On Target
Logan Smith, 6, takes aim at the target during a shooting drill at the Okotoks Minor Soccer Association’s inaugural Mini-Fest on
Saturday afternoon at Riverside Park in Okotoks. The event included all the Okotoks soccer teams from U-6 to U-12 participating in skills and drills sessions as well as other fun activities. photo by John Barlow |
Brazen robbery leaves family shaken
By Pamela Keith
Staff reporter
Darlene LaRoche doesn’t have much hope she will ever see some of her most cherished personal belongings again after the DeWinton area home she shares with her husband was robbed June 29.
LaRoche had stepped out of her home between 11 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. on the day in question and when she returned, she immediately began to notice things weren’t the same as when she had left.
According to LaRoche, her cats were inside the locked home, even though they are supposed to be outside, and various doors had been left open.
When she walked into her bedroom she immediately realized she had been robbed.
“I got a funny feeling that something wasn’t right,” said LaRoche, who has lived in the area with her husband for the past 16 years. “I could tell the bedroom had been gone through. It creeped me right out.”
LaRoche soon noted that a digital camera, along with her jewelry, some of which can never be replaced, had been stolen.
The family dog, Keesha, an eight-year-old spayed female Keeshond/border collie cross, also went missing during the same time as the robbery.
Since the incident, the LaRoche family has placed security bars in their windows and is now considering putting a security system into their home. LaRoche’s biggest fear is the thieves will come back for more of her belongings.
“They know what’s in the house, so we have a funny feeling they are coming back,” she said.
“I grew up in a time when you could just leave your door open and you never worried about somebody stealing from you. It just burns my butt to have to do this.”
Okotoks RCMP said the thief or thieves broke into the home through a back window and believe the robbery was a random incident.
Police are asking for anybody with information in relation to the break and enter to contact the detachment at 938-7046.
Meanwhile, LaRoche has placed ads in local newspapers looking for her missing dog with hopes somebody will soon return the cherished pet that she said is worth more than any of her stolen personal belongings.
“She’s a very gentle and loving animal,” said LaRoche. “It is the lowest person with no heart who would rob you and then take your pet. What kind of a society are we living in?”
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Water ski proposal raises concerns
By Alana Cole
staff reporter
A local club wants to bring the 2009 World Water Ski Championships to the MD of Foothills.
The Predator Bay Water Ski Club, based at the KastyneStone Lakes just outside Okotoks, is asking for a special event permit from the MD of Foothills to allow the facility to host the event, which is staged every two years by the International Water Ski Federation (IWSF).
Dan Velcic, president of the club, thinks it’s not only a great opportunity for them, but also for the whole community.
“In our mind it was an honour to be asked,” said Velcic, explaining that it was actually representatives from Water Ski Canada that saw the area at KastyneStone Lakes and asked the club if it was interested in hosting the event.
“We’re all pretty excited about it.”
Although the plans are still in the works, according to Velcic the event would take place over the course of a week and would not only include water skiing, but could also potentially incorporate additional entertainment including some form of music component, extreme sporting demonstrations and a festival of some kind.
So far, council of the MD of Foothills is on board with the event and approved the permit in principle, but is still waiting for a few conditions to be met by event organizers before giving the final go ahead to the club.
“I think it would be a tremendous thing for the community,” said MD Coun. Terry Waddock in council last week, adding that as long as the organizers can work to alleviate concerns put forth by residents in the area, is seems like a good opportunity.
Dianna Nephew is one of the residents in the area who spoke out in council last Thursday about her concerns with the event.
According to Nephew, who has lived in the area for the last 10 years, the biggest problem is the lack of details included in the plans in regards to how it will affect residents in the area.
“It’s not the typical landowners’ concerns about noise and traffic,” said Nephew. “I’m talking about overall safety, evacuation plans and details about how they’re going to handle a crowd of this size.”
According to Velcic, who has been involved with the club since its beginning 10 years ago, organizers will do whatever they can not to disrupt surrounding landowners.
“We try really hard to respect the neighbourhood,” said Velcic, adding that the club will be more than willing to work with people in the area to address any concerns they might have. Velcic also stated that they won’t be trying to solve these issues on their own and that if the event permit is approved, they will be looking towards outside help to make sure everything runs smoothly.
An aerial view of KastyneStone lakes, the proposed site for the 2009 World Water Ski Championships. photo submitted |
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In this issue...
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Major Attraction
Charlie Major to perform
at Bragg Creek Days
• See Entertainment
Nice Finish
More than 200 compete in charity triathlon
• See Sports
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