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Longview Second suspect sought in now fatal stand-off
By Staff Reporter and Sports Editor
Turner Valley RCMP are searching for a second suspect in a stand-off in Longview last week that left one man dead.
Edward Joseph Pocha, 25, succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the Foothills Hospital after holding off police for seven hours while holed-up in a residence in Longview.
Pocha, originally from Saskatchewan, was airlifted to Foothills Hospital by STARS Air Ambulance, but did not survive his injuries.
Sgt. Bray of the Turner Valley RCMP said officers are now searching for a second suspect that may have been involved in the incident.
'We know for a fact there were 2 men (involved),' said Bray. 'There is no indication that he was in the house, but we have witnesses that say they saw him in the vehicle.'
RCMP have recovered a stolen vehicle that had been reported missing from Calgary on June 21.
Pocha and the unidentified male had attempted to break into two residences in Longview at approximately 9 pm on June 23.
Pocha entered a home which was unoccupied. However, when the homeowners returned they were confronted by a Pocha who brandished a long-barreled firearm.
Several hours later Pocha spoke with the RCMP negotiator but was unco-operative.
Bray said they then heard a single gun shot.
Pocha was located inside the home and had apparently turned the gun on himself. He was air lifted to Foothills Hospital, but died on June 26.
2002 Grad Coverage
Congratulations to our 2002 graduates:
- Grads - Academics and athletics honored at Good Shepherd School awards night
- Grads - Big Rock School awards
- Grads - C. Ian McLaren School honors its Grades 6 to 8
- Grads - Dr. Morris Gibson School bids farewell to graduates
- Grads - Longview celebrates year end
- Grads - Okotoks Junior High School honors its Grade 9 graduates at awards ceremony
- Grads - Percy Pegler Elementary honors students at awards
- Grads - Red Deer Lake School says goodbye to Grade 9 students at awards night
- Grads - Turner Valley School recognizes achievements of Grade 8 graduates
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Opinion Editorial-on vacation Paul's Place News Sports Entertainment Movies Classified Ads Real Estate |
 Artists display works at Stampede See Entertainment  Locals drive for provincial golf title See Sports |
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We Got the Games!
Members of the Okotoks/High River/MD of Foothills bid committee celebrate being awarded the 2004 Alberta Summer Games along with Highwood MLA Don Tannas (centre left) and Community Development Minister Gene Zwozdesky.
- photo by John Barlow
We Got The Games!
By Staff Reporter and Sports Editor
Amid a chorus of whoops and hollers, Community Development minister Gene Zwozdesky announced last Thursday that the joint bid from Okotoks, High River and the MD of Foothills was selected as the host of the 2004 Alberta Summer Games.
At a press conference held in Okotoks last Thursday Zwozdesky made the announcement that included a $410,000 provincial grant to kick-start preparations for the games.
'What was appealing was the co-operative spirit and friendship that developed among these three municipalities,' said Zwozdesky. 'They just did not have the facilities (to host the games) on their own, but together they put in a solid proposal.'
Zwozdesky's announcement resulted in a resounding celebration from the bid committee members that were in attendance at Thursday's press conference.
Many of the members were surprised with the presentation as the conference was called under the guise that the selection committee had more questions regarding the local bid.
'We didn't know this was coming,' said bid co-chair Diane Turner, still unable to wipe the smile from her face. 'We are just elated and proud. This is such a proud moment because everyone worked so hard to put this bid together.'
She continued, 'The community has been so supportive of what the games represent. This is a fantastic opportunity for us and I think we are going to put on one heck of a party.'
The 2004 Alberta Summer Games, which will be held from July 22 to 25, will be a large part of Okotoks' centennial celebrations.
Highwood MLA Don Tannas was also impressed with how the three municipalities worked together to develop such a strong bid.
'It is great because what one cannot do alone, many can do together,' said Tannas who attended the press conference. 'High River and Okotoks have been rivals for years and here they are working to geth gether to bring the games here.'
Tannas said he was not surprised the municipalities worked so well together because they have a strong history of doing so. The MLA cited examples of what the three have accomplished when working together such as bringing Cargill and MagCan to the area.
Okotoks mayor Bill McAlpine added that the municipalities understood that their bid for the 2004 games would not be successful unless they worked on the project as a team.
'Everyone realized that if we wanted the games we would have to co-operate,' said McAlpine.
Of the announcement McAlpine said, 'This is a great day. It has created such enthusiasm and will bring the town together. We are off and running now and it is going to be a lot of hard work, but it will be lots of fun as well.'
The games, which feature athletes 12 to 17 years of age, includes more than 2,000 athletes, 10,000 visitors and will have an economic impact of between $2 million and $4 million on the local economy.
Some of the sports included in the games are athletics, basketball, badminton, canoeing, equestrian, football, golf, lacrosse, biking, orienteering, rugby, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, volleyball (indoor and outdoor), Special Olympics and demonstration sports (perhaps polo).
The province contributed $410,000 to the bid committee and $300,000 can be used for operations, $50,000 must be attributed to a legacy project and $60,000 is to be earmarked for the cultural component of the games.
The minister concluded by saying, 'Now that the games are coming, you will see support come from places that you never would have thought of.'
Zwozdesky stated that there were several other bids submitted for the 2004 Alberta Summer Games and one other, also a joint bid between three communities, was a close second to the local bid.
