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MLA Rosalyn Bird pitches a non-partisan push to build a military supply, fire training and emergency response base in Prince George
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A soldier from C-Company, 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, oversees the safety of Canadian Armed Forces members during a training exercise in this undated file photo. Prince George-Valemount MLA Rosalyn Bird appeared before the city’s Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs earlier this week to share her vision of a multi-disciplinary emergency response and military supply hub for Prince George.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
NEWS
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
Bird pitches non-partisan approach to inland port plan It would make use of PG’s ideal location and YXS’s underused airport trade zone COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
One of Prince George’s three MLAs pitched the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs on working with her, the provincial government and the federal government to bring a joint inland port to the city during its Monday, Aug. 10 meeting. Prince George-Valemount Conservative MLA Rosalyn Bird, a retired military officer, said there are three independent threads the city has a narrow window to pursue for a facility that combines an emergency response centre and military logistics hub. The first is that, earlier this year, Canada finally started meeting its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) defence spending commitment of two per cent of its annual gross domestic product (GDP), she said. The federal government is also pledging to hit defence spending worth five per cent of GDP by 2035. Part of this spending commitment includes another 1.5 per cent of GDP targeted to defence-adjacent projects like emergency preparedness. If the city wants to receive some of this spending, Bird said it needs to act now. The second thread identified by Bird is wildfire response. Amidst a hot summer with severe wildfire risks, she said that though Prince George has a new equipment depot for the BC Wildfire Service, it’s infrastructure unconnected to a larger system. The third thread is forestry. Bird said successive facility closures have hit multiple communities in Northern BC since 2023, including in Prince George, Chetwynd, Houston, Bear Lake and Vanderhoof. These facilities have left trained workers looking for jobs. To take advantage of these three threads, Bird said, Prince George
KATIE PAOLUCCI TOWNSLEY/FACEBOOK PHOTO
Military aircraft occasionally use YXS, as these helicopters did in August 2025. MLA Rosalyn Bird suggests taking advantage of the airport’s long runway as part of a new military and emergency response hub in the city.
should seek to develop an integrated inland port featuring a logistics support base for the Canadian Armed Forces, a training facility for Canadian Forces reservists, a national fire and disaster response training centre and an expanded foreign trade, air cargo and customs zone. She said Prince George is the ideal location for a complex like this because of large swaths of leasable land near the airport, shovel-ready industrial land, the capacity to accommodate live-fuel fire training and its position as a convergence place for two major highways, CN Rail lines and an international airport as well as proximity to foreign trade zones in Vancouver and Prince Rupert. Bird’s presentation argued that supply chain, permanent operations and construction jobs that would be connected to this project would map in almost a one-to-one ratio to lost forestry jobs from recent years. Any needed retraining, she said, could be arranged through the University of Northern BC and College of New Caledonia. She quoted a Citizen article from May 2025 where Prince George Fire Rescue chief Bryan Burleigh cited the need for a live fire training centre. Because of the major rail corridor, she said that this facility could be developed at a national rather than regional case.
As most international cargo in BC is currently concentrated in the Lower Mainland, Bird said it creates congestion, capacity issues and vulnerability to disruptions, something that a Prince George inland port could help address. Her presentation slides explored the potential involvement of the city, the provincial government and the federal government for the program, but there’s not much info on how the parties will work together. However, Bird said that the longer the city waits, the greater the chance the defence spending goes elsewhere, skilled workers relocate and that wildfire responses will be more reactive than proactive. Speaking during Monday’s meeting, Bird said that this proposal did not come from her originally but is the culmination of ideas being mulled over by multiple parties including the City of Prince George and Prince George Fire Rescue and that she had combined them into a cohesive package. She said that she has forwarded her proposal to the federal Conservative Party, which she said was prepared to advocate on its behalf, and Premier David Eby would be receiving an information package the day after. Additionally, she said she and Esquimalt-Colwood NDP MLA Darlene Rotchford, the province’s parliamentary secretary for armed forces development and
veterans’ affairs, have agreed that military development is a non-partisan matter and they will work together on the file. Other conversations have taken place, she said, with the federal defence critic and she has garnered some support from people within the Canadian Armed Forces. Discussing the strengths of Prince George Airport, Bird said that a trade zone was established there years ago but has seen little use. Also of benefit is its runway, the fourth-longest in Canada, which means a variety of aircraft can be landed there, and its status as one of two airports in Canada that can host live-fire response training. Coun. Brian Skakun asked whether letters of support from local partners should be gathered before delivering a package to the premier. Bird said her strategy is to re-initiate conversations that have already taken place over the past five or six years. With the intergovernmental affairs committee only having one more meeting before local elections on Saturday, Oct. 17, Bird said she wanted to get things moving so that that the project can be proactive, not reactive. Additionally, she said she wanted to make sure all her local partners were aware of what she’s doing. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
NEWS
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
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Emergency response, training, military in Bird’s proposal CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Coun. Kyle Sampson applauded Bird’s work, saying that it builds on the work the committee had already taken care of and seems to align with the priorities listed by provincial officials during a recent delegation to Victoria. City manager Walter Babicz suggested that the committee pass a recommendation forwarding the item for the whole of city council to discuss and adopt a motion adding it as an advocacy item until the file further develops. Mayor Simon Yu said he was especially interested in the rail component of the project as several communities in the BC Interior discuss an attempt to save a rail corridor between Squamish and 100 Mile House. Coun. Susan Scott asked for more information on the foreign trade zone. Bird said because there’s a lot of available space around the airport, it
BC WILDFIRE SERVICE PHOTO
A BC Wildfire Service team heads out to deal with a wildfire in this photo taken earlier this summer. The inland port proposed for Prince George could include emergency response training.
could host a full customs depot so that anything could be shipped or received worldwide from Prince George rather
than having to route those items elsewhere. Given the size of Prince George’s
airport, that could pretty much be anything. Bird said she has a meeting scheduled with airport officials for later in the week. Coun. Garth Frizzell, the committee chair, said that Bird bringing forward the item now will help make sure the project gets carried forward into the next term. Annie Doran, the city’s senior advisor for intergovernmental affairs, agreed that the items raised by Bird align with conversations the city and its staff have already engaged in and that it would be worth it for these talks to continue after the election. Sampson asked that notes from the committee’s Ottawa delegation earlier this year be shared with Bird to help her with future discussions. The committee voted unanimously to recommend advocacy on the item. “As we all know, the squeaky wheel gets the grease,” Bird said. “This will get the wheel squeaking.”
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
NEWS
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
Major projects could be a boost for PG, committee hears More than 20,000 construction jobs could be coming to Northern BC COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
Money is coming to Northern BC from major economic projects, but the City of Prince George will have to work to make sure some of those dollars are spent locally, the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs heard at a Monday, Aug. 10, meeting. Of the 35 major projects representing potential investments worth about $88 billion currently being pursued in BC, Corstanje’s slides said about 20 of them in the Cariboo, Nechako, North Coast and Northeast regions could use Prince George as a hub. Those projects within proximity of Prince George have potential investment values of more than $50 billion, with more than 20,000 construction jobs likely needed for them. He listed these six example projects near Prince George: • BC Hydro’s North Coast Transmission line project, with $6 billion in investment and around 1,400 construction jobs required • Phase 2 of Blackwater Mine, with $1 billion invested since 2022, as well as 800 construction and 170 operations jobs • Mount Milligan mine expansion, with $400 million in investment sustaining more than 1,000 existing jobs • Gibraltar Mine, with $800 million invested to date, representing 700 direct jobs and 2,860 total jobs • Nilhts’I Ecoener wind project, with $425 million in investment • Angus Silica Sand Mine, with $300 million in investment supporting 150 construction and 290 operations and delivery jobs All six of these projects, Corstanje said, overlap to some degree. He also listed a couple of projects not on the federal major projects list that
TASEKO MINE PHOTO
Gibraltar Mine, located north of Williams Lake, is one of the Northern BC projects that could benefit Prince George, the city’s economic development manager says.
could have a big economic impact on Prince George. The first is the acute-care tower project at the University Hospital of Northern BC, with an estimated investment of $1.6 billion. Corstanje said this project will benefit local workers through both construction and ongoing operations, as well as local contractors. The second is the potential sustainable aviation fuel facility that Tidewater Renewables has expressed interest in building on the site of its existing refinery and renewable diesel facility. This project, he said, will benefit workers from both a construction and operational standpoint, provide opportunities for local contractors during the construction process and contribute to the city’s tax base if it goes ahead. However, he cautioned that the company has not made a final investment decision on the project. Another element of Corstanje’s presentation looked at the potential challenges and downsides of pursuing
major projects. He pointed to the LNG Canada facility near Kitimat. The prime contractor for that export facility, he said, formerly operated a dedicated business liaison office in the Village of Kitimat five days a week. That liaison office for one single project has more staff than Prince George has economic development personnel. As both the LNG Canada and Cedar LNG projects were being pursued at the same time, bringing 8,000 people to the Kitimat area, Corstanje said the federal and provincial governments needed to have dedicated co-ordination structures to handle them, as local governments couldn’t do it alone. With many of these projects having sustained operations, he said that means staff must consistently engage with companies as they progress. There are currently two economic development personnel at the city. Corstanje said that at the current volume of major project announcements,
50 to 85 per cent of their available hours could be taken up by working on them. When the Site C Dam project (now renamed the John Horgan Dam) was underway, Corstanje said the workforce stationed in Fort St. John for the project collapsed from a peak of 6,069 to fewer than 40. “The city’s own economic development strategy now names workforce attraction and housing as its top challenge,” Corstanje said of Fort St. John. That post-boom peak is something that Prince George has already experienced to some degree with the forestry industry. Corstanje also pointed to the decline in population in Tumbler Ridge from 5,000 when local coal mines were operating in the 1990s to 2,000 people today. For the Northwest BC Resources Benefits Alliance, Corstanje said it took nine years to secure a resource-sharing agreement. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
NEWS
City’s window to take action is now, committee hears CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE With these major projects still in the permitting or tender phases, Corstanje said Prince George’s window to organize and consider its capacity for economic development to take advantage of these opportunities is now. He recommended that the city: • Look for grants, partnerships and other ways to boost its economic development capacity • Determine how much engagement major projects might need from the city • Encourage employers to post job opportunities on the city’s Move Up PG job board • Find ways to share the workload with partners such as the federal and provincial governments, post-secondary and workforce organizations and First Nations At a previous committee meeting, members passed a motion requesting Corstanje to look into opportunities relating to a recently announced deal for Canada to procure submarines from Germany, for which the contractor has committed to investing in Canadian industries as part of the process, as well as for a proposed oil pipeline that would go from Alberta to BC’s Lower Mainland. For these items, Corstanje said it would be hard to estimate the potential economic impact on Prince George “without a dedicated study using contracted expertise.” During the meeting, he said part of the difficulty in determining the local impact is that the submarines being manufactured will be stationed quite far away, either at CFB Esquimalt on Vancouver Island or in Halifax, N.S. For the major projects, he said it’s likely that some of the proposed projects will receive negative investment decisions and never come to fruition. However, he said if the city doesn’t start working to take advantage of these potential projects now, it likely won’t reap the benefits in the long term. That
does mean a decision has to be made on what kind of staff capacity the city wants to devote to these files. Coun. Brian Skakun said he thinks the committee needs to sometimes provide more direction to Corstanje’s office on what projects it wants to examine. With an election coming up this fall, Skakun said council needs to discuss its philosophy on how involved it wants to be in economic development files and how much direction it wants to provide both Corstanje’s office and staff under city manager Walter Babicz. As Northwood Pulp Mill is set to close by the end of the year, Skakun said the city can’t afford to devote resources to these kinds of projects. Babicz said administration will be scheduling strategic planning sessions after the elections to determine council’s priorities. He said an enhancement to the economic development department’s budget could happen either during the 2027 budgeting process or funding could be redirected mid-year. Mayor Simon Yu, an ex-officio member of the committee, said the city needs to prepare for the potential influx of workers from these major projects, as well as their families. He wondered if it might be prudent in the future to have a standing committee that vigorously discusses with stakeholders how the city should grow while maintaining its residents’ lifestyles. Corstanje said his department already keeps in close contact with organizations such as the chamber of commerce and Downtown PG and wasn’t sure an advisory committee in that vein would be needed. However, he did say that some way of keeping in contact with major project proponents to make sure their needs are being met could be useful. Coun. Kyle Sampson said he thought the city needed to be more strategic in its approach to economic development. The report, he said, is exciting because it shows that money is coming to Northern BC, but the city has to put in the work to take advantage of it.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
NEWS
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
Committee agrees to support end of hotel tax break Hotels receive a tax exemption on stays of 27 days or more COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
Prince George’s Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs agreed to take up advocacy on ending or amending an exemption to hotel taxes through the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) program for long-term stays at its Monday, Aug. 10, meeting. In a letter to the committee dated Wednesday, July 29, executive director Scott McWalter said Tourism Prince George would like to see an end to the tax exemption for hotel stays of 27 consecutive days or longer. The MRDT is charged on top of the eight per cent Provincial Sales Tax rate on accommodations, adding up to another three per cent in taxes to bills. Prince George’s MRDT is charged at the maximum three per cent, with the proceeds used to fund Tourism Prince George’s operations. “Prince George is preparing for a period of significant construction and industrial activity associated with several major projects,” McWalter said. “Tourism Prince George welcomes this investment and the economic benefits it will bring to our community and northern British Columbia. We want Prince George’s hotels to be full, successful and benefiting from construction-related demand.” McWalter said the exemption could create an unintended challenge. If workers are taking up hotel rooms in the city for long periods rather than tourists on short-term stays, it could seriously shrink MRDT revenues. With about 2,000 hotel rooms in the city, there is about $1.75 million in MRDT revenue each year. At the low end, workforce utilization could reduce revenues by about 20 per cent, or $350,000 per year. At the high end, it could reduce revenues by up to 60 per cent, or $1.05 million.
“Tourism Prince George’s objective is not to discourage construction activity or prevent accommodation providers from accepting long-term workforce business,” McWalter said. “Rather, we are seeking a balanced solution that allows Prince George’s construction sector, hotels and visitor economy to succeed together.” The letter concludes with McWalter asking the committee to consider advocating for some kind of temporary and targeted exception to the exemption or an alternative funding mechanism that would protect destination funding during periods of high workforce utilization of accommodations. During the meeting, Coun. Kyle Sampson said having a lot of lengthy hotel stays is the kind of problem the city wants to have, but it needs to see how it can mitigate the impact on tax revenues. Committee chair Coun. Garth Frizzell put forward a draft motion to be forwarded to council containing an emergency resolution to be submitted to the Union of BC Municipalities, calling on the province to make changes and
develop a sustainable funding model. He noted that council hasn’t increased Tourism Prince George’s annual funding in about 15 years because of MRDT revenues and that if those disappear, the city will be asked to pay more. Coun. Susan Scott added that a lack of available hotel rooms could also impact Prince George’s tourism industry. Sampson said other municipalities could be affected by the same issue and common ground should be sought in advocacy. He moved for the matter to be forwarded to council to advocate for a pilot project in addition to the UBCM resolution. Mayor Simon Yu said Prince George is in a unique position due to the type of accommodation it offers and that this situation could essentially result in a housing shortage. He asked how the 27-day length of stay is tracked. Invited to the table to speak, McWalter said he didn’t know whether there were ways to circumvent the rule, such as changing rooms mid-stay. He said it would be a good idea to start tracking this kind of thing now, noting that he
didn’t know about the exemption until about five weeks earlier. Engaging with industry partners, he said, would be an important component of this process. Coun. Brian Skakun said the city should also use this as an opportunity to see if it can get an exemption from the ban on short-term rentals of residences offered through platforms such as Airbnb. City manager Walter Babicz said the city needs to collect data on vacancy rates for about another year before it will be ready to apply for an exemption. Present for another agenda item, Prince George-Valemount Conservative MLA Rosalyn Bird said she would be happy to work with the city on an application for a short-term rental exemption. Sampson added that the topic was brought up during a recent delegation to Victoria. The mayor said he thought the city needs to examine how many hotel rooms it needs in the coming years and that getting the short-term rental piece of the puzzle sorted out would be helpful.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK
The Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Relations meets on the second floor of Prince George City Hall on Monday, Aug. 10.
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
NEWS
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
City begins demolition of former Knights Inn motel
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The property was bought for $4.15M in 2023 and saw use as temporary housing MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
Demolition of the former Knights Inn was scheduled to begin this week in downtown Prince George. The former motel at 650 Dominion St. will be demolished by the City of Prince George, with work beginning on Monday, Aug 10 and expected to continue until late October. Site grading and sidewalk reconstruction are planned for spring 2027. The total project budget is $1.4 million. This includes a $450,000 contribution from BC Housing, which has been using the site as supportive housing since Oct 2021. BC Housing’s lease expired on March 30. The work on the site will take place from Monday to Friday between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. in accordance with the city’s noise bylaw. The City of Prince George noted that some nearby businesses and residents can expect the following disruptions during work hours: • Temporary sidewalk closures along Sixth Avenue and Seventh Avenue from Aug. 10 to late October • Temporary road closures around the property with traffic control in place • Closure of the Dominion Street east side sidewalk between Sixth Avenue and Seventh Avenue until spring 2027 • Construction noise, dust, and vibration during the tear-down period — dust will be minimized through watering and hazardous material abatement will be monitored closely Nearby properties have already received a formal notice of the demolition work. The city began the bidding for demolition contracts on Friday, June 12. Five
CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO
The former Knights Inn on Dominion Street has been fenced off in preparation for its demolition by the city, which bought the property in 2023 for $4.1 million.
companies bid on the demolition contract by the July 14 submission deadline, but two of them were disqualified as they were considered non-compliant. Of the three remaining bids, the city awarded the contract to the lowest bidder: NAPP Enterprises Ltd. The Beaverly company submitted a bid worth $271,900. Once the work is complete in October, future use of the site will be considered as part of the Civic Core Plan. The city purchased the site with this in mind in October 2023. The city stated in a press release that the decision to purchase the property was made in partnership with BC Housing, as the organization agreed to sign a two-year lease, pay the 24-month lease fees of $1.134 million up front, and contribute $450,000 for future demolition. BC Housing leased the site and provided 44 rooms of supportive housing for people living outside or in emergency shelters until July 2026. All occupants of Knights Inn were moved to other forms of supportive housing in the city. With files from Colin Slark
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Remember when people used to reminisce about those Lazy Hazy Crazy days of summer?
Can we rethink that ‘Hazy’ part please?
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
OPINION
We’ve ended up paying millions for another vacant lot KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor
Last year, we used the story of the Knights Inn as a the basis of our argument against the province’s failed strategy of converting aging motels into supportive housing. Today, with demolition underway, the story of the Knights Inn offers a different lesson. This one is about your current city council and how they bought taxpayers a multimillion-dollar parking lot. That may sound like a wisecrack but strip away the political spin and that’s pretty much what happened — and we’re not laughing. The city purchased the 61-year-old Knights Inn in October 2023 for $4.15 million, despite the property having a BC Assessment value of just $1.211 million. Council pointed to a third-party appraisal and a deal with BC Housing that provided $1.134 million in lease payments. However, quick math shows council spent a net $3.016 million, 2 ½ times its assessed value. Council bought the property and rented it out to BC Housing, which operated 44 rooms of supportive housing there until the lease expired. Now, after only two years of use as a fenced-in residence for homeless people, the motel is being torn down. At the time, the argument was that the city was buying more than a rundown
CITIZEN CARTOON BY MICHAEL KAST
This editorial cartoon was drawn by a human artist using a combination of digital and artificial intelligence design tools.
motel. It was buying an opportunity. The city defended the purchase as a strategic investment in a key location near the proposed Civic Core. There’s definitely value in having control of strategically located downtown
land. But taxpayers deserve an answer to a basic question: Was this really the best way to acquire it? If the end goal was securing a vacant site for future Civic Core development, why pay millions for a deteriorating
building and then an additional $1.4 million for its demolition? Why not negotiate for the land itself or wait for a more financially sensible opportunity? SEE ‘GOOD INTENTIONS’ ON NEXT PAGE
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
OPINION LETTERS tothe EDITOR
BC’s premier is a lawyer; you’d think he’d know better
Re: Guides reach $3.7M settlement in class-action grizzly hunt lawsuit, Aug. 6 Guide outfitters who relied on the hunt for revenue accused the government of negligent misrepresentation and misfeasance in public office. Negligent misrepresentation: A false statement of fact made carelessly or without reasonable grounds for believing it to be true, which induces another party to enter into a contract and thereby suffer loss. It occupies a middle ground between fraudulent misrepresentation (where there is deliberate deceit) and innocent misrepresentation (where the representor had reasonable grounds to believe the statement was true). The representor owes a duty of care to the representee, and breach of this duty gives rise to liability in both tort and under statute, according to Practical Law Canada and Thomson Reuters. Misfeasance in public office: Misfeasance in public office is an intentional civil wrong (a tort) where a public
PATRICE SCHOEFOLT/PEXELS PHOTO
A recent article about a lawsuit involving the BC grizzly bear hunt has a reader asking questions about how the provincial approach to legal challenges.
official abuses their authority. In BC, a plaintiff must prove that a public official deliberately engaged in unlawful conduct while performing public functions, knowing that the act was unauthorized and likely to cause harm (Source: UBC Wild). I noticed there are numerous other recent examples of the NDP being sued for misfeasance. While giving the benefit of the doubt, how is it that the premier of British Columbia, who is a lawyer, does not do enough due diligence before making
decisions? For example, fee simple loses because of possible misfeasance in public office by NDP decisions. Melody Terai Prince George
Let’s hear the conversation about what forests can for us
Re: Look to the future when good news follows bad, July 23 Yes forestry is in transition but the current wildfire situation illustrates the absolute need for forest management
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that can only exist with a strong forest industry. Sure it will be different but it needs a leader to ensure we don’t just give into easy investment that abandons thoughtful forest management to development of oil and gas and mining extractive industries. We have run out of access to big legacy trees but are awash in growing timber. If it isn’t managed much of it will burn and destabilize other resource sectors. Who wants to invest in a place where wildfire is a major disrupter? Let’s hear the conversation about what forests can do for us, not put it on a back burner to become a future problem. Those conversations are happening. How about The Citizen bring us that story? Ed Morrice Prince George Share your thoughts on the issues of the day with a letter to the editor. Our maximum letter length is 400 words, and letters will be edited for spelling, grammar, clarity and legality. The Citizen does not publish anonymous letters. Email your letter to editor@pgcitizen.ca.
Good intentions aren’t the same as good government CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Our current city council paid more than $3.5 million for a six-lot parking lot. It’s a repeat by five of the current city councillors who in 2019 spent $7 million to purchase the 20 lots the Days Inn sat on and to demolish the hotel. This is where the Knights Inn story becomes about more than one old, rundown building. It’s a story about how governments think. BC Housing’s $1.584 million in contributions toward the lease and demolition doesn’t erase the city’s $5.1 million cost to purchase and demolish it. Nor does a future redevelopment opportunity magically turn an expensive acquisition into a bargain.
Council has a responsibility to think beyond the announcement, the ribbon-cutting and the next political talking point. Its members need to ask what an investment will actually look like five, 10 or 20 years down the road — and what it’s going to cost taxpayers. The Knights Inn is history. By spring 2027, the Dominion Avenue site (between Sixth Avenue and Seventh Avenue) is expected to be graded and its sidewalks reconstructed. It’ll be another vacant lot for our downtown. Eventually, we’re told, some future council will decide what comes next and if there will be tax subsidies for them to build there. This whole mess is a reminder that good intentions are not the same thing
as good government. A desire to act is not a substitute for sound financial judgment. And calling something a strategic investment does not make it one. We hope that decision is made with considerably more care than the one that got us here. This all matters because the fall municipal election is approaching. Voters should consider not just what candidates promise, but how they make decisions when confronted with complicated problems and competing pressures. They should look at how candidates have handled public money — and whether their decisions demonstrate sound judgment. The Knights Inn should be part of that
conversation. Government shouldn’t be judged only by whether its bets eventually pay off. It should be judged by whether those decisions were reasonable when they were made. That land may well be worth having. But here’s the thing, taxpayers: You should ask whether they needed to buy a $4.15-million motel to get it and what could council have done with that money instead. For example, those same funds would have provided substantial improvements to Cottonwood Park and the surrounding trail systems. This fall, you should consider that question when deciding who gets to make the next big bet with your money.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
OPINION
Where’s the plan? Imagining a better future for the city Third and final column in a three-part series called The Prince George Paradox ELI KLASNER Guest Columnist
Over the past two weeks, I have argued that Prince George needs to be brave enough to ask difficult questions, and that many of the challenges we see within our city extend well beyond our municipal boundaries. That naturally leads me to one big question: Where is the plan? I’ve spent much of my adult life working with boards, committees and community organizations, and I’ve learned that successful groups eventually have to move beyond discussing a problem and begin working from a plan. Someone puts a draft on the table, the group challenges and improves it, priorities are established, responsibilities assigned and ideas turned into action. Without that discipline, even well-intentioned committees can meet month after month without clearly defining what they’re even trying to accomplish. That distinction matters as Prince George confronts homelessness, addiction, mental illness, public safety and the future of downtown. We have committees, agencies, consultants and service providers working on different pieces of those problems. What’s much less obvious to me, as a citizen watching from the outside, is the roadmap connecting those efforts. What are we actually trying to accomplish? Who is responsible for doing what? What is the timeline? What does success look like, and when will someone report back to the public and tell us whether we’re getting there? Consider public safety. Saying we want a safer downtown is an aspiration, not a plan. What would a safer downtown actually look like four years from now? Fewer deliberately set fires or
CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
Queen Elizabeth II visits Prince George to officially open the University of Northern British Columbia in this photo from the Aug. 18, 1994 edition of The Citizen. PG has proven it can achieve great things like UNBC, its state-of-the-art hospital and more, and it’s time to carry that momentum forward, Eli Klasner writes today.
emergency overdose calls? More businesses opening and fewer closing? More people attending downtown events? Residents reporting that they feel safer walking from their cars to a farmers market, restaurant or performance? The same principle applies to homelessness. Increased spending and services don’t necessarily tell us whether conditions are improving. Whatever measures we choose, we should be able to explain what we’re trying to change and whether we’re succeeding. People aren’t statistics, and complex social problems don’t move neatly according to quarterly targets. But complexity cannot become an excuse for abandoning measurement altogether. If we never define success, almost any amount of activity can be passed off as progress. Which brings me to October’s municipal election.
Candidates will tell us what concerns them and what they want to improve. This year, I’d like us to ask them to go one step further: Tell us what you’re going to do, how you’re going to do it, when you expect to see results, and how we’ll know whether you’ve succeeded. Perhaps every candidate should identify three things they believe most need to change in Prince George and answer those questions for each of them. Not 20 priorities or a platform filled with aspirations. Not indicating that bringing fresh energy to the table should merit votes. Give us three issues. Make them understandable. Make them measurable. And if elected, come back regularly and tell us how you’re doing. The same challenge should apply to the next city council. Create a new strategic plan. Choose a manageable number of priorities with aligned actions, establish
responsibilities and timelines, report progress publicly and, when something isn’t working, just have the courage to say so and change course. Over these three columns, I’ve deliberately asked more questions than I’ve answered. That’s because I don’t believe any one person has the answers to problems this complicated. But I do believe Prince George is capable of finding them. Are we still prepared to imagine a better future for our city? Are we willing to ask difficult questions without immediately questioning the motives or character of those asking them? Are we prepared to seek shared responsibility for challenges that extend beyond our municipal boundaries? And once we’ve decided where we want to go, are we prepared to make a plan and hold ourselves accountable for getting there? Prince George has done difficult things before. Previous generations didn’t build a university, develop Northern British Columbia’s leading healthcare centre or create the civic, cultural and recreational institutions we enjoy today simply by agreeing they were neat ideas. People established goals, built partnerships, raised money, made decisions and turned ambition into tangible results. Perhaps that’s the real Prince George Paradox. We’ve spent so much time labelling problems as unsolvable that we’ve forgotten how many supposedly impossible things this community has already accomplished. The next chapter of Prince George won’t be written by the problems we inherit. It will be written by what we decide to do about them. But again, where is the plan? Eli Klasner writes about community development, civic infrastructure, and the role of culture in building strong communities.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
OPINION ELI KLASNER: These are the stories we tell ourselves about our city While Prince George has become an epicentre for health care and education in Northern BC, as you mention, that is probably mostly due to geography. The problems with loitering, drug use, homelessness, etc., are not unique to Prince George, but just like many other services, it has become an epicentre for this as well. Just a sign of the times, though. The cost of living has skyrocketed. In the past decade, property taxes have nearly doubled, utilities have more than doubled, mortgage rates have increased, and food and gas prices have risen sharply to all-time highs. And while many people get by, many have fallen through the cracks.
ELI KLASNER: These are the stories we tell ourselves about our city I think you are correct, on many levels. Knox shows I’ve attended are proof that downtown isn’t some feared woo-woo. Have you been to a Spruce Kings playoff game at Kopar? Betula or Nancy O’s or La Catrina on a weekend? The Keg pretty well any night of the week? That said, we lost Birch and Boar, Crossroads does not seem to be re-entering downtown based on what I have seen and read. Not having unique problems for a midsize city does not mean no problems.
This is also having an impact on small businesses. People have less disposable income, probably why theatres, concerts, hockey games, restaurants, etc., have less attendance than in the past.
We have a new pool that has full-time security when open offered by Paladin I believe? But when I was there one night last summer (and I’m there often) when a homeless person started a fire in the parking lot, it wasn’t Paladin dealing with it, it was a lifeguard and a pool maintenance staff member. I think we have the opportunity for enhanced arts and entertainment in PG, I think we have the capacity for a youth and adult sports tournament culture that drives our economy similar to Kamloops. The biggest obstacle is our city administration.
Zangief
Derek Carlson
Who can blame them? What’s the point of working if you’re living in poverty and not getting anywhere?
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Manage BC’s forests before nature does There aren’t really any “old” forests in the province On a high estimate, 300,000 natives lived in BC. Prior to colonization. BC is 944,735 square kilometers. I am highly skeptical of claims this was done with the intent to “manage” the forest. It may have been done in small patches to flush out game and make passage easier and any benefit to managing wildfires was simply a byproduct. This is also not unique, Europeans also cleared all the forests around their towns for timber and agricultural purposes, inadvertently protecting their settlements from fire. Also, the government in BC practiced controlled burning all the way up into the ’90s. Under NDP leadership it was stopped due to environmental reasons. It’s also important to recognize the effect our management of forests has had on wildfires. Turns out planting nothing but softwood species for decades in monocultures, that are often dead or dying, made huge areas susceptible to pine beetle. Zangief
Sampson enters Prince George mayoral race Sampson’s record on council is such that there is no way I could cast a vote for him. We shall see what the options turn out to be when nominations close. I truly hope that voters will look beyond name recognition and consider candidates’ history, experience and record in whatever they have previously engaged in. Too often over the years, we have seen excellent candidates fall short at the ballot box because people voted on name recognition rather than platform and experience. If we believe change is needed and we really want it to come about, then we need a different voting strategy this time. Prince George is actually in the southern half of the province, and it is time we change the line to “Gateway to the North,” perhaps, or find an entirely new line of promotion. Provinces have one capital, and ours is in beautiful Victoria, a place I never even thought of choosing as home. Please listen and research if you plan to exercise your rights and make your vote count. Renoguy24
MLA Rosalyn Bird proposes multi-use inland port for Prince George While I agree with the idea of an inland port, as PG is ideally situated for it, and the airport is a designated refuelling stop for military aircraft, it has been discussed in the past to open a military logistics hub here. It has always received lukewarm attention from the province and the feds. However, with the buildup of Canada’s military and the Arctic becoming more prevalent, PG is
ideally located as a logistics hub, and Ottawa is starting to pay attention to the North now, so who knows. MLA Bird has some solid ideas, and they all do make sense. We just need buy-in from government, people and industry. Dearth
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
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PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
Frizzell aims for mayor’s seat after 18 years on council He pitches himself as accountable and honest without flashy promises COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
The race to be Prince George’s next mayor got a bit more crowded on Wednesday, Aug. 5 after one of the city’s longest-tenured councillors announced his candidacy. Addressing a crowd of more than 40 people at the headquarters of the Northern Innovation Network on Seventh Avenue, Garth Frizzell said he is going for the top job after spending the previous 18 years on council. He said he had retired from his job as a business and economics instructor at the College of New Caledonia last week and the timing was right to pursue a mayoral run. “For too long, we’ve watched economic opportunities slip away,” Frizzell said. “Fears and concerns go unanswered and trust in our institutions erode. So, let me make this clear: government systems are meant to serve the residents, not the other way around. People need to feel heard, they need to feel like decisions aren’t being made in backrooms without their consideration and without them.” He said he committed to making a safe, strong and secure Prince George and to provide leadership that brings people together. While the city has enormous potential, Frizzell said potential isn’t enough by itself. He said the city needs a strong forestry sector, good health care and economic diversification that provides jobs and supports small businesses. He said after Canfor announced it will close Northwood Pulp Mill by the end of the year, he helped make sure transition funds for affected workers were applied for. Beyond teaching business and economics, Frizzell said he has practiced
CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK
Coun. Garth Frizzell announces his candidacy to be the next mayor of Prince George at the headquarters of the Northern Innovation Network at 1584 Seventh Ave. on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
So, let me make this clear: government systems are meant to serve the residents, not the other way around.” them while rebuilding what is now known as the Northern Innovation Network where he helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to support local businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic. Frizzell touted his advocacy work as chair of the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs, including work to get the new acute care tower at the University Hospital of Northern BC built while the provincial government has cancelled projects in other communities. The work of the Standing Committee on Public Safety convened by
Mayor Simon Yu, he said, needs to be supported and expanded by helping facilitate community level supports and addressing root causes. He pitched himself as an accountable, honest and focused leader who won’t make flashy promises but will work steadily to get things done. Speaking to reporters, Frizzell pointed to homelessness as a success council has achieved in the last decade. He said that because of the city’s work with BC Housing, 555 housing units were built, which allowed Prince George to close three encampments. The goal for the next term, he said, is to address more public safety issues. Frizzell said there had been some dysfunction among council during this last term. He said the key to addressing that is to learn each member’s strengths and weaknesses, working together to find compromises even if everyone doesn’t agree. On finances, Frizzell said the city needs to find efficiencies, alternative
revenue sources like the recent $7 million grant received for new turf at Carrie Jane Gray Park and promote growth. If Prince George missed out on economic opportunities in recent years, Frizzell was an elected official during that time. Asked about that, he said some things can’t be helped, like when the hydrogen facility proposed for Prince George fell through due to geopolitical challenges. “But what you can’t say is ‘I’m not just giving up because things changed in the middle of the game,’” he said. “We have to continue looking, we have to continue turning over rocks to find those things and what a mayor needs to be doing is actively seeking out those opportunities and bringing them back and then letting the team work on them together.” Frizzell joins lawyer Roy Stewart and fellow Coun. Kyle Sampson in the mayoral race as of the time this edition of The Citizen went to press. Election day is Saturday, Oct. 17.
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Janjua launches council run COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
A first-time candidate for Prince George city council says he’ll be the most well-rounded person on the ballot this fall. Speaking with The Citizen on Thursday, Aug. 6, Jesi Janjua said though he currently works as an account executive for Northern BC with GFL Environmental, he’s had jobs in a lot of fields like auto sales, youth care, construction, food and more. He’s also on the board of directors for the Rotary Club of Prince George Downtown. “I think the city needs a fresh voice,” Janjua said. “I think it needs fresh energy. I feel like I’m very wellrounded. (I have) nothing against any of the current councillors, I just think some of them are tired … I think maybe the people just want Janjua to see something new, new ideas.” Forestry was once Prince George’s key industry, but Janjua said that’s not the case anymore. “It’s doing more harm than good, if anything,” he said. “We have all these new industries that are coming up that people just really don’t understand yet and I think we need to start reaching out to them.” With the federal government looking to push forward major economic projects in Northern BC like pipelines and mining, Janjua said the city needs to make sure that they don’t just pass through Prince George but use the city for staging and infrastructure. He said the city also needs to improve its permitting processes, calling the current situation “a nightmare.” Delays, he said, are costing developers money and he’d like to see some kind of red tape reduction or fast-tracking process. Though taxation is one of his concerns, he said he didn’t think freezing
property taxes would be feasible given the imminent closure of Northwood Pulp Mill, the need to maintain civic infrastructure and the cost of providing services like snow removal. “Another thing we can do is internal audits,” he said. “I think we need to see where the city’s spending its money, where it’s not spending it properly, where it can save money and what’s actually necessary to be spending money on versus what we just think we need to do.” He used ongoing building envelope repairs at the CN Centre as an example, saying that though it’s important to stop leaks, he wasn’t sure all the elements of the project were necessary. On public safety, he said he thought the city was relying too heavily on the RCMP given the price per officer that it pays. As alternatives, he said he’s interested in exploring private downtown security patrols, adding overnight bylaw officer shifts and potentially providing funding to extend Downtown Prince George’s overnight security camera pilot project. In the coming years, the redevelopment of the civic core district will be one of council’s biggest decisions. Janjua said while it would be good to revamp the downtown core, he wasn’t sure whether things like the new ice arena and performing arts centre are items that the city can currently afford. He said it might be prudent to delay that project, carry out renovations to extend the life of Kopar Memorial Arena or seek private investment to reduce the burden to taxpayers. Another thing he said he wants to focus on in his campaign is transparency. Janjua said, for example, that he doesn’t know how the bidding process for city contracts works and how winning bids are decided. “We need to know why and how and where and how we can spend our money in a better way,” he said. Janjua joins financial advisor Dan McLaren, business owner John Zukowski and Bruce Wayne in the council race. Election day is Saturday, Oct. 17.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
UNTIL AUGUST 31ST
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PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
Sampson announces he’s running to become mayor Two-term councillor wants city to be more proactive in chasing new opportunities COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
A two-term Prince George city councillor has announced he’s looking to secure a bigger position for his third term. On Tuesday, Aug. 4, Coun. Kyle Sampson sent out a news release saying he’s running to be Prince George’s next mayor. Sampson, the regional manager of brand and market development at Pacific Western Brewing, was first elected to city council in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022. The 33-year-old has also served as a director on the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, currently holding the chairperson role for the board of directors for the Fraser-Fort George Regional Hospital District. In an Aug. 4 phone interview, Sampson told The Citizen that he’s looking to move from councillor to mayor because he believes Prince George needs strong leadership to both navigate through challenges and take advantage of available opportunities. “We have a great opportunity to grow Prince George while making sure that Prince George stays exactly why we all chose for it to be home,” Sampson said. “We need to do that thoughtfully, but we need to do that decisively as well.” He said he didn’t think the city had done enough in recent years to pursue opportunities or be proactive in finding solutions. “We are Northern BC’s capital, but we have the chance to be Western Canada’s hub for mining, energy, industrial development, transportation,” he said. “We have those opportunities right there in front of us and we need to take them.” One of Sampson’s platform planks is making a safer community. He said that public safety is often thought of as a single problem rather than identifying
HANDOUT PHOTO
Prince George Coun. Kyle Sampson announced on Tuesday, Aug. 4 that he’s running for mayor in this fall’s local election. Election day is Saturday, Oct. 17.
the various impacts it has across the community. “We need to talk about crime and what enforcement and what consequences look like for crime in our community and we need to hold people accountable who are committing those crimes,” he said. “We need to go after them with every opportunity we can using our partners with the RCMP, through bylaw (services), whatever those mechanisms might be.” On the mental health and addictions side of this issue, Sampson said the city needs to hold higher levels of government to their obligations to provide resources and treatment facilities while partnering with them on other initiatives like navigation centres. He pointed to his work in advocating for the acute care tower expansion at the University Hospital of Northern BC as well as the involuntary treatment care centre being built at the old Gunn Road youth detention facility. For taxation, Sampson said he has
demonstrated in his time on council that he comes prepared each year to look for savings during the budgeting process and that he has brought in more cuts and amendments than any of his colleagues. Rather than look to cut the tax rate, he said he would look to expand the city’s tax base to spread the burden out more evenly and keep any changes predictable and stable. In late 2026, Sampson put forward a proposal to create a fast-tracking program that would help expedite applications through the city’s permitting and planning processes. If elected, he said he would continue these efforts, including looking at a “white glove” service where a single city employee helps shepherd an application as it goes through various departments at city hall. The mayoral race includes Sampson, Coun. Garth Frizzell and lawyer Roy Stewart, who placed third in the 2022 local election. Incumbent Mayor Simon Yu had yet
We have a great opportunity to grow Prince George while making sure that Prince George stays exactly why we all chose for it to be home.” to publicly announce whether he’s running for re-election when this edition of The Citizen went to press. Sampson said he offers Prince George experienced and decisive leadership as well as a clear vision, but he also isn’t afraid to admit his mistakes and pivot to a better path forward. His campaign was scheduled to officially launch at an event at Studio 2880 at 2880 15th Ave. at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13. Election day is Saturday, Oct. 17.
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
Zukowski running again COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
A small business owner running for a spot on Prince George city council after an unsuccessful 2022 bid says this fall’s election is an opportunity local voters must grab with both hands. Though John Zukowski came 14th out of 20 candidates last time around, he has maintained a presence around city hall as a member of the Standing Committee on Public Safety, convened by Mayor Simon Yu partway through the current term. The owner of Pacific Body Jewellery & Piercing and Advanced Security Concepts also served on former mayor Lyn Hall’s Select Committee on a Safe, Clean and Inclusive Community. In an interview Monday, Aug. 10, Zukowski said Zukowski his reasons for running for public office are the same now as they were then: a lack of safety for small business owners, a lack of transparency and oversight at city hall, and inflated public spending. Zukowski said the small businesses he is most worried about are not chamber of commerce members or those receiving grants to support operations, but mom-and-pop shops opened by people spending their life savings to get into business. This group is most affected by a lack of public safety in the city, he said. They are afraid to make an insurance claim when their front window is broken because it could affect their premiums. Though he said he was reticent to unveil his entire platform right now for fear of being copied, Zukowski said he wants a local community safety officer program. He said these officers could respond to lower-severity calls than RCMP officers and may even allow the city to reduce the number of Mounties it contracts for. Unlike Mounties, he said, city
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council would be able to direct these officers’ operations. On public finances, Zukowski said the city should signal it is open for business and stimulate economic growth by dropping property taxes. He said this could be accomplished without cutting services by having council closely examine civic operations, cut unnecessary spending and determine whether some higher-level management positions should be eliminated. The proposed roundabouts at the intersection of Tyner and Ospika boulevards and at the University of Northern BC’s campus are unnecessary spending, he said. The ongoing repairs at the Prince George Aquatic Centre, he said, are due to negligence in performing regular maintenance at the pool. While he said he thinks development should happen downtown, Zukowski said he is not sure the redevelopment of the Civic Core District needs to happen right now. Zukowski said he thinks Prince George should look at further developing its airport as a potential trade and logistics hub. Zukowski criticized the use of alternative approval processes (AAP) to authorize borrowing, saying they should only be used in an emergency and that loans should otherwise be subject to referenda. If an AAP is necessary, he said, a streamlined online voting system should be used. If elected, he promised to look at rescinding borrowing permission recently granted for several loans if contracts have not been signed. Too often, he said, current council members accept what is presented by city staff without scrutiny or debate. He also said he has concerns about too many decisions happening in closed council meetings rather than open sessions. He said this election is a chance for residents to elect a council that makes sure the city stays in its lane, does not spend money on unnecessary extras, and does a better job of communicating what is and is not its responsibility. Election day is Saturday, Oct. 17.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
Transport truck, SUV collide
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CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK
A transport truck rests in a ditch after a collision on the John Hart Highway (Highway 97) just north of Chief Lake Road on Wednesday, Aug. 5. An SUV came to rest in another ditch farther down the road. In addition to police, paramedics and firefighters were also called to the scene. There was no word on injuries.
Notice of Nomination 2026 General Local Election The nomination period for candidates in the 2026 General Local Election is open from September 1 to September 11, 2026. For nomination requirements, forms, filing information, and candidate resources, visit the websites of the City of Prince George, Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, or School District No. 57.
Nominations open: Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Nominations close: Friday, September 11, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
Election websites City of Prince George: princegeorge.ca/Election Regional District of Fraser-Fort George: rdffg.ca/Election School District 57: sd57.bc.ca/elections
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
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PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
Probation for man caught after drone tracked stolen car BOB MACKIN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A repeat offender who pleaded guilty to fleeing from police and possessing stolen property under $5,000 will not serve more jail time. In an Aug. 4 decision at Provincial Court in Vanderhoof, Judge David Simpkin agreed with Nathan Mark Dejonghe’s defence lawyer, Liam Cooper, that the 39-year-old man should be sentenced to 210 days’ time served for the crimes. He will, however, spend two years on probation. The Crown, emphasizing denunciation and deterrence, asked Simpkin for a total sentence of 330 days, which would have meant 117 more days in jail after time-served credit. Simpkin rejected the Crown proposal because he found Dejonghe had taken “significant responsibility himself, for his actions” and pleaded guilty early. “He’s committed to his rehabilitation and he’s doing well in the custodial setting right now,” Simpkin said. Court heard July 30 that, on March 11 in Prince George, a woman reported her 1999 Toyota Corolla stolen while parked on Ospika Boulevard. She had left it running with the key in the ignition while shopping at Liquor on 5th and 7-Eleven. When she exited the latter store, the vehicle was gone. Surveillance footage showed two men walking on the sidewalk. One of them was Dejonghe, in a black Los Angeles Lakers jacket. An unknown male drove away in the
CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
The man who fled from police during a stolen-car investigation won’t serve any more jail time after he was sentenced in Vanderhoof court last week.
car. An officer observed the car pass in front of him, containing only one occupant. He eventually caught up to the vehicle. After activating his emergency lights, the Corolla was driven at 150 kilometres per hour, and he was advised to call off the pursuit and deactivate the lights. RCMP deployed a drone to find the vehicle parked, but it was unoccupied. There were, however, footprints in the snow on the passenger side. A police service dog was deployed and tracked for 7.2 kilometres. An officer finally made contact with Dejonghe and arrested him. Dejonghe identified himself as a passenger in the
vehicle, and Simpkin was satisfied that he was. In an earlier appearance, on June 3, Dejonghe pleaded guilty to flight from police on Aug. 26, 2025. Dejonghe’s criminal record includes a 2020 conviction for wilfully resisting or obstructing a police officer, for which he was sentenced to four months. In 2021, he received 68 days for flight from police and 60 days for wilfully resisting or obstructing a police officer. He was jailed again, for seven days, in December 2024 for wilfully resisting or obstructing a police officer. He also has eight theft convictions
and one prior conviction for possession of stolen property. Simpkin called Dejonghe’s criminal record an “obvious” aggravating factor. It was mitigated by the plea and time in custody without incident. Key to Simpkin’s decision was Dejonghe’s consent to report to forensic psychiatric services, attend appointments with medical professionals, provide them a copy of the court order, provide his bail officer with the medical professionals’ contact information, take all prescribed medication and immediately report any non-compliance to the probation officer.
Intermittent jail time for banned driver caught three times in 2025 BOB MACKIN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A Vanderhoof man caught driving while banned three times in less than seven months last year is going to jail for 14 days. In Provincial Court on Aug. 4, Russell Vernon Dickau pleaded guilty to driving while prohibited on May 21, 2025, and
Aug. 3, 2025. Judge David Simpkin sentenced Dickau to 14 days on each charge, to be served concurrently and intermittently, beginning Aug. 17. Simpkin also gave Dickau until next February to pay $1,000 in fines. He is prohibited from driving for the next 12 months. Dickau, a self-employed contractor
born in 1981, had pleaded guilty April 28, 2025, to driving while banned for a year on Jan. 24 of that year. Less than a month later, on May 21, 2025, he was driving a grey sedan without a front licence plate when spotted by an RCMP officer patrolling after 1 p.m. Dickau nervously showed the officer an interim driver’s licence before the
officer determined Dickau was banned from driving, court heard. On Aug. 3, 2025, an officer observed a black pickup truck with a lone male occupant driving between the Co-op gas station and Chevron card lock. Dickau, who had no driver’s licence, was seated in the driver’s seat but claimed he was waiting for someone else.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
Settlement reached in class-action motel fire lawsuit BOB MACKIN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A BC Supreme Court judge in Prince George approved the $5.25-million settlement package in the Econo Lodge fire class action lawsuit on Aug. 7. Justice Marguerite Church also agreed to the process for distributing payments to the dozens of plaintiffs and the amount of legal fees and disbursements for their lawyers. Three people — Amos Miller, Curtis Fraser and Maryann Sanders — died in the July 8, 2020, fire. Dozens of others were injured or suffered material losses. In March, CFM Lawyers LLP and Dick Byl Law Corp. announced separate agreements with Mundi 910 Victoria Enterprises Ltd. and Choice Hotels Canada Inc. to pay $4.5 million in damages, the City of Prince George $550,000 and Allpoints Fire Protection Ltd. $200,000. The settlements do not find fault. The parties did not admit wrongdoing, nor did they take a position on the proposals to Church. “Recovery of more than $5.25 million would have required many more years of litigation,” Church said. “I accept the evidence of class counsel that the settlements reflect an excellent outcome for class members, and the settlements are far better than proceeding with litigation.” One of the hotel occupants, Leonard Hay, was the representative plaintiff and will receive a $5,000 honorarium that Church deemed “very reasonable.” In the claim filed in August 2020, Hay accused landlord Mundi, Econo Lodge parent Choice, city hall and Allpoints of negligence. Hay, Church said, went through a “terrifying and traumatic experience during the fire that left him severely burned and hospitalized for approximately nine days for burn treatment.” Church approved legal fees of 33.3 per cent of the settlement amounts, or $1,894,841.47, and disbursements of $174,531.77, including taxes, plus a further $5,000 holdback to cover future disbursements associated with distribution and administration of the
CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY KYLE BALZAC
Prince George Fire Rescue crews battle a blaze engulfing the Econo Lodge near 15th Avenue and Victoria Street on July 8, 2020.
settlement. Church said none of the class members had any ability to pay the lawyers, who estimated they had spent close to 3,000 hours on the file as of July 1, 2026. The estimate is not final because the lawyers are taking on the distribution process rather than retaining a third party, which would add significant costs. “Mr. Hay, the representative plaintiff, supports the fee arrangement,” Church said. In March, the law firms notified the public through media outlets, including The Citizen, when they believed there were as many as 67 class members — 45 known and 22 potential members. The estimate was based on information from Mundi, RCMP documents and the lawyers’ conversations with class members. They sent letters to the 45 known class members about compensation estimates. After the notice, the lawyers spoke to six of the 22 potential members, of whom four had claims. The remaining 16 did not come forward, but a further 17 previously unknown people contacted the lawyers for the first time. None was found to have a claim. “No class members have objected to the settlements, the distribution protocol, the estimated amounts of their individual compensation, or the honorarium for the representative plaintiff,” Church said. “Two class members (a husband and wife) have objected only to class counsel fees.”
But during a July 30 hearing, the lawyers told Church that one of the two had withdrawn his objection. On the eve of the hearing, a person emailed an objection about the amount he would receive. “There have been no objections to the settlements themselves,” Church said. Church said the settlements were
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reached through mediation, including with a former judge. The claims totalled $5.4 million, just over the total $5.25-million settlement. However, Church said the settlements “reflect the strengths and weakness of the liability cases against all defendants.” She said the class lawyers’ application met four criteria because the lawyers had sufficient experience and ability, there was no collusion, the plaintiffs would have faced higher costs and fewer benefits going to trial, and they were provided sufficient information. In May 2023, BC Supreme Court Justice Margot Fleming acquitted suspect Kyle Aster of arson and criminal negligence causing death. The case relied on a video showing Aster in the area around the time the fire broke out. But the video evidence did not show anyone actually setting the fire. Investigators could not determine how the blaze was set.
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Simulator tests drivers on their wildfire escape skills MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
A UNBC PhD student is currently researching how drivers react to wildfire conditions during a simulated evacuation of the City of Prince George. The project was designed by Alireza Noory and is called UNBCSIM. The goal of the study and simulator is to support research on wildfire evacuation, driver behaviour and emergency response. Noory is doing his dissertation on this topic as part of his PhD. The simulation involves a video-gamelike driving simulator that replicates a drive up the Hart Highway and near the Salmon Valley. The first control drive contains very few distractions. However, the situation changes when volunteers are placed in wildfire conditions. Volunteers are put through conditions such as nearby fire, smoke, extremely low visibility, road closures and obstacles such as emergency vehicles and logs on the road. They also hear a radio that broadcasts emergency alerts. Noory is currently in the middle of his first phase of testing, which puts volunteers on a solo drive in both normal and wildfire conditions with no other cars on the road. Data collected during the first phase of the test will then be used to simulate cars on the road in both normal and wildfire scenarios in the second phase. The volunteer data will simulate real reactions other drivers may have during an emergency scenario. Noory is currently a little over halfway through the first phase but says that he has already seen a wide spectrum of reactions to an evacuation situation. “We had some volunteers, they were trying to speed up, but in a low-visibility condition and they were losing the control of the vehicle,” said Noory. “Based on what I’ve seen from the volunteers, actually the ones who keep themselves calm and try to actually control the situation, they’re able to make it better. Even I had one volunteer
CITIZEN PHOTOS BY MATTHEW HILLIER
Alireza Noory, a UNBC PhD student, takes a turn at the wheel of his simulator on Wednesday, Aug. 5. The simulator, seen below, digitally replicates the experience of fleeing Prince George during a wildfire.
that rolled over the vehicle, yeah, in the test, because that person was super stressed.” The simulator collects data on speed, turning, braking and reactions to the various obstacles, in addition to other valuable data. Noory has worked on UNBCSIM for approximately a year, and he is excited to finally be able to test his hard work on willing volunteers. Noory said that he hopes this data can help inform both the volunteers and maybe even further when his dissertation is complete. “When you drive with the simulator, your body actually learns from the situation,” said Noory. “Your mind gets
used to that a little bit. It becomes more familiar, so in a real situation you might act better. It’s not a complete scientific fact so far because we have not completed the tests, but you know, we hope we can develop the simulator further and use it as a kind of educational tool as well.” Noory himself has experience with managing and designing emergency scenarios and previously held a position in the municipality of Tehran in Iran and worked with the disaster management department before coming to Canada. This has gained him experience with transportation engineering and infrastructure solutions, as well as traffic simulations.
He added that these traffic simulations, like the one he is testing and developing now, can often be invaluable to managing a city or even emergencies. “In reality, you cannot go and completely close, for example, Highway 16 or Highway 97, but in a simulator you can easily do that,” said Noory. “You can test different scenarios for different cases of the wildfire. After a simulation of every single scenario, you can actually get lots of great outputs, for example, how long it takes to evacuate the whole city in every single scenario. What are the places which create bottlenecks in your traffic flow? And this can inform you where you need to manage those points.” He added that he hopes his research, when complete, is put to good use in helping calibrate microscopic simulation models testing different scenarios that assist municipalities, transportation professionals and emergency-response organizations in improving wildfire evacuation plans. However, he hopes that his simulations stay simulations. “I hope actually it never happens for Prince George that you need to evacuate the whole city,” said Noory. “But you know, it’s a personal hope that as a scientist, we should be ready for any kind of case.” He added that part of his conducting of this research is to help those in the community he has called his home for years and had grown to love. “You badly need your transportation network and when you have high demand, in a wildfire or other actual emergency cases, you need to help people,” said Noory. “Besides all of these facts, I actually personally want to help people to have a safer community. My family, my loved ones, my friends, my close friends that are living in Prince George. I wanted to do something for our city and make our community safer.” If you are interested in volunteering for the simulation, you can reach out to Noory to book a testing date via email at noory@unbc.ca.
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
Blackwater Gold aims to triple mining capacity TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
Productivity records keep falling at Blackwater Mine, 160 kilometres southwest of Prince George, as construction work continues to eventually triple mining capacity. Artemis Gold Inc., reported it produced 74,063 ounces of gold in Q2 (April-June), resulting in $208 million in cash flow from operations and $285 million in earnings before interest taxation, depreciation and amortization. All three measures of productivity represent three-month records for the gold-silver mine, which opened in January 2025. For the time in the mine’s history, investors will earn a dividend that amounts to five cents per share, to be paid on Sept. 9. “We achieved record results in the quarter with record quarterly grades, recoveries, and gold production together with strong AISC (All-in Sustaining Costs), margins and cash flows,” said Artemis CEO Dale Andres, in a press release. “We also announced our first return of capital to shareholders with an inaugural quarterly dividend, demonstrating the confidence we have in our ability to generate strong cash flows while taking a disciplined approach in executing our growth projects.” Artemis sold 78,126 ounces of Blackwater gold in Q2 of 2026, including 22,828 ounces delivered into the hedge programs. The company sold 49,052 ounces on the spot market for an average price of US$4,392 per ounce. Total revenues amounted to CDN$433.6 million. Cash flow from operations in Q2 was $207.5 million for an adjusted net income of $199.7 million. Blackwater hit an average realized gold price of $6,119 per ounce on spot sales, resulting in an AISC margin (profit) of $3,510 per ounce.
BUSINESS
Work continues in Blackwater’s Phase 1A expansion, which will increase throughput — the amount of ore processed — by 33 per cent, which will increase capacity to eight million tonnes per year by 2027. The mine is on track to deliver between 260,000 and 290,000 ounces of gold this year. The Expanded Phase 2 (EP2) project, a $1.44-billion initiative funded by operating cash flow, will nearly triple capacity from six million tonnes per annum to 21 Mtpa by the end of 2028. Major construction of EP2 has started, ahead of schedule, with the first concrete pour for the ball mill foundations now complete. The early works program that started in January is nearly finished. Site clearing and bulk earthworks for the processing plant expansion are also underway and work on a 612-bed construction camp expansion will be completed later this month. The EP2 expansion will increase annual gold production to 500,000 ounces, a level Artemis forecasts can be sustained for at least 10 years. Once it is running at full capacity, the economies of scale are expected to further strengthen Blackwater as one of the lowest-cost and highest-margin gold operations in the world and will transform it into one of Canada’s three largest single gold mines. “We are progressing very well on our Phase 1A and EP2 growth projects, with the first and largest concrete pour on the EP2 project already completed,” said Andres. “We are very excited to be starting major works construction activities ahead of schedule as we transform Blackwater into a +500,000 ounce-peryear gold operation over the next two years.” The mine employs about 900 workers and contractors at the site. As of the end of June, eight million hours had been worked without a lost-time incident.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
Bulkley-Nechako loses appeal of landfill fine
REGIONAL
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
BOB MACKIN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN) has lost its appeal of a $13,500 fine for three failures to comply with the operating certificate for a landfill. A July 22 decision by the Environmental Appeal Board said the RDBN did not dispute the contraventions but argued the administrative penalty should be overturned because it did not receive proper prior notice of the penalty, paying it would cause financial hardship and the decision did not adequately consider its efforts to achieve compliance. The appeal decision followed a separate July 13 letter from the Ministry of Environment and Parks fining the RDBN $7,250 for contravening litter control provisions of the Environmental Management Act at the Knockholt Landfill in Houston. The landfill accepts waste from communities including Smithers, Granisle, Burns Lake and Fort St. John, including construction waste. Leachate is collected in a lagoon before being discharged into a stream that flows into a river. When the penalty was assessed in December 2024, the decision-maker reduced it from $22,000 to $13,500 because the RDBN had taken steps to prevent a recurrence, established protocols for fence inspections and annual reporting, and demonstrated it faced challenges hiring and retaining staff. The RDBN also argued it faced additional costs due to the closure of Recycle BC depots in surrounding communities, the loss of a cardboard recycling facility in Smithers and increased landfill volumes associated with the LNG Canada and Coastal GasLink pipeline projects. Environmental Appeal Board panel member Jeffrey Hand said the penalty was not disproportionate for a regional district managing a $4-million waste budget.
NAOMI DEVINE PHOTO
Kinney Lake at Mount Robson Provincial Park is part of the Fraser Rivershed because its waters flow into the Robson River, which joins the Fraser River near its headwaters. From this mountain lake, the water begins a journey that eventually reaches the Salish Sea.
Women swimming length of Fraser River They hit the water Friday in an icy lake near Mount Robson RADHA AGARWAL
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A team of women scientists, strategists, and Indigenous swimmers plunged into the glacial waters near Mount Robson on Friday, Aug. 7. Their goal is monumental: a 30-day, 1,375-km relay swim down the Fraser River, culminating at Garry Point in Richmond on Sept. 4. The swimmers expect to come through Prince George on Aug. 17. The relay is the centrepiece of the Fraser River Challenge, an expedition that also features a 1,000-km solo trek by endurance walker Justin Smith. Together, the team is rallying public support to hold Canada to its commitment to protect 30 per cent of its lands and waters by 2030. Naomi Devine, a Victoria-based environmental planner and one of the relay’s core swimmers, notes that currently, only 17.6 per cent of the Fraser Rivershed is protected. The team is advocating for First Nations-led conservation projects — specifically Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas — to secure the remaining 12.4
per cent. “That would mean adding another 2.9 million hectares, roughly the size of Vancouver Island, as protected areas to the rivershed,” she said. Devine will be swimming alongside SFU marine ecologist Isabelle Côté, forest disturbance ecologist Michelle Connolly and a rotating roster of Indigenous swimmers. Fin Donnelly, a former MP and BC MLA who swam the entire river in 1995 and 2000, is leading the expedition alongside a motorized safety team. For Delta residents, the health of the Fraser is strongly connected to local agricultural lands, fisheries, and shoreline stability. The Fraser estuary serves as a major stop on the Pacific Flyway, supporting millions of migrating shorebirds, while providing critical sheltered waters for juvenile salmon adapting to saltwater. “You can think of the estuary as part of Delta’s life support system. It supports food production and fisheries, helps manage water and flooding,” Devine explained. “People in Delta get to live next to one of the richest natural environments I’ve seen in Canada.” Devine’s passion for environmental protection is rooted in her childhood, filled with memories of exploring a local
creek with her grandmother. It was a beloved waterway she viewed as “her close friend” until it was devastated by chemical pollution. To prepare for the demanding conditions, the environmentalist has spent the last couple of years cold-water ocean swimming, though she acknowledges the unique dangers of navigating the Fraser. “It’s cold at the beginning because it’s glacial fed, and it’s a lot colder than people think, so that’s a bit of a danger in and of itself,” she said, adding that the river’s fast-moving currents present distinct physical risks. Ultimately, the expedition hopes to demonstrate widespread public backing for Indigenous-led conservation before the 2030 deadline. Residents can support the initiative by signing a declaration at fraserriverkeeper.ca or donating to the cause. As threats like warming waters, droughts, and historic salmon declines converge, the team says the urgency has never been clearer. “We see it’s not only an environmental goal, but it’s a cultural, economic, and generational responsibility,” Devine said. “We’re wanting to do the expedition to meet the scale of that challenge and the attention that we think it needs.” This article originally appeared in The Delta Optimist.
REGIONAL
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
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Northern communities to share in $576,000 in funding MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
Northern Development Initiative Trust has committed $576,000 to three community projects in Northern and Central BC, including a hydroponic farm, a cultural amphitheatre and new seniors housing. The funding was approved through the trust’s economic infrastructure, cultural infrastructure and northern housing incentive programs. Lheidli T’enneh First Nation will receive $300,000, Williams Lake First Nation will receive $200,000 and the Town of Smithers will receive $76,000. The latest approvals are part of Northern Development’s second round of funding this year. A third round is expected to be announced in late October. Lheidli T’enneh First Nation will use its funding to build a hydroponic container farm aimed at improving access
to fresh produce while supporting the Nation’s economic development goals. The 40-by-10-foot farm is expected to provide fresh food to community members, including those who have difficulty travelling to grocery stores or who face food insecurity. About 65 per cent of the produce is expected to be sold to restaurants, cafes and farmers’ markets, generating an estimated $50,000 in revenue during the first full year of operations. Williams Lake First Nation will put its $200,000 grant toward the second phase of its Memorial Park development in downtown Williams Lake. The Memorial Park Cultural Amphitheatre will be designed to highlight the history and experiences of the Williams Lake First Nation and Secwépemc people. According to Northern Development, the region currently does not have a purpose-built outdoor amphitheatre for structured programming and ticketed
Company sues developer of Fort Nelson pellet plant BOB MACKIN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A Prince George construction company says it is owed $1.7 million after working to dismantle the former Canfor Oriented Strand Board (OSB) plant in Fort Nelson. JDT Construction Ltd. filed a notice of civil claim in BC Supreme Court’s Prince George registry on July 30, claiming Peak North America Construction Ltd. and Peak Fort Nelson Properties Ltd. have not paid invoices dating back almost two years. None of the allegations has been tested in court. The defendants have yet to file a statement of defence. The lawsuit said JDT, under its agreement with Canal Flats-based PNA “supplied equipment and labour to dismantle and remove industrial structures and
fixtures, including stranders, outfeed conveyors, green bins, dryers, blenders, dry bins, resin tanks, finish line, forming line, press infeed, press, press outfeed, cyclones and stacks from the Canfor OSB Plant.” JDT said it completed the work under the agreement and payment was due within 30 days of the invoice date. JDT filed a lien at the Victoria Land Title office alleging the sum was due and owing. PFN owns two properties at Mile 294 of the Alaska Highway, assessed at a combined $2.054 million. JDT, represented by lawyer Morgan Wright, is seeking payment of the sum, plus any other damages and interest. Canfor sold the Fort Nelson facility to Peak Renewables in 2021 and Peak planned to convert the land into a wood pellet plant in conjunction with the Fort Nelson First Nation.
events. Once completed, the facility is expected to host about 35 programs each year and generate approximately $50,000 in revenue. “Creating a cultural amphitheatre in downtown Williams Lake has been a goal of Williams Lake First Nation for many years, and we are excited to move into the second phase of the project,” Chief Willie Sellars said in a press release. “Once complete, the amphitheatre will provide a meaningful gathering place for residents, support Indigenous culture and storytelling, attract cultural tourism, and create economic opportunities for WLFN, local businesses and the broader region.” The Town of Smithers will receive $76,000 for a seniors housing project being developed with the Smithers Area Housing Society. The funding will help offset construction costs for eight new two-bedroom rental units designed specifically for
seniors. The project is intended to address a shortage of rental housing for older residents as the number of people aged 65 to 80 in Smithers is expected to grow in the coming years. Smithers Mayor Gladys Atrill said in a press release that the funding will help make the units more affordable for future tenants. “Receiving this grant to go toward the construction of eight new homes, specifically built for our seniors, is wonderful news for our community,” Atrill said. Northern Development CEO Ben Campbell said in a press release that the three projects are intended to support food access, cultural programming and housing in communities across the region. “Fresh produce, new homes for seniors and a new public gathering place — this trio of grants will improve the lives of people living in Northern BC,” Campbell said.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
COMMUNITY
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
What’s happening in PG Sharlene Wallace Harp Concert: I Looked to the Stars and They Winked Back at Me goes Saturday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. at Trinity United Church, 3555 15th Avenue, behind Spruceland Mall. Drawing from original compositions, Celtic and folk traditions and classical inspirations, this concert offers music that is spacious, beautiful, rhythmic and deeply evocative. Wallace is a Canadian lever and pedal harpist, composer and educator whose music is inspired by nature, space, and intuition. A two-time international lever harp competition winner, she has performed around the world. Admission is pay-what-you-can at the door. Big Rig Rumble goes Saturday, Aug. 15 from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the PGARA Speedway, 3645 Highway 16 East. This is a family-friendly truck show featuring big rigs of all kinds from the local community and across BC. Everyone is welcome to celebrate the rigs, the drivers and the passion behind the industry. There is a light show on Saturday at 9 p.m. There will be food trucks on site throughout the event. All donated proceeds will be split between the PGARA Speedway and the Prince George Hospice House. Minimum donation is $2 per person, children under 10 are free. BBQ for Parkinson PG goes Thursday, Aug. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Canadian Tire. This is the second annual event in support of the Parkinson PG SuperWalk that will be held on Saturday, Sept 12 at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park. Save On Foods has generously donated hot dogs, burgers, chips and drinks and there are prizes. For more information about participating in the SuperWalk visit www.support. parkinson.bc.ca/site/ Two Rivers Gallery Summer Activity Camps go weekly until Monday, Aug. 24 at 725 Canada Games Way. These camps are geared for children between six and 12 years old. On the Stage goes Aug. 4 where participants will play with improv, create their own set, and think
CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
Cory Riplinger in No. 13 leads Brady Riplinger, Coles Wiesner and Dylan Swanstrom in the North American Big Rigs A Heat Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 at PGARA Speedway. The big rigs are back on Saturday, Aug. 15.
about all the art making that goes into bringing stories to life. Art in Movement starts Aug. 10 where children can explore motion in art making. Capturing movement in animals, the human body and in nature. On Aug. 17 the week’s theme is Around the World in 80 Days and children can make artwork inspired by global artists to learn about different cultures and art traditions. On Aug. 24 it’s time to look Through the Lens and leap into the world of photography. For all the details and to register visit www. tworiversgallery.ca/series/camps BCNE 2026 with the theme Spooktacular: a four-day Halloween Party – goes Thursday, Aug. 13 to Sunday, Aug. 16. This event is presented by the Prince George Agricultural and Historical Association. The BC Northern Exhibition is celebrating its 114th year. For all the details visit www.bcne.ca/bcne Summer’s Rot goes Saturday, Aug. 15 at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St. This event brings three metal bands together including Plagued by Fire, LOWR – Lich of Willow River and headlined by Tortion from Kamloops. This is an all ages show with doors at 7 and show at 8 p.m. Entry at the door is $25. Vermicomposting 101 goes Saturday, Aug. 15 at 3 p.m. at the Growing Knowledge Community Compost Garden at UNBC, Building 61, Campus Ring Road,
3333 University Way. This event is presented by REAPS. Vermicomposting is a fantastic way to reduce food waste and help reduce greenhouse gasses. And if you have a home garden or container garden, there’s no better way to get rich, nutritious compost for your plants. In vermicomposting various organic waste materials are broken down by using worms, bacteria and fungi. These organisms are nature’s vitally useful tools to decompose organic materials. Movie Night in the Orchard featuring 2023’s Barbie goes Friday, Aug. 21 at 9:15 p.m. at Northern Lights Estate Winery orchard, 745 Prince George Pulpmill Road. Grab your besties, dress in pink and get ready for a magical outdoor screening of Barbie at the winery. Enjoy a fun-filled summer evening under the stars with plenty of laughs, great company and favourite movie snacks. Doors open at 8:15 across the street from the winery. Family-friendly, bring lawn chairs or blankets and bug spray just in case. For all the details and tickets that must be purchased in advance visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/ movie-night-in-the-orchard-barbie-tickets Touch a Truck goes Friday, Aug. 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Canada Games Plaza to wrap up the Summer Reading Club at the Prince George Public
Library. Check out all the heavy trucks used by the City of Prince George and enjoy a barbecue hot dog by donation. Sherlock Challenge at Huble Homestead goes Saturday, Aug. 22 and Sunday, Aug. 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This is an exit-room style timed brainteaser in Huble House. Gather your team of up to eight people, sharpen your wits and discover if you’re up to the task in this historic site. Each group gets 45 minutes to solve the challenge. Pre-registration is required to book your time slot. For more information visit https://www.hublehomestead.ca/ sherlock If a more relaxed experienceis preferred, consider taking part in Watson Weekend, a self-led activity that does not require tickets. Metis Community Picnic goes Sunday, Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1200 LeSalle Avenue. This event will see Indigenous vendors and musicians on site and a treat, Bannock, available. This is in partnership with the Fraser Fort George Family Resource Centre and Niwikowin Métis Family Services to bring the community together. The call for a community picnic has been heard. Bring a lawn chair. To register call 236-423-3455 or email princegeorgecc@ mnbc.ca. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
COMMUNITY
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Legends Live! Presents Country Super Star Showcase that goes on Sunday, Aug. 23 at Om Pizza Bar and Café, 1970 Ospika Blvd. seating at 5 show starts at 6 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 28 at the Prince George Golf & Curling Club, 2601 Recplace Drive, seating at 6 with show at 7 pm. With tributes to Dolly, Kenny, Garth, Reba and Shania this will be a rootin’ tootin’ hollerin’ and hootin’ good time. Bringing the country music superstars to life with incredible impersonations, fab costumes and amazing live vocals. Ticket are $35 for each event at www.eventbrite.ca/ countrysuperstarshowcasePG Candlelight Open Air: Coldplay vs Imagine Dragons tribute concert experience goes Sunday, Aug. 23 at 8:45 p.m. at Northern lights Estate Winery, 745 Prince George Pulpmill Road. This event is performed by a four-piece string quartet, including two violins, one viola and a cello. For all the details and tickets visit www.feverup.com/ candlelightstringquartetPG Love Local Market goes Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 5 p.m. at CN Centre. This is an evening celebration of community, shopping local, and summer fun. Browse more than 100 local vendors, eat delicious food from Prince George’s best food trucks and enjoy free live entertainment all evening long. It’s the perfect night out with family and friends. Sweater Weather Market goes Saturday, Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at CN Centre. This is an outdoor fall market that will see about 100 vendors at the event. This event is free for visitors to attend and be sure to wear your favourite funky fall sweater. Vendors interested in participating can register at www.justsugarcookies.ca Sunflower Festival goes until Sunday, Sept. 6 at Foreman Farms, 1965 Foreman Road every Thursday to Sunday and is presented by Northern Lights Estate Winery. There are photo stations, farm animals, u-cut sunflowers with buy one get one every Friday, Bloom Café,
CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
Piper Randy Carnegie leads about 40 walkers through Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park during the 2024 Parkinson’s Superwalk. A fundraising barbecue for the annual event is happening on Thursday, Aug. 20.
picnic area and playground, hayrides from Thursday to Saturday, remote control car racing and every Thursday is Kids’ Day. Tickets can be purchased by cash, debit or credit on site and for more information or to purchase tickets online in advance visit www.northernlightswinery.ca/sunflower-fest Prince George Rock N’ Gem Show goes Friday, Sept. 11 to Sunday Sep. 13 at the Prince George Civic Centre presented by Can Gems Western Canada. Hours are Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is a marketplace filled with crystals, minerals, fossils, gemstones, handcrafted jewelry, beads, carvings, lapidary supplies, and unique treasures brought in by vendors from across Canada. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet passionate small business owners, artisans, collectors and rockhounds who enjoy sharing the stories, history and beauty behind the pieces
they carry. Entry is $3 per person, $7 per family and those five and under are free. There is a special feature UV Exclusive Event on Friday from 8 to 10 p.m. Experience the brilliance of minerals that glow under ultraviolet light during this captivating after-hours event. RSVP recommended by calling 587-377-5722. Walk-ins welcome. Coldsnap presents Dan Mangan on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. The Prince George Folkfest Society is offering this concert as the first of three in the series and begins with two-time Juno Award-winning musician and songwriter Dan Mangan, who hasn’t performed in Prince George since 2010. His performance is a part of his Natural Light Tour. The ninth studio album for Mangan, Natural Light was released in 2025 and marks a return to folk music’s classic underpinnings of political resistance. Mangan sings for his kids, his wife
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and a society in existential crisis. For more information and tickets visit www. coldsnapfestival.tickit.ca/dan-mangan Craft & Chat at the main branch of the Prince George Public Library goes every Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the magazine corner, second floor, where fibre artists are invited to bring their latest projects to share, vent frustrations, brag about successes, get and give help and join in lively discussions. Snacks provided. This event is in partnership with Great Northwest Fibre Fest. Myeloma Support Group goes every third Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Commonwealth Financial, 575 Victoria St. Everyone is welcome who has been diagnosed, those who are caregivers, family members and friends. Wheelchair accessible parking at the back of the building. For more information call Viv Lougheed at 250-981-2618. Chronic Condition Support Group takes place the first Tuesday of every month from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Nechako Branch of the Prince George Public Library, 6547 John Hart Hwy. This is a community social group where people with any chronic condition can come together to socialize, connect and learn from each other. This is a free drop-in event. Trivia Night at Nancy O’s goes every other Wednesday at 8 p.m., 1261 Third Ave. There are three rounds per game, each round has five themed questions and five music questions. Book a spot by calling ahead at 250-562-8066. Open Mic at Nancy O’s goes every other Wednesday from 8 to 11 p.m. Open mic is hosted by Danny Bell and friends. Come on down and share songs, poetry, dance, stories, and anything else you can think to do on stage. All are welcome. If you’ve got an event coming up email us at news@pgcitizen.ca to offer details including name of the event, the date, time and location, ticket price and where to get them and a little bit about what’s happening, too. LOCF
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY
MURDER AND RETRIBUTION PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
25
in old Fort George
A new book tells the story of a 200-year-old crime on the New Caledonia frontier
GEOFF MYNETT ILLUSTRATION
This drawing of James Yale was done by Geoff Mynett for his book The Fort George Murders of 1823: Crisis and Coexistence in New Caledonia. The book is now available. MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
An 1823 double murder at Fort George is the focus of a new book. Geoff Mynett, an author and retired lawyer based in Vancouver, tells the story in The Fort George Murders of 1823: Crisis and Coexistence in New Caledonia. The book draws from historical records from the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), written and oral histories from local First Nations and legends or rumours. Mynett describes what made him want to tell this story about an often unexplored part of colonial Canadian history. “Part of it was just that there wasn’t much on it,” said Mynett. “I’ve written
a number of books about the history of the Skeena River around Hazelton and the Hudson’s Bay Company, and I came across these murders at Fort George. I tried to dig out some information and couldn’t find much, so I came back a little later and did some deeper research and found out quite a lot.” Two hundred years ago, Northern BC was known as New Caledonia. The Hudson’s Bay Company had several trading posts in the area and had trading relationships with the local Dakelh, or Carrier, people. Settlers and HBC employees at the time heavily relied on them for food and the furs that were sold back in Britain. First Nations people participated in this trading relationship to gain access to metal tools, clothing, muskets, and
other trade goods. Relations were often tense, meaning any conflict between the two groups could very quickly escalate. That trading relationship was heavily tested by a double murder that occurred in Fort George, at the time a modest trading hub, in the summer of 1823. The fort, founded in 1807 by Simon Fraser, was located at what would eventually be the site of Prince George. Mynett explains that James Yale, a prominent HBC employee who was in charge of the fort, left his post to take trade goods back to the HBC. When he left, he ordered his men to remain at their posts and to not involve themselves with First Nations women. However, according to Mynett, Yale didn’t follow his own rules, which may have led to him returning from his trip to find his fort turned into a crime scene. “James Yale was with a First Nations woman, whether it was a proper country marriage or not, we don’t know. It was some relationship,” Mynett said. “He left the post for three weeks to go to Fort St. James. When he came back, he found two of the men he’d left there dead, and two Dakehl First Nations workers at the fort had fled.” Mynett explained that he believes that the murders were a “crime of passion.” However, due to historical bias and the murders occurring more than 200 years ago, it may be impossible to tell the real motivation, he said, although he did share the prevailing theory. “The partner of James Yale had previously had a relationship with one of the First Nations people at the fort and she took up with him again when Yale was away,” Mynettfree said. When this was discovered, two
Dakelh men took action to prevent Yale from finding out. “Two Hudson Bay workers found out and so the two First Nations people killed them and then disappeared,” Mynett said. “So it was a crime of passion perhaps, but it was certainly violent and certainly bloody.” The incident increased tensions, with the HBC considering ceasing trade and abandoning the region altogether. However, in the following months, cooler and wiser heads on both sides helped ease tensions and keep the murders from sparking additional conflict. For the next six months, those at Fort George and members of Dakelh communities attempted to rebuild their relationship, with overall success. However, the two Dakelh men who committed the murders still were in hiding, which was a thorn in the Mynett side of the HBC. “The Hudson Bay Company wasn’t going to let the murderers get away,” Mynett said. “So they put what pressure as they could on the First Nations to hunt down the murderers themselves. One of the murderers was killed in the mountains somewhere far and away. I don’t think the Hudson Bay Company did it, but it upset some of the First Nations who thought they had,” said Mynett. For the next five years after one of the murderers was reportedly killed, things returned to “normal.” However, the involvement of one of BC’s most famous historical figures saw tensions rise again. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE James Douglas, the first governor of the colony of British Columbia, who at the time was a young man working for the HBC, was put in charge of Fort St. James temporarily while his boss William Connolly was away. According to Mynett, one of the alleged murderers, named Zill-na-houlay, was found to be a distant relative of a leader of the Lhts’umusyoo (Beaver) clan of the Dakelh people, Chief Kw’eh, and was said to be staying with him and his family. Douglas led a group of men to the village where they were. Mynett says that both HBC records and Dakelh oral histories say that Douglas and his men killed Zill-na-houlay with little explanation. This angered Kw’eh, who along with an undetermined number of warriors then sought retribution for the killing of one of his people and relatives. The written histories, oral tradition, and local legends vary on what happened next. “Now the legend is that a few days later Chief Kw’eh stormed up to the fort with many First Nations warriors, took over the fort, and almost killed Douglas,” Mynett said. “However, Douglas’s new young wife of a few months, a Metis woman named Amelia, came down from the storeroom with traditional compensation goods until Kw’eh decided he had enough and he wouldn’t kill James Douglas after all. So the legend is that this new 16-yearold young wife of James Douglas saved his life and that was a turning point in the history of British Columbia,” said Mynett. Some historians have claimed that the warriors ambushed Douglas in the wilderness and held a knife to his throat
before goods were offered, Mynett said. Others state that the warriors stormed up to Fort St. James but didn’t take it, only arguing with Douglas. Mynett says that while it’s hard to parse the truth from historical records from over 200 years ago, the truth is likely somewhere in the middle. “My suspicion is that Chief Kw’eh knew he daren’t risk (killing) James Douglas,” Mynett said. “What he was there for was compensation … That’s just my personal view. Because it is my personal view, I don’t put it down quite so starkly in the book. In my view, it was all about compensation, which is a much simpler and less colourful version than a 16-year-old Amelia saving her husband’s life who was about to have his throat cut,” said Mynett. Regardless, the HBC knew that due to Douglas’s actions and near-death experience, his life was still in danger and that his continued presence in New Caledonia was a risk to continued relations with settlers and First Nations. “He was sent down to Fort Vancouver, where he became the chief accounting officer and then became head and later built Victoria and became governor of the colony, etc.,” Mynett said. “Possibly, if James Douglas had not gone south, the history of British Columbia would be different because of it. If you think British Columbia’s history was affected by James Douglas setting up Victoria and setting up the colonies, then clearly the murders were important. That’s one way to look at it. No murders or retaliation means no James Douglas in the south.” With the ordeal now over, the murderers dead and Douglas out of the picture, things in New Caledonia returned to a relative sense of normalcy between settlers and First Nations.
GEOFF MYNETT ILLUSTRATION
Geoff Mynett drew this picture of James Douglas in his older years for his book about a series of violent incidents that took place in and around what is now Prince George.
Mynett said that one of the most difficult aspects of his book was parsing historical bias from historical truth. “Anyone writing down a history is going to have some kind of bias,” said Mynett. “Even today, if you’re writing about something that happened a couple of weeks ago, to be unconsciously retelling the story through your own eyes. One has to accept the fact that the Hudson’s Bay Company records were written by people who had a Eurocentric view of the world and assumptions about the world.” To this end, Mynett sought to get as many sources as possible for the book, including oral histories of First Nations directly involved in the crisis in New Caledonia. This includes Nak’azdli elder Lizette
Hall, whose book The Carrier, My People (1992) contains oral histories from her father, the grandson of Kw’eh. Mynett said he believes that the recounting of these murders and the subsequent effects they had on the North is not only important to local history but the history of the province as a whole. “I wish there was more attention being paid to the history of the North here in the south,” said Mynett. “In Vancouver we tend not to pay as much attention to the North as we should and I would like to see the focus on the histories and the stories of the North being told.” The Fort George Murders of 1823: Crisis and Coexistence in New Caledonia is available at caitlinpress.com/Books/T/ The-Fort-George-Murders-of-1823
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Bear that wanders into animal rescue chased off by pigs MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
Tickled Pig Animal Rescue was saved from a close encounter with a bear after three unlikely heroes stepped in to save the rescue from further harm. Kerri Hegel and Steven Fisher, the owners and operators of Tickled Pig, were alerted to danger by a loud squeal from their pig enclosure. “We were watching TV, it was about somewhere around midnight, and we heard a really high-pitched pig squeal,” said Hegel. “Which was a little bit out of the ordinary. The pigs usually push each other around, so they squeal a bit. But this one was just a little bit off, so I stood up and I yelled out the bedroom window. Just because I thought maybe the pigs were fighting, but it didn’t carry on.” The two then left their home to check on their animals and saw the aftermath of what proved to be a small fight between a bear and the rescued pigs Tank, Lucy, Lilly and Ellie. “When we went out there, the bear was actually right against the fence,” said Fisher. “We had a pig on either side, almost like corralling it. That was when I clued into what was going on and that’s when I picked up a two-by-four and started hopping over the fence.” The bear was thankfully scared off quickly, but not before it left some minor scratches on Tank, Lucy and Lilly. Both owners/operators think that the bear climbed into the fence to get at the many geese, chickens and turkeys on the rescue’s property. They weren’t sure who started the fight, as some of their rescued pigs can be very territorial, but they were sure that their pigs finished it. “In the past we’ve had a bear jump in the yard, and the pigs immediately they just go after the bear,” said Hegel. “They chase everything away. They treat bears much like they treat each other. By the time we went out, there was like Tank, Lily, Ellie and I don’t know where Lucy had gone by that point, but it was weird because they were spread
CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER
Steven Fisher of Tickled Pig Animal Rescue tends to some of the pigs living at the facility on Thursday, Aug. 6.
out, but they were facing the bear. We almost wondered if they kind of started it.” While Hegel isn’t sure who started it, she has a very good guess. “Ellie is our most aggressive female of the herd, and she pushes everything around,” said Hegel. “So I wouldn’t doubt if Ellie saw that bear and then went after it.” Fisher also explained that by the time they arrived to help their pigs, the bear was more concerned with finding a way to flee than to cause any more problems. “We started to figure it was actually coming along our fence line, hopped over, and we wondered if it maybe spooked the pigs, or the pig spooked it,” said Fisher. “I think it was honestly at the point of trying to figure out how to get out.” Both owners are glad that their animals were able to disperse and get away, as they explain it could have ended much worse. “We have a friend that just lives up the highway and a bear broke into her turkey coop and killed them all,” said Hegel. “That’s kind of the reason why we don’t lock the pigs up at night. Because I always worry if something comes and breaks the door in and they’ll be stuck there. I like them to be able to disperse. Even with our chickens right now, we don’t lock them up, but
they go in with the pigs, and it pretty much keeps everything away.” The recent bear incursion has also made the owners change some of their recent construction and expansion plans. “We’re starting to build some big duck and geese houses,” said Hegel. “Our barn out back is almost like an old shed. We were going to build and spread all the birds out back, but ever since the bear came in, it’s changed our plans. Now all of our duck and geese houses are gonna be right along our driveway at the back. Everything’s gotta be close to the house. I’ve ordered cameras that I’m going to set up out back, just so that we can see what’s coming through.” Beyond bear encounters, Tickled Pig has seen a lot of community support and has taken in more rescued animals. The rescue currently houses a total of 13 pigs at the sanctuary: 12 mini pigs and one farm pig. These include two new pigs, Taco and Toby. As well, the rescue is home to chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys, cats, dogs and more. “We keep saying our sanctuary is full, we can’t take in more and then we take in more,” said Hegel. “We have four acres, and of course, the pigs sit along that fence line. I don’t know what we have four acres for. We could have had one acre and they would have been
living the same life.” One group that has been helping out at the rescue is the Gleaning Abundance Program, which collects apples throughout the city to reduce bear attractants. Hegel said that the program donated a large amount of apples to their rescue, which has been a massive boon for both the owners and the pigs. “Apples are always a big part,” said Hegel. “The gleaning program brings us all the apples that can’t be used by people for baking and whatnot. The gleaning program pretty much keeps our pigs fed for the next month and a half. It’s fantastic the amount they bring.” They also thanked the community for monetary donations in getting two surrendered piglets spayed and neutered in the spring. However, they emphasized that they only ask for support when it is absolutely needed. “Carrie and I absolutely don’t enjoy asking for donations,” said Fisher. “We don’t want to put a strain on other people. This was our choice to start it. That being said, people have just stepped up, and I think that’s probably the biggest thing. We don’t ask for it, and people still ask if they can help. That to us is the big thing.” Both owners told The Citizen that the easiest way to support them is to come and visit their rescue and to maybe bring food for the pigs. “Kerri, she loves people coming out and visiting,” said Fisher. “If you can save food scraps that you don’t like, and then come out for a visit. Come see them, the pigs love the interactions and kids love chasing the ducks.” Fisher said that one of the goals of the rescue is to get those around Prince George and the surrounding area to think differently about animals they may just consider a food source. “They all have their personalities, they all have intelligence,” Fisher said. “That’s what’s important to understand.” For more information on the rescue, visit tickledpig.ca or find Tickled Pig on Facebook. To set up a visit, text Hegel at 250-960-8048.
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PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
PRINCE GEORGE NATURALISTS CLUB PHOTOS
PGNC executive director Dani Fisher-Hynd (middle) and two members of the club gather invasive plant species like Himalayan balsam, (left), and common tansy (right) during one of their recent outings.
Naturalists Club fighting invaders, one pull at a time MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
Members of the Prince George Naturalists Club (PGNC) recently held a community event to help prevent the spread and reduce the environmental impact of three local invasive plants. On Aug. 2, six members of the club, along with members of the Northwest Invasive Plant Council, who provided equipment, joined together at the Shane Creek channel behind Carrie Jane Gray Park to remove three types of invasive plants that threatened local biodiversity around the park. In total, members of the club and volunteers gathered 12 bags of invasive plants, which were taken away by the City of Prince George and disposed of properly because of their highly invasive and virulent nature. PGNC has been around since 1968 and currently has more than 70 members. Members also focus on education and do regular talks, as well as hosting tracks, signs and birding walks. They also partner with many local nature-based organizations, including the Northwest Invasive Plant Council, Spruce City Wildlife Association, UNBC Sustainability, BC Native Bee Society and more.
Those participating in the pull were mostly after three species of plants: Himalayan balsam, common tansy and Canada thistle. PGNC executive director Dani Fisher-Hynd led the pull, taking over for PGNC treasurer Sandra Kinsey, who usually leads the pull but was absent. Fisher-Hynd thanked Kinsey for her efforts in organizing and her contributions to the event throughout the years, and said the event would not be possible without her help. Fisher-Hynd explained why it was so important to remove these plants in particular, as they threatened more than the biodiversity of the local park and channel. “They are a high-priority invasive species in our region,” said Fisher-Hynd. “They can outcompete native plants. Some of them have toxic compounds in them. If anything forages on them, it can actually harm them. It’s less desirable to wildlife and bees and it just reduces biodiversity.” “Why we chose the channel was because Himalayan balsam is a semiaquatic plant,” said Fisher-Hynd. “Anything near water can flow downstream. Downstream from the channel is the Hudson Bay wetland and then the Fraser River. Anything that goes to
seed can spread further down the bank and cause harm to our waterways and our banks, and the roots can increase erosion.” She added that any actions taken to remove upstream invasive plants have a substantial impact on wildlife, plants and more. “We want to keep the Hudson Bay wetland as natural as we can,” said Fisher-Hynd. “If there are too many invasives, the erosion can be worse, making it harder for the fish and birds that depend on that wetland. We’re just trying to keep the biodiversity of native plants high and protect the fish and wildlife downstream.” The naturalists plan to return for another pull this year but have not set a date yet and tell potential volunteers to stay tuned. While 12 bags of invasive plants removed is nothing to scoff at, members of the naturalists club believe they could do more with more volunteers. “We always need volunteers for everything, but it’s really hard sometimes,” said PGNC president Angelina Joiner. “We’ve often had a problem getting people on board, but yeah. So volunteers in general and people can just follow us on social media. When we have events and
they can come and help.” Joiner also believes that education is an important part of the club’s mission and getting those in the city to appreciate the nature and wildlife around them is an award in and of itself. “Prince George is really amazing in that we can be in nature within like 10 minutes from anywhere,” said Joiner. “It’s important to get people out and educate them because how boring is it to just sit in your office all day or in your house all day and never go out and enjoy anything … it’s really good to just help people get out and enjoy what’s here and that will in turn help people be educated in everything. Even if they don’t want to learn, they’re still gonna glean knowledge from everything they see and experience.” The Naturalists Club also helps local organizers with bird counts, has a booth at the Spruce City Wildlife salmon send-off, garbage pick-ups in the Hudson Bay Wetlands and more. If you are interested in volunteering, you can check their Facebook page for more opportunities to help or email princegeorgenaturalistsclub@gmail. com. If you want to become a member of the club, you can sign up at the following link: https://pgnc.ca/membership-2/
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Legends Live! Concert pays tribute to stars of country CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff
Kat Fullerton, who offers Legends Live! tribute shows in Prince George, has put together such a great show she’s doing it twice — and that almost never happens. Legends Live! Presents the Country Super Star Showcase debuts on Sunday, Aug. 23, at Om Pizza Bar and Café and then sees its encore at the Prince George Golf & Curling Club on Friday, Aug. 28. Tribute artists will showcase Dolly, Patsy, Kenny, Garth, Reba, Willie, John Denver and Shania. “We’re doing two nights mostly because we have the venues and we’re rehearsing it — let’s just do two nights,” Fullerton said. Fullerton, who is Almost Marilyn most days, is taking on a couple of different roles, but we’ll talk about that later. “So this is our Country Super Star Showcase and it’s all your classic country legends,” Fullerton said. “We’ve got Dolly, we now have a Kenny Rogers who we just added and this is actually going to be his debut with Legends Live!, which we are so excited for.” Rory Polson will be Kenny, and he is a local theatre kid who I met doing shows around town. He’s actually our sound guy and, over the course of the last year or so, we’ve been giving him more and more stuff to do in the show. He had a small part in our Christmas show, where he played Elton John’s butler and got to sing a song. Then we just did an Austin Powers show and Rory was our sound guy and was also in the show and got to sing a song. So he’s slowly been working his way into the company, and I just looked at him one day because he was growing his beard and I was like, “I think you’d be a really great Kenny Rogers! Whaddya think?” And yeah, he was absolutely on board. So we have a Kenny Rogers now in our cast. Fullerton will be showcasing Patsy Cline, which she has done before, and
CORY HICKS PHOTOGRAPHY
Kat Fullerton will be Patsy Clone during Legends Live! Country Super Star Showcase at Om Pizza Bar and Cafe on Sunday, Aug. 23 and at PG Golf & Curling Club on Friday, Aug. 28.
for the first time will be Dolly Parton. “I love doing Patsy but I thought now that we’ve got a Kenny it’s time and I have to do Dolly,” Fullerton said. “So I’ve been teasing out my big blonde wig. Cory (Hicks) is coming back. He’s doing John Denver and Willie Nelson, which he’s done before but this time he’s also debuting a new character. He’s gonna do Garth Brooks. Basically everyone in the show is doing a new persona.” Fullerton approaches character development the same way no matter who she is impersonating. “I have been doing Marilyn for a decade and I bring a lot of the same skill set to Dolly because it’s a lot of just
listening on repeat. It’s repetition and it’s listening to the tone of voice, how Dolly forms her vowels and she’s actually got a bit of a lisp in her voice, so it’s really interesting but it’s the same skill set as I used to become Marilyn — it’s observation and repetition.” Fullerton said she needed to give a shoutout to the local Hospice Thrift Shop. “Because I found a blue beaded dress there six months ago,” Fullerton said. “And I saw it and I didn’t need it but I knew I needed it, you know what I mean?” Oh yeah, I do! “I saw it and it was $10 and I was like, ‘I have to buy this dress!’ because
I knew I would use it for something,” Fullerton said. “And now it’s going to be my Dolly Parton costume! So I am always on the hunt. I use my intuition to pick stuff up at the thrift store all the time — going, ‘I know I’m going to need this in the future!’” So as Fullerton portrays Dolly and Patsy, Hicks is Garth, Willie and John Denver, and Polson is Kenny, Amanda Spurlock will be Shania and Ellie Prendergast will be Reba. “This show will be our usual Legends Live! format with two acts and each act is about 45 minutes long,” Fullerton said. “Everybody does a number or two and our sort of trademark Legends thing is unusual duets. There will be like ‘what if’ numbers that you’ve never seen before. So Dolly and Shania are going to sing a duet. Shania and Willie Nelson are going to sing a duet. And then you’ve got your classic numbers too. Dolly and Kenny might be doing Islands in the Stream. So it’s a good mix of solid classic country and then a couple of curveballs.” So food and drink are available at both venues, but the ticket price just covers the show. If people would like a meal or a beverage, they can certainly place their orders. Both venues are wonderful to work with, Fullerton added. “The menu is fantastic at Om and also at the golf and curling club and they usually do a themed menu as well,” Fullerton said. “It’s a great night for dinner and a show and what more can you want?” The shows are at Om Pizza Bar and Café, 1970 Ospika Blvd., with seating at 5 p.m. and the show starting at 6 p.m. Call for reservations to be sure to get a good seat. The Friday, Aug. 28, show is at the Prince George Golf & Curling Club, 2601 Recplace Drive, with seating at 6 p.m. and the show at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 for each event: (www.eventbrite.ca/legendslivecountrysuperstarshowsPG) (http://www.eventbrite.ca/ legendslivecountrysuperstarshowsPG)
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PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
Second chance after arson for first Little Free Library CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff
When the first Little Free Library opened in Prince George, I wrote a story about it. It went online on July 26, 2016, and here I am revisiting it 10 years later to catch up with the owner, Jessica Bonin, a teacher-librarian, and two passersby who stopped at the Little Free Library on their way to Duchess Park playground. A lot has happened during that time, and one incident threatened to be the 10th Avenue Little Free Library owner’s undoing. Everyone knows about all those fires downtown. Well, one of the culprits walked up the hill on 10th Avenue and destroyed a perfectly lovely way a community had come together over that little box filled with books. Jessica Bonin, teacher-librarian, who put up that first registered Little Free Library, remembers that day vividly. “It’s almost exactly 10 years later,” Bonin said. “It was great opening the first charter Little Free Library. There were some that already existed in Prince George. The old pool had one, there was one at a seniors centre and at the hospital and it was nice to have mine on 10th near the Phoenix Medical Building. What I like most about the Little Free Libraries around town is that it just brings that community together.” The original version of Bonin’s was an old cupboard that she found in her basement. A neighbour donated the shingles, another neighbour put the legs on it and then helped Bonin attach it to the fence, she recalled. “So it just brought that neighbourly, community connection,” Bonin said. “Coming from Vancouver I was like, ‘Oh, this is exactly what I needed!’ For 10 years it has gone through multiple changes and there have been a lot of different variations of it. It’s just what happens over time and we just keep going and keep prevailing.” Bonin said the door handle to the Little Free Library has been replaced six
CITIZEN PHOTOS (2016 AND 2026) BY CHRISTINE DALGLEISH
Curtis Abriel and daughter Aubrey reenact a photo (inset) taken at the opening of the Little Free Library in 2016 when Aubrey was just two years old.
times. The door had to be replaced and was then fitted with plexiglass. Over the years, the poor little library has been cut, slashed and even had acid poured on it — just bizarre things occurred over the years, Bonin added. But good things happened, too, that would restore her faith in the project. “I would get email messages that said, ‘Hey, I just screwed the door back on, the hinges were a little wobbly,’ so neighbours would just pop by with their drills and help me out and that’s really nice,” Bonin said. And then the fire happened. “In November 2025 the little library was torched,” Bonin said. “It was early in the morning and a neighbour threw snow on it to try to stop it and luckily it didn’t spread to my fence or my house, which I am very thankful for, but it was torched and the books were burned and it smelled bad so I knew I had to redo it. So I took it down and it was quite disheartening and then there was an outcry throughout the community — ‘We need this back! How can we help replace it?’ — and then a lovely neighbour dropped by the house with a home improvement store gift card and a bottle of wine and said, ‘Let us know what you need and we’ll help.’ At that time I was feeling
quite defeated and I didn’t know if I wanted to rebuild after that. Then I had a couple of medical concerns and some surgeries — and they were pretty important surgeries — so that’s one of the reasons why there has been such a delay and another was I just needed to sit with it for a bit to decide what I really wanted to do next.” In the area where Bonin lives, neighbours have become friends, she added. “We get together for events often and each household contributed funds to have a new Little Free Library,” Bonin said. So when the decision was made to put another little library out, Bonin thought she could simply order one online but discovered that, for our climate, it just wasn’t going to survive the four seasons. New Beginnings Men’s Shed came on board to create the new Little Free Library that is now proudly on display at 10th Avenue and McBride Crescent. The library was made from old wood and some upcycled pieces, and now there is a tin roof on it. It is protected from moisture, sealed inside and out, and there’s an old cupboard door with plexiglass in it. “The next step was getting an artist to put finishing touches on it and I know Madeline Kloepper, an artist in Prince
George, and I love her style so when I ran into her and asked her if she would be interested in doing this project — and I mean she’s pretty famous and amazing — but she wasn’t free to do it right away — and we all know good things take time.” During the time it took for it all to come together, Bonin realized something. “I learned it’s a really well-loved Little Free Library and people had been waiting to donate books and get back into it,” Bonin said. “I really found out how much of an impact it had on our neighbourhood and how many people actually used it once it wasn’t there.” A decade ago, Curtis Abriel stopped by the Little Free Library’s grand opening with his toddler Aubrey, and I took their photo as the little one coloured a bookmark. Bonin knew Abriel and made arrangements so he and Aubrey, who is now 12, could stop by for a visit and recreate that sweet little photo 10 years later. “The design and the artwork looks incredible,” said Curtis Abriel, a local musician, when he first laid eyes on the new Little Free Library. Abriel said they had been on the way to play at Duchess Park playground the first time they came upon the Little Free Library, but things have changed since then. Aubrey doesn’t need anyone to read to her anymore and right now she likes anime. The Little Free Library at its current debut had one thing missing. “Daddy, go home right now and bring back all my junior reading books and all of my baby-sitters club books!” Aubrey exclaimed when she saw there weren’t any kids’ books in the little library. (Don’t worry! That changed pretty quick!) “This is so fantastic that Jess has persevered through the challenge of last year and it’s fantastic that she has found community support for continuing this location,” Abriel said. “I know we will be coming here and donating some books, especially children’s books.”
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
COMMUNITY
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
Local author’s new book tackles a difficult subject Novel is fiction, but based on tough realities CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff
The book is about a terrible subject, something people don’t even want to think about most days, and I try to avoid the heartbreak of it at all costs. Until I met Jay Royston, the author of Flies, which at first glance I thought was Files, but no, it’s Flies. I tried to get out of doing the story at first. Jay came into the office — a cold call, if you will — and I think it was probably written all over my face that I didn’t really want to talk about this. I shooed him out the door pretty quick, took a breath, sat with it for a bit and then went and talked it out with my managing editor, Kennedy, like I always do when I gotta be talked off the ledge. He told me I had an out — I could give it to someone else in the newsroom — but I figured I started this thing, I should finish it. So here goes. Flies is about a vigilante killer who targets youth-aged sex offenders, you know, those teens who sexually assault their little sisters, yeah, those guys and others just like them. Horrific, right? Yup. But that’s not what the book is about. Not really. Just ask Royston, who used to work with these youth in the system right here in Prince George. He’ll tell you. Just like he told me. “There needs to be more awareness, especially amongst men, about how much of an influence they are,” Royston said. “I should say in the story it’s not about the killer, it’s about the men that are the role models,” Royston said. “Flies is superficially about the story of a serial killer murdering young sex offenders and that story is in the background.” “The real story is about these three men that are all in some way in that world and their job is to provide safety, security and role modeling for all the
kids in the group home or foster home. They are there to provide good role modeling while dealing with their own baggage and it’s also a bit of a murder mystery. It’s told from three different points of view, which is a different twist, I think, on the genre. So kinda like Pulp Fiction where you’re kinda jumping around and stories are intertwining and they see the others but don’t really interact with each other and if readers are very aware they’re going to notice — oh wait a minute that’s what’s-hisname who just walked down the street and I’ve used the places I’ve lived as my mental geography so perhaps kids are walking down the street in Prince George, Vernon or Calgary.” So what sparked the idea of a book that features such a heavy subject and took 14 years to write? “It’s 10 or 15 years of work experience and all these kids having their own stories but writing it in a way that’s not preachy and again — their crimes are not the subject here — there’s no opinions about that. It just happened,” Royston said. “It’s all quasi-fictional, nothing is exactly true but there’s little seeds in every story.” Ultimately, you want things to change, he added. “Especially when it comes to these types of systems, breaking that cycle of abuse,” Royston said. “And people to be more aware. I think you got to be a bit more empathetic
Jay Royston, born and raised in Prince George, has a new book out, Flies, about a vigilante killer murdering youth sex offenders, but it’s not really about that. SUBMITTED PHOTOS
towards people down on their luck, realize there’s not going to be instant change, it’s generational, but we need that empathy, I think, in society.” And the inspiration for the main character? “I once worked with a teen whose father was local law enforcement and I wondered what that must be like for him to have a son, charged and sentenced for his crimes, and to still have to go work every day with his co-workers, all sworn to protect others, when he couldn’t protect his own daughter.” I’m gunna leave that right there. Royston’s history in creative writing involves always doing, always making, including TV and film ventures. “I went out to Halifax to be part of Trailer Park Boys as there is a bit of film industry presence out there, especially in comedy, with Royal Canadian Air
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Farce, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, so when I went out there on my first day in Halifax I wound up in the hospital where I was quickly diagnosed with kidney cancer and that changed my life’s trajectory,” Royston said. It brought him back here to Prince George, he added. Royston was in his early 30s at the time, and that was about 24 years ago. “It certainly was a surprise and thankfully they removed the tumour and things, obviously, worked out well on that end of things but that really did put the brakes on things because I was told there was a five-year window where things could flare up again,” Royston explained. “So I reprioritized, I guess you could say, and ended up coming back here and got into social services.” Family was the anchor in Prince George. “My parents both lived here and family definitely became more important,” Royston said. “So I was in social services here and then in Calgary and then wound up in Vernon where I am a local firefighter, I work for the school district and work with CLBC where I work with a client in Community Living — he lives on his own but I just help him out.” In Prince George, Royston worked in group homes and fostered children short term. “Ended up in Vernon and I’m still juggling a lot of balls in the air and I’ve always loved writing – it’s been my selfcare thing,” Royston said. “I’ve always enjoyed that absurdist kind of Monty Python, Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams kind of humour that kind of blends serious stuff with humour and people who have read my book have told me the humour gets them. They’re like — there’s still humour in this? And that’s good to hear, I guess, as I tried to find a laugh in all this stuff and hopefully behind the laughs there’s a bit of a serious message. When it’s so toxic, humour helps deflect.” For more information about Royston and his work, visit jayroystonbooks. com.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
Throwback Thursday: Week of August 13
Aug. 13,1959: Perry Stairs was photographed with Dusk, a fine Arabian owned by John Coats and Stan Carling. Dusk was set to be entered in racing and show classes at the fall fair in September. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY HAL VANDERVOORT
Aug. 13, 1984: Rocks and dust flew as chuckwagons driven by Cliff Davidson of Aldergrove (left), Marcel Routhier of Prince George and Alec Moore of Houston rounded the bend to head for home at the Prince George Exhibition, part of Simon Fraser Days back then. CITIZEN PHOTO BY RIC ERNST
Aug. 12, 1970: The Citizen ran this photo of hairdresser Rita Weinold, 20, on the front page as she walked through Connaught Hill Park as part of a story about plans to build a radio tower on the hill. The issue raised concerns locally and dominated headlines that summer and, ultimately, the tower wasn’t built. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
Aug. 13, 2011: BC Roller Hockey team members Justin Hards, 14, Garrett Hill, 16, goalie Kris Joyce, 16, Kirk Hards, 16 and Darren Hards, 13, were joined by coach Brian Hards for a Citizen article after they returned from competing in State Wars in Cincinnati. Ohio. Nine Prince George boys took part, and all came home with either silver or bronze medals. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY DAVID MAH
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Local Sports GOLDEN YEARS: Six medals for 81-year-old Not only that, but he set a Canadian 4x400m relay record CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff
This guy. This cancer-surviving, never-gives-up, determined, incredibly gifted guy. Tuomas Ukonmaanaho, 81, just returned from the Canadian Masters Track & Field Championship in Laval, Que., with six gold medals and a shiny new Canadian record. He entered the 100-metre, 200-metre and 400-metre races, pole vault and javelin, and at the event was invited to participate on a relay team of 80-yearolds that broke a 13-year-old Canadian record for the 4x400-metre relay, running 6:24.73. The old record was 6:25.06, set by a team in Regina, Sask., on July 28, 2013. He’s the only masters athlete from Prince George who competed at the nationals this year, so this story is all about him. Full disclosure: Tom, a member of the Prince George Track & Field Club, is my friend. He tries to help me with my dismal javelin throw; I get him registered for his meets online. When I registered Tom for the meet on Trackie.com, I noticed that instead of listing everyone by their five-year age categories in which we all compete, they listed everyone by their seed times for races and distances for throws and jumps. To offer some perspective on just how talented Tom is, usually the older you are, the farther down the list you are, but not Tom. For his 100-metre dash rankings, he was right between 50-year-olds and 65-year-olds — remember, Tom is 81. For his 200-metre dash, his time is
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHRISTINE DALGLEISH
Tom Ukonmaanaho, Prince George Track & Field Club athlete, returned from the Canadian Masters Track & Field Championships held in Laval, Quebec from July 31 to Aug. 2 with six gold medals and a Canadian 4x400 metre relay record.
equal to a 50-year-old. For his 400-metre race, he is surrounded by 70- and 75-year-olds. For his pole vault height, he is flanked by a 45-year-old and a 70-year-old, and for his javelin throw, a 60-year-old and a 75-year-old made a Tom sandwich. When Tom threw the javelin, the second-place competitor in his age category didn’t even throw half of the 25.65 metres that Tom threw. In the 200-metre sprint, he beat the second-place finisher by more than five seconds. In the 400, he beat his closest competitor by three seconds. In the 100-metre, it was close but still by more than half a second, and for pole vault he beat the silver medallist by more than half a metre.
Tom is the current Canadian decathlon record holder for men 75-79, is part of the world-record-holding relay team for the indoor 4x400 and indoor 4x400 metres and has held more than 47 world, Canadian and BC records during his masters athletics career since he turned 65. He is an elite athlete. To get all the details about the national championship and take a photo to go with the story, Tom and I met up at Masich Place Stadium recently. As I am a masters athlete, too, I parked by the throwing cages, as is my habit because that’s where I can practise. I was walking around the track about 10 minutes early for our meeting and happened to glance across the
field to see this guy streaking down the straight stretch of the track. I smiled because I instantly recognized Tom’s incredibly long stride — he runs like a gazelle — and, as always, he was encouraging a group of young runners to keep up with him. Yes, that’s right. When Tom is on the track, he is almost always the fastest person there, and as he encourages people to run with him, he takes time to offer tips he’s learned over the years. Such a special guy.As with most championships that involve hundreds of athletes, schedules tend to change to accommodate everyone competing. SEE ‘NEXT UP’ ON PAGE 37
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
SPORTS
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
Rams stomp all over Kodiaks in 75-0 home-field loss TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
Back when Darryl Overstreet Jr. was cutting his first teeth sleeping in his crib at the family home in Grayslake, Ill., his parents gave him something to cuddle. It wasn’t a teddy bear; it was a football. Now, nearly 22 years later, that wideeyed toddler is a strapping six-foot-two, 215-pound quarterback who has taken on a Canadian address playing in the BC Football Conference for the Langley Rams. Overstreet Jr. accepted an offer to join the Rams this season, and his BCFC debut has been nothing short of spectacular. Already leading all the league’s quarterback statistics after the first three games, Overstreet’s accurate and powerful arm, shifty feet and uncanny ability to make the right decision under pressure shredded the Prince George Kodiaks for a Canadian Junior Football League record 10 passing touchdowns in a 75-0 whitewash. The win boosted the Rams’ conference-leading record to 4-0 on Saturday, Aug. 8, in front of about 500 witnesses at Masich Place Stadium. It was a 54-0 game by the end of the first half, which ended with Emmanual Brown’s one-yard run into the end zone, and it seemed at that point like the Rams were about to ring up a triple-figure score. The one-sided half wasn’t quite a record deficit. That was set last season by the Okanagan Sun when they built a 69-0 lead over the Rams and went on to win 94-0. The Rams lost seven straight and missed the playoffs last season, but that’s all behind them now. They’ve got a team that’s solid in all departments, one that will almost certainly go deep in the BCFC playoffs, and they exploited their strengths at the expense of the Kodiaks, who had a tough time keeping their offence on the field and were held to only a fistful of first downs the entire game. “We were playing against a really good O-line, good receivers and they’ve
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
Kodiaks receiver Ben Fehr is straight-armed by Rams wide receiver Kalel Dizon at Masich Place Stadium Saturday, Aug. 8. The BCFC-leading Rams walked all over the Kodiaks in a 75-0 loss.
got a really good quarterback,” said 21-year-old Kodiaks defensive back Sawyer Sonsteby. “It was a tough game for the defence. “It’s hard to stop them all game when we can’t move the ball and they’re passing the ball with ease to the wide side. Giving him that much time is unacceptable, expecting us to cover them for that long as the secondary is tough, and it’s definitely something we’ll be working on going into Okanagan, just trying to get pressure on the quarterback. He got to sit in the pocket and operate and when you give an operator time to operate, there’s not much you can do.” Nobody in the PG crowd knew Antwan Maua was the Rams’ punter until he boomed one deep on his first kick of the game, with about two minutes left in the first half. The Kodiaks’ defence forced the Rams
into third-and-long situations several times. But with Overstreet Jr.’s passing proficiency, they gambled in almost every situation, and won. Rush Henderson had three toucdowns, Brown and Marcus Jones each had two, and Josh Caverly, Thomas Wiggins, Dante Meyer and Jackson Kliewer also found the end zone. Kodiaks head coach Ryan Bellamy liked what he saw from his offensive line, led by Magnus Arnason, Nico Santos and Dray Barclay, but gave his team an overall failing grade for their substandard performance, coming off a 65-6 win over Kamloops the previous week. “We were inconsistent throughout the game,” said Bellamy. “When you play like that against a good team they’ll make you pay for it. We have good talent, but when your best players aren’t your best players the night is going to
be long and tough. “Our O-line gave us a warriors’ effort, we came in with a few starting guys out and they stepped up and gave us time to make plays, we just didn’t capitalize on it.” The Kodiaks’ game plan was to try to contain Overstreet as much as possible. It didn’t happen. “If you give a guy with that much skill that much time, he’s going to pick you apart,” said Bellamy. “Guys like that are rare, they don’t come around too often. I had the pleasure of playing with (running back) Andrew Harris (with the Vancouver Island Raiders) and he was a special talent and you look and (Overstreet) is on that same level. He brings a lot of intangibles and he put that on display tonight.” CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
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Langley’s Overstreet puts on a show for PG football fans CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Overstreet put on a show for the Masich football faithful, and they were impressed, despite the fact his perfect-spiral hucks into the hands of his receivers were killing the Kodiaks. “That’s the best quarterback I’ve ever seen, he should be playing in a higher league,” said one local football enthusiast. “To be able to throw bullets like that, on the run, is incredible,” said another. Overstreet Jr. finished his four-year college career with the NCAA Division II Upper Iowa Peacocks with a season that ranks among the all-time best in the school’s 132-year history. In 2025, he racked up the fourth-most yards passing, fourth-most completions and fifthmost touchdowns, and the Peacocks went 9-3, finishing with Upper Iowa’s first-ever bowl win in the Albanese Candy Bowl. He posted big numbers earlier this year playing arena football as the starter for the AF1 Kentucky Barrels, where he gained a sense of the unlimited backfield motion he’s now seeing in the Canadian game. His dad, Darryl Sr., played semi-pro as a safety for the Racine Racers and also had a stint of pro football with the Milwaukee Bonecrushers, which earned him an invitation to the Green Bay Packers’ rookie camp. “My dad played arena football and I’ve loved the game since I was little,” he said. “Growing up watching my dad get to play, seeing his love for the game, it just grew my love. Both my mom and my stepmom, they fell in love with the game just as much as I did and I couldn’t be more thankful. “Over the last eight months I’ve played every single type of football,” he said. “It’s been a lot, it’s been a journey. To have different types of football under my belt it shows I can adapt. The longer I can keep playing the game the better, and the world I get to see, I don’t think I would have ever come to Prince George. You won’t catch me here in January, but it’s beautiful.” The Rams also tapped Upper Iowa
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
Rams wide receiver Rush Henderson is knocked flat by Kodiaks defensive back Taeman Piddocke.
to recruit defensive lineman Shaquille Roman, Overstreet Jr.’s longtime teammate and best friend, and Roman was a force in Saturday’s game. Kodiaks quarterback Toby Plett had a tough day at the office and rarely had much time to decide what to do with the ball. In the first quarter he threw two interceptions, both into the hands of CJ Augustine. On that second pick, the Kodiaks had the ball first-and-five on the Rams’ 23-yard line — their deepest penetration of the game — when Augustine ended the drive with an act of end-zone thievery. Overstreet Jr. came into Prince George averaging 98 yards rushing, second in the BCFC, but wasn’t close to that on Saturday. He didn’t have to run. He spent too much time protected in the pocket, and those five- or six-second stretches gave him ample time to make his pitches. Overstreet Jr. was a walk-on at Upper Iowa and paid his dues in four years of college ball, taking over as the starting quarterback six games into his rookie season. He’s also an ace in the classroom. Having already earned a master’s degree in sports administration, he’s two weeks away from completing his MBA in organizational development. Once he’s done trying to lead the Rams to the Canadian Bowl, don’t be surprised if Overstreet surfaces on a pro football field. He’s already had conversations with the NFL Bears and Vikings, and the BC Lions know he’s in
their neighbourhood as well. “We hope he gets an opportunity, we think he’s earned it — he’s a great guy and an even better person than he is a player,” said Rams head coach Kye Todhunter. “I haven’t seen anybody close to him. He played all four years of college eligibility and needed somewhere to play so he reached out, hoping he could get that CFL shot. If he keeps playing like this he’ll be tough to ignore. “He’s a leader and the guys are inspired by what he can do physically but just the maturity of him as well, he gets in the right places and really teaches them how to approach the game properly off the field as well. He’s been super-impactful on the field and off the field and we’re incredibly fortunate to have him.” Mercifully, coach Todhunter brought backup pivot Gurjan Siddoo in for the fourth quarter to replace Overstreet Jr., who by that point had tossed for nearly 500 yards.
On that opening fourth-quarter series, Siddoo hooked up right away with Brown, who joined the Rams this year from the UBC Thunderbirds and was a constant scoring threat all game. Brown got the ball down to the Kodiaks’ 16-yard line and Meyer had them knocking on the door a yard away from paydirt, setting up a short TD plunge from Kliewer. Sarthak Dojanjh booted the convert and that was it for the scoring. The fact the Kodiaks held the Rams to seven points in that final quarter made it unclear if that was just a case of the Prince George defence tightening up or the fact the Rams used a lot of their bench players late in the game. Regardless of the reasons, the Kodiaks (1-2) are going to have to pay close attention to the game film this week to learn from their mistakes before they head to Kelowna to take on the two-time defending league-champion Okanagan Sun on Saturday.
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Mackenzie snowboard cross racer rediscovers roots Little Mac Ski Hill names its chalet for Evan Bichon TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
If Olympic snowboard cross racer Evan Bichon wasn’t already a household name in his hometown of Mackenzie, his prominence as one of the greatest athletes the town has ever produced became permanently mounted on the wall of the ski resort where he learned the basics of his sport. On July 9, Bichon was the guest of honour at Little Mac Ski Hill in Mackenzie for a naming ceremony when the community-owned ski area named its lodge the Evan Bichon Ski Chalet. A plaque showing Bichon standing on the World Cup podium was unveiled, and Bichon’s father, Ryan, and sister, Dana, were there to help celebrate the event. The hill has just one 210-metre run with 90 metres of elevation gain, but to Bichon it might as well have been Mount Everest when his parents, Trish and Ryan, got him started on his snowboard. “It’s super-special because Little Mac is the ski hill I learned on when I was five. My dad taught my sister and I there,” said Bichon, from his off-season home in North Vancouver. “It’s a one-run, one-poma-lift ski hill, but it’s a huge addition to the town because it’s part of the recreation centre, so it’s affordable, just like the swimming and ice skating and other opportunities for the youth and public there,” said Bichon. “To be a part of that, hopefully inspires some of the younger generation going to the ski hill,” said Bichon. “Hopefully my sign, which is crazy to say, will make them realize that even if you’re coming from a small town there’s a lot that’s possible.” By the age of 12, he started racing with the Northern Edge Ski Club at RBC Rider regional events, usually with his mom behind the wheel, driving him and
SILVER DOVE IMAGERY
Olympic snowboard cross racer Evan Bichon was presented with snowboard he used as a five-year-old at the Evan Bichon Ski Chalet naming ceremony at Little Mac Ski Hill in Mackenzie on July 9.
other athletes to the introductory race series. “At the start I didn’t know how to stop or anything and I could just point it straight and make it to the bottom,” he said. “I learned how to get to the bottom before I learned how to stop. I was too small to make it up the poma lift on my own and the first while I went, my poor
dad would walk up to the top with me. The top of the hill is the parking lot, so if you make it to the bottom and can’t go up the lift you have to walk. I’d sit on people’s legs and they’d take me up and once I learned to go up the poma lift it was great.” His dad spoke at the ceremony, along with his first coach, Bill Laing. Laing told the story that Bichon showed his love
for speed early in his career and, by the time he was seven or eight, he was right on Laing’s heels when they got to the bottom of the hill. The Northern Edge club team was the name Bichon, his mom and his sister suggested. His dad gave him the first snowboard he ever used — a $30 plastic Canadian Tire special — and it still has the Christmas stickers on it from the day he saw it waiting for him under the tree with his other presents. He has that board with him at his home in North Vancouver and is using it to display his racing medals. “It was great to reconnect to the community,” said Bichon. “I saw a lot of old faces and friends and met some really cool new people there.” Trish died of cancer Nov. 14, 2025, and Bichon dedicated the season to her memory. It turned out to be the most successful year yet in his snowboard cross career. He made the Canadian Olympic team in February and, after qualifying 11th, he finished 17th on the Olympic course in Livigno, Italy. Then, on March 28, racing on Canadian snow for the first time in nearly a year at Mont-Ste-Anne, Que., Bichon won his first World Cup medal with a bronze-medal finish in the season-ending race. His 74 points for the season left him 23rd in the World Cup standings, which matched his 2023 finish. His best-ever finish was in 2024, when he totalled 119 points and finished 19th. Bichon, who turns 28 in October, says he intends to stick around his sport long enough to complete another Olympic cycle, with the 2030 Winter Games in Briançon, France. The national team is planning a glacier camp in October in Switzerland or Italy to get a jump on the new season, which includes the World Championships in March in Montafon, Austria. Bichon’s best world championship finish was 13th in 2023 in Bakuriani, Georgia.
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Next up for Ukonmaanaho: BC Masters Championships CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 Tom took a chance and booked his flights according to the first schedule set for the event, only to find out that he didn’t have to compete on Friday but went to the track anyway. As he was at the table to pick up his competition number, he was approached by three gentlemen who immediately asked if he was Tom from BC. “There were two French-speaking and one English-speaking man and he said, ‘Oh good, you made it, we’ve been praying for you and hoping that you were healthy enough to show up,’” Tom laughed. Because that’s the reality when you’re in your 80s. Tom asked them why they were so happy to see him. “We want you for the relay team,” the stranger said. “We have three runners, so we need one more in his 80s.”
The group that approached Tom included Jean-Louis Perez, Jean Menetrier and Alex McEachern. At first, the group wanted to compete in the 4x100-metre and they signed up for that, but it conflicted with the pole vault event that Tom and Alex were participating in, so instead they set their sights on the 4x400-metre — the last race at the Canadian Masters Championship. It was Sunday afternoon when the torrential downpour hit in Laval, and people got stuck running their 800-metre and 200-metre races through it all. Tom had mist and big puddles to deal with during his 200-metre race and then went straight into the 4x400-metre relay. “During the 400-metre relay we were up against a team of 75-year-olds and one 85-year-old and I thought they were going to smoke us,” Tom smiled at the recollection. “We were all pretty much even and then at my 300-metre mark all of a
sudden I was alone — they had run out of air or legs — so I kept on going and I was alone on the home stretch.” Tom was happy with his results — I think. “It was all OK,” Tom, as usual, made the great understatement. And just so you know, Tom doesn’t keep most of his medals. He’s got six gold medals and two friends are each getting one, his two sons will each get one, and then there’s two left over that will probably end up in a drawer somewhere. That’s not what it’s about for him. “You can’t tell a runner lives at my house,” Tom said. Tom will be at the BC Masters Championships on Aug. 14 and 15 and then end his season with the 55+ BC Games in Kamloops, which is a five-day competition set for Sept. 8 to 12. I wish Tom good luck, knowing he doesn’t need it. He trains hard to get his results, and I can’t wait to see what he does next.
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Tom Ukonmaanaho is pictured third from left on the Laval, Que. podium with his record-breaking team.
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ACROSS 1 Sheepish “Hello!” 4 Out of control 8 Regretted 12 U.S. Navy vessel 13 -- Crunch (breakfast cereal) 14 Singer Guthrie 15 Mel of baseball
16 Manitoba tribe 17 The same 18 Cold-hardy salad veggie 21 Whatever amount 22 Green shade 23 Kick out 26 Send electronically 27 Extinct bird 30 Sunrise direction
31 Future flower 32 Border on 33 Tipsy 34 A Bobbsey twin 35 Dish 36 Cat’s coat 37 Three, in Rome 38 Young person, metaphorically
45 Mideast airline 46 Bern’s river 47 Actress Longoria 48 Lighten 49 Wall St. debuts 50 Profit 51 Times Sq. force 52 Salamander 53 Hosp. areas
DOWN 1 Gust 2 Wine region 3 Envelope abbr. 4 Emphasize 5 Tie the knot 6 Autobahn auto 7 Skateboarder’s protection 8 Indian yogurt dish
9 Language of Pakistan 10 Power co. supply 11 Stadium top 19 Diplomacy 20 -- -Mex cuisine 23 Long, skinny fish 24 -- alai 25 Proposal fig. 26 Gaiety
27 CEO’s degree, often 28 Chic no more 29 Chowed down 31 Shopper’s quest 32 Novelist Waugh 34 Mother Teresa, for one 35 Mass celebrant 36 Mailed a tax return 37 Toss
38 Beheld 39 Stage show 40 Grate 41 Superhero’s garment 42 Vegas game 43 Always 44 D.C. baseball team
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Life Events In Loving Memory
Maureen Theresa Thompson November 26, 1938 - July 20, 2026
Raymond Kondratuk
May 28, 1938 - August 8, 2025 A year ago today, our lives changed forever. Miss you and love you, always. Edith, Jim, Rae-Ann and Malcolm
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that Maureen Theresa Thompson, 87 years of age, of Prince George, passed away on July 20th, 2026, at Rainbow Lodge, with her loving family by her side. She was born on November 26, 1938, in Carleton Place, to Alma and Meyer Doyle.
Sheila Margaret Johnston née Ridley (BEd UBC 1986) June 27, 1947 - June 19, 2026
Sheila passed away in the early hours of June 19, 2026 at Simon Fraser Lodge. Sheila was born in Prince George to Mabel and Nelson Ridley on June 27, 1947. She came home to her older sister Helen and was later joined by her brothers Ed and David (Del). Sheila grew up and lived on Elm Street until she left to begin her married life with David Johnston in 1967. They welcomed their son Greg in December. Sheila was an educator and taught at Van Bien Elementary from the spring of 1968 until her retirement in 2003. Sheila was a Girl Guide and the guide captain of 1st Fort George Guide company. Sheila was dedicated to her home and family. Nothing gave her more joy than spending some one on one time with the younger members of the family and some books. She will be deeply missed by her husband, David, Son Gregory, daughter in law, Susan, grand children Grace and Duncan and extended family and friends She is survived by her siblings Helen, Ed, and Del. Special thanks to the staff of Simon Fraser Lodge and John and Judy for their support and care of Sheila. As per Sheila’s request, there will be no service.
Maureen grew up in Montreal, moved and lived in the Vancouver area for several years. She worked at St. Paul’s Hospital as a young adult, then became the manager for the Hair Salon at the Hudson’s Bay Company in Prince George. She also worked for Johnston Meier Insurance, A & F Catering, and later at the Department of Motor Vehicles/ICBC for many years and she became a Regional Director for the district of Fraser-Fort George as well as was a Commissioner for the Agricultural Land Commission later in her life. In 1987, she married the love of her life, her sweet husband, Peter Thompson, and together they built a wonderful life together in Prince George. Maureen was known for her sunny social nature, her excellent work ethic, her numerous council positions and her deep love for her family. Maureen loved making trees and wreaths for the Festival of rees cooking fantastic meals for and entertaining family and friends, and loved her
trips to Mexico for many winters. She was instrumental in the restoration of the Huble Homestead Historic Site and a member of the E ecutive oard for the E ploration lace and the Farmer s nstitute as well as was a rince George Regional Hospital Trustee, on the board for The Fort George Highway Rescue Society, the Power Pioneers, among many others. Her strength and vibrant spirit will live on in our hearts forever. Maureen had four sons, John (Connie), Rick, Todd and Clayton; many grandchildren; and her three siblings, Michael, Vincent, and Mary Margaret and an abundant amount of extended family members and countless friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alma and Meyer; brother, Vincent; her husband, Peter; her sister, Mary Margaret and her son, Clayton Mitchell. The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to he ain ow Lodge for their e ceptional care in her time there over the last year, as well as Dr. McGhee and Dr. Butow for their exemplary care and support over the years, until her passing. n lieu of owers the family asks that donations be made to the Huble Homestead Historic Site, or the charity of your choice, in her memory.
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PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
Thelma Mohammed Robert and Eric. Her early years in McBride shaped the strength, resilience, and quiet determination that she carried beautifully throughout her entire life. Thelma went on to enjoy a long, fulfilling career with the Royal Bank, where her warmth and dedication allowed her to form many lasting friendships that she treasured deeply. She married the love of her life, Peter Mohammed, and together they built a beautiful life and raised their children, Myles and Alison, in Prince George. A devoted and loving mother and life partner Thelma was the true anchor who kept her family connected. Her welcoming spirit shone through in everything she did, whether she was hosting family gatherings at home or creating unforgettable memories during summers spent at Stuart Lake. She had a way of making everybody feel truly special, always showing her deep love through the incredible meals she prepared and the welcoming environment she created. In recent years, Thelma’s greatest joy was her grandchildren, Hudson and Anna. Being their Grandma was one of her life’s greatest blessings. She treasured every opportunity to spend time with them—playing, laughing, making memories, and simply enjoying their company. Her love for them knew no bounds, and the joy they brought to her life was immeasurable. They loved and adored her just as deeply. Thelma is survived and will be forever missed by her loving husband, Peter; her children, Myles (and his late partner, Brigette) and Alison (Ryan); and her cherished grandchildren, Hudson and Anna. She also leaves behind her devoted siblings, Ruth Olineck (Mitch), Robert Johnson (Eleanor), Sharon Hirsch (Neal), Eric Johnson (Melanie), and Barbara Johnson, along with many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends. She will be deeply missed, but her warmth and love will live in our hearts forever. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society in the name of Thelma Mohammed. The PGHPCS website can be found online at www.pghpcs.ca A Celebration of Life will be held at Northern Lights Estate Winery, 745 Prince George Pulpmill Rd Prince George, on Sunday September 13th beginning at noon.
LIFE EVENTS
Margaret Sucholotosky
November 2, 1942 - July 14, 2026 With heavy hearts our family announces the passing of Margaret Sucholotosky. Deeply loved and remembered by son Shane (Sherrie), daughter Rochelle, brother Don, granddaughters Stephanie (Ivan), Kyla (Devon), Cianna, Payton and great grandsons Misha and Ilya. Predeceased by husband Boris, son Jaron, companion Don, brother Larry and parents Mary & Joseph. Gramma Marge spent her senior years travelling with Don, gardening, and adoring her grandchildren. She loved cooking large Ukrainian meals shared with family & friends.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
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Hans Matthies
August 26, 1944 - July 23, 2026 Hans passed away peacefully with his beloved Mary by his side. Survived by his spouse Mary, children Renate, arren eresa ictor erne e e re ory i t grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, sisters; Marianne, Annie, and Marlene, brother; Ron. Many aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Predeceased by his wife Darlene, son Hans Jr., mom Marie, and dad enry brot ers il elm lfred and ddy and sister Ingeborg. an s to r an n rses and care ivers at ospice o se n ans memory please donate to ospice o se celebration ill be anno nced later
Family invite friends for prayer service and celebration of Gramma Marge’s life August 15, 2026 1:00pm Kinsmen community complex, 777 Kinsmen Pl.
Honouring those who have
touched our lives
Donald Christopher MacKay ctober
ne
It is with great sadness that the MacKay family announce the passing of Donald Christopher MacKay on June 30, 2026. Don was so lucky in his life to do the things he loved. Logging, watching the trees grow on his woodlot, raisin ca le farmin is land and bein it is family and friends e as blessed in so many ays onny is s rvived by is ife aron sons ean (Janice) and James, his sister Dorothy Wilson, sisterin-law Beatrice MacKay, and grandsons Kirk, Connor, and lar e is pre deceased by is parents ris and lva and is brot ers obert ob and avid (Dave). celebration of life ill be eld at rday eptember at pm at Hixon Community Hall. The family would like to thank the Hixon Fire Department. The community is lucky to have such a reat b nc of rst responders
frontdesk@pgcitizen.ca or call 250.562.2441
pecial t an s e tended to rince eor e otary Hospice House for the compassionate care they provided.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
John Albert Hankins
May 26, 1934 - August 2, 2026 John Albert Hankins has moved on to the next world after a brief stay at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia following an accident at his home. He is survived by his brother Vernon (Wanda); his children David, Lorne, Leona, and Carmen; his grandchildren Jeremy (Erin), Jon, Lauren (Matt), Ashleigh (Luke), and Christina (and her daughter Kelsey); his great-grandchildren Leah, Hannah, Ephraim, Cesárea, Tessa, Hunter, and Lily; his friend Barb; and by his large extended family. He is predeceased by his daughter-in-law Valerie, his son-in-law Darryl, his grandson Rick, and by his beloved Lindy (nee Young); we hope and trust that he is with her again now. Johnny will be remembered for his warmth, storytelling, loyalty, generosity, and wit; his adventurousness, in the wilderness of western Canada as much as in books and ideas; his hunting prowess, farming and gardening, and practicality in providing for his family; his skill in building and in taking care of what was built; his singing and his poetry recitations; his ease in making conversation and friends; and so much more besides. We will tell his stories and remember him and miss him for many, many years to come—until we meet again. Johnny was fond of reciting Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “The Lady of Shalott,” which includes this stanza about the heroic Lancelot:
All in the blue unclouded weather Thick-jewell’d shone the saddle-leather, The helmet and the helmet-feather Burn’d like one burning flame together, As he rode down from Camelot. As often thro’ the purple night, Below the starry clusters bright, Some bearded meteor, trailing light, Moves over green Shalott. A service will be held at 1pm, Friday, August 21st, at Assman’s Funeral Chapel, 1908 Queensway. A gathering to celebrate Johnny’s life will follow at 4pm at 40800 Chief Lake Road. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the SPCA or to a charity of your choice.
LIFE EVENTS
Ray Denluck
March 7, 1942 - June 15, 2026 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ray Denluck on June 15, 2026 at the age of 84. Ray is predeceased by his wife Seleen (1995) and wife Sherri (2021) and is survived by his children Wayne (Lisa), Catherine, Jennifer (Mark), Stepson Darryn (Debbie), brothers ene (Jette) and rant (Janice) and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. After retiring in Prince eorge, Ray Sherri packed up the house and shop and relocated to Adams Lake where Ray enjoyed the sunshine, lake and many friends. Fondest memories of Ray include camping, shing derbies, building a re, creating treasures in his shop, being a husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. Ray will always be remembered for giving a helping hand, leaving many un nished pro ects and sharing a beer or two and gossip with anyone who stopped by to visit. Although Ray is gone from our sight, he will never be gone from our hearts. A Celebration of Life will be held on August 1 , 202 at 1:00 at Wayne and Lisa’s house (9101 ld Summit Lake Road, Prince eorge, BC).
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
Sheila Margaret Johnston née Ridley (BEd UBC 1986) June 27, 1947 - June 19, 2026
Sheila passed away in the early hours of June 19, 2026 at Simon Fraser Lodge. Sheila was born in Prince George to Mabel and Nelson Ridley on June 27, 1947. She came home to her older sister Helen and was later joined by her brothers Ed and David (Del). Sheila grew up and lived on Elm Street until she left to begin her married life with David Johnston in 1967. They welcomed their son Greg in December. Sheila was an educator and taught at Van Bien Elementary from the spring of 19 8 until her retirement in 200 . Sheila was a Girl Guide and the guide captain of 1st Fort George Guide company. Sheila was dedicated to her home and family. Nothing gave her more joy than spending some one on one time with the younger members of the family and some books. She will be deeply missed by her husband, David, Son Gregory, daughter in law, Susan, grand children Grace and Duncan and extended family and friends She is survived by her siblings Helen, Ed, and Del. Special thanks to the sta of Simon Fraser Lodge and John and Judy for their support and care of Sheila. As per Sheila’s request, there will be no service.
Classifieds
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Call 250.562.2441 to book your space now. BUYING
TREE SERVICE
CASH FOR GOLD & SILVER Coins, jewelry, nuggets, bullion sterling, etc. Also buying entire COIN COLLECTIONS Todd 250-864-3521
BBC TREE WORX Bucket Truck, hedging and tree removal. For FREE estimates call or text Brian 250.649.8447
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frontdesk@pgcitizen.ca 250.562.2441
Call 250.562.2441 to place your Cla i
www.northcentralbailiffs.bc.ca
The Court Bailiff offers FOR SALE BY TENDER, the interest of Gold Rush Supplies Inc, the Judgment Debtors, in the following goods: Trommel with sluice attachments To iew contact North Central Bailiffs td. 250 91 10 . Sale is sub ect to cancellation or ad ournment without notice. Sealed bids will be accepted on the unit until Aug18th 2026. Goods to be sold as is where is. Bidder ta es responsibility to ensure they are satis ed with the description of unit goods being sold. North Central Bailiffs td. is not responsible for determining the correct description. Terms of sale: Immediate full payment upon successful bid, plus sales tax. www.northcentralbailiffs.bc.ca North Central Bailiffs td. Court Bailiff Cassandra E nger
LEGAL NOTICE
to obtain a November 17, 2025 letter by Julie Mae Morin to him enclosing a Notice Of Proposed Application In Relation To Estate (dated November 17, 2025) and a copy of the Deceased’s last will and testament (dated April 8, 2025), as well as obtaining a copy of the June 29, 2026 Supreme Court of British Columbia Order, entered July 7, 2026, he may be served substitutionally with the aforesaid November 17, 2025 letter and its enclosures.
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Notice is hereby given to BRIAN ROBERT GIBSON he may contact Dale Sands, lawyer for Julie Mae Morin, Executor and Trustee for the Estate of Clifford Anthony Gibson, Deceased at: Dale Sands, Barrister & Solicitor 32540 Logan Avenue Mission, B.C. V2V 6G3 1-604-820-4056 or dale@dalesandslaw.ca,
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
* On Aug. 24, 1572, King Charles IX On Aug. 10, 30 B.C., Cleopatof •France, influenced by his mother, ra, queen of andordered the lover of Catherine deEgypt Medici, Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, died the assassination of Huguenot by suicide — according to legend, by Protestant leaders in Paris, which launched stream of the bite of aa widespread poisonous snake — after murders in the deaths her forcesresulting against Octavian, Rome’sof tens offirst thousands of Huguenots future emperor, were defeated. all
• On Aug. 11, 1984, President Ronald Reagan made a controversial quip while he tested a microphone prior to a scheduled radio address, saying, “My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you today that21I’ve legislation ARIES (March to signed April 19) Despite that will outlaw Russia forever. your Arian penchant for wanting We to begina bombing five minutes.” His tackle probleminhead-on, you might approval rating suffered a slight drop, want to take a little more time to see but he went on to serve a second term. how a current situation develops. It • On Aug. 12,you. 1964, Charlie Wilson, could surprise part of the group responsible for the 1963 Great Train one Taking of the on TAURUS (April 20Robbery, to May 20) biggest thefts of its kind, in escaped from the role of peacemaker a disruptive the Winson Green Prison in Birmingenvironment is a challenge, but you can England, withto thehave aid ofthe several doham, it. Just continue same men who broke into the facility for that faith in yourself that so many others express purpose. He was not recaphave in you. tured until 1968. • On (May Aug. 21 13, to 1995, New GEMINI Juneformer 20) Although York Yankees star Mickey died you your work schedule keepsMantle you busy, of liver cancer in Dallas at the age of for should make time to start preparing At the time of his passing, held that an63. important upcoming familyheevent manywant World records, you’ll toSeries celebrate in aincluding special way. most home runs. • On Aug. 14, 1585, England’s Queen Elizabeth I refused sovereignty of the Netherlands to avoid a commitment to war with Spain, fearing financial losses and a dangerous precedent of supporting subjects in rebellion against their rightful monarch, Philip II of Spain. • On Aug. 15, 2021, two weeks before American troops were set to officially withdraw from Afghanistan, Taliban leaders entered its capital, Kabul, and reclaimed power with little resistance. Video footage documented chaos during and after the withdrawal, including scenes of the Taliban celebrating with gunfire and frantic citizens chasing and clinging to departing American military planes. • On Aug. 16, 1942, a Navy blimp flying over San Francisco Bay, searching for Japanese submarines, crash landed on a street in nearby Daly City. Though rescuers raced to the scene, they found only an empty ship, with no sign of its two pilots. Their disappear-
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
across the country. * On Aug. 25, 1875, merchant navy captain Matthew Webb became the first known person to successfully swim the English Channel, in 21 hours and 45 minutes. Hailed as a national hero, a triumphal arch was erected in his honor in his hometown and The Daily Telegraph called him “probably the bestknown and most popular man in the world.” * On Aug. 26, 1873, the first free kindergarten in America was started by Susan Blow in Carondelet, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri.
* On Aug. 27, 2007, Michael Vick, a star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, pleaded guilty to a federal felony charge related to running a dogfighting ring. Four months later, he was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison. * On Aug. 28, 1963, acclaimed gospel singer Mahalia Jackson helped turn Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech at the March on Washington into one of American history’s most famous orations when she instructed him to “tell them about the dream, Martin” from behind the podium on the steps of
the Lincoln Memorial, prompting him to put aside his notes and improvise the entire next section of it. * On Aug. 29, 1982, Swedish-born actress and three-time Academy Award winner Ingrid Bergman died of cancer on her 67th birthday. Best known for her role as Ilsa Lund opposite Humphrey Bogart in “Casablanca,” Bergman had stirred up an international scandal three decades earlier by bearing a son with Italian director Roberto Rossellini, to whom she wasn’t then married.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Home is where the Moon Child wants to be early in the week. But by week’s end, a chance to travel raises your excitement level -and that of the lucky person who gets to go along.
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) With responsibilities surging both in the workplace and in the home, it’s important to prioritize how you deal with them. Be patient. Pressures will begin to ease starting early next week.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Family matters once again dominate much of the week. But don’t neglect your workplace duties while you deal with them. An offer to help could come from a surprising source.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Be careful not to be a copycat when dealing with someone who uses unfair or even unkind methods to reach a goal. As always, do the right thing the right way, and you’ll win in the end.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A positive reaction to a suggestion could indicate that you’re on track for getting your message to the right people. Devote the weekend to catching up with the special people in your life.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) A difficult workplace situation begins to ease, but there are still matters that need to be dealt with before it’s fully resolved. There’s also a more positive turn in domestic relationships.
VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) An offer could have many good things attached to it that aren’t apparent at first glance, including a chance to move into another career area. You might want to check out its possibilities.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A new attitude from those in charge could make things difficult for you, unless you can accept the changes without feeling as if you’re being pressured into doing so.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Don’t let yourself be rushed into making a decision about an intriguing financial arrangement. Asking questions and checking it out now could pay off in a big way later on.
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
Homes & Living
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
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The Benefits of Propane Fire Pits for Urban Living
A backyard fire has long been a favourite way to relax, entertain friends, and extend time outdoors. While traditional wood-burning fire pits have their charm, propane fire
pits have become an increasingly popular option for homeowners living in cities. They offer warmth, ambience, convenience, and cleaner
operation without many of the challenges associated with burning wood. Whether you’re creating a backyard retreat, enhancing a patio, or adding value to your outdoor living space, a propane fire pit can be an excellent investment. Instant Ambience at the Push of a Button One of the biggest advantages of a propane fire pit is convenience. Unlike a wood-burning fire pit, there is no need to gather kindling, chop firewood, or spend time coaxing flames to life. With the simple turn of a control knob and the push of an ignition button, you can enjoy a beautiful flame in seconds.
This convenience makes propane fire pits ideal for busy homeowners who want to spend more time enjoying their outdoor space and less time preparing it. If friends drop by unexpectedly or you simply want to unwind after work, your fire pit is ready whenever you are. Cleaner Burning Propane burns much cleaner than wood. Because it produces virtually no smoke, users can sit around the fire without constantly shifting chairs to avoid smoke blowing into their faces. Clothing, furniture, and hair won’t carry the lingering smell of campfire smoke after an evening outdoors. Cleaner combustion also means significantly fewer airborne
QUALITY LANDSCAPING
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continued on page 46
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
continued from page 45
particles and less soot. This makes propane an attractive choice for people with respiratory sensitivities or neighbours who may not appreciate smoke drifting over fences. Ideal for Urban Neighbourhoods City lots are often smaller, with homes located close together. Propane fire pits are well suited for these environments because they eliminate sparks and flying embers that can accompany wood fires. Many municipalities have regulations governing outdoor burning, especially during periods of elevated wildfire risk. While homeowners should always check local bylaws and fire restrictions before using any outdoor appliance, propane fire pits are frequently permitted under conditions when open wood-burning fires are prohibited because they can be shut off instantly and do not produce burning embers. This makes propane a practical
option for homeowners who still want to enjoy evenings outdoors during much of the year. Low Maintenance Wood-burning fire pits create ash that must be cleaned regularly. Over time, partially burned logs, soot, and debris accumulate and require disposal. Propane fire pits eliminate this chore entirely. There is no ash to shovel, no charred wood to dispose of, and no need to store stacks of firewood. Routine maintenance typically involves checking gas connections periodically, cleaning decorative fire glass or lava rock, and covering the unit when not in use. As a result, propane fire pits often remain attractive and functional for years with relatively little upkeep. Extended Outdoor Living Season In many Canadian cities, cool evenings arrive long before winter. A propane fire pit allows
homeowners to comfortably enjoy patios, decks, and outdoor seating areas well into spring and autumn. The consistent heat output creates a cozy gathering place for family dinners, neighbourhood visits, or quiet evenings with a favourite book. Rather than retreating indoors as temperatures fall, homeowners can continue making use of valuable outdoor space. For people who have invested in landscaping or outdoor furniture, a fire pit helps maximize that investment throughout more months of the year. Excellent for Entertaining Fire naturally draws people together. Whether hosting a barbecue, celebrating a birthday, or simply visiting with neighbours, a propane fire pit creates a welcoming focal point. Because there is no smoke or flying ash, guests can sit comfortably around the flames without worrying about smoke
irritating their eyes or damaging clothing. Many modern propane fire pits also double as attractive patio tables when not in use. Some feature removable covers that instantly transform the fire pit into additional serving or dining space, making them especially practical for smaller urban patios. Stylish Designs for Every Home Today’s propane fire pits are available in a wide range of styles, sizes, and finishes. Homeowners can choose from sleek contemporary designs featuring fire glass, rustic stone-inspired models, cast aluminum finishes, or elegant concrete-look tables. This variety makes it easy to coordinate the fire pit with existing landscaping, outdoor furniture, or architectural styles. Portable models are also available for renters or homeowners who may wish to rearrange their outdoor spaces seasonally.
Finding Homes for Families
Your Real Estate Needs are my Priority! Karen Thompson
ENERGY REALTY
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D L O S
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
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continued from page 46
Reliable Heat and Flame Control Unlike wood fires, propane fire pits provide consistent heat throughout the evening. Adjustable controls allow users to increase or decrease flame height depending on weather conditions or personal preference. There’s no need to continually add logs or adjust burning wood to maintain warmth. The fire remains steady until it is turned off. When the evening ends, extinguishing the flame is as simple as turning the control knob—no waiting for logs to burn down or worrying about hidden embers. Increased Property Appeal Outdoor living spaces have become an increasingly desirable feature for homebuyers. A well-designed patio that includes a propane fire pit creates an inviting atmosphere and showcases the home’s entertaining potential. While every property is different,
attractive outdoor amenities often enhance curb appeal and may help distinguish a home in a competitive real estate market. Even for homeowners with no plans to sell, a thoughtfully designed outdoor living area provides years of enjoyment and adds another functional gathering space for family and friends. A Responsible Choice With growing awareness of air quality and wildfire concerns, many homeowners are seeking alternatives to traditional wood fires. Propane provides an efficient fuel source that burns cleanly and produces fewer emissions than burning wood.
warmth, beauty, and convenience in a way that suits modern city living. They provide instant flames without smoke, eliminate messy cleanup, require minimal maintenance, and create an inviting focal point for outdoor entertaining. Whether installed on a compact patio, spacious backyard deck, or landscaped garden, a propane fire
pit helps homeowners make the most of their outdoor spaces while offering a practical solution that fits comfortably within many urban neighbourhoods. For those looking to enhance their backyard experience, few additions deliver as much comfort, style, and year-round enjoyment as a quality propane fire pit. *Always check local and regional
advisories.
Combined with proper installation, safe operation, and adherence to local regulations, propane fire pits offer an environmentally conscious option for enjoying outdoor fires in urban settings. Propane fire pits combine
Property & Strata Management
Aspire Realty
Melanie Lupul
1625 – 4th Ave Prince George • 9-5 Monday to Friday Call to obtain an application and book and appointment to view. 250-596-8150 ext.4 rlpaspirepropertymanagement.ca or email rlpaspirerentals@gmail.com for more info
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026
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5101 HEADLAND HGTS $889,900
343-345 QUINN ST., $669,900 MLS# R3126409
D SOL LY IN JU 7825 BEAVER RD. $1,099,990
SOLD SOLD
MLS# R3121976
SOLD
SOLD SOLD
SOLD
SOLD SOLD SOLD
2870 GREENFOREST CRES. $690,000
SOLD SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
MLS# R3141274
5559 HEYER RD., $599,900
SOLD
MLS# R3123294
7788 THOMPSON DR. $555,000
SOLD
MLS# R3116319
2100 O’KEEFE AVE. $469,900
SOLD
2697 ABBOTT CRES., $455,900
PE
7614 ST. ANDREW CRT,. $824,900
PRE-REGISTER AT www.TynerRidgeEstates.ca
D PEN
G NDIN
MLS# R3149547
STARTING AT $250,000 $200,000
MLS# R3142326
DIN N E P
2223-2225 OAK ST., $389,000
1716 SHADY VALLEY RD., $619,900
38 RESIDENTIAL LOTS
G
G
DIN N E P
MLS# R3146147
MLS# R3149605
D PEN
106-3777 MASSEY DR., $179,900
3712 LILAC CRES., $449,900
MLS# R3147042
Linda Stacey Property Manager 250-562-6228
Joy Paul Realtor® 778-681-8474
ING
G
DIN N E P
D SOL LY IN JU
Amit Luthra Realtor® 250-981-9090
Grace Purdey Realtor® 250-612-2238
Zaviery Dodd Realtor® 250-649-8097
SOLD
MLS# R3151740
Matt Petkau Realtor® 250-617-8179
out .95% FULL SERVICE MLS LISTING* Check full listing SERVICE information FREE FULL AT A at MARKET FAIR PRICE MaxSave.ca EVALUATION
SOLD
Mike Hurrell Realtor® P.R.E.C. Managing Broker 250-981-3100 10 yrs MLS Sales Award Winner 2007, 2009-2022
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
SOLD
48
LOTS START AT $230,000 WITH VIEW AND GREENBELT LOTS AVAILABLE.. AVAILABLE. LOTS FOR SALE 2746 PINE ST., $45,000 - MLS $3140749 LOT 2 COLUMBIA RD - 4.15 AC $379,900 - MLS R3152769 LOT 28 5314 HEADLANDS HTS., $339,900 - MLS R3119081
13800 BIG FIR RD., $1,399,900
Lot 6, WESTERN PROPERTIES $219,900 - MLS R2837586 Lot 9, WESTERN PROPERTIES $219,900 - MLSR2837613