TUESDAY MARCH 6, 2012
www.pqbnews.com
Official newspaper of the Save-On-Foods Oceanside Generals
PHIL HARMONIC
THE SWEET SCIENCE
Errington and area musicians form a new band
Local boxing club hosts open house and fundraiser
A27
A36
LABOUR
Teachers on strike
Teachers in District 69 (Qualicum) and across B.C. are off the job AUREN RUVINSKY writer@pqbnews.com
B.C. teachers are in the middle of a three day strike while they wait for movement on contract negotiations and around legislation they have been fighting in court. Schools in District 69 are open, but they are asking students not to go to school if parents can make other arrangements. Superintendent Jim Ansell said there was a trickle of students picking up work Monday morning, but things were very quiet. In allowing the three day strike, the Labour Relations Board ruled that teachers could not picket, but they are out in front of local schools protesting, which the provincial union said is TEACHERS ON STRIKE different. They are not wearing sandwich board style signs or impeding access. The LRB ruled teachers could strike three days this week and one day in following weeks, with two days notice for each. Mount Arrowsmith Teachers’ Association president Debbie Morran said they are busing a number of local teachers to the big provincial rally Tuesday (today) in Victoria and they are optimistic there could be movement on the offending class size legislation at any time. See TEACHERS UNITED, page A6
STEVEN HEYWOOD PHOTO
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Carrie Powell-Davidson composes herself after winning the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award Friday night. For all of this year’s Glassies winners, see page A4.
Animals won’t be put down
Incident near Hamilton Marsh ‘typical of dog behaviour’ states control officer NEIL HORNER
news@pqbnews.com
The two dogs involved in a vicious attack on a Hilliers woman’s pet won’t be put down, says the Regional District of Nanaimo’s animal control officer. Cheryl Zanchetta said she has completed her investigation into the attack and will not pursue a destruction order for the dogs in question. “Both parties were walking their dogs on private property,” she said. “The only dog that was leashed during the incident was the larger dog, the brown Rottweiler cross. “We have determined through statements received and
interviews that the retriever was off leash and wandered up to the other two dogs in a friendly manner. After the initial approach an altercation ensued.” She said the injuries to Danielle Bluestone’s hands resulted from her placing her hands around the dog’s mouth, and not because of aggression directed towards her by the dog. She noted the owner of the two dogs immediately left the scene and contacted the RCMP and the Regional District Office and reported the incident. See LEASH, page A4
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