role.
Gabrielle Carrion is another senior midfielder who will do some damage this season.
“She has improved so much since she played with (club team) Pasco,” Hykey said. “The way she touches the ball and the way she moves her feet. She has a strong leg. She can take over back there. We needed her to play with a little finesse and she’s doing that. I really think she’s coming into her own. She’s super athletic and can do whatever she wants athletically.”
Giulia Pezzolla is the other midfielder. The sophomore can do a multitude of things.
“She’s probably our all-around best athlete,” Hykey said. “She can be very good. Last year, she led the state in freshman assists with 18.”
Junior Mia Luna is one of the forwards. Luna exploded last season as one of the top strikers in the area and really helped to put the Golden Bears over the top offensively.
“Her body has filled out in a good way,” Hykey said of Luna. “She’s older and stronger. She’s solid all the way around. She’s ready to have another impressive year, but she’s no longer going to surprise anyone. She knows she has to work much harder, but I still expect her to score 20 goals.”
Luna earned the distinction of being an Observer Athlete of the Week in each of her first two seasons.
Junior Grace Cappiello is the team’s other top forward. She scored six goals coming off the bench last season.
“She always had the idea that she was a midfielder, but we put her up top and she handled it well,” Hykey said. “She said that she never thought of herself as being the one to score. But she can shoot and score a bunch. She’s definitely a finisher. She should be a scorer. I’m excited to see what she can do and what she’ll end up with.”
Issy Pimenta is another senior forward who played a little last year.
“She has her moments and flashes,” Hykey said. “She’s a good option up top.”
Other key players include senior defenders Maya Calvi and Kristy Arias and senior midfielders Danielle Anthony, Taylor Sanchez and Jennifer Wartel.
“Maya is a hard worker who wants to improve,” Hykey said. “She’s a body banger. She brings a physical presence. Danielle is another hard worker. Taylor is very athletic. Jen has been working her way up the ladder.”
The Golden Bears are going to know how good they are early. They face Ridgewood, Pascack Valley and Dwight-Englewood among their first five games.
“We have a lot of kids who have been with us for four years, so the experience should matter,” Hykey said. “We want to win the state sectional (North Jersey Section 2, Group II). That’s our goal. We’ll see how we do.
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/lyndhurst-girls-soccer-loaded-for-bear/ | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/d95c03b740462d260379692f2b4ae9d27ba974804131a57b4ace7969a17e390a.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:47 | null | 2016-08-31T14:12:34 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fburglar-prowled-as-family-slept-bpd%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cropped-observer-512x.png?fit=512%2C512 | en | null | Burglar prowled as family slept: BPD | null | null | www.theobserver.com | BELLEVILLE –
A recent rash of burglaries has prompted the Belleville Police Department to alert residents and shopkeepers to lock their doors and windows when leaving their homes or businesses or when retiring for the night.
But the most recent incident, which was reported on during the early morning hours on Aug. 17 at a Smallwood Ave. residence, occurred when family members were still at home.
The parents were asleep in their basement bedroom when they were awakened by a face-time call from their daughter alerting them to the presence of a stranger on the second floor, according to BPD Det. Capt. Dan Ward.
“We heard him start going down the stairs, I turned on the light, then I heard him run down the stairs and I took my sister’s phone and called my mom,” daughter Abigail told News 12.
Ward said the father went to investigate and found himself confronting a man he described as black, about 6 feet, wearing a dark-colored hoodie, in his living room, at which point the suspect tried to leave the house through the front door which was locked.
“That’s when I have the will to grab him … and he just wrestles with me for a little bit,” the father told News 12.
Then, Ward said, the intruder ran out the back door, hopped a fence and ran west along the railroad tracks.
Police believe the would-be burglar gained entry to the house by standing on a wall and climbing through a kitchen window, Ward said.
Ward said it was evident, from the presence of muddy footprints, that the intruder had been “all over the house” before he was discovered. It had rained during the night.
Police were alerted shortly before 6 a.m.
The BPD also logged these recent reports of home and business burglaries or attempted burglaries:
Aug. 12
An Elena Place resident was home alone when she suddenly was confronted with the presence of a man she listed as black, in his early 20s, about 6 feet, wearing a black hoodie and black jeans, police said. After claiming to be a security man, the intruder made a dash for the front door and ran away, police said.
Aug. 14
The owner of a Main St. business told police he arrived at around 10 a.m. to open up, only to find the front door pried open, two bathrooms damaged and $5,000 in cash taken, along with several packs of cigarettes, several bottles of Hennessey liquor and a Toshiba laptop.
Aug. 15
The owner of a house on Van Rensselaer St. called police at 1:37 p.m. to report that he’d left for about two hours and, upon returning, discovered jewelry thrown on his bed, a rear window open and $1,000 in cash gone.
Aug. 16
Shortly after 9 p.m., police were notified by the occupant of a Mill St. residence that when she arrived home, she saw shoe prints on the floor and a ski mask lying on her living room table. Police said they found no sign of forced entry and nothing was reported taken.
Police asked residents to report any suspicious activities to the BPD by calling 973-
Aug. 20
A 22-year-old resident was at his Fairway Ave. home with his girlfriend when a home security alarm sounded at 10:20 p.m., police said. Officers responding found multiple window screens opened and a side gate open but no entry was gained.
Police are asking residents to call 973-450-3334 or to call 911 if they see a crime in progress.
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/burglar-prowled-as-family-slept-bpd/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/0433083cf9cd5463ad02559cdfde8d19bf7136d03daceb2ca46fe64d09dabef9.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:52 | null | 2016-08-31T14:08:18 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fcop-thwarts-truck-theft-harrison-pd%2F.json | http://i0.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/IMG_4891.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | Cop thwarts truck theft: Harrison PD | null | null | www.theobserver.com | HARRISON –
A Harrison police officer’s quick response, aided by a GPS, was credited for the capture of a stolen truck and the accused thief.
HPD Det. Lt. David Doyle said the episode unfolded on Saturday, Aug. 20, when police received a call at about 1 p.m. reporting that a brand new 2016 Freightliner straight-job truck had just been stolen from in front of 900 S. Second St.
Doyle said that the driver and helper had just unloaded items to a warehouse and that its motor was still running when they saw a man jump into the cab and drive the truck away.
The men immediately phoned police and accessed a system to track the vehicle which was equipped with a GPS device, Doyle said.
That system, said Doyle, indicated that the truck had gone only a few miles, stopping in the area of Martin Luther King Boulevard and William St. in Newark.
HPD Officer Darren Raefski, a veteran with more than 21 years on the force, was dispatched to that location while the driver and helper followed in their own vehicle while coordinating with the HPD dispatch center, Doyle said.
Newark PD was also contacted for help but had no one available to respond, according to Doyle.
Arriving at the Newark location, Raefski approached the parked truck, pulled open the driver’s door and ordered the man at the wheel to step out of the vehicle, Doyle said.
Instead, Doyle said, the suspect put the truck in drive and began moving with the officer standing on the running board.
Raefski struggled with the suspect to hit the brake while also trying to remove him from the vehicle, Doyle said. He managed to get one handcuff on the man and force him out of the truck, said Doyle.
The victims, who had been following close behind, immediately came forward to assist the officer and subdue and fully cuff the suspect while placing the truck in park, Doyle said.
No one was hurt in the process and the truck sustained no damage, said Doyle.
The suspect, Kevin Hobbs, 48, of Newark, was arrested on charges of theft of a motor vehicle and on active warrants totaling more than $4,500 from Newark, Jersey City and Hillside in connection with various crimes.
The truck was listed as owned by Molloy Bros./The Advance Group Moving & Storage of New York and New Jersey and was valued at $84,000, Doyle said.
Hobbs was transported to Hudson County Jail in Kearny on $75,000 cash-only bail set by East Newark Municipal Court Judge Kenneth J. Lindenfelser.
– Ron Leir
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/cop-thwarts-truck-theft-harrison-pd/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/3ef2a4f8222d4368d0606ede7d540e27e6ae34afb6e94c49b266c6727a8ee687.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:40 | null | 2016-08-31T14:16:50 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Frogers-right-at-home-on-fox-newtorks%2F.json | http://i1.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | Rogers right at home on FOX Newtorks | null | null | www.theobserver.com | NUTLEY —
If you live in this area and have turned on the news anytime in the last five years, chances are you’ve seen Nutley Commissioner Steven L. Rogers offering commentary. He’s been a presenter on many networks, including PIX11, MSNBC, CNN, FOX News and the FOX Business Network.
However, of late, and following the massacre at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Fla., the heinous killing of five Dallas cops, then the tragedy in Nice, France, the murder of three cops in Baton Rouge, La., and the two political conventions (he was a New Jersey delegate in Cleveland) — Rogers has been an instrumental figure on FOX News and FOX Business.
But it didn’t happen overnight for Rogers.
In fact, it was more than 10 years ago when Rogers was working in the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence – while on loan from the Nutley Police Department to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force – that his role as a media commentator began.
Back then, he’d occasionally offer opinions on terrorism on the aforementioned networks.
But now, it’s practically every day, exclusively on the FOX Networks.
Given that the local lawmaker’s politics are generally conservative, it’s great fit for him on the FOX networks, the retired Nutley police lieutenant says.
“They call and I go,” Rogers said. “I’ve been able to develop a very close relationship with just about everyone at FOX News, including (Sean) Hannity, (Bill) O’Reilly. It’s really a great relationship I have with everyone, from on-the-air personalities to Victor in the Green Room.
“They send a car to pick me up. They feed me. There are very good people there. And I can say they’re the best organization I’ve ever associated with.”
That’s saying a lot for a man who has served quite a few large organizations, including the East Orange Police Department, the Nutley Police Department, the U.S. Navy and the FBI’s JTTF.
Because of her conflict with Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump, whom Rogers supports, we asked him how he gets on with Megyn Kelly, of “The Kelly File” on FOX News. Rogers, as always, was gracious and complimentary in his answer.
“She’s a great journalist who has a job to do,” Rogers said of Kelly. “She had issues with Trump in the past. No one is perfect in life. That’s it. On TV, it’s essential to be truthful all the time. Considering we have no prep before we go on the air — I have no idea what we’ll be talking about until I get to New York — I prefer it that way. If there’s a question I don’t know the answer to, I’ll say, ‘I don’t know the answer to that question.’ I wish more would be that way, instead of trying to answer the unknown questions. People look silly when they answer and wind up doing so incorrectly.”
Favorites? Dislikes?
Of all the shows he’s appeared on on the FOX networks, Rogers says it’s “Fox & Friends” he enjoys the most.
“It’s now to the point when I am on with them, when they first see me, it’s ‘Hi, Steve,” Rogers said. We all get along well.”
Rogers says he doesn’t always agree with fellow talker Judge Andrew Napolitano, another FOX News regular. But when they’re done debating the issues, they always shake hands — and they have a great rapport off the air.
“Judge Napolitano once said he saw me as the finest law-enforcement officer in the country,” Rogers said. “Imagine that. Me, the best of them all.”
A social-media star?
Meanwhile, Rogers says that since he’s become a regular fixture on FOX News, his social media following has exploded. When it all began, he had about 900 Twitter followers. Now, he’s got more than 12,000.
But the notoriety has had some disadvantage. It was on Twitter that he got a recent threat to his personal safety.
“Someone Tweeted to me that I’d ‘pay the price’ for my opposition to ISIS,” Rogers said. “I wondered if harm would come to me. But I brought it to the proper authorities, and it’s since been handled. But you see, that’s just how they operate. They’re out there and they’re watching.”
On the Pulse shooting
Rogers spent a lot of time on the air discussing the June 12 Pulse Nightclub shooting. He says the police there did an outstanding job because cops are constantly being trained for active-shooter situations.
But he says one thing that likely went wrong at Pulse relates to the victims. And it’s something that has happened in this country for far too long.
“Remember years and years ago when planes would be hijacked often?” Rogers said. “The passengers would do nothing. (The hijackers would) kill passengers, and the rest of the passengers would do nothing. That finally changed on Sept. 11, 2001, when the passengers overtook United Flight 93. They were the first group of passengers who understood what needed to be done.
“They overtook that plane — and probably saved the White House or Capitol building. Now, in current active-shooter situations, that’s exactly what people have to do.”
No question, Rogers acknowledges, that could lead to the loss of life.
“In other active-shooter situations, people have to take charge to save lives,” Rogers said. “They have to do all it takes to take control. People need to, one-by-one, get up, rush the shooter and take him down. Yes, some will die. But it’s the best defense to save lives. Not easy. But it’s the best solution.”
Rogers also says allowing more Americans — not all Americans — to bear arms outside the home would also make active-shooter situations more bearable. While Florida is a concealed-carry state (it appears none of the Orlando victims were carrying that night), Rogers believes in most other situations, the key to less death involves arming responsible Americans.
“For police to set up tactically, it takes five minutes or more,” Rogers said. “We saw that in Orlando, in San Bernardino, Paris, people weren’t armed — and the carnage was very high.”
The carnage would have been less in all of these attacks had more people been carrying weapons, he says.
Will things ever change?
Rogers says there are other ways to slow down the recurrence of shootings and terrorist attacks on American soil. One way, he says, is community policing, which is not exactly something new, he adds.
“Funding for community policing has, like most things, been cut,” Rogers said. “It was cut for reactive policing and things like (new) technology, advanced squad cars and surveillance equipment. Instead, I suggest it’s more important to be proactive rather than reactive. That’s exactly what community-oriented policing is about.”
The Nutley PD currently uses a community-policing method that, he says, is working — and he wishes more departments would follow Nutley’s suit. It’s called “Park & Walk.”
“Our officers are visiting classrooms all the time and the kids see them as their best buddies,” Rogers said. “When cops are out in the community getting to know the people, crime decreases. There’s no doubt about it.”
He recalled an instance of where a similar program worked for him back in the early ‘70s when he was a young cop in East Orange.
“I walked the beat in one of the poorest neighborhoods (in East Orange), and yet the folks there were among the finest people I’ve ever known,” he said. “They wanted a good relationship with their police. I remember a woman I’d gotten to know. I asked her if I could get her a present for Christmas. Her answer has stuck with me to this day. She said, ‘The best gift is peace — and knowing that my nephew, Joey, will get home each night without being shot.’
“Imagine that? Think community policing doesn’t work? Think again.”
Clergy, love & empowerment
It’s not just community policing that’s needed. Rogers says two more things must also happen for the violence to end.
“One, the clergy need to get involved,” Rogers said. “They need to engage their flock and do their jobs. Would it be so wrong to talk about sin occasionally? Churches need to take action. Synagogues, mosques, temples must, too. It’s that simple.
“Next, politicians need to get back to the basics. They need to get back to the business of spreading charity and love and empowerment instead of entitlement. Politicians must demonstrate they’re in office for the betterment of other people — and not themselves.”
And that’s why Rogers, just a few months into his second, four-year term in office as a Nutley commissioner, announced recently he won’t seek a third term in 2020. That doesn’t mean, however, that he won’t seek another elected office.
“Term limits are critical,” Rogers said. “When people make a life out of politics, they end up using their offices to do things for themselves and not for the people who elected them. I will never do that. I will not be self-serving.”
So how might Rogers continue his mission of spreading love, compassion and empowerment?
“I’ve been approached to seek higher office,” he said. “Some very powerful people in powerful positions have asked me to consider it. I’m not ruling out a run for governor of New Jersey. I’m not ruling out serving more — and being a servant to more. We’ll see what happens, but for now, I have the work I’m doing in Nutley and the TV work — I love both.”
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/rogers-right-at-home-on-fox-newtorks/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/71dd16e48e6cc01b6ceb336e22bd27be5a8db68b671c8bb59640c4cebd735608.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:00:39 | null | 2016-08-17T17:49:28 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2F29846%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cropped-observer-512x.png?fit=512%2C512 | en | null | Obituaries - edition of Aug. 17, 2016 | null | null | www.theobserver.com | Patricia A. Jimmerson
Patricia A. Jimmerson (Harland), of Harrison, died Saturday, Aug. 6, at Columbus Hospital LTACH, Newark.
She was 82.
Funeral services were under the direction of the Mulligan Funeral Home, Harrison. A funeral Mass was celebrated at Holy Cross Church, Harrison. Her interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. To send condolences to the family, visit www.mulliganfh.com.
Born in Kearny, Patricia resided in Harrison for most of her life. She worked for Worthington Pump and Harrison Aluminum, both of Harrison, before becoming a homemaker. She was a communicant of Holy Cross Church, Harrison.
Mrs. Jimmerson was predeceased by her husband John “JJ” (2000), a granddaughter Danielle Erdman (2004), two brothers James (2002) and William (2009) Harland and sister-in-law Geraldine Skorupa (2006).
She is survived by her loving children John Jr., Patricia Jimmerson, Karen Cowley and her husband Patrick and Donna Jimmerson Cabrera, all of Harrison; her devoted companion Daniel, of Harrison; her dear sisters Rosemary Houston of Toms River, Joan Migatulski of Kearny, Maureen Alexander of Manchester, Nancy Clutterbuck of Glen Ridge and Susan Cooper of Harrison; her cherished 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson; caring sister-in-laws Shirley, Ellen Harland and Georgianna Faties and many nieces and nephews.
Doris Del Carmen Colon
Doris Del Carmen Colon, 89, died peacefully on Aug. 9, at St. Vincent’s Nursing Home in Cedar Grove after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s.
Born Feb. 6, 1927, in Santa Tecla, El Salvador, she was the daughter of Agustin and Marta Dominguez. In 1958, Doris married Mario Colon and they decided to make their lives in San Francisco. They eventually moved to Miami in 1971, where Doris worked as a nurse. The finally settled in New Jersey in 1995.
Doris attended Abundant Life Worship Center, Nutley, where she enjoyed being in the presence of the Lord Christ Jesus. Passionate about bird watching, gardening and the outdoors, she was an avid reader, and a lover of children and animals.
A devout Christian, she walked with the Lord for a good part of her life.
Doris was predeceased by her husband Mario Colon.
She is survived by her two sons Frank and Agustin Colon, and by her loving daughter-in-law MaryJo Colon.
A private memorial service took place for immediate family members at the Abundant Life Worship Center, Nutley.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in her memory.
Beverly G. Gavin
Beverly G. Gavin died Aug. 11.
She was 85.
Born in Syracuse, N.Y., she lived many years in Kearny.
Visiting was at the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. Her cremation was private. To leave online condolences, visit www.armitagewiggins.com.
Beverly was a money manager for many years at Fiduciary Trust in New York City. After retirement, she enjoyed working as a teacher’s aide in The Kearny School System.
She is survived by her daughters Beverly C. Gavin and Barbara Gavin along with Barbara’s partner Michael Burt. Also surviving are her grandchildren Jack Williams and Cameron and Rebecca Burt.
Richard W. Jaslovsky
Richard W. Jaslovsky of Kearny died suddenly on Friday, Aug. 12.
He was 70.
He was born to William G. Jaslovsky and Anne (nee Egel) in West New York. He was a proud veteran of the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Before retiring from Avaya in 2014, Richard was an exhibit marketing technical manager for 49 years.
Richard was known as “Toolman.” He could fix anything and always had a tool handy. He enjoyed home improvement. He also had a dog “Gizmo,” who was his little buddy.
Richard was a member of the NRA and Vietnam Veterans Association
Richard will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Gail (nee Smith) Jaslovsky, his children, Ann Kehoe and her husband Steven and Steven Jaslovsky and his grandchildren, Amanda and Steven.
Family will receive friends on Tuesday, Aug. 16, from 3 to 7 p.m., with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service, from the Calhoun-Mania Funeral Home, 19 Lincoln Ave., Rutherford.
Cremation will be private.
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/29846/ | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/4a8028bd67a47c3af5bb5a86a680fc2bc7bf640fbaa412bd64d29318dc280526.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:56 | null | 2016-08-31T14:05:25 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fclifton-man-accused-in-beating-of-kearny-man%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cropped-observer-512x.png?fit=512%2C512 | en | null | Clifton man accused in beating of Kearny man | null | null | www.theobserver.com | NUTLEY —
A 27-year-old Clifton man has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and weapons possession after he reportedly roughed up a 22-year-old Kearny man in the municipal parking lot nearest the Nutley Diner, the Nutley Police Department said.
Police said they responded to Municipal Lot 1, behind the diner, on Aug. 24 at 10:40 p.m., on a report of a fight. It was there they found the victim, who was not seriously hurt. The victim told police the suspect, later identified as Michael Brown, attacked him in the lot while brandishing a knife.
Brown reportedly ran toward Centre St., whose T-shirt was reportedly covered in blood from the fight, prior to police arriving. However, police quickly found a bloodied T-shirt on Ravine Ave., and then discovered Brown, who, they said, was hiding in the back yard of a Ravine Ave. home.
Police said they searched the area for the knife the victim told them about, but they could not locate it.
Brown was sent to the Essex County Jail after he was unable to post $25,000 bail, police said.
Police Director/Commissioner Alphonse Petracco said that years ago, weapons were rarely used in scuffles, but today, they’re much more common.
“It is a daunting task trying to keep criminals from coming to Nutley, but I remain steadfast on bolstering the Public Safety Department in an effort to keep crimes like this from happening here,” Petracco said. “(We want to) deter anyone from thinking about victimizing our residents and visitors.”
Police Chief Thomas Strumolo said Brown recently relocated to Clifton from California. He said although the altercation appeared to be related to a woman both men knew, the suspect and victim didn’t know each other.
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[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:42 | null | 2016-08-31T14:19:46 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fnew-turf-for-soccer-field%2F.json | http://i0.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/IMG_3745.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | New turf for soccer field | null | null | www.theobserver.com | KEARNY –
A municipal play site will be getting an upgrade at no cost to the town.
That’s the good news.
Whether the work will be done in time for the opening of the Kearny Recreation Youth Soccer League is another matter.
Under a grant agreement ratified by the Kearny governing body at a special meeting last Tuesday, Aug. 23, Kearny will be the beneficiary of a $150,000 investment by the U.S. Soccer Foundation, which promotes youth-based soccer programs.
That funding will pay for the installation of a synthetic grass field at the Michael Branin Jr. Memorial Soccer Field (formerly known as Thistle FC Futsal Facility) in Riverbank Park on Passaic Ave. at the foot of Afton Ave.
It was the USSF, recalled town Recreation Director Ralph Cattafi, who put in the original turf field about a decade ago after the town got a similar grant from the foundation.
“That [site] was originally asphalt and we used it prior to the turf, for tennis and basketball courts,” Cattafi said. “Then it was used for Futsal,” he added, until the asphalt was ripped up in favor of turf.
It is now used by Kearny Youth Soccer and by several private teams and residents, “mostly for practice but also pickup games,” Cattafi said. “Every day, there is somebody on that field.”
“For us to go eight, nine years without touching up, I think we’ve been very fortunate,” Cattafi said.
In the past few months, he said, “a couple spots got worn out. Dakota Engineering, the company that installed the synthetic turf, came in July and fixed it.”
But now, with the 10-year warranty running out, it’s time to replace the turf for safety sake, he said.
The last time around, the USSF partnered with the Nike Foundation to underwrite the cost of the installation. This time around, the USSF will be getting assistance from two new corporate partners.
USSF spokeswoman Jennifer Arnold said the Kearny project “is part of the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Safe Places to Play initiative, which transforms abandoned courts, empty schoolyards, vacant lots and the like into state-of-the-art soccer fields for kids.”
She said the foundation, in partnership with the New York Red Bulls, is also developing a new “mini-pitch” acrylic surface soccer field in Hoboken, at 13th and Adams Sts., under the Viaduct, and a similar one in Valley Stream, N.Y. Mini-pitches are “small, customized areas perfectly suited for organized soccer programs and pickup games.”
The Hoboken facility was scheduled to open Aug. 30, she said.
According to Town Administrator Michael Martello, the Red Bull organization – which owns the Major League Soccer team in Harrison – along with BJ’s – which has opened a new store at the Passaic Ave. mall – are supporting the endeavor and each of the three contributors will have a “sponsor logo” imprinted on the field, along with the town seal.
Martello said that Red Bull wants to expand its corporate presence in Kearny.
Martello said a Red Bull representative “put in a request [to install] a mini-pitch in Riverbank Park,” but the location desired would have involved the excavation of asphalt which, in turn, would reportedly have exceeded Red Bull’s $90,000 budget for the project.
At that point, Martello said he suggested the Branin Field site and now, he added, the company has pledged to partner with the USSF and BJ’s for that field’s re-turfing.
As for possible future involvement in Kearny, Martello said Red Bull expressed interest in pursuing its initial idea for a mini-pitch at an alternate site, possibly the Gunnel Oval on Schuyler Ave. if and when that complex gets a multi-million dollar cleanup and makeover, as planned by the town.
Should Red Bull follow through on that pledge, Martello said it would be “the first such facility in this area” to be developed by the company.
The Observer tried to contact a Red Bull spokesperson for more details but, as of press time, that was unavailing.
Martello said that the USSF anticipates completing installation of the new artificial grass surface at the Branin Field by Sept. 30.
But that timetable – when imparted by The Observer to Cattafi – seemed to catch the rec chief off-guard.
“I wish someone had shared that date with me,” he said. “Sept. 10 is the opening date for our Recreation Youth Soccer league season so I don’t know if we’ll be ready to go by then.”
Several hundred Kearny grammar school-age youngsters, spread among 50 teams, play in the league from early September to the first week of November.
Play areas at Harvey Field and the Oval are used, when needed, to supplement Branin Field, Cattafi said, so it looks as though those sites will be more heavily relied on in the early going.
-30-
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[] | 2016-08-26T13:02:56 | null | 2016-08-17T18:25:12 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fharrisons-ferriero-actions-beyond-belief%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ferriero-featuredimage.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | Harrison’s Ferriero actions beyond belief | null | null | www.theobserver.com | In today’s new-fangled world that is dominated by social media and the little catch-phrases and abbreviations that come with cell phone texting and I-Pad and I-Phone mania, there was one that was predominant last week, when word of former Harrison head football coach Tom Ferriero’s plight trickled out.
All one needed to text last week was the word, “Ferriero,” and you would have all received the same response.
“WTF?”
If not that vulgar and graphic saying, then perhaps maybe a little softer text using the letters, “SMH.”
It means “shaking my head” or “scratching my head”_ as in disbelief and shock.
In any case, the events of Aug. 5 have everyone involved in Hudson and Bergen County sports _ and beyond _ doing the same thing, shaking their heads and offering that three-word vulgarity. There’s not enough Selsun Blue to halt the scratching.
Because no one _ including members of Ferriero’s close circle of friends and even his own family _ can believe what has transpired.
Before that fateful Friday, Ferriero was perhaps the hardest working man involved in Hudson County sports. Outsiders used to marvel at Ferriero’s endless energy. He would bounce from one practice to umpiring a baseball game, then back to another practice, time and time again.
It was unconscionable the way Ferriero worked. If he could go 26 hours in a 24-hour day, he would do it. That’s how dedicated and devoted of a man he seemed to be. His energy clock was timeless. He kicked the Energizer bunny’s ass in terms of going and going and going.
And it was all good, mind you. All good.
For the last few recent years, the 50-year-old Ferriero was an assistant football coach at Lincoln in Jersey City, helping mold that program from the dregs of the inner-city to one of the powerhouses in the state. He was the dedicated girls’ basketball coach at Snyder, watching that perennially moribund squad show signs of life after all this time.
And somehow through it all, Ferriero found the time to be a highly respected baseball umpire, working some of the best high school and college games in the northern New Jersey area.
Even after all that, Ferriero would find himself at high school and college games, supporting his players in other sports, monitoring their progress and making sure they did the right things.
There was a story about Ferriero spotting one of his basketball players out where she shouldn’t have been, then giving her five minutes before he tried to beat her back to her home where she was supposed to be.
That’s how dedicated Ferriero was. He wanted the best for his players. He wanted his football players to achieve academically and wanted his basketball players to improve in order to get a shot at college life. He was good for high school sports, so good.
But it all went away on that fateful afternoon, all thrown away, forcing everyone to utter the same phrase _ “WTF.” As in, what was Ferriero thinking? What was he doing?
Here are the facts, according to Harrison police reports:
At 7:54 p.m., Harrison police were dispatched to Hamilton Street and Kingsland Avenue on reports of a hit-and-run accident involving multiple cars.
A Harrison Board of Education van was crashed into five parked cars, the last being parked at Kingsland and Hamilton Street. When police arrived, they found coach Tom Ferriero, just six months into the tenure of the job he felt he always wanted and was finally able to handle, standing outside the damaged van.
According to the report, Ferriero was “unsteady on his feet and slurring his words.” When Ferriero was asked if he had been drinking, he admitted to police that he had “three beers.” The report also said that Ferriero smelled of an odor of an alcoholic beverage.
At that point, assisting Harrison police asked Ferriero to conduct field sobriety tests, which he could not do successfully.
Harrison police found out that Ferriero took the van without permission from his father, a Board of Education employee, who had been assigned permission to use the van.
A witness said that Ferriero was traveling westbound on Hamilton Street when it struck a vehicle parked at 752 Hamilton, a 2014 silver Honda. Ferriero continued to drive the van on Hamilton, when the van struck another parked vehicle at 736 Hamilton, this one being a 2010 Toyota. The suspect vehicle then apparently made a U-turn and proceeded east onto Kingsland Avenue.
From there, the van struck a third vehicle located in front of Harrison High School, a 2013 Jeep. After striking the third vehicle, the van veered across Kingsland Avenue striking the fourth vehicle head on, a 2007 black Ford. Ferriero then apparently got out of the van to retrieve the front right tire that had been ripped off during the accident.
Back at police headquarters, Ferriero submitted two samples of his breath for analysis. The test result was a 0.11.
Yes, “WTF” indeed.
Incredibly, Ferriero was reached via telephone a few days after his arrest. He was asked if he wanted his attorney, Brian Kernan, to speak on his behalf and he said that he would speak with me, considering we had known each other from my days at St. Peter’s College and the Hudson Dispatch.
In fact, Ferriero and I coached against each other on several occasions _ and I always ended up on the losing end of the stick.
Anyway, Ferriero said he would talk to me about this latest indiscretion that ended his coaching career.
So I asked the first question, the one that everyone is asking: “What were you thinking?”
“I honestly have no clue,” Ferriero said in an exclusive interview. “I took my father’s keys and then made a very egregious mistake. I remember everything. I remember crashing, but I don’t know why I crashed. I was just going to the store to get a sandwich. I didn’t think anything would happen. I don’t know why I did it. Maybe this is God’s way of telling me to stop.”
When I asked stop what, I followed it up with another question.
“Do you have a drinking problem?”
“I don’t have a drinking problem,” Ferriero said. “Look, I’m not going to sit here and shirk responsibility and hide underneath the ground after this. I made a big mistake. It’s really unfortunate. I put so much time into my career and threw it away. I tried to be a better man.”
Ferriero resigned as football coach at Harrison last week.
Calls to athletic director Kim McDonough Huaranga, asking about Ferriero’s replacement, were directed to Superintendent of Schools Frederick Confessor’s office.
The football team was slated to meet the new coach Monday. Again, the team trudges on with another coach. They’ve now had four different coaches over the last four years. The revolving door has to stop.
They thought they had one of their own in Ferriero, but he took the van and drove that job away for a sandwich.
“I have to take responsibility,” Ferriero said. “Other people in sports get chances. I have to move on with my life. I’m devastated about this. All the things, like coaching, that I just took for granted are gone. I really have to work hard now to become a better person because of this. I have to do the right thing. I have to make sure I make retribution. I’m just glad I didn’t hurt anybody.”
Retribution is repairing the five parked cars he hit _ plus the Harrison van, because Ferriero faces an assortment of charges, including driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident and driving with a suspended driver’s license. That’s going to be tough.
“I’m being brutally honest,” Ferriero said. “This is the one thing that blew up in my face.”
And for that, there will be no recovery _ and that’s a shame, because Ferriero is a good coach, but more importantly, a good man. Now, he has to forget about the former and concentrate on the latter.
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[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:32 | null | 2016-08-31T14:09:27 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Findicted-for-insurance-fraud-in-belleville-docs-office%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cropped-observer-512x.png?fit=512%2C512 | en | null | Indicted for insurance fraud in Belleville doc’s office | null | null | www.theobserver.com | BELLEVILLE —
A Monmouth County man has been charged with submitting fraudulent health insurance claims in the name of a Belleville ophthalmologist for whom he worked, then stealing the insurance checks when they came into the doctor’s office.
Austin B. Mongiello, 27, of Manalapan, was indicted last Wednesday by the State Grand Jury in Trenton on charges of health care claims fraud, theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking, and forgery, N.J. Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Christopher Iu announced.
According to the indictment, between Sept. 1, 2012, and March 30, 2013, Mongiello submitted $4,155 in fraudulent claims to VSP, an insurance carrier specializing in vision care. He allegedly submitted the claims under the name of the ophthalmologist, whom authorities did not identify, other than to state that the doctor’s practice was in Belleville.
VSP issued checks amounting to $1,456 to the ophthalmologist, but Mongiello was able to steal only $842 worth of the checks from the doctor’s office, the prosecutor said. The suspect was also charged with stealing $687 in checks made payable to his employer by another insurance carrier, Davis Vision.
Iu noted that people who are concerned about insurance cheating and have information about a fraud can report it anonymously by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-877-55-FRAUD, or by visiting www.NJInsurancefraud.org.
— Karen Zautyk
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[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:54 | null | 2016-08-31T14:18:10 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fupgrades-to-water-lines-in-the-pipeline%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cropped-observer-512x.png?fit=512%2C512 | en | null | Upgrades to water lines in the pipeline | null | null | www.theobserver.com | KEARNY –
Kearny officials want to end the flow – not go with it – so they authorized spending up to $3.75 million for various water main improvements and related road repairs at last Tuesday’s special Town Council session.
That’s the amount of bonds the town will sell to finance the work which, officials hope, will, ultimately, save the town money now being spent to fix an increasing volume of breaks to the town’s aging water-distribution system.
The town will use $25,000 from its capital improvement fund and an emergency appropriation of $175,000 to cover a $200,000 down payment required by the state’s Local Bond Law.
Debt payments on the bonds will be made over the next decade.
Of the total amount to be borrowed, $750,000 is earmarked for interest payments and professional fees for engineering and architectural work associated with the bond issue.
Although the town recently awarded a five-year water services contract to Suez North America to run its water system, handle billings and respond to local water emergencies, Mayor Alberto Santos said that water utility improvements like those included in the newly-passed bond ordinance “remain the responsibility of the Town of Kearny.”
At Tuesday’s meeting, the mayor and council also agreed to file an application with the N.J. Board of Public Utilities, the state Department of Environmental Protection and N.J. Local Finance Board for final approval of its Aug. 9 contract with Suez. Kearny previously abolished its water utility whose employees got new jobs, some with the town and some with Suez.
Santos said that under the new agreement with Suez, Kearny also retains the right to set local water rates which may or may not be affected by the pending improvements to the water system.
In recent years, Santos said, “there has been a gap in [water] revenues” – a gap “which we’ve closed a bit,” and hope to continue to narrow under Suez, he added.
As listed in the bond ordinance, the locations where rehabilitation work will take place are: Devon St. (Bergen Ave. to King St.), Elm St. (Bergen to Garfield Ave.), Peden Terrace, Elm St. (Quincy to Oakwood Aves.), Elm St. (Quincy to Midland Ave.), Forest St. (Oakwood to Midland), Davis Ave. (Bergen through Wilson Ave.) and Davis Ave. (water improvements only, Wilson through Dukes St.).
The council passed another bond ordinance, authorizing spending up to $2.1 million for various capital improvements that will fund, among other things, a two new Fire Department rigs, air packs and computers, along with renovations to the municipal Health Department building on Kearny Ave.
It also updated town regulations governing the operation of pawn shops and “precious metal dealers” by expanding coverage of “second-hand goods” to include electronic gift cards, GPS devices, computers, cell phones and clothing valued at more than $1,000 and by requiring shop owners to electronically input sales records into a digital data base accessible only to police to be used as a tool for the recovery of stolen goods.
And it authorized town CFO Shuaib Firozvi “to accept donations and expend funds for the Town’s 150th anniversary golf outing,” Oct. 3, at the Minebrook Golf Course in Hackettstown, “provided that any specific expenditure disbursements shall not exceed the amount of donations on hand at the time of the expenditure.”
Proceeds from the golf tournament, which will serve as the kickoff for next year’s anniversary observance, will be used to sponsor community events to be held during 2017 as part of the anniversary celebration.
Golfers should anticipate a 9 a.m. shotgun start and there is a $125 registration fee that covers golf, cart, continental breakfast, lunch and prizes. Bus transportation to and from the tournament is available.
Non-golfers are invited to partake in a post-tournament luncheon at 2:30 p.m. at the Lithuanian Catholic Community Club, 10 Davis Ave. A $50 payment is requested.
People may also opt to become anniversary sponsors or patrons by making varying financial pledges.
To learn more about the golf outing, sponsored by the Kearny Sesquicentennial Committee, chaired by the mayor, call 201-955-7983.
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[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:48 | null | 2016-08-31T14:10:50 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fnabbed-in-multiple-car-burglaries-npd%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cropped-observer-512x.png?fit=512%2C512 | en | null | Nabbed in multiple car burglaries: NPD | null | null | www.theobserver.com | LYNDHURST —
A suspected car burglar was arrested in Lyndhurst last week.
LPD Det. Vincent Auteri gave the following account:
Shortly after 2 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 26, police responded to the 500 block of Willow Ave. to check on a report of a theft from a motor vehicle.
The owner of a Mazda 6 told police his keys, prescription glasses, sunglasses and about $10 in change had been taken from his unlocked vehicle.
While in the area, Officer Steve Batista was alerted by his onboard Automated License Plate Reader that a 2009 Honda Accord reported stolen out of Bloomfield was in the area and was discovered on Willow within close proximity to the burglary.
Police also learned the Honda had different front and rear license plates and Sgt. Andrew Marmorato discovered that the hood of the Honda was warm, which led him to believe it had been recently parked.
As the stolen car was impounded, police called in the K-9 unit from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office to assist searching the area for a possible suspect.
As police conducted the search, Officer Nick Abruscato spotted a black man jump onto a retaining wall at the front of a home on Willow. Abruscato and Batista gave chase, climbing over the wall, in the process recovering a black backpack containing a series of items believed to be proceeds from thefts from unlocked vehicles in the area.
As police from North Arlington, Rutherford and Nutley set up a perimeter around the search area, the Lyndhurst officers ultimately discovered the suspect lying on the ground in a bed of mulch behind a shrub — several feet from where they found the backpack — and placed him under arrest.
A search of the suspect turned up an assortment of stolen credit cards, $259 in cash and items from the Willow Ave. resident’s vehicle.
Police believe an additional five vehicles were burglarized. Investigation by Dets. Ron Guirland and Mike Lemanowicz reportedly have secured evidence which, they believe, links the suspect to each of the six burglaries.
The other vehicles burglarized were: two cars parked on the 400 block of Post St. – an Infiniti Q40, from which loose change, sunglasses and registration card were taken, and a Hyundai Sonata, from which a wallet with $150 cash and credit cards were taken; a Nissan Rogue parked on the 400 block of Oak St., from which about $10 in change was taken; a Nissan Pathfinder on the 200 block of Page Ave., from which loose change was taken; a Toyota Camry on the 200 block of Forest Ave., from which loose change was taken; and the Mazda 6 on Willow.
The suspect, Daniel Navarro, 34, of Newark, was charged with six counts of burglary to a motor vehicle, four counts of theft, two counts of obstruction, hindering apprehension and resisting arrest.
Navarro was taken to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash-only bail set by Municipal Court Judge George Savino.
The LPD reminds everyone to lock their cars.
– Ron Leir
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[] | 2016-08-26T13:00:15 | null | 2016-08-10T14:50:21 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fscenes-from-kearnys-night-out%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/DSC08291.jpg | en | null | Scenes from Kearny’s ‘Night Out’ | null | null | www.theobserver.com | Business partners wanted
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[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:31 | null | 2016-08-31T13:36:30 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fmaroon-raiders-look-to-continue-winning-ways%2F.json | http://i1.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/inside.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | Maroon Raiders look to continue winning ways | null | null | www.theobserver.com | The Nutley High School football team won eight games in 2015, capturing their Super Essex Conference-Liberty Division title for the second straight year. The Maroon Raiders also qualified once again for the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group III playoffs.
As the Maroon Raiders prepare for their 2016 season, there is one glaring absence. Gone is the school’s all-time leading rusher Craig Merkle, gone on to play college football at Wagner.
“You can’t replace a player like Craig,” said Tom Basile, who begins his fourth season as the Maroon Raiders’ head coach. “A player like that comes along once, maybe twice in a lifetime. But what we can do is get a bunch of guys in a group effort that can perhaps match what Craig gave us. We can maybe get the same out of the group.”
Basile said that the Maroon Raiders will miss Merkle and the rest of the Class of 2015, some 20 members of last year’s team in all.
“We’re going to find it tough to move on with a lot of those great seniors,” Basile said. “A lot of those guys were two-way starters for us. We took a big hit in terms of graduation.”
The Maroon Raiders also have other obstacles to face this season.
“We have put in a new offense and a new defense,” Basile said. “We’re in a new conference with a new schedule. Every team on our schedule made the playoffs last year. It means that every day is a challenge. Our team is very different from last year. We might not have the player to make you say, ‘Wow!’, but we have a bunch of nice players who are getting better every day.”
Basile believes this team could be as successful as last year’s group.
“If the sum of the parts reaches the talent, then we have a good shot,” Basile said.
The Maroon Raiders have two quarterbacks to work with, namely junior Frank DeMaio (5-10, 165) and sophomore Josh O’Neill (5-11, 180), as they transition into becoming a spread Pistol type offense.
“Both kids do different things well,” Basile said. “Frank is a roll-and-play action type quarterback while Josh drops back and throws with a strong arm. They both have been excellent so far.”
The running backs are senior Matt Roser (5-8, 165) and junior Nick Mainiero (5-6, 155).
“Matt is our main guy,” Basile said of Roser, who gained 500 yards as Merkle’s understudy last year. “Nick can also play the slot as a receiver.”
The top receiver is senior R.J. Ferrarelli (6-3, 190).
“He’s our big threat,” Basile said. “He runs great routes and is a good target. He has good hands and a lot of toughness after he makes a catch. He’s a hungry player.”
Senior Steven Clausen (5-7, 155) and junior Nick Saporito (5-10, 170) are the other receivers.
Senior Justin Bivona (6-0, 195) is the tight end. Bivona is a good old fashioned football player, the kind who would play without pads and a helmet if allowed.
The offensive line is relatively young, but senior tackle Nick Lovato (6-3, 245) and senior guard Mark Charles (5-10, 195) return.
Junior Luis Abreu (6-3, 290) is at the other tackle slot and senior Hunter Lechthaler (6-3, 245) is the other guard, with junior Anthony Alberti (5-11, 250) at center.
“We’re asking a lot of our centers with the new offense,” said Basile of his centers, as now every snap will be in shotgun formation.
Defensively, the Maroon Raiders have shifted to a 3-4 formation.
The defensive ends are Lovato and junior Ryan O’Mara (6-1, 240), with Charles as the nose guard.
The outside linebackers are Bivona, who played there last year, and junior Sam Abreu (5-9, 185 and no relation to teammate Luis).
The inside linebackers are senior Sam Coppola (5-11, 230) and promising sophomore Johnny Luberto (6-1, 185).
Mainiero and junior Wayne Wittmann (6-0, 170) are the cornerbacks with DeMaio and Ferrarelli at the safeties.
The Maroon Raiders open up against West Essex on Sept. 9. It’s the same West Essex team that knocked the Maroon Raiders out of the state playoffs, 28-7, last year.
Still, Basile feels good about his team.
“The kids work hard every day, trying to reach their potential,” Basile said. “That’s all you can ask for. If they keep getting better, then we keep working at it.”
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[] | 2016-08-26T12:48:23 | null | 2016-08-14T13:58:35 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fsponsored-content-schuyler-savings-looking-to-lend%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Schuyler-Mortgage-Feat.jpg?fit=815%2C309 | en | null | Sponsored Content: Schuyler Savings: Looking to Lend! | null | null | www.theobserver.com | Business partners wanted
Looking for qualified business partners! Are you a sports-minded, self-motivated, entrepreneurial-minded individual? Contact Opportunity@lmfmarketing.com to educate yourself on this opportunity and see if this is a fit for you. | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/sponsored-content-schuyler-savings-looking-to-lend/ | en | 2016-08-14T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/ebd2bf8b71c8c2bc3e366914a680689719d3caaabe77e57d9f50a6e78efda196.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:59:00 | null | 2016-08-11T13:22:28 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fharrison-football-coach-arrested-for-dwi-other-charges%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ferriero-featuredimage.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | Harrison football coach arrested for DWI, other charges | null | null | www.theobserver.com | HARRISON —
The new football coach at Harrison High School was arrested last Friday night and hit with an assortment of charges, including driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident and driving with a suspended driver’s license.
According to the Harrison police report, Thomas Ferriero, 50, was arrested by Harrison police after he allegedly took a Board of Education van and crashed it into five parked vehicles, the last one being parked at Kingsland Ave. and Hamilton St.
According to the report, Harrison police arrived at the scene at 8 p.m. last Friday and found Ferriero standing next to the van that he crashed. The report says that he was “unsteady on his feet and slurring his words.” When asked if he had been drinking, Ferriero told police that he had “three beers.” The report said that Ferriero smelled of an odor of an alcoholic beverage.
At that point, assisting Harrison police asked Ferriero to conduct field sobriety tests, which he could not do successfully.
Harrison police found out that Ferriero took the van without permission from his father, a Board of Education employee, who had been assigned permission to use the van.
A witness said that Ferriero was traveling westbound on Hamilton St. when it struck a vehicle parked at 752 Hamilton, a 2014 silver Honda. Ferriero continued to drive the van on Hamilton, when the van struck another parked vehicle at 736 Hamilton, this one being a 2010 Toyota. The suspect vehicle then apparently made a U-turn and proceeded east onto Kingsland Ave.
From there, the van struck a third vehicle located in front of Harrison High School, a 2013 Jeep. After striking the third vehicle, the van veered across Kingsland Ave. striking the fourth vehicle head on, a 2007 black Ford. Ferriero then apparently got out of the van to retrieve the front right tire that had been ripped off during the accident.
Back at police headquarters, Ferriero submitted two samples of his breath for analysis. The test result was a 0.11.
Ferriero was suspended without pay as the head football coach, a position he was just appointed to last March. He is the former girls’ basketball coach at Queen of Peace, as well as the former head football coach at QP and Harrison. There’s no word about a possible replacement for Ferriero, although Juan Garcia, the former head coach at Marist in Bayonne, has been an assistant under Ferriero since his hiring and seems like a logical choice for a replacement.
For more on this story, including an exclusive interview with Ferriero, please read Jim Hague’s Sports View column in the Aug. 17 editions of The Observer.
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[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:46 | null | 2016-08-31T14:14:22 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fkpd-drug-suspect-idd-hunted%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Kearny-PD-Police-Cruiser-Featured-Image.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | KPD: Drug suspect ID’d, hunted | null | null | www.theobserver.com | Last week’s Kearny police blotter included an Aug. 17 incident involving a suspected heroin transaction in the area of Maple St. and Bergen Ave. The alleged buyer, a 51-year old Kearny man, was arrested, but the unidentified female seller avoided apprehension, speeding from the scene in a silver Chevy, police reported, adding that the investigation was continuing.
The very next day, thanks to some skillful work by Vice Unit detectives, the car — a 2016 Malibu — was found parked in an apartment lot on Munn Ave. in East Orange, KPD Chief John Dowie noted. When it was further determined that the vehicle had been rented, the detectives contacted the rental company, which provided information on the female renter. Contacted by police, she reportedly proved to be uncooperative.
Undeterred, the detectives kept on the case and learned that another woman — Natisha Galletto, 34, of East Orange — had access to the Chevy, Dowie said. Warrants were then issued for her arrest on charges of eluding, possession of heroin and possession with intent to distribute. As of press time, Galletto was still on the lam, but the hunt goes on — and bail of $10,000 has been set.
••
Other recent reports from the Kearny police blotter included the following:
Aug. 18
At 7:30 p.m., Officers Joseph Martin and Mina Ekladious responded to reports of a large fight on Windsor St. off Bergen Ave. and arrived to see a white 2002 Honda with a smashed windshield attempting to leave the scene. Ekladious stopped the car while Martin located witnesses and potential victims.
Police said it was determined that a 19-year-old male and a 16-year-old female, both Kearny residents, had been assaulted by the Honda’s occupants. The passenger had allegedly hit the girl in the face with a metal scooter and then tried to choke her. The male told police that when he attempted to come to the girl’s aid, the driver tried to run him down, and he struck the windshield in an effort to defend himself. Police said the victims’ accounts were corroborated by witnesses.
Both the driver, John Ramirez, 20, of Kearny, and passenger, a 17-year-old Newark male, were arrested on charges of aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, and unlawful possession of a weapon. A second passenger, a 16-year-old Kearny male not involved in the assault, was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The cause of the fight is unknown.
Aug. 20
Shortly after midnight, Officer Derek Hemphill and Sgt. Jack Corbett responded to Passaic and Johnston Aves., where a 2002 Chrysler had hit a utility pole. Police said driver Maria Abreu, 31, of Newark, was unable to maintain her balance long enough to perform field sobriety tests. She was brought to headquarters for an Alcotest and was charged with DWI, careless driving and failure to have her driver’s license in her possession.
••
Officer Michael Gontarczuk, on patrol at Bergen Ave. and Elm St. at 3:40 a.m., observed several individuals milling around a parked 2001 Honda, and when he approached to make inquiries, he reportedly spotted an open bottle of vodka on the rear seat. When the driver turned out to be under 21, the officer began to retrieve the bottle for evidence and, while so doing, also found in the car a partially smoked marijuana cigar and a grinder containing the drug, police said.
Joshua Torres, 18, of Newark, was charged with possession of pot and paraphernalia and underage possession of alcohol.
••
At 5 p.m., Officer Jordenson Jean observed Marc Zarnowski, 25, of Kearny, operating a 2002 Dodge in the area of Halstead St. and Belgrove Drive, confirmed that Zarnowski’s license was suspended and stopped the car at Peden Terrace, police said. Zarnowski was arrested for the license offense and on a $250 Kearny drug-related warrant.
Aug. 21
On patrol at 1:30 a.m. on Harrison Ave., Officers Dominic Dominguez and Jonathan Dowie saw an eastbound 1993 Saab failing to keep right and pulled it over on Fish House Road. Police said the driver, Bryant Berry, 45, of Jersey City, was found to have a suspended license and two $100 Jersey City warrants. He was taken into custody and the Jersey City PD was notified.
••
Officer Hemphill responded to a 4:30 a.m. report of a one-car accident on the 300 block of Schuyler Ave., where he found that a 1999 Chrysler had apparently hit a curb. After FSTs, driver Sybele Santos, 29, of Kearny, was taken to HQ, given an Alcotest and charged with DWI and careless driving.
Aug. 22
Shortly before 1 a.m., at Passaic and N. Midland Aves., Officer Dowie stopped a 2008 Toyota with heavily tinted windows, found it occupied by four people and also reportedly found bits of marijuana strewn about the interior, a plastic bag in the passenger area and a cigar commonly used to roll pot. Police said it was determined that the drug belonged to one passenger, Jair Zevallos, 18, of Morris Plains. He was charged with possession of pot and paraphernalia. The driver got a summons for the window-glazing violation.
Aug. 23
Vice officers, having developed information that two individuals had purchased drugs in Belleville and were heading to Kearny on foot, set up surveillance and, at 5 p.m. observed suspects Gianfranco Zeppetelli, 36, of Harrison, and Stefan Florea, 26, of Kearny, walking east on the Belleville Pike near Clinton Ave.
When the duo reached Kearny Ave., Florea continued along the Pike, but Zeppetelli remained in the area, where detectives confronted him with their info and confiscated two vials of suspected cocaine, police said.
Soon after, they stopped Florea near Prospect Place and reportedly found him to be in possession of a vial of suspected coke and seven wax folds of heroin, stamped “Coca Cola.”
Both men were booked at HQ on drug- and paraphernalia-possession charges.
••
Shortly before midnight, Officer Ekladious pulled over a 1999 Honda for a headlight violation at Passaic and Magnolia Aves. In plain view in the center console, police said, was a plastic bag of suspected weed [we’re tired of writing “pot”]. Driver Johni Martinez, 18, of Newark, was charged with possession of the drug and paraphernalia and the lighting violation.
— Karen Zautyk
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/kpd-drug-suspect-idd-hunted/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/63108ecdc343905c11a468e77d88212bcce494120c9e243bfe37fe516df6598a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:57:43 | null | 2016-08-17T17:52:26 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fwe-are-all-to-blame-for-aleppo-disaster%2F.json | http://i0.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/FOR-RON-COLUMN-syria-aleppo-siege.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | We are all to blame for Aleppo disaster | null | null | www.theobserver.com | By Ron Leir
Well, here we are in the midst of a sticky, steamy summer with no relief in sight — and if we manage to get through with the protection of A/C, the weather experts tell us we may be facing a brutal hurricane season this fall.
Meanwhile, even if you escape to the Jersey Shore — assuming you beat the traffic — you may be encountering your favorite beaches closed to the presence of bacteria in the water.
Still, before you sign up for a pity party, you may want to consider the plight of the people in Aleppo, Syria, who are in a real sticky situation these days.
Although the situation could change by press time, as of last Friday, all major media sources were saying that as many as 2 million people in Aleppo were, essentially, cornered with no outlet to seek refuge.
As cbsnews.com put it, they were “in danger of running out of food, fuel, medical supplies and water in a city that has been under siege for weeks now amid incessant fighting.”
And, as reported by theguardian.com, the few physicians remaining have issued a desperate plea to the U.S. to try and put an immediate halt to the indiscriminate shelling of hospitals in the city.
“We do not need tears or sympathy or even prayers: we desperately need a zone free from bombing over eastern Aleppo to stop the attacks, and international action to ensure Aleppo is never besieged again,” doctors wrote in a letter to President Obama.
Their cry for help came after Russia – which is backing the Syrian government forces – had pledged not to send its fighter jets over the city for three hours a day – a move that was to have started last Thursday – to allow for deliveries of emergency humanitarian aid.
The situation reached crisis proportions when rebels in the eastern part of Aleppo – where 250,000 civilians are under siege – recently launched an offensive that cut the government-held supply route into the city, thereby putting the western part of Aleppo at risk as well.
Here is how the Syrian doctors describe what they are living through daily:
“For five years, we have faced death from above on a daily basis. But we now face death from all around. For five years, we have borne witness as countless patients, friends and colleagues suffered violent, tormented deaths. For five years, the world has stood by and remarked how ‘complicated’ Syria is, while doing little to protect us. …
“Last month, there were 42 attacks on medical facilities in Syria, 15 of which were hospitals in which we work. Right now, there is an attack on a medical facility every 17 hours. At this rate, our medical services in Aleppo could be completely destroyed in a month, leaving 300,000 people to die.
“What pains us most, as doctors, is choosing who will live and who will die. Young children are sometimes brought into our emergency rooms so badly injured that we have to prioritize those with better chances, or simply don’t have the equipment to help them. Two weeks ago, four newborn babies gasping for air suffocated to death after a blast cut the oxygen supply to their incubators. Grasping for air, their lives ended before they had really begun.”
The letter doesn’t mention that, according to news reports at the time of that bombing, that the pediatrics unit was – for no known reason – locked at the time and that no one reportedly could find a key to open it as fires raged inside.
At any rate, the doctors’ letter labels the ongoing attacks on hospitals as a “war crime.”
But if the Syrian government and Russia are to be held responsible, then so, too, are the nations of the world for doing nothing to stop the atrocities.
We have heard the usual complaints raised by and through United Nations members and representatives, and by the Vatican and other religious leaders, but actions speak louder than words.
Aleppo – like many other sad cases of human suffering around the globe – remains a blot on the conscience of the world. Humanity is the guilty party here.
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/we-are-all-to-blame-for-aleppo-disaster/ | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/f599ba29940ee90438d1016a6e519cd812e89f0a42e652e48bc54d704541f584.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:48:52 | null | 2016-08-17T18:20:29 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fkpd-atm-skimmer-at-quickchek%2F.json | http://i1.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/KPD-Kearny-PD-Shield-Web.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | KPD: ATM skimmer at QuickChek | null | null | www.theobserver.com | A QuickChek customer who suspected that the ATM at the store “had been manipulated” alerted police, who subsequently arrested two men for allegedly placing a skimming device on the machine last week, the KPD reports.
Upon receipt of the complaint, Det. Lt. Paul Bershefski, Det. Sgt. Michael Gonzalez, Det. Ramon Lopez and members of the Vice Unit responded to the store at Kearny and Bergen Aves. at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, and verified that a skimmer had been installed. Officers reviewed the security videos and noted two individuals who “had spent an inordinate amount of time” around the ATM, police said.
In hopes that the suspects might soon return, surveillance was set up inside and outside QuickChek. Shortly thereafter, police said, two men matching the description entered the store, went immediately to the ATM and began to remove the device. The officers confronted and arrested David Herrera-Rodas, 24, of Newark, and Alejandro Gonzalez-Scott, 34, of Lyndhurst.
Both were charged with computer-related criminal activity, use of a scanning device, possession of a forgery device and conspiracy.
The KPD said the skimmer had apparently had been installed earlier that day. Customers who used the QuickChek machine on the date in question are advised to contact their bank to see if their card has been compromised.
•••
Other recent reports from the Kearny police blotter included the following:
Aug. 4
At 11:30 a.m., Vice officers stopped a 2003 Nissan near the Belleville Pike and Passaic Ave. and reportedly observed driver Soscia Salo, 42, of Lyndhurst holding a wax fold stamped “Angry Birds.” She was also allegedly found to have a cut straw and eight more folds, all with a “brand-name” indicating irate warm-blooded, egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers, beaks and forelimbs modified as wings. She was charged with possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia.
Aug. 5
At 9:15 p.m., the attention of Officers Jason Rodrigues and Jonathan Dowie was drawn to a Nissan parked at the dead-end of Hoyt St. off Schuyler Ave. and reportedly emitting puffs of smoke. Approaching on foot, police said, they detected the usual odor and arrested Julian Shipman, 22, of Newark, after he handed over one burnt hand-rolled cigar. He was charged with possession of pot and paraphernalia and on a $50 theft warrant from Newark, and the Newark PD was advised he was in custody.
•••
Units responded to a 10:20 p.m. report of a fight in progress at Kearny and Midland Aves. Police said Officer Sean Podolski, first on the scene, was advised by witnesses that a man sitting in a parked Honda had been the aggressor and had struck a 28-year-old East Orange man multiple times in the neck and legs with a “black, club-like object.” Honda occupant Alvin Marrero-Fernandez, 24, of Belleville, was charged with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon — a black expandable baton reportedly found in the car — and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes. The cause of the dispute is not known.
Aug. 6
At 9:15 a.m., on Hackensack Ave., Officer Jordenson Jean stopped at 2006 Nissan for a lighting violation and reportedly found that driver Adriana Cordova, 30, of Elizabeth, had a suspended license and two motor vehicle warrants: $750, from East Greenwich, N.J., and $500, Passaic. She was charged on everything and turned over to Passaic authorities.
Aug. 8
Officer Dowie, on patrol at 1 a.m., reported a 2003 Honda speeding north on Kearny Ave. at Woodland Ave. and followed it to Maple St. and then down Bergen Ave. into the Applebee’s lot. Following field sobriety tests, the 17-year-old male (probationary) driver from Hampton, N.J., was arrested for DWI, careless driving, DWI in a school zone and violation of probationary-license regulations: driving after hours and with too many occupants in the car. The Honda was impounded, and the driver was later released to the custody of his father.
Aug. 9
Officers Daniel Esteves and Daniel Lopez were advised by a concerned citizen at 5:30 p.m. that the occupants of a gray Hyundai travelling south on Passaic Ave. had been throwing objects from the car. After the officers stopped it on Passaic in East Newark, police said, they found that driver Lisetta Sindab, 28, of Union, had both a suspended license and a $500 MV warrant from Sparta. She was arrested and Sparta was notified. Because Sindab’s passenger was unlicensed, the Hyundai was towed to impound.
— Karen Zautyk
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[] | 2016-08-26T12:58:36 | null | 2016-08-10T15:00:05 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fspecial-needs-focus-at-lighthouse-campus%2F.json | http://i0.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/2-1.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | Special needs focus at Lighthouse campus | null | null | www.theobserver.com | LYNDHURST —
Having settled in as Lyndhurst superintendent of schools (having swapped places with James Corino, now interim assistant superintendent), Shauna DeMarco is preparing to launch various initiatives for the fall term.
These include expanding the Community School program for preschoolers, upgrading student iPads, testing water in schools for lead content and revisiting the Lighthouse campus program.
This summer, the Community School has been registering 3-year-olds for its pre-K program, supplementing the existing complement of 4-year-olds at Columbus School on Valley Brook Ave.
So far, 17 of the 3-year-olds have been enrolled, according to Columbus School / Community School Principal Robert Giangeruso.
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They’ll participate in a morning session at 601 Riverside Ave. in space formerly occupied by the township Board of Health, Giangeruso said, unless enrollment grows to the point where the program can also accommodate an afternoon class.
Giangeruso said the program had to find additional space outside Columbus School because the available rooms for the program are already full, with classes for pre-K age 4 plus two classes for pre-K age 4 disabled.
On the lead front, DeMarco and David DiPisa, business administrator/board secretary, have advised parents that, in compliance with state rules, the school board “conducted lead testing district-wide” June 7-9, collecting 52 samples that were tested by McCabe Environmental Services of Lyndhurst.
Of that total, “only one sink, located in the office of the high school athletic director, by the gymnasium, did not pass the lead test,” a July 28 advisory said. “This sink has been placed out of service and follow-up tests are being conducted … to locate the origin of the problem and resolve it accordingly.”
Parents can check out the full report submitted by McCabe by going to www.lyndhurstschools.net and clicking on the high school tab or they can call DiPisa at 201-438-5683, ext. 4728, for more details.
On the school technology agenda, DeMarco said the district has provided students with the latest version of Apple iPads. The devices will be distributed on a one-to-one basis at the high school while a batch of 60 will be shipped to each of the elementary schools, she said.
And then there is the Lighthouse, where Sharon King-Dobson, the district’s special services supervisor, is getting ready to implement a combination “Functional Academics/Life Skills” program for severely intellectually disabled students.
Last week, King-Dobson gave a reporter a tour of the newly revamped space, which is getting some last-minute adjustments. The space was previously used for small group instruction.
“Now we’re bringing it back to its original focus,” she said.
When school opens Sept. 7, the program will begin with pre-assessment tests of students’ skill sets and other preliminary activities allowing the students to orient themselves to their new surroundings, she said.
“By October, we should be in full swing,” she added.
Ten students from grades 6, 7 and 8 — and 16 from high school — will spend part of their day at their home school and the balance at 601 Riverside. School buses will take them back and forth, along with teachers Loretto Morton, Kimberly Hykey and Anthony Latti — and eight instructional aides.
Six of the 26 students are returning to Lyndhurst from prior outside placements in special facilities, thereby saving the district from paying costly tuition and transportation fees and enabling students to feel more secure being closer to home.
These students are exempt from the state-mandated PARCC test, so, instead of trying to master rather abstract concepts like algebra, for example, they will be focusing on the application of essential survival skills, King-Dobson said.
So, for example, she said, students will learn how to do budgeting for everyday expenses, maintaining a bank account and writing checks, figuring out how to read a map or a train or bus schedule.
They’ll be accountable for managing their time, plotting out and executing household tasks such as laundry, ironing, making beds, changing and cleaning sheets and bedspreads, preparing meals to help them “function on an adult level and maintain a certain level of independence.”
To that end, students are put through their paces with the aid of a replica house, or at least one with the key components of a typical dwelling: a model kitchen outfitted with stove, microwave, toaster, refrigerator and partly-stocked cabinets; a dining room; a boy’s bedroom and girl’s bedroom; an office where students can answer phones and print documents; a computer room with eight computer terminals that students can use to research ingredients for making meals or locating transit information; two classrooms, to be used by middle schoolers in the morning and secondary schoolers in the afternoon; and a lounge for social interactions.
To develop employable skills, some of the students will be involved in “Community-Based Instructional Transition,” meaning that they will visit local workplaces and try out preparatory work like folding boxes and sorting utensils.
High schoolers age 16 and older will participate in “Structured Learning” and will work at a job site with a coach.
Both staffers and the community have generously contributed to the program: ShopRite donated $200 worth of cake and pancake mix, pots and containers; the township Board of Health gifted wall paintings from its old offices, Lowe’s provided five house plants for the lounge, staff members came up with a love seat, a large cushion, furniture and paintings for the bedrooms and several puzzle pictures assembled by special needs students were hung in the bedrooms.
“But we still need a dining room table and/or set, dinner wear, cushions, sheets and towels and wall décor,” King-Dobson said.
Anyone wishing to help is invited to call her at 201-438-5683, ext. 4716.
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[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:28 | null | 2016-08-31T14:02:55 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fscore-one-for-mother-nature%2F.json | http://i0.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/woods.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | Score one for Mother Nature | null | null | www.theobserver.com | By Ron Leir
With a stroke of his pen, President Obama – against the wishes of the Pine Tree State governor, hunters and snowmobilers – has designated more than 87,000 acres of northern Maine timberland to be set aside for preservation.
This supplements Maine’s only existing national park, Acadia, on the coast, comprising nearly 49,000 acres.
Technically, the area is labeled a “national monument” because only a vote of Congress can authorize the creation of a national park.
It was President Teddy Roosevelt, a Republican, who created the precedent for Obama’s action when, back in 1906, under the “Antiquities Act,” he took steps to protect many of the nation’s undeveloped lands – mostly in Western states – from exploitation by timber, mining and oil barons.
Many bird and wildlife preserves exist across the U.S. today, only because TR pushed the conservation agenda to the Bull Moose.
This year, as we mark the centennial anniversary of the National Park Service, there are still threats to our precious natural resources, as witness the current standoff between the Standing Rock Sioux, joined by other Native American tribes, against the Dakota Access oil pipeline developers.
The Indians have sued to stop the underground pipeline’s incursion into North Dakota, claiming there is danger of the line rupturing and spilling oil into waterways and that the pipeline will intrude on ancestral lands and gravesites.
A federal judge was due to make a ruling on the legal complaint by Sept. 9.
Back in Maine, it should be noted that the president’s declaration came in the wake of a longtime effort by Burt’s Bees founder Roxanne Quimby to buy up and assemble acreage in the northeastern part of the state to preserve as parkland and the family has earmarked $40 million for park development and maintenance, according to The New York Times.
But, as the Times reported, Maine’s top elective leader, GOP Gov. Paul LePage, has been anything but receptive to the plans. He was quoted as saying, “It’s a shame that rich, out-of-state liberals can team up with President Obama to force a national monument on rural Mainers who do not want it.”
Let us hope that a compromise can be worked out to accommodate the Mainers so we can all peacefully enjoy the state’s wilderness and mountains while ensuring a balanced ecosystem.
It is said that Maine lawmakers and others against the park – now designated as the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument – are also fearful that the it will be a precursor to more restrictive air pollution controls on wood and paper mills outside the park area. Frankly, given Congress’ reluctance to check the growth of local industry, they probably shouldn’t worry too much.
As pristine as much of the lobster-loving state may be – particularly to us in the industrialized New York/New Jersey metro area – there is still, nonetheless, the reality of pollution in its waters.
Since 2014, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has closed off 12.5 square miles at the mouth of the Penobscot River, which feeds into Penobscot Bay, to lobster and crab fishing because of high levels of mercury.
The actions taken are the outcome of a federal lawsuit filed by the Maine People’s Alliance and the Natural Resources Defense Council against the HoltraChem Manufacturing Co. and its purchaser Mallinckrodt LLC.
Last September, according to The Ellsworth American, the court ordered Mallinckrodt to pay for a plan to clean the riverbed of the Penobscot River of mercury pollution from the former HoltraChem plant in Orrington, Maine.
The company has hired the Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure engineering firm of Chicago to come up with such a plan, which is due this month.
That cleanup could cost as much as $130 million, it has been speculated.
That’s just a trifle when compared to our own Passaic River cleanup program and the estimated cost of removing PCBs, dioxin and heavy metals which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has pegged at more than $1 billion – a plan that the responsible parties have scoffed at as misguided.
Federal and state environmentalists have warned anglers not to consume any of the crabs or other fish inhabiting the Passaic which are, presumably, laced with toxins.
Here in New Jersey, we can thank the former Meadowlands Commission for paying attention to the flora, fauna and wildlife in the region and for organizing kayak/canoe trips through the marshes to further our meadows education and recreation.
Now it’s up to the N.J. Sports & Exposition Authority to shepherd along those programs.
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/score-one-for-mother-nature/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/c2c24839b93b673c187e43f0d022613f2fc71d01068bf31f67837e0cee5ae1f1.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:20 | null | 2016-08-31T13:47:12 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fkards-hope-for-improvement-on-gridiron%2F.json | http://i0.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/view.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | Kards hope for improvement on gridiron | null | null | www.theobserver.com | The Kearny High School football team posted a 3-7 record last year in head coach John Kryzanowski’s first year as head coach.
Some might think that winning three football games at a perennially downtrodden program such as Kearny would be worthy of a parade in his honor, but Kryzanowski, who took over without the benefit of a progressive weight training program, certainly deserves kudos for a job well done considering the circumstances.
“We’ve had a full offseason,” Kryzanowski said. “The kids all know what to expect from me. We had good attendance at our morning weight training sessions with a good group coming in. All things considered, things went pretty smooth in the first year. We now have to build on what we did last year. We have a good coaching staff that has been working with the kids, guys that go above and beyond what they have to.”
With that, Kryzanowski believes that the Kardinals will be better than 3-7 this season.
“You always hope to have a better year,” Kryzanowski said. “We have to pick up where we left off, finish games better where we should have won. We have to pick up some of those games that were close. Every game is a challenge. We do have a favorable schedule.”
So can it be that the Kards could actually attain the unthinkable and earn its first-ever trip to the NJSIAA state playoffs? There are only a handful of teams in the state that have not qualified for the state playoffs since the system was implemented in 1975.
Kryzanowski said that it makes perfect sense to put the idea in the players’ heads.
“It’s always a goal,” Kryzanowski said of the state playoffs. “I know the kids want it. They’re hungry for it. It’s in the back of their minds, but it’s always a motivator. It would be nice to be the first team to go. So, yeah, we put it in their heads. The goal is there. It’s a big motivation for us.”
So does Kryzanowski believe it can actually happen, that the 41-year-old albatross can be removed from the collective neck of the entire program?
“Yes, I do,” Kryzanowski said. “We have great camaraderie on this team. There are no cliques. They all work together in everything. They always work hard together and have good practices. We have good players, even some new ones, who will help us. I believe it can happen.”
Sophomore Travis Witt (6-0, 190) is battling junior Joe Rosa (5-9, 160) for the starting quarterback job. Witt is an outstanding athlete with a huge future.
“It’s fairly even,” Kryzanowski said of the quarterback battle. “At this point, I can’t pick one. Travis is still a kid who is learning. Joe is a fine leader. It’s a tough choice to make. It comes down to who stands out the most.”
The Kards have a plethora of players at running back, but none are proven. Junior Rauly Cordero (5-5, 135) has the most experience, but Rauly can’t take the pounding every down, even when he’s not carrying the ball. Senior Tyler Camacho (5-10, 170) and juniors Thomas McAndrew (5-8, 160) and Rodriquez Henriquez are also in the mix at running back.
When the Kards look to throw, they’re going to depend on sure-handed pass catchers that include junior Diego Torales (6-2, 170) and newcomers like Carlos Colon (6-2 170) and Xavier Goya (5-9, 170).
Senior Ronny Fonseca (6-2, 185) spearheads a young and inexperienced line. Senior Xavier Heim (5-11, 230) is a guard, but he’s in a battle with junior Michael Vythilengam (5-7, 150) and senior Gabriel Dos Santos (5-10, 220) for playing time. Junior Paul Fadeski (6-2, 240) keeps everyone together at center.
Defensively, the Kards play a 4-4 alignment.
Fonseca and Dos Santos are the defensive ends, with senior Luis Velez and Fadeski at defensive tackle.
At linebacker, the Kards feature seniors Ozzy Obales (5-11, 170) and Chris Vieira (5-9, 150).
Torales and Camacho are the cornerbacks with Witt and Rosa at safety.
Kryzanowski likes his team in the second-year as a head coach.
“It’s good to be around in the mix,” Kryzanowski said. “I like the way they line up for each other. It’s a good group to be around. I hope to stay around for a nice while.”
The Kards open their season next Friday night, Sept. 9, at the home field at 7 p.m.
However, the Kards have been limited in practice by construction trucks that are making improvements to the school. One of those eliminations can’t be this football team, which has worked so hard in the offseason, getting ready.
“The school needs to be done,” Kryzanowski said. “There are no questions or doubts about that. We’re just hoping for the best.”
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[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:17 | null | 2016-08-31T14:22:05 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fbjs-opens-kearny-club%2F.json | http://i0.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/BJs-Opening-4.jpg?fit=800%2C315 | en | null | BJ’s opens Kearny club | null | null | www.theobserver.com | KEARNY —
You may never shop the same way again.
That’s because BJ’s has opened its Kearny location on Passaic Ave., and if Chris Baldwin, CEO of BJ’s, is right, not only will the experience of shopping change — so, too, will the amount of money you spend. And it appears you’ll be spending a lot less — for a lot more.
On Wednesday, Aug. 24, Baldwin led a private media tour of the new club. He did a great job selling the virtues of the company’s 114th store. Among those virtues — the new jobs created by BJ’s.
“The opening of the Kearny club has led to 140 new jobs locally,” Baldwin said as the tour kicked off. “Of the 140 jobs, 23% are Kearny residents.”
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As the tour moved on, Baldwin spoke about how BJ’s is different from other wholesalers, such as Costco or Sam’s Club.
“While our competition prefers customers to come in once a month, we see ourselves as a place where customers will come for groceries — and other things — once a week. And we expect they’ll be able to save about 25% over what they’re used to paying.”
But why would a consumer need to shop at a wholesaler on a weekly basis? Isn’t the idea to buy in bulk and shop less?
Not really, according to Baldwin.
“What sets us apart is our fresh-food offerings,” Baldwin said. “It’s quite different here.”
Indeed it is. The new BJ’s — like others clubs — offers fresh produce, a gigantic, full-service deli and a fresh bakery. During the tour, the produce was being put out for the first time. Just about anything you could imagine is available — from fresh fruits to bagged salads.
The deli offers numerous brands of typical meats and cheeses. One item stuck out, however, during the tour. A pound of Land O’ Lakes yellow American cheese, which normally sells for about $7.99 a pound elsewhere will only run you $3.99 a pound at BJ’s. That was one of numerous items, Baldwin noted, that will cost the consumer quite a bit less.
At the bakery, workers were furiously decorating all kinds of freshly baked cakes. One of the highlights of the bakery, Baldwin says, is that BJ’s can make countless kinds of custom-designed cakes for all occasions.
“It’s things like this that set us apart,” Baldwin said. “We want our members to come out every week — to choose from the freshest, best-priced foods, available.”
Aside from all of the aforementioned, BJ’s also studied the demographics of the Kearny area.
“We knew there would be a demand for Portuguese food and we want the Portuguese community here to know we’re here for them,” Baldwin said.
As such, BJ’s has an ethnic section, where traditional Portuguese sausages, cheeses and more will be available, from the vendors the community wants most. There’s also an extensive Goya section for the Latino community.
More than just food
While much of our tour of the new BJ’s focused on food, there’s so much more than just food at the Kearny location.
At the entrance to the club, one of the first setups is of Apple products. Available were iPads, iPods and iTunes gift cards.
There were GoPro cameras. There were gigantic HDTVs. There were toasters. And there was clothing.
Baldwin said BJ’s sells its clothing differently than most companies because they don’t do it all seasonally. On display were, indeed, shirts and pants for the fall and winter. But unlike other places, where a lot of the summer items like shorts and T-shirts are already off the shelves, there were plenty of summer styles to choose from.
“Consumers can buy ahead for the next season, but they can also buy now, wear now, for the current season,” Baldwin said. “We have what people want when they want it.”
Help for the tech helpless
BJ’s also offers something relatively news. It’s called Tech Advisers.
Let’s say you go into the club and buy a new HDTV. Try plugging it in and turning it on. Chances are it’s not going to do much for you. Since modern technology requires more than just plug-and-play, Tech Advisers will be available for anyone who has made an electronic purchase — and who can’t quite get how to set that TV or iPad up.
“All it takes is a phone call, and the Tech Advisers, who are employees of BJ’s, will be there to guide you on how to get the new equipment working,” Baldwin said.
Why pay for a membership?
So why would a consumer pay $50 to $100 a year to spend money?
That’s simple, too, Baldwin said.
“The savings our members see — usually in their first trip to BJ’s — pays for the membership,” Baldwin said. “Members will see it right away. That’s also why we take great steps to show our members how much they mean to us. They’ve paid to shop here. It’s an absolute privilege to serve them and we want them to know that.”
Not a member? Visit the new store where you can get a membership card in minutes. There are two tiers — $50 for a basic membership — and $100, which offers more cash back on purchases made (see BJs.com for details).
All in all, the tour of the new BJ’s was quite impressive. Baldwin went out of his way to greet as many new employees as he could. (It was rare to see a high-powered CEO doing this). The offerings at the club are just enormous. And truth be told, if you splurge for a membership — we think you should — chances are you won’t be disappointed.
Baldwin wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Kearny BJ’s is located at 180 Passaic Ave. To get into the place, use the roadway north of the club and just south of K-Mart. (Be careful — if you miss it, there’s no other way to get in). Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. For more details, call the store at 800-278-0230 or visit www.BJs.com.
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/bjs-opens-kearny-club/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/ca49d86e80a27adebce7f4b529c9ef7a78e255c3c9d53074048d83f2c9c7e1d9.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T14:51:58 | null | 2016-08-31T14:04:09 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theobserver.com%2F2016%2F08%2Fguilty-plea-in-stolen-auto-scam%2F.json | http://i2.wp.com/www.theobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cropped-observer-512x.png?fit=512%2C512 | en | null | Guilty plea in ‘stolen’ auto scam | null | null | www.theobserver.com | HARRISON —
A Harrison man has pleaded guilty in a scheme to falsify an insurance claim on a used $139,000 Bentley he purchased with his parents and reported stolen after it was torched, state authorities have announced.
N.J. Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor said John Jarzabek, 27, pleaded to second-degree insurance fraud at a hearing in Bergen County Superior Court earlier this month. As part of the plea agreement, the state reportedly will recommend a four-year prison term when he is sentenced Oct. 14.
Jarzabek and his parents — Chester Jarzabek, 63, and Anna Jarzabek, 62 — were accused of conspiracy, insurance fraud and other offenses for allegedly falsifying a loan application to buy the pre-owned luxury vehicle, the attorney general’s office stated.
In pleading guilty, John Jarzabek admitted to misrepresenting to an insurance company that the car had been stolen when it was not, the AG reported. The charges against the parents are pending.
According to the state, Jarzabek and his parents purchased the Bentley from D.I.B. Leasing in Teterboro, a now-defunct dealership where the younger Jarzabek worked. The trio were also accused of providing bogus documents to inflate their income to obtain financing for the car.
Michael Ricciardi, 54, of Wayne, a bookkeeper for D.I.B., previously pleaded guilty to third-degree conspiracy for his role in the scheme, and the dealership’s general manager, Hector Marquez, 43, of Monroe, has pleaded guilty to second-degree insurance fraud, the AG said.
Among the agencies cited for their assistance in the investigation was the Harrison Police Department.
— Karen Zautyk
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Print | http://www.theobserver.com/2016/08/guilty-plea-in-stolen-auto-scam/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.theobserver.com/e8df51af5adadc9aa1db5887a80f7cf26d3ea4b6f70d6d48068d063b5cf44d09.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:55:30 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Findreg.com%2F%3Fp%3D2138.json | http://indreg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/YMCA-Walk-I-300x186.jpg | en | null | YWCA Rock County 10th annual ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ deemed a success | null | null | indreg.com | The YWCA Rock County encouraged individuals and businesses to organize a team to participate in the 10th Annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®” event and they came by the hundreds to the Pontiac Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 12.
The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® is an event raises necessary funds to help end domestic violence in Rock County and to support the YWCA Rock County Alternatives to Violence Domestic Violence Shelter and the Transitions for Women and Economic Empowerment programs. Domestic violence survivors Courtney Reith and Makenzi Potts made moving presentations that underscored the whole purpose of the event.
Pick up this week’s printed edition for full story…. | http://indreg.com/?p=2138 | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | indreg.com/204c489aedc6cde2320b8b1828d398c0984690ba772953207c76b080619b024c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:54:01 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Findreg.com%2F%3Fp%3D2149.json | http://indreg.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/topp114-189x300.jpg | en | null | The Independent Register | null | null | indreg.com | Download
Click the link above to access the the latest classifieds section
Classified Ads
The Clinton Topper is a weekly newspaper, published on Wednesdays. To submit your classified ad for the print version of The Clinton Topper, please call 815-877-4044. | http://indreg.com/?p=2149 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | indreg.com/a80b6dd36607bb05f8a3f9e59e8bd1463ab8e0cf7b8a8d799f13bc7449389fe8.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:49:53 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Findreg.com%2F%3Fp%3D2128.json | http://indreg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/obit-shawn-condon-e1471983719282.jpg | en | null | The Clinton Topper – Shawn Condon | null | null | indreg.com | Shawn Condon, 46, of Brodhead, died unexpectedly Saturday, Aug. 20, at his home. He was born on Feb. 28, 1970, in Monroe, the son of Lyle Condon and Donna Scheidegger. He attended Brodhead High School. He worked for Douglas and Son Septic Service. He enjoyed the outdoors, camping, music, and his dogs, Tilley and Sophie.
He is survived by his mother, Donna Scheidegger of Brodhead; six children: Chantel (Jonathon) Pagano, Shawna Condon of St. Petersburg, Fla., Nicholas Condon of South Beloit, Ill., Kaitlin (Jake) Thorpe of Albany, and Alicia Condon and Kylie Condon, both of Brodhead; grandchildren: MyLee, Tanis, Ariel, and Jon Jr.; two sisters: Debbie Farmer of Belvidere, Ill., and Cheryl Buss of Orfordville; five brothers: Jeffrey (Kit) Condon, Glenn (Kathy) Condon, Randall Condon, Kent Condon, and Brett (Vickie) Condon, all of Brodhead.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lyle Condon, step-father, Levi Scheidegger, and a brother, Rickey Stabler.
A Celebration of Life will be held today, Wednesday, Aug. 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Everson Funeral Home in Brodhead. | http://indreg.com/?p=2128 | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | indreg.com/9c03d16d9602b3a590b1ec2304ca38e9f91be8079c3909522abfd5cd0655825c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:49:23 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Findreg.com%2F%3Fp%3D2136.json | http://indreg.com/?p=2136 | en | null | Rock River Thresheree 2016 set for Labor Day weekend | null | null | indreg.com | Rock River Thresheree would like to invite you to our 60th annual reunion. It will be held Labor Day weekend, Friday Sept. 2 through Monday Sept. 5, at 51E Cox Road, Edgerton, Wis.
We are located midway between Janesville and Edgerton along Hwy. 51 and Cty Tk M. Featured this year is the John Deere tractors,equipment, and gas engines. The show grounds open at 8 a.m. each day, with breakfast available. Most activities run until 5 p.m.
Pick up this week’s printed edition for full story…. | http://indreg.com/?p=2136 | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | indreg.com/9c375260081cd7fcac182b2f676c28d29cb53232e64e55d7fcca4249818e7ba7.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:51:30 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Findreg.com%2F%3Fp%3D2126.json | http://indreg.com/?p=2126 | en | null | Library plans anniversary celebration | null | null | indreg.com | By Dan Moeller, Correspondent
Plans are being finalized for the Brodhead Memorial Public Library’s 110th anniversary celebration.
The event will be held on Monday, Sept. 26. It will include an open house from 3 to 6 p.m. and presentations by Mayor Doug Pinnow, state representative Mark Spreitzer, and possibly state senator Janice Ringhand starting at 4 p.m. Cake and punch will be served afterward. Library director Angela Noel will act as emcee.
Pick up this week’s print edition for full story… | http://indreg.com/?p=2126 | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | indreg.com/a5fd61dc95818da80c0ea5ff0b7bb3f7068e27c77f8d3d41a8e0004f6594184c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:53:35 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Findreg.com%2F%3Fp%3D2142.json | http://indreg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Community-gardens-300x214.jpg | en | null | Community gardens come to fruition at Emmanuel Reformed Church | null | null | indreg.com | Emmanuel Reformed Church built five community gardens and offered them to our community this summer. All five have been spoken for and are being worked.
They are 4′ by 20′ and built with used bridge guard rails. This is one project to help us as a church fulfill our mission of “building community.”
Pick up this week’s printed edition for full story….. | http://indreg.com/?p=2142 | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | indreg.com/65a8d88c6eed31f73e953a902df86d48631d7735b2d29f3597843000bd73810e.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T20:48:06 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Findreg.com%2F%3Fp%3D2152.json | http://indreg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/School-District-of-Brodhead-holds-New-Teacher-Orientation-300x169.jpg | en | null | School District of Brodhead holds New Teacher Orientation | null | null | indreg.com | On Tuesday, Aug. 23, the School District of Brodhead hosted an orientation for new teachers. During this program, the new teachers met with the superintendent and comptroller to look at different aspects of the employee handbook, complete district forms, and learn about different procedures and policies.
The new teachers also met with the technology director to get set up in the district’s system and learn about all of the different programs that are used within the district. The curriculum director met with the new teachers to review the district software program and each of their class curriculums.
Pick up this week’s print edition for full story… | http://indreg.com/?p=2152 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | indreg.com/8ccdd699a5a848d8c01789b658f2e3f5eb4fb6fdc3908b8e772dc6537adf5ed1.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T20:48:01 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Findreg.com%2F%3Fp%3D2161.json | http://indreg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Jack-Speckman-gets-the-hand-off-from-Matt-Scmitt--232x300.jpg | en | null | Mistakes prove costly in fall to Clinton Cougars | null | null | indreg.com | By Derek Hoesly, Correspondent
The Brodhead-Juda Cardinals made early mistakes, allowing the Clinton Cougars to capitalize en route to a 32-0 victory over the Cardinals last Friday night in Brodhead.
On the Cardinals’ first possession of the game, they took a gamble, and it didn’t work out. With the football sitting on their own 32-yard line and facing a fourth-and-two, senior Matt Schmitt lined up to punt the ball but instead raced toward the sideline and appeared to gain the first down; however, Brodhead-Juda was called for a holding penalty on the play, and the Cougars were whistled for a late hit, which wiped out the first down.
Pick up this week’s print edition for full story… | http://indreg.com/?p=2161 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | indreg.com/1d5c0dddc7ccc6db3d44f4a4c89444276c06256404859339e9c245d1b930e679.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T20:48:07 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Findreg.com%2F%3Fp%3D2159.json | http://indreg.com/?p=2159 | en | null | “Cruisin’ for St. Jude” event coming in October | null | null | indreg.com | A car and motorcycle cruise benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8, beginning at Cardinal Lanes in Brodhead. A leisurely cruise will leave from the bowling alley at 10:30 a.m. and last about two hours with a few stops along the way.
Brenda Kranig, volunteer coordinator, encourages anyone to participate.
Pick up this week’s print edition for full story… | http://indreg.com/?p=2159 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | indreg.com/8de5433a6651687e1c1b8a538678b829c6e2c0a54b6b7a6334c07244b6323f79.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:50:27 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Findreg.com%2F%3Fp%3D2134.json | http://indreg.com/?p=2134 | en | null | Village Board thanks Police Officer Kietzman upon retirement | null | null | indreg.com | By Mary Ann Inman
REPORTER
Village President Connie Tracy called the meeting to order on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 7 p.m. Board Trustees present were: Ron Torkilson, Art Bushue, and Sonja Capes. Acting Administrator/Police Chief Hooker was also present. Dina Knibbs, Dennis Nielson, and Jeanette Troha were absent.
Pick up this week’s printed edition for full story…. | http://indreg.com/?p=2134 | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | indreg.com/8da47a0cde795073aa6b987fc491d906bdfb424abec5a2e9ef94c11a6718c206.json |
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