As the weather warms up, so does the potential of young children falling out of windows without proper security locks. Already, three toddlers have fallen through open windows since April.
In advance of the May long-weekend, BC Children’s Hospital and BC Ambulance Service are asking parents to make sure their homes are secure.
“Falls from windows seem to be increasing in frequency. Last year we saw about 10 seriously injured children, compared to three to five per year in past years,” says Dr. Ash Singhal, medical director, BC Children’s Hospital Trauma Program. “Falls are more common in younger children between one and six years of age, and seem to occur more frequently in the spring and summer. Many of the injuries can be quite severe, requiring surgery and causing potentially long term effects for the child.”
Falls from windows often occur at a child’s home, most commonly in the afternoon when windows are open or not fully secured as the family is home.
Paramedics see the critical injuries that result from falls from windows, from broken bones to facial and head trauma. “The best advice we can provide to caregivers is to ensure you have the right safety locks on windows and doors, especially if you have young children,” says BC Ambulance Service Superintendent Julien Ponsioen.
While it might be tempting to leave a window open a crack to let in some fresh air as the weather warms up, remember that young children are innately curious and natural climbers and may not understand the risk of their actions. They can be strong enough to widen an unlocked window enough to fall out of it.
 Safety tips to prevent falls from windows:

• Window screens will not prevent children from falling through.
• Don’t underestimate a child’s mobility; children begin climbing before they can walk. Move household furniture away from windows to discourage children from climbing to peer out.
• Install window guards on windows above the ground level. These act like a gate in front of the window.
• Or, fasten the windows, so that they cannot open more than 10 centimetres (four inches). Children can fit through spaces as small as 12 centimetres (five inches) wide. In either case, ensure there is a safe release option in case of a house fire.
• Young children are avid learners – they may be able to unlock doors and windows to gain access to dangerous areas without you realizing it. Make sure to have the proper window and door locks in place.
• Don’t leave children unattended on balconies or decks. Move furniture or planters away from the edges as kids can climb up and over.
• Talk to your children about the dangers of opening and playing near windows, particularly on upper floors of the home.

Prince George RCMP Serious Crime Section are now treating the Suspicious death of a female found deceased at a scene on Holmes Road during the early morning hours of May 10th, 2012 as a Homicide Investigation.
On Monday May 14, 2012, an autopsy was conducted on the adult female and the cause of death was determined, but will not be released. Following the results of the autopsy, investigators can now confirm that the investigation will be treated as a homicide.
The deceased female was a Prince George resident.
The injured adult male found at the scene is also a resident of Prince George and remains in hospital in a stable condition.
The Prince George RCMP Serious Crime Section have now released the scene and the investigation is on-going.
Police believe that the incident was not random and that there is no threat to the public.
Further updates will be made available as the investigation continues.
If you have any information about this investigation, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-TIPS (8477), online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca, or Text-A-Tip to CRIMES (274637) using keyword “pgtips”.

“Pitching in” On Sunday, May 6, 2012, Valemount residents including Patricia Thoni (left) and Mayor Andru McCracken (right) spent time cleaning up the village. Photos by Marie Birkbeck

Valemount & Area Chamber of Commerce and Friends of Valemount teamed up on Sunday, May 6, 2012, to participate in the annual Pitch-In Campaign. Although the Pitch-In Canada Week was April 23-30, the date was changed to coincide with Village of Valemount Spring Clean-Up Week in the hopes of having more involvement.

A small but enthusiastic group of volunteers gathered at the Caribou Grill and fanned out onto the nearby streets and alleys to pick up the debris that the winter snow has kept hidden from sight. There were no reports of any treasures or unusual items being found this year.

In the four years that the Chamber has participated in Pitch- In, we have noticed a marked decrease in the amount of garbage in the downtown area. The people of Valemount must be commended for being more aware of their surroundings and mitigating the negative impact garbage has on the environment and the image presented to tourists visiting our village.

Get involved. Mark your calendars now and plan to be a part of the 2013 Pitch-In. Together we can make a difference!

Created in 1970, Police Week begins on the Sunday in the week that includes May 15 and ends on the following Saturday. May 15 is recognized internationally as Peace Officer Memorial Day.

Building relationships helps to foster safe homes and safe communities across a safe and secure Canada.

We can’t expect these relationships to happen on their own. That’s why Police Week is so important to the police and the community. We can share our experiences and challenges and learn what their priorities are.

This year, the McBride RCMP will celebrate Police Week with an open house at the McBride detachment on Wednesday, May 16 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.Activities will include:

• Detachment tours

• A display of RCMP vehicles

• A display of local school children’s art work celebrating Police Week

• Obstacle course, for those wishing to display walking abilities

• Finger printing and identifi cation cards for children

• Barbeque

• Display and demonstration by Police Dog Services

Both the RCMP and community members play an essential role in ensuring the creation of safe homes and safe communities. Help provide policing in McBride by supporting your police during the week of May 15 to 21 and throughout the year.

For more information about our open house, please contact the McBride RCMP detachment at (250) 569 2255.

Daniel Betts - Editor of The Valley Sentinel

By Daniel Betts

Recently Kinder Morgan announced intentions to twin its current crude oil pipeline from Alberta to the west coast of British Columbia. Many can remember the economic benefits Kinder Morgan brought to the valley during their last project. Looking around our villages at the empty storefronts and the disturbingly sparse traffic it could be suggested another Kinder Morgan project couldn’t come soon enough. More jobs, traffic and residents, even if it were temporary, would certainly be welcome in our valley. However if you follow the path of the pipeline toward the coast, the expansion would cause a fivefold increase in tanker traffic in Vancouver Harbour and increase the possibility of an environmental disaster; a great concern to west coast residents.

The Vancouver Park Board, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and many Vancouver councillors are opposed to the pipeline expansion. The City of Vancouver is considering adopting a bylaw that would make pipeline operators and oil tanker owners legally and financially responsible to the City of Vancouver and local industries in case of an oil spill. Even Terry Lake, Minister of Environment suggested Kinder Morgan would have to reassure the public of both its safety and economic benefits, something Kinder Morgan admits will require some work. It is sometimes easy to loose sight of the bigger picture, a tendency that is intensified when in the midst of a crisis. If the valley wasn’t strapped would we be able to give consideration to the residents of Vancouver to their fears? Could we envision a horrific disaster in Vancouver Harbour involving the collision of two or more super tankers and the poisoning of the environment? If our streets were bustling and business was booming would we add our voices of concern for an expansion project, which would only offer us temporary benefits, increase environmental risks and deepen the pockets of big oil? Would our mayors and councils show solidarity with the City of Vancouver and demand Kinder Morgan ensure the issue of safety is addressed. Would we as a community consider the consequences and take ownership for our part in a potential disaster should  we unanimously support the project?

The pipeline expansion may bring us much needed employment and economic spin-offs, which may go so far as to fill our schools with kids and expand existing business. We see ourselves as an isolated community but the oil spilling into Vancouver Harbour in the midst of an environmental disaster will be flowing under our feet in a pipeline we helped to build and expand. Considering the big picture and acknowledging concerns outside the valley has significance. Being prudent and concerned about safety and the protection of the environment demonstrates our unity with the rest of the province. Complete opposition to the project wouldn’t be necessary, but demanding safety and environmental considerations on behalf of the residents of Vancouver is not unreasonable. Showing British Columbia we care what happens outside our isolated valley has great value.

“Job Options Graduates” Above: The first graduating class of Valemount Job Options BC program sponsored by Employment Action. From left to right: Clair-Louise Harford, Heidi Vriend, facilitator Marion Farquharson, Marie Birkbeck, Kerry-Lynn Fontiane Photo submitted

Four local students have completed the six week classroom time of the first round of Job Options BC, a pre-employment training program sponsored by Employment Action and the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement. Under the very adept leadership of Marion Farquharson, the participants gained:

• Life Skills as necessary including working through conflict, learning styles, time management and budgeting; self-esteem, self-awareness, competence and confi dence, to name a few

• Basic computer training, and access to computers on a daily basis for practice and training

• Employment skills training— Resume, cover letter and interview skills training

• Access to career and aptitude testing and assessment for career decision making

• Short-term training – World Host, First Aid, WHMIS, etc. Other certifi cations are available when appropriate.

• Additionally the students received a $250 weekly training allowance for the duration of the classroom time.

The second round of Job Options BC in Valemount is scheduled to start in mid-June. An information session for interested individuals will be June 11 at the Learning Centre at 1:30 p.m. Classes start on June 18. Pre-registration is preferred. To qualify for Job Options BC, participants must meet the eligibility criteria as set out by Employment Action. You must be:

• A resident of British Columbia – landed immigrant or Canadian citizen, and not attending school

• At least 18 years of age

• Unemployed, not on or eligible for EI, with no established claim within the past three years, and not have had a maternity or parental claim in the last five years

• Someone who is likely to benefi t from long-term job search help, supported work experience, and follow up support services.

This program offers a lot of peer support and a great opportunity to build a network! The third round of Job Options BC will be offered in McBride in mid September.

For more information or to register with Job Options BC please call Marion Farquharson at the Valemount Learning Centre (250) 566 4601.

Mother’s Day; the day we all pause and celebrate our mothers and motherhood. Mother’s Day is celebrated around the world in a lot of different ways, on different days, with a variety of names. Some celebrations are based on cultural or religious beliefs. In Canada we celebrate our Mothers and other significant females in our life on the second Sunday of May.

This is the day many moms look forward to sleeping in, and hopefully being served breakfast in bed, made lovingly by the children of the household, and spending the rest of the day just relaxing or perhaps indulging in a little retail therapy. Handmade gifts, fl owers, cards, a lovely brunch or dinner at a nice restaurant are some Canadian traditions that come to mind.

According to Hallmark Cards, Mother’s Day is the third-largest card sending occasion. Over nine million Mother’s Day cards will be given this year. As far as gifts go, a consumer survey suggests that men plan to spend significantly more than women on the occasion, which generates the second-highest volume of weekend shopping in the year, behind only Christmas.

As for the perfect Mother’s Day gift, results of a Linden Bay wine survey of 2,000 Canadians offers a clue, with more than 80 per cent of working moms saying they wanted more time in a day.

The cost? Clearly priceless!

I recently conducted a poll about how people in Valemount celebrate Mother’s day. Some of the responses I got were:

• I will put some flowers on her grave and when we get to Valemount, do the same for my mother-inlaw. (Although that may not happen on Mother’s Day, same thoughts and feelings.) – Mabel

• I will make sure to call her and usually I take a bouquet of fl owers and a sappy card to my aunt who raised me the last half of my life. – Jenn

• For me Mother’s Day holds a special meaning. I am very blessed to have my mother still alive. She  is now almost eighty-five years old, has raised eleven children (and half of the town who also called her Mom.) Mother’s Day is tucked right between my parent’s anniversary and my mother’s birthday, so the family always gathers for some quality time; with either a barbeque or a dinner out. Because of the distance that is now between us, it is not possible to visit in person, but my Mom will receive a card, flowers and a phone call. I also find some teary song to dedicate to her on her favorite radio station. – Marie

But this one summed it up the best.

• Since my own mother passed away a little over 10 years ago, Mother’s Day was a sad day for me, usually spent crying and feeling sorry for myself, with my children tip-toeing around me. Until one day a few years back someone said to me, “Although your mother is gone, your children still have a mother that they would like to spend the day with.” Best advice I was ever given and since then I spend the day being thankful for all of my blessings. From the homemade cards, cold breakfasts in bed to the wonderful surprises, each and every one given with love, I am thankful. I have been many things in my life, cook, maid, fl orist, mender of boo boos, wife, sister, aunt, daughter, but of all of the things I have been called, I like “Mom” the best – Sharon

Take the time this Mother’s Day to call your Mom and tell her how much she means to you!

Two spots are open for local artists wanting to perform at Jobfest 2012, to be held on Tuesday May 22 in McBride. All genres can apply but rock is preferred. They will need to play two 15 minute sets. The PA and audio engineer is provided but the local artists would have to bring their own drums, amps and instruments. Any young musicians wanting to rock the stage at Jobfest 2012 are encouraged to signup. If you know of anyone who might be interested please pass the word along.

To be eligible to play at this gig you need to sign up at http://www.jobfest2012.ca/signup

During the early morning hours of May 10th, 2012, the Prince George RCMP were called to the scene of a suspicious death on Holmes Road, just east of the City.

Once on scene officers located a deceased adult female and a critically injured adult male.  Initially, the male was transported to the University Hospital of Northern BC by the BC Ambulance Service, but has since been flown to Vancouver for further treatment.

Members of the Prince George RCMP’s Serious Crime Unit have been called in to investigate.  The property has been secured and is expected to remain in police control for a number of days, pending further investigation.

Investigators believe there is no threat to the public.

Further updates will be made available as the investigation continues.

If you have any information about this suspicious death, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-TIPS (8477), online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca, or Text-A-Tip to CRIMES (274637) using keyword “pgtips”.