Skagit River Bridge that collapsed Thursday night. Photo: Courtesy King 5.

The four lane Washington I-5 bridge spanning the Skagit River near Mount Vernon, Wash. collapsed Friday evening, sending a number of cars into the river below.

One section of the Skagit River Bridge completely collapsed, cutting off traffic on both sides of the river.  The Washington I-5 bridge  collapse occurred at about 7 p.m.

So far, reports show that three people have been pulled from the water following the Washington I-5 bridge  collapse.  Whatcom County Emergency Response Specialist Marcus Deyerin says authorities are searching downstream by boat and helicopter for more victims.

There are no estimates on how many people are in the water or whether there are any injuries or deaths.

Calgary couple Erik Langberg and Janet Annesley are on vacation in Washington and narrowly missed the accident. Langberg says they travelled over the Skagit River Bridge Wednesday without incident and Thursday were travelling to Burlington, just four minutes north of Mount Vernon, and took the Riverside Bridge, which runs parallel to the collapsed Washington I-5 bridge.

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“Ironically we were in the train wreck pub when the waitress told us the news,” said Langberg. “The mood in the place turned sombre and we are happy that reports so far are that no one was hurt.

“It goes to underscore that anything can happen. Its going to make it incovenient for many people over the memorial day long weekend.”

Langberg says the couple is headed to Oregon Friday and plans take the Mukilteo ferry from nearby Whidbey Island to avoid the I-5, which will be busier than ever for the Memorial Day long weekend.

Xavier Grospe, a 62-year old man who lives near the river told the Associated Press he could see three cars in the river, each car carrying one person.  He added the vehicles were sitting still in the water and were partially submerged and partly above the water line.  Drivers were seen either sitting on top of their vehicles or on the edge of open windows.

“It doesn’t look like anybody’s in danger right now,” Grospe said.

Crowds of people came to the river to view the spectacle.

The Skagit River Bridge is located between neighbouring Burlington and Mount Vernon.  It is about 100 kms north of Seattle and approximately 130 kms south of Vancouver, BC.

The bridge was built in 1955 and according to bridgehunter.com, the deck condition was satisfactory while the superstructure condition was rated fair.  Its sufficiency rating was 57 out of 100.  Sufficiency ratings indicate a measure of the ability of a bridge to remain in service.

An average of 71,000 cars travel over the bridge every day.

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Jennifer McPherson has been reported missing by her family.

Jennifer McPherson, a 41-year old woman from Hanson Island, BC has been reported missing by her family and police are hoping the public can assist in locating the missing woman.

Cpl. Darren Lagan of the Island District RCMP says Jennifer last had contact with her family on Apr. 29 and has not been seen or heard from since.

Jennifer is described as a Caucasian woman, 5’5″ tall and weighs 200 pounds.

Anyone who has information on the whereabouts of Jennifer McPherson is asked to contact the Alert Bay RCMP at 250-974-5544, or your local police department.

Hanson Island is located approximately five miles by boat from Telegraph Cove on Vancouver Island.

Newborn wildlife often are left alone by their mothers for varying lengths of time throughout the day and are unlikely abandoned. Photo courtesy Hudson Hope Library.

With fawning and calving season underway, the government of BC reminds anyone who comes across newborn wildlife without a mother in sight to not touch or move the animal.

The baby animal may look abandoned, but the youngster is has only been left temporarily and its mother who is very likely nearby.  Brennan Clark, Public Affairs Officer for the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations says “intervening in these situations by rescuing the fawn or calf is rarely necessary and will usually do more harm than good”.

It is normal for a mother deer, elk and other ungulates to leave their young along for long periods of time.  They will return a few times a day to nurse and to keep their young safe from predators.  Clark says mothers who return and find humans or pets nearby may become aggressive to defend their offspring from what the mothers perceive as a threat.  The mother will return if the young is left alone.

Brennan Clark says “Although these newborns may appear abandoned, it is rarely the case, and if they are removed they will be orphaned”.   He adds “While professional wildlife rehabilitation facilities in some areas of B.C. can successfully rear these newborns, there is no maternal care and their chances of survival are far less than if they had been raised by their true mother”.

The advice from professionals is if you encounter a young deer or calf in the wild at this time of the year, appreciate the experience, but don’t approach or intervene.

If you do find a fawn or calf that you think may be orphaned, here’s what you should do:

• If it is lying quietly, leave it alone and leave the area. Your presence will discourage the mother from returning.
• Keep all children and especially dogs away from the area.
• If you think the fawn or calf is not being cared for by its mother, return the next day to check. If it is in the exact same spot, it may be injured or orphaned. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible, but do not touch or move the animal.
• Do not touch or feed the animal.

To find a wildlife rehabilitator near you, visit the Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of British Columbia at: http://www.wrnbc.org/contact/find-a-local-rehabilitator/

Calgary Police Homicide Unit is investigating the death of 19-year old Polina Kazanceva.

The family of Polina Kazanceva remembers the 19-year old woman from Toronto who was found deceased in Calgary as kind, generous and thoughtful.

Here is a message her family released to the media on Sunday:

“Our pain is inexplicable. This tragedy will forever remain in our hearts, an occurrence that is hard to overcome. There is nothing worse than having to bury your own child. We do not wish this upon anyone.

Polina has always been and will remain to be; without a doubt highly generous and phenomenally thoughtful.

She was a kind soul, willing to take on initiative- never ignoring a person in need. She was always ready to assist, help and provide any support necessary in any situation where she was needed.

She was very joyful and outgoing around her loved ones, she was a beam of light in any group.

She was bright and always attentive towards others around her. Unfortunately she had chosen to live fast and thus selected a path.

However, she has never hurt the weak, alternatively she was always ready to stand up for herself.

Polina had charisma, for which she was respected by some and misunderstood or even envied, by others. For this, she stood out in any crowd.

Her generosity (in the literal sense of the word) astounded many people around her.

She knew how to express joy and had a deep appreciation for life, showing others how to do the same. She loved and was loved.

This is how Polina will remain in our hearts.”

- Kazanceva family, Sunday, March 24, 2013

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Polina Kazanceva was discovered by a cab driver laying in the street in the area of 15 Ave and 15 St S.W., at about 4 a.m.  When police and EMS arrived at the scene, the 19-year old was declared deceased.

An autopsy has been performed by the Chief Medical Office on Thursday and determined that Polina Kazanceva died from blunt force trauma.

Polina Kazanceva was featured in an online escort ad that said she was in Calgary for a week.

The CPS Homicide Unit is investigating the death of Polina Kazanceva.

Calgary Police ask that anyone with information relating to the whereabouts or activities of Polina Kazanceva prior to her death, please contact the Calgary Police Service Homicide Tip Line at: 403-428-8877 or by using any of these methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

TYPE: tttTIPS.com

TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637

Two cattle had to be put down due to injuries they suffered in massive QEII pileup near Millet.

Highway 2 has been re-opened at the site of the massive pileup Thursday afternoon that involved between 85 and 100 vehicles.  Approximately 100 people were injured.

Constable C. Noble of the Ponoka RCMP says one man was transported to the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton with undetermined injuries after he was found underneath a semi truck.  At this time, police believe the man was standing outside of his vehicle on the highway after his vehicle was involved in a collision.  A semi truck came over the crest of the hill and was unable to stop due to icy road and whiteout conditions and collided with the victim.

More than 100 other people were injured in the pileup on Highway 2.  They were treated at local hospitals for mild to moderate injuries and have been released.

Edmonton Police were called in to assist with the crashes due to the sheer size of the pileup, and number of people and vehicles involved in the crashes.  EPS co-ordinated detours, traffic movement and were relief personnel to other officers who were at the scene for several hours.

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Edmonton Transit provided buses which helped get the stranded drivers to Edmonton.  Communities along Highway 2 also provided buses and opened their communities to assist stranded motorists.

A cattle liner hauling 74 head of cattle was one of the 100 vehicles in the pileup.  All but two of the cattle on the truck were able to be transferred to a Live Stock Emergency Trailer.  There are seven such trailers located throughout Alberta.  The two animals had to be put down as a result of their injuries.

Cst. Noble says the RCMP are grateful for the assistance from all EMS, fire/rescue, community and police services that assisted with the massive pileup on Highway 2.

Red Cliff RCMP made a huge pot bust outside of Irving on Jan. 16.

Two BC residents are facing drug trafficking charges after Red Cliff RCMP allegedly found 80 pounds of raw pot inside their vehicle during a routine traffic stop.

The driver, 29-year old Elijah Unrah of Campbell River BC and 61-year old Marjorie Berry, also of Campell River, are both facing charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The traffic stop occurred on Jan. 16 at about 1 p.m., near Irving, Alberta on the Trans Canada Highway.  The RCMP officer pulled over the vehicle for allegedly speeding and displaying an expired licence plate.

During the traffic stop, the RCMP officer realized he was dealing with more than a routine traffic stop and called for backup.

As the officers approached the vehicle for a second time, they could smell the raw marijuana.  At that time, Unrah and Berry were arrested for possession of marijuana, says Cpl. Darrin Turnbull, Red Cliff RCMP spokesperson says.

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Officers then searched the vehicle and allegedly found 80 pounds of pot that had been packaged into plastic bags and then put into four hockey bags and one suitcase.

Cpl. Turnbull says police estimate the street value of the pot to be approximately $544,000.

“The interdiction of criminals while they are traveling on Alberta highways is one of the top priorities of the Integrated Traffic Units in the Province of Alberta.  This traffic stop is another excellent example of how the investigation of a routine traffic offence can lead to the detection of criminal activity, promoting safer communities.”  Cpl. Turnbull said.

Police believe Reyna Brown may be in the Nelson BC area with friends.

Grande Prairie Rural RCMP are hoping the public can help them locate Reyna Rose Brown, a missing 15-year old girl from Sexsmith, Alberta.

Reyna Brown has been missing from her home since Jan. 7, 2013.  She was last seen at her home at 3 a.m., on the day she went missing.

Reyna’s mom believes the teenager may have left during the early morning hours and hopped on a bus to BC.  Reyna Brown left a note for her mom on the morning she left, but she hasn’t been heard from since.

Corporal Roy Kennedy of the Grande Prairie RCMP says police have followed up on a number of leads, but have not yet been able to locate the missing girl.  Corp. Kennedy adds that police have some indications that Reyna is possibly in the Nelson area and staying with friends.

Kennedy says “it is important that police locate and speak with Reyna to ensure her safety and well being”.

Reyna Brown is described as 15-year old girl, 5’4″ tall and weighs 110 pounds.  She has long brown hair, brown eyes and has pierced ears and a small ring in her nose.  She usually wears skinny jeans, reddish brown moccasins and carries a child’s backpack with a cartoon on it.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Reyna Brown is asked to contact their local police detachment or call the Grande Prairie RCMP at 780 830 5700.  You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222 8477.

]]> http://beaconnews.ca/victoria/2013/01/rcmp-looking-for-reyna-brown-missing-15-year-old-girl/feed/ 0 http://beaconnews.ca/victoria/2013/01/calgary-police-looking-for-cyril-apetagon-a-high-risk-offender/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=calgary-police-looking-for-cyril-apetagon-a-high-risk-offender http://beaconnews.ca/victoria/2013/01/calgary-police-looking-for-cyril-apetagon-a-high-risk-offender/#comments Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:57:59 +0000 Jo Ann Lawrence http://beaconnews.ca/victoria/2013/01/calgary-police-looking-for-cyril-apetagon-a-high-risk-offender/ Apetagon wanted on Canada-wide warrants

Calgary Police believe Cyril Apetagon may be in Manitoba after fleeing Calgary.

Calgary Police are looking to the public to help them locate Cyril Apetagon, a man who is wanted on Canada-wide warrants.

29-year old Cyril Apetagon was released from prison to the Calgary area after serving a four-year federal prison sentence for break and enter and sexual assault.

Apetagon is wanted for failing to comply with curfew requirements and failing to report to the CPS High Risk Offender Program.

Calgary Police believe that the missing man may have fled Alberta and he may be in Manitoba.

Cyril Apetagon is described as a First Nations man.  He is 5’11″ tall and weight 196 pounds.

Anyone who spots Cyril Apetagon is asked to call 9-1-1.  Calgary Police ask that anyone who has information on the whereabouts of Cyril Apetagon to please contact CPS High Risk Offender Program at 403 428 8718.  You can also contact Crime Stoppers using any one of these methods:  TALK: 1-800-222-8477  TYPE: tttTIPS.com  TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637

An AMBER Alert has been issued for Katelyn Mosquito (r). It is believed she is traveling with Jonathan Hansen (l).

Update: RCMP say they have found the suspect vehicle, owned by Katelyn Mosquito’s boyfriend Jonathan Hansen, in the Maple Creek district, but investigators have not identified another suspect vehicle at this time.

Sgt. Paul Dawson says tips are pouring in via email and telephone, and officers are following up each one. Many of the tips came from information found on Facebook and Twitter as people shared the AMBER Alert, according to the RCMP.

Sgt. Dawson said he cannot confirm the Calgary Herald’s report that the Mosquito’s family claims their home was broken into by two masked men, one armed with a small wooden bat, who then kidnapped Katelyn. Family members say they recognized the voice of one of the men as Hansen. Katelyn’s mother is said to have made her break up with Hansen earlier because he was alleged to be verbally and emotionally abusive.

An AMBER Alert has been issued after 14-year old Katelyn Mosquito from the Maple Creek, Saskatchewan area went missing from her home.

Sergeant Paul Dawson of the Maple Creek RCMP says police believe Katelyn is traveling with 16-year old Jonathan Hansen who is also from the Maple Creek area.

Katelyn Mosquito was last seen on the evening of Jan. 9.

Police believe the two are traveling in a green, 1995 Ford Escort with a Saskatchewan licence plate 637 HEE.

Katelyn is described as a First Nations teenage girl.  She is 5’3″ tall, and weighs 160 pounds and is approximately eight months pregnant.  She has brown hair and brown eyes.  Police believe Katelyn is wearing an orange hoodie that says “Maple Creek Composite High” and pyjama type pants.

Jonathan Hansen is described as a Caucasian teenage boy.  He is 5’11″ tall and weighs 150 pounds.  He has light brown hair and blue/grey eyes.  Sergeant Dawson says “he has body modification to both ears”.

Police believe the two may be traveling into Alberta.

If you have seen Katelyn Mosquito, please call 1 877 SOAMBER or 1 877 762 6327.  You can also e-mail fdiv_amber_alert@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Adam Bird is wanted in connection with the New Year’s Day murder of Lloyd Sarson in Red Deer, Alberta.

A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for the arrest of 17-year old Adam Bird of Manitoba.  Bird has been charged with first degree murder in connection with the Jan. 1 Red Deer, Alberta murder of 25-year old Lloyd Robert Sarson.

In an unusual step, authorities were granted authorization to publicize the name of the young offender.  ”Due to the nature of the offence and in the interest of public safety, a court order under Section 110(4) of the Youth Criminal Justice Act was applied for and granted authorizing the publication of the accused’s identity”, says Corporal Sarah Knelsen of the Red Deer City RCMP.

Corporal Knelsen says police believe Adam William Lee Bird may be in British Columbia, however, they are not ruling out the possibility that he may be in Alberta or other parts of Canada.

Police are advising citizens that Adam Bird is to be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached if he is found.  Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Adam Bird is asked to contact the RCMP or their local police force immediately.

Adam Bird has been charged with first degree murder in the death of 25-year old Lloyd Robert Sarson, of no fixed address.

Just after 5:30 a.m., on New Year’s Day, a complaint concerning a disturbance in the area was received by police.  Sarson’s body was found by Red Deer City RCMP in an alleyway behind the 3700 block of 50 St., in Red Deer. Police believe Lloyd Sarson was shot and killed while he was sitting in a vehicle that was in the alley.

Police do not believe the death of Lloyd Sarson to have been a random act.  An autopsy has confirmed that Mr. Sarson died from gunshot wounds.

Corporal Knelsen says Red Deer City RCMP along with Forensic Identification Section and “K” Division Major Crimes Unit are investigating the homicide.

Anyone with further information that may assist the Police is asked to call Red Deer City RCMP at 403.343.5575.  If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8477 or report it online at www.tipsubmit.com.