The Community
22
E UR T UL ION C I R CT AG D SE E! 2N INSID Wednesday, March 30, 2022
20
Volume 114, Issue 38
Press Your LOCAL Paper!
$1 Including GST
BRK hosts U15 Provincials in Sedgewick and Killam
LESLIE CHOLOWSKY PHOTO
CHSPS students and fans came out in force for the U15 Provincials opening game in Sedgewickʼs Wild Rose Co-op Rec Centre on Friday, March 25 when the local team took on Lethbridge. See more BRK photos Page 10.
RCMP calls for service up 25 per cent over last year Fuel theft on the rise across the county as gas prices balloon Leslie Cholowsky Editor, with files from Cst. Nicholas Daigle Killam RCMP
Killam RCMP Detachment’s calls for service in March, up to the 25th, are up 25 per cent over last year, at 181 compared to 143. Police received nine complaints of theft under $5,000; many of these were fuel thefts, with reports of gas siphoned out of parked vehicles in Daysland, Strome, Killam, and Sedgewick, and 250 litres of fuel from a parked Peterbilt in Lougheed. A Forestburg-area farmer reported theft of rusted barrels and hoses. Mischief complaints were also prevalent this month, most related to attempted theft. In Forestburg, all four tires of a parked vehicle were slashed. This incident is under investigation and RCMP
expect charges to be laid shortly. Other mischief incidents included attempted truck break-ins, one where door handles were broken, as well as damage to a tractor. Vehicle thefts were up, as vehicles were reported stolen from Hardisty, Daysland, and two from rural Flagstaff County. Weather conditions accounted for most of the 26 motor vehicle collisions which occurred in March so far, with two of those involving injury. A call from the public led RCMP to visit a rural residence when a neighbour who was caring for the property checked out the site due to seeing suspicious activity. That person reported that a vehicle with a female driver left the scene, leaving a male passenger behind. RCMP arrived on scene and located the male, a 46-year-old man from
Strome, who is now facing charges of trespass at night as well as possession of break-in tools. In all, RCMP laid charges in 14 different complaints, including trespass at night, three speeding tickets, one breach, three failures to comply, and one break and enter to a residence. In the latter case, police charged Adam Cole (34) with unlawful break and enter to a dwelling in Killam, as well as with breach of probation. Cole is set to appear in Provincial Court on May 3 in Killam. RCMP received six calls under the Mental Health Act during this period. Police responded to four complaints of uttering threats in March, including one bullying complaint, and another where a threatening letter had been received. RCMP continue to be concerned about fraud. During March, police re-
ceived seven reports of fraud, including two where substantial amounts of money were involved. One reported incident included a victim of a scam where they were advised that they had won a prize through Publisher’s Clearing House. Once scammers had access to bank information, a fake deposit was made, prompting the victim to refund part of the prize. When the deposit failed to clear, the victim was out those funds. RCMP are also investigating Bitcoin scam complaints in the area. Cst. Daigle urges Flagstaff residents to use caution when approached by any third party offering ‘prize money’ or investment opportunities guaranteed to pay big profits. “If it seems too good to be true, it likely is not real.” He recommends keeping cheque books and all personal and banking information safe.