THURSDAY,NOVEMBER 24, 2016 VOL. 73, NO. 94
SERVING FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
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James McIntyre
No charges in shooting of Site C protester ALEISHA HENDRY PHOTO
Santa Claus himself made an early stop in Fort St. John for the annual parade in his honour on Nov. 18. After riding in the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus headed over to Centennial Park to visit with the boys and girls of Fort St. John. How are you celebrating Christmas and the holiday season this year? Email ahendry@ahnfsj.ca with your events and celebration notices. Turn to B15 for more from the Santa Claus Parade.
Solutions to Charlie Lake algae problems pitched at public meet MATT PREPROST editor@ahnfsj.ca
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Charlie Lake residents got a better understanding of the dynamics and health of their lake at a public meeting last week, as well as some possible solutions to help tackle its ongoing problems with algae. Residents jammed into the community hall Nov. 16 to hear from government agencies, Northern Health, the MATT PREPROST PHOTO Charlie Lake Conservation Society, and entrepreneurs Charles Robinson speaks about a “pond clarifier� product that can be introduced for a three-hour meeting that into Charlie Lake to eliminate excessive nutrients and combat algae. was part educational and part sales pitch. life—and considerably shal- depending on weather and Because the lake is natur- low at just seven metres, the water conditions, and varying ally eutrophic—rich in nutri- lake is home to several types chemical shifts. ents that support dense plant of algae throughout the year See ALGAE on A11
Film takes viewers on historical journey of Taylor MATT PREPROST editor@ahnfsj.ca
The District of Taylor will debut its long awaited and much anticipated Taylor Memory Project to public audiences this Friday. Five years in the making, the 45-minute documentary is a historical journey through the life and times of Taylor and its residents. “What’s great about this particular project is it’s not just a chronological, historical essay. It’s done by videoing residents of the community about their memories of the community,�
Mayor Rob Fraser said. “It gives a different perspective on the history of Taylor.� Along with interviews of the residents who helped shaped the community, the film also recounts major historical events that shaped the town, from the 1957 Peace River Bridge collapse to the development of community amenities including “the curling club, the old hall, right through to Village On A Diet and how people participated in that,� Fraser said. “People who participated (in the film) will feel proud they participated, and the people
who didn’t participate but are interested in the history of Taylor will get a really good feel for the community,� he said. The project collected video interviews from more than 90 local residents, including Fraser, who moved to the community in the early 1990s. “It was a big move south for me,� Fraser said of his initial move from Fort Nelson to Fort St. John. “Eventually, I got into Taylor and I loved it.� The Taylor Memory Project will screen Friday, Nov. 25, at 7 p.m. at the community hall. All are welcome, and popcorn and refreshments will be available.
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Officer involved did not provide interview, reports to police watchdog MATT PREPROST & JONNY WAKEFIELD editor@ahnfsj.ca; reporter@dcdn.ca
B.C.’s police watchdog has cleared a Dawson Creek RCMP officer in the fatal shooting of a Site C protester last year. The Independent Investigations Office of BC says “it does not consider that any police officer may have committed an offence under any enactment and therefore the matter will not be referred to Crown counsel for consideration of charges.� James McIntyre, 48, was shot July 16, 2015, outside a Dawson Creek restaurant where an open house on the Site C dam project was taking place, after confronting officers with a knife. RCMP were called to the scene after a man flipped tables and tore up posters inside. The controversial $8.8-billion dam project on the Peace River began construction later that summer. The McIntyre shooting gained international attention in part due to McIntyre’s apparent association with the hacker group Anonymous. In the report, investigators confirmed McIntyre was wearing the Guy Fawkes mask associated with the group and carrying two knives. The IIO says McIntyre was fatally wounded by a single gunshot after witnesses described him “lunging towards,� officers with an open switchblade in his hands. “Police ordered the affected person to drop the knife. Pepper spray was deployed with no apparent effect. The affected person did not comply and was subsequently shot once by an officer,� IIO Chief Civilian Director Bert Phipps writes in his 21- page report. See MCINTYRE on A14
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