AHN MAR 9, 2023

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Heather Best had been home from a vacation in Cuba for little more than 24 hours last May, and was enjoying a morning with her husband Brad when she heard a sudden crash in the kitchen.

When she called out and Brad didn’t respond, she rushed to find him collapsed and unconscious on the floor. His heart had stopped and he was in cardiac arrest. Jumping into action with the guidance of 9-1-1 dispatchers, Best saved his life by providing critical CPR until first responders arrived.

On Tuesday, Best was presented with a Vital Link Award from BC Emergency Health Services, which honours the quick-thinking actions of bystanders during a cardiac emergency. She provided CPR until local firefighters and BCEHS paramedics arrived to help on May 29, 2022.

“It’s a bit overwhelming,” said Best, who first took CPR

training while working at the MacEwan Centre for Sport and Wellness in Edmonton more than 20 years ago.

“It was the most terrifying event in my life, but when the 9-1-1 dispatcher, she said, OK, I want you to start doing compressions on him, my brain clicked. And I said, Ah, I know how to do that, and it was because of that training.”

John Tebulte, unit chief of the local Station 860, says 45,000 Canadians have a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting each year. Good quality CPR can increase survival rates as much as 75% if started immediately, he said.

“For every minute that CPR is not done, survival rates drop by 10 per cent,” said Tebulte. “So the fact that she initiated CPR right away on Brad is why he’s standing here today. What gets done before we get there, and our colleagues, makes a huge difference.”

Firefighters were first on scene within five minutes of the 9-1-1 call that day, and

took over to help get Brad’s pulse returned and him breathing again until paramedics arrived. He was taken to local hospital where he was stabilized, and later flown out to the cardiac care unit in Kelowna.

There, doctors ran tests and determined there was no concrete cause to why Brad’s heart stopped beating. He doesn’t remember anything leading up to the emergency.

“Everything I remember is just in Kelowna, so I don’t remember a single thing about the day,” he said.

“My heart got a big, resounding pass, and they installed a defibrillator, and if it ever acts up again, it’ll shock me... It hasn’t happened yet,” he said. “That was the sum gain of being in Kelowna, that determining there was nothing wrong with my heart and then putting in a defibrillator.”

Best was nominated for Vital Link award by critical care paramedic Stephen Shipman, and Tuesday’s ceremony took place in front of the

For all the news we couldn’t fit into print: alaskahighwaynews.ca

ambulance that transported Brad to the hospital. Both he and his wife are grateful and thankful for the emergency responders who came to their rescue that day.

“Everyone that we dealt with, the paramedics and the firemen and the nurses and the doctors, the critical air paramedic crew, they were all fantastic, and they made a world of a difference to our experience,” said Heather.

“Our nurses and doctors and from Fort St. John get a lot of crap, and I want to say that they were phenomenal that day,” she added. “They were so helpful and kind, and I really felt that we got the best care that day.”

“It’s easy to invoke the word team, but it was a team, beginning with Heather,” said Brad, who himself has a paramedical background through his work in the military. “It was phenomenal and my wife really was the beginning of saving my life.”

“I am extremely lucky, and beyond lucky.”

and Brad Best (centre) with family and BC Emergency Health Services representatives during a Vital Link award ceremony held in Fort St. John, Feb. 28, 2023. From left: Jonathan Brnjas, BCEHS; Des Fallis, BCEHS, Nathan Best, BCEHS; Brad Best and Heather Best; John Tebulte; Ann and Karl Musgrove; and Honour Guard Michael Lee, BCEHS.

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

If Canfor is ever to reopen its mill in Taylor, it won’t be producing pulp.

That’s because the company says ongoing lack of fibre supply in the Peace region has made the business of making chemi-thermomechanical pulp unviable for the local facility — formally ending 35 years of production in the small community of 1,300 people along the Peace River.

The mill has been curtailed since last February, the company announcing Tuesday, Feb. 28, that it “does not see a path forward” to restarting the facility, but that it has begun exploring an alternative use for the site.

“It’s a good facility in a good location,” said Canfor Pulp President and CEO Kevin Edgson during a meeting with investors on March 1, revealing only that the company is currently “collecting options” on what that future use might be.

“I would hope we would find a solution very quickly but at this point it will really be determined by how quickly we can figure out what else we might do there and then how quickly we might be able to execute.”

The mill was opened by Fibreco Pulp in 1988, and Canfor says employment ended for the majority of workers last year “due to the anticipated length of the curtailment and we worked to support them through the transition.”

“A small team is providing security and asset preservation on site. These positions will continue to be maintained,” a spokesperson confirmed.

It’s the second pulp mill to be shuttered so far this year in northern B.C.; the pulp line at Canfor’s Prince George pulp and paper mill will be permanently closed at the end of this month. Last week’s news also follows on January’s announced closure of the sawmill and pellet plant in Chetwynd, shutting down in April, due to what Canfor says is, again, a lack of fibre in the Peace region.

“By reducing our operating footprint, we have better aligned our operations with the available residual supply in the Prince George region,” Edgson said.

“We believe these difficult decisions will support the long term sus-

tainability of the company and allow us to optimize the economically available fibre supply in British Columbia, operating on a more consistent basis that improves our operating margins and performance.”

Despite the ongoing uncertainty for the mill, Taylor Mayor Brent Taillefer is hopeful to see the mill fire back up in some fashion.

“Anytime something of this magnitude closes, it’s a big impact, not just for the community of Taylor, but the whole region,” he said. “A lot of those workers, not just directly at the mill but hauling chips or working in the yard, they also are not working. It certainly is an impact and not something we like to see.”

Taillefer says the mill is still valuable heavy industrial land with rail access, and close to Fort St. John as the major centre in the northeast.

“Canfor Taylor Pulp has always been a good member of our community and we’ve always had a good relationship with them,” he said. “If there’s something we can assist them with, we certainly would. Or, if another proponent comes forward we would certainly look to have the same relationship with had with Canfor Taylor Pulp.”

He adds the district will renew talks about its official community plan later this year.

“It’s a community plan so it could play into the community having a say in what they would like to see there, or what some ideas can come from the community as well to maybe see a different use at that mill,” he said.

Combined with other mill closures in Houston and Port Alberni this year, 850 jobs have been lost in forestry over the last two months. Peace River North MLA Dan Davies says the latest closure in Taylor reflects poor forest policy by the NDP government.

“We’ve seen forestry go to shambles in our province over the last five years due to inability to get permits and lack of support by government for our resource sectors,” said Davies.

Canfor Pulp reported an adjusted operating loss of $59 million for its pulp operations in 2022, and an adjusted net loss of $43 million, or $0.66 per share. The company says pulp production in the fourth quarter was “faced with fibre shortages and challenging winter weather conditions”

TODD BUCK PHOTO

LOOKING GOOD AT 73 —  Happy birthday to the Fort St. John Public Library, which marked its 73rd anniversary on March 1. Since 1950, the library has been serving the community, whether it be supplying knowledge or hosting events for the family to enjoy. Last year, the library had a circulation of 87,727 including books, DVDs, and e-books. Pictured above are Tanya Boyd, lead library assistant; Matthew Rankin, director of library services; Jill Baccante, inter-library loans co-ordinator; and Alexa Rogers, library clerk.

No path to restarting Taylor pulp mill, Canfor says

Do you want to make a meaningful difference in your community? Consider volunteering to serve on the Fort St. John Literacy Society Board of Directors Secretary & Director positions available!

Do you have:

~ A passion for literacy and bettering your community;

~ The will to donate your time, energy and talents to your community;

~ A willingness to promote the Fort St. John Literacy Society;

~ An understanding of the importance of building relationships. Contact us today!

Fort St. John Literacy Society #201-10136 100 Ave Ph: 250-785-2110 info@fsjliteracy.ca www.fsjliteracy.ca

Creative hub plan makes progress

Representatives of the Fort St. John Arts Council appeared before city councillors on Monday, Feb. 27, to give an update on a visionary new creative arts facility for the downtown.

Plans for a creative hub were first unveiled last spring, and over the past year the arts council has been meeting with member groups about their needs, and with real estate firm Colliers on a proposed multi-storey build that would also include new commercial and residential housing.

“It seems to check all the boxes,” said vice-chair Margaret May. “It really seems to fit with proposals to revitalize the downtown.”

Because needs are so great, the arts council has expanded its search for a location from 100 Street and 100 Avenue, to bigger lots a block east and west; the former Sew it Yourself and Frontier Hotel lots at 100 Avenue and 102 Street, and the old hospital site on 100 Avenue.

“With discussions we’ve had with the different groups, and especially coming to the possible partnerships, we’re going to need at least two floors for the creative hub,” said arts council secretary Connie Surerus.

“We love the idea of a central location across from the North Peace Cultural Centre,” said May. “The bigger lots would allow more flexibility and a phased approach to build, and the need for underground parking is not as great.”

User groups that need space now and would make use of a new creative facility include the Potters’ Guild, Spinners & Weavers, Printmakers, and Painters.

But there are a lot of other wishes for the facility too, including studios for woodworking, metalworking, and blacksmithing, a recording studio, theatre rehearsal space, and a food safe kitchen, among others. The arts council is also eyeing a potential move of the gallery in North Peace Cultural Centre to the new facility, which could al-

low the library to expand, as well as potential space for a grocery store, a courtyard, and rooms for glass making and music.

Surerus said local arts groups have been particularly vulnerable when it comes to finding stable space to build and grow in over the years, challenged often by the swings in the economy.

“As arts group are offering classes and building membership, and providing more classes, they’re increasing revenues and their space needs, and can better afford to take over more of the creative hub,” Surerus said.

May used the potters as an example, which have grown from just a few independent artists with a kiln at home, to a strong guild housed in the ArtsPost on 94 Avenue that’s bursting at the seams with members and waiting lists for classes.

“That can happen with a lot of groups,” said May. “If they have the space, if they have opportunity, the same thing can happen.”

Several potential community partners have expressed interest in an added housing component to the building, including School District 60, Northern Health, Northern Lights College, Community Living, Metis Nation, and the Salvation Army.

“All of them are interested in the creative side and the housing side,” said May.

“Talking to different groups… the big thing that came out was a real need for the housing. That especially came true with the school district,” said Surerus. “They’re interested in arts programs, but what they were then really interested in was looking for housing for new teachers coming to town.”

Colliers is being tasked to confirm the full scope and uses of the facility, including tenancy models, as well as a detailed cost to build and operate.

“It’s not enough to be able to build the place, we have to be able to sustain it going forward,” said May. “It just doesn’t end when you open the doors. We want it to be in the community for years and

years to come.”

The arts council is hoping to have a building design and budget finalized, along with MOUs with partners in place, by the end of this year. It’s already held an initial open house with arts groups, and wants to do another with downtown businesses.

The arts council says the city will be the project’s biggest partner in helping to secure the land to build, and helping the arts council leverage capital funding from organizations such as CMHC and Canadian Heritage.

“Next year would be the fundraising, applying for grants, where the funding is going to come from… If that goes well hopefully by spring of 2025 shovels in the ground,” said Surerus.

“It’s going to take effort. It’s not like this is just going to be handed to us,” she said. “It’s a great idea and I think we’re ready for it.”

Councillors were receptive to the arts council’s presentation, saying a creative arts facility would showcase the downtown core. Coun. Trevor Bolin remarked that securing capital for the building won’t be an issue for the arts council; sustaining its ongoing operational costs will be the challenge.

City council passed a motion for city staff to bring back a report to further discuss, in a closed meeting, the viability of the facility and its partnership.

“This will definitely be a diamond in our downtown core,” said Mayor Lilia Hansen.

Have a shapes scavenger hunt, taking turns finding shapes indoors and outdoors. Then make each shape with your body — kids and adults work together.

How do you learn as a family? fl Tell us #FamilyLiteracyDay

LEARN AT PLAY, EVERY DAY.

Find more ways to learn at play as a family at www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca

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MATT PREPROST PHOTO

Arthur Hadland with the oldest tool known to man in the Peace River country near Fort St. John, found in his farm field near Baldonnel. He estimates the stone tool to be a minimum of 10,500 years old and proudly showed it off during his keynote speech on the evolution of the Peace River at the annual general meeting of the North Peace Histoircal Society on March 1. Read more in next week’s edition.

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Elks at Canada Winter Games

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

It was an exciting week of races for a group of young Fort St. John speed skaters at the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Halifax. While the seven long track competitors from the Fort St. John Elks club didn’t land on the podium with Team B.C., several did have top-three finishes and even set a pair of season best times.

Jack Hanson won the mass start B Final on Friday, Feb. 24, finishing 10 laps in a time of 6:21.03, fractions of a second ahead of his Elks and B.C. teammate Matthew Mitchell, who finished with a time of 6:21.62. Sidney Bennie finished third in the female B Final mass start with a 10-lap time of 7:19.06.

Hanson, Mitchell, and Bennie all qualified for Team BC following selection trials alongside Elks teammates Brooke Braun, Hannah North, Kieran Hanson, and Nick Guliov. Long track speed skating competitions ran at the outdoor Halifax Oval Feb. 21 to 24, where Guliov set season best times in his 1000-metre (1:21.46) and 5000-metre (8:19.33). And Kieran Hanson finished fourth in the male 1,000-metre race with a time of 1:19.62 — a second and a bit shy of Luca Veeman of Saskatchewan who took the bronze with a time of 1:18.36.

The four boys, meanwhile, finished seventh in their team pursuit race with a time of 4:54.64. The girls finished

their pursuit in sixth, with a team time of 4:16.36.

SilverWillow 4-HReport

Hello and good morning to all of you reading this, this is Ella Kelly reporting for the Silver Willow 4-H Club. Since last time I wrote we have completed and presented our speeches for the club. There were tons of great speeches and presentations. Kiara Selin, Bailey Fell, Eric Hjelmeland, Bo Denzler, Erik and Maria Hansen, Piper Masse, Donovan Snider, Landon Lever, and Caitlyn Kelly, will be moving on to district communications.

We are looking forward to our next weigh in coming up soon and hopefully more steers will be able to be led on a halter and leadrope. As for my sister and I, we have been grooming and giving our steers grain. We are also working to keep a record of our animals’ grain and weight gain per month in our record books. With spring on its way we are starting to lead our 4-H animals and get them ready for Achievement Days. We are looking forward to Achievement Days and have been working hard to work to the best of our ability.

Hope you have an amazing time packed with fun until spring arrives. This is Ella Kelly signing off until next time I write.

For All Your Petroleum Needs

Keep up the great work!

LASZLO PODOR/CANADA GAMES COUNCIL

Fort St. John’s Jack Hanson (20) tucks in behind pack leader Daniel Pauli of Saskatchewan during the mass start Group B final long track speed skating race at the Canada Winter Games, Feb. 24, 2023. Hanson went on to win the race.

Huskies sweep NWJHL awards

the development of the league and its teams.

The Fort St. John Huskies were top dogs in the regular season and in this year’s awards from the North West Junior Hockey League.

Players and coaching staff have been honoured with six out of the eight awards from the league, including Todd Alexander being named Coach of the Year on Friday.

Alexander led the club to a historic 38-3-1 record and 77 points this season, a remarkable first place finish earned after an incredible and recordbreaking 35-game win streak.

His father and associate coach Gary Alexander also received this year’s Al Spence Award on Friday, given to someone who has played a key role in

Streeper wins historic 10th Fur Rondy sled dog race

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Fort Nelson musher Blayne Streeper won his record-tying tenth Fur Rendezvous sled dog championship in Anchorage, Alaska, on Feb. 26.

Streeper finished the Open World Championship in a total time of four hours, 22 minutes, and 20 seconds over 78 miles, three days of the same 26-mile trail winding through Anchorage’s forests, roads, and downtown.

With the win, Streeper is now tied with renowned champion musher George Attla with 10 career Rondy titles to his name.

“We all run dogs all over the world… and there’s no setting like this setting,” Streeper said after the race. “This is our Wrigley Field, our Fenway, our Indianapolis, our Belmont Stakes... This is

what we love. All of us mushers love this and the health of these dogs need this.”

Streeper led the first two days of the race heading in Sunday’s final sprint, posting times of 1:29:53 and 1:27:30 on Friday and Saturday.

He finished the event 10 minutes ahead of second-place musher Greg Taylor of Fairbanks, Alaska (4:32.23), and close to 11 minutes ahead of Michael Tetzner of Germany (4:33.07), who finished third.

Born and raised around the Mile 304 area, the married father of two competed in his first Fur Rondy 22 years ago. Four years later, in 2004, he took his first title.

“We really look forward to coming back,” Streeper said Sunday. “There’s only one number that matters, and that’s number 11, and I’ll be back next year to win it.”

The league’s Most Valuable Player award went to Kurtis Lee, who was also awarded as the league’s Top Scorer for a second year in a row, with 81 points (33 goals and 48 assists).

Huskies netminder Jackson Powers was awarded Top Goaltender with 22 wins, including six shutouts, and posting a 1.71 goals against average and save percentage of .917.

And Brandon Modde was named the league’s Top Defenceman, who finished second in the league in scoring, with 20 goals and 57 assists.

Lucas Schuett of the Sexsmith Vipers was named Rookie of the Year, and Drew Friesen of the La Crete Lumber Barons as the league’s Most Gentlemanly Player.

Crystal Cup comeback a success

The Crystal Cup pond hockey challenge wrapped up its successful return to Charlie Lake on Sunday, Feb. 26.

Eighty teams young and old took to the ice over the three-day event, with the Jagr Bombs taking the tournament’s Crystal Cup title over Ironhide 22-18.

“It’s an awesome feeling to know that you’re not just being involved in the community, you’re creating community,” said event organizer Neil Evans after the tournament had wrapped.

Winners of the Sapphire Cup were the White Schrutes, beating out Team Prospect. Eco-Web won the Coal Cup over the The Uncles, who took second place.

The tournament also include the much-loved Sid Davis Memorial Championship for youth, which honours longtime minor hockey coach Sid Davis, who died in December 2017.

Winners were the Little Puckers (U7), Toe Dragon Juniors (U9), Team Surge (U11), Flint Yeti (U13), Team Surge (U15), and Snizzy Committee (U18).

“This year’s turnout was amazing, feels like we’re picking up right where we left off,” said Evans. “So many new sponsors who remember the Cup and just want to help out in any way they can.”

The Crystal Cup first ran in 2012, and this year’s event also featured a visit from sports podcasters and commentators Olly Postanin and Jacob Ardown of “On The Bench”.

“It’s so good for the kids, that’s what it’s all about,” said Ardown. “I had no idea this was out here but I’m glad.”

The two hosts were set to make an appearance during the 2021 Crystal Cup, but due to Covid-19 the event was postponed.

“When I reached out to them this year, they were more than excited to show up,” said Evans.

Huskies take game 1 of semi- nals

The Fort St. John Huskies began their NWJHL semi-final series at home Friday night, March 3, with a 8-1 drubbing of Dawson Creek. With 1,003 fans in the stands at North Peace Arena, the Huskies had the game in hand with a 4-0 lead after two periods. The Kodiaks were able to score one early into the third, but the Huskies quickly buried that with four more of their own.

Colby Busche, the team’s Rookie of the Year, put a hat trick on the board as well as two assists, and was the home team’s game star on the night. Kurtis Lee, the NWJHL’s top scorer last sea-

son, also scored twice, while Cayden Frenette, Sam Loewen, and Jackson MacDonald each put one in the net for the Huskies in the win. Jackson Powers turned away 16 of the 17 shots he faced, while the Huskies fired 27 shots on Kodiak netminder Andrew Harrington.

Fort St. John leads the semi-final series 1-0; Game two was scheduled for Sunday afternoon at Memorial Arena in Dawson Creek after this edition of the News had went to press.

Game three is scheduled Wednesday, March 8, at North Peace Arena, with puck drop at 8 p.m.

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

FUR RONDY

Blayne Streeper and family celebrate winning the 2023 Fur Rendezvous Championship Sled Dog Race.

Todd Buck tbuck@ahnfsj.ca

Above: The Jagr Bombs won this year’s Crystal Cup trophy. Below: 2023 Crystal Cup organizers and volunteers. From left: Ronnie Moffatt, Dustin Andres, Jamie Osterlund, Daniel Forrest, Chad Moffatt, Ethan Forrest, Neil Evans, Trevor Forrest, Michael Blanchette, Perry Ofterbro, Brian Lumley, Ryan Gradon, Gillies MacDonald, and Ken Konashuk.

$187,500 for outdoor pool repairs

Hudson’s Hope is receiving a $187,500 recreation grant for upgrades to the local outdoor swimming pool.

Funds from the Northern Development Initiative Trust will go toward the replacement of the pool liner, floor membrane, floor inlets and gutters to restore the outdoor pool to a watertight facility, according to a news release.

“The swimming pool was built in the early 2000’s and the pool liner is now over 19 years old,” the Trust noted in a news release, adding: “The life expectancy of many components of a pool is 15 years or less.”

“These renovations to the facility

will ensure its continued economic viability,” said the Trust. “Without these improvements, safety hazards as well as aesthetic deterioration will reduce future opportunities to host events and to maintain current programming. The local economy is largely dependent on a sustainable and growing population, for whom the municipality must maintain existing recreation infrastructure and services.”

Acting mayor James Cryderman said the district was grateful for the funding.

“Without this financial support, it would not be possible to rehabilitate the swimming pool,” Cryderman said. “This is the only outdoor swimming pool in the region which is an icon for our community.”

$14M infrastructure boost

Communities in Northeast B.C. will receive more than $14 million in extra provincial infrastructure funding for B.C. municipalities this year.

The one-time grants from the Growing Communities Fund are being allocated based on population size and growth.

Allocations are:

-Fort St. John - $5,724,000

-Dawson Creek - $3,942,000

-PRRD - $2,383,000

-Northern Rockies - $1,920,000

-Tumbler Ridge - $1,530,000

-Chetwynd - $1,464,000

-Taylor - $1,095,000

-Hudson’s Hope - $905,000

-Pouce Coupe - $819,000

“We are grateful to the Provincial Government for their support,” said Mayor

Lilia Hansen. “As soon as we receive the official program guidelines, we will work to effectively allocate these funds towards enhancing our community.”

All told, the lump sum amounts to $14,058,000. “Our communities are growing and this puts more pressure on community centres, parks and swimming pools that families rely on,” Premier David Eby said, calling it “the single largest provincial investment in communities in B.C.’s history.”

The money is coming from this year’s projected budget surplus of almost $6 billion, according to the province, and funding will be granted for projects such recreation facilities, parks, water treatment plants, and other community infrastructure “to meet the demands of unprecedented population growth.”

“The new Growing Communities Fund will help local communities get building,” said Eby.

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

An exciting weekend of futsal was played Feb. 24 to 26 as the Fort St. John Soccer Club held its indoor season tournament and grassroots festival. Overall, 39 games were played over the course of three days for athletes in the U9-U19 divisions. Registration for the outdoor season opens this weekend.

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Local woman writes book about mental illness and recovery

Hanna Petersen hpetersen@pgcitizen.ca

When Missy Dunn was struggling with depression, she couldn’t find the book that she needed to read.

So she decided to write her own, in the hope that it would help others.

She has now completed her book Flawed. Perfectly, which details her deeply vulnerable experiences with childhood trauma, sexual abuse, mental illness, divorce, and attempted suicide.

“I knew my story was like a lot of other people’s stories, so I just sort of figured if it can help one person, then it will be worth writing, but it was very vulnerable and raw to write,” said the Fort St. John resident.

The book begins in her childhood, which was affected by her mother’s own mental health struggles. Dunn says she wasn’t given the building blocks of life that she needed in her childhood to help her through her teen years and into adulthood.

She said these experiences left her with the inability to ask for help when she needed it.

“A lot of people say, ‘Oh, just call helpline, or oh, just ask for help’ and the problem is, is that not everybody can do that,” said Dunn, adding

that when she told the adults in her life about the abuse she was facing, they did not help her.

“The book then develops into the decisions, the bad decisions, I made as an adult, including how I went through two divorces, and one of them was really bad. I had two children, who I was trying to raise up as a single mom.”

Dunn says her second divorce pushed her into a depression for which she was eventually hospitalized twice, once against her will.

“I take full responsibility for the bad choices I made, I don’t blame them on my childhood, I don’t blame them on my mother. I take full responsibility of the choices that I need but the book just evolved into how those choices came to be,” explains Dunn.

“A lot of people I find, are very curious and confused as to why a loved one could possibly try to end their life, especially a mom who has two beautiful children and seems to have her life together, when I really didn’t have my

life together.”

Flawed. Perfectly details what it was like to be hospitalized against her wishes, and then what it was like to finally get the help she needed.

“That’s why I wrote the book, because I just wanted people to understand that there is a light at the end. You may go through some really dark times, but there’s always something in the end that can help out.”

She said she also hoped the book provided insights for the family members and friends as to why people with

Mackenzie mayor blasts lumber giants

Ted Clarke tclarke@pgcitizen.ca

There’s no lack of fibre in the Mackenzie Timber Supply Area, according to Mackenzie mayor Joan Atkinson.

She says they have all the trees they need to sustain a healthy forest industry.

The problem, Atkinson says, is the lumber giants have locked up the rights to harvest timber in that vast territory and they’re not willing to part with it.

“It’s not fibre supply that has robbed our community of hundreds of jobs, it’s current forest policy that has crippled my community,” said Atkinson, who spoke through an online link to a crowd of about 200 who attended the Future of Forestry forum Tuesday night at UNBC.’s Canfor Theatre.

Atkinson says Mackenzie, a town of about 3,700, has lost more than 400 direct forestry

jobs in the past three-and-ahalf years, mostly due to mill closures. Paper Excellence permanently closed Mackenzie Pulp Mill in April 2021,

which follows on the heels of several smaller sawmill closures that started in 2008.

Atkinson said the removal 20 years ago of appurten -

ancy, which meant that wood sent to mills was tied to the communities from which that wood was harvested, allowed tenure holders to close

depression do they things they do, or why suicide even seems to be an option for some people.

Dunn says that while she will always be living with clinical depression, she has a great team of doctors who have been with her step by step and now feels very light and at peace.

“I know myself, how if I’m starting to slip that I know how to ask for help now, which I think is most important thing is, I didn’t feel like I have that option ever to ask for help,” said Dunn.

“I’ve got a really good support system, which I never had before. I know how to ask for help so I’m in a good place.”

Flawed. Perfectly is available through Amazon and Missy Dunn’s website.

If you or someone you know is thinking about ending their life or are concerned about someone who is, you can call:

• 9-1-1 if someone is in immediate danger to themselves or others

• Northern BC Crisis Line

- 1-888-562-1214

• BC Crisis line

- 1-866-661-3311

• Text CONNECT to 686868 (the Kids Help Line) or call 1-800-668-6868

• Canada Suicide Prevention Line - 1-833-456-4566

community-owned mills, which is what happened in Mackenzie.

“That was the beginning of the end for many small rural forest-dependent communities and now Mackenzie residents watch loaded logging truck after loaded logging truck heading down the highway to be processed at large centralized supermills,” said Atkinson.

“Although the Canfor sawmill in our community has been closed permanently for more than three years, they still hold the largest tenure volume in our (timber supply area) - a million cubic metres that they’ve held on to for 3 ½ years. It astounds me, it disappoints me, it makes me angry the government is allowing companies to retain tenure when they have abandoned their obligation to provide jobs to our communities in exchange for those tenure rights.”

The permanent closure of Paper Excellence’s Mackenzie Pulp Mill in April 2021 has been followed by a series of curtailments at the Conifex sawmill in Mackenzie.

It’saBoy!

FINNLEY JAMES-ALAN

BOURDON

Parents: TiannaWellard&

DevonBourdon

Weight: 6lbs

Length: 18inches

Time: 03:21am

Date: February8,2023

Hometown: FortSt.John,BC

Drop

It’saGirl!

LEIA CHLOE

MEYER

Parents: MikeMeyer& DanielleCreed

Weight: 8lbs

Length: 20.5inches

Time: 4:18pm

Date: February3,2023

Hometown: FortSt.John,BC

CELEBRATEBABIES

BIRTH Ph:250.261.7563

BABY BOUQUET WALL

www.fsjhospitalfoundation.ca email: fsjhf@northernhealth.ca

Variety concert raises $8,739 for senior band students

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Close to $9,000 was raised last week to help send senior band students from Fort St. John to a prestigious, invitation-only national competition in Niagara Falls this spring.

Students are rehearsing for MusicFest Canada Nationals, the first time the high school band has been invited out since 1999, says music teacher Sabrina Brooks.

“Students are currently practicing hard with the goal of bringing home a GOLD,” says Brooks.

A total of $70,000 needs to be raised for the students; and $8,739.20 was contributed by their supporters during a variety concert held Feb. 23 at Ma Murray school.

That included a $1000 corporate

donation from Cougar Landscaping and Construction, which Brooks says is now challenging all other snow removal companies to meet or beat.

“Ma Murray was packed on Feb. 23 - don’t think you could have fit any more in that school parking lot if you tried - once again, FSJ showed it ROCKS!” said Brooks.

“All of the children who attended the event said the FUNdraiser was the ‘Best party EVER!’. The band is humbled and deeply grateful for all of the moral and financial support the town has shown them.”

That national competition, now in its 51st year, runs from May 15 to 20, 2023. Earlier this month, $6,786 was raised for students at a dance fundraiser held at the Lido.

To learn more and pitch in support, contact Brooks at sbrooks@prn.bc.ca.

ARIES  MAR 21/APR 20

A development may have you feeling a bit down, Aries. That is only temporary, though, as your mood and circumstances will rebound in no time at all.

TAURUS  APR 21/MAY 21

Taurus, people you encounter this week may be exceptionally stubborn, so you may need to avoid confrontations. Keep your emotions in check as best as you can.

GEMINI  MAY 22/JUN 21

Gemini, the weather may not be suitable for getting much done outdoors, but you can certainly stay busy inside the house with any projects you have been putting o .

CANCER  JUN 22/JUL 22

This is a great opportunity for getting rid of any clutter that has been holding you back, Cancer. Start sorting through the garage or cleaning out a desk at work.

LEO  JUL 23/AUG 23

Leo, do not worry about the small stu that you feel could be holding you back. If you step away from the situation, you may nd that everything is working out.

VIRGO  AUG 24/SEPT 22

Virgo, there are plenty of opportunities open to you, but you may not realize they are so close by. A friend may need to guide your way on this for the time being.

LIBRA  SEPT 23/OCT 23

You may be feeling bad about something you did in the past, Libra, and now you want to make amends. It’s the little changes you implement that will make a di erence.

SCORPIO  OCT 24/NOV 22

Scorpio, you may be ready to give your life an overhaul. That may amount to you changing careers in the weeks to come. Do your research before you put in notice.

SAGITTARIUS  NOV 23/DEC 21

Sagittarius, stay focused and disciplined this week, especially as it pertains to a diet. You can maintain your commitment, especially with others cheering you on.

CAPRICORN  DEC 22/JAN 20

Capricorn, rewards will not come without hard work and dedication. Now is the time to stick with the plan and keep moving forward. Save days o for later.

AQUARIUS  JAN 21/FEB 18

Do not go up against managers or superiors this week, Aquarius. Doing so likely won’t go in your favor. Just keep out of the spotlight for a little while longer.

PISCES  FEB 19/MAR 20

You may be building the blocks of a major life project, Pisces. Use all of the resources at your disposal in the days to come.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

MARCH 5 Madison Beer, Singer (24)

MARCH 6 Shaquille O’Neal, Performer (51)

MARCH 7 Bryan Cranston, Actor (67)

MARCH 8 Freddie Prinze, Jr., Actor (47)

MARCH 9 Oscar Isaac, Actor (44)

MARCH 10 Carrie Underwood, Singer (40)

MARCH 11 Thora Birch, Actress (41)

Demands return of health care workers

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Local MLA Dan Davies today called on the NDP government to enable the return of health care workers put out of work due to Covid-19 vaccine mandates.

Some 2,500 health care workers have been fired for not being immunized, according to the ministry of health.

Davies says “thousands of doctors and nurses who want to work are sitting on the sidelines” as crises mount in the provincial health care system. Davies’ party last June called for the suspension of vaccine mandates for all provincial employees.

“Since June of last year, the official opposition has repeatedly urged the government to provide a pathway for all British Columbians to return to work, just like the federal government and nearly every other jurisdiction in Canada,” Davies said during question period in the legislature Feb. 28.

“There is no reason why we cannot follow their lead, especially with safety protocols in place,” he said.

“On behalf of the tens of thousands of British Columbians waiting without basic health care, when is this Premier going to allow these doctors and nurses back to their jobs so that they can provide the care that people desperately need?”

Health minister Adrian Dix responded by saying vaccine mandates remain in place for acute and longterm care to protect people who are vulnerable to the Covid virus.

“We have and we continue to take actions to protect them, and we are going to continue to do so,” Dix said.

“I understand that it’s the position of the honourable member, and this is a public debate and I say with the greatest of respect because I never criticized anybody from taking a contrary opinion to ourselves or Dr. Henry or anybody else, but what he’s suggesting is that we overrule the provincial health officer on a matter of public health in a pandemic — I don’t agree with that,” he said.

“We are going to continue to take steps to ensure that we keep people safe in this public health emergency.”

Beginner band students perform during a variety fundraising concert in support of senior band students on Feb. 23, 2023.

MLA Dan Davies during Question Period in the legislature Feb. 28, 2023.

Letters...

SAFE INJECTION A SMALL STEP TO HELPING

This is so typical of people. Not in our back yard. I am sorry but studies done in other cities have not shown any type of increase in crime. As for the kids picking up needles, this is a ploy so people see it and start to fear for the children. Sorry, Harold, wrong on this point too. The needles will be inside, away from everybody. In fact, why has he not spoken up about kids picking needles up in the park or anywhere else? Seems funny now that the city is going to actually help people who need it, people are jumping on the redneck bandwagon.

Keepers of the memories

By Ruby McBeth

Wilma Hansen told me at the Seniors Club that she had been the president for 16 years. I remember that she was president when Lorne and I started going to seniors. Wilma also told me that Irene Large had been a member for some time before she joined. Wilma found Irene to be a steady helper to her when she was president. As Wilma pointed out, when you are in a leadership role it is very important to have people around who will tell you the truth as they see it and not just try to please you. Irene is gone now, and we have Wilma as a truth teller and memory keeper.

SCRABBLE ANYONE

The Seniors Hall has start-

By John Grady

ed scrabble days on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. Coffee pot will be on. For more information call Wendy at 250-785-9193.

Wendy won the Scrabble tournament at the Canadian Seniors Games last year.

ADVICE FOR SENIORS

PREPARING INCOME TAX

Margaret Little has prepared a mini-guide to go with the 2021 Community Health Guide which includes tips for seniors preparing their income taxes.

1. “One-time payment for older seniors: If you received the one-time payment for older seniors, the payment is a taxable benefit. Service Canada will have sent you the required T4A tax slip. You will need to declare this payment when you file your income tax and benefit return. Please note that this pay-

ment will not be counted as income towards entitlement for the Guaranteed Income Supplement.”

2. “Tax credits and benefits: Remember when you are working on your taxes that there are a number of credits for seniors, including: · Canada caregiver credit · disability tax credit · medical expenses · home accessibility expenses · age amount · pension income amount · pension income splitting.”

For people earning under $40,000 free help is available preparing your taxes from the Women’s Resource Centre 250-787-1121.

The Dawson Creek Literacy Society also provides free income tax preparation for marginalized income people. Phone 250-782-4211 for details.

Margaret’s update to the

Community Health Guide is available at the FSJ Public Library.

USING OUR GADGETS

Last week, I learned something about the mouse on my computer. My grandson Benaiah explained to me that the little wheel at the middle of the mouse will let you scroll down the screen. If I knew that before I had forgotten!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” —

Jane Goodall

Ruby McBeth lives and writes in Fort St. John

Moses and the burning bush

Moses is one of the most recognizable biblical characters considering he was an ordinary man who had extra ordinary encounters with God. At the time of his birth, all Hebrew newborn males born in Egypt were to be killed, according to Pharaoh, King of Egypt. Moses’ parents felt he was special — isn’t that normal for all parents of their newborns? — so he was hidden and nursed at his parents home until three months of age. He was laid in a basket that was placed on the banks of the Nile river. As it happens, the Pharaoh’s daughter saw the basket with Moses in it, crying, and she felt sorry for him. Even though he was Hebrew, she not only rescued him but adopted him and raised him. Moses had royal upbringing, education, was a prince — and yet in trying to help a fellow Hebrew became an exiled shepherd for 40 years and eventually a reluctant leader of God’s people.

What became the critical turning

point in the life of Moses is a burning bush and God, in His love for us, always places a burning bush, which can be described as something, an event, someone to draw us to Him, hearing His voice, listening to a Gospel message, as God works in mysterious and wonderful ways. Most of us miss it, disregard it, ignore it for fear or skepticism.

Moses went to explore the burning bush and the Lord introduced Himself as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Today, as we live under the New Covenant, we are introduced to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior, the Redeemer, Yeshua. Interestingly, after the encounter with the Lord at the burning bush Moses life was totally changed along with his purpose and calling in life. Today, after our encounter with Jesus Christ, our life is also changed along with His purpose and calling for our lives. The key for Moses and for us is to explore the burning bush which the Lord places in our lives.

Moses was at a time and place in his life where he had nothing to offer God. He had gone through a process of nothingness, which is a polite way of saying he no longer had any self confidence, no reliance on self, no image of his self importance in spite of his upbringing and education. He was at a place where God could and did get his attention, and all Moses could do was rely and totally trust in God.

Many of us, like Moses, can think we have nothing to offer, that our best days and opportunities are behind us, that we are marking time, but, there is a “but,” and that is exploring the burning bushes and responding to God’s purposes for our lives. It might not have the major impact of Moses’ calling, but in God’s purposes we can trust Him that it has significance and of importance to Him and others. The key is to explore and respond to your burning bush.

John Grady lives and writes in Fort St. John

This site will help save some lives, not destroy the community. I really wished people would do their research. Harold, how about after six months when your issues are proven pointless, you should maybe donate some of your time to help. PEOPLE are dying and no, it isn’t a lifestyle choice. No one wakes up saying, “Hmm today I think I will die!”

People do drugs for a variety of reasons and since there isn’t much in the way of help, this is a small step to helping. I want to live in a town that isn’t known for the highest death rate per capita due to overdose, but rather a town that gets together and helps EVERYBODY! I hope you never have to experience the hopelessness of a family member in active addiction, or God forbid the loss of a loved one; unlike you, I wont judge but will be there for you.

Heather Boswell Fort St. John MISSION VISION

Last week, I went to the Peace Lutheran Church, both for spiritual comforting and to help out. What were my duties, you may ask? To set-up the tables and chairs, followed by some kitchen prep work, all for this crusade called Mission Vision 2023. This annual event was to regroup Christians of all ages, and more specifically, the Youth Group was showcased on Friday night. The grown-ups met for the Saturday night service by Colombia-based missionary, Russell Stendal. The number of volunteers was probably between 15 to 20. I believe that most volunteers were women, a very normal indication when it comes to helping others. The Lutheran Church is surely the denomination that many or most local elderly people attend, especially because the care home is attached to it. I would like to mention the precious spiritual guidance of both the pastor and his wife, Kebede Dibaba and Lucia Misgun.

Claude Dionne Fort St. John

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Fourth in a six-part series

By Evan Saugstad

It is October 2022, and I am on a guided stone sheep hunt in the Kechika Mountains of northern B.C. with Scoop Lake Outfitters, with guide Nick Fabish, wrangler Richard Craig, and eight horses.

Knob Creek spike camp is at tree line, next to a clear flowing creek, in a patch of balsam fir for fuel and shelter, and a meadow and alluvial fans nearby for horse feed. Some of the hills are gently rolling, and one can ride to their top. Steep, but good horse ground, and with no snow and not much freezing, safe to do so. It’s also an area that one must lead their horse downhill, as downhill on steep ground is hard on loaded horses, to say nothing about my knees. But, as is usual, this is where the ewes and their lambs are living, at least when the wolves aren’t around. Rams, not so much, as they know this is also an area most conducive to a short life, between bears, wolves, and hunters like me.

Their home is nearby, but on those steep and rugged mountains, lots of rocky bluffs and outcrops, shale slides, boulder fields; an area where horse cannot go, and wolves are at the disadvantage. For these areas, one must park the horse and start the walk.

Many assume this country would be teeming with wildlife, a Serengeti experience. But that’s not the case. This area has long and cold winters and, in some years, deep snows that limit populations. Moose, sheep, goats, elk, wolves, and bears are all here, and at this time of year there are still a few species of songbirds, ptarmigan, ravens, eagles and whiskey jacks. We see them all, but in this area, very few caribou.

Sheep hunting is about trying to find them, as it is only 8-plus-year-old rams (or full curl) that are legal to harvest. They are also the smallest segment of the sheep population and are naturally few and far between. Every day, off we go in search, riding to a high spot to glass; ride some more, glass some more, and, on some days, park the horses and climb those steep rugged mountains to see what’s on the other side. And on occasion, Nick and Richard leave me with the horses to conserve my energy as they jog up the mountain to search some hidden spot (I greatly appreciate those willing to work hard).

It’s during these days we also spot mountain goats (they live in slightly differing terrain than sheep), grizzly bears, moose, a lone black bear (not many in this country as the grizzlies tend to eat them). One day we watch a

grizzly chase a cow moose and her calf across a mountain, getting close to catching the calf, but in the end, both escape by running uphill and hiding in a balsam thicket. We also watch large bull moose tending their cows as the rut is on (need horses to hunt moose in these mountains). We also get chased by a marauding band of seven ewes for about a kilometre across the mountain, with my horse running in fear (used to be a pack horse and apparently didn’t like sheep following him). One poor ewe had a deformed horn growing into the side of her face, a condition that will lead to certain death. Feel for her, but that is nature.

We see sheep; every day they are there, somewhere. One, two, or a dozen, mostly ewes and lambs, scattered across the mountains. Occasionally a young ram is hanging with the ewes, but their rut is still a few weeks away, too early for the mature rams to be worrying the ewes. We also see rams, banana rams, sub adults, close to full curls and legal, but nothing that stands out and requires closer inspection.

Every day, one gets stronger and in better sheep shape, but there’s no catching up to Nick and Richard as they have a couple months head start. And then, finally, on one of Nick’s jogs up Mount Gibson’s to check the other side, as I wait with the horses, he finds him: an old, broomed ram (refers to a sheep with the lamb’s tips rubbed off). We have tomorrow’s quarry.

We leave camp a bit early, head up the mountain and park the horses for a long hike uphill and then, part way there, we cannot believe it. There, standing on top of that high mountain pass we must go through stands a young bull moose, smack dab in the middle of our way. The ram is just on the other side of him. Yes, a moose higher than the sheep, more than 1,000 feet higher than the trees, just rocks and tufts of grass, as he surveys a way out of his predicament. He can’t come down our side. Too steep and rocky.

There’s only one solution, climb up through the

steep boulder fields and try to get around him, so that’s what we do, and as we near the top, he has disappeared, down the other side, we think. Great. And when we look over the ridge into that basin, there are the rams, a couple being legal, just not the one I am after. He must have been spooked by the moose and has disappeared. We can’t see around the mountain so off we go, across a kilometre-long field of car and refrigerator-sized rectangular boulders, precariously stacked one on top of the other, looking like at any moment, or with any shaking, they will tumble to the bottom. As we cross, I keep thinking about the Jenga game, where if you dislodge the wrong piece, all collapse into a heap. It’s tough going for old knees, as with each step one must test every rock for its balance, before allowing full weight, as some

do tip. Much easier with younger and more nimble legs.

We do get safely across and there he is, a couple kilometres away, our ram, down at tree line, and a couple large billy goats bedded nearby. A brief look and then he disappears once again. Too far away to go after today. Just below us, in range, are legal rams, and Nick wonders if I will reconsider and take one of these. But no, my resolve stays.

Now I will have to wait a couple days as, after this, I will need a day to replenish my energy supply. Back across this same boulder field, this time on the opposite side of the mountain, rams in sight and ignoring our presence.

Next week, Part 5, around the mountain we go.

Evan Saugstad lives and writes in Fort St. John

Dear Miss Patti,

The other day my son’s preschool teacher told me that my son was behaving aggressively with his friends and just asked if I had seen this behaviour at home. This has never happened before and I don’t quite know what to do when I don’t see this behaviour myself.

—Aggressively Unaware

Dear Aggressively Unaware, This is a common occurrence at this age. Many times, especially if your child is an only child, if you don’t have relatives nearby or if you don’t do play dates or Strongstart, we might not see this behaviour. At home, they have the place to themselves. They don’t have to share their toys, it’s quieter, and they have their family to go to for all their needs.

In a preschool setting, there are many other personalities to contend with, it’s very noisy, busy and they might not know which adult to go to yet. Children get overstimulated so easily and it can display itself in many ways. Most of the time this aggression is just a way of communicating that something is not working the way they would like or as I mentioned in last weeks letter, they are not too good at regulating their emotions or bodies just yet. It’s not usually due to them being mean or wanting to hurt others, it’s just a way of communicating when words fail due to big feelings.

Sometimes, it can also be television programs/video games that are not age appropriate. Children copy what they see. When my boys were young, they watched a GI Joe cartoon. Within minutes of watching this, they were clobbering each other and yelling, “Yo Joe!” We were at a McDonald’s play place and a poor unsuspecting young Spiderman was clobbered and I could hear that lovely phrase being proudly proclaimed by my son as Spiderman ran to his mom crying. Needless to say, GI Joe was put on vacation until the boys were much older.

Always have open conversations with educators and come up with a plan together for what to do moving forward. Just because you don’t see the behaviour at home does not mean it can’t happen. These are different contexts and situations that your child might not have encountered before. Finding out what language the educators use to calm and remind is very helpful. (Let’s use gentle hands. Hands are for hugs and handshakes.)

Every centre might use different terms and if you can be on the same page as your child’s preschool then your child gets the consistent message everywhere. Remind them before they go to school what they are working on and any calm down strategies they can use when they get frustrated or overwhelmed. Role playing different scenarios at home can help them practice words they can say when their feelings get too big..

—Miss Patti

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

For all the news we couldn’t fit into print: alaskahighwaynews.ca

The author, Evan Saugstad, with one of many moose sheds sighted along the trails in the Kechika Mountains in northern B.C.

EVAN SAUGSTAD PHOTO

Horses watching sheep watching horses in the Kechika Mountains in northern B.C.

EVAN SAUGSTAD PHOTOS

Above: Navigating boulder fields Below: Bullmoose on top of a mountain

ACSSERGORPMBPUR TPTIMECLOCKESBE EOPENSISURSNSGS MDRRKNINOEOETNO CIURETOSTIPFNIU HOECINIITEEIENR SPMOAVTATERTMIC CTNMRTUIRARETAE OLEEULIGCOCBSRS UYPSATEOLEOAETR RUQVSDEENJSWVOS SRETRAUQDAEHNRK ECIFFOINTERVIEW SKILLSKCEHCYAPA ACCOMPLISHMENTS

SUBMITTED

Students from North Peace Secondary with local professionals, including the RCMP, as part of the annual Grow Our Own event by Urban Systems. The event returned from its virtual format during the pandemic to an in-person gathering at the Lido Theatre on March 2. Students met with mentors of their choosing in a “speed-mentoring” atmosphere. The intent of this event is to provide students with information on a diverse range of professions and fields that exist in the community, what type of schooling is required, and what they can expect in those professions.

Security plans for safe injection site?

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

The Fort St. John Chamber is calling for a security plan that includes “robust lighting,” more garbage cans, and a “Good Neighbours” group to address the concerns of business about a new safe injection drug site planned downtown.

Business owners have raised objections about the location and consultation process for Northern Health’s drug site planned at 10067 100 Avenue, saying it’s at odds with the city’s efforts to revitalize downtown.

In a statement issued last Monday, Feb. 27, the Chamber said, “the City needs to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all,” and listed off a sixpoint list of recommendations that can support businesses impacted by the proposal, including:

- a Good Neighbours Group consisting of representation from Northern Health, area businesses, and service groups, proposed to meet monthly for three months then quarterly, to ensure best practices are being met, and that complaints, concerns or any issues can be brought up for mitigation;

- A 24-hour contact number

for business owners and residents should an incident arise that needs to be managed;

- Robust lighting around the facility and nearby area;

- Additional garbage cans or containers for safe disposal of paraphernalia and garbage related to the site;

- Education and engagement with area businesses, including Naloxone training at no cost; and

- A security plan that offers a nearby presence for the first 90 days and longer, if determined to be necessary by the neighbourhood group

“It is important that we note that we support the need to provide services to residents who require support and assistance from these services,” the Chamber said in its statement.

“The Fort St. John Chamber supports safe communities for all and encourages Northern Health to assist and support businesses as this Site is prepared, opened, and maintained.”

Last year was the third deadliest for overdoses in Northeast B.C., with 26 deaths reported by the coroners service, including 12 in the Fort St. John area.

Under a 2016 provincial ministerial order, health au-

thorities can open supervised consumption sites outside normal city approval processes to address the growing toxic opioid crisis in B.C.

Northern Health has been operating a such a site on the third floor of Pioneer Square, where its mental health and substance use office is located, but says the site is being used by very few people. Plans to relocate to a street-level location on 102 Avenue just off 100 Street were pulled last year.

The health authority says the new 100 Avenue location was selected for its proximity to existing social services, such as the Salvation Army, and that it plans to include the existing warming centre currently housed in the building, which is being funded by the provincial and federal governments.

Business owners say they support the safe consumption services being provided in the city, but that they are concerned for the safety and welfare of downtown retailers and residents, including two day cares and an elementary school located within half a block of the planned drug site.

One has even suggested moving the facility out of the downtown entirely.

Sentences and fines from Fort St. John and Dawson Creek provincial courts, Feb. 21 to 24:

• FREDERICK, Bradley Dion Cole (born 1991) was sentenced to 12 months jail with 12 months probation, ordered to submit a DNA sample, and prohibited from possessing firearms for 10 years on a count of possession for the purpose of trafficking, committed in Fort St. John on Oct.

15, 2016. Frederick was sentenced to six months jail with 12 months probation on a second count of possession for the purpose of trafficking committed in Fort St. John on Oct. 15, 2016.

• AYLES, Peter James (born 1980) was given a suspended sentence of one year probation for uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm in Dawson Creek, committed on May 31, 2021.

Arrested for assault on woman

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

A Fort St. John man was arrested for assault and other charges after a parking lot fight with a woman last month.

RCMP say Noah Almond was arrested for assault, possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose, and obstructing a peace officer after the altercation in the 10600 block of 100 Avenue on Friday, Feb. 24.

Police say they were alerted to the incident around 1:30 p.m., reporting the two individuals were each walking two dogs, and were yelling and

wrestling with each other in a parking lot.

“Once Fort St. John RCMP front-line officers attended, the man yelled at police, released control of his two dogs and charged a police officer while displaying a weapon,” according to a news release from Cst. Chad Neustaeter. “Officers arrested and gained control of the man but were bitten by the loose dogs in the process.”

One officer attended the hospital and was released, police said. Almond was held for court and later released on a Release Order with a future court date of March 20, 2023.

Charges for grocery robbery attempt

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

A Fort St. John man is facing robbery charges after trying to steal a basket of groceries last month, police say.

Derek Livingstone was arrested for robbery and breach of release order on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 26, after RCMP say officers were called to a store in the 9800 block of 98A Avenue, around 2:09 p.m.

Livingstone is alleged to

have produced a weapon when confronted by a store employee before fleeing the scene, according to police.

He was identified by officers through surveillance video, and later found and arrested without incident the same day, RCMP said.

RCMP say the BC Crown Prosecution Service has approved both charges and that Livingstone has been remanded into custody until March 6.

Bolin to step down as leader

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Fort St. John city councillor Trevor Bolin will be stepping down from his role as leader of the provincial Conservative party in B.C.

Bolin has been appointed interim leader until a leadership election is held, the party announced last Friday, March 3. In a statement, Bolin said he would like to spend more time with family, and noted the party’s membership has doubled under his nearly four year tenure.

“Today marks three years and ten months since I was fortunate enough to be named the leader of BC’s Conservatives,” he said in a statement.

CHURCH PLANT — Two dozen people turned out to worship services at the Lido on Sunday, March 5, to mark the public launch of Northern Lights Church in Fort St. John. Rev. Shannon Stange led the service, and was joined by his wife Rita, leadership team members Randy, Cameron, and Lisa Dotzler, as well as Chris and Marilyn Byberg from the National House of Prayer in Ottawa. The church had planned to meet at the Salvation Army but relocated late last week due to unforeseen circumstances when the space was no longer available for use. Visit the church’s website to find out more information about upcoming services.

Davies continues push to change provincial riding name

Local MLA Dan Davies is continuing a push to formally change the name of the Peace River North riding to include and recognize the Northern Rockies. Davies last month reintroduced a private member’s bill to change the name of the riding to Peace River-Northern Rockies, similar to how it’s named federally.

“The regional municipality of Northern Rockies comprises roughly 10 per cent of British

Columbia’s land mass, which is a major part of the landscape of our province. It also includes Fort Nelson, which is the largest community in the regional municipality,” Davies said in the legislature on Feb. 23. “The Northern Rockies is home to some of the most important resources in our provincial economy, being home to one of the largest natural gas plays in the world, incredible potential for

timber supply and opportunities for mining,” Davies said. “More recently it has become known for its potential in geothermal and hydrogen, and we must not forget about the vast opportunities for tourism in this incredibly beautiful part of our province.” Davies first introduced his bill in 2018, and hopes to time a change with a forthcoming final report on electorial riding boundaries across the province.

“Recently, I have asked the executive to appoint me the interim leader of the party, and I will officially step into that role today,” Bolin said. “This opens the path for the party to hold a leadership nomination and election that I am excited to be able to assist in from a committee perspective. “A lot of our lives have changed in the last few years, and with the

loss of my parents, I have decided my family needs to come first at this time.”

Rules and procedures of the leadership race will be announced in the coming weeks, the party said.

“I am extremely proud of the party and its executive and am humbled by the experience to build and create throughout this great province alongside my amazing candidates and incredibly hardworking board and executive,” Bolin said.

“I am proud of what we have done as Conservatives across this province and look forward to continuing to champion my home riding of Peace River North and running as a Conservative under our new leader in next year’s election.”

The news follows on former BC Liberal MLA John Rustad jumping to the Conservatives last month. The Nechako Lakes MLA was kicked out of the Liberal party in August for expressing climate change views. Rustad joining the Conservatives has made him the only party representative in the provincial legislature.

Sperling to be sworn in

Brad Sperling was formally declared the winner of the Area C by-election last week. The former chair of the Peace River Regional District won with 264 votes on Feb. 25, besting political newcomer Suzanne Haab who received 254 votes in a rematch of October’s election.

The electoral area includes

the communities of Charlie Lake, Old Fort, Baldonnel, Grandhaven, Clairmont, and Two Rivers, where residents were voting on a director to represent them on the board of the PRRD. Sperling, first elected as the director for Area C in the regional district in 2014, will be sworn in on March 7.

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

Diverse displays of peace

The latest exhibit from the Flying Colours artists group reminds us to stop and find some peace as we all swing back in to our busy lives.

Twenty local artists have a vivid tapestry of works on the wall at the Cultural Centre’s Peace Gallery North, from Mike Kroecher and Ken Lane’s oil and acrylics on canvas, to the felt and silk mixed media of Miep Burgerjon and Lorna Penner. The theme and title of the show is “Peace in the North Peace.”

“Whatever brings you that joy or that inner happiness, whether that’s with your artwork, how you express yourself, everything,” says Penner, with the Flying Colours Artists Association.

Other works being exhibited are a beautiful carved yellow cedar sculpture by Ken Forest, encaustic wax paintings by Irene Gut, linocuts by Linda Haugen, and watercolours by Suzon Anne Tremblay. Artists featured also include Sandy Troudt, Karin Kroecher, Mary and Charlie Parslow, Rosemary Landry, Julene Gunther, Diana Hofmann, Sue Everton, Lindsay Jardine, Lisa Frankham, and Pamela Den Ouden.

“It’s super diverse,” says Penner. “Our group is growing all the time, and changing and morphing all the time.”

The exhibit is on display until March 25 at the North Peace Cultural Centre.

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Peace River Hudson’s Hope, acrylic on canvas by Kenneth Lane

Raven Sun, handpulled linocut on monoprint mounted on wood panel by Linda Haugen

Above left: Tea for Two, mixed media on wood by Julene Gunther Above right: Whispers in the Wood, encaustic mixed media by Suzon Anne Tremblay Below left: The Peace of Other Times & Other, carved yellow cedar by Ken Forest

Below right: Farmer Colin, oil on canvas by Lindsay Jardine

Talent shines on stage at Child Development Centre fundraiser

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

The seats were full right to the top to catch this year’s Child Development Centre Talent Show at the North Peace Cultural Centre on March 3. It was so hard to get a seat, eager audience members craned their necks for a look and listen through the back doors at the top of the theatre as 22 groups young and old performed and raised funds throughout the evening. As of press time, around $77,000 was raised for the CDC’s “Raising The Roof” campaign, which will replace a roof on the older section of the centre, which houses its houses Hydrotherapy Pool and Family Play and Learn and Special Services programs.

“The evening was such a wonderful success,” said Executive Director Tana Millner. “Thanks to a fabulous line up of performers and guests, a dedicated group of volunteers, and an amazingly supporting and caring community.”

There were lots of great moments during the show, from the honouring of Sherry McDonald, one of the several mothers who first got the CDC going 50 years ago in 1973, to Optimal Trucking donating $5000 on stage to the cause, to the performances by the Playcare class singing It’s Us Who Builds Community , Lily Stretch playing a unique rendition of Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls on her ukulele, and young Braxton LaClaire playing his saxophone and acoustic guitar after raising $1,080.

TODD BUCK PHOTO

Lily Stretch played a unique rendition of “Iris” by The Goo Goo Dolls on her ukulele.

TODD BUCK PHOTO

Lester Davis Jr performs the CDC Talent Show

TODD BUCK PHOTOS

Left: Braxton LaClaire played his saxophone and acoustic guitar at the CDC Talent Show, and raised $1,080

Right: The Northern Lights Youth Choir performed at the CDC Talent Show

TODD BUCK PHOTOS

Left: Sherry McDonald and Tana Millner at the CDC Talent Show Right: Optimal Trucking donates $5000 to the Child Development Centre “Raising the Roof” campaign

Left: Former CDC president Larry Evans speaks to the crowd Right: The Playcare class sings “It’s Us Who Builds Community”

Celestial conjunction delights

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Jupiter and Venus have been particularly bright in the sky over the past weeks, much to the delight of local stargazers in Fort St. John.

The two celestial bodies began their planetary conjunction on March 1 and were still quite a sight to admire last Thursday evening. The planets will continue their drift apart in their separate orbits around the Sun over the next several nights, Venus rising higher into

the sky and Jupiter toward the horizon. However, you may still be able to see them over the next few nights looking west after sunset.

It’s been quite a month to keep an eye on the sky, first to watch the green comet C/2022 E3 make its closest pass by the Earth on Feb. 1, last appearing in our skies 50,000 years ago. And recent solar flare activity on the Sun has also created intense geomagnetic storms over the Earth, making spectacular aurora light shows over the last several weeks.

SUBMITTED

Bob McCormick caught Jupiter and Venus with the new moon in mid-February in the Pink Mountain area.