Terrifying Home Invasion Haunts Zhoda-Area Couple
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Mitchell wins Humane fastball title society looks forward to TERRY FREY 1C growth. JENNIFER STAHN 2A INDEX: 9C Agriculture 6C Church news 1B Classified 10C Family newsVolume10A 6 3Obituaries Number1C 1 Sports $1.11 PAP Registration No. 09043 VOLUME 63 Agreement No. 0040010296 Steinbach, Manitoba, Thursday, September 11, 2008 42 Pages NUMBER 37 St Labre man, 29 witnesses horror on Greyhound bus by Jennifer Stahn pulled over, grabbed a pipe from his truck and ran to the bus. He HRISTOPHER Alguire said the scene was quite chaotic has the physical presence, but noted he immediately tried to Cand the temper, to scare off take charge of the situation. many people, but it was his heart He moved everyone about 30 and compassion that stood out feet behind the cargo area of the most on the night of July 29 when bus, where they could not see Tim McLean was horrifically mur- what was happening on board dered in front of 37 other passen- and his friend Evelyn (who was gers on a Greyhound bus travelling travelling with him) could talk to from Edmonton to Winnipeg. the passengers in an effort to calm The incident drew international them down. media attention and led the news Working mostly on adrenaline for several days. and with the help of a passenger Alguire, who just turned 29 last (Garnet), Alguire coordinated a week, was guiding his highway small group to help him watch DORIS PENNER • THE CARILLON tractor along the Trans-Canada the sides of the bus to make sure Assisting Steinbach mayor Chris Goertzen with ribbon-cutting at the MCC Thrift Store grand opening are Helen Klassen, Tina Kehler, Sarah Dueck, Anne Bilsky, Eva Wiebe and Christine Putz. Highway near Portage la Prai- the man (later identified as Vin- rie the evening of July 29 when cent Li) did not attempt to leave he noticed a Greyhound bus had the bus. Alguire noted he always pulled off the roadway erratically stayed close enough that he could with passengers streaming out quickly reach someone if Li did around 8:30 p.m. attempt an escape. Volunteers open bright store As he slowed down they yelled Alguire, who grew up in St to him that somebody was being Labre, also sent a few passengers tended the grand opening, which and began renovations—costing a stabbed on the bus. to get pipes and other items from by Doris Penner in total boasts 27,000 square feet of retail space with an additional included a history by the board total of 1.4 million—a year ago. Noting that many people would his truck that could be used for HE corner of Main Street warehouse. chair, remarks by dignitaries, rib- “The sale came up just at the have likely kept going instead of self-defense. and Barkman Avenue in “Volunteers and shoppers like bon cutting with about 100 of the right time,” says Kornelson, ex- stopping, Alguire said he quickly See “Young Trucker” on page 3A TSteinbach has received a the large new areas,” says board 250 volunteers participating and plaining that the board had been major facelift over the last year. chair Gordon Kornelson. “We’ve refreshments in the new coffee discussing plans to expand for On Tuesday, the MCC Thrift heard nothing but positive re- room all day. quite some time. “This location Store officially opened its ex- ports.” MCC bought the former Don’s was perfect for us.” panded and updated facility which Several hundred people at- Bakery at the downtown corner See “Volunteers” on page 5A Toews ready Terrifying home invasion to defend seat to find himself in election mode by Grant Burr this week. ROVENCHER is a sprawl- “I know that the prime minis- ing riding, so it’s a good ter was growing more and more haunts Zhoda-area couple Pthing Vic Toews enjoys the frustrated. He wanted some confi- drive. He and others will be do- dence from the opposition that we ing home invasion several weeks an interview with the couple at the past—doing things like bring- ing a lot more driving in the next could get an agenda completed in by Michelle LaBelle ago, the ordeal continues to haunt their home on Tuesday. ing them groceries. few weeks as they campaign in this coming year,” Toews said on VEN though Donald and them. “It still bothers us when we He immediately tried to fight advance of the federal election Tuesday, following a campaign Sandra Wiens are trying “We don’t feel safe anymore... hear a knock at the door—we’ve them off, and for a short time, it scheduled for Oct. 14. stop at the official grand opening Etheir best to live a normal at night, we need to be home be- told all our friends to call before worked—in the scuffle, both end- Toews was already on the move of Steinbach’s expanded MCC life after experiencing a horrify- fore it gets dark,” Sandra said in they come over now,” her hus- ed up on the floor. Sunday, after Prime Minister Ste- Thrift Store. band admitted. “I was so angry they were in my phen Harper’s election call that Last week the prime minister Sandra said she has broken house. I was on top of them both morning, travelling to Tolstoi for held meetings with opposition down crying over the past two at one point,” Donald described. breakfast, Whitemouth for lunch party leaders Stephane Dion, weeks, while the first two days But then his neighbour started and La Broquerie for supper with Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe. Niverville hosting were the most difficult for Don- punching him in the head, and a few stops in between. Toews says if one of those parties ald. Both also revealed they are when the fourth blow—land- He says, like other Canadians, had indicated their willingness to not sleeping very well. ing on his jaw—left him disori- he didn’t know what date to circle work with the government in the marathon for suicide It seems that trying to put a ented, the second man seized on the calendar for an election un- upcoming fall session, then an positive spin on the traumatic his chance and got Donald in a til the prime minister dropped the election would not have been nec- memory helps them cope. chokehold. writ but with so much recent an- essary. prevention funds “As bad as it was, in a way, we See “Victims” on page 4A ticipation, he too is not surprised See “Toews” on page 3A feel lucky, too, it could have been by Michelle LaBelle pel will perform after the races worse,” said Donald. “We’re re- (along with the headline band, lieved we’re not dead,” his wife NIVERVILLE woman Rock-By-Blue). added. who organized a mara- In addition to a car show, The two suspects in the case A thon to raise suicide display booths and entertain- have been charged in this matter prevention funds and remember ment all along the routes—such and are in custody in Winnipeg. her young son has seen her vi- as the Fubuki Daiko drummers Since both are considered inno- sion continue on for a bigger and and 1950s dancing performanc- cent until proven guilty in a court better event this year. es—there are four raffle prizes. of law, The Carillon has decided When Mona Stott organized a (Items to be won range from to name the assailants ‘first man’ marathon last year—for suicide diamonds to West Jet western and ‘second man’ for purposes of awareness and to raise funds Canadian airfare tickets). this story. In addition, everything for the Mood Disorder Associa- Also called the Imagine Half is an allegation at this point. tion—300 people participated Marathon 2008, the run will be Donald recalled what happed to and more than $22,000 was held in Niverville this year (it him on Aug. 13 with astonishing raised. was held in Winnipeg last year.) clarity. The impetus behind her ef- It will be held on Saturday, Sept. He explained he had a stom- forts was to do something posi- 27, at 9 a.m. in Hespeler Park. achache and had been asleep on tive in memory of her 24-year- Anyone still wishing to par- their living room couch since 9:30 old son Joey, who took his life in ticipate but finding the idea of a p.m., Tuesday (Aug. 12) evening June last year. 13.1 mile course a little intense when a noise at their door jolted Stott formed a team called can sign up for a 10 kilometre him awake. Imagine last fall; the team ‘fun run/walk’ through Niver- He opened the door just a planned a Rock N’ Roll Mara- ville. smidge and suddenly, a foot ap- thon in hopes of exceeding last To sign up or for more in- peared and the duo “barged in,” year’s successful event. formation, call Mona Stott at demanding money. The Imagine team has called 388-6217 or Keith Kenemy at Donald said he instantly recog- PHOTO BY KYLA KEMPERT it Manitoba’s ‘first ever Rock N’ 388-4272 or head to the event’s nized the first man, his neighbour. Roll Marathon’ because local Internet website at www.imagi- Sandra pointed out how they of- Foxy little friend Elvis impersonator Corny Rem- neteam.ca. ten helped (the first man) and his Jaidyn Lange, 8, of Woodridge feeds the foxy friend she made over the past few weeks while spending some wife and three young children in time at her grandparent’s house, Memere and Pepere Gigolyk.