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The Cariboo Regional District Board and its member municipalities of Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House and Wells are expressing united support for the Prosperity Gold Copper Mine project proposed by Taseko Mines.

A joint letter conveying the region’s strong support for the Prosperity Mine was sent to the Right Honourable Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Cabinet. The letter, signed by the Mayors of Williams Lake, 100 Mile House, Quesnel, Wells and the CRD Chair, was presented by Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris to the National Caucus on Thursday, August 5.

By LeRae Haynes

Cariboo residents are invited to a BC Civil Liberties Association workshop tomorrow at TRU to discuss RCMP services in northern communities. Before the province commits to another 20-year policing agreement with the RCMP, the BCCLA wants to know what people in the north think about the policing services they are receiving.

(Photo: David Eby, Executive Director of BC Civil Liberties Association will be facilitating a workshop tomorrow at TRU on what our community thinks about RCMP services.)

Minister of Forests and Range Pat Bell made the following statement Monday following the confirmation of the identities of the pilots lost in the air tanker crash near Lytton:

“On behalf of all British Columbians I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the families of pilots Tim Whiting and Brian Tilley. 

“Fighting wildfires is inherently dangerous. This peril is matched only by the tremendous skill and bravery demonstrated every day by our firefighters and air crews. 

“Tim Whiting and Brian Tilley displayed great courage and dedication to keeping British Columbians safe.

 “I can only hope that the thoughts, prayers and outpouring of gratitude from British Columbians can provide their families and co-workers with some measure of comfort in their time of sorrow.”

British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) heads north before 20-year RCMP contract signed

Before the province of B.C. commits to another 20-year policing agreement with the RCMP, the BCCLA wants to know what people in the north think about the policing services they’re getting. From August 9-24, 2010 the BCCLA will host community workshops on police accountability and the RCMP in 14 centres, as far north as Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, and including hot spots like Prince George, Houston, and Prince Rupert.

"Given some high profile incidents the media have brought to public attention, we want to know more about concerns that residents in the north have and whether there are as yet untold stories that the public ought to hear," said Robert Holmes, President of the BCCLA. "We’re going to go and get a sense of the needs of the local communities for accountability and responsiveness, what they like and what they don’t like, and report back to the public, the Province and the RCMP."

A young man from Williams Lake is resting and healing at his mother's home in Kamloops after a serious crash near Lac La Hache on July 18, 2010.

Crews are responding to nine new fires in the Kamloops Fire Centre this morning, all of which were caused by the lightning storm that passed through the area late last night. B.C. Forest Service resources will be busy locating these new lightning starts throughout the day by both ground and air patrols. Early detection is important in suppressing these wildfires.

ASHCROFT, BC, The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, on behalf of the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today announced a $5-million federal funding commitment to Ashcroft Terminal for the expansion of its industrial-zoned land into a multi-user rail facility.

Crews from the Kamloops Fire Centre are responding to a wildfire in Lower Nicola that was reported shortly after two o'clock this afternoon.

The fire is currently estimated at two hectares and is growing quickly. The B.C. Forest Service, along with the Lower Nicola Volunteer Fire Department, is working to contain this fire.

The Cariboo-Chilcotin School District will receive $1.25 million in funding for the purchase of 11 new diesel school buses as part of a $12.5-million investment by the Province.

“We want to transport our students to and from school in the safest, most comfortable, most modern and efficient way possible,” says Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett. “This investment in upgraded buses is also much better for our environment with cleaner technology and a significant lowering of exhaust emissions.”

By Cailin Cousins

For two weeks this February, British Columbia became home to international athletes and fans during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Yesterday Williams Lake was host to an Olympic celebration once again.

Donna Barnett, MLA for Cariboo Chilcotin, introduced Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation George Abbott and Minister of Forests Pat Bell. Mr. Bell took a moment to acknowledge the Williams Lake Tourism Discovery Centre, calling it a 'spectacular facility'. "We have to get more pictures of this throughout the province to show what a Wood First culture is all about and what you can do with it," he said before explaining what the presentation was about.

(Photo: Shadow boxes containing an authentic 2010 Olympic Games medals tray, a photograph and a plaque were the gifts presented to Cariboo wood donors yesterday.)