AHN FEB 8 2018 by Alaska Highway News

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 Vol. 75, No. 6

Serving Fort St. John, B.C. and Surrounding Communities

$1.50 inc. gst.

alaskahighwaynews.ca

“The Only Newspaper in the World That Gives a Tinker’s Dam About the North Peace.”

fsj to get overdose action team

taking his father’s mantle

huskies lose star goalie

NEWS A3

BUSINESS A9

SPORTS B1

calm, cold, and chiseled

Nursing school talks underway matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

When You Are Out in the Field, Time IS Money. QUALITY PARTS, EXPERT SERVICE!

HoursMon-Fri: 8am - 5pm Sat: 8am - Noon

9224 100 Street, Fort St. John, BC (250) 785-0463

After Hours - Leave Message

eve petford Photo

 phone 250-785-5631  fax 250-785-3522  email circulation@ahnfsj.ca  online alaskahighwaynews.ca  facebook AlaskaHighwayNews  twitter @AHNnewspaper

Russian ice carver Dmitry Klimenko chisels away at his carnival-themed sculpture for the High on Ice festival last weekend. The festival kicks off Friday, Feb. 9 at 4 p.m. in Centennial Park, when the ice slides open and a bonfire is lit, and professional ice carving, live music, kids activities, and circus entertainment will take place throughout the night. Mayor Lori Ackerman will give her opening remarks will start at 6:30 p.m. For a full schedule, visit alaskahighwaynews.ca

Taylor approves marijuana zoning changes

Wilkinson elected leader of BC Liberals

Police seek mall vandals, stolen truck

matt preprost

editor@ahnfsj.ca

Councillors adopted a bylaw that bans the the selling, dispensing, and cultivation of marijuana in the municipality on Feb. 5. Councillors again reiterated caution ahead of full cannabis legalization expected this summer, and entrepreneurs looking to get ahead of municipalities, which have the ultimate say over whether growers, distributors, and retailers will be allowed to set up shop, and which may not have appropriate bylaws in place by the time the drug is legal. Just four people showed up to a public hearing on the matter in January, none of whom spoke directly in favour or opposition but were there for information; councillors received just one letter of opposition.

Andrew Wilkinson is the new leader of the BC Liberals. Wilkison won on the fifth and final ballot in vote that went down to the wire on Feb. 3. In the end, Liberals opted for a party veteran over newcomers Dianne Watts and Michael Lee, who appeared poised to win after the fourth ballot. Peace River North Liberal MLA Dan Davies said he was happy to have a leader at the helm after a first session of opposition marked by instability. Wilkinson was Davies’s second choice after former finance minister Mike de Jong, who was knocked out of the race early. “He brings such breadth to the table,” Davies said of Wilkinson and his career as a doctor and lawyer before becoming an MLA.

The Totem Mall reopened for business last week, while police search for the stolen truck used to smash through its walls. The mall reopened Jan. 31 after it was forced to close its doors Jan. 29 after a truck crashed through three different sections of the building, causing extensive damage to the exterior and interior of some stores. “As with any incident such as this, a full security review will be undertaken,” manager Rob Schlitt said. According to RCMP, video surveillance shows a stolen, single cab flat deck pickup truck reversing into the mall wall several times. Two individuals are seen entering the holes, police say, but no access was gained and nothing was stolen. See VANDALS on B13

PAVING % 100 Canadian Owned

Residential • Commercial • Industrial Roads • Driveways • Parking Lots

Efforts to establish a nursing program in Northeast B.C. began in earnest last week, though it will be at least two years before the first cohort of students don their scrubs and take their seats. Stakeholders including the University of Northern BC, Northern Lights College, Northern Health, and the City of Fort St. John met Feb. 1 to begin ironing out the details of a training program to accommodate high school graduates and those with a completed degree, or those in the middle of their postsecondary studies. On the table right now is a proposal for a five semester, two-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that would support 32 students when it reaches full capacity. “We just want a nursing school,” Fort St. John Mayor Lori Ackerman said in a recent interview. “I don’t care if it’s an associate degree, I don’t care if it’s a bachelor degree.” The proposed program would admit 16 students per year and give priority seating to Northern Lights College and Indigenous students. Students would need a minimum of 60 university transfer credits to apply, to ensure they have the necessary prerequisites and background before plunging into their nursing training. “There needs to be a background understanding of a wide variety of specific courses and areas to make sure they’re up to a certain standard before they begin the nursing program,” said Dan Ryan, provost and vice president academic for UNBC. Northern Health is projecting Northeast B.C. will need an average of 78 registered nurses per year over the next four years to fill staffing gaps, a number that will only get worse if education needs aren’t addressed, Ackerman said. The health authority would partner in the program’s development and open up placements to meet the program’s clinical practicum needs. Operating and capital funding will need to be secured, and UNBC estimates it would take at least two years before the first students are admitted once funding is approved, meaning a start date sometime in 2020 at the earliest. See NURSING on B13

FREE ESTIMATES

250.719.0686

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL GRAVEL SALES AND DELIVERY Serving Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, Fort St. John & Surrounding Areas

33490

A2 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018

Local News

contents

RED HOT DRAGONS

A2 A2 A3 A6 A9 B1 B5 B9 B14

Weather Humour News Opinion Business Sports Arts Community Classifieds

Red Dragon Martial Arts athletes were at the 28th annual Whitecourt Championship Jan. 28, winning an astounding 18 medals. Megan Ross won gold in poomse and a silver in sparring; Jhuztine Orcena won the gold in sparring and silver in poomse; Wyatt Hickey also won gold in sparring; William Brain won gold in sparring and bronze in poomse; Levi McLain won the silver in sparring and bronze in poomse; Ryan Dutchak won bronze in poomse and bronze in sparring; Ethan Schedlosky won silver in sparring; Marshall McCracken took home a silver in sparring and a bronze in poomse; Max Mumma took a silver in sparring and bronze in pooms; and Brody McKnight won bronze in poomse and sparring.

this week’s flyers Rona M&M Meats Canadian Tire Safeway Shoppers Drug Mart Windsor Jysk Walmart No Frills Home Hardware Save-On Foods The Brick Ashley Dell Indian Essence Bistro

Back, from left: Master Ben Marsh, Megan Ross, Levi McLain, Ryan Dutchak. Ethan Schedlosky, Coach Brad Brain. Front, from left: Jhuztine Orcena, Marshall McCracken, Wyatt Hickey, Max Mumma, Brody McKnight, William Brain. supplied photo

I’m sorry, you can’t bring your moose on the plane GRENADE GAG: We start news chewing with a potentially explosive item from Manatee, Florida. A loaded grenade launcher was found among the stuff at a thrift store. There’s nothing like that for sale at the thrift store in Fort St. John. I had to build my own grenade launcher from bits and pieces I bought at Home Hardware.

GAS WATCH

WHY FLY: After a woman in the States showed up at the airport with a peacock, U.S. airlines announced they will crack down on so-called “comfort animals” that people claim they need on the plane. This is hard to believe, but true: People have boarded planes with ducks, turkeys, monkeys, snakes, spiders, and rats. And that’s just the pilots.

Bob Snyder Chews the news

ROOMBA REPORT: Do you have one of those little robot Roomba vacuum cleanKNOWBEFOREYOUGO MONOPOLY MEMO: In stores soon: A ers? There’s a report your Roomba vacuKFC LOL: Am I the only person who special “Cheaters Edition” of the Mono- um cleaner may be spying on you. Here’s found this weird? In TV commercials for poly board game. The rules are changed. a fun idea you can do if you have more KFC, Colonel Sanders is now being played Prevailing Prices In this new version, players are actually money than sense: Buy TWO Roombas. by country singer Reba McEntire. And in encouraged to cheat. Also in the works: Cover them in Superglue. Put them in the other advertising character news: • A new version of chess. All the pieces same room. Turn them on. They bump **The Wendy’s girl will be played by Dawson Creek 120.9 are the same color. into each other. They stick together. Then Don Cherry. t St. John, BC - 7 Day Forecast - Environment Canada https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/bc-78_metric_e.html • A new version of Scrabble. It comes they struggle to separate and they fight **The Jolly Green Giant and the IncredFort St. John 129.9 complete with a dictionary that’s full of to the death. Hey, I said the idea was for ible Hulk will trade places. typos and spelling errors. people with more money than sense. **The Burger King will be played by the Alberta-B.C. border • Chutes and Ladders - with no chutes. Dairy Queen. N/A MOVIE MEMO: In the works: A fifth **The A & W Root Bear will be played by YODEL YUK: A University in SwitzerIndiana Jones movie with Harrison Ford. the Groundhog. Fort Nelson N/A land now offers a degree course in yodel- He’s much older now. For a title I suggest: **The Energizer Bunny has been capHome  Environment and naturalling. resources  Weather  Weather  LocalJones forecasts  Chalice British Columbia Switzerland hasinformation mountains. They Indiana and the of Laxative. tured and euthanized. Groundbirch have skiers. Yodelling was invented by N/A a skier who was in severe pain after he MOON MEMO: Peace Country skies STAR BORES: Peace Country movie broke his leg. were not clear enough Wednesday night theaters showed the Star Wars movie: Chetwynd N/A for us to fully enjoy the super big and “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”. I predict HolBC Highway alert(s) in effect WHALE TALE: Scientists announced bright full moon. Some people believe lywood will eventually release a movie Tumbler Ridge 128.9 they have trained whale to say staring at a full moon will make you crazy. titled: “Star Wars: Surprise, Surprise, We Highway 97 - Clinton to 100 Mile Housean viaOrca Begbie Summit a few words in English. They say it may But I’m usually OK with staring. Just as Found Another Jedi”. be possible to train the average Canadian long as I refrain from howling. Prince George 92.9 teenager to do the same thing. SWIM STUFF: A report says a paraObserved at: Fort St. John AirportPARTICULARS: 10:00 AM MST Tuesday February 2018 POLE A top6 scientist site that chlorine cannot kill is lurking in Current Conditions Hythe t Nelson, BC - 7 Day Forecast Canada N/A- Environment FLU FUN: On CBC last week, an expert predictshttps://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/bc-83_metric_e.html in the not too distant future the many public swimming pools. I don’t go said ifMostly you catch the flu you’ll suffer less Earth’s magnetic fieldsWind: will flip. North to the North Peace Leisure Pool too often. Condition: Cloudy Temperature: -20.2°C NNEThe 5 km/h if you103.3 havekPa a positive attitude. And it’s Pole will become the South Pole, the With my body - I can feel people dressing Grande Prairie 115.9 Pressure: Dew point: -22.8°C Wind C… -25 much easier to have a positive attitude South Pole will become the North Pole. I me with their eyes. Tendency: Rising Humidity: 80% Visibility: 81 km with the flu if you do NOT look at the predict the Equator will fly off into space Calgary 110.4 Kleenex after you sneeze into it. like it was fired from a kid’s rubber band Bob Snyder can be reached at: gun. chewsthenews@fastmail.com Home  Environment and natural resources  Weather information  Weather  Local forecasts  British Columbia Edmonton 105.4

Fort St. John, BC

-20°C

Fort Nelson, BC

Forecast Victoria Current Conditions 135.9 B.C. avg

WEATHER & ROAD REPORT

146.0

Vancouver

Tue 6 Feb

Alberta Avg.

-30°C -19°C

Wed

Thu

Condition: Mainly8 Feb Clear 133.97 Feb

Pressure: 103.2 kPa Tendency: Falling 109.2

CAD$ per litre, prices as of February 6. Source: GasBuddy.com

Mainly cloudy

Issued: 5:00 AM MST Tuesday 6 February 2018 ST. JOHN ObservedFORT at: Fort Nelson Airport 9:00 AM MST Tuesday 6 February 2018

Fri Sat -29.9°C 9 FebTemperature: 10 Feb Dew point: -33.0°C Humidity: 75%

HIGHWAY CONDITIONS PEACE REGION

Sun Mon Wind: WNW 3 km/h 11 Feb 12 Feb Wind C… -33 Visibility: 24 km

-18°C

-10°C

-1°C

Periods of snow

Sunny

Forecast General notice

FORT NELSON

Tonight Night Wed The Tue contents of this newspaper are protected by7 Feb 6 Feb copyright and may be used only for personal non-commercial purposes.

Night Thu 8 Feb

Night Fri 9 Feb

-7°C

FOR CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS IN THE PEACE REGION, PLEASE SEE THE LINK BELOW.

A mix of sun and cloud Issued: 5:00 AM MST Tuesday 6 February 2018

Night Sat 10 Feb

Night Sun 11 Feb

Mon 12 Feb

http://www.drivebc.ca/

#listView&district=Peace

-23°C -23°C -20°C -14°C -13°C -12°C All other rights are reserved 60% -19°C -17°C -17°C -13°C -8°C -8°C -11°C and commercial use is Periods of snow Chance30% of ﬂurries Clear Clear Clear Cloudy periods prohibited. To make any use of A mix of sun and Chance of ﬂurries Sunny Sunny Sunny Sunny A mix of sun and this material you must first cloud cloud obtain the permission of the owner of the copyright. Today Mainly cloudy. Wind up to 15 km/h. High minus 19. Cold wind chill minus 32. Risk of frostbite. WeatherPhone Tonight Night Night Night Night Night wind Tonight Cloudy. 23. Cold Environment Canada Local For further information contactPeriods of snow beginning this evening. Amount 2 cm. Wind up to 15 km/h. Low minus chillatminus 29. Risk of frostbite. Weather Forecasts the managing editor

http://www.drivebc.ca

(250)-785-7669

Wed, 7 Feb Periods of snow. Amount 2 to 4 cm. Wind up to 15 km/h. High minus 18. Cold wind chill minus 28. Risk of 250-785-5631

Night-25°C

frostbite. Cloudy-29°C periods with 60 percent -30°C chance of ﬂurries. -24°C Low minus 23. -18°C

Thu, 8 Feb Flurries Night

Sunny. High Clear minus 18. Clear. Low minus 20.

Today Tonight Wed, 7 Feb Night

Clear

-17°C

Buy One Cloudy Getperiods One FREE!

Stanfield’s Packaged A mix of sun and cloud. Wind up to 15 km/h. High minus 19. Cold wind chill minus 32. Risk of frostbite. T-Shirts

Buy One Get One 1/2 PRICE! All Non FR Pants and Jeans

Mainly cloudy. Flurries beginning this evening. Local amount 2 cm. Wind up to 15 km/h. Low minus 25. Cold 2018-02-06, 10:13 AM OR wind chill minus 30. Risk of frostbite.

Stanfield’s

Mainly cloudy. 30 percent chance of ﬂurries in the morning. Wind up to 15 km/h. High minus 17. Cold wind Boxers and chill minus 30. Risk of frostbite. Briefs Clear. Low minus 29.

While quantities last, see in-store for details.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 A3

Local News

Accused child predator may have targeted victims in Northern B.C.

FLICKR/PROVINCE OF B.C.

Judy Darcy, the minister of mental health and addictions, announced Feb. 1, 2018, $1.5 million in funding to establish 18 community action teams across B.C. to help tackle the growing overdose crisis.

Province to establish action team in Fort St. John to combat overdose crisis matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Fort St. John will be one of 18 communities to see new action teams to combat the escalating overdose crisis in B.C. Judy Darcy, the minister of mental health and addictions, announced Feb. 1 $1.5 million in funding to be split between the teams, which will also be established in Prince George, Kelowna, and Kamloops, among others across the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island. “This overdose crisis is complex, and there isn’t one simple solution,” Darcy said during an announcement in Abbotsford. The province’s Overdose Emergency Response Centre

identified the 18 communities as having the most urgent need, Darcy said. Each will be able to receive up to $100,000 in funding for “boots on the ground” harm reduction and intervention. The teams will be made up of municipal officials, service providers, emergency responders, victim families, doctors, and First Nations partners, Darcy said. Their task will be to expand harm reduction, increase the availability of life-saving naloxone, tackle an unsafe and “poisoned” drug supply, and identify people at risk with support services and treatment, Darcy said. “The goal of everything we’re doing is to save lives and connect people to treatment and recovery as soon as

possible,” Darcy said. The province’s chief coroner says there were 49 overdose deaths involving fentanyl in Northern B.C. last year, 14 of them in the Northeast. Across B.C., there were 1,422 fatal overdoses in B.C. — or four a day — in 2017, with more than 1,150 of the deaths involving fentanyl-laced drugs, most often in cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Action teams will also be established in Vancouver, Richmond, Powell River, Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford, Maple Ridge, Chilliwack, Victoria, Campbell River, Nanaimo, Duncan, Port Alberni, and Vernon. “We are taking an all of government and all of province approach to the overdose crisis,” Darcy said.

Illicit drug overdoses kill more than 1,400 in 2017 matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

More than 1,400 people died of an illicit drug overdose in British Columbia last year, an alarming year-over-year jump the province’s chief coroner has called the most tragic year ever. Preliminary numbers released Jan. 31 show there were 1,422 overdose deaths in 2017, up from 993 deaths recorded in 2016. “By continuing to provide timely, accurate data to the public, and policy- and decisionmakers throughout the province, we’re able to support evidencebased measures to keep British Columbians safer when it

comes to substance use,” chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said in a statement. More than 1,150 of the deaths, or 81 per cent, involved fentanyl, most often combined with cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine. In Northern B.C., there were 49 overdose deaths involving fentanyl in 2017, 14 of them in the Northeast. Thirty of the deaths were recorded in the Northern Interior, and five were recorded in the Northwest. Complete data on the total number of fatal overdoses for the region were not provided in the announcement. The Fraser Health Authority

region saw the highest number fentanyl-related overdose deaths at 377, followed by Vancouver Coastal Health at 337, and Interior Health at 200. Of last year’s fatal overdoses, four out of every five were men, and 90 per cent of deaths happened indoors, more than half in private homes. There were zero deaths at any supervised consumption site or at any drug overdose prevention site. The province started the year with 107 fentanyl-related deaths in January, and peaked in April with 129 deaths. The number of fatalities held under 100 a month from September through December.

Handout Photo

Jonathan Karl Bruenig, 34, was arrested by the ICE Unit on Jan. 23.

matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

A Grande Prairie man faces eight child sexual exploitation charges after allegedly trying to lure and sexually assault a young boy earlier this month, and Alberta authorities believe there may be more victims in Northern B.C. Jonathan Karl Bruenig, 34, was arrested Jan. 23 after the boy’s relatives reported their concerns to police, according to Alberta’s Law Enforcement Response Teams’ Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit. Bruenig is charged with two counts of child luring, and two counts each of making, distributing, and possessing child pornography. He remains in custody and will appear in court Feb. 12. Bruenig allegedly used a number of fake online personas, and posed as a teenage girl to lure teenage boys, police say. Online conversations would escalate from sexualized chats to sharing explicit photos and videos, while Bruenig allegedly tried to make arrangements to

Valentine’s Day - Get Pampered Packages Body & Sole Relax from head to toe with a 60 minute full body massage and 60 minute pedicure with paraffin wax

Moment for Yourself

GLASS HOUSE AUTO GLASS We do ICBC Claims at shop

Fir Pellets in Stock

meet with the boys, police say. “He was using the photos and names of innocent third parties to construct these personas,” Cpl. Dave Knight said, noting the investigation mainly involved Facebook. “We would encourage parents to be vigilant in monitoring their children’s activities on all social media platforms, because predators don’t just choose one platform.” Bruenig has lived in the Grande Prairie and Kelowna areas, and has also been involved with a number of junior hockey teams, police say. They believe there may be more victims in Northern Alberta and B.C., as well as the Northwest Territories and Australia. At least two teenaged victims have been identified so far, and police continue to search for and speak with other possible victims. “We anticipate more victims and more charges,” Knight said. Anyone with information is asked to call 780-5093363, or submit information anonymously at cybertip.ca.

Unwind with a 45 minute relaxation massage and a 45 minute Health & Wellness Facial

120

Your Choice Only $

Mon, Tues, Friday 9-5:30, Wed & Thurs 9-7:30, and Sat 9-4:30 “Best Salon Gift Certificates Available

Supporting Our Communities

10996 Clairmont Frontage, Alaska Hwy

Fort St. John • 250.785.3433

10442 100 Street 250-787-1552 www.hairbin.com

10440 100 Street, 250-787-1553 www.hbhealthspa.com

& Best Spa” 2017 R0011462789

Supporting Our Communities

R0011352385

ROAD CONSTRUCTION • ASPHALT PAVING AGGREGATE SALES • READY MIX CONCRETE SALES PORTABLE ASPHALT PLANTS AND CONCRETE PLANTS Servicing: OIL & GAS • MINING INDUSTRIAL • COMMERCIAL • MUNICIPAL • AIRPORTS

INTEROUTE CONSTRUCTION LTD.

NORTHEAST DIVISION

A4 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018

LOCAL NEWS

PEACE REGION

COURT DOCKET A summary of sentences and fines handed out in Peace Region courts for the week ending Feb. 2, 2018. Fort St John Law Courts • Jessie Romeo Fougere (born 1994) was fined $1,000 and assessed a $300 victim surcharge for fraud $5,000 or under. Fougere was also given a 30-day conditional sentence, a two-year criminal driving ban, and assessed a $100 victim surcharge for operating a motor vehicle while disqualified. Fougere was handed a second 30-day conditional sentence and assessed a $100 victim surcharge for breaching probation. • Jason Maxie McKeever (born 1979) was sentenced to four days in jail, handed a one-year probation order, and assessed a $100 victim surcharge for theft $5,000 or under. • Clifford Allan Davis (born 1962) was fined $1,200, handed a one-year criminal

driving ban, and assessed a $180 victim surcharge for care or control of a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of over .08. • Gerry Allan Lafleur (born 1973) was handed a two-year criminal driving ban and assessed a $200 victim surcharge for care or control of a vehicle while impaired and operating a vehicle while disqualified. Lafleur further received 58 days in jail for breach of undertaking. • Steven Dale Brazeau (born 1991) was handed a four-month conditional sentence and assessed a $100 victim surcharge each for a count of assault, assault of a peace officer, and attempting to choke to overcome resistance. • Colval Shaquille Abbinett (born 1995) was given a oneyear probation order, handed a 10-year mandatory firearms ban, and assessed $200 victim surcharge for possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. • Ian Lloyd Gladue (born 1986) was handed a year of probation and assessed a $100 victim surcharge for unlawfully being in a dwellinghouse. Gladue was handed a second one-year probation

order and assessed another $100 victim surcharge for breach of probation.

The Regional Board authorized the following schedule to enable the adoption of the PRRD 2018 financial plan (budget) by the March 29th deadline: • The CFO will work with committees, groups, organizations, managers and department heads on their budgets until February; • The draft rural budget will be presented to the Rural Budgets Administration Committee (RBAC) at the February 15th RBAC meeting; • A Special Budget Meeting will be held in Dawson Creek on Wednesday, February 21 at 10 am to present the draft” Financial Plan to the Board; • On March 8, 2018, the Financial Plan Bylaw will be presented to the Board for 1st and 2nd readings; • Public open houses will be held March 12th (Fort St. John), March 13th (Chetwynd) and March 14th (Dawson Creek); • The Financial Plan Bylaw will be presented to the Board at the March 22nd regular meeting in Fort St. John for consideration of 3rd reading and adoption.

Solid Waste The Regional Board approved the following recommendations from the Solid Waste committee: The Regional Board authorized staff to modify the in‑house Solid Waste Outreach and Education program by limiting the previously approved program to the following items: • Operation of the Greenline. • Operation of the pRRRdy.com website. • Re‑branding of resources, communication tools, supplies, and education materials. The Regional Board will advise Pouce Coupe of the termination of operation and collection services at the Pouce Coupe Elementary School recycling depot. The Regional Board approved the waiving of solid waste disposal fees for volunteer organizations and non‑profit groups involved in either the cleanup of illegal dump sites or municipalities coordinating community cleanup events be approved. The Regional Board authorized staff to negotiate with Pacific Northern Gas for the agreement to sell landfill gas generated at the North Peace Regional Landfill; and to present a draft sale agreement to the Regional Board for consideration. The Regional District will pursue all avenues to meet its obligation under the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan with respect to the recycling of agricultural plastics. Staff were authorized to investigate the implications of establishing a recycling station in Charlie Lake, including infrastructure upgrades, contract amendments and location.

Next PRRD Board Meetings:

MATT PREPROST

Dawson Creek Law Courts

editor@ahnfsj.ca

• Amoz Donald Bazinet (born 1979) was sentenced to six months in jail, handed 18 months of probation, and assessed a $100 victim surcharge for break and enter with the intent to commit offence. • Tyler Kent Simper (born 1985) was fined $1,500, handed a one-year criminal driving ban, and assessed a $450 victim surcharge for care or control of a vehicle with a blood alcohol level over .08. • Michael Lee Tweed (born 1957) was given a 90-day conditional sentence and handed a 12-month criminal driving ban for care or control of a vehicle with a blood alcohol level over .08. • Justice Louis Desjarlais (born 1993) was sentenced to four days in jail, handed a 12-month probation order, and a five-year discretionary firearms ban for assault with a weapon.

Police in Hudson’s Hope are looking for a pair of would be thieves who tried to steal a credit union cash machine last month. RCMP were alerted to the attempted robbery at North Peace Savings and Credit Union Jan. 26 around 3:50 a.m., after the suspects triggered an alarm. Officers were called off by a property representative before being dispatched to the scene, according to the local detachment, however, video surveillance of the suspects was recovered. The suspects “used a snowmobile and a vehicle to try and pull the ATM from the lobby area but were unsuccessful,” according to Hudson’s Hope RCMP Cst. Bill McKenna said. The glass doors and windows of the front lobby were heavily damaged, and will likely cost several thousand dollars to repair, he said. One of the suspects, wearing a brown leather jacket, appears to have visited the bank’s

— Tom Summer

Board 2018 Financial Plan Schedule

Thieves fail in attempt to steal ATM

ATM around the same time the previous morning “in an attempt to gain information on the ATM and cameras,” McKenna said. It’s unknown if the suspects are local, though police hope someone recognizes the distinct clothing. Anyone with info is asked to call the detachment at 250783-5241, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

FEBRUARY 2018

The Development Services Department in 2017

Agricultural Land Commission Applications

278 development Files were processed in 2017

The Regional Board forwarded the Callison and the Lindberg applications to the ALC.

115 Building Permits were issued in 2017

Contract Award

The North Peace Fringe area OCP process continued in 2017, including 5 public meetings, surveying and public presentations. Staff are now in the process of summarizing the public input to review with the Steering Committee.

The Regional Board awarded the contract for the supply and delivery of five potable water treatment and bulk water loading stations in Area B (Fey Spring, Boundary, Buick, Prespatou and Rose Prairie) to Flowpoint in the amount of $1,491,746.16, excluding taxes.

The West Peace Fringe Area OCP activities in 2017 included consultations and working with the Community Advisory Committee (CAC). Final revisions made to Draft have been sent out for legal review.

Invasive Plants The Board authorized that Scentless Chamomile remain as a Category B species in the “Strategic Plan and Profile of Plants”, which means that these plants are expected to be managed where they threaten environmental, social or economic values. The Regional District will increase its education and awareness program with respect to Scentless Chamomile. The Regional District will contact member municipalities that do not have an invasive plant program bylaw to request that those Councils consider establishing an invasive plant program bylaw.

pRRRDY Talks Trash! Check out the new blog “pRRRdy Talks Trash!” Here’s a sneak peak of our January blog posts: Welcome! Let’s start the year off right by making New Year’s recycling resolutions! Here are some ways to make 2018 a greener year! Ideas: Fabric grocery bags, meal planning, go digital with bills,and more! Let’s keep rethinking! Here are some Canadian waste facts: 1) Over 20% of the garbage thrown out by the average BC household is packaging.

Geoscience BC Search Phase III project The Regional Board will invite Geosience BC to make a presentation in the region about its project may provide useful information to identify where there is greater potential for mineral deposits to inform land use and resource management decisions and to drive future economic development.

2) To create just one kilogram of consumer goods, manufacturers create five kilograms of waste.

Emergency Committee

3) Recycling one tonne of newspaper saves 19 trees, 3 cubic metres of landfill space, 30 kgs of air pollution, and more!

The Regional Board authorized that the Emergency Services budget be forwarded to the Regional Board for consideration in the 2018 Annual Financial Plan. Proactive preparation for future wildfire events in the region will include holding rural community information meetings to provide information on past wildfire events, lessons learned, how to move forward, and how to be prepared.

For the full blog posts check out the new pRRRdy section on the PRRD website! Be sure to subscribe at: prrd.bc.ca/prrrdy

Staff were authorized to submit the Emergency Operation Centre IT Project application to the UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for a grant up to $25,000.

Moose Winter Tick Surveillance Program The BC Wildlife Health Program is looking for help from wildlife professionals, wildlife enthusiasts and the general public with observations of hair loss caused by “Winter Ticks” on moose throughout the province. For more information: www.gov.bc.ca/ wildlifehealth/mooseticksurvey

February 8, 2018 Dawson Creek Office 10:00am | Dawson Creek Tel: 250-784-3200 Toll Free: 1-800-670-7773 February 22, 2018 10:00am | Dawson Creek Email: prrd.dc@prrd.bc.ca

Fort St. John Office

Tel: 250-785-8084 Toll Free: 1-800-670-7773 Email: prrd.fsj@prrd.bc.ca

To view board schedules and minutes visit:

prrd.bc.ca

Peace River Regional District Ofﬁcial Page

diverse. vast. abundant.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 A5

Strokes’ favourite victims are you, ladies!

be good to your heart

It’s not that long ago that heart disease was mainly considered to be a man’s illness. But did you know that nowadays women are considered to be at greater risk of dying from a heart attack than men? In fact, heart disease and stroke are the number one killers of women! Fortunately, researchers are focusing more on women’s cardiovascular health and we now know that with a bit of effort, certain risk factors can be reduced. Obesity, high blood pressure, and stress are particularly harmful to the health of a human heart but can be moderated by healthy lifestyle choices.

Prevention is easier than detection

tips for preventing heart disease and stroke

Do you know the rate at which heart disease and stroke kills Canadian citizens? Every seven minutes! Heart disease and stroke is the number-one cause of death in women worldwide and claims the lives of 33,000 women each year in Canada alone. All in all, the Heart and Stroke Foundation estimates that 1.6 million Canadians live with heart disease or have had a stroke. February’s Heart Month is the ideal occasion to remind ourselves that most cases of these diseases (roughly 80 per cent) are in fact preventable. How? By adopting a healthier lifestyle! Seeing as you can’t change your age, gender or family history, it’s important to positively inﬂuence your lifestyle to reduce your risk for these diseases. Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack can save a life.

1. Exercise regularly: it’ s the best way to develop a healthier heart.

2. Monitor your weight: obesity doubles your risk of heart disease. 3. Adopt a healthier diet: a proper diet can help you better manage your weight and blood sugar levels. 4. Limit your alcohol intake: alcohol consumption increases your risk of high blood pressure, one of the main causes of heart disease.

It goes without saying that smoking and excessive amounts of alcohol should be avoided. Daily physical activity—even just walking the dog—will help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce stress levels. A low salt, low fat diet that is rich in potassium from fresh fruits and vegetables as well as magnesium from whole grains, nuts, and legumes will also help to reduce the risks. Another important factor in saving lives is knowing how to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Dizziness, sudden loss of balance, vision problems, confusion, sudden severe headache, loss of consciousness, and paralysis of an arm or leg are warning signals that warrant a call to emergency services. In short, women have to make their heart health a priority. Even though women often tend to put their families first, it is a true act of love to take all necessary precautions to increase the duration and the quality of their lives so they can continue caring for those who are close to their hearts.

5. Learn to manage your stress: prolonged periods of stress can increase blood pressure and cholesterol levels. 6. Quit smoking: tobacco reduces the level of oxygen in your blood and causes the heart to work harder than it needs to. For more information, visit www.heartandstroke.ca

Women have a 16 percent higher chance of dying from a heart attack than men, and strokes kill 36 percent more women than men.

Heart Month

Healthy eating can help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. FORT ST. JOHN CO-OP PETROLEUM DEPT Delivery Service

• 10808 91 Ave Fort St. John, BC | (250) 785-9088 • 7315 100th Ave, Fort St. John, BC | Phone: 250-785-5651 • Prespatou Cardlock, Prespatou Rd, Prespatou BC

www.fsjcoop.com

FEBRUARY IS

HEART MONTH Even small changes can make a big difference

Do your part to take care of your heart... eat well, stay active!

(250) 787-6071 8815-96A Street • Fort St. John

9503 79 Ave. • 250-787-7283

R RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK or STROKE & ACT

HEART

8808 96a St #4 Fort St. John Unit 103 - 11404 8th Street Dawson Creek 48142

9123 100 Street • 250-261-5477

Healthy alternatives you can feel good about it.

FSJ

STROKE MONTH

BE HEART HEALTHY!

February is Heart and Stroke Month ALASKA HI-WAY AUTO GLASS & REPAIR

Dan Davies, MLA (Peace River North)

10357 Finning Frontage Road

250-787-0032 48069

48056

10104 100th Avenue, Fort St John Phone 250-263-0101 • Fax 250-263-0104 Dan.Davies.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Ofﬁce 250-262-0102 Drug & Alcohol Cell: 250-262-9798 Screening/ Email: adamarenterprisesltd@gmail.com Pre-Employment info@adamarenterprises.ca Medical Exams/Hearing Graywest Ofﬁce Centre, & Lung Function Tests Suite #120 10704-97 Ave., Fort St. John, BC

A6 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018

Opinion

Published every Thursday at 9916 - 98th Street, Fort St. John, BC V1J 3T8 by Glacier Media Tel: 250-785-5631 Fax: 250-785-3522 Online at alaskahighwaynews.ca

regional manager

William Julian wj@ahnfsj.ca

managing editor

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

sports reporter

Dillon Giancola sports@ahnfsj.ca

sales manager

Ryan Wallace rwallace@ahnfsj.ca

sales associate

Brenda Piper

bpiper@ahnfsj.ca

circulation manager

Lynn Novack

circulation@ahnfsj.ca

WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? Send your letters to: editor@ahnfsj.ca Please put “Letter to the Editor” in the subject line. All letters must be accompanied by a daytime phone number (for verification purposes only) and your full name. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, taste, accuracy and libel. Please keep letters under 600 words. We ask that submissions protest the policy - not the person. Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect those of the Alaska Highway News.

NATIONAL NEWSMEDIA COUNCIL The Alaska Highway News is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please let us know first. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

COPYRIGHT AND LEGAL NOTICES The Alaska Highway News retains sole copyright of advertising, news stories and photography produced by staff. Copyright of letters and other materials submitted to the Editor and accepted for publication remain with the author, but the Publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms. Reproduction is prohibited without written consent of the publisher. Second class mail registration No. 0167

Either we preserve and value farmland or we don’t

he Peace River Regional District recently held a series of open houses throughout the area in order to introduce the latest version of the official community plan, OCP for short, for the northern fringe area. This includes a large chunk of the area surrounding Charlie Lake. Having participated on the advisory committee in the previous OCP for the northern fringe, this Old Guy (Rick Koechl) put in hundreds of volunteer hours between 2006 and 2010 on that plan. It was not always the most pleasant experience but worthwhile nonetheless. It was a positive way to give back to the community. The previous OCP, finalized and passed in 2010, did manage a number of successes. A deferred tenure on any additional oil and gas development on 187 square kilometres in the North Peace fringe was initiated and put into policy. As a result, hundreds of homes and farmland are now protected from additional intrusion by the industry. The intent was to preserve and protect any productive, agricultural lands from further subdivision or industrial development when and wherever possible. Ms. Claire Negrin, area planner for the PRRD, was quoted in the Alaska Highway News recently, stating that the priority of the newest OCP was also not losing farmland. She commented that the newest policies were designed to make it more difficult to subdivide and take farmland out of the agricultural land reserve. Clearly, these stipulations benefit all residents and protect farming in our community. It becomes a balancing act about our own food security that requires continuous fine tuning. In spite of this, certain parcels of land have indeed fallen

Rick Koechl Mike Kroecher TWO OLD GUYS WITH ISSUES

between the cracks. Take one agricultural parcel in particular: SE 11-84-20 W 6. In 2009, the advisory committee for the previous OCP, along with Arthur Hadland, agronomist, Jim Collin, farmer, rancher and former Agricultural Land Commissioner, Maurice Fines, local grain and oil seed producer, and Larry Houley, Area C electoral director at the time, took a bus trip around the fringe zone. We arrived at this particular parcel and questioned whether it was suitable for removal from the ALR and good for low density subdivision? The answer was a resounding and unanimous no. This parcel is productive and has been for at least 60 years, and therefore should remain in the ALR. The property has been farmed continuously by three generations of the same family. In 2016, the land produced 53 bu/acre of canola. In 2017, the same parcel produced 62 bu/acre of wheat. By their standards, this field produced above average crops. The decision rendered regarding that piece of prime farmland on the bus in 2009 as protected farmland did not last long, however. By the time the final version of the 2010 OCP was issued, somehow that one specific quarter section of farmland was now re-zoned into 10 acre residential lots.

So, how did this change of script happen? I was told by a bureaucrat at the PRRD that our advisory committee of agricultural experts were not the final word and that other public meetings would have affected the final outcome. Surprisingly, after I asked for the minutes of those subsequent meetings, I did not receive any further information about this change. I believe that most residents in the North Peace fringe understand Ms. Negrin’s points about conserving farmland. The new OCP states that it wants to save farmland, has a mandate to conserve farmland by the province, but then proceeds to allow a piece of prime farmland to be subdivided. Where is the rationale for that? We are in the process of losing an additional 28,000 acres of prime farmland in the Peace River valley with the proposed Site C reservoir. Each remaining parcel should be treated like gold. Yet, the latest OCP is now suggesting that this once prime agricultural quarter section at SE 11-84-20 W 6 should be further rezoned into four-acre parcels. This appears to be just as irrational and hypocritical as the earlier decision of 2010. Either we preserve and value farmland or we don’t. We, the public, once again are lacking transparency from our government representatives and deserve better. We don’t need platitudes telling us that farmland is valued when apparently it isn’t. Mike Kroecher is a long time retired resident of the Peace, expressing his deep roots in the land through his art. Rick Koechl is a recently retired teacher of the Peace with an enthusiasm for politics and energy.

Colleague’s health scare a reminder to find work-life balance

s I am sure many of you have heard, my friend and colleague Todd Doherty, member of parliament for Cariboo-Prince George, recently suffered a health scare that for a time left his family unsure if he was going to make it. During emergency surgery to remove his gallbladder, Todd stopped breathing before being stabilized. After surgery, there were more complications as a result of an infection and pneumonia. When I heard the news I was shocked. We had just seen each other at the B.C. Natural Resource Forum in Prince George and there were no indications that anything was wrong. How soon life can change! After the initial shock, my thoughts went immediately to his wife Kelly and their four adult children Joshua, Kaitlyn, Kassi, and Jordan. If there is one thing I know for certain about Todd, it is the love he has for his family, and the close bound that they

Bob Zimmer MP REPORT

all share. I am pleased to say that Todd has since been released from the hospital and is now recovering at home with a new sense of purpose. He’s been given a precious second chance and I know that he will use it well. As Todd said in his social media post about his hospitalization, his health scare is an important reminder to all of us to not only focus on work and others, but to also take time to focus on ourselves and our health. Our lives can be stressful, with so many expectations from so many people, but none of that matters if you are gone.

HaveYOUR

I have seen Todd rise from a nervous nomination candidate to Conservative candidate to a seasoned member of parliament passionate about our region and important issues like post-traumatic stress disorder. We not only share a riding border and a riding office in Prince George, but he has become a good friend and an important voice for our region and our country. I was honoured to be able to rise in the House of Commons during the first week back in Ottawa since the winter break to offer Todd support on behalf of all members of parliament as he recovers. While it is a positive sign that he is now home, he is not out of the woods yet, and I ask that you please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Bob Zimmer is the Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies.

Do you have something to say or a story to share? The Alaska Highway News wants to hear from you. Email us at editor@ahnfsj.ca with “Have Your Say” in the subject line. Letters should be kept under 300 words, and must be accompanied by your full name, city, and a daytime phone number (for verification purposes only). We reserve the right to edit letters for length, taste, accuracy and libel. Letters will be published each Thursday.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 A7

op-ed

l e e Wh e v Lo

Chelsea Coady is the Peace Region manager for the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program. Have a question? Email her at chelsea.coady@bchydro.com.

y t i C t r At Fo r e l s y r h C

Let us SHOW YOU SOME LOVE this Valentine’s Day with a great deal. was $52,596

Stk# 17R444

36,469

NOW

$232 B/W

was $33,064

2017 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT 4X4

28,989

$189 B/W

NOW

2017 RAM 1500 C/C SXT 4X4

Stk# 17W437

+ TAXES AND FEES of $523

was $37,829

2017 JEEP COMPASS NORTH

$214 B/W Stk# 17CO327

33,879

+ TAXES AND FEES of $523

$209 B/W

NOW

Stk# 17J250

33,259

2017 JEEP RENEGADE TRAILHAWK 4X4 Stk# 17JR475

2017 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CVP

$152 B/W Stk# 17C471

Stk# 17HD194

58,991

+ TAXES AND FEES of $523

F.C.C.

Call me

250-787-5220 1-877-787-5220 xoxo

23,889

was $38,498

2017 JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT 4X4

$216 B/W Stk# 17CJ382

29,587

+ TAXES AND FEES of $523

FORT CITY CHRYSLER 8424 Alaska Road Fort St. John, BC

www.fortcitychrysler.ca

DL#10428

$427 B/W

was $35,489

+ TAXES AND FEES of $523

was $76,445

2017 RAM 3500 SLT DIESEL 4X4 C/C

32,999

+ TAXES AND FEES of $523

NOW

$216 B/W

was $41,949

NOW

2017 DODGE JOURNEY SXT AWD

NOW

was $41,604

NOW

poiler alert: the secret to getting quality results with fish and wildlife projects is two-fold: one, good baseline data, and two, adapting to change. Basing decisions on the best data is critical because the situation can, and often does, change. First, a quick reminder about the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP). We’re a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of B.C., Fisheries and Oceans Canada, First Nations, and Public Stakeholders. We fund projects that conserve and enhance fish and wildlife impacted by existing BC Hydro dams. This year we’re funding eight caribou projects valued at ~$550,000. We’re funding caribou projects because their populations are fragmented, and their habitats altered due to reservoir creation, and other human activities. Plus, we recognize caribou are culturally important to First Nations, and are a priority species for our local Board. Gathering solid baseline data is key. If little information is known about a population’s status or habitat use, then implementing viable solutions can be a big gamble. And without baseline data, it’s impossible to measure the effectiveness of conservation and enhancement actions. Even when the results are disappointing, baseline data are still valuable. An FWCP-funded project to confirm the existence of the Scott West caribou herd is a good example. This project used citizen science and encouraged back country users to report caribou sightings. Over three years, only three sightings of caribou tracks were confirmed, and very few caribou were ever sighted. The disappointing conclusion: there is a high likelihood that the local population will become locally extinct. The FWCP is currently funding two caribou projects that highlight the need to adapt to change. Both are led by the Nîkanêse Wah tzee Stewardship Society - a collaborative non-profit initiative between West Moberly First Nations and Saulteau First Nations. One project is a maternity pen used to increase calf survival of the Klinse-Za and Scott East caribou herds. In late winter, pregnant cows are caught and placed in a secure pen where their calves are born and kept safe from predators during the first one to two months after birth, when mortality is the highest. They are released from the pen in July when the calves are stronger and more able to escape wolves, bears, or wolverine predators. The survival of calves born and kept in the pen is roughly double that of calves born outside the pen and the population is growing steadily as a result. This winter the Society is building a second pen, a substantial distance away, thinking this may encourage the caribou to use more of their historic range. The second project the Society is working on with FWCP funding is at Mount Bickford near Chetwynd. The Society deactivated, and started restoring, a 2.3 kilometre stretch of forest service road that was the only road for motorized access to the sub-alpine calving area. It’s not the vehicles that are the biggest problem; it’s the hard-packed snow and clear trails that allow predators to easily prey on calves. The Society’s work involved ripping the road up, building massive trenches up to 4.3 metres deep, and equally high mounds, and then felling trees over the re-modeled landscape. Unfortunately, within weeks of this work being completed in fall 2017, a new 1.8 km road was built by someone, or a group of people, over the newly re-modeled landscape. If this new unauthorized road was left, the result could have been another year of predation on already-vulnerable caribou calves. The Society responded by bringing back their heavy equipment just days after the vandalism, to re-do their work and deactivate the road, again. The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development is currently investigating the incident with the authority to impose a hefty fine and possible jail time. The vandalism is a reminder for anyone delivering effective conservation and enhancement projects - be ready for anything. Learn more about FWCP, and the caribou projects we fund at http://fwcp. ca/supporting-risk-caribou-herds.

No Fort City Chrysler vehicles were harmed during the making of this ad

e c n e i r e Exp

NOW

Caribou projects rely on data and being ready for anything

All NEW vehicle Payments are inclusive of all taxes and fees of $523.00 which are charged on all new vehicle transactions. Payments are all calculated bi-weekly at 4.29% on a 96 months term. All payments and financing is O.A.C. See dealer for complete details. All pictures are for display purposes only and vehicles may not be exactly as illustrated. All vehicles were available on date of ad deadline. See Dealer for details. Offer Ends Jan 31 2018

Alaska Highway News

LOOKING FOR CARRIERS

Wednesdays

Must be 18 years old Contact Lynn for details 9916 - 98 St

250-785-5631

A8 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018

DRIVE INTO THE NEW YEAR BONUS EVENT

2018 TERRAIN

2018 ACADIA

2018 SIERRA 1500

EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 28 2018 GMC TERRAIN SLE FWD

159 0.9 @

BI-WEEKLY

FOR

LEASE RATE

48 MONTHS

2018 GMC SIERRA 1500 DOUBLE CAB ELEVATION EDITION

195 2.5

BI-WEEKLY

FOR

LEASE RATE

48 MONTHS

2018 GMC ACADIA SLE-1 AWD

189 0.9

BI-WEEKLY

FOR

LEASE RATE

48 MONTHS

WITH $1,350 DOWN PAYMENT. BASED ON A LEASE PURCHASE PRICE OF $30,264† (INCLUDES FREIGHT, PDI, $1,500 COMBINED LEASE CASH AND $500 GM CARD APPLICATION BONUS*)

WITH $3,200 DOWN PAYMENT. BASED ON A LEASE PURCHASE PRICE OF $40,498† (INCLUDES FREIGHT, PDI, $2,000 COMBINED LEASE CASH AND $1,000 GM CARD APPLICATION BONUS*)

WITH $2,500 DOWN PAYMENT. BASED ON A LEASE PURCHASE PRICE OF $36,726† (INCLUDES FREIGHT, PDI, $1,500 COMBINED LEASE CASH AND $500 GM CARD APPLICATION BONUS*)

• STANDARD 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

• 20-INCH BLACK PAINTED ALUMINUM WHEELS

• TRI-ZONE AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL

• FOLD-FLAT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT

• AUTOMATIC LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL

• KEYLESS OPEN AND START

• AUTOTRAC TRANSFER CASE (4WD MODELS)

• ONSTAR® 4G LTE WITH BUILT-IN WI-FI® HOTSPOT2 (3GB/3-MONTH TRIAL) + ONSTAR® BASIC PLAN5 FOR 5 YEARS

• NEXT GEN GMC INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM WITH 4 USB PORTS4 3

N HTSA 5-St ar O ve rall Ve hic l e S c o re1

GMC PRO GRADE PROTECTION:

COMPLIMENTARY 2-YEAR/ 48,000 KM LUBE-OIL-FILTER MAINTENANCE 6

5-YEAR/160,000 KM POWERTRAIN LIMITED WARRANT Y 7

AVAILABLE ONSTAR ® 4G LTE WITH BUILT-IN WI-FI ® HOTSPOT 2 (3 GB/3 MONTH TRIAL)

GMCOFFERS.CA

ON NOW AT YOUR ALBERTA GMC DEALERS. GMCOffers.ca 1-800-GM-DRIVE. GMC is a brand of General Motors of Canada. Offers apply to the purchase of a 2018 GMC Terrain SLE FWD, Sierra 1500 Double Cab Elevation Edition and Acadia SLE-1 AWD equipped as described. Offers apply to qualified retail customers in the Alberta GMC Dealer Marketing Association area only on select vehicles delivered from February 1 to February 28, 2018. * Limited time lease offer valid to eligible lessees in Canada who obtained credit approval and enter into a lease agreement with GM Financial, and who accept delivery from February 1 – February 28, 2018 of a select new or demonstrator 2018 MY GMC vehicle. 2018 MY vehicle not eligible for this offer is Canyon 2SA. Total Lease Value consists of $1,500 manufacturer-to-dealer New Year Lease Bonus (tax-exclusive), the GM Card Application Bonus (tax-inclusive), and may include manufacturer-to-dealer lease cash (tax exclusive) (“Lease Cash”). Lease Cash applies to select vehicles and value depends on model purchased: $1,500 on new 2018 Acadia, Terrain; $2,000 on new 2018 Sierra LD Double Cab. GM Card Application Bonus applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank® GM ® Visa* Card or current Scotiabank ® GM ® Visa* Cardholders. GM Card Application Bonus credit value depends on model purchased: $500 GM Card Bonus on new 2018 Terrain; $750 GM Card Bonus on new 2018 Acadia; $1,000 GM Card Bonus on new 2018 Sierra LD. As part of the transaction, dealer may request documentation and contact General Motors of Canada Company (GM Canada) to verify eligibility. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. Conditions and limitations apply. Void where prohibited. See Dealer for full program details. GM Canada reserves the right to amend or terminate offers for any reason in whole or in part at any time without prior notice. † Lease based on suggested retail price of $30,624/$40,498/$36,726 includes $500/$1,000/$750 manufacturer-to-consumer GM Card Application Bonus (offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank GM Visa Card [GM Card] or current GM Card cardholders) (tax inclusive), $0/$500/$0 manufacturer-to-dealer lease cash (tax exclusive), and a manufacturer-to-dealer $1,500 New Year Lease Bonus (tax exclusive) towards the lease for an eligible new 2018 GMC Terrain SLE FWD/Sierra 1500 Double Cab Elevation Edition/Acadia SLE-1 AWD at participating dealers. Bi-weekly payment is $159/$195/$189 for 48 months at 0.9%/2.5%/0.9% interest rate on approved credit to qualified retail customers by GM Financial. $1,350/$3,200/$2,500 down payment is required. Total obligation is $17,814/$23,408/$22,084 plus applicable taxes. Taxes, license, insurance, registration and applicable fees, levies, duties and, except in Quebec, dealer fees (all of which may vary by dealer and region) are extra. Option to purchase at lease end is $13,218/$19,967/$15,576. See dealer for details. Discounts vary by model. Dealer may sell for less. Limited time offer which may not be combined with certain other offers. General Motors of Canada Company may modify, extend or terminate offers in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. Offers may not be redeemed for cash and may not combined with certain other consumer incentives. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. 1 U.S. Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov). 2 Visit onstar.ca for coverage maps, details and system limitations. Services and capabilities vary by model and conditions as well as geographical and technical restrictions. Terms and conditions apply. OnStar ® acts as a link to existing emergency service providers. Not all vehicles may transmit all crash data. After the trial period, an active OnStar ® service plan is required. OnStar ® 4G LTE: Services and connectivity vary by model and conditions as well as geographical and technical restrictions. Requires active OnStar ® service and data plan. Data plans provided by AT&T or its local service provider. Accessory Power must be active to use the Wi-Fi® hotspot.3 Full functionality requires compatible Bluetooth and smartphone, and USB connectivity for some devices. 4 Not compatible with all devices. 5 The OnStar ® Basic Plan is available on eligible new and pre-owned vehicles equipped with OnStar ® 4G LTE hardware for 5 years or the remaining term. The Basic Plan is transferable to subsequent owners for the remaining term. It includes the monthly Diagnostics Report emails (capabilities vary by model), Dealer Maintenance Notification, access to select vehicle mobile app features and more. Your vehicle must have been compatible with the vehicle’s mobile app prior to the OnStar ® 4G LTE hardware upgrade, if applicable. This plan does not include emergency, security or navigation services. These and other services require a paid or Add-On Plan. Visit onstar.ca for vehicle availability, coverage maps, details and system limitations. Available 4G LTE with Wi-Fi® hotspot requires WPA2-compatible mobile device and data plan. Data plans are provided by AT&T TM or its local service provider. 6 Whichever comes first. Limit of four complimentary Lube-Oil-Filter services in total. Fluid top-offs, inspections, tire rotations, wheel alignments and balancing etc., are not covered. Conditions and limitations apply. See your dealer for details. 7 Whichever comes first, fully transferable. Conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for complete details.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 A9

Business

“I’ve had so many conversations with my colleagues across the province, what does this response mean?”

- Mayor Lori Ackerman, A14

Sean Surerus named president of Surerus Pipeline Pipeline Inc. into an industry leader in Canadian pipeline construction.” Surerus has installed more than 7,000 kilometres of pipeline since the company was launched in 1969, according to a company profile. The Surerus Murphy Joint Venture recently built Pembina’s $235-million Northeast B.C. expansion, and has been selected to install 185 kilometres of pipeline between Black Pines and Merritt as part of the $7.4-billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. Also announced last week was the appointment of Chris Pezoulas as Vice President Operations at SMJV. His appointment follows a 25-year career at TransCanada Pipelines, where he was most recently project director of the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project.

one of the largest pipeline construction companies in Canada, and particularly with the development of SMJV. In addition to a great understanding of the company’s history, Sean has a deep knowledge of Surerus’ people and values. Under Sean’s leadership, we have a clear plan for the company’s future and its continued success.” Sean Surerus joined the company in 2001, and has served as the company’s vice president since 2012, and of SMJV for the past three years. He will remain on the joint venture’s executive and board of directors. “I look forward to leading the company into this next exciting phase,” he said. “It is an honour to continue the excellent work my father has done over the past 48 years in building Surerus

matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

From father to son, Sean Surerus is taking the reins as president of Surerus Pipeline. His appointment was effective Jan. 22, the company, along with the Surerus Murphy Joint Venture (SMJV ), announced Thursday, Feb. 1. Surerus takes over the role from his father Brian, who founded the company in 1969 and will remain active in the company’s operations as CEO. “It is with great pleasure that we announce Sean is moving into the role of president,” Brian Surerus said in a statement. “This is a natural progression after Sean’s leadership in helping to grow the business from a regional contractor to

Resource coalition releases executive director Griffith, a former city manager for Fort Nelson and Fort St. John, has been at the helm of the coalition since it formed in September 2014. His resume includes working as a project manager during the creation of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality in 2005, and the Northern Rockies infrastructure funding agreement with the province in 2013. Prior to that, Griffith worked as a negotiator during the original fair share negotiations with the province from 1991 to 2005. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of the 50 years that I have spent working for the municipalities, the citizens and the businesses in Northeast B.C.,” Griffith said. “The coalition was one of my clients and very simply they have decided to go in a different direction, and they have triggered the notice provisions in the consulting agreement, and that is very

matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

The Northeast BC Resource Municipalities Coalition has released its veteran executive director. The coalition confirmed Tuesday it has terminated Colin Griffith’s contract and released him from his duties. “We decided that a change in direction is necessary,” coalition chair and Taylor Mayor Rob Fraser said. The councils of the funding members of the coalition — Fort St. John, Taylor, and Tumbler Ridge — have ratified the decision. Fraser did not provide specifics as to why Griffith was released when asked for comment Tuesday. A news release says the coalition and Griffith agreed a new direction was needed. “It is the sincere desire of the members represented on the executive committee to make this transition a respectful and professional process,” Fraser said.

straightforward. “I just want to say I certainly enjoyed working for the coalition and advancing the interests of Northeast B.C. and my consulting business continues. I wish the coalition every success in the future as they embark on the new direction they are laying for themselves.” The future direction for the coalition has yet to be determined, Fraser said. The coalition’s upcoming forum on Feb. 28 at the Pomeroy Hotel in Fort St. John will go ahead as planned, Fraser said. “It’s really about the potential for an energy plan for British Columbia and the government’s concept, and trying to understand what the energy plan might look like and how a new LNG industry will fit into that energy plan moving forward,” Fraser said. The coalition formed in September 2014 with all municipalities in Northeast B.C. on board, except for Hudson’s Hope, to represent the interests of local

governments in resource development issues. Today, its municipal membership includes just Fort St. John, Taylor, Tumbler Ridge, and the Northern Rockies, though the Northern Rockies does not fund the coalition. The coalition, which also includes a number of business groups, has lobbied the province to enforce tax and labour laws on out-of-province contractors, and has drafted a number of economic reports and position papers on resource development in the region.

House

of the

MANOR HEART

While the exterior is traditional, the interior is totally contemporary. Bright and spacious gathering spaces fill its core, and private rooms are off to the right and left. Double doors in the entry open into what could be a den or home office. This location is ideal for running a small home business that requires occasional meetings with clients or associates. Just past the coat closet, you emerge into the naturally bright vaulted great room. Media cabinets and/or bookcases flank the fireplace centered on one wall. Across the way, this room flows into the dining room, which is open to the kitchen. Sliding glass doors in the dining room open

wide to offer easy access to a covered deck that could be screened.

Counters and cabinets wrap around three sides of the large kitchen, encircling a wide work island rimmed on one end by a rounded conversation bar. Work surfaces and storage areas are both generously supplied, the latter boosted by a roomy walk-in pantry.

The owners' suite boasts an even deeper walk-in closet. In the luxurious bathroom, a deep soaking tub nestles into a windowed alcove between the walk-in shower and a totally private toilet. Bedrooms on the opposite side of the house share a two-section bathroom. Nearby, the Manor Heart's pass-through utility room links the house to a two-car garage with extra storage space. A bonus room sits above. Associated Designs is the original source for the Manor Heart 10-590. For more information or to view other designs, visit www.AssociatedDesigns.com or call 800-634-0123.

Vaulted Great Room 20' x 17'

Covered Deck 12'6'' x 12'

Dining 11'4'' x 14'4''

Owners’ Suite 15'6'' x 14'

Bedroom 11' x 11'4'' Dn

Entry Den 11' x 13'4''

Kitchen

Up Utility

More than anything else, it's the keystone-accented stone lintels that inspired the name of this traditional ranch-style home: Manor Heart. The liberal application of stone veneer also plays a role in the visual drama of its front facade, as do the wrought iron railing and stone caps on the column supports.

Bedroom 11' x 11'

Covered Porch Garage 23' x 23'6'' ( 25'6'' Deep at Storage)

Manor Heart

PLAN 10-590

Living Area 2283 sq.ft. Bonus Room 286 sq.ft. Garage 599 sq.ft. Dimensions 74' x 64'

Dining 14'8'' x 14'4''

Bonus Room 12' x 21'

2000 SERIES www.AssociatedDesigns.com

Storage

Alternate Crawl Space Dining Room Layout

Arlen Brekkaas REDUCED

$275,000

• 55+ townhouse living • 3 bedrooms, 2 baths • garage and basement for extra space

ACTION REALTY DIRECT - 785-1234 CELL - 793-2438 OFFICE - 785-5520

$299,900

• Modern plan and colours, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths • Nice residential area and walking distance to amenities

REDUCED

$289,900 • Clean & tidy! • Close to amenities

• Large lot with good access

$299,900

• 1 bedroom, 2 bath • lots of upgrades recently including furnace, paint, flooring, and a bunch of basement finishing too! • close to shopping and walking distance to school

$385,000

• one block from Bert Ambrose and Kin Park • 3 bedrooms, 3 baths • Privacy and family!

$49,900

• Lots of recent renos • big yard space with good fence • lots of space to park and play too!

$329,900

• 3 bdrm 2 bath • Shiny new with yard space • Full warranty here

$549,900

4 bedrooms, 3 baths • full, finished basement • nearly 3500 sq.ft. of living space

$239,900 • 3 bedrooms, 2 bath • within 5 blocks of 3 schools, easy access to public transit

• • • •

$625,000

5 bedroom, 3 bath 2,818 sq. ft. huge RV parking area and a cul-de-sac lot garage that fits a good-sized truck

$449,900 • Finch area estate styling • Double garage and well landscaped yard •Modern and easy, this is a home to call your own.

$252,900

• 2 bedrooms, 2 bath • Appliances Included Washer/Dryer Combo, Stove • Underground parking

A10 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018

BUSINESS

Romance Rekindle the

We carry

• Lingerie • Adult Gifts • Lubricants • Kama Sutra • Games & Costumes • Novelty Gifts & Cards 9803 - 93 Avenue, MacKenzie Mall, Fort St John

PUBLIC NOTICE DATE: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018 LOCATION: City Hall Council Chambers TEMPORARY USE PERMIT APPLICATION – 8615 – 100 STREET Notice is hereby given that Council of the City of Fort St. John will be considering the issuance of a Temporary Use Permit for 8615 – 100 Street legally described as Parcel A (being a consolidation of Lots 8 and 9, See CA3640208), Block 1, Section 31, Township 83, Range 18, W6M, Peace River District Plan 9921.

Trans Mountain expansion will be built, Trudeau says MATT PREPROST editor@ahnfsj.ca

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has waded into the provincial dispute over the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion, saying last week the $7.4-billion project will be built despite recent moves from B.C.’s NDP government to hamper its development. “We know that getting our oil resources to new markets across the Pacific is absolutely essential,” Trudeau said in an interview with CBC Edmonton on Thursday, Feb. 1. “We can’t continue to be trapped with the price differential we have in the American market. We need this pipeline and we’re going to move forward with it responsibly like I committed to.” Early last week, the B.C. NDP government announced it was planning new restrictions on the movement of diluted bitumen from Alberta through B.C. by pipeline or rail, restrictions that appear designed to try to halt the twinning of the Trans Mountain pipeline. B.C. announced regulations that include restricting any increase in the transportation of dilbit “until the behaviour of spilled bitumen can be better understood and there is certainty regarding the ability to adequately mitigate spills.” The province is also setting up an independent scientific panel to make recommendations to Heyman on the question of “if and how heavy oils can be safely transported and cleaned up, if

spilled.” “The people of B.C. need to know that there is effective spill management across the province and, in particular, for our most environmentally sensitive areas, including coastlines,” George Heyman, minister of environment and climate change strategy, said. Alberta NDP Premier Alberta Notley called the restrictions unconstitutional and political game playing that would have serious consequences for jobs and investments. Her government held an emergency cabinet meeting to look at ways to respond to B.C.’s proposal. Trudeau told CBC he wasn’t going to “opine” on the provincial dispute. “We’re just going to reiterate that the decision we made was in the national interest and we’re going to move forward with that decision, which means we’re going to get the Trans Mountain pipeline built,” he told the news agency. The expansion was approved by the federal government in 2016 and will increase Trans Mountain capacity to 890,000 bbls per day from 300,000 bbls a day between Edmonton and Burnaby. Two Fort St. John companies have joint venture projects that have been selected as contractors to build segments of the pipeline in the province’s interior. Surerus Murphy has been selected to build 185 kilometres of pipeline between Black Pines and Merritt. Macro Spiecapag has been selected to build 85 kilometres of pipeline in the Coquihalla-Hope area. —with files from Business in Vancouver

There’s a season for everything

s January comes rolling to an end, I am reminded that there is a season for everything. Based on my experience, January is a month when there is an increased notice of division of assets in the appraiser world. Ouch, divorce is a touchy personal subject. What does an appraiser have to do with a divorce, you say? Asset valuation is an important consideration in the dissolution of any partnership. I hope to offer here some experience of involvement in the valuation of assets for this purpose.

Edwina Nearhood LIFE AT GROUND ZERO

REAL ESTATE REALITY CHECK Have a real estate problem or question you want answered? Email editor@ahnfsj.ca to have it featured in a future article and analysis by Edwina Nearhood.

VALUATION OF ASSETS

The City, as applicant, is applying for a temporary use permit to allow for the continued operation of an Internal Medicine Clinic (Health Services Facility) at 8615 - 100 Street (subject property). The current zoning is C4 – Service Commercial which does not allow a “health services facility” use to be established within this zone and a business licence cannot be issued. A Temporary Use Permit can allow a use on a temporary basis that is not otherwise permitted in the City’s Zoning Bylaw. The permit may be granted for a period of three years and may be renewed once, subject to Council’s approval for a total maximum operating period at this location of six years. City Council will be considering this application at their February 13, 2018 Regular Council meeting that starts at 3:00 p.m. Copies of the administration report that includes the background information and proposed permit may be inspected at City Hall, 10631 – 100 Street, Fort St. John, BC between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from February 1 to 13, 2018. Additional information regarding the proposed permit can be obtained by contacting Ashley Murphey, Planner at (250) 787-8165 or by email at amurphey@fortstjohn.ca. The public can supply written comments regarding this proposed permit by emailing Janet Prestley, Director of Legislative and Administrative Services at jprestley@fortstjohn.ca by February 12, 2018 or by attending the Council meeting to convey their comments.

www.fortstjohn.ca

AT THE ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS WE ARE

THINKING GREEN! Do your part for our community and our world

RECYCLE!

Our newspaper is printed on partially recycled paper.

One of the first questions I ask clients is if each party will be engaging their own appraiser. This is the highest recommendation. While no two appraisals typically offer the exact same conclusion they should fall within 5 per cent of each other. There have been several occasions that both parties agree to a single valuation. When only one appraiser is selected for this purpose, several thoughts cross my mind. This is an assignment involving greater responsibility and trust. I believe transparency between all involved parties is very important. I clarify that I will discuss property details with all parties and also clarify that the report will be addressed to and belong to each individual. BEST POLICY It has been interesting to note that those parties with children that come to an agreement to end their marriage with a solid plan to be amicable and reasonable fair the best. At the end of the day, many of these families will continue to have close relationships as a result of their children for many years. This is an opportunity to model adult behaviour to children at a difficult time of dissolving a relationship. I have noted the best outcomes when mediation is involved. THE CHALLENGES What if things are not amicable or are difficult? While I am not a professional counsellor, I strongly urge people to get emotional support during this difficult time before they lose rein on emotions, and do permanent damage to their own emotional well-being and that of any children involved. When mediation fails and hurt feelings start to run the negotiations, I often see people revert to childish

tantrums and behaviours. At this time, the lawyers win and it quickly becomes divide and take all. I am not kidding. Last man standing gets it all, and the last man is often legal counsel (no disrespect intended). I was involved in one particular difficult proceeding where I represented one party. The legal counsel for the opposing side was very combative. During the process, I had asked the client how they were able to function during the process. The response was that they went out to nature every evening and weekend, turned off the phone, and recharged for the next interaction. At the end of that proceeding, all assets were sold at a discounted price for a quick sale. The legal bill left almost nothing for either party. The outcome was less than desirable. The relationships with their children were permanently damaged. FINAL WORD For those that decide to dissolve a partnership, I wish you well. I have touched base with a few clients years later. An outstanding number of people say that, in hindsight, their partner was not the problem. They realize that they had not yet “grown up,” and had let stress, trauma, and mental health issues impact their relationships. When the dust settled and left to their own resolve, they realized the other person was not necessarily the problem. Food for thought and maybe motivation to create a mindful practice to look after yourself and or support those in need during difficult times. Remember happiness is a choice; it is not up to another person to make us happy. Edwina Nearhood is a life-long resident of Fort St. John, with 30 years experience in the appraisal industry.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 A11

www.fsjacl.com

Local News

everyone belongs

Fort St. John Association For Community Living

WHO IS THE FSJACL? In the past, many people with developmental disabilities lived under the care of the government, isolated in large institutions. These institutions were places of brutality and denial of human rights. In 1981, an emotionally charged initiative began to close institutions where many people with developmental disabilities had lived most of their lives. They were able to move back into the communities they were from—and so “Community Living” began. The Fort St. John Association for Community Living (FSJACL) is an organization dedicated to ensuring that people with developmental disabilities are able to lead active and productive lives in their communities. It was founded in 1960 by parents who dreamed of a better life for their sons and daughters. They wanted their children to learn in school, have friends and be accepted in their communities. Today, the FSJACL offers a variety of services to adults with developmental disabilities: • Our Residential Programs provide a wide range of support to people with developmental disabilities. This ranges from 24 hour support for people who have high needs, to less intensive support to those who live semi-independently. • A Supported Employment Program provides support for individuals and employers to ensure people with developmental disabilities have opportunities for “Real Work for Real Pay”. • A Day Program that facilitates assistance in daily living skills such as shopping, cooking, housekeeping

THE FSJACL’s MISSION:

“Supporting adults with developmental disabilities to achieve full and meaningful lives in our community by providing resources to individuals and families” and budgeting to assist people to live as independently as they can in the community. The Day Program also has educational, social and recreational activities for individuals to participate in on a daily basis. • Respite services for families in the community who need a break from supporting and assisting their loved ones. • A Home Sharing Program that contracts with people in the community to share their home with a person with a developmental disability and provide guidance and support. The FSJACL has been accredited since 2005 by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Being an accredited organization means the organization has passed in-depth reviews of their services against internationally recognized standards. The FSJACL goes through this process every 3 years to ensure it continues to meet those standards.

Mentorability - Providing Opportunities for People with Developmental Disabilities to be Employed

Mentorability is a national initiative where people with developmental disabilities are matched with business mentors in their community. The person will spend a few hours in a business being mentored to learn about the workplace and gain skills to help them gain employment. The FSJACL and

PITA PIT

It is Levi’s dream to become a chef one day, so it made sense to approach the Pita Pit to see if they were interested in being a mentor for Levi during Mentorability Day. We were thrilled when they immediately signed up! When Levi arrived he was given a uniform that included a hat and t-shirt to wear and he immediately felt like he was part of the team. He then worked with a manager and learned about the responsibilities involved in working in the front of the restaurant where he also got to chat with customers. He quickly learned what was expected of him and was doing it on his own in no time. They then moved to the back of the restaurant to do “prep” for the breakfast, which was a new option on their menu beginning the very next day. The manager showed Levi how to weigh proper amounts of food for each dish and how to safely store food. Levi shared how he has been trained in Food Safety and was happy to share his knowledge. When his Mentorability time was coming to a close, Levi was thankful for the experience and loved that the team there treated him as one of the staﬀ and how much he’d like to work there one day. This was a very successful match, thank you Pita Pit!

FLOWER HUT

Carmela is often seen around town where she likes to browse her favorite shops. Since the Flower Hut is one of her favorite stores, we approached them to sign up for Mentorability. When Carmela arrived at the Flower Hut, she found that she knew one of the employees, Eva, as they went to school together. Both ladies were excited to re-connect and work together in this perfect Mentorability match. Carmela received a tour of the business and was able to learn a bit about what they do and all the different areas they have in the shop. She went into the cooler and checked out all the interesting flowers and gifts they have on display. The flower order was delivered and she learned about how they are packed, transported and purchased before being sent to the shop. Carmela got to assist in prepping vases by washing and polishing them and prepping buckets for the fresh flowers. Carmela giggled and talked about how much she loved the experience. It was her dream to do this and we are so thankful for the Flower Hut in giving this experience to her!

THE 4-PLEX OASIS BECOMES A REALITY AFTER YEARS OF PLANNING Last summer the side lot at the Four Plex was transformed from an unusable weed patch to an outdoor oasis. What started as a grassy hill, gained a gazebo with a nice sitting area, a BBQ area, gas fire pit, brand new fence and a veggie garden. The people who live at the Four Plex have been really excited to see all the changes, a couple of the new additions in particular. It was heartwarming to see members of the community join us in some of the bigger pieces of the project. When the sod was put down we had members of the community join us; even a few young

many businesses in the community have participated in Mentorability for a number of years and some “Mentorability” matches have even resulted in employment. Thank you to all the businesses who have participated in Mentorability or employ someone with a disability. YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

NORTH PEACE LEISURE POOL The FSJACL approached the City of Fort St John about participating in our annual Mentorability Program. They were happy to participate and decided to try it at two of their city locations. The City of FSJ held a safety orientation, mock interview and tour of City Hall for the Mentorability participants. The next day, Andrea met Karin, the Manager of the Leisure Pool, to start her match for Mentorability. They went to the pool area and Andrea received a tour of the building, learning all about the different aspects of the leisure pool and how it’s cleaned and kept warm. Andrea learned about different duties that need to be done at the pool and the training it involves. She was very interested in the whole process as it’s been her dream to one day work at the leisure pool. Andrea asked a lot of questions and had a huge smile on her face the entire time. This turned out to be a great match!

STICKY’S CANDY

When Sticky’s Candy was approached about Mentorability they immediately signed on. Juliana, the manager of Sticky’s Candy set up a time for Isabelle to go for a tour and try out some tasks around the store. When arriving Isabelle learned about all the neat things Sticky’s had in their store, which turns out is much more than candy; they also have retro signs, lunch boxes and toys too. Isabelle named some of the older characters on things and was smiling ear to ear. Then it was time for her to try out some tasks. Juliana took Isabelle to the back where they store tons of candy, literally! With Halloween and Christmas approaching Sticky’s has lots of things to get done, so Isabelle had the opportunity to help. She counted different candies to go into advent calendars and completed 15 grab bags in just over an hour. Juliana even gave Isabelle a box of assorted chocolates to share with her friends. When leaving the store Isabelle told the job coach how she would like to work there as the people were so nice and included her as part of the team and well, let’s face it, who doesn’t want to work in cool candy store. Isabelle is now working at Sticky’s and loves it! What a great match! men from the high school dropped by to assist as well as the residents of the 4-Plex and other people who attend our day program. It was really hard work, but it was so nice to see everyone working together as a team; it’s what true inclusion is about. When planting the trees we also had a few volunteers show up to assist. Brad Sperling and Dale Lynn Plotnikow (a FSJACL board member) joined the FSJACL team to ensure a few trees got planted before the end of the season. The residents of the 4-Plex also planted a garden and were excited to see it grow during the summer months and enjoyed the fresh veggies they were able to harvest from it. This project was made possible by the generosity of the community and donors such as Painted Pony, The Wiebe Family and the ongoing support and generosity from community minded businesses such as DGS Astro Paving. Thank you as well to Urban Systems for donating their time and expertise to help us plan and budget for the project and to Haab Contracting and Saunderson’s Electric for doing the work! We hope everyone will join us for the grand opening of the space in the spring.

A DOGS LOVE “I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive.”—Gilda Radner The following article is about “Bella” who lives at our A Street home and also happens to be a dog. Why do an article about a dog? Many of the people we serve require 24 hour support in staﬀed homes. We thought allowing you a peek into the home, through Bella’s story, would help those outside of our organization understand it isn’t a ‘program’; it’s someone’s home. Bella is the Latin and Italian word for beautiful, and there is certainly no better word that better expresses our loving, gentle, and aﬀectionate dog at our A Street home. Bella is a calm, tender presence in the home that shows us that often love and life are truly about embracing the small moments, and that is it often in those moments where joy is found. We see Bella’s sheer delight at the first snowfall of the year as she runs through the yard, snow flurries flying underneath her chocolate colored legs. We watch her pleasure as she rolls in the fresh green grass in the summer, or while chasing her toys in circles around the back yard. We see her excitement as she runs to the door, tail wagging in great sweeps back and forth, to greet people as they come inside. We witness her contentment as she sleeps on her soft bed, or curled up with someone, legs and ears twitching while she dreams. Like all good dogs, Bella is always quietly there when people need her gentle comfort. Bella can often be found cuddled up beside someone throughout day, lending herself out for hugs and snuggles, and an understanding ear as people talk to Bella about their day. When Jenelle seems tense, or upset, no one notices the subtle changes as quickly as Bella who will softly nudge her nose into Jenelle’s hand, or come close to her leg and gently press her body in, as if to say, “I understand, just lean on me for a while.” She’s also a great coach, protector and cheerleader. You will often see Bella hanging out with Cheryl while she’s unloading the dishwasher or doing her laundry, or watching over Gerry as he putters in his greenhouse. No one is outside unless they are under her loving gaze or even better if she can join in for some fun in the yard. Bella adds a spark of life, energy, and fun to the home here at A Street that is uniquely hers. Bella is the first one in, and the last one out when it’s time to hop in the van to go for a drive. She watches eagerly and dances at her food dish when it’s meal time, waits patiently for someone to accidentally drop food from a countertop or table, and watches through the window mournfully if we have to go somewhere without her. Bella’s love and loyalty make the home a brighter, warmer, and lovelier place to be. Dean Koontz summarized the love of a dog perfectly when he said, “Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished.”

A SPECIAL THANKS TO DGS ASTRO PAVING

We were honored to be invited back this year as the charity for the DGS Astro Paving Invitational Charity Golf Tournament. DGS Astro Paving has

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW In the spring of 2016 Kelly was awarded a scholarship from a fund made available by CLBC and BCGEU to participate in piano lessons. Kelly has always liked playing piano, and often is found playing the keyboard in his room. He began lessons in October 2016 at Simply Music with his teacher, Wendy. Kelly and Wendy get along really great; they laugh lots and always have fun. She is very in tune to where Kelly is at and makes sure she allots enough time to go over all the various concepts. As a support worker, and a person who grew up playing the piano, the best part of Kelly taking lessons was watching him learn and master different skills. The musical alphabet includes notes from “A” to “G” and Kelly can now pin-point each on his keyboard and label them. He also is able to identify quarter, half, whole, and recently, dotted half notes. He learns a new song every week and needs only a bit of support to read the notes and get his fingers in the right place. The most challenging for Kelly are the songs and exercises, such as the five finger contrary motion, where you must play two hands at the same time. Even though these exercises are tricky, Kelly never stops trying. I am so impressed with Kelly, and I hope he is proud of how much he has accomplished. You can’t help but smile when Kelly smiles and being in piano lessons makes him smile a lot. Kelly is 50 years young and is proof to us all that it is never too late to learn something new!

been a wonderful supporter of the FSJACL for many years and we are always overwhelmed by their generosity. Since the golf tournament’s inception in 2008, DGS and the participating businesses have raised over $350,000 for the FSJACL. A special thank you to Chris Simons, Lee Bedell, Tim Rankin and all the great people at DGS; you’ve made a huge difference to the lives of those with disabilities in our community.

A12 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018

BUSINESS

LNG Canada shortlists contractors BRIDGE BUILDERS to build export facility in Kitimat MATT PREPROST editor@ahnfsj.ca

LNG Canada has narrowed the list of potential builders of its export facility in Kitimat to two. The company announced Feb. 2 that TechnpFMC plc and KBR, Inc., and the partnership of JGC Corporation and Fluor Corporation have been selected as finalists. The company says it delayed a final investment decision on the project in 2016 to identify a preferred engineering, procurement and construction contractor that would build the facility on a lump sum basis. “This process is critical in LNG Canada’s pursuit of the level of competitiveness required to support a future final investment decision by our joint venture participants,” CEO Andy Calitz said. Commercial negotiations will start immediately, with a preferred contractor expected to be named later this year, the company says. Four consortiums were originally shortlisted. Among the criteria LNG Canada says it used to evaluate contractors were prior experience in LNG design, experience in Western Canada, health and safety management, and financial strength, among others. “While this is a significant milestone, work remains to be done to deliver a globally cost competitive project that is well positioned to take a final investment decision,” Calitz said. The announcement comes on the heels of Premier John Horgan’s trade mission to Asia, where he met with the joint venture partners in the project with Shell Canada

Energy, including PetroChina, Korea Gas Corporation, and Mitsubishi Corporation. If built, the estimated $40-billion project would be able to produce up to 13 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas annually, with an option to expand. The project includes TransCanada’s Coastal Gaslink pipeline, which would ship natural gas 670 kilometres from the Groundbirch area in Northeast B.C. PREFAB STEEL DUTIES NEED TO BE RESOLVED Before Shell and its partners make a final investment decision, it needs Ottawa to exempt the project from trade duties on prefabricated steel from China and Spain, or the project may be a no-go. In 2016, LNG Canada delayed a final investment decision it had been expected to make that year, and its lead contractor cancelled the bidding process for prefabricated LNG modules. The company went back to the drawing board, and asked fabrication yards in Asia to come up with some better prices, in an effort to get capital costs down. But any savings the company might realize through a second bid will be blown entirely out of the water by duties that Canada applied to prefabricated steel imports last year. In the summer of 2017, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) and Canada Border Services Agency imposed anti-dumping duties in response to complaints by Canadian manufacturers that China, South Korea and Spain were dumping cheap steel into Canada.

FLICKR/PROVINCE OF B.C.

Binnie Construction Services Ltd. working on the Fort Nelson River Bridge replacement. Binnie received the Award of Excellence for Construction Management and Supervision Services for their work on the bridge replacement. The project included sliding the existing bridge over for the traffic detour, building ice bridges on the river for winter construction access, and construction and installation of the new bridge.

Imports of fabricated industrial steel components from China and Korea could be hit with 45% dumping duties. If those duties are applied to the prefabricated LNG facilities, called “trains,” that would need to be built in China or Korea – which are among the few countries with that expertise. LNG Canada and a number of other companies have applied for a judicial review of the duties. But that is not likely to even be heard until 2019, which would delay a final investment decision. LNG projects are timed to meet windows of demand, which are affected by longterm contracts. LNG Canada is aiming for 2024 to be in production. Once an FID is taken, it is expected the full project will take five years to

build, Pierce said. In addition to the applying to the federal court for a judicial review, LNG Canada has also applied to the federal minister of Finance for a remission order setting aside the duties for its project. The modules used in LNG plants are sophisticated pieces pieces of machinery that no Canadian manufacturer is capable of building, according to LNG Canada and other LNG projects, like Woodfibre LNG. “If we had to wait for a judicial review determination, that could bring us into 2019,” said Susannah Pierce, LNG Canada’s director of external relations.. “Hence the only other alternative for us is to go the remission order route. “We’ve made the argument with finance that we need to

know, because this is really critical for us to make a costcompetitive proposal. These modules cannot be built in Canada, and if we have to assume these duties, which we would build into our economics, then it has a significant impact on our competitiveness.” LNG Canada has also raised concerns over competitiveness issues in B.C. It is a high cost jurisdiction, compared to the U.S., due to a lack of existing pipeline infrastructure and terminals. In addition to carbon taxes that companies don’t pay in Australia and the U.S., companies here would also pay a special LNG tax, which other LNG-producing jurisdictions don’t have. —with files from Business in Vancouver

Valentine 12 Delight

MEDIUM

2-TOPPER PIZZA IN THE SHAPE OF A HEART

Plus

GET A FREE SMALL BOX OF CHOCOLATES &

YOU COULD

WIN

A 2 CARAT DIAMOND RING! *While supplies last. For full contest rules, visit www.pizza73.com

(250)

785-7373 www.pizza73.com

ON THE GO? NEW DOWNLOAD An droid p! Ap THE APP! OUR APP IS AVAILABLE FOR IPHONE & ANDROID.

If you have news, call 250-785-5631

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 A13

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE SPONSORS OF THE 13TH ANNUAL DGS INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT 2017 • Acklands Grainger

• Lafarge Canada

• Alpha Controls Ltd.

• Lobo Picker Service Ltd

• Autographics Trim & Signs

• Napa Auto Parts

• Boreal Pacific Enterprises

• Nilex

• Brandt Tractor

• Northern Geo Testing & Engineering

• Canadian Tire FSJ

• Raven Oilfield Rentals

• Colteran Developments Corp.

• Rentco Equipment

• Driving Force

• Selkirk Paving

• Fort Motors

• Terus Construction

• GFL Environmental

• The Lido Theatre

• Greg Bell

• Urban Systems

• Hamre’s Funeral Chapel

• Valley Traﬃc Services

• Higson Law Corporation

• YCS Holdings

• Knappett Industries(2006) Ltd

The generosity of all who attended was outstanding. DGS donated $30,000 to The Association for Community Living. • Angela Telford - President, Board of Directors, FSJACL • Lee Bedell - Area Manager DGS Astro Paving • Chris Simons - Division Manager DGS Astro Paving • Cindy Mohr - Executive Director FSJACL • Tim Rankin - DGS Astro Paving

9503-97 Avenue, Fort St. John, BC

250-787-7283

A14 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018

Local News

The Year Ahead: Fort St. John Mayor Lori Ackerman matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Whether she puts her name on the ballot or not, Fort St. John Mayor Lori Ackerman wants to see more than 2,073 voters head to the polls come voting day in October — in fact, she wants to see that number at least doubled. Ackerman is still mulling whether to let her name stand for a third term as the city’s mayor, and her fifth on council, cautiously watching and hoping her husband Andy’s scare with cancer and subsequent treatments puts him in the free and clear. “I’m absolutely enjoying what I’m doing,” Ackerman said in a recent interview. “So, if everything is good to go, then in all likelihood we are good to go.” Ackerman is nearing the end of a second term as mayor, and city council has directed city staff to find ways to stir up voter engagement leading up to Oct. 20, when British Columbians head to the municipal polls. Just 2,073 of 13,662 eligible Fort St. John voters cast a ballot in 2014, good for a 15 per cent turnout and the ugly crown of being the worst in the province. But a disengaged electorate and poor turnout at the polls is nothing new for the city — 2,700 voters came out in 2011, or 21 per cent, when there was a fluoride referendum on the ballot; and the city has only cracked the 25 per cent mark once in the last 25 years, seeing 3,391 voters in 2005, good enough for a 26 per cent turnout. “I’ve had so many conversations with my colleagues across the province, what does this response mean?” Ackerman says. “I’ve heard everything from people think you’re doing a great job, and so they’re not coming out, they’re not interested in a change, things are going well, all the way to voter apathy. “There’s a younger generation that doesn’t understand the value of voting and so there’s a wide spectrum of reasons. It’s going to be interesting trying to engage people across that broad of a spectrum.” Indeed, Fort St. John is a young city. The average age

matt preprost Photo

Mayor Lori Ackerman delivers the reply to the toast to lassies at the annual Robbie Burns dinner on Jan. 27, 2018.

here is 33.4 years, according the 2016 census, and population growth continues to outpace the national average. So, how can voter engagement and turnout be put into overdrive? Advertising ad nauseam only goes so far, some argue, and candidates do what they can when knocking door to door, but can still face set backs in both time and finances to spread the word. The idea of voting online from the living room recliner or home office is years away, and needs both federal and provincial leadership and initiative before trickling down to municipalities. Proposed solutions aren’t guaranteed to work and, of course, always come with costs, especially when it’s the city footing the bill. “A lot of it is going to require just getting the word out — but the word has been out before,” Ackerman says. “We’ll do everything we can. But I think we’ve done a lot of that, maybe we just need to do more of it, so that will increase the cost of the election.” Alaska Highway News sat down with Ackerman in December to look back at the unfinished business of 2017 and ahead at what’s to come in 2018. The interview has been

edited for length and clarity.

Trudeau, Clark, and Horgan, four different leaders, two at Alaska Highway News: the federal level, two at the 2017 was a year of economic provincial level. It’s still very highs and lows, from the loss divisive in the community and of Pacific NorthWest LNG probably will be for decades to to confirmation of Site C. come. How would you characterize I would characterize 2017 2017, and where is the city as an unfortunate year for positioned headed into 2018? investors because of the inability for Pacific NorthWest Lori Ackerman: Pacific to move forward and the stopNorthWest was an absolute start-stop-start with Site C heartbreak. I find it amazing — that’s going to impact any that we can’t get to yes on future investor looking at us, these projects that are private whether you favour the projects investments into our economy, or not. If you would like to have and working with those a tea shop or a coffee shop open investors to get them there. up, those people are going to That would have been a 40- take a look at the economy year business plan that would and they’re going to look at have been able to take us well whether they should invest into new technologies in the in our community because natural gas industry, help of the stop-start nature of the other countries decrease their industry. That’s where LNG, greenhouse gas footprint, all with that 40-year business plan, the while working hard on our really helps give some stability end to do the same. and long-term growth. Site C, again, very divisive, but that’s public investment AHN: What course has city in infrastructure. It’s a project charted to guide itself into that’s got a start date and an 2018? end date, that is pretty much a decade. So, when that project LA: We’ve done a significant is done it’s not going to employ amount of consultation nearly the number of people with the public on our that an LNG project would official community plan. have employed, both upstream We’ve expanded the guiding and downstream. Site C has principles in the plan, it’s out been approved now by Harper, for comment right now, and

so we’ll be getting that back. When we say looking forward to 2018, the City of Fort St. John is looking a lot further than that because when you build community you’re building for the future. So our official community plan has laid out that vision and from there we’ve laid out a strategic plan, and under that we’ve got initiatives and a lot of master programs to move forward. We’ve got a master parks and recreation plan that we pulled together at a regional level; we’ve got the Centennial Park plan; the downtown action plan we’ve got going; master transportation plan; we’ve got our growth scenarios: low, medium, high growth scenarios, so we know what that’s going to look like. We partner with the school district, we partner with Northern Health. We do whatever we can to make sure we grow in a holistic way, not leaning one way or the other. AHN: 2017 saw the opening of the Community Development Institute. Where does that organization fit into the city’s planning process? LA: The Community Development Institute, we call it The Forge, is really about helping us build the community. They are going to be working on a social framework, and in that social framework is also our economic development strategy and our land assembly strategy. We need to ensure the quality of life and quality of experience in our community is not diminished by either an economic upswing or an economic downswing. So, everyone from our vulnerable population right through to arts and culture and recreation, we need to make sure that if the economy expands or shrinks that we’re still able to manage the services that are there. Sometimes, that means taking the agencies and enterprises that provide services and making sure that they’re working together, making sure that those agencies that are getting some kind of benefit from the community, and that can be in the way of grants in aid or permissive tax exemptions, are actually providing service to the community. See ACKERMAN on B11

Whether you want an adrenaline fueled adventure or tranquil get-away, this magazine is packed full of ideas to help you...

EXPLORE

THE NORTH

ACTIVITIES IN OUR REGION | PHOTO CONTEST | CAMPGROUND LISTINGS | AND MUCH MORE ! Distribution | 14,500 copies distributed to BC Parks, Regional Tourism, Information Centres and Participating Advertisers

INVESTMENT:

Format | Glossy magazine

Half Page (7” x 4.7” or 3.42” x 9.5”) $600

Distribution Date | Friday, May 25, 2018 Deadline | Friday, April 27 2018

Full Page (8” x 10.5” with .25” bleed) $1000

Quarter Page (3.42” x 4.71”) $300

Contact Ryan or Brenda today

250.785.5631

Alaska Highway News

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 A15

LOCAL NEWS

LIMITED TIME ONLY | SHOP NOW FOR BEST SELECTION

Building inspector Rick Fudge receiving his 10 Year Long Service Award from the city on Aug. 11, 2014.

City building inspector mourned The City of Fort St. John is mourning the death of one of its long-time building inspectors. Rick Fudge died Jan. 27, 2018, after a year-long battle with an illness, according to the city. He was 47. “We all were hopeful for his recovery when he returned to work on a graduated workday a few months ago, but he recently had a set back and restarted treatments,” said Victor Shopland, the city’s general manager of integrated services, in a note to city staff. “Rick was passionate about his work and was very knowledgeable in his chosen field of building inspection.” A celebration of life was held Feb. 1 at the Lido Theatre. Fudge started working for the city as a facilities

maintenance technician at the North Peace Arena in July 2004 after a decade of facilities work experience in Cranbrook and Fort Nelson. He became a building inspector in June 2005 after enrolling in distance education studies through the British Columbia Institute of Technology. He moved up a level to the position of building inspector 2 in June 2016. Fudge was passionate about his work, Shopland said. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Rick for many of those years, he was always a wealth of information, and had a great sense of humour,” Shopland said. “Not to mention that the city golf tournament will never be the same, as he put a lot of effort into helping organize it. Rick will be missed.”

School District 60 posts $230K deficit to end 2017 MATT PREPROST editor@ahnfsj.ca

School District 60 posted a $230,702 loss for the first half of the 2017-18 school year, though it’s still too early to say where the district will finish by the time classes wrap for the summer. The district saw $26 million in revenues to $25.2 million in expenses in the six months from July to December 2017, according to a financial update given to trustees on Monday. Overall, the district’s operating expenses are under budget, secretary-treasurer Brenda Hooker said, while the district has seen a slight increase in grants from the ministry of education because of increased enrolment. However, she noted the district is showing the deficit because of an added $1 million commitment to the operations of the new Ma Murray school, set to open for classes in the fall. A more accurate picture of the district’s financials are expected when an annual budget is presented at a Feb. 19 board meeting, Hooker added. “We’re only halfway through,” she said, noting some large annual expenses are not yet due and that a number of teaching positions remain unfilled. “It’s still a bit early to predict an overall surplus or deficit.” For the 2017-18 school year, the district has budgeted for $62.1 million in revenues

against $63.7 million in expenses. The district has received $24.9 million of a projected $61.1 million in ministry of education grants so far this year. Offshore tuition, meanwhile, is up from a projected $469,000 to $526,560. “That program is thriving,” Hooker said. The district, meanwhile, has earned $447,766 on the sale of a home built as part of its residential construction program for students, and $109,029 in interest, up from a projected $100,000. The district has spent $21.5 million on total salaries and benefits to date, in line with expectations, however, Hooker noted spending on teaching salaries is down, “due to the fact we’re unable to fully staff and are relying on TOCs (teachers on call) to staff the classroom.” Spending on services and supplies, currently at $3.7 million, is “where we expect them to be,” Hooker said. Heading into next year’s budget, the district is unsure how much funding will need to be allocated to the newly opened Ma Murray school. It will also need to take into consideration staffing levels and the province’s classroom enhancement fund as part of a deal to hire more teachers and restore contract language for smaller class sizes. Hooker expects to be presenting a status quo budget to the board.

WE HAVE A GREAT SELECTION OF CANADIAN MADE BOOTS ! RipsShoeRenu.com • ripsshoerenu@shaw.ca

R0011513242

MATT PREPROST editor@ahnfsj.ca

Dawson Co-op Mall • Phone: 250-782-8283 Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM • Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Clubs of Dawson Creek

Rotary

SENIORS DINNER Notre Dame Auditorium Sunday February 18, 2018

• Doors Open 3:30 pm • Dinner Served 5:00 pm Step Up N Ride:250-782-7433 Tickets: $5 each Please Book direct with the Those 60 years of age shuttle service for a lift and older are welcome by February 16, 2018. Tickets available at the All proceeds to Step Up N Ride. Dawson CO-OP ofﬁce

Rotary

Club of Dawson Creek

Meets Tuesdays, NOON at the George Dawson Inn

and the

Rotary

Club of Dawson Creek Sunrise

Meets Fridays, 7:00 am at the DC Curling Club We are a dynamic group making a meaningful impact on individuals and their communities

Support your Local Community!

Alaska Highway News is looking for your Community Support. We are looking for your photos of local events, sports, fundraisers, etc.. Please submit your photos to: 9916-98th Street, Fort St. John, BC V1J 3T8

250-785-5631 or 250-782-4888 250-785-5631 Email: editor@ahnfsj.ca

A16 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018

HOCKEY CANADA AND CHEVROLET THANK THE FORT ST JOHN FLYERS

You made Canada proud by not just becoming a Semi-Finalist, but making your community a better place. We hope to see you next year as you continue to compete on and off the ice for the Chevrolet #GoodDeedsCup

CHEVROLETHOCKEY.COM

Sports & Leisure

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2018 CONTACT US 250-785-5631 editor@ahnfsj.ca

FLYERS SOARING IN PLAYOFFS

A LONE WOLF WITHOUT A NAME

SPORTS B2

SPORTS B5

9224-100 Street, Fort St. John, V1J 3X2

PHONE: 250-785-0463

SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITY

Don’t tell me what to sing Dillon Giancola THE DILL ZONE

O DILLON GIANCOLA PHOTO

Insp. Mike Kurvers of the Fort St. John RCMP made the most of his opportunity playing against the Montreal Canadiens Alumni team in Dawson Creek on Feb. 1, 2018. Above, Kurver scores one of his two goals in the RCMP’s 11-7 loss to the Habs.

Huskies stare down playoffs without Bateman DILLON GIANCOLA sports@ahnfsj.ca

With two games left in the regular season, the odds of the Fort St. John Huskies clinching a first round bye in the playoffs and doing damage in the postseason aren’t as good as they were a week and a half ago. Starting goaltender Jonny Bateman suffered a broken collarbone in practice on Jan. 31 when he took a puck to that area on a shot from the blue line. It was a fluke injury, and he is expected to be out four to six weeks. The team is hoping he can be back for provincials, which are in Fort St. John at the end of March. “Things like that happen all the time. Other guys get opportunities and the chance to step up and that’s part of the game,” said Head Coach Todd Alexander.

Thrust into the spotlight is goaltender Brody Greggain. He got the win for the Huskies Feb. 4 over the Fairview Flyers, and started at home on Wednesday, after press time, against the Beaverlodge Blades. With two games remaining — in Dawson Creek Feb. 9 and in Fort St. John against the Sexsmith Vipers on Feb. 10 — Greggain may have to start both games as the Huskies’ management tries desperately to find another goalie to sign. “It’s tough so far to find one but we’re definitely reaching out to all our sources and the people I know in different areas of hockey. It’s not easy,” Huskies General Manager Jeremy Clothier said. In the meantime, Greggain is up for the challenge of being the number one goalie. “I feel real bad for Jonny,

DILLON GIANCOLA PHOTO

Joel Bourgeois tries to bury the puck during the Huskies 6-1 win over the Fairview Flyers on Feb. 4.

and it’s going to be a bit of a change, playing more games, but I feel like I can handle it.” Bateman, however, is headed back to Calgary, his hometown, to receive treatment and rehab. Clothier said Bateman will

be working with the team doctors of the Calgary Flames, and they will be doing all they can to get Bateman back in goal in Fort St. John as soon as possible. See HUSKIES on B3

FULL HOUSE BONSPIEL

DILLON GIANCOLA PHOTOS

Left: The Jets—Jamie Hotte, Tara Bitner, Amanda Bucholtz and Louise Smith—dressed up like it was the 1980s on Feb. 2, 2018, at the ladies bonspiel, winning the award for most fun costume. Right: Team Vertical—Chris Spencer, Larry London, Ty Coates, and Kevin Hrab—were the A Event champs in the men’s bonspiel. Turn to B3 for the story

BANNISTER DAWSON CREEK

A “Family” Business with “Family” Values

n Jan. 31, the Canadian Senate passed Bill C-210, changing the lyrics of O Canada from “in all thy sons command” to “in all of us command,” which is gender neutral. Now, I’m well aware that people don’t read The Dill Zone for my political views, but hear me out. As a writer, I’m sure “in all of us command” is bad grammar. There’s a pretty good chance I’m wrong about that, but it sure doesn’t sound grammatically correct, at the very least. The bill’s passing signifies an end of sorts to a debate about using the gender neutral term in our national anthem, and for the most part, I think it’s fine. I would stick with the original lyrics if they asked my opinion (they didn’t), and government officials aren’t going to monitor people in the crowds at hockey games to make sure they say us instead of sons, however, I know many people who wouldn’t be surprised if that were to happen. The Canadian Olympic Committee is asking athletes on Team Canada to make sure they remember to sing the new lyrics when they win gold medals at the PyeongChang Games. This seems to me like the committee is inviting controversy into an issue when there doesn’t need to be one. First of all, if we’re lucky, 12 Canadians out of the 227 athletes competing in the Games might win gold medals. Second, will the CBC cameras get extra close to the athletes who do win gold to make sure we can read their lips and see what lyrics they’re singing? No matter the lyrics, the athletes are sure to be vilified by those on the opposite end of the political spectrum, and the media will blow these stories up and make a huge deal about them. Is that progress, or exploitation? If an athlete wins a gold medal and doesn’t sing at all, will everybody make fun of them and accuse them of being lazy, or will they be heralded as a Canadian Colin Kaepernick of sorts, when in truth they just aren’t really good singers? I’m being facetious, but I think it’s important to question these decisions and see who benefits from them. Changing the lyrics to O Canada doesn’t affect me in any real way, but neither do most social political views that society goes nuts about. Already, athletes are being quoted as saying they won’t sing the new lyrics or won’t remember them, such as bobsledder Jesse Lumsden. I’m sorry Jesse, but as a proud Edmonton Eskimos fan, I know you’re not coming near to winning a gold medal anyway. Dillon Giancola covers Peace Region sports for the Alaska Highway News. Email him at sports@ahnfsj.ca

B2 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018

Local Sports

rumble ready

Flyers start playoffs on high note

dillon giancola photo

Nick Young, Nick Dragojevich, Justin Donally, Lincoln Pomeroy, Brayden Sims, and Eddie Scarfo are headed to the 2018 Boxing B.C. Provincials in Vancouver this weekend.

The Flyers were all over the Sr. Canucks net in Fort St. John’s 5-3 victory on Feb. 3, 2018.

skating with the best

sports@ahnfsj.ca

Dillon giancola

dillon giancola photo

Renee Kalkman had a great weekend at the Canadian Junior Long Track Championships, finishing 14th overall out of 40 for the Junior Ladies, the best of any Elks speed skater. Teammates Amanda Mitchell (16th) and Yuna Lovell (17th) also did well at the competition. The Elks are off to Quebec City this weekend for the Canadian Age Class Long Track Championships. While Kalkman, Mitchell and Lovell are too old to go, Joshua Telizyn, Emma North, Hannah North, Brooke Braun, Nicholas Guliov, Sidney Bennie, and Nyam Newlove will all be representing Fort St. John. R0021217976

If it seems like everything has gone the way of the Fort St. John Flyers lately, that’s because it has, as the team has won five straight games since Jan. 23, including the first two playoff games. “We’re already a different team than the Coy Cup games. We’re relentless out there and competing hard,” said Flyers Head Coach Andrew Leriger. The Flyers went into this week’s games with four points, compared to Grande Prairie’s three and Dawson Creek’s zero. The Flyers were home against Grande Prairie on Tuesday, after press time. It was a rematch of the first game of the playoffs, a 4-3 Flyers victory on Feb. 1. Leriger is happy with what he’s seen so far, but knows that there’s a long way to go. “Winning is contagious, and these wins are massive for us, especially at the start of this new format.” The next test for the Flyers comes

Thursday, Feb. 8 in Dawson Creek. The Flyers handled the Sr. Canucks easily in their first playoff game against them Feb. 3, winning 5-3. The Sr. Canucks are likely to come out stronger than they did last Saturday, as a win Thursday and a win Saturday night in Grande Prairie would get them right back in the playoff race. Since losing two games to the Sr. Canucks in the Coy Cup qualifying series, the Flyers have beaten Dawson Creek three straight times. Justin Fillion has only played two games for the Flyers this season, but both were wins against the Sr. Canucks. He had a big three point game in last Saturday’s win. “He’s incredible, you can tell he’s played some high quality hockey,” Leriger said. Fillion likes how the team is playing and hopes to play more in the coming months. “It’s a good team, a good group of guys in the dressing room and it’s been a lot of fun,” Fillion said.

PRO GOLF WEEKLY UPDATE Golf News, Tips, Trivia & Stats

This Week: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, originally known as the Bing Crosby National Pro-Amateur, or just the Crosby Clambake, is held on three different courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Monterey Peninsula Country Defending: Jordan Spieth Club and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. In Winning Score: 19-under par the pro-am format, each professional Winning Share: $1,296,000 is paired with an amateur. Each day, 52 2-man teams will play on one of the three courses. Then on the final day, those professionals and pro-amateur teams making the 54-hole cut will play on the Pebble Beach Golf Links. Pebble Beach Golf Links Monterey Peninsula CC Spyglass Hill Golf Club Pebble Beach, Calif 6,838 / 6,858 / 6,816 yards

Golf TV Schedule

Last Week: Gary Woodland won the Phoenix Open

Gary Woodland beat Chez Tournament Results Reavie with a par on the first 1. Gary Woodland hole of a playoff Sunday in the Score: -18 *won in playoff Earnings: $1,242,000 Waste Management Phoenix 2. Chez Reavie Open. Woodland birdied three of the Score: -18 Earnings: $745,200 last four holes for a 7-under 64, the Player Earnings best round of the day, to finish at T-3. Ollie Schniederjans Score -15 $400,200 18-under 266. “It’s been coming. We T-3. Brendan Steele -15 $400,200 knew it the last month,” Woodland said. “And sure enough, today it all clicked.” The crowd was estimated at 64,273 for a record weeklong total of 719,179. On Saturday, 216,818 jammed the grounds, the biggest turnout in golf history.

Golfing News

Two-time defending champion Hideki Matsuyama got treatment Network on his left wrist prior to his secondGOLF round tee time at the Waste GOLF GOLF Management Phoenix Open, but deemed the CBS injury too serious and withdrew prior to hitting GOLF a shot. “The pain in my left thumb area started CBS on 13th hole yesterday. I did some treatment last night, but the pain was still there this Golf Trivia morning when I practiced. I decided that it was How many times has the U.S. Open not worth forcing myself to continue to play been held at Pebble Beach? and worsen the injury, so I was disappointed that I had to withdraw.” Matsuyama had not a) 2 c) 4 withdrawn in the middle of a tournament since b) 3 d) 5 The Honda Classic in 2016, when he was Answer: d) Pebble Beach has hosted the U.S. Open pained by a right hip flexor. AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Day Time Thursday 3-6 p.m. Friday 3-6 p.m. Saturday 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday 4-7 p.m. Sunday 1-2:45 p.m. Sunday 3-6:30 p.m.

5 times.

Lessons from the Golf Pro Most of us experience some form of joint stiffness or loss of flexibility when we hit too many balls. Here are some suggestions in order to maintain flexibility and keep your muscles in use. Regardless of your age, participating consistently in a golf-specific exercise program can greatly improve your game. A golfspecific conditioning program consists of resistance training, cardiovascular conditioning, and functional flexibility. Walking, biking, stair-stepping, and running are examples of cardiovascular exercise. For flexibility, try reaching your hands to the ceiling and stretching to your sides a couple of times each day. Tilting your head and neck back and forth and side-to-side are also very common exercises.

Player Profile

Gary Woodland

Turned Professional: 2007 FedEx Cup Ranking: 5th World Ranking: 26th PGA Tour Wins: 3

FedEx Cup Standings Through Feb. 4, 2018

1) Patton Kizzire 1,247 pts. / 4 top tens

2) Jon Rahm

908 pts. / 2 top tens

3) Brendan Steele 812 pts. / 2 top tens

4) Pat Perez

761 pts. / 3 top tens

5) Gary Woodland 750 pts. / 2 top tens

FedEx Cup Standings continued... Player Points 6) Austin Cook 721 7) Dustin Johnson 718 8) Justin Thomas 688 9) Brian Harman 630 10) Jason Day 630

PLACE YOUR AD HERE!

Top 10s 1 2 1 5 1

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 B3

Local Sports

Busche, Hrab bonspiel champs For the first time in many years, the Fort Motors team, consisting of Jodi Busche, Jill Hage, Carol Morrison and Cindy Peever, were A Event Champions at the Fort St. John Curling Club’s ladies bonspiel, which ran Feb. 2 to 4. “That was really great. We’ve curled in this bonspiel for many years and the first time we’ve won it in a long time,” said Busche, who was also the chair of the bonspiel this year. When asked what led to her team’s success this year, she modestly attributed it to luck of the draw. “Curling comes with a little bit of luck and a little bit of feel and we did both,” she said. In the men’s bonspiel, which took place alongside the ladies, Vertical won the A Event. Kevin Hrab, Ty Coates, Larry London, and Chris Spencer made up the team. Hrab has had some success this year, winning the Oilmen’s Bonspiel, and finishing third in the Peace Curling Tour Championships. He has won the Mens Bonspiel in years past with different curlers, but this is the first time with this team.

Best Arabian horses in the North

In the B event, Jeanni WhitfordBonin’s team which includes Debra Kallestine, Faye MacQuarrie and Mary Doyle were the winners, and Rogers Trucking took the B on the men’s side. Cheryl Batten’s team won the C event for the ladies, while Warren Flesjer took it for the men. The Fort St. John Links team won the men’s consolation event. Hrab said the men’s and ladies bonspiel stood out this year and was a lot of fun to be a part of. “There’s really good energy at the club here this year. It’s nice to see the people out supporting the bonspiels,” Hrab said. Next, Hrab will be skipping a team at the mixed play-downs in Dawson Creek March 2 to 4 for the right to go to Alberta provincials. Busche said they made a point to make the bonspiel fun this year by having teams dress up, hosting a banquet, serving breakfast, and participating in other activities. “The turnout was fantastic and we stayed here and partied until late,” Busche said.

supplied photo

Danielle Hennessey with Victory Pass, who was the reserve champion at Nationals in the Sport Horse Under Saddle JTR

The world of Arabian horse showing may not be well known, at least not in the Peace Region, but that doesn’t stop Desert Acre Arabians from competing and winning at the regional and national level. Dianna Foster owns the ranch, and her daughter Tracy Duriez breeds and trains the horses, which they show on the Arab Class A circuit. In 2017, several of their horses won prestigious awards. RRA Amador, a gelding rode by Kailen Armstrong, received a Regional Reserve Championship and qualified for nationals, where she earned top five finishes in her junior and open classes. RRA Amador also received enough points throughout her life that she won achievement awards, like the Legion of Honour and Legion of Merit. “That’s huge, in my mind, for a Northern B.C. horse,” Duriez said. Another gelding, WG Bo Julien, made nationals for Western Pleasure Side Saddle and Western Pleasure

huskies FROM B1

Before the injury, Bateman was tied with the North Peace Navigator’s Ryan Noble for best record in the league with a 14-6 record, although Noble played one more game than Bateman. Bateman’s 2.05 goals against average is second only to Greggain’s 2.03, although Greggain had only played 11 games as of Feb. 6 when the News went to print. Bateman’s save percentage of 0.919 was tied for second in the league behind Noble. Greggain has a 7-3 record with a 0.916 save percentage.

Clothier believes in the team that he and Alexander have built, and that they will be able to ride out the loss of Bateman. “I think we’re pretty deep. If one guy goes down, the next one steps in.” As far as the path to finish in first place, the Huskies could either win their three games this week and clinch, or win two games and hope the Navigators lose at least one of their remaining two games.

Open. Danielle Hennessey also rode for Duriez and won a championship at nationals on Victory Pass. “Our goal is to show up and show off our horses and what we’re doing as a breeder, to get them marketed,” Duriez said. “It’s cool what the Arab breed has to offer, but a lot of people don’t know about it up here because we don’t show and compete locally. My heart belongs to the Arabs.” Duriez was proud of the work that riders Armstrong and Hennessey put in this year. “Those girls, to get those horses ready, you have to be riding a minimum of six days a week.” At shows, the horses are judged on how graceful they move, their function or type, and the shape and proportion of a horses body. The horses also have to perform movements in the ring when asked. The first show of the 2018 season is at Ponoka in April.

PRO RACING THIS WEEK Racing g News,, Stats & Trivia Race Preview

Location: Daytona Beach, Fla. Date: Feb. 11th, 3:00 p.m. Last Year’s Winner: Joey Logano

Daytona International Speedway

Track Details Distance: 2.5 miles Shape: Tri-Oval Banking/Turns: 31 degrees

The Advanced Auto Parts Clash is an exhibition event held the weekend before the Daytona 500. The event was originally known as the Busch Clash, and consisted of a 20-lap/50-mile, “all-out sprint” for the previous season’s pole position winners (considered the de facto “fastest drivers on the circuit”). In its current format it is made up of two segments, a 25 lap start that then culminates in a 50 lap final segment. Like the All-Star Race held at Charlotte, the race awards no championship points but instead offers a large cash purse, which is supposed to encourage an all-out driving style not seen in regular-season races. Only drivers who were 2017 Pole Award winners, former Clash race winners, former Daytona 500 pole winners who competed full-time in 2017, and drivers who qualified for the 2017 Playoffs are eligible. The defending winner of the Advanced Auto Parts Clash is Joey Logano. The race will be aired on FS1 on Sunday, Feb. 11th at 3 pm.

Final Race of 2017: Martin Truex Jr. won at Homestead Martin Truex Jr. claimed his eighth win of the 2017 season and the Cup Series Championship in the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. After taking the lead on Lap 216 of a scheduled 267, Truex hit the highest peak of his career. He outpointed 2012 champion Brad Keselowski, 2014 titlist Kevin Harvick and 2015 victor Kyle Busch to win his first Cup Series championship. “I don’t even know what to say,” an emotional Truex said upon emerging from his car. “We never gave up all day — don’t know how we won that thing. ... I can’t believe it.”

Martin Truex Jr. Born: June 29, 1980 Crew Chief: Cole Pearn Car: Toyota

Year 2017 2016

Wins 8 4

Top 10s 26 17

Avg. Finish 9.4 13.9

Final 2017 Standings Cup Series Top Ten Drivers 1) Martin Truex Jr. 2) Kyle Busch 3) Kevin Harvick 4) Brad Keselowski 5) Chase Elliott 6) Denny Hamlin 7) Matt Kenseth 8) Kyle Larson 9) Ryan Blaney 10) Jimmie Johnson

Points 5040 5035 5033 5030 2377 2353 2344 2320 2305 2260

Xfinity Series Top Ten Top 10s 26 22 23 21 21 22 18 20 14 11

Drivers 1) William Byron 2) Elliott Sadler 3) Justin Allgaier 4) Daniel Hemric 5) Cole Custer 6) Brennan Poole 7) Matt Tifft 8) Ryan Reed 9) Michael Annett 10) Brendan Gaughan

Points 4034 4029 4025 4003 2288 2223 2211 2161 2155 2153

Top 10s 22 25 17 16 19 17 13 7 7 8

Darlington planning renovations The project, coined A Better Darlington... The Tradition Continues, will feature a renovation of the track’s Tyler, Wallace and Colvin Grandstands, giving fans a more comfortable seating experience when they attend the September NASCAR race weekend. The track will once again celebrate NASCAR’s history with its throwback platform with the “Seven Decades of NASCAR,” in tribute to the 70th anniversary of the sport. Kyle Larson fastest again as Las Vegas testing concludes The budding NASCAR star turned the quickest lap of the day and of the two-day NASCAR test at the 1.5mile speedway in the afternoon session, crossing the line in 28.234 seconds at 191.259 miles per hour. Veteran #31Ryan Newman was second-fastest at 28.417/190.027, with reigning Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year #20-Erik Jones in third at 28.420/190.007. Greg Biffle joins General Tire General Tire announced that two-time NASCAR champion Greg Biffle will join Team GT beginning in 2018. Biffle, the 2000 Truck Series and 2002 XFinity Series champion, will be the focus of a social media campaign which will be documented in real-time on General Tire’s social channels.

Racing Trivia Which driver won Rookie of the Year in 2014? a) Kyle Larson b) Chase Elliott

c) Austin Dillon d) Danica Patrick

PLACE YOUR AD HERE!

R0011358416

Race Details

Top News Stories

Answer : a) Kyle Larson

This Week’s Cup Series Race: Advanced Auto Parts Clash

B4 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018

LOCAL SPORTS

Social media more dangerous to our mind and body than you think

ocial media is a big part of most of our lives. It keeps us connected with family, friends, significant others, and long-distance relationships. It can help us stay in touch and relate more with our favourite celebrities, and it helps us stay up to date with the most recent news from around the world. Although there are positives to social media, there are also negative impacts on your mental and physical health. There have been a large number of studies that have been done that look into the negative impact social media has on your mental health. Some of the side effects of social media on your mental health are:

1. It can be addictive. Some people use social media platforms excessively throughout their day and can even experience minor withdrawal symptoms if they quit. 2. It can warp your self-esteem. Seeing pictures of professionally photographed and Photoshopped men and women throughout your day, every day, is unhealthy. Nobody looks like that, the models don’t even look like that, yet society wants us to believe those figures are achievable and a standard to be met. These images are everywhere; magazines, internet, social media, and TV. This makes it hard to get away from them and it makes these body types

Stephenie Sutherland HEALTH HACKS

seem like the norm. The photos and videos make people dislike their own bodies because they do not look like the individual on the screen. 3. It can harm to your relationships. Spending too much time on your phone can make conversations and connections with real people seem less fulfilling and meaningful. 4. It can be a distraction. Social media can be used as a distraction from problems you should be dealing with. By distracting yourself, you are not getting the help that you need, and the problems will not go away. 5. It restructures the brain. Psychology Today reports that there are multiple studies that have demonstrated brain atrophy, shrink and become impaired, in grey matter, where all the processing happens, with individuals who are addicted to the internet and gaming. It also restructures the white matter, the area that helps the brain communicate with the body. Social media also has negative impacts on our physical health:

Peewee Flyers to donate Good Deeds Cup winnings to charity After a three-month stretch that began in November, the Fort St. John Peewee Flyers’ quest for the 2018 Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup has come to an end. The team was one of 10 semi-finalists from around the country, but failed to score enought votes on their good deeds video to become one of three finalists. “It was great, the kids learned a lot about giving back and how their support of others rallies people in the community to support them. It was a

learning experience,” said Head Coach Dave Alexander. For their efforts, the team will receive a $2,000 cheque, which they will donate to the Sid Davis Memorial Hockey Scholarship Fund. However, Alexander said they would have liked to win either the $5,000 finalist prize or $10,000 grand prize to be able to donate more. The team is looking to do another fundraiser or bottle drive to donate some more money to a charity.

1. It can alter your metabolism. Researchers at Northwestern University have found the bright lights from our screens can slow down our metabolism. This can lead to weight gain that exercise will not necessarily fix. 2. Sleep problems. The same blue light that can slow down our metabolism also affects our sleep. Our bodies use light as a timer; when it is dark out we get more tired, and when it is light out we are more awake, but phones and computers (if you are on them in the evening) can mess with your sleep cycle and restrain the production of melatonin. This will make it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Also, if you end up staying up late making posts or watching videos, or if your phone is going off in the middle of the night and waking you up, you will be losing out on precious sleep time. 3. Poor posture. Texting, watching videos on your phone, or scrolling through different social media platforms is simply not good for your posture. Most people are hunched over, with their shoulders rounded and head down. With the amount of time that people spend like this it may eventually lead to neck, back and shoulder pain/issues. 4. Eye strain. Staring at a screen all day for work only to go home to continue staring at a different screen is terrible for your eyes and may lead to vision problems such as computer

vision syndrome (CVS) — yes, it is an actual thing. CVS symptoms include dry, itchy eyes, blurred vision, eye strain, headaches, and neck, back, and shoulder pain. 5. Exercise. If you are wasting away your time on social media, it can cut into the time that you have made for exercise. For some reason, the time always flies by when you sit in front of a screen. Although social media can be an excellent way to connect people regardless of where they live, it has a lot of health concerns attached. We rely on its accessibility, speed, and ease far too much, and the negatives may greatly outweigh the positives. In this day and age, it is hard to get away from screens, especially if your job relies on them. Here are some tips and tricks to may help: Try to stay away from screens altogether in the evenings, remember to take breaks from them throughout your day, put them away during family time or date nights, minimize the mindless scrolling, and try to correct your posture. Stephenie Sutherland is a Fort St. John student studying nutrition and food sciences. She can found at the gym, hiking local trails, and serving up a hot cuppa joe at Whole Wheat and Honey. Have a question? Email her at stephenie. sutherland13@gmail.com.

Winter Olympics start Friday The 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games get underway on Feb. 9 from 4 to 6 a.m. local time. CBC will show a taping of the ceremonies later Friday morning. Despite the enormous time difference, live coverage will be available on television every night from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. local time, and again from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. for those who want to watch the Games that badly. Of special interest for those in Fort St. John, is the Men’ 1500m Long Track Speed Skating, which goes early morning on Feb. 13 and features Denny

Morrison. In hockey, the womens team begins their quest to repeat as gold medal winners Feb. 13 against Finland. The mens team gets going against Switzerland Feb. 15. Kevin Koe begins his quest for curling gold on Feb. 14 against Italy, and Rachel Homan’s team begins their tournament on the same day against Great Britain. Canada won 25 medals, including 10 gold, at the 2014 Winter Olympics, and 26 medals in Vancouver in 2010, including an incredible 14 golds.

WONOWONMonthly 4-HReport BEEF CLUB The December Meeting was at our house. My brothers Ty and Logan both did a self-determined projects last year. Part of a self-determined project is doing a public presentation about your project. There were over 40 people here to listen to their presentations. Logan’s self-determined project was on trapping. In his presentation we learned about how to set different traps and snares for different animals. He showed us how to skin and stretch the animals. He also had samples of some animal’s furs that had been tanned. It was neat to compare the different animal furs and learn about trapping. We all enjoyed he great presentation and learned a lot. Ty’s self-determined project was comparing ranching in

Queensland Australia to ranching here. One of the most interesting things we learned was that their vegetation is must different than here. Their grasses die out and came back green many times depending on the weather. Another big difference is how they haul their cattle. There was lots of differences but also many similarities that we learned about. It was an awesome presentation with lots of neat pictures.

because I couldn’t be there. I’m sorry that I missed everyone’s presentations but I hope to see some of them at the District Communications. I hope everyone stays warm and has a great month. We will talk again. A special thanks to co –op for sponsoring this page.

The January at Meeting was at Mary’s house. We talked about what fun raising things that we could do and also how to get registered on the computer. Then we divided into groups for our project meetings. In our beef meeting we learned about the different kinds of salt and minerals and how it affects them. In meeting they talked about different kinds of sheep diseases. Our February meeting was at Eckbert’s on Saturday the third. We did our club communications that day and had a short meeting. The presentations were all very good, I heard. I did a display board and sent it with my mom

Sara Trask Wonowon Reporter - Dec 11,2017

Group picture of the Dec meeting of Ty’s and Logan’s presentations.

M U E L O R T PE NEEDS

r For All You

We salute the dedicated kids of 4-H Keep up the great work! Delivery Service 6 Days a Week

From Oil Patch to Farm & Industrial We offer...

• • • •

Gas LocaLLy owned and operated Oil Diesel Propane

7315-100th Ave, Fort St. John, BC.

Phone: 250-785-5651

www.fsjcoop.com

R0011218520

Hi everyone! I hope you had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. Our ﬁrst meeting was in November as usual, it was beef weigh-in. We always do our club election at this meeting too. We have 3 new members and we would like to ofﬁcially welcome them into our club.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 B5

arts & culture

supplied Photo

A production still from the short film Do We Leave This Here?

Site C inspired short film gets local premiere Thursday matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

A B.C. filmmaker will be in Fort St. John this week for the local premiere of her short film about the Peace River and the Site C dam. Julia Hutchings will screen her film Do We Leave This Here? at the Lido Theatre Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m., followed by an audience talkback. Billed as fiction inspired by fact, the 17-minute film follows Rajiv, a young journalist from Vancouver who travels north to report on the Site C dam. But Rajiv gets more than he expects

when he runs out of gas, gets picked up by a local, and through a series of mishaps finds himself caught between a Christmas tree, a chainsaw, and the exposure of an affair. “People should come check out the film because it was shot in their backyard, takes a unique and fictional approach to exploring issues facing their community, and it is going to be a fun night,” Hutchings said. Filming took place between Bear Flat and Hudson’s Hope last March. Hutchings produced the film independently, and crowd funded $10,050 for its

production. Do We Leave This Here? was an official selection at the Vancouver International Film Festival and the 44th Northwest Filmmaker’s Film Festival. “The film is currently being showcased at festivals around the world and is not available online so this is the only opportunity to see it,” Hutchings said. Thursday’s event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the screening to start at 7:30.

Lone Wolf mascot needs a name matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

There’s another addition to the pack at Lone Wolf Golf Club and he needs a name. The club unveiled its new mascot on Feb. 3, and has set a deadline of noon on Feb. 12 for residents to make their pitch. Some suggestions made so far on the club’s Facebook page include Ace, Hairy Larry, Lobo, Howler, Mulligan, and Wolfy McWolfface. The club is taking ideas through its website. Submit your suggestions by visiting lonewolfgolf.ca/ name-our-mascot. A panel of judges will select three finalists and put the names to a Facebook vote. Meanwhile, the club will host a meet and greet with new superintendent Craig Simpson on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at Beard’s Brewing in Fort St. John. The meet runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Simpson started work Feb. 1, and comes from Nicklaus North Golf Course in Whistler,

where he worked in various roles for 17 years. The superintendent’s job is to focus on the turf care

department — anything from cutting greens, growing grass, and chemical applications, as well as training and hiring.

LANDMARK CINEMAS 5 AURORA FSJ CURRENT MOVIE LISTINGS FROM FEBRUARY 9 TO FEBRUARY 15

FIFTY SHADES FREED Nightly: 7:15, 9:40 Matinees: 1:10, 4:10

PETER RABBIT Nightly: 6:35, 9:00 Matinees: 12:30, 3:30

MAZE RUNNER: THE DEATH CURE Nightly: 6:55, 10:05 Matinees: 12:40, 3:50

UNIT 2000, 9600 - 93 AVE, FORT ST. JOHN, BC PH: 250-785-8811 (MOVIE INFO LINE) WWW.LANDMARKCINEMAS.COM/FORT-ST-JOHN

JUMANJI 2 Nightly: 6:45, 9:45 Matinees: 1:00, 4:00

3 BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI Nightly: 7:00, 9:50 Matinees: 12:50, 3:40

B6 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018

ARTS & CULTURE

CDC talent show raising funds for wheelchair van MATT PREPROST editor@ahnfsj.ca

Got a talent for juggling or fire breathing? Or perhaps a dance routine to mesmerize audiences, or a comedy act to leave them in stitches? The Child Development Centre’s annual talent show is less than a month away, and performers are needed to help round out a night of entertainment and fundraising on March 2. The centre is looking to reach its annual goal of $100,000 to help buy a new wheelchair accessible van, its old set of wheels reaching its last legs and unable to accommodate the accessibility needs of children. “We have children in our special services program that have mobility challenges,” said early years centre co-ordinator Crystal Kalas, who also coordinates the talent show. There are about 40 children in the program, which has a mandate to bring them out in the community to learn life skills and take part in fun activities, whether it’s grocery shopping or bowling a frame at the bowling alley.

The centre uses HandyDART services when it can, but often has to make several trips with its current van due to its space limitations and not being wheelchair accessible. “It can be a challenge to get to activities,” Kalas said. So far, the centre has the Northern Lights Community Choir, the Northern Winds Community Band, CC Brooks, Justin McCord, and a new band called Summit lined up to perform. The show is looking to return to its variety show roots, and is looking for a variety of performers to add to the lineup of singers and dancers, Kalas said. “We would like to see some jugglers or something different,” Kalas said. Those interested in performing can email talent@ cdcfsj.ca or call 250-785-3200 until Feb. 28. The talent show starts March 2 at 6 p.m. at the cultural centre. The CDC will also hold a fundraiser on March 1 at SaveOn Foods from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last year’s talent show raised $85,559.

How do you learn as a family? Tell us #FamilyLiteracyDay fl Have a shapes scavenger hunt, taking turns ﬁnding shapes indoors and outdoors. Then make each shape with your body — kids and adults work together.

LEARN AT PLAY, EVERY DAY.

Imagine your family is anywhere in the world! Pick a spot on the map and learn about that country together online.

Find more ways to learn at play as a family at www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca

HOROSCOPE ARIES (MARCH 21 TO APRIL 19) This is an excellent day to talk to younger people or people who are creative and artistic. Bounce your ideas off others to get their feedback. TAURUS (APRIL 20 TO MAY 20) You are in the limelight today! People in authority notice you, and they admire you. Obviously, this means it’s your chance to ask for what you want. Go for it! GEMINI (MAY 21 TO JUNE 20) Make future plans to travel, or do whatever you can to travel today. This same urge to expand your world can apply to getting further education and training. CANCER (JUNE 21 TO JULY 22) Discussions about inheritances, shared property and insurance issues will benefit you today. Demand the advantage, because you likely will get it. Someone owes you a favor. LEO (JULY 23 TO AUG. 22) Remember to get more sleep right now. (You’re tired.) Nevertheless, socializing with partners and close friends will be rewarding today. VIRGO (AUG. 23 TO SEPT. 22) Do whatever you can to boost your health and get better organized today, because this will make you feel better. (You don’t like to feel as if you’re losing control of things.)

For Thursday February 8 2018

LIBRA (SEPT. 23 TO OCT. 22) This is a great time to party. It’s also a wonderful day to take a vacation and enjoy the arts, playful activities with children, romantic adventures and sports. Enjoy!

Cut the Chitchat

Dear Annie: I recently went to see my doctor about some troublesome symptoms I had been experiencing, and the entire time he was examining me, he kept up a running monologue SCORPIO (OCT. 23 TO NOV. 21) about the holidays and politics Your focus definitely is on home, and other assorted topics. I refamily and real estate today. sponded as necessary, but mostly Look for ways to redecorate at I found myself wondering how home or even renovate. You also he could be doing a good job of might like to entertain at home listening to my heart and lungs over the sound of his own voice. today. He did not spend nearly as much SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 TO DEC. 21) time discussing my treatment as Conversations with siblings, he did chatting about unrelated relatives and neighbors will be subjects. I realize that a certain amount positive today. This also is a good day for sales, marketing, writing of casual conversation helps to and communicating with others. put the patient at ease and to convey understanding and emCAPRICORN (DEC. 22 TO JAN. 19) pathy, but enough is enough. You can boost your earnings And seeing as he came in to see me nearly two hours past my aptoday! Look for ways to make pointment time, I’m guessing his more money. In some fashion, tendency to make excessive conyou can attract wealth and versation is what makes him run increase your assets. late. Although I am always friendly AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 TO FEB. 18) and appropriately responsive, It’s easy to attract people and favorable situations to you right I also have issues with my hairstylist and manicurist and other now, because the Sun, Mercury service professionals who talk and Venus all are in your sign. nonstop while delivering their Yes, you shine! services. I don’t see the need for all the chitchat beyond what is PISCES (FEB. 19 TO MARCH 20) called for in terms of common Seek out solitude in beautiful courtesy and professionalism. surroundings today so that you I am not a crabby old lady who can have some peace and quiet. always finds fault. I just want peoYour ambition still is aroused, ple to focus on the task at hand. but you need to take a breather. Multitasking has been proved to

Annie Lane DEAR ANNIE

negatively affect performance, so why don’t people just be quiet and do their jobs? Is it just me, or is there an epidemic of too much chattiness going on? -- Enough Chatter Dear Enough Chatter: Small talk isn’t for everyone. But it’s less and less common these days, when so many people prefer texting faraway friends to talking with people who are in the same room. So try to appreciate this chitchat for the attempt at human connection it is. That said, your doctor, of all people, should recognize and respect your boundaries as a patient. So don’t be afraid to express how you feel with a simple statement (and a smile, if you’d like to soften the edge): “Really, I am much more interested in your observations about my health than in talking about politics.” Saying this with a warm smile will help. Dear Annie: I can respect your answer to “New Grandma,” who felt shut out of her grandchild’s life, but I thought a little more was needed -- namely, a word to parents on how important it is for grandparents to be al-

lowed to see their grandchildren at least occasionally. I can feel “New Grandma’s” pain, because I haven’t seen my grandson in over a year and get to FaceTime him only four times a year. We beg my son and daughter-in-law to come visit or to allow us to visit. We offer to cover any flights, hotels and rental cars, as well as lunches and dinners for us all. We, too, have many friends who invite us out, but it’s not the same as seeing our only grandson. He’s 7 now! I even started volunteering to read to schoolchildren so I can feel a little like a grandma. But the hurt and heartache are still there. -Heartbroken Dear Heartbroken: I’m so sorry you’ve not been able to spend more time with your grandson. I commend you for signing up for the reading program. You could have easily just wallowed in your heartache, as so many of us do when we’re feeling down. Instead, you took steps to feel better -- and to better your community in the process. How constructive and positive. Your son is missing out by not involving you more in his grandson’s life, because it sounds as though you’d be a wonderful example for the boy. I hope things change for you soon. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. To find out more about Annie Lane and read features by other Creators Syndicate columnists and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2017 CREATORS.COM

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 B7

Coffee Corner $599,900 9813 269 Rd MLS# R2208403

2,899 sq. ft 3 bedroom/2 bath family home sitting on 5 acres just minutes from FSJ waiting for a new owner.

$15.50/sq. ft + NNN D, 10503 - 89 Ave, MLS# C8012982

3600 sq. ft. attached shop available for lease. Office reception area +3000 sq ft 2 bays shop No drop-ins.

$94,900 #176, 9207 - 82 St MLS# R2209062

Over $15000 in updates, large master bedrm next to the 4 pc bth, 2 decks & 2 sheds for seasonal storage..

$23/sq. ft + NNN 11579- 85 Chevron Front, MLS# C8014514

Access to Alaska Highway, 2 storey office bldg w/ 7 offices, attached 18,000 sq. ft. shop.

TODAYS PUZZLE

$169,000 8511 - 76 Street MLS# R2198871

Perfect starter home featuring 3 bedrooms,1 bath, large family room, sitting on a 49.15 X 150 lot.

$2,100,000 8300 - 21 Street, DC MLS# C8015114

8,000 sq. ft. Dream building situated on 2.5 acres in Dawson Creek. Level/graveled yard is fully fenced.

hOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once. Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3x3 box. PREVIOUS PUZZLES ANSWERS

$549,900 10904 111 Ave, MLS# R2233389

Stunning home in desired Westridge with all the features you could want! Vaulted ceilings, hardwood & tile floors, stone fireplace and more!

• • • • • • • • • • • •

$7,500,000 DL 2606 Woelki Ranch MLS# C8007247

1hr north west of Fort St John in Buick. fully operational ranch waiting for a new owner.

AERIALS ALPINE ARTIFICIAL BASEPLATE BINDINGS BLACK BLUE CABLE CAR CHAIR CREVASSE CROSS-COUNTRY DOWNHILL

• • • • • • • • • • • •

DRAG EDGE FREESTYLE GOGGLES GRAB HARD PACK ICE LIFT MOGULS PASS PISTE POLES

• • • • • • • • • • • •

POWDER RED SKI SLALOM SLOPE SLUSH SNOW SNOWBOARD TRAVERSE UPHILL WAX WHITEOUT

TODAY’S PUZZLE

Material for your weekly game page

tronaut’s What is an as e on ac pl ite ur favo a computer?

PREVIOUS PUZZLES ANSWERS

Why can’t a leopard hide?

A: Because he’s always spotted.

CLUES DOWN 1. Bone in the lower back

2. Goddess of wisdom 3. Comedic honors 4. A way to grasp 5. Apex 6. British soldier 7. Manganese 8. Indicates position 9. Decompressions in scuba diving (abbr.) 10. Soon 13. Blood type 14. Clever reply 15. One who travels by luxurious boat

Where do sheep go to get haircuts?

A: To the baa baa shop.

40. Relating to odors 43. As soon as possible 44. Israeli Olympic swimmer 45. Scored perfectly 49. Financial ratio (abbr.) 50. Unpleasant emotion 51. Sign of the zodiac 53. Promotional material 54. Your parents’ parents 56. Monetary unit 58. Farm state 59. One of Hollywood’s Bridges brothers 60. Not the plaintiff 63. “Night Train” novelist 64. Martens valued for their fur 65. Discount

r. A: The space ba

CLUES ACROSS 1. Elaborate silk garment 5. Fleet 11. Egyptian deity 12. Hundredth anniversary 16. Chew the fat 17. Doctor of Medicine 18. Large, edible game fish 19. Revitalization 24. Personal computer 25. Unfettered 26. Clumsy persons 27. Japanese classical theater 28. Part of a ship 29. Rate of movement 30. How much 31. Image taken with a camera 33. Sharp mountain ridge 34. Czech capital 38. One who treats poorly 39. By right

20. Once more 21. Rural delivery 22. Mexican dish 23. Nigerian City 27. Is not (Span.) 29. Italy’s longest river 30. Grand __, vintage 31. Monetary unit 32. The man 33. Basics 34. Poster 35. Small remains 36. Gelatinous substance 37. A narrow opening 38. Artificial intelligence 40. Algerian coastal city 41. Canned fish 42. Milligram 44. Carrot’s partner 45. Single-celled animals 46. Movie theater 47. Necessitate 48. A state of not being used 50. Small folds of tissue 51. Gallium 52. Trauma center 54. Commands to go faster 55. New England’s football team 57. Pianoforte 61. Unit of loudness 62. Atomic number 13

B8 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018

“Get The Good Stuff” 250-785-0463

9224 - 100th Street

2017 / 18

NHL GREAT CANADIAN

HOCKEY TOUR Fort City

www.arctichottubsfortstjohn.com

Financing available

Always Proud To Support Our Community!

10008 97 Ave - Open until 10 pm 9316 Alaska Rd N - Open until 11 pm

8424 Alaska Road North, Fort St. John, BC Phone: 250-787-5220 1-877-787-5220

9424 100 St | Fort St. John, BC 250 785-3006

www.fortcitychrysler.ca

CONGRATUL ATIONS

Alli Marling Our Grand Prize

), son, Alli Marling (Winner an Sw ua sh Jo t: gh Ri to Left chelle Lindley aska Highway News), Mi Al r he lis ub (P n lia Ju m Willia

WINNER

All of us at the

Alaska Highway News would like to thank everyone who participated in this year’s

NHL GREAT CANADIAN HOCKEY TOUR A BIG thank you goes out to our community sponsors.

NAPA AUTO PARTS FORT CITY CHRYSLER ARCTIC SPAS & SUBWAY A BIG thank you also goes out to our friends at the Lido for supplying their wonderful venue for the event.

Alaska Highway News Phone: 250-785-5631 • Fax: 250-785-3522

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 B9

Community

“The generosity of this community never fails to humble us.” - Jennifer Moore, B10

When cruelty goes to school

he feast of St. Valentine was established in 496 by Pope Gelasius I, who included Valentine among all those whose names are justly reverenced. St. Valentine was a priest during the reign of Claudius II, a Roman emperor who prohibited Christian marriage. Valentine secretly married young lovers for which he was eventually imprisoned in the home of a judge by the name of Asterius, whose adopted daughter was blind. Valentine prayed with the young girl and her sight was miraculously restored. Before he was executed, Valentine wrote a note to Asterius’ daughter, and signed it Your Valentine, inspiring today’s romantic missives. Mid-February was chosen as Valentine’s Day to supersede the pagan holiday of Lupercalia, which occurred on or around February 14. It was also believed that love birds paired in mid-February. As February 14 nears, I teach lessons on gossip and bullying. Students write two reflective journals, one on popularity and the other on teen gossip and bullying. To

Angela Griffin PEACE REFLECTIONS

simulate the distortion of gossip, the students play a game of telephone. Invariably, the message whispered to the first student is inaccurate by the time it passes to the last. We read and discuss articles on cyberbullying, and view two film clips. One is a documentary about a school shooting, emphasizing the tragedy that can result when teens are ostracized by peers. The other clip is from a film that takes a satirical look at teen gossip and peer sabotage. It demonstrates how modern technology spreads gossip faster and farther than ever before, a dilemma that might cause irreparable damage to members of a community the size of Fort St. John. This opens a frank discussion with regards to school bullying and its oftentimes tragic consequences.

In our Grade 9 novel study of The Catcher in the Rye, the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, is the poster child for all bullied, misunderstood, misanthropic and ostracized youths, providing a clear link between fictional motif and the disenfranchised adolescent within high school culture. It’s imperative to confront school bullying in order to convey to students, particularly those in Grade 9 who have three years of secondary school stretching before them, that even if high school is really tough for them socially, secondary school is only three years of their lives, a mere blip on the landscape of their lives. To close these lessons, the class enjoys a Valentine’s Day high tea during which we read Shakespearean sonnets, eat sweets and drink tea while each individual writes a compliment on a red sheet entitled: This is what we love about you… for every student in the classroom. Each person, including those who do not normally shine in the popularity sweepstakes, is then gifted with a red

cardstock sheet of paper filled with praise from peers. I suggest that the students tape the sheet to the inside of their lockers and look at it whenever they feel down on themselves, or when they are having a bad day, to be reminded of all the ways in which they shine. In my almost thirty-year career as an educator, I’ve lost four students to suicide. Why did they feel that a permanent solution to a temporary problem was their only option? I’ll never know. I will continue then, to create opportunities for frank discussion within my classroom, and to revere the names of each of my students on this day devoted to love, just as Pope Gelasius I reverenced the name of St. Valentine. The Peace is a place of many peoples and many faiths. In this space, readers are invited to share their own reflections of faith in the Peace. If you have a story of faith you’d like to share, please send it to angelamarygriffin@gmail.com.

Imagine your family is anywhere in the world! Pick a spot on the map and learn about that country together online. How do you learn as a family? Tell us: #FamilyLiteracyDay

Find more ways to learn at play as a family at www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca

ANGLICAN JOURNAL PHOTO

David Lehmann.

Anglican bishop here next week Anglicans in the North Peace area are looking forward to the visit of their bishop from February 11 to 14. David Lehmann, who was consecrated bishop of Caledonia on January 18, was previously a priest in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. Bishop David will take Sunday services on February 11, and an Ash Wednesday service on February 14. There will also be a Shrove Tuesday pancake supper at the Peace Lutheran Church. — Submitted Send your church news to editor@ahnfsj.ca

FORT ST. JOHN & DISTRICT CHURCH DIRECTORY ANGLICAN CHURCH of CANADA NoRTH PEACE PARISH Please join us at our temporary location at the Peace Lutheran Church @ 1:30pm Ph: 250-785-6471 “All are Invited and Welcome Here” - (Luke 14:23) SERVICES St. Martin’s, fort St. John, BC Sundays 1:30 p.m. Rev. Enid Pow ********** Church of the Good Shepherd Taylor, BC - Sundays 10:00 a.m. ********** St. Matthias, Cecil Lake, BC 3rd Sun. of the Month 3:00 p.m. Holy Communion BAHA’I fAITH BAHA’I fAITH National Baha’i Information 1-800-433-3284 Regular Firesides Mondays @ 8:00 p.m. Deepenings continued Wednesdays at 250-787-0089 Next Feast Info. 250-787-0089 ********** BAPTIST CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH 9607-107th Ave., fSJ Ph. (Office) 250-785-4307 Pastor: Michael Hayes Associate Pastor: Doug Janzen SUNDAY WoRSHIP SERVICE 10:30AM ********** CATHoLIC RoMAN CATHoLIC CHURCH (Resurrection Church) Pastor: Rev. Louis Kwena Phone 250-785-3413 www.fsjresurrectionchurch.com MASSES: Saturday 7:30 p.m. Sunday - 10:00 a.m. oNLY OFFICE HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. BAPTISM: Contact the Pastor 3 months before baptism. MARRIAGES: Contact the Pastor 6 months before the wedding. ********** ALLIANCE CHURCH 9804-99 Ave., fort St. John, BC V1J 3T8 Ph: 250-785-4644 fax: 250-785-8932 e-mail: office@fsjalliance.ca www.fsjalliance.ca SUNDAY WoRSHIP SERVICE: 9:15am & 11:00am KIDVILLE: for ages 2yrs.-Gr.6 @ 9:15am **********

CoMMUNITY CHURCH CHARLIE LAKE CoMMUNITY CHURCH Associate Pastor: Jared Braun 250-785-1723 fax: 250-785-4136 clcc@pris.ca SUNDAY SCHooL: 10:40am SUNDAY WoRSHIP: 10:40am 1st left turn off Alaska Highway past the Charlie Lake Store. ********** PEACE CoMMUNITY CHURCH 10556-100th Street, Taylor, BC Pastor: Wally Pohlmann Phone: 250-789-3045 HoURS: 9:00am-Noon Monday-Wednesday & friday Email: office@taylorchurch.ca Website: www.taylorchurch.ca SUNDAY ADULT CLASS - 9:30am SUNDAY WoRSHIP SERVICE - 10:30am ********** EVANGELICAL foRT ST. JoHN EVANGELICAL MISSIoN 8220-89th Avenue, fSJ Pastor: Andy Wiebe Sunday School September-June begins at 9:30am Sunday mornings. Worship Service - 10:45am Phone: 250-787-2550 ******* INTERDENoMINATIoNAL UPPER PINE GoSPEL CHAPEL Church Phone: 250-827-3833 Email: upgc@pris.ca Board Chairman: Andy Burkholder 250-827-3811 Box 66, Rose Prairie, BC ********** LUTHERAN PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 9812-108th Avenue, fort St. John, BC V1J 2R3 Office Phone: 250-785-2718 Pastor: Rev. Kebede Dibaba Regular Worship Schedule: 9:00am Youth, Adult Bible Study 10:00am Sunday Worship Service & Sunday School ********** PEACE RIVER MUSLIM ASSoCIATIoN Information: 250-787-1264 Jumm’a (Friday) Prayer @ 1:00pm 203-10903-100th Street, fort St. John, BC email: tahermorsi@shaw.ca ********** MENNoNITE NoRTH PEACE MENNoNITE BRETHREN CHURCH North Peace Mennonite Brethren Church 10816 106 St. fort St. John, BC V1J 5V2 250-785-3869 Lead Pastor: Andrew Eby Associate Pastor of Youth & Young Adults: Don Banman SUNDAY SERVICE TIMES: 9:15am & 11:00am **********

MENNoNITE MoNTNEY MENNoNITE CHURCH SUNDAY MoRNING: Sunday School & Worship: 9:30am SUNDAY EVENING: 2nd & 4th Sundays: 7:00pm Everyone Welcome! Pastor Warren Martin Phone: (250) 827-3231 ********** NoNDENoMINATIoNAL CHRISTIAN LIfE CENTRE “Associated with “Fellowship of Christian Assemblies” “King Jesus is Lord Over the Peace” 8923-112th Avenue, fort St. John, BC V1J 6G2 website: www.christianlifefsj.ca Ph: 250-785-4040 fax: 250-785-4021 Pastor Steve Oboh Principal of Christian Life School: Garry Jones Everyone Welcome Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00am Nursery available and Sunday School is held during the sermon for ages 3-12 years. Christian Life Centre is “Home of Christian Life School” ********** foRT ST. JoHN NATIVE BIBLE fELLoWSHIP Sunday Worship: 11:00am Wed., Night Bible Study: 7:30pm Pastor John A Giesbrecht 250-785-0127 ********** GIDEoNS INTERNATIoNAL Fort St. John Camp Ray Hein 250-827-3636 John Giesbrecht 250-785-0127 ********** NoRTHERN LIGHTS CHURCH INTERNATIoNAL (Rose Prairie, BC Sunday Service: Pre-Service Prayer: 10:30am Worship Service: 11:00am Everyone Welcome ********** THE SHELTER CHURCH “...the Lord will be a shelter for His people” Joel 3:6 9808-98A Ave. fort St. John, BC 250-785-3888 SUNDAY SERVICE: 10am Pastor: Oral Benterud 250-785-9151 ********** PENTECoSTAL THE PENTECoSTALS of foRT ST. JoHN Phone: 250-787-9888 Pastor: Jason McLaughlin Sunday 10am Service, Sunday School Youth Sunday 11am Worship Service Tuesday 7pm Prayer Wednesday 7pm Bibile Study Friday 7pm Youth **********

PENTECoSTAL ASSEMBLIES of CANADA EVANGEL CHAPEL 10040-100 St., fort St. John Phone: 250-785-3386 Fax: 250-785-8345 Lead Pastor: Tony Warriner Sunday Services: 9:30am, 11:00am www.evangelfsj.com ********** The Journey 10011-100 St., fort St. John Phone: 250-785-6254 Pastor: Larry Lorentz Services: Sundays: 10:30am Tuesdays: 7:00pm **********

PRESBYTERIAN fort St. John Presbyterian Church 9907-98th St., fort St. John, BC Phone: 250-785-2482 fax: 250-785-2482 12:30 p.m. - Pie and Coffee 1:00 p.m. - Worship Service Everyone is invited to participate ********** REfoRMED TRINITY CoVENANT CHURCH Sunday Service: 10:00am Meets at the The Plaza 8111 100th Ave fort St. John, BC Elder: Desmond Jones Phone: 250-785-8289 www.trinitycovenant.ca matthew@trinitycovenant.ca Affiliated with C.R.E.C. ********** THE SALVATIoN ARMY THE SALVATIoN ARMY Sunday Worship Service: 10:30am 10116-100th Ave., fort St. John, BC Come Worship With Us. For information; Phone 250-785-0506 or food Bank 250-785-0500 ********** SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 9008-100th Avenue, fort St. John, BC Phone: 250-785-8632 Pastor: Cavin Chwyl Phone: 250-719-7949 Saturday Service: 9:30am ********** UNITED CHURCH of CANADA ST. LUKE’S UNITED 9907-98 St., fort St. John, BC Office: 250-785-2919 Rev. Rick Marsh Email: stlukeuc@telus.net Sunday Worship Service @ 10:00am All are Welcome! The United Church of Canada is a Union of Congregationalist, Methodist & Presbyterian Churches in Canada formed in 1925.

B10 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018

community

Calving season: when to call your vet

alving time is an exciting time of year in the Peace Country. Calves bring new life, and the hope that spring is just around the corner. Most cows and heifers will give birth uneventfully, with a live calf up and nursing within hours of being born. However, when it comes to difficulties with calving, knowing when to call a veterinarian can make all the difference between having a live calf, or one that doesn’t make it. Recognizing the early stages of labour is the first step in identifying whether the calving is going normally. Stage one labour is when dilation of the cervix occurs. During this stage, the cow may separate from the herd, or try to claim a freshly born calf as her own. Contractions of the uterus start. Her tail head rises and birth canal relaxes. Stage one of labour is approximately six hours in length. Following stage one, stage two of labour is when the calf is born, which begins with the appearance of the water bag or fetal membranes (if the water bag has ruptured). The calf’s

front feet should start to show, and the calf is usually born within two hours from the appearance of the water bag/fetal membranes. Many different scenarios can occur that disrupt the normal birthing process. Intervention is required for various causes. These include: six hours of stage one labour without any sign of abdominal contraction, more than 1.5 hours since the start of stage two labour with no part of the calf showing, more than two hours since the start of stage two labour without the birth of a calf, or straining for 30 to 45 minutes after a foot has shown with no further progression. Getting the cow/heifer in a headgate to perform a vaginal exam is required to determine why they are experiencing difficulties. If only a tail is palpable, or only one leg, or two legs and no head is palpable, intervention is required. Many of these situations can be corrected at home or by your veterinarian by manipulating the calf into the right position to be pulled. However, some of these situ-

Dr. Corinna Jensen North peace Creature Feature

ations can be complicated if the calf is large, or the cow/heifer is a small body size. In these situations, a caesarian section may need to be performed. When in doubt, it is always best to err on the side of caution, as it will help save the life of a calf. Instead of waiting for that couple extra hours, don’t hesitate to call your veterinarian for advice this calving season. A watchful eye, many sleep-interrupted nights, and a good relationship with your veterinarian will result in the best calving season possible. Dr. Corinna Jensen was born and raised in the Fort St. John Community and discovered her passion for veterinary medicine at an early age. In June 2015 she graduated from The Western College of Veterinary Medicine.

Angels raise $315K for hospital matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Enjoy Free WiFi & Television While You Wait Open 7 Days 8am-8pm

Tanning Special

The Fort St. John Hospital Foundation has emptied its holiday stocking, tallying up more than $315,000 in donations from its Be An Angel campaign. “The generosity of this community never fails to humble us,” Executive Director Jennifer Moore said in a news release Monday. “This year’s campaign was such an amazing success and we couldn’t achieve our goals without the support of our donors, sponsors, and volunteers. Together, we are undeniably making a difference in the lives of patients in Fort St. John.”

The organization sets an annual $250,000 campaign fundraising goal for its Angel Fund, which helps to buy much needed equipment for the hospital and Peace Villa care home. The 21st annual campaign, which began in earnest last November, brought in more than $99,000 at its gala banquet on Nov. 18 — a record breaker — and raised a combined $32,000 from the Light a Moose campaign and Santa photo sale from Unforgettable Memories. Donations continued to arrive through December and January. The average donation to the campaign was $65 and 75 per cent of the donations were less than $250, according to the hospital foundation.

February Drop-In Tanning Special 10 Punch Card - $70 5 Punch Card - $40 Taxes included

Join us at www.facebook.com/groups/ 355958451280169/for Special Offers and Information!

Special Delivery

LET US DO THE DIRTY WORK! Wash, Dry & Fold Service

Laundry Services 250-782-9389 All Services in House

Open Daily: 8:00 am-8:00 pm

250-782-9389 • 800 - 106th Ave • Dawson Creek

gcmlaundryservice.net

IT’S Mason H A BOY unter D Stewart avion P ar ents: Jamie & Shann Baby’s W on Stewart ei 7lbs 13 ght: Length: 21 ozs Date: Jan inches . Time: 9: 22, 2018 29 Taylor, B am C

Welcome to the Summer Cruise

& WHITE Friday Night RED Your Hosts for the ht nig Mid m 8pmROCK N’ BOWL fro YBC 50/50 draw nts for weekend eve

1501-102nd Ave Dawson Creek

250-782-8161

bowling.com

www.dawsoncreek

OY IT’S A B tchard id Pri av D ff Je Parents: Elizabethhard ritc & Jesse P eight: Baby’s W ozs 13 s 8 lb cms Length: 52 . 23, 2018 n Ja e: at D am Time: 7:36 hn, BC Fort St Jo

IT’S Sabre C A BOY row D Robinso agojii n Parents: John Rob in son &T Baby’s Wamara Quock eight: 8 lb s 5 ozs Length: Date: Jan 52 cms . 30, 2018 Time: 7: Fort St Jo20 pm hn, BC

What A YEAR!

Thank you to all the participants and all the generous sponsors! Your support is helping make our Summer Cruise 2017 an event to remember. See you July 13-15!

Drop off or mail your FREE birth announcement & baby’s photo to:

The Alaska Highway News, or email: compose@ahnfsj.ca

9916-98 St., Fort St. John V1J 3T8

Fort St. John Hospital Foundation Baby Bouquet Wall This is a wonderful way for family and friends to acknowledge these special miracles

ated in the t Wall is loc re Baby Bouque Hospital Birthing Cent hn Fort St. Jo

Your minimum donation of $125 to the FSJ Hospital Foundation will not only purchase a flower petal, but the money raised will also go towards much needed medical equipment that will help to provide the best healthcare and service possible.

Ph: 250.261.7563 | email: fsjhf@northernhealth.ca

www.fsjhospitalfoundation.ca

July 13-15, 2018 C Dawson Creek B

m o c . s r e s i u r c o r e milez

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 B11

COMMUNITY

SPEED SKATERS IN MOTION

EVE PETFORD PHOTOS

Dakotah Ruel of Dawson Creek (left) and Jacob Rubuliak of Kelowna at the Canadian Junior Long Track Championships in Fort St. John last weekend.

Ackerman on cannabis, First Nation relations, energy innovation ACKERMAN FROM A14

AHN: What is the biggest opportunity facing the city in 2018? LA: The biggest opportunity for us is to continue show leadership in energy initiatives and in our financial planning, as well as social. We are strong advocates of making sure that we’ve got business coming in. The business environment is changing with so much going online, but whatever we can do to create local commercial is really important. Supporting the Love Fort St. John program was really important to us because you get a lot of those local entrepreneurs and those are the people that then come to the hospital foundation gala, or to the Women’s Resource Centre, and those are the people who donate. It’s important for us to make sure we’re able retain our small and medium-sized enterprises while continuing to seek to be the site for site selectors for new business and new industry. It takes far less energy to grow your own entrepreneur than it does to recruit one from outside.

actually started to have community to community forums with our First Nation neighbours. It’s about looking at the history of the Beaver First Nations in our area and understanding their culture and Fort St. John before Fort St. John was here. We’re working very closely on that. They are working with senior levels of government on their land entitlement negotiations. Once they have that ironed out, we hope we’ve got enough of a relationship that we can move forward together. AHN: What outstanding issues from 2017 need to or will be resolved in 2018? LA: We all wait eagerly to find out what our responsibility is going to be when cannabis is legalized. The province and the feds have obviously made an agreement. We have land use and zoning, and that’s how we regulate who goes where. We just don’t know what that’s going to look like until the province comes down with their rules. AHN: Why wait for them?

AHN: What’s the biggest challenge? LA: Getting ready for the 2020 BC Winter Games. We’ve got a remarkable group of volunteers that just came off their second U-17 (hockey tournament), and we’re going to be starting very early in 2018 pulling together the group to do the 2020 Winter Games. I have to say this, it’s something we’re going to be working on, but I don’t see it as a challenge: there’s an opportunity to build a relationship with our First Nation neighbours. As you know, there has been the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the missing and murdered indigenous women inquiry that has to be dealt with. There are so many things that we could be working closely with our First Nations on, and we have not been doing that. This year (in 2017), we

LA: We have had a municipal law firm come up and have that conversation with us. It’s not like we’re not doing anything. We’re looking at, if this, then this; if this, then this. We can’t put anything into law until that actually comes into place. When talking to my colleagues that have gone ahead and done that, turned it into law, now they’re shutting down shops. I’m sure you’ve seen it in the news. Kelowna’s had that issue, Vancouver’s had that issue. Because it’s now law, they can be set up there, people are doing it, but it’s still illegal to do it. That’s why we can’t do anything yet. AHN: Fire dispatch. Where is that at and why is important city be compensated for the loss of local service? LA: The city is still discussing compensation because the city did ramp up our infrastructure

to provide the service. This is one of the issues that we have: we’re providing service and there’s absolutely no agreement to provide that service. It’s just something we had done as good neighbour over the years and they paid us to do a service, and there’s really been no agreement on how long it’s going to be. It’s just one of those ongoing things. And so, we’ve made the investment, the investment is no longer being used. There was no opportunity for us to get compensated for ramping up those services, so we felt there was a need to be appropriately compensated. In the same way there are boundary extensions, we pay the regional district for the loss of taxes. So, if you were living outside the city and you came into the city, your tax rate would take five years to come up, and at the same time, we’re paying the regional district for their loss of revenue. Our belief is that we pay you, you pay us. It should be no different. AHN: The city is major player in the Northeast BC Resource Municipalities Coalition. Where are we going to see that go in 2018? LA: We just finished our strategic plan that was created last summer. When it was being created, there was still some questions about the coalition government and what was going on, so that all had to get settled out. Now, we have a strategic plan in place and we just finished a work plan as well as the timeline for that work plan to get going. We’re going to be working on levelling the playing field. With the announcement of HD Mining in Tumbler Ridge, we’re going to shift our focus because we were advocating that Tumbler Ridge was interested in HD Mining. We’ll shift our focus with HD Mining: how do we ensure there is underground mining training being done locally in Tumbler Ridge? How do we make sure we have the health and the education and public safety and the services

that are required to provide the services to the community? As well, we’re looking at forestry, value-added forestry and the fibre supply, specifically more for Fort Nelson. AHN: What provincial, national, and international storylines will you be paying attention to in 2018? Provincially, where are we going with a lot of the promises for the services that are going to be available in the community, and how do we manage the much needed services, the soft infrastructure? So, mental health and addictions. How are we going to be dealing with the very much needed health care professionals, how are we going to invest in those? How are we going to create partnerships to make that happen? Nationally, we’re still waiting for the cannabis legalization, but we already discussed that. The province and the feds have to get together and fix that bridge over the Peace River. The only reason I wouldn’t lay that solely on lap of the province is because the federal government recognizes there’s a lot of revenue, first dollar GDP, that comes out of this region. So, the only way the province is going to be able to do that is through some kind of joint infrastructure project. We’re working on initiating a process for a new RCMP detachment building, so, perhaps there’s an opportunity for the federal government either contributing to that in the capital dollars for the building itself, or increasing the federal complement of RCMP that are here to assist our First Nations communities, or both. I think it’s important for the feds to do that. Internationally, I always wonder if Canada is ever the natural resource piggy bank for the U.S. and is Canada ever going to be able to get to yes on a project that brings our commodities to Canada’s west coast. That’s a huge issue for a lot of our businesses. We wait for that to happen.

AHN: What is something new you learned in 2017? LA: It was more of a reminder of the importance of family, being proactive with your health and a balanced life. AHN: Who was the most influential person in your life in 2017, and why? LA: The one person that keeps popping into my head is my granddaughter. She just has such a curious mind, and it’s taught me to be curious all the time and just to ask questions. Even if I think I know the answer, ask questions. AHN: If you had $1 million to invest in 2018, where would you put it and why? LA: I have always felt that an energy innovation centre is needed. We have access to every type of energy here, except tidal. We are one four cities north of the 56th parallel in Canada — if it will work here, it will work anywhere. I don’t know if you’ve been to Memorial University in Newfoundland, but they have a remarkable research centre there where entrepreneurs are able to take their ideas to this research centre and try it in simulated labs. It triggered my imagination probably 15 years ago and I just see the opportunity. I know from working on the science, innovation and technology council here for so many years that we have people who have created innovations. We have secondary manufacturing plants here around innovations that have been created. Unfortunately, every innovator in our resource industry here will go east to Alberta because the industry is understood there, and they can get the assistance and they can get the funding. We have a significant opportunity to decrease our footprint through innovation and I would really like to see an innovation centre here that allows people to come up here to do that research.

B12 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018

community

Denny Morrison featured in Olympic exhibit at BC Sports Hall of Fame matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

CANADIAN OLYMPIC TEAM Photo

Denny Morrison and his wife Josie were named to the Canadian long track speed skating team for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea. The Games begin Feb. 9.

Visitors to the BC Sports Hall of Fame have a chance to step on the same stardom as Fort St. John speed skater Denny Morrison in the lead up to the 2018 Winter Olympics. Morrison is celebrated as B.C.’s most decorated Winter Olympian as part of the Vancouver 2010 gallery at the hall of fame, which is looking to draw attention to iconic moments in the province’s sport history. Morrison’s exhibit chronicles the rise of the four-time medallist since he first skated onto the Olympic scene in Turin in 2006, and includes the podium he stood on in 2010 after winning his first Olympic gold, in the 3000-metre relay, as well as his track suit and skates. “He’s still writing his athletic story,” said curator Jason Beck. “He’s comeback from a horrific injury and a horrific medical illness to make it to

the Olympics for a fourth time, which is incredible. Even just making it for the fourth time is a great story, but I see this as an international story given what he’s overcome.” The gallery first opened in 2012, with Morrison’s exhibit on permanent display. Morrison was later inducted to the hall of fame in 2015, one of few active athletes to achieve the honour, Beck said. Morrison won his first Olympic medal in Turin, Italy, in 2006, winning silver as part of Canada’s team pursuit squad. Morrison earned gold on home turf in Vancouver in 2010 with his 3000-metre relay teammates; in 2014, he won a silver in the 1000m and bronze in the 1500m in Sochi, Russia. Fans will remember Morrison’s silver in Sochi came after teammate Gilmore Junio gave his spot to Morrison, who had failed to qualify after he tripped and fell during time trials. Morrison has a chance to

Peace Island Park playground news

“We need to be able to respond to them without complaint,” Mayor Rob Fraser said.

Notice needed to keep bees, hens

matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Construction is nearly done on the Peace Island Park Pavilion, a project between the Fort St. John Petroleum Association and the Peace Country River Rats jet boat club. Representatives from the River Rats told councillors they continue to fundraise to build an inclusive playground next to the pavilion, with around $20,000 in the bank so far. “We don’t want to exclude anybody,” Leanne Humphrey said, noting the existing playground is already a busy spot throughout the park season. The club would like to see a nature or boat-themed playground, and asked councillors for funding support. Councillors stopped short of committing funds for now, noting it will work with the club to leverage grants for the project as their plans progress and a concept is finalized. “We think the playground is a great idea,” Mayor Rob Fraser said. The River Rats are planning another dinner and dance fundraiser for the playground for Mother’s Day.

Residents looking to set up a bee apiary or hen house on their property will now be required to notify the district. The district’s zoning rules allow the animals to be raised and kept on a property, however, there were no provisions to give the district notice until now. Permitting for beekeeping and hen keeping is still in development.

DAVE LUENEBERG Photo

River Rats President Jason Palfy presenting Mayor Rob Fraser with a thank you plaque for the district’s support of the Taylor Flats 200 jet boat races.

gional district’s request asking that the $12,500 payment be continued in perpetuity, and ratified in a contract. “They’ve been paying all this time,” Mayor Rob Fraser said. “They recognize their was an agreement.” Prior to the regional landfill opening, studies suggested Taylor’s landfill had a life cycle of 100 years or more if it were a regional hub, and perhaps indefinitely if it only served the district, Fraser said.

Responds to solid waste pay snub Mass comms system mulled The Peace River Regional District wants to stop footing the bill to transport solid waste from Taylor to the North Peace landfill, but councillors are rebuking that request. The regional district wants to stop the annual $12,500 payment at the end of the 2017 fiscal year, as part of a review of waste management contracts between itself and its municipalities. But Mayor Rob Fraser said the compensation was agreed to in 1998 as a compromise when the district was forced to close its dump as the regional landfill was being developed to consolidate waste collection. The district contracts and pays for waste collection, transportation, and tipping fees, and is later reimbursed for the transportation. The problem? The deal was never put in writing. The district is responding to the re-

add to his Olympic medal tally in PyeongChang, South Korea, this month, where he will compete in the men’s 1500 metre and team pursuit events for Canada. It bookends a remarkable comeback following the 2014 Olympics after a serious motorcycle accident in 2015 and stroke in 2016. Morrison will mark that comeback with his wife Josie at his side, who was also named to Team Canada’s speed skating team. Though there are about 400 athletes inducted in the hall of fame, Morrison’s story is one about the ability of the human spirit to overcome adversity, Beck said. “They’ve all overcome something, whether it was an injury, an illness, a death, or some sort of other obstacle. But his kind of stands alone,” Beck said. The Olympics kick off Feb. 9, with long track speed skating events running from Feb. 10 to 14.

Councillors want the district to be included in a plan to implement mass communication software across the Peace Region. The Peace River Regional District is looking at software called Everbridge to alert residents and businesses about emergency events and daily operations. Municipalities can be included in the platform on a regional and individual level to update residents on everything from local emergencies to street closures, garbage collection schedules to public hearing notices. Mayor Rob Fraser called the software a “great opportunity” and that its $500 cost to the district was not out of line. The regional district wants to implement the system to address its communication challenges, noting the 2016

wildfire and flood events were challenging “due to inconsistent media reports, social media activity, and an inability to reach residents with timely and up -to-date information.” The PRRD “is geographically the largest regional district in the province and our residents all communicate in different and varied ways,” reads a letter to the district. “What works for one person may not work for another because of the services available in their area, or simply due to the way they choose to communicate.” The cost to the regional district would be US$15,000 and the software would be customizable based on end user preferences. The software purchase will be part of the regional district’s budget discussions later this month.

District responds to arena complaints Councillors directed staff to respond to the Taylor Minor Hockey Association about recent complaints about the arena, from broken door latches, gaps between the boards, battered skate mats, and more. Councillors want staff to sit with the organization to identify and address ongoing maintenance problems, increase routine inspections, and ensure more proactive repairs.

Mower, zamboni purchase approved Councillors approved spending $250,000 to buy a new fairway mower for the golf course and ice resurfacer for the arena. The approval comes before the adoption of this year’s capital budget, however, finance director Michael McPhail said the machines need to be ordered now to arrive in time for the coming summer and winter seasons. The fairway mower is budgeted at $150,000, and the ice resurfacer at $100,000.

Bylaw business Councillors gave first three readings to Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 823, 2018. The bylaw would authorize the district to borrow the estimated $4,224,285 needed to service the Parcel Z subdivision for residential development. The bylaw needs both provincial and resident approval before it can be adopted. Councillors plan to pay back the loan from lot sales once the subdivision is developed, and not through increased taxes or service cuts. “This council feels it’s a need in our community,” Mayor Rob Fraser said. Screening Bylaw 376, 1998 was repealed. This was a housekeeping item missed in 2014, when the district’s latest zoning bylaw was adopted and dealt with screening issues such as fences, hedges, and trees between properties.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 B13

community

City budget consultations set for Feb. 13 matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Have something to say about how Fort St. John plans to spend its money in 2018? City council will hold a public meeting Feb. 13 on its capital and operating budget plans for the year. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in council chambers at city hall. On the operating side, council is considering a 2.17 per cent tax rate increase to maintain service levels and the day-to-day costs of running the city, from civil servant salaries, to fire, police, bylaw, transit and recreational services. City staff have already trimmed $754,000 from discretionary budgets to blunt the increase, and would need to cut another $604,000 in spending, or find the same amount in new revenue, to hold the line on tax rates.

Declining property values are among the biggest revenue pressures this year. The city saw its overall assessment portfolio, used to calculate municipal taxes, drop 4.95 per cent this year. The average single-family home dropped 4.6 per cent, from $387,000 to $369,000 year-over-year. The draft $59.1-million budget proposes an increase in residential tax rates to $4.86 per $1,000 of assessed value, up from $4.75 — meaning homeowners who saw their property values drop on par with the city average will pay less this year. Homeowners who saw their property values stay the same will pay around $40 more come tax time—about 11 cents a day. Councillors have already approved, in principle, a capital spending plan for 2018 worth $57.1 million, and the city has started applying applying

for project funds through its Peace River Agreement with the province. One-third of the 2018 budget—$18.9 million—has been earmarked for roads and related infrastructure. The draft budget also calls for $14.4 million in spending on facilities and buildings. The city plans to spend $16.9-million on water and sewer, $4 million for new equipment and machinery, and $2.1 million on a number of operating projects. The bulk of the city’s capital plan, $24 million, is funded with provincial monies under the Peace River Agreement, which compensates the city for industrial development in the region. The rest is funded by grants, development charges, reserves, federal gas tax funds, and borrowing for local area service projects, which is recouped through taxes.

Golden Jakubowski

Nursing details still being sharpened supplied Photo

While there are rough estimates of how much funding will be needed to get the program off the ground, the proposal is still in the early stages of development, Ryan said. “We’re still exploring and developing this,” he said. Once the proposal is completed, the plan is to take a collaborative approach and unified voice to Victoria to drum up the necessary approvals and funding from the provincial government, Ackerman said. “We are more than willing to go down and knock on the doors in Victoria to help … make this happen,” Ackerman said. For its part, Northern Health says it supports local program development to help address

its staffing needs. “We know that where education is done locally, there is a greater likelihood that the people who take those programs will stay and work in the community,” spokesman Steve Raper said. “That’s been reflected in programs that UNBC, CNC, NWCC and NLC offer such as Medical Lab Technology, the Northern Medical Program, and Nursing introduced in the Northwest. A nursing program in the Northeast would address many of the nursing vacancies we experience in that region.” In 2017, the health authority co-ordinated placements for 1,963 “nursing family” students, for approximately 142,189 student hours, Raper said. “Placement requests arrive from both BC and

out of province educational institutions,” he said. “We are undertaking work to increase our capacity to accommodate the growing nursing student placement numbers. This includes the 32 seats that would be required (over two years) to support a cohort in the Northeast.” Officials with Northern Lights College did not return a request for comment by press time. Ackerman said the college has the ability to expand, while there’s classroom space and simulation lab at the city’s hospital, which was built for training purposes. Ryan anticipates having the proposal completed within the next few months. “I’m very pleased with the collaborative approach we’re taking,” he said.

Figure skater Darlene Jakubowski shows off her medals earned at the Special Olympics Regional Qualifier in Chiliwack from Feb. 2 to 4. Jakubowski qualified for the 2019 Provincial Games with a gold medal in free style and a silver medal in dance.

vandals from a1

“Police are speculating the ‘would be thieves’ were attempting to gain access to the jewelry store inside the mall, but again were not successful,” RCMP said in a statement. Police say the truck was stolen earlier that night. It’s identified as a grey 2002 Ford flat deck with BC licence plate LV5921. It has yet to be recovered. No damage estimates to the mall have been provided. The mall has been a frequent target of vandals and thieves over the last

several years. In 2013, the mall installed big, bright yellow bollards in front of all its entrances after a string of smash and grabs targeting the Michael So Jewellery and Apollo Avenue stores. “The thing about this incident is that the bollards we installed worked, they couldn’t go through the entrance, so they tried plowing through a solid wall. More bollards wasn’t the answer in this case,” Schlitt said.

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY CALL .. TO PLACE YOUR AD

The Power Of Print Print is stable... Print has longevity...

DECOR

RESTAURANTS

Carousel Design & Decor “Ask our Blind Man”

Blinds, Bedding & Draperies

Typically 24% pass an ad onto others, 23% save the ad for future use and 13% visit a related website as a result of the publication.

Where are YOU spending your advertising dollars? Call today and feel the power!

Email: rwallace@ahnfsj.ca | Office: 250-785-5631 9916 98 Street, Fort St. John, BC V1J 3T8

Brenda Piper Sales Associate

Email: bpiper@ahnfsj.ca | Office: 250-785-5631 9916 98 Street, Fort St. John, BC V1J 3T8

Open 7 Days a Week: 5:30am - 10:00pm

Call 250-785-5754

dine in • take out • catering

lty Making u c f f i D pointments? p A l a r Seve

Denturist Jodie Atkinson

milezerodentureclinic.ca

Also located in Fort St. John

250-843-7885

ROOFING

DENTURES

Dentures are made in 2 days! www.alaskahighwaynews.ca

www.alaskahighwaynews.ca

Ryan Wallace @ 250-785-5631 rwallace@ahnfsj.ca Debbie Bruinsma @ 250-785-5631 dbruinsma@ahnfsj.ca RyanBrenda Wallace Piper @ 250-785-5631 Advertising Manager bpiper@ahnfsj.ca

Hunter Douglas, Plus Two Top-Line or Budget Prices

Denture Financing Now Available! 250-782-6004 103-816 103 Ave

Dawson Creek, BC

R0051169490

nursing from a1

B14 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018

Classifieds Are You In Debt with your Credit Cards? Consolidate your credit card for less. With rates from 2.3% APR offer bad credit or low income OK. 1-800-581-8288

X THIS IS WHERE YOUR AD SHOULD BE

General employment

Coming EvEnts

Mile “O” Quilter’s

YOUR AD HERE

Dawson Creek Seniors Hall Activities 1011 McKellar Ave. Floor curling, carpet bowling, pool, line dancing, bridge, crib, darts, bingo, Wellness Exercise, craft classes. Schedules are available at the hall. Come and see our hall and try out our activities.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17 - COUNTRY MUSIC DANCE-Music by “Night Sounds” at the Senior Citizens Hall, 1101 McKellar Ave, Dawson Creek. Dance from 8:30- 12:30 Admission includes lunch. For more information phone Linda at 250-843-7418 or Joanne at 250-7820158

General employment

Guild meets every Tuesday & Thursday in Dawson Creek at KPAC in Studio #10 at 7pm

Career OppOrtunities

TRADE JOURNEYMAN BRIDGE WORKER WANTED Yellowhead Road & Bridge (Kootenay) Ltd is accepting resumes for the position of Trade Journeyman Bridge Worker based out of Nelson BC. Applicants should be physically fit, willing to travel and work in all weather conditions. A BC TQ in Bridge Worker/Pile Driver is required with a Valid Class 3 Drivers License with air endorsement. Resumes along with credentials and drivers abstract can be emailed to kootenay@yrb.ca no later than February 16th 2018.

PART-TIME ESSENTIAL SKILLS INSTRUCTORS

YOU HAVE A BUSINESS TO RUN. Time spent hiring and training could be time better spent running your business. You need a recruitment partner.

Looking for individuals who have experience teaching any of the following: Math, Reading, Writing, Life skills, Career search Computer skills, Conflict resolution etc.

Did you know that approximately 75% of all business expenses are related to human resources, including recruitment costs, benefits, absenteeism, and turnover?* Employers can control those costs by hiring Macenna Staffing Services. Save time, money and aggravation by outsourcing.

Please email your resume and cover letter To registrar@uapicbc.ca

OUTSOURCING ALLOWS YOU TO: Tap into Macenna Staffing Services comprehensive database of candidates or take advantage of their broad advertising capabilities.

LegaL/PubLic Notices

Coming EvEnts PC Roots Group Building Open: Every Saturday Sept-June 10:00am-12:00pm to members wanting to use the genealogy library. A member will be available by appointment to anyone requiring help on how to get started on your family history. Everyone is welcome. We are located in the small building in NAR Park. For appointment call: Lynn- 250-7824058. Neil- 250-7827651. Website http://peacecountryroots.ca PC Roots Group Meeting: 4th Sunday/month - from Sept-June 1:30pm in the Archives Room at The Calvin Kruk Center. Getting started on family tree research, need Help? Come learn & share experiences with other amateur genealogists. New members welcome. For more info call: Lynn- 250-7824058. Neil- 250-7827651. Website http://peacecountryroots.ca

LegaL/PubLic Notices

Public Meeting

Shorten the process, eliminate steps and benefit from quick response time.

2018 Operating & Capital Budgets

Save on costs associated with hiring, and 'try out' a candidate before you hire.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

| f. 250.785.4795 | e. apply@macenna.com | www.macenna.com

LegaL/PubLic Notices

consultation regarding the proposed 2018 Operating and Capital Budgets. The agenda for this public meeting will be available on the City’s website at www.fortstjohn.ca

DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PLAN

www.fortstjohn.ca

Reference #2018-2023 IPMP Renewal

Using the principles of integrated pest management (IPM), the pest management methods proposed for use may include seeding, re-vegetation, hand-pulling/cutting, mowing, string trimmers, brushing, biological control, and the use of herbicides by ground application. Trade names of the herbicides proposed for use under this plan may include: • Vantage XRT, VP480, Clearview, Navius VM, Escort, Tordon 22K, Banvel VM, MCPA Amine 500, Truvist, Esplanade SC, Transline, Lontrel 360, Arsenal Powerline. • Active ingredients: Aminopyralid, metsulfuron-methyl, diflunfenzopyr, MCPA, 2,4-D, Picloram, Chlorsulfuron, Dicamba, Aminocyclopyrachlor, Indaziflam, Clopyralid, Glyphosate, Imazapyr. The proposed term of the IPMP is 5-years from May 20, 2018 to May, 19th, 2023. A draft copy of IPMP document is available and may be viewed upon request by contacting the applicant or agent below: Applicant: Canlin Energy Corp. 2600, 237-4th Ave. SW Calgary, AB T2P 4K3 E-mail Jacqueline.vammen@canlinenergy.com

Agent: E-Qwest Consulting Ltd. 2579 Sylvia Road, Lake Country, BC V4V2R8 250-766-2677 E-mail e-qwest@shaw.ca

Any person wishing to contribute information about a proposed treatment sites, relevant to the development of this IPMP may send copies of the information to the address above within 30 days of the publication of this notice.

LegaL/PubLic Notices

Land Act: Notice of Intention to Apply for a Disposition of Crown Land

The Lands File for this application is 8015962. Written comments concerning this application should be directed to Authorization Officer, Northeast Region, MFLNRORD, at 100-10003-110th Avenue, Fort St. John, BC V1J 6M7, (250) 787-3415 Comments will be received by MFLNRORD up to March 10, 2018. MFLNRORD may not be able to consider comments received after this date. Please visit the website at www.arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/index.jsp for more information and a map of the application area or send comments directly to: AuthorizingAgency.FortStJohn@gov.bc.ca A Government decision for this application is expected on or after March 10, 2018. Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. Access to these records requires the submission of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/freedomofinformation to learn more about FOI submissions.

LegaL/PubLic Notices

We, Pengrowth Energy Corporation, 2100 222-3rd Ave SW Calgary AB T2P 0B4, intend to submit this application to the Director to authorize the discharge of air emissions (NOx) from a gas plant. The source(s) of discharge are one 1253 kW sales compressor natural gas driven reciprocating engine (Waukesha L7044GSI), two 955 kW inlet compressors natural gas driven reciprocating engines (Waukesha L5774LT), two 600 kW natural gas-fired gensets (Waukesha H-36GL-HCR), one heat medium package, two glycol reconcentrators, one low pressure flare (consuming pilot/purge gas), and one high pressure flare (consuming pilot/purge gas). The land upon which the facility will be situated and the discharge will occur is 06-19-80-20 W6M, located near Groundbirch, BC, within the Peace River Regional District of Northern BC. The maximum rate of air emissions discharged from this facility will be 11.60 g/s of NOx. The operating period for this facility will be 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. The characteristics of the waste discharged are as follows: 2.65 g/s of NOx during normal operations, 11.60 g/s NOx during worst-case abnormal flaring. The type of treatment to be applied to the discharge is: 3-way catalyst treatment for the proposed 1253 kW sales compressor engine, the effect of which is already accounted for in the emission rate; dispersion modelling determined that air quality will not be compromised due to the discharge of NOx from the gas plant. Any person who may be adversely affected by the proposed discharge of waste and wishes to provide relevant information may, within 30 days after the last date of posting, publishing, service or display, send written comments to the applicant, with a copy to the Regional Manager, Environmental Protection at Bag 2, Fort St. John, B.C., V1J 2B0. The identity of any respondents and the contents of anything submitted in relation to this application will become part of the public record.

LegaL/PubLic Notices Tenders

LegaL/PubLic Notices

Tenders

Take notice that BC Hydro and Power Authority has applied to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (MFLNRORD), Northeast Region, for a Temporary Licence of Occupation situated on Provincial Crown land located at Farrell Creek, Peace River District. The Lands File for this application is 8015963. Written comments concerning this application should be directed to Authorization Officer, Northeast Region, MFLNRORD, at 100-10003-110th Avenue, Fort St. John, BC V1J 6M7, (250) 787-3415 Comments will be received by MFLNRORD up to March 10, 2018. MFLNRORD may not be able to consider comments received after this date. Please visit the website at www.arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/index.jsp for more information and a map of the application area or send comments directly to: AuthorizingAgency.FortStJohn@gov.bc.ca A Government decision for this application is expected on or after March 10, 2018.

Tenders Wonowon

Coming EvEnts

Tenders

Proposal: To rezone the subject property from R-2 (Residen�al 2 Zone) to HC (Highway Commercial Zone) to permit the opera�on of a InvItatIon campground.

to tender NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

MIleAMENDMENT 62.5 transfer statIon sIte attendant ZONING BYLAW NO. 2294, (KRONHARDT) 2017 District Lot 2167, PRD Wonowon

The Peace River Regional District invites the submission of bids from qualified individuals or companies to supply the services of site attendant, for a three year period, at the Mile 62.5 Transfer This no�ce is in general form only. Relevant background documents may be inspected from Monday Station.

through Friday, excluding holidays, between the hours of 8:30am – 4:30pm at the PRRD Dawson Creek Proposal: rezone the Dawson Creek, BC) or 8:30am – Noon and 1:00pm – 4:30pm at the PRRD Fort offi ce (1981To Alaska Avenue, Interested parties may obtain a copy of the tender document from subject property from thR-2 Street, Fort St. John, BC). Wri�en comments or concerns accepted. St. John offi ce (9505-100 the Regional website at: Chris Cvik, Chief Administra�ve Officer (Residen� al 2 Zone)District’s to HC

(Highway Commercial Zone)

http://prrd.bc.ca/category/tenders-rfps For more informa�on:

to permit the opera�on of a When:

campground. Tuesday, January. 23, 2018 at 7 pm For more information, call

Development Services Department

Tel: 250-784-3200 (250) 784-3200 or 1-800-670-7773.

www.prrd.bc.ca Phillip Kovacs Wonowon Elementary School & Community Solid Waste Manager Hall, 19211 Petrocan Subdivision Wonowon B.C

LegaL/PubLic Notices

Land Act: Notice of Intention to Apply for a Disposition of Crown Land

ZONING BYLAW NO. 2294, (KRONHARDT) 2017 AMENDMENTDistrict Lot 2167, PRD

Where:

Telephone No. 403-930-0245

Funeral ServiceS

Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. Access to these records requires the submission of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Visit LegaL/PubLic http://www.gov.bc.ca/freedomofinformation to learn Notices NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING more about FOI submissions.

Application for a Permit Under The Provisions of the Environmental Management Act

Contact person Damian Bransby-Williams

SUNDAYS: FAMILY TREE HELP - Peace Country Roots Group Meeting - Fourth Sunday of each Month at the CALVIN KRUK CENTRE in Dawson Creek 1:30pm

Funeral ServiceS

LegaL/PubLic Notices

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NOTICE

Dated this 5th day of January, 2018.

South Peace Historical Society Meetings Third Wednesday of the month. In Dawson Creek at the Calvin Kruk Centre Archives Room at 2 pm.

Barbara MacLean Vera Mattson

Canlin Energy Corp. is revising their current Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP) under British Columbia’s Integrated Pest Management Act and associated regulations. Under these regulations this plan is required to be renewed every five years. The purpose of this renewal is to manage vegetation and invasive weed control on facilities, rights-of-way, lease sites and related infrastructure. This IPMP will cover various activities within the Peace River Regional District & Northern Rockies Municipality and proximity to communities such as Fort St John, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, Wonowon, and other small communities in those regions.

Gwen Thorlakson (Nana) passed away peacefully in the early hours of February 4, 2018 at the age of 98 at the Prince George Hospice House. Mum was born in Golders Green, a suburb of London, England on April 14, 1919. She is survived by her daughter Christine Van Emmerik of Okanagan Falls, BC, her son Steve Thorlakson (Kathy) of Fort St John, BC, and her son Carl Thorlakson (Janet) of Prince George BC, also 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Gwen was predeceased by her husband Harold Thorlakson, grandson Danny Van Emmerik, great granddaughter Georgia Van Emmerik and son in law John Van Emmerik. Mum came to Canada as a war bride in 1946 with Dad and Chris, first settling in Winnipeg, Manitoba where Steve was born, then moving West to the Lower Mainland of British Columbia where Carl was born. She spent her final 8 years living with Carl and Janet in Prince George, BC. In her 80’s Mum began several years of Volunteer service by delivering Meals on Wheels to those who she called "the old people". Prior to that, Mum had spent 30+ years as a counsellor and mentor to many in Al Anon. We ask that everyone not be sad at Mum’s passing, but celebrate her long life by hoisting a 4 O’Clocksie in her memory, No service by request. A very heartfelt and special thank you to all the staff at the Prince George Hospice House for their love and care that made Mum’s final days so beautifully peaceful. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Prince George Hospice Society in Gwen’s name would be greatly appreciated.

SATURDAYS: LEARN YOUR ROOTS - Genealogy information NAR PARK ROOTS BUILDING 10:00am peacecountryroots.ca Save the Dates July 13, 5:00 pm to July 15, 2018 at 3:30 pm for the Annual Mile Zero Cruisers Summer Cruise weekend starts with Registration held at the Dawson Co-op. Bring down your pride and joy and register for the Summer Cruise Car Show weekend. All registrants will receive access to all weekend events as well as a chance to win prizes. Check in this paper for more details closer to the show!

Barbara Ellenaway MacLean Vera passed in Fort passed in Fort St John away Thursday January St. John on Thursday, 25, 2018. 15 A thCelebration November , 2012 of Life will be at the surrounded byheld family Peace Lutheran and loved ones. A Church Celebration of her Banquet Room 9812 – 108 Life will at the Ave, FortbeStheld John, BC on Taylor Community Monday February 5, Hall on Thursday, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. luncheon November 22nd–from Sept 11, 1933 - Jan 25, 2018 2 to 4pm; remarks will to follow. begin at 2:15pm. In Lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy be made If so desired, expressions of sympathy maymay be made in in Vera’s memory to the FortBCSPCA, St John the & District Care Barbara’s memory to the KidneyPalliative Foundation of Canada andHospital the FSJFoundation. Hospital Foundation. Society or the

at 6:00 p.m. to allow for public

LegaL/PubLic Notices

THORLAKSON, Gwen April 14, 1919 − February 4, 2018

Funeral ServiceS

Coming EvEnts

Announcements

Vera Barbara Ellen MacLean Mattson

in City Hall Council Chambers

R0011508820

10139 101 Ave. Fort St. John, BC V1J 2B4 | p. 250.785.8367

Announcements

Celebration of Life

A public meeting is scheduled for

Macenna Staffing Services can coordinate your entire recruitment process. Call us for more information today!

250-785-5631 classifieds@ahnfsj.ca

Fax: 250-784-3201 Toll Free: 1-800-670-7773 Email: prrd.dc@prrd.bc.ca

diverse. vast. abundant.

This no�ce is in general form only. Relevant background documents may be inspected from Monday

47994

Announcements

Book Your Ad Now!

South Peace Players present “Farce of Habit”, a dessert theatre at South Peace United Church Upper Hall, 1300-104th Avenue, Dawson Creek. Thursday Feb. 22 at 7:30 pm Friday, Feb 23 at 7:30 pm Saturday, Feb 24 at 7:30 pm Sunday, February 25 at 2:00 pm Tickets at Simple Pleasures in Dawson Creek. All tickets are $20 each, open seating. To reserve a table for 8 to 10 people, phone Mary at 250786-5085. Tuesday, Feb. 13th, 2018 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s Church Hall in Dawson Creek (1029-103 Ave). Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 B15

Classifieds Thursday at 9:30 amNew Beginnings Baptist Church in DC, 10221-18th St.-TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly). Phone: Gail at 250-782-7208 for more info.

Career OppOrtunities

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! In-demand career! Employers have work-at-home positions available. Get online training you need from an employertrusted program. Visit: CareerStep.ca/MT or 1855-768-3362 to start training for your workat-home career today!

SANDMAN INNS RURAL BC recruiting management couples, both full-time and part-time roles available. Ask us about our great employee perks and accommodation. Apply on https://sandmanhotels.prevueaps.com Urban Systems Civil Engineering Technologist Our Fort St John office is looking to hire a Civil Engineering Technologist. For more information, please visit our website. www.urbansystems.ca/ careers

LegaL/PubLic Notices

For Sale MiSc

HealtH ServiceS

Business services

IndustrIal/ CommerCIal

OVER ONE MILLION DOLLARS of Safety and Workwear Clear-Outs. Serving Rural Municipalities and Farms across Canada since 1986. Great deals. Don’t Miss Out! directworkwear.com.

Get up to $50,000 from the Government of Canada. Do you or someone you know have any of these Conditions? ADHD, Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma, Cancer, COPD, Depression, Diabetes, Difficulty Walking, Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowels, Overweight, Trouble Dressing...and Hundreds more. ALL Ages & Medical Conditions Qualify. CALL THE BENEFITS PROGRAM 1-(800)211-3550

GET RESULTS! Post a classified in 98 newspapers in just a few clicks. Reach almost 2 million people for only $395 a week for 25-word text ad or $995 for small display ad. Choose your province or all across Canada. Best value. Save over 85% compared to booking individually. www.communityclassifieds.ca or 1866-669-9222.

Commercial & Office Space for Lease and Rent. Pouce Coupejust outside Dawson. From 1200 sq ft of office or 2800 sq ft of shop with small upstairs “great accom” to a 4800 sq ft shop with fenced yard. www.silexpoucecoupe.ca available now.

Business OppOrtunities

LegaL/PubLic Notices

SAWMILLS from only $4,397 - MAKE MONEY & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info & DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com/400OT 1800-567-0404 Ext:400OT. FOR SALE IN ARRAS: Futon,Burgundy Mattress. $100. Can Deliver for Extra. Phone: 250-8437354 COLORADO BLUE SPRUCE: $0.99/each for a box of 180 ($178.20). Also full range of tree, shrub, and berry seedlings. Free shipping most of Canada. Growth guarantee. 1-866-873-3846 or TreeTime.ca.

LegaL/PubLic Notices

Mobile/Manufactured HoMes for sale

Pine Ridge Modular Homes 14’, 16’ & 20’ Singles. 24’-30’ Double Wides. S.R.I. Homes, Fort St John-Mile 49.5 (250)262-2847

ApArtments/ Condos for

BIRCHVIEW MANOR Furnished and Unfurnished 1 Bedroom Suites. Adults Only, Senior Discount. Bus Stop at Front Door. 250-784-5817

HIP OR KNEE REPLACEMENT? Arthritic Conditions/ COPD? Restrictions in Walking/ Dressing? Disability Tax Credit $2,000 Tax Credit $20,000 Refund. Apply Today For Assistance: 1844-453-5372.

CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer Employment/Licensing loss? Travel/Business opportunities? Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US Entry Waiver. Record Purge. File Destruction. Free Consultation 1-800-3472540. accesslegalmjf.com

Business services

SuiteS For rent

Arctic Duct Cleaning, Furnace & duct cleaning, Chimney sweep. 250-787-7217 (FSJ)

FURNISHED BASEMENT SUITE. Internet Included. Available Immediately. NO PETS. Pouce Coupe. Call 250-7865157.

STEEL BUILDING SALE... “REALLY BIG SALE-EXTRA WINTER DISCOUNT ON NOW!!” 20X23 $5,798 25X27 $6,356 30x31 $8,494 32X33 $8,728 35X35 $11,670. One end wall included. Pioneer Steel 1-855-212-7036 www.pioneersteel.ca

LegaL/PubLic Notices

• •

Colliers Macaulay Nicolls Inc.

LegaL/PubLic Notices

ApArtments/ Condos for

250-785-5631 classifieds@ahnfsj.ca ApArtments/ Condos for

ApArtments/ Condos for

Li-Car Management Group

We have a variety of apartments, town homes, executive homes, and duplexes for rent. To apply for these,please email reception@licar.ca or visit our website at www.licar.ca

Steel BuildingS / granarieS

•

LegaL/PubLic Notices

ApArtments/ Condos for

R0011352381

Coming EvEnts

Book Your Ad Now!

2018 Parcel Tax and Frontage Tax Assessment Rolls The Peace River Regional District will have the 2018 Parcel Tax Assessment Rolls and the Frontage Tax Assessment Rolls available for inspection for the following services: Fort St. John Airport Water Rolla Sewer Fort St. John Airport Sewer Rolla Dyke Charlie Lake Sewer Chilton Subdivision Sewer Kelly Lake Sewer Friesen Subdivision Sewer 12 Mile Road Electrification Harper Subdivision Sewer This gives owners of property in the service areas listed above an opportunity to correct information on the Assessment Rolls. The Financial Services Manager may only receive discrepancies on the following: A. That owners of parcels included on the assessment roll may request that the roll be amended respecting matters listed below: i) the names of the owners of parcels of land ii) the actual number of parcels or frontage iii) the taxable number of parcels or frontage B. That the assessment roll is available for inspection at the Peace River Regional District offices in Dawson Creek and Fort St John during normal work hours (8:30 am – noon, 1:00 – 4:30 pm), from February 7 – February 21, 2018. C. All discrepancies in the rolls must be received, in writing, but only in relation to their own property, no later than February 21, 2018, to be considered by: Christina Wards, Financial Services Manager Peace River Regional District Box 810 Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4H8 Anyone wishing to view these documents may do so, between 8:30 am to noon and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the Regional District offices. 1981 Alaska Avenue, 9505 – 100th Street, Dawson Creek, BC Fort St. John, BC Telephone inquiries should be directed to Christina Wards, Financial Services Manager at (250)784.3200 or Toll Free at 1.800.670.7773 or by fax at (250) 784.3229. The Parcel Tax Review will be held on February 22, 2018, at 9:30 am at the Regional District offices located at 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC.

diverse. vast. abundant.

Phone: 250-785-2662

B16 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018

Need help deciding?

Bring this coupon in and

Receive one FREE pint colour sample in any Benjamin Moore colour! 1 coupon per visit - Expires February 28, 2018

We are still the in town Benjamin Moore dealer for paint and accessories and we offer Air miles, free quotes and free consult /expert advice on flooring, paint and window blinds.

787-1842

10020-96 Ave., Fort St. John, BC V1J 1L3 Website: www.braunsflooring.com