Prince George Citizen August 29, 2024

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Year-round skiing once trails are paved at Otway ... Page 31

New shopping centre project set to begin

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

The trees and shrubs that used to dominate the landscape beyond the southeast corner of the North Nechako Road-Foothills Boulevard intersection are gone.

Earth movers have been busy this summer clearing a large area site known as Nechako Corners that will eventually be home of the city’s newest shopping centre/residential development.

Centre, will include a supermarket, ground-floor retail space and two 36-unit three-storey apartment buildings with underground parking.

opment of Prince George, “ said John Brink, president of Brink Properties Inc.

project there that’s about the same size as Spruceland Mall.”

PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN

Truckers deserve modern highway rest stops: Driver

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff

Imagine being a truck driver hauling fuel from Prince George to Prince Rupert, and it’s 2 a.m. and 40 below, and the only place to go is an outhouse with no heat and no light.

These are the challenges Rob Olsen, and other truck drivers just like him, face each time they take to the highways of B.C.

Olsen has driven the 720-kilometre route on Highway 16 on and off for 38 years and had some hope that when the newly built $34.3 million Terrace Commercial Vehicle Inspection Station was opened recently that more civilized amenities would be included for long haulers.

But there, on the perimeter of the state-of-the-art indoor inspection complex, stood an outhouse, with no light and no heat, for the truck drivers’ use. Olsen knows there’s indoor plumbing not 200 feet away but that’s only available during office hours and that’s not when most truckers’ route times are scheduled.

“When they’re building these places it would be nice if they thought of us truck drivers,” Olsen said.

Trucking is considered an essential service, a critical component of the supply chain, with drivers delivering food and goods necessary to every person throughout Canada at all times of the day and night to meet demand. In 2020, road transport accounted for 50 per cent of Canada’s merchandise trade (imports and exports combined). Another 23 per cent is moved by water, 15 percent by air, and 12 per cent by rail, according to the National Supply Chain Task Force Final Report published in 2022.

“A lot of us knew before the pandemic how important truckers were to our daily lives and that became even more profound how we relied on them to survive as the truckers were bringing groceries to the stores when nobody else could move so we appreciate our truckers,” said MP Bob Zimmer (Prince George – Peace River – Northern

This map shows the rest areas offered to those traveling between Prince George and Prince Rupert. There are only two sites with big truck access that have flush toilets available 24-hours a day on the 720-km route.

Rockies).

“I guess this goes with the provincial government spending British Columbians out of house and home and it falls in line with the federal government doing the same. We’ve never seen two governments provincially and federally that have spent as much money as these two governments have and yet they seem to still not show respect to the backbone workers of our community. I would say it shows that this current government disregards that importance and they shouldn’t. They should respect our truckers and respect the people that make our world turn around every day.”

On the Prince George to Prince Rupert route only two rest areas of the 14 that can accommodate big trucks have flush toilets available 24 hours, including at Cluculz Lake, west of Prince George, and Palling, west of Burns Lake.

“There are no lights in most of the outhouses,” Olsen said. “There are power lines right above the outhouses but they can’t seem to provide light. This is 2024, not 1950.”

A new rest area near Endako called Savory West, 83 km west of Vanderhoof, was just built that includes four pit toilets (outhouses) and three electric vehicle charging stations.

“And again it’s outhouses with no lights and a powerline just above the roof and even if they didn’t do power,

they could’ve put solar in,” Olsen said. “And there are no facilities to wash up and I just get tired of it. It’s been that way for so long that I guess after a while you just accept that that’s the way it is.”

But he doesn’t want to do that any more and decided to speak out, he added.

“I know a lot of people haven’t thought about this but I feel like it’s discrimination,” Olsen said. “We’re the ones going up and down the highway hauling goods for everybody – what happens if we all quit? You’ll all starve to death and you’ll have to get back on your horse or your bicycle to get around – I haul your fuel. I just want a little recognition, I guess. And I don’t think it’s too much to ask that we have a place to wash our hands after we do our business.”

Olsen reached out to the office of the B.C. Ministry of Transportation before reaching out to The Citizen but did not get a response.

When The Citizen reached out to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure this is the response that was received:

“The inspection station east of Terrace offers several benefits to

long-haul commercial drivers, including additional parking spaces designated for rest. Washrooms with flushable toilets are available to drivers at the scale building during office hours. Local service stations in nearby Thornhill also provide standard facilities and amenities.

“Upgrades and enhancements to key highway rest areas are planned as part of a multi-year plan to improve safety, accessibility and other amenities along B.C.’s highways through a $100-million Safety Rest Area Improvement Program to support the trucking industry and other travellers.

“The province is currently reviewing and updating its rest area management plan to evaluate current needs and help guide future improvement projects across the provincial highway network.

“In the Northern Region, the ministry is currently focusing on access improvements, accessibility enhancements, and lighting and signage upgrades, to existing rest areas along key corridors such as Highway 16 and Highway 97.

“The ministry has made several improvements in recent years, including upgrades to the Cluculz Rest Area on Highway 16, east of Vanderhoof, and the Savory Rest Area, west of Endako. Upgrades are also currently underway at the Mile 80 Rest Area on Highway 97, north of Fort St. John.

Olsen

2024 Bear Lake Local Community Commission By-Election

Notice of Nomination Period

Public notice is hereby given that a by-election will be held on Saturday November 2, 2024, to elect one Commissioner for the Bear Lake Local Community Commission for the completion of a term of office ending October 2026.

Nominations will be received by the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officer from Tuesday September 17, 2024 at 9:00 am to Friday September 27, 2024 at 4:00 pm:

• hand, mail or other delivery service: Regional District Office, 155 George Street, Prince George, BC V2L 1P8

• fax: 250-563-7520

• email: election@rdffg.bc.ca

*Originals of faxed or emailed nomination documents must be received by the Chief Election Officer by Friday October 4, 2024 at 4:00 pm

Nomination documents will be available from August 29, 2024 to the close of the nomination period:

• online at rdffg.ca

• available for pick up at:

Regional District Office

155 George Street, Prince George, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm, excluding stat. holidays

Bear Lake Local Community Commission Office

353 Grizzly Avenue, Bear Lake, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

The deadline for receipt of nominations is Friday September 27, 2024 at 4:00 pm

Qualifications for Office

A person is qualified to be nominated, elected and to hold office as a Bear Lake Local Community Commissioner if they meet the following criteria:

• Canadian Citizen

• 18 years of age or older on general voting day Saturday November 2, 2024

• resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed

• not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia or being nominated for, being elected to or holding the office or be otherwise disqualified by law

Campaign Period Expense Limits

In accordance with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, for the 2024 by-election, the expense limits for candidates during the campaign period for a Local Community Commissioner is $5,398.92.

Third Party Advertising Limits

In accordance with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, for the 2024 by-election, the third party advertising limit for a Local Community Commissioner is $809.84.

For more details on campaign period expense limits and third party advertising limits, visit elections.bc.ca/local-elections or contact 1-800-661-8683 or electoral.finance@elections.bc.ca

Wheels are in motion for Prince George to benefit from a provincial fair-share agreement,

MATT DRISCOLL

Special to The Citizen

Is a fair share agreement on the horizon for Prince George?

Every year the provincial government hands out millions of dollars to dozens of B.C. municipalities as part of so-called fair share agreements.

The agreements are intended to put money into rural communities for critical infrastructure.

Municipalities have argued that while major projects in industries like resource extraction, gas pipelines and forestry take a heavy toll on local infrastructure, the projects generally exist outside municipal borders and do not contribute to their tax base.

Agreements like the BC Hydro Site C Regional Legacy ($2.4 million per year for the Peace River Regional District), Resource Benefit Alliance ($250 million over five years for 21 communities in Northwestern British Columbia)have helped revitalize the failing infrastructure in those communities.

With many rural communities reaping the benefits of fair share agreements, it begs the question: what about Prince George?

Houston Mayor Shane Brienen was instrumental in securing the Peace River Agreement. He says it took a decade of research and negotiations. While they didn’t contact Prince George reps to gauge interest in joining the agreement, he says it was never their intention to do so.

“When the 2019 Northern Capital Grant was announced we were extremely surprised to see it included Fraser-Fort George,” he says.

“I talked to many happy mayors that were surprised by the funding, unfortunately, we were well into our negotiations and adding Fraser Fort George would have at that time slowed us down considerably as we had no data at all for that region and at that point it wasn’t our call to add another area.”

Brienen says that by including Fraser-Fort George in the Northern Capital

Grant, the province has, in a way, acknowledged that there is a case for a fair share agreement for Fraser Fort George.

“As we got close to an agreement over the last year, I did speak with many elected people from the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George who wanted to know more about the process and many of those conversations were with Prince George Mayor Simon Yu,” says Brienen.

Yu says Prince George is ready and willing to sign a fair share agreement and the wheels are now in motion.

“I have directed the administration to look into an agreement and how it would be possible to enter into one,” says Yu.

“The infrastructure problem in Prince George is a serious issue that we need more funding for.”

“It’s not that we’re being looked over so much as being taken for granted,” says Yu. Many large businesses use Prince George as a supply center for both goods and manpower, says Yu. However, the municipality reaps little of the benefits, as the projects are located outside of our boundaries and the taxation goes to the province.

“The resources should benefit the entire province, but the revenue goes where the majority of the population

lives,” says Yu. Yu says it will likely take several years to accumulate the data required to proceed with a provincial fair share

agreement for Prince George.

However, the benefits would help put Prince George in the right position to address the city’s infrastructure and capital project needs.

According to the province, their door is always open when it comes to potential new agreements.

“The ministry is available to engage in discussions, as well as provide support and advice, with the City of Prince George at any time,” says Ministry of Municipal Affairs spokesperson Kerri Ralph.

The ministry says since 2017, the province has provided over $55 million to the City of Prince George through various grant programs, both application-based and direct delivery. Ralph says those programs have assisted in constructing new and expanded municipal infrastructure and supported local community services.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

The City of Prince George plans to take part in the province’s fair-share agreement program, Mayor Simon Yu told The Citizen recently.

Cedar Centre complex will also include residential units

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

A sign has been up at the intersection for some time. The early stages of the project, including site preparation, is now under way.

“Already, you can see as you go by there some pretty major things are happening,” Brink said.

“We have all the approvals and all that kind of stuff has happened already. There’s huge potential. It will be a shopping centre and it will be unique and different in an amazing location. Obviously, a lot of development is already taking place in that region already.”

The area is underserved, and with the exception of a small convenience store in the nearby Caledonia Manufactured Home Park, there is no retail space within a six-kilometre radius of the Cedar Centre site, he said.

Brink said the mall will be finished in

Work crews are clearing the land at Foothills Boulevard and North Nechako Road that will be the site of the Cedar Centre shopping mall. The new mall will be finished in either 2026 or 2027

either 2026 or 2027.

“We are working on it now, moving a lot of dirt around and preparing the

property, road structures are going in, services are going in, and the designs are in place,” said Brink.

Another five-acre strip of land will be cleared in September. Eventually, Brink said, Nechako Corners will have 200 apartment suites.

The larger buildings of the development will incorporate cross-laminated timber (CLT) load-bearing panels and beams.

The final phase will be a 60-lot residential neighbourhood that would extend south to the Nechako Rivers Greenway adjacent to Nechako Riverside Park.

The subdivision, which would include single-family homes and medium-density strata housing (duplexes and quadraplexes), would start just beyond the outfield fences of Nechako Ball Park and would border Edgewood Elementary School, separated by a greenbelt.

That will be part of the 50-acre site that also includes Nechako Terrace subdivision east of where the mall development will sit.

The Brink Group of Companies also owns Interior Warehousing, which has close to 400,000 square-feet of warehouse space in the Prince George region, with plans to add warehouse

space to Vanderhoof and Houston.

Brink owns Brink Forest Products, which has secondary manufacturing mills in Prince George, Vanderhoof and Houston.

The company makes finger-jointed lumber and is planning to add a mass-timber component that will manufacture CLT products at its Prince George mill on River Road.

While the lumber giants are pulling back on their operations in British Columbia, curtailing shifts and permanently closing mills, Brink continues to think of ways to expand his reach into secondary forestry manufacturing and warehousing.

“Under the circumstances, I’m optimistic on the forest industry and still intend to double the size of our company on the forestry side, in the next five years,” Brink said.

“I’m a believer,” he laughed.

Brink also has a media company which produces his On The Brink podcasts, which have now reached 20 million views on You Tube.

His latest episode, No. 301, features BC United leader Kevin Falcon.

Brink has plans to include the leaders of other parties in future podcasts in the leadup to the Oct. 15 provincial election.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

A soggy summer night

A cyclist and a motorist make their way through the water at the intersection of Dominion Street and Seventh Avenue after a storm on Monday, Aug. 26 led to flooding in parts of the city. Environment Canada reported about 25 mm of rainfall over the course of the evening. Below, another driver braves the flooded intersection.

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A better Official Community Plan would go a long way toward easing NIMBY and fear of the unknown

KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor

Recent news that the province is planning a supportive housing facility in College Heights has some neighbours upset at the idea.

The proposed home, which would offer complex care to its residents, would be located at 3177 McGill Ave.

Some residents have launched a change.org petition:

“We the undersigned are against the proposed BC Housing residence proposal for 3177 McGill Ave. While the intent of the project to “serve people with overlapping mental-health and addiction issues or other complex health challenges” is indeed warranted for this city, building it in the middle of a neighbourhood with many small children and next to a park, is clearly not a good choice. The huge potential for increased crime and human conflict is also too great and therefore must not happen,” the petition at change.org states.

“We strongly urge BC Housing, Northern Health and Community Living BC to construct this home closer to existing support services and away from existing neighbourhoods and children who might otherwise frequent this area. This reaction is not surprising. People tend to react strongly to change, especially when that change involves people living with critical issues and the stigma

get the NIMBY itch over it.

What’s needed is more information and a clearer plan.

It’s fear of the unknown that prompts NIMBYism. That’s why it’s important that the new Official Community Plan incorporate changes that would make the addition of new types of housing easier to accomplish.

An updated OCP could also address other issues, like densification. Why not allow six-storey apartment buildigs, or four-plexes. One option could see a fourplex building for every five or six single-family or two-family homes in a new development. This would go a long way to improve densification

The OCP can also address commercial exceptions in new residential neighbourhood by allowing small commercial development, including stores and services.

We acknowledge the financial

Nous

that comes with them.

Here’s the thing, though.There are supported housing units in neighbourhoods all over the city. You just don’t notice them. Once they’re in, they become part of the community.

A rough count here in the newsroom turned up at least three dozen facilities. There are probably more. The ones we could think of include group homes for teens, recovery homes for people dealing with addiction and other kinds of residences.

They are run by the province or by

non-profit organizations. You may drive past one every day and have no idea what it is. And that’s the idea.

Prince George is growing. Some new developments will be built on the city’s outskirts, but in-fill is a big part of that, too. As that happens, people will have to adjust to changes in their neighbourhoods.

Whether it’s a group home, a supported housing facility or just new rentals that attract partying students, there’s a good chance some people will

Kennedy Gordon Managing Editor

Remember when we could walk to the corner store? The salon? The day care? New neighbourhoods are being built that don’t fit the “15-minute-city” theory of urban planning, which calls for everything people might need to be within 15 minutes on foot.

The OCP could also be updated to include structured planning for supported housing. It could be built into new neighbourhood in a way that blends into the fabric of the community. That’s the solution we need.

Kennedy Gordon is The Citizen’s managing editor.

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reconnaissons l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

As Prince George grows, the Official Community Plan could be used to better incorporate supported housing into residential areas

Prince George needs more than snappy soundbites and three-word election slogans from our leaders

As I See It

Axe the tax. Build the homes. Fix the budget. Stop the crime.

This appears to be Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s mantra. Nice, easy, succinct sound bites which play well in the media and at rallies.

They are also motherhood-and-apple-pie statements. That is, they are statements most people would find it hard to disagree with. Most political parties are built on the same foundation.

The Bloc Quebecois is not about to argue that we shouldn’t stop crime nor is the NDP going to make the argument that building homes is something we shouldn’t be doing.

But as the basis for an election campaign, are these really the statements we want to hear? Axe the tax? Just the carbon tax? Sounds good but how then do we wean ourselves off fossil fuels and onto “cleaner” forms of energy?

I am not a big proponent of the carbon tax. I have written about how it was the wrong strategy.

But if government is going to impose a carbon tax, then that money should be spent on measures which will result in a reduction in carbon emissions such as high efficiency furnaces in every new home, research into alternative energy sources, and de-carbonizing our infrastructure.

Perhaps more importantly, what we actually have is government handing back to low-income Canadians in the form of a rebates and subsidies. If the tax is axed, what happens to these cheques? Do people depending on these funds simply no longer get them? Or would the government pull funds from other programs?

There’s a need for new home construction in Prince George, but housing prices are out of reach for many residents, Todd Whitcombe writes today. Axing the carbon tax, as the federal conservatives want to do, would make it even harder for lower-income families to afford housing because of the rebates the program sends to Canadians.

How many people in Prince George receive refunds and what impact would losing them have on their budgets?

Saying “axe the tax” is one thing but the implications of doing so could seriously impact a lot of low-income families. Similarly, “build the homes” sounds simple enough. However, there are currently not enough qualified construction workers to keep up with demand. I have been told Prince George needs 1,800 new homes. If developers are completing one per day, that is a five-year project. And by that time, our population will have grown enough to demand

more houses.

However, it is not simply a case of trying to match supply with demand. The costs of building a home includes whole layers of infrastructure, increased use of services, and additional demands on water, electricity, roads, and health care.

Where does the money come from?

Particularly as Prince George and most major cities are suffering from a deficit in infrastructure funding.

In addition, the homes which need to be built also need to be affordable.

A $400,000 house is out of reach for

many average working Canadians, let alone $700,000 or $800,000 houses such those being built in the city.

It is all well and good to say “build the homes” but how exactly is this to be done? By whom? And by when?

I could go on but the point is that three-word election slogans might sound good but what we really need are substantive solutions to the issues we face. Real policy and actions will leave the world a better place for our children and our grandchildren.

Todd Whitcombe is a chemistry professor at UNBC.

CITIZEN

TODD WHITCOMBE

OPINION

PG Chamber urges government intervention to prevent rail strike

Out of all the blue collar workers in this country, CN employees are amongst the highest paid.

Everyone in this country is struggling and now this will simply contribute further to peoples struggles and job loss, all so you can make more than 150k a year?

How about we just get it over with and automate trains fully, since there really is no reason not to.

Also, as someone who has worked union my entire life, unions are no longer about protecting the rights of workers, they simply protect pay roll burdens.

This is a huge factor, why education, municipal, medical institutions and many other union businesses are rotten to the core. People are too entitled and too protected.

Zangief

Council approves borrowing $22 million to refurbish Aquatic Centre

Woohoo!!

This is awesome news!!

I’m a weekly user of both our city pools and I can tell you, both a extremely busy.

I’m not looking forward to the Aquatic Centre closing for several months.

The downtown pool will be crazy busy during the Aquatic Centre maintenance but it is what it is.

Heather MM

Prince George psychiatrist launches mental health petition

I believe every health authority needs a long term mental health facility.

Sadly, there are some people who have mental health conditions that require continual supervision.

FNHA also needs to step up and build some smaller facilities closer to their communities where people could be connected to their families and communities and be provided with more of their traditional healing.

There is no quick way out of this but if all the decision makers step up to the plate and take real action instead of using platitudes or the latest “buzz words,” a better future can be created for people who suffer from and have to live with mental health conditions.

It’s also not going to be cheap, but these human beings deserve our best efforts, financial commitments and compassion. They are NOT the “throw aways” that they are often currently being treated as.

Under the right situations many will be capable of living a meaningful life.

PGArcher

Province unveils plan for $1.579 billion patient care tower at UHNBC

This is nothing more than a political move.

Where is the staff going to come from? Surgeries are already delayed for patients due to staffing issues.

Will they magically appear when the tower is completed?

Family members who live in Kamloops just told me their fancy new tower is unable to operate for the same reason, not enough staff.

When will this government wake up and deal with the fact we have a severe shortage of Doctors especially in the North.

R. Nich

Prince George psychiatrist launches mental health petition

A personal thanks to Dr Kane and those supporting her initiative to have a long term mental health facility in the north. I worked in many depts in our UHNBC, including the Psychiatric Unit and Emergency, and I’ve seen first hand, the desperate need for those long term psychiatric patient’s beds, in a facility like a Riverview Psychiatric Hospital. Right now, seriously mentally ill patients have one permanent place for a bed, and that’s a bed somewhere on the streets. The north needs their own Psychiatric Hospital and stop holding acute care beds hostage in our acute care UHNBC.

Bonnie Kenyon

Council approves borrowing $22 million to refurbish Aquatic Centre

A big problem with this process is that it removes the secret ballot idea because you identify yourself in order to object to the spending.

In a referendum you prove entitlement to vote but all that is known in the end is how many voted yea or nay.

Since you have to identify yourself there are staff at City Hall that know the names of those who were against the spending and that is a flagrant violation of the entire concept of democracy based on the use of secret ballot designed to support the will of the people while allowing anonymity.

The supposed concern about the cost of holding a referendum rings very hollow to my ears given councils gleeful habit of spending huge sums to “study” this or that when the issue is very clear to the majority and requires urgent action NOT expensive studies headed by overpaid imports from other places with unknown or non existent qualifications to be paid vast sums.

Councillors, cast the beam from your own eyes before poking the splinter elsewhere.

Renoguy24

Do you know how to spot a student-targeted scam?

MICHAEL WHITE Special to The Citizen

As back-to-school time approaches for post-secondary students in Prince George, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is advising college and university students to be vigilant about scams designed specifically to target their demographic.

Three of the most common scams directed towards students are rental properties, online purchases, and employment opportunities.

“As students return to class, they’re often juggling multiple priorities — such as finding an apartment, attending classes, securing jobs and settling into their new spaces — [so] they may be pushing caution aside as they attempt to make quick decisions or get the best deals,” says Neesha Hothi, the BBB’s director of marketing and communications.

“Scammers see this as an opportunity to exploit students whose minds are too preoccupied to spot the scam.”

Seeking rental accommodation for the school year is possibly the highest priority for students.

The BBB highly recommends that students always see a property in person (or send a friend), as online photos and descriptions may be highly inaccurate.

If you see multiple listings that feature the same photos of the property, but are for different addresses, consider this a warning sign. It’s likely that the scammer has repurposed the same photos for multiple listings, all of which are fake.

As well, never send money (for instance, for a security deposit or first and last month’s rent) via an e-transfer app. Always use a well-known financial institution, and don’t send money to a recipient outside of Canada.

If your rental application is approved, ensure that both you and the landlord sign it, and insist that the landlord’s address be included.

If an offer seems too good to be true,

it probably is. Never purchase an item (especially a hard-to-find one) online if its price is unusually low. Chances are you’ll never receive your purchase. Alternately, you may receive a counterfeit product that’s of poor quality.

Marketplace websites, where items are sold by private individuals, are notorious for scams.

Don’t buy an item unless you have the opportunity to see it in person. If the seller declines to meet up, continue your search elsewhere.

Lastly, use a credit card to pay. Credit-card purchases are traceable, and many cards offer fraud protection, so you likely can get your funds back if you either don’t receive your item or it doesn’t represent the online description.

Many students need to secure a parttime job during the school year to help cover the costs of rent, groceries and other necessities.

But listings for non-existent student jobs are an increasingly common type of scam.

The BBB suggests that if you see an appealing listing on a third-party job site, check the employer’s own website to cross-reference it.

If the information doesn’t match, or if the employer’s website doesn’t list such a job, it’s probably a scam. Apply for a job through the employer’s own site whenever possible.

As well, if a prospective employer asks you to purchase equipment (such as a laptop or a “company” smartphone) with the promise that you’ll be reimbursed through your first paycheque, continue your job search elsewhere.

On a related note, walk away from any job offerings that ask you to pay an upfront fee. Legitimate employers never do this.

Visit BBB.org to verify the authenticity and reputation of a potential employer. And if you should encounter a scam, report it on the BBB Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker.

City council roundup: Expanded local transit service, a liquor licence for Theatre Northwest and more

MARK NIELSEN

Special to The Citizen

City council agreed Monday, Aug. 19 to add two buses and 3,550 hours of yearly service to the transit system with the aim of improving weekend service along four routes.

The additions are to come into effect in January 2026 at an estimated net cost of $265,361 to the municipality, representing 46 per cent of the $570,998 total cost with the remainder covered by BC Transit.

The additional hours will be deployed on routes 5, 15, 88 and 89 with details to be worked out. A 40-foot heavy-duty bus and a 35-foot medium duty bus will be added to the fleet in the name of the additional hours and for “fleet spare ratio issues,” city transit planner Daniel Pearce said in a report to council.

The added service is forecast to generate $69,861 in revenue from riders’ fares.

Liquor licence for Theatre Northwest approved

City council members threw their support behind Theatre Northwest’s application for a liquor licence while meeting Monday, Aug. 19.

Speaking on behalf of TNW, Bob Hillhouse told council that for all the years it has been in operation, the venue has relied on special event permits and obtaining one involves a lot of paperwork.

“But during those years, we’ve had no complaints and I suspect it’s the way they handle the liquor. You get a glass during intermission and you have to sit for an hour and half until the theatre performance is over (and) everybody’s

Saturday, September 7th Doors @ 7:00 pm - Music @ 7:30 pm

Performance Centre (1448 5th Ave)

generally sobered up,” Hillhouse said.  TNW is proposing to offer the service Sunday to Wednesday from noon to 11 p.m. and Thursday to Saturday from noon to 1 a.m.

The application remains subject to approval from the B.C. Liquor and Cannabis Licencing Branch. The LCRB requires approval from local governments.

Council members granted their approval after no objections were raised during a public hearing on the matter.

Car

lot clears public hearing despite staff opposition

A proposal to rezone 2679 Queensway to make way for a car lot was passed through third reading after no objections were raised during a public hearing.

The property is located across from the intersection with Inlander Avenue. Staff is opposed to the proposal. Although commercial development exists along Queensway, the proposal conflicts with the city’s official community plan which calls for a transition to medium or high-density residential and mixed-use commercial that “would maximize the use of existing infrastructure with proximity to transit, services, and amenities.”

The proposal remains subject to

fourth and final reading.

Permits for $37.4 million worth of construction issued in July City hall issued 46 permits for $37.4 million worth of construction in July, according to a staff report to council. Four multiple-family projects worth a combined $28 million made up the bulk of the number and helped push the year-to-date total to $198.4 million over 253 permits, well up from $81.2 million over 220 permits by the same point last year.

It was also more than $174.7 million over 288 permits reached by the end of July 2022.

The parkade now under construction at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. accounted for roughly $51 million of the total reached so far this year, planning and development director Deanna Wasnik noted during city council’s regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 19.

Wasnik struck a note of cautious optimism when asked about what lies ahead.

“We are closing in on September, this is the time of year we start slowing down for building permits given that it’s fall and winter,” Wasnik said. “But yes, we’re staying positive and looking forward to the remaining 2024 and into 2025.”

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

The City of Prince George plans to expand some local transi operations, adding two buses and 3,550 hours of new service.

coldsnap presents

Lockouts send rail workers to the picket lines

CN Rail workers protest their lock out along the CN Yard on First Avenue on Thursday, Aug. 22. CN and CPKC locked out workers after contract talks broke down, sending Teamsters members to picket lines across Canada and shutting down rail traffic. A partial resumption came later that day after the federal government sent the sides into binding arbitration, and the lockout ended at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 27 after a decision issued on Saturday by the Canada Industrial Relations Board ordering both companies and their workers to resume operations ahead of binding arbitration.

Wheelin’ Warriors of the North raise $143,726.17

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

The Wheelin’ Warriors of the North have successfully completed the Tour de Cure, a 200 km ride from Cloverdale to Hope on Aug. 24 and 25, and have raised $143,726.17 during this year’s fundraising efforts.

Since 2012 the Wheelin’ Warriors of the North have raised $1.7 million in total and this year’s target is to surpass $1.8 million.

Funds raised will go to the BC Cancer Foundation and all the money raised in the North stays in the North. The funds go to BC Cancer to equip the centre with critical technology, expand its research capabilities and attract world-class experts. It also supports the Patient Comfort

Fund, which provides resources for patients travelling to Prince George for treatment.

“There really is strength in numbers,” Karin Piche, team captain said in a recent Facebook post.

“From the camaraderie and support we all derive in being part of a team to the impact we can make TOGETHER in the fight against cancer! A thousand journeys, one destination! Thank you Tour de Cure British Columbia for an incredible two days!”

In total the Tour de Cure has raised more than $7.3 million for the BC Cancer Foundation.

Donations for the 2024 ride are being accepted until the end of September.

For more information and to donate visit www.tourdecure/team/ wheelinwarriors24.

GoFundMe launches after local father’s sudden death

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

After Andy Preston suffered a fatal injury while working from home on July 27, friend and colleague, Adam Lancaster decided to organize a GoFundMe page to help his young family through this most terrible time.

“If you knew Andy, you knew a friend that was always there to help,” Lancaster said in the GoFundMe post. “Andy made sure that legacy lived on, having been registered as an organ donor. We are so proud of Andy’s decision, knowing that the choice he made would ensure other families could avoid similar heartache.”

Lancaster went on to say that Andy’s family faces unanticipated challenges and some of those can be helped with support.

“Many of you have expressed a desire to support Tara, Cohen and Brenna in many different ways,” Lancaster said on

the page.

“Andy was always here for us and now is an opportunity to show that we continue to be here for him. Your generosity and kindness will not only help them through this difficult time but also celebrate the life of a remarkable

man who gave so much to others both during his time with us, and as we remember him.”

To donate to the cause and get all the details visit www.gofundme.com/f/ in-loving-memory-of-andy-preston-fundraising-campaign.

Donations will help cover several things, including service arrangements and ongoing support for Tara, Cohen and Brenna now and into the future.

People can also offer assistance and support to Andy’s family by reaching out using the contact button below.

Please consider registering as an organ donor with BC Transplant at www.transplant.bc.ca/organ-donation/ register-as-an-organ-donor

“Please help us spread the word about this campaign with those who care for Andy and his family on social media, with friends, and within your personal and professional networks,” the post states.

Service arrangements are in progress, with details to come on the GoFundMe page.

“Thank you to everyone who has contributed here, outside of this platform and in every other way. I knew there was a tonne of support for the Prestons, but I didn’t expect this,” Lancaster said.

Adam Lancaster, friend and colleague of Andy Preston, started a GoFundMe page to help the young family left behind.

Serious Crimes Unit continues its investigation into Jack family disappearance, 35 years later

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

The 35th anniversary of the disappearance of four members of the Jack family, including Doreen, Ronald, Ryan and Russell, was Aug. 2.

The family was reported missing after failing to return from an alleged job opportunity Ronald had west of Prince George. The circumstances of their disappearance are largely unknown, despite the years of investigation ongoing since 1989.

“This is the type of investigation that relies heavily on what we can learn from the public,” Sgt. Aaron Whitehouse, commander of the Serious Crimes Unit, said in a statement.

“It is unlike investigations today where we can track people using their digital footprint. There is no

surveillance to review, no banking records to follow or cell phone records to examine. There is little that would give us a clue as to where the Jack family went after they were last seen.” That is not to say there are no investigational steps to be taken on File #1989-26607.

Prince George RCMP’s Serious Crimes Unit has a dedicated investigator attached to the search, who continues to follow up on all verifiable tips received from the public. This work involves examining original file material against new tips. Many of the tips received recently were already

thoroughly investigated before.

The family disappeared on Aug. 1, 1989. At the time, it was reported that the family left their home on Strathcona Avenue in Prince George with an unknown man in a dark-coloured fourwheel-drive pickup truck. RCMP said it appeared the parents were offered jobs at a logging camp or ranch

As with all missing persons investigations, the case will remain open.

Prince George RCMP continues to work with law enforcement partners and the public on this case and continues to encourage community support in bringing forward new information for investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call 250-561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-8477 or online at www.northernbccrimestoppers.ca (English only).

Site C reservoir filling has begun

Site C reservoir filling between Fort St. John and Hudson’s Hope has begun. For up to four months, water levels will rise by up to three metres per day. The Peace River will widen by two to three times on average.

For safety, BC Hydro strongly urges the public to stay off the reservoir and its tributaries, specifically the Halfway River, and use extreme caution near the shoreline.

All public boat launches on the reservoir are closed. New boat launches will be inaccessible until at least spring 2026. New hazards include:

○ Floating vegetation debris

○Unstable shoreline and erosion

○ Submerged hazards

BC Hydro is monitoring for slope stability and will advise when the reservoir is deemed safe.

If you see a large animal in distress in the reservoir area, please contact the B.C. Conservation Officer Service through the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline at 1 877 952 RAPP (7277)

For more information visit SiteCproject.com/reservoir, or call 1 877 217 0777

RCMP PHOTO

Doreen and Ronnie Jack and sons Ryan and Russell, ca.1985 have been missing since 1989.

RCMP PHOTO

Here are some of the boxes where files are stored from the Jack family disappearance the Prince George Serious Crimes Unit is still investigating after 35 years.

Summer sticking around for the long weekend

If Environment Canada’s forecast for the Labour Day weekend holds, Prince George can expect sunny skies and temperatures in the 20s on Saturday, Sunday and holiday Monday. After a high of 19 C on Friday and an overnight low of 4 C, look for a high of 22 C Saturday (overnight low of 6 C) before the thermometer climbs to 27 C on Sunday and Monday.

Safety reminders for drivers, parents and students

CITIZEN STAFF

As the new school year approaches, police are reminding students, parents, and motorists that we all have a role to play in ensuring children and youth head back to school safely.

The RCMP remind drivers that; in Chilliwack, school zone speed limits of 30 km/hr are in effect on school days from 7:30am until 5pm where posted, whereas in other UFVRD communities, school zones don’t start until 8am. Please be aware of what time school zones start in your community.

The start of the school year is the

perfect time for drivers, parents and students alike to review the following safety tips. Drivers

• Obey speed limits. Slow down and be extra cautious when approaching school zones.

• Do not park inside or over a designated crosswalk.

• Do not pass a stopped vehicle that is allowing pedestrians to cross the street

• When approaching a school bus with its lights flashing and its stop sign extended, drivers in both lanes of traffic must come

to a complete stop until the bus driver has turned off the lights and retracted the stop sign. Parents and caregivers:

• Talk to your children about road safety.

• Avoid dropping your child off for school on the opposite side of the street from their school. If this is unavoidable, make sure your child knows how to cross the street safely at the nearest designated crosswalk.

• Avoid double-parking by stopping and/or unloading in non-designated parking/drop-off zones.

Students:

• Make sure to review your route to school with your grown-up at home.

• Wherever possible, cross the street at a marked crosswalk.

• Look both ways before crossing the street. Remember: stop, look and listen!

• If a vehicle stops to allow you to cross, ensure that you make eye contact with the driver and that the driver makes eye contact with you.

• Remove ear buds and headphones so you can hear your

CRIME NOTES

RCMP calls drug bust largest ever made in Prince George

Prince George OPP officers made a major discovery while responding to a report of a break-and-enter Aug. 21.

Once inside the home, located on the 4400 block of 5th Avenue, police noticed a large quantity of counterfeit cigarettes. After obtaining a search warrant, they located drugs and more than $500,000 in cash.

Police seized nearly 40 kilograms of illegal drugs, including suspected fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine; more than 11 kilograms of cannabis; 11 kg of an apparent cutting agent; about 120,000 counterfeit cigarettes and the cash.

The drug operation was linked to organized gang crime.

“We would like to recognize the hard work and dedication of our police officers, which led to this unprecedented drug seizure,” said Insp. Darin Rappel, interim detachment commander for the Prince George RCMP. “It is obvious we can no longer ignore the effects of the B.C. gang conflict in Prince George, as this is a clear indication that more than our local drug traffickers are using Prince George as a base of operations. We will be increasing our enforcement efforts in this area, to reflect these developments.”

Police seek leads in fatal 2003 hit-and-run on Highway 97

It has been 21 years since a truck driver found the body of a woman along the side of Highway 97, and police are still probing the fatal hit-and-run.

Susan Davidson, 37, had left a home at 3:15

a.m. April 19, 2003 and was walking on the highway about 10 kilometres south of 100 Mile House, where she lived, when she was hit by a motorist who fled the scene.

“There is someone out there who knows what happened to Susan

Davidson on April 19, 2003,” said Cpl. Melissa Jongema, BC Highway Patrol media relations officer. “BC Highway Patrol is asking that anyone who may have seen Susan walking that night, anyone who has any information about the hit-and-run, or anyone who may have hit something that they thought was an animal that night, to please contact BC Highway Patrol at 250-395-2456 and refer to file 2003-1225.”

Police say she was wearing an anklelength, dark brown oilskin coat, similar to an Australian outback coat. At the time, the area had little development and no lights.

Her body was found at about 3:42 a.m. in the right lane of the southbound lanes near the junction with Highway 24.

Paramedics were called but she was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Vehicles impounded, drivers ticketed in BCHP crackdown

Four vehicles were impounded for excessive speed, including a black SUV that was going 161 kilometres per hour in a 100-kph zone. That driver was found to have no insurance.

The BC Highway Patrol focused speed enforcement efforts on a stretch of Highway 97 south of Prince George over four days from Aug. 15-18.

Also stopped and impounded were a red pickup doing 148 kph in a 100 kph zone and another black SUV going 155

other people were in the residence. Police officers could see evidence of shots being fired at the house, and arrested those persons still at the location,” reports Prince George RCMP media relations officer Jennifer Cooper. “A search warrant was executed at the residence and investigators located and seized several firearms, ammunition, drugs and suspected stolen items.”

An injured person was located at the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspects were later released, with two of them set to appear in court.

Police say this appeared to be a targeted incident. The investigation is ongoing.

Suspect wanted on Canada-wide warrant for breach of parole

kph in a 100 kph zone. The vehicles were impounded for seven days.

Officers also impounded the vehicles of three impaired drivers (who were prohibited them from driving for 90 days) and the vehicles of six prohibited drivers.

Two drivers were arrested on outstanding warrants for driving while prohibited and disobeying a court order. Both were released with a future court date.

Officers from Williams Lake, Quesnel and 100 Mile House served 151 violation tickets for vehicle restraints, distracted driving and defective vehicles along with 106 speeding tickets.

“As we approach the final long weekend of the summer, we will continue to target high-risk drivers with the end goal of eliminating serious injury and fatal collisions on our highways,” said Sgt. Jason Nash, Northern Highway Patrol.

Shots fired, arrests made, suspects released

Shots were fired during an incident on Ahbau Street Sunday night, Prince George RCMP report.

Police received several calls about gunfire just before 8:30 p.m. and headed to the 700 block of the street.

Officers went to a home and were told that a man with possible gunshot wounds had been driven away, while

Prince George RCMP are asking the public for help locating 26-year-old Isiah Alexandre James Hayden.

Police have issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for Hayden, wanted for breach of parole conditions.

He is considered dangerous and should not be approached.

He’s described as an Indigenous male, five-foot-11 (180 cm), weighing 205 lb (93 kg). He has black hair and hazel eyes.

Hayden has two teardrops tattooed under his left eye and a tattoo of a cross under his right eye. He has a tattoo on left side of his neck of the word ‘Redemption’ and a cross, one on the right side of his neck showing a skull in a red dress, the words “live” across the knuckles of his right hand and “fast” on his left, a diamond tattoo on his left hand, one on his left forearm of praying hands and a cross and one on his right of a headdress.

If you locate Hayden or have any information about his whereabouts, contact Prince George RCMP immediately at 250-561-3300.

If you want to remain anonymous, phone Northern BC Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

RCMP PHOTO

Prince George RCMP seized more than 40 kilograms of drugs and more than $500,000 in cash after responding to a burglary call Aug. 21.

Hayden

Davidson

This local teen is already ahead in the logging game

Hans-Loic Fuhrer learned how to operate logging equipment by training on a simulator

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Hans-Loic Fuhrer is a big fan of Formula One racing and says it’s his dream job to be working in motorsport’s most prestigious race series as an engineer.

If that fails to pan out, the Prince George teen has the option to pursue a job that would get him hired in a heartbeat.

“I wouldn’t want to race,” he said. “I would rather be a race engineer of some sorts, behind the scenes, and if that doesn’t work I’d probably do something in forestry.”

The forest industry needs heavy equipment operators and at age 15 Fuhrer has already proven he has what it takes to run a cut-to-length harvester.

His parents own Valhalla Equipment, the Ponsse harvester/forwarder equipment dealership in Prince George. He started learning how to operate those million-dollar machines when he just a young boy, using a simulator.

The simulator replicates the hand controls and foot pedals that would operate a cut-to-length harvester which fells, delimbs and cuts trees to measured lengths in an actual logging operation. Much like a video game, it runs on software linked to video screens and uses the same controls that are in a real machine, so the trainee can learn how to run operate it safely.

Fuhrer started practicing his logging skills with the simulator when he was eight.

He picked up his first actual load of logs in the woods when he was 12.

“I did a forwarder load on my own with my brother and sister in the cab,” Fuhrer said, adding he doesn’t do this as a job, but for the experience. “It’s very occasional. I have fun with them every once in a while.”

Used in selective logging/thinning, the harvester-and-forwarder method is considered less destructive to the forest floor because the cut logs are picked up and brought to the landing area rather than dragged with a skidder.

Selective logging is being touted by local proponents as the wave of the future for forestry in the province. They say it will eventually replacing clearcutting as the predominant harvesting method because it utilizes trees growing in 30-year-old cut blocks that

are common throughout northern B.C. Those younger stands already have road access and are easily accessible to forestry companies struggling to find enough economically available fibre to keep their sawmills and pulpmills operating.

Larger harvesters cost well over a million dollars and Fuhrer has proven he can handle operate such an expensive piece of machinery safely. How many kids his age can say that?

“It’s a lot of fun,” Fuhrer said. “You just grab a tree and it wiggles the whole tree, it’s very entertaining. You bring it to the ground and feed it (through the delimber). It’s amazing.”

He said there will always be a need for wood in construction and encourages other young people to seek out training opportunities with simulators on different machines to help steer them to a career path.

If forestry doesn’t become his job, Hans-Loic’s 10-year-old brother Samuel might be the one to extend the family legacy.

The boys’ mother, Barbara, says he’s already demonstrated his time in the seat, shifting a harvester joystick on a simulator has not been wasted.

“Two years ago he went with my husband (Daniel) to a show in Kamloops and there were a bunch of people from government and big companies and they were looking at him cutting trees with a simulator,” she said.

“It was funny because people were surprised he was doing this, but the simulator is the perfect way to teach people. You know in a short time if you’re going to be good and if you’re going to like it.”

Valhalla Equipment and the Burns Lake Community Forest each have fullsized simulators and Barbara says the city of Quesnel is buying one to train future operators.

Valhalla’s Ponsse Academy simulator was brought to the BC Natural Resources Forum in January at the Prince George Convention and Civic Centre and the College of New Caledonia’s forestry students had the chance to try it out.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Hans-Loic Fuhrer, 15, has been working with his family’s harvesters and forwarders since he was 12 years old.

Cancer was inspiration for triathlete Malcolm Stinson

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

A cancer diagnosis didn’t stop Malcolm Stinson. It inspired him.

Stinson made his mark as an accomplished triathlete in 1989 when he raced his first Penticton Ironman and was fast enough to qualify for the world championship in Hawaii.

Twenty years later, he got the news he had Stage 3 multiple myeloma, cancer of the plasma cells in the blood that normally produce antibodies.

He was told he had just two years to live.

Instead of moping about his death sentence, it drove him to become as fit as he ever had been.

Stinson, who grew up in Prince George, went on to compete for Canada in five triathlon world championships. In September 2011, he finished ninth in the men’s 50-59-year-old category at the International Triathlon Union sprint world championships in China, a race his daughter Victoria also completed.

In July 2017, at age 57, while undergoing chemotherapy, he successfully completed 30 half-Ironman-distance races (two-kilometre swim, 90-km bike, 21-km run) - all in the month of July - to raise money for cancer research.

He was 50 when the back pain he was experiencing led to a blood test that confirmed he had multiple myeloma. He lived for almost 14 more years before he died of the disease in Edmonton on Oct. 18, 2023 at age 63.

On Saturday, Sept. 14 at Otway Nordic Centre from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., participants in the Prince George Multiple Myeloma March will pay tribute to Stinson and his efforts to raise awareness and promote research to try to find a cure.

“He was just such an extraordinary athlete, but also he was really good in construction,” said Iris Stinson, Malcolm’s mother.

“I have stuff in my home that he did. I went to England and saw this corner (display unit) made of wood and glass and I really liked it., so I drew it and

Former Prince George resident Malcolm Stinson raises a glass of champagne to celebrate completing his 30th triathlon in a 30-day span, July 31, 2017 in Edmonton.

showed it toll Malcolm and he made it for me, and it’s absolutely incredible.

“He used purpleheart wood, which you can only get in South America and he built that and have my Ukrainian egg collection in there, like 300 eggs. He was really good in shop, it was in his DNA.”

Active throughout his grade school years as a rep team athlete in hockey, volleyball and basketball, Stinson graduated from Prince George Secondary School in 1977 and studied civil engineering at the University of Alberta, where he lived the remaining years of his life, working in the oil industry as a contractor and entrepreneur.

Through his company, Stinson Technologies, he developed laser-tag arenas, and built wainscotting and doors for the housing industry.

He also was a national-level ball hockey player and followed his daughters Victoria and Heather into BMX racing, representing Canada at the world championships.

Multiple myeloma, the second-most common form of blood cancer, is rare in younger men. Most patients are diagnosed in their mid- to late-60s. Every day in Canada, 11 people are diagnosed with the disease, which affects plasma cells found in bone marrow.

Last year, Canadians donated $800,000 to the Multiple Myeloma March.

The goal of the Prince George march is to raise $10,000.

While there is no cure, Multiple Myeloma Canada says donations have spurred research advancements that have, in the past 19 years, resulted in significant improvements to quality of life and the doubling of lifespans in some patients.

While Stinson was in the midst of competing his 30 triathlons in 30 days he spoke to Calgary Herald reporter Kristen Odland about how he made the incredible feat possible.

“I’m one of the very lucky few that has virtually no side effects (from chemotherapy),” he said. “That’s how I’m able to do this. I thought that other people in my situation that are not having such positive results may feel bitter or jealous or some negative emotion ... but they’re not. I’m getting lots of supportive emails. People are taking inspiration from it. People that are having trouble

with their chemotherapy are actually inspired which is a good thing. I’m getting incredible stories from people. People that are telling me that they were recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma ... and can see there is a full life ahead of them. They don’t have to be shut down.”

For donations and registration to participate in the Prince George Multiple Myeloma March go to the website.

Donations will also be accepted at Otway on the day of the walk.

Malcolm’s brother Mitchell, sister Laurisa and father Don plan to make the trip north from Kelowna to participate in the five-kilometre walk on the single-track trails at Otway.

Prince George author/historian Vivian Lougheed, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma 4 1/2 years ago, is also registered for the walk and has established the Northern BC Multiple Myeloma Support Group.

What’s happening in PG

What’s happening in PG

Foodie Fridays at Canada Games Plaza goes Aug. 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.

Horsemanship with Nicole Klassen goes Saturday, Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. at 10597 Blackwater Rd. Work towards a better relationship and communication with your horse either under saddle or on the ground. All levels and disciplines welcome. Klassen is a highly sought after instructor in the Prince George area. Cost is $85 (non refundable, but it is transferrable if you are unable to attend). For more information message Dusty Trail Riders on Facebook or email dustytrailriders@outlook.com.

Watercolour Sunflower Workshop goes Sunday, Sept. 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Foreman Farms, 1965 Foreman Rd. Unleash your creativity with the expert instruction of Christina Watts from Watts Art Academy. Enjoy two hours of watercolour painting with all supplies provided. Gain entry to the Sunflower Festival – explore and enjoy before or after your class. Sip on a glass of wine, beer, or a non-alcoholic beverage from the Bloom Café. Take home a beautiful sunflower stem from our U-Cut area. Limited spots available. Registration for this workshop is at www.northernlightswines.com/ sunflower-watercolor-class.

Potato Festival goes Sunday, Sept. 1 and Monday, Sept. 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Huble Homestead. Take part in two days of celebration where fun and flavour collide as we celebrate the mighty spud in all its glory. Join in the potato-themed games and crafts, family friendly activities, and heritage demonstrations. Learn about the heirloom potato varieties lovingly grown in the garden all summer long, discover the history of the site through a guided tour, and order from the delicious starchy themed menu that puts the potato in the spotlight - right where it belongs. Huble Homestead Historic

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Horsemanship with Nicole Klassen goes Saturday, Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. at 10597 Blackwater Rd.

Site is a 30-minute drive north of Prince George. Huble Homestead is dog friendly. Admission is by recommended family donation of $10. For all the details visit www.hublehomestead.ca

Theresa Caputo, the Long Island Medium, goes Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 8 p.m. The star of the new Lifetime Series Raising Spirits returns to Prince George to touch the lives of people personally. The Prince George event is Theresa’s only appearance in British Columbia outside of Vancouver. Be part of this chance at healing when the acclaimed medium and beloved personality appears live at Prince George’s CN Centre on Tuesday, September 3, at 8:00 pm. Ticket prices start at $39.75 (plus s/c’s) and are subject to change. Please note that purchasing a ticket does not guarantee a reading. For tickets visit www.ticketsnorth.ca/cn-centre-events/.

Summer Send Off CrossRoads Summer Street Fest goes Saturday, Sept. 7 from 5 p.m. to midnight at 508 George St. Enjoy an evening of live music from Five Alarm Funk, Crones, and Scribbens, plus great beverages, street food, and

Sunday, Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Connaught Youth Centre, 1491 17th Ave. There are 24 vendors including independent dyers, makers and yarn stores, a workshop to learn peg loom weaving and the Prince George Quilters’ Guild will host an open house. Caits’ Sweet Bites & Beanery will provide lunch, treats and refreshments. Entry is free and there are door prizes. For information: www.greatnwfibrefest.ca Symphony & Art Market in the Park goes Sunday, Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park. This is a free event that invites everyone to stroll through the artisan market while enjoy the music. The Prince George Community Arts Council has partnered with the Prince George Symphony Orchestra for an unforgettable afternoon. To register as an artisan vendor or for more information visit www.studio2880.com/programs/ artisan-markets.

games. Tickets at www.crossroadscraft. com/events.

Jon Dore Stand-Up Comedy presented by Ok, Dope goes Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. at the PG Playhouse. Named one of 10 comics to watch by Variety Magazine, Ottawa-born comedian, host, and actor, Jon Dore is renowned for his offbeat humour and unique bait-and-switch style. For tickets visit https://ok-dope-presents-jon-dorelive-in-prince-george

Grow Peonies workshop goes Sunday, Sept. 8 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Wildflower Farm, 9295 Pooley Rd. Fall is the best time to plant peonies and during the workshop guests will be advised about how to grow and establish their garden. Each person who registers will get a gorgeous Coral Sunset peony root to plant and extra roots are available for purchase. Registration fee is $25 and includes a beverage. Text Lisa to register at 250-961-3519 or email wildflowerfarmpg@hotmail.com. For more information visit www.facebook. com/events/peonies.

Great Northwest Fibre Fest goes

Modern Square Dance lessons for beginners goes Monday, Sept. 9 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Trinity United Church, 1448 Fifth Ave., downtown Prince George. Please use the side entrance closest to the parking lot. Find the group on Facebook at Northern Twisters Dance Club or call Gys Koops at 250-964-4851. Little Shop of Horrors presented at Theatre NorthWest goes Thursday, Sept. 12 from 7 to 10 p.m. at #36 – 556 North Nechako Rd. Step into a world where the quirky meets the carnivorous during this production of the play by Howard Ashman with music by Alan Menken. Packed with toe-tapping tunes, dark humour, and a dash of campy horror, this cult-classic musical promises an unforgettable night of laughter and suspense. Content Warning: Please be advised that this production contains harmful stereotypes, portrayals of domestic abuse, mentions of poverty, death, and outdated language that may be offensive to some viewers. For tickets visit https://tickets.theatrenorthwest.com/littleshopofhorrors

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Crones and Danny Bell Double Album Release Party goes Saturday, Sept. 14 at 9 p.m. at Legion 43 PG, 101-1116 Sixth Ave. Hear new songs and pick up copies of their brand-new albums. Crones, PG’s most beloved heady-rocker-psych-powerhouse-groupo-friends are releasing their new album, Human Error and Danny Bell and His Disappointments are releasing their fourth album, Contemporary Accordion Music, pushing closer to punk-country, borscht-western with psych accordion. Tickets at madloon.ca for $20 in advance $25 at the door.

Eagles Tribute Take It To The Limit goes Sunday, Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Vanier Hall. This event is a first of its kind in PG. For tickets visit www.vtixonline.com/ take-it-to-the-limitprincegeorge.

P&R Organics Corn, Potato, Garlic Festival goes Sunday, Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 12800 Salmon Valley Road. Chef Brian Quarmby will be preparing the veggies for everyone to enjoy. Th event will highlight vegetables grown at the farm. This is a ticketed event. Family ticket for up to six people is $45,00, a couple if $30 and single is $25. Tickets are at pnrorganics.ca or at the PG Farmers Market on Saturdays from 8:30-2 and P & R Organics Farm Markets on Thursdays from 4-8 p.m. or at the event, cash only. For more information visit www.facebook.com/events/ cornpotatogarlicfestival

Sunflower Festival goes until Sept. 2 at Foreman Farms, 1965 Foreman Road

and is presented by Northern Lights Estate Winery. There are photo stations, farm animals, u-cut sunflowers, a picnic area and playground, kids’ days and the Bloom Café for refreshments. There are classes and activities and Sip & Stroll events with live music on Fridays and Saturdays. For tickets visit www.northernlightswinery.ca/sunflower-fest.

Thursdays at the Park goes every week at The Exploration Place, 333 Becott Place, and will see the 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 vendors offering everything from local vegetables, ethically raised grass-fed meats, baking, fruits, hot foods, coffee, honey, jams and jellies, preserves, and a wide variety of artisan products including jewellery and crafts.

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 pay 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 a selection of local arts and baked treats.

Craft & Chat at the main branch of the Prince George Public Library goes every Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the magazine corner, second floor, where fibre artists are invited to bring their latest projects. This event is in partnership with Great Northwest Fibre Fest.

Trivia Night at Nancy O’s goes every other Wednesday, including Sept. 11 and 25, 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 a spot by calling ahead at 250-562-8066. The next one is Aug. 14.

Coffee and Cars is a weekly event held every Saturday from 7 to 9 a.m. until Sept. 29 at Tim Horton’s, 612 East Central St.

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.

Omineca’s Coffee House Open Stage is every Sunday, 369 Victoria St., from 3 to 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome to step up and share their talents, stories and art forms of all kinds including but not limited to musical, literary, comedic and performative expressions of our diverse community. Refreshments and snacks by donation. Sign up is on-site. There are some house instruments provided but feel free to bring your own creative tools for expression. First timers and emerging artists are encouraged to experiment and collaborate with others in a fun, relaxed and safe environment.

If you’ve got an event coming up email us at news@pgcitizen.ca to offer details including name of the event, the date, time and location, ticket price and where to get them and a little bit about what’s happening, too. LOCF

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

The Sunflower festival is running until Sept. 2 at Foreman Farms, 1965 Foreman Road and is presented by Northern Lights Estate Winery.

Clear, sunny skies welcomed visitors to the downtown Prince George Farmers’ Market on Saturday, Aug. 24. The weekly market sees the streets blocked off from Second Avenue to Third Avenue on Quebec Street and between Quebec and Dominion Streets on Third Avenue, with vendors on hand as well as live music from a stage made of hay bales. The market runs on Saturdays year-round.

Local artists and artisans have work for sale online

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Amazing artwork created in Prince George is being showcased to the world through the Community Arts Council of Prince George & District website.

Christina Watts, feature gallery and gift shop co-ordinator, created the online store by taking multiple photographs of about a thousand items and counting.

“Every day we’re putting on more and more,” Watts said.

The idea was spurred by a recent renovation to the Artisan Gift Shoppe. Watts was looking at streamlining the electronically tracked inventory and found a platform that synced in-store and online items.

“We’ve got all of our artisans online and you can search them by name and find out what they have here, so if you like a person’s collection then you can drill into that,” Watts said.

“And it’s good for all of our artisans, too, because they can see what stock they have left.”

The process to upload inventory into the online shop took some work.

“It took a bit to load it all up,” Watts said. “We have a photo box set up so that I can take the photos and then the website is within our main website. It’s a Shopify platform but I still had to build

Candles and classical music at Knox this fall and winter

November it’s a tribute to Taylor Swift and in December it’s a tribute to Coldplay, so something for everyone.

it, design it and think about what categories we need, what makes sense, how it can be searched. The platform also has AI built into it so all those descriptions that are included are created when I input a few keywords and then it puts out a blurb about the piece and then I just have to make sure it makes sense.”

And as far as the images to go with it, Watts explained she can take a photo

and the background can be replaced for a more professional view of the piece.

“Like Elmer Gunderson’s woodwork – some of them are so tall and so heavy they can’t be moved to a photo box – I have to take a picture of each piece on the floor and then change the background in the system so that’s really nice to be able to do that.”

The online shop is already seeing sales from all over Canada and next will hopefully make a splash into international waters.

“The artists seem to really love it,” Watts said. “There are so many really amazing artisans and we can help get them out into the world so that’s where this whole thing really shines. These are artists with one-of-a-kind products that need to be showcased so it’s a constant turn over that keeps it fresh.”

To have a look at some of the artwork produced by talented Prince George and area artists visit https://studio2880. myshopify.com/

A string quartet performing during the Candlelight Concert series featuring classical and not-so-classical music at Knox Performance Centre with audience members and musicians surrounded by 2,000 flameless candles will be brought to the stage in October, November and December.

Fever, who will bring the concerts to Prince George, is a live entertainment discovery platform that offers accessible shows to people all around the globe. The format sees diverse programming featuring local musicians and Fever presents it with a low price point starting at $12 to provide access to a live musical experience not seen in Prince George before.

The Candlelight Concert in October features Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, in

“Our concerts are presented as a sort of alternative to classical music for people and they tend to be a little bit more casual, we have thousands of candles accompanying the musicians and our concerts are a bit shorter as well so we present ourselves as a more accessible entry into classical music for people,” Andrew Bryan, team lead for Candlelight Concerts in Canada, said.

Candlelight: Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and More at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Avenue, in downtown Prince George goes on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.

Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift, goes on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.

Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay is on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. For more informa tion and tickets visit www.feverup. com/m/194433

The Community Arts Council of Prince George & District has a new online shop featuring local artists’ work.

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH

Citizen Staff

Mikkelsen wins Eric Hoffer award for Stampede book

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Glen Mikkelsen’s definitive book on the first 100 years of the Calgary Stampede’s Rangeland Derby chuckwagon races made the short list for this year’s Eric Hoffer Award grand prize.

The 58-year-old CN Centre manager spent years researching the history of the chucks, which have been an integral part of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth since 1923.

Mikkelsen’s Hoffer award in the reference category is the first in the history of Folklore Publishing of Edmonton.

Illustrated with photographs from the Calgary Stampede archives and based on interviews with chuckwagon drivers and their families and articles from the Calgary Herald and Calgary Sun archives, The Rangeland Derby – 100 Years of Chuckwagon Racing at the Calgary Stampede is a highly

entertaining read that has sold thousands of copies.

“I had the opportunity to talk to quite a few people involved with this sport and the event, so I had some fantastic conversations with people who know the sport intimately,” said Mikkelsen, who has written several books about chuckwagon racing.

“The technology now to go through old newspapers is something that I did not have the ability to do on earlier projects, so that really enhanced the comprehensiveness.”

Based in the United States, the Hoffer awards annually highlight books produced by small, academic and independent publishers.

Mikkelsen, a Calgary native, said he especially enjoyed researching the 1950s era, finding out about Hollywood’s connection to the Stampede and its famous rodeo and chuckwagons.

“In the 1950s the sport and the Stampede as an event g ot so much attention

both nationally and internationally, so it was Roy Rogers and Gene Autry, their TV shows were super-popular across the world, not just North America, and the Calgary Stampede and chuckwagon races was part of that celebration of the west and popular culture,” said Mikkelsen.

“The grandstand was just packed and people from around the world wanted to be part of it and it was an interesting time to look at.”

Mikkelsen showcased his book last year as a live historian at a daily exhibit at the 10-day Stampede, which gave him the opportunity to speak to visitors about a sport that is truly unique to Western Canada.

This year as part of the Stampede chuckwagon committee he was featured interviewing drivers, Indigenous relay racers, First Nations princesses, veterinarians, announcers, university researchers for short video clips posted to social media channels.

Centre manager Glen Mikkelsen gets into the spirit at this year’s Calgary Stampede in July. Mikkelsen won a Eric Hoffer award for his book on the first 100 years of chuckwagon racing at the Stampede.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

St. George’s Church holds market to support Ukraine

Citizen photos by Chuck Nisbett

LEFT: Shannon Worsfold celebrates after taking Ivan Stepachuk’s knight in her first game of chess at the Ukrainian Market at St. George’s Ukrainian Church Saturday to raise money for Ukraine. The market included food, games and more.

BELOW LEFT: Helena Stepachuk (left) and Helena Fabulyak roll out unleavened dough before filling it with ground meat and spices to make cheburek, a popular Ukrainian street food similar to a large empanada.

BELOW RIGHT: Lisa Scott (left) and her mother Patricia sell perogies, hotdogs and hamburgers at the Ukrainian Market.

Second Chance is more than a downtown thrift store

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

The Thrift Store within the Canadian Mental Health Association of Northern BC complex, 1152 Third Ave., doesn’t just give a second chance to the donations sold there but also offers a second chance to clients who are part of the work force at the store.

“That little thrift store provides an opportunity for folks who would otherwise never have an opportunity to contribute to society,” said Elaine Laberge, Canadian Mental Health Association of Northern BC executive director.

That is part of the social enterprise for the local mental health association where the thrift store can sell goods to generate income and achieve social, cultural and environmental aims while meeting their mission of making a significant contribution to a healthy community.

“The thrift store offers opportunities for people with serious learning disabilities, people who have anxiety so bad the only time they come out of

administrative assistant and volunteer coordinator for the Canadian Mental Health Association of Northern BC, displays a particularly fetching jacket for sale at the Second Chance Thrift Store at 1152 Third Ave.

their house is to come here,” Laberge explained. “People learn how to talk to others, how to count money. These are the people who society has written off.”

The Second Chance Thrift Store is where people come to thrive, she added.

Right now the store is open Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m., with the hopes of extending those hours soon.

Incoming donations are put through a rigorous process before they hit the

CN Centre dance party’s top prize is Taylor Swift tickets

Swifties will have a chance to win two tickets to Taylor Swift’s Vancouver concert when the CN Centre hosts a Taylor Swift Dance Party on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The top prize is two tickets to Swift’s Vancouver concert on Friday, Dec. 6, along with airfare and hotel for two on Dec. 6 and 7 plus $500 spending money. The dance party starts at 7 p.m. and is hosted by DJ Swiftie who encourages everyone to wear friendship bracelets, themed outfits and sparkle. TayTay Dance Party tickets are $32.25 for general admission. The standing floor is for 19+ only and all-ages-reserved bleacher tickets go on sale Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 11 a.m. at www.ticketsnorth.ca/.

store floor, which includes putting donations in the freezer for one week, washing and drying each item, then ironing them.

The store is not just there to make money to go towards programming. For those in need anything in the store will be gifted to them.

“When you’re unhoused, when you come out of prison – we’re not going to be charging you for what you need,” Laberge said.

The store is in need of donations for not only clothing for men and women but for basic household items for people who are just getting started on their housed journey. Most recently a woman was getting her home in order and was gifted some food, including canned goods. What stopped her in her tracks was that she didn’t have a can opener.

So any donations of small kitchen items, blankets, sheets and towels are most welcome.

“Everything except big appliances,” Laberge said. “Whatever you have in your home that you use day-do-day are things we need to provide to those in need.”

Within the neat-as-a-pin store there is a huge bookshelf filled to its capacity, so there’s no need to donate any more books, but if you’re looking for your next Harlequin romance come have a browse and help fund the lives of those in need in the community.

Dropoffs can be done from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. at 1152 Third Ave. Please ring the doorbell or call 250-564-8644.

Grace Lekwauwa,

Throwback Thursday: Week of August 29

Aug. 29, 2007: Caleb Belter puts a move on goalie Kale Thomson with Josh Smith giving chase during the Prince George Cougars Team Brewer (Orange) training camp practice at the CN Centre. None of the three would crack the Cougars’ 2007-08 roster, although Belter suited up with the team from 2008-13 before winding down his career in the AJHL. Thomson landed with the Yorkton Terriers of the SJHL for four seasons. Unfortunately, with several former junior players sharing the name it’s unclear which Josh Smith is in this photo.

Aug. 29, 1981: Waiting for help – Sitting comfortably in chairs, the driver and swamper of an overturned furniture van wait for another truck to help unload the contents. A wrecker could not be found to put the van back on its wheels after it tipped at 5th Avenue and Ospika Boulevard. No injuries were reported.

Citizen file photo by Doug Weller

Citizen file photo by David Mah

Aug. 29, 1997: Argell Crocker leaves the swap shed area of the Foothills Road landfill site with a couch tied to the roof of her vehicle. This photo went with a story with the headline ‘Landfill site swap shop shows spirit of recycling.’ Swap sheds allowed residents to drop off clean, useable items in good condition for other people to take at no charge.

Citizen file photo by Dave Milne

Aug. 31, 1965: Selling magazines on downtown streets, which these young women were photographed doing, is simply “out,” says city license inspector Dave Strawbridge. Magazine sales were not authorized on the streets, he told The Citizen.

Citizen file photo by Dave Looy

Healthy North

Mammograms Save Lives

If you’re a women aged 40 or older, take a positive step for your health and book your free breast screening appointment today. You don’t need a primary care provider to participate. Appointments are available now at your local screening centre. Call 250-645-6654 to book.

HealthELife Minor Enrollment

New feature: Parents and caregivers can now sign up children aged 11 and younger for HealthElife.

This gives parents and caregivers direct access to the child’s health record without requiring a proxy relationship between the adult and child.

Using HealthElife has benefits:

• Easy and secure access to your personal health information online

• Faster lab results and medical imaging reports including x-ray and ultrasound

• Conveniently view your upcoming lab appointments

Sign up for HealthElife today at: northernhealth.ca/healthelife

NH Connections for Seniors

Did you know, you don’t need a doctor’s note if you are over the age of 60 to ride with NH Connections? A one-way ticket for a senior is as low as $20 for a trip from Prince George to Vancouver! Call 1-250-564-7499 to reserve your spot, or book online at NHConnections.ca

Career growth in health care fills a need in the North

HOLLY HUGHES

Northern Health

Ten years ago, Sue Cavanaugh relocated to Kitimat and started working for Northern Health as a health care aide. Since then, she and her family have come to call Kitimat home.

Sue has grown her career in the North through advanced education to become a registered nurse (RN), and she has recently obtained her Emergency Specialty. We recently chatted with Sue about her education journey and why she chose to stay in Kitimat.

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I started my career with Northern Health as a health care aide after transferring from Interior Health in 2014. When I’m not working, I like to go camping, spend time with my awesome family and friends (who keep me grounded), and take the occasional road trip. I live in Kitimat with my husband and daughter, and I also have two stepsons who reside in Kelowna.

What inspired you to pursue a career in nursing?

Approximately 10 years into my health care career, I knew I wanted to continue my education and become a nurse. After deciding, I waited a couple of years, as I absolutely loved my time working with patients and residents in my care aide position, and knew I needed to wait until my daughter was older before returning to school. Once the time was right for me and my family, I started by tackling all the prerequisite courses needed for admission to nursing school.

I started my path to nursing school in 2018 by completing a year of upgrading.

During that time, and for my first year of nursing school at Coast Mountain College (CMC) - Terrace campus, I also worked full-time as a health care aide. I completed the first two years at CMC and then did my third and fourth year at UNBC’s Terrace campus. Once my second year of nursing school was complete, I was hired as an employed student nurse.

After completing the Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program in 2022, I worked for a year in acute care at Kitimat General Hospital (KGH). Then, in September 2023, I started the

was offered a seat in both courses. I ultimately chose UNBC, as I would end up working in this community that I love, full of the people that I love! I knew the team at KGH, so I knew I would be rejoining them and have great support around me as I started this new chapter in my career. The fact that I am one more primary ER nurse in a full-time line means we are on service interruption less and less often, which helps address an ongoing concern in the community. How does working in your home community impact your approach to patient care?

Emergency Specialty Education offered by Northern Health and completed it in March of 2024. I am now working full time as a registered nurse in the Emergency Department (ED) in Kitimat. How do you think your recent advanced education has benefited the community of Kitimat?

When the Emergency Specialty Education lines came out there were two options for the course – the University of Northern BC (UNBC) or the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). I was initially unsure which one to apply for, so I applied for both and

Working in the community that I live in allows me to have insight into some people and their situations when they first walk in, even before I ask them a single question. It’s a huge benefit to be a familiar face in the ER, as there is an already established rapport and as a natural “people person,” I have the ability to determine if another nurse on duty would be better suited for providing care to someone. Different nurses have different styles and are sometimes a better fit. People are generally more at ease with a familiar face, and I’ve found this to be true time and time again. What advice would you give to nurses considering Northern BC?

Many Northern communities are rural, so the role nurses get to play covers many specialized areas. It’s a great setting to grow your nursing skillset! It’s a wonderful opportunity for nurses to come and work in a setting where great people make up a wonderful team to collectively provide amazing care! Rural practice isn’t for everyone, but anyone who tried it would know quickly if they missed the city – LOL!

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

Sue Cavanaugh, a registered nurse in Kitimat, pictured with her husband Steve.

Keystone of Life’s $10,000 donation will have a big impact on clinical education in the Northwest

Members of the Keystone of life foundation and Northern Health’s education department pose while accepting a cheque. (L-R) David (Davey) Maclennan, NH Regional Manager, Clinical Education; Michael Prevost, NH Northwest Team Lead, Clinical Education; Colleen LeBlanc, NH Northwest Home Support Clinical Educator; Kevin Guest, Royal Arch Freemason – Kalum Chapter 37; Gord Hamer, Royal Arch Freemason – Kalum Chapter 37; Dave MacLennan, NH, Northwest Clinical Simulation Technician; Paul Brais, Royal Arch Freemason – Kalum Chapter 37.

Let’s Fix Health Care.

Northern Health

The Keystone of Life Foundation, a charitable foundation connected with the Freemasons, recently donated $10,000 to Northern Health’s Education Department. The Foundation supports hospitals in rural areas, and since 1973, it has awarded more than $500,000 to hospitals in BC and the Yukon.

This generous donation was used to buy CPR training simulators for our staff in Northwest communities. Simulators are life-sized anatomically correct mannequins that resemble human patients at different ages.

They provide a hands-on, fully interactive way for NH staff and others to safely practice providing patient care.

David (Davey) Maclennan, NH Regional Manager, Clinical Education, accepted this much appreciated donation on behalf of Northern Health. I chatted with him recently to get his perspective – see our conversation below.

What’s your relationship with the donor organization? How was this connection made?

Several Northern Health staff are Freemasons, so they were able to connect with Keystone of Life. This donation helps support Keystone’s goal of supporting safer health care, which of course matches NH’s goals too, so it benefited both organizations.

How much was the donation for, exactly? What specifically was the money used for?

The donation was for $9,916.12. NH used it to buy four “ sets with two defibrillator trainers, as well as a GERi Complete Nursing Skills Mannequin. The “Little Family” set of mannequins includes one simulator that looks like an adult, one child, and one baby. The feedback these simulators provide helps make learning how to do CPR more engaging and effective.

The GERi Complete Nursing Skills

mannequin looks like an older person. It can be used to train health care staff on a number of health care scenarios involving seniors, such as suctioning the airway, positioning a patient, inserting a catheter, and more.

What impact will this donation have on Northwest communities?

These new sets of CPR mannequins will make it easier for health care educators to deliver essential education to hospital staff in the Northwest. They will also benefit long-term care facilities and staff working out of local health units in Atlin, Haida Gwaii, Hazelton, Houston, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Smithers, and Terrace.

As well, the Geri Complete Nursing Skills mannequin will support the education of care aides and nurses who work with our elder populations in all the communities I listed.

What’s something you wish everyone knew about clinical education in Northern Health?

Clinical education supports all clinical staff, including nurses, physicians, and allied health professionals, to provide the highest level of care for the patients and families we serve.

Aside from essential education, orientation, and specialty education, we also support day-to-day educational needs across 22 areas of care, including emergency/critical care, operating rooms and recovery, maternity, neonatal, pediatrics, and primary care.

ANGELA KEHLER

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

Michael Prevost (right) uses the infant simulator to show Kevin Guest how to ventilate a baby.

Local Sports

Paved pathways at Otway Nordic Centre will bring year-round ski and biathlon training to Prince George

The $1.25-million project will allow athletes to use roller skis when there’s no snow

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

John Aalberg has decades of experience building cross-country ski courses from the ground up and has been tasked with the job of converting Otway Nordic Centre to a year-round skiing facility with the addition of paved trails.

He’s overseeing a project organized by Caledonia Nordic Ski Club past-president Kevin Pettersen that will give Prince George a sports facility the likes of which exist in only two other Western Canadian cities, Whistler and Canmore.

Aalberg designed the Nordic courses for the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City (2002), Vancouver-Whistler (2010), and Beijing (2020) and was sports director/ venue manager for the 2011 FIS Nordic world ski championships in Oslo, Norway.

He also oversaw development of some of the nearly 100 ski areas in Norway that have hard surfaces for summer training and has taken on the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club’s latest addition to its trail network in Prince George, working with the club and local contractor Terus Construction.

The $1.25-million paving project at Otway is being funded by a provincial Destination Development Fund  ($1 million) grant and the club has also applied for federal funding ($235,000), leveraged by Pettersen.

“He’s building a world-class venue way up in northern B.C.,” said Aalberg. “There’s maybe five or six in all of Canada and this will be the newest and best, I think.”

So what is it about the Otway paved trails that will make them better than the others?

“This course has a little bit for

everyone,” said Aalberg.

“You can come here as an elite athlete and find a suitable course, you can come as a (paranordic) sit-skier or come here as a recreational skier, anybody can have a good time and find courses that are right for them.”

The course that will be paved has been scraped down to a bedrock sub-surface and will be covered with two layers of packed gravel sourced from the Otway gravel pit a half-kilometre west of the Caledonia lodge. Terus used a crusher on the site to make enough gravel to cover the trails and having that gravel available nearby shaved about $200,000 off the project cost.

The 1.5-kilometre lower loop starts with a 12-metre wide area in front of the biathlon shooting range and will take roller skiers past a paved penalty loop/compound that will also be used for skills teaching. A five-metre wide trail will lead up the Night Rider hill and will follow a series of banked downhill corners that lead into a long straight stretch to connect to the stadium flats.

A paved para sit-ski connector will also be built to avoid the larger hill on the 1.5 km loop.

The corners on the downhill run will be banked up to 15 degrees to keep skiers on course as they make their descents on wheeled skis without brakes.

“The banking is most important as you exit the corner, not where you start the corner,” said Aalberg.

One major adjustment was needed at the top of the Night Rider hill. Aalberg pointed out to the contractor that the right-hand corner that leads into the first downhill stretch was too narrow and will have to be doubled in width to be able to handle the speed of an accomplished ski racer.

The asphalt pavement will be mixed with a polymer that makes it more resistant to cracking, which increases the cost slightly but also adds to its lifespan.

Kevin Pettersen of the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club shows where the downhill section of a new paved trail will descend into a long straight section at Otway Nordic Centre. Paving of the 1.5-km loop is expected to begin in September.

Otway will be able to host national, international races

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

Aalberg lives on Vancouver Island in Sooke and was in Prince George on Monday, Aug. 19 to meet with Pettersen and Terus superintendent Dwayne Wheeler.

The 64-year-old was born and raised in Norway and moved to Utah in 1992 to study computer science. He competed for the United States in cross-country skiing in two Olympics (1992 and 1994) and was president of the local Nordic club when he was hired in 1995 to organize the Olympic events at Soldier Hollow, setting the stage for his career as a course consultant.

Once complete, Otway will be able to host national and provincial summer biathlon and cross-country races and that could also lead to hosting international events and national team training camps.

“When I was chatting with Robin McKeever (head coach of Canada’s paranordic ski team) about the roller ski thing, he was saying they can’t have their camps in Canmore anymore because it’s too expensive,” said Pettersen. “It’s ironic that you have a national training centre there and you can’t afford to bring your athletes there.

“When we had the Biathlon BC camp here this summer in July all the kids stayed up at the university at the residences and had them fed at the cafeteria.”

In May, the Caledonia club poured a solid concrete shooting wall to replace the concrete block wall. The new structure won’t shift with frost heaves, giving skiers a precise and predictable surface for skiers while they’re taking aim at their targets.

Combined with a refurbished shooting range built for the 2015 Canada Winter Games, Aalberg says the paved Otway facility will be perfect for developing young biathletes.

“This is so important for Biathlon BC, they’re going to love it,” predicts Aalberg. “The sport is going to grow. By having that here you’re going to inspire so many kids in Prince George to stay with the sport.”

This map shows where the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club is building a network of paved paths at Otway Nordic Centre to be used for summer roller skiing.

While cross-country skiers will also improve abilities practicing their technique, biathletes stand to benefit the most from having paved trails because they can simulate exactly what they have to do to get ready for their next shooting bout, even when there’s no snow.

”Cross-country, you can roller ski on the roads but biathlon you need to shoot, that’s how you become better,” said Aalberg. “What happens on the shooting range is a key thing and you can train in the process 12 months of the year. You will see significant improvement in the quality of whoever comes to train and live here.”

Pettersen is of Norwegian descent

and was inspired as a young boy when he visited the Holmenkollen Ski Area in Oslo, widely considered one of the meccas of nordic skiing. During his time as Caledonia Nordic club president, Otway built its shooting range, race buildings and homologated trail network for the 2015 Canada Winter Games and has added lit tracks, dog trails and snowmaking capabilities.

Ground work is underway for the upper 1.5-kilometre loop that utilizes the Cranbrook Climb trail to the Chutes-Northern Lights intersection, then follows an existing access road that connects to the Canada Cup trail leading to the lower loop. That upper section won’t be paved until next year

when federal funding has been secured.

The paved trails are purpose-built for roller skiing and initially the club doesn’t plan to allow other users such as cyclists, in-line skaters and speed skaters to use them recreationally.

“The grant was written to attract competition,” said Pettersen. “It’s easier to say it’s not a multi-use trail, that it’s funded and its purpose is to attract competitions and training.”

Paving of the lower loop is expected to start in September after Labour Day.

Some of the single-track trails at Otway have been closed during the construction phase and will be reopened with slight alterations to avoid crossing the roller ski paths.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

Cougars heading to training camp

Cougars goalie Josh Ravensbergen blocks a shot from Portland Winterhawks forward Josh Davies during first-period action in Game 6 of the Western Conference final at CN Centre in Prince George, B.C. on Monday, May 6, 2024. The Cougars open training camp Thursday, Aug. 29. It will run through Sunday, Sept. 1 before the Cats begin a four-game preseason schedule with games against the Edmonton Oil Kings, Sept. 6 and 7 in Edson, Alta. The following weekend they take on the Kamloops Blazers in a two-game exhibition set Sept. 13 in Kamloops and the following day in Quesnel at West Fraser Centre.

The Cougars begin their 31st WHL season in Prince George on Friday, Sept. 20 against the Spokane Chiefs.

Spruce Kings prepare to compete in expanded BCHL

The Prince George Spruce Kings, heading into their 29th season in the BCHL, open training camp on Friday, Aug. 30.

The Spruce Kings will be part of an expanded BCHL that now includes five teams - the Blackfalds Bulldogs, Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints. - that moved over from the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

Their inclusion prompted a realignment that shifted the Spruce Kings from the Interior Conference to the Coastal East Division of the Coastal Conference, and brings the league to 21 teams.

The Spruce Kings will start their preseason schedule on the road with games in Surrey (Sept. 6) and Coquitlam (Sept. 7), followed by a two-game exhibition set at home at Kopar Memorial Arena on Sept. 13 (6 p.m.) and Sept. 14 (2 p.m.).

The Spruce Kings start their regular season Sept. 20 in Surrey. Their home opener is set for Friday, Sept. 27 against the Coquitlam Express.

Hesselgrave receives BCJHL award

Prince George Spruce Kings forward Carter Hesselgrave has been chosen for the BCJHL’s Coastal Conference Kyle Turris Community Award.

The award is presented annually to a player on each of the 10 Coastal Conference teams who exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism  and demonstrates a willingness to participate on team activities to benefit the community.

“Carter is such a good person and he cares about the team and the community and he was always the first one to step forward for any community events we were involved with and he’s thrilled to do it,” said Spruce Kings general manager Mike Hawes.

“There’s so much more than just playing hockey games when you’re a member of the Spruce Kings and Carter

really epitomizes what it means to be involved in your community and care about your community.”

Hesselgrave, an 18-year-old native of Quesnel, is a former captain of the Cariboo Cougars U18 team who spent three seasons in the Cariboo Cougars program prior to joining the Spruce Kings as a full-time addition last season.

In 45 BCHL games with the Spruce Kings he had one goal and four assists.

“He’s really hardworking, the same way he is on the ice he applies off the ice,” said Hawes.

“He leaves it all on the ice every game and does what he can for our team to be successful, the type of player we love to love.”

Meanwhile, Two Prince George minor hockey products were also recognized by the BCHL for the dedication they have demonstrated as hockey humanitarians.

Josh Sale of the Blackfalds Bulldogs and Nathan Mackie of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks were chosen as the Kyle

Turris Community Award winners for their respective teams.

Sale has signed with the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League for the 2024-25 season.

Kings hire new athletic therapist

The Spruce Kings announced several new additions to their hockey operations staff.

Michael Miller has joined the team as athletic therapist, to replace Kara Fulawka, who served one season with the team.

Miller, from Ajax, Ont., is also a football official who has attained the highest level of certification from Football Canada.

He officiated the B.C. Football Conference game last Saturday night at Masich Place Stadium when the Prince George Kodiaks hosted the Kamloops Broncos.

The Kings have also hired goaltending coach Kris Joyce and strength and conditioning coach Chase Astorino.

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Speed on the track ...

ABOVE: Heat racing for the visiting North American Big Rigs saw Cory Riplinger leading Darren Berdahl during heat one on Friday, Aug. 23 at PGARA.

RIGHT: The second heat of the night for North American Big Rigs was a tight race with Gino Howe leading Cole Weisner and Brady Riplinger down the front straight.

... and speed on the field

ABOVE: Broncos wide receiver Kaleb Senz is tackled by Kodiaks receiver Myron Brown. RIGHT: Kodiaks receiver Carson Briere keeps running forward as the Kamloops Broncos defense closes in during Saturday’s 43-27 defeat at Masich Place Stadium.

Citizen photos by Chuck Nisbett

Canada West soccer preview: UNBC Timberwolves’ youth movement persists as a dominant theme

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Once again, a program book will be essential to find out who’s playing this season for UNBC Timberwolves men’s soccer team.

This year’s roster has 11 new faces wearing the green and gold.

Last year UNBC set the bar for playing time eaten up by first-year players and in a 15-game Canada West Conference season it added up to nearly 7,000 gametime minutes.

By comparison, the Trinity Western Spartans, who finished in the top four and made the playoffs, racked up a grand total of 65 rookie minutes.

As young as they were, the injury-depleted T-wolves won three of their last four games down the stretch and were in the playoff hunt until the final week when they came up one win short and finished fifth.

The new season started Friday, Aug. 23 in Abbotsford with the date with the Fraser Valley Cascades and the T-wolves are going to be young again. Twenty-one of the 27-player roster is either first- or second-year players.

Heading into his 10th season at the helm, T-wolves head coach Steve Simonson knows his team will be hardpressed to equal or better the 2023 edition that was almost good enough for a repeat postseason appearance.

They’re going to have to do without the services of striker Michael Henman, who scored 47 goals and collected 68 points in 63 games and finished his university career as a top-10 all-time Canada West scoring leader.

All-star goalie Daniel Zadravec graduated and is playing pro soccer in his native Victoria. Also gone is Gregor Smith, who leaves a hole on the wing and steady defender Julian Daduica.

“You never replace them,” said Simonson.

“It’s just a new-look group. We have a bunch of kids who played  last year and got some experience and we’ve

got some good young ones coming in. In terms of goals we’ll have to recreate them from a collection of players, not just one player (Henman scored five in 13 games last year and scored an astounding 19 times in 2022).”

Speedy and athletic Korean midfielder Hagon Kim is back after having academic issues that forced him to miss following up on his impressive rookie season and has the versatility to play anywhere on the field. The T-wolves

will look for leadership from defender Pip van de Ende, a Dutch import who spent two years at Peninsula College in Washington state.

Victoria product Isaac Tate was a standout rookie as a left-footed wing. He the jump to university soccer last year from Reynolds Secondary and should be even more effective after another summer playing club ball with the Vancouver Island Wave.

Other returnees to watch are lanky

centre back Koss Nystedt and attacking midfielder Jordan James.

Local content figures prominently in the UNBC camp with 10 of the 27 players products of Prince George youth soccer. Fourth-year midfielder Connor Lewis will likely slot in at forward this year, Midfielder Trevor Scott showed in the preseason he’s ready for a role in the starting 11 having played in Kamloops this summer in League 1 BC for Rivers FC.

Another Prince George product to likely to earn a key role in the starting lineup is six-foot-five defender Demian Dron, who suffered an ACL tear early last season that kept him sidelined the rest of the year. Colin Stauffer is another one to watch at midfield, playing in front of his home crowds at Masich Place Stadium.

Rookie Logan Pierce appears to have the inside track in goal but Yanni Ntapas will push him for playing time and the two PG boys will be fighting for the starting job.

Midfielders Xavier Rocha, Sascha Vieci and Kaiden Young, and defenders Matthew Bothelo and Marko Furlan are the other locals on the team.

“I’m really excited about the future of this group,” said Simonson. “We saw in preseason that we were really talented and prayed really well against Mount Royal but then we got beat over the head a little bit  by Alberta and lost the physical and maturity battle against them.

“There will be some growing pains. In the long term I’m excited about this group, it’s just how quickly we can put it together.”

The T-wolves also play Fraser Valley Sunday afternoon. They open their home schedule next weekend with a two-game set against Victoria.

The UNBC women get their season started Sept 6 on the road in Calgary against Mount Royal and Sept 8 in Victoria and will be on home turf at Masich Friday, Sept. 13 to face Thompson Rivers.

The UNBC Timberwolves are counting on second-year wing Isaac Tate picking up where he left off last year after an impressive rookie season in the Canada West Conference.

Life Events

We would like to invite family and friends of Joan Bell to a celebration of life on Saturday September 14, 2024 from 2-5 p.m. at the Coast Inn of the North-George Evanoff room. Interment at the Prince George cemetery will precede the celebration at 11 a.m.

Mark Leslie James Allan passed away April 15, 2024 at Prince George.

Born in Vancouver April 26, 1956, he was the son of Bill and Shirly.

Mark is survived by his children Roberta Taylor (Greg) and Amanda Allan (Adam), best friend April Penner (Cory, Julie, Jen), grandchildren, Josh, Haydyn, Reagan, Shane-Lyn, Evan and Joshua and siblings Bonnie-Lynn, Lynne, Helene, Charlie, Lisa, and many nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents Bill and Shirly, brothers Harvey and Kenny, and brothers-in-law Basil and Ken.

Prince George

A celebration of life will be held on September 14, 2024 at 1pm at the Elders Citizens Recreation Association 1692 10th Avenue, Prince George BC. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the BC Lung Foundation.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joseph Albert Bellerive, known by all his family and friends as Albert.

He left us quietly on his terms and at his time, in the Vernon Jubilee Hospital on August 19th, 2024 at the age of 94 years.

Albert is survived by his partner, Marcelle; four children, Yvette, Noel, Yvonne and Jules; two grandchildren, Matthew and Travis; and two great-grandchildren, Caleb and Beau.

Albert was born on December 13th, 1929 in St. Lina, Alberta. He lived and worked in B.C. most of his adult life, raising his children in Prince George. In the early 1980s Albert moved to the Okanagan and for the past 25 years he resided in Vernon. He is best known and will be remembered by everyone for his great sense of humor and we will all miss the “twinkle in his eyes” as he shared a good joke.

In respecting Albert’s wishes, he was cremated and there will be no service held.

Cremation arrangements were made with

With sad hearts we say goodbye to our dear father, David Hall.

David was born June 26, 1931 in Vancouver, B.C. and passed to his rest August 16, 2024 in Prince George, B.C. He married Louise Katherine Schwab in 1961. He loved and cared for her deeply until she passed away in June 2017.

David always worked to support his family. He was a janitor, a cab driver, and for about sixty years worked in the parts departments of GMC dealers in Vancouver, Quesnel and Prince George.

David enjoyed woodworking, hockey and football. He was a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Prince George Cougars and the B.C. Lions. He loved playing his guitar, and we heard songs of Johnny Cash, the Carter Family, and Stompin’ Tom Connors

David is predeceased by his loving wife Louise and grandson Scott Reed. He is survived by his children Donna (Ron), Elizabeth, Roy (Leola), Brad (Patti) and Nadine (Joe), along with grandchildren Jeffrey, Krystal, and Sara.

wishes and requirements. You can count on us to help you plan a personal, lasting tribute to your loved one.

Mark Leslie James Allan

David Hall

Joseph Albert Bellerive

for HARVEY COMPO will be held at the PG Elders Citizen Recreation Center located at 1692 10th Ave, Prince George, BC Sunday, September 1, 2024 at 11:30am. Doors open at 11:00am and there will be lunch and refreshments served immediately following the service.

Two years has passed, There is a sad rememberance, There is a memory fond and true There is a token of affection And a heartache still for you Miss you a lot Love, your Mom Ines, Son Anthony, and brother Frank

Maxine Roberta Thiel, age 76, of Prince George, British Columbia passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.

Mom loved to garden and her beautiful yard was proof of that. She would take you on a tour if you’d let her. When she wasn’t out for lunch with the girls, she enjoyed cuddles with her “kitties” Molly and Maggie.

Maxine is survived by her son Darren (Lori), brothers Murray (Liisa) & Ronald (Debbie), niece Kimberley, and nephew Colin.

She is predeceased by her parents Norman and Adra Stretch.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Canadian Cancer Society or the SPCA.

Rita Kaiser

February 7, 1939 - July 29, 2024

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend Rita Kaiser. Rita passed away peacefully on July 29, 2024 at the Northcrest Care Center in Delta, BC. As requested by Rita, there will be no funeral service. She is survived by her family in Germany and many friends that she cultivated over her years in Prince George and around the world. We extend our thanks to the staff at the Northcrest Care Center in Delta, BC for taking very special care of Rita in her final days in a very loving and gentle manner. Rita left us peacefully, we will miss her.

Cecilia & Nick Puga & family

Bernie Grosjean, 76, passed away August 10th at his home in Prince George BC.

He was a beloved son, father, father-in-law, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend. Bernie never lost his optimistic outlook on life even after becoming sick; he continued to pursue his dreams passionately.

His legacy is one of love for his family and his enduring friendships. He was a rock, mentor and all around good guy. He was also known to enjoy a fun prank especially pulling them.

Sadly his feisty, little side kick, Buddy, passed shortly before him. The two were inseparable.

Bernie’s request;

“Just carry on as normal and remember me at my finest”, and that’s what we will do Dad.

We love you dad and you will be greatly missed by many.

Rae Manning McIntyre

Rae passed away peacefully on August 13, 2024.

He was predeceased by his loving wife Elaine (nee. Oakley) in November, 2014.

Rae was born in Trail, B.C. on September 12, 1935, the eldest of five children: Doreen (Jim), Ron (Roseanne), Carol (Don), and Glen (Linda). After high school Rae worked briefly for CP Rail and as an engineering assistant with Canada’s Water Resources Branch at Mica Creek. In 1956, Rae began his career with the Department of Indian (Indigenous) Affairs and Northern Development. Rae married the love of his life, Elaine in 1957, and they started their family with the birth of their sons Ken in 1960 and Gary in 1962. In addition to taking care of his family, Rae was an avid outdoorsman, beekeeper, golfer and wood carver.

Rae retired in 1990, completing a career that spanned nearly 35 years of dedicated and compassionate service to others. After retirement, he served on the board of the Prince George Branch of the National Association of Federal Retirees where he wrote several articles about the need to focus on the humanitarian issues of our country and the world.

Rae is also remembered as a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather who sincerely enjoyed children. He is survived by sons Ken (Liz) of Frankfort, Illinois and Gary (Laurelle) of Nanaimo, B.C., grandchildren Craig (Laura), Clare and Connor, great-grandchildren Graham and Zoey, and many nieces and nephews.

Plans for a service and celebration of Rae’s life will be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society or the B.C. Cancer Foundation (https://bccancerfoundation.com/RaeMcIntyre)

Maxine Roberta Thiel,

Bernie Grosjean

Classifieds

Booking deadline: Friday noon

Approval deadline: Monday at noon

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.

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

IC Expert Painting Ltd. is an expanding company located in Prince George, BC and servicing central and northern BC. We provide industrial, commercial, and multi-family finishing work for new construction and are seeking an experienced painter supervisor to join our team.

Required Skills:

• Safety focused

• Minimum 5 years of related experience

• Knowledge of prepping surfaces for painting

• Ability to climb ladders and operate atop lift equipment.

• Knowledge and ability to operate a sprayer

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.

Additional Skills:

• Experience managing projects and staff

• Vinyl installation experience

All IC Expert Painting Employees:

• Have a safety conscience approach in all tasks and are able to maintain a clean workspace

• Must be punctual

• Have a cell phone

• Possess a valid drivers license and a reliable vehicle

• Have a positive, personable attitude

We offer:

• Continuous year-round work

• LOA and travel expense

• Costs covered to obtain your safety certifications

• A fun, diverse, and challenging work environment

Wage: Based on experience, plus benefits.

Contact: info@icepainting.ca

Carefree Societ y

Annual General Meeting Comesupportaccessible, inclusivetransportationforall.

When: Thursday, September 5, 2024

Where: Community Futures 1566 7th Ave Time: 4:30 pm

Memberships are $6.00

Phone: 562-1397

Email: cathy@carefreesociety.org

WANTED

STEEL STUD FRAMER

Steel stud framer for Prince George job on Bear Road, approximately 4 to 5 months Max Flynn 949 Joan Cres Victoria BC 250-818-2217 maxflynn949@gmail.com

. PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER

The Prince George Citizen is hiring!

The Citizen is seeking an Advertising Manager.

This position would include the following responsibilities:

• Co-ordinating the efforts of our existing sales team, including setting budgets, goals and plans to reach and exceed targets

• Developing marketing plans for new and existing clients, utilizing our first-party and third-party audiences

• Analyzing existing features and projects and introducing new products and solutions

• Networking within the community and acting as an ambassador and champion of The Citizen and our marketing solutions

Qualifications:

• A proven track record in sales and sales management

What we offer:

A base wage plus commission, with full benefits

How to apply: Please email owner@pgcitizen.ca

Who we are:

The Citizen is Locally Owned, Community Focused. We are the region’s leading source of news and information, and have been for more than 100 years. We love our community and strive to make it even better.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19)

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A relationship with a family member needs attention. Try to be less demanding and more accommodating. A kind approach encourages openness and honesty.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)

Sometimes Cupid doesn’t score a perfect bull’s-eye for romantic Bovines. But don’t give up; he’s got another arrow pointed in your direction, and this time, he won’t miss.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20)

Being cool is still the right way to handle a heated situation. Deal with things as they occur. Agitating over problems that might not happen just drains your energy. Be positive!

CANCER (June 21 to July 22)

This is a good time to restart those workplace projects that you’ve put off for too long. Then make plans to spark up your love life with a romantic weekend getaway.

LEO (July 23 to August 22)

A jealous co-worker might try to goad you into losing your temper. But instead of reacting with an angry roar, just purr happily away as if nothing is bothering you.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Resist the impulse to confide in people you don’t know too well. What you said in confidence could soon come back to haunt you. Be very careful.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22)

A family member calls from a far-off place to give you some startling information. What you do with this news could lead to some changes in your life.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21)

You’re beginning to feel more confident about making decisions than you have for some time. But you still need to know the facts before making a move.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Some surprises this week are fun, while some are upsetting. Enjoy the fun and handle the rest by getting all the facts before deciding how to react.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Your belief in traditional values might be tested by a loved one’s startling revelation. Expect to do some deep soulsearching before finding your answer.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18)

You usually prefer to let unpleasant things work themselves out, but this time, you might want to confront the situation and take action to deal with it.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20)

You will soon mark an important milestone in your life. The event will reunite you with people from your past, including someone you thought you’d never see again.

Picking fruit in your yard helps reduce bear activity

Picking fruit promptly from your trees and bushes is an essential step in reducing bear activity around your property, especially in areas where bears are known to roam. Bears are highly attracted to the smell and taste of ripe fruit, and once they find a reliable food source, they are likely to return frequently, increasing the risk of encounters with humans and potential damage to your property.

To minimize the chances of attracting bears, it’s crucial to monitor your fruit trees and bushes closely as they begin to ripen. Regularly check for ripe or fallen fruit, and pick it as soon as it’s ready. Leaving fruit on the ground or on the tree for extended periods can quickly draw

bears to your yard, so make it a habit to gather fallen fruit daily. Consider using a long-handled fruit picker for hard-to-reach areas to ensure no fruit is left behind.

If you have a large number of fruit trees or bushes, enlist the help of family members, friends, or neighbors to ensure the harvest is completed quickly. For fruit that you don’t plan to use immediately, consider donating it to local food banks or community groups rather than letting it linger on the tree.

In addition to picking ripe fruit, it’s wise to prune trees regularly to remove lowhanging branches that make it easier for bears to access the fruit. Installing fencing

FREE ESTIMATES

around your garden or orchard can provide an additional layer of protection, deterring bears from entering your property.

Composting fruit scraps can also attract bears, so make sure your compost bin is bear-proof by using a secure lid and avoiding composting large quantities of fruit at once. Alternatively, bury the compost deep or use a bear-resistant composting system.

By taking these proactive measures to pick and manage fruit, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of attracting bears, helping to keep both your property and the local bear population safe.

End of Summer yard projects

and ensure it looks great when spring arrives. Here are a few key tasks to focus on before the season changes.

1. Lawn Care

Start by giving your lawn a final mow, cutting it slightly shorter than usual to prevent matting under fall leaves. Aerate your lawn to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots, promoting healthy growth. Applying a fall fertilizer will strengthen the grass and help it survive the winter.

2. Garden Cleanup

Clear out dead or dying plants from your garden beds, including any annuals that have finished their growing season. Trim back perennials and remove weeds to

prevent them from taking over in the spring. Add a layer of mulch to protect the soil and retain moisture.

3. Pruning and Trimming

Prune trees and shrubs to remove any dead or diseased branches and shape them for healthy growth next year. Be mindful of when different plants should be pruned, as some should only be trimmed in the spring.

4. Prepare Outdoor Furniture

Clean and store outdoor furniture and tools to protect them from the elements. Cover items you plan to leave outside and consider applying protective treatments to wooden furniture.

By completing these end-of-summer yard projects, you’ll ensure your outdoor space remains healthy and beautiful, ready to thrive when warm weather returns.

The advantages of using barn doors in your space

Sliding barn doors have become a versatile and stylish addition to modern interior design. Beyond their rustic charm, these doors offer many advantages that can enhance your living space’s visual appeal and functionality.

• They save space. Unlike traditional swinging doors, barn doors slide along a track mounted above the doorway, eliminating the need for clearance space. This feature makes them ideal for rooms with limited space or awkward layouts, maximizing usable floor area.

• They look stylish. Their distinctive design and rustic allure are focal points, infusing character and warmth into contemporary interiors. Whether used as room dividers, closet doors or even as decorative accents, barn doors effortlessly elevate the ambiance of any space.

• They’re easy to use. The smooth gliding mechanisms create seamless transitions between rooms. This versatility allows homeowners to customize their living spaces while enjoying the convenience of flexible room configurations.

• They block sound. When closed, they provide an effective barrier against drafts and noise, promoting a comfortable and quiet environment.

Embrace the charm of sliding barn doors and unlock the potential of your living space today. Check out your local hardware and building supply stores to find the barn doors of your dreams.

Preparing your RV for winter storage

Items to consider when storing your RV

Preparing your RV for winter storage is crucial to protecting it from the elements and ensuring it’s ready for use when the warm weather returns. Properly winterizing your RV can prevent damage caused by freezing temperatures, moisture, and pests, helping to prolong the life of your vehicle.

1. Clean and Inspect the RV

Begin by thoroughly cleaning your RV, both inside and out. Wash the exterior to remove dirt, bugs, and grime, and apply a protective wax to shield the paint from the winter weather. Inside, clean all surfaces, vacuum the floors, and remove any food

to avoid attracting pests. While cleaning, inspect the RV for any damage, leaks, or wear that need to be addressed before storage.

2. Drain and Winterize the Plumbing System

The most critical step in winterizing your RV is protecting the plumbing system from freezing. Start by draining all water from the tanks, including the fresh water, gray water, and black water tanks. Open all faucets, including the shower and outdoor hose, to let any remaining water out. Next, use a water pump to blow out the water lines with compressed air or add

Property & Strata Management

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Upper floor $1650 per month 2 beds 1 bath off street parking Clean and bright close to Spruceland Mall.

RV antifreeze to the system. Be sure to run the antifreeze through all faucets, the toilet, and the shower to ensure it reaches every part of the plumbing.

3. Protect the Exterior

Check the seals and caulking around windows, doors, and roof seams to ensure they are intact and will prevent water from seeping in. If your RV will be stored outside, consider investing in a breathable RV cover that protects it from rain, snow, and UV damage. Make sure the cover is properly secured to avoid wind damage.

4. Maintain the Tires

Inflate the tires to the recommended pressure to prevent flat spots from developing during storage. If possible, store the RV on blocks or tire covers to reduce stress on the tires and protect them from the cold ground. If you can’t raise the RV, move it slightly every few weeks to redistribute the weight on the tires.

5. Prepare the Battery

Disconnect the battery and store it in a cool, dry place to prevent it from discharging or freezing. Check the battery’s charge periodically and recharge it if necessary. If your RV has multiple batteries, make sure all of them are properly disconnected and stored.

6. Take Care of the Appliances

Empty and defrost the refrigerator and freezer, and leave the doors open to prevent mold and odors from developing. If your RV has a propane system, turn off the gas supply and disconnect the propane tanks, storing them in a safe location. Cover vents to keep out pests, but make sure you leave enough ventilation to prevent moisture buildup.

7. Pest Prevention

Seal any openings where rodents or insects could enter. Place rodent repellent or traps inside the RV to keep pests at bay. Remove any bedding, cushions, or other soft materials that might attract rodents, or store them in sealed containers.

8. Store in a Safe Location

Choose a safe, secure location for storing your RV, whether it’s in a covered storage facility, garage, or driveway. If storing outside, position the RV away from trees or other structures that could cause damage in a storm.

9. Final Check

Before locking up, double-check that all windows and vents are closed, and all systems are shut down. Place moisture absorbers or dehumidifiers inside to control humidity and prevent mold and mildew.

By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your RV remains in good condition throughout the winter months. When spring arrives, your RV will be ready for your next adventure with minimal preparation.

Zero-waste home renovations: planning tips

Zero-waste home renovations aim to reduce waste, conserve resources and create healthier living environments. Here are a few tips for successfully planning your very own zero-waste renovation:

1. Educate yourself on sustainable building practices. Stay informed about emerging ecofriendly technologies. For example, advancements in solar panel efficiency and biodegradable materials are continuously evolving.

2. Reuse whenever possible. Depending on the project, consider opting for salvaged or reclaimed materials to divert waste from landfills and add character and uniqueness to your home.

3. Incorporate energy-efficient appliances and fixtures. Choose products with high energyefficiency ratings and incorporate water-saving features such as ENERGY STAR® appliances and low-flow faucets and toilets.

4. Implement proper waste management. Focus on recycling, composting and donating reusable materials to divert waste from landfills. Plan ahead to ensure that construction debris is sorted and disposed of responsibly.

5. Collaborate with eco-conscious contractors and designers. Find a sustainable-focused building professional and communicate your zerowaste goals. Work together to identify innovative

solutions that minimize waste generation to turn your home into a model of environmental responsibility. What are you waiting for?

The do’s and don’ts of Home maintenance: when to hire a pro for waterproofing your bathroom

Bathroom leaks can be a major headache. Proper waterproofing protects your bathroom and the rest of your home from water damage. Here’s a quick guide to the dos and don’ts of keeping your bathroom watertight.

THE DO’S

Here are some things you absolutely should do:

• Choose the right materials. For walls and floors, choose nonporous surfaces like tile. Cheap waterproofing products might fail, leading to costly repairs later.

• Seal it tight. Use a high-quality sealant around showers, tubs, sinks and drains.

• Maintain and repair. Regularly inspect grout and sealant for cracks or damage and fix any issues quickly.

• Create ventilation. Ensure proper ventilation with an exhaust fan and windows to prevent moisture build-up.

• Call a pro. Hire a professional for complex waterproofing projects, especially around plumbing fixtures.

THE DON’TS

Here are some things you should steer clear of doing:

• Forget the corners. Pay special attention to waterproofing corners and junctions where walls and floors meet.

• Rush the job. Allow proper drying time between coats of waterproofing materials.

• Ignore leaks. Even minor leaks can cause significant problems later. Address any leaks immediately.

• DIY everything. If you’re unsure about your skills, leave plumbing related tasks to a licensed professional.

Visit your local hardware store for tools, materials and advice.