Prince George Citizen April 24, 2025

Authorized by the official agent of Todd Doherty

SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH

THURSDAY, April 24, 2025

Pope Francis remembered

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Like the rest of the world’s billion-strong Catholic population, Chris Dugdale woke up Monday to the unexpected news of Pope Francis’s death. Dugdale, superintendent of Catholic Independent Schools for the Diocese of Prince George, watched television cov erage of the Pope’s final Easter Sunday address from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, where he blessed the crowd and called for an end to global violence while preaching compassion for the planet’s marginalized.

life-threatening respiratory illness since mid-February, Francis had appeared to be on the road to recovery.

spending so much time at Mass the last few days, and we pray for him at every Mass,” said Dugdale.

Pope Francis shared his personal connecton to faith

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

“He’s a household name — not just in my house but in all our classrooms, in all our Catholic schools.”

Dugdale said Francis made a concerted effort to connect with children, which raised his profile and popularity, especially among young people. But he also maintained a strong sense of humility, rejecting the lavish surroundings and lifestyle traditionally associated with the papacy.

“In a lot of his work, and especially in his book The Joy of the Gospel, he talked about a renewed personal encounter with faith — making our religion more of a personal connection — and that’s really relatable, especially for kids,” Dugdale said.

“We do a number of retreats in our schools for students, and they’re called to a personal prayer life with Christ. It’s something quite real and relatable. A lot of the resources we use now include quotes from Pope Francis or cite his work, so kids are quite well-versed in Francis-type teachings.

“It speaks volumes that he could bring the gospel in a relatable way to people of all ages — not just to kids, but also to my staff and our pastors. His work has been cited at all our conferences and professional learning sessions.”

Dugdale said Francis’s emphasis on kindness and direct engagement with the marginalized — such as his washing of prisoners’ feet on Holy Thursday — inspired hope among those seeking strength through the church during times of struggle.

He was also the only pope to acknowledge the need for reconciliation over the Catholic Church’s role in Canada’s residential school system.

“That humility is so refreshing,” said Dugdale. “We often ask the kids, ‘What would Jesus do?’ and Pope Francis is an example of that. He was as humble as you can be.”

In the weeks ahead, Dugdale said students and staff in the region’s eight Catholic schools will be closely watching the process of selecting a successor to Francis, a native of Argentina who

was the first non-European pope in 1,300 years. Flags at BC’s 77 Catholic schools will be lowered to half-mast in his honour.

“This is a very teachable moment for all our kids, and that’s what I want happening in all our classrooms for the next little while,” said Dugdale.

“There’s quite a process in place, and we’ll be watching it carefully. The kids, the staff and the pastors will be talking about it daily for quite some time, I’m sure.”

The residential school system, which operated for more than a century with support from the federal government, forced an estimated 150,000 Indigenous children to attend boarding schools, where many were subjected to physical, mental and sexual abuse.

Pope Francis was lauded for his public apology during a 2022 tour of Canada, acknowledging the abuses committed by Catholic educators who sought to erase Indigenous culture and force assimilation into white society.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, as one of its Calls to Action, asked the Pope to deliver an

apology on Canadian soil. He did so in July 2022 at a gathering in Maskwacis, Alta., a community south of Edmonton and home to four First Nations, attended by then-prime minister Justin Trudeau.

“I’m sorry,” Francis said at the time. “I humbly beg forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against the Indigenous peoples.”

This was mentioned in a written statement from the archbishop-elect of Vancouver.

“Pope Francis wore his heart on his sleeve, even to the public, even before mass audiences. But to see him open his heart, open his mind to the Indigenous was really — I think — an example to us all,” wrote Rev. Richard Smith.

A funeral for Pope Francis will be held Saturday after mourners pay their respects as his body lies in an open casket in St. Peter’s Basilica.

A timeline

Dec. 17, 1936: Jorge Mario Bergoglio is born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the eldest of five children to Mario Jose Bergoglio, from Italy, and Regina María Sívori, daughter of Italian immigrants.

Dec. 13, 1969: He is ordained a priest with the Jesuit religious order, eventually becoming a provincial superior.

May 20, 1992: Named auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires before becoming archbishop in 1998.

Feb. 21, 2001: Elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II.

March 13, 2013: Elected 266th pope.

April 13, 2013: Creates a cabinet of eight cardinals from around the world as a step toward modernizing the Catholic church’s bureaucracy.

Feb. 14, 2025: Is hospitalized for 38 days with a lung infection and double pneumonia.

April 20, 2025: Says “Brothers and Sisters, Happy Easter!” and imparts the Easter Urbi et Orbi blessing from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, then surprises the 35,000 people in the piazza below with a long ride in the popemobile, around the square and up and down Via della Conciliazione, in what would become his final goodbye to the faithful.

April 21, 2025: Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, announces that the pope died at 7:35 a.m.

With files from The Associated Press.

CANADIAN PRESS FILE PHOTO

Pope Francis apologizes for the Catholic church’s role in residential schools, while in Canada in 2022.

Teacher guilty of sexual assault now challenging case

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The local teacher who sexually assaulted a woman will return to court April 30 as he continues his efforts to overturn his conviction on Charter grounds.

Brendan Tomas Boylan, 39, claims his right to a timely trial was violated and has asked the court to stay the original charge. He is representing himself.

The case was delayed April 17 when the Crown prosecutor fell ill during proceedings in Prince George court.

Prosecutor John Cliffe told court he could not continue that day.

Justice Simon Coval then set April 30 and May 1 for the next dates for the hearing, and set Sept. 8-10 as the tentative dates for sentencing should Boylan’s application fail.

The licensed schoolteacher was charged in November 2020 and tried intermittently between April 2023 and

September 2024. At issue was a sexual encounter that began with mutual consent. The victim, who lived with Boylan in 2018, testified that he ignored her pleas to stop. Instead, he held her down on the bed and forcibly continued, causing her injury. Boylan denied the allegations.

Coval found Boylan’s testimony “implausible, not credible and untruthful” and deemed him guilty beyond reasonable doubt on Nov. 20.

Boylan’s constitutional challenge began Tuesday, April 15 with a surprise from his lawyer, John Duncan: Boylan had decided to represent himself. Duncan told Coval that Boylan’s decision was not related to fees. Boylan had asked him to assist on a limited basis, but he was not charging him.

Coval asked Boylan if he understood the complexity of his application and whether he wanted a chance to adjourn to seek more advice. Boylan declined. He proceeded to argue that the time period from the charge to the end

of his trial was 46 months and nine days, which far exceeds the 30-month presumptive ceiling for a case in B.C. Supreme Court.

That 30-month limit was set by the Supreme Court of Canada in the 2016 decision on Barrett Richard Jordan, a BC man accused of drug trafficking in 2008.

Jordan’s lawyers succeeded in convincing the court that their client’s right to timely trial, as guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, had been violated.

The Supreme Court ruled that any delay attributable to or waived by the defence does not count towards the time limit.

“There’s only one time period where the defence waived delay,” Boylan submitted. “Particularly, the defence waived delay from April 5, 2023 to July 31, 2023, when the trial was adjourned to allow defence file a revised section 276 application (about evidence of a complainant’s sexual activity).”

Boylan called the Crown’s assertion that the case was complex “baseless.”

“None of the hallmarks of a complex case are present here. There’s no co-accused, there’s not a large number of witnesses, there was no expert evidence,” Boylan said. “The charges did not cover a long period of time, there is not a large number of charges and pre-trial applications, and there is not a large number of issues in dispute.”

On April 17, Cliffe rebutted Boylan’s arguments by quoting from court transcripts about scheduling and delays. He reminded Coval of the defence decision to move the trial from Provincial Court to BC Supreme Court and to file numerous applications that added to the delays.

Boylan is listed in the online registry of teachers as having signed an undertaking not to practice “pending resolution of a matter before the commissioner or a hearing panel under Part 6 of the Teachers Act.”

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CITIZEN STAFF

The City of Prince George is seeking approval to add gates at each end of Moccasin Flats to temporarily close the encampment to non-essential vehicle traffic.

A report to council by Eric Depenau, director of administrative services, heard Wednesday night, recommends restricting access to the site to emergency and city vehicles only. The proposed measure aims to address ongoing safety concerns, illegal dumping and traffic congestion at the Lower Patricia Boulevard site.

The encampment’s emergency access road, originally designed to allow fire trucks, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles to reach the site, has become congested by increased vehicle traffic. This has hindered timely access for first responders, the report states.

The proposed vehicle restrictions would not affect foot traffic, ensuring

As the city moves to clear out Moccasin Flats, people are still moving in, including a person in a fifth-wheel trailer.

that individuals living at the encampment can continue to access the site.

Emergency and authorized personnel, including city staff, RCMP, BC Ambulance and Prince George Fire Rescue, will be provided with keys to the gates to ensure that emergency services can continue without interruption.

Under the plan, gates would be installed at both ends of the Lower Patricia Boulevard right-of-way. The temporary closure would remain in

place until the area is no longer used as a shelter for individuals.

City staff believe the measure will help reduce the number of recreational vehicles (RVs) and trailers brought to the site, Depenau wrote.

While many of the rough structures in the western end of the encampment are gone, a fifth-wheel trailer was recently moved onto the site and a person appears to be living in it.

The encampment has been the site of

several fire-related incidents involving RVs and trailers, which have become permanent fixtures for many of the individuals living there. Prince George Fire Rescue Services have responded to multiple fires since 2021, primarily involving vehicles that are not intended for full-time occupation.

“Several fires have occurred in these recreational vehicles,” the report states. “These structures are not intended for full-time occupation and have not been contemplated in previous legal decisions about the site.”

The report also highlights ongoing problems with illegal dumping at the encampment.

City considering new locked gates for Moccasin Flats Bond to receive honorary degree from UNBC

City officials have found large items left behind by individuals occupying the area, suggesting that vehicles are being used to deposit unwanted goods.

The report went to council after this edition of The Citizen went to press. Check for updates at www.princegeorgecitizen.com.

Former MLA Shirley Bond will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) on May 30 during the Class of 2025 convocation.

“I was deeply honoured by the recognition from UNBC,” said Bond. “It’s certainly not something I had ever really thought about, so when I got a call from the president of the university, it was a very emotional phone call. I’m incredibly grateful that the university feels my contribution to Northern British Columbia and to our province is worthy of this very significant recognition.”

Bond has an extensive resume in provincial politics, with more than 16 years of cabinet experience. She has held several high-profile positions, including deputy premier, minister of education,

minister of health services, minister of transportation and interim BC Liberal leader, among other roles.

She has played a key role in creating or securing funding for critical services across the province, including the Northern Medical Program at UNBC, the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre and the BC Cancer Centre for the North.

“The first job Premier (Gordon) Campbell gave me was to work with an incredible group of people to create a medical program at UNBC,” said Bond. “I’ve never forgotten it. It continues to make a difference, and I’m very proud of that work. And, of course, the Cancer Centre for the North. I spent so many plane trips listening to and supporting people who had to leave a loved one in Vancouver or somewhere else for cancer care. So, that was an enormous personal passion for me — making sure we had cancer care here in Northern British Columbia.”

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Monday is Electon Day: Here’s what you need to know

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Monday’s federal election is rapidly approaching, with days left before voters head to the polls.

In Prince George’s two ridings, there is a total of 12 candidates running for the chance to become a Member of Parliament.

Here’s a rundown of what you need to know in order to vote.

Voters should have received an information card from Elections Canada telling them which riding they’re in and where they should vote.

On election day, voters must cast their ballot at their assigned polling place.

However, those who no longer have their card or who didn’t receive one can find that information by visiting elections.ca and entering their postal code to find their riding, a list of candidates and where their local Elections Canada office is.

Those who did not get a voter information card may not be registered to vote or their information may not be up to date. Those looking to register can either use the online registration service at ereg.elections.ca/en/ereg/index or call 1-800-463-6868.

People who need to update their voter information should reach out to their local Elections Canada office.

Voters who need an interpreter either for spoken or sign language, or some other form of assistance to vote can fill out an online request at csep-pesc. elections.ca/en-CA/intake/ or call their local returning officer.

The Elections Canada office and returning officer for Cariboo-Prince George can be reached toll-free by phone at 1-866-499-8023. The office itself is at 6500 Southridge Ave.

For Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies, the office in Prince George is located on the second floor of 1511 Third Ave. The phone number for the office and returning officer is 1-866-546-7619.

There are three options for proving your identity to vote. A person must be

a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old on election day in order to cast a ballot.

The first option is to show your driver’s license or a piece of government-issued ID that includes your photo, name and current address.

The second option is to provide two pieces of ID, both of which must have your name and one of which must list your current address.

This can include things like library card, utility bills, student ID cards, voter information cards from Elections Canada and more.

A full list is available online at elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=id&document=index&lang=e.

If you don’t have ID, the final option is for a voter to declare their identity and address in writing and have someone come along to the polling station to vouch for them. The voucher must be able to prove their own identity and address and can only vouch for one person.

Under federal law, employers are legally required to give eligible voters time off to vote if they do not have three consecutive hours to do so outside of their hours of work.

The employer can determine when this time is given.

It should be noted that the boundaries of both Prince George ridings have changed since the last election. Within the city itself, the dividing line generally follows Highway 97.

If you live to the north of the Nechako River or west of Highway 97 south of the John Hart Bridge, you’ll likely be voting in Cariboo-Prince George.

If you live east of Highway 97 and south of the Nechako River, you’ll likely be voting in Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies.

However, the highway stops being the dividing line once it hits the Simon Fraser Bridge.

At that point, the Fraser River becomes the boundary, with parts to the west in Cariboo-Prince George and parts to the east in Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies until the river bends just south of Stoner.

Cariboo-Prince George

This riding encompasses communities like 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, Quesnel, Vanderhoof and part of Prince George.

Here’s who running in Cariboo-Prince George in alphabetical order by last name:

• Angie Bonazzo (New Democratic Party)

• Jodie Capling (Green Party of Canada)

• Todd Doherty (Conservative Party of Canada, incumbent)

• Clinton Emslie (Liberal Party of Canada)

• Rudy Sans (People’s Party of Canada)

• Kenneth B. Thomson (Independent)

• Jake Wiens (Christian Heritage Party)

Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies

This riding encompasses the top

northeastern corner of British Columbia, bordering both Yukon and Alberta. Beyond Prince George, other communities in the riding include Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, Valemount, McBride, Mackenzie and Chetwynd.

Here’s who’s running in Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies listed in alphabetical order by last name:

• Mary Forbes (Green Party of Canada)

• Cory “Grizz” Longley (New Democratic Party)

• Peter Njenga (Liberal Party of Canada)

• David Watson (People’s Party of Canada)

• Bob Zimmer (Conservative Party of Canada, incumbent)

Voting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for those in the Pacific time zone and 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Mountain time zone.

The Exploraton Place charts a new route forward

It’s been a challenging year for The Exploration Place and the Fraser-Fort George Museum Society.

Recent reports offer potential optimism about the museum’s financial future, but they also highlight the consequences of disastrous decisions. Under its previous administration choices were made that moved the museum away from where it thrived: Engaging, child-oriented programming that brought local families back again and again.

Under its former leadership by Tracy Calogheros, The Exploration Place diverged from its successful foundation and undertook a costly, poorly considered renovation in 2022. Instead of revitalizing the museum’s child-friendly identity, the shift in direction alienated its core audience — families and school groups — leaving admissions and memberships to steadily decline.

Although the new upgrades may be visually impressive, they came at a steep financial cost and failed to bring with it renewed programming and the community focus that once made the museum a bustling hub for education and entertainment.

Now, the financial toll of that shift is fully visible.

A year after the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George extended a $500,000 loan to keep the museum afloat, the organization is still working its way out of the financial hole Calogheros dug before her retirement last year.

The society’s 2024 budget projected

We acknowledge the fnancial support of the government of

Nous reconnaissons l’appui fnancier du gouvernement du

a surplus of $270,906, but instead it ended the year with a $325,510 deficit. Its liabilities outweighed its assets by nearly $400,000.

These numbers reflect more than just the difficulty of recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. They underscore mismanagement, unrealistic budgeting, and a vision that strayed too far from the museum’s successful roots.

City council has twice rejected requests for a $10,000 grant to assist Exploration Place — a telling signal of how far its standing had fallen.

The January 2024 loan agreement with the regional district laid out strict financial targets, and by Dec. 31, 2024, the museum had already failed to meet one of them, with its line of credit

exceeding the limit by $25,000.

Yet, despite that miss, the regional district board accepted the year-end report, bolstered by promising signs for 2025: a projected surplus of $19,211, a reduced line of credit, increased memberships, and better-than-expected revenues for the first quarter of the year.

Executive director Alyssa Leier, who took the job last June, deserves credit for starting to turn the ship around. By trimming staffing levels by 44 per cent, she has brought monthly expenses down significantly while preserving essential operations and even increasing programming levels.

But it’s worth noting that Leier inherited a troubled organization — and has had to spend her brief tenure correcting

Kennedy Gordon Managing Editor

a course set before her.

Encouragingly, Leier’s team has reinstated some preschool programming which has led to growth in both admissions and memberships, all a clear indication that returning to a more family-focused model is the right move.

The gradual reinstallation of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) exhibits also signals an overdue shift back to interactive, educational fun — the very foundation upon which The Exploration Place built its reputation.

Still, challenges remain. The museum must continue making debt payments, stay within tight borrowing limits, and secure external funding.

But today, there is reason for hope. The regional district has chosen to stand by the museum, and its leadership now appears focused on sustainable growth, clear financial targets, and rebuilding community trust. However, that trust will only return if the museum society fully embraces what once made The Exploration Place special: a warm, accessible, and imaginative environment for children and families.

The path ahead is narrow, but not impassable. Let this moment be a turning point — not just financially, but philosophically.

The Exploration Place doesn’t need to reinvent itself; it needs to review its history and remember what made it successful.

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

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CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

A year after the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George extended a $500,000 loan to keep The Exploration Place afloat, the organization is still working its way out of a financial hole.

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OPINION

Maybe it’s tme to bring up backyard chickens again

e Back Story

It might be time for the chickens to fly the coop.

And by “coop,” I mean the one made of red tape that prevents us from owning chickens in town.

A few years ago, I ruffled a lot of feathers with the controversial idea of keeping a few backyard hens to clean up kitchen scraps and lay a few eggs. For months afterward, I had people crowing across streets and parking lots: “Hey, it’s the backyard chicken guy!”

Not all of it was in jest.

Many people aren’t far removed from the era of self-sufficiency, when it wasn’t a mark of shame to have dirt under your fingernails, a connection to nature, and independence from monopolies.

About 10 years ago, the group Poultry for PG brought the idea before city council, but it was shot down.

“I don’t see a real hardship when it comes to access to eggs,” said former councillor Terri McConnachie.

A lot has changed in the past few years.

The year after McConnachie drew her line in the sand, wildfires began threatening supply lines.

Then, in 2020, COVID-19 shut them down.

This happened again in 2021 when roads were washed out and briefly at the end of 2022 following a Lower Mainland snowstorm.

Now, we have avian flu sweeping across North America.

While Canadian egg prices haven’t yet hit the stratosphere like their American counterparts, the supply lines are interconnected.

Almost all the eggs for laying chickens in Canada originate in the U.S., produced in hatcheries controlled by just two giant corporations — EW Group and Hendrix Genetics.

These two European companies control 90 per cent of egg-laying chicken genetics worldwide, as well as turkey genetics and a significant portion of broiler chicken breeding.

Luckily, Canada’s egg supply management system, which I support, means there are more independent farms here than in the U.S., helping to reduce the risk of major culls.

But it hasn’t shielded Canada from the risks posed by the global chicken egg cartel, which anti-monopoly expert Matt Stoller argues is limiting the egg supply to rebuild flocks — likely a classic monopoly tactic to drive up profits.

Nor has it ensured that egg farms remain in Prince George.

Looking at the map of northern BC’s egg production, there’s one producer in

While Canadian egg prices haven’t hit the stratosphere like their American counterparts, the supply lines are interconnected.’

Terrace and one in the Peace.

The only licensed egg production in the Central Interior is a giant goose egg, though reports suggest there may soon be an egg farm in Quesnel.

Backyard chickens could save the day.

In chatting with Raija Easterbrook of North of 50 Laying Hens, there are many backyard breeders ready to step up and offer local alternatives for chicken layer stock.

As it stands, properties zoned Rural Residential can have up to 25 chickens on a 0.2-hectare lot, up to 100 chickens on a 1-hectare lot, and no limit on the number of chickens if the lot is 4 hectares or larger.

I once mistakenly thought this was overridden by another bylaw that prohibits animal breeding or boarding on lots smaller than four hectares, but apparently, this doesn’t apply to poultry.

However, if you’re in any kind of residential zoning, like in the bowl, chickens are off-limits.

Given the precarious egg supply situation in northern BC and the global challenges facing our increasingly monopolized supply chains, it would be wise not to put all our eggs in one basket. We wouldn’t even have to wing it. We could simply adopt the bylaw recently passed in Williams Lake.

The next time something happens, let’s make sure we have eggs in the fridge, not on our faces.

James Steidle is a Prince George writer.

JAMES STEIDLE

JAMES STEIDLE PHOTO

James Steidle once proposed allowing backyard chicken coops in Prince George. With egg prices rising in the U.S., he points out, it may be time to have another discussion about the possibility.

OPINION

Prince George grocers being hit harder by shoplifters

It’s pretty simple. When there’s no deterrent for crime it escalates. These criminals know the system and they know they are untouchable. They know all about the catch and release our provincial and federal government has implemented.

When you value a criminal’s life more than an emergency responders life you have a serious problem. Hence the 2 VPD officers that were lit on fire when trying to arrest a prolific offender. It’s unspeakable what they have to go through to try and protect the rest of us.Todd Doherty’s Bill C-321 to protect First Responders died in the Senate by Liberal Senators who stalled it in the last parliament.

This bill was supported by the IAFF, police associations of Canada, police organizations, paramedics organizations and nurses associations across Canada and yet it died in the Senate. We need a drastic change.

R. Nich

Prince George grocers being hit harder by shoplifters

The only effective thing the city can do is have the mayor and council be persistently loud and vocal, demanding change from the provincial and federal level regarding repeat offenders.

I don’t see that happening.It seems as though the mayor and council are more worried about potentially offending any possible voters than they are about forcing positive change.

PGLocal

Longtime Prince George MLA

Shirley Bond set to receive honorary degree from UNBC

Probably the most hardest working, selfless, humble, modest, kindest person ever to grace the halls of the BC legislature in representing the North. Beloved by her constituents and the people of the North, her loyalty and devotion to the North is unsurpassed.

What a deserving accolade for someone so deserving of it.

Thank you, Shirley.

BGeez

Longtime Prince George MLA

Shirley Bond set to receive honorary degree from UNBC

Could not go to a better person. I can say Shirley has done more for Prince George and area than many others.

Excellent human being, a long way from Harper Street.

She still be in the political world helping PG East if she had not been forced out.

I hope to be able to attend this event.

BCBenny

Community Petition sparks improved wildlife safety on Highway 16

Improved lighting from the bridge up to the lights at the top of the hill would help along with additional signage.

Off-topic but related, the late evening visibility on the Hart highway is atrocious.

Sections of the roadway south of Austin Road have no lights at all.

Vehicles are often 20 km over the speed limit. This whole section of highway is overdue for a rebuild and proper lighting.

Laurie Packman

City of Prince George hosting annual spring clean-up next Sunday

I really respect the people that go out of their way to do this and some all year around. They are doing a selfless service to their community, well done and thank you.

So many people complain about things like litter and litter bugs and want to live in a community free of refuse, but how many actually lift a finger to pitch in and help?

The more people that help out, the easier it would be and we all benefit, from living in a clean community, free of trash.

Zangief

Teen arrested after Prince George RCMP respond to gun call

2022 was the highest rate of gun crime, with 14,000 gun related crimes.

That represented 2.8 per cent of violent crime that year, 36.7 incidents per 100,000 people.

So 343 people died in gun homicides, with roughly 13 per cent of those being carried out with registered firearms.

So like 45 homicides were carried out with registered firearms, in the worst gun crime year.

This also makes me ask other questions. Of the roughly 45, were any of those deaths carried defense? If they had no access to guns, would it have stopped the homicide?

There are roughly 2.3 million registered firearm owners in Canada.

While homicides are always tragic, I think the facts show the vast majority of gun owners, are not a threat.

Gun crime keeps increasing despite the Liberals’ impotent measures against it, because they fail to address the real problem.

Do you believe they care about your safety, while they grant bail to violent criminals, while taking guns away from law abiding people?

Zangief

Council’s proposed amendments extend OCP process

Another public hearing is likely after staff is asked to prepare 30 reports

Prince George city council asked city staff to prepare around 30 reports on potential amendments to the Official Community Plan at a special meeting on Wednesday, April 16 but has yet to approve any amendments.

That distinction is important because if council amends the OCP from the draft proposed by city staff at all, another public hearing will be required before third reading of the bylaw establishing the new plan can be considered.

Towards the end of the meeting, manager of legislative services Ethan Anderson said he believes another public hearing is likely at this point.

Compared to the two nights of the OCP public hearing held on March 19 and April 9, when the audience gallery was filled to the brim, just a dozen people came out for the April 16 meeting.

Instead of making amendments to the OCP, councillors asked staff to prepare reports on the options and consequences for changes they’re interested in proposing.

These reports are likely to be presented to council sometime in June.

Before council started raising motions, Coun. Trudy Klassen asked a couple of questions about the OCP. Klassen participated in the meeting remotely.

After some developers expressed concern before the first night of the OCP’s public hearing that they had not been consulted regarding their properties being removed from the Urban Containment Boundary in the revised plan, Klassen asked why some developers were consulted while others weren’t.

The city discourages increases to building density outside the Urban Containment Boundary.

Director of planning and development

Deanna Wasnik said that as staff received land use inquiries relating to rezoning and the OCP last year, they would have been aware of proposed changes to the OCP.

Some developers were told that it would likely take less time if they waited for the OCP revision rather than pursue standalone amendments as the new plan was originally expected to be approved by the end of 2024.

With the revised OCP yet to be approved, Wasnik said these developers are now being told to pursue those standalone rezoning and OCP amendments based on the current edition of the plan.

Later in the meeting, Wasnik said the city’s records show that those developers were contacted about the proposed changes.

Klassen also asked whether the OCP adequately addresses brownfield (former industrial land) development in the city. Wasnik said she needed more time to prepare a response and requested that council direct her to come back with the information at a future meeting.

The first councillor to start proposing motions was Klassen, who proposed that staff prepare a report on how to incorporate a multi-nodal growth strategy in the city.

“neighbourhood centres and corridors” were too limited and that the Urban Containment Boundary was impinging on it. She said it was important to establish the city’s willingness to allow for the developing larger lots at this juncture.

Coun. Cori Ramsay said she felt that the OCP as proposed addresses development nodes appropriately and that she would have like Klassen to mention specific areas of concern.

Coun. Kyle Sampson said he was in favour of residents having amenities in their neighbourhoods and appreciated Klassen’s focus on the issue, but he also felt the plan addressed those needs sufficiently.

Elaborating on her idea, she said the city is vast and has a bleak situation when it comes to infrastructure. To pay for future infrastructure, she said the city needs more people to live in a smaller area.

Many new residents don’t want to live downtown, and Klassen said a multinodal growth strategy would spread out new developments in different “town centres” across the city in places like the Hart, College Heights and Blackburn rather than concentrated in the city’s core, allowing for mixed-use zoning areas in those neighbourhoods.

“If we don’t do this, people who want single-detached homes on a larger lot will be forced to move into the Regional District (of Fraser-Fort George),” Klassen said, arguing that this would lead to a “doughnut” of development surrounding the city.

In response to a question from Coun. Garth Frizzell, Wasnik said much of what Klassen was looking for was already considered as part of a “complete community assessment” developed alongside the plan.

Wasnik said it would take a significant amount of staff time to prepare the information Klassen requested.

Klassen said she felt that the designated areas in the OCP for

Coun. Ron Polillo said he thought Klassen was well-intentioned, but he also felt her concerns were already addressed though perhaps worded differently. He added that he disagreed with Klassen’s assertion that people are looking for larger lots.

Mayor Simon Yu, who was celebrating his birthday on the day of the meeting, said the Urban Containment Boundary might need to be enlarged to encourage the development of centres within the city but said it would take a lot of work to study that.

Responding to her colleagues’ comments, Klassen said the most severe example of what she was talking about was a lack of growth management around the airport and area residents would have to travel quite a distance for amenities as it gets built up.

The motion was defeated, with Coun. Brian Skakun, Yu and Klassen voting in favour.

Up next was a second motion from Klassen, who wanted staff to prepare a report clearly outlining the rationale for the borders of the Urban Containment Boundary, proposing a framework for periodic revision of the boundary, ensure the boundary isn’t interpreted as a strict binary between support and opposition for development and to conduct targeted engagement with stakeholders and landowners for better transparency going forward.

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COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

City council’s April 16 public hearing didn’t draw the same size of crowd as previous meetings on the Official Community Plan.

Councillors suggest changes they’d like to see to OCP

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Ramsay asked for the engagement part of the motion to be voted on separately from the rest.

The first part of the motion was carried unanimously.

Ramsay proposed the second part of the motion on public engagement to limit this engagement to five properties that came up during the public hearing: 505 Fourth Ave., 2913 Silvercrest Rd., 2000 Central St., Cranbrook Hill PID: 013713-495 and 4729 Shamrock Rd.

Both the amendment and the motion passed unanimously.

The next councillor to propose a motion was Coun. Tim Bennett, who wanted administration to prepare a report on changing Prince George’s designation in the OCP from a winter city to a year-round destination.

While being a winter city helped secure 2015 Canada Winter Games, Bennett said investments are happening

for parks, venues and events that are creating the infrastructure for summer events. If we’re making those investments, Bennett said the city shouldn’t limit itself to being a winter destination.

Yu pointed out that the city has a snowflake on its flag and in its logo, asking whether we’d need to consider some iconography changes as well.

Bennett said winter will always be an important aspect of the city, but Prince George has more to offer.

Ramsay agreed with Bennett, saying to only think of Prince George as a winter city would be a detriment. This motion passed, with only Yu voting against.

Frizzell was next, proposing a motion asking administration to prepare a report on how wildfire safety can be enhanced in the city. It passed unanimously.

Back in the queue, Klassen proposed a motion directing staff to prepare a report on the potential consequences

or options for the development of a citywide infrastructure renewal strategy. That would take a large amount of staff work, Wasnik said.

While she appreciates the direction Klassen was heading in, Ramsay said she didn’t think it was best suited for the OCP because of the financial implications. She said if it didn’t pass, it’s something the Standing Committee on Finance and Audit should look at.

Bennett suggested that the motion be changed to refer the matter to the committee, of which Klassen said she was in favour.

Skakun said it’ll be important to assess how much development cost charges will contribute to infrastructure expenses as part of that discussion.

The motion was passed as amended.

The second motion from Bennett asked administration to return a report on adding spaces promoting food security to the OCP. Some critics of the proposed OCP said during the public

hearing that they felt like there wasn’t enough of a focus on food security.

Ramsay proposed an amendment wanting the report to reflect discouraging the planting of fruit trees when the owners don’t intend to harvest from them to make sure they don’t serve as bear attractants. She also asked that the report consider adding back in some food security policies that were removed from the previous edition of the OCP.

The amendment and motion were both carried unanimously.

The mayor commented after discussion on this item that it might be worth working with stakeholder groups to develop a food security charter for the city.

Skakun’s first motion was to request a report on the consequences of amending section 7.2.2 of the OCP to change a line saying that developers “shall” contribute to infrastructure to “must.” It passed unanimously.

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Some council OCP amendments carried unanimously

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His second motion asked for a report on amending one of the OCP’s objectives on climate change from “climate change mitigation measures reduce greenhouse gas emissions” to “climate change adaptation minimizes climate-related impacts on human safety, health and wellbeing.”

Only Klassen voted against this motion, saying she preferred the current language.

The third motion proposed by Skakun asked administration to report on the potential consequences of removing Moore’s Meadow in its entirety from the Urban Containment Boundary. It passed, with only Ramsay opposed.

Ramsay’s first motion asked for a report on amending section 18.7(e) to add the words “and in underserved areas” after the words “growth priority areas.” It passed unanimously.

Returning to the speaker’s chair, Klassen put forward another motion asking for administration to prepare a report on developing policies and criteria for “strategic exceptions” to the Urban Containment Boundary, requiring individual neighbourhood plans for each proposal and to map potential future urban reserve areas. It passed.

Her next motion requested a report on options to amend the OCP to recognize Prince George as a “polycentric city with multiple district neighbourhoods,” establishing neighbourhood-level data for decision-making purposes and broadening policies to allow for a diverse range of housing options.

These were originally separate motions that Klassen asked to be considered together. The motion passed by a margin of five to four, with Ramsay, Coun. Ron Polillo, Coun. Susan Scott and Sampson opposed.

Following up on that, Klassen asked for a report on the options for creating a plain-language summary and visual guide to accompany the OCP, ensuring that the OCP spells out that the OCP is a planning tool and not a set of rigid development limits and to create an interactive digital version of the OCP. Bennett proposed an amendment to

have these matters incorporated into the city’s corporate workplan rather than have a report prepared.

The amendment passed, with Polillo, Sampson and Scott opposed. The main motion passed with Polillo and Sampson opposed.

Bennett then proposed a motion asking staff to prepare a report on the options for added access to public washrooms where possible to section 14 of the OCP. It passed unanimously.

The first motion proposed by Sampson directed administration to include language in section 16.1.4 of the OCP to support and protect the urban tree canopy and the equitable replacement of trees due to development on both public and private land.

This would be a medium- to large-size project for staff, Wasnik said, and a similar project is already on the corporate workplan. It passed unanimously.

Up next, Sampson proposed a motion directing administration to add policy

language in section 9.1.6 of the OCP to support the “growth of local innovation and creative sector developments” in the city, including start-ups, clean tech, entrepreneurial work and more.

A friendly amendment was made to add language reflecting Prince George’s status as a college and university centre. The motion carried unanimously.

Bennett brought forward a motion calling for administration to prepare a report about creating a strategy for Prince George to host large regional, provincial, national and international events. It passed unanimously.

During the public hearings on the OCP, the Prince George Airport Authority expressed concern that its role in land use decisions around the airport were not acknowledged in the OCP.

Klassen raised a motion addressing those concerns. Ramsay said another motion proposed after the April 9 public hearing had already addressed those concerns by asking for a report on

returning the language on the airport how it was written in the last version of the OCP.

In response, Klassen said the text of her motion came directly from an email sent by the authority. Klassen’s motion passed with Ramsay, Polillo and Frizzell voting against it.

Subsequently, Klassen’s next motion asked for a report on amending the OCP to include the development of a ring road around the city in consultation with Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and the BC Ministry of Transportation.

Ramsay said she thought the city should talk about the issue with the Ministry of Transportation before embedding it in the OCP as highways are not a responsibility of municipalities.

It was defeated with Ramsay, Polillo, Scott, Bennett and Sampson voting against.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

The future growth of Prince George is the focus of the new Official Community Plan, currently making its way through the public hearing process.

Industrial lands, vision statement among amendments

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After that, Ramsay asked for a report on amending section 19.1.3(a) of the OCP to add a business diversification snapshot from Statistics Canada as an indicator under goal four. Frizzell offered a friendly amendment to add the BC vital statistics estimates index as an indicator under goal one. Both the amendment and motion passed unanimously.

Also passed was a motion calling for a report on adding a specific definition for the terms “land use designation” and “zoning” to the OCP. It passed unanimously.

Klassen put forward another motion asking for section nine of the OCP, focusing on economic development, to be amended to include discussion of Prince George as gateway to the north, Asia and the Americas, supporting forestry, energy development, realizing Prince George Airport as an Asia-Pacific intermodal trade hub and adopting a “growth attitude” for the city.

This motion was passed, with only Polillo opposing it.

Turning her gaze to section 10, on arts, culture and heritage, Klassen asked for a report on amending it to include “bold, aspirational wording to inspire a thriving cultural vision,” addressing the need for larger cultural event venues and developing a cultural plan that includes heritage, agricultural and horsemanship.

Director of civic facilities Andy Beesley said his department is already working on similar cultural vision items on its workplan this year.

This motion was defeated by a margin of five to four.

Sampson was up next, proposing a motion asking for a report on adding aging in place policies regarding neighbourhood planning and housing design. It passed unanimously.

Continuing, Sampson asked for a report on adding Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles to policy language in the OCP. It also passed unanimously.

For his third motion in a row, Sampson asked for a report on including

policy language in section 9.1.4 on the re-use and redevelopment of underutilized municipal assets. Again, it was passed unanimously.

Up again, Klassen asked for a report on amending the OCP to include collaboration between the city and post-secondary institutions.

She said she’s heard from representatives from both the College of New Caledonia and the University of Northern BC that they wished the city had partnered with the institution on various projects.

Frizzell said he was going to recuse himself from the discussion over this motion as he’s an instructor at both local post-secondary institutions and a member of CNC’s board of directors.

With Frizzell absent from the vote, there was a tie vote which meant the motion was defeated.

Klassen then requested a report on changing every instance of the word “may” in the OCP to “shall.”

“I want us to have certainty, I want us to know what everything means,” Klassen said.

City manager Walter Babicz said there are 48 instances of the world “may” in the draft OCP. He said the use of that word allows the city more flexibility,

to get a temporary use permit despite servicing an area that could use them.

She proposed a motion asking for a report on the implications of diversifying land use within that area.

While she acknowledged the need to rethink the neighbourhood, Klassen said she’s heard from businesses that there’s a lack of industrial lands in the city. The motion passed unanimously.

The final motion proposed by Klassen asked for a report on developing a more aspirational vision statement for Prince George in the plan as the one in the draft OCP was created before the political upheaval created by the second Trump Administration.

The draft statement was developed based on consultation with residents, Ramsay said, suggesting it should instead be referred to the next revision of the OCP.

though Klassen argued that it contributed to uncertainty by residents and developers.

This motion was not seconded and was therefore defeated.

Following that, Klassen asked for a report on embedding meaningful consultation with Lheidli T’enneh First Nation into the OCP.

Ramsay said the Union of BC Municipalities is wading through issues relating to the Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples and suggested it might be a good idea to table Klassen’s motion until the next revision of the OCP is due in 2028 so that some issues can get worked out.

Bennett said it would be better to ask Lheidli T’enneh whether they want this included in the OCP before deciding to include them without asking first. The mayor said he would bring up the item at the next government-to-government meeting with Lheidli T’enneh.

The motion was ultimately deferred until 2028.

Ramsay brought up issues with the Carter light industrial area, saying that she has concerns with proposed businesses like bookstores and physiotherapist practices getting denied or forced

“I don’t want to overwrite the community’s work on the current vision,” Ramsay said.

Before the meeting adjourned, the mayor proposed his only motion of the night.

Yu said the light industrial area east of Queensway has never really been used for that purpose, proposing a report be prepared on changing the area’s future land use from light industrial to “transition.”

It passed unanimously.

Before the meeting started, a man went around with a sheet of stickers saying “I’m a tree hugger” on them. He offered them to other attendees, asking if they wanted to wear one to prove that they’re not a police officer.

After the second night of the public hearing on the OCP, city administration confirmed that there had been plainclothes police officers in the audience after staff had expressed that they felt unsafe during the hearing’s first night.

Because of the Easter long weekend and the April 28 federal election, the next regular meeting of city council is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23 at 6 p.m.

Look for coverage of the meeting either on princegeorgecitizen.com or in the May 1 print edition.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

One proposed amendment includes a discussion of the Prince George International Airport as an Asian-Pacific intermodal trade hub.

Exploraton Place works to dig out of fnancial hole

One issue is the status of a $500,000 loan from the regional district

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Representatives of the Fraser-Fort George Museum Society and the Fraser-Fort George Regional District’s board of directors expressed optimism that The Exploration Place is making progress towards addressing its recent financial woes at the board’s Thursday, April 17 meeting.

In late 2023, the society was given an advance of $250,000 by the district and another advance worth the same amount in the first half of 2024.

To repay the $500,000 worth of debt, the regional district is reducing the museum’s quarterly grant payments by $31,115.44.

The regional district owns the museum’s building.

On top of those payments, the museum society is also required to have its line of credit with the Royal Bank of Canada under a certain threshold by specified dates, it is not to have its bank overdraft exceed $25,000 and it is not to exceed a total of $225,000 worth of other debts and obligations without the written consent of the regional district.

The museum’s 2024 financial statements as well as a letter to the regional district board by executive director Alyssa Leier, which were presented at the meeting, showed that it violated the first condition of its loan by having a $200,000 balance on its line of credit as of Dec. 31, 2024 when it was not supposed to exceed $175,000.

Leier succeeded former director Tracy Calagheros in the role in July 2024, after the loan agreement had been established.

While addressing the board at the April 17 meeting, Leier made the case that changes made to operations at The Exploration Place are leading to a projected surplus this year and that revenues have exceeded targets every

month so far in 2025.

“I do think that given that time that I had in those six months, it was nearly impossible to have that line of credit down to $175,000 by the end of the year,” Leier said. “But I am confident with the full year, we have that line of credit down so that we’re all comfortable with that.”

She added that she thought the line of credit balance could be reduced to just over $100,000 by the end of this year.

Those operational changes include layoffs. Leier’s letter said staffing has been reduced by 44 per cent compared to the same time last year representing savings of $34,000 per month.

Despite those layoffs, Leier told the board that The Exploration Place has actually increased its level of programming to help increase revenues.

However, she also cautioned that the facility is at its capacity limit for its current staff and any further layoffs would necessitate changes to operations.

Staff confirmed to the board that the first two debt payments had been executed on time and without issue.

Director Brian Skakun brought up The Exploration Place’s unsuccessful bid for $10,000 worth of grant funding from the city in both 2024 and 2025. When Prince George city council deliberated on city administration’s suggested grant recipients, Skakun moved for the grant to the museum to be removed.

Skakun brought that up at the regional district meeting, saying that he knew some museum representatives had issues with that process but that there would be more grant opportunities for the organization in future years.

He also said that he and his colleagues would do everything they can to support the museum going forward, acknowledging that the financial challenges occurred before Leier took over.

Leier thanked Skakun for his comments and said she thought some clarification on grant requirements and eligibility would be helpful for future years.

application to the city as the museum believed it was eligible to receive it.

“I just want to see clarification on where we are eligible so that we’re not spending staff resources applying for grants and then get turned down without any real reason,” she said.

Regarding The Exploration Place’s operational changes, she said she is confident in the facility’s financial situation for 2025 and she thinks the regional district is too.

On top of the layoffs, she said, the museum has brought back some preschool programming on the second floor and there has been a general increase in admissions and memberships.

Museum society board president Todd Whitcombe, a Citizen columnist, said the facility has also received some significant grants that are helping refurbish and regenerate its STEAM section — which stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

These STEAM fixtures are slowly being installed as they arrive, so there’s no official opening date, but Leier said every time visitors come in they’re likely to see something new.

“In the next two weeks we’ll have two big ones coming in from Science Kinetics that we’re really excited to share with the public,” she said.

Whitcombe added that the society board backs Leier’s work and said they know the museum’s staff are working extraordinarily hard to make it a success.

After the end of the regional district board meeting, chair Lara Beckett (Chilako River-Nechako) said despite the overage on the line of credit, it would have come up as a point of discussion if directors were looking to pull back on the loan agreement.

“We were comfortable in receiving their report and we’re wishing them the best and giving them the support to continue on,” she said.

Speaking to The Citizen after the discussion with the board, Leier said she had been disappointed about the grant

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RCMP look for trio in connecton to fatal arson case

CITIZEN STAFF

The Prince George RCMP is asking for the public’s help as its Serious Crime Unit continues to investigate a fatal house fire that occurred late last year.

The incident took place on Sept. 27, 2024, on the 2000 block of Quince Street.

Emergency crews responded to a residential blaze, and upon entering the home, investigators discovered a deceased individual inside.

The death has since been classified as suspicious.

As part of the ongoing investigation, police are now looking to identify three individuals — one man and two women — who may have information related to the case.

“Police officers are now seeking to identify several people who may have information related to this investigation,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, media relations officer for the Prince George

Prince George RCMP are looking for three people, as seen in these images taken from security video, in connection with an arson case that claimed the life of a man last fall.

RCMP. “We are asking that if anyone has information on who these people may be or where they are located, they call the Prince George RCMP non-emergency line to speak with an investigator.”

Photos of the three individuals have

ZIMMER BOB

been released by police in hopes the public can help identify them.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Prince George RCMP at 250-561-3300.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at

CRIME NOTES

Teenager arrested after police check out gun call

Prince George RCMP have arrested a teenager who allegedly had a firearm on Monday, April 14.

Several officers were called to a parking lot on the 1400 block of Edmonton Street at about 3 p.m.

Given the suspect’s proximity to the hospital and the presence of a weapon, police determined this report represented a high risk to public safety, police stated in a press release.

When police officers arrived, the suspect was arrested without incident within minutes of the report being made.

“We train for these types of scenarios as part of our initial instruction at the RCMP Training Academy, and also as part of our yearly qualifications,” said Supt. Darin Rappel.

“I am proud of the response our frontline police officers had to this

1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www. northernbccrimestoppers.ca.

Tipsters do not have to reveal their identities and may be eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest or the recovery of stolen property.

dynamic and high-risk situation, responding calmly and swiftly, and resolving the situation without increasing the risk to themselves, the public or the suspect.”

The youth will remain in custody until he can attend court.

The incident remains under investigation.

Guilty plea in assault case cancels scheduled trial

A woman pleaded guilty to assault April 14 in Prince George Provincial Court, cancelling a trial that had been scheduled.

Court heard that Kimberly May Evans, born 2002, committed assault by fighting another person on June 16, 2024.

Judge Michael Brecknell ordered a psychiatric assessment with a risk assessment component with a return date of July 16.

At that appearance, a court date for sentencing is expected to be scheduled. — Bob Mackin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Community Petton sparks improved wildlife safety

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

A petition started in November of last year calling for safety improvements to a hazardous section of Highway 16 known as “Jail Hill” has seen success.

The petition was started by Natalie Anthony after she saw a deer hit on Highway 16 east of the city, near the Prince George Regional Corrections Centre.

“It was really upsetting to see,” she said. “Then, hours later, I found out on Facebook that another deer had been hit in the exact same spot and also died. So, those two collisions within hours in the same location were really shocking. That’s when I felt someone needed to do something. I wanted to bring attention to the issue and push for changes to help protect animals and drivers on that section of road.”

Anthony, who had recently moved to Prince George from the Lower Mainland, was unfamiliar with wildlife crossings on highways. She notes that newcomers or travellers unfamiliar with the area may not realize how common wildlife collisions are and therefore wanted to improve safety for those unfamiliar with the area.

She also told The Citizen that the road was particularly dangerous due to a lack of lighting, wildlife signs, curved roads, foliage around the bends, and frequent blind spots.

Anthony began the petition with hopes of gathering a few hundred signatures but was soon overwhelmed by support from the Prince George community.

“It’s at just over 1,200 signatures now,” she said. “In the weeks after I saw that deer, there were reports of dead deer and moose almost daily on that same section. I was surprised by how many stories people started sharing on the petition. There were close calls, totalled vehicles, and most of the incidents I never would have known about if it wasn’t for the petition, since wildlife is often removed so quickly. I thought a few hundred signatures would be good

to show support, but the petition has grown to over 1,200 signatures now. It shows just how many people have been impacted and want to see change.”

Notably, Anthony was stunned by the more than $200 raised for the petition, even though she hadn’t asked for donations.

“It was when I noticed that people were donating their hard-earned money to boost the petition. Right now, people have donated a combined total of $262, which made me feel like, okay, I really can’t let people down now. It’s one thing to share the petition or sign it, but it’s another to donate money; they really want to see these changes made.”

Improvements to the highway began shortly after she put out the call.

Anthony also told The Citizen that improvements that were already in the works on Highway 16 may have been prioritized due to the petitions success.

“After the petition was launched, deer warning signs were installed at either end of the section I was raising awareness about,” said Anthony. “One at the end of the Yellowhead Bridge heading east and another deer crossing sign heading west, just past the boundary road intersection. Both the Honourable Mike Farnsworth, minister of transportation and transit, and Fort George district operations manager Kevin Lutz told me that those signs were a direct result of the petition and community support.

“That meant a lot to see that they did that. They were also talking to me about other improvements that were already in the works, like a concrete median and brush clearing. I feel like maybe the petition helped bring attention to this

area and moved this stretch of road up the priority list, because all this has been done in the last few months since my petition started.”

In addition to the new wildlife signs, the concrete median, and brush clearing, new improvements are in the works. This includes electrical wiring being trenched through the centre of the road to power a flashing amber light above the raised median, which should make the barrier and turning lane more visible at night.

While these changes are significant and have increased the safety of the road and reduced wildlife collisions, Anthony has not yet declared victory.

“The main complaint people voiced on my petition was about the lack of continuous lighting,” said Anthony. “That’s why many people were signing the petition, because there are long stretches without street lights. There are a few street lights at Guy Road, the jail entrance, and Pickering Road,

but after that, it’s completely dark, and wildlife can be hard to see even in the daylight. Street lights would help drivers see a little more ahead and give them an extra few seconds to spot wildlife and stop, preventing accidents. Mike Farnsworth and Kevin Lutz explained that continuous highway lighting is only installed when specific criteria are met, but Jail Hill doesn’t meet those criteria. They did say the ministry will be reviewing the area again, however.”

Anthony would like to thank everyone in Prince George and the surrounding area who signed, shared, and donated. She also thanked Farnsworth, Lutz andBen Scott, the general manager of YRB Fort George, who was the first to respond to her petition.

She said Mayor Simon Yu publicly supported safety improvements on the stretch and shared that someone he knew lost their life on Jail Hill, which brought an important and personal voice to the conversation.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

New wildlife crossing signs are in place on Highway 16.

Shoplifing a growing problem at local grocery stores

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

The tenor of retail crime has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic, the manager of the Pine Centre Mall location of Save-On-Foods told Prince George’s Standing Committee on Public Safety at its Tuesday, April 15 meeting.

Regan Bader said that over his 41-year career with the company, 27 of those in Prince George, theft has evolved from staff having to take a bottle of mouthwash from someone as they leave the store to more violent altercations.

“There’s been a spike, and I think the RCMP can attest to that, with COVID,” Bader said.

“When COVID came along, we as a company and with our security officers, went what’s called ‘hands-off,’ meaning that we weren’t going to arrest or necessarily get into any kind of physical altercation in order to do an arrest at our stores.”

That and mask-wearing during COVID, Bader said, helped create an even bigger issue.

Not only has the number of thefts increased, but those incidents have a greater chance of becoming violent when suspects either run when confronted by security or start to kick and scream.

While there’s been a lot of discussion, including during the ongoing federal election, over what’s seen as catchand-release for violent offenders, Bader said something similar is happening for thefts under $5,000.

“The leniency of the courts in situations seems to be very predominant of late,” Bader said. “I was subpoenaed for a court case last Monday and the guy, although a prolific offender and wellknown to the RCMP, got 150 days house arrest.”

Another example he gave was a man who they believe has visited the grocery store 22 times and stolen items on 19 occasions. Bader said up until last week, they didn’t know his name or address because he’s from a different community.

He said stores in his company spend a lot of time and effort putting together packages of evidence for the RCMP that include security footage and witness statements. But after all that work, Bader said, the slap on the wrist given to perpetrators isn’t enough to deter further crime.

It’s estimated, Bader said, that losses for retailers in Prince George due to theft are $2,000 to $5,000 a week. For five Prince George outlets belonging to the Pattison Food Group, that means between $500,000 and $1 million in losses a year. Currently, the company is low on security staffing and is actively hiring, he said.

These incidents impact not just customers but the workers at his store, Regan said, who can be as young as 16 years old.

Recently, the committee discussed the potential of establishing private, overnight security in the downtown at an annual cost of around $400,000 a year.

That’s heading in the wrong direction, Bader said, because security guards can only be in one place at a time.

“I know there was some suggestion about downtown security cameras and I can tell you right now, the RCMP wants surveillance footage for when we actually have somebody who’s stealing. That is very valuable.” Bader said. “I don’t know that just having a couple of guys that are observing and reporting is going to be something that is going to work in the long run.”

In December 2024, city council voted to contribute $40,000 towards a downtown security camera pilot project in partnership with the Prince George Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Prince George.

Downtown Prince George president Eoin Foley, one of the primary advocates for the overnight patrols, chimed in to clarify that the overnight security is targeted towards preventing overnight property damage and not retail crime.

After Bader’s presentation, Coun. Brian Skakun referred to a Citizen article published earlier in the day about a

public indecency trial where the presiding judge said that he couldn’t drive around the courthouse on any given day without seeing the same offences the defendant had been charged with being committed nearby.

“I thank God that Judge Brecknell had said that today because I think he stated what the obvious is: that some people get charged and held accountable and others don’t for whatever reasons and it’s a problem,” Skakun said.

“Maybe it’s systemic. I’m not sure, but it’s got to be so frustrating for business owners, folks like yourself.”

Coun. Ron Polillo said what Bader said hit home for him because his daughter worked at the Spruceland Save-OnFoods for about a year and would come home with stories about her experiences. He said the challenges articulated by Bader weren’t just localized to his business, but were felt across the city.

Mayor Simon Yu said that Bader and his team had presented some of their information to him before and that he had also visited Walmart to learn about what that store has faced.

Yu referenced a recent visit to Prince George by Minister of State for Community Safety Terry Yung, saying it’s important to liaise with the province to make sure this city gets the resources it needs.

“Right this moment, a large chunk of money has been provided and the minister — Terry — is analyzing all the stats from cities to get some programs going ASAP,” Yu said. “So, help is on the way. Is it sufficient or not? We don’t know yet.”

Coun. Susan Scott said these incidents cause shock for the average citizens who witness these events and that she

thinks some of the incidents are caused by entitlement, even if it’s unconscious on the part of the perpetrator.

She said she got a phone call that morning from a downtown resident who no longer feels safe to go outside.

New committee member Karm Manhas said from his personal history working in private security, there are people who show by their body language and behaviour that they know they’re not going to get in trouble for what they do.

Supt. Darin Rappel, the officer-incharge of the Prince George RCMP, said there’s been successes with the repeat violent offender program operating in northern hubs like this city.

He said it’s his understanding that higher levels of government are looking at a similar program for non-repeat violent offenders.

However, while some prolific shoplifters are violent to a point, Rappel said they don’t reach the criteria for what’s considered a repeat violent offender. He said the man Bader mentioned who had stolen from the store 19 times might meet the criteria as that level of theft might indicate he’s doing it for profit rather than for need.

“Those people certainly need more attention from the courts as well, from prosecutions, from us as well to get more traction with partner agencies,” Rappel said. “I believe that’s before the government now, I understand there’s something along those lines that’s being looked at, so we’re very interested.”

After the discussion was over, Bader told reporters that his company has been trying to get a seat at a table whether their concerns over retail theft will be heard. While some people might assume that these crimes are victimless, he said businesses are suffering and have closed as a result.

“It’s important to begin to address this a little bit more,” Bader said. “If the courts can come to the table and there’s actually some kind of deterrent … that can prevent future regular retail shoplifting … that would be hugely important to all businesses whether large or small.”

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

Regan Bader, manager of the Pine Centre Mall location of Save-On-Foods, addresses the Standing Committee on Public Safety.

Time to be ready for fooding, drought and wildfres

Have an emergency plan and keep a grab-and-go bag ready

CITIZEN STAFF

The BC government is urging residents of Prince George and other parts of the province to prepare for seasonal emergencies as rising temperatures increase the risk of flooding, drought and wildfires.

The warning came in a joint message from the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, the Ministry of Forests and the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.

They say now is the time to create emergency plans and assemble graband-go bags while monitoring weather and water conditions.

“Preparing for emergencies is a team effort,” said Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene. “As warmer weather arrives, it’s equally important that people have their own emergency plan, have a grab-and-go bag ready, and know what to do in all types of emergency situations.”

The River Forecast Centre’s latest snowpack survey, released April 9, shows BC’s overall snowpack is at 79 per cent of normal levels. That’s up from 63 per cent last April — the lowest in half a century — but the risk of flooding remains, particularly with rapid snowmelt and prolonged or heavy rainfall in the weeks ahead, the ministries advise.

In low-lying areas, the province recommends residents move valuable equipment to higher ground and clear perimeter drains and gutters. Sudden drops in water levels may indicate upstream blockages and should be reported immediately to local emergency officials.

Water concerns remain high, despite the modest increase in snowpack. Drought conditions that devastated large parts of the province in 2024 are expected to continue this year, with long-term water supply challenges

persisting.

“Even though it’s only April, drier-than-normal conditions in parts of the province mean we already need to be mindful of water use,” said Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Minister Randene Neill.

“That’s why we continue to update our Drought and Water Scarcity Response Plan and invest in long-term water security.”

The province has allocated $100 million to its Watershed Security Fund to support long-term efforts to conserve and manage water.

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is also preparing for an early and potentially active wildfire season, citing ongoing drought and a lack of significant rainfall in the forecast.

“We don’t know what this season will bring, but we are putting in the work each and every day to protect our communities,” said Forests Minister Ravi Parmar.

“I urge British Columbians to do their part through our provincial FireSmart program.”

The province is investing $90 million in wildfire prevention programs in 2025, including FireSmart initiatives and work through the Forest Enhancement Society of BC.

A total of 88 cultural and prescribed burn projects are planned this year, up from 48 completed in 2024.

British Columbians are being encouraged to prepare emergency kits with water, food, medication, and first-aid supplies, and to register with Emergency Support Services at ess.gov.bc.ca to streamline access to help in the event of an evacuation.

In 2024, the province introduced several improvements to emergency response support, including direct deposit payments for evacuees, a $200-per-night accommodation allowance and the BC Evacuation Helpline to assist people remotely.

Homeowners and tenants are also being urged to maintain insurance coverage, which can help cover both property damage and temporary living expenses during emergencies

TOYS • COMICS • GAMES

BC WILDFIRE SERVICE PHOTO

Residents of Prince George are being reminded to prepare emergency kits and be ready to act quickly if disaster strikes.

North Peace Rodeo seeks sponsors for 2025 return

ED HITCHINS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A long-celebrated community event, the North Peace Rodeo, will return to Fort St. John this summer.

Scheduled for the first weekend of July, proceeds for the event will benefit the North Peace Light Horse Association (NPLHA) and North Peace Rodeo for maintenance to its rodeo and equestrian facilities.

According to Tara Myers, the sitting secretary for the North Peace Rodeo’s committee, this event is the first North Peace Rodeo to take place since 2018. Historically, the North Peace Rodeo in Fort St. John has existed in some form since the 1960s.

Myers says the inevitable return of the rodeo only made sense, given the town’s deep emotional attachment to

Myers also serves as the secretary for the NPLHA, calling the rodeo the organization’s “biggest fundraiser.”

“(Rodeo) is not a sport for the faint of heart but it is something that brings together lots of different levels of community,” said Myers. “There’s (been) support for the rodeo in Fort St. John as far back as I can remember.

“Fort St. John used to be one of the bigger rodeos in the North Peace and the province. We reached out to old cowboys that put the rodeo together, and said ‘let’s see if we can get this off the ground again.’”

Events featured during the rodeo will include bareback and saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, bull riding, tie-down

and team roping, ladies’ ranch bronc, child and youth events and more.

Each day will be a one-day open rodeo, meaning entrants do not need a BC Rodeo Association membership card to participate for cash prizes.

Myers says planning for the 2025 edition has been in stages since February, with several sponsors already on board for the event. A 50/50 raffle with a charitable organization is also being sought for the event.

Sponsors include Better Cents Bookkeeping, Longhorn Oilfield Services, Mustang Rentals, Grande Prairie’s Keddie’s Tack and Western Wear, Quigley Contracting, Resolve Solutions, Six Nations Ventures, Tourmaline Oil and T&T Communications.

It’s just more backers that are needed as Myers says the committee “has everything else lined up” for the event to be successful.

“It’s been awesome,” said Myers. “The Fort St. John rodeo community has really kind of come together and supported this. But at this point we really need those sponsorships to come through to make it or break it.

“(We’re) really hoping that the local companies and the companies that do business in this area are going to support us.”

The North Peace Rodeo takes place from Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6 at the NPLHA Rodeo Grounds at 6929 Equestrian Rd.

To inquire about sponsorship or participation in the 50/50 raffle, email the rodeo committee at northpeacerodeo@ outlook.com

Rodeo is ‘not for the faint of heart,’ say the organizers of the North Peace Rodeo in Fort St. John.

LNG drug and alcohol test breached privacy: Ruling

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

An arbitrator found a contractor on the $18 billion LNG Canada project in Kitimat violated a worker’s right to privacy and bodily integrity when he underwent a drug and alcohol test after a minor injury.

“I conclude that (Altrad Services Ltd.) did not establish a significant incident warranting an inquiry into post-incident testing and would grant the grievance on that basis,” wrote Jitesh Mistry in an April 10 ruling under the Labour Relations Code.

On July 3, 2024, Matthew Seward,

a painter represented by the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 138, rolled his ankle at the worksite.

Seward reported the injury and the pain in the back of his ankle and lower calf got worse. He was treated by a physician, who recommended rest, ice, compression and elevation.

The acting superintendent concluded there were insufficient grounds to test Seward, but a project manager signed a form, deciding that the fall had the “potential to be very significant.”

Seward agreed to a drug and alcohol test, but refused to provide written consent. The result was clean and he

showed no impairment, but flew back to his home in another province and was compensated for missing eight days of work.

“The employer ignored the very real possibility that this was an accidental twisted ankle that occurs every day in all walks of life,” Mistry wrote. “Indeed, the grievor’s injured party statement provided a clear and cogent reason for the incident, including the heat and brightness of the day, the discomfort from the heavy coveralls and the presence of loose gravel with potholes.”

Mistry declared Altrad breached the Construction Owners Association of Alberta and Energy Safety Canada’s

Canadian Model for Providing a Safe Workplace and Altrad’s own post-incident drug and alcohol testing policy. He awarded Seward $2,000 in damages and ordered Altrad to destroy all records of the testing in the Seward’s personnel file.

Altrad is in a joint venture with the Gitxaala Nation, contracted by the JGC Fluor BC LNG Joint Venture, to manage insulation, painting/coating, fireproofing, and rope access. At the time of last fall’s hearing, Altrad had 1,500 workers on the project, 200 of them painters represented by the union. The plant, which is fed by the Coastal GasLink pipeline, is expected to be in service this summer.

Community Forest Society releases wildfre dashboard

ABIGAIL POPPLE

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Dunster Community Forest Society, which also manages the Dunster Wildfire Brigade, has released a new wildfire dashboard for Dunster and the surrounding area, spanning through McBride and Cedarside.

The dashboard — which can be accessed at dunstercommunityforest. ca/dunster-wildfire-dashboard/ — will update alongside the BC Wildfire Service dashboard, but also includes links to the Regional District’s emergency alerts and a colour-coded legend showing thermal hotspots, volunteer firefighting boundaries, and local government properties, among other features.

In an interview with The Goat, Dunster Community Forest Society administrator Marie Hyde said she made the dashboard to give residents an interactive database with more information than what the BC Wildfire Service dashboard offers on its own.

She has previously made similar maps for the Dunster Community Forest and the nonprofit organization Community Futures using her experience as a geographic information systems analyst, which she says was useful for building the wildfire dashboard.

“BC Wildfire Service, they usually just

have a static map… And I thought, why not create an interactive one?” Hyde said. “And as I was looking at layers [data that can be added to geographic information systems], I realized, ‘Oh, there’s thermal satellite imaging that we could add to this.’”

The thermal hotspot layer draws data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, a type of satellite NASA uses to collect data on temperature across the globe. That data will allow locals to see hotspots — which could be caused by smaller fires not identified on the BC Wildfire Service dashboard –— in real time, Hyde said.

Additionally, the dashboard will allow Dunster Wildfire Brigade members to access information collected in the resident information survey last year. The survey asked residents to name the skills and equipment they’d be willing

to contribute in an emergency, as well as basic emergency contact information such as their phone number and the number of people and animals living on their property.

“If we have a fire in a certain area, we (the brigade) can highlight which properties would be affected and make sure we contact them. That’s where the resident information sheets come in handy,” Hyde said. “The map doesn’t show their phone numbers to keep it private. One of our volunteers will use the map, highlight which properties (are affected) and then cross-reference with our contact list and make the calls.”

The brigade is not trained to fight structural fires, Hyde emphasized. The dashboard will allow these volunteers to see homes surrounded by forests and stave off approaching fires before

they reach buildings, she said.

Alongside creating the dashboard and collecting residents’ information, the Brigade has accessed funding from the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George to purchase firefighting equipment. The Brigade now has enough equipment to outfit one firefighting unit, which includes pumps, hoses, nozzles, and water tanks. All that’s left now is purchasing a trailer, according to Hyde.

The group plans on doing a refresher workshop going over how to use its new equipment some time this spring, Hyde added. They will also host a Community Wildfire Preparedness Day on June 28th using funding from FireSmart BC.

The Brigade is not currently accepting more volunteers, Hyde said – they are keeping the group compact until they gain more experience and feel confident they can build a bigger organization. However, locals can visit the community forest’s website — which has a dedicated section for the fire brigade –— for updates, Hyde said.

“The people that we have are sufficient to keep things slim so that we are coherent in what we’re doing,” Hyde said. “Next year, or maybe later this year, we hope to invite people to come be a part of it.”

This story originally appeared in The Rocky Mountain Goat

ABIGAIL POPPLE/LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

The Dunster Community Forest website now has a wildfire dashboard showing thermal hotspots, wildfires and property lines.

What’s happening in PG

Miracle Theatre Presents Lunenburg and Here on the Flight Path by Norm Foster until April 27 at ArtSpace, above Books and Co. All proceeds from the shows will be donated to the Prince George Seniors Emergency Endowment Fund at the Prince George Community Foundation to help seniors in need meet essential expenses through the Prince George Council of Seniors Resource Centre. Tickets are at Books & Co., 1685 Third Avenue or by calling 250-563-6637. JS Bach’s Long Walk in the Snow goes Thursday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. This is a narrated performance by Tom Allen & Friends featuring pianist Jamie Parker, soprano Suzie Leblanc, violist Dave Harding and bassist/guitarist Joe Phillips. For tickets and information visit https://www.knoxcentre.ca/ tom-allen-and-friends

Cinematography One-Day Workshop goes Friday, April 25 or Saturday, April 26, Friday, May 23 or Saturday, May 24, Friday, June 27 or Saturday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is presented by the Arts North Digital Media Centre, a division of the Community Arts Council of Prince George & District at Studio 2880. The workshop is led by Jeff Gruending, local founder of video marketing firm Precision FX,and includes camera fundamentals, lighting essentials, audio production, composition & storytelling, editing & final production. For more information and to register visit www.studio2880. com/arts-north-digital-studio-media/ cinematography-workshop.

Coldsnap presents Wesli on Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. A special performance by Juno Award-winning artist Wesli, Wesley Louissaint, and a full band, will bring a captivating blend of Haitian roots music to the stage. This will be an unforgettable evening as Wesli shares stories and songs from his remarkable career. Wesli’s music is a testament to resilience, reconciliation, and the transformative power of art. Tickets are $35 at https://

coldsnapfestival.tickit.ca/events/wesli.

Zulu Challenge coming to Prince George Saturday, April 26 at 10 a.m. at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park is an obstacle course where adult teams are tethered. There is also a children’s category (untethered), a parent and child course and a course to do with your dog. The adult challenge is a 5km run with up to 30 obstacles.The children’s course is for those 3 to 13 in several age categories. For details and tickets visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/ zulu-challenge-prince-george-2025.

Ohh Canada: A Night of Comedy goes Saturday, April 26 from 8 to 11 p.m. at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St., presented by Improv Shmimprov Canada and Stephen St. Laurent. Celebrate Canada in a weird way and see where we’ll take your themed suggestions and make some fun. Improv comedy, live on stage with games and tomfoolery. As always, there’s some snacks and drinky drinks so bring

your significant other and have some laughs. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 at www.shmimprovimprov.ca/ oh-canada-a-night-of-comedy.

Northern BC Crime Stoppers Spring Community Shred It Drive Thru goes Saturday April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Prince George Secondary School parking lot. Do some spring cleaning and bring personal and important documents that will be shredded safely and securely by donation $10 per box or bag. Mr. Mike’s will be on site for a community barbecue offering a $5 Mr. Mike’s burger from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Genevieve Jaide with Ellescriv goes Saturday, April 26 at 9 p.m. at the Legion 43 PG, 1110 Sixth Ave. Singer-songwriter Genevieve Jaide will perform with her stellar band alongside Fort St. John folk artist Ellescriv. Blending elements of folk, indie-pop, alternative, and Canadiana, Jaide’s songs are both intimate and expansive. Lorissa Scriven’s distinctive brand of earthy folk has its roots deep in the river valleys of northern British

Columbia, where she grew up steeped in music and wild places. Doors at 8 p.m. Tickets $15 in advance or $20 at the door. For advance tickets visit www. madloon.ca/tickets/p/genscriv.

Children’s Business Fair goes Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 2793 Range Rd. This event is a culmination of ideas and hard work from great young minds. Children developed a brand, created a product or service, built a marketing strategy, and then opened for customers at the one-day marketplace.

Birdsong presented by Nove Voce Choir goes Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave in downtown Prince George. Enjoy an afternoon of music dedicated to our beloved feathered friends. From tributes to imitations, and beauty to whimsy, let fun flights of fancy whisk you into springtime. Music from the Beatles to modern Canadian works. Special guests include Anna Scarpino, Paul Mulligan, Jose Delgado Guevara, Cassie Clark-Chretien. For more information and tickets visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/ birdsong-tickets.

Spring Clean Up goes Sunday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Our place, our community, our neighbourhoods. There are free drop off bins at the Hart Hwy Plaza; 3rd & Watrous; Park & Bunce; College Heights Secondary; Gyro Park and Blackburn Community Centre. Not accepted: electronics or large household items or hazardous materials or yard, garden waste. Pick up bags at City Hall Service Centre until April 25 and register at princegeorge.ca/ SpringCleanUp/.

Sprocket Book Signing with Al Rempel goes Wednesday, April 30 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Books & Co, 1685 Third Ave. The poems in this collection return to the freedom of long, endless summertime days, when, as long as you were home by suppertime, you could go anywhere on your bike.

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GENEVIEVE JAIDE/FACEBOOK

Genevieve Jaide performs Saturday, April 26 at 9 p.m. at the Legion 43 hall, with opening act Ellescriv.

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Food Gardening for Beginners goes Wednesday, April 30 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Hunniford Gardens, 8845 Aquarius Rd. Topics include best yielding, easiest crops to grow in the short cool season, key to growing challenging crops, fundamentals for success including site selection, soil prep and best watering practice, sustainable pest management practices and crop rotation with a Q&A to follow. Cost is $30 at hunniford-gardens.com/food-gardening-april-30.

May Days goes Thursday, May 1 to Sunday, May 4 at CN Centre and is presented by West Coast Amusements. Canada’s biggest travelling carnival will be back in Prince George. For weather dependent hours and ticket prices visit https://westcoastamusements.com/ event/prince-george-bc.

Food Gardening in Containers goes Friday, May 2 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Hunniford Gardens, 8845 Aquarius Rd. Beginner-friendly workshop geared for hanging baskets and planter gardening including how to select suitable pants, when to plant, what containers to use, focusing on popular edibles like strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, herbs, lettuce and greens. Cost is $25 at hunniford-gardens.com/food-gardening-in-containers-monday-may-2.

MS in Wonderland goes Saturday, May 3 at 7 p.m. at the Columbus Community Centre, 7201 Lawrence Ave. Join us for our second annual MS fundraiser. This year’s theme is Alice in Wonderland. There will be dinner, dancing, silent auction, 50/50 raffle and so much more. Live entertainment is presented by Four on the Floor. Tickets are $50 and available at 890 Vancouver Street or call 250-562-6325 to arrange pick up.

Art Battle Prince George goes Friday, May 2 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave., and is presented by the Prince George & District Community Arts Council. Get ready to witness an electrifying showdown as skilled artists go head-to-head in a high-speed, three-round battle to

West Coast Amusements will be back in Prince George during May Days, Thursday, May 1 to Sunday, May 4, at CN Centre.

create awe-inspiring artwork. The audience will be judge and jury by casting their vote for the ultimate winner. Then all artwork goes up for auction. For tickets visit www.eventbrite.com/e/ art-battle-prince-george.

PG Italian Centre Dinner and Italian Bingo Night goes Saturday, May 3 at the Prince George Italian Club, 1209 Fifth Avenue. Enjoy the rich and wonderful culture and food of Italy, right here in the City of Prince George as guests dive into an authentic and homemade Italian Napoletana dinner with fun games of Tombola (Italian Bingo) to follow. Reserve spots now as tickets will sell fast. $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Pay by e-transfer at pgitalianclub1@gmail.com. Tickets are non refundable.

Heroic Steps 5K Fundraising Run goes Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park. Run/walk/hop/skip to raise money and awareness for COPD and the BC Lung Foundation. Starting at the band shell, participants can do two loops throughout the park and the Millar

addition neighbourhood. Registration/ donation is $20. For more information and to register visit https://bclung. heroicsteps5Krun.

BC Old Time Fiddlers Spring Jamboree goes Friday, May 2, Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4 at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave and at Trinity United Church, 3555 Fifth Ave. This weekend celebration includes a Friday night dance, two days of workshops for fiddle, guitar and banjo and a concert featuring Mark Sillivan who has won the Canadian Grand Masters fiddle competition three times. Everyone is welcome to attend this fun-filled Jamboree. For tickets and all the details visit https://bcfiddlers.com/branches/prince-george/ pg-workshop-and-concert/.

Dances Sacred and Profane goes Sunday, May 4 at 2 p.m. at Vanier Hall, 2901 Griffiths Avenue. The PGSO’s new concert harp moves centre stage for soloist Joy Yeh. This is a full program of music inspired by dance by French and Spanish composers. The PGSO season comes to a rousing end with de

Falla’s energetic Three-Cornered Hat. The concert will be the premiere of Prince George resident composer José Delgado-Guevera’s newest piece, a celebration of music from the streets of his childhood in Costa Rica. For more information and tickets visit www.pgso.com/ concerts/Dances-Sacred-and-Profane. Rockstars – a Kids Climbing Festival goes Sunday, May 4 at 2 to 6 p.m. at OVERhang, 2601 Recplace Drive for children 3 to 12. This is an interstellar adventure packed with energy, excitement and challenges that are truly out of this world. Whether your little one is a curious cadet or a fearless climber, they’re in for a mission they won’t forget with Climbing Challenges Across the Galaxy – fun routes designed for every age and skill level; Cosmic Games & Activities – think space themed challenges and a few surprises from a galaxy not too far away, Feats of Strength – test your skills and power like a true hero-intraining, Prizes Worthy of a Space Legend – no Jedi mind tricks, just awesome rewards. Regular drop-in rates apply.

Junk in the Trunk goes Saturday, May 10 at CN Centre parking lot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is presented by REAPS. There will be 125 vendors at the event rain or shine. This is Prince George’s largest garage sale. There will be food vendors on site as well.

BC Old Time Fiddlers’ Jams and Lessons go every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 483 Gillett St. Everyone is welcome to attend. Drop-in fee is $5 at the door.

Games Night goes every Thursday at 7 p.m at Spruce Capital Seniors Centre, 3701 Rainbow Drive. Come on down and join in a game of backgammon, checkers, crib or better yet try out the pool table or dart board, please bring your own darts. Open to everyone for a $5 drop-in fee.

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

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Defnite signs of spring ...

Prince George headed out over the long weekend to enjoy Easter fun, the return of the Farmers’ Market and more CITIZEN PHOTOS BY CHUCK NISBETT

ABOVE: Guneet Billing, 3, gets a lift from dad Simran so she can reach into the pen and pet a rabbit at the Spring into Easter event at Northern Lights Winery on Sunday.

BELOW: Flora Harper, visiting Prince George from Manitoba, buys Barley soup from Bobbi at the Shergood Gardens stall on Quebec Street on the first day of the outdoor Farmers’ Market season Saturday.

ABOVE: Leo Hwang, 7, launches his bean bag to the opposing target manned by Maymeer Singh, 7, as they enjoy the Bean Bag Toss during the Spring into Easter event at Northern Lights Winery Easter Sunday.

BELOW: Ryan Naraine, who recently moved to Prince George from Victoria, discusses everything mushroom with Joshua Halsband at the PG Urban Shroomery stall on Quebec Street on the first day of the outdoor Farmers’ Market season, seen above and to the right, on Saturday. The market is open Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Third Avenue.

ABOVE: Two-year-old Leah Conroy hunts for letters in the scrabble tiles at the Crossword and Word Scramble puzzle on the patio at Northern Lights Winery Easter Sunday.

Big job ahead afer court orders old vehicles gone

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

A man ordered to remove more than 100 old vehicles from his rural land told The Citizen he feels singled out, noting many other property owners in and around Prince George have multiple unroadworthy cars on their land — often just as visible as his.

“I’m just getting singled out for some reason. I think it’s totally unfair,” said Thomas Standers. “I spent $8,000 on a lawyer to try to fight this. Of course, I got a judge from Victoria who didn’t pity me at all, and he slammed me to the wall. So now they’re giving me 90 days to clean all this up or they’re going to come and do it for me.”

On March 7, a BC Supreme Court judge found that Standers, a local licensed auto mechanic, was violating regional district bylaws by storing more than 100 vehicles on his five-acre property.

The Citizen caught up with Standers at his Chilcotin Road land to discuss the ruling.

“There was a complaint made, apparently, four years ago,” Standers said. “They told me, ‘You’ve got to clean up and make it look presentable.’ I thought I did, because you can’t see anything from the road. They say I’m unsightly, but you can go out on the road there and you can’t even notice anything I’ve got here, right? You’ve got to really look down the driveway to see the cars.

“I don’t think that’s fair, because I’m surrounded by bush. Now they’re saying I’ve got to be down to 10 vehicles, and only two can’t run. I’ve got a

Thomas Standers refurbished this old Ford, one of the vehicles he’s been ordered by the court to remove.

five-acre lot. They’re deeming this land as agriculture only… I guess I picked the wrong place. I don’t know. I’m not being treated fairly here at all.”

The regional district alleged the land was not in compliance with its unsightly premises bylaw, which states that a property is in violation if it has more than two derelict vehicles on site that are not kept within an enclosed building or used for business purposes.

The judge also found that Standers’ zoning bylaw does not permit rural or residential land to be used as a vehicle storage yard or as a facility for unroadworthy vehicles.

Standers was given 90 days to remove the vehicles. The judge ruled he may keep no more than 10 vehicles on the property, and only two of them may be non-operational.

The property was previously owned by Standers’s father, who sold it to him. Both father and son have been collecting and fixing cars on the land as a hobby since the 1980s.

Standers said he attempted to reach a compromise with the courts but was unsuccessful.

“I was willing to actually work with them,” he said. “I’ll drop down to 50 cars or I’ll build a big fence — whatever

you want, right? But I couldn’t reason with them at all.”

Although Standers is working toward complying with the court and district orders, he said seasonal load restrictions are making it difficult. Due to the 50 per cent legal axle loading currently in place, scrap dealers and tow trucks are unable to remove vehicles from his property until restrictions are lifted.

Despite the challenge, Standers is making progress. He is actively seeking alternate places to store his vehicles and has begun selling some for scrap.

by

Norm Foster

Young readers turn a new page in Batle of the Books

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

A local, long-running reading competition returned to École Lac des Bois Elementary School on Wednesday, April 16.

The event saw 29 teams of three students from 15 schools across the district answer questions from 12 nominated Red Cedar Books, testing their reading comprehension and memory.

All Red Cedar books are by Canadian authors and aim to provide students with a variety of topics at different reading levels.

Winners of the Battle of the Books received gift certificates to Books and Co. Door prizes were also handed out.

The event was organized by a group of Prince George-area teacher-librarians, educators, and volunteers, who read the 12 books, created questions for the students and hosted the battle.

One of those volunteers was Tina Cousins, president of the Prince George District Teacher-Librarian Association, who has been involved since the event’s inception.

“In 1999, a group of librarians wanted to create a book contest,” said Cousins. “Red Cedar was a Canadian contest. Originally, public librarians started it, and we jumped on board because of the promotion of Canadian authors. We started with kids reading the books and

voting on what they thought was the best. From there, it evolved into this game for the Battle of the Books. It’s been growing every year since 1999.”

In an interview with The Citizen, Cousins discussed why she believes the event is important for students across the school district.

“Not everybody’s good at sports, and readers have an outlet here,” Cousins said. “Kids who like to read usually have access to high-quality books, and it’s

curricular. Teachers also get involved by reading to their classes. I think it’s a win-win for everyone. It’s a good-news story because kids are still reading and learning in class, and this is a celebration of that.”

Cousins also emphasized the importance of the books in supporting students’ education.

“Many of these books address issues that may have been overlooked in the past, like Japanese internment. Some are more advanced, and teachers may select them to spark discussion on relevant topics. One book this year features an Indigenous girl who’s a boxer and a maker. It’s important for kids to engage with characters they can relate to.”

Winners of this year’s Battle of the Books are:

• First place: Vanway 1

• Second place: Malaspina 2

• Third place: Tie between Lac des Bois 1 and Morfee 1

Drivers build mini-stock cars out of collector’s parts

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

“I’m going to get rid of some — there’s some that I don’t need to keep anymore, and I’ll get scrap metal price for them,” he said. “But there are ones I want to keep. I don’t want to throw away all these old trucks, because you can’t go to the auto wreckers and find parts for them anymore. They’re not there anymore. I spent money collecting them — $500 for that one, $400 for that one, on and on — and now I’m supposed to just crush them?”

Given the loading restrictions and

logistical challenges involved in moving more than 100 vehicles, the court has granted Standers additional time to comply with the order, provided he continues to show consistent progress.

Standers isn’t the only one frustrated with the court’s decision. Friends and local residents have launched a petition asking the court to reconsider. The petition has garnered more than 500 signatures, something Standers said he didn’t expect.

“I was pretty surprised at that many people signing,” he said. “There were

people I didn’t even know who signed it. I also got a lot of publicity from the racetrack because I used to race a car. I was out there for like 20-something years racing.”

A lifelong motorsport enthusiast, Standers is still involved in local racing and helps young drivers source parts.

“I started racing at PGARA when I was 15 years old,” he said. “I raced a lot of hit-to-pass and won a few of them. I was a points champion in 2007 in street stocks and runner-up quite a few times. I’ve got a bunch of these Cavaliers and

stuff for mini-stock racing, and a couple of my friends — one in particular, Aaron Trenholm, he’s got three daughters and they’re all driving mini-stock. I supplied the cars and the parts. They come here to build them and everything.

“But I’m deemed a criminal for that. I’m just trying to give back. Those kids could be downtown doing drugs and getting in trouble, but instead they’re out there having fun on the track, and we’re supporting it.”

Standers estimates it will take until the end of summer to remove all the vehicles from his property.

The Vanway 1 team members were declared the winners of the 2025 Battle of the Books. From left to right: Desmond, Mason and Ryker.

Graduate goes from math teacher to family doctor

She’s one of 29 new physicians from the Northern Medical School class of ’25

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Michaela Kelly’s background as a math teacher should serve her well now that she’s a medical doctor.

Her brain is wired to solve problems, crunch numbers, and work out formulas — skills that will undoubtedly come in handy when tracking a patient’s statistics or calculating the correct prescription dosage.

After four years as a student in UBC’s Northern Medical Program (NMP) at UNBC, Thursday marked graduation day, a proud moment for Kelly, her parents from Kamloops, and her partner, who were there at the UNBC Agora to watch the ceremony.

Twenty-nine NMP grads, dressed in their white coats, received engraved wooden shingles featuring the abbreviated title “Dr.” next to their names.

“It’s an incredible feeling. I’m just so grateful to have had the opportunity to go through the past four years — and also grateful to be on the other side of it, looking forward to what’s next,” said Kelly.

“When we first started, they told us that the days would feel long but the years would feel short, and I think that’s really true.

“I’m still early in my career, and I have a lot more to learn, but I’m really grateful to be in this profession, for sure.”

Kelly started medical school at age 30, after several years of teaching math at an alternative school in Kamloops. Her only prior healthcare experience was working as a doula, helping with childbirth.

Now, with her medical license in

hand, she’s looking forward to helping bring babies into the world, part of her new role as a family physician in Hazelton.

For the next two years, Kelly will complete her residency in the Rural Immersion Program, which focuses on attracting more doctors to smaller communities in northern BC — places where physicians aren’t confined to just one area of medicine.

“I really love the broad scope that’s possible for rural family doctors,” she said. “You work in emergency, in the clinic, care for in-patients in the hospital, deliver babies — it’s kind of the full spectrum, from newborns to end-of-life care.

“I’ve learned a bit about who I’ll be learning from in Hazelton, and I’m just very excited to have the chance to work with them. In rural immersion residency in particular, you work quite closely with family doctors. In some other family medicine residencies, you also work with specialists, which is great training, but I’m especially excited to dive into working with family physicians.”

Third- and fourth-year NMP students complete clinical assignments at UHNBC or in hospitals across BC. Kelly spent time in Quesnel, an experience that piqued her interest in rural medicine.

here, and the number of seats is quite small.”

“In family medicine, they’re still learners working under supervision, but they’re now practicing as licensed physicians. Typically, they’ll spend time in hospitals, extending their knowledge and learning about the fundamentals of health care across various specialties.”

“They’ll also spend time throughout their residency working alongside experienced family doctors. Many will do an additional year, depending on their interests and the needs of the communities they want to serve.”

“I’m just excited to care for people in some of their most vulnerable moments and to be a supportive presence in their lives. I love being in the hospital in the middle of the night,” she said. “There’s something really special about it.”

Her third year of medical school was likely the most challenging.

“Everything is new all the time,” Kelly said. “When we started clinical work in third year, every couple of weeks you’re starting a new job, and everything is new all day. It’s really exciting but also really tiring, doing new stuff all day long.”

This year’s class marks the 18th cohort of graduates since the Northern Medical Program’s first in 2008. All members of the Class of 2025 have secured placements to begin working as doctors. Sixteen (55 per cent) are entering family medicine residencies, and 13 plan to become specialists. Three NMP students who haven’t yet completed the program are expected to graduate later this year.

“At least five will be staying in the North,” said Dr. Paul Winwood, regional associate dean for Northern BC with UBC’s Faculty of Medicine.

“But you have to appreciate that opportunities for residency training are limited in northern BC, because many types of residencies just aren’t available

As of the 2023-24 intake, the province expanded NMP capacity from 32 to 40 seats. B.C.’s total annual intake, including students at UNBC, UBC, and UBC Okanagan, was increased from 288 to 328.

Since the first NMP graduating class, nearly 30 per cent of grads have settled into long-term practice in northern B.C. or the Yukon. Another 65 per cent are working in smaller cities or rural communities.

Most specialist-based training positions are not available in the North, and with 45 per cent of NMP grads, on average, pursuing specialties, many end up training — and often staying — elsewhere.

However, since 2008, 27 NMP grads who completed specialist training elsewhere have returned to work in northern BC, and Winwood noted that four or five return each year.

This year’s 13 aspiring specialists have secured placements in emergency medicine, internal medicine, psychiatry, radiation oncology, anesthesia, obstetrics and gynecology, and neurology.

“It’s a pretty broad spread, and we’re quite proud of that,” said Winwood. “Our grads over the years have gone into just about every specialty imaginable, and we’ve really covered the full range.”

“You have to remember that there aren’t many specialist positions in the North, and specialist training can take up to seven years after graduation.”

UNBC PHOTO

The Northern Medical Program class of 2025 poses for a photo at their informal graduation cermony at the UNBC agora on Thursday, April 17. The formal convocation is set for May 21 in Vancouver.

Kelly

Art Batle puts talented artsts up against the clock

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

When people think about artists painting on big canvases they might consider that a peaceful endeavour.

Not so for the 12 who dare to dive into the frenetic energy of the Community Arts Council’s Art Battle that will throw artists into three rounds of art making

before taking it to the finale.

It all happens Friday, May 3 at Knox Performance Centre, running from 6:3010:30 p.m.

Each round sees a group of artists create surprisingly complex pieces in lightning quick 20-minute bursts where People’s Choice will ultimately reign supreme.

Added into the fray is an intense

musical beat as onlookers watch every brush stroke.

Once the contest is over the artwork goes up for silent auction so audience members can take home the treasures created right before their eyes.

“Art Battle is live competitive painting,” said Lisa Redpath, program manager, Community Arts Council Prince George & District.

“This is not new to Prince George — this is our 14th annual and we have 12 amazing artists signed up for the event.”

The list includes Raquel Pokiak, Diane Levesque, Kinte Jackson, Sarah, Chancey Hall, Nikko, Komfort Kristy Wiafe, Lazor, Nigel Fox, Dena lazarenko, Daisy Pipowski and Karen Erickson. (Names are stated as requested by the artists.)

“We are certainly looking forward to hosting and there’s a $500 cash prize for the People’s Choice,” Redpath said.

What’s unique about this event is that the audience gets to decide who wins.

“So they choose the winner of each round who then goes into the final and then they choose the ultimate winner,” Redpath said.

“As many years as I have done this event it’s still amazing to me when I see the stunning images being created and it’s always nice to see who the winner is at the end. Sometimes it’s a surprise and sometimes it’s not. Usually we can see what image really resonates with the audience. There’s loud music and the people who come to watch the Art Battle slowly move around to all the artists and they are really encouraging and very serious about their decision and are really celebrating our local artists’ community and it’s a fun, social event.”

For more information and tickets visit www.eventbrite.com/e/ art-battle-prince-george.

MICHAEL

Chancey Hall won the Prince George Art Battle in 2023. She’s back for this year’s three-round, high-speed art making competition that goes Friday, May 2 at Knox Performance Centre.

Grant applicatons open for Chad Staley Memorial fund

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

The Prince George Community Foundation (PGCF) has announced it is now accepting grant applications for the Chad Staley Memorial Development Fund.

Chad Staley was a former Prince George Cougars player who died after unknowingly ingesting a pill laced with fentanyl.

The pill had been given to him by a friend to manage pain from an injury sustained during a game.

Launched in partnership with the PGCF, the fund was recently established by the Chad Staley Memorial Foundation to mark the fifth anniversary of Staley’s passing. It aims to support young athletes and local sports organizations across Prince George by helping them overcome challenges, pursue their

e play set to open at heatre orth est

Ivy Hoffbauer (seated), actor Kathryn Kerbes, explains to Doris Mooney, actor Julia Mackey, how things are for her in Canadian playwright Norm Foster’s Doris and Ivy In The Home during rehearsal Thursday, April 17. The play, set in a Canmore, Alberta senior living facility follows Doris, Ivy and Arthur as they explore the challenges and joys of life that presents. Director Mark Bellamy, who grew up in Alberta and knows the community well, expressed how the play focuses on the trio in their 60s and 70s dealing with friendship, love and humour as they transition into a new phase of their lives. The play opens Thursday, April 24 and runs until Wednesday, May 14. For more information or tickets visit: Theatre NorthWest/ Upcoming Events.

goals and grow into well-rounded individuals.

The fund is built on five core pillars that reflect the values Staley demonstrated throughout his life: prioritizing health, developing athletes, promoting well-being, providing access and empowering academics.

“While rooted in athletics, the fund is designed to support athletes beyond the game,” said Jaymes Pattie, president of the Chad Staley Memorial Foundation. “By providing consistent, individualized support to both athletes and local sport organizations, we aim to build well-rounded funding streams that nurture performance, academics and overall health and well-being.”

Pattie added in a news release that Staley’s friends and family are deeply grateful for the community support that has brought the fund to life.

“Every dollar contributed has made a difference in helping us give back in Chad’s name,” he said. “We’re especially grateful to Selen Alpay, whose extraordinary generosity as the first official donor to the Chad Staley Memorial Development Fund made it possible to launch this grant program so quickly.”

Grants will be available to athletes up to age 24, as well as to local sport organizations that demonstrate financial need or face barriers to participation.

Eligible expenses include coaching and training, equipment, competition fees and travel, mental health counselling, academic tutoring, inclusive program access and more.

Individual athletes may apply for grants ranging from $250 to $2,000.

Larger sport organizations can apply for up to $5,000.

Final grant amounts will vary based on each application, demonstrated need and available funds.

To apply, individuals or sport organizations must complete an online application and submit a short personal statement outlining their goals, challenges and how the funding will support their growth.

A letter of support from a coach, teacher, mentor or guardian is also requested to assist in the selection process.

Applications are now open and will be accepted until May 15, 2025. Successful applicants will be notified by June 30.

To learn more about the Chad Staley Memorial Development Fund, apply for a grant or make a donation to support the fund’s long-term impact, visit the PGCF website, www.pgcf.ca.

Staley

international award-winning choir Nove Voce presents Birdsong at Knox Performance Centre on Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m.

Listening for Birdsong at Knox Performance Centre

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Paying homage to our fine-feathered friends, international award-winning choir Nove Voce presents Birdsong at Knox Performance Centre on Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m.

Performing music featuring bird names and sounds Nove Voce will showcase an all-Canadian program with the only exception being the famous Beatles song Blackbird

Featured composers include Laura Hawley from Edmonton, Don Macdonald from Nelson and Stephen Hatfield from Vancouver Island.

The pieces range in style and genre from the hauntingly beautiful Stone and Sand and Sea and Sky by the Rose Vaughn Trio to the super fun and spicy Las Amarillas, a Mexican folksong about the Calandrias (mockingbirds).

Four pieces, including Kingfisher, Magpie, Raven and Wren will be premiered in the North during the concert.

These were all part of a commission by Elektra Women’s choir and are based on Robert McFarlane’s poetry in his book The Lost Words.

These poems are all based on words depicting nature that were removed from the Oxford Junior dictionary because children did not use them any more.

These were replaced with words like attachment, blog, broadband, cut-and-paste and voicemail in what seemed a powerful statement that the great outdoors was being displaced by the indoors and virtual realm demonstrating the increasing divide between childhood and the natural world.

During Birdsong several guest artists will be showcased including, Maureen Nielsen on piano, Jose Delgado on violin, Anna Scarpino on flute and piccolo, Paul Mulligan on clarinet and Naomi Kavka on cello.

Tickets are available by visiting www. eventbrite.ca/e/birdsong-tickets.

PRINCE GEORGE GOLF AND CURLING CLUB LTD.

NOTICE OF 2025 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2025 Annual General Meetng of the members of Prince George Golf and Curling Club Ltd. will be held as follows:

DATE OF MEETING: Thursday, the 15th day of May 2025

TIME OF MEETING: at 7:00 P.M.

LOCATION OF MEETING: the meetng will be held at the Club House of the Prince George Golf and Curling Club, 2601 Recplace Dr. Prince George, B.C.

The purpose of the meetng is as follows:

1. To receive and consider the report of the Directors to the members and the consolidated fnancial statements of the Limited Company for the 12-month period ended November 30, 2024 and the auditors’ report thereon;

2. To elect directors for the ensuing year (either by single resoluton or separate votes, as determined at the meetng);

3. To appoint auditors for the ensuing year, and authorize the Directors to fx the remuneraton of same;

4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meetng, or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

MEMBERS WHO ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON AND WHO WISH TO ENSURE THAT THEIR VOTE WILL BE COUNTED AT THE MEETING ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN A FORM OF PROXY. A PROXY WILL NOT BE VALID UNLESS IT IS DEPOSITED AT THE ADDRESS OF THE OFFICE OF THE COMPANY AT 2601 RECPLACE, PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. V2N 0G2 NOT LESS THAN TWENTY-FOUR (24) HOURS (EXCLUDING SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS, AND HOLIDAYS) BEFORE THE TIME FIXED FOR THE MEETING OR IS DEPOSITED WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MEETING ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE MEETING.

DATED in the City of Prince George, B.C. this 14th, day of April 2025.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRINCE GEORGE GOLF AND CURLING CLUB LTD.

Per: Dan Martn, PRESIDENT

Here’s how the BC Old Time Fiddlers got their start

Jim Dow has been there since the beginning, 57 years ago in Prince George

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Jim Dow, 91, is one of the founding members of the BC Old Time Fiddlers, Branch No. 1, which got its start 57 years ago in Prince George.

The branch will celebrate the milestone during the eighth annual Spring Jamboree, a three-day event running Friday, May 2, to Sunday, May 4.

Dow is a guitar player who rounds out the group’s sound, which includes fiddle, guitar and piano players who gather weekly for jam sessions and host monthly family dances.

In 1968, the original founders, along with Dow, included Max Sexsmith, Bob Montgomery, Norm Dalgleish, Bill Robertson, Stan Pruden and Jules Morin.

“In the early years, there were a number of very good musicians in town here. Everyone played in their own homes and never really got together, so we decided if we could form a little association or a club, we could get four or five people together at one time. And thank God for people who had big houses back then, because people started bringing their wives and people started dancing,” Dow said with a laugh.

The group went on to form an association with a board and constitution, holding its first competition in 1970. When the provincial BC Old Time Fiddlers organization was formed in 1978, the Prince George group became known as Branch No. 1.

As the group grew, they began renting half the hall above the old South Fort George Firehall, Dow recalled. Then, because the dances were so popular, they rented the entire space — until they eventually outgrew it. The dances were moved to St. Mary’s on Gillett Street.

“Back then, we would hold our fiddle contests at the same time as the dances,” Dow said.

“We would bring in top-notch fiddle

Jim Dow, 91, is one of the founding members of the BC Old Time Fiddlers Branch No. 1 in Prince George. The group is celebrating its 57th year during the Spring Jamboree from May 2 to 4.

players like Al Cherney as a guest artist — and he came three different times. Then we got Graham Townsend to come in, and some of the musicians were afraid to play in front of these guys, but I would say, ‘They’re just human beings,’ and we’d get on with it.”

Dow’s love of music started at home.

“My dad, Bob, played in a Scottish pipe band since he was small, in the Lethbridge area, and my mother, Mary, was Scottish and a Highland dancer,” Dow said.

Through their love of music, Bob and Mary met in 1926 and married in 1928.

The couple moved to southeastern Saskatchewan and bought a farm, where Dow was born in 1934.

When the dry years came, they moved north to the Nipawin area, where there was wood and water, making farming easier. That’s where Dow was raised.

Eventualy, his father moved on to a different instrument — the button accordion — and would play at Dow’s monthly school dances. One day, he

around, so Dow spent much of his free time playing music.

When he moved to Prince George, he often listened to Max Sexsmith’s Friday night radio spot.

“Max was just a musical god in our estimation,” Dow said.

“He was so good. So when I came to town, I got to know him. He lived in South Fort George, and on the same lot as his house, there was a pool room. The tables were all gone, so we’d play music, and people would come in there and dance. That was kind of the start of it. There were so many good musicians — that’s when we decided to get something going here.”

Still going strong, the weekly jams now attract between 25 and 30 people. The monthly dances have transitioned from adults-only to family-friendly, and the 67-member BC Old Time Fiddlers also offer lessons to youth interested in music.

Members of the group also play in the Elks Elastic Band, formed 50 years ago.

asked his son to help round out the band.

“My uncle brought a guitar for me from Edmonton in 1944,” Dow recalled. “It was an old Palm Beach guitar, and he showed me a few chords. My dad would be reading the newspaper and tell me, ‘Jim, hang that thing on the wall—give it a rest.’ But I was so intrigued with it I just had to play.”

Dow eventually joined his dad and a piano player at the school dances.

“And that’s how I got started,” Dow said. “There was a fiddle player in the area who would join us at the dances, and that’s how I learned fiddle music. I was about 12 years old.”

In 1951, Dow came to Prince George to work in a mill at West Lake in the winter, returning to the family farm in the summer for three or four years, he said.

“And then finally, I just stayed here,” he said. “I went down to Lillooet and got a job on the railway in 1956, and it was a pretty good job. I was a locomotive engineer on the PG line for 43 years.”

There were always other musicians

“It’s called the Elastic Band because sometimes we’ll have five people on stage, and other times we’ll have 10,” Dow said with a chuckle. “We go out into the community to entertain people. When we go into seniors’ care homes, we do that as volunteers. We do that quite often, at least once a week, sometimes twice. We also get paid playouts, as we call them, and we still do a lot of those. We’re pretty popular.”

The Spring Jamboree celebration includes a family dance on Friday night and two days of workshops for fiddle, guitar and banjo on Saturday and Sunday.

The weekend culminates with a concert by three-time Canadian Grand Masters fiddle champion Mark Sullivan, who performs Saturday night at the Knox Performance Centre in downtown Prince George.

For more information and tickets, visit: https://bcfiddlers. com/branches/prince-george/ pg-workshop-and-concert.

Editor’s note: Norm Dalgleish was reporter Christine Dalgleish’s father-in-law.

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

Wetlands are hidden gems for outdoor recreaton

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Lakes, rivers, streams, forests, parks and hiking trails are often top destinations for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors.

But wetlands should also be considered a destination for nature lovers — especially for those interested in birdwatching, photography and hiking.

Across BC.’s Interior, one of the closest wetlands to explore near Prince George is Shesta Lake, located west of the city.

For those willing to venture farther, Ducks Unlimited Canada recommends the 100 Mile Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary and the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area as notable wetland destinations.

These unique ecosystems support diverse wildlife, filter water and help regulate the climate — yet they remain lesser-known outdoor gems.

“We’ve lost a lot of our wetlands due to industry, agriculture and urbanization,” said Katie Mitchell, a conservation biologist with Ducks Unlimited Canada based in Fort St. John.

“Wetlands are any sort of area that is saturated for a good portion of the year. The main difference between wetlands and a lake is usually based on the aquatic plants that live there and the water depth. Wetlands are incredibly valuable because they’re a huge biodiversity hot spot. They provide homes to many threatened and endangered species.”

In addition to supporting biodiversity, wetlands also provide ecosystem services such as flood and drought control, climate change mitigation and wildfire risk reduction, Mitchell noted.

“They also filter water and store carbon,” she said.

Wetlands are also important habitats for many animals and plants, and offer a wealth of recreational and cultural benefits.

“They provide food and medicine for many First Nations, and they offer tons of recreational opportunities,” Mitchell said. “The list goes on and on for the

reasons wetlands are so valuable.”

There are five different types of wetlands: shallow open water, marsh, swamp, fen and bog. Wetlands can be classified as either mineral or organic based on their soil composition.

“Shallow open water, marshes and swamps are considered mineral wetlands because of the soil type,” Mitchell explained. “Fens and bogs are organic wetlands. They’re especially good at storing large amounts of carbon and have very thick layers of peat.”

Recognizing the type of wetland by sight can be challenging.

“If you’re looking at the landscape, it can be hard to tell whether something is a fen or a type of marsh,” she said. “From the outside, they often look the same — usually full of sedges, which are grass-like plants. If you see a meadow of aquatic sedges, it could be either a marsh or a fen, depending on its soil

onto the Pelican Forest Service Road. The site is located at the 6-km marker. A picnic site is also available at the 8-km point, at the other end of the lake.

Shesta Lake is a partnership between Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Province of BC Ducks Unlimited has been at the forefront of wetland conservation for more than 85 years, helping protect and restore wetland ecosystems while ensuring they remain accessible for locals and visitors.

“Because of this partnership, Shesta Lake is a rec site, and as a recreational site, it has camping opportunities, picnic tables and toilets — so it’s a great place for recreation,” Mitchell said.

“No matter which wetland you go to, there are going to be amazing paddling opportunities. I believe the best way to experience a wetland is with a kayak, canoe or paddleboard. You can really explore that way. One of the best things is paddling through cattail channels with lots of twists and turns—that gives you a chance to see so much wildlife. There’s nothing like turning a corner and coming upon a group of ducks, where you can quietly sit and observe. To me, paddling is the most exciting recreational opportunity in a wetland.”

content.”

There is also a distinction between lakes and shallow open water, Mitchell added.

“A body of water may have a lake environment in the centre, a shallow open water ring around that, and a marsh surrounding the whole thing,” she said. “The difference is based on water depth and the types of plants that grow there.”

She smiled and added, “We’ve gotten very into the weeds — literally.”

Shesta Lake: Plenty to discover at this wetland close to home

Shesta Lake is a wetland near Prince George that’s open for public enjoyment.

To get there, travel nine kilometres west of Prince George from the Hwy 97/16 junction, turn left onto Blackwater Road, proceed 21 km, then turn right

There are also birdwatching and fishing opportunities, she added.

“At Shesta Lake, there’s fishing because it’s part of a wetland complex,” Mitchell explained. “There’s a lake environment in the centre, with wetland habitat on its edges and sides. And there are hiking trails too. Some lead upstream from the lake to another wetland, and others go downstream, where you can walk through the forest and see how the habitat changes.”

Mitchell emphasized the importance of connecting with nature and understanding the value of wetlands.

“The biggest thing is to get out into your local wetlands and try to learn more about them,” she said. “Reaching out to ask questions and advocating for the protection of wetlands — those are all meaningful things people can do.”

For more information about wetlands, visit Ducks Unlimited Canada at www. ducks.ca.

BC PARKS PHOTO

Shesta Lake is located west of Prince George and has a recreational site to make it more visitor-friendly.

Throwback Thursday: Week of April 24

and other children from the

April 24, 1998: ‘Mayor’ James Loxton and ‘Councillor’ Samantha Goch take part in a student city council session at city hall. Eleven high schoolers took the seats normally used by mayor and council and discussed issues affecting Prince George, including school smoking policy and a motion about a teen nightclub for a downtown hotel. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY

April 24, 1987: Blake Brent’s robot B-2000 was one of the stars of the Central Interior Science Exhibiton at Pine Centre Mall. The Grade 9 students from Lakewood Jr. Secondary was one of 250 from throughout the region taking part, with four winners eventually chosen to go to the nationals in Mississauga, Ont. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY

DAVE MILNE

April 23, 1968: A warning to school vandals: Big Brother is listening. Big Brother was an electric vandal-catcher at RCMP headquarters in Prince George, wired to pick up the slightest sound made in local school buildings at night so police could check out the situation. It was expected to be connected to 27 local schools. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY

April 23, 2015: Maria Nicklie, 4,

UNBC Daycare help clean up the grounds for Earth Day. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN

DAVE LOOY

DAVE MILNE

A doctor’s note is no longer required for sick days

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Recent changes to the Employment Standards Act have removed the need for workers to get sick notes for shortterm absences from work.

Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside has introduced Bill 11, amending the Employment Standards Act.

This was done to help alleviate the bureaucratic burden on BC’s healthcare practitioners by clarifying when sick notes can be requested by employers, the ministry announced Tuesday, April 15.

“When you’re sick, the last thing you should have to do is go to your

doctor or a medical clinic in order to get a piece of paper saying you’re sick,” Whiteside said.

“Not only is that difficult for a sick person to do, but it doesn’t help you get better any faster or prevent the spread of illness.”

The act currently allows employers to request “reasonably sufficient proof” that an employee is sick.

The changes ushered in by Whiteside will clarify that employers can’t request, and employees are not required to provide, a sick note written by any medical practitioner, at least in the short term.

“We’ve heard clearly from doctors around the province that unnecessary

paperwork robs them of valuable time to see their patients,” said Health Minister Josie Osborne.

“Eliminating sick notes for short-term absences is just one of the actions we are taking to cut administrative burden, make our system more efficient, and free up health professionals to focus on what they do best — providing care to British Columbians.”

Regulations are currently being established with stakeholders to define how many days is considered a short-term absence and how often an employee may be absent before their employer can request a formal sick note.

The regulation will be implemented

before respiratory illness season in fall 2025.

As well as removing the need for short-term sick notes, the regulation update includes replacing fax and paper-based processes with digital systems, streamlining referral processes, consolidating and standardizing forms and improving information-sharing between providers, the province’s announcement states.

The Canadian Medical Association estimates that in 2024, BC doctors wrote approximately 1.6 million sick notes, and estimates that physicians across Canada spend between 10 and 19 hours each week on paperwork, including sick notes.

Recruitment co-ordinator supports staf in Burns Lake

HOLLY HUGHES

Northern Health

Burns Lake, a picturesque community nestled in the heart of the Lakes District, has recently introduced a new position aimed at bolstering the recruitment and retention of health care and medical staff.

This initiative, funded by the Village of Burns Lake, the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako (Areas B and E), and the Northern Interior Rural Division of Family Practice, in collaboration with Northern Health, is led by a dedicated local resident who brings a deep connection to the town and its people.

Born and raised in Burns Lake, Teri Cutsforth is passionate about welcoming newcomers to the community and ensuring their transition is as smooth as possible in her new role as health care recruitment co-ordinator.

With a focus on making new residents feel at home, she offers a range of services to support their integration into the area.

This includes identifying suitable housing, helping spouses explore employment opportunities, providing information on education and childcare, offering town tours, and connecting new community members with groups that

share similar interests.

Cutsforth emphasizes the importance of small gestures in making newcomers feel settled and safe.

Introducing new residents to their neighbours, showing them where locals eat, shop, and get their oil changes, and providing contacts for local handymen,

electricians and snow-plow services are all part of the personalized support offered.

Relocating to Burns Lake promises a slower, more balanced lifestyle with affordable living and easy access to outdoor adventures.

Cutsforth’s personal motivation for taking on this role stems from a desire to ensure local, dependable, stable, and quality health care for the community she cares about deeply.

As a parent to three young daughters and a spouse to someone also born and raised in Burns Lake, she is deeply rooted in the community.

Their family, which includes four dogs, a cat, and chickens, enjoys the natural beauty of the Lakes District.

The children ski, dance, horseback ride, and spend their summers exploring the lakes and trails.

As a family, they also love river and ocean fishing, appreciating the accessibility of these activities from Burns Lake.

This new position began March 1 and will be in place for a year.

It is a testament to the community’s commitment to fostering a welcoming environment for health care professionals and ensuring the well-being of its residents.

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

Teri Cutsforth is Burns Lake’s new health care recruitment co-ordinator.

There are digital health tools for your pregnancy

HealthElife and myhealthkey can help you on your journey

HAYLEE SEITER-GILL

Northern Health

Are you expecting a baby? Digital health tools like HealthElife and myhealthkey can help support you through your pregnancy journey.

This past fall, when my partner and I found out we were expecting, we were over the moon! But that excitement quickly came with an overwhelming flood of information. Fortunately, I already knew about some helpful digital health tools that could make navigating pregnancy a bit easier.

Now that I’m more than halfway through my pregnancy, here are two Northern Health digital tools I’ve been using — and loving — so far.

HealthElife: View ultrasound reports and book lab appointments

I use HealthElife to securely access my electronic health records online — right from my phone. I can view my ultrasound reports and lab (bloodwork) results anytime, which gives me peace of mind and helps me stay informed.

Pro tip: If you’re keeping the sex of your baby a surprise, don’t look at your anatomy ultrasound report! Thankfully, a colleague warned me in advance — and my ultrasound technologist confirmed it.

If the baby’s sex is visible during the detailed ultrasound, it will be documented so they can check for certain conditions. For instance, kidney development is monitored more closely in male fetuses. Who knew?

I also use HealthElife to conveniently book my Northern Health lab appointments online — no phone calls, no waiting on hold. Just a few taps and I’m all set!

Book appointments and share information securely with myhealthkey

If your doctor or nurse practitioner uses myhealthkey, I definitely recommend signing up.

This tool not only gives you access to your health record, but it also allows you to communicate directly with your health care provider.

In my case, my doctor’s office had to sign me up — but once they did, I could view upcoming appointments and receive reminders on my phone.

One day, my doctor needed to update my lab requisition. Rather than making a trip to the office to pick up paperwork, they simply uploaded the new form to my myhealthkey account.

I downloaded and printed it at home — saving time, gas, and hassle. Win-win!

Looking ahead: Using these tools postpartum

HealthElife and myhealthkey have made a big difference in my pregnancy so far.

I plan to keep using them throughout the rest of my pregnancy and into postpartum care. And now that children 11 and under can have their own HealthElife accounts, I’ll be signing up my baby once they’re born. It’ll help me stay informed and on top of their health from day one.

If you’re interested, you can learn how to sign up your child on the Northern Health website.

Final thoughts I hope sharing my experience helps other expecting parents out there. There’s so much to learn and manage during pregnancy — but these tools can make a real difference.

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

Are you expecting a baby? Digital health tools like HealthElife and myhealthkey, pictured at right, can help during your pregnancy journey.

Local Sports Timberwolves welcome College Heights trio

Lorenn Cacares, Kayleigh Kennedy and Summer Toor are headed to UNBC

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

From College Heights to Cranbrook Hill, the UNBC connection has snagged not just one but three of the city’s top graduating high school girls basketball players for next season.

Longtime teammates and forever friends Lorenn Cacares, Kayleigh Kennedy and Summer Toor are well on their way to transforming from Cougars to Timberwolves as they prepare to make the jump to U SPORTS basketball next season in the Canada West Conference.

Caceres and Kennedy started playing together nine years ago as Grade 3 students in minor and club basketball in Prince George. Toor came into the picture three years later after she quit competitive hockey. They’ve been inseparable ever since and now they’re about to become varsity student athletes at UNBC.

Never before in the UNBC’s 13-season Canada West history has either TWolves basketball team recruited three players from the same school.

“It’s pretty exciting for us because we’re all close friends too,” said Caceres, who will study biomedical science. “We’ve been playing together for so many years and ow to play for another five years together is really exciting.”

The three College Heights girls will bring the local content on the UNBC women’s basketball team up to five players, with former Duchess Park Condor Sophia Fuller heading into her third year and ex-Condor forward/guard Brynn Dergousoff focused on her sophomore season.

As a young girl, Kennedy attended TWolves games at the Northern Sport

Centre and she learned from UNBC players and head coach Sergey Shchepotkin at the Junior Timberwolves Academy, which inspired her to stick with the game.

“I’m excited to push myself to go to a higher level and it’s also really special to me because when we played Timberwolves when we were younger I would always look up to the older girls who played in the team,” said Kennedy.

“Sergey would watch us and he’s been coaching us since Grade 3.”

Kennedy, an aspiring pediatrician, has already taken two courses at UNBC, knowing her course load will be heavy in her first year.

Toor transferred from Duchess Park to College Heights in Grade 9 and all three made the Cougars senior team

that year, where they were pushed out of their comfort zone facing playing for a powerful team led by Fuller and Rachel Louckes that ended up fifth in the province among triple-A teams.

“It was good, I didn’t get the junior experience but obviously senior is better,” said Toor, whose mother, Arminder Chatta, played basketball at PGSS and the College of New Caledonia.

Toor is entering the business program with plans to eventually study law.

While their high school team was shut down during the winter of 2020-21, they trained together at Northern Bounce Academy at the PG Dome.

“I think that was kind of like the first time I was playing ‘good’ basketball just because COVID happened around

Grade 7 and we never got the tournament experience until provincials that year,” said Caceres. “That was our first travel tournament. We didn’t get a chance to play at all in Grade 8 (because of the pandemic).”

They certainly made up for it. After their first trip to the triple-A tournament College Heights qualified for the provincials the next three years as well.

Caceres, who will major in biomedical science, said girls basketball in the city has grown substantially in popularity and in calibre since their Grade 9 year, spurred by some close battles between College Heights and Duchess Park and the opportunity to play year-round basketball at Northern Bounce.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

After four consecutive appearances representing the North Central zone at the triple-A girls provincial basketball championship, graduating College Heights Cougars veterans, from left, Kayleigh Kennedy, Summer Toor and Lorenn Caceres have been recruited to the UNBC Timberwolves next season.

Cedars graduate Kibonge signs on for UNBC basketball

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

The UNBC Timberwolves are adding some local experience to their backcourt for the 2025-26 season.

Head coach Todd Jordan announced that sharpshooting guard Tony Kibonge has committed to UNBC.

The six-foot graduate from Cedars Christian School joins the TWolves after playing the previous three seasons with Northwestern Polytechnic (Grande Prairie, ACAC).

“UNBC is just a good fit for me,” said Kibonge, who averaged 13.6 pointsper-game along with 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and a 36.0 percentage from beyond the arc last season while also capturing the Men’s Basketball Academic Award for his team.

“Academically it helps me pursue my goals of trying to be a physiotherapist. Then also it’s nice to be in a familiar environment back in the city where I grew up.”

Kibonge will be entering UNBC’s

Tony Kibonge of the Cedars Christian Eagles cuts to the net in the City League final in February 2022 against the Duchess Park Condors.

biomedical studies program in the fall.

Kibonge grew up attending UNBC Timberwolves camps while also attending the Northern Bounce Academy where he was coached by Jordan Yu and UNBC Timberwolves alumnus Tyrell Laing.

When choosing his next basketball home, Kibonge’s comfort level with coach Jordan also played a role.

“I’m familiar with coach Todd, which has been nice,” said Kibonge, who took to the floor with his new teammates during a visit in mid-March.

“Just coming back here and seeing the way this team runs and the kind of culture they have, it says a lot about him. These guys are a tight-knit group. The way they play is unselfish and

there’s lots of ball movement. It makes the game a lot more fun and easier.”

Jordan says Kibonge’s progress as an everyday player in the Alberta college league since he left high school is obvious and his skills as an outside shooter will ease his adjustment to U SPORTS basketball.

As he begins to train and prepare for next season, Kibonge knows exactly what he wants to zero in on.

“For training this summer, the big things for me are getting my ball-handling right, and adding strength,” he said.

“Canada West is going to be a more physical league with bigger, longer defences and I want to make sure I’m prepared as best as possible.”

Putting the jersey on will be a full-circle moment,” added Kibonge, who lists Trae Young, James Harden and Shae Gilgeous-Alexander as his current favourite NBA players to watch. “I grew up here, left, and now I’m back as a more improved player, and I’m so excited and grateful for the opportunity.”

UNBC recruits three from same high school for frst tme

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37

Although the start of the 2025-26 season is still six months away they’ve started practicing with their UNBC teammates. All three College Heights recruits know there’s a steep learning curve ahead of them.

“We have to work on our quickness, the game is more physical and more quick than what we’re used to playing at the high school level,” said Caceres. “We’re not very big, so we’ll have to work on that, and we have to mesh with the team. It’s a young team.”

Jordan Yu started teaching the game to the girls nearly eight years ago not long after he started Northern Bounce Academy in 2017 and he was their coach again last spring on the Prince George U-17 girls team that finished third at club national championship. He’s ecstatic that they are getting an opportunity to jump to U SPORTS

basketball without having to leave the city.

“We started working with these girls when they were in elementary school and to look back at the photos and see the growth, you watch them grow from little kids to graduating student-athletes and it’s pretty awesome to see them get to this level,” said Yu.

“It’s amazing to see three girls from the same school now going to our home university school. Selfishly, I’m very happy I’ll get to go watch these girls at home and cheer on the UNBC Timberwolves. I’ve always said, for our teams to really compete at the U SPORTS level we need to keep our homegrown talent.”

All three are guards but play different positions. Yu predicts they will adjust well to the Canada West Conference and will combine to create a dynamic UNBC attack.

“Lorenn is your true point guard, a

superb athlete, great ball-handler, also a great mid-range pull-up jumper and vision, she sets up everyone on her team,” said Yu. “She was the driving force behind the College Heights team this year. She’s capable of 32 or 34 points a game.

“At the 2 guard position is Summer, and that’s what she thrives on, shooting the basketball,” he said. “When she gets going it’s pretty deadly. She looks for her outside shot a lot. She will space the floor for that UNBC girls team and probably create core driving lanes because girls will have to guard her outside the three-point line.

“Kayleigh is your typical 3, she’s longer than the other two (she stands fivefoot-eight), she gets up the floor really well and is a great transition player. She’s more of a slashing player but she also has a great three-point shot. She’s really gained some confidence on the floor.”

CIRO CACARES PHOTO

From left, Kayleigh Kennedy, Lorenn Caceres and Summer Toor hold the North Central zone triple-A girls basketball championship trophy they won in 2022 playing for the College Heights Cougars.

STEVE WILSON PHOTO

Michael Fogolin Memorial Award goes to Riley Heidt

CITIZEN STAFF

The Prince George Cougars have announced that team captain Riley Heidt has been honored with the 202425 Michael Fogolin Memorial Award.

The prestigious award is presented annually to the player who best exemplifies the Cougars’ values both on and off the ice, as voted on by the team’s members.

Heidt, who delivered a stellar performance this season, led the Cougars in scoring with 90 points (31 goals, 59 assists) over 60 games.

His historic campaign saw him become the first player in franchise history to surpass 300 career points, further cementing his legacy with the

Cougars. The Saskatoon native also set a new record for the Cougars (in Prince George and Vancouver) for career assists, amassing 254 total assists.

Over the course of his WHL career, Heidt, a Minnesota Wild prospect, has accumulated 370 points, including 116 goals and 254 assists.

The Michael Fogolin Memorial Award is named in honour of Michael Fogolin, who tragically passed away at the age of 17 after a suspected heart condition. Michael played 42 games for the Cougars during the 2003-04 season.

He was the son of former NHL defenceman Lee Fogolin, who played for the Edmonton Oilers and Buffalo Sabres.

Riley Heidt fires a shot at the Victoria Royals’ goal in this 2021 photo.

Prince George Special Olympics athletes swim to success

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Eight Special Olympics BC athletes from Prince George along with their coaches travelled to Kelowna to compete in the Special Olympics B.C. Kelowna Swim meet on March 29 at H2O Fitness Centre.

There were swim teams from throughout BC taking part in the one-day competition.

Local athletes have been in training twice a week since October to prepare for the competition and were excited to compete in several events, Wilma VanHage, public relations coordinator, Special Olympics BC Prince George, said in a recent press release.

Three of the eight athletes who attended the meet, Carla Caputo, Dallas Poole and Brooklyn Sherba, already qualified in 2024 for the upcoming Special Olympics BC Summer Games.

This was a great opportunity for the athletes to get more competition experience ahead of the BC Summer Games set for July 10 to 12 in Prince George, VanHage said.

From there they hope to win a spot on the BC team which will allow them to compete at the Special Olympics

are the Prince

on March 29.

National Summer Games being held in Medicine Hat, Alberta, from August 11 to 15, 2026.

Here are the results from the Kelowna Swim Meet:

• Carla Caputo: 3 first place finishes and 4 second place finishes

• Greg Cole: 1 first, 1 second, 2 thirds, 1 sixth place finish

• Ashwinni Cumbamngalam: 1

second, 2 thirds, 3 fourth place finishes

• Dallas Poole: 1 first, 3 seconds, 2 fourth place finishes

• Josh Pudney: 1 first, 2 seconds, 1 third, 2 fourth place finishes

• Spencer Rourke: 1 third place, 2 fourth place, 1 fifth place finish

• Brooklyn Sherba: 2 first, 3 seconds, 1 fifth place finish

• Marinka VanHag: 1 first, 1 second, 1 third, 1 fourth place finish

The 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games to be held in Prince George needs 1,000 volunteers to make it a success for the 1,200 athletes that will compete from July 10 to 12.

For more information and to register visit www.specialolympics.ca/ british-columbia.

Here

George Special Olympics athletes who competed at the Kelowna Swim Meet at H2O Fitness Centre

Solutons

in Classifeds LEARN

Life Events

March 12, 1 0 April 5, 2025

We are devastated to announce the tragic passing of owell e ery Dumonceau on April 5, 2025. owell was born on March 12, 1 0, in ew Westminster, BC, to omeo and Barbara Dumonceau . He grew up in urrey, BC, and mo ed to Prince George in 1 . owell married his high school sweetheart, Grace in 1 82. He had a dedicated 3 year career wor ing for BC el elus, retring in 2015. Afer retring, he de oted himself to caring for his in laws and his grandchildren. owell embraced his role as a grandfather, and occupied his tme e ploring with his grand ids, catching up with friends, and spending as much tme as possible at his happy place, the la e (Clucul a e). owell was a remar able husband, an e traordinary dad, and an e en be er grampa. owell is predeceased by his infant son, hawn oy mother, Barbara Dumonceau mother in law, Carol Ma well and father in law, Herbert Ma well. ur i ed by his lo ing wife of 3 years, Grace his de oted children, auren (Cody) Apps, Adam (Hannah) Dumonceau and his cherished grandchildren, Brynlee and Bentley Apps, and Isabel and oah Dumonceau . He also lea es behind father, omeo (Connie) twin brother, lewellyn (Debbie) siblings Cal in, Di ie ee, Miles, and Desi Dumonceau brother in law hawn Ma well numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and cherished friends both past and present. he family would li e to e tend their hear elt than s to the Clucul a e olunteer ire Department for their ser ice as rst responders. A celebraton of owell’s life will be arranged with the date to be determined.

Henry Herbert Schlitt

October 25, 1933 - March 23, 2025

Herb lef us for his eternal home on March 23, 2025. He is greatly missed by his wife Katherine Margaret, his son Wilfred (Irene), daughter Marie, daughter Dorothy (Kurt), ten grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by sons George and Peter.

Herb’s memorial will be held in Grace Baptst Church in Airdrie Alberta on May 2, 2025 at 10:30am.

Esther Creuzot 1921-2024

Esther Creuzot (Hamblin) was born in Botneau North Dakota in 1921. At the young age of four Esther her parents and siblings arrived in Canada and homesteaded at Leroy Saskatchewan. She took all her schooling in Leroy with the excepton of grade 12 in Botneau.

Returning to Leroy she met the love of her life Henry Creuzot and they were married in 1943. Esther and Henry lived in Vancouver, Mission, and a brief tme in Kelowna before arriving in Prince George in 1951. Together they went into the hospitality business building Grama’s Inn and Esther’s Inn, along with raising their family.

She is the last of her siblings and is predeceased by Sisters; Evelyn, Marion, Lucille, Ethel and Brothers Virgil and Orville. As well, her loving husband Henry and grandson Curts. Lef with fond and loving memories are sons: Gary (Alice) and Roger (Peggy); grandchildren Allen (Tracy), Duaine (Becky), Brian (Shawn), Grant (Kriste), Jason, Todd, Thelma (Lorne) and Donalda (Marty). Several great and great great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank her friends, family, and workers that looked afer her over the last years of her life.

Memorial celebraton of her life will be held at the First Baptst Church, 483 Gillete St, on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 1 pm. Recepton to follow.

In lieu of fowers, a donaton to the Prince George Hospice Society would be greatly appreciated.

A Celebratio e late

Nicholas (Nick) Felker

January 8, 1993 - April 5, 2025

Will be held on Saturday April 26th, 2025 at 11am At 1600 – 3rd Avenue, Prince George, BC RIP Precious Boy!

In Memory of May 12, 1978 to April 26, 2021

Missed every single day Loved forever

Celebration of Life:

Sandra Lynn Cheramy

July 14, 1953 - April 11, 2025

Sandra (Zingle) Cheramy passed peacefully at her lo ing home in almon alley. With hear elt sorrow we will all miss her greatly. he always had a wonderful smile for e eryone and wished to be remembered at her best, laughing and sharing memories. ur i ed by Aime (Husband) and children ichard, anine and Andrea. he was lo ed by her sisters hannon ( im) ampson and Kathy chrauwen, as well as her brother Brent ( al) ingle. Predeceased by parents Francis and Joyce Zingle (McIvor) and brother Dwight. riends to contact the family for recepton details.

Lowell Jeffery Dumonceaux

Patrick Joseph Caden

Our dear Neil, you have gone from our sight & our touch, but not from our hearts and our memories. Our world has not been the same without you. You are missed each day.

Our dear Neil, you have gone from our sight & our touch, but not from our hearts and our memories. Our world has not been the same without you. You are missed each day.

In

Loving

In

Memory of Neil Husband

Loving Memory of Neil Husband

June 25, 1963

April 26, 2016

June 25, 1963 April 26, 2016

Love you always, your wife Mary xxoo

Love you always, your wife Mary xxoo

Your children, Andrew, Victoria & Nicholas

Your children, Andrew, Victoria & Nicholas

Celebration of Life

Keith Staford

November , 19 1 August 1 , 0

Keith Staford passed away peacefully on August 1 , 0 at Gateway odge in Prince George. He was born on November , 19 1, to Gordon and va Staford in Wildwood, AB.

At the tme of his passing, Keith was survived by his children isa (Kevin) and Warren (Jullie e), and grandchildren Jonathon, Jarin and Aliyah. Keith is also survived by iola Terry Checkley (sister brother in law), ay and Tuula Staford (brother sister in law), Ken (brother), Corrine ance Ongman (sister brother in law), Be y and Karen Staford (sister in laws). As well as many nieces nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews.

In additon to his parents, Keith was predeceased by his brothers eg, andy and Donald Staford.

A celebraton of life will be held on Sunday, ay 1 , 0 5, at the oyal Canadian egion Branch in Prince George. Doors will open at 1 00 P with celebraton startng at 1 0 P .

Contact isa Davison at 50 1 5 if you need more informaton or have pictures or stories you would like to share.

EILEEN E. HOAGLAND

October 13, 1928 - April 28, 2019

Mom, some days it is like you are stll with us and then it seems you have been gone forever, But you are always with us.

Love you always ohn, Candee Mark

Mary Kathleen “Kai” Boyce (nee Batchelor) November 3, 1936 - April 11, 2025

Mary Kathleen “Kai” Boyce (nee Batchelor) passed away peacefully on April 11, 2025 in Prince George, Britsh Columbia at the age of 88.

Born November 3, 1936 in Nelson, Britsh Columbia, Kai lived a full and vibrant life rooted in the natural beauty of her home province. Over the years, she embraced many roles with grace and dedicaton - housewife, swim instructor, and Lifeline operator - each refectng her commitment to caring for others and staying actve within her community.

Kai and Harry had a deep love for the outdoors and spent countless joyful hours skiing at Purden Ski Hill during the winter months and relaxing by Stuart Lake in the summer. Their adventurous spirits also took them across the globe later in life. They toured Mexico in a camper van and spent winters in New Zealand, embracing new experiences with enthusiasm.

An avid sportswoman and lover of nature, Kai found great pleasure in skiing, golfng, fshing, and camping. She also enjoyed quieter pastmes such as playing cards and tending to her garden - actvites that brought her peace and connecton with those around her.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Harold Boyce. She leaves behind a loving family who will cherish her memory: sons Mike (Catherine), Stuart (Deborah) and Tim; grandchildren Sean (Tori), Nick (Lacey), and Brandon; as well as three greatgrandchildren.

Kai’s legacy is one of warmth, resilience, and a zest for life. May her memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved her.

Special thanks to Dr Racheal McGhee and the staf of the Simon Fraser Lodge for their exemplary care.

A Celebraton of Life for both Kai and Harry will be held May 3 2025, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

3170 Island Park Drive, PG, BC

Josephine “Joey” Lloyd (nee Lybeck)

November 6, 1934 - April 4, 2025

Josephine, Joey, Joe, Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma passed away in her 90th year on April 4th, 2025.

The youngest daughter of Florence and Joseph Lybeck, she was pre-deceased by her husband Bill and her sisters, Lorraine and Audrey.

Joey is survived by her three daughters, Sandra Theroux (Hector), Margot Slater (Peter), and Nancy Gallagher (Brian); seven grandchildren, and fve great grandchildren.

Josephine was a city girl. She grew up in New Westminster afer her family moved from cold Prince Albert Saskatchewan. Thanks to the alphabet Josephine Lybeck sat next to Marie Lloyd in teacher training (normal) school. Through Marie, Joey met William (Bill) Lloyd (Marie’s brother), who said “Joey was awfully cute”. Joey and Bill were married in Prince George on April 9th, 1955.

So Joey the city girl came to Prince George to fsh, camp, ski and raise 3 independent, capable girls with Bill. She even got to travel northern B.C. by trailer with Bill, 3 girls, 3 horses and a whole lot of gear to horse shows that were ofen cold and rainy. Once the girls headed of to university and beyond Joey and Bill replaced the horse shows with travel and golf. They took yearly trips to warmer climes during P.G.s cold winters. Hawaii being a favourite destnaton. Joey was the longest serving Beta Sigma Phi sorority sister in Prince George, and served on numerous Boards in Prince George, including the YMCA. She was also an avid reader and keen Scrabble player which she contnued playing every day into her 90th year. She loved to have her hair done right up to the week before she passed away.

Our family wants to say a special thank you to Joey’s caregivers, partcularly Krist, Angela, Paul, Sandra, Dr. York, and the staf at The Prince George Chateau. We are grateful for your compassionate care.

A funeral service will be held for Joey on Friday, June 6th at 3:00 PM at St Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church at 1505 5th Ave, Prince George. A recepton will follow the service in the Church Hall. In lieu of fowers, please make a donaton to a charity of your choice.

Joey came in a small package but was a tour de force. Rest in peace Mom.

Classifeds

PUBLIC NOTICE – DECLARATION OF HEIRDOM, SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP & BLOCKCHAIN SECURITY REDEMPTION

NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETING

BC.

Let it be known that Daniel A. Kragt is the rightful heir, direct lineal descendant, and lawful Chief Executive of the Kragt Estate. As Sole Proprietor of DANIEL ANTHONY KRAGT, he holds exclusive control over all estate assets, lands, and interests originating from his Father’s estate—free of external claims, trusts, or governmental interference. No relative, authority, or institution may lawfully interfere. Any such attempt constitutes trespass, misappropriation, and conversion.

Notice of Quiet Title Action – Willowcale Estate

Approx. 320 acres, Cariboo Region, BC (DL1965 WILLOW CALE ROAD, Prince George, BC V2N 6Z9) MLS® Number: R2978037

Currently subject to active succession proceedings, and application for Certi cate of Pending Litigation (CPL) under the Land Title Act / WESA. All liens, mortgages, or competing claims are disputed and may be discharged pending adjudication.

Contesting parties must submit sworn rebuttal evidence within 30 days to dkragt@live.ca.

Failure to respond will result in estoppel by acquiescence, con rming full legal and equitable title to Daniel A. Kragt. is claim is supported by:

• First in Time, First in Right

• Bailment & Equitable Title

• Estoppel by Acquiescence

• Blockchain: c4c99b5b819633f29c8611e85cdf1237d6888b55e0dc3ce97ca3a7be66bc7fa8

Aviaton fees charged to the operaton of aircraf at Prince George Airport will be increased efectve July 1, 2025 to ofset increases in airport operatng costs.

Please visit our website at www.pgairport.ca/business-informaton/rates-charges/ for details

* On May 5, 1945, Elsie Mitchell and five neighborhood children were killed while attempting to drag a Japanese balloon out of the woods. The balloon was armed and exploded soon after they began tinkering with it. They were the only known American civilians to be killed in the continental United States during World War II.

• On Nov. 11, 1831, Nat Turner, an American slave and educated minister who believed that he’d been chosen by God to lead his people into freedom, was hanged in Jerusalem, Virginia, for leading a revolt with 75 followers through Southampton County, killing about 60 white people.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A seemingly stalled romantc situaton could beneft from your reassurance that you want this relatonship to work. And if you do, use a tad more of your irresistble Arian charm!

* On May 6, 2013, Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus were rescued from a Cleveland, Ohio, house where they’d been held captive for years by their abductor, Ariel Castro. Also rescued from the house was Berry’s 6-year-old daughter, who was fathered by Castro.

* On May 7, 1824, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony premiered in Vienna even as the composer was suffering from severe hearing loss. The performance earned him five standing ovations and also caused a stir with its use of voices during “Ode to Joy” in its final movement.

• On Nov. 12, 1969, investigative journalist Seymour Hersh revealed the extent of the U.S. Army’s charges against 1st Lt. William L. Calley at My Lai, Vietnam, in a cable picked up by more than 30 newspapers, saying that “The Army says he [Calley] deliberately murdered at least 109 Vietnamese civilians during a searchand-destroy mission in March 1968, in a Viet Cong stronghold known as ‘Pinkville.’”

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Going to new places and meetng new people appeals to both the Taurean’s romantc and practcal side. Afer all, you never can tell where these new contacts will take you, right?

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A careerchanging opportunity that didn’t work out when you frst considered it could come up again. But this tme, remember that you have more to ofer and act accordingly.

* On May 8, 1886, the first-ever serving of Coca-Cola, created by Dr. John Pemberton, advertised as a health tonic and originally including coca leaf extract, made its debut at Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia. While it originally sold at the rate of about nine glasses per day, by its 50th anniversary it had become an American icon.

* On May 9, 1671, Thomas “Colonel” Blood, disguised as a priest, was captured while attempting to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. Remarkably, King Charles II was impressed enough by Blood’s nerve that he restored the would-be thief’s Irish estates and even made him a

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) There could be some tensions in relatonships -- domestc or workaday. But a calm approach that doesn’t raise anger levels and a frank discussion will soon resolve the problem.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) It’s a good idea to begin preparing for a career change that you’ve been thinking about for a while. Start to sharpen your skills and expand your background to be ready when it calls.

• On Nov. 13, 1979, Philadelphia 76ers center Darryl Dawkins leaped over Kansas City Kings forward Bill Robinzine for a memorable slam dunk that shattered the fiberglass backboard. His equally memorable comment on the move, which was not his last and the sound of which spectators likened to a bomb going off: “It wasn’t really a safe thing to do, but it was a Darryl Dawkins thing to do.”

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Bless the VIRGO skeptcism that has kept you from falling into traps that others seem to rush into. But you might want to give a new possibility the beneft of the doubt, at least on a trial basis.

• On Nov. 14, 1882, outlaw Frank “Buckskin” Leslie shot and killed Billy “The Kid” Claiborne, who had publicly challenged him, in Tombstone, Arizona.

• On Nov. 15, 1984, Baby Fae, a month old infant who received the world’s first baboon heart transplant, died at California’s Loma Linda University 20 days after the operation. Three other people had received animal heart transplants, but none survived longer than a few days.

• On Nov. 16, 2001, British author J.K. Rowling’s most famous and beloved creation, the bespectacled boy wizard Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliffe in his first major role), made his silver-screen debut in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” which went on to become one of the highestgrossing movies in history.

member of the royal court, with an annual pension.

* On May 10, 1970, Boston Bruins star Bobby Orr slipped the winning goal past St. Louis Blues goaltender Glenn Hall during Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final, then leaped into the air before landing flat and sliding into the embrace of his teammates -- a moment immortalized by photographer Ray Lussier, whose image remains one of the most famous sports photographs in history.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22)

Traveling- and career-related energy is strong in your aspect. Perhaps your job will take you to someplace exotc, or you might be setng up meetngs with potental clients or employers. Whatever it is, good luck!

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Someone might use decepton to try to push you into making a decision that you’re not fully comfortable with. But your keen SCORPIO senses should keep you alert to any such atempt.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Romance dominates this week when Cupid shafs the Archer for a change. Positve things are also happening in the workplace. Expect important news to arrive by the week’s end.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Anyone trying to bully the Sea Goat -- whether it involves a personal or professional mater -- will learn a painful lesson. Others will also beneft from the Goat’s strong example.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Congratulatons! With things going the way they are, you should be able to spare some tme and take a break from your hectc schedule for some wellearned fun and games.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Your sharp Piscean intuiton should be able to uncover the true agendas of those who might be trying to catch the Fish in one of their schemes.

Homes & Living

How to Remove Road Gravel from Your Front Lawn: Practcal Tips and Suggestons

Road gravel scattered onto your front lawn can be a frustrating sight, especially after winter snow plowing or nearby construction work. Not only does it affect the appearance of your yard, but gravel can also damage your grass, dull your mower blades, and create safety hazards for pets and children. Fortunately, with the right tools and a little patience, you can restore your lawn to its original condition.

Start with a Visual Sweep

Before reaching for any tools, walk across your lawn and identify the most gravel-heavy areas. This helps you prioritize which sections need the most attention. Use marking flags or stakes if necessary to divide your lawn into manageable zones.

Use

a Leaf Rake or Lawn Rake

A metal leaf rake is one of the best tools for manually removing gravel without harming the grass. Gently rake the gravel into small piles, being careful not to dig too deep into the turf. Avoid hard tugs that might uproot your grass. Once you’ve collected enough gravel in a pile, use a dustpan or shovel to pick it up and transfer it to a bucket or wheelbarrow.

Try a Landscape Broom for Pavement Edges

If gravel has been pushed toward sidewalks or driveways, a stiff-bristled landscape broom can sweep it back onto hard surfaces for easier collection. This is especially helpful if the gravel is embedded in the boundary areas between grass and pavement.

Use a Shop Vacuum for Smaller Debris

For fine gravel or small pebbles that are difficult to rake, a shop vacuum can be surprisingly effective. Make sure the grass is dry to avoid clogging the vacuum. This method works best in small sections or around tight landscaping features.

Consider a Lawn Sweeper

If you’re dealing with a large lawn or a significant amount of gravel, investing in a push lawn sweeper can save time and effort. These tools are designed to pick up debris like leaves, twigs, and gravel efficiently.

Prevent Future Gravel Spread

To minimize future issues, consider installing low barriers like lawn edging or curb stops near the road to catch

gravel before it reaches your lawn.

Removing gravel from your lawn may take a bit of time, but with the right approach, your yard will be green, clean, and gravel-free in no time.

Proper Tire Directon: Why It Maters and How to Check It

regions with frequent rain or wet driving conditions.

Why Direction Matters

of tire

Directional tires are designed to rotate in a specific direction for optimal performance, and installing them incorrectly can negatively impact handling, traction, and even fuel efficiency.

What Are Directional Tires?

Directional tires, also known as unidirectional tires, have a tread pattern that is designed to perform best when rotating in one direction. These tires often feature a V-shaped or arrow-like tread pattern that channels water away from the tire’s contact patch, reducing the risk of hydroplaning. Because of this design, directional tires are particularly popular for high-performance vehicles and in

Installing a directional tire in the wrong direction can compromise safety and performance.

Improperly mounted tires won’t be able to efficiently displace water, increasing the risk of skidding on wet roads. Additionally, incorrect rotation can lead to uneven tread wear, reducing the lifespan of the tire and increasing the chances of blowouts or flats.

In terms of fuel economy, tires facing the wrong way generate more rolling resistance, causing the engine to work harder and consume more fuel. Overall, incorrect tire direction affects everything from vehicle stability to ride comfort.

How to Check Tire Direction Fortunately, identifying and

correcting tire direction is straightforward. Most directional tires have an arrow or “Rotation” marking on the sidewall indicating the proper direction of rotation. When standing in front of the tire, the arrow should point in the direction the tire will roll when the car moves forward.

To ensure correct installation, always consult your vehicle’s owner manual or speak with a professional mechanic. During routine maintenance, such as tire rotation or replacement, it’s also a good idea to verify that the tires are mounted correctly.

Proper tire direction is a small detail that makes a big difference. Whether you’re navigating wet roads or cruising on a dry highway, ensuring your directional tires are mounted correctly enhances safety, prolongs tire

life, and improves overall driving performance. It’s a simple check that every driver should include in their tire maintenance routine.