66 more potential graves identified at St. Joseph’s Mission, former residential school
Published Jan. 25
The lead investigator in the search for unmarked graves at a former residential institution near the Williams Lake First Nation in central British Columbia said the latest phase of their work has uncovered 66 additional “reflections,” indicating children’s graves.
Whitney Spearing told a news conference the results of Phase 2 of their investigation show there were crimes committed against children associated with the Catholic operation of St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School.
Spearing said in addition to the reflections found in a technical survey, their interviews with survivors and archival records revealed that babies born as a result of child sexual assault at the former Catholic mission were disposed of by incineration on and off-site.
Spearing said they found “a minimum” of 28 children died at the mission, which operated between 1886 and 1981, many of them buried in unmarked graves around the site.
Highway 97 collision claims life of Williams Lake area teenage girl, critically injures brother
Published Feb. 11
A sadness is settling over the community of Williams Lake and surrounding rural areas with the tragic death of a teenage girl and critical injuries of her older brother sustained in a vehicle collision Friday, Feb 10.
The incident occurred on Highway 97 just south of 150 Mile House in the early afternoon.
Kaylee Iverson, a Grade 10 student in Williams Lake, died as a result of injuries she sustained in the collision.
Her older brother Konnor was airlifted to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops with critical injuries. He has since recovered.
Highway 97 was closed for several hours while emergency services attended the scene.
School District 27 noted additional support was arranged to be on site at Lake City Monday and through the counselling office.
Update: Though no formal charges have been laid in the incident so far, RCMP have confirmed “the matter has been submitted to BC Prosecution Service for review.”
Deadly snowmobile accident inspires Williams Lake widow to call for better ramp safety
Published March 8
Shanelle Pierce is taking a devastating tragedy and turning it into action to try and save lives after her husband died from a “totally 100 per cent preventable” snowmobile incident, she said.
On February 26, as her husband Trevor Lee Shine Pierce attempted to load a snowmobile using the ramp, she said the ramp fell down, then came back up and hit him in the head “like stepping on a rake effect.”
While he was not wearing a helmet at the time, she said the injury would have caused so much pressure, a helmet would not have saved him.
She said her cousin administered CPR and her son held pressure on her husband’s head until an ambulance arrived, but at the hospital, she was told he would not survive his injuries. A second opinion in Kamloops confirmed he was brain dead.
On March 3, Trevor’s heart, liver, two kidneys, and pancreas went to different recipients and the lenses of his eyes were able to help provide sight to eight different people, each individual eye giving sight to four people.
But she is not stopping at organ donation, Shanelle also wants to warn others using loading ramps to check their ramps have safety mechanisms (known as “safety dogs”) to prevent levering, or to tie down ramps before riding onto one.
Update: Since Trevor’s death, Shanelle has been asking for changes to safety requirements for the ramps. She said the ramps need to have lifetime guarantees and manufacturers should replace the safety mechanisms if they break off, as many do over time and ramps can be resold without purchasers even knowing something is missing. She said she has met with local MLA Lorne Doerkson and has written to the provincial ministry responsible, but has not yet heard back. Though some issues with her son’s health had sidelined her advocacy for some time, she plans to follow up again.
Chilcotin ranch fined $455,000 after pleading guilty to altering salmon habitat
Published March 16
A cattle company in the Chilcotin is facing $455,000 in fines and $1.25 million in bond orders after pleading guilty to offences against the fisheries and water sustainability acts.
Altherr & Schellenberg Cattle Co. Ltd., at Redstone west of Williams Lake, was fined in provincial court after pleading guilty last fall and earlier this year.
Agreed statements of facts on sentences from the case describe the alteration of riparian areas and tributaries of the Chilcotin River to develop the land and increase hay production on its ranch, beginning more than six years ago.
According to the court documents, officials first observed the tributaries that were extended onto the ranch during a site visit in the fall of 2017 and noticed they were being stripped of vegetation, excavated and then refilled with gravel. The top-soil had also been removed.
Court documents show that a fisheries officer delivered an education letter to Altherr and Schellenberg Cattle Co. Ltd. as early as December 2016, stating “prior to conducting any works in natural or man-made channels you should ensure you are compliant with the fisheries provisions of the Fisheries Act.”
On Sept. 26, 2022, the company pleaded guilty to three counts relating to violating the fisheries act, specifically harmful alteration of fish habitat.
Rugby Canada cuts ties with Williams Lake man after video released of violent carjacking
Published May 5
A young man from Williams Lake has been dropped from Rugby Canada and is facing criminal charges in connection with a violent carjacking incident in Greater Victoria last month.
Sione Fine, 18, has been arrested and charged with assault, assault causing bodily harm, assaulting a police officer, theft of a motor vehicle and mischief to property under $5,000.
Police released a video of the incident in hopes of finding witnesses to the attack. The dashcam video shows a shirtless man running out of the dark and jumping onto the windshield of a moving taxi cab. The suspect then gets back up off the road and runs toward the driver. The violent assault, which rendered the driver unconscious and caused injuries, can be heard but not seen.
The West Shore RCMP said they were called to the 2300-block of Sooke Road in Colwood shortly after midnight on April 15, responding to the report of an assault and carjacking involving a taxi.
Rugby Canada removed Fine from the Pacific Pride Academy Program in relation to the incident. The organization said it was made aware on April 18 of an earlier incident involving several Pacific Pride players gathered at a private residence. Four players were suspended at the time as Rugby Canada said it had incomplete information and investigated further.
Remains of B.C. woman found 12 years since going missing in Vanderhoof
Published May 29
The remains of Madison Scott have been discovered on a Vanderhoof property, 12 years after she was reported missing from the area in 2011.
BC Coroner’s Service identified Scott’s remains on May 28, a couple days after the discovery was made on a rural property on the east side of Vanderhoof, said the RCMP.
Scott was reported missing on May 29, 2011 and was last seen at approximately 3 a.m. on May 28, 2011, while at Hogsback Lake (20 km southeast of Vanderhoof) celebrating a friend’s birthday.
In a statement released Monday (May 29, 2023), the RCMP said they are currently executing a search warrant at the property and the area has been secured and additional resources are anticipated to be on the scene for as long as may be required.
Archaeological discovery dashes family’s dream of farming north of Williams Lake
Published June 15
An Indigenous family in the Cariboo is in limbo after learning in December 2022 the 78-acre property they purchased four months earlier to develop a vegetable farm and agri-tourism site has high archaeological significance.
Marty and Kim Tuerlings-Paul said they have already found dozens of artifacts in the six months they have been living there and cannot disturb any of the land without first having an archaeological survey done which would cost them thousands of dollars.
Now they are hoping some level of government will buy them out and move forward with preserving it as a heritage site.
The couple and their three children have been basically camping at the site.
Williams Lake family’s camping plans dashed after travel trailer stolen
Published June 18
A family in Williams Lake’s summer vacation plans have been dashed after their travel trailer was stolen from a friend’s property off Highway 97 north of town this month.
Chris and Sarah Moore were planning a Father’s Day barbecue and went out to their travel trailer stored on a friend’s property north of Williams Lake across from Lyne Creek Road to get a burger press from the trailer. Instead, they arrived to find their 2021 Keystone Bullet travel trailer Model 290BHS had been stolen.
The family had purchased the 34-foot travel trailer new and had loved using it to take their family on local summer camping trips.
But despite having chock locks, coupler locks, the batteries removed and the unit itself locked up, thieves were able to take the trailer sometime between June 9 and June 17.
“It was kind of shocking,” said Chris Moore, noting he expects the thieves must have been scoping out the trailer in order to successfully manage to move it.
Their friends live on the property, and there was other equipment and items stored nearby, but nothing else seems to have been taken.
Update: The family never recovered their travel trailer and their insurance covered most of the $50,000 they still owed on it, less $6,000. The contents of the trailer were not covered, and included Chris’ grandfather’s fly-fishing flies and a fly-fishing rod he had made for their son.
“Those kinds of things are irreplaceable,” said Sarah, who tries to look on the bright side.
Now the family has purchased a large tent and is looking forward to being able to go places they couldn’t take the large travel trailer and putting the money they would have spent on payments towards travelling more.
Secwépemc, Tŝilhqot’in First Nations clash over Farwell Canyon
Published June 19
Farwell Canyon west of Williams Lake is at the centre of a territorial dispute between the Secwépemc and Tŝilhqot’in First Nations.
On June 14, Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) announced their plans to conduct a “focused land-use planning exercise in the area.” The work is to include archaeological research and surveys, environmental data, wildlife-related studies, and engagement with other First Nations, government, and industry, noted WLFN.
WLFN Chief Willie Sellars said Farwell Canyon is a critical part of Northern Secwépemc Territory.
“We have a rich and well-established historical connection to these lands, and our uses continue through to the present day,” noted Sellars. “Unfortunately, there is not sufficient awareness of Secwépemc rights and values in the area of Farwell Canyon, and our management priorities have not always been recognized by government and industry.”
The Tsilhqot’in National Government (TNG), however, issued a statement June 16 in response to the announcement, opposing the archaeological work or any other disturbance at Farwell without their approval.
“Nagwentled (Farwell Canyon) is Tŝilhqot’in territory, and it will always be Tŝilhqot’in territory. It winds through the caretaker area of Tl’esqox, one of the six Tŝilhqot’in communities that comprise the Tŝilhqot’in Nation,” noted the TNG statement.
Three homes lost in trailer park fire north of Williams Lake
Published July 3
Three homes were lost in the Wildwood Campsite & Trailer Park after a fire began in one and spread to two other nearby homes Monday afternoon, July 3.
Tabitha Lamarche, manager of the trailer park, said four residents lost their homes and her concern now is with them. She is uncertain if the four residents were insured for those losses.
Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD), Williams Lake Fire Department, Miocene Fire Department, BC Emergency Health Services and RCMP attended the fire.
Williams Lake Fire Department (WLFD) reported they dispatched three vehicles and twelve personnel to the scene assisting WVFD after getting the call at 12:50 p.m.
The WLFD vehicles consisted of one backup engine, one backup water tender and one duty truck.
Crews arrived in time to prevent the fire from spreading to more homes within the park.
Officials attend groundbreaking for $366M Cariboo Memorial Hospital redevelopment
Published July 5
It was a dream come true for Dr. Glenn Fedor at the official groundbreaking of the $366 million Cariboo Memorial Hospital (CMH) redevelopment project Tuesday, July 4.
Having worked as a physician in Williams Lake for 42 years, Fedor said he has heard many promises about the hospital over the years and seeing the redevelopment finally taking place is a signal that the provincial government and Interior Health support CMH.
“Please pinch me, make sure I’m not dreaming,” Fedor said.
Adrian Dix recalled first coming to Williams Lake as B.C.’s health minister in 2017 during the wildfires and said after that visit he entered into discussions about the CMH upgrade.
“It has taken longer than we wished to get to this point, frankly, but we are here and we are going to get building,” Dix said, noting the first phase will be completed hopefully by 2026 and the entire project by 2029.
The upgrade will include a new three-story addition, 25 new beds, renovations on the current facility, a new emergency department, new medical and surgical inpatient unit, a new mental health and substance use unit, a new ambulatory and oncology unit, a new maternity and a new women’s health unit, a new pharmacy and educational training spaces for UBC’s faculty of medicine.
Williams Lake RCMP arrest 4 people at possible chop shop
Published Aug. 3
Four people have been arrested and could face charges of possession of stolen property, said the Williams Lake RCMP.
On Monday July 31, 2023, Williams Lake RCMP received a report regarding possible stolen property at a residence on Paradise Drive in the 150 Mile House area, said Cpl. Madonna Saunderson, North District RCMP media relations.
“Police began an investigation and a search warrant was obtained for the property,” Saunderon noted in a news release. “During the search police found evidence to suggest the property may be used as a chop shop.”
The investigation is active and ongoing.
Update: No charges have been laid in this matter to date.
4 Terra Ridge units in Williams Lake deemed unsafe, foundations shifting
Published Sept. 30
Williams Lake residents living in four units at Terra Ridge have been asked to move out due to safety concerns, the city has confirmed.
Building inspector Gary Deane said the strata council at Terra Ridge hired a structural engineer to go through all 80 units at the development and provided the city with a copy of the report.
The report indicated there has been “significant damage” due to shifting of foundations and framing at three units, Deane said on Wednesday, Sept. 20, noting the term “uninhabitable” was used in the report.
A revised report the city received since then upped the number of impacted units to four, the city’s chief administrative officer confirmed on Sept. 27.
Dean said based on the information in the report[s] the city revoked the occupancy permits on those units and placed ‘do not occupy’ notices on them until the city gets a little bit further into the process.
Land slippage has been an ongoing issue in the area.
In 2022, the city and the Cariboo Regional District released a slope stability study that identified areas with moderate or high concern.
Portions of Dog Creek Road, Highway 20, Terra Ridge and the old college site as well as two areas on South Lakeside Drive were identified as part of the active or recent high hazard red zone.
Deane said there are more details to come and the process is evolving.
Williams Lake wildfire fighter killed in crash remembered as loving and resilient
Published Sept. 23
One of the four firefighters killed in a highway crash near Cache Creek this week was from the Tsilhqot’in Nation.
Jaxon Billyboy-Bowe was 19 and had just graduated in June 2023 from Skyline in Williams Lake.
A firefighter with Tomahawk Ventures, Jaxon was travelling home in a pickup truck early in the morning on Highway 1 east of Cache Creek when it collided head-on with a semi-truck on Tuesday, Sept. 19.
They had been aiding with firefighting efforts in the Fort St. James area, said his father Sheldon Bowe.
“He was loving and caring always about his family and siblings,” Bowe said.
A hard worker, Jaxon enjoyed working in the bush and getting firewood.
“He wanted to work hard and he wanted to prove to himself that he could do it,” Sheldon said, adding that is why his son wanted to be a firefighter.
Williams Lake RCMP seize drugs, cash, ammunition, stolen property at Slumber Lodge
Published Oct. 12
Williams Lake RCMP seized illicit drugs, cash, ammunition and thousands of dollars worth of stolen property during search warrant at the Slumber Lodge on Oct. 2.
North District RCMP Cpl. Madonna Saunderson said in a news release the Cariboo Crime Reduction Unit assisted the Williams Lake RCMP.
The majority of the recovered stolen property, includes Dewalt, Makita and Milwakee tools, numerous laptops and tablets, and other sporting and hardware equipment, Saunderson noted.
“Due to the volume of recovered stolen property, the RCMP ask the public who may have been the victim of recent thefts, to contact the Williams Lake RCMP for further assistance.”
Controversial ER closure sign in Williams Lake rooted in nursing shortage: Union
Published Oct. 12
The sign posted at the Cariboo Memorial Hospital Oct. 2 notifying people the emergency room was closed **unless patient is imminently dying** is indicative of much larger issues in health care, said BC Nurses’ Union president Adrian Gear.
“There is a province-wide nursing staff crisis, there’s a physician shortage and there is a significant impact on patient care,” Gear told the Black Press Media. “That’s what it reminded me of.”
Gear, who was elected president of BCNU in September 2023, said it was an interesting choice of words on the sign, but there are situations every day in B.C. where hospitals are on diversion or emergency rooms are closing.
She said the union hears from members all the time of situations where they can’t understand why a hospital isn’t being put on diversion because the staffing levels are so critically low.
“I do see this as an opportunity for Interior Health and the Ministry of Health to focus their efforts on how they plan to address the crisis, like ERs in Cariboo Memorial, instead of the sign.”
While she declined to comment on who posted the sign diverting patients from the local emergency room, she said she understands the specifics around the situation are under review.
Interior Health confirmed the investigation is ongoing and that patients have confirmed they were diverted that night.
Ministers, mayor announce $24.3 million water treatment plant for Williams Lake
Published Oct. 27
After months of speculation and anticipation, Minister Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister Anne Kang and Williams Lake Mayor Surinderpal Rathor have announced funding for a new water treatment plant for Williams Lake.
The federal, provincial and municipal joint investment of more than $24.3 million will provide the community access to safe and healthier drinking water, the government noted Friday morning, Oct. 27.
For the project, $9,726,750 will come from the federal government, $8,104,814 from the province, with the city contributing $6,485,311.
Sajjan and Kang made the announcement to fund the city’s much-needed water treatment plant at city hall.
“Our government is absolutely committed to building a better future for a more prosperous, resilient and sustainable Canada for all,” said Sajjan, who noted the new water treatment plant in Williams Lake was personally significant for him, as he resided in 100 Mile House when he was younger.
“We owe it to the next generations that are coming after us,” said Sajjan.
Crews, equipment, RCMP on site at homeless encampment in Williams Lake
Published Nov. 14
Crews and equipment were on site at a homeless encampment on BC Rail property in Williams Lake Tuesday, Nov. 14.
They were working in an area where tents and lean-tos have been set up for several months, at the base of Oilver Street, beside the city’s Station House Gallery.
Gary Muraca, chief administrative officer for the city, said the city is not involved with the work but that BC Rail has hired a contractor.
The camp has continued to grow in size since tents were first spotted there after a homeless camp was removed from Herb Gardner Park, just below city hall, in April.
In Williams Lake there is a shelter at the Cariboo Friendship Society, funded by the Aboriginal Housing Fund and at the Hamilton Hotel, there is an emergency low-barrier shelter operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Cariboo Chilcotin.