We’re
Continued on A14 New immigrants ‘excited for the days to come’
Around 100 Canadian newcomers met at Calvary Baptist Church Sunday afternoon for a potluck welcome party to Fort St. John. Among them, Bogs and Chona San Juan, who celebrated their first full week in their new home city just before midnight on Monday. With friends already in Fort St. John, and hearing their positive reviews, the couple began exploring options to join them here in the city last year. They applied with all their documents in April, were approved in June, and on a flight to Canada this month. They arrived Aug. 22 from their hometown of Davao, Philippines, connecting to Fort St. John via flights from Korea and Vancouver.“Wehad a very long August 22,” laughed Bogs during an interview following Sunday’s party.With a background in healthcare IT, Bogs will begin business management and IT studies at Northern Lights College starting Sept. 6. His wife, Chona, with an open work permit and a CPA, CMA, and MBA on her resume, looks forward to put her accounting skills to good use for local businesses.“Itwas quite fast,” Chona said of their experience. “We we wanted to come here because we wanted a small a city, we didn’t want to go to the big ones like Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary.”
Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca
For most of us, war is something very distant, but for one Ukrainian family it’s hit close to home, very close. Meet Olga and daughters, Mariia, 20, and Iryna, 12. Raised in Kyiv, the two girls really only knew one life. That all changed suddenly in late February. A single mother, Olga had been visiting family in Austria when the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. Their home destroyed; their lives altered in an instant. Late last week Friday, the trio walked through the arrivals door at the North Peace Regional Airport, smiling as they began a new chapter. Waiting for them, new friend Scot Harse, who, with others in the community, will help the family get settled into their new home.“Ifelt it was time to give back and help out a little bit,” said Harse when asked what motivated him to reach out in this way.“I went online and found a nice family who were going to go to Calgary. I suggested they pick a northern community in Saskatchewan, Alberta, or B.C. They did their research and here we Harseare.”was also behind a social media campaign to find an above-ground swimming pool for Iryna who will need to be quarantined for her first two weeks in Canada. As the family sets up in northern B.C., Olga is hoping to bring a normal life back to her daughters – a new direction, particularly for her youngest. She’s already making progress, applying for a teaching position with School District 60, excited about the possibility. Her oldest daughter, meantime, is looking at returning to either university or college and continuing her computer technology training. Mariia was in her third year of university in Kyiv when the war broke out. And, for Iryna, who becomes a teenager in short order, it’s the chance to grow, make new friends, and just be a kid. Welcome to Canada and welcome to Fort St. John! glad you’re here! PHOTO John just before midnight Aug. 26,
to begin a new life in Canada. NEWS h A7 ONE FAIR DAY Good times had at the return of the Hudson’s Hope fall fair FREE CLASSIFIEDS! 15 Words or Less *Some restrictions apply. Contact Lynn @ 250-785-5631 or classifieds@ahnfsj.ca
MATT PREPROST PHOTO
Bogs and Chona San Juan arrived in Fort St. John from the Philippines on Aug. 22 in search of a better life.
Dave Luenberg sports@ahnfsj.ca
HoursMon-Fri: 8am - 5pm Sat: 8am - Noon 9224 100 Street, Fort St. John, BC (250) 785-0463 After Hours - Leave Message QUALITY PARTS, EXPERT SERVICE! When You Are Out in the Field, Time IS Money. Presents the People’s Choice Awards Who will be Voted Favourite Person, Place or Business? Fill out the form in this week’s edition and drop it off at our office, or online at alaskahighwaynews.ca/contests/peoples-choice Fort St. John, BC PEOPLE’S 2022 9916-98th St., Fort St. John • Phone: 250-785-5631 Cast Your Vote Now! From Kyiv, with hope Flyers This Week: Staples, Canadian Tire, Safeway, Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, Home Hardware, Peavey Mart Experience and industry credentials are most de nitely an asset, but more important is that you are a good t with our Thisteam.isa unique opportunity to join an independent, full service, IIROC rm. We need people to help establish and maintain long-term, pro table relationships with our existing client base, and to facilitate the provision of superior nancial service and nancial advice. Eligible applicants will have: • Bullet-proof ethics. • Formidable communication skills. • A friendly, positive, and professional attitude. • The ability to work as a great teammate. • A dedicated commitment to ongoing learning. If that sounds like you, let’s talk. brad@bradbrain nancial.com Are you the right person to hire our elite team? THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 |VOL. 78 NO. 35 ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS $1.50 INCL. GST The only newspaper in the world that gives a tinker’s dam about the North Peace. Est. 1944 DAVE LUENEBERG
Mariia, Iryna, and mom, Olga, arrive in Fort St.
ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWSA2 | NEWS | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022
Interested persons can obtain information on the requirements and procedures for making an application to act as a scrutineer by contacting the following persons: Tyra Henderson, Chief Election Officer, tyra.henderson@prrd.bc.ca Tab Young, Deputy Chief Election Officer, tab.young@prrd.bc.ca Phone: 250-784-3200 or 1-800-670-7773
Area B Fort St. John Public Library Financial Contribution Service – Electoral Area B only Are you in favour of the Peace River Regional District adopting Electoral Area B Fort St. John Public Library Financial Contribution Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2484, 2022 for the purpose of creating a new service function in Electoral Area B, that will authorize provision of an annual financial contribution to the Fort St. John Public Library to fund the costs of operating the library, at a maximum annual tax requisition limit that is the greater of $100,000, or $0.0281/$1,000 on the net taxable value of land and improvements, and assessed on improvements only, in Electoral Area B?
Sport and Cultural Events Grant in Aid - Entire Peace River Region, including Municipalities
Applicationsgetoutandvoteto act as a scrutineer will be received by the Chief Election Officer at the Peace River Regional District office located at 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC during the period: 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 30, 2022 to 4:00 p.m., Friday, September 9, 2022
Dinosaur Museum Grant in Aid - Entire Peace River Region, including Municipalities
Scrutineer Applications Application forms are available at the Peace River Regional District offices at: 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, and 9505-100th Street, Fort St. John, and online at prrd.bc.ca/
SUPPLIED PHOTOS GOOD DEEDS REWARDED — Our thanks and appreciation this week go to young two-year-old Riley Krbyla and his parents, Garrit Krbyla and Taylor Shular. When the family saw someone had gone through Alaska Highway News stands on 107A Avenue and thrown that week’s papers out onto the street on Aug. 18, they didn’t think twice about helping out their neighbourhood. Father Garrit shared to a local Facebook group, “Luckily this lil guy was on the scene. Figured at least it would make a nice nest for his wagon!” And a nice little nest it was! We wanted to thank Riley and invited him to the News office to gift him a cool new Hot Wheels racing bike. As Garrit shares, “He loves dirt bikes,” and we’re sure one day when Riley grows up he’ll have a real dirt bike of his own. Says Alaska Highway News regional manager William Julian, “When you do something above and beyond, you need to get rewarded for it. If you do good things instead of bad things, good things come back to you.”
Regional Connectivity Service - Entire Peace River Region, including Municipalities
Are you in favour of the Peace River Regional District adopting Dinosaur Museum Grant in Aid Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2476, 2022 for the purpose of creating a new region wide service that will authorize provision of grants to fund the costs of operating and development of a Dinosaur Museum in the region, at a maximum annual tax requisition limit that is the greater of $200,000 or $0.0125/$1,000 of net taxable value of land and improvements, and assessed on improvements only, imposed in the entire Peace River Regional District, including all member municipalities and electoral areas?
Applications will only be received during regular office days and hours during this period, or may be emailed to the persons noted below by not later than the 4:00 pm deadline on September 9, 2022.
Tyra ChiefHendersonElectionOfficer
Are you in favour of the Peace River Regional District adopting Global Geopark Grant in Aid Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2477, 2022 for the purpose of creating a new region wide service that will authorize provision of grants to fund the costs of developing, improving, operating and maintaining a Global Geopark in the region, at a maximum annual tax requisition limit that is the greater of $200,000 or $0.0125/$1,000 of net taxable value of land and improvements, and assessed on improvements only, imposed in the entire Peace River Regional District, including all member municipalities and electoral areas?
Notice of Applications for Scrutineers
Are you in favour of the Peace River Regional District adopting Regional Connectivity Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2487, 2022 for the purpose of creating a new region wide service that will authorize the Peace River Regional District to enter into partnering agreements with internet or cellular service providers to apply for grant funding from other levels of government or grant programs, or to allow the PRRD to provide capital grants to internet providers for broadband infrastructure projects, at a maximum annual tax requisition limit that is the greater of $375,000, or $0.0234/$1,000 on the net taxable value of land and improvements, and assessed on improvements only, imposed in the entire Regional District, including all member municipalities and electoral areas?
Peace River Regional District Assent Voting 2022 Sport and Cultural Events Grant in Aid Dinosaur Museum Grant in Aid Global Geopark Grant in Aid Regional Connectivity Service
Global Geopark Grant in Aid - Entire Peace River Region, including Municipalities
B Fort St. John Public Library Financial Contribution Service TO250•785•5631PLACEYOURAD DIRECTORY BUSINESS COUNTRY PEACE AHN DENTAL SERVICES 2.737”x4.28” CASH FOR GOLD & SILVER! Paying Full Price for 999 Silver. Also Buying Coin Collections, Old Paper Money & Jewelry. Todd 250.864.3521 BUY/SELL/TRADE METALMETALROOFINGSIDINGAURORA STEEL &TRIM 1-250-794-6618jwalter@aurorast.comwww.versaframe.ca Delivery to site available with 3-4 day turn around. * 40 year warranty Rollformed to Custom Lengths Manufacturer Direct AGRICULTURAL COMMERCIAL Need an installer? Contact us to get in touch with local installers/builders RESIDENTIAL ROOFING/SIDING 1-250-794-2041 LEN’S TREE SERVICE LTD Residential & Commercial Tree Removal • Dangerous Tree Removal • Stump Grinding • Tree, Bush Pruning • Fully Insured (5 million Liability) • Free Estimates • Prompt Service Experience ARBORISTS Not sure why BUSINESS IS SLOW? is not just a saying in business. CALL 250-785-5631 TO GET STARTED TODAY! 4 ISSUES $175 ADVERTISING
In person: 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC regular office hours and days
On Saturday, October 15, 2022, five assent voting opportunities will be held in the Peace River Regional District, and qualified voters will be asked to vote on the following questions:
Are you in favour of the Peace River Regional District adopting Sport and Cultural Events Grant in Aid Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2473, 2022 for the purpose of creating a new region wide service that will authorize the provision of grants toward the costs of hosting national and international level sporting and cultural events sanctioned by the relevant oversight body, at a maximum annual tax requisition limit that is the greater of $200,000 or $0.0125/$1,000 of net taxable value of land and improvements, and assessed on improvements, imposed in the entire Peace River Regional District, including all member municipalities and electoral areas?
Electoral Area
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DAVE LUENBERG PHOTO
Huskies prepare for new season Sports Fan’s Headquarters Here to make you Happy 9508 Alaska Rd. N. • Fort St John BC • 250-787-0455
Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca Josh Sorensen is o to his next adventure and it’s a path that will take him clear across the country. The outgoing Fort St. John Inconnu swim club head coach has accepted an assistant coaching position with the Halifax Trojans. “Halifax was on the list of places I wanted to end up eventually,” said Sorensen. “When I applied I just wanted to see where I was in terms of my quali cations. I didn’t think I was going to get it.”
flTell us #FamilyLiteracyDay How do you learn as a family? Find more ways to learn at play as a family at www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca Have a shapes scavenger hunt, taking turns finding shapes indoors and outdoors. Then make each shape with your body — kids and adults work together. Imagine your family is anywhere in the world! Pick a spot on the map and learn about that country together online.LEARN AT PLAY, EVERY DAY.
With veteran goalie Tyler MacArthur off to university, last year’s back-up Jackson Powers (seen here) will be competing against Daniel Sturgeon for the starting position between the pipes.
Inconnu head coach Josh Sorensen speaks with 15-year-old swimmer, Frankie Woods, during the Spring Sprint Cup in Fort St. John May 22, 2022. Photo: Dave Lueneberg
Not all the pieces of the puzzle are in place just yet, though – it’s still early. “After today (Aug. 28), we’ll go down to 25, but I also have guys that are away for Junior A camps, so I think we’ll float around that solid 25 number for now,” he continued. “You would like to keep a lot of them ‘cause they’re all here for the same reason,” Alexander said. “It’s a little bit like life. When you go for a job interview, you’re competing against other people. They have to make the right choice for who they think will be a good fit for their company.”“Nodifferent here. We need to make the right choices for our hockey club. Make sure we’re putting together the most competitive group on the ice that also buys in (to our systems) and gets along.”The Huskies will play three pre-season games in September, ahead of their regular season opener in Dawson Creek on Sept. 22. All three will be on the road: Sept. 9 vs. Sexsmith; Sept. 17 vs Fairview (in Grande Cache, Alta.); Sept. 18 vs Grande Prairie (in Grande Cache). The homeopener is set for Oct. 7 against the newly-named Grande Prairie Wheat Kings.
Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca
New challenge
The new-look Fort St. John Huskies are taking shape after a weekend-long training camp at the Pomeroy Sport Centre. “As coach, you’re pretty familiar with most of the guys that are coming back,” said head coach Todd Alexander. “But, you know, you have players each and every year that step up and are able to jump into different roles, maybe something they didn’t have last season and they surprise you a little Alexanderbit.”admitted there have been some good surprises at camp this year. “There’s always guys that surprise us,” said Alexander ahead of the team’s last scrimmage before paring down its numbers. “We’re pretty much prepared to lose 30-33% of our roster every year. So, you got new guys coming in. Nice to see them for the first time in person, not just on video or word of mouth from other“Youngpeople.”men you had last year. Really nice to see them make some strides in their junior careers, as well.”
Swim coach admits he’ll miss the connections made in two-year stop
The call came a couple of weeks later. The Inconnu head coach for the last two seasons, his focus will be with swimmers from 14-16 years “It’sold. a youth club with about 300 members. It’s the largest club east of Quebec,” Sorensen explained. Fort St. John, in comparison, has about 90 swimmers. “I’ll be taking on the role of coaching the moreestablished swimmers who have done well at provincials and are looking at going on to the national level.” While he’s looking forward to his new challenge, the move is bitter sweet. “I will miss the community. Part of what you get out of a smaller town, smaller club, is the connections to people. They’re not just names on a sheet. You get to see them on a day-to-day basis,” said Sorensen. “It’s a lot easier to meet 88 people than it is 300. I am de nitely going to miss all the personal “I’mconnections.”notgoing to lie, I am going to miss the long, sunny summers too. I absolutely love the fact that the sun doesn’t set until 11 in June and July.” Since his new hiring, however, there’s been a little bit of a wrinkle. “An odd circumstance right now. I’m actually the interim head coach, while they look for a new head coach. I do want to get there eventually as a goal. I just think I need a little more time before I actually really take it on.” “I’m the top guy,” he joked on his current situation, but fully expects that a head coach will be hired, to learn from, as he grows in his career. We wish him well! out
ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWSA4 | SPORTS | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022
After coaching the Fort St. John Inconnu swim club for the last two seasons, Josh Sorensen has accepted an assistant coaching position in Halifax, NS. May 22, 2022 Photo: Dave Lueneberg
East
SENIOR TIE DOWN: SAT: 1. Carson Gunderson, Hudson’s Hope (11.9 sec.), 2. Jacob Bowden, Quesnel (15.0), 3. Korbin Mills, Pink Mountain SUN:(15.4) 1. Jacob Bowden, Ques nel (11.6 sec.), Wyatt Bondar off, Arras (17.6)
Hairbin and HB Spa voted people’s choice award for Best Salon, and Spa since 2011! 10442 100 Street 250-787-1552 9:00-5:30 pm 9:00-7:30 pm
Trackers
SENIOR POLE BENDING: SAT: 1. Rylie Dowling, Chet wynd (22.449 sec.), 2. Laura Sa rauer, Prince George (22.564), 3. Nevada Jones, Prince George SUN:(23.030)1. Nevada Jones, Prince George (22.900 sec.), 2. Rylie Dowling, Chetwynd (23.193), 3. Cashlyn Callison, Fort St. John (23.576) JUNIOR POLE BENDING: SAT: 1. Blake Greenlees, Pouce Coupe (23.015 sec.), 2. Ava Livingstone, Charlie Lake (24.816), 3. Kenzie Lloyd, Ques nel SUN:(25.661)1.Blake Greenlees, Pouce Coupe (23.114 sec.), 2. Ken zie Lloyd, Quesnel (24.650), 3. Charles Farner, Quesnel (24.897)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | SPORTS | A5ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
SAT: 1. Mavrick Studly, Dawson Creek (score: 69) SUN: 1. Mavrick Studly, Daw son Creek (65)
The Pomeroy Sport Centre played host to the NEBC/Yukon midget and bantam Trackers training camps. Well over 50 players turned out to for the two camps. hit the ice B.C. High School Rodeo in Quesnel Aug. 27-28: QUEEN: Cali Rose Prairie
and ursday
SUN: 1. Brody Newsham, Cecil Lake (24.5 sec.)
While there’s been no sched ule posted, both Trackers teams will begin regular season play in the Northern Alberta Hockey League in early October.
Open Monday-Wednesday & Friday
JUNIOR BULL RIDING: SUN: 1. Jonas Frizzi, Chetwynd (score: 68)
Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca With temperatures in the mid20s, hockey is probably the last thing you would think of, un less you’re a player, of course. This past weekend was the unofficial launch of hockey season for returning players and prospects for the midget and bantam NEBC/Yukon Trackers.Bothclubs held separate training camps at the Pomeroy Sport Centre. “I was really impressed by some of the 15-year-olds that came out,” said newly-hired midget coach Jared Win kel. “Our returning guys look real solid. Goaltending is going to be a tough “Everybodybattle.”isgoing to have to earn their spot, though,” added Winkel. “There’s no guarantees, for sure.” The U-18 squad, under for mer coach Gerard Dicaire, were just one step away from winning gold at Provincials last year.“It’s been awesome. The ef forts of these kids and their attention to details has been fantastic throughout this camp,” said bantam Track ers coach Ray Taggart Sunday, when describing his team’s try-outs. Goaltending, one of the areas of focus, he said, for his U-15 squad as it gets ready for the 2022-23 season. “Every year, we’re looking. No returnees this year, so we have six in the mix. They’re all putting their best foot forward.”
Quesnel high school rodeo results
BAREBACK:
JUNIOR BARRELS: SAT: 1. Hadley Gitscheff, Daw son Creek (17.573 sec.), 2. Blake Greenlees, Pouce Coupe (18.090), 3. Kenzie Lloyd, Ques nel SUN:(18.218)1.Jordyn Farmer, Quesnel (17.185 sec.), 2. Blake Green lees, Pouce Coupe (18.016), 3. Kenzie Lloyd, Quesnel (18.400)
CHUTE DOGGING: SAT: 1. Jason Nelson, Chet wynd (13.2 sec.)
JUNIOR BOYS GOAT TYING: SAT: 1. Brody Newsham, Cecil Lake (18.6 sec.), 2. Kyder Lloyd, Quesnel (20.3), 3. Jason Nelson, Chetwynd (21.3) SUN: 1. Kyder Lloyd, Quesnel (16.4 sec.), 2. Jason Nelson, Chetwynd (17.6), 3. Brody Newsham, Cecil Lake (18.0)
JUNIOR GIRLS GOAT TYING: SAT: 1. Blake Greenlees, Pouce Coupe (9.9 sec.), 2. Hadley Gitscheff, Dawson Creek (13.1), 3. Rayne King, Dawson Creek SUN:(14.8)1. Pypre Kilgour, Dawson Creek (10.1 sec.), 2. Ava Living stone, Charlie Lake (11.7), 3. Blake Greenlees, Pouce Coupe (12.3)
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SENIOR GIRLS BREAKAWAY: SAT: 1. Jordyn Farmer, Quesnel (3.4 sec.), 2. Kendal Esau, Arras (3.7), 3. Shelby Corr, Rose Prai rie SUN :(4.6)1. Jessie Pearson, Fort St. John (3.3 sec.), 2. Jordyn Farm er, Quesnel (3.6), 3. Kerri Moat, Dawson Creek (3.8)
It’s back to school season and that means haircuts for the whole family. Don’t forget to book ahead and avoid the wait.
DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO
Weekend results from the
Schippmann,
JUNIOR BOYS BREAKAWAY: SAT: *no qualified times SUN: Kyder Lloyd, Quesnel (18.7 sec.)
STEER WRESTLING: SAT: 1. Wyatt Bondaroff, Arras (14.1 sec.) SUN: 1. Wyatt Bondaroff, Arras (6.3 sec.), 2. Dain Ross, Dawson Creek (25.5)
SENIOR TEAM ROPING: SAT: 1. Korbin Mills, Pink Mountain & Wyatt Bondaroff, Arras (7.8 sec.). 2. Jessie Pear son, Fort St. John & Carson Gunderson, Hudson’s Hope (14.2), 3. Nevada Jones, Prince George & Fallon Jones, Prince George (16.7) SUN: 1. Julia Bowden, Ques nel & Jacob Bowden, Quesnel (10.7 sec.), 2. Jessie Pearson, Fort St. John & Carson Gunder son, Hudson’s Hope (11.4), 3. Korbin Mills, Pink Mountain & Wyatt Bondaroff, Arras (14.1)
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JUNIOR TEAM ROPING: SUN: Kyder Lloyd, Quesnel & Kenzie Lloyd, Quesnel (17.1 sec.)
SENIOR GIRLS GOAT TYING: SAT: 1. Shelby Corr, Rose Prai rie (10.2 sec.), 2. Rylie Dowling, Chetwynd (10.8), 3. Kerri Moat, Dawson Creek (11.3) SUN: 1. Jessie Pearson, Fort St. John (8.8 sec.), Kerri Moat, Dawson Creek (9.6), Rylie Dowling, Chetwynd (9.9)
SENIOR BARRELS: SAT: 1. Jordyn Farmer, Quesnel (16.767 sec.), 2. Avery Bowden, Quesnel (17.281), 3. Bianca Rogers Fort St. John (17.501) SUN: 1. Jordyn Farmer, Ques nel (17.185 sec.), Julia Bowden, Quesnel (17.194), 3. Kerri Moat, Dawson Creek (17.930)
JUNIOR GIRLS BREAKAWAY: SAT: 1. Charlee Farmer, Ques nel (7.1 sec.), 2. Hadley Gitsch eff, Dawson Creek (15.7) SUN: 1. Piper Atkings, Fort St. John (5.1 sec.)
Local powerlifter off to world pointsTaylorchampionshipsSpeedwaychampions
• Johnny Beaumont was the top points-earner in the IMCA Modifieds with 532. Aaron Tubbs was next at 512 with Jason Westgate reeling in •501.Top driver in the Sports class was rookie Jeremy La Fountain at 261. Matt Bur dock was 45 points back at 216 with Cody Willis’ 214 rounding out the top three.
“There are so many amaz ing people in Dawson Creek,” saidRyeleySchmidt.Palfi’s parents Rick and Katrina were on hand for a donation as well. “It is time for us to pay it forward a bit as well,” said Katrina.Baldassarre hopes to pull 185 bench press, a 330 squat, and 355 deadlift in the UK. As for the numbers of dol lars raised for her by the community.“Itwilltake a bit for this to hit. But when I pull the num bers I have been, it will be be cause of this.”
• Richie Hildebrand topped the Mini-Adult division with 619 points, followed by Jamie Legal at 596 and Erin Hall with 432. • Devon Beebe is the points champion for Bomber-class with 323. Justin Tackaberry took second (231) while Kea gan Wallace placed third at 119.•And, Anthony LaFountain is the Mini-Juniors top driver with 620 points. Runner-up is Logan Sidoni with 542, fol lowed by Delani Bulley’s 513.
Rob Brown editor@dcdn.ca April Baldassarre is prepping to lift some big weight and kick some UK and World butt in Manchester, England. The 2022 AWPC World Championships will be held September 6-10 in Manches ter, England, and the Daw son Creek lifter will be in the competition. Baldassarre has been powerlifting for a couple of years now – and a May lift in Prince George saw her qualify for the big UK event.“I enjoy weight lifting, enjoy the goal building and pushing the limits, goals breaking and aiming for new numbers,” she says. Baldassarre will be throw ing together three lifts in Manchester – the deadlift, squat, and bench press. Thursday saw Baldassarre surprised by Gridiron Fitness owners Wayne and Tammy Schmidt with nearly $1,000 in community sponsorship from eight individuals for her UK trip. Baldassarre has been in Mile Zero for eight years and is an apprentice plumb er. DC Crane has helped out with her flight to the UK. Her team includes Relent less Performance out of Kam loops, and DC nutritionist Amanda Govenlock. Baldas sarre works out 15 to 20 hours a week and was shocked at the outpouring of support.
A6 | SPORTS | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS To learn more about diabetes, volunteer, advocate or donate, please contact : Northern Region (250) boyanne.young@diabetes.ca561-9284
Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca With no more points races and only the Hit to Pass event Sept. 10, the final regular sea son standings were released by the Taylor Speedway.
DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO SLO-PITCH CHAMPS — Fort St. John’s Team Randos beat the Raiders 18-13 in the Competitive division championship final Sunday, Aug. 28, to win the first-ever End of Summer Classic Fundraiser slo-pitch tournament. Money raised from the three-day event went to the Fort St. John Dance Society and Alchemy Dance Collective. The Mobile Home Wreckers were the Rec division champions after they dropped Spare Parts 22-8.
DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO SLO-PITCH CHAMPS — Advanced doubles player Jane Drew returns service during semi-final action at the Peace Country Pickleball’s yearend outdoor tournament in Taylor on Aug. 28. Drew and partner Trevor Steckler won silver, while Chris White and Arlene Boone took gold in the advanced doubles division. Judie Neumeier and Jennifer Holmes were the Recreation doubles champions, beating Bev Steele and Wes Neumeier in the finale. Chris White won gold and Trevor Steckler, silver, in the men’s singles category. Dora Wieler was first in the women’s singles; Arlene Boone was runner-up.
Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca After being shelved by the pan demic, Hudson’s Hope’s fall fair returned Aug. 27. Except for a 30-minute rain delay over the lunch hour, it was a dry affair with almost all of the activities taking place away from shelter. “We had a couple of really good fairs up here in 2018 and 2019,” said committee presi dent Caitlin Vince, describing the first two years the event was moved back to the commun ity’s rodeo grounds. “Before 2018, we were inside the hockey arena. The farmer’s market you see here was out side, but it didn’t have that agricultural feel that fall fairs usually“Peopledo.”love the agricultural aspect of it. We’re able to have a petting zoo here,” explained Vince.“We can’t do that down at the hockey arena. The logger sports, we would have to clean up any sawdust. It’s perfectly fine in the (rodeo) arena. It’s just a different feel up here, for sure.”“Igrew up in Hudson’s Hope. We always had the fall fair and rodeo up here,” added Vince. “In ’18 and ’19, we had the horsemanship exhibition show up here. It would have been nice to have it back but postCovid, post-everything, it was hard to get it organized.” However, Vince agreed, it’s not an entirely a bad thing to be on a smaller scale the first year“Weback.have our annual general meeting in October. We want everyone who’s excited about today to join and make it an even bigger and better fall fair.” She concedes most of their volunteers actually commit the day of the event. Now in its 28th year, Vince is hoping to see the fair return to a full weekend celebration – a small rodeo or gymkhana, two of the ideas she hopes are considered.
Left: Tashana Winnicky and Tina Jeffrey win the women’s cross cut saw division at the Logger Sports Show with a time of just 50 seconds. Right: 11-year-olds Izzy Hart and Elayna Unruh won both the three-legged races they were in, hands down... or should that be feet?
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | NEWS | A7ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
Left: Erich Schmidt shows 8-year-old Lincoln Cryderman the proper technique for shooting an arrow during an archery demonstration. Right: Kiki, the Autumn Fairy, was popular with the young ones, making an animal balloons for a group of kids while balancing on stilts.
Amanda Brown, sitting inside the wheel barrow, has to tell a blindfolded Shona Duff how to manoeuvre the obstacle course.
Fall Fair returns to Hudson’s Hope
DAVE LUENBERG PHOTOS
Left: Vanessa Herbison, 7, from Hudson’s Hope gets her face painted up by artist and entertainer Kiki, the Eco Elf. Right: Judge Lorna Winnicky samples a dilled carrot, part of the home canning display, while judge Hannah Scott marks the score sheet.
SAGITTARIUS – NOV 23/DEC 21 Sagittarius, professional motivation is easy to muster this week. Embrace your extra energy and put it to good use at work. Others will take notice.
CITY OF FORT ST. JOHN PHOTO
Members of the Community Action Team pose with city council after having Aug. 31 declared Overdose Awareness Day. Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca
LIBRA – SEPT 23/OCT 23 Libra, big financial decisions are looming. A little restraint now can pay big dividends down the road. The rewards will be worth it.
Overdose crisis brought to light
Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca Broadband and 9-1-1 connectivity in Northeast B.C. received a $10 million boost last week with a pair of fund ing announcements in Chetwynd and FortLisaNelson.Beare, provincial minister for cit izens’ services, made visits to both com munities to meet with local leaders and deliver the news. On Friday, $9.8 mil lion was announced for Chetwynd to install fibre optics in the Dokie Siding, Twidwell Bend, and Wabi Hill areas, ex pected to connect 1,600 households to high speed internet by June 2023. “We know how important this is for communities and households in the north to actually get connectivity,” said Beare in an interview with Alaska Highway News. The provincial and federal govern ments say they want to connect as many as 115,000 rural and remote B.C. households to high speed internet by 2027, with an $830-million joint fund ing package for connectivity projects announced in March. “We formed this fabulous partnership with the federal government and signed a historic fund ing agreement,” said Beare. “This is go ing to be a fantastic goal to be able to connect all communities, and I know we’re all excited to do that.”
$10M for northeast connectivity
SCORPIO – OCT 24/NOV 22 Scorpio, you can be effective and efficient when you’re in your ele ment. Others will attest to that this week after they see you in action. Enjoy the attention.
AQUARIUS – JAN 21/FEB 18 Aquarius, even though you have little to no work to do this week, the stars indicate you will be busy nonetheless. Enjoy any down time you can muster.
ILLICIT DRUGS KILL 14
VIRGO – AUG 24/SEPT 22 Virgo, you have a strong urge to start one project or another that can be used as a stepping stone to a promotion. Run your ideas by some one you trust.
LEO – JUL 23/AUG 23 Leo, seek the path not often taken this week, even if it seems long and winding. Sometimes the most direct way to go is not the easiest — even if it seems that way.
Fourteen people have died from il licit drug overdoses so far this year in Northeast B.C. The latest data from the BC Coroners Service shows two more deaths were reported in June. Province-wide, the coroners service says 1,095 people have died from toxic drugs so far in 2022, most of them in the Fraser or Vancouver Coastal regions. And more than 10,000 people have now died since a public health emergency was declared in April 2016, according to chief coroner Lisa Lapointe. “Deaths due to toxic drugs in the first half of 2022 have surpassed the number of deaths experienced in the same period in 2021, putting our prov ince, once again, on track for a record loss of life,” Lapointe said. “These were men, women and youth from all walks of life. They lived in our neighbour hoods, worked in our workplaces and played on our sports teams. Some lived ordinary lives, while others faced enor mous challenges. All of them fell prey to the lethal supply of illicit drugs that is omnipresent.”Acrossnorthern B.C., there have been 81 overdose deaths this year, in cluding 45 in the Northern Interior and 22 in the Northwest. There have been at least five deaths in North Peace, and at least five in the South Peace this year. No numbers were provided for Fort Nel son in the the coroners report. Fentanyl has been linked to 87% of the deaths in the northern region over the last two years, according to toxicol ogy data from the coroners service. Be tween November 2021 and June 2022, 16% of fentanyl-related deaths in the north showed extreme concentrations of fentanyl exceeding 50 micrograms per litre.
TAURUS – APR 21/MAY 21 Taurus, it may prove challenging to figure out where inspiration will come from next. Rather than seeking it out, wait for things to unfold more organically.
CANCER – JUN 22/JUL 22 Ideas come from where you least expect them this week, Cancer. Keep your eyes wide open and pay attention to all conversations so you can be attuned to any clues.
CAPRICORN – DEC 22/JAN 20 Capricorn, let your emotions rather than your intuition guide you this week. That’s not something you hear often, but it’s for the best right now.
GEMINI – MAY 22/JUN 21 Gemini, do not be afraid to think outside the box this week. The stars are spurring you in a particular direction that could influence various components of your life.
The call boxes being installed at Fort Nelson, Summit Lake, Toad River, Liard Hot Springs, and Fireside are “strategic locations,” says Fort Nelson mayor Gary Foster. “We’ve been after this for years to try to get something along the highway,” said Foster. “There is no cell service in many spots up and down the highway, and unfortunately a lot of the tourists that come through here don’t know that they don’t have cell service.”
ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWSA8 | NEWS | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 Drop off or mail your FREE birth announcement to : The Alaska Highway News, 9916-98 St • Fort St. John • V1J 3T8 or email: compose@ahnfsj.ca CELEBRATEBIRTHBABIES Ph: 250.261.7563 www.fsjhospitalfoundation.caemail: fsjhf@northernhealth.ca BABY BOUQUET WALL DESFOSSESSEBASTIENPATRICKLAURIE Parents: Anthony Desfosses & Jennifer Pimm Weight: 9 lbs 5 oz Length: 53 cm Time: 01:04 pm Date: August 8, 2022 Fort St. John, BC It’s a Boy! WOLFORDGRAYSON Parents: Leroy & Jenny Wolford Weight: 9 lbs 2 oz Length: 20.75 inches Time: 03:06 pm Date: August 14, 2022 It’s a Boy! ARIES – MAR 21/APR 20 Listen to the people around you as well as your inner voice this week, Aries. With all the information at hand ,you can make some difficult decisions with confidence. FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS AUGUST 28 Jack Black, Actor (53) AUGUST 29 Liam Payne, Singer (29) AUGUST 30 Cameron Diaz, Actress (50) AUGUST 31 Jeff Hardy, Wrestler (45) SEPTEMBER 1 Zendaya, Actress (26) SEPTEMBER 2 Keanu Reeves, Actor (58) SEPTEMBER 3 Kaia Gerber, Model (21)
ALASKA HIGHWAY 9-1-1 Between Fort Nelson and the Yukon, five 9-1-1 emergency call boxes will be installed in remote stretches of the Al aska Highway without cell service. On Wednesday, $107,000 was an nounced for that project with funding from the Connecting B.C. program, and the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.“We’reworking closely with [provid ers] about where we can expand cel lular coverage across the province. We do know there are these long stretches of highways that aren’t covered,” said Beare. “It’s vitally important for safety and we know that, whether you’re a resident or a visiting traveller.”
The solar-powered call boxes are pro grammed to automatically dial 9-1-1 via satellite, which will be answered and dispatched by Grande Prairie Fire Res cue. Foster says it’s a positive step until more cell coverage comes to the Alaska Highway.“Inthe case of an emergency, this is a solution,” Foster said. “It is maybe, in my view, an imperfect solution, but we’re very grateful that we’ve got it now, and we look forward to more advances in communication up and down the highway as we go forward.”
The City of Fort St. John has proclaimed Wednesday, Aug. 31 as Overdose Aware nessRecognizedDay. around the world, the day is meant to honour those lost to the overdose crisis but also to educate the public on the continuing situation that exists.The Community Action Team or CAT was established five years ago in Fort St. John and is made up of a cross-section of community members that include social and health agencies, members of the indigenous community, peer groups, and their families. “Our objective is to support, in ad dressing the overdose crisis, by building partnerships and coming together to provide targeted action-oriented strat egies that consider Fort St. John-specific needs,” said Sarah Ochitwa, commun ity consultant with Urban Matters, in a presentation to city council last Monday afternoon. “Each year these efforts have looked a little bit different... This year we’re focusing on tackling three areas within our working groups: indigen ous education and cultural humility and safety, harm reduction and peer supports, and addressing stigmas and providing public education and aware ness,” added Ochitwa. As part of the proclamation, the City of Fort St. John will also change its night time outdoor lighting at city hall, the Pomeroy Sport Centre and Festival Plaza to purple to recognize the day. And to highlight its efforts and the need for community involvement, the team is holding a public event Aug. 31 at Festi val Plaza from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PISCES – FEB 19/MAR 20 Few signs understand the importance of building a strong foundation as well as you, Pisces. Start crafting a new relationship this week.
TOXIC DRUG ALERT Last week, Northern Health issued a toxic drug alert. The health author ity says there has been an increase in overdoses from crystal meth and crack circulating in the community. Both have tested positive for fentanyl, and overdoses are happening when they are smoked, the health authority says. The meth is clear or blue colour in crystal form, and the crack is a white/ yellow colour in rock form. The alert is in effect until Sept. 8. “It is imperative that we urgently pro vide access to safer supply across our province,” said Lapointe. “It’s only when we drastically reduce people’s reliance on the profit-driven, illicit drug trade, that we will save lives and turn the tra jectory of this crisis around.” — with files from Matt Preprost
journey
Bhavleen Kaur is a so cial worker who now lives in Calgary.
By Bhavleen Kaur R eading about in cidents stemming from racism and other racial attacks makes my heart sad. I lived in Fort St. John for almost six years before moving to a “bigger city.” Working in social services, there are regular conver sations around societal inequities, theremyselfothersotheFunJohntakehowhead,CreekresidencepaperworktoplanJohnnewtosmirkIMyIyousmirkingclearlyImetoairportemotionsallous,outJohn.fromingApriltestifyhusbandtalkFortonedescribeJohn?howcity,Nowexperiences,immigrantracism,etc.thatIliveinabigpeopleoftenaskme,wasitlivinginFortSt.Here’showIwouldmyexperienceinword:Amazing.ImissSt.Johneverydayandaboutiteveryday.Mycanunwillinglytoit.Somyjourneybeganon23,2015.IwascatchmyconnectingflightVancouvertoFortSt.ItwasmyfirsttimeofIndia,soIwasnervscared,anxious,andthepossiblewreckofonecanfeel.IaskedsomeoneattheforthedirectionsGateC39.TheyaskedwhereIwasgoing,andsaidFortSt.John.Istillrecallthatpersonandsaying,“Aresureit’sinCanada,haveneverheardofit.”heartsank,butIknewwasn’tgoingtoallowafromthisindividualaffectmyjourneytothisadventure.IlandedinFortSt.around4a.m.ThewastotakeacabDawsonCreek,asmyconfirmedmyattheDawsoncampus.InmyIwascalculatingmuchitwouldbetoacabfromFortSt.toDawsonCreek.fact,IwascalculatingcostinIndianrupees,itwaslots.Well,Ididn’thaveanyoption.Ihadsignedupforallthis,sowasnowayout.AsIwaswalkinginto the airport, looking around for anything, any one familiar, all I could see were my two maroon bags rotating on the luggage belt. As I took a big sigh lifting up those ginormous bags, the corner of my eye caught my name, Bhav leen Kaur, written on a piece of paper. It couldn’t be true, so I looked again, and again and again. There was a staff member from North ern Lights College who came for the airport pick up. I thought I saw an an gel for the first time in my life. This wasn’t planned. The plan was to take a cab from Fort St. John to Daw sonSinceCreek.that day, I have met the most amazing people of my life. If not all, most of the people I have met in Fort St. John were very welcoming and made me feel at home in my new home.Myfirst ever job was at Safeway. I still clearly recall my first shift on Mother’s Day in 2015. I was on till number one, which was closest to the Deli department. It was busy! But let me tell you, not a single customer rolled their eyes or got impatient with me as I was packing their groceries at the slowest pace in human history.Theicing on the cake: I would take forever to count cash, as it was my first day of touching actual Canadian money. There were even customers who helped me distinguish between five cents and 25 cents, which was a big deal for a 19-year-old from India. They could have easily complained about me, and could have gotten me fired on the very first day of my job. But that’s what is spe cial about Fort St. John. Everyone comes to lift you up and rescue you from the battle of rattling dimes and nickels. I recall a morning when I worked at Burger King, my second job. My manager asked me to get hamburger buns from the freezer. I went, looked for a few seconds, couldn’t find them, so came back and told the same to my manager. She went back with me to look again and showed me a shelf full of buns.Innocently, I said, “Well, there is no ham in it. You asked for hamburg er Shebuns.”very politely ex plained to me, “Bhavleen, hamburger buns do not have ham in it.” What? How ironic. This was another ex ample where someone could have belittled me, but this is what is spe cial about Fort St. John folks, they accept your differences.AfterIgraduated with my social services dip loma, I started working at social service organiza tions. One day in the fall of 2018, I was designated a task to serve supper to our clients as the cook had to go home. I am great at taking initiative, even for things that I have no clue about. I am vegetarian and until that point I had never made a meat dish without supervision.AsIwasgetting every thing ready and about to serve, my client came to me and said, “Your chicken is still kicking.” That was it, so we called it a pizza night, not kick ing chicken night. Again, this could have been a very rude and belittling interaction, but my client corrected me in a polite and funny way. This is the beauty of Fort St. John. People from all walks of life accepted me, taught me so much, corrected me when I was wrong, and made me who I am today. I can write countless stories about the welcom ing stories of this com munity. To conclude, I would like to thank every one in Fort St. John who accept people like me with open arms, and help us to build a home away from home.
The of an international student
OPINION / LETTERS ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OPINION | A9 Published every Thursday at 9916 - 98th Street, Fort St. John, B.C. V1J 3T8 250-785-5631 alaskahighwaynews.ca ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS LETTERS Write to us by snail mail, or email your le ers to editor@ahnfsj.ca. Le ers must be accompanied by your full name and a phone number, for verification. Please limit your le ers to 300 words. We reserve the right to edit le ers for length, taste, accuracy, and libel. Protest the policy, not the person. Opinions expressed in le ers 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 le ers and other materials submi ed 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 wri en 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. Second class mail registration No. 0167 CONTRIBUTORS Judy Kucharuk, Ruby McBeth, Brad Brain, Bronwyn Moser, Larry Evans, Evan Saugstad, Charo Cullen,J.E.Nichols,KenRoutledge,Fajemisin,Morrisson,DonKalpanaLloret,Loganathan,Peit,JoleenDonaldRobinBoon,MerlinJohnGrady,Stanway,A.M.ValerieLucas Interested contributing?in Send an email to Managing Editor Ma Preprost toeditor@ahnfsj.caatgetinvolved! William Julian Regional Manager wj@ahnfsj.ca Ryan Wallace Sales Manager rwallace@ahnfsj.ca Ma Preprost Managing Editor editor@ahnfsj.ca Tom Summer News Reporter tsummer@ahnfsj.ca Lynn Novack Circulation Manager circulation@ahnfsj.ca We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Dave Lueneberg Sports Reporter sports@ahnfsj.ca
HYDRO RESPONDS TO HH WATER CRISIS
The eligible costs covered under this reimbursement are limited to: • the hauling of water to recharge the reservoir;•thepurchase of bottled drinking water for the community; and • equipment, materials and external expertise only that may be required to repair the water treatment plant. Early in the Site C project construction, we committed to mitigating the effects of the dam and reservoir on the Hudson’s Hope community infrastructure by providing funding to the District so they could replace their water treatment system. As part of this commitment, the District hired experts to help them assess options and ultimately chose to build a well system instead of a reservoir intake system. BC Hydro provided the District with close to $5 million to fund the project, which was completed last year. The District managed the selection, design, procurement and construction of the project and the District is the owner of theWesystem.recognize the numerous challenges that have been created for residents and businesses in the community as a result of their new water treatment plant failure last month. This is certainly not the outcome that anyone wanted and we have offered our help. Both BC Hydro and the District of Hudson’s Hope still have rights and obligations under the agreement that we signed with the District as part of the Site C project. This includes their responsibility for all repair, operation and maintenance costs once the system is operational.
— Bob BCGammer,Hydro PLANET CLOSE TO TIPPING POINT
Re: Beavers need to culled for Site C wetland logging, Aug. 18 Greg Alexis of BC Hydro appears to be playing fast and loose with the term “euthanasia,” the definition of which is to provide a peaceful death for an individual suffering from an incurable or painful condition. What is being proposed is killing for convenience and in a most brutal way. Beavers are known as nature’s engineers and are being reintroduced into the U.K. to help restore the environment.Ourpoor,poor planet is much too close to her tipping point for us to be enacting policies that will only serve to push her over the edge. We must preserve whatever pristine wilderness remaining and re-wild much of that stolen from the animal nations. It is 2022 and time to adopt peaceful co-existence and compassionate conservation strategies. Has BC Hydro explored any of these?
I wanted to provide you an update about the water treatment facility in Hudson’s Hope and the steps BC Hydro has taken to help the community. Last week, we let Hudson’s Hope mayor Dave Heiberg know that we are prepared to reimburse the District up to a maximum of $500,000 for costs it has incurred from the date of the plant failure to the date that the system is able to supply potable water to residents.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
— DebbieWinnipegWall, Letters to the editor
The author, Bhavleen Kaur, at Peace Island Park.
ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWSA10 | PUZZLES | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 TODAYS PUZZLE PREVIOUS PUZZLES ANSWERS HOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once. Each 3x3 box is out lined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the num bers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3x3 box 40.39.mammal37.35.34.32.31.27.26.24.sounds21.20.18.16.15.inquiry14.13.12.9.5.1.ACROSSFaceshapeTeaseDuoLineAdeptWordofBleatersDampnessWhiskEmployedCanyonWordplayPlain-spokenColoragainHairknotEyedropsDovecallSectionDoglikeAuctionbuyComposed 41. Graceful bird 44. Peeved 46. Dali’s boards 48. Etna output 52. Become sick 53. 54.offeringsPubHidthe gray 55. 9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1.DOWNstarter57.term56.enclosureHogPrinter’sGardenCollieryfindPledgeChimpanzeeInstructionActorDeanAwoodwindBallet____StagsTherefore 10. Deteriorated 11. Unpaid 17. Albacore 19. More damp 21. Diminishes 22. Hint 23. Suspended 25. Outcome 27. Lab animal 28. Sorbets 29. Naught 30. 33.relativeFrog’sName 36. Horsehair 38. Produces 40. Outdated 41. Baths 42. Tarry 43. Supporter 45. Movie spool 47. Small child 49. Mariner’s yes 50. 22nd letter 51. Say further TODAY’S PUZZLE PUZZLESPREVIOUS ANSWERS FANFAMILYENJOYMENTCOOLINGBEACHBARBECUEBACKYARDAUGUST SEASIDERETREATRESTRELAXATIONPOOLJULYHOTGRILL WARMTHVACATIONULTRAVIOLETSWIMSUITSUNSCREENSUNLIGHTSUMMERSHADE K YMCSPOT PLEASE NOTE: Colour lasers do not accurately represent the colours in the finished product.This proof is strictly for layout purposes only. CREATION DATE: 07/19/22 MODIFICATION DATE July 21, 2022 11:31 AM OUTPUT DATE: 07/26/22 APPROVALS ACD/CD:ArtSeniorCopywriter:Accounts:Producer:Copywriter:Director:PLEASEDOUBLECHECK FOR ACCURACY. Software: InDesign Version: CS6 #400 – 1085 Homer Street, Vancouver BC, V6B 1J4 p: 604 647 2727 f: 604 647 6299 www.cossette.com DOCKET # : 11179675 CLIENT: McD DESCRIPTION: Print Ad FILE NAME: 111179675_McD_Aug_McCrispy Ad_9.84x3.indd TRIM: 9.84" x 3" BLEED: 0" IMAGE RES: 300 dpi NOTES: Prod Mgr.: VB Acct Exec : -Art Director: -Copywriter: -Assoc. Creative Dir.: -Creative Dir: -Operator: CF 1PROOF # At participating McDonald’s restaurants in Canada. Product availability varies by restaurant. ©2022 McDonald’s Classic Classic McCrispy McCrispy Bacon Deluxe Bacon Deluxe
Another fine Fall Fair weekend
LOKI KNOWS HOW TO LIVE Out at the farm which our daughter and family lives on there is a big black dog called Loki. He was adopted because he barked. They wanted to keep wild animals away and to know if they had visitors ar riving. Loki settled in, happily barking like crazy any time we arrived. He wasn’t mean but he did sound mean. A few weeks ago, I learned more about his character. I was in our garden at the farm picking pole beans. Loki was luxuriating in the shade of the pole beans munching con tentedly on the bush beans. This did not bother me in the least as I had picked all the bush beans I wanted. I only plant them as the pole beans take an extra week or two to mature, and I don’t want to miss beans entirely. I told my grandson Ezra who was nearby that I didn’t mind as long as Loki stuck to the bush beans. I definitely did not want him eating the pole beans.“Oh no,” said Ezra. “Loki would have to stand up to do that and he is all about taking it easy.”Hmm. Sounds like this dog could teach me a few tricks.
RUBY MCBETH PHOTO View from the deck of the Williston Lake Resort looking south.
Lara Kelly with her horse MC Moon Fox at the 75th North Peace Fall Fair.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Remember, Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.” — Dale Carnegie Ruby McBeth lives and writes in Fort St. John.
By Ruby McBeth L ast Friday Lorne and I drove up to Hudson’s Hope to enter a few items in the Fall Fair. We stayed overnight in the Willis ton Lake Resort. This unique log building is around 12 miles from Hudson’s Hope. Looking across the lake you see the WAC Bennett dam. The staff was obliging and the food was excellent. Although I had not travelled far, I felt as if I had escaped to another country.TheHudson’s Hope Fall Fair the next day was fun and friendly. The delicious free breakfast was cooked by the fire and rescue and sponsored by River of the Peace Metis Society. Lorne joined in the archery shoot, which they promised will have a trad itional course next year. They had a variety of activities for children including a barrel train, a watermelon eating contest, Kiki the Eco-Elf, and much more.
On goes the debate, and unfortunately no meeting in the middle. Some believe in hunting, others don’t. Smart people can agree to disagree, those not quite so bright keep beating their drum in trying to outshout the other. The word trophy hunting, like many other words, has been misappropriated. The objective is to make hunters sound like we do not care, are uneducated thrill seekers, killers, and so forth. Some believe the rhetoric, others don’t, and I, much to the chagrin of other hunters, am not bothered by the label. Call me a trophy hunter if you wish, as I do have trophies, and if that makes me fit your description, so be it. Doesn’t change me or what I do. When meat is the objective, I will shoot the first animal that meets the criteria. If a large male nearing the end of their life is the objective, then that is what I will seek out and watch the rest pass. Ah, yes, September and October are good months to be alive in the Peace country. Then comes November and deer season. Evan Saugstad lives and writes in Fort St. John.
Brad Brain, CFP, R.F.P., CIM, TEP is a Certified Financial Planner in Fort St John, BC. This material is prepared for general circulation and may not reflect your individual financial circumstances. Brad can be reached at www. bradbrainfinancial.com.
By Evan Saugstad
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OP-ED | A11ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
RETIRED TEACHERS LUNCH Retired teachers mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 7. There will be a meet and greet followed by a supplied brunch at 11 am at the PRNTA office: 9912 101 Ave. Bring your own plate and utensils and a donation for the scholarship fund.
MATT PREPROST PHOTO
The question for you is, what important conversation do you still need to have with your financial planner? And how much longer are you going to wait until you have that conversation? Please don’t wait too long.
And besides, many indigenous peoples also use animal parts for cultural ceremonies and display. “That is different,” say the anti-hunting zealots. “But not so fast,” replies Evan, “my lineage comes directly from the Vikings, and like many of their northern European neighbours, they too used animal parts for display and cultural purposes.”
Gone huntin’
Smart Money: My biggest fear
In 1969, at the tender age of 14, I was finally old enough to get a hunting licence. On my September birthday, I sold my skis to raise enough money to buy my own gun, a lever-action Marlin 30-30, and bought my first license and deer tags. A hundred dollars got my gun, the gun shop owner threw in a box of shells, and I was on my way. Although one needed to be accompanied by an adult to hunt, that was a mere technicality, and it didn’t slow me down. When an adult wasn’t available, off my brother and I would go into the bush in pursuit of deer, goats, or grouse. I’ve bought a hunting licence every year since, except for one when attending college in Vancouver. 2022 is no different. Enjoying life is much easier when one has a passion or three. Hunting is one of mine, and hunting season is a time of year to look forward to. It’s now August, B.C.’s kickoff to hunting season here in the Peace, and this year my season will start Sept. 1 with the opening of elk. August is a get-ready month. Licence and tags, only a couple hundred bucks for a mule deer, whitetail deer, elk, moose — yes, I got a draw in this year’s new Limited Entry Hunt — as well as black bear (I don’t really hunt them, but if one is a nuisance in hunting camp or on the trail, no need to argue with anyone why it is no longer so), mountain sheep (off on another outfitted hunt in B.C.’s far north in October), and mountain goat (I’ll get the chance to look for one during my sheep hunt). August is also a month to get one’s body back into bush-whacking and mountain-climbing shape. There are many reasons as to why one wishes to live in B.C.’s “far” north and, for many others, a much longer list as to why they think the opposite. Yes, there are lots of well-paying jobs available to make life affordable (except now I’m retired and still here), we have a low cost of living compared to our big city jungles, it’s the sunniest place in B.C. albeit a bit cold at times, and living close to family and friends help. But the ability to jump in one’s truck and be in the bush in a few minutes looking for a multitude of species is still my main attraction. I can only thank all those who think otherwise, and do encourage them to stay south and keep enjoying their lives hunting for bargains at the mall. Hunting is not for everyone, and the good news is that is OK. The bad news is there are many who can’t accept that I hunt, that you hunt, and that my neighbour’s hunt, and wish to see it ended based on their personal beliefs. I have been asked, both politely and not so much, why I hunt. It’s easy for me to answer, just hard for some to accept that hunting is part of some people’s culture or DNA, as much a part of our lives as it is for others who buy their meat already dead, neatly wrapped, and processed by others, out of sight, out of mind. If I have the time and inclination, then out comes my answer with the question, “Why do indigenous people hunt?”, and wait to see the response. For those who truly wish to understand how someone can take the life of other animal, it can be a good discussion. For those who think otherwise, no rationalesMymatter.reasons for hunting are no different than those of most indigenous people. There are a few minor exceptions on the how, when, or where for indigenous people, such as the right to hunt. Mine is defined as a privilege, and they are exempt from many of the laws that non-indigenous people are, but the reasons we do what we do are noAlthoughdifferent. I have and will hunt while driving back roads, or sit and watch what may come out to feed in our fields, always with permission of the landowners, most of what I do is walk, walk, and walk some more, and sit and listen. That’s where hunting is most enjoyable, being with oneself, being part of nature and looking at whatever comes your way. Hunting is my holiday. It keeps me in shape, keeps me occupied, keeps my freezer full, and, occasionally when I am fortunate enough to “bag” a trophy (usually old males), I will get out my wallet and pay the taxidermist to have the animal mounted for display at home.“Ah ha! A trophy hunter. Scourge of this earth, and that must end,” some say. Indigenous people would never do that,” say others, to which Evan replies, “many indigenous people also take their best specimens to the taxidermist for mounting and display.”
BRAD BRAIN
My biggest fear is not doing enough. It literally keeps me up at night. Let me explain. My expertise is in retirement income planning. The number one concern that people have as they approach retirement is running out of money, and to be able to help ensure that does not happen is rewarding work. One of the fun parts about having expert knowledge is that I frequently get the opportunity to share my thoughts on retirement income planning with other financial advisors. In June I spoke at a prestigious advisor conference in Boston, and later this month I will be doing a couple of presentations at a conference in Australia. And, of course, there is the mutual fund that I run as Portfolio Manager. Cool story, bro. What’s the point? My point is that I love investing. I love doing it for myself. I love helping other people do it. I love the rewards it brings. I love the intellectual stimulation. I love talking about it. In fact, I am happy to talk about investing all day long.And that’s the problem. My biggest fear is that I get so locked in on helping a person retire, when they want and with the lifestyle they want, that we neglect other important financialThatmatters.might seem like an odd thing, but it happens more than I would like. Often clients will come see me because they want help planning their retirement. Sometimes retirement income planning is all the client is looking for, and that’s fine. But sometimes we might have the good intentions of doing full financial planning and, for one reason or another, we never seem to get around to it. So, here’s what this looks like in real life.I get a phone call. But it is from the spouse. And they tell me that my client justOrdied.the phone call is from the client. And they tell me that they just got diagnosed with cancer, and it doesn’t lookOrgood.itmight be an email telling me that someone just had a heart attack, asking if they have coverage for heart attacks.Thereality is that bad things happen. And they don’t just happen to other people. And they don’t just happen when it is convenient. When I talk with clients I am not only interested in what their retirement dreams look like. I also want to know that the family will be financially okay in the event of a premature death, or a disability, or a critical illness. I can’t stop bad things happening, but I can help with how you are able to financially deal with the bad things that do happen. Life insurance. Disability insurance. Critical illness insurance. The way I look at it is if I tell you what your insurance needs are, and you say no to an income replacement plan, that’s fine. That decision is on you. But my biggest fear is that I could have told you about an income replacement plan, but I didn’t, and now its too late. That one is on me, and it’s a hard one to live with. This is not hypothetical. I have had this scenario happen on a few occasions. It is after business hours when I hear about a tragedy that has happened to a client. I spend the night unable to sleep, scouring my memory, trying to recall if that client had proper insurance coverage. Could I have done more to help the family now that their time of need is upon them? It will be all I can think about until the next day when I am in the office and can check my notes. Retirement income planning is fun, but it is also dependent on continued good health, and that is not something that we can depend on.
ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWSA12 | BUSINESS | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022
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The First Nation is also working with the Peace River Regional District on a land use memorandum of understanding for other new urban reserve land near Old Fort. According to the news release, Doig River began working with the FMB and other First Nation institutions to prepare for the settlement of its treaty land entitlement claim, formally signed during a ceremony in June, and the creation of its new urban reserve within theWithcity. the certification, the FMC says there is increased transparency, accountability, and risk management for both Doig members and future business partners, as well as tools for council members and staff to better manage the nation’sThefinances.release noted that one of Doig River’s primary goals is to become more economically and financially self-sufficient, and less reliant on social transfers from the federal and provincial“Thegovernments.Nationhas worked hard to build systems for transparent and equitable management of lands, resource, and business opportunities by implementing internal policies, guidelines, and frameworks to support decision-making that balances traditional values with the modern economy,” the release “Achievingstated.this goal supports DRFN to make better community-specific decisions for community enhancements, health, wellness, employment, education, culture, language, andInrecreation.”2017,Doig River received a community excellence award from MNP and AFOA Canada recognizing its achievements in finance, management, and leadership.
“I have always said that in order to fully appreciate the issues facing those living in the North, you must see it for yourself and speak directly with those who are facing these challenges and opportunities head on,” Zimmer said in a news“Similarrelease.to my trips to Whitehorse before the pandemic and to Inuvik in June, I wanted to speak with those who are being directly affected by the decisions made in Ottawa,” he said. In Iqaluit, Zimmer said he also met with the territorial transportation and economic development minister David Akeeagok, as well as officials with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, Nunavut Planning Commission, Nunavut Economic Developers Association, Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation, and True North PropertiesAGroup.tourof the CCGS Henry Larsen and Coast Guard facilities in Iqaluit included a visit with Neil O’Rourke, the assistant commissioner for the Coast Guard in the Arctic. Zimmer said he will be highlighting the current security challenges and economic opportunities in the region when he returns to the House of Commons in the coming weeks.
Doig River receives nancial certi cation
And for Kirschner the timing couldn’t be worse as he prepares for what’s likely the busiest time of year heading into Christmas. “I really feel for the restaurants. The people that are running restaurants and they can’t get product, and they can’t get product, and they can’t get staff. How much of a kick can they take?” BACK TO Last Tuesday, the BCGEU announced it was invited back to the table by the Public Service Agency, which bargains on behalf of the province. Just where the talks are isn’t known and probably won’t be until an agreement is reached Both sides have chosen to abide by a media/membershipWithoutblackout.a contract since the spring, the union is lobbying the provincial government to return to the bargaining table and with no talks for almost two weeks, it’s imposing an overtime ban. “The biggest issue we’re having trouble with is the cost of living. We just want protection against cost-of-living (COLA) increases,” said Fort St. John-based member Judy Fox-McGuire, who is also the vice-president for the social, information, and healthcare work force of the union. “You know, MLAs gave themselves protection 10 years ago. We would like the same COLA protection as well.”Aspart of its latest offer, the province has presented public sector employees with a $2500 signingThat’sbonus.something Fox-McGuire doesn’t see any value in.“Signing bonuses don’t help with the cost of living. They’re a one-time thing. They’re tax heavy. They don’t count towards your pension. They’re gone right away.” “What we’re saying is roll that into our general wage increase.”Whilethe jobs used to be at the top end of the wage scale, that doesn’t appear to be the case in 2022, according to the Component 6 vice-president. “People who work for the public service have been leaving for better jobs. Public service work used to be a really good job to have. It’s not so much anymore. Workers are going to other Fox-McGuireemployers.”agreedone of the shifts, particularly in the Northeast, is to the oil and gas patch.Close to 33,000 of the 85,000 BCGEU members are directly impacted by these negotiations.Theyinclude: corrections and probation officers, sheriffs, social workers, conservation officers, wildland firefighters, counter employees with Service BC (drivers licenses, birth certificates, permits, etc.) and carry over to government liquor and cannabis store employees and the“Basically,courts. anyone who receives their cheque directly from the B.C. government,” Fox-McGuire said. In May and June, 94.6% of the membership voted in favour of job action. LOCAL LOCAL indepth We’ve got the news covered! From local events to top stories that affect you, we will ensure that you are kept in touch with happenings in our area. If it’s local news you are looking for go to www.alaskahighwaynews.ca
From left, Doig River First Nation councillors Garry Oker, Brittany Brinkworth, and Starr Acko with Chief Trevor Makadahay. Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca Doig River First Nation has achieved a milestone certification from the First Nations Financial Management Board, it was announced last week. In a joint news release, Doig River and the FMB said certification means the First Nation’s financial management and governance practices meet not just FMB standards but internationally recognized standardsThetoo.Doig River council called the certification a “significant accomplishment” for the“DRFNcommunity.isnow well positioned to implement the community’s vision of building an urban reserve, protecting and restoring their lands and resources, and building businesses that reflect the values and culture of the community,” the council said in a statement. “We look forward to maintaining and building on these systems as we can move towards wealth creation and building a strong and sustainable future for our membership.”InJune,Doig River held a public celebration for its new urban reserve in Fort St. John, and its signature development plans at Naache Commons across from Ma Murray elementary school.
Zimmer returns from Nunavut visit
“I was given a comprehensive tour of what our Coast Guard does in the Arctic, what some of the many challenges are in changing ice conditions, along with what is needed to continue to be effective in our Polar Region,” Zimmer said.
In other related Arctic news, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was scheduled to tour a military radar site in Nunavut last Thursday before heading to an air force base in Alberta on Friday. It’s the firstever visit of a NATO secretary general to Canada’s Arctic, according to The Canadian Press.
BCGEU strike impacting local small business DO YOU WANT THE NEWS? LOCAL •
SUPPLIED PHOTO MP Bob Zimmer aboard the CCGS Henry Larsen with Captain D. Barron and Assistant Commissioner Neil O’Rourke.
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Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca Picket lines set up by the BCGEU outside BC Liquor Control Board warehouse facilities are beginning to impact both private and public liquor store shelves – their supply cut off by the union’s jobAaction.newly-imposed limit of three items at provinciallyrun operations is also having affect on not only the public but the hospitality industry as its tries to rebound from the pandemic.Nineteen groups, led by the province’s restaurant and food service association and B.C. Chamber of Commerce are calling for an end to the picket“Thelines.labour dispute is deeply troubling to the thousands of small businesses and almost 200,000 workers who are still struggling to recover financially from the damage of the global Covid-19 pandemic,” said the groups in an open letter sent Wednesday to premier John Horgan and BCGEU president Stephanie Smith.“Up until 2020, B.C.’s hospitality and tourism sector was growing faster than the provincial economy, as a whole, with more than $22.3 (b) billion in revenue annually and supporting more than 250,000 jobs.”The strike action is also affecting local businesses, like the Lido Theatre, who rely on the city’s only BC Liquor Store to supply it with spirits. “As you can imagine, I’m upset. To take an industry that’s already getting kicked in the a-- and just give it another kick in the a--,” said Lido owner Brian Kirschner. “We are mandated to purchase our stock through the government liquor stores. I can’t just go to a cold beer and wine store and buy alcohol.” With no movement of product from the warehouses since Aug. 15, because of the picket lines, stores are not being stocked.Toadd insult to injury, for Kirschner and other owners, they, too, are being limited in their“They’repurchases.saying you, as a licensee, are only allowed three of a Anyproduct.”purchases made for his business have to be made under his licensee number, so all the liquor sold at the Lido is linked to his purchases at the government liquor store. He isn’t able to circumvent the“Howrules.long is this going to take? It’s really hard to continue an operation when you don’t have any alcohol.”
informative • innovative •
Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca Local MP Bob Zimmer recently met with leaders in the Nunavut territory and toured the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker, the CCGS Henry Larsen.Zimmer said the trip, part of his role as shadow minister for Northern Affairs and Arctic Sovereignty, was a chance to meet with Premier P.J. Akeeagok as well as other business and community leaders, and to see how the Coast Guard is supporting Arctic communities.
INVITED
“From cutting paths through the Arctic ice for supplies to get to our communities and other traffic, to responding to those in distress, to seabed mapping and the people that make it happen, I’ve learned a lot and am very thankful for their dedicated service.”
SUPPLIED PHOTO
ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | PEOPLE’S CHOICE | A13 Deadline for Entries: October 7, 2022, 5pm PHONEADDRESS:NAME:# You Could Win One of 3 Prizes!Fabulousdonated by BEST IN AREA CommunityChurch Event FundraisingPreschoolSchool Event Service BusinessClubinFort St. John Business in Taylor Business in Hudson’s Hope Youth Fitness/Sports Program BEST BUSINESS Appliance Store Appliance Service & Repair ATV’S / Motor Cycles / MovingMotelMen’sMedicalMeatMassageLocksmithLingerieLawLawnLandscapingLandJewelleryITInsuranceHuntingHotHomeHeavyHealthHardwareGolfGlassGiftGasFurnitureFloristFlooringFitnessFinancialFinancialFarmEyeEquipmentDrivingDepartmentDentalDaycareConvenienceConstructionComputersCleaningChildren’sCellCarNewCarCarpetCannabisBestBestBeautyAutoAutoAutomotiveAutoSnowmobilesBodyShopDetailingRepairShopPartsStoreSalonBottledWaterBuildingSuppliesStoreCleanerRentalCarTruckDealershipWashPhoneDealerWearServiceCompany______________________________StoreClinicStoreSchoolRentalGlassesEquipmentDealerInstitutionAdvisorClubStoreStationShopDealershipProShopStoreFoodStoreTruckDealershipEntertainmentRetailerTubDealer/CampingAgencyServiceSurveying&GardenProductsFirmStore/MassageTherapyClinicWear/HotelCompany Muffler Shop NurseryNotary / Greenhouse Office YogaWomen’sWorkVetUsedTravelTransmissionTireTattoo/BodyTanningStorageSupermarketBreadBiscuitsSupermarketSportingSpaShoeRoofingRealRadioProducePlumbingPharmacyPetroleumPaintOptometristOilfieldOilfieldSuppliesCompanyServiceSuppliesCardlock/DrugStoreShopStationEstateCompanyStoreGoodsStore/RollsDeliFacilitySalonPiercingStoreRepairShopAgencyCarDealershipClinicWearWearStudio BEST PEOPLE CustomerCoachClubCivicCityChiropractorCashierCarCarpenterBusBartenderBarberBankAccountantTellerDriverSalesmanCounselorLeaderPresident/TeamService Clerk LocalHomeHairdresserFireEstheticiansElectricianDoctorDentalDentistHygienistFighterCaregiverNewspaper Columnist Local Radio Personality OfficeNurse Staff Paper AdministrativeRealRCMPPrincipalPoliticianPhotographerPharmacistPetPersonalCarrierTrainerGroomerOfficerEstateAgentAssistant Receptionist Salesperson / Retail Teacher Elementary Teacher Jr. High Teacher Sr. High Travel ServerVolunteerAgent BEST FOODS/BEVERAGES WineVegetarianTacosSushiSteakServiceSeafoodSandwichesSaladsRestaurantKid’sPubPizzaPatioLunchIceHotHappyHamburger’sFrenchFastEthnicDinnerDoughnutsDessertsColdestCoffeeChineseChickenCaesarBrunchBreakfastAppetizers/CocktailsWingsFoodBeerinTownRestaurantFoodFriesHourDogsCream/YogurtMenuSelection BEST PLACE FOR CleanestBargains ShoppingWorkingRecyclingOilGolfingCustomerStoreServiceChange BEST ATHLETE FemaleMale BEST IN THE ARTS Actor / Actress MusicianMarket/FestivalLocalDanceArtsArtistGroupCompanyBand $250$250INGIFTCERTIFICATESGIFTCERTIFICATE donated by 9324 Alaska Rd N, Fort St John (250) 262-4151 9716 Old Fort Rd, Fort St John (250) 787-1142 $150GIFTCERTIFICATE donated by 9920 97 Ave, Fort St John (250) 785-1455 PEOPLE’S CHOICE 2022 VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE! *Minimum of 50% of the categories must be filled to be valid. Use the official form only! DON'T FORGET TO ATTACH YOUR LIST OF NOMINEES! BALLOT BOX LOCATION - The Alaska Highway News 9916-98 St., Fort St. John, BC alaskahighwaynews.ca/contests/peoples-choice Winner will be required to have photo taken when receiving the prize to be used in marketing and promotional materials. Select Your Favorites in this year's People’sAwardsChoice
Wagner says the district benefits by having its grass cut without the carbon impacts of heavier machinery, the horses get fed, and the public has a chance to witness a lost art of farm history. “We do what we can along the highway so people get a glimpse of it, if they can,” he says.
“The Filipino student community is so big that if you are in a different program and you have different schedules, you don’t know each other. You know each other by faces,” said Yu. “So we have these parties to introduce each and every one to everybody, and to share resources,” especially school textbooks that aren’t being used anymore, he said.
“There’s no bosses out here, no presidents, no leaders, no nothing. We’re just all the same people just getting together and having fun,” says Wagner.Working with his Belgian horses Gypsy and Candy, Coleman was using a side delivery rake his dad used on the farm when he was growing up in “JustCremona.enjoyable, a nice pace,” Coleman says, alfalfa softly tossing into swaths behind him. “Isn’t that a beautiful sound? Not even loud.”
MATT PHOTO
“That’s our mission and vision,” Yu added. “I want to make the newcomers to feel very welcome to Fort St John. I’m in a position now to share myAtblessings.”Sunday’s welcome party, newcomers made introductions with other newly arrived students and long-settled immigrant residents, connected with local business owners about job opportunities, and were fed a delicious traditional lunch of menudo, chicken inasal, chicken adobo, pancit guisado, and cassava cake, cooked with the help of Elda Hallarda.Yuestimates there are close to 500 Filipino students attending college in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek.
Local health care assistants training to become licensed practical nurses will be eligible for a new $10,000 bursary, the province announced thisTheweek.health ministry says a new $3-million bursary fund is being launched to help with tuition and fees for access to practical nursing (APN) programs at six post-secondary schools across theCloseprovince.to300 students in B.C. will be eligible, the ministry says. “This bursary will create new avenues for individuals seeking long-term, rewarding and in-demand careers in our healthcare system,” health minister Adrian Dix said in a release. “It’s another step forward in a series of announcements to come addressing immediate health-care needs in B.C.”
ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWSA14 | NEWS | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022
“With these bursaries, we’re making education more affordable and accessible for people to make the leap and upskill from health-care assistant positions to practical nursing; a valued career that is in very high demand,” said Anne Kang, the minister for advanced education.
From the front page
Around 100 Canadian newcomers and settled immigrants met at Calvary Baptist Church for a potluck welcome party to Fort St. John, Aug. 28, 2022.
Dale Aug.fieldshelpsKlassenraketheinTaylor,18,2022.
MATT PHOTOPREPROST Make hay while the sun shines Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca Not too many people cut and rake hay like they did in the old days. Shane Wagner, Bruce Coleman, and Dale Klassen still do it when they can, treating passersby last month to a scene of pioneering farm heritage as they worked a small field along the Alaska Highway in Taylor.
PREPROST
“Something to look forward to, winter in Canada” Chona says.Adds Bogs, “We have experienced the summer before we grab our gear for winter.”
The San Juans say they left the Philippines because they believe they will have better work and a better life here in Canada.Theyhave no doubts they’ll be gainfully employed two years from now when Bogs finishes his college studies, though he says he’ll level up his skills and studies if needed. They plan to have a family - “if God wills it,” Chona says. “We’re quite excited for the days to come,” she says. “We really appreciate this gathering. It’s an opportunity for us newcomers here to get to know new people, get a bit of networking, get to know the locals and Filipinos. It’s a very good opportunity for us.” And they’re thankful they arrived when they did too, enjoying a warm summer week before the weather cools over the autumn season.
A back-to-school welcome for newly arrivednursingNewimmigrantsbursaryforstudies
At Northern Lights College, the province says students in the planned January 2023 and January 2024 intakes of the APN program, in its final stages of approval, will be eligible for the bursary, according to the province. Students will be required to sign a 12-month return-of-service agreement and commit work in the healthcare system following graduation, the province said.
The province says expediting the number of LPNs being trained will address staffing needs in a number of areas where they are needed, from hospitals to care homes, to clinics, schools, and correctional facilities.
“We wanted a small city because the life here is slow paced, I think the people are friendlier, there’s a tight-knit community of Filipinos here, and those were the reasons that we really wanted to come here to Fort St. John,” Chona said.The couple were among several new local students and reunified families who attended the welcome party, hosted by Barangay Fort St. John. Society chairman Alan Yu says welcome parties are held ahead of college program intakes in fall, winter, and the “Whenspring.Icame to Fort St. John way back in 2015 I didn’t know anyone, I had a difficult time looking for a place,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons I started Barangay Fort St. John, not only to serve as an all-inclusive Filipino society, but to help people like me who came to Fort St. John not knowing anybody, not getting any help.”
About six acres north of the Taylor ball diamonds were cut, about three hours of work. Coleman figured it would take him and Klassen, with his horses Winchester and Remington, about two hours to rake Thursday afternoon, Aug. 18. The hay was baled later in the evening, the field expecting to yield about 30 bales.
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2022 GENERAL SCHOOL ELECTION PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN AS FOLLOWS: SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 60 (Peace River North) NOTICE OF NOMINATION Fort St John Hospital Foundation GeneralAnnualMeeting
In accordance with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, for the 2022 general local election, the following expense limits for candidates during the campaign period apply: Trustee Electoral Area 1 $5,398.92 Trustee Electoral Area 2 $5,398.92 Trustee Electoral Area 3 $5,398.92 Trustee Electoral Area 4 $5,398.92 Trustee Electoral Area 5 $12,486.60
One School Trustee for Trustee Electoral Area 2 (Prespatou, Buick, Rose Prairie, Doig River First Nation, Blueberry River First Nation, North Pine, Montney and Wonowon (East)
room 154-155 Notice of special resolution: Purposed changes to the Constitution & By-Laws To have voting privileges at the AGM you must be a paid member 30 days before the meeting. Announcements Harvesting Supervisor ForesterII LPBuildingSolu− tionsseeksanen− ergetic,innovative harvestingsuper− visorforitsDaw− sonCreeklocation. Visitourcareers pagetolearnmore aboutthisjoband allouropenposi− tionsatLPDawson Creek. jobs.lpcorp.com
Email: ForWebsite:lecf@elections.bc.cawww.elections.bc.ca/lecffurtherinformationonthenomination process, contact: Angela Telford, Chief Election Officer (250) 262-6006 Brandy Longley, Deputy Chief Election Officer (250) 262-6004
A person is qualified to be nominated, elected, and to hold office as a School Trustee if they meet the following criteria: • Canadian citizen; • 18 years of age or older on general voting day October, 15, 2022; • resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; and • not disqualified under the School Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia or being nominated for, being elected to or holding office as a trustee, or be otherwise disqualified by law.
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Nominations for the offices of:
One School Trustee for Trustee Electoral Area 3 (District of Hudson’s Hope, Upper Cache, Tsay Keh Dene Nation, and Williston Lake)
QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE
LEARN AT PLAY, EVERY DAY. X THIS IS WHERE YOUR AD SHOULD BE COURTESY MIKE KING CADETS SALUTE — Sgt. Jackson Funk of the RCACC 2276 Fort St. John wearing a uniform of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion at the 75th North Peace Fall Fair. The Battalion jumped on D-Day with 6th British Airborne Division.
• Three School Trustees for Trustee Electoral Area 5 (City of Fort St John, the Upper Halfway, Halfway River First Nations, Wonowon (West), Charlie Lake, Pink Mountain, and north to Mile 255 on Alaska Highway) for a four (4) year term, will be received by the Chief Election Officer or a designated person at the following locations (excluding statutory holidays and weekends): By hand, mail or other delivery service: School District 60 Board Office 10112 105 Ave Fort St John, BC V1J 4S4 From 9:00 am August 30, 2022 To 4:00 pm September 9, 2022 By email to: elections@prn.bc.caFrom 9:00 am August 30, 2022 To 4:00 pm September 9, 2022 Originals of emailed nomination documents must be received by the Chief Election Officer or delegate by 4:00pm on September 9, 2022
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ANNE 1948-02-12LIZOTTEMARIE-2022-15-08
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The family of Anne Marie Lizotte (nee Paquette) are saddened to announce the passing of their beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. Leaving to mourn her loss; her beloved husband, Lee Medcalf, loving son, Albert Lizotte, loving daughter, Stacey (Lee) Hattery and sweet granddaughter, Joselyn Hattery. Sisters, Martha Macpherson, Florence Boyd and Christene Leferson and best friends, Hope Medcalf and Marylene Lizotte. Plus numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her son; Richard Lizotte, grandson, Alexander Hattery and parents, Arthur Paquette and Phyllis (Brown) Bickner. Siblings: Art Paquette, Eddie Paquette; Peggy Boyd, Beatrice Jolin and Bernadette Schmitz. Anne devoted her life to her family providing loving care and guidance during their life journeys. She bravely fought a long hard battle with cancer with grace, dignity and fortitude. She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. In the wind brave angel. We love you Anne! A family celebration of life will be announced at a later date. How learn as a ways learn at play as a family at www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca a shapes scavenger hunt, taking turns finding shapes indoors and outdoors. Then make each shape with your body — kids and adults work together. your family is anywhere in the world! Pick a spot on the map and learn about that country together online.
Fort St. John Co-op expands footprint
Fort St. John is receiving more than $250,000 from the province to continue operations of last winter’s warming centre.“We are happy to receive funding from this year’s Strengthening Communities’ Services grant to support our most vulnerable residents,” Mayor Lori Ackerman said. “Anyone who lives here knows it’s one thing to have a shelter at night but days are just as cold as some of our nights are,” added Ackerman. “To have this service available is really important to our vulnerable people.”
Funding to continue warming centre
Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca
Business owners in Fort St. John wanting to open cannabis retail stores outside of the downtown core will now be able to do so. That, after city council gave final approval last Monday night to amend its C-3 (general commercial) and C-4 (highway commercial) zoning provisions to include the specialtyWithbusiness.noletters of opposition or presentations against the proposal at a public hearing held prior to the vote, council, minus Couns. Trevor Bolin, Gord Klassen, and Byron Stewart, voted unanimously to make the move. The decision was welcomed by Jack Hynes, who operates the On the Rocks chain of liquor stores. “We’ve been working towards this for years. As soon as the government started talking about it. We started work on it right away. I would say we’ve probably been five years into this,” said Hynes. He also submitted a letter of support ahead of time. “We’ve been dealing with the province for about 12 years now. We have all of the rules and regs, the right people to contact to help us,” added Hynes, who believes it only makes sense for a business, like his, to expand into the cannabis industry.
“We’ve been looking at other models, successful models of liquor stores, convenience stores, cannabis stores, in Alberta. Very successful. So, this is the model I’ve been wanting to do so that if one (business) is lagging on a certain day, the other one’s doing better. They all go hand in hand.” The changes go into effect immediately. Stores selling cannabis will still need to follow earlier guidelines set out by the city – to be no closer than 200 metres (in a straight line) to a school or 100 metres (in a straight line) to a park.
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ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWSA16 | BUSINESS | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022
The Fort St. John Co-op says it has bought three Husky retail fuel sites in the North Peace and Northeast B.C. In a news release, the Co-op says the sites were purchased from Federated Co-operatives Limited, which announced last November a $264-million plan to acquire Husky retail fuel sites across Western Canada from Cenovus Energy Inc. — the largest retail acquisition in the Co-op’s history. The new locations “will allow us to grow our services in existing communities and enable us to expand into new areas,” the Co-op said in the release. “We’re so proud to share this announcement today. As a Coop, we’re focused on investing in our communities and bringing value to our members,” said Ryan Wasylenko, Operations Manager for the Fort St. John Co-op. “Adding these sites to our fuel network signals our Co-op’s commitment to growing and serving our community for the long term.”
Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca
The centre opened in January of this year on 100 Avenue, a joint effort between Urban Matters, the Women’s Resource Society, the city, and Community Bridge. While it will help cover eights months of operation, beginning next month, the city had hoped it could have been an established form of funding.“Ourrequest was that this be ongoing, sustainable funding, but it was something they didn’t want to discuss at this point,” said Ackerman.
flTell us #FamilyLiteracyDay How do you learn as a family? Find more ways to learn at play as a family at www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca Have a shapes scavenger hunt, taking turns finding shapes indoors and outdoors. Then make each shape with your body — kids and adults work together. Imagine your family is anywhere in the world! Pick a spot on the map and learn about that country together online.LEARN AT PLAY, EVERY DAY.
City expands retail cannabis zoning
The Co-op says it will officially take ownership of its new fuel locations on Sept.13, which include the Fort St. John Husky Gas Bar, the Fort Nelson Husky Gas Bar, and a fuel supply agreement with the Shepherd’s Inn Husky Independent Dealer. The sites will continue to operate under the Husky brand until they are re-branded, the Co-op said. Husky reward members can still earn and redeem points on all applicable transactions at Husky-branded sites, and Husky gift cards can still be redeemed but no longer purchased. Co-op members, however, will not be able to use their Co-op numbers at these new locations while they are branded as Husky.
