The Sunshine Coast Regional District is changing pool hours and putting Pender Harbour swim lessons on hold because of staffing shortages.
“As many of our dedicated aquatic staff return to school or other fall commitments, we are actively recruiting new lifeguards and instructors to join our team. Interviews are underway and we look forward to welcoming fresh faces to our facilities soon,” reads a news release from the SCRD. “As new staff join our aquatics team, we will review pool schedules and adjust hours accordingly.”
Swim lessons at Pender Harbour are paused while new instructors are trained over the next few weeks and the SCRD says it is committed to resuming lessons as soon as staffing allows.
Reduced hours will mean the Sechelt pool will be closed on Sundays and the Gibsons pool will be closed on Saturdays through September, starting on Sept. 7.
The SCRD is encouraging applications to help fill lifeguard positions in the region.
“The SCRD thanks residents for their patience and understanding as efforts continue to recruit qualified aquatics staff,” reads the news release.
Fourteen organizations in Prince George received a sizeable Community Gaming Grant from the province.
The funding supports groups in delivering accessible, community-centred arts and culture programming that enriches lives, fosters well-being and enhances cultural vitality in the province.
“Community Gaming Grants support programs and services throughout B.C. that contribute to quality of life, respond to local needs and help build vibrant, inclusive communities,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.
“By supporting the delivery of arts and cultural activities, we are increasing access to experiences that make a positive difference in people’s lives, while also fostering opportunities to build community connections.”
The Prince George groups to receive include:
Prince George Canalta Singers $6,500
Yalenka Urainian Dancers Society $8,000
Huble Homestead/Giscome Portage Heritage Society $51,000
PG Agricultual and Historical Association $70,000
Method Dance Society $21,000
PG Regional Art Gallery Association $179,000
PG Conservatory of Music $7,500
PG Symphony Orchestra Society $82,500
CFUR Radio Society $10,500
Alban Classical Artists Society $5,600
Community Arts Council of PG and District $14,400
Ron Brent Elementary School P.A.C. $5,540
TNW Theatre North West Society $73,000
Le Cercle des Canadians Francais de Prince George $32,700
In 2025, 771 not-for-profit organizations received more than $16.6 million to support the delivery of a range of programs, services and activities related to music, theatre and dance, as well as literary and visual arts.
A special project celebrating the town of Creston’s diversity and spirit through art has officially been launched.
12 months in the making, Creston’s Centennial Committee said the piece is more than just art, as the installation tells a story about who we are as a community, where we’ve been, and where we are soaring together.
The committee said the birds were chosen as the central theme because they represent freedom, community, and the connections that bind us together across differences. The project also incorporates the colours of the Pride flag, symbolizing Creston’s ongoing commitment to inclusion and acceptance.
Cresteramics, a local organization that supports individuals with diverse abilities, painted 400 of the birds. Each participant contributed their own color, creativity, and spirit, resulting in a stunning flock.
Students and staff from Adam Robertson Elementary School also painted many of the birds in recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day. Some birds feature local bird species, written in Ktunaxa, honouring the language, culture, and deep connection of the yaqan nukiy people to this land.
“Special thanks goes to Cresteramics, the students and staff of ARES, the Centennial and Public Art Working Committees, and our funder, Creston Valley Community Foundation, for helping bring this meaningful project to life.”
Be sure to check it out—located on the fence in ʔak̓uǂni (ah-kooth-nee) Park.
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A contractor has now begun to tear down the old Beaver Valley Middle School in Fruitvale.
Mayor Wes Startup said they expect the work to continue into the fall, and conclude around the end of October, “however with demos, things can change quickly.”
The contractor is Napp Enterprises Ltd. of Kelowna. Startup said they have already done a lot of work inside the structure. Hazardous materials in the mechanical/boiler rooms needed remediation.
If the work remains on schedule, the building will disappear 55 years to month after it opened as Beaver Valley Junior Secondary in 1970. It was renamed Beaver Valley Middle School in 1994, closed in 2003, and was sold in 2009 to someone who wanted to turn it into an international school for Korean students. However, the Village of Fruitvale acquired the property in 2018 and 2019 through a public foreclosure project.
The gym roof collapsed in the winter of 2023. The village sought to borrow $2 million to tear the building down, but that plan was defeated in a counterpetition process. The village subsequently secured a $1.27 million grant, part of which went toward asbestos remediation.
The City of Castlegar also recently awarded a contract to tear down the Eremenko block downtown to make way for a new housing project, while crews in Trail will soon begin removing the old Eaton’s store as well.
The Prince George Cougars training camp continues.
82 players will participate in the camp which wraps up with the Rob Charney Cup Intra-squad game Sunday night at 6:00.
The Cougars play four pre-season games; September 5th and 7th in Hinton, Alberta against the Edmonton Oil Kings, September 12th against the Blazers in Kamloops and September 13th (5 PM) against the Blazers in Quesnel.
PG’s regular season starts Friday, September 20th when they host the Portland Winterhawks in the first of a doubleheader at CN Centre.
BCHL
The Prince George Spruce Kings start training camp today (Friday) with a series of practices.
Scrimmages are set to take place over the weekend culminating the annual inter-squad game at 2pm on Sunday from the Kopar Memorial Arena.
MLB:
Milwaukee Brewers @ Toronto Blue Jays
The Jays (78-56) play game four of a 6-game homestand that wraps up on Sunday against the Brewers (83-51).
With 28 games left, the Blue Jays lead A.L. East by 3.5 games over the Boston Red Sox and by 4 games over the New York Yankees.
Canada West Soccer:
Fraser Valley Cascades 2 UNBC Timberwolves 1 (Women’s soccer)
Scarlett Thomas scored in the 90th minute for the T-Wolves who drop to 0-3. The Cascades (1-2) host UNBC tonight at 5:30pm.
The (2-0) UNBC men visit Trinity Western (0-2) tonight and Saturday at 7:15.
BC Football Conference:
The (3-2) Prince George Kodiaks visit the (2-3) Vancouver Island Raiders Saturday night at 5:30 in Nanaimo.
The Kodiaks are in 3rd place in the 7-team league midway through their 10 game regular season.
(The top 4 advance to the playoffs)
The BCFC standings: Okanagan 5-0, Westshore 4-1, Prince George 3-2, Langley 2-2,
Vancouver Island 2-3, Valley 1-4 and Kamloops 0-5.
CFL:
Week 13 of the CFL season begins Sunday (4 PM PT) with (6-4) Winnipeg at (8-2) Saskatchewan.
The Riders lead the West Division by two points over (7-3) Calgary and by four over Winnipeg.
The (5-6) B.C. Lions are idle this week with their next game on Friday, September 5th at Ottawa.
An Evacuation Alert has been issued by the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) for the Tsetzi Lake Area.
The CRD says its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has issued the alert for 12 parcels, covering roughly 5,6654 hectares of land, and 1 structure in the Tsetzi Lake Area.
The alert is due to potential dangers to life and health from multiple wildfires in region.
Residents in Tsetzi Lake are asked to prepare grab-and-go bags in the case that an Evacuation Order is called.
The CRD says residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to evacuation; however, there may be limited notice due to changing conditions.
More information, such as what to include in a grab-and-go-bag, and what else to prepare in the case of an evacuation order, can be found on the CRD’s Emergency Operations Centre Facebook Page, and the CRD’s website.
Hamish Shaw talks to Summit Radio Afternoon Host Andrea about Kaslo wildfire prevention and surveillance company Æther Shield recent developments of their wildfire fighting initiative StormShieldDrones Inc. Listen to the full interview below!
The District of Sparwood will be making some changes to its animal control bylaw with ferrets likely being allowed as pets.
Ferrets have been classified under wild or exotic animals in the current bylaw, but domestic ferrets are not considered wildlife under provincial regulations.
It’s up to the individual municipality to decide if they are allowed.
Council gave their okay for the updated bylaw to include allowing ferrets, despite some reservations from Mayor David Wilks.
“I’m okay with dogs, I’m okay with cats and okay with hens. My fear would be that if Mr and Mrs Ferret got loose, Mr and Mrs Ferret probably wouldn’t want to come home again,” said Wilks.
“That would cause great grief for Mr and Mrs Ferret because they could have baby ferrets and we would have Ferretville. I have a challenge with it but the majority of council is good with it.”
The updated bylaw will also likely include changes to the farm animals section to ensure ducks, peacocks or turkeys can’t be kept as pets.
District staff said it’s due to the noise and possible wildlife conflicts.
Staff will develop the updated bylaw before it is brought back to council for their final say.
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A section of Parksville’s waterfront walkway will be closed for about a month so it can be replaced.
A press release from the city says the section between Parksville Community Park and Park Sands Beach Resort is the focus of the second phase of a replacement project.
Work will begin on Sept. 15 and is expected to be completed in about a month. The city says anyone walking along the path will have to detour onto the beach around the construction area.
“Completed in fall 2024, the first phase repairs included about 4,000 square feet adjacent to the waterfront gazebo and sand pit and replacement of the two long curved benches,” reads the news release. “Subsequent phases over the next few years will see replacement of the entire waterfront walkway.”
Fernie city council has approved an increase to annual short-term rental business license fees.
The previous cost was $100 per year, and it is now up to $500 for a Principal Residence STR and $700 for condo hotel licenses.
Mayor Nic Milligan says this puts them more in line with what the RDEK has done with STR fees.
“We see a lot of STRs at the ski hill, of course, and in the surrounding community, so it feels like aligning closer to the Regional District of East Kootenay is a clear outcome here,” said Milligan.
A change to regular business license fees is also coming.
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A California woman is facing up to 10 years in prison for conspiring to smuggle her British husband through the Rooseville Border Crossing near Cranbrook.
Fifty-three year-old Tracy Routh Lautenslager has plead guilty to conspiracy to bring aliens into the United States and faces a 10-year prison sentence, $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
On April 1, 2025, a vehicle operated by the defendant entered the United States through the Roosville, Montana Port of Entry before heading to the Swisher Lake area.
The U.S. Border Patrol was alerted to a lone male walking across the international boundary line from Canada to the United States.
Border Patrol was unable to locate him and believed he returned to Canada.
He was soon apprehended by the RCMP and escorted to the border.
Around the same time, Lautenslager returned to Canada to look for her husband and was denied entry on suspicion of smuggling.
She was interview by law enforcement and admitted she and her husband planned to have him circumvent the immigration process due to his legal status.
The plan was to drop her husband off at a location on the Canadian side of the border, drive into the United States and then pick him up.
Her phone was seized and text messages discussing the plan were discovered.
She will be sentenced in a hearing on Jan. 6, 2026.
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The Prince George RCMP is reminding drivers, parents and students alike of several safety tips as we head towards the return to the classroom.
For drivers:
School zone speed limits are now back in effect. This means a 30km/h speed limit in all marked schools zones, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on all regular school days.
Do not park inside or over a designated crosswalk.
Do not pass a stopped vehicle that is allowing pedestrians to cross the street.
When approaching a school bus with its lights flashing and its stop sign extended, drivers in both lanes of traffic must come to a complete stop until the bus driver has turned off the lights and retracted the stop sign.
When a vehicle is traveling at 30 km/h, it takes 18 meters (59 feet) to come to a complete stop. If you are traveling at 50 km/h, it takes 37 meters (121 feet) to stop.
For parents:
Try to avoid dropping your child off for school on the opposite side of the street from their school. If this is unavoidable, make sure your child knows how to cross the street safely at the nearest designated crosswalk.
Avoid double-parking by stopping and unloading in non-designated parking/drop-off zones.
Learn the traffic patterns at your child’s school and obey the directions of crossing guards.
Be patient and courteous to other drivers and students.
For students:
Make sure to review your route to school with your grown-up at home. Know where to cross the street and where your bus stop is if you are riding the bus.
Don’t forget to look both ways before crossing the street. Remember: stop, look and listen for cars!
If you are riding your bike, make sure you know the rules of the road and are traveling single file as close to the right side of the street as possible. Make sure your helmet is on and fits you properly.
“Back to school safety is the responsibility of everyone on the road, but drivers must remember this is a very exciting time for students,” said Cst. Jenna Moore.
“Their eagerness to get to school may block out their concern for safety. It is up to drivers on the road to make sure they are paying extra attention in and around school zones; put down your phone, turn down the music and focus on what is around you.”
A home-based medical clinic will have to get approval after Lake Cowichan council voted down a zoning bylaw allowing it to operate in town.
According to a staff report, last year the town approved a building permit to allow the applicant to expand their residence to accommodate a medical clinic.
However, Lake Cowichan contract planner Brigid Reynolds said while the current zoning bylaws allow for home-based facilities in the municipality, this clinic exceeds what is allowed.
“In March or April, the applicants were seeking their occupancy permits, but when I reviewed it my professional interpretation of this use, that it exceeded the scope of that use,” she said “While it did meet the size requirements, the scale of the use requires certain standards for public assembly use.
“Based off the assessment, I couldn’t sign this off as a home-based business, I suggested to the property owners that they make an application to rezone the property.”
Reynolds said rezoning the property to include a medical clinic isn’t impossible but it’s not something that can happen right away, especially given the circumstances.
“The medical clinic is still an accessory use to a residential use, we did discuss a commercial zone, but that would require an amendment to the official community plan (OCP) and a rezone to the property,” she said. “Given the nature of how this has unfolded, we thought this is a possible option that would allow them to open the clinic.”
Mayor Tim McGonigle agreed there was a lot of confusion for this application, from all avenues of communication, and suggested council and the town do what they can to make sure members of the community have access to medical care.
“The facility meets the zoning, the only problem is the usage,” he says. “Given the administrative oversight of the previous application, I feel it’s only prudent to do what we can to accommodate the occupancy of this facility.
“Especially since we are subjected to very little medical opportunities in West Cowichan.”
Amendments to the zoning application were defeated after a tie 2-2 vote on the matter, with councillor Lorna Vomacka and Carolyn Austin voting against it, while McGonigle and councillor Aaron Frisby voted for the motion.
Parents in Williams Lake are getting new child care spaces for this upcoming school year.
The Province’s Ministry of Education and Child Care announced this morning [Thursday, August 28] $23.5 million was provided to fund 640 new child care spaces on school grounds across the province.
$304,150 was provided for 20 new spaces in Williams Lake, which will be located at the Chilcotin Road Elementary School.
Rohini Arora, Parliamentary Secretary for Childcare, said a major part of this project was to help make parents’, especially single parents’, and working parents’ lives easier by having the new care spaces be directly attached to schools.
“There are many parents, moms especially, who want to return to work, but also ensure that their children are in a safe space,” Arora said. “With these spaces, we’re ensuring children can seamlessly transition from their childcare to school, and we’re making it easier for moms and parents to be able to drop their kids off in one location.”
Parents will not have to wait long for the new child care spaces. All 640, including the 20 at Chilcotin Road Elementary, will be open right at the start of the school year this September.
With the new spaces also comes reworked affordability plans by the province. Parliamentary Secretary Arora says the Childcare Fee Reduction Initiative, a subsidy that is provided upfront and paid by parents so they pay less overall, has been lowered. Parents have had to pay on average $47 per day, now the average will $19 per day.
Another affordability program, the Affordable Childcare Benefit, has been made more accessible for families that need additional support for childcare. Arora says this income-tested support service allows parents to input their income to see what benefits they may be eligible for, and will lower costs further.
“This one is really important because families who need the additional support, or say a parent is a based worker, who would receive the most benefit, can put in their information, and we[the province] could help potentially get the costs down to $0.”
Childcare spaces and affordability have been an issue across the province for some time. Arora says these new spaces are a first “major step in the right direction” to ensure childcare for parents.
“We are thinking about a parent’s day with these new spaces, and this announcement is about making sure parents and their children have access to high-quality, affordable, and inclusive childcare. We are going to continue to work and collaborate with our federal partners and the advocates, parents, and children to ensure that access continues to happen.”
The International Overdose Awareness Day event in Williams Lake saw lots of people come out despite the 30-plus degree temperature.
Interior Health Harm Reduction Coordinator Alison Houweling said it was wonderful to see the turn out at Botanio Park and the service providers that came with all their information and their resources they have available for people who want to reach out.
“We had people come in talking about lived experiences. City Councilor Michael Moses and talked about the toxic drug crisis and the importance of having people here to speak about and address the issues.”
Some of the Community Services that were on hand included: the Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre, Foundry Cariboo Chilcotin, Cariboo Friendship Society, Canadian Mental Health Association, Boys & Girls Club, Denisiqi Services Society, Interior Health, and All Nations Healing Society.
Houweling said getting these services together for this event went really great.
“We actually have what is called a “Community Action Team” and it’s facilitated by CMHA. We meet monthly to discuss the toxic drug crisis and have actions that we carry out and work on the crisis in Williams Lake.”
Houweling thanked everyone who came to show those impacted by this crisis that their lives matter and they’re not alone.
The Municipality of North Cowichan has got approval from the province to start testing in Quamichan Lake to help improve oxygen andeliminatenutrients that contribute to cyanobacteria.
According to mayor Rob Douglas, three test enclosures will be put into the lake early next spring, and monitoring will begin shortly after installed.
Douglas saysif tests are successful a full-scale system could be implemented in the future.
Photo credit: Rob Douglas, Mayor of North Cowichan
“If the trial proves successful, its findings will inform the design and budgeting of a full-scale aeration system for Qwamichan Lake, pending council direction and provincial approval,” he says.
The study will be conducted in three enclosures and test for oxygen-only aeration, oxygen plus metal ionsand control testing (no aeration).
The authorization follows a provincial review of water quality monitoring data collected and analyzed by North Cowichan staff.
Klahoose First Nation Fisheries Department is warning the public about consuming shellfish from Mansons Lagoon, Cortes Island – stating a dangerous phytoplankton was found in the area.
In a news release, the First Nation said the organism, Pseudo-nitzschia (pronounced sue-dough nitz-see-uh), produces a biotoxin called domoic acid — a neurotoxin capable of causing permanent short-term memory loss, brain damage and, in severe cases, death in humans.
Shellfish feed on these phytoplankton, allowing domoic acid to accumulate in the shellfish tissue – when consumed, these contaminated shellfish can cause amnesic shellfish poisoning.
Bryan Pielle, coordinator of the water sampling program that conducted the tests, said “samples are collected from different depths. I sample Monday through to Thursday and if anything changes in the results, it will be posted right away.”
The alert noted that while it is not illegal to harvest shellfish in contaminated areas, the public is strongly cautioned against consuming shellfish from the lagoon.
“It is with extreme caution that you are informed of the hazards of consuming shellfish harvested from the contaminated areas,” the statement read.
The City of Campbell River has launched the 2025 City of Campbell River Citizen Satisfaction Survey, allowing residents to share feedback and guide future city plans.
According to a statement from the city, 1,600 surveys have been mailed out to residents across Campbell River.
It’s encouraging residents who receive copies to take a few minutes to complete the survey, then to return it in the pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided — or to use the QR code.
“We hear from residents and community groups year-round on many topics,” says Mayor Kermit Dahl. “While this feedback is always appreciated and valued, it can be hard to ensure it reflects the whole community. The Citizen Satisfaction Survey gives us a snapshot of how we’re doing across local services, based on a statistically valid sample. If you live in Campbell River and have a few minutes, please share your thoughts!”
The news release notes results will help fall budget discussions, assist staff in making recommendations to council and help the city with reaching public consultation requirements for the proposed financial plan.
“The data will also provide council with up-to-date information for decision making, which will help shape the facilities, services and programs available to community members for years to come,” the statement read.
Many of the social service providers converged in Veteran’s Plaza outside of Prince George City Hall today (Thursday) to connect with each other.
The event was first brought forward to Prince George City Council in July as a notice of motion by Councillors Kyle Sampson and Brian Skakun.
“I think the expectations when I was kind of dreaming this up from our end of things was just simply, how can the City play a role in helping folks connect better,” Sampson said.
“I see the Men’s shed here, which deals with trauma and grief, men who are going through that, and I see Carrier Sekani, I see Foundry. All of these organizations touch folks in our community in different ways, they provide different resources, and sometimes folks don’t know where to reach out to, so they go to one and if that organization doesn’t know how to connect them with the other, that’s where things fall apart so something like this is crucial.”
Sampson added he’s grateful the City can play a role in supporting the providers.
“The whole goal is to support these groups doing what they’re doing so they can continue to grow and expand,” he said.
“If our small participation can help that, then that’s a job well done from my perspective about our staff.”
Michelle Miller with Moms Stop the Harm and Broken Hearts of Fentanyl said they’ve learned a lot through the event.
“We though there was only seven treatment beds in the north, and actually there’s ten at the sobering centre on First Avenue where the National used to be,” she said.
“Everybody has their own ideas, their own agencies of what harm reduction looks like, so working together and not being judgmental and accepting everyone, what they’re doing is harm reduction and it’s really important.”
The event fell on International Overdose Awareness Day, and was also held as the first ever Prince George Prescription Take-back Day.
“Most people in our community are very frustrated with the challenges that we have around mental health and addictions, and people are wanting solutions, and they’re wanting to know what they can do to participate to try and reduce the crisis,” said Prince George-Valemount MLA Rosalyn Bird.
“This is one small grassroots initiative that allows people to do that.”
Bird said she got the idea from a similar initiative in the United States that happens twice a year.
“April of 2025, they collected more than 620 pounds of medication, that’s in a single day, April of this year,” she explained
“Since they started the initiative, which was 2016, ironically that’s the same year that B.C. declared our opioid crisis. Since 2016, they have collected more than 20 million tonnes of medications. When you think about what that means, not just for community safety, what that means for our environment, it’s not being flushed down the toilet, it’s not ending up in landfills, it’s not poisoning wildlife, so all of those pieces are extremely important but it gives people in community an option to participate in a solution.”
Bird added she’s hoping this will become a province-wide initiative, with the long-term goal of having this move across the country.
Demolition has begun in earnest on the venerable Castlegar ice rink, which was built over several years in the 1950s.
It was earmarked for closure in 2023, when the city announced that medical offices and a housing project would be built on site. It received a one-year reprieve, but finally closed in March of this year.
In partnership with the City of Courtenay, ICBC, and the RCMP, Comox Valley Schools is looking to raise awareness and promote safe travel around schools and neighbourhoods ahead of the start of classes.
Comox Valley Schools wants drivers to slow down, stay alert, and share the road responsibly with children and families, cyclists, and buses.
Chairperson for Comox Valley Schools Michelle Waite is urging people to slow down, plan extra travel time, and be alert near schools.
“No matter where you live in the Comox Valley, every driver, cyclist, and pedestrian has a role to play in keeping students safe.”
School zones take effect from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on school days, with limits of 30 or 40 km/h unless otherwise posted.
Drivers should be extra aware when at intersections and crosswalks when school is in session, stop for school buses when the stop arm is extended and red lights are flashing, and respect crossing guards and school patrols.
A California driver was fined $368 and has had his Cyber truck impounded for excessive speeding along Highway 3.
On Aug. 27, an officer observed a blue Tesla Cyber truck traveling a high rate of speed in a 100 km/hr zone.
They observed a top speed of 151 km/hr, but then locked the Cyber truck’s speed on the radar at 145 km/hr.
The vehicle was impounded and the driver was transported to a safe location.
Elk Valley RCMP officials said speeding incidents like this one are practically a daily occurence on the highway.
The detachment is urging rivers to slow down and also reminding them that the maximum speed limit for ideal road and weather conditions and not a starting point.
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Smithers RCMP executed a search warrant at a Hudson Bay Mobile Home Park residence on August 23rd.
Police said multiple guns and ammunition were seized with some community members concerned from the high police presence.
According to Mounties, one person was arrested cooperatively and taken into custody.
“Our leadership team has recently instructed Initial Critical Incident Response (ICIR) training, which means that instructor-level expertise is embedded right here in our detachment,” said Acting Corporal Melissa Murray.
Officers added the situation was managed as a non-active threat as no risk factors or active danger to the public were present.
Police are recommending careless use of a firearm, pointing a firearm, assault, and uttering threats charges in relation to the incident leading up to the search.
An investigation is still ongoing and anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact the Smithers detachment.
The RCMP arrested a man and a woman after they attempted to flee on foot and drive away during a traffic stop.
RCMP say the incident occurred on August 22 when police received reports of a possibly impaired driver who was not maintaining the vehicle’s lane of travel along Highway 97 near 108 Mile Ranch.
Sergeant Brian Lamb said police conducted patrols of the area and located the vehicle and stopped it near 105 Mile House.
At the stop, Lamb says police spoke with the driver, a man, and asked to conduct a breathalyzer test as the man “displayed symptoms of alcohol impairment.” The man then became combative with the police and attempted to flee on foot.
“The man was arrested by the police and restrained with some assistance from a concerned citizen who observed the incident.”
Lamb then said that the passenger of the vehicle, a woman, also believed to have been intoxicated, attempted to interfere with the investigation and arrest, then attempted to flee by driving the vehicle away before being stopped. She was arrested by the police for obstruction.
The man was then taken to cells, where he refused to provide a sample of his breath for alcohol testing. Police issued the man a roadside prohibition from driving for 90 days. He was later released with a later court date and proposed charges of Assault on a Peace Officer and Resist Arrest.
The woman was issued a breath test as a result of her attempt to drive away. She failed. The woman was also issued an immediate roadside prohibition from driving for 90 days. She was also released, with police seeking proposed charges of obstruction.
The vehicle has been impounded for 60 days. 30 for the man’s prohibition, and an additional 30 for the woman’s prohibition.
The road construction impacting multiple routes, including Highway 97, Sintich Road, Ellis Road, and surrounding side roads near the PG Airport is coming to an end.
YXS posted on its website today (Thursday), that construction is expected to wrap up on Saturday.
Traffic has been reduced to single lane alternating the past couple weeks with maximum delays of 15 minutes.
48 new childcare spaces are coming to Smithers through an investment by the province.
Through the ChildCare BC New Spaces fund, $23.5 million is being put into creating new spaces across 12 communities.
“As the new school year begins, hundreds of new licensed child care spaces on school grounds will make a real difference for families as they figure out their routines for the new school year,” said Lisa Beare, B.C.’s Minister of Education and Child Care.
The new spaces will be at Muheim Elementary School and operated by School District 54.
Since 2018, the fund has helped create 41,500 new childcare spaces in the province with over 26,000 open and providing care.
Two popular Comox Valley facilities will reopen next week under a fall schedule.
Following summer maintenance, the Comox Valley Aquatic Centre and Comox Valley Sports Centre will reopen on Tuesday, September 2.
Senior Manager of Recreation Services for the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) Jennifer Zbinden said they’re excited to invite the public back to both facilities.
“Over the summer months, the Comox Valley Aquatic Centre had a roof replacement, slide refurbishment and front door replacements.”
Zbinden added the Comox Valley Sports Centre received a new dehumidifier in Arena 1 along with yearly maintenance, painting, and cleaning.
Both facilities will be closed from August 30 to September 1, before reopening under a fall schedule on September 2.
The City of Prince George invites parents and caregivers looking to brush up on their car seat safety to stop by Fire Hall #1.
Starting September 3rd, residents can drop in from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and get help on a first-come, first-served basis.
The program will continue every Wednesday until the end of September in the guest parking lot at 2012 Massey Drive.
A certified Fire Rescue Services staff member will be available to provide advice, demonstrate proper installation of car seats and booster seats, and share information about child passenger safety.
“The Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada states that 99% of kids were buckled in during a roadside study, but 73% of those car seats were used or installed incorrectly,” said fire chief, Bryan Burleigh.
“Fire Rescue Services is happy to have a certified child passenger safety technician on staff to help residents in Prince George safely transport their children and prevent serious injuries.”
The clinic is free to attend and open to all residents.
The Nelson Brewing Company is among many craft brewers in B.C. urging the provincial government to overhaul its tax structure, saying the current system favours large, foreign-owned companies while straining smaller local operations.
Kate Walker, owner of Nelson Brewing Company, said the current tax model is squeezing small operations.
“Currently we pay 40 cents a litre, which works out to roughly $20 to $22 per keg in taxes. So, as you can imagine, that’s a pretty significant hit to our gross margin,” she said.
Walker said this structure penalizes growth.
Small breweries pay the same rate regardless of production, while large corporate breweries receive roughly $9 million in subsidies annually, with no increase to their flat rate since 2016.
“It’s like the more you grow, the more you pay. There’s not a lot of incentive to keep growing if you’re just going to end up paying a higher tax per litre,” Walker said.
Craft brewers in B.C. have also faced cost increases of around 30 per cent since 2020. This has forced more than 20 breweries to closed this year, and many more are on the brink of shutting down.
Tax reform, according to Walker, would allow small breweries an opportunity to reinvest in their communities.
“If we had some savings from the government, we could hire more local staff and optimize to reach our true potential,” she said.
The guild is proposing a graduated tax structure similar to models in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario – which would give small brewers manageable rates and reward growth.
The guild has met with provincial agencies over the past 16 months, but Walker said progress has been slow.
“Mostly they seem to just be putting off a decision. We’ve had multiple meetings now, but nothing seems to have really come from it.”
The guild said its proposed reform is revenue-neutral and could save B.C. craft breweries $16.3 million annually – money to reinvest in jobs, ingredients and growth to counter U.S. tariffs.
The campaign urges the provincial government to work with the guild to find a sustainable solution that supports small businesses, removes barriers to growth, and keeps tax dollars in B.C. to help the industry thrive.
The province’s craft breweries employ more than 6,000 people province wide.
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For the second day in a row, a new temperature record was set in Mackenzie.
According to Environment Canada, Wednesday’s high reached 30.6 degrees, beating the old mark of 28.8 set back in 1986.
The daily high on Tuesday reached 28.9 degrees, surpassing the old mark of 27.3 set back in 1988.
Several temperature records across the province were set including Lytton (40.1), Lillooett (39.4), Kitimat (30.0), Burns Lake (31.7) and Chetwynd (33.0).
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has signed off on the purchase of three new wildland fire engines at a total cost of $800,000, despite the misgivings of a couple of directors who felt that two engines should suffice.
Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue Chief Dan Derby explained the trucks are the same kind that BC Wildfire uses for its initial attack crews. One will replace an existing 2006 vehicle in Trail, while the others will be stationed in Rossland and Fruitvale.
The fire department’s bigger trucks are designed to stay on pavement or well-maintained roads, but these vehicles can access much remoter areas, and come with equipment tailored to putting out wildfires, Derby said.
He said the new engines will also be better suited to first-responder calls in the winter. He added that although BC Wildfire has interagency agreements with local fire departments, if a wildfire breaks out within Kootenay Boundary’s coverage area, they are expected to put it out.
While the procurement process hasn’t been completed, Derby expects the trucks will come from a Vancouver Island supplier, and will be delivered in April 2026, a much quicker turnaround than the typical two-to-four-year wait for larger engines, tenders, and ladder trucks.
Derby said they have enough room at the halls to house the new engines, which are expected to be paid for through short-term borrowing.
However, some RDKB directors questioned the need to buy three vehicles. Warfield director Frank Marino and Beaver Valley rural director Ali Grieve both wondered if the region could get by with two.
“My view is we always need to look at is there a more efficient and effective way?” Marino said in an interview afterward. “I’m just posing those questions as part of my responsibility of being on the board.”
Marino said while he’s not opposed to acquiring these types of engines, he expects upcoming budget discussions to look at “where we can save or not increase as much. That will be one of my themes.”
Derby said it was “challenging” to hear the directors’ concerns now, when the purchase has been in the works for over a year. But director Ali Grieve replied that “Times are changing. We face a different world.”
Fruitvale director Bill Wenman was among those who spoke in favour of buying all three trucks. He said given climate change and increasing urban interface fires, it makes sense to have more engines that can put out small wildfires fast, and fewer vehicles would mean slower responses.
The vote, which was limited to Greater Trail’s directors, passed with Marino and Grieve opposed.
A rear view of the new Big White truck. (Courtesy Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue)
The Prince George Cougars training camp begins today.
There will be on ice testing and practices followed by the Prospects Showcase at 6 PM.
82 players will participate in the camp which wraps up with the Rob Charney Cup Intra-squad game Sunday night at 6:00.
The Cougars play four pre-season games; September 5th and 7th in Hinton, Alberta against the Edmonton Oil Kings, September 12th against the Blazers in Kamloops and September 13th (5 PM) against the Blazers in Quesnel.
PG’s regular season starts Friday, September 20th when they host the Portland Winterhawks in the first of a doubleheader at CN Centre.
BCHL
The Prince George Spruce Kings are expected to unveil its training camp schedule today for the 2025-26 season.
MLB:
Toronto Blue Jays 9 Minnesota Twins 8
The Jays (78-56) continue a 6-game homestand on Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers (83-51).
With 28 games left, the Blue Jays lead A.L. East by 4 games over the Boston Red Sox and by 4.5 games over the New York Yankees.
Canada West Soccer:
The UNBC Timberwolves are on the road in Canada West Soccer.
The (0-2) UNBC women will play at Fraser Valley tonight and Friday at 5:30.
The (2-0) UNBC men visit Trinity Western Friday and Saturday night at 7:15.
BC Football Conference:
The (3-2) Prince George Kodiaks visit the (2-3) Vancouver Island Raiders Saturday night at 5:30 in Nanaimo.
The Kodiaks are in 3rd place in the 7-team league midway through their 10 game regular season.
(The top 4 advance to the playoffs)
The BCFC standings: Okanagan 5-0, Westshore 4-1, Prince George 3-2, Langley 2-2,
Vancouver Island 2-3, Valley 1-4 and Kamloops 0-5.
CFL:
Week 13 of the CFL season begins Sunday (4 PM PT) with (6-4) Winnipeg at (8-2) Saskatchewan.
The Riders lead the West Division by two points over (7-3) Calgary and by four over Winnipeg.
The (5-6) B.C. Lions are idle this week with their next game on Friday, September 5th at Ottawa.
Cadet World Championships (Judo)
PG’s Maegan Grooten competes today in Day 2 of the Cadet World Judo Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Grooten of the Hart Judo Academy is part of the six-member Canada West squad that consists of athletes from Alberta and B.C.
The Hosmer Fire Department have extinguished a log pile fire on a private property in the Thorne Road area this afternoon.
“When we arrived on site, a quick-acting resident had used a piece of equipment to scratch a guard line around the pile and our team did a good job of keeping the fire contained to the pile of origin,” explains Elk Valley and South Country Rural Fire & Rescue Chief Michael Hockley.
“The fire was contained and is now fully extinguished.”
Six firefighters from the Hosmer Department responded to the call around 3:30 p.m. with support from three firefighters from the South Country.
While the fire is out, firefighters will remain on site for some time yet this evening to ensure it is fully cooled and no hot spots remain.
Photo supplied by the RDEK.
“With the heat and breeze today, combined with the dry conditions we are currently experiencing, this could easily have been a much more serious outcome. I want to acknowledge the members of the public who quickly reported the fire and jumped into action to help create a guard, along with the members of our team who responded and who remain on site until the area is fully cooled down,” adds Hockley.
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Fisheries and Oceans Canada says it is trying to find a white sturgeon spotted entangled in fishing gear in the Columbia River at Trail over the weekend.
In an email, the federal agency asked for your help in locating the sturgeon. If you spot it, you’re asked to contact them through their Observe, Record, Report line at 1-800-465-4336 or email the details to [email protected].
Fisheries and Oceans “is working with its Upper Columbia White Sturgeon Recovery partners to identify the best course of action if the sturgeon is located,” communications advisor Jennifer Young said.
“Please be aware of your fishing gear,” she added. “Lost or discarded fishing gear can pose a risk of entanglement for fish and wildlife.”
White sturgeon are the largest freshwater fish found in Canada. Some can be more than six meters long. They are also incredibly ancient: the species has been around for at least 200 million years, the department said.
In 2006, the Upper Columbia River population of white sturgeon was legally listed as an endangered species under the Species at Risk Act.
An event to mark International Overdose Awareness Day will take place tomorrow (August 28) in Williams Lake.
The event is open to everyone from 11 am to 3 pm in Boitanio Park that will begin with an opening prayer and drumming by Williams Lake First Nation.
Interior Health Regional Harm Reduction Coordinator, Alison Houweling said they will have guests speakers impacted by the toxic drug crisis along with Community Service members and Interior Health in attendance.
“It’s a time to bring communities together,” Houweling said, “to remember the lives we have lost, to support those still living with the impact of this crisis, and stand as allies in the work ahead. We feel it’s important to show those impacted by this that we care and their lives matter and they’re not alone.”
Houweling noted since 2016 the Cariboo-Chilcotin have lost 91 people.
“The impact of the toxic drug crisis in Williams Lake has disproportionately impacted men, and particularly men in the trades. It’s also the leading cause of unnatural death for youth and adults ages to to 59.”
Houweling noted that at this event people can learn about the services available to them, get trained on overdose response and where to get naloxone kits.
“As the crisis affects more and more people, I feel people are coming to these events wanting to know what they can do to help their loved ones. I those who come walk away with a sense of community and knowing that they are cared for, and knowing that the services are available for them,” Houweling said.
With the long weekend ahead and back-to-school routines starting next week, drivers are being urged to take extra care around roadside workers.
Road Safety at Work reminds you to slow down, stay off your phones and stay alert in construction zones to help ensure a safe day for workers while behind the wheel.
Spokesperson Trace Acres said every year they hear about near misses, or worse, in work zones due to speeding or distracted driving.
“We’ve all got to keep our eyes on the road and be aware of everything going on in roadside work zones,” says Acres.
According to Road Safety at Work, nine workers in B.C. were killed from 2015 to 2024, and 267 more were injured seriously enough to miss work.
They’re encouraging drivers to slow down to or below the posted speed limit, avoid the use of cellphones, and obey all signs and flag persons when road work is ongoing.
Member of the Island Equipment Owners Association Chris Ruddick said most drivers will follow directions and are respectful, but some still don’t get the memo.
“I wish all drivers would understand that the workers occupying the roadways are just doing their job and for some of them, that job is to help keep motorists safe,” Ruddick says.
Drivers are also encouraged to follow B.C.’s Slow Down, Move Over law, which requires vehicles to slow down and move over when safe if another vehicle with flashing lights is at the roadside.
Effective immediately, the City of Cranbrook has temporarily closed the Kinsmen Arena to allow for important safety repairs.
City staff recently identified areas of chipping and peeling lead-based paint on the arena’s main beams, and the closure is a precaution to ensure the continued health and safety of all facility users.
This temporary closure will mean a few changes to scheduled events:
The Career & Education Expo on Thursday, September 4 will be held at the Cranbrook Curling Club
The final night of roller skating on Sunday, September 7 will unfortunately not go ahead.
Repair estimates are already in progress, and the work schedule will be confirmed soon.
“Every effort is being made to have the repairs completed in time for the arena’s planned October 2 opening for the hockey season.” said the City.
“Thanks to our residents, user groups, and event organizers for their understanding and flexibility while this work is carried out. Updates will be shared as more details become available.”
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The City of Fernie intends to grant a land use permit to the Wapiti Playschool Society for a portion of the courthouse grounds.
It’s subject to a two-week public notice period, but provided that no submissions require reconsideration the land use permit will be granted.
Wild Wapiti Playschool lost the use of its community garden space, when the Catholic Parish decided to sell the land.
The society approached the city back in June and staff have been working to enable the society to temporarily use a portion of the courthouse grounds.
They will be allowed, with appropriate permits, to install improvements and storage on the site.
The land use permit would be for three years and the society would be on the hook for any improvements or site maintenance costs.
The site must also comply with all child care licensing regulations and no motorized traffic is allowed on the portion of land except for snow removal or maintenance.
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Three prescribed burns are planned for this fall in the Invermere area.
A burn at District Lot 4616 is expected to take place between Sept. 15 and Sept. 30, and is expected to occur over a 48-hour period, followed by 3 to 5 days of mop-up and site monitoring.
The BC Wildfire Service, Invermere Fire Rescue and the Ministry of Forest will be treating 24.1 hectares of land within an allowable burn area of 49.3 hectares.
If conditions are not suitable this fall, the project may be postponed to spring 2026.
Prescribed burns are also planned for the Toby North and Wilmer North areas.
Timelines for those projects haven’t been set.
RDEK board chair Rob Gay said these burns have become necessary due to the past firefighting techniques.
“For basically the last 100 years our mandate has been to put out fires before they start,” he added.
“We’ve created a situation where we have way more fuel out there and you can’t get these light low-impact burns anymore, you get more intense ones.”
Residents can expect smoke and flames in the area during operations.
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Nelson residents are being asked to remain vigilant against scammers as police continue to investigate several cases of fraud in the community.
“These scams are designed to trick individuals into providing personal and financial information, often leading to financial loss or identity theft,” said the Nelson Police Department.
Fraudulent texts, calls, and online scams often impersonate trusted organizations, including banks, government agencies, or potential employers.
The department said there has also been a rise in fraud on buy-and-sell platforms such as Facebook Marketplace. Police said scammers post fake ads for items that do not exist and require deposits or banking information from buyers.
Robo-calls originating from city numbers
On Aug. 20, a local resident visited city hall after getting an automated call from a number that appeared to belong to a Nelson municipal building.
The call delivered a pre-recorded message, but the resident recognized it as fake.
The department said the incident is an example of “caller-ID spoofing” – a common tactic used by scammers to disguise their location.
By using a trusted number, there is a greater chance recipients will believe the call is legitimate.
“Even if a call has a local area code, it doesn’t mean the caller is genuine. Always verify before you trust,” said Special Constable Taburiaux.
Credit-card fraud
Police also received a credit-card fraud report this month, but this time the victim knew the scammer.
Police noted that on Aug. 13, a person reported a fraud case involving an acquaintance contacted via Instagram. The acquaintance asked the person to open a Flexiti Wave card under their name to transfer cash.
The victim sent a photo of their B.C. Services Card, which the acquaintance used to open the credit card in the victim’s name.
The acquaintance then asked the victim to e-transfer $102, promising to send $1,100 in return, but the money never arrived.
Later, the acquaintance asked for a one-time passcode, saying it was needed to complete the transfer.
Shortly after sending the passcode, the victim noticed a $898 charge on their credit card.
Communication eventually stopped, no funds were received, and the victim realized they had been defrauded and called the police. The investigation is ongoing.
“Fraud doesn’t always come from a stranger – unfortunately, it can also come from someone you know or once trusted,” said Special Constable Taburiaux.
Nelson police remind residents never to open accounts, apply for credit cards, share one-time passcodes or provide personal information on behalf of another person.
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Officers found one man deceased when they arrived at the scene.
The Prince George RCMP’s Serious Crime Unit was called in to take conduct of the investigation.
Mounties quickly identified and arrested the suspect that evening.
“A quick and concerted response to the initial complaint of gunfire inside an apartment block by Frontline Police officers was key to advancing this investigation. The accused’s arrest followed shortly thereafter,” said Staff Sergeant Aaron Whitehouse, Commander of the General Investigative Section for the Prince George RCMP.
“This investigation – like all homicides – involved a large number of investigators who worked hard to ensure a timely disclosure to the BC Prosecution Service. We are very pleased with the outcome.”
Keewatin is due to return to court for sentencing in November.
High temperatures across the mid-Island and Sunshine Coast Tuesday have seen a few new records established according to Environment Canada.
Twenty-nine communities across the province recorded a new high temperature on August 26, including two on Vancouver Island and two on the Sunshine Coast.
Nanaimo held the highest temperature of 31.2 C, besting the previous record of 31.0 C set in 2016.
Qualicum Beach also reached a new high of 28.8 C, surpassing the old mark of 28.6 C also in 2016.
Meanwhile on the Sunshine Coast, both Gibsons and Sechelt recorded highs of 29.6 C, beating the 2016 mark of 28.8 C.
The high temperatures are expected to continue Wednesday before cloud cover in the forecast for Thursday could offer reprieve from the heat.
Williams Lake re-broke its newest temperature record in less than a day.
The Lake City broke the new highest temperature record with a high of 32.6 degrees, recorded on August 26. This new record high surpasses the previous record of 31.4 degrees, set on August 25.
Matt Loney, a Meteorologist for Environment Canada, says Williams Lake’s new record was one of a few that were set across the Cariboo and South Cariboo.
“This is the third day in a row that we’ve had some sort of temperature record set or rerecorded in the Cariboo,” Loney says. “Clinton eclipsed its old record with a 33.2 degrees [on August 26], beating its old record of 22.9, set in 2022.”
Quesnel broke its warmest temperature record, reaching 34 degrees. The previous record was 33.3 degrees set in 1934.
“This one is most significant in my eyes, because of the period of record being so lengthy,” Loney says. “We’ll probably set a few more records this week, especially at the shorter period of records at stations like Clinton and Williams Lake.”
The Puntzi Mountain and Tatlayoko Lake Areas in the Chilcotin also broke records for the third day in a row. Puntzi Mountain set a new record with a high of 34.3 degrees; previously, the record was 29.6, set in 1996.
Tatlayoko Lake broke its record set earlier this week, yesterday, with a high of 35.3 degrees. Loney says Tatlayoko is one of the areas expected to break its current record this week, potentially reaching up to high in the 36-degree range.
Loney says part of the cause of the higher temperatures is do to a strong ridge of high-pressure air masses with low humidity that has blown upwards from the southwest United States. Loney says to expect these higher temperatures for the next few days, before it cools down slightly for the weekend.
“Across the mainland of British Columbia, we’ve set 29 new records yesterday. It’s quite an exceptional air mass to experience for this time of the year. Today and tomorrow, we still have these threatening record temperatures. So try to stay cool, use municipal buildings with air conditioning if you can. Stay hydrated. At night, when the temperatures are cooler, keep windows open.”
Construction of four new portable classrooms at Carihi Secondary school is being delayed, forcing some classes to continue in temporary spaces this fall.
According to School District 72 (SD72), the portables were expected to be completed in time for school start up, but are now expected to be ready later this fall.
The school will be using spaces within the main building to house most displaced classes, for the duration of the delay.
“Everybody is doing their best to try and minimize disruption to students and educational programming” says associate superintendent with SD72 Phillip Cizmic, adding “students are always at the front of everything we do.”
The district states two classes will be relocated to Robron Centre for the first couple of weeks and music classes will continue at École Phoenix Middle School.
Assembly of these portables coincides work to restore Carihi Secondary, following a fire that occurred November 21, 2024.
“The work was twofold,” says Cizmic. “First was work on the actual Carihi building and making sure we could start accessing the gym in order to do repairs… then getting the site ready to bring in some portables and to ensure we could have additional classroom space until the gym and the wing that was demolished is complete.”
On top of these new portables, a camp kitchen has been purchased by the district – allowing the culinary arts program to return to Carihi, after being hosted at North Island college last year.
According to the district, when the new portables arrive, they will be located at the upper parking area between F-wing and C-wing.
The kitchen portable will be located beside Cari’s infant and toddler centre.
“I need to recognize the city, for the support that they provided, ensuring that barriers and roadblocks are removed from the planning stages” states Cizmic. “The support has been tremendous and [it recognizes] how important Carihi is to the community… it’s been great to work in partnership with the city.”
The district says its hopeful the portables may be completed sooner.
The British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) accepted 10 energy purchase agreements between BC Hydro and proponents of its 2024 call for clean or renewable electricity.
The ten projects, nine wind and one solar, are expected to provide 4,830 giga watt hours of energy per year.
The agreements have 30-year terms and reflect an average bid price of $74 per megawatt hour.
Energy deliveries are expected to begin in fiscal 2031.
Following a public and transparent review process, the BCUC found the energy purchase agreements to be in the public interest with the criteria in section 71 of the Utilities Commission Act.
This review considered the province’s energy objectives, the amount and cost of energy to be purchased, the consistency of the energy purchases with BC Hydro’s long-term resource plan, and the adequacy of BC Hydro’s consultation with First Nations, among other items.
The BCUC also viewed BC Hydro’s 2024 call for power to be a fair, transparent and competitive process for procuring additional energy required to meet BC Hydro’s needs, and found the price of energy to be reasonable.
Imagine setting a world record as the first couple in history to cross the Mexico-US Border on a tandem bicycle.
Well, that is what Lady JB Owen, and her husband Peter Giesin have done as they are in the final leg of a 9,100-kilometre cycling journey from Cabo San Lucas to Homer, Alaska.
The Red Deer duo were in Prince George for a 24-hour period between Monday and Tuesday afternoon as they raise funds to help build classrooms to undeserved communities across the globe for Inspiration Classrooms.
Photo credit: Ignite PR Team.
Owen, who is a 26-time best-selling author says once this journey is done, they will have reached another milestone.
“What is really exciting about this is trip is that we are trying to set a world record because the entire cycle ride from Cabo to Homer is ten times the elevation of Mount Everest. So, we’ll basically cycle up and down Mount Everest ten times on this cross-continental journey.”
“We built two schools already in Indonesia, we have created this idea where we can create a school using a decommissioned cargo container and then we put all the blocks, windows, doors and everything to build it, we ship it anywhere around the world and in 11 days we can build a school.”
“It is an amazing opportunity to solve a problem where children need a safe environment. Kids can’t learn if they aren’t safe and secure. Now, we are helping institutions that already exist by giving them a building and create an environment for kids to learn in,” added Owen.
Giesin and Owen believes their journey is one of inspiration where it can show others you can accomplish what you set your mind too.
“The world needs inspiration these days. We feel that we can just bring that bye hanging out enjoying the world and showing people that anything you put your mind too can happen,” said Giesin.
“We really want to show people what is possible in their lives. At 55 and 57, we decided to go on this epic journey to cycle across the continent but the whole goal is to really unite humanity. Humanity is at a place now where we need inspiration and creativity and that if you have a dream, you can go out there and make it happen,” added Owen.
During the peak of the pandemic in 2020 is where the idea of cycling came into to play.
The first sojourn was from their home base in Red Deer with the end point the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa.
The couple is on their 68th day of cycling with another three weeks left to go before they reach Alaska.
Photo credit: Ignite PR Team.
Owen and Giesin added the generosity of people bringing them food, inviting them into their home or parking the RV in a driveway still shows how strong humanity is.
“We had an accident in Mexico where our awning got ripped off our RV and a family of nationals stopped and helped us. We have had multiple experiences where people have just come and talk to us in the parking lot and ask what we are doing and every single day we met humanity in a beautiful way.”
“We had a family let us stay in their RV park for free and made us a beautiful dinner. We had a woman buy us some baked goods from a bakery and say we need some more food. We had people on the side of the road to see if we needed help. We had people knock on the doors of our RV – humanity is awesome, and we see it every single day and we want to keep telling these stories because what we see right now isn’t the representation on how beautiful people are.” said Owen.
“Not only do people help us along the way, but we also met the most incredible this year since we rode up the Pacific Coast Highway, we experienced a lot of other riders along the route. We met so many incredible riders that are out doing this thing – some of them are single, others are in pairs, and we saw a couple families that had young kids out cycling through the environment,” added Giesin.
They spent 26 days in California and needed 23 days to cycle through the Baja.
Owen added the northern capital was an important stop for them on their way to Alaska.
“Prince George is sort of the gateway up to Whitehorse, Dawson City and then on to Alaska. It is a great stop for us, and we had to do a repair here. We had trouble with our alternator on the RV and Prince George was the only place in Western Canada that had the part we needed to get our RV fixed.”
Once in Alaska, the plan is to enjoy the state for a few days before slowly making their way back to Red Deer.
“It really is one of the last frontiers. I have been there in the past but never had the time to experience it with the love of my life. We have talked about driving back the exact same route that we just rode so we can take more time to experience it. We had a day here in Prince George and am sure there are some amazing things to do so what could do to experience them on a deeper level,” said Giesin.
Giesin and Owen cycle roughly 100 to 150 kilometres per day, which is the equivalent of seven to eight hours on the bike.
“You are going at a fast enough pace that you can make some distance and see some things over a given day, but you are also going slow enough to really experience to stop and pick blackberries along the side of the road and all that. We are the ripple effect because we ride a tandem bike, we are the first ripple in the wind,” said Giesin.
A compilation book is also in the works called “Ignite Humanity” which is collecting the stories of other people who are doing amazing things in their lives.
It will be a 280-person single book, attempting to break another Guinness World Record for largest compilation book.
Owen and Giesin’s cycling journeys also consist of riding from Calgary to the Alaska Border in 2021, the year after was a cross-country sojourn from Vancouver to Newfoundland and Labrador.
Two years ago (2023), both cyclists also rode from Calgary to Cabo San Lucas.
The couple is exploring the idea of a criss-cross across America ride where the ride goes from Seattle to Miami to Los Angeles and then to New York.
The Annual Quesnel RCMP Kids Camp was another huge success!
It took place Saturday August 23 at the Quesnel Rec Centre and nearly 40 kids aged 6 to 12 were registered for this event.
Constable David Judge said they had ten officers volunteer their time that included BC Highway Patrol members from Williams Lake along with a special visit from the Prince George Canine Unit.
“Kids were provided opportunities to practice fingerprinting, run through an obstacle course, test their speed while running towards the radar, along with practicing arrest and handcuffing some of our volunteers.”
The highlight of the camp was the demonstration of how Natz takes down criminals.
“It’s always a popular event,” Judge said, “and we were very thankful to have Constable Matt Gould from Prince George to come down once again. He’s kind of made this a staple of his duties in the Summer to try his best to come to Quesnel. He was more than happy to take part in the camp to show off his canine Natz.”
Judge said the focus of their RCMP Kids Camp is for them to walk away with some knowledge about policing.
“They were educated about all the gear that we wear, they were so fascinated by all the things we were pulling out from our belt and showing off to them. It’s a great and safe environment that we can connect with our youth and answering any questions they have about policing while at the same time touring them through the stations and showing them in a kid friendly way all the methods, techniques, and tools that we use in everyday policing.”
Photo-Karen Powell
The camp ran from 9 to 3 and at the end of the day the kids were all given certificates.
“We continue to see more and more interest in the event,” Judge said, “I know when the City of Quesnel opened up their registration portal online this year we had booked out with 40 children nearly a month in advance of the event. That’s even faster than last year. At the end of the day seeing the smiles on their faces, even some of them coming up, hugging us, saying good-bye and thank you, there’s just nothing like it.”
Judge added leaving such a lasting impression with the children is super, super, important and well worth it.
The Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games Society has appointed Katie Spittlehouse as operations manager, making the team of volunteers behind one of British Columbia’s most anticipated multi-sport events that much stronger.
With a background spanning over 16 years in alpine ski coaching — most recently with the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team — Spittlehouse brings deep experience from the slopes to the planning room. Her career highlights include coaching at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games, as well as leading teams at the 2019 Canada Winter Games and competing as an athlete in the 2009 Canada Summer Games.
“After years of developing athletes at every level of the sport, I’m excited to bring my skills to the broader world of event planning and delivery,” Spittlehouse said in a news release. “The BC Winter Games are a powerful celebration of youth sport and community spirit, and I’m honoured to be part of shaping that experience for athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers.”
As operations manager, Spittlehouse is tasked with coordinating the logistical foundation of the Games, working closely with the Games’ 14 directorates to manage planning, budgeting, contracts, and timelines in the lead-up to the event, which takes place February 25–March 1, 2026.
With as many as 1,800 participants, 15 sports, and up to 1,500 volunteers expected, the Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games will represent one of the largest collaborative efforts the region has seen in recent memory.
Spittlehouse emphasizes the role of volunteers and the community in delivering a successful Games: “Volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to get involved. Whether you have two hours or two weeks, we have a place for you.” Early volunteer interest is already being accepted via the Games’ registration portal, with official recruitment launching in September.
She also notes the opportunity for local businesses and organizations to contribute to the Games’ success: “From in-kind donations to sponsorship and services, there are many ways to support the Games and leave a lasting legacy in our region.”
The benefits to the host communities go far beyond the competition. In addition to an estimated $1.6 million in economic impact, the Games will leave a legacy of upgraded sport infrastructure, skilled volunteer capacity, and long-term funding through the BC Games Society’s Powering Potential Fund.
For Spittlehouse, the Games reflect what sport is all about: “Sport has shaped who I am—it’s where I’ve built community, learned resilience, and found purpose. I want these Games to give young athletes and our entire region that same opportunity for growth and connection.”
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A Centennial Celebration is being held in Vanderhoof next year as it recognizes its 100th anniversary.
A two-day celebration is planned for Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Founded in 1926, Vanderhoof went from a small railway settlement into a geographical centre within Central B.C.
The Centennial Celebration will feature:
• Live entertainment showcasing local talent and major headliners.
• Historical exhibits, Cowboy poetry and storytelling, capturing Vanderhoof’s journey over 100 years.
• Family-friendly activities including games, artisan markets, and food vendors
• Music, food and dancing, to cap off each day in true Vanderhoof style
“Vanderhoof’s 100th anniversary is more than a milestone—it’s a chance for us to come together and celebrate the people, places, and stories that make our community so special,” said Kevin Moutray, Mayor of Vanderhoof.
“We are inviting everyone, past, present and even future residents to join us for this once-in-a-lifetime event.”
The Prince George Cougars training camp starts this week.
On Thursday, there will be on ice testing and practices followed by the Prospects Showcase at 6 PM.
82 players will participate in the camp which wraps up with the Rob Charney Cup Intra-squad game Sunday night at 6:00.
The Cougars play four pre-season games; September 5th and 7th in Hinton, Alberta against the Edmonton Oil Kings, September 12th against the Blazers in Kamloops and September 13th (5 PM) against the Blazers in Quesnel.
Their regular season starts Friday, September 20th when they host the Portland Winterhawks in the first of a doubleheader at CN Centre.
MLB:
Minnesota Twins 7 Toronto Blue Jays 5
The Twins erased a 4-3 deficit by scoring 4 runs in the top of the 9th inning.
