Prince George Citizen Thursday, July 16, 2026

$10,000 CASH

Work startng on involuntary care facility

Premier announces Gunn Road facility will be operating by end of next year

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Almost 10 months after it was initially announced, Premier David Eby finally confirmed on Friday, July 10 that Prince George’s secure involuntary care facility for mental health, addictions and brain injuries will be located at the former youth correctional facility on Gunn Road.

Speaking in front of the building, the premier said 211 Gunn Rd. will eventually feature 72 beds and will be developed in phases, with Phase 1 of construction featuring 24 beds and starting construction this September.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Premier David Eby (centre) announces the location of the new involuntary care treatment centre for mental health, addictions and brain injuries at 1211 Gunn Rd. in Prince George, BC on Friday, July 10. Joining him at the announcement, from left, were BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services chief operating officer Jennifer Duff, Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dolleen Logan, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation Elder Lenora White, Mayor Simon Yu and Dr. Daniel Vigo, British Columbia’s chief scientific advisor for psychiatry, toxic drugs and concurrent disorders.

Facility is expected to cost $92 million once complete

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

“This facility will particularly focus on people who, because of their mental health issues, their serious addiction challenges and too often a brain injury associated with that addiction who are unable to ask for help and who need the opportunity to stabilize and then transition into the voluntary care system,” Eby said.

The model for the centre will be based on the one used at the Red Fish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addiction in Coquitlam.

The Gunn Road property includes the main building and several smaller cottage-like outbuildings. It is expected to open by December 2027, with the rest of the beds expected to be ready by the end of 2028.

The entire project has a budget of up to $92 million and has received business plan approval.

Local and provincial officials attended the announcement, including Prince George Mayor Simon Yu and most of Prince George city council, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation Chief Dolleen Logan, Dr. Daniel Vigo, the provincial chief scientific advisor for psychiatry, toxic drugs and concurrent disorders, BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services chief operating officer Jennifer Duff, former mayor Lyn Hall and representatives from the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George and the University of Northern British Columbia.

Though the premier thanked all of city council for their advocacy work, he gave specific credit to three locals for their advocacy work.

He said Coun. Kyle Sampson has been personally advocating the need for the facility with him and had to forego a vacation with his partner to be at the announcement.

As well, Eby commended Logan and Dr. Barb Kane, the head of the psychiatric department at the University Hospital of Northern BC and medical lead for mental health across all of Northern Health, for taking part in “crucial” meetings that identified the opportunity and the need for the services in Prince

George that the facility will provide.

In 2024, Kane started a petition advocating for the creation of a dedicated mental health hospital in Prince George. Speaking to reporters after the announcement, she thanked the thousands of people who signed that petition, saying the facility wouldn’t be a reality without their help.

“At UHNBC, it should definitely be helpful because what happens now is that people who need a place more like this have to stay in our psychiatry ward and our psychiatry ward wasn’t really built for people who were going to stay for months and months and years,” Kane said.

“We were built for much shorter-term patients … when they stay in our ward, it means other patients who need the shorter stays can’t get in our ward. They end up in surgery or medicine and then it gets harder for patients to get in those wards.”

She added that this has led to some people being kept in locked areas for too long and in some cases, she’s had to discharge patients she wasn’t comfortable releasing, including some who

elders, will be available at the facility. While many people have difficult memories of the facility from its past as a youth detention centre, Logan said this represents an opportunity to write a different, better story of healing.

Vigo said that the tide is turning on the public health emergency in BC caused by synthetic drugs, which led to the change in strategy in reallowing physicians to use the Mental Health Act to treat children and adults with substance use and mental health disorders.

With previously opened mental health units within correctional facilities and secure homes in BC, Vigo said they freed up more than 2,000 bed days on average per person “for services they neither required nor benefitted from” and cutting the average time to psychiatric care to nearly a tenth of what it was before.

committed serious crimes.

“That’s been a very distressing thing for the nurses and for the doctors,” she said. “It’s happening not only in Prince George, it’s happening in Terrace and Dawson Creek, which are the other two psychiatric wards in the north.”

In her remarks to the crowd, Logan said the facility is something First Nations people have needed for a very long time, emphasizing the importance of having friends or family members get treated at home.

“There are individuals who cycle repeatedly between emergency rooms, shelters, the justice system and the streets because the care that they truly need simply did not exist,” Logan said.

“Continuing to do the same things while expecting different outcomes is not compassionate, it leaves people trapped in a crisis. We also have to acknowledge an uncomfortable reality: Indigenous people remain disproportionately represented among those experiencing homelessness, severe addictions and complex mental illness.

The chief said culturally appropriate care, like smudging and access to

“We started with Prince George because the vision is to turn Northern BC, up to now one of the most underserved areas in the province with respect to this file, into an early model of what fully integrated mental health and substance use services can be,” Vigo said. He clarified that 60 of the beds would be built in the existing facility while 12 new beds would be “purpose-built.”

Vigo said the latter beds would be secure and open-ended treatment environments, less like a hospital and more like a home in the community. These will be used to help patients with concurrent disorders and severe mental health issues, adjusted to their level of need.

People can be put into involuntary care by physicians, he said, if they meet certain criteria for both children and adults where it is determined that someone with a severe mental disorder is putting either themselves or others at risk and there is a risk of serious mental or physical deterioration.

Asked how many of the beds would specifically serve Prince George compared to the rest of the north, Vigo said it will serve the whole province but will start with the region.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

Lheidli T’enneh First Nation Chief Dolleen Logan (left) speaks to University Hospital of Northern BC psychiatric department head Dr. Barb Kane after the announcement of a new involuntary treatment centre for mental health, addictions and brain injuries at 1211 Gunn Rd. on Friday, July 10.

Centre will eventually employ about 150 professionals

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

He said each region requires a decentralized set of beds where patients can still be integrated with their community, First Nation or family.

The premier and Vigo were also pressed on how staff would be recruited to staff the facility.

As the BC Nurses Union continues to strike after reaching a bargaining impasse, two women stood at the back of the crowd holding signs with the messages “stand with nurses” and “who will be staffing this centre?”

Eby touted success with recruiting medical officials from the United States and said BC has added 5,600 nurses in the last couple of years. He also said an announcement would be coming later in the day about the government hiring an arbitrator to try to break the deadlock.

For his part, Vigo said there needs to be a “consistent homogenous approach to engagement and retention of key

staff across health authorities with no inconsistencies.”

Duff said the Provincial Health Services Authority will be accountable for how the facility operates, but it will be partnering with Northern Health and the First Nations Health Authority to staff it. She said about 150 professionals

will be needed to operate the facility safely and appropriately.

Addressing why involuntary care is being expanded ahead of voluntary care, Eby said there’s a need to treat people with serious conditions who are at jeopardy of death and contributing to disorder in their communities.

“We can’t wait until the full voluntary, on-demand system is built out across the province without addressing this chronic issue in the community and that’s why you see us doing both right now,” he said.

The mayor thanked Eby for listening to Prince George’s concerns and acting to address the problem.

“This announcement really represents a huge step forward to addressing the need for more specialized mental health and substance use services that is close to home,” Yu said.

“The key words are ‘close to home.’ Northern communities, we have unique needs.”

In a post-event interview, Northern Health’s executive lead for mental health and substances, Graham Hall, told The Citizen that the health authority has been sending patients to dedicated beds at the Red Fish centre.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

Members of the BC Nurses Union hold signs at the announcement of a new involuntary care treatment centre on Friday, July 10. The union is currenty undertaking job action against the province.

Community, family celebrate life of Mavrik Turnbull

The three-year-old lost his battle with cancer last week

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

Family, friends, the hockey community and supporters from across the province are grieving the loss and celebrating the life of Mavrik Turnbull alongside his family.

Mavrik died Monday, July 6 at the age of three at Canuck Place Hospice Centre in Vancouver after a hard-fought battle with Stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma. He was diagnosed in October 2024.

During Mavrik’s stay at the hospice, the centre welcomed a steady stream of visitors and supporters, said Derek Turnbull, Mavrik’s father, adding his son’s final days were filled with family, friends and activity.

“It was very Mavrik, very chaotic, in a good way,” Derek said. “We made them scramble a little bit because of the sheer amount of people who wanted to see him and spend time with him. That brought some joy to our house and to Mavrik — from Desert Hills coming and having a water fight to bringing bouncy castles and electric RC vehicles for Mavrik to ride.

“All the family was there at different stages and different times. He was telling people to either get out or lie down on the bed. Then there were probably hundreds of visitors, hockey players and supporters. The love this kid had was unreal.”

Mavrik’s legacy is one of courage and Northern spirit. To honour that legacy, the family, along with the Prince George Community Foundation, has established the Mavrik Turnbull Legacy Fund to support Northern families facing childhood cancer, help address children’s medical needs in Prince George and sponsor a hockey player in need each year.

The fund is now accepting donations. Derek said during an interview with The Citizen that contributors will receive a tax receipt.

He and Mavrik’s mother, Vanessa, are also establishing a charitable organization aimed at helping keep children on the ice despite medical challenges.

“We are establishing the Mavrik Turnbull Foundation,” Derek Turnbull said. “We’re still working out the details of what that’s going to look like, but we’re working toward becoming a fully registered charity. The foundation will build on his legacy and help Northern families facing similar situations.

“For instance, if an oncology patient, a child or someone with medical complications wants to play hockey, we want to help cover registration fees or buy equipment. We’ve also got legacy projects planned at the hospitals where we’ve stayed, including those in Prince George, BC Children’s Hospital and Canuck Place, to make sure kids have access to hockey no matter what they’re going through medically.”

Since Mavrik’s death, the family has received hundreds of messages of

become more divided. I feel like that’s what he did.”

The Turnbull family continues to raise money through its GoFundMe campaign, which had raised $80,767 at the time of writing.

The money will help cover the costs of Mavrik’s celebration of life, with any remaining funds going to the Mavrik Turnbull Legacy Fund.

The family also experienced a hit-andrun collision while staying at Canuck Place, and part of the proceeds will help pay for vehicle repairs.

They remain in Vancouver while the vehicle is being repaired.

A celebration of life is being planned for the CN Centre, one of Mavrik’s favourite places.

“It’s hopefully going to be early to mid-September,” Derek said. “There’s no better place because that’s where Mavrik wanted to spend his time — whether it was during hockey games, watching practice or simply walking around the concourse. That was home.”

Derek said one of the qualities he will remember most about his son was his determination and resilience.

support from community members. Tributes have also come from organizations including the Prince George Cougars, the Langley Rivermen, the Vancouver Warriors, the Vancouver Canucks, the Prince George Spruce Kings, the Vancouver Giants and many others.

Hundreds of people in Prince George and beyond have also placed hockey sticks outside their homes in honour of Mavrik and his love of the game.

“I think we’ve probably got over 400 or 500 people doing that,” Derek said. “That was so special.”

Community members have also shared photos and memories of Mavrik through an online memory book that has received hundreds of submissions.

“I never fully understood the impact Mavrik had or how he brought people together from around the world,” Derek said. “Hearing from Vanessa, it’s amazing. I think in this day and age people need to stick together more as things

“The entire time was special,” Derek Turnbull said. “He really showed what it means to be from the North — the drive, the willingness to keep going, his resilience and the fight that he had.” He hopes Mavrik’s legacy will inspire others in Prince George and beyond.

“Don’t limit yourself,” Derek said. “Mavrik went through hell, and even then he always wanted to keep going. Try to live by that. Be kind, stick up for yourself, stick together, build your family with people who care about you and never give up. That was him.”

To donate to the family’s GoFundMe, visit www.gofundme.com/f/back-on-theice-mavriks-fight-against-relapse.

To donate to the Mavrik Turnbull Legacy Fund visit pgcf.ca/fund/ The-Mavrik-Turnbull-Legacy-Fund.

Scan this QR code to submit a photo to Mavrik’s online memory book

BC HOME LOTTERY PHOTO

Mavrik Turnbull and his parents Vanessa and Derek take in a Canucks game. Even during his fight against cancer, Mavrik kept his love of hockey strong.

Family members will have access to patents at facility

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

The standalone facility in Prince George, he said, will expand Northern Health’s capacity and could help convince patients who were interested in treatment but unsure of having to travel so far away from home.

Hall said Northern Health is working with the PHSA to flesh out a staffing model and that they hope to launch a recruitment drive in the coming months.

The health authorities are also collaborating on their consultations with the 55 First Nations situated in Northern Health’s area.

While the facility will be secure and access to the site will be controlled, Hall said access to patients by loved ones is built into the planning.

Though people receiving involuntary care won’t be at liberty to leave on their own, Hall emphasized that the facility will not be a jail.

Eby first promised Prince George and Surrey would receive the facilities at the Union of BC Municipalities’ annual convention in September 2025. It was also announced on July 10 that the Surrey facility would have 60 beds once complete.

“Developed in collaboration with the province, Northern Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority, in partnership with the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, services will be informed through consultation with people with lived experience and northern First Nations,” a July 10 media release said.

In the release, the premier said the beds would help ensure that people will

“get the specialized care they need to recover and rebuild their lives.”

“Whether people come to care voluntarily or are unable to ask for help, no one should be left in our streets when they are at their most vulnerable,” Eby said. “By helping people onto a path to recovery, we can build safer communities while giving more people the opportunity to heal.”

Also in the release, Health Minister Josie Osborne said people dealing with mental health and addiction challenges need safe, appropriate and responsive care.

“These new facilities in Surrey and Prince George will help ensure more people can access specialized supports, including when they are most unwell and unable to seek help on their own,” Osborne said.

“This work is about making sure we have a comprehensive continuum of care, so people can stabilize and live healthier, fuller lives.”

In a media release issued a few hours after the announcement, BC Conservative mental health critic and Skeena MLA Claire Rattée said that 2027 and 2028 was too long to wait for the new facilities.

“Unfortunately, while it’s a step in the right direction, today’s announcement is also a reminder of how long British Columbians have been waiting for these life-saving measures,” Rattée said. “The NDP spent years dismissing calls for mandatory care before reversing course only after it became impossible to ignore the consequences of failed policies like decriminalization and prescribed alternatives without adequate treatment.”

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

The city’s new involuntary care facility will be located in the former youth detention centre on Gunn Road.

Cancer society questons council’s smoking decision

City may allow some artistic exemptions to tobacco ban

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

Prince George city council passed first three readings of a bylaw amendment that would allow smoking or vaping in public facilities as long as it’s part of an artistic performance at its Monday, July 6 meeting, but the Canadian Cancer Society is hoping to change its mind before fourth and final reading is debated.

Under current city rules, smoking and vaping at all places of public assembly and city-owned facilities is strictly prohibited under the Smoke and Vape Free Places Bylaw.

A report by city staff said that exemptions are sometimes requested for the purposes of artistic performances, like stage shows or the filming of television shows or movies.

Some communities in BC like Burnaby, Port Coquitlam and Delta allow for such exemptions.

Administration proposed allowing an artistic exemption, as long as productions get explicit written permission from the city’s manager of bylaw services ahead of time.

Director of administrative services Eric Depenau clarified that provincial legislation prohibits tobacco smoking outright at public facilities, meaning that performances would feature herbal cigarettes.

After council passed first three readings of the bylaw amendment, Ottawa-based Canadian Cancer Society senior policy analyst Rob Cunningham reached out to The Citizen to express his organization’s concerns with the move.

“We have worked for so long to have smoke-free public places and if you allow real smoking, it means that there will be people in the community who will not be able to attend,” Cunningham said.

“People with certain respiratory conditions or cardiovascular conditions or

asthma … that could include children depending on the nature of the play and women who are expecting a baby and don’t want their children to be exposed to second-hand smoke.”

No matter the contents of a cigarette — whether it’s herbs, tobacco or cannabis — Cunningham said the second-hand smoke can be harmful.

While there are communities that allow for artistic smoking exemptions, he noted that they represent a small percentage of the provincial population.

On top of the health risks, he said portraying realistic smoking can influence youth.

“We’ve heard a lot of how there has been a resurgence in social media repopularizing smoking,” he said. “We shouldn’t be doing that in our communities.”

Cunningham said it seemed there had been requests for exemptions from the theatre community in Prince George judging by staff’s report, and encouraged the city to carry out public consultation before granting final approval given the broader public interest for such a change.

“In a play, you can’t fire a gun for real,” Cunningham said. “So, you can have an imitation cigarette or you can have an unlit cigarette or you can have

Depenau said staff would look to speak with counterparts at the other municipalities with artistic exemptions, but the goal is to require written applications that explain why the smoking or vaping is required for the artistic work.

He said the intent is not to allow free rein for artistic performances.

Coun. Brian Skakun expressed concern over society trying to discourage young people from smoking or vaping while saying that it’s allowed at public places if it’s artistic. He asked whether audience members would be warned that the smoking or vaping would be taking place.

If the performance is in public and not on a closed set, Depenau said the intention in the bylaw revision is to have venues provide some warning to ticket purchases.

a device that looks like a cigarette that even lights up red at the end.”

Councillors have questions

During the July 6 meeting, Coun. Cori Ramsay asked about specifics on the rules, whether it would allow audience members to smoke or just performers, as well as ceremonial acts like smudging.

Depenau said it would just be for artistic performances, like stage plays or filming movies or television shows.

As an example, he referenced the TV show Peaky Blinders, a period piece which has its characters smoke to mirror habits of the era it portrays.

It would not allow performers to actually smoke tobacco in these places, which is banned by provincial law, but instead herbal alternatives that mimic the appearance of tobacco smoking.

Smudging, he said, is a protected cultural act and is already protected.

Coun. Tim Bennett said he knows from experience that there’s a specific process that has to be undertaken at School District 57 facilities to allow for smudging, as an example.

He said he’d support the changes but wanted to know how much scrutiny applications for smoking would go through.

Coun. Ron Polillo said he didn’t think the exemption would be used often but asked about how this change came about.

The request was made in mid-2025 by members of the theatre community, Depenau said, but it didn’t come up until now because it wasn’t considered a priority.

Mayor Simon Yu asked if performers would be able to smoke during practice or rehearsals. Depenau said though the herbal alternatives aren’t as unhealthy as real tobacco or nicotine, he thought performers might want to limit their exposure and the city wants to limit residual smoke in its facilities.

Coun. Kyle Sampson said from his experience, those kinds of props are typically only used during dress rehearsals or actual performances.

First three readings of the bylaw were approved unanimously.

Vote summary

Motion: Council passes first three readings of a bylaw amendment that would provide an exemption to the prohibition on smoking or vaping in places of public assembly or city-owned facilities to artistic performances as long as prior written approval is received from the city’s manager of bylaw services.

Result: Approved unanimously

BBC PHOTO

Cillian Murphy smokes a cigarette in a scene from the television series Peaky Blinders. A city staffer used the popular crime drama as an example when talking about whether the council should approve artistic exemptions to the smoking bylaw.

PG didn’t apply for provincial development funding

Fifty-six other BC communities shared in $9 million

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

The BC government announced $9 million in funding on Monday, July 6 going to 56 local governments to help streamline and approve their development approval processes, but the City of Prince George was not one of them.

The Local Government Development Approvals Program, which is funded by the province but managed by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), included northern recipients like Vanderhoof, Dawson Creek and Prince Rupert.

A media release issued by the province on July 6 said the funding is aimed at speeding up development approvals with an eye towards speeding up the construction of housing.

It also said that 70 total applications were received and additional approvals are anticipated to be announced soon.

However, the UBCM confirmed to The Citizen by email on Thursday, July 9 that the City of Prince George did not apply.

Before that answer was received, The Citizen asked members of the city’s Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs whether the program had been on their radar and if that kind of housing-related funding was part of their advocacy strategy during a delegation to Victoria earlier this year.

Councillors Brian Skakun, Kyle Sampson and Susan Scott said they were not familiar with the program.

Speaking more in depth after their Tuesday, July 7 meeting, Sampson and Scott said that when they talk about housing with the province, their advocacy hasn’t focused on planning or permitting because those are municipal responsibilities.

“Improving the development process is inherently a municipal jurisdictional obligation,” Sampson said. “And so, it’s going to be important that we work on that and we call on the government to

do their job, which is partially to help with some of the housing enabling infrastructure.”

He said that if the province is offering up money to help municipalities speed up developments, Prince George has been meeting its mandated housing targets thus far and is ahead of the curve compared to others.

However, if the provincial funding is available again in the future, Sampson said it could be used to help develop the fast-tracking program for permit ting he first suggested in December 2025.

Scott said that with major economic projects targeted for Northern BC, Prince George needs to keep eyes on the ground and make sure that it has the infrastructure available to play a part in them.

“If somebody decides to build a major mill or mine or what have you, that we have places for those people to live, businesses for those people to interact with,” Scott said. “We need to know what’s coming down the road towards us.”

She said that the week before that committee meeting, several council members were on a Zoom call with provincial Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities Brittny Anderson to discuss the economic impact of those major projects on rural and remote communities.

During that call, Scott said, a smaller community asked Anderson to encour age those projects to be built closer to populated areas when possible so that they create infrastructure that can be

left as a lasting legacy.

Committee chair Coun. Garth Frizzell wasn’t available for an interview directly after the July 7 meeting but caught up with The Citizen by phone the next afternoon.

He concurred with his colleagues, saying that their advocacy priority has been focused more around infrastructure than permitting or approvals.

we’ve been pushing for better, more regular and predictable funding both provincially and federally for more than 10 to 15 years,” Frizzell said.

Frizzell said there isn’t much bang for the buck in advocating for incentives for housing at the moment “because the government has made it clear there isn’t additional spending.”

He said that’s frustrating since the province is imposing housing targets for municipalities but not providing resources for them to encourage development.

This year, Frizzell said the committee has been looking at examples of military bases sharing infrastructure with nearby communities after the federal government announced an increase to defence spending.

He said the Federation of Canadian Municipalities has launched a new committee focused on looking at how municipalities can maximize benefits of

Vanderhoof International Airshow

CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK

Prince George’s Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs meets in a second-floor boardroom at city hall on Tuesday, July 7.

Councillors should have known funding was available

KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor

The province handed out $9 million to 56 BC municipalities last week — but Prince George wasn’t one of them.

Somehow, our elected officials didn’t know about the Local Government Development Approvals Program, which helps municipalities streamline the permit process to accelerate housing construction.

Seventy local governments applied. Fifty-six of them received funding in the first round, including Vanderhoof, Dawson Creek and Prince Rupert.

Prince George got nothing. Not because other cities won out, but because PG didn’t even apply.

For the city councillors on the city’s Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs who have spent months insisting their recent advocacy trip to Victoria was worth it, this should be embarrassing.

Three of the councillors on that committee — Garth Frizell, Kyle Sampson and Susan Scott — have defended their taxpayer-funded junkets to Victoria and Ottawa by arguing that maintaining relationships with decision-makers at higher levels of government is essential to securing funding and advancing Prince George’s interests.

After their Victoria trip, they pointed to their meetings with cabinet ministers and Premier David Eby as evidence that the city was making its case.

As we argued then, that access is

meaningless without results.

(A fourth member, Coun. Brian Skakun, voted against the travel funding and did not go with the other three).

Sampson, Scott and Skakun told us that they didn’t know the funding program existed, but said that wasn’t an issue — they would not have been interested because development approvals are primarily a municipal responsibility, while their advocacy efforts have focused on infrastructure.

Sorry, councillors. We’re not buying that.

The province is offering municipalities money to improve a municipal responsibility, so why wouldn’t Prince George ask for it?

Every municipality is responsible for its planning and permitting processes, and that’s why this program exists. The province recognizes that local governments often need additional resources to modernize systems, hire expertise and reduce approval timelines.

This available funding should have been on the committee members’ radar. They should have started the process to apply. Prince George should have had a share of that $9 million.

The city needs it. We know this because of the experiences people continue to share with us.

The Citizen has heard from builders, developers, business owners and residents who describe development approvals in Prince George as frustratingly slow and unnecessarily cumbersome.

Individual projects differ, and anecdotes are not data, but when the same concerns are raised repeatedly by people navigating the system, they deserve attention. It’s an issue we’re investigating.

In other words, funding intended to improve permitting may not solve every problem, but it certainly would have helped.

Sampson told us that Prince George meets its provincially mandated housing targets and suggests future funding rounds could support his proposal for a fast-track permitting program.

That’s all the more reason to apply and use readily available provincial funding to do it. Sampson’s dismissal of this opportunity is baffling when he should have been aware of a major grant that would have boosted his proposal.

Frizzell’s deflection that municipalities desperately need more predictable

infrastructure funding misses the point. Of course, Prince George should continue pressing Victoria for roads, water systems, sewer capacity and every other investment required to support growth.

But this isn’t about that. This was easy money that Frizzell, as the chair of Intergovernmental Affairs, should have been aware was available.

These same councillors in their last term were oblivious about, or chose not to join, the Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance — a group of communities from Vanderhoof to Masset advocating for a fair share of resource revenue.

That decision cost the city of Prince George its share of $250 million over five years.

Good advocacy means being aware of, and pursuing, every reasonable opportunity. Somehow, in all of their meetings with the premier and ministers, Frizzell, Sampson, Scott and Skakun were unaware of a major grant that could have helped our community.

Taxpayers should expect more from elected officials who have repeatedly tried to justify spending thousands of dollars travelling to Victoria in the name of advocacy.

The irony is hard to ignore. These committee members argued that they should be in constant contact with provincial ministers because Prince George cannot afford to leave funding on the table.

And then they left funding on the table.

We acknowledge the fnancial support of the government of

Nous reconnaissons l’appui fnancier du gouvernement

OFFICE (8:00a - 4:00p) 505 Fourth Avenue

Prince George, B.C. V2L 3H2

FRONT DESK & CLASSIFIED frontdesk@pgcitzen.ca 250-562-2441 NEWS AND SPORTS news@pgcitzen.ca LETTERS TO THE EDITOR editor@pgcitzen.ca

OWNER / PUBLISHER owner@pgcitzen.ca

CITIZEN CARTOON BY MICHAEL KAST

This editorial cartoon was created by a human artist using digital and AI tools.

Cameron Stolz Owner / Publisher

Terresa Randall-Stolz Owner

Canada.

du Canada.

Kennedy Gordon Managing Editor

OPINION

Why it’s important that we give something back

Charitable giving lets you shape the future of your community — and reduce your taxes

ELI KLASNER Guest Columnist

Last week I wrote about the importance of leaving something behind. The larger question was one every community must eventually answer: Who pays for the things that matter?

Prince George has never relied on government alone to answer that question.

Our university, hospital, recreational facilities, arts organizations, social service agencies, sports associations and countless community initiatives have all benefited from citizens who chose to invest not only through their taxes but also through their time, expertise and charitable giving.

Government is an essential partner in building strong communities, but communities are strongest when citizens, businesses, charities and governments all work together.

Most Canadians recognize that taxes are part of living in this country, yet we continue to see taxes increase through income tax, sales tax, property tax, gas tax and many other levies.

Once those dollars leave our pockets, however, we have very little influence over where they ultimately go.

Charitable giving is different. It represents one of the few opportunities Canadians have to decide that a portion of their resources will directly support the causes they believe are most important.

If you believe youth sports help develop discipline and confidence, you can support local athletics.

If you value arts and culture, you can strengthen the organizations that enrich our city. If your passion is health care, education, homelessness,

Donations to Prince George charities generate valuable tax credits, meaning the actual cost of making a donation is often considerably less than many people realize.

environmental conservation, historical preservation or community services, you can choose to invest there.

What surprises many people is that Canada’s tax system actively encourages these decisions.

Annual charitable donations generate valuable tax credits, meaning the actual cost of making a donation is often considerably less than many people realize. In many cases, donors discover they are able to make a larger impact than they imagined because a significant portion of the gift is offset through tax savings. Beyond annual donations, there are other opportunities that deserve greater public awareness.

Donating appreciated publicly traded securities directly to a registered charity can be more tax-efficient than selling the securities first and donating the cash.

Likewise, charitable gifts made through an estate can become an important part of legacy planning while helping reduce the tax burden on an estate.

These opportunities often remain overlooked simply because many Canadians are unaware they exist until someone points them out.

Every person’s financial circumstances are different, and this column is not a substitute for professional advice. Anyone considering these approaches should speak with a qualified accountant, lawyer or financial adviser.

The purpose here is simply to encourage people to ask questions and explore the opportunities available.

Perhaps the most important point is this: You have more influence than you think.

While governments determine how

tax revenues are allocated, charitable giving allows each of us to decide which organizations and priorities we want to strengthen.

Fortunately, Canadians do not have to navigate these opportunities alone.

Across the country, charities, community foundations, accountants, lawyers and financial advisers work together to help individuals and families develop giving plans that reflect both their personal values and their financial circumstances.

Prince George is fortunate to have the Prince George Community Foundation, which helps individuals, families, businesses and organizations establish charitable funds that can support local priorities now and for generations to come.

It is an excellent example of how local philanthropy can create lasting benefits for the community.

In recent weeks, I’ve written about stewardship, continuity and the importance of leaving something behind.

Charitable giving is one practical way to put those ideas into action. It is not simply about reducing taxes, nor is it about responding to the latest fundraising appeal.

At its best, philanthropy is an expression of citizenship. It reflects the kind of community you want to build and the legacy you hope to leave.

Long after this year’s tax return has been filed and forgotten, your charitable investment in Prince George continues working — strengthening organizations, improving lives and helping ensure future generations inherit an even stronger community.

Perhaps that’s the greatest lesson of all: We have more influence than we often realize, and everyone has the opportunity to help shape the future of the place they call home.

Eli Klasner writes about community development, civic infrastructure, and the role of culture in building strong communities.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

OPINION

Premier announces involuntary care centre in Prince George

It’s a start, but we won’t see changes on the streets for years to come, if ever. The beds are slowly being phased in, and I doubt there will be nearly enough.

We also need to address what I believe is the root of the problem: easy access to drugs. Heck, we almost promote drug use. Yes, I know there will always be some drug use, but the approach of the last decade has been a disaster.

Deterrence and repercussions.

Nip it in the bud.

PGLocal

Mavrik Turnbull loses battle with cancer at age 3

Another famous hockey-loving Canadian who also died of brain cancer nearly nine years ago put it this way before he died. “See you down the road sometime ...,” Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip said. Just like with Gord, this country mourns the loss of this special boy. RIP, Mavrik.

Editorial: Help those who need help, jail those who need jail

The problem is also gridlock. Police investigations drag on for long periods of time and, if a court case is warranted, a gridlocked justice system trips over itself to ensure that special-interest groups receive special consideration.

In today’s Canada, I’m seeing more examples of how to drag things out rather than get anything done in a timely manner.

Sadly, it goes beyond criminal justice. Delays in granting building permits and getting things done in the construction industry are prime examples.

Our health-care system is a joke.

The last I heard, 1.3 million British Columbians were waiting just to get an initial consultation with a specialist. Gridlock goes beyond traffic jams.

waymar10@telus.net

Amigos Tacos closing after 42 years in downtown Prince George

Great place. You and your staff will be missed. Thank you for the great food and excellent service over the years.

Jennifer Lussier

Social media ban for youth: What it could mean for Prince George families

I believe this is nothing more than a feel-good exercise.

Youth have always been able to find and get what they want — alcohol, drugs and now vapes. There is always someone willing to help them acquire things and skirt the system. Why should this be any different today?

City staff say Aquatic Centre renos remain on time, on budget

The question remains: What was done during the yearly pool maintenance closures?

The Four Seasons Pool was built, closed for yearly maintenance and ultimately demolished within my lifetime. I seriously question the quality of work being done on civic projects, with staggering costs to build and supposedly maintain facilities, only to write them off or, in the case of the Aquatic Centre, renovate them at a price not far below the original construction cost.

I remain unimpressed with the quality of oversight and management from city council and will wait to see how fellow citizens feel when we put pencil to ballot in this fall’s civic election.

Familiarize yourself with the overall voting record of the current council and avoid being drawn into voting on name recognition alone.

Excellent past candidates were eliminated, in part, because people voted on name recognition and perhaps had little knowledge of their actual performance in whatever field that recognition was generated.

Research before voting, please!

RenoGuy24

Track repairs complicate shelter replacement for Little Prince

While I appreciate Coun. Susan Scott’s frugal attitude, I feel it necessary to point out that Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park is our best and most beautiful park.

With the completion of the new playground, the reservable picnic shelter and the new bathrooms, I believe we, as a city, should be proud to have the new enclosure/workshop become another eye-catching piece of architecture.

The garden pad next to the current enclosure space is the historic foundation of the original museum, and the same is true of the replica fort tower nearby.

That whole area of the park is literally crying out, “Fix me too!!”

We all bring our families and out-of-town guests to Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park. The whole place should make us proud because it’s a special place where we honour history, both good and bad, and where we’ve made many memories as children and with our own kids.

Yeah, it’s going to be expensive, but good things usually are, and if they’re done right and taken care of, it’s all worth it.

J3r3my

Maybe go after the problems more harshly — less fingerwagging and more penitentiary time.

If not, they should shut off the Wi-Fi and internet until they can.

This should be a parental responsibility. If parents want their children online, they should supervise them.

bcracer

BGeez

Councillors explore how new pipeline afects PG

Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Relations meets

COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff

With the general route for a new pipeline carrying Alberta oil to BC tidewater taking shape and a new deal announced for Canada to buy submarines from Germany, Prince George’s Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Relations talked about how this city could benefit at its meeting on Tuesday, July 7. After signing a memorandum of understanding last year, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a slate of benefits for BC while Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced her government was proposing a pipeline that would largely follow the same route as the existing Trans Mountain Pipeline to the Lower Mainland on Thursday, July 2.

While a pipeline to BC’s North Coast would have crossed through more of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George’s territory, Trans Mountain dips into the district after that pipeline crosses into this province as it heads south towards Burnaby.

Committee chair Coun. Garth Frizzell said at the July 7 meeting that the construction of this pipeline, which still needs to go through permitting and regulatory approvals, presents an opportunity for Prince George businesses to supply construction and for local economic development teams to work on the project.

Coun. Brian Skakun said that while the project might not be going through Prince George, any future resource sharing agreements involving the city or the regional district could benefit from the pipeline.

Coun. Susan Scott said that the decision to go south rather than towards Prince Rupert will impact the whole corridor of the existing Trans Mountain Pipeline.

Coun. Kyle Sampson said he believed that Prince George will see the biggest impact through the regional district as the city is the biggest contributor of revenues to Fraser-Fort George and this could help ease some of that burden.

He said it was his belief that the decision to go south rather than east was only recently made, given that a representative from the Alberta Government presented to the regional district’s board of directors back in April.

That presentation heavily featured discussion over marine safety elements, though it was light on specifics like the pipeline’s route. Opponents of a pipeline going to the North Coast, including First Nations, expressed heavy concerns over the potential environmental impact of an oil spill in the area.

At a Monday, July 6 meeting, Carney also announced that Canada had identified a joint bid from Germany and Norway as its preferred option to build 12 submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy, subject to final negotiations.

In exchange, contractor ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems is pledging to invest billions of dollars in Canadian sectors, including minerals.

Discussing that topic, Sampson said that while Prince George is too landlocked to take advantage of any shipbuilding opportunities, major projects have already been announced to improve the mining industry in Northern BC.

After the committee recently sent a delegation to Ottawa, he suggested that councillors might want to speak with the contacts they made about how Prince George is a fit for the prime minister’s objectives.

Skakun said it’s important for the city and the region to communicate with the public about what work they’re doing to tap into these opportunities.

Frizzell said he’d like to invite economic development staff from the city to discuss opportunities for both the pipeline and the submarine deal at the committee’s next meeting on Aug. 10.

Fully Funded Education Assistant & Mental Health Worker Certi cate

e BC Career Colleges Association (BCCCA) is now accepting applications for fully funded training to become an Education Assistant & Mental Health Worker.

Funding for this Community Workforce Response Grant project has been provided in part by the Government of Canada through the Canada-British Columbia Workforce Tari Response Agreement.

Training

Key Program Admission Requirements:

Grade 12 graduation (or equivalent or be a mature student 19+ at program start).

Demonstrate English language proficiency

Complete a criminal background check, TB testing, and be available for practicums.

Outcome of Training:

Outcome of Training:

Graduates receive a certi cate from Discovery Community College and are prepared for employment in community agencies, social services, schools, and other support programs.

POLICE NOTES

RCMP make 40 shoplifting arrests in first two weeks of July

Prince George RCMP say a retail crime enforcement initiative is producing results across the city.

In a media release, Prince George RCMP said its problem-oriented policing (POP) team has partnered with several local retailers to carry out a series of Boost and Bust projects.

The participating retailers include Pine Centre Mall, Parkwood Mall, Walmart and Superstore.

Since the beginning of July, the POP team has arrested 40 people and recovered more than $3,400 worth of stolen merchandise.

The arrests also led to additional police action, with the POP team continuing proactive enforcement throughout the city.

That included traffic stops during which investigators seized about 180 grams of suspected illicit drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, and recovered an additional $5,000 worth of stolen property.

RCMP said information on suspects arrested during more than one Boost and Bust project has been included in reports to Crown counsel for consideration during the charge approval process.

Four arrested after fuel theft and collision on Highway 16

RCMP in McBride are investigating after a fuel theft and subsequent collision that occurred on Saturday, July 4.

At approximately 5:15 p.m RCMP received a report that fuel and batteries had been stolen from heavy equipment located on a rural property.

A short time later, police were then notified of a collision near the intersection of Goat River Pit Road and Highway 16.

McBride RCMP determined that a witness to the theft had followed the suspicious vehicle. When the vehicle exited Goat River Pit Road, it collided with the witness’s vehicle. The driver of the suspects’ vehicle lost control and crashed into the ditch. The four occupants of the

vehicle then fled on foot.

Police used a canine unit and the emergency response team to search the area.

Three suspects were located in a nearby wooded area, while a fourth was later located by police dogs in the woods.

Two of the suspects received medical treatment for injuries sustained during the incident, including injuries related to the collision.

RCMP report that a section of Highway 16 was closed for a time following the collision while investigators and emergency responders were on scene.

All four suspects were arrested in connection with the investigation and have since been released pending further investigation. McBride RCMP report that the investigation into the theft and the collision is ongoing.

Suspected rural arson causes $1M worth of damage

Prince George RCMP are investigating a rural arson incident that left a local company with about $1 million worth of damage.

Shortly after 10 a.m. on July 5, police officers were called to the Chief Lake Road area, where an excavator was found to be on fire in a heavily wooded area.

Area volunteer firefighters quickly responded to the fire and were able to prevent the fire from spreading farther.

Further investigation determined that

the excavator had been stolen from a nearby mine site and was then used to destroy a rock truck at the site. Police officers conducted a search but did not locate anyone in the vicinity.

“Investigators currently believe that individuals local to the area may be responsible for this incident,” states Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, media relations officer for the Prince George RCMP. “We are asking for anyone with knowledge of those involved to please contact our non-emergency line or to anonymously submit a tip through Northern BC Crime Stoppers.

RCMP say cyclist had firearm when stopped

A Prince George RCMP officer on patrol allegedly found a firearm after stopping a man on a bicycle on June 24.

The officer then arrested the cyclist, identified as 39-year-old Kyle Teegee.

RCMP stated in a media release that Teegee will remain in custody until his next court appearance.

“Community safety is a top priority for Prince George RCMP,” states Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, media relations officer for the Prince George RCMP. “We remain focused on addressing unlawful weapons possession and other activities that pose a risk to the public.”

Three people rescued after boat sinks on Stuart Lake

Fort St. James RCMP report that three people were rescued after a vessel capsized and sank near Sowchea Bay on

Stuart Lake on Tuesday, July 7.

One adult man was found in the water by police, while another adult man and a child had reportedly made it safely to shore after the 17.5-foot vessel went down near Sowchea Bay.

Nearby boaters heard cries for help, launched their boat and went to assist, RCMP stated.

The man had been in the water for about 90 minutes and was unable to climb aboard the assisting vessel. He remained afloat by clinging to debris from his sunken boat while awaiting rescue.

RCMP officers aboard a police vessel then located the man in the water and brought him safely on board. They then made their way to shore, where they safely took the other adult and child aboard before transporting all three people to Pitka Bay, where they were assessed by BC Emergency Health Services.

Police say the man who spent time in the water was not wearing a personal flotation device.

The other adult and child were wearing personal flotation devices when the vessel capsized.

Vanderhoof crash leads to second-degree murder charge

A 39-year-old Vanderhoof man has been charged with second-degree murder following a fatal motor vehicle incident in the town west of Prince George on Thursday, July 9.

According to the North District RCMP, officers responded to a report of a motor vehicle incident at about 1 p.m. in the 1500 block of Loop Road. When police arrived, they found a 38-year-old man deceased.

A suspect was arrested shortly after the call was received.

The North District Major Crime Unit has since taken over the investigation.

Following interviews with witnesses and the collection of evidence over the past 24 hours, investigators charged 39-year-old Keegan Donald Leigh of Vanderhoof with second-degree murder on Friday, July 10.

Police said investigators believe the incident was isolated and that the accused and the victim were known to one another.

RCMP PHOTO

A damaged rock truck was destroyed by an excavator stolen from a nearby mine site near Chief Lake Road before a fire was set, police say.

Jail tme for candy thief who assaulted two women

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A Dollarama candy thief was sentenced to another 34 days in jail, followed by 12 months of probation, after admitting to assaulting two women.

Douglas Alec-Lolly, born in 2000, appeared before Judge Martin Nadon on June 1 in Prince George Provincial Court. Nadon sentenced Alec-Lolly to 420 days in jail for the Sept. 17, 2025, offences, but he received 386 days of enhanced credit.

Court heard that Alec-Lolly stole $202.59 worth of candy from the store.

A store employee called Prince George RCMP after Alec-Lolly entered the store and stole multiple items. As he left, he shoved a cashier and then swung at another woman outside the store as she tried to take his photo to provide to police.

An officer found Alec-Lolly pushing a

shopping cart, but he abandoned it and tried to flee toward Highway 97.

“At first blush, the sentence that’s been agreed to appears a little high,” Nadon said. “But when you look at Mr. Alec-Lolly’s record, it is appropriate.”

The court heard that Alec-Lolly was diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and has struggled with drug

addiction since his youth, cycling in and out of the justice system.

“It looks like, as soon as he’s released from custody, he begins offending,” Nadon said. “Eventually he gets detained, and almost every single sentence that we see since 2018 is one where he’s given credit for time served, or at least partial credit for time served.”

Nadon acknowledged that Crown and defence lawyers had “put their mind to” getting Alec-Lolly into a treatment program. They requested a sentence that would not expire until 34 days after the sentencing hearing to “put all of the pieces together” so Alec-Lolly could be transported from custody to a treatment program in the Lower Mainland.

Douglas Alec-Lolly stole more than $200 worth of candy from the Spruceland Dollarama and assaulted a cashier and a woman outside the store as she tried to take his photo for police.

Man not guilty of sexually assaultng stepdaughter

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A BC Supreme Court judge acquitted a 43-year-old man who was tried in Prince George on charges of sexual interference and sexual assault against his stepdaughter.

In a July 8 verdict, Justice Shannon Ramsay decided the Crown did not prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, due to inconsistencies in testimony.

The alleged offences took place between November 2016 and November 2020, when the complainant was between the ages of eight and 11-years-old.

The Crown alleged that, during an unspecified number of occasions, the accused carried out sexual acts. A publication ban protects the identity of the complainant.

“The central issue in this case is whether those alleged acts occurred. The complainant, who was 17 at the time of the trial, testified that they did,” Ramsay said.

“The accused testified that they did not.”

The girl met the man shortly after he began a romantic relationship with her mother in May 2016.

Her mother became pregnant around September and gave birth the following spring.

Ramsay found both the complainant and accused to be credible witnesses, although there was some imprecision in the girl’s evidence that she attributed to the passage of time.

The accused testified he is an alcoholic who started drinking at age 12, but stopped drinking when he learned of the pregnancy and remained sober until shortly after the birth, due to stress.

“In cross-examination, he agreed he was intoxicated when putting the complainant to bed — in that alcohol was in his system — but he denied that he was ever ‘heavily’ intoxicated

when putting her to bed,” Ramsay said.

He became sober again in August 2019 but experienced a week-long relapse in 2023.

The judge said he was candid about his drinking problem, provided consistent testimony in direct and cross-examination and did not falter, even under the Crown’s rigorous cross-examination.

“He did not appear to tailor his evidence to the evidence of the complainant or her mother,” Ramsay said.

Ramsay said the Crown argued that she should accept the mother’s evidence when consistent with the complainant and the Crown theory, but she should reject it when it conflicted with the complainant.

The offences all took place in the evening, when the complainant’s bedroom had ambient lighting and her habit was to keep the television turned on while falling asleep.

“The complainant testified that her door would be mostly closed when the accused lay with her in her bed,” Ramsay said.

“The complainant’s mother and the accused both testified that the door would be open.”

The bedroom was situated between the master bedroom and the twins’ bedroom and her mother would regularly walk past while the girl was inside.

“The complainant’s bed was situated directly across from her bedroom door,” Ramsay said.

“The complainant’s mother’s testimony is that she never observed anything of concern between the accused and the complainant.”

Ramsay said the not guilty verdict “does not and should not be taken to reflect on the complainant personally, in any way. I recognize that it can be difficult to accept. It is not enough for me to be persuaded that the offences might have occurred or even that they probably occurred.”

UNTIL AUGUST 31ST

Westcoast Energy Limited Partnership (Westcoast) Sunrise Expansion Program (Project)

Notice of Proposed Detailed Route Pursuant to Paragraph 201(1)(b) of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act (CER Act)

IN THE MATTER OF the CER Act and the regulations made thereunder;

IN THE MATTER OF Certificate GC-135 approving the general route of the Project, representing an expansion of Westcoast’s existing T-South System to increase firm service capacity for the transmission of sweet natural gas. The Project entails the installation of 11 segments of 42-inch diameter pipeline loops, additional compression as well as modifications and upgrades at existing station sites, and electrical facilities to support electric motor drive compressor units.

Westcoast proposes that the detailed route for the Project is as shown on the map. This notice is being published to comply with the requirements of paragraph 201(1)(b) of the CER Act. The pipeline route is proposed to cross those lands noted in the accompanying tables.

If you anticipate that your lands may be adversely a ected by the proposed detailed route of the Project, you may oppose the proposed detailed route by filing a written statement of opposition with the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) within 30 days following the publication of this notice.

The Statement of Opposition to the Detailed Route form may be found on the CER’s website at www.cer-rec.gc.ca/statement-opposition. Any such statement must set out both the nature of your interest in the lands and the grounds for your opposition to the detailed route.

A copy of any such written statement of opposition must be sent to the following addresses:

Canada Energy Regulator

Westcoast Energy Limited Partnership Suite 210, 517 Tenth Avenue SW Suite 200, 425 1st Street SW Calgary, AB T2R 0A8 Calgary, AB T2P 3L8

Attention: Secretary of the Commission

Toll Free: 1-800-899-1265

Email: secretary@cer-rec.gc.ca

Attention: Zeke Reimers

Toll-Free: 1-833-267-2220

Email: BCprojects@enbridge.com

Where a written statement is filed with the CER within 30 days of being served this notice, the Commission of the CER shall forthwith order, subject to certain exceptions as noted below, that a public hearing be held in a region it considers convenient for the person(s) who filed a written statement.

The Commission may at any time disregard any such written statement and is not required to take any action regarding that statement if the person who filed the statement files a notice of withdrawal or if it appears to the Commission that the statement is frivolous, vexatious, or is not made in good faith. Compensation matters are also outside the scope of this process, as are matters surrounding the public interest determination that has already been made for the Project.

If the Commission determines to hold a public hearing, the Commission will fix a suitable time and place for the hearing and publish notice of the hearing in at least one issue of a publication, if any, in general circulation within the area in which the lands acquired or proposed to be acquired are situated. The Commission will also send such notice to each person who has filed a written statement of opposition with the CER.

As the Commission deems necessary, the Commission or a person authorized by the Commission may make such inspection of the lands acquired or proposed to be acquired for, or a ected by, the construction of the Project.

During the hearing, the Commission will permit each person who filed a written statement to make representations and may allow any other interested person to make representations before it as the Commission deems proper.

The Commission will take into account all written statements of opposition and all representations made at the public hearing to determine the best possible detailed route of the Project and the most appropriate methods and timing of constructing the Project. The Commission may impose in any approval such conditions as it considers proper.

Where the Commission has held a hearing in respect of any part of the Project and has approved or refused to approve the plan, profile, and book of reference respecting that part, it will forward a copy of its decision and reasons to each person who made representations to the Commission during the hearing.

The Commission may, by order, fix such amount as it considers reasonable in respect of the interim or final costs incurred by any person who makes representations to the Commission at such a hearing, and the amount so fixed shall be paid to that person by Westcoast without delay.

The plans, profiles, and books of reference for the detailed route of the Project are available for viewing on-line at www.enbridge.com/Sunrise (click on Detailed Route Sheets (PPBoR)). Hard copies are also available for viewing at the following locations during regular business hours (call ahead at 1-833-267-2220 to arrange):

Calgary Enbridge Inc. Suite 200, 425 1st Street SW Calgary, AB Kamloops Enbridge Inc. 901 – 1850 Mission Flats Road Kamloops, BC

Prince George Enbridge Inc. 3985 22 Avenue Prince George, BC

Hope Enbridge Inc. 67301 Othello Road Hope, BC

Please contact Zeke Reimers, Westcoast’s Right-of-Way Project Manager at 1 833-267-2220 or by email at BCprojects@enbridge.com, or the Canada Energy Regulator at 1-800-899-1265 or by email at secretary@cer-rec.gc.ca should you have any questions regarding this notice; the plans, profiles, and books of reference; or the detailed route procedures. Dated at Calgary, Alberta this 13th day of July 2026.

Existing pipeline

Proposed pipeline loop route

Compressor station (CS)

CS-4A 13.6 km pipeline loop

CS-4B to CS-5 20.8 km pipeline loop

CS-8B to CS-9 15.7 km pipeline loop

CS-9

CS-4A

CS-4B

Huntingdon/Sumas (meter station)

Legal land descriptions

CS-2B to CS-3 Loop

015-294-269

Unsurveyed Crown Land Block F P&NG Group 93-O-2 to Unsurveyed Crown Land Block H P&NG Group 93-O-3

CS-3 to CS-4A Loop

Unsurveyed Crown Land Blocks C,E,F P&NG Group 93-J-15

CS-4A to CS-4B Upstream Loop

005-292-620 010-473-653 010-461-728 015-378-896 010-465-642 016-205-715

010-461-906 015-233-693 010-305-246

015-073-246 015-060-594 025-847-856 016-077-369 007-518-781 016-112-725 016-069-013 007-137-087

Unsurveyed Crown Land Block A P&NG Group 93-J-15 to Part of Primary: DL 7830, NW ¼ DL 771, Part of Primary: DL 771, NW ¼ DL 772, DL 3998 except Plans CG566, CG864, Block B and Parcel 1 (Plan 31261), NW ¼ DL 3990, Rem. DL 3821

CS-4A to CS-4B Downstream Loop 015-287-581 016-212-291 015-449-998 015-449-980

NW ¼ DL 4579, N ½ SW ¼ DL4579, W ½ DL 4579, Part of Primary: DL 2916

CS-4B to CS-5 Loop

004-614-330 004-157-052 029-267-706 004-353-251 015-155-269 015-154-939

015-059-782 015-051-161 015-051-137

005-452-686 005-452-899 011-204-591

015-094-219 013-454-188 023-166-860

015-966-330 028-732-421 015-274-152

015-050-718 015-159-680 015-050-971

006-561-691 013-335-332 015-217-931

024-563-587 015-217-892 015-290-212

015-343-740 015-343-723 032-242-387

CS-8A CS-6B

CS-4A to CS-4B Upstream 19.9 km pipeline loop

CS-4A to CS-4B Downstream 5.1 km pipeline loop

CS-5 to CS-6A 6.1 km pipeline loop

CS-6A to CS-6B 6.0 km pipeline loop

CS-6B to CS-7 27.6 km pipeline loop

CS-7 to CS-8A 4.2 km pipeline loop

CS-9 to Huntingdon 4.2 km pipeline loop

015-215-393 015-215-342 011-783-931

Part of Primary: DL 2917, Part of Primary: DL 2918, Part of Primary: DL 3218

CS-5 to CS-6A Loop

016-542-380 016-542-142 016-542-053 015-857-719 014-974-240 004-381-050 015-300-641

Block A DLS 9026 and 13279, Block D DL 13279, Rem. DL 12095

CS-6A to CS-6B Loop

013-300-407 013-390-724

Unsurveyed Crown Land, Blocks C,F P&NG Group 92-P-11, Part of Primary: DL 4262

CS-6B to CS-7 Loop 013-390-724 013-165-836

DL 4263 to Part of Primary: DL 1504, Part of Primary: DL 1504 to SE ¼ DL 1510

CS-7 to CS-8A Loop

Unsurveyed Crown Land, Blocks F,K P&NG Group 92-I-10

CS-8B to CS-9 Loop

013-217-712 007-840-501 010-893-121 000-618-713 005-258-014 009-495-169

014-118-955 008-210-471 008-210-462

007-544-707 027-876-241 013-084-933 013-084-828 000-447-684 000-584-746 011-351-594 000-584-720

Lot 116 Plan 2128 RSBC to Parcel A Plan 60787 CLSR, Patrick Shaw Estate Plan 50073 CLSR to Lot 8 Plan 1179 RSBC

CS-9 to Huntingdon Loop

018-779-441 018-779-433 008-974-870 012-909-025 009-061-983 004-250-214 009-104-925 028-887-204 028-887-191 029-453-712 013-423-959 013-423-983 026-604-515

COURT NOTES

Child porn accused allowed to use library computer

A judge in Prince George amended a court order for a man charged with accessing and possessing child pornography to allow him to access the Internet at a public library so that he could prepare for his trial.

Provincial Court Judge Cassandra Malfair made the exception on July 10 for Joseph Samuel Sackaney, born in 1964, who is scheduled to be tried beginning Aug. 26.

Sackaney is allowed to use the Prince George Public Library computer for legal research, communication with a lawyer, proceeding with a complaint against the RCMP and using a webbased GMail email account.

“But only for the purpose of preparing for the trial or communication with a lawyer and accessing a Google Drive in order to store records in connection with preparing for your trial,” Malfair said.

The Crown accuses Sackaney of committing the offences on July 10, 2022 in Prince George.

Sackaney’s next court date is July 16 for a pretrial conference.

Sackaney had been allowed to use the computer at the Courthouse Library, but was banned after a March incident for allegedly misogynistic remarks to a librarian.

In January 2015, Sackaney was sentenced to 18 months in jail after pleading guilty to possessing and distributing child pornography. He received an additional 30 days for breaching bail conditions, plus three years of probation.

Sexual assault case elevated from Provincial to Supreme Court

A man charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation is scheduled to appear in BC Supreme Court in Prince George on July 20.

Jean-Paul Bellerive, born in 1988, is accused of offences alleged to have occurred on May 1, 2024, in Prince George. He is expected to make his final appearance in Provincial Court on July 8.

During a July 6 procedural hearing,

Justice Marguerite Church set July 20 for Bellerive’s first appearance in BC Supreme Court because the Crown is proceeding by direct indictment.

“The Provincial Court file will become a moot point with a direct indictment,” Crown prosecutor Rodney Withall said.

The direct indictment had not yet been sworn. Withall requested the two-week adjournment to notify the accused.

Two years’ probation for man guilty of shoplifting speaker

A man who pleaded guilty to shoplifting a speaker from London Drugs more than a year ago was sentenced on July 8 to two years’ probation.

Prince George Provincial Court Judge Michael Brecknell accepted a joint sentencing submission from Crown and defence lawyers and imposed a suspended sentence on Steven Laurent Filteau after hearing he stole the $499.99 speaker on May 27, 2025.

A loss prevention officer saw Filteau, wearing black shoes, black pants, a black shirt and a beige-and-green jacket, carrying a bag inside the store.

The officer watched Filteau climb a shelf, take a speaker and run out of the store, but apprehended him outside and escorted him to the security office. The speaker was recovered, and Filteau was held until a Prince George RCMP officer arrived and arrested him.

Brecknell ordered Filteau not to go within 10 metres of the London Drugs on 15th Avenue in Prince George. He must also complete 40 hours of com munity service, under the direction of a probation officer, by July 14, 2027.

House arrest for man who assaulted 13-year-old sister

A man who sexually assaulted his 13-year-old sister was sentenced July 6 to 18 months of home confinement followed by 12 months probation.

sometime around 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. on Feb. 18, 2023 and found her naked brother sitting on her bed and looking at her while he masturbated. He pulled her pants down, pulled her shirt up and touched her sexually without consent. She kept her legs together and yelled at him to leave.

“He did not immediately comply, and [the girl] repeated this request several times,” said the agreed statement of facts.

A victim impact statement read in court said the girl slept in four layers of clothing and kept her door locked for a year after the incident. She did not feel safe, has harmed herself and wants her life back.

Nadon ordered the guilty man to live six months under house arrest and then a daily 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew for the next 12 months.

He is banned from contacting the victim and going to parks, swimming pools and other places where persons under age 16 are likely to be present.

He must have no contact with anyone under 16 and cannot hold a job or

volunteer position with authority over anyone under 16.

Nadon ordered him to provide a DNA sample and added him to the national sex offender registry for 10 years.

Dawson Creek man pleads guilty in manslaughter case

A man accused of second-degree murder in Dawson Creek early last year pleaded guilty on July 6 in BC Supreme Court in Prince George to the lesser included offence of manslaughter.

During the July 6 hearing, Nolan Douglas Schmidt also pleaded guilty as charged to aggravated assault.

An agreed statement of facts submitted to Justice John Walker said that, at about 11 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2025, Schmidt entered a games room at 1026 102nd Ave. in Dawson Creek carrying a concealed folding shotgun, a Canuck Enforcer, and pointed it at Joel Freeman, who was sitting on a couch. Schmidt, who turned 25 on July 9, is scheduled to return to court Sept. 8. Court reporting by Bob Mackin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

Prince George Provincial Court Judge Martin Nadon accepted the joint sen tencing proposal from lawyers for the Crown and defence after the man, 24, pleaded guilty.

A publication ban protects the identity of the victim.

Court heard the girl woke up

TOYS • COMICS • GAMES

Amigos Tacos is closing afer 42 spicy years downtown

Owner says she’s open to selling if someone else wants to take over

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

One of downtown Prince George’s longest-running businesses is closing its doors after 42 years.

Amigos Taco Shop opened in July 1984. It was founded by Ginger Sterns before being purchased by Patti Knezevic, who has owned and operated the shop for the past 20 years.

In a Facebook post, Knezevic announced Amigos Taco Shop will close July 17.

However, this may not be the end. Knezevic plans to sell the business to interested buyers, with the possibility that Amigos could remain open.

“It will depend on the new owner,” Knezevic said.

“I would love to see it stay as Amigos. It’s definitely a legacy there. The customers love Amigos. They love the fresh products and the fact that we make all of our salsa in-house, homemade guacamole, refried beans from scratch and homemade rice. There aren’t a lot of places that do everything in-house. I also have wonderful staff, and that’s another hard thing to part ways with. If there were to be a new owner, they would be very fortunate to have my current staff.”

Since announcing the closure, she said, business has been booming, with customers coming from across Prince George to enjoy the restaurant while it is still open.

“The 17th will be the last day,” Knezevic said. “I actually haven’t had a chance to catch my breath to think about that. Once I shared the news, it’s been hair straight back and a little hectic — busier than I anticipated. But I absolutely love it, and the staff has stepped up. We’re going to continue to operate full speed right until the very end.”

During an interview with The Citizen, Knezevic said she will always be grateful

for the customers she has come to know over the years.

“I feel quite blessed to have known most of them, with a good 80 per cent almost on a first-name basis,” she said.

She said she is selling the business to give herself a break after pouring blood, sweat and tears into the downtown cornerstone.

“It’s just a little bit of a reset healthwise, physically and mentally, and it’s not retirement,” Knezevic said. “I haven’t taken time away from the business in the past three years, for sure. It’s time for a little bit of a rest and a reset. That’s what is behind that decision.”

Knezevic also reflected on what led her to buy the business from Sterns.

“When I left the finance business to purchase this business from Ginger, I had twins — a boy and a girl,” she said.

“I always said she tricked me into buying it because she asked me how I was going to raise those babies and said I needed to buy her business so I could raise my kids. In fact, I did just that. It gave me the flexibility to get them to school, pick them up, attend their

her family grow alongside the business.

“It definitely became a huge part of my family,” Knezevic said. “The kids were really little, and of course I’d have them in and out of here on weekends when I was painting or upgrading equipment. As they got older, they helped out in the back kitchen, did dishes and whatever needed to be done. I’ve seen both of my parents retire during the time I’ve owned Amigos, and both of them have been able to jump in, be hands-on and help me out. That really is near and dear to me because every person in my immediate family has been part of the equation over the past 20 years.”

Since announcing the closure, Knezevic said she has been overwhelmed by the support from customers online and in person.

events and be part of everything while they were growing up. Now they’re 20 and doing their own things.”

One of her fondest memories of owning Amigos, she said, has been watching

“They’ve definitely been showing me the love, which is really wonderful,” she said. “Some of them are saying they’re so sad, but they’re also sharing their appreciation with me. It’s wonderful to see faces that I haven’t seen for a while, as well as the regulars I see all the time.”

For more information or for business inquiries visit the Amigo’s Tacos page at www.facebook.com.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Patti Knezevic, the owner of Amigos Tacos, poses with staff members on Tuesday, July 7.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Owner Patti Knezevic announced that the staple of downtown Prince George will be closing on Friday, July 17.

Blackwater Gold mine breaks new record in Q2

Expansion expected to nearly triple output by the end of 2028

TED CLARKE

Citizen Staff

The numbers are in and records continue to be broken for gold production at the Blackwater Mine, 160 kilometres southwest of Prince George.

Artemis Gold Inc., the mine’s owners, reported Monday, July 13 that Blackwater produced a record 74,063 ounces of gold in the second quarter of 2026. That’s 20 per cent more than the January-March Q1 production of 61,923 ounces of gold.

The company attributes the sharp increase in Q2 to higher feed grades, higher gold recoveries and a larger volume of mill throughput.

Although gold prices have dropped slightly compared to the start of the year it’s still trading at about $5,840 CDN per ounce on spot markets.

Not accounting for the cost of production, if all 74,063 were sold at that spot rate, it would fetch $432.5 million.

Since it started producing in January 2025, the mine has produced 135,986 ounces of gold and remains on track to achieve its full-year projection of between 265,000 and 290,000 ounces of gold.

From the start of April to June 30, Blackwater’s plant processed 1.34 million tonnes of ore. Feed grades averaged 1.86 grams per tonne in Q2 and gold recoveries reached a record 92.2 per cent as the mine continues to become more efficient.

Projects to reduce bottlenecking and improve overall reliability are continuing in the crushing, grinding and leaching circuits.

“We achieved strong production results for the quarter with record quarterly grades, recoveries, and gold production, and we remain well positioned to achieve our full-year production guidance,” said Artemis CEO Dale Andres, in a prepared statement.

“In addition to the Phase 1 expansion, we continue to advance early work activities on the Expanded Phase 3 (EP2) project, which will increase annual throughput to 21 Mtpa before the end of 2028 by adding a second, larger processing train to the existing facility.

These projects will more than triple our current processing capacity and increase annual gold production to more than 500,000 ounces.”

The Phase 1A expansion, expected to be complete by late this year, will add one-third to the current capacity to increase annual throughput to eight million tonnes per annum.

Project underway to protect 7.57 million acres of land

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

An untouched natural area in Northern BC roughly the size of Vancouver Island is a step closer to legal protection after reaching a key milestone in the planning process.

The region, known as Dene K’éh Kusan, means “Always Will Be There” in Kaska, the language of the Kaska Dena, who have acted as stewards of the area for centuries.

The Kaska Dena have been working since 2018 to protect the region, with the planning pilot project launching in June 2025. The nation has now submitted the draft Kaska BC land-use plan, which is open for public review and comment.

The proposed protected area covers about 7.57 million acres, or 30,651 square kilometres, spanning the spine of the Rocky Mountains. It encompasses about four per cent of BC’s landmass and a significant portion of the Yellowstone to Yukon region.

The area remains completely undeveloped, with no roads or other infrastructure. It is home to grizzly bears, sheep, moose, millions of migratory birds and seven caribou herds.

If approved, the protections would also contribute to the province’s and the international goal of protecting 30

per cent of Earth’s lands and waters by 2030.

Protecting Dene K’éh Kusan would move British Columbia about three per cent closer to that goal.

The Kaska Dena are working with the BC government and the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) to establish the area as an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA).

“I think this is the greatest conservation opportunity in North America,” Tim Burkhart, Y2Y’s director of landscape protection, said. “It’s a once-in-a-generation chance to protect landscape and wildlife at a scale that really works for nature and future generations.”

Burkhart explained that an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area provides an overarching vision rather than a specific legal designation.

“An IPCA is almost an aspirational tool,” Burkhart said. “There is no Crown legal framework in Canada for an IPCA. First Nations propose or declare them, and then governments work with them to determine which existing land-use designation best matches that vision.”

The Kaska Dena are proposing that the area be designated as a conservancy under BC’s Park Act.

“Conservancies are a type of park in British Columbia,” Burkhart said. “They’re created through an orderin-council and managed by BC Parks.

Under an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area, there would also be co-management and co-governance with the Kaska.”

With the draft Kaska BC land-use plan now open for public comment, Burkhart told The Citizen the process has reached a critical stage.

“We’re in a 30-day public engagement period on the initial draft,” Burkhart said. “After that, the plan will be refined, followed by another round of engagement before a final recommendation goes to cabinet in December. If approved, the conservancy could be established early in the new year.”

He said the proposal has been refined in collaboration with the BC government to balance conservation with economic interests, particularly mining and forestry.

“The initial plan covered a slightly larger area,” Burkhart said. “Over the past year, it has been reduced by about 10 per cent. Some areas with high mineral potential but lower conservation value were removed, while other boundary changes were made to reflect local community interests and existing land-use policies.”

If approved, the protected area is also intended to support a conservation- and tourism-based economy for the Kaska Dena.

“They’ve looked after this landscape

for time immemorial,” Burkhart said. “This will protect wildlife and cultural values while providing a foundation for opportunities such as guide outfitting, hunting, adventure tourism and ecotourism.”

The proposed conservancy designation would provide permanent legal protection while allowing greater Indigenous participation in managing the land.

“A conservancy under the Park Act is a really flexible tool,” Burkhart said. “It provides permanent protection from mining and industrial development while allowing the province and First Nations to co-manage the area. That flexibility also allows for activities such as hunting that would be much more restricted in a provincial or national park.”

Burkhart has visited Dene K’éh Kusan himself and said its scale and intact wilderness are unlike almost anywhere else in North America.

“This is one of the last intact roadless landscapes in North America at this scale,” Burkhart said. “It’s hard to convey just how remarkable it is. The ecological values are extraordinary. You can fly over lakes and see 20 moose at a time. That’s something you simply don’t see in many other places.”

Those wishing to comment on the draft land-use plan can do so at https:// feedback.engage.gov.bc.ca/911662.

A moose is seen in the wetlands of the Dene K’éh Kusan area. The Kaska Dena First Nation is currently working to get the region, which spans

lion acres, under protection.

New provincial protectons for Meteor Lake wetland

Lheidli T’enneh First Nation has identi ed the area north of PG as a conservation priority

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

The BC government is expanding protections for wetlands in Northern BC by creating a new wildlife management area and expanding an existing one.

The province announced June 9, 2026, that a 2,226-hectare section of Meteor Lake Wetland will become a wildlife management area.

The wetland is in the Omineca region, about 100 kilometres northeast of Prince George.

“The Meteor Lake area has long been a place of ecological and cultural significance within our traditional territory, and we have worked to see it protected since identifying it as a conservation priority in 2016,” Ayansola said.

“This wildlife management area reflects our shared commitment with the province to honour Indigenous stewardship, protect wildlife and habitat, and ensure this special place is cared for for generations to come.”

The province is also expanding the Cranberry Marsh/Starratt Wildlife Management Area by 42 hectares.

The Cranberry Marsh/Starratt Wildlife Management Area is also in the Omineca region, on the outskirts of Valemount, about 1.8 kilometres south of the community and west of Highway 5.

Lheidli T’enneh First Nation has identified the wetland as a conservation priority since 2016, as Gbenga Ayansola, natural resources manager for Lheidli T’enneh, said in a BC government news release.

“The Village of Valemount is excited about the expansion of the Cranberry Marsh Wildlife Management Area,”

Contractor loses bid to reduce fnes for Fisheries Act violaton

BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A heavy equipment contractor who damaged fish habitat in the Klinaklini River near Williams Lake lost his bid on July 7 to reduce fines imposed for offences under the Fisheries Act.

In a May 2024 Provincial Court ruling, a judge ordered Bryce David Bayliff to pay $90,000 within six years after he pleaded guilty to offences under the Fisheries Act.

The Crown had sought $200,000 in fines. Bayliff argued he should instead be fined $20,000 or sentenced to 30 days in jail. He appealed to BC Supreme Court, seeking to reduce the fines to less than $40,000.

“He was unable to pay the fines sought by the Crown,” Justice Edlyn Laurie said in her ruling. “His company made little to no profit in 2019 and 2020,

Owen Torgerson, mayor of Valemount, said in a BC government news release.

“The expansion will provide residents with more opportunities to connect with nature and enjoy outdoor activities, while visitors will have more opportunities to discover the region’s beauty and wildlife. Nature enthusiasts and photographers will also benefit from the added habitat, which protects the area’s delicate ecosystems and supports biodiversity.”

The new and expanded wildlife management areas support the province’s commitment to conserve 30 per cent of provincial lands and waters by 2030.

The work is part of the province’s broader efforts to protect biodiversity, support ecosystem health and strengthen climate resilience throughout BC.

“Wetlands are some of the most productive and important ecosystems in British Columbia,” Randene Neill, minister of water, land and resource stewardship, said in a press release. “By protecting Meteor Lake Wetland and expanding Cranberry Marsh/Starratt, we are supporting healthy wildlife populations, clean water, climate resilience and the outdoor activities people value now and for future generations.”

he had personal financial obligations such as child support and mortgage payments, and he had significant health problems.”

The Crown opposed the appeal, arguing that Bayliff had not shown the Provincial Court judge erred and had failed to prove the fines were excessive.

The Crown also asked the court to increase the fines by $63,930, the amount it said Bayliff benefited from the offences.

Bayliff worked on the river near Williams Lake in 2019 and 2020, where he cleared vegetation in riparian habitat, stacked trees within the habitat and river, and filled portions of side-channel fish habitat with trees and parts of the river with rocks.

Laurie dismissed Bayliff’s appeal and also rejected the Crown’s request to increase the fines.

Meteor Lake is located about 100 kilometres northeast of Prince George in the Omineca region.

What’s happening in PG

SunFrolics 2026 started Wednesday, July 15 and runs until Sunday, July 19 at Pineview Hall, 6355 Bendixon Rd. This is the Pineview Recreation Commission’s annual community celebration featuring activities and events for all ages. There is a volleyball tournament, pickleball tournament, slow pitch tournament, crib tournament, a classic car show, a junk in the trunk market, kids games and activities and concession. Whether you’re looking to compete, shop, enjoy great food, spend time with family or reconnect with friends and neighbours, there’s something for everyone at SunFrolics. For more information and updates visit https://www.facebook. com/pgpineviewhall

Paint & Sip with Erin Stagg: Campfire goes Thursday, July 16 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Two Rivers Gallery, 725 Civic Plaza. Join nationally awarded Métis artist Erin Stagg for a relaxing evening exploring acrylic painting as she leads participants in creating a beautiful campfire artwork. Bring friends to enjoy the ambiance of the gallery and sips. All supplies and one beverage are included. Additional beverages can be purchased. Participants will use artist quality acrylic paint and brushes on canvas to explore the importance of affordable but quality art supplies. Cost is $75.60 and event is for those 19+. For more information and tickets visit www.tworiversgallery.ca/programs/ paint-sip-campfire

Foodie Friday – Soccer Spectacular goes Friday, July 17 at 4 p.m. at Canada Games Plaza where there will be food vendors on site and Tourism PG’s Nanguz’An Market will be open to explore, drop in to Tourism PG to see what’s new for city swag, then pop back out to enjoy live entertainment showcasing Hey Day, Good Juju and Chris Goodwin Band. Foodie Fridays also take place July 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. where there will be live entertainment and the Nanguz’An market will be open.

Third Annual Thank You Prince George Party goes Friday, July 17 from

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at CN Centre Parking Lot. Join WorkBC Centre Prince George for the party, a free, fun-filled celebration to bring the community together. There will be a barbecue, face painting, mascots, car smashing and bouncy castles. This event is hosted in partnership with The Salvation Army.

Northern BC Rapid Chess Tournament goes Saturday, July 18 at 10:15 a.m. at Great White Toys Comics Games, at Spruceland Mall. Six-round Swiss open section, CFC rate. Round time start at 10:30 a.m. and go every hour until 3:30 p.m. For all the details and to register visit www.docs.google. com/forms/northernbcrapidchess

Dominick Antonelli performs live Saturday, July 18 at 8 p.m. at Trench Brewing, 399 Second Ave. This is his first tour in BC where he will be sharing an evening of original music. Dominick utilizes the guitar and Ableton to create inspiring, healing, and contemplative experiences. This is a free event.

Kids’ Carnival goes Sunday, July 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Huble Homestead, Mitchell Road, north of Prince George. William the Conjurer will present his hourly magic show.

There will be animals to visit with from PG Mobile Petting Zoo and Huble has their rabbits and chickens to check out too. There’s a treasure hunt and old fashioned carnival games to play, Two Rivers Gallery on site with children’s activities and the Central BC Railway & Forestry Museum will have their Cottonwood Mini Rail up and running for a small fee. Huble Homestead is a 30-minute drive north of Prince George. Huble Homestead is dog friendly and there is a General Store. Enjoy a picnic or purchase lunch from the barbecue. Admission is by suggested donation of $10 per family.

Legends Live Presents Austin Flowers’ Risque Soiree Variety Show on July 19 at 6 p.m. at OM Pizza Bar Café, 1970 Ospika Blvd. S. The world’s supply of mojo is shockingly low and Austin Flowers knows the only solution is to have a sexy party. Austin brings together his most shagadelic pals to make this Summer hot hot hot. This is an ages 19+ show. After buying tickets make sure to call Om Pizza Bar Cafe at 250-562-9888 to reserve a table, otherwise seating is first come, first served. Tickets are $35 each. For tickets visit www.eventbrite.

ca/e/legends-live-presents-austin-flowers-risque-soiree-variety-show-tickets Cowboy Challenge goes Sunday, July 19 at 8:30 a.m. at Dusty Trail Riders, 10597 Blackwater Road starting at 8:30 a.m. Riders will spend some time working around and with obstacles then each rider will get a chance to ‘run’ the pattern. Order of riders will be assigned at random. Current HCBC required. All riders are required to wear a helmet when mounted. Lead Line: for those unable to ride alone, regardless of age (free for Dusty Trail Riders member/ $15 non), Little Britches: age up to 7 ($5 member/ $15 non), Pee Wee: 8-12 ($5 member/ $20 non), Junior: 13 to 18 ($10 member/ $20 non), Adult: 19 to 49 ($10 member/ $25 non), Jack Benny: 50+ ($10 member/ $25 non). Event will run depending on weather and condition of the arena. For more information visit www.facebook.com/events/ DustyTrailRiders

Quebec Street Night Market goes Sunday, July 19 from 5 to 9 p.m. Celebrate the excitement of the world’s biggest soccer tournament with a community Watch Party and Night Market that will feature local vendors, live music, delicious street food. Gather with friends and family, wear team colours, and enjoy a night filled with fun, food, shopping, and celebration. Proceeds from the event will help support the Canadian Mental Health Association. Watch Party in the Plaza goes Sunday, July 19 at noon at Canada Games Plaza. Food vendors, Tourism PG’s Nanguz’An Market will be on site. After the game there is an after party at 5 p.m. with the event ending with the first ever drone light show in PG at 10 p.m. CN Centre Night Market goes Tuesday, July 21 from 5 to 9 p.m. An unforgettable evening celebrating community, shopping local and summer fun. Browse over 100 local vendors, enjoy delicious eats from Prince George’s best food trucks and take in free live entertainment all evening long.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

DOMINICK ANTONELLI/FACEBOOK

Dominick Antonelli performs live Saturday, July 18 at 8 p.m. at Trench Brewing. He performs original, inspiring and healing music.

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Truent/Omniesia/Hot Boii Summer goes Tuesday, July 21 at 7 p.m. at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria Street. Hot Boii Summer is a local post hardcore band that will perform and Vancouver bands Truent (death metal) and Omniesia, (groovy tech death). All ages event. Tickets are $25 at the door or $20 in advance at www./ orangetickets.ca/truent/omniesia/ hotboiisummerPG

Sonic Symmetry with Anomalist and Blood to Ash goes Friday, July 24 at 8 p.m. at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St. Two great local bands that will perform at this all ages event. $15 at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Lovingly Yours, Nellie Book Signing goes Friday, July 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Books & Co., 1685 Third Ave. Meet local authors Sandra Hyslop & Pat Klassen, who took letters and articles discovered by her grandchildren, that depict their grandmother’s life story during the early settling of Saskatchewan & British Columbia.

Movie Night in the Orchard: Mamma Mia! goes Friday, July 24 at 9:45 p.m. at Northern Estates Winery, 745 Prince George Pulpmill Road. Get ready for a night of music, laughter and island vibes in the orchard at the winery. Join us for a special outdoor screening of Mamma Mia and sing along to all your favourite ABBA hits under the stars. Family-friendly fun for all ages. For all the details and tickets visit www.eventbrite. ca/e/movie-night-in-the-orchard-mamma-mia-tickets

Hallowed Be Thy Name goes Saturday, July 25 at 7 p.m. at the Legion 43 PG, 101-1116 Sixth Ave. On July 20, 2025 Deanna Lemky lost her battle with cancer. Hosted by Madloon Promotions, Plagued by Fire, including Deanna’s husband Steve Lemky, are putting on a show to honour her memory and raise money with all proceeds going towards cancer research. With LOWR — The Lich of Willow River, and Infectious. This is a 19+ event — no tickets, entry

by donation minimum of $10.

2026 Ladies Club Championship Golf goes Saturday, July 25 and Sunday July 26 at the Prince George Golf & Curling Club, 2601 Recplace Drive. 36 hole flighted stroke play tournament, open to all PGGCC female members who have an established handicap. No entry fee. Gross and net prizes. Play with members in your own handicap range. Sign up until July 22 at the Pro Shop.

BCNE Renaissance Faire goes Saturday, July 25 from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the BCNE Outdoor Ag Arena beside CN Centre. This is an outdoor celebration of Renaissance life to educate and entertain guests. There will be entertainers, food, costuming, stalls of wares including, jewelry, soap, trinkets, arts and crafts, clothing, leather working and costumes. There will be demonstrations, a battle arena, and other festivities including face painter, a kids zone and animals. Guests are welcome to attend in costume. Admission is $2 and 16 and under are free. For more information visit https://www.bcne.ca/ rodeo-grounds

Cultural Connections with The Pounds Project goes Tuesday, July 28

and Wednesday, July 29 at 1 to 4 p.m. at Prince George Sexual Assault Centre, 1460 Fourth Avenue. Tracy Peters, Interior Salish-Ts’Kw’AylaxW First Nation in St’at’imc Territory Jingle Dress Dancer will lead this two-day workshop to create beautiful wheel pins while exploring cultural significance. Traditional feast provided. For more information visit www.facebook.com/events/ poundsproject

Music in the Park goes Thursday, July 30, Aug. 6 and 20 at 6 p.m. at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park Pavilion. Enjoy free live music on Thursdays throughout the summer. These events are sponsored by the City of Prince George and BCLC.

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.

Curious Art Workshop goes Tuesdays until June 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Studio 2880, Upstairs Workshop Zone, 2880 15th Ave. This series of workshops are filled with art, mindfulness, letting go of control and building community, and of course, fun! Participants will explore watercolours with instructor Anne Beauchemin who is new to Prince George. For more information and to register visit www. studio2880.com/programs/art-classes/ curiousartworkshop

Trivia Night at Nancy O’s goes every other Wednesday at 8 p.m., 1261 Third Ave. Book a spot by calling ahead at 250-562-8066. Open Mic at Nancy O’s goes every other Wednesday from 8 to 11 p.m. Open mic is hosted by Danny Bell and friends. Come on down and share songs, poetry, dance, stories, and anything else you can think to do on stage. All are welcome.

Teen Summer Art Club goes Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon at Studio 2880, 1880-15th Ave. Presented by the Community Arts Council Prince George & District these sessions feature a variety of artists. July 27 Watercolour Splash & Flow with Liana Ziemer takes place, T-shirt Madness with Cat Sivertsen goes July 15 and August 19, Acrylic on Canvas with Marylin Schmaus goes July 22 and Aug. 12 and Art Journaling with Si Transken goes July 29 and August 5. Each session is $50 and these events are geared for those ages 13 to 17. For more information and to register visit www.studio2880.com/programs/ youth-programs/summer-arts-camp

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

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS PHOTO

Northern Lights Estate Winery’s next Movie Night in the Orchard will feature the 2008 hit Mamma Mia! It goes Friday, July 24 at 9:45 p.m.

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

As the lone Canadian contestant in the current reality TV series Alone, Aaron Barnard has had to lean on the backcountry survival instincts he was raised with growing up in Prince George.

Having grown up on a hobby farm along Chief Lake Road northwest of the city, Barnard was born into a family of outdoors people. At an early age his parents, Julie and Dale, taught him and his two older brothers the skills of hunting, fishing, camping, building shelters, food gathering, fire-starting and how to cope with extreme weather and the real threat of animal predators.

So when he learned a year ago he’d been selected as one of the 10 contestants for Season 13 of the History Channel series, he had just 2 1/2 months to prepare trying to be the last person standing after months of living in the harsh climate of the Mackenzie River Delta in the Northwest Territories. The pressure was on.

“I’m not a guy that wants to be on

This Prince George outdoorsman is ALONE in the remote Arctc wilderness

Former MMA ghter Aaron Barnard battles the elements as one of 10 contestants on the current season of the History Channel’s reality survival series

reasons contestants tap out. Women, on average, last 49 days, 12 days longer than the 37-day average for men, but there has never been a female Alone winner in 12 seasons.

TV, I just thought I’d be good at it,” said Barnard, who spent the first four years of his life in Haida Gwaii.

“I’m sure many people from our community would be decent at it because that’s how we grew up. The majority of people in northern British Columbia have either hunted, fished, camped, grown up in the bush, worked traplines, that’s kind of how we’re raised and how we are. This is kind of who we are, we’re all hardworking outdoors men and women and I kind of have to be good, don’t have a choice.”

The premise of the popular show is to last longer living alone and exposed to the elements than any of the other nine contestants and the winner gets $500,000 US. Each is equipped with a satellite phone and can tap out of the competition at any time with a phone call to the Alone base. What makes the show unique and highly popular with viewers is its authenticity; each contestant is left to fend for themselves.

Participants are allowed to bring just 10 personal items apart from clothing, which is also restricted. Barnard chose as his 10 items a sleeping bag, bow and

arrow (with nine arrows), ferro rod to spark fires, multitool, cooking pot, fishing line and hooks, snare wire, paracord, axe and saw.

The show’s producers require at least eight hours of video each day from each contestant, who are given a handheld camera on a tripod as well as two action cameras that can be attached to their bodies. The camera kits are wellstocked with spare batteries that get refreshed during wellness checks.

Doctor visits monitor overall health as the season progresses and contestants can be forced to end their attempts to be the Alone champion if they aren’t getting enough food, possibly leading to organ failure, or if they develop an illness or sustain an injury that could become life-threatening.

Medical staff watch for extreme changes in body-mass index, heart palpitations, frostbite, parasitic infections, exhaustion, food poisoning and intestinal problems that could jeopardize a full recovery.

As the title suggests, the mental/emotional stress of being alone and missing family members is one of the primary

Woniya Thibault came close. She spent 73 days in the Arctic as the runner-up in Season 6 in 2018. Five years later she won the spinoff series, Alone: Frozen, after surviving 50 days in Labrador.

Ghina Chick was the inaugural Alone: Australia series winner after lasting 67 days in Tasmania.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Billed as the Alone World Championship, Season 13 of Alone also includes four Americans, and one from Slovenia, Wales, Portugal, New Zealand and Australia.

Nine are male. Jaclyn (Jacks) Geneca, a 40-year-old film editor from New York City, is the lone female contestant.

Two of the men, 31-year-old David Young of Spokane, Wash., and 54-yearold Dave Booth of Palmer, Alaska, tapped out early. Young left on the third day because he missed his family and Booth was done after four days when he

left his ferro rod for sparking tinder too close to his campfire and it caught fire and was destroyed.

The Season 13 location is a half-hour boat ride from the hamlet of Aklavik, N.W.T., a 123-kilometre drive southwest of Inuvik. The Beaufort Sea is about 50 km away and the ocean influence often brings wet weather. The area is under snow eight months of the year, with winter temperatures as cold as -40s C.

The lack of dry combustibles and tight annual growth patterns of the spruce trees that are predominant in the area make it difficult to start fires in the boggy area. Surrounded by lakes and smaller rivers, the soft ground and fallen timber make walking difficult and energy-consuming.

Having grown up in the Hart area of Prince George, which is surrounded by forest, Barnard is used to black flies, gnats and mosquitoes but not the swarms he’s encountering on Alone.

The Alone site is about 200 km north of the Arctic circle where daylight around the time of the winter solstice lasts only about an hour.

Nestled in the foothills of the

Richardson Mountains, the land is part of the migratory path for moose and caribou, an area also frequented by grizzly bears, wolves and Dall sheep. Contestants were flown in for a 10-day orientation camp where they learn how to operate cameras and make use of bear bangers, bear mace and airhorns. Being so close to the Arctic Ocean, although rare, there have been polar bears spotted in the area.

Barnard said the possibility of a bear encounter was his dad’s biggest fear when he told him he’d been selected for Alone. The Alone camp where medical staff, helicopters and boats are based is a 45-minute trip away.

“There’s nobody to save you,” said Barnard. “They promised us they’d be able to get to us in 45 minutes, so you’ve got to think if you’re attacked by a bear or choking (on a fish bone), you’re dead.”

In one of the opening segments, Barnard is walking along a river bank when he senses movement in the bushes ahead of him and laments the fact he doesn’t have the binoculars he usually carries on a hunting trip. He

immediately suspects a bear or wolf until he comes across the telltale tail markings of a beaver left on the shore heading into the water. Still uncertain, he walks up the bank to get out of sight in case there is predator approaching (there isn’t).

The contestants were each dropped at previously-selected sites chosen for their survivability, where food is more plentiful and shelter can be more easily constructed.

All 10 contestants are in the same general area but each site is different and they never see each other.

The drop-off date was Sept. 8, 2025 at a time when berries were abundant but the supply diminished sharply within a week or so.

Barnard used a tarp-covered lean-to the first two days to keep the bugs off and by the third day (Episode 2) he started building a more permanent log-cabin-style shelter with six-to-eightfoot lengths of logs stacked on one side sloping down to a lower side, with six skinnier poles forming the roof.

ALONE/HISTORY

Aaron Barnard of Prince George focused on sharpening his archery skills in the lead-up to his challenge as a contestant in the current Season 13 of the History Channel reality TV survival series Alone

ALONE/HISTORY

Aaron Barnard of Prince George celebrates catching a 40-inch pike in Episode 2 of Season 13 of the History Channel reality TV series Alone ALONE/HISTORY

Aaron Barnard of Prince George builds his log-cabin-style shelter at his site in the Mackenzie River Delta in the Northwest Territories, 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle.

Black Clover pub has been hostng Alone watch partes

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

“People don’t believe in building log cabins, they think it’s too high of a calorie burn, but I was expecting to be there for a long time and I wanted something nice,” said Barnard. “I wanted something that was heavy-duty, well-insulated and that was my plan going in. I planned on building something sturdy.”

On the show he mentions what he considers his top three best survivor skills: hunting, mental toughness and bushcraft, all attributes passed down to him from his dad Dale and grandfather Les Barnard.

They taught Barnard and his brothers, Greg and Brad, how to survive and thrive in backcountry settings, teaching them how to ice fish, how to process big-game animals and how to shoot a rifle (or a bow), even in foul weather.

“We had 10 acres (on the family farm) and we grew up with pigs and chickens and every weekend we were camping fishing or hunting — they’d just kick us out of the house to go play outside,” he

said. “So me and my brothers would explore the bushes and we were outside most of my childhood.”

Barnard has an athletic background and got into sports at a young age. He achieved a high level of fitness practicing martial arts and was an MMA fighter with six fights on his record from 2007-13.

The Kelly Road Secondary School graduate still plays hockey in the Prince George Rec League as a centre for the Pacific Western Brewing Penguins and he plays rugby as a flanker for the Prince George Gnats.

Barnard practiced his archery skills for months in the lead-up to the show and shot between 150-200 arrows every day and was feeling confident in his accuracy. But he became frustrated in Episode 2 while trying to kill his first squirrel.

It took him four arrows to hit the moving target and that squirrel was key because he used most of it to bait his fishing line he left anchored to the shore of a nearby river. Eventually he pulled

his line out and discovered a 40-inch pike attached to it.

“We just caught Moby Dick, holy crap, what a fish,” said an excited Barnard, knowing he’d be eating his first Alone meal, and a tasty one at that. “Thank you squirrel. My first fish, I can breathe a sigh of relief and eat.”

Moose tracks are not far from his camp and he’s always on the lookout with his bow but it remains to be seen if he’s able to spot one within arrow range.

“I knew one of my biggest chances would be moose hunting because I’m from the north, I’ve hunted moose all my life, so I figured I would try to train as much as I could with my bow because if I acquired a moose I could be there a very long time,” he said.

In his daily routine, from September to November he’s out hunting every day he’s not on the job. Barnard works in the oilfield as a plumber/gasfitter/ pipefitter.

He spent a year and a half in Whitehorse but had never been as far north as the Alone site.

He first applied to be an Alone contestant six years ago and two years later was contacted to answer a detailed list of questions.

When he found out he was on the list for Season 13 he quit his job to focus on getting ready, testing out new gear and finding the best clothing options. He purposely gained 50 pounds in that time, feasting on high-calorie foods to add to his six-foot, 190-pound frame, knowing fat is a scarce commodity in the woods and the weight would burn off.

“I was still active but you can hear it in the first couple of episodes, I was fat-breathing almost, I was in rough shape,” said Barnard. “Your body’s not used to that and doesn’t like it but it’s also needed. You’re going to burn a lot of calories trying to hunt and acquire food.

“You learn about yourself and what your shortcomings are, there are so many lessons out there and you can’t go inside to warm up if it’s cool or get water out of the tap. You’ve got to get it and boil it. There’s no easy steps when you’re living in the bush.”

Season 13 premiered on June 17 on History Channel and a new episode runs each week. For as long as Barnard remains part of the show, a weekly watch party will be happening every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Black Clover pub downtown.

This issue of The Citizen went to press before the Wednesday, July 15 episode aired.

Barnard knows how the show turned out and who walked away with a life-changing payday but is sworn to secrecy. Like the rest of the viewers he’s seeing each episode for the first time and he enjoys the reactions of viewers as the show unfolds.

“It’s obviously a bit nerve-wracking because I know what happened out there, but you never know how they’re going to edit the show to portray you,” said Barnard.

“Mistakes are made in the bush and there’s obviously lots of mistakes and lots of triumphs and you don’t know which ones are going to make it to the screen.”

It’s pedal to the metal with Vancouver’s Iron Kingdom

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

One of the legends of BC’s underground metal scene is returning to Prince George as part of a cross-Canada tour.

Vancouver-based Iron Kingdom will perform at Knox Performance Centre on July 21.

The band describes its sound as raw, high-energy and unapologetically traditional, wearing its influences on its sleeve.

Iron Kingdom focuses on soaring vocal harmonies and guitar solos inspired by the traditional heavy metal of the 1970s and 1980s.

The band consists of Chris Osterman on lead vocals and guitar, Leighton Holmes on bass, Megan Merrick on lead guitar and Max Friesen on drums.

Osterman told The Citizen the band draws inspiration from genre-defining acts such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Saxon and Helloween.

The group also incorporates influences from more modern bands, blending contemporary styles with the traditional heavy metal its members grew up with.

Its visual aesthetic also draws on ancient and medieval imagery, including films such as Gladiator and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Osterman said that approach has helped the band attract fans from across the metal spectrum.

“I think we have a strange variety of fans,” Osterman said. “Playing oldschool heavy metal, you have everything from the extreme metal fans who grew up with Iron Maiden and later got into heavier music to people who don’t regularly listen to heavy metal. We’ve battled the idea that heavy metal has to be extreme. Recently, it feels like people have accepted that it doesn’t have to be extreme to be heavy metal.”

He said Iron Kingdom’s style has also introduced new listeners to the local metal scene in the communities where the band performs.

“We bring people in who might not normally come out,” Osterman said.

“They like the clean vocals and melodic solos, and then it opens them up to the other local bands. Those bands are really good — they just happen to be heavier than us.”

Iron Kingdom officially formed in 2011, but the members had already shared the stage.

“We had actually been playing for years before that under a different name,” Osterman said. “When we came up with the name Iron Kingdom, it felt like a fresh start. We wanted to release music, tour and take it seriously as a professional business. That’s when Iron Kingdom was formed.”

The band also appeared during the first season of Canada’s Got Talent in 2012, earning unanimous approval from judges Stephan Moccio, Measha Brueggergosman and Martin Short.

However, the group did not return after its televised audition.

“It’s weird because they never officially told us we were no longer in the show,” Osterman said. “After we aired, CBC asked what we’d like to do

if we advanced. We suggested things like pyrotechnics or fog machines to make it a big production. They said they couldn’t afford it, and then we never heard back.”

Although the appearance reached nearly one million viewers, Osterman said it came with tradeoffs.

“I think from an awareness standpoint it was worth it,” Osterman said. “But being on a TV show can make an underground band seem a little less authentic. Overall, though, it was fun. We got to play in front of a lot of people, and it was cool to be recognized.”

After more than a decade of touring across Canada, Osterman said Prince George remains one of the band’s favourite stops.

“There’s so much energy, everybody’s excited, and people make it feel special when a band comes through,” he said. “It’s always a highlight of the tour.”

Iron Kingdom is touring in support of its new album, Shadows and Dust, which was released June 6.

Osterman said fans will hear some

new influences on the record.

“For the first time in our history, I think Dio’s influence shines through more than before,” Osterman said. “We’ve always loved Dio, but on this album you can really hear it. There are also stronger Judas Priest influences, including some chromatic guitar work that we hadn’t explored before. It’s an extremely varied album.”

He also previewed what fans can expect at the Prince George show.

“We always open with something fast and exciting,” Osterman said. “But the ending is what people remember. We build to a long finale, get the crowd fired up, black out the stage, and then our bass player comes out with, ‘Are you not entertained!’ to kick off the encore.”

For more information about the event, visit https://www.facebook. com/events/knox-performance-centre/ iron-kingdom-and-wmd-live-in-princegeorge/1811073816538813/

To purchase tickets to the July 21 performance, visit www.collectoverse.ca/ products/truenorthstrongandheavytour

Iron Kingdom is, from left, Leighton Holmes, Max Friesen, Chris Osterman and Megan Merrick. The heavy metal band takes the stage at Knox Performance Centre on July 21.

Alzheimer’s inspires PG artst’s wood-on-canvas work

His wife’s illness fuels his creative drive

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Alzheimer’s disease is the driving force behind his art, the reason for his carport art show and the motivation that brings him through the doors of Gateway Lodge long-term care every afternoon at precisely 3:25.

Not his own Alzheimer’s disease, but the dementia that has changed the life of his beloved wife, Christine.

For Jean-Marc Fillion, her illness has become the inspiration behind his latest venture in woodworking.

“This isn’t how our retirement was supposed to go,” Fillion said, looking down at his clasped hands as we sat together to talk about his wood-on-canvas artwork.

“I have done 16 pieces.”

Each is an intricate puzzle of carefully cut wooden pieces fitted together to create striking images, from portraits and landscapes to a neighbourhood cat that isn’t even his own.

“That cat sits on the back of the couch at a house around the corner,” Fillion explained. “He looks out the window. He’s always there watching me walk by.”

Fillion, who walks through his neighbourhood five times a week, has filled his home with woodworking projects beyond the wood-on-canvas pieces.

There are cutting boards, a bread box, coffee and side tables, plant stands and an elegant bowl made from intricately joined pieces of birch and walnut.

“That is quite a job,” Fillion said, gently tapping the bowl. “They all have to be perfect because even if one piece is out of whack — even a little bit — it’s not going to fit.”

I suspect the “out-of-whack” problem may have happened once before, but it didn’t seem polite to ask.

When I first stepped into his house, I didn’t understand the story.

I thought I was entering the home of a quirky artist who believed his carport

was the perfect place to display his work. Even after walking into a living room filled with art, woodworking projects and unusual treasures, I briefly convinced myself there wasn’t any heartache here.

I hate to admit I missed the sadness in his eyes.

I was too busy opening my notebook, searching for a pen, setting up my recorder, hunting for my glasses and taking photographs to notice. And I always thought I was observant. Not this time.

After I finished taking photos, I sat on

Alzheimer’s. She’s had it for eight years now, and I’ve been by myself here. What I do now is kind of a lifesaver.”

His first wood-on-canvas piece was a flowerpot filled with flowers because he knew Christine would like it.

His second was a self-portrait of sorts — what he imagines he might look like in the future. He calls it The Old Guy.

Fillion began making art decades ago, but age eventually changed the way he worked.

“As you get older, your hands start to shake a little bit,” he said. “Painting wasn’t so good anymore, so I thought I would switch to these kinds of things.”

Holding an exhibition in his carport also came down to time.

“I won’t take the time to do a show at Studio 2880 or somewhere like that,” Fillion explained.

“It can’t interfere with my visits with my wife. I wanted to show my neighbours a little bit of what I’m doing because they don’t really know me. That’s why it was in my carport.”

The response, he said, was overwhelmingly positive.

When I asked whether he planned to sell his work, Fillion explained there was a family reason for his decision.

“I have created a template for each original,” he said. “My sons said it would be nice for them to have the originals, so if someone wants a piece, I’ll make another one from the template.”

the couch. Fillion chose the opposite end — not too close, but close enough that I began to understand his pain.

As we talked, it became clear the story wasn’t really about the artwork or the craftsmanship.

It was about what the work represents.

“I told my wife that I wanted to do woodworking when I retired,” said Fillion, who moved to Prince George from Quebec 46 years ago and spent his career operating heavy equipment in the bush.

“But when I retired, my wife got

He then showed me family photographs hanging on the wall — grandparents, parents, his wedding portrait with Christine and a family photo with their two sons.

Eventually, his attention settled on a photograph of his wife, and our conversation turned to their journey with Alzheimer’s disease.

“Some people think it’s not a bad disease,” Fillion said. “But when you live with a person from the beginning, your life is filled with distress. It started with Christine just staring at the TV and crying.”

He quickly learned there was little value in arguing.

SEE ‘ARTIST’ ON NEXT PAGE

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHRISTINE DALGLEISH

Jean-Marc Fillion took up making wood-on-canvas art when he retired. This is a self portrait of his future self.

Huble Homestead will keep the children entertained

Kids’

Carnival returns to

the

pioneer site on Sunday, July 19

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

“There’s nothing to do!”

It’s a familiar refrain once summer holidays begin, but Huble Homestead hopes to keep children entertained with its annual Kids’ Carnival.

The event takes place Sunday, July 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. A half-hour drive north of Prince George leads to a full day of activities, including a treasure hunt, old-fashioned carnival games, a petting zoo, magic shows and miniature train rides.

“It’s a ton of fun for everyone,” said Krystal Leason, executive director of the Huble Homestead/Giscome Portage Heritage Society. “Even for the adults. I have a great time, and I’m working. There’s so much happening.”

William the Conjurer of The Art of Magic will perform five free magic shows throughout the day with park admission.

“It wouldn’t be a carnival without carnival games,” Leason said. “You can buy tickets at the General Store for 50

cents a play, and everyone wins a prize. We’ll also be making ice cream — which means eating ice cream — and one of the most popular activities is when the parachute comes out so everyone can join in.

The PG Mobile Petting Zoo will also be here with bunnies, little goats and other adorable animals.”

Other participating organizations include Two Rivers Gallery, which will offer children’s activities, and the Northern Bear Awareness Society. Visitors can also ride the Cottonwood Mini Rail from the Central BC Railway & Forestry Museum for a small fee.

“We’ve also got our own rabbits and chickens that people can visit, a treasure hunt and treats available at the General Store,” Leason said. “And we’d like to thank Enbridge for supporting this event.”

Huble Homestead is about a 30-minute drive north of Prince George. Visitors travel north on Highway 97 before turning onto Mitchell Road and continuing another six kilometres along a well-maintained gravel road.

The site is dog-friendly. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic or purchase lunch from the barbecue. Admission is by a suggested donation of $10 per family.

Artst fnds new perspectve afer heartbreak of illness

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

“When you argue, they can get really mad and aggressive,” he said. “So I would always tell her, ‘You’re right, you’re right,’ and she would never get aggressive.”

While Christine was still living at home, Fillion never left her alone. Even in the early stages of her illness, respite workers came twice a week so he could pay bills and buy groceries.

Watching her decline has been heartbreaking. Soon, he plans to visit his lawyer to amend his will by adding a codicil outlining his end-of-life wishes.

“I don’t want my sons to suffer like I am now,” Fillion said.

The disease has taken its toll on them, too.

“When they came with me to visit their mom at Gateway, she would say, ‘Who are those guys?’” Fillion said, shaking his head. “She doesn’t know them anymore.”

“And now she doesn’t even speak.” Every afternoon, he arrives in time to help Christine eat her dinner.

“At Gateway they say they can set their watch by me,” Fillion said with a smile.

“But that’s the kind of guy I am. I’ll be there every day.”

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHRISTINE DALGLEISH

Jean-Marc Fillion, seen here in his workshop, took up making wood-on-canvas art when he retired.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Kids enjoy some parachute fun at Huble Homestead’s Kids’ Carnival last year. This year’s event is set for Sunday, July 19.

BC SPCA eyes expansion into more rural communites

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

The BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is working to fill gaps in pet care services across rural and remote communities in Northern BC.

One recent success came in Terrace, where a pilot project expanded the organization’s community spay-neuter program through the Spay/Neuter Your Pet (SNYP) initiative. The program provided surgeries for 13 animals.

Jamey Blair, senior manager of community services for the BC SPCA, told The Citizen that access to veterinary care remains one of the biggest challenges in northern communities.

“Throughout the province, but especially in the North and more rural communities, access to veterinary care can be challenging,” Blair said. “Distance, financial barriers, pet-friendly housing and even the cost of feeding a pet can all make it difficult. We’ve been focused on expanding supports to help

pet guardians and their animals thrive.”

Blair said the BC SPCA hopes to continue expanding services into communities that do not have permanent spay-neuter facilities.

“Over the past year, we’ve focused on developing our community spay-neuter program,” Blair said.

“We’ve offered vouchers through our community animal centres and BC SPCA spay-neuter clinics, and this year we’re expanding that support to communities where we don’t have a physical location.”

So far this year, BC SPCA community animal centres and spay-neuter clinics have issued 96 vouchers to help pet guardians across the northern region access spay-neuter services.

Blair said those efforts also help reduce pet overpopulation, an issue that can affect both communities and local wildlife.

“One of our biggest priorities is addressing pet overpopulation,” Blair said. “That’s an issue across BC, not just in communities where we have an

In addition to food assistance and spay-neuter services, Blair highlighted the BC SPCA’s education programs, which provide resources and information to communities that may have limited access to pet care services.

The organization also provides animal protection services, helping vulnerable animals receive care or, when necessary, removing them from abusive or neglectful situations.

Alex Schare, regional manager for the North Region of the BC SPCA Animal Protection Service, said protecting animals in northern BC presents unique challenges.

He said distance is one of the biggest obstacles, with officers often travelling long distances to investigate complaints or transport animals for veterinary care.

The other challenge is the type and number of animals involved.

Northern officers frequently respond to livestock cases or situations involving a large numbers of dogs, cats or other animals.

animal centre.”

The BC SPCA also plans to expand the program into additional communities in the Thompson-Okanagan region and on Vancouver Island.

Another program seeing success in the North is the BC SPCA’s pet food bank initiative, which has operated through community partners since October 2025.

The program has provided about 68,000 pet meals throughout the Cariboo and North region.

Blair said the organization works with a growing network of local agencies to distribute food.

“Here in Prince George, people can access the program through our spay-neuter clinic,” Blair said. “We also partner with organizations including the Salvation Army, the Prince George Native Friendship Centre and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Across the Cariboo and North, we have nearly 25 community partnerships, and we’re continuing to expand into communities such as Houston and Terrace.”

“It can be very challenging,” Schare said. “Our primary goal is always to work with people. We don’t attend files intending to remove animals. We want to help owners relieve the animals’ distress whenever possible. Sometimes, though, owners recognize they have more animals than they can care for and choose to surrender some or all of them.”

Schare said large animal surrenders can place significant strain on the BC SPCA’s resources, particularly transportation and shelter capacity, as animals often need to be transferred to adoption centres elsewhere in the province.

“I think across the province we’re seeing challenges with access to resources and people’s ability to afford them,” Schare said.

“Even where veterinary services are available, people may not have the means to access them. In the North, especially in very remote communities, problems can also go unnoticed for longer.”

Schare said his team has responded to 670 animal protection cases across the northern region this year.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER

Jamey Blair, senior manager of community services for the BC SPCA, holds two of the kittens surrendered by a Terrace family on Tuesday, July 7.

Two painters, one exhibit showcasing nature in PG

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff

Late Bloomers, Long Views pretty much says it all.

Two members of the Canadian Federation of Artists who began making art later in life have come together for an exhibition in Studio 2880’s Feature Gallery.

The opening reception for Late Bloomers, Long Views is scheduled for Thursday, July 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibit will remain on display until the end of August.

Jan McEachon and Lesley Kuhn have different ways of portraying what they both love — nature — and draw plenty of inspiration from the landscapes surrounding Prince George.

“Jan and I are both members of the Canadian Federation of Artists’ Central Interior chapter,” Kuhn said during a conference call with the two artists. “We met there and connected right away. We’ve been going for coffee, and we thought, ‘Let’s do a show together. It would be fun.’”

“I find in any group that I always prefer one-on-one conversations instead of the big group,” McEachon added. “Lesley was so friendly and approached me, so it was easy.”

McEachon said they chose the title because they both have a playful sense of humour.

“And we both started making art later in life,” she said. “We both love it.”

McEachon said she had always been interested in art and once hoped to make it a career.

“But, as usual, I got sidetracked with marriage and kids,” she said. “I went back to school to get a fine arts degree but didn’t really do much with it. It’s only been in the last few years that I’ve returned to it, and it’s a wonderful hobby. I enjoy it tremendously.”

She said her paintings focus less on documenting a specific place than capturing a feeling.

“Most of my work is less about documenting a specific view and more about the feeling,” McEachon said.

“They’re usually familiar places

Late Bloomers, Long Views is an art exhibit that will open on Thursday, July 23. It features work from Lesley Kuhn, above, and Jan McEachon, right.

filtered through memory. I change things constantly. I may get inspired by a photo, but it usually changes completely when I do the painting.”

Although she has painted primarily in watercolour, McEachon said she has recently been exploring oils.

“I love all of it, really,” she said. “I love drawing.”

Kuhn described herself as someone who has doodled for as long as she can remember.

“Everything I own has things drawn in the corners,” she said.

“But we had a family and an acreage, my husband worked out of town, and I don’t think I would have had the head space to do art until I retired and there was nobody at home but me. Painting is like reading a really good book and getting to the best part before someone interrupts you. When I’m painting, it’s exactly the

same feeling — ‘Noooooo, leave me alooooone! I want to finish this!’ I don’t think I could have painted with a family at home.”

She began painting about 10 years ago.

“It was because I wanted something for my bedroom wall,” Kuhn said. “I looked at what was available and thought, ‘Well, I could do that.’ And I found I absolutely love it.”

Visitors to the exhibition, McEachon said, will see two very different artistic approaches to the same subject.

“Lesley is bold,” she said. “I am less so.”

“Jan is such a beautiful, soft-edged, tonal, ethereal artist,” Kuhn said. “I’m all about colour, bright paintings and brushstrokes. I try to tone it down, but it doesn’t always seem to work. I just really like colour.”

Kuhn said both artists find inspiration

close to home.

“I think I could say that we both find beauty in where we live,” she said.

McEachon agreed.

In addition to her paintings, Kuhn will also bring a selection of other items to the exhibition.

“I’ll be bringing scarves, some bags, some earrings and a few odds and ends,” she said. “I work with a company in Montreal, so these products are made in Canada and are unique to our area.”

McEachon said she is also considering producing bookmarks featuring reproductions of her artwork.

Everyone is welcome to attend the opening reception for Late Bloomers, Long Views on Thursday, July 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. Both artists will speak briefly about their work.

The exhibition continues until the end of August at Studio 2880, 2880 15th Ave.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Throwback Thursday: Week of July 16

July 14, 2012: A Russian Antonov 123 landed on the newly extended runway at the Prince George Airport. At the time, it was the third-largest cargo carrier in the world, 69 metres long with a wingspan of 73 metres and able to carry 120 tonnes. Reporters and city dignitaries gathered as the huge plane arrived to pick up its cargo: seven helicopters destined for Angola. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY

DAVID MAH

July 17, 1986: Terry Holly (centre left) and Crystal Lilliman dug up an ‘ancient dinosaur egg’ at Harwin Elementary School during Prehistoric Days, one of the city’s summer parks programs. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY

LISA MURDOCH

July 16, 1970: Barbara Noga, 18, took a look through the city’s of cial submission for the 1973 Canada Summer Games as Prince George took on 23 other Canadian communities bidding to host the sporting event. The 14-page entry book, The Citizen noted, was ‘hastily assembled on only three weeks notice but con dently and clearly states the city’s case.’ It included photos, text and a bronze City of Prince George crest on the cover. In the end, Burnaby hosted the Games. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY

RICK HULL

July 16, 1998: Nechako baserunner Cody Bilodeau was safe after stealing home as Quesnel pitcher Bradley Davis tried to make the tag in front of Nechako batter James Doll at Joe Martin Field during the District 4 nine-and-10-year-old tournament. Nechako won 9-6. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN

$6,000 JACKPOT

$5,000 cash plus $1,000 Slot Bonus Play $300 Regular Games $600 Double Win Regular games $1,000 $200 Slot Bonus Plays X 5 Draws

August 15TH

Period Promise distributes 570K menstrual products

United Way program surpasses its goal

MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff

United Way BC’s 2026 Period Promise campaign has distributed about 570,150 menstrual products to communities across British Columbia, surpassing its goal of 525,000 products.

Over the next few weeks, the donated products will be delivered to community agencies, workplaces and non-profit organizations across the province.

Period Promise is an annual campaign that aims to improve access to menstrual products at a time when rising costs and limited availability are forcing some people who menstruate to make difficult choices.

United Way BC said in a news release that donors, workplaces, unions, businesses, volunteers and community partners across the province helped the campaign exceed its 2026 goal.

Major sponsors included Always and Tampax, which donated a combined 373,632 menstrual products valued at more than $330,000.

The need extends to Northern BC, where United Way BC supplied about 37,000 products to communities across the region. About 5,000 of those products were donated by local communities, businesses and corporate sponsors.

Demand for menstrual products continues to grow. United Way BC said a recent needs assessment found 120 organizations requesting products to support an estimated 162,758 people. Collectively, those organizations reported needing nearly seven million menstrual products.

Local campaign manager Lorna Bihori said demand in Northern BC far exceeds the current supply.

“It’s honestly not even a drop in the bucket,” Bihori said. “The need is at least six times greater. We’re doing what we can, and while awareness is growing, so is the need.”

United Way BC currently distributes

menstrual products to communities from Quesnel to Haida Gwaii, as well as to communities in the Yukon.

Bihori said geography presents unique challenges for northern communities.

“The biggest issue in northern BC is access to the product itself,” Bihori said. “In smaller and more remote communities, products are less available, there are fewer choices, and they can cost three times as much. It’s important that we’re able to collect products from communities across the region.”

She said raising awareness remains another important part of the campaign.

“Awareness is growing, but there’s still more work to do,” Bihori said. “We have many international students, and that need exists as well. It’s about breaking down barriers and making sure people know where they can access products. Employers can also help by letting staff know those products are available so they can feel comfortable coming to work or school.”

Bihori said providing menstrual products in workplaces is one of the simplest ways to improve access while helping employees and customers feel supported.

“Knowing those products are available through a thoughtful employer makes a huge difference,” Bihori said. “Many employers are surprised by how affordable it is, and they’ve found people don’t abuse the program as they initially feared.”

She said many people across the province, including in the North, are still forced to choose between financial stability and purchasing menstrual products.

“Making do is not an easy decision,” Bihori said. “It affects your dignity, your sense of security, your ability to attend work, school and social events, and your peace of mind. When agencies can provide these products, it eases financial pressure and helps people go about their daily lives.”

To learn more about the campaign or make a donation, visit https://uwbc.ca/ program/period-promise/.

Thursday, Aug 6th • BCNE Rodeo Grounds

Community - Compassion - Country Music

Aaron Goodvin

Chris Goodwin Band

The Rick Stavely Band and additional country music artists.

For more information or to purchase tickets; SCAN THE QR CODE

Funds raised through the Hospice Country Music Festival will support the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society

Local campaign manager Lorna Bihori poses for a photo with products donated by Always and Tampax.

Local Sports Lacrosse scoring ttles are in the McIntosh blood

Neil, Blake and Jake: three generations, three senior champs

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Back in his prime as a lacrosse player in the early 2000s, Blake McIntosh was chasing Art Knapp Assault forward Adam Labarbera for the Prince George Senior Lacrosse Association scoring title.

It came down to the final game of the season for McIntosh, the league MVP and offensive catalyst for the Steamers Pub Devils, who trailed Labarbera by 10 points.

Ten points in one game? That’s a career’s worth of offence for some lacrosse players, but McIntosh was up to the challenge.

He finished the game with seven goals and four assists, giving him one more point than Labarbera for the season. Assistant coaches Keith Westwood and Tom Spencer kept track of the scoring for head coach Neil McIntosh, Blake’s father, and as soon as Blake collected his 11th point, he was pulled from the game.

“They just kept giving me the ball until I got the points I needed,” said McIntosh, now 53. “I’d won it back in the mid-1990s when we only played 10 games and it took just over 50 points to win. With those 11 points, I finished with 101 points or something in 15 games.”

But that’s not the whole story.

A little-known fact is that McIntosh underwent a vasectomy just before that final regular-season game. The procedure drew winces from teammates in the dressing room before the game, but it clearly did not slow him down.

“I played two days after having it,” McIntosh said. “I was all swollen and whatever.”

Fast-forward to June 2026 and Blake’s

Three generations of Prince George senior lacrosse scoring champions from the same family get together for a photo. From left are Blake McIntosh, Jake McIntosh and Neil McIntosh.

oldest son, Jake McIntosh of the Scamp Transport Devils, found himself in a tight race for the PGSLA scoring title with BHL Bandits forward Cole Paciejewski, his co-worker at Prince George Fire Rescue.

Jake entered the final game seven points behind Paciejewski and erupted for eight points against the Prince George Assault on June 22 to claim his first scoring championship.

The ability to pick the eye out of a snake from 40 paces with a lacrosse ball extends not just two but three generations in the McIntosh family.

Neil McIntosh, Blake’s father and Jake’s grandfather, was a prolific scorer for the Canada Hotel when he won the

North Central Lacrosse Association scoring title in 1975. Ironically, he didn’t know he had won until his team was well into the playoffs against the Vernon Lodge Tigers. In those days, players paid little attention to statistics. Wins and losses were what mattered.

“It was in the paper that we were going to play Vernon for the Interior championship,” Neil McIntosh said.

“They said the Canada Hotel was led by me, the scoring champion. I didn’t even know I’d won the scoring title, to tell you the truth.”

The Canada Hotel swept Vernon and, with senior A goaltender Dave Wedlock in net, defeated the Port Coquitlam Chiefs 15-12 in the deciding game of the

BC senior B championship after splitting the first two games of the series. The hard-fought, physical series was played at the Prince George Coliseum.

It marked the third straight year that a Prince George team won the BC senior B championship, following titles by the Molson Old Stylers the previous two seasons.

At the 1975 Presidents’ Cup national senior B championship in Magog, Que., the Canada Hotel went 3-1 and finished third.

Its only loss was a 7-4 decision to the Edmonton Fullers, who went on to win the national title over Quebec.

SEE ‘MCINTOSH’ ON NEXT PAGE

CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

Kodiaks are back on the feld

The Kodiaks’ offensive linemen hold off the defensive line, allowing rookie quarterback Jeanathon Cheremshynski to get a pass away during a scrimmage held at Masich Place Stadium Sunday, July 12. After some turbulence this spring — ownership changes and the firing of popular coach Jamie Boreham — the team is preparing to return to the field. The team’s BCFC home opener at Masich Place Stadium is Saturday, July 25 against the Vancouver Island Raiders, with gates opening at 4 p.m. and kickoff at 6 p.m.

McIntosh family gets them started on the game young

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

“Those were brutal, violent, wild games with lots of scrapping,” Neil McIntosh said. “We had a good club. We just didn’t make it, and I thought we should have won it.”

Now 74, McIntosh said the game has changed dramatically since he played alongside his twin brother, Ken.

“The game is way faster now,” he said. “They have way more talent than I did. Now they have that 30-second shot clock. We didn’t have that. And you have eight seconds to get over centre. We didn’t have any of that. Everybody had a wooden stick, and it hurt a bit more. Those are good memories.”

Neil has two sons, Blake and Kyle, and both played lacrosse. Blake started when he was five years old. Around the time he was learning the game, the Prince George Minor Lacrosse Association folded because of declining registration, and he turned to baseball

and football.

The creation of the Prince George Senior Lacrosse Association in 1990 brought him back to lacrosse. With Neil behind the bench, Blake joined the Devils.

“They started the league again and players from his era were coming back to play,” Blake said. “So I decided to play too, and I just happened to be good at it.”

Blake was 34 when he accepted an invitation to play for the Ladner Pioneers at the 2006 Presidents’ Cup tournament in New Westminster. Although talented enough to pursue opportunities in the Lower Mainland, his career with the City of Prince George — where he is now director of civic operations — and raising three children kept him close to home.

His oldest son, Jake, now 26, started handling a lacrosse stick almost as soon as he could walk. In April 2001, Prince George This Week photographer

David Mah captured a cover photo of 16-month-old Jake holding a lacrosse stick with a soother in his mouth.

Jake honed his stick skills at the old Kin 1 arena while watching his father play in the senior league.

“Everything he did, I tried to copy,” Jake said. “I’d go against the wall. I’d go to every one of their practices, and my grandpa would be coaching. They’d have their beers after and always bring in C-Plus or orange pop for me.”

Jake played four seasons of junior A with the Delta Islanders before the pandemic wiped out his final season in 2020. He has played in the senior league since he was 16 and this year was named the PGSLA’s most valuable player, an award his father won twice. Now established as a firefighter, Jake is unlikely to leave Prince George or have another opportunity to compete for a Presidents’ Cup unless his hometown Devils become a provincial powerhouse.

DAVID MAH PHOTO

A 16-month-old Jake McIntosh showed what sport he liked at an early age when he was captured by Prince George This Week photographer David Mah for a cover photo in the April 12, 2001 edition.

PG Posse rounds up provincial U15 B lacrosse gold

Prince George hosts BC box lacrosse championships

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Axton Danilec had the game of his life Sunday, July 12, leading the Prince George Posse to a gold-medal celebration at the U15 B provincial box lacrosse championship.

His three-goal performance powered the Posse to an 8-3 victory over the Penticton Heat.

The 13-year-old forward scored back-to-back power-play goals during a four-minute advantage in the second period to give the Posse a 4-2 lead. Prince George never looked back, capturing the BC title on home floor at Kin 3 Arena.

Solidly built and tall for his age, Danilec was a physical presence, especially when he got the ball near the net. He opened the scoring with an over-theshoulder shot from close range that found the twine. His second goal came after Everett Tait raced behind the Penticton net to scoop up a loose ball. Tait fed Hudson Rowland in front, where

goalie Carter Ward stopped Rowland’s shot before Danilec buried the rebound.

The way Danilec and his teammates responded to the pressure of provincials and performed in front of a hometown crowd reflected the work they have put into refining their stick skills and learning game strategies despite not having the benefit of playing in a rep-team league. That’s the price Prince George teams pay for their isolation, with their closest travel-team opponents a day’s drive away.

Danilec’s relentless motor allows him to run the floor seemingly without effort, making his performance even more remarkable. Three years ago, he broke his neck after diving into a shallow swimming pool, escaping what could easily have been a life-changing injury.

“I broke my neck,” Danilec said. “I stopped playing hockey and started playing lacrosse. I just stuck with lacrosse and kept playing.”

He saved his best for last. Danilec said Sunday’s final was the best game he has ever played in any sport.

“It’s so much fun,” he said. “I love working with these people. This is such a good team. We do pretty well under pressure. Our goalies made some amazing saves and our players stepped up

when we needed them.”

In just their third tournament of the season, the Posse — a team without a league — reeled off five straight wins to finish undefeated in the four-day event. Their 7-6 semifinal victory over Vancouver on Saturday was anything but easy. Prince George blew a four-goal lead in the final minute of regulation before Hudson Rowland scored the winner 13:20 into overtime.

In Sunday’s championship game, Rowland made it 5-2 early in the third period before Grady Hunter, John Bloom and Danilec scored in the final three minutes to put the game out of reach.

“Axton was our secret sauce,” Posse head coach Kyle Bloom said. “He can put the ball in the net. When he’s going hard, he’s a tough body to stop cutting in front of the net. We got contributions from everybody. Everyone bought into playing defence, and that’s what did it for us. There were no passengers. Everybody played hard. What a feeling.”

John Bloom, the coach’s son and the tournament MVP, and Brady Webb sparked the Prince George offence with first-period goals.

Bloom, despite his smaller stature, repeatedly turned on a dime and dodged checks to create plays and find

open shooting lanes, making him difficult for the Heat defenders to contain.

“It’s hard to express how it feels,” the 13-year-old Bloom said. “It’s just awesome. We pulled it out. Nobody thought we were going to go this far, but look at us now.”

As the tournament dark horses, the Posse reached the winner’s circle and created memories that will last a lifetime.

Posse goalie Ryker Clarke used his size to take away much of the net, but it was his movement in the crease and ability to cut down shooting angles that frustrated the Heat. Penticton generated plenty of scoring chances but was unable to capitalize.

“It feels really good,” Kyle Bloom said. “I’m very proud of these guys. They put in so much hard work and never quit. We got to this game and put the pedal to the metal at the end. We could never relax. We were up by four on Saturday with a minute to go and they tied it, so we weren’t going to let that happen again.”

Kjell Romaro, Kyle Yazlovasky and Jack Turner scored for Penticton, which reached the final with a 6-1 semifinal win over North Okanagan.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

The Prince George U15 B Posse celebrates its 8-3 win over the Penticton Heat in BC minor box lacrosse provincial championship on Sunday, July 12 at Kin 3.

Teams come from all over province to play in Prince George

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

“We unfortunately couldn’t execute our game plan today,” Heat head coach Andrew Rolston said. “(The Posse) played well and deserved it. They wanted it a bit more than we did.”

North Okanagan defeated Vancouver 9-2 to claim the U15 B bronze medal.

The U17 B Posse, the other Prince George team competing in the 38-team provincial championship weekend, advanced to the bronze-medal game Sunday morning at Kin 3 Arena, but its medal hopes were dashed by the Peninsula Warriors, who scored three goals in the final six minutes for a 13-10 victory.

Johnny Dupuis led the Warriors with five goals, while Jack Paterson added two.

Callen Larmand scored five times and Austin Schultz added four to pace the Posse offence.

Penalties plagued Prince George in the first period and the visitors from Saanich capitalized, scoring the game’s first three goals on the power play. Schultz scored late in the opening period before Larmand and Ryder Bachinski struck early in the second to tie the game, but the Posse spent much of the contest trying to catch up.

“It was a hard-fought battle,” Posse captain Callen Larmand said. “Everybody thought we weren’t going to do well, but we beat a whole bunch of

teams and worked hard. It was a close game with lots of momentum swings. It really could have gone either way. A couple of penalties hurt us.”

Schultz gave Prince George its first lead two minutes into the third period. The lead changed hands several times before Peninsula seized control with late goals from Emery Mitchell, Levi Kaercher and Hayden Kilgour.

“I think what powered us through was having 12 second-year players,” Warriors captain Cal Dolan said. “It’s our last year of minor lacrosse, so we decided to go out there, give it everything we had and leave it all on the floor.

“They beat us 7-5 in the round robin, and we realized we had to stick it to them and win this. It’s nice to drive 10 hours and come home with a medal. It

makes it all worth it.”

The Warriors dressed 20 runners for Sunday’s game, seven more than the Posse, and Prince George head coach James Larmand said fatigue became a factor.

“This was our fifth game and you could see they had more juice at the end,” Larmand said. “We still battled hard, but sometimes the cards don’t fall your way. Little mental mistakes when you’re tired led to penalties. I’m proud of all the kids. They worked hard, and no one expected us to do this well at the tournament.

“We’re mostly first-year U17 players. We have just three second-year players.”

Prince George lost 5-4 to Langley in Saturday’s semifinal, while Peninsula was coming off a 7-4 semifinal loss to Penticton. Penticton went on to defeat Langley 7-2 in the U17 B final.

Other gold-medal results Sunday were: U17 A2 — Nanaimo 7, Delta 5; U15 A2 — Port Moody 10, Ridge Meadows 3; U17 female B — Nanaimo 4, Langley 3; U15 female B — Nanaimo 8, Vancouver East 5.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

The Prince George U17 B Posse gathers for a photo after they finished fourth at the eight-team BC minor box provincial championship at Kin 3 on Sunday, July 12.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT

Axton Danilec of the PG Posse buries his shot in the net behind Penticton Heat goalie Carter Ward during the U15 Boys Provincial Final game at Kin 3 Sunday, July 12.

Jared Young celebrates his 31st birthday with a big win

The PG ballplayer has been on a solid run since returning from an injury

TED CLARKE Citizen Staff

Jared Young of Prince George celebrated his 31st birthday in fine style Thursday at Citi Field in New York, clubbing two doubles that helped the New York Mets cruise to a 7-3 win over the Kansas City Royals.

Young’s fly ball to right field in the bottom of the second inning bounced off the wall, allowing Carson Benge to score from second base to tie the game 1-1.

The Royals were leading 2-1 on a Bobby Witt Jr. home run in the fourth when Tyrone Taylor answered in the fifth with his sixth home run of the year. Taylor came off the bench to replace Mets third baseman Mark Vientos, who broke his hand when hit by a pitch in the second inning.

With his dad Randy in the stands watching, Young followed that with his second double of the game, part of a five-run fifth inning that gave the Mets a 6-2 lead.

Keeping focused was the key for Young as he explained to the crowd what he liked about his game in a postgame interview heard over the public address system.

“Good selection and being ready; this game can get a little away from you if you’re a little tentative or whatnot, just be ready to hit every time and try and put some good swings on,” said Young.

Much of Young’s major league experience before he became an everyday starter this season was filling a role as a bench player and he had much admiration for Taylor’s ability to replace Vientos. Taylor also doubled in the eighth.

“It’s incredibly difficult and that’s why I’m pumped to go see him after this and tell him what an amazing day he had,” said Young.

The Royals added one run in the seventh, leading to Juan Sotos’ 21st home

headed into a three-game series last weekend, hosting the Boston Red Sox to lead into the all-star break.

The Mets’ batters have been leading the charge.

New York has scored at least six or more runs in five straight games and crossed home plate 42 times in that span. Young’s bat is also heating up. He went 2-for-4 Thursday and has hit .353 with four RBI and a .921 OPS in his last five games.

“I think it’s just good game planning, guys kind of coming together and everyone believing in each other and putting good at-bats up there,” said Young.

“You get a walk, you get a single and you know the next guy behind you is going to have a good at-bat.

“From the top to the bottom we got some pretty good at-bats and guys coming into their own figuring out what works for them and I think that’s the recipe for good stuff.”

He acknowledged the return from injury of Jorge Polanco and Francisco Lindor has been a big part of the Mets’ hitting resurgence.

“I think it’s the lineup we expected to have the whole year, it’s incredible, they’re such good hitters and you can learn so much from them, just kind of watching their at-bats and the pitches they get, their swings, their takes,” said Young. “It just makes the team better.”

Young, who missed six weeks early in the season with a knee injury that required surgery, got a bit of a scare in the eighth inning when he hit a ground ball that was fielded along the first base line by Royals pitcher Jose Cuas.

run in the bottom of the inning that capped the scoring.

After allowing a home run to Lane Thomas on the first pitch of the game, Mets starter Sean Manaea went seven innings to record his second win of the season.

His pickoff throw to Young at first to try to get Tyler Tolbert was high but

Young made a deft play to catch the ball and brought his glove down on Tolbert’s helmet before he touched the base.

The Mets won the appeal of the umpire’s initial ruling that he was safe.

The Mets (40-54, fifth in National League East) had as of that game won four of their last five games as they

With the ball in his glove, Cuas dove to touch the bag and rolled right in front of Young, who had to hurdle him to avoid running him over with his spikes. Young winced and grabbed at his left knee while sitting on the field but told the Mets training staff he was OK and finished the game playing first base.

“That was kind of, everything’s in check, we’re good, I’d say I was more scared than anything,” said Young. “It’s totally fine.”

NEW YORK METS/FACEBOOK PHOTO

Jared Young of Prince George, left, and New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette celebrate their 7-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday, July 9 in New York.

Life Events

Inga Bertha Marie Smaaslet (née Gogolin)

March 16, 1952 - July 1, 2026

Inga went home on July 1, 2026, to be with Teddy (brother), Annie (sister), Mickey (Mom), and Earnest (Dad).

She will be missed by many, loved by more. Inga leaves behind her brother Henry (Debbie), Alma (sister), her daughter Nicole (David), and her granddaughters Katrina, Cassidy (Kidega), Sydney, many nephews and nieces.

A Celebraton of Life will be held in September.

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Marianne Grace Cale on June 27, 2026, at o pi e o e a er a o ra eo ba le with an er. arianne i prede ea ed b her parent ra e and ri and her brother i e.

She will be lo in l remembered b her de oted h band el in of ear on a on ara da hter Sherr Ch iblin o e om o e ell edro and o e a well a rand hildren reat rand hildren man nie e nephew e tended famil and dear friend . he famil wo ld li e to e pre their hear elt ratt de to the ompa ionate ta at o pi e o e for their e eptonal are indne and di nit pro ided to arianne d rin her nal da . lower or donaton an be made to o pi e o e in lie of arianne memor . n eepin with arianne wi he there will be no er i e.

Marlene Christna Norbraten

September 30, 1935 - April 12, 2026

With the heaviest of hearts, we announce the passing of our Mom, Grams, Sister & Great Grandma, arlene Chri tna orbraten on S nda April th . She oined ern on e a ain.

arlene Chri tna orbraten S anlon elo i h wa born Sept th in ipawin Sa .. rowin p in ipawin her parent ina ori had a ariet Store the li ed in the ba of the b ildin for ear . Marlene also lived on the farm with her grandparents before headin to town to tart hool. arlene met the lo e of her lifetme ernon orbraten in ipawin the be an their lon life to ether. he mo ed to rin e eor e in . or man ear while ern ran a lo in b ine with hi brother he wa ma in it wor in lo in amp . he mo ed into town when L n re tarted hool. Soon ar enn ame to eep arlene b . er the ear the of them wo ld ma e trip ba to ipawin to ee the famil . hi h then t rned into brin in the rand id ba e ent all .

arlene had wor ed at the Colle e of ew Caledonia ab ol tel lo ed her ob. n e ern had de ided he wanted to open a olf Co r e he le C C to wor alon ide ern for the re t of her da . n the opened Aspen Grove Golf Course where she became the eart So l of A pen. She wa lo ed o dearl b e er one. en if o didn t now her before o ame to olf o did now her on e o le . She i will be mi ed b friend tomer .

arlene pa ed awa pea ef ll with L n ar

the be t o tor late in life r. Ahmed. e too arlene on a a patent when he new the odd were a ain t her. r Ahmed hi wife hi o e were nothin b t the ab ol te be t made her tme a omfortable a po ible. e an t than o eno h. arlene lea e for the moment her hildren L nina orbraten ohn einhart re orbraten ar orbraten Cher l de ea ed en orbraten Amie emer hant.

er Si ter ail ra er famil i ter Lore a riedman amil brother ene ar de ea ed i ter o de ea ed

he Learl familie he fo nd late in life Spen er ebbie Sandra ale amm erald Connie lair im a e and An ela odne de ea ed e erl .

arlene wa the be t ram to . en a A dre mma a l .

La ra einhart i hola ent ner. en eal a l n llan La hlan randner. e e emer hant.

Cordell adle oper. le li ia Aria lo orbraten. ir enn L a ea orbraten.

She had a lar e famil with o in all o er we will mi her dearl . er lar e famil will heri h the f n tme he had e pe iall her o in there a lot of o le o t there.

o ma re t in pea e on e a ain in ad arm oinin o r parent other famil member . Lo e alwa o r famil .

Marianne Grace Cale

Maureen Mae Keibel

November 16, 1934- July 1, 2026

It is with sadness that we must announce the death of Maureen (Moe) who perished afer a short illness. She is survived by her younger brother Brian, two sons Je and arry (wife Amanda) and numerous other loving family members. Maureen was a longtme Citzen employee but also worked in radio, T , nited ay, Red Cross and ederal Politcs. Always quick with the wit, she lived life her way right untl the end. She will be greatly missed. Maureen was .

arewell, Mom.

Joseph Bush

November , June ,

Ninety Seven years ago, Joe was born in the Mud River farming community.

hen he lef school, he found work in southern Alberta, in he came back to C and began working with the CNR untl retrement in .

Joe is predeceased by his wife Staphca.

He is survived by three children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Thanks to the PG Hospice House for the wonderful care, he received.

There will be a service at Assman s uneral Chapel on July 23, 2026 at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of fowers donatons to PG Hospice House, or the Humane Society would be appreciated.

Richard W. Devore

February 22, 1974 - June 27, 2026

With profound sadness we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved son Rick, on June 27, 2026 at the age of 52.

Rick was born in Dawson Creek and soon afer the family moved to Prince George. As a young boy, Rick was actve, busy, an organizer, making many friends within the Pinewood neighborhood and school. Several of these friendships are intact today. His frst interest was always hockey, along with building Lego and forts, litle league baseball, dirt biking / quadding, tennis, and football. Of these, hockey (Red Wings forever!) tennis and NFL football (a Raider forever!) remained a big part of his adult life. Whether it was sports, cards, boardgames, sports pools or just a simple bet, Rick partcipated with a very compettve spirit! Rick was a people person and the more he had on the go, the happier he was!

As a youth, Rick enjoyed the spending money from a PG Citzen paper route, especially the antcipaton of the tps! Later as a teenager/student his frst job was at The Keg and following graduaton and in tme, his experience developed into a managerial career in the hospitality industry. This work eventually led him to Northern Health and the positon of Manager of Food Services for the University Hospital of Northern BC.

Rick and Shannon Chadsey married July 2, 2011. Following the passing of his wife on August 9, 2023, his broken heart never recovered. Rick will be deeply missed by his parents Richard and Patricia, sister Alaina Parker (Doug, Justn, Leah), his loving aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as many friends, his dog Dexter and cat Leroy.

A Celebraton of Life for Rick will be held Saturday, August 29, 2026, 2pm at the House of Ancestors, 355 Vancouver Street, Prince George, BC.

In lieu of fowers please consider a donaton to St. Paul’s Hospital - Cardiac Care, Vancouver, or UHNBC - Cardiac Unit, Prince George.

Logan Garber

May 21, 2006 - July 20, 2025

Last tme my door opens with Hi mama , followed by a Logan Hug

Some stories of work and all he d say, got to go now. See you ne t tme. His Logan Hug ut the door then, looking back calls, Love you Mama and drives away Missing his hugs ith love and pride, Mama

Ronald Daniel McKerracher

December 2, 1952 - April 7, 2026

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Ron, He will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Ron possessed an e ceptonal talent for welding and fabricatng and was very knowledgeable and could engage anyone in a stmulatng conversaton.

Predeceased by his parents John and Hazel Survived by his big brother All and sister Carol Memories of Ron will always be cherished by his tended family. The Ricket family.

A celebraton of life for Ron will be posted at a later date.

Victor

In loving memory of

George Rolfe Martin

June 15, 1954 - June 29, 2026

Victor George Rolfe Martin passed away on Monday, June 29, 2026.

He leaves to mourn his wife Jacqueline of 51 years, his two sons, Sheldon (Brenda), Dustin and his grandson Odin.

Victor loved motorcycles and had a motorcycle for most of his life. His happiest place in the world was riding his Honda ST1100.

He was a heavy-duty mechanic by trade and later a manager of a trucking company.

He was a kind soul with a quick sense of humour.

Vic could x anything. If he couldn’t x it, his family and friends would be shocked. He spent most of his life in Northern BC - McBride, Smithers and Prince George before retiring in Armstrong.

A Celebration of Life will follow later this summer.

In lieu of owers, donations can be made in Vic’s name to the Haugen Community Healthcare Society (HCHS) - PO Box 495, Armstrong, BC V0E 1B0.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family at www.CypressFuneral.ca.

The Court Bailif o ers FOR SALE BY TENDER, of Rumble Industries LTD, the d me t e tors i the followi oods i cl di t ot limited to selli the si ess as a oi co cer t r e Trailers, shop tools and equipment, truck etc.

o iew co tact orth Ce tral aili s td. . ale is s ect to ca cella o or ad o r me t witho t o ce. ealed ids will e acce ted o the it l July 20th, 2026. oods to e sold as is where is. idder ta es res o si ilit to e s re the are sa sfed with the descri o of it oods ei sold. orth Ce tral aili s td. is ot res o si le for determi i the correct descri o . erms of sale mmediate f ll a me t o s ccessf l id l s sales ta . www. orthce tral aili s. c.ca

orth Ce tral aili s td. Co rt aili i e dstrom

* On July 27, 1981, 6-year-old Adam Walsh was abducted from a shopping mall in Hollywood, Florida, and later found murdered. Afterward, his father, John Walsh, became an impassioned victims’ rights activist and host of the television show “America’s Most Wanted.” In 2008, the Hollywood police announced that the case against confessed killer Ottis Elwood Toole was strong enough to close the investigation into Adam’s death. Toole

• On June 22, 1611, after a winter spent trapped by ice in what is now northeastern Canada’s Hudson Bay, the starving crew of the Discovery launched a mutiny against their captain, English navigator Henry Hudson, setting him, his teenage son, and seven of his supporters adrift in a small open boat. They were never seen again.

• On June 23, 1956, Gamal Abdel Nasser was elected the first president of the Republic of Egypt. Nasser had overthrown the country’s monarchy four years earlier, in a military coup, and was the sole candidate on the ballot. His new constitution, making Egypt a one-party socialist state with Islam as its official religion, was also almost unanimously approved by voters.

• On June 24, 1374 a “dancing plague” swept through Germany, causing medieval villagers to writhe and whirl uncontrollably and leaving many people in a state of exhausted collapse in the streets or dead from heart attacks and strokes. The cause is still unknown, though ergot poisoning, mass hysteria and religious devotion have all been suggested.

• On June 25, 1910, Congress passed the Mann Act, which was ostensibly intended to keep young women from being enticed into prostitution, but was more about a way to make various types of consensual sexual activity a crime.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Don’t be sheepish about asking questons and demanding answers. You not only gain needed informaton, you also respect your steadfast search for the truth.

• On June 26, 1948, American and British pilots began delivering food, water, clothing, medicine and fuel by airplane to Berlin after the city was isolated by a Soviet Union blockade.

Some in President Harry Truman’s administration had called for a military response to the blockade, but Truman believed such an action could incite another world war.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) A money problem that shows up early in the week is expeditously resolved by savvy Bovines, who know how to turn a momentary fnancial lapse into a monetary gain.

• On June 27, 1985, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials decertified the iconic Route 66, which in its heyday stretched about 2,400 miles over a span of eight states from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, and voted to remove all its highway signs.

• On June 28, 2007, the bald eagle was removed from America’s List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.

© 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) It’s a good tme to shed negatve energydraining forces and develop a positve approach to handling current -- as well as upcoming -- personal and/or professional situatons.

had died 12 years earlier.

* On July 28, 1942, Soviet Union premier Josef Stalin issued Order No. 227, aka the “Not one step backward” order, following German advances into Russian territory. The order stipulated that “panic makers and cowards must be liquidated on the spot. Not one step backward without orders from higher headquarters! Commanders ... who abandon a position without an order from higher headquarters are traitors to the Motherland.”

* On July 29, 1862, Marie Isabella “Belle” Boyd was arrested for the first time by Union troops and held at the

Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C. A skilled though teenage spy who provided vital information to the Confederate army during the Civil War, she eventually parlayed her experiences into a book and acting career.

* On July 30, 1956, two years after urging insertion of the phrase “under God” into the Pledge of Allegiance, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a law officially declaring “In God We Trust” to be America’s official motto.

* On July 31, 1964, the unmanned U.S. lunar probe Ranger 7 took 4,308 close-up images of the moon before

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Your urge to do your best on a current task is commendable, but don’t let it become all-consuming. Spend some spiritually restoratve tme with those who love you.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) This could be a good tme for all you LEOs and LEOnas to take your bows for your recent achievements. Then go of to enjoy some fun tmes with your prides and joys!

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A negatve response to a well-intentoned suggeston could communicate a sense of distrust that you might later fnd hard to refute. Think carefully before reactng.

impacting with its surface northwest of the Sea of Clouds. The pictures were 1,000 times as clear as anything previously viewed through telescopes on Earth.

* On Aug. 1, 1782, Caroline Herschel discovered a comet after viewing it through a telescope -- the first such discovery credited to a woman. Her brother, astronomer William Herschel, had discovered Uranus the year before. The first professional female astronomer, she would go on to discover seven more comets in 11 years.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22)

Your loving atenton comforts a family member who’s feeling a bit out of sorts. But be careful to prioritze your tme so that you don’t neglect your work dutes.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Your curiosity might be resented by some, but those who know you will support your penchant for never setling for less than the truth. So, stay with it!

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A pesky situaton from the past recurs, albeit in an altered form. Deal with it promptly before it can go from merely irksome to decidedly troublesome.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Don’t wait too long to submit your proposals afer giving them a last look over. If necessary, you should be able to defend any porton that gets called into queston.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) A bid to use your workplace disputesetling skills in another situaton is temptng. But be careful, as you might not have all the facts you’ll need if you agree to do it.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A sense of self-doubt is so untypical of you that you should have no qualms in shaking it of. Remind yourself of all you’ve done and can do, then do it again.

Homes & Living

The Art of Staging: Choosing the Right Art

When preparing a home for sale, much of the attention goes to decluttering, cleaning, furniture placement and curb appeal. However, artwork can also play an important role in how potential buyers experience a property.

The right art can make rooms feel warmer, more polished and inviting, while the wrong pieces can distract buyers from the home itself.

The goal of staging is to help potential buyers imagine themselves living in the space. For that reason, artwork should generally be attractive without being overly personal or controversial.

Family portraits, political imagery, religious artwork and pieces with provocative themes are usually best packed away during the selling process. While these items may be meaningful to the homeowner, they can unintentionally become the focus of a room.

Neutral does not have to mean boring.

Landscapes, botanical prints, abstract art, architectural photography and simple contemporary pieces can add colour and personality without overwhelming a space.

Look for artwork with tones that complement the room’s furnishings, walls and overall design. Soft blues, greens, warm earth tones and muted neutrals often work well because they create a calm and comfortable atmosphere.

Scale is equally important. A small picture hanging alone on a large wall can look lost, while an oversized piece may make a modest room feel cramped.

Above a sofa, bed or console table, choose artwork that is visually proportional to the furniture beneath it. A coordinated grouping of two or three pieces can also work well, provided the arrangement feels intentional rather than cluttered.

Artwork can also help guide a buyer’s eye toward a home’s strongest features.

A well-placed piece above a fireplace can emphasize it as a focal point, while art at the end of a hallway can create visual interest and encourage buyers to move through the space.

In smaller rooms, light-coloured artwork with open compositions can help maintain a sense of airiness.

Consider the character of the property as well. A modern condominium may benefit from clean abstract prints or minimalist photography, while a traditional home may be better suited to landscapes or classic botanical images.

A rural property can comfortably incorporate nature-inspired art, but avoid taking a theme so far that the home begins to feel like a showroom.

Finally, resist the temptation to fill every wall. Empty space gives the eye a place to rest and can make rooms appear larger. A few carefully selected pieces will usually have more impact than a crowded

collection.

When staging a home, artwork should support the property rather than compete with it. By choosing pieces that are appropriately scaled, broadly appealing and complementary to the home’s style, sellers can create an atmosphere that feels welcoming, memorable and ready for a new owner.