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| Human interest |
The Boys and Girls Club ‘Sprockids’ program is an ongoing after school event for young people to learn the skills of mountain biking in a graduated fashion. It is a fun way to develop a taste for cycling through cycling games and activities that are facilitated by a competent rider.
The experience helps youth develop a strong sense of self-esteem by discovering and building on the potential within themselves.

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| Human interest |
Anglers throughout British Columbia will be reeling in more than just their favourite fish this summer. Coinciding with its 10th anniversary, the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC is launching a new province-wide research project that requires the help of anglers - in return for rewards totalling more than $15,000.

Beginning this month and continuing through fall 2013, the FFSBC is marking approximately 300 of its catchable size, hatchery-raised rainbow trout with individually numbered neon-pink tags bearing a toll-free number. The trout will be released into 40 fishing lakes around the province. Anglers who catch one of these tagged fish are asked to remove the tag and call the toll-free number. Provided they have a current BC fishing licence and any required stamps, the FFSBC will send the first 150 'tag reporters' a $100 reward. Subsequent tag reporters will receive gift certificates of various values for fishing supplies.
3064 Army Cadets camp out under the stars
| Human interest |
This past weekend 25 Army Cadets and two officers participated in one of three overnight camping Field Training Exercises in the Knife Creek area.
Cadets had a chance to put practical skills learned in lessons throughout the year to good use. They worked on skills such as proper camping tool use, hiking, map and compass, knot tying, and leadership games. Cadets ate MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat) which are dehydrated food packs used by the Canadian Military and soldiers abroad.

Bike Park improvements increase hang time
| Human interest |
This year the maintenance will see new pro-lines and jumps that move towards gaps and more advanced bike park styles. The smaller lines will be maintained in certain sections of the park.
Depending on budgets and timing, a new flow trail and pump track is being considered.

Lost and missing pets being reunited with families via Facebook posts
| Human interest |
Last week a lovely, neutered male, orange and white cat was brought in to the Williams Lake SPCA. Upon its arrival, a staff member remembered seeing a post on Facebook and contacted Tammy. She quickly went to the SPCA and found out it was, indeed, Simon.

(Photo: Tammie with 'Simon' back in her arms after what seemed like an eternity.)
'Bentley' at home with other Suffolk Punch draft horses
| Human interest |
Karen and Kim Sepkowski were devastated by the loss of their Suffolk Punch gelding recently. It also hit the other horses in the stable hard. Lincoln passed suddenly on March 16, and his driving partner of ten years, Bentley, became despondent.
The Sepkowski's embarked on a journey to find another gelding to pair with Bentley, but because the breed is so rare, it was next to impossible.

(Photo: Tributes are still being received by Got News Network Inc. as people remember their time spent with the beautiful Suffolk Punch team. This photo wsa submitted by the Little Moccasins Learning Centre when the Little Moccasins Preschool for a wagon ride in the summer of 2011.)
WLRFC tackles 'operation ride home'
| Human interest |
Members of the Williams Lake Rugby Football Club (WLRFC) will be hosting a safe ride home program this weekend during the Williams Lake Indoor Rodeo.
The idea came to Williams Lake Rustlers team member Jon Mernett on his way home from work last Wednesday. He called his girlfriend Kyla Wejr immediately, and said "Let's do an Operation Red Nose type of event for the upcoming rodeo in memory of Rayel MacDonald."
Kyla, a rugby player and fellow nurse, used to play on the local women's rugby team with Rayel. So, Kyla jumped at the opportunity, posted the idea on the local rugby Facebook page and watched as support and interest kicked in.

(Photo: The Williams Lake Women's Rugby team in 2011 included Rayel MacDonald.)
Rayel MacDonald: a community remembers
| Human interest |
By Bev Boyle
Almost a year has passed since the tragic death of Rayel MacDonald and the hospitalization of her friend, Alysha Mullett. MacDonald and Mullett attended TRU Williams Lake together and were studying to become nurses.
On April 22, 2012, the girls had attended a local event and were walking with a group of people. They met with another group of people on the opposite side of Carson drive and when they attempted to cross Carson Drive (from north to south) they were struck by a pick-up which had been travelling downhill. The truck, an older model smaller pick-up, fled the scene.
BC Ambulance Service attended to the victims. Rayel MacDonald, 20, was pronounced deceased at the scene and Alysha Mullett, 20, was in critical condition and was airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital with life threatening injuries.
Never pass up an opportunity for kindness
| Human interest |
A pay-it-forward act leaves young Williams Lake family feeling great.
Last Saturday Tony and Stacey Pitsos took their young sons, Theo and Thad, to the Salvation Army Thrift Store to look for some toys. While in the store, a woman overheard Tony explaining to the boys that it is important to spend their money wisely. The woman approached the two boys and Tony and handed them $20. She explained that she wanted them to buy themselves something that they wanted.

(Photo: The Pitsos boys, building character and perpetuating kindness at a very young age.)
Good Samaritan spring cleaning along Dog Creek Road
| Human interest |
This afternoon, 68 year old Neil Saunders is taking time on his weekend to clean up the ditches along Dog Creek Road near Mountview Elementary School.
Neil, who has lived in Williams Lake for 41 years said he just wants to make it look nicer. He is being ultra responsible by wearing a high-visibility vest.

Community commitment earns Dave Dickson BC Community Achievement Award
| Human interest |
Williams Lake’s own Dave Dickson was one of thirty two British Columbians honoured at the tenth annual British Columbia Community Achievement Awards ceremony held at Government House in Victoria recently.
The Community Achievement Awards highlight citizens whose contributions, leadership and inspiration have helped to make their community more positive and engaging. "They do whatever needs to get done - from sitting on boards and committees to far exceeding their job descriptions to sharing their talents of organizing, fundraising, preserving a community's heritage or teaching environmental awareness," said BC Achievement Foundation Chair Keith Mitchell.










































