AHN APR 20, 2023

Cecil

HALFWAY-PEACE

Goaltender Jordan Fairlie signs with University of Toronto Blues

Larry Evans on the history of the Halfway River bridge

City on hook for $1.4M in RCMP retroactive pay

Fort St. John will have to cough up $1.4 million in RCMP back pay after the federal government rejected a Federation of Canadian Municipalities plea to cover retroactive pay negotiated in the force’s latest contract. Municipalities across the country had hoped the funding would be included in the recent federal budget from the Liberals. Now, they have to pay up and absorb the cost – but the city says it has saved up for the expense.

“We understand and appreciate the need for increased compensation for our valued RCMP members; however, it is disappointing that the federal government has decided not to cover the retroactive costs,” mayor Lilia Hansen said in a statement April 12. “Although the City has accrued the $1.4 million required for this retroactive payment, this decision represents a significant increase to our annual budget.”

The Union of BC Municipalities estimates the cost to local governments across the province at between $138 million and $145 million. Many did not put away enough money. After years without a contract, RCMP members ratified a deal last April that included raises of $20,000 to $25,000, with retroactive pay going back to 2017, according to the city.

Local dancer a world medallist

By Hailey Moore

The Watt School of Irish Dance just returned from Montreal where they competed at the 53rd annual World Irish Dancing Championships.

Nine local dancers earned their place at the international competition with top placings at the Western Canadian Qualifer last November. Since then, the girls have been training intensely in hopes of making it to the final rounds of the World Championships, and perhaps earning a world medal.

Reese Gibbons did just that, returning with a coveted world medal from the Girls 13-14 category. Placing 16th overall among the top 200 dancers

around the globe, Gibbons also achieved the title of top Canadian, and fourth in North American for the age group. Attaining a world medal is a milestone achievement most work toward their entire career. After the week-long event, Reese’s result had her taking home one of just five medals for Canadian girls under 18.

Two of Gibbons’ teammates also left with notable results. Mélodie Kemp reached the fifth and final round of the two-day Ladies 17-18 competition. Placing 20th overall, she earned a finalist medal, just short of the world medal, which is awarded based on percentage of competitors. Emalee Chapple also made it to day two in Ladies 18-

19, reaching the fourth round and coming away with a semifinalist medal.

Now it’s back to the studio for the Watt School, this time in preparation for the North American Irish Dance Championships. Sixteen members of the Fort St. John school will be competing in Nashville this July: Beau Almeida, Heidi Blackmore, Paisley Gibbons, Violet Kursteiner, McKinley Pomeroy (11-12), Hillary Campbell, Gemma McQuillan (12-13), Kayleigh Fowler, Reese Gibbons (13-14), Katie Campbell (14-15), Lauryn Campbell (15-16), Naia Gibbons, Ava Wolff (16-17), Linley Jarabek, Melodie Kemp (17-18), and Emalee Chapple (18-19).

“The federal government’s refusal to absorb these costs – which were essentially negotiated with municipal money but not with municipal input – is not acceptable,” FCM president Taneen Rudyk said. “Municipal councils will be forced to make incredibly tough decisions, such as making cuts to essential services or passing the bill along to residents, at a time when Canadians’ concerns about local safety and the cost of living are already rising.”

The city said in a statement that it supports the FCM position that municipalities be actively involved in any future processes regarding contract policing.

“This decision is an example of a federal commitment that deeply impacts municipalities without municipalities being properly consulted or involved,” the city statement read. “Municipal governments are paying a growing share of policing costs, but they cannot run deficits and have limited revenue tools.”

— with files from Jon Manchester/Castanet

Reese Gibbons placed 16th overall among the top 200 dancers around the globe in her age category at the 2023 World Irish Dancing Championships

Help Gilpins rebuild: Cecil Lake, Goodlow unite to support house fire victims

The Cecil Lake and Goodlow communities are banding together in support of a local family that recently lost their home to fire.

Family friends say the Gilpins lost everything but the clothes on their back when the fire happened in the early evening of April 6.

Coltin and Denise and their young daughter Vivian were all able to safely escape, but the family sadly lost their two dogs in the tragedy.

A family-friendly fundraiser and live auction is being planned for April 22 at the Cecil Lake hall from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Skylar Rowsell and Roadworn are so far scheduled to perform at the benefit, and Brian Baldry will be the auctioneer. Entry and a potluck supper will be by donation.

The family is currently living in a small camper to take care of the remaining animals at their farm. So far, community support has poured in with donations of girl’s clothes, bed and blankets, various small kitchen appliances, as well as dishes, pots, and utensils.

But they still needs women’s and men’s clothing, towels and toiletries, girl’s toys, groceries, building materials of any kind, and anything else needed for daily life, such as basic medication like Advil and children’s Tylenol.

“I am so incredibly thankful for everyone who rushed to help and who are continuing to reach out to help them,” says Carla Fuks, one of the organizers working to help the

SUPPLIED

Coltin and Denise and their young daughter Vivian were all able to safely escape, but the family sadly lost their two dogs in the tragedy.

Gilpins. “From the bottom of our hearts, if you are able to help by donating, I thank you.”

For more details, a Facebook

page has been set up, Helping Build The Gilpin Family Back Up, for residents to follow and connect with organizers and contribute supports.

Davies excited after party name change

North Peace MLA Dan Davies got a caucus rebrand on Wednesday as the BC Liberal party officially changed its name to BC United.

“I am very excited about our new name, new brand, and a new way forward,” Davies told Alaska Highway News.

“The BC United has been many years coming,” he said. “I heard over and over again while door knocking about brand confusion between us and the federal party - in which we are two very different parties.”

Party members voted in favour of changing their name to BC United last November in an online vote held over three days.

On Wednesday, party leader Kevin Falcon gathered with the local MLAs as well as party members in Surrey to unveil the the new name and logo.

Falcon, who championed the name change during his leadership campaign, said it’s a bold, bridgebuilding move, and voters would have 18 months to become familiar with the new name before the fixed provincial election date in 2024.

The changes capture “an energetic, new feel” that reflects what Falcon

described as a bright future for British Columbia.

“It’s about us coming together, bridging our diverse backgrounds, and our perspectives while uniting to genuinely improve the lives of British Columbians,” Falcon said.

The audience cheered as Falcon touted his party’s approach to issues including economic growth, public safety, mental health, housing affordability and climate change. The party will introduce new policy proposals in the coming months, he added.

“BC United is way more than a new name,” he said. “It’s about knowing what we stand for, and fighting for it on behalf of all British Columbians, every single day.”

The new party logo includes a stylized bridge with the words BC United. It replaces the party’s former primary colours of red, blue and yellow with pink and teal tones. He said they still reflect the party’s legacy but with shifting emphasis.

“The colours to me are so great because they are just so not political colours,” he said. “It represents the new, vibrant fresh approach.”

Debate about a name change has been around for decades as some members worried about a perceived — but inaccurate — connection to the federal Liberal party.

“Ninety-six per cent of British Columbians don’t belong to any political party and too often we talk about voters as if they are members of parties,” Falcon said.

“Most people aren’t Liberal, aren’t Conservative or aren’t NDP. They are just people. They’re looking for leadership that is going to get results.”

Davies said he was proud of the party’s accomplishments over the past two decades.

“We are united that we need better health care, better care with those with mental health and addictions challenges, better housing plans, better spending policies, better plans for our incredible resources,” Davies said. “Until the next election we will continue to hold the NDP government to account and challenge Premier Eby on his many poor policies that have made life more unaffordable than ever.”

— with files from Canadian Press

Peace River North MLA Dan Davies with his counterpart Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier and the rest of the BC United Caucus celebrate the party’s name change April 12, 2023.

Fort St. John’s advanced care paramedic vehicle doesn’t look like your usual big box ambulance, but it’s still proving to be a lifesaver.

No doubt residents have seen the white and branded SUV patrolling town over the past three years, dramatically changing the scope of care that can be brought to patients.

The vehicle is there to support the other crews on calls and are often the first on scene when a patient requires serious emergency care. The unit is equipped with gear and equipment that varies from a regular ambulance, and enables the paramedic to perform tasks traditionally reserved for doctors.

“I’m what’s called an advanced life support paramedic, which we’ve never had in this area before,” said Ryley Stevenson, who staffs the unit, during a recent tour of the Fort St. John ambulance station. “I came up due to the COVID-19 crisis, and that was morphed into a full-time spot after everything settled down.”

There are three types of paramedics you will see in Fort St. John.

There are the emergency medical responders, the essential entry way into the profession; primary care paramedics, who require 18 months of schooling; and advanced care para

“Historically, advanced care paramedics have only been in the urban centres, so Prince George would be the closest,” said Jonathan Brnjas, clinical operations manager for BC Emergency Health Services in the northeastern district.

“Riley brings a much larger skillset that he can bring to the patients,” Brnjas said. “There’s a lot of things that Riley can do, like placing breathing tubes or IVs, that traditionally only doctors have done.”

There are 33 paramedics staffing the city’s ambulance station, the busiest in the Peace region, and with the second largest coverage area in B.C.

Within the last six months, 10 more positions have been added to the roster, with another 24-hour ambulance added to the fleet as well in October 2022.

During the day, there are three ambulances and seven people at the ready to respond to calls in the area. At night, the station is staffed by four paramedics and two ambulances. Local paramedics responded to up to seven calls a shift, and roughly 5,000 a year.

“All across British Columbia right now is a large push for paramedics, and across the Peace we have been hiring many more local people than transferring in,” said Brnjas.

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Issue

Upcoming Events

Area D Community Meetings

Residents of Electoral Area D are encouraged to attend a community meeting to discuss their priorities with Director Leonard Hiebert.

May 2, 2023 @ 7pm Kelly Lake Community Centre: 107 Kelly Lake Road

June 6, 2023 @ 7pm

Doe River Community Hall: 3816 Rolla Road

Workshop: How to Write a Successful Grant Application (virtual)

April 21, 2023 | 9am to 12pm

April 22, 2023 | 9am to 12pm

Scan the QR code to register:

Planning process for North Peace Leisure Facility moving forward

The planning process for a new aquatics and recreation facility to serve the North Peace is nearing a critical milestone. The Peace River Regional District (Areas B and C), the City of Fort St. John and the District of Taylor are working together to explore options for the proposed North Peace Leisure Facility. A feasibility study that identifies the best opportunities to replace the aging North Peace Leisure Pool is nearing completion and is expected to be put before elected officials for consideration soon.

T.W. BUCK PHOTO

The completed feasibility study will include recommendations on a wide variety of issues including what features could be included in the building, estimated construction cost, proposed location, and the business case for a new facility including some of the operating costs and revenue projections.

No final decisions on project scope or other major considerations have been made at this point. If a decision is made to move forward with a project, voters would have to approve any borrowing required to build the new facility through a referendum.

The planning process for a new facility began in 2018 but was paused due to COVID-19 pandemic challenges. The process got back on track in 2022 with a new round of public consultation and re-launch of the feasibility study development. The feasibility study will balance community input with cost, affordability, and other considerations in recommending what could be included in the facility. To learn more about the planning process for the project and the community input to date visit: haveyoursay.prrd.bc.ca/.

The North Peace Leisure Facility (NPLF) Replacement Steering Committee, which includes elected representatives from the PRRD Board and Fort St. John and Taylor Councils, is meeting regularly to support the completion of the feasibility study and ensure resident needs are addressed in proposed recommendations.

When the feasibility report and related recommendations are complete, they will first be reviewed by the Steering Committee, and if supported, will be presented to the PRRD Board and the Fort St. John and Taylor Councils for consideration and provisional approval. Elected officials would then determine the process and timeline to seek approval from voters in the affected communities to borrow the funds needed to pay for the project.

New online reservation system for Blackfoot Regional Park

There is a new way to book at Blackfoot! The regional park is now online with Let’s Camp, a digital reservation system that allows users to select camping dates 30 days in advance, view site availability and pay for bookings in one secure transaction. The park still accommodates drive-in reservations and holds eight sites on a first-come-first-served model. Reservation fees are $10 per night for tent sites, $20 per night for RV sites without power and $25 per night for RV sites with power. To make an online reservation visit letscamp. ca. For assistance with bookings, please contact the PRRD at blackfoot.park@prrd.bc.ca or 250-784-3200.

Next PRRD Board eetings:

May 4, 2023 10am | Facebook Live, Dawson Creek

May 18, 2023 10am | Facebook Live, Dawson Creek

Join

Peace River Regional District Official Page

North Peace Leisure Pool, Fort St. John BC

First responders stand in front of the Advanced Care Paramedic Response Vehicle in Fort St John. Back row L to R, Matthew Rydalch , Shona Murray, Krista Park, John te Bulte. Front row L to R, Madelynn Ticehurst and Ryley Stevenson.

Advanced care paramedicine brings the ER to the patient

TheBeatton 4-H Club just had their first ride on April 11. We worked on showmanship and the brushing pattern. Our next ride is on Sunday the 22 of April, we will ride on that day. We have been doing a lot of spring care, it is starting to get muddy out and the horses will get all dirty from the mud. If your horse does get muddy, use a curry comb and do a circular motion where the muddy spots are. Also its shedding season and a shedding blade does a lot to help with that if you don’t want fur on you. Picking the hooves is very important in the summer because the rocks are out and if a rock gets into the hoof it can make your horse go lame, and you won’t be able to ride your horse for a while. With summer on the way, we can go on more trail rides outside without it being minus 20 and only riding in an arena if you have one or are near one. At our next ride, we are going to work on our patterns. We are all so lucky to be able to use the Lighthorse Arena and Valley Vista Riding Arena. Thank you for reading my report on our latest riding days and things we have been doing so far, goodbye.

SUBMITTED

SILVER MEDALLISTS — Local archers recently took part in the Indoor Provincial Championships in Quesnel April 7 to 9. Above, mother and daughter Melanie Meyer and Kori Meyer proudly show off their silver medals. New Totem Archery club member results — Men’s compound: Andy Fochuck placed 1st with a score of 1184 (104 10s, 16 9s); Barebow guest: Charles Fochuck finished with a score of 783 (6 10s, 15 9s); U15 barebow: Kori Meyer placed 2nd with a score of 579 (3 10s, 6 9s); Women’s barebow: Melanie Meyer placed 2nd with a score of 869. 9 (10s, 27 9s).

$152,000 boost for local library

T.W. Buck tbuck@ahnfsj.ca

The Fort St John Public Library is amongst the 71 B.C. libraries that will be receiving a $45 million funding boost in the form of a one-time grant, according to a news release on March 24 from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

The funds are planned to be distributed amongst the

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Site C Reservoir filling:

libraries between March 2023 to 2026, and will be used for a multitude of library operations, not only modernizing technology, but also enhancing programs and services as well as granting better access to information.

Matthew Rankin, director at the Fort St. John library, says the local library will be receiving $152,902.19 to be spent over the next three

years.

“I feel extremely lucky and thankful that our library is being so strongly supported by FSJ, Area B, Area C, and the Province,” Rankin said.

Annually, the government provides $14 million to support B.C.’s public libraries in our province, so This funding boost, will give the libraries the means to address more local priorities.

Fentanyl dealer sentenced to 12 years

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

A convicted Fort St. John fentanyl dealer who went on the run from the law for more than a year in 2021 has finally been sentenced.

Dana Nazarek was given a global sentence of 12 years less time served on April 6. He was credited with 683 days of time served as he spent 455 days in custody prior to being sentenced, court officials said.

Nazarek was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant after he cut his ankle monitor and went on the run before a BC Supreme Court trial appearance in Vancouver on drug trafficking charges in June 2021.

The next day, a jury found him guilty on six counts of traf-

ficking and four counts of illegal weapons possession, the charges stemming from a police raid on his home in Fort St. John in 2018. During the raid, RCMP seized 800 fentanyl tablets as well as carfentanil, co-

caine, meth, heroin, five loaded firearms, and $38,000 in cash.

The 51-year-old pleaded not guilty and was released on strict bail conditions to a halfway house in Surrey before his trial and eventual escape from custody last year. At the time of his escape, he was subject to electronic monitoring as a condition of his bail.

After more than a year at large, Nazarek was arrested by Vancouver police on Aug. 5, 2022, when officers came upon a group of people involved in a fight.

Nazarek was previously convicted and sentenced to 40 months in prison after police raided his Fort St. John home and seized more than 2,000 fentanyl pills disguised as Oxycontin in December 2013.

Court Docket, April 3 to 6

• BELCOURT Dalena Jennette (born 1987) was sentenced to 22 days in jail for theft $5,000 or under and to 18 months probation on the count, and for six counts of theft $5,000 or under, to time served for six counts of breaching probation and three counts of breaching a release order, all committed in Dawson Creek. Belcourt was in in custody for 63 days prior to sentencing.

• NAVES Wayne Jonathan (born 1977) was granted a conditional discharge with 12 months probation for fraud committed in Fort St. John on Aug. 8, 2022.

• LEMKAY Cooper Dean (born 1994) was fined $1000 and a $150 victim surcharge for operating a motor vehicle on a highway without a licence in Dawson Creek on Nov. 21, 2022.

• VICKERY Jason William (born 1982) was issued a one-year $500 peace bond after an allegation of causing fear of injury or damage in Cecil Lake on Aug. 17, 2022.

• ROUND John David (born 1962) was issued a one-year $500 peace bond after an allegation of causing fear of injury or damage in Dawson Creek on June 25, 2022.

You’re invited to information sessions on the Site C reservoir. The purpose of these sessions is to provide an update on reservoir filling, which could begin as early as fall 2023. Fort St. John

Tuesday, May 2 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Pomeroy Hotel 11308 Alaska Rd. (drop-in)

Hudson’s Hope Wednesday, May 3 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Community Hall 10310 Kyllo St. (drop-in)

Virtual Tuesday, May 9 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Online (MS Teams)

As BC Hydro fills the reservoir, there will be permanent changes to the Peace River. Water levels will rise over approximately four months, widening the river by two to three times, on average. You will have an opportunity to review information boards and speak to the project team. RSVP to sitec@bchydro.com. sitec@bchydro.com

1 877 217 0777 sitecproject.com/reservoir

Public information sessions 6070

Dana Nazarek

The life of pioneering cowboy Willard Freer

By Tom Summer

I’m happy to let everyone know that Kechika Chronicler - Willard Freer’s Northern BC & Yukon Diaries 1942 - 1975 is finally out. It’s been a great opportunity to relearn my own family history.

Written by my good friend and fellow historian Jay Sherwood, the book dives into the diaries of my great uncle, Willard Freer. Freer was a packer, cowboy, and pioneer. Born in Kamloops in 1910 and raised in the Peace River country, but he lived most of his life near Fireside up the Alaska Highway between the Kechika and Liard rivers.

“By all accounts, Freer was a quiet, introverted person, who faithfully kept a daily diary from 1942 to 1975. Most of the entries are brief, but they provide a detailed record of life in northern BC and southern Yukon territory,” writes Jay. “The pantheon of people recorded in Freer’s diaries include many notable individuals who lived and worked in the Kechika River valley and along the Alaska Highway.”

Freer was one of the cowboys hired for the 1934 Bedaux Expedition. The expedition was highly unusual and funded by French-American industrialist Charles Bedaux, attempting to drive five half-track Citroen vehicles across northern BC.

He was also the only cowboy known to have kept daily entries of the adventure, though much has been written in Bannock and Beans by fellow cowboy Bob White. Kechika is really the story of everything that came after his time on the Bedaux Expedition.

Freer was also friends with the famous guide and outfitter Skook Davidson of the Diamond J Ranch. The two were even business partners for a time. Davidson’s journals help tell a larger story about the remote region they both lived in.

Freer was on good terms with many First Nations people living in the valley, as the Kechika watershed is home to both the Tse’kene and Kaska Dena. A trading store was started by Freer and Davidson in 1945 at the Diamond J Ranch, mostly providing goods to indigenous trappers near Fort Ware and Lower Post.

“Freer’s diaries are the best written record of the Indigenous people who lived in the Kechika River valley in

the mid-twentieth century,” notes Jay.

The diary entries are punctuated with visits from friends and the oddities of daily life in the far north. Freer was consistent in keeping a record. The only exceptions being missing journals from 1950 to 1951, pages from January to September 1961, and a 1939 journal which was recreated due to police seizing his diaries as part of a murder investigation.

Freer’s neighbour, Frank “Shorty” Weber was suspected and police thought the journals could be potential evidence. Fortunately, Freer made copies beforehand. The originals were never returned.

Jay’s passion and love of all things historical really shines in this book, and I appreciate the time he took to make a full transcription of the diaries. These will be made publicly accessible through the Northern BC Archives website and the Hudson’s Hope Museum.

While sadly Jay has passed away, he’s left us with a great book and one that means a lot to my family. I hope the public enjoys it as much as I did, it’s a very engaging read.

“The diaries of Willard Freer, which chronicle over thirty years of life in northern BC, are a unique account, providing a gateway to many of the people who lived there and some of the important events that occurred,” writes Jay.

A big thank you is also owed to Jay’s wife Linda, for sending me a copy of the book. I was very excited to see it in my mailbox here in Nakusp.

There’s still more to come on Kechika, as a box of materials from Skook Davidson was donated last year to the Northern BC Archives by his great nephew, Gord Yule. They’re currently being processed.

Anyone looking to buy a copy can find one at the Fort St. John Museum or directly from the publisher, Caitlin Press. Copies should also be arriving soon at the Hudson’s Hope Museum.

The Hudson’s Hope Museum is open five days a week, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. We’re always looking for volunteers, if you’ve got time to support local history.

If you would like any further information, please call 250-783-5735 or email at hhmuseum@pris.ca.

Tom Summer is Vice President of the Hudson’s Hope Historical Society

Fairlie signs with U of TO

By Ted Clarke

The bright lights of the big city proved irresistible for Prince George Spruce Kings goalie Jordan Fairlie.

He announced Wednesday he will continue his hockey career next season playing in U Sports for the University of Toronto Blues.

“When making my final decision about which school to go to, U of T ticked all of the boxes I was looking for,” said Fairlie. “For me personally, schooling is very important and I’m glad to be going to one of the top academic schools in Canada because the quality of education will be unlike any other university. I’ve heard nothing but good things about their program, facilities, and coaching staff. I also think living in the big city and getting tons of new experiences will definitely be really cool.

The 20-year-old native of Fort St.

John is coming off an all-star season with the Spruce Kings. In 41  games he posted a 2.96 goals-against average and .891 save per centage with three shutouts. He went 20-14-4 in his final junior season and totalled 32 wins over three seasons which left him tied for second on the all-time Kings’ goalie wins list with Logan Neaton and Brandon Highton.

He’s enrolled in the life sciences program and plans to major in psychology. He’ll be joining a Blues team that includes former Spruce Kings Jett Alexander, now heading into his third season with Toronto.

“They reached out to me last season and showed a lot of interest right away,” said the six-foot-two, 175-pound Fairlie. “It’s nice to know that you’re going somewhere that wants you just as badly as you want to be there.”

— Prince George Citizen

CAITLIN PRESS/JAY SHERWOOD

Willard Freer - hunter, outfitter, packer, guide, and cowboy. His diaries, combined with Jay Sherwood’s detailed research and writing, provides historical context to life in Northern BC and the southern Yukon during the mid-twentieth century.

Spruce Kings goalie Jordan Fairlie has signed with the University of Toronto Blues.

The Halfway-Peace

The road to Hudson’s Hope, aka Highway 29, has seen a multitude of changes in the last three years. We have five new bridges and numerous kilometers of new pavement. The bridge this column is about is the bridge over the Halfway River. This area is known as the Halfway/Peace as this is where the Halfway River empties into the Peace River. The area is used for boat launching, fishing, hiking, rock collecting, picture taking, picnics and swimming.

The bridge that used to cross the Halfway was officially opened by pioneers Mr. and Mrs. Phil Tompkins on Friday, Sept. 24, 1976. Prior to that opening, the bridge on the Fort St. John side was an old Bailey bridge, which was attached to what was left of the first bridge across the Halfway River. In the times before that, there weren’t any official bridges crossing the Halfway; you either rafted or built your own bridge if you wanted to go to Hudson’s Hope or Fort St. John in the summer months. In the winter, you would cross the frozen river.

The bridge on the Fort St. John side collapsed following an accident on Feb. 1, 1965. The Department of Highways went to work immediately with a cat to clear approaches for an ice bridge, which only light traffic could cross. The first span of the bridge fell after a truck, a Kenworth cabover traveling empty, hit the right-hand support of the Fort St. John end of the bridge. The driver, Ray McDonald, was in the hospital with a broken ankle. A Department of Highways dump truck, also empty, was about 40 feet from the end of the bridge traveling towards Fort St. John. It appears that Ray saw the dump truck as he turned the corner and applied his brakes and then slid on the ice against the bridge. The first span carrying the dump truck immediately fell onto the river ice. The driver, Alan Richards, was unhurt although the truck was badly damaged. He climbed out and went up to Tompkins Ranch to give the alarm. The cab of the big truck also fell to the river, leaving the trailer portion hanging over the edge of the bridge. The ice was unbroken by the impact.

The Department of Highways got to

LARRY EVANS

work at once, and they were at the site within an hour. The ice bridge opened the following Tuesday night. Immediate arrangements were made to put in a replacement bridge. On Tuesday, two trucks left Prince George and two more left Vancouver bringing 290-foot spans for a Bailey bridge. This is the same type of bridge that was used at the head of the Peace River Canyon, connecting the two sections of the dam worksite.

“The biggest task,” said Pat Tondevold, District Superintendent of Highways, “was to put a pier in the middle of the river to support the new bridge.”

He expected that would take a week or 10 days to get the bridge in use. The existing piers at either end were undamaged and would be used for the Bailey bridge, which would be for single traffic only. For some time, all heavy traffic was detoured around by Chetwynd. This made traveling from Fort St. John to the construction site of the WAC Bennett dam an especially long journey.

There are many stories connected to the Halfway River bridge. The most famous of all was when Penn Powell was attempting to cross the old bridge and was confronted by a very large beaver. The beaver appeared to have staked a to claim on the bridge and wasn’t about to let anyone cross it. It was apparent that Penn would have to wait out the situation or kill the beaver.

This area of the Peace River is rich in history as the Northwest Mounted Police trail to the Klondike left the Peace River and proceeded up the Halfway River. It was the location of Cadenhead Landing, an important stopping place for the riverboats traveling up and down the Peace. It was also an important waterway used for transportation during the fur trading days.

Larry Evans is a former fire chief, city councillor, and lifelong historian living and writing in Fort St. John

Ted Wolfendale crossing the Halfway River, 1935

Halfway River Collapse, 1965

Halfway River Bridge opened (the one we knew so well), 1976

It’saGirl!

ELLIETTE PAULINE BAKER

Parents: StevenandKristenBlake

Weight: 8lbs3oz Length: 19inches

Time: 12:57am

Date: April5,2023

Hometown: CharlieLake,BC

CELEBRATEBABIES

BIRTH Ph:250.261.7563

Special Delivery notices make great keepsakes...

Eight non-profits funded by latest GO Fund round

In its first intake of the year, BC Hydro provided $70,000 to eight Peace Region non-profits through the Site C project’s Generate Opportunities (GO) Fund.

Programs focus on food security, health, education, Indigenous people, seniors, and vulnerable populations. Recipients include:

BABY BOUQUET WALL

www.fsjhospitalfoundation.caemail:

- Hope for Health Society: $10,000 to hold a three-day community wellness conference for 250 participants.

- Project Thunderbird Society: $10,000 for the Guitar Build Camp, which teaches Indigenous youth how to build their own guitars.

- Chetwynd Meals on Wheels Society: $10,000 to provide an increasing number of seniors with nutritious, home-delivered meals.

- March of Dimes Canada: $10,000 for After Stroke BC, a program offering personalized stroke recovery which connects stroke survivors with oneon-one case management expertise.

- Friends of Hudson’s Hope Food Bank Upgrade: $9,535 to upgrade a

space to house a food bank, improving its efficiency and ensuring quick, seamless support for vulnerable populations.

- Chetwynd Community Arts Council: $9,000 for three group sessions of Synergy Ceramics, which gives people the opportunity to create their own pot and paint them in an Indigenous style.

- House of Hope Community Church: $8,947 for new equipment and toys for an after-school program.

- Hudson’s Hope Fall Fair: $2,449 to enable low-income families to attend the dinner and dance at the Hudson’s Hope Fall Fair.

To date, 83 projects have received $728,651 from the GO Fund, which was established in 2016 to support Peace Region non-profits throughout construction of Site C.

The GO Fund is administered by Northern Development Initiative Trust. Applications for funding are accepted on an ongoing basis and funds are distributed quarterly.

ARIES – MAR 21/APR 20

You don’t want to have mundane tasks hanging over your head, Aries. Try to check as many of them off your to-do list this week as you can. This will free up a lot of free time.

TAURUS – APR 21/MAY 21

Taurus, you may be planning a much-needed vacation at the present time. Figure out a place you’ve never been and then fill your itinerary with plenty of fun things.

GEMINI – MAY 22/JUN 21

You likely will have to devote a lot of attention to practical matters in the days to come, Gemini. This includes taking a hard look at your spending and making cuts.

CANCER – JUN 22/JUL 22

Cancer, the coming week will be a busy time for social opportunities. Other people will want to be around you as you can be the life of the party when you come out of your shell.

LEO – JUL 23/AUG 23

Don’t be surprised if your energy level is high this week, Leo. This leads to you feeling restless at home and even at work. This could be a fine time to take up a hobby.

VIRGO – AUG 24/SEPT 22

Virgo, you may be looking forward to an evening out with a romantic partner or close friends. Try to narrow down a day this week or next. Have a few restaurants at the ready.

LIBRA – SEPT 23/OCT 23

Take advantage of some free time to get things done around the house, Libra. Cleaning or other home improvements should be a priority.

SCORPIO – OCT 24/NOV 22

There’s a lot of activity expected close to home, Scorpio. A new business may open or there could be a movie star who is spotted in town. Maybe you’ll get new neighbors.

SAGITTARIUS – NOV 23/DEC 21

The thought of financial prosperity has you scouring the recruitment sites this week, Sagittarius. Speak to others about the pros and cons of leaving your current job.

CAPRICORN – DEC 22/JAN 20

Capricorn, you are surrounded by positive energy and eager to be out and about with friends this week. Start exploring all of the possibilities around you.

AQUARIUS – JAN 21/FEB 18

This may be a good week to devote a large chunk of time to being alone Some time with just your thoughts and a little silence could be everything you need.

PISCES – FEB 19/MAR 20

Pisces, discussions at work could get a bit heated. It’s best to distance yourself from these situations as best as you can.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

APRIL 16 Akon, Singer (50)

APRIL 17 Jennifer Garner, Actress (51)

APRIL 18 Chloe Bennet, Actress (31)

APRIL 19 Hayden Christensen, Actor (42)

APRIL 20 Miranda Kerr, Model (40)

APRIL 21 James McAvoy, Actor (44)

APRIL 22 Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Actor (57)

fatal.

BC HYDRO PHOTO

EARTH FILLED — Dam construction at

Site C has resumed, after a pause on work during the winter months. The earthfill dam is on track to be finished later this year, ahead of reservoir filling.

SAFE — It seemed to be a busy week for accidents in Fort St. John last week. Emergency crews were called to the Alaska Highway intersection at 100 Street on Tuesday, April 11, and 108 Street and 100 Avenue on April 13 for two separate accidents. Last year, RCMP responded to 522 motor vehicle accidents that resulted in damages only. There were another 112 incidents that caused injuries, and six incidents that were

In print we’ll meet again

I’ll always remember the first words I heard when I moved to Fort St John: “I hope you stick around longer than six months.”

It was the tail end of summer 2013 and I had just moved from Winnipeg to write for the Alaska Highway News. I wasn’t sure how to respond to the mayor but I certainly didn’t want to disappoint and tell her I wasn’t planning to stay much longer than that at all. A year at most before moving on to another exotic rural locale. This so-called land of new totems was to be just my first stop on a travel across the country to write for small town papers before planting roots.

I soon learned there were many others here like me; the one year types whose plan went sideways and found themselves here for five years, ten years, some even the rest of their lives. “Once you drink the water of the Peace River you will always come back,” Larry Evans would tell me, and, “If I can’t find it north of the Peace River then I don’t need it.”

What happened to the trees?

Caribou and the 30 by 30 agenda

Third in a six-part series

By Evan Saugstad

Canfor is closing its sawmill and pellet plant in Chetwynd and pulp mill in Taylor. The reasons given relate to the lack of fibre supply to keep all their facilities operational. The plans are to use the Chetwynd wood supply to help with the sustainability of their Fort St. John and Prince George facilities. Last week, I wrote about how appurtenancy, the mountain pine beetle, and changing government regulations all shaped Canfor’s decision-making process. This week, what happened to those trees?

In the 1990s, B.C. experienced a mountain pine beetle epidemic. It began west of Prince George and spread rapidly across the province. The subsequent increase in the pine harvested left everyone with the knowledge there would be future impacts with reduced harvest levels and some facility closures. Initial thoughts were that beetle would be stopped by the Rocky Mountains and not affect B.C.’s northeast. No such luck. Over top they flew, arriving in force.

It was thought the impacts to the northeast would be less than the B.C. interior, as about 30% of our forests are pine. Cut the infected pine stands first and leave the spruce/balsam stands for the future when the pine was gone, or severely reduced. That was the plan for

both the Dawson Creek and Fort St. John Forest areas. Canfor retooled its Chetwynd mill to handle a larger volume of pine (generally smaller diameter than spruce) and set about harvesting pine with the goal of moving back to spruce forests when done. It was forecast there would be some negative impacts from the pine overcut but would be manageable with minimal disruptions.

Canfor Chetwynd relies predominately on Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 48 for its timber supply.

A TFL is a land-based tenure where one licence manages the timber resources, versus a Timber Supply Area (TSA), where the government (Ministry of Forests) manages timber supply and may have multiple licensees.

Canfor obtained TFL 48 in 1988 and renewed in 2017 for another 25 years. In 2015, Canfor completed a new timber supply analysis for TFL 48 post pine beetle era.

To allow for the expedited harvest of affected beetle stands, the Annual Allowable cut (AAC) for coniferous forests (softwood) increased from 700,000 cubic meters to 1,450,000 cubic meters per year for the next five years. In 2020, the AAC would then decrease to 771,000m3 to address pine overcut. Of note, 100,000 cubic meters of hardwood can also be harvested annually and that didn’t change as those stands were not affected by the beetle.

Generally, this worked.

The predominantly pine stands were harvested and, as they wrapped up, Canfor began to move back into the spruce/ balsam stands, many of which are in the Rocky Mountain foothills, which coincidentally, are in or near areas where mountain caribou live, or used to live. Then came the caribou edicts of 2018 and 2019.

Section 11 Partnership Agreement

The Federal government said we (everyone) must do more to protect mountain caribou. Caribou were in danger of extirpation and needed to be saved. The B.C. government agreed, and both set about crafting a plan with two local First Nations, Saulteau and West Moberly. The result was the creation of a Section 11 Partnership Agreement Intergovernmental partnership agreement.

The Agreement was negotiated “behind closed doors” with only the Federal, Provincial, and two First Nation governments involved. All other communities, licence holders, and stakeholders were excluded from meaningful participation or input. Comments were invited post approval.

The Agreement created a new park that excluded all harvesting for a large part of TFL 48. Significant other areas had deferrals or constraints imposed that limited harvesting, with rules to follow within six months. As of today, these new “operat-

ing guidelines” remain outstanding, with no forest company knowing what they are or are not allowed to do, resulting in few, if any, new cutting permits being issued for these areas.

It’s estimated that this new park land removed about 100,000m3 of AAC from TFL 48. It’s not yet known what effect the constrained areas will have on both TFL and other licensees within the TSA.

30 by 30

In 2022, Premier David Eby committed to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity “30 by 30” objective. Thirty per cent of B.C. will become parks and off limits to development by 2030. About 15% of B.C. is currently considered as parks. Included in this announcement was that Indigenous Peoples and their communities will also be able to identify “Indigenous protected areas.”

It’s not yet known how much new area of northeast B.C. will be added to B.C.’s parklands. But if history is any indicator, northern B.C. will once again be subject to most additions as this is where public lands have the fewest constraints.

Next week, Part 4, a continued look at what happened to the trees: wildfire, old growth management, and Yahey versus B.C.

Larry was one of the first friends I made in those early days and there’s a lot of truth to what he said. It’s going on ten years now and boy does time sure know how to take 365 days and turn them into 3,500. That’s why it’s bittersweet to say this column and edition are my last as Managing Editor of the News. A new opportunity calls me back to the Gateway to the West, though the Peace River country will now always be my home too.

I owe my success and gratitude first to the publisher William Julian, who gave me a chance at 27 to edit such an illustrious newspaper, and aspire to the greatness of its founder, Ma Murray, glaring typos and all. Such opportunity doesn’t come often, if at all, to young people in big cities.

Second, our award winning success couldn’t have been done without a talented staff, many who were working here when I was a toddler learning to talk. My appreciation, admiration, and thanks to all the contributing writers and photographers who have shared their stories and talents with us over the years because they believed in our editorial mission. Their creative, passionate, and hard work has been the lifeblood of this newspaper.

Lastly, my deep gratitude and respect to the readers of this newspaper, who have supported us, challenged us, and inspired us to be better. Your feedback, letters, emails, and calls have helped us to shape our coverage and to better understand the needs and concerns of this community. I have always been struck by the passion of the people of Fort St John, and I am grateful for the many ways that you all have enriched my life and the life of this newspaper. It has been an honour to be a part of this vibrant, dynamic community, and I will always be proud to call and count myself among its members. Thank you for your support, your kindness, and all the history we have written together.

End of an era

A decade of news and stories

A farewell today

My pen’s not dry yet

In print we will meet again

Each day a new page

Ye Ed, Matt Preprost

Fort St John, BC

April 14, 2023

LETTERS Write to us by snail mail, or email your letters to editor@ahnfsj.ca. Letters must be accompanied by your full name and a phone number, for verification. Please limit your letters to 300 words. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, taste, accuracy, and libel. Protest the policy, not the person. Opinions expressed in letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect those of Alaska Highway News.

COPYRIGHT & LEGAL NOTICE

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.

Alaska Highway News is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about our content, please let us know first. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit mediacouncil.ca or call 1-844-877-1163 for more information.

registration No. 0167

Evan Saugstad lives and writes in Fort St. John

EVAN SAUGSTAD PHOTO

Logging in the Chetwynd area in the 1990s

Ask Miss Patti: Social Story an unknown tool for parenting

Dear Miss Patti,

My 5 year old is an anxious little girl and we are about to go to our first dentist appointment. I’m worried about how this is going to go. Any advice?

—Dental Anxiety

Dear Dental Anxiety, I was once given life changing advice from a nurse working in Vancouver’s Children’s Hospital. I was always so concerned about what other people were thinking about my parenting. She told me to learn to tune out everyone else and focus on my child and what was happening in front of me. I knew my child, I knew what I was doing, have faith in that.

So, the first time I brought my own anxious child to the dentist, I could tell he was nervous. When the dentist asked him to get on the chair, he froze. I got down to his level and spoke to him as if no one else was in the room. I ignored the hygienist holding the bib, waiting on us. I ignored the dentist who I knew was on a timeline.

I told my son, “We really need to have your teeth looked at to make sure they are healthy. This is important and non-negotiable, but I’m okay if you can’t do this today and we can book for another day. It’s up to you.” I could see his little shoulders drop and a big sigh came from him. Surprisingly to me, he got up on the chair. I allowed him to make the decision and I gave him my undivided attention as well as remained calm and confident.

Bear Flat Dispatch: Spring has sprung

By Ken Boon

I

But enough farmer talk; it just feels good to see the end of winter for another year. I don’t know if it is just me, but I do seem to hear more local people making

By John Grady

Is there anything we can learn from the teaching of Jesus that either draws us to Him or, conversely, causes us to desert Him and ultimately turn our back on Him?

Was His teaching flexible, too rigid, non-compromising, not understood, misunderstood, too complicated, too convicting?

Or, is it that His followers 2,000 years ago and those of us 2,000 years later just don’t get it?

When you go to school reunions, the subject of which teacher’s methods were good, bad, or ugh ultimately comes up. It’s most interesting to hear the dialogue from the “experts” (the former students) as we don’t offer our shortcomings as students but always the teachers. It doesn’t take long to get the

don’t want to jinx anything, but it should be safe to say that spring is here. What is most amazing this year is how the snow melt mostly went straight into the ground with very little run-off. The ground was fairly dry when winter hit, and that combined with little frost definitely helped to soak up the water. I imagine some farmers might want to see a wet snow event happen yet just to keep the ground from drying out too much before the temperatures allow for seeding.the comment how “winters are just a little too long”. We are blessed with four distinct seasons here in the Peace, but winter definitely is the longest one. Chinooks can help by blowing in a breath of fresh warm air and giving a break of sorts, although they can create their own problems too. Overall, I would say this past winter was fairly decent without too many extremes. Still, five months of winter does help us appreciate the other three seasons.

Unfortunately, this spring will see the departure of our long serving editor of the Alaska Highway News. Matt Preprost will be moving on for now to another job posting. However, he has grown enough roots locally that hopefully we may see him

conversations into the personalities of the teachers, where they came from, their university education, their popularity, and how they treated the students.

As we know, Jesus started His Ministry when He was 30 years of age. He was born in Bethlehem, had an early childhood in Egypt, and was raised as a carpenter’s son in Nazareth, located in the region called Galilee. Jesus became known as a Galilean and taught in their synagogues. It was, however, on a Sabbath in Nazareth in the synagogue that He identified who He was, His credentials, calling and purpose in a most unusual, unique way when He was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He turned to where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me because He has anointed me to preach good

back here in one capacity or another.

Matt did a good job with the limited resources available to run our local paper. Among other things, he did his best to encourage local folks to write opinion columns such as this, and that has resulted in a wide diversity of ideas and views being put forth by different people all in one newspaper. I think that is important in this day and age, where there is so much division. We see where people often go “tribal” by only following a source of information that aligns to their personal views. In contrast, the Alaska Highway News pretty much follows the old tradition of being a one stop shop of general regional news and diverse opinion that helps to keep our people

news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

As we know, Jesus brought together His disciples, performed miracles, was always teaching God’s truth, and drew followers after Him. His ministry expanded when He took five small barley loaves and two small fish, gave thanks, and fed a crowd of 5,000 with ample left over. He used this illustration as part of His teaching. He followed that up by walking on water to join His disciples in their boat, returning to Capernaum and shared from the synagogue. The crowd of followers had many questions, but Jesus did not compromise or sugar coat His answers or His teach-

informed and connected somewhat.

However, I fear that the Alaska Highway News is a local treasure that perhaps many folks don’t appreciate enough. I know nothing about the financial business case for small local newspapers in this new era of endless sources of information availability, but I do think the Alaska Highway News is too important to this region to fail. It is noteworthy that this year marks 80 years of continuous operation for our historic local paper, and hopefully it continues with many more years of community service.

Ken Boon lives and writes at Bear Flat

Looking back, I would have done a few more things. I would have created something called a ‘social story’, where you can create a personalized story about an incident unique to your child to walk them through something new and unfamiliar, and making it more familiar through a repeated story. I would also let the dentist know ahead of time about my child’s anxiety. Many dentists are very skilled at dealing with children anxious about the dentist.

—Miss Patti Send your questions to Miss Patti at motherofdragonflies2021@outlook.com

:

ing by declaring basic truths. He not only shared about living water but also living bread. For example: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry and he who believes in Me swill never go thirsty... For I came down from heaven not to do My will but to do the will of Him who sent Me... No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Many of the followers didn’t like what they were hearing (conviction) and grumbled as He continued his teaching. His response: “Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”

For all the opinions we couldn’t fit into print: alaskahighwaynews.cabacks on Him and walked out of the synagogue, He did not compromise or flinch. The baby feeding was over, and He was speaking truth, but you had to want it and want to understand it. We see where He revealed the miracles to build up their faith, to help them accept His truth. He does the same today for us. He encourages us, loves us, feeds us, does miracles for us (that we mostly ignore or dismiss), teaches us, but we can easily turn our back on Him or, in faith accept Him. Accepting Him is faith and like the early followers that accepted His teaching, as we make that step He becomes so real, so personal and so intimate with His love for us.

John Grady lives and writes

Bill McKibben does the math: Climate change is a numbers game

By Don Pettit

Bill McKibben is an American environmentalist, journalist and best selling author who has written extensively on the impact of global warming. Some of his notable books include The End of Nature, Eaarth (yes, the spelling is correct), Deep Economy, We are better together, and he is leader of the climate campaign group 350.org.

In a recent Rolling Stone article, McKibben concludes that preserving our planet’s human-friendly climate is mostly a numbers game. The atmosphere can hold only so much carbon dioxide before it overheats the Earth and we are in deep, long-lasting trouble. How much carbon can it hold?

The London-based NGO Carbon Tracker reports that the fossil fuel industry now has reserves that if all burned would produce 3,700 gigatons of carbon dioxide. “That’s 10 times the amount that scientists say would take us past the temperature targets set in the Paris Climate Agreement,” says McKibben.

This means, he says, that some 90% of this $100 trillion carbon asset will have to be left in the ground. Wow, how the heck will that ever happen? $100 trillion is a very large incentive to keep on burning, and the human race has been burning fuel for about 700,000 years. How will we ever stop?

RENEWABLES WILL CHANGE THE WORLD

Well, as I have made clear (I hope) in this column many times, there are other ways to heat our buildings, power our transportation and generate unlimited amounts of energy: solar and wind power are two good examples. $34 per megawatt hour, says McKibben, is the latest figure from the investment bank of Lazard for the average cost of solar power. “That is, if you have a bunch of solar panels in a field, that’s how much it costs to produce electricity from them.” That number, he says, could change the world. Here’s why:

This cost has dropped 90% in the last 10 years. And secondly, it’s lower than any other known way of producing electricity. Wind power is the next closest at $39 per megawatt hour. Gas-fired power plants: $59; coal fired $108; nuclear even more. And with green electricity, which I call “the perfect fuel,” we can do anything.

How has solar and wind become so cheap so quickly?

They are on what economists call a “learning curve” – the more you build, the better you get at it, and the lower the cost. (Batteries to store the renewable energy when the sun is not shining or the wind not

Fox’s cough

By Ruby McBeth

The week before Easter, I came down with a cough that kept me up barking away at night. This lasted only three nights, so I can’t really complain.

It was a strange kind of cold though. I was reading a People’s Friend magazine and came across an article by etymologist Paul Anthony Jones. Jones is interested in unusual terms. One that was reported on in the article was fox’s cough. He says: “That’s a dry, ticklish, near constant barking cough that refused to clear up, so called because a fox’s bark is so raucously similar in sound.” I am obviously not the first person to have this strange cough!

EDITOR LEAVING

It has been a pleasure writing for the Alaska Highway News under the editor Matt Prepost. Matt has told us he is leaving to take a job with the Manitoba Legislature. I am sure his excellent social intelligence will enable him to do that job well. All the best, Matt.

OUR WINTER WEATHER

Now that winter is over, we can all get a good laugh out of Rick Mercer’s sketch on Canadian weather reporting. Go to “RMR: Seven Day Forecast” and enjoy.

CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE

There is a new way to grow plants that uses less water and less space: indoor vertical farming. Troy Albright was interviewed by USA Today in 2019.

stuff has been burned.”

Nuclear might get on a learning curve, he says, if we switch from the usual massive projects to “small modular reactors.” Sure, you still have to mine lithium and other minerals and metals for renewables, but once you’ve mined them, you put them into batteries, wind turbines or solar panels and they stay there for decades, doing their job.

“If you mine gas or coal, you set it on fire, and then you have to go get more. Forty per cent of ship traffic is simply moving coal and gas and oil around so it can be burned. The sun and wind deliver energy for free.” So moving to renewables could save us tens of trillions of dollars.

THE COST OF INACTION IS RISING

blowing are also on a steep learning curve.)

“At the moment,” says McKibben, “when solar installations double, the price drops by a third….The power of that leaning curve is so great that it tends to overwhelm all the obstacles that get in the way.”

These are the reasons that solar and wind have become the fastest growing energy sources around the world.

Fossil fuels are not on a learning curve, he says. Once they were cheap, but no longer. “That’s because it’s less a technology than a commodity – and you have to work harder to find that commodity now that the easy

The video called “Next Gen Farming without soil and 90% less water” is the best video I have seen explaining how it’s done. Another video is a TED talk by Stuart Oda. It also explains the merits of indoor gardening on a commercial scale. These gardens are often set up in vacant city buildings and we do have a few of those.

BULTERYS HOUSE

There is now a house in Dawson Creek that can accommodate people waiting for medical appointments. To learn more about Bulterys House, contact South Peace Health Services Society at 250-219-5805.

SENIOR GAMES NEWS

The Senior Games group got off to a good start on Wednesday, March 29. Bruce Christensen carries on as President. Arlene Boon is our new Treasurer. Heather Bickford will continue as Secretary. Gerald Pope is taking over as Sports Director. You can contact him at 250-787-0141. Golf playdowns will be held Monday, June 5, at Lake Point. For details attend the next meeting which is on Wednesday April 26 at North Peace Seniors’ Housing.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by change.” —

Jim Rohn

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Climate change is happening. Last year, McKibben reports, climate-spawned disasters cost the world $313 billion.

“We live in a world where reason – including economic reason – dictates we move as fast as possible toward clean energy. But inertia and vested interest provide friction that slows that transition.”

What more is needed? “… a combination of fear, hope, moral indignation, and human solidarity that provides, or doesn’t, the political will to break this logjam.”

Don Pettit lives and writes in Dawson Creek.

Letter to the editor...

Can a man really love a woman if he uses violence to pound his loved one into submission? I believe real men do not hit the one they promised to love and cherish at the altar. Jesus Christ treated women with compassion and love. He forgave and healed women. Jesus even felt their pain and cried with them. John 11:35, the shortest verse in scripture, says “He wept.”

Men are full of excuses: I was drunk, I was high on drugs. Listen to Shakespeare, “Oh that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains.” Here are some of the things the Lord hates: hands that shed innocent blood, feet that are quick to rush into evil (Proverb 6:16-19); disrespect and hitting women will hinder your prayers, don’t bother asking God for anything

if you continue this violence on your partner (1 Peter 3:7).

Jesus, when he was suffering on the cross, rather than thinking of revenge, was thinking of his mother. He asked his disciple to look after his mother (John 19:26-27).

This violence against women must stop. When a man is without God there is no limit to his depravity or to the depths to which he will sink. The sixth commandment says, “Thou shalt not kill.” How many women die every year at the hands of their so-called love ones?

To all the women who are out there who are living this nightmare of an existence, may God in His mercy lead us through these tough times, but above all may He lead us to Himself.

John Greyeyes Fort St. John

There are no delivery charges for solar energy. The sun sends it our way free for the harvesting. This small solar farm will power 1,200 homes and is about the size of the cooperatively owned solar farm that Peace Energy Co-op intends to build near the Town of Peace River, Alberta.

Ruby McBeth lives and writes in Fort St. John

Landscapes of the North is the first solo exhibit by local artist Alison Newth. The opening of the exhibit on Friday, April 7, was well attended, with citizens of the Peace region stopping by to appreciate the work of the Fort St. John artist.

“It was so much more than I expected. This is my first solo show, and you never know how you’re going to be received, truly, until you put yourself out there like that,” says Newth.

“I was overwhelmed with the amount of people that came out and all the love and support I got from them. It was better than I could have

ever expected.”

Although she started with acrylics, Newth paints predominantly with oils now, which she started learning about two to three years ago, and the medium showcased in the exhibit. Landscapes of the North reflects the abundant beauty within the Peace region and captivates the viewers with its vivid palette of colours.

“The surrounding area is so beautiful, and I always wanted to have that beauty in my house and to be able to be around it more,” says Newth. “That’s why I started painting, I feel; because I wanted the beautiful landscapes closer to me, and that was motivating.”

Newth has been a member

BC COMMUNITY GAMING GRANT WORKSHOP

Topic: The 2023 Guidelines for the BC Community Gaming Grants

Date & Location: Saturday, April 29/23 at the North Peace Cultural Centre, on 10015 -100th Ave., Fort St. John, BC.

Time: Doors open for sign-in at 9:30 am. Workshop starts 10:00 am to 12 noon.

Seating ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023 | ARTS | A13

is

Register now at nlccga@outlook.com

Workshops are sponsored by the Northern Lights Community Charitable Gaming Association We acknowledge the

support of the Province of British Columbia

T.W. BUCK PHOTO

of Flying Colours for the last several years, and is a member of the Peace River Chapter of the Federation of Canadian artists.

“It was finding that group of people at Flying Colours, seeing what they were doing, and getting support and encouragement from them is really what propelled me forward,” she says.

“If I hadn’t found that group, there is no doubt in my mind that this exhibit would not have occurred. I would not be where I am today. That’s the biggest thing, find that group of people.”

Landscapes of the North is on display at Peace Gallery North until April 29.

From first dates to Main Street meet-ups to the last virtual call of the day. Turn to the local news to spark your next great conversation… 9 in 10 Canadians do. Visit ChampionTheTruth.ca News Media Canada Médias d’Info Canada Great conversations don’t start themselves.

‘Peace River From Alwin Holland Park’, oil on canvas by Alison Newth

Appreciate vibrant palette of Alison Newth’s art

T.W. Buck tbuck@ahnfsj.ca

‘Peace Sunset’, oil on canvas by Alison Newth

Friendship and diverse creativity at the core of Flying Colours

T.W. Buck tbuck@ahnfsj.ca

The history of the Flying Colours arts group in Fort St. John is as rich and bright as the artists and artwork it produces.

Sandy Troudt was lucky enough to get to participate in workshops along-side the North Peace Arts Group, which was an active, respected, and a creative force in the local art community for many years. That group ‘faded’ out during the mid 1990s, leaving a void that needed filling in the local arts community.

After Troudt retired from teaching in 1999, she began to look for different places her and her friends would be able to hold workshops. Most places around town were out of their price range, and that’s when she approached her good friend Miep Burgerjon about using her shop at her country home that is roughly 10 miles from Fort St. John.

Burgerjon welcomed them in, saying, “It was free to use but we had to clean all the grease and the grime out of the shop.”

One afternoon, while they sat outside and enjoyed lunch, the discussion was brought up: With all the interest in their workshops, maybe it would be a good time to start another arts group here locally.

“We wanted to go forward with a new brand, a new

name,” recalls Troudt. “For me, Flying Colours kind of symbolized how we were going to go forward with enthusiasm, zest, and an eagerness to learn and continue to nurture an artistic community. To me the image symbolized a banner of joy.”

That was 2008 and the artists that make up the group today explore a little bit of everything, which only adds to the diversity and inclusive energy that comes with being a member of Flying Colours.

Some of their artistic expressions consist of watercolour, acrylic, and oil painting, as well as jelli prints, printing on fabric, wood, clay, and wood sculpture along with the use of many other media.

The sharing of knowledge and experience has always been a major part of Flying Colours. This group welcomes everybody, no matter what medium or what interest they have. There is someone in this group that can help any person progress

their artistic expression.

“There is something for everybody, no matter who you are, what your goals are or what your background is,” says Troudt. “When I think about it, I’m often blown away with how far the collaboration has come. We had lofty goals, and we continue to meet them,” Adds Burgerjon, “A lot of artists do work in kind of, a solitary manner, and that’s not unusual. But our group is unusual in that it is very inviting and diverse.”

Flying Colours currently holds workshops in the conference room of the North Peace Cultural Centre Friday and Saturday, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. though the group is looking for more suitable accommodations for their workshops. During the summers, members meet weekly in backyards or other scenic spots for plein air sessions.

“Our most immediate and pressing concern is to find a place to get together and work. We all used to meet in my shop, which had three windows to open. There was no running water, so we were running back and forth with pails on a driveway that was often icy,” explains Burgerjon.

Coming up on April 7, artist Alison Newth’s first solo exhibit opened at Peace Gallery North, displaying her mastery of colours in a collection of beautifully painted landscapes appropriately titled Landscapes of the North

The group also brings in renowned artists selected by the group two or more times a year. These workshops are open to members and to nonmembers if space is available. This summer, our members have chosen to bring in two expert printmakers, Alain Costaz and Victoria Edgarr, from Victoria, to spend five days teaching a variety of printmaking sessions for our First Annual FSJ Summer School.

A look into the past

19 YEARS AGO - April 13, 2004

When Fort St John native Brad Fast got the call from the Carolina Hurricanes to come play in their final game of the season, he said it was already a dream come true. Little did he know that with only a couple minutes left in the final period, Fast would score the tying goal that would keep the Hurricanes just ahead of the Florida Panthers in the regular season standings.

“It was so much fun, but it was pretty overwhelming,” said Fast, who’s returned to Lowell, Michigan. “It all happened pretty quickly so there wasn’t really any time to get nervous.” Fast, who recently turned professional following four years at Michigan State University, signed with Carolina on March 24, 2003.

20 YEARS AGO – April 10, 2003

So far, Fort St John is not following the lead of Prince George city council, which is considering a controversial proposal to ban smoking in bars, pubs, and bingo halls. Northeast medical health officer Dr. David Bowering said he would like to see a smoking ban enacted across B.C. “It is withing the purview of a municipal government to pass regulations such as that to govern health in public places.” On the Rocks pub manager Dimitras Karambelas said a complete smoking ban in Fort St. John wouldn’t work. An area in his pub is designated for smokers, and Karambelas has submitted plans to the Liquor Control Board to construct a separate smoke room.

36 YEARS AGO – April 13, 1987

Described as a nail-biting and frus-

trating process, Fibreco officially announced to a stunned audience the construction of a $170 million pulp mill for Taylor at the Pioneer Inn, Friday. According to President Tony Jarrett, the mill will staff 84 full-time employees with a further 100 spin-off jobs in the service sector, “It’s been fascinating, interesting and nail biting at times, but its something for a long time,” said MLA Tony Brummet. He said added benefit to this project was that it made use of natural resources in the Peace area, as the mill would be producing a value-added product. He reminded the gathering the 84 permanent full-time jobs would mean an annual payroll of $4 million and would be a year-round operation.

43 YEARS AGO - April 11, 1980

Sport fishermen in northern B.C’s Peace Canyon Reservoir area will see a marked improvement in their catches over the next few years because of the new provincial government fish compensation agreement with B.C. Hydro. Under terms of the agreement, 50,000 rainbow trout will be set free in the reservoir, the first in a series of fish stocking projects. The trout will come from a new hatchery to be built there later this year, also part of the pact, and there will be extensive development of recreational facilities in the area, said Environment Minister Stephen Rogers. He said the agreement was signed by himself, Lands Minister Jim Chabot, and the B.C. Hydro vice-president corporate affairs Charles Nash, and Operations executive vice-president E.H. Martin.

T.W. BUCK PHOTO

Miep Burgerjon and Sandy Troudt, Members of Flying Colours pause to have their photo taken at the Fort St John’s North Peace Art Gallery.

ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS ARCHIVES

Officials gather in April 1987 just prior to official announcement of the Fibreco pulp mill for Taylor. From left are Fort St. John Mayor Pat Walsh, Fibreco board chairman Gordon Steele, MLA Tony Brummet, Fibreco President Tony Jarrett, and Taylor Mayor Fred Jarvis.

Delbert

1929 – 2023

Delbert Fleet passed away on April 3, 2023 at 93 years of age. A service for Delbert will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Delbert to the FSJ Hospital Foundation.

Condolences can be shared through www.hamresfuneral.com

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Thank you

Thanks to my family and many friends who joined me on my big birthday. Thanks to everyone who turned out to decorate the hall - it looked great, the caterers for a delicious lunch and the surprise musical guests. The flowers and cards were beautiful. Thanks also to Heritage 2 for the party with family, friends, live music, snacks and cake - you all made it a special occasion. Hugs to all Marie Kirkpatrick

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Young scientists showcase projects

The next generation of scientists showed off their experiments at the Northern B.C. Regional Science Fair last week.

Close to 100 students from 17 schools across the region took part in this year’s fair held at North Peace Secondary School in Fort St. John on April 12.

Students show

casedtheir respected pro

jects to numerous judges and expressing what they’ve learned along the way.

Elayna Unruh, a grade 6 student from Hudson’s Hope, is taking part with her project ‘Liquid Music’, which focuses on the sound and pitch of various liquids when tapping a cup.

Rhett Bourgeau-Harnack made his entry with a home-built wind tunnel, giving judges a chance to see different geometric shapes put to the aerodynamic test. The grade 6 Ecole Central student says his hypothesis is that the parallelepiped, a three-dimensional parallelogram, will be the most aerodynamic compared to cubes, cylinders, and triangular prisms.

T.W. Buck tbuck@ahnfsj.ca

Rhett Bourgeau-Harnack, a grade 6 student from Ecole Central

Unruh, a grade 6 student from Hudson’s Hope