Good morning, gang.
Well, we’ve got worrying COVID-19 numbers from the province today but, we’ve also got a small tale about the kindness of strangers that almost makes me want to go hiking.
Also, if you know – or if you are – a Grade 12 student in Port Moody with post-secondary plans, today’s your last chance to apply for a $1,000 scholarship. Now, let’s get to it.
After a bumpy rollout, more speed humps are set to pop up on Spring Street.
What happened: Council voted unanimously to put permanent speed humps on Spring between Grant and Moody streets in an effort to dissuade drivers from veering off St. Johns and Clarke during rush hour. City staff is also putting bumps between Douglas and Grant streets as part of a one-year pilot project.
Taking your bumps: Coun. Hunter Madsen questioned staff about the possibility of building “more severe” speed bumps that, he explained, really make drivers slow down.
- “I think threatening a little damage to cars that are rat-running; is that the worst outcome?” Madsen asked.
In defense of small bumps: City staff explained that severe speed bumps cause problems for snow clearing, create trip hazards for pedestrians and pose an impediment to emergency vehicles.
Not a smooth reception: The prospect of speed bumps got a less-than-enthusiastic reaction last September, with Saint St. Grill owner Ross Edwards suggesting the idea came “out of left field.”
Burrard Public House owner Damir Dugandzic noted the crucial role of accessibility in keeping area businesses afloat, adding that he had trouble deciding whether he was more disappointed or shocked with council’s decision.
- In a bid to address those concerns, city staff invited 80 businesses to a Zoom meeting. Six took part.
The rationale: Ultimately, speed humps were deemed “the least invasive approach” to reduce peak hour traffic speed, according to city staff. However, the report also noted that speed humps between Douglas and Kyle streets “have not acted as an effective deterrent.”
Subject to change: The pilot project will be “continually monitored and adjusted,” Coun. Steve Milani said.
- “It’s not just going to be implemented and it’s la-la-la,” Milani said as he mimed putting his fingers in his ears while blocking out noise by singing.
The Coquitlam Express notched their first W of the pod season Saturday with a 7-6 win over the Powell River Kings.
How it happened: Powell River jumped out a 3-1 lead but some sharp passes and quick rebounds put Coquitlam up by a goal going into an action-packed third period.
- The two BCHL squads kicked off the third stanza by combining for six goals in 13 minutes in a spree of end-to-end action that would have brought the crowd at Scotia Barn in Burnaby to its feet if they hadn’t been playing in an empty arena.
In the game’s decisive sequence, Powell River managed to dig the puck out of their own end only to have Andrej Kovacevic intercept a clearing attempt. Meanwhile, as his teammate snared the puck, Express defender James Bohn swerved to the left point. Kovacevic dished and Bohn fired a wrist shot that arced over a diving defender and past the goalie to put the Express up for good.
The Express credited Sam Marit for an impassioned bench speech that fired up Coquitlam just when they looked like they might let the game slip away, according to a postgame wrap-up from the team.
- “In this pod season with no fans in attendance, the teams will need to look inward for motivation – moments like Marit’s speech are what will fuel teams and help them find success.”
The victory marked the first BCHL win for interim head coach Adam Nugent-Hopkins.
- For highlights, click here.
On Saturday, March 27, Dom Olena was walking her newly-adopted dog Rusty on a Westwood Plateau trail when the excited young pup pulled hard on the leash.
The mastiff-shepherd mix is gentle but powerful and when he pulled Olena lost her footing.
She tumbled over the rock and broke her elbow.
The pain was excruciating, she recalls. But she also notes that a nurse came to her aid and an older gentleman gave her a coat to keep her warm until the paramedics arrived.
- “I wish I remembered the names of the people that were up there,” Olena wrote to the Dispatch.
The Good Samaritans did their best to talk her through the pain.
Olena took to social media recently to thank the “complete strangers . . . staying by my side, offering emotional and physical support.”
She also thanked the paramedics who took her from the trail on a stretcher.
Olena’s daughter is tending to Rusty as Olena recuperates following an orthopaedic surgery.
- “Thank you for your humanity, care, compassion and comfort you provided on that rainy day,” she wrote.
Starting today we’ll be providing you with important COVID-19 updates in every newsletter.
Beginning at 8 a.m., people born in 1950 or earlier and Indigenous people 18 or older can book their vaccination via gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated by calling 1 833 838-2323. Extremely vulnerable can also book their vaccine now.
Tri-Cities
- School district #43 is not currently reporting any exposures since reporting several cases in mid-March.
The Rest of BC
- The province reported 1,889 new cases over two days | Four-day count: 4,040 new cases.
- Active cases: 8,490 | Total variant cases: 3,559 | Active variant cases: 588
- Current hospitalizations: 318 | Patients in intensive care: 96
- Total cases: 104,061 | Deaths: 1,486 | Recoveries: 94,806
- Vaccines administered: 893,590 | Second doses: 87,472
Other news
- Experts are calling on the province to provide more information about transmission as statistics suggest some provinces may have been under-counting coronavirus deaths. A recent Globe and Mail report found there were about six times as many “excess deaths” as reported COVID-19 fatalities.
Happenings around town
- Slippery when delicious: New ramen restaurant opening on Pinetree Way
- Craft work: Tween artists, artisans, crafters and creators are invited to make arts and crafts together on Zoom
- Looking to walk the path less travelled? Coquitlam has ideas
- Shredder: If you’ve got it and you don’t want it, the Port Coquitlam Foundation will shred it April 10 at the Canadian Tire at 2125 Hawkins St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In other news
- Police investigate spate of Coquitlam shootings We recently examined the debate around a municipal handgun ban
- House sales through the roof
- No longer state of the art? Port Moody examines longtime label
- Vancouver Coastal Health goes for the Gusto, shuts down defiant restaurants
Photo of the day
Thank-you reader Christina who submitted this incredible photo of Como Lake in Coquitlam. Have you ever been there?
Make sure to submit your own photos and we’ll feature them in the newsletter.
