Noon News Update for May 19 2020

📷 Captain Jennifer ‘Jenn’ Casey / via RCAF Twitter

NANAIMO—A memorial to the Snowbird who died in last Sunday's plane crash continues to grow at the airport in Kamloops. Captain Jenn Casey did not survive, after ejecting from the Snowbirds jet, that crashed into a house shortly after takeoff. The pilot, Captain Richard MacDougall remains in hospital with serious, but not life-threatening injuries. Hundreds of Kamloops residents have been adding flowers, hearts, cards and even medals along a fenceline off Tranquille Road near the airport. Local officials are talking about possibly renaming the road in honour of Casey. The other Snowbird jets remain grounded at Kamloops, where an investigation by the Royal Canadian Airforce continues. Lt. Colonel Mike French says investigators will have more to say about the cause of the crash in about a month from now. However, he predicts a full investigation will not be completed for a year.

North Cowichan RCMP are sharing few details about two incidents involving explosives in the past 10 days. Yesterday, officers were called to the Falcon Nest Motel in Duncan. While investigating they found an improvised explosive device. The hotel was evacuated and the RCMP's specialized explosives Disposal Unit from the lower mainland was called. Police will not say what type of bomb was found, where it was found and whether it was detonated by the disposal unit. No one has been arrested in that case and police have not said whether they have a suspect in mind. The incident yesterday, follows on the heels of another incident at the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment, on May the 10th. The detachment and surrounding area were evacuated after a person showed up with explosives, asking the police to safely dispose of them. The explosives disposal unit from the lower mainland disposed of the material. Corporal Kiel Pharis says the person with the explosives meant no harm. He says if you need assistance in making sure that items like blasting caps or old fireworks are disposed of safely, please call the police first.

The Provincial Health Officer says she shares the concerns of fellow British Columbians, as the province enters the next phase of its pandemic plan. Dr. Bonnie Henry is advising both businesses and individuals to take it slowly when it comes to reopening or expanding your social circle. Henry says she invited some friends to her home last weekend. They stayed outside and kept two metres apart. Nevertheless, she says the experience was "a bit awkward, strange and stressful." Henry is advising seniors, those with underlying medical conditions, undergoing cancer treatment, preparing for surgery or anyone not feeling well to resist expanding their bubble or engaging in the wider world.

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Lisa Cordasco

Senior Reporter and News Director — Lisa is responsible for creating the station's first morning news current affairs show on CHLY. She is also deeply involved in training and mentoring student and citizen journalists who volunteer their time at the station. Before joining CHLY, Lisa spent 35 years in various roles at CBC Radio, from host to reporter. Her passion for journalism and radio has led her to Nanaimo, where she intends to provide CHLY listeners with news they can use, in an alternative radio environment. Her other not-so-secret passion is costuming for any occasion.

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