BC Gun Amnesty program will be in operation until June 30.

Since the beginning of BC Gun Amnesty month, about 600 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition have been turned into RCMP detachments across the province.

“While exact figures have not been determined, roughly 600 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition have already been turned into RCMP detachments across the province so far into the amnesty”, says Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens, Commanding Officer of the RCMP in BC.  He adds” We are pleased with the participation we have received from BC residents and know that many more people out there are considering disposing weapons they no longer want or need”.

All police forces across BC are taking part in the BC Gun Amnesty program.  The program is designed to keep unwanted weapons from falling into the wrong hands or hurting someone in an accident.

Suzanne Anton, the BC Attorney General and Minister of Justice says “I urge British Columbians to help get firearms and ammunition off our streets and out of our homes, where they could be harmful”.  Anton also says “This is an opportunity for people to work with their local police to make our communities safer by turning in unregistered and unwanted firearms”.

So far, commonly handed in firearms include rifles, pistols and shotguns.  The RCMP reports other items such as pellet guns, starter guns and miscellaneous gun parts are also being surrendered.

The BC Gun Amnesty program ends on June 30 and is for BC residents who possess weapons that have not been used in a criminal offence and who want to turn in unwanted guns and ammunition.

Anyone wishing to turn in a firearm they no longer need or want is encouraged to contact their local police or RCMP detachment non-emergency line.  Officers will then come to them to pickup the unwanted firearms.  For security reasons, the RCMP does not want gun owners wishing to dispose of a firearm bringing their weapons to an RCMP detachment.

Immaculate Basil was last seen on June 13. Please contact police if you know her whereabouts.

Fort St. James RCMP along with local search and rescue volunteers are combing the area around the Leo Creek Forest Service Road for Immaculate Basil, a missing 26-year old woman.

Immaculate was last seen by her family and friends on the night of June 13.  She was reported missing to Fort St James RCMP by her family on June 17.

Cst. Lesley Smith of the RCMP says police believe she may have been traveling to a cabin in the Leo Creek area.

Immaculate Basil was last seen wearing grey yoga pants, white shoes and a black hooded sweatshirt with a red maple leaf on the front.

Cst. Smith, North District Media Relations Officer said We are in the preliminary stages of this search and therefore any updates will be provided once they become available.

Anyone with information regarding Immaculate Basil’s whereabouts are asked to contact the Fort St. James RCMP Detachment at (250) 996-8269.

Under the Shiprider program, BC boaters will need to comply with US Coast Guard requests in Canada, as they would an RCMP officer.

Maritime law enforcement agencies in Canada and the United States will soon be working together to police shared waters between Canada and the US under the Shiprider program.

The Shiprider program means BC and Washington State boaters will see RCMP vessels routinely enter American waterways and US Coast Guard ships in Canadian waters.

“As we’ve seen on land, criminals commit crimes, such as buying or selling illegal drugs, in one jurisdiction and then use their boats to return to another to avoid law enforcement where the crime was committed. By placing Canadian and U.S law enforcement officers on a single patrol vessel, we are able to leverage law enforcement resources, and provide the operational flexibility required to interdict suspect vessels across jurisdictions, removing the international maritime boundary as a barrier to law enforcement”, says Superintendent Derek Simmonds, Federal Serious and Organized Crime.

The RCMP wants boaters and people using the waterways to be aware of the change and what it means to them.

“For people along BC’s coast in addition to RCMP patrol vessels they are used to seeing, they will now see Coast Guard boats, with RCMP officers onboard”, explains Supt Simmonds.

Supt. Simmonds adds “People need to be aware that if they are approached by a Coast Guard vessel they need comply with their request as they would an RCMP vessel”.

While the Coast Guard and RCMP will be working side-by-side safe guards have been established to protect the sovereignty of both countries. These include:

• Participating law enforcement officers would be required to take specialized training and would only enforce the domestic laws of the host country.  Prosecutions will be conducted in the country where the offence took place.
• On duty officers will be subject to the laws of the host jurisdiction.
• Operations will be conducted under the direction and control of law enforcement officers of the “host” country and will be assisted by the specially trained and cross-designated law enforcement officers of the “visiting” country. For example, while in Canada, operations are subject to Canadian laws, policies and procedures and all operations are undertaken under the direction and control of Canadian law enforcement officers. It is the reciprocal arrangement in the US, whereby operations are subject to American laws, policies and procedures and all operations are undertaken under the direction and control of American law enforcement officers.
• Designated officers from the US will be subject to the same public complaints mechanisms (Commission for Public Complaints against the RCMP) as Members of the RCMP.

“We have always had a strong working relationship with our law enforcement partners in the United States. Shiprider is an extension of that cooperation and will allow us to effectively tackle cross-border criminal activity making both of our countries safer”, says Supt Simmonds.

West Edmonton collision kills 34-year old man.

A 34-year old man is dead following a single vehicle rollover collision in southwest Edmonton on Tuesday morning.  The crash is the 14th traffic fatality in the city of Edmonton this year.

Just before 5 a.m., Edmonton Police were called by a passing motorist about a pickup truck in the ditch on the west side of 215 St.  When emergency crews arrived, they discovered the 34-year old male driver of the truck, deceased.

Chad Orydzuk of the Edmonton Police says investigators believe that the man’s 2006 Nissan Titan was southbound on 215 St, south of Whitemud Dr when the truck lost control.  The truck then caught the loose gravel on the east side shoulder and came out in a four-wheel side slip and then hit the ditch on the west side of 215 St.  The truck then rolled and tumbled before coming to rest on its passenger side.

EPS investigators believe the collision occurred sometime after 2 a.m., on Tuesday.

Orydzuk says the driver was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from the truck.

At this time, police believe speed was a factor in the crash and the investigation is ongoing.  Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the West Edmonton collision to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online

Ashley Chambers turned herself in to Airdrie RCMP on Sunday.

The RCMP report that 23-year old Ashley Chambers has turned herself into police.  Chambers was wanted on outstanding warrants for attempted murder, robbery and other offences in connection with a Sylvan Lake home invasion on June 3.

Sgt. Patricia Neely says Ashley Chambers and Andrew Waunch are accused of breaking into a home in Sylvan Lake and threatening the homeowners with a firearm.  Police allege that at one point, one of the accused pointed and fired the weapon at the male victim, but the gun did not discharge.

Chambers and Waunch allegedly stole money and property from the home.

During their investigation into the alleged home invasion, police determined that their suspects were Andrew Waunch, a 30-year old man and Ashley Chambers.

Waunch was arrested on June 10 after an alleged carjacking and police pursuit in the Red Deer and Olds area where RCMP report he shot at the pursuing RCMP officer.  Andrew Waunch appeared in court on June 14 and remains in police custody.

On June 16, Ashley Chambers turned herself into the Airdrie RCMP detachment.  She is now facing charges of attempted murder, robbery and a number of other counts in connection with the alleged Sylvan Lake home invasion.

Sgt. Patricia Neely of the RCMP says the Sylvan Lake RCMP along with the RCMP Serious Crimes Branch are continuing to investigate Ashley Chambers and Andrew Waunch.

Ashley Chambers is scheduled to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court, June 18th, 2013 at 9:30 a.m.

Charges against Ashley Chambers and Andrew Waunch have not been proven in a court of law.

23-year old Melvin Mitchell charged with second degree murder in the death of Jose Rodriguez.

Edmonton Police Homicide Unit investigators have charged 23-year old Melvin Simon John Mitchell in connection with the murder of Jose Rodriguez.

Melvin Mitchell is facing charges of second degree murder, possession of an offensive weapon, robbery and offering indignity to a dead body.

The body of Jose Rodriguez was found in his apartment located on 83 St and Jasper Ave on Monday, June 3.

According to Clair Seyler of the Edmonton Police, an autopsy concluded that Rodriguez died as a result of stab wounds.

During their investigation, police discovered that Rodriguez was last seen leaving work on May 29 at about 3:30 pm.  Police also discovered the car belonging to Rodriguez was parked behind his apartment building, and the steering column had been damaged.  Investigators believed the car had been driven by someone other than Mr. Rodriguez.

The charges against Melvin Mitchell have not been proven in a court of law.

Foothills man fined and suspended from driving for 45 days.  Photo courtesy RCMP.

Turner Valley RCMP have a cautionary tale to tell drivers who excessively speed in Alberta.

On Feb. 28, on Highway 22, south of Black Diamond, a 67-year old man was pulled over for speeding by a Turner Valley RCMP officer.

Sgt. Ian Shardlow of the Turner Valley RCMP says the driver was clocked by the police officer traveling at 180 Km/hr.

The Foothills man told police he had just washed his car and was trying to dry it off.

In Alberta, any driver caught traveling at 50+ Km/hr over the posted limit must appear before a judge.  On Monday, the lead-footed driver appeared in court where he was fined $800 and suspended from driving for 45 days.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates and the Canadian Olympic Committee President Marcel Aubut in Lausanne on June 15.

The Australian and Canadian Olympic committees have signed an agreement that will allow Canadian and Australian athletes to benefit from the skills, knowledge and facilities of each country.

Australian athletes training hard for the 2014 Sochi Games will be the first to benefit with a special focus on winter sports cooperation with Canadians, ahead of the Games in Russia.

One of the features of the agreement is access to and support in the preparation and organization of training camps in the other countries.

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) says this will be of particular benefit to freestyle skiers and snowboarders, where facilities are available in both countries.

“Since Vancouver 2010, Canada has been one of the world’s leading winter sport nations,” AOC President John Coates said.

“This agreement will open doors for our athletes to have access to the fantastic facilities Canada has to offer and to work alongside their athletes and officials.”

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Coates and Canadian Olympic Committee President Marcel Aubut in Lausanne on June 15.

“This agreement reinforces the strong commitment Australia and Canada have to protecting the integrity of sport. It will provide a framework for greater cooperation in this regard,” Coates said.

“In addition to the benefit for our athletes, through the Olympic Winter Institute and our winter Federations we will be able to offer their Canadian counterparts training opportunities during the Australian winter season.

“Over time both our nations will be able to benefit in summer sports as well.”

Tell us what you think of the Canadian oil sands by filling out this brief survey. $2 will be donated to breast cancer research for every completed survey. 

The donation by Shaw Communications is the first to be announced as part of the Shaw Charity Classic, the new Champions Tour event being held at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club.

Shaw Communications Inc. will donate $1 million to the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta, the first official charity partner of the Shaw Charity Classic.

“Family is at the very core of what Shaw Communications is all about,” said Brad Shaw, CEO of Shaw Communications.

“Kids Cancer Care Foundation has been assisting Alberta families for over 20 years, and we’re honoured to have the opportunity to lend our support to such a worthwhile organization. We know that this donation will go a long way towards improving the lives of some very special children.”

Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta helps families face childhood cancer by providing programs and funding in camp, research, hospital programs and scholarships.

Since its inception in 1991, Kids Cancer Care has sent thousands of children affected by cancer to camp.

“This is a remarkable contribution, it allows us to complete our improvements at Camp Kindle to enhance the camp experience for children living with cancer,” said Christine McIver, Founder and CEO of the Kids Cancer Care Foundation.

“On behalf of these amazing kids and their families, I give my heartfelt thanks to Shaw Communications for this generous donation.”

“We are grateful to Shaw Communications for making this donation on behalf of the Shaw Charity Classic,” said Clay Riddell, Tournament Chairman.

“We look forward to seeing the benefits of this generous contribution to the Kids Cancer Care Foundation. This is the first of many charity announcements that will be coming out of this great community event.”

The donation by Shaw Communications is the first to be announced as part of the Shaw Charity Classic, the new Champions Tour event being held at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club in Calgary from August 26 to Sept. 1, 2013.

Tell us what you think of the Canadian oil sands by filling out this brief survey. $2 will be donated to breast cancer research for every completed survey. 

Red Deer continues to grow according to the 2011 municipal census.

Red Deer is now home to 5,232 new residents – an increase of 5.7 per cent over the 2011 municipal census.

That brings Red Deer’s total population to 97,109 from 91, 877 in 2011.

“It’s great to see continued growth in Red Deer; it remains encouraging that we are still a growing city,” said Frieda McDougall, legislative services manager.

This year’s census collected information on the number of people living in each household as well as the gender, year of birth, and citizenship of each person in the house.

The average age of people living in Red Deer was 32, with females representing 49.4 per cent of the population and males making up 50.1 per cent of the population.

Census workers also tallied that 63,979 residents over the age of 18 and 16,736 residents under 18 were Canadian citizens.

“Collecting information about citizenship helps us to anticipate and prepare for the number of eligible voters in the upcoming municipal election,” said McDougall.

For the first time this year, residents were asked to complete their census online.

Over 30,000 Red Deerians completed their census online with the highest percentage of participation in the areas of Rosedale and Anders on the Lake.

“We greatly appreciate that our citizens are so willing to provide the information we require on an annual basis,” said McDougall. “Without the participation and cooperation of our residents we would be unable to gain this important information.”

The 2013 Census Report is expected to be released by the end of June.

Tell us what you think of the Canadian oil sands by filling out this brief survey. $2 will be donated to breast cancer research for every completed survey.