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.

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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