Prince George Citizen July 17, 2025

SATURDAY, July 26th 6:00 PM

$10,000 CASH Jackpot Game

THURSDAY, July 17, 2025

Shoplifters keeping courts busy

It’s a common crime with fairly light consequences

BOB MACKIN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It is one of the most common offences heard in Prince George Provincial Court, but shoplifters guilty of theft under $5,000 rarely face a lengthy jail sentence.

ecution appears to lie in the perceived ease of committing the offence and the mistaken belief by offenders that it is a victimless crime.

employees,” Judge Cassandra Malfair said in an April sentencing hearing. “It harms customers. It drives up costs for everyone. It necessitates the hiring of security guards, which not only, again,

was sentenced to time served and a 12-month probation term.

Malfair expressed reluctance on April 7 in accepting the joint Crown and defence proposal for sentencing repeat offender Eryk Christopher Edge.

The 44-year-old was placed under 150 days house arrest and a year’s proba-

Cyclist dies of injuries after hit-and-run

Shane Kelly was training for the Cops for Cancer fundraiser

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Prince George RCMP and the Canadian Cancer Society confirmed Friday morning that the cyclist critically injured by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bicycle on a residential Prince George street Monday morning has died of his injuries.

The Prince George man was identified as Shane Kelly, a 51-year-old civilian rider in the Cops For Cancer — Tour de North charity ride.

“We are heartbroken by this news. Shane was a caring and enthusiastic team builder from the very beginning, offering camaraderie, encouragement and support to the entire Tour de North team,” said Laura Nelson, manager of Cops For Cancer, Canadian Cancer Society.

“He was driven by a deep commitment to make a difference for children with cancer. Shane’s teammates are devastated by the loss of one of their own, in such tragic circumstances. We offer our sincere condolences and unwavering support to Shane’s family and friends.”

Kelly was on a training ride with another Tour de North rider, an RCMP officer when they were both struck by the passing vehicle, a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck. The driver fled the scene of the accident at Ospika Boulevard and McRae Avenue at high speed and was later arrested at a townhouse residence near where the collision occurred.

Kelly was airlifted to hospital in Vancouver, where he later died. The officer suffered a broken leg and other internal injuries.

“Shane’s family is taking time to grieve privately and has requested space during this difficult period,” said Prince George RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jennifer Cooper.

“If you would like to share your condolences or well-wishes, they can be brought to the Prince George RCMP

a residential Prince George street while on a training ride for the charity event Monday, July 7.

Detachment at 455 Victoria St. Messages will be gathered and passed along to the family when they are ready to receive them. Your kindness and support are greatly appreciated.”

The 850-kilometre ride in September from Prince George to Prince Rupert is meant to raise money for childhood cancer research and treatment. Kelly was the leading fundraiser on the Tour de North team.

“Shane was more than just a cyclist. He was a husband, a father, a mentor, and a friend,” said Tour de North rider Ron Gallo, in a Facebook post. “He was a caring and generous person who gave of himself to help others. His fundraising was a passion as a teammate and supporter of Wheelin’ Warriors of the North and Cops for Cancer — Tour de North.

“His kindness and dedication touched lives far beyond the cycling world. I have received and continue to hear messages from people who were inspired by Shane and made better through knowing him. Despite holding onto hope, despite preparing ourselves for the inevitable, this loss cuts deep.”

Garry Begg, BC’s minister of public

Bike rider hit, injured on Winnipeg Street

CITIZEN STAFF

A 17-year-old cyclist was sent to hospital with serious injuries after a morning collision with a vehicle at the intersection of Winnipeg Street and 11th Avenue, Prince George RCMP said in a media release issued on Friday, July 11.

The release said the incident happened just before 9 a.m.

Police confirmed that unlike the hit-and-run incident where two cyclists training for the Tour de North charity ride were hit by a pick-up truck on Monday, July 7, the driver in this incident stayed at the scene.

“The driver remained at the scene of the incident and is co-operating fully with our investigation,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, the Prince George RCMP’s media relations officer.

safety and solicitor general, issued a statement:

“I am grateful to the witnesses and the Prince George RCMP, who acted swiftly to arrest an individual in connection with this incident. I encourage anyone who has information to contact the Prince George RCMP,” he stated.

“Volunteers like Shane and police officers continue to find ways to serve their communities — whether protecting people from violence, giving back or standing up for those in need. This incident is a stark reminder of the risks they face and the strength they demonstrate.”

Mayor Simon Yu also issued a statement/

“Prince George is a city that cares deeply for one another. In moments of sorrow, we must lean on each other and uphold the values of safety, compassion, and inclusivity that define us as a community,” Yu stated.

The investigation is ongoing. Cooper is asking for the public’s help and for anyone who witnessed the accident or who has dash cam footage to call Prince George RCMP at 250-561-3300.

With files from Matthew Hillier

“Police officers are asking that anyone who witnessed the incident or may have cell phone or dash camera video of the incident to please contact the Prince George RCMP’s non-emergency line at 250-561-3300.”

When The Citizen arrived on scene shortly before 10 a.m., multiple police vehicles were present and all four entries to the intersection were roped off with yellow tape.

On the north side of the road, a white minivan was pulled over to the side with its four-way flashers on.

On the south side, a white bicycle was leaned up against the curb. As his colleagues took down the tape around 10:15 a.m., one officer hooked the bike to the rack on the front of his SUV and drove away.

Cops For Cancer — Tour de North rider Shane Kelly has died of his injuries after he was stuck by a hit-and-run driver on

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

A bicycle lies on Winnipeg Street after its rider collided with a car.

Action, not words, are needed to combat shoplifting

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Two Prince George city councillors gave notice of motion at Monday’s council meeting to propose holding a business and retail crime forum — but members of the city’s standing committee on public safety say the forum will mean little unless it leads to action.

The motion that councillors Tim Bennett and Kyle Sampson want to discuss with their colleagues at the July 28 meeting directs city administration to facilitate the forum at an unspecified future date. It would request “participation from the RCMP, and invited representatives from the retail and business community, including organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Prince George to represent local and small-scale retailers, and an invitation for staff from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to participate.”

An attached report states that the forum isn’t intended to direct the RCMP’s work or step into challenges faced by the private sector, “about making sure the City is doing what it can, within its lane, to support a safer business environment, and in turn, a safer community.”

John Zukowski, the owner of Pacific Body Jewellery & Piercing and a member of the city’s Standing Committee on Public Safety, said previous similar events haven’t led to much.

“The last big thing they (council) did was the open house for community safety,” he said in a Friday, July 11

phone interview. “They had the RCMP there and they had that facilitator come up from I think it was Kelowna … it amounted to a nothingburger.

The city held a community safety town hall on May 28, 2024.

Zukowski said he feels similarly about items raised at both public safety committee and city council meetings. A lot of the time, he said that administration responds to questions on public safety by saying that they’ll return with further information but doesn’t seem to work on resolving the issues.

Earlier this year, the committee discussed the idea of hiring private security patrols to go through the downtown core overnight when bylaw officers aren’t on duty.

While Zukowski said he liked the idea, he didn’t like the proposal that it be funded through a local area service tax on area businesses and he thought the estimated $500,000 annual cost cited by

city staff was inflated.

“The City of Prince George is required to provide policing,” he said. “We’re being taxed for the provision of policing. Why are we having to pay more for a specific area that has a crime issue?”

Both this year and last year, the city has discussed a downtown security camera pilot project in partnership with Downtown Prince George and the Prince George Chamber of Commerce. Council voted to contribute $40,000 to the project last December.

He said he feels like the committee rarely has open discussions because administration wants to control the narrative, something he doesn’t see happens with other committees.

Zukowski, who also owns and operates security company Advanced Security Concepts, said that amount of money will likely only be enough to purchase one or two cameras as well as the costs of having them monitored.

“I’ve never seen any other committees that haven’t had open, heartful dialogue, going ‘well, let’s look at this, let’s talk about this,’” Zukowski said. “We’re not allowed to do that. I was bringing up … the disgusting state of some of the closed building and vacant lots in downtown and Simon (Yu) popped off right away about putting up fencing, putting flower paintings on them.”

That, he said, is like putting lipstick on a pig. Instead, he said the city needs to deal with graffiti, vandalism and broken windows because otherwise it sends a signal that nobody cares about the buildings they’re damaging.

Before the current public safety committee was formed last year, Zukowski said he was on former mayor Lyn Hall’s Select Committee on a Clean, Safe and Inclusive Downtown.

Over the last 10 years, he said the city has tried to address downtown crime in fits and starts and after initial success, things start to get ignored.

Karm Manhas, owner of Kaiten Mixed Martial Arts Academy on Dominion Street near the intersection with Second Avenue since 2010, joined the public safety committee earlier this year after the resignation of former Lheidli T’enneh councillor Robert Gagnon.

Though his isn’t a retail operation, he said he’s still been affected by crime.

“Someone broke in through my roof and broken through the brick walls right here,” he said during a July 11 interview at the gym, pointing to a corner of one of the rooms.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

Kaiten Mixed Martial Arts Academy owner and Standing Committee on Public Safety member Karm Manhas says crime affects many businesses, not just retail stores.

Poverty, addiction are often factors in local theft cases

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Malfair banned Edge from going to the Winners/Homesense in Prince George and any Save-On-Foods stores or parking lots in BC.

Feeding a drug habit was a motivation for Edge. He had an 18-year hospitality industry career. But, due to cocaine and methamphetamine use, court heard he could not afford to feed himself.

Similarly for Amanda Blaine Ketlo, 39. She pleaded guilty to three counts of theft under $5,000, failure to appear in court, breach of a release order and personation with intent to avoid arrest.

Ketlo had been caught shoplifting from four different Prince George retailers in a six-month period in 2023. Crown sought a 39-day jail sentence, reduced to 21 days after factoring credit for time served.

Defence proposed time served plus the 30-day conditional sentence.

On Jan. 23, Malfair gave her a 30-day conditional sentence.

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

People caught shoplifting are often banned from stores, but as some recent court cases show, that’s not always a deterrent.

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

Malfair urged her to seek treatment for addiction and banned her from visiting the Real Canadian Superstore, London Drugs or Winners/Home Sense stores in Prince George.

Another judge, David Simpkin, sentenced Jacob Johan Vanderminne, 32, to 60 days time served and one-year probation after a joint proposal from Crown and defence on May 5.

Vanderminne had been waiting in jail for 155 days, which qualified him for 233

days credit under the 1.5-to-1 system of enhanced credit for time served.

Vanderminne had 13 prior breaches of probation or undertaking and 10 prior convictions for theft.

Court also heard Vanderminne was caught in May 2024 leaving the Lululemon flagship store on Robson and Burrard streets in Vancouver with $860.16 worth of merchandise. Last August, he stole two razors from London Drugs in Parkwood Place in Prince George worth $123.73.

He was already on probation, banned from visiting any London Drugs in BC and failed to show for a meeting with a probation officer.

Vanderminne remained in custody,

however, for a scheduled late July trial on charges from an alleged December 2024 break and enter and theft.

A shoplifter that Simpkin sentenced early this year had circumstances that he called “a little strange.”

Travis Howard Golar pleaded guilty to stealing $565.71 of groceries, earrings, makeup and a jacket, but not to feed a drug habit. The 36-year-old wanted to “look sharp” to reunite with his daughters.

“He found himself in dire financial straits and he didn’t have food in the house, and he didn’t have anything to give them as kids,” Simpkin said on Jan. 14.

The Crown sought a 30-day jail sentence and one-year probation. He had breached 25 orders, undertakings and probation and was convicted five previous times for theft. In 2017, he was behind bars for 120 days for assault causing bodily harm.

Golar’s defence lawyer asked for a suspended sentence and condition to stay away from the store.

Simpkin settled on a suspended sentence and a year on probation for Golar.

One store reports 150 shoplifting incidents in 4 months

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“There’s still major damage stuff. There’s brand new graffiti on the back of my building. Daily at 6:30 in the morning, I ask people to leave and then they won’t communicate, they don’t look at you. They just swear at you and move. I don’t like this in my front door.”

In his time owning Kaiten, Manhas said he can recall two or three instances of meetings organized by the city with businesses to hear their concerns after which no solutions were implemented.

“It’s just not happening,” he said. “Too much talking.”

Beyond issues under the city’s purview, Manhas said he also feels like offenders aren’t being prosecuted after being arrested.

“The response of the police is good, (but) they can’t do anything,” he said.

“And you can sense it and feel it … it doesn’t matter what you do, there will be no charges. There will be nothing, it doesn’t matter the evidence.”

Despite his concerns, he said he would still participate in a forum if it gets organized because there are peoples’ livelihoods on the line.

Tony Hunt, who manages loss prevention for all of London Drugs’ locations across four provinces, told the Citizen in a July 10 phone interview that the Prince George location has more incidents than might be expected

In the last four months, he said there have been 150 incidents.

“We have more resources in that store than we do at most stores,” he said. “We’ve made a larger investment security wise. There’s more people to address issues in that store. It is one of our busiest locations in the province for

any sort of issues.”

In Prince George, he said a lot of incidents at the London Drugs are caused by people from outside the community.

“It is a very busy place when it comes to crime that comes in from out of the community and into our place of business,” Hunt said.

“And the greatest concerns for us in something like that is, like most businesses in town, we’re doing our best to make sure that our people are safe and that it’s a nice comfortable and safe environment for everyone to shop and work. That’s challenging to do with some of the difficulties that we’ve seen with increasing crime in the community.”

Hunt said crimes they see typically fall into one of two categories. The first is subsistence crime, people who steal because they’re hungry, thirsty or need something like a bandage.

If Prince George ends up holding a forum, Hunt said. taking a holistic approach could be really valuable to find a way to interrupt the circumstances that allows crimes to continue to be committed in the community.

Downtown Prince George, a business improvement area made up of property owners and businesses in the city’s downtown core, told The Citizen it has helped its members deal with four buildings with broken windows, seven buildings that have been graffitied, five fires set in alleyways or sidewalks, a vehicle window being smashed and an owner having a machete pulled on them in the first six months of 2025.

“Businesses in the downtown core continue to grapple with ongoing criminal activity that is impacting both operations and safety,” executive director Chrisie Berry said in an email.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

CRAWLER DOZER 2022 TIGERCAT 850 PROCESSOR

2024 PETERBILT 367 TRI DRIVE LOG TRUCK

City council revisits Official Community Plan discussion

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Prince George city council took almost three hours to discuss and move forward several potential amendments to the Official Community Plan at its Monday, July 14 meeting.

With several amendments to the OCP agreed to, another public hearing on the plan will likely be held in September.

Ahead of the meeting, city staff wrote a 39-page document providing their opinion on 33 potential alterations to the OCP raised by council back in April.

All local governments in British Columbia — which includes both municipalities and regional districts — are required by the provincial government to update their Official Community Plans by the end of 2025 and again by the end of 2026.

The documents lay out long-term planning and land-use goals for their community.

Earlier this year, city council held a public hearing that extended over two nights on March 19 and April 9.

During those hearings, the most commonly voiced concerns included a perceived lack of protections for Ginter’s Green and Moore’s Meadow as well as developers saying they weren’t consulted about changes to the urban containment boundary that affect properties.

Additionally, the Prince George Airport Authority said it was concerned that language acknowledging its role in land-use decisions near the airport had been removed from the previous edition of the plan.

Other topics that came up included fire resiliency, food security and deficiencies in the consultation process that developed the new OCP.

On the second night of the public hearing and at a special council meeting on April 16, council passed the 33 motions asking administration to investigate the potential impacts of amending the OCP. If the OCP is amended, council is legally required to hold another public hearing before the bylaw authorizing the new plan can have its final reading.

Of the 33 resolutions passed by

council, staff’s report said that six fall outside the scope of the OCP and would need to be pursued separately.

That included three elements relating to Ginter’s Green and Moore’s Meadow.

Resolutions had asked about rezoning the 4.4-hectare city-owned property north of Moore’s Meadow from AF: Agriculture to P1: Parks and Recreation. Staff warned in their report that “this action would impact the potential developable land for future phases of the Heritage area.”

At the July 14 meeting, Coun. Brian Skakun thanked the Ginter’s Green Forever group for bringing some of these concerns to council’s attention.

Council voted to direct administration to submit a rezoning application for that property to come back at a later date. It passed unanimously.

Skakun had also asked about removing the right-of-way between 18th and 22nd avenues as well as between Massey Drive and Ferry Avenue, which makes up part of Ginter’s Green, and redesignating it under the OCP to park and open space. The next resolution also asked about rezoning that same area.

Administration said that the land is technically a road designation and does not have a description, property title, OCP designation or zone. Removing a road designation would involve several steps, including a formal road closure process and well as surveying, subdivision and registration with the Land Titles Office.

Director of planning and development

Deanna Wasnik explained at the meeting that if that process was followed, the land would take on the zoning of the properties adjacent to it.

She also clarified that there is no plan or intent to develop the city-owned properties in the area.

Skakun put forward a motion for the city to submit a road closure application for the area in question, arguing that such a move would have economic benefits. He later put forward another motion calling for administration to redesignate the area under the OCP and parks and open space.

Coun. Cori Ramsay asked what the

cost of this process would be. Wasnik said she didn’t have a solid figure but pointed to the report’s note that “costs will include legal fees, surveying, and administrative work, as well as staff time to manage the process and update relevant planning documents.”

Both motions passed unanimously.

The fourth resolution asked about removing two properties adjacent to Ginter’s Green from the Urban Containment Boundary.

Public hearings are needed to develop on properties outside the boundary. Wasnik clarified that it wouldn’t prohibit development from occurring on them.

Council took no action on this resolution.

The fifth resolution dealt with removing several properties along Tyner Boulevard and University Way near UNBC from the Urban Containment Boundary.

Staff’s report said again that this would not prevent future development, but it would create some inconsistencies with the OCP’s growth management map.

Again, no action was taken.

The next resolution asked about the feasibility of returning the Urban Containment Boundary limits to how they were in the 2011 edition of the OCP.

The report from administration said that several areas in the Blackburn, Giscome, Blueberry Hill and industrial areas were removed for the 2025 revision of the OCP and shrank the boundary overall.

Reverting to the old boundary would mean policies are in place to support sprawl in areas that aren’t ready to receive infrastructure, where there is little development, there is limited access to necessities and there is little access to transportation, the report argued.

Coun. Trudy Klassen argued in favour of the reversion and put a motion on the table that would enact it.

Coun. Ron Polillo said it would encourage sprawl and said he wouldn’t support it.

Ramsay said it was something the city could keep an eye on for the 2028 review of the OCP. She also said it could have unforeseen consequences relating to the provincial government’s

small-scale multi-unit housing legislation and the cost of extending infrastructure to new developments.

Klassen asked whether there was a risk of “starving out” support for areas that have already started to develop under the old version of the boundary. Wasnik said, for example, if a development wanted to build in Blackburn, they would seek an OCP amendment and it would help guide administration’s advice on whether to support or oppose the project.

However, even if it went against policies in the OCP, it might not prevent administration from deciding that the project makes sense.

The motion was defeated with a majority of councillors voting against.

The seventh resolution asked about the consequences of bringing back language from the 2012 OCP recognizing the importance of the federal Aeronautics Act and endeavouring to advise land use applications of recommendations from the airport master plan.

Administration agreed that this addition was a good idea and said it would add the policy to the 2025 OCP.

Resolution 8 directed administration to report on the consequences of adding the Cowart-Malaspina road extension in College Heights to the OCP. Currently, Malaspina Avenue stops in a housing development along the Fraser River benchlands, but could eventually be pushed through northwards to meet Cowart Road, near College Heights Elementary.

Administration responded that it was already included in the OCP’s future plans in the 10-to-20-year time frame.

Skakun put forward a motion calling on administration to prepare traffic counts for the area to see if this extension would be worth putting into the five-year capital plan.

Yu said that with Bill 44, there’s great potential for housing development in College Heights. As density increases, he said, it could cause problems at the intersection of Highway 16 and Cowart Road, where there have been fatal collisions in the past.

Topics include Ginter’s, Urban Containment Boundary

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

The motion passed unanimously.

Resolution 10 directed administration to look into additional consultation with five properties where the owners had expressed they weren’t talked to about their properties being removed from the Urban Containment Boundary.

They included 505 Fourth Ave., 2913 Silvercrest Road, 2000 Central St., a property on Cranbrook Hill Road and 4739 Shamrock Rd.

gotten advice that some of the other had not. He said he didn’t think more consultation would work at this point, but that council needed to make sure this discrepancy was addressed for future OCP revisions.

The motion was defeated.

Resolution 14 asked administration to look into adding policies regarding food security and vegetable harvesting into the OCP.

While staff said that there were several sections that supported agri-

reduce greenhouse gas emissions” to “climate change adaptation and mitigation minimizes negative climate-related impacts on human safety, health and well-being.”

Resolution 17 asked about the consequences of removing the entirety of Moore’s Meadow from the Urban Containment Boundary.

Staff recommended it remain in the boundary, saying that removing it would “create an isolated area within the surrounding urban area.”

The motion failed, with only Yu and Klassen voting in favour.

Many of the responses to council’s other resolutions either saw administration agree to act on council’s wishes or state that they felt that the items were already addressed in the plan as written.

At the end of the discussion, the mayor congratulated and thanked Wasnik and her team for their work looking into council’s resolutions.

Skakun said it was one of the most

Saturday, July 19, 2025

OPINION Better trails are the connection Prince George needs

KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor

Earlier this year, a crew began conducting soil studies up the highway from the Cameron Street Bridge — a first step toward building a dedicated multi-use trail connecting the north side of the bridge to North Pulpmill Road in the Hart.

This new trail won’t run directly alongside busy Highway 97. Instead, as currently planned, it will be buffered from the highway, dipping to the east away from the road, and weave through the woods to offer a safer, quieter route for people walking, running or cycling up and down that steep hill.

It’s a smart and much-needed investment in infrastructure that benefits everyone — not just non-drivers, but motorists too. Keeping different types of traffic safely separated reduces conflict and makes transportation smoother for all.

The need for safer routes couldn’t be clearer. On Monday, July 7, two riders training for the Cops for Cancer Tour de North were struck by a driver in a pickup truck. The driver fled the scene but was later arrested. One of the cyclists died from his injuries. The other remains in hospital.

Just four days later, on Friday, July 11, another cyclist was hit by a vehicle on Winnipeg Street. That driver stayed at the scene and co-operated with police. These incidents serve as stark

at Cottonwood Park.

The tragedy this week highlights the need for more, and better, bike lanes as well as multi-use trails, physically separated from vehicle traffic. Improved intersections and crossings should be part of a connected, user-friendly system that works for families and commuters alike, whether they’re driving, pedalling, walking, or pushing a stroller.

We acknowledge the financial support of the government of Canada.

Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.

reminders of the risks cyclists face when they share the road with vehicles, especially with trucks that seem to get bigger every year.

It’s also important to acknowledge that cyclists, like drivers, are responsible for following the same traffic laws. However, being forced to share a lane with bigger, faster traffic is an uncomfortable and, as this last week shows, sometimes dangerous place to be.

The City of Prince George has just launched a new round of public consultation on its Active Transportation Plan. Translation: it’s looking at how to improve infrastructure for walking, cycling, or rolling.

This will be a process worth watching. The city already has a relatively strong cycling network. Many major roads have painted bike lanes, and those that don’t are often wide enough for

Cameron Stolz Owner / Publisher

Randall-Stolz Owner

motorists to pass cyclists safely without swerving into oncoming traffic.

Prince George also has a decent network of multi-use trails. Some are paved and ideal for cyclists, families out for a walk, or those using mobility devices. For example, the section from 18th Avenue and Foothills through Ginter’s to Ferry Avenue with only a short stretch on a quiet residential street. The route beside Tyner Boulevard, set back from the road, connects the UNBC campus with College Heights.

But we can do better — and the city is asking for your input.

The challenge is that although we have sections of multi-use trails, they aren’t connected.

Additionally, the existing ones have sections in need of repair, replacement, or widening to allow the passage of cyclists and other users, such as those

Kennedy Gordon Managing Editor

Not counting 2025’s approximately 31 lane kilometres of road rehabilitation, which included bike lanes, the city is rehabilitating or building approximately 6.5 lane kilometres of sidewalks and multi-use trails. Not counting grants, the city’s cost for that is $700,000 or about $12.71 a year for the average homeowner.

Improvements in the city come at a cost and are worth discussing. For example, would taxpayers be willing to consider an additional $1.05 a month to double what they are currently spending to help keep our neighbours, friends and loved ones safe?

This is about how we want our city to grow. We want to attract people from other communities, and while Prince George offers above-average outdoors experience, urban multi-use trails, like the one that will connect to the Hart, are steps in the right direction.

If this matters to you, take the time to interact with the Active Transportation Plan study, and help shape the future of Prince George’s multi-use trails.

Let’s keep moving forward.

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CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

A work crew carries out soil studies near the Cameron Street Bridge as part of a project that will eventually see a new trail up the hill into the Hart.

OPINION

New anti-crime motion? Campaigning, not governing

A new motion from two of our councillors is unnecessary and performative

KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor

Shoplifting hurts everyone.

Business owners lose money. Shoppers pay more. Police and the courts are tied up with repeat offenders. Shoplifting hurts, but the solution isn’t found in municipal politics.

At first glance, the June 20 notice of motion from councillors Kyle Sampson and Tim Bennett, proposing a Business and Retail Crime Response Forum, to “…address ongoing crime and safety concerns,” might sound like a proactive response to rising concerns about retail and property crime in Prince George. But looking past the carefully crafted language and this motion is more about appearance than effect. It duplicates existing efforts, oversteps council’s role and, to be honest, reads more like political campaigning than responsible governance.

The City of Prince George has the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs, which advocates to all levels of government on matters of interest to council. This committee, which Sampson sits on, is where advocacy for problems like business-related crime should start.

As well, there is the Standing Committee on Public Safety, which includes the city’s RCMP superintendent, business owners and city councillors. It’s an ideal venue to ask questions or to invite organizations like Downtown Prince George or the Chamber of Commerce to give presentations.

Recent council discussions have included initiatives like Citizens on Patrol, Block Watch enhancements and, with support from Downtown Prince

George, investments in downtown CCTV infrastructure. These are first steps with clear goals.

If these two councillors believe more can be done to connect the dots, why hasn’t this been formally raised by either Sampson or Bennett at one of the established committees, where the mandate and mechanisms to make progress already exist?

Instead, their fellow councillors are being asked to support a new motion that will require more staff time, more tax dollars, and repeats what council is already doing.

The proposed forum, however, seeks to “create space for dialogue” — an initiative that, while sounding constructive, is largely redundant.

The motion also contains shades of political theatre. Proposing store tours for council members to see retail crime “first-hand” might sound earnest, but it’s also a photo op waiting to happen. Crime is a serious issue in our community, not a backdrop for political

posturing.

If councillors really want insight, they should be leveraging existing reports, expert analysis and direct feedback through established channels, not manufacturing events for visibility.

A lot of what this motion claims to want to accomplish — information-sharing, community engagement, support for public safety programs — is already covered by existing city policies and programs.

Crime and consequences are also thoroughly covered by the media.

The well-documented problems with retail crime come down to the issue of repeat offenders and the need for bail reform.

BC has a shortage of Crown prosecutors and judges which leads to prosecutors prioritizing major crimes and ignoring retail crime.

The only thing that council can do on these fronts is to advocate for change with the provincial and federal governments — which is what the

Intergovernmental Affairs Committee is set up to do.

What this notice of motion by Sampson and Bennett does is position its sponsors as champions of public safety — just in time for the 2026 municipal election cycle to heat up. They gain the visibility of being “in tune” and “actively responding” to public concern, without having to deliver results.

That isn’t governing. It’s campaigning.

If councillors want to be effective on crime, they should stay focused on strengthening and resourcing the initiatives already in place, not manufacturing new layers of discussion that will cost taxpayers to host while pulling staffing away from council’s existing priorities.

Council should boot this grandstanding motion out of chambers.

It’s ultimately unnecessary, duplicative and out of step with the principles of good governance.

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

This Citizen editorial cartoon was created using artificial intelligence.

OPINION

Editorial: Closing down Moccasin Flats won’t solve the problem

Love this editorial.

TRUTH ...what the city of Prince George is doing is just chasing the homeless around, causing problems for everyone, and bragging how well they’re doing.

The city has a 16-million-dollar surplus, go get the ATCO trailers at the Site C dam, they’re free to haul away, and set up a village for the unhoused.

END THE PROBLEM, not chase it about like a mouse that got into your house.

Maryann Bolen

Editorial: Closing down Moccasin Flats won’t solve the problem

Close lower Patricia Boulevard and do this:

Part of Mayor Simon Yu’s platform when he was running for mayor was to revitalize lower Queensway Street.

I don’t believe he has done anything?

PG needs to complete the roadway connection from Queensway Street at lower Patricia Boulevard to first Avenue.

Fence it off and start raising the grade along the bank.Queensway and First Avenue are already set up for this.

The intersection at Queensway and First Avenue is dangerous with three deaths.

Laurie Packman

PG doctor Ian Schokking weighs in on healthcare shortages

I’m a senior citizen fortunate enough to have a family doctor, but I’m frightened that the system I’ve paid into all my life, but used sparingly, won’t be there when I need it.

The long wait times for procedures critical to quality of life are tantamount to a death sentence for many.

To add to the frustration, seeking private care, which I would do even though I’m loath to pay twice, is off limits in BC due to our socialist government policies. In order to treat everyone the same (with the usual exceptions that can’t be discussed), there’s a missed opportunity to open up spots for those who don’t have that “privileged” option.

Teejayrx

Minister confident about Prince George’s bid for 2030 Special Olympics

As I commented earlier, whatever your politics may be, you cannot dispute visits from the premier and his minister of tourism that praise PG and put it in such a postive light. PG, and its community spirit, obviously had a profoundly positive effect on Minister Herbert.

Kudos to all the athletes, spectators, volunteers and the community for putting on such a positive event that had such a positive and meaningful effect on the premier, the minister, and their entourages.

BGeez

Cyclist hit by vehicle on Winnipeg Street

Wake up City Hall, it’s time to take action and bike safety seriously for once.

Every other major populationincreasing city is shifting from the outdated vehicle priority traffic system.

Municipalities need to start to work with ICBC and the provincial government on updating signage to all road users that are more effective. Mainly, simplest of road rules, I.e. pedestrians have the right of way.

Also the fact that drivers’ licences are issued with no post issue re-testing every 5-10 years shows that the government doesn’t care about road safety and ICBC is just a money machine.

Oliver Gray

Editorial: Closing down Moccasin Flats won’t solve the problem

The bleeding heart mentality has to stop.

These homeless drug addicts are not capable of making rational decisions or being productive citizens of society. Build facilities that are not optional.

Scoop them up off the streets and put them in there. Drug free facilities!

Those that can straighten out and can be educated to the point of release into society as good citizens can do so but those who are incapable need to stay there. As for drug dealers, no more revolving door court system.

These are serial killers, more like hitmen, who profit from the death of others! If you are caught dealing illegal drugs you get a mandatory one year sentence in a program that educates you on the effects on society as a result of your actions.

That is your one chance. If you come out and are caught again you are done!

Ricardo Montoya

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Artist’s new mural unveiled at Canada Games Plaza

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

A new container mural was unveiled at Canada Games Plaza Thursday, July 10 as part of Tourism Prince George’s ongoing efforts to expand the container market in the plaza.

The artwork was created by local tattoo shop owner Theresa Sapergia, who was selected by Tourism PG from 17 local artists who expressed interest in the design.

The unveiling was marked by celebration and excitement, with attendees including members of city council, Tourism PG, Two Rivers Art Gallery and Mayor Simon Yu, who praised both the mural and the artist behind it.

Yu said he was impressed by the artwork and announced that a portion of the city’s development permits should go toward supporting public art.

The Citizen caught up with Sapergia to discuss her inspiration behind the new, vibrant mural.

“Well, I was inspired by the land

acknowledgement to the Lheidli T’enneh, on whose land we live, work and play,” said Sapergia.

“The idea of play being centralized is an important part of our culture but also our survival. I wanted to stay playful. I wanted to be joyful, so it’s very colourful, it’s very bold. It has playing foxes, a frolicking moose, maybe a mischievous raven, and some beautiful wildflowers—along with all the colours

of the rainbow.”

She added that her years of experience as a tattoo artist and owner of Handsome Cabin Boy Tattoo helped her in designing the piece.

“I couldn’t have done this without that experience. That’s what my sister, who helped me paint this, said. She said, ‘I really think that this happened so fluidly because you’ve been tattooing so long,’” Saspergia said.

The new mural is now a standout feature of the plaza and is visible from surrounding buildings, including Two Rivers Art Gallery and the Marriott Hotel.

Saspergia said the container’s high visibility and central location initially caused her some anxiety.

“I did have some nights where I had to really work to shut my brain off—to put aside the massive responsibility that this is,” she said.

“It had to be good. It had to be something people wanted to look at and were excited about. That really starts with looking deep at what is exciting to you, and then hoping that’s going to speak to other people as well.”

Now that it’s complete, she hopes the mural becomes a gathering place for the Prince George community.

“I hope that it’ll be a place where people say, ‘We’ll meet you there,’ and you’ll know it because of this incredible gem in the centre of the pavilion,” she said. “I hope people will use it as a place to gather and hang out.”

City seeking input on how people walk, run and pedal

If you have trouble walking, cycling or rolling along sidewalks, trails or other parts of Prince George’s transportation network, the city wants to know.

On Tuesday, July 8, the City of Prince George put out a release saying it’s developing a new version of its active transportation plan and wants residents to help shape what it looks like.

The current active transportation plan was developed back in 2010 and “since that time, design guidance and planning approaches have changed and an update is needed to reflect best practice,” the release said.

Active transportation encompasses non-motorized ways of getting around like walking, cycling, skateboarding and using a wheelchair or scooter.

A dedicated webpage for the plan shows that the project is split up into

four phases stretching from July this year through February 2026.

Phase one is the launching of the project and phase two, scheduled for July and August, has the city looking for feedback on the existing conditions of the active transportation network.

On that webpage, there is an interactive map of the city. Until Aug. 1, visitors are encouraged to drop a pin at problem spots and provide details of their concerns.

Also during the summer, the city said it will engage community organizations

and government partners to shape the foundation of the plan.

“Broader public engagement opportunities will be available in fall 2025, where community members will be invited to review and provide feedback on proposed directions,” the city’s website said.

That lines up with phase three, described as “setting future directions.”

The fourth and final phase, “concept design and reporting” is scheduled to take place from November 2025 through February 2026.

As part of the project, the city said it would use documents like the draft update of the Official Community Plan, the climate change mitigation plan, parks strategy and asset management strategy to help identify community priorities and establish a foundation. More information on the project can be found at getinvolved.princegeorge. ca/active-transportation-plan.

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Artist Theresa Sapergia speaks to the crowd at the unveiling of her new mural at Canada Games Plaza on Thursday, July 10.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

People walk along the trail at Ginter’s Green in this photo taken in April. The city is seeking feedback as it develops a new active transportation plan.

Thun family’s donations reach million-dollar milestone

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

A million dollars won’t buy you what it did in 1972, but it’s still a significant chunk of change.

Cam Thun, owner of a Prince George liquor and cannabis store, reached the million-dollar milestone this week when he and his wife, Tammy, donated $50,000 to the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation. The donation will go toward purchasing imaging equipment to detect breast cancer.

Their latest donation was celebrated Tuesday, July 8 in front of the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation’s commemorative wall on the main floor of the University Hospital of Northern BC. It marks the second time the Thuns have donated $50,000 to the foundation.

“Cameron and Tammy are the definition of quiet champions,” said Spirit of the North CEO Aimee Cassie. “Their giving has never been about headlines; it’s about heart.

“We can’t do any of the work we do without people like the Thun family, who step up and see needs in our community, then step in to start filling those needs and supporting patients and community members when they need it most. They set such a strong example for all of us to make our community a better place.”

Since 1972, the Thun family has contributed more than $1 million to various charitable causes, including the Child Development Centre, Salvation Army, University Hospital of Northern BC, BC

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society, BC Children’s Hospital, Prince George Multicultural Society, School District 57’s meal program and trades scholarships, as well as cash donations for individual families.

The Thuns continue a family tradition of giving established 53 years ago by Cam’s parents, Al and Polly, who owned and operated the National Hotel on First Avenue and First Litre Pub.

“We try to work with projects that will benefit the broader population of Prince George,” said Cam. “My parents always said that if you can help, you should, if

you have the ability. We’ve just carried that on.”

Tammy added: “I was raised to believe that if you do well, you help your neighbour, and Cam was raised much the same way. We can give, so we do. Giving makes you feel really good.”

Cam says local businesses recognize their habit of donating to worthy causes and often show their appreciation. One example came when he walked into PG Rentals to rent a power tool and was told by the owner that he didn’t have to pay for the rental because of his past contributions to the community.

One of his most memorable moments came this year when he visited a pet groomer to have his cat’s fur shaved. The woman performing the service told Cam there was no charge.

“That one really blew me away,” he said.

“I went into Ospika Grooming to pick up the cat, and the girl comes out and says, ‘It’s on the house. My mother was dying of cancer, and you and Tammy gave her $500, which really helped her out.’”

Cam and Tammy own or are part-owners of three liquor stores and one cannabis store, and are silent partners in the Westwood Pub.

Christmas is always a tough time for people struggling to get by, and the Thuns never miss a chance to drop by Salvation Army headquarters a few weeks before the holidays, chequebook in hand, to donate to the Christmas hamper program.

“I love Prince George, I love the people,” said Cam. “I still have a hard time with winter, but we’re always going to live here, always going to have a residence here, and we’re always going to give back because we’ve had a good living off of Prince George.”

The $50,000 donation announced Tuesday will help fund the second phase of a $300,000 MRI Breast Health Imaging Program. The goal is to eliminate the need for local patients to travel outside the Northern Health region for MRI breast biopsies. Cassie hopes to have the program fully funded within the next four months.

Springwood wins Cougars school greenhouse contest

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

The Prince George Cougars have planted the seed.

Now it’s up to elementary school students to bring that project to life and grow something that brings joy (along with a bit of nourishment) to the world.

For years, the Cougars, Spirit of the

North Healthcare Foundation and Northern Health have teamed up for the Spirit of Healthy Kids program and the players regularly visit schools during hockey season to spread the word to young students about the importance of caring about the community, being philanthropic and being kind, while encouraging the kids to get involved in reading books.

The program is designed to inspire

and empower children to live healthy and active lives and encourages them to participate in fun, school-led wellness initiatives and community mentorship opportunities, states a press release with the announcement.

This year the team sponsored a contest and Springwood Elementary School in Prince George was the grand prize winner of a $5,000 greenhouse and a complete gardening equipment package.

Five other schools in the region were selected winners of $1,000 prize, including: Westwood Elementary (Prince George) Suwilaawks Community School (Terrace), École La GrandeOurse (Smithers), Voyageur Elementary (Quesnel) and Kildala Elementary (Kitimat).

A total of 3,533 students registered for the contest.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

The Thun family holds a cheque for $50,000 presented Tuesday, July 8 to the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation at UHNBC.

Carrier Sekani breaks ground on new youth residence

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Carrier Sekani Family Services broke ground Friday, July 11 on a new construction project aimed at providing low-barrier housing to Indigenous youth in Prince George.

The new complex, located at 611 Brunswick St., will provide 45 units of affordable, low-barrier housing that will meet the needs of Indigenous community members facing a lack of access to stable housing.

This complex will also feature a unit for elders to provide live-in support for the younger residents, as well the complex will feature retail and commercial space for the residents.

Carrier Sekani has partnered with Yellowridge Construction to complete this project and is scheduled to finish in the winter of 2026. The construction is estimated to begin this week.

The construction cost of the project is estimated at $26,154,414, with $5 million in funding provided by Indigenous Services Canada and BC Housing providing the remainder.

“It’s a very historic moment for Carrier Sekani and for myself,” said Jason Morgan, executive director of housing capital and infrastructure at Carrier Sekani. “Having an opportunity to look at housing as a fundamental right for the families that are going to be occupying, for me, that’s going to be the biggest reward for Carrier Sekani and supporting the children that are aging out of administrative care and looking at having elders and as well as some young families, in our complex.”

Morgan noted that this facility is aimed at addressing gaps in Prince George when it comes to access and affordability of housing that many Indigenous youth face in this city.

“One of the greatest barriers is access,” said Morgan. “As well, the rental rates … Poverty is probably one of the biggest barriers that we see. We’re trying to look at affordable housing, that’s really the partnership and collaboration with BC Housing and working with Indigenous Services Canada for post-majority housing supports.”

Mary Teegee, the chief administration officer for child and family services at Carrier Sekani, was a keynote speaker at the groundbreaking ceremony and emphasized the importance of this new facility to struggling youth in the city.

“One of the young people, we talked to them and they said, I can’t even sleep. I can’t even dream,” she said.

“When we talked about that place, it’s that we take as human beings, even the simple fact of dreaming, having a bed to dream in. We take for granted that we have a warm place to go to stay, to sleep ... This young person really brought it to mind. And so we have a place that we call our place to dream because now they have a place to sleep and now they have a safe place to come to.”

Rod Hill, director of Indigenous relations at BC Housing, shared his thoughts on how this new complex can change the future for Indigenous youth.

“This is a place to come home to. It’s a place to rest,” he said.

“It’s a place to have opportunities and to think about the future and to raise up future leaders.”

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

From left to right, Jason Morgan, Mary Teegee, Ron Hill, Mayor Simon Yu, Warner Adam and Ed Mocnik break ground for a new youth housing project on Friday, July 11.

College sends warning of possible online privacy breach

CITIZEN STAFF

The College of New Caledonia is warning students and employees of a cybersecurity incident that may have exposed limited personal information.

In a notice sent to affected individuals, CNC said it became aware on March 5, 2025, that an unauthorized person had gained access to its online systems.

The college says it immediately brought in cybersecurity experts and legal counsel to secure its networks and

Fire at the Flats

Firefighters from Prince George Fire Rescue pour water on a tent structure fire that broke out at one of the campsites at the Moccasin Flats encampment in downtown Prince George on Monday, July 14.

investigate the breach.

While there is no evidence that any personal information has been misused, the college says the attacker may have accessed data such as names, phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, employee or student ID numbers, and CNC Connect passwords, either in clear text or hashed form.

The breach may have occurred on or before Oct. 31, 2024, but was not disclosed until July 7, when CNC formally notified both the RCMP and the BC

privacy commissioner.

Officials say the information exposed would not be enough to gain access to user accounts on its own. However, they are urging caution and advising affected individuals to monitor their accounts for suspicious activity and be alert to potential identity fraud or social engineering attempts.

The college says it responded by taking its systems offline, resetting all user accounts, changing credentials, and boosting its cybersecurity defences.

This included enhanced firewall controls, better endpoint monitoring, and increased auditing measures.

In a letter to people who may have been affected, CNC president and CEO Cindy Heitman wrote that the institution remains committed to improving information security and regrets any inconvenience caused by the breach.

Those with concerns are encouraged to call a dedicated support line at 1-833294-7146, available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.

Small business fined for illegally burning wood pallets

Environmental Appeal Board reduces the original amount by 59%

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Environmental Appeal Board reduced fines for illegal burning of wood pallets by 59 per cent for a small business near Fort St. John.

In a July 4 decision, Panel Chair David Bird upheld the findings that Kalia Resources Corp. and its owner, Joseph Kitzke, violated the Environmental Management Act by unlawfully discharging

waste by burning pallets on the 15-acre Charlie Lake property.

Last year, Kitzke appealed the $75,000 in fines ($32,000 in 2022 and $43,000 in 2023).

Bird reduced the penalties to $30,800 (($14,300 and $16,500, respectively).

Conservation officers had investigated open burning incidents in November 2018 and January 2021.

Bird said the evidence supports the finding that Kitzke lacks remorse and was uncooperative, “as demonstrated by elusive statements to (conservation officers) investigating both the 2018 and 2021 contraventions.”

However, Bird wrote that he decided that the nature of contraventions was moderate, not major as had been previously found.

Fines are supposed to deter future contraventions, promote future compliance and motivate persons to improve their behaviour. “However, administrative penalties are not retribution,” Bird wrote.

“The (Administrative Penalties Handbook) specifically guides that penalties for individuals and small operators should be lower than for companies. I find that the appellants fall into the small operator category,” Bird wrote.

Kalia’s business involves using a sewage pump truck to collect sewage from homes and small businesses year round, cleaning up yards and removing snow.

It also collects wood pallets for repair and redistribution.

Bird’s ruling said Kalia had been ticketed under provincial law for discharging sewage into a lagoon on the property in March 2015, burning prohibited materials in March 2016 and discharging sewage again in November 2018.

The Ministry of Environment also sent warning letters in November 2015 for open burning and May 2017 for discharging raw sewage.

Police looking to ID suspects in ‘targeted’ vandalism

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

The RCMP is asking for help in identifying suspects in connection with repeated vandalism at a residence on the 100 block of McQueen Crescent.

RCMP stated that this home has been targeted since late May when unidentified suspects threw a rock through the front window and spray-painted the home.

On June 16, rocks were again thrown through the window of the home and the homeowner’s vehicle.

As well, the homeowner’s vehicle was spray-painted with red spray paint.

“These appear to be targeted attacks,” states Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, media relations officer for the Prince George RCMP.

“Investigators are looking to the public for assistance in identifying the persons caught on the video surveillance. We recognize that they are masked

in some photos, but are hopeful that someone may be able to identify them despite the masks. If anyone knows

Foul play not suspected as body of missing Mackenzie woman found

CITIZEN STAFF

The body of Alice Maureen Chingee, a 62-year-old woman who was reported missing from the Mackenzie area on June 18, 2024, has been found, RCMP confirmed Friday, July 11.

Police say her death is not considered suspicious.

The RCMP offered its condolences to Chingee’s family and friends, who kept up a dedicated social media campaign in the search for her.

This included a highway sign and other efforts to raise awareness about the case.

The Mackenzie RCMP launched an extensive investigation following her disappearance, which lasted more than seven months and involved searches and public appeals for information.

While no foul play is suspected, investigators believe someone may have

information that could help provide closure.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Mackenzie RCMP at 250-997-3288.

these individuals, we encourage them to call the Prince George RCMP non-emergency line at 250-561-3300 to speak with

an investigator

The case remains under investigation.

TOYS • COMICS • GAMES

Become a local tycoon!

Prince George RCMP have released surveillance images of suspects involved in what’s being described as targeted vandalism at a home on McQueen Crescent.

RCMP PHOTO

Alice Chingee was reported missing to Mackenzie RCMP last year.

Judge orders house arrest for man with lengthy record

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A Provincial Court judge in Prince George sentenced a man on July 9 to a 90-day conditional sentence order to be served at his mother’s remote home near Driftwood.

Judge Cassandra Malfair acknowledged Peter Jr. Charlie, born in 1981, has a lengthy record with 77 convictions and 33 breaches of court orders. Malfair admitted she was “going a bit out on a limb” by assessing house arrest after being moved by his mother’s impromptu speech to the court about

COURT NOTES

Man sentenced for breaching a probation order

A man pleaded guilty July 2 in Prince George Provincial Court to breaching probation.

Judge David Simpkin sentenced Ricky Kalen Alexander Sam to 14 days house arrest after an off-duty RCMP officer noticed him at a Fort St. James Petro-Canada station on Feb. 1.

The officer recognized Sam from previous interactions and notified another officer.

Sam, described as wearing a red hoodie and white gloves while riding a black bike, was under a bail order from a judge to not go within 20 kilometres of Fort St. James.

When police found him on Highway 27, Sam was wearing sunglasses and a mask over his face with his hoodie up. An officer ordered him to remove the mask and sunglasses before he was arrested.

Simpkin’s conditional sentence order to the 39-year-old Indigenous man requires him to stay away from Fort St. James and live under round-the-clock house arrest.

Guilty plea scuttles Prince

George firearms trial

A Prince George man pleaded guilty to one of three firearms charges July 7, cancelling a scheduled two-day trial in

his difficult life in a family suffering the legacy of Indian residential schools.

Charlie pleaded guilty to breaching court orders, possessing a stolen iPhone and breaking a car window in the University Hospital of Northern B.C. parking lot in May. Malfair warned Charlie not to be disruptive around a hospital, because people who go there should feel safe and their belongings should be safe.

“If you breach and you come into town to get in with bad peers, getting into trouble or getting into drugs, you’re just going to end up back here,” Malfair told Charlie.

Court heard that Charlie’s mother, who described herself as a hereditary chief, has a history of cancer and heart problems. She pleaded with Malfair to be lenient, citing her son’s terminal homelessness, unemployment and upbringing in a household marred by violence and alcoholism.

“He’s good, he listens, he does what I tell him,” the woman said. “Like I say, he’s learning how to do Indian medicine.”

She was not immediately leaving for Driftwood, so Malfair opted against automatically releasing Charlie. Instead, she ordered him to remain in custody

Legal proceedings in Prince George take place at the city’s downtown courthouse.

Provincial Court.

William Daniel Michael Korolyk, born in 1987, had been charged with contravention of storage regulations, unauthorized possession of a firearm and possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition.

Before Judge Martin Nadon, Korolyk pleaded guilty to the second count, possessing a firearm without licence and/or registration.

Court heard that Korolyk had a 9 mm Glock handgun in his possession on Nov. 23, 2023, but his restricted possession and acquisition licence had expired and the certificate revoked Nov. 10, 2023. Maximum jail sentence is five years.

“Your counsel may reach an

agreement with the Crown, with respect to sentence, but at the end of the day, what happens is up to the court,” Nadon told Korolyk.

Nadon ordered a pre-sentencing report into the impact of Korolyk’s Indigenous heritage on his offence and scheduled Sept. 17 for the next court appearance.

Judge tosses accused’s constitutional challenge

A Provincial Court judge in Prince George dismissed a man’s constitutional challenge of a his arrest at a local hotel.

Jamie Hal Hammerstrom, born in 1978, is charged with possession of

until a July 11 hearing.

“The only way that this is not a risk to public safety, given your record, is if you’re leaving to go into the bush,” Malfair said.

“I’m not going to release you to go into Prince George.”

Malfair said Charlie can be within a 10 kilometre radius of his mother’s home between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. But, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., he must be in the home.

“It’s better than what was being proposed. You were looking at four months in custody, so just wait two more days, all right?” Malfair said to Charlie.

a firearm contrary to order, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition and wilfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer.

Prince George RCMP were called early April 4, 2024 to Grama’s Inn for a complaint about a man and woman entering an empty suite without authorization. When officers arrived, a man tried to flee, but his jacket fell off in a struggle. Police subdued the man, searched the jacket and found a loaded Glock 9 mm handgun.

Hammerstrom’s lawyer, Tony Lagemaat, contested the charges before Judge Cassandra Malfair on constitutional grounds in February. He alleged RCMP officers entered the hotel room without a warrant and did not have reasonable grounds to arrest Hammerstrom.

In a July 4 ruling, Judge Cassandra Malfair found officers did not breach Hammerstrom’s right to not be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned.

“The police already have the authority to enter the premises by virtue of the permission extended to them by the property owner and an intruder has no expectation of privacy in a place they occupy unlawfully,” Malfair ruled. “I’m satisfied the police had reasonable and probable grounds to believe Mr. Hammerstrom had broken and entered into room 266 of Grama’s Inn.”

Bob Mackin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

CITIZEN

Local man found not guilty of assault, uttering threats Rush-hour crash

BOB MACKIN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A Provincial Court judge in Prince George found a man not guilty on July 9 of assault and uttering threats to case death or bodily harm.

Brent James Ward, born in 1968, had been charged with assaulting a woman and man and uttering threats to a man during a confrontation at his residence in Prince George on March 25, 2024.

Ward denied the charges, argued that he was in a consensual fight and used reasonable force to eject a trespasser.

“I find Mr. Ward’s evidence raises a reasonable doubt on all counts,” said Judge Cassandra Malfair. “And, therefore, I’m required by law to find Mr. Ward not guilty.”

Court heard that Ward lived with the woman. Her son, who had an opiate addiction, lived with them for a brief period of time. Personal items went missing and Ward found drug paraphernalia.

He told the woman her son could no longer live there. The male went to a one-week detox facility, but wanted to store items at Ward’s. A physical altercation ensued when Ward came home to find the man loading items in his residence.

Malfair said that Ward testified he demanded the man leave the property

and that Ward admitted striking him four or five times, including once or twice on the head.

“He did not really know what [the man] was capable of, but felt he had to defend his home and himself,” Malfair said.

Photographs of the alleged victims do not correspond with evidence given at trial.

The photographs of the woman “do not show any apparent injury,” Malfair said. The man claimed to have been hit 40 to 50 times, concussed, cut around his eye and his ear bloodied.

Malfair said there was no evidence to suggest Ward delivered 40 to 50 blows or caused bruising, swelling or lacerations, except for a single scratch, and there was no medical evidence he was assessed or treated for concussive symptoms.

She was satisfied that Ward did not use excessive force or cause bodily harm.

The Crown failed to prove a lack of consent to the physical force used by Ward against the man. Alternatively, he had an “honest, but mistaken belief that he had” the man’s consent for a fistfight.

Similarly, the Crown failed to prove that Ward assaulted the woman.

“if there was any physical contact between them at the doorway, it was unintentional,” the judge said.

RCMP looking for wanted man

The RCMP Prince George is asking for the public’s help in locating a man wanted on an outstanding warrant. Saie John Yellowbird, 31, is wanted on an unendorsed warrant for uttering threats to cause bodily harm and failing to comply with a probation order. Police describe Yellowbird as an Indigenous man, five-foot-10 (178 centimetres), weighing 150 pounds (68 kilograms), with black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo on his right arm

that reads “Mason John.” Yellowbird is dangerous and should not be approached, say police. Anyone with information is asked to contact Prince George RCMP at 250-561-3300. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY AARON BAUMBACH

City firefighters work at the scene of a collision between a car and a camper at the intersection of Massey Drive, Winnipeg Street, Carney Street and 20th Avenue on Friday, July 11. There was no word on injuries.

CITIZEN STAFF

Yellowbird

BC tourism minister tours Cariboo, visits Barkerville

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Barkerville was recently visited by an enthusiastic and influential guest.

That guest was Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport Spencer Chandra Herbert, who stopped in to experience the culture and history of one of BC’s original boom towns.

Barkerville Historic Town and Park has been a cornerstone of tourism in the North since it was designated a provincial heritage property in 1958.

“Being one of the ministers responsible for heritage and tourism — what could be a better place?” said Chandra Herbert. “This is a place for discovering our past, but also bringing people together to imagine a better future.”

Barkerville has recovered significantly after evacuations due to wildfires. Since then, it has continued to showcase life on the BC frontier during the Gold Rush era, welcoming guests from across the globe.

Chandra Herbert has been touring the Cariboo region, including Quesnel and surrounding communities.

The minister hadn’t visited Barkerville in more than a decade and shared that his first connection to the site came in childhood.

“You have to understand your history to know your future,” he said. “When I was in Grade 4, I wrote a mock tourism brochure for Barkerville — having never actually been here — just because I’d read that Gold Rush history and had always wanted to come. I never would have imagined I’d get to visit as the tourism minister, to celebrate what Barkerville is.

“It’s such an opportunity to meet people — not just British Columbians, but people from around the world. Last time I was here, I spoke with some Chinese tourists who couldn’t believe the history of Chinese Canadians in the community, for example.”

During his visit, Chandra Herbert toured the site, engaged with staff and actors, and took in a performance featuring the town’s water wheel. He also visited the park’s metal and welding

shop, where heritage builders maintain and restore Barkerville’s buildings.

However, the highlight of his visit was taking part in a drum circle led by Indigenous educator Mike “Sintsé” Retasket, who gifted the minister a drum.

“The drumming for me was the

highlight,” said Chandra Herbert.

“I think having the Lhtako Nation’s involvement here just completes the picture. It’s been a missing part of the story in the past. It was very focused on colonial history — and that’s important — but we have to understand Indigenous history too. It makes the

experience much fuller.

“I think Indigenous tourism in BC is starting to find its place, and I’m really glad about that. In museums and heritage sites, it’s been missing for too long.”

Chandra Herbert told The Citizen he sees Barkerville as a vital part of BC’s cultural fabric.

“BC was founded on a lot of things, but mining was one of the big reasons places like Quesnel exist as colonial towns,” he said.

“Obviously, Indigenous folks have been here since time immemorial. But you can’t understand B.C.’s history if you don’t understand mining history, or forestry history.

“There’s active mining around the region right now, so it’s a huge part of both the heritage and the future of this province. People need to understand mining. I think in my community — down in the West End of Vancouver — people don’t get exposed to it the way folks in this region do.

“I’ve got, I think, more mining offices in my home community in the West End than anywhere else in the world — but people don’t know the history.”

The minister also outlined some ways he plans to support and promote Northern tourism moving forward.

“I’ve been working with the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Tourism Prince George and Northern BC Tourism, because I think there are audiences that want to come here who don’t necessarily want to go to Vancouver,” he said.

“Or maybe they want to stop in Vancouver on the way up here.

“I think there’s a huge market in German tourism. And if you’re just watching who comes through YVR or downtown Vancouver, you might miss that there’s a very specific audience interested in this region.

“So, we’re working with Destination BC to make sure we’re in those markets — inviting people in. And when we’re there, showing them what’s here. It’s not just Barkerville — there are whole regions that have so much to offer.”

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

BC Tourism Minister Spencer Chandra Herbert, right, plays in a drum circle on Wednesday, July 9 in Barkerville.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

A Barkerville blacksmith showcases his craft on Wednesday, July 9.

Plane crash staged for ‘code orange’ disaster training

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

One of the largest training exercises in Northern BC was recently conducted in Smithers.

This exercise was designed to help first responders from across the region prepare for a mass casualty scenario, otherwise known as a “code orange.”

The scenario on May 23 involved first responders and other health agencies responding to a full-scale simulation of a crashed airplane. It was hosted at two key sites — the Smithers Regional Airport and the Bulkley Valley District Hospital.

The exercise included simulated triage and extrication to the Bulkley Valley Hospital and dealing with wreckage from the crash, including complications involving a hazardous fuel spill.

This exercise involved 23 different agencies, including first responders from the Smithers Fire Department, RCMP, BC Ambulance Services, Canadian Rangers, search and rescue teams, and emergency operations representatives from Telkwa, Witset, and Houston.

More than 218 participants were involved in the simulation. These included the “victims,” who were mostly healthcare students from a high school program run at Coast Mountain College.

The students were dressed with moderate to severe injuries using special effects makeup, including severe trauma and amputated limbs.

Among these participants were also simulated family members who tried to breach security around the crash site to reach loved ones, simulated reporters who showed up at the hospital where the “victims” were being treated, and even simulated social media and newscasting reports that were broadcast to the team at the crash site.

In addition, a local helicopter company, Silver King Helicopter, donated more than $2,000 worth of flight hours to train coordination, bringing in Canadian Rangers and training in communication and coordination with air rescue services.

Matt Herzog, deputy fire chief for Smithers Fire Rescue and director for Emergency Support Services, spoke to The Citizen about the importance of preparing for situations like this.

“These events can happen anywhere,” said Herzog. “You can have a tour bus that rolls over or a school bus that is involved in an incident. You could have an aircraft come into your community and there’s an emergency and possibly has to crash. You just never know when a code orange could happen, regardless of the size of your community…

“We chose an aircraft emergency this time, and maybe next time we

to Vancouver or California,” said Herzog. “They donated it to the Smithers Volunteer Firefighters Association for a dollar, so now it lives with us. So it’s spent a long time not being used, and now we’re looking at facilitating more aircraft emergency firefighting training and more code orange training. So it’s an amazing prop to have for us, and it will be used for a long time.”

In his interview with The Citizen, Herzog emphasized that a key training point of this simulation was focusing on coordination and triage.

“We wanted to hone in on our communication skills between the emergency operation centre, the hospital, and the incident command post,” said Herzog.

“That’s three-way communication, determining what information is relevant and what is not relevant. We wanted to focus on those extrication skills for our on-the-ground first responders and our triage.

“Triaging is a very particular skill that requires practice and regular training to stay on top of. It’s not just the same as doing a regular patient assessment. There’s a different type of assessment model that you use for triage. Getting our paramedics, firefighters, and search and rescue responders to focus on that and practice — that’s important.”

With a key focus on medical applications and communication skills, Herzog also said that he hopes participants and first responders gain familiarity and closeness through these simulations.

will choose a bus accident or some other type of emergency. But these are very important to practice for — our firefighters, our rangers, search and rescue responders, and paramedics can practice working together. Because we’re a smaller area, we’re going to call everyone to help.”

One of the key pieces in the exercise was the simulated wreckage of a DC-9 aircraft, which was previously used in the film The Grey.

“The movie was filmed in Smithers and when they finished the movie, the two mid-sections — the movie crew and the company didn’t want to take it back

“The big takeaway that I hope everyone got from it was friendship,” said Herzog.

“Particularly in the smaller communities, that’s what it takes to make these real-world events happen. When we have a real emergency, it’s important that we all know each other, we all know how to work together, and we all know what our objectives are when that mission drops. I think that is the biggest takeaway from all this. There are so many different lessons, but it’s that friendship between responders, friendship between health authorities, and local government staff.”

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTOS

The training team looks over the simulated crash site in the top photo, while a volunteer playing one of the injured is checked inside the fuselage in the lower photo.

Eby blasts Trump tariffs, BC Ferries’ Chinese purchase

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Hours after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened hefty new tariffs on Canadian goods next month, BC Premier David Eby criticized the latest salvo in the ongoing trade war between the two countries.

Posting to his Truth Social account in the late afternoon of Thursday, July 10, Trump posted a copy of a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney announcing a 35 per cent tariff on Canadian goods entering the U.S. effective Aug. 1 and warning that any retaliatory tariffs would be matched.

Trump cited fentanyl entering the U.S., a supposed trade deficit and Canada’s supply-managed dairy sector as reasons behind the move.

These new tariffs are on top of the 10 per cent tariff already charged on Canadian potash and energy and 25 per cent tariffs charged on goods not subject to CUSMA, the successor free trade agreement to NAFTA.

“The letter is flailing,” Eby said to reporters in Kin 1 in Prince George less than two hours after Trump’s post and half an hour before the opening ceremonies of the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games.

“It’s factually incorrect and other f-words do come to mind. It really underlines the importance of the work we’re doing in Canada to build a country where we’re able to stand on our own two feet, diversify markets and ensure that we’re supporting each other across the country.

When Eby’s NDP government passed the Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act earlier this year in response to Trump’s earlier actions, it included a provision that would give the province the authority to levy a toll on vehicles travelling through BC’s highways or waters between the lower 48 states and Alaska.

Asked if his government is considering using this power, Eby said BC would be co-ordinating its response to the tariffs with the federal government.

“I will say, though, I was incredibly, frankly relieved to hear from Alaska leaders speaking out,” Eby said.

“Senator (Lisa) Murkowski saying how important the relationship is between Alaska and Canada, how closely we work together, how it’s mutually beneficial. Those are the kinds of partnerships and that’s the kind of support we’re looking for and we’re grateful that came from Alaska.”

Across the border to the east, Energy Alberta is currently looking into building a power plant with two Candu nuclear reactors near the Town of Peace River.

There’s an ongoing push to build infrastructure and natural resources projects at both the provincial and federal levels due to the trade war with the United States, Eby said nuclear power British Columbia has access to “firm” power from hydro and geothermal sources whereas

As for other potential hydroelectric sites on the Peace River, Eby said he doesn’t think either BC Hydro or private proponents are considering that for the moment.

BC Ferries

Last week, Prince George-Mackenzie Conservative MLA Kiel Giddens issued a media release calling on the premier to use his powers to prevent BC Ferries from issuing a contract to a China-based shipbuilder for four new vessels.

“I want these ferries built in Canada, if not directly here in British Columbia,” Eby said in Prince George.

“We didn’t have any Canadian shipbuilding yards bid on the contract. They are incredible busy with military shipbuilding contracts.”

He said that since he became premier, shipbuilding jobs in BC have increased by 39 per cent and his government has supported the industry by leveraging private financing to expand shipyards.

Alberta does not.

“I think that one of the considerations that is put forward anytime we’re talking about generating new electricity, the key one is cost,” Eby said.

“What is the cost going to be for ratepayers? How do we minimize that impact on ratepayers while maximizing the power input. Our recent call for power with (BC) Hydro, with wind power and solar power projects across the province, every corner of the province, comes in at rates that are cheaper than rates were 15 years ago.”

The province’s current call for power is for those constant sources of power that are available when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing, Eby said.

“Alberta doesn’t have those same opportunities, they’re forced into wildly expensive projects like nuclear and projects like natural gas,” he said.

There’s an opportunity, he said, to work with the federal government on the additional military spending they’ve promised to meet Canada’s spending commitments under NATO and expand capacity in BC to build the next four ferries.

The premier also said that the opposition has voted against supporting BC Ferries and don’t support ferry users.

“We need the ferries now and so it’s a difficult decision,” Eby said. “It’s not something I’m enthusiastic about that they’re coming from China, but we’ve got to get people moving and I want to ensure that ships five through eight are build right here in BC or at least in Canada.

Eby said he planned to spend that night in Prince George and visit some local businesses and organizations in town before departing.

He said his next trip up north would be to the LNG Canada facility near Kitimat in the next couple of weeks. That facility recently sent out its first two shipments of liquified natural gas.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

Premier David Eby speaks to reporters in Kin 1 ahead of the opening ceremonies for the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George on Thursday, July 10.

Boat builder develops nearly indestructible solar panels

Simon Angus couldn’t find what he needed ... so he invented it

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Failure is the mother of invention.

For Prince George entrepreneur Simon Angus, mistakes made trying to build the world’s first fully sustainable electric-powered sailing catamaran became the blueprint for his latest innovation: virtually indestructible solar panels.

In November 2019, Angus quit his job as project manager at the Husky Energy oil refinery in Prince George (now Tidewater) and started Open Waters Design and Manufacturing. He spent the next two and a half years building a prototype for a lightweight carbon-fibre composite yacht that uses no fossil fuels and is compact enough to be shipped disassembled in a 40-foot rail car.

The catamaran relied on solar panels to power lights, refrigeration and other creature comforts, while the kinetic energy of the boat in motion turned propellers to store electricity through a hydro-regenerative system used to power twin 10-kilowatt electric motors.

The ship proved seaworthy in tests in Florida, but the project ultimately failed because the after-market solar panels cracked and didn’t generate enough electricity. Another issue was that the panels came only in rectangular shapes, limiting where they could be applied. That ruled out using solar in small or irregularly shaped areas.

“Those solar panels we bought — if you held them wrong, they would crack. And if you do that to all the panels, you end up with a very poor, inefficient solar array that isn’t going to generate the power you need,” said Angus.

Angus has since developed a way to produce panels with solar cells built into the laminate, which can then be cut into virtually any size or shape. The vacuum process starts with layers of composite fibre and solar cells laid over a recycled foam core material. Air

is then sucked out between the layers to form ultra-tight bonds as they cure in a mould. Once cured, the panels are injected with resin to give them strength.

Just three millimetres thick, the finished panel is incredibly strong and durable, and can be used on boat decks or other surfaces.

“I said to myself, if we can encapsulate solar panels into a fibreglass laminate, then maybe we can protect the cells really well and do any sort of shape — and that’s what we’ve done,” said Angus.

“It’s got a non-slip coating on it, so when you glue this down to the boat you can walk on it. So basically it becomes a decking material, and we can do any size, any shape. You can take one of these panels and beat it with a stick and it basically won’t break. We’ve figured out how to make solar part of the boat.”

Word is getting out internationally to boat manufacturers looking for robust panels that offer a clean-energy alternative to noisy generators. The panels can also be used on building facades and other construction applications.

“We spent two years in (research and development) to try to figure out how

Once the trailer conversion is complete, Angus will have it towed to Golden, BC, where it will pair with a diesel-electric hybrid logging truck built by Edison Motors to demonstrate that green transportation is possible.

“We’re going to be able to charge the truck and do 100 kilometres on the charge,” said Angus. “We can really only afford to do those trailers when we’re fully automated.”

The current 6,000-square-foot shop will eventually produce panels with a daily electrical output of 12 kilowatts. Angus is also planning a 20,000-squarefoot automated production facility that would boost output to 50 kW per day. Open Waters, with a team of seven employees based in downtown Prince George, already has enough orders to stay busy through the summer. The company plans to expand its workforce to 18 by fall.

to build it, and now we have so many orders that we’re automating the manufacturing process,” Angus said.

“It’s an expensive process right now. We can compete with diesel fuel, but we can’t compete with electricity— and we need to reduce the manufacturing costs.”

With Canada committed to increasing military spending — driven by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s pledge to allocate up to five per cent of the country’s GDP to defence by 2035 — Angus hopes to position his fibreglass panels for military use.

“There are military applications,” he said. “We’ve actually got people here with guns and we’ll shoot some of them to prove how durable they are. Obviously, you’ll blow a hole in it, but the idea is we don’t get short circuits and we don’t destroy them. We’ve already drilled holes in them and it hasn’t affected performance too much.”

Later this fall, Angus plans to install the panels on the exterior walls and roof of a 53-foot refrigerated trailer, typically used to haul perishables over long distances. The panels will be connected to a series of 60 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion batteries hooked to a phase inverter to maximize efficiency.

The Open Waters project is one of 12 selected as semi-finalists in the Northern Angel Summit. Angus is competing for a $100,000 prize, raised privately by 20 local investors in the Northern Innovation Network (formerly Hubspace). Six finalists will be chosen later this summer to pitch their projects Sept. 25 in a Dragon’s Den-style event at the Prince George Civic and Conference Centre.

The Northern Innovation Network provides business coaching, mentorship, training, networking and access to potential funding. The Sept. 25 event is sponsored by the Northern Development Initiative Trust, Innovate BC and Pacific Economic Development Canada. Angus has already secured about $1.5 million in non-dilutive funding and loans, but says he needs to raise at least another $1 million in capital to unlock all available grant programs. He’s already received grants from the National Research Council, the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund and BC Clean. He hasn’t scrapped his boat-building ambitions, either. Angus still plans to give the sailing catamaran another go, this time using double the number of solar panels over the same space to generate more power.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

Simon Angus of Open Water Manufacturing and Design is taking advantage of robotics technology to produce virtually indestructible solar panels at his shop in downtown Prince George.

What’s happening in PG

Summer Art Monkeys goes every Wednesday until Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon at Studio 2880, 2880-15th Ave, and presented by the Prince George & District Community Arts Council. Children will get to experience painting, sketching, working with clay and learning how to journal. For more information and to register visit www.studio2880. com/programs/youth-programs/ summer-arts.

Summer Creativity Camps at Two Rivers Gallery runs until Monday, July 28. A fun, creative way to keep children engaged this summer. Two Rivers Gallery is offering exciting art camps for children from six to 12 years old. This year’s themes include Celebrating Indigenous Arts, Nature’s Palette, Let’s Go To The Fair, Project Runway, Canada’s Got Talent and so much more, each packed with hands-on art, games, and outdoor fun. Spots fill up fast. For more information and to register visit www.tworiversgallery.ca/do/programs/camps.

Downtown Summerfest goes Saturday, July 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Veteran’s Plaza,1100 Patricia Blvd. Hosted by Downtown PG, there will be a vendors alley, live music, outdoor food court, petting zoo and family fun. For all the details visit www.downtownpg.com/ summerfest.

Kodiaks Home Opener VS Westshore Rebels goes Saturday, July 19 at 6 p.m. at Masich Place Stadium. Kodiaks open season 4 as they take on the Westshore Rebels. Gates open at 4pm. Food, drinks, fun and entertainment are in store for the kickoff of the Kodiaks Season. For more information and tickets visit https://ticketsnorth. Kodiaks.

Pineview Sunfrolics goes Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pineview Hall, 6470 Bendixon Road presented by the Pineview Recreation Commission. There is a Junk in the Trunk sale, bouncy castle for the kids, pickleball tournament, classic car show, a slopitch tournament, full concession and $5 face painting. For more information visit www.facebook.com/

pgpineviewhall.

Kids Carnival goes Sunday, July 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Huble Homestead. Venture north for a whirlwind of fun as you and your family test your skills at carnival games with guaranteed prizes. Magician William the Conjurer will perform. There are old-fashioned games, play with the popular parachute and visit the adorable animals. Do the treasure hunt while exploring the grounds or take a spin on the Central BC Railways Museum’s mini rail. For more information visit https://www. hublehomestead.ca/kidscarnival Northern Lights Winery 10-Year Anniversary Celebration goes Saturday, July 26 at 6 p.m at the Winery, 745 Prince George Pulpmill Rd. Celebrate a decade of sipping, sharing and making memories at Northern Lights Winery. The event will feature interactive wine tastings, a DJ dance party, exclusive giveaways, and more. For more information and tickets that are online only visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/northern-lights-winerys-10-year-anniversarytickets.

The Burden, FloodGate, & Keeper

Metal Night goes Saturday, July 26 at 7 p.m. at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St. Get ready for a night of intense metal music that will blow your mind. For more information and tickets visit www.bandsintown.com/ theburdentickets.

Peace Motocross Association

Round 7 Motocross Races go Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27 at Prince George Motocross Park, 28100 Blackwater Rd. Racing starts at noon Saturday and 9 a.m on Sunday. For all the details visit www.facebook.com/ events/1442088580149742.

Scavenger Weekend goes Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Huble Homestead. Explore the historic site as you search for hidden, and not so hidden, objects to complete your list. Get out and enjoy the July sun and the fresh air during this fun and inexpensive day that’s perfect for seasoned seekers or first-time explorers. Huble Homestead Historic Site is a 30-minute drive north of Prince George on Mitchell Road. For more information visit www.hublehomestead. ca/scavenger2.

Sunflower Festival goes Thursday, July 31 at 10 a.m. to Monday, Sept. 1 at Northern Lights Estate Winery Foreman Farms, 1965 Foreman Rd. Photo stations, friendly farm animals, drinks and snack at Bloom Café, live music every Friday and Saturday, Kids’ Days and Artisan Craft classes, u-cut sunflower specials on Thursdays. For more information and tickets that are online only visit www.northernlightswinery.ca/ sunflower-fest.

Movie Night in the Orchard – 10 Things I Hate About You goes Friday, Aug. 1 at 9:30 p.m. at Northern Lights Estate Winery, 745 Prince George Pulpmill Road at the Orchard View Amphitheatre across from the Winery. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, bug spray, and some warm layers. Come early to secure a parking spot, set up your perfect viewing spot, grab snacks & drinks from our concession stand. Cash, debit & credit accepted. Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.eventbrite. ca/e/movie-night-in-the-orchard-10things-i-hate-about-you-tickets.

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CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

Liam Flood guides the Cottonwood Express with a full load of passengers around the 340 foot track laid around Veteran’s Square during last year’s Downtown Summerfest. The family-friendly festival returns Saturday, July 19.

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Tennyson King goes Saturday, Aug. 2 at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St. Tennyson King is an international touring act from Hong Kong and Canada. His style of rock and roll is infused with earthy roots and blues while subtly laced in psychedelic sounds. It’s a raw, gritty, and organic sound that makes the soul feel wild and the heart comforted. For more information and tickets visit www.bandsintown.com/ tennysonking.

Kitten & Board Games goes Saturday, Aug. 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. at 3 Goblins Games, #200-356 George St. It’s a fundraiser and adoption event for the Prince George Humane society where participants can play games and pet kitties. Entry fee is a voluntary donation of either cash or needed supplies for the Prince George Humane Society. Even if you’re not into board games you are welcome to attend as kitten adoption is also an option. The list of needed items include cat and kitten kibble, cat and kitten wet food, clay litter, stainless steel cat bowls, cat toys (especially ones with handles), kongs for dogs, printer paper, XL garbage bags, paper towel, leashes and laundry detergent. Donations accepted all day.

Kulbir Jhinjer Live goes Saturday, Aug. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Prince George Civic Centre. Jhinjer is a prominent Punjabi singer and songwriter known for his distinctive voice and impactful lyrics. He gained recognition with his hit tracks that blend traditional Punjabi music with contemporary sounds, establishing himself as a significant figure in the Punjabi music industry. For tickets visit www.ticketsnorth.ca/event/ kulbir-jhinjer-live.

BC Northern Exhibition (BCNE) goes Thursday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 17 at the Exhibition Grounds, hosted by the Prince George Agricultural and Historical Association. Along with West Coast Amusements and the Food Court there is a BCNE Trade Route Beer & Cider Festival and a BCNE/Spirit of the North fundraising Casino Night along with

main stage performers and roaming acts including SuperDogs, Heritage Lane, Equine Events, 4H displays and showcases and old timey fair contests for Home Arts & Horticulture including woodworking, flowers, quilting, needlework and more. Tickets are free for children 11 and under, youth 12 to 17 are $5, Adults 18 to 54 are $10 and 55+ are $5 except for Seniors Day on Aug. 14 and then it’s a toonie to get into the fair. For all the details visit www. bcne.ca/ and for advanced tickets visit www.showpass.com/s/events/ all/?search_string=bcne.

Big Rig Show & Shine goes Saturday, Aug. 16 noon til dark with a light show after dusk and Sunday, Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at PGARA Speedway. Food trucks on site, music and good vibes, logging trucks, heavy haulers, cranes and more. Bring the family and show your pride in your ride. This is a working truck show so whether your ride is shiny, dirty or just off a haul, be ready to light up the night. Let’s show Prince George the real power of the industry that keeps everything rolling. Pre-register your truck by emailing htrpilotservices@outlook.com – just $20 to register before Aug. 15 and $25 after. $2 admission for the public.

Games Night goes every Thursday at 7 p.m at Spruce Capital Seniors Centre, 3701 Rainbow Drive. 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.

Craft & Chat at the main branch of the Prince George Public Library goes every Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the magazine corner, second floor, where fibre artists are invited to bring their latest projects to share, vent frustrations, brag about successes, get and give help and join in lively discussions. Snacks provided. This event is in partnership with Great Northwest Fibre Fest.

Myeloma Support Group goes every third Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Commonwealth Financial, 575 Victoria St. Everyone is welcome who has been

diagnosed, those who are caregivers, family members and friends. Wheelchair accessible parking at the back of the building. For more information call Viv Lougheed at 250-981-2618.

Parkinson Support Group meetings are the third Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. at the Spruce Capital Seniors Centre, 3701 Rainbow Drive. Meetings are informal and are for sharing information about slowing down the progression of PD. There are guest speakers, special events and biweekly exercise sessions and positive social interaction. Use lower parking lot beside ball diamond to access the seniors centre.

Willow River Farmers Market and Junk in the Trunk goes every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Willow River Hall, 55 Willow Avenue in Willow River, about 30 minutes east of Prince George, until Sept. 28. There are local crafts and homemade goods including jams and

preserves, concession, music and family fun. Everyone is welcome to attend. Trivia Night at Nancy O’s goes every other Wednesday at 8 p.m., 1261 Third Ave. There are three rounds per game, each round has five themed questions and five music questions. There’s something for everyone. The winning team gets a custom Nancy O’s Trivia trophy and a round of drinks, their photo on the wall that goes into the winners’ book after two weeks. Those caught cheating will be publicly shamed and labelled as cheaters – good wholesome fun. Book a spot by calling ahead at 250-562-8066.

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

The Prince George Citizen right to your inbox.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Prince George was the sports

ABOVE: Region 8 swimmers Carla Caputo (left) Olympics BC Summer Games at CN Centre Thursday,

LEFT: A Region 6 (Vancouver Island) athlete holds tre Thursday, July 10.

ABOVE: Premier David Eby poses with region Region 4 athletes as they arrive for the opening ceremonies.

OLYMPICS BC

sports capital of the province last weekend

and Brooklyn Sherba join their teammates for the opening ceremonies of the Special Thursday, July 10.

holds her Mr. PG stuffed toy as she enters the opening ceremony with her team at CN Cen-

ABOVE: Gail Hamamoto, Special Olympics Canada CEO, presents Region 8 (Cariboo-North East) 10- pin bowler Carol West with silver and gold medals for High Scratch Series and High Scratch Game at the Civic Centre.

BELOW: Region 8 (Cariboo-North East) 10-pin bowler Emilie Snyder launches a ball down a lane at Strike Zone Bowling during Special Olympics competition.

The Summer Games empower athletes across the province to achieve personal goals, develop life skills and experience the joy of teamwork and achievement

CITIZEN PHOTOS BY CHUCK NISBETT

LEFT: A Surrey Inferno player stops the ball on the side line during a game against the Mission Vipers in the rain at Rotary Fields on Friday, July 11.

Only male rhythmic gymnast wins Special Olympics gold

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Anthony Moncur was the only male rhythmic gymnast competing during the Special Olympics BC Summer Games held in Prince George from July 10 to 12.

His brother Fenner Rumble said it had been a life-long goal of Anthony’s and Anthony earned a gold and three silver medals for his efforts.

“His family is so proud of him and the dedication and commitment he has made to the sport and his teammates,” Rumble said.

It’s only just recently come about that male rhythmic gymnasts are allowed to go further than regional competitions, Moncur’s coach, Cathy McCooey, from Victoria in Region 6 that encompasses Vancouver Island, explained.

“So now they’ve created a men’s division, which allows them to potentially go to provincials and on to nationals

and the worlds,” McCooey said.

McCooey has coached Anthony for the last six years.

“I love it,” Moncur said about rhythmic gymnastics. He also participates in Special Olympics curling.

Within the realm of rhythmic gymnastics Moncur competes in clubs, rope, stick and rings.

“I like it all but the rings and sticks might be my favourite,” he said. “And the clubs — I like it all. I like the themes that they use — like Star Wars and Indiana Jones. I really like the music. I start to hum it after a while.”

Moncur said he practises rhythmic gymnastics every Monday.

“This year we got 13 practices and then we got six extra practices ahead of the competition,” McCooey said.

“Anthony has four routines and that’s a lot to learn.”

“It’s really fun to do,” Anthony said with a smile.

“And now I need to get a coffee.”

Seattle volunteer has dedicated 55 years to the Games

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Ken Kieffer from Seattle was at Masich Place Stadium on Saturday, July 12 during Special Olympics BC Summer Games second day of Track & Field. He was the gatekeeper at the breezeway access where athletes and officials could safely cross the track to get to the marshalling area for each track event.

“I have a job to do so we’ll have to chat as I continue my duties,” Kieffer said, with a hint of mischief in his eye.

Kieffer started volunteering with Special Olympics in 1970 when he saw a tiny ad in the Georgetown University newspaper when he was a sophomore.

“The ad said ‘the Special Olympics organization needs help tomorrow,’ and I liked that and I’ve been volunteering for 55 years,” Kieffer said.

He’s traveled the world with Special Olympics and volunteers for 28 nonprofit organizations on a regular basis.

As a retired lawyer since 2011 he’s

been volunteering pretty much full time. And the reason he goes anywhere he is needed by Special Olympics at his own expense?

Danielle Pechet was running the final stretch of her 800-metre race and as exhausted as she was she raised her arms in victory as she crossed the finish line. Kieffer pointed to her as the enthusiastic crowd in the bleachers was

cheering her on at a deafening level.

His three-word response said it all.

“She is why.”

The idea of contributing something more started early in his life. His mother used to put little notes into his lunch bag and one day in elementary school he found a quote from John Wesley.

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can,

in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

“And that has stayed with me my whole life,” Kieffer said.

Kieffer has supported his local and national Special Olympics organizations and besides volunteering in Prince George he has given his time at eight World Games including in Italy and Abu Dhabi.

“And every time I do it it’s new, it’s different, it’s wonderful and I am just happy to be a human,” Kieffer said.

One of the most poignant moments Kieffer witnessed at the track on Saturday took place when a young lady could not finish her 400-metre race.

“She started to cry and immediately two of her competitors went over to give her a hug,” Kieffer said.

“You don’t find that kind of care and camaraderie anywhere else.”

Kieffer said there is no end in sight for his volunteering efforts.

“I’ll just keep on keepin’ on,” he smiled.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHRISTINE DALGLEISH

Anthony Moncur, left, from Victoria, and his brother Fenner Rumble take a moment during the competition to get a photo together at the Civic Centre.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHRISTINE DALGLEISH

Ken Kieffer from Seattle came to Prince George to volunteer during the Special Olympics BC Summer Games held from July 10 to 12.

Powerlifter sets new world record at Special Olympics

Pierce Northcott of Mackenzie is already making his mark at 17

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Pierce Northcott may be just 17 years old, but he’s already lifting well beyond his years.

Northcott, of Mackenzie, broke the world record in the deadlift for the 16–17 age class at the Special Olympics powerlifting event held Friday at CN Centre, according to master of ceremonies Chris Ball.

During his final deadlift attempt, Northcott pulled 205 kilograms (451 pounds) — a lift that appears to surpass the previous record of 423 pounds, based on research by The Citizen.

Looking confident on the platform, Northcott handled the weight with apparent ease.

“His personal best in training had been 440 pounds going into this meet,” said his coach, Bryce Surgenor. “This is Pierce’s biggest competition yet, and being at this calibre of event doesn’t seem to faze him.”

“He’s completely unbothered. This morning he was picking on me, telling me my moustache looked stupid,” Surgenor added with a laugh.

“He is the most trainable athlete. He does everything I tell him to do — and he did great.”

Northcott said he felt strong going into the competition, a feeling that didn’t change over the course of the five-hour event, which featured squat, bench press and deadlift. He chose to compete in the bench press and deadlift.

“I’ve been lifting a lot these last few weeks, and nothing’s new — just working hard, finishing strong, having a healthy diet and losing weight. That’s all,” he said.

Northcott has become something of a local hero in Mackenzie, inspiring others through his dedication, said Judy Close, a board member with the Mackenzie Special Olympics committee.

“We’re all so proud of Pierce,” Close said.

“Because of COVID, Special Olympics in Mackenzie crumbled away.

Margie was the one who got things up and running again, and then a few of us joined. I think there were five or six of us on the board — and Pierce was our only athlete. He’s done fantastic. It’s been amazing getting to know him because he’s just so dedicated and so focused.”

Close said Northcott’s journey has inspired other athletes in the community.

Mackenzie now has several swimmers and another weightlifter on its Special Olympics team.

“There was one young man who came to me and said he wants to do what Pierce does,” said Margaret Northcott, Pierce’s mother, smiling with pride.

She said powerlifting has been transformative for her son.

“When he was very young, he would

hide away because he was very shy,” she said. “He wouldn’t go out in public and didn’t have many friends.”

That began to change when Pierce started walking and asked for a nutritionist. Then he asked for a gym pass.

Coach Surgenor, who frequently saw Pierce training on his own, approached the Special Olympics committee and offered to coach him.

“They’ve been training for two years now. Ever since, Pierce goes to Bryce when he has a problem,” Margaret said. “Bryce taught him how to read nutrition labels. Now Pierce makes his own food, won’t eat processed foods, and only allows himself one cheat meal a week.”

In addition to regular gym workouts, Pierce walks long distances with a weighted vest and flips tires for conditioning.

“And I work at a daycare — Pierce comes in to volunteer. He plays with the children and does push-ups with the kids on his back,” Margaret said.

Reflecting on how far her son has come brought tears to her eyes.

“He broke a world record. I am so proud of him.”

Conor McLaughlin, a Special Olympics powerlifting coach from Prince George, stood beside Pierce after the win. Coach Surgenor had been called away before the event ended.

“You just lifted 451 pounds,” McLaughlin said, patting Pierce on the shoulder. “He’s 17 years old, and I think that’s just phenomenal. He’s got a lot more in him.”

“I need Bryce to tell them I want to lift 500,” Pierce said, eyes full of determination.

“That’s the next goal for Pierce,” McLaughlin said.

“He’ll only get stronger as he gets older, and a 13-kilo improvement on his personal best is something I’m really impressed by.”

“Yeah, I’m happy about that,” Pierce said with a smile.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Mackenzie’s Pierce Northcott competes in the Special Olympics BC Summer Games, powerlifting deadlift competition lifting a weight of 205KG on his third lift at CN Centre Friday, July 11.

Team Yukon kicks its soccer game into a higher gear

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

The weather in Prince George wasn’t cooperating at the start of the Special Olympics BC Summer Games,.

For Team Yukon, the wind and rain that prevailed for much of opening day were far from ideal for the eight soccer teams exposed to the elements Friday, July 11 at Rotary Soccer Field.

But instead of griping, the 11-player Team Yukon didn’t let the cool, wet and blustery conditions spoil their rare opportunity to play the game they love in a provincial tournament against their Special Olympics peers.

That kind of opportunity is nearly impossible to find in Whitehorse — an isolated city of just 35,000 that serves as the territorial capital and is home to the only Special Olympics soccer team in a vast territory spanning 442,443 square kilometres.

Seeded in the second of three divisions in the seven-a-side tournament, Yukon split its first two games Friday, opening with a 4–3 win over Victoria and ending the day with an 8–1 loss to the Burnaby Lightning.

Yukon went on to lose the Division 2 semifinal 1–0 to Victoria on Saturday afternoon and will return home to Whitehorse with bronze. Burnaby captured gold in the final against Victoria.

“The impression I have, watching the Yukon team play, is they’re definitely very driven and focused on what they’re doing — and they’re having fun,” said Burnaby Lightning coach Sarah Phillips.

“We had a lot of rain Friday, the weather was horrible, and all of those athletes were having a ton of fun, even with the rain. They weren’t fazed at all — they were just focused and kept playing. They’re an amazing group. It’s got to be an amazing experience for them. For a lot of them, they’re getting to see everybody for the first time.”

Yukon goalkeeper Gaetan (Gaets) Michaud is the team captain and on-field general, directing his teammates — especially when opponents are pressing. He was especially busy

during the Burnaby game, and the score would have been far more lopsided had he not been in top form.

“He’s the top goalie of the tournament,” said Yukon assistant coach Ben Smith. “He singlehandedly saved about eight Burnaby goals Friday by throwing himself across the net. He’s the brick wall of this tournament.”

Michaud moved to Whitehorse from Quebec, years after he first caught the Special Olympics bug as a teenager growing up in Montreal’s West Island. Originally a track and field athlete, he switched to soccer at 21 when his team formed — but didn’t take on the goalkeeper role until after moving north to join his brother.

Unlike in summer — when it can be blistering hot in the land of the midnight sun — winters in Whitehorse are long, dark and cold. But the indoor fieldhouse at the Canada Games Centre, built for the 2007 Canada Winter Games, allows Michaud and his teammates to practise their soccer skills year-round.

“Most of them have been together since before I started coaching,” said head coach Ken Binns. “We’ve got three new athletes to soccer this year playing with us, and they’ve just excelled leaps and bounds since we started working hard to get ready for provincials.”

Binns, who never played soccer himself, took over coaching 15 years ago when interest in the floor hockey team he was leading dropped off.

“The program was pretty good to start with, and I’ve just kept building

it and learning as I go,” he said. “It was a steep learning curve for me — but these guys make it worth it. They go every day. It’s great to see the athletes out there — it’s an inspiration to watch them play.”

Michaud, along with midfielders Owen Munroe and Kenny Atlin, are the team’s longest-serving players. The squad includes three female players and eight males. All have significantly improved their fitness levels since Michaud introduced a weekly two-hour Monday night boot camp to prepare them for competition.

“All these players work really hard and it shows — it’s paying off,” said Michaud, holding back tears. “The boot camp we do is a mixture of everything — cardio and strength. I started doing personal training because I was out of shape and on a rough road. I just wasn’t feeling it — I wasn’t the guy I was before.

“So I said to myself, ‘I can fix this to help these guys succeed on the field.’ I took about a month and a half off to focus on my own health and well-being and returned to the field toward the end of last month — and it was clicking right away.”

Getting to Prince George from Whitehorse isn’t easy. It’s a 1,619-kilometre drive that takes 16 hours — or a flight that requires a connection in Vancouver before boarding another plane to PG. The team only travels for provincial or national Special Olympics events.

“In the Yukon, we’re the only team. We scour some local volunteers and

play against them,” said Michaud. “We used to play against Whitehorse Minor (youth teams), but now we just play against volunteers in weekly scrimmages. We have a lot of good support from our community.”

As ambassadors for their territory, Smith says the players deserve every bit of that support.

“One of the challenges the Yukon team faces is that, because it’s such a small community, there’s not a lot of competition from other teams — we have to train ourselves, really,” he said. “To come down and face a team like Victoria and beat them — that’s pretty incredible.

“It shows the commitment and dedication this team has put in and the level of passion they have for what they do. Every practice, they just give it — and they want to really elevate each other to make this happen.”

As the only Yukon team, they’ve already qualified for the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games next year in Medicine Hat.

“That’s a big plus for me, because in Quebec it was very tough on me to make nationals toward the end,” said Michaud.

He hopes this first visit to Prince George won’t be his last.

“This is a close-knit community. Everybody is very friendly and it’s a village, where everybody gets out and helps in a game setting like this,” he said. “There’s no shortage of volunteers — it’s well organized, it’s great.”

CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

Team Yukon won bronze at the Special Olympics BC Summer Games soccer tournament on Saturday, July 12 at Rotary Soccer Field.

Athlete dedicates effort to the memory of her brother

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Danielle Pechet, a Special Olympics track and field athlete, lost her brother four years ago. She points to the sky at every finish line, knowing he’s watching over her.

“I just know he’s up there, and I honour him — it’s for him,” she said.

“She always dedicates everything she does to her brother, and he’s the one she sees at the finish line,” said her mom, Debbie McManus.

“We all have necklaces with his ashes in them, so my son is always with us — just in a different way,” she added. “I love that that’s what she chose — to dedicate her efforts to her brother. It’s just what she does.”

Pechet and her mom travelled from Vernon, in Region 2, to participate in the Special Olympics BC Summer Games, held July 10 to 12 in Prince George. About 900 athletes with intellectual disabilities competed in 10 different sports.

Pechet, a long-distance runner and snowshoer, has been involved with Special Olympics for the past five years.

“Danielle runs a lot, and I thought, why don’t we try something that isn’t running — and now she loves the javelin,” McManus said. “She’s a distance runner, and this year she did the 3,000 metres for the first time, as well as the 1,500. But the 800 metres is her favourite.”

Pechet recently returned from the

Good game

The Langley Rebels (blue) join the handshake line as they celebrate their 8-7 win over the North Shore Wildcats on Friday, July 11 during the Special Olympics BC Summer Games at Duchess Park..

McManus,

is seen here with her daughter, Special Olympics athlete Danielle Pechet who competed in turbo javelin at Masich Place Stadium in Prince George on Saturday, July 12, during the Special Olympics BC Summer Games.

World Games in Italy, where she competed in the 800 metres in March. She is ranked fourth in the world and won bronze in that event.

McManus said it took some convincing to get Pechet to join Special Olympics in Vernon.

“Honestly, she thought she wouldn’t fit in. She thought she was different, so it took her a very long time,” McManus said. “But Special Olympics has changed her.”

Some of Pechet’s coaches have noticed the transformation.

“They’ve come up to me already this weekend to say how mature she is, how well she holds herself, and how healthy she looks,” McManus said. “And I said,

thank you for noticing — she’s worked hard.”

Pechet said nutrition is key to participating in Special Olympics events, and she offered other words of advice.

“Make sure you get plenty of sleep, and most importantly, just train the best you can,” she said.

“Don’t compare yourself to others. Just focus on yourself. That’s what being in Special Olympics has taught me — don’t focus on other people. They’re going to do their own race, and I’m going to have to do my own.”

Pechet is relatively new to throwing the turbo javelin. She said she was inspired by April Armstrong’s impressive run-up and throws.

“I feel very good,” she said about her performance. “And I know all my people back home will be super proud of me.”

She also got some helpful advice from an official, Ryan Harris, during a practice throw.

“As soon as I did my practice, I made sure I did it right,” Pechet said.

“I looked at one of the other competitors who did her running approach before releasing the javelin, and I know I can’t compare myself. I’m just new at this. I might get better, but it will take time and practice.”

Before joining Special Olympics, McManus said Pechet often felt lost.

“She would always say, ‘Well, I’m going to kill time today,’” McManus recalled. “And she would just be on a device, because that’s what she knew.”

McManus is head coach of the Special Olympics Vernon track and field and snowshoeing teams.

“Danielle is really kind, kind, kind,” she said.

She added that Pechets performance at the BC Summer Games impressed her.

“Even though she walked some parts of her races, she finished. She persevered, and it was really difficult,” McManus said. “That’s what Special Olympics does — it’s helped her know she can do it. It’s a beautiful, amazing community, and I think every single person on our planet should come and experience one Special Olympics event in their lifetime.”

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHRISTINE DALGLEISH

Debbie

left,

CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

Five medals for Prince George swimmer David Dunn

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

David Dunn is a man on a mission and it looks like he’s up to the challenge.

The 33-year-old Prince George Special Olympics swimmer turned into a sleek torpedo when he hit the water to start swimming the 100-metre individual medley at Prince George Aquatic Centre — the first race of the Friday afternoon session in the Special Olympics BC Summer Games.

As fast as Dunn was, Magnus Batara of Nanaimo was matching him, stroke for stroke.

After two lengths of butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke they got into the final freestyle foray and it was too close to call who actually touched the wall first but the timers had their stopwatches ready and determined Dunn won it by a mere 14-hundredths of second, finishing in 2:51.14, just ahead of the 33-year-old Batara (2:51.28).

‘”The 200 IM is my favourite event,” Dunn said. “I get to go fast.”

Dunn took four seconds off his previous best time in the event.

He also won gold in the 100m freestyle and took bronze Friday in the 100 m breaststroke.

Dunn loves longer races and on Saturday he swam one of his other favourite races, the 200 freestyle, and won gold. He also won 100 freestyle and took silver in the 50 m butterfly.

Two days, five medals. What a weekend!

Dunn competes against mainstream athletes and he’s hoping to qualify for the BC Summer Swim Association provincial meet, Aug. 15-17 in Prince George. The Cariboo regional qualifying event is set for Aug. 2-3, also at the Aquatic Centre.

“His dream is to swim at provincials, just to qualify,” said David’s mom, Suni. “He’d be swimming against people from all over BC. Some of them are university-level athletes and coaches so just to be able to qualify to swim with them is his goal this year.

“He’s qualified before, but hasn’t been able to make it. It was too far away.”

Swimming has been a big part of David’s life for 16 years and it opened up the Special Olympics world to him. He also got involved in racing on snowshoes, basketball, soccer and track and field (running the 400m, 800m and 3,000m events and long jump).

Swimming and basketball are his two favourite sports and his six-foot-one height serves him well in both.

The Dunn family was involved in the adaptive swimming program at the Four Seasons Pool downtown when someone suggested they sign up David for Special Olympics.

He’d never had a lesson, but was able to swim one length of the pool and that was all it took.

“We signed him up and he was a diamond in the rough, very strong, but he‘d never learned how to swim and we don’t have swimmers in the family and with Special O he started racing and having some potential,” said Suni.

Special Olympics BC recognized they had a gem in their midst and David was picked for two provincial Summer

Games. He also went to Sherbrooke, Que,, for the Canada Summer Games in 2013 and raced at the Western Canada Summer Games in 2015 in Fort McMurray, one of only four Special Olympics athletes selected for the BC team that year.

“What we learned from that is David had a lot of power but he needed to fine-tune it and learn some finesse, like diving in and doing quick turns and long pullouts (underwater movements at the start or after a turn), so they recommended that David get some training,” said Suni.

David joined the Prince George Pisces Swim Club and now works with Pisces coach Ian Williams refining his strokes. He’s taught him all about pull outs and doing the dolphin kick to shred seconds off his times.

“They welcomed him from Day 1 and he loves it,” said Suni. “It actually was more of a younger-kids swim club but they’ve developed a masters program so David could be included and now they have a very strong masters group

that David trains with. The masters has gone from just David to 16 to 20 members.”

Suni and her husband Lorne don’t ever have to push David to go to swim practices four times a week or weight training sessions at the Family Y. All that motivation comes from within.

“He was super-excited to have the BC Summer Games here, he really wanted to make the Pisces proud,” said Suni. “He’s still getting best times, this year he’s had seven or eight best times, and he really wants to show them how their support has helped him come along.”

The Cariboo-North East (Region 8) swim team coached by Brittany McDonald of Quesnel and Kerrie Secor of Prince George has eight members, including Dunn, Brooklyn Sherba, Dallas Poole and Carla Caputo of Prince George; and Aaron Allinson, Jacob McKenzie and Tyler Kint of Quesnel. Paulette Prosk of Quesnel made the team but is injured and didn’t compete on the weekend.

SUNI DUNN PHOTO

David Dunn of Prince George stands on the high spot of the medal podium with silver medalist Magnus Batara of Nanaimo, left, and bronze medalist Carter Admussen of Penticton after they raced in the Special Olympics BC Summer Games 200IM event on Friday, July 11 at the PG Aquatic Centre.

Victoria powerlifters are a force to be reckoned with

“Let’s go! Let’s do this! Yeah!”

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Meliah Motchman is a powerlifter from Victoria who shone during the competition at the Special Olympics BC Summer Games held in Prince George July 10 to 12 simply because of her undeniable enthusiasm.

There were more than 900 athletes with intellectual disabilities who competed in 10 sports at the Games that is a qualifier to go to the Special Olympics Canada Games in 2026 in Medicine Hat, AB.

Meliah, a powerhouse who showed off her guns, roared her way through her squats, bench press and deadlifts, engaging the CN Centre crowd with her enthusiasm.

She is a standout athlete that carries everyone along with her up those stairs as she approaches the weights.

“Let’s go! Let’s do this! Yeah!” Meliah shouted while posing just ahead of her lifts.

Jason Klaus is Meliah’s coach and he owns Victoria Barbell, the gym six athletes train out of on a regular basis.

“We train all year and I don’t charge anything we just run the program for free,” Jason explained.

He got started training Special Olympics athletes about seven years ago.

Meliah and another athlete, Lisa Newell, used to be a swimmers who wanted to get stronger for their sport, Jason explained.

“Then they both said they wanted to do powerlifting instead and ever since then they have been powerlifting with me twice a week,” Jason said.

“Meliah’s been doing really great recently. Her bench has really taken off. She was stuck at 85 pounds for a year it seemed like and she did 110 today.”

Jason said Meliah is a very vocal athlete.

“She likes to put on a show to get the crowd involved,” Jason said. “And she always lightens up the gym whenever she lifts.”

with a grin on her face.

For Jason his involvement with Special Olympics started when he met one of the athletes, Dennis Monchamp, about seven years ago.

“It really just started with him and then it just snowballed from there into what it is today,” Jason said.

Altogether there were 10 powerlifters from Region 6, which encompasses Vancouver Island, and that kept Jason busy during the competition.

As coach, Jason made the decision on what the athlete would lift.

“So I was out front running attempts just because I have the most powerlifting experience and then I had two other coaches running warmups behind the scenes so we had everything synchronized to move smoothly,” Jason explained the process.

“Everyone was doing amazing during the competition and had a great meet,” Jason said.

“Our biggest standout athlete is Dennis and he’s been with me since the beginning and our new rising stars I would say are Lidia and Allie White, who are sisters and they started with me last year. They both are looking like they will get on the Canadian team because they are going to win today and I am sure they will win Nationals and make it onto Team Canada to go to the Worlds in Chile in 2027.”

Shirley Bond, Special Olympics BC Summer Games director of public relations, took in the powerlifting on Friday morning.

“It is such an amazing experience to see athletes who work hard and train,” Bond said.

Meliah said she likes all three events, squats, bench press and deadlift.

“I love to get the crowd going,” Meliah said.

“She was a little shy at first,” Jason said.

“But then I was good after that,” Meliah said.

“I gotta focus all the time.”

During bench press Meliah said it’s important to take the weight down slowly and then push it up fast.

“Jason taught me that,” Meliah said. This is Meliah’s first time coming to Prince George.

“This has been great,” Meliah said

“This is the first summer games since pre-COVID and so to have the athletes here in Prince George and see them working hard to do a personal best, seeing how excited families are cheering on their athlete, seeing our community respond to them with such care and support is really heartwarming and I am just so proud of our community and I am so proud of these athlete, coaches and everyone involved with Special Olympics.”

STEVE DUBAS PHOTO

Meliah Motchman, a powerlifter from Victoria, prepares to do her squat during the Special Olympics BC Summer Games held in Prince George from July 10 to 12. Here Meliah makes her successful attempt with an enthusiastic shout at CN Centre on July 11.

New artist surprises everyone with big Art Battle win

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Lacey Anderson had no idea what she was getting into when she entered the Art Battle at Knox Performance Centre in Prince George.

But the local artist walked away the winner after two intense 20-minute rounds of live painting, competing alongside 11 other artists in three heats of four. Contestants had just 20 minutes to fill a 20-by-30-inch canvas, with the audience circling around and casting votes to determine the winner.

The event, held a few weeks ago and hosted by the Prince George and District Community Arts Council, crowned Anderson the champion through a People’s Choice vote.

It was Anderson’s first time participating in an art battle.

“I was nervous for sure, and the canvas size was quite intimidating,” she said.

“But lucky for me, I’ve always trained for speed. My attention span is very short, so I almost always complete my paintings in a day or even a couple of hours. I thought 20 minutes would be a challenge, but I figured I’d be OK. The setup definitely made me a little nervous.”

The competition combines artistic skill with high-energy performance. Each round takes place under bright lights and pounding music, as the audience crowds around to watch creativity in motion.

“It was definitely intense,” said Anderson. “I didn’t expect the crowd. I’ve never attended an art battle before, so I didn’t realize the audience circles you like sharks circling their prey. It was packed, wall-to-wall. I expected a small artsy crowd, but it was sold out, no space to walk. You had to join this little shark circle to move around.

“In the moment, when I was painting,

I just focused on the canvas. I tried not to think about the people behind me.

My mom, aunt and friends were there — my mom is my biggest supporter and cheered so loud she stopped the whole crowd trying to get a spot behind me. It was intense, but really, really fun.”

The format includes an initial qualifying round, followed by a final round for the top artists.

“You paint your first piece for the qualifier, and then again if you make it to the final,” Anderson said.

few brush strokes as I can. I developed that style before I even heard about Art Battle and thought it would work well in 20 minutes.”

She chose the owl for its striking focal point.

“There’s this big eye in the centre that really pops,” she said. “Then I picked a cat for the second round. It’s mostly in shadow, so I just had to focus on the light and contrast. Again, the big eye was the focal point, and I worked mostly on the outline and eye.”

Anderson has been creating art since childhood.

“I’ve pretty much been doing art forever,” she said. “But there’s no one else in my family who does art — just arts-and-crafts stuff my mom used to do when I was a kid.”

She started out with digital art and cartoons, then transitioned into painting after discovering Bob Ross.

“I love Bob Ross — he’s my guy!” she laughed. “Watching him got me into landscapes about five or six years ago, and it’s evolved from there.”

By winning the Prince George Art Battle, Anderson qualified for Art Battle BC, held in Vancouver on July 5. There, she won her first round and advanced to the finals.

“It was so great — there were some really incredible and decorated artists competing,” she said. “At the end, it really came down to personal taste. Everyone’s work was amazing.”

To anyone considering entering a live painting competition, Anderson has simple advice:

She came with a plan. Her first painting was of an owl.

“I brought a whole stack of sketches in case I made it to Round 2, which I honestly didn’t think would happen,” she said.

Anderson had recently started drawing animals and had developed a unique style.

“I paint the canvas black first and then add details on top,” she explained. “It’s a minimalist approach — I try to make it as realistic as possible with as

“Just put yourself out there,” she said. “You never know what you’re capable of until you try. I’d never done anything like this before. I never really took myself seriously as an artist, but I thought, ‘Why not? I’m going to give it a shot.’ It’s fun. Just try — and see what happens.”

Next up, Anderson is exploring opportunities to showcase her work locally.

“I’m in the searching phase now,” she said. “I want to grow as an artist and see what’s out there.”

For more information, visit Lacey Anderson on Facebook.

LACEY ANDERSON PHOTO

This is Lacey Anderson’s artwork that sent her to the finals at the BC Art Battle in Vancouver after she won the Prince George contest.

Anderson

Throwback Thursday: Week of July 17

July 17, 1998: This group of sad Beech Crescent children gathered for a Citizen photo in the spot where their twostorey fort was before it was removed by city workers for safety reasons. From left, standing: Robert Bruce, 15, Julian Jiles, 8, Cody McBeth, 7, Shane Parkin, 6. From left, sitting: Riley Walker, 5, Amy Parkin, 8, April Jackson, 7, Kathleen Jackson, 8, Leola Avery-Russel, 7. Standing in front is Jesse Jiles, 2. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY DAVE MILNE

July 17, 1980: Susan Cross demonstrated how to remove transparent tape from the corners of improperly mounted photographs at the Fort George Museum. She and Murray Frost from the Canadian Conservation Institute visited the museum to offer advice on preserving articles, including old photos, in its collection. The museum is now known as The Exploration Place. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY BROCK GABLE

July 18, 2011: Monique Pooters and Rob Vos, from Holland, checked a map to go over their route before driving from Prince George to Jasper in the BMW Vintage and Classic Car Club of America tour of BC and Alberta. Vos was the president of the World BMW Z1 convertible club. Only 8,000 Z1s, which featured a door that lowers into the sill, were made. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY DAVID MAH

July 19, 1965: Honours for having the ‘wildest’ delivery in the weekend’s senior women’s fastball tournament went to Shirley Chapelle of Fort St. John. Chappelle, who usually played third base, was called in when pitcher Shirley Tipton tired. Lotus Inn beat Fort St. John in the final. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY PETE MILLER

Hospital auxiliary has a long, rich history of helping

The organization has been raising money for local health care since 1919

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

For 106 years, the Auxiliary to the University Hospital of Northern BC has supported the hospital through fundraising efforts that began in 1919 with the purchase of a $500 X-ray machine.

Since then, the auxiliary has raised more than $6 million.

Originally known as the “ladies auxiliary,” the group has a long history of community support.

“They were making bed sheets, and during the Depression, the ladies would go out to the community to gather vegetables and things to feed the patients in the hospital and do anything they could to help — and that’s still our focus,” said Lindy Steele, president of the hospital auxiliary board.

“We are a service organization and we do a lot of fundraising,” said Debbie Page, a board member and volunteer.

“All the funds raised go into this hospital,” added Steele.

Page noted the auxiliary’s role in helping build the hospital in its early years. “The ladies auxiliary even started fundraising to build the hospital,” she said.

Today, the auxiliary operates a gift shop in the hospital foyer and a thrift shop at 1655 Nicholson St.

Each is run by volunteers, with the exception of two part-time staff members at the gift shop who oversee merchandise orders and maintain the lottery kiosk.

The organization currently has 111 volunteers.

“Most of us are older and most of us have retired,” Steele said.

Page, who has volunteered with the non-profit society since 2017, said her involvement is a tribute to her grandmothers, both of whom volunteered with hospital auxiliaries in their hometowns.

Auxiliary to UHNBC president Lindy

tal’s gift shop, which features a variety of items, including some

“They were the ones sewing sheets and that sort of thing,” Page said.

Steele, who has volunteered for the past decade, said she joined after her husband passed away.

“I just got my 10-year pin,” she said with a smile. “I needed something to do, and my daughter-in-law, who is a nurse here now, said, ‘Why don’t you join the auxiliary?’ and I did.”

Volunteer opportunities within the auxiliary go beyond the gift and thrift shops.

“We have volunteers that go into the hospital,” Steele said. “We’ve got two volunteers who go to Jubilee Lodge (a long-term care facility) and play bingo with residents every Tuesday morning. We run the information desk at the hospital, and we have a group that goes into the short-stay medical unit on Fridays to work with patients awaiting long-term care placement. One week we do bingo, another week crafts — things like that.”

Volunteers can also contribute by knitting items for babies — including sets, mittens and blankets — or by

sewing and quilting goods sold in the gift shop. Other handmade items are distributed to the NICU and maternity wards, with a quilt given to every child in the pediatric unit and a lap blanket for every senior awaiting long-term care placement.

“Our quilters and sewers are major donors,” Steele said.

“They get donations for their projects from places like PG Sewing Centre,” Page added.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted hospital operations, including the availability of personal protective equipment.

“Everybody who worked in healthcare needed scrub caps and couldn’t

get them in town,” Steele said. “So the auxiliary and a bunch of retired emergency workers cut and sewed 2,500 scrub caps — and every healthcare worker got three.”

A quilt currently displayed in the hospital gift shop is being raffled off to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the start of the pandemic. It was made using leftover fabric from those scrub caps.

Outdoor volunteer opportunities are also available, including maintaining gardens and planters in front of the hospital. All the flowers are donated by Van Roode’s Greenhouses.

SEE ‘VOLUNTEERS’ ON NEXT PAGE

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHRISTINE DALGLEISH

Steele, left, and board member Debbie Page work behind the counter at the hospi-

(below) knitted by volunteers, among its stock.

Nats’oojeh: A new name signifies culture and care

EMILY PRESTMO

Northern Health

Everyone healing — Nats’oojeh Hospital and Health Centre stands as a symbol of reconciliation, respect, and community.

A new chapter in the Fort St. James community was marked on Friday, May 23, 2025, with the official naming of the new health care facility to Nats’oojeh Hospital and Health Centre — a name that honours the heritage and values of the local Indigenous peoples.

The name Nats’oojeh (NAT-SOO-JAY), which means “everyone healing” in the Dakelh language, was chosen through consultation with Elders and language experts from the Nak’azdli, Binche, Tl’azt’en, Yekooche, and Takla First

Nations. It reflects a holistic vision of healing that includes medicine, caring for loved ones, traditional practices, and mutual support.

The naming ceremony featured a territorial welcome and blessing, as well

as speeches from local and provincial leaders, including Chief Erickson of Nak’azdli Whut’en, Fort St. James Mayor Martin Elphee, and BC Minister of Health Josie Osborne. A ribbon-cutting concluded the event.

The facility opened in January 2025 and was designed and built in collaboration with local First Nations to ensure it is welcoming and culturally safe. It features a spiritual space with specialized ventilation for smudging and a healing garden with traditional plants and medicines.

The new name and design underscore a commitment to reconciliation and culturally respectful health care, recognizing the importance of Indigenous voices and traditions in shaping community wellness.

Volunteers pitch in at the gift shop and the thrift store

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

As for the money raised, Steele emphasized an important point: “Every penny we make — in every store and through whatever we do — goes right back into this hospital, except the money to pay the two gift shop employees.”

“Most recently, we paid for a pediatric defibrillator so that when doctors are operating on children, it monitors their heartbeat and, if anything happens, it alerts the physicians right away and even starts the defibrillation process,” she said. “It’s something we needed desperately, and if it saves one life, it’s worth it.”

The auxiliary regularly sets and meets fundraising targets.

“We’ve got $150,000 designated for the cataract surgery clinic,” Page said. She also offered a historical perspective.

“It’s been interesting,” she said. “The auxiliary has been an evolving organization. In years gone by, we ran the blood donor clinic. We used to provide staff at the regional clinics. We had flower delivery in the hospital, and when I had

my kids, they had carts going through the patient wards selling stuff.”

“Some of that I’d like to get back — like the carts,” Steele added.

Looking at long-term impact, the auxiliary decided during the pandemic to begin supporting second- and third-year healthcare students who want to build careers in northern BC.

Each year, $50,000 is set aside for 12 bursaries and scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.

“We offer them at both CNC and UNBC for any student in the medical field in their second or third year, so we know they’re continuing their education,” Steele said.

In addition to the bursary fund, another stream of fundraising comes from the hospital’s library. Donated books and magazines are sorted and delivered to various areas using a cart, with a donation can for contributions — often more than 25 cents when people learn the funds go toward student bursaries.

A second donation can is located at the thrift store.

That effort has been remarkably successful, Steele said.

Auxiliary to UHNBC has so many stuffies for sale at the gift shop in the foyer of the hospital. All proceeds go to he auxiliary’s fundraising efforts that benefit the hospital.

“And now we have four $1,000 bursaries on top of all the rest,” she added with a smile.

There is a long, rich history behind the Auxiliary to UHNBC.

“And we want to keep it going,” Steele said. “All we need is more volunteers.

The gift shop is desperate for help, and the commitment is just three hours a week — but some of us do more than that. All the volunteer opportunities are very rewarding.”

For more information, visit www. pgauxiliary.ca.

NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO

BC Minister of Health Josie Osborne joins local First Nations representatives in a powerful opening moment, walking together to the sound of traditional drumming to begin the event.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHRISTINE DALGLEISH

Local Sports Minister confident about city’s bid for 2030 Games

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

As part of his tour of northern BC, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Sport and Arts Spencer Chandra Herbert spent time visiting the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George, interacting with staff and athletes.

While the city enjoyed the excitement of the Summer Games, work is already underway to prepare a bid to host the 2030 Canada Summer Games.

So far, the city has authorized up to $400,000 from reserve funds to be used if Prince George is selected as host, and has requested an additional $30,000 to support an upcoming in-person site visit.

During his time at the Special Olympics, Chandra Herbert said he witnessed a strong spirit of volunteerism and community support — something he believes could give the city an advantage in securing the 2030 Games.

“In terms of BC, given the experience with Special Olympics — not once, but multiple times — I would say that it should definitely be strongly in the running,” said Chandra Herbert. “I’d say number one, but there might be another community bidding that I don’t know about, that might be mad at me. As far as I know, Prince George is the one competitor in BC at this point. That’s incredibly exciting.”

He added that the ministry is working to better understand how it can support the bid.

“I understand the committee is coming to PG in October, so I’m sure everyone will put on a good show to help convince them,” he said. “Lots of cities have venues and places you can play, but it’s the community spirit that really sells it to organizers in the end.”

In an interview with The Citizen, Chandra Herbert expressed enthusiasm for the city’s prospects, based on what he observed during his visit.

“I recommend Prince George for

to reporters at the Kin 1 arena on Thurs-

Special Olympics 2030,” he said. “You’ve got exceptional venues and exceptional community spirit, and that’s what you need to host Special Olympics — especially a bigger one. It’s well done. It makes me proud to be a British Columbian, to see how Pride PG is hosting here, and just so many great people.”

Although he hasn’t seen a formal proposal yet, the minister said he’s confident Prince George has what it takes to bring people back.

“I haven’t seen a proposal yet, so obviously there’s some work to be done, but I’m looking for more opportunities. We’ve got the World Cup next year coming to BC, we had Invictus, we’ve got Special Olympics now in Prince George.

“There’s a lot of opportunity for growth in tourism in BC — and sports tourism. Inviting folks from across Canada and around the world is the right way to do it. Because once they come, they want to come back. That’s the key. If they’ve been to Prince George once, they’ll come back a second, a third, a fourth time, and get to see the wider

region.”

One of the key things the minister said he observed during the Special Olympics was the strong volunteer spirit, something he believes could give the city an edge in its bid for 2030.

“There’s a special volunteer spirit here in Prince George,” said Chandra Herbert. “I don’t know how it’s been maintained, but it’s so exciting to see. I think the volunteer spirit is incredible, because many communities struggle with: can we find enough volunteers? Are we able to build that community enthusiasm? But Prince George has got it. And whatever has helped build it — don’t lose it, because you’re able to punch above your weight in that sense.”

He said a particularly memorable moment during his visit was the torch lighting at CN Centre.

“Watching the young athlete who lit the cauldron, and being able to turn and talk to his mum, to see her pride, to see his pride, to hear the roar of approval and pride in that stadium — it was just

exceptional,” said Chandra Herbert. “It’s giving me goosebumps right now thinking about it. What a great moment. And just to be able to share it, right next to his mum, was even better. I’m very proud.”

His recent trip clearly left an impression, as Chandra Herbert told The Citizen he may be planning to return in the near future.

“I love the idea that Prince George is a base camp to the North — but it’s also a base camp to the South for people from the North,” he said. “It’s a place to be in itself. Of course, you can set up for adventures elsewhere, but I’d say that’s selling Prince George short, because it’s a centre in itself. You want to be here. Spend time here.

“I’m plotting out a vacation for next summer — when I’m not working as a minister — to just come be a tourist in Prince George, to come visit the region. Bring the kid, bring my husband, and just enjoy what you locals already know Prince George has going for it.”

With files from Colin Slark

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

BC Minister of Tourism, Culture, Sport and Art Spencer Chandra Herbert speaks

day, July 10.

Prince George official proud to witness swimmer’s rise

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

When Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh came up four-tenths of a second shy of setting the world record in the 200-metre butterfly last month at the Canadian Swim Trials, Prince George swim referee Larry Chrobot was standing in awe on the pool deck in Victoria.

He knew the 18-year-old, a four-time Olympic medallist, was fast — but when she touched the wall in Canadian-record time with nobody else even close, it left him speechless.

“She really wanted to get that world record and she just missed it,” said Chrobot.

“She was so far ahead that you wonder, how does this person continuously create records when there’s nobody beside her pushing her?” he said. “She was 15 or 20 metres ahead — there’s nobody around her — she’s doing it all by herself, and it’s fantastic to see the discipline.

“She came out of the water and said, ‘I wanted that one, I’m going to do it,’ and you can just tell she’s going to do it. She’s so gifted — and a nice person. You can see how smooth she is. She’s really matured the past two years and we really got to enjoy watching her because she’s really good with the fans now. She talks about what she wants to do.”

That same week, McIntosh broke world records in the 400-metre freestyle, 200 individual medley and 400 individual medley (IM) — becoming the first swimmer to break three longcourse world records at the same meet since her idol Michael Phelps did it at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

She also set a Canadian record in the 800 freestyle.

Chrobot has now witnessed McIntosh break world records four times. The first came a year ago in Toronto at national trials, when she set the 400 free world mark. Chrobot was in the timing room, working as chief judge of electronics.

“All the results were coming in and you’re just going, she’s going to do it,”

he said. “And the first thing that goes through your head is, are all the times good? Did everybody’s touchpads go at the right time, and did everything line up to have a nice clean heat?

“So you say, those times are good, you give the thumbs-up to the ref, and they post it — a world record.”

In May, the 57-year-old Chrobot was one of three Canadian swimming referees named to the World Aquatics international officials list. He represented Canada at the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile, and with 25 years of experience, he’s now accredited to work virtually any swim meet, including the Olympic Games — possibly as soon as Los Angeles 2028, though that’s up to Swim Canada.

“I can’t speculate. It’s all up to them, but the Olympics would be a big stretch because only one from Canada gets to go,” he said.

“You do it for the love of the sport and the athletes. You give up your vacation time and you’re there to support the sport. You get to see these great moments as officials, and you get pretty close with them — build some pretty

doing their role, you get turbulence. You find the thing you’re comfortable with — and enjoy it.”

Chrobot was half-forced to learn everything it takes to run a swim meet when longtime Barracudas referee Blake King told him he was moving away and wanted Chrobot to take over.

His day job as vice-president of Bright Health Software Solutions — writing computer programs for doctors — came in handy in the timing booth. He used his tech skills to write instruction cheat sheets that became templates still used by local operators for data entry and race timing.

Chrobot enjoys matching parent volunteers with tasks that fit their strengths and always tries to make meets fun. He was driven by a desire to keep improving his own skills — until he became the one in charge.

good bonds — because you’re all doing it for the same reason. You don’t get paid.”

Chrobot got his start officiating at local meets hosted by the Prince George Barracudas Swim Club. He was there to see his son, Andrew, rewrite the club record book numerous times. Andrew tried soccer and lacrosse before finding his niche in the pool — first in diving, then swimming — and at 16, broke Jim Fowlie’s 34-year-old club record in the 400 IM.

He remembers walking into the Prince George Aquatic Centre to watch a time trial and feeling inspired to join the team of parent volunteers with stopwatches, timing their own kids racing.

“The first meet ever was absolute chaos,” said Chrobot. “There were kids yelling and screaming, they had their races written on their arms, and there were whistles going. It was chaos — but organized chaos.

“I tell young parents this is a lot like getting a plane in the air or an aircraft carrier out to sea. Everybody has a very specific role, and when you all do that role, the plane flies. If anybody isn’t

“To become a referee, you have to know how to do all the positions,” he said. “I had to go to Victoria to get assessed at a provincial meet — and it’s intimidating. It’s a different world when you leave Prince George.”

He passed his referee’s test that weekend and steadily climbed the ladder to earn Level 5 status with Swim Canada.

National-level assignments helped pave the way for international experience.

At major international meets like the Pan Am Games, televised coverage changes the dynamic. Referees no longer run the show — TV producers do, starting with the swimmer introductions. Cameras are anchored on tracks that follow swimmers through the water, and officials must be careful not to obstruct the shots.

His Pan Am Games experience in Santiago was full of highlights — and he was grateful to share it with his wife, Carolyn. The day he served as referee, Canadian swimmers excelled.

“We had Canadians on the podium — gold, silver and bronze — and when the national anthem plays and you’re the ref standing right there by the flags, it’s emotional,” Chrobot said. “It’s so cool. Especially when you see two in the same race. Canadians swam very well there.”

HANDOUT PHOTO

Larry Chrobot directs traffic as the swim referee during the last day of competition at the Pan Am Games in Santiago, Chile on Oct. 25, 2023.

PG’s Jared Young called back up to New York Mets

He rejoined the team in Kansas City as the league heads into the all-star break

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Jared Young is a New York Met once again.

How’s that for a birthday present?

On Friday, July 11, a day after he celebrated his 30th birthday, the Prince George native learned the Mets wanted him back on the 26-player roster and rejoined the Mets in Kansas City, where they faced the Royals last weekend.

The move came after outfielder Jesse Winkler was placed on the 10-day injured list with a back injury.

In Sunday’s game,the last for the Mets this week as the teams head into the all-star break, Young entered the game as a pinch-hitter with one out in top of the ninth inning and the Mets trailing the Royals 2-1.

With Jeff McNeil already aboard with a triple, Young swung on the first pitch he faced from Carloe Estevez and his sacrifice fly was deep enough to allow McNeil to score from third to tie the game.

But in the bottom of the ninth, Nick Loftin walked it off with a single that brought Tyler Tolbert in from second with the go-ahead run.

The Mets (55-42) enter the break trailing the Philadelphia Phillies (55-41) by half a game atop the National League East.

Young was first called up to New York in May and played 17 games before being sent back to Syracuse June 27. Filling the designated hitter role for all but one game, in 41 MLB at-bats Young had seven hits, including three home runs and a double and four RBI while hitting .171 with a .642 OPS.

Young has been hitting well with Syracuse, playing mostly in the infield. In 32 triple-A games this season he has 31 hits, including five doubles and eight home runs, totalling 26 RBI for a .272 batting average and .914 OPS.

Heavy horses from Pickering Farm shine at Stampede

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

It’s a long haul to get to the Calgary from Prince George but the trip was well worth it for Diane and Zane Pickering.

They were there to watch the JD Pickering Farm team win the horse pulling world’s richest and most prestigious heavy horse pulling title on Friday (July 11, 2025) at the 113th annual Calgary Stampede, claiming the heavyweight horse middleweight division title.

With teamster and Pickering partner Larry Burton of Columbia, Ky., holding the reins, and stallion Stoney and gelding Shine supplying the horsepower, they pulled 10,500 pounds of weight to win the crown.

“The pull was very intense,” said Zane Pickering. “The ground got rough and soft very quickly. All the teamsters had

SUBMITTED PHOTO

It was a great week for Diane and Zane Pickering Family Farm of Prince George at the 2025 Calgary Stampede. They won the heavyweight horse middleweight title and this team of Percherons, with teamster Larry Burton on the reins, finished second in the hitch competition.

to use their bag of tricks to keep the stone boat moving on their turn.”

Burton also won the best teamster

award and the Pickering team was selected as the class of the class.

Heavy horse pulling is the ultimate

test in real horsepower. The sport dates back to pioneer days when farmers would enter their strongest draft horses, usually in teams of two, to find out which horses could pull the heaviest stone boat (a steel sled weighed down with cement blocks) over a 14-foot distance.

Earlier in the week, the Pickering hitch team finished second and was awarded the Church Cup for the top Percheron-bred hitch.

Pickering Farms also posted a fifthplace result in the heavy horse lightweight division. Burton led King and Doc pulling a 9,000-pound weight for 57.5 inches.

The Pickerings moved their Big Six Percheron team to Lloydminster, Alta., for a competition there this weekend, and will be in Vermillion, Alta., next weekend.

SPORTSNET

Jared Young of Prince George gets set to pitch for the New York Mets against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, June 15 at Citi Field in New York. The Mets have once again called up the 30-year-old Prince George native from triple-A Syracuse.

City providing $40k for Olympic trials at Caledonia

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Prince George city council voted unanimously in favour of giving the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club $40,000 worth of financial assistance to help it prepare for Olympics trials this December at its Monday, July 14 meeting.

On June 20, Nordiq Canada and Olympics gold medallist Beckie Scott announced that the Prince George ski club was selected to host qualifiers for the 2026 Winter Games being held in Milan and Cortino, Italy.

It will be the first time Olympics trials for any sport have been held in Prince George.

A report attached to the agenda for the July 14 meeting said that there will be around 250 athletes and coaches travelling to Prince George for the event, along with friends and family.

To help support the event, city administration is asking for permission to spend $40,000 from the major events

reserve fund.

“The Canadian Olympic Committee

has confirmed that this event will have full use of the Olympic branding/naming, which will enable the full recognition and display of government and other funding partners,” the report said.

“The City of Prince George has been asked to be a funding partner along with the Province of BC and Tourism Prince George. This would enable the promotion of Prince George all across Canada. Livestreaming is also being planned and expected to be broadcast through YouTube Nordiq Canada as well as CBC Gem.”

After approving the funding unanimously, Mayor Simon Yu said he was looking forward to the success of the event.

“We’re looking forward to more volunteers showing up like they did last weekend,” he said, referencing the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games held the previous weekend in Prince George.

Sam Muchalla returns to Spruce Kings as skills coach

The former captain went on to play NCAA hockey in the U.S. and for Mount Royal

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Once a Spruce King, always a Spruce King.

For Sam Muchalla, a Prince George native who played all his minor hockey in the city before becoming a prolific scoring centre in the BC Hockey League with the Spruce Kings, the chance to join his junior team’s staff proved irresistible.

Muchalla has been hired as the team’s skills and development coach for the 2005-26 season. He replaces Brandon Manning, promoted last spring to the role of assistant coach and director of hockey camps.

“First off, I want to thank Mike Hawes for the opportunity to join the Spruce

Kings staff. From my playing days to now stepping into player development, Mike has always been incredibly supportive,” said Muchalla, in a team release.

“I’m excited to work closely with the coaching staff — Brad (head coach

Tesink) has done a great job transitioning from assistant to head coach, and I’m looking forward to supporting his vision.

“Obviously, Brandon and I go way back — we’re close friends, he had a great pro career, and we still talk a lot

of hockey. It’ll be great to bounce ideas off each other in a more formal setting. As a staff and as an organization, we’re committed to developing not just highlevel players, but great people. That’s something I’m proud to be part of.”

Muchalla, 34, played three seasons with the Spruce Kings from 2007-10 and in 161 games he scored 64 goals and had 117 assists for 181 points. As the team captain and fan favourite he turned in his best season in 2009-10 when he led the team in scoring, finishing with 29 goals and 58 assists for 87 points in 58 games.

He went on to play in the NCAA at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich., and at Mount Royal University in Calgary.

“Sam is a proud Spruce Kings alumni who is a former team captain and was a player who played the game hard and played it the right way,” said Hawes. “Sam brings an immense amount of expertise that he will pass along to our players. I’m thrilled to add him to our coaching staff.”

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

Former Olympic champion Beckie Scott was in Prince George on Friday, June 20, 2025 to announce the city will host the Nordiq Canada 2026 Olympic Winter Games Trials, Dec. 12-16.

HANDOUT PHOTO

Former Spruce Kings captain Sam Muchalla has been hired as the BCHL team’s skills and development coach.

Life Events

May 22, 1947 – July 4, 2025

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my beloved Mom Victoria on July 4, 2025. Predeceased by the love of her life Orest.

Survived by her son Andrew.

Her infectious smile filled every room she entered, bringing joy and laughter to all around her.

In the hearts of those who knew and loved her, she will always be there.

No service by request.

Timothy John Gratton

November 6, 1956 - July 2, 2025

With Heavy Hearts ~ We announce the sudden passing of Timothy John Gratton.

Predeceased by his father, Ray Gratton. He is survived by his mother, Adeline Gratton, his wife of 20 years, Lisa Nicholson, and stepson William Metivier, siblings Ron (Marilyn) Gratton, Roger (Kathryn) Gratton, Patricia (Mike) Brandson, Barry (Angie) Gratton, Mark (Karolyn) Gratton, Cindy (John) Townsley and many much-loved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Tim will be fondly remembered for his unique laugh, adventurous personality and extensive practical talents.

A service will be held on July 21, 2025 at 10:45 at Christ Our Saviour Catholic Church 4514 Austin Road West with lunch following at 1:00 at the Hart Pioneer Centre 6986 John Hart Hwy.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation

Kathy Lee Walker

August 31, 1959 - April 25, 2025

In loving Memory of Kathy Lee Walker who passed away suddenly on April 25 2025.She is survived by her Brothers and Sister. You can now Rest in Peace. Forever in our Hearts.

Metro Orydzuk

September 17, 1931 - July 7, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dearly loved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfaather, and great great grandfather, Metro Orydzuk.

Metro passed away July 7th, 2025, at the University Hospital of Northern BC.

Survived by his wife of 70 years Bertha, daughters Sylvia (Wayne), Mary Ann, sons Allan (Cheryl), Ken (Rhoda), grandchildren Bridget & William, Matthew & Lacy, Zachary & Daniel as well many loved and cherished great and great great grandchildren.

Our Dad will be remembered for his profound pride and devotion, love for his family, and family celebrations. He took pride in his gardening, woodworking and building. His generosity and willingness to help family and others is how we will remember him, Forever in our hearts, God Bless you Dad.

Our family would like to thank all the Doctors and nurses for the excellent care they provided to our Father.

Funeral services to be held at Assman’s Funeral Chapel with a viewing July 21, 2025 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., followed by the Funeral service July 22, 2025 at 1 p.m.

May 5, 1961 - July 4, 2025

It is with heavy hearts to announce the passing of Debora Irene Bourcier.

A beloved mother, sister, nanny, aunty, & friend. She passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

David was born in Lucky Lake Saskatchewan to Rollin and Anne Evans. He was the oldest and only son with three sisters. He passed away peacefully at 81 years on his terms at home with his son at his side June 20, 2025 after a brief illness.

In earlier years David enjoyed fishing, hunting and boating and took pride in his yard. You may know that he heard the shots in Dallas Texas when Kennedy was assasinated. He retired from Canfor - PG Pulp and Paper as head operator after 34 years.

David is predeceased by his parents and sister Elaine Kurka.

Left to honour his memory is Susan, Rob (Brenda), granddaughter Meghan and step grandsons Dustin, Clayton (Brea), Darryl and sisters Heather Ede and Judy Evans as well as other extended family.

We remember David and a good, solid man with an infectious smile and laugh. He loved his fires and enjoyed a cold one now and again.

No service by request. Honour his memory by sitting by the fire with a beverage, share stories and laugh.

Special thanks to Dr Ian Schokking for his 30 yrs of care, the ER and FMU staff at UH NBC as well as the Hospice at Home staff.

Donations to the Salvation Army or charity of your choice would be appreciated.

David “Dave” B. Evans 1943 - 2025

Debora Irene Bourcier

Victoria Petraschuk nee Hladchuk

Robert “Bob” Eugene Thompson

July 10, 1948 - June 18, 2025

With Heavy Hearts ~ We announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Eugene Thompson

He was a loving husband, father & grandfather. Bob passed away after a courageous battle with his family around him.

Predeceased by his parents, Homer & Ada Thompson, sisters Ruby & Belle, and brothers Ken, Ray & Russell.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Brenda. Children Darrel (Tamara) & Patti (Dino) Knezevic and his Grandchildren, Cassaundra (Matthew) Robinson, Cody & Tyler Thompson and Lexi & Levi Knezevic.

Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in knowing he is now at peace. His passion for those he loved & unwavering support for his family will forever live in the memories of those who knew him.

In lieu of Flowers - donate to BC Cancer Foundation or Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society.

Erin Jean Doherty

May 5, 1986 - July 6, 2025

If you are lucky, on a dark night you will see a shooting star. The fierce light and brightness stand out and hold your attention across the distances of time and space. Then, all too soon it dies leaving only the memory of its beauty.

Erin was our shooting star. Erin was born May 5, 1986, with a strong stubborn spirit that took on the world. Her family and friends saw her empathy and helpful nature draw those in need, especially animals, to her side. She had an integrity that helped her stand strong for what she believed. She built a family and home with her partner Curtis. She deeply loved her children Faith, Jazmin, and James with unbreakable bonds. Mother Denise, sister Ashley, her extended family, and dear friends loved Erin through all the waves she surfed through life. They will miss her dearly. She is forever loved and will never be forgotten. We will see you again.

Wilfried Vogt 1931 - 2025

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and greatgrandfather Wilf passed away at the age of 93, on June 22, 2025 after several years of declining health. Wilf was born in Germany to Heinrich and Johanna Vogt and was the eldest of 3 sons. In Germany, he worked first as a farmhand, and then with the German Post Office. Wilf came to Canada in the early 1950’s to work as a farmhand in Saskatchewan. He went back to Germany in 1956 and married Rosel. Not too long after, their first child, Martina was born in 1957. In September of 1957 the family immigrated to Canada and settled first in Shellbrook, Saskatchewan where Wilf worked as a farmhand. The family later moved to White Fox where Wilf began work as a ranch-hand. 2 sons were born in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. Peter arrived in 1959 and Andrew in 1961. The chance to work in the forestry industry in White Fox arose and he chose to take it.

In 1963, an opportunity came along to work in the forestry industry in B.C, and the family picked up stakes and moved to Clear Lake Sawmills. Their last child Steffen was born in 1964.

Wilf worked at Clear Lake Sawmills for around 30 years. In the early 1990’s, he decided to retire from the mill and work full-time with Rosel in their restaurant. In 1996, they decided to sell Rosel’s Restaurant and retire.

Retirement was just too boring, so Wilf and Rosel decided to start a BnB, calling it Rosel’s Bed and Breakfast. As with the restaurant, Wilf and Rosel, thoroughly enjoyed meeting many new people from around the world. Due to declining health, Wilf and Rosel retired for good in 2008.

Wilf was predeceased by his son Peter in 2013, and will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 69 years, Rosel. Daughter Tina (husband Murray, granddaughters Kristel, Nicole, and Natasha (husband Fiaz, great-grandchildren Layla and Idris)), daughter-in-law Karen (husband Frank, grandson Nalynd (wife Sarah, great-grandsons Jace and Christian), grandson Jakob (wife Sabrina, greatgrandchildren Faith and Jeremiah), son Andy (wife Cheryl, grandchildren Catherine and Benjamin), son Steffen (wife Kathy, grandchildren Trevor, Naythan, Serena, and Brittany). Wilf is also lovingly remembered by numerous relatives and friends in Canada and Germany.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 7th, 2025, in the Summit/Tabor Room at the Coast Prince George Hotel by APA, 770 Brunswick St, Prince George, BC V2L 2C2. If anyone has any questions, please contact Tina by email at: colwilfvogt2025@gmail.com

Ruth Mavorneen Toney (Bernhardt)

March 26, 1943 - April 30, 2025

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Ruth Mavorneen Toney (Bernhardt) on April 30, 2025, at the age of 82. Ruth passed away peacefully, leaving behind memories of her enthusiastic big smile, her great stride on a long walk, and her devotion to family and friends.

Born on March 26, 1943, Ruth lived a life marked by kindness, and a commitment to those she loved. Ruth married John Peter Bernhardt in 1962, and together they shared a lifetime of companionship, raising their son Lloyd in Prince George, British Columbia.

Ruth fell in love with Victoria after her very first visit there as a young woman and visited as often as she could. As an avid walker, she found joy in daily walks, clocking 10-20 kilometers a day. She was particularly fond of Victoria’s Beacon Hill Park, the Galloping Goose Trails, and the trails around Thetis Lake.

Family was always at the center of her life. She especially adored her grandchildren, whose presence brought her immense pride and happiness. During the years they lived in Prince George, Ruth and John traveled to visit Lloyd and his family monthly, as well as sharing every family holiday together and special trips to Hawaii.

After retirement, Ruth and John moved to Victoria, embracing a new chapter filled with travel and shared experiences. They enjoyed driving adventures across British Columbia, Canada, the American Southwest, and abroad in England and Australia.

Ruth was predeceased by her husband John, her sister Tony, and her parents Alice and Ralph. She is lovingly remembered by her son Lloyd and his wife Kim, her grandchildren Amelia and Sam Bernhardt, her sister Sheila Gregson, and her brother Neil Toney, as well as many extended family and friends.

A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name to the Alzheimer Society of Canada would be deeply appreciated.

A celebration of life is planned for a later date

No flowers please. Donations to your favourite charity would be very greatly appreciated or plant a tree in memory of Wilf.

Classifieds

LAND ACT: NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR CROWN LAND

Take notice that Innergex Renewable Energy Inc., from Vancouver, BC, has applied to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Omineca Region, for an Investigative License for wind power purposes situated on Provincial Crown land located 140 km northwest of Prince George.

The Land File for this application is 7410368. Written comments concerning this application should be directed to Jennifer Elliot, Authorizations Specialist, Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Omineca Region at 5th Floor 499 George Street, Prince George, BC V2L 1R5, or jennifer.elliot@gov.bc.ca Comments will be received by Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Omineca Region up to August 24, 2025. Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Omineca Region may not be able to consider comments received after this date. Please visit the website at https://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca for more information.

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

A hard copy MAP showing the location and extent of the application area may be acquired by calling the Authorizations Specialist named above at 250-561-3479.

LAND ACT: NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR CROWN LAND

Take notice that Innergex Renewable Energy Inc., from Vancouver, BC, has applied to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Omineca Region, for an Investigative License for wind power purposes situated on Provincial Crown land located 140 km northwest of Prince George.

The Land File for this application is 7410369. Written comments concerning this application should be directed to Jennifer Elliot, Authorizations Specialist, Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Omineca Region at 5th Floor 499 George Street, Prince George, BC V2L 1R5, or jennifer.elliot@gov.bc.ca Comments will be received by Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Omineca Region up to August 24, 2025. Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Omineca Region may not be able to consider comments received after this date. Please visit the website at https://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca for more information.

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

A hard copy MAP showing the location and extent of the application area may be acquired by calling the Authorizations Specialist named above at 250-561-3479.

Booking deadline: Friday noon

Approval deadline: Monday at noon

frontdesk@pgcitizen.ca

250.562.2441

LAND ACT: NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR CROWN LAND

Take notice that Innergex Renewable Energy Inc., from Vancouver, BC, has applied to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Omineca Region, for an Investigative License for wind power purposes situated on Provincial Crown land located 140 km northwest of Prince George.

The Land File for this application is 7410370. Written comments concerning this application should be directed to Jennifer Elliot, Authorizations Specialist, Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Omineca Region at 5th Floor 499 George Street, Prince George, BC V2L 1R5, or jennifer.elliot@gov.bc.ca Comments will be received by Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Omineca Region up to August 24, 2025. Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Omineca Region may not be able to consider comments received after this date. Please visit the website at https://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca for more information.

Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. Access to these records requires the submission of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

Visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/freedomofinformation to learn more about FOI submissions.

A hard copy MAP showing the location and extent of the application area may be acquired by calling the Authorizations Specialist named above at 250-561-3479.

*On July 21, 365, a powerful earthquake off the coast of Greece caused a tsunami that devastated the city of Alexandria, Egypt. While no measuring tools for it existed at the time, modern scientists estimate that it consisted of two successive tremors,

• On Nov. 11, 1831, Nat Turner, an American slave and educated minister who believed that he’d been chosen by God to lead his people into freedom, was hanged in Jerusalem, Virginia, for leading a revolt with 75 followers through Southampton County, killing about 60 white people.

• On 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.’”

ARIES (March 21 to April 19

A misunderstanding tests the temperament of the sometimes headstrong ARIES. But instead of blowing your top, take time for a pleasant diversion while things cool down.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) A workplace problem could make the divine Bovine see red, but talk it out before you consider walking out. Some surprising facts emerge that could change your earlier focus.

• 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.”

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You face a choice between ignoring your uneasy feelings about your relationship with a special person and demanding explanations. A close friend offers wise counsel.

• 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.

• On Nov. 17, 1903, the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party split into two factions: the majority Bolshe-

the largest of which is thought to have had a magnitude of 8.0.

* On July 22, 2003, Qusay and Uday Hussein, sons of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, were killed in Mosul, northern Iraq, after a three-hour firefight with U.S. forces. Both men were believed by many to be even more ruthless than their father, and news of their deaths was met with widespread celebration.

* On July 23, 2021, the Cleveland Indians baseball team announced its name change to the Cleveland Guardians, as a gesture of respect

to Native Americans. The team had retired its “Chief Wahoo” logo three years earlier, banning it from future National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum plaques and merchandise sold outside of Ohio.

* On July 24, 1901, William Sydney Porter, better known to literature fans as O. Henry, was released from prison after serving a three-year jail term for embezzling from an Austin, Texas bank. He had previously hidden from authorities in Honduras but returned to America when his wife was diagnosed

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A change you’d been hoping for carries an unexpected complication. Stay the course, and things will work themselves out. Also, be sure to make time for family and friends.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Aspects favor spending time with loved ones. On the job, new ideas are generally welcomed, but some demands for changes could cause problems. Be ready to defend your choices.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22)

Good news: A workplace problem is close to being resolved with results that should please everyone. Take time off to indulge in your love of fun and games.

with a terminal illness, and supported his young daughter from prison by writing stories.

* On July 25, 1953, New York City issued its first subway tokens, which were used for 50 years before being replaced by the MetroCard.

* On July 26, 1972, singer Johnny Cash met with President Richard Nixon to lobby for prison reform. Cash was never an inmate himself, though he did spend a few nights in jail for minor offenses, but often performed at prisons.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22)

Most of the time, you are the most unflappable person around. But be ready to be thrown off-balance in the nicest way when Cupid takes aim in your direction.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) It’s not often when someone tries to “sting” the sharp-witted SCORPIOn, but it can happen. Continue to be skeptical about anything that seems too good to be true.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Your strong sense of self-esteem helps you serve as a role model for someone who needs personal reassurances. Your efforts pay off in an unexpected way.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Someone close considers revealing a painful secret. Withhold judgment. Instead, open your generous heart and offer dollops of your love and understanding.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Your talents as a peacemaker are called upon once more as an old problem reemerges with new complications. Move cautiously to avoid falling into hidden traps.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Your artistic side is enhanced with the reception given to your new project. Use this success as encouragement toward fulfilling your larger goals.

Homes & Living

Fence post installation - concrete vs foam

When it comes to securing fence posts, two popular methods stand out: traditional concrete products and newer expanding foam products. Each option has its strengths and drawbacks, depending on factors like budget, soil conditions, and installation preferences. Here’s a closer look at the differences between concrete and foam products for anchoring fence posts in the ground.

Installation Process

Concrete is a time-tested material for setting fence posts. Typically, installers dig a hole, place the post, and pour in a premixed or dry concrete blend, followed by adding water and allowing it to cure. The process can take anywhere from several hours to a full day for the concrete to fully harden. It requires mixing tools, water supply, and a bit of physical effort.

Foam post-setting products, usually polyurethane-based, come in two-part kits that, when mixed, expand rapidly to

fill the post hole. Foam is much lighter than concrete, making transport and handling easier. Installation is faster— most foams set within minutes and cure in under an hour. However, users need to be careful to mix and pour quickly, as the foam hardens fast once activated.

Strength and Durability

Concrete provides a strong, dense base that holds up well under pressure and over time. It’s especially effective in areas with heavy winds, large gates, or where soil movement is an issue. Concrete’s weight helps stabilize posts against both upward and lateral forces.

Foam products offer surprising strength relative to their weight. They bond tightly to both wood and surrounding soil, expanding to create a custom fit. For lightweight fences, like residential privacy or garden fences, foam generally holds up well. However, for very heavy-duty applications—such as large agricultural fencing—traditional

concrete may still offer a more robust long-term solution.

Soil and Environmental Considerations

Concrete performs reliably in most soil types, including clay and sandy soils, though it can crack if improperly mixed or exposed to freeze-thaw cycles. Foam handles freeze-thaw better because it is less porous and doesn’t absorb water like concrete can. It also exerts less downward pressure, reducing the chance of soil displacement.

Foam products have less environmental impact in terms of excavation, as they often require smaller holes. However, foam is a synthetic material, and once cured, it isn’t biodegradable, whereas concrete is more inert over the long term.

Cost and Availability

Concrete remains the more economical choice for larger projects, especially when buying in bulk. Foam kits, while convenient, are typically more expensive

per post and better suited for smaller jobs or hard-to-reach areas.

In summary, concrete is best for projects where strength and durability are paramount, while foam offers speed, ease of use, and a clean installation with minimal tools. Choosing between the two depends on the scale of your fence project, soil conditions, and how much value you place on speed versus cost.