Headlines from this weeks SPEC

Sept. 29, 2002

Three prisoners escape from New Carlisle Jail
One is arrested in Causapscal, the others suspected of an assault in Bonaventure
Gilles Gagne

NEW CARLISLE - Three prisoners escaped from the New Carlisle Jail on September 18th. One was arrested 24 hours later in Causapscal, in the Matapedia Valley, but the two others are suspected of an assault that took place in Cullen's Brook, on the eastern side of the Bonaventure River, on September 20th.

The victim, Donna MacDonald, was beaten by two men, who had previously entered in her house, located on Henry Road. She spent a few days at the Centre hospitalier Baie-des-Chaleurs in Maria. The men then stole her car.

More than 250 people to take part in the Rural School Educational Conference in New Carlisle
Gilles Gagne

NEW CARLISLE - At least 250 people from the regions served by Eastern Shores School Board will participate on October 3rd and 4th in New Carlisle at the Rural School Educational Conference, the first event of this nature since the school boards of the Gaspe, Magdalen Islands, North Shore and Lower Saint Lawrence were amalgamated.

Most of the teachers, administrators, commissioners, teaching aids and secretaries from these regions will attend the Conference, as well as guests from other parts of Quebec.

Gaspe man unable to attain bilingual service from 911
Charlene Eden

Gaspe resident Melrose Patterson is shocked and upset at the treatment he received upon calling 911 after he was in an accident on August 20th. According to Patterson, he was unable to receive the service in English. This has the Gaspe man very concerned.

Patterson recalled the incident, explaining, "when I phoned 911, I said to the woman, do you speak English. She said, no, me no speak English. That made me mad. So I switched to French and told her what was happening. She finally dispatched me to a police officer after ten minutes on the phone. And he spoke English, thank heavens," he said.