Columbia Valley RCMP Staff Sergeant Marko Shehovac. Pioneer file photo

Columbia Valley RCMP Staff Sergeant Marko Shehovac. Pioneer file photo

Submitted by Staff Sgt. Marko Shehovac

Columbia Valley RCMP

For those of us that recognize the Greek Orthodox Christmas, Merry

Christmas. I trust everyone had a great Christmas with family and friends and now the old grind of work and school begins. Only 249 more sleeps.

On January 3rd, the Columbia

Valley Detachment was investigating a

report of hit and run that happened in the rear alley behind 7th Avenue. The offending vehicle backed into a parked car. The driver of the offending car was observed and a name has been provided to the police. The investigation is continuing.

On January 3rd at 7:53 a.m., the detachment responded to a single vehicle accident on Highway 93/95 near Suncreek Road in Canal Flats. A 1998 GMC Jimmy operated by a 29-year-old male from Cranbrook was northbound when the driver lost control and the vehicle ended up overturned on its side. There were no injuries to the driver, who was charged with failing to keep right under the Motor Vehicle Act.

On January 3rd at 1:40 p.m., while conducting routine patrol in Invermere, the police noticed a 1993 Dodge Dakota driven by a driver who was known to have been prohibited from driving. Police stopped the vehicle in town and arrested the driver for driving while prohibited. The 51-year-old male from Invermere is charged with prohibited driving under the Criminal Code,

driving while prohibited under the Motor Vehicle Act and driving without a valid drivers licence. The male is to appear in Invermere Provincial Court on March 10th.

On January 3rd at 9:36 p.m., staff at the pool in Fairmont Hot Springs were approached by three young girls who reported that a suspicious male appeared to be video taping them while in the pool. The male is described as being in his 60s. The male had departed the area before staff could make further inquiries. The pool area is secured by video surveillance; the investigation is continuing.

December Road Check

On Friday, December 13th, Columbia Valley

Detachment members conducted a road check at Laurier Street and Panorama Drive. At the time, a 49-year-old male had his licence suspended for 90 days and his vehicle was impounded. At the end of the month, notification was provided by ICBC to the police that the driver in question on December 13th was prohibited from driving. Police will be

contacting the male and he will be charged with driving while prohibited.

Cram the Cruiser

Just prior to Christmas to help the food bank, the detachment did an eight- hour blitz with the help of Gracie from the Food Bank and Cpl. Grant Simpson. We located the police truck at Sobeys and AG Valley Foods. Pleased to report back to everyone that we filled the truck up three times and get this, over $1,200 cash was collected in that eight-hour period. If you have an event and you wish to advertise to bring items for the food bank with Cram the Cruiser present, give me a call. Thanks for your support.

Year-end stats and the economy

In 2013, the detachment responded to 2,825 incidents. In 2012 we responded to 2,915 calls. In 2008, when things were booming in the valley, the detachment responded to 3,401 calls. In the police world, we can make a judgement call on how the economy is doing in the valley by the calls for service volume. Things are looking up we are not far from where we were in 2008.

2013 in review

Concerned citizens in the valley have often inquired how my dream retirement boat is coming along. This should answer that question.

Bev pulled the trigger and she got the two-month renovations going in Golden, which are now into the fourth month. The dream boat is in jeopardy.

The dog was taken to the vet and found to require some urgent care. We advised the vet that Taz is family and money is not a concern: things not to say to a vet. The cost: a good kicker motor. Once recuperated, I had a one-on-one session with Taz and informed her the next time she is just a dog and will be viewed as long lost distant family.

Just when my prohibition from attending Pro Bass was to expire for getting the wifes car impounded, I rear end an innocent driver while operating a police vehicle. I advised the investigating officer to lay the ticket on me. Cost: a good fishing rod and reel. Pro Bass prohibition extended.

The pickup truck had major work done at the cost of a good electric motor and marine radio.

The Corvette work and assistance by Cpl. Simpson caused severe injury to him and made my mechanic once again happy. Cost: good fish finder with GPS.

Bev found that her fridge in Golden was sitting with the power off and ended up with a great deal of mold on the inside, and she is now getting a new fridge to go with her renovations. Cost: a good traveling tarp for, you know, the boat.

New basement, new furniture. Cost: a good bow electric motor with GPS capability.

I scraped off some of that mold and will be taping it onto my aluminum boat. I am practicing my frantic Oh God, look honey, mold on the boat, it can kill me routine.

I have discovered new friends, Angie being the exception at the Thursday evening poker night at the Royal Canadian Legion.

I renewed the insurance on the truck and learned Im still paying an administration penalty for getting Bevs vehicle impounded. This was not expected. Bev was standing beside me and made it known that my Mario Andretti routine is closing in on $4,000. I will write a letter to Pro Bass requesting they keep me on their mailing list.

Ten days into 2014, Ive had no impoundments, no accidents, no tickets, got into the money round in poker, the dog is healthy, and renovations are pretty much done. 2014 is looking good.