News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

The Province has completed a comprehensive review of options for provincially operated meat inspection services at Class A and B licensed abattoirs.

This ensures that BC continues to provide the most effective, safe meat inspection system possible when the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) steps back from this role. The Report on the BC Abattoir System Inspection Review can be found online at: www.health.gov.bc.ca/protect/meat-regulation

Since the 1980s, British Columbia has contracted with the CFIA to provide meat inspection services at provincially licensed plants. However, at the end of 2013 the CFIA will be transitioning out of this role in BC, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. As a result, BC will be responsible for the provincial meat inspection system. In all other areas of the country, provincial meat inspection is already delivered by the provinces.

Add a comment

At approximately 12:50pm this afternoon, the Williams Lake RCMP responded to a report that a student at Williams Lake Secondary School (WLSS) had been assaulted.

Officers arrived to find that a student who had been standing outside the school had been bear sprayed in the face.

Shortly after this incident officers arrested the young male responsible for the assault.  The suspect is not a student at this school.

He was released by the police to appear in Williams Lake court April 25, 2012.

Add a comment

Just before 3:00am today, residents in a home on Tenth Avenue awoke to a loud crash in their front yard, which they first thought was a tree landing on their home.  Upon closer inspection, they found a newer model white Chevrolet Silverado embedded in their lawn.

The pick-up had been travelling north on Johnson Street at what must have been a very high rate of speed.  The driver failed to stop for the stop sign, crossed Tenth Avenue at the 'T' intersection and when the front tires of the truck connected with the roadside curb, the front of the vehicle became slighlty airborne.  The truck struck a four-foot tall retaining wall and came to rest a few feet from the front steps of the home.

 

Add a comment

Tl’etinqox-t’in (Anaham) community leaders have issued a warning to the government and the general public of a looming crisis in the Chilcotin. According to Chief Joe Alphonse, "We believe moose populations are crashing at an accelerated rate and are fearful that if immediate action is not taken we will be seeing a total elimination of a species within this region."

"We are not sure what the problem is whether it’s a lack of scientific evidence needed by Provincial Government employees or a lack of political will by the Provincial Liberal Government or a combination of both to acknowledge the crisis and implement policy change to assist the floundering moose population."

Add a comment

The Williams Lake Fire Department was called to the scene of a vehicle fire at the brake check on Highway 97 North at about 5:45 this evening. 

When our photographer arrived on scene, the 90's model Dodge extended cab pick-up was already fully involved.  One witness removed a fire extinguisher from his own vehicle, but the fire was too big to attack, at that point. 

The horn of the pick-up became stuck on, windows exploded and there were various other popping sounds and  small explosions.  The stench from the smoke was acrid.

Add a comment

Williams Lake RCMP state that Davey Auger is no longer missing, and was at the RCMP detachment this afternoon.

It was reported to the public on January 18 that the 15-year-old was missing and RCMP appealed to the public for information about his location.

Police say that although they are not sure at this time why he did not come forward earlier, the main thing is that he is safe.

 

  

Add a comment

January 28

Intoxicated female

The RCMP stopped a female who exhibited symptoms of impairment.  She provided a sample of breath on an approved screening device which failed.  The female was taken to the detachment where she refused to provide further samples of her breath. She was charged with the refusal and released on a Promise to Appear. 

Add a comment

Williams Lake Indian Band (“WLIB”) and Mount Polley Mining Corporation (“MPMC”) today announced the conclusion of a Participation Agreement. The historic agreement addresses issues in relation to WLIB’s assertion of title and rights in the area in which MPMC operates, and establishes a cooperative and mutually respectful working relationship which will allow both parties to meet their respective obligations and protect their rights, values and interests.

Add a comment

As a result of federal and provincial investments in affordable housing, a new program is available to help low-income seniors and people with disabilities finance home modifications for accessible, safe and independent living. 

Through a $15-million combined investment over the next three years, the Home Adaptations for Independence (HAFI) program will provide eligible homeowners and landlords with financial assistance of up to $20,000 per home, in the form of a forgivable loan. Funding for the program is shared equally by the federal and provincial governments. 

Add a comment

British Columbia's Information and Privacy Commissioner has launched a public education initiative about video surveillance in the private sector.

"January 28 is Data Privacy Day, an international celebration to show that privacy matters in today's digital world," said Commissioner Elizabeth Denham. "To mark the occasion, we are educating British Columbians about a simple and widely used technology with significant implications for privacy."

Add a comment