Easter Has Nothing To Do With Eggs

The images from Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ' while more graphic than the sanitized Jesus on the Cross usually shown, still does not convey what was done to the only sinless man to ever walk.

While nearly completely ignored, what the Christ endured at the hands of vile, sinful men when he was scourged with 39 flesh-ripping lashes is all part of the crucifixion story. We are told in the book of Isaiah :

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Traditionally, Easter Sunday will see the biggest spike in Church attendance than any other time of year. It will be celebrating the Resurrection, but before that Glory came the whipping post, the humiliation, the mocking, the spitting upon, struggling to carry His Cross, being nailed naked to the most cruel means of death imagined and finally death and descent into Hell so that sinful man could be forgiven.

Nanaimo Senior Saved From Costly Scam

Alert Shopper's Drug Mart employees

and fast police work saves senior from phone scam

On Thursday March 8th an elderly female walked into a local Shoppers Drug Mart asking to purchase $4000 in gaming cards. Instantly, given the amount asked for, the employee sensed the female was being duped and proceeded to ask her why she needed so many cards.

The female, who was in her eighties, told the employee that she had just received a phone call from her son who told her he was in financial trouble and the only way out of his mess was for her to buy $4000 dollars in gaming cards, called "Steam Cards". After purchasing them she was directed to send them to her son’s lawyer’s office in the Lower Mainland. The female told the employee she had spoken with her son’s lawyer and then an RCMP officer who repeated the same story.

The Shoppers Drug Mart employee politely told her it was all a scam to which the female responded she knew of the ITunes scam but this was real. Over the next few minutes at least four different employees attempted to convince her but to no avail. Eventually the woman told them if they would not sell her the cards, she would purchase them at Walmart.

The Shoppers Drug Mart employees realized they needed to act fast so they reported the incident to the police, indicating the female would be driving to Walmart. The dispatch operator astutely called Walmart to alert them and sure enough, the female soon arrived and was again prevented from making the purchase.

The dispatch centre, and an officer with the Nanaimo RCMP followed up with the female her by phone and only then did she realize it was a scam.

These types of scams tug at your heartstrings which is why they are so effective,  said Constable Gary O'Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP. To learn more about frauds and scams go to the Canadian Anti Fraud centre .

Clocks SPRING Ahead This Weekend

Be sure to set your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night before retiring. Yes, you don't get this hour back until fall this year. 

Anyone else thinks changing clocks is a dumb idea??

Cruiser Used To Apprehend Armed Male

Suspect struck by police vehicle during apprehension

A 33-year-old Nanaimo man, with a propensity for violence, weapons and unpredictable behaviour sustained minor injuries today after Nanaimo Mounties used a police vehicle to assist in his arrest. The suspect received only minor scrapes and bruises but was however transported to local hospital where he received treatment for his injuries. The male was then taken to the Nanaimo RCMP detachment.  The incident occurred in the vicinity of the Participaction Park near Beban Park.

Just before 10 am today, a Nanaimo RCMP officer was on patrol when he saw the male, whom he knew was arrestable on breach charges. As the officer approached on foot and told the male he was under arrest, the suspect pulled out a knife, told the officer he would kill him and then ran in the opposite direction. The officer, who had previous violent encounters with the male, produced his firearm and pursued the suspect. The pursuing officer alerted other officers to the fact the suspect was armed and was headed in the direction of a playground, filled with young children and their parents.

Another officer soon arrived and taking into consideration many factors, which included his safety, the safety of nearby children and any unsuspecting pedestrians, decided to strike the male, at low speed, with the front of his police vehicle. The suspect flipped onto the hood of the vehicle and fell to the ground. At this time, the officer was able to take the suspect into custody and seized the knife he had. 

The suspect is facing numerous charges with include but are not limited to several Breach of condition charges, Possession of Weapon and Uttering Threats, and will have a either have a Bail Hearing tonight or appear before a Provincial court judge sometime tomorrow.