PARKSVILLE QUALICUM BEACH
Ode to a Haggis A15
Friday, January
The News Official newspaper of the Save-On-Foods Oceanside Generals
Spectacular swims A27
www.pqbnews.com
27, 2012
Suddenly, a ground breaking With little to no advance notice, VIHA, officials break ground on health centre By AUREN RUVINSKY NEWS REPORTER
SEE
CENTRE ON A6
Charred remains of a house and van at the Nanoose First Nation in Lantzville are all that remain after a fire Wednesday claimed the lives of two boys. NEIL HORNER PHOTO
Two boys die in house fire Family had sought shelter in neighbour’s home during a power outage By NEIL HORNER NEWS REPORTER
every window and door in the place,” he said. “It was gone at 5:05 a.m.” The fire destroyed the house, leaving just a charred frame, then spread to two Two children have perished as a result vehicles parked next to the house as well of a house fire Wednesday morning. as melting the vinyl siding on a neighRCMP spokesperson Gary O’Brien bour’s house. reported repeated 9-1-1 calls about the fire Two children, aged 7 and 9, perished were made just after 5 a.m. Fire crews in the fire while two adults and two other from the Lantzville Fire Department children in the home managed to escape. raced to the scene to find the home fully They were transported by ambulance to engulfed in flames. Nanaimo Regional General Hospital to be He stressed that an investigation by the TOM WHIPPS treated for smoke inhalation. Nanaimo Serious Crimes Unit had deter... fire quickly Nanaimo Community Policing Sergeant mined there was no evidence of foul play. consumed the house Sheryl Armstrong said the two victims did “It was a tragic accident,” he said. not live at the home. Tom Whipps, chief of Lantzville Volun“The information we have is there was a power teer Fire Department, said firefighters got the callout outage on the reserve last night and their parents took just after 5 a.m. them to the house to be safe.” “When I got here, it was through the roof and out SEE FATHER ON A3 NANAIMO NEWS BULLETIN PHOTO
Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) CEO and president Harold Waldner said construction of a health centre in Parksville will take 365 days, starting today. It will open to patients by June 2013. There were ceremonial shovels but no actual construction crews or equipment at the site beside Trillium Lodge when VIHA and local government officials made the surprise announcement Wednesday afternoon. Waldner also said the twostory, 3,640 sq.m (39,000 sq.ft.) facility will include “ten additional health practitioners,” to compliment the 36 physicians currently working in the Oceanside area. Health practitioners include various medical professionals like nurse practitioners Howard Waldner. and dentists. AUREN RUVINSKY PHOTO “We’re just listening to the community — they want to be cared for as close to home as possible,” he said. Some people at the announcement, and other local politicians are not convinced it is what they were asking for. “This is not what the community asked for, and how would they know, there were no surveys or public consultation,” said Rick Sullivan after the announcement. “It doesn’t have beds, palliative care, an emergency room, it’s not open 24/7...” he listed off, clearly frustrated. “All this is doing is putting everything under one roof — who cares!” exclaimed MLA Scott Fraser who was not at the announcement. “Who says that’s a good thing, there are lots of seniors in this community that pick a doctor closest to their house.
PA R K S V I L L E • VA N C O U V E R I S L A N D
Thursday Feb. 23, 2012 Doors open at 6:30pm
The perfect evening out…
Parksville Untapped! at The Beach Club Resort Spend your evening tasting BC’s best brews and local cuisine provided by some of the regions finest restaurants and purveyors of food.
Tickets are $49. Overnight packages are available. Call 1-888-760-2008 or Visit www.parksvilleuncorked.com for more info. & events.
250-947-2109 • www.beachclubbc.com •
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