Lheidli T’enneh Councillor John West was taken into police custody at the House of Ancestors, the Lheidli T’enneh website reported to its members on April 26, 2024.
The reason for the arrest was unknown.
Prince George RCMP media relations
officer Cpl. Jennifer Cooper said that she could not share any details about the matter.
Council met and the decision was made to place West on suspension. As more facts emerge, Council will be equipped to make a more informed decision on what happens next, balancing the interests of all parties affected by the arrest, the notice concluded.
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
Prince George police have released a photo of a gas station robbery suspect taken at the scene of the crime which reveals a unique tattoo they hope will result in an arrest.
The robbery occurred on Tuesday, April 2 just after 4 p.m. at the gas station/convenience store in the 1800 block of 20th Avenue.
A young man dressed in a white hoodie with the hood tied tightly to his face came into the store and robbed the clerk of the cash contained in the till.
The surveillance camera shows what appears to be large round tattoo that borders most of the back of the suspect’s right hand.
Prince George RCMP have released the close-up image, hoping somebody will identify him.
The man is described as:
- Standing between five-foot-four and five-foot-eight;
- Approximately 18-19 years old;
- Wearing a white hoody, dark pants and black hat;
- Tattoo on right hand.
The sole employee at the store
at the time of the robber was not injured.
If you have any information about this or any other criminal offence, phone the Prince George RCMP at (250) 561-3300 or anonymously contact Northern BC Crime Stoppers at 1(800) 222-8477 or go online at www.northernbccrimestoppers.ca.
You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers. If you provide information that leads to an arrest or recovery of stolen property, you could be eligible for a cash reward.
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
A notice of motion for Prince George to host a public forum to discuss the unhoused encampment situation in the downtown core, the complex social issues camp residents are struggling with and how they relate to community safety was approved in Monday’s council meeting.
The town hall meeting will be held sometime in May at a yet-tobe-determined site.
Coun. Kyle Sampson, with support from councillors Tim Bennett and Cori Ramsay, said the public concerns, ideas and suggestions will be useful to help council formulate action items to address the concerns of downtown businesses and area residents who have seen conditions deteriorate since the Moccasin Flats encampment was established in 2021.
Council agreed to provide as much as $20,000 to facilitate the town hall meeting.
“I think it’s a no-brainer that we need this town hall and to engage with the community,” said Sampson.
“I don’t really understand the confusion from some of my colleagues around any costs being associated with it - everything we do costs money. We need to be fiscally responsible and we are and this is not a free blank cheque to spend whatever we want.”
The cost to rent the full auditorium at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre for a oneday event is $4,935, if that is where the meeting will be held. The town hall would also require a facilitator to run the meeting. As Sampson told council Monday, he has yet to line up a person to perform that duty.
He also said there would be costs associated with audio/visual equipment, info graphics and material for open-house displays and advertising/communications.
“This is a relatively minor amount of money that we can
spend up to, as allowable by this motion, to engage in probably our most notable issue facing our community,” said Sampson.
The town hall panel would include mayor and council and key city administrators, including city manager Walter Babicz, fire chief Cliff Warner, bylaws manager Charlotte Peters, as well as Prince George RCMP superintendent Shaun Wright.
Mayor Simon Yu and councillors Trudy Klassen and Brian Skakun voted against using the city’s contingency budget to make the town hall meeting happen.
“We spend enough money on other things, we have trained staff, we have our own facilities and our administration could give it to us in-kind, we don’t think we need to spend money on finding out what we already know,” said Skakun.
“But I have no problem with getting the dialogue, letting people tell us what they think – we know what they think. I know we’re not going to hear much different, but it might be an opportunity for the RCMP and others to say, ‘this is why we’re not arresting, because of the courts. Our hands are really tied.’”
Yu is not against spending money on the meeting but said he wanted
council approval to set up that committee, not knowing beforehand about Sampson’s plan to push forward the town hall concept.
Councillors Skakun, Klassen and Ron Polillo will be part of the standing committee and Yu told council Monday he still has one seat yet to fill on the seven-person board.
Yu suggested that first meeting should focus on forming the structure of the town hall meeting. He’s hoping city residents will engage in both.
“The standing committee on public safety is open to the public and if you write or email and want to present material in front of the committee you’re welcome to do so, but that doesn’t stop you from going to the town hall,” said Yu.
details of the costs to be vetted at the first meeting of the standing committee on public safety. Two weeks ago, Yu gained
“I would like to see the recommendations and the concerns expressed in the town hall regarding public safety be vetted out through the standing committee… through an action item to staff.”
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
Art Battle Prince George is a fastpaced event that sees nine skilled artists put paint to canvas in a threeround showdown.
Spectators cast their vote to crown the champion and as the evening unfolds the one-of-a-kind pieces go up for auction.
Art Battle Prince George takes place Friday, May 3 at the Knox Performance Centre, 1404 Fifth Avenue, at 7 p.m.
“This is our ninth Art Battle Prince George and it’s a fun event,” Lisa Redpath, visual arts program manager at the Prince George & District Community Arts Council that hosts the event, said.
“This is a competition that is meant to challenge artists. It’s one of those novelty events that’s fun, it’s energy packed, it’s creative, it’s visual and the paintings just pop off the canvas and you really see artists in action.”
Redpath said she knows there’s a lot of preparation that goes into an Art Battle because the artist not only has to paint successfully but also has to be mindful of their subject matter ensuring that it will resonate with their audience as its their vote that determines the victor.
“Over the years there have been many mic-drop moments where you are marveling at the placement
on that canvas and you just think ‘whoah – phenomenal’,” Redpath explained.
Well-known Indigenous artist Carla Joseph has participated in six art battles, four in Prince George, one in Kamloops and one in Vancouver and she’s coming back for more.
Joseph will be participating along with experienced and emerging artists during this year’s competition.
“The first couple times I did it, it was so stressful and I just started shaking when the lights went down and the music got loud and there are so many people watching you but now it’s just so much fun,” Joseph said.
Career-wise right now Joseph is selling her art all over Canada and is also busy illustrating children’s book and creating book covers for all genres so to take some time to create on-the-spot works during Art Battle is a complete departure, she added.
She’s been doing art for the last 25 years and creating has been in high gear for the last three years.
She’s ready to put creativity to canvas on May 3 and has been working on some time-saving tricks to keep things moving quickly.
“I tend to stick to what I know, like animals,” Joseph said. “I’m already a speedy painter and everyone seems to know that about me. I can get a
painting – a really, really nice onedone in two hours.”
Joseph said she’s already got a plan for what subjects to focus on during Art Battle.
“And I already have my little tricks I’ll be using and I’ve got my fastdrying paint – because you have to have really good paint because otherwise it’s really sticky and it’s not good to paint fast with that,” Joseph said.
Joseph keeps coming back to Art Battle because of the people.
“The crowd is always really great,” Joseph said. “They cheer you on, and it helps to keep you going – you never stop painting. You can’t just stop and think on what you’re going to do next.”
And she’s not going to be taking on this competition alone. She’s
got her twin sister, Karen Erickson, and her daughter, Rebecca Joseph, joining in the fun.
“It’s going to be my daughter’s first Art Battle so I know she’s nervous,” Joseph said.
Other artists participating include Daisy Pipowski, Diane Levesque, Kat Tecson Valcourt, Lance DW Hanes, Nigel Fox and Raquel Pokiak.
It’s a really interesting competition, Joseph said, because the winner is based on spectator votes.
“This is a great chance for any artist, no matter how far along they are, it’s based on what the audience likes and if they see your image and they like it - you win. That’s what I’ve noticed in the previous Art Battles – they don’t necessarily pick the artist that’s been painting for 25 years,” Joseph laughed.
“Everybody has a chance.”
CHRISTINE
DALGLEISH
Citizen staff
United Way BC is working with communities throughout the province, including Northern BC, to make access to period products easier for those in need.
Many people struggle to afford period products and menstrual stigma makes it difficult for people to ask for help.
The United Way BC Period Promise Campaign goes throughout the month of May and is asking for the community’s help.
“There are people experiencing period poverty who are making the choice between food and menstrual products and that should not be happening,” Lorna Bihori, campaign manager at United Way BC of Northern BC, said.
The 2024 campaign aims to collect up to 500,000 menstrual products through financial and product donations.
“We have six public collection sites in Prince George,” Bihori said.
The collection sites include City Hall, all four Save On Foods locations, and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
“Even if people haven’t experienced period poverty almost everyone has been caught without product – it happens,” Bihori said. “More women are working in the trades now, working on a job site – in mines and remote camps – in fact, we have Mount Milligan signed on with us and have committed to providing product to anyone who comes on site.”
The University of Northern BC has also committed to keeping their Period Promise, Bihori added.
“Students are realizing that when you’ve left home to go to college and university and you never had to budget for stuff like that it can be a struggle,” Bihori said. When your parents always provided it and it was always in the bathroom, it didn’t cross your mind and now you’re between pay days, you’re by yourself, and there are those who are struggling financially and this is why this campaign has become very, very important to us.”
United Way BC has done the research and on average people menstruate for three to seven days each month between the ages of 13 and 51.
“That is 38 years of your life and that means about $17,000 is spent on product in a lifetime,” Bihori said.
“The Canadian government deemed it a luxury item so it was taxed as such.”
Residents in smaller communities
in Northern BC can see products cost about three times the amount as what is available in bigger centres and there is a lot less variety available in remote communities, too, Bihori said.
“This is a natural bodily function that is part of life and we need everyone to feel safe and secure to carry on with their lives,” Bihori said.
United Way BC’s 2024 Period Promise campaign, presented by Pacific Blue Cross in partnership with CUPE Local 1816, gives everyone an opportunity to help tackle period poverty by dropping off menstrual products in the community or donating online at www.uwbc.ca/periodpromise.
“Every donation made locally in any community stays local,” Bihori said. “They go to a local agency to be redistributed back into the community. So it’s all about local helping local.”
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
UNBC’s athletics department and sports information staff learned this week they have been selected for the Canada West Sports Information and Digital Award for feature of the year in 2023-24.
Rich Abney, UNBC’s sports information officer, wrote the harrowing story about Timberwolves soccer goalie Brooke Molby and the agony of losing her brother Ty to a fentanyl overdose.
The story was released on Opioid Awareness Day and it was the most-read piece released by the athletics department over the past three years.
Abney’s compelling story was reprinted in the Prince George Citizen on its website, where it
received thousands of pageviews, and in its print edition, and was also well-received by our readers.
The story prompted numerous individuals to contact UNBC staff to share their own personal accounts of struggles with drug addiction and the pain of losing a loved one to opioid overdose. It gave Molby more incentive to speak up publicly about the growing issue that continues to plague society.
The annual Canada West SID awards highlight the efforts of sports information staff to tell the inspiring stories and achievements of Canada West’s student-athletes, coaches and staff, also providing stats, photography, webcasts and social media posts, photography that highlight varsity athletics.
The top feature award is the fifth CW SID Award in five years for
UNBC athletics, the most of any school in conference history. In 2022, UNBC won the video of the year award for its feature on the historic jerseys designed by Indigenous artist Trevor Angus. The Timberwolves
program was also recognized for social campaign of the year for its marketing efforts to sell the Indigenous-themed jerseys and merchandise with proceeds going to scholarships and Lheidli T’enneh youth programs.
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
Jerzy Partyka was walking in from the parking lot of the Prince George Aquatic Centre Thursday afternoon at about 3:30, about to start a coaching session with his young athletes in the Prince George Barracudas Swim Club when he saw smoke and flames coming from the bushes in front of the building.
An unkempt man dressed in shabby clothes was breaking branches from the trees and shrubs to feed the fire he had lit.
“The fire was probably two or three feet high, it was burning really good, and I said, ‘what are you doing, you’re going to burn the building,’” said Partyka.
Partyka told him to put the fire out or he would call the police. He went inside the building and reported it to the front desk attendant, who went out to talk to the man.
“He left that place and went to the other side of the building and started another fire, so I talked to (the attendant) again and said to her, ‘you have to phone the police or the fire department,’ and she phoned the police I don’t know how many times.”
Repeated calls to the RCMP failed to result in a police officer visiting the scene.
“The lifeguard told me they phoned many many times and finally the dispatcher told them that this was not a life-threatening situation, so please don’t phone,” he said.
Partyka was stunned by the lack of police response to the incident.
“After that, he went into the changeroom and started smoking pot,“ said Partyka. “How do we protect our children from something like that, when police tell you this is not a life-threatening situation. I’m speechless. This is happening everywhere, every day.”
Partyka blames government policies on drug use and the fact repeat offenders are being released from custody soon after they get arrested by police because the
courts won’t prosecute them.
“What the heck is going on?” said Partyka.
“The stupid NDP and the Liberals, that’s what they are doing. That’s the crime that’s happening everywhere in Canada and especially in B.C. They are not doing anything about that.
“They are using the drugs in the hospital, they are doing drugs in the parks and nothing is done about that.”
After the incident, Partyka sent a letter to all parents of the 160 Barracudas club members to let them know about the incident. He encouraged them to phone the city, the police department and their local members of parliament to let them know that happened on Thursday is unacceptable.
The Citizen reached out to the City
of Prince George which manages the pool, and the RCMP for comment.
City spokesperson Claire Thwaites, in an email to the Citizen, said:
“The City confirms an incident took place yesterday afternoon at the Aquatic Centre and that the police were called. We care deeply about the safety of our staff and our pool users. As this is a police matter, questions should be directed to the RCMP.”
RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Jennifer Cooper was unavailable for comment.
The Barracudas hosted their annual Dental Moose Meet over the weekend and Partyka said his swimmers deserved better protection from the authorities, especially when they were made aware of a potential safety threat in a public place.
“Maybe somebody will do something about it,” Partyka said.
“Who has the rights, the people paying the taxes or this guy lighting fires? I left Poland (in 1988) because I hated the communists and socialists, and now it’s exactly the same here.
The Liberals and the NDP are not listening to anybody, they are doing whatever they want.
“People are coming all the time to the pool, children, old people, who knows if he has a knife and was going to stab somebody or a gun. Everybody is afraid to say something. They’ll go after him when he’s going to kill or injure somebody.”
Partyka was outraged by a news report this week about a man in Victoria who was arrested by the Victoria Police Department three times in three consecutive days after a string of attempted car thefts, a car crash and a home invasion.
The man, identified as Seth Packer, was first arrested on Sunday after he attempted to carjack a vehicle, but the driver managed to get him out the vehicle.
The following day, Packer was arrested after he stole a Tesla and crashed it and was trapped inside the car. That time he was released on house arrest but it had little effect as a deterrent.
On Tuesday night, the man was arrested again after he allegedly broke into a home and stole a wallet.
In the legislature Wednesday in Victoria during question period, Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond spoke out about Premier David Eby’s so-called catch-and-release policy.
“If that doesn’t describe catch and release, I have no idea what does,” Bond shouted, after speaking about the crimes Packer’s allegedly committed.
“When will this prime minister do the right thing? “He admits that his soft-on-crime policies are causing chaos across British Columbia,” she said.
Comics, cosplay, cinema and celebrities all on display this weekend.
With the years-long COVID restrictions in the rear view window, Prince George is home to yet another large-scale convention, with comic book and cinema aficionados donning costumes and autograph books to take in the sights, sounds and celebrity conversations, all happening this weekend at the CN Centre. Northern FANCON, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, opens Friday and runs throughout the weekend. And no matter what your preferred comic book, movie or TV series, among the hundreds of exhibitors, dozens of celebrity guests and the opportunity to people-watch those who are costumed-up and showing off their own creativity, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
If past Northern FANCONs are any indication, it’ll be a pretty full house at the CN Centre this weekend, which is great for the city-owned and operated venue, but also for businesses throughout Prince George. Those traveling from other communities to attend often stay overnight, putting heads in beds throughout the city and when they’re not at their hotels or AirBNBs, they’re out dining at one of our many great restaurants and stopping into the mall, or checking out a movie at the cinema, something
we often take for granted living in PG.
And what a nice way to start off the month of May, with another weekend of people filling up our largest venue for the umpteenth time this spring. Northern FANCON is coming on the heels of several packed houses for the CN Centre, as the Cougars are in the midst of their deepest playoff run in recent memory. Between their home games in the last month was the Northern BC Homebuilders Association Home Show and another at-capacity event last week with Ice Cube stopping in PG on his latest tour. Events that draw in folks who live hours away are vitally important to our hospitality providers and the more conventions, concerts and shows booked into our facilities, the better.
We have a very robust event calendar on our website and looking over it, it’s been great to see all the events populating it over the past few months, and looking forward into the rest of spring and summer. I had to make a hard decision last week: I could only go out one night among Thursday, Friday and Saturday – do I go see one of my favourite hip hop artists, or the number one ranked junior hockey team in Canada, both playing at a venue five minutes from my house? May I always be blessed with such difficult choices! (I ended up going to Friday’s Cougars’ game and it was a blast).
There are two truths evident that I’m sure even Star Wars and Star Trek fans can agree upon: first, Northern FANCON is fun – there’s so much to take in and enjoy, regardless of your age or what kind of films or tv series you enjoy and second, every time our
entertainment and meeting facilities are full, be it for a night, weekend or entire week, such as the Resource Forum, it’s good for all of us.
Curtis Armstrong is the publisher of the Prince George Citizen.
Change. It was the one thing Terresa and I promised we wouldn’t do to the Prince George Citizen for the first four to six weeks of our ownership. We spent that time listening to the long-time staff of our newspaper and reflecting on what we’ve enjoyed when turning the pages and reading the stories printed there over the years. That reflection resulted in our re-launch and re-branding of the newspaper six weeks ago. There isn’t a section of the paper that we haven’t tried to improve upon. Our goal is to ensure that you are looking forward to picking up the paper each week. That we are providing local content that you find informative and enjoy reading.
The changes aren’t done yet. Terresa and I have talked about additional features, articles, and layout adjustments that we want to see.
On social media people can say almost anything with impunity. Our newspaper is held to a higher legal standard however, when it comes to comments on our website. In Canada, we can be held legally accountable for what other people post.
For this reason, all comments on a story must be approved by Terresa, myself, our editor, or publisher. This is why online comments do not instantly appear once the ‘post’ button has been clicked.
It is also for this reason that we require people to register as a user on our website before they can comment on our stories. Registration also gives the added benefit of our readers being able to see the result of our polls, which are now taking on more of a local flavour.
We are also working on changes to our website that will allow readers to respond directly to someone else’s comment and hope to have that feature available soon.
In reading each of the comments on our stories, we have been impressed with the passion and knowledge that some posters have shown. Our readers
often expand on our reporting or opinion pieces, and we want to thank them for taking time out of their day to do so.
As such, one of those additional features we want to see starts today. We have begun choosing a mixture of online reader comments from our stories published on our website, to be published here in the opinion section each week. We also accept emails to the editor at editor@pgcitizen.ca, which we will consider for publication, though we do limit submissions to 350 words.
Another feature of our website is that you can submit typos and/or errors associated with one of our stories, as alas, we’re only hooman. You can also submit story ideas and news tips to us there as well.
Terresa and I greatly appreciate the feedback you have been providing us over the last three months as we begin our journey with the Prince George Citizen. We hope you’re enjoying the new look and feel as much as we are.
Locally owned – community focused.
Cameron and Terresa, Owners
Prince George Citizen
RE: Prince George Spring Clean Up
Great work to everyone that donated their time to clean up on the weekend, our town is better for it. Some of the few people, who rather than only complain about something, actually take initiative and do something constructive.
The world would be a better place, with more people like you, our city certainly is.
Thank you!
– Zangief
RE: Exploration Place CEO welcomes $500,000 loan from regional district
I would love to see an audit of this place.. just to see where the money is going.
– John Beebe
I would like to thank our new PG Citizen owner for having the “Reader Feedback” option of the newspaper articles. It is great to read what the community opinions are and to be enlightened by others ideas, opinions.
– C. Koftinoff
RE: Exploration Place CEO welcomes $500,000 loan from regional district
I don’t understand how if the museum had all this debt they would make the decision to close the one attraction that parents valued.
For me and many other families it was a pleasure to go to the museum and explore the exhibits and animals and end up at the boat for a bit of playtime and fun with building blocks.
Now the museum is not entertaining at all. My children were bored and not at all intrigued or interested by the refugee exhibit. I just think they didn’t target the right audience and will suffer because of it.
– Samantha Sabatino
RE: Man caught lighting two fires at Prince George Aquatic Centre - Prince George Citizen
Good for you Jerzy, for speaking your mind.
“Who has the rights, the people paying the taxes or this guy lighting fires? I left Poland (in 1988) because I hated the communists and socialists, and now it’s exactly the same here. The Liberals and the NDP are not listening to anybody, they are doing whatever they want.“
We pay a lot of taxes and I for one, am increasingly becoming disillusioned. Where is our public service? Why are our calls unanswered by police? Why are my rights to a safe, clean community, infringed upon by lawless degenerates?
What are we even paying taxes for? A sub-par school system? Catch and release justice? Constipated medical serviced? Nonexistent law enforcement? Putting the rights of criminals high above everyone else? Free drugs for addicts?
– Zangief
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
Prince George city council has approved a temporary use permit to construct 43 supportive housing units in the east end of downtown as a means to permanently close the Moccasin Flats encampment along Lower Patricia Boulevard. Responding to pressure from neighbouring residents, whose quality of life has been negatively impacted by their proximity to the camp, council was unanimous in approving the permit to construct supportive housing on a vacant lot at 397 Third Avenue.
City crews were working on the site Tuesday morning to begin ground preparations that will install water and sewer lines to the site, adjacent to the existing camp. That $468,000 project was approved by council on Jan. 15. The infrastructure will service ATCO-style trailers and the city expects to have the 43-unit housing project completed
sometime in the fall.
‘It’s the beginning of the end, in my opinion, if they live up to the spirit of the temporary-use permit and we can move them into that facility or other ones,” said Coun.
Brian Skakun.
“Now they’re going to have a place 24/7 with food and all sorts of services (including storage space). The courts, I’m hoping, will side with us when we’ve proven we’ve done everything we can. They will be offered different choices where they can go.”
Skakun pointed out there will be other subsidized, low-rental housing becoming available in the next few months at the Knights Inn and the former Connaught Motor Inn (North Star Inn), which will provide housing options to the current camp residents.
“Talking to residents and a number of people in the community, the most important thing is to get Moccasin Flats shut down, cleaned up and have it situated in such a way where this can’t happen again,”
said Skakun.
Known as a violent place frequented by drug dealers and gangs, where several campsites and tiny homes have burnt down, where fire smoke from campsites continues to plague nearby residential areas and vagrancy in the area has led to increased property crime, Mayor Simon Yu said the closure of the camp can’t happen soon enough.
“I think every person living in the camp would agree with that, every person in the city would agree with that, because that is not reflective of who we are as a people – it’s not only dangerous but we treat our animals a lot better than putting them in harm’s way like that,” said Yu.
“We need to find a way to provide better housing and transitional housing is perhaps a step towards permanent housing. We need to look holistically at the problem and we need to triage better in terms of mental health, addiction, and economic hardship. At the end of the day we must consider the issue we
are facing in Prince George, it’s not unique, but we must face it together as one people.”
In a letter sent Friday to the mayor and council, Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon acknowledged the city’s request to seek an application to the courts to permanently close the Lower Patricia encampment to overnight sheltering following offers of suitable alternative shelter and housing to the encampment occupants. The city made it clear to Kahlon it intends to remediate and close the Moccasin Flats site permanently as a shelter.
The province has committed to working with BC Housing to provide funding to allow the 43-unit HEARTH (Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing) 397 transitional housing, in addition to the 45 existing and 96 new HEARTH beds to be provided at the Knights Inn and North Star Inn supportive housing projects now being built downtown.
Continued from Page A10
Kahlon said a minimum of three staff members experienced in dealing with vulnerable populations will be on site at HEARTH 397 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The facility will be fully fenced and lit with controlled access to the parking area and residences and it will be monitored with security cameras.
“The fact that this will be a secured site, there will be fencing, there will be surveillance, staff, is a massive improvement,” said Coun. Ron Polillo. “There has been an enormous amount of work that has been put in by staff and council and everyone here to get to where we are now.”
The province will also provide data sharing within privacy legislation to track the number of people supported, how many are moving to other forms of housing and the number of shelter units available in the city.
“It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, but it’s another step and provides more options,” said Coun. Susan Scott. Deanna Wasnik, the city’s director of planning and development, said the goal is to have the three-year
permit in place and the site preparation completed and the trailers installed by August or September.
In February 2022 the BC Supreme Court rejected the city’s latest application to close down the camp, after city crews dismantled much of the camp on Nov. 17, 2021. The court stated the city was in breach of an October 2021 ruling that allowed the Lower Patricia encampment to remain open until suitable housing and daytime facilities were available.
City manager Walter Babicz said even with supportive housing in place on the new site, the city must first obtain court approval before the camp can be permanently shut down.
“City council wants it closed and this is the path towards that goal,” said Babicz. “It’s more about the right evidence before the court and that evidence would come from BC Housing in terms of the offers of shelter that has been made available, the suitability of the shelter, appropriate daytime facilities, the factors the court set out in its first decision.”
Coun. Kyle Sampson said his support for the temporary use bylaw would be revoked if the camp is allowed to remain open.
Monday’s council meeting packed the gallery at city hall.
The housing issue drew 50 or 60 letters to city staff from residents of the neighbouring Millar Addition neighbourhood expressing their thoughts about the negative impact of being close to the encampment and how it has led to increased property crime, health-impacting smoke from the campfires, discarding of drug paraphernalia, vehicle break-ins and a general feeling that their security has been compromised in the more than two years the camp has existed.
Dan Duckworth has lived in the neighbourhood since 1991 and in his letter to council he acknowledged the need for proper temporary housing to take care of those in need, but he’s tired of the wishes of permanent residents being ignored.
“In order for us to support this project, the Lower Patricia encampment MUST be closed, cleaned up and fenced. If it is not, there will be no change to the air quality, nor to the crime in the area. Nobody wants people to live in the filth and garbage of the encampment, nor do we want to feel the effects of it.”
Judges are needed for the Prince George Regional Heritage Fair taking place on Friday, May 10. The judges are needed for a threehour commitment to assist with evaluating Canadian heritage projects created by students in Grades four through 10.
These volunteer judges must enjoy chatting with students, supporting and encouraging their enthusiasm for history, while completing a simple evaluation. No experience is necessary and same-day training is provided. The training takes place in a 40-minute session beginning at 8:30 a.m. then judging occurs in three rotating groups between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Contact Krystal at admin@hublehomestead.ca or 250-564-7033 to register as a judge and receive full fair day details.
Read the full, unabrdged version of many of these stories at
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
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. ***
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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Canadian Playboyz goes Friday, May 3 at 8:30 p.m. at Club 1177, 1177 Third Ave. The show features jaw-dropping performances and unforgettable moments. Our talented lineup of dancers will keep you entertained all night long. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience! Grab your friends and come party. For tickets visit www.eventbrite.com/e/ canadian-playboyz-tickets.
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Active Living Market in the Park goes Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park that provides an opportunity to do a one-stop shop and explore the recreational activities, programs and events available in Prince George. Bring the kids, family friendly activities and food.
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Dream Heavy Live goes Saturday, May 4 at 9 p.m. at the Legion, 101-1116 Sixth Ave. Dream Heavy is coming in hot from Dunster. Maybe you’ve known them as Mamaguroove, or Samson’s Delilah. Tickets are $15 in advance, or $20 at the door. Tickets available at www.madloon.ca.
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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 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.
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Home Routes Concert featuring Jay Knutson goes Sunday, May 5 at 7 p.m.
at Grace Church, 2640 Goheen St. J. Knutson, founding member of folk band Spirit of the West, has been involved in the recording of more than 50 albums, including 7 solo albums. He brings a bluesy sound and sings about all kinds of subjects. $25 cash at the door.
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Beads & Bannock: Red Willow Dreamcatchers goes Thursday, May 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Two Rivers Gallery. Learn how to twist freshly harvested red willow branches into a wreath. Let your creativity flourish by completing it with sinew webbing and choice of beads and feathers for decoration. Join Indigenous Programmer Crystal Behn to create your own customized accessories. Enjoy freshly made treats while learning traditional indigenous art. Everyone is welcome. Fee is $45. Register at tworivers. eventRegistration.
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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 photo booth 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.
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Mother’s Day Sale at Carlson Pottery goes Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3955 Hart Highway. All items are created by students and members of Carlson Pottery. Items will consist of mugs, bowls, plates, sculpture etc. Approximately 10 members and students participate in creating for this event. There is plenty of parking.
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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 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.
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Wheely Funny Fundraiser 5 goes Saturday, May 11 at 8 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, 1450 Fifth Ave., that features a night of comedy, supporting the Wheelin’ Warriors of the North, with Mike McGuire and Devon Flynn. Get your name into the raffles and 50/50 draw. Tickets are $30, available at Books & Co., 1635 Third Ave., or from Wheelin’ Warrior team members. Doors open at 7, show at 8 p.m. Funds raised are in support of the local Prince George Wheelin’ Warriors team as they fundraise money for the 2024 Tour de Cure.
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The Patchwork of Talent Group’s Spring Production goes Friday, May 24 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 26 at 2 p.m. at the Elder Citizens Recreation Centre, 1692 Tenth Ave. The event features a collection of skits, jokes, songs and fun. Tickets are on sale for $10 each at the centre. ***
Strawberry Tea & Plant Sale goes Saturday, May 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elder Citizens Recreation Centre, 1692 Tenth Ave. Come for strawberry shortcake and coffee or tea and all the plants you could want. The tea costs $6 per person and plant prices will be marked. Cash or cheque only please.
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Omineca Arts Centre features Naomi Kavka & Richard Garvey on Wednesday, May 15 at 8 p.m. with a full band show offering a night of great tunes celebrating new releases by each artist. Tickets are $15 in advance at richardgarveynaomikavka/eventtickets or $20 at the door.
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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.
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Coffee and Cars is a weekly event held every Saturday from 7 to 9 a.m. until Sept. 29 at Tim Horton’s, 612 East Central St., where people can meet up during this family friendly event that brings Prince George’s diverse car culture together. Time to bring out those projects.
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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.
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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.
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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)
This aerial shot taken in April shows the progress of
The mild winter of 2024 was less than ideal for replenishing moisture in the forests or topping up water levels in rivers and lakes. But the weather was great for building a gold mine, 160 kilometres southwest of Prince George.
As of March 31st, construction of the new Blackwater Gold mine being built by Artemis Gold Inc., of Vancouver was 73 per cent complete. The project is fully funded and remains on schedule to produce its first pour in the second half of this year.
About $530 million has been spent, well within the parameters of the guided initial capital expenditure of $730-$750 million. That spending is expected to rise to $682 million by the end of June.
A majority of the uncommitted expenditures are related to owners’ costs and earthworks associated with mining pre-strip operations and construction of the tailings storage facility and soon-to-be-built structures.
“We have an exceptional team managing the development of the Blackwater Mine,” said Steven Dean, chairman and CEO of Artemis Gold.
“Execution is critical in all projects, and managing the day-to-day challenges that arise in building a mine of this scale and complexity is key to being successful,” he said.
“We have an experienced group of people who are first-class problem solvers, ensuring we advance toward operational readiness and remain on track for first gold pour.
“The remainder of 2024 will be transformational for Artemis Gold as we make progress on the Blackwater Mine, a Tier 1 asset in a Tier 1 jurisdiction, into production.”
The lack of snow allowed easier access for mine infrastructure
projects including the water management pond, central diversion system and the Davidson Creek diversion, which have all been completed.
Initial material placement for the tailings storage dam is in place, which will tie into the surrounding area to provide for optimal productivity during the summer.
By the start of April, 1.7 million hours of labour had been put into major works construction, with no long-term injury incidents and an all-injuries frequency rate of 87.68 per one million hours.
Poncho Murguia, of Jaurez, Mexico, addresses more than 300 local leaders and Christian community members at the Mayor’s Prayor Breakfast Saturday at the Prince George Civic Centre. Murguia told of how religious leaders joined together to use prayer and the gospel to change his city, which was previously the murder of the world in 2008-2010, with 11 times the national average and 25 times the international average murders per 100,000 residents.
Continued from Page A13
Contract work on the processing plant being conducted by Sedgman EPC was close to 84 per cent complete by the end of March. All engineering, design and procurement work has essentially been done.
Steel erection and conveyor installation is progressing and installation of mechanical equipment within the secondary and tertiary crushing circuits is now complete, along with the screening station, is now complete.
The ball mill, intensive leach reactor and the regeneration kiln are now installed and work has started on installation of the gravity concentrator. Pre-leach, carbon-in-leach and elution tanks are in place, and hydrotesting is underway.
of the river the new line will run for approximately 50 km, while the south segment is about 80 km long.
Upgrades are ongoing at BC Hydro’s Glenannan substation to gear up for the 25 kilovolt power distribution network. Hydro pole foundations are 65 per cent completed and placement of poles has begun.
Key to the $2.5 billion project will be a new 133-km BC Hydro transmission line...
Most of the concrete work has been done, including the primary crusher run-of-mine slab, crusher vault and ore stockpile reclaim tunnel. Construction of the reagents and mill buildings has begun, with installation of an overhead crane in place, and the main electrical room has been built.
Key to the $2.5 billion project will be a new 133-kilometre BC Hydro transmission line which will allow Blackwater to build one of the mining sector’s first fully-electric ore processing plants. The carbon-neutral setup will replace traditional diesel/propane fuelled processing and adds to the cost of construction but it will reduce the carbon footprint of the mine.
The transmission line right-of-way has been cleared and laydown areas for the power poles and camp facilities are ready. Poles and hardware deliveries will be sequenced to support the construction schedule.
The line will be built in two sections divided by the Nechako River. North
Upgrades to the BC Hydro Glenannan substation are progressing to plan. Commissioning planning with BC Hydro is advancing as planned. Assembly and commissioning of the owner’s mining fleet continues to advance. Two 400-tonne hydraulic backhoe excavators have been assembled at the site, along with six 240-tonne rigid-frame haul trucks and two large mining frontend loaders. The remaining pieces of heavy equipment needed to support initial operations are on-site, nearing completion.
The mine’s workforce remained constant through the first three months of 2024 at 320 employees, of which 20 per cent are women, 30 per cent identify as Indigenous, 50 per cent are from the North Central Interior and 80 per cent are B.C. residents.
The first people hired for the operations team during the winter are set to begin their jobs this spring. The company has a laboratory contract in place and all mill reagents have been tendered, with plans to finalize the contracts by the end of June.
Artemis has borrowed an additional $130 million under the project loan facility, bringing the loan total to $280 million, with an additional $5 million in interest costs through March 31.
The remaining Phase 1 capital expenditures will be between $207 million and $227 million.
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
Muhammad Ali versus Joe Frazier.
The Greatest duking it out with Smokin’ Joe.
For boxing fans it was one of the all-time best rivalries in sports, but they met in the ring just three times.
For that reason, you can’t consider the Prince George Cougars and Portland Winterhawks bitter junior hockey rivals, simply because they don’t play each other often enough.
But now they’re playoff foes and, all of a sudden, familiarity is breeding contempt.
For the fourth time in league history and third time in eight seasons the Cougars are taking on Portland in the playoffs and the stakes have never been higher. The winner goes to the WHL final against either the Saskatoon Blades or Moose Jaw Warriors.
“There’s a real good chance it could (go seven games),” said Cougars head coach and general manager Mark Lamb. “When you look at Portland you see all the skill and you look at all the comparables and it’s like you’re looking in the mirror. It’s like coaching against our team. They have a lot of pieces we have and it’s a pretty evenly-matched series at the start.”
Both teams started the series wellrested and healthy and both were playing their best hockey of the season. The Cougars were on a 25-1-1-1 in their previous 28 games, with the ’Hawks on a 17-0-2-0 roll dating back to the regular season.
“Once you get here it’s the final four, it’s very special,” said Lamb. “You do not get here by fluke, that’s for sure. You have to put in a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication, and both teams have done that.”
As potent as both teams are, Lamb says defence will decide the series.
“Look at all the offence they’ve got - it’s not going to be about offence,” he said. “It’s always going to be about keeping the puck out of your
end and out of your net. It’s all about goals-against and our goals-against was really good all year, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to win.”
They finished just one point apart atop the Western Conference standings and that was enough to give the Cougars home-ice advantage to start the series, but neither team has an obvious advantage.
“I thought the games when we were up there in February were really good well-played hockey games, obviously, 2-1, 2-1,” said Winterhawks head coach and general manager Mike Johnston. “There’s talent on both teams so I think it’s going to be like a couple of the NHL series right now, so tight you can never call it and I think it’s going to be one of those.
“As in all playoff series your depth is going to be tested at some point and now we’re in the third round, so if there’s injuries or anything like that you’re going to have to use your depth. We’re playing three games in four nights and you’re going to have to have depth on your team.”
The ‘Hawks went a perfect 8-0 in the first two rounds, sweeping Victoria and Everett. The Cougars started with a four-game series win over Spokane then dispatched Kelowna in five.
“I look at Prince George and they’ve got a lot of depth, they’ve got scoring, they’ve got size, good defence and good goaltending, so I think it’s going to be a chess match where both teams are going to have to make adjustments on the fly,” said Johnston.
“You look at their high-end players, whether it’s Heidt, Parascak, Funk or Ziemmer, who would have been way up in the lineup pointswise if he’d played through the season, they’ve got some dangerous gamebreaker-type players that we’d better know when they’re on the ice and be aware of their tendencies.”
The series started with the first two games in Prince George on the weekend. The Cats won Game 1, 5-0 and Portland rallied to take Game 2, 5-3.
Portland hosted Game 3 Monday which ended in a 4-1 win for
the Winterhawks giving them a 2-1 series lead heading into Game 4 Wednesday, with Game 5 on Thursday.
The Winterhawks have one of the best goalies in the WHL in Jan Spunar. Spunar would have joined ‘Hawks defenceman Marek Alscher and Cougars winger Ondrej Becher on the Czechian world junior team had he not suffered a foot injury in late November that required surgery and kept him sidelined for nine weeks. Spunar carried a 9-1 record and 2.35 goals-against average with a .919 save per centage into Monday’s game. As good as his numbers are, Cougar goalie Joshua Ravensbergen’s stats are even more impressive. Heading into Game 3, the winner of this week’s WHL rookie-of-the-week award had an 8-1 record with a 1.89 GAA. He also led the league with a .934 save rate and three shutouts.
Four members of Portland’s quick-transitioning blueline brigade are NHL-drafted. That list includes Alscher (Florida, third round, ‘22), Carter Sotheran (Philadelphia, fifth round, ‘23), Luca Cagnoni (San Jose, fourth round, ’23) and Tyson Jugnauth (Seattle, fourth round, ’23). Cagnoni had three goals and 10 points in eight playoff games but was injured for both games in Prince George and did not play.
Portland was the only WHL team that scored more often this season than Prince George. The Winterhawks averaged 4.85 goals per game, as compared to the Cougars’ 4.65. All three Portland 20-year-olds are forwards and two of them Gabe Klassen (35-71-106) and James Stefan (50-51-101, signed with Edmonton Oilers) broke the 100-point barrier. Those two usually play on a line with Florida Panthers draft pick Josh Davies, who was sidelined for Game 2 with an injury. Losing Davies for any length of time would be a huge loss. He plays a gritty style similar to that of Cougars winger Koehn Ziemmer.
HANDS UP Sheena Gerlinsky, 39, smiles as transit supervisor, Chris Holbrook shows her how close she managed to stop at the final cone during a maneuvering test in the parking lot of the Rotary Soccer Fields Friday as part of her training to become a transit driver. Gerlinsky has been training for three months with Prince George Transit as she learns how to operate the 40-foot vehicle.
JUNK IN THE TRUNK James Rathjen smiles as he makes his purcahse of drill bits and a small caliper measuring tool from vendor Larry Strachan at Junk in the Trunk at CN Centre parking lot Saturday. Prince George’s largest garage sale, with 125 vendors, drew a steady stream of shoppers despite cool weather that threatened rain.
Continued from Page A19
The ‘Hawks made one other significant trade this season, picking up 19-year-old centre Nate Danielson from the Brandon Wheat Kings at the deadline. Danielson played for Canada at the world junior tournament and he had three assists in Game 2 in Prince George to add to his 13-point total, centring the second line with Jack O’Brien and Marcus Nguyen.
‘Hawks centre Kyle Chyzowski is red-hot, with eight goals and two assists in his last six playoff games.
As expected, the Cougars have been getting scoring from numerous sources. Riley Heidt, who had 80 assists in the regular season, already has 13 postseason helpers and he ranks third in playoff scoring with 16 points.
Zac Funk had eight goals and 17 points in 11 playoff games and was tied with Heidt (3-14-17), among the WHL playoff scoring leaders, playing the right side on a productive line that includes Becher (4-10-14) and Borya Valis (6-3-9).
Winger Terik Parascak is coming off a terrific 105-point rookie season andhas kept that up in the playoffs (6-8-14 in 11 games). He was the WHL rookie of the week last week, playing on a line with Heidt and Calin Dezainde.
It seems only a matter of time before Ziemmer has a breakout game offensively, playing with tenacious forecheckers Oren Shtrom and Matteo Danis.
The Cougars are getting closer to winning their first WHL championship and Shtrom, who joined them in an off-season trade from Everett, doesn’t see that drive to be No. 1 ending anytime soon.
“It’s very exciting, now everyone is starting to realize the dream of winning is a real possibility and a reality right now, so I think everyone has bought and is excited about where we are right now,” said Shtrom. “We kind of put that pressure on ourselves right away in training camp. That mindset was we’re a good team and we can win now and I think that‘s what our belief has been since the first night and we’ve just continued to do that and believe that.
“(Portland has) a lot of high
offensive skill power but I think we have a little more grit and I think we can match that skill power. If we just play them hard we can have the outcome we’re looking for.”
If Ravensbergen needs a break, the Cougars know they can count on 19-year-old Vancouver Canuck draft pick Ty Young, who 11 WHL playoff games behind him. Despite the potential of each team to light it up, Young is predicting tight, low-scoring affairs.
“I think it’s going to be a great matchup between us, on paper we’re almost identical teams,” said Young. “The goals-for, goals-against differential is pretty much dead-even and it’s going to be a close matchup. The guys who have been here for a while know this team, we’ve played them for a long time and it’s a similar team to who we played two years ago.
“I see this being a longer series for sure. I think we’re ready for it, we’re prepared for the travel and stuff and I don’t think they’re used to it as much. I think we have the advantage there. We’ll bring it back to P.G. if those games are needed and if not we’ll just finish them off there.”
The Cougar coaching staff has one significant tie to Portland. Associate coach Jim Playfair played 2 ½ seasons for the Winterhawks. He helped them win their first of three WHL championships in 1982 and was there for their first of two Memorial Cups wins in 1983 when they drew the host slot in the tournament, the first team to do so.
Game 6 and 7, if needed, would be played Monday and Tuesday in Prince George, where every playoff game has been sold out.
“It’s great to see that the fans are rallying around the Prince George team because they have an excellent team,” said Johnston. “Mark Lamb has done a great job of building that team up and they’re very exciting to watch. I’ve heard there will be a full house in P.G and that’s great to see that again because it hasn’t been like that over the years.”
The tight schedule will put each team’s depth to the test. For this one, the Cougars appear just a bit deeper.
Prediction: Cougars in seven
Hey, Ken Pendergast! Remember being on the front page of the Citizen 50 years ago this week? You and George Neagle had to wear your snowshoes to put up the Forest Fire Hazard Rating sign at Summit Lake. Sadly, forest fire season was well underway in April in north-central B.C. in 2024.
When Curtis Roszsahegyi appeared on the 1984 Prince George Telethon and mentioned regular wheelchairs were too difficult for him to use, Prince George residents responded. The Prince George Shrine Club kicked in $600 and the Prince George and District Telephone Employees Association provided the rest of the cash to buy a $2,026 ultra-light wheelchair for the ten-year-old, seen in this phot with his caregiver Sister Elaine from Catherine’s
There was plenty of news on the front page of the May, 4, 1944 edition of the Citizen, from a military parade, talk of building a new school and, most curiously, a burglary at city hall.
ACROSS
1. Youb et!
4. Impersonator
8. Paintlayer
12.Deskwood
13.Symbolof peace
14.Flirt ylook
15.Pancake pans
17.Grain husk
18.Likewise
19.Carpenter insect
20.East’sopp osite
21.Rowboat blade
23.Fixed charge
25.Mixes
28.Solar ray
32.Electrified atom
33.Australian animal
35.“ _DoneIt? ”
36.Band’sshow
38.Halfof half-and- half
40.Cur ve
41.Barnyard pen
42.Gator ’s cousin
45.Jump up and down
47.Shade trees
51.Meadowbird
52.Scrap e
54.Faceshape
55.Clarinet, e.g.
56.Fitness center
57.Remove from print
58.Colors
59.Wooden nail DOWN
30.Cry of surprise
augh
imperfec tly 49.Pout
50.Hosiery problem 53.T Vbreak s
9. Grimmbrute
10.Oh, woe!
11.Tep ee,e.g 16.Way out
22.Inquisitive one
24.Put into ef fect
25.Attack!
26.Fur thermore
27.Rustichotel
28.Posed
1. Type of exercise 2. Grey tea 3. Snow runners 4. Total 5. Type of bear 6. Uniform 7. Quiet 8. Spider’s lacework
29.Flock memb er
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.
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
Knight, David Stanley
September 14, 1954 -March 31, 2024
David passed away at hospice in the early hours of March 31 while holding his son’s hand (Darren). He also leaves behind his daughter Julie (Jorge), grandson Emmitt, and many other loved ones.
David loved fishing with his brothers and drag racing his car at the 1/4mile track.
David was predeceased by his parents, Stan and Reggie Knight, sister Eleanor Wall and brother Rick Knight.
Hooper, Jack Robert
August 25, 1940 -March 7, 2024
Jack Robert Hooper, 83, passed away peacefully at Prince George Hospice, leaving behind alegacy of community service and dedication to Prince George Abeloved volunteer, Jack devoted countless hours to various boards and organizations, including Yellowhead Rotary, Friends of Children, Exploration Place, Crimestoppers and many more. He held leadership positions in the hospitality sector, including Coaches Corner, Yellowhead Inn, as well as the Manager of Prince George Tourism &Destinations, and Jr. Achievements. We extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Textor and her team for their exceptional healthcare, and to Prince George Hospice for providing comfort during Jack’s final days.
Please join us as we share stories and celebrate the life of Jack on April 26th, 2024, at 2:00pm at the Prince George Golf &Curling Club.
Absolon, Rachel Neri
June 13, 1944 -February 6, 2024
Absolon, Rachel Neri (Medina), born in Ozamis City, Philippines, passed away peacefully at thePrince George Hospice House on February 6, 2024, with family by her side. Rachel was predeceased by her brother Levi Medina and sister Naome Medina. She is survived by her brothers Shiegfred Medina, Rio Medina, Glenn Medina, Nilo Medina, and Albert Medina; stepdaughter Robin (Patrick) Abra; grandchildren Liam and Katrina; nieces and nephews; and many friends. Family and friends were very important to Rachel, and she was well known for her kind heart and contagious laugh. She loved getting together with friends and family to share meals and play cards. Rachel was extremely creative and enjoyed doing manicures and sewing wedding gowns, prom dresses and other clothing. Acelebration of life will take place in Prince George at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the Pomeroy Inn and Suites banquet room. Rachel’s remains will be interred in the Philippines at alater date.
There lived a little unicorn
(From when the earth was new),
His coat so white it glistened, His eyes a sparkling blue.
In innocence and beauty,
He danced through woods and streams.
The animals danced with him,
His heart aglow with dreams.
He laughed and played with rainbows, So happy all day through,
He loved to kiss the flowers
As their petals shone with dew.
He wandered through the meadows
In the moon’s soft, silver light.
He loved to gaze at all the stars
That lightened up the night.
He listened to the music
Of the birds that graced the trees.
He frolicked with the butterflies And raced the gentle breeze.
by Peggy
Kociscin,
Albuquerque, New Mexico
But, as he grew and learned of life, The sparkle in his eye
Grew misty as he realized
Just what it means to cry.
He learned that there are shadows
In spite of shining sun.
The more he grew, he found that life
Was never always fun.
For now he’d learn of feelings
That come from deep within; No longer in the “dream world”
Where (for so long) he’d been.
His gentle heart desired
But to know the pleasure of
To give and to receive
The very precious gift of love.
To love meant to be happy, And yet it also brought him pain; For those he loved could hurt him Again.. and yet again.
His mother held him lovingly
And tried to ease his fears
About the sadness life could bring...
The lonely, bitter tears.
She said, “Life is like a mountain, (And surely this is true)
That we must climb as best we can.
There’s no ‘around or ‘through.’”
The unicorn tried tirelessly, And gave the climb his best;
But he felt it was not good enough, He felt he’d failed the test.
He could not understand it
When he felt himself rejected –
When all his gentle being asked
Was but to be accepted.
All this was just too much for him, He knew not what to do.
That he was special as himself, Somehow, he never knew.
His spirit crushed, he felt defeated, And lonely tears would start. Not understanding how to love, It simply broke his heart.
But now he’s in a loving place
Where all his pain has ceased, Where all accepted him and his love, Where all he knows is peace.
A loving Being tells him, “You’re delightful as you are.” His spirit free, his brilliance now Outshines the brightest star!
Obituaries
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
Obituaries
Kalyn, Virlee L. November 14, 1944 -April 17, 2024
Virlee passed away peacefully at home on April 17, 2024, after ashort battle with cancer. Virlee was agifted quilter and seamstress. She loved walking and completed the TC 10k in under 2hours at age 75. She lived in Prince George from 1977 to 2000, working for the Department of Indian Affairs until it closed, then at SM Forrest until she retired, after which she and her husband, Ernie, moved back to Victoria. She was fiercely loyal to all family and friends with awhimsical sense of humour and was fun to be around.
She is survived by her two daughters, Karin and Deb (Chuck) Kalyn; sister Brenda (Barry) Miller; brother-in-law Jim Goodfellow; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Ernie Kalyn, parents Harvey and Doris and sisters Judy Thompson and Fay Goodfellow.
Acelebration of her life will be held at 3pm on April 28 in Victoria.
the life it honours Contact us to find out more.
1949-2024
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Frank Coates, who left us suddenly on April 15, 2024. Born in New Denver, BC in 1949, his childhood years were shaped when his family moved to Nakusp/Arrow Park, British Columbia a place he fondly remembered before it was dismantled in advance of the Hydro dam flooding of the Arrow Lakes.
Frank is survived by his first wife, Sharon, with whom he had three loving children: Dustin (Sharon), Blair, and Christina “Tina” (Terry). His legacy continues through his grandchildren, Nevaeh, Bruce, and Tyson. He will be deeply missed by his siblings; brothers, Keith (Marlene), Cam (George), Bill (Patty), Grant (Deb), and Tim (Misty); his sisters, Patsy, Kelly (Rod), and Jenny (Don); stepbrothers Bruce and Dale (Michelle). Though you may be gone from our sight, your spirit remains, inspiring us to embrace adventure, cherish family, and always extend a hand to those in need.
Frank was a hardworking man, finding joy in providing for his family. In his younger days, he worked in forestry and owned a D6 caterpillar bulldozer operated in Franklin and Sproat Division’s Port Alberni. Transitioning into to a new phase of his life, Frank spent many years as a truck driver/and independent owner-a career he loved, which allowed him to weave a tapestry of stories and adventures. He drove a tanker truck in the oil fields of Swan Hills, Alberta, hauled in Merritt during the construction of the Coquihalla Highway, and ventured north, hauling ore from the mines in Faro north of Whitehorse to Skagway Alaska. He rounded off his career on the logging roads of Prince George and surrounding areas.
Frank’s journey was filled with diverse experiences. In his most recent years, he never drove alone, always accompanied by his faithful dog, Rosy, who was more than a pet but a true companion, always riding shotgun.
Frank’s generosity knew no bounds. Known for his heart of gold, he was ever ready to lend a hand or the shirt off his back to those in need. He was a storyteller, often found sitting round the campfire with tales from the logging roads, all the while savoring his favorite glass of Crown and Pepsi. His love for side-by-side adventures, climbing to the highest mountain tops to take in breathtaking views, was a testament to his adventurous spirit and appreciation for the beauty of nature.
Frank was not just a brother, father, grandfather, and friend; he was an irreplaceable part of our lives. His stories, his laughter, and his unwavering kindness will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Frank’s celebration of life will be held on April 28, 2024, at the Cherry Creek Hall in Port Alberni, 2:00-4:00 pm, where friends and family are invited to share stories and remember a life lived to the fullest.
Rest easy, Frank. Your journey was one of hard work, dedication, and generosity, and your stories will ride on, keeping your memory alive in our hearts forever.
September 10, 1939 - March 20, 2024
Always in our memories, forever in our hearts
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Frances Ruttan. Our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, niece, aunt and friend to many. Frances passed peacefully in her sleep on March 20th, 2024 at the Prince George Hospice.
She was predeceased by her husband Charles Ruttan, her children Maxine & Danny, as well as her son-in-law Robert.
She is survived by her children Brian, Marlene, Brent, Keith and Blake, stepchildren Wendy & Barry - her grandchildren Jason, Shawna, Mckala, Amanda, Vanessa, Philip, Nicole, Brittany, Tamara, Kyle, Kendall, Karter, Justin & countless great– grandchildren.
Frances was known for her love of Elvis Presley, she was always up for cards and board games, her creative talent shone through her arts and crafts but most importantly - she was the glue that’s held her family and friends together- her biggest skill, and one that we deeply cherish.
She leaves her family and friends to mourn over the loss of their beloved matriarch - we hold her memory in the tenderest spaces of our hearts, a life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered.
December 29, 1932April 18, 2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing away of Dad, William Charles McKay. He passed away peacefully at Gateway on April 18, 2024. Born in Ft. Lacorne, Saskatchewan to Frank and Emily McKay, he left Saskatchewan in the early 1950’s with his wife Rosa and travelled west to P.G. He worked in the logging industry, lumber and construction. He loved hunting, fishing and playing/coaching softball. Known as Dad to his two children and Grandpa to his much loved Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren; he took much joy in watching his family grow and celebrating each of their accomplishments in life.
Bill or Uncle Billy is survived by his wife Rosa Marie McKay (Laliberte); son Clarence McKay (Dorothy); daughter Sherry White (Stewart); grandchildren Natahna McKay, Krysta McKay (Jon), Jeremy White (Melanie), Darren White (Jessica); great-grandchildren Dakota, Aria, and Gage.
We will always remember his work ethic and wonderful sense of humour; he rarely missed an opportunity to poke fun. Our thanks to the staff at Gateway who helped care for him in his last years. A Funeral Service will be held at Assman’s Funeral Home on May 3, 2024 at 1:00pm with a luncheon to follow at The Elks Hall on Douglas Street.
Condolences
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Tuesday, May7,2024 4:30pm -6:30pm
The Exploration Place 333 Becott Place
PrinceGeorge,BC
Please join us forthe presentation of the 2023 Annual Reportand Operational Review. This meeting will also include aCommunity Consultation Committee meeting.
In accordance with the Forest Range and Practices Act, Canadian Forest Products Ltd. (Canfor) invites the public to review its Forest Operations Maps (FOM ID: 1458, 1459, 1460) in the Prince George Natural Resource District. The FOM describes areas proposed for Cutting Permit and Road Permit development within the next three years starting on June 3rd 2024 and ending on May 3rd 2027. We welcome your comments and feedback during the review period starting May 3rd 2024. Please submit your comments by June 3rd 2024.
The map is accessible for review and comment submission online at: https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects#publicNotices.
Alternatively, in-person review and comments can be completed at the following location during regular office hours (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM):
Northwood Pulpmill Road, P.O. Box 9000, Prince George BC V2L 4W2
Comments may also be submitted by mail to the above address or submitted via phone or email at: 1-250-962-3512; pg.fom.comment@canfor.com
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.
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.
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
Your family will be topofmindthisweek. Your nearest anddearest couldbeasking formore attentionthan usual. Youmay plan to move if you’renolongercomfortable in yourhome.
SCORPIO
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
Youmay face somefinancial issuesthis week, butdon’t worry.You canresolvethese problems by confronting themdirectly. Take sometimetorelax andindulge in some selfcare
CAPRICORN
Youmay face some delays at work thisweek. Take some time to slowdowninsteadof getting anxious. Focusyour effortstowork more efficiently and complete your tasks on time.
AQUARIUS
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If you want to renovate your home, you may need to remove some of the existing structures and fixtures. However, when it comes to knocking down load-bearing walls, there’s no room for error. Here are some things to consider before you start a demolition project.
THE RISKS OF DOING IT YOURSELF
Even if you have experience as a handyman and strong friends to help you, there’s a lot that can go wrong. Without the proper equipment and knowledge, you risk causing major structural damage and exposing yourself to hazardous materials. Plus, there’s a chance your insurer won’t cover you if an accident occurs.
THE PERKS OF HIRING A PROFESSIONAL Demolition contractors have the training
to safely and efficiently tear down a wide range of structures. From their initial inspection of the site to the removal of waste material, you can count on a professional demolition crew to take care of everything. Since they have the right equipment, there’s much less risk of damage or delays.
If you’re looking to hire a demolition contractor, take the time to find an expert in your region with the right credentials and a reliable track record. Make sure the company is insured and doesn’t have any warnings or violations from health and safety authorities.
From blinds and curtains to shutters and drapes, there’s no shortage of materials that can be used to enhance the look of your windows. One practical option is to install solar shades.
Here are some of the benefits of this rollup window covering.
• They protect against harmful rays. Solar shades are made of a tightly woven fabric designed to block out the sun’s UV rays. The perforated material allows you to safely enjoy natural light in your home.
• They offer privacy with a view. Solar shades provide a decent view of the out-
doors while preventing others from seeing into your home. They also reduce glare.
• They help conserve energy. Solar shades help keep your home cool on hot days, thereby reducing the strain on your air conditioner. This lowers your energy bills and helps protect the environment.
Solar shades are available in a range of opaqueness levels, allowing you to select a loose or tight weave depending on what you use the space for and how much light you need.
Visit the stores in your area to find the right product for every window in your home.
High ceilings, particularly cathedral and vaulted varieties, are beautiful in nearly any home. Unfortunately, they’re notorious for letting warm air escape, which can be a problem during the winter. If you have ceilings like this in your home, insulation is key.
INSULATING FROM THE EXTERIOR
Applying insulation from the roof is the best way to ensure a tight seal. First, spray a layer of polyurethane foam and then install a moisture-proof membrane to keep it dry. Homes in cooler climates may also require rigid foam board to increase thermal performance.
INSULATING FROM THE INTERIOR
Insulating your home from the inside is possible, but it won’t create an air-tight seal. The best way to do it is to apply blown-in cellulose insulation between the roof decking and the drywall ceiling. There are other ways, but these involve completely removing the ceiling.
No matter how you decide to insulate your roof, it’s important to leave enough room for ventilation and be certain that moisture can’t get through.
Insulating a ceiling is a complex job. To ensure it’s done right, consult a professional.
Floating floors have become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to their durability and improved quality. Most of all, people appreciate how easy they are to install. Since the planks attach to each other instead of the subfloor, they’re also easy to replace. Here are three things to consider when choosing a floating floor.
1. THE MATERIAL
The most popular type of floating floor is laminate, which is an affordable option that can withstand a lot of abuse. However, you can also find planks made of vinyl, engineered wood and other materials like cork.
The material you choose will depend on your budget, where you’re planning to
install it and the amount of traffic you expect in the area.
2. THE QUALITY
Well-made floating floors lock together easily and seamlessly, while some lower-end materials may not connect properly.
If you opt for laminate that mimics the look of wood, make sure there’s enough variety in the pattern for it to appear natural.
3. THE THICKNESS
Thicker floating floorboards aren’t necessarily a higher quality product. However, they’re easier to install, more resistant to damage and the best choice if your subfloor isn’t perfectly flat.
Before you install your floating floor, you’ll need to lay down a sheet of foam underlay. A must for any floating floor, this layer acts as a moisture barrier, helps correct minor imperfections in the subfloor and adds a bit of cushioning under the planks. Be sure to remove any baseboards or trim from the wall prior to installation, and pull up the old flooring if necessary.
Forget geometric forms and strong lines – 2021 is all about bringing the shapes found in nature into your home. Curves and arcs revitalize interior spaces and rounded shapes lend energy and inspiration. Here’s how to incorporate this trend into your home.
Be on the lookout for C-shaped sofas, round dinner tables and chairs with curved backs and arms. In the bedroom, consider updating your bed frame for one that features a circular headboard or placing an oval bench under your window.
If you’re not in the market for new furniture this year, turn to your accessories. Arrange bowls or round vases in pleasing clusters, or install globe-shaped light fixtures. You can also adorn your sofa with round cushions and dot- or wave-printed throws.
This year’s hottest home decorating trend is easy to try. Best of all, it can work in practically any room, regardless of the space’s style and features.
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