15 YEARS AGO (2009): Brian Erickson of Williams Lake, who had been facing charges in connection with attempting to lure children through Facebook, had been in contact with girls in 100 Mile House. A 100 Mile House woman, whose name was withheld to protect her daughter's identification, found Brian Erickson's name on her daughter's "Friends" list. A follow-up search by her found he had around 40 area youths on his list. After getting in touch with local parents and having a talk with her daughter, she reported the incident to the Williams Lake RCMP after finding messages saying that the daughter was "pretty." Erickson was already under conditions not to use the Internet or to have any contact with people under 16.
22 YEARS AGO (2002): In a Free Press article by Wayne Venos, another poor turnout at the start-up meeting for the 100 Mile Curling Club meant that there would have been a possibility that there would be no local curling in 2002. He wrote that the then-President of the 100 Mile Curling Club, Jean Gilbert, was in a quandary as to how come there has been so much apathy towards those who have avoided attending the last two general meetings. Prior to the meeting, dismal attendance at the spring session meant that not all executive positions were filled. Venos stated that although there are hard times in the area, being bunkered down could not help the situation: it would only make it worse.
30 YEARS AGO (1994): Few residents in Quesnel were left unimpressed after Operation Lifesaver, which was staged on Friday - and which had seen a BC Rail train smashing into a car as a demonstration to promote awareness and prevent tragedy. Around 2,000 people attended it. Ben Levesque, the then-Operation Lifesaver National Director - stated before the event, that what was about to happen was occurring at least once a day in Canada. Levesque also pointed out that the train had no steering wheel, and therefore cannot steer around obstacles in the track. As a finish, students and Quensel firefighters followed the crash with a graphic rescue.
42 YEARS AGO (1982): Dr. Roy Worbets, then 100 Mile House veterinarian, stated that the week prior, people in 100 Mile House and Forest Grove had spotted rabid bats walking on the ground during daylight hours - which had been an indication they were infected with rabies. Bats are usually nocturnal. Dr. Worbets stated that these bats were posing a threat to other animals, and to make sure animals were immunized against the disease. Worbets noted that there were similar outbreaks in Kamloops and Cache Creek that were also linked to these bats. Anti-rabies vaccines were available at the South Cariboo Animal Hospital in 100 Mile House. Dr. Dale Loewen, then medical director of the Cariboo Health Unit, said that the effects of rabies are "devastating."
