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

At approximately 6:30pm on Monday, May 14, the Williams Lake RCMP responded to a call of an armed robbery at the Subway restaurant located at 336 Mart Street.

A 22 year old female was arrested in this incident, she is known to the police for this type of crime.

Sergeant Lebeuf of the Williams Lake RCMP advised that very limited information can be provided as the details of the robbery are sensitive and the investigation is still ongoing.

This morning a person walking their dog noticed an abandoned 4-plex in the 3000 block of Mackenzie Avenue had what appeared to be recent fire damage.

Police attended and noted part of the exterior of the building smoldering and called the Fire Department.

The Williams Lake Fire Department responded and removed two sets of exterior stairs . A representative from the City was also seen at the site.

British Columbia is sending 41 firefighting personnel to Manitoba to assist that province with its firefighting efforts. Thirteen three-person initial attack crews and two agency representatives are leaving for Winnipeg today, and from there will be moved to areas where they are needed.

The Williams Lake Fire Department responded to a fire in the Dairy Fields just before 7:00pm tonight.

Firefighters doused the small grass fire very quickly, but the flames inside the abandoned car were persistent and took more effort to extinguish.

1/4 

   

More information will be published as it becomes available.

(Photos by Adam Duffy.)

By LeRae Haynes

Windsor Gold Mining and Exploration Inc in the north Cariboo is expanding from exploration and prospecting to open pit mining. Site testing has proved successful, they are now taking on investors and plan to be in full operation in two years.

President and CEO Adrian Laprise said that since Christy Clark and Rich Coleman have been in power in BC, the provincial permitting process has been streamlined.

(Photos courtesy of Windsor Gold Mining)

During the past few weeks, several citizens of Williams Lake have reported receiving suspicious phone calls from a male identifying himself as a police officer.  On occasion, the caller has requested money or directed citizens to attend the local hospital because a family member has died or has been injured.  

The BC Ministry of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Housing announced this morning that BC’s $8.6-billion mining industry has reason to celebrate Mining Week, May 13-19. Employment, revenue, exports, production and prices are all up over previous years and are in a position to continue rising.

The BC Wildfire Management Branch responded to two wildfires in the region that sparked this weekend.

A fire near Pavillion Lake, 25 kilometres northeast of Lillooet, was reported shortly after 1:00 pm Saturday afternoon. On Sunday afternoon, a spokesperson for the BC Forest Service advised that this fire is estimated to be 92 hectares in size. It is reported to be a low-vigor surface fire with an unorganized flame front and only spots of candling or vigorous activity. There are 41 firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment are working to suppress this fire currently.

The Williams Lake RCMP have arrested a suspect in relation to several complaints of 'inappropriate touching' and 'sexual assault' that occurred within the city of Williams Lake during April of 2012.

RCMP received a number of reports from female victims who were confronted and attacked while out in public places. Since the initial report of the first incident on April 9th, the Williams Lake RCMP have been investigating these crimes, dedicating numerous investigators to bring these crimes to a successful conclusion.  It is through these measures and with the assistance of our local media that public awareness was heighten and no further women were victimized.

Thompson Rivers University North in Williams Lake will be offering the Community & School Support Program starting in the Fall of 2012. This eight-month employment-ready program prepares students to work in community and school settings with children, youth and adults with disabilities.