Prince George Citizen January 30, 2025

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Long winter tightens its grip

Deep freeze in the weekend forecast with chilly conditions and snow expected through March City property tax hike for 2025 set at 6.21% ... Page 3

Eli Houghtaling, 12, gives the pull cord of a 1978 Arctic Cat Panther a sharp tug as he tries to get it started at the 2nd Annual Vintage Show and Shine held at the Prince George and other fans of winter Canada is predicting this long winter will last into of days of temperatures

Council rejects move to reduce library funding increase

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Prince George city council discussed but ultimately rejected a proposal to reduce the library’s requested funding increase during deliberations on Jan. 22.

As he hinted on the first day of deliberations on Monday, Jan. 20, Coun. Kyle Sampson moved to reduce the increase to the Prince George Public Library’s funding. He said the library needs to be more innovative in searching for revenue, especially after eliminating late fees several years ago.

His proposal was to reduce the funding increase from the $186,183 requested by the library to around $89,000.

“My suggestion today is not a cut, it’s a reduction to the increase,” Sampson said.

Sampson also said while he disagrees with library representatives’ assertions that late fees were a barrier to patrons, he’s not calling for them to return. What he takes issue with is that the organization got rid of a revenue source without finding a replacement.

Coun. Garth Frizzell, a member of the library’s board, said the city’s funding increases to the library have

Avid readers look through used books during a Friends of the Library book sale at the Bob Harkins Branch of the Prince George Public Library. In addition to city funding, the library raises funds through other means.

been around only 2.03 per cent over the past several years. He said that if that was the funding amount that other departments received, they would be in trouble.

He also pointed out that in 2021, when council approved a zero per cent tax increase, the library asked for no funding increase that year. On top of that, he said, most libraries are moving away from late fees.

“I appreciate the direction you’re going in, but I fundamentally disagree,” Frizzell said.

Coun. Cori Ramsay said her approach

to the library that night was that you can appreciate something while still criticizing it. She said council has long asked for the library to improve its internally generated revenues and there are still opportunities to do so while reducing the burden on taxpayers.

On top of that, she said, council has had to deny requests from other non-profits who do just as important work because of the amount of funding going to the library.

Mayor Simon Yu described libraries as an equalizer where people of any status can go to learn and better themselves.

He said he was sad to hear that CUPE-represented workers at the library received only a 2.25 per cent wage increase in their most recent contract.

Sampson’s motion ended up being defeated in a narrow 5-4 vote. Yu, Frizzell, Coun. Brian Skakun, Coun. Susan Scott and Coun. Trudy Klassen voted against the amendment while Sampson, Ramsay, Coun. Ron Polillo and Coun. Tim Bennett voted in favour.

However, Ramsay put another forward, a motion directing staff to help the library develop a five-year financial plan, saying that it would help provide the city with some funding certainty and that the city itself is required to have a five-year financial plan by legislation.

Coun. Trudy Klassen said she was conflicted about that request, saying the city doesn’t expect the same from other organizations it funds.

Director of finance and IT services Kris Dalio commented that while the city has a five-year financial plan, years three through five are typically rough estimates and aren’t counted upon the way the first two years are. He also said that under BC law, the city can’t obligate the library to hold to a five-year financial plan.

Ramsay’s motion passed by a margin of six to three with Yu, Klassen and

Integris closing downtown branch to in-person services

CITIZEN STAFF

Integris Credit Union customers will no longer be able to access services in person.

Calling it a “transition,” Integris CEO Alison Hoskins addressed the decision in a statement posted to the credit union’s website.

“We would like to share with you that our board of directors and executive leadership team have made the decision to transition in-person banking services away from our Town Centre branch,” she wrote.

“In-person services will be relocated to our River Point and 5th andCentral neighbourhood branches with ATM and

night depository services remaining downtown.”

The downtown branch is located on 6th Avenue near Victoria Street. It’s the second location for the branch; It opened on 4th Avenue in 1946 and was located their for 30 years before the move to its current location.

Hoskins stated that the decision came after research and an analysis of how busy the branch was, including use by members and non-members.

“Our Town Centre location has seen a significant reduction in usage and many of the users have transitioned to our neighbourhood branches to do business closer to home,” she stated.

“Additionally, many members are

making the decision to bank digitally and are no longer using physical branches. Members who have visited the branch within the last six months have been contacted individually prior to this public announcement.”

The decision does not involve job losses, Integris reports, with some downtown staff moving to new locations.

Hoskins stated that Integris leadership knows people will be affected by the change.

“We understand how important access to services are downtown and we are working on a plan to ensure our ATM and night depository remain available where you choose to do business,”

she stated. “For those who are safety deposit box holders, we will contacting you with more details about this transition in a separate communication.

For those who utilize our Commercial Services/Commercial Borrowing Team, know that they will be relocating to our River Point Branch. We are confident that with the enhanced services at this location (banking, insurance, and financial services), we will be able to better serve our business and commercial members.”

The change is expected to take about four months.

Meanwhile, Integris is opening a new branch in McBride, which lost its only bank last year, in February.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

City’s final 2025 budget includes 6.21% tax increase

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Prince George city council approved a 2025 budget featuring a 6.21 per cent property tax increase on Wednesday, Jan. 22, capping off more than 16 hours of discussion over two days.

It’s the lowest tax increase council has approved since 2022, when the budget featured a three per cent increase. The 2024 budget had an increase of 6.78 per cent, the 2023 budget hiked taxes by 7.58 per cent and zero per cent in 2021.

Among the decisions made by council was to roll the dice on snow control costs, dropping the amount set aside for that purpose to $10 million — below the $10.3 million budgeted for in 2024 and the approximately $10.1 million that was actually spent throughout the year.

In December 2024, staff told the Standing Committee on Finance and Audit that their proposed budget would require a 6.55 per cent tax increase.

Then, heading into the first day of budget talks on Jan. 20, that figure had been whittled down to 5.83 per cent.

When deliberations started on Monday, Jan. 20, the proposed operating budget was $177.5 million.

At the end of talks on Wednesday, it had been increased to around $179 million.

Coun. Ron Polillo initially proposed dropping the snow control budget from the $11 million administration had proposed coming into budget talks to $10.5 million. Coun. Trudy Klassen went a step further, proposing a successful amendment to drop it to $10 million.

After that funding decision was made, Coun. Kyle Sampson put forward a successful motion to have council review its snow clearing policy at an upcoming regular council meeting.

Polillo also tried to lower the road rehabilitation budget below the $7 million requested by administration, but that proposal was defeated.

Beyond what was included in the initial proposed budget, council also approved several service enhancements requested by administration.

A request to hire four additional

RCMP officers, which officer-in-charge Supt. Darin Rappel said would be used for youth outreach and liaison programs at local schools, was accepted. That will boost the number of Mounties in the city to 157 once the positions are filled.

However, Sampson successfully moved for the projected cost of $906,064 be halved as the officers wouldn’t likely be hired until midway through the year.

Manager of finance and IT services Kris Dalio said that this move would lead to about a 0.33 per cent increase to the 2026 tax levy.

Council also approved two of three additions to municipal staff who assist the police that administration requested. An assistant manager position for police support services worth $140,093 and a community policing co-ordinator position worth $96,785 were approved while a victim services worker position worth $92,116 was rejected.

A proposal to hire five new firefighters and promote four existing staff to the rank of lieutenant at a cost of $732,112 was approved.

The hiring of four additional bylaw officers at a cost of $395,672 was rejected, with multiple councillors saying they wanted to see what the new department manager can do before adding additional staff.

The Citizen reported on Jan. 17 that the previous manager of bylaw services, Charlotte Peters, had been fired.

Another department losing its manager is communications, with Julie Rogers set to leave her job at the end of the month. Council approved the hiring of an engagement specialist position for that department at a cost of $106,797.

Several enhancements for the parks department were approved: the hiring of a recreation event co-ordinator for $108,287, adding $100,000 to the budget for park events, the hiring of two arborists at a cost of $198,574, the purchase of a bucket truck for $575,000 and a commercial scale chipper for $126,500.

Dalio clarified that the arborists would likely not be hired until the bucket truck and chipper are purchased.

Since those will likely have a long lead time, the financial impact of those hirings and purchases probably won’t be felt until 2026.

Coun. Cori Ramsay cited the funding gap that already exists for the city’s roads and an infrastructure report card citing 20 per cent of the city’s roads as being in poor condition in her decision to oppose the funding drop.

The initial proposal for the 2025 capital plan included around $56.3 million in spending, of which about $39.8 million was for reinvestment in existing assets and about $16.5 was for upgrades or new assets.

By the time council was done, only one item was eliminated from the capital plan after Sampson proposed the elimination of a purchase of two side-byside vehicles and trailers for the use of bylaw officers at a cost of $180,000.

Staff said that items on the unfunded list of capital projects could be referred to the next committee of the whole for discussion through motions during budget talks. City manager Walter Babicz said at that meeting, staff will discuss the progress of those projects, what work still needs to be done and ask for direction on how to proceed.

Coun. Garth Frizzell referred a capital project to build a new home for the Little Prince miniature train.

Mayor Simon Yu put forward a motion to add roundabouts to University Way near UNBC and the intersection of Ospika Boulevard and Tyner Boulevard. He also asked that potential upgrades to the Civic Centre’s speaker system be investigated, saying he noticed the need during January’s 2025 BC Natural Resources Forum.

Coun. Cori Ramsay added a project to improve the greenbelt on Lower Patricia Boulevard to the list.

Now that the budget has been approved, council still has to pass bylaws approving the 2025 financial plan and tax rates.

By provincial law, that must take place by May 15.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

Prince George city council votes on a motion during budget talks in council chambers at city hall on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Mayor pitches new economic development committee

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

A new standing committee and pitching Prince George as a hub for clean energy were among the conversation topics focusing on economic development during the second day of city council’s budget talks on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

The city’s budget for economic development received a small funding increase from the $710,616 in the 2024 budget to $730,790 in 2025.

Discussing the spending category, councillors talked about the need to bring in more investment and jobs amid uncertain economic times.

Coun. Garth Frizzell said that when Premier David Eby’s mandate letters to his cabinet were released on Jan. 16, there was a big focus on economic development. He asked staff where the city’s focus is on the same front.

“We can also anticipate the 25 per cent tariffs,” Frizzell said about a threat made by U.S. President Donald Trump. “We know what’s happening in wood. With all of these new factors, what do you expect for 2025? This is going to be a high-profile department.”

Director of planning and development Deanna Wasnik said the economic development is developing a plan for the next five years in accordance with council’s strategic plan. She said the factors Frizzell identified would likely be incorporated into its development.

Other things the department will look at, Wasnik said, are housing, forestry and hydrogen energy, though she noted they will be prepared to pivot to other topics if necessary.

Coun. Trudy Klassen mused that with the potential of further mill closures and Trump’s threatened 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods, it might have been prudent for council to direct staff to prepare a leaner, alternative budget.

“We haven’t really done any of that consideration in this entire budget,” she said, later asking staff to explain what kind of return on investment the city is getting from its spending on economic development.

That’s hard to quantify, said Kris Dalio, the city’s director of finance and IT services.

“Economic development and development planning are what drives our new construction numbers and our non-market change (to tax revenues),” Dalio said. “This 2025 budget has approximately $2.2 million in non-market change, which is the highest we’ve had, I think, ever.”

While there was a higher figure in 2015, Dalio said that was from BC Assessment doing a “desktop review” where it caught up on a backlog on new construction.

Coun. Brian Skakun said that recent events like the 2025 BC Natural Resources Forum and the city’s firstever Future Fuels Forum show how important it is for Prince George to have a dedicated economic development office because of the opportunities they bring for networking and to connect with representatives from other governments.

“We’ve got to dig in and expand our population with infill (development) and everything, because of the cost of our services,” Skakun said. “I know I’m preaching to the choir, I’d just like to see whether we’re getting good value for our dollar.”

Coun. Kyle Sampson said there’s more that council can do to support staff in their efforts to promote economic development, including meeting with the department more often.

Coun. Cori Ramsay said that while at the Natural Resources Forum, she heard

a lot of praise for the work city staff and Lheidli T’enneh First Nation did for the Future Fuels Forum as well as questions about whether it would return.

She pointed to the mandate letter that Health Minister Josie Osborne received last year when she was appointed to the energy portfolio referring to the creation of a “B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy,” advancing technologies like carbon capture, storage and renewable fuels.

That centre was not mentioned in new Energy Minister Adrian Dix’s new mandate letter released Jan. 16.

However, Ramsay put forward a motion directing city staff to pitch the provincial government on hosting the centre which was approved by council. With Amazon having recently announced the closure of all seven of its warehouses in Quebec and that it would look to third-party companies to fulfill those services, Ramsay noted that the company is served by a third-party distributor for deliveries in Prince George and there could be opportunities as a result.

Amazon’s closures came after workers at its Laval warehouse unionized last year, though the company denies that it was a factor in its decision.

Given the busyness of staff and the importance of the file, Mayor Simon Yu stressed that there needs to be closer collaboration between economic development and communications staff.

He also said he would “most likely” start a standing committee on economic

development.

Under section 141 of BC’s Community Charter, mayors have the power to established standing committees “for matters the mayor considers would be better dealt with by committee and must appoint persons to those committees.”

At least half of the members of a standing committee must be members of the municipality’s council.

It was through this mechanism that Yu created the Standing Committee on Public Safety in 2024.

At another point in the meeting, suggested cutting council’s budget line for economic development advocacy.

He said as it existed, there were a lack of parameters for how those funds should be spent and how that spending is report.

Yu said he’d like those funds to remain in place for the use of his desired economic development committee.

Ramsay said she thought the existing $8,000 annual expense limit for councillors was quite low and hadn’t seen an inflationary increase in some time.

She put forward an amendment decreasing council’s economic development from $40,000 to $20,000, with $2,000 being added to each councillor’s annual expenditure budget and $4,000 being added to the mayor’s annual expenditure budget, arguing that this would be helpful in allowing councillors to attend more conferences held by groups like the Union of BC Municipalities and the North Central Local Government Association.

The motion carried by a margin of seven to two, with Sampson and Coun. Tim Bennett voting against.

City manager Walter Babicz said that as a result of the motion, administration would need to bring forward an amendment to the bylaw governing council remuneration at a later meeting.

After the vote on the initial motion, Sampson said he still wanted to see the remaining $20,000 cut and proposed another motion that would do so.

That motion was defeated six to three, with Ramsay, Sampson and Bennett voting in favour.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

Prince George’s director of finance and IT services Kris Dalio (left) answers a question during budget talks on Jan. 20 as Coun. Cori Ramsay looks on.

New peace and quiet for Moccasin Flats neighbours

Most of the troubled encampment’s residents have moved on, and a lot of its shelters are gone

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

After two years bordering on the city’s most notorious homeless encampment at Moccasin Flats, automotive repair shop owners Mike and Sherrie Gunther are enjoying the peace and quiet that’s returned to their workplace.

Most of the makeshift shelters, tarps, tents and heaps of belongings have been cleared and the people who brought all that stuff to their Lower Patricia Boulevard campsites have moved on or found temporary housing alternatives in BC Housing projects, like the 43-unit ATCO trailer complex that now sits across the street from the Gunther’s BST Performance Automotive repair shop at 300 Third Ave. Built by BC Housing as part of the province’s HEARTH (Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing) initiative, the $4.5 million facility offers housing and wraparound support services for as many as 43 individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The facility, at 397 Third Ave., opened to the first residents on Dec. 31 and as of Friday, Jan. 17, six people had moved in, with another 10 offered a room there this week.

“Since they started building this it’s been very quiet, especially now that all the burnt things have been cleaned up,” said Sherrie. “I don’t know what happens at night.

“I’m not that happy that it got put right here – there’s so many of them around town and it doesn’t seem there’s that many people. In the central part of downtown when you walk around you see a lot of (homeless) people but down here, as soon as they started building this, it’s honestly been quiet.

“I have a front-window view and before there would be people in here

causing trouble, walking around out of it and it was pretty quiet this summer.”

Work began April 23 to prepare the site and the Third Avenue facility took nearly eight months to complete.

“We’ve had some of our customers, ex-loggers, and they said, “We go in to put a logging camp and it’s done in a weekend,” said Mike Gunther.

The Gunthers share the building with Summit Power Tools and the Drug Awareness Recovery Team (DART) Society headquarters. Summit was hardhit by criminals who cut holes in the chain-link fence over the years to steal items, prompting owner Steve Taylor to invest in an elaborate security system, steel gates and razor-top wire on the fence.

The Gunthers opened their shop nearly 20 years ago and they never had many problems with theft or vagrancy until Moccasin Flats grew from the odd camp on the site 2 ½ years ago to an encampment where more than 100 people lived.

“It didn’t really affect us that much but there was always people walking around and we can’t leave a customer’s car outside because they’ll probably come back to broken windows or whatever,” said Mike. “If there’s not room in the shop we say don’t park it down

here. We can’t leave anything outside, they’ll steal our waste oil jugs.”

Before the transitional housing complex was built, the area at the extreme east end of downtown was suffering, located right next to a corridor that was a haven for drug dealers, thieves, arsonists and violent offenders who made it an unsafe place for camp residents just trying to stay alive.

BC Housing also has 58 residents living at the former North Star Inn at 15th Avenue and Victoria Street and the provincial organization also oversees other supportive housing sites at the former National Hotel on First Avenue and the First Avenue Rapid Modular project at the north end of Ottawa Street. Those two facilities have a combined 62 residents.

Rooms in the Third Avenue facility

are reserved for those who have been living outdoors in the Lower Patricia encampment, for an extended period in a community shelters or are making the transition to independent living from another supportive housing site.

Connective is the service provider operating the facility and each occupant will have their own room, with shared washroom, laundry and amenities.

Residents will receive two meals per day, along with wellness checks, healthcare/community service referrals, outreach, life skills training and help to transition to long-term supportive housing or independent living.

Each resident is required to sign a six-month contract to live at the Third Avenue building. The Gunthers only recently were provided any information about the new facility when a Connective representative dropped off some pamphlets.

Now that Moccasin Flats residents have temporary housing alternatives, the city plans to close the camp permanently once it proves its case in court. The city tried several times to close the site until a precedent-setting BC Supreme Court ruling Jan. 23, 2022 forced the city to back off on its plan.

The Gunthers both say city staff and council have kept them in the dark about the how they plan to deal with downtown encampments.

“Something that has been really discouraging is we’ve had nobody from (city) council come down here and tell us, this is what they’re doing, this is what our plan is,” said Mike Gunther.

“They proclaim they’ve kept us in the all loop and all that kind of stuff. As far as I’m concerned those guys just do what they want to do and we’ve got no input whatsoever. It would have been nice to be consulted.

“Even when they moved the guys from Millennium Park over here and, all of a sudden, they came with U-Haul trailers dumping piles of garbage right in front of us. We had guys camped in tents right in front of us and they were allowed to be here. I don’t think that was fair to us.”

CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

Mike and Sherrie Gunther, owners of BST Performance Automotive in downtown Prince George, enjoy the peace and quiet now that the Moccasin Flats encampment is nearly empty and has been replaced by a 43-unit BC Housing temporary housing complex adjacent to their shop on Jan.21.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

This is the view looking west at the Moccasin Flats encampment on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

Regional district seeks 7.13% tax requisition increase

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

The Regional District of Fraser Fort-George is looking to boost its tax requisition by more than seven per cent this year.

At a Friday, Jan. 24 committee of the whole meeting, regional directors discussed the budget for services that affect the entire district as well as services that affect multiple areas within it and some individual service budgets.

In February, the board will discuss local services and the rest of the individual service budgets.

The budget for the Fraser Fort-George Regional Hospital Board will be discussed separately. Northern Health will make a funding presentation to the board on Feb. 20 and then the board will review and approve its budget in March.

In total, staff came into budget talks looking for an overall 7.13 per cent increase to its tax requisition.

If all the proposed budget figures are approved, if would be the highest tax increase in years. There was a 5.35 requisition increase in 2024, 4.25 per cent in 2023, 2.67 per cent increase in 2022, a 1.43 per cent increase in 2021 and a 2.66 per cent increase in 2020.

Since residents in the district’s seven rural electoral areas and four municipalities, including Prince George, only pay taxes towards services they benefit from, that figure represents the total increase to tax revenue that administration is looking for, not the increase in taxes that residents will pay.

Across the district, general property values went up by 4.75 per cent — 1.78 per cent due to non-market changes and 2.97 per cent due to market changes.

To determine how much a property owner owes in taxes, regional districts in BC use properties’ converted assessments, not their general assessment.

For that, the converted assessment value of residential, recreational, nonprofit and farm properties is 10 per cent of the total amount, 35 per cent for utilities, 34 per cent for industrial and 24.5 per cent for businesses and other

properties.

The total increase in converted assessments in the Regional District of Fraser Fort-George in the 2025 assessment was 5.99 per cent.

The area with the largest increase in converted assessment was Electoral Area H, said to be a result of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion coming online. It rose by 21.03 per cent.

The next-highest increase was Electoral Area G at 8.21 per cent.

Prince George saw its converted assessment value increase by 5.63 per cent.

The City of Prince George represents 68.99 per cent of the converted assessment value for the entire regional district.

Mackenzie’s converted assessment dropped by 5.27 per cent, attributed to the closure of mills in the district. The only other part of the regional district to see a drop in the value of its converted assessments was Valemount at 1.35 per

• Village of McBride: 3.6 per cent increase

• Village of Valemount: 6.9 per cent decrease

• Electoral Area A (Salmon River-Lakes): 1.6 per cent increase

• Electoral Area C (Chilako River-Nechako): one per cent decrease

• Electoral Area D (Tabor LakeStone Creek): 0.3 per cent increase

• Electoral Area E (Woodpecker-Hixon): 6.7 per cent increase

• Electoral Area F (Willow River-Upper Fraser Valley): 0.3 per cent increase

• Electoral Area G (Crooked River-Parsnip): 1.1 per cent decrease

• Electoral Area H (Robson Valley-Canoe): 3.9 per cent decrease.

Among the budget items approved at the Jan. 24 meeting were a $3,026,390 increase to operating expenditures, a boost of 5.65 per cent in the proposed 2025 budget.

cent.

The proposed 2025 budget for the regional district would see the tax rate per $100,000 in assessed value for Prince George residential properties increase from $41.87 in 2024 to $43.55.

That means the average single-family residential home in Prince George assessed at a value of $458,521 would see its regional taxes go up to $199.67.

Last year, the average assessed value of a single-family residential home in Prince George was $444,994 and the regional property tax was at $186.34.

That means that for regional taxes, the average home in Prince George would see a 7.2 per cent increase in what they pay or $13.33 more.

The proposed budget would see the following regional tax rate changes for the average single-family home in the rest of the district:

• District of Mackenzie: 2.3 per cent decrease

That includes a $275,601 decrease (0.5 per cent) to general operating expenses, a $1,066,754 (two per cent) increase in cost-of-living adjustments and staffing increases, $2,340,093 (4.4 per cent) in one-time expenses relating to the Dore River mitigation project, $458,267 (0.9 per cent) in increased debt servicing costs and a reduction of $563,113 (1.1 per cent) in transfers to reserves.

The approved capital expenditures among the categories discussed on Jan. 24 for the proposed 2025 budget include $6,226,500 in projects that started in prior years and $4,294,900 for new capital projects.

Together, the approved 2025 budget capital items discussed at the January meeting have a combined dollar value of $10,521,400.

Major 2025 projects the regional district is starting or continuing include preparation to take over 911 calls, upgrades to next-generation 911 technology and construction on cell two at the Foothills Landfill.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

Regional District of Fraser Fort-George chief administrative officer Chris Calder outlines the proposed 2025 budget in the district second-floor board room at 155 George St. on Friday, Jan. 24.

Growth ahead for Regional district, CAO tells board

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Other initiatives will include a natural gas project with Fortis BC, new Recycle BC sites and a new park for Electoral Area E, a flood and erosion mitigation project for the Dore River near McBride, updates to official community plans within the district, implementing recommendations from a health and safety audit.

For region-wide services, the approved 2025 budget has a $1,344,138 (10.09 per cent) requisition increase. That includes the following requisition increases to these region-wide services:

• General administration: 17 per cent,

• Board of directors: 11.3 per cent,

• Heritage conservation: 7.5 per cent,

• Regional grants-in-aid: 7.4 per cent,

• 911 emergency services: 12 per cent,

• Community services: 10 per cent,

• Regional land use planning: four per cent,

• Solid waste management: six per cent,

• Regional parks: seven per cent,

The economic development department received a 5.4 per cent funding increase, but it had no impact on the tax requisition as it is funded by grants-inlieu. While the expenditures for municipal debt servicing are rising by 5.2 per cent, it also has no impact on the tax requisition.

Spending on feasibility studies is increasing from $30,000 to $100,000 from 2024 to 2025, but it also has no impact on taxes as it is being funded through the Feasibility Reserve Fund. For sub-regional services, district administration requested a 4.37 per cent decrease to its funding requisition. Staff said this was due to a decrease in waste reduction service costs from $380,000 to $150,000 because of an

agreement with Recycle BC.

Here’s the approved tax requisition breakdown for the other sub-regional services:

• Waste reduction, serves the entire district except for Prince George: 60.5 per cent decrease,

• Electoral area administration, serves all seven electoral areas: 15 per cent increase,

• Emergency preparedness, serves all electoral areas: 25 per cent increase,

• Inspection services, serves all electoral areas: five per cent increase,

• Untidy and unsightly premises, serves all electoral areas: six per cent increase,

• Rural transfer station service, serves all electoral areas: five per cent increase,

• Fire department co-ordination service, serves the entire district except Prince George: 6.7 per cent increase,

• Inspection services, serves all electoral areas: five per cent increase,

• House numbering, serves all electoral areas: 2.5 per cent increase,

• Special events, serves all electoral areas: 3.1 per cent increase

Noise control for boating, which affects electoral areas A, C, D, F and G, had no budget increase and no change to its requisition.

In his introduction to the budget talks, chief administrative officer Chris Calder said the regional district is in a period of growth to a larger-sized organization.

One of this year’s capital projects is to renovate the district’s office building at 155 George St. in Prince George to accommodate more staff. The district expects to hire four more unionized staff in 2025 and two more union-exempt staff.

The board of directors will reconvene for its second committee of the whole budget meeting on Feb. 19.

Bruce Arnott delivers the Address to a Haggis after being piped into the PGSO Robbie Burns Dinner by local piper Ian McInnis. on Saturday at the Coast Inn of the North. Proceeds from the traditional dinner, named for the Scottish poet, go to the Prince George Symphony Orchestra. It was attended by about 130 people.

OPINION

Library’s impact is measured in more than dollars

KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor

In a narrow 5-4 vote during budget talks last week, city council decided to uphold the funding increase of $$186,183 requested by the Prince George Public Library, despite Coun. Kyle Sampson’s motion to cut it down TO $89,000, which was supported by councillors Cori Ramsey, Tim Bennett and Ron Pollilo.

Sampson argued that the library should find alternative revenue streams, particularly after eliminating late fees, but the motion oversimplified the role our library plays.

With the cost of inflation affecting everyone, and council’s comments about the concern with how the increase in city taxes will add to those challenges, it was interesting that the library became a focus on where to cut services.

They aren’t just a place to borrow books. Libraries are cornerstones of our collective mental health, educational development and societal growth. They’re safe spaces meant to serve people of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances. As Mayor Simon Yu rightly noted, libraries act as equalizers. They are a place where people — regardless of their background — can access opportunities for personal and professional growth. This is especially true for young families who are more likely to be looking at how to manage their budgets. For them, the access to the computers

Asan

in Sky Lab, books for young readers, access to e-books or the multitude of programs and events are essential.

Council’s vote to uphold the requested increase demonstrates a commitment to preserving those values.

The push to reduce the funding increase comes at a time when libraries are facing more pressure than ever.

Prince George’s library board has reported new challenges regarding security, safety and changing resource allocation. While it’s valid to discuss

how libraries can be more innovative in their revenue generation, it is equally important to acknowledge the increasing responsibilities they shoulder in supporting community well-being. To place the burden of solving these challenges solely on the library’s ability to raise funds risks undermining the essential services it provides.

The motion framed the elimination of late fees as a financial concern, but the evidence shows that these fees create barriers to access for those whom the

library is their only option, rather than incentivize the timely return of materials. Many library users, especially those from lower-income households, may find themselves financially penalized for circumstances that are often beyond their control.

The decision to abolish late fees aligns with a broader trend across Canadian libraries, one which prioritizes equitable access over punitive financial measures.

The rejection of Sampson’s motion was the recognition by a bare majority of councillors recognize the fundamental role it plays. Libraries are community centres in the truest sense — places of education, creativity, and refuge. To reduce their funding in the name of cost cutting without taking into account their unique role in our community’s well-being sends the wrong message.

Libraries deserve the resources they need to serve everyone, including people at risk. While it’s important for libraries to explore new ways of raising funds, they should never be expected to compromise their foundational role of ensuring equal access to resources and programing for those who may not be able to afford it otherwise.

Prince George’s library deserves the ongoing, unshakable support of both city council and the community at large. To deny that would be to deny the heart of what makes this city a place where we can all thrive.

Have your say with a letter to the editor: editor@pgcitizen.ca.

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CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Ali, 8, and sister Talia, 6, piece together glowsticks as they get ready to join the New Year’s Boogie on Dec. 30 at the Prince George Public Library main branch. The library offers far more than just books to borrow.

Cameron Stolz Owner / Publisher

Terresa Randall-Stolz Owner

Canada.

du Canada.

OPINION

Why the Douglas fir is disappearing from our forests

The Back Story

Our new forest minister has been touring the North, trying to learn about forestry, and I hope, forests. I sure hope someone is telling him about the need to stop clearcutting Douglas fir forests.

But it doesn’t look like it.

On Jan. 14 Parmar took a helicopter flight to a Douglas fir clearcut being carried out down the Mackenzie Forest Service Road south of Prince George, a region hit hard by massive clearcuts already. He posed with the loggers from the Lheidli Tenneh logging outfit, LTN, in a new flannel jacket and a grin.

I’m not sure the moose are grinning, though.

It’s not something we talk about much anymore but our region has seen catastrophic moose declines. And those Douglas fir forests are important winter habitat for our struggling moose as well as mule deer.

And we don’t have much Douglas fir. Douglas fir trees represent only two per cent of our forests in the Prince George Timber Supply Area. It’s a relatively fire-resistant conifer species with good biodiversity values we could use more of, not less.

Sadly, our Ministry of Forests, and our minister, are apparently happy to watch

Councillor wearing a police vest was not worth a news story

Regarding Coun. Kyle Sampson’s ride-along saga, I find it a waste of newspaper and ink to use two pages of tripe just to fulfill The Citizen’s mandate of printing the quota of pages per issue.

Granted that he should not have been issued with that particular vest, do the readers care about that faux pas or is The Citizen now taking on the

it disappear.

Now you may be saying to yourself, sure, but the treeplanters can fix that. Not Douglas fir. Douglas fir clearcuts typically regenerate to lodgepole pine up here - a highly flammable, low-biodiversity forest type in whose basket we are already putting too many eggs.

This is for a couple of reasons. Douglas fir seedlings have a higher rate of failure compared to lodgepole pine. They are vulnerable to frost damage. During heatwaves the sun can cook them.

Local research by a team including Suzanne Simard suggests the absence of healthy mycorrhizae supported by surviving Douglas fir mother trees further undermines survival.

Lodgepole pine, on the other hand, have much higher initial survival rates. They love clearcuts.

Combined with the fact nurseries grow pine seedlings for a fraction of

journalistic responsibilities of a gossip tabloid?

Just my opinion!

Robert Stewart Prince George

A better-lit downtown means a reduction in nighttime crime

I fully support the idea of enhancing downtown lighting as a way to help prevent crime before the fact and to help

the cost of spruce or Douglas fir, there is a strong financial incentive to plant mostly lodgepole pine.

So we are growing a lot of pine everywhere at the expense of other forest types, which of course is perfectly legal.

It’s not like some folks in the ministry don’t recognize the problem.

The Planning and Practices Branch in the Ministry of Forests finally issued a report two years ago called Improving Survival for Planted Interior Douglas-fir (Fdi) in The Cariboo Natural Resource Region.

This report identified another threat to Douglas fir regeneration: the elimination of our critical deciduous species. Douglas Fir, the report argues, are protected and enhanced by the deciduous “brush” that we currently eliminate from our regenerating stands, either with herbicides or with brush saws.

Page 28 of the report shows one of the

only surviving Douglas fir seedlings in a clearcut. It is almost completely being smothered in the loving embrace of a small alder or birch. This image is a fundamental challenge to long-held views that still hold sway: the “competing” brush is not the threat we think it is - it’s almost certainly the reason the baby fir is still alive.

But the reality is regenerating interior Douglas fir in a clearcut will take longer, will cost more and will produce less volume in the same amount of time compared to lodgepole pine.

That’s a pretty cynical and shortsighted rationale to replace a fire-resistant species with a more fire-prone species, further simplifying our landbase, increasing the risk of fire and disease, while hurting moose, mule deer and other Douglas-fir dependent species. If we insist on logging a regionally-rare stand type, it should be entirely with selective logging methods. I’ve heard leaving as few as 20 large Douglas fir per hectare can ensure Douglas fir naturally regenerates.

More would be better.

As a minister in charge of a great public resource, Ravi Parmar doesn’t just work for the lower mainland corporate lobbyist and billionaire class who have no problem turning the entire Central Interior into a giant fire-trap, monocrop pine farm for short-term gain.

Indeed, that’s what’s happening.

His legacy will be determined by how well he understands the fallacy of that path.

James Steidle is a Prince George writer.

LETTERS EDITOR

to the

solve crime after the fact. Brighter, well-placed lights would increase natural surveillance, making potential offenders think twice before acting.

And as local business owner John Zukowski pointed out, improved lighting helps capture clearer security video footage for identifying suspects.

There’s another factor. Many homeless people sleep outside in the downtown at night. More light would keep them safer, too.

A co-ordinated effort between the city, businesses, and community associations can ensure that this initiative is effective and reaches the areas that need it most.

J.C. Reid

Prince George

JAMES STEIDLE

PROVINCE OF BC PHOTO

New BC Forest Minister Ravi Parmar (left) tours a clearcut near Prince George on Jan. 14.

OPINION

City staff opens budget talks with request for reduced tax increase

Couple of things I noted.

Asking for more Bylaw officers….they have a visible presence downtown but it is rare to see them elsewhere.

I want to see bylaw officers actually enforcing bylaws instead of policing downtown

I agree with hiring more police officers but has the city ever considered hiring community police officers to investigate minor crimes and visit schools in place of front line officers to free them up for other duties

The city owns a lot of property and buildings why not sell some of these off at market value.

Sure it it will be a short term gain but even selling off minimal properties would give the city coffers a boost in the short term to alleviate some pressure in other areas

Dearth

Editorial: BC could be importing electricity

If only we could clone Danielle Smith.

We have to get our head out of the green box and look around.

The lefties want to kill the cow and still drink milk. It doesn’t work, folks.

We need to unlock our resources and start developing.

Like Harry Backlin once said, ”We have to roll out the red carpet ... not the red tape.” bill lloyd-jones

Prince George council narrowly rejects reduction of library funding increase

Glad to see the motion defeated.

The same crew of councillors are putting forth ill-considered motions, while wasting their time with other matters that are a waste of time (e.g. PG citizen awards and chasing after missing gravel).

Our library is a gem. I hear the comments about digitalization, but reading actual books is three dimensional vs the two dimensional aspect of reading online.

The experience of going to the library and having a tangible interaction with the librarians, and being able to physically explore books is one that cannot be replaced and is necessary for all of us and for our children.

At the time of checkout, the library do in fact ask if you want a reminder when the due date is approaching.

Having said that, at some point in time we all have to be responsible adults and remember to return books when they are due.

I support the late fees. I expect that staff were tired of experiencing abuse when collecting them.

OldFatGuy

Northern Health nurses from Prince George rally in Vancouver

We live in a different world. Our nurses and doctors have to deal with a lot more. Our hospital is a scary place when you have homeless sleeping on the benches and walking the hall ways, using the washrooms and you could have a drug addict in the bed next to you and their friends coming and going and overdosing.

The nurses have to deal with all of this , what about their safety?

None of this should be going on. A hospital should be a safe and clean place.

FHR

Northern Health nurses from Prince George rally in Vancouver

A bug bear of mine is when the provincial Ministry of Health divided up the province into individual health authorities to supposedly provide better regional health coverage.

Yeah, sure, five regional boards each one with a board of directors, Northern Health has 10 directors, and executive teams to run each board.

These people do not work for peanuts and we the public pay for their salaries and perks while dealing with hospital closures and cries of no money to keep facilities open nor money to pay for more staff. Instead of our colleges and universities courting international students, our government should be opening up and funding more seats to train Canadian students as doctors, and nurses.

The ineptitude of our provincial government is astounding.

While our health services crumble they spend our tax dollars by buying old hotels at inflated prices to provide low barrier housing for the homeless and drug addicted, free rooms, meals, naloxone, and health care provided.

Lyn Grandma

Very well deserved. We saw the best of our community through his smile and lens. Keep things fair

The late Chuck Chin to receive Prince George history service award

150 Northern Health nurses hold rally in Vancouver

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Northern Health nurses from Prince George and northern BC rallied in Vancouver Friday, Jan. 24 to draw attention to what they call “critical issues” affecting nurses across the province.

“The mood was high-energy,” said Dannete Thomsen, a local representative from the BC Nurses Union. “Nurses were very excited to be out there and demonstrating that things need to change. Staffing needs to be improved, and issues that we’ve been bringing forward for years need to be addressed. I am absolutely so proud to represent the nurses from the north … Our nurses just do so much with so little, all the time.”

About 150 northern nurses took part.

The rally, which included speeches, took place after a two-day regional bargaining conference organized by BCNU in Vancouver.

The conference was planned to address the issues plaguing nurses working at Northern Health.

The conference took place ahead of the Nurses’ Bargaining Association contract negotiations set to begin this year.

Northern Health nurses are sharing concerns over a lack of resources and

staffing, as well as hospitals being constantly over capacity.

“Short-staffing is huge, whether it’s long-term care community or acute care,” said Thomsen.

“Currently, our ER doesn’t even have a quarter of the positions built in Prince George. So nurses are trying to pick up extra shifts, to help out their colleagues and they’re exhausted. The other thing that we’re facing currently is over-capacity. That’s been going on for a long time too. So there are more patients in the hospital than we have beds or rooms for.”

Another concern of the nurses is hiring.

They say there are too many vacant positions in hospitals, including in the UHNBC emergency room.

Thomsen also addressed concerns over safety in their hospitals.

“It’s not news to anybody that the world seems to be more violent,” said Thomsen.

“We see that reflected inside hospitals as well. Patients are having outbreaks of violence, we’ve had patients with weapons … As patients sit there sometimes they are in pain, sometimes they are

impatient, and then anger grows and unfortunately that’s taken out on our front line.”

BCNU president Adriane Gear stated in a press release that it’s time for health employers to understand that BC’s nurses are going to hold them accountable.

“From the fishing villages of Haida Gwaii to Dawson Creek and all the communities in between, nurses who live and work in northern BC are determined to make health care better for patients and the communities they care for,” she stated.

BCNU PHOTO

Nurses from the BCNU rally outside the Fairmont Hotel on Friday, Jan. 24 in downtown Vancouver.

Paramedic shortage reaching critical levels: Union

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Northern BC is one of the regions hardest hit by a province-wide shortage of paramedics that has reached critical levels.

Shifts are going unstaffed in Prince George and wait times are increasing, especially for non-life-threatening situations, due to chronic shortages of personnel and a change in how overtime shifts for paramedics are scheduled, according to the ambulance union.

“Northern BC and the Interior, unfortunately, are the worst for staff, percentage-wise, and rural and remote communities are obviously the worst,” said Ian Tait, a spokesperson for the Ambulance Paramedics of BC CUPE Local 873.

“Prince George does suffer from staffing. It’s not as bad as rural and remote northern BC but I’d be lying if I said they were perfectly staffed at all times. The low-acuity calls are where you see wait times go way up and it’s happening everywhere.”

Tait said some jurisdictions have only 50 per cent coverage of paramedic shifts and most never achieve 100 per cent coverage.

“We do have problems staffing the planes and all that type of stuff on a regular basis but it’s really a lot more the rural and remote areas that are suffering in the north,” said Tait, an advanced care paramedic in Chilliwack who also supervises crews in Vancouver.

“Fort St. John, Mackenzie, Fort St. James, it’s a constant struggle to get permanent staffing to a lot of these areas and especially when you add on these small hospital closures.”

The BC Ambulance’s Service has a travelling paramedic program that brings temporary locum paramedics by plane, bus and helicopter to get to smaller communities, especially when there is a hospital emergency room closure, but there’s no permanent fix in sight.

The province is still willing to pay the overtime but no longer allows paramedics to pre-schedule overtime coverage

weeks or months in advance to fill in for co-workers who are sick or go on holidays. Tait says not allowing any lead time in scheduling is an unnecessary disruption for paramedics already dealing with high call volumes and the burnout that comes with their job as front-line first responders.

“If you look at the 2025 schedule, January to December, there are hundreds of predictable open holes in the schedule in any community – holidays, sick time, someone got injured – and usually they’re scheduled months in advance,” said Tait.

“We would normally plunk in pre-existing employees that want to work on their days off into these holes. Well they decided to stop pre-scheduling them and they’re now calling on a daily basis. They call you at 6:01 when they realize the shift we never filled last month is still empty. That’s one of the least successful ways of getting people to work.”

The province has about 6,000 paramedics and about 1,000 of them work only part-time. Since 2021 the province added 750 full- and part time positions in rural and remote areas but Tait says only about 350 of those have been filled,

leaving close to 400 vacancies.

Prince George has two ambulance stations, one at UHNBC and one at the airport. Three ground ambulances are staffed by a pool of 35 primary care paramedics. There are nine advanced care paramedics in the city and 12 critical care paramedics who staff two ground units and the air ambulance fixed wing and helicopter service.

The stress that comes with the job of a paramedic can be debilitating. Post-traumatic stress from seeing horrific accidents and people dying before they get to the hospital is an issue that affects paramedic recruiting.

“A lot of it is because of the volume,” said Tait. “When you work as a station that has four ambulances and two of them are sitting empty, that means the remaining two are doing the work of four, and that volume gets to you as well.

“Fixing staffing fixes a lot of those things because a lot of the burnout comes from overwork and not having breaks and not having down time. When you’re short-staffed you can’t ever get those breaks.”

The idea of interprofessional teams

involved in pre-hospital care and municipal fire departments hiring their own paramedics to fill in the gaps in paramedic coverage is commonplace in Europe, South Africa, Australia and Alberta, where ambulances are based at fire halls.

There are doctors who work as on-scene volunteers on calls attended by North Shore Search and Rescue and in Nelson, where two emergency physicians with the Kootenay Emergency Response Physicians Association voluntarily attend to accident scenes to provide care for the sickest, most critically injured patients in areas not served by advanced paramedic care.

Tait says the ambulance union would rather see doctors and nurses working in hospitals than have them provide paramedic services.

“We believe that first responders need to stay in their lane,” said Tait. “We have a couple of projects and trials in the province where doctors on their days off are getting in an SUV and showing up to ambulance calls and we are not in support of that.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

A chronic shortage of paramedics combined with a change in overtime scheduling is increasing patient wait times for a BC Emergency Health Services ambulance, especially in northern BC.

A new local service is taking over 911 calls next year

CITIZEN STAFF

A new local service will take over the answering of 911 calls in 2026.

Emergency calls made in Fraser-Fort George, Bulkley-Nechako, Cariboo and Kitimat-Stikine regional districts will be handled by a Prince George-based service called Fraser-Fort George 911, the regional district announced Wednesday, Jan. 22. The service will assess the nature of each emergency and then direct callers to the appropriate police, fire, or ambulance dispatch centres.

“This transition will allow us to offer a more localized, autonomous 911 service, better responding to the unique needs of northern communities,” said Lara Beckett, chair of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, in a press release.

Since 2014, the regional districts have relied on Vancouver-based Emergency Communications for BC Inc. (E-Comm) to handle 911 calls. Beginning in 2026, all emergency calls will be answered in Prince George, centralizing the service in the Fraser-Fort George district.

“This move will not only improve service, but it will also bring job opportunities and economic benefits to the region,” said Mark Parker, chair of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako.

The decision to shift services is also motivated by rising costs. “As the cost of 911 services increased, we had to find a more financially sustainable option for our residents,” said Margo Wagner,

Chair of the Cariboo Regional District.

In 2024, the four regional districts saw a combined total of 104,476 911 calls.

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George accounted for 47,671 calls, while the Cariboo Regional District had 23,013, the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine recorded 19,591 and the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako

had 14,201 calls.

“We are excited for Fraser-Fort George 911 to bring its local knowledge to improve the emergency response experience for our residents,” said Cyra Yunkws, chair of the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine.

Despite the change in call answering, emergency calls will continue to be

routed to the same dispatch centres, including the RCMP Operational Communications Centre in Prince George for police calls, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George’s Fire Operations Communications Centre for fire and rescue and the BC Ambulance Service in Vancouver, Victoria, and Kamloops for medical emergencies.

An operator responds to 911 calls at Vancouver-based E-Comm in this file photo. Starting in 2026, a new service called Fraser-Fort George 911 will take over.

Nurses are doing local paramedics’ work, CUPE says

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

“The amount of calls where a physician can actually make a difference on a patient is such a small percentage that it in no way justifies the cost or the staffing. To put it bluntly, if that doctor wants to make a real difference, they should stay in the hospital and see 20 or 30 that are sitting in the waiting room per day, instead of playing paramedic on their days off to see one patient.”

BCEHS is also utilizing nurses in the Northern Health region to attend to

patients on interfacility transfers from smaller hospitals to larger centres. Tait says that work should be performed by paramedics.

“We have critical-care paramedics that are probably higher-trained than a critical-care nurse that do that work, but again, there is a staffing shortage,” said Tait. “If you take a critical-care nurse and put her in an ambulance on an eight-hour transfer or that nurse could be looking after two or three patients in ICU.”

Prince George Fire Rescue firefighters are trained to emergency medical

responder standards, the highest level of medical training the firefighting force is allowed under the BC Emergency Health Services Act. Because firefighters are tasked as first responders to medical calls due to paramedic shortages, Tait says municipalities and health authorities are forced to eat costs the province’s health ministry should be covering.

“The fire budget for municipalities is increasing because they do first responder and medical work,” he said.

“I’m not saying that’s wrong (but) we

pay taxes for there to be a provincial ambulance service that’s supposed to be staffed and funded properly and since that hasn’t occurred we are now running into the fire departments offsetting the ambulance service at the cost of the municipal taxpayer.

“You will see them come to all these calls as first responders because for every ambulance station there’s 10 fire halls, so statistically they’re always closer. But the only reason they’re really going is there hasn’t been enough paramedics for 40 years.”

Charge dropped against local youth volleyball official

BOB MACKIN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

An assault charge against the president of the Prince George Youth Volleyball Club was dropped after he “successfully completed an alternative measures program,” said a spokesperson for the B.C. Prosecution Service (BCPS).

A court document alleged there were reasonable and probable grounds to

believe that Daniel James Drezet committed assault on Nov. 17, 2023 in Prince George.

The charge was dated Jan. 19, 2024, but did not contain any of the incident’s circumstances, except for the name of an alleged victim.

Drezet, born in 1969, was served a summons on Feb. 14, 2024 by a Prince George RCMP constable, ordered to report Feb. 21, 2024 to the Prince George RCMP for identification and to

make a first appearance in provincial court on Feb. 28, 2024.

The charge was stayed on Jan. 13. Drezet has not responded to The Citizen’s requests for comment.

A person accused of a minor first offence must accept personal responsibility and agree to make amends in order for their case to be dealt with outside the court system under the Criminal Code-authorized, alternative measures program.

Serial shoplifter part of organized theft ring

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A 39-year-old woman caught shoplifting from four different Prince George retailers in a six-month period in 2023 received a 30-day conditional sentence in provincial court on Thursday, Jan. 23.

Amanda Blaine Ketlo pleaded guilty to three counts of theft under $5,000, failure to appear in court, breach of a release order and personation with intent to avoid arrest.

Judge Cassandra Malfair ordered Ketlo to spend the 30 days under house arrest, with allowance to leave temporarily for employment and medical care. Ketlo also faces 12 months on probation.

Crown sought a 39-day jail sentence, reduced to 21 days after factoring credit for time served. Defence proposed time served plus the 30-day conditional sentence.

Malfair said Ketlo, prior to her 2023 offences, had a criminal record of three theft convictions and three court order breaches.

“Miss Ketlo went through some tragedies, and as a result, found herself using drugs and homeless in Prince George,” Malfair said in her judgment.

“Was assaulted a number of times, believes she’s seen some brain damage as a result of being hit in the head during these incidents, including being hit in the head with an axe.”

Defence lawyer Liam Cooper

explained that his client was involved in an “organized retail theft” in exchange for drugs to fuel her opioid addiction. She was on probation when she began the spree on May 28, 2023, caught with goods worth $504.31 at Real Canadian Superstore.

Court heard that Ketlo attended a detox centre in December, is on prescription medication to deal with her addiction and is hoping to be admitted to a residential treatment centre in Langley.

She has been living recently with a partner who is sober and supportive. Ketlo has two children that are being cared for by relatives. Their fathers each died by suicide.

She has a residence at her First Nation, but it has been condemned. A new one is promised if she undergoes treatment.

Alternative measures could include “compensation for the loss or damage, an apology, community service work or culturally based practices for Indigenous people,” states the province’s website.

“What they all have in common is that the accused person must accept responsibility for the alleged criminal conduct and then, under the supervision of their probation officer, participate and complete the program,” said BCPS communications counsel Damienne Darby.

Second-degree murder charge in Dawson Creek shooting

A man has been charged in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred on Sunday, Jan. 19 in Dawson Creek.

Nolan Douglas Schmidt, 23, was charged with second-degree murder following the incident, which left one person dead and another hospitalized with injuries.

“She’s motivated to stay alive to try to take care of her children,” Cooper said.

Crown prosecutor Angela Murray asked the judge to send a message to Ketlo that refusal to comply with orders and incidents of repeated shoplifting, even from big retailers, is unacceptable.

“Ultimately, it does impact everybody in our society with increased cost and security required at these stores,” Murray said.

Malfair ordered Ketlo to possess no alcohol or drugs, except for prescription medication, and is banned from visiting the Real Canadian Superstore, London Drugs or Winners/Home Sense stores in Prince George.

“So, Miss Ketlo, I hope that you go to the treatment program, get your kids back in your care,” Malfair said in conclusion.

Police say it was not a random attack and that those involved are known to each other.

The investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement also reviewing other related cases within the Dawson Creek area. Investigators continue to make progress and are encouraging community members to come forward with any information they may have.

“The surge of resources dedicated to this investigation led to an arrest and the approval of charges,” said RCMP Supt. Sanjaya Wijayakoon of E Division Major Crime.

“Additional charges could be laid if further evidence arises.”

Schmidt is currently in custody and was to appear in court Thursday, Jan. 23.

RCMP urge anyone with additional information to contact the Dawson Creek detachment at 250-784-3700.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

A local woman caught stealing from four different stores in a six-month period was sentenced to house arrest.

CITIZEN STAFF

Former CFL player guilty of assaulting police officer

Judge suggests Robert Charles Waite, 67, may be dealing with effects of concussions

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A provincial court judge in Prince George suggested a history of concussions contributed to a a former BC Lions player beating a highway patrol officer almost two years ago.

Robert Charles Waite, 67, was originally charged with aggravated assault and two counts of assaulting a peace officer.

Waite pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of assaulting a peace officer causing bodily harm and was sentenced Wednesday, Jan. 22 to two years less a day to be served in the community.

The former defensive lineman also played for the Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders during his

1982 and 1984 Canadian Football League career.

Judge Martin Nadon said Waite may be suffering a condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.

“I say may, because it cannot be definitively diagnosed prior to dissecting the brain after death, but it is a condition known to arise in athletes in contact sports as a result of repeated mild brain trauma,” Nadon said.

“CTE may result in trouble with thinking and emotions as well as other problems.”

Waite was arrested after assaulting a BC Highway Patrol officer at a traffic stop on March 25, 2023 near the intersection of Highway 97 North and 10th Avenue.

“Waite punched the officer three times in the face and made gratuitous

Drugs, firearm found after driver crashes while fleeing from police

CITIZEN STAFF

Two known offenders were arrested after fleeing from police during a routine traffic stop, Prince George RCMP reported Monday.

Police say the incident began just before 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 20 when officers were patrolling the Hart Highway near Houghtaling Road.

The officers saw a pickup truck allegedly commit several motor vehicle violations and attempted to pull the vehicle over.

However, police state, the driver refused to stop, speeding away from police despite hazardous icy road conditions.

Officers did not pursue the vehicle but instead conducted a search of the surrounding areas.

The truck was located again and RCMP officers deployed a spike belt across the roadway.

comments to the officer demonstrating his animosity towards police,” Nadon said.

The assault only stopped when witnesses intervened.

Court heard that the victim, Const. Aaron Semeniuk, was off- work for seven months, but still has issues with his back.

Evidence included the police cruiser dash camera and video shot by a witness. Nadon said that prior to the officer pulling Waite over, it appeared the police cruiser came close to colliding with Waite’s vehicle.

“This was pointed out, not as an excuse, but as a potential reason for Mr. Waite being agitated,” the judge said. “However, defence also conceded that Mr. Waite’s response was a complete overreaction.”

Nadon said that Waite was under stress due to his wife suffering cancer at the time. She passed away last March.

The maximum sentence is 10

years in jail, but the Crown sought a prison sentence of two to three years. Defence proposed a one-year conditional sentence, followed by probation.

Nadon said Waite had no prior criminal record, complied with bail conditions after his arrest and is in poor physical health and with mobility challenges.

He opted to sentence him to 15 months of house arrest followed by a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew for the remainder of the sentence.

During the house arrest, Waite may leave for three hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays for personal business, such as grocery shopping.

At other times, he may only leave for emergency medical care and with prior written permission for employment.

Waite must obey the law, have no contact with Semeniuk, and not posses weapons, alcohol or drugs, except for prescription medication.

Collision on a snowy night

This in turn caused the driver to bring the truck to a stop after it crashed into a snowbank.

A search of the vehicle and its occupants led to the seizure of a substance suspected to be fentanyl, drug paraphernalia, a loaded firearm and ammunition.

Police took the drugs and firearm for further analysis.

“These are standard procedures while we await laboratory results for evidence that requires testing by our partner agencies,” stated Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, media relations officer for the Prince George RCMP.

The driver and the passenger, both of whom were known to police, were arrested on suspicion of committing multiple offenses.

The suspects were released pending the results of the lab analysis.

The investigation is ongoing, police said.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK

One of two vehicles involved in a collision at 20th Avenue and Highway 16 is loaded onto a towing company vehicle. Prince George Fire Rescue and the RCMP headed to the snowy intersection to deal with the two-vehicle collision on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Inmate caught with a weapon after fight in PG jail

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Sentencing for a man charged with assault causing bodily harm in an altercation at Prince George Regional Correctional Centre will happen Feb. 11 after he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

Michael Campbell-Alexander, 28, committed the offence while in custody on Dec. 14, 2023 on firearms possession and storage charges. In November, he admitted to possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

On Tuesday, Jan. 21 in Prince George provincial court, Crown prosecutor Angela Murray described it as a “sharp, penetrating object.”

Murray told Judge Peter McDermick that the appropriate sentence would be 90 days.

A man in custody at the Prince George Regional Correctional Centre admitted to possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose after an incident at the jail in 2023.

Murray said Campbell-Alexander’s “serious record” shows 37 convictions dating back to 2012, including weapons possession, break and enter, robbery, aggravated assault and killing or injuring an animal.

“Numerous, lengthy convictions for violent offences and for weapons offences,” Murray told the court.

“Crown would also submit that it’s aggravating in this case, as it was a custodial sentence, the custodial setting where this type of behaviour cannot be condoned. It only leads to further violence.”

Murray said mitigating factors include Campbell-Alexander’s guilty plea and Indigenous heritage that must be considered by the judge.

“Mr. Campbell-Alexander simply would indicate that he regrets that he had misbehaved by possessing this contraband in a situation that was, of course, dangerous to other inmates,” his lawyer, Jason LeBlond, told McDermick. LeBlond proposed a 30-day sentence for his client.

Campbell-Alexander also awaits sentencing after being found guilty last June of possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, possession of a firearm contrary to an order and possession of a firearm with an altered serial number.

Those offences stem from a July 9, 2022 incident that took place in Prince George.

The date for McDermick’s one-hour sentencing decision will be determined Feb. 11.

Truck, bike thief to be jailed for more than seven months

He was caught when a police officer pulled him off the bike by his hoodie while he was fleeing

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Stealing a truck and a bicycle has landed a 29-year-old man with a lengthy criminal record with a sentence of more than seven months in jail and a year on probation.

In Prince George provincial court on Wednesday, Jan. 22, Judge Martin Nadon sentenced Kyler Gregory Thomas Stevens to 815 days on nine counts.

Stevens, who pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property, qualified for credit for time served, so his net sentence amounts to 237 days.

Crown prosecutor Kristina King called it “significantly mitigating” that Stevens also pleaded guilty to wilfully resisting

or obstructing a peace officer and five counts of breaching a release order.

“Wrapping up a significant number of files and saving significant court resources,” King told the court. “But that’s the only mitigating feature that I’m able to point to.”

King showed the judge a 15-page list of convictions, spanning 2009 to 2022, including 45 for breaches or failures to comply with court orders.

Court heard that Stevens stole a Chevrolet Silverado truck on June 17, 2022. A Prince George RCMP officer found him at a gas station, but Stevens dropped the hose and nozzle and fled in the vehicle, nearly colliding with a police cruiser.

Police curtailed their chase due to danger.

Stevens later crashed into a vehicle in a construction zone. He gave a false name when officers eventually found him.

Stevens was released on a court order that he stay at a recovery house in

Surrey, but was expelled for relapsing twice.

He cut off his electronic monitoring device and did not report to a probation officer as required.

While staying at his father’s house in Prince George, Stevens also removed his ankle monitor.

On July 28, 2024, a man reported that his $3,500 mountain bike had been stolen from his backyard.

The complainant called police when he spotted his bike outside a liquor store on Sept. 11, 2024.

Stevens fled after an officer told him he was under arrest.

A foot chase ensued and an officer eventually grabbed Stevens’s camouflage hoodie and pulled him off the bike.

An anonymous bystander intervened to assist the officer in gaining control of Stevens, who possessed a large knife, five grams of cocaine and five grams of fentanyl, contrary to court orders.

“Mr. Stevens has had this lifelong struggle with addictions and lack of

opportunity, lack of stability, lack of housing,” explained his lawyer, Jason LeBlond.

LeBlond called his client’s background “very troubled.”

The Metis man’s father was not a part of his life.

His mother has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction and spent time in jail.

“Mr. Stevens moved around between different group homes and did not have the best exposure to any positive role models,” LeBlond said.

Stevens has a Grade 9 education and has worked sporadically for construction and delivery companies, but has struggled with drug addiction.

Nadon also banned Stevens from driving for three years and he can only possess a bicycle with proof of ownership registered by police.

Stevens must pay almost $3,500 in restitution to owners of vehicles he damaged, to compensate for their outof-pocket expenses.

Mom’s secret recordings ‘a form of family violence’

BOB MACKIN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A provincial court judge called a mother’s secret recordings a breach of faith in the privacy of communication with her estranged husband and their two teenaged children.

“This breach itself is a form of family violence, as it evidences an aspect of coercive and controlling behaviour directed at everyone in the family and has undoubtedly resulted in harm to both children’s psychological and emotional security and well-being,” wrote Judge Darin Reeves in a Jan. 21 judgment for a family court trial heard partially in Fort St. John.

The woman, identified in the judgment only as C.C., sued a male identified as C.H.C. after their marriage broke down in 2021 over allegations that C.H.C. was having an extramarital affair.

The judge said it would be “a significant understatement” to describe C.C. and C.H.C.’s relationship as acrimonious and dysfunctional.

Reeves also noted that C.C. accused C.H.C. “of potentially criminal and workplace related acts for which he was investigated but no charges were laid and no job action was taken.”

Evidence included 17 audio recordings that C.C. made of family conversations and arguments between March 28, 2022 and July 7, 2022. C.H.C. testified he was unaware the recordings were being made, but agreed they were accurate evidence.

“In admitting these recordings I highlighted that the surreptitious recording of household conversations is an odious practice that should be discouraged, and that creating them raises questions of the parent’s judgment,” Reeves wrote.

But Reeves also noted the evidence “can cut both ways,” by disclosing matters about parenting skills and fitness to be a parent.

Reeves ordered that C.H.C., who has a $146,640 annual income, shall pay $2,166 in monthly spousal support beginning Feb. 1 and $21,620 in arrears plus interest.

C.C., with an annual income of $54,587, was ordered to pay $502 monthly to C.H.C.

Additionally, the judge’s lengthy final order contains a clause against recording any participant while engaged in non-residential counselling and therapy “unless previously agreed to by the counsellor and all parties.”

Woman who messed up RCMP cell and spat at officer is sentenced

BOB MACKIN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Court heard a Prince George provincial court judge sentence a woman who smeared blood on the walls of a cell at the RCMP detachment to four months of house arrest and a year of probation.

Adut Wol Madut, 27, pleaded guilty to mischief and assaulting a peace officer on Monday, Jan. 27.

Police arrested Madut after a Feb. 25, 2024 disturbance at the Association Advocating for Women and Community shelter. Court heard that Madut took off

her clothes in the cell, covered a camera with a tampon and spat at an officer. She also threw bloodied pants at an officer after dipping them in toilet water. Judge Peter McDermick agreed to the joint sentencing submission from Crown and defence lawyers. He said Madut came to Canada as a refugee from Sudan in 2004 and is undergoing treatment for schizophrenia. She must not possess or consume drugs, except for prescription medication, but is allowed to consume alcohol only within her residence. McDermick also ordered her to attend and complete a counselling program.

Send a letter by dog sled along the Gold Rush Trail

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

The 33rd annual Gold Rush Trail

Sled Dog Mail Run sees dog teams and their mushers become official letter carriers as they transport Canada Post mail in their sleds from Quesnel to Barkerville on Feb. 7, 8 and 9.

This celebration of historically significant Canadiana honours the heritage and resilience of the region while showcasing the role dog-sledding played in the country’s cultural and economic development.

It’s one of the only mail-run events carrying official Canada Post mail, which is marked with a stamp reading “Carried by Dog Team” to signify its journey once delivered to Barkerville, where it enters the regular mail system for delivery anywhere in the world.

Along the route from Quesnel to Barkerville, spectators are invited to join in on the camaraderie, cheer on the mushers as they navigate the snowy terrain and learn about the pivotal role

The 33rd annual Gold Rush Trail Dog Sled Mail Run takes place Feb. 7 to 9 from Quesnel to Barkerville where Canada Post Mail will be carried to honour the historical significance of dog sled mail delivery in the country. This photo of the No. 13 dog sled team was taken in Barkerville in 2024.

dog-sledding once played in connecting isolated communities.

Visitors to the region can also book stays in Historic Barkerville or Wells to

watch the mushers and mail arrive.

The mail carried by dog sled will be in specially designed envelopes featuring artwork from local artists, which can be

bought locally or online for $3.

Purchase an envelope, enclose a personal note, address the envelope to anywhere in the world, put on the proper Canada Post postage, then place the envelope in the special Dog Sled mail box at one of the outlets before noon on Sunday, Feb. 2.

Here’s a list of purchase and drop off outlet locations:

• Books & Co., 1685 3rd Ave., Prince George

• Canada Post, downtown Quesnel

• Shoppers Drug Mart, Quesnel

• Total Pet, Quesnel

• Bosleys, Quesnel

• Little Red Pony, Quesnel

• Four Rivers Co-op, Quesnel

• Rocky’s, Bouchie Lake

• BNC Mercantile, Wells

• Jack O’ Clubs, Wells

For more information and to purchase envelopes online visit sleddogmailrun. ca/Mailrunenvelopes.

For the latest information about the event visit www.facebook.com/ SledDogMailRun/.

Oscar nod for Williams Lake First Nation documentary

ANDIE MOLLINS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Kúkpi7 (chief) Willie Sellars of Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) gave a loud shout as the word “Sugarcane” appeared on his phone, confirming the film’s Oscar nomination for best documentary feature.

“I just started crying, good tears, tears of joy,” Sellars said on Thursday, Jan. 23, the day the Oscar nominations for the 2025 Academy Awards were announced.

He said his emotions were a culmination of five years of hard work as Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie documented WLFN’s investigation into the nearby St. Joseph’s Mission residential school (SJM). The documentary became a personal story for co-director NoiseCat, who explores his family’s own history in relation to the residential school during the film.

“It’s a story that is just so much bigger than me,” Sellars told Black Press Media. At least 150,000 children attended federally funded residential schools across the country between the 1880s and 1996, though residential schools existed even before then.

Sellars said the film had the power to educate and heal, and the more people who viewed it, the greater the opportunity to bring understanding and change.

“I would love to see this film part of the curriculum in every school in this country,” he said.

“I would love to just think that this film had a big part in the healing journey that we are on as a country and as Indigenous Peoples.”

Looking solemn, proud and emotional, Sellars said he felt blessed and validated.

“I’m still taking it in.”

The film premiered just over a year ago at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Today, Sellars is wondering what a person wears when attending the Oscars, and how to represent his community while doing so.

He’s got until March to figure that out and was able to turn to William Belleau of the nearby community of Esket (Alkali Lake) who played Henry Roan, an Osage husband and father, in the 2023 film Killers of the Flower Moon.

Sellars hopes the site of the former St. Joseph’s Mission residential school can become a place of commemoration and healing.

The award-winning documentary Sugarcane is now streaming on Disney+. Viewers are advised to take care as they watch the documentary, with the film’s website encouraging folks to organize a ‘watch circle’ to create a space for discussion and support.

WILLIE SELLARS PHOTO

WLFN Kúkpi7 Willie Sellars (second from left) takes part in the Kamloopa Powwow won by Julian NoiseCat, co-director of the Oscar-nominated documentary film Sugarcane.

Valemount recovery comes with $1.5M cost: report

ABIGAIL POPPLE Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The lasting effects of the Jasper wildfire have dug a $1.5 million hole for Valemount businesses, says consulting agency Strategies North.

The village hired the agency in November to evaluate the economic impacts of the three-week closures of Highway 93 and Highway 16 following the evacuation of Jasper.

Soon after, Strategies North consultants held a meeting in Valemount to talk with local business owners about their concerns and potential solutions.

These conversations – along with 11 one-on-one conversations with business owners, a survey distributed by the Village in August, and a second survey made by Strategies North in December – culminated in the agency’s Economic Recovery Strategy, presented to council on Jan. 14.

The report recommends promoting tourism in Valemount to wider audiences – and pitching Valemount as an alternate location to would-be Jasper visitors – to strengthen the village’s tourism sector. Additionally, consultants recommended working with the provinces of BC and Alberta, as well as the federal government, to create a funding stream that would allow businesses to apply for grants to cover their losses from the highway closures.

The initial business impacts survey circulated by the village from Aug. 13-19 found that the 64 respondents saw an average loss of $35,000 and a median loss of $15,000 due to the highway closures, according to the Strategies North report.

The second business impacts survey, developed by Strategies North and distributed from Dec. 6-16, found higher numbers: an average loss of $46,520 and a median loss of $35,000.

However, this survey had 16 respondents – one quarter of the amount that responded to the initial survey – which made the average more sensitive to outliers, such as one business that reported a $250,000 loss, according to the report. The numbers may also

be higher because the August survey circulated while both highways were still closed, so businesses have incurred more losses since then, the report says.

Consultants also estimated the total revenue lost from a reduction in tourism.

In summer 2023, Valemount saw 8,494 tourists, according to statistics the firm obtained from Destination BC – in summer 2024, that number fell to 5,738. Based on estimates of how much money is spent per visit – somewhere from $380 to $700, according to Destination BC and Tourism Valemount – that puts the revenue loss from the lack of tourists at $1,041,768 to $1,929,200, the report says.

Loss of revenue isn’t the only factor hurting Valemount businesses. Half of the respondents to the December survey said they incurred additional expenses during and immediately after the highway closures. Those with the highest additional expenses attributed the costs to support they provided to evacuees, according to Strategies North.

“When the evacuation order was given, Jasper and Alberta directed people to British Columbia,” the report reads. “The fact that the businesses and organizations in Valemount opened their doors at their own expense should not disproportionately burden them for their generosity.”

Besides additional expenses, businesses also suffered from cancellations and delays in shipping or receiving items. This could create further problems

for businesses that may now be seen as unreliable due to shipping delays, and clients may have found new suppliers during the highway closures, according to the report.

These losses resulted in several layoffs, the report says. According to the survey, business owners reduced hours for 33 positions total, and five positions were laid off entirely.

To recover from these losses, respondents suggested an average of $33,340 in funding assistance. Respondents suggested increased tourism marketing efforts and a low-interest loan as other potential solutions.

The village’s biggest threat is a spiralling economic decline, the report says.

“In a small town, losing one business means potentially losing the ability to buy a good or service within the community,” the report reads. “This can mean less money being spent in the community … potentially creating a cycle that challenges recovery and eliminates job opportunities.”

This vicious cycle would be difficult to end, according to the report. Residents who lose their jobs may move away, investors may be reluctant to support businesses, and the community will have difficulty attracting tourists and new residents, it says.

However, an early recovery from the highway closures could prevent this worst-case scenario, the agency believes.

It suggests promoting the community to a broader audience: in the past,

the village has relied on neighbouring communities for most of its visitors, but promoting Valemount to would-be Jasper visitors internationally and in other parts of Canada may expand the village’s tourism market.

In an email to The Rocky Mountain Goat, Strategies North president Grant Barley said he believes $1.5 million, along with enhanced marketing, could provide sufficient funding for recovery.

When asked how the firm calculated the figure, Barley said consultants engaged with businesses and community groups to assess losses and determine what businesses’ financial needs were. The firm also examined recovery support provided to communities in similar situations, according to Barley, though he did not specify which communities these were.

Financial support will likely have to come from the BC, Alberta and federal governments, according to Strategies North. “As a municipality, Valemount cannot provide direct support such as grants, loans, or tax breaks to businesses,” the report reads.

Instead, it recommends working first with the B.C. government to procure funding for a grant program geared towards businesses suffering from the financial impacts of the Jasper wildfire.

As of Jan. 20, the BC Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists did not have any recorded lobbying activity on behalf of the Village of Valemount.

However, Strategies North registered with the federal lobbyist registry on Jan. 14. According to the registry, the firm has not filed any communication reports with the federal government so far.

Consultants will also discuss the report and their next plans with Valemount council, Barley said. He declined to comment on the agency’s plans to work with provincial and federal levels of government.

“The people and businesses of Valemount deserve immense praise for their generous response to the Jasper fire,” Barley wrote. “Our aim is to ensure that their support does not result in an unfair burden on the community.”

ABIGAIL POPPLE, LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

Strategies North president Grant Barley met with several Valemount business owners on Nov. 27 to discuss the firm’s recovery strategy for local businesses affected by last summer’s Jasper wildfire.

What’s happening in PG

Pottery Mug Painting Class goes Thursday, Jan. 30 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Northern Lights Estate Winery, 745 Prince George Pulpmill Road hosted by Three Mad Potters. During this event people can choose a bare pottery mug to customize. All painting supplies, glazes and expert instruction is included along with a glass of Northern Lights wine. The completed mug will be kiln-fired. Tickets are $110 at www.buynorthernlightswines.com/ madd-potter-class

Beaded Feathers goes Thursday, Jan. 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Two Rivers Gallery. Learn basic peyote stitch to create a beaded stem on a naturally harvested feather using different coloured seed beads. Join Indigenous programmer Crystal Behn to create a customized accessory. Enjoy freshly made treats while learning traditional Indigenous art. Everyone is welcome. $31.50 for one session. Register at tworiversgallery.ca/programs/ beaded-feathers.

Lheidli T’enneh Family Night goes Friday, Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. at The House of Ancestors, 355 Vancouver St. The event is presented by the Lheidli T’enneh Family Development Program & Health Services team and in attendance will be the Elders’ Society for Lheidli who are fundraising for their conference trip that takes place in October. Family night is for members to reconnect with community with no business on the agenda. There will be craft making, games and door prizes. There is a silent auction and 50/50 draw for those who would like to participate.

Susie Roth Show goes Saturday, Feb.

1 at 7 p.m. at Deadfall Brewing Company, 1733 Nicholson St. S. This is a free show but donations are appreciated.

Live Music with Jayde goes Saturday, Feb. 1 from 8 to 10 p.m. at Trench Brewing, 399 Second Ave. Jayde’s artistry shines through her deep connection to her music and the experiences she channels into her songs. Her authentic and soulful style sets her apart, as she creates music with emotional depth and resonance. Jayde’s work is a beautiful reflection of her personal story and her heartfelt approach to music. No cover, tips welcomed.

Coastal Drifters with Highbush

Caribou goes Saturday, Feb. 1 at 9 p.m. at the Prince George Legion, 1116 Sixth Ave. Coastal Drifters! Rez Rock band from Kitselas, B.C. guarantees to get the party started with a high-energy

performance and catchy original tunes. Live at the Legion joined by fellow northwest coast spooky surf rockers High Bush Caribou. Doors at 8 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets 19+ only are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Tickets at madloon.ca.

Tea Blending with Botanical Inspired Hearts goes Saturday, Feb. 1 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Jack Bryant Studio space at Studio 2880, 2880-15th Ave. This event, presented by Lisa from Wildflower Farm and Kristina from Off the Pebbled Path, encourages guests to blend tea to make a trio of botanical themed decoupaged heart ornaments. Price is $45 per person. To register text Lisa with Wildflower Farm at 250961-3519 or email wildflowerfarmpg@ hotmail.com

Breaking the Ice with Mama’s Broke,

John Wort Hannam and Reckless Burning goes Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. This is the kickoff for the Coldsnap Music Festival featuring an evening of authentic folk and roots music, where soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics resonate. Rich storytelling and emotive performances take centre stage, captivating audiences with songs that touch on life’s raw truths. For more information and tickets visit www. coldsnapfestival.com.

IceJam – Songcraft by the Tracks with John Wort Hannam goes Thursday Feb. 6 at noon at the Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum, This is a free Coldsnap Music Festival workshop. Against the backdrop of a museum that is historically charming, this event features an afternoon of storytelling, fond insights into songwriting, and acoustic songs by one of Canada’s leading folk artists. For more information visit www.coldsnapfestival.com.

IceJam – Mama’s Broke goes Thursday, Feb. 6 at 5 p.m. at the Two Rivers Gallery, 725 Canada Games Way. This is a free Coldsnap Music Festival workshop. Enjoy a fantastic late afternoon performance that invites people to enjoy a captivating blend of folk, roots, and raw energy. In addition to the music, there will be food for attendees to enjoy while soaking up the ambience. A celebration of community, culture, and creativity not to be missed. For more information visit www.coldsnapfestival.com.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Coastal Drifters lead singer Oscar Carlick performs during Crossroads Brewery Summer Street Fest last July. The Terrace-based Kitselas Nation rock band returns Feb. 1 for a show at the Prince George Legion.

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Artist Talk & Opening Reception goes Thursday, Feb. 6 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Two Rivers Gallery, 725 Civic Plaza. Join artists Amber Bracken to discuss her works in Dreamers, as well as Betty Kovacic and Emily Neufeld to discuss their works in the group exhibition The Road Not Taken. Enjoy an artist talk, light refreshments, cash bar and the opportunity to connect over art and conversation. This event is free and open to all ages to attend. Come earlier to enjoy the ColdSnap IceJam concert held in the atrium space from 5 to 6 p.m. prior to the opening reception.

IceJam – Stories & Song with Jeff Stuart & Lindsay Pratt goes Friday, Feb. 7 at noon at PG & District Seniors Centre, 425 Brunswick St. This is a free Coldsnap Music Festival workshop. Sweet Americana-inspired folk songs, combined with dreamy harmonies, take the listener’s heart. Together Stuart and Pratt offer an experience that is as emotionally moving as it is entertaining. Don’t pass up the chance for an afternoon of entertainment and intimate storytelling. For more information visit www.coldsnapfestival.com.

IceJam – Celtic Jam with Beolach, Jocelyn Pettit and Under the Rocks goes Friday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, Heritage Hall, 1448 Fifth Ave. This is a free Coldsnap Music Festival workshop that is an acoustic Celtic kitchen party-style jam which invites local music lovers to experience a dynamic and intimate performance where artists share tunes, stories, and spontaneous collaborations. Participation is not just encouraged but celebrated - it’s a perfect opportunity to trade songs and stories with other musicians in a relaxed, welcoming setting. For more information visit www. coldsnapfestival.com.

Bookworm Boogie with Ginalina goes Saturday, Feb. 8 from 10:15 to 11 a.m. at the Prince George Public Library’s main branch. This is a free Coldsnap Music Festival workshop. Everyone is invited to join Juno

Coldsnap Music Festival’s IceJam brings singer-songwriter St. Arnaud and the Hearts to an acoustic performance in the round on Feb. 8 at Knox Performance Centre.

nominated singer-songwriter Ginalina, who is known for her cheerful and heartwarming folk songs that applaud nature, family, and community, inspiring children and parents alike with singing, dancing, and connecting. The event will start with a music-themed reading to welcome the children and make for a good transition to an interactively engaging performance. For more information visit www.coldsnapfestival. com.

The Art of Breaking Through workshop with Cat Clyde goes Saturday, Feb. 8 at noon at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St. This is a free Coldsnap Music Festival workshop to discuss trials and tribulations of getting into the music scene, inspirations behind songs, and how to go from an idea to a finished creation. Q&A to follow. For more information visit www.coldsnapfestival.com.

Coldsnap for Kids – 1! with Robin Layne & The Rhythm Makers goes Saturday, Feb. 8 at 1:30 p.m. at the Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. This is a lively, interactive concert full of fun rhythms and playful melodies

and foraged. Products participants can create include infused massage oil, wildcrafted tea blend, body lotion bar and a body sugar scrub. Price is $80 per person. To register text Lisa at Wildflower Farm at 250-961-3519. For more information visit https://www.facebook. com/events/4011162732542680

Valentine Bazaar goes Saturday, Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Prince George Roll-A-Dome, 2588 Recplace Dr. Come out for a fun day of shopping, sit down and enjoy lunch, take some selfies, and do some crafts with the kiddos. There will be food and coffee vendors, local businesses, crafters and artisans.

designed just for children. With upbeat tunes and exciting percussion, this show invites young listeners to dance and clap along. The performance is a joyful celebration of sound, introducing children to the wonders of rhythm and beat in a way that’s both engaging and educational. For more information and tickets visit https://www.coldsnapfestival.com

IceJam – Acoustic In-the-Rounds with St. Arnaud & the Hearts goes Saturday, Feb. 8 at 3 p.m. at the Knox Performance Centre Heritage Hall, 1448 Fifth Ave. An intimate, in-the-round performance with members of St.Arnaud and The Hearts. This is a free Coldsnap Music Festival workshop.For more information visit www.coldsnapfestival.com.

Nature Spa Workshop goes Sunday, Feb. 9 from 2 to 5 p.m. at St. Michaels Orthodox, 2793 Range Rd. This event, presented by Wildflower Farm and Moose, Mushrooms and Mud offers an immersive spa experience as you hand craft your own spa products using florals, herbs, healing oils, salts and more. Herbs and florals are locally grown

Arts & Crafts with The Garrys workshop goes Sunday, Feb. 9 at noon at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St. This is a free Coldsnap Music Festival workshop on making music and getting into the scene. With live performances the workshop is set to explore the ideas that inspire songs and go through a process of how those ideas reach the finished product. Attendees will learn songwriting basics and are welcome to ask questions about how to manage the transition from a new band to a popular act. For more information visit www. coldsnapfestival.com.

Coldsnap for Kids – 2! With Ginalina goes Sunday, Feb. 9 at 1:30 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. Four-time Juno and five-time Canadian Folk Music Awards nominee Ginalina pioneers unique family folk music, eclectic fusion folk music, and beautiful children’s books that celebrate family, nature, community, culture. Her songs and stories are respectful and real, warm and winsome, emotive and energizing. For more information and tickets visit https://www.coldsnapfestival.com.

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

LIAM PROST/TAMARACK RECORDS PHOTO

Posthumous award for Prince George photographer

Chin to receive the Jeanne Clarke Local History Service Award

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Local photographer Chuck Chin, who died suddenly on Jan. 20, 2024, will be honoured posthumously with the 2025 Jeanne Clarke Local History Service Award for his work to promote and preserve the history of Prince George.

This award is presented by the Prince George Public Library board.

Chin was well-loved by his community and known for his cheery smile, kindness and extraordinary talent for capturing the best of Prince George through his photography.

For more than 18 years he shared thousands of images on social media, celebrating the people of Prince George at community events and its beautiful natural surroundings.

A selection of Chin’s photography will be on display at the Bob Harkins Branch of the Prince George Public Library from Feb. 3 to 28. Visitors are encouraged to view his iconic work, leave messages in a guestbook, and reflect on his impact on the community.

The 40th annual Jeanne Clarke Local History Awards will take place Sunday, Feb. 23 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Prince George Civic Centre.

Along with Chin’s service award there is also an award presented for outstanding contributions to local history in the publication category.

The finalists for this year’s publication award are:

• Gold in the Mountains: Stories of Prospecting & Mining in the Rosswood and Kitsumkalum Lake Region of British Columbia, compiled by The Terrace Regional Historical Society.

• Lha yudit’ih We Always Find a Way: Bringing the Tilhqot’in Title Case Home, by Lorraine Weir with Chief Roger William.

• The Wild Horses of the Chilcotin: Their History and Future, by Wayne McCrory.

• Gumboot Guys: Nautical Adventures on British Columbia’s North

Coast, edited by Lou Allison; compiled by Jane Wilde.

• Sleeping With Horses: a Twenty-Year Collection of Horse Packing Stories Through B.C.’s Remote Wilderness, Gold Mines and Grizzly Years, by Joyce Helweg.

• The City of Rainbows: a Colourful History of Prince Rupert, by Blair Mirau.

• Always on Call: Adventures in Nursing, Ranching, and Rural Living, by Marion McKinnon Crook.

• Reflections: Interviews of School District #57 (Prince George) Retired Educators, edited by Kris Nellis.

by Robert Harling

Steel Magnolias

February 13th - March 5th

Seating is limited and general admission. Light refreshments will be served. Please register to attend using the webform or RSVP by Feb. 14 to communications@pgpl.ca or 250-563-9251 ext. 120.

The Jeanne Clarke Local History Award was established by the Library Board in 1985, in memory of former library board chair Jeanne Clarke to recognize individuals or groups for outstanding contributions in the preservation and promotion of local and regional history.

For further information on the Jeanne Clarke Awards, including past winners and nominated publications visit www. pgpl.ca/content/local-history.

The late Chuck

CHUCK CHIN PHOTO

Prince George photographer Chuck Chin had a knack for capturing images he posted on social media that showed people, nature, wildlife and landscapes that showed the city in the best possible light. Chin died Jan. 20, 2024 at age 73.

Originally produced by the WPA Theatre, New York City, 1987. Kyle Renick, Artistic Director

COMMUNITY

Owl Brings in the Day in the CN Centre’s new mural

The painting by artist Mercedes Minck celebrates the connection between wildlife and the city

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Prince George artist Mercedes “Merk” Minck has unveiled her newest mural.

Commissioned by the CN Centre and measuring 16 feet by 12 feet, the mural called Owl Brings in the Day is full of vibrant colours and uses the esthetics of stained glass and mosaic artwork to showcase the relationship between wildlife and the community of Prince George. It’s located inside the arena.

Minck told The Citizen that this new mural is now one of her favourite pieces that she’s done so far.

“I feel like lots of times when I get asked to do stuff like this, It’s usually with a few caveats,” said Minck. “People are like ‘can you put a drone? Can you put in my sister? Can you put 15 bears in it?’ However, this time (CN Centre manager) Glenn Mikkelsen and everyone that I was working with gave me free reign artistically, which is rare. I got to go in a direction that I wanted to go in … So this is one of my favourite pieces right now.”

Minck said she has a strong connection to the wilderness surrounding Prince George and her work at the CN Centre is meant to reflect that.

“Prince George has inspired my work,” said Minck. “I grew up here and we had an empty lot across from our house and I was always running around in there with my family and friends. We were flipping over rocks to find worms and building forts and I feel like I never really grew out of that … I’m a nerd about animals, I like being outside and Prince George is a good place for that, go in any direction you go you can find something beautiful.”

Minck got her start as a freelance graphic designer but soon found work making a trail map for the Pidherny Recreation Site in order to raise money for an adaptive mountain biking trail. With her help, close to $3,000 was raised.

The map got her work noticed by a representative from lululemon during the construction of the chain’s store

at the Pine Centre Mall, and she was quickly approached with an offer to paint a mural for the company.

“I had never painted a mural at that point,” said Minck. “I was very confidently like, ‘of course I can do that!’ So I got that opportunity and somehow I did it. I don’t know how I managed. My sister helped me with most of it, she’s a great assistant and a great person to have with me in the process but I kind of got my first opportunity doing murals by stretching the truth a little bit and saying I can do it.”

Since then, her murals can be found from Colorado to Vancouver Island. She has also designed everything from jerseys to stickers.

Minck thanked both her sister and her mother for help with the mural and for the support during the process.

MATTHEW HILLIER PHOTO

Mercedes Minck’s new mural is unveiled at the CN Centre on Jan. 22. The Prince George artist has created large-scale works in other communities, including in Colorado.

MERCEDES MINCK PHOTO

This photo shows an early stage of Mercedes Minck’s new mural, which was unveiled last week at the CN Centre.

Cougars host Indigenous Weekend

The

BELOW: Singers and drummers from Prince George’s Nusdeh Yoh Elementary School join the Harwin Elementary Drummers to sing O Canada prior to the Cougars and Wheat Kings game on Friday at the CN Centre.

ABOVE LEFT: The Nadleh Whut’en and Stellat’en North West Traditional Performers, with drummers and singers of all ages, bring the crowd to their feet during the second intermission on Friday.

BELOW LEFT: Northern Spirit, the Kwanta Mountain Drummers and Thundering Eagles perform during the second intermission on Saturday.

CITIZEN PHOTOS BY CHUCK NISBETT

ABOVE RIGHT: Graysen Woods, 7, discusses with mom Jaymie what he can buy from the West_West1 booth as his sister Elayke, 4, holds onto the sticker she wants on Friday at the CN Centre.

BELOW RIGHT: Charity Louis talks with artist Michael Antoine while purchasing necklaces from him at his booth in the CN Centre concourse Friday.

ABOVE:

Gitxsan All Clans Dancers, led by Gitxsan artist Robert Sebastian, closes the Cougars’ Indigenous Weekend on Saturday at the CN Centre.

New film Butterflies in Spirit offers message of hope

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Carrier Sekani Family Services

unveiled Stories of Hope and Strength, a powerful film series amplifying the voices of Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ2+ communities last fall at the Prince George Playhouse and now on social media and YouTube.

The project changes the narrative of the ongoing crisis of violence toward Indigenous peoples, sharing personal stories of resilience, healing, empowerment and hope.

The series serves as a call to action and a platform for storytelling in the face of a disproportionately high rate of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ2+ members.

Within the films the focus is lived experiences, cultural strength, and the unbreakable spirit of survivors, families, and future leaders.

One of the films in the Hope & Strength film series features Lorelei Williams, from Skatin and Sts’ailes First Nations, advocate and founder of dance group Butterflies in Spirit. The mission of the group is to raise awareness of violence against Indigenous Women and Girls and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls across Canada.

Williams embodies “you are hope” through her work to create safe space for healing and connection to occur. Williams has close ties to those murdered and missing women as unfortunately her Aunt Belinda Williams has been missing for decades and her cousin Tanya Holyk’s death has been forever linked to an infamous serial killer.

“A lot of time media will focus on the predator or the serial killer but this film series offers Hope & Strength, like the title says,” Williams said.

“With the work that I do I try to get my missing aunt’s picture out there,” Williams said.

“Everybody knows the serial killer’s name, everybody knows his space, but nobody really knows the faces of our missing and murdered loved ones. So I

try to get her beautiful picture out there and with the Hope & Strength series I noticed they didn’t even mention the serial killer’s name and I really love that.”

When Williams went to the premiere of the Hope & Strength short film series in Prince George that was something she noticed right away, she added.

“It was like ‘oh my God, they didn’t even mention his name’ and that was what really stood out to me because it had become so normalized to hear it and every single time I hear his name it’s gut-wrenching for me,” Williams explained. “I always get emotional when I hear her name and his name mentioned in the same sentence. It’s a horrible, horrible thing that happened to my cousin.”

Hearing their names linked together happens so heartbreakingly often, Williams said it’s triggering for her. So to be able to watch the Butterflies in Spirit film as part of the Hope & Strength series without that connection makes it so much more meaningful for her.

“And not hearing his name in the film gave me Hope & Strength in that moment,” Williams said. “The film puts it in a different perspective where they are focusing on the good stuff (healing and connection) and not the bad stuff.”

Kayla Mitchell wrote and directed the Butterflies in Spirit short film.

actor/director Matt Smiley was in attendance.

Smiley first came to Northern BC to direct the documentary Highway of Tears that premiered in 2014 at the TIFF Human Rights Watch Film Festival and then was released to the public in early 2015 so he has a strong connection to the Carrier Sekani Family Services organization, Mitchell added.

“Matt was telling us about this social media campaign and what the plan was for the nationwide coverage of inspiring leaders who are carving pathways for us,” Mitchell said.

“Lorelei is wonderful in the way she brings people together and advocates for our people,” Mitchell said. “She is tremendous and I am a mini advocate and I really look up to people like Lorelei who are paving the way with events and supporting the families, stepping out of her comfort zone by doing scary things, so she really inspired me, too.”

Mitchell said she sits on the governing body of the Carrier Sekani Highway of Tears Violence Prevention, Support and Awareness Program with her mom, Krystal Grenkie, who was best friends with Ramona Wilson, a 16-year-old Smithers resident who went missing on the Highway of Tears June 11, 1994. Ramona’s body was found April 9, 1995, in the woods near the Smithers airport.

“I was born in 1995 and my middle name is Ramona after my auntie and a lot of this work is done in advocacy to support Matilda and Brenda Wilson (mother and sister respectively) in what they do every year during the Ramona Wilson Memorial Walk,” Mitchell said.

“So on the board we were talking about this film series that would be in response to the Calls for Justice and with those calls was a social media campaign to support getting the message out and to show that this is an ongoing issue that is ever present and we are still grieving without answers.”

During one of the board meetings

She’s done a bit of film work behind the scenes and once she had a taste of story making and story telling, Mitchell said she was inspired to let the team at Carrier Sekani Family Services know that she was interested in getting behind the cause.

“I’m great with the camera and I have an eye for it, I love to tell stories and I’m OK with just doing a scary thing and just putting myself out there,” Mitchell said.

“Matt was really interested in what I had to say so he empowered me to dip my toe in and take a look at storytelling as a director and I’ve never taken on that role before – never had that title, and it was a new wave. I’m used to being the one that’s not in the director’s seat so it was a really amazing challenge for myself. I also represent a lot in my community. I am a sister, I am a leader, a council member and I work with our youth a lot as well. I just really wanted to show that this is life-long learning and we are continuously growing and growth happens in uncomfortable places. Putting ourselves out there to do the scary thing helps your growth and wellness. It’s an expression of art and it’s advocacy and decolonial and it’s beautiful. I was mentored into this role so I really have to hold my hands up to Matt Smiley and Carrier Sekani for the work they have done to support me. Even when I doubted myself they really lifted me up.”

To see Butterflies in Spirit visit the Hope & Strength film series at https://www.youtube.com/

BUTTERFLIES IN SPIRIT

Lorelei Williams and her dance group Butterflies in Spirit are featured in a short film that is part of a series called Hope and Strength presented by the Carrier Sekani Family Services in Prince George.

Valentine Social raising funds for new sound system

Elder Citizens Recreation Association hosts the performance debut of the Theresa Jordan Band

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Sometimes it’s OK to celebrate special occasions a little late.

ECRA Valentine’s Social is a dinner dance set for Saturday, Feb. 15 just one day after Cupid’s arrow has struck the hearts of couples everywhere.

This fun event sees proceeds going to the Elder Citizens Recreation Association’s sound system project.

The centre is busy fundraising to replace the old sound system with another better suited for the busy seniors’ organization to meet the needs of all the groups that use the facility.

Cindy Baur, first vice-president on the ECRA board and catering director at the centre, is organizing the social.

“The biggest thing is that the sound system we have at the centre was a used donated one and it’s at that point where no, they don’t even make those parts any more so last year we just decided that we would apply for some grants so we could replace our sound system,” Baur said.

“Unfortunately the system we need to replace is going to cost $30,000. We did obtain one grant and we’ve had a few donations from private individuals who are members of ECRA but we still need a little bit more so that’s why we decided to put on this Valentine’s social with net proceeds going to the project.”

The menu for dinner includes diced chicken in a creamy garlic sauce, roasted potatoes, carrots and zucchini, a green salad, homemade buns, and for dessert, chocolate cupcakes with chocolate ganache.

After dinner the Theresa Jordan Band takes to the stage to help everyone wear off that scrumptious dinner.

“A member of the band and one who’s in charge of the sound system are ECRA members and they offered to do this free of charge as they know how difficult it is to deal with the sound system we currently have,” Baur said.

It’s a great way to support the centre, she added.

“It’s huge and that’s the type of members we have here,” Baur said.

“The centre doesn’t operate unless we have volunteers from our members and non-members as well. So come out and have a great time.”

Jordan has been entertaining the community since 2005 and was a solo artist for most of that.

“Up until last year I haven’t really played with bands,” Jordan said.

She’s performed at several events like the Festival of Trees, MS Walk, ALS Walk, Kidney Walk, Relay for Life, Summerfest, Canada Day, Spring Arts Bazaar and often can be seen at coffee houses, restaurants and senior centres.

Jordan has joined the Tabor Creek

Band, starring well-known musician Rick Stavely, and their most recent song, Get It Right, has risen to No. 13 on the Canadian Independent Country Countdown. Jordan has also recently joined a Prince George band, The Kickers, who you can find performing at Nelly’s Pub on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 and at the Hart Ski Hill during a solo performance on Feb. 7.

Jordan started rehearsing with musicians John Burke and Steve McMullin about a year ago to form the Theresa Jordan Band.

“We played during John’s birthday in August and then John thought we might start playing at ECRA to entertain people at Christmas time and then later do a fundraiser but I got laryngitis over Christmas and that was going to be

our first time,” Jordan explained. “But we’re going to go ahead with the Feb. 15 Valentine’s Social and that will be our first time playing.”

Guests at the dinner dance will hear danceable tunes including lots of country.

“We’ll play music we know everyone will enjoy,” Jordan said. “This project is close to John’s heart as he will be taking over the sound at the centre. So it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

ECRA Valentine’s Social goes Saturday, Feb. 15. Doors open at 4 p.m., 50/50 tickets sales go from 4 to 6:15 p.m. Dinner starts at 5 p.m. and dance begins at 6:15.

Tickets are $25 each available at the ECRA’s centre, 1692 Tenth Ave., Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

ELEANOR WALLACE PHOTO

The Theresa Jordan Band will perform during the Elder Citizens Recreation Association’s Valentine’s Social Saturday, Feb. 15 that features dinner and dancing to the band’s country, pop and bluegrass tunes. Theresa Jordan, John Burke and Steve McMullin on bass are performing free to support this fundraiser for the centre’s sound system poject.

Northern Health putting newborn babies in purple caps

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Northern Health is bringing back its Click for Babies program. Running unning until Feb. 28, this program will be giving new each new baby born in the Northern Health region a handmade purple knitted or crocheted cap.

The program is aimed to bring awareness to “purple crying,” a period of consistent crying that many infants experience from two weeks to two months old.

“We’re excited to reboot Click in NH,” said Randi Leanne Parsons, NH regional nursing lead for maternal infant health and project co-lead. “It’s a warmhearted way to talk about a very difficult topic with families, families need support from their communities. Click will help us to start conversations in the wider Northern BC community about soothing infant crying and keeping them safe from harm.”

The program was paused due to the restrictions placed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome BC has donated more than 1,250 caps this year to restart this program.

In addition, Northern Health plans to expand the campaign to invite northern BC knitters to make everything from baby caps to booties.

Along with the purple caps, healthcare workers will provide standard education and resources about preventing traumatic head injury due to child maltreatment to families in maternity units. This is thanks to The Period of Purple Crying Program (Purple) being launched alongside Click for Babies.

Purple has been in BC for more than 12 years. It is provided by health and community practitioners to parents and caregivers of infants. The program has been helping more than 44,000 new families a year deal with the pressures of parenting.

Since the Purple program began, Northern Health maternity staff have provided education on dealing with the frustrations and coping with the negative feelings associated with this period of constant crying.

They provide tips for soothing infants and talking points for additional caregivers and relatives.

“Inconsolable infant crying is the most common trigger for shaking a baby and other forms of infant abuse,” said Dr. Ian Pike, director of Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome BC at BC Children’s Hospital.

”Purple is an important public health injury prevention program and is associated with a significant reduction in traumatic head injury due to child maltreatment.”

Learn more by visiting dontshake.ca.

UNBC ‘Lab to Market’ aims to benefit Prince George

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Many, if not all, graduates of post-secondary institutions are hit with the age-old question of “what now?”

However, recent funding obtained by the University of Northern British Columbia aims to help STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) students answer that question far easier.

UNBC is a co-applicant in two post-secondary national networks that have been awarded Lab to Market grants totaling $54.9 million.

The five-year grants are given out by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, The Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

“These grants come from the federal government and they are to fund two networks, one being led by Simon

Fraser University and one being led by Dalhousie,” said Paula Wood-Adams, UNBC’s vice-president, research and innovation. “Both of these networks are meant to provide training, mentoring, and other support for researchers to take the output of their research and commercialize it. So, perhaps launching a startup company or commercializing it in another way.”

She said the grants are not just being used to help students of UNBC. The benefits from these grants will be felt in post-secondary institutions across the north.

“We will be working on a strategy for northern universities with Yukon U and Lakehead from Ontario,” said Woods.

“The goal here is to develop training content, training material and also a strategy for northern locations where industry and economic situations might be quite different than the bigger centres. So the program is already running

with content that has been developed previously, but what we will develop will be added to that to be specific for northern locations or remote locations.”

UNBC will head up i2I’s North Strategy and collaborate with the universities to make the most of its five-year programs to provide students with the ability to apply their research in practical and profitable ways in their communities.

The university has experience using

these teaching tools as it has operated similar systems in the past, Wood said.

“These two network programs have been running, but in a much smaller, less developed way,” she said. “What they do is offer training for faculty members, students and other research personnel in the lab. The trainings come in different forms. Some of them are virtual. Some of them are in person. They also set up kind of individual mentoring, for instance, if somebody is about to launch a startup. It’s all about giving scientists or researchers the business skills and entrepreneurship skills that are necessary to think about whether your research outcome has a commercial application.”

Wood also explained that she hopes to see more and more companies and startups come from UNBC in the next five years, and for those companies to widely benefit not just Prince George but the entire north.

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

Northern Health was provided with 802 handmade caps to relaunch its Click for Babies.

UNBC PHOTO

Students in UNBC’s engineering programs work in one of the modern labs.

Throwback Thursday: Week of January 30

Jan. 29, 1997: Laurie Wiskin, left, of Aleza Athletics is covered by Marcia Bertchi of Coach’s Corner in Prince George women’s basketball action at the Civic Centre. Led by 27 points by Louise Holmes, league leading Aleza beat Coach’s 65-37. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN

Jan. 30, 1964: Back to school in an improvised classroom are students from Blackburn Elementary School, which was destroyed by fire on Saturday, Jan. 26, 1964. This makeshift classroom, one of three in operation for 107 of the children at the Prince George Airport recreation centre, was set to be equipped with new fluorescent lighting, while the blackboards and partitions had already been installed. Other pupils were sent to Quinson, Kelly Road and Hart Highway elementary schools. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY PETE MILLER

Jan. 29, 1979: Pineview volunteer firefighters found themselves in a science fiction atmosphere at the BC Hydro Williston Substation when they had to put out a transformer fire. The transformer uses large amounts of oil as an insulator and coolant. The volunteer firefighters emptied every carbon dioxide fire extinguisher they had in putting out the fire. Some of the larger transformers at the site had 20,000 gallons of oil. Power distribution was not affected. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY DOUG

WELLER

Jan. 30, 2012: Amelie Giroux, 4 ½, brother Liam, 8, and twin Cleo go for the maple taffy during the Sugar Shack Brunch at the 27th annual FrancoFun Winter Carnival. Families enjoyed pancakes, a moustache competition and a parade, with the festival continuing all week. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY DAVID

MAH

Heart disease patients who use stimulants are at risk

Study

indicates people who use cocaine or methamphetamines should talk to their doctors

MICHELLE GAMAGE Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

People with heart disease who use cocaine or methamphetamine are at higher risk of death by accidental overdose.

A recent study examined the health records of people who had fatal overdoses in British Columbia and found that people who use unregulated stimulants and who had been diagnosed with chronic diseases such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart failure and strokes that required hospitalization were more likely to die by overdose than people who use unregulated stimulants and did not have heart disease.

The study, published in BMC Medicine, highlights the need for doctors to speak with their patients about stimulant use and heart health, said lead author Heather Palis.

Palis is a senior scientist with the BC Centre for Disease Control and an assistant professor in the school of population and public health at the University of British Columbia.

The ongoing unregulated toxic drug crisis, which the BC Coroners Service says has killed more than 16,895 British Columbians since the start of 2016, is mainly driven by potent opioids like fentanyl and its analogues.

But stimulants are a growing part of the picture.

One 2019 study found that half of all Canadians dying of overdose had both stimulants and opioids in their systems and that B.C. harm reduction sites report more stimulant use than opioid use.

In 2023 half of the people who died from unregulated drugs had detectable levels of methamphetamines or another amphetamine in their system, and 41 per cent had cocaine detected, according to the BC Coroners Service. More than 80 per cent had fentanyl in their systems and just under one-fifth had alcohol. Data for 2024 has not yet been released.

Palis’s study looked at overdose fatalities that occurred from Jan. 1, 2015, to Dec. 31, 2019, whether opioids, stimulants or both were relevant to the person’s death, and what chronic diseases — mental health diagnoses, substance use, circulatory, respiratory, inflammatory or musculoskeletal, diabetes and kidney disease — people

had been diagnosed with between Jan. 1, 2010, and Dec. 31, 2019. There were 3,788 deaths that could be analyzed for this study. Research focused on patterns that emerged between drug types and diseases but also checked people’s age, sex, whether they were receiving social assistance and how their neighbourhood impacted

their quality of life.

The most common chronic diseases diagnosed were mental health related, with the majority of opioid users having mood and anxiety disorders or depression. Roughly one-tenth of those who used stimulants only, or both stimulants and opioids, had schizophrenia or delusional disorders.

One-quarter of stimulant users had some form of diagnosed circulatory disease, such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart failure or hospitalized stroke. That number dropped to less than 15 per cent if the person used both stimulants and opioids or just opioids.

People with polysubstance use — meaning they use more than one type of drug — were less likely to be prescribed opioid agonist treatment but represented more than 60 per cent of overdose deaths.

OAT has been shown to reduce people’s mortality, including their risk of dying from drug toxicity.

Reducing barriers to treatment

People’s reasons for using drugs are always complex, but it’s a common strategy for people dealing with homelessness to use stimulants to help them stay awake and alert at night to protect themselves from being robbed, and then to use fentanyl to help them sleep when they find a safe time and place to do so, said Beth Haywood, co-author of the study and the Vancouver Island representative for the Peer Engagement and Evaluation Project.

The study’s authors recommend that clinicians reduce barriers to treatment for people who use stimulants and have heart disease, hypertension or heart failure, and suggest more broadly that more attention be given to circulatory diseases for people who use drugs. There needs to be more communication between doctors and patients about substance use in general, Haywood said.

Join the 24-hour smoke-free and vape-free challenge

LINDSAY WILLONER Northern Health

Quitting smoking and vaping can be tough, but it’s great for your long-term health.

Take part in Weedless Wednesday and butt or doob out from cannabis, commercial tobacco, and vapour products for 24 hours.

If you struggle with long-term commitments, this short challenge can help make quitting easier.

When you quit smoking, your body begins to repair itself almost immediately.

After only 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure drop, and within 12 hours, carbon monoxide in your blood drops and oxygen levels increase.

These changes (and others) reduce the strain on your body within 24 hours, allowing your heart and other organs to work more effectively.

Remember, every attempt to quit is a step towards better health.

If you’re looking to quit or reduce your use of cannabis, commercial tobacco, or vape products, you can access these supports:

The BC Smoking Cessation Program gives eligible BC residents access to aids for quitting commercial tobacco,

including:

• Non-prescription nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products

• Prescription cessation medications

• First Nations Health Authority

benefits offer additional coverage for nicotine replacement therapy for eligible participants.

• Know Your Limits with Cannabis guide provides information and support on reducing cannabis use.

• Talk Tobacco is a free confidential program that provides culturally appropriate support for quitting smoking, vaping and commercial tobacco use for First Nations, Inuit, Metis, and urban Indigenous communities.

• The Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service is available 24/7 for those worried or concerned about someone else. Call 1-800-663-1441.

• QuitNow offers free information, support, and counselling from trained professionals by phone, text, or email.

• For the latest resources on cannabis use, check Health Canada’s Cannabis in Canada: Get the facts.

Drug use is often misunderstood, says study co-author

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

This should start with doctors building a trusting relationship with their patients because people who use drugs know how much the health-care industry stigmatizes drug use, she said.

Haywood said she knows two people who had to have limbs amputated because they refused to get medical care due to how they’d previously been treated by a medical professional.

“People are so distrustful of the medical system,” she added. “It’s scary now.”

Haywood recalls being in extreme pain one night back when she used substances and needing to be transported to the hospital in an ambulance.

When she saw a doctor, they dismissed her as drug-seeking and left her in pain for hours before giving her a shot for her pain and discharging her.

She was in her pyjamas, didn’t have shoes on, was woozy from the

medication and didn’t have a way to get home, she said.

No one checked in to ask if she’d made it home safely.

Another time, Haywood said, she broke her arm and was open with the ER doctor that she had previously used substances but was now sober and taking prescribed opioid agonist treatment.

She said the doctor refused to send her home with pain medication, which meant she went over 15 hours with nothing for the pain.

“Stuff like that can’t happen. I needed pain medication; I had a broken arm,” Haywood said.

To rebuild a trusting relationship, Haywood said she’d like doctors to ask patients how they’re doing, instead of asking, “Why are you here?”

Taking the time to be present, look people in the eye, actively listen and share what is being written down on

‘They’ve just gone through a horrible experience and just want to feel better.’

their chart can also go a long way, she said.

In hospitals, she said, she’d like security guards to take several steps back so that when a patient is brought in after an overdose, the first thing they see is their care team, not security.

“They’ve just gone through a horrible experience and just want to feel better,” she said.

And don’t make assumptions just because of how someone looks, she added. There’s a lot of misunderstanding around stimulants out there, and

people can be judged as being “violent” if they use meth, crack or cocaine, Haywood said.

People who use substances are just people, Haywood said. They’re friends, family, aunties, co-workers, cousins and “besties” who have “been through some pretty intense trauma and need something to help them not think of that trauma on a daily basis, or use stimulants or opioids to help them not feel their pain and the pain caused by those memories.”

Supporting people shouldn’t focus on abstinence, Haywood said, as abstinence works well for some people but not for others.

People should be able to get the support they need when they need it, which could include timely admission into a regulated treatment program, but could also include working to keep families together, or just have a doctor take the time to listen to you, Haywood added.

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

It isn’t easy to quit smoking or vaping, but this 24-hour challenge from Northern Health may help you take that first step in that direction.

Healthy North

Cervix Self-screening

Cervix self-screening is an effective, simple, and painless test that can be done where you feel most comfortable. The test aids in diagnosing human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes changes to cells on the cervix that can lead to cervical cancer. If you are eligible and due for screening, you can request a free self-screening kit from BC Cancer online or by phone. You can participate in cervix self-screening even if you do not have a primary care provider. To learn more, visit BCcancer. bc.ca/screening/cervix/how-it-works/what-is-cervix-selfscreening.

Small steps to start a nursing career in Northern BC

International nurses can encounter many challenges abroad, such as mental health issues, language barriers, unfamiliarity with a hospital’s equipment and nursing procedures, and cultural assimilation. Mark Steve Marcella Tullao, Registered Nurse (RN), shares his story of failures, sacrifices, and dedication while pursuing a nursing career outside of his home country of the Philippines. Read the full story here: Stories.northernhealth.ca/ stories/small-steps-start-nursing-career-northern-bc.

Local Sports

Blizzard speed skaters inspired in pursuit of success

Coach says it’s vital to show kids what’s possible if they stick with their sport

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Éric Bédard put Sainte-Thècle, Que., on the world speed skating map.

As one of Canada’s most accomplished short-track speed skaters, Bédard competed in three Olympic Games and won medals in all of three.

In Nagano in 1998 he helped Canada win gold with the 5,000-metre relay team and was the bronze medalist in the 1,000m individual event.

At Salt Lake City in 2002 he was a repeat winner in the 5,000m relay, and in 2006 in Turin he claimed silver in the 500m.

Bédard also won eight world championship medals and finished second overall in the world standings in 2000.

Prince George has its own world champion, 27-year-old long track speed skater Carolina Hiller, who successfully defended her team sprint world title last spring in Calgary.

Hiller paid her dues as a club skater with the Prince George Blizzard Speed Skating Club which gave her a foundation of skills she hopes will pay off next year at the 2026 Olympics in Turin, Italy.

Bédard says it’s vital for their development to show kids what’s possible if they stick with their sport and want to succeed badly enough to put in the time it takes to be a full-time athlete and Hiller, now in her second year with the senior team, is that beacon for Prince George kids to emulate.

“It’s just amazing for a club like this to have a world champion,” said Bédard, 48, in in Prince George for the Canadian Junior Open short track meet, Jan. 11-12.

“I’m from a really small village as well, like 3,000 people, and it’s exactly the same. We didn’t realize at 20 or 25 years

old when you win a medal and you’re on the podium, but when you come back to the club you inspire the kids and now this is our job – to inspire more kids.”

Bédard is head coach of Les Élans de Trois-Rivières club in Quebec and he brought several skaters with him to the two-day Prince George competition.

“I was not supposed to coach the club but the coach left and said ‘Hey, do you want to do it?’ I was part-time and now it’s a lot of hours, but it’s really good,” he said.

“The athletes of course they trust me and I can inspire them and teach them to skate well and skate low and it’s really good as a coach to see the progression. So even though it’s not national team, it’s club, when you see

athletes grow like that, it’s inspiring.”

Bédard turned to coaching when he retired as an athlete in 2006 and headed the German team that competed in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, and switched to the Italian team that won four medals (three gold, one silver) at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.

He was the high performance director with the Olympic Oval program in Calgary in 2015 when Prince George hosted the Canada Winter Games and that was his first visit to PG to watch his athletes in action that year at Kin 1.

One of the highlights of Bédard’s coaching life was seeing the turnaround in the attitude of one of his skaters struggling with bad grades at school and how skating and the discipline required in training changed his life for the better.

“This person for sure would have never finished his high school and he’s really smiling and happy now,” said Bédard. SEE ‘SEEING’ ON NEXT PAGE

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Gabriel Padbury (front), Samy Benzaid, Nigel Emblin, Xavier-Mathis Bolf and William Clement all share looks of determination as they round a corner in the fourth men’s 500 metre semi-final Jan. 11 at Kin 1.

Bédard

Another gold: Carolina Hiller on top of the world again

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Carolina Hiller has done it again.

The two-time reigning world champion from Prince George wowed a near-sellout crowd Sunday at the Olympic Oval in Calgary when she combined with Beatrice Lamarche and Ivanie Blondie to win gold in the World Cup team sprint.

The Canadians clocked 1:24.90, edging Poland (+1.12) and Kazakhstan (+1.46) for top spot on the podium.

It was the first medal of the season for the sprint team. Hiller and her teammates Lamarche (Quebec City) and Blondin (Ottawa) where fourth in their only other skate together at a ISU World Cup event in Beijing.

In November the Canadian trio won gold at the Four Continents championships in Hachinohe, Japan.

“It felt really nice to finally get onto the podium this weekend,” Blondin posted on the Speed Skating Canada website.

“As a training group, the middle and long distance skaters did two

high-altitude camps and our legs were just not there this weekend. But the focus is always to peak at world

championships, and we try to remind ourselves that.

“I would have loved to hit the podium

a few more times this weekend and not just this once, but I’m really satisfied to have done it with the girls in the team sprint. It was an incredible, collective effort and that’s what makes it so beautiful.”

The Canadian men - Laurent Dubreuil (Lévis, Que.), Anders Johnson (Burnaby) and Connor Howe (Canmore, Alta.) were fourth in the team sprint, finishing in 1:17.75, 17/100ths of a second behind the bronze medalists from Poland.

The Americans set the pace in world record time (1:16.98), ahead of the Netherlands (+0.56) and Poland (+0.60).

Hiller was 16th as the top Canadian in the women’s 500m event on Saturday, finishing in 37.95 seconds.

Femke Kok of the Netherlands took gold in 37.01.

Dubreuil was fifth in the men’s 500m in 34.14. American skater Jordan Stolz set the pace, winning in 33.85.

The World Cup tour resumes next weekend in Milwaukee, Wisc., with races in February in the Netherlands and Poland.

The world championships will be in Hamar, Norway, March 13-16.

Seeing speed skating on TV is one thing, live is another

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

“You have the good stories of a skater who grows up and wins a lot of medals but you also have those really important stories of a skater who will never be a good athlete but you keep him in sport and he finishes high school because he was attached to speed skating.”

Bédard coached the German team at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and was head coach of the Italian team that won it first short track medals at the Sochi Olympics in 2014.

He has a company, Nagano Skates, based in Quebec City, that supplies speed skating equipment and team apparel all over the world. His skin suits are worn by skaters from 125 clubs in Canada.

Quebec has 52 clubs and close to

7,000 of Canada’s 12,000 speed skaters (short track and long track) are from there.

By comparison, BC’s 23 speed skating clubs have about 1,400 skaters.

There were no Canadian records set at Kin 1. Bédard said the ice isn’t as fast as Calgary’s but the quality was certainly up to national standards.

“It’s normal ice, it’s not fast but it’s grippy, the edge stays there and that means the ice is clean, so that’s a really good thing, the guys here did a really good job,” he said.

“Nobody complained about the ice and that’s good.”

Bédard said the top 40 male and top 40 female skaters aged 16-18 stayed in Montreal and did not attend the Prince George meet. Even so, the calibre of racing and the speed of the skaters ripping around the track at Kin 1 for those two

days of competition was phenomenal.

The faster skaters stayed close to Sherbrooke, Que., which is hosting the Canada Cup No. 1 event this weekend (Jan. 24-26), a qualifier for the Canada Cup Junior Final in March in Calgary.

The top three males and female skaters in the aggregate from the Prince George races qualified for Canada Cup No. 1. Canada’s top senior skaters are also at the Sherbrooke meet, which is the qualifier for the World Cup 5 and 6 and world.

The Prince George Blizzard has 84 skaters, most of them in the younger age groups, and part of the reason the club wanted to stage the Canadian Junior Open was to expose those kids to high-level racing.

“It’s one thing to see it on TV or on the web but it’s something else to see it live,” said Bédard. “To represent

Canada at the international level you need to know how to race. It’s what we try to develop in Quebec but also this weekend (in Prince George).

“In hockey we say you have to develop your hockey IQ and it’s the same in short track. If you have the racing IQ pretty high you have a chance. We have a lot of good athletes in Canada and when they pass through to the top and they are top-five in Canada they are there because they know how to race and how to compete.”

Bédard was on the Canadian relay team that several times set the world record in the 5,000m and he said that was only possible because they trained together all the time at the short track training centre in Montreal.

“We did it because we were good, but also because the spirit was there,” he said.

SPEED SKATING CANADA PHOTO

Carolina Hiller of Prince George, right, celebrates her gold medal in the team sprint with teammates Beatrice Lamarche, left, and Ivanie Blondin Sunday at the ISU World Cup speed skating meet in Calgary.

Struggling Cougars split Indigenous Weekend games

After a 3-2 win over Brandon Friday, the Cats had a tough time against Kamloops Saturday

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Indigenous Weekend was all about highs and lows for the Prince George Cougars.

After ending their four-game losing streak with a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday, they were handed a tough 5-2 loss by the Kamloops Blazers on Saturday.

The Cougars were bolstered by a strong performance from Aiden Foster on Friday, but they couldn’t keep up the momentum the following night as Oren Shtrom, a former Cougar, delivered a devastating performance for Kamloops.

The contrasting results left the Cougars with a lot to reflect on as they headed into the rest of their schedule.

You could never accuse Foster of being subtle with his approach to hockey.

As one of the Cougars’ most physical players on any given night, there’s a reason opposition defencemen take second or third looks when they head deep into their own territory, knowing Foster has them lined up on his radar.

He’s a heavy hitter who comes with a never-back-down reputation, but the 17-year-old winger also has the skill to land on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm draft list.

NHL scouts know the package of skills Foster possesses is a rare find, and on Friday, his relentless work ethic was rewarded when Cougars head coach Mark Lamb put him on the top scoring line with Riley Heidt and Terik Parascak. It paid off in a crucial goal that helped sink the Brandon Wheat Kings. Foster got into position in front of the net and laid down the blade of his stick just as Parascak ripped a slap shot.

It was a perfect deflection through the legs of Wheat Kings goalie Carson Bjarnason.

“It felt awesome. I got bumped up

(from the third line) with those guys, two unreal players, and I had the easiest job,” said Foster.

“Heidter made a great pass to Parascak and all I had to do was put my stick on the ice and it ended up going in. It feels good, my teammates make it easy on me.”

Foster’s goal tied the game at 5:44 near the end of a four-goal third-period flurry in which the Cougars outscored the Wheat Kings 3-1.

Backed by a boisterous crowd of 4,950, the Cougars kept it going and got the game-winner they were looking for with Wheat Kings forward Nolan Flamand serving a penalty for shooting the puck over the glass with about 12 minutes left.

Viliam Kmec picked off a clearing attempt to set up a 3-on-2 situation in the Brandon end that might have been offside, but the play was allowed to continue.

Kmec got the puck to Heidt, who shoveled it ahead to Koehn Ziemer, and the Los Angeles Kings draft pick’s toe-drag through the crease found the net behind Carson Bjarnason to cinch a 3-2 victory.

able to help the team and get two points closer to a playoff spot,” said Shtrom.

Shtrom, who had been a key contributor for the Cougars during their 2023 playoff run, found himself playing against his former team in front of a sold-out crowd of 6,016. “It was a great crowd, it’s loud, and it’s different now that we’re hearing boos. It was fun to play in,” he said.

The Cougars started strong, with Ziemer scoring on their first shot of the game, a breakaway goal off a perfect pass from Leith Hunter. But the Blazers quickly responded, and a four-goal second period put Kamloops in control.

The Cougars’ special teams, particularly their penalty kill, failed to contain the Blazers’ power-play opportunities, and Shtrom’s second goal on a power play early in the third period put the game out of reach.

“It was one of those games, the energy is down, being away a lot and the team’s under the weather, and it looked like that to me behind the bench,” said Lamb.

“But we’ve got a lot of character and a lot of will on this team, and we found a way to win.”

That victory ended a four-game losing streak for the Cougars, who moved to within two points of the Victoria Royals for first place in the WHL’s BC Division.

The following night, however, the Cougars’ momentum crumbled as they faced off against the Kamloops Blazers, a team that included former fan-favourite Shtrom, now playing for the Blazers.

The 20-year-old forward made his presence known, scoring two goals and adding an assist to propel Kamloops to a 5-2 victory.

Shtrom’s first goal, an insurance marker to make it 3-1, came after he saw an opening on the short side and fired a shot past goalie Josh Ravensbergen.

“It was a good game, I think we’re in a spot now where we’re looking to get into a playoff spot, and it was good I was

“We had a really good start to the game, we did a lot of good things, but we got away from it in the second and third period,” said Cougars associate coach Jim Playfair.

“Some individual mistakes led to great scoring opportunities. The biggest difference is we have to become a team that’s more committed to the fundamentals of how we have to play.”

While the Cougars outshot the Blazers 32-23, they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities, and the Blazers managed to lock down their lead. Kamloops’ head coach Don Hay credited the team’s defensive play in the third period.

“The third period was pretty tight, we didn’t give them a lot, and we were able to kill the penalty. That was important.”

After Saturday’s defeat, the Cougars were left to reflect on their performance. They had shown the ability to rally the night before but couldn’t sustain that level of play against the Blazers.

The loss left them two points behind the Victoria Royals in the BC Division standings.

After playing the Swift Current Broncos Tuesday, the second game of a sixgame homestand, before taklng on the Tri-Cioty Americans Saturday at 7 p.m.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Cougars captain Riley Heidt and Wheat Kings defenseman Luke Shipley battle for the puck at CN Centre on Friday, Jan. 24. The Cougars wore special jerseys for Indigenous Weekend.

World juniors a learning experience for goalie coach

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Encouraged by back-to-back tournament wins as the goaltending consultant for Canada’s under-18 national hockey team, like the rest of the country, Dan De Palma felt good about the host team’s chances of going for gold at the U20 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa.

As we all know, it didn’t turn out that way.

Team Canada suffered the excruciating horror of an early elimination in the quarterfinal round, a 4-3 defeat dished out by Czechia, the team that ousted Canada in the 2024 world junior quarterfinals.

Fifth place won’t cut it in a hockey-mad country that expects gold every year from a group of teenaged boys who have but a few weeks to mesh their talents into a team good enough to win that world crown. After 20 world junior wins, more than any other country, it comes with the turf. This year they didn’t come close.

“The expectation was to win and we didn’t win, so that wasn’t a success,” said De Palma, who made a triumphant return to his Prince George hometown Saturday as the Kamloops Blazers’ goalie coach when they beat the Cougars 5-2 at CN Centre.

“There were obviously good teams there and give them credit, but at the end of the day we needed to be better and needed to find a way to just get the

job done and we didn’t. You love the fans’ passion when it’s going well and when it’s not, that pressure is real. But you wouldn’t want it any other way, you want to be part of something like that to test yourself in that environment and I’m still honoured and grateful to have that opportunity.”

Too many penalties and not enough goals. That about sums up what derailed Canada’s medal ambitions this year.

De Palma knows it wasn’t bad goaltending that did it.

Brampton Steelheads goalie Jack Ivankovic got Canada into the eighth shootout round before the Latvians finally scored to pull off the upset of the tournament, Carter George of the Owen Sound Attack took over the Canadian crease and was the Los Angeles Kings draft pick was rock-solid the rest of the

tournament. But they didn’t get enough run support. Canada scored just 13 goals in five games and they were the most penalized team in the tournament.

“I don’t stop pucks, the goalies do and I give them credit, I thought the goalies handled the pressure well and gave us a chance to win games and I’m very proud of them,” said De Palma. “It was really fun to be able to work with them and it was rewarding.

“(Brandon Wheat Kings goalie) Carson Bjarnason didn’t get in but he was outstanding. There are a lot of good goalies in this country and we’re pretty happy where we see things at this point and it looks good for the future.”

De Palma took a leave of absence from his job as marketing/business development director at Arrow Transportation in Kamloops and spent nearly a month in Ottawa with the world junior

team. He spent long days at the rink preparing his own goalies for the tournament and scouting other team’s netminders, looking for any weaknesses for the Canadians to use to their advantage.

“You never know until you get there how you’re going to handle that pressure and it was fine, it didn’t feel any different than (a WHL game), you prepare and do your job and then there there’s a little bit of calm as a result of that for me,” said De Palma.

De Palma went through the Memorial Cup two years ago when the Blazers hosted it but nothing compares to the spectacle of hosting a world junior tournament.

“Memorial Cup was intense in its own way and you have those Game 7s but that was unique and I was just honoured to do it for the country,” he said. “I’m not happy, we didn’t deliver for the country but you learn from it and get better. Everybody can be good when things are good, I guess, and when things aren’t going great, can you hang in there and be trusted? Even though it wasn’t the result we wanted you’ve proven you can be there through good times and bad.”

There’s been no official announcement but De Palma has been asked by Hockey Canada to be part of the coaching staff at the 2026 world junior tournament in Minnesota and he said he would be honoured to return.

“We’re still working on that for sure, but it feels really good,” he said. “I was surprised the first time and don’t think I’ll ever not be surprised and I do pinch myself. I’m proud of what I’ve learned in the game and what I’ve been able to do and hopefully I’ll be able to do more.”

Dan DePalma was back home in Prince George with the Kamloops Blazers Saturday

CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

Duchess Park graduate Dan De Palma returned to his Prince George hometown Saturday in his 16th season as the goaltender consultant for the Kamloops Blazers. De Palma was part of the coaching staff for Canada’s world junior team

Firefighters beat RCMP for Sirens Cup

Prince George Fire Rescue’s Geoff Keeping cheers as the puck finds the back of the net behind RCMP goalie Aaron Penner to take the lead in the Sirens Cup Game Saturday at Kopar Memorial Arena. Despite the RCMP’s opening goal, which seemed to shock the arena with its speed and efficiency, the firefighters fought back to take a 5-3 victory in front of more than 1,000 fans. Funds raised from the game, including from a 50/50 draw, chuck-a-puck and fill-the-boot campaign, will be split between the teams contributing to their respective charities, Cops for Cancer Tour de North and the Prince George Firefighters Charitable Society.

Caledonia Nordic Ski Club set to host 2025 Teck BC Cup

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

The Caledonia Nordic Ski Club has announced that it will be hosting the second 2025 Teck BC Cup.

This cross-country skiing event will bring competitors from across the province to compete in Prince George on the weekend of Feb. 14–16.

“We are thrilled to host the Teck BC Cup No. 2 at our club,” said Mike Duck, director of competitions at Caledonia Nordic Ski Club. “This event not only showcases the talent of skiers from across the province but also highlights the vibrant community and exceptional facilities we have here in Prince George.”

Participation in the classic and free-technique races is open to all ages and skill levels and welcomes participants from across the province.

Admission is free, with spectators encouraged to bring cowbells to cheer

Racers compete in the 2023 Teck Cup at the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club.

on the skiers.

Last year’s Teck Cup was also hosted at Caledonia, bringing in 310 skiers to participate in the races.

In addition, skiers from the Caledonia Ski Club brought home more than 20 medals over the weekend.

If you are looking to participate more info can be found on the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club website

The ski club is also looking for volunteers to help with hosting the event if you are interested please visit the club’s volunteer page.

CALEDONIA

UNBC’s Amrit Manak’s 20-point effort sinks WolfPack

Busy weekend for the men’s and women’s teams in Kamloops

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

The UNBC Timberwolves did the expected and defeated the winless Thompson River University WolfPack Friday afternoon in Kamloops.

And they did a lot of the damage with long-range daggers, hitting 11 threepoint shots on their way to a 76-60 triumph.

Amrit Manak had the hottest hand, collecting a career-high 20 points for UNBC. The five-foot-11 third-year guard from Toronto went 5-for-8 from the three-point range.

Veteran post Sveta Boykova racked up her fourth double-double of the season with 16 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. TWolves guard Viktoriia Filatova delivered 16 points, seven rebounds and came up with three steals.

Three TRU shooters hit double figures in points. Danijela Kovacevic had 15, Priyanca Sundher hit for 13 and Kate De La Mare finished with 13.

UNBC led 46-31 at the half.

The Timberwolves ended a fourgame losing streak and improved their CanadaWest record to 4-9, tied with UBC-Okanagan for fifth place in the Pacific Division, while the WolfPack dropped to 0-15.

basketball game Friday afternoon in Kamloops. The T-wolves won 76-60.

Rematch on Saturday

It was bound to happen sometime.

The UNBC Timberwolves just didn’t want to see it under their watch.

But they had a courtside view Saturday night in Kamloops, where the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s basketball won for the first time in 16 games this season, a 73-61 triumph over the visiting TWolves.

It was a crushing defeat for UNBC and the TWolves wasted a chance to gain ground on the UBC-Okanagan Heat in

the race for the fifth and final U SPORTS Canada West Pacific Division playoff spot.

UNBC and UBC-O sport identical 4-10 records, tied for fifth place each with six games left.

The WolfPack (1-15) leaned heavily on the offensive touch of their seniors Priyanca Sundher and Danijela Kovacevic, who led their team with 26 and 22 points respectively.

Sundher’s outside shooting made a difference as she shot 6-for-9 from threepoint land.

Second-year guard Viktoriia Filatova led the UNBC attack with a career-high 26 points. The 18-year-old Russian shot 10-for-19 from the field and hit four of her six three attempts. Sveta Boykova racked up 12 points, nine rebounds and five assists before she fouled out in the fourth quarter.

UNBC trailed 36-25 at the half.

Men’s game

In the men’s game that followed Saturday in Kamloops, the TRU WolfPack took a 20-point lead into the second quarter and cruised to a 103-75 win over the visiting UNBC TWolves.

Six WolfPack shooters reached double figures, including forward Simon Crossfield, who totalled a game-high 22 points and had eight rebounds and four steals.

Dami Farinloye picked up 15 points, Asher Mayan had 14, and Cyrus Harrington and Steve Stinson each finished with 12 points.

Evgeny Baukin, with 20 points, and Isaiah Bias, with 19, paced the UNBC offence and each hauled in five rebounds.

The TWolves (1-13) remained last in the Pacific Division, while the WolfPack (8-8), who beat UNBC 79-65 on Friday, moved into fourth place.

Both UNBC teams are at home this weekend at the Northern Sport Centre when they host the Fraser Valley Cascades at Brownridge Court Friday and Saturday.

Bowie brings gold to Canada at World University Games

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Former Prince George Cougars centre Connor Bowie now knows the feeling of winning a hockey tournament for his country.

The 23-year-old from Fort St. John helped Canada capture the gold medal in hockey Wednesday, Jan. 22 at the FISU World University Games in Turin, Italy. Canada defeated Slovakia 3-1 in the gold-medal match.

Bowie, a third-year business management student at Toronto Metropolitan University, collected three assists in eight tournament games at the FISU event.

Bowie played 222 WHL games over five seasons for the Cougars, including the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season.

He was a former assistant captain and in his career he scored 40 goals and had 29 assists for 69 points.

Canada went 7-1 in the tournament,

its only loss to Czechia, 2-1 in the preliminary round.

In other local results from the FISU biathlon events, Aliah Turner of Prince George was the top Canadian in the women’s 12.5-kilometre mass start race Wednesday.

Turner, 18, went 15-for-20 on the shooting range and finished 25th.

The University of Calgary kinesiology student ended up 8:17.5 behind gold medalist Daryna Chalyk of Ukraine, who completed the course in 41:46.6.

Liam Simons of Prince George, 20-year-old chemistry student

UBC-Okanagan in Kelowna, finished 27th in the men’s 15 km mass start. Simons missed six of 10 targets in the two prone shooting bouts but was nearly flawless while standing when he went 9-for-10.

Simons finished the course in 52:59.3, 10:06.2 behind gold medalist Nathanael Peaquin of France.

The mass starts wrapped up the biathlon competition at the Games.

DOUGLAS PHOTO

UNBC guard Amrit Manak looks for an outlet while being closely guarded by a Thompson Rivers University WolfPack defender during their Canada West women’s

Life Events

In Loving Memory

Richard Allan Murchie

Passed away - Jan 30, 2022 age 54 years

Always in our hearts and never forgotten. Love, your family and friends

Phil Gilliard 1950-2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Phil Gilliard, who left us peacefully on January 16, 2025. He courageously battled PLS with humour, grace and his big smile until the very end.

Phil was a beloved husband, dad, papa, brother, uncle and friend. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years Lisa, children Scott, Nicole (Rance) and Crystal (Travis), grandchildren Ashley, Stephanie, Taylor, Riley and Hudson, great-grandchildren Jorjia, Luca, Elias and Mila, and his brothers and sisters.

Phil loved his family, cheering on the Vancouver Canucks and PG Cougars, old cars and being out on the open road in his big rig. His warm smile, quick wit, and unwavering love will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew him.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the ALS Society of BC. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ALS Society of BC or Luvs Northern Animal Rescue.

Rest in peace Phil, you will be deeply missed.

In Loving Memory

Reta Murray

It’s been a year since you left us We are sad within our memory Lonely are our thoughts today For the one loved so deeply Has forever been called away May her soul rest in peace Love you and miss you

JERRY AND FAMILY

Barbara lwaskow

August 12, 1929 - January 11, 2025

It is with sadness that Barbara has peacefully left this world to begin her new adventure on January 11, 2025, with her family by her side.

Predeceased by her parents, siblings and her loving husband Lloyd of 64 years.

Barbara is survived by her children, Allen (Delores) of Kamloops, Don (Erika) of Prince George and Sandra of Penticton. Her grandchildren, James (Ellen), John (Heather),Jeffrey (Courtney), Troy (Megan), Teresa and Paul (Dawn). Great grandchildren, Athena, Nevaeh, Eden, Canaan, Grayson, Lane, Beckett, and Keira. Numerous nieces and nephews. The Gateway and Smith families.

Mom was known for her kindness and understanding as well as her outstanding knitting and crocheting abilities. Many family members and friends cherish her creations.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Gateway for their comfort and care during Mom’s stay. To Dr. Mader, the nurses and staff at UHNBC, and a very special thank you to the nurses and staff at the Rotary Hospice House for their compassion and care during Mom’s final days.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

October 25, 1954 – December 27, 2024

With broken hearts we announce the passing of Neil Kirby Sandberg at the age of 70.

Neil was born in Abbotsford BC and raised in 100 Mile House. He lived the past 45 years in Prince George.

Neil enjoyed the outdoors while riding his bike or walking on wilderness trails. He loved looking for all kinds of wildlife, especially moose.

Neil was a hard worker and continued working with friends even after his retirement. He was always willing to lend a hand, whether pouring concrete with his friend, Orrin, or helping Mike out at his ranch.

Neil was predeceased by his father Ralph in 2023. He leaves behind his mother, Anne; siblings, Robin, Darlene (Steve) and Russell (Rebecca); nieces and nephews Eric (Shayla), Patrick (Eryn), Logan, Amy, Becca (Orion), Hillary (Madeline).

Neil had many friends and extended family who knew him well and are grieving as we are. We ask that you celebrate his life in your own special way. A private family gathering will be planned at a later date. In order to keep Neil’s memory alive, the family would love for you to share any photos or memories you have with us.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Canadian Mental Health Association or the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention in Neil’s honour.

Neil Kirby Sandberg

Gary Inwood

The family of Gary Inwood sadly annonces his peaceful passing on January 20, 2025.

A celebration of life will take place on Saturday February 1, 2025 at 1:00pm at the Quesnel Senior’s Centre.

Below is Gary’s tribute pagewhere you can read his obituary and find service details. https://claytonfuneraldirectors.funeraltechweb. com/tribute/details/5472/Gary-Inwood/obituary. html#tribute-start

Rita McComber

It is with extreme sadness, I announce that My “little champ” took her last breath on January 5th at 8 am. She fought with the strength of a giant for 11 years before the cancer took her from us.

Rita is already missed and we will always remember the beautiful soul she was. I’m so thankful that I was able to spend 52 years with such an amazing woman. Now the sons she gave me and the memories are what I have left. What an amazing woman she was!

There will be a celebration of life April 5th at Nelly’s banquet room.

In lieu of flowers a donation to the Hospice House in Rita’s name would be greatly appreciated.

Normand Joseph Lavoie

January 12, 1962 - January 19, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Normand Lavoie.

Normand was predeceased by his parents Aldège and Bibiane. He is survived by his wife Caroline, children Alexandre, Marie-Ève (Jack), and Rafaële. Siblings Micheline (Jean-Yves), Patricia, Françoise (Camille), Daniel (Denise), Pauline (Dany), Alexandra, Nancy, Céline, and Sylvianne.

He will be remembered with fondness for his drive to get things done and his passion for life. Donations to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada would be greatly appreciated.

Thornton Alexander (T.A.) MacKay

Thornton Alexander (T.A.) MacKay passed away on Boxing Day, 2024 at the age of 97. He was hale and hearty right up until the end.

T.A. grew up in MacKay Alberta, a small rural community west of Edmonton. He was the eldest of five children. In 1954 he moved to Prince George to seek opportunities in the forest industry. T.A. made a living owning and operating a series of small independent sawmills and logging operations. During that time he met June Cormack. They married and raised four children: Bruce, Glen, Barbara and Barry.

T.A. enjoyed gardening, curling and golf, but he absolutely loved baseball, dancing, and gathering together with friends and family. He was very social but fiercely independent.

Blaine Arnold Rowe

March 4, 1941 - January 18, 2025

Blaine was born in Dawson Creek, where he was raised with brothers Robert, Glenn, and Gordon, by their single mother, Ada. Her strength of character and career as a schoolteacher made a deep impression upon Blaine. After graduating from UBC, he eventually settled in Prince George, where he taught French, Spanish, and the International Baccalaureate Program for 35 years at Duchess Park and PGSS.

Blaine’s engaging, vibrant, and upbeat personality created fond and lasting memories for his numerous language students. He was a supportive and wellrespected colleague and influential mentor to the student-teachers he trained. He had a great smile, charming manner, and dapper look. These certainly drew the attention of Anne, a teacher-librarian, whom he married in 1973. The couple was ecstatic when they were able to buy their dream heritage home on Laurier Crescent. They were wonderful hosts in their social circles and especially enjoyed traveling to Europe and New Mexico. Summers were also spent at their property on Cape Breton Island. They enjoyed gardening,cooking, dancing, going to the symphony, and taking walks with their dogs. People would comment on the sweet little white-haired couple who loved to stroll in the Crescents neighbourhood. Blaine was a devoted husband to the “love of his life” until Anne’s devastating supranuclear palsy led to her death in 2014. His own health hardship occurred 7 years ago with a severe stroke on the right side of his body. His days of avid skiing, swimming, and hiking were over—replaced by adventures through reading. Blaine would go through 3-4 books per week and was a faithful reader of the Citizen newspaper.

He especially enjoyed visits and news from friends and neighbours as he was homebound. His niece Cathy Jeannotte held a special place in his heart.

Blaine’s health took a bad turn after falls this past October and he spent the last 3½ months in the local hospital. Thank you to the staff for their care of him during his time there.

T.A. is survived by his brother Robert, his children, and his four grandchildren: Kieren, Isabella, Stella and Shay. He now joins his wife June, who predeceased him by three months.

There will be a memorial for T.A., 2PM April 19, 2025, at the Prince George Elder Recreation Community Association. There won’t be any baseball, dancing is doubtful, but there will definitely be a gathering of friends and family to celebrate the life of a wonderful man.

Education was extremely important to both Blaine and Anne. They have generously left their estate to establish an endowment at the University of Northern British Columbia.

There will be no funeral service by request.

Donations in Blaine’s memory can be made to either the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation, Prince George Council of Seniors (Meals on Wheels) or the Prince George Symphony Orchestra.

Booking deadline: Friday noon

Approval deadline: Monday at noon

250.562.2441

HAY FOR SALE

5x5 Round Bales Net Wrapped Stored In Shed $165.00 Each 250-614-6667

250-568-2338

Firewood

BIRCH Firewood in 20 foot lengths.

Delivered by dumptruck load. $1100. or bucked to length $1300 per load delivered 250- 614-6667

3 BEDROOM DUPLEX

1749 GORSE ST FRIDGE AND STOVE NO PETS REFERENCES REQ’D

$2250/ MO + UTILITIES

250-614-6667

250-568-2338

Take notice that CITY WEST CABLE & TELEPHONE CORP. from PRINCE RUPERT, BC, have applied to the Ministry of Forests (MOF) Smithers, for a Licence of Occupation for a telecommunication line that will be used to connect residential homes with direct fiber to the home network, situated in the vicinity of Cluculz Lake, UNSURVEYED CROWN FORESHORE BEING PART OF THE BED OF CLUCULZ LAKE, TOGETHER WITH PART OF DISTRICT LOTS 4971, 940, 1719, 1140 AND PART OF W1/2, DISTRICT LOT 1417, CARIBOO DISTRICT, containing 2.67 hectares, more or less. The Lands File for this application is 7410328. Please visit the website at https://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ to view the application and submit comments online. Alternatively, written comments can be directed to the Authorizations Specialist, WLRS, at Bag 5000 – 3726 Alfred Ave, Smithers, BC V0J 2N0. Comments will be received by MOF up to February 14, 2025. MOF may not be able to consider comments received after this date.

Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. For information, contact the Freedom of Information Advisor at Ministry of Forests operations’ office in Smithers.

FOR PRIVATE BILLS

NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to Standing Order 97 of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, applications for Private Bills must be filed with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly not later than 14 days after the opening of a Session. A new Session is expected to open on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

Applications for Private Bills must conform to Standing Orders 97-115 of the Legislative Assembly (available online at www.leg.bc.ca). For further information, please contact the Office of the Clerk, Room 221, Parliament Buildings, Victoria, BC V8V 1X4, Tel: 250-387-3785, E-mail:OfficeoftheClerk@leg.bc.ca.

Kate Ryan-Lloyd Clerk of the Legislative Assembly

COURT BAILIFF SALE

NORTH CENTRAL BAILIFFS LTD. www.northcentralbailiffs.bc.ca

The Court Bailiff offers FOR SALE BY TENDER, the interest of The provincial Sales Tax Act, against DUE NORTH METAL WORKS LTD the Judgment Debtors, in the following goods:

A variety of hand crafted custom fire pits and signs.

To View contact North Central Bailiffs Ltd. 250 - 491-1033. Sale is subject to cancellation or adjournment without notice. Sealed bids will be accepted on the unit until Feb 24th 2025. Goods to be sold as is where is. Bidder takes responsibility to ensure they are satisfied with the description of unit/goods being sold. North Central Bailiffs Ltd. is not responsible for determining the correct description. Terms of sale: Immediate full payment upon successful bid, plus sales tax. www.northcentralbailiffs.bc.ca

North Central Bailiffs Ltd.

Court Bailiff

Cassandra Ettinger

COURT BAILIFF SALE

NORTH CENTRAL BAILIFFS LTD. www.northcentralbailiffs.bc.ca

The Court Bailiff offers FOR SALE BY TENDER, the interest of The provincial Sales Tax Act, against GOLD RUSH SUPPLIES INC the Judgment Debtors, in the following goods: A variety of store front items such as gold pans, clothing, survival tools, forklift, outdoor forklift, and a variety of mining equipment.

To View contact North Central Bailiffs Ltd. 250-491-1033. Sale is subject to cancellation or adjournment without notice. Sealed bids will be accepted on the unit until Feb 24th 2025. Goods to be sold as is where is. Bidder takes responsibility to ensure they are satisfied with the description of unit/ goods being sold. North Central Bailiffs Ltd. is not responsible for determining the correct description. Terms of sale: Immediate full payment upon successful bid, plus sales tax. www.northcentralbailiffs.bc.ca

North Central Bailiffs Ltd.

Court Bailiff Cassandra Ettinger

Public Notice: Forest Operations Map Review and Invitation for Comment.

In accordance with the Forest Range and Practices Act, Tse’ khene Timber Ltd. and Spectrum Resource Group invites the public to review its Forest Operations Maps (FOM ID: 2133) in the Mackenzie Natural Resource District. The FOM describes areas proposed for Cutting Permit and Road Permit development within the next three years starting on March 2, 2025, and ending on March 1, 2028. We welcome your comments and feedback during the review period starting January 30, 2025. Please submit your comments by March 2, 2025.

The map is accessible for review and comment submission online at: https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects#publicNotices

Alternatively, in-person review and comments can be scheduled and completed at the following location during regular office hours (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM): 1960 Robertson Road, Prince George, BC, V2N1X6

Comments may also be submitted by mail to the above address or submitted via phone or email at: 1-250-564-0383; etorres@srg.ca

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I hope you will warn your readers to take care of their dogs’ paws during the winter. Recently, after a big snowstorm, I took my toy poodle, “Blake,” out for his morning walk. Five feet from the door, he let out a yelp and started limping with his right front paw lifted. A big piece of rock salt had embedded itself in one of the pads! I took him back inside to clean the wound. Fortunately, it wasn’t too bad, but I had to carry him outside

DUNKLEY LUMBER LTD. FOREST OPERATIONS MAP # DLL TFL-53 2025-1

Dunkley Lumber Operations Map # DLL TFL-53 2025-1, public review and comment from January 31, 2025 to March 1, 2025 at link below, or in person by appointment Mon-Fri 9am-4pm. Contact the forestry department at the email or phone number below in order to schedule an appointment. 17000 Dunkley Rd, Hixon, BC, V0K 1S1.

This FOM is applicable for 3 years and may be relied upon to apply for a cutting or road permit to harvest a cutblock or construct a road displayed on the FOM. 250-998-4421

fom@dunkleylumber.com https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects

LUNG SCREENING AVAILABLE

for the rest of the week to do his business until it healed. -- Tired Momma in Buffalo, New York

DEAR TIRED: Many owners are aware that ice and snow can cause frostbite injury to their dogs, but some don’t realize that rock salt and other deicers are also dangerous. In addition to potentially cutting their paws, deicing mixtures that have low or no salt use chemicals that can poison pets.

Before venturing out in cold weather -- even when it’s above freezing -- dogs of all sizes should have on booties and a warm vest (one that is water-resistant if it’s snowing or raining).

I know some owners will scoff and say that dogs survived thousands of years without booties. But they didn’t have to contend with salt-strewn sidewalks!

A frostbitten paw is very painful, as well, and could mean your dog is sidelined indoors for several days as the injury heals. Getting too cold while outside -- especially for small dogs -- can cause hypothermia or reduce their resistance to illness. So remember, if it feels cold to you, it feels cold to them. Take heed and protect your dog from cold weather.

* On Feb. 10, 1957, Laura Ingalls Wilder -- author of the best-selling “Little House” series of books based on her childhood on the American frontier, which later inspired a popular TV series starring Melissa Gilbert as the young Laura and Michael Landon as her father, Charles -- died at age 90 in Mansfield, Missouri.

club organized rides ranging from tricycle races to 100-mile trips, and less than 20 years after its founding, more than 100 similar clubs had formed in Massachusetts as middle-class participation in cycling increased in popularity.

• On Nov. 11, 1831, Nat Turner, an American slave and educated minister who believed that he’d been chosen by God to lead his people into freedom, was hanged in Jerusalem, Virginia, for leading a revolt with 75 followers through Southampton County, killing about 60 white people.

* On Feb. 11, 1878, the first organization for recreational cyclists, called the Boston Bicycle Club, was formed. The

* On Feb. 12, 1947, French fashion designer Christian Dior launched his first collection, which he dubbed the “New Look.” While some appreciated its exaggerated femininity as a departure from the more drab and boxy stylings of wartime austerity, others still living with rationing decried it as wasteful, and fellow French designer Coco Chanel declared that “Dior doesn’t dress women. He upholsters them!”

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) All that flattery and fawning shouldn’t affect any decision you have to make. Keep your focus on the facts and ignore all the hyperbole, especially if it gets uncomfortably personal.

• On Nov. 12, 1969, investigative journalist Seymour Hersh revealed the extent of the U.S. Army’s charges against 1st Lt. William L. Calley at My Lai, Vietnam, in a cable picked up by more than 30 newspapers, saying that “The Army says he [Calley] deliberately murdered at least 109 Vietnamese civilians during a searchand-destroy mission in March 1968, in a Viet Cong stronghold known as ‘Pinkville.’”

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your Bovine instincts are on the mark about a “favor” that you’re being asked to do. Agree to nothing unless you get a full explanation, which you would check out first, of course.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A somewhatunsettled recent period should give way to a smoother time going through the week. Use this quieter time to catch up on matters that you might have had to let slide.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Feeling a little confused is understandable with all those mixed messages. Take time to list the questions you have. Then present them and insist on answers that make sense.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Cupid can be very helpful for Lions seeking a love connection. The chubby cherub also brings warm and fuzzy feelings to paired Leos and Leonas who already share a special love line.

• On Nov. 13, 1979, Philadelphia 76ers center Darryl Dawkins leaped over Kansas City Kings forward Bill Robinzine for a memorable slam dunk that shattered the fiberglass backboard. His equally memorable comment on the move, which was not his last and the sound of which spectators likened to a bomb going off: “It wasn’t really a safe thing to do, but it was a Darryl Dawkins thing to do.”

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22)

Travel is favored this week, whether you’ll be globe-trotting or taking a trip to a nearby getaway. You might be surprised (or maybe not) by the person who wants to be your traveling companion.

• On Nov. 14, 1882, outlaw Frank “Buckskin” Leslie shot and killed Billy “The Kid” Claiborne, who had publicly challenged him, in Tombstone, Arizona.

• On Nov. 15, 1984, Baby Fae, a month old infant who received the world’s first baboon heart transplant, died at California’s Loma Linda University 20 days after the operation. Three other people had received animal heart transplants, but none survived longer than a few days.

• On Nov. 16, 2001, British author J.K. Rowling’s most famous and beloved creation, the bespectacled boy wizard Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliffe in his first major role), made his silver-screen debut in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” which went on to become one of the highestgrossing movies in history.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22)

Getting advice on your next businessrelated move is a good idea but only if your advisers are trustworthy. Get references you can check out before you make any decisions.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21)

Getting a boost in your self-esteem is one benefit that comes with a job well-done. There are other plusses as well, including being noticed by all the right people. Good luck!

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Make time to deal with family matters, especially where they concern your elderly kinfolk. Being there for them from the start can help resolve problems sooner rather than later.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Getting a project started can often be difficult, but the good news is that you won’t want for lack of assistance from colleagues who would like to work with you. So, let them!

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) A lot of work-related issues might be raised this week, and you need to be prepared for whatever comes along. Things should be easier when it comes to matters in your private life.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) What might appear to be a very much unwanted change in your life right now could turn out to be a very welcome event after all. Give yourself a chance to see where it might take you.

Homes & Living

Midwinter fireplace check-up

If you are a frequent user of your fireplace, you should take these things into consideration to ensure it operates efficiently and safely throughout the colder months. Midwinter is an ideal time to evaluate its condition and address any potential issues that might arise from prolonged use.

Your chimney is a critical component of your fireplace system. Over time, soot and creosote can accumulate inside the chimney, creating a fire hazard. Schedule a professional chimney sweep if you haven’t already done so this season. A certified technician will also inspect for cracks, loose bricks, or other structural damage that could impact safety. A properly functioning flue is essential for ventilating smoke and harmful gases. Test your flue to ensure it opens and

your dream door starts here

closes smoothly. If you notice resistance or a malfunction, have it repaired immediately. Also, check for blockages caused by debris, nests, or creosote buildup.

Glass doors and mesh screens play a vital role in preventing sparks from escaping and keeping the heat directed into your living space. Clean any soot or residue on the glass, and inspect the doors and screens for damage. Replace any worn components to maintain safety and efficiency.

The firebox, where the fire burns, is subject to high heat and wear over time. Look for cracks, loose mortar, or deteriorated bricks. Addressing these issues promptly will prevent further damage and ensure your fireplace remains safe for use.

Using a fireplace can increase the risk of carbon monoxide exposure, especially if ventilation is poor. Ensure you have a working carbon monoxide detector installed near your fireplace and check its batteries. Test the detector periodically to ensure it’s functioning properly.

For optimal performance, burn seasoned woods like birch or ash. Avoid burning green or wet wood, as it produces excessive smoke and creosote. Keep firewood stored in a dry, well ventilated area to maintain its quality.

Finally, review your overall fireplace safety practices. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and teach family members how to use it. Maintain a safe clearance zone around the fireplace, free from flammable materials like rugs, curtains, or furniture.

Taking these steps during your midwinter fireplace checkup will not only extend the life of your fireplace but also ensure a warm and safe environment for you and your loved ones. A little maintenance now can save you from costly repairs and potential hazards down the road.

Planning Your Summer Home Projects During Winter

Winter is the perfect season to begin planning your summer home improvement projects. While the colder months may feel like a time to hibernate, they offer a unique opportunity to assess, plan, and prepare for warmer days. Thoughtful planning during the winter ensures that you hit the ground running when summer arrives. Here’s how you can make the most of your winter downtime to set up for a productive and satisfying summer.

Winter gives you time to evaluate your home and pinpoint areas that need attention. Spend time indoors identifying projects such as refreshing outdated rooms, repairing damages, or upgrading spaces for functionality or aesthetic appeal. Also, consider outdoor projects like landscaping, deck construction, or repainting your home’s exterior. Create a comprehensive list of tasks you’d like to tackle and prioritize them based on urgency and impact.

Planning during winter allows you to

develop a clear financial plan for your summer projects. Research the costs of materials, labor, and any permits you might need. Setting a budget early on helps you avoid overspending and gives you time to save or adjust plans if necessary. Additionally, by preparing in advance, you can take advantage of seasonal sales on tools, supplies, or appliances.

Winter is an ideal time to gather ideas and explore design trends. Use online platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, or home improvement websites for inspiration. Visit local home improvement stores or attend virtual workshops to understand available materials and options. By the time summer arrives, you’ll have a clear vision of what you want to achieve.

Timing is critical for successful home projects. Use the winter months to develop a realistic timeline for each task. Consider factors like the availability of materials, potential weather

Preparing for an open house

Preparing for an open house is a crucial step in showcasing your home to potential buyers. Start by giving your home a thorough cleaning. A spotless environment creates a positive first impression and allows visitors to focus on the features of the house rather than any clutter or dirt. Pay special attention to high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathrooms, as these are often scrutinized by buyers.

Depersonalizing your space is also important. Remove personal items such as family photos and unique decorations to create a neutral environment where potential buyers can imagine their own belongings. This might also involve rearranging furniture to highlight the best features of each room and ensure a smooth flow throughout the house.

Addressing repairs and touch-ups is essential. Fix any minor issues like leaky faucets, squeaky doors, or chipped paint. These small details can make a big difference in how your home is perceived. If there are any major repairs needed, it might be worth addressing them before the open house to avoid deterring potential buyers.

delays, and contractor schedules. A detailed timeline ensures that you can complete your projects efficiently without rushing.

If your project requires professional help, winter is the best time to secure contractors. Many contractors have more availability during the off-season and can help you refine your plans. Booking early also ensures you avoid the summer rush, where contractors are often booked weeks or months in advance.

Once you’ve finalized your plans, start purchasing the materials and tools you’ll need. Buying supplies in winter gives you the advantage of off-season discounts and ensures you’re ready to begin as soon as the weather permits. Use the winter months to complete preparatory tasks that don’t require outdoor access. For example, you can paint furniture, assemble décor, or build small pieces that will be part of your larger summer project.

Winter doesn’t have to be a season of inactivity. Instead, it’s a time to plan and prepare for your summer home improvement projects thoughtfully. By evaluating your home’s needs, budgeting, researching, and organizing early, you’ll set yourself up for a productive summer. When the snow melts and the warm weather returns, you’ll be ready to bring your vision to life and make your home the best it can be.

On the day of the open house, create a welcoming atmosphere by opening curtains and blinds to let in natural light. Consider playing soft background music and using a pleasant scent to make your home feel inviting. Providing informative materials for visitors, such as brochures with details about the property and neighborhood information, can also leave a lasting impression and increase the chances of a successful sale.