The boyfriend was sweet enough to spoil me with a camera for Christmas (I had been hinting for a while that I wanted one). I never expected that I would be getting one for Christmas. I was very excited and eager to learn how it all worked! I wanted to be all “hands on” and experiment with it but he kept on saying “Make sure you read the manual before you start”.
Once winter semester came around and it was time to register for classes I was only able to sign up for one class at BCIT. I knew it was the perfect time to get the ball rolling on my new hobby and sign up for a Photography class.
With the first snow fall behind us and predictions of a cold winter, many people spent the past weekend shopping to make an expensive purchase. Snow tires, it’s something everyone should think about purchasing but not everyone does.
The winter tires give you that extra tracking, braking and handling you’ll need to confidently drive on snow and ice.
Certain highways require that your vehicle has snow tires.
Having vehicles equipped with snow tires on all four wheels is mandatory on mountain highways between October 1st and April 30th. If your daily driving takes you on highways in the province and lower mainland, or you plan to drive up to the local mountain snow tires may be a benefit to you and your vehicle.
Vanessa Seco, a medical lab assistant at Delta Hospital purchased her first set of snow tires this past weekend. “I knew I had to get them in order to get to work. It isn’t a quick drive for me I am traveling from Surrey and it takes me about an hour to get to work.” Vanessa bought her snow tires from Mazda BC and they cost her about one thousand dollars. “If you don’t have winter tires ICBC screws you over if you’re in an accident no matter what it’s your fault unless you have snow tires. It happened to my friend and I am not willing to take that risk.”
RCMP Will Hand Out Tickets
When asking the Surrey RCMP what the stipulations are on snow tires they said, “The tire must have a mud and snow rating or have the snowflake in the mountain symbol or have both.” They also said it is not required to have both ratings on the tire but it is preferred. “The tires must have at least 3.5mm of tread left on them in order for them to be in working condition.” The Surrey RCMP suggests it is best to get the snow tires because sometimes the winter conditions can be quite dangerous around the lower mainland.
Snow tires are mandatory and you are subject to a fine if you are in an area that requires tires or chains and you don’t have them on your vehicle. You could also be held liable for an accident if there are not any snow tires on your vehicle.
Fountain Tire Employees Suggest People Should get Snow Tires Soon
Nathan Wiebe, an employee at Fountain Tire explains that your going to need snow tires if you regularly encounter ice, unploughed snow, or slush. “The winter tires give you that extra tracking, braking and handling you’ll need to confidently drive on snow and ice. They have specialized rubber compounds and tread designs to handle the cold temperatures.” Nathan Wiebe goes on to say that with out snow tires you are more likely to fishtail on corners and spin out on ice.
Nathan Wiebe says they get a lot of customers coming into Fountain Tire thinking they are fine with having all season tires. He explains this isn’t true and all seasons are not designed to be optimal in one specific weather condition and that they are only meant to be adequate in all weather. “On an all season tires tread will quickly get packed with snow and cause you to easily lose traction when driving in winter conditions.”
Winter tires are superior to all season rubber when the weather is cold and snowy.
The Fountain Tire employees say that you should not wait too long with your purchase decision when it comes to getting snow tires. “Early winter storms can result in hot demand that leads to a shortage or even a complete sell out of winter tires in specific locations.”
They suggest a good time to install winter tires or purchase them is when the temperature is regularly 10 degrees Celsius or less. “When installing winter tires make sure to switch all four not just two. Using only two winter tires can cause your vehicle to spin unexpectedly because of greater traction on only two wheels.”
All employees suggest that when driving in winter conditions be sure to leave extra distance in between cars, slow down, and purchase snow tires.
RCMP arrested two individuals after an ongoing investigation in connection to the murder of 50 year old Timothy Niven Tyler. On September 2, 2008 Timothy Tyler was shot to death on his acreage near Beaverdell, BC located 70 kilometers south of Kelowna.
Gerlinde Klumpp, 49, is being charged with robbery and obstructing justice. The other man Geoffrey Moore, 53, is being charged with murder and robbery.
Both are scheduled to appear in Kelowna Court House on September 1st and 2nd, 2010. Both of the suspects are known to police. One of the men was also known to Timothy Tyler.
It is believed Timothy Tyler was killed while trying to protect his multiple outdoor marijuana grow op from being robbed by two armed individuals.
Police are asking anyone with media inquiries to contact Cpl Annie Linteau, “E” Division Strategic Communications Section, (604)264-2929.
October 22nd was just like any other day for Joanna Ellis until she received a phone call in the afternoon. The phone call changed her life forever.
Joanna’s boyfriend, Kyle Wood, left their place in the morning just like any other day to head to work. Joanna and Kyle had been dating for a year and just moved in together at the beginning of October.
Roofer’s have the fifth-highest work-related death rate in construction
Kyle had been working as a roofer for the past four years. Joanna remembers getting ready for work that day when she got a phone call from a number she didn’t recognize. “All I remember was Kyle’s boss saying you need to come to the hospital now. Kyle’s been in a work accident.” Joanna rushed to the hospital and spent hours with Kyle, but, he didn’t make it.
“I miss him so much he was my best friend.”
Joanna hasn’t been able to go back to the basement suite they had been renting from. She has moved back home with her mom and is finding life very difficult after her boyfriends passing. “I miss him so much he was my best friend.”
Kyle Wood was working on the roof of a building that day when he fell through landing on cement. He was rushed to Surrey Memorial hospital and doctors did everything they could. But there was too much damage and Kyle Wood passed away that night.
Joanna is still very upset and has not been back to the place they were renting. “I have moved back in with my mom. It’s too hard to be in a place where we had just started our lives together when Kyle isn’t here.”
Roofer’s have the fifth-highest work-related death rate in construction. About 50 roofers are killed on the job each year. Most work related roofing deaths are from falls.
Safety Gear
Safety Gear is required but not always enforced on a lot of construction work sites. There are hard hats which can sustain a head injury from impact, falling or flying objects or electrical shock. Safety goggles or masks protect the face from any type of physical injury or different chemicals. Protective boots have metal protecting in the toes and are worn to protect the workers from any impact, compression or puncture injuries. Ear plugs are worn to protect the workers fromprolonged noise. Dust masks or respirators are used to prevent gas, vapours, solid particles, fumes and other contaminants from being inhaled. Safety Nets and belts are used on construction sites to protect workers from falls.
Some Construction Companies say Safety Gear is Mandatory
Todd Savage one of the owner’s of Impact Interiors doesn’t allow any of his workers on their job sites without the required safety gear. “If one of my guys doesn’t have all of their safety gear at the job site they are of no use to me or my business.”
“If they don’t come prepared I’ll send them home for the day.”
Impact Interiors is a drywall company from Surrey that works all over the mainland. “If they don’t come prepared I’ll send them home for the day.”
This is a safety harness that is used on construction sites
Todd goes on to say that the company has been lucky and they have had no work related accidents. “I know a lot of people in the business that don’t wear their safety gear because they always say that nothing could happen to them.” He continues to say that construction jobs can be very dangerous and that he would never take the chance working on a job without any protective gear.
Explosion Causes Fire at Granville Skytrain Station
Vancouver’s Granville Skytrain Station has been evacuated this evening due to a fire caused by an explosion. Seven people are in hospital with serious injuries from inhaling smoke. One construction worker is suffering from serious burns caused by the explosion. All seven are being treated at St. Paul’s Hospital.
We are really fortunate at the station there were not more injuries.
-Constable Steve Ernest
Downtown has been complete chaos ever since the fire alarms went off at 7pm at the Granville Skytrain Station. Police, fire, and ambulance have all been on scene since the fire broke out Monday night.
Outside of Granville Skytrain station
Vancouver Police Constable Steve Ernest says, “We are really fortunate at the station there were not more injuries. If this happened at rush hour it could have been much worse.”
Translink Media Advisory Tony Busman has issued a statement. Because of the incident at the City Centre Canada Line in downtown Vancouver SkyTrain and Canada Line closures will remain in effect until Tuesday morning. Extra buses are being brought into downtown Vancouver to connect people with the functioning parts of the transit lines.
The fire was caused by an explosion on a construction site. A worker using a blow torch to cut through steel accidentally blew up a propane tank from a fast food outlet on the other side.
It was a challenging fire for us to put out.
-Gabe Smoke
The fire burned out of control because the sprinklers were not functioning due to the construction.
Vancouver Fire and Rescue Captain, Gabe Smokey says, “It was a challenging fire for us to put out because of the amount of smoke and potentially poisonous gas. But our crews broke down wall to get in there and got it quickly under control.”
12 others were treated on scene for smoke inhalation and released.
This is the last year for the Weekend To End Women’s Cancers
-why the walk is ending and what other events are going on to bring awareness
– talk about why this is the final year for the event
– talk to participants of the walk
Safety at work. Are they doing enough work safety inspections?
– should more inspections been done in work places to make sure people are following the rules
– talk about the recent death of a roofer who fell through the roof of a house and passed away because he wasn’t wearing safety gear
– statistics on work related incidents
– talk to work safe
What is Shaw doing to deal with all the outages that affected residents of the Fraser Valley all day Sunday and some customers on Monday as well.
-what caused the outages
– talk to Shaw
– talk to people affected by the outages
Anyone can easily walk into a pet store, go meet up with a breeder, or get a puppy from a litter and walk away a dog owner.
Should it really be that easy though?
Owning a dog is almost like having a kid. Dog owner’s have a lot of responsibility. Dogs need affection, exercise, food, and a clean warm home.
Adam Featherstone's Pitbull Mega
If dogs were cared for the way they were suppose to be there wouldn’t be homeless dogs, dog attacks, breed banning in certain areas, or so many problems with behaviour.
Every dog should be walked at least once a day. That should be the first question asked when getting a dog if you have the time to take care of your pet.
If all dog owners had to take a test or go through an interview process to prove they can handle their pets they’re wouldn’t be so many irresponsible owners.
One of the truest examples of proper pet ownership comes from Adam Featherstone, an owner of a Bluenose Pitbull Terrier.
“Proper exercise, discipline and affection are the keys to raising a great dog, regardless of breed.”
Featherstone’s dog, Mega, a 1-year-old male goes for two 1 hour walks a day and is challenged both mentally and physically.
“He’s great, such a loyal and affectionate dog. He’s very gentle with children and has such a zest for life. He’s my best friend.”
He goes on to explain that the American Pit Bull Terrier is very strong and sometimes perceived as aggressive, but assures this is not the case.
“Pit bulls get a bad rep due to negligent owners who don’t fulfill their needs. Any dog can be vicious, though pit bulls are much stronger than most breeds so people fear them.”
When asked if he thinks potential dog owners should be put through a test or interview process he stated, “It might not be a bad idea, there would be a lot less misbehaved dogs and happier homes.”
BC Chihuahua Rescue Agrees
Linda Lanyon, the co-founder of BC Chihuahua Rescue rescue also thinks it wouldn’t be such a bad idea for people to go through a testing process.
Over 60 dogs were rescued from L.A. by the BC Chihuahua Rescue
“We get calls all of the time about abused and abandoned dogs. These victimized dogs range from puppies to adults and males to pregnant females.”
Lanyon goes on to say that a lot of people accessorize themselves with a dog not realizing the responsibility that comes a long with it.
“At the rescue society we implement an application process to make sure these dogs go to the homes they deserve.”
If a law was put in place where you couldn’t get a dog unless you went through a test or interviewing process there would be a lot less dog behaviour problems, attacks and breed banning in areas.
For more information on the BC Chihuahua Rescue visit the website below.
Melanie 