Fish being relocated by hand before major Cottonwood Island excavation project
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
More than 5,000 fish, including 20 chi
said Kirstin Jorgensen, fisheries biologist at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, on Monday, Oct. 6 at Cottonwood Island.
“This channel right now and in many months of the year is disconnected from the Nechako main stem, so this is what we call the Cottonwood Island Park side channel,” said Jorgensen. “This is due to the fact that the Nechako River watershed is regulated by dams
Project leader has been working on this idea for years
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The project has been in the works since 2020 and is headed by Jesi Lauzon, operations coordinator from Spruce City Wildlife, with contractors from Lheidli T’enneh First Nation heading the excavation itself.
The channel runs through Cottonwood Island Park, entering the Nechako under the wooden footbridge near the eastern parking lot.
Due to concerns over fish mortality during the excavation of the channel, fisheries technicians from Lheidli T’enneh, UNBC Freshwater Fisheries Ecology Lab, LNM Engineering and 40 volunteers have put hundreds of hours into relocating these fish into the Nechako, and have been working tirelessly since Sept. 22.
Lauzon mentioned that the hard work of these groups has been crucial.
“Without these crews stepping up, the construction would have had to be delayed,” said Lauzon. “It is very important to make sure that everything is clean. So these groups coming in have definitely made this possible. Over the years, I find that there’s been a lot of passion.”
She also mentioned why she believes there is such passion from these various groups and volunteers, and why this project is so important.
“Our populations up here — especially for chinook salmon — are threatened,” said Lauzon. “This channel in particular has been a huge cause of mortality and stranding every year for decades. Everybody has been very excited to see this. Not only for the look of the channel and the aesthetics, but also knowing that all of these pools aren’t full of fish every winter and dying. So that’s a huge win for everybody. Anything we can do to help our salmon populations. And of course, all of the other fish will be found in here.”
Lauzon describes this project as her “baby” and has been working on making it a reality since her years in university.
“This was actually a mock project for a class that I took at the university during my biology degree,” said Lauzon.
ABOVE: A fisheries technician from Lheidli T’enneh First Nation holds one of the chinook salmon before moving it into the Nechako River at Cottonwood Island Park on Monday, Oct. 6.
BELOW: Fisheries and Oceans Canada workers and fisheries technicians from Lheidli T’enneh First Nation scare fish into nets on a channel in Cottonwood Island Park on Monday, Oct 6.
“When we got into doing this, we were able to see that we could actually do it. Doing the research, we went to the city and explained what’s happening, but we didn’t have any proof. So we’ve spent the last four years proving that all of these fish are stranding, coming up with a game plan to prevent that. It’s amazing seeing this coming together. This is my baby and I’m so happy to see this grow into such a big community project.”
This work will continue following the excavation and will ensure that in the following years, the banks of the channel will stabilize and provide better rearing grounds for these fish, as Lauzon notes.
“Everything is going to be dug out to the same depth as the Nechako River, so that we have that consistent flow to stop these isolated pools that are causing the stranding and mortality,”
said Lauzon. “Once this water is flowing, of course, the first year it’s not going to look super pretty — it’s going to be a construction area. As the willows that get planted start to grow and everything flushes out, it is going to be a beautiful stream, which is the goal. Hopefully, we’ll be able to see fish in here a lot more.”
Lauzon, besides acknowledging the support from community volunteers and the fisheries groups, explains that this project would not be possible without the more than $300,000 given to Spruce City Wildlife Association by the following organizations:
• Rio Tinto
• College of New Caledonia
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• BC Wildlife Federation’s Watershed Team
• Pacific Salmon Foundation
• Pacific Salmon Commission
• City of Prince George
• Lheidli T’enneh First Nation
The excavation of the channel itself is estimated to be complete by November at the latest. Work on improving the channel for fish rearing will take place afterwards.
City moves closer to World Cup watch parties goal
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
Prince George city council decided at its Monday, Oct. 6 to make a play to be a part of 2026 FIFA World Cup watch parties being considered by the provincial government.
The quadrennial tournament is being co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, with the Canadian men’s national team playing games in both Vancouver and Toronto.
Councillors Cori Ramsay and Ron Polillo first passed the idea onto council’s pitch at the Wednesday, Sept. 17 meeting, which ultimately decided to take in some information sessions at last month’s Union of BC Municipalities convention before making a final choice.
City staff came back with a report for the Oct. 6 meeting, saying that there are three types of viewing events under FIFA’s umbrella.
The first are non-commercial events, which includes businesses like pubs and restaurants showing games as part of their regular operations and small community events with fewer than 1,000 people.
Those holding this kind of event don’t need to acquire a license from or pay a fee to FIFA. However, they can’t charge for ticket sales or obtain sponsorships.
The second kind of event is dubbed special non-commercial, for which a license and fee are both required.
This includes free events with more than 1,000 people hosted by public institutions like churches, municipalities and universities. Again, FIFA prohibits sponsorships or ticket fees for special non-commercial events.
The final category is commercial events, which include any viewing event that includes ticket sales, sponsorships or commercial promotion. On top of a license and fee, FIFA also has to approve each sponsorship the holder of the event wants to establish.
City staff noted that the Province of BC is currently seeking expressions of interest from municipalities interested in hosting public live match viewing.
“This EOI is open to BC municipalities
and First Nations that are interested in celebrating FWC26,” the report said.
“Completing the EOI is not a commitment to participate and does not guarantee that an organization will be included if any future program is initiated. While completing this EOI is not a guarantee of access to funding, it will signal our intent to apply for any funding that might be available to support FWC26 live match viewing.”
Applications for the EOI are due by Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Discussing the matter, Polillo said he was envisioning parties with fewer than 1,000 people and was in favour of the non-commercial route to avoid red tape with FIFA.
During the UBCM convention, Polillo said, it was hinted that there may be provincial funding on offer for watch parties eventually.
He moved that the city submit an expression of interest to the province.
Ramsay supported the motion, saying that holding the events could stimulate economic activity in the city and there’s the chance that sponsors could defray some of the costs.
Coun. Tim Bennett pointed out that the rules state that any sponsorship would require a FIFA license, meaning that the city would have to entirely bear the costs should it go the non-commercial route.
He added that if it was in a public
expression of interest but wondered whether staff would return with a specific funding request before a final decision is made. Director of civic facilities Andy Beesley said that would be the intent, regardless of whether the EOI was successful.
Coun. Kyle Sampson said he’s in favour of bringing people together but still felt that watch parties would be best left to the private sector or non-profits.
Mayor Simon Yu said he is a big fan of the World Cup and that he would like to see amenities like beer gardens set up at any potential viewing events. Beesley said it was too early for the city to have worked out logistics like food.
setting and it’s not ticketed, it might be hard to limit an event to 1,000 people.
Polillo said he would consider it a massive success if the event attracted just 500 people.
Bennett said he supported the
Polillo pointed out that the Oct. 6 meeting was council’s last chance to approve the expression of interest before the Oct. 15 deadline.
Council approved the expression of interest, with Sampson and Coun. Trudy Klassen voting against it.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in Canada, Mexico and the U.S., with games in Vancouver.
New daycare, RV dealership among rezonings approved
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
Four rezoning bylaws were granted final approval at Prince George city council’s Monday, Oct. 6 meeting.At 880 Guay Rd., 22.7 hectares of land were rezoned from AG: Greenbelt and P6: Special Institutional to M2: General Industrial and another 3.3 hectares was rezoned from AF: Agriculture and Forestry and P6: Special Institutional to AG: Greenbelt.
This will allow Tyrod Industrial to relocate its operations there from its current home at 1655 River Rd.
Then, at 4330 Giscome Rd., the land is being rezoned from Z16: Blackburn Commercial to M2: General Industrial to allow for a Sullivan Motor Projects RV dealership to be built.
For three properties on Monterey Road West, the definition of the Z17: Monterey Road Commercial zone was changed to allow for residential and supporting commercial uses. This includes 6174 Monterey Rd. West, 6166 Monterey Rd. West and another property on the same road without a street address.
The Guay Road, Giscome Road and Monterey Road rezonings had accompanying Official Community
Plan amendments that were approved by council at its Wednesday, Sept. 17 meeting.
Finally, 3556 Willowdale Dr. was rezoned from RS1: Suburban Residential to RM1: Multiple Residential to allow for a child-care facility to be operated out of the home on the property.
Four letters of opposition from nearby residents were received and attached to the agenda, all of which expressed concern that the property in question and the street it’s on are unsuitable for
a daycare.
Coun. Trudy Klassen said she had received a call from a family member of someone with a child at the daycare who urged her to approve the rezoning to allow it to expand its operations.
Mayor Simon Yu said it could be a problem if all the clients of the daycare dropped off their kids at once, it could cause traffic issues in the neighbourhood. He encouraged daycare operators in the city to have staggered drop-offs for that reason.
and Coun. Brian Skakun voted against the Guay Road rezoning. The other three rezonings passed unanimously.
When the mayor called for votes against the Willowdale Drive daycare, two members of the audience put up their hands emphatically. After the vote passed, one of the audience members who had put up his hand stormed out of chambers, followed by several other people who had attended the meeting for that item.
More than $2.2M in permissive tax exemptions approved
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
Prince George city council approved an estimated $2,201,373 in permissive tax exemptions for 2026 at its Monday, Oct. 6 meeting.
The exemptions, which BC municipalities can grant to certain operations like places of worship and non-profits, were first discussed at an Aug. 20 meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance and Audit.
At that meeting, director of finance and IT services Kris Dalio explained that while the owners of these properties are exempted from paying their municipal
property taxes, the city still collects the same amount of money because other properties in the same tax class chip in more to make up the difference.
Dalio also explained that exemptions are granted for four-year terms aimed at lining up with council’s terms, but recipients still have to file paperwork each year to confirm that they are still eligible.
Coming out of the committee meeting, two properties were recommended for addition to the list of exemptions.
The first is 1177 Francois Cres., which AiMHi operates as a residence for individuals with developmental disabilities who cannot care for themselves. AiMHi
has 37 properties on the list, with a collective estimated exemption value of $135,357.
The second new property is one on Ferguson Lake Road owned by the Nature Trust of BC. In a report, staff said that it is adjacent to other properties also given exemptions for public use and conservation.
Staff’s report said that after the committee meeting, they received an application for an exemption for the Elks Lodge at 663 Douglas St. The report attached to the August committee meeting said the property had been sold and it was to be removed from the list of exemptions.
While the report for the Oct. 6 council meeting said the Elks Lodge was added to the bylaw that staff recommended be approved, it did not appear to be present on the list.
The $2.2 million figure cited for the exempt properties is estimated to be the equivalent of 1.47 per cent of the required property tax increase for 2026. Those aren’t final figures, however, as the assessed value of the affected properties could change.
Before finance committee chair Coun. Cori Ramsay started her presentation, Coun. Ron Polillo excused himself from discussion of the item as he is employed by AiMHi.
Yu
CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK
Prince George city council discuss rezonings at its Monday, Oct. 6 meeting on the second floor of city hall.
Special Olympics committee checking out PG this week
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
Organizers for the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games delivered a presentation on how the tournament went this past summer while previewing a site visit from national officials assessing Prince George’s bid for the 2030 national Games at the Monday, Oct. 6 city council meeting.
Co-chairs Renee McCloskey and former mayor Lyn Hall told council that 870 athletes with intellectual disabilities participated in the Games from July 10 to 12. Hall said athletes, coaches and volunteers from the games were present for the meeting.
Former MLA Shirley Bond, who served as director of public relations for the 2025 Summer Games, was also in attendance for the meeting.
The athletes participating in the games, Hall said, were from 46 difference communities were as young as 13 and as old as 73. They were assisted by 332 volunteer coaches and mission staff as well as close to 900 volunteers ranging in age from 14 to 92.
A total of 1,347 medals were awarded and more than 10,000 meals were served to volunteers. Those medals had a custom ribbon designed by a local artist, Hall said.
For some athletes, the Prince George games served as the qualifiers for next year’s national games in Medicine Hat.
During the event, 400 people also participated in healthy athletes screening. This free program, Hall said, helps connect athletes with physical therapy, dentistry and more.
Organizers, volunteers and athletes from the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games present a frame containing medals from the tournament to Prince George city council on Monday, Oct. 6.
Hall said that although it was thethird time Prince George has hosted the event, it was the first time in more than 20 years.
McCloskey said the city should feel immense pride in the success of the games, saying it was extremely rewarding to see the smile on the faces of athletes who can sometimes be neglected or forgotten.
With seven of 10 venues where competition took place owned and operated by the City of Prince George, McCloskey said organizers received compliments on how things were run.
She also thanked the owners of the local Canadian Tire store as platinum sponsors of the event, along with everyone else who contributed.
Back in June, the city announced that it had been placed on the shortlist for possible hosts for the 2030 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.
Representatives from Special Olympics Canada were set to visit Prince George from Tuesday, Oct. 7 to Thursday, Oct. 9 to assess the city’s suitability as host.
On the itinerary were trips to the University of Northern BC, Masich Place Stadium, the Aquatic Centre, Carrie Jane Gray Park and the CN Centre.
McCloskey said the local Special Olympics organizers are pulling out all the stops for the national group’s visit and encouraged Prince George residents to show up for the Party at the Plaza event from noon to 3 p.m. to
FRIDAY & SATURDAY 6:00PM
demonstrate that the community is united.
She also said that the delegation will be attending the Prince George Cougars games later that same day and a big crowd would help show the city’s support for the bid.
The visit, including Party in the Plaza, took place after this edition of The Citizen went to print.
After the presentation, the representatives from the local Special Olympics group handed over a frame containing medals from the games and took a photo with city council.
Two of the athletes in the photo were said to be headed to the national Games next year to represent BC in 10-pin bowling and swimming respectively.
Taxpayers to cover new stormwater management fee
It would be $169.07 a year for a house worth $467,684
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
A new fund dedicated to Prince George’s stormwater infrastructure will be phased in starting in 2027 after getting approved by city council at its Monday, Oct. 6 meeting.
The city has been considering paying for the renewal and maintenance of stormwater infrastructure like catch basins, storm sewers, ditches, ponds and creeks through a dedicated fund rather than through property taxes for several years.
In 2024, after some public engagement, council directed city administration to investigate the creation of a program that would charge property owners for their impact on stormwater infrastructure based on the hard surface on their properties.
A consulting firm, AECOM Canada, determined that the average hard surface area of a residential property was 304 square meters.
Under the new program, this will be the measurement on which the stormwater fee will be based. Properties with double the hard surface area as the baseline would pay double the fee. Those with half as much would pay half the fee.
Administration proposed that the program would start effective Jan. 1, 2027.
A sample calculation was prepared to show the financial effect for a taxpayer under present-day numbers with an estimated $9 million in stormwater spending.
For a house with a 2025 representative value of $467,684, an estimated $103.15 of their property taxes would go towards stormwater services.
Under the new program, they would pay $169.07, $65.92 more than under the previous structure.
The report by administration also noted that several municipalities that fund their stormwater systems through
a utility fee also include a program where property owners can get a credit on their stormwater bill by implementing mitigation measures like retention systems or rain barrels.
If council was interested in implementing a credit program, administration recommended that a three-year pilot program offering up to a 50 per cent credit for industrial, commercial and institutional properties as well as agricultural and multi-family residential properties with six or more units. Also recommended was a residential stormwater barrel rebate, where single-family and multi-family (five or fewer units) property owners can get a one-time rebate for installing a rain barrel with a minimum capacity of 132 litres.
Five options were provided for establishing both the stormwater utility fee and credit program.
Presenting information to council was
She showed an aerial photo of a non-residential property with approximately 10 times more hard surface than the average residential property, meaning it would be charged about 10 billing units.
Then, she outlined the five options offered for council to choose from:
• Begin charging property owners the equivalent of one billing unit estimated at $169.07 starting Jan. 1, 2027
• Begin charging the fee in 2027, but freeze the increase to the city’s General Infrastructure Reinvestment Fund for two years, essentially neutralizing the impact on homeowners but not addressing the city’s overall infrastructure deficit
• Begin phasing in the stormwater fee in 2027, with the full billing unit being charged starting in 2029
• Choose one of options one, two or three, but implement a threeyear credit program as a pilot program to determine its benefits
Kristy Bobbie, the city’s manager of asset management and capital planning. She said that in recent years, stormwater infrastructure has ranked high on residents’ list of priorities during surveys.
Older areas of the city, she said, don’t have infrastructure built to handle the volume of water they receive. High levels of water have caused sinkholes in some parts of the city.
While showing pictures of high water events in the city, Bobbie included an award-winning photo by Citizen photographer Chuck Nisbett depicting a motorist and cyclist struggling to get through a serious layer of water on a downtown street.
Bobbie said that overhead photography and AI were used to calculate the hard surface on properties in the city, showing a map that colour coded parcels of land according to the amount of hard surface.
• Do not create a dedicated stormwater fund and continue paying for those services through general property taxes
If one of options one through four are chosen, Bobbie said a bylaw establishing the program would be presented for council’s approval by the end of the year.
Coun. Garth Frizzell said a stormwater program is something that multiple councils have kicked forward without coming to a decision.
He said he was concerned that “stormwater” might not be plain enough language for the public because there are a variety of potential causes for flooding.
While the project would cost the average homeowner more than $5 a month, he said that costs pales in comparison to cleaning up after an event that the existing infrastructure can’t handle. Frizzell put option one on the floor for consideration.
CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
A driver passes city hall as Dominion Street floods in August 2024. City residents will start paying a new fee to cover stormwater management in 2027.
Short-term pain for long-term gain, councillors hear
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Coun. Cori Ramsay said there have been 500 to 600 pages of reports on the city’s stormwater infrastructure developed since 2021.
She said she was leaning towards supporting Frizzell’s motion, saying that as part of the general tax program, stormwater infrastructure is competing with other matters for funding.
She said she agrees with director of finance and IT services Kris Dalio when he says one of the best decisions the city ever made was to include a specific amount of funding towards infrastructure reinvestment each year and she feels like this decision is along similar lines.
Coun. Ron Polillo said he agreed with his colleagues about the need to address the stormwater infrastructure deficit, but he was more in favour with option three because the phased-in approach would have a gentler impact on taxpayers.
“I think we need to do the responsible thing and take a phased approach,” Polillo said.
Coun. Trudy Klassen said Prince George has a giant footprint and hasn’t grown much in the last 10 years. She said she was disappointed that the options didn’t account for the city’s natural drainage areas.
Dalio likened the potential creation of the stormwater utility fund to the establishment of a road rehabilitation levy years ago, creating some short-term pain for long-term gain.
Coun. Tim Bennett said the city is at a point where it needs to invest in infrastructure, but he would be lying if he said he was in favour of option one. If it’s selected, he said he would hope his colleagues take a close look at the 2026 budget to make sure the taxpayer is being respected ahead of the stormwater fee being implemented the year after.
Coun. Kyle Sampson said he agreed
$150K grant application approved
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
Municipalities for $150,000 in grant fund ing was approved after an amendment by council at its Monday, Oct. 6 meeting.
council approved an application to the UBCM’s strategic properties fund capacity building stream for $150,000 in funding to help the city develop a civic facilities master plan.
comprehensive strategy for the main tenance, renewal, and development of city owned buildings, including arenas, pools, administration buildings, fire halls, cultural buildings, police, park ades, and buildings leased to not-forprofit third-party service providers,” a staff report attached to the Sept. 17 meeting agenda said.
asset inventory, recent condition
with Bennett on the need to find savings heading into budget season. He said Edmonton has a smart approach to stormwater management, building retention ponds and developing “lakefront property” around them.
He said he thought an incentive program was a smart way to entice people to change their behaviour, asking Bobbie whether her research indicated they worked in other municipalities.
She responded that from what she had seen, the simpler incentive programs were more likely to succeed than the more complex ones.
Mayor Simon Yu said that there’s only one taxpayer and it’s a tough decision to make. He said he would prefer not to kick the can down the road, but the city is already asking a lot of its taxpayers.
Option one was defeated with only Frizzell and Ramsay voting in favour of it.
Polillo then moved option three for a vote.
It passed with Yu, Skakun and Klassen voting in opposition.
Council then voted unanimously to request that staff return with a report on implementing a credit program.
Coun. Susan Scott was absent from the meeting.
Vote summary
• Establish a stormwater levy program effective Jan. 1, 2027: Ramsay and Frizzell in favour, Polillo, Skakun, Yu, Klassen, Bennett and Sampson voting against — defeated
• Establish a phased-in stormwater levy program starting Jan. 1, 2027: Ramsay, Polillo, Frizzell, Bennett and Sampson voting in favour, Yu, Skakun and Klassen in opposition — passed
• Have staff return with a report with various options for establishing a credit program — passed unanimously
An open letter to the Special Olympics site committee
KENNEDY GORDON Citizen Managing Editor
Dear members of the site evaluation committee:
Welcome to Prince George! We have a long history of welcoming visitors and volunteering to assist with the numerous sporting events that we have been fortunate enough to host. Events such as the 2015 Canada Winter Games, 2024 Para Biathlon World Championships, and the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games.
It’s an honour to host you as you consider where the 2030 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games will be held.
Naturally, we believe that the Games should be held right here, in the heart of Northern British Columbia.
We could hand you glossy brochures and bore you with PowerPoint presentations. But we’d rather show you the good stuff — like what happens when a community of this size (and this much heart) pulls together for something big.
Just this summer, Prince George hosted the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games. Over three spirited days in July, our city welcomed 870 athletes, 332 coaches and mission staff, and 845 volunteers from 46 communities across the province. We handed out 1,300-plus medals, served nearly 10,000 meals, and dished out even more hugs, cheers and standing ovations.
But those numbers only tell part of
the story.
What really stood out? The joy. The pride. The sense of belonging that filled every venue.
As golfer Ryan Courtemanche (who started his Special Olympics journey right here in 1988) put it: “There are so many barriers out there, but Special Olympics provides the chance for athletes to be included.”
That spirit didn’t disappear after the closing ceremonies. It’s baked into who we are. We’re a city that shows up — whether it’s cheering on powerlifters, waving homemade signs at the finish line or lining up to volunteer. We also know how to throw a party.
Just ask anyone who stopped by our Party in the Plaza on Wednesday, Oct. 8. Canada Games Plaza lit up with local food trucks, vendors, music, and athlete demonstrations — a sneak peek at the energy and hospitality we’ll bring in 2030.
Hosting large-scale events? It’s kind of our thing. Beyond this year’s Games, we’ve welcomed more than 6,000 athletes, coaches and supporters for the BC Summer Swimming Association (BCSSA) Provincial Championships, and in years past, we’ve hosted the Canada Winter Games and other national tournaments. We know what we’re doing. You’ll find our venues are ready for
action: UNBC, Masich Place Stadium, the Aquatic Centre, Carrie Jane Gray Park and the CN Centre are all worldclass. And they’re close together. Whether you’re driving, walking, wheeling or racing from one event to the next, getting around is a breeze.
Worried about hotel space? Don’t be. There are more than enough beds, pillows and late-night snack options to keep everyone happy — coaches, athletes, families and even the odd sleep-deprived sports reporter.
And speaking of coverage: our local media scene is no small-town affair. Between The Citizen and local TV and radio stations, our journalists are dialed in and ready to spotlight every inspiring moment and athlete story, bringing the Games to life for fans here in town and across Canada.
At the end of the day, though, it’s not just about logistics and legacy. It’s about community and inclusion, and Prince George has those in abundance. We invite you to look beyond the scoreboards and facilities and see the heart of our community.
If selected, we will ensure the 2030 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games are not just successful, but an unforgettably positive experience for every competitor.
We’re ready. We’re excited. And we can’t wait to welcome Canada’s Special Olympics family in 2030.
editor@pgcitizen.ca
We acknowledge the financial support of the government of Canada.
Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier du gouvernement du
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CITIZEN FILE PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
The Surrey Inferno plays the Mission Vipers in the rain at Rotary Fields during the Special Olympics BC Summer Games on Friday, July 11. Prince George is in the running to host the 2030 Special Olympics Canada Games.
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OPINION
Cows found dead after fertilizer sprayed from the sky
The Back Story
If you were out hunting this week around Prince George and Quesnel you probably heard the annoying buzz of helicopters spraying many dozens of semi-trucks worth of fertilizer on our forests.
For at least 11 unlucky cattle east of Quesnel, this was no mere nuisance, but it may have been their death sentence.
Speaking with the affected rancher, I was told this wasn’t so much a pile of spilled fertilizer but fertilizer that had dissolved in rain, had collected in a puddle, and which the cattle drank. This happened at two different loading locations.
One disturbing photo of dead cattle was from one fill location, where six cattle died, while two more cattle were found dead at another fill site and the remainder found nearby.
If these cattle and wildlife died from fertilizer poisoning, it does not appear to be a one-off.
Investigating loading locations by Punchaw Lake on Monday, Oct. 5, I noticed two sections of Clarkson Road were tinted blue with fertilizer pellets. A little rain could easily concentrate this into an irresistible puddle for wildlife to drink from.
It doesn’t take much fertilizer to kill ungulates, and when you are spraying this stuff on tens of thousands of hectares at around 435 kg per hectare, I don’t think these cattle are the first victims of this program.
Toads and amphibians, for starters, are highly sensitive to forestry fertilizing.
I walked through a fertilizer-sprayed plantation and there were pellets uniformly scattered through the understory. I don’t think toads, snails, and other amphibians not to mention
Dead cows lie on the ground on a rancher’s property near Quesnel. Their owner alleges they died after fertilizer was sprayed from the sky over his property.
insects could avoid contacting their skin with it.
Chickens will also eat fertilizer and rapidly expire. I have no idea whether grouse will eat them and I have seen no BC research asking this.
This program has been happening for decades. It has recently been rolled into a roughly $100 million a year program called the Forest Investment Program.
This program is supposed to “enhance forest resiliency, mitigate climate change, and restore ecosystems and wildlife habitat.”
A big claim of this program, and its defenders, is that this is all about greenhouse gas mitigation. If we fertilize the forests, the trees will grow faster, and they will sequester more carbon.
It’s a clever argument.
In the past, arguments were made that we should make the corporations pay for forest fertilizing, since they would be the ones benefiting from the expense.
It’s still a legitimate argument. We aren’t fertilizing parks. We are fertilizing industrial plantations and if we are
making them grow quicker, the annual allowable cut can go up.
I guess with climate change on the table, we aren’t supposed to be asking how our government takes money in a time of record deficits to enhance corporate profits. That would be rude. But when you examine other details of the program, things start to look fishy.
This same program, ironically, has spent many millions of dollars eliminating aspen and birch from the plantations, including in the past few years.
Aspen and birch, of course, are known to sequester the many times more carbon than other boreal conifer species, have higher resistance to wildfires, and have an albedo nearly double that of conifers.
If the Forest Investment Program cared about climate change, why are they cutting down perfectly good aspen trees sequestering the most carbon, absorbing the least amount of solar radiation, and mitigating the most wildfire?
And not only that, those aspen, birch, cottonwood and alders fertilize our forests for free. In 2022 research was published showing that having broadleaf mixtures in your conifer plantations increased nitrogen and improved stand productivity.
An interesting study in Oregon showed that a red-alder fire-break experiment at Wind River grew Douglas fir better than the plantations where the red alder had been eliminated.
A lot of this probably has to do with what BC-born forest scientist Suzanne Simard discovered: trees like birch support funghi called mycorrhizae that benefit conifer trees like Douglas fir. And adding chemical fertilizer doesn’t seem to do great things for these free funghi fertilizers either.
Research out of Scandinavia shows that the ectomycorrhizae that help pine are negatively impacted by fertilizer applications.
As taxpayers it goes without saying we always need to scrutinize government.
This Forest Investment Program and this forestry fertilizing is a great example of something of dubious value that we could do for free if we simply got out of nature’s way.
The only problem with that is that nature doesn’t employ bureaucrats.
James Steidle is a Prince George writer.
JAMES STEIDLE
SUBMITTED PHOTO
JAMES STEIDLE PHOTO
Bits of blue fertilizer can be seen on the ground.
OPINION
Fire destroys Prince George’s Nechako Bottle Depot son First Avenue
Liberal policies = liberal results. Good job, Premier David Eby, Mayor Simon Yu and the city for allowing the destruction of our city.
PGborn
The city is already spending 37 per cent of your municipal taxes on public safety. Should taxes go up more or what should we cut?
Trudy Klassen
Trudy Klassen, maybe that 37 per cent should be examined in more detail. How much is getting to actual safety and how much is getting lost in administrative costs?
Time for an external operational audit of the city’s entire operations, and detailed value audit of expenditures. The constant circle of blame must stop. (Municipality blames province, province blames feds, feds say it is a local issue). Get things done, instead of playing the blame game.
MFW68
Trudy Klassen, as an outsider looking at Prince George there is a paradox in your statement. The paradox is that as your tax paying businesses burn down, blow up or just plain give up and close the doors. Your tax base goes down. When your tax base goes down your percentage spent on public safety will increase.The City of PG needs to do something. waymar10@telus.net
Letter to the editor: Removing Connaught Hill stairs would mean criminals win
For some reason, the city is slowly removing everything that gives our city pride. could it be because our elected, have no pride in our city.
The more we take away or lose the less pride we have in our city.
Letter to the editor: Removing Connaught Hill stairs would mean criminals win
Maybe the better solution would be to both restore the original yellow paint AND install many more bright streetlights/park lights along the entire staircase.
It is intimidatingly dark at night currently.
Robb M
Guest column: Little Prince’s new home will be more than just a ‘shed’
Well said.
When you stop to consider all of the hurdles and regulations involved the cost becomes less of a surprise.
As a taxpayer I’ll admit it’s a bitter pill to swallow, however I agree that losing the Little Prince is far worse.
J3r3my
column: Little Prince’s new home will be more than just a ‘shed’ So sad. I hope council or whoever has the powers that be, can put forth funding for this PG keepsake. It has for many years, and will continue to provide enjoyment and history to the citizens of Prince George, especially children.
Jennifer
UHNBC acute care tower contractors chosen for construction, design
Where are the doctors and specialists coming from to work in this magnificent tower? We currently have no urologist, no on-site oncologists, we can’t even staff the two walk-in clinics in this city.
As a taxpayer and a lawabiding citizen our rights have been taken away and given to thugs and drugs how’s that a productive country. We are being held hostage by judges and lawlessness. Just my rant skidderbugs Share your views on our stories at
Lussier
Editorial: Involuntary care announcement shows that PG voices are being heard
Why do our current law and order policies fail to address a major problem that has significantly impacted the downtown core of Prince George?
This so called ‘urgent issue’ has brewed for years. Businesses have been leaving for years, I assume that it has become urgent when public safety in downtown Prince George is close to non existent.
Buildings need to blow up and burn down before this becomes an urgent issue?
The facts are that politicians, bureaucrats, the legal system and policing have failed to protect downtown Prince George from illegal activity.
Whether another so called ‘facility’ will have any impact on illegal activity, when current law and order policies are so poorly enforced is debatable. waymar10@telus.net
In fact, 71 oncologists were hired in BC last year, and not one came to Prince George. They reside in Kelowna or Vancouver.
I currently know cancer patients that travel to both of these cities for treatment. So much for Cancer Care in the North.
This ‘build it, they will come’ attitude has to stop.
How about figuring out why you cannot attract doctors to the North. How about instead of building state-ofthe-art hospitals that house more managers than medical professionals, come up with a plan to attract doctors, specialists, nurses, technicians, everything we are short of.
Some incentives like helping pay off student loans would be a great start.
Then choosing an out-ofprovince contractor is just another slap in the face.
R. Nich
Guest
Bottle depot owners thank community
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
With the investigation into the cause of the Nechako Bottle Depot fire about to begin, the owners of the longstanding business are beginning the long process of rebuilding following the blaze.
Co-owner Darcy Buryn spoke to The Citizen about the company’s initial reactions to the disaster.
“Obviously, it’s devastating to watch something we’ve put so much work into over the years burned to the ground like that,” said Buryn. “Since then, we’re trying to reflect on how grateful we are for all the support the community’s given us as a business over the years.”
Buryn said the company has been working on the initial stages of reopening and finding a path forward after the blaze.
“I’d say in the last 24–36 hours, our time has been devoted to getting back open and operating again,” said Buryn. “We’ve been working with our stewardship partners, Encorp Pacific and DDL. They’ve been very supportive and are making sure we get the support we need to get back open again. Obviously, there’s a lot to the process and it’ll take a long time, but the process of reopening has started already.”
He added that the owners are currently making a short list of locations in Prince George to start fresh, but he recognizes that it could take a while to secure a new permanent location.
“It’s probably early to say one way or the other,” he said. “In terms of getting open as soon as possible, that will be in an alternate location. We can’t operate from where we are fully anytime soon. It’ll take some number of days to make the long-term decisions. In the short term, we’re looking for some alternate locations that we can get back open and do the work we need to do.”
The company is also cooperating with the ongoing investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
“It doesn’t appear that there were any injuries,” said Buryn. “Our staff is safe and just grateful for all the support and outreach we’ve received, and for the
Fire chief warns against speculation
An investigation into the Sunday morning fire at the Nechako Bottle Depot is set to start, with Prince George’s fire chief saying he hopes people wait for its results rather than speculate on social media.
Prince George Fire Chief Bryan Burleigh updated the media on Monday, Sept. 29 about what firefighters went through to battle the blaze in the early morning hours of Sunday, Sept. 28.
“It’s no doubt a devastating thing for our community, for the property owner, for the people that work there,” said Burleigh.
investigation, time will tell what the outcome of that is. In the meantime, there’s no point in speculating over the cause, and we’re doing our best to get open.”
Despite the hardships, Nechako Bottle Depot will be working to support approximately 20 staff who are currently out of work since the location was lost, Buryn said.
“We’ll be able to make better decisions about what it means for everybody’s employment as alternate plans come together,” said Buryn. “Our staff is a very valuable part of the service that we provide and we’ll do our best to help everybody through this on a shortterm basis and look to get everybody gainfully employed again as soon as possible.”
One consistent thing throughout the process that Buryn noted was the outpouring of support from the business community in Prince George.
“Personally, I’m very grateful for the support of my partners,” said Buryn.
“As a group, I think we can face what’s coming towards us. The amount of support we’ve had from people in our industry — other depot operators throughout the province, stewardship recycling, the people who run the stewardship programs that we are members of, Encorp Pacific and DDL — we’ve had so much outreach and people offering all kinds of support to help us get up and running. As challenging as it has been, the outreach and support that we’ve been getting has been overwhelming and means so much.”
Buryn has also received support from the public in Prince George.
“The three of us have all been in the community a long time,” said Buryn. “Friends, co-workers, people we know in the business community — we’ve just had so many offers and outreach of support. We’ll take advantage of the support that’s offered in whatever way we can and move forward as expeditiously as possible to get operating again.”
Burleigh said that recent conversations on social media pointing fingers about the origin of the fire are speculation and that he hopes to put minds at ease with the forthcoming investigation.
“It’s purely speculation. We will do our official fire investigation here and the cause hopefully will be determined — we hope to put people’s minds at ease as a result,” he said.
Burleigh told reporters that he had begun working with insurance investigators and that an investigation into the origin of the fire was set to get under way.
This investigation is concurrent with an RCMP investigation that is underway, with police and fire investigators working together to determine a cause.
“We continue to gather information on the cause of the fire and are asking that the businesses in the area check their video surveillance to see if there is any movement caught around the bottle depot between 4:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. the morning of the fire,” stated Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, media relations officer for the Prince George RCMP, in a press release. Call 250-561-3300 with any information.
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO
An aerial photo taken Monday, Sept. 30 shows the extent of the devastation at the Nechako Bottle Depot on First Avenue.
Firefighter saved a child on his first day on the job in 1980
The fire was on the third floor of an apartment building at Rainbow and Ahbau
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff
On his first day on the job, a firefighter saved a little girl trapped in an apartment fire.
Forty-five years later, Lee Painchaud still wonders about that young girl, who was about four years old at the time. It all started on a June day in 1980. After six months of probation at the downtown fire hall, Painchaud, 25, was assigned to Fire Hall No. 2, the station on Ospika Boulevard.
His supervisor, who he remembers only as “Marv,” decided that after doing their general duties, it was important to show Painchaud around the neighbourhood so he could get to know it from a firefighter’s perspective.
The fateful decision was made to go in the morning rather than the afternoon — so as they were touring the neighbourhood, the call came in.
“We were all suited up and I don’t think we were out on the road for very long — like maybe 10 minutes when the call come in — confirmed structure fire,” Painchaud recalled.
The fire was on the third floor of an apartment building at the corner of Rainbow Drive and Ahbau Street.
“We had to have been there within a minute of the call,” Painchaud said.
“So we come around the corner and you see flames blowing out the third floor living room — the whole plate glass window was blown out, the flames are shooting 25 feet in the air. We pull the truck up and the two of us jump off the truck and then you hear ‘there’s still two kids inside!’ and then you think ‘Holy! Wow!’ and so Marv was doing his thing, stretching lines out and I am hooking the pump up and Base Hall was on their way. This thing was going really fast and Base Hall gets there and Marv and one of the other guys have already gone in and attacked the fire and I go in
Prince George firefighter Lee Painchaud, who saved a little girl from a fire on his first day on the job, wonders what ever happened to her, 45 years later. Here Painchaud is seen behind a desk in the later part of his career with the Prince George Fire Department.
maybe a minute behind Marv, I think, and met the attack crew and they were jammed up with furniture in the kitchen area. They were four feet away from me and I couldn’t see them but I could hear ’em.”
He waited only about two seconds and scooted right by them, thinking about the children trapped inside.
“Still heavy smoke and a lot of heat but most of the flames were knocked down,” Painchaud recalled.
“I come to the first bedroom and the door was slightly open and I stop for a second because fire protocol is you search the rooms closest to the fire first. A thousand things were going through my mind — is there a kid in there? In the closet? Under the bed? In the toy box? Did the fire push the door open? And that all happened in about two seconds. I had to get to the back bedroom.”
There’s a lot of emotion that comes up as Painchaud is in the thick of his recollection.
“So I had to get to that back bedroom,” Painchaud said.
“I go down the hallway and I go to push on the door and I felt resistance and I reached in and that’s when I felt her there and I scooped her out as quick as I could and protected her as much as I could and I didn’t even see the others on the way out. I must’ve got her out of that apartment in about six or seven seconds — it was really fast. Just as I come out of the apartment another firefighter, Dennis Weyman, saw me come out as he was coming up the stairs and he already ripped his mask off and he was right there and I said ‘I got one but I don’t know where the other one is’ and through the grapevine we hear ‘there’s just the one, there’s just the one’.”
Weyman did the assessment on the unconscious little girl as Painchaud ran to grab the oxygen from the truck.
Back in 1980 there weren’t any masks for little kids, so the firefighters had to make do with what they had, he added.
Painchaud removed Weyman’s big mask from the little girl and placed the
tube at the corner of her mouth and turned the oxygen to its maximum so Weyman could still ventilate her.
“We needed to get that air into her lungs,” Painchaud said.
“And I don’t know how long it was — four or five minutes maybe — we could hear the ambulance coming in the distance — and I was watching her colour more than anything because as I was taking her pulse — was that her pulse or was that my pulse because my heart’s pounding so hard — and it was really weak and I was watching her colour and it went from a death-looking pale grey to pink again and right about the time the ambulance came I saw her little finger move and then her arm and that’s when the ambulance took her away — still unconscious — and we kept doing what we had to do at the scene.”
Later on, when they were at the hall, the shift chief came up, Painchaud added.
CONTINUED
If you know who that little girl was, let The Citizen know
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
“He said he called the hospital and talked to the charge nurse and asked her how the little girl was doing. The charge nurse said ‘hey, listen to this’ and this kid is just screaming in the background,” Painchaud takes a breath.
“She’s going to be OK. Then the big chief come up and he was a parent at the time and congratulated us and all that and then when the chiefs were gone one of the other guys said ‘you know how rare this is? We’re usually pulling fire victims out’ and this one was so close — a minute or less is what they said. It was so close.”
So many things could’ve gone wrong that day, but everything went right for the little girl, he added.
After the apartment building was repaired and the family could move back in, members of the fire department, including Painchaud, paid them
Retired Prince George firefighter shared one of his old ID cards so readers can see what he looked like when he was on duty here.
a visit to give them some furniture, a stereo and a television.
“She was standing in the corner of the apartment with her arm wrapped around her mom’s leg, looking a little scared,” Painchaud remembered.
He never did tell her he was the one who got her out of the building.
Painchaud was with the Prince
George Fire Department for 25 years — 18 years in suppression. He changed direction after his body couldn’t do it anymore, and during the remainder of his career focused on inspections, training, investigations and public education, where he visited about 40 elementary schools in the area and spoke to about 9,000 students who knew him as
Koltin Chasse has over the past 6 years successfully met the stringent educational requirements by gaining the Chartered Investment Manger designation that compliments his double major from UNBC. To qualify as a portfolio manager Koltin has been required to gain extensive experience, mentorship and supervision by a team of PM’s and demonstrate proficiency in the areas of investment analysis, ethics, compliance, fiduciary duty and client relationship management.
“Fireman Lee.”
“So over the years you wonder,” Painchaud said, thinking about the little girl’s fate.
“She must still be here for a reason.” She would be in her late 40s, early 50s now, he added.
This is the message Painchaud is sending out to her.
“I don’t know who you are. I don’t know where you are. I hope you’ve had a wonderful life. You’re here for a reason. If it’s tough right now it will get better. Keep the faith.”
Painchaud said if she would like to reach out just to let him know she’s still here, he would appreciate that — but no pressure.
Editor’s note
The Citizen would like to hear from anyone involved in that fire in June of 1980 to see if we can find out about the little girl Painchaud saved. Please email cdalgleish@pgcitizen.ca
Koltin Chasse has demonstrated a commitment to ongoing professional development and ethical conduct and a passion for helping families achieve financial success and literacy.
Fieldhouse Capital and the Prince George Team are pleased to welcome Koltin to the ranks of Portfolio Manager. Koltin will work primarily from 1553 3rd Avenue and can be found on most major social platforms where he is active sharing his knowledge and passion for the financial services sector.
Judge acquits man, says he can’t tell who to believe
The suspect was accused of sexual assault, assault and threatening a woman
BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
BC Supreme Court Justice Ronald Tindale acquitted an Atlin man on Oct. 3 after the Crown failed to prove charges that he assaulted, sexually assaulted and threatened a woman with death or bodily harm.
Alfred Hanson Dennis pleaded not guilty before he stood trial for three days in Prince George, accused of the offences against a woman with whom he was travelling in early 2023. The trial was held under a ban on information about the identity of the complainant.
Dennis testified in his own defence and flatly denied the allegations against him.
One-year probation for man guilty of having a weapon
A 55-year-old man pleaded guilty in Prince George Provincial Court on Oct. 1 to possession of a firearm for a dangerous purpose.
Judge Cassandra Malfair suspended sentence for Karl Duncan Joseph, ordering him to spend 12 months on probation. Joseph is also banned from possessing weapons and must not go within 25 metres of anywhere the victim may be.
Court heard that a woman contacted RCMP, concerned for her safety, on June 25. She said she received information that Joseph was looking for her after they had an argument while he was armed and in her pickup truck on June 23.
“While he was holding a gun, individuals did see him putting ammunition in there,” Crown prosecutor Denise Payne said told Malfair. “There was no lawful purpose for him to possess that weapon at that point in time, and he grabbed onto it because of the heated discussion
Tindale, in his oral verdict, said he had concerns about the credibility of both Dennis and the complainant. He ultimately ruled that he could not decide which one to believe about what went on at the Super 8 Motel in Valemount on Feb. 20, 2023.
The trial heard that the two had returned to BC. from Alberta and stopped overnight in Valemount instead of continuing on to Vancouver.
Tindale said they “both gave diametrically opposed versions of the events that occurred at the Super 8 Motel.”
According to the complainant’s version, she showered and remained sober while Dennis drank a full bottle of whiskey and some more from another bottle.
They argued and Dennis allegedly shoved her, striking her in the mouth and nose, causing her to bleed. She said he eventually threw an empty bottle at her, which smashed against the wall, prompting a call from the front desk.
COURT NOTES
and during the heated discussion that they were having.”
Defence lawyer Charles Hutchinson admitted Joseph, a member of the Tl’azt’en Nation, does have a lengthy criminal record, including assault with a weapon. However, he suffered a stroke more than 10 years ago and also cares for a disabled nephew.
Malfair agreed to the joint Crown and defence probation proposal for Joseph. She imposed the weapons ban and ordered Joseph to attend counselling as directed by a probation officer.
Crown stayed charges of pointing a firearm and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.
Time served for man arrested for breaking youth sentence
A man who spent Christmas Eve in the drunk tank won’t see another day in jail.
The man, who was charged with
Dennis, she said, decided to leave, but grabbed her by the arm, pushed her on the bed, tried to choke her and proceeded to sexually assault her. She testified Dennis injured her shoulder, neck, back, legs, torso, lip, nose and rectum.
In his testimony, Dennis denied striking and threatening the complainant, spitting in her face, choking her or having any sexual activity with her.
He did admit to drinking heavily that evening, but said he went to bed.
Tindale said the testimony of the accused had to be “viewed with some caution,” because Dennis admitted drinking a significant amount of alcohol on Feb. 20, 2023 and his timeline and account of travel with the complainant were wrong.
However, Tindale found it “implausible” that the complainant could have driven from Valemount to the Lower Mainland using one hand due to an injury.
“There have been no medical
failing to comply with a Youth Criminal Justice Act sentence, received one day, time served, when he appeared in Prince George Provincial Court on Oct. 3.
Judge Cassandra Malfair heard that RCMP officers were called to a disturbance at a location in Prince George last Dec. 24 and found the man intoxicated while sitting outside a residence with other individuals. At the time, he was serving a youth sentence that included a ban on consuming alcohol.
Another year in jail, probation, for Dawson Creek firearms case
A man who pleaded guilty to occupying a vehicle in Dawson Creek while knowing there was a firearm inside and was sentenced Sept. 12 to two years in jail and one year on probation.
In the Oct. 3-released transcript of BC Supreme Court Justice Joseph Doyle’s ruling, Jesse Sebastian Bujold’s jail sentence is a net 373 days, due to credit for time served.
Bujold had originally been charged
records or even photographs of the complainant’s injuries tendered on this trial,” he said. “The complainant said that she worked the week after this incident.”
Moreover, no family members or co-workers were called to testify to attest to the extent of her injuries. That did not make sense to Tindale, because she testified about having a large family and that she did not seek medical attention until months later.
“Given the accused’s flat denial that these offences occurred, the lack of confirmatory evidence in relationship to the complainant’s injuries and her evidence regarding the front desk clerk and the altercation in the parking lot is notable,” Tindale said.
“Considering all of the evidence, and given the concerns I have about the credibility of both the accused and the complainant’s evidence, absent any confirmatory evidence, I am unable to determine who to believe in this matter.”
with flight from police and careless use of a firearm, but Bujold said he was not being sentenced for being the driver or for being the person who shot the gun at a police vehicle.
Doyle said Bujold was arrested after RCMP attended a shots fired call on Jan. 16 in Dawson Creek. An officer, who showed up in an unmarked vehicle, suspected a black truck to be involved. No other vehicle was around and the driver did not stop for police, so a high-speed chase ensued.
Police, with help from a dog, eventually found the truck and discovered Bujold and another accused person, They were arrested and a restricted firearm, an Optima shotgun, was found later.
Doyle agreed to the joint sentencing proposal from Crown and defence lawyers. The probation term includes a ban on possessing any weapon as defined by the Criminal Code.
— Court reporting by Bob Mackin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Pickup truck ends up in Nechako River
PG Fire Rescue crews take the opportunity to practise water rescue techniques on Friday, Oct. 3 after determining a pickup truck submerged downriver of the Cottonwood boat launch (see photo below) was unoccupied.
Police
investigating viral fight video
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
An investigation is underway into a fight video that was uploaded to Snapchat before making its way to local Facebook groups such as WTF Prince George in recent days.
The video itself, which was about 10 to 15 seconds long, depicts two youths engaged in a violent encounter, which the RCMP said “moved beyond a consensual fight and into assault.”
The video was reportedly removed from the Facebook page, and police have stated that they have identified the people in the footage.
Concerned citizens reported the video to the RCMP, which led to the investigation.
“We have had many reports, and even more now that this video has moved from messaging apps to social media, and we want to reassure the public
that the persons involved have been identified and that we have an open investigation into this issue,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, media relations officer for the Prince George RCMP. “What the police are asking the public to do now is to stop sharing the video.”
Police say sharing the video is a form of re-victimization.
“This is a good opportunity for parents to review with their teens and youth about what they can do when they see a fight, or other criminal behaviour, getting shared around on messaging apps and social media,” said Cooper.
“Ensuring you have discussed issues such as Internet safety, sexting and bullying are important aspects of allowing our young people to enter the online world.”
For more information on how to help kids and teens stay safe online, visit the Online Safety page: https://rcmp.ca/en/ bc/safety-tips/online-safety
Verdict in November for man who killed mother of two
BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A BC Supreme Court judge will deliver his verdict on Nov. 10 after hearing the first degree murder trial of a 25-year-old Prince George man.
At the end of closing arguments on Oct. 2, Justice Michael Tammen scheduled the 90-minute hearing to give his reasons for judgment.
Wood pleaded not guilty when the trial began Sept. 2. However, one of his defence lawyers, Tony Lagemaat, conceded during closing arguments on Oct. 1 that Wood should be found guilty of manslaughter, for causing the death of 22-year-old ex-girlfriend Isabelle Thomas in her home on July 18, 2023.
Wood testified in his own defence during the trial, that he went to Thomas’s Alpine Village townhouse twice on July 12 and July 13, 2023 to scope the place out with the intent to steal her PlayStation 4 video game console. He claimed he wanted to sell it in order to pay a legal bill. Wood also claimed he was high on methamphetamine on the day of the crime.
“There’s no credible evidence of intoxication at all,” said Crown prosecutor Tyler Bauman in his closing arguments. “There’s certainly no evidence that could lead to the conclusion that Mr. Wood could not foresee the consequences of his actions.”
The judge in a first-degree murder trial will deliver his verdict on Nov. 10 after several weeks of testimony.
He said Tammen should reject outright Wood’s evidence of meth use and psychosis and cited Bauman expert witness, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Tyler Oswald. Oswald testified that if Wood had been intoxicated, then it was not at such a high level as to impair his judgment in any observable way.
The Crown case said Wood entered Thomas’s residence through an unlocked door with his knife at the ready, ran up the stairs, chased Thomas into the bedroom and repeatedly stabbed her before fleeing. He was inside for 35 seconds.
Wood claimed he heard voices in his
head, including that of Thomas, who said the residence was empty.
Bauman called Wood’s PlayStation 4 story “absurd.”
“It makes no sense that Mr. Wood would go to the trouble to steal a badly outdated and relatively worthless gaming console when he had one of his own that he could have sold,” Bauman said. “Or he could have stolen one from just about any residence in Prince George and certainly any electronics store.”
Bauman said Wood’s testimony was “inconsistent, deceptive and evasive.” Evidence showed Wood did not act with any “hesitation, indecision, intoxication or disordered thought.” Instead, he was focused, purposeful and deliberate after the offence.
Bauman said Wood kept the knife until he was near a wooded area where he tossed it into the bush. The weapon was never recovered by police. Wood returned home, washed his hands, took a shower and put his clothes in the washing machine. He called a probation officer and invited a friend to play video games.
In his rebuttal, Wood’s other defence lawyer, Mark Berry, disputed Bauman’s framing of Wood’s intent.
“What [Wood] was saying was, yeah, it was planned and deliberate to steal the PlayStation. He didn’t, at any point say, yeah, I planned and deliberated to kill Miss Thomas,” Berry said.
Acquittal for man accused of sexually assaulting child
BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A BC Supreme Court judge acquitted a man of sexual assault and touching a person under 14 for sexual purpose on Sept. 29 after she deemed the complainant unreliable and her testimony inconsistent.
Justice Anita Chan said the complainant’s account was “ever shifting” and not corroborated by her brother’s testimony.
“Based on the many inconsistencies
in her evidence, in direct and cross-examination, and between her earlier statements and preliminary hearing evidence, the court has no faith in her evidence,” Chan said.
A publication ban protects information that could identify the complainant or witnesses. Chan did not name the community near Prince George where the alleged incident took place.
The complainant reported to police in May 2021 that, when she was a 13-year-old in May 2003, a man came to
her downstairs room after a party and sexually assaulted her.
She said her parents were drunk and passed out in an upstairs bedroom, but her brother was home at the time.
“What the complainant recounted about the sexual assault is a traumatic event,” Chan said.
“If it had occurred as she testified to, then one would expect her brother would recall being told at the time what had happened to her.”
Instead, he testified that he did not
learn about the allegations until at least 18 years later when he was contacted by police.
The brother testified that he heard some grunting noises emanating from his sister’s room, but he agreed that he did not mention grunting noises in his statement to police. He also testified that his sister did not come to his room that night and he did not go to his sister’s room.
The accused represented himself, but a lawyer was appointed by the court for cross-examination.
Time served and probation for man who stabbed sister
BOB MACKIN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Time served plus two years probation is the sentence for the man who pleaded guilty in June to stabbing his sister in the drug-induced belief that she was his ex-girlfriend.
Blaze Tikal Lorenzon-Tom, 22, had been in jail since the July 17, 2024 aggravated assault. He confessed to police that he had taken speed and meth, had been drunk and was hallucinating.
On Sept. 29 in Prince George Provincial Court, Judge David Simpkin agreed to the sentence, proposed jointly by Crown and defence lawyers. It includes bans on possessing weapons, alcohol and drugs, except prescription drugs. Simpkin ordered Lorenzon-Tom to attend counselling as directed by a probation officer, attend all scheduled medical appointments and take all medical treatments prescribed.
“This is all designed to help you going forward,” Simpkin said. “You’re still a young guy.”
Simpkin said the sentence he would have given him was 18 months in jail, but Lorenzon-Tom received credit for time served.
Simpkin said a psychiatric and psychological assessment found
Lorenzon-Tom a relatively high risk to reoffend violently, due to his mental health, instability and substance abuse.
Simpkin said the report also reveals that Lorenzon-Tom has lived a “life blighted by substance misuse” of his own and that by his family members. He was diagnosed with specified anxiety disorder, borderline intellectual
functioning and a history of complex trauma.
However, Simpkin noted “some very concerning comments” in the report.
Lorenzon-Tom said he wants to stop using drugs and spend time with his family, but then said he intends to “drink booze and smoke meth” and “drink a ton when he is released.”
“That answer does not seem to be an appropriate answer to the question that was asked, but perhaps indicates a state of mind for Mr. Lorenzon-Tom,” Simpkin said.
Simpkin said the sentence addresses denunciation and deterrence and takes into account Lorenzon-Tom’s Indigenous heritage and his sister’s hopes for his rehabilitation.
Lorenzon-Tom pleaded guilty to the aggravated assault charge, but not wilfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer, when his trial was scheduled to begin in June. He did not have a criminal record.
A man who stabbed his sister in the mistaken belief that she was his ex-girlfriend was sentenced to time served and probation. He has been in jail since July 17, 2024.
Latest tariffs mean layoffs, closures likely, Brink says
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
It’s been 50 years since John Brink first opened the doors of Brink Forest Products in Prince George as a value-added secondary forestry mill to produce finger-jointed lumber.
Oct. 1, 1975 was when it all began for Brink, when he fired up his mill on River Road for the first time, and Wednesday, Oct. 1 marked that 50-year anniversary. But the 85-year-old Dutch immigrant was in no mood to celebrate.
Not after he learned on Monday, Sept. 29 that the US government will slap a 10 per cent duty on imported softwood lumber and timber, on top of the 35 per cent anti-dumping and countervailing duties Canadian producers are already facing. It means import taxes on Canadian softwood lumber entering the U.S. will now exceed 45 per cent.
For Brink, it’s another gut-punch, knowing that 90 per cent of what gets produced at his mills in Prince George, Vanderhoof and Houston crosses the border into the United States.
“The duties now are at 45 per cent, which is virtually impossible for anybody to survive on, and it then becomes a question of how does the industry deal with it,” said Brink.
“It applies to primaries, secondaries but also includes a whole new group of lumber-related or fibre-related companies that make cabinets and other value added products that go into the United States.”
The new tariffs take effect Oct. 14. U.S. president Donald Trump also announced there will also be a 25 per cent levy on imported kitchen cabinets and vanities, as well as upholstered wooden products. While most of the country’s furniture manufacturers/ exporters are based in eastern Canada, Brink envisioned producing furniture as well as laminated beams in the longterm plan for his local mills.
Having grown from just three employees when it started to a workforce of 400 as recently as 2022, The Brink Group of Companies currently has 250 people working at its three mills. However,
more layoffs are almost inevitable as a result of the tariffs.
“Obviously we are looking at everything,” said Brink. “We are already running at less than half-capacity and this changes things again and will adversely affect our operation to step down even further, because we just can’t do it.”
Brink foresees other local lumber producers in northern BC having to curtail their operations and some might be forced to shutter mills permanently.
“The troubling part about it, with anti-dumping, Canfor is now at 57 per cent and all others like us in value-added are at 45 per cent,” said Brink.
“It’s a graveyard of sawmills around northern BC, if I look at Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Bear Lake, Fraser Lake, Vanderhoof and Houston, but we have the best timber in the world,” he said.
“All the timber is controlled by companies that left BC a long time ago, so the use-it or lose-it is just rhetoric from the politicians. We have 60-65 million cubic metres of annual allowable cut available to us but the government is only proposing to make 45 million cubic feet available and you can’t even do that, it’s more like 25 million cubic metres. So the next thing that will go down, in my opinion, is the medium-sized sawmills.”
Despite the August surge of new single-family home starts spurred by lower mortgage rates and builder incentives which brought the seasonally-adjusted annual sales rate to 800,000 — the highest since January 2022 — the market in the States for imported lumber is
currently at a low ebb. The cost of the tariffs will be absorbed by home buyers, making those houses more expensive to build, and that increases the likelihood new homes sales will drop.
“If you look at the demand of the market, housing starts are very low in the United States,” said Brink. “Mortgage rates are still high (5.5 per cent) and so housing starts that normally are 1.5 million or higher are at 800,000, so that shows demand in the marketplace is very low. In terms of passing on the duty to buyers, that’s not going to happen in that kind of a market situation.”
The once-thriving secondary forestry manufacturing industry, which once had 800 companies operating in BC, now has less than 25 still producing wood products, and Brink says this latest round of tariffs could force more to close.
Where Northern BC used to have 40 value-added mills there are now only three or four still open.
“Most of them will likely disappear, including us, that’s the reality,” Brink said.
“We need, for our forest industry to survive, a long-term plan, not for the next four years to the next election, but for the next 20, 30, 40 years. We have to have a plan and we don’t have a plan.”
Brink said secondary manufacturers are not eligible for the federal government’s $1.25 billion aid package for Canada’s softwood lumber industry announced Aug. 5, which set aside $700 million in loan guarantees, $500 million for product/market diversification
and $50 million for worker training programs.
He also says the provincial government has provided no incentives for secondary forestry producers struggling to survive a poor economic climate over the past decade and has offered nothing to help his company weather the tariff storm.
He said Brink Forest Products has paid $80 million in duties to the US since 2017.
“As an industry, secondary manufacturers have no subsidies, have no timber, don’t get any stumpage payments or get any handouts,” Brink said. “Value-added manufacturers should not have been paying duties. Anti-dumping should never have happened if we had had a viable secondary manufacturing sector here.
“We have the best fibre in the world here in northern BC, much better than the southeast (US) yellow pine. The market for further manufacturing is here in Canada and in particular, British Columbia. Until the governments are believing in that we will always be relying in others for our future as an industry.”
According to Madison’s Lumber Reporter, the benchmark price key benchmark for western spruce-pinefir (WSPF) 2x4 No. 2 grade-or-better lumber was priced at between $476 and $482 US per thousand board feet for the weeks ending Sept. 19 and Sept. 25.
Brink said that price will likely have to reach $1,000 for BC manufacturers to return to profitability and he’s hoping to see that by the spring of summer of 2026.
“I’m still an optimist looking forward,” he said. “The potential for northern BC is amazing, we have the best resources of anywhere in North America. The United States, once things get back to normal, although they believe they don’t need our lumber, they do. Once they get back to normal, 1.5 million (single-family home starts) they will need to bring from other sources, 30-40 per cent of their lumber requirements unless they knock down all their parks, and that’s not going to happen.”
BRINK GROUP OF COMPANIES PHOTO
John Brink has owned and operated Brink Forest Products in Prince George since it opened on Oct. 1, 1975.
Copper Falls gives back with construction of new home
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
Copper Falls Custom Homes has announced that it is well underway on the construction of its sixth house under the umbrella of the Copper Project.
The Copper Project, which has been running for nearly seven years, is a collaboration between Copper Falls Custom Homes and the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation.
This project brings together more than 50 local contractors and trades businesses who donate time, labour, talent and supplies to the construction of a brand new custom home.
When purchased, the net proceeds of this home will go to the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation — which will be used to support cardiac care in the North — something Spirit of the North hopes will help bring life-saving services closer to those who live in Prince George and beyond.
Previous homes sold under the Copper Project have generated $550,000 for Spirit of the North and have brought critical equipment such as infusion pumps for pediatric patients, enhancements to the Short Stay Unit and advanced equipment to strengthen cardiac care in the region.
The home, located in the Legacy Park subdivision at 7223 Hillu Rd. in the Hart, is expected to be finished in early February 2026 and listed for $725,000.
Aimee Cassie, CEO of the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, emphasized the importance of this project for fundraising in the local community.
“Honestly, it’s hard to put into words,” said Cassie. “I think the power of community never ceases to amaze me and the Copper Project is a shining example of that. They come back year after year and they look at ways that they can support our local patients. They’re passionate about the project and I think that really is the power of community.”
Cassie said she was happy to see the Copper Project step up for another year to help support this critical cause.
“Proceeds this year are going towards
cardiac care,” said Cassie. “That’s the biggest gap in care that we see in Northern BC. We are working diligently to make sure that we’ve got wraparound services, outpatient services, while we work towards full and interventional care for cardiac patients. That’s something that Copper Falls and the entire Copper Project team is helping to bring to life.”
She added that this project and others like it have brought unique ways to fundraise and built unique relationships — something that Cassie believes reflects how people do things in the North.
Jeff Stewart, director of Copper Falls, provided some background on the unique way this project fundraises for the community.
“It’s something unique that we can offer that not a lot of businesses can do,” said Stewart. “We just wanted to reach into our trade base and see if they wanted to do something like this. We started about seven years ago, actually, and this is our sixth house. Everybody jumped on board and we quickly realized that this would be a great opportunity to support the community and give back. So every year we go to everybody again and everybody’s eager to get back on board.”
Stewart is a passionate supporter of the project and one day hopes to raise
— but it doesn’t take too long. We get back on board with another project. It’s unique to us that we can bring a big group like this together. It is a lot of work but we can generate a lot of money, and we have. It’s exciting to keep it going every year and hopefully we can keep on going and get to that million-dollar mark one day — and that would be pretty awesome.”
While Stewart notes that there is a lot of work involved in this project, he said the spirit of the community helps bring it to fruition.
$1 million for healthcare in the North.
“It is a lot of work,” said Stewart. “By the time we finish a house and it sells and we can do our presentation, we sometimes need a little bit of a break
“It’ll be another five months of construction ahead of everybody, but everybody jumps in, works together and makes it a fun project. Being able to give back to the community gives everybody the energy they need to get through it. The community supports all of us — all of our trade suppliers. We wouldn’t be able to function in Prince George without them. So it’s nice to be able to give back.”
CITIZEN PHOTO BY MATTHEW HILLIER
Spirit of the North Health Care Foundation CEO Aimee Cassie and Copper Falls director Jeff Stewart visit a new home under construction on Thursday, Oct 2.
Regional district postpones icemaking in Robson Valley
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
McBride and Valemount residents will have to wait longer than normal for their arenas to get ice this fall.
On Wednesday, Oct. 1, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George announced that it was postponing ice making indefinitely at McBride’s Robson Valley Recreation Centre and Valemount’s Canoe Valley Recreation Centre “due to uncertainty from potential job action by CUPE 1699.”
“We apologize for the impact this has on residents and thank you for your patience,” the regional district said in a media release. “The activities currently available on the arena floors including pickleball, ball hockey and rollerblading will continue until further notice.”
In a Thursday, Oct. 2 email, CUPE Local 1699 president Daniel Burke expressed disappointment with the regional district’s decision, saying that the union had not served notice for any job action or withdrawal of labour “and our members are ready and willing to make ice at any time.”
“We have been in bargaining with the regional district since February and have been committed to negotiating a fair and reasonable agreement,” Burke said.
“The regional district could ensure that job action would not impact
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George announced on Monday, Oct. 1 that it is indefinitely postponing making ice at the rinks in the Robson Valley Recreation Centre (pictured) in McBride and the Canoe Valley Recreation Centre in Valemount due to potential job action from employees.
operations by making a fair deal with its workers that is in line with what workers in other municipalities in our region have already received.”
LRB settles claim
The associate chair of the BC Labour Relations Board (LRB) decided that Regional District of Fraser-Fort George’s waste facilities are an essential service, but building inspection is only essential for avoiding a serious safety consequence, such as a structural collapse.
The contract between the regional district and CUPE Local 1699 expired May 2 and the Minister of Labour
directed the board to designate necessary or essential service levels to prevent immediate and serious danger to public health, safety and welfare. The parties could not agree on essential service levels for waste management and building inspection, so Andres Barker held an expedited hearing on Sept. 10-11 and made a decision on Sept. 17.
In his ruling, the LRB’s Barker noted Environmental Reporting BC said the regional district has a 50 per cent higher waste disposal average than the province and the region has an extremely high bear population. While there was no evidence that illegal dumping would
“suddenly accelerate” to dangerous levels, Barker agreed that people already leave waste in front of depots after hours and more of that could lead to dangerous issues with wildlife during a work stoppage.
Barker agreed with the employer’s proposed essential service staffing levels for Foothills (23 per cent of normal level), Mackenzie (17 per cent) and Valemount (20 per cent).
The regional district also asked for one building inspector to be deemed essential to perform a four-hour shift, three days a week at 155 George Street and one inspector on a weekly, fourhour shift from Robson Valley/Canoe Valley. Barker designated one, four-hour shift, one day a week, at both sites to assess major defects.
“I find building inspection services are essential only to the extent they are engaged in identifying issues with permitted or illegal builds that require immediate intervention to avoid serious safety consequences, such as structural collapse,” Barker wrote.
A Sept. 26 CUPE Local 1699 bargaining committee memo to members said it held picket captain training on Sept. 25, “another vital step so that we are prepared for job action.”
This is how things stood when this edition of The Citizen went to press.
With files from Bob Mackin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Racial stereotype claim made in medical negligence case
BOB MACKIN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A judge presiding over a medical negligence lawsuit decided allegations that Indigenous stereotypes contributed to a stillbirth are a “genuine issue” for the BC Supreme Court to determine.
“The fact that racial stereotypes may be part of the evidence establishing medical negligence does not preclude this court from having jurisdiction to hear the matter,” Justice Ronald Tindale
said in a Sept. 17 Terrace ruling.
Haisla woman Sarah Morrison’s daughter was delivered stillborn in January 2021. In February 2021, Morrison and her non-Indigenous partner, Ronald Luft, sued Prince George-based Northern Health Authority, Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace, Kitimat General Hospital and Health Centre, a nurse and five physicians.
The hospital and physician defendants filed responses with the court to deny Morrison and Luft’s allegations.
Last December, the defendants
applied to have certain parts of the claims dismissed or struck.
Tindale heard arguments on April 7 in Prince George.
Tindale’s decision acknowledged the parties agreed that Luft’s personal injury claims be dismissed and the plaintiffs agreed they are no longer pursuing a claim under the Family Compensation Act.
While the defendants did not seek to strike or dismiss the negligence claims, “the defendants argue that the references to racial stereotypes are
incidental and not material to a negligence claim and should be struck from the pleadings.”
Tindale said that if the plaintiffs claim was solely for racial discrimination, then the Human Rights Tribunal would have jurisdiction.
“However, the plaintiffs have been clear that they are not seeking damages for racial discrimination as a standalone order,” Tindale wrote.
Since the parties had “mixed success,” Tindale said they would bear their own costs for the applications.
Error 408: Your rural internet connection is unstable
ABIGAIL POPPLE
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
If you’ve spent minutes on end watching the “buffering” symbol spin endless circles when trying to stream video content or use high-speed internet, you’re not alone — especially if you live in rural BC.
A new study from UBC Okanagan researchers Cherisse Seaton and Kathy Rush found that despite growing pressure to have quality internet access, many rural BC residents lack access to high-speed internet.
The topic hits close to home for both researchers, who work in the UBC Okanagan School of Nursing. Having grown up in rural New Brunswick, Rush studies health equity in rural populations while working as a professor. Likewise, Seaton lived outside of Prince George using dial-up internet for several years, and studies population health in her capacity as a research coordinator at the school.
There are many reasons rural residents are more vulnerable to internet access issues than urban residents, ranging from frequent power outages to simply lacking the infrastructure for highspeed internet, Seaton and Rush say.
“They’ve got a mismatch between what they need to live their lives in their rural communities and what resources they have to really meet that need,” Rush said.
Aside from well-known disparities between urban and rural communities, Seaton and Rush found differences between and within rural areas as well. People who are older, live in more remote areas and have fewer devices are among the most likely to lack highspeed internet — even though they tend to use the internet just as often as other rural residents, the study says.
“We always think of rural (areas) falling short over urban, which they do indeed. But increasingly in our work, we see a lot of intra-rural variation,”
“I heard from quite a few participants who were in a location where the larger community had access to high-speed (internet), but their specific household community did not,” Seaton said.
The researchers found that while rural residents may be more vulnerable to internet connectivity issues, they also tend to be resourceful, filling in the gaps where they can.
For example, Rush said some people avoid using the internet during times of the day when internet traffic is high, or pay for multiple internet subscriptions so they have a backup option when one goes down.
Still, in an age where digital access is a prerequisite for many activities — such as paying utility bills, speaking to a doctor from home or even accessing a restaurant’s menu — residents may find it frustrating that they have to make compromises to improve their internet connectivity.
“Participants described this growing expectation for all citizens to be well-connected. Yet for many — those with and without high-speed internet — that wasn’t a reality,” Seaton said.
That pressure to be constantly online is pervasive even among tech-savvy people, Seaton and Rush say. And despite a common assumption that rural residents are uninterested in internet access or not technologically capable enough to use the internet, their research suggests rural residents of all backgrounds have the same needs and uses for the internet as everyone else.
“Stereotypes of rural citizens as (being) left behind, less technologically developed and skilled are really
Aside from access to crucial services like telehealth, rural residents also rely on the internet to connect with people within and outside their community, the pair say. In particular, Facebook groups can allow communities to stay informed on news, weather, road conditions and bear sightings.
As the internet becomes increasingly important in people’s lives, Seaton and Rush hope to highlight disparities between people with high-speed internet access versus those without it.
unwarranted. Our work helps to show that, I think,” Seaton said. “In some of our analysis, we tried to look for whether there were gender differences or age differences (in technology use) and we really couldn’t find a consistent pattern that linked age to lower use or anything like that.”
“There is concern in many places that digital seems to have become the default. Our participants did really highlight growing concern with the lack of backup options, the lack of shrinking public spaces for digital engagement,” Seaton said. “No citizen should be excluded from social services like healthcare because of lack of digital access.”
This article originally appeared in The Rocky Mountain Goat.
CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
BC Hydro crews install new utility poles on Foothills Boulevard between Chief Lake Road and Austin Road on Thursday, March 27. Part of the project involved the addition of cable for Rogers internet service being extended into the Hart Highlands area.
What’s happening in PG
Ghostly Walks go Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 10,11, 17, 18 and 24, 25 and on Halloween for the extra scary version goes Friday, Oct. 31. Dress for the weather. There are no cancellations. Grab your tickets at www.pgghostlywalks.com
Stand Up Comedy featuring Chris Gaskin goes Friday, Oct. 10 from 8 to 10 p.m. at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St. Headliner is Chris Gaskin, MC is Brian Major, featuring locals Dale Ehrstien, Devon Flynn, Sara Jones, and Steph St. Laurent. For more information and tickets visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/ comedy-night-at-the-omineca-tickets
Fright Night Pumpkin Patch goes Friday, Oct. 10 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Hunniford Gardens, 8845 Aquarius Road. From 6 p.m. to dusk the Spooky Forest is considered a medium scare for those nine years old and up. Once it’s dark at around 7:30 to 10 p.m. its full throttle on the fear factor, which is recommended for those 12 year and older. There will also be 30+ vendors at the Night Market filled with food trucks, local produce, clothing and crafts. Access to the market is free. For more information and tickets visit www.hunniford-gardens.fright-night.
Barbie Jeep 500 2025 goes Sunday, Oct. 12 at 11 a.m. at the Westwood Pub, 233 Cherry Avenue. The inaugural Barbie Jeep 500 invites people to bring their battery powered child’s vehicle and race it around a slalom course to raise money for a charity to be named later. Prizes for best costume, fanciest car and fastest racer. $20 to register on site and a waiver must be signed. More information is available on the Facebook page 2025 BARBIE JEEP 500.
Huble Homestead Historic Site is celebrating its season-end on Sunday, Oct. 12. Visit the historic site for the last weekend of the season and enjoy traditional fun like scarecrow making, crafts, and games. . Huble Homestead Historic Site is located 40km north of Prince George, just off Highway 97
on Mitchell Road. Admission is by suggested of $10 per family. For more information call 250-564-7033 or visit www.hublehomestead.ca
Turkey Trot goes Sunday, Oct. 12 at 9:30 a.m. at Caledonia Nordic Ski Club, 8141 Otway Road. This is a family-friendly Thanksgiving walk or run presented by the CNSC Race Teams. Tasty Thanksgiving treats to follow. Main route is 5km including Fingers and Pine Flats loop or the short route 1.5km paved trail loop, which is stroller friendly. Registration is by suggested donation of $5.
Songwriting Camp goes Friday, Oct. 17 to Monday, Oct. 20 at the Prince George Conservatory of Music, 3555 Fifth Ave. Youth 10 to 18 years can explore songwriting, improvisation and performance with acclaimed songwriter Corwin Fox and
Juno-nominated Kym Gouchie during this four-day workshop, which wraps up with a concert for friends and family. Space is limited to 12 participants. Cost is $150, and bursaries are available! The schedule goes Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Saturday & Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. and Monday from 4:30 to 6:30 and performance at 7:30 p.m.
Alexandrite Cauldron Book Ball goes Saturday, Oct. 18 from 5:30 p.m. to midnight at Sandman Hotel, 2990 Recreation Place.This is a magical event filled with enchantment, books, and dancing. Lorekeepers, Spellbinders, and Wayfarers of the Written Realms will cross the threshold between worlds—stepping out of the ordinary and into a night spun from stardust, parchment, and dreams. For more information and
tickets visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/ the-alexandrite-cauldron-book-ball. Craft Fair, Bake & Book Sale goes Saturday, Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elder Citizens’ Recreation Association, 1692 10th Ave. Donations are appreciated for the bake sale. There will be a number of members’ crafts for sale. Everyone is welcome to attend. There will be a concession available.
Pilsner! Pretzels! Pianos! goes Saturday, Oct. 18 at CN Centre featuring the Dueling Piano Kings during a massive party featuring great beer and feel-good music. For more information and tickets visit www.ticketsnorth.ca/ event/pilsner-pretzels-pianos.
Witches & Wizards Academy goes Sunday, Oct. 24, drop in from 2 to 6 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. This event is presented by PG Pride Society. Activities include an enchanted arts & crafts corner, magical games and activities for kids, sweet & spooky treats, wand-making and spell-casting fun and a Witches’ Storytime. This is a 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive, family-friendly event. For all the details and tickets visit www. eventbrite.ca/witchesandwizards academy
Pumpkin Walk 2025 goes Friday, Oct. 24, Saturday, Oct. 25 and Sunday, Oct. 26 starting at 5:30 p.m. at Northern Lights Winery, 745 Prince George Pulpmill Road. There will be spooky Halloween displays arranged throughout the orchard featuring hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins at photo stations. There’s a farm animal area and children’s colouring station. Carnival games are part of a fundraiser for and facilitated by Star City Cheer. Cash only for the games. Concession stand will have hot/cold beverages & Halloween-themed snacks along with a Frankenweenie Hot Dog Bar. For more information and tickets visit www.northernlightswinery.ca/ pumpkin-walk
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HANDOUT PHOTO
Comedian Russell Peters returns to the CN Centre on Thursday, Nov. 6.
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The BC Old Time Fiddlers’ Dance goes Saturday, Oct. 25 and Nov. 22 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Senior Activity Centre, 425 Brunswick St. Live fiddle music will be performed so folks can do polkas, waltzes, twosteps, barn dances and called group dances. A great family event. Prizes and ice cream bar snacks included. Coffee, water, pop and chips available by donation. Everyone is welcome. Tickets at the door are only $10 for adults, children with parents are free.
Halloween Spooktacular at Huble Homestead goes on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 3 to 8 p.m. at 15000 Mitchell Road. Enjoy hourly magic shows by William the Conjurer, get creative carving pumpkins with the family, and show off your costume in the contest! For those craving a bit of a scare, test your courage in the shadowy maze where creatures may be watching or snag tickets for a spine-tingling guided tour through the infamous Huble House during the House of Horrors experience. Admission is by a recommended donation of $10 per family.
Ferndale Halloween Bash goes Saturday, Oct. 25 from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Ferndale Hall, 3595 Upper Fraser Road. Get those costumes ready for an incredible evening during the annual Halloween dance for those 19+. As always costumes are optional. Tickets are $35 that includes DJ and snacks. Bring cash for the bar. For tickets call or text (250)961-1493 or (250)616-8976.
Littles No Spook Party goes Sunday, Oct. 26 from 1 to 5 p.m. at 2850 Sussex Place. Come meet the witch of Sussex and her crew in a family friendly no scare atmosphere. Tour the maze, play some games and enjoy yummy snacks. Come feed some dinosaurs!
Moran Manor’s Halloween goes Thursday, Oct. 30 and Friday, Oct. 31 from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at 309 Moran
Crescent. Celebrate Halloween by enjoying the spooky set up, animatronics, live actors and a haunted maze. Donations this year will go to the pediatrics ward at UHNBC and to the local Cancer Centre. Non perishable food item donations are also welcome. Non-scary goes 6-7:30 p.m. (no jump scare actors). Scary goes from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Please note there are flashing lights and fog machines used during the event.
50th Anniversary Studio Fair 2025 goes Friday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the CN Centre. This event is presented by the Prince George & District Community Arts Council as their annual fundraiser to support the programs available throughout the North. Discover oneof-a-kind quality, handcrafted items – delectable gourmet food, luxurious soaps and candles, unique and fashionable clothing and accessories, handcrafted home decor, first class pottery and wood craft, heirloom quality books and toys. Entry fee is $10, children under 12 are free. Please bring non-perishable food items for the local food bank.
Halloween Fireworks goes Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. at 2656 Vanier Drive. There will be hot chocolate and goodies available for purchase before and after the show. Parking is available at Westwood elementary school, Vanier Drive cricket pitch, Westwood Mennonite Church on Ospika and Lutheran Church on Dufferin Drive.
Shaken Spirits goes Saturday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. A night of Song and Spirits from Nove Voce and Tofino Craft Distillery. Tastings will include gin, cedar gin, whiskey, jalapeno vodka, limoncello and absinthe. For those 19+. Tickets at www.eventbrite. ca/e/shaken-spirits-tickets
Russell Peters: RELAX World Tour goes Thursday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. at CN Centre. Comedy superstar Russell
Peters brings his critically acclaimed tour to Prince George. Known for his razor-sharp wit, hilarious cultural observations, and unforgettable crowd work this is chance to see one of the world’s top comedians live. Get ready for an evening of laughter, insight, and side-splitting stories as Russell Peters takes the stage. For tickets visit www.ticketsnorth.evenue. net/RussellPeters.
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.
Trivia Night at Nancy O’s goes every other Wednesday at 8 p.m., 1261 Third Ave. There are three rounds per game, each round has five themed questions and five music questions. Book a spot by calling ahead at 250-562-8066.
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
Prince George
It’s another successful year for with 161 runners at Lheidli T’enneh
ABOVE: Canadian Cancer Society race director Ekpenon Ukut presents representatives of the UNBC Pink Pack with the award Top School Fundraisers.
RIGHT: Tricia Wright shares a moment with her daughter Saryn, 11, during the opening ceremonies along with the family dog Mabel.
CITIZEN PHOTOS BY
George vs. Cancer
for the CIBC Run for the Cure, T’enneh Memorial Park on Sunday, Oct. 5
BY CHUCK NISBETT
ABOVE: Long-time North Breast Passage Dragon Boat Team Coach Anita Kashmark takes everyone through a warm-up.
LEFT: CIBC Run For The Cure volunteer Selina Zhau registers Karissa Buscom (left), Martina Coulas and Megan Cousins.
How city’s fire truck ended up in a Shelley playground
Another group saw its potential after the city removed it
COLIN SLARK Citizen Staff
Moving the beloved fire truck playground that entertained kids at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park for decades to Shell-Glen Community Park wasn’t just a matter of putting it on a truck and dropping it off.
On Aug. 10, the restored fire truck was officially unveiled in Shell-Glen after being removed from its previous home and put in storage the previous October to make way for new playground equipment.
The old fire truck was installed in 2000 by a group of Rotary Club volunteers. As of 2024, an external audit by a company contracted by the City of Prince George noted extensive wear and tear, exposed metal portions and potential safety issues with the slide.
Speaking to The Citizen at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park on Thursday, Oct. 2 while contractors were hard at work installing a new playground, project manager Michael Le Morvan said that before the Shell-Glen Community Foundation expressed interest in the old truck, the city wasn’t sure what it was going to do with it.
In its previous state, it was both a safety liability and didn’t fit the theme for the new playground being envisioned.
“We offered it to the Exploration Place, we offered it to the (Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum), nobody wanted it,” Le Morvan said. “We weren’t going to send it to be scrapped because I know it has a sentimental value.”
It ended up sitting in storage at a facility on Lansdowne Road.
Tracy Bergmann, the treasurer for the Shell-Glen Improvement Society, told The Citizen in a Sept. 24 interview that after her group heard the truck was going to be removed she reached out to the city via 3-1-1 to inquire about whether it was up for grabs.
In spring 2025, this was followed up by a formal offer letter sent to the city by the society. A few weeks later, they heard they had been successful.
“I don’t even think it was out of the ground yet when I had sent the email … I knew it was going to be removed, so before they talked to the scrap shop, (I thought) I may as well put this ask out,” Bergmann said.
The society took possession of the truck over the summer, but there was still plenty of work left to go to prepare its new home and get it back into usable condition. There was also the matter of arranging for it to be transported out to the park.
Yellowhead Road and Bridge donated landscape fabric used to help prepare the new site. Can-Crane Specialists donated the use of one of its vehicles to haul the fire truck out and lift it into place.
Level Customs restored the front engine part of the fire truck, Stinger Welding put the stairs back into place and firefighters from Shell-Glen Fire Rescue spent hours sanding it down and using spray cans to touch up the paint.
“The front end definitely needed a little bit of work, the cab portion,” Bergmann said. “There was a big Bondo chip that needed to be redone … the back portion, there are still things missing. It doesn’t have a slide on there that once was there. We would like to get a new
slide put on there, but it’s a matter of finding somebody who can provide us with that.”
Rolling Mix Concrete poured supports and other members of the community donated time, labour and equipment to pull out fences, level the ground and move things around so that pea gravel could be laid underneath the fire truck.
Other groups and individuals Bergmann thanked for their part in the project included the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, the City of Prince George, Lloyd Ludwig, Ryan Rahier, the Prince George Community Foundation, Cam McLeod, Local Rental Solutions Ltd., PG Rental Centre, Thomas Carlson, Dallas McDougall, Prince George Portable Toilets, Tano Fuel, Willy from Stinger Welding and other members from the society board who put in many hours of work.
Now that the fire truck is in place, Bergmann said they’ve had visitors of all ages come out to see it.
“We love having all the extra traffic and we welcome people to come out here and visit it,” Bergmann said. “If they want to be part of our community, we’re happy for that too. They don’t have to necessarily live out here to be a part of it.”
To find a new slide, she said they are open to various options, including receiving donations of already-built ones and ideas for where the society
can find new ones.
In the future, she said the society would like to build a tennis court at the park and is open to receiving donations for that as well.
Those interested in contacting the group can visit the Shell-Glen Improvement Society group on Facebook, email shelleyimprovementsociety@gmail.com or send a letter to 10640 Glenmary Rd., Prince George BC, V2K 5E8.
A new playground
When The Citizen visited the construction site for the new playground at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park, most of the new structures had been placed on the site, but there was still some work left to go. Le Morvan expressed the hope that the work would be done before the end of October, but some elements still needed to arrive from Ontario.
The installation work Le Morvan showed off had been done within the previous two or three weeks, but there was a lot of other work that had to take place before that.
Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park is located at the spot where the First Nation had a village that was burned down by settlers in 1913, with the residents moved to their reserve near Shelley.
TRACY BERGMANN PHOTO
The old fire truck play structure from Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park sits at its new home at the Shell-Glen Community Park after being installed in August.
A new one is going in at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park
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There are burial sites in the park both at a designated graveyard and elsewhere at the park. In 2017, human remains were found as a pavilion near the playground site was being constructed.
After the old playground was dismantled in October 2024, archeological work was carried out to make sure construction wouldn’t disturb any human remains or historically significant areas.
City staff returned to city council in February 2025 to request $3 million in funding to build the playground. As part of that, they provided a report from Stantec Consulting, which carried out a survey of the area using electromagnetic imaging and ground penetrating radar.
“The results of that assessment did not identify areas with characteristics consistent with cemetery burials in terms of orientation and sizing but did identify eight areas of interest with archaeological evidence of past human occupation and activity,” the report said.
The findings were presented to both city staff and representatives from Lheidli T’enneh in early February. After that presentation, Chief Dolleen Logan wrote a letter to council endorsing the construction of a new playground.
“This is a sacred place for the Lheidli,” Le Morvan said. “After we did the pavilion, we found all those bodies, so we were very, very careful in regard to this … we had archeologists here checking when we were levelling it and getting rid of all the old equipment. We always had an archeologist on site and a member of the Lheidli as an observer.”
Once the area was levelled, a type of skeleton structures called stringers were put on the site so that the play structures could eventually be installed on top of them to stop the ground from being disturbed any more.
When all the elements are finally in place, a rubbery material will be poured to make a soft, somewhat bouncy material around all the structures.
Most of the rubbery material will be
green, but there will be two streams of blue that will intersect near the centre. This is meant to represent the confluence of the Nechako and Fraser rivers near the site.
Other elements are meant to reflect local landmarks and wildlife. In place of the old fire truck is a new structure meant to evoke both a truck and Fire Hall #1. Le Morvan pointed to painted logos that match the real ones for Prince George Fire Rescue.
It’s not installed yet, but a structure shaped like a train will be brought in to represent the Little Prince miniature train that operates a short distance away near the Exploration Place.
On top of the tallest of the play struc tures are plastic leaves, with an eagle perched among them.
That structure will eventually have a ramp that will let children using wheelchairs to get onto its lowest level, with a bridge leading to the Little Prince structure.
Walking over to a storage area, Le Morvan pulled covers off other animal statues that will eventually be installed at the playground.
“We have moose, we have sturgeon, we have bears, we have eagles and here, we have Mr. PG,” he said, revealing a miniature version of the city’s mascot seated on top of a piece designed to look like vertical logs.
The colours and themes of the park, Le Morvan said, were chosen in collaboration with Lheidli T’enneh and included as requests when the city was
searching for a contractor to design and build the new playground.
He said most playgrounds have a lifespan of about 25 years, but this one will last longer as long as the city keeps up on maintenance. The rubber surface will need to have a sealant applied to it each year.
Currently, he said the city doesn’t
Sunday, October 19th 2:00pm Prince George Playhouse
Music meets fun!
Best for ages 5-11
have anyone trained to apply the sealant in-house, requiring an external contractor to be hired. That’s one of the reasons why a hole in the surface at the Duchess Park playground hasn’t been repaired.
However, five city employees are set to be trained on the process when the surface is installed at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park so they can do it going forward.
While he couldn’t be 100 per cent sure of the opening date, Le Morvan said he was hopeful that it would open with enough time for kids to try the new playground out before the snow falls.
With the Lheidli Littles Lodge daycare having opened on the edge of the park back in May, he said the new playground should be put to good use.
“I think it’s going to be a sight of pride for the citizens of Prince George again,” Le Morvan said of the playground. “It’s going to be unique and it’s going to be a play spot when visitors come.”
CITIZEN PHOTO BY COLIN SLARK
The new fire truck play structure sits at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park on Thursday, Oct. 2.
Local clinical cancer trial seeing life-changing success
MATTHEW HILLIER Citizen Staff
BC Cancer has launched a worldfirst clinical trial, led from right here in Prince George.
The trial — funded by the BC Cancer Foundation — is currently testing whether a single, highly targeted dose of radiation can effectively treat oligometastatic cancer in common types such as breast, prostate and lung.
Oligometastatic cancer is an intermediate form of the disease that has spread beyond the primary tumour to up to five sites across the body — typically three to five — often in the bones, lymph nodes, prostate, breasts and brain.
BC Cancer notes that when these new trials are completed and adopted, they could significantly reduce treatment times and side effects for patients across BC — including in the North.
The trials are currently underway, led by Dr. Rob Olson, executive medical director and radiation oncologist at BC Cancer Prince George. They are open at sites in Vancouver, Kelowna and internationally.
Recent research led by Olson found that up to eight doses of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) — an advanced form of precision radiation — were highly effective at treating oligometastatic cancer, with fewer side effects than conventional radiation. In some cases, it even led to complete remission.
These trials are funded by a $2.2-million fundraising campaign by the BC Cancer Foundation, as well as local Prince George philanthropists Selen and Anita Alpay, who donated $500,000 to SIMPLIFY’s ongoing efforts.
Olson spoke with The Citizen about what makes this new treatment so unique.
“Instead of giving simple rectangles at low doses for palliation, we’re able to shape the dose over the last couple of decades,” said Dr. Olson. “We’re now testing higher doses because we can do it safely. It actually ablates the tumours. Instead of just treating them and making
them a bit smaller or making pain better, it’s now a new paradigm shift — in part led by us — where, when cancer has spread, instead of just treating it to low doses, we’re treating it with really high-precision, high doses.”
He noted that treatments like SABR and SIMPLIFY can open doors for people living in Prince George and other northern communities, who may be more isolated and require more resources to access care.
“We really do care about the patient who lives in Terrace and has to travel,” said Olson. “If we can do it in a single treatment, most of the world will be very excited to do it in a single treatment. Not that long ago, we were sending patients to the US because our waitlists for radiation were so long. We need innovations like this that shorten the treatment time so that we can reduce our wait-lists and treat other people.
“It’s not just about the patients who have metastatic cancer that I’m treating on my trial, but it’s everybody — the adjuvant breast cancer patient, the person with prostate cancer who needs treatment. If we can make our treatment shorter, then it opens up the door for everybody.”
The first SIMPLIFY trial patient was Quesnel grandmother of eight, Violet MacLean, who received treatment at BC Cancer in Prince George in May 2025.
has expanded to more than 600 patients globally, with cancer centres in the U.S., Ireland and beyond expressing interest in the treatment.
Olson told The Citizen he is especially passionate about this trial because of its potential to lower costs for patients and expand access across the North and beyond.
MacLean had been facing Stage 4 breast cancer for nearly a decade when her oncologist recommended she join the trial to treat a new lesion on her hip bone.
Since then, MacLean has seen major improvements to her health, and her cancer is currently in remission at the site treated during the trial.
“It’s a five-year trial,” said MacLean. “I ended up going up to Prince George and having — well, I was computer-generated. I ended up with one treatment. Because you could have gotten up to three treatments. I got the one shot, which was the strongest dose. When I went up, it was about 40 minutes from the time they set you up in the machine until you’re done. My leg bothered me all that day. Then, when I got home, my hip, where they had the radiation, was really sore. But that was only for 24 hours, and I’ve been good ever since! To me, it wasn’t invasive at all.”
She said that since the treatment, she has continued to improve and is confident in its success.
“With just one treatment, I was able to get back to my life quickly,” MacLean said. “I always said if I had the opportunity to join a trial, I would say ‘yes.’ I’m sure I’m here today because others took part in trials before me, and I believe they will cure this disease.”
Since MacLean’s involvement, the trial
“This study is patient-centric and trying to be cost-effective — it’s trying to reduce the number of treatments,” said Olson. “It’s actually not appealing to the companies that make the machines, and so they don’t want to pay for it. And so we actually do need community support, which is why the BC Cancer Foundation is funding this. We couldn’t go to the companies because, if anything, we’re taking away business from them. We don’t care about their business. I don’t care about their profits. I care about my patients and I care about the healthcare system. I want it to be sustainable. I think it’s important that our emphasis — it’s what you call an academic trial instead of an industry trial — we’re not doing what the industry wants us to do. We’re doing what we think is the right thing to do.”
Olson is confident these trials will not only help patients worldwide but also make Prince George a more attractive destination for researchers and oncologists.
“By leading these trials, we will recruit other radiation oncologists and other researchers — like MD-PhD students and clinical trial staff — who then move to Prince George because of it,” said Olson. “It’s changing the culture and making it an attractive place for people to move. It has that recruitment benefit, which is actually really important because — you may be aware — we’re opening four new cancer centres in BC alone. We need to be competitive, and that’s really helping. Now it’s starting to help us recruit medical oncologists as well. This has other benefits to Northern BC in general, because we’re leading the way.”
Olson said he expects practical application results to be available in a few years.
TALKSHOPMEDIA PHOTO
Violet MacLean was the first trial patient for SIMPLIFY, a clinical cancer treatment trial happening in Prince George.
Throwback Thursday: Week of October 9
Oct. 11, 2011: Austin Cromarty (centre) of College Heights Secondary School tries to get the ball past defenders David Robertson and Trayl Ploufe of Duchess Park Secondary School during the Jon Bragg Memorial Invitational senior boys volleyball championship. College Heights beat D.P. Todd in the final. CITIZEN FILE
BY
DAVID MAH
Oct. 9, 1970: Former Prince George Secondary School students Claude Rochon, 19, and Diane Schmidt, 18, were announced as the winners of the Fraser-Fort George Regional District Logo Competition. First-place winner Schmidt’s logo, in the top left corner of the cardboard they’re holding, became the basis for the symbol used on regional district stationery. They beat out 148 other contestants, winning $25 for Schmidt and $15 for runner-up Rochon. CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
PHOTO
Oct. 10, 1985: The Forecast ’86 Fashion Show took over the Inn of the North ballroom with the latest fashions from Headlines, Black’s Fur and Sol Luna. Models included, from left, Cathy Fouchard, Margaret Jones, Leanne Forbes, Laura-Ann Cutway, Marilyn Bowler and Dori Johnson. CITIZEN FILE PHOTOS BY BROCK GABLE
A dental hygienist’s take on breastfeeding and oral health
Children can begin to develop tooth decay as soon as their first tooth appears
CARMEN GOTTSCHLING-ACETO
Northern Health
This story was written in partnership with Lise Luppens and Randi Leanne Parsons. In this story, we use the term “breastfeeding.” We recognize that families may also use terms such as “nursing,” “chestfeeding” and “body feeding.” See more information at TransCare BC.
The Canadian Dental Association recognizes breastfeeding as an effective preventive health measure. It promotes healthy dental development by protecting against infections and misaligned teeth.
As a registered dental hygienist and Northern Health’s (NH) regional lead for dental health, I support families on their breastfeeding journey by providing guidance about maintaining their child’s oral health.
This story focuses on older babies and toddlers, once their teeth begin to erupt.
Reasons for tooth decay
It is important to know that children can develop tooth decay as soon as their first tooth erupts.
Tooth decay is caused by bacteria that feed on the sugars and starches in our mouths.
If the bacteria are not removed daily, they will begin to produce acid that wears away at the hard structure of our teeth, called enamel.
This can result in a hole in the tooth, also known as tooth decay (a cavity).
Once the bacteria that cause tooth decay enter a child’s mouth, many other factors can contribute to tooth decay — like how our teeth align, eating habits, brushing routines and access to dental care.
The following questions provide essential information that help dental
Dental professionals advise families to visit a dentist within six months after the first tooth erupts, or by one year of age.
professionals educate families to care for their child’s oral health: Extended breastfeeding beyond infancy is a great choice. Remember to also care for those little teeth each day.
• Is there a family history of tooth decay for parents, caregivers or siblings?
• What types of food and drink is the child offered daily? Are they high in sugar?
• What are the family’s oral hygiene practices?
• Are they using fluoride toothpaste when brushing their child’s teeth?
• Does the family have a dentist?
Educating parents and caregivers
As your baby grows, breastfeeding continues to be a vital part of their oral and overall health.
Some parents might be concerned that breastfeeding increases the chance of their child developing tooth decay. It may be helpful to know that breastfeeding alone does not cause tooth decay. Many children who nurse
beyond infancy grow up with healthy teeth.
We need to consider the big picture and the many factors that contribute to tooth decay.
As dental professionals, we advise families to visit a dentist within six months after the first tooth erupts, or by one year of age. We also educate families of toddlers to:
• Brush their child’s teeth both in the morning and at night using a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
• When brushing, lift the lip and move the cheeks to check for new teeth and signs of tooth decay
• Aim to offer three meals and two to three planned, sit-down snacks per day
• Offer water for thirst, in an open cup
• Limit sugary snacks and drinks
• Discontinue use of any bottles, starting at 12 months and aiming to complete the transition by 18 months
If a child breastfeeds during the night, parents can aim to unlatch them before they fall back to sleep. This can help prevent the breast milk from staying in their mouth.
Parents can also wipe their mouth and teeth with a clean, damp cloth after feeding, when possible.
Learn more
The NH Dental Health Program for children offers services for children aged newborn to six years old. We’re here to support families and provide resources to help care for children’s oral health.
It’s rewarding for our team to help lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Here are additional resources to explore:
• Nursing older babies and toddlers — Northern Health (click on the collapsible grouping titled “Dental health and breastfeeding”)
• Oral development and dental caries in the breastfed baby — La Leche League Canada
Competition is cultivating connection in the North
ETHAN READY
Northern Health
In long-term care homes across Northern British Columbia, a friendly competition is helping residents grow more than just vegetables. The annual zucchini growing contest, now in its third year, has expanded to more than 20 sites in nine communities, bringing together residents, staff and families in a celebration of gardening, teamwork and community spirit.
The contest began as a simple idea from Maegen Chamberlain, a recreation therapist with Northern Health. Chamberlain wanted to create a seasonal program that would spark excitement and connection among residents.
“It’s very inexpensive, planting seeds and watching zucchinis grow,” Chamberlain said in an interview. “They grow great here in the North. It’s something that you’re kind of guaranteed for some fruit at the end of it.”
The event quickly became a highlight for residents and staff at Parkside Lodge, Rainbow Lodge and Jubilee Lodge in Prince George. Gateway Lodge joined the following year. Last year’s winning zucchini reached a length of 19¾ inches.
This year, the contest spread outside of Prince George and across the region, including sites as far west as Terrace and as far east as Dawson Creek — including long-term care homes, hospitals and health units.
Erin Branco, a long-term care dietitian, helped bring the competition to more homes after seeing its impact.
“We reached out to everyone, and we actually have a lot of interest, which is exciting,” Branco said. “It’s over 20 different sites across the North, across nine different communities. That’s huge.”
For many residents, gardening is more than a pastime — it’s a way to reconnect with cherished memories and traditions.
“Some people grow up a certain way and they grow their own food at home and provide for their families,” Branco said. “Then they come into long-term
care. That’s not their home, but it’s their new home. So much of that home-like environment is taken away.”
The zucchini competition has helped restore a sense of purpose and pride. Residents eagerly share tips — some tried and true, others delightfully quirky. One resident insists on warming the water for his zucchinis, drawing on decades of gardening wisdom. Another swears by feeding the plants with milk.
“It’s about the process — the planting, the seed, the memories of that, taking them back to their farm life, their garden, maybe their childhoods,” Chamberlain said.
As the September harvest approaches, excitement builds. Zucchinis are measured and photographed, with prizes awarded for the longest and most impressive vegetables. The biggest zucchinis might not be the tastiest, but each one grown is a testament to teamwork and care.
Thanks to a policy allowing homes to use what they grow, the zucchinis find their way into kitchens and recreation programs. Residents enjoy zucchini bread, muffins and grilled zucchini at barbecues. Families are invited to share their favourite recipes, and sometimes a resident’s home recipe becomes the star of the day.
“There’s so much pride involved,” Chamberlain said. “Just knowing that
connection. Residents who might not otherwise venture outside are drawn to the garden, eager to water the plants or check on their progress. Staff and families rally around the event, sharing stories, recipes and laughter.
“It’s not about necessarily the end result,” Chamberlain said. “It’s more about the process. Whether you get the award-winning zucchini at the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter. It’s about the planting, the memories, the purpose and meaning.”
With more than 20 sites now participating, the zucchini competition is poised to keep growing. Branco hopes to expand to other crops in the future.
they have a little piece of what they grew on their plate for dinner that day is such a rewarding experience.”
The competition has become more than a contest — it’s a catalyst for
“We could do the biggest tomato or largest crop of peas, or even the biggest sunflower if people aren’t into growing vegetables. It could be fun,” Branco said.
In Northern Health’s long-term care homes, the humble zucchini is helping residents grow hope, happiness and community.
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NORTHERN HEALTH PHOTO
Morgan and Krista, program coordinators at Jubilee Lodge, offer a look at freshly harvested zucchinis.
Local Sports Spruce Kings dominate Chiefs in back-to-back wins
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
After a weekend sweep on home ice over the Chilliwack Chiefs the Prince George Spruce Kings will get a chance to focus on practicing their hockey skills this week during an extended 10-day Thanksgiving break between games. They dominated the Chiefs, a team that eliminated them in a seven-game opening round playoff series last spring, winning 10-1 on Friday and 5-2 in the rematch Saturday at Kopar Memorial Arena.
Tai Ushio scored two goals Saturday, including an empty-netter, to pace the Spruce Kings’ attack. The 20-yearold Japanese-born import, in his first season in the BCHL, has five goals and five assists in five games and is just one point behind Cowichan Valley’s Jack McAra in the league scoring race.
Ushio’s first of the game in the second period on a Prince George power play, gave the Kings 2-0 lead, after Ryan Wachtel opened the scoring. Kazumo Sasaki, Ushio’s linemate, and Michael Denney also connected for third-period power-play goals.
The Spruce Kings’ power play now has eight goals in 23 chances through five games this season, operating with 34.8 per cent efficiency, second-best in the BCHL
Max Brunner, while shorthanded, and Jack Plandowski, on a power play, were the Chiefs’ goalscorers.
Colin Reay made 30 saves in goal for Prince George to even his record to 2-2. Part of the new crop of Spruce Kings now plying their junior hockey trade in in the vast expanses of northern British Columbia, 19-year-old left winger Matic Percic left a big impression Friday night. The Kings were already well in command midway through the second period when Percic made it a 5-1 game, showing his strength to lift a high backhander in from just outside the crease
Chiefs goalie David Di Girolamo’s body language tells the story seconds after Spruce Kings right winger Tai Ushio fired a shot up into the corner of the net behind him at Kopar Memorial Arena Saturday, Oct. 4.
in behind Chiefs goalie Ben Laurette.
Not long after the six-foot-three, 220-pound Percic ffered up another reminder of the skill and speed he packs into that battleship body late in the period that put his team ahead 7-1. He sparked his afterburner to catch up to a stretch pass from linemate Nick Metelkin and won a footrace to get free of Chiefs defenceman Cole Hutchinson long enough to demonstrate his silkyhands finish, rifling the puck into the top corner for his second of the game. That capped a six-goal Spruce Kings eruption in the second period and the rout was on.
“It’s always great to score in the home games and all the credit to the guys, everyone played amazing, the effort was there,” said Percic. “It’s great to see us battling like that and the speed was great to see. The guys started doing the right stuff and hope we are going to play like this in the future and stick to that
green line and play the way we know.
“Beating a team by nine points, it’s gravy, especially playing at home, but we’ve got to know Chilliwack will be coming hot tomorrow so we’ve got to get ready for the game and play as good as we did today.”
The Spruce Kings have been pursuing Percic for about a year. He had 38 points in 51 games last season in the NAHL with the Chippewa Steel and joined the Spruce Kings Sept. 18 after a USHL tryout with Des Moines Buccaneers.
His 21-year-old brother Maks, a defenceman, played last year for the Spruce Kings and is now playing pro in Czechia 2 for HC Slavia Praha.
“To know that he was here, that the guys know my brother, it’s always nice to come somewhere when one of your siblings or friends have played before,” said Percic.
“Maks always said good things about
Prince George and it was kind of a no-brainer when they said they wanted me.”
Percic plays the left side on a line with Metelkin and centre Jackson Froysland.
“He’s getting better on a weekly basis, he’s started to find the pace in his play and with a big frame like that he’s not easy to bump off the puck,” said Kings head coach Brad Tesink.
Kazumo Sasaki also struck for a pair of goals. Metelkin finished with a goal and three assists, while pointman Trent Ledrew collected three assists.
Goals less than three minutes apart to start the second period from Mathis Laplante and Metelkin gave the Spruce Kings some breathing room and a 3-1 lead.
Ledrew toe-dragged the puck across the slot to avoid his check and fed a perfect pass over to Laplante and he fired on the fly from just outside the crease for his second of the season, just 37 seconds after the puck-drop.
Metelkin collected a fat rebound cruising deep into Chiefs’ territory and found the net behind Laurette as the Prince George onslaught continued. After goals from Sasaki and Percic, former Cariboo Cougar Carter Hesselgrave made it a 6-1 count, scoring on a long-range wrister that snuck in under Laurette’s glove hand.
Defenceman Mikey Tkac, a Michigan native, capped the scoring his first BCHL goal which got the Kings into double figures with the teams playing 4-on-4 in the third period.
The Spruce Kings won’t play again until the BCHL Showcase Tuesday, Oct. 14 in Abbotsford when they take on the Sherwood Park Crusaders. They also face the Brooks Bandits in a Showcase matchup the following afternoon in Chilliwack.
The Kings (3-2, second in Coastal East) will be back at Kopar Memorial Arena on Oct. 18-19 when they host the Nanaimo Clippers.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
Cougars winger connects with residential school survivor
Jett Lajoie met with Elder Clifford Quaw during Truth and Reconciliation Day
TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
Jett Lajoie didn’t have to look hard to spot Clifford Quaw at the Truth and Reconciliation Day gathering on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.
Quaw, a Lejac residential school survivor who was removed from his family in 1953 at age five, came to the park dressed in a Prince George Cougars jersey. He wore it when he spoke to the crowd.
So it was only fitting that Lajoie, a member of the Muskeg Cree Nation in Manitoba who currently leads the Cougars in scoring, spent the afternoon with Quaw talking about hockey and sharing insights about their shared Indigenous heritage.
“I saw him speak on the podium at the park and just wanted to chat with him, and I caught him,” said Lajoie. “He’s very wise — he’s an Elder — he speaks very wise and it was good to catch up, just to hear what he had to say. He knows a lot and has been through a lot, and honestly you just have to take in what they say and use it as guidance and it’ll show the way.
“He’s a warrior for sure. Life for everybody isn’t always that easy. They’ve been through hell and back and you just have to appreciate everything they’ve been through and just remember.”
Lajoie’s ancestors on his father’s side in Manitoba endured similar trauma, though he’s unsure of the details.
“They don’t really like to talk about it much, so I haven’t heard much of it,” he said. “I believe my grandmother’s mom was (in a residential school), but I don’t know and I don’t ask questions.”
Lajoie, 18 and from Winnipeg, began playing in Indigenous tournaments when he was 10 and is still involved. He and his 55-year-old father, Greg — who
had a 10-game stint in the WHL as a Regina Pats centre in 1987-88 — play together on a team that travels to tournaments in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Ontario, with Jett’s grandfather usually handling the driving.
“That was our thing, just travelling together and playing in Indigenous tournaments,” Lajoie said. “That’s a highlight for sure. Indigenous tournaments brought me everywhere.”
The hockey was often rough — more violent than what he experienced in minor hockey or the WHL. With his high-level skills, Lajoie quickly became a target.
“The games are really physical — that brought the physical side of my game,” he said. “You can kind of just be yourself in those tournaments and
playoffs with the Cougars — and he believes this year’s team has what it takes.
“We have a lot of new faces and I’m really excited to get the chemistry going with a lot of new boys, and honestly we have a very deep team and I think we can go very far — all the way,” said Lajoie.
The Cougars drafted Lajoie in the second round, 28th overall, in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft.
“I’ve got to be honest — when I was drafted to PG I didn’t even know it was on the map. I’d never heard of PG when I was 14,” he said. “I searched it up and knew it was a good organization, and when I came in and made it at 16, we had a powerhouse with Zac Funk, Ondrej Becher and Riley Heidt. I’m kind of sad we didn’t go all the way with that team.”
Lajoie opened his third WHL season with a bang, scoring three goals and adding two assists in a pair of one-sided wins over the Portland Winterhawks, Sept. 19-20 at CN Centre. He’s currently playing the right side on a line with left winger Lee Shurgot and newly acquired centre Kooper Gizowski.
it just brings out the love of the game. I played in April when (the Cougars) got knocked out of the playoffs. I would say it’s way harder than any other tournament — you’ve got to get in the greasy areas for sure. It’s pretty quick and you can win some big money.”
Playing in the 2023 Indigenous national championship in Winnipeg, Lajoie was cross-checked in the mouth during the semifinal and lost a tooth. But he got stitched up in time for the final, and he and Team Manitoba beat Ontario for all the marbles.
He also represented Manitoba at the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island.
As much as he enjoys those spring tournaments, Lajoie said he would rather be playing deep into the WHL
“The games went unreal — we pumped Portland pretty good,” said Lajoie. “Personally, I had two really good games. The chemistry is paying off right now. Kooper is a 20-year-old, so he’s a leader on our team and I enjoy playing with him a lot. Me and Lee have been through it since we were 16.”
Lajoie is coming off a productive sophomore season, in which he scored 14 goals and had 21 assists for 35 points in 60 games. He added a goal and four assists during the Cougars’ seven-game playoff loss to Portland in the opening round.
Listed by NHL Central Scouting as the 166th-ranked North American skater, Lajoie wasn’t picked in the June draft in Los Angeles — unlike teammates Josh Ravensbergen and Adrian Foster.
“Honestly, it just grew a bigger fire — it didn’t demotivate me at all,” Lajoie said. “There’s still fire in me. I put the work in during the summer and I know it’s going to pay off.”
INSTAGRAM PHOTO
Prince George Cougars winger Jett Lajoie meets Lheidli T’enneh Elder and residential school survivor Clifford Quaw at the Truth and Reconciliation Day celebration Tuesday, Sept. 30 at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.
Adaptive golfers take part in national championships
G4 Unassisted is a sport classification for golfers with the use of only one arm
CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen Staff
From whacking the heads off dandelions with a five iron as a child to achieving golf pro status in 2004, the road hasn’t always been easy for Brad Fishwick, who was born and raised in Prince George.
Seven years ago, Fishwick spent four days lying on the floor of his Edmonton condo before a family friend found him. At just 42 years old, Fishwick had suffered a stroke. He spent nine months in hospital recovering. Lingering effects include limited use of his left side — particularly his arm.
As he continues to recover, Fishwick made the decision to compete in the Canadian All Abilities Championship at The Dunes Golf Course in Kamloops in August.
For Fishwick, golf has always been a lifelong passion. His family was heavily involved in the sport, and even his education was focused on professional golf course management.
He moved from Prince George to Victoria to pursue post-secondary studies, then spent about 25 years in Edmonton. After his stroke, he returned to Prince George to be closer to family.
It wasn’t long before he was playing golf again.
“But now I play with one hand,” Fishwick said, explaining his forward adaptive golf swing.
What is G4 Unassisted?
G4 Unassisted is a sport classification for disabled golfers with impairments affecting one arm, who do not use adaptive equipment or intentionally use their
impaired arm during the golf swing. The classification is used in sanctioned competitions for adaptive and disabled golf — including the G4D Tour and events hosted by the USGA and Golf Canada — according to the United States Adaptive Golf Alliance.
Fishwick is constantly working on his consistency.
“It’s a lot of practice and I’m always tweaking things here and there,” he said.
“I’ve taught more than 5,000 lessons, and after all that I know how to take my one-handed forward swing and make it work,” he said.
“I just have to choke up a little bit and focus more on tempo.”
Fishwick now works at the Prince George Golf & Curling Club, offering lessons and helping out in the pro shop.
Competing again after 13 years
Fishwick first heard about the Canadian All Abilities Championship from another disabled golfer, Randy Mackus.
“I think the fact that we had two golfers in the national championships is significant,” said Mackus.
“I’ve been trying for the last four years to get other Prince George golfers to participate.”
“And he’s been trying to get me to go for three,” Fishwick added with a smile.
“So the fact that Brad came to the championships was a successful point in the journey that I’m on to try to bring awareness — and his involvement is beneficial to the entire community.”
The Canadian All Abilities Championship at The Dunes was Fishwick’s first tournament in 13 years.
For him, it’s simple.
“A lot of the doctors in Alberta told me I would never golf again,” Fishwick said. “But I set a dream and just didn’t give up on it. I know it would surprise those doctors that I am playing in these tournaments now.”
Fishwick plans to participate in many more tournaments — including those for able-bodied golfers.
Right now, the scores don’t matter, Mackus said.
“But my mind tends to go back a lot to ‘I used to be able to do this.’”
Letting that go can be difficult, he added.
“But the old saying in golf is a short memory is better — because when you have a bad shot it’s best to forget it and move on.”
As a Professional Golfers’ Association of Canada Class A member, Fishwick is qualified to be a head pro and run a golf course.
“On our best days, we’re middle of the pack,” he said.
“It’s important just to be in the game.”
“I get better every day,” Fishwick said. “And that’s all that matters right now.”
Randy Mackus earns silver
Mackus, a quarter-amputee due to cancer, was the only BC competitor at the Canadian All Abilities Championship to medal.
He earned a silver medal in the Net Stableford Men’s Division.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Randy Mackus, a Prince George golfer, takes silver at the Canadian All Abilities Championship at The Dunes Golf Course in Kamloops in August.
Fishwick
Weekend combat
Prince George hosts a day of wrestling training for newcomers and a night of mixed martial arts for the pros
CITIZEN PHOTOS BY CHUCK NISBETT
ABOVE: Morgan Boileau, 17, spins around Clara Campbell, 15, while keeping control of her right arm as she practices techniques taught at a free camp for novice to experienced wrestlers held at Kaiten MMA Academy Saturday, Oct. 4.
BELOW: Commonwealth Games gold medalist Greg Edgelow demonstrates moves with local wrestler Hunter McCarthy, 17, at the wrestling camp. The camp featured basic techniques in a supervised atmosphere.
Aleksa Trjulja (left) of Universal MMA throws a punch at Alex Antal of Pinnacle MMA in their 165-lb kickboxing match at the Champions of the North fight card at the Roll-A-Dome Saturday, Oct. 4.
LEFT: Rob McConnell of Prince Rupert (left) and Scott Gunn of Saskatoon trade blows in their 145lb bout.
BELOW: Squamish’s Ayden Collier-Van born delivers another punch to the head of Edwin Dela Cruz of Richmond during the main event 205-lb kickboxing title fight.
ABOVE:
Timberwolves wear pink uniforms for Kick to the Cure
Anna deWynter suits up for one last game before graduation
UNBC ATHLETICS
For the UNBC Timberwolves Women’s Soccer program, and the entire UNBC community, Friday night’s match was about so much more than the scoreboard.
At Masich Place Stadium, on a crisp fall evening, the Timberwolves (0-10-1) fell 5-0 to the visiting Trinity Western Spartans in the inaugural Kick for the Cure match. Four different Spartans found the back of the net, while the fifth was credited as a Timberwolves own goal.
Wearing pink, cancer-themed kits adorned with the names of family, friends, colleagues and supporters touched by cancer, the TWolves took the field with purpose.
In the opening 45 minutes, Neil Sedgwick’s side did well to frustrate the high-powered Spartans attack, keeping most of the play in midfield and limiting TWU’s looks at goal.
Local product Alysa Leclerc anchored
The backline with a composed performance, later earning Mr. Mike’s Player of the Game honours for UNBC.
Just as it looked like the TWolves would reach halftime tied, Sidney Giesbrecht broke through in stoppage time, finishing off a rush down the right wing from Charis Wardrope to put Trinity up 1-0.
The Spartans carried that momentum into the second half. Rhianna MacDonald doubled the advantage in the 47th minute, before Lianna Holz added a third just nine minutes later, again set up by Wardrope.
Chances were hard to come by for UNBC, who were limited to a single longrange effort on target across 90 minutes.
Trinity continued to press late, with Lucy Haigh making it 4-0 in the 85th minute, and an own goal in stoppage time sealing the 5-0 final.
The two sides met again Sunday at Masich Place, which was also Anna
Men’s soccer
On Sunday afternoon in Kelowna, the UNBC Timberwolves (4-7-2) secured a massive 3-0 victory over the UBC Okanagan Heat. Isaac Tate (3), Jamie Wildash-Chan (5), and Mehdi Bounaaja (1) supplied the offense for Steve Simonson’s side, while Ntapas was sensational between the pipes.
The Prince George product stopped all 13 shots he faced, backstopping the Timberwolves to an invaluable three points — and vaulting them back into the top four in the Canada West Pacific Division.
Fresh off their first win of the season a day earlier (3-2 over the Timberwolves), the Heat came out with pace and intent, but the Timberwolves matched that urgency.
Ntapas was sharp early, reading the play well and controlling his area with confidence.
deWynter’s last game as a Timberwolf.
The Timberwolves (0-11-1) fell 4-0 to the visiting Trinity Western Spartans (8-2-0) in their 2025 home finale. But the focus of the day extended far beyond the scoreboard, as UNBC celebrated its lone graduating player, Kelowna’s deWynter.
After missing the entire season due to injury, deWynter was named to the Starting 11 and took to the field one final time in front of her parents, two brothers and her partner.
When her name was announced, she received a heartfelt ovation from the Masich Place crowd and her teammates — a moment that encapsulated her impact and leadership over her time in green and gold.
Although deWynter exited early in the first half, the emotion of the occasion was evident across the field and sidelines.
On the pitch, the visiting Spartans showed their quality, scoring once in the first half and adding three more after the break to complete a weekend sweep of the Timberwolves.
Mansha Sidhu opened the scoring in the 22nd minute — her fifth of the season — while UNBC goalkeeper Johanna Rathke continued to shine, making six more saves to extend her Canada West–leading total to 132. The rookie from Germany now sits just 10 saves shy of breaking the conference’s single-season record.
In the second half, Charis Wardrope, Lucy Haigh and Caitlin Cooper each found the back of the net for Trinity Western in the 51st, 64th, and 73rd minutes, respectively.
Late in the match, there was another memorable moment for the home side when Anna Thorsteinson made her Canada West debut, drawing cheers from the UNBC bench and supporters.
With their home schedule now complete, the Timberwolves will wrap up the 2025 regular season next weekend with a pair of road matches against the UBC Okanagan Heat in Kelowna.
Then, just before halftime, UNBC found their breakthrough. In stoppage time, a right-flank delivery from Wildash-Chan found Tate, who calmly outwaited the defenders before slotting home his third of the season.
In the second half, UBCO poured on the pressure — firing 28 total attempts toward goal — but Ntapas and his defensive unit held strong.
With the score still 1-0 deep into stoppage time, the Timberwolves struck twice more to seal it.
First, Wildash-Chan outraced everyone to a loose ball after a failed Heat corner, shrugging off a tackle from goalkeeper Ronan Woodroffe and finishing his team-leading fifth goal. Moments later, Bounaaja capped the scoring with a dazzling solo effort, dancing past three defenders before burying his first of the campaign.
The victory pushes UNBC back into a playoff position with just two matches remaining in their 2025 regular season.
The men’s Timberwolves will be idle this weekend before closing out the year at home against the division-leading UBC Thunderbirds on Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 19 at Masich Place Stadium.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHUCK NISBETT
UNBC Timberwolves defender Maleah Fernie challenges TWU Spartans forward Holland Stiel at Masich Place Stadium Friday, Oct. 3.
deWynter
Life Events
Sharon
Joan Dezell
June 7, 1939 - October 6, 2022
A daughter, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a friend to many.
Loved and missed greatly by her family. We try to live as she would have wished but her absence leaves a great gap in our lives.
Helga Magdzik
December 31, 1932 - September 13, 2025
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Helga Magdzik, affectionately known as Mom and Omi. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Karl, and grandson, Tyler. Helga is survived by her children: Axel, Fritz (Melanie), Kornelia, Elke (Jim), and Michael (Kathy); grandchildren: Renate (Ryan), Kiel, Erich (Xela), Jennifer (Cole), Edgar, Karla, Heidi (Giles), Derek (Julie), Tonja (Trevor), and Lorelei (Derik); and nine great-grandchildren.
Helga lived a life full of grace, strength, and devotion to her family. Her warmth, wisdom, and unconditional love shaped generations. Her home was a haven, and her heart was a source of comfort. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Rest in peace, dear Omi.
A memorial service for friends and family will be held at 1 p.m. on November 15, 2025, at the Hart Pioneer Centre
Celebration of Life
Saturday, October 11, 2025 11:00am - 1:00pm Senior Centre 425 Brunswick St. Prince George
December 18, 1926 - September 21, 2025
Doris Louise Mushaluk, 98, the beloved matriarch of her family, passed away on September 21, 2025
Born on December 18, 1926, in Piney, Manitoba, Doris’ greatest joy and achievement was her family. As a mother of four, grandmother of six, and a great-grandmother of six, Doris was the heart of the family. Extending her nurturing hand, she was also a passionate, lifelong gardener. Her gardens were a wonderland, filled with beauty and fresh, delicious produce to share with her entire family. Doris’ kitchen was the gathering place for Sunday dinners, holiday celebrations, and impromptu family visits. Doris is survived by her children, Elaine, Murray, Brian, and Ivan, and their growing families. At Doris’ request, no service will be held. The family will hold a small gathering in the spring to celebrate her wonderful life.
In Loving Memory of Virginia Stancati (née Altomare) June 29, 1941 - September 29, 2055
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Virginia Stancati, a devoted wife, loving mother, and cherished grandmother, who left this world on September 29, 2025.
Virginia was born on June 29, 1941, in Rogliano (Cosenza), Italy—a place that shaped her deep love for family, tradition, and faith.
Virginia is survived by her devoted husband of 59 years, Mario, whose love and partnership were the foundation of a beautiful life together. She leaves behind her two children, Maria Grazia (John) and Antonio (Michelle), who will forever carry her strength and compassion in their hearts.
Her greatest joy came from being a grandmother to her four grandsons: Lucas, Mathew, Samuel, and Izaiah. She adored them deeply and will continue watching over them with love and pride.
Virginia is also survived by her sister Franca and many dear nephews and nieces in Italy, whose lives were touched by her kindness and enduring spirit.
Virginia is predeceased by her beloved parents and her younger sister Teresa, whose memory remained a constant source of strength and love throughout her life.
Virginia’s light will continue to shine through her family and all of those who were blessed to know her.
A funeral service was held at St. Mary’s Parish on October 6th at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Liver Foundation of Canada, in honor of Virginia’s memory https://liver.ca/ways-to-give/giving-in-memory.
Doris Louise Mushaluk
Mo (Elmo) Jones Sturgeon
In loving memory
Peter Dasilva
April 1962 - October 2024
The autumn winds may softly blow, A gentle hand, we miss you so.
Your spirit in the golden leaves,
A warmth the heart remembers, grieves.
Though summer fades, and days are cold, Your loving story still is told.
In every rustling, falling hue, We find a peaceful thought of you.
Love always, Joyce Greatly missed by family & friends
LIFE EVENTS
Elsie “Lesa” Prins
June 19, 1950 - September 30, 2025
Elsie “Lesa” Prins (née Klassen), 75, of Sidney, BC, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2025. Born June 19, 1950, in Saskatoon, she will be lovingly missed by her husband John, children Rebekka, Jerod, and Rachelle (Eugene), and grandchildren Colby, Liam, and Piper. Lesa was known for her faith, kindness, baking artistry, and humour. A celebration of life will be held October 11 at 2:30 p.m. at Highway Christian Fellowship, Sidney.
John Joseph Wolsey
Sept. 17 1936 - Sept. 17 2025
On his 89th. birthday on September 17th., surrounded by family, we said goodbye to John “Papa”. His smile, chuckle and the deadly dry wit, will be missed by all. A lover of kayaking, cross country skiing, cycling, curling, hiking and border collies.
Donna Lynn Julien
March 22, 1947 - September 26, 2025
John, son of Joe and Rose Wolsey, brother of Doris and loving husband of Beverley Wolsey. He is survived by his wife Bev, son Jason Wolsey and wife Shelley, and daughters Audrey Wolsey, Patti Wolsey and Kelly Rogers. he is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Including Olympic Champion Sydney. Predeceased by sons Jeff Wolsey and Bruce Rogers.
Linda Mae (Lozinski) Bailey (1945 - 2025)
It is with sorrow and endless love that we share the passing of Linda Bailey. Linda’s late husband, Robert, waited patiently for three years to be joined by the love of his life in a more peaceful place than this world. In September, Robert finally extended his hand and Linda took it. Linda is survived by her siblings, Shirley and Frank; nieces, Nicole and Katie; daughter and son in law, Lisa and Scott; granddaughters, Sydney and Mitchell (Jaden) and all of her beloved friends that comforted her through her years without Robert. The family welcomes those who loved and knew Linda to attend mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Prince George on October 18th at 10:30am. Followed by her Celebration of Life at 1130.
Donna Lynn Julien passed away peacefully at Prince George Hospice with family by her side Donna leaves behind her children, Gene Wallin (Pam), Rob Wallin (Angeline), David Julien (Cheryl), Niki van der Meer (Blair) and Cari Julien (Matteson). Grandchildren, Jodene Currie (Cori), Christina Kroeger (David), Brandon Wallin (Kanisha), Shaun Wallin, Alyssa Wallin (Kristian), Julian van der Meer (Rylee), Avery van der Meer and Xxavier & Zzaeden Wraith.
Great Grandchildren, Gabriel, Elijah, Grayson and Jaxon.
Siblings Bev, Terry and Larry. Donna was predeceased by her husband Robert and parents, Clifford & Rose Trombley
Keeping it warm and simple in honouring Donna’s wishes, please join us for a hot dog roast in celebration October 25 at 1:00pm at
John first known as a loving husband, he was a previous resident of Prince George. he also had a fantastic career in the R.C.M.P and as Coroner. Supporting his community whenever possible. He had a love for the outdoors, and being the adventurous traveller, whether by plane, vehicle, kayak, bicycle or hiking, he has seen most of this wonderful world we live in. He loved the beach where he lived and was always proud to take care of his family, friends and neighbors alike. Thank you to the amazing staff at North Island Comox Valley hospital for going above and beyond during this emotional time.
John will be missed by so many.
A gathering will be held at the beach house Saturday October 18th 2025, 2-4 1764 Astra Rd. Comox, BC.
In lieu of flowers donations could be made to
Classifieds
ROOFING EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
• Power-Ladder Hoist Pro 200 - Honda engine
• Ladder Length - 16’- 4’- 8’-8’ Total 36’
• Plus 2 more Engine Hoists, Electric & Gas
• 4 Bostich Air Nail Guns - lots of Air Hose
• Extension Ladders - 1 20ft, 1 16ft, 2 14ft
• Ladder Hooks for steep roofs, 24ft Aluminum Plank
• Tools for roofing Shingles, Metal, Torch On, Shakes
• 1979 Ford F600 3 ton Dump Truck 16ft deck & sides
New tires & New Deck, All Steering & Brakes are Good
• Has 5 speed Main Transmission & 2 speed Auxiliary
• Fuel is Propane Only
• Good truck for hauling roofing & construction clean up ASKING PRICE • $20,000 For Everything CONTACT
BigSteelBox Corporation located at 5495 Hartway Drive, Prince George, BC. claims a PPSA Lien against Genero, Alyciaa of Prince George, BC, for arrears of container rent amounting to $1,424.64, plus any additional costs of storage that accrue. If not paid in full, the contents of the storage container filled with what we believe to be a bike, totes, boxes, and other miscellaneous items, will be sold via online auction, on Ibid4Storage.com on October 12, 2025.
ATV & TRAILER GET NOTICED
Add photos to your Classified ad to sell your item faster.
Learning Centre
Newly Updated • ECE run • Licenced Daycare. From 36 months to kindergarten. Great Government subsidy: Parents pay only $387/month full-time.
Sekani Forest Products Ltd. Operations Map #2616, public review and comment from September 29, 2025 to October 29, 2025, at link below, by mail, or in person by appointment MonFri 9am-4pm. Contact the forestry department at the email or phone number below in order to schedule an appointment. This FOM is applicable for 3 years and may be relied upon to apply for a cutting or road permit to harvest a cutblock or construct a road displayed on the FOM.
Strategic Natural Resource Group
931 Great St, Prince George, BC V2N 5R7 613-453-3202
TAKE NOTICE THAT on 24/Sep/2025 an order was made for service on you of an Appointment to Examine for Discovery (“EFD Appt”) issued from the Vancouver Registry of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in proceeding number M150241 by way of this advertisement. Your EFD Appt sets out that your Examination for Discovery will proceed on October 23, 2025 at 10:00am at the Prestige Boardroom at the Prestige Treasure Cove Resort in Prince George (hosted by All North Reporting, phone: #250-552-1612) located at 2005 Hwy 97 S Prince George, BC.
In the proceeding, the plaintiff claims the following relief against you: Injury, loss, damage and expense as a result of your negligent operation of a motor vehicle at or near Como Lake Avenue, in the City of Coquitlam, in the Province of British Columbia on May 27, 2009.
You must attend at the Prestige Boardroom at the Prestige Treasure Cove Resort at 2005 Hwy 97 S, Prince George, BC on October 23, 2025 at 10:00am. Failure to attend may result in judgment being held against you or can otherwise be harmful to your position at trial.
You may obtain, from the Vancouver Registry, at 800 Smithe Street, Vancouver, BC or from the Prince George Registry at 250 George Street, Prince George, BC a copy of the Appointment to Examine for Discovery dated May 29, 2025 within the supporting Affidavit #1 of A. McQueen, as Exhibit “G”, and the order providing for service by this advertisement.
This advertisement is placed by the plaintiff whose address for service is: Slater Vecchio LLP
PO Box 10445 Pacific Centre North 18th Floor 777 Dunsmuir Street Vancouver, BC V7Y 1K4
Fax number address for service (if any): Service by Fax is not accepted. Email address for service (if any): service@slatervecchio.com
1. Which group released “Rag Doll”?
2. Name the artist who wrote and released “Dreamy Eyes.”
3. Which group released “Green-
Public Notice: Forest Operations Map Review and Invitation for Comment.
In accordance with the Forest Range and Practices Act, OBO Forest Management GP LTD. and Spectrum Resource Group invite the public to review its Forest Operations Maps (FOM ID: 2629) in the Mackenzie Natural Resource District. The FOM describes areas proposed for Cutting Permit and Road Permit development within the next three years starting on November 2nd, 2025, and ending on November 1st, 2028. We welcome your comments and feedback during the review period starting October 2nd, 2025. Please, submit your comments by November 1st, 2025.
The map is accessible for review and comment submission online at: https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects#publicNotices
Alternatively, in-person review and comments can be scheduled and completed at the following location during regular office hours (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM –4:00 PM): 1960 Robertson Road, Prince George, BC, V2N1X6
Comments may also be submitted by mail to the above address or submitted via phone or email at: 1-250-564-0383; etorres@srg.ca
Sekani Forest Products
Public Notice: Forest Operations Map Review and Invitation for Comment. In accordance with the Forest Range and Practices Act, Sekani Forest Products and Spectrum Resource Group invites the public to review its Forest Operations Maps (FOM ID: 2628) in the Mackenzie Natural Resource District. The FOM describes areas proposed for Cutting Permit and Road Permit development within the next three years starting on November 2nd, 2025, and ending on October 31st, 2028. We welcome your comments and feedback during the review period starting October 2nd, 2025. Please, submit your comments by November 1st, 2025.
The map is accessible for review and comment submission online at: https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects#publicNotices
Alternatively, in-person review and comments can be scheduled and completed at the following location during regular office hours (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM):
1960 Robertson Road, Prince George, BC, V2N1X6
Comments may also be submitted by mail to the above address or submitted via phone or email at:
1-250-564-0383; etorres@srg.ca
1. Who wrote and released “Band on the Run”?
2. Which group released “Winchester Cathedral”?
3. Who wrote and was the first to release “Rhinestone Cowboy”?
4. Which group released “Don’t Leave Me This Way”?
5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “Now I’ve got a guy and his name is Dooley, He’s my guy and I love him truly.”
Answers
1. Paul McCartney, in 1974. Demo tapes of the song and others were stolen from McCartney and his Wings band when they were recording in Nigeria. They had to record all the music again from memory.
2. The New Vaudeville Band, in 1966. It was intentionally made to sound like the singer was using a megaphone. It later won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Song.
3. Singer-songwriter Larry Weiss, in
1974. The most popular version was covered the following year by Glen Campbell.
4. Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, in 1975. Their album version clocked in at 6 minutes 8 seconds.
5. “Pink Shoe Laces,” by Dodie Stevens, in 1959. In the song, the singer loves her guy because of his clothes, not just his pink shoe laces, but a polka-dot vest and a hat with a purple band.
* On Oct. 20, 1967, the mythical Bigfoot was believed to have been filmed in northern California, firing the imaginations of numerous enthusiasts. However, when a prominent researcher sent the FBI a supposed hair sample,
• On Nov. 11, 1831, Nat Turner, an American slave and educated minister who believed that he’d been chosen by God to lead his people into freedom, was hanged in Jerusalem, Virginia, for leading a revolt with 75 followers through Southampton County, killing about 60 white people.
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A bid for you to swoop in and take over an incomplete project could prove to be an excellent learning experience that you can take with you when a new opportunity opens up.
• On Nov. 12, 1969, investigative journalist Seymour Hersh revealed the extent of the U.S. Army’s charges against 1st Lt. William L. Calley at My Lai, Vietnam, in a cable picked up by more than 30 newspapers, saying that “The Army says he [Calley] deliberately murdered at least 109 Vietnamese civilians during a searchand-destroy mission in March 1968, in a Viet Cong stronghold known as ‘Pinkville.’”
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) It’s a good time for socializing, both with family and friends. Your aspects also favor developing new relationships, any or all of which might become especially meaningful.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Your success in handling a recent difficult situation prompts a request to handle another workplace problem. But this is one you should accept only if you get all of the relevant facts.
• On Nov. 13, 1979, Philadelphia 76ers center Darryl Dawkins leaped over Kansas City Kings forward Bill Robinzine for a memorable slam dunk that shattered the fiberglass backboard. His equally memorable comment on the move, which was not his last and the sound of which spectators likened to a bomb going off: “It wasn’t really a safe thing to do, but it was a Darryl Dawkins thing to do.”
• On Nov. 14, 1882, outlaw Frank “Buckskin” Leslie shot and killed Billy “The Kid” Claiborne, who had publicly challenged him, in Tombstone, Arizona.
• On Nov. 15, 1984, Baby Fae, a month old infant who received the world’s first baboon heart transplant, died at California’s Loma Linda University 20 days after the operation. Three other people had received animal heart transplants, but none survived longer than a few days.
• On Nov. 16, 2001, British author J.K. Rowling’s most famous and beloved creation, the bespectacled boy wizard Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliffe in his first major role), made his silver-screen debut in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” which went on to become one of the highestgrossing movies in history.
• On Nov. 17, 1903, the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party split into two factions: the majority Bolshe-
agents concluded that it was, sadly, of “deer family origin.”
* On Oct. 21, 1797, the USS Constitution launched in Boston Harbor. A 44-gun U.S. Navy frigate, it was constructed to fight Barbary pirates off the coast of Tripoli, and performed admirably during those conflicts. In 1805, a peace treaty with Tripoli was signed on the Constitution’s deck.
* On Oct. 22, 1895, a train with a faulty brake tore through the
Gare Montparnasse in Paris and out the front before landing nose down in the street. Onlookers purchased train tickets just to see the damage.
* On Oct. 23, 1958, Boris Pasternak was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for “Doctor Zhivago,” a romance set during the Russian Revolution and World War I. The book was banned in the Soviet Union, and the Soviet government forced Pasternak
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) New information about a past decision raises some unsettling questions from an old friend. Be prepared to explain your actions fully and, if necessary, make adjustments.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) This is not a good time to share personal secrets, even with someone you’ve known for a long while. What you don’t reveal now won’t come back to haunt you later.
VIRGO (August 23 to September 22)
Pushing yourself to meet a project deadline is admirable. But be careful not to leave out important details in your rush to complete your work and send it off.
to renounce the honor, but his admirers smuggled the manuscript out of Russia in pieces and the CIA helped with distribution behind the scenes. Appearing in numerous translations around the world, it was hailed as a classic, but Pasternak was banished from the Soviet Writers Union, ending his literary career.
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Watch that you don’t take on more than you can handle when offering to help someone with a personal problem. There might be hidden factors you weren’t told about.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A major move you’ve been considering could come sooner than you expected. Make sure that you’ll be ready with the facts you need when decision time arrives.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Languishing relationships can benefit from a break in routine. Get out of the rut, and do something new and maybe a little unpredictable this weekend.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Although you don’t think of yourself as a role model, your ability to make a tough decision at this time sets an example for others, who admire your courage.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) You need to move any remaining obstacles out of your way before you can take on a new challenge. Seek out advice from close, trusted friends and associates.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A career change appears increasingly likely to happen during the next several weeks. It’s a good idea to start now to prepare so that you can be ready to make the move when the time comes.
Homes & Living
Getting Your Vehicle Ready for Winter
Winter driving in Canada brings unique challenges, from icy roads to freezing temperatures. Preparing your vehicle ahead of time not only improves safety but also helps prevent breakdowns and costly repairs during the coldest months of the year.
Check Your Tires
One of the most important steps is switching to winter tires. Unlike allseason tires, winter tires are designed with softer rubber and deeper tread, giving better traction in snow, ice, and cold conditions. Be sure to check tire pressure regularly, as it can drop in low temperatures.
Test the Battery
Cold weather puts extra strain
door starts here
on your vehicle’s battery. A weak battery may fail when temperatures plunge, leaving you stranded. Have your battery tested and replaced if necessary before winter sets in. Clean any corrosion on terminals and ensure cables are secure.
Inspect Fluids and Wipers
Top up your windshield washer reservoir with winter-grade fluid that won’t freeze. Replace worn wiper blades to ensure clear visibility during snow and slush. It’s also a good idea to check antifreeze levels and ensure your oil is suited for winter conditions.
Pack an Emergency Kit
Unexpected situations can happen in winter. Keep a kit in your trunk
with essentials such as a blanket, flashlight, jumper cables, ice scraper, small shovel, and non-perishable snacks. Sand or kitty litter can help provide traction if your car gets stuck.
General Maintenance
Check your brakes, lights, and heating system to ensure everything is working properly. Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid fuel line freeze-up and reduce the risk of being stranded.
By preparing your vehicle for winter now, you’ll drive with greater confidence and safety all season long. A little preventative maintenance goes a long way toward avoiding stress when the snow starts to fall.
To Rake or Not To Rake: What’s Best for Your Yard?
Each autumn, homeowners face the age-old question: to rake or not to rake? As leaves blanket lawns and gardens, the decision often comes down to balancing aesthetics, yard health, and environmental responsibility. While many people see raking as an essential fall chore, others argue that leaving leaves on the ground provides ecological benefits. Both approaches have merits, and the best choice often depends on your property and personal priorities.
The Case for Raking
Raking has long been the traditional method of managing leaves, and for good reason. A thick layer of leaves can smother grass by blocking light and trapping excess moisture, which encourages mold and lawn disease. Come spring, you may be left with bare patches or weakened turf. Raking also prevents slippery surfaces on sidewalks and driveways, reducing the risk of falls. From a practical standpoint, gathering leaves keeps your yard neat and tidy, which many homeowners value.
Municipalities often offer leaf collection programs, making disposal relatively convenient. For those with gardens or compost bins, raked leaves can also be repurposed into mulch or organic matter, keeping the benefits on-site rather than sending them to waste facilities.
The Case Against Raking
On the other hand, not raking has gained attention in recent years as part of more eco-friendly landscaping practices. Fallen leaves naturally decompose, returning nutrients to the soil and enriching it over time. This process mimics forest ecosystems, where leaves serve as a protective blanket for the ground during colder months.
Leaves can also provide valuable habitat for wildlife. Many insects, including pollinators like butterflies and bees, use leaf litter for overwintering. Small mammals and beneficial organisms also rely on this layer for shelter. By leaving some leaves in place, you
contribute to local biodiversity and promote healthier ecosystems. Finding a Balance
Fortunately, the decision doesn’t have to be all or nothing. A balanced approach often works best. For example, you might rake leaves off high-traffic areas, driveways, and sidewalks while leaving them in garden beds, under trees, or around shrubs. Shredding leaves with a mulching mower is another popular compromise. This reduces large piles while allowing leaf matter to break down and nourish the lawn naturally.
If your yard is large, consider raking only part of it and letting the rest serve as a natural habitat zone. This method saves time and effort while still maintaining a tidy appearance in visible areas.
Whether you choose to rake or not to rake, the key is making an informed decision that suits your lawn, lifestyle, and environmental values. Raking provides neatness and prevents potential damage to turf, while leaving
leaves offers ecological benefits and supports biodiversity. By blending these strategies—raking where necessary and letting nature take its course elsewhere—you can enjoy both a healthy yard and a positive impact on the environment.
Decorating Your Home for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones, share a meal, and reflect on gratitude. Beyond the menu, decorating your home sets the stage for warmth, comfort, and celebration. With a few thoughtful touches, you can create a welcoming atmosphere that captures the spirit of the season.
Embrace Autumn Colors
Thanksgiving décor often draws inspiration from the rich hues of fall. Shades of burnt orange, deep red, golden yellow, and earthy browns bring the harvest season indoors. Use table linens, throw pillows, or candles in these colors to instantly set a festive mood. Mixing in natural textures like burlap, wood, and woven baskets adds depth and coziness.
Create a Seasonal Centerpiece
The dining table is the heart of Thanksgiving, and a centerpiece can tie the whole look together. Traditional options include cornucopias, pumpkins, and gourds.
Fresh flowers in autumn tones, paired with greenery and berries, add elegance and freshness. For a simple DIY idea, place pillar candles of varying heights on a tray, surrounded by acorns or pinecones. This creates a rustic yet sophisticated effect.
Incorporate Natural Elements
Nature provides plenty of affordable décor options during fall. Collect colorful leaves, branches, or pinecones to use in vases, wreaths, or table accents. Mini pumpkins and squash also work beautifully as place settings or mantle decorations. Using natural elements not only highlights the season but also keeps decorating sustainable and budget-friendly.
Set a Warm Table
Your Thanksgiving table doesn’t have to be elaborate to feel special. Layering is key: start with a neutral tablecloth, then add a seasonal runner or placemats. Mix-and-match dinnerware can look charming when
tied together with cloth napkins and decorative napkin rings. A handwritten place card at each setting adds a personal, thoughtful touch for guests.
Cozy Up the Living Space
Thanksgiving isn’t just about the meal—it’s also about lingering conversations and shared time. Enhance your living room with soft blankets, flickering candles, and a fall-inspired wreath on the front door to greet guests. Subtle touches like a bowl of apples, cinnamonscented candles, or a seasonal garland can transform everyday spaces into festive ones.
Decorating your home for Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be complicated. By focusing on warm colors, natural elements, and cozy details, you can create an inviting atmosphere that celebrates the season. Thoughtful décor enhances the holiday spirit, making your home a memorable and welcoming place for family and friends to gather.
