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The Cariboo Fire Centre is asking the public to exercise caution with any outdoor burning activities this spring.

As the snow melts, dried grass from last summer is uncovered and that material can be highly flammable. Almost all wildfires at this time of the year are caused by people and are therefore preventable.

Today, the Federal Review Panel responsible for assessing the New Prosperity Project issued a statement to the Proponent, Taseko Mines Ltd. requesting additional information on the Project. The statement contains 11 supplemental information requests to the Proponent.  The Panel requires further information concerning the cumulative effects of the Project.

The Federal Review Panel (the Panel) responsible for reviewing the New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Project has completed its review of the responses to information requests received from Taseko Mines Ltd. (Taseko) on March 1, 2013. The Panel also reviewed and considered all comments and information received from the various participants as part of the 15-day public comment period.

The government is providing more than $1 million to Thompson Rivers University-Williams Lake for a new Cariboo Chilcotin Skills Training Project that will deliver essential skills training to 300 people in the region to help prepare them for employment.

"Government is committed to ensuring that British Columbia has a skilled workforce that is ready for the many opportunities coming our way here in BC," said Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Pat Bell. "That's why we're providing funding for skills training programs across the province to help people take full advantage of the jobs in their communities."

(Photo:  Wednesday afternoon, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Pat Bell was joined by Thompson Rivers University-Williams Lake staff, First Nations officials and community representatives at the announcement of this skills training project aimed at benefiting the Cariboo-Chilcotin region.)

On Tuesday at the Committee of the Whole meeting Mayor Kerry Cook and five City Councillors voted in favour of adopting the “Republic of Life” place brand concept and logo for use by the City of Williams Lake.

Councillor Danica Hughes was opposed to this recommendation.

In 2012, the City hired the Taiji Brand Group to complete research and analysis to design a new place brand for the City’s use in its ongoing marketing initiatives. More specifically, the new brand is intended to assist the City and local stakeholder groups in efforts to attract and retain investment and skilled workers. For example, a new branding package would include usage guidelines whereby local employers could utilize the materials in their marketing efforts to attract workers – thereby assisting in the development of brand recognition of the City.

The Government of BC is investing approximately $3 million to seal-coat a section of Highway 20 and resurface side roads in the Williams Lake and Dog Creek areas, improving these important routes for residents, visitors, and commercial and industrial users.

"Our government understands how important it is to ensure access to rural areas of the province," stated Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett.  "These road improvements will increase safety, comfort, and speed on our road network."

On Friday, Premier Christy Clark visited West Fraser Timber's Williams Lake sawmill as well as the Pioneer Log Homes construction site to tout the benefits of the plan to the Cariboo Region.

"Creating jobs requires having a plan, one that builds on strengths and capitalizes on opportunities," said Premier Clark. "In the Cariboo, that means investing in the skills of our people and getting our lumber and our minerals to market. I am proud to say that at the 18-month mark, our plan is working."

(Photos by Joe Cousins.)

Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops–Thompson–Cariboo will attend the first Special Committee on Indigenous Women tonight in the House of Commons.

“I was asked to serve on this special committee to investigate the issue of missing and murdered aboriginal women,” said McLeod. “Our mandate is to report back to the House of Commons within one year.”

This committee was formed following unanimous support for a motion in the House of Commons. The motion reads as follows:

That the House recognize that a disproportionate number of Indigenous women and girls have suffered violence, gone missing, or been murdered over the past three decades;

Quesnel RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing man who may be in the Vancouver or Kootenay region.

Corey Ball, 38 years old, was reported missing by his family after he failed to attend a scheduled medical appointment on Saturday March 23, 2013 in Quesnel B.C. Through police investigation it was discovered that Corey Ball purchased a Greyhound bus ticket to Vancouver BC the same morning of his medical appointment. Police and family are very concerned for his well being at this time.

Cariboo Chilcotin Traffic Services continue their investigation into the fatal collision that claimed the life of a Prince George woman.

The police are asking the public for information regarding the crash that occurred on Friday, March 15, on Highway 97 near Ten Mile Lake, north of Quesnel.

Anyone with information regarding this crash, that may assist the investigators, are asked to contact Constable Ryan Arthur of the Quesnel RCMP at (250) 992-9211 or call CrimeStoppers at 1-800- 222 TIPS (8477).

 

 

A $50,000 donation by Taseko Mines has given a big boost to the effort to raise the money required to build a new fire hall for the Horsefly Volunteer Fire Department (HVFD).

The current building was constructed in the 1950’s. It is expensive to heat and is too small to hold modern fire trucks and equipment. The new hall is needed so HVFD can maintain its Class 4 status.

“We are committed to the Cariboo,” says Taseko vice-president Brian Battison. “Many of our Gibraltar employees, their families and friends live in rural communities. We understand the importance of fire safety. When we heard of the need in Horsefly, where the department relies completely on donations and receives no tax support, we wanted to help. Like rural citizens everywhere, we salute the volunteers and the sacrifice they make in providing fire protection to their communities.”

(Photo: Katherine Gizikoff from Taseko presenting Horsefly Volunteer Fire Department Chief, Cecil Morhart, with a $50,000 cheque.)