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Dan Hamhuis walked through every door that came open to him during his distinguished hockey career and now he is getting a well-deserved curtain call.

The Smithers native and co-owner of the Prince George Cougars is part of the Class of 2025 to be inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton on Saturday.

As a young kid, growing up in the Nordic-inspired picturesque beauty of the northwest, not in Hamhuis’ wildest dreams did he think an 18-year professional hockey career was even an option growing up, let along leaving his hometown to play major junior for the Cougars in the late-90’s.

“I dreamed of playing in the NHL but I never thought that it was a reality or that there was even a path ahead of me to be able to do that. I played because I love the game and all of the time spent dreaming of that playing road hockey all that time, eventually paid,”

After lighting up the Single-A ranks with the Smithers A’s where he amassed 131 points in 59 games in 1997-98, Hamhuis took his first leap of faith and made the cut as a rookie defenseman with the Prince George Cougars – a place he would call home for four seasons.

His game at the junior level grew by leaps and bounds after his first year – after notching just one goal in 98-99 – he tallied 10 goals or more in his last three seasons while also seeing his point totals from the blueline increase from 33 to 59, and then 60.

The road to the big leagues became much clearer after he was taken 12th overall by the upstart Nashville Predators in the 2001 NHL Draft, a place he would call home for eight seasons during his pro career.

During his 1,148 game NHL journey, which spanned 16 seasons, Hamhuis also spent six years with the Vancouver Canucks along with a two-year stint with the Dallas Stars.

When asked about his pro career, which also included a stint with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals, Hamhuis said there are a handful of moments that stand out.

“Going to the Olympics was a pinnacle of the career and winning that gold medal was pretty special and the run we had with the Vancouver Canucks we had was special. It didn’t end the way we wanted losing in game seven of the Stanley Cup final, but it was such an amazing year.”

Mixed in with all of that, Hamhuis lived out another childhood dream by wearing the Maple Leaf for Canada at the international stage on nine occasions, which included the World Junior Hockey Championship (a bronze and a silver medal), six appearances at the IIHF Men’s World Hockey Championship (two gold medals and two silver medals) along with one Olympic appearance (gold medal in Sochi, Russia).

“The Hockey Canada experiences are something that not everybody experiences and I was able to wear that jersey on nine separate occasions. That was really special and added a lot to my career.”

“I have to pinch myself all of that happened, It seems unreal looking back on it now – it was a lot of fun and I loved the game, loved playing and trying to get better at it all of the time and all the people I was able to do it with,” added Hamhuis.

Joining Hamhuis in the BC Hockey Hall of Fame will be longtime competitor and retired NHL’er Shawn Horcoff.

Horcoff, who was born in Trail, battled his entire career against Hamhuis due to the fact they always played on Western Conference rivals. Horcoff is most remembered for his time with the Edmonton Oilers while also suiting up for the Stars and Anaheim Ducks.

Both won a silver medal together during the 2009 men’s world championships. Hamhuis is quite happy to share the stage with someone equally as deserving.

“I know Shawn a bit as we played together at the world championships. Once you play on the same team with the guy you kind of have a connection throughout the rest of your career and I am looking forward to going through the experience with Shawn.”

Joining Hamhuis in the hall of fame is Mike Penny, (Builder), Larry Kwong (Pioneer/Player/Builder), Ted Hargreaves (Builder) as well as the 1987 Centennial Cup champion Richmond Sockeyes and the 1978 Allan Cup champion Kimberley Dynamiters.

“There are so many great names that are in there and now that I look back on my career from a different perspective, it’s neat to look back. It was a great career, it was longer than most to be able to play 18 years of pro,” added Hamhuis.

“From minor hockey, junior and pro – my family, wife and kids, the impact they have had on my life and in my career to be able to do that certainly would not have come close to experience or even have played pro without all of those people.”

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As wildfire season continues in the province, United Way B.C. has released a guide for communities who will receive people displaced from environmental disaster, including wildfires and floods.

Residents in Fort St John are no strangers to this call to neighbourly action, following last month’s Pocket Knife Creek wildfire, where evacuees were instructed to come to the city. 

In the emergency alert sent to all devices, residents being evacuated were told to register for medical help at the Pomeroy Sports Centre downtown.

United Way B.C.’s handbook intends to help municipalities prepare to host displaced people from those effected. 

“(The guide) aims to bring the social sector and broader community together to effectively work alongside Emergency Support Services during an activation to a large-scale, climate related event,” their press release said. 

The approach is threefold. First, they recommend local governments must build relationships with other governments in their region – and to note any major demographic or ideological differences. 

United Way B.C. said evacuees will be emotional and suggest implementing trauma informed and culturally safe practices for visitors to provide comfort. 

Second, call for social services, such as community housing and local charities to establish a social response task force with the municipal government.  

“It is important to recognize it is not appropriate to ask local agencies what they can offer during an event. Having the conversation prior and allowing time for local partners to identify what their capacity will be ensures respectful and clear communication,” said United B.C.

Third, and this only occurs if displaced people are coming to the city, call for the plan to be activated and the task force to be informed. The local government will work alongside the agencies to provide support for the displaced people. 

To view the full Guide, click the link here.

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The unveiling and celebration of an eye-catching new mural by local artist Theresa Sapergia is being celebrated later this week.

Tomorrow (Thursday), Tourism Prince George and the Prince George Community Arts Council are inviting the public to attend the Nanguz ’An Container Market, 850 Canada Games Way from 5pm to 7pm.

The installation features a burst of Northern-inspired themes, rendered in Sapergia’s expressive style to help create dynamic, community-driven public spaces
in downtown Prince George.

“This mural uniquely showcases Prince George in a bold artistic manner and really created a strong centerpiece for the market. Theresa did an exceptional job creating it and we are proud to be apart of adding more vibrant art to the downtown,” stated Colin Carson, CEO, Tourism Prince George.

Eli Klasner, Executive Director of the Community Arts Council, added

“Public art like this connects us, sparks conversation, and brings colour and vitality to our central gathering places. We’re excited to see Theresa’s vision become a
celebrated part of Prince George’s streetscape.”

The launch also kicks-off Community Art Days at Canada Games Plaza, hosted by Two Rivers Art Gallery, with a creative weekend of art, workshops and hands-on
activities ahead.

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Prince George drivers will have a bit extra to be on the lookout for today (Wednesday) as the Law Enforcement Torch Run is taking place.

“This is kind of the kick off event to the Special Olympics Summer Games here in Prince George,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper.

“We would love to have the community come out and just show their advance support for these events by attending the Torch Run either somewhere along the route, or join us at CN Centre.”

The Torch Run will start at the RCMP detachment at the Corner of 4th Avenue and Victoria Street.

From there, it will head over to Winnipeg Street, heading all the way down Winnipeg and Massey Drive before heading north to the CN Centre on Ospika Boulevard.

Drivers are asked to be cautious around those routes tomorrow.

“Typically we do stay to the sidewalks, but this year we have planned it a little bigger and we are going to be on the road,” Cooper said.

“You will definitely experience a little bit of disruption if you happen to be in those areas. We’re going to be escorted by police cars, we’ll have our new side-by-side out as well escorting us through the Prince George. We’re going to be heading through and making as big a spectacle of ourselves as we can as we head to CN Centre.”

Cooper added while the Torch Run is a favourite among the Special Olympics Athletes, it’s also a great event for law enforcement officers.

“A lot of times Law Enforcement Officers often interact with people kind of on the worst days of their lives,” she explained.

“It’s really positive for law enforcement officers, and other first responders will be joining us, to have the support of the community to come out in a positive way as well, interact with us in a positive way.”

Cooper noted the RCMP has been doing torch runs for nearly a decade, but this one is a much bigger deal.

“This has definitely been an all-hands-on-deck type of year for us,” she said.

“It’s a smaller planning committee that kind of heads up these events so we’ve had to pull in some resources from other units and other first responder agencies just to try and help cover everything off.”

Cooper said they’ve been incredibly well supported by the community, as well as sponsors.

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Ranger Park could soon receive official Destination or Community Park designation by the Town of Smithers.

During tonight’s (Tuesday) council meeting, a petition with over 200 signatures was presented through a delegation.

According to Ian Sharpe, who started the petition, Ranger Park is considered to receive one of the two designations by the town in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

“This is to happen three years from when the park plan was signed off, so that would be 2027,” he said.

The park would be protected from future development if given an official designation with Sharpe adding the childcare facility currently in the works to be built there has as minimal of a footprint as possible.

“If you just think about the new subdivisions that are happening around Smithers and nearby towns, park use is going to become increasingly important and it will be harder to find the lands necessary to satisfy the demands of the public,” he added.

Council voted to have staff look further into Sharpe’s request.

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A public hearing was held to listen to a handful of concerns on rezoning a District Lot in Williams Lake.

The Williams Lake City Council heard six speakers voice questions and some concerns over the proposed rezoning of the Poplar Glade Site, on Huston Street and Eleventh Avenue North.

Also known as Lot 12, or District Lot 588, the former Poplar Glade Elementary School site has been proposed by the Williams Lake First Nations (WLFN), to rezone the now vacant lot from a Civic Assembly and Institutional (P-1) to a Neighbourhood Mixed and Multi-Use (MU-1).

“ What this does is it opens the opportunities for residential, commercial billings, single-family townhouses, accessory drawings, apartments, daycares, retail sales, restaurants, commercial recreational facilities, and others,” says Councillor Scott Nelson. Clarifying to the public in attendance what the rezoning would allow.

“I think the whole proposal fits in with the growth that we’ve got over the next 20, 25 years for our community.”

The WLFN acquired the parcel of land back in 2022, and upon successful rezoning of the lot, will be working with BC Builds Program to develop the lot. The conceptual idea, would be to develop multi-unit housing and commercial developments on the site.

Members of the public voiced their concerns and questions over the proposition. Two speakers’ concerns were over the redevelopment of the roads and how the increased traffic will flow in the area. They voiced that the area was built in the 1960s for residential housing only, and the roads would need to widened, and entrances for the new development would need to be appropriately placed, as to not hinder the residents in the area.

One speaker suggested that the area “has only been successful” due it only being allowed to have single-unit residential homes.

Both speakers also asked how, or rather ‘who’ would be paying for the road widenings and development. The speakers concerns also asking about increased taxing on taxpayers.

A third speaker questioned whether the Council, City Staff, and WLFN considered leaving the site to be developed into an open space park.

To which Gary Muraca, Chief Administrative Officer of the City said, “the City never looked at the space as a park.” However, Muraca assured the speaker that WLFN normally considers how their builds can be incorporated to fit the community.

The same speaker was also concerned about whether the bylaw being passed thoroughly assessed the positive and negative impacts to residents and taxpayers in the area. This speaker suggested that from their own “investigations”, data shows that “at times” these types of developments raise housing insurance for residents, but decrease property values, while losing the City could also lose tax revenue based on the commercial businesses and developments that come in with the rezoning.

The last speakers had questions on the commercial development aspects of the build. One asked why commercial buildings needed to be included in the build, and whether or not the City could impose restrictions on the businesses’ hours of operation.

Jessica Ball, a Planning Analyst for the City, said the City “would not have the control” over the commercial properties’ times of operations, similar to how the Downtown Core operates.

“[They] would have to follow the ‘Good Neighbour Bylaw’, and any other bylaw under the municipality, but we can’t restrict the business hours of a commercial development.”

The last speaker, had concerns over what kind of businesses would be allowed to be part of the commercial development. Their concern, to a number of head nods of approval from audience members, was of cannabis stores being put into the development. Saying many members of the public have had concerns of the smell, use, and affects of cannabis public being used around stores and in the area.

Ball answered that cannabis is currently its own zoning use and zoning bylaw, but says “it is not listed under the types of commercial uses for this zoning development.”

She added that if the developers and proponent wanted to bring forward the idea of a cannabis store as part of their design, they would have to put a forward a motion for a rezoning amendment for the commercial use, which would incorporate a public hearing.

After the public’s questions, the councillors had their turns to speak.

“ I will be supporting this new particular zoning to get it and drive the investment into the community,” said Councillor Scott Nelson. “My hand goes up and I want to thank Williams Lake First Nations for bringing this forward and working with the community.”

Councillor Sheila Boehm also voted in favour for the rezoning amendment; as did Councillor Angie Delaney.

“We have all said it before: housing, housing, housing, it needs to happen,” Boehm said. “When you look at other countries and how they are conquering some of our social issues that we are all seeing every day on the streets, it’s through housing. So I will be supporting this.”

Councillor Delaney commented on how the WLFN “always has good and well thought out builds for the community,” assuring the members of the public that the final development will be nice.

“I’ve been really excited about this development since they’ve announced it,” said Councillor Jazmyn Lyons, calling in remotely, and voted for the amendement. “When I first ran for council, one thing I really pushed for was anytime we do see an apartment structure, anything going up, to see commercial space beneath it because it opens up possibility…WLFN is extremely smart in all of their builds. I absolutely believe that whatever they come up with for that is gonna be something that’s gonna be beneficial to the area.”

Lastly, Councillor Joan Flaspohler, who chaired this meeting due to Mayor Surinderpal Rathor’s absence, voted for the bylaw rezoning. She said that she is excited to see what gets presented as a concept and design for the development down the road, while also understanding the public’s concerns for the change in residential area.

“Small commercial pieces can be so beneficial to a community because you now may be able to just walk somewhere. You don’t have to get in your vehicle to go get a few small items, or to get your hair cut or as things that are mentioned this evening,” Flaspohler said. “I don’t think that we’ll be seeing a large commercial piece. Generally these smaller types of development, are with that focus, of as Councilor Bam highlighted, on housing and creating the spaces for everyone because it is such an important topic in every single community.”

Flaspohler also addressed the questions of taxation, saying that it will be “win-win” for the municipality, as these types of development are supplying key infrastructure.

“Building up is smart. If you’re putting more people in one space on one lot, that taxation is a larger dollar value compared to the amount of infrastructure, and when you’re supplying a one home lots, you’re only getting limited amounts of taxation funds.”

The Council voted the reading of the rezoning bylaw unanimously, with Councillor Michael Moses and Jazmyn Lyons voting in remotely.

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Sports by Hartley Wednesday,  July 9th, 2025

(As of 12:05 a.m. All times listed are PDT)

MLB:

Toronto Blue Jays  6  Chicago White Sox  1   7th inning rain delay

The Blue Jays took control early by scoring 5 runs in the 3rd inning.

The box score is here.

The Jays have won 9 straight and 11 of their last 12.

It’s the longest win streak for the team since an 11-game run in August 2015.

Entering Tuesday’s action, Toronto led the A.L. East by 3.5 games over the (49-41) New York Yankees and by 4 games over the (49-42) Tampa Bay Rays.

The (53-38) Jays continue a 6-game road trip today (Wednesday 11:10 AM PT) against the (30-61) White Sox.

The White Sox have the worst record in the American League.

The Blue Jays 2025 schedule and results are here.

The MLB schedule and results are here.

The MLB standings are here.

Hockey:

Gavin McKenna has confirmed he is leaving the WHL champion Medicine Hat Tigers.

The 17-year-old McKenna, the projected No. 1 pick of the 2026 NHL draft, is committing to Penn State University.

Last season (2024-25) for the Tigers, he racked up 129 points (41 goals, 88 assists) in 56 games — including a 40-game points streak.

More Perry content coming your way!

Terik Parascak chats earlier at Washington Capitals Development Camp!

pic.twitter.com/MKOWe4nK7u

— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) July 8, 2025

Become a part of our Spruce Kings family! Open your home and make a difference in a young player’s life!

Visit https://t.co/hWzDmHr3Ab for more information. pic.twitter.com/KzIyvFP68J

— Prince George Spruce Kings (@SpruceKings) July 8, 2025

PG Senior Lacrosse

The PG Senior Lacrosse finals between the Devils and the Assault will begin on Monday, with the league awards being handed out prior to the game.

The Devils finished first in the regular season while the Assault beat the Bandits in the semis, including 10-3 in the series clincher.

CFL:

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A man remains in custody after taking a large boom lift for a joy ride near Industrial Rd G in Cranbrook on Monday, July 7.

Police received a report from an off-duty fire fighter at 8:45 p.m. of a suspicious male operating the machinery.

Upon arrival it was determined that the boom lift, which is valued at over $140,000, was stolen from a work site in the community.

Thanks to the information provided by the fire fighter, police were able to identify and arrest the individual believed responsible.

The suspect remains in custody awaiting first appearance in Court.

Cranbrook RCMP reminds the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to the police.

“In recent weeks, Cranbrook RCMP have received an increase in reports of theft”, says S/Sgt. Barry Graham, Cranbrook RCMP Detachment Commander.

“If you notice anything out of the ordinary, such as individuals loitering in unusual areas, peering into vehicle windows, or displaying any other suspicious behavior, call police as soon as possible. Make note of what the suspicious individual looks like, what they’re wearing and any descriptive features. This will help police locate the individual should they no longer be in the immediate area when police arrive.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Cranbrook RCMP at 250-489-3471.

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The Quesnel U13C lacrosse team brought home the Bronze Medal in the BCLA ‘C’ Division Provincials.

The Quesnel Wildfire blazed through their competition at the provincials. They only lost one game out of the six they played over the weekend. Losing to the Surrey Rebels.

In their last game, the Wildfire beat the Port Moody Thunder 11 to 2 to bring home the Bronze Medal back to Q-Town.

“The U13 team put on a stellar performance. Their relentless determination and teamwork carried them through a highly competitive tournament, with a well-deserved spot on the podium,” said Katie Devorkin, a member of the team’s organization.

Williams Lake’s U13, the Big Horns, was also at the provincials. The Big Horn went 2-2 in the round robin, winning against the Port Coquitlam Saints and the Richmond Roadrunners.

However, the Lakecity representatives lost two against the West Kootney Wolfpack and Surrey Rebels.

Surrey ended up falling to West Kootenay in the finals, with the Wolfpack taking home Gold and the Rebels getting Silver.

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“These are people who left their families who are waiting for them to come home.”

That’s from local cyclist Ron Gallo when speaking on Monday’s scary hit and run in Prince George that injured a pair of Cops for Cancer Tour de North riders, one of which is an RCMP officer.

Gallo told MyPGNow.com both riders were taking part in a training session that likely began a few hours earlier.

“These two gentlemen that were on their bikes yesterday probably left their house according to the data that I have seen at about six o’clock in the morning and had already put on 90 kilometres at the time of the incident.”

While on scene, Gallo recognized one of the victims had a radar detector to help spot oncoming traffic but it wasn’t enough to prevent the unthinkable.

“It notifies the cyclist with an audible noise that something is approaching them from behind. It displays a dot on the bike computer screen and the dot travels up that screen until it gets to the top and that is when the motorist with the vehicle that is behind is supposed to go by.”

“When we see this and we are in a group we always call out ‘car back’ – with the riders moving to the far right as quickly as they can. It is pretty evident when you look at the accident scene they did this but there bikes were hit and pushed over the curb at the time of impact.”

Gallo who has ridden with groups like the Wheelin’ Warriors of the North knows all too well the dangers that exist for bike riders in our city.

“When you are riding northbound and you get hit by a vehicle travelling northbound entering the bike lane there is absolutely nothing you can do and you will not win that battle.”

“We have some situations in Prince George where bike lanes disappear, re-appear and then shoulders are there and not there. We do have confusion about what the different markings on the road mean when it comes to sharing the road with motorists and cyclists.”

“I do have opportunities to ride online with a large cycling community around the world, more and more cyclists are getting disillusioned about the idea that they will return home if they ride outside on the road,” added Gallo.

One suspect who was driving a black dodge 1500 truck was taken into custody.

The Tour de North rides is scheduled for September 12th to 18th consisting of an 850-kilometre journey from PG to Prince Rupert raising money for childhood cancer research.

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The BC SPCA is celebrating its 60,000th patient going through its Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre. 

Wild ARC was created in 1997 to mitigate harm to wild animals, specifically from human conflict. 

“We are really proud to have reached such a historic milestone but it is also bittersweet – it highlights just how many animals have needed help in our area and mostly due to human-wildlife conflicts,” said Ashley Currie, manager of the program. 

She said between 2,000 and 3,000 wild animals go into the rehabilitation centre each year. “It’s just been a slow and steady uptick since when we first opened 28 years ago.” 

The 60,000th patient in the centre was a barn swallow, who was found on the ground of a barn on Salt Spring Island. 

“Unfortunately, their nest was too high for an attempt to reunite them with their parents, and this delicate baby needed help fast,” reads a news release on the BC SPCA website. “After collaborating with Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre, this barn swallow arrived at Wild ARC uninjured from their fall but dehydrated and hungry. Sadly their siblings weren’t so lucky and this little bird is now housed inside with some adopted siblings.” 

Staff at Wild ARC will nurse the birds back to health and help them to learn to fly and catch insects, according to the news release. 

The BC SPCA is asking for donations of $60 to mark the 60,000th patient.  

Currie said the donations will help to make sure the program can rehabilitate as many animals as possible, as well as contribute to programs to address the root causes of animal/human conflict. 

-With files from Hussam Elghussein

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Cranbrook drivers can expect some traffic disruptions on Victoria Avenue starting next week.

Crews will be kicking off Phase 1 of the Victoria Avenue Sanitary Sewer Trunk reconstruction project on Monday, July 14.

Work includes replacing the sanitary sewer trunk main between 2nd Street North and 6th Street North to address capacity issues.

Watermains will also be upgraded and that section of Victoria Avenue will be fully paved.

That stretch of road will be reduced to one lane in each direction from July 14 through late October 2025.

Drivers are asked to avoid the area if possible, to help reduce congestion.

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The Cranbrook Public Library has noticed a small drop in users after some cost saving measures were conducted in May.

The library reduced its hours of operation by nine hours per week to address its 2025 budget shortfall.

“Staff and board worked together to look at all aspects of operations to identify ways to reduce costs and increase revenue within the constraints that govern all public libraries,” said chief librarian Ursula Brigl.

“The focus was to minimize the negative impacts on library users and our ability to continue to serve as an officially designated community warming and cooling centre as much as possible.”

The library noticed an 11 per cent decrease in users but only a one per cent decrease in book checkouts.

They have also raised some fees, including a five cent per page increase to black and white print copy and a 50 cent increase per page for faxing.

Processing fees for lost or damaged materials or library cards were also raised.

The library is expecting an extra $2,000 in yearly revenue from the increases.

New Library Hours

• Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tuesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  

  ---

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Since adopting short term rental (STR) regulations last year, Invermere has issued 191 STR business licenses, with the Althamer area taking out top spot with 108 in total.

Mayor Al Miller said it can be a challenge finding the right middle ground.

“It’s been going reasonably well, there’s a big balance between neighbourhood concerns and making sure we’re not creating a business strip or party strip in the middle of a residential neighbourhood,” he said.

“I’m really pleased about that and we want to make sure that balance is there. Hopefully, we carry on with a good uptake in applications and everybody complies properly.”

The central Invermere area has the second most STRs with 35, followed by Wilder with 13, West Invermere with 13, Fort Point with 10, North Invermere with seven and Kpokl with three.

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Two Fruitvale drivers are facing charges in connection to two separate collisions over the weekend. 

Just before 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, Trail RCMP officers received reports of a single-vehicle incident on Green Road in Fruitvale. 

Police say the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a ditch. A 41-year-old Fruitvale man was behind the wheel and was injured, but fled the scene. 

Officers located the man at his home a short distance away. His ability to drive appeared to be impaired by alcohol, leading police to demand a breath sample, which he failed. 

As a result, the man was issued a 90-day driving prohibition and had his vehicle impounded for up to 30 days. 

The following day, on July 6, police arrested another Fruitvale driver in relation to a separate single-vehicle crash on Highway 22A in Trail. 

Police received reports of the crash in the 8000 block of Highway 22A just before 4 a.m.  

A 27-year-old Fruitvale man was driving at the time and was reportedly uninjured when his vehicle crashed into a tree. 

When the responding officer learned the man was prohibited from driving, he was arrested but eventually released at the scene. 

The man is scheduled to appear in court in relation to the incident on September 18. The arresting officer is expected to forward a report with recommended criminal charges to Crown counsel. 

Want to get your business noticed? Have you considered advertising through your local radio station? Speak to one of our sales agents and find out how radio advertising can boost your business today. Call 250-365-7600 or email Vista Radio.

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With hot weather expected to continue, parts of the Sunshine Coast Regional District will enter Stage 2 water restrictions later this week.

The district says the restrictions are happening because water is about to stop flowing over the Chapman Lake Dam, with no more snow, little rain in the forecast and ongoing hot weather for the summer being other factors behind the change.

These restrictions will affect users of the Chapman Lake, including Soames and Granthams, South Pender Harbour and Eastbourne water systems. All other systems will still be under Stage one.

As a result of the restrictions, you won’t be able to water your lawn, but you can fill up swimming pools, spas, garden ponds, or fountains.

For watering trees, shrubs or flowers, those in even-numbered homes can use a sprinkler or soaker hose or micro spray on Thursdays and Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Odd-numbered homes can water using the same tools on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the same hours.

Residents can water food producing plants and trees between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with even-numbered homes to water Thursdays and Sundays, and odd-numbered homes to water Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The district adds to wash vehicles or boats, make sure to use a container, hand-held hose with nozzle, or go to commercial car washes.

For sidewalks and driveways, you’re only allowed to wash them to prepare them for painting, paving, or for health and safety.

The restrictions take effect this Friday.

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June was a busy month for members of the Williams Lake Fire Department.

They responded to 53 calls for service up from the 47 they answered in May.

Deputy Fire Chief Brendan Foote said some of those responses included 18 fire calls, 11 were burning complaints and 7 were for motor vehicle incidents.

Foote said looking back to June of 2023 there were 28 calls for service and 38 in 2024.

Total calls to date (July 1) back in 2023 the Williams Lake Fire Department responded to 204, 271 in 2024 and so far this year, 240.

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Smithers RCMP responded to a crash near Manton Road on Highway 16 yesterday (Monday) afternoon that shut down the highway.

According to police, a GMC pickup truck towing a flat deck trailer was involved with the 80-year-old male driver pronounced dead on scene.

There was no evidence that drugs or alcohol were contributing factors to the collision.

“Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the driver during this difficult time,” said Corporal Jim Preston.

Mounties thank witnesses who remained on scene to assist along with other first responders from the community.

An investigation remains ongoing and no further information is available.

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The Elk Valley RCMP is looking for the driver responsible for causing damage to the Curious Cubs Daycare in Elkford.

Police were notified on July 7 that a vehicle damaged the outside wall due to two small indentations at the scene at the approximate height and location of screws on a license plate.

The damage on the outside of the building looks very minimal, but the RCMP says the inside suffered serious structural damage.

A broken wall stud visible through the broken drywall inside the daycare.

Police believe the incident took place sometime between June 27-29, but there is no CCTV footage.

The Elk Valley detachment is asking the person involved or witnesses to come forward and provide information.

Anyone with information can contact the detachment at 250-425-6233.

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The City of Prince George is launching an update to its Active Transportation Plan, and is inviting feedback from residents.

According to the City, the updated plan will guide the development of infrastructure and programs which support safer, more accessible, and more convenient travel options for people of all ages and abilities.

The location-specific feedback gathered during the Official Community Plan engagement process will help inform the City’s Existing Conditions report, which is expected to be finished this summer.

The City’s existing Active Transportation Plan was developed in 2010, and since that time, design guidance and planning approaches have changed, with an update needed to reflect best practice.

The City says more detail on engagement opportunities will be shared in the coming months.

More information on the project can be found here.

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A new science panel report is calling for urgent and bold measures to help save the endangered southern resident killer whales, whose population has fallen to just 73 individuals with no signs of recovery.

The report was developed during a three-day workshop held in Vancouver earlier this year and is based on decades of scientific research. It outlines 26 recommendations—many of which experts say can be implemented right away.

Among the top priorities are protecting early-run Fraser River Chinook salmon, enforcing stricter vessel noise limits, and phasing out toxic pollutants like PCBs that continue to threaten the whales’ health.

Scientists say time is running out for the small and fragile population. One expert describes the southern residents as “ecosystem sentinels,” noting that their survival reflects the overall health of the West Coast’s marine environment.

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The Coastal Invasive Species Commitee will work to remove invasive plant species in Foster Park. 

The City of Parksville announced they’ll collaborate with the committee and Foster Park volunteers to limit the blackberry patches’ regrowth on Thursday, July 10. 

Removals of sensitive tree species over the years have created a thinning in the wooded area of the park allowing invasive plant species to be established. 

Crews have been working to manage the removal of the plants while working to revitalize the forest area through a replanting initiative. 

The herbicide application will follow the provincial guidelines in the Integrated Pest Management Act and Regulation, with signage in place throughout the park about the work. 

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The Regional District of Nanaimo is starting a new program this summer that will help make trails more accessible.  

The TrailRider program helps people with mobility challenges to get around accessible trails in the regional district, using a one-wheel mobility device powered by two or more people. 

The TrailRider was donated by RDN resident Murray Chantler and combines the features of a wheelchair and a rickshaw, according to a news release from the RDN. 

“I am very pleased that the RDN, through their recreation and parks department, has agreed to partner with me in the interest of expanding recreational opportunities for the disabled in the Oceanside community,” Chantler says. “We are blessed with an abundance of natural beauty on Vancouver Island and the TrailRider allows those of us who are mobility challenged to access hiking trails and other recreational areas with our families and friends.” 

The summer pilot program will operate until the end of August and RDN staff will provide orientation for participants. 

Anyone interested in using the TrailRider can contact RDN parks at 250-248-4744 or [email protected].  

“We’re pleased to pilot this exciting program which has seen success in other regions. Improvements to enhance safe and equitable access to parks where possible, whether through the TrailRider program or through other types of park improvements such as level trails, tapping rails, or audio recordings of natural habitat information, ensures more residents can enjoy the beautiful parks in our region,” says Vanessa Craig, RDN board chair. 

The news release says the RDN will review the program’s success at the end of the summer and potentially explore expansion. 

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The noise level is expected to go up in the Horse Lake Bridge construction site area in the South Cariboo.

District of 100 Mile House Director of Community Services Todd Conway said crews are setting up the equipment right now for pile driving activities that will probably start tomorrow (July 9) continuing for a week or two.

Conway said it will be noisy as well while that’s being done and we asked if this part of the project will have any affect on traffic flow.

“We can do all the pile driving within the containment of the old bridge area so hopefully it doesn’t affect traffic flow whatsoever. It might just shortly when moving equipment so no real major delays during this work.”

Conway asks motorists to obey all speed signs as there are a lot of workers in the area between the hours of 7 am and 5 pm.

The District would like to express sincere appreciation to the community for their patience during this significant community project.

Pile driving is the work being done on the columns that will support the new Horse Lake Bridge.

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The City of Nanaimo has purchased land that will become the home of a community in the Chase River neighbourhood. 

It was funded in part by the province, with $2.5 million of the $5.1 million budget coming from the growing community funds. 

City council identified a community centre in the south end as one of its top three priorities. According to a news release from the city, it will address a long-standing need for gathering spaces in south Nanaimo. 

“This is an investment in our residents and in the future of our growing city. With the distinction of being one of Canada’s fastest growing cities, we have to start planning ahead for easy access to public spaces that bring people together. Purchasing this land brings us one step closer to delivering the kind of inclusive and accessible amenities that our city needs and deserves,” says mayor Leonard Krog 

The growing community funds from the province are meant to support infrastructure and amenities in growing communities. 

“The new Chase River community centre means more chances for people in Nanaimo to gather, connect, and build the kind of neighborhoods we’re proud to call home. By working with local governments here and across B.C., we’re creating spaces that bring people together and strengthen the fabric of our communities,” says George Anderson, MLA for Nanaimo-Lantzville. 

The city says planning for the new facility will be guided by a feasibility study, which is in progress. 

“Further community engagement and must align with City Plan: Nanaimo ReImagined,” reads the news release. “City Council will consider next steps at a future public meeting.” 

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The Prince George RCMP are looking to identify suspects in an investigation into repeated vandalism at a residence on the 100-block of McQueen Crescent.

According to police, the initial investigation began in late May, when unidentified suspects threw a rock through the front window of the home, and spray painted the front with orange spray paint.

On June 16th, rocks were once again thrown through the windows of the residence of the home owner’s vehicle, and the vehicles were spray painted with red spray paint.

“These appear to be targeted attacks. Investigators are looking to the public for assistance in identifying the persons caught on the video surveillance,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper.

“We recognize that they are masked in some photos, but are hopeful that someone may be able to identify them despite the masks.”

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Police are asking anyone who may be able to identify the individuals to contact the Prince George detachment.

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A swim advisory has been issued for Ladysmith’s Transfer Beach.

Island Health says it found high levels of bacteria in the water, and it is unsafe for swimming.

“Island Health continues to monitor water quality and further updates will be provided as new information becomes available,” reads a news release from the Town of Ladysmith.

Island Health also posted advisories for Lantzville beaches on July 7.

Transfer Beach had swim advisories last month also, which lasted less than a week.

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A water main break near Highway 35 and Highway 16 in Burns Lake impacted traffic and water services to some properties today. (Tuesday)

According to Drive BC, Highway 35 was reduced to single lane alternating traffic from Highway 16 to Pioneer way at 7:00 this morning.

A detour is available via Francois Lake Drive.

The village added some properties will be without water while the break is repaired.

Anyone affected is asked to run cold water through their taps until water runs clear once water is turned on.

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The Canadian Cancer Society and the Prince George RCMP confirmed yesterday’s (Monday) hit and run incident in Prince George did involve two of the Cops for Cancer Tour de North riders, who were out for a training ride together.

It occurred just after 9am at the intersection of North Ospika Boulevard and McRae Avenue near Gordon Bryant Park.

“We can confirm that one of the riders was a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer and the other was a community rider,” stated Superintendent Darin Rappel, Officer in Charge of the Prince George RCMP.

“This incident has impacted us on a number of levels today, as we work to complete a fulsome investigation while at the same time trying to absorb the information that a member of our policing family was one of those injured. Investigations such as this take on a different nuance than we typically experience.”

“Since beginning their training in May, our riders have formed a close-knit team, united by a shared purpose of changing the future of childhood cancer by raising funds, hope and awareness.

The two riders injured are not only valued teammates – they are community leaders and role models dedicated to making a difference. This tragic incident is felt deeply by the Canadian Cancer Society and Cops for Cancer community. Our hearts and thoughts are with them and their families during this difficult time,” said Laura Nelson, Manager, Cops for Cancer.”

Support is being offered to those impacted by these events from both organizations.

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Residential real estate sales bounced back in June after a stretch of muted activity, reports the Association of Interior REALTORS® (the Association).

A total of 1,494 residential unit sales were recorded across the Association region in June, coming in slightly above May’s 1,482 units and up 8.5 per cent compared to units sold in June last year.

New residential listings saw a 0.5 per cent increase compared to June 2024 with 3,275 new listings recorded last month. The total number of active listings saw a 5.6 per cent increase in inventory compared to June 2024 with 10,543 recorded across the Association region.

“June brought a welcome rebound in residential real estate sales, suggesting that the market is regaining its footing after a sluggish spring,” said the Association of Interior REALTORS® President Kadin Rainville.

“While we’re not yet back to historic levels, the positive momentum is notable given the lingering economic uncertainty from unresolved trade policies, which have weighed more heavily on other markets in the province.”

What’s happening in the Kootenay-Boundary

In the Kootenay and Boundary region, 299 sales were recorded last month, marking a 4.9 per cent increase compared to June last year, yet down from the previous month’s 310 units sold.

There were 524 new listings recorded in the Kootenay and Boundary region in June marking a 4.4 per cent decrease compared to the same month the previous year and down from May’s 597 new listings.

The overall active listings in the Kootenay region saw a 1.3 per cent increase compared to June 2024 with 1,807 listings recorded.

“The Kootenay and Boundary region continues to outperform long-term trends, with activity staying above the 10-year average. The small dip in monthly sales is offset by strong year-over-year growth, pointing to solid and sustained demand,” said Rainville.

“While new listings are down compared to last year, active listings remain healthy for a region where listings tend to move quickly, and inventory is typically lean.”

The benchmark price, a better representation of value compared to the average or median price as it represents a dwelling of “typical attributes”, saw percentage increases in the Kootenay region in the single family and townhome housing categories compared to the same month the previous year, with 9.9 per cent and 3.6 per cent increases respectively, coming in at $604,600 and $535,700.

The benchmark price for condominiums saw a decrease of 4.1per cent in year-over-year comparisons coming in at $322,200.

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Trail residents can expect to see water service interruption tomorrow, Wednesday, July 9, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for properties located on the 1400 and 1500 blocks of Third and Fourth Avenues, the 1500 block of Fifth Avenue, as well the 1700 Block of Second and Third Avenues.

The city said crews will be replacing a faulty water main valve, urging residents to prepare in advance by having water on hand.  

“Consider filling your bathtub to use as a water source to fill the back of your toilets.” said the City of Trail.

“If you experience discoloured water and air when the water service is turned back on, run your cold taps for several minutes until the water clears.”

“Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we complete this important infrastructure repair in your neighbourhood.”

For any questions please contact the City of Trail.

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Sports by Hartley Tuesday, July 8th, 2025

(As of 12:05 a.m. All times listed are PDT)

PG Cougars:

The Prince George Cougars have signed newly acquired Brock Souch to a WHL Scholarship and Development agreement.

The Cats acquired Souch in a trade with the Regina Pats last week, in return for a 5th round draft pick.

The 19-year-old forward played the 2024-25 season in the BCHL with the Brooks Bandits and Okotoks Oilers, scoring 12 goals and adding 19 assists for 31 points over 45 games.

He also has an NCAA scholarship to St. Cloud University, which is set to start in the 2026-27 season.

SOUCH SIGNS!

We are excited to announce Brock Souch has signed a @TheWHL Scholarship & Development Agreement!https://t.co/E1Rserf5Xn#ForTheNorth • #WHL

— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) July 7, 2025

MLB:

Toronto Blue Jays  8  Chicago White Sox  4

The box score is here.

The Jays have won 9 straight and 11 of their last 12.

Toronto leads the A.L. East by 3.5 games over the (49-41) New York Yankees and by 4 games over the (49-42) Tampa Bay Rays.

The (53-38) Jays continue a 6-game road trip tonight (4:40 PT) against the (30-61) White Sox.

The White Sox have the worst record in the American League.

The Blue Jays 2025 schedule and results are here.

The MLB schedule and results are here.

The MLB standings are here.

UNBC Timberwolves:

Gysbers joining Timberwolves Wall of Honour https://t.co/hVzWvbdtLo

— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) July 7, 2025

CFL:

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A Drug Advisory has been issued for all regions of Interior Health.

It was issued due to an increase in the detection of carfentanil in Down (opioid) samples over the past month.

Interior Health said these samples frequently contain benzodiazepines and tranquilizers in addition to carfentanil.

The combination of opioids with these substances amplify the effects of the drugs and significantly heightens the risk of overdose and death.

Interior Health said carfentanil is up to 100 times more potent than fentanyl  and up to 4 percent concentration has been detected in down.

IH said if you are going to use drugs, get them checked first.

You can find drug checking locations throughout the Interior at drugchecking.ca

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The Prince George Fire Centre continues to be the most active as the 2025 wildfire season rages on.

Fire Information Officer, Pedro Roldan-Delgado spoke with Vista Radio.

“We have 53 wildfires still burning in the Prince George Fire Centre, and with those 53 approximately 682,859 hectares have burned.”

He adds the vast majority of the activity has been located in the Peace Region, which has been drought-stricken for the past few years.

The Kiskatinaw River wildfire, 60 kilometres of south of Dawson Creek is being held at 26,277 hectares. 103 wildfire personnel are battling the blaze with three aviation helicopters assigned to the blaze.

In addition, the Pocket Knife Creek blaze, 150 kilometres north of Fort St. John is under control at 151,310 hectares. Various firefighting personnel, heavy equipment and aviation crews remain on scene.

The Summit Lake wildfire near Fort Nelson is 80,842 hectares and is being held – an incident management team is in place as well as 84 firefighting personnel and 11 aviation aircraft assigned to the inferno.

Lastly, Alces River blaze is under control according to the BC Wildfire Service. It is 4,460 hectares at the moment with firefighting personnel, heavy equipment and aviation crews overseeing operations.

With that being said, Roldan-Delgado noted the warmer weather up coming could turn the situation around, and not for the better.

“We are anticipating on lightning holdovers popping up now that things are slowly warming up. With the amount of precipitation we did receive it does help. We are still at a high drought condition up in the Peace so any rain helps.”

56% of all wildfires have been lightning caused while the remainder are human-caused.

Since April 1st, 510 blazes have been ignited in BC.

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A Comox Valley educator looks to share her stories connecting with Palestinians in Egypt tonight.

The Comox Valley Fundraising Community is holding an event where resident Bernadette Keenan talks about connecting with those who fled from Gaza, from what the United Nations Special Committee has ruled as an ongoing genocide in the area.

The event’s goal is to share stories of the struggles Palestinians face living in a foreign country while dealing with the trauma of the past year and a half.

The Community says the story began as Keenan, who has been an educator in the Valley since 2010, accepted a teaching position at a British School in Cairo last fall.

“Before leaving for Egypt, the escalation of the genocide occurring in Palestine was forefront in her mind, so she connected with various organizations both in the Comox Valley as well as in Egypt,” said the Fundraising Community.

“A collection of generous donations from Valley residents was brought by Keenan to Network for Palestine (a free store for refugees) and the Meera Centre where Gazan children and their families meet for support, play and art therapy.”

The organization adds Keenan developed a friendship with 28-year-old Mayssa, who made it to Cairo last April with her two daughters, leaving her husband and extended family behind.

It says during that time Keenan aided the family financially and emotionally.

Admission to the event is by donation. It takes place at the Weird Church in Cumberland, running from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

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Houston RCMP are investigating fire damage to an elementary school playground.

According to police, School District 54 notified them of the incident on June 27th after two enclosed playground slides at Twain Sullivan Elementary were melted.

Mounties say two youth were observed in the vicinity of the playground.

No further information is available.

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A drug alert has been issued across all Interior Health regions following an increase in the detection of carfentanil in Down (opioid). 

Over the past month, Interior Health says samples frequently containing benzodiazepines and tranquilizers, in addition to carfentanil, have been detected throughout the region. 

The health authority warns that combining opioids with these substances amplifies the effects of the drugs and significantly increases the risk of overdose and death. 

Carfentanil is up to 100 times more potent than fentanyl. Interior Health says Down has been found to contain carfentanil concentrations of up to 4 per cent – the equivalent of a fentanyl concentration of up to 400 per cent. 

No matter what or how you use (smoking, snorting, injecting) IH reccomends you take steps to prevent overdose: 

•  Be aware of increased risk if mixing with other drugs, including alcohol  

• Do not use alone – Use a buddy or OPS service  

• Start with a small amount and space out your doses  

• Carry naloxone and know how use it. Several doses may be required. G 

• et the LifeGuard App – lifeguarddh.com  

• Call 211 or visit bc211.ca to find services near you  
  

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The transit strike in the Cowichan Valley shows no signs of ending soon, after unionized workers rejected the recommendations of a provincial mediator.

The strike began on February 8, and on June 4 Unifor and Transdev asked the labour minister to appoint a mediator.

Following a meeting with the two sides on June 12, the mediator made recommendations on June 30, which members of the union have now voted to reject.

In April, members of the two locals overwhelmingly voted to reject a contract offer from Transdev.

Forty-four transit operators, cleaners, and mechanics represented by local 114, and eight handyDART workers with Local 333 have been on strike for more than 21 weeks.

Unifor says the dispute centres on wage disparities between workers employed by Transdev and other BC transit employees, particularly in Victoria and Vancouver.

Transdev operates bus and handyDART services in the Cowichan Valley on behalf of BC Transit.

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BC Hydro crews are dealing with a mid-day power outage in Prince George.

643 customers are in affected north of Midland Road and East of Aberdeen Road.

The crown corporation says it is due to a downed wire.

We will have more information once it is available.

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BC Hydro crews are dealing with a mid-day power outage in Prince George.

643 customers are in affected north of Midland Road and East of Aberdeen Road.

The crown corporation says it is due to a downed wire.

We will have more information once it is available.

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Category 2 open burning will be prohibited across the Southeast Fire Centre starting Friday, July 11, at 12 p.m.  

This includes the Rocky Mountain Natural Resource District and the Selkirk Natural Resource District. 

The BC Wildfire Service says this prohibition is being enacted to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. 

A Category 2 open fire is defined as a fire that burns: 

• Material in one pile not exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width 

• Material concurrently in two piles, each not exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width 

• Stubble or grass over an area that does not exceed 0.2 hectares 

Additionally, the following activities are prohibited: 

• Air curtain burners 

• Carbonizers 

• Fireworks, as defined in the Fireworks Act 

• Binary exploding targets 

• Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description 

• Controlled air incinerators 

Southeast Fire Centre Information Officer Meghan Graceffo says fire prohibitions are imposed based on a variety of factors. 

“Things that we look at are current and forecasted weather conditions, fire durations, fuel types, and ecology. The different fire prohibitions – like Category 3 open fire, Category 2 open fire, and Category 1 campfire – can be put in depending on what’s happening on the landscape,” she said. 

“Right now in the Southeast, we have a Category 3 prohibition that was put in place on May 30, and the Category 2 will be put in place this Friday. But we haven’t yet met the thresholds for a campfire prohibition.” 

The Widlfire Service warns anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition could receive a $1,150 ticket, be required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000, or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced for up to one year in jail.

If your fire causes or contributes to a wildfire, you may be fined up to $1 million and/or sentenced to up to 3 years in jail, as well as be responsible for all firefighting and associated costs.

Regional wildfire conditions / outlook 

As of July 7, there are currently seven wildfires burning within the Southeast Fire Centre, including one new fire in the past 24 hours and 12 in the past seven days. 

“Since April 1, the start of wildfire season, we’ve had 72 wildfires with a total of 43 hectares burned. Compared to the 10-year average of 67 fires, that’s a little less than average for now. But when you look at the area burned – 332 hectares compared to 43 this year – that’s significantly more than we’ve had so far this season,” explained Graceffo. 

She emphasizes that June rainfall is a key indicator of the severity of the wildfire season, and while there’s always local variability, the general trend since June 1 has shown more rainfall in the East Kootenay compared to the West. 

“When we look at the drought code, recent rains have pulled values down from well above normal to closer to average for this time of year in the East Kootenays.

While in the West Kootenays, specifically the Boundary, the drought codes are now running close to the highest we’ve seen in the past five years. But that’s just for today, and it changes quite a lot depending on the weather.” 

The current forecast calls for warmer-than-average temperatures in the Kootenay region, which could lead to drying conditions and increased wildfire risk. 

While there is no campfire prohibition in effect yet, Graceffo reminds residents that a compliant campfire must be no larger than half a metre wide by half a metre tall. 

“Anything larger than that will be prohibited as of this Friday. A campfire is quite a bit smaller than what people think. Anything larger than half a metre tall by half a metre wide is considered a Category 2 open fire.” 

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Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park is the place for free live music this summer starting on Thursday.

The City is hosting Music at the Pavilion every second Thursday until August 21st.

The small concert series will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. and will feature family-friendly local musicians.

Residents are invited to sit at the picnic tables under the pavilion or bring chairs and blankets while enjoying local tunes.

Confirmed musicians for the July 10 event include:

• 6:00 p.m. to 6:40 p.m. – One and Done (Dave Schulte, Doug Borden and Jim Sayle)
• 6:45 p.m. to 7:20 p.m. – Emma Leach
• 7:25 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Ben Brown

A link to the event, can be found here.

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Columbia Valley RCMP are on the lookout for the suspect of a stolen vehicle.

Police were informed of the theft around 6:45 p.m. on July 2, where it was reported four occupants were sitting in their vehicle when a lone male approached, pointed a firearm at the driver demanding the keys and cell phones of all the occupants before driving off.

Police were unable to locate the vehicle and the investigation is still ongoing.

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The B.C. Government will support game developers by increasing a tax credit.

The province announced it’s increasing the interactive digital media tax credit from 17.5 percent to 25 percent to support those working in the interactive digital media industry like video game and virtual reality developers, software engineers, and artists.

The increase supports higher salaries and wages earned in the industry after August 31 this year, with businesses able claim the credit on those payments for video game, simulator, and educational software development.

Minister of Finance Brenda Bailey says from her experience in the gaming industry, she knows how important people are to its success.

“We stand by our developers and can’t wait to see what they create next.”

The province says the increase would also get more people employed in this industry as almost half of all B.C. gaming companies are only made up of 10 people or less.

It hopes the tax credit supports the hiring of over 20,000 people, attracts new investment, and continue the development of highly praised games.

This increase takes effect September 1.

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Help Creston brighten up the heart of town, with a new mural marked for the old Ambulance Building on 10th Ave North.

The Town of Creston’s Public Art Working Committee is looking for talented mural artists to help transform this space with bold, inspiring artwork.

Are you a mural artist or know someone who is?

“This is your chance to leave your mark and add beauty to our community.” said the Town of Creston.

Applications close July 25. You can apply here.

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Fire department members and community members gathered to celebrate the grand opening of a new firehall in Dashwood. 

Members of the public got tours of the new hall, equipment and trucks this weekend. There were also chances to learn how to protect their property from fires and learn about volunteer opportunities at the department. 

 “On behalf of the RDN Board, thank you to all who came out to celebrate the completion of this incredible new fire hall. It will better serve both Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department members and the communities in RDN Electoral Areas F, G and H that they help protect. The many new building amenities support better health and wellness for the firefighters, and the design enables future expansion as needed for our growing communities. It is a pleasure to see this new facility now in use by the dedicated members of the Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department,” said Stuart McLean, RDN vice chair and electoral area H director 

The new fire hall features two drive through bays and separate areas for different operational functions. There is a dedicated space for storing gear, a decontamination shower, a workshop for gear maintenance, dorm room and a fitness area. 

Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department has two fire halls: Station #61 in Dashwood and Station #62 in Meadowood. Teh department serves about 4,000 residents across more than 130 square kilometres. 

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A Cariboo First Responder is once again answering the call to help raise money for pediatric cancer research.

For the second time Sharleen Bast, a firefighter with the 150 Mile House Volunteer Fire Department will be taking part in the Canadian Cancer Society’s Cops for Cancer Tour De North.

The 7-day ride will begin September 12 leaving from Prince George and ending September 18 in Prince Rupert.

To get prepared for this event Bast said she rides about 4 days a week totalling approximately 150 kilometres per week.

“I did train over the Winter just to try to keep in shape and I feel like that helped. We gradually work on increasing our long ride distances starting at 50 kilometres then up to 120. We have benchmarks we have to make starting at 100 kilometres then 120, then a 140 kilometres to make sure that we’re ready for Tour I’m really looking forward to riding with the team once again and going into the communities and creating awareness for the kids that are going through cancer treatment. Meeting kids and families that have gone through the treatments is really touching.”

When asked about how her fundraising was going so far, Bast said she had raised just over $4,000 and it’s mandatory that we raise $3,000 to go on Tour.

“It cost $2,000 to send a kid to Camp Good Times and this is a medically supported camp where kids that are going though cancer treatment can go and just be kids and have fun and not be the kid with cancer.”

To help raise funds there is a raffle going on right now.

“Just search Cops for Cancer Raffle and you can buy your tickets there,” Bast said, “You could win a Nissan Rogue, a West Jet trip to Victoria, or a Whistler weekend getaway.”

Over the last 5-years, the Canadian Cancer Society has invested $13.3 million in childhood cancer research projects across the country.

This past year 561 unique camp experiences through Camp Goodtimes was provided.

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The Nelson & Area Wildfire Risk Reduction Committee is inviting residents and visitors in the Kootenays to take part in a family-friendly Wildfire Awareness Party at Lakeside Park on Thursday, July 10, from 2 to 6 p.m.

Hosted at the Rotary BBQ Shelter, the event promises a vibrant afternoon of family-friendly fun and engaging conversation, including a free BBQ, music, games, and prizes.

This is the fourth year the committee has hosted the community event.

Representatives from the City of Nelson, Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK), BC Wildfire Service, Ministry of Forests, and BC Parks will be on hand to answer questions and showcase the wide range of local risk-reduction efforts.

The City of Nelson and the RDCK have been active leaders in wildfire mitigation.

In recent years, both have implemented numerous FireSmart initiatives, including free Home Ignition Zone assessments and rebate programs for homeowners.

Through Nelson’s Wildfire Resilience Program, the City has completed annual fuel management projects on municipal land.

The RDCK has supported collaborating agencies to conduct large-scale risk reduction projects in the forests and parks surrounding Nelson.

Throughout the RDCK, the FireSmart Neighbourhood Recognition Program also continues to expand, supporting local volunteers in organizing wildfire preparedness at the neighbourhood level.

These types of efforts are recommended in technical planning documents, such as the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plans, that provide guidance and direction for the range of initiatives in the region.

“This event is a great way for people to meet those folks who are doing the work on a day to day basis, from planning to response,” said Rob Leland, one of the event’s organizers and Nelson’s Wildfire Resilience Program Coordinator.

“It’s about building relationships, answering questions, and empowering residents to take simple steps that make a big difference.”

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Smithers RCMP closed Highway 16 west of Smithers today (Monday) just before 2:00 p.m. due to a motor vehicle incident.

Smithers Fire is also on scene and the highway is expected to remain closed until about 3:00 p.m.

No further information is available.

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Three new wildfires have started around Vancouver Island in recent days. 

A 0.09-hectare blaze was discovered on July 6 at a farm in Nanoose Bay, which is under control and believed to have been caused by humans. 

A second 0.2-hectare wildfire was discovered at the Hole in the Wall Trail near Port Alberni the same day, which was put out. 

Lastly, a fire broke out on Malcolm Island’s Mitchell Bay on July 7 and has also been put out after humans started it. 

The Nanoose Bay wildfire brings Vancouver Island’s active total to three, joining the Harris Creek and Nahmint Mountain fires. 

Information Officer for the Coastal Fire Centre Nick Donnelly said a Category 1 campfire prohibition is likely to be put in place in the near future. 

“We are anticipating to get some precipitation in the Coastal Fire centre this week which may delay the prohibition being put in place.” 

Last year’s campfire prohibition was put in place on July 12. 

Donnelly added it’s too unpredictable to forecast how the rest of the season will be in the Coastal Fire Centre region, but said there’s been 27 incidents this year, up from 17 compared to last year. 

Donnelly said people need to be responsible with campfires, cigarettes, vehicle exhausts, fireworks, and sparks from equipment. 

He also said not to park motorcycles and ATVs on grass areas, use approved spark arresters on exhaust systems, and take appropriate action with heat sources like outdoor stoves and barbeques. 

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Duncan council approved a motion to reduce the services currently provided by the Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area Society (DDBIA) after the organization experienced a decline in staffing levels. 

The motion to revise a Licensee of Occupation was approved last month and took effect on July 1, and according to director of corporate services Paige MacWilliam this means any questions for services from the farmers market will come directly to the city for approval.  

“They (DDBIA) have submitted requests on behalf of the applicant (Duncan Farmers Market), to the city, for any items and going forward those requests will all come directly to the city,” MacWilliam says.  

A city report says DDBIA decided to not pursue the renewal of the three-party agreement after several careful considerations. 

“They advised that the decision was made after considering the organization’s capacity, reduced staffing and strategic mandate to directly support downtown businesses through marketing, advocacy, beautification, economic stimulus and member-focused initiatives,” the report says.  

According to the city, DDBIA has been managing City Square since 2003. 

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The City of Cranbrook is appealing a WorkSafeBC decision alleging a couple of issues during a recent monster truck event at the Western Financial Place.

The city is facing a $175,783.78 fine as WorkSafeBC alleges that dirt used for the event was taken from the wastewater treatment plant without testing for contamination.

The city said it was clean fill taken from the 30th Avenue road construction project that was being stored on city land near the lagoons.

WildSafeBC said gas detection monitors for carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide were all reading above acceptable exposure limits.

However, the city is arguing these types of events held in arenas anywhere, always experience high exhaust levels.

The city is appealing the allegations as part of the overall investigation process.

City officials said they are taking the allegations seriously and will work with WorkSafeBC to ensure all events protect public and staff safety.

The city will be providing an update once the appeal process is complete.

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Cranbrook public works will be chipping and removing brush piles along the entirety of the Rails to Trails.

Work starts on Monday, July 7 and will last for the rest of the week.

The trail will remain open, but the public is asked to be cautious around active work areas.

Signage will be posted.

Due to hot weather in the forecast, crews will only be working until noon each day.

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The Top of the World Provincial Park is still closed to the public due to last years wildfire.

The lightning-caused Mount Morro fire was discovered on July 17, 2024 and grew to approximately 12,000 hectares.

The closure is still in place due to hazards on access trails and there is no timeline for when the park will re-open.

This year’s fire season has been relatively quiet so far, but Michael McLaughlin with the BC Wildfire Service says it typically pick up in July and august with increased lightning strikes.

“We expect lightning to pick up as we head into the core of the summer months but we are tracking quite below normal for this time of year,” he said.

“We haven’t had as many new starts as we would otherwise suspect in certain regions of the province.”

There are currently zero active wildfires in the East Kootenay region.

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Sparwood residents will see some impacts as the Lions Park Water Looping project all the way to the end of summer.

Crews are working in phases on sections of Pine Avenue and Red Cedar Crescent.

Mayor David Wilks explains why the project is needed.

“We need to upgrade an existing water distribution system by adding a section of water main that will give the district more control and address a gap in our current systems,” he said.

At certain points during construction, water will be shut off to the spray park and nearby washrooms.

The district will let residents know beforehand.

Work is underway 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily depending on the weather.

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The City of Rossland is testing its emergency siren tomorrow (July 8) between 1 and 3 p.m. 

Residents will hear several tests conducted during this time as the City works to advance its emergency communication system. 

The City says the test aims to ensure the siren is functioning properly, noting that the system is not live yet.  

“If you hear the sirens, please visit the City of Rossland website, check our official social media channels, or tune in to your local radio station for further instructions. In the event of internet or cellular service disruptions, radio will serve as a key source of information,” the City said in a social media post. 

Additional updates regarding further emergency procedures will be provided soon.

“This is another important step toward enhancing emergency preparedness for both residents and visitors in Rossland. Thank you for your attention and cooperation.” 

Want to get your business noticed? Have you considered advertising through your local radio station? Speak to one of our sales agents and find out how radio advertising can boost your business today. Call 250-352-1902 or email Vista Radio.

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A team of cyclists from Texas have made their way through the Bulkley Valley heading to Anchorage, Alaska.

According to the Texas 4,000 website, the team made a stop in Smithers on Sunday and departed for Hazelton today. (Monday)

The organization helps to cultivate leaders with several of the students participating in the ride

The 70 day ride is held to help raise money for cancer research with bikers covering over 4,000 miles by the end of the trip.

Cyclists also made stops at 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, Quesnel, Prince George, Beaumont Provincial Park, and Burns Lake.

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Qualicum Beach now has 56 new units of housing with rents geared to income.  

A new building at 136 Village Way has studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments. It also has seven three-bedroom town homes with fenced yards. 

“The Town of Qualicum Beach is proud to contribute to the development of the Residences at Qualicum Station, a key advancement in affordable housing in our community,” says Teunis Westbroek, mayor of Qualicum Beach. “This development ensures our residents have access to safe and affordable homes, creating a stronger, more inclusive community.” 

Rents start at $445 for a studio, varying based on income, according to a news release from the provincial government. The rents are subsidized for 70 per cent of the units and are set at 30 per cent of gross monthly income. 

The rest of the units are market rent, ranging from $1,100 for a studio to $2,200 for a three-bedroom unit. 

“Seniors, families and people with disabilities in Qualicum Beach should have access to safe, affordable housing where they feel welcomed and supported. This project shows how all levels of government can work collaboratively with the non-profit housing sector to build inclusive communities and make our province stronger and more accessible to everyone,” says Stephanie Higginson, MLA for Ladysmith-Oceanside. 

The housing was built using BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund in partnership with the federal government at a cost of about $22 million. 

The building is owned by the Qualicum-Parksville Kiwanis Housing Society and was designed to support people struggling to find affordable housing in the community, including seniors, families and people with disabilities, according to the news release. 

It opened in May this year and is accepting rental applications. 

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The annual Tyhee Lake Triathlon is coming up near Telkwa with both experienced and new participants attending. 

It will run on Saturday at Tyhee Lake Provincial Park with three races happening. 

“There is a duathlon for people who don’t want to swim, and they run five kilometers, bike 30 kilometres, then run five kilometres again,” said Race Director Ali Howard. 

The Sprint Triathlon is their most popular because it takes about two hours to complete with 750 meter swim, 20 kilometre bike ride, and a five kilometre run. 

A standard race is also being held with double the distance of the Sprint with each race also having teams’ options. 

“Last year we had record numbers and this year we’re looking at lower numbers than that due to a trail race in Valemount that 24 people from Smithers attended,” Howard said. 

Swim and Bike secessions have been held ahead of race day to help athletes get to know the routes with the bikers getting training from a national team coach. 

A BBQ will be held at the end of the race along with prizes being awarded to participants. 

Spectators are invited to watch the event and are asked to arrive from the Telkwa side of Telkwa High Road. 

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The Prince George Cougars have signed newly acquired forward Brock Souch to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

The Cougars picked up Souch in a trade with the Regina Pats last week, in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2029.

Souch, 19, spent last season with the Brooks Bandits and Okotoks Oilers of the BCHL.

In 45 games, he picked up 12 goals and 19 assists.

“Brock is a crafty player that can play wing or centre,” said Cougars’ Director of Scouting Leland Mack.

“He has some grit in his game and is also a tremendous teammate.”

He is also committed to St. Cloud University on a scholarship that begins in the 2026-27 season.

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The Prince George RCMP is currently investigating a pedestrian involved hit-and-run that occurred near the intersection of North Ospika Boulevard and McRae Avenue at around 9:00 this morning. (Monday)

According to police, the victims were two cyclists who were on the side of the road, both of whom have been taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Officers have since located the suspect’s vehicle, which has been identified as a newer model, black Dodge Ram 1500.

One man has also been taken into custody in relation to the investigation.

A large section of Ospika Boulevard has been sectioned off in both directions from where the incident occurred.

Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes, as Mounties say the investigation will take most of the rest of the day.

“Police officers are looking for anyone with video surveillance, dash camera footage, or cell phone video that shows the vehicle’s driving behavoiur before and after the collision,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper.

“The vehicle traveled from where the incident occurred and turned left on McDermid Drive, then left again on Tabor Boulevard. Witnesses report seeing the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed.” 

Police say further updates may be provided as information is made available.

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A large, excited crowd gathered at Prince George City Hall this morning (Monday), as Mayor Simon Yu declared this week as Special Olympics Week in the City.

“This is the moment we’ve been waiting for for quite some time,” Yu said.

“A lot of volunteering and a huge amount of work went into this already, and we have great sponsors, the City is just abuzz with excitement for this week.”

Yu said he’s incredibly excited and honoured that Special Olympics BC chose the City for the games.

“We are always a great host city,” Yu said.

“This is the Northern Capital, and this what we do, we are the host city, always has been, for North Central BC, to bring people together to create friendship, and to create lifetime memories.”

The excitement is being felt amongst the athletes.

“It’s amazing, all the new volunteers, awesome, so many amazing people, I’m so happy,” said Sam Russell, who will be competing in powerlifting during the games, with it being his first provincial games.

Russell said he’s most excited to meet the athletes coming to Prince George.

“New faces in the buses, back and forth, I am social so I’m pretty happy,” he said.

Local Coordinator of Special Olympics Prince George Peter Goudal said this week will bring memorable moments.

“We haven’t had a summer games here in Prince George before, we’ve had a couple of the winter ones,” he said.

“Our athletes have been training hard, it’s a four-year journey to get here for every athlete in the province. They’re looking forward to it, I’m looking forward to it, my son’s looking forward to it, lots of hype in the community everywhere I go.”

The first major event will be the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which gets underway at the RCMP Detachment at 10:30 Wednesday morning.

“We would love to have the community come out and just show their advanced support for these events by attending the Torch Run,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper of the Prince George RCMP.

At the end of the torch run, there will be a community BBQ held at the CN Centre.

The opening ceremonies will be held at the CN Centre Thursday evening, starting at 7:30.

A full schedule of events, as well as volunteer opportunities, can be found here.

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Nickelback will perform their only Western Canada show at Laketown Amphitheatre on August 9, and the band will help raise money for state-of-the-art medical equipment for the new Cowichan District Hospital. 

Thanks to a donation from RBC, a guitar played at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage and signed by the full band is being raffled off through the CDHF ‘Rockin’ Out for Healthcare’ campaign. 

Raffle tickets are $25, with only 5,000 available, and all proceeds support the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation’s $20 million fundraising goal for modern, high-quality patient care in the region. 

You can view the guitar in person at RBC on Trunk Road in Duncan and purchase tickets online at cdhfraffle.ca.” 

The new Cowichan District Hospital is under construction and scheduled to open in 2027. 

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Nickelback will perform their only Western Canada show at Laketown Amphitheatre on August 9, and the band will help raise money for state-of-the-art medical equipment for the new Cowichan District Hospital. 

Thanks to a donation from RBC, a guitar played at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage and signed by the full band is being raffled off through the CDHF ‘Rockin’ Out for Healthcare’ campaign. 

Raffle tickets are $25, with only 5,000 available, and all proceeds support the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation’s $20 million fundraising goal for modern, high-quality patient care in the region. 

You can view the guitar in person at RBC on Trunk Road in Duncan and purchase tickets online at cdhfraffle.ca.” 

The new Cowichan District Hospital is under construction and scheduled to open in 2027. 

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Several officers recently responded to a mental health crisis in Campbell River.

On Sunday afternoon at 6:00 p.m., Campbell River RCMP received a report of a 30-year-old man whose behaviour had turned dangerous and threatening in the 300 block of Crawford Road.

Front line officers and the Special Victims Unit, as well as police dog services from Courtenay responded and cordoned off a small area.

Police say the man was called out of his home and was taken into custody and then to the hospital without incident.

Constable Maury Tyre says they are thankful the situation ended peacefully.

“We are also very appreciative for the cooperation of everyone in the area during the heightened police presence”.

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After a three-day hearing at the BC Supreme Court last week, the City of Prince George has concluded its application to close the encampment on Lower Patricia Boulevard (Moccasion Flats).

Lawyers for the City sought a final injunction authorizing the City to clear and remediate the encampment once units at the 3rd Avenue supportive housing site are offered to the current encampment occupants.

The application was heard by Justice Elwood, from whom a decision is expected in the coming weeks.

Here is a link to a previous news release from the city on this topic.

City of Prince George files claim to have encampment cleared

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A 23-year-old motorcyclist is now facing charges for excessive speed and dangerous stunts. 

On June 11, BC Highway Patrol pulled over the rider after catching him driving more than 50 km/h over the speed limit and performing dangerous stunts on roads through areas containing parks, restaurants and crosswalks.  

Police say the incident was addressed immediately, but there was a point when they recorded his speed at an unbelievable rate. 

 “The vehicle is reported to have sped up to a top speed of 193 km/h in the 60 zone, more than three times the speed limit on busy downtown streets,” they say. 

According to police, they were able to stop the motorcyclist, and the 23-year-old now faces criminal allegations of Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle.  

The motorcycle was also impounded for seven days.  

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Four people were taken to hospital following a helicopter crash over the weekend in the South Cariboo.

100 Mile House RCMP responded to the incident that happened yesterday (July 6) in Lone Butte.

Police said the injuries to the occupants are reported to be minor to serious but not believed to be life threatening.

Transportation Safety Board were engaged and are conducting an investigation.

Police said the causal factors of the crash are yet to be determined.

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Cody Gysbers is the first inductee on the UNBC Timberwolves Wall of Honour for 2025.

Gysbers committed to the Timberwolves’ Men’s Soccer program in April 2016 as a graduate of Reynolds Secondary in Victoria.

“I was fortunate to get to know Cody when he was ten years old, working with him for many years prior to going to UNBC. He was a bit of a late developer physically, but that translated to him becoming an incredibly smart and technical player,” said Timberwolves Head Coach Steve Simonson.

“I always felt that he was a top player, and his trajectory as a youth was massive as a player and as a person. I knew he would be a top player at the U SPORTS level because of his intelligence and competitiveness.”

Gysbers captained the Timberwolves in his final season in 2022, leading the team to an 8-5-3 record. In that season, he was named a Canada West First Team All-Star.

He concluded his career in the top-ten in program history for games, starts, goals, assists, and points.

He’s also the only player to win a Golden Boot Award and a Best Defensive Player Award.

A second inductee for this year will be announced this week.

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Sports by Hartley Monday, July 7th, 2025

(As of 12:05 a.m. All times listed are PDT)

MLB:

Toronto Blue Jays  3  LA Angels  2

The box score is here.

The Jays have won 8 straight and 10 of their last 11.

Toronto leads the A.L. East by 3 games over the (49-41) New York Yankees and the (49-41) Tampa Bay Rays.

The (52-38) Jays begin a 6-game road trip tonight (4:40 PT) against the (30-60) Chicago White Sox.

The White Sox have the worst record in the American League.

The Blue Jays 2025 schedule and results are here.

The MLB schedule and results are here.

The MLB standings are here.

CFL: (Final game in week 5)

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A tragic incident led to the death of a 17-year-old boy at Comox Lake.

On Saturday night at 9:45, Comox Valley RCMP first responders were called to Devil’s Ladder at Comox Lake, where the report says a teenager jumped from a cliff into the water and failed to resurface.

Police say nearby paddleboarders located the boy and immediately started CPR, with firefighters arriving shortly after and taking over life-saving efforts.

The teenager was then taken to the local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Constable Monika Terragni says this is a heartbreaking loss for the community.

“A young life, just 17 years old, it’s a tragedy that touches everyone, whether you knew him personally or not,” said Terragni.

While RCMP is investigating this incident, BC Coroners Service is doing its own investigation to determine how, where, and by what means the youth came to his death.

At this time, there’s no evidence to suggest criminality was involved.

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A wildfire south of Cowichan Lake discovered on July 2 is now being held and is reduced in size. 

According to the B-C Wildfire service, the fire has been reduced to just under 6 hectares and is slowly dwindling.  

The latest information indicates the fire is around five point eight hectares in size and is projected to remain in its controlled perimeter. 

The B-C Wildfire Service says there are currently 82 active wildfires in the province, nine of which have started in the past 24 hours. 

Since April 1, there have been a total of 500 wildfires in B-C, 61 per cent of which are human caused and have burned more than 690 thousand hectares.  

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The BC Conservation Officer Service says a grizzly bear attack near Fort Nelson left one man with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to a Facebook post from the Conservation Officer Service, the attack took place at 11:00 this morning near a remote, fly-in location approximately 110 kilometres west of Fort Nelson, where a group was working in the area.

They said the victim noticed a grizzly bear and two cubs nearby, just as the sow charged.

The victim was reportedly bitten and scratched before the bear disengaged.

Conservation Officers said group members assisted the victim, who was flown to hospital for treatment. He has since been released.

The rest of the group was evacuated safely from the area.

Conservation Officers investigated the circumstances of the attack, which included interviews with the victim and a witness.

Through the investigation, Officers determined the attack was defensive in nature, and due to these factors, including the remote location, no efforts are being taken to capture or dispatch the bear.

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With a flag raising Monday, a Torch Run on Wednesday, an opening ceremony on Thursday, and competitions on Friday and Saturday, the Special Olympics BC Games are set to bring plenty of excitement to Prince George this week.

Co-Chair of the Organizing Committee Lyn Hall said putting the final touches on everything has gone well.

“Volunteers was a big push, I think now we’re somewhere in excess of 850, but we’re still taking people who are interested,” he said.

“As I’ve always said, if you have an hour to give, we’ll certainly be pleased to take that.”

In terms of the events themselves, Hall said everything is just about ready.

“The venues are all ready to go, we’ve had a great working relationship with City staff,” Hall said.

Hall noted with athletes staying at local schools, School District 57 has been a great partner as well.

“Of course we’re going to hold one sport event at Duchess Park Secondary, basketball,” he said.

“We’re ready to go from all the major areas, when you talk about wrapping the bow on it, the opening ceremonies, closing ceremonies are just hours away from being solidified and I think we’re in great shape there.”

Hall said while he’s looking forward to everything surrounding the games, he’s looking forward to the opening ceremonies as it sets the tone for the whole event.

“We have all of the athletes, we have all of the coaches, volunteers, the chef staff, all of them are going to be at CN Centre for the opening ceremonies,”

“When you look out over the crowd, that is really the kick off and that’s what is so exciting for me to see that happen.”

Hall said the plan is to keep the opening ceremonies fairly short.

“We’re going to have some opening remarks, and Renee and I are going to have the opportunity to thank everybody and welcome them to the City,”

“We’re going to have the AiMHi Choir do a couple of songs, O Canada included, we’ve got some entertainment from Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and it is really just to, if you will, light the cauldron to start it all off.”

The opening ceremonies are set for Thursday evening at the CN Centre, starting at 7:30.

Hall said he’s also looking forward to the Law Enforcement Torch Run, set for Wednesday at 10:00. The route for the run will start at the RCMP Detachment on 5th Avenue and Victoria, and head down Winnipeg Street and Massey Drive before heading north to the CN Centre on Ospika Boulevard.

“The Torch Run is really symblematic of the Special Olympic Summer Games,” Hall said.

“What’s really neat about it is that in and around Fire Hall #1, and where we have the basketball, tennis and pickleball courts on the corner there and by Carrie Jane Gray park sign, there’ll be little events happening in there and we’ve love the public to come out and cheer the torch runners on.”

Hall said he’s heard from the local athletes who will be participating in the games, and they’re excited.

“Even those athletes that participate locally that aren’t in the games, they’re volunteering, they want to do whatever they can to help out,”

“Provincially, we hear a tremendous amount from provincial coaches, we hear from the chefs that are coming, they’re excited to come to Prince George, and the athletes are all geared up for it, that’s the common theme that I’m hearing, that just makes things more exciting for us as an organizing committee.”

More information on the games as well as a schedule of events can be found here.

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Airdrie RCMP are seeking the public’s assistance in locating 52-year-old Jodi Lynn Perry, who was last seen in Airdrie on Wednesday.

Police believe she may be in the area of Salmo.

Police said Jodi was last seen on July 2 in Airdrie, and her family is concerned for her well-being.

She is described as being 5 feet 4 inches tall with blue eyes and blonde hair, 180 pounds, and wearing glasses.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jodi is asked to contact the Airdrie RCMP at 403-945-7267.

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Sports by Darin, as of 6:00 am, Sunday, July 6th

MLB:

Toronto Blue Jays  4  LA Angels  3 (11 innings)

The Blue Jays (51-38) are on top of the AL East and have won 7 in a row.

CFL:

BC Lions  21  Montreal Alouettes  20

The Lions won on a 43-yard walk off field goal.

SEAN WHYTE WALKOFF!!

WHAT A GAME!! #CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/bS6AgmDCac

— CFL (@CFL) July 6, 2025

 PGA Tour: John Deere Classic: 

Davis Thompson (-15) is taking a one-stroke lead heading into the final round.

The post Darin’s Sports Shorts; Sunday, July 6th appeared first on My Prince George Now.

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A young man battling eye cancer received a surprise visit over the Canada Day long weekend by a car club and motorcycle club in Quesnel.

Over 50 vehicles from the Prospector’s Car Club and the Dangerous Curves Motorbike Club drove by and filled the dead-end roads near Kellen Harper-Frederiko’s house, with well wishes, toys to give to Kellen, and chances for him to sit in and on cars and bikes.

“He had no idea, he thought we were outside to watch foxes,” says Kellen’s mum, Ember Harper Frederiko.

“My grandpa was the one leading the car club, and then everyone just started filing down the road. I couldn’t believe the amount that turned out. He was so excited.”

Kellen has been battling a non-genetic form of eye cancer since March. Ember says the family has had to be selective about going out to community events while Kellen goes through chemo and treatments. Making surprise visits like this has a big impact on Kellen.

Ember adds that Kellen hasn’t ‘slowed down’ at all since his diagnosis. Even after procedures and treatments, he runs and plays, and often has to be reminded to take time and rest.

“ Honestly, he’s dealing with this better than I think that any adult ever could, which is insane. I don’t quite understand how a 4-year-old can be, so strong.”

Like most four-year-old boys, Kellen has become a car, truck, and motorbike enthusiast. Him and his parents spent that afternoon walking up and down the road. Any vehicle that had Kellen’s interest spark, he didn’t hesitate to ask if he could jump in.

Members of the car and bike clubs let him honk their horns, pretend to go on trips, and even let him ignite the vehicles’ engines. Ember mentions there was one motorbike with a particularily loud horn, that Kellen simply loved to bits.

“ It was so cool to see that many people that would like take time out of their day to show up to like brighten his day.  I just couldn’t believe how willing people were to just — make him happy.”

Ember, her husband, and Kellen thank everyone that came out, and let Kellen inspect their rides. The Harper-Frederiko’s thank everyone in the community, and are still in awe and have no words on how to express their gratitude.

“ When you go through like the diagnosis and all the procedures and everything, and you feel like you’re so alone throughout it,” says Ember Harper-Frederiko.

“But then honestly, this and every other little bit of support that we’ve received through the community has just been mind blowing. We never thought that we would have so many people reach out to us with kind words and offers to help in any way they can. It’s been incredible to realize that you don’t actually have to go through this stuff all by yourself, because there’s people out there that get it.”

As for Kellen, while he continues his battle, Ember says her young man hasn’t stopped talking about his surprise visit even once.

–Files by Teryn Midzain, My Cariboo Now

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You can learn more about the City’s updates to the community plan through virtual sessions.

The City of Courtenay is updating its Official Community Plan, a document that guides the city’s decisions on land use, housing, transportation, infrastructure and more, to meet new provincial housing requirements.

The update comes after the B.C. Government introduced new legislation last year, requiring all local governments to update their community plans. The updates need to include 20 years of housing needs by the end of this year.

As part of this updating, the city is holding four online sessions on housing & livability and growing and servicing complete communities for you to attend.

“The two sessions for each topic will have the same content and format, starting with a short presentation followed by questions and answers with project staff and consultants,” said the city.

“Pre-registration is encouraged to get the virtual link in advance.”

The city says the aim of these sessions is to get the community involved in these changes, with hopes that this update will expand housing choices and support growth for infrastructure, parks, open spaces, and amenities.

The housing and livability sessions run on July 15 and 17, while the growing and servicing sessions run on July 28 and 29 respectively.

For where to register, click here.

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While an outreach team has been supporting the homeless, a local non-profit organization says more is needed.

Lift Community Services launched a Homelessness Outreach Team to support those experiencing homelessness in Powell River after its emergency shelter closed in late-March this year.

Related: qathet emergency shelter to close later this month – My Powell River Now

As the shelter was closing, the organization received short-term funding to employ this team for six months. The team goes out to encampments across town and other areas to provide support throughout the week.

Lift says that support includes providing food, water, medical supplies, camping gear, waste disposal, and transportation to get people to appointments or connect them with other supports.

Lift executive director Kim Markel says in the last two months alone, the team has supported 45 people.

“These are individuals whose home is here in qathet,” said Markel.

“We sometimes hear suggestions that people are coming from out of town to set up camp or access resources and quite simply we have seen no evidence of that. Frankly, there aren’t enough services here to draw people to our community.”

She says despite the team’s work, the program isn’t able to address all community impacts from homelessness as its mandate with the team is to support people in the absence of an emergency shelter.

Markel adds Lift themselves are limited in its capacity to address issues like abandoned debris and garbage, congregation, trespassing, and community safety concerns.

“Solving homelessness and addressing the community impact of homelessness is not something any one organization can do alone,” said Markel.

She says when it comes to homelessness and its impacts, positive solutions need collaboration and coordination across the whole community.

In the meantime, Lift ensures to continue its work of helping those in need.

The post Lift Community Services say more is needed to deal with homelessness appeared first on My Powell River Now.

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Drowning is a recurring cause of death across British Columbia. Last year 24 people died from drowning on Vancouver Island.

To raise awareness, the Strathcona Regional District is hosting a family friendly drowning prevention event for National drowning prevention week.

With support from Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex, the district aims to educate people and participants on water-smart skills, in and around bodies of water.

Strathcona Gardens lifeguards will be on duty, running a variety of activities for children and safety information booths.

Some of the activities include an inflatable water obstacle course, a slip and slide, giant beach balls, scavenger hunts, and face painting.

The safety information booths aim to educate people on wearing life jackets, water supervision, and local swimming programs.

For those needing a ride to the event, Strathcona Gardens will be providing free transportation to and from McIvor Lake from the Sportsplex and Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex.

There will be two departures during the day, visit strathconagardens.com/swimbus to reserve a spot.

Admission to the Drowning Prevention week event is Free, and Activities run from 11 am to 5 pm at Hil Beach, McIvor Lake on July 21.

Story by Sage Daniels, Vista Radio Staff.

The post SRD to hold drowning prevention event at McIvor Lake appeared first on My Campbell River Now.

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Utility work being conducted along Highway 97, north of Quesnel, will briefly delay motorists.

BC Hydro is conducting Vegetation Management along the highway between Umiti Pit Road and Hush Lake Road. The work started on July 3 and is expected to be completed on July 30.

The highway in that section will be reduced to single-lane alternating traffic while the chipping and brushing work is being done daily from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Minor delays up to 15 minutes are expected to occur in both directions.

DriveBC is asking motorists to be aware of signage and road work personnel while traveling through the area.

This work is being done in addition to the construction work being done in the southbound lane between Pollard Road and Umiti Pit Road. A lane remains closed, and won’t be reopened until September.

The post Expect Slight Delays along Hwy 97 North of Quesnel appeared first on My Cariboo Now.

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After a year of planning and construction, the Kyle Scow Memorial skatepark is ready to open.

Port Hardy Recreation announced an opening day party for the park set to take place on July 27 at the park.

The party comes as Comox-based company Radius skateparks was put in charge of reconstructing the skate park back in August 2024.

Its new look was designed by the community and received very positive feedback.

The district of Port Hardy says the budget for this improved park, was set at $550,000 and was funded by the BC government.

The party will feature a ribbon cutting ceremony, music, skateboard and scooter demos, free skate and scooter sessions, as well as giveaways and prizes for lucky participants.

Admission is free, and Activities run from 3 pm to 5 pm.

Story by Sage Daniels, Vista Radio Staff

The post Grand opening of local Skatepark set for late-July appeared first on My Tri-Port Now.

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The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is asking for witnesses to a Courtenay arrest from January.

They say on January 5 at around 11:00 p.m., Comox Valley RCMP responded to a call about a possibly impaired driver in the 2300 block of Mansfield Drive.

Officers found the SUV in question in the parking lot of a hotel in the 2200-block of Cliffe Avenue, finding and attempting to arrest a man inside the vehicle.

“There was then an interaction between the man and police while they detained him, and the man suffered an injury in the process,” said the IIO.

“He was then taken to the hospital for treatment.”

As a result of this incident, the Investigations Office is investigating the arrest.

The IIO adds for this incident, they’re considering if there has been an injury that meets the threshold of serious harm or death, and if there’s a connection between that harm/death and police action or inaction.

“If both conditions are met, the investigation will continue to examine all available evidence to determine what occurred,” said the IIO.

“At the conclusion of the investigation, the chief civilian director will also consider whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that an offence may have occurred.”

They are asking anyone who saw what happened but didn’t give a statement, or those with footage of the incident, to call the office at 1-855-446-8477.

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Watering your lawn is now stricter as Powell River’s under Stage two water restrictions.

On Friday, the City implemented stage two restrictions a month after announcing Stage one restrictions. This change aims to encourage residents to save water.

Related: Stage one water restrictions in effect for Powell River – My Powell River Now

Under these restrictions, odd-numbered homes can water on odd calendar days only from midnight to 9:00 a.m. Even-numbered homes can water in those hours, but only on even calendar days.

The city asks you to use one hose for sprinkling, and to not use sprinklers or soaker hoses outside of the allowed times.

For watering other plants like gardens and shrubs, you should use a hand-held hose/container/drip irrigation. For hand watering, it’s fine to do so at anytime.

More info on restrictions can be found here.

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A bicycle accident has left one man with critical injuries in Campbell River.

The accident took place at Alder and 6th avenue, where a man was struck by a cyclist, with the man taken to the hospital for injuries.

Campbell River RCMP say the cyclist is 18 years old, provincially a juvenile.

Constable Maury Tyre says they haven’t received a more recent status if the victim is still in the hospital, adding it will take a significant amount of time to determine the level of permanent injury.

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A vehicle accident resulted in injuries and the temporary shutdown of a local café.

On Wednesday morning, a car drove into Ideal Cafe in Campbell River, causing serious damage to the building. The crash caused the café to shut down for the rest of that day, affecting two tables inside the business.

Campbell River RCMP attended the scene at 10:30 a.m., with Constable Maury Tyre saying two people inside the café suffered minor injuries from the accident.

“They were treated and later released from local hospital,” said Tyre. “It appears the accident was caused by a level of inattentiveness which allowed the driver to accidentally press the gas instead of brakes.”

Tyre says while criminality wasn’t a factor in the incident, the driver could possibly face charges under the MVA for Driving Without Due Care.

In a social media post, Ideal Cafe says they re-opened on Thursday, but there are restrictions to the café until the building is fixed. The restrictions include half of the café being shut down, losing four tables in the process. The café is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tyre says it’s important that people make sure they’re healthy enough to be behind the wheel, awake and attentive, and to be familiar with their vehicle before hitting the road.

The post Car accident led to injuries & temporary shutdown of Ideal Cafe appeared first on My Campbell River Now.

This post was originally published on My Campbell River Now

A vehicle accident resulted in injuries and the temporary shutdown of a local café.

On Wednesday morning, a car drove into Ideal Cafe in Campbell River, causing serious damage to the building. The crash caused the café to shut down for the rest of that day, affecting two tables inside the business.

Campbell River RCMP attended the scene at 10:30 a.m., with Constable Maury Tyre saying two people inside the café suffered minor injuries from the accident.

“They were treated and later released from local hospital,” said Tyre. “It appears the accident was caused by a level of inattentiveness which allowed the driver to accidentally press the gas instead of brakes.”

Tyre says while criminality wasn’t a factor in the incident, the driver could possibly face charges under the MVA for Driving Without Due Care.

In a social media post, Ideal Cafe says they re-opened on Thursday, but there are restrictions to the café until the building is fixed. The restrictions include half of the café being shut down, losing four tables in the process. The café is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tyre says it’s important that people make sure they’re healthy enough to be behind the wheel, awake and attentive, and to be familiar with their vehicle before hitting the road.

The post Car accident led to injuries & temporary shutdown of Ideal Cafe appeared first on My Campbell River Now.

This post was originally published on My Campbell River Now

A vehicle accident resulted in injuries and the temporary shutdown of a local café.

On Wednesday morning, a car drove into Ideal Cafe in Campbell River, causing serious damage to the building. The crash caused the café to shut down for the rest of that day, affecting two tables inside the business.

Campbell River RCMP attended the scene at 10:30 a.m., with Constable Maury Tyre saying two people inside the café suffered minor injuries from the accident.

“They were treated and later released from local hospital,” said Tyre. “It appears the accident was caused by a level of inattentiveness which allowed the driver to accidentally press the gas instead of brakes.”

Tyre says while criminality wasn’t a factor in the incident, the driver could possibly face charges under the MVA for Driving Without Due Care.

In a social media post, Ideal Cafe says they re-opened on Thursday, but there are restrictions to the café until the building is fixed. The restrictions include half of the café being shut down, losing four tables in the process. The café is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tyre says it’s important that people make sure they’re healthy enough to be behind the wheel, awake and attentive, and to be familiar with their vehicle before hitting the road.

The post Car accident led to injuries & temporary shutdown of Ideal Cafe appeared first on My Campbell River Now.

This post was originally published on My Campbell River Now

A young man battling eye cancer received a surprise visit over the Canada Day long weekend by a car club and motorcycle club in Quesnel.

Over 50 vehicles from the Prospector’s Car Club and the Dangerous Curves Motorbike Club drove by and filled the dead-end roads near Kellen Harper-Frederiko’s house, with well wishes, toys to give to Kellen, and chances for him to sit in and on cars and bikes.

“He had no idea, he thought we were outside to watch foxes,” says Kellen’s mum, Ember Harper Frederiko.

“My grandpa was the one leading the car club, and then everyone just started filing down the road. I couldn’t believe the amount that turned out. He was so excited.”

Kellen has been battling a non-genetic form of eye cancer since March. Ember says the family has had to be selective about going out to community events while Kellen goes through chemo and treatments. Making surprise visits like this has a big impact on Kellen.

Ember adds that Kellen hasn’t ‘slowed down’ at all since his diagnosis. Even after procedures and treatments, he runs and plays, and often has to be reminded to take time and rest.

“ Honestly, he’s dealing with this better than I think that any adult ever could, which is insane. I don’t quite understand how a 4-year-old can be, so strong.”

Like most four-year-old boys, Kellen has become a car, truck, and motorbike enthusiast. Him and his parents spent that afternoon walking up and down the road. Any vehicle that had Kellen’s interest spark, he didn’t hesitate to ask if he could jump in.

Members of the car and bike clubs let him honk their horns, pretend to go on trips, and even let him ignite the vehicles’ engines. Ember mentions there was one motorbike with a particularily loud horn, that Kellen simply loved to bits.

“ It was so cool to see that many people that would like take time out of their day to show up to like brighten his day.  I just couldn’t believe how willing people were to just — make him happy.”

Ember, her husband, and Kellen thank everyone that came out, and let Kellen inspect their rides. The Harper-Frederiko’s thank everyone in the community, and are still in awe and have no words on how to express their gratitude.

“ When you go through like the diagnosis and all the procedures and everything, and you feel like you’re so alone throughout it,” says Ember Harper-Frederiko.

“But then honestly, this and every other little bit of support that we’ve received through the community has just been mind blowing. We never thought that we would have so many people reach out to us with kind words and offers to help in any way they can. It’s been incredible to realize that you don’t actually have to go through this stuff all by yourself, because there’s people out there that get it.”

As for Kellen, while he continues his battle, Ember says her young man hasn’t stopped talking about his surprise visit even once.

The post A Surprise Visit Brings Big Smiles to a Young Man Battling Cancer appeared first on My Cariboo Now.

This post was originally published on My Cariboo Now

Northern Health’s Northern Interior Health Unit (NIHU) will be making a move in spring 2026.

According to Northern Health, the current NIHU building will be deconstructed after the move to make space for the tower.

NIHU services will be relocated to Parkwood Mall with teams settling into two areas.

The former China Cup Buffet unit will now house:

• Mental Health Rehabilitation Team
• Community Acute Stabilization Team
• Community Outreach and Assertive Services Team
• Adult Addictions Day Treatment Program

The former Hudson’s Bay unit (second floor) will now house:

• Interprofessional Community Teams (IPTs) – including the John G. Mackenzie Family Practice Centre
• Preventative and Public Health Team
• Child and Youth Services, including:

1. Speech/language clinics
2. Northern Health Assessment Network
3. Communication Assistance for Youth and Adults (CAYA)

Construction on the tower is set to start next year and wrap up in 2031, bringing 109 new beds to UHNBC.

The post Some Northern Interior Health Unit services moving next year appeared first on My Prince George Now.

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As summer road trips roll in across the province, ICBC and BC SPCA have one reminder for drivers: don’t forget about your four-legged passengers.

The two organizations say that whether you are heading out for a long-haul road trip or daily commuting, even the most laid-back dog or cat needs to be safely secured.

“Many drivers consider a pet as part of their family,” said Kim Monteith, BC SPCA manager of animal welfare.

“When we bring our pets along for the ride, it’s our job to make sure they’re safe and secure. It’s a simple act of love that also keeps everyone else in the vehicle out of harm’s way.”

ICBC and the BC SPCA say using a safety harness or a firmly secured hard-shell crate could prevent serious injuries to pets as well as everyone else in the vehicles. It could also lower distractions while driving. It is also important to safely secure pets in the backseat and not to let them sit on drivers’ laps or in the front seat.

It is also illegal and dangerous to travel with a pet unsecured in the exterior of a pick-up truck. They say that if a driver has to have their pet in the back of a truck, the safest way is to have a secured crate.

They add that while it is tempting and cute to have a dog hang its head out a window while driving, this could lead to eye injuries due to weather, heavy wind, as well as objects and debris flying close to the vehicle.

They also advise keeping lots of toys, food, water, and bedding for pets in the car. As well as carry a pet first-aid kit.

Finally, ICBC and BC SPCA say that if a driver is not in the vehicle, their pets shouldn’t be either, as vehicles can heat up quickly with warmer temperatures.

“They trust us with everything, from belly rubs to big adventures,” said Kathleen Nadalin, ICBC road safety manager.

“When we bring our pets along for the ride, it’s our job to make sure they’re safe and secure. It’s a simple act of love that also keeps everyone else in the vehicle out of harm’s way.”

The post Don’t Forget About Your Furry Companions When on the Road says ICBC and BC SPCA appeared first on My Cariboo Now.

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ICBC and the BC SPCA are reminding drivers of the importance of keeping four-legged passengers secure this summer.

“Many drivers consider a pet as part of their family,” said BC SPCA Manager of Animal Welfare Kim Monteith.

“As with any loved one that rides in your vehicle, it’s important to take steps to keep your dog or cat seated, secure and safe during every drive.”

ICBC and the BC SPCA say it’s important to ensure pets are secure in a harness, a safety belt or a crate in the back seat.

According to the two organizations, it’s also illegal and dangerous to travel with an unsecure pet in the exterior of the truck. They say if you have to transport a pet in the back of a truck, the safest way to do so is with a secured crate in the centre of a truck box.

They add while it’s tempting to let a dog hand its head out of a window while driving, this can lead to eye injuries due to weather, heavy wind, as well as flying debris or objects coming close to the vehicle.

They also say that if you’re not in the vehicle, you’re pet shouldn’t be either as vehicles can heat up quickly in warm temperatures.

“They trust us with everything, from belly rubs to big adventures,” said ICBC Road Safety Manager Kathleen Nadalin.

“When we bring our pets along for the ride, it’s our job to make sure they’re safe and secure. It’s a simple act of love that also keeps everyone else in the vehicle out of harms way.”

The post Traveling with pets? Keep them secured, says ICBC and BC SPCA appeared first on My Prince George Now.

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West Kootenay author Tom Wayman will launch his newest collection of poems, Out of the Ordinary, at the Nelson Public Library on Saturday, July 19 and at the Nakusp Public Library, on Thursday, July 17.

Both events begin at 7 pm and are free and open to the public.

Wayman, author of last year’s memoir, The Road to Appledore or How I Went Back to the Land Without Ever Having Lived There in the First Place, sets many of the poems in Out of the Ordinary in the Slocan Valley, where he has had his home since 1989. But the poems also range farther afield.

“No question we live in extraordinary times,” Wayman said.

“So, poems here enter into ordinary moments and objects to see what might be learned there that could potentially be useful to help us survive or even thrive in these crazy years we’re living through.”

Dealing with change is a feature in many of the book’s six sections, which include poems on navigating aging and the writing life, as well as confronting the 21^st Century directly.

“For Wayman, a poem can be found in virtually anything—an experience, a lost love, the death of a friend, but like the great Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, it can also surface from an aspect of nature,” Ron Verzuh in The Miramichi Reader wrote concerning Out of the Ordinary.

“We are lucky to have him.”

“Wayman’s poems are simultaneously deep, evocative, and approachable,” said Lisa Timpf in assessing Out of the Ordinary for The Seaboard Review.

“Readers who like humour, striking metaphors, and a touch of uniqueness should find much to enjoy here.”

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Sports by Darin, as of 6:00 am, Saturday, July 5th

Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest:

Joey Chestnut claimed his 17th Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest title, downing 70.5 hot dogs in ten minutes.

JOEY CHESTNUT’S DOMINANCE CONTINUES

Chestnut downs 70.5 hot dogs to win his 17th Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest title pic.twitter.com/B3TMBrayZ7

— ESPN (@espn) July 4, 2025

Miku Sudo captured her 11th win on the women’s side with 33 hot dogs.

MIKI SUDO REMAINS UNDEFEATED

Sudo downs 33 hot dogs to capture her 11th title at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest! pic.twitter.com/RfnXIrd2gJ

— ESPN (@espn) July 4, 2025

 MLB:

Toronto Blue Jays  4  LA Angels  3 (10 innings)

The Blue Jays (50-38) are on top of the AL East, and are riding a six-game win streak.

CFL:

Hamilton Tiger-Cats  51  Toronto Argonauts  38

One Saturday game:

BC Lions @ Montreal Alouettes (4:00 pm)

PGA Tour: John Deere Classic:

Doug Ghim (-12) is taking a one-stroke lead heading into the final round.

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Elk Valley RCMP are warning businesses to lock it up or lose it with thieves targeting the Elk Valley area.

Police said they have seen an increased number of incidents related to property crimes being committed and/or attempted over the past few weeks, and as recently as yesterday, Friday, July 4, when Elk Valley members were conducting patrols and encountered two males from Alberta near the BC Hydro building on Michel Creek Rd.

The suspects were detained and during the investigation bolt cutters and other similar tools were located in the nearby area.

Elk valley members are currently working with Crowsnest Pass RCMP members in relation to this incident. Meanwhile, a female suspect, also from Alberta, was found driving a rented pickup in the nearby area who appeared to be in position to assist with loading stolen property into the rental truck.

During the encounter one of the males let slip that there were two crews that frequent the Elk Valley area to steal tools, wire, and anything else of value from local businesses with BC Hydro and EVR being specifically targeted.

Residents are being urged to be attentive and vigilant, and to ensure sites are secured and tools stored securely, surveillance cameras are in place and active whenever possible, hire security if feasible, report any suspicious activity as soon as possible to the Elk Valley RCMP and to keep track of valuable items such as machinery, tools, and frequently stolen material such as copper wiring.

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to the Elk Valley RCMP.

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Drought levels in the East Kootenay have dropped in recent weeks, but remain elevated, with levels two and three reported in the region.

As of July 4, the BC River Forecast Centre said the Elk-Flathead Basins are at level two, while the Kootenay River Basin is at level three.

The province measures drought on levels zero (normal or wetter-than-normal conditions) to five (extremely dry).

However, the drought scale is not a measure of a stable water supply.

“The Provincial Drought Level Scale measures the severity of the natural drought hazard, but it doesn’t necessarily tell us the potential for water scarcity impacts,” said Doris Leong, Acting Director of Drought Operations with the BC River Forecast Centre.

“Whether an area experiences water scarcity can depend on a number of factors, including how resilient water systems are, local conditions because they may be different than the broader area that the drought level describes, and how water supply and demand are managed.”

This is a significant drop from June 20, when the Elk-Flathead Basins opened the summer at drought level five, the highest measured in the province at the time.

Leong said the impacts of increased drought levels on human and ecological values in particular areas must be assessed on a local level.

“For example, a water supply might experience different impacts than a farmer in the same area, depending on their capacity for water storage,” said Leong.

“There can be a lot of different factors that can affect whether water scarcity is experienced at any drought level.”

East Kootenay drought conditions likely reduced in recent weeks due to recent rain and storms sweeping through the region.

While conditions have improved, Leong says higher-than-normal drought levels increase wildfire risks.

“We know dry conditions make it easier for lightning strikes and strong winds to start wildfires. Those fires can also burn, spread and combine for longer periods of time in dry conditions,” said Leong.

“One of the first ways we see the impacts of drought is through increased wildfire activity, so it’s important to stay aware of the drought and wildfire conditions throughout the summer.”

Leong said the public can play an important role in conservation to help mitigate potential water shortages, even when drought levels are lower.

“One thing we really encourage people to do is to start conserving water early, especially starting with those non-essential water uses and adopting efficient water use practices where you can,” said Leong.

“In basic terms, this means using water for fewer things and using it less often. We also always advise people to follow any water restrictions that may be in place.”

Leong said rain barrels and other water storage systems can help you conserve local water sources while ensuring you have a steady supply.

“If you have water storage or a reservoir available, take advantage of those rain events to fill that storage to capacity. That way, you can rely on it when conditions become dry again,” said Leong.

You can find information about your community’s current water restrictions on your municipal government’s website.

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Get your campfire permit or be prepared to pay up.

Fernie Fire and Emergency Services has noticed an increase an illegal campfires around the city.

City officials said illegal campfires have been primarily at the boat launch but also in other areas of town.

Campfires are only allowed in residential backyards with a permit.

A new permit is $30, but there is no fee for a renewal without any changes.

The permit expires every year.

Those caught with an illegal campfire could be fined $300.

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The District of Sparwood has updated its liability insurance policy to better cover the district.

The previous policy was too ambiguous on which events should be required to carry insurance.

“The municipality operates under an outdated policy that mandates general liability insurance is only required for events deemed large or hazardous,” said community services director Jenna Jensen.

“The policy lacks clear definitions or criteria of what constitutes a large or hazardous event.”

The old policy was also signed 25 years ago and best practices have changed.

When an external group organizes an event on municipal property, the new best practice is for them to obtain their own general liability insurance, name the district as an additional insured and provide a certificate of insurance.

For events organized by the municipality external vendors or service providers should carry their own general liability insurance and name the district as an additional insured.

District staff say this will streamline the process and provide automatic protection.

Elkford, Fernie and Cranbrook have adopted this model.

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Bowen Byram’s future with the Buffalo Sabres could be in jeopardy as the team weights, possible trades, contracts and offer sheets.

His contract has expired, but Byram is a restricted free agent so he can’t sign where he wants.

Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said they could trade him but he is a player they would like to keep.

“We believe Bo is an excellent hockey player that can help our team win,” he said.

“I maintain the position that if there is a deal out there that makes sense for us and will improve our roster we’re open to it.”

The trade would have to be for players that can make an immediate impact, as Adams says they aren’t interested in just getting draft picks back.

“If there’s not, we’re not in the situation where we’re looking to move him out or move him for futures,” Adams added.

Since Byram is a restricted free agent teams could offer-sheet him.

If the RFA signs the offer-sheet, their original team has the option to match and retain the player, or let the player go to the new team and receive draft pick compensation.

However, Adams says they are prepared to meet any potential offer sheets.

“We’ll be matching and have a player under contract that helps us win.”

Restricted free agents must sign a contract by Dec. 1 to be eligible to play for the rest of the season.

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Fernie residents are invited to have their say on the 2025–2027 Resort Development Strategy (RDS).

The three-year plan lays out how the community will spend its grant money.

“As a designated resort municipality, Fernie receives tourism funding through the Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI),” said the city.

“The RDS is a required plan that outlines how this funding—approximately $1.5 million—will be used to support local tourism projects, events, and activities over the next three years.”

The draft plan is currently under review by the B.C. government, and once approved, Fernie can begin implementing the projects.

In the meantime, residents can read the draft plan, share feedback and ask questions as the city works toward implementing the proposed Resort Development Strategy.

Fernie’s outdoor recreation opportunities set it apart as a hot spot for tourists from across the country and internationally, ranking 73rd on the world’s top 100 tourist destinations in the 2023 Tourism Sentiment Index.

You can read the draft plan and submit feedback through this link.

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The Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce executive director is calling the City of Nelson’s decision to move the Wednesday Farmers’ Market “insulting.” 

Jessica Piccinin wrote a letter to the City on behalf of Creston Valley Chamber members who regularly participate in the Nelson market, referring to Creston as the “breadbasket for Nelson and surrounding areas.” 

“Creston has long served as a breadbasket for Nelson and surrounding areas. The City’s recent decision to relocate the Wednesday Market from Baker Street – announced with extremely short notice – is deeply concerning and, frankly, insulting to the farming community.”  

The City announced in May that the Wednesday market would be relocated for the season to Cottonwood Falls Park – providing less than a week’s notice before it was scheduled to start. 

About 16 vendors from Creston attend the Wednesday market, and Piccinin says the move has already significantly impacted their sales. 

“Our farmers have been deeply impacted by this move with horrible drops in sales. And they are very concerned for their livelihood. So the goal of sending the letter is to represent them and their concerns, and hopefully get the City to realize the mistake they’ve made and encourage them to take those next steps.” 

Vendors have reported an average 63 per cent drop in sales, with some experiencing a complete loss. 

“When you consider how farming has such tight margins to begin with- so tight that they generally struggle to provide wholesale pricing for grocery stores – to see them experiencing double wholesale pricing drops in sales is shocking. It’s really saddening.” 

She said the City’s “continued diversion” in answering vendor pleas to reconsider the move is insulting.  

Although the City said it’s exploring options to help, including offering a shuttle from Baker Street to the market, Piccinin claims it’s not enough. 

“It’s not good enough by far. The damage that has already been done is terrible. It needs to be put back immediately. How can you buy any of your larger bulk products to store for the winter when you’re on a shuttle bus? How can you even buy a week’s worth of groceries and then get on a shuttle bus? It’s not enough.” 

Several vendors, including those from Creston, have already been forced to back out of the market altogether, and even though the City plans to revisit the relocation at the end of July, Piccinin fears it will be too late. 

“The vendors are starting to drop out. There will be fewer customers going because there are fewer vendors. Therefore, there’ll be fewer vendors because there are fewer customers. It’s a downward, vicious cycle to no Wednesday market in Nelson and that is a shame.” 

She warns that the economic ripple effect could extend far beyond market day, noting how reliant Nelson’s food supply is on Creston Valley farmers, who also supply local grocery stores through wholesale agreements. 

“You’ve got a farmer bringing over products, selling at the farmers’ market, and then taking his produce to the Kootenay Co-op to sell there. So now the Kootenay Co-op’s going to lose a vendor, if not more. So now we have less access to food in our grocery stores,” said Piccinin. 

“If they are forced to seek alternative markets to sustain their livelihoods, they will likely redirect their wholesale supply chains – putting Nelson’s local food access at further risk.” 

Accessibility is another pressing concern. 

While she believes Cottonwood Falls is a great location for the Saturday market, Piccinin said its uneven ground and limited parking mean it doesn’t adequately serve all members of the community. 

“The downtown location on Baker Street attracted an important demographic – those shopping on their lunch breaks or while conducting other business. It’s not possible to accommodate those who have relied on the Wednesday farmers’ market when it comes to accessibility and food security.” 

She would like the City to admit it made a mistake, acknowledge the impact to people’s livelihoods, and genuinely work towards a solution – quickly. 

“It’s okay that they made a mistake. They can just own that and fix it right away and make a plan that includes marketing, signage, and has farmers and vendors advocating for the move, so that it doesn’t have this kind of impact. 

But this hasty, side-of-the-desk change with complete disregard for people’s livelihoods is just unacceptable. It’s a great way to lose trust within our municipality. And in this day and age, we can’t afford to lose that trust, along with losing our food sources.” 

Want to get your business noticed? Have you considered advertising through your local radio station? Speak to one of our sales agents and find out how radio advertising can boost your business today. Call 250-365-7600 or email Vista Radio.

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This weeks Summit Radio Pet of the Week from the BCSPCA is Zoey!

Zoey is a 1-year-old with the soul of a comedian and the heart of a snuggler. She’s playful, sweet, and just the right amount of ridiculous – the kind of dog who’ll have you laughing one minute and melting into couch cuddles the next.

She lives for playtime – toss a toy, and she’s all in. But when it’s time to chill? Chloe is a pro at cozy snuggles and calm companionship. Whether it’s a quiet evening on the couch or a backyard romp, Zoey’s energy matches the vibe.

Ideal Home? Here’s the Wishlist:

A secure yard – she’s got some escape artist moves, so keeping her safe is key.

A home that will continue her confidence-building journey with kindness and patience.

Someone who wants a smart, playful, affectionate sidekick to share life with.

Zoey is a total ham with a heart of gold. She’s ready to bring joy, laughs, and lots of love to the right home.

Car rides! This queen absolutely ADORES car rides.

If she seems like the girl for you, learn more about adopting her here! https://adopt.spca.bc.ca/pets/780797/

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The BC General Employees Union is calling on the province to take a stronger role in regulating inland ferry services, following a bitter five-month labour dispute that severely impacted Kootenay Lake communities. 

Special Mediator Vince Ready was appointed by the Ministry of Labour to help the BCGEU and Kootenay Lake ferry operator Western Pacific Marine close what he called the “Himalayan gulf” between the two parties on wage rates, scheduling, and other issues. 

The union and employer began negotiations for a new collective agreement in May 2024, which ultimately led to a nearly five-month-long strike that significantly impacted Kootenay Lake communities. 

Ready issued his final report on the dispute on June 10, laying out 17 binding recommendations related to wages, scheduling, training, and certification requirements. 

Around 90 proposals were tabled – mostly from the union – before Ready got involved.

Sixty were resolved during bargaining and mediation, while the remaining 17 were left to Ready to decide.  

Wages 

The union was pushing for wage increases of 9 per cent, 7 per cent, and 8 per cent over three years, which Ready deemed “excessive.” 

“Upon closer review of the existing wage rates at BC Ferries, I find the union’s wage proposal is excessive because, in some classifications, it would result in wage differentials in excess of what BC Ferries pay for similar work of a similar nature.” 

Instead, Ready recommended a tiered wage increase: 

• 2024: 3 per cent for senior classifications; 5 per cent for all others 

• 2025: 3 per cent for senior classifications; 4 per cent for others 

• 2026 & 2027: 3 per cent for all classifications 

Ready also noted that WPM had already been paying higher-than-average wages in recent years.

He said the union’s initial wage proposal would have resulted in some classifications earning more than their BC Ferries counterparts. 

“As an example, the wage rates for Oiler, Marine Clerk, Terminal Attendant, and Deckhand would, if adopted from the union’s proposal, result in significantly higher wages for similar work at BC Ferries.” 

Scheduling 

One of the most contentious issues in the labour dispute surrounded scheduling.  

The union was pushing to replace the current six-on, three-off shift model with a day-for-day system (seven days on, seven days off). 

Ready sided with the union on this issue, requiring the seven-on-seven-off model be implemented across all vessels by January 1, 2026, with final scheduling details to be resolved by September 30, 2025, or face arbitration. 

BCGEU president Paul Finch said that while the union doesn’t agree with all of Ready’s recommendations, it’s pleased with the shift to this scheduling model. 

“One of the key things driving this shift to day-for-day scheduling is it ultimately benefits these communities. You have a larger pool of people to pull from if somebody gets sick. If they’re unable to work, there’s a larger group to draw on to run and operate this service.” 

Rebuilding trust  

Ready also emphasized the need for both sides to repair their relationship and rebuild trust with the community to avoid further labour disruptions. 

“There can be no question that the strike caused considerable hardship to the communities who were required to endure the bitter and protracted five-month strike with only minimal sailings and, at times, cancelled sailings without notice,” said Ready. 

“I urge the parties to collaborate on rebuilding the trust between them necessary for ensuring the sustainability of Kootenay Lake’s essential transportation network.” 

He recommended that both sides engage in a special mediator once again to issue non-binding recommendations before job action is taken. 

Finch said while the work of community relations is predominantly that of the local bargaining team, he emphasizes that the union looks forward to continuing to provide a safe and reliable service. 

Essential services and privatization 

Finch also criticized the Labour Relations Board’s definition of essential service levels during the strike, saying it allowed for unreasonable delays in reaching a resolution. 

“What fundamentally occurred here was the Labour Board made some significant, crucial, and fundamental errors in terms of how they interpreted essential services,” said Finch. 

“It created a situation that ended up prolonging the strike. We believe the essential service levels were inappropriate. These inland ferries are a critical part of our transportation infrastructure in the province.” 

He also questioned whether a private operator should be allowed to “hold these communities hostage in the interest of having a better profit margin than a near competitor.” 

“This is an inevitable and predictable consequence of privatizing the inland ferry services. You create these potentials for inequities between operators,” said Finch.

“Whereas if it were a public service, you would have a pattern agreement, and there wouldn’t be disputes across multiple communities around different provisions and wage rates.” 

Finch said the union is committed to faithfully implementing the terms of the new collective agreement, acknowledging the importance of having a resolution in place. 

Ready’s recommendations will be incorporated into the new collective agreement, set to run until March 31, 2028, taking effect retroactively as of April 1, 2024.

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A brand of jarred anchovies has been recalled in British Columbia and multiple other provinces.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said the Vicente Marino brand anchovy fillets in olive oil are being recalled due to histamine. 

The anchovies were distributed in B.C., Alberta, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and possibly other regions.

The CFIA’s website said high levels of histamine in fish can cause an allergic-type reaction known as scombroid poisoning. Symptoms can include burning throat, diarrhea, dizziness, facial swelling, headache, vomiting and peppery taste in mouth.

It states food contaminated with high levels of histamine may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick.

The CFIA said the recall was triggered by the company, and that there were reported reactions to the product among some consumers. 

The agency said the recalled product should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased.

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Garbage caught fire inside a garbage truck near the Tyhee Market in Telkwa this afternoon. (Friday)

According to the Telkwa Fire Department, it happened at 1:20 with two engines and a command unit responding.

No injuries were reported and crews returned to the hall about an hour and a half later.

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The Quesnel RCMP are investigating a collision on Blackwater Road that has claimed the life of one man.

Police say an officer on patrol along Blackwater Road near Mitchell Road in Quesnel located an SUV that was on its roof, at approximately 1:48 this afternoon [Friday, July 4].

RCMP found a 61-year-old man unconscious in the driver’s seat of the SUV. Police and paramedics on the scene attempted life-saving measures, but the man tragically succumbed to his injuries, and police were unable to resuscitate him.

“The Quesnel RCMP are investigating the cause of this collision at this time,” said Corporal Rob Belanger.

The road was closed for a short period of time, but has sine been reopened.

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The province has funded new tech for Regional District of Nanaimo and Lantzville fire department. 

The 2025 Next Generation 911 funding program will give $100,000 to six RDN fire departments and $63,326 to Lantzville. The money will be used to purchase up to 15 Mobile Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) units for fire department vehicles. 

“This investment in Next Generation 911 technology will significantly improve the safety and efficiency of our fire services and provides firefighters with essential equipment to better respond to emergencies,” says Vanessa Craig, RDN board chair. 

Dashwood, Coombs-Hilliers, Errington, Nanoose, Extension, Cassidy-Waterloo and Lantzville Fire Rescue will all receive the new equipment, and it will be tailored to each department’s operational needs, according to a news release. 

The CAD units provide real-time incident information from dispatch centres to assist with things like property access, site safety, and mapping. 

“Emergency response is extremely vital to all Lantzville residents, and our council is pleased to be able to enhance the operation of the Lantzville Fire Rescue service made possible by this valuable financial assistance from the province. The partnership with the Regional District of Nanaimo further enhances the capability of our emergency services by ensuring regional coordination and communication in the event of an emergency and avoiding duplication of similar programs,” says Mark Swain, mayor of the District of Lantzville. 

The RDN will administer the grant and coordinate the distribution of the equipment to the fire departments on behalf of both jurisdictions.

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