Friday
July 10, 2015 (Vol. 40 No. 55)
V O I C E
O F
W H I T E
R O C K
A N D
S O U T H
S U R R E Y
w w w. p e a c e a r c h n e w s . c o m
A new idol: His recent win in the Abbotsford Idol singing contest only confirmed that South Surrey’s Richard Tichelman, 15, is an emerging musical talent to watch for in future. i see page 27
Severe burns after plane crash-lands on Highway 97
Surrey pilot injured in Osoyoos crash Melissa Smalley Staff Reporter
Sion Davies photo
A Surrey pilot is in hospital after crashing on Highway 97 Tuesday.
A Surrey man is in hospital with extensive burns following a single-engine plane crash in Osoyoos Tuesday. The 46-year-old pilot – whose identity had not been officially released as of Peace Arch News’ press deadline Thursday – was the sole occupant of a small Beechcraft, single-engine plane that crashed on Highway 97 just before 5 p.m. July 7. According to RCMP, the pilot – on route from Oliver to Boundary Bay – attempted an emergency landing
after the plane lost power, catching the wing on the rear of a semi-trailer that was travelling northbound on the highway. The plane hit the ground, slid into a telephone pole and burst into flames. Witnesses told RCMP the pilot was able to escape the wreckage, but suffered severe burns to the majority of his body. He was airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition as of Thursday morning. The crash is now being investigated by the Transportation Safety Board.
Challenges cited
Teacher guilty of misconduct Sheila Reynolds Black Press
A Surrey kindergarten teacher has been found guilty of professional misconduct by the B.C. Teacher Regulation Branch for yelling so loudly at her students it could be heard outside the classroom, and for criticizing kids’ work, sometimes crumpling it and throwing it away. Cheryl Ann Gosse was a teacher at Hjorth Road Elementary during the 2011-2012 school year – the period during which it was alleged she engaged in professional misconduct and/or conduct unbecoming a teacher. Though many of the allegations were unsubstantiated, a three-person BCTRB panel found after a hearing last fall that Gosse also inappropriately reprimanded a child for urinating in the playground and made belittling and disrespectful comments to children. The decision was issued in late May but was just posted on the teacher regulation website last week. Gosse denied she ever made belittling or disrespectful comments to her students, and though her principal and some colleagues testified they heard her yell, she called the allegations “generalized and impressionistic.” She admitted she was a strict teacher with high expectations, but, according i see page 8
Batter up
Nick Greenizan photo
Canadian national team members Joey Lye (left) and Megan Timpf take some swings during a practice Tuesday at Sunnyside Park, just prior to Canada’s first game of the Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championships. Playoff rounds begin this weekend, with the women’s final set for Monday night at Softball City. For more Canadian Open coverage, see page 31.
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