Part of the Canadian reality competition series was lmed here in the spring
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff
The Amazing Race Canada just announced the latest round of contes
The Prince George Citizen has expanded its distribution network to Mackenzie. Boxes holding the free weekly paper have been set up at the Mackenzie Mall, the 7-Eleven and other locations. Each week’s edition will be available at noon Thursdays. The Citizen will include coverage of Mackenzie people, events and issues. To suggest a story, email news@princegeorgecitizen.ca.
Mr. PG will make an appearance on The Amazing Race Citzen now available in Mackenzie
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Brother Joe Syme is a diamond driller from Prince George.
The siblings are on the series to show what’s possible, break down stereotypes and represent their family and Indigenous community.
Hosted by Olympic gold medalist Joe Montgomery and based on the popular U.S. version, The Amazing Race Canada continues to challenge teams of two as they race across the country — and sometimes beyond — completing physical and mental challenges in pursuit of a grand prize.
The show features pairs with pre-existing relationships as they navigate unfamiliar terrain, interact with locals and tackle tasks that test their problem-solving and teamwork skills.
The race unfolds over a series of legs, each ending at a designated Pit Stop.
The last team to arrive is typically eliminated, while the first-place finishers often receive rewards.
Along the way, racers may face Detours — tasks where teams choose between two options — and Roadblocks, which require only one teammate to compete.
The competition also includes U-Turns, giving teams the option to force a rival to complete both sides of a Detour.
Season 11 starts in Edmonton and along the way we know they made a stop in Prince George, as sightings were reported and The Amazing Race pass board was set in front of Mr. PG at the corner of Highways 97 and 16 on May 2. Later in the season, for the first time ever in Amazing Race Canada history, the series reaches the Arctic Ocean. according to Bell Media’s press release.
The winning team of Amazing Race Canada’s 11th season receives two 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS, a trip around the world, as well as a $250,000 cash prize courtesy of FUZE Iced Tea, the press release continued.
Dove and Syme will start their adventure July 8 on CTV.
Athletes and volunteers ready for Special Olympics BC
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
When the call went out for volunteers to help the Special Olympics BC Summer Games run smoothly, Dave Holmes didn’t hesitate to get involved.
The longtime high school basketball coach, teacher and School District 57 administrator remembers the fun he had volunteering at a previous Special Olympics event in Prince George. This year, he’ll serve as a liaison overseeing accommodations for the 1,200 athletes, coaches and chaperones during the Games, set for July 10 to 13.
He and his wife, Louise, are both contributing to this year’s event.
Dave has given his time as a basketball coach since arriving in the city from Victoria in 1990 to take his first teaching job at Prince George Secondary School. Volunteering, he says, is in his blood.
“Prince George is a town where people step up,” he said. “I came here 35 years ago, and when it comes to volunteering and athletics, that’s where I feel most useful. That’s the place I put my energy into.”
Louise, who has taught physical
education at Duchess Park Secondary for 35 years, is helping run the eightteam basketball tournament, set for July 11 and 12 at her school.
“It’s easy for me — it’s basketball and it’s in this school. I can organize things,” she said. “I can run the clocks, I’ll find kids, I’ll find scorekeepers, I’ll find referees, and I’ll be here the whole time.
“Wade Loukes, the College Heights senior girls basketball coach, is going to help me run it here. I’m just looking forward to seeing the joy on their faces playing a game I love. I love the fact that students I’ve asked — because this is 100 per cent volunteer — have said, ‘No problem.’ It’s instilling volunteerism, and it will be fun.”
With experience volunteering at
major events like the 2022 BC Summer Games, Dave understands how vital volunteers are.
“When you’re trying to host any Summer Games — whether it’s the sports, the facilities, accommodations — just making sure the athlete has the best experience possible, along with the coaches, requires a lot of helping hands and a lot of volunteers,” he said.
The city is also bidding to host the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in 2030, and Dave hopes this summer’s event will help Prince George make a strong case.
“It’s kind of like a springboard,” he said. “For our athletes to be highlighted at home and in the province — it doesn’t get any better than that.”
Dave, who has officiated Special Olympics basketball games, has seen first-hand the heart athletes bring to competition.
“From an athletics perspective, I equate it to being like a single-A team playing a quad-A team — you know everyone’s there with the right spirit, competing to the end, doing their best,” he said.
“They leave nothing on the floor, and sportsmanship is always the No. 1 goal.
“Yes, they’re going to compete, but they’ll compete together, and they’ll walk away with a great experience.”
NOTE: See a second story about Louise Holmes on Page 36, and read more about Special Olympics BC in the special section in today’s Citizen.
Athlete ambassadors Marinka VanHage, Adam Spokes and Chase Caron spoke of what the games mean to them at the announcement of the 100 day countdown to the games Tuesday, April 1 in the atrium of the Kin Centre.
Dave Holmes
Louise Holmes
This year’s RCMP Torch Run to beneft Special Olympics
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
The Prince George RCMP are hosting the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics and say this year’s event will be bigger than ever.
The 2025 run is being held in conjunction with the BC Special Olympics, and the RCMP will be hosting a “finalleg” style event, which is typically held ahead of World Special Olympics competitions.
“This is a way for law enforcement officers to interact with our Special Olympics athletes in a fun, low-pressure setting that really allows us to just make some connections that otherwise we may not have the opportunity to make with our Special Olympics athletes in our community,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper.
This year, the RCMP is opening the run to all first responders in Prince George who are interested in participating. Cooper said there are already about 20 runners signed up.
“It’ll be a couple of different types of organizations. I think we have at least
James Brasse leaps up for a high-five from Safety Bear as he leads his father, RCMP officer Alex Brasse, across the finish line after completing the 2024 Law Enforcement Torch Run.
one paramedic who’s signed up. Perhaps some firefighters might join us,” she said.
The Final Leg Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics will take place on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
Runners will leave the Prince George RCMP detachment at 10:30 a.m. and arrive at CN Centre around noon.
“We would be thrilled to see people lining the race route as we bring the Flame of Hope from the Prince George RCMP detachment to CN Centre. Bring out your noisemakers, your cowbells, your abundant enthusiasm as we support our Special Olympics athletes in this event. Then, come and join us at CN Centre for a community barbecue by donation, hosted by the Four Rivers Co-op,” said Cooper.
Cooper added that public support is more important than ever now that the event has grown to include athletes competing in the Special Olympics.
“Their support is important because the athletes deserve recognition for all the hard work they put in preparing for these games and their chosen events they do every year,” she said. “If they want to come out, line the route, cheer us on as we go — we’ll be posting the route map a little ahead of the run. It will be available on our website and all of our socials.”
United Way collects thousands of menstrual products
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
More than half a million menstrual products were collected province-wide through United Way’s Period Promise campaign.
The initiative recently wrapped up its collection efforts in northern B.C., delivering 45,000 period products to people in need.
Part of a province-wide effort, the campaign brought in over 500,000 products to support communities across British Columbia. In the coming weeks, the donated items will be hand-delivered to dozens of community agencies, providing timely access to essential products.
Despite the success of the campaign, United Way says the need remains significant. A needs assessment in the North found approximately 800,000
menstrual products are required to meet community demand.
With rising inflation, the cost of these products has become a burden, often forcing individuals to choose between buying food or period products during times of crisis.
“All donated Northern products go to locals who need them,” said Lorna Bihori, United Way’s campaign manager for the North. “If it was donated here in Prince George, it goes back to the citizens in Prince George. We give it to the agencies here and they give it out to individuals. That’s true across all the communities.”
Major sponsors like Always and Tampax contributed large donations, which were distributed across the province. Bihori said several northern businesses have also stepped up to support the cause.
“Northern companies have really
hopped on board, including Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, SaveOn-Foods, Integris Credit Union and Mount Milligan Mine,” she said, noting the mine provides menstrual products free of charge at its remote sites.
Access to menstrual products is especially challenging in northern and remote communities, where prices tend to be higher and supplies more limited than in urban areas.
“I took my daughter on a camping trip and she forgot to bring product,” said Bihori. “We stopped at three different towns and she couldn’t get over the price — and she couldn’t find the brand she liked. That’s what life is like in smaller, remote communities. The cost is way higher and the supply is a lot smaller.”
This lack of availability, Bihori added, can result in missed opportunities.
“Lack of access to menstrual products equals missed opportunities,” she said. “To learn, to earn income and to contribute to the community. It’s a natural bodily function and it requires dignity. There are far too many people forced to make this choice — especially as rising prices mean rising need. The need is year-round.”
Bihori has worked with United Way for six years and says the conversation around menstruation has become more normalized during that time — something she hopes will continue.
“Even single fathers have phoned to thank us for helping remove the stigma and making it easier to talk about. This is just a natural bodily function, and it should be treated as such. You have toilet paper, hand soap and a towel in your bathroom — you should include these products as well.”
Daughter calls for change afer tombstone vandalized
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
A Prince George woman who visited her dad’s grave at Memorial Park Cemetery on Father’s Day was shocked to learn, one week later, that someone had wilfully damaged his headstone as part of a vandalism rampage.
Sometime during the night Sunday, June 22 or early Monday, June 23, 21 grave markers were knocked over and four were damaged.
A city staff member called the woman and the other plot owners to inform them of the damage.
The tipped markers that were not damaged were returned to their original positions and the site were cleaned up.
“It just makes me mad because, as families, you’re already hit with a loss and every time this happens it’s another slap in the face,” said the woman, who wants to remain anonymous.
“I just feel if you don’t say anything
you’re just allowing this to happen, nothing is going to change. I know the majority of people probably aren’t affected because they don’t have loved
New name for UNBC garden
The David Douglas Botanical Garden Society, in partnership with the University of Northern British Columbia, unveiled the new Indigenous name for the botanical garden on Thursday, June 26.
The ceremony named the garden Khasdzoon Yusk’ut, which translates to Red Maple Hill Garden in the Carrier (Dakelh) language.
The late Elder Edie Frederick, a respected knowledge keeper and UNBC’s first elder-in-residence, played a pivotal role in identifying the name Khasdzoon Yusk’ut.
During the ceremony, a commemorative tree was planted in her honour by her son, Jason Frederick. UNBC says the name reflects the spirit of connection, cultural recognition and community belonging, and embodies the garden’s values as a space of shared stewardship.
ones here, but if they did have family here they’d feel the same way. I just feel the city should be more responsible.”
One corner at the back of her father’s large black marble headstone was chipped off and the there were scrapes left on the polished face of the stone, likely after someone purposely hit it with a hammer or heavy metal object. She’s hoping the damage can be repaired.
Her father’s damaged grave was in the Chinese section at the southernmost part of the cemetery, which is out of the line of site of motorists driving by on Highway 16.
She would like to see that section fenced to prevent people from accessing the grave sites from the adjacent greenbelt.The tipped markers covered a wide expanse of the cemetery, starting near the front gate.
She would also like to see video surveillance cameras throughout graveyard. There are cameras that cover the
mausoleum buildings near the entrance to the cemetery.
“If they knew there were cameras, maybe they’d think twice,” she said. “It’s not like the first time it’s happened, it’s a known problem.”
A site worker said there are many unlit areas in the park which would make cameras ineffective as a deterrent to vandals.
Cemetery vandalism in the city on such a large scale is a rare occurrence. In November 2013, eight grave markers were knocked over and one was damaged in the most recent reported incident.
“The city is incredibly disappointed by this situation,” said city spokesperson Claire Thwaites in an email to The Citizen. “Vandalism of any kind is terrible, but to target a cemetery is despicable. The RCMP were notified and attended. A file was created after reviewing available security footage of our CCTV system.”
“We are pleased to be able to reveal the name for the new garden, which was given to the society by the late Lheidli T’enneh Elder, Edie Frederick,” said Catriona McLenna, president of the David Douglas Botanical Garden Society.
“This connection to the local First Nation will continue to be reflected in the future development of this garden.”
The event drew elders, community members, volunteers and supporters to the garden and the UNBC campus.
It also featured reflections on the garden’s development, recognition of early contributors, and a look ahead to Expansion Phase Two.
“This naming ceremony is a reflection of what’s possible through meaningful partnership and shared purpose,” said UNBC president Geoff Payne. “Khasdzoon Yusk’ut honours Indigenous language and connection to the land while deepening the relationships that guide UNBC’s work across the North.”
CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE
This is one of four headstones damaged by vandalism at Memorial Park Cemetery in Prince George.
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
City releases fnancial info on salaries, capital projects
claimed expenses and benefits from most to least:
• Mayor Simon Yu: $162,054.89
• Coun. Trudy Klassen: $51,058.31
• Coun. Ron Polillo: $49,541.65
• Coun. Kyle Sampson: $49,119.79
• Coun. Cori Ramsay: $48,611.35
• Coun. Brian Skakun: $47,473.06,
• Coun. Tim Bennett: $47,339.71
• Coun. Susan Scott: $46,479.47
Staff compensation
The city’s total cost for labour and benefits in 2024 was around $82.6 million.
Under provincial law, local governments must list all employees who receive more than $75,000 in a year.
Here are the top five earners for 2024 in terms of combined base pay, other compensation and claimed expenses:
• City manager Walter Babicz: $308,777.89
• Director of civic operations Blake McIntosh: $207,515.14
• Director of civic facilities and events Andy Beesley: 207,248.44,
category also includes any payouts of banked overtime, such as when employees leave the organization, which may include banked overtime hours from previous years.”
At the meeting, director of finance and IT services Kris Dalio said the $75,000 threshold has been in place for his entire career, which means that more and more city staff appear on the SOFI each year and creates more work in preparing the report.
Capital projects
The statement listed the following as the top 10 capital projects by amount spent in 2024:
• Road rehabilitation: $6,679,809
• Mobile equipment replacement: $3,731,932
• Sanitary forcemain and lift station renewal: $3,507,521
• Sanitary lagoon re-routing: $3,086,770
• Kin Centre refrigeration upgrades: $2,808,259
• Boundary Road reservoir: $2,410,177
Citizen Staff
The City of Prince George published its 2024 Statement of Financial Information at city council’s Monday, June 23 meeting, revealing information on how much employees and elected officials earned that year.
Each year, public bodies are required under provincial law to produce a statement showing how much each employee earned over a certain threshold and the total amount paid out to each supplier of goods or services over a specific amount within six months of the end of their fiscal year.
As the city’s fiscal year aligns with the calendar year, Prince George’s SOFI had to be issued by the end of June.
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, of which Prince George is a member, released its 2024 SOFI at its June 19 meeting.
Also presented at the June 23 meeting was Prince George’s 2024, which it must
publish by the end of June each year under BC’s Community Charter.
It includes a list of the city’s objectives, audited annual financial statements, the amount of permissive tax exemptions grants, a report of municipal services and operations and progress report on them.
While some elements of the Annual Report and SOFI, including the amounts contained in each of the city’s financial reserves, have already been published, here are some new highlights:
Council compensation
The SOFI lists all salaries, claimed expenses and benefits earned by Prince George Mayor Simon Yu and the eight city councillors.
Yu also receives a $9,000 vehicle allowance that the councillors do not.
Councillors earn a base salary of $42,677.50 while the mayor has a base salary of $140,677.50.
Here is how much each elected official earned in 2024, including salary,
• Director of finance and IT services Kris Dalio: $200,069.84,
• Fire chief Cliff Warner: $199,553.84
The statement said that three staff groups working for the city received wage increases in 2024.
Staff working for the Canadian Union of Public Employees locals 399 and 1048 received a five per cent wage hike.
Staff under the International Association of Firefighters received a 4.5 per cent wage increase in 2024, however retroactive payments worth 3.5 per cent for 2022 and 4.5 for 2023 were also made in 2024.
So-called “exempt” staff received a five per cent wage increase.
Overtime payments went down from $1.9 million in 2023 to $1.7 million in 2024.
“Overtime in 2024 was largely a result of snow removal and utilities work,” the document said.
“Utilities overtime was mostly for after-hours emergency callouts related to water and sewer services. This
• Water distribution system renewal: $1,905,951
• Stormwater system renewal: $1,733,244
• Sidewalk and walkway renewal: $1,429,164
• Water distribution system: $1,197,774
Suppliers
Under provincial law, local governments must list any supplier that they paid more than $25,000 in a year in their SOFI.
Suppliers who were paid more than $25,000 were transferred around a collective $214.33 million by the city in 2024. Suppliers under $25,000 were transferred around a collective $6.1 million, leading to a total of around $220.4 million for all suppliers.
There are too many suppliers to list, but here’s a list of every supplier that received more than $1 million from the City of Prince George in 2024 in order of most to least received:
COLIN SLARK
PCITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK
Prince George director of finance and IT services Kris Dalio (left) discusses the city’s 2024 Annual Report at the Monday, June 23 council meeting as Coun. Cori Ramsay looks on.
Organizatons received more than $5M in grants in 2024
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
• Receiver General for Canada:
$44,924,935.26
• Ministry of Finance: $19,873,893.36
• Regional District of Fraser-Fort George: $19,379,448.69
• Fraser-Fort George Regional Hospital District: $15,533,734.17,
• Municipal Pension Plan: $10,075,017.80
• Lafarge Canada Inc.: $8,630,914,72
• BC Transit: $6,113,435.72
• Twin Rivers Developments Ltd.: $4,863,608.82
• BC Hydro: $4,474,802.58
• IDL Projects: $4,146,570,69,
• Sun Life Financial: $3,490,058.46,
• Yeti Refrigeration Inc.: $2,821,174.77
• Stewart McDannold Stuart (Trust Account): $2,769,594.08
• Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia: $2,762,826.69,
• Aon Reed Stenhouse Inc.: $2,403,427.76
• Suncor Energy Specialty Product Inc.: $2,166,632.30
• Tourism Prince George Society: $1,880,672.76
• Insituform Technologies Limited: $1,667,406.65
• Compass Group Canada: $1,617,219.23
• Workers’ Compensation Board of BC: $1,547,255.76
• Greatario Industrial Storage Systems Ltd.: $1,536,513.11
• Rollins Machinery Limited: $1,195,028.12
• Brandt Tractor Ltd.: $1,174,187.54
• Terus Construction Ltd.: $1,151,836,08.
Grants
On top of suppliers, the city listed all organizations that received more than $25,000 in grants from it in 2024. There were 12 organizations that received more than $25,000 in 2024, who received a collective $5,575,786.98. They were, in order of most to least received:
• Prince George Public Library: $4,350,082.98,
• Prince George Tourism Society: $327,000
• University of Northern British Columbia: $310,000,
• Theatre North West Society: $132,422,
• Prince George Chamber of Commerce: $100,000
• Prince George Symphony Orchestra Society: $72,969,
• Prince George Air Improvement: $65,000,
• The Exploration Place: $54,000
• Community Arts Council of PG & District: $51,328.00
• Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako: $50,000
• PG Downtown Business Improvement Association: $37,985
• Prince George Community Foundation: $25,000
Another 67 organizations received a collective $350,783.63 in grants worth $25,000 or less.
Motions
Coun. Brian Skakun proposed a motion calling on city directors to report their expenses to council and the public twice a year. It passed six to three, with councillors Polillo, Ramsay and Sampson voted against.
Coun. Kyle Sampson proposed a motion to bring the SOFI to a closed council meeting for discussion later this summer. It passed, with only Coun. Brian Skakun voting against.
Annual report
The city’s communications director, Claire Thwaites, started off the presentation by outlining some of the Prince George’s major capital projects, progress made towards its strategic objectives, and some statistics from municipal operations
Dalio went over the financial information in the report next, calling it one of the best ways for residents to know what the city did with their money each year. After the report was discussed, residents were offered the chance to come to a microphone to comment on it as is required under BC’s Community Charter. No one used the opportunity.
The city carried out $1.5 million in sidewalk rehabilitation and spent $420,000 to build new sidewalks in 2024.
Let’s all cheer on Special Olympics BC athletes
KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor
The window to sign up as a volunteer for the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George has officially closed. If you missed it, you might feel like your chance to be part of this extraordinary event has passed. But the truth is, it hasn’t. Not even close.
From July 10 to 12, Prince George will play host to more than 1,200 inspiring athletes with intellectual disabilities, along with their coaches, mission staff and families, for the Special Olympics BC Summer Games.
And while the volunteer roster is now closed, the stands at Masich Place Stadium and other venues are waiting for you.
You can still show up. You can still make a difference. In fact, you can help define what these Games feel like — for the athletes, for their friends and families, and for the city — just by being there.
These athletes have trained hard. They’ve pushed past obstacles, broken through limits, and committed to their sports in ways that are deeply moving. What they deserve now is what every athlete dreams of: a venue full of people, roaring with cheers, energy, and respect in the air.
Every competition at the Games is open to the public. No tickets. No barriers. Just bring your voice, your enthusiasm, and your love of sport.
Whether it’s track and field at Masich
We acknowledge the fnancial support of the government
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Special Olympics athletes from Prince George take part in a regional qualifier earlier this year. The Summer Games are set to happen July 10-13.
Place Stadium, basketball in a local gym or swimming at the pool, every cheer counts. Every cheer matters.
The importance of filling those seats goes far beyond just creating a festive atmosphere. For athletes with intellectual disabilities, being recognized and supported by the public can be transformative. It validates their hard work and reminds them that they belong, not only on the playing field, but in the heart of the community.
But cheering on these athletes isn’t just good for the soul — it’s also a big, loud statement about who we are as a
community.
Prince George is currently in the running to host the 2030 Canada Summer Games, a national sporting event that would bring the whole country to our doorstep.
If we want the Canada Games committee to know that Prince George is ready to step up, this is the time to prove it.
A strong show of community spirit during BC Special Olympics Summer Games will send a clear message: we know how to host. We know how to celebrate athletes. And we know how to
welcome the world.
Let’s not underestimate the impact of a stadium full of cheering, enthusiastic crowds. These Games are as much about community as they are about competition. They’re a test — not just of athletic excellence, but of our ability as a city to host.
If you’ve never attended a Special Olympics event before, you’re in for something truly special. These athletes compete with joy, determination and resilience that will stay with you long after the medals have been handed out. It’s uplifting, emotional, and real.
You’ll see moments that remind you why sports matter — not for contracts or sponsorships or fame, but for connection, courage, and celebration of human potential.
So no, you may not be wearing a volunteer badge this time around. But don’t let that stop you from being involved.
Show up. Fill the stands. Clap until your hands hurt. Yell until you’re hoarse.
Be part of something that matters. Because in the end, the success of the 2025 BC Special Olympics Summer Games doesn’t just depend on the organizers or the athletes. It depends on us — the city, the community, the fans. Let’s make it unforgettable.
The athletes are ready. Let’s make sure we are too.
See you at the Games.
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OPINION
Suspects at large after Prince George machete attack
Here in Prince George the court system is not set up or made to have youth face the consequences of their actions. Rather, they get a promise to appear and a slap on the wrist which only leads to the youth being back on the streets doing it again in about three or four days.
Kids like this should be in Prince George youth correctional facility.
Ritchie0769
Cougars goalie Zach Ravensbergen picked 30th by San Jose in NHL draft
Watched this kid during his two seasons with the Cougars. He’s impressive in his physical stature at 6’5.
But, the most impressive characteristic he has is his mental approach to the game. Preparation and passion combined with a determination to keep improving.
Watching him make mistakes in games, when goals are let in and how he responds is why I think this kid can be a household name in the NHL one day.
Good job Josh, keep moving forward kid. Brick by brick. Really looking forward to seeing you play this season. Cory Antrim
Share your views on our stories at
City to sell Millennium Park to regional district
Chalk up another victory for the homeless horde that inhabit the downtown core.
They loved that location because of its proximity to the soup kitchen, fire pit and all the other free services provided. No gruelling fourblock walk from Moccasin Flats — they could roll out of the sleeping bag and be in line for breakfast in a heartbeat.
The city knows full well that if it returned to park space bylaw officers will be onsite every morning to get the tents that sprung up overnight taken down for the day.
Sad really as it is one of the few green spaces downtown and another paved parking lot will do little to improve the eyesore that First Avenue is.
Wonder what the plans are for the $1 the city receives?
Bobs your uncle
City to sell Millennium Park to regional district
It’s disappointing to see a onceaccessible green space turned into yet another parking lot.
The regional district should be required to establish a new park within the city to compensate for the loss.
S Goods
Downtown PG wants security cameras up and running by end of summer
This will all just be a waste of money if the judges don’t uphold the law and hold those accountable for breaking them.
Every judge seems to fall for the sad life story but after you’ve been arrested and pleaded that they know better now, that sad story shouldn’t fool them again.
Alucard
Machete-wielding man threatens downtown Prince George shop owner
She is absolutely right in that back in the day ‘Specialty Avenue’ was a safe and good place to shop.
After years of poor city planning, failed government policies, a spineless justice system, downtown PG has become a criminal wasteland with a multitude of social welfare operations that enable and feed the addicts, criminals, and down and out.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Mayor Yu, and while you’re at it remove the rosecolored glasses you and council look at PG with.
Lucky for the machete-wielding criminal there’s a few $350,000 salary judges in PG that are just fine with people packing machetes in public.
The justice system of BC, the Attorney General, the Minister of Public Safety....all working together to ensure that criminals have rights.
BGeez
What’s next for Lower Patricia and the Little Prince?
“Coun. Tim Bennett said there might need to be a conversation about the future of the park and whether the train, which represents the area’s colonial past, still has a place on the city’s road to reconciliation.”
Such divisive words, Tim. Why so? The little steam train is open to all, regardless of one’s ethnicity. It’s a piece of history that helped open up our country and build infrastructure for the benefit of all, and should be cherished and cared for.
Ed Denicola
What’s next for Lower Patricia and the Little Prince?
If the Little Prince is offensive, I can just imagine the horror that the actual working railway must cause.
Tim, do you envision a time when we will have to have a conversation with CN as to their future in this city?
Randy Flavel
Parking ‘frustratng,’ drivers tell consultants in survey
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
If you’ve been frustrated by parking at the hospital or downtown in Prince George, some relief may be on the horizon.
The city launched the next phase of its parking modernization study with an open house Tuesday, June 24 at the House of Ancestors.
City staff, project leads and consultants from LEA Consulting were on hand to answer questions, gather feedback and present preliminary recommendations.
So far, the study has identified several major concerns from residents: a lack of available parking, safety issues, limited accessible spaces, time limits and enforcement on streets, confusing payment systems and the cost of parking. The open house also gave residents a chance to voice their concerns directly to city staff. These included issues with accessible parking at the civic centre, problems with payment systems at both the hospital and civic centre, and requests for more courtesy parking for hospital volunteers.
Staff shared data on current parking usage in problem areas, projected future demand and potential recommendations. These suggestions were based on nearly 1,500 survey responses and the findings of LEA representatives working in the city.
Robert Keel, LEA’s transportation planning manager and project lead,
spoke with The Citizen at the open house about short-term changes that could be implemented downtown.
“Security and safety were other areas that came up very frequently in our online surveys,” said Keel. “That’s something people have flagged, saying, ‘I don’t feel comfortable parking downtown,’ either due to concerns about break-ins or being approached by someone. We brought one of our security specialists from Ontario to do a site visit at all the off-street facilities, documenting light levels, conditions and accessibility. We have a full set of recommendations on how to make those areas safer and more welcoming.”
Keel noted that parking is often available within a block of most downtown destinations, but unclear signage and inconsistent rules often cause confusion — something the city is aiming to fix.
He also said hospital parking was a recurring issue in the feedback.
“In the hospital zone, people find the current system frustrating,” said Keel. “There’s a free zone with a two-hour limit, then a paid zone — but you wouldn’t know that from the signage. You can also park for two hours in the paid zone,
which isn’t clear. We’d like the city to install some physical pay stations, since the current app-only system excludes those without smartphones or data. That creates a barrier for people who aren’t comfortable using technology to pay.”
Keel said he was encouraged by the high response rate to the survey.
“There was a very high engagement rate, and that shows the community is passionate,” he said. “They had a lot of suggestions about how to improve parking and the downtown area in general. That level of feedback really helps us make informed recommendations.”
He added that one resident’s survey response echoed an idea already under consideration by his team.
“We’re looking at Second Avenue, which is currently four lanes and oneway westbound,” Keel said. “It rarely has the traffic volume to justify that kind of arterial design. We’d like to explore converting it to a two-way street, similar to Third Avenue, with angled parking on both sides. That would allow for wider sidewalks and a better public realm, all without the city needing to acquire more land. It’s currently a wasted space with a highway-like layout — and
interestingly, the suggestion came from a resident.”
Mayor Simon Yu also attended the open house and spoke with residents and staff about potential solutions.
In an interview with The Citizen, Mayor Yu addressed some of the structural design challenges related to parking.
“Prince George’s downtown wasn’t designed for 80,000-plus people,” said Yu. “Even though the city has expanded — with malls, suburbs, College Heights and parks — this is still the heart of the city. People come here for all sorts of services, and we need to make sure they can find parking.”
Yu added that long-term solutions may require embracing new technologies.
“In the future, we’ll need to use the latest AI to analyze how people move from one place to another,” said Yu. “Cities around the world are testing driverless transportation. If we can better synchronize people’s schedules — whether they’re going to the hospital or elsewhere — we may not need everyone to drive their own car. That’s something we need to start planning for now.”
City carries over $70M in approved spending from 2024 to 2025
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
The City of Prince George had almost $70 million in approved spending for capital projects that was carried over from 2024 to 2025, the Standing Committee on Finance and Audit heard at its meeting on Wednesday, June 25. Director of finance and IT services Kris Dalio told the committee that it takes more than one calendar year to
finish some projects.
“So, if we have unfinished work by Dec. 31, we have what’s called a carry forward into the next year,” he said.
“Just a quick note, we can’t really change the course on this. A lot of these contracts have been signed while the work has already been started. This isn’t for council to necessarily say ‘we won’t continue this project.’”
By far the largest carry forward was for the building envelope replacement
for the Aquatic Centre. Of the total $36,751,425 in spending that has been approved for that project, just $541,233 had been spent by the end of 2024, leading to a carryover of $36,210,191.
None of the approved $812,207 in spending for the renewal of building components at the Aquatic Centre had been spent by the end of 2024.
Just $84,289 of the budgeted $4.05 million for critical street light and traffic signal replacement had been spent.
Next to some of the entries on the list of carry forwards were asterisks, which note that remaining unspent amounts were relinquished.
Dalio said those represent projects that either finished under budget or had their scope change. Relinquished funds include around $3.1 million for mobile equipment replacement, around $1.06 million for sewer equipment replacement, $739,037 for sanitary forcemain and lift station upgrades.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER
Residents look over the information gathered about parking in the city at the open house on Wednesday, June 25.
A stone monument that formerly bore a plaque commemorating the arrival of Alexander Mackenzie to the Prince George area in the 1790s is seen in Millennium Park near the corner of George Street and First Avenue on Tuesday, June 24.
City selling Millennium Park for use as parking lot
the land back for the sale price.
DEVELOPMENT OF A PEST MANAGEMENT PLAN
Reference # PPC-03-26-31
As per the Integrated Pest Management Regulaton of Britsh Columbia, Secton 61(1) this is Public Notfcaton that:
Pembina Pipeline Corporaton is renewing an Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP) under the BC Integrated Pest Management Regulaton (IPMR). Vegetaton management will be performed on facilites, rights-of-way, and related infrastructure within the province of Britsh Columbia which includes the Lower Mainland, Thompson, Cariboo, North Coast and Northern BC encompassing many Regional Districts. Under these regulatons this plan is required to be updated every 5 years (the proposed term of this plan is fve years from June 2026 to June 2031).
Millennium Park will be sold to the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George for use as a parking lot for just $1 and a monument on the site will be dismantled and its stones returned to the Fraser River.
At the Monday, June 23 council meeting, Prince George city council approved the first three readings of a bylaw that would rezone 101 George St. from P1: Parks and Recreation to C1: Parking, Non-Accessory if given final approval.
The park has been fenced off since an encampment on the site was cleared by the City of Prince George, Prince George Fire Rescue and the RCMP in September 2023.
A report issued by city staff said the city and regional district have entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the property, which includes establishing a restrictive covenant for the site that restricts the land use to only “parking, non-accessory.”
The parcel is directly adjacent to the regional district’s main offices at 155 George St.
City staff recommended at the meeting that fourth and final reading be withheld until that covenant is established. If the terms of the covenant are breached, the city has the option of purchasing
During the meeting, a councillor asked what the monument made of stones on the property was for and whether it was going to be relocated.
Director of planning and buildings
Deanna Wasnik said the regional district is working with Lheidli T’enneh First Nation on the monument’s removal.
Mayor Simon Yu said it’s an important monument commemorating the arrival of two First Nations guides, European explorer Alexander Mackenzie and six Frenchmen to the site of what eventually became Prince George as they searched for a water route from Lake Athabasca to the Pacific Ocean in the 1790s.
“It’s an important development in the history of Prince George,” Yu said. “It’s my understanding with this particular monument that the plaque itself is already in Lheidli T’enneh (Memorial) Park and the stone itself will be returned to the river in a ceremony.”
A Parks Canada webpage on the plaque states that it was designated on May 25, 1923 and currently sits in Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.
UNBC’s Northern BC Archives and Special Collections hosts a digitized version of a black-and-white photo of the plaque attached to the Millenium Park monument on its website dated 1930.
Select treatments including mechanical, manual, preventatve and herbicides will be used to control growth of unwanted vegetaton. This plan ensures reduced fre risk, maximized public safety and access to facilites and rights-of-way for maintenance and operatonal data collecton. These select treatment applicatons may also be used in accordance with the Weed Control Act by orders from the B.C. Ministry or local jurisdictonal authorites. Herbicides will be applied to facilites and in specifc cases for invasive species control. Herbicides will be applied at low applicaton rates, by backpack sprayers with wands for selectve foliar and soil applicatons and ATVs with spray tanks and power nozzles for foliar applicatons. The use of pestcides is intended within the area to which the IPMP applies. Trade names and actve ingredients of herbicides proposed under this IPMP are:
A copy of the draf pest management plan is available for viewing at: htps://www.pembina.com/pest-management
Map(s) are available upon request.
For more informaton, please contact the IPM agent, E-Qwest Consultng at email: clover.eqwest@gmail.com or alternatvely you can contact the applicant Pembina Pipeline Corporaton at:
A person wishing to contribute informaton about a proposed treatment site, relevant to the development of this Pest Management Plan may send copies of the informaton to the email address above within 30 days of the publicaton of this notce.
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
What’s next for the Litle Prince and Lower Patricia?
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
Prince George city council gathered for a committee of the whole meeting on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 25 to discuss potential additions to the 2026 capital plan that currently have no identified funding source, including a new storage facility for the Little Prince and the redevelopment of Lower Patricia Boulevard into a greenway.
Here’s a rundown of the five projects discussed.
The Little Prince
Referred to the committee of the whole was a new storage facility for the Little Prince miniature steam train that operates on a 2.2-kilometre long track at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park near the Exploration Place.
Though the city owns the train, it has an agreement with the museum and science centre to operate it for an annual contribution of $50,000.
Director of civic operations Blake McIntosh said an initial conceptual plan and estimated was completed in 2019 and that estimate was recently revised with a review of the scope for the current construction market.
The new estimate for a new building is $1.2 million. As a detailed design and architectural drawings have yet to be produced, McIntosh said that estimate contains a built-in contingency.
Coun. Garth Frizzell said that if the storage building isn’t replaced, eventually the current facility would no longer protect the train from the elements and the city would be essentially deciding to get rid of it.
Also brought up was the need for a long-term agreement so that the Little Prince would get a new facility but would stop being operated shortly after.
McIntosh said there haven’t been discussions with the Exploration Place’s management about a five- to 10-year plan since Alyssa Leier took over as the executive director last summer.
He said direction from council would be needed to start having those discussions, which he figured would take
The Little Prince carries a load of happy passengers on a trip around the tracks at the south side of Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park that make up the Fort George Railway, Canada’s shortest passenger railway at 2.2 kilometres.
months and not weeks to complete.
Coun. Tim Bennett said there might need to be a conversation about the future of the park and whether the train, which represents the area’s colonial past, still has a place on the city’s road to reconciliation.
Ultimately, the committee voted unanimously to direct staff to enter talks with the Exploration Place over a long-term operating agreement for the Little Prince and report back to council by the end of the year.
Rainbow Park washrooms
While there are outhouse-style washrooms in Rainbow Park, proposed was a new fully-serviced, modular facility similar to others that have been installed in the city.
McIntosh said it could be built in the park’s northwest corner, just south of Fire Hall No. 2, for an estimated capital budget of $720,000.
Coun. Ron Polillo put forward a motion to refer this project to the next budget cycle rather than 2028 as
originally proposed, calling Rainbow Park one of the city’s premier parks.
The motion was approved unanimously.
Roundabouts
Two roundabout projects were on the list, one at the intersection of Tyner and Ospika boulevards and the other at the intersection of University Way and Ceremonial Road.
The former roundabout is currently scheduled for design completion this year and built next year, as long as funding is approved.
“The Tyner-Ospika location would support access from adjacent land and the development site at the northeast corner of Ospika,” McIntosh told the committee.
“It would also support future Ospika extension to Highway 16. High-level cost estimate is approximately $2.5 million plus some contingency to be determined. The University Way and Ceremonial Loop intersection would serve both the existing university access and
future endowment land development. The potential cost is estimated to be $2 million plus some contingency to be determined.”
Yu said representatives from ICBC had recently reached out to him to offer to have an engineer look over some capital projects and give input on improving safety.
He said he didn’t bring up the roundabouts in that discussion, but he did discuss the potential of widening the intersection of Foothills Boulevard and Highland Drive in the Hart, which he said can be dangerous when cars are turning from Highland onto Foothills.
As for the Tyner-Ospika intersection, he said he’d like to have more information from the developer of a seniors’ housing project on their timeline so that maybe the city and the developer can line up their projects and reduce disruptions.
No motion was brought forward regarding this project. SEE ‘CIVIC CENTRE’ ON NEXT PAGE
Civic Centre sound system due for an upgrade: Beasley
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Lower Patricia Greenway
Originally proposed in 2011, the proposed greenway along the Patricia Drive escarpment would connect downtown to the existing trail network along the riverfront.
The estimated cost is $2.7 million. McIntosh confirmed that the proposed trail would go through where the Moccasin Flats encampment currently sits along Lower Patricia Drive.
Coun. Trudy Klassen asked whether it would be premature to discuss this project while the city’s court case to have the encampment close is still pending.
In February, the city filed a claim with BC Supreme Court asking for permission to close out what remains of the encampment after transitional housing opened nearby on Third Avenue.
The first hearing is scheduled for the first week of July.
The court previously ruled in 2021 that people experiencing homelessness could camp in the area until suitable shelter was provided for them.
City manager Walter Babicz said during the meeting that staff would have to take the request under advisement should council decide to add the project to the capital plan and report back on any potential issues.
Klassen moved to add the project to the 2026 capital plan.
It was defeated after the vote tied four to four, with councillors Bennett, Kyle Sampson, Polillo and Skakun voting in opposition. Coun. Cori Ramsay was not present for that vote, leading to an even number of councillors in chambers.
Civic Centre sound system
Director of civic facilities Andy Beasley said when the Civic Centre was built, it came with a “very adequate sound system that certainly used to work.”
He said there are two potential layers to the project: a bare-bones replacement and a “Cadillac” version capable of handling sound for any type of event, including new rigging to hang speakers off of and all-new equipment.
The current equipment, he said, is faulty — especially on the second floor. The controller doesn’t seem to control the system properly.
For many events, outside contractors are brought in to handle sound requirement similar to lighting needs.
Administration is likely to propose repairs to the original sound system in the next city budget at a cost of around $200,000.
Coun. Brian Skakun, who was chairing the meeting, said he attended a meeting in a board room on the Civic Centre’s second floor the previous week and called the audio system “horrendous.”
No motion was moved regarding the sound system.
New wheels for RCMP
City of Prince George staff discuss
From left, RCMP assistant detachment manager Krystal Devauld, RCMP patrol volunteer program co-ordinator Mike Burt, community policing supervisor Sgt. Craig Douglass, assistant detachment manager Melissa Lang accept the keys to a new Honda CRV from Wood Weaton general sales manager Dave Smith after the dealership donated the vehicle to the RCMP’s Community Policing Unit.
‘Tainted process’ in transiton to new air ambulances
BOB MACKIN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A BC Supreme Court judge refused on May 21 to grant an air ambulance company an injunction to continue working out of its Kamloops base and to pause the contract given to a competitor.
But Justice Bruce Elwood did not dismiss the underlying action filed by Summit Helicopters Ltd. due to a tainted procurement process.
BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) and its parent, the Public Health Services Authority (PHSA), decided in early 2023 that Ascent Helicopters Ltd. would service five areas: Vancouver, Qualicum Beach, Prince George, Prince Rupert and Kamloops. Ascent is now operating out of Prince George and Qualicum Beach, while incumbent Helijet is still operating in Vancouver and Prince Rupert.
Summit’s contract was set to expire May 22, the day after Elwood’s decision.
PHSA and BCEHS sought bidders in November 2021 for air ambulance services. Summit and Ascent were among the incumbent contractors, who used seven different helicopter variants from three manufacturers.
The province wanted to move to a single air carrier, using a single helicopter model, compatible with a model of power stretchers used in hospitals.
BCEHS entered a 10-year, $544.5 million contract with Ascent in February
2023 to use the Leonardo AW169 for all service deliveries.
Summit’s June 2023 procurement complaints were rejected, but then referred by PHSA to a review committee. Last November, it found merit on two grounds.
Evaluation committee member
Tammy Schiere’s husband had a consulting contract with Ascent. Also, the evaluation committee wrongly excluded Summit’s proposals that scored less than 60 per cent at the first stage, contrary to the goal of obtaining value for money.
After the November 2024 review
committee’s decision, PHSA agreed to improve conflict of interest assessment training for evaluation committees and staff.
It had yet to strike a new committee to re-evaluate proposals and appoint an independent third-party monitor, but has since committed to do so.
Elwood decided that transition to Ascent should carry on concurrently with the re-evaluation process. However, Elwood said PHSA was unable to provide a timeline or details of the process.
“Accordingly, in my view, it would be appropriate for the court to retain
jurisdiction and not dismiss the underlying action,” Elwood said.
“I am not seized of the action, but the parties may request to appear before me for directions or any further applications.”
Elwood said PHSA, BCEHS and Ascent sought reimbursement for their legal costs, but he decided that all parties should bear their own costs.
“In my view, the application by Summit was a matter of significant importance to the parties and the public at large, based on a finding of a reasonable apprehension of bias in a major procurement award,” Elwood decided.
School zone changes are social media rumour: BC Highway Patrol
CITIZEN STAFF
Despite online rumours amplified by artificial intelligence and social media, Canadian school zone rules are not changing on July 1, authorities say.
The BC Highway Patrol is debunking false claims circulating online that suggest school zones across the country will begin operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, starting next month.
“Some disreputable websites are claiming that all Canadian school
zones will be in effect 24/7 starting July 1, 2025. These websites are completely wrong,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin of BC Highway Patrol in a statement. “School zones are a provincial jurisdiction. There are no sweeping changes coming for Canada.”
Under Section 147 of the BC Motor Vehicle Act, drivers must reduce their speed to 30 km/h in school zones on regular school days between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., or during extended times if posted.
The patrol is encouraging the
public to be cautious when consuming traffic-related content online and to verify information through official sources.
Tips include:
• Check the source: Reliable information should come from legitimate accredited media (newspaper, television radio or online), from provincial governments or recognized organizations like ICBC
• Understand jurisdiction: Traffic laws fall under provincial
authority. A national change would require broad government coordination and public announcements.
• Watch for red flags: Sudden, sweeping changes to law — especially when grouped with unrelated policy ideas — should be treated with skepticism.
The patrol says some false claims also mention mandatory advanced driver-assistance systems and harsher distracted driving penalties.
CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
Summit Helicopters Ltd.‘s complaints about the province’s procurement award became the focus of an injunction filed as BC moves to a single-supply air ambulance model.
Apartments evacuated afer bag of grenades found
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
RCMP officers seized drugs, guns, cash and contraband cigarettes from multiple locations in what is being called one of the largest drug busts in recent memory.
During a search of one of the residences on June 6 and 7, officers found a bag containing what appeared to be several hand grenades.
This led to the evacuation of the apartment complex. An explosive disposal unit was brought in from the Lower Mainland to safely detonate the grenades.
“The Street Crew Unit wants to send their thanks to the residents of the apartment complex who were urgently evacuated in the middle of the night when the explosives were located,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, the Prince George detachment’s media relations officer.
“The evacuations were necessary to ensure resident safety, and most of those affected were understanding and cooperative with law enforcement officers throughout the event.”
Roughly 20 kilograms of suspected cocaine and fentanyl, a kilogram of suspected carfentanil, more than a dozen cases of contraband cigarettes
and several high-powered firearms — including one fully automatic rifle and handguns with ammunition — were seized by the RCMP Street Crew Unit.
Cooper added the case may influence how the RCMP conducts future investigations.
“It definitely increases our threat assessment when we are investigating residences or other buildings for this type of drug trafficking activity, and it changes how we approach our investigations and execute our search runs,” she said.
Officers also seized methamphetamine, MDMA, Ketamine, a cocaine press, several pieces of jewellery and other items.
The estimated street value of the seizures is $2.5 million.
“These findings represent a significant increase to the threat level we are encountering within the illicit drug trade in Prince George,” said Cooper. “As the hub city for northern BC we are seeing an increase in the amount of drug trafficking through our community, both as a destination and as a through-point for other cities in the area.
“We will continue to work diligently to disrupt drug trade activity through initiatives such as this one, as well as through strategic networking with
partner agencies.”
Several suspects were arrested and later released pending the outcome of
the investigation and any charge recommendations to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
CITIZEN PHOTOS BY MATTHEW HILLIER
Prince George RCMP display drugs, firearms, cash, jewelry, contraband cigarettes and other items seized in what police call one of the largest drug busts in recent history.
PRESENTED BY
IN THE PARK
2025
LHEIDLI T’ENNEH MEMORIAL PARK
Defence calls it self-defence, prosecuton says it wasn’t
BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A Crown prosecutor said June 24 in BC Supreme Court in Prince George that “there should be no real issue that the elements of homicide have been made out” in the second degree murder case against Dakota Rayn Keewatin.
Justice Ronald Tindale heard the first of two days of closing arguments scheduled in the case, which wrapped-up May 8 when 1993-born Keewatin’s lawyer, Jason LeBlond, said he would not testify.
The case is under a ban on publication of information about the victim.
Prosecutor Anna Novakovic said Keewatin shot the gun in the direction of the victim as he was running down the hallway in the Connaught Hill apartment building in March 2023. Three bullets hit the victim in the back, neck and torso, causing his death.
“The Crown argument here is that the only inference from these facts is that the accused intended to kill (the victim) or to cause him bodily harm, and that he was reckless about whether or not that would ensue,” Novakovic told Tindale.
As such, she said the Crown has proven beyond reasonable doubt that Keewatin shot and killed the victim. The only remaining issue is to prove that Keewatin had the intent in order to be guilty of second degree murder.
“Mr. Keewatin had control of the pistol. He went into the hallway area such that the pistol could be fired northbound, following the path of (the victim). Mr. Keewatin started shooting northbound.”
The victim started fleeing as Keewatin fired in quick succession. “Each shot required a trigger pull. Each shot would generate a sound from the pistol.”
Novakovic conceded that, for a short period of time at the doorway of the apartment, the victim “created a situation when where Mr. Keewatin was justified in defending himself.”
But, any justification of self defence quickly disappeared when the victim was disarmed, Keewatin took
possession of the pistol and the victim began running down the hallway.
“Since the shooting did not start until (the victim) was running away, the Crown argues that there is no air of reality for Mr. Keewatin to say that he shot eight times at (the victim) as an act of self-defence,” Novakovic said.
Defence’s position
Keewatin’s lawyer said June 25 that his client acted in self-defence.
During the second day of closing arguments, Jason LeBlond told Tindale that Keewatin did what was necessary “and he did not do more than that” to defend himself and a woman in the Connaught Hill apartments.
Crown said he fired three fatal shots into another man while running in a hallway. The case is under a ban on publication of information about the victim.
Since Keewatin chose not to testify, LeBlond said the court must rely on circumstantial evidence to analyze his thought process and the reasonableness of actions.
“As far as we can tell from the
circumstances, he’s at home, we don’t know what he’s doing, watching TV, resting, sitting, and then the door opens,” LeBlond said.
The information that he acted on, “colours his response and the reasonableness of his response.” That included the reaction of a witness who said, as she ran past Keewatin, “they’ve got guns.”
“The most reasonable conclusion on the evidence, and the most likely conclusion is, that (the victim) was shot very close to the doorway of apartment 107 while armed with multiple weapons and while continuing to engage with Mr. Keewatin,” LeBlond said. “I submit that Mr. Keewatin used the force necessary to defend himself, and that was the extent of the force.”
Keewatin, he said, came into the conflict unawares.
Court also heard that Keewatin barricaded a door, which is something he would not have done without being under threat.
“He believed, I think, on good reasonable inferences, that that threat still was
in existence at the time that he closed the door, that’s why he barricaded. He was trying to prevent intruders from re-entering the apartment,” LeBlond said. Prosecutor Anna Novakovic said June 24 that Keewatin shot the victim while he was running away, evidence that Keewatin was not acting in self-defence, but intended to cause bodily harm or death.
Novakovic conceded that, for a short period of time at the doorway of the apartment, the victim “created a situation when where Mr. Keewatin was justified in defending himself.”
But, any justification of self-defence quickly disappeared when the victim was disarmed, Keewatin took possession of the pistol and the victim began running down the hallway.
Keewatin’s trial happened almost two months after B.C. Supreme Court Justice John Gibb-Carsley acquitted Keewatin and co-accused Kerridge Andrew Lowley, 49, of aggravated assault and break-and-enter. They were charged after a grisly 2022 machete attack at a Prince George motel related to a drug debt dispute.
Dakota Rayn Keewatin was charged with second-degree murder after an incident at a Connaught Hill apartment building that left a man dead after being shot three times.
Afair leads to woman’s death and prison tme for man
BOB MACKIN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A 48-year-old man was sentenced June 23 to another seven years and eight months in jail for the 2020 death of Crystal Chambers, with whom he had an extramarital affair.
Jason Troy Getty was arrested Dec. 17, 2021 and charged with second degree murder.
In BC Supreme Court in Prince George, Getty pleaded guilty to the lesser and included charge of manslaughter and indignity to a human body.
Justice Ronald Tindale agreed to a joint Crown and defence proposal and officially sentenced Getty to 11 years in jail for manslaughter and two years consecutively for dumping Chambers’s body in a creek. However, Getty qualified for a time-served credit.
Second degree murder is a deliberate, but unplanned murder.
Manslaughter is a homicide without intent. Tindale banned Getty for life from possessing firearms and explosives and ordered him to provide a DNA sample.
Court heard that Getty and Chambers’s affair resulted in the birth of a child in 2016. Getty and his wife shared custody of the child but, while living separately in 2020, Getty went with friends to Campbell River on a camping trip. He returned home early after receiving concerning messages from Chambers who was suffering psychosis from methamphetamine use.
Getty had started a new relationship with a woman he met on a dating website. After leaving her presence on July 21, 2020, he arranged to meet up with Chambers at the Pine Centre Mall and then travel to Shasta Lake southwest of the city.
They consumed methamphetamine together and Chambers told Getty she was concerned their child got into her drug stash during a recent visit.
The agreed statement of facts said Getty became frustrated and angry, placed Chambers in a chokehold and she stopped breathing. The mother of three
Court
died, two weeks shy of her 34th birthday.
Using items in his vehicle, Getty wrapped Chambers in a sleeping bag, fastened it with a strap from a yoga mat, drove off Highway 16 to the Willow Creek Bridge and dumped her body.
Getty met up again with his new girlfriend on July 22, 2020. During the next few days together, he confessed what he had done to Chambers, although he referred to it as a hypothetical event.
A hiker eventually found the body of Chambers, partly submerged, on Aug. 1, 2020.
Getty, who had no prior criminal history, was arrested the week before Christmas in 2021 and remained in custody since.
Getty had been scheduled for a trial lasting six months and the Crown had as many as 57 witnesses lined-up. The guilty plea was a mitigating circumstance that saved court time and resources. As was Getty’s upbringing.
The son of an Indigenous mother suffered physical and sexual abuse and neglect throughout his childhood and lived in 106 foster homes from the time he was 18 months old until he aged out of government care.
Getty quit school in Grade 9, but eventually earned a forklift operator ticket. He also worked as a McDonald’s manager and bouncer.
He also struggled with alcoholism and crack cocaine addiction — spending as much as $1,500 daily at one point — and
suffered the grief of his first wife’s 2008 death.
A tearful Getty expressed remorse to the court, telling Tindale: “It’s heartbreaking, I never wanted this for anybody.”
The court also heard a statement
provided by the victim’s mother, who called the effect of the murder “like a pebble thrown into a calm body of water with anger.” It caused tears to all those who knew Crystal and sadness for the three children left behind “from a mom who loved them dearly.”
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heard that a man choked his affair partner to death, then dumped her body near the Willow Creek Bridge in 2020.
Downtown PG aims for late-summer security cam launch
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
Representatives from the Downtown Prince George Business Improvement Area told city council at its meeting Monday, June 24, that they hope to launch the security camera pilot project approved last December by the end of the summer.
The DBIA covers the portion of downtown Prince George zoned as C1, which extends from Queensway to the east, as far west as Winnipeg Street, as far north as First Avenue and as far south as Patricia Boulevard.
Executive director Chrisie Berry, president Eoin Foley and treasurer Derek Dougherty appeared before council on behalf of the DBIA. Led by Berry, the group presented its 2024 financial information and outlined its plans for 2025. It was the first time Berry addressed council since taking over the role in May from Colleen Van Mook, who retired.
In December 2024, city council approved $40,000 in funding for a security camera pilot project run by both the DBIA and the Chamber of Commerce. It is being based on a similar successful program run out of Penticton.
Berry said the organization has received its funding and the project “is in motion.”
“Currently we’re working really closely with the RCMP to make sure the cameras meet the right standards for resolution and functionality so they’ll be effective in supporting the safety of downtown and what we’re trying to achieve.”
“Our goal is to have the system up and running by this summer, though that timeline might be ambitious depending on how things go with equipment installations and that type of thing.”
In 2024, the organization brought in $665,025 in revenue. Of that total, 54 per cent came from its membership levy, through which $358,215 was collected.
Another 26 per cent and $176,000 was brought in through the clean and safe programs, seven per cent ($43,476) came in from events and promotions,
another seven per cent ($43,415) came from beautification efforts, five per cent ($36,000) came from in-kind contributions and one per cent ($7,920) came from other sources.
That represents a slight surplus, with only $654,400 in expenditures in 2024.
Of that amount, 29 per cent ($255,565) was spent on clean and safe programs, 27 per cent ($171,460) was spent on governance and promotions, 20 per cent ($132,745) was spent on events and promotions, 10 per cent ($66,840) was spent on beautification efforts and four per cent ($27,790) was spent on special projects.
The DBIA runs six micro grant programs — beautification, events, marketing and promotions, safety e-commerce and broken windows — as well as a façade improvement grant supported by the Northern Development Initiative Trust. Combined, the seven programs distributed $14,753 in 2024.
Currently, Berry said, the DBIA’s social media accounts are focusing on four core pillars: eat, shop, explore and thrive. The organization’s website also has a member directory divided into those four pillars.
“We have encouraged all of our members to submit anything they’d like to see featured and we’re happy to push that forward for them,” Berry said.
Annual events put on by the DBIA include Downtown Winterfest, Downtown Summerfest, A Taste of Downtown passport program, Downtown Fallfest and Downtown Plaid Friday. Summerfest takes place next month on July 19.
Berry said there was limited participation in the Taste of Downtown event and they’re looking at fresh approaches to stay downtown longer throughout the year.
New for this year is a bike valet program funded by the BC Cycling Coalition and the BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit. It launched during the grand opening for the Nanguz’An container market at Canada Games Plaza and will run during five more events this year.
During her presentation, Berry said that the clean and safe program cleaned up 6,666 needles, 5,900 biohazards, 4,881 garbage bags, 61 shopping carts and 104 pallets in 2024.
The Drug Awareness Recovery Team (DART) helps clear downtown alleyways of debris and needles every morning, The Brain Injured Group with support from Northern Health cleans up sidewalk litter twice a day from Monday through Friday and ACME Janitor Services cleans up biohazards every morning.
Levies funding business improvement areas are established as a local services tax by local governments under BC’s community charter.
Earlier this year, the DBIA successfully renewed its levy for a 10-year term running to 2035.
Berry said to defeat the renewal, more than half of the businesses in the area would have had to sign a counter-petition run by the city. Out of 243 potential members, only 10 approved the renewal.
Under the renewal, there are no changes to the boundaries of the levy. In the first year of the renewal, the DBIA is expecting to see a three per cent increase in collective levies, which are based on assessed property values. No one business will pay more than $12,500 for their levy.
The DBIA works with the City of Prince George, the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Prince George on the Downtown Strategy Team, which meets quarterly to improve the neighbourhood.
A 2025 budget for the DBIA was presented with both $656,817 in revenue and expenses. Under the organization’s bylaws, council was required to pass a motion approving the budget, which it did unanimously.
The organization representing downtown business owners told city council that the new security camera pilot program is expected to be launched by the end of the summer.
Gateway BIA’s 2025 budget approved by city council
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
Prince George city council unanimously approved the Gateway Business Improvement Area’s 2025 budget at its Monday, June 23 meeting.
Representing the GBIA, which stretches from the intersection of 20th Avenue and Victoria St. to around the Northland Hyundai dealership along Highway 16, was the organization’s liaison officer, Daniel Denis.
Unlike the DBIA, Denis said, their neighbourhood’s focus is more on beautification and cleaning.
In 2024, he said the organization had installed seasonal lighting on two large trees on traffic islands near sculptures in the neighbourhood, added a flower bed to the base of the “Triumph” sculpture and installed a mural on the concrete fence along Ron Brent Park.
Of the $3 million the GBIA has spent
Daniel Denis of the Gateway Business Improvement Area gives a presentation to Prince George city council at the Monday, June 23 meeting.
over the years, Denis said they received more feedback on the lit trees than anything else. One of the trees had 8,000 lights on it but has since been “cut in half” by BC Hydro and now has 4,000 lights on it.
This year, he said they were planning
Wendy’s is heading to the Hart
to put lights on eight small trees in Gateway Park, which is next to the Connaught Youth Centre.
Multiple councillors praised the tree lights and said the city could take a lesson and do similar elsewhere in town.
Denis said there have been a lot fewer
problems since the 7-Eleven store near the intersection of 20th Avenue and Spruce Street closed and that he’d like to see the vacant properties along that stretch repurposed.
Mayor Simon Yu asked whether Denis had heard of any plans for the vacant 7-Eleven or A&W buildings. Denis responded that he hadn’t.
In 2025, the GBIA’s projects are a bench replacement for Gateway Park, seasonal lighting for eight trees at Gateway Park and a design update for the banners that hang on lamp posts in the neighbourhood.
The benches will be purchased by the GBIA and installed by the City of Prince George.
Coun. Cori Ramsay asked about the $6,750 deficit listed in the GBIA’s 2025 budget. Denis said as a non-profit they aren’t supposed to have much in the bank at one time, but there are enough contingency funds to cover the shortfall.
Purpose: rezone the property to allow two Single-Family Residential dwellings
Next steps: the Regional District Board will consider frst reading of Bylaw No. 3392, 2025 on Thursday July 17, 2025 at 1:30 pm in the Regional District Board Room at 155 George Street, Prince George, BC.
For more details visit rdffg.ca/landuseapps
CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO
A crew from Marmot Builders readies the site of a new Wendy’s fast-food restaurant on Tuesday, June 24 on Austin Road outside the Hart Centre. The new eatery will be the third Wendy’s in Prince George, with one located on Victoria Street and another on Central Avenue.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK
UNBC researchers look to study Robson Valley snow
ABIGAIL POPPLE Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
University of Northern BC (UNBC) researchers visited Robson Valley communities last week to share updates on the Mountain Snow Hydrology Lab, a research initiative to study mountain landscapes, glaciers and climate change. The lab has been researching the Robson Valley for the past two years with funding from the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, a research network.
Led by Joseph Shea, an associate professor in the UNBC Department of Geography, the Robson Valley project aims to collect more data about how climate change is impacting communities and their surrounding landscapes.
This work ranges from tracking landslide potential near Swift Creek in Valemount, to discussing water scarcity with residents in McBride and Dunster. Shea’s work has taken him across the world, from the Coast mountains in western BC to the Himalayas in Nepal. This summer, Shea and his team are travelling to several parts of the Robson Valley — including Robson Pass and the Dominion Creek watershed — to install weather stations. This will help them better measure snow over the next several years, Shea said.
But the group’s work doesn’t end with quantitative measures – Shea says community engagement is a crucial part of what they do.
“There’s a definite long-term population of people who have been here for decades, and they are seeing the changes,” Shea said of the Robson Valley.
“They’re aware of how their garden grows this year compared to the last few decades. They’re feeling the pressures from wildfires or changes in water resources… it’s a really important source of information that, as researchers, I think it’s valuable for us to tap into.”
Shea pointed to the work of Mackenzie Ostberg, who recently defended her master’s thesis on water scarcity in the McBride and Dunster area.
Ostberg used old newspaper records and spoke to dozens of locals about how drought impacts the community for her research, Shea said. That firsthand experience comes in handy for researchers, he said.
“People here tend to be very resilient and independent — they want to get
things done,” Shea added. “And that resourcefulness is important, but it’s also really important to have that social cohesion and social networks that small communities tend to have.”
Speaking with locals also made it easier for researchers to tailor their work for each community — for example, McBride residents may be more likely to focus on water use, while Valemount residents were concerned about geohazards like landslides near Swift Creek, according to Shea.
“It wouldn’t make sense to do a blanket approach and throw it down for the entire (valley), because there are big differences between the communities,” Shea said.
He added that his team usually gets a warm welcome from the places they visit. The group has enjoyed support from a number of locals, including Valemount Mayor Owen Torgerson and Regional District representative Dannielle Alan, according to Shea. The Valemount and Dunster community forests have also voiced their support for the project, he said.
At the group’s presentation in Valemount, resident Rhondi Hurlbut, who has lived in the community for about 40 years, said she has seen snowpack
dwindle during that time.
“I’m interested in climate change, and I’ve seen big changes around here,” Hurlbut told The Goat. “I’m interested if (research projects) lead to some changes or can alleviate some of the outcomes of climate change.”
Alan Lerchs, who also attended the event in Valemount, said he attended out of an interest in earth science. He too has noticed lower snowpack over the 10 years he’s lived in the Robson Valley.
“The fact that people from the university are willing to drive out here and hang out for three hours is great,” Lerchs said.
Shea said the group’s research may not lead to solutions for climate change, but it can give some insight to how small mountain towns are being impacted.
“We’re not here to fix all the problems, it’s not something we can do. But it’s good for people to come and talk to us, and we can offer our insights, and we get insights from them as well,” he said. “It’s a two-way thing, which is really unique. And that’s why I think the research is so interesting to do.”
This story originally appeared in The Rocky Mountain Goat.
UNBC’S Robson Valley project aims to collect more data about how climate change is impacting communities and their surrounding landscapes.
ABIGAIL POPPLE, LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER PHOTO
UNBC associate professor Joseph Shea leads the Mountain Snow Hydrology Lab, a research initiative to study mountain landscapes.
What’s happening in PG
Foodie Fridays are back at Canada Games Plaza and will go from noon to 4 p.m. on July 4, 18, 25 and Aug. 1, 8, 29. There will be food trucks, vendors and entertainers. The Tourism PG Nanguz ’An Market is open Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in July and August.
Pride Drag Show 2025 goes Friday, July 4 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at The Underground Show Lounge and Bar, 1177 Third Ave. Presented by the PG Pride Society, The Underground and Ma Dame Foreteaze this event celebrates Celebrate love, diversity, and the art of drag with a dazzling lineup of queens, kings, and non-binary royalty bringing their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent to the stage, with dance to follow. Tickets at www.eventbrite.ca/e/ pride-drag-show-after-party-tickets.
Three Breed Classic Horse Show 2025 goes Friday, July 4 at noon to Sunday, July 6 at 5 p.m. at the PG Agriplex and hosted by the Prince George Horse Society. This is an All Breed, AQHA, APHA and ApHC approved two-day show. It will be double judged and this is the first year the society is hotsing this event in Prince George. For more information about entering this event email EntriesThreeBreed@gmail..com
Chris Goodwin Band goes Saturday, July 5 at 8:30 p.m. at Nelly’s Pub, 2280 John Hart Hwy. This well-known fourpiece country group has been captivating audiences in Northern British Columbia since 2019. They’ve gained a strong reputation in Western Canada, headlining events like the 2020 Rooftop Rock Festival and sharing the stage with renowned artists like Brett Kissel, Dean Brody, and Corb Lund at the 2022 Best Damn Music Fest.
Pride High Tea goes Saturday, July 5 at the Ramada Plaza, 444 George St. This is the most anticipated event of the social season: a Bridgerton-Inspired Pride High Tea, where elegance meets exuberance and every guest is the diamond of the day. Join us amidst lush florals, delicate music, and the soft clinking of fine china for an afternoon
steeped in sophistication and celebration. Indulge in a selection of delicate pastries, finger sandwiches, and perfectly steeped teas—accompanied by sparkling company. Dress in your Regency finest with a modern Pride twist — think corsets, cravats, crowns, and colour. This is a space where every identity is honoured and every love story is welcome. Tickets: $25, children 5 and under free. For tickets visit www. eventbrite.ca/e/pride-high-tea-tickets.
Merkules goes Saturday, July 5 at 9 p.m. at Ignite, 1232 Third Ave. presented by Nightshift Entertainment and Marked Up Entertainment. Cole Stevenson, known by the stage name Merkules, is a Canadian rapper from Surrey. He is known for his ‘hangover-rap’ style of music. For tickets visit www.showpass. com/merkulespg
The Showdown Returns, Magnificent 7 goes Saturday, July 5 at 10 a.m. presented by Ladies Breakaway Roping Association of BC featuring barrels, breakway and team roping.
Punjabi Cultural Event goes Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6 beginning at 11 a.m. at Masich Place Stadium presented by Punjabi Cultural Event Association and Guru Nanak Barbar featuring
games, races, volleyball match, musical chairs, soccer, kabbadi matches, music and refreshments for everyone.
Pride Picnic goes Sunday July 6 at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park from 3 to 8 p.m. This event is presented by the Northern BC Queer Connection Society and is a free, family-friendly celebration of love, diversity, and community spirit. There will be live music, food trucks, games, crafting fun, a fabulous queerfriendly market, access to amazing community resources and a special Queer History Exhibit. Wear your brightest rainbow gear and bring your picnic essentials like chairs, blankets, baskets and sunscreen. Market vendors, musicians, performers, artists and poets who wish to participate can email events@ nbcqueerconnection.com.
Summer Art Monkeys goes every Wednesday from July 9th to August 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.
Behind the Canvas goes every Thursday starting July 10 at Studio 2880, 2880-15th Avenue, and is presented by the Prince George & District Community Arts Council. Starting on July 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. visit with an artist as they demonstrate their talent and answer any questions you may have on techniques and being a working artist. On July 10 visit with Marylyn Schmaus, Wendy Framst on July 17, Rick Mintz on July 24, Lorri Maley Bell on July 31, Terrill Bodner on Aug. 7, Cliff Mann on Aug. 14, Christina Watts on Aug. 21 and Diane Levesque on Aug. 28. Refreshments will be provided.
Community Art Days goes Friday, July 11 from 2 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Canada Games Plaza and inside and outside of the Two Rivers Gallery. This is a free event for all ages. There will be art and family-oriented activities, musical performances and the theme is Weaving Connection. Finger weaving, yarn landscapes, paint spinning, mini macrame, leather working, button making, creature cut outs and more.
28th Annual Prince George Pride Parade goes Saturday, July 12 from 10 to 11 a.m. in downtown Prince George. Join us as we celebrate the strength, beauty, and diversity of our local 2SLGBTQIA+ community, followed by the Pride Festival & Market at Veteran’s Plaza, 1100 Patricia Blvd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Calling all local artisans. Accepting registrations from vendors for this event. Email info@pgpride.com for information or registration.
Community Potluck goes Saturday, July 12 at 4 p.m. at 2139 Queensway. Presented by Food Systems North Project. People are invited to connect with community over delicious shared dishes. Join in the discussion on how we can strengthen our local food system through the development of a food policy council. Bring something to share. Please list ingredients for those with dietary restrictions. For questions reach out at foodsystemsnorth@gmail.com.
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HANDOUT PHOTO
Surrey rapper Merkules performs Saturday, July 5 at Ignite nightclub.
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Adam Beattie and Fiona Bevan with guest Derek Joyce goes Saturday, July 12 at 7 p.m. at Deadfall Brewery, 1733 Nicholson St. South. Join us for what’s sure to be a night of great live music featuring three talented performers.
P&R Organics Celebration of Life for Robert Bucher goes Sunday, July 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 12800 Salmon Valley Road. Come out to celebrate Robert, see the legacy he built with his wife, Priska and children, Daniel, Andres and Martina. There will be local vendors, food vendors and of course our tasty veggies for cash sales. Animals to see and hayrides to enjoy. One of dad’s joys at our events was the hayrides, he loved driving around the farm for all to see. This event will celebrate his legacy.
Summer Creativity Camps at Two Rivers Gallery goes Monday, July 15 to 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.
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 Geroge 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.
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
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. re-register your truck by emailing htrpilotservices@outlook.com – just $20 to register before Aug. 15 and $25 after. $2 admission for the public.
BC Old Time Fiddlers’ Jams and Lessons go every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 483 Gillett St. Everyone is welcome to attend. Drop-in fee is $5 at the door.
Games Night goes every Thursday at 7 p.m at Spruce Capital Seniors Centre, 3701 Rainbow Drive. Come on down and join in a game of backgammon, checkers, crib or better yet try out the pool table or dart board, please bring your own darts. Open to everyone for a $5 drop in fee.
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. 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
HANDOUT PHOTO
Adam Beattie and Fiona Bevan, seen in an image from a YouTube video, perform at Deadfall Brewery on Saturday, July 12, with special guest Derek Joyce.
FASTBALL ACTION
Fierce competition at the John Cho Cup
CITIZEN PHOTOS BY CHUCK NISBETT
ABOVE: Lillooet Gordy Selects pitcher Jaden Hita moves through his fastball delivery in a game against the Nak’azdli Humming Birds at Ron Wiley Field Friday, June 27.
BELOW: Grande Prairie Pirates third baseman Ethan Lans tags out the Vanderhoof Rippers’ Dreyden Thomas.
ABOVE: Shuswap Wolfpack’s Rich Celesta is tagged out at home by Lillooet Gordy Selects catcher Dorian Billy at Spruce City Stadium during the tournament, played at several city locations over the weekend.
LEFT: Burns Lake Bandit Dawson Patrick makes solid contact with the ball at Ron Wiley Field.
RIGHT: Carrier Queens second base player Emma Garcia makes the catch to retire Purquist’s Angelica Thiessen at Freeman Park.
ABOVE: Grande Prairie Pirates second baseman No. 47 Scott Galenza and short stop No. 6 Kevin Schellenberg prepare for the incoming throw as Vanderhoof Rippers Bruce Sutton slides in safe at second during the John Cho Cup Saturday, June 28.
Author fnds her birth family through a Citzen photo
The uncanny resemblance sparked a connection that led to Wendy Proverbs writing a book about it
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff
Wendy (Robertson) Proverbs is a children’s book author who took inspiration for her book from her birth family she ultimately discovered thanks to a picture published in The Citizen
Proverbs was adopted by the Robertson family and grew up in Prince George, not knowing her birth family until later in life.
“I am Indigenous from my birth mother and Swiss from my birth father but I didn’t know any of this until I was in my 20s when I actually met a sibling, thanks to The Prince George Citizen,” Proverbs said.
“My birth sister was Corina Luthi,” Proverbs said.
There was a picture in The Citizen on Oct. 4, 1985 taken by photographer Dave Milne of Luthi as she was crowned Miss Oktoberfest.
“The neighbour of my adoptive mother saw the picture in the paper and said to my mother ‘this girl looks very much like Wendy, I think you need to investigate this’ so we did and so because of The Citizen I ended up meeting her and from that meeting I eventually found out who I was.”
Back then records of adoption were sealed.
“So I had no idea of my biological background so kudos to The Citizen,” Proverbs said.
Proverbs grew up in Prince George enjoying everything it had to offer.
Proverbs, who hasn’t lived in Prince George for 48 years, lived on Patricia Boulevard in the early part of her childhood and then her family moved to a new subdivision near Spruceland Elementary when she was older.
Proverbs fondly recalled skating in the old coliseum, sledding, skiing,
swimming in the outdoor pool on Wainwright Street, celebrating events at South Fort George Park, now Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.
“I remember snow golfing, skiing on the cutbanks, A&W root beer, the Dog ‘N Suds drive-in, Woodwards department store, Bowie’s Fashions, Northern Hardware, The Outrigger restaurant, Vienna Schnitzel restaurant, May Day parades, matinees at the Princess Theatre, summer at local lakes, and the mournful sounds of locomotive horns as they passed through town,” Proverbs said.
Because there wasn’t a university here at that time, Proverbs said she moved to further her education.
“So I headed south to attend university and ended up staying to work and raise my family in Victoria,” Proverbs explained.
Proverbs had a career in finance in her early years but found it wasn’t very
satisfying work.
In her 40s she decided to return to school and attended the University of Victoria to earn her BA and Masters in anthropology and Indigenous studies.
During her time at the University of Victoria she was inspired to write an essay about her birth mother and aunt. Proverbs had discovered that as young children the sisters had to journey from their remote village of Lower PostDaylu, located at the BC Yukon border to Lejac Residential School. Just like so many other Indigenous children, the sisters were taken from their families at a young age to attend residential school, where they endured years of isolation
and abuse.
A Catholic priest took the children on the 1,600-kilometre journey by riverboat, mail truck, paddlewheeler, steamship, and train.
“This was back in the late 1920s, probably in 1928, the records are a bit iffy,” Proverbs said.
She had researched church and residential school records to gather what information she could.
Once Proverbs graduated from university, she continued to develop the story.
“Initially it was a family record but as I wrote it friends and family said it was important not just for us but for other people to understand a little bit more about residential school and how it affected so many people.”
After Proverbs wrote the book she submitted it to Heritage House publishing company and it was accepted and published.
Geared for youth, Proverbs’ book called Aggie and Mudgy: The Journey of Two Kaska Dena Children won the 2022 Jeanne Clarke Award and the City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize.
“So that was very rewarding and through that recognition I was asked to speak at elementary schools and I would just talk about the experience of my birth mother and aunt and it’s been quite rewarding for me to do that because I learn a lot going into the schools and meeting the young people and sharing the story,” Proverbs said.
“Earlier this year I was invited to speak at Nusdeh Yoh Elementary School in Prince George. From my conversation with the students, they told me they were intrigued that I was from their hometown. Nusdeh Yoh means House of the Future and I’m confident that future alumni from schools such as Nusdeh Yoh will be the foundation to move our society forward in a good way.”
Proverbs most recently returned to her hometown to attend her 50th Prince George Senior Secondary School reunion earlier this month.
CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY DAVE MILNE
This Prince George Citizen photo of Corina Luthi being crowned Miss Oktoberfest 1985 led Wendy Proverbs, Luthi’s biological sister, to discover her birth family’s history that she later wrote about in a multi award-winning book.
Proverbs
Million-dollar Hospice Dream Home up for grabs
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
The Prince George Hospice Society cut the ribbon Wednesday, June 25 on its 15th dream home in Prince George, signalling the start of the 2025 Hospice Dream Home Lottery.
This luxurious home, located at 7807 Southridge Ave., was built by Elite Pacific Homes and features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a walkout basement, a wine room, a spacious garage and more.
The total value of the grand prize home is $1,001,620.25.
Funds from ticket purchases will go towards supporting the work of the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society (PGHPCS).
Donna Flood, the executive director of PGHPCS, said that the funds from the Dream Home make up 30 per cent of the funding for the Hospice House, with the remaining 70 per cent coming from Northern Health.
“Without this lotto, we really wouldn’t have a hospice in our community,” said Flood.
“It’s really, really important and a dream home doesn’t just happen on its own. It’s a lot of our community, it’s a lot of love that gets put into this.”
Flood spoke to The Citizen about how exciting it is to open up another dream home for the community that will help benefit such a good cause.
“It’s always a big deal for us,” said Flood. “It’s always exciting to just show these beautiful homes that are generously and lovingly made by people within our community. Again, it’s really important because it’s what keeps Hospice alive. It keeps us sort of able to do the service that we do and so we invite the community to come in and take a peek.”
She also spoke on the generosity of the Prince George community throughout the years in its support of the dream home.
“We have a really generous community that has allowed us to do this,” said Flood.
“It’s a pretty risky business to do a lottery with a house because the house isn’t free. We do have to buy the house. We have to be optimistic that we’re going to sell enough tickets to at least buy the house first. Then everything else becomes what we use to do our service.”
The support is there, she added.
“Year after year, the last 11 houses we’ve sold out,” she said. “That’s pretty impressive. I expect the community will step up and help us sell out again, especially once they see this beautiful home.”
Flood added that local people often wait until the last minute to buy tickets, something she’s gotten used to.
“We are known as a last-minute town, and so you all keep me on edge until the last minute, those final two weeks,” said Flood. “It’s just what happens, right? I’ve had six months to sell out. And at one time I had only two and a half months to sell out. So it really doesn’t even matter how much time everybody waits until the last couple of weeks. So if you can come early, come often and buy your ticket.”
More than 19,000 tickets are available, going for $125 a pop and $200 for a two-pack.
The draw date will be Dec. 3.
You can find tickets and more information by visiting www.hospicedreamhome.ca.
Reunion brings old friends together afer 50 years
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“The team that organized the reunion did a fantastic job and it was held at the Coast Hotel,” Proverbs said.
“It’s a little nerve-racking walking into a place after not seeing people for so many years. I did attend the 10th reunion and honestly coming to this reunion I had a very hard time recognizing people and so did others. We always had to look at our name tags
because people change. Fifty years is a long time. A very long time. I found some alumni I was really happy to see and some, unfortunately, were not there that I wanted to see but that’s just the way it goes and I did run into an old neighbour that I knew in Grade 2, so you just never know who you’ll run into if you don’t take the chance and show up because you’re going to miss these little moments.”
Proverbs said she was really impressed
with the memorial tribute room.
“It was a little room set off to the side and it featured all the alumni that had passed,” Proverbs said.
“They also highlighted the eight young men who were lost on the Willow River the year before we graduated but we knew a lot of those kids and it affected us and we talked about that at the reunion. It was really nice they were honoured along with the other 75 alumni that had passed.”
People were really thrilled to be back for the reunion, she added.
“Some people traveled a great distance to attend,” Proverbs said about the 130 or so alumni who were at the event.
“There was one who came from Tasmania and another from Hong Kong. People really made an effort to reconnect. So many people were thrilled to be back in Prince George and it was all about sharing those memories.”
CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER
The Hospice Dream Home is located at 7807 Southridge Ave., as seen on Wednesday, June 25.
BC MLA-turned-author tackles rising antsemitsm
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff
Selina Robinson, author of Truth Be Told and former BC cabinet minister, spoke in Prince George on Monday, June 23 as about 40 people gathered at the downtown Ramada to hear her presentation.
Robinson was first elected to the BC legislature in 2013 as a New Democratic Party member for Coquitlam-Maillardville.
After several years as an MLA, she was appointed minister of finance when Premier John Horgan formed government in 2020. Robinson helped guide the province’s economy through the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in successive surplus budgets, according to the description of her book.
In 2022, Premier David Eby appointed her minister of post-secondary education and future skills.
In early 2024, Robinson became the centre of a political controversy after referring during a webinar to the territory on which Israel was founded as a “crappy piece of land.” Activists and a group of Muslim clergy called for her resignation, she said.
Robinson said she was subjected to online harassment, including a credible death threat, and her constituency office was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti.
Less than a week after making the remarks, Robinson was removed from cabinet by Eby, who said she could not continue in her role due to the “depth of work” needed to repair the harm caused by her comments. Robinson said that “deep work” is the subject of her new book.
“After the terrorist attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, where 1,200 people were massacred in Israel, we started to see a significant surge in antisemitism — not just here in British Columbia, but across Canada and around the globe,” Robinson said.
“And my story is how I was fired from cabinet as a result, I think, of antisemitism, and so I wrote the book. Part of what we’ve been seeing in the Jewish communities — there are 40,000 Jews in all of BC, just shy of 400,000 across
Canada, and about 15.8 million in the world’s population of eight billion — is that smaller communities, especially those outside the Lower Mainland, are feeling increasingly isolated.”
Robinson said one of the impacts of rising antisemitism is that people feel more afraid to express their identity.
“They might stop wearing a Star of David, or avoid publicly acknowledging they’re Jewish. They may hide religious symbols. In smaller communities, where there are fewer Jews, that sense of isolation is even greater — and that is very concerning,” she said.
Robinson has been working with the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver to engage with Jewish communities and allies across the province — especially those who want to take a stand against antisemitism.
“We want to talk about what we can do and how we can work together,” she said.
“The gathering was for those experiencing antisemitism, and that’s the essence of my talk. During my presentation, I walk people through my story and encourage them to buy the book, as
proceeds go to two charities.”
The proceeds benefit two organizations: the Parents Circle — Families Forum, a joint Israeli-Palestinian group of more than 700 families who have lost an immediate relative to the ongoing conflict, and Upstanders Canada, a grassroots movement encouraging Canadians — especially non-Jews — to speak out against antisemitism and anti-Zionism.
“We encourage people to use the anti-racism helpline, where professionals and legal experts are helping identify and pursue human rights cases,” she said.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver invites people to connect with them at www.jewishvancouver.com.
“We’re just trying to connect people and reduce the isolation that can come from living outside of what we call the Jewish core,” Robinson said.
During the Prince George seminar, Robinson said she was grateful for the turnout.
“About half the group was Jewish. We had the Chamber of Commerce represented, a couple of MLAs, a few city councillors — Shirley Bond came
— she was great. Even though we sat on opposite sides politically, she was gracious and supportive, and even pitched my book to the room. I loved it! I love Shirley!” she said.
“I was really grateful that everyone was interested in what it’s like to be part of the Jewish community in Prince George and the surrounding region.”
She said there was strong recognition in the room that being Jewish is not solely a matter of religion.
“One of the biggest takeaways was that people came to understand that Judaism is not just a religion. Jews are a people with shared history, customs and culture — an ethnocultural community connected by religion, but not defined solely by it,” Robinson said.
She plans to continue visiting communities across BC to share her story.
For more information visit www. selinarobinson.ca.
Anyone experiencing antisemitism can contact action@jewishvancouver.com or report the incident through the provincial government’s anti-racism hotline at www.gov.bc.ca/ racistincidenthotline.
Selina Robinson talks about her book, Truth Be Told, at the Ramada on Monday, June 23.
Music in the park
Joelle Bennett and Dash Postnikoff, both 5, kick back in their chairs in front of the stage at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park as they enjoy the Free Concert in the Park Saturday, June 28. Presented by Mad Loon Production, the show had performances by Aquiles Tarumba, The Verdants and Andrew Judah, with diverse musical styles from folk and jazz to indie rock and cinematic orchestration.
Golf tournament raises $27K for Spirit of the North
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
City Furniture, Ashley Furniture and RBC have raised approximately $27,000 for the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation during their 25th annual golf tournament.
The funds will go specifically toward improving cardiac care and addressing a significant gap in services across Northern BC.
“Right now, cardiac care remains one of the biggest gaps in care that we see in Northern BC,” said Spirit of the North CEO Aimee Cassie. “We are still transporting most, if not all, of our residents to the Lower Mainland, Kelowna or the Island for interventional cardiac care.
“That is something the Spirit of the North has been working toward for quite some time — closing that gap in care and bringing interventional cardiac care to Northern BC.”
The tournament was held at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club, with more than 100 representatives from City Furniture, Ashley Furniture, RBC and Spirit of the North in attendance.
Cassie told The Citizen events like this are essential to the foundation’s fundraising efforts.
“We’re very thankful for events like this and when community supporters step up to raise money on our behalf,” she said. “We’re so thankful for the support we get. Events like this truly are the heart of Spirit. They’re why we can do the work that we do and why we can bring these crucial services to Northern BC. A simple thank-you will never be enough.”
RBC contributed an additional $1,000 during the tournament in support of cardiac care in the region. Additional donations were also received during the event.
For Sonica Kandola, owner and operator of RK Furniture Gallery and a Spirit of the North board member, this year’s tournament held special meaning.
Kandola lost her mother in January, which is why the 2025 event focused on raising funds for cardiac care.
She told The Citizen the tournament
not only raises critical funds, but also brings together the local business community.
“City Furniture is a family-owned-and-operated business. It’s always been locally owned and run,” said Kandola. “All of our dealers and suppliers become a big part of your life. I have friends in the furniture world who are my reps — they stay with me when they come to town to do business. It’s a big family.
“The point of this is, number one, charity — and number two, to bring everybody together and be grateful for what we have.”
She added that these personal relationships are foundational to their businesses.
“It becomes a family, and that’s what our foundation is like,” said Kandola. “Everyone who enters our organization is part of our family, and that’s how we consider them.
“It’s important to bring everyone together and remind them that we’re all in this business world together. Yes, there’s money and business — but at the end of the day, relationships are the foundation of everything.”
CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER
Aimee Cassie CEO of Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, fifth from the left, accepts the donation cheque of $25,000 from RK Furniture Gallery, Ashley Furniture, City Furniture and RBC representatives on Monday, June 23 during the Spirit’s 25th annual golf tournament at Prince George Golf & Curling Club.
PG Elvis Presley impersonator competes in Pentcton
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff
It wasn’t until they got out of high school that one performer took to the stage.
“Musical theatre is my home and heart,” Tyree Corfe said. “I never touched anything theatrical until university and that’s because I didn’t think I was allowed to do boy roles and I didn’t want to do girl roles. I wasn’t that into interpreting those characters.”
In their first year at UNBC the university had a drama club and a musical club. The drama club was presenting Peter Pan and Wendy in September 2017.
“And one of my friends was auditioning,” Corfe said, who came from Langley to attend UNBC.
“She was auditioning for Peter Pan and I said I was going to audition for Peter as well just to keep her on her toes and I got the role of John and it was a ton of fun.”
Corfe always had lots of friends in musical theatre in high school and would attend the shows to support them.
So when they attended UNBC to study English and archeology that supportive effort continued. When the musical theatre group presented Young Frankenstein in 2017 they attended.
“So I went to the last show, which is always like the craziest show and when the shows were presented in Canfor Theatre that was when they would do the big joke show and there would be a couple of pranks go off but we don’t do that anymore because we’re in professional spaces,” Corfe said.
“But it was like the most fun I had ever had going to a show.”
The next year Corfe auditioned for Into the Woods and for Cinderella’s Prince.
“And that was the most fun I had ever had,” they recalled.
“So I just stuck with the club year after year.”
Anything Goes was their latest production but there was another element in the entertainment world that was calling to Corfe.
“And gender identity does play into it,” Corfe said. “So I had always known I was trans, probably as early as three or four. My brother and sister told me that I literally told them that I was a boy born into a girl’s body. So it’s just something that I have always known but had never knew that my experience was an actual thing.”
Corfe said they were more interested in transitioning after high school.
“So when I reached university that was when I was like ‘OK, nobody knows me,’” Corfe said.
“So I dropped myself hard into Prince George where nobody knew me and that was one of the best experiences of reinventing myself and being the most authentic version of myself. So that’s when I started identifying differently and that’s when I knew I wanted to be on hormones and I wanted to do at least a top surgery. And then that’s when I had cut my hair all off and actively dressed how I wanted to dress.”
During each summer Corfe really got into dressing in ‘50s era clothing.
“Love the retro thing,” Corfe said.
“I really liked that culture and I don’t like sleeves so I was always rolling my sleeves and I really like Elvis’s fashion.”
Corfe’s first exposure to Elvis Presley took place when they were a child and their grandfather had a plumbing business he operated out of the family home.
musicals hate a man with a low voice.”
Corfe talked about preferring roles of a romantic nature, nothing dark and dramatic that seems to be the only type of role a lower register is suited for these days in musical theatre.
“I don’t wanna to be the old man in a show,” Corfe said.
So that’s when Corfe decided to explore classical musical theatre productions like No, No Nanette.
“Then I am allowed to have a low voice in a show without being the old guy,” Corfe said.
“The secretary, her name was Loretta, she’d babysit me and sometimes I would go to her house and she had everything Elvis,” Corfe said.
“So that was my first time seeing Elvis as a really big figure.”
When Corfe was 14 they visited family in Memphis and they went to Graceland and visited Beale Street.
“I was super into art growing up so I remember taking lots of pictures but at that time I wasn’t really that into Elvis,” Corfe said.
“When things really heated up was in 2022 when I did Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and Melissa Glover of Theatre NorthWest saw me perform.”
Corfe was invited to perform in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, part of Shakespeare in the Orchard.
Corfe played the amorous Lysander character and the play was set in the ‘50s.
One of the other cast members was connected to an Elvis impersonator and brought up the fact that there is an annual Penticton Elvis Festival.
“So when she told me about that I was kind of interested in going,” Corfe said.
“And at that time Elvis music became super interesting to me. A big part of that was that I had started hormones in 2020 and my voice dropped way lower than I expected and that kind of super-influenced my feelings towards musicals because contemporary
During the next school semester Corfe had participated in a local drag show and had sung as an Elvis tribute artist. That next year Corfe graduated from university and had gone down to Vancouver.
“That’s when I went to Elvis Festival — it was a family trip for me with my mom and sister,” Corfe said.
When Corfe attended Elvis Festival in 2023 they dressed up for it.
“I met a lot of the Elvis tribute artists and because I was dressed up for it people started asking me when I was going to compete and I said ‘I guess next year’,” Corfe smiled, recalling how friendly everyone was at the competition.
And that’s when things started ramping up.
Corfe took on the role of Elvis in Kat Fullerton’s Legends Live shows where Kat is Almost Marilyn, Audrey Layne is Basically Britney, Julie MacQueen is Likely Gaga, Lily Duff is Authentically Adele and Corfe is Pelvis.
“All that kind of helped gear up for competing at Elvis Festival in Penticton,” Corfe said.
The festival was set up for each competitor to sing two songs on Friday and Saturday, they explained.
Then they had the opportunity to participate in the morning Gospel Show and sing two songs that are not part of the competition and then if the competitor scores high enough on Friday and Saturday they are in the Sunday night finale.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Elvis tribute artist Tyree Corfe competed at the Penticton Elvis Festival from June 27 to 29. Corfe took second place at last year’s festival.
A vibrant night of music on a Prince George roofop
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
A rooftop in Prince George will be transformed into a vibrant dance floor on Friday, July 4 as Lagos in PG 2.0: Aura for Aura takes over the Canadian Brewhouse.
The ticketed nightclub event is hosted by Afro Prince George, a local community group dedicated to promoting Black culture and nightlife in northern BC.
“The rooftop is going to be transformed into Lagos (Nigeria) for the night,” said organizer Patrick Offiah. “You won’t feel like it’s PG.”
The rooftop venue will include a stage, DJ booth and VIP tables, creating what Offiah describes as an immersive experience rooted in African culture.
Offiah told The Citizen that the goal of the event is not only to celebrate Afrobeat music but to showcase and elevate the African community in Prince George.
“I believe the African community in Prince George — people don’t know a lot about us and our culture,” said Offiah. “The first event during Black History Month was really just to let people know that we are here, that we have our own culture and our own music.
“Afrobeat is popping right now, so
People dance at the first Lagos in PG event, this one at the Ignite nightclub. Lagos in PG returns Friday, July 4 at the Canadian Brewhouse.
we’re trying to show people the culture and have a good time. There’s nothing really like this in Prince George. We’re just trying to have a seat at the table and push the culture forward.”
The inaugural Lagos in PG event,
held during Black History Month at Ignite Nightclub, drew more than 500 attendees.
This follow-up will feature performances by three northern BC talents, including DJ Vinnie Bugatti, who grew
up in Prince George, and Hypeman Sazzy from Kamloops.
Also joining the lineup are Vancouver-based artists Damask Drumz on percussion and saxophonist Jamie Saxx.
Offiah said a portion of ticket sales will be donated to local non-profits, including the Afro-Caribbean Society at UNBC and the Afro-Caribbean Society of Northern BC.
“We ticket our events because it’s owned by us,” said Offiah. “So we give back to them so they can help do activities like Black History Month. Students are coming in from their home countries in September, so we also do workshops to help Black people settle into the town as well. We work hand in hand with them.”
While organizing an event of this size can be stressful, Offiah said he’s looking forward to seeing the community come together.
“One of the biggest things I see is that we are a community,” he said. “It’s going to be an event where you can network and meet people. Just good vibes — apart from the DJs, you’re going to see people dancing and having fun. Everybody is just here to have a good time.”
Tickets for Lagos in PG 2.0: Aura for Aura are available by calling or texting 250-981-3862, or by visiting the Canadian Brewhouse.
Compettve Elvis tribute artsts onstage in Pentcton
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“So I had scored high enough to make it to the finale,” Corfe said.
They drew straws to determine the order of the competitors’ performances.
“And I feel like it was divine providence that saw me draw the straw to perform last in the non-pros category,” Corfe said.
“So I got to close out the show.”
Corfe never had a clue where they might place during the competition so their approach when it came to song choice might’ve been different than a seasoned competitor.
“So I decided to sing all the songs I thought were cool and fun so I honed in on the super classic ‘50s Elvis songs that I really loved,” Corfe explained.
“They kind of come out as weirdo songs to do for Elvis Festival so I did Chuck Berry’s Maybellene because Elvis sang it during this one concert because you can essentially sing any song Elvis has sung and sometimes you don’t even know or realize he’s sung it.”
Worldwide there are 20 Elvis Presley Enterprises sanctioned events where Elvis tribute artists can qualify to compete in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest to be crowned the king in
Memphis in August.
Corfe pulled out all the stops during last year’s Penticton competition.
“And I made it to the finale with under a year of experience.”
Corfe sang Milk Cow Blues Boogie, a little-known Elvis song.
“It’s such a fun song that’s very hokey, old school, and Elvis started it off really slow and then he says ‘no, that don’t move me’ and then he did a sped up version and it’s probably one of his highest songs and it was tricky to find the right backing track and then I did Trouble, which I was a lot more comfortable with,” Corfe recalled.
“It was really awesome doing those songs and I was pretty happy with my performance and even when I stumbled a little bit everybody was there to support me and that was in front of an audience of about 3,000 people.”
Corfe came second in the Penticton Elvis Festival last year and headed back to compete this year from June 27 to 29.
Once they win a non-pro contest they are then considered a pro and can’t compete as a non-pro again so Corfe takes a philosophical approach heading into the competition.
“I will place where I am meant to place,’ Corfe said.
UNBC lab aims to make styrofoam a thing of the past
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
The University of Northern British Columbia has opened a new lab it hopes will revolutionize how seafood is packed and stored.
The Seawise Biopolymer Processing Lab at UNBC is dedicated to biopolymer formulation and advanced packaging technology development. The goal is to eventually commercialize new, sustainable products.
The lab is focused on using biopolymers to advance clean technologies and, one day, replace Styrofoam packaging with materials that offer the same thermal insulation and convenience — without the environmental harm.
Currently, the lab is able to convert plant-based and waste materials from other industries — such as starch — into new packaging solutions. Researchers are exploring how this can be scaled up for commercial use.
One of the lab’s flagship products is a recyclable version of Styrofoam made from biodegradable polyethylene. If successful, the innovation could benefit industries that rely heavily on coldchain logistics, such as seafood, meal kits and pharmaceuticals.
Lead researcher Hossein Kazemian told The Citizen that the journey started with a simple idea.
“We started from nothing four and a half years ago with just an idea that the company brought to us,” said Kazemian. “We succeeded in commercializing one of the products and we established a capacity that’s unique to our region — a biopolymer facility.
“The sky’s the limit when it comes to working in that area of biopolymer, and we know the future of our planet depends on those types of projects. Given all those things, we are trying to eventually replace Styrofoam and all those non-compostable, polymer- or oilbased plastics with compostable, biodegradable biopolymers that are really going to impact our environment.”
The lab houses state-of-the-art equipment, including a new extruder and related equipment donated by Brown’s
The lab has also received funding from the provincial government, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Alliance program, and the Mitacs Accelerate program.
Combined with other recent awards — including the Innovate BC Ignite Award — total funding now amounts to $1.2 million.
Kazemian said the support is deeply meaningful to him and his team.
“It means a lot as a researcher, because at the end of the day, as an educator and a researcher, you want to see the impact of what you do,” he said. “That’s actually the reward we expect — to see that what we do is going to really make a change.
been showcased at major trade events.
“We had a continental approach to go into the market,” said Brown’s Bay Packing CEO Jesse Knight. “We can manufacture Thermoloc in Los Angeles, Toronto, New York State and Atlanta in the next couple of months, then obviously in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island.
“We’re ready. We were just at the Boston Seafood Show showing our products. Everybody wants to move away from Styrofoam. There’s just so much pressure, and it’s so difficult to remove Styrofoam. But the response has been great, and we’re now entering several markets—including the big four seafood quarters.”
Bay Packing Company. Valued at $350,000, the donation helped spur the naming and formation of the new lab.
Installed in May 2022, the extruder has already contributed to the development of Thermoloc — a recyclable packaging product made with 30 per cent post-consumer recycled content. The product is currently seeking funding and has been shown to increase shelf life by up to 70 per cent, outperforming traditional Styrofoam.
“To be honest, doing those things at a university like UNBC is more challenging than other places. The reason is that we are a small-sized university. Given all those factors, this success is huge for us and our community. We know industry is going to look at us differently because they see we can deliver.”
Commercialization is already in motion. The lab is currently pilot testing biodegradable packaging straps in Alberta, and some of its eco-friendly products — such as Thermoloc — have
Knight, who has been involved since the beginning, said the journey has been a challenging but rewarding one.
“Startups are not easy,” he said. “My beard is much more grey than it was five years ago. So it’s a tremendous accomplishment for everybody. It’s pretty exciting — we’ve gotten here and we think we have a solid plan to achieve our goals.”
The lab is currently supporting two graduate students and two postdoctoral researchers as part of its effort to prove the viability of its packaging innovations.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER
Banchamlak Kassaun demonstrates the new Thermoloc packaging and the newly developed recyclable styrofoam during a lab tour.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER
Jesse Knight, left, and Hossein Kazemian unveil the plaque that will be hung in UNBC’s newest lab on Thursday, June 26.
Throwback Thursday: Week of July 3
July 2, 2013: Vegas Antoine of Randy’s A’s of Invermere is out at rst base as Prince George’s Chris Fulton of Big Guy Lake makes the catch during the Potskin-Ghostkeeper Memorial Fastball tournament at Spruce City Stadium. Invermere eventually lost the nal to the undefeated Westbank Cardinals of Kelowna. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY
DAVID MAH
July 4, 1966: Rudy Tschek, one of a group of trick water-skiers who performed in Prince George for Simon Fraser Days, ies under the Fraser River Bridge before landing safely on the water. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
July 3, 1995: Thousands of people gathered at the bandshell to hear local politicians open Prince George’s Canada Day celebration, followed by the serving of a huge cake before a day of music and dance. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY DAVE MILNE
July 4, 1972: The Europe or Bust Club at Duchess Park Junior Secondary School set off on a PWA charter ight to England and the start of a 35-day holiday in Europe. All arrangements were made through the Canadian Youth Hostel Association, at a cost of $727 per student (that’s $5,512 today). CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
Know your limit, play within it.
Dr. Charles Jago Awards recognize health excellence
SANJA KNEZEVIC Northern Health
Northern Health (NH) strives to live its values — empathy, respect, collaboration and innovation — every day.
The Dr. Charles Jago Awards, named in honour of our former board chair, recognize staff and medical staff who exemplify these values while contributing meaningfully to the organization’s goals.
Northern Health’s values:
• Empathy – Seek to understand each individual’s experience.
• Respect – Value each person’s unique perspective and contribution.
• Collaboration – Work together to build partnerships.
• Innovation – Seek creative and practical solutions.
On May 7, 2025, NH celebrated the
individuals and teams who embody these values during a virtual awards ceremony held as part of the spring Leadership Forum.
Lesley Ash, executive director, Total Rewards and Recognition, opened the event with a reflection on the importance of meaningful recognition.
NH president and CEO Ciro Panessa presented the awards and acknowledged both recipients and nominees. Testimonials from nomination packages were shared, showcasing the outstanding work of this year’s honourees.
2025
Dr. Charles Jago Award
recipients
• Empathy: Annette Weger
• Respect: Heather Ouellette
• Collaboration: Beth Ann Derksen
• Innovation: Darren Ditto
2025 Jago Award nominees Empathy
• Annette Weger Respect
• Dori Pears
• Heather Ouellette
• Marcia Day
• Marie Gendron
• Richelle Maser
• Team – Rotary Manor Collaboration
• Beth Ann Derksen
• Dr. Charles Larson
• Kailey Miller
• Nathan Riley
• Shirley Webb
• Team – HEMBC Fort Nelson General Hospital
• Team – Indigenous Health
• Collaboration
• Team – Prince George Early Psychosis Intervention
• Team – UHNBC Pain Clinic Innovation
• Andrea Lorette
• Darren Ditto
• Jennifer MacPhee
• Venice Aspi
• Lexie Gordon
• Team – Fort Nelson EOC
• Team – MRI, Fort St. John Hospital
• Team – Virtual Clinical Pharmacy Service (VCPS)
Congratulations to all recipients and nominees!
Stay tuned — we’ll be sharing individual stories from this year’s awards soon.
Sanja Knezevic is a communications advisor with Northern Health’s Human Resources department based in PG.
Jubilee Lodge launches adaptve clothing loaner program
For most of us, getting dressed for the day isn’t something we spend much time thinking about.
We get on with it, and hope that what we’ve chosen matches the variety of weather conditions we might experience on a regular day of Northern living!
However, for some residents living in long-term care homes, getting dressed involves the support of other people and different techniques to actually get into the clothing, which can add new challenges to this daily living activity. Specialized adaptive clothing can help make dressing easier, but they’re often expensive for families to provide for their loved ones.
When residents lack appropriate clothing, it makes the process of getting dressed less dignified and can pose safety risks for both the residents and the care team.
Seeing this need amongst their residents motivated the care aides at Jubilee Lodge in Prince George to develop an adaptive clothing loaner program.
The care team collaborated with the Recreation Therapy and Social Work departments to source donated clothing from residents’ families, community
volunteers to perform clothing alterations and sewing, as well as the UHNBC Laundry department to permanently label clothing by size and type.
Residents, families, and staff at Jubilee are thrilled with the outcomes of this project.
One resident expressed their gratitude, saying, “Thanks so much. Jakey (my care aide) found this for me to wear, and I really love it. It fits nice and comfortable.”
Residents are being dressed in dignity and comfort, staff feel safer, and the Jubilee community has been strengthened by this exemplary teamwork. With such positive impact, this project and the individuals and teams that made it happen deserve recognition and celebration!
If you or a loved one is seeking adaptive clothing, consider altering existing garments for cost-effectiveness. Numerous online resources provide helpful information on how to make these alterations. Additionally, many retailers offer ready-made adaptive clothing. If you would like to participate in this program by donating adaptive clothing or volunteering to sew/alter clothing, please contact Jenna Hemmerich at Jubilee Lodge: 250-645-7475 or jenna. hemmerich@northernhealth.ca.
CARLY PHINNEY
Northern Health
NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO
Jeffery Menton participates in the adaptive clothing program at Jubilee Lodge.
Prince Rupert-born doctor happy to be back in the north
SHAR MCCRORY
Northern Health
Showing a canvas-printed photo of the Stekyoden (also known as Roche de Boule) mountain range in its fall colour splendor, Dr. Savanna Naylor shared with me the story of how she is completing a full circle journey to return to Hazelton, BC to practice medicine.
Savanna was born and raised in Prince Rupert on Tsimshian territory. When she was two years old, her family bought a small farming property, near the remote community of Kitwanga, BC, in the Upper Skeena region, close to Hazelton. Every summer and almost every weekend, Savanna spent time with her family at the Kitwanga farm.
“I grew up in Prince Rupert and love the community, but the cabin on the farm is still my favourite place and there is really nothing else like it,” Savanna said.
Savanna feels honoured to have lived alongside and learned about both the Tsimshian Indigenous culture in Prince Rupert and the Gitxsan Indigenous culture in the Hazeltons. Growing up with that understanding made both places special to her.
Over the years Savanna had many people tell her she should become a physician because she was good at science, but she actually wanted to be a park warden instead. Becoming a physician didn’t really become her destiny until after she changed her undergraduate major at the University of Northern BC (UNBC) from biology to biochemistry.
In biochemistry, all her classmates were planning on going into medicine, which made Savanna consider medicine as well. The more Savanna learned about biochemistry and different kinds of diseases, the more she became interested in pursuing medicine.
In the third year of her undergraduate degree, Savanna applied to the Northern Medical Program (NMP), a distributed site of the University of BC’s Faculty of Medicine and delivered in partnership with the University of Northern BC.
However, she was not accepted. She continued on to successfully finish her degree and then applied for a job as a medical office assistant (MOA) at the clinic in Wrinch Memorial Hospital in Hazelton, where her best friend was working as a nurse.
While interviewing for the job, Savanna shared with the clinic manager that she was trying to get into medical school and was unsure how long she would be able to work there.
The manager asked that when Savanna became a doctor, if she would consider coming back to Hazelton to do her return of service work. Savanna got the job.
The MOA role was a perfect introduction to health care for Savanna, giving her insight into the less glamorous side of medicine while she fell in love with Hazelton.
“It was the best year of my life, really,” she said. “I love the community. I love nature. It was like an extension of the cabin; it had the same feeling, joy,
and resilience — there’s just so much there.”
Savanna applied a second time to the Northern Medical Program and again did not get accepted. The competition for entry into Canadian medical education programs is stiff, and for some it can take a number of attempts to get one of the coveted spots!
A local physician suggested she apply abroad, an option which she had not previously considered, despite having dual citizenship in Canada and the United Kingdom (UK).
With a bit of research, Savanna discovered Ireland had incredible medical schools and with her UK citizenship, she was eligible as a citizen for entry. She applied and was accepted into the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin and has since completed her studies and returned to complete her residency (the period of advanced training in a medical specialty following the graduation from medical school) in Canada, on Vancouver Island.
While in Ireland, Savanna received a
gift from the physicians in Hazelton — a canvas photo of the Stekyoden mountain range in Hazelton. The stunning photo made her homesick and solidified her need to return to the North once she completed her studies. Motivated every day by the Stekyoden photo, Savanna has the photo rolled up and ready to go back to Hazelton with her. True to her word, she never forgot her promise to the clinic manager in Hazelton and begins her return of service at Wrinch Hospital in Hazelton this fall.
Savanna always knew she would go back to Hazelton, to be outside and to experience the protection of the majestic mountain range called Stekyoden. Savanna, your mountains are waiting for your return!
We are so pleased to be able to welcome Savanna back to the North as Dr. Naylor and wish her well as she completes her residency!
Shar McCrory is the cmmunicationslead, medical affairs at Northern Health.
NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO
Dr. Savanna Naylor celebrates after making it to the top of Stekyoden mountain.
Local Sports Coach Holmes: Once a Condor, always a Condor
Louise Holmes is retiring from Duchess Park ... but she isn’t done with basketball
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
From student to teacher and now into retirement — for Louise Holmes, school’s out forever.
She made it official on Thursday, June 19, the last day of classes before exam week at Duchess Park Secondary School.
A steady stream of students stopped by with cards, gifts and hugs to thank their phys-ed teacher and coach for the effort she put into making their high school a better place over a 35-year teaching career.
Evidence of the countless hours Louise and her husband, Dave, poured into Duchess Park basketball programs is on display in the gym, where banners line the walls. Together, they developed skills and strategies that helped the Condors win numerous zone titles and city championships, including two provincial AA girls basketball banners.
Louise bleeds black and yellow — the school’s colours. She grew up in Prince George and attended the original Duchess Park school before the new building opened in 2010. S he began her teaching career there in 1990 after graduating from the University of Victoria and has been there ever since.
“I feel incredibly lucky that I’ve loved my career,” she said. “I’m truly blessed with the people I’ve worked with and the relationships I have with
the student-athletes that are still in my life. I’ve been to weddings and baby showers.”
“There have been challenges along the way — bureaucracy, like any institution — and you just have to accept that’s the way it has to be.”
Louise met Dave while playing guard for UVic’s junior varsity team. He started at Prince George Secondary in 1990, then taught at Duchess for five years.
He later worked in alternate education at John McInnis Centre and College Heights Secondary before moving into administration, eventually serving as vice-principal at several elementary schools. He retired March 31 after a three-month term as interim principal at Duchess.
Dave, who did tree planting out of Prince George during his university years, always planned to return home. Louise, a 1985 Duchess graduate, initially taught science but found her calling in phys-ed. The couple coached the Condors for most of their 35-year careers — stepping away only briefly when their children were too young to join school teams.
Their children — Luke, Emily and Rachael — grew up in the gym. Luke, born in 1995, played soccer for the UNBC Timberwolves. Emily, born in 1997, was the starting point guard for UNBC during a five-year career from 2015 to 2020.
Rachael, now 25, played for the Condors senior team but didn’t continue into college basketball.
Dave joined UNBC’s women’s basketball team as an assistant coach in 2002, and Louise later joined the staff during Emily’s university career. Dave said having a like-minded partner made the juggling act of family, teaching and coaching easier.
“Because we have the same values and value sport, and being involved as coaches and teacher-leaders and working with youth — that really gave us the freedom to support each other through those 35 years. Otherwise, it might have been a challenge for a lot of marriages,” said Dave.
“We’ve always had each other’s backs through the good times and the not-sogood times.” CONTINUED
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Louise Holmes instructs her troops on the Duchess Park senior girls team in a photo taken several years ago. Holmes is retiring this week after 35 years of teaching at Duchess Park Secondary School.
Holmes
‘Duchess Park will surely miss this amazing woman’
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
The couple coached the Condors senior girls basketball team that defended its provincial AA title in 1996.
Louise was head coach of the silver-medal-winning team in 1997 and later teamed up with Al Erricson in 2000 to win another senior girls BC banner.
Jay Anna Major, Elisha Williams and Emily King — who won four provincial titles between 1995 and 1997 — were multi-sport athletes under Louise’s guidance. Major said her former coach left a lasting impression.
“I’m proud to say she was not only my coach but also my mentor, friend and teammate,” said Major. “She is one of the most inspiring people I have ever met, and there are things she has taught me over the past 30 years that have truly shaped the person I’ve become. Her love of team sport and competition is second to none.
“Duchess Park will surely miss this amazing woman.”
In the late 1980s, Duchess Park faced declining enrolment as an inner-city school. The school district responded by designating it as the French immersion high school, which gave students outside the catchment area a way to attend. The shift revitalized the student body — and the athletic program.
“Our enrolment at Duchess was really starting to plummet and our catchment was aging out,” Louise said. “D.P. Todd and College Heights were getting full because that’s where the development was. PGSS was pretty full at the time, too. They wanted the program in the Bowl, so it was either us or PGSS.
“I know people have complained (about the stacked Duchess teams), but it was a legit process.”
Labour disputes interrupted her career occasionally, including a fiveweek strike in 2014. Rather than dwell on the disruption, Louise saw it as a chance to connect with other teachers. The pandemic years were especially difficult. The Class of 2025 entered Grade 8 during the height of the pandemic. Louise taught them phys-ed in small cohorts, sometimes for just six
weeks before restrictions returned.
In 2021, Condors teams played volleyball in empty gyms. Just as basketball season was about to begin, a spike in cases shut it all down again.
“We weren’t allowed to travel with the team and basketball got big-time impacted because it was winter,” she said. “We did exhibition games because we couldn’t have a tournament, and the
logistics of that was so stressful.”
As coach, athletic director at Duchess since 1992, and North Central District Athletic Association president since 2012, Louise has long been a voice for equity in school sports. Under her leadership, smaller zones like the North gained a fairer say in BC School Sports governance.
“Back when I started, you’d get proxy votes from member schools. I’d go down there with 15 proxy votes out of 28 schools in our zone. Someone in the Lower Mainland would show up with 75 proxy votes. It was completely unbalanced,” she said.
“The new governance model is about educators understanding what school sports bring to everybody. It’s more global — more perspective on why school sports are important not just for those going on to a Division 2 scholarship.”
In May, Louise received the 2024–25 BC School Sports Honour Award — the highest distinction the organization bestows — in recognition of her
decades of service as a coach, administrator and tournament organizer.
She knows she’s had an impact — even on students who didn’t love sports.
“Kids can rise up to any bar that you set for them, and I believe we can help them learn so many things that are bigger than the sport,” said Louise. “I hope that besides the X’s and O’s of basketball, I’ve helped them learn things about themselves, pushed their limits and taught them lessons that will serve them well in life.”
Now 58, Louise is looking forward to retirement with Dave, 60. The couple plans to travel to Mexico in November, play more golf and pickleball, and stay active.
Still, she isn’t stepping away entirely. She plans to return to coach the Condors senior girls team and will continue helping run the city basketball championships.
“It’s my happy place,” she said. “I wouldn’t have stuck to it all this time if it wasn’t.”
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Louise Holmes and her husband Dave coached the Duchess Park Condors senior girls to the double-A provincial championship in 1997.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
As a Duchess Park student, Louise Holmes received the Prince George District Teachers Association scholarship in 1985.
Cougars re-sign senior staf as season start dates set
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
The Prince George Cougars won’t have to wait long to renew their rivalry with the Portland Winterhawks.
The Cats open the 2025-26 WHL season at CN Centre with back-to-back weekend games against Portland, the team that has eliminated them from the playoffs in three of the past four seasons.
The Winterhawks will be in town Sept. 19-20 to start the Cougars’ 32nd season since the franchise shifted north from Victoria.
Meanwhile, the Cougars have locked the services of their coaching staff,
agreeing to multi-year contract extensions for head coach Mark Lamb, associate coach Jim Playfair and assistant coach Carter Rigby.
The WHL club also announced that athletic therapist Dave Adolph and equipment manager Dane Engelhardt have signed multi-year extensions.
The Cougars have also promoted Calgary-based scout Leland Mack to become their director of scouting. He replaces Bob Simmonds, who will now serve as the team’s director of player personnel.
Lamb, 60, is about to begin his seventh season as Cougars head coach.
The WHL coach of the year in 2023-24 ranks second on the Cougars Prince
George franchise list with 183 regular season wins (Ed Dempsey had 214). Lamb was hired as the Cats’ general manager in 2018 and took on the coaching duties the following year. The Ponteix, Sask., native was named the league’s executive of the year in 2024. Playfair, 61, will be back for his third season. The native of Fort St. James is a veteran of more than 15 seasons as a coach in the NHL, including one season (2006-07) as head coach of the Calgary Flames.
The Cougars have two extended roadtrips in 2025-26. They’ll start their US Division swing Oct. 31 in Portland — a tour that has six games in nine nights. They also travel to the East Division
for four games in Saskatchewan and one in Manitoba scheduled for Feb. 20-28.
The bulk of the Cougars’ 34-game home schedule will be played on weekends. There are five Tuesday games and four Wednesday games booked for CN Centre.
The Penticton Vees, who jumped from the BCHL to become the league’s 23rd team, play their first WHL game Sept. 19 in Victoria. The Vees host the Kelowna Rockets in their first home game at South Okanagan Events Centre, Sept. 26.
Penticton plays twice in Prince George, on Jan. 7 and March 10. The Cougars play their first game in the Vees’ home on Dec. 17.
Ravensbergen drafed by San Jose Sharks in frst round
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
Joshua Ravensbergen knows the way to San Jose.
It’s where he eventually hopes to be stopping pucks and earning big bucks in the NHL for the San Jose Sharks.
The Sharks welcomed the 18-year-old Prince George Cougars goalie into their family Friday in Los Angeles when they chose Ravensbergen in the first round, 3oth overall in the NHL draft.
The North Vancouver native was in the audience at Peacock Theater with his family and friends and walked up to the stage to meet commissioner Gary Bettman and try on his Sharks jersey.
“It’s incredible, a dream come true,” said Ravensbergen.”It’s so exciting being here with my family and to finally hear my name called, it’s something that’s hard to explain.
Ravensbergen was not among the 211 players chosen three years ago in the WHL Prospects Draft and was recommended to the Cougars by goaltending consultant Sean Murray, who died in November 2023.
He’s been spectacular since joining the Cougars in 2023 and as one of the top rookies in the WHL with rookie-record six shutouts he led the Cats into
Prince George Cougars goalie Josh Ravensbergen does the splits to get his pad in front of a shot from Portland Winterhawks forward Josh Zakreski during their game on Wednesday, April 2 in Portland.
Western Conference final in ’23-24. This past season he won 33 of 51 games he played, compiling a 3.00 goals-against average and .901 save percentage.
Ravensbergen is one of six players in the 31-year history of the Prince George Cougars to be chosen in the first round. He joins on that list teammate Terik
Parascak (17th overall, 2024, Washington), Brett Connolly (sixth overall, 2010, Tampa Bay), Ty Wishart (16th overall, San Jose, 2006), Dan Hamhuis (12th overall, Nashville, 2001), and Eric Brewer (fifth overall, New York Islanders, 1997).
Ravensbergen was ranked 28th
overall by nhl.com as the top goaltender available in the draft.Cougars fans had even more reason to celebrate on Saturday, when forward Aiden Foster was taken in the fourth round (127th overall) by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Known for his physical play, Foster racked up 136 penalty minutes last season and was emotional after being selected. Ravensbergen was the first to text his teammate with congratulations.
Ravensbergen texted teammate Aiden Foster after Foster was selected by Tampa Bay in the fourth round, 127th overall.
Listed at six-foot-two, 183 pounds, Foster plays likes he’s four inches taller and 50 pounds heavier. The Lightning obviously like the physical side he shows and his habit of ramming opponents with bone-crushers into the boards.
In his second WHL season he finished with 11 goals and 20 points and led the Cougars with 136 penalty minutes. He also had six assists in seven playoff games.
Another Prince George product, Cameron Schmidt, went 94th overall to the Dallas Stars.
The speedy Vancouver Giants winger had a 40-goal season and starred for Team Canada internationally.
Tyler Dahl digging for gold at Canada Summer Games
Her
volleyball skills have already sparked
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
Sixteen-year-old Tyler Dahl stands five-foot-nine in her bare feet.
By most comparisons, that’s considered quite tall for a girl her age.
But not in volleyball — and not compared to her teammates on the B.C. 18U provincial volleyball team, which will represent the province at the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s, N.L.
“I’m the shortest on my team, other than our libero,” said Dahl. “A lot of them are six-footers. One of them is six-foot-three and one is six-foot-two. It’s hard for me to block sometimes because my arms are half the length.”
The BC 18U team will tune up for the Canada Summer Games at the Canada Cup tournament in St. Catharines, Ont., July 22 to 27. Dahl leaves Prince George on July 6 to begin two weeks of training in Kamloops before the team flies to Ontario.
“I’m expecting a lot of hard work, especially because a lot of the girls on our team just won club nationals with one of the Vancouver teams — at least three that I know of played on that team,” said Dahl, who turns 17 in December.
She earned her spot on the provincial team after a three-day tryout in late May. Dahl was on the drive back to Prince George when she received the email confirming she’d made both the Canada Cup and Canada Games rosters.
“Crazy me, I did not think I was going to make it because I was one of the shortest and one of the youngest girls trying out,” she said. “So I was really surprised.”
Based on her track record, she shouldn’t have been.
At the 16U Canada Cup in Calgary, Dahl helped Team B.C. win gold while playing alongside Prince George teammate Delaney Turner.
Dahl was named the tournament’s most valuable player. She was also MVP for her Prince George Kodiaks 16U club team that won the Best of the West tournament in 2024.
An offside (left-side) hitter, Dahl just completed Grade 11 at Prince George Secondary School and has been on the provincial team’s radar for several years.
“Her speed on defence is ridiculous,” said Polars head coach Jasen Florell. “She gets to balls you wouldn’t think anybody’s getting to. She’s not a big kid, but on offence her speed and transition going to the ball gives her so much power. Her jumping and speed make up for what she’s lacking in height.”
Dahl was one of three club volleyball players on the
scholarship talk
PGSS senior team last year and was a major factor in the Polars’ strong showing at the Quad-A zone tournament at PGSS. The team pushed the North Peace Grizzlies of Fort St. John to five sets in the final. North Peace went on to finish sixth in the province.
Dahl started playing volleyball six years ago when she joined the Prince George Youth Volleyball Club. She’s had the same club coach, Mark Lafleur, for the past five seasons.
Before discovering volleyball, she spent a decade in gymnastics. Those years helped develop her strength, flexibility, agility and body awareness — all skills that now make her a standout defensive player. She trained with the Prince George Gymnastics Club and competed at the second-highest level for her age group before quitting at age 12.
“I think it really helped my athleticism. I loved it — it made me really flexible for volleyball and I’m not afraid to throw my weight around,” said Dahl. “In gymnastics they teach you a lot about how to be safe and land safe — it’s the most important thing. I tell my sister, you can get any ball if you just go for it. I never miss a ball I’m really committed to. I just tuck my head in and roll.”
Volleyball runs in the family. Her second cousin, Chris Dahl, is a former coach at Kelly Road Secondary School who led the Camosun Chargers women’s team to a Canadian college national championship in 2017. He also coached the 16U national team for Volleyball Canada.
Her grandfather, Glen Dahl, is a Kelly Road graduate who played for the College of New Caledonia.
The Canada Games run Aug. 16 to 25 in Newfoundland, and Dahl said she’s excited to learn more about the game while competing against the country’s top under-18 players.
At the last Canada Summer Games in 2022 in Niagara, Ont., Macyn Unger of Prince George — a Duchess Park grad now playing at Simon Fraser University — helped BC win bronze in women’s volleyball.
Dahl hopes her parents and two siblings will be able to travel to St. John’s to watch her compete. But it’s a costly trip, and accommodations and rental vehicles are hard to find with thousands of people descending on the city in August.
Her father, Cassidy, is still amazed at how far his eldest daughter has come. College scouts are already talking to Tyler about scholarships that could help her pursue studies in kinesiology after graduation.
“I feel like she’s an anomaly — competing against the top players in Canada. Who gets there?” said Cassidy Dahl. “What amazes us about her is the average hitter at this level is six-foot or six-foot-one — minimum.”
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Tyler Dahl jumps while setting the ball up for a teammate during a game with the PGSS Polars senior girls volleyball team this past season.
Life Events
Alvin Ray Iverson
August 17, 1967 - April 15, 2025
Alvin Ray Iverson passed away April 15th, 2025 peacefully at his home due to illness. Predeceased by his mother Josephine Hill and father Mike O’Burns. Survived by brother Fred and sisters Rose, Donna, Myra
A celebraton of life will be held uly 1 th, at the Prince George atve riendship Centre 1600 3rd Ave from 1pm to 4pm
Earl Leslie Cooke
February 9, 1933 - June 18, 2025
Earl Leslie Cooke peacefully passed away at the Haven Hill Retrement Centre in Pentcton BC on Wednesday June 18th, 2025.
He was born in Nipawin Saskatchewan on February 9th, 1933. He is survived by his brother Barry and sister Charmaine. He is predeceased by his Loving wife Irene, and his siblings Gerald, Evelyn, and Lloyd. He is also survived by 11 nieces and nephews, and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Our Uncle leaves behind a legacy of living a colorful and large life. When around him, he would ofen regale us with stories about his life, stories one ofen wondered, did that really happen? He was always glad to be around family and friends. We will cherish the memories we have of our Uncle Earl and forever miss his presence.
The family wishes to thank the excellent care provided by the staf at Westview Place and Haven Hill Retrement Centre in Pentcton BC.
A Celebraton of Life will be held in Prince George BC at a later date.
Floyd Earl Blanchard
December 15th, 1928 – June 17th, 2025
On Tuesday une 1 th, afer 9 incredible years, loyd Blanchard took his last breath and went to be with his loving wife of years, Ann. He is survived by his aughter Lois artn Pat and on Lary Blanchard Barb devoted Poppa to Grandchildren Gare Lindsey , Garth ill , Graham, Gerren Leslie , and Grandpa to athan, icole beloved Great Grampa to Connor, anica, Abby, Leeland, Archer, Harvey and Walter. Also lef to cherish his memory is his older ister ivian Bowery, younger Brothers Gordon and Evere Blanchard, ister in laws ennie Bubel and Berna Bubel. umerous special relatves, friends, neighbours will miss this kind, uiet and humble man who always wore a smile.
Predeceased by our om, Ann his Parents George and lorence Chilvers 3 Brothers and isters.
loyd was born ecember 1 , 19 in Unity, askatchewan to a amily of nine children, six Boys and 3 Girls. Providing the barest necessites during that tme was a challenge for many, especially for large families. ad inherited and learned from his parents to work hard and succeed despite obstacles. It was his character, values and work ethic that made him knowledgeable in so many areas of life. He had skills and abilites that allowed him to solve any problem. He was a natural acGyver There wasn t much that he couldn t repair or improve on.
Afer completng school he moved to Edmonton
where he met the Woman of his life, Ann Bubel that he shared years with untl her passing in 1 . arried in 19 they started to build a life together and amily was the heart of their ourney. eeking opportunites they travelled provinces doing various obs as well as self employment ventures before se ling in Prince George in the summer of 19 . Built a beautful home landscaped with various kinds of owering shrubs, hedges, owers, berry plants and a productve garden. Afer decades of dedicaton, in the pring of 19 9 ad retred from orthwood Pulp and Paper and they moved to elowna. Here he spent his remaining years travelling with om, spoiling his amily, cheering on his Grandchildren in their sports and en oying life in the Okanagan. He was always able to sh, hunt and spend tme with his on, pastmes he couldn t get enough of and cherished deeply.
We are so thankful that ad remained independent as this was important to him. He de nitely de ed his age. 9 is a great run As we say good bye to our ad, Poppa, Grandpa, and Great Grampa we love you beyond what words can convey and we will carry your memory in our hearts forever. We will be forever grateful for the love, guidance and wisdom our ad gave all of us.
o service by re uest. A amily memorial is being planned for a later date.
In lieu of owers donatons in loyd s memory may be made to BC Lung oundaton.
email: frontdesk@pgcitizen.ca or call 250.562.2441
Fernie Jackson
December 14. 1945 - April 27, 2025
Please join us for a Memorial Service to honour Fernie’s life on Saturday July 12th 1:00 pm at Prince George Funeral Home 10th & Douglas.
A recepton will follow at 2 0 pm in the Summit Room at the Inn of the orth 0 Brunswick Street Prince George, BC
Robert “Bob” James Martn
May 16, 1953 – June 21, 2025
With loving hearts, we announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Martn, a devoted, strong-willed, and loveable family man, on June 21, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones.
Throughout his life, Bob led with quiet strength and unwavering dedicaton to his family. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Paul Boyko
ovember 2 , 1 55 - July 18, 202
It is with great sorrow that the family of Paul Boyko announces that he has gone to be with his Lord and Saviour.
Born in Ardel, Saskatchewan, he passed at the age of 96 in Salmon Arm, BC. Remembered with love and admiraton by Marie, his devoted wife of years, as well as his two children, Clare (Joan) and Carol (Roger), his 6 grandchildren and 12 great-grand children.
Bob Sugar was a true Canadian at heart he had a lifelong passion for sports – he could happily watch any game, but nothing compared to the joy of cheering on his favourite Canadian teams. His passion for the game was matched only by his love for his family.
John Alfred Bodenham
December 3, 1944 - August 5, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Dad, John Alfred Bodenham, age 79. Dad passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at Hospice House Kelowna on August 5, 2024. Born in Rimbey, Alberta, he was a distnguished individual whose contributons and presence touched many lives.
Dad was predeceased by his parents, Miranda Alvina Nelson and William Henry Bodenham as well as by his siblings: Ken, Margaret, Violet and Grace and in-laws: Stan, Norman, and Jean.
He is survived by us, his children: Treena, Denise, and Tammi, his grandchildren Jefrey, Amanda, Kaylee, Nicole, Shane and Nathan and his great grandchild: Sophia. He is also survived by his siblings: Joe (Lois), Bob (Lorraine), Irene, George (Jenny), Lillian (Wayne), Bill and Greg as well as by numerous nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.
Dad enjoyed a successful career with BC Hydro. His dedicaton and expertse earned him many awards and honors throughout his career. A er retring, he embraced his passion for travel exploring numerous destnatons.
He will be remembered for his remarkable leadership, his adventurous spirit, and his enduring impact on those who knew him.
In lieu of fowers please consider a donaton to your local Hospice society.
A Celebraton of life will be held in Prince George B.C. at the Prestge Treasure Cove Resort, 2005 Hwy S. on Sunday August 3, 2025 from 2:00-5:00 pm.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Lynne, children David (Carmen), Tracey (Mick), Chris (Jenn) and 8 grandchildren, Austn, Kennedy, Logan, Rhyann, Chase, Brody, Ashelyn and Hayley. Bob is also survived by his siblings Margaret, Mike (Donna), Bill (Tracey), Dan (Ida) and extended family. He was predeceased by his parents, Patrick & Ruth Martn and brother Tony.
A private service will be held to celebrate his life at a later date. In lieu of fowers, please consider a donaton to the Red Cross or the Prince George Hospice House - the 15th annual Hospice Dream Home tckets are now available, every tcket sold directly supports the compassionate care and programs ofered to individuals and families in our community.
Forever loved, deeply missed, and always remembered.
He was predeceased by his siblings, Michael, Anne, Agnes, era and James. A er raising their family in Salmon Arm, Paul and Marie moved to Prince George where they lived for 0 years while making tme to travel the world. pon his retrement at the age of 0 from Peterbilt Trucking, they came back home to Salmon Arm in 201 .
Paul is remembered for his lighthearted nature, his love of playing cards, shing, gol ng, and travelling. He found joy in celebraton, always ensuring there was tme to gather and create memories with loved ones. Paul was a devoted member of his church and the Gideon Bible rgani aton, o en volunteering with Marie by his side.
The family sincerely wish to thank all the wonderful and caring staf at the Good Samaritan Hillside illage. May God bless you for the important work that you do.
A celebraton of life will be held on July 2 in Salmon Arm. If you would like to a end, please contact the family at Boyko000 telus.net
Share condolences and memories of Paul through his obituary at www. schersfuneralservices.com
Classifeds
ESTATE SALE
July 3 - 13 11915 Giscome Road, PG. Housewares, toys, Vintage Barbies, Dining suite, House, many other items
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LOOKING FOR A PUREBRED WHITE FEMALE GREAT PYRENEES PUPPY CALL 250-487-9476
DID YOU KNOW?
One of the most famous Prince George residents is social worker and actvist; Bridget Moran.
In 2003, the City of Prince George commissioned a statue of her by sculptor Nathan Scot and erected it at the intersecton of Third Avenue and Québec Street. Her memory lives on in many aspects of Prince George life, including an award named afer her, and a traditon of dressing her statue up seasonally. For example, the Prince George Celtc Club has been known to dress her up for St. Patrick’s Day and street people frequently wrap her in warm scarves and toques on cold winter days.
WAREHOUSEMAN’S LIEN ACT
Name Year/make Model VIN Debt
Notice is given that Blackjack Towing Ltd, 1650 Boundary Road, Prince George, BC will sell at its premises on July 18, 2025, the following vehicles for the purpose of satisfying the Warehouse Lien. Bids close at 11am. t in stn i n ve r o er evro et v n e , r or n o e o rne , ere r ie n i ntr oe o s ee ee or vi es e i orte , nn rie s e n i nt e ennis ee e, r ee s et o e o rne t in stn i e n erson ont r ns ,
On July 14, 1953, the George Washington Carver National Monument, founded by Franklin Delano Roosevelt and created by Audrey Corwin in 1952, was dedicated in Missouri. It was the first such site to honor a Black American as well as a non-president.
• On Nov. 11, 1831, Nat Turner, an American slave and educated minister who believed that he’d been chosen by God to lead his people into freedom, was hanged in Jerusalem, Virginia, for leading a revolt with 75 followers through Southampton County, killing about 60 white people.
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Your persistence pays of as the informaton you demanded starts to come through. The pace is slow at frst, but it begins to speed up as the week draws to a close.
• On Nov. 12, 1969, investigative journalist Seymour Hersh revealed the extent of the U.S. Army’s charges against 1st Lt. William L. Calley at My Lai, Vietnam, in a cable picked up by more than 30 newspapers, saying that “The Army says he [Calley] deliberately murdered at least 109 Vietnamese civilians during a searchand-destroy mission in March 1968, in a Viet Cong stronghold known as ‘Pinkville.’”
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) An unwelcome bit of news jolts the Bovine who would prefer that things proceed smoothly. But at its most, it is a momentary setback. Meanwhile, a LEO brings more welcome tdings.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You need to pay close atenton to details before making a commitment. Don’t accept anything that seems questonable unless you get an answer that can be backed up.
• 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.”
• 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
* On July 15, 1997, while on a killing spree, Andrew Cunanan murdered world-renowned Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace with two gunshots to the head on the steps outside Versace’s Miami mansion before fleeing the scene. Eight days later, he was discovered dead by suicide on a houseboat 40 blocks from the designer’s home.
* On July 16, 1769, Father Junipero Serra, a Spanish Franciscan missionary, founded the first Catholic mission in California in what is
present-day San Diego. After blessing his new outpost in a high mass, the Royal Standard of Spain was unfurled over the mission, which Serra christened San Diego de Alcala.
* On July 17, 1945, President Harry S. Truman recorded his initial impression of Joseph Stalin in his diary, describing their first meeting, a discussion of post-World War II policy in Europe, as “cordial” and closing the entry with the words, “I can deal with Stalin. He is honest, but smart as hell.”
* On July 18, 1986, new close-up
CANCER (June 21 to July 22)
Congratulatons on getng a project up and running! But as excitng as it is, don’t let it carry you away. Make sure you set aside tme to spend with family and friends.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Be sure you’re part of a discussion involving your suggestons. Your presence ensures that you can defend your work, if necessary. It also helps you gain your colleagues’ support.
VIRGO (August 23 to September 22)
A misunderstanding needs to be dealt with, or it can grow and cause more problems later. Be the bigger person and take the frst step to clear the air.
videotapes of the sunken ocean liner Titanic, taken from the first manned expedition to the wreck and showing one of the ship’s grand staircases and a coral-covered chandelier, were released to the public.
* On July 19, 1952, air traffic controllers in Washington, D.C., detected UFOs over the White House and U.S. Capitol building. More appeared a week later, but the government dismissed the sightings as just a harmless weather phenomenon.
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22)
Set some strict guidelines for yourself so that your heavier-than-usual work schedule doesn’t overwhelm the tme you need to spend relaxing with loved ones.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) You might feel a litle uncomfortable being among people you hardly know. But remember that today’s strangers can become tomorrow’s valuable contacts.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Reward yourself for all that you’ve accomplished despite some annoying situatons that got in your way. Enjoy a well-earned getaway with someone special!
CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Realizing that someone else is taking credit for what you did is bound to get anyone’s goat, but especially yours. Be patent. The truth soon comes out.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Forget about opposites atractng. What you need is to fnd someone who thinks like you and will support your ideas, even if others say they’re too radical.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Workplace problems can afect your fnancial plans. Be prudent and avoid running up bills or making commitments untl things begin to ease up in mid-July.
Homes & Living
Dealing with those pesky wasps
Dealing with wasps can be a frustrating and sometimes dangerous task, especially during the warmer months when these insects are most active. While wasps play a role in controlling other pests and pollinating plants, their aggressive behavior—particularly when they feel threatened—can pose a risk to people and pets. Fortunately, there are several practical ways to manage and reduce wasp activity around your home and yard.
The first step in dealing with wasps is prevention. Wasps are attracted to food and sweet scents, so keeping your outdoor spaces clean is key. Always cover garbage bins with tight-fitting lids, clean up spills promptly, and avoid leaving sugary drinks or food scraps outside. If you’re having a picnic or barbecue, use containers with lids and keep food
covered until it’s time to eat.
Next, consider removing potential nesting sites. Wasps often build nests in eaves, attics, sheds, and under decks. Regularly inspect these areas, especially in spring when wasps begin to establish new colonies. If you find a small nest early in the season, you can often remove it safely with a long stick or knock it down during cooler parts of the day when wasps are less active. Always wear protective clothing and keep an escape route in mind.
For larger or more established nests, it’s best to use a commercial wasp spray designed to kill on contact. Spray it in the evening or early morning when the insects are less active. Stand a safe distance away and follow the product’s instructions carefully. If the nest is in a hard-to-reach or risky location, consider
hiring a professional pest control service.
Natural deterrents can also be effective. Hanging decoy nests may discourage new wasps from settling, as many species avoid building nests too close to others. Some people also use peppermint oil, vinegar sprays, or citrus-based solutions around doors, windows, and outdoor seating areas to repel wasps. If you or someone in your household is allergic to wasp stings, always take extra precautions. Carry an epinephrine auto-injector if prescribed, and avoid swatting at wasps, which can provoke an attack. Wearing light-colored clothing and avoiding floral patterns or strong perfumes can also help reduce your attractiveness to wasps. By staying proactive and cautious, you can significantly reduce the chance
of a wasp problem becoming a serious nuisance. Keeping your environment tidy, removing nests early, and using repellents or professional help when necessary can keep your summer months more enjoyable and sting-free.
