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News briefs

Man sentenced. Quest asks for feedback. Coyotes kill small dog. Searched and rescued. Fires despite ban. Water metering starts.
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Man Sentenced

 A man has been sentenced for robbery, use of an imitation firearm, and disguise with intent after an incident at a Squamish liquor store last year.

Aaron Hastie received a four-year sentence on July 18. With time credited, he will serve just under three years.

“This file is a perfect example of multiple RCMP sections and units combining for a successful outcome and prosecution,” said Cpl. Sascha Banks in a news release.  “Squamish RCMP would also like to thank the Squamish community for their assistance in the investigation.”

Squamish RCMP say officers received a call for a robbery at the Sea to Sky Beer and Wine Store in Squamish on Oct. 2 at approximately 11 p.m.   

A man identified as Hastie produced what appeared to be a handgun and robbed the store before fleeing on foot, according to police.

The Squamish RCMP general investigation section took over the investigation, and a few days later, Hastie was arrested and charged with multiple criminal offences.

He was held in custody until trial. 

 

Quest asks for feedback 

Quest University had a meeting as part of its search for a new president.

Last week, the board of governors solicited input from members of the campus community.

During the meeting, board member and former Chancellor Daniel Birch visited campus, and Board Chair Mary Jo Larson attended by Skype.

“Input from the campus community will help inform the criteria by which the Board will make this important future decision for the University,” the university’s communications department told The Chief via email.

However, it was unclear how many students and staff were able to attend the meeting, as many people are away from campus because of the summer holidays.

When queried by The Chief, the university did not say how many people were at the school during the meeting.

The search for a new president comes after Peter Englert abruptly left the school in May.

 

Coyotes kill small dog 

A small dog was killed by a pack of coyotes near the landfill in Brackendale on the afternoon of Friday, July 21. 

The dog was snatched on the Ray Peters Trail by one of at least three coyotes involved in the attack, the District of Squamish said in a news release. 

Officials are urging trail users to use caution in the area between Alice Lake and Squamish Airport, where there have been several incidents between dogs, coyotes and wolves. 

“… consider keeping a deterrent close at hand such as bear spray or a large stick. Children should be closely supervised and pets should be leashed at all times,” the District said.  

Two off-leash dogs were injured by coyotes on the Wonderland Trail last summer and there were several incidents of dogs being stalked by a grey wolf this spring. 

 

Searched and rescued

Squamish Search and Rescue has been busy so far this month. 

On Tuesday, July 11, 13 Squamish SAR members rescued an injured climber from the Stawamus Chief after the person fell 30 feet. The patient was brought out to the BC Ambulance Service for treatment, according to the BC Emergency Management incident summaries.

That same day, 13 SAR members helped a 61-year-old male who was suffering from chest pains under the Sea to Sky Gondola. The man was taken out by helicopter on a long line and handed over to the ambulance service for treatment. 

 

On Monday, July 16, an injured female hiker on the Chief was rescued by 21 SAR members. She too was later transferred to the ambulance service for treatment.

 

Fires despite ban

For some, the wildfires burning across B.C. and a ban on all open fires aren’t enough for them to follow the rules. 

Between July 15 and 17, over 50 illegal campfires were reported to the Coastal Fire Centre. 

The Coastal Fire Centre covers all of the area west of the Coast Mountain Range from the U.S.-Canada border at Manning Park, including Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park in the north, the Sunshine Coast, the Lower Mainland, Squamish, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and Haida Gwaii.

Due to these reports of illegal burning, both the compliance and enforcement branch and the conservation officers service will step up enforcement with increased patrols. 

Police officers are also authorized to issue tickets under the Wildfire Act and Wildfire Regulation.  If caught, anyone who lights, fuels or uses an open fire when a fire prohibition is in place or fails to comply with an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150. If convicted in court, the person can be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the illegal fire causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may face a fine of $100,000 and ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs. 

 

Water metering starts

After years of talking about it, the District of Squamish is moving forward with a water-metering program for industrial, commercial, institutional and multi-family properties, including townhouses and apartments. 

Up to 160 water meters will be installed in existing buildings by spring 2018, according to a District news release, with additional meter installations planned for 2019. 

Billing based on meter readings will be introduced at some point in the future, after public consultation.

“Our initial goal is to create a system that allows us to detect leakages effectively, and be able to react quickly and specifically,” said Mayor Patricia Heintzman in the release. “This metering program will help us to create a fairer system for multi-family, industrial, commercial and institutional property users, while allowing us to achieve capacity and conservation goals. It’s a positive step forward.”

 

Water metering was one of the main recommendations of the 2015 Water Master Plan.