As September rolls around we take a look at what the two biggest streaming services in the UK are bringing to our screens.
Netflix
Netflix continues to be a fertile space for new programming, with original shows once again dominating September’s line-up.
From gripping crime thrillers to fascinating documentaries, we’ve picked out some highlights to get you started.
Tangerine
What is it? An acclaimed indie flick shot entirely using iPhone cameras. This day in the life portrait of two transgender prostitutes is an energetic, funny and superbly-acted tour de force of low-budget filmmaking, with surprises and invention emanating from every frame. Unlike anything else out there.
When can I watch it? September
Narcos (Season 2)
What is it? Narcos took the world by storm when its first season debuted back in 2015. Season 1 ended with the the authorities closing in on notorious drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, and Season 2 looks to get a lot more fraught as he struggles to cope with the mental pressure put upon him by the chase.
When can I watch it? September 2
The White Helmets
What is it? One area in which Netflix has really come into its own is its original documentaries, which often take a look at more niche issues. The White Helmets tells the story of a group of brave volunteer rescue workers in Syria, while looking at the humanitarian crisis in the region and its glimmers of hope. Sure to be a poignant take on one of the worst conflicts of our time.
When can I watch it? September 16
Easy (Season 1)
What is it? This Netflix original comedy comes from the mind of Joe Swanberg and has a fairly unique premise; an anthology series that takes a diverse group of people from Chicago and has them tackle issues such as love, sex, technology and culture. The show has been kept fairly under wraps up to this point, but high-profile guest stars (including Orlando Bloom) have been teased.
When can I watch it? September 22
Amanda Knox
What is it? Making A Murderer swept through Netflix like a wild fire with its true crime investigations, and now, this one off documentary looks to incite similar responses around the case of Amanda Knox, who spent four years in an Italian jail in 2007, before later being cleared of her alleged crimes. The case made shock waves around the world, and this doc should be no different.
When can I watch it? September 30
Marvel’s Luke Cage (Season 1)
What is it? Marvel hero Cage has already made a barnstorming appearance in Jessica Jones, but now he gets his own series. The first season will be dealing rather predictably with the hero’s origin story, but when you consider just what the show is building towards (Avengers-style supergroup series The Defenders), it’s enough to get even the most casual comic book fan excited. Bullets don’t hurt him and he has super strength, so we should be in for a spectacular first season.
When can I watch it? September 30
Everything else coming to Netflix UK this September:
Behind Enemy Lines (September 1)
Transformers: Robots in Disguise: Season 1 (September 1)
I Am The Ambassador (September 1)
Baby Boom September 1)
Piranha (September 1)
Bang Gang (September 1)
We’ll Never Have Paris (September 1)
Wolf Warrior (September 1)
A Perfect Day (September 1)
Holy Hell (September 1)
Dukhtar (September 1)
Kulipari – An Army of Frogs (September 2)
Chef’s Table Season 3 France (September 2)
Invoked (September 6)
In-Lawfully Yours (September 6)
Fire Dragon (September 6)
Natural Selection (September 6)
From Dusk Til Dawn Season 3 (September 7)
Digimon Fusion: Season 2 (September 8)
Cedric’s Stand-Up (September 9)
Bald Mountain (September 10)
Saneamento Básico, O Filme (September 10)
Most Likely to Die (September 13)
Extremis (September 13)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (September 15)
Flushed Away (September 15)
From Fat to Finish Line (September 15)
Natural Born Pranksters (September 15)
Only Fools And Horses Season 3 and 4 (September 15)
Cedric the Entertainer: Live from the Ville (September 16)
VeggieTales in the House Season 4 (September 23)
Audrie And Daisy (September 23)
Iliza Schlesinger: Confirmed Kills (September 23)
Once Upon A Time Season 6 (September 26)
Amazon Prime
There are a host of great films and TV shows coming to Amazon Prime UK in September, so we’ve picked out some of the highlights – from existential sci-fi to intense investigative thrillers.
Westworld
Here’s your chance to relive the cult classic that inspired HBO’s new TV version. Michael Crichton’s 1973 thriller takes in a hi-tech amusement park where paying guests rub shoulders with cyborg saloon workers and gunslingers. When two adventure-seeking patrons decide to spend some time in Westworld however, the programming goes wild, with perilous results.
When can I watch it? September 8
Room
Brie Larson won an Oscar for her heartbreaking performance in one of 2015’s most widely acclaimed movies. It tells the story of Joy (Larson) and her son Jack (Jacob Tremblay), who are held captive in a single room for seven years, with Joy yearning eternally for the freedom of the outside world, and Jack struggling to comprehend it. The two leads deliver us an emotional rollercoaster of a drama, packed with poignant moments and the occasional spike of joy.
When can I watch it? September 9
Boogie Nights
One of Paul Thomas Anderson’s defining masterpieces, Mark Wahlberg plays an eager and aspiring pornography actor in 70s California, swept up into the highs and lows of the chaotic scene. The film covers some serious topics, including excessive drug use and the dangers surrounding a career in the adult film industry, but is nevertheless a vibrant account of interesting characters trying to make their way in the world, and a parable about self-reflection.
When can I watch it? September 22
Transparent: Season 3
Jeffrey Tambor takes the lead in Transparent, now on its third season and proving to be a highlight of the modern TV calendar. Maura Pfefferman’s struggles to be accepted as a women late in her life aren’t over, and Jill Soloway’s tender story promises to provide the same delicate blend of wry comedy and relatable drama as ever.
When can I watch it? September 23
Spotlight
Spotlight beat out some pretty hefty competition to claim 2016’s Oscar for Best Picture, but it’s easy to see why. Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton and Rachel McAdams star as members of the Boston Globe’s team of investigative journalists, who worked tirelessly to expose the widespread but ignored abuse of children at the hands of Catholic priests in their city. And beyond. An eye-opening drama that’s fascinating and harrowing in equal measure, it lets the facts do the talking and avoids unnecessary grandstanding – instead showing how fearless fact-finding against a previously untouchable institution shed light on a ghastly, powerful conspiracy.
When can I watch it? September 30
Everything else coming to Amazon Prime UK in September:
Rakuen – Season 1 (September 1)
Manhattan – Season 2 (September 1)
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2 (September 1)
Fallen (September 1)
Gods and Generals (September 1)
North Country (September 1)
Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (September 1)
Superman – Unbound (September 1)
The Bachelor (September 1)
The Good German (September 1)
Big Miracle (September 4)
Christmas with the Coopers (September 4)
Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer (September 4)
Around the Bend (September 8)
Father’s Day (September 8)
The Trouble With Girls (September 8)
Blood Diamond (September 9)
April and the Extraordinary World (September 9)
Mon Roi (September 9)
The Nut Job (September 13)
Safe House (September 14)
Above the Law (September 15)
Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever (September 15)
Heart Condition (September 15)
The Reaping (September 15)
TMNT (September 15)
World According to Garp (September 15)
Wyatt Earp (September 15)
Chronic (September 19)
The Corruptor (September 22)
Meeting Venus (September 22)
Payback (September 22)
The Secret Garden (September 22)
Speedway (September 22)
Rattle the Cage (September 23)
Conspiracy Theory (September 25)
Cradle 2 the Grave (September 29)
Hearts in Atlantis (September 29)
Julius Caesar (September 29)
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (September 29)
Mortal Kombat (September 29)
A Walk Among the Tombstones (September 30)
The Hexecutioners (September 30)
Orphan (September 30)

Shows to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime in September


As September rolls around we take a look at what the two biggest streaming services in the UK are bringing to our screens.


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It’s been quite a list of talent and here is the final instalment of our tribute to award-winning students from a Hartlepool academy.


There were no jackpot winners in last night's National Lottery draw, making Wednesday's top prize an estimated £14million.
The winning Lotto numbers were 23, 22, 05, 34, 54, 10 and the bonus number was 08.
Set of balls one was used in draw machine Lancelot, Camelot said.
No players matched all six main numbers or five out of the six with the bonus.
There were 100 ticketholders who matched five out of six numbers to win £1,188 and 7,436 won £103 by matching four numbers.
There were 67 extra prizes - one for every medal won by Team GB.
In the Millionaire Raffle Gold medal, 27 people won £1 million, 23 people won £100,000 in the Millionaire Raffle Silver medal, and 17 people won £50,000 in the Millionaire Raffle Bronze medal.
Andy Carter, senior winners' adviser at the National Lottery said: "Team GB's triumph in Rio is a fantastic example of what National Lottery funding can achieve.
"To say thank you to each and every player there were 67 extra life changing prizes won in tonight's Lotto draw.
"This is one for every medal won by Team GB including 27 extra millionaires, for each of our gold medals.
"Check your tickets and thank you for playing, and helping to support Team GB."
No-one scooped the top £500,000 prize in the Thunderball.
The winning Thunderball numbers were 23, 28, 36, 11, 19 and the Thunderball number was 05.
No-one won the Lotto HotPicks top prize of £350,000.

Lottery jackpot rolls over to £14million


There were no jackpot winners in last night


Sunderland are closing in on a deal for Lorient midfielder Didier Ndong.
Sunderland officials are reported to have jetted out last night to help push the deal over the line, with the Gabon midfielder completing his medical today.
Didier Ndong
Sources in France say Ndong has penned a five year deal on Wearside, although there has been no official confirmation from both clubs.
Sunderland are reported to be paying around 18million Euros - which works out at about £15.25million - for the midfielder.
Plus £1.7m potential bonuses, which would take total up to £17million for the midfielder who turned 22 in June.
That would smash the club's transfer record.
Should Sunderland agree to cough up the figure, it would smash the £13million fee shelled out for Asamoah Gyan from Rennes back in 2010.
Ndong scored twice and picked up 14 yellow cards in 38 appearances for the Ligue 1 side last season.
Sunderland face a busy final day after a frustrating day on the transfer front, with the club braced for another bid for Everton-target Lamine Kone.
Toffees boss Ronald Koeman wants another centre-back and Kone is his main summer target.
Everton are reported to be willing to up their bid from £18million to £20million.
Meanwhile, Sunderland are still in talks with Championship side Norwich City over the transfer of England international goalkeeper John Ruddy.
The Echo understands an initial offer was rejected but talks are ongoing.
Ruddy has featured in just two Championship matches this season before injuring his groin, with the Canaries short of senior goalkeepers.
The Norwich City ace has emerged as a potential target for David Moyes as he looks to add another goalkeeper to his squad before today's transfer deadline.
Sunderland are looking to bring in a goalkeeper, defensive cover, midfield reinforcements and a striker today.
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Sunderland are closing in on a deal for Lorient midfielder Didier Ndong.


Sunderland AFC transfer news: John Ruddy latest, reports Didier Ndong agrees five-year deal


It’s National Allotments Week, run by the National Allotment Society, with the theme of Growing Together to emphasise its inclusive nature for all levels of society and ability – and the dangers it faces in this era of cutbacks.
Many allotment sites have been sold for housing, ignoring the erosion of green space.
Raised allotment-style beds.
I don’t have an allotment but my gardening was inspired as a child by my Uncle George, who had a double allotment near Gateshead’s Saltwell Park.
A report in May, commissioned by the National Gardens Scheme from the King’s Fund called Gardens and Health, wants more interaction between government departments responsible for health, the environment, planning and local government to exploit the potential of all forms of gardening.
The NAS aims to protect, promote and preserve allotments and has called for everyone to do their part in preserving land:
Allotment associations – protect your site, register as a community asset.
Cauliflower Amsterdam.
Allotment Federations – keep allotments in the public eye, make sure they are mentioned in the Local Plan and lobby your councillors and MPs.
Councils – preserve and value your allotment service, as it has the potential to deliver some of your public health targets.
Plot-holders – join the NAS and support your regional allotment network to promote the allotment movement.
Aspiring plot-holders – do not be put off by a long wait – sign up for a plot now; without waiting lists, allotment authorities cannot assess demand.
NAS President Karen Kenny said: “We are proud of the Allotment Movement in Britain and its continued success in offering opportunities for families to provide for themselves, whilst also being a valuable resource to diverse groups of people.”
For further information, visit www.nsalg.org.uk
JOBS FOR THE WEEKEND
Pinks and carnations can be propagated by layering. Propagate irises by dividing the rhizomes if not done last month.
Rock garden plants, such as Helianthemum, Aubrieta and Dianthus can be propagated from cuttings at this time of year.
Keep picking flowers from the cutting garden to encourage more flower buds to form and open.
Mid- to late August is a good time of the year to apply biological controls for vine weevil. Grubs will be starting to hatch and soil temperatures are now suitable for the nematodes to be effective. Target vulnerable plants such as Rhododendron, Camellia and containerised plants including fuchsias.
Black spot on roses is very common at this time of year, and spraying will no longer be effective. Clear fallen leaves and burn them to prevent spread.
Mow lightly and frequently so that short grass clippings can remain on the lawn during hot summers to act as a moisture-retentive mulch. Excess thatch can be scarified out during autumn maintenance next month. Mulching mowers cut the clippings even finer than normal rotary blades, making the mulch less visible.
Start harvesting your main crop potatoes as the leaves yellow and die back. Try storing your potatoes in hessian sacks which exclude light but allow adequate ventilation.
Sweetcorn is ready when you can pop a corn with your thumbnail and the juices are milky.
On a dry sunny day, collect seeds of herbs such as dill, fennel, caraway and chervil and dry in a warm spot out of direct sunlight. Chervil must be sown immediately.
Keep an eye out for potato and tomato blight and remove and destroy any affected plants immediately to prevent its spread.
CONTACT
For more on these topics, plus cook what you grow, traditional recipes, North East information, environmental news and more, log on to www.mandycanudigit.co.uk (now smartphone friendly), www.sunderlandecho.com/gardening, follow me on Twitter @MandyCanUDigIt or you can like me on Facebook at Mandycanudigit

GARDENING: Inspired by the joy of my uncle’s allotment


It’s National Allotments Week, run by the National Allotment Society, with the theme of Growing Together to emphasise its inclusive nature for all levels of society and ability – and the dangers it faces in this era of cutbacks.


Sunderland will look to step up their interest in £3million Barnsley defender Alfie Mawson after Javier Manquillo arrived on a season-long loan.
The 22-year-old Atletico Madrid full-back has joined with a view to a permanent four-year deal.
I am very happy to be here and I can assure every single Sunderland fan that I will be giving my best at every training day and match.
With Sunderland now fully stocked at right-back, David Moyes will look to add another defender, striker and central midfielders to his squad before Wednesday’s 11pm deadline.
Mawson, 22, is being tracked by a host of Championship and Premier League clubs, but Sunderland are working hard to beat their rivals to his signature.
Sunderland have also been linked with a fresh move for £7million-rated Sevilla defensive midfielder Vicente Iborra, who has been on the club’s radar all summer.
Iborra, who only signed a new deal until 2020 last summer, has made 83 appearances for Sevilla, scoring 17 goals, since moving from Levante in 2013.
It is understood he will be allowed to leave for the right price, with Sevilla chairman Jose Castro confirming that the Europa League holders have had an offer for him, although he didn’t confirm it was from Sunderland.
He said: “We have an important offer for Iborra. In this moment, it isn’t clear if we will accept it and we will wait to see what happens in next [few] days.”
Moyes has made six signings with Papy Djilobodji, Paddy McNair, Donald Love, Adnan Januzaj, Steven Pienaar and Manquillo arriving on Wearside.
The agreement for Manquillo is a season-long loan initially, which includes an option for Sunderland to make the move a permanent four-year deal after the completion of the loan.
“I am very happy to come back to the Premier League,” said former Liverpool loanee Manquillo .
“I’m really pleased to sign for Sunderland because they have tried really hard to get me here and, since the very first minute, they have been really welcoming.
“I am very happy to be here and I can assure every single Sunderland fan that I will be giving my best at every training day and match.
“I want to give everything inside of me for this club.
“Since the very first minute I arrived at the club, I have met some great people and they are looking forward to big things.
“This club is very big and I cannot expect any better in terms of staff, stadium facilities and supporters. They are great, so I think the club is going to have a great future.
“Everything I have seen since I came is a club that is looking forward to doing very good things.”
Manquillo spent the 2014-15 season on loan at Liverpool but failed to establish himself as a first-team regular at Anfield under then-manager Brendan Rodgers.
Manquillo – a former target of Juventus – enjoyed a productive spell last season on loan at Ligue 1 side Marseille, but he was surplus to requirements at Atletico this season.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Joel Asoro is reported to have caught the eye of European giants Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and PSG.
The Swede burst onto the first team scene this summer and started the midweek EFL Cup win over Shrewsbury Town.
However, his agent has been quoted in Sweden confirming that Asoro will remain on Wearside, adding he will look to negotiate a new contract once the transfer window has closed.

Sunderland looking at Mawson after Manquillo swoop


Sunderland will look to step up their interest in £3million Barnsley defender Alfie Mawson after Javier Manquillo arrived on a season-long loan.


Police issue CCTV pictures of suspected Co-op shoplifter


Police today issued CCTV images of a man they want to trace over suspected shoplifting in Easington.


There is nothing quite like opening your back door and being hit by a wall of scent – that’s the beauty of growing strongly-scented plants where they’ll have maximum impact.
In this case, it’s jasmine Clotted Cream in a large container at the conservatory door – even better when the overpoweringly good tuberose flowers inside at the same time.
Rose Desdemona has the scent of myrrh.
Scent is so often overlooked in gardens, yet it does so much to improve the mood and calm the mind. Herb, cottage and Mediterranean-style gardens are the obvious examples including fragrance, mainly from aromatic leaves and old varieties, such as lavender or roses.
Here are plants I use (or have grown in the past).
l Scented leaved geraniums (Pelargonium odorata): Attar of Roses is an old variety from 1900, which smells like Turkish Delight, as is Clorinda, introduced in 1907, with large rose-pink flowers and cedar-scented leaves. Newer varieties include Angel’s Perfume, a combination of angel pelargoniums with a lemon aroma, Cola Bottles Torento, with gingery cola foliage scent and Lemon (Citriodorum), which has a zesty lemon aroma.
l Jasmine Clotted Cream (Jasminum officinale): A cream form of the common jasmine, but with larger flowers and even more fragrance. it’s supposed to need winter protection but has survived for a few years in a large pot in a sheltered position.
Jasmine Clotted Cream gives off a heavy fragrance.
l Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa): Mexican bulb producing spikes of creamy-white flowers, with the strongest scent of anything I’ve grown. It’s in the conservatory and when in bloom, a wall of scent hits you when you open the door.
l Roses: Desdemona has an intense myrrh fragrance; climber James Galway a traditional old rose perfume (also good in shade) and climber Claire Austin smells of myrrh, meadowsweet and vanilla.
l Sweet peas: So many good varieties but the best for fragrance that I’ve grown are the mixtures Fragrantissima and Old Spice and the heritage variety Cupani. This has smaller blooms, but in an intense purple/burgundy red.
Bronze fennel: A herb with strongly-scented filigree aniseed foliage. A delight to let set seed around the garden – great contrast to almost everything.
l Sweet rocket: Another self-seeder which predates me in the garden. Lilac and white sweet-smelling biennial in early summer – when blooms are going over, I leave a couple to seed for next year.
l Tulips: Early scent comes in the form of species tulip Tulipa tarda (white and yellow), orange/purple Prinses Irene and yellow Yokohama.
l Daffodils: I only grow perfumed varieties – Minnow, Pacific Coast, Tete a Tete, Thalia and Sundisc – my favourite for scent is Sweetness.
l Lavender: A large Hidcote lives by the path, meaning you can’t help brush past it, releasing the scent – and bees, unfortunately.
JOBS FOR THE WEEKEND
Watering is essential. Try to use grey water wherever possible, especially as water butts may be running low. It’s traditionally holiday-time, so you might need to bribe friends and family to look after the garden while you are away.
Don’t neglect hanging baskets – deadheading, watering and feeding will help them last through until autumn.
Deadhead plants such as Dahlia and Penstemon and bedding to prolong the display colour well into early autumn.
Hardy geraniums can be cut back a little to remove tired leaves and encourage a new flush of growth.
Alpines that have developed bare patches of die-back, or have become weedy, can be tidied up by in-filling the patches with gritty compost. This will encourage new growth as well as improving their appearance.
Buy or order spring-flowering bulbs. Some bulbs can be planted now, such as Colchicum, daffodils and Madonna lilies (L. candidum).
Prune Wisteria after flowering.
Continue to deadhead roses, to extend flowering into early autumn. Spindly specimens that have lost leaves can be cut back a little further when deadheading, to encourage new growth.
Many conservatory and greenhouse pests will be active. Check plants regularly for signs of glasshouse whitefly, leafhopper, red spider mite, mealybugs and scale insects. Clean up fallen leaves and spilt compost from benches and floors to prevent pests and diseases spreading.
Keep an eye on aquatic and marginal plants, removing faded flowers and yellow leaves, and cutting back where necessary.
Water sweetcorn, peppers, cucumbers, aubergines and tomatoes regularly and feed with high-potash food.
Remove lower leaves on cordon tomatoes and pinch out the top of plants to concentrate the growth into the fruit that has formed – 5-6 trusses per plant.
Pinch out the tips of runner bean plants once they reach the top of their support.
Check for cabbage white butterfly eggs under brassica leaves.
Get rid of diseased and dead foliage around your vegetable crops to stop pests and diseases spreading.
Clear weeds, as they compete with crops for nutrients and water.
CONTACT
For more on these topics, plus cook what you grow, traditional recipes, North East information, environmental news and more, log on to www.mandycanudigit.co.uk (now smartphone friendly), www.sunderlandecho.com/gardening, follow me on Twitter @MandyCanUDigIt or you can like me on Facebook at Mandycanudigit

Don’t overlook power of scent in the garden


There is nothing quite like opening your back door and being hit by a wall of scent – that’s the beauty of growing strongly-scented plants where they’ll have maximum impact.


East Ridge's Grant Tostenrud (right), pictured in a 2015 game against Cretin-Derham Hall, was among four scorers in the Raptors' 4-0 victory over Rochester John Marshall on Friday. (File photo by John Molene)
Midfielder Sam Hoeffel played sparingly last year as a junior on the East Ridge boys soccer team.
He made a strong case for a starting spot last weekend in the team's first two games of the season.
Hoeffel scored once in the Raptors' 4-0 win over Rochester John Marshall on Friday and twice Saturday in their 3-0 win over Rochester Mayo, a rematch of last year's Class 2A state quarterfinals.
"On Friday night, something clicked in Sam and he just had a phenomenal game," coach Anthony Bidwell said. "He's very coachable and he's applying it on the field."
Hoeffel's scoring came during a particularly strong weekend defensively for the Raptors, who were ranked third in the preseason Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaching Association poll. The team did not allow a single shot on net and controlled ball possession during both games, Bidwell said.
The strong East Ridge effort came despite the fact that the team graduated six contributors from last year, including all-state players Ashwin Kolla and Jarrod Ronquillo, and 10 seniors in total.
"It's been almost seamless," Bidwell said of the transition. "They just buy into the program and come in ready to play and kind of fill those voids no problem."
On Friday, the Raptors took a 3-0 lead at halftime, receiving goals from junior Nathan Casas, sophomore Eiden Serrato and junior Grant Tostenrud before Hoeffel added his goal.
Hoeffel scored the first goal in Saturday's game, and senior Thibault Ceulemans made it 2-0 at halftime. Hoeffel scored again in the second half, part of an effort Bidwell credited to strong team play.
"The players around him set him up, made him look good," he said. "They don't care who scores. They just want to make sure they're helping the team contribute."
East Ridge was scheduled to play ninth-ranked Minneapolis Washburn Tuesday and St. Paul Harding on Thursday.

East Ridge boys soccer: Hoeffel emerges in pair of wins


The New Life Academy boys soccer team returns the core of last year’s Minnesota Christian Athletic Association regular-season champion squad.
That nucleus features 20 upperclassmen, including multiple key players from the 2015 squad.
New Life Academy coach Robb Rupp said four seniors and 15 juniors were among the 31 kids going out for the team. It's a squad that returns three of its leading scorers in senior captain Jack Flavin, and juniors Nate Mueller and Evan Atkinson.
“To have 15 in one grade is just massive, and on top of it we have some pretty talented players this year,” Rupp said. “I think we should improve upon what we did last year.”
Last year’s squad won its first MCAA title since 2007 before losing to Southwest Christian on penalty kicks in the conference tournament championship game.
Rupp said the conference has added two schools this year and won’t have a conference tournament. That will ensure schools can play games against section opponents.
The Eagles lost in the first round of last year’s Class A, Section 1 tournament to Richfield in a game that came down to one botched play, Rupp said. He said the team is looking forward to its Oct. 1 rematch with Richfield.
In addition, the team will play section opponent Simley on Sept. 24 for its homecoming game. The Spartans outplayed the Eagles in their regular-season matchup last year, Rupp said, but New Life Academy played to a 3-3 tie.
“They were heavily favored and they should have won that game,” Rupp said. “I’m confident that it won’t be as one-sided as it was last year.”
Rupp said his players are anticipating a “positive” season in 2016 but added that success isn’t necessarily a given.
“There’s great potential, but it has to be through hard work and focus,” he said. “The challenge is up to them to make good on what they think could happen, and that takes dedication and perseverance and focus.”
New Life Academy is scheduled to begin the season Thursday vs. St. Paul Harding. Conference play is set to begin Sept. 8 vs. St. Croix Preparatory Academy.

2016 preview: New Life Academy boys soccer enters season with high expectations


Ella Ratzloff and the Raptors topped Blaine 3-1 in their season opener in the Side Out Classic Saturday. (Bulletin file photo)
The East Ridge volleyball team needed one set to adjust to Blaine's higher-tempo offense in the season opener.
The Raptors had no trouble once they found their rhythm, however, defeating the Bengals 3-1 in the Side Out Classic Saturday at Hopkins High School.
Senior outside hitter Allie Barber had 21 kills and sophomore outside hitter Kate Reimann added 15, as East Ridge overcame a 25-17 first-set loss to win the final three sets 25-19, 25-18, 25-12.
"We got into a rhythm and started playing our game," second-year coach Madeline Amon said. "It was nice getting into that rhythm sooner rather than later."
The win came after a 2015 season in which East Ridge went 23-6, losing to Rosemount in the Class 3A, Section 3 semifinals. The Raptors graduated three seniors, including Maya Intveld, who ranked second on the team in kills. They also lost 6-foot-4 middle hitter Chloe Thorpe, who was a junior last year.
Sophomore Grace Whitman played middle hitter on Saturday and had four blocks. The team also received strong defense from junior Ella Ratzloff and strong play from setters Leah Witzel and Stephanie Barber.
"They kind of brought a lot of calm to the team and were able to run an offense and distribute the ball well," Amon said.
East Ridge begins the season ranked 12th in the Class 3A coaches' poll, second among Suburban East Conference teams behind only sixth-ranked Roseville. Amon said the team is focusing on running a quicker-tempo offense this year in an effort to keep opponents off balance.
"We have athletes, but we don't have a bunch of people that can put the ball away on a high ball," she said. "We're trying to get those sets out there before we can get blocked."
East Ridge was scheduled to play Eastview on Tuesday and Edina on Thursday.

East Ridge volleyball: Raptors adjust to high-tempo opponent in season-opening 3-1


After one of the best seasons in program history, the Eagles girls soccer team looks very, very different heading into this season. New Life Academy graduated some talented seniors, including Tori Rogness, Carolyn Stacey, and Tatiana Lee, among others. It also lost coach Blake Bracket.
When new coach Sam Mann was hired in the offseason he had a clean slate to work with -- and he’s hit the ground running so far.
Mann orchestrated voluntary workouts over the summer, and started two-a-days last week with a scrimmage to gauge the technical skills of his players.
“Then we hit the ground running on Day 2,” Mann said. “I wanted two-a-days to make sure we’re ready. I believe the more we play, the better we’re going to be.”
Mann, who also plays for the Minnesota United reserves, has been stressing the importance of technical skills. Those basic fundamentals, he said, can carry teams toward success, especially at this level.
“That’s going to be a strength for us,” he said. “We will also be good at adapting in matches. We are focusing a lot on those things.”
Eagles senior captains Kayla Binsfeld, Maya Binsfeld, and Nicole Hager have been helpful, Mann said, in articulating his philosophy on the pitch.
“The underclassmen look up to those upperclassmen,” Mann said. “They really listen when the older group says something.”
Mann said he wants his team to use its speed to its advantage this season.
“I love to attack as much as possible,” he said. “We also have to have a strong backline to be able to support that attack.”
New Life Academy opens the season against Visitation on Friday.
“I’m really excited to get started,” Mann said. “We have been working out over the summer and I think the players have grasped the way I want them to play. Now we will see how it plays out in a match.”

2016 preview: New Life Academy girls soccer boasts new look in new season


State officials identified 80 homes in south Washington County with drinking water containing certain chemical levels that exceed new federal health guidelines.
Those homes in Cottage Grove, Lake Elmo, Grey Cloud Island Township and West Lakeland Township will receive bottled water until carbon filtration systems can be installed, the Minnesota Department of Health and the Pollution Control Agency announced Tuesday.
State action follows the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to lower lifetime health advisory levels of two forms of perfluorochemicals to 70 parts per trillion, or one quarter of the existing state health risk level for exposure to the chemicals. The two chemicals are perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluoro-octanoic acid (PFOA).
The east-metro PFC groundwater pollution is linked to 3M, which for decades used the chemicals in some products manufactured at its Cottage Grove plant. The company disposed of waste containing PFCs at landfills near the Cottage Grove-Woodbury border and in Lake Elmo and Oakdale between the 1940s and 1970s. The chemicals polluted groundwater at and around those sites and at 3M-Cottage Grove, near the Mississippi River.
The company has worked with state agencies on a remediation plan at the affected sites since 2002.
The EPA’s new health advisory levels are based on recent studies in lab animals that found lower levels of PFOS and PFOA would better protect developing fetuses and infants, according to the state. Health officials say studies indicate high PFOA and PFOS exposure levels may result in increased risk of adverse developmental effects; testicular and kidney cancer; liver damage and other conditions.
State officials are reviewing data used by the EPA to develop its health advisories. The Health Department is monitoring seven PFCs, including PFOA and PFOS, Commissioner Ed Ehlinger said.
“We’re being as aggressive as we can in trying to identify the health risks of a whole suite of PFCs,” Ehlinger said.
State officials during a media call Tuesday did not break down the number of homes in each community affected by the announcement, but said that information will be on a Health Department featured website accessed from its home page at www.health.state.mn.us.
Letters have been sent to affected households. State officials also are planning an informational meeting.
Residents can opt out of the filtration system but most who are eligible receive it, said Gary Krueger of the Pollution Control Agency. Filtration systems cost just under $2,000 per household; that is paid for through an existing agreement among state agencies and 3M.
Approximately 400 to 500 wells within the east-metro contamination area will be sampled in the coming months, the state agencies reported. Additional drinking water advisories will be issued as needed.
Public drinking water systems already meet the health advisory guidelines, state officials said.
Washington County elected officials expressed frustration by the announcement.
Sen. Katie Sieben, DFL-Cottage Grove, who authored public health legislation after the PFC contamination was discovered, responded quickly.
“How many more years of research and studies until 3M and some in the press stop saying PFC’s aren’t harmful to human health?” Sieben tweeted.
“This is not a new issue to the area; many of us have been concerned and advocating for more protection of our neighbors and it appears that is finally what is going to happen,” added state Rep. Dan Schoen, DFL-St. Paul Park, who represents affected areas. “The source of this contamination isn't a mystery and having all of the homes in the area with filtration shouldn't be a fantasy but a reality.”
Washington County Public Health Director Lowell Johnson discussed the state announcement with county officials Tuesday morning.
“It’s a more protective level,” he said of the lower advisory levels.
Washington County Commissioner Gary Kriesel called for action.
“If we don’t do something we’re going to be living on filters,” he said.
William Loeffler contributed to this story.

80 homes with higher PFC levels to get bottled water


Washington County Sheriff's deputies arrested a man in Afton Friday morning for an alleged assault.
Deputies responded to the 3200 block of St. Croix Trail South at approximately 6:45 a.m. after a caller said two women approached him and told him to call 911.
One of the women reportedly told the caller that the women were being held hostage, according to the dispatch call.
Deputies arrested an adult man after arriving to the scene in the downtown area of Afton.
The incident prompted a large police response because of initial dispatch information that the man had a firearm.
Commander Chéri Dexter, an investigator for the department, said the attorney's office is planning to file charges Monday.
The investigation is ongoing, she said.

Man arrested in Afton for possible hostage situation


A Wisconsin man is facing five felony charges for allegedly kidnapping and assaulting two women at gunpoint Friday morning in Afton.
Washington County Sheriff’s deputies arrested James Lauck, 36, of New Richmond, Wis. after responding to the 3100 block of St. Croix Trail South in downtown area of Afton. He faces five felony charges including second degree assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping.
Law enforcement responded to a possible hostage situation at approximately shortly after 6:45 a.m. When they arrived, two women frantically waved the deputies down and told them Lauck had been holding them at gunpoint, according to the criminal complaint filed Monday in Washington County District Court.
Lauck allegedly hit and shoved both women and cut one woman’s hair with a scissors during the incident, the complaint read.
One of the women told law enforcement that Lauck was her ex-boyfriend and she had recently broke up with him. He had been living with her for the past month, the complaint read.
Lauck allegedly told the women that he had six bullets, which he said he’d use on them, one of the woman’s stepfather and himself. Lauck had put a gun to her head and forced the women to lay on the floor facing away from him, according to the report.
The women broke through a basement window and escaped the home after Lauck went upstairs, according to the complaint.
The incident prompted a large police response because of initial dispatch information that Lauck had a firearm.
Lauck returned to the home on his motorcycle where deputies confronted him. He allegedly ignored directives to show law enforcement his hands and told deputies to kill him, according to the complaint.
Police said they uncovered a camouflage .45 caliber handgun in Lauck’s jacket pocket.
According to the complaint, Lauck is a part of an “outlaw motorcycle gang” and could face a maximum of 64 years in prison if convicted on the charges.
A Washington County judge ordered Lauck to remain in jail without bail.
Court records show he has no prior felony convictions in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

New Richmond, Wis., man charged with kidnapping two women in Afton


The New Life Academy girls tennis team will log plenty of miles on the highway this season after losing its home courts to the Tartan Park redevelopment project.
The team will practice on four courts near Afton and about 20 minutes north of the school. It will host just one home match there this season, coach Marcia Bussey said.
“We just tell people, ‘We don’t mind coming there,’” said Bussey, the second-year coach.
That shouldn’t stop the Eagles from another successful season, however. The team returns nine of its 12 players, including starters Jessica Gross, Tori Moorman, Rachel Breiholz, Emme Fry and Siri Nicol. Many of the players attended tennis camps during the summer, Bussey said.
“It’s fun to get back into the tennis,” she said. “It’s a wonderful group of girls.”
Moorman, a junior, went 17-4 as the team’s No. 3 singles player last year. Gross also had a strong season as the team’s No. 2 singles player.
Gross and Breiholz are the team’s two seniors and will serve as captains along with Nicol, a junior. Bussey hadn’t set a lineup as of last week but said she would evaluate after the first week.
The team will need to replace last year’s top singles player, Krista Haglund, who advanced to the Class A, Section 1 individual semifinals last season.
Assistant Jon Tretsven will again join Bussey’s staff, after coaching the boys junior varsity squad at Mounds Park Academy in the spring.

2016 preview: New Life Academy girls tennis ready for plenty of road matches


The overall expectations rarely change for Raptors girls tennis coach Jon Rydberg heading into each new season. He wants his team to compete at a high level, knowing the rest will take care of itself as the matches play out.
It’s the same story this season, though with the crop of returning talent, the potential of the team is higher than it has been in past seasons.
Aside from losing two key players -- Min-Tu Van and Sophie Stark -- to graduation, East Ridge brings back most of its varsity roster from last season.
“They were two rocks on the team,” Rydberg said of Van and Stark. “While it’s tough to replace players like that, someone always seems to step up.
Regan Dolezal and Megan Karrow are the two players leading that charge for the Raptors this season.
“We want to created a close-knit team,” Dolezal said. “That’s priority No. 1 for us right now. We will focus on the other things later.”
With players like Dolezal and Karrow, among the other returners, the lineup shouldn’t be too hard for coaches to put together.
“We have a high percentage of players where we know exactly where they fit in,” he said. “Some players have improved in the offseason, too, so we’ll have matches within the team to see where our lineup stands.”
“We are only taking 12 players on varsity this season,” Rydberg added. “It’s cut a little bit in that sense. It’s better to get players more time on the court. It is going to be pretty tough to get down to those 12 players.”
East Ridge already started its season with matches on Monday and Tuesday.
“I know everyone is ready to go,” she said. “We bonded over the summer and now everyone is pumped for the season to start.”
Rydberg will miss a chunk of the season as he travels to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Paralympic Games. Still, he seems confident heading into this season.
“It’s nice to be a team again,” he said. “We set goals for ourselves and we’ve been pretty good at accomplishing those goals in the past. We feel good about where we’re at right now.”

2016 preview: East Ridge girls tennis returners ready to roll


East Ridge coach Anthony Bidwell talks to his team before overtime against Roseville. (Bulletin photo by Dane Mizutani)
Raptors boys soccer might still have a sour taste in their mouths after losing a heartbreaker to Anoka in last year’s Class 2A state finals.
That, however, is not something coach Anthony Bidwell wants his players to think about -- not yet at least.
“It could be used as motivation somewhere down the road once we get to where we need to be as a program,” Bidwell said. “I’m sure it’s on the mind of some players. That’s not our focus right now, though.”
Bidwell instead wants his current roster focusing on getting the program back to playing at a high level. He knows the rest will take care of itself.
East Ridge finished last season with an impressive 15-3-3 record, and while they graduated a ton of talent -- including midfielders Ashwin Kolla and Keelan Spencer, and attackers Jarrod Ronquillo and Bailey Barjesteh, and defender Brock Sullivan, among a handful of others -- Bidwell is confident in the group of returners he has waiting in the wings.
“You want to build a program that creates success,” Bidwell said. “The way we characterize that success comes down to the kids living by our values as a program.”
And while it sounds cliche, it’s hard to argue with the results.
It seems every season the Raptors lose a talented bunch only to have new players step up to fill the void.
Bidwell attributes that to the values the upperclassmen help instill.
“We usually have had strong leadership from the upperclassmen,” he said. “That helps shape us as a program.”
This season captains Jake Boerjan and Joe Jung will be leading the charge.
Bidwell characterized both players as extremely vocal leaders.
“That’s important because there aren’t timeouts or anything like that,” Bidwell said. “So if we can get kids to communicate like they do it takes a lot of pressure off of us as coaches.”
Raptors goaltender Sam Richardson also returns after playing club during the offseason for the first time in his life.
“He’s come back a lot better,” Bidwell said. “He has shown tremendous growth. He’s going to be huge for us this season.”
Those things will be vital as East Ridge embarks on yet another quest for that elusive Class 2A title.
“We want to go against strong competition and we get that in the (Suburban East Conference),” Bidwell said. “We want to go against the best of the best. That’s the only way we’re going to stay highly competitive. And that’s the beauty of the SEC. It keeps us sharp and really prepares us for the postseason.”

2016 preview: East Ridge boys soccer team keeps expectations sky high


East Ridge swimmers dominated the five-team Suburban East Conference Relays meet last Thursday, easily claiming the team title with 156 points.
Woodbury finished a distant second with 128. Forest Lake (120), Roseville (114) and Park (112) also competed.
The Raptors won every race, so that by the end of the evening the result sheet read like an East Ridge honor roll. Paige Smoley, Chloe Wangensteen, Callie Kunz and Kolbe Bachman won the 400-yard medley with a time of 4:18.99.
Kyra Bachman, Gretchen Olson, Elizabeth Mortenson and Robbie Witikko won the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:47.84.
Daphne Smoley, Simone Becker, Ella Stephan, Max Smith topped the field in the 200-yard butterfly relay (2:01.70).
Other East Ridge winning foursomes were:
-- 4x100 individual medley relay: Ali Smith, Grace Rauker, Smoley and Wangensteen (4:32.85)
-- 800-yard freestyle relay: Rauker, Kolbe Bachman, Mortenson and Kunz (8:27.42)
-- 200-yard backstroke relay: Paige Smoley, Elli Moss, Stephan and Witikko (2:03.28)
-- 200-yard breaststroke relay: Olson, Ali Smith, Daphne Smoley and Wangensteen (2:19.81)
-- 400-yard freestyle relay: Kyra and Kolbe Bachman, Rauker and Kunz (3:54.93)
Such was the Raptors' depth that they were able to claim a pair of second-place finishes with their non-scoring B-teams: Wittiko, Moss, Susan Xia and Mortenson in the 400-yard freestyle relay (4:05.45); and Laura Mortenson, Jill Kammann, Marisa Duran and Smith (9:16.46).
Only a Roseville win in the diving competition prevented a clean sweep for the Raptors.
East Ridge returns to action on Thursday with a dual meet against Mounds View. Park takes to the pool at Cretin-Derham Hall on Thursday. Woodbury faces Stillwater at home Thursday.

Swimming and diving: Raptors lead conference relays


Here’s a brief look at how the Raptors, Royals, and Wolfpack might fare this season.
Lauren Lewis is without a doubt the star returner for East Ridge. Lewis, competing last season as an eighth-grader, took sixth-place in the 500-yard freestyle at the last year’s state meet.
“The way I look at it is she’s the fastest eighth-grader in the 500 in the entire state,” coach Kathy Madden said at last year’s state meet. “This is the tip of the iceberg for her. This is also a really good sounding board for next season, too. We are really excited for what she can do.”
Lewis also swam a key leg of the 200 medley relay for the Raptors at the state meet.
East Ridge returns a number of swimmers and divers from last season’s squad, including most of the 200 medley relay team that made it to the state meet and star diver Olivia Burleigh.
That said, Lewis will likely lead the way for the Raptors.
Miller aims for gold with Royals
Meghan Miller earned a third-place finish at last year’s state meet and will certainly be looking to finish a little higher this season.
Miller finished with a final score of 419.50 -- only about 20 points behind the winning score posted by Michelle Schlossmacher Smith of Roseville. Miller also finished behind Andrianna Jacobs of Rochester Century in the final standings. Jacobs has since graduated.
Schlossmacher Smith returns for the Raiders this season and will be a favorite to win the event. Miller, however, will also be among one of the favorites to take home the title amid a very talented field.
Ali Grinde also returns to help Miller form a powerhouse squad in the well.
Royals sophomore Melissa Parker will lead the program in the pool. Competing as a freshman last season, Parker went undefeated in the 50-yard freestyle in regular-season competitions.
Aside from those standouts, there are a handful of returns that could make Woodbury a team to be reckoned with this season.
Wolfpack return key swimmers
Park boasts sophomore Tiana Cachuela and senior Emma Pomeroy this season. Both were standouts for the team last season, and will be looking to build on that success this season.
Cachuela took 11th in the 200-yard individual medley (2:18.79) and 100 butterfly (1:02.47) at last year’s section meet. Pomeroy, meanwhile, took 16th in the 200 freestyle (2:08.06) and 14th in the 500 freestyle (5:44.71) in the same meet.
There are also a handful of other talented swimmers and divers that should have coach Amanda Johnson excited about the upcoming season.

2016 preview: Swimming and diving teams boast talented returners


The Eagles suffered a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Visitation to open their season Friday.
The Eagles managed to put seven shots on goal, but could not beat Visitation goalkeeper Samantha Burke. The Blazers, meanwhile, threatened the Eagle net 17 times, with Maggie Conners (2), Martha Koenig (2), Greta Seitz (1), and Mary Jurich (1) opening their 2016 goal accounts.
Conners and Koenig were also credited with two assists each.
The Eagles (0-1) play eight of their first nine games on the road this season, including each of their first six. They continue their difficult opening act in the coming week with games at Minneapolis Roosevelt on Wednesday, St. Croix Lutheran on Friday, Simley on Saturday and Bloomington Kennedy on Sept. 6.
The Eagles will not play a home game until Sept. 9, when they will welcome Southwest Christian to the Bielenberg Sports Center.

New Life Academy girls soccer: Eagles drop opener to Visitat...


FARGO — They're in most everyone's wallets, but the next generation of credit and debit cards aren't accepted everywhere — long after the deadline for merchants to stop swiping and start reading chips.
EMV cards, short for Europay-Mastercard-Visa, have been around since 1994 and used in many countries since the early 2000s. But the cards, which have an embedded chip that encrypts transactions and boosts security, are relatively new in America.
Switching to EMV has been in the works for years, gaining urgency with big data breaches, including the 2013 Target breach that affected 40 million customers.
Instead of requiring the change, the U.S. opted for a liability shift on Oct. 1, 2015 — after that, merchants unwilling or unable to accept new cards were liable for fraudulent charges when the lower-tech magnetic stripes were swiped.
"The risk is not that big yet, but it's growing," said Dan Fisher, president and CEO of Fargo-based technology and payment consulting firm Copper River Group.
Nearly 11 months later, Fisher said only half of America's point-of-sale terminals accept chip payment.
Slow change
Even merchants that want EMV might not be capable yet, according to Bill Russell, executive vice president of banking services for Bell Bank.
Heavy demand led to long delays in getting new equipment, he said, while chains might require companywide software upgrades before the new readers work.
"It's a combination of all those things that has made the accessibility that's out there so low," he said.
It's also a complicated and time-consuming change, according to Carrie Lick, interim deposit administration and serving solutions manager for Gate City Bank.
"There's more involved than just plugging it in and dipping your card," she said. "Retailers have to install special software and go through a certification process."
Fisher said the processors that merchants and financial institutions use for card transactions are a big reason for the delayed rollout. Many processors weren't ready on time or have been slow to change.
That's why customers may be asked to swipe their card even when a store has chip-reading terminals — the machine is ready, but the processor or store software isn't.
Banks generally wanted EMV as early as possible because of the liability shift, Fisher said. That's a big deal when card fraud topped $11 billion globally in 2012 and counterfeit card fraud was on the rise in America.
In countries that went to EMV, banks saw a 40 to 50 percent cut in debit card fraud, he said.

Many merchants still swiping long after deadline to switch to new credit, debit card technology


Junior Megan Karrow of the Raptors powers a shot in No. 2 singles play against Henry Sibley Wednesday. (Photo by John Molene)
Top singles player Regan Dolezal of the Raptors keeps her eyes on the ball in a match against Henry Sibley. (Photo by John Molene)
Kailey Courteau of East Ridge's No. 1 doubles team comes to the net to score against Henry Sibley last Wednesday. (Photo by John Molene)
The Raptors nearly had a clean sweep, with the exception of a loss at No. 1 singles.
The No. 1 doubles team of senior Allison Marshall and sophomore Kailey Courteau earned a 6-0, 6-3 victory.
"The doubles all played well today, I thought," East Ridge coach Jon Rydberg said. "We had some things we wanted to accomplish, and I think they accomplished what they were working on."
"Overall, it was a well-played match by all the girls," Rydberg added.
East Ridge lost to Eagan 6-1 a day earlier.
The Raptors competed in a doubles tournament Saturday at Mankato West, and on Tuesday were scheduled to play in a dual meet at Visitation.
East Ridge's results from their win over Henry Sibley:
No. 1 singles — Regan Dolezal lost 2-6, 5-7.
No. 2 singles — Megan Karrow won 7-5, 7-6 (7-4).
No. 3 singles — Jordyn Brown won 6-2, 6-2.
No. 4 singles — Alicia Zhang won 6-2, 6-3.
No. 1 doubles — Allison Marshall-Kailey Courteau won 6-0, 6-3.
No. 2 doubles — Julia Travis-Celina Ough won 6-4, 6-0.
No. 3 doubles — Brianna Whisler-Bobbie Ramirez Rivera won 6-0, 6-1.

East Ridge tennis: Raptors lose to Eagan, dominate Henry Sib...


The New Life Academy girls tennis team had two successful invitational tournaments last week, coach Marcia Bussey said.
The team played in the Farmington Quad on Friday against Farmington, Belle Plaine and Cannon Falls. It played in the Stewartville Triangular on Saturday against Stewartville and Trinity School at River Ridge.
The team went 1-4 in the matches but played hard all weekend, Bussey said.
"They played with a lot of heart," she said.
Junior Victoria Moorman won four of her five matches on the weekend at No. 3 singles and placed second overall at the position in the Farmington Quad. Sophomore Siri Nicol placed first overall at the No. 2 singles position in Farmington.
"We were really proud of them," Bussey said. "That was a fun thing for them."
The Eagles lost 6-1 to Farmington, 5-2 to Belle Plaine and 5-2 to Cannon Falls on Friday. Moorman and Nicol each went 2-1, and No. 1 singles player Jessica Gross also won a match.
Bussey said the coaches at Farmington did a good job welcoming everyone. The Farmington coaches had all the singles players compete at the high school and the doubles players at a nearby junior high.
"It was a very efficient way to deal with lots and lots of people," Bussey said.
Rain delayed New Life Academy's matches by about 45 minutes Saturday. The team started the Stewartville invitational with a 5-2 win over Trinity, a squad this year that only has four players. Moorman and No. 4 singles player Elena Draheim won their matches, and Nicol also played a close match.
The team lost 6-1 to Stewartville.
Bussey played all 12 players on her squad. She said brand new players Marryn Morris and Ann Raihala are improving every match at fourth doubles and that seventh-grader Bryna Eigenfeld is playing well at second doubles.
"She is really a rising star," Bussey said. "For her to be a seventh grader playing at second doubles is really a good thing for us."
New Life Academy was scheduled to compete against Southwest Christian and Tartan this week and to play in an invitational at Winona Cotter.

New Life Academy tennis: Eagles fare well in tournaments


Betty Thompson of St. Paul Park said her poodle-terrier FeFe was mauled by three dogs at the WAG Farms Dog Park in Cottage Grove. The injured dog was later euthanized. It's the first reported serious dog attack at the park, police said. (Bulletin file photo)
Betty Thompson's dog FeFe had to be euthanized after it was attacked by three dogs at the WAG Farms Dog Park. (Submitted photo)
Betty Thompson heard FeFe scream and then it just got worse.
Thompson was at the WAG Farms Dog Park in Cottage Grove Tuesday evening with her three dogs and a friend. The dogs were running and playing in the large, off-leash park area when Thompson suddenly heard FeFe, her 5-pound poodle-terrier mix, yelp in pain.
“I just heard her screaming and I see these three dogs just mauling over her, and I get in there and they just wouldn’t quit,” Thompson said.
Thompson said she tried to pull FeFe away, but a boxer that was among the three attacking dogs ripped FeFe from her grasp four times, tossed the little dog around and continued the attack.
“When I finally got her she had so much dirt and sticks and everything in her mouth because they just kept on top of her and she was so little,” she said.
Thompson finally rescued 13-year-old FeFe but the injuries were severe. She took the dog to an Oakdale animal hospital, where scans revealed FeFe’s severed spine and internal bleeding.
The vet said FeFe would not survive, Thompson said. The dog was euthanized.
“No other dog should ever, ever have to go through this — or owner,” she said. Thompson’s other two dogs were not injured.
Police were notified by the owner of the boxer, Cottage Grove police Capt. Pete Koerner said. FeFe was attacked by the boxer, an Airedale terrier and a third dog.
“It wasn’t a provoked attack,” Koerner said.
The boxer was placed in a 10-day quarantine at a humane society as the city pursues a dangerous dog designation. The owner of a dog with that designation must retain a certain level of insurance, post signage at the home warning of the dog and have a specific type of kennel. An owner can appeal the designation.
Amid the commotion immediately following the attack, the owner of the Airedale apparently left and has not yet been identified. Koerner said witnesses provided some information and police continue trying to locate that dog owner.
Police don’t have information about the owner of the third dog.
The serious attack was a first at the popular park on Glendenning Road near Jamaica Avenue and Highway 61. Koerner said police have not received any reports of similar attacks.
“This is the first pack attack with a couple dogs going after another dog,” he said.
Thompson, who lives in St. Paul Park, said she brought her dogs to the park daily and never had a problem with FeFe playing in the area with larger dogs.
She is upset no other dog owners stepped in to help intervene as FeFe was mauled.
“How can people stand by and not jump in? That’s what just blows my mind,” she said.
Thompson said she loved WAG Farms Dog Park but will not return with her other dogs.
“I wish somebody could have videotaped it because it was horrific and I keep reliving it in my head,” she said.

Dog euthanized after ‘horrific’ pack attack at Cottage Grove park


East Ridge senior defender Emma Stoehr battles for the ball at midfield against an Eastview opponent. (Photo by John Molene)
East Ridge's Brittany Mahowald, left, and Noelle Tomes try to move the ball downfield in the first half against visiting Eastview last Thursday. (Photo by John Molene)
East Ridge ninth grader Madi Majewski, right, smiles as she runs downfield after scoring the first goal of the game. The Raptors opened the season in style with a 3-0 win against ninth-ranked Eastview. (Photo by John Molene)
The East Ridge Raptors kicked off the 2016 girls soccer season with a bang last Thursday, scoring a 3-0 home win against ninth-ranked Eastview.
The Raptors, ranked 17th in the girls Class 2A preseason poll, dominated the action both offensively and defensively.
"Eastview is a good team," Raptors coach Mark Abboud said. "That's why we scheduled them. Again, coming into this year I knew we were going to have a strong team and I knew we wanted to get tested as early as we could by good teams. Luckily things just went our way. We've had about 1-1/2 weeks of training so it's really effort and attitude.
"I was counting on the girls and I think they showed it. The core group of 14 seniors who I think led by example, our little ninth grader gets our first goal and opens up our campaign really well, and the fans were unbelievable. It meant a lot to the girls to have that type of fan support there. Twenty-three girls saw the field and 23 contributed."
On a team with 14 seniors, it was freshman defender Madison Majewski who drew first blood, scoring in the first half. Brittany Mahowald gave East Ridge a 2-0 lead with 16 minutes, 2 seconds to play in the first half.
"I felt that we possessed really, really well in our attacking half, and even in our last third, I felt there wasn't a lot of kicking and there were a lot of great possessions and we got three goals," left wing Majewski said. "Last year they beat us 3-0 so it was a turn of events."
Emily Bunnell made it a 3-0 East Ridge advantage with a goal at the 34:32 mark in the second half.
The Raptors used a pair of sophomores in goal. Erika Freiberg and Peyton Gutenberg both made several tough stops to preserve the shutout.
"I think we went in thinking well of ourselves," junior center back Tori Bennett said. "Our goal is to go to state so I think we went in and planned to play well."
The Raptors play at 7:30 p.m. Monday at St. Michael-Albertville.

Girls soccer: Raptors knock off No. 9 Eastview


The latest changes to B.C. mine regulations bring the province closer to its goal of preventing another tailings pond failure, says an independent expert who investigated the 2014 dam breach at Mt. Polley Mine.
Dirk van Zyl, professor of mining and the environment at the University of B.C. and one of three outside reviewers of the Mt. Polley failure, said the changes to B.C.'s Mining Code meet the recommendations made by engineers who examined the failure.
"These changes put B.C. in a leadership position and clearly set the groundwork for a more comprehensive approach to consistent tailings management in the province," van Zyl said in a statement Wednesday. "It is another step towards the overall goal of moving to zero tailings storage facility failures."
Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett said the changes to construction, water management and inspection can't be expected to prevent every small release of water from a mine tailings pond in heavy rainfall. But he is confident the new regime will prevent major failures, even when unknown factors such as the weak layer under the Mt. Polley dam exist.
"Now we are prescribing a factor of safety that I think will account for the things you don't know," Bennett said.
Al Hoffman, B.C.'s Chief Inspector of Mines, said the new code has specific requirements for inside "beaches" to reduce pressure on the base of a tailings dam, the height of water allowed, the number of motion detectors on the dam and the frequency of inspections.
The new code requires every existing B.C. mine with a tailings pond to have an independent tailings review board in place by the end of 2016, with annual reports to be posted online.
That falls short of a recent recommendation by B.C. Auditor General Carol Bellringer that mine oversight should be independent of the ministry that issues permits and promotes mining investment. Bennett said he remains convinced that the technical nature of permits with hundreds of conditions makes the people who issue them the best qualified to enforce them.
NDP energy and mines critic Norm Macdonald said Mt. Polley was required to have supporting beaches and went for years without them, and also reported its water levels incorrectly before the dam failure. New rules will only make a difference if they are enforced, Macdonald said.
The Mt. Polley independent report concluded that a a layer of glacial till material at the base of the dam near Williams Lake wasn't understood in enough detail when the dam was designed and built in 1997. Later raising of the dam to hold more water and tailings put pressure on the base layer and led to the failure.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service continues its investigation of the Mt. Polley incident, and has authority to recommend charges for the environmental damage done by the failure.
The Mt. Polley dam has been repaired by owner Imperial Metals and the mine reopened, with work continuing to rebuild Hazeltine Creek and the shore of Quesnel Lake where a torrent of water and tailings poured down on Aug. 4, 2014.

New rules in effect for mine tailings ponds


Permits will specify dam construction, water level, motion detection and independent review, Mines Minister Bill Bennett says


Wood products exports from Canada to Asia were down 18 per cent in the first six months of 2016, with the biggest decline being softwood lumber from B.C. to China, according to the Seattle-based Wood Resources International.
Lumber sales to China are on pace to drop by 50 per cent this year compared to 2014, as B.C. lumber producers direct their sales to a healthy U.S. lumber market, according to customs data tracked for the Wood Resources Quarterly (www.woodprices.com).
The latest edition notes that by value, 75 per cent of B.C.'s exports to Asia in 2015 and 2016 are in the form of lumber, while 77 per cent of exports from Washington and Oregon are logs.
Asian demand reached a record high in 2013, with China passing Japan as the largest importer of North American wood products in 2011. The B.C. and federal governments promote wood construction in China and Japan, and B.C.'s forest minister is required to conduct an annual trade mission to China, Japan and other Asian countries.
The shift in demand provides extra urgency for talks to renew the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber agreement that expired last year. B.C. sales are booming without the export cap that both Ottawa and Washington have agreed will be required.

Lumber exports shift to U.S. as China sales slump


Asian demand for B.C. wood products peaked in 2013, analyst says China sales on pace for 50 per cent drop


Known infections of chronic wasting disease in deer and other wildlife as of 2014.
Provincial wildlife officials are concerned that a disease killing deer and elk on the prairies could soon spread into B.C.
Chronic wasting disease, a degenerative nervous system condition similar to so-called mad cow disease, has been discovered in an animal 30 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.
That's the furthest west – by about 100 kilometres – that biologists have detected the deadly disease and the discovery intensifies concerns that infected deer may make their way to B.C.
No infected animals have been found yet in B.C. but wildlife health staff are stepping up monitoring efforts in the Peace and Kootenay regions, where deer are most at-risk.
Hunters are being asked to help by donating deer, elk and moose heads for analysis. Drop-off locations are listed at www.stopchronicwastingdisease.ca.
Anyone who encounters a sick or dead deer is urged to report it to B.C.'s wildlife health program by emailing wildlifehealth@gov.bc.ca.
Although chronic wasting disease is similar to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, Alberta's agriculture and forestry ministry says there's no evidence it can infect humans, but notes the World Health Organization advises against allowing any meat source possibly infected by prions into the human food system.
It's thought to be unlikely that the disease could spread to domestic cattle or bison.
Outbreaks on game farms typically result in quarantines and culls.
Transmission is through saliva, urine and feces and is thought to be more likely to occur where elk and deer are crowded or congregate at man-made feed and water stations, according to the Alberta ministry.
Most of the Canadian cases have been in Saskatchewan.

B.C. wary of deadly deer disease in Alberta


Chronic wasting disease is similar to mad cow disease but infects and kills deer, elk and moose


ICBC wants to increase basic auto insurance rates by 4.9 per cent – the fifth straight annual increase – as it continues to grapple with rising numbers of crashes, claims and dramatically increasing costs.
The typical driver will pay $3.50 a month or $42 a year more for basic insurance if the hike is approved.
But the corporation is also raising optional rates by 2.8 per cent so the average customer who buys both basic and optional insurance with ICBC will see their insurance bill rise $5 a month, or $60 a year.
ICBC CEO Mark Blucher said the basic rate hike would have been much worse – 15.5 per cent translating into a $130 annual premium increase – had the province not approved another major transfer of $472 million from the optional to the basic side of operations.
A compounding factor has been the long decline of interest rates, which result in less investment income revenue to ICBC.
"These external pressures have really created a perfect storm and it's a really significant challenge for the organization," Blucher said in an interview Thursday.
ICBC had raised rates 5.5 per cent a year ago, and the province's rate smoothing policy requires the annual change be within 1.5 per cent of the previous year's increase.
The number of crashes has climbed 15 per cent in two years and damage claims are up 11 per cent.
Vehicles are increasingly reliant on technology and expensive materials that have become more costly in recent years as the loonie sagged against the U.S. dollar.
Despite much safer vehicles, injury claims have soared to $2.4 billion, up 60 per cent from $1.5 billion in 2008.
"We've seen no evidence that these strong trends are abating," Blucher said. "In fact, if anything, they're continuing to escalate going forward."
Blucher also noted there are more cars on the road in B.C. today – 3.1 million up from 2.8 million in 2011 – and people are driving more because of cheaper gas, contributing to more accidents, particularly in densifying urban areas.
And he pointed to personal injury lawyers as an aggravating cause of ICBC's spiralling claims costs.
"B.C. is the only province in Canada where you can sue another motorist for even a minor traffic accident," Blucher said, noting an increase in lawyer-represented claims and advertising by injury law firms.
Internal operating costs have been cut by $186 million a year, and ICBC is counting on more savings ahead, through its modernization program, by more aggressively combatting insurance fraud and from a hoped-for drop in distracted driving as motorists respond to stiffer penalties.
But transfers from the optional side to bolster the basic side will likely be needed for the foreseeable future, Blucher said, because basic premiums can't keep up with rising costs.
In a surprise move, the B.C. government will this year forgo extracting its usual $160-million annual dividend from ICBC's optional side into general revenue.
"Forgoing the dividend this particular year is one strategy amongst a litany of others we're employing to get that basic trate increase down," Transportation Minister Todd Stone said.
Stone said the $514 million the province has transferred out of ICBC in dividends since 2012 is small compared to the $1.4 billion over the same period that has been shifted from the competitive optional side to basic to apply downward pressure on basic rates.
The minister would not say if the government would permanently give up the ICBC dividend.
Adrian DIx, the NDP critic for ICBC, said the dividends to government have exceeded $1.2 billion since 2010 and predicted they'll resume after next year's election because the BC Liberals are "addicted" to using ICBC as a "profit centre."
Dix said the reliance on shifting huge amounts of capital from optional to basic raises troubling questions.
"Next year they've got to find that $472 million," Dix said. "What they've done is create a disaster at ICBC and their only hope is to deceive the voters until after the election."
He said ICBC's new move to hire more claims staff underscores problems with completing the computer modernization that was supposed to make operations more efficient.
"The transformation project has taken longer than World War 2 and is not close to finished."
ICBC's basic rates rose 11.2 per cent in 2012 and at least five per cent every year since.
The new rate hike is subject to B.C. Utilities Commission approval.
ICBC Rate Pressure Charts

ICBC seeks 4.9 per cent basic rate hike as crashes, costs climb


$60 a year increase for most drivers once optional auto insurance increase is included


Canada's softwood lumber agreement with the U.S. expired last fall, and U.S. interests are pushing to reduce the share allowed to go south.
Premier Christy Clark and other provincial and territorial leaders have written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, asking him to refute the latest lumber trade action by U.S. interests.
"Unfair and inaccurate allegations of Canadian lumber subsidies" have been made by 25 U.S. Senators to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, seeking a reduction in the cap on Canadian lumber sales, the premiers wrote from their meeting in Whitehorse this week.
The premiers cited decisions by the World Trade Organization and NAFTA in 2006 that found Canadian subsidies to be less than one per cent and ineligible for trade action.
Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama reported progress on negotiating a new softwood lumber deal after their meeting in Ottawa in late June.
Trudeau and Obama's joint statement acknowledged the increase in cross-border ownership of forest products producers, and said a key feature a new agreement would be "designed to maintain Canadian exports at or below an agreed US. market share to be negotiated."
The last Canada-U.S. softwood lumber agreement expired in the fall of 2015, leaving trade unrestricted as Canadian producers benefit from a stronger U.S. dollar and housing construction.

U.S. Senators 'inaccurate' on lumber claim: Premiers


Premier Christy Clark protests to Prime minister Justin Trudeau about latest claims of softwood subsidy


Solitude in the wilderness is still available in B.C., between holiday weekends when demand peaks at B.C.'s most popular parks.
Foreign visitors and those on package tours are a small fraction of the demand for B.C. Parks campgrounds around the province, but B.C. resident campers are still using a few tricks to get spaces for high-demand parks.
Some have protested the use of online reservations by motorhome tour operators who sell them as part of a package for tourists.
"Our provincial campsites are not products to be sold, they belong to the people of B.C.," Green Party leader Andrew Weaver said this week.
Environment Minister Mary Polak told Black Press numbers are being tracked for the current year, and the proportions haven't changed much. In 2015, fewer than one per cent of reservable B.C. Parks spaces were booked by tour operators, who also use private camping facilities.
Three quarters of reservations are from within B.C. The second highest share is from Alberta at 14 per cent, the U.S. accounts for 3.6 per cent, the rest of Canada 2.8 per cent, and all European countries combined are 6.6 per cent of the total.
The BC Parks system has 10,700 camping spaces in total, and 5,600 are reservable, to manage demand for the most popular spots.
First-come, first-served sites are kept out of the reservation system in some popular locations to accommodate travellers who drop in along the road. For high-demand periods like the recent Canada Day weekend, savvy campers work the reservation system.
At Golden Ears Provincial Park, one group booked for two weeks as soon as the 90-day eligibility window opened, then dropped the first week, giving them the coveted Canada Day weekend dates before they were generally available.
"Every year we look to change things to keep people from cheating, and every year they find new ways," Polak said. "Really the only answer is going to be finding a way to expand the number of sites that we have available."
It's shaping up as a record year for the Discover Camping reservation service, with 92,000 bookings so far this year.
B.C. Parks has added four new sites for this summer. Reservations can be made for Garibaldi Provincial Park in the Whistler area, Ruckle Provincial Park on Saltspring Island, Okanagan Falls Provincial Park, Inland Lake Provincial Park near Powell River and Dry Gulch Provincial Park near Radium Hot Springs.

Provincial campsite rush mostly B.C. residents


Few BC Parks bookings going to commercial operators, solution is more campsite spaces, Environment Minister Mary Polak says


B.C.'s Civil Resolution Tribunal has begun taking "early intake" applications for strata property disputes.
Canada's first online tribunal is not yet fully operational, and is testing its application process. The tribunal has 18 lawyers and mediation experts who will adjudicate strata property and small claims disputes without going to court.
Legislation to create the tribunal was passed in the spring of 2015. Justice Minister Suzanne Anton said at the time that the tribunal and its early resolution process "will help to resolve disputes faster and with more lasting outcomes, while saving people time and money."
The tribunal is expecting a large spike of strata-related claims as it starts up, and warns that it could take several months to resolve claims as it continues to add staff and develop its technology.
The tribunal has a guide to its service on its website. The application begins with a "solutions explorer" where people describe the nature of their dispute and then receive detailed information about their options under B.C. law.
The first suggestion is to use form letters to contact the other party in the dispute directly, to see if it can be settled without a formal application to the tribunal.
[See video introduction below.]
Most strata claims have a two-year limitation period, after which they can't be taken to the tribunal or to court. If an early intake application is accepted, it may stop the countdown and allow the case to be prepared for when tribunal members begin hearing cases.
If applicants are accepted and then change their minds and want to go to court instead, approval of the tribunal is required.


Early intake of strata property dispute resolution applications begins for Canada's first online tribunal


The B.C. government has approved a master development plan for a new year-round ski resort in the Cariboo Mountains west of Valemount.
Valemount Glacier Destination Resort is a $175 million project led by Oberto Oberti, who designed the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort near Golden and the controversial Jumbo Glacier Resort proposal west of Invermere.
The Valemount plan includes lifts and gondolas that would carry skiers and sight-seers to the summits of Mount Pierre Elliott Trudeau and Mount Arthur Meighen. Its vertical drop of 2,050 metres would be higher than Whistler-Blackcomb and the largest in North America.
"There are very few places in the world, and none in North America, where you go and ride a lift to the very top and the glacier is below you," said Jill Bodkin, a director of the company.
Valemount is a remote community of about 1,000 residents near the Alberta border east of Prince George. The region is west of Jasper National Park, which attracts visitors from around the world.
On the project's website, Oberti says people will travel to Switzerland for this kind of mountain resort experience, so a three-hour drive from Prince George isn't an obstacle to success.
Valemount Mayor Jeanette Townsend called the master plan approval "exciting news." She said the community attracts visitors who stay there to avoid the expensive accommodation in Jasper and the resort will take it to the next level.
Chief Nathan Matthew of the Simpcw First Nation said his community has been involved since the beginning, and he sees the project as an important economic development for the northern part of Simpcw's traditional territory.

B.C. approves Valemount glacier resort plan


Designer of Kicking Horse and Jumbo resorts gets approval to proceed with $175 million project east of Prince George


Modified versions of the 1969 Camaro SS and other popular vehicles will soon be eligible for B.C. collector plates, allowing occasional use for parades and car shows.
The B.C. government is expanding its collector vehicle licence system to include eligible modified cars made between 1958 and 1974, to capture the popular "muscle car" era of the 1960s.
The ICBC collector plate program gives car enthusiasts a lower-cost licence plate that allows occasional use for parades and classic car shows. ICBC plans to take applications starting in 2017 for eligible modified vehicles up to 1974, and replica cars resembling North American production cars from 1942 and earlier.
With strict rules that the cars must be in "collectible condition," changes will take in modified popular cars from the Dodge Duster to the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang, as well as replicas of the popular Ford "deuce coupe" from the 1930s.
Premier Christy Clark announced a break for older cars this spring, allowing vehicles from 1940 or earlier and their replicas to run without fenders or mud flaps when the highway is dry and paved.
Transportation Minister Todd Stone said the collector car industry is significant for B.C., with registered collector vehicles having doubled to 26,000 in the past 10 years.
"We want to see this specialty vehicle program remain viable, preserve vehicle history and evolve with the times," Stone said. "That's why we are opening up the opportunity to owners of specialty cars within the 'muscle car' era."
Currently, the standard collector plate is available to cars 25 years or older, as well as discontinued or limited production vehicles 15 years or older. It requires a stock engine with no performance enhancements, no rust, dents or "significant wear and tear" of the interior.
Modified vehicles from 1958 or older are currently eligible for collector plates, if they retain the shell of the original body but have parts replaced or modified in the chassis, engine, suspension, steering or brakes.
Owners have to apply for a collector or modified collector plate, with purchase and parts bills, photos and inspection reports.
Applications for collector and modified collector programs are available on ICBC's website, www.icbc.com, and can be dropped off at Autoplan brokers.

Collector program expanding to 'muscle cars'


Collector plates will be available next year for modified as well as stock cars made between 1958 and 1974


The union representing most workers at Canada Post has issued a 72-hour notice of job action as it tries to bargain a collective agreement with the Crown corporation.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says the notice spells out what actions it is planning, but stops short of a full-blown walkout.
CUPW national president Mike Palecek says Canada Post forced the labour disruption by refusing to accept a request from the federal labour minister to continue negotiations with the help of a special mediator.
But a spokesman for the agency says that's not the case.
The union's strike mandate was set to expire at midnight.
The two sides have been in negotiations for more than nine months but are far apart on key issues including pay equity for rural carriers and proposed changes to the Canada Post pension plan.
The Canadian Press

Postal union issues strike notice after it says Canada Post refused special mediator


Notice means delivery could be cancelled as early as Monday


A routine check-up at the hospital has turned into a nightmare for a Prince Rupert woman.
A month-and-a-half after having an endoscopy to inspect her nose and throat, Joan Dudoward received a letter from Northern Health stating that the endoscope used at the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital was not cleaned properly.
From April until the end of June 2016, the endoscope, which is a flexible tube with a light and a camera used in nonsurgical procedures, was being cleaned with the wrong cleaning solution to disinfect the equipment. There were 104 patients affected and Dudoward was one of them.
“I was majorly stressed out,” she said in an exclusive interview with the Northern View. “I'm a cancer survivor. I try to keep my health up for my mom, I'm a caregiver for a 95-year-old woman.”
Dudoward had gone to the Prince Rupert hospital for an endoscopy on June 29 at 3:30 p.m. after complaining to her physician about reoccurring plugged ears and a sore throat. She received the letter from Northern Health on Aug.24, which stated the error did not impact the diagnostic outcome of the tests and the process error has been corrected.
The letter also states that the BC Centre for Disease Control has been consulted and “the risk of a patient being exposed to a virus as a result of this process error is extremely low.” The contact number for the director of acute care services is offered in case she has any other questions or concerns. Dudoward has many.
She called to find out why the instrument wasn't cleaned, what had happened and how many people had gone through the procedure before and after her. “She said she's not permitted to tell me anything about this,” was the response Dudoward said she received.
The vice-president of medicine for the Northern Health authority, Dr. Ronald Chapman, was quick to respond to media inquiries and stressed the importance of transparency. He said, based on previous experience, once they realized the mistake had occurred they consulted the BC Centre for Disease Control as well as the Northern Health infectious disease specialist in Prince George.
“The risk for the patient is extremely low. We're not concerned that it will at all have any negative impact on their health,” Dr. Chapman said. He added that it's Northern Health's policy to make patients aware even if the risk to them is low. “We believe it's important to be open with those patients and to be fairly transparent so at least they are aware of the mistake. In this case, we don't recommend any particular follow up or tests for the patients.”
This type of process error has happened before, Dr. Chapman confirmed. Not with the same scope, but he said there are many different endoscopes used and each are made by different manufacturers that have various recommendations on how to clean the equipment.
“The health sector is run by human beings and it's fairly complex. If mistakes do happen what we encourage our staff to do is to make management aware so they can learn from that experience,” he said. “I'm happy to say where those mistakes have happened in our environment, a process has been put in place and we haven't had any repetitions after some of those learning experiences.”
For the 104 patients that were affected by this incident, Dr. Chapman said their general practitioners have been notified and if they have any questions they can speak to them and the infectious disease specialist. They can also contact Northern Health's Patient Care Quality Officeto register a complaint.
For Dudoward, who had a bone marrow transplant in 2011 to battle leukemia, she is concerned and has already scheduled a meeting with her physician in early September.
“I'm thinking that my body is not going to be able to fight off infection like I was able to before the cancer because chemo takes a lot out of your body so this is like a bomb exploding in my life,” she said.

VIDEO: Prince Rupert woman treated with unclean medical equipment, Northern Health, B.C. Centre for Disease Control confirms more than a hundred affected


Two months after having an endoscopy Joan Dudoward received a letter telling her that the endoscope used was not cleaned properly.


Cameras were the focus as 70 photographers from across B.C., including Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Kelowna and Nelson, competed in the fourth annual Next Generation BC Amateur Photographer of the Year Contest at the recent Abbotsford International Airshow.
Sponsored by London Drugs and Black Press Media, the contest took place Aug. 12-14, as participants captured their best air, crowd, static, and wildcard shots.
Photographers experienced close-up action at the airshow including Friday's twilight show, and earned the "hot-side" tour at the airshow where they shot exclusive aircraft including the F-35, CF-18, FA-18, Breitling Jet Team, the Snowbirds and more for a chance to win the title of B.C.'s next Amateur Photographer title.
Awarding categories also include The Best in-air photograph ($750 grand prize), The Best ground/static scene photograph ($500 prize),The Best crowd scene photograph ($250 prize ), The Best video submission ($500 prize) all courtesy of London Drugs and honorary acknowledgement for Best Wildcard entry.
For the People's Choice Award Winner, the time has arrived for the public to vote on their favourite photo and be entered for a chance to win BC Lions game tickets.
For voting and contest information, click here.

Voting open for People's Choice Amateur Photography Competition


Photographers from across the province competed in amateur competition


B.C. has 300 seniors' care facilities, and residents and their loved ones are to be surveyed on conditions.
More than 250 volunteers have signed up to compile a survey of seniors in residential care, and B.C.'s Seniors Advocate is looking for more.
The 27,000 seniors living in 300 residential care facilities around the province are being asked about their experience with care home staff, the quality of food, privacy, medications and other conditions.
It's the first comprehensive survey done in B.C., to measure resident satisfaction and provide a "roadmap" for improvements, said Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie.
Interviews will be conducted in person by trained volunteers, and a matching mail-out survey will be sent to each resident's most frequent visitor.
The project is seeking volunteers with a range of professional backgrounds, ages and ethnicities. To apply as a volunteer, visit www.surveybcseniors.org or call the Office of the Seniors Advocate at 1-877-952-3181.


Volunteers to ask seniors about staff, food, privacy, medications and other conditions in residential care


OTTAWA – Contract talks continue between Canada Post and its largest union, but neither side is hinting as to whether any progress has been made.
A federally appointed mediator has been meeting with the two sides since Friday to try to reach a deal.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says if there is no deal by midnight, it would begin job action on Monday by having its members refusing to work overtime on a rotating basis, starting in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
CUPW served 72 hour strike notice Thursday night, accusing Canada Post of forcing a labour disruption by refusing to bargain in good faith.
The two sides have been deadlocked for months on the issues of pay scales for rural letter carriers and proposed changes to pensions for future employees.
A CUPW news release says the initial job action will cause little disruption to Canada Post customers and that its members will still be delivering mail every day.
The Canadian Press

Postal workers union give details of job action if no deal is reached Sunday


Talks continue, with rotating overtime ban set to begin Monday if no agreement by midnight Sunday


The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte at Sandringham, 2015
Victoria will be home base for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge when they make their second visit to Canada in late September.
There has been no confirmation yet, but the schedule suggests the royal couple will likely bring their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte with them.
The visit starts with an official welcome Sept. 24 in Victoria, with the traditional review of the Honour Guard and speeches. The next day Prince William and his wife Kate will visit Vancouver.
The royal couple have accepted the B.C. government's invitation to visit the area now known internationally as the Great Bear Rainforest, with a stop in Bella Bella on the remote Central Coast on Sept. 26.
Sept. 27 features stops in Kelowna and Whitehorse, with an overnight in Yukon and a visit to Carcross Sept. 28.
The Duke and Duchess return to Victoria Sept. 29 and travel to Haida Gwaii on Sept. 30. The tour winds up in Victoria Oct. 1.
The Duke and Duchess made their first official visit to Canada in 2011, with stops in Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Charlottetown, Yellowknife, Slave Lake and Calgary.
Prince William and his brother Prince Harry visited B.C. with their father Prince Charles in 1998, including a ski vacation to Whistler.

B.C. royal visit looks set up for the children


Victoria-based schedule means it's likely Prince George and Princess Charlotte will accompany their parents William and Kate