AHN JAN 5 2017

thursdaY, JanuarY 5 2017 Vol. 74, no. 1

serving Fort st. John, b.c. and surrounding coMMunities

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alaskahighwaynews.ca

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the Mathews park ice loops is proving to be quite popular with the citizens of Fort st. John, including lisa and Justin crawford, along with their kids Jordan, 14, and Bradley, 10. the family was one of many that were making use of the outdoor ice surface on new year’s eve.

Trial begins for man accused of manslaughter

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 phone 250-785-5631  fax 250-785-3522  email circulation@ahnfsj.ca  online alaskahighwaynews.ca  facebook AlaskaHighwayNews  twitter @AHNnewspaper

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Senior gets four years for bank heist matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

A 69-year-old man who robbed a Fort St. John bank on April Fool’s Day was handed a four-year jail term in provincial court last week.

Court records show Larry Eugene Calver, born 1947, was sentenced on Dec. 28 to 1,600 days in jail for robbing the Bank of Montreal on April 1. Police were called to the bank over the lunch hour after Calver walked up to one of the tellers, indicated he had a weapon, and demanded cash. At the time, police said they were able to quickly identify their suspect based on surveillance footage. Though they did not name Calver at the time, local RCMP said the suspect was well known to police and arrested without incident at his home.

The court also gave Calver a lifetime firearms ban, and assessed him $900 in restitution and victim surcharges, records show.

He had a charge of committing a robbery with a firearm stayed.

Media reports show Calver was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant in 2013 after failing to meet conditions of a parole release related to separate charge.

A trial began Tuesday for a man accused of manslaughter in the punching death of a Fort St. John resident in 2015.

Cody Kenneth McDonell is scheduled to appear in Fort St. John provincial court this week on the charge stemming from the death of Travis Waite, 29.

Police allege McDonell, born 1988, punched Waite during a Facebook photo “heated discussion” outside a travis waite home in May 2015. Waite had to be transported to hospital in Vancouver because of the severity of his injuries. He later went into a coma and died.

McDonell has pleaded not guilty to the charge, and the allegations have not yet been proven.

The Crown has previously said that up to 24 witnesses could be called to testify at the trial. Court records show the trial is set to continue through to Jan. 6.

Manslaughter does not have a minimum sentence when the accused does not use a firearm, but the law allows a punishment of life in prison for the crime.

Visit alaskahighwaynews.ca for updates on this story.

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Horgan would send dam for BCUC review matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Construction would be nearing the twoyear mark, but NDP Leader John Horgan says he will send the Site C dam before the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) for scrutiny if elected premier in May. In year-end interviews, Horgan said he would send the project before the commission for review before taking a firm position on the $8.8-billion project.

“Until I get an opportunity to look at the contracts to see what they say, what are the opportunities for the province to step back from this, I think it’s irresponsible for me to go beyond saying, ‘I am going to look at it when I get there,’” Horgan told the Globe and Mail.

Horgan is being urged by many fronts to halt the dam, both from environmentalists and local landowners, and former NDP premier Mike Harcourt, who oppose the project over its costs and impacts to indigenous treaty rights and productive valley farmland. see horgan on a4

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contents Humour........................................ A2 Weather ....................................... A2 Local News .................................. A3 Opinion ....................................... A6 Year In Review............................ A9 Classifieds ................................. A14 Sports ........................................... B1 Arts & Culture ............................ B5

this week’s flyers No Frills Walmart Shoppers Drug Mart Canadian Tire M&M Food Market Sobeys Jysk Save On Foods Brandsaver London Drugs Proctor & Gamble Staples The Source Century 21 Sears Rona

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The Year Ahead: Area B Director Karen Goodings ents be listening for from the premier as she heads into a provincial election in May? And what should residents be listening for from opposition parties also vying for votes?

Karen Goodings has been a stalwart presence on the Peace River Regional District board, first elected as a director for Area B in 1988.

Goodings, along with her husband Verne, have owned and operated an 800-acre family farm in the Cecil Lake area for more than 40 years.

In 2017, Goodings is keeping her attention on First Nations land transfers, Site C, and the future of potable water service delivery in her area.

Alaska Highway News: What was the biggest accomplishment for the Peace River Regional District in 2016, and what was its biggest set back?

What are its challenges and opportunities in 2017?

Karen Goodings: I am unable to single out any one accomplishment in 2016. I believe we have made strides in improving communication and opportunity for resident feedback. The biggest setback could be the fires and floods, which we are still dealing with. Upcoming challenges will be trying to have our provincial and federal governments to be open and transparent on the land negotiations that are taking place under the Treaty process and Site C. While we have no say, we certainly have impacts. This could also be considered an opportunity—one which could open up new avenues of economic development.

Area B Director Karen Goodings during Encana gas plant discussions at a PRRD meeting in Fort St. John last year.

KG: Hopefully there will be answers as to why we are seeing increases in costs for ICBC, MSP, and Hydro, which are all increases that are under their control. Fortis and PNG raising rates, which do not fall under the direct control of government but are examined by the BCUC. Hydro rates will be examined by the BCUC and their recommendation will go to the province for final decision.

The opposition will likely focus on the increases as part of their platform. I do expect that pipelines and LNG will play a big part in all of the platforms.

AHN: There was some disopment was being considered was a problem); down in a val- cussion about liability in 2016 whether there was an ongoing ley where fumes might settle in after rural residents refused role for the NPEDC. the low lying area; one road in to approve a referendum on The City is well equipped to and out. establishing potable water look after any proposals that Public funds have been spent services. What measures will come forward. Area B, where to develop a place where res- the PRRD be exploring and/or there are no business licenses, idents could get away and not taking in 2017 to provide potis really in a reactive situation have to be concerned about the able water services to the rural to any development and in- above. I believe the province areas, particularly in Area B? dustry (oil and gas) will happen understands our concerns and through other agencies. have put a minimal requireKG: The members of the Agriculture has always been ment for any company wishing PRRD Board were concerned KNOWBEFOREYOUGO important in Area B and we are to proceed that they will need about liability that might arise still able to look at projects on to work with the PRRD Parks due to possible contamination PrevAiling Prices a case by case basis through Committee on the details. of the water. While we always the electoral area committee posted the water to be nonDawson Creek 109.9 or through the PRRD board. We AHN: We have yet to see the potable and for agricultural uses have options open to us, fruits of Site C agriculture only, we continued to do the Fort St. John presently under consideration, compensation fund. What tests to determine any risk. By 112.9 ohn, BC - 7 Day Forecast - Environment Canada https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/bc-78_metric_e.html AHN: Electoral Area B with- that will allow projects to come would you like to see this fund testing we were acknowledging from the North Peace forward. accomplish, and do you expect that the residents may be using Alberta-B.C. border 106.9 drew Economic Development Comit to begin providing benefits the water for household uses. mission in late 2016. What AHN: There has been past in the new year?

The referendums were for Fort Nelson N/A prompted the withdrawal, and concern about industry water in Area B, C, and D, and what alternative processes/or- drilling under Swan Lake and KG: I remain opposed to a vote for sewer in only Areas B ganizations are in place to comost recently under Blackfoot Site C and there is no amount and C. Both votes were refused Groundbirch N/A ordinate development in the Park.

What steps is the board of money that can mitigate by the residents. When I singled Environment and natural resources  Weather information  Weather  Local forecasts  British Columbia area? taking to reconcile industrial the loss of prime Class 1 land out the vote on water in Area Chetwynd 112.9 development with the protec- on alluvial soils situated in a B it was a positive result. As KG: North Peace Econom- tion and preservation of our microclimate. The provincial the director, I requested board ic Development (NPEDC) was parkland and environment? agriculture ministry is one of the support for an additional Ridge on, BCTumbler - 7 Day Forecast -119.9 Environment Canada https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/bc-83_metric_e.html made up of the three comcommittee members that will discussion in 2016/17 to munities of Fort St. John, HudKG: Swan Lake could see dirmake any Tuesday decisions3as to who2017 determine if the residents are Observed at: Fort St. John Airport 10:36 AM MST January Prince George 105.9 son’s Hope, Taylor, and the ectional drilling taking place as receives funding and are in a supportive of establishing two electoral areas (B&C). The could Blackfoot Park. We tried much better position to answer a potable water function in Condition: Mostly Temperature: -9.8¡ C Wind: WSW 7 km/h Hythe FSJ withdrew from the to convince the province to this question. At this point, the Area B. I have established a 107.9 City ofCloudy Pressure: 103.6 kPain 2014. While they setDew point: C drilling province Wind Chill: NPEDC aside any -11.3¡ surface has -14 minimized the working advisory committee were no longer a funding partin Blackfoot Park and to allow importance of food of residents from across Area B Tendency: Humidity: 89% Visibility: 24growing km Grande Prairie 104.4 Rising ner, it was important that FSJ be us to have this one area re- locally by removing most of the to provide direction on how to  Weather  Local  British Environment and natural resources information Weather forecasts Columbia considered in any requests for main untouched.

Some of the support in this area. proceed. It is expected that we Calgary 104.4 information that were received thoughts behind this request will have a final outcome in late and depending on what devel- were: no cell service (if there AHN: What should resid- June or early July.

GAS WATCH

St. John, BC

urrent Conditions

10¡ C Nelson, BC Edmonton

103.4

Vancouver 133.9 urrent Conditions orecast

126.9 Mostly Cloudy Condition: Wed Thu Pressure: 103.6 kPa 5 Jan 4 Jan 124.6 Tendency: Falling

Victoria

Tue 3 JanB.C. avg

Alberta Avg.

10¡ C

Observed Fort Nelson Airport 10:00 AM MST Tuesday 3 January 2017 WEATHER & at:ROAD REPORT Issued: 5:00 AM MST Tuesday 3 January 2017

FORT ST. JOHN Temperature: -9.9¡ C Fri Sat Dew point: -11.2¡ C 6 Jan 7 Jan Humidity: 90%

Wind: N 2 km/h Sun Mon Wind Chill: -11 8 Jan 9 Jan Visibility: 32 km

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110.5

CAD$ per litre, prices as of Jan. 3.

Source: GasBuddy.com

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The contentsWed of this Tue newspaper are protected by 3 Jancopyright and may 4 Jan be used only

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HIGHWAY CONDITIONS PEACE REGION

for personal non-commercial purposes.

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CONDITIONS IN THE PEACE REGION, Issued: 5:00 AM PST Tuesday 3 January 2017 PLEASE Night SEE THE LINK BELOW. FORT NELSONNight

Periods of snow

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Thu 5 Jan

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60% 60%

All other rights are reserved and commercial use is ds of snow Chance of flurries Chance of flurries Periods of snow -8¡ C prohibited. To make -7¡ any C use of -9¡ C -14¡ C this material you must first 60% Tuesday 3 January

70% ssued: 5:00 AM MST 2017 obtain the permission of the e of flurries A mix of sun and Periods of snow Chance of flurries owner of the copyright.

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For further information contact Amount 2 cm. High minus 6. http://www.drivebc.ca the managing editor at onight Night Night Night ght Periods of snow.

AmountNight 2 cm. Low minus 11.

4 Jan

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http:// 9 Janwww.drivebc.ca/

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WeatherPhone

Environment Canada Local NightWeather Forecasts (250)-785-7669

250-785-5631 A mix of sun and cloud. 40 percent chance of flurries early in the morning. High minus 6.

11¡ C 5 Jan

-24¡ C CURRENT ROAD FOR

Cloudy with 60 percent chance of flurries. Low minus 12.

-11¡ofCsnow. High minus -14¡ 12.

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Cloudy with 60 percent chance of flurries. Low minus 17.

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ssued: 5:00 AM PST Tuesday 3 January 2017

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Mainly cloudy. 60 percent chance of flurries early this morning. High minus 8.

Clearing. Low minus 11.

17-01-03 10:41 AM Insulated FR Coveralls

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017 A3

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GRoUpS SUppoRTiNG eAcH oTHeR The Fort St. John and District palliative care Society received a donation of $5,000 from the Fort St. John Royal canadian Legion on Jan. 3. The funds will go toward work on getting palliative care rooms back at at the hospital, as well as training and workshops. pictured are palliative care Society board members Kathleen Merk, Joanne Young, Judi Smart, Michelle Roberts and Randy Merk, along with Legion past president Tracey Radcliffe. aleisha hendry photo

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'B' 10756-100 St. Fort St. John, BC

Christmas tree piCk up this weekend It’s time to get rid of the ol’ Christmas tree, before it drops any more needles. Fortunately the City of Fort St. John is here to help with its annual Christmas Tree Pick Up. Residents taking part are asked to have their trees on the curb outside their home before 8 a.m. on Jan. 7, with all the tinsel, decorations and any plastic tree bags removed. Please leave the trees on top of snow banks to ensure the collectors know it needs to be picked up.

Groups doing the tree collection this year are Scouts Canada, FSJ Minor Lacrosse, North Peace Grad Fest and the Prom Committee.

The tree pick up is weather dependent, so if there are severe weather conditions on Jan. 7, the collection will be postponed to a later date. Anyone who misses the pick up can drop off their tree behind the Pomeroy Sport Centre between Jan. 6 and 15. mark alaska highway anniversary by walking it What better way to start the New Year with a nice walk from Dawson Creek to Delta Junction—no, really.

The City of Fort St. John is holding the Northern Lights to Stars and Stripes challenge for the next seven weeks. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Alaska Highway, the city is challenging residents to walk, run, swim or skate the 2,224km from the start of the highway in Dawson Creek to the end of it in Delta Junction, Alaska.

To complete the journey, one will need to either swim 797 lengths of the North Peace Leisure Pool, walk or run 507 laps at the Northern Vac Walking Track or skate 1015 laps of the Pomeory Sport Centre Oval.

The laps have been scaled down; one pool length is counting as 2.8km, one lap at the walking track counts for 4.2km and one lap on the oval is considered 2.1km. Participants can do one or any combination of the activities to get to 2,224km. For more information contact the Pomeroy Sport Centre at 250-785-4592.

R0021217136

Petronas is considering a new site for its LNG export terminal, raising hopes the the company is moving toward a positive final investment decision as it looks to reduce costs and environmental impacts.

News reports last week said the Malaysian state-owned company was considering moving its export terminal from the ecologically sensitive Flora Bank to Ridley Island.

“Pacific NorthWest LNG is conducting a total project review over the coming months,” Pacific NorthWest LNG spokesman Spencer Sproule said in an email to Business in Vancouver.

“During this time, the project is continuing to work with area First Nations, stakeholders, and regulators, to manage any potential impacts through mitigation measures and design optimization.”

Initial plans for the project, approved after a lengthy delay by the federal government in September, called for the LNG plant to be built on Lelu Island with the gas piped to a terminal off Flora Bank via suspension bridge.

It’s estimated Petronas could save up to $1 billion by nixing the suspension bridge and locating the export terminal to Ridley Island Colin Coe, an energy consultant specializing in LNG projects, said a move made sense, but would likely require Petronas to go back to the drawing board with respect to environmental permitting.

The entire project is estimated to cost $36 billion, including the export terminal, pipelines and natural gas drilling and production. Petronas owns a 62 per cent stake in the terminal and natural gas reserves in Northeast B.C. “It’s a big job to go through and change the site,” he said in an interview with Business in Vancouver.

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Rotary draws big winners in this year’s Mega Lottery AleishA hendry ahendry@ahnfsj.ca

aleisha hendry Photo

Wanda Erickson draws the grand prize winning ticket for the Rotary Mega Lottery at the Totem Mall on Dec. 27.

After months of waiting and hoping, the suspense was over and the winners of the Rotary Mega Lottery were drawn.

Jolene Lewin of Fort St. John was the grand prize winner, getting to choose between a 2016 Ford Escape or $40,000 cash. Janet Moody of Fort St. John won the 50/50 draw, taking home $27,795.

Leona Smith, administrator of the Rotary Mega Lottery, was pleased with the response from the community this year.

“I’m still pleased with what we did, even with the economy, I think people will be happy,” she said after the draw at the Totem Mall on Dec. 27.

This year’s lottery had The Great Escape as its theme, as Smith said with the economy still being down they wanted to give people a chance to get away—several trips and vacation packages were among the secondary prizes.

The lottery saw $287,480 worth of tickets sold for the main draw, and $49,590 for the 50/50.

“We’re down a little bit in sales, with the economy we expected that,” said Smith.

Funds raised from the Rotary Mega Lottery go towards community groups and clubs in Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and Fort Nelson.

“Twenty-five clubs worked this year for the mega lottery and for some of them it helps them get some money to repair equipment or replace equipment and all that stuff,” said Smith.

Clubs in Fort St. John included Abbeyfield House, BC High School Rodeo Association, Big Bam Ski Resort, FSJ Dance Society, Elks Speedskating Club, Fort St. John Huskies, Fort St. John Public Library, Irish Dance, FSJ Soccer, North Peace Gymnastics Association, North Peace Outof-School Care Society, Northern Dance Theatre Society, Rotary Club of Fort St. John, Royal Canadian Army Cadets, Stage North Theatre Society, Taylor Minor Hockey, and Youth Bowling.

A full list of the winners is available at rotarymegalottery.org

Hydro failed to monitor water wells, protect amphibians: Site C inspectors mAtt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

The province’s Environmental Assessment Office handed BC Hydro two enforcement orders in late December after inspections of Site C construction activities.

The orders, dated Dec. 22, found BC Hydro failed to monitor well water quality for more than a year and failed to mitigate construction impacts on amphibians as required by its environmental certificate.

In one order, EAO Compliance and Enforcement Officer Chris Parks found BC Hydro had not been monitoring the water quality of wells potentially affected by the dam’s construction for more than a year, despite being required at the start of construction in July 2015. Monitoring only begun in October 2016, according to the order.

BC Hydro is required to monitor potentially affected wells twice a year for 10 years.

Parks ordered the utility to monitor all water wells within one kilometre of the reservoir and to provide a list of all wells being monitored by Jan. 16.

In the second order, Compliance Officer Alex McLean found BC Hydro failed to conduct amphibian surveys or install mitigation structures before building the Portage Mountain access road, which leads to one of the dam’s four quarry sites.

BC Hydro has until Feb. 15 to develop an amphibian survey plan and determine what mitigation measures are required to minimize impacts to amphibians and their habitat along the road.

Work continues to ensure compliance, BC Hydro spokesman Craig Fitzsimmons told the Globe and Mail.

“We take these conditions very seriously. That’s why we are working with our contractors and the Environmental Assessment Office to ensure we are in compliance.”

horgan from a1

The commission is responsible for issuing certificates of public convenience and necessity on public utility projects, though the province exempted Site C from BCUC scrutiny when it passed the Clean Energy Act in 2010. Nevertheless, the federal-provincial joint review panel tasked to conduct the dam’s environmental assessment in 2013 and 2014 recommended the province send the dam to the BCUC for a proper review of its cost and economics.

That call that has been reinforced by the Union of B.C. Municipalities, however, Energy Minister Bill Bennett has resisted those calls.

“When the Clean Energy Act was passed, there was a decision made that if government was to build Site C, it would be a monumental decision in terms of energy policy that only duly elected officials have a right to make, as opposed to organization like the BCUC that is made up of bureaucrats and lawyers,” Bennett told the Alaska Highway News in 2015.

The first phases of the dam’s construction began in July 2015.

It is the largest and most expensive infrastructure project in B.C. history, expected to produce 1,100 megawatts of electricity and flood more than 80 kilometres of river valley including farmland and sites sacred to area First Nations.

In an annual progress report filed to the utilities commission

Dec. 21, BC Hydro says it had spent $1.3 billion on the dam by the end of September 2016.

Meanwhile, it reported more than 1,860 workers were working on the dam as of October 2016, with 85 per cent of the workers from B.C. Premier Christy Clark has promised to get the dam to the “point of no return,” but Horgan doesn’t believe work has advanced that far and said a BCUC review would be expedited if he wins the election.

“Christy Clark isn’t going to stop it,” Horgan told the Globe.

“I am going to send it to the (utilities commission) and if the reviews come back saying it’s not in the public interest, it won’t proceed.”

British Columbians head to the polls May 9.

According to BC Hydro’s Site C construction schedule, it expects cofferdam and river diversion tunnel construction to be ongoing at that time, along with construction of the 60-metre high earthfill dam. It expects clearing work for Highway 29 realignment in the Bear Flat in Cache Creek area to begin this month, with a road construction tender issued in the spring.

BC Hydro also expects Voith Hydro, the dam’s turbine and generators contractor, to begin construction of a temporary manufacturing facility at the dam site in March, while substation and transmission line procurements will also be underway.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017 A5

LocaL News

The Year Ahead: Northern Rockies Mayor Bill Streeper Northern Rockies Mayor Bill Streeper has a tough fight ahead of him as he faces a dwindling population unmoored by a global oil downturn, and an uphill battle with the province when it comes to rejuvenating certain economic sectors and establishing critical health services in his community.

He expects natural resources to take centre stage for northerners in the upcoming election, and will be listening carefully to what Premier Christy Clark has to say at her upcoming natural resource forum in Prince George at the end of the month.

This Q&A has been edited for length. Visit alaskahighwaynews.ca for more.

AHN: What are the biggest challenges and opportunities for the Northern Rockies in 2017?

BS: The biggest challenge is beyond our control, until the natural gas starts moving. Some agreements in forestry, or Fort Nelson will continue to be in the situation it’s in. We have been fighting with the provincial government on forestry. We’ve been trying to get some forestry rejuvenation going on, but so far it has not been successful and right now there really doesn’t look like anything promising right in the future. There’s a lot of talk going on, but no bricks and mortar.

going to be no quick solution.

And now that the population is dwindling and we don’t have the people here, they just said that they basically don’t even want to have any kind of discussion, and they’re not even willing to see what they can do help us to bring that type of medical service forward.

Our other big one is maternity, we still have no maternity ward. Still can’t have a baby here.

AHN: You will be attending the premiers natural resource forum in Prince George this year. What will be at the top of your agenda, and what will you be listening for from the premier?

BS: The two main things will be some of the things we already discussed, forestry and health. Hopefully we do hear something from the premier where she’s allowing some of the diversification of some of these services where we can start to realize that there is a northern part here, they do have people here, and we need help to get the services back here again.

And of course the big one would be is if there’s any major solid announcement, and more or less that will be when is equipment going to work on an LNG project? If that comes in, that would be the start off of a boost here.

AHN: Tourism is expected to be a big draw with the 75th anniversary of the Alaska Highway. What is the municipality doing to bolster regional tourism?

BS: There’s some talk but nothing concrete yet on a main event like the last time we had the water balloon throwing across the Alaska Highway, which went over good.

Our main thing is to have the people ready, working with the people, advertising for places to stay to help the accommodations along the highway for the tourists.

AHN: What are the top issues northerners must consider as we move into the spring provincial election?

BS: They’ve got to consider the assets we have here. If you look at where things are going right now, one of the biggest thing is resources. That’s resources when you talk about water resources, you talk about natural gas resources, about mining. We need a government there that’s going to have a solid platform where these types of activities can take place.

B.C. believe it or not is kind of a split province when you look at the north and you look at the AHN: What headway has south. But really I think a lot of been made with the health the people in the south have ministry in restoring cancer to realize where would B.C. be care services in the community, without industry and without and what can be achieved in resources? The whole Lower 2017?

Mainland, the ports, and the BS: We’ve actually gone back- transportation issues, are all rewards. The government is look- lying on the resources that are ing more at larger centralization coming from the northern part of that type of stuff. They’re try- of the province, right from the ing to centralize more of that wood industry to the mining to in the Prince George area. It’s a the natural gas industry to the fight, it’s a big fight, and there’s oil industry, even agriculture.

SToRk YeT To viSiT foRT ST. JoHN fort St. John was still waiting for its first baby of 2017 to make an appearance as of press time Tuesday. However, New Year’s babies were born in several other communities within the Northern Health Authority.

The Peace Region’s New Year’s baby was a girl. Jianne Grace Jibin was born at the Dawson Creek and District Hospital at 4 p.m. on Jan.1 to Anumol Aloysius and Jibin Chako (above), weighing nine pounds, four ounces. Jianne is the couple’s first child.

The first baby born in Northern B.C. was a girl, Alma elvira Baerg, at the University Hospital of Northern BC in Prince George at 1:55 a.m. on Jan. 1. She was born via water birth with the help of a midwife.

Quesnel also had a girl for its New Year’s baby. Ava Bethany Boyd was born at GR Baker Memorial Hospital at 11:40 p.m. on Jan. 1 to Michelle and Jonathan Boyd of Quesnel, weighing in at eight pounds, three ounces.

Prince Rupert’s first baby of 2017 was a boy named Dallin to parents Shayne Ward and Tyler Morrison at 11:06 a.m. on Jan. 1. He weighed in at seven pounds, 11 ounces. vanderhoof’s New Year’s baby was also a boy, who was born at St. John Hospital on Jan. 1 at 7:23 p.m. to kayla and Jordaine Weber of fraser Lake, weighing in at six pounds, 15 ounces.

Property values tumble as 2017 assessments mailed out matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

While most homeowners in Northern B.C. can expect to see their property values increase this year, some in Fort St. John, Taylor, and the Northern Rockies will see a drop of up to 50 per cent.

BC Assessment says northerners can expect their 2017 assessment notices in the mail this week. Homeowners in Fort St. John and Taylor will see decreases of around five per cent, while homeowners in the Northern Rockies can expect a drop in the area of 50 per cent, the agency says.

“The majority of residential

home owners within the region can expect a slight increase, compared to last year’s assessment,” Deputy Assessor David Keough said. “Most home owners in the Northern BC region will see changes in the 0 to plus-10 per cent range.”

The property assessments are based on market values of July 1, 2016, and are used to calculate municipal property taxes.

Assessments for the average single-family home in Fort St. John dropped from $404,000 to $387,000 year-over year.

In Taylor, the same assessment dropped from $356,000 to $337,000, and the average home in Fort Nelson plummeted from $265,000 to $179,000.

Meanwhile, homeowners in Hudson’s Hope saw average assessments rise from $198,000 to $199,000 year-over-year.

Total assessments in Northern B.C. increased by more than $1 billion last year from $59.2 billion in 2016 to $60.3 billion for 2017.

Despite the drop in Fort St. John, the city still has top-four highest valued residential properties in 2017, from an acreage at 7516 259 Road with a taxable value of $2.7 million, to an acreage at 11335 86 Street with a taxable value of $1.9 million.

Property owners have until Jan. 31 to file an appeal of their assessment. For more, visit bcassessment.ca or call 1-866-825-8322.

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Opinion

contact US Matt PreProSt 250-785-5631 editor@ahnfsj.ca

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FSJ citizen a holiday hero

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I wanted to tell you of the kind actions by one of your citizens of Fort St. John. He was gassing up on an icy Alberta hi-way gas station when he and his family happened upon my son and I struggling to change a tire that got slashed because of a curb I hit at the gas station. He could have ignored us and carried on his way, but he chose to stop and lend a hand instead. It meant laying in the slush and ice as he jacked up my car. I am so very grateful for his help. I didn’t get his name, but I hope he reads this paper and knows how grateful I am.

—Vicky Renaud, Airdrie

WHAt’S youR oPiNioN? Send your letters to: editor@ahnfsj.ca Please put “Letter to the Editor” in the subject line. All letters must be accompanied by a daytime phone number (for verification purposes only) and your full name.

We reserve the right to edit letters for length, taste, accuracy and libel.

Please keep letters under 600 words. We ask that submissions protest the policy - not the person.

Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect those of the Alaska Highway News.

NAtioNAL NEWSMEDiA CouNCiL The Alaska Highway News is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour.

If you have concerns about editorial content, please let us know first. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

CoPyRiGHt AND LEGAL NotiCES The Alaska Highway News retains sole copyright of advertising, news stories and photography produced by staff.

Copyright of letters and other materials submitted to the Editor and accepted for publication remain with the author, but the Publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms.

Reproduction is prohibited without written consent of the publisher.

Second class mail registration No. 0167

KeeP UP the Good WritinG I simply had to write in and add my voice to what I’m sure is an ever growing pocket of new readers of your publication. I feel it’s necessary, in fact I feel a bit compelled

even, to share with you that as someone that doesn’t find much reason to read about current events in sports, I sure have been consuming a lot of sports articles lately since Scott Donovan started reporting for you. I’ve read one or two other pieces by this writer that were not sports related, and he simply kills it. This is the kind of work that I feel great sharing with those I’m connected with.

It’s exciting. It’s vivid, brave. It grips you until it’s done.

There’s something about the flare and unforgiving use of actionable phrases and terminology that keeps me locked in as a reader until the end of the story. I find myself looking forward to the next story or publication.

I just wanted to reach out and support you guys and your continued pooling and coaching of great talent and the pushing out of fantastic written work. I’m a written word kind of guy; I’m reading all day, every day. I always gravitate towards work that is immediately noticeable as impassioned, stuffed

with emotion. So much material out there is, well just simply mediocre, at best, and it all has me constantly questioning why some people even get into writing in the first place.

So keep up the great work! You can be sure that I’ll be keenly following along with your publication and sharing it with others.

—Steve Wolfe, Prince George a neW year’S Goal My goals are to continue to keep growing as a writer. My hope would be for the nations to find peace,but lets remember peace begins with both you and me.

—Robin Gibson, via Facebook Got something to say about a hot button issue? Send us a Letter to the Editor. Email editor@ahnfsj.ca or fill out the form on our website, alaskahighwaynews.ca

Poor decisions haven’t helped our energy economy

I

opened up the Dec. 29 print edition of the Alaska Highway News to page A6 and A7 and read with interest a variety of articles and letters. I feel they show the divide in our community and country on how our society should proceed with energy and resource extraction decisions. Here is a brief summary of those articles: First, there was a Letter to the Editor asking why we are not using our own natural gas to generate electricity when needed, instead of flooding the Peace River valley with all the associated harms that would cause.

Then Senator Richard Neufeld reported on how they are tasked with looking into the costs and impacts to Canadians in order to follow the Trudeau government’s target for Canada to reduce our emissions by 30 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030. He goes on to state: “While there is no consensus among the witnesses we’ve met, one thing is certain: the targets are very ambitious, nearly impossible to meet without harmfully impacting the economy and digging deep into Fred and Martha’s pockets—your average Canadians.”

Next, there was the regular “Watts’s Happening” column from Don Pettit where he highlights the ongoing growth and cost competitiveness of renewables, including this statement: “This past year saw global investment in new renewable energy infrastructure exceed investment in new fossil infrastructure for the first time in history.

This is not a one-time event, but a clear and obvious trend. Investment in fossils is falling. Investment in renewables is climbing.”

Finally, there was a photo with the following caption: “FSJ for LNG only had one thing on its wish list this year: A final investment decision from Petronas on Pacific Northwest LNG. The group was down at the Pomeroy Sport Centre on Dec 23 with signs

to send a message to the company that the LNG project should move forward.”

There are obviously different agendas being discussed here. However, our atmosphere has now reached 400 ppm of carbon and continues to increase. In light of climate change and the impacts that will have, we are long overdue to get serious about actually making the transition to renewables. We really have no choice, and in every aspect, the sooner we do it the better.

There is no denying that our current economy is very linked to fossil fuels, and there will be a fossil fuel industry for many generations yet. However, we need to make wiser use of our fossil fuels while reducing the amount we use. We simply cannot afford to expand the consumption of fossil fuels.

Unfortunately, due mainly to poor government decisions, the past 100-plus years of fossil fuel industry has not left us with a “pot of money” to help make the transition in this country. The oil companies have become the richest corporations in the world thanks in part to being subsidized with ridiculously low royalties for “our” resources.

So the theory that further expansion of fossil fuel extraction for the export market will now finance the transition to renewables is not realistic, and time has run out for that anyway. In a way, we are like junkies hooked on a drug, and the solution is not to increase the dosage.

Our only option is to just start making the tough choices and making the switch where possible. We all have a role to play here.

From the UN, to all levels of government, right down to our own personal consumption decisions.

Of course there will be many challenges and some sectors of our economy will suffer, but there is an exciting and vibrant green and clean economy out there with

jobs that oil and gas companies and others can transition to.

Advances in technology and innovation and the opportunities they present are very exciting. The lowest hanging fruit is still energy conservation with increased efficiencies and retrofits, which just so happens to provide high levels of local employment.

Just imagine if we embraced this challenge just as Canada took on the challenge of the Second World War. One issue of note is that we should not pretend to pursue “clean” sources of energy that come at social, environmental or economic cost that are too great. I speak, of course, about the Site C dam. Even if Site C was truly clean, why would we want to destroy our best local market garden capable farmland that will be our food security hedge against the effects of climate change, for power we do not even need? This is especially true since there are green, clean and cheaper alternatives now available.

Due partly to no market in sight for Site C power, Christy Clark is now trying to electrify various sectors of the oil and gas industry both here and in Alberta with publicly subsidized expensive transmission lines and power to supposedly make them “the cleanest in the world.” Perhaps this is payback to her supporters, or a short sighted quest for jobs, but at best this is delusional. When looked at realistically from 30,000 feet, it doesn’t make any sense. Let’s quit barking up the wrong tree and move in the direction we need to go.

On May 9, let’s vote for those who have the vision and will to do this, and get rid of the dinosaurs.

Ken Boon is president of the Peace Valley Landowner Association.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017 a7

LocaL News

Tapping into the talent of the community AleishA hendry ahendry@ahnfsj.ca

The well of talent in Fort St. John runs deep, and one local woman has been tapping into that source to entertain seniors in the community.

Denise Cornet-Cooper has been running Tapping Into Talent for nearly three years, and shows no sign of slowing down as the group continues to grow.

“It’s amazing how much talent there is here, “ she said.

Cornet-Cooper was inspired to start the group for a couple of reasons.

Her daughter had been in the hospital for a period of time when she was younger, and the highlight of their day was when performers would come in and entertain the patients.

“It was something that we really looked forward to (during that time),” she said.

Cornet-Cooper also used to volunteer with seniors when she was a kid and found it was a good experience for her, one that she wanted to instill in her

daughter.

From there, the Tapping Into Talent group was created.

Shows are held monthly from September to June at the Fort St. John Senior’s Hall, and feature a variety of acts from a wide range of ages—from four years old to 86, says Cornet-Cooper.

They’ve had musicians playing the piano, guitar, the violin and the mandolin, from kids just learning their instrument to professional musicians like Twin Peaks performing for the seniors.

They’ve had dancers of pretty much every style imaginable, from ballet and tap, to jazz and bellydancing.

Cornet-Cooper is always on the lookout for more acts to bring to the show.

“I’ve yet to find a comedian, but I will find one some day,” said Cornet-Cooper, who is open to any kind of family-friendly talent being part of the show.

Cornet-Cooper says the audience is very appreciative of the performances.

She says she had a woman come up to

LittLe inuk PhotograPhy

Seniors get to visit with Santa Claus at the recent Tapping Into Talent show at the Fort St. John Senior’s Hall.

her after their most recent show with tears in her eyes because watching a group of young ballet dancers brought her back to when she herself was a ballet dancer.

They’ve even had a few seniors decided to get back into their own musical talents to perform in the show.

The Tapping Into Talent shows are beneficial not only to the seniors, but also

for some of the performers themselves.

“We’ve seen so many kids where their self-esteem is really low or they’re very shy—even adults—and by the end of the show we see different people emerging, it’s great,” she said.

The next Tapping Into Talent show takes place Jan. 15, 2017. For information, call 250-263-1492 or email dazoo@xplorenet.com

Taylor had busy year, looking forward to 2017 H

appy New Year everybody! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and holiday break.

Coleen and I had a great time at my father’s home in Newburgh, Ont. The drive out there was very nice with sunny skies for the entire trip, although it was extremely cold. It’s always great to spend the holidays with family but just as great to be back home in Taylor.

December marked the halfway point in our term of office. It is incredible to think it has been two years already.

There has been some turmoil and some change, but overall council and I believe we have been working with staff to move our community in the right direction. We have welcomed some new staff, moved some staff around and created a couple of positions that were needed to deal with the increasing workload.

District of Taylor Mayor Rob Fraser speaks at the Northeast B.C. Resource Municipalities Coalition’s fall forum.

We also completed Phase 2 of the Pine Avenue sewer project and initiated the sidewalk completion plan. In 2017, we will open the Community Services Service Hub at the community hall, continue with the sidewalk

completion plan and work on plans for a new subdivision.

Council is also looking forward to working with staff to continue the enhancement of customer service for everyone who interacts with us. To this

ment. The staffs in the District and City deserve all the credit for all the hard work required to pull an event like this off.

2017 is the 150th anniversary of Canadian confederation and the 75th anniversary of the Alaska Highway. There are many events planned for these events around the region. It should be a fun year. The District is planning a few events as well, so stay tuned for more.

One of the events I am looking forward to is the unveiling of the refurbished canoe at the Visitor Information Center.

Remember to renew or pick up your new dog licenses in January.

Coleen and I wish everyone a safe, healthy and prosperous 2017.

Rob Fraser is the Mayor of the District of Taylor.

Thank You

wINDINg DowN 2016

North Peace Seniors Housing Society would like to thank the generous support of the community this Christmas. The North Peace Seniors Housing Society is a Charitable, Not for Profit organization that provides safe, secure and affordable housing to seniors in our community.

Several companies along with many individuals donated gifts and groceries to the seniors in our apartment buildings; and as well, several community groups and schools came to sing Christmas Carols to our tenants.

aLeisha hendry Photo

Chris and Jennifer Nowell do a cool down lap at the Northern Vac walking Track at the Pomeroy Sport Centre on Dec. 31.

Coming Soon:

end, we are planning to do a business walk in January to help us re-establish with our business community.

In December, the District hosted the Fall Forum for the Northeast BC Resource Municipalities Coalition. The intent of the forum was to bring people and groups together who are interested in the responsible development of resources in our region and the province. We had hoped that the collection of people and ideas would inform our collaborative advocacy for our region.

I am pleased to report that the forum was a success. The presentations and discussion panels were extremely informative. The Coalition will continue to advocate for GST reform legislation, cumulative impact planning and will start work on a new ”Charter” for responsible resource develop-

First, we would like to thank TCL, Macro Industries, Tracker Contracting, CNRL, Shell Canada, Bobbie McCarthy and Dawn Shipalesky who have donated gifts and groceries for our tenants over the past 3 years.

Thank you to Painted Pony for donating boxes of food to us for the annual Christmas Dinner for our tenants that were alone over the holidays; and to Alaska Avenue Dental for the wonderful gift baskets for some of our tenants.

We would also like to thank all the community businesses that provided us financial donations over this past year; to help us not only in the completion of our Apartment #4, but also to support us in replenishing funds for more future developments of much needed seniors housing.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Staff and tenants of North Peace Seniors Housing Society, we hope that you and your families had a wonderful holiday season and wish you all the best for 2017.

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Fort St. John McDonald’s owner Brian Boresky and Mayor Lori Ackerman chat about the restaurant’s new Playland, the largest in Canada.

Bryan Boresky says he wasn’t forced to go as big as he did when redesigning his McDonald’s restaurant as part of the company’s 2017 rebranding.

While some of the new elements were part and parcel with the changes, Boresky went big when custom -designing his indoor Playland—a 950 square-foot space made with Swedish pine and recycled rubber tires that just so happens to be the largest of its kind for McDonald’s restaurants across Canada, and the second-largest in North America.

McDonald’s executives will be in Fort St. John when Boresky formally hosts grand opening ceremonies Jan. 13 to 15.

“We’re a young, family-oriented town,” Boresky said last month during a sneak peek tour.

“A lot of growing kids, a lot of families, young, cold temperatures. This is something for kids to do in the winter months.

“This is where you really get a workout,” he added.

Trevor Zahara, president of Peak Play Environments, said the structure is the most elaborate in his 30-year career of building and designing playgrounds.

The play environment has a capacity for 160 kids, and is “jammed tight with activities in every square inch,” Zahara said from ropes to tires, tube slides to pogo sticks, and more.

“We wanted to equally balance out the play opportunities throughout the age

spectrum,” he said.

“We have toddler play, something for really young children right down at 18 months when they’re walking, they can feel comfortable in these cartoon shapes, getting to a little bit older where they can go up and climb and experience at lower elevations then they can get up and really physically challenge themselves with gross motor skill, upper body strength challenges.”

The new play structure is part of McDonald’s “evolution” into table service, kiosk ordering featuring customizable burgers with 30 ingredients, and guest experience leaders that Boresky said are there to guide customers through the transition and heighten their experience eating at the restaurant.

“People’s eating habits are changing, expectations are changing, its more competitive in the marketplace,” he said.

“We need to change too… if we didn’t transform and evolve, we would lose our market share.”

Mayor Lori Ackerman, who was on hand for an exclusive tour, said that as a consumer, she wouldn’t have noticed all the new elements of the restaurant in a single visit.

“This is remarkable,” she said.

“To be able to have that range of activities for different ages of the kids, be able to come in and order the meal while you can see your kids running around here, and sit down and have it delivered to you, the moms are going to appreciate it… having been there, done that.”

Colban needs new wheels aleisha hendry ahendry@ahnfsj.ca

A local family is in need after an accident caused them to lose their son’s special wheelchair.

Six-year-old Colban Sorin has Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis. The condition occurs when antibodies produced by the body’s own immune system attack NMDA receptors in the brain. These receptors are proteins that control electrical impulses in the brain and are critical for judgment, perception of reality, human interac-

tion, the formation and retrieval of memory, and the control of unconscious activities, such as breathing and swallowing.

Colban has a special stroller type wheelchair to help him get around, but that chair was in the family’s van when it was hit by another vehicle and damaged.

Family and friends have started a Facebook Group, Colbans New Wheels, to help raise funds to replace the chair as well as the van that was written off.

Visit the Facebook page to find out how you can help.

all the latest Read the News,ForWeather, Sports & Upcoming Events!!!

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017 A9

2016 YEAR IN REVIEW JONNY WAKEFIELD reporter@dcdn.ca

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR

W

e continue our 2016 Year In Review this week, guiding you through the top news stories from July to December.

The last half of the year was marked by brighter economic news including federal approval of Pacific NorthWest LNG, and Conuma Coal’s rescue of Walter Energy’s shuttered mines.

It also saw North Peace MLA Pat Pimm step down from the BC Liberal caucus after an assault charge; movement on a proposed fourth dam for the Peace River; the release of a police watchdog report into the fatal police shooting of a Site C protester, as well as the release of an Amnesty International report into the impacts of resource development on Indigenous communities and women in Northeast B.C., and much more.

Of course, we’ve added some more of our best and favourite photos from the year in the mix, too.

For the newshounds out there in the community, go online to alaskahighwaynews. ca/2016-peace-region-newsquiz-1.4769217 to test how well you were paying attention to the news over the last year.

—AHN

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ZOË DUCKLOW PHOTO

The 11th annual Paddle for the Peace took on a new political urgency in July as federal Green Party leader Elizabeth May participated and called for Prime Minister Justic Trudeau to seek new advice on the Site C dam.

MOVE IN NOW!

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Canada, and a leading cause of disability.

FAST, highlights that the quicker you act, the more of the person you save.

FAST: Face – is it drooping? Arms – can you raise both? Speech – is it slurred or jumbled?

And Time, to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency service right away.

Not enough Canadians recognize the signs of stroke and know what to do. Stroke is the number three killer of Canadians, and one of the leading causes of disability. There are an estimated 62,000 strokes in Canada each year; that is one every nine minutes. Yet, more than 80 per cent of Canadians who have a stroke and make it to the hospital will survive, with varying degrees of recovery. www.heartandstroke.ca

JULY ALLEGED MOOSE RIDERS CHARGED

In lieu of cards/gifts this holiday season, this ad is donated on behalf of NorthEast BC Realty’s clients, suppliers and Ron & Theresa Rodgers

Two men filmed riding a moose in a Northeast B.C. lake were charged this month after months of investigation by the CO Service.

Information is not intended to solicit properties already listed for sale/lease, or buyers already under contract. Information is believed to be accurate but not guaranteed and should be verified.

10220 101 Ave Fort St John BC V1J 2B5 www.NEBCRealty.com

©2016

13-YEAR-OLD ARRESTED DRIVING TRACTOR TRAILER Probably one of our mostread police blotter stories this year: a 13-year-old was arrested behind the wheel of a tractor trailer after driving it all the way from Chetwynd.

CONTINUED ON A10

ALEISHA HENDRY PHOTO

The Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society, Salvation Army, Fort St. John Friendship Centre and NEAT put on a ‘shoe showcase’ to demonstrate just how many people were using food bank services during the month of June in the community on Aug. 16. There were 689 pairs of shoes in the park at 100th and 100th.

Conuma Coal restarts idled Wolverine mine NELSON BENNETT nbennett@biv.com

It will be a happy new year for more than 200 unemployed coal miners in the Peace River region when the new owners of the Wolverine mine near Tumbler Ridge start producing steelmaking coal again January 2, 2017.

Conuma Coal Resources Ltd., which restarted the Brule mine near Chetwynd in September 2016, has begun hiring back miners in anticipation of the restart. It is one of three idled steelmaking coalmines that Conuma bought last year from Walter Energy, which went bankrupt as a result of a prolonged coal price crash.

Last fall, Conuma put 170 coal miners back to work at the Brule mine. The company is now busy hiring back another 220 miners at the Wolverine mine.

“Restarting the Wolverine Mine is tremendous news for families living in and around Tumbler Ridge,” Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett said in a press release. “This mine will create approximately 220 new good-paying jobs in the region, on top of the 170 jobs created when Conuma Coal reopened Brule Mine in September. The restart of these two mines is a significant boost to the economy in the Peace Region.”

“The opening of the Wolverine Mine by Conuma Coal is the best Christmas present Tumbler Ridge could have asked for,” said Tumbler Ridge Mayor Don McPherson. “We have had a

tough three years, and this will put people back to work and improve our economic outlook.”

Conuma Coal is hoping to restart the third mine it acquired – Willow Creek near Chetwynd – in the summer of 2017. When in full operation, the three mines would employ a total of 660 people.

A steep and prolonged drop in coking coal prices – from US$300 per tonne in 2011 to below US$80 per tonne in 2015 – bankrupted a number of American coal companies, including Walter Energy, and resulted in a number mine closures. Anglo American PLC also shuttered its metallurgical coal mine near Tumbler Ridge in 2014. The three former Walter Energy mines in Tumbler Ridge and Chetwynd were idled between 2014 and 2015.

In mid-August, the BC Supreme Court approved the bankruptcy sale of Walter Energy’s three B.C. mines to a new company headed by U.S. environmentalist Tom Clarke. Clarke has been behind a number of recent coal mine acquisitions in the U.S., where the mines are being restarted and production bundled with carbon offsets and reforestation.

Conuma is a Canadian company, but its owners also own West Virginia’s ERP Compliant Fuels, which has been buying up both thermal and steelmaking coal mines from bankrupt companies in the U.S. Metallurgical coal is B.C.’s second most valuable export, next to lumber.

—Business in Vancouver

E V SA

We’ve Got Your Weekly News When You Need It! Phone: 250-785-5631

A10 THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017

2016 YEAR IN REVIEW JULY YEAR IN REVIEW CONTINUED FROM A9

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR

LNG CANADA DELAY A BLOW TO REGION

up about the bleak state of B.C. Wildlife and her decision to leave the business for good.

SEPTEMBER

In a blow to the region’s nascent liquefied natural gas industry, the Shell-backed project announced it was placing its final investment decision on hold.

GROUNDWATER STUDY RAISES QUESTIONS Regulators say Northeast B.C.’s groundwater has never been contaminated by oil and gas activity, but a regional district study released this month suggested we don’t have the data to say that definitively.

SITE C SEEKS LIQUOR PERMIT BC Hydro was seeking a liquor licence for its Site C worker camp this month—likely the province’s most exclusive drinking establishment.

FOOD SECURITY WORSE IN NORTHERN B.C.

ENCANA HUB SEES PUSHBACK

A study found families in Northern B.C. face higher levels of food insecurity than in other parts of the province.

Northeast B.C.’s rates of food insecurity were especially high, despite the fact the data used in the study preceded the oil and gas downturn—which has led to major shortages at local food banks.

Tomslake residents held a protest against a proposed Encana natural gas liquids facility this month, which was eventually allowed to move forward by the regional district. The project’s opponents included members of the Ludwig family.

MCINTYRE REMEMBERED AS QUIET MAN, MODEL TRAIN LOVER

FORT NELSON STRUGGLES TO MAKE CLASS LISTS

A man shot after refusing to drop a knife outside a Site C open house was remembered as a quiet man, environmentalist and model train lover one year after his death.

COUNCILLOR’S TRUMP HAT TURNS HEADS

BYRON HACKETT PHOTO

Cooper Wilms (left) and Taryn Dachuk battle for a loose puck during a drill at the Fort St. John Huskies training camp Aug. 27 at the Pomeroy Sport Centre. The Huskies were in a tough spot this season, looking to replace four of their top five scorers. The team sits fifth in NWJHL standings with a record of 12-9-0-2. The return to action Friday, Jan. 6, hosting the Country of Grande Prairie JDA Kings at the North Peace Arena.

cut down trees outside Fort St. John’s Totem Mall. $6-MILLION MANSION LISTED IN FORT ST. JOHN

Laconic Dawson Creek councillor Terry McFadyen turned heads this summer when he wore a Donald Trump hat to a council meeting. He declined to say whether he supported the future president-elect, saying only that the hat was a “conversation piece.”

WHAT’S THE PLAN B IF LNG FAILS?

That’s one heck of a piece of real estate. In July, a $6 million mansion near Fort St. John was put on the market.

TRUDEAU GOVERNMENT OKS SITE C FISHERIES PERMITS Site C opponents had hoped incoming PM Justin Trudeau would take a different tack on the controversial dam project than his predecessor. They were mistaken. In July, the federal fisheries ministry quietly issued permits allowing dam construction to continue.

While federal decisions on Pacific NorthWest LNG and Woodfibre’s positive investment decision provided some light at the end of the tunnel, it was a bleak summer for B.C.’s LNG ambitions. Local leaders started looking for a Plan B for Northeast B.C.’s gas this month.

AUGUST

BOUNTY FOR FSJ MALL VANDALS

HOUSING STARTS HIT BOTTOM

An outraged city councillor was offering a reward for information on vandals who

The oil downturn made its presence known on the Peace Region housing market this

year. According to the latest stats, housing starts were at or near 25-year lows in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek.

BIOMASS PLANT FOR KWADACHA CLOSER TO REALITY The Kwadacha First Nation was stranded on the far side of the Williston Reservoir by the W.A.C. Bennett Dam. In a cruel irony, the community continued to lack access to power from the hydroelectric project, forcing them to use expensive generators. This year, Kwadacha took a step closer to reducing their dependence on diesel with the approval of a biomass plant.

PIMM STEPS AWAY FROM LIBERAL CAUCUS With less than a year to go in his term as Peace River North MLA, Pat Pimm announced Aug. 15 he was stepping away from the B.C. Liberal caucus after facing legal unspecified allegations. In the coming days, it became clear why: Pimm had

SPECIAL DELIVERY...

been charged with assault after an incident in Dawson Creek.

Pimm had been at the Dawson Creek rodeo to announce a Site C agriculture fund, though the details of what happened are covered by a court-ordered publication ban. A special prosecutor has been appointed to bring the case against Pimm.

He is set to enter a plea in early January after months of delayed arraignment hearings.

CITY REIMBURSES ENCANA FOR B.C. LIB FUNDRAISER The City of Dawson Creek opted to reimburse Encana Corp. around $1,000 after Mayor Dale Bumstead attended a B.C. Liberal party dinner on the company’s guest list.

FAMED WILDLIFE DOCTOR LEONA GREEN HANGS UP HER HAT For decades, Leona Green was a renowned wildlife doctor, ministering to bears, moose, elk and all manner of creatures on her farm outside Dawson Creek. In August, she opened

It was a rough year for Fort Nelson—the community hardest hit by the oil and gas downturn. The region has lost hundreds of people since the industry took a nosedive, and local schools were having a hard time figuring out enrolments due to steep declines.

ENCANA EXPLOSION HALTS WORK Work was temporarily halted at Encana’s Water Resource hub near Dawson Creek after an explosion on site injured an employee. It’s still unclear what happened—WorkSafeBC has yet to issue its report—but the incident is not being investigated as criminal.

FEDERAL COURT HEARING ON SITE C IN MONTREAL Site C opponents were in Montreal this month for a federal court hearing on the controversial dam project.

The judge has yet to release a decision on the case, which challenged the dam’s impact on treaty rights. A few days later, a court challenge from a landowners group was dismissed in another win for BC Hydro.

CONTINUED ON A11

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR

Drop off or m ail yo ur FRE E b anno unce irth The A ment to: laska High 9916 way New -98 S s, John t., Fort S t.

V1J 3 T8 or em comp ail: os ahnf e@ sj.ca

IRL! It’s a G QUINN DY KENNECOX : Parents d a an Amand Cox Dennie eight: W Baby’s 10oz 6lbs 9.5” 1 th Leng : , 2016 Nov. 13 ohn, BC J Fort St.

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

Vendla and Bill Thompson were honoured at Pioneers of the Year at the North Peace Fall Fair. The couple moved from Saskatchewan to Rose Prairie to homestead and farm in 1964.

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PHOTOS OF THE YEAR

Fort St. John Hospital Foundation Baby Bouquet Wall This is a wonderful way for family and friends to acknowledge these special miracles

ated in the t Wall is loc re Baby Bouque Hospital Birthing Cent hn Fort St. Jo

Your minimum donation of $125 to the FSJ Hospital Foundation will not only purchase a flower petal, but the money raised will also go towards much needed medical equipment that will help to provide the best healthcare and service possible.

Ph: 250.261.7563 | email: fsjhf@northernhealth.ca

www.fsjhospitalfoundation.ca

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

Fort St. John for LNG supporters celebrate federal approval of Pacific NorthWest LNG at the Lakepoint Golf and Country Club on Friday, Sept. 30.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017 A11

2016 YEAR IN REVIEW SEPTEMBER YEAR IN REVIEW CONTINUED FROM A10

PACIFIC NORTHWEST LNG APPROVED

2016 A GREAT YEAR FOR BEEKEEPERS

One of the year’s biggest headlines: after months of delay, the Trudeau government approved Pacific NorthWest LNG in its first major energy policy decision. It’s still unclear whether the project will be built—it faces a tough market and opposition from First Nations groups— but the news was greeted with relief in Fort St. John. Progress Energy, the project’s upstream supplier, slashed its drilling program this year as it waited for a decision on the project, creating hardship for many in the region’s oil and gas industry.

The rain this summer was bad news for farmers, many of whom had crops in the field when the snow hit. But for beekeepers, it was one of the best years on record. Hives in the Dawson Creek area were extremely productive thanks to the rain, which made for abundant forage for honeybees in the region.

YVR’S HOT HOUSING MARKET MINIMIZES RESOURCE IMPORTANCE Probably a first: according to a fiscal update from the province, B.C.’s tax on home sales was generating almost as much as the entire resource sector.

SITE C OPPONENTS FACE LAST HARVEST Ken and Arlene Boon, two of the most vocal critics of the Site C dam, received notice they would be expropriated from their land to make way for Highway 29 realignment if they didn’t reach a deal with BC Hydro.

CONUMA COAL BUYS TUMBLER RIDGE MINES This fall, the West Virginia Baptist coalmen at Conuma Coal acquired Walter Energy’s bankrupt properties near Tumbler Ridge and brought them back online at record speed. It was a bit of good news for the hard hit mining town, which lost its last mines in 2015.

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR

SEARCH FOR DENNY CONTINUES Six months after he disappeared from a roadside outside Dawson Creek en route to Fort St. John, family and friends of Denny Poole were still looking for answers.

OCTOBER

ALEISHA HENDRY PHOTO

Judy Maas, a former Treaty 8 tribal chief, outlines the challenges facing First Nations during Amnesty International’s public forum on resource development in Northeast B.C. and its impact on local indigenous peoples.

SITE C RAMP UP EXPECTED AFTER HYDRO SEEKS OK TO CLEAR FOR RESERVOIR

BRULE MINE BACK IN BUSINESS How long does it take to turn around an idle coal mine? About a month, if everything goes right. Turns out, everything did go right for Conuma Coal, which acquired Walter Energy’s bankrupt mines around Tumbler Ridge and Chetwynd earlier this fall.

By October, crews were back pulling coal at the Brule Mine, and Tumbler Ridge breathed a sigh of relief.

BC Hydro was set to begin a major Site C construction ramp up after seeking a permit to clear 1,200 hectares of forest and vegetation from the Peace River Valley. The clearing will be around three times the size of Vancouver’s Stanley Park.

LANDOWNERS SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS OVER DELINQUENT TAX NOTICES Rural landowners in the

Want to learn more about Rotary?

South Peace were caught between bankrupt oil and gas companies and their creditors, according to the Dawson Creek Farmers’ Advocacy Office. A number of landowners with oil and gas wells on their properties were receiving overdue tax notices, when in fact it was the oil company that owed the government.

The finance ministry later issued a statement assuring landowners they were not on the hook.

PIMM CALLS SITE C LAND TRANSFERS AN ‘INSULT’ TO ‘NON-FIRST NATIONS

POPULATION’ MLA Pat Pimm appeared before the Peace River Regional District this month and gave a strongly-worded presentation on the B.C. Liberal government’s handling of Crown land transfers to Site C-affected First Nations.

Pimm, an independent MLA since he was charged with assault over the summer, said the government was not behaving transparently in its dealings with First Nations.

CONTINUED ON A13

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS AUCTION

• • • • • • • • •

Join Us!

We would like to extend our sincere “Thanks” and “Best WIshes” to the following companies who have contributed to our Silent Auction this year. Because of you, $5,000 will be going to the Salvation Army in Fort St. John.

Autographics Trim & Signs • Mac Tools Butler Farm Equipment Ltd • NAPA Auto Parts - Accro Canadian Helicopters Ltd Auto Parts Inc. Fort Motors • Northern Air Charter Inland Kenworth • Northern Auto Electric Ltd Kal Tire • Northern Metalic Hose and Liebherr Canada Rigging Strongco • Northern Metalic Sales AAA Safety • Pat’s Auto Supply

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LaPrairie would also like to thank all of their employees and guests.

Club of Dawson Creek

Tuesdays at NOON at the George Dawson Inn or

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A12 THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017

“Get The Good Stuff” 250-785-0463

9224 - 100th Street

2016/17

NHL GREAT CANADIAN

HOCKEY TOUR ENTRY DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JAN. 13 @ 5PM. DRAW AT THE LIDO SUNDAY, JAN 15 @ 6PM. Doors open @ 5PM

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R0011297515

PICTURE FRAMING Sale Ends Nov. 30

9422 - 100 St 250.785.9099

If you don’t think you can have GREAT FOOD and GREAT TIMES in Charlie Lake... well then, you don’t know Jack!

Always Proud To Support Our Community!

8424 Alaska Road North, Fort St. John, BC Phone: 250-787-5220 1-877-787-5220 www.fortcitychrysler.ca

Mile 52, Alaska Highway (12984 Jackfish Frontage), Charlie Lake, BC

250-785-3233

Hours of Operation: Open 7 Days a Week @ 11am

WHO WOULD YOU BRING?

7

CITIES

One lucky winner will win: 2 tickets/1 hotel for 12 nights and airfare.

Must be 19 years or older to enter. See complete details at retailers.

Thursday, February 2, 2017 Sunday, February 5, 2017 Tuesday, February 7, 2017 Thursday, February 9, 2017 Friday, February 10, 2017 Saturday, February 11, 2017 Monday, February 13, 2017

San Jose @ Vancouver Edmonton @ Montreal Dallas @ Toronto Dallas @ Ottawa Chicago @ Winnipeg Chicago @ Edmonton Arizona @ Calgary congratulations to the

SEMI-FINALISTS

Drop off entry form at one of the participating businesses NAME:___________________________ AGE:__________________

ADDRESS:___________________________ PHONE #: ___________________ CELL#_______________________

MUST BE 19 OR OLDER

Week 1 - James Ibbitson Week 2 - Doug Peck Week 3 -Reza Alvari Week 4 - Georg Friedrich Week 5 - Robert Zibauer Week 6 - Kayne Shallow Week 7 - Cory Massee Week 8 - Andrew Seaward Week 9 - Kevan Barrette Week 10 - Paul Green Week 11 - Adam Horst Week 12 - Tom Merwin Week 13 - Chris Pedersen

Week 14 - Barry McWhinnie Week 15 - Wally Miedema Week 16 - Harry Danshin

GoodYear DURATRAC

ON/OFF-ROAD LIGHT TRUCK/SUV TIRES http://www.canadiantire.ca/tires Best Warranty in the industry!

250-787-1142 | 9820 93rd Avenue, Fort St. John, BC V1J 6J8

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017 A13

2016 YEAR IN REVIEW OCTOBER YEAR IN REVIEW CONTINUED FROM A11

DEVELOPMENT, INDIGENOUS WOMEN

HYDRO OFFICIALLY OPENS SITE C WORKER CAMP

Human rights organization Amnesty International delivered its report on how resource development impacts indigenous women and girls this month at an emotional townhall meeting in Fort St. John.

COMPANY MOVES FORWARD WITH FOURTH PEACE RIVER DAM Site C isn’t the only dam proposed on the Peace River. The company behind the Amisk Hydro project said it was still looking into building the small generating facility on the Peace near Dunvegan, Alta.

RESIDENT BLAMES SITE C FOR SHIFTING HILLSIDE A man who lives downstream from the Site C work site said construction vibrations were damaging his home, but BC Hydro and Peace River Regional District officials pinned the blame on an unpermitted addition.

AIR AMBULANCE AGREEMENT AIMS TO CUT WAIT TIMES After a year of horror stories about delayed air ambulance flights, BC Emergency Health Services reached a deal with an air charter service to get patients to big city hospitals faster.

It was a slow year for the B.C. oilpatch, and according to one forecaster, 2017 won’t be much better. The Petroleum Services Association of Canada released its annual drilling forecast in November.

Based on its assessment, 280 oil and gas wells will be drilled in B.C. in 2017, down from 320 this year.

WOODFIBRE PULLS TRIGGER ON FIRST B.C. LNG PROJECT

It was a rough year for Peace Region farmers. Many didn’t get their crops off before the early snow after being delayed by the rainy summer. While the situation wasn’t as bad as in Alberta, where some counties declared states of agricultural emergency, many farmers were looking at big losses.

NOVEMBER

COP IN MCINTYRE SHOOTING CLEARED OF WRONGDOING

SAULTEAU SCHOLAR RECOGNIZED FOR LEGAL CONTRIBUTIONS Val Napoleon, a member of Saulteau First Nations, was named Indigenous Peoples’ Counsel this fall. The honour is bestowed on one scholar each year by the Indigenous Bar Association.

AMNESTY RELEASES REPORT ON RESOURCE

CHARLIE LAKE RESIDENTS LOOK FOR SOLUTION TO ALGAE PROBLEM Residents packed a community meeting this month on Charlie Lake’s worsening algae problem.

PEACE REGION VACANCY RATES LEAD PROVINCE Dawson Creek and Fort St. John had the highest vacancy rates in the province at 19.1 and 30.7 per cent, respectively, according to the CMHC’s annual rental market report.

DARCY SHAWCHEK PHOTO

John Bergen and his team moved the old Bartlett Allen pioneer homestead house from Baldonnel to the museum grounds in Fort St. John in the early morning hours of Friday, Dec. 2.

DRILLING FORECAST PREDICTS SLOW YEAR

In November, Woodfibre LNG became the first B.C. LNG project to get a positive final investment decision. The project, which would source gas from the South Peace, had spent the previous year tweaking its design to ease anxieties about shipping natural gas through Howe Sound. While the project still faces local opposition, especially in Squamish, Woodfibre’s investment decision was the first piece of unequivocally good news for LNG supporters this year.

RAINY WEATHER, EARLY SNOW A BRUTAL COMBO FOR PEACE REGION FARMERS

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR

In November, B.C.’s Independent Investigations Office issued its report on the shooting of Jame McIntyre. McIntyre was shot dead by police outside a Site C dam open house at a Dawson Creek restaurant in July 2015. In its report, the agency cleared the officer who shot McIntyre of any wrongdoing. The report revealed McIntyre was wearing a Guy Fawkes mask and carried two knives—which multiple witnesses said he refused to drop.

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

Dailyne Wilson and her three-year-old son Drake take a walk down 101 Avenue in Fort St. John on Thursday, Sept. 1. Environment Canada says August 2016 was the fourth wettest on record, with a total of 121.9 mm of rain falling on the city. At least 60 per cent of that—73.1 mm—fell between Aug. 27 and 31.

DECEMBER PROVINCE UNVEILS PLAN TO ELECTRIFY B.C. GASFIELDS B.C.’s 2016 climate plan leaned heavily on emissions reductions in the natural gas sector, which currently accounts for around 18 per cent of total emissions. In December, the province unveiled the details of that plan. B.C. hopes to secure federal infrastructure dollars for new transmission lines to plug more drillers into the BC Hydro grid, while offering incentives for producers to choose electricity.

RESEARCHERS STUMBLE UPON UNCHARTED WATERFALL At a regional district meeting this month, researchers with Tumbler Ridge’s Global Geopark revealed details about a surprising find: an uncharted waterfall in the Southeast part of the park.

WORST EVER LAND SALE The province brought in just $15.5 million from its monthly oil and gas land sales in 2016, down from a previous low set the year before. Ministry officials blamed low commodity prices, along with buying sprees in the past decade for the drop off.

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

Shelley Falk-Ouellette counts donations with Robin Elgie (left) and Lee Baker at their home in Fort St. John. At least $1,700 was raised to support Elgie and Baker, who were attacked by dogs in their home on Christmas 2015.

TAKE PART IN THE ARTS IN JANUARY 2017

Monday Night at the Movies Brooklyn Feb 1 With the Fort St. John Film Society Aurora Cinema

Trent McClellan Comedy for High On High Jan 7 | “Distaff” Day FebCelebration 5, 6, 7 Lido Theatre 8pm at the NP With the Spinners and Weavers

Museum 1-4pm

The Vagina Monologues Feb 5 With Women’sNight Resource at NPCC Jan 9the | Monday FilmSociety Dressmaker

With the FSJ Film Society at the Aurora Cinema

Art Exhibit “Dinner Talk” Feb 12- Mar 1 7pm With artists Mary Parslow, Alan White, Karen Heathman, Peace Gallery North NPCC Jan 12-14 | Alice in Wonderland

WithFred Dr. Kearney School at NPCC 7pm Penner in Concert Feb 13 NPCCInto 3:30pm Jan 15 | Tapping Talent Local Talent at Seniors Apt #4, Public Invited Koba’s Great Big Show Live Feb 14 2pm NPCC 1PM Jan 18 | Fort St. John Arts Council Monday Night at the Movies MeetingSleeping Giant Feb 15 With theArtspost Fort St. John Film Aurora Cinema At the 10320 94Society Ave- Everyone welcome 12 noon George Canyon Country Music Feb 15, 16 Lido Theatre 8pm

Ballet Kelowna’s Boundless Feb 19 NPCC 7:30pm

Night at the Movies Jan 20Monday | Alaska Highway Documentary James White Feb 29 NightWith the Fort St. John Film Society Aurora Cinema at the Fort St. John North Peace Museum Jan 23 | Monday Night Film Little Men AGM Dinner of North Peace Historical With the FSJ Film SocietyFeb at the Society 24Aurora Cinema 7pm Senior Citizens Hall Tickets at 250-787-0430 Jan 30 Maureen Washington’s Harvest Moon AGM of PLRAC Feb 20 With the Peace Liard Regional Arts Council in BC’s own singingDawson the BestCreek of West Coast Music 7:30pm Fort St. John Arts Council Meeting Feb 17 Looking Forward to At thes Artspost 94 Avenue Stage North’ Wizard of10320 Oz Opening Feb 9 New Comers Welcome 12 noon Stage North’s Dinner Rush at the Colosseum Opening Feb 14 Juried Exhibition Jan 8 - 30 Artist’s Choice With the Federation of Canadian Artists at Dawson Creek Art Gallery Creek

FOR MORE ON ARTS HAPPENINGS

www.fsjarts.org

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Energy Minister Bill Bennett and BC Hydro CEO Jessica McDonald were on hand for the grand opening of the $470-million Site C worker camp. The camp includes a multi-faith centre, pub, movie theatre and sports complex.

Some local businesses in Fort St. John are less than enthused about the camp, which they say keeps workers from spending money in town.

The officer is still on the force but no longer works in Dawson Creek, according to the RCMP. He declined to be interviewed

by IIO officials.

A14 THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017

Classifieds Announcements

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AGM Fort St. John Seed Cleaning Co-op Asscociation Wednesday January 18, 2017 Northern Grand Hotel - 10 AM

For More Information Call

250-785-3904

ART CLASSES UNTIL JUNE 30: Each day a different skill for after school youth DAWSON CREEK ART GALLERY: 3:30 to 5:00PM 250782-2601 MILE 0 QUILTERS GUILD: Tuesdays & Thursdays 7PM at Calvin Kruk Performing Arts Centre in Dawson Creek SATURDAYS: LEARN YOUR ROOTS - Genealogy information NAR PARK ROOTS BUILDING 10:00am peacecountryroots.ca

Celebration of Life

DAWSON CREEK BADMINTON CLUB From Sept. 19, 2016 to April 26, 2017 Mondays & Wednesdays Time: 7:30-9:30 pm Central Campus Gym Dawson Creek Do not play on any statutory or school holidays.

Go on the school website to check on the holidays Please pay before you start playing.

Players under 16 years must have an adult with them.

You will need clean gym shoes and a racquet.

Contact Dan or Judy Pandachuck: 250782-4783

Announcements

BIGSTONE CREE NATION

Request For Trust Proposals Proposals for "Programs and Services for the benefit of BCN beneficiaries" are currently being accepted for consideration for the 2016 net income (see below) available in accordance with all Community and Nation Trust Agreement.

The Trust Proposal Application is available at the BCN Trust Office at Wabasca in the old pharmacy building, BCN admin office at Wabasca, the Calling Lake admin office, and the Edmonton Corporate office. Proposals can also be downloaded from the website@ www.bcntrust.ca.

for the late

Heather Hannaford of Fort St. John will be held

Friday, January 6 at 2:00pm

from the Fort St. John Seniors Hall. In lieu of flowers all donations in memory of Heather will be compiled and given as an art scholarship (please contact the Hannaford family for more details).

Condolences may be forwarded through www.hamresfuneral.com.

Announcements

New In Town...

Getting Married...

Had A Baby...

New in Business...

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Please submit your proposals to the following designates no later than Monday, January 16, 2017:

Carolynn Theoret 250-262-0078 Baby

Yvon Jeannotte, Community Trust Administrator Edmonton Corporate Office 16310 - 100 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5P 4X5 Tel: 780-341-2777 Fax: 780-341-2778 Email: yvon.jeannotte@bigstone.ca Mabel Gladue, Communication /Project Coordinator Trust Administration Office (old pharmacy building) P.O. Box 990, Wabasca, Alberta T0G 2K0 Tel: 780-891-4805 Fax: 780-891-3834 Email: mabel.gladue@bigstone.ca

Proposals can be addressed to any of the following Trusts: Estimated

➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢

Community Revenue for 2016 Calling Lake Community Trust $125,000.00 Chipewyan Lake Community Trust $120,000.00 Wabasca/Desmarais Community Trust $114,000.00 Off Reserve Members and Affiliates Trust $113,000.00 Bigstone Cree Nation Trust $851,000.00

In MeMorIaM

In MeMorIaM

In MeMorIaM

In loving memory of

Jordyn Kayla Robbins Oct. 23, 1995 - Jan. 3, 2007

Announcements

Bonnie Carlson 250-827-3132 Community & Bridal

You Should Call

If you have news, call 250-785-5631 Coming EvEnts

Coming EvEnts

South Peace Historical Society Meetings Third Wednesday of the month. In Dawson Creek at the Calvin Kruk Centre Archives Room at 2 pm.

SUNDAYS: FAMILY TREE HELP - Peace Country Roots Group Meeting - Fourth Sunday of each Month at the CALVIN KRUK CENTRE in Dawson Creek 1:30pm

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1 5-563 2 50-78 2 Ph: 2 0-785-35 5 Fx: 2 AND MAYBE SOMEONE WILL

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Announcements

Cribbage Tournament Sunday January 8, 2017 1:00pm Sharp every Sunday for 10 weeks- Senior Citizens Hall, 1101 McKellar Ave. Dawson Creek BC. Tell all your friends to come and join in the fun and prizes. $3.00 per person. Contact Lillian 250-782-4057 Iris 250-782-3198 Mary 250-782-6628 SINGLES (NO DOUBLES) SPONSORED BY ENCANA

Love Mom, Dad, Jessica, Gracie, Katelyn, Gramma & Grandpa Large and all your loving family & friends.

General employment

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You may be gone from our sight but you are never gone from our hearts Jordyn, we love you forever and will miss you always.

General employment

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Obituaries

Obituaries

Kimberly Ann Wagner It’s with heavy heart that I pick up this pen, to tell you about my daughter and best friend Kim. Amanda and I will never be able to fill the space in our hearts that she took with her when she left.

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WEDNESDAYS: COMPUTER INFORMATION -Seniors Computer Club - Dawson CO-OP Bistro 1:15pm 250-782-4668 for more information

We would like to thank all the people who helped at this sad time, to the Nurses who helped her and us, all the staff at Peace Villa Care Home, Dr Hayaty for his care and general words. Also we would like to thank all the friends and family that came to spend time with Kim and us at the hospital.

Kim was avery special lady who loved to help anyone whether she knew them or not, (small story). In grade 7 she brought a young girl home one night who had a very bad home life.

Even though we were on our own we made room for her in our home and she lived with us for the next 3 years. Over the years she always seemed to bring people, cats dogs and what not home with her so she could help them. That was just who Kim was. She gave me a few grey hairs but it was worth it she was always my best friend.

Amanda and I find it very hard to say goodbye, so we won’t until we see her again. We know that her son Josh was there waiting for her on her next adventure. We are sure the two of them are with us every day.

Love you Mom and Mandy.

Kim is survived by Lee(mother), Amanda (daughter), Jesse (son in law), and her 3 little men, Jet Jeremiah, Jax Josh, and Hawk Blue (grandsons).

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Take notice that Springbuck Inc from Osoyoos, BC, has applied to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO), Northeast Region, for a Quarry situated on Provincial Crown land located at Lily East, Pink Mountain.

The Lands File for this application is 8015898.

Written comments concerning this application should be directed to Nick Donnelly, Authorization Officer, Northeast Region, MFLNRO, at 100-10003-110th Avenue, Fort St. John, BC V1J 6M7, (250) 7873435. Comments will be received by MFLNRO up to February 8, 2017. MFLNRO may not be able to consider comments received after this date.

Please visit the website at www.arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/index.jsp for more information and a map of the application area or send comments directly to: AuthorizingAgency.FortStJohn@gov.bc.ca A Government decision for this application is expected on or after February 8, 2017 Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. Access to these records requires the submission of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/freedomofinformation to learn more about FOI submissions.

General employment

Obituaries

Saturday, January 7th - 1:00 pm Dawson Creek Royal Canadian Legion Branch#141 will be holding its Monthly General Meeting at its New location the branch located at 900-102nd Ave, side entrance (across 9th Street from Lakeview Credit Union).

All members are urged to attend.

Land Act: Notice of Intention to Apply for a Disposition of Crown Land

There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them

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Announcements

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KNIT NIGHT: Thursdays at Faking Sanity Cafe in Dawson Creek6:30 to 8:30 PM.

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Book Your Ad Now!

PUBLIC HEARING 6:00 p.m. – City Hall Council Chambers Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 2364, 2016 Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2365, 2016 The subject land of the proposed bylaws is legally described as Lot A, Section 6, Township 84, Range 18, W6M, Peace River District Plan EPP59891 as shown hatched on the map.

The proponent (Anglican Synod of the Diocese of Caledonia) is applying to amend the Official Community Plan from LDR – Low Density Residential to IT – Institutional and to amend the Zoning Bylaw from R1 – Single-Detached Housing to INST – Institutional. the subject land from C3 – General Commercial to INST – Institutional.

General employment

Exciting New Employment Opportunity Conuma Coal Resources has immediate openings for Qualified candidates with a demonstrated history of strong safety performance and dependability to join our team in an exciting start-up of our Brule Mine and Willow Creek plant site.

• Millwright/Welder • Heavy Duty Mechanics • Fuel/Lube Truck • Steamers • Electricians • Loss Prevention Officer’s Level 3 • Payroll

• Process Control Operator • Crusher Operator • Laborers • Warehouse • Sand/Plow truck • Process Plant Operators • Certified Blasters • Buyers

Conuma Coal provides competitive wages and benefits.

No camp facilities are available Applicants with prior or active Mine Rescue Certification will receive strong consideration.

Please send resumes to: careers@conumacoal.com Not all applicants will be contacted

Copies of the proposed bylaws and related documents may be inspected at City Hall – 10631 – 100 Street, Fort St. John, BC between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from January 2 to 9, 2017.

At the hearing, the public will be allowed to make presentations to Council or to present written submissions respecting matters contained in the proposed bylaw.

www.fortstjohn.ca

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• Shovel Operators • Dozer Operators • Haul Truck Drivers • Grader Operators • Loader Operators • Excavator Operators • Drillers • Maintenance Planner

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017 A15

Classifieds R0011358428

Notice is hereby given that Zane Raymond Willis of Arras, B.C. made an assignment in Bankruptcy on December 22, 2016.

The first meeting of creditors will be held on January 12, 2017 9:30 AM at MNP Ltd. 816 103 Avenue Dawson Creek, BC V1G 2G1 Trustee MNP Ltd. Suite 700 - 1628 Dickson Avenue Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 9X1 Telephone: 250-979-2580 Fax: 250-979-2581

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IN THE MATTER OF THE BANKRUPTCY OF Zane Raymond Willis NOTICE OF FIRST MEETING OF CREDITORS (Section 102(4))

IN THE MATTER OF THE BANKRUPTCY OF Todd Stacey Park NOTICE OF FIRST MEETING OF CREDITORS (Section 102(4))

PUBLIC NOTICE Vincent Communication & Controls Ltd. is in− stalling a 76.2m lattice guyed tower within SE 14−84−20 W6M to improve Internet connec− tivity in the surrounding area. Please direct comments or questions in writing to: BRITT Land & Engagement 1100, 630 − 6th Ave SW Calgary, AB T2P 0S8 or info@brittland.com Attn: Cheryl Lucas (P00075) Before 11 Feb 2016

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We have a variety of apartments, town homes, executive homes, and duplexes for rent. To apply for these,please email reception@licar.ca or visit our website at www.licar.ca

Phone: 250-785-2662

Coming EvEnts

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Notice is hereby given that Todd Stacey Park of Toms Lake, B.C. made an assignment in Bankruptcy on December 29, 2016.

The first meeting of creditors will be held on January 12, 2017 8:30 AM at MNP Ltd. 816 103 Avenue Dawson Creek, BC V1G 2G1 Trustee MNP Ltd. Suite 700 - 1628 Dickson Avenue Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 9X1 Telephone: 250-979-2580 Fax: 250-979-2581

Li-Car Management Group

Save the Dates July 7, 5:00 pm to July 9, 2017 at 3:30 pm for the 23rd Annual Mile Zero Cruisers Summer Cruise weekend starts with Registration held at the Dawson Co-op. Bring down your pride and joy and register for the 2017 Summer Cruise Car Show weekend. All registrants will receive access to all weekend events as well as a chance to win prizes.

Check in this paper for more details closer to the show!

General employment

General employment CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: Troyer Ventures Ltd. is a privately owned, equal opportunity, energy services company servicing Western Canada. All job opportunities include competitive wages, comprehensive benefits package and rood for advancement. We are accepting applications at our Fort St John location for Class 1 & 3 Drivers and Mechanics.

Successful candidates will be self-motivated and eager to learn.

Experience is preferred, but training is available. Valid safety tickets, clean drug test, and drivers abstract are required. For more information and to apply, please visit our website at: Troyer.ca

General employment

Announcements

ApArtments/ Condos for

CURRENTLY HIRING Full Time Class 1 Fuel Truck Drivers for Dawson Creek. Apply by E-mail to northernpetrojob@gmail.com. **Drug Screening Required** Competitive Wage and Benefits. Oilfield tickets required, willing to train the right person. Peace Country Petroleum Sales Ltd. 8704-21 Street Dawson Creek, BC V1G 5A6 Phone: 250-782-5801 Fax: 250-782-5884 Website: www.peacecountrypetroleum.com LOOKING TO HIRE!!

Anyone interested in inserting flyers into The Dawson Creek Mirror 1 Day Per Week. Please Drop Off Resume at The Mirror Paper, 901-100 Ave, Dawson Creek, or call Tanis at 250-7824772 for More Information.

ApArtments/ Condos for CALL NOW! REASONABLE RENTS! 1 & 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS. CLEAN, QUIET, ADULT SECURED BUILDING ON BUS ROUTE IN DC .WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY ON LOWER LEVEL. NO PETS. 250782-1331 MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO VIEW.

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Dawson Creek Northern Lights Apartments.

Bachelor apartments and 1 bedroom apts available. Cable/heat, water/hot water included. Please phone : 250-782-7130.

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General employment For Hire: caregiver to look after my 2 children; 4 year old girl and 3 year old boy. Permanent, full time at a rate of 11.50/hour for 40 hrs/week. Completion of Secondary School : some college/CEGEP/ vocational. 1 to 2 years experience supervision or care for children.

Accommodation available on a live-in basis at no cost, but is not a condition of employment. Main duties include: supervise and care; assist/guide children on personal hygiene; meal preparation; organize and participate in children’s activities and may perform light housekeeping. Applicatant may apply via email: joan24garcia@ yahoo.

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$750 Loans & More NO CREDIT CHECKS Open 7 days/week 8am - 8pm 1-855-527-4368 Apply at: www.credit700.ca

To learn more about diabetes, volunteer, advocate or donate, please contact : Northern Region (250) 561-9284 boyanne.young@diabetes.ca

Did you score the winning goal?

Do you know an amazing teammate who deserves a moment in the sun?

CLASS ONE TRUCK DRIVERS

LaPrairie Works Oilfield Services Inc. Peace Region of Alberta and British Columbia

LaPrairie Works is a diversified and growing transportation specialist. We come with over 25 years of operating experience in Western Canada, and our core business areas include on and off highway hauling, oilfield services, mine contracting and site services.

We are currently recruiting permanent full time Class One Drivers to expand our local team of transportation and logistics professionals in the Peace Region of Alberta and British Columbia. The ideal candidates will fulfill the following criteria:

• Demonstrated initiative with solid HSE fundamentals and sound work ethic.

• Off-­‐Road & Mountain experience • Ability to apply and remove tire chains • Ability to work Day and Night Shifts • Valid Class 1 license & Driver abstract in good standing • Load Securement and First Aid Training • Ability to complete / maintain accurate Driver Hours of Service Records • Able to understand and communicate in English

LaPrairie Works Oilfield Services offers a competitive compensation program for qualified candidates.

Please forward current resume and abstract to:

Human Resources Department Email: careers@laprairiegroup.com Fax: (403) 767-­‐9932

Send us a photo of the player in action for the paper. Email sports@ahnfsj.ca

9916-98 St., Fort St. John, BC 1532 Week of 12.26.2016

We encourage all who are qualified and interested to apply in confidence, However, only those in consideration will be contacted.

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A16 THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017

LOCAL NEWS

The season for smoked salmon FOR THE SENIORS

W

hen choosing our daily foods, we eat lightest to heaviest. We drink types of wine or alcohol from bright to deep.

Cured and preserved salmon is delicate and light. After the New Year’s heavy celebrating, those salmon proteins are nice and easy on the stomach.That’s why January is the perfect season to eat smoked salmon.

Smoked salmon is B.C.’s most ancient and iconic preserved meat.

Cured B.C. salmon has been traded inland throughout Canada as a commodity for centuries. Dynasties of salmon trade with Russia, Mongolia, and China pacific predate European trade by centuries. Summer fishing and smoking leads to winter eating.

Salmon rub mixtures and brines are a historic and flavourful way to add local herbs and spices into food this season. During the winter, our bodies burn more calories, leaving our bodies low on essential minerals and nutrients. Minerals, protein, bio matters, and Omega oils in preserved salmon boost our immune system during winter. It has a cure for the common cold.

A European salmon brine consists of sugars, salts, spices herbs, which cleanses any blood from the meat.

Ancient Peace Valley residents would dig pits near salt licks and after clarifying the water use it as meat brine.

The brine shouldn’t dehydrate any more than 15 per cent of water by weight before smoking. Escoffier’s brine recipe includes adding salt to water until a potato floats in it.

Preservation is part science, art and spiritual tradition, Good reason to research your own.

This season, smoked salmon aficionados get to taste their own methods. Keeping record books of weight, time, and temperature to calibrate for salt intensity and humidity. They properly portion and wrap for travel and gifting, letting their best herbs and spices aromatically and visually enhance the experience. Good food is about joy, celebrating and sharing life.

Judah Koile FROM THE FARM TO THE TABLE

SALMON IN PINE BOXES 1kg salmon Brine 100g Salt 50g birch syrup or honey 100g blackberries 10g pine needle 10g stinging nettle 10g black pepper Smoke 200g alder root chips 100g pine needle 100g saskatoon’s bush branch chips 2 small pine boxes Mixed all brine ingredients in a blender. Pour into a pot and boil, remove from heat and cool in freezer.

Cut, portion and place salmon in ziplock bags. Once cooled, pour brine over salmon, remove air and seal bags.

Place in fridge for 24 hours—the longer you brine the more moisture it will extract.

Remove from bag and pat dry with towel. For cold cure, smoke for two to three hours; for hot, some cook to 140 F. To basket dehydrate, place smoked salmon in baskets for two weeks, flipping everyday. Leave drying baskets in a cold dry dark place, and watch for mold growth.

Once almost completely dried and noticeably light, finish by storing it in small pine boxes in your choice of wood shavings. Japanese chefs use aged hard dried fish shavings to make rejuvenating and light winter soup stock.

What will your smoked salmon do this January?

Judah Koile is a Fort St. John chef and co-owns The BEAM with his wife, Jiwon Kim. Koile has more than a decade of culinary experience, and has worked in restaurants across Canada and South America.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

The North Peace Seniors Housing Society worked hard to make the holiday season a little brighter for local seniors. Through donations of food, gifts and cash, seniors had the chance to do a little ‘shopping’ and pick out items they needed. The NPSHS board was grateful to all those who gave time, money and other items to help.

Start each day with a sense of purpose.

End each day safely with a sense of accomplishment.

Communications Technician A responsible role for a self-starter in Chetwynd If you are a proven contributor to a team environment, hold a valid driver’s licence and can multi-task, change duties quickly, and work all shifts, consider joining our Grizzly Valley operations. Comfortable carrying out your daily activities with minimal supervision and support, you will be responsible for the area communications networks, including their maintenance. Graduation from a Technologist/Technician Program in Communications is essential.

Ideally, you’re a member of a professional association and a qualified Red Seal Tradesperson in your field, with 3 years’ experience in the oil & gas industry within a sour gas environment. You will also have worked with VHF/UHF radio systems, with microwave radio and on PABX systems.

For more information, and to apply online by January 13, 2017, please visit: spectraenergy.com/careers.

Spectra Energy is one of North America’s premier pipeline and midstream companies. Our approach extends beyond our offices and facilities into our neighbourhoods, towns and cities—through community and economic development partnerships, we cultivate talent and grow leadership.

Spectra Energy embraces a culture of diversity and inclusion, with equal access to opportunities based on individual merit, by creating an environment that encourages all employees to contribute their unique capabilities and perspectives.

DECOR

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We offer same day service for relines and repairs Denturist Jodie Atkinson 250-782-6004 milezerodentureclinic.ca 103-816 103 Ave Also located in Fort St. John Dawson Creek, BC

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THURSDAY JANUARY 5, 2016 CONTACT US 250-785-5631 editor@ahnfsj.ca

TAX LAWS PUT BIZ IN THE ROUGH

THEATRICS SIZZLING AT COLOSSEUM

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9224-100 Street, Fort St. John, V1J 3X2

PHONE: 250-785-0463

Middleton crowned BC Junior Men’s curling champ Team Tardi beats Team Habkirk 11-5, will represent B.C. at nationals SCOTT DONOVAN sports@ahnfsj.ca

It was a big win out of gate 2017 for Team Tardi and Fort St. John’s Sterling Middleton, who came away winners from the B.C. Junior Men’s Curling Championship in New Westminster on New Year’s Day. Team Tardi beat Team Habkirk 11-5 in eight ends to take the trophy.

“This was my first provincial final. There were some nerves before (the game) for sure,” Middleton said Monday.

The team tore through the tournament with a 5-2 round robin record, and beat Team McCrady to secure a berth in the finals, where they met Kyle Habkirk and his rink from Victoria. Things were competitive.

“We kind of started out rough (in the final), giving up a steal in the first end, but Tyler (Tardi) made a great shot in the second and we just got momentum from there.”

Team Tardi scored four in the second end and kept a lead

over Habkirk and his team until the end of the eighth, with a final score of 11-5. The team will represent B.C. at the Canadian Junior Curling Championships Jan. 21-29 in Esquimalt.

“It was our goal for the start of the year to make the provincial finals and get to the Canadian Juniors. We brought our ‘A’ game all week and we got to check that one off our list,” Middleton said.

Team Tardi is rounded out

by Tyler Tardi (skip), Middleton (third), Jordan Tardi (second), and Nicholas Meister (lead).

They were last year’s BC Junior Men’s Champions and won bronze nationally.

The team’s hard work in 2016 paid off, after leading around the province and winning gold in the year’s Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway. Consistency seems to be the secret behind Team Tardi’s success and their strategy going into the future.

“We want to keep building on the momentum that we’ve had from (the provincial) juniors right now, and look ahead

GORD GOBLE/NEW WEST RECORD

Sterling Middleton (left) and skip Tyler Tardi discuss a game situation during the second day of action at the B.C. Junior Men’s Curling Championship. -

to (national) juniors and men’s championships and keep playing as well as we are right now.

We should have a pretty good chance.”

Middleton and Team Tardi

will also play in the BC Men’s Curling Championships in February in Abbotsford.

Fort St. John Sr. Flyers off to fast start in 2017

T

he Fort St. John Senior Flyers are starting the New Year off running.

With only seven games left in their regular season, the team is scheduled to play five of them in just nine days, starting with a game in Dawson Creek Jan. 3 and ending in Grande Prairie in Jan. 12.

“We’re just starting the new year how we finished with five games, real

Kevin Buchholz SIDELINE VIEW

quick,” coach Andrew Leriger said.

The Flyers, 11-4 and on top of the North Peace Hockey League standings as of Jan. 1, will play three of

their games on the road, where the team has racked up half of its losses.

And with games against teams they have lost to before, it’ll definitely be a challenging start to the New Year. Will they be doing any extra work to get prepared for the start of the New Year?

“We have a couple of practices scheduled, and there is a tournament the first weekend of January that many of our players will be particip-

LAST SKATE OF 2016

ating in that to get back in shape,” Leriger said.

As with other teams, the Flyers used the Christmas break to heal up, Leriger said.

“Just like others in the league, injuries and work schedules have taken their toll, but we have a strong bench,” Leriger said.

The Flyers started the season strong with seven straight victories before falling to Fahler 4-3 on Nov. 26.

The team went 3-3 in six games over 17 days in December, ending a threegame losing streak Dec. 17 with a 10-5 win over the Valleyview Jets, a team the Flyers beat earlier this season by 10 goals.

The team went into the Christmas break with a one point lead in the standings over the Grande Prairie Athletics (10-3-1).

Leriger is confident the team will hit the ice after the break with enough talent and depth to continue on towards their goal of first overall.

“The goal is to come out of their division in first,” he said.

Visit alaskahighwaynews.ca for updated game scores from this week.

Kevin Buchholz is a writer based in Fort St. John.

FLYERS SCHEDULE:

Robert Cote skates with his daughter Mackenzie during public skating at the Pomeory Sport Centre on Dec. 31.. They were in Fort St. John visiting friends during the holidays.

ALEISHA HENDRY PHOTO

Did Santa pass you by this Chirstmas?

COMMUNITY MINDED

PAY OFF CREDIT CARD DEBT!

Capital Motors

Where The Peace Comes For Ford 250.782.8589 • 1.888.992.9604 1609 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC

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This weeks customers are Brandon & Twyla from Chetwynd. Their 13 Ford Edge had an unfortunate meeting with a deer and a truck.

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B2 thURSDaY, JanUaRY 5, 2017

LocaL SportS

Skating the loop

Stewart reflects on success Scott Donovan sports@ahnfsj.cs

AleishA hendry Photo

Jay Morrison takes his 10-month-old daughter petra for a little spin around the Mathews park ice loop on Dec. 31. Morrison was just one of many people that decided to wind down 2016 with a skate on the loop.

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Running an oil and gas service company in some of the toughest years the Peace has faced would have most people on the canvas.

But Brad Stewart has been knocking them down in the cage, in camp, and most importantly, at home, since 2009. Before that he was just a guy trying to make his way and stay fit.

“I was working out at a gym at the time (in Fort St. John). Just trying to get in shape and start making healthier decisions with my life,” said Stewart.

Fort St. John had a long running Tae Kwon Do club at the time. Mixed martial arts (MMA) were just starting to get a fraction of the international attention they get today.

“I was getting bored. I had been working out for a couple of years by then. I met a guy at the gym who taught an MMA class.”

Stewart trained for just two weeks when he was asked to step up for the fledgling Soldier Fitness’ first competition.

“When I started the class with them, that was my goal, to learn how to fight (professionally) and maybe take a match,” said Stewart.

Stewart would win that fight.

It was while watching other schools at the competition that he decided to look for a higher level of training.

A group of fighters from that club, including Stewart, branched off with coach Matt Alexander and formed Iron Rhino MMA. It was a challenge to stay in classes with his long hours in the field, though but he was able to keep up his fitness.

“Most of the camps (re-

“it was about consistency. And support. it’s about having the right people around you.” mote work locations) I went to had gyms or my company was really good about getting me a hotel with a gym. I also brought three or four hundred pounds of plates with me and did whatever I could to stay in shape. Sometimes my swampers would hold training pads for me to hit.” he laughed.

Stewart would go on to win his first four fights, with King of the Cage, in Edmonton. He was attending MMA specific training camps by then, though he often had to leave town to go to work during the intense sessions.

“For my fifth fight, I fought a pretty well known guy named Matt Baker. I got home Sunday night, a week before the fight, so I only really had four days to train,” he said.

But he had already committed to the fight, and in spite of the western MMA world’s expectations, Stewart only narrowly lost.

“It was a split decision,” said Stewart, “It was a super close fight, I almost took it a couple of times. It was a loss but I felt really good about it.”

Iron Rhino closed, and it took a local entrepreneur with a love for the sport to keep Brad moving. Fivestar Fight League (FFL) opened its doors, with Justin Donally at the helm. Donally would go on to buy the Tae Kwon Do club and FFL became the martial arts centre for the Peace, bringing in a higher level of trainers.

Stewart said his next fight was his sweetest victory, when he married Brandee Bowe, his longtime girlfriend and supporter, in 2010. The two had a well-attended wedding at a local banquet hall, barely in between shifts for Stewart.

Now pushed by his wife, Donally, and fellow fighters, Stewart scored a championship fight, facing off with Baker again. His constant fitness training and dedication to learning technical MMA led to him ending the match in a triangle choke-hold, earning him the FFL middle-weight belt.

“It was just amazing, to feel everyone’s work put into me, put into the situation, all of it coming together in the ring,” said Stewart.

Stewart would go on to successfully defend the title. He had another personal knock -out happen when he was promoted to lead his company’s branch in 2015, a big move up after 10 years on the road with the company. A win he and his family needed.

He took a break from fighting but never from training, and he says it won’t last long. Now with a more regular schedule that keeps him in town, Stewart trains twice a day at FFL, with his eyes on his next match in 2017. His wife successfully completed a post secondary degree in social work while his older boy is a minor hockey super -star and his four-year-old son is the largest kid in his weight class, at the local day care.

Stewart has a couple keys to his success.

“It was about consistency.

And support. It’s about having the right people around you.”

PRO GOLF WEEKLY UPDATE Golf News, Tips, Trivia & Stats

This Week: The RSM Classic

This week, the PGA Tour will travel to Sea Island, Georgia for the RSM Classic. The tournament is held at the Defending: Kevin Kisner Seaside Golf Club. Seaside was Winning Score: 22-under par originally built as a nine hole Winning Share: $1,026,000 course by legendary English architects Colt and Alison in 1929. In 1973, Joe Lee designed Marshside Nine. These two distinct nines were transformed into the current world-class Seaside course in 1999 by Tom Fazio. Seaside is prominently placed on Golf Digest’s list of “Top 100 Courses in the United States.”

Seaside Course Sea Island, Ga. 7,055 yards, Par 70

Golf TV Schedule PGA Event: RSM Classic Day Time Thu, 11/17 1:30pm-4:30pm Fri, 11/18 1:30pm-4:30pm Sat, 11/19 1:30pm-4:30pm Sun, 11/20 1:30pm-4:30pm

Pat Perez shot a final round Tournament Results 4-under par 67 to win the 1. Pat Perez OHL Classic at Mayakoba Score: -21 Earnings: $1,260,000 on Sunday. Perez defeated 2. Gary Woodland third-round leader Gary Woodland Score: -19 by two strokes on the Greg Earnings: $756,000 Norman-designed El Camaleon 3. Russell Knox Score: -18 course. Perez, who also won the Earnings: $476,000 2009 Bob Hope Classic, charged from way back in the field with a 9-under 62 on Saturday. The 40-year-old former Arizona State player birdied five of the first eight holes and had a bogey on the par-four 12th.

Golfing News

Network GOLF GOLF GOLF GOLF

Golf Trivia Which golfer won the 2000 U.S. Open by 15 strokes? a) Tiger Woods b) Phil Mickelson

Last Week: Pat Perez won the OHL Classic

c) Ernie Els d) Payne Stewart

?

Answer: a) Tiger Woods finished at 12-under par in the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jimenez finished in 2nd, at 3-over, 15 strokes behind.

The Zurich Classic played in New Orleans annually is rumored to become a team event starting in 2017. The event will feature 80 teams of two. Both members of the winning team will receive the two-year Tour exemption that typically accompanies a victory in an official event, and each winning player will receive 400 FedEx Cup points. A regular tournament offers 500 points to the winner and 300 to the runner-up. The PGA Tour has not had an official team event on its schedule since 1981. The Walt Disney World Golf Classic was the last official PGA Tour tournament that used a team play format.

Lessons from the Golf Pro One of the big faults that the amateur golfer finds is when they hit a shot into trouble. A professional can find a way to escape disaster, but the general rule for an amateur is that trouble leads to more trouble. The one shot that causes the amateur the most trouble is when a tee shot goes into the woods. We’re so mad when our shot is out of the fairway and in a tree that it usually leads to a second erratic shot. Consequently, most people race up to find the shot, just grab a club and hack away. Instead, a more sensible plan is the best course of action. Picking the right club with the proper loft is essential. Too much loft could lead to your shot going into the overhanging leaves. Not enough loft will result in the ball getting hung up in the woods again.

Player Profile

Pat Perez

Turned Professional: 1997 FedEx Cup Ranking: 3rd World Ranking: 332nd PGA Tour Wins: 2

FedEx Cup Standings Through Nov. 13, 2016

1) Hideki Matsuyama 850 pts. / 2 top tens

2) Justin Thomas 614 pts. / 2 top tens

3) Pat Perez

606 pts. / 2 top tens

4) Brendan Steele 556 pts. / 1 top tens

5) Rod Pampling 507 pts. / 1 top tens

FedEx Cup Standings continued...

Player Points 6) Cody Gribble 426 7) Scott Piercy 351 8) Russell Knox 333 9) Brooks Koepka 316 10) Gary Woodland 316

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Top 10s 2 3 3 1 1

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017 B3

LOCAL SPORTS

Canadian golf courses looking to get biz back on the green SCOTT DONOVAN sports@ahnfsj.ca

Federal laws are taking businesses off the fairway and into the rough when it comes to tax time, a local golf club says.

Lone Wolf Golf Club Manager Dave Callum is highlighting what he says is an unfair federal tax code reform from 1971, which exempted golf course users from tax write-offs for business purposes.

“This influences business people to avoid golf on the basis of taxation alone,” Callum wrote in a Jan. 3 report to district council.

“Given that golf is most certainly an effective vehicle for entertaining clients, Canada’s 2,300 golf courses, most of whom are small business operators, cannot compete fairly with all the other industries where the Canadian Revenue Agency does appreciate the

need for entertaining clients.”

Callum is looking for Taylor councillors to tee off with golf and business lobbyists in a round with federal politicians to reverse the reforms. Council was set to meet Tuesday evening to discuss the matter, after this week’s Alaska Highway News had gone to print.

In his report, Callum notes that Canadian businesses used to be able to write off green fees and golf cart rentals before the reforms. Meanwhile, United States tax laws continue to allow businesses to deduct golf expenses, he said.

“The role of the Income Tax Act includes the principle of fairness, and therefore should not be discriminating against our golf industry in this way, an unfairness that we simply cannot sustain any longer,” Callum wrote.

Despite the apparent setback, Callum described the

industry as a prestigious and lucrative one—contributing more than $14 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product each year.

“Golf is a very important Canadian industry, with gross revenues that are actually more than all skiing facilities, fitness, sports-centres, amusement parks and all other recreation industries combined,” he said.

Callum isn’t the only one supporting a change to the tax code. He says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and the Tourism Industry of Canada have both sent letters to federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has also put forward its support, adopting the issue as something they will push forward in the new year, Callum notes. The National Allied Golf Association has also made tax fairness a priority, he

FILE PHOTO

said.

“We ask all golf stakeholders to engage their local elected Member of Parliament to con-

SCOREBOARD NWJHL Standings as of Jan. 3 GP 1 Navigators 25 2 Flyers 22 3 Jr. Canucks 22 4 JDA Kings 24 5 Huskies 23 6 Vipers 24

W L OTL 17 8 0 15 7 0 14 8 0 13 9 2 12 9 2 8 15 1

PT 34 30 28 28 26 17

Standings as of Jan. 3 East Division GP 1 Grimshaw 13 2 Falher 14 3 Valleyview 13 West Division 1 Flyers 15 2 Athletics 14 3 Rangers 13 4 Canucks 14

9224-100 Street, Fort St. John, V1J 3X2

PHONE: 250-785-0463

NAMHL

NPHL

W 7 7 1

L OTL 6 0 7 0 12 0

PT 14 14 2

11 10 6 6

4 3 6 7

22 21 13 13

0 1 0 1

Standings as of Jan. 3 1 Peace River Royals 2 Whitecourt Wolverines 3 GPAC Storm 4 NEBC Trackers 5 Fort McMurray Barons

tact the Minister of Finance by mail, email, or in person, to make their voice known on this issue,” Callum wrote.

ERBHL GP 21 17 19 16 20

W L 13 5 13 4 8 6 6 7 3 12

T 3 0 5 3 5

PT 29 26 21 15 11

Standings as of Jan. 3 1 Fort McMurray Barons 2 GPAC Coyote North Ltd Storm 3 Fort St. John Flyers 4 Whitecourt Wolverines 5 Peace River Sabres

GP 18 16 17 16 20

W L T 13 5 0 10 6 0 8 7 2 4 10 2 4 14 2

PT 26 20 18 10 10

WEEKLY PRO RACING UPDATE Postseason Racing News, Stats & Trivia

All-Time Top Driver’s Bio

This Week’s Racing News

Cale Yarborough

Dale Earnhardt Jr. married longtime girlfriend Amy Reimann on Saturday night on New Year’s Eve in front of family and friends, including many fellow NASCAR drivers. Earnhardt and Reimann have dated since 2009 and got engaged in June 2015 in Germany at a church where Earnhardt’s ancestors had attended seven generations and 300 years ago. The wedding took place in North Carolina at Childress Vineyards, owned by NASCAR race team owner Richard Childress.

Earnhardt missed the final 18 races of the 2016 season because of a concussion suffered in a crash at Michigan. He tested a car in early December and is cleared to race in 2017. He wanted to get the test done before the wedding so he could have the confidence he would return and focus for a few weeks on the wedding and the honeymoon.

January 3, 1974 - NASCAR announced that all races would be reduced 10 percent in length, therefore using less fuel. The move was done as a reaction to the energy shortage the country was facing. Smaller starting fields and more limited practice sessions were also in NASCAR’s plan.

Racing Trivia How many times did Cale Yarborough win the Daytona 500? a) 0 b) 2

Born: March 27, 1939 Cup wins: 83 Cup top-tens: 319 Cup championships: 3

?

c) 4 d) 6

Cale Yarborough is one of only two drivers in NASCAR history to win three consecutive championships, in 1976, 1977 and 1978. His 14.82% winning percentage is the ninth best all-time and third among those with 500 or more starts. Yarborough won the Daytona 500 four times, his first win coming in 1968, the second in 1977, and back-to-back wins in 1983 and 1984.

In 1984, he became the first driver to qualify for the Daytona 500 with a top speed of more than 200 miles per hour. Cale Yarborough retired from driving after the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup season. He bought out the Race Hill Farms team in 1986 and moved the team from Connecticut to South Carolina and he renamed the team Cale Yarborough Motorsports. He got one win in 1997 at the Pepsi 400 and closed his team in 2000.

Yarborough was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1993, the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994.

In 2011, Yarborough finally was elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Answer : c) He won the Daytona 500 four times.

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R0011358416

Racing History

R0021159210

B4 THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017

ARTS & CULTURE

Beatton Journals

January 1917

Mon 1st New Year’s Day. Self very busy with Indians all day. Burbanks and 4 others left this morning for their Camps. A fine clear day.

Tues 2nd Self busy in store.

Most of the Indians gone. Cold and stormy with snow.

Wed 3rd Cold and stormy with snow. Self cleaning up store. The last of the Indians left this morning.

The mail arrived this evening from Pouce Coupe.

Thurs 4th Continues cold. 40 below this morning. A lot of people arrived for the mail. Self very busy.

Farfor arrived from Halfway River.

Fri 5th Cold & stormy with snow all day. Self at wood pile. George haulling hay.

Sat 6th Self at odd jobs. The Boys at wood. A fine mild day. Mr. Birley of Revillion & Constable Parsons left today for Hudson’s Hope at noon.

Sun 7th Blowing a warm Chinook wind all day. Self went down to J. Philips with the Team.

Yakatachie & Oaker arrived from the North.

Mon 8th Continues blowing. A lot of snow gone. Self busy with Indians. They left after dinner for their Camps 4 days from here.

Tues 9th A fine clear day. Continues warm. Self packing furs. The Boys went for a tip of hay. Kancade came up from the Flat for his sleds.

George went down with him. They are going to Pouce Coupe for oats.

Wed 10th A fine mild day. Self packing Furs. Taylor up from the flat. 4 men arrived from H. Hope on business regarding their land. A strong North wind started about 6 o’clock along with snow and turned very cold.

Thurs 11th A fine clear day but cold. Self covering up Fur Racks.

The H. Hope men left today for home.

Fri 12th Cold all day and Johnny went for a load of Hay. Started to blow a strong west wind this evening.

Sat 13th A fine Clear day. Mr. Bartleman & the MacDougall Boys, also Mr. Birley & Parsons arrived from Hudson’s Hope. Self very busy.

Sun 14th The MacDougall boys left this morning for home to H. Hope. A fine clear day. Modest came in from the south side where he has been trapping but had poor luck.

Mon 15th Mr. Bartleman working in the Office. Self at odd jobs. A fine clear day. Johnny haulling Hay. Tues 16th A fine clear day. Mr. Bartleman in office. Self helping.

Johnny after Horses. K. Hanley left for Spirit River taking the HB Furs along.

Wed 17th Weather fine. Self at odd jobs. Mr. Bartleman busy but

not feeling very well. Cadenhead & Maguire stretching another wire across the River. Cloudy and looks like snow.

Thurs 18th A fine clear day. Self & Mr. Bartleman very busy. A lot of people around waiting for the mail but it did not arrive.

Frank Beatton but did not stop.

Fri 26th Cold & stormy all day with snow. Very little doing. Fell about 8” snow and snow still falling.

Sat 27th Continues cold & stormy with snow. Very cold towards evening. Self at odd jobs.

Fri 19th Cold & stormy all day.

Busy as yesterday. MacDougall’s Boys& 2 others with Teams arrived from H. Hope on their way to Spirit River.

Sun 28th Continues cold & stormy all day. Mr. Dykes arrived from H. Hope about 2 o’clock in the afternoon.

Sat 20th Cold & stormy. Self at odd jobs. Mr. Bartleman very busy.

Still no mail.

Mon 29th Fine & clear but cold.

42 Below this morning. Self busy with Mr. Dykes.

Sun 21st Very cold. 48 below this morning. The mail arrived and left about 2 hours after.

Tues 30th Continues very cold.

Mr. Dykes & man left this morning for Grande Prairie. 56 below this morning. Self & Johnny handling firewood. Two Indians arrived from Montagines Camp.

Mon 22nd Self & Mr. Bartleman in Office. Mr. Dykes, HB Fur buyer, arrived from Edmonton by way of Grande Prairie, Started to snow towards evening.

Tues 23rd Self very busy. Mr. Dykes looking over the Furs. A fine clear day. Frances left for Spirit River.

Wed 24th A fine clear day. Mr. Dykes & Man left for H. Hope this morning. Self at odd jobs. Mr. Bartleman rather sick.

Thurs 25th Mr. Bartleman left along with George & Birley for Pouce Coupe this morning. Snow nearly all day. Self at odd jobs. A team & 2 men passed up the River

Wed 31st Continues very cold. 55 below this morning. Self & Johnny hauling wood. The Indians left this morning after getting a few supplies.

The Alaska Highway News is now carrying the journals of pioneer Frank Beatton, who was clerk for the Hudson’s Bay Company at Old Fort St. John. His journals will appear the first Thursday of every month. Digital images of the journals are available to view for research purposes at the North Peace Museum.

Green Valley 4-H Report Devyn Peever Green Valley 4H The 4-H year always starts in November for all the beef projects, first meet is usually weigh in and then you plan your great year ahead of you. This year the Green Valley club’s first meeting was on Nov. 25.

2016 which was a weigh in for all the beef kids ending with a meeting with all members to plan the year’s

work. This year we have 8 members going into the beef or sheep projects. In this meeting we discussed what our theme would be, barn display for at achievement days, who was going into what projects, and what the goals for this years projects and other 4-H based learning would be such as communications.

From Left to Right: Devyn Peever, Katelynn Bueckert, Seth Harmon

R0011172703

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017 B5

Arts & Culture

“Not a lot of people out there have had 100 wilderness journeys and have been charged by grizzlies four times.”

ContaCt Us aleisha hendry 250-785-5631 ahendry@ahnfsj.ca

— Stan Walchuk, B&

Dinner, theatrics to sizzle Valentine’s Day audiences stage north preps for immersive spectacle Greed, vengeance, mystery and intrigue are set to hit the stage this February when Stage North goes live with an immersive dinner theatre experience at the Pomeroy Hotel.

Colosseum premieres Feb. 14 in Fort St. John, with an extended run Feb. 24 and 25, featuring six stages of sizzling drama and live music, and, of course, an Italian gourmet meal prepared by Pomeroy chefs.

Alaska Highway News Editor Matt Preprost has teamed up with his southern colleague Rob Brown of the Dawson Creek Mirror to bring the story to life.

“We got down to working on the script in May as Stage North was prepping for 16/17 season pitches, and Pomeroy made the production an offer we couldn’t refuse,” Preprost says. “It is an exciting time.”

The story follows restaurant proprietor Lou Largo, who only wants a stiff drink and quiet meal to honour his fallen business partner. But not this night. Colosseum is the hottest restaurant in town and the line-up is out the door with diners who’ve had reservations for months.

On the guest list for the evening: a Wall Street broker, a newspaper critic, and two hoodlums looking for their cut of Largo’s family business.

As their demands pile up, Largo must juggle more than just his books and business: his waitress looking for

a way out, his sous chef looking for one last bet, and his celebrity head chef son looking to assume reign of the empire.

“Well, that’s the trick isn’t it, to bring new ideas to theatre, and not hand over the ‘same old-same old’ tropes and scenes you have seen before,” says Brown, who stars as Lou Largo.

“The play will be put on around the audience—they will be literally part of the action over the course of the evening’s dinner and entertainment.

There could be an actor to your left.

There could be one in front of you, who knows?”

The production, directed by Preprost, is billed as a crime drama, goes February 14, 24 & 25, 2017, at the Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Centre in Fort St. John. Where will you be seated when the last meal gets served?

The production stars a veritable ‘who’s who?’ of Stage North acting talent, including Kyle Behrens (Outlaw), Aaron Eady (The Buddy Holly Story), Kelsey Dawley (God of Carnage), Chase Koop (The Buddy Holly Story), Paige Ryder (12 Angry Jurors), Kevin Smith (Daisy’s Birthday), Amie McGuire (Macbeth), as well as newcomers Beckie Lussier, Jeffery Harrison, and Andrew Yee. Local crooner Taylor Thomas lends her voice to the production’s live score.

darCy shawChek Photo

A portion of the cast for Stage North’s Colosseum dinner theatre production behind the scenes.

LIDo DebUT Adam Kelderman and Jeff Zazulak of Machine Gun Kitty got the crowd going at the Lido Theatre Dec. 21. It was the band’s first appearance on the Lido stage.

Visit stagenorth.ca for more information.

aleisha hendry Photo

R0011358452

House

of the

k e e W

ROTHBURY

Rothbury

PLAN 60-016 DUPLEX UNIT A UNIT B First Floor 461 sq.ft. 461 sq.ft.

Second Floor 399 sq.ft. 399 sq.ft.

Living Area 860 sq.ft. 860 sq.ft.

Garage 295 sq.ft. 295 sq.ft.

Total Dimensions 50' x 40' 1000 SERIES

Bedroom 9'6" x 11'

Dn

Bedroom 10'8" x 11'6"

UNIT A

Bedroom 9'6" x 11'

Dn

Bedroom 10'8" x 11'6"

UNIT B

www.AssociatedDesigns.com

Patio 7' x 6'

Patio 7' x 6' Up

Up

Garage 10'7" x 27'4"

Kitchen

eating bar marks the juncture.

Appliances are built into the galley kitchen. The dishwasher is right next to a kitchen sink with a window in front of it, and the refrigerator is only a step or two away. Range and oven are on the opposite side of the room, as is a pantry.

Laundry appliances are nearby, where they share space with the powder room.

A covered patio is also at the rear, where it’s ideally located for enjoying meals outside when the weather is inviting.

Each patio is well isolated from the other unit’s patio, so even outdoor meals can be private.

Upstairs, wide rectangular window bays in the Rothbury’s bedrooms provide plenty of light and a feeling of expansiveness.

Associated Designs is the original source for the Rothbury 60-016. For more information or to view other designs, visit www.AssociatedDesigns. com or call 800-634-0123.

Kitchen

Each of the Rothbury’s two units looks like a single, charming Craftsmanstyle cottage. And in fact, each is. This is a duplex where only the garages share a common wall. Each two-bedroom, twobathroom unit is a mirror image of its opposite, so only one will be described.

Two gables face the street. The lower one highlights the entry porch, which is supported by handsome wooden columns. The posts, in turn, are supported by larger, squared bases covered with lap siding. This porch is large enough for hanging an old-fashioned wooden swing, great for enjoying a warm, breezy afternoon.

The upper gable has a steeper slope, but nicely echoes the gable below while accentuating the multipaned windows on the second floor.

A coat closet is just inside the door.

Family gathering spaces are all on the ground floor. The living room up front flows seamlessly into the dining area, which is open to the kitchen. A raised

Garage 10'7" x 27'4"

Dining 13' x 7' Living 13' x 9'10"

Dining 13' x 7' © 2017 Associated Designs, Inc.

Living 13' x 9'10"

Entry Covered Porch

Entry Covered Porch

Arlen Brekkaas

$339,900

In airport sub. Water and sewer, full finished basement 5 bedrooms and detached double garage.

ACTION REALTY DIRECT - 785-1234 CELL - 793-2438 OFFICE - 785-5520

$329,900

Shiny new with yard space, access and no parking restrictions! Big room sizes and lots of space for families too! Full warranty here and walking distance to Elementary & High Schools. Great value!

$699,996

5 bedrooms + office, 9' walls up & down, huge entrance from garage and RV parking too!

$269,900

Modern, roomy and close to schools is what you will enjoy here! Nice layout with corner lot access means easy to park and storage space is readily accessible. Full ensuite and walk in closet here, 2 more bedrooms and you can get started in home ownership or make this a low maintenance home base to work from.

$384,900

Quiet location, close to schools, nice sq ft and room sizes all with a mortgage helper too! Lots of upgrades and fresh paint here with single garage and no RV restrictions for parking! Excellent value property here!

$925,000

5000 sq ft of living space and a waterfront view 10 minutes to town with a mom-in-law suite too? Yes, it's true! On site sewer system means no big bills for service and 3 years new means all the modern amenities and none of the fix up or maintenance of the older ones! Too many features to describe so you will just have to come and see them yourself!

$164,900

$479,900

Land or rental investment made easy! Low cost place to call your own is ready for quick occupancy and you can be a home owner now!

Finch area estate styling with classic rooms and great kitchen storage space! Double garage and well landscaped yard where you can enjoy the front courtyard too! Modern and easy, this home is a home to call your own.

$539,900

$429,900

2 acres, house with garage, 28 x38 detached garage with carport, and mom-in-law suite with a lake view and 9 min to Fort St John! Charlie Lake sewer system in place and lots of windows to soak in the trees! Unique property with potential for growth or subdivision.

Super clean and close to 2 schools and park! Quiet location here has an attached garage and still room for RV's. Very nice yard space with mature trees and private deck area. Inside you will feel the spaciousness of the great room sizes and a rec room downstairs you can have game night and movie night at the same time!

$84,900

Clean and quick occupancy 3 bedroom unit with lots of upgraded paint, flooring, windows, siding and shingles too! Good sized lot for kids & pets and walking distance to elem & high schools! See it soon or say 'so long'!

$1,200,000

Springtime sunrise over Tea Creek Valley will fill your home with natural sunlight where you can sit and enjoy the start of the day in professionally designed, restaurant quality kitchen. 10' walls and glass to match brings in the quiet peacefulness of your surroundings like every home should. The second floor has its own laundry room for the 4 bedrooms service and the master suite is a resort quality retreat space to relax and recharge in.

$389,900

9' walls, daylight basement, landscaped and appliances included! Excellent maintenance and yard access for future garage! Perfect starter/retirement home so get into this one before it goes!

$319,900

Clean & tidy! Large lot with good access for future garage and parking! Close to amenities, this property has good zoning and a great layout for a rental suite or just enjoy all the space!

B6 THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017

R0011352386

Arts & Culture

Scarlet Sway, Rose Prairie Romance kick off a New Year at the Lido AleishA hendry ahendry@ahnfsj.ca

Start the New Year off right with a night of live music from Peace Region bands.

Dawson Creek’s own Scarlet Sway are crossing the river and heading to the Lido Theatre to share their melodious music.

They’ll be playing some originals as well as plenty of covers to keep everyone dancing the whole night through.

Joining Scarlet Sway is Rose Prairie Romance of Fort St. John, who will bring their signature rock sound to the evening.

The show goes down on Jan.

AleishA hendry File Photo

Scarlet Sway returns to the Lido Theatre on Jan. 6

6, at the Lido Theatre. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at

8 p.m. For more information, call 250-785-3011.

Drama, docs and more in upcoming Fort St. John Film Society season AleishA hendry ahendry@ahnfsj.ca

The Fort St. John Film Society has released its slate of movies for its winter/spring season, with plenty of drama and some laughs thrown in for good measure.

Jan. 9 - the dressmaker An Australian revenge comedy-drama about a femme fatale dressmaker who returns to a small Australian town to take care of her ailing mother.

Jan. 23 - little Men An American drama about two teens developing a growing friendship in Brooklyn, N.Y., while the feud between their respective parents continues to escalate.

Feb. 6 - Manchester by the sea An American drama about a man who has to take in his teenage nephew after the boy’s father dies.

LANDMARK CINEMAS 5 AURORA FSJ

R0011358446

CURRENT MOVIE LISTINGS FROM JANUARY 6 TO JANUARY 12

SING Nightly 6:30, 9:30 Weekend Matinee: 12:30, 3:30

ASSASSIN’S CREED Nightly: 7:00, 9:55 Weekend Matinee: 1:00, 3:55

WHY HIM Nightly: 7:15, 10:05 Weekend Matinee: 1:15, 4:05

Feb. 20 - denial A British-American historical drama based on the book History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier

by Deborah E. Lipstadt, where Lipstadt was sued for libel by Holocaust denier David Irving.

March 6 - things to Come A French-German drama about a woman whose life has turned upside down after her husband of 25 years decides to leave her.

March 13 - the eagle huntress A Kazakh-language, British-Mongolian-American documentary about the real-life story of a 13-year-old Kazakh girl from Mongolia named Aisholpan attempting to be the first female eagle hunter in her country.

April 3 - Paterson A German-French-American drama about a hardworking bus driver in Paterson, N.J., writes heartfelt poems every

day before his shift begins.

April 10 - the Apology A Canadian documentary that follows the personal journeys of three former “comfort women” who were among the 200,000 girls and young women kidnapped and forced into military sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. April 24 - 20th Century Women An American comedy-drama about three women exploring love and freedom in Southern California during the late 1970s.

May 8 - Maudie An Irish-Canadian drama about a crabby miser that hires a disfigured woman to be his housekeeper and winds up managing her career as a folk artist.

All movies start at 7 p.m. at the Aurora Cinema. For more information email filmsociety. media@gmail.com.

UNIT 2000, 9600 - 93 AVE, FORT ST. JOHN, BC PH: 250-785-8811 (MOVIE INFO LINE) WWW.LANDMARKCINEMAS.COM/FORT-ST-JOHN

ROGUE ONE Nightly: 6:45 3D: 9:45 Weekend Matinee: 3:45 3D: 12:45

UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS Nightly: 10:15 3D 7:30 Weekend Matinee: 4:15, 3D 1:30

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017 B7

ARTS & CULTURE

FORT ST. JOHN & DISTRICT CHURCH DIRECTORY

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Stan Walchuk explores the Cassier Mountains in Northern B.C.

Wandering into the wilderness Common man Stan Walchuk writes about his uncommon life ALEISHA HENDRY ahendry@ahnfsj.ca

The common person can’t say they’ve spent a significant portion of their lives in the wilderness, but Stan Walchuk is definitely the uncommon exception.

Walkchuk is the writer of the bestselling book, The Cordillera Expedition, about his journey as the first man to cross the North American Cordillera with pack and saddle horses. He also writes for magazines and has worked on writing historical fiction.

It wasn’t until getting stuck on a particular story that his wife suggested he try telling his own life story.

“She said ‘you’ve been telling people these stories your whole life, you’ve got to get them down,’” he said.

“I began to realize that there’s not a lot of people out there that have had 100 wilderness journeys and have been charged by grizzlies four times.”

Three years and 700 pages later, Walchuk has written his biography, Common Man, Uncommon Life.

“Initially the book was just going to be adventure biography stories only, horse journeys, wilderness drama, drowning in rivers and grizzly bears,” he said, adding that he found that many of the stories began when he was much younger, so he decided to make it his own life-adventure biography.

Walchuk went on his first HOROSCOPE

ARIES (MARCH 21 TO APRIL 19) Because you feel headstrong and passionate about something today, you cannot predict how this day will unfold.

But it’s safe to say that you will have detours and interruptions.

TAURUS (APRIL 20 TO MAY 20) This is a friendly and social time for you, which is why you are intrigued by someone who is different or from another culture. A casual friendship might heat up into something cozy.

GEMINI (MAY 21 TO JUNE 20) A friend might surprise you today. Or possibly, you will meet someone who is a real character. In any event, it’s not a boring day.

CANCER (JUNE 21 TO JULY 22) A discussion with a boss or parental figure will surprise you today. Whatever happens, do not be hasty - and do not quit your day job.

LEO (JULY 23 TO AUG. 22) Travel plans might be detoured, delayed or canceled today. Be ready for anything, because interruptions are par for the course.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 TO SEPT. 22) Double-check financial matters with your bank and anything to do with taxes and debt today, because something unexpected might be brewing. Don’t be caught off guard.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23 TO OCT. 22) A close friend or partner likely

solo wilderness trip when he was only 13 year old, and since then has lived most of his warm seasons in the great outdoors on horses, in canoes and living out of a backpack.

He has spent a significant portion of his time in Northeast B.C., travelling along the Alaska Highway and wandering out into the wilderness.

“You get up into the Alaska Highway country and it’s beautiful,” he said.

The biography not only covers those previously mention encounters with grizzly bears, but also a tale about Big Foot and the time his wife nearly died.

“There’s love stories, there’s crazy stories, there’s humour stories,” said Walchuk.

Walchuk resides in McBride, B.C., with his wife and runs Blue Creek Horse and Guides Program, offering a taste of the adventure he’s experienced in his own life to others.

Common Man, Uncommon Life will be available at local bookstores, or by emailing info@vistapubishing.net.

For Thursday January 5, 2017

will say or do something that surprises you today. Keep a lighthearted point of view.

Humor always puts perspective on things.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 TO NOV. 21) Computer glitches, staff shortages and canceled appointments are just some of the surprises that will interrupt your routine at work. Don’t make a big deal about things. Every job has unexpected interruptions and delays.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 TO DEC. 21) A surprise invitation to a social event might come your way.

Conversely, social plans might be changed. It could be anything, which means you have to be ready to go with the flow.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 TO JAN. 19) Your home routine will be interrupted today, perhaps because of a discussion with a parent or a female relative. Be wise and remain cool.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 TO FEB. 18) Pay attention to everything you say and do today in order to prevent doing anything you later regret. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

PISCES (FEB. 19 TO MARCH 20) Keep an eye on your money and possessions today to prevent loss or theft. Something unpredictable might happen. The upside is that you might find money or something you previously lost.

ANGLICAN CHURCH of CANADA NoRTH PEACE PARISH Please join us at our temporary location at the Lutheran Church 9812 108 Ave Ph: 250-785-6471 “All are Invited and Welcome Here” - (Luke 14:23) SERVICES St. Martin’s, fort St. John, BC Sundays 1:30 p.m.

Rev. Enid Pow ********** Church of the Good Shepherd Taylor, BC - Sundays 9:30 a.m. ********** St. Matthias, Cecil Lake, BC 3rd Sun. of the Month 3:00 p.m.

Holy Communion BAHA’I fAITH BAHA’I fAITH National Baha’i Information 1-800-433-3284 Regular Firesides Mondays @ 8:00 p.m.

Deepenings continued Wednesdays at 250-7870089 Next Feast Info.

250-787-0089 ********** BAPTIST CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH 9607-107th Ave., fSJ Ph. (Office) 250-785-4307 Pastor: Michael Hayes Associate Pastor: Doug Janzen SUNDAY WoRSHIP SERVICE 10:30AM ********** CATHoLIC RoMAN CATHoLIC CHURCH (Resurrection Church) Pastor: Rev. Vener Sabacan Phone 250-785-3413 www.fsjcatholic.ca MASSES: Saturday 7:30 p.m.

Sunday - 10:00 a.m. oNLY OFFICE HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

BAPTISM: Contact the Pastor 3 months before baptism.

MARRIAGES: Contact the Pastor 3 months before the wedding. ********** ALLIANCE CHURCH 9804-99 Ave., fort St. John, BC V1J 3T8 Ph: 250-785-4644 fax: 250-785-8932 e-mail: office@fsjalliance.ca www.fsjalliance.ca SUNDAY WoRSHIP SERVICE: 9:15am & 11:00am KIDVILLE: for ages 2yrs.-Gr.6 @ 9:15am **********

CoMMUNITY CHURCH CHARLIE LAKE CoMMUNITY CHURCH Lead Pastor: Alfred Reschke Associate Pastor: Jared Braun 250-785-1723 fax: 250-785-4136 clcc@pris.ca SUNDAY SCHooL: 9:30am SUNDAY WoRSHIP: 10:40am 1st left turn off Alaska Highway past the Charlie Lake Store. ********** PEACE CoMMUNITY CHURCH 10556-100th Street, Taylor, BC Pastor: Wally Pohlmann Phone: 250-789-3045 HoURS: 9:00am-Noon Monday-Wednesday & friday Email: office@taylorchurch.ca Website: www.taylorchurch.ca SUNDAY ADULT CLASS - 9:30am SUNDAY WoRSHIP SERVICE - 10:30am ********** EVANGELICAL foRT ST. JoHN EVANGELICAL MISSIoN 8220-89th Avenue, fSJ Pastor: Andy Wiebe Sunday School September-June begins at 9:30am Sunday mornings.

Worship Service - 10:45am Phone: 250-787-2550 ******* INTERDENoMINATIoNAL UPPER PINE GoSPEL CHAPEL Church Phone: 250-827-3833 Email: upgc@pris.ca Board Chairman: Andy Burkholder 250-827-3811 Box 66, Rose Prairie, BC ********** LUTHERAN PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 9812-108th Avenue, fort St. John, BC V1J 2R3 Office Phone: 250-785-2718 Pastor: Rev. Kebede Dibaba Regular Worship Schedule: 9:00am Youth, Adult Bible Study 10:00am Sunday Worship Service & Sunday School ********** PEACE RIVER MUSLIM ASSoCIATIoN Information: 250-787-1264 Jumm’a (Friday) Prayer @ 1:00pm 203-10903-100th Street, fort St. John, BC email: tahermorsi@shaw.ca ********** MENNoNITE NoRTH PEACE MENNoNITE BRETHREN CHURCH North Peace Mennonite Brethren Church 10816 106 St. fort St. John, BC V1J 5V2 250-785-3869

Lead Pastor: Andrew Eby Associate Pastor of Youth & Young Adults: Don Banman SUNDAY SERVICE TIMES: 9:15am & 11:00am ********** MENNoNITE MoNTNEY MENNoNITE CHURCH SUNDAY MoRNING: Sunday School & Worship: 9:30am SUNDAY EVENING: 2nd & 4th Sundays: 7:00pm Everyone Welcome!

Pastor Warren Martin Phone: (250) 827-3231 ********** NoNDENoMINATIoNAL CHRISTIAN LIfE CENTRE “Associated with “Fellowship of Christian Assemblies” “King Jesus is Lord Over the Peace” 8923-112th Avenue, fort St. John, BC V1J 6G2 website: www.christianlifefsj.ca Ph: 250-785-4040 fax: 250-785-4021 Pastor Steve Oboh Principal of Christian Life School: Garry Jones Everyone Welcome Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00am Nursery available and Sunday School is held during the sermon for ages 3-12 years.

Christian Life Centre is “Home of Christian Life School” ********** foRT ST. JoHN NATIVE BIBLE fELLoWSHIP Sunday Worship: 11:00am Wed., Night Bible Study: 7:30pm Pastor John A Giesbrecht 250-785-0127 ********** GIDEoNS INTERNATIoNAL Fort St. John Camp Ray Hein 250-827-3636 John Giesbrecht 250-785-0127 ********** NoRTHERN LIGHTS CHURCH INTERNATIoNAL (Rose Prairie, BC Sunday Service: Pre-Service Prayer: 10:30am Worship Service: 11:00am Everyone Welcome ********** THE SHELTER CHURCH “...the Lord will be a shelter for His people” Joel 3:6 9808-98A Ave. fort St. John, BC 250-785-3888 SUNDAY SERVICE: 10am Pastor: Oral Benterud 250-785-9151 ********** PENTECoSTAL THE PENTECoSTALS of foRT ST. JoHN Phone: 250-787-9888 Pastor: Jason McLaughlin Sunday 10am Service, Sunday School Youth Sunday 11am Worship Service Tuesday 7pm Prayer

Wednesday 7pm Bibile Study Friday 7pm Youth ********** PENTECoSTAL ASSEMBLIES of CANADA EVANGEL CHAPEL 10040-100 St., fort St. John Phone: 250-785-3386 Fax: 250-785-8345 Lead Pastor: Tony Warriner Sunday Services: 9:30am, 11:00am www.evangelfsj.com ********** The Journey 10011-100 St., fort St. John Phone: 250-785-6254 Pastor: Larry Lorentz Services: Sundays: 10:30am Tuesdays: 7:00pm ********** PRESBYTERIAN fort St. John Presbyterian Church 9907-98th St., fort St. John, BC Phone: 250-785-2482 fax: 250-785-2482 12:30 p.m. - Pie and Coffee 1:00 p.m. - Worship Service Everyone is invited to participate ********** REfoRMED TRINITY CoVENANT CHURCH Sunday Service: 10:00am Meets at the Quality Inn Northern Grand 100th Ave & 98th St., fort St. John, BC Elder: Mike Donovan Phone: 250-787-7702 Affiliated with C.R.E.C. ********** THE SALVATIoN ARMY THE SALVATIoN ARMY Sunday Worship Service: 10:30am 10116-100th Ave., fort St. John, BC Come Worship With Us. For information; Phone 250-785-0506 or food Bank 250-785-0500 ********** SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 9008-100th Avenue, fort St. John, BC Phone: 250-785-8632 Pastor: Cavin Chwyl Phone: 250-719-7949 Saturday Service: 9:30am ********** UNITED CHURCH of CANADA ST. LUKE’S UNITED 9907-98 St., fort St. John, BC Office: 250-785-2919 fax: 250-785-2788 Email: stlukeuc@telus.net Sunday Worship Service @ 10:00am All are Welcome!

The United Church of Canada is a Union of Congregationalist, Methodist & Presbyterian Churches in Canada formed in 1925.

R0021161774

Elusive Sleep Dear Annie: I used to get by on six hours of sleep a night, but as I’ve gotten older, I really like to sleep for a full eight or nine hours every night. But the problem is that it is not always easy to sleep that long, especially if I am snoring a lot.

I snore so loudly that my wife sometimes asks me to sleep on the couch, or she will sleep there herself. But even if I am alone, my snoring is so bad that sometimes it wakes me up. I know that sounds funny, but it’s true.

I am really looking for any suggestions you have for more restful sleep. I do know that when I try to get by on less than eight hours of sleep, I am much more susceptible to colds and the flu. When I manage to sleep eight or nine hours a night, I always feel much better and almost never get sick.

My wife would also appreciate your help with this.

She knows I can’t control the snoring, but her patience is wearing thin. -- Snoring in Slumberland Dear Snoring: Everyone has a favorite “stop snoring” remedy. Ask around and you’re likely to hear dozens: Take a hot shower before bedtime; use a saline rinse to clear the nasal passages; don’t drink alcohol; lose weight; tape tennis balls to your back so you sleep on your side, etc.

Annie Lane DEAR ANNIE

All of those are worth trying, but the best thing for you to do is visit your doctor. He or she can review your symptoms and refer you to a sleep specialist for evaluation, as it’s possible you’re suffering from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea not only deprives you of those wonderful full-slumber nights but also is incredibly dangerous if left untreated. For your health and the health of your marriage, it’s important to put this problem to bed as soon as possible.

Dear Annie: After reading the letter from “Confused Young Life in California,” the young man who is incarcerated, I am begging you to please stop telling millennials, “You can still be whoever you want.”

This is how we parents have messed up our children. We have told them all their lives that they can do whatever they want to do in life if they simply work hard enough. It is just not true, and intellectually, you know that. We all do.

This is particularly true for someone coming out of prison. Such a person has the deck

stacked against him because he is a former criminal. Period.

This young man needs to hear the unvarnished truth.

He can still become a contributing member of society.

But because of his actions, he most likely will not be able to be whoever he wants to be.

Words of encouragement are powerful, but they need to be used in a realistic way.

Before this young man can achieve a meaningful life, he needs to have an arsenal of truth. -- DBS Dear DBS: Notice that I said this young man can be “whoever,” not “whatever,” he wants -- a matter of heart, not aptitude.

Every morning, we open our eyes and get to decide what type of person we want to be that day. What I want is for this young man to see that there’s a light within him just waiting to shine.

But to your point: Yes, it’s important to have realistic goals. But it’s just as important to have improbable, idealistic, get-laughed-out-of-the-room goals. Planning for the worst doesn’t mean you have to stop hoping for the best.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. To find out more about Annie Lane and read features by other Creators Syndicate columnists and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2016 CREATORS.COM

B8 THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017

Coffee Corner

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aleisha hendry 250-785-5631 ahendry@ahnfsj.ca

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Clue

Find the correct word, joining the first word then joining the second word

TODAY’S PUZZLE

26. A major division of geological time

Clue

27. Japanese apricot 28. Initial public offering 29. A quantity of no importance 35. Securities market 36. Sharp part of a tool 37. Downwind

Find the correct word, joining the first word then joining the second word

38. Doctor of Education 40. Built up 41. Borrowers

Clue

42. Stray

43. Country singer Haggard Copyright © 2008, Penny Press

44. Eurasian marten pelts

CLUES ACROSS 39. CNN’s founder & Porter 45. Fashion magazine Turner 4. S W Pacific state 1. W. Loman’s failed 42. Removed contents son 5. The start of some- Marie ___ thing 44. Frighten 5. Largest English 47. Turkish candy dictionary (abbr.)

6. Edible 46. Responded 48. Regarding 7. More coy 8. Wanes 47. “Extant” star the first Find the correct word, joining 8.

From 56 to 34 mil12. Lifeless geologic 49.the Aba ____ 49. Distribute game word then joining second word lion years ago period Honeymoon cards 9. Small wind 14. No (Scottish) 50. Box (abbr.)

10.

Disney heroine 52. Princess Anne’s 15. Filled chocolate 51. Reptile leather 11. Helios cookie 56. Norse goddess of daughter 13. Existing at birth 16. Circular chordoold age 53. Planned pipeline phones 57. Drive obliquely, as but not hereditary 17. Paris river 18. Short-term of a nail from Burgas to Vlore 24. Confined condition memory 58. Inspire with love 54. An academic gown (abbr.)

19. Any small com59. Affirm positively 25.

More than charged 55. Removes moisture partment 60. European sea 20. Poisonous gas eagle 21. Cologne PREVIOUS PUZZLES ANSWERS 61. Congresswoman Giffords 22. Scaleless fishes 62. Emit coherent 23. Ormolu radiation 26. Well-known & 63. Fall back time respected 64. Masses of fish 30. Man-made river eggs embankment 31. Yearned after something CLUES DOWN 32. Before 1. Leavened rum cake 33. Garlic mayonnaise 2. Moslem women’s garment 34. California white oak 3. Quilting duo: ____

TODAYS PUZZLE

how to play: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.

Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started.

Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3x3 box.

PREVIOUS PUZZLES ANSWERS