What’s making news in British Columbia

Downtown Vancouver (Photo courtesy of Bobanny via Wikipedia)

Study charts safety record at whistler luge track

A new study says the luge track used for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler was not significantly more dangerous than other venues.

A 21-year-old luge athlete from Georgia died on the opening day of the 2010 Games after being thrown from his sled during a practice run.

The University of British Columbia study into both his death and the track’s safety found that high speed and athlete inexperience were the top contributing factors to injuries and accidents on the track.

The report recommends that sliding-track operators continuously monitor and log track incidents as they happen, using cameras and staff.

No charges against officer in teenager’s arrest

Provincial officials say charges will not be laid against a police officer involved in the arrest of a teenager in Sidney that left the youth with a broken leg.

The incident happened in February 2015 after officers arrived at a residence in response to reports of a 17-year-old youth causing a disturbance and breaching his bail conditions.

The Justice Ministry says there isn’t enough evidence to approve charges against police.

The Criminal Justice Branch’s review follows an investigation by the Independent Investigations Office.

Bail hearing set for man charged in hit and run

A man charged in a hit and run that left a young woman dead near the Burnaby’s campus of the British Columbia Institute of Technology has had his bail hearing moved to April 1.

Twenty-five-year-old Ibrahim Ali made a brief video appearance Wednesday morning from jail.

He’s facing numerous charges involving the March 9 crash that killed Emily Sheane, a 25-year-old woman who was on her way home from her restaurant job.

Ali and an 18-year-old woman were arrested in Creston a few days later.

Coastal First Nations has new chairman

A former part-time commissioner with the Canadian Human Rights Commission has been appointed chairman of the Coastal First Nations.

Kelly Harvey Russ will act as official spokesman for the group and will lead fundraising efforts while liaising with government, industry and conservation groups.

Chief Marilyn Slett says Russ brings significant legal and human rights experience to the position and his experience as a board member and mediator strengthens the Coastal First Nations leadership.

He was also a founding board member and past president of Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services.

Kitten to get prosthetic back legs

A feral kitten found in Langley with no hind legs will soon be the focus of a groundbreaking procedure.

The eight-month-old tabby named Cassidy will be fitted with prosthetic blades so he can walk.

The blades will be placed on the kitten during surgery at North Carolina State University.

Dr. Mike Higgins of Canada West Veterinary Specialists says the procedure involves technology that could advance the options for treating more pets in the future.

Alan Twigg wins literary award

The West Coast Book Prize Society has named Alan Twigg the winner of the 13th annual Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence.

Twigg’s newspaper BC BookWorld supports writing and publishing in the province.

He’s known as a writer as well as a documentary filmmaker, theatre critic, musician, TV host and columnist for The Province newspaper.

Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon will present Twigg with his award at a gala to be held at Government House in Victoria on April 30.