Exhausted mother to blame for multi-vehicle accident that closed highway: RCMP

Tired mom blamed for crash

Photo: District of Sicamous

A head-on collision last week on Highway 97A near Sicamous left debris scattered across the road.

An exhausted mother has been issued a ticket after crossing into oncoming traffic last week on a highway near Sicamous, causing a multi-vehicle collision that forced the road to be closed for several hours.

Emergency crews were called to a report of a head-on collision at about 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, on Highway 97A north of Swansea Point.

“A northbound SUV had crossed the double-solid line into the path of a southbound F-150, causing extensive damage to both vehicles in the southbound lane,” said Sicamous RCMP Sgt. Murray McNeil.

Sicamous Fire Rescue crews were needed to extract the driver of the pickup truck.

The driver of the SUV received minor injuries, while her two young children, who were in car seats in the back. appeared to escape injury.

All occupants were transported to Shuswap General Hospital for treatment.

Highway 97A was closed for two hours as crews worked to clear the damaged vehicles.

The highway was especially busy at the time given ongoing Trans-Canada Highway closures in the area due to bridge construction.

The driver of the SUV was issued a ticket for crossing a double solid line.

Police said they believe fatigue was the cause of the collision.

Salmon Arm RCMP deployed a taser after breaking up an early morning fight outside a local pub

Taser used to break up fight

Photo: Castanet File Photo

Mounties say they used a Taser to break up a fist fight outside a Salmon Arm pub after one of the combatants tried to square off with a constable.

According to police, officers were called to a report of a fight at 1:45 a.m. on Nov. 23 outside a pub on Lakeshore Drive SW.

“Police attended and could hear yelling around the building, then observed a 33-year-old man on top of a 36-year-old man, with the man on the bottom screaming as if he’d been injured,” said Salmon Arm RCMP Const. Andrew Hodges.

“The 33-year-old attempted his best Olympic sprinter impression and ran away as soon as he saw police.”

An officer pursued the man on foot, advising he was under arrest for assault. The Mountie caught up only after the suspect tripped and fell.

Hodges said the officer attempted to de-escalate the situation, but was unsuccessful.

“Instead, the 33-year-old stood up, faced the officer with clenched fists, stated 'F--- you,' and appeared to be preparing to fight the officer," he said.

Police used a Taser on the man and took him into custody.

The 36-year-old combatant was arrested for causing a disturbance.

Both of the men involved in the scuffle were held in jail overnight and no injuries were reported.

Police said the fight was deemed consensual after further conversations with both men.

Reckless, intoxicated 18-year-old driver lashes out at Salmon Arm Mounties, police say

Young drunk driver busted

Photo: Glacier Media

A reckless and intoxicated 18-year-old driver accused Salmon Arm RCMP of having it out for him after he failed a roadside breath test.

According to police, an officer in an unmarked vehicle was tailgated by a black Honda Prelude at about 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 23.

“The officer allowed the Prelude the pass, then initiated a traffic stop.” Salmon Arm RCMP Const. Andrew Hodges said in a news release.

The driver was an 18-year-old with an N restriction who told police he was heading to the same area as the the officer.

“The officer could smell alcohol and a near-empty bottle of rum was on the passenger side floor,” Hodges said.

Police conducted a breath demand of the driver and both attempts resulted in a fail reading.

“The 18-year-old then accused police of 'f---ing me over,' while police explained to the young man that he was the one that choose to drive impaired,” Hodges said.

The Honda Prelude was impounded for 30 days and the 18-year-old driver was issued a 90-day driving prohibition.

CKPC Holiday Train brings musical guests Sofia Camara, Magic! to Shuswap, Thompson regions

Holiday train brings Magic!

Photo: Canadian Pacific Kansas City

Shuswap and Kamloops-area residents can enjoy free holiday musical performances as the CKPC Holiday Train makes its festive annual trip across the country.

The holiday train is preparing to make its seasonal pilgrimage through Canada, bringing holiday cheer and live music to a number of stops in the region on Tuesday, Dec. 17, and Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Canadian reggae fusion band Magic! will be riding the rails along with singer-songwriter Sofia Camara.

The holiday train will stop in Sicamous on Dec. 17 at 5:15 p.m., and will make another stop in Canoe at 6:45 p.m. before heading to Salmon Arm for an 8 p.m. performance.

Notch Hill will get its visit from the holiday train that same night at 9:30 p.m.

On Dec. 18, the holiday train will stop in Chase at 2:45 p.m. before heading to Kamloops for a 5 p.m. performance at Sandman Centre on Lorne Street.

The next stop will be in Savona at 7:05 p.m. The train will keep chugging down the track to Ashcroft for a performance at 8:45 p.m.

For more information and a full schedule of holiday train stops, visit the CKPC website.

Shuswap Cardiac Society launches new rehab program in Salmon Arm

New cardiac centre opens

Photo: Luc Rempel

A new rehabilitation centre in the heart of Salmon Arm aims to help Shuswap residents recover from a cardiac event and live longer, healthier lives.

The Shuswap Cardiac Society has a new home in downtown Salmon Arm, where the non-profit offers a three month, “comprehensive, evidence-based cardiac rehab program.”

Before the Shuswap Cardiac Society opened the doors at its new space on Alexander Street, the closest cardiac rehabilitation program was in Kelowna.

Dr. Laurie Main, president of the Shuswap Cardiac Society, is a cardiac specialist who has been practicing in Salmon Arm for more than six years. After working with cardiac patients from across the region, Main saw the need for a rehabilitation program available closer to home.

Main, who founded the Shuswap Cardiac Society a year ago, now has a new clinic for her own practice with spaces set aside for the rehab programs.

Program lead Jeramie Auchterlonie said he and Main have a unique vision for the program.

“The literature shows that resistance training is actually better for cardiac rehabilitation than just going on a treadmill or a bike,” he said. “We do cardio training, we do resistance training and we do stability training for older people too.

“We add every type of training into these sessions and try to holistically strengthen the entire body so we can avoid anything in the future.”

The other unique part of the program is a commitment to proactive healthcare and reactive healthcare. The program aims to help people that are recovering from a cardiac event along with people who don't have cardiac disease but might be on their way towards it.

"Anybody with one or more risk factors for cardiac disease can enter this program, which I think is a big difference compared to other programs," Auchterlonie said.

Along with 24 active exercise sessions, clients enrolled in the rehabilitation program also attend 24 educational sessions to learn more about how to improve their cardiac health. All of the educational sessions are streamed live on Zoom for anyone in the community to watch and learn from as well.

So far, they have approximately 20 people enrolled in the program with space for about 20 more.

The cardiac rehabilitation program currently costs $600, but the long-term goal is to make the program free.

“$600 is our operational cost, and we don't want to make people pay it, but if you can afford it, this is what it costs,” Auchterlonie said. “If you can't, what can you pay? And if you can't pay anything, then please come. …We don't turn people away.

“So far, everyone's been pretty willing to pay it, which is nice because it helps us run."

The society is officially a non-profit organization, and the plan is to make the program free with a doctor’s referral once enough funding is secured.

“We've applied for more than $400,000 in funding, it's just when that gets released is one component of it and also we're not charity status yet,” Auchterlonie said.

The society is hopeful that their charity status application will be approved in the new year and once they have that status more funding options will be available to them, including eventual funding through Interior Health.

Once patients graduate from the three-month cardiac rehabilitation program they can join the ongoing cardiac health maintenance program. This program offers them twice a week fitness classes led by a kinesiologist for only $50 a month.

So far the society has enjoyed a warm welcome from local businesses.

“We've had great community partners,” Auchterlonie said. “We're trying to be low cost, we're not trying to make money off this, but it's expensive.”

Dynoflex donated rubberized flooring for their exercise area, and Red Tag Fitness in Kamloops provided a discount on equipment and installation. Community Futures helped with a business loan to cover the remaining equipment costs.

The Shuswap Cardiac Society is also taking memberships to help fund the program. Anyone can make a once yearly $100 donation to join the society and help fund a program that makes a difference in the health of the community. Members get access to special discounts at a wide range of local Salmon Arm businesses.

Anyone who thinks they might be a candidate for the cardiac rehabilitation program can enter as long as they receive a doctor's referral.

Visit the Shuswap Cardiac Society website to learn more about the society, the rehabilitation program or to print out a referral form.

The new home of the Shuswap Cardiac Society is located at 300 Alexander St., next to the Salmar Classic Theatre.

Photo: Luc Rempel

Soulidified brings three-time Juno award winning saxophonist back to Salmon Arm

Juno winner returns

Photo: Salmon Arm Jazz Club

Three-time Juno award winning saxophonist Campbell Ryga is coming back to Salmon Arm as he teams up with Joe Auty and their band Soulidified for a show at the Nexus at First in Salmon Arm.

The performance will take place on Dec. 12, presented by the Salmon Arm Jazz Club.

Soulidified is a neo-soul and fusion group that delivers a combination of jazz harmonies and infectious high energy grooves.

The band features Campbell Ryga on saxophones, Joe Auty on trumpet and flugelhorn, Loni Moger on guitar, Stefan Bienz on bass and Will Freisen on drums.

The band combines elements of R&B, soul, jazz, hip-hop and funk to covers from well-known artists like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers and more.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7. Admission is by donation with coffee, tea and treats available at intermission.

To learn more about this show and other upcoming jazz events, visit the Salmon Arm Jazz Club website.

Chase Fire Rescue gets road rescue upgrade with purchase of 20-year-old truck

Road rescue truck upgrade

Photo: Chase Fire Rescue Facebook

Chase Fire Rescue will soon enjoy an upgraded road rescue vehicle after Chase village council agreed to authorize $80,000 for the purchase of a 20-year-old truck.

At a Nov. 26 meeting, council passed a motion to authorize the purchase of a 2005 Ford F550 in order to replace the current 1999 Freightliner truck used by Chase Fire Rescue.

Brian Lauzon, fire chief for Chase Fire Rescue, submitted a report to council outlining the reasons for upgrading their road rescue vehicle.

“The existing Freightliner is approaching the end of its serviceable life,” Lauzon said. “As the truck ages, its reliability has significantly declined, and repairs have become more frequent and costly.”

The Freightliner is only able to hold two responders in the cab with capacity for three more in the rear compartment. However, the rear compartment lacks modern safety features like shoulder seatbelts and airbags.

The cost to purchase and outfit the Ford F550 for rescue operations will cost approximately $80,000, with the funds to come from surplus.

The 2024-2028 financial plan for the Village of Chase had $200,000 earmarked to purchase a road rescue vehicle in 2025.

With the approval of the F550 purchase, the village will save more than $100,000 in costs.

“I know that engines and other fire trucks can have lifespans on them. The truck is 20 years old, albeit in good condition. Are we going to run into an issue where we're going to have to replace the truck sooner rather than later?” Coun. Dan Stevens asked.

Lauzon said while fire engines have certain limits to their longevity for liability and insurance purposes, other vehicles in the fire department’s fleet are not regulated the same way.

Council voted unanimously to approve the purchase of the Ford F550. Once the old vehicle is decommissioned, it will be sold via a sealed bid process.

Highway 97A reopens after earlier crash south of Sicamous

Crash cleared on Hwy 97A

Photo: Google Maps

Highway 97A is back open after emergency crews cleared an earlier crash that briefly closed the road in both directions five kilometres south of Sicamous.

The collision occurred earlier Friday afternoon between Hutchison Road and Mara Heights Road in the Swansea Point area.

?OPEN #BCHwy97A now open in both directions between Hutchinson Rd and Mara Height Rd. #SicamousBC #MaraBC #SwanseaPointBC https://t.co/hkO10QEsc2

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) November 29, 2024

Salmon Arm Mounties put cowboy skills to work capturing runaway horse

Cops catch runaway horse

Photo: Salmon Arm RCMP

Salmon Arm Mounties were enlisted to help with some livestock wrangling after receiving multiple reports of a runaway horse.

On Nov. 16 at about 10:30 p.m., a woman reported to police that her horse had been spooked and ran away.

“Salmon Arm RCMP received multiple updates from callers reporting seeing a horse in the neighbourhood around 20th Avenue NE,” said Salmon Arm RCMP Const. Andrew Hodges.

“Police located the horse and were able to hold onto it for a short while, until it decided to run away again.”

Officers followed the horse as it made its way down 30 Street NE where it was eventually corralled in a parking lot.

“Attending members were able to rein in the situation, and assisted the owner by distracting the horse with some food while it was haltered,” Hodges said.

The owner was able to walk the animal to a friend’s house nearby to wait for a horse trailer to arrive.

Sicamous council hears safety complaints from residents concerned about Temple Street development

Safety concerns at Temple St

Photo: Luc Rempel

Some Sicamous councillors said they think council “missed the boat” on certain issues after a delegation came to council with safety concerns related to a new Temple Street development.

At the Nov. 27 council meeting, Al Zagar, Linda Stortz and Zella Wohrmann presented to council, saying they were concerned about a lack of sidewalks and lighting in their neighbourhood, especially with a new subdivision being planned at 222 Temple St.

The same three residents had previously come to a Nov. 13 council meeting to talk during the public input period about their concerns.

“I am representing the residents of the Temple Street neighborhood, and our concerns with some safety issues connected to the project plan for 222 Temple St.,” Zagar said.

“We are bringing you additional information that we believe is important for the safety of our current community, as well as the 300-plus new residents who will eventually live in our neighborhood.”

The delegation brought council a petition with more than 100 signatures from Sicamous residents opposed to the subdivision.

“We feel that safety was compromised for financial gain,” Zagar said. “We do not have an issue with the lighting within the 222 Temple St. development, we have an issue with lighting on Temple Street.”

Zagar said there are only three street lights on the south side of Temple Street from the corner of Shuswap Avenue and Temple Street, and even less street lights on the north side of the street.

The residents have said their main safety concerns relate to a lack of lighting and raised sidewalks on Temple Street. They are also worried about parking when new subdivision residents move into in the area.

“If council is promoting development, then upgrades in the infrastructure must be taken into consideration,” Zagar added. “This will ensure a safe and healthy environment for all ages.”

Council sympathetic to complaints

Many councillors in attendance were sympathetic to the delegation, with Coun. Gord Bushell going as far as to say, “I really think we might have missed the boat on this one.”

Bushell said the proximity of Temple Street to the Seniors Centre makes it a very important street to consider safety concerns.

“I know we're going through budget deliberations, and we should really seriously look at this as we move forward in the next month here, and see if we can work with staff and come to a compromise because this is a really important sidewalk.”

The development at 222 Temple St. successfully received a variance in their development permit to allow them not to build a raised concrete sidewalk.

Coun. Siobhan Rich agreed with Bushell that council should find a way to address some of the safety issues during budget deliberations.

She also thanked the delegation for their hard work engaging with council.

Rich acknowledged taxes are always an issue, but “our seniors and our community are also a huge issue.”

Coun. Malcolm Makayev agreed, saying “we are designated as an age friendly community, we have to live up to that designation.”

Another councillor said the sidewalk and lighting issues are not new issues that stem from the development.

“There's a couple of distinctions that we should make here,” said Coun. Ian Baillie. “Temple Street, as far as I know, hasn't had a sidewalk for forever.”

“I don't view this just as an issue around this development,” he added. “I support this development, I support more housing in Sicamous and I think it's critically important.”

He said he believes safety is important, but he doesn’t think the issue is solely tied to the new subdivision.

“I hear the concerns, on lighting and all of those things, I think we can address them through our budgetary planning and figure out how that gets phased in with the current development,” he added.