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The chaos in U.S. cities over the death of George Floyd has hit home for a Ladysmith school principal. Dionte Jelks says his brother and cousin were shot to death on Sunday afternoon in Chicago, as they were driving to his mother's home. Jelks says he is torn apart, debating whether to risk his life by returning to Chicago to mourn with his family. Jelks says he is so grateful that his three sons do not have to live in fear on Vancouver Island. He says he is thankful for the kind words and support from the school district and the Ladysmith community. A Go-Fund-Me campaign to help with funeral expenses has doubled its $5,000 dollar goal.

The City of Parksville will not get its way when it comes to a proposed bylaw to restrict the distribution of clean needles. The bylaw would require any group distributing harm reduction supplies to register with the city and to track who is receiving needles. It would only be allowed to distribute retractable needles. And users would be required to return discarded needles or declare they have been safely disposed of before being given a new supply. The medical health officer for the mid-island has told the city its bylaw is likely unconstitutional and a contradiction to widely accepted government harm reduction practices. Dr. Paul Hasselback has refused to endorse it. Nanaimo News Now is reporting the Minister of Health, Adrian Dix, has formally rejected Parksville's plan saying “The bylaw restricts access to health services.”

Ferry service resumes today between Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay. There will be four round trip sailings per day, but the vessels will only carry half their capacity to ensure social distancing. That's why BC Ferries is recommending vehicles and foot passengers make reservations. The increased demand for service will see more changes starting next week. Starting June the 9th, service between Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands will increase with the return to the winter schedule. Resumption of sailings between Long Harbour on Saltspring Island and Tsawassen will also begin on June the 9th. Travellers who made reservations between June 9th and 23rd will have their reservations cancelled and payments refunded because the sailings times have changed. This route is 100 per cent reservable and reservations are recommended for both foot passengers and vehicles.

This news update is made possible by a grant from the Local Journalism Initiative of the Community Radio Fund of Canada and Heritage Canada. If you would like to hear more community journalism on our airwaves, you can make it happen with a donation at chly.ca/donate.

Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco, News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.

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