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ASIST Program Comes to the South Cariboo

The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District received information from Interior Health (IH) regarding suicide prevention. This fall Interior Health will be partnering with the South Cariboo Suicide Prevention Advisory Committee to provide new programs for the south Cariboo. The partnership project is to provide the ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) Program in September this year, which will increase the community’s capacity to respond actively to persons at risk for suicide. World Suicide Prevention Day is Friday, September 10th.

Government set to target B.C.’s worst speeders

As many drivers prepare to hit the road for the last long weekend of the summer, the B.C. government is urging drivers to use caution and warning B.C.’s worst speeders that effective Monday, September 20, new impoundment rules come into effect for those travelling 40 km or more over the posted speed limit, Solicitor General Mike de Jong said today. 

“Excessive speed is often a death sentence for everyone involved – the driver, their passengers and other innocent road-users,” said de Jong. “We want to save lives by going after the kind of driver who drives significantly and dangerously over the posted speed limit, and then get them off the road. By doing so, we hope to make our streets and highways safer for everyone.” 

Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced today the signing of goaltender Carey Price to a two-year contract (2010-11 and 2011-12). As per Club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“We are extremely happy that Carey has agreed to pursue his career with the Canadiens. Carey is a key member of our Club. He has proven that he has what it takes to be a good goaltender in the league, and we are confident he will perform to the best of his abilities for years to come in a Canadiens uniform”, said Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier.

A water main break has occurred on Mackenzie Avenue late this morning, resulting in the closure of Mackenzie Avenue to northbound traffic off Highway 20.

South bound traffic on Mackenzie if being re-routed through the Stampede Grounds.

Motorists are encouraged to avoid this area until such time as repairs are completed, which may take the remainder of the day.

Paving is currently underway in the area south of Oliver Street in the northbound lane.

• Milling has been completed all the way to the Highway 20 intersection and paving of the bottom lift will reach this point by Thursday.

Press Release

National, regional and local BC First Nations Chiefs today delivered a clear and unequivocal message to the federal government at the Ottawa National Press: The proposed Prosperity Mine in BC cannot be allowed to proceed.

If the federal government – whose decision could be announced as early as September 10, abandons its duty to reject this project, First Nations across BC and Canada will unite to defend against the project proceeding.

Tsilhqorin National Government chiefs, whose members' traditional lands would be impacted and whose sacred waters at Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) would be turned into a toxic tailing pond by the proposed mine, were today joined by the BC Assembly of First Nations' (AFN) Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould, Union of BC Indian Chiefs Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and BC First Nations Summit Grand Chief Ed John at a news conference in Ottawa.

By V.L. McKeown

The Cariboo Draft Horse and Driving Club of 150 Mile House hosts or participates in numerous annual events in Williams Lake and area, including the “Seniors Ride” in June, “Valentines Sleigh Ride” and various parades and other community events, including the upcoming 34th Annual Williams Lake Harvest Fair. 

A damning report out of the BC Ministry of Finance, made available through the Freedom of Information Act, shows the BC Government was in negotiations with the federal government regarding implementation of the HST months before the provincial election in 2009.

FOI reveals BC Government in negotiations on HST months before 2009 Election

Fight HST Leader, Bill Vander Zalm, says the report proves the BC Government deliberately deceived the public during and after the 2009 election when they said they did not have plans to implement the HST until weeks after the election.

By LeRae Haynes

Last night the Williams Lake Field Naturalists spoke to the Committee of the Whole at City Hall regarding the need for increased funding for Scout Island Nature Centre.

“The City has supported us well for the last several years, providing core funding for our staff, but we need an increase in that funding in order to pay staff and provide programs at Scout Island year-round,” stated Sue Hemphill from the Williams Lake Field Naturalists.