POLICE: Victim of bush party assault out of hospital
By Erin Perkins
A Grand Forks man who was struck with a glass liquor bottle during a bush party on Sunday, May 13 has been released from Kelowna General Hospital.
The man was allegedly struck with the bottle during an altercation at a local party spot known as ‘moto’. Grand Forks RCMP were called out to the party at 3 a.m. on Sunday, May 13 where they found the victim. The man was later air lifted to Kelowna General Hospital where he remained in a medically induced coma. The victim suffered severe lacerations to his face and may possible lose the use of his right eye, Grand Forks RCMP staff sergeant Jim Harrison had stated in a previous news release.
Timothy LaFreniere was charged with aggrevated assault and causing bodily harm and appeared in court on Tuesday, May 15 where he was released on bail pending his next court appearance.
“Causing bodily harm is a very serious charge,” said Harrison.
LaFreniere could face a maximum of 10 years in jail if convicted.
Christina Lake COPs looking for volunteers
Summer is nearly here and the Christina Lake Citizens on Patrol (COP) group needs more members.
So, they’ll be hosting an information session on Monday, May 28 at 7 p.m. at the Christina Lake Community Centre to inform the community about what they do and to hopefully sign up a few more volunteers.
The group currently has about six or seven active members, said Harrison. They operate between the May long weekend and the September long weekend because that’s when the population of Christina Lake hits more than 6,000 and the extra eyes are most helpful.
For more information about COP call the Grand Forks RCMP at 250-442-8288.
Christina Lake to get reserve officer
A reserve constable is returning to Christina Lake for the third year.
Reserve constable Chris Cottril , a retired RCMP officer who now lives in Christina Lake, has been helping the Grand Forks RCMP for the past two years.
Constable Cottril will be patrolling both the streets and the waters of Christina Lake full-time, day and night, from June 30 to August 31. And when he’s not on duty, an officer from Grand Forks will be.
“(Cottril) does a bang up job,” said Harrison. “There have been no fatalities. The work he does is extremely helpful … He has helped reduce issues like theft, willful damage and alcohol use.”
Last year Cottril created a 142 incident files and tirelessly conducted both day and night boat checks.
Harrison said the August long weekend will be an especially vigilant time for Cottril with a zero liquor tolerance out at the lake.
The reserve constable position is being paid for by the Regional District Kootenay Boundary as a result of Area C director Grace MacGregor through the RCMP.
