LOCAL SUPPORT | First fundraiser for Philippines typhoon relief generates more than $16,000 [A7]
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Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013
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Silver Star’s groomers are hard at work getting ready for the start of the season after the resort announced it would open for a bonus weekend Saturday and Sunday. Silver Star officially opens for the season Nov. 28. and Superstore Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (cash only). Fore more information, call 250-5581362 or go to www. vjhfoundation.org. And for those looking for an extra adrenaline rush, the
opening of Putnam Creek area is just around the corner, boasting 56 runs and more than 1,800 feet of vertical. “Our guests get the first taste of the fresh powder on what has been called one of
Canada’s best backsides,” said Sherwood. “We are seeing solid snowfall, so if these conditions continue we could see Putnam Creek opening in early December.”
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A Vernon lawyer will be behind bars longer than expected. The B.C. Court of Appeal ruled Monday that William Mastop’s jail sentence should be extended from one year to two-and-a-half years. “The trial judge erred by focusing on the lack of evidence of direct consequences flowing from the respondent’s actions, rather than focusing on the respondent’s intention and the egregious nature of his actions,” states the Court of Appeal decision. Mastop pleaded guilty earlier this year to participating in the activities of a criminal organization, commonly known as the William Mastop Greeks, in Vernon. However, Crown counsel initiated an appeal, saying the judge erred by focusing on the lack of evidence directly linking Mastop’s actions with the criminal organization’s operations. According to the B.C. Court of Appeal, the proof of consequences is not an element of the offence and should not have been used to mitigate the sentence. “The Crown is not required to prove the accused’s participation actually had the result of enhancing the criminal organization’s ability to commit an indictable offence. The focus of the offence is on criminalizing conduct that is objectively capable of materially enhancing an organization’s criminality,” stated the Court of Appeal. “The respondent acted as an on-call lawyer for a violent criminal organization. He used his position to obtain information, track down members, and report on police activity over a significant period of time.” Crown counsel welcomes the Court of Appeal decision. “The outcome is consistent with the range of sentence Crown was seeking with the appeal and consistent with the range of sentence Crown was seeking with the original case,” said Neil MacKenzie, with the Criminal Justice Branch. Mastop entered a guilty plea in December 2012 to participating in the activities of a North Okanagan criminal organization. He was arrested in January 2010 in Lake Country. It’s believed Mastop is the first lawyer in Canada charged with participating in the activities of a criminal organization. Legal counsel for Mastop could not be reached for comment.
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Lawyer’s sentence extended
Morning Star Staff
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Star opens early Life can’t get any better for skiers. Instead of waiting another week for the scheduled start of the alpine season, Silver Star Mountain Resort is hosting an early preview Saturday and Sunday thanks to the 90 centimetres of snow on the ground. “We are excited to give skiers and riders a chance to hit the slopes early on this bonus weekend and experience what Silver Star has to offer,” said Michael Sherwood, general manager. For the early bonus weekend, Silver Star Resort will give access to about 25 runs with the Comet Six Pack and Silver Queen Quad chairlifts. Skiers and riders will get 50 per cent off lift tickets for the bonus weekend Saturday and Sunday. Planning is also well underway for the official launch of the alpine season Nov. 28. As part of those efforts, Silver Star is selling opening weekend lift tickets for $20 each, with proceeds going towards the $2.5 million Building a Tower of Care Campaign, Phase II at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. Silver Star opening weekend lift ticket vouchers are valid from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1 and they can be purchased in unlimited quantity at the following locations: ■ Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation office (next to the VJH gift shop) Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until Nov. 22 (cash, debit and credit card). ■ Cooper’s, Save-On Foods
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