TUESDAY
LEGENDS COLLIDE
NOVEMBER 5, 2013
Canadian curling icons Glenn Howard and Kevin Martin clashed in the finals of the Masters Grand Slam A15
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Bring back spiritual care funds, say faith leaders Temporary financing for local hospital positions runs out Vikki HOPES Abbotsford News
Local faith leaders want Fraser Health to reinstate and fund the 12 spiritual care coordinators who were axed from hospitals in late 2009. The positions were eliminated throughout the region to save approximately $650,000.
But the Abbotsford Christian Leaders Network (ACLN) and the Langley Ministerial Association felt it was integral to retain the roles at their hospitals, saying spiritual care was as important as physical care. They raised their own funds – through local churches – to fund the positions for two years. Abbotsford’s share was $25,000 for each
year, and Langley’s was $12,500. Perrie Peverall was initially hired to spend two days a week at Abbotsford Regional Hospital and one day a week at Langley Memorial, with her benefits and pension paid by Fraser Health. She later began an additional day each week in Langley. Continued on A4
RICE COMES IN STRONG A5 A rice farmer in Abbotsford reaps a bountiful harvest, which is used to create Fraser Valley Junmai sake
HOSPITAL CONGESTION
Diwali celebrated
A3 The local BCNU area chair
Students from Little Twinkle preschool joined with older Bhangra dancers as part of Diwali celebrations held at Abbotsford Community Library and Abbotsford Senior Secondary School on Saturday. The event featured crafts, entertainment, and refreshments. Diwali is a festival of light celebrated by the Indo-Canadian community.
raises the alarm on hospital overcrowding
TRIO OF FIRES A10 Abbotsford firefighters battle three structure fires in four days
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JOHN MORROW Abbotsford News
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