Campground shooting back in court next week
A man facing several charges after an alleged campground shooting will remain in custody for another week.
Colin Blackman, 38, of Marsden, Sask., reserved his plea on 10 charges on Wednesday when he appeared in Red Deer provincial court.
RCMP said earlier that a man is alleged to have fired a handgun at some people in a Raven-area campground early on July 3.
RCMP allege the man had a .45-calibre handgun and pointed the weapon at a man’s head and assaulted him.
Police also said a shot was fired at three people who fled the scene into the bush.
Blackman is charged with using a restricted firearm in a careless manner, two counts of assault, transporting a restrict firearm, pointing a firearm, possession a restricted firearm with ammunition nearby, possession of a firearm while attempting to commit an offence, possession of a firearm without holding a firearms acquisition certificate and having a restricted firearm within a vehicle.
He returns to court next Wednesday.
Indecent acts case plea reserved
A man charged with exposing himself to two young girls will make a bid for freedom this week.
James Darryl Hill, 53, of Red Deer reserved his plea on three charges when he appeared in Red Deer provincial court on Wednesday.
Court heard Hill’s lawyer intends to conduct a bail hearing on Friday afternoon.
Hill is charged with two counts of committing indecent acts and one charge of mischief.
RCMP were called to a complaint on June 24 at about 6:45 p.m. at a major city mall.
It’s alleged a man approached two girls in a retail store and exposed himself.
Police said there was no physical contact between the accused and the girls.
Olds compost party set
The Olds College Compost Technology Centre is teaming up with the Compost Council of Canada to host a free compost garden party and concert on Saturday.
The event to promote composting and vegetable gardening is at 2 p.m. at Centennial Park Gazebo in Uptowne Olds at 50th Avenue and 54th Street.
Sample bags of soil nutrient-rich compost will be provided as well as information on composting.
The Toronto-based folk-pop group Jane’s Party will perform.
“Compost is the essence of our soil’s vitality and our ‘rot and roll’ compost garden party is a way to recognize its value within our community and food-gardening initiatives,” said Shirley Lupino, compost technician at Olds College Composting Technology Centre.
The event will also encourage people to grow a row of their favorite vegetables and to grow another for their local food bank.
The Olds College Compost Technology Centre has been in operation for 15 years and is the primary destination of all compostable materials collected by the green bin programs in the towns of Olds, Sundre and Didsbury.
Cancer ride raises $250,000
A teenage Lacombe student has helped raise about $250,000 in an annual cycling tour to assist in sending kids with cancer to camp.
Stephen Radu, 17, was one of more than 100 Alberta cyclists who completed a road trip from Calgary to the West Country and then returned again on Sunday.
A cancer survivor, Stephen rode about 25 km a day on a recumbent bike during the three-day trip.
Stephen couldn’t even walk after being diagnosed with cancer four years ago.
He walked with a walker until this spring after a courageous rehabilitation effort that saw him learn to walk and speak again.
Organized by the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation, the cycling tour raises funds in the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta.
The money will bring the total ride revenue in four years to $850,000, foundation spokesman Gail Corbett said Wednesday.
Stephen has experienced first-hand the benefits of fundraising events like Tour For Kids. He and his sister Lara have been going to camps for three years.
“It’s just good to be around kids who accept you completely,” said Stephen earlier.
“Camp is a great place.”
His father Richard, who also made the bike trip, said Stephen worked with a trainer for the last four months to improve his strength.
Man held on weapons charges
A Pine Lake man returns to court Friday after reserving his plea on numerous weapon’s charges Wednesday.
Stanley Dick, 26, was remanded in custody after making a brief appearance in Red Deer provincial court.
Red Deer city RCMP said earlier they seized a defensive baton, machete, baseball bat modified with screws sticking out, sawed-off shotgun and ammunition after searching a vehicle last week.
Police said they searched the vehicle because they believed they saw a man remove a firearm from it.
Further investigation resulted in a search of a residence in Pine Lake, seizing two .22 calibre rifles, ammunition and firearm parts.
Dick is faces four counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, three counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm, four counts of possession of a firearm while prohibited, possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition.
