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Chilliwack RCMP are looking for suspects after an elderly woman witnessed a B&E in progress….at her own house.
Last Thursday, police were called to the house in the 9000 blk of Annis Rd.  The 82 yr old woman had come home to find two men ransacking her place.  When they saw her they pushed her over and fled.  Good news is, she is OK.  She did get a good description of them.  Both men were white, one was around 6 ft tall with a large build…the other looked to be in his late 30s, shorter, and had a slim build.  They were driving an older model dark green Jimmy or Blazer with rust on the passenger side rocker panels.  If you see this vehicle, please don’t approach it, just call police right away.  Mounties think this vehicle might have been involved in other break and enters in the valley.

The Relay for Life in Chilliwack isn’t til June 1st, but they’re already raising awareness about it.  It is the largest event conducted worldwide in over 600 communities in 21 countries.  Here, we support the Canadian Cancer Society.  Organizer Tim Dixon put together a rally at 5 corners yesterday to remind people driving and walking by that you can get involved now.

“Well, now is the time to sign up a team, so that’s the purpose of us getting out here  and encouraging others to do that.  Get your team together, go online and register, and give your team time to fund raise.”

To do that, you can go to: http://www.relaybc.ca/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=480778

There will also be a relay in Harrison this year.

It’s Pink Shirt Day, a day to raise awareness about the serious impact of bullying and to stand up against it.
Boys and Girls club South Coast president Carolyn Tuckwell says one of the biggest challenges when it comes to bullying is that kids worry about being called a snitch if they tell a teacher about a bully.

“I think even talking about that is important.  Kids do feel an intense kind of sense of scrutiny around that kind of thing, so asking for an adult to help you or even a friend to help you if you’re being bullied isn’t tattling…it’s about being sure that you’re safe.”

She says there are signs parents can look for in their kids to see if there might be a problem.

“The child withdrawing, perhaps not as animated or appearing to be not very happy.  Certainly more challenges academically at school can be signs.”

Pink Shirt Day was established in recognition of two Nova Scotia students and their classmates who wore pink shirts to support a grade 9 boy who was being bullied.

Organizers of the Taboo Naughty but Nice Sex Show have scheduled an announcement in Abbotsford for Thursday.
According to a release they will speak about the public reaction to their show and discuss their plans for the show moving forward.
However they wouldn’t confirm whether or not it would be back on at Tradex.
Earlier this month organizers announced the show was being cancelled because of a backlash from a certain Christian group and because of problems with the roaming liquor license.

BC teachers were granted permission to strike one day per week by the labour relations board this morning, as long as they give two days notice.

However shortly after the province introduced legislation to resolve the contract dispute, and have extended the previous collective agreement for a cooling off period.

The province says once the legislation goes into effect teachers will not be able to strike as long as the cooling period is on.

The legislation includes appointing a mediator to try for a negotiated settlement, but also has a provision to fine teachers 475 dollars per day if they go on strike.

Chilliwack teachers association president Katharin Midzain says she has concerns over who will be the mediator.

“We’re hoping that the mediator will be neutral and one that is on the list that was agreed to by BCTF and BCPC earlier in the process. Certainly the last time they appointed anybody it was their own man”

Any contract can’t impose new costs on the employer, but can include wage hikes if the mediator can find cost savings elsewhere.

BCTF president Susan Lambert says she doesn’t like that the a mediator has to stick with the net-zero mandate, but education minister George Abbott defended the move.

“They want a mediator, but they only want a mediator under terms which are different than the terms which would apply to every other public sector union in the province. And I can’t imagine how disappointing that is not only to me but to every other public sector union in the province of BC.”

Abbott says it’s hard to say how long it will take the legislation to be passed.

“We’re now hearing that Mr. Dix and the NDP will be voting against it and will be opposing the bill. I gather they’re wanting extensive debate. So depending on how extensive that is it could take up to two or three weeks, or it could take just a few days.”

Teachers still have the option to walkout until the legislation gets final vote.

The BC Labour Relations Board says teachers can go on strike for three consecutive days as long as they give two days notice.

After that they’re allowed one day per week to walk out.

BCTF had asked for four days per week, while the employers wanted one day every two weeks

Membership will vote this week on whether to proceed with a full walkout, while this afternoon the province plans to introduce legislation to end the labour negotiations.

If the province legislates a settlement, teachers will no longer be in a legal strike position and will have to decide on a future course of action.

Chilliwack RCMP are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing person. 54 yr old John Gerald Cooper was last seen leaving his Chilliwack home around noon yesterday.  He purchased a one-way Greyhound bus ticket to Vancouver.  His family says he has never done this in the past, he has not contacted them and they are concerned about him.  He is described as white, 6’1, 190lbs with long grey hair in a ponytail.  He was wearing blue jeans, a burgundy sweater and black New Balance shoes when he was last seen.  He has tattoos of a dagger on his left arm, a Celtic heart on his left wrist with the initial JM.

If you see him, or know where he is, please call Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

A decision should come down this morning, on how far teachers can take any potential strike action.
The Labour Relations Board will rule on the number of days teachers can be out of the classrooms.
The teachers want an interim order to fully withdraw services 4 out of 5 days a week, over a limited two week period.
Jacquie Griffiths with the employers’ association is countering by suggesting they be allowed 1 strike day in every 10.

“We’re very much concerned for the impact that any withdrawal of services will have for the students of British Columbia.”

She also says they’re concerned for summer school, they’re concerned for next year, and they’re concerned about the impact that this last 6 months has had for students, with a lack of report cards, collaborative meetings, and planning.
Teachers say they should be required to give 24 hours notice before launching their action.
The employers are calling for two days of warning.
Employers also want the LRB to scale back the job action teachers have been allowed since the start of the school year.

Chilliwack district parents advisory council president Gord Byers says so far the job action has had mixed reaction from parents.

“From some parents, I’m hearing there have been no issues….from others I’m hearing some parents have had issues with teachers not being involved with the students and everything else.”

He says an escalation of job action is definitely a big concern for parents.
Yesterday, teachers took to the streets, either in front of their school, or out at Vedder and Luckacuck, rallying for support.  They will vote over the next two days on whether they want to ramp up job action.

It’s going to be a remarkable week in the labour dispute between BC teachers and their employer.  Today is considered a “Day of Action”.  Teachers won’t be doing any morning prep work or volunteer activities, but they will be in class.  During the noon hour, they will be gathering to get an update on bargaining.  At the end of the day, many schools across the province have demonstrations organized, and they will have some signs and some leaflets they’ll be passing out to parents.  We understand some Chilliwack teachers will be gathering outside Cottonwood Mall this afternoon at 2:30, and will rally along Vedder and Luckacuck til around 5 or 6.  BCTF President Susan Lambert says they have applied to the Labour Relations Board so they can prepare the next phase of job action, and that application will be heard today.  It’s believed members will vote tomorrow and Wednesday on whether to ramp up the job action to a full scale walkout.  Education Minister George Abbott said on Thursday he has asked staff to draft up back to work legislation, although did not commit as to when that would be implemented.  Teachers and the BC Public School Employers Association have had nearly 80 face to face meetings over the past year, and have made minimal progress.

If you want to check out the future transit plan for our neck of the woods, and ask any questions or give some input, there is an open house happening this afternoon from 3-6 at Evergreen Hall in Chilliwack.  The plan includes 4 proposed routes.  One of them is a new route between the new UFV campus and downtown that would provide service every 20 minutes.  More frequent service for other routes is also recommended.  A connector between Chilliwack and Abbotsford, and eventually Chilliwack to Hope is also in the plan.  After the consultation process, BC Transit will take it back to council for approval.  There will be another open house tomorrow in Hope from 4-7 at Municipal Hall, in Kent on Wednesday from 4-7 at Municipal Hall, and in Harrison on Thursday from 3-6 at Memorial Hall.

Click here for more information:

http://www.bctransit.com/transitfuture/chilliwack_latestupdates.cfm