THURSDAY, April 25,
Cougars advance to WHL Western Conference final
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
The Kelowna Rockets dared to poke a sleeping bear and suffered dire consequences.
Their two-goal jab at the Prince George Cougars that gave the Rockets the lead at the start of the second period might have had some of the 6,014 in attendance Friday at CN Centre thinking they might not get the desired outcome, but they needn’t have worried.
The Cougars were about to show their true colours.
They ravaged the Rockets with five unanswered goals in the last half of the second period and when the fur finally stopped flying the Cats had the fourth win they so
craved. It was a 6-3 decision that gave them the series win and a date with the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Conference final that starts Friday in Prince George. Zac Funk, with three goals, and Riley Heidt, with two goals and two assists, were the primary instigators on offence for the Cougars, who advanced to the third round for the fourth time in Prince George franchise history and the first time since 2007.
“When you look at the series as a whole we had the two good games here, we had to go to overtime (in Game 3 in Kelowna) and then you had the reality of recognizing they’re a very good team that got to the second round for a reason,” said Cougars associate coach Jim Playfair.
COUGARS, Page A2
Prince George Cougars forward Riley Heidt (27) and teammate Terik Parascak (32) watch as Heidt’s shot slides through the crease as he scores his first goal of the night during second period action at CN Centre Friday night.
Cougars claw their way to the finals
Continued from Page A1
“Our team had some adversity in the last game and we had some again in the game Friday but that’s what separates you in the playoffs, that’s what you’re supposed to go through, you’re supposed to have those challenges and I thought we met them.”
The Cougars and their fans thought they had opened the scoring six minutes in when Funk raised his stick to haul in a lead pass just inside the blueline, skated in and whipped a wrister in off Jari Kykkanen’s glove. But the play was blown dead when the officials ruled Funk’s stick was above his shoulder when he corralled the puck.
Funk obviously wasn’t fazed to have the goal called back because he got right back on his horse to take advantage of the first power play of the game. He was standing just off the post when he took a pass from Heidt and quickly moved the puck into the centre of the crease to slide in along the ice through Kykkanen’s legs.
The Rockets gained some momentum on their first power play and after it ended they severely tested Ravensbergen twice in rapid succession late in the opening period. First it was Cristall who shot from between the hash marks and was stopped by the goalie’s glove. Seconds later, Ravensbergen’s lightning reflexes shot out his skate for a toe save that was probably his best save of the series.
The Rockets found their stride to start second period, scoring a pair of goals 15 seconds apart to briefly change the complexion. Cristall, the Rockets’ leading scorer in the season with 111 points in 62 games, took off on a breakaway stretch pass from Tij Iginla and made the most of it. Going to backhand on a deke through the legs of Ravensbergen.
The Rockets pushed the puck in deep on the ensuing face-off and Cristall spotted Iginla in front for a tap-in and a 2-1 Kelowna lead. Cougars coach Mark Lamb wisely called a time out, preaching calm
with his troops, and it had the desired effect.
The Cougars were virtually unstoppable for the rest of the period, relentless in their five-goal feeding frenzy.
“Our leaders definitely stepped up in that time out and is kind of what we need to do, we’re never out of the game and we knew that,” said
scoring back-to-back goals. On the first one he raced behind the net to complete a turnover and chipped the puck for Carlin Dezainde, whose slot shot was stopped but the puck was left uncovered for Heidt.
Later on, Heidt’s speed on a leftwing rush from centre gave him nothing but unobstructed ice as he carried the puck deep and circled
A lot of players have benefited from having them in the group and now we’re all going to come together and see how far we can push this thing...
Funk. “We’ve got the good team to do it and good things happen when you’re steady at the wheel.
“We went through video this morning, showing the things they weren’t happy with and obviously as a player you take that to heart. I was in the video, I wasn’t doing my job and took that to heart and I wanted to make an impact tonight and I think a lot of guys can say the same.”
Rookie Jett Lajoie started it at the 9:10 mark, filing away a rebound in front to tie the game with his first career WHL playoff goal.
“That was unreal, especially at a crucial time,” said Lajoie. “Down 2-1, (Pauls) shot from the point and I got it. Goalie was down and I sniped. It was beautiful, the crowd was buzzing.
“We’re the fourth line, the energy line, and we pop one in and the boys just rolled and carried on from there.”
Not long after, Funk got his stick on a point shot from Vilam Kmec for his second of the night.
Funk completed his ninth hat trick of the season on a 5-on-3 power-play chance just before the intermission, set up by a saucer pass through the crease from Parascak.
Following Funk’s lead, Heidt also put the team on his shoulders,
helped us a lot, we stuck together and played as a team and that’s the thing,” said Becher.
“The fans were loud and that helped a lot, I think, and that was huge for us.”
Rockets captain Gabriel Szturc capped the scoring in the third period. The 20-year-old Tampa Bay Lightning prospect knew the Cougars and their vaunted offence would be tough to knock off and they ended up outscoring Kelowna a combined 20-8 in the five games.
the net to beat Kykkanen on a wraparound for the fifth Cougars’ goal.
After their 2-1 loss Wednesday in Kelowna, the Cougars coaching staff challenged the veterans to be better in Game 5 and Heidt and Funk especially answered the bell.
“They’re NHL players now and they have to start acting like NHL players and carrying themselves like NHL players and I think that’s what they both have done in the last little while,” said Playfair. “They recognize that much is given and much is expected and they’ve been given an opportunity through the organization to be drafted and signed NHL players and they have an obligation to the organization to compete and deliver when the organization needs them to be top players.
“A lot of players have benefited from having them in the group and now we’re all going to come together and see how far we can push this thing.”
Ondrej Becher centred a line with Funk and Borya Valis and said there was no need to panic when the Cougars fell behind. They know the firepower they possess as the WHL’s second-highest scoring team and they showed it.
“Jett’s goal was a huge one, we were happy he scored a goal and it
“Before the series we knew they could score goals because we already played them eight games,” said Szturc. “Unfortunately the first two games here in P.G. they didn’t go our way and in Kelowna we missed our opportunity that third game and it could have been 2-1 going into the next home match. “It was a tough series but I’m wishing good luck in the next series for them.”
LOOSE PUCKS:
The Winterhawks finished off the Everett Silvertips with a 5-0 win in Everett to complete the series sweep. In the other game Friday in Moose Jaw, the Warriors eliminated the Swift Current Broncos with a 4-2 victory which gave them a 4-1 series win. The Warriors will take on the Saskatoon Blades in the Eastern final… Becher’s secondary assist on Funk’s second goal gave him at least one point in 26 of his last 27 games…It wasn’t all bad blood that flowed between the two teams and that’s due to a couple of shared bloodlines. Cougars left winger Arjun Bawa and Rockets defenceman Kayden SadhraKang are step-brothers. Then there’s the coaching connection. Rockets assistant coach Quinten Laing is the father of Cougars centre Hunter Laing.
Council grapples with $36 million repair bill to refurbish Prince George Aquatic Centre
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
City council has recommended spending $36 million to refurbish the Prince George Aquatic centre to the finance and audit committee. The four-phase project is needed to address building system failures, end-of-service-life infrastructure, energy efficiency and meet health and safety code requirements. The project phases are as follows:
- Phase 1 – Replacement of the building envelope, glazing, roof system, exterior doors, entry columns, leisure pool tiles, acoustic baffles and DDC (controls) system. As well as the addition of a dehumidification system and new electrical transformer with electrical system upgrades.
- Phase 2 – Repairs to the structural steel/columns and dive tank sparger system. Replacement of main entry soffits, curtain wall and air handling units cooling coils. Addition of energy recovery on air handling units.
- Phase 3 – Replacement of health/ life safety items including deck, lobby and visitor area tile, handrails, plumbing fixtures, fire alarm system and sprinkler heads.
- Phase 4 – Replacement of moveable bulkheads, change room tiles, overhead and underwater light fixtures and emergency system lighting, as well as interior painting, hydronic piping reconfiguration,
Correction to Court docket: March 25-April 12
In Court docket: March 25-April 12, 2024 it was incorrectly reported that Brendan Tomas Boylan was sentenced for sexual assault. In fact, Christopher Richard Franks was sentenced for the offence. The Citizen sincerely regrets the error.
DATE: THURSDAY,JUNE13TH, 2024 @5:30PM
LOCATION: RAMADA PLAZADOWNTOWN
AllAttendeesmustpre-registerby June 7th, 2024 @5:00PM REGISTER AT:www.downtownpg.com/2024-agm
increased access controls, accessibility improvements and a reconfigured reception desk.
Mayor Simon Yu, who voted against the recommendation, said because the money is required for maintenance of an existing facility
council can approve the additional $22 million in spending needed for the project without going to a public referendum or finding an alternate funding source.
Andy Beesley, the city director of civic facilities and events, said the price tag for a new aquatic centre built from scratch would be more than $100 million.
“We’re trying to show there could be some efficiencies with trying to get some of the work done right now while the building is cracked open,” said Beesley. “While the budget numbers are intimidating, it would be considerably more financially efficient to do as much as possible right now at the same time.” Beesley said forced closures during repairs and disruptions for pool users would be reduced if work was allowed to proceed on more phases at one time.
CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
The Prince George Aquatic Centre features a 50-metre pool and 10-metre dive tower.
FFGRD directors approve $500,000 loan to The Exploration Place
MARK NIELSEN
Special to the Citizen
Fraser-Fort George Regional District directors threw The Exploration Place a lifeline on Thursday in the form of a $500,000 loan to be paid back over five years starting in January 2025.
Brian Skakun (City of Prince George) and Victor Mobley (Electoral Area A Salmon River-Lakes) were the sole directors to vote against.
Skakun questioned why members of the Fraser-Fort George Museum Society were not at the meeting to make a case to directors and expressed skepticism about the reason cited for how The Exploration Place ran into financial trouble.
A delayed reopening following a $1.4-million renovation that began when the pandemic forced closure of the building in March 2020 had been cited as the cause. But Skakun suggested the museum had enough grant money to tide it over.
“I would like to see them here and how urgent is it that they get the money right now as opposed to waiting a month to get some clear answers, not only for us but for the public as well,” Skakun said.
Mobley said he has not seen anything that gives him confidence that the museum can dig itself out of its
hole and noted the payments will come out of the grant the regional district provides each year.
“They’re just taking the loan off further grants, that’s the way I see it,” Mobley said. “It’s not really a loan, it’s just us saying ‘hey, we’re going to kick the can down the road another year or two and hopefully you guys have made enough money to justify where you’re at.’”
Under the loan agreement, starting in January 2025, $31,115.44 will be subtracted from the grant money the museum receives from the regional district until the loan has been paid off on April 1, 2029. Interest will have added up to $60,077.88 by that time based on four per cent per year.
According to a February 2024 staff report, the Society is due to receive $881,290 this year less $113,000 in debt service payments or $768,290. Further divided into quarterly payments that works out to $192,072.50 every three months.
Director Cori Ramsay called four per cent “really generous” and worried other non-profits could come flocking in search of similar deals.
“I don’t want it to be precedent setting is what I’m saying,” Ramsay said.
However, she noted that the loan agreement imposes a declining limit on the Society’s line of credit, falling from $225,000 as of the date of the
It’s not really a loan, it’s just us saying ‘hey, we’re going to kick the can down the road another year or two and hopefully you guys have made enough money to justify where you’re at...
agreement to as low as $50,000 by the end of 2027.
“This loan does have the provision for reducing that and for their exposure to that risk of using that line of credit and getting themselves into that problem again in the future,” Ramsay said.
Director Jerrilyn Kirk (Electoral Area G Crooked River-Parsnip) echoed Ramsay’s comments.
“One of the things with public buildings such as museums and
curling rinks and swimming pools is they are usually not money makers, they usually don’t run at a huge profit or at a profit, so I think there has to be some grace given here,” Kirk said and added she appreciates the steps staff has taken to protect the FFGRD’s assets.
Director Kyle Sampson (City of Prince George) said he would like to see more dialogue from the Society and expressed his opinion on the changes Exploration Place went through during the renovation.
“I think having a wholesale change like we saw during closure during COVID with the renovation, it completely changed models. I think I understand why but I don’t think I agree with the speediness of getting there which I think alienated a lot of the customer base,” Sampson said.
Speaking in favour of providing the loan director Simon Yu (City of Prince George) said the museum provides an essential cultural service and noted local governments borrow as well.
Council explores ways to fund Aquatic Centre repairs
Continued from Page A5
Council in 2019 approved spending of $8.58 million for the building/mechanical envelope upgrade, which in 2020 was topped up to $14.858 million with the addition of $6.3 million in grant funding from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program BC-Green Infrastructure-Climate Change Mitigation-CleanBC Communities Fund.
The remaining $22 million needed for the project would mean an annual debt servicing cost of $1,853,939 over 20 years, which would raise the tax levy by 1.34 per cent. That cost could rise or fall depending on interest rates, which can only be locked in for a five-year term.
The project was put on hold in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic and market constraints and was further delayed because the facility was needed to host the 2022 BC Summer Games.
A 2023 assessment study to determine what was needed to extend the life expectancy of the Aquatic Centre found escalating building envelope
failure with additional repairs needed such as replacement of concrete masonry units. The current cost estimates increase energy efficiency and provide a contingency allowance in the event of unforeseen conditions associated with a potential failing building structure.
Coun. Brian Skakun suggested the city could use Capital Expenditure Reserve Fund to lower the tax rate or use the FortisBC lease-in, lease-out reserve fund to help finance the pool refurbishment.
in 2021. Skakun said that fund has grown to more than $30 million.
The Aquatic Centre was built in 1998 and has been in operation for more than 25 years and it serves more than 240,000 visitors annually.
The project was put on hold in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic and market constraints...
The Fortis fund was generated over 17 years, following a 2004 referendum, when the city entered into a lease-in, lease-out agreement with FortisBC (then called Terasen Gas), to fund a natural gas distribution system in the city that was subsequently purchased from the city by Fortis
It’s one of two public pool the city operates and its 50-metre lap pool is the training/competition home of the Prince George Barracudas/Pisces swim clubs and the Water Lillies synchronized swim club. It also has a diving tower/ springboards, leisure wave pool/ river, sauna, steam room, hot tub and fitness centre. Its operating costs are 42 per cent recovered by user fees.
Yu and Coun. Trudy Klassen voted against the proposal presented by Tina Schaeffer, the city’s manager of
capital program management, and Dale Martens, manager of facilities project delivery and maintenance.
“For that kind of expenditure I would like the public to be informed and debate it first before we make a decision, this is too big,” said Yu.
“To spend $36 million, people from College Heights from the Hart could say, perhaps we can use a smaller pool. This study did not exactly separate the mechanical from the envelope (of the building) so therefore I think we need to take a look at a more innovative way to do this upgrade, perhaps building a brandnew mechanical room and keep using the existing system.”
Yu also suggested the city look at building on to the east side of the Aquatic Centre to add room for spectators around the pool which could be connected to a hotel built on some of the adjacent soccer fields.
“We need to be innovative, we cannot just keep fixing things and not adding value,” he said.
Owners of downtown building demolished in Aug. 22 explosion pay for cleanup
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
Eight months after a natural gas explosion and fire demolished the former Achillion Greek Cuisine restaurant and injured three people in downtown Prince George, the pile of wreckage left behind has finally been cleaned up.
Commonwealth Campus Corporation, which owns the property at 422 Dominion St., paid the more than $100,000 cleanup cost to have the eyesore removed, after months of waiting for the insurance company, Lloyd’s of London, to complete the claims process and cover the cost.
“We’ve been wanting to clean it up for a while and we’re doing it,” said Commonwealth president Dan McLaren. “The insurance company is still looking for reports and few other things which we’re giving them and they’re painfully slow. We’ve given them robust amounts of reports and they say we’ll get back to you and months go by. They’re very frustrating so we finally said we’ll clean it up ourselves, which we’re doing now.”
the east entrance to the building. Two other people were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The explosion exposed a 1,400 square foot basement that took up part of 6,600 sq-ft building’s imprint and Commonwealth was concerned about liability in the event someone got through the fence of the property and fell into that three-metre deep hole.
The cleanup started last week and is expected to be completed later today.
Before that could occur an environmental report and work permit had to be obtained. The building debris had to be sorted into piles of wood, metal and concrete at the site before it was hauled away to the dump.
We’ve given them robust amounts of reports and they say we’ll get back to you and months go by. They’re very frustrating so we finally said we’ll clean it up ourselves, which we’re doing now.
McLaren said, in the interim, the site will be paved with recycled asphalt and will be used as a 20-spot parking lot.
At the time of the blast, the building had been listed for lease/sale for several years by Commonwealth. It hadn’t been used as a restaurant since the Achillion closed on Oct. 29, 2016 when owner Kostas Iliopulos retired after 32 years of operating the popular eatery.
Police and fire investigators have determined the early-morning Aug. 22 explosion was caused by vagrants who broke into the building and cut a gas line while trying to steal copper piping. The gas was ignited when one of them tried to light a cigarette.
A city parks worker who smelled gas was seriously injured by the blast as she was walking away from
Commonwealth bought the building in 2010 before construction of the adjacent UNBC’s Wood Innovation and Design Centre, when there was speculation the entire block would eventually be turned into a downtown university campus.
The west face of the Wood Innovation building was extensively damaged in the explosion and
fire and repairs of that, as well as the damaged storefront façade along Brunswick Street, have been completed.
In a notice of civil claim, Trevor Sakamoto, whose company Encore Promotions Inc., owns Heartbreakers nightclub on Fifth Avenue, is seeking damages from the City of Prince George, saying the explosion damaged the club’s exterior cladding, HVAC system and other
external machinery, and also broke windows and spread toxic materials into the interior.
Sakamoto has insurance for some but not all of the damage caused by the explosion and that coverage was discounted due to the building’s age and condition. He was forced to close the club for repairs and he is also seeking compensation for loss of profits due to the closure.
The City had denied responsibility.
An excavator works on completing cleanup operations to remove debris left from Aug. 22 explosion of the former Achillion restaurant downtown.
Heartbreak of a downtown store fire
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
Overwhelmed.
That’s the word Kellie Young used to describe her feelings soon after fire swept up the back wall of her downtown Prince George store, Niche Clothing & Trading Co., in the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 9.
It’s a story downtown Prince George merchants have heard and experienced dozens of times.
An unhoused man trying to stay warm lit the fire by the store’s back door and walked away.
“I’m not sure even now that he even knows he lit the building on fire,” Young said.
The situation for the unhoused that live in the downtown core is terrible, she added.
“This is a humanity crisis and something has to be done to help them,” Young said.
“I love the downtown, I love the people in Prince George,” Young said. “And we have to get this straightened out so we’re all safe down here.”
And she doesn’t want to hear any negativity about the unhoused.
“You know what? That’s somebody’s kid you’re talking about,” Young said. “That’s somebody’s auntie or son –they are somebody’s family member and they have been tossed aside by society. And they need to be looked after. It breaks my heart to see them like this.”
By the time Young drove down to the store that fateful Tuesday morning emergency crews were already on the scene.
“The firefighters and police were just stellar,” Young said. “The support I have received from so many people –phone calls, texts, emails, Facebook messages – it’s just a great community we live in and it hurts me that they’re hurting because of my circumstance.”
The report that came from Prince George Fire Rescue
about the April 9th fire stated the structure damage was $150,000 and that is accurate.
What usually goes untold is the effect a fire like that has on a small business owner whose inventory includes massive amounts of natural fibre clothing and items like handbags, quilts, rugs, pillows, throws and baskets.
All the materials that absorb smoke like a sponge.
The worst hit were items in the large storage area at the back of the store, closest to the blaze. Young doesn’t want to guess at the dollar figure loss because the insurance company hasn’t completed its investigation.
So what’s next for Niche and its owner?
“Right now it’s hurry up and wait mode for me,” Young said. “The insurance company and the restoration company have both been fantastic. But there’s nothing I can do to speed up the process. I cannot open my store with the amount of smoke damage that’s in here. So I am going to stay closed for a while. This fire has swiped my livelihood out from underneath my feet.”
The only thing that can possibly be recovered is any metal pieces in the store because those can be wiped down.
The rest, including every bit of inventory inside the store and the building including the walls, ceilings and floors have been affected.
“I don’t want one whiff of smoke left in the store before I reopen,” Young said. “I’m still trying to figure out when it’s possible to reopen or not.The city needs a push on maintaining the downtown instead of it being like a ‘Mad Max’ set.”
So it’s a wait-and-see situation.
“I love my store, I love the gals that come in to shop – and the guys, too,” Young said. “You know how many people I have met that are my good friends now because they’ve come into the shop to play dress up and hang out and how many have met each other here and have become good friends? So this is really hard to take.”
Fraud alert continues as Prince George RCMP investigates
Fraud alert: People are attending residences in Prince George claiming to be staff from Northern Health and Fire Smart.
Prince George RCMP got the first report of this fraud specifically about those posing as Northern Health staff on April 2, 2024.
Investigators continue to collect information to identify the culprits and are asking the public to contact the non-emergency line to speak with an officer about their experience at 250-561-3300.
“We are reminding the public not to open their home to anyone they were not expecting or have not previously set up an at-home appointment with,” Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, Media Relations Officer for the Prince George RCMP, said.
“Even if a person attends your home with what appears to be legitimate credentials, it is always a good idea to call that company yourself to double check the information.”
If you found yourself in this circumstance and have given away personal information, such as banking information, ensure you contact your bank as well as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre immediately.
PRINCE GEORGE GOLF ANDCURLING CLUB LTD.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVENthatthe 2024 Annual GeneralMeetingofthe membersofPrinceGeorge Golf andCurlingClubLtd.will be held as follows:
DATE OF MEETING: Thursday,the 30th dayofMay 2024
TIME OF MEETING: at 7:00 P.M.
LOCATION OF MEETING: themeetingwill be held at theClubHouseofthe Prince George Golf and CurlingClub, 2601RecplaceDr. Prince George,B.C
Thepurposeofthe meetingisasfollows:
1. To receiveand consider thereportofthe Directors to themembers andthe consolidated financial statements of theLimited Companyfor the12-month period endedNovember30, 2023 andthe auditors’ reportthereon;
2. To electdirectors forthe ensuingyear(either by single resolution or separate votes, as determined at themeeting);
3. To appoint auditors forthe ensuingyear, and authorizethe Directorstofixthe remuneration of same;
4. To transact such otherbusinessasmay properly come before themeeting,orany adjournmentor adjournments th ereof.
MEMBERSWHO AREUNABLETOATTEND THEMEETING IN PERSON ANDWHO WISH TO ENSURE THAT THEIRVOTEWILLBECOUNTED AT THEMEETING AREREQUESTED TO COMPLETE, SIGN ANDRETURN AFORMOFPROXY.A PROXY WILL NOTBEVALID UNLESS IT IS DEPOSITEDAT THEADDRESSOFTHE OFFICE OF THECOMPANY AT 2601 RECPLACE,PRINCEGEORGE, B.C. V2N0G2 NOTLESSTHANTWENTY-FOUR (24) HOURS(EXCLUDINGSATURDAYS,SUNDAYS, ANDHOLIDAYS) BEFORE THETIMEFIXED FOR THEMEETINGORISDEPOSITED WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THEMEETINGANY TIME PRIOR TO THECOMMENCEMENTOFTHE MEETING.
DATEDinthe City of Prince George,B.C.this30th, dayofApril 2024
BY ORDEROFTHE BOARDOFDIRECTORS
PRINCE GEORGE GOLF ANDCURLING CLUB LTD.
Per: DanMartin, PRESIDENT
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
OPINION
Council’s two-pronged approach to crime
Mayor’s committee and council’s proposed open house can’t change a broken system.
Mayor Simon Yu has stricken a public committee, with three members from council including Brian Skakun, Trudy Klassen and Ron Polillo, as well as three to-be-invited community members whose experience lies in First Nation relations, as well as corrections, with insight into what leads to repeat offenders.
The committee will take aim at the downtown core, including the light industrial area east of Queensway. While downtown crime may be an abstract to those up in College Heights, or in North Nechako, it’s a daily occurrence for us, whose office is at the end of Fourth Avenue, with our windows pointed directly at Moccasin Flats. Meanwhile, a motion passed during the April 22 council meeting, introduced by Councilor Sampson and co-signed by Councilors Ramsey and Bennett proposes an open house on May 1, to hear the concerns of community members and stakeholders, along with a $20,000 budget from council’s contingency fund for a venue, AV equipment, a facilitator and advertising.
According to Mayor Yu during
This is the view of Moccasin Flats from the top edge of the embankment along Upper Patricia Boulevard. The Citizen office is seen here to the right of the blue building.
the April 8 council meeting, “We spent 37.1 per cent of our $180 million capital expenditure budget on public safety (policing) and it’s almost unsustainable.”
You don’t say?
Spending nearly 40 per cent of our budget on policing is
completely unsustainable, especially when a system that is beyond our control processes offenders and sets them loose to keep on keeping on. Myriad examples exist where people are detained, with multiple alleged offences, only to be turned
loose for months on end, while the RCMP “lab tests” their drug findings after traffic stops and/or warrant executions. Results from lab testing can take upwards of eight to 10 months.
In short, you get caught with enough fentanyl to kill every person within two square kilometers, you’re not even charged with anything for several months, once the police get lab results back. If you’re caught with other contraband, including guns, ammunition and body armour, the Crown doesn’t want to “unbundle” those potential charges, meaning the accused are back on the street, for months on end, awaiting lab results that can take eight to 10 months, on average.
This isn’t a critique of the police. They’re only processing offenders based upon case law, with the desired intention of prosecution. Meanwhile, those awaiting trial are free to continue their poisonous, criminal enterprises.
We’re in the midst of trading the charter rights of offenders, often with prior convictions, for the safety and well-being of our communities.
Curtis Armstrong is the publisher of the Prince George Citizen.
CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO
Out & About in Prince George
WATER WORKS
Firefighters work on getting pumps connected and running water from a 2500 litre portable water bladder hooked to sprinklers designed to raise the humidity level and protect structures from embers that can ignite them. The Large Water Supply Operations (Structure Protection) training took place Sunday at Otway Nordic Centre as part of the Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit held in Prince George April 20-24 at the Convention and Civic Centre.
EPIK STREET PARTY
Vendors including marijuana growers and distributors, jewelry, novelties, The Exploration Place and food trucks. were present at the Epik 420 Street Party Saturday held between 3rd and 4th avenue on George Street. The Street party was part of the BC Craft Farmer’s Cannabis Summit North and was the first legal municipally sanctioned cannabis street party in Canada.
GIRL TOWER POWER
Kaylee Bolin, 6, uses a steady hand to draw a 2x4 from a giant Jenga game while Kendra Shiels, co-founder of Tools To Empower (TTE), makes sure the tower stays safely in place at the 44th Annual Canadian Home Builders’ Northern BC Home & Garden Show held in the Kin Centres Friday through Sunday. TTE, part of the Trades Expo, is a non-profit organization started in BC by three tradeswomen who work to introduce and develop skills and different trades to unrepresented groups, women and at-risk youth, showcasing skills and opportunities in trades. The show featured gardening, home renovation and lifestyle choices as well as ways to access different trades, training and skills.
BIG LITTLE HELPERS
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
Calvin Primus, 5, hauls a large sign with Kasey Schulz, 7, along the south side of 15th Avenue by Foothills Boulevard, back to their grandparents Randy and Loreen Beebe Sunday, as they do their part for Spring Clean Up 2024 in Prince George. CITIZEN
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
UNBC planning student highlights need for Prince George to improve bike route safety
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
UNBC planning student Kyle Ross says it wouldn’t take much effort to make Prince George more friendly to bike traffic, and also won’t break the bank.
Grants are available to help pay the cost of building bike lanes separated from roadways by physical barriers, and he says with the price of gasoline continuing to skyrocket and more people riding electric bikes and scooters to get around the city, the need for safer bike lane networks that connect the bowl area to the downtown core has never been greater.
To raise awareness of the strengths and deficiencies of the current bike lane network in Prince George, Ross joined forces with the Prince George Cycling Club and organize a group ride this past Saturday, which starts at the Massey Avenue entrance to Ginter’s Field.
The 90-minute ride ended downtown at Zoe’s Java House on Fourth Avenue.
Speaking before the even, Ross said, “It will show off both the positives and negatives of cycling in Prince George to get a better picture because some people might not see that perspective of someone being vulnerable on the roadside when they’re driving past.”
“I wanted to organize a group ride to hopefully bring some comfort to people who are not as experienced in cycling and to also show off what these issues are with bike infrastructure. The route I chose hopefully contains all the elements of what can be improved and what is already great about the Prince George cycling experience.”
Ross, 24, has just completed his third semester in the rural and community planning program at UNBC. His first-semester research project focused on how bike transportation infrastructure can reduce carbon emissions, which in Prince George
UNBC
are 52 per cent transportation-related, and highlighted the fact the city has not made achieving those reductions a priority.
Painted bike lines and signage to indicate bike routes are not enough.
Vertical barriers to separate car traffic from bikes is what the city needs, Ross said, especially along the main routes such as Fifth Avenue, 15th Avenue, Ospika Boulevard, Massey Drive/Winnipeg Street and Ferry Avenue/Queensway.
Ross presented some of his ideas on what he envisions for bike infrastructure last summer at a city council meeting , following up on an April petition he posted on change. org that drew 852 signatures. He also expressed his ideas in his Future of Getting Around podcast.
He’s hoping city planners will take advantage of programs such as the BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program, which will pay 50 per cent of a project up to $500,000; the Government of Canada’s Active Transportation
Fund, which covers 60 per cent of a project up to $50 million; and the Green Municipal Fund, a one-time grant to pay 50 per cent of eligible costs up to $175,000.
“I found a system used in Metro Vancouver that is based on the one in Calgary that was a rapid implementation of bicycle infrastructure and I thought if they were able to secure funding for this they would be able to build something relatively quickly that’s easily adjustable,” said Ross.
“It’s not quite permanent infrastructure, it’s built out of flexible plastic posts and concrete barriers… vertical separation, so you build it up first and then gather feedback. Once you’ve gathered the feedback you can either change it, remove it or make it permanent, so that your permanent solution isn’t just something you built but doesn’t attend to the needs of the community.”
The province introduced legislation this month to protect vulnerable road users, which requires motorists to
I wanted to organize a group ride to hopefully bring some comfort to people who are not as experienced in cycling and to also show off what these issues are with bike infrastructure...
allow at least one metre of separation when passing a cyclist on city streets and at least a 1.5 m gap when passing on a roadway where the posted speed limit is greater than 50 kilometres per hour. Ross said one in 17 passing events in the city are within one metre and he hopes the new legislation will educate motorists.
Ross has had too many close calls riding on city streets and he says Cowart Road which leads up Peden Hill into College Heights is particularly dangerous due to blind spots and narrowing of the shoulder of the road at several points. He would like to see vertical separation or some kind of physical barrier for bike lanes in all school zones, so kids won’t feel so intimidated riding to school.
He’s also pushing for better integration of bike routes with off-road trails like the Heritage River Trails network. For example, there’s a gap through the residential area between Cottonwood Island Park and Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park he’d like to see better connected.
“Good cycling infrastructure is not a new concept, it’s been well done before and there are countless examples all throughout Canada and the world of good integration of cycling infrastructure,” said Ross. “So all they need to do is look and see and they don’t need to reinvent the wheel.”
HANDOUT PHOTO
planning student Kyle Ross has organized a group ride with the Prince George Cycling Club this past Saturday to highlight the need for better cycling infrastructure in Prince George.
Hip replacement inspires volunteerism
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
For the last 15 years Terry Bryden has volunteered in Prince George with the Canadian Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program.
This is National Volunteer Week and the Canadian Red Cross wanted to showcase Bryden who is in one of the many volunteer positions available throughout their organization.
Bryden learned about the loan program when her husband, Dave, had his hip replacement more than 15 years ago and accessed the loan program for items to make life easier during his recovery.
The program provides health equipment on a short-term basis to individuals recovering from illness or injury and empowers people to live with independence and dignity. Healthcare professionals provide referrals to patients to access the loan program to get the equipment selected to safely meet the needs of each person, the Red Cross website explains.
The equipment is typically loaned for between three and six months and it’s all by donation, so there is no barrier to gain access to what is needed to support healing.
“I was able to sign up to volunteer, do the training, meet the people here at the Red Cross and start volunteering,” Bryden said.
“This program is more important than ever with all of the need for surgical recovery, keeping people in their home longer by making them feel more comfortable and I think that is one of the main focuses of this program, no question.”
It is so rewarding to help people, Bryden added.
“And they are happy to be helped and come in to get the equipment they need to make their lives easier and that’s what has kept me going for as long as I have and for as long as I can,” Bryden said.
Some people may need equipment on a continuous basis to assist them in their daily lives but don’t know what would suit their needs best. The Health Equipment Loan Program provides the opportunity to try out what the person needs, as recommended by a health professional, before making what could be a costly purchase, Bryden added.
“That way the person can borrow it, try it out and then purchase what they need,” Bryden said.
Bryden has been working with the same core group of volunteers and
staff throughout the years.
“And it’s a great place to volunteer, everyone is so wonderful,” Bryden said. “The training is so thorough. The other volunteers and the staff here are all so helpful. I would encourage anyone who is looking
for a place to volunteer to consider the health equipment loan program. It’s so rewarding to be able to help people in need.”
For more information about the Canadian Red Cross and how to volunteer visit https://www.redcross.ca/
Prince George Airport ranks near bottom of list of Canadian airports
Airport rankings are based six factors which include:
Prince George Airport (YXS) ranks near the bottom in a CasinosHunter survey of the best and worst airports in Canada.
Prince George is listed 22nd out of 25 on the list – the fourth-worst ranking – because it has no hotel accommodations within a three-kilometre radius of the passenger terminal.
Twenty-five operating airports in the country were included in the survey.
YXS scored 27.92 out of 100.
- Number of outbound direct flight destinations;
-Number of lounges;
- Number of dining facilities;
- On-site car rental companies;
- Hotels within a three-km radius;
- Number of operating airlines served.
Prince George Airport operates with six airlines and travelers have their choice of three dining facilities. It provides travel to eight destinations and has three car rental companies that operate at the terminal.
Saskatoon’s John G. Diefenbaker
International Airport - YXE topped the ranking list with a score of 72.11. It serves 930,000 passengers annually going to 24 destinations and they have their choice of 15 hotels within that three km radius. Saskatoon has one lounge and five dining facilities.
Rounding out the top-five were:
2. Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport-YQB (69.20); 3. St. John’s International Airport-YYT (60.96); 4. Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport-YOW (52.99); 5. Thunder Bay International Airport-YQT (52.48).
Saint John, N.B. had the worst
score 22.08, with no airport lounge available and only one dining facility. The terminal (YSJ) operates with two airlines and flies to three destinations, with three hotels within the three-km radius and five on-site rental car agencies.
Fredericton, N.B. was 23rd on the list (25.79) and Regina International was 24th (22.36).
Among other B.C. airports included in the survey, Vancouver International (YVR) is eighth overall (51.08), Victoria International (YYJ) is 16th (35.76), and Kelowna International (YLW) is 20th (29.10).
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
Terry Bryden has volunteered in Prince George with the Canadian Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program for the last 15 years.
UNBC celebrates its Northern Medical Program class of 2024
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
It’s been 17 years since the Northern Medical Program at UNBC began churning out medical doctors.
This week, 35 graduates from the class of 2024 gathered on the steps of the UNBC campus to show off their white coats and name shingles that signify the start of their medical careers. It was a proud moment indeed for the graduating students, who will now move on to two- or seven-year residencies and fellowship training.
Twenty of this year’s class are about to enter family medicine residency programs and many of those will be focused on training in rural medicine working in smaller cities.
The remainder have chosen
specialties such as pediatrics, emergency medicine, general surgery, internal medicine, radiation oncology, orthopedics and psychiatry.
These new doctors will receive their medical degrees on May 22nd at the formal UBC convocation ceremony.
All 35 students began their medical training at UBC in Vancouver.
The Northern Medical Program is a distributed UBC program delivered in partnership at UNBC.
The cedar shingles they received Thursday were sourced and cut by Cedar Valley Holdings Ltd. Each shingle was then sanded, bevelled and etched by Glacier Ridge Services. Each company does business in the community of Valemount, which is a member of the Northern Medical Programs Trust.
The Northern Medical Program class of 2023 gathered on the steps of the UNBC campus to celebrate their graduation day. The 35 graduates are about to begin their careers as medical doctors.
Spruce Kings Show Home Lottery sets sales record
TED
Bob and Gladys Burgess are the proud owners of the new $890,000 show home.
They were the grand-prize winners of the Spruce Kings Show Home Lottery.
Their winning ticket for the home, built in the Aberdeen Glen subdivision at 2974 Links Dr., was drawn Friday at noon at the show home site.
A record-setting year for ticket sales for the annual lottery came to an end Wednesday when the community-owned B.C. Hockey League sold its 13,563rd ticket.
That was just 437 tickets shy of a sellout, with 14,000 tickets printed, up from 12,000 last year. On Wednesday alone, there were 565 tickets sold. Tickets were priced at $125 each and the team also sold 1,000 threepacks at $300 each.
Proceeds from the club’s major annual fundraiser pay a majority of the team’s expenses to compete in
the BCHL.
“The support we get from the community is amazing,” said Kyle Anderson, the Spruce Kings business operations manager. “Definitely the last month was insane. It was exciting that everyone jumped on board at the very end too and kept supporting us, because it really helps us get set up for the future. It puts us in a good spot.”
In the final week leading up to Wednesday’s cutoff the team sold 2,156 tickets.
Built by Hopson Construction Ltd., the house was finished early and that allowed the club to start its show home lottery campaign a couple weeks ahead of time. Traditionally, the draw is made in late April.
“We need to start the lottery as soon as we can to help with our expenses early on in the season and we only get six months under B.C. Gaming rules,“ said Anderson. “We started in mid-October and ended in mid-April.
If the builder can guarantee the house will be ready, we’ll look at the same timeframe for next year too.”
Bob and Gladys Burgess visited their new $890,000 home they won after their ticket was drawn Friday as the grand-prize winners of the Spruce Kings Show Home Lottery.
The Spruce Kings’ second Mega 50-50 $250,000 lotto is still ongoing with tickets on sale until May 22 at 10 p.m. The draw for that is on Friday, May 24 at 11:45 a.m. at Kopar Memorial Arena.
CLARKE Citizen staff
Goodsir Nature Park founder Jim Good to receive honorary degree from UNBC
Police confirm man reported missing March 27 was victim of homicide
Police have confirmed a Prince George man who went missing on March 27 was a homicide victim.
Prince George North District RCMP say the body discovered near the Bowron River west of Purden Lake was that of Edward Michael Milne.
Milne, 62, was last seen in downtown Prince George wearing a blue hoodie and dark/black pants.
Lifelong nature conservationist Jim Good, the founder of Goodsir Nature Park, is going back to school.
On Friday, May 31st in the afternoon convocation ceremony at UNBC, Good will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
Good realized his dream in 1989 when he opened Goodsir Nature Park, a 160acre botanical park 32 kilometres north of Prince George accessed by a network of walking trails that displays more than 3,000 plant species native to Canada,
“Growing up in Vancouver, I began collecting plant samples as a young boy of six or seven and by the time I was 13, I knew that I wanted to buy land someday,” said Good, in a UNBC release. “In 1973, I moved to Prince George to be closer to nature and I
set my sights on opening a park and sharing my interests with others.”
Good homesteaded on the property, where he raised his family on a modest janitor’s salary. His park features trees, shrubs and flowers Good has collected in the northern B.C. and on two cross-Canada trips.
Visitors have access to a picnic area, overnight campsites and two museums.
His collection of pressed plants, rocks and soil exhibits are on display in the Goodsir Botanical Museum. Music lovers of the golden era will enjoy the JL Good Vinyl Museum, which has 42,000 vinyl records, mostly 45s (singles) which Good plays on his radio station CGNP.
Admission to the park is by donation and for 35 years Good has freely given his time and shared his knowledge of botany with visitors. The park has become known as an educational hub
for the community, designated by the Canadian Botanical Conservatory.
It’s become a popular mecca for school-aged groups seeking an enjoyable place to visit and learn on field trips.
In 2022 Good received the BC Achievement Community Award for his dedication to conservation and his contributions to the community.
“Being a caretaker of this land has been my life’s work and sharing it with others has brought me immense joy,” said Good. “To now be receiving this honorary Doctor of Laws degree from UNBC in acknowledgement of my efforts is above and beyond the goals I set for myself as a young man.”
Good keeps a guest register at the park where a comment from a university student stands out among the hundreds written in that book, which reads:
‘Words fail me. A must for all of Canada to see.”
The RCMP are asking that anyone who traveled on Highway 16 East past the Bowron River rest stop between March 27th and 29th to call police if they have any information about vehicles parked in that area during that time.
As well, they are asking for anyone with dash camera footage between Prince George and Bowron River during those March dates to call the non-emergency number at 250-561-3300.
Milne’s death is the city’s third homicide of 2024.
unabrdged
Jim Good, founder of Goodsir Nature Park, will receive an honorary degree from UNBC at the afternoon convocation ceremony on Friday, May 31.
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
Spruce Kings look to be vastly improved next season
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
After completing one of their worstever seasons in 28 years as part of the B.C. Hockey League, the Prince George Spruce Kings are going back to the drawing board.
The team struggled all season putting wins together and their 18-353-0 eighth-place record is a sign that there’s much work to be done to rebuild the Spruce Kings to the gold standard that brought them their first BCHL championship in 2019.
The Kings’ season ended April 3rd in a 3-2 loss at Kopar Memorial Arena to the two-time-defending champion Penticton Vees as they swept Prince George in a four-game opening-round series.
Factoring in the two non-playoff years in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic, the Vees are the only team to hoist the Fred Page Cup since the Spruce Kings did it five years ago, after being league finalists in 2018.
Those glory years are not so distant memories for Kings fans, who have come to expect their team to be capable of beating any opponent on any given night. This season they clearly were not.
The Kings struggled to score goals with the league’s third-lowest scoring team and their goaltending woes resulted in a revolving door of candidates for the starting job, none of whom seized the opportunity with any authority. Kings GM Mike Hawes says the team needs to get better in every position.
“We knew we were going to be young and a bit inexperienced and we knew we’d take our lumps a little bit, maybe not as bad as we ended up doing in the regular season,” said Hawes.
“Our expectations are always higher than how we finished, it was definitely disappointing, not the way we drew it up. We’ll reload and try it again next year.”
The Kings lose six 2003-born players to graduation, including defenceman Kai Greaves, Amran Bhabra and Ben LeFranc, and forwards Kilian McGregor-Bennett, JR Perdion and Alexis Cournoyer.
“Fortunate for us, we have 19 guys eligible to return,” said Hawes.
The six graduating Spruce Kings gathered for a photo after their season ended April 3 with a playoff loss to the Penticton Vees at Kopar Memorial Arena. From left are Kilian McGregor-Bennett, Kai Greaves, JR Perdion, Alexis Cournoyer, Amran Bhabra and Ben LeFranc.
“Nineteen guys won’t return but it’s nice to have that many eligible and we’ll sit down with the coaches and decide which direction we’ll go.
“We need to add more skill, more scoring, more depth,” he said. “We need to play better in net and we need more size and more speed, the recruiting is going to be ultra-important this summer.
“What’s nice is there are a bunch of those returning guys we’re thrilled to have back next year and with a year of experience under their belt they’re only going to be that much better next year.”
Hawes knows the challenges of trying to build a championship-calibre team and the task of attracting top player talent is even more difficult now that the BCHL has absorbed five of the upper-echelon teams from the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
“The league got better, not only with the addition of those five really good teams in Alberta, but just the fact we went independent changed the landscape of recruiting and everything else,” said Hawes.
“In my 20 years in the league, this season was the most skilled and best quality of players that I’ve seen in the league. That’s a credit to the league and the job everybody’s done to have this evolve.
“We, as an organization, have to adapt to that and figure out a way to be successful within that landscape.
boundaries of Hockey Canada, having already pulled out of the Canadian Junior Hockey League in 2021, which ruled out BCHL teams from competing for the national junior A championship.
The move to ditch Hockey Canada was made to circumvent recruiting restrictions that prevented BCHL teams from signing under-18 players from outside of B.C. Now it doesn’t matter what province they are from, those U-18 players are free to join BCHL clubs rather than go to the United States to play for a USHL or NAHL team.
We have to put more resources towards scouting and identifying players that can come in here and help us be successful.”
Brooks Bandits, Sherwood Park Crusaders, Blackfalds Bulldogs, Spruce Grove Saints and Okotoks Oilers competed in the AJHL until late January, when it was leaked that they planned to defect to the BCHL next season.
The AJHL responded by suspending the five teams for the rest of their season and in February they began competing among themselves to finish out the regular season.
The playoff winner will face the BCHL champion in the Rocky Mountain Challenge playoff, a best-of-three series to be played May 31-June 2 at the home of the Alberta champion.
The five Alberta teams will be fullfledged members of what will be a 21-team league next season, with the Merritt Centennials dropping out of the BCHL to join the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.
Hawes was in Las Vegas last week scouting for the Spruce Kings at the USA Hockey-Chipotle Tier I 16U and 18U National Championships. This week he’s hosting 96 players in the Spruce Kings’ annual spring camp at Kopar Memorial Arena.
Next season will be the second in which the BCHL will operate as an independent league, outside the
BCHL teams are allowed to recruit as many as 10 Americans and two from outside North America. The only other restriction is each team must have at least two players from the Western branch, which includes B.C., Alberta, Yukon and Northwest Territories.
The BCHL is recognized for developing players for U.S. college hockey. There were 404 former BCHL players competing this past season in the NCAA - about one-quarter of the entire makeup of U.S. college teams.
Hawes plans to meet with team president David Keough to discuss restructuring the Spruce Kings organization and one of the topics will focus on the need to hire of a third coach to share the workload with head coach Alex Evin and associate coach Brad Tesink.
“I think we have to change with the times and do what other teams in the league are doing to be successful so some restructuring will be paramount for sure and an important part of the process as we move forward,” said Hawes.
Evin is heading into his eighth season coaching the Kings and third year as head coach. He has one year remaining in his contract and Hawes is not contemplating any coaching changes.
“Alex is an extremely hardworking guy and he isn’t solely responsible for the season we had,” said Hawes. “It’s a team effort and it starts with me and goes down through the coaches and into the players and none of us were good enough. “I’m happy with the job Alex is doing, him and Brad have been tremendous. They’re incredibly hardworking, progressive coaches and I’m happy with the job they’re doing.”
CLARK/SPRUCE KINGS
Recycling drop off at transfer stations to be put on hold
MARK NIELSEN Special to the Citizen
A multi-month interruption is looming for recycling drop off at Fraser-Fort George Regional District transfer stations as the service is about to go through a major revamp.
Effective May 31, the contractor who hauls the bins to and from the sites will be unable to continue, staff says in a report to directors.
In the wake, FFGRD directors accepted last Thursday an offer from Recycle BC to establish “principal collection depots” at the Quinn Street Regional Recycling Depot, the Mackenzie Select Waste Landfill and Regional Transfer Station, and the Valemount Regional Transfer Station.
“A timeline is being developed to determine when these depots would be operational. It is anticipated to be
sometime this fall,” reads an FFGRD press release issued Thursday.
As well, FFGRD staff is working with Recycle BC to determine what other sites would satisfy the body’s criteria for principal and satellite collection depots, “but these sites may not be identified and operational until closer to the end of the year.”
The service is currently in place at 16 sites across the FFGRD.
FFGRD board chair Lara Beckett preached patience and suggested something better will emerge in the aftermath.
“For 30 years, we’ve had recycling services in a partnership within our regional district and now this change is going to be fairly dramatic for communities out there,” Beckett said during the directors’ meeting last Thursday.
“Partnering with Recycle BC is an opportunity to expand the kind of
New off-leash dog park coming to College Heights
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
Work will start this week on a new off-leash dog park that will be located adjacent to the community ice rink on Southridge Avenue between St. Anthony Crescent and Dakelh Ti.
The spot was chosen for its off-street parking and central location.
The construction that starts this week includes general utility and earthworks, final surface grading and fence installation.
The budget for this project comes from the $75,000 approved 2024 capital funding for the Off Leash Area program.
The goal is to open the park by early summer.
Residents are reminded of the pet park regulations:
• Dogs must remain under the owner’s control and supervision.
• With the exception of designated off-leash park areas, all pets must be on a leash when in public.
• Owners must carry a leash with them at all times.
• Use the pet waste stations.
• Observe pet etiquette rules and all other rules and regulations when visiting a park with pets.
For more information on offleash parks visit Pets & Off-Leash Areas | City of Prince George.
materials that we will be collecting, that we did not do before, and that’s going to be including Styrofoam, soft plastics and glass, which I think is a really nice thing to see and offer for our communities.
“So there will be a gap in recycling collection at all of our transfer stations after May 31st, so bins as we know them and see them will be gone until we can get this new agreement and collection service set up with Recycle BC.
“We’re asking everyone out there to be patient. We have more questions about what the system will look like. We’re starting with these three locations and we’ll be looking to see what we might do beyond that in the future.”
Curbside collection within Prince George will remain unaffected and residents living outside city limits will still be able to use the Vance Road
and Hart Highway Return-It Centres.
And cardboard recycling will continue to be up and running in McBride, Mackenzie and Valemount.
“Just asking people for their patience as we put this new system in place and look forward to expanded number of items that we can collect in the future,” Beckett added.
Recycle BC is the “appointed stewardship agency” mandated to manage packaging and paper product recycling across the province.
“Partnering with Recycle BC would see a change in how the service is delivered in the RDFFG’s transfer station network, with a reduction of this service at some sites, but an expansion at others,” staff says in a report to directors. “Further, it would shift some of the costs of this program from the RDFFG to Recycle BC as is intended under the Recycling Regulation.”
Uncle Fester up to the usual shenanigans during The Addams Family Musical
Pawluk said they took their inspiration from some of their old teachers.
“I sort of slammed everything into one body and it kind of worked,” Pawluk smiled.
Uncle Fester isn’t scared to do what he wants, they added.
“He has a meticulous plan, he knows how to set it into motion and he knows exactly how to do it, when to do it and where to do it,” Pawluk said.
“And I think that is amazing.”
Pawluk understands what it takes to make a plan and sticking to it. They have had a career trajectory planned since Grade 5.
“My plan has always been to become a teacher,” Pawluk said. “I was split between math and drama and then I got to Grade 7 and realized that theatre arts was a thing and I got really excited and into drama and since then I’ve been planning to get my drama degree, then my teaching degree and then a psychology degree to either become a drama teacher or a psychology teacher.”
When Pawluk took on last year’s Cinderella role it was dialogue heavy and she already knew how to play the sassy character. This year’s Uncle Fester is less of a talker and more of an action taker so Pawluk feels they can develop the character more thoroughly.
“So this year I had the opportunity to do more character development than I did last year,” Pawluk said.
The 62-member cast and crew and 15 teacher-volunteers are one big family, they added.
“I don’t think people will understand what I mean by that until they come to see the musical,” Pawluk said.
“And I think that’s the coolest thing in the world.”
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
Duchess Park Secondary School’s Theatre Company is presenting The Addams Family Musical until April 27 and the play is filled with all the quirky characters audiences would expect.
Ollie Pawluk, Grade 12 student, who played combative Cinderella in last year’s spoofy play, Game of Tiaras, is taking on the role of Uncle Fester in the Addams Family this year.
Pawluk said it’s the first time they have taken on the challenge of a male role and it took a bit to get into the character.
“Not going to lie, it took me a minute to realize how to do it,” Pawluk said. “Because I’ve only ever played female-presenting characters, I never actually had the chance to take on a male role, and when I got one I went ‘oh, great, now what?’”
The Addams Family Musical runs until April 27 in the Duchess Park Secondary School Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students. Special half price matinee Saturday, April 27. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., show starts at 1 p.m.
All tickets are on sale at the box office in the school at lunch times (cash only) and after school (cash/ debit). Tickets are also on sale one hour before the show begins (cash/ debit) unless there is a sellout.
Ollie Pawluk plays Uncle Fester in the Duchess Park Secondary School Theatre Company production of The Addams Family Musical hits the stage until April 27.
What’s happening in PG
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
BC Old Time Fiddlers Family Dance goes Friday, April 26 at 7 p.m. downstairs at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. The Family Dance and Ice Cream Social is part of the Old Time Fiddlers annual Spring Jamboree and everyone is welcome. Dance the old-time dances to live fiddle music, take part in group dances (with instruction) and make an ice cream sundae on break. Cost is $10 at the door. Free to Jamboree registrants and under 18 with parents’ supervision. ***
Junk in the Trunk goes Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at CN Centre parking lot. This is Prince George’s largest garage sale with 125 vendors. This event goes rain or shine. ***
Spring Fiddle Jamboree goes Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28 at the Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. This is a BC Old Time Fiddlers’ event featuring four award-winning instructors including Alex Kusturok, Chloe Davidson, Nolan Murray and Bruce Coughlan who will provide two days of top notch workshops in four levels of fiddle and intermediate guitar. Cost is $250 or $200 before April 10. This includes two days of instruction, lunches and snacks, Friday night dance and reduced Saturday night concert ticket. For more information or to register visit www. bcfiddlers@gmail.com/prince-george, email pgfiddlers@gmail.com or call (250) 565-1025. ***
BC Old Time Fiddlers’ Fiddle Concert goes Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m., at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave., featuring four award-winning musicians, including Metis Master Fiddler Alex Kusturok, Kelowna fiddler-singer-songwriter Chloe Davidson, Tiller’s Folley-Whisky Minstrels musicians Nolan Murray and Bruce Coughlan who will present a concert you won’t soon forget. Concert tickets for adults are $35 and $20 for children 5 - 17 and Jamboree Registrants (4 and under free). To purchase
tickets for the concert e-transfer to pgfiddlers@gmail.com or purchase tickets at Books & Co or at the door.
***
2024 Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast goes Saturday, April 27 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre. Enjoy breakfast and a gathering with local leaders and the wider Christian community as together guests will bless the city. Guest speaker is Poncho Murguia. He is from Jaurez Mexico, which was previously the murder capital of the world. He will share how prayer and the gospel are changing his city. To purchase tickets for $30 each visit ticketspice.com/2024-prince-georgemayors-prayer-breakfast.
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Westcoast Amusements Carnival comes to Prince George May 2 to 5 at CN Centre with rides, games and traditional fair foods both sweet and savoury.
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Northern FanCon 10th anniversary event goes May 3 to 5 at CN Centre featuring everyone’s favourite stars, artists, vendors and will see workshops, panels and more. For tickets visit www.ticketsnorth.ca/event/ northern-fancon.
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FanCon After Dark Primetime Wrestling goes Saturday, May 4 at 7 pm in Kin 3 Kin 3 Arena to see some of the
including art classes for drawing, water colour pencils, pen and ink, alcohol inks, water colours, oils, acrylics and mixed media. Gift certificates will be available.
***
Open Mic Nights are presented at Cait’s Sweet Bites & Beanery, 3831 Austin Road West in the Hart Shopping Centre, from 7 to 9 p.m. every second Wednesday of the month. People are invited to share their songs and music, poetry, comedy in a casual setting to try something new. Everyone is welcome to attend as a participant or a supportive audience member. For more information email devon.w.flynn@gmail.com.
***
best independent wrestling in Canada. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Scrapbook zone on 18th Ave or at J&A Stereo+. Tickets are $25 each, including taxes and fees.
***
Full Bloom presented by Nove Voce goes Saturday, May 11 at 7 p.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 3590 Dufferin Ave. Join Nove Voce for a celebration of spring at Full Bloom, as they present The Secret Wisdom of Flowers, an eight-song cycle from Canadian composer Laura Hawley, along with many favourites to shepherd in the growing season of flora, rebirth, and love. Commemorate the evening in a photobooth with a spring floral backdrop, with beautiful crepe flowers available for purchase from local artist Kim Hayhurst. You can also enter a draw for a beautiful locally-sourced gift basket. Tickets available at www.eventbrite.ca, search Full Bloom.
***
Prince George Artists’ Co-op Open House goes Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the old Crown Market, 3955 John Hart Highway. There are many pieces of art by some very talented artists for sale during the event. There are refreshments including sweet treats to enjoy while meeting some of the artists on site. Information will be provided about what the Artists’ Co-op has to offer
Craft & Chat at the Prince George Public Library is presented by Great Northwest Fibre Fest organizers who are hosting this fibre crafting group every Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. on the second floor in the magazine corner. This is a free drop-in group and everyone – all ages, all experience levelsare welcome to attend.
***
Omineca’s Coffee House Open Stage every Sunday 369 Victoria Street from 3 to 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome to step up and share their talents, stories and art forms of all kinds including but not limited to musical, literary, comedic and performative expressions of our diverse community. Refreshments and snacks by donation. Sign up is on site. There are some house instruments provided but feel free to bring your own creative tools for expression. First timers and emerging artists are encouraged to experiment and collaborate with others. Please share and invite friends and family to build audience, engage and cheer on local artists in a fun, relaxed and safe environment.
***
If you’ve got an event coming up email me at cdalgleish@pgcitizen.ca to offer details including name of the event, the date, time and location, ticket price and where to get them and a little bit about what’s happening, too. (LOCF)
Full Bloom presented by Nove Voce goes Saturday, May 11 at 7 p.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 3590 Dufferin Avenue.
Throwback Thursday: Week of April 25
Friendly Bugs
A wonderful Dave Milne photo in the April 23, 2004, edition of the Citizen showed city integrated pest management coordinator Cynthia Rebman releasing 3,000 ladybugs from the city greenhouse under the watchful eye of two-legged ladybugs Haleigh Wilson and Courtney Rose.
Anybody know where Cyndi Hampson is today?
She was on the front page of the Citizen 50 years ago, when she was 16.
Mergenthaler Monster
There was a large ad promoting the Citizen’s printing services in the April 26, 1954, edition of the Citizen.
“The Mergenthaler Model 32 Bluestreak Linotype, equipped with 12 different varieties of type to speed your operation” looks positively space age.
The best part is the Citizen’s phone number at the bottom of the ad?
67. That’s it.
You can find more
The front page of the April 25, 1974, edition show her with her pants rolled up, carrying her shoes and walking barefoot through a lake of water on Ferry Avenue.
Or how about postal worker Agnes Thompson, seten on the front page of the April 26, 1974, edition of the Citizen (with a jaunty Canada Post hat), accompanying a story that post office workers were back to work after a labour dispute.
Neil Godbout is the former editor of the Citizen and a current member of the Prince George Heritage Commission.
about his date by scanning here here
Healthy North
ER Alternatives
There are steps you can take to help avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency department. Patients who aren’t sure whether their condition would warrant an emergency room visit, or who need health advice can call HealthLink BC (8-1-1) for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists 24/7. For non-urgent care, use community health services including making an appointment with your family practitioner.
• Patients can also call the NH Virtual Clinic at 1-844-645-7811 to access a family doctor or nurse practitioner. Northernhealth.ca/locations/medical-clinics/virtual-clinic
• B.C. residents can book appointments to see a pharmacist for 21 minor ailments and prescription contraceptives: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/ pharmacy-services
• FNHA Virtual Doctor of the Day: Fnha.ca/what-we-do/ehealth/virtual-doctor-of-the-day
If you are concerned about a possible poisoning or exposure to a toxic substance, call Poison Control at 1-800-567-8911.
If at any time you believe you require urgent medical attention, do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 for transportation to the nearest hospital accepting patients. For more information about service interruptions visit: Northernhealth.ca/health-information/community-toolkit/service-interruptions
NH Connections 60+
Traveling across BC can be difficult for seniors. Long trips and driving at night can be dangerous for some. To make things easier for seniors in our communities, Northern BC residents 60 and older can now ride the NH Connections bus with or without a medical reason. Visit family, see a show, or get much needed medical assistance. Call 1-888-647-4997 to speak with our Connections booking staff to get all the details
Imagine Grants – Final reminder
One week left to get your applications in! This is your final reminder to apply for an IMAGINE Community Grant of up to $10,000 to support health and wellness in your community! Apply now: northernhealth.ca/services/healthy-living-in-communities/imagine-grants. Deadline to apply is Friday, May 10.
HOW TO PLAY:
Fill in thegrid so that everyrow, everycolumnand every3x3 boxcontains thenumbers1through 9onlyonce.
Each 3x3box is outlined with adarker line. You already have afew numbers to get you started Remember: you must not repeat thenumbers 1through 9inthe same line, columnor3x3 box.
Life Events
REMEMBRANCES
Memorial Services
Memorial service for
Ian Andrew Leslie
Will be held on Saturday, April 27th at 12:00 pm at the Campbell picnic area at Ness Lake. Signs will be posted along Chief Lake Rd.
Pellizzari
A celebration of life for John will be on Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 1-3PM at the PG Italian Club, 1209 5th Ave.
Casual drop-in to share memories and celebrate
Elizabeth Dahne Gorst
Oct 23, 1990 - Mar 28, 2023
A year, a day, the same - I miss you always “Bibbits”. Love, Mom.
Thank you again to those who gathered to pay respect to Elizabeth and for the generosity and support of Eva Laine/family, and Ross/family, and the caring insightful tribute shared by Della.
In Memory of Jarred A. J. Goyer
May 6, 1998 to May 6, 1999
Happy Birthday Sweetie,
You will always be with us forever.
Miss you so much Love you always Grandma and Grandpa XXX OOO
In memory of Mom Eileen E. Hoagland
October 13 1928 to April 28, 2018
Well 6 years and we still miss you Mom. You will always be with us.
Love you forever John, Candee, and Mark
Patrick Joseph Caden
May 12, 1978 to April 26, 2021
Missed every single day. Loved forever
MARY HUSBAND
R0011949502
3.00x77.0-4C PG11 / 677475
Our dear Neil, you have gone from our sight & our touch, but not from our hearts and our memories. Our world has not been the same without you. You are missed each day.
In Loving Memory of Neil
Husband
June 25, 1963 April 26, 2016
Love you always, your wife Mary xxoo
Your children, Andrew, Victoria & Nicholas
John
In Memoriam
Callie-anne Lyn DaSilva
January 18, 1993 - April 13, 2024
Callie-anne Lyn DaSilva passed away suddenly on April 13, 2024. She left behind her family and friends.
We will miss you Callie. You will always be in our hearts.
In loving memory of Sandra (Sandy) Blight
(Nee Birkett)
June 18, 1948 - April 4, 2024
by her loving daughter, Stacey manuik, five grandchildren, in bir th der, Alexis Romanuik, Cole Blight, Nicholas Romanuik, Dean and Luke Hawrish Blight, sister Janet Birkett, brother-in-law, Jim Blight, Don’s family in Brandon Manitoba, sisterin-law, Betty, niece, Lisa (Brian), nephews, Kyle (Sue), Chris (Jake), one great nephew, four great nieces and special family member Jodi Fanshaw Blight.
Predeceased by son Dar yle (2014), brother Ron (2015) and her husband and best friend of 51 years, Don (2017).
ndy felt very fortunate to have her nder ful family and the most wonder ful friends to share her joy in life.
Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family at www.CypressFuneral.ca.
Arrangements entrusted to CYPRESS FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES®
Vernon 250-558-0866 & Armstrong 250-546-7237
REMEMBRANCES
In Loving Memory of Elizabeth Dahne Gorst
October 23rd, 1990 Prince George, BCMarch 28th, 2023 Abbotsford, BC
Elizabeth was predeceased by her dad Eldon Fidler She is survived by her mom Bonnie-Lou Fidler and her sister Eva-Laine Myers (Darrel, Grace and Logan) and numerous relatives.
Bigger, Brighter, Stronger
As a small child of less than two years, Elizabeth was running in the backyard.
She stopped suddenly and pointed her little finger up. It was a butterfly.
She stayed perfectly still, in wide eyed wonder until the butterfly flew away and then she clapped.
Throughout her life, she had a special affinity for butterflies, finding them in nature wherever she was. She seemed to sense (or hear or feel) a butterfly’s presence before anyone else.
She loved them and could draw from memory butterflies she had seen, recreating the colours perfectly. You could often hear her singing and humming bits and pieces of Love is Like a Butterfly. She shared with her mom the story of how butterflies journeyed so far away and overcame so much hardship and still managed to find their way home, bigger, brighter, stronger.
Recently, Elizabeth told her mom that “in spite of this bad thing that happened here, I still want to see this through and come home a bigger, brighter, stronger butterfly.”
If you sense the lightest brush of a feathery breeze past your cheek, that may be Elizabeth bringing you some love.
Fly free Elizabeth. Bigger, brighter, stronger.
“Your laughter brings me sunshine
Everyday is spring time...
How precious is this love we share How very precious, sweet and rare
Together we belong like daffodils and butterflies. Love is like a butterfly As soft and gentle as a sigh... It flutters like soft wings in flight
Love is like a butterfly, a rare and gentle thing”.
-Dolly Parton
At her Grade 7 Graduation, Elizabeth sang
I will remember you, will you remember me?
Yes, Elizabeth, we will remember you.
Obituaries
Conn, Milton L.
August 9, 1948 -April 4, 2024
With heavy hearts, we are sad to announce the passing of Milton Conn on April 4, 2024. Milton was born and raised in Prince George and was agreat husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. At ayoung age, Milt found his lifelong passion and love for hot rods, race cars, classic cars, and anything with wheels and an engine, which he then passed down to his sons and grandchildren. Milt’s career was dedicated to the petroleum industry for the past 50-plus years. Many nights were spent in the legendary GARAGE, having beers with his buddies and working on cars. Milt was amember of multiple car clubs, including Crusin Classics, Black Toppers, Vintage Car Club, alifetime member of PGARA Speedway and others. Milt was predeceased by his parents, Lloyd and Day (Ada) Conn. He is survived by his wife and best friend for over 40 years, Rae-Anne; sons Aaron (Shelma) and Jason (Ginny); grandchildren Caleb, Corbin, Carson and Aiden; the only girl in the Conn family, Jenna Day; and brothers Rodney and Reid. We would like to thank the staff at PCMU. Words can not describe the compassionate care of the home Hospice staff that helped through this difficult time.
Acelebration of life will be held at the HartPioneer Center on Friday, May 24, 2024, starting at 1:00pm. A"MILTY" cruise will be held before the celebration of life, starting at the BCR CO-OPat11:30am to the HartPioneer Center CHEERS, MILT!!! THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES.
REMEMBRANCES
Bernard Joseph Martin
1938-2024
Bernard Joseph Martin passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 14, 2024 surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was born on February 3, 1938 in Islay, Alberta. He leaves behind his wife Edith who he was married to for over 60 years, children Stephen (Kerri), Louise (Tim), Cheryl (Scott) and Dean (Melanie). He was Papa to Lorin, Quinn, Brooklyn, Megan, Alexa, Gracie, Joel, Andie and Aaron and he was very proud of each of them.
In his words, “I lived a great life”. He loved watching curling and the Blue Jays and solving the puzzles on Wheel of Fortune.
Special thanks to the amazing staff at UHNBC Hospital, especially Dr. Thompson and the nurses in Emergency and IMU.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Spirit of the North Foundation.
Funeral mass will be held at Christ Our Savior Catholic Church- 4514 W. Austin Rd on Friday, April 19, 2024 at 11 am with luncheon to follow.
Charlotte Link
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother & great greatgrandmother on Tuesday April 9, 2024 in the lower mainland. She was surrounded by her children and several grandchildren in her last hours and was a blessing to all of us to the end. Her family is so grateful for her love and guidance in her journey on earth for 97 years and look forward to meeting again. She went to join her husband Arnold Link who went before her July 8, 2009 and grandson Jaymes April 4, 1979. Family meant everything to her. Mom will be so missed by her ‘kids’ Beatrix (Jim) Plumridge, Edgar (Suzanne), Charlotte (Harry) Groot, Peter, Arnold (Michelle), Maria (Grant) Coates as well as grandchildren Kris (Stephanie) Plumridge, Lisa (Jeff) Holland, Trina Patricia (Dean) Link, Theresa (Joe) Iwanicki, Matthew Link, Jana (Jon) Seinen, Derek (Megan) Groot, Lucas (Annette) Groot, Amanda Link, Christy Link, Brendan Link, Sean Vauclair, Nicholas (Robyn) Vauclair, Kevin Coates and Nicole (Sam) Coates and great grandchildren Morgan (Dakota) Porsnuk, Kirsten (Duncan) Plumridge, Carter Holland, Brett Holland, Charlotte Iwanicki, Elizabeth Iwanicki, Liam Seinen, Sydney Seinen, Sawyer Seinen, Evie Groot, Kingsley and Kendall Skwira, Dominick, Dylan and Jaxon Vauclair, Jordyn Macadams, Natalie Vauclair, and great great grandchildren, Dayton & Dallas Porsnuk.
A celebration of life will be held in Prince George on August 10th, 2024.
Wayne Allan Karlson
July 19, 1953 - March 22, 2024
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Wayne, our son, brother, Uncle.
Wayne was born in Manning, Alberta. When he was 4 years old, the family moved to Prince George, where he grew up and went to school. After high school, Wayne worked at various jobs in the logging industry. He then seemed to find a good fit at Domtar (Stella Jones) where he worked for over 40 years.
Wayne enjoyed fishing, hiking, mushroom picking and camping. At home he did some very intricate woodworking, he also enjoyed his wildlife visitors, especially the chickadees who greeted him every morning. He loved his family, friends and his Jeep.
On March 22, 2024, his big heart stopped beating, leaving a great void in our lives. He is missed by mother Benita, brother Larry (Margaret), sister Laurie and all the nieces, nephews, cousins and everyone else whose lives he touched.
He was predeceased by his father Esko, sister Dianne and brother Leonard.
REMEMBRANCES
GALINIS,
Ruth Louise (née Smith)
April 11, 1926 - April 7, 2024
Ruth Galinis passed away peacefully at the Kelowna Hospice House in the early hours of April 7, 2024, at the age of 97. She is lovingly remembered by her son, Tom of Port Moody, and daughter, Joanne (Greg), and grandchildren, Cameron, Emma, Jacob and Julia Ursel of Calgary and Ottawa. Predeceased by her husband, Albert; father, George, mother, Lillian; sisters Margaret, Wilda, and Ethel; and brothers Edward and George. She will be dearly missed by relatives and friends in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and PEI. Ruth was born April 11, 1926, in Woodstock, Ontario and after graduating from high school at 16, she went to work for the Massey-Harris Tractor Company. In 1950, she moved to Prince George, BC where she met her husband, Albert, marrying him in August 1952. She initially worked in the Prince George government offices and then as a legal secretary with the law firm of Wilson King. In 1973, she moved with her family when Albert was transferred to Kelowna. Ruth was very active in the U.C.W. groups of Knox United Church in Prince George and St. Paul’s United Church in Kelowna. She was a volunteer at K.G.H. in Emergency; the BC Cancer Clinic; and as a St Paul’s United Pastoral Care member, she was a frequent visitor to Cottonwoods LTC. She loved talking with people of all ages, enjoyed her Thursday coffee meetings at the Capri Mall with the girls, and had a passion for growing African Violets. The family would like to thank the medical staff in Emergency at Kelowna General Hospital; the medical staff on Ward 4A of K.G.H.; the nursing staff of Kelowna Hospice House for their care and compassion in the last days of her life; and the staff of I.H.R. Senior’s Mental Health. Special thanks to Drs. Wickstrom and Swart for the wonderful care they gave Ruth for many years. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society (cancer.ca) or the charity of choice.A Celebration of Life will be held on WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2024, at 10:00 AM, at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME: 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. Interment will take place at Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com
Audrey Dale Ebert (Oulton)
Born: October 3, 1944
Passed Away: April 14, 2024 (Age 79)
Mom grew up in Smithers where she met and married Dad (Harold). After marriage they moved to Prince George where they started their family. As a family they travelled to a variety of countries and lived in Chile, Iran, and Indonesia. They enjoyed many years in Granisle, and enjoyed boating and fishing on Babine Lake.
Mom enjoyed gardening, curling, golfing, carpet bowling, playing Bridge, sewing, crocheting, a variety of other crafts, and was an avid reader.
She was a member of the 4th Avenue Senior’s Centre, and loved her out of town trips with her carpet bowling team. In her later years she looked forward to her weekly Bridge games with friends. She loved having her family close to her.
We will miss you mom!
She is pre-deceased by her husband Harold; son Curtis Ebert; Baby Daughter; parents Roy and Annie Oulton; new-mom Florence Oulton; brother Darwin Oulton; and sisters Bev Carlson, Irene Johnson, and Helen Bruhjell.
She is survived by her daughters Lynn Sample (Ken), Janette Dixon (Paul), and Liz Ebert (Gerard); brother Mark Oulton (Teresa); grandchildren Krystal (Dan), Kathy (Jeremiah), Tyler (Tiffany), Cassie (Tristan), and Brittany (Seth); great-grandchildren Devlin, Ayden, Bella, Ava, Adalyn, James, Keegan, Evelyn, and Rhett; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends made over the years.
We would like to thank Uncle Bill for his time spent with mom during her last few days in hospital.
No service will be held as requested. In lieu of donations, mom would be thrilled if you planted a bulb, flower, shrub, or tree in her honour.
Raymond (Ray) Charles Hathaway
February 22, 1942 to April 17, 2024
We are sad to announce the passing of Ray Hathaway on April 17th, 2024. Ray passed at home after a short battle with cancer with family by his side which was his wish. The family is so thankful for that.
He will be missed by his family - Daughters, Karen and Shawna (Shayne); Grandchildren, Kristina (Brad), Cody and Devin (Kaelin); GreatGranchildren, Jeffrey and Kyle; Siblings, Gary (Ella) and Donald; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his Mother Edna and Sister Susanna, Wife Sharon and Father Douglas.
The friendships he made in Prince George were everlasting. His new family brought him in and made his life whole. He travelled the world enjoying his passion, golf, and was forever thankful for those precious times with precious friends.
Ray always just wanted to fish and golf. He carried his golf bag and fishing gear at all times in his car always ready and up for 9 or 18 holes, or to throw a few lines into any creek or river he came across in his travels.
Ray was known for his sense of humour, quick wit and stubbornness, along with a few other quirky traits. Along with his brutal honestly, everyone who knew him knew exactly where he stood! Underneath that rough exterior was a man that deeply loved his family and friends, and would do anything to be there for them.
Ray’s service will be held at the Prince George Funeral Service located at 1014 Douglas Street, Prince George, BC, on Saturday, April 27th at 11:00 p.m. A celebration of life will follow.
Andre
Hirschberg
April 30, 1979 –March 24, 2024
Andre Hirschberg passed away unexpectedly on March 24, 2024. Born in Prince George in 1979, Andre grew up loving the outdoor life. He enjoyed exploring back country roads, hanging out at lakes, fishing on his own or with friends, and finding new scenic adventure spots. He had a talent for making people laugh and finding the humour in everyday circumstances. A food connoisseur, Andre loved sourcing new recipes and new things to try; among his many favourites were fiddleheads, blutwurst, kimchi, and above all, sushi. Predeceased by his mother Brigitte and father Leo, Andre is survived by his sister Sonya; Auntie Gloria and Uncle Laurie; his best buddies of more than 30 years, Jay, Steve and Dana; and numerous family in Germany.
Andre - we love you very very much, you are going to be so missed.
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Floor Installation Homes & Offices Carpeting, Hardwood, Vinyl, Tile, Epoxy, etc. Your satisfaction is our goal Call Erik’s Expert Flooring (250) 301-3039
5X5 round hay bales, $275 each- net wrapped, barn stored. 250-614-6667 2011 8400 QUAD Lamtrac Mulcher. M11 Cummins engine, 4000 hrs. $165,000. 250-614-6667 or 250-568-2338
For Sale -Two (2) 2018 Kenworth T800 Tri-dem IXS550 Cummins dump trucks 21.5” gravel boxes & wet kits, near new rubber. $230,000.00 each. (250)614-6667
BUYING ALL SILVER! WANTED 9999 BULLION, BARS, COINS, ROUNDS, ALL SILVER COINS, PRE 1968 COINS, ROYAL CANADIAN MINT COINS, FRANKLIN MINT SETS, OLD STERLING SILVER, COIN COLLECTIONS +++ ALSO BUYING GOLD!!! TODD 25O 864 3521
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BIRCH Firewood in 20 foot lengths. Delivered by dumptruck load. $1100. or bucked to length $1300 per load delivered 250614-6667
models, old, new, damaged or parts req’d. Top prices paid. For viewing call 250-612-1808 Available 24/7
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REVOLVING TRAY JEWELRY DISPLAY CABINETS Top lock and locking back slide doors 36” wide X 42” high 5 Available. $350 each Negotiable on all five. 250-612-1828
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BUYING COIN COLLECTIONS! OLD COINS, ROYAL CANADIAN MINT COINS, OLD PAPER MONEY, GOLD COINS, SILVER COINS, COIN SETS, COLLECTOR COINS, WORLD MONEY COLLECTIONS, FRANKLIN MINT SETS, ALL 9999 BULLION, COINS, BARS, INGOTS, WAFERS, MAPLE LEAFS ++++ TODD 25O 864 3521
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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
The Caledonia Nordic Ski Club (CNSC) is looking to complete apaving project (June -Oct 2024) for the biathlon area &~2.5km of trails for roller skiing. The project will include subgrade preparation, laying of sub-base &asphalt. Please email CNSC General Manager ,J ohn Bo wes (gm@caledonianordic.com), and interested companies will then be provided with the RFP documents. There will be amandatory site visit in mid-May (date/time TBD). Proposals are due by Friday, May 24, 2024, 11:59pm.
WE AREHIRING!
NorthwestChild DevelopmentCentreisexpanding rapidly, andweare lookingfor skilled, passionate individualstojoinour team –spanning from Vanderhoof to Terrace, we have open positions within ourteams!
Relocation,recruitment,and retentionbonuses availablefor theright person!Wewillholdmeet andgreetsfollowedbyonsiteinterviewsin
Prince George throughout themonths of Apriland May2024.
PositionsAvailable:
Atlin/ DeaseLakeArea
Occupational Therapist
SpeechLanguagePathologist
Smithers /Hazeltons /Houston
DevelopmentalConsultant
Supported Child& YouthConsultant
Supported Child& YouthWorkerx2
SupportWorker
TherapyAssistant
EarlyYears Family Resource Navigator
BurnsLake/ Vanderhoof /FortSt. James
Physiotherapist
Occupational Therapist
Want to learnmore?
ReachusatHR@nwcdc.ca
Do yourequire accommodation during theapplicant andrecruitment phase? Please contactus.
NWCDCiscommitted to diversity, equity and inclusionthroughoutthe recruitment and employment process.
THIS WEEKEND! GARAGE SALES
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
April 26th and 27th. 10am-4pm 1207 Bowron Cres Items include:
Sporting equipment - skis, snowshoes, rackets, ball equipment etc.
Tools, Toys, Household utensils, House decor Books, LPs, cds, PS3, movies, Furniture
List of items available SATURDAY This space $30
SATURDAY
DATE TIME LOCATION
List of items available
This space $60 DATE
List of items available SATURDAY This space $30
HOROSCOPES
ARIES
It can take alot of work to strike theright work-lifebalance. You’ll have to juggle your schedule to balance work and family responsibilities without disappointing your nearest and dearest, who could be rather demanding
TAURUS
Youmight go on aspontaneous romantic trip this week. You’ll need to take astep backtomake adifficult decision andsort out yourthoughts so you can confidentlymove forward.Don’tforget to incorporate some fun into your daily routine.
GEMINI
Youmay need to re-evaluate some ofyour friendships this week. Some of yourfriends mayretur nthe money they owe you,which could help ease some tension.
CANCER
An errorinaninvoice will requireyour attention. Youmay have to devotetime to rectifying the situation andobtaining the appropriate reimbursement. Sometimes,you musttakeaction to correcteven the slightest injustice
LEO
Your efforts to be healthier will be rewarded byanappropriate treatment or anew diet offering visibleresults.You’re on the right tracktoimproveyour physicaland mental well-being.
VIRGO
You’ll be surprised by asuddenincrease in popularity withyour clientsand on social media. If you’resingle,you’ll also noticethat people competefor your attention.
LIBRA
SUDOKU
Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a Sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.
PUZZLE ANSWERS ON SEPARATE PAGE
1. Excessively theatrical actors
Your family will be topofmindthisweek. Your nearest anddearest couldbeasking formore attentionthan usual. Youmay plan to move if you’renolongercomfortable in yourhome.
SCORPIO
5. Footwear
10. A way to disfigure
14. Exchange rate
15. Hawaiian wreaths
Extremely angry
A short note of what’s
Try to grab
U.S.-born individuals
Some are covert
Order of the British Empire
Travel is becoming more complicated,and communication isn’t always clear. Your directness andhonesty will significantly impact your colleagues or sociallife. You don’twaste time beating around the bush, andalthough somepeoplemay be offended, it’s howyou maintain yourpeaceofmind.
SAGITTARIUS
Famed wrestler
Partner to cheese
Slang for
Youmay face some delays at work thisweek. Take some time to slowdowninsteadof getting anxious. Focusyour effortstowork more efficiently and complete your tasks on time.
Don’t know when yet
AQUARIUS
Payment (abbr.)
Winged angelic being
Youmight have to cover for an absent colleagueatwork, which could cause some stress.However,thiscould lead to a promotion in the future.
Variety of Chinese
A way to be anxious
Youmay face somefinancial issuesthis week, butdon’t worry.You canresolvethese problems by confronting themdirectly. Take sometimetorelax andindulge in some selfcare
PISCES
You’ll have to speak in front of an audience or on social media. You’ll feel acertain satisfaction afterreceiving positive feedback However,some peoplewill disagreewith you, so be prepared to face criticism, too.
CAPRICORN
Frocks
Ireland
Choose your FRONT DOOR with care
Your front door serves both as protection against the outside and insulation for your home. Of course, you also want a door that you like the look of and that goes well with the rest of your home. Here are a few tips to help you make the right choice.
The most popular material for front doors is steel. Easy to maintain and durable, it also gives excellent value for money. In addition, it’s ideal for all architectural styles. You like the look of wood? While a wooden door can add curb appeal to your property, it’s going to be less effective as far as in-
sulation is concerned. If you go ahead with wood, be sure to use the latest in weather stripping, which is more efficient than it used to be. Many wooden doors have also been designed to prevent warping with time.
Are you looking for a durable material that is resistant to shocks, cracking and warping?
Fiberglass will meet all these expectations. This type of door is almost indestructible and doesn’t require maintenance, but it is more expensive than steel. Stores now also stock PVC doors with excellent energy efficiency. They are resistant to weather-wear, scratching
and UV rays, but they’re more expensive than steel doors.
If you want to customize your front door, you can opt for one with a stained glass window. Bear in mind that the bigger the window, the less efficient the insulation will be, although double glazing will help provide more energy efficiency.
Now all you have to do is choose the type of door that suits you best.
perfect front door is practical and attractive.
The
Simple and effective STORAGE SOLTIONS
You need more space? It feels as though you never finish tidying up? What you need are some new storage solutions. There are loads of ways to reorganize your closets, including the addition of removable wire shelves or opting for hanging rods and customized shelves.
Your bed can also be a handy storage tool. If you’re buying a new bed, choose one with integrated drawers or simply use the space under your bed to store clearly identified boxes. If you’re desperate for more space, you could also opt for a Murphy bed that can be transformed into a desk during the day. Free up your nightstands by opting for pendant lights.
Keep things tidy with a coat rack in your front hall and a remote control organizer on the couch. Do you have piles of shoes, ties, belts and accessories hanging around your bedroom? Hang a shoe organizer inside a closet or buy a shoe rack. Use drawer divi ders to organize all your accessories.
Are the kids’ toys always in the wrong place? Get a decorative wall storage unit to put in their bedroom. Your kitchen cabinets are overflowing? Hang your pots and pans on a ceiling rack. You don’t know where to put all your spices? Why not install a spice rack in one of your kitchen cabinets instead of leaving the bottles or bags out on the counter?
Store your bathroom products in attractive containers and replace the towel bar with hooks so that you can hang more towels without taking up more space.
Follow these tips, and you’ll no longer waste time searching for lost items and feeling discouraged because your home is in a constant mess.
You want to sell your home as quickly as possible? Steal the best tricks from home staging specialists for a quick sale.
Start by making your home more welcoming. Good lighting is the secret, so don’t be afraid to open curtains and blinds to create as many sources of light as possible. This will also make rooms seem larger. Of course, a spotlessly clean home is essential, and don’t forget to eliminate any bad smells (animals, cigarette smoke, food and dampness, etc.).
A good cleanup never hurts, but this is even truer when it comes to selling a home. De-clutter your rooms while keeping a certain sense of balance. Make sure it’s easy to move around in them. Think about storing furniture and objects that make rooms look crowded or that could turn off prospective buyers. You should also depersonalize your home by removing personal items such as family photos.
Highlighting the most beautiful features of your home is another important aspect of home staging (fireplace, mouldings and panelling, etc.). This will give it more character and make it
stand out from other properties on the market. Of course, you should be sure to do any small repair jobs and replace wall colours with more neutral shades, if necessary.
The first thing potential buyers see is the outside of your home, so replace any torn window screens, and wash the siding, doors and windows. Above all, remember to keep your yard looking neat and tidy. Lastly, the best way to maximize your chances of selling is to look at your property from the point of view of a potential buyer. That’s right; it’s already time to start detaching yourself from your
GO FOR GOLD.
Concrete is a durable and affordable material that can be used to build a patio or walkway on your property. Here’s what you need to successfully pour a concrete slab.
1. A STABLE BASE
Excavate a hole that’s the right dimensions for your project, then add a layer of compacted gravel that’s at least 10 centimetres deep. This facilitates soil drainage and will help prevent the slab from shifting and cracking when the ground freezes and thaws.
2. A STRONG FORM
A form is a framework that holds the liquid concrete in place to ensure it hardens in the desired shape. For best results, use straight wood
planks to build the form and firmly brace the sides. You should also reinforce the concrete with rebar to strengthen the slab and prevent cracking.
3. A STEADY HAND
When you pour the concrete, make sure it seeps into every crevice. Once the form is filled, you’ll need to remove air bubbles and smooth out the surface of the slab with a bull float and trowel. Allow the con crete to harden overnight before you carefully remove the form.
Keep in mind that pouring concrete can be a challenge, particularly for large-scale projects like a garage floor. To ensure the job is done correctly, leave it to the professionals.
Hardwood floors: repair or replace?
Have your hardwood floors seen better days? If the planks are dull, stained, damaged or creaky, you may be wondering if you should refinish them or simply start over. Here are some factors to consider before you decide.
REPAIR
If you like the look of your hardwood floors, you may be able to revive them. Sanding and varnishing as well as staining the wood can extend the lifespan of your floors by a few years. If the planks are warped or worn thin, however, they’re likely beyond repair. Similarly, if numerous damaged planks need to be replaced, you’re probably better off starting over.
REPLACE
If you’re in the mood for a change, installing new flooring is an opportunity to completely transform the look of your home. Plus, it will last for many years to come. It should also be noted that renovating old floors can take several days, whereas replacing them is a fairly quick process albeit more expensive.
If you’re still uncertain about whether to repair or replace them, ask a professional to evaluate the condition of your hardwood floors. He or she will be able to recommend a solution.
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