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New hotel planned for Prince George’s airport ... Page 5
Growth and positive changes signal a new era for your locally focused Prince George Citizen
Citizen
The Prince George Citizen has some good news to share.
The Prince George Citizen has some good news to share.
In the months since new owners Cameron Stolz and Terresa Randall-Stolz bought the paper from Glacier Media, there has been a full-on campaign to rebuild and rejuvenate the city’s oldest continuously operating business. The Citizen team has never lost sight of the fact that this is the newspaper of record for Prince George. We have been documenting the history of this community for over a century, and we will continue to do so.
In the months since new owners Cameron Stolz and Terresa Randall-Stolz bought the paper from Glacier Media, there has been a full-on campaign to rebuild and rejuvenate the city’s oldest continuously operating business.
The Citizen team has never lost sight of the fact that this is the newspaper of record for Prince George. We have been documenting the history of this community for over a century, and we will continue to do so.
To that end, we’ve made some significant changes. Some of them you’ve no doubt already noticed. There are more changes coming to our website – the leading source of online news in Prince George - and the digital side of our news coverage.
To that end, we’ve made some significant changes. Some of them you’ve no doubt already noticed. There are more changes coming to our website – the leading source of online news in Prince George - and the digital side of our news coverage.
PLEASE SEE CITIZEN ON PAGE 3
PLEASE SEE CITIZEN ON PAGE 3
While most Canadian newspapers have closed their offices and shifted to a remote-work environment, The Citizen is open for business at 505 4th Avenue. A commitment to in-person service is part of the paper’s new
CITIZEN STAFF
CITIZEN STAFF
Citizen makes changes to better serve readers
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
But this edition that you’re holding represents the new direction Cameron and Terresa wanted for the paper.
First of all, this week’s paper is 48 pages of local content. Everything in it came out of Prince George and is brought to you by people who live in this community. After increasing our page count to 32 pages in the spring, we’ve been at 48 pages for a few weeks now.
We still grin when the paper arrives from the press and we can feel its heft. This is no flimsy flyer wrap. We’re giving you hours of content each week, and it’s rewarding for us.
We’ve also expanded our press run. When the paper changed hands, there were about 17,500 papers going into drop boxes around the city.
Now there are 22,000, and more drop boxes are on the way.
We’ve analyzed their placement and will be adding boxes to areas where we know people want to grab the latest copy.
In other good news, we have an
Vehicle found on fire in forest
PRINCE GEORGE FIRE RESCUE PHOTO
Prince George fire crews were called to a wooded area near the UNBC campus Sunday after receiving reports of a possible forest fire. Firefighters found a burning vehicle in an area that was difficult to access. Moving in first on foot and then via a dirt access road, city firefighters and B.C. Wildfire Service crews were able to put out the fire before it spread into thw woods. No injuries were reported. The investigation continues. The vehicle, which appeared to be abandoned, was left in place and will be removed at a later date.
editor in place. Kennedy Gordon, who was born in Kelowna, joins us after working at daily newspapers in Sudbury, Peterborough and other Ontario communities.
He brings decades of experience and a passion for covering news in cities like Prince George. He introduces himself on Page 8 today.
Going forward, he’ll be your primary contact for news coverage in the city.
As all this has been happening, Cameron and Terresa have been negotiating with the union representing the Prince George Citizen’s employees.
We’re happy to announce that for the first time since 2012, a deal was reached and approved on the weekend, giving us a clear path forward as we continue to grow the paper and embrace a new era.
Part of that approach is an insistence on maintaining a physical presence in the city.
Most newspapers in Canada have gone fully remote, with only a few bigcity dailies still maintaining office space and newsrooms.
The Citizen operates out of its 4th Avenue headquarters, with staff on-site
The first edition of The Citizen was published on May 17, 1916.
each day. That’s the way newspapers have always operated and it’s vital for clear communication among reporters, sales staff and management. It also means you can walk in the door
and place an ad, pick up a back issue or talk to us in person.
No 1-800 number or website portal, just real Prince George people ready and happy to help.
Firefighters lending a hand
The Prince George Fire Centre welcomed firefighters from Nova Scotia on Friday, July 12.
There is now a 20-member unit crew and an agency representative in the area to help with fire suppression in B.C.
With the hot, dry weather anticipated to carry on through many areas of the province, these firefighters will support the staff and contractors to meet objectives on new and existing fires for the next two weeks.
Other out-of-province resources include two CL415 aircraft and one birddog aircraft from Ontario stationed in Williams Lake.
City issues $18.3M in permits
The City of Prince George approved permits for $18,305,260 worth of new residential construction in June.
These consist of three new single-family homes ($1,515,260), five multi-family dwellings ($16,460,000) and two new mobile dwellings ($330,000).
Those numbers were in a report that
NEWS NOTES
went to council Monday, July 22 from the Deanna Wasnik, the City of Prince George’s director of planning and development.
The report also notes that there were permits issued for six commercial building alterations ($1,553,000); One new industrial building ($35,000); and one institutional building alteration ($175,000) in June.
Those dollar amounts represent the estimated total construction value of each development, the report states: “The construction values reflect the construction of the building or structure and do not include the cost of any mechanical equipment.”
The report also states that the department approved a development permit for a vacant lot at 1800 Upland St, described as a “multiple residential stacked rowhome development” and 2003-2009 Ogilvie Street, which received an industrial form and character development permit for upgrades to its facade. That property is located behind
the College of New Caledonia.
Store won’t reopen after fire
A downtown business that has been closed since an April 9 fire will not re-open, its owner announced Tuesday, July 16
The Niche Clothing and Trading Company is located at 1388 5th Ave.
“As many of you know, there was a fire at the back of the store April 9,” owner Kellie Young wrote on Facebook. “I have been closed since then. There have been some other factors that led
me to the hard decision to permanently close.”
The store, which sold natural-fibre clothing and home decor, was started in Jasper before Young moved it to her home town in 2016.
“I’m so grateful for all of you that made The Niche a success and a great community,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
The blaze happened after someone lit a fire at the store’s back door, then left. The flames spread and caused $150,000 damage.
Mayor calls for more government co-operation
CITIZEN STAFF
Mayor Simon Yu is asking city councillors to join his call for stronger ties between all levels of government in the area, with an eye on addressing mental health and addiction.
The proposal comes in a report that was presented to council at its Monday, July 22 meeting. It’s titled The Need for a Joint, Regional Response to Local Challenges. Yu notes that while the various local governments work well together, more can be done and a proper memorandum of understanding will help solidify that effort.
“The City of Prince George regularly meets with local representatives from each order of government,” Yu writes in his report. “Consistently in these conversations the need for joint advocacy to address pressing local issues is raised. We believe it is time to pull
everyone together to further focus this conversation.”
He envisions a formal collaboration framework between city council, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George and area MLAs and MPs.
“I believe we recognize the challenges our region faces as compounding crises in healthcare, mental health, drug addictions and natural disasters continue to impact the province,” he wrote. “We recognize that these issues overlap with all levels of jurisdiction and need joint leadership.
Yu suggests starting with expanded mental health and addiction treatment.
“These services, I believe, are integral to combat many of the issues our region is grappling with, and I welcome the opportunity to get everyone around one table on this topic and any others that the group wishes to raise,” he wrote.
Kellie Young, owner of Niche Clothing & Trading Co., has decided against re-opening the store after it was damaged by fire earlier this year.
New hotel proposed for Prince George’s airport
Prince George Airport be able to accommodate overnight hotel guests by 2027.
Construction of the 120-guest room Prestige YXS on a 486-hectare (1,201acre) site at 4141 Boeing Road is expected to begin next spring, with an opening date expected sometime in January 2027. The hotel project is still in the design process, with the preliminary plan for the building design to be completed by Chernoff Thompson Architects North of Prince George this fall or early winter.
Craig Briere, CEO of Growth Hospitality, the Prince George company spearheading the project, told The Citizen that the hotel will especially cater to travellers from outlying communities coming to Prince George to connect to larger centres. Often those flights originating from Prince George leave the city early to allow for daytime connections to international destinations and that requires travellers to stay overnight close to the airport.
“You can see the amount of travellers moving through YXS that are coming from major construction projects such as mines and, more importantly, there are locals moving through the airport travelling to destinations beyond Vancouver arriving early to catch those 5:30 a.m. flights,” said Briere.
“We’ve certainly identified the airport as a logistical point that brings travellers through our area and in order to accommodate their needs, certainly a hotel is needed.”
Briere said the hotel will also serve flight crews who regularly arrive late and stay overnight in Prince George before they leave on their flights the following day.
It will be attached to the airport terminal on the site now occupied by the car rental parking lot and that will allow guests to access the terminal without having to step outside the building.
“They can just basically get out of bed, go down the elevator into the terminal and check into their flight,”
This artist’s conception shows where the proposed Prestige YXS hotel will be built next to the passenger terminal at Prince George Airport.
said Briere.
The hotel will feature 120 guest rooms and amenities including a spa, gym, meeting spaces and a guest lounge.
The main floor will also have more than 12,000 square feet of potential space that may be leased out for other amenities and services catering to hotel guests and airport travellers.
The plan was formally announced Monday afternoon and city council passed a bylaw to allow hotels as a secondary use on land zoned “airport” through three readings on Monday evening.
“The addition of Prestige YXS to Prince George Airport will significantly enhance the travel experience for our passengers,” said Gordon Duke, president and CEO of Prince George Airport Authority, in the announcement.
In addition to the 120 rooms, the hotel will also have a small meeting /boardroom space as well as a spa with weight gym, hot tub, sauna and steam room.
There will also be ground floor retail space available and room for restaurants/coffee shops and other services needed for the airport to accommodate hotel guests and terminal visitors.
“This hotel fits our product mix in this market and really positions us as a leader in hospitality in Prince George and Northern B.C.,” said Briere.
“It will certainly help the airport grow but it also helps tourism and industry in the north to continue to grow by having this additional amenity at the airport.
Lake Babine First Nation to be involved in a project that will bring economic benefits to our community,” said Trevor Morrison, CEO of Lake Babine First Nation.
Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dolleen Logan had praise for the project. “Congratulations to the group,” she said. “We appreciate seeing positive relationships and partnerships being developed in Lheidli T’enneh territory and the City of Prince George.”
It’s a community project that will provide benefits in a number of different ways and obviously we’re excited to be the driving force behind this.”
The Lake Babine First Nation is a partner in the Prestige Prince George Lodge and Prestige YXS projects. “This partnership is a great opportunity for
Based in Kelowna, the Prestige Hotel chain also owns the 130-room Treasure Cove Resort at 2005 Highway 97. The family-owned corporation recently purchased the 83-room Four Points by Sheraton, a 17-year-old hotel now known as Prestige Prince George Lodge, located on the opposite side of Highway 97 adjacent to the Treasure Cove.
“Our expansion to Prince George Airport is a significant milestone for Prestige Hotels and Resorts,” said Amy Nunn, VP of sales and marketing.
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
CSFS welcomes new funding for services
CITIZEN STAFF
Carrier Sekani Family Services is applauding a commitment from Ottawa to provide $47.8 billion in funding for long-term reform of First Nations child and family services.
The proposed funding, announced by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), represents an increase from the initial commitment of $19.807 billion in 2021.
Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS) states its share of the proposed funding “will significantly alleviate roadblocks in providing services to the Nations we serve, and is a significant step forward in reconciliation and providing justice for First Nations children and families.”
CSFS notes it has been operating without adequate funding since it launched in 1990. If the funding comes through, it will enable the organization to enhance capacity as it provides culturally appropriate services and programs.
“Our top priority at CSFS is to ensure
that First Nations children have a safe place to grow and thrive, which has been difficult without adequate funding,” says Warner Adam, chief executive officer of CSFS. “In order to thrive, children need to grow up rooted in their culture. CSFS is in a good position to work with communities to overhaul the child welfare system and ensure that the revised system is based on healing citizens, care for
children, and strengthening the family unit as opposed to the existing punitive system. However, we require proper funding to build adequate infrastructure for child development and create healing spaces for our people.”
The AFN will meet with First Nations leaders at regional engagement sessions in July, August and September, to hear views and discuss details of the draft settlement agreement.
A Special Chiefs Assembly will then be held in September for deliberations on reforms of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and to vote on the proposed measures.
CSFS board president Chief Priscilla Mueller of Saik’uz First Nation says that this increase in funding is a major step in helping Indigenous communities in their healing journeys.
“This funding isn’t just about dollars – it’s a lifeline for Indigenous communities; it’s about justice, and the well-being of our children and families,” states Mueller. “This marks a significant milestone on our journey towards reconciliation.”
“Carrier Sekani Family Services extends its sincere appreciation to the AFN and Cindy Blackstock for their hard work in fighting for fair and adequate care for First Nations people in Canada,” states the press release. “Together, we are creating spaces for our people to ground themselves in their culture and, as a result, to heal.”
UNBC reappoints president
The University of Northern British Columbia’s board of governors has reappointed Geoffrey Payne to a second term as president and vice-chancellor of UNBC. A founding faculty member of the UBC Northern Medical Program at UNBC when he joined the university in 2004, Payne was appointed interim president in February 2020. The decision was made by a committee that included board members and representatives of faculty, students, staff and the Indigenous community. Payne’s new term will begin on June 28, 2025 and end June 27, 2030.
CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
Carrier Sekani Family Services operates in Prince George and northern B.C.
Falcon says city urgently needs surgical tower
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
As a referring hospital that serves the entire northern half of the province, University Hospital of Northern B.C. (UHNBC) desperately needs a new surgical tower, said B.C. United leader Kevin Falcon in Prince George Thursday, July 18.
Falcon said that if he is elected premier this fall, construction of that hospital addition would be one of his top priorities.
“We would move forward immediately on building a patient tower that would include a cutting-edge cardiac care unit and a helipad to ensure that we can look after northerners close to home in a proper facility,” Falcon said.
He says it’s time for a provincial government that delivers on its promises and the new tower, first announced by the NDP more than five years ago, should have been a priority item for the health ministry.
“Northern and rural health is in a crisis now which I would liken to a fivealarm fire,” said Falcon, who addressed the media at Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond’s downtown office.
“We just saw in Fort St. John the fifth successive night where the emergency department is closed and UNHNBC, being the regional tertiary referral centre, is having to deal with many of those people that cannot get healthcare in those smaller communities. They have to come here and overwhelm the incredibly hard-working doctors, nurses and care aids that are doing their level best to try and deal with a very challenged situation.”
Falcon said B.C. United, when it formed the government as the B.C. Liberal Party prior to the NDP being elected in 2017, upheld its healthcare infrastructure commitments to build the pediatrics ward at UHNBC and the B.C. Cancer Centre for the North in Prince George.
“We do what we say we’re going to do,” he said.
“When we announced we were going ahead with the cancer centre it was
B.C. United leader Kevin Falcon visits Prince George Thursday, July 18, 2024 to affirm his support for the proposed surgical tower for University Hospital of Northern B.C.. Joining Falcon at the media conference were, from left, Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond, Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes and B.C. United Prince George-Mackenzie candidate Kiel Giddens.
delivered on schedule, on budget. When I stand here in Prince George today and say we’re going to build that tower and built it now, we mean it, and we have a track record to prove that we do what we say we’re going to do.”
After discussions with Bond, B.C. United’s shadow minister for health, Falcon says he is alarmed at how overloaded the province’s health system has become and the extent to which the morale of healthcare workers struggling to keep up with their workloads has suffered as a result of staffing shortages.
“I am genuinely worried about them as workers because they are getting so dispirited and burnt out and feeling unappreciated and frustrated with the bureaucracy that’s grown up under the NDP that many people are looking either to relocate or just exit from their practices,” said Falcon.
“So we have to move quickly to make sure that at minimum they’re working in an environment that is modern and gives them encouragement to go to work every day, but we also have to work on the human resource plan.
“The nurses’ union has been calling for nurse-patient ratios which we strongly endorse because we want nurses to feel good about their workplace and, of course, making sure we have the ability to train these doctors and nurses we’re going to need to ensure that when we get this new tower gets opened that we’ve got the people there to work.”
Falcon says the North deserves a comprehensive health strategy that addresses existing gaps and removes barriers to training while also delivering more training spaces and partnerships
that will gives medical students opportunities to study new programs, such as speech-language pathology, which will help fill staff shortages.
He also highlighted the need for more residencies which could be filled by international medical students who completed their training abroad.
“Most of them are Canadian kids who want to come back and practice in B.C. but government rules and red tape are getting in the way and we have to fix that,” said Falcon.
“Two years ago, Shirley Bond and myself were already demanding the NDP expand the UBC Medical Program from 288 to 400 spaces. That would include additional spaces in the North at UNBC and they added zero seats until last year (when the government added 198 medical school seats) and that’s not acceptable.”
OPINION
New Citizen editor is ready to tell your stories
It’s people’s stories that matter most
KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor
Citizen Staff
GHello, Prince George. I’m your new editor.
ordon Dondale was visiting family in Prince George over the weekend when his sister opened the last week’s edition of the Citizen and spotted a familiar face in a grainy black-and-white photo.
“This looks like you,” she said, tossing him the paper.
I say “your” because that’s the way I look at what I do. My responsibility as a journalist is to you, the readers. You always come first. This has been my firm belief since my first byline appeared in print, and it’s one I take seriously.
After looking at the photo, he laughed in surprise. “It is me.”
OK, some background: I’m a second-generation journalist who grew up around small-town weekly papers before joining The Sudbury Star, where I reported on crime, courts, politics and local entertainment before becoming an editor. From there, I went to The Peterborough Examiner, starting off as news editor before a brief stint reporting again led me to the managing editor’s chair.
By sheer coincidence, Dondale happened to be in town at the same time that a Citizen editor chose a photo of him for our weekly Throwback Thursday page. And his sister, Luella Lund, happened to notice it.
Dondale was photographed while playing for a team called the Legion Grads in a ball game here in June 1962. It’s a black-and-white photo of the then-17-year-old at the bat, a gleam in his eye, confident and ready to swing, and it’s pretty clear who it is.
out what The Citizen will be like going forward.
Part of that involves an understanding of The Citizen’s history. I’m a bit of a nut for old newspapers, and having a century of Citizens online through the Prince George Digitization Project is something I appreciate. I’ve been reading random papers from across the decades, learning not only about the history of this city but also enjoying the journalism our predecessors created. The Citizen is a huge part of this community and has been for a long time; I plan to make sure that continues for years to come.
We’re about to go on an adventure together, readers.
ball career playing for teams sponsored by Geddes Contracting and Hart Construction. In 1966, he travelled to Rock Island, Illinois, with the local Columbus Hotel Softball Club, which represented Canada at the World Softball Tournament. A Citizen advertisement from that time indicates that Dondale was sponsored by the City of Prince George. He remembers that the team had several players from Prince George as well as a few imports. Canada came ninth in that tournament, which was won by the U.S. Dondale later played on teams that won back-to-back provincial championships.
That makes up the majority of my professional life. In all, I spent more than 20 years at those two papers, writing for readers in cities much like Prince George in some ways. Size-wise, for sure. Sudbury is an industry town with a thriving outdoors scene, while Peterborough is a former manufacturing centre that has become known for its cottaging and tourism industries. Different, but not that different.
Kennedy Gordon, the new managing editor of The Examiner, comes to Prince George after working at daily newspapers in Ontario.
Now living in Penticton, Dondale doesn’t play ball anymore. “Golf is my sport now,” he says, chatting with the Citizen at Carrie Jane Gray Park’s fastball field, with that same gleam in his eye as he mentions the game.
I see similarities to both as I roam around Prince George.
I’m bringing that understanding of small-city local news to The Citizen. I recognize the importance of having local voices tell local stories, and that’s
Throwback Thursday is our weekly look back at the people, places and events of decades past. When we heard Dondale’s story we headed out to meet him and his wife Edna at the field, bringing along a vintage wooden bat
what we have at this paper. We are a small team, but we are a dedicated team, and it has been gratifying to learn that the folks here share my dedication to you, the readers. It’s a good fit.
But there will be a learning curve. I can’t give readers the information they need without knowing the context and nuance of life in PG. I know I have a lot more to learn about this place, and I’m working on it.
Gordie Dondale, took bat in hand at the plate while visiting Carrie Jane Gray Park Sunday, 62 years after having his picture taken during a game he played in for the Legion Grads versus Prince George Tire.
(from the garage of veteran sports reporter Ted Clarke) and photographer Chuck Nisbett set up the shot to mimic the original.
I have no plans to write the usual “new guy” columns about my dorky observations as a newcomer, but I have
Dondale, who went on to work for the City of Prince George, doesn’t remember the original photo being
running in the paper at the time. In fact, he doesn’t remember playing for the Grads, but said it wasn’t uncommon for him to step in to round out the rosters of other local teams back then. “The funniest thing is that I don’t remember that team name and I can’t make out what the uniform is,” as he puts it.
no doubt I will have some of you shaking your heads when I don’t quite grasp some very obvious Prince George detail. Bear with me. You’ll be getting an outsider’s perspective at first, but I don’t plan on staying an outsider for long. Something you should probably know: I’m not just showing up here this week. I’ve been in Prince George for a while now. I spent part of April here, then returned in mid-May.
What he does remember is the fairly regular presence of the Citizen at his sporting events. “We were in the paper for 10 years. Fast pitch was really bit in town, and we got really good articles.” He notes that the paper’s sports editor at the time also played fastball, so that probably helped.
I was the managing editor at The Examiner for a decade. When I left, I considered the notion that my decades in journalism might be coming to an end, and I would join the ranks of other former journalists of my generation who have pivoted to new and different careers. “Maybe it’s time for a new adventure,” I told myself as I considered my options.
However, I couldn’t (and still can’t) imagine doing anything other than make newspapers. So when I heard about what was happening at The Citizen, it turned out to be the adventure I was looking for.
I’m still marveling at the idea that somebody bought a newspaper in 2024, but I like what’s happening here and I’m glad to be a part of it.
He spent much of his amateur
I’ve been getting to know the paper and its people and learning about the city, and doing my best to help map
So that’s one man’s decades-old connection to his hometown paper. You’re reading about it because of a couple of coincidences strung together by that sense of community, as word got to us that he was in town, and he was up for a chat. This is a perfect example of how much of a connection a local newspaper can have with its community. By telling people’s stories, we record those moments for history. It’s also a reminder of how important amateur sports can be to our city. Anyone can look up vintage game results and player stats online, but it was the Citizen sharing the pictures and stories of people like Dondale and others that mattered then and now.
Reach managing editor Kennedy Gordon at editor@pgcitizen.ca.
CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
KENNEDY GORDON PHOTO
OPINION
Without journalistic standards, facts are at risk
As I See It
For the last six months, I have taken a hiatus from writing opinion editorials in the Prince George Citizen. I have been asked several times if that had something to do with Cameron and Terresa purchasing the paper. Not at all.
I simply ran out of time this past winter to properly research and write. So, we are starting again and hopefully these columns will generate a modicum of discussion.
I should also point out that the opinions offered in these columns are my own. They are my thoughts on our world. They do not reflect the opinion of my employer or any of the organizations I am associated with. They do not represent the opinion of the Prince George Citizen. They are just “As I See It”.
We live in interesting times.
That is not to say that other times in human history haven’t been interesting. But we live in an age where worldwide communication is possible in the blink of an eye.
Consider the world of 200 years ago. Communication between countries was restricted to the speed of horses and carriages or sailing ships. War could be fought in one part of the world, and it might be a year before other parts even heard about the event.
Even with the arrival of radio and television, worldwide events took time to propagate. A fire in Peru might not make the news and the people of Prince George might never even know that it had happened. Similarly, a pulp mill opening in Prince George might be locally interesting but certainly not something people living in Zimbabwe would hear about.
But with the rise of the internet and invention of the smart phone,
The rise of the internet and invention of the smartphone mean everything, everywhere can now be broadcast to everyone, Todd Whitcombe writes today. This has two major effects – the loss of gatekeepers on information and the fact that often, nobody is verifying information.
everything, everywhere can now be broadcast to everyone.
This has two major effects – the loss of gatekeepers on information and the rise of no one verifying information.
The role of the news media for the last century has been to provide the facts. This is the heart of journalism. And not to be confused with “opinion editorials” or “letters to the editor” which are meant to provide analysis from a reasoned perspective, although that isn’t always the case.
Journalists work very hard to ensure that the facts are fairly and accurately presented.
It is a hard task to do and sometimes
they get it wrong. But that is life and without malicious intent.
However, without journalistic standards – and this is what the internet now provides through social media – facts often go out the window and opinion is presented as information.
The loss of gatekeepers means that anything can be posted to the internet, so we get graphic images of war, violence, brutality, or just someone’s adorable kittens.
All purporting to be reliable and trustworthy information. Sometimes this provides a glimpse of the world in a way that would never have been seen through major media outlets.
But it comes at a cost because we don’t always know if what we are seeing is true. Someone hawking beets as the latest and best weight loss food is presented with the same sincerity as information from Health Canada about weight loss drugs.
So, if you follow these columns and read what I am writing, please remember that these are editorials based on the best facts that I can find. As true as I can make them.
But if you disagree, you can always comfort yourself by remembering they are just my opinion.
Todd Whitcombe is a chemistry professor at UNBC.
TODD WHITCOMBE
OPINION
Downtown Prince George store won’t reopen after April fire
It’s very sad that such a great store will no longer be a part of PG. It was definitely one of the few remaining good things about the downtown core.
Daisy Clover
Downtown Prince George store won’t reopen after April fire
So sorry to hear this. You had a wonderful and unique store. All the best Kellie in your future endeavours.
Just another message that our city administration needs to heed!
Mike Millard
Downtown Prince George store won’t reopen after April fire
What is going on in our city?
More and more stores
downtown have had to make the decision to close up shop after being attacked by fire, refuse, broken window and merchandise stolen repeatedly. I miss the Northern so much. The litter is constant even after being cleaned up.
How sad for the owners of these stores and those who have given up going shopping downtown.
Those who are in charge have been dropping the ball for years.
Let us get our Downtown community back so everyone can enjoy it.
Gail Etchison!
Bed bugs creating problems for Prince George apartment residents
“The provincial government takes tenant concerns seriously.”
Well, if that ain’t a blatant lie I don’t know what is. Who is the Minister responsible, who are the bureaucrats paying lip service to clients? Perhaps a clean sweep is necessary to institute change.
How the provincial government has treated these tenants is absolutely disgusting.
No one should be treated this way, especially ones with health issues. Why does it take an expose in the news to get things done. Thanks Citizen for this article.
Skeeto
Dare to take a Ghostly Walk in Prince George
This is amazing! So many cities in the country have something similar but I never thought PG would have one due to it being a bit younger and a smaller city. I really hope people support it - especially as it’s half the price as most other ghost tours across the country! I can’t wait to join a tour and learn local history that I apparently had no idea about.
Mitchell Schmidt
Prince George rated secondbest university town in Canada
So awesome to hear. It was one of the best places I worked for almost three years in the library. A lot of very good energy, amazing people and ideas are generated on that campus.
BC Benny
More bears killed in Prince George last year than in any other B.C. community
Perhaps PG needs to look at working toward Bear Aware certification in order to make serious reduction of the number of bears we kill annually. Bears look for food, NATURALLY, and our improperly handled trash is a smorgasbord in the bears mind. There are simple steps to help reduce the problem, such as washing your garbage can regularly to reduce odours, sprinkling the cleaned can with products that have a smell bears dont like, vinegar, bleach etc. Secure the container to make it difficult to get at. Freezing aromatic refuse and only putting it out on garbage day reduces attraction. We see regular evidence of bears in our neighborhood but never an issue with our can due to its difficult to access location, regular cleaning and odorizing. Yes it requires a little effort but to avoid the sad outcome of euthanasia for a beautiful animal that is just doing what comes naturally it really does not seem that big a deal.
Become Bear Aware for the love of nature!
RenoGuy24
Grant funding available for downtown Prince George improvements
To retain UNBC students in Prince George, we should enhance our downtown with wider sidewalks, street furniture, and funky neon lights for a vibrant and unique feel.
Adding trees will provide shade in hot downtown areas, making the streets more beautiful and cozier, transforming the concrete jungle.
A more inviting city will attract and retain young talent, benefiting the entire community. Increased foot traffic downtown also enhances safety — safety in numbers.
S. Goods
Grant funding available for downtown Prince George improvements
Unless laws change and issues are addressed, it will be a waste as it will sadly be destroyed/vandalized.
Look at all the businesses leaving. Downtown is an unsafe mess that many no longer visit.
We need things to toughen up. Jennifer Lussier
Trucking firms merge
Prince George Mayor Simon Yu and Rod Graham, president of Velocity Truck Centres, discuss the merger of Prince George Western Star and Prince George Freightliner, which will create the north’s first hydrogen vehicle service bay, on Great Street on Friday, July 19. Also announced was a collaborative program with CNC to train technicians in hydrogen truck service.
Notice of Public Consultation
Crooked River-Parsnip Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2425, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 3359, 2024
Location: Davie Lake, 3.5 km north of the community of Bear Lake
Purpose: to permit the subdivision of the subject property into two 15 ha lots
Next Steps: the Regional District is gathering input before the Regional District Board of Directors considers a second reading and public hearing
Cariboo puts limits on outdoor water use
CITIZEN STAFF
Higher than normal demand for water in the Cariboo Regional District amidst hot, dry weather conditions has caused the area’s water systems to run near capacity.
“Overuse could potentially mean we will run out of water,” states a notice issued Thursday, July 18. “Low water reserves can also negatively impact the system’s water quality and the ability of emergency personnel to fight structure fires or wildfires.”
The Cariboo Regional District’s environmental services department is asking residents to conserve water wherever possible.
Mandatory restrictions on the use of sprinklers are in effect until Oct. 1. “Enforcement may occur for those who do not adhere to the restrictions,” states a press release.
Hours for sprinkler use vary by community.
• Alexis Creek/Central Alexis Creek: 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Canim Lake: 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Forest Grove: 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Horse Lake: 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Lac La Hache: 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Russet Bluff: 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Even-numbered homes on even numbered days and odd-numbered homes on odd numbered days.
• 108 Mile: 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Even-numbered homes on even numbered days and odd-numbered homes on odd numbered days.
• Gateway: 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• 103 Mile: 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m
• Lexington: 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m
• Benjamin: 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
more information visit
Regional District.
JORDAN HOPKINS PHOTO
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
Weekly direct flights to Las Vegas in the works
MARK NIELSEN Special to The Citizen
Direct twice-a-week service between Las Vegas and Prince George could be in the cards.
Addressing city council on Monday, July 22, Prince George Airport Authority CEO Gordon Duke said that “in terms of asks,” Las Vegas is the second-most requested destination among local travellers, behind only Puerto Vallarta.
The airport’s marketing and service development manager, Chrissy Blok, is working aggressively to make the possibility a reality, he said.
If it comes to fruition, Duke said it will have to be twice a week, in part “because a week in Vegas is too hard.” The destination is also not as affordable as it once was, Duke said.
Direct flights to Las Vegas may be coming to the Prince
It’s the second-most-requested destination after Puerto Vallarta.
“That’s the tough sell you have, it has to be twice a week,” Duke said as he fielded questions from council members following an update on the airport’s activities.
Duke also predicted the success of the service to Puerto Vallarta as well as the one to Calgary will “perk up” interest in a transcontinental flight and newer company Porter Airlines has agreed to take delivery of 42 jets over the next three years.
New air route will link Prince George, Kelowna
CITIZEN STAFF
A new direct link between Prince George and Kelowna will be available to travellers in October.
Pacific Coastal Airlines will introduce the new flight route on Oct. 28. It will involve morning flights on a Beechcraft 1900 six days a week.
The plane can carry 19 passengers.
It will connect the Prince George International Airport (YXS) with the Kelowna International Airport (YLW)
“We are thrilled to welcome Pacific Coastal Airlines’ new route from YXS to YLW, enhancing travel options for our community,” said Gordon Duke, president and CEO of the Prince George Airport Authority.
“This service complements existing routes and reflects our commitment to providing diverse and convenient travel opportunities.”
The daily flight will leave Kelowna Sundays through Fridays at 6:20 a.m. and land in Prince George at 7:40 a.m., then leave Prince George at 7:45 a.m. and land back in Kelowna at 9:10 a.m.
“Our new route offers customers enhanced access to convenient travel between northern B.C. and the Okanagan,” stated Johnathan Richardson, VP of customer and commercial at Pacific Coastal Airlines, in a press release.
“We’re grateful for the strong support of our newly added flights and are eager to continue to expand our services throughout the province,” he continued.
Reservations are already available, Pacific Coastal has stated.
Flights on the new route can now be booked through the Pacific Coastal Airlines website, by calling 1-800-663-2872, or through a travel agent
“And we’re in line,” Duke said. “They do believe it’s a viable market.”
He also noted Porter is investing in a new terminal at an airport just outside Montreal
“Their strategy is interesting, that’s for sure,” Duke said.
He also said the PGAA is working with
an Okanagan-based school to bring pilot training to Prince George.
He said making such schools eligible for student loans is the “biggest barrier to entry,” because the cost of getting a commercial licence is “probably close to a hundred thousand dollars.”
PRINCE GEORGE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT/FACEBOOK
George International Airport, city council heard Monday night.
More bears are killed in Prince George each year than in any other B.C. community
CITIZEN STAFF
More black bears were put down in Prince George last year than in any other B.C. community, an advocacy group reports.
Meanwhile, Prince George’s advisory committee on bear awareness will meet Thursday, July 25 to discuss the next steps in its approach to dealing with black bears in the city.
The Fur-Bearers, a non-partisan registered charity, has published numbers from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BC COS) that show the number of black bears euthanized in 2023. The group, founded in 1953, aims to use the data to help communities make changes to reduce negative encounters and the deaths of black bears.
However, the group points out, the available data is incomplete and may not paint the full picture, which hinders their efforts.
The Fur-Bearers used freedom of information requests to collect the data, noting that the conservation officers’ service would not release the locations of more than 50 per cent of bears killed in 2023.
Based on the information the group received, there were 603 bears put down last year in B.C. Prince George tops the list, with 76 bears killed within city limits.
• Prince George: 76
• Kamloops: 31
• Mackenzie: 28
• Smithers: 24
• Quesnel: 22
• Burns Lake: 17
• Vanderhoof: 17
• Squamish: 11
• Fort St. James: 11
Notice of Property Use Agreements
Buckhorn Community Park, Longworth Community Hall and Tabor Lake Community Park Properties
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George intends to enter into property use agreements for the use of Regional District properties for five-year terms with:
• Buckhorn Recreation Commission for the Community Park Property on 15 Mile and Vienna Road, legally known as Block A of the Northwest ¼ of District Lot 1975, Cariboo District
• Longworth Recreation Commission for the Community Hall Property on Upper Fraser Road, legally known as District Lot 10255, Cariboo District
• Tabor Lake Recreation Commission for the Community Park Property on Giscome Road, legally known as Lot 1 of District Lot 2174, Cariboo District Plan 25428
In consideration of the entitlements given, the Regional District will receive the nominal sum of $1 (plus GST) for each of the specified terms of the agreements.
For more info visit rdffg.ca or contact communityservices@rdffg.bc.ca
• Fraser Lake: 10
The Fur-Bearers point out that of the 603 black bears killed by the agency in 2023, the data from the 10 communities offered details on only 247 black bear deaths, leaving questions about where the remaining 356 black bears were killed last year.
“Following a deadly year for black bears in British Columbia, we expected to see the familiar names of communities where issues remain unresolved,” said Lesley Fox, executive director of the Fur-Bearers, in a press release. “Unfortunately, this year the BC COS only provided 10 communities – and did not tell us where they killed 356 of the alarming 603 black bears killed.”
This prompted a call by the Fur-Bearers for more transparency.
“The location of where over 50 per cent of the black bears killed remains unknown by the public, and that’s completely unacceptable both for conservation and government accountability,” said Fox.
“We’re calling on the BC COS to begin publishing bear kill statistics monthly, by location, for the public to see. There is no way for communities to do better when they don’t know there’s a problem.”
Of the 10 communities listed, only Kamloops and Squamish have provincial Bear Smart certification, meaning they’ve met criteria established by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, the British Columbia Conservation Foundation and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.
Being designated Bear Smart means the municipality has adopted preventative conservation measures that can help reduce the number of bears that have to be destroyed each year.
Prince George is looking to earn Bear Smart status, and was to address that process on Thursday, July 25.
The meeting was scheduled to include a submission from staff on the draft Bear Smart program application and a report on inter-agency feedback on the application.
In addition, the Northern Bear Awareness Society will make a submission on the program, the bear hazard assessment for Prince George, human-bear conflict prevention management, as well as a report on bear occurrences and mortalities for the city.
In many cases, the Fur-Bearers note, hungry bears are attracted to residential areas because of unsecured curbside garbage, fruit left uncollected on trees, bird feeders and other factors. Urban expansion and resource development has also led to bears exploring areas they would have previously avoided.
A full list of possible attractants around B.C. homes can be found at TheFurBearers.com/attractants.
DAVID PETERSEN PHOTO
A black bear is spotted in a tree on Norwood Street in the city of Prince George in this file photo.
Valemont RCMP renew call for cold case tips
CITIZEN STAFF
With the help of a video posted by the victim’s daughter, the Valemount RCMP has renewed a call for the public’s help to get to the bottom of a fatal hit and run slightly more than a year ago.
Slightly before midnight on July 4, 2023, Claire Newman was struck and killed on Highway 16 near the Lucerne campground in Mount Robson Provincial Park.
Newman was a noted member of the Merritt and Logan Lake communities where she was involved in municipal politics and the community forest.
Her daughter, Lauren Newman, recently took to video to urge anyone with information to come forward.
“With the year marker coming up of my mom’s passing, we have come through a lot of rough challenges over this year. We have had her service on September 2023,” she said.
A 2016-18 Jeep Cherokee has been identified as the suspect vehicle in a fatal hit and run on July 4, 2023 near the Lucerne campground in Mount Robson Provincial Park.
“Lots of people came and said beautiful things and were very honouring of her. But I would say not having my mother to talk to and be there to give me that advice really is a hard thing to deal with and shouldn’t have been this way that she passed.”
City receives hydrogen hub project funding
CITIZEN STAFF
The City of Prince George will receive $150,000 in federal funding to help develop a regional hydrogen hub for the area.
“This work will ensure that Northern B.C. can capitalize on the exciting hydrogen potential in the region, attract advanced industries and establish a network of hydrogen producers, consumers, and infrastructure,” states a press release from the federal government. “This will accelerate the adoption of hydrogen as a clean and efficient energy source, reinforcing British Columbia’s role as a leader in sustainable development.”
The funding will help identify local hydrogen assets, attract investment for low-carbon initiatives and support research and community engagement.
Prince George is strategically positioned to take advantage of the
expanding hydrogen economy due to its regional transportation advantages, including proximity to major highways, rail transport, and an international airport, states the release. The hub will extend along Highway 16 to Prince Rupert.
“The Northern B.C. hydrogen hub development is a transformative initiative poised to link regional hydrogen demand and supply, driving economic growth through job creation in construction, operations, and maintenance of hydrogen facilities and infrastructure,” said Mayor Simon Yu in a press release from the federal government.
“This forward-thinking endeavour not only supports local industries but also positions Northern British Columbia at the forefront of clean energy innovation and sustainability.
Ottawa wants to see 30 per cent of Canada’s energy come from clean hydrogen by 2050.
anything or has any leads or tips, please contact the Valemount RCMP.
The suspect vehicle has been identified as a 2016-2018 Jeep Cherokee. It was seen heading east along Highway 16 at the Parks Canada gate, west of Jasper.
“Unfortunately, the license plate number is not visible and there is no front plate on the vehicle,” Valemount RCMP said in a press release issued at the time.
She continued, urging the driver to take responsibility for what happened.
“Car accidents happen all the time. Things happen all the time. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do the right thing and come forward and give people the closure they need. If anybody knows
“Once the vehicle passed through the Parks Canada gate, it is unknown if the vehicle travelled south toward Banff or east toward Edmonton. Police checked video surveillance at gas stations in both Jasper and Hinton, Alberta, but the suspect vehicle was not seen on video.”
Anyone with tips about the incident, no matter how minor the information may seem, is urged to contact the Valemount RCMP detachment at 250566-4466 or Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.
Electrolyte Fuel is a mineral-enhanced, all-natural lemon & aloe drink. It hydrates and energizes by supercharging the body with electrolytes and alkaline buffers. Fortified with citrate minerals and Celtic salt, Electrolyte Fuel drink mix is a tasty and refreshing way to balance pH and provide electrolytes pre and post-workout. aintaining a balanced internal pH can improve immune health, reduce inflammation, prevent degenerative disease and promote bone and muscle strength.
and
Debt Clock keeps ticking
Canadian Taxpayers Federation B.C. director Carson Binda discusses the provincial debt, displayed on the Debt Clock truck, and how it impacts every B.C. resident at a press conference held at the Exploration Place on Friday,
Prince George court docket for July 15-19
MARK NIELSEN Special to The Citizen
These are recent sentences for offences committed in Prince George and area.
- Jasmaine Ariel Paige Thomas (born 1991) was sentenced to one year probation with a suspended sentence for theft $5,000 or under and breaching an undertaking. Thomas was in custody for three days prior to sentencing.
- Richard Edward John (born 1976) was sentenced to time served and one year probation for mischief $5,000 or under. John was in custody for 32 days prior to sentencing.
- Bradley Robert Foster (born 1979) was sentenced to 39 days in jail for breaching probation and breaching a release order and to 36 days in jail for a separate count of breaching probation order and assessed $300 in victim surcharges. Foster was in custody for 13 days prior to sentencing.
- Ryan Timothy Chiappe (born 1978) was sentenced to a 45-day conditional sentence order for breaching probation. Chiappe was in custody for 198 days prior to sentencing.
- Breanna Harris (born 1998) was
sentenced to time served and one year probation for two counts of theft $5,000 or under and one count of breaching an undertaking. Harris was in custody for five days prior to sentencing.
- Chad Robert Piper (born 1980) was sentenced to nine days in jail for possessing weapon for dangerous purpose and to six days for theft $5,000 or under and to one year probation on the counts and to time served for assault with a weapon and separate counts of theft $5,000 or under and possessing weapon for dangerous purpose, as well as for wilfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer, breaching an undertaking and breaching a release order. Piper was in custody for 32 days prior to sentencing.
- Arianna Elizabeth Fuerst (born 2002) was sentenced to 18 months probation with a suspended sentence, ordered to provide a DNA sample and assessed a $100 victim surcharge for assault causing bodily harm.
- Keira Zoe Nicole Prince (born 1998) was ordered to serve the remainder of her nine-month conditional sentence order, issued Aug. 31, 2023 in jail. Prince was in custody on a detention order for 49 days prior to the decision.
- Richard Alex Titchener (born 1968)
was sentenced to 126 days in jail and ordered to pay $927.15 restitution for criminal harassment. Tittchener was also sentenced to 18 months probation on the count and for two counts each of mischief to property over $5,000 and mischief to property $5,000 or under. Titchener was in custody for 28 days prior to sentencing.
- Michael Dean Burger (born 1973) was sentenced to time served for breaching probation and theft $5,000 or under. Burger was also sentenced to one year probation on the theft count and was in custody for seven days prior to sentencing.
- Warren Travis West (born 1993) was sentenced to time served and assessed $200 in victim surcharges for two counts of breaching a release order. West was also sentenced to time served and nine months probation and assessed a $100 victim surcharge for breaching a release order committed in Takla Landing. West was in custody for 91 days prior to sentencing.
- Nathaniel Lazarus Basil (born 1988) was sentenced to time served and one year probation for two counts of theft $5,000 or under. Basil was in custody for 45 days prior to sentencing.
- Bradley Devin Batoche (born 1998)
was sentenced to 21 day in jail and one year probation for assault and to time served for utterring threats and breaching a release order. Batoche was in custody for six days prior to sentencing.
- Adam Tyler Todd Bustin-Lewis (born 2001) was sentenced to 52 days in jail and 18 months probation for assaulting a peace officer and two counts of assault with a weapon and to time served for two counts of breaching a release order. Bustin-Lewis was also ordered to provide a DNA sample and issued a 10-year firearms prohibition. Bustin-Lewis was in custody for 42 days following his arrest on the assault counts and for 42 days prior to sentencing on the breaches.
- Phillip Charlie Guananoot (born 1986) was sentenced to 13 days in jail and one year probation for mischief $5,000 or under. Guananoot was in custody for five days prior to sentencing.
- Alix Gene Bottle (born 1994) was sentenced to time served for three counts of breaching a release order. Time served was not available.
- Paul Frank Jamieson (born 1979) was sentenced to six months probation with a suspended sentence for wilfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
July 19.
B.C. Highway Patrol nabs excessive speeders
MARK NIELSEN Special to The Citizen
Members of the B.C. Highway Patrol nabbed pair of extremely lead-footed drivers in the Prince George area recently.
On July 14, a member was conducting speed enforcement on Highway 97 and clocked a Volkswagen Jetta hitting 122 km/h in a 70-km/h zone.
“Upon stopping the vehicle, the driver was found to be unlicensed and without insurance,” BCHP said in a release.
Two days earlier a driver of a BMW from Alberta was stopped for going 212
km/h in a 100-km/h zone on the Cariboo Highway in Prince George.
They were among the example the BCHP listed from across the province as part of a plea for drivers to slow down following a series of fatal crashes.
All were issued tickets between of $368 and $483 and their vehicles were impounded for seven days.
They were also responsible for the cost of towing and storage related to the impoundment.
And they will be subject to three demerit points and could be prohibited from driving by the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles for up to a year.
Once the prohibition ends, they would have to start the two-year process toward getting a full-privilege driver’s licence over again, according to Insurance Corporation of British Columbia.
Since July 1, BCHP members have issued 132 violation tickets and counting for excessive speed.
Every driver needs to realize that the consequences for excessive speeding go far beyond getting an expensive ticket and your vehicle impounded. You have far less time to react to anything when going that fast which is why excessive speed is so deadly,” BCHP acting operations officer Insp. Chad Badry said.
Since July 1, BCHP members have issued 132 violation tickets and counting for excessive speed. One driver was caught doing 122 km/h in a 70 zone, with no licence or insurance.
Scientists share negative side of salvage logging
Some scientists are calling for a drastic change to the way B.C. deals with forests burned by fire and affected by insects.
The remarks came as the scientists took part in a webinar organized by the volunteer group Conservation North and virtually attended by more than 200 people on Monday, July 22.
During the meeting, they said “salvage” logging after a fire usually causes more damage to a forest than the fire itself, and explained that logging reduces biodiversity, contributes to climate change, increases the vulnerability of the forest to further fires, and often causes soil degradation and erosion.
They said the only reason for “salvage logging” is to create revenue and jobs, but these benefits aren’t worth the costs.
One also noted that little of the revenue is of benefit to the public because
the forest companies obtain the rights to the wood for a pittance.
Dominick DellaSalla, a researcher who has published more than 300 journal articles on forest ecology, said the word “salvage” is misleading.
“Nothing is saved or preserved, but instead, logging forests after a fire causes more damage than the fire itself,” DellaSalla said.
He noted that fire usually contributes to biodiversity and sustainable environments, and added that logging releases more carbon into the atmosphere than is captured by any seedlings that may be planted, and this carbon contributes
to climate change.
Diana Six, a forest entomologist and professor at the University of Montana, characterized beetle outbreaks as events that help forests adapt to a future changing climate if they are left alone and not logged.
Six explained that most people only notice the dead trees that follow an insect attack or fire, however, “surviving trees pass on genetic-based traits that support persistence of the ecosystems under new conditions.”
Karen Price, an ecologist who was a member of the old growth technical panel for the B.C. Ministry of Forests,
said that: “dead trees often have more value that live trees from an ecological perspective,” and that we should think of wildfire “as restoration.”
Price suggested we should add to the benefits of fires, pointing to the example of a plan developed by the Stellat’en and Nadleh First Nations in central B.C.
The webinar began with a presentation by Seraphine Munroe, a Dakelh (Carrier First Nation) advocate for a reconnection to the land, who spoke of the logging of her family’s land. She said the land, her people and everyone continue to be victims of the colonial “machine.”
“The big lesson from this webinar is that in a changing world leaving primary forests alone contributes to resilience of both communities and nature,” explains Conservation North spokesperson Michelle Connolly.
The webinar recording is available on the Conservation North YouTube channel..
Bond pledges to help Victoria Towers residents being plagued by
an infestation
of bedbugs
Asked to act on behalf of residents of a 12-storey Prince George apartment complex besieged by a bedbug infestation, MLA Shirley Bond promises she will get some answers from B.C. Housing and the provincial government that will address those concerns.
Bond, a former provincial health minister, has received at least 13 consent forms over the past week from residents of Victoria Towers on 20th Avenue who want help with the problem.
Many of them fear reprisals from building management staff for airing their complaints about living conditions in the low-income subsidized B.C. Housing complex, Bond said.
“A lot of people were worried about repercussions for standing up and speaking up for themselves, and that’s my job, to represent their concerns, wherever they live,” said Bond.
“It’s hard enough to find a home and it’s not unlike what we’ve seen in the healthcare system, where people are afraid to speak up. Certainly there has been a feeling that they’ve been unheard and they’re worried about any follow-up and impacts from speaking up.”
Bond has written to B.C. Housing and to and Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon to let them know of the residents’ concerns over how the bedbug issue has been handled. She is awaiting their responses.
One of the Victoria Towers residents, Terry Slater, said he was accused by management of having brought bedbugs into his bachelor suite through bedding/furniture that was already infested with bugs, but he disputed that account, saying all his furniture was purchased new when he arrived.
“From my perspective, the issue isn’t who or how this happened, the issue is it needs to be fixed and it needs to be taken seriously,” said Bond.
These are some of the bed bugs caught in the dryer vent at Victoria Towers. Many units in the
have been treated for bedbugs but residents say the problem is onging.
“To think people should have to live in their homes with an infestation as significant as this one is completely unacceptable.
“I am very concerned that this issue not a one-week or two-week thing. We are talking about repeat circumstances that have likely been going on for several months.”
Several of those who filled out consent forms that were sent to Bond were from residents of the fifth floor. On Wednesday, July 17, all seven suites were professionally treated by an exterminator, Interior Pest Control, contracted by B.C. Housing.
Some residents complained there was inadequate signage to indicate when the building was being treated and that the signs that were posted were taken down immediately after those treatments.
In a Citizen story that ran in last week’s edition,
Slater spoke about an insufficient emphasis on cleaning of common areas in the building and said residents are being unjustly harassed from building management with the threat of eviction.
“Certainly, residents have shown in my office that they feel they are not treated respectfully by administrators in that building, and what’s important to me is that B.C. Housing gets to the bottom of this and deals with infestation. They also need to deal with the fact these residents do not feel heard and that their concerns are not being taken seriously.
“They had the courage to speak up and tell their story and it shouldn’t take that to get this fixed. The issue is, what is being done to fix it?”
“It’s hard enough to find a home and it’s not unlike what we’ve seen in the healthcare system, where people are afraid to speak up. Certainly there has been a feeling that they’ve been unheard and they’re worried about any follow-up and impacts from speaking up.”
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
CITIZEN
building on 20th Avenue
Movie Nights in the Orchard goes Friday, July 26 at 8:45 p.m. at the Northern Lights Estate Winery, 745 Prince George Pulpmill Road and features the 1990s Leonardo DiCaprio/Claire Danes version of Romeo & Juliet. This is a fully outdoor event. Bring your own chair. Tickets must be purchased online. Gates and concession open an hour before the movie starts. For tickets visit www. northernlightswinery.ca/movie-night. ***
An Evening of Enchantment goes Friday, July 26 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Hunniford Gardens, 8845 Aquarius Rd. Dress up in your finest costume. All fairies, elves, witches, gnomes, magical being and those from medieval times are welcome. Event highlights include several decorated photo ops and a short forest walk, various live entertainment acts from 5 to 8 p.m., family friendly games, a playground for kids, a curated vendor market and food trucks. Tickets for children are $6, two and under are free, 15 and older are $12. For more information and tickets visit hunniford-gardens. evening-of-enchantment. ***
Foodie Fridays at Canada Games Plaza goes July 26, August 2, 9, 16 and 30 from noon to 4 p.m. where there will be a variety of concession and food truck offering a variety of lunch options and sweet treats and there will be games and live music to enjoy as well. ***
CrossRoads Summer Street Fest & Brew Fest goes Saturday, July 27 at 5 p.m. at 508 George St. Enjoy craft beers from northern B.C.’s finest breweries and groove to live music by bands The Wild, Coastal Drifters and July Crowd. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable culinary and musical experience. For tickets and more information visit www. crossroadscraft.com/events.
***
Wheely Funny BBQ goes Saturday, July 27 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at 2823 Athlone Ave., Help show your support to Jen and Mike in the fight to end cancer with their Tour De Cure fundraising
efforts. $50 per person donated to the fundraising page (so you get the tax receipt.) Only 50 tickets available, so get yours now. Included is a welcome drink, great food, comedy show, prizes, silent auction. Tickets are through donation at https://tourdecure.ca/fundraiser/ JennyWilhelmsen
Free Outdoor Movie Night featuring Kung Fu Panda 4 goes Monday, July 29 at 10 p.m. at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park. This event is free and is hosted by Fortis BC. Be sure to bring a chair or a blanket.
***
Summer Farm to Table Dessert
Social goes Tuesday, July 30 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at 9295 Pooley Rd.. This event is by Wildflower Farm and Simply
to hang out with fellow true crime enthusiasts. There are door prizes as well. For more information visit www. wickedandgrim.com and tickets are $22.63 at www.eventbrite.com/e/ wicked-and-grim-live-tickets
***
Chuck Chin’s Celebration of Life goes Sunday, Aug. 4 at Cottonwood Island Park from 1 to 3 p.m. Join the celebration at the park entrance just past the railway museum where there will be music, food trucks and face painting. Celebrate Chuck’s favourite spot and christen the gazebo built in his memory. Special presentations from Khast’an Drummers and MLA Shirley Bond.
***
Community Services Table goes Tuesday, Aug. 6 and 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Prince George Public Library. Connect with services such as Work BC, Service Canada, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, PG Community Legal Clinic and PG Urban Aboriginal Justice Society. This is a free drop in event geared for adults.
***
Beautiful Jewelry Design and Clothing where there will be live music, a summer inspired fashion show, animals to visit with, and season desserts created with local flowers and fruits. Gluten free options available. Bouquet bar will be available to build your own – six stems are $10. Registration is $50 per person with Lisa of Wildflower Farms text or call 250-961-3519. ***
Wicked and Grim: A True Crime Podcast LIVE goes Wednesday, July 31 at 7 p.m. at Trench Brewing & Distilling, 399 Second Ave. The hosts of Wicked and Grim celebrate their 200th episode by going live for the first time ever as they delve into a gripping true crime event. Includes the live recording, audience interaction and the chance
Fungi in World Folklore & Mythology goes Thursday, Aug. 8 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Prince George Public Library. Delve into how mushrooms and fungi are depicted in stories, from supernatural elements to quests for immortality and divine connection. This presentation explores common themes in the portrayal across global folklore and myth. Presented in partnership with the Northern B.C. Mycological Society. Free drop in event geared for adults.
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Repair Café: Small Appliance goes Saturday, Aug. 10 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Prince George Public Library. Bring your items in need of repair and get support and assistance from volunteers and other repair enthusiasts. Call to register for free at 250-563-9251, ext. 100. This event is geared for adults and seniors.
TERRILL BODNER PHOTO
A celebration of life for photographer Chuck Chin, pictured here with his wife, Susan, will be held Sunday, Aug. 4 at Cottonwood Island Park, 1-3 p.m.
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Ghostly Hounds with Clanna Morna goes Thursday, Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. at the PG Legion, 101-1116 Sixth Ave. Celtic and old-time haunting folk music from Victoria comes to Prince Geroge. Ghostly Hounds is the folk project of Francesca Mirai, singer songwriter banjo player accompanied by Finn Letourneau of fiddly and vocal harmonies. Doors open at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $15 or $20 at the door. For advance tickets www.madloon.ca/ tickets/p/ghostlyhounds
Mid Summer Eve Night Market goes at Studio 2880, 2880 15th Avenue, on Thursday, August 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. Explore the grounds of Studio 2880, find a variety of makers, food while enjoying eclectic music. Vendors can register at www.studio2880.com/programs/ artisan-markets ***
Junk in the Trunk goes Saturday, Aug. 24 and Friday, August 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Park Drive In Theatre & Raceway Fun Park, 9660 Raceway Road. Join in the epic buying and selling event with all proceeds from renting a space goes to Ness Lake, Nukko Lake and Pilot Mountain Community Halls. Adult vendors is $15 for one day, $20 for two days, Children vendors 12 and under $10. To register visit junkinthetrucksale.wixsite.com.
Hart Sunset Market goes Wednesday, Aug. 28 from 4 to 9 p.m. at 6986 Hart Hiway, the Hart Pioneer Centre parking lot. Shop your favourite local vendors
and food trucks. To register online visit www.justsugarcookies.ca
Thursdays at the Park goes every week at The Exploration Place, 333 Becott Place, and will see Cruisin Classic Car Club parked outside so people can check out the classic cars. Origins Kitchen will feature specials at their take-out window and the Little Prince steam engine will be running from noon to 8 p.m.
Prince George Farmers’ Market goes every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. where visitors will find around 100 members offering everything from local
vegetables, ethically-raised grass-fed meats, baking, fruits, hot foods, coffee, honey and jams and jellies, preserves, and a wide variety of artisan products including jewellery and crafts.
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Wilson Square Community Farmers’ Market goes every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. where local food producers fill the street as musicians pluck their instruments, and visitors start their weekends with a round of breakfast sandwiches and hot coffee. Traditional farm fresh meat and produce is available alongside wild-foraged seasonal fiddleheads and morels, rounded out by selection of local arts
and baked treats.
***
Craft & Chat at the main branch of the Prince George Public Library goes every Saturday from 1 pm. to 3 p.m. in the magazine corner, second floor, where fibre artists are invited to bring their latest projects to share, vent your frustrations, brag about successes, get and give help and join in lively discussions. Snacks provided. This event is in partnership with Great Northwest Fibre Fest.
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Story Walk at Masich Place is open during public walking hours at the track. Simply start at the first sign and follow the story around the track. Stories change monthly. For the public walking schedule visit www.princegeorge.ca/ masich-place-stadium
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Trivia Night at Nancy O’s goes every other Wednesday at 8 p.m., 1261 Third Ave. There are three rounds per game, each round has five themed questions and five music questions. There’s something for everyone. The winning team gets a custom Nancy O’s Trivia trophy and a round of drinks, their photo on the wall that goes into the winners’ book after two weeks. Those caught cheating will be publicly shamed and labelled as cheaters – good wholesome fun. Book your spot by calling ahead at 250-562-8066.
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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.
COASTAL DRIFTERS PHOTO
The Coastal Drifters are one of the bands performing Friday, July 26 at the CrossRoads Summer Street Fest and Brew Fest. It begins at 5 p.m. at 508 George
Taking an excavator for a ‘spin’
NISBETT
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK
YRB equipment operator
Tyrel Turner gives Ashton Dennis, 26, some tips as she tries her hand on an excavator simulator in the B.C. Road Builders’ 34-oot RoadShow trailer at Prince George Native Friendship Centre Thursday, July 18. The simulator allowed visitors to experience what it is like to run the heavy loader and get an idea if they would be interested in pursuing careers as heavy equipment operators. Dennis, who had no prior experience running heavy equipment, said she “kinda liked it.”
Site C reservoir filling begins late this summer
As part of the completion of the Site C project, we plan to begin filling the reservoir between Fort St. John and Hudson’s Hope in late August 2024.
There will be permanent changes to the Peace River. Here’s what to expect:
○ Reservoir water levels will rise for up to four months, by 0.3 to three metres per day. The river will widen by two to three times on average.
○ The existing Halfway River boat launch will permanently close on August 12. New boat launches will be inaccessible until at least spring 2026 as BC Hydro monitors the surrounding slopes for safety.
○ Please stay off the reservoir and its tributaries, specifically the Halfway River, during filling and use extreme caution near the shoreline.
For more information visit SiteCproject.com/reservoir or call 1 877 217 0777
Warning issued over homemade sunscreen
CITIZEN STAFF
Health Canada is warning people to avoid the homemade sunscreen recipes being shared on social media.
“Making and using homemade sunscreen products presents risks, as they are unlikely to be effective at protecting you from the sun’s harmful UV rays,” an advisory issued Friday states.
“Use only sunscreens approved for sale in Canada to protect against the sun’s UV rays. Consumers can identify approved sunscreens by their Drug Identification Number (DIN) or Natural Product Number (NPN).”
Health Canada notes that there is online misinformation claiming that sunscreen ingredients are harmful to the skin and can cause cancer. Not so, states the advisory: “All authorized sunscreens on the market are safe when used as directed.”
Health Canada carried out a safety review in 2018 to assess the risk of skin reactions with sunscreen products, finding no new safety concerns.
“Rare mild to moderate skin reactions may develop in individuals with an allergy or sensitivity to one or more ingredients in sunscreen products; however, the benefits of sunscreen to prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of skin cancer continue to greatly outweigh any risk of local skin reactions,” states the advisory.
Exposure to the sun without adequate protection is the leading cause of skin cancer, and sunscreens provide significant health benefits, Health Canada states.
When used with other sun protection measures such as protective clothing, shade and avoiding peak sun hours, they reduce the risk of developing skin cancer and protect from sunburn.
Dare to take a ghostly walk through downtown
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
The Prince George Ghostly Walks tour is not about jump scares and boogeymen. It’s about which historical building is haunted by which ghost. Is it a husband-and-wife tag team? Somebody’s grumpy grandpa? Or perhaps that flirty birdy everyone used to gossip about back in the day?
You’ll soon get all the answers when Ian Gibbs, an author who specializes in ghost stories and just got a gig to write about ghosts across Canada, offers an hour-long tour twice a night on Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27 in downtown Prince George. There will be more walks later in the summer, too.
As part of the walk and talk, Gibbs will offer tidbits of history while infusing his ghost stories with some hard-to-believe facts.
Did you know the original city hall used to be a house of ill repute?
Gibbs, who spent 10 years offering tours of Victoria’s most gasp-worthy sites, recently moved to Prince George and immediately started on his quest for the quirky.
There are as many as 13 stops on the tour, depending on the size of the group, which maxes out at 30.
“The bigger the group the slower it goes,” Gibbs said, adding he knows from experience.
And this is just the beginning. As Gibbs gets to know the town, he’s discovered more spots that have those intriguing ghost stories and will soon have enough to put together another route for his tour.
“And the other thing I’m thinking long-term is because everyone loves true crime right now, I will do the research to do a Murder and Mayhem tour and go to infamous spots in town. Nothing modern. I won’t be doing any 1990s crime – I don’t want to have any impact on the families – but if you’ve got a crazy murder-suicide from 1935, I’m your guy,” Gibbs said.
The idea of doing a ghostly walking tour started when Gibbs asked a friend to take him around downtown in April
2023 as he was new to the city.
Well, as they were going for lunch they stumbled across Corless House at 1276 Fourth Ave. where Sisters Rock’n Gems is currently housed.
“And I said ‘this is so different’ and I am someone who is sensitive to energy – always have been since I was a kid,” Gibbs said.
“So I walked in the door and I went ‘oh, my goodness’ and the ladies in there were so cool – it does not bother them and they just share the building. And I was like maybe I could actually do something so I did some research online and then I went to the library and found some great books and when I went to check them out they told me they were for in-library use only so then I went to Books & Company and I found three of the four books and bought them right away.”
Books & Co. is also on the walking tour, by the way.
The historical conflict between Fort George and South Fort George is part of the walking tour’s footnotes.
So not only is the tour entertaining, but educational.
“During the tour I talk about building bridges with the past and how the stories I’m telling don’t make much sense when looking through a modern lens but if you look at them when these people were alive then they make a lot of sense,” Gibbs said.
“For example, the library is built on stilts because it’s on a flood plain and water used to come up all the way to city hall so they didn’t want to take any chances.”
It’s all part of the conversation with Gibbs.
And don’t be afraid to come downtown.
Gibbs said when he was doing the Victoria walking tours it was much worse than what we have in our downtown core, and he knows how to navigate any situation.
Tickets are $15.
To find out more about Prince George Ghostly Walks and the schedule including the 90-minute special on Halloween night visit www.pgghostlywalks.com.
Ian Gibbs, Prince George Ghostly Walks tour guide, tells the story of the Corless House on Fourth Avenue that is part of his walking tour.
It’s never too hot for Downtown Summerfest
Citizen photos by Chuck Nisbett
It was a hot, sunny Downtown Summerfest Saturday, July 21.
Families gathered at Veterans Plaza for a day of activities and events, including:
• Live music
• Outdoor food court
• Taste of Downtown
• Outdoor Market
• Kids and Family Zone
Participants included Two Rivers Gallery, the PG Mobile Petting Zoo, the Central BC Railway & Forestry Museum, REAPS and others.
TOP: Sage Pighin leaps out of the misting tent as her brother Landon, 8, runs back into the cooling water while enjoying their time at Downtown Summerfest.
BOTTOM LEFT: The members of Far From Linear, Demmy Grint, Renee Conway and Olivia Kozoris, entertain the crowd.
BELOW: Matteo Garcia, who turns two next week, took advantage of a quiet spell in the family toy area to examine how cones fit together and come apart.
Food, music and family fun at Veterans Plaza
ABOVE: Liam Flood guides the Cottonwood Express with a full load of passengers around the 340-foot track laid around Veterans Plaza. The Cottonwood Express, an electric 7.5-gauge train, is a permanent exhibit at the Central B.C Railway & Forestry Museum.
BELOW LEFT: Madisyn Mackinlay and Berk Yurusen tuck into Bannock Tacos from the Detsan Cyo Bannock truck. Yurdsen said they always head for the food truck to get tacos whenever they see it.
BELOW: Madison Cotak and River Harry enjoy petting and feeding a goat at the P.G. Mobile Petting Zoo while enjoying the cool shade of the trees.
Coldsnap bringing Stephen Fearing to Knox stage
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
Folk roots singer songwriter Stephen Fearing returns to Knox Performance Centre September 7 as a warm up to Coldsnap in Prince George.
Fearing is a multi-Juno award-winning artist, a gifted storyteller, guitar player and a true musical nomad with the ability to enthrall audiences of all sizes and attitudes.
“Getting on stage is the fun part, especially when the adrenaline kicks in,” Fearing sai.
“People want to escape and be taken on a journey. I build my shows so they do just that.”
Fearing has been named as one of the finest songwriters in Canada and has built an international audience with his music performing countless shows at intimate venues and on the concert stages of festivals and theatres across Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and Europe.
He’s done this solo and as a member of the Juno-award winning band Blackie and the Rodeo Kings.
Canadian singer-songwriter Stephen Fearing performs Sept. 7 at Knox Performance Centre in Prince
The Coldsnap 2025 lineup will be
The Saturday, Sept. 7 show starts at 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m.
announced during the event, which takes place Feb. 5 to 9.
Until Aug. 7 early bird tickets are on sale for $35 plus taxes and fees.
Summer students curate new rail museum exhibit
CITIZEN STAFF
A new exhibit called Jack and Drill opened Friday, July 19 at the Central B.C. Railway and Forestry Museum.
The museum’s student curatorial assistants, funded through Canada Summer Jobs, research, write and install an exhibit each summer.
This year’s explores six simple machines, including the wedge, wheel, inclined plane, screw, pulley, and lever, and demonstrates how they are used through the industrial equipment the museum holds in its collection.
“Along with understanding the purpose and physics of each machine, you will have an opportunity to experience interactive activities that demonstrate how these six simple machines make our lives easier,” states a press release.
The official opening was set for Friday, July 19 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., and the exhibit runs during regular museum hours until Sept. 28.
A new exhibit curated by summer students is opening at the Central B.C. Railway and Forestry Museum in Prince George.
George.
July 25, 1972: A hydraulic shovel gouges chunks out of Airport Hill as one of Prince George’s more hazardous approaches gets a sprucing up after many complaints from motorists. Sheila McGill was one of the workers handling the flags at the site.
about 60 gross tons, equal to about 54
July 26, 2006: From the soccer field to the corn field … Mackenzie BouchardHooker, 12, and Alexandria Childs, 12, pull weeds at Dillman’s Corn Maze. The girls are players with the under-12 all-star soccer team, and the weeding work was part of a fundraising effort for the team to be able to attend the B.C. Summer Games. Citizen
July 26, 1989: Stephen Wood, 17, gives blood at a clinic at the Prince George Civic Centre. Local residents donated 521 units of blood in one day to help deal with a critical shortage in B.C.’s blood supply. In all, 559 people were at the first day of the clinic.
Citizen file photo by Rick Hull
Citizen file photo by Brock Gable
July 26, 1966: Company officials Buck Richmond, left, and Tom Collins check the first shipment of pulp from Northwood Pulp Ltd., Prince George’s second in operation, before it leaves for New York in a Pacific Great Eastern special pulp car developed for shipments from Prince George. The car held
air-dry tons of pulp. Citizen file photo by Dave Reidie
file photo by Brent Baaten
Healthy North
See a pharmacist
Have a minor medical complaint? Book an appointment with a pharmacist today! Get assessed by a pharmacist for a number of minor ailments, including pink eye, urinary tract infections, canker sores, and more. You can also get prescriptions for contraception at the pharmacy. Book an appointment with a prescribing pharmacist near you - online or by telephone (1-833-882-0022). In many cases there is same-day availability. For more information visit: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/ content/health/accessing-health-care/pharmacy-services
Physical Activity Resources
If you live in a rural and remote community, virtual services can help you access services not readily available in your home community. Both physical activity resources and physiotherapy services can be accessed virtually! Whether you’re looking to speak to a physiotherapist or participate in an exercise program, virtual services can connect you with what works best for you wherever you are. For more info, visit: Northernhealth.ca/health-information/physicalactivity/virtual-and-home-based-activity-options
Preparing for smoke
Northerners are learning to live with wildfire smoke. Each year, spring and summer bring lingering smoke for weeks (and sometimes months) in many communities. It’s important that we plan yearround to protect our communities, even before the smoke rolls in. Read how smoke can affect our heath and the ways you can prepare for smoky conditions here: Stories.northernhealth.ca/stories/ smoky-times-how-communities-can-help-young-families-wildfire-smoke
Local artist adapts after sudden partial vision loss
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
She first noticed a change in her eyesight when she picked up her slick new camera and put her left eye to the viewfinder.
“I couldn’t see anything – it was just white and I thought my camera was broken,” said Christina Watts, a prominent Prince George artist.
Once she realized what was actually wrong, she wished it was only the camera that was broken.
“I looked at my husband and covered one eye and he disappeared,” Watts said. “And I thought ‘uh-oh.’”
Watts, a painter, videographer, photographer and Community Arts Council of Prince George & District feature gallery/gift shop co-ordinator, was first diagnosed with wet macular degeneration in her left eye earlier this year.
After the initial diagnosis Watts was offered more details of her condition and she has a subset to the wet macular degeneration, called central serous retinopathy with choroidal neovascularization.
“It’s the same thing but it means that it shouldn’t affect the other eye any time soon, which is a relief,” Watts explained.
To prevent further deterioration of her eyesight, Watts is in the B.C. Retina Disease Treatment Program which was put into jeopardy earlier this year when there was a dispute between the Provincial Health Authority and the specialists who administered the eyesight-saving treatment. Luckily, everything has been worked out and treatments for everyone in need went uninterrupted.
Watts needs an injection of medicine into her eyeball. It started out once a
month and now she is in a maintenance program so treatments are every seven weeks now.
“Since I’ve continued with the injections it’s actually improved my eyesight,” Watts said. “I had a solid gray mass in the centre of my vision and the injections blasted it apart. Now I have a ton of floaties and I have this warped area.”
She can once again see colour out of her left eye so that’s a positive.
With continued treatment the deterioration of her eyesight has been held at bay and the worst circumstance Watts finds herself in now is low-light settings with a lot of people present.
“I found myself waving at someone that wasn’t Sue, and I was like ‘uh-oh,’” Watts said. “It’s mostly about facial recognition.”
She is quickly learning out how cope with her new circumstance and has
options to have high contrast colours and magnifying capabilities to read the labels on most items and all the lights in Watts’ home are all warm, soft lights, no blue lights for her.
She moved her desk in front of the biggest window in her house.
“Making all those changes helps a lot,” Watts said.
When things like this happen, people are forced to take a beat and reevaluate priorities, and one of the things that Watts did sooner than later was take a bucket-list trip with her family.
“We kept saying we’ll wait, we’ll wait and then all of a sudden you stop waiting to do things and you start doing them,” Watts said.
So the family spent two weeks in Italy in the springtime and it was pretty perfect.
adapted to it.
“Because you can sit on the couch, cry and just hide away from the world but that’s not going to get you anywhere,” Watts said. “So you learn new things and use tools available to you.”
And access the services available like occupational therapy for those who have experienced vision loss.
Her biggest challenge is contrast.
“Everything else I can get around,” Watts said.
Chopping garlic on her white cutting board doesn’t happen anymore.
“I would lose sight of the garlic,” Watts said. “It all just blended together. So now I have colourful cutting boards.”
One of the best tools when a person has issues with eyesight is a cellphone, she added.
“The vision loss people helped me rig up all my devices,” Watts added. She uses apps on her phone that offer
Coralee Oakes
There’s still a lot to take in, there’s doubts and fears and other people’s perception on her circumstances.
“My biggest fear when I first told people was that they would just think I couldn’t do anything because I couldn’t see but I can still do everything I used to but now I have had to adapt and change and I am getting better at managing – I am faster and more efficient now,” Watts said.
“The most important thing for people to know is that even if your vision is limited you can still do a lot of the same things. I think that’s the key – it’s just about finding a different way of doing things. At first I thought I would just have to end everything but you can’t just end everything, you have to keep going. Curling up in a ball in the corner does nothing for anybody. You can have a good cry but then you have to pick yourself up and carry on.”
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
Local artist Christina Watts reviews images using tools to make it easier to see. She was recently diagnosed with macular degeneration.
What happens if you’re ordered to evacuate?
NORTHERN HEALTH
Depending on the severity of the situation, an evacuation alert or order may be issued. It’s important to understand the difference and to always follow the advice and direction of your local authorities.
• Evacuation Alert: Be ready to leave on short notice
• Evacuation Order: You are at risk. Leave the area immediately
• Tactical evacuation: This happens when a sudden threat to life requires immediate action and there is no time to prepare or issue written warnings. These types of evacuations are often coordinated by the RCMP or local police, with assistance from other agencies.
• Evacuation Rescinded: The risk to life and safety has now passed To be ready, know your hazards and follow PreparedBC’s guides to prepare
yourself, family, home or business in case an evacuation is ordered.
During an evacuation order, evacuees should do the following:
• Leave the area immediately.
Let’s Fix Health Care.
Choosing to remain puts yourself and others in danger.
• Follow instructions provided on where to go.
• Visit EmergencyInfoBC or follow @EmergencyInfoBC for news and updates.
from Australia’s Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre, 31 per cent of the 552 wildfire-related fatalities in that country from 1956 to 2008 were the result of people evacuating too late after an evacuation order was issued.
Another 26 per cent of the deaths were related to people attempting to defend properties against an advancing wildfire.
If you receive an evacuation order and are sick or have mobility concerns:
• Tell the person that delivers the evacuation order
• If possible evacuate by your own vehicle
• If you’re feeling ill, maintain physical distance wherever possible
• If you’re concerned about COVID19, speak to a responder at a reception centre. Always follow guidance from your local health authority
• Wait for the evacuation to be rescinded before returning home
• You may be told to create a profile to access emergency support services (ESS).
There are risks and dangers to not evacuating.
Receiving an evacuation order can be an emotional experience. You may be reluctant to leave your home and community.
However, choosing to remain in an area that is under an evacuation order puts yourself, your family, and first responders in danger:
• Evacuation routes can change or become impassible.
• Services, utilities and businesses that you rely on daily may be shut down.
Only travel to support locations designated by your Indigenous governing body or local government. Supports will not be available if you travel to a non-designated location.
Evacuees should first look to use their own resources, such as insurance, to support themselves.
If you don’t have your own resources the Emergency Support Services (ESS) program may be able to support you.
You must connect with a responder at an ESS designated reception centre to receive supports.
A reception centre is a safe space that a First Nation or local government may open during an emergency, and it may be staffed with trained ESS volunteers. It can often be located in a school or community centre.
What is available at a reception centre:
• Help may not be able to reach an evacuated area because of a risk to their own safety or access is blocked.
In other jurisdictions, fatalities have occurred when people chose to remain behind or waited too long to leave.
For example, according to a report
• Receive information about the emergency.
• Register with ESS.
• Get referred to food, clothing and shelter suppliers.
• Help with finding and reuniting with family.
• Advice on recovery.
B.C. WILDFIRE SERVICE PHOTO
Living in B.C. means there may at some point be a need to evacuate to a safe location. Northern Health has some advice on that topic.
Cadence Hooft leads Cariboo-Northeast team onto B.C. Summer Games basketball court
It’s no secret around Prince George minor basketball courts that Cadence Hooft is a leader and role model who sets the bar high in whatever she tackles.
Now, at 14, she’s getting her opportunity to show the rest of the province the qualities that have made her an exceptional athlete.
Hooft was recently in Maple Ridge as captain of the Cariboo-Northeast Zone 8 girls team that’s trying to bring back a medal from the B.C. Summer Games.
The eight-team tournament started Friday, July 19 and even before the opening tip-off Hooft already had one win under her belt.
She’s one of 16 athletes selected out of a list of 230 candidates for a B.C. Games Society leadership bursary worth $1,000.
Sponsored by Canadian Tire, the award highlights achievement in academics and sport by going above and beyond while participating in leadership and volunteer activities.
“That was pretty exciting, it felt pretty special to get that,” said Hooft. “I’ll use (the money) for whatever basketball I’ll do next, like City League, and I’d like to donate some.”
Hooft is a top student who excelled in basketball in her Grade 8 year at Cedars Christian School, playing with and against girls two years her senior. She also helped the Eagles volleyball team with the Grade 8 district championship.
“I’ve coached her the last three years on my Cedars basketball team and she was awarded the MVP of the junior team, as a Grade 8, and she was a first-team all-star in zones for junior basketball this past season,” said Mike Davis, co-coach of the Zone 8 team with Loralyn Murdoch.
Fourteen-year-old basketball player Cadence Hooft of Prince George is one of 16 B.C. athletes selected for B.C. Games Society bursary awarded for leadership and athletic ability. Hooft was in Maple Ridge with her Cariboo-Northeast Zone 8 U-14 girls team for the opening ceremonies of the 2024 B.C. Summer Games.
“She’s an extremely hard worker both on and off the court and she‘s a great leader in her community, certainly somebody that’s always willing to help, whether that’s at the end of practice collecting equipment,” he said. “For all these girls it’s more than basketball, it’s about preparing them to be leaders and great people in the community and she’s certainly an example of that.”
Hooft has been playing basketball for five years and has been the most valuable player in her league the past three.
Davis has watched Hooft’s basketball skills develop to the point where she’s now one of the region’s top players.
The Eagles, with seven Grade 8 players, finished third in the North Central zone playoffs and came within six points of advancing to the junior provincial championship.
The five-foot-10 Hooft also plays for the Northern Bounce club basketball U-14 girls, which makes up the bulk of the Summer Games team roster.
That team finished second in Silver
She’s an extremely hard worker both on
and off
the court and she‘s a great leader in her community’
Division the Western Canadian club championship at the end of June, losing to a Vancouver team in the final. Northern Bounce will be traveling to Langley for the nationals July 26-29.
Cariboo-Northeast played its opening game Friday, July 19 against Thompson-Okanagan.
“I’m just looking forward to hanging out with my team and the opportunity to play,” Hooft said before the Games. “I don’t know how we’re going to do but we’re going to put in a lot of effort and work our butts off.
‘I’m hoping more that we’ll be recognized for our sportsmanship and hard work, more than anything. We’re really good at staying positive even when we’re going through a hard game.”
Hooft said she was looking forward to having another crack at the Vancouver girls who won the Western Canadian title. The Zone 8 team has five games guaranteed - three to determine their ranking and two to determine final placings.
The Summer Games sports are: 3x3 Basketball, artistic swimming, athletics, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, box lacrosse, canoe/kayak, equestrian, field lacrosse, golf, rowing, rugby (girls), sailing, soccer, softball (girls), swimming, towed water sports, triathlon, ultimate, volleyball and wrestling.
The opening ceremony for the 2,400 athletes was Thursday, July 18 at 7 p.m.
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
HANDOUT PHOTO
Prince George sends 156 to B.C. Summer Games
These are the 156 Prince: George athletes who competed in the 2024 B.C. Summer Games last weekend in Maple Ridge. Competition in 22 sports started Friday, July 19 and continued to Sunday, July 21.
Avery Smith: Softball-Girls
Brooke Stibrany: Softball-Girls
Paetyn Carter: Softball-Girls
Haylee Nickolichuk: Softball-Girls
Halle Delwo: Softball-Girls
Grace Bergman: Swimming
Grayson Thibodeau: Swimming
Gavin Hall: Swimming
Madelyn Bauman: Soccer-Girls
Kali Doane: Soccer-Girls
Edie Becker: Soccer-Girls
Abigail Cramer: Soccer-Girls
Austyn Michaud: Soccer-Girls
Danni Chadwick: Soccer-Girls
Kailey Spencer: Soccer-Girls
Bella Manning: Soccer-Girls
Brynn Green: Soccer-Girls
Isaiah Bull: Soccer-Boys
Foster Fyfe: Soccer-Boys
Andrew Boutcher: Soccer-Boys
Oliver Naphtali: Soccer-Boys
Azariah Zielinski: Soccer-Boys
Jace Hobbs: Soccer-Boys
Wyatt Davis: Soccer-Boys
Joshua Elliott: Soccer-Boys
Jake Gagno: Soccer-Boys
Ansen Beer: Soccer-Boys
Jaxson Martin: Soccer-Boys
Kara Randall: Artistic Swimming
Olivia Fischbuch: Artistic Swimming
Dustin Jones: Box Lacrosse
Jamie Owston: Box Lacrosse
Drebin Landry: Box Lacrosse
Cohen Bloom: Box Lacrosse
Vincent Vassallo: Box Lacrosse
Reid Dorval: Canoe/Kayak
Micah Gordon: Canoe/Kayak
Ashvin Milligan: Canoe/Kayak
Benjamin Perry: Canoe/Kayak
Ty Maloney: Box Lacrosse
Taryn Willis: Box Lacrosse
Carter Hauk: Box Lacrosse
Hunter McCarthy: Wrestling
Gryphon Jewett-White: Wrestling
Hayden Devauld: Wrestling
Gabe van Geloven: Wrestling
Jacob Littler: Wrestling
Owen Bass: Wrestling
Loic Gordon: Wrestling
Tessa Marvici: Wrestling
Clara Campbell: Wrestling
Austin Mereski: Baseball
Ben Zummack: Baseball
Cooper Norn: Baseball
Daxx Flynn: Baseball
Easton Linton-Mcgillivray: Baseball
Elias Shah: Baseball
Elliott Flavel: Baseball
Gabe Hammerstrom: Baseball
Kayden Hammell: Baseball
Kesler Lupul: Baseball
Kody Morgan: Baseball
Logan Littler: Baseball
Luc Beauregard: Baseball
Mateo Maritsas: Baseball
Ryan Textor: Baseball
Hunter Moleski: Box Lacrosse
Harley Dorish: Box Lacrosse
Cameron Jefferies: Box Lacrosse
Kobe Kidd Box Lacrosse
Sawyer Alderson: Box Lacrosse
Kimora Beliveau: Canoe/Kayak
Azlyn Ryan: Equestrian
Dayna Gray: Equestrian
Jenna Textor: Equestrian
Draya Long: Equestrian
Ava ZenZen: Equestrian
Aubree Silver: Equestrian
Keira Gordon: Rugby-Girls
Madeline Hesse: Rugby-Girls
Carmen Aubichon: Rugby-Girls
Bailey Sarrazin: Rugby-Girls
Sarah Aka: Athletics
Jake Birkhiem: Basketball-Boys
Spencer McKenzie: Basketball-Boys
Griffin Michaud: Basketball-Boys
Isaac Mogus: Basketball-Boys
Lucas Murrin: Basketball-Boys
Sawyer Roberts: Basketball-Boys
Carter Simpson: Basketball-Boys
Guy-Henri Carlson: 3x3 Basketball-Boys
Seiji Cronje: 3x3 Basketball-Boys
Henry Freeman-Idemilih: 3x3 Basketball-Boys
Jedidiah Ngosa: 3x3 Basketball-Boys
Van Jepson: 3x3 Basketball-Boys
Vinay Madhok: 3x3 Basketball-Boys
Malik Ngabo: 3x3 Basketball-Boys
Jack Rowe: 3x3 Basketball-Boys
Angus York: 3x3 Basketball-Boys
Elliot Collins: 3x3 Basketball-Girls
Abigail Elias: 3x3 Basketball-Girls
Millie Patrick: 3x3 Basketball-Girls
Sophia Pigeau 3x3 Basketball-Girls
Miah Rivey 3x3 Basketball-Girls
Ainsley Sephton: 3x3
Basketball-Girls
Eryn Suran: 3x3 Basketball-Girls
Chase Noonan: Volleyball-Boys
Gavin Kynoch: Volleyball-Boys
Sabin Wilson: Volleyball-Boys
Jesse Bomford: Volleyball-Boys
Mukisa Jjumba: Volleyball-Boys
Cooper Fochler: Volleyball-Boys
Jonah Barrette: Volleyball-Boys
Oscar McCarron: Volleyball-Boys
Gabriel Tabora: Volleyball-Boys
Emerson Secor: Volleyball-Boys
Joshua Cabilao: Volleyball-Boys
Thomas Samis: Volleyball-Boys
Skye Cadell: Triathlon
Christian Hickey: Triathlon
Luke Hillhouse: Triathlon
David Hillhouse: Triathlon
Natalie Hoehn: Triathlon
Oscar Nelson: Triathlon
Megan Vansickle: Triathlon
Levi Wilkinson: Triathlon
Paige Kynoch: Volleyball-Girls
Annaka Wotten: Volleyball-Girls
Rylan Holmes: Volleyball-Girls
Maija Coleman: Volleyball-Girls
Ana Mackenzie: Volleyball-Girls
Katelyn Hiller: Volleyball-Girls
Arabella Fraser: Volleyball-Girls
Saige Lupul: Volleyball-Girls
Lily Blom: Basketball-Girls
AnaDavis: Basketball-Girls
Sofie Delisle: Basketball-Girls
Abbey Douglass: Basketball-Girls
Cadence Hooft: Basketball-Girls
Maeli Kelsh: Basketball-Girls
Avery Lodge: Basketball-Girls
Abigail Popovic: Basketball-Girls
Simran Sindhi: Basketball-Girls
Natalia Wolfe: Basketball-Girls
Olivia Young: Beach Volleyball
Emma Young: Beach Volleyball
Angus Macfarlane: Beach Volleyball
Jagger Cirko: Beach Volleyball
Alexis Shymanski: Athletics
Lilyanna Welscher: Athletics
Madelin Standish Athletics
Rachael Pruden: Athletics
Torrin Foster: Athletics
Jinichi Cronje: Athletics
Nic Scarpino: Athletics
Isabelle Day: Athletics
TED CLARKE Citizen staff
The 2024 BC Summer Games got started Thursday, July 18 with the opening ceremonies in Maple Ridge. Competition began the next day and continued through the weekend.
Special Olympics bocce athletes successful at regional qualifier
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff
It’s the summer of competition qualifiers for Special Olympics athletes in Regions 7 & 8 with two Prince George teams traveling to Burns Lake July 13 and 14 to participate in their first-ever bocce tournament.
The Prince George teams took the two top spots.
Sneak Attack placed first in their division with two wins. The team included athletes Ruth Caldwell, Tara Chiasson, Issac Goudal and Marinka VanHage.
The Italian Stallions placed second with one win and two tied games. The team included athletes Audrey Nelson, Adrian Rosen, Spencer Rourke, and Adam Stokes.
Instead of the usual ribbons the athletes were awarded beautiful wooden medals which will be treasured by the athletes, Wilma VanHage, public relations coordinator for Special Olympics BC Prince George, said in a recent press release.
The Prince George athletes have been practicing since October.
Although bocce is an outdoor sport, the athletes were fortunate enough to be able to use the PGYSA indoor soccer fields, an ideal place to learn the game.
Practice moved outdoors in May.
SPORTS NOTES
Abney to World Winter Games
Rich Abney is heading to Italy. UNBC’s associate athletic director has been selected as part of Canada’s mission staff as communications manager for the 2025 FISU World Winter University Games in Torino, Italy, Jan. 13-25.
The former CKPG TV sports director has been with UNBC since December 2016, when he was hired as sports information director overseeing the Timberwolves varsity basketball and soccer programs. He was appointed to his current position last October.
Abney was part of the communications team for the 2023 World University Games in Lake Placid.
Six Italian communities will host 11 sports, including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboard, biathlon, freestyle/free skiing, ice hockey, figure skating, short-track speed skating, curling, as well as demonstration sports, ski orienteering and ski mountaineering.
It was a learning experience for the athletes as well as head coach Waylon Becker and assistant coach Peter Goudal as they all learned the rules and skills together.
The bocce athletes and coaches
are hoping to advance to the Special Olympics B.C. Summer Games in Prince George from July 10 to 13, 2025.
Announcements of who gets to advance are expected to come late in the summer.
Devils beat longtime rivals in final
C provincial championship in Kelowna, Aug. 9-11.
Lawrence and Monty Jones also scored for the Devils.
Off to World Juniors camp
Prince George Cougars goalie Josh Ravensbergen and forward Riley Heidt and northern B.C. products Tanner Molendyk (Saskatoon Blades) and Cayden Lindstrom (Medicine Hat Tigers) are among 16 WHL players invited to Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team Summer Showcase.
The Devils rule again.
The Scamp Transport Devils completed a three-game sweep of the BHL/X-Conditioning Bandits in the bestof-five Prince George Senior Lacrosse Association championship series Monday, July 15 at Kopar Memorial Arena, beating their longtime rivals 15-3. It was their sixth consecutive PGSLA title.
The Devils will represent the Prince George league at the BC Lacrosse senior
Backed by the playoff MVP goaltending of Pat Bayliss, the Devils led 8-1 after the first period and 14-3 after 40 minutes. Bayliss blanked the Bandits the rest of the way.
Danton Nicholson spiced the Devils’ offence with three goals and four assists, while Colton Poulin (two goals, two assists), Connor Walton (two goals, two assists) and Hunter McSeveney (two goals, one assist) also figured in the scoring.
Luis Ennes, Pierce Watson Dave
Matt Rochon, with two goals and Cole Paciejewski, with a single, were the Bandits goalscorers.
The Devils outshot the Bandits 45-17.
Just two points separated the teams in the regular season standings with the Devils finishing first with an 11-1 record, followed by the second-place Bandits (9-3).
The Devils took Game 1 of the final 14-4 and won 16-7 in Game 2.
Bayliss won the PGSLA’s Ted Conway Award as the top goalie.
Heidt, a five-foot-11, 182-pound centre, is 19 years old. He was picked in the second round, 64th overall, in the 2023 NHL draft by the Minnesota Wild. Ravensbergen, who stands six-footfour and weighs 180 pounds, turns 18 on Nov. 27 and won’t be draft eligible until next year.
Lindstrom, 18, a six-foot-four, 215pound centre from Chetwynd, was selected fourth overall in this year’s draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Molendyk, 19, a six-foot, 180-pound defenceman from McBride, is also an NHL first-rounder, picked 24th overall last year by the Nashville Predators.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS PHOTO
Two Prince George bocce teams traveled to Burns Lake last weekend to compete in Regions 7 & 8 qualifiers and returned with results in the top spots.
Abney
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
Kodiaks kick off new season with a tight win
Kodiaks defensive back Taeman Piddocke picks off a pass intended for Raiders wide receiver Ruben Bonsu (No. 8) during the team’s home opener at Masich Place Stadium. Final
The Prince George Kodiaks opened their 2024 season with a 39-34 win over the visiting Vancouver Island Rangers at Masich Place Stadium Saturday night.
The British Columbia Football Conference team, part of the Canadian Junior Football League, next heads to Vancouver Island to take on the Westshore Rebels in Langford Saturday, July 27.
Raiders quarterback Sadler Smith (No. 12) tries to protect the ball as Kodiaks defensive back Peyton Briere tries to strip it away during first-quarter action.
Raiders defensive back Luke Dawson (No. 33) tries to bring down Kodiaks receiver Andrew Brown in Saturday’s home opener.
Citizen photos by Chuck Nisbett
The team took on the VI Warriors in opener
Kodiaks running back Xander Shane keeps a tight grip on the ball as he driven out of bounds under the watchful eye of head coach Jamie Boreham.
Raiders defensive back Luke Dawson (No. 33) tries to bring down Kodiaks receiver Andrew Brown in Saturday’s home opener.
ABOVE: The team takes to the field to the cheers of fans.
RIGHT: Kodiaks receiver Andrew Brown narrowly escapes the tackle of Raiders’ Dawson Eiffert.
PUZZLE NO. 984
HOW TO PLAY:
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.
Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3x3 box.
Well-mannered
Charged particle
Just manages to earn
Husky’s burden
Tidy
Roused
Paid to play
Tired out
Life Events
Happy 100th Birthday Carl
Michel Francois Landry
THE TROUBLE IS
You thought you had time!
It is with deep sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of Michel Francois Landry! He was born on July 21, 1981 in Prince George BC. Passed away June 18, 2024 in Prince George BC surrounded by his loving family and friends. Michel was a fierce warrior, but the unrelenting enemy cancer won the battle!
Michel will be deeply missed by his daughter Shy and son Blake. Grandparents Erich (Anna) Gremaud, Parents Marcel (Yvonne), Brother Branden (Erin) and numerous family and friends!
We would like to personally thank all the staff at UHNBC of Prince George for all the love and support they showed us and Michel in his final time of need.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 5 pm. held at the Bon Voyage Restaurant in the Banquet Hall, 4366 Highway 16 W Prince George, BC.
Arthur Orville Reynolds
October 1, 1939 - June 20, 2024
It is with sadness we announce the passing of Arthur (Art) Reynolds, He was predeceased by his parents Harvey and Marion, his wife Diane, his step son Leif (Amber), brother Lloyd (Mary), brother in laws Ron (Shirley), Jim (Joan), sister in law Bemo (John) and their families. Art will be greatly missed by his sisters Shirley, Betty Ann (Clifford), brothers Alan (Claire), and Gary, his step children Mark(Beverly) and Kari (Doug) and their families.
Art had many fond memories growing up in the Eastern Townships of Quebec before starting his career with the CNR in Montreal and later moved to BC where he worked for BC Rail. He loved his work and the many people he met while with the railroad. After retiring he enjoyed working on his farm taking care of his cattle and horses in the Buckhorn Area where his granddaughter Jesica Ann is living with her family.
The family would like to thank Dr.Higgins, Dr.Hampole, Dr.Touhey, The Hospice House Staff and The Home and Community Care Service for the wonderful care Art has received.
In Loving Memory
Emily Angela Middleton nee Turgeon
November 26, 1954 - July 25, 2001
Remembering one fine lady, and so much more. You will never be forgotten, and always loved Dan Middleton, and the Turgeon and Niro families, Loved ones, and friends
Jurgen Erich Menge
September 3, 1940 - July 5, 2024
Jurgen passed away on July 05, 2024 after a brief illness.
Left to mourn his loss are his wife Sharon, their 3 children, Cheryl (Allan) Cahoon, Erich (Cher) Menge, Sandra Menge (Gordon Langer), sister Carola (Manfred) Schwalbe and numerous nieces and nephews in Germany, grandchildren Cody (Kerstin) Cahoon, Travis Cahoon, Paige and Kate Menge, and 2 great grandchildren Kinsley & Lydia Cahoon.
The family would like to thank every member of Jurgen’s care team at UHNBC who were compassionate and kind and a very special thank you to the entire staff at Simon Fraser Lodge who’s dedication, kindness, humour and empathy is beyond measure.
wishes and requirements. You can count on us to help you plan a personal, lasting tribute to your loved one.
Rita Maria Theresia Welscher
August 21, 1932 - July 15, 2024
Rita Maria Theresia Welscher (née Risch) was born on August 21, 1932, in Freiburg, Germany. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and loved ones on July 15, 2024, in Prince George, British Columbia.
Rita was predeceased by her beloved husband. John Welscher, and their infant son, Johnny.
She is survived by her loving children: daughter Christina Welscher and her three children, Benita (Michael) Le Morvan, Jessica (Peter) Sumbler, and Eric (Sinead Burns) Welscher-Bilodeau; daughter Rita (Ralph) Randt and their four children, David (Amanda), Marcus (Katie), Rachel (Rick) Driscoll, and Stefan (Michelle Sieklucki); son Martin Welscher; son Sean (Vicki) Welscher and their four children, Alena, Farrah, Madelyn, and Lilyanna. Eight great- grandchildren, Isaac, Gabriel, Caleb, John, Maggie, Maximilian, Wolfgang, and Wesley.
Rita grew up in Umkirch during WW2 and was the oldest of nine children. In 1957, days after their wedding, Rita and John began their greatest adventure as they travelled to their beloved new homeland, Canada.
Her children remember her as a devoted mother who loved her children unconditionally. Her love of literature and folk songs was shared with us all. Rita’s legacy is not only in the lives of her descendants but also in the countless hearts she touched throughout her life. Her house was always full of welcome visitors from all over the world.
We are so grateful to Emmaus House for making such a welcoming home for her last years and the compassionate care at Prince George Hospice House.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Rita’s name to Prince George Hospice house or Emmaus House Supportive Housing.
Funeral mass to be held at Christ our Saviour Parish Friday, July 19th at 11am.
Reception to follow in the church hall.
LIFE EVENTS
Daniel Collins Obituary
A Graveside Interment Service for Daniel will be held on Friday, August 2, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at the Prince George Memorial Park Cemetery followed by a potluck luncheon at the Prince George Native Friendship Center, 1600 3rd Avenue, at 3:00 p.m.
In loving memory of Diane Stepski Dec 25, 1948 - Jul 22, 2019
It has been 5 years & you will always be remembered & never forgotten
Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped into the next room. Whatever we were to each other
Vera Hauer
We still are.
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the same way you always have. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. You’re really missed by your family and friends.
Vera Hauer, long time resident of the Robson Valley passes away at the age of 95.
Vera Hauer, long time resident of the Robson Valley passes away at the age of 95.
God reached out with His tender hand and guided Mom home to Him on the morning of July 13th, 2024. While she will be deeply missed, it brings us peace knowing that she has been reunited with her loving husband Henry and her youngest son David.
She is survived by her daughter Darleen, sons; Dale & Darrell, 4 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and a great-great granddaughter.
God reached out with His tender hand and guided Mom home to Him on the morning of July 13th, 2024. While she will be deeply missed, it brings us peace knowing that she has been reunited with her loving husband Henry and her youngest son David. She is survived by her daughter Darleen, sons; Dale & Darrell, 4 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and a great-great granddaughter.
July 19, 1949 - July 13, 2024
In loving memory of Kenneth James Pollitt of Penticton, B.C.
Mom will always be remembered for her devotion to her family - it was her greatest joy and is her legacy.
Mom will always be remembered for her devotion to her family - it was her greatest joy and is her legacy.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tete Jaune Community Club via cheque to PO Box 84 Valemount, BC V0E-2Z0 or via e-transfer to TeteJaunecommunityclub@gmail.com (password: community).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tete Jaune Community Club via cheque to PO Box 84 Valemount, BC V0E-2Z0 or via e-transfer to TeteJaunecommunityclub@gmail.com (password: community).
He was predeceased by his parents James Ernest Pollitt of Bow Island, AB, His mother Minna Zimmer of Regina, SK. and his sister Linda Eve Merrigan of Williams Lake. BC
He is survived by his family Angela Kusk (David), Tina Merrigan, Colin Merrigan, Matthew Teichman, Larissa Teichman (Kaia), James Teichman (Orion).
A funeral service will be held at the New Life Centre (1245 1st Ave. Valemount BC) on Saturday July 27th at 1:00 pm with a reception to follow at the Tete Jaune Community Hall. (14240 Blackman Road)
A funeral service will be held at the New Life Centre (1245 1st Ave. Valemount BC) on Saturday July 27th at 1:00 pm with a reception to follow at the Tete Jaune Community Hall. (14240 Blackman Road)
He was very proud of his military service with the British Columbia Dragoons. He served on the Tactical Team of PGRCC and rose to the position of Senior Correctional officer.
Kenneth James Pollitt
Classifieds
Silvertip Archers would like to thank the following businesses for sponsoring our recent Father’s Day Outdoor 3D Event.
Bullz I Construction
Yellowhead Helicopters Ltd
DMC Chartered Professional Accountants Inc.
Murdoch Veterinary Clinic
Tyrod Industries Ltd
Viacore • Forest Power Sports
Also thank you to the following businesses for their generous donations to the event:
OK Tire
Northland Hyundai KMS Tools
Westward Wellness Pain & Massage Clinic
Integris Insurance Services Ltd
PG Motorsports SMP
Corlanes
Western Equipment
Surplus Herbys
Chieftan Auto Parts
Wood Wheaton GMC
Prince George Toyota Rona Brunette Machinery Matco Tools Canadian Tire
LEGAL NOTICE PROOF
New Woodlot Licence Plan
Woodlot Licence 272
A new Woodlot Licence Plan has been prepared for Woodlot 272, located at Willow River and Highway 16 East. The new plan will cover the period 2025 to 2035.
In accordance with the Woodlot Licence Planning and Practices Regulation, a copy of the Woodlot Licence Plan and map is available for public review and comment at Industrial Forestry Service Ltd. (IFS) located at 1595 Fifth Avenue, Prince George, BC between the period of July 26 to August 26, 2024.
To arrange an appointment to review the plan, please telephone IFS at (250) 564-4115, extension 2249. Written comments should be received no later than August 30, 2024 and be addressed to:
Mike Trepanier, RPF
Industrial Forestry Service Ltd. 1595 Fifth Avenue
Prince George, BC V2L 3L9
Notice of Seizure and Sale of Vehicle
Wide Sky Disposals 1989 Ltd as the storage facility operator, hereby notifies the public that we have seized the following vehicle due to unpaid storage fees:
• Vehicle Description: Green 1994 Freightliner Tractor, Plate Number 1458JV
• VIN 1FUYFDYB2RP735333
• Location of Storage: 4501 55 Street Fort Nelson, BC
• Date of Deposit: July 1, 2019
• Owner/Depositor: Robert Lloyd McAdam
Sale Details:
• The vehicle will be sold to cover outstanding storage fees.
• The sale will take place on July 26, 2024 at 2:00 PMPST at 4501 55 Street Fort Nelson, BC.
• Interested parties may inspect the vehicle before the sale.
For more information, please contact Wide Sky Disposals 1989 Ltd 250 774 6528
WAREHOUSEMAN’S LIEN ACT
NOTICE
Trades Help
EXPERIENCED TICKETED WELDER
Peace Valley Industries is seeking Experienced Welders for shop and field work in Chetwynd, BC.
Must be a ticketed welder and have a minimum 5 years experience.
Must be a Canadian Citizen. Not willing to train.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent. Pay: $35.00 - $45.00/hr Accommodations provided Email resume to peacevalley@uniserve.com No phone calls please
LAND ACT: NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR CROWN LAND Take notice that Marty Larry Anderson, from Bear Lake, BC, has applied to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Omineca Region, for a Licence of Occupation for Adventure Tourism, camping and dog training area purposes situated on Provincial Crown land located near Crystal Lake, BC. The Land File for this application is 7410327. Written comments concerning this application should be directed to Susan Spears, Authorizations Specialist, Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Omineca Region at 5th Floor 499 George Street, Prince George, BC V2L 1R5, or susan.spears@gov.bc.ca Comments will be received by Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Omineca Region up to 20 Aug2024. Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Omineca Region may not be able to consider comments received after this date.
Please visit the website at https://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca for more information. Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. Access to these records requires the submission of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/freedomofinformation to learn more about FOI submissions. A hard copy MAP showing the location and extent of the application area may be acquired by calling the Authorizations Specialist named above at 250-5613479.
TECHNICIAN Culligan is looking for a Service Technician at our Prince George location. Superior customer service skills & plumbing experience preferred. Send resume to: recruiting@culliganwater.ca www.culligan.com
SALES REPRESENTATIVE Culligan is looking for a Territory Sales Representative to promote our water filtration and softening systems in the Prince George Region. Send resume to: recruiting@culliganwater.ca www.culligan.com/
Hay Bales For Sale
5X5 round hay bales, $275 each- net wrapped, barn stored. 250-614-6667
7190 Lambertus Rd
Saturday & Sunday 9am - 4pm
Everything must go, more like an estate sale than a garage sale.
NOTICE
CREDITORS & OTHERS.
RE: Estate of Stanley Berezowski and of Nassa Logging & Excavating Co. LTD., who died Oct. 18/22.
All persons having claims against the estate named above are hereby notified to send particulars of their claims before Sept. 30/24, to: Dana Jardine, Executor, 8040 Shelley Townsite Rd, Prince George, BC. V2K 5X7. Dated at Prince George, BC, Jul 8/24.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND OTHERS
Notice to creditors and others in the estate of Robert Bruce Johnston, late of Prince George BC Canada. All persons having claims against the estate of Robert Bruce Johnston, late of Prince George BC who passed away on January 28, 2023 are hereby notified to send particulars of their claims to the undersigned on or before September 22, 2024 after which date the estate will be distributed among the parties entitled to it, having regard only to the claims of which the undersigned has notice.
Claims should be sent to the following address: Robbin Hamilton, Estate Trustee of Robert Bruce Johnston
7768 Newton Cres Prince George, BC V2N 3L6 Dated at Prince George on this 25th day of July 2024.
Skilled Help
CLASSIFIEDS
HOROSCOPES
Aries (March 21 – April 19) • Taurus (April 20 – May 20) • Gemini (May 21 – June 20) • Cancer (June 21 – July 22) • Leo (July 23 – August 22) • Virgo (August 23 – September 22) • Libra (September 23 – October 22) Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) • Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) • Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) • Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) • Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
ARIES
You’ll be worried about money this week, so you’ll work hard to improve your situation. You may be able to put together the necessary funds to achieve a big dream or at least pay off some of your debt.
TAURUS
You’ll feel inspired to take a new direction in life. You’ll have the determination to transform your reality altogether. You’ll start fresh and finish a significant project.
GEMINI
You must rest after being in a large crowd. You prefer passive and relaxing activities while on holiday, such as visiting museums and walking in nature.
CANCER
You’ll bring many people together by organizing a surprising event. This project will expand your social circle. You may become quite popular on social media.
LEO
You’ll spontaneously head off into the unknown. You could seriously consider returning to school or starting a new career in line with your values. At the very least, you’ll be inspired to travel.
VIRGO
You must make changes to improve your inner well-being. You may adopt a more spiritual lifestyle. You could also plan a pilgrimage to explore the depths of your soul.
You may spend too much money on your credit card while on vacation. Although you’re concerned about your finances, you’ll continue being a little frivolous before reigning things in.
SCORPIO
You should wait until after the holidays before making any big decisions. Take the time to weigh the pros and cons. This will remove some pressure that could lead you to make regrettable choices.
SAGITTARIUS
Many details will require your attention between tasks at work and home. You’ll need to deep-clean your home to clear your mind.
You’ll attend shows and artistic events during the holidays. All eyes will be on you as you perform, receiving welldeserved applause.
AQUARIUS
A family story could hold your attention, or perhaps just decorating your home. While on holiday, the comfort of home and the company of family will bring you happiness.
PISCES
You have a way with words. This will get you noticed on the phone and social media. You’ll enjoy chiming in on various subjects. You’ll be on the move a lot, which will satisfy your curiosity.
LIBRA
CAPRICORN
Don’t let pests keep you from enjoying your outdoor time
Reducing insects and pests around your home allows you to fully enjoy outdoor spaces without the nuisance and potential health risks they can bring. Here are effective strategies to manage insects and pests:
Remove Standing Water: Eliminate sources of standing water such as clogged gutters, birdbaths, or puddles. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so reducing these breeding grounds helps control their population.
Keep Food Sealed: Store food in airtight containers, both indoors and outdoors. This prevents attracting ants, flies, and other pests looking for food sources.
Regularly Clean and Declutter: Regularly clean countertops, floors, and other surfaces
Homes & Living
to remove crumbs and spills that attract pests. Decluttering reduces hiding spots for insects.
Seal Cracks and Gaps: Inspect and seal cracks, gaps, and holes around doors, windows, and foundations. This prevents pests such as ants, spiders, and cockroaches from entering your home.
Use Screens and Netting: Install screens on windows and doors to prevent insects from entering your home. Use netting or mesh covers over outdoor dining areas to keep flies and mosquitoes away.
Trim Vegetation: Keep shrubs, trees, and grass trimmed and away from the house. Overgrown vegetation can harbor pests and
ESTIMATES
provide pathways for them to enter your home.
Dispose of Garbage Properly: Use tightly sealed garbage bins both indoors and outdoors. Regularly remove trash to prevent attracting pests like flies and rodents.
Natural Repellents: Plant insect-repelling plants such as citronella, lavender, mint, and basil around your outdoor living spaces. These plants naturally deter mosquitoes and other insects.
Use Pest Control Products: Apply insecticides or pest control products according to instructions around the perimeter of your home or in areas where pests are most problematic. Opt
for environmentally friendly and pet-safe options whenever possible.
Professional Pest Control: Consider hiring a professional pest control service for periodic inspections and treatments, especially if you have persistent pest problems or live in areas prone to specific pests.
By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the presence of insects and pests around your home, allowing you and your family to fully enjoy outdoor activities and relaxation without interruptions or health concerns.
Keeping your swimming pool safe
Items to remember when using a residential pool
Home swimming pools provide a refreshing oasis during hot summer days but also pose potential safety risks, especially for children and inexperienced swimmers. Implementing comprehensive safety measures is crucial to ensure enjoyable pool experiences without accidents or tragedies.
Firstly, installing a sturdy fence around the pool area with a self-closing and self-latching gate can prevent unauthorized access, particularly by young children who may wander unsupervised. The fence should be at least four feet tall and have no gaps or footholds that children could use to climb over.
Secondly, learning CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) can be lifesaving in
emergencies. Having adults who know CPR present when the pool is in use adds an extra layer of safety. It’s also wise to keep a phone nearby for quick access to emergency services.
Thirdly, teaching children to swim at an early age can significantly reduce the risk of drowning. However, even proficient swimmers should never swim alone; always have a buddy system in place.
Fourthly, pool toys and floats should be stored away from the pool when not in use. These items can attract young children to the water when adults are not around, leading to accidents.
Lastly, regular maintenance and inspections of the pool equipment are essential to ensure everything is functioning correctly and safely. This includes checking the pool’s chemical levels, ensuring the drain covers are secure, and verifying that all safety equipment (such as life rings and flotation devices) are in good condition and easily accessible.
By following these guidelines and remaining vigilant, homeowners can create a safe environment around their swimming pools, promoting enjoyment for all while minimizing potential risks.
Suggestions to keep pollen & wildfire smoke out of your home
Keeping pollen and wildfire smoke out of your house is crucial for maintaining indoor air quality, especially for those sensitive to allergens or affected by respiratory conditions. Here are some effective strategies:
Close Windows and Doors: During peak pollen times or when there’s wildfire smoke in the air, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. Use weather stripping to seal gaps around doors and windows to prevent outdoor pollutants from entering.
Use Air Purifiers: Invest in a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter air purifier. HEPA filters can capture airborne particles like pollen and smoke particles effectively. Place purifiers in commonly used rooms and bedrooms for best results.
Maintain HVAC Systems: Ensure your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems have clean filters installed and are well-maintained. Consider upgrading to filters with a MERV rating
of 11 or higher, which are designed to trap smaller particles.
Create a Clean Entryway: Place doormats both inside and outside your doors to capture dirt, pollen, and other outdoor pollutants on shoes before they enter your home. Encourage family members and guests to remove shoes upon entering.
Monitor Pollen Levels: Stay informed about local pollen forecasts, which are often available through weather websites and apps. Try to plan indoor activities on days when pollen levels are highest.
Change Clothing After Outdoor Activities: When returning from outdoors during pollen season or when there’s smoke in the air, change your clothes and take a quick shower to remove pollen or smoke particles from your body.
Close Vents and Use Recirculate Mode: When driving in a car during wildfire smoke events, close the vents and switch
to recirculate mode to minimize smoke entering the vehicle.
Stay Informed About Air Quality: Keep track of local air quality reports, especially during wildfire season. Limit outdoor activities on days when air quality is poor, and keep windows and doors closed.
Use Natural Remedies: Consider using natural remedies such as saline nasal rinses or eye drops to reduce pollen exposure and alleviate allergy symptoms.
Stay Prepared: Have an emergency plan in place if you live in an area prone to wildfires. This includes having N95 masks on hand to protect against smoke inhalation if evacuation is not immediate.
By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the infiltration of pollen and wildfire smoke into your home, creating a safer and more comfortable indoor environment for you and your family.
GO FOR GOLD.
Landscaping ideas for the summer
Landscaping for the summer can transform your outdoor space into a vibrant and inviting area for relaxation and entertainment. Here are some ideas to consider:
• Native Plants and Drought-Tolerant Species: Choose plants that thrive in your local climate and require less water once established. Native plants not only conserve water but also attract local wildlife like birds and butterflies.
• Colorful Flower Beds: Plant a variety of summer-blooming flowers such as marigolds, petunias, zinnias, and salvias to add bursts of color to your garden. Consider planting them in clusters or in a mix of heights for visual interest.
• Outdoor Seating Areas: Create inviting seating areas with comfortable furniture such as lounge chairs, hammocks, or a cozy outdoor sofa. Add shade with umbrellas, pergolas, or shade sails to provide relief from the sun.
• Water Features: Incorporate a water feature like a fountain, pond, or small waterfall to add a soothing element to your garden. The sound of running water can create a tranquil atmosphere and attract birds.
• Edible Garden: Grow your own herbs, vegetables, and fruits in raised beds or containers. Not only does this provide fresh produce for your meals, but it also adds greenery and texture to your landscape.
• Lighting: Install outdoor lighting to extend the usability of your landscape into the evening. Consider string lights, pathway lights, or spotlights to highlight focal points like trees or sculptures.
• Fire Pit or Outdoor Fireplace: Create a gathering spot with a fire pit or outdoor fireplace where you can relax and enjoy cool summer evenings. This also extends the usability of your outdoor space into the fall.
• Mulching and Weed Control: Apply mulch to your flower beds and around trees to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and give your garden a neat appearance. Consider using organic mulches like bark chips or shredded leaves.
• Vertical Gardens: Utilize vertical space with trellises, arbors, or vertical planters to grow climbing plants such as vines, tomatoes, or beans. This maximizes space and adds dimension to your garden.
• Outdoor Kitchen or BBQ Area: If space and budget allow, create an outdoor kitchen or BBQ area with a grill, countertops, and storage. This makes outdoor cooking and dining convenient and enjoyable during the summer months.
By incorporating these landscaping ideas, you can create a beautiful and functional outdoor space that enhances your enjoyment of summer and adds value to your home.
Pankaj
407 Gillet St, unit B $1,400 includes utilities Bed-2 + Den Bath-1 Kitchen-Fridge and Stove Living room- Fire Place Feature Laundry- Ensuite Laundry Extra Details- bright and spacious Pets- 1 Pet Negotiable Parking- Yes No smoking Tenant insurance is required.
1319 Porter Ave
Lower Unit B BEDS-2 BATH-1
YARD-Yes KITCHEN APPLIANCES- fridge, stove LIVING ROOM-Yes DINING ROOMYes LAUNDRY-Yes-shared STORAGE-Yes-sheds PARKINGYes-driveway PET FRIENDLYYes small pets considered with deposit. UTILITIES-Included $1300 monthly No smoking Tenant insurance required
106-2478 Upland Street
$1150 1 bedroom 1 bath Fridge Stove Dishwasher. Walk out yard Hydro not included. Pet allowed
494 Irwin St
$1,650 utilities included Above Ground Basement Unit BEDS-2 BATH-1 KITCHENFridge, Stove, and Over- Range Microwave LIVING ROOM- YES YARD- YES LAUNDRY-WASHER/DRYER PARKING-OFF STREET PARKING No smoking Tenant insurance is required.
2892 Upland Street.
$1400 This is a bright and updated basement suite. This unit features 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and in-suite laundry in a spacious entryway. This unit has 1 spot in the driveway for off street parking, and shared use of the backyard. Utilities are included in the rent price. No Pets. No Smoking.
1737 Redwood Unit B Price $1,550 Available now! * BEDS- 3 BATH- 2 YARDShared KITCHEN APPLIANCESFridge, stove LIVING ROOM/ DINING ROOM- Yes LAUNDRYYes, in suite PETS-1 Negotiable with deposit UTILITIES- Included EXTRA DETAILS- Basement suite No smoking
849
Harper Street
$400.00 Garage Unit Perfect place to store your car, bikes or a good space to create a work shop. 350 square feet. Hydro is not included.
379 RUGGLES UNIT A
Price $1650 BEDS- 2 BATH- 1
YARD- Yes, Shared. Large shed, Shared KITCHEN APPLIANCESFridge, stove, dishwasher. LIVING ROOM/ DINING ROOM- Yes
LAUNDRY- Yes, shared. PARKING- 1 Off street parking PETS- 1 Negotiable with deposit. UTILITIES- Included
110 Claxton Cres
$2000 Beautiful 3 bedroom home located in heritage area. Top floor only rental. Kitchen has a fridge, stove and dishwasher. Large patio deck off the kitchen and shared yard space. Separate laundry as well. Utilities included. No smoking. Pet negotiable.
7491 Southridge Ave
Available September 1st, 2024
Lovely full house available for rent and is close to Southridge elementary school. 3 bedroom 2 bathrooms plus furnished basement. Upper Kitchen includes fridge, stove and dishwasher! Lots of cabinets. Large double car garage to store your cars in during winter! Large backyard with deck and extra storage. This wont last long! Apply today! No smoking Tenant insurance required
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS
2459 Carmicheal Plc
$1600.00, utilities included, with cap ground level basement suite. BED-2 BATH-1 KITCHEN- large Fridge, Stove, Dishwasher LIVING ROOMYES LAUNDRY- ensuite laundry Extra details- Patio space under deck Parking-one parking on driveway Pets- 1 pet negotiable No smoking Tenant insurance is required.
Thinking of getting a house-sitter during your summer holidays? things to consider...
When planning a trip or an extended time away from home, hiring a house-sitter can provide peace of mind and security for your property. However, there are several critical considerations to keep in mind to ensure the arrangement is beneficial for both you and the house-sitter. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to consider when getting a house-sitter while you are away:
Trust and Background Check: The first and foremost factor is trust. Whether you hire someone through a service or ask a friend, make sure you trust the person who will be staying in your home. Conducting a thorough background check is crucial. If using a service, ensure they perform background checks and provide references. For personal acquaintances, a candid conversation about expectations and responsibilities is essential.
House Rules and Guidelines: Clearly outline your house rules and guidelines. This includes rules about pets, use of appliances, guest policies, smoking, and areas that are off-limits. Provide a written list of these rules to avoid any misunderstandings. Clear communication helps prevent any potential issues and ensures the house-sitter respects your home as you would.
Emergency Contact Information: Provide the house-sitter with a list of emergency contacts, including your contact information, a trusted neighbor or nearby friend, and local emergency services. Also, include contact information for essential services like a plumber, electrician, and your regular maintenance people. Knowing who to call in case of an emergency can help the house-sitter handle unexpected situations efficiently.
Security Measures: Familiarize the house-sitter with your home’s security system. Show them how to use alarms, locks, and any surveillance equipment you have. If you use a code for your alarm system, change it before you leave and again upon your return. Ensure they know how to securely lock up the house and any specific security routines you follow.
Pet Care: If you have pets, provide detailed instructions on their care. This includes feeding schedules, medication, exercise routines, and any specific behaviors to watch
out for. Leave sufficient supplies of food, medication, and other necessities. Introduce the house-sitter to your pets before you leave so they can become familiar with each other.
Mail and Packages: Arrange for the house-sitter to collect your mail and packages. Provide them with a key to your mailbox or any necessary access information. This helps prevent mail from piling up, which can signal an empty house to potential burglars. If you have regular deliveries, such as newspapers or subscription boxes, make sure the house-sitter knows what to expect.
Utilities and Maintenance: Explain how to operate essential utilities such as heating, cooling, water, and electrical systems. Provide instructions for maintaining the house, such as watering plants, taking out the trash, and any other routine tasks. If there are specific maintenance schedules, like lawn care or pool maintenance, inform the house-sitter and provide contact details for service providers.
Keys and Access: Decide how you will provide access to your home. Whether you give a spare key or use a keyless entry system, ensure it’s secure. If using a keyless system, ensure the house-sitter knows the codes and how to operate the locks. Consider providing a backup key to a trusted neighbor or friend in case of emergencies.
Communication Plan: Establish a regular communication plan to check in with the house-sitter. Decide how often you want updates and through what means (phone, email, text). Regular check-ins can help you stay informed about the status of your home and address any concerns promptly.
Insurance and Liability: Verify your homeowner’s insurance policy to understand what is covered while you are away and if having a house-sitter affects your coverage. Discuss liability issues with the house-sitter and consider a written agreement that outlines responsibilities and expectations. This can help protect both parties in case of any disputes.
Compensation and Terms: Clearly discuss and agree upon the terms of the house-sitting arrangement. This includes compensa-
tion, duration of stay, and any specific duties required. If you are not paying the house-sitter (e.g., in exchange for free accommodation), ensure both parties are clear on the expectations.
Departure Preparation: Before you leave, prepare your home for the house-sitter. Clean and organize the space, remove any perishable items from the fridge, and ensure essential supplies are stocked. Leave clear instructions and any necessary tools or supplies for tasks they’ll need to perform.
By considering these factors, you can ensure a smooth and worry-free experience for both you and your house-sitter. Proper preparation and clear communication are key to ensuring your home is well cared for in your absence, allowing you to enjoy your time away with peace of mind.
