A mere two and a half months after the grand opening of a new playground set at McNaughton Park, a vandal has unbolted part of the structure and threw it in the creek.
Valleycliffe's sole community park, which parents had marked off limits to children for years due to its dilapidated state, was revealed with a $50,000 makeover on Dec. 4.
Just before midnight on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), police received a report of the vandalism at the Maple Crescent playground, which also included spray painting.
Damage is estimated to be $1,500, and the matter is still under investigation.
Shooter gets three years
The main suspect in an Oct. 16 shooting at Viking Ridge residential complex that shocked locals for its close proximity to Mamquam Elementary School has been sentenced to three years in jail. On Monday (Feb. 8), Darren J. Featherstone was sentenced for his involvement in the shooting that left bullet holes through a neighouring unit's window. Featherstone was arrested in the parking lot without incident and was charged with 12 counts of criminal code offences for various firearm related matters. He entered guilty pleas to three counts, including careless use of a firearm, possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of a prohibited firearm. In addition to the three-year prison term, Featherstone is prohibited for life from possessing a firearm.
Arsonists sought
On Feb. 15 at 12:36 a.m., two youths set fire to a dumpster at the 7-Eleven on Cleveland Avenue. The fire department attended and extinguished the fire. One of the males is described as wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans and black shoulder length hair. The second male was wearing a hoodie, jacket and track pants. Damage is estimated in excess of $200 and video surveillance will be used to identify those responsible.
Vandal caught
On Feb. 14 at 8:55 p.m. a group of youth at the Mamquam Elementary School were seen spray painting the side of the school. Police attended and encountered a group of eight youth with open liquor, who were detained. One 14-year-old was noted with liquor, spray paint and overspray on his hands. He was issued an appearance notice, released to parents, and will appear in court on March 28 to answer to a charge of mischief.
Bobcats visit Olympics
Conservation Officers responded to two sightings of bobcats near Olympic venues this week. On Monday Feb. 8, a bobcat was seen near the Whistler sliding centre. The report was of a sighting only and training continued without disruption.
On Wednesday Feb. 10, conservation officers (CO) responded to a bobcat that crossed the Alpine downhill course near the finish line. The crossing occurred during a suspension of training runs. Cos tracked the animal more than 500 metres beyond the venue boundary and the tracks gave no indication of the cat moving back towards the venue.
Hands full for COs
During December and January, COs in the corridor acted on more than 75 files - 20 associated with wildlife, 28 associated with waste and unlawful dumping, 16 associated with fisheries and 13 from a variety of other legislation.
On Feb. 7, COs filed charges against a Sea to Sky resident for issues related to abandoning a snowmobile in the Brandywine Meadows.
On Feb. 11, COs initiated an investigation into the burning of prohibited materials and the introduction of waste of a prescribed activity. Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.
With the warm weather and increasing activity in the corridor, residents are reminded that bear activity is expected to increase soon and the potential for human-wildlife conflict is increasing. Diligence in keeping wildlife attractants secure is every ones responsibility and will reduce the potential for human-wildlife conflict.
