Water levels on the Chemainus River are high following heavy rainfall, prompting a high water level advisory.
The advisory follows a weekend of heavy rain that led to a flood watch for parts of eastern and central Vancouver Island. The B.C. River Forecast Centre said warming temperatures are contributing to rising water levels and localized overflow in streams and rivers.
“There’s potential for rising water levels on roads and riverbanks,” the centre said.
Emergency Management Cowichan said elevated water levels can result in flooding, environmental contamination and public health risks, including contaminated drinking water.
The agency advised residents to stay clear of rivers, valleys and low-lying areas, use caution on flooded roads and avoid affected areas if possible.
It also encouraged people to have a plan to check on anyone living in impacted areas and to follow the direction of local authorities.
The advisory will remain in effect until water levels recede.
Affected areas include Chemainus, Crofton, Westholme and the Sicker area. Emergency Management Cowichan said it will provide another update at 1 p.m.
According to Smithers RCMP, officers responded at about 6:30 which involved a semi-truck, pickup truck, and a snowmobile near Blue Jay Road.
Police say the semi was traveling east when the driver noticed an obstruction, two people pushing a snowmobile on the highway, pulling over and activating hazard lights.
Officers add the pickup was following behind and attempted to pass, instead colliding with the obstruction.
The two individuals associated with the snowmobile were taken to hospital for assessment.
Mounties added the snowmobile was driven onto the highway and got stuck while attempting to cross.
The snowmobile driver was issued a ticket for operating without a valid drivers license and without a number plate.
The pickup driver was issued a ticket for unsafe passing.
“Traffic-related complaints continue to be the most common call for service received by Smithers RCMP,” said Acting Sergeant Lewis Stryde.
“Incidents such as this highlight the significant time required to respond to traffic safety concerns, which can limit officers’ availability for other duties.”
Police are reminding off-road vehicle operators that highways are not designated crossings for snowmobiles.
Wildlife officials have confirmed a new case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a white-tailed deer near Jaffray in the Kootenay region, making it the ninth confirmed case of CWD in B.C.
Hunters are being asked to continue submitting samples to help keep track and contain the disease.
The infected animal was identified through routine testing of animals harvested by hunters in B.C.’s CWD control zone in the Kootenay region.
Chronic wasting disease is a fatal illness that affects species in the deer family, such as elk, moose, caribou, and deer. The neurological disease can threaten long-term wildlife populations and ecosystem health.
The province is working alongside Indigenous communities, hunters, local and federal governments, as well as conservation groups to monitor CWD cases and prevent further spread.
Efforts from those involved include enhanced surveillance and testing, controlled hunts targeting affected areas, continued communication with partners, and public education about safe handling, transport and testing of harvested animals.
Hunters play a key role in the control efforts, as understanding where the disease is present is crucial. Hunters are encouraged to participate in special hunts within the control zone, and those outside the zone can submit samples voluntarily to boost early detection.
Samples supporting early detection help inform those working to contain the disease and improve response efforts.
There is currently no direct evidence showing the disease spreads to humans, but health officials recommend that people do not consume meat from animals that test positive for CWD.
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Weekend bus service in Prince George is getting a bit of a facelift.
According to the province, Routes 5 and 15 connecting the downtown to places like the Pine Centre Mall and UNBC are getting more service hours.
In addition, service is also being expanded to Routes 88 and 89 between College Heights and the Hart Centre Mall.
“As of January 5th, people in Prince George have more convenient and reliable weekend transit options,” said George Anderson, parliamentary secretary for transit.
“By expanding service hours on key routes, we’re making it easier for people to travel across the city, connect with their communities and access the services they rely on.”
To support increasing ridership and convenient transit service for people throughout the province, BC Transit and the province are partnering with the City of Prince George on key routes expansions.
Since 2017, the ministry has increased the provincial operating grant to BC Transit by approximately 70%, supporting service levels throughout the province.
Residents of Williams Lake are invited to a public meeting on the redevelopment of the skate park.
Comments from the last meeting, held in May, through surveys and after some
geo-techinical tasks, the team made up of the City of Williams Lake and a group of passionate skateboarding/BMXing individuals, has developed 3 designs for review by the public.
“All three designs have streetscape, transitions, rails, banks and rolls.” Director of Community Services Stacey Miranda said, “The inclusion of color, variety of skill and types of wheels, roller blade, scooter, skateboard, and bike, all have a space for fun.”
Miranda said assisting with public consultation and design is Newline Skate parks, an internationally renowned full-service municipal skate park design and construction team.
An online survey will also be available from January 13 to 28 for residents to give their feedback on the three design concepts being proposed.
The public meeting on the redevelopment of the skate park will be held tomorrow (January 13) evening from 6 to 7 in the Gibraltar Room at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.
Whether it was a mini-line brawl or a brief third period comeback, the Prince George Cougars showed some vital signs against the WHL’s top team.
Unfortunately, the next opportunity to deposit two points into the bank will have to wait until Friday at the earliest.
Kayd Ruedig’s point shot with 10:00 minutes remaining in the third period proved to be the dagger as the Everett Silvertips outlasted the Cougars by a 6-4 score in front of 3,692 fans at CN Centre on a Sunday afternoon.
The heart-wrenching defeat extended the Cougars winless skid to seven games (0-6-1-0) as well as a 1-7-2 mark in their last ten outings.
“I liked our game a lot better tonight. We fought better in the third, we didn’t sit back and it was a real aggressive game. When you are in a slump or a losing streak you must do different things – we did positive things tonight even though we didn’t get out of it.”
“We just have to keep pushing that same way,” said Mark Lamb, Cougars head coach and general post-game to MyPGNow.com.
The temperature of the hard-fought contest started to percolate after a hit on star PG forward Terik Parascak inside the Everett blueline drew a crowd in the first period.
Then in the second, a questionable check in front of the Silvertips bench by Clarke Schaeffer on Cougars defenseman Carson Carels allowed everyone on the ice to grab a dance partner.
When the music stopped, the officiating crew penalized Everett’s Lukas Kaplan (10-minute misconduct), Brek Liske (roughing minor) and Schaeffer (fighting major).
Arsenii Anisimov (cross-checking and fighting), Jett Lajoie (roughing) and Kayden Lemire (10-minute misconduct) were the guilty parties for PG.
A Kooper Gizwoski one-timer on the power-play made it 1-0 Cougars after 20 minutes, but the Silvertips methodically sliced and diced their way through the CN Centre ice shortly afterwards.
Matias Vanhanen capitalized on a Ruedig feed at 3:28 of the second period to even the score at 1-1.
Five minutes later, 16-year-old blueline sensation Landon Dupont sniped a point shot that beat Cougars netminder Josh Ravensbergen putting Everett in the driver’s seat.
The pain went from bad to worse for the struggling Cougars as super-pest Jaxsin Vaughan batted an airborne puck out of the air and into the yawning cage, giving the Tips a two-goal spread.
Left with little choice but to soldier on, the Cougars put their work boots on and dug themselves out of a few holes in the third period.
Lajoie lit the first spark on the power-play deflecting a Kaeson Fisher point shot past opposing goalie Raiden LeGall.
Fisher was acquired from the Silvertips during the WHL Trade Deadline this week and was previously starring with the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Winkler Flyers.
After a defensive breakdown, Rhys Jamieson restored Everett’s two goal edge with a hard wrist shot that Ravensbergen had no chance on.
PG refused to go away quietly as it was the secondary scoring that came through in the clutch. Riley Ashe buried a juicy rebound courtesy of a Townes Kozicky pass to make it 4-3.
Gizowski added his second of the contest on the man-advantage bring the home side back on to even terms.
Vaughan added an empty netter, also his second of the contest, to seal the weekend sweep for the Silvertips.
As the final buzzer sounded, Everett (31-5-2-1) outshot Prince George 34-25. One bright spot for the Cougars was a 3-for-5 showing on the power-play while the Tips went just 1-for-5.
PG (23-16-2-0) is seven points back of the Penticton Vees (24-9-4-3) for top spot in the B.C. Division – Penticton has a game in hand.
Due to the Cougars’ recent struggles, the Western Conference has suddenly become much tighter. A mere eight points separate third from ninth in the standings.
“That’s what happens when you lose seven in a row. We aren’t moving and other teams are moving. We aren’t out of the woods yet; we never thought that we were even before this thing started – that is not how we think. We are in this thing right now and we must get out of it.” added Lamb.
The Cougars are off until Friday when they begin a quick three-game road swing in Kamloops against the high-flying Blazers.
“What matters is we need to get practice, and we need to get rest. We have had one practice since before Christmas and when you look at our team right now, we are a team that gets up and down the ice, and we are not getting up and down the ice. We are short a quart – we had a lot of sickness, and we don’t have our skating legs and then only place to find that is in practice,” added Lamb.
Puck drop is at 7pm from Sandman Centre.
Brother versus Brother
The battle of the siblings went to Jaxsin Vaughn, who was matched up with his brother Corbin.
Jaxsin and Corbin Vaughan take a pre-game photo before facing off in PG. Photo credit James Doyle/PG Cougars
After a few hard crunches into the boards by his equally as physically twin sibling, the 19-year-old from Merritt, showed little brotherly love on the score board with a pair of goals on the scoresheet Sunday.
Everett has 15 players with double-digit points as the team’s depth shined bright in the big moments.
“We are a deep team up front and on the back end now that we made a couple of moves and we have faith in everyone here and we believe in each other. What makes us so successful is the belief we have in the room. We are tight,” Vaughan said to MyPGNow.com
Jaxsin and Corbin broke into the WHL with the Regina Pats in the 2022-23 season before getting dealt separately last winter.
Now, playing in the same conference, 12 hours apart, getting matched up against each other took some getting used to.
“It’s still weird for me for sure. I don’t take it any easier on him, but it is weird seeing the last name and a familiar face,” said Jaxsin.
The Merritt B.C. native has 12 goals and 19 points this season with Everett while brother Corbin has 11 points in 33 outings in a PG uniform.
The Next One?
Prince George hockey fans also got a glimpse into the 2027 NHL Draft Class locking eyes with star Silvertips defenseman Landon Dupont.
After receiving exceptional status to play full-time last season as a 15-year-old, the Calgary product is picking up right where he left off with 32 points in 34 games so far in 2025-26.
Silvertips star blueliner Landon Dupont. Photo credit James Doyle/PG Cougars
Dupont had an astounding 60-point campaign as an under-ager, which included 17 goals and 43 assists.
The son of Kamloops Blazers alumni Micki Dupont had no shortage of expectations coming out of the Calgary-based Edge Academy.
To get away from all the outside noise, Landon always circles back to his love for the game.
“I always think about why I play hockey. It is a fun sport and adding that pressure on me and any other player makes it harder on yourself and less fun as well. I like to play the game I love and enjoy it with my teammates.”
Having a front row seat to what it takes to become a pro, the 16-year-old noted staying hungry and wanting to be better for each, and every game was instilled in him from a young age.
“He knows what it’s like to be in the Western league and try and get out to the next level and adding things to my toolbox will help me get to the next level.”
“He just said give it your all and everything you’ve got. The biggest thing he taught me was if you are going to do something, do it to the best of your ability that is probably the one that has stuck with me the most.”
Micki had a decorated pro career winning the Spengler Cup in 2006 with Berlin of the DEL, Germany’s top pro league.
He was also a two-team league champion with Berlin where he spent seven seasons. Micki went to Switzerland for seven years suiting up for EV Zug and the Kloten Flyers.
The 45-year-old spent time in the American Hockey League with the Saint John Flames, Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins and the Peoria Rivermen, capturing the Calder Cup on one occasion (2000-01).
He played in 23 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues.
Micki’s best season with the Blazers was in 1999-00, which led him to be named both the CHL and WHL Defenseman of the Year.
He led all blueliners with 26 goals and 62 assists.
The 4 new Cougars (Dawson Seitz, Koy Funk, Tyrone Sobry and Kaeson Fisher) that were acquired at the WHL trade deadline last week all made their P.G. debut on the weekend.
A full list of the WHL trades just prior to the Thursday 5 PM deadline can be found here.
The (23-16-2) Cougars play 12 of their next 13 games against B.C. Division opposition.
They visit Kamloops Friday, Kelowna Saturday and Vancouver Sunday before hosting Vancouver on January 23rd and 24th.
Prince George is second in the B.C. Division, seven points behind the (24-9-4-3) Penticton Vees.
The PG Cougars regular season schedule and results are here.
The (18-13-1) Spruce Kings do not play their next league games until January 23rd in Victoria and the 24th in Alberni Valley (with their next home game on January 30th against Surrey).
Prince George is 2nd in the Coastal East Division, four points behind the (20-9-1) Coquitlam Express and and three points ahead of (17-16) Langley.
The Spruce Kings regular season schedule and results are here.
NHL: (5 games on Sunday with 1 Canadian team in action)
Winnipeg 4 New Jersey 3
The (16-23-5) Vancouver Canucks, who have lost their last six, continue a six-game road trip tonight (4:30 PT) in Montreal against the (25-14-6) Canadiens.
It is one of nine Monday games in the NHL.
The Canucks are last in the NHL overall standings, and sit 11 points out of a playoff spot.
One person is dead following a fatal crash Saturday Jan. 10, on the 1200 block of Highway 1, south of Mill Bay.
Shawnigan Lake RCMP say two vehicles collided head-on, sending one vehicle down an embankment. The other vehicle became engulfed in flames.
At least four people were involved in the crash. The conditions of the three survivors have not been confirmed.
B.C. Highway Patrol has been deployed to assist with the ongoing investigation.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dash-cam footage and has not yet spoken with police is asked to contact Shawnigan Lake RCMP’s non-emergency line at 250-743-5514.
A series of atmospheric rivers is predicted to hit the eastern and central side of Vancouver Island, and according to the B-C River Forecast Centre could play havoc with streams and infrastructure.
A flood watch is expected to last into tomorrow, and with temperatures warming up, the centre says there’s the potential for rising water levels on roads and in riverbanks.
Everyone is being urged to stay away from streams and exercise caution as the system moves through the area, and to have a flood plan in place should the situation escalate.
For more information, visit the BC River Forecast Centre’s website.
The BC Highway Patrol’s 2025 Winter Impaired Driving Campaign saw an overall decrease in the number of impaired drivers stopped, but that wasn’t the case the North.
According to the BC Highway Patrol, a total of 240 drivers were removed from BC roads last month, down from 267 in December 2024.
64 prohibitions were handed out in Northern BC in December 2025, 12 more than in the same month in 2024.
“We shouldn’t read too much into number changes from 2024, because different weather conditions and staffing from year-to-year are major factors,” said Inspector Adam Tallboy with BC Highway Patrol.
“We are encouraged by some of the lower impaired numbers in Central BC, but the increase in northern BC is concerning. Overall, BC Drivers still need to do a better job of driving sober.”
The annual Winter Impaired Driving Campaign is a province-wide effort conceived by the BC Association of Chiefs of Police. Detachments across the Country use extra check stops, patrols, and other enhanced enforcement techniques to support National Impaired Driving Prevention Month.
At tomorrow’s (Monday) meeting, Council will discuss rescinding the third reading to allow for an amendment regarding properties that are not connected to the stormwater system, or do not benefit from it.
Some of these properties would be exempt from under these amendments.
“The City will use a combination of its Geographical Information System (GIS), orthophotos (aerial photos), and site inspections to determine which properties fall under Section 6 Exempt Properties, prior to to January 1, 2027,” a staff report to Council states.
Other items to be discussed at tomorrow’s meeting includes a year-in-review report from the RCMP, and procedures for the disposal of community assets.
The Prince George Spruce Kings are headed into their All-Star break with a weekend sweep under their belts.
Ryder Green stopped all 23 shots he faced in a 4-0 Spruce Kings win over the Langley Rivermen.
Marcus Lougheed opened the scoring early, much to the delight of the 949 fans at Kopar Memorial Arena.
Spencer Master and Michael Denney extended the lead in the second period with powerplay goals, while Tai Ushio added an even strength marker in the third.
The Spruce Kings (18-13-1-0) are second in the BCHL’s Coastal East Division.
The New Year’s woes continue for the Prince George Cougars, as they dropped their sixth straight, 4-1 to the Everett Silvertips Saturday night.
“We’re always concerned when we don’t win, and right now it’s unknown territory for a lot of guys in the dressing room that haven’t been through this before,” said Cougars Head Coach and GM Mark Lamb on the post-game show on 94.3 the Goat.
“We have to play better, you can see that you’re losing confidence, losing that will, and you just get tentative out there, and we’ve got to throw that in the garbage.”
The Cougars got on the board first with a signature Kooper Gizowski powerplay goal.
From the second period on, it was all Everett, with the Tips scoring a pair of powerplay goals in the second.
“I really liked the start and our first period, and then the second period, you take three penalties in a row against a team like that, it’s going to put you in big trouble, and that’s exactly what it did,” Lamb said.
“In the third period, I thought we were way too tentative, I thought we gave them way too much respect, we weren’t connected, we were kind of running into each other, our passes were, some of the chances we did have, we were bobbling it, we were just a little off and I didn’t think we had a lot of energy and emotion, we were just kind of sitting back watching.”
Kayd Reudig scored an insurance marker in the third, and Zackary Shantz added an empty netter in the final minute.
Josh Ravensbergen held the Cougars in it, making 40 saves on the night.
“He was unreal, had nothing to do with Josh, he did his job,” Lamb said.
“We couldn’t get the puck out, we made some pretty easy passes, pretty easy plays, we made really hard.”
Stellar communications lead Marcus Gurske said the loss had a profound impact on both the company and its ownership group.
“After much deliberation with our owners and our partners, given the traumatic event we had earlier in 2025, losing Jason Rempel, it was just very difficult, given the family dynamics and the business environment, to continue on in the ownership role that we had.”
He said Stellar was not actively looking to sell and initially planned to continue operating under its existing ownership structure.
However, internal conversations about the company’s future led to discussions with Heli.
“When we started having the discussions about the future without Jason at the helm of Stellar Heliskiing, we were not looking to sell,” Gurske said.
“We did not advertise the sale, we had several people approach us and we rebuffed any offers. But as we kept going through the process of having conversations about what the future looks like, Heli kept engaging with us.”
Gurske said the decision ultimately came down to finding a partner capable of preserving the values Rempel had built the company on, including its strong ties to Kaslo.
“This past year has been very challenging given the loss of Jason. It’s not easy to replace that energy he brought to the table and the work ethic that every day was displayed in the leadership.
And given the strain on the family and partners, we felt that now was the best time to move forward and we feel that Heli is best suited to carry forward the vision of Jason and his wife Kerry and the partners into the future.”
Gurske said Heli’s previous acquisitions, including Great Canadian Heli-Skiing and Mustang Powder Cat Skiing, also played a role in the decision.
“Having a look at how those transactions have gone and having engaged with those previous ownership groups of those two operations, we felt that their commitment to those communities where those two operations operate was very much aligned with who we were in Kaslo,” Gurske said.
Stellar’s reputation has long been built on small-group boutique heliskiing experiences in the Selkirk and Purcell mountains.
Gurske said that approach will remain unchanged.
“Everything is business as usual. No significant changes will be made in the foreseeable future. There will be no layoffs or reduction in workforce. If anything, we’re hoping this will be an opportunity to energize the business going forward and grow it even more.”
This year will run as a joint operating year, with the Heli team working alongside Stellar to build a productive working relationship.
The Kaslo Hotel, which Stellar acquired in 2022, is also included in the sale. The hotel was originally built in 1896 and underwent a full renovation in 2009.
Gurske said the company believes the transition will bring benefits to the region as a whole.
“We feel it’s very important to be part of the community where we operate and support our community,” Gurske said.
“We feel very strongly that Heli will continue the tradition that we have laid as far as supporting our community, our community engagement and our community efforts for the betterment of the entire region.”
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Thirteen public libraries in the Columbia Basin are receiving over $990,000 from the Columbia Basin Trust for projects to improve accessibility for people with diverse abilities.
The funding will support accessibility upgrades in Kootenay libraries such as adaptive furniture, computer equipment, tactile signage, and digital tools. While also improving infrastructure, including ramps, automatic doors, and better building design.
Invermere Public Library works to create a welcoming environment by adding inclusive tools such as children’s books that combine print with audio, noise-cancelling headphones, and a scanning pen that translates text to help reduce language barriers. The upgrades for Invermere Public Library will cost $26,400.
“By investing in tools that are practical and beneficial, this project helps us maintain the library as a place for everyone to gather, learn and connect. It will allow us to better serve autistic and other neurodiverse youth, expand virtual resources for those who cannot always leave home, and support seniors experiencing cognitive decline.” said Blair McFarlane, Invermere Public Library Director.
Beaver Valley Public Libraries accessibility upgrades include purchasing dyslexia-friendly books, installing automatic doors and widening doorways, along with improving access to its online catalogue through new desk and computer equipment.
“The importance of this project lies in our mission statement—to enhance the experiences and development of our community—and we can do this more fully when our environment and services meet the needs of our diversely abled community members. We want our library to provide a seamless experience for everyone we serve.” said Sally Whitman, Director of Beaver Valley Public Library.
Additional upgrades are planned in libraries in Cranbrook, Kimberley, Elkford, Fernie, Sparwood, Trail, Rossland, Revelstoke, Salmo, Castlegar and Nakusp, bringing the total funding from Columbia Basin Trust to $991,600.
The funding is provided through the Basin READS program, which focuses on making public libraries more accessible and comfortable for those with disabilities.
School District 57 Trustees will be having their first meeting of 2026 on Tuesday, with one of the topics regarding student athletics.
A motion put forward by Trustee Cory Antrim would look to help ease financial and logistical barriers secondary school students may face when participating in extracurricular athletics.
It would have staff determine how the creation of a special fund for secondary school athletics could be best structured and utilized to improve access to extracurricular school sports.
The motion also asks for a report outlining the recommended total funding amount for the upcoming budget cycle that fits within the district’s financial framework and can serve as a starting point for the fund.
The report should be presented in time to inform the upcoming 2026-27 budget.
The upcoming public board meeting agenda can be found here.
Prince George is getting a warm start to 2026 thanks to an air mass originating from the tropics.
While the city won’t exactly get tropical temperatures, people can expect to see daytime highs sit between 15 to 17 degrees above seasonal, which at this time of year is minus 6.
Environment Canada Meteorologist Dave Wray said we could see temperatures get as high as 9 degrees.
“It’s looking like we peak out at our temperatures Monday and Tuesday, possibly into Wednesday, and then they will start to slowly come down as we get to the latter part of this coming week.”
This week will also have the potential for a temperature record being broken on either Monday or Tuesday, with records between 9 to 11 degrees.
Wray notes those temperatures look to remain above normal until January 19th or 20th.
More information on the forecast can be found on Environment Canada’s website here.
The River Forecast Centre has issued a flood watch for Northern Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.
According to a media release, localized high flows are expected due to heavy rainfalls and rain-on-snow melt runoffs throughout the coastal region, with peak river levels expected to rise today and tomorrow.
Flows are expected to hit record highs and may have significant effects on infrastructure.
“Flows may reach or exceed five-to-10-year flows in areas under flood watch, and two-to-five-year flows in other areas,” said the release. “Expected impacts include the potential for road washouts, localized flooding, overbank flows, swift water hazards and landslides.”
Environment and Climate Change Canada are advising everyone to stay away from riverbanks, and not to drive through flooded roads or washouts.
The River Forecast Centre will continue to monitor the situation, and travelers are asked to monitor DriveBC.ca for any closures.
The watch is in effect for Northern Vancouver Island, Western Vancouver Island, Sunshine Coast, Howe Sound, and the North Shore Mountains.
The Municipality of North Cowichan is asking the province to reconsider and collaborate with local governments.
According to mayor Rob Douglas, the Professional Reliance Act (Bill M-216) is a private member bill that was introduced to speed up housing development approvals by having municipalities accept technical submissions by industry professionals.
But in an open letter to the minister of housing and municipal affairs Christine Boyle, Douglas said the Professional Reliance Act (bill M-216) puts significant restraint on how municipalities not only do their job, but also how they interpret.
“This approach would significantly constrain municipal discretion in interpreting local bylaws where professional judgement is required, validating compliance with development permits guidelines, integrating planning, engineering, transportation, and environmental considerations,” said Douglas. “Bill M-216 would remove the ability to validate the context and compliance, even where municipal staff identify omissions, inappropriate assumptions, or local constraints no reflected in submissions.”
He adds there are several issues with the way the bill is worded and is worried the bill wouldn’t help municipalities and instead it would hurt them.
“We’re worried it could slow down development approvals,” said Douglas. “As it works now, the applicant will submit various studies to support the application, and in many cases revisions are needed, but under this Bill we’d lose that power.”
He said other worries he has is around liability around projects, and this bill could put the municipality and other regions at risk.
“We’re concerned that despite the way the legislation is framed that we could be exposed to significant risk if a problem arose from the technical submission,” said Douglas. “This would also de-regulate a core element allowing us to undertake our own review.”
Other concerns the municipality has about the act are environmental protection and land knowledge and dispute resolution.
A few Cariboo markets have made it to the long list of nominees for awards.
Over 18 different Farmers’ Markets, farms, community organizations, and individuals have been nominated across the 2025 BC Farmers’ Market Awards longlist.
The Williams Lake Farmers’ Market and the South Cariboo Farmers’ Market have been nominated for the best in the Medium Farmers’ Market category.
Quesnel’s Crumb & Get It has been nominated in the Most Outstanding Community Impact – Non-Farm Vendor category.
Heather Balaam for the South Cariboo Farmers’ Market was nominated for the Most Outstanding Community Impact – Market Manager.
The award winners will be announced during this year’s BC Farmers’ Market Conference, held in March 2026.
UNBC is joining communities, governments, and other academic partners on the impacts of large-scale wolf removal in the north.
To help with the study, researchers are using carcases collected over the past 15 years to study wolves’ diet, what diseases they carry, and their DNA.
Ecosystem Science and Management Associate Professor Dr. Jamie Gorrell said when trying to protect the caribou, they don’t want to do irreversible damage to the wolf population.
“The idea is to study how would control programs actually change wolf behaviour, ecology, and even individual health.”
“We’re using all these factors to study the population as a whole, but we’re working closely with the communities in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut to make sure that we can maintain ecologic resilient wolf populations into the future.”
Gorrell said they will be bringing in students to teach and help analyze the samples collected over the next three years.
The goal is to gather as much data to give to northern communities so they have a better understanding of the wolf ecology in their respective region, and more evidence based management.
Along with the Northwest Territories and Nunavut where the research is based, Gorrell is also working with researchers with the University of Saskatchewan.
More information can be found on UNBC’s website here.
Impaired driving enforcement by B.C. Highway Patrol led to fewer drivers being removed from the road in the Kootenay region during the 2025 Winter Impaired Driving Campaign.
Officers issued 27 driving prohibitions across the region in December, down from 36 during the same month in 2024.
The Kootenay region, which encompasses communities such as Revelstoke, Nelson, Cranbrook, and Golden, was one of three areas in the province to experience a year-over-year decrease, alongside Central B.C. and the South Coast.
Insp. Adam Tallboy with B.C. Highway Patrol said the reduction is encouraging, though overall numbers remain too high.
“We are pleased to see fewer impaired drivers in some areas, including the Kootenays,” said Tallboy. “But impaired driving remains a threat to public safety, and the work is far from over.”
Across B.C., a total of 240 impaired driving prohibitions were issued by Highway Patrol officers in December 2025, compared with 267 in December 2024. That includes eight 24-hour drug prohibitions and 89 90-day alcohol-related suspensions.
The Kootenay region’s 25 per cent decline was among the steepest in the province. By contrast, Northern B.C. saw a notable increase, with 64 drivers taken off the road—up 12 from the year prior.
Tallboy said many factors can influence year-to-year changes in enforcement data, including staffing levels, weather conditions and road conditions.
Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS) remains a key part of police enforcement under the Criminal Code, allowing officers to demand a roadside breath test from any legally stopped driver.
“Driving on B.C. highways is a privilege that needs to be treated with the respect it deserves,” said Tallboy. “People who are impaired and endanger other road users will be removed from the highways.”
The Winter Impaired Driving Campaign is an annual initiative by the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police. It coincides with National Impaired Driving Prevention Month and includes enhanced check stops, targeted patrols and other road safety measures provincewide.
The Prince George Cougars can pick up their first win of 2026 as well as break their five game losing streak tonight (Saturday) , as they host the Everett Silvertips at 6:00.
The two teams will also play again tomorrow afternoon at 2:00.
The Silvertips have the top spot in the WHL standings, with the Cougars sitting at sixth overall.
The PG Cougars regular season schedule and results are here.
Oxygen Art Centre invites the public to attend the opening reception for porcelain like flesh and skin, flesh and skin like porcelain, a solo exhibition by Toronto-based artist Phuong Nguyen on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m.
The artist will be in attendance. Light refreshments provided. Everyone is welcome to attend. Join us in celebrating the artist and her solo exhibition as we kick off the 2026 programme.
Following the event, Nguyen’s exhibition will be on view at the artist-run centre from Jan. 14 to Mar. 14. The gallery will be open on Wednesdays to Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the exhibition run.
The artist’s fourth solo exhibition, Nyugen presents a series of new oil paintings with ornate wood-carved and ceramic frames and woven adornments.
The exhibition title, porcelain like flesh and skin, flesh and skin like porcelain, refers to the “undead” or a living yet dead person alongside stereotypes associated with feminine beauty. The artist is interested in troubling these stereotypes through material juxtaposition grounded by art historical references, specifically the Chinoiserie—the European interpretation and mimic of East Asian art and culture, predominantly in the eighteenth century.
Born and raised in Tkaronto (Toronto), Phuong Nguyen is a Tkaronto-based visual artist working in representational oil painting and experimental weaving. Nyugen travels to Nelson in early January to install new paintings for this exhibition and will be in attendance at the opening reception.
We welcome the public to join in celebrating the exhibition and the artist on Wednesday, Jan. 14 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for an opening reception of porcelain like flesh and skin, flesh and skin like porcelain.
Phuong Nguyen’s exhibition porcelain like flesh and skin, flesh and skin like porcelain will be on view at Oxygen Art Centre from Jan. 14 to Mar. 14. The gallery will be open on Wednesdays to Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. during exhibition run. Admission is free.
Oxygen Art Centre is located at #3-320 Vernon Street along the alleyway behind Baker Street in Nelson, British Columbia. More information about how to access the facility can be found on Oxygen’s website or by contacting [email protected].
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The District of Invermere is celebrating its 75th anniversary with the return of the Invermere Snowflake Festival on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.
The event will feature a handful of activities such as live music with ROCKINOMIX, ice carving, a fire performance at 7 p.m. and fireworks at 8 p.m., along with skating and curling on the lake, weather permitting.
A highlighted part of the event is the Downtown Invermere Snowflake Scavenger Hunt from Jan. 16 to Jan. 18.
Presented by the District of Invermere, the scavenger hunt is designed to encourage festival-goers to explore downtown, support local businesses and embrace the winter season.
Participants can find scavenger hunt forms at participating businesses, What’s Up Invermere Facebook, or Columbia Valley Centre. Residents and families can then go around downtown and write down the names of all the businesses where snowflakes are found.
Find at least ten snowflakes for an entry to win one of three $50 local gift certificates, and find all 16 snowflakes to earn a second entry.
Submit entries by Monday Jan. 19 by emailing completed forms to [email protected]Residents can also drop forms off at any of the participating businesses or the Columbia Valley Centre – Community Services Office.
It was an enjoyable Friday night for local hockey fans who were treated to a back-and-forth 6-4 victory for the Prince George Spruce Kings over the Langley Rivermen in front of 1,503 attendees at the Kopar Memorial Arena.
An intense forecheck hemmed blitzed the Rivermen into submission during the opening 20 minutes, leading to a trio of Spruce King goals.
Marcus Lougheed opened the festivities back, handing a loose puck past a sprawled-out Maverick Avent.
The cycle game continued to work like charm for PG who continued to have the Rivermen on their heels. Dracen Campbell blasted a point shot from inside the Langley blueline inside the post and into the net past Avent.
Evan Bellamy made it 3-0 Spruce Kings as he completed a wraparound try, tucking the puck inside the post.
Game over, right?
Not a chance.
Langley woke up from their pre-game nap and came out in an owly mood for the second period.
Frederic Deschenes squeezed a blooper past PG netminder Colin Reay, trimming the deficit to 3-1.
About a minute later, Mason Loewen restored the three-goal edge driving wide past a Rivermen defender, tucking the puck short side.
However, the visitors failed to go quietly, striking 1:04 apart. Parker Forlin’s wrist shot from outside the face-off dot past Reay to make it 4-2.
Hunter Curtis notched his 2nd of the BCHL campaign, blasting a one timer into the goal, trimming the Spruce Kings’ edge to a single goal.
Reay allowed three goals on 12 shots and was replaced by Ryder Green.
A high-sticking minor from Curtis gave the Spruce Kings fourth-rated power-play a golden opportunity they would cash in on.
Michael Denney ripped a slapshot over the glove of Avent.
To cap off the eventful second period, Christian Chouha squeaked one past Green, to keep the healthy home crowd on the edge of its seat heading into the third period.
Isaac Holt iced the victory for the Spruce Kings with a short-handed empty-netter with 20 seconds left in the third period.
Prince George outshot the Rivermen 42-27 and went 1-for-2 on the power-play while the Rivermen were 0-for-1.
The Spruce Kings (17-13-1-0) are a point up on Langley (17-15-0-0) for second place in the Coastal East Division.
Green made 14 saves on 15 shots in relief.
Prior to the game, the Spruce Kings held a moment of silence and a pre-game ceremony for local Indigenous figure head and UHNBC drummer Wesley Mitchell who passed away this week.
Both teams are back in action tonight (Saturday) at 6pm from the Kopar Memorial Arena.
British Columbia added 24,100 jobs overall in 2025, despite a loss of 3,300 in December.
Statistics Canada’s report released Friday shows B.C.’s employment rate in December was unchanged from the previous month at close to 61 per cent, while the unemployment rate was also steady at 6.4 per cent.
That remained lower than the national unemployment rate, which rose to 6.8 per cent last month.
Compared with December 2024, unemployment was up more than nine per cent in the province.
Women aged 25 and older saw the biggest rise in unemployment in B.C. over the past year, up 16.6 per cent.
The jobs report caps a year a difficult year for job-seekers in Canada. StatCan said there was virtually no net employment growth between January and August, but labour market conditions improved in the final months of the year.
The agency said it was a particularly tough year for youth under 25. The national youth unemployment rate reached a high of 14.7 per cent in September, declining to 13.3 per cent in December.
In B.C., the youth unemployment rate ticked up in December to 12.7 per cent, but was down five per cent compared with the same time last year.
Forests Minister Ravi Parmar released a statement Friday on behalf of Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon, who was travelling to India for next week’s trade mission with Premier David Eby.
“There’s no doubt that the trade shocks caused by U.S. President Donald Trump are real. But in 2025, British Columbians responded with strength,” said Parmar.
He said 16,800 of the jobs added in B.C. last year were in construction.
“This reflects our government’s commitment to building the schools, hospitals and transportation infrastructure that British Columbians rely on,” said Parmar.
He also noted B.C.’s unemployment rate remained the third-lowest in Canada last month.
B.C. Conservative jobs critic Gavin Dew pointed to growth in public sector jobs over the past year, which were up 7.6 per cent from December 2024, while natural resources jobs fell by more than 13 per cent.
“It’s concerning to see government jobs keep growing while the private-sector jobs that pay for them aren’t keeping up, especially in the resource sector,” said Dew in a statement.
The NDP government has restricted hiring at the BC Public Service over the past year as part of efforts to slash administrative costs, though the rules don’t apply to all public sector organizations.
Finance critic Peter Milobar said he believes the jobs numbers point to a concerning trend for growth in B.C.
“Without a proper plan by this government, we’re going to see a continuing softening of the economy in B.C.,” Milobar tells Vista News. He said that plan should include streamlined permitting and tax policies that attract investment.
The Prince George RCMP are renewing their call for information on the disappearance of now 38-year-old Billy-Jo Mindel.
Police say Mindel was reported missing on January 9, 2024, after not being seen or heard from since January 2 of that year.
At the time, family and friends stated this was unusual behaviour for her.
“We have received many tips from the public in the past two years, unfortunately none of which have provided us with a clear indication of what happened to Billy-Jo or where she was last known to be.” said Corporal Jennifer Cooper.
“Her family is deeply concerned for her well being and are appealing to anyone with information that could help us locate Billy-Jo to please come forward.”
She is described as:
Caucasian female
170 cm (5’7”)
10 kg (154 lb)
Blue eyes
Brown hair
Tattoo near right eye of her initials
Tattoo of a feather near left eye
Tattoo on her left hand of the words “family, hope, faith”
Tattoo on her right forearm of a scorpion
Tattoo on left side of neck – unknown image
Mounties note at the time of her disappearance, she was known to frequent downtown PG and was residing in a commercial dwelling unit on the 600-block of Dominion Street.
Anyone with information about Mindel’s disappearance or her whereabouts is asked to contact the Prince George RCMP non-emergency line at 250-561-3300.
A man was arrested on outstanding unendorsed warrants after Cranbrook RCMP executed a search warrant at a home on Friday, Jan. 9.
The warrant was carried out at a residence in the 3000 block of Hidden Valley Road by the RCMP General Investigation Section, with support from the Southeast District Emergency Response Team, the Southeast District Containment Team, Police Dog Service and a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System.
Police said the man was taken into custody without incident. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court.
Sgt. Graham Hartl said the incident was isolated and there is no ongoing risk to the public.
“While the execution of search warrants can be volatile, high-risk events, careful planning and the specialized support of the Southeast District ERT and the RCMP Critical Incident Program ensured this operation was completed safely and without incident,” said Hartl.
Police thanked residents for their cooperation during the law enforcement operation.
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Very mild but not record-breaking temperatures are in the forecast for the Cariboo.
Derek Lee, a Meteorologist with Environment Canada, says we will be well above zero on both Saturday and Sunday.
“The normal high this time of year it should be -4 and a low of -13. So when we’re seeing temperatures around 6 to 7 degrees and overnight lows just above zero at 2 or 3 degrees, it’s at least 10 to 15 degrees above normal for this time of year.”
Lee says the mild weather is expected right through Wednesday at this point.
We are unlikely to see any records fall however.
“To actually get records in the Cariboo for Quesnel and Williams Lake, I think we would have to be as high as 10 degrees. I think these temperatures forecasted over the next few days are not quite there yet but could it be in the top 5 ?
Lee says the record for tomorrow, January 10th, in Quesnel is 15 degrees from 1908, while the record for Williams Lake tomorrow is 9.1 degrees from 1986.
Everyone who played skated away a winner at a recent charity hockey game in the Lake City.
On Sunday January 4, members from the Williams Lake RCMP took to the ice to play the Williams Lake Fire Department.
The second annual “Guns N Hoses”, a fundraiser to help support the local chapter of KidSport, saw an even bigger crowd come out to watch than last year.
Organizer and KidSport volunteer, Officer Fraser Bjornson said they are hoping to continue this on as an annual tradition as it is a big fundraiser to help get kids 18 and under into playing sports.
Fraser Bjornson (left) and Rick Miller (right) Photo submitted
“Last year we had about 650 people come out to the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex and this year we sold over 800 tickets,” Bjornson said, “I don’t think we had quite 800 in the stands but it was getting pretty close. We ended up raising over $6500 thanks to community donations and everyone who came out to the game, we had a 50-50 raffle and puck toss.”
Bjornson noted they had plenty of volunteers who came out to help out the local KidSport committee to help make the game a reality.
“At this point we’re going to try to make this game better. We found, I think our niche and the best time of year to do it for the Guns n hoses game. We’re a hockey town so it’s hard to be able to get ice time sometimes. This game right after the New Year seems to work out pretty well so we’ll do our best to keep it consistent, do some upgrades on the game, make it more exciting, and draw more of a crowd, there’s already people who don’t want to miss it, they want to be there every year.”
Bjornson added first responders from both teams are pretty pumped to be involved with this.
“The firefighters are all from the Williams Lake area and the Forest Fire Service. The RCMP players are all coming from the Cariboo district, Alexis Creek, 100 Mile House, and Quesnel. The score at the end of the game was 6-2 for the Firefighters, I think the RCMP want to get it next year but at the end of the day they are all happy to be making this important fundraiser for KidSport happen.
KidSport sponsors kids families that are facing financial barriers to register them in sports.
“Locally we do $300 per kid per year,” Bjornson, “Last year alone our local Williams Lake KidSport ended up sponsoring close to $20,000 and that helped almost 100 kids get into sports who may not have been able to do that. We’re responsible as a local committee here in Williams Lake to gather a lot of those funds, some come from National contributions but we’re responsible to make sure that we are able to fill that gap and get kids who need that sponsorship have that money there so this game raises a good portion of our annual budget.”
Bjornson added we talk a lot about how this Guns N Hoses hockey games gets everyone excited but the important part is to remember why we’re doing it and that’s to get kids into sports.
The Regional District of Nanaimo is revisiting policy for people living in RVs.
An item at the Jan. 8 electoral area services committee recommended the regional district rescind resolutions from 2024 that halted bylaw enforcement for people living in RVs on private property in all areas except Gabriola Island. The motion was did not pass and the committee voted to allow city staff to create a rural housing strategy for 2026 for all electoral areas except Gabriola Island (area B) and Coombs, Whiskey Creek area (area F) and to develop a policy to use temporary use permits to regulate RV living.
Area F director Leanne Salter said she did not want her area included because she believed it would cause harm to people living in RVs, specifically if they are low-income.
RDN staff told the committee a temporary use permit can last up to three years and applications would go through the electoral service committee and be approved by the RDN board. The committee was told the application would likely cost about $800.
“People can’t afford to not live in RVS, that’s what’s happening,” Salter said before requesting area F be taken out of the motion. “What’s happening is desperation. People are living in poverty and so when we talk about $800 just for the permit, you just went over their monthly allowance. How do they pay $800 for that permit when they are a pensioner getting $600 a month? Or if they are on income assistance and they are getting a big $800 a month – that would be their entire cheque.”
Lisa Grant, general manager of development and emergency services for the RDN, said the temporary use permit would help provide safety and stability for people living in RVs.
“This gives a tool and an option for us to try to deal with that matter as opposed to moving them off the property and have a high likelihood of them ending up on road rights-of-way, having to try and continually move locations and other things so it gives that ability for is to better understand who is living where, to have first responders understand better what is happening – as well as give a level of stability to people living in those situations where they are not having to constantly move,” she said.
Area C director Lauren Melanson pointed out the pause in bylaw enforcement staff wanted to rescind already included exceptions for dwellings where there are safety concerns and asked specifically what the concerns were and how common they are.
Grant said staff do not have a means to do inspections and regulate things such as heating modifications that could cause harm. She said there were “a number of fires” last year involving RVs and a proper policy will make emergency response easier.
According to RDN staff, money to develop the housing strategy will come from provincial funding.
The committee’s motion for a housing strategy and temporary use permit policy will go to the RDN board for final approval.
In just under a month, Coldsnap 2026 will make its return to Prince George, along with its workshops and IceJams.
The free-to-attend events brings together various visiting artists, aspiring musicians and community members to talk about and enjoy different music.
“IceJams we consider more of a mini concert that features a visiting performer, where as a workshop could be a performance that features more of a Q&A about songwriting, or this year we have a workshop focused around vocal harmonies.” said Communications Manager and Producer Katherine Benny.
Benny added that after their move to a more condensed festival, they didn’t know what to expect, but the workshops became a big hit, seeing upwards of 50 people.
She expects this year to be no different.
The festival will see some new artists join, including JUNO winners Pharis and Jason Romero, with Linda McRae making a return.
Coldsnap, along with the workshops and IceJams kick off on Wednesday, February 4th, and continue until Sunday, February 8th.
More information about Coldsnap 2026 can be found here.
Local artists can apply to get an art piece funded that will brighten up the Lake City.
The Williams Lake Public Art Committee opened applications for the 2026 Public Art Grants funding earlier this week.
Painting of Farwell Canyon by Brandy Stecyk. [Photo provided by Downtown Williams Lake BIA]
This year’s grants will offer a total of up to $10,000, split between two grants: one of up to $5,000 grant provided by the City of Williams Lake and another of up to $5,000 grant provided by the Downtown Williams Lake Business Improvement Association(BIA).
Sherry Yonkman, the Executive Director of the Downtown Williams Lake BIA, says most of the art pieces that have been funded by the Public Art Grants have been murals, with many still able to be seen across the city.
“There’s an amazing thing that happens with murals, very few people put graffiti on a mural,” she says. “The mural itself protects the building, and it just stays beautiful all year round.”
Yonkman adds that there have been other pieces the Grants have funded, such as what Yonkman says is the first non-mural piece, a painting of Farwell Canyon by Brandy Stecyk in 2023 that is hanging in the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.
The Spirit Bear carving, by Spirit Carver Dean. [Photo provided by Downtown Williams Lake BIA]
Another non-mural piece funded is the Spirit Bear chainsaw carving in the Williams Lake and District Credit Union, which was carved by Spirit Carver Dean.
Yonkman says the grants are primarily awarded to local Cariboo artists, and each piece is tied to a local business owner.
“They [the artist] have to arrange the location of their project, and come to an agreement with the property owner that the piece will be available to the public, and that it will remain in place for at least 10 years.”
Since the Public Art Grants started to be given out in 2012, Yonkman believes that only one has actually been taken down by the building owner after the piece hit its 10-year mark. The rest are still up across the City, and give it a lively feel.
2025 was not a good year when it comes to the unemployment rate in the Cariboo region.
The year over year jobless rate was up in every single month compared to 2024.
Vinvent Ferrao, a Labour Market Analyst with Stats Canada, says that trend continued in December.
“The Cariboo region capped off the year with a rate of 8.1% If we compare it to a year ago at the same time, it’s been trending up, a year ago it was 6.1%.”
Ferrao says the main reason for last month’s increase was that more people were looking for work.
“This December there about 7,200 people unemployed, and a year ago there were a bit less, 5,300 people looking for work. There was no change in the level of employment.”
He says there were minor changes both ways when it comes to the different sectors.
“Basically offsetting changes. More people working on construction, wholesale and retail trade, but fewer people in educational services, natural resources, and accommodation and food services.
The national unemployment rate was 6.8 percent in December, up from 6.5 in November.
The RDEK is looking for ways to optimize rural transfer stations and is launching an online survey to get feedback.
The RDEK will be seeking feedback from the public on how the rural transfer stations are used and what services are important to those who use them.
“Our rural transfer station system has remained largely unchanged since it was first established over 20 years ago,” said General Manager of Operations Jamie Davies.
“Starting this project will give us an opportunity to take a look at all aspects of the system and optimize the transfer stations to better suit our residents.”
RDEK officials said there will be multiple opportunities for residents to give their feedback,
A public survey is set to launch on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
The RDEK currently runs 15 transfer stations around the region.
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The Prince George RCMP is continuing its investigation into a sexual assault case, after the previously identified suspects were not the ones they were looking for.
The incident took place on October 30th, 2025, at a residence in the city.
Police reiterated that this appeared to have been an isolated incident with no increased risk to the public.
They note that updates will be provided as they become available.
Original (Thursday, January 8th, 10:47 a.m.):
The Prince George RCMP are reaching out to the public in hopes of identifying two suspects potentially related to a sexual assault case.
The incident took place on October 30th, 2025, at a residence in the city, where police obtained video surveillance images of the suspects believed to be associated with a small white car and a small black SUV-type vehicle.
Corporal Jennifer Cooper said this is an isolated incident.
“While this is what we would consider to be a stranger sexual assault, these people weren’t previously known to one another.” said Corporal Jennifer Cooper.
“We do not believe there’s any increased risk to the general public.”
Cooper added they’ve released the images in hopes to also get information about the suspect’s whereabouts and further their investigation.
Due to the nature of the investigation, police say they will not be providing any further information.
A $3.6 million lighting upgrade project at the Smithers Airport is nearing completion.
The project is funded through the federal Airport Capitol Assistance Program, moving from incandescent lighting to LED.
“For one, it’s a way for us to modernize our airport infrastructure and continue to reinvest in our community,” said Airport Manager Trevin Muscat.
He added the new LED lights are brighter than the previous incandescent which are easier to see and helps to increase aircraft safety.
“A few years ago, some feasibility studies were conducted looking at some of the airport infrastructure including the electrical and lighting systems, and it was determined the existing systems though still operational, were getting outdated,” Muscat said.
Passenger impact has been limited through the upgrade with most of the work occurring around flights while still allowing medical aircraft to land.
Muscat said work has been on hold through the winter due to weather, will continue in the spring, and hopes for it to be complete by the summer.
A Cranbrook woman is facing at least 12 charges following a well-being check by police.
Cranbrook RCMP responded to a routine call on Dec. 27 after a woman was seen slumped over in the driver’s seat of a running vehicle in the Dollar Tree parking lot.
Officers spoke with the woman and found grounds to detain her on suspicion of having a controlled substance.
During the detention, police found a prohibited weapon in her jacket, and she was arrested.
A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of stolen property as well as a loaded, unregistered handgun.
(Supplied by Cranbrook RCMP)
Drugs were also found.
The woman has been charged with:
three counts of failure to comply with a probation order
one count of carrying a concealed weapon
one count of occupying a vehicle with a firearm
one count of possessing a loaded prohibited firearm
one count of careless use of a firearm
one count of possessing a prohibited firearm
two counts of possessing a prohibited device
two counts of possessing a firearm while prohibited
Police are waiting for lab results on the substances seized.
RCMP officials said charges related to possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking will likely be added.
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The District of Invermere is between a rock and a hard place when it comes to throwing large rocks onto the surface of Lake Windermere to test the ice.
The district is urging residents to cease throwing rocks, as the facilities and parks team said they freeze into the surface and create hazards for skaters, Nordic skiers, fishers and maintenance crews.
They don’t want anyone hitting a hidden rock at full speed.
The district is asking nicely to keep your rocks to yourself and peoples ankles intact.
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The Nelson Community Health Centre remains closed following water damage.
The damage occurred on Dec. 30. Interior Health (IH) said it currently does not have a confirmed date for re-opening.
Details on the extent of the damage have not been provided, though IH previously said it occurred on the third floor of the building and came from a cold water supply pipe between the third floor and the roof.
Water was observed by staff cascading down the floors below. The building was subsequently evacuated.
The Nelson Fairview Gardens long-term care facility was not directly impacted by the incident.
Services provided at the centre are being reestablished at alternate locations, including unused space at the Fairview Gardens facility.
Mental health and substance use services have been relocated to IH’s downtown Nelson location at 514 Vernon Street.
Other services normally provided out of the Health Centre include adult day services, public health, early childhood development, home and community care services, and environmental public health and licensing.
Interior Health said will continue to contact current clients, including those with scheduled appointments, directly.
Individuals who require new appointments or have questions related to any of these services should contact Interior Health at the following numbers:
Mental Health and Substance Use Services: 250-505-7248 or 310-MHSU (6478)
Call the general number at 250-505-7200 and select a specific service using the phone menu.
Additionally, individuals are asked to call the general number above to access new services.
Drop-ins, with the exception of mental health and substance use at the downtown location, are not currently available.
A warning that this story contains disturbing details.
A Creston man who admitted to possessing over 2,000 images and 300 videos of child pornography has been sentenced to 900 days in jail.
Jesse Stephen-David Wood pleaded guilty to transmitting and possession of child pornography between Jan. 30, 2023 and Jan. 30, 2024.
Provincial court judge Tyleen Underwood gave Wood 900 days on the transmission charge and 720 days on the possession charge, to be served concurrently. Underwood also credited Wood with 287 days already spent in custody at a rate of time and a half. That means he has another 469 days left on his sentence, the equivalent of a little over 15 months.
Wood was also sentenced to three years probation with extensive conditions, including not going near playgrounds, and not being in a relationship with anyone with kids under 16.
After his release, he will also be prohibited for 10 years from working in any position of trust or authority over anyone under 16, or communicating with anyone under 16, with a few exceptions. His access to the internet will also be severely restricted. He will further have to provide a DNA sample and be added to the sex offender registry for 20 years.
In sentencing today, Underwood said Wood was found with two cell phones on March 28, 2024 that contained images of sexual exploitation and assault involving children between the ages of less than one year and 10 years.
There were also multiple chat messages between Wood and people who identified themselves as youth, and messages between Wood and the parents of young children, from whom he requested nude pictures and communicated what he would do sexually to their children.
Underwood considered the number of images, the acts depicted, and the ages of those depicted to be aggravating factors.
As a mitigating factor, she cited Wood’s difficult upbringing. He was placed in foster care at the age of two due to domestic violence between his mother and stepfather, including violence directed at him. He was adopted at five by a single mother, but described his upbringing as “complete hell” and said his mother used humiliation as punishments and did not allow him to have friends or socialize.
According to Underwood’s judgement, Wood had significant behaviourial issues. He was bullied at school, and as an adult he moved frequently and had difficulty holding jobs for more than a few months. He has been diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety. He also has a history of substance abuse.
At the time of the offences, he had been living in Creston for three years. He had no prior criminal record and he entered an early guilty plea. However, he skipped a court appearance in October 2024. He was soon arrested in Kelowna. After being released, he missed another court date in November. He was arrested in Calgary five months later and his bail was subsequently denied.
Underwood said Wood, 45, has shown a “limited understanding” of how his behaviour has harmed children and has demonstrated a willingness to take treatment.
Wood appeared for his sentencing today by video link from jail, nodding occasionally, and replying “Yes” when asked if he understood the terms that he would have to abide by.
Wood originally faced three other counts related to child pornography, but the Crown entered a stay of proceedings at the conclusion of the sentencing hearing.
“The United States government feels it must be in control of the Western Hemisphere.”
That’s from UNBC political science professor Gary Wilson after ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife were arrested last week following a large strike and military operation.
Wilson told Vista Radio with American President Donald Trump announcing Venezuela will send upwards of 50-million barrels of oil, which will be sold at market price, the move could spell bad news for Canada’s oil sector.
“These prices are usually determined on an international markets but by allowing Venezuelan oil to enter the market where it was previously sanctioned that could drive the price of oil down, something Donald Trump is hoping will happen because that would lower the impacts of inflation in the United States.”
“In the case of Canadian oil, specifically taking it out of the oil sands, it’s much more expensive to extract that oil and sort of puts Canadian producers in a bit of a difficult situation. I mean, obviously our oil is a lot more expensive than the oil we get from Venezuela or the Middle East.”
Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves, estimated at 303 billion barrels as of 2023.
Maduro and his wife are facing charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy after being taken into custody in New York.
He adds it’s also part of the U.S. Security Strategy where other countries like Canada, Columbia and Greenland are in the political crosshairs.
“It also has implications for other parts of the Western Hemisphere. There have been discussions since the development in Venezuela about Cuba, about Columbia and even about Mexico, But, I think even here in Canada we should be very concerned about this sort of flexing of American muscles,” added Wilson.
He added the value of taking over such countries from an American point of view is both economic and strategic.
“It would mean having access to critical resources like oil and gas but also critical minerals, rare earth minerals, which can be found in Greenland. That is part of it – ensuring that the steady and controlled supply of those materials.”
“In the case of Venezuela, the Maduro government and Chavez government were a bit of a thorn in the side of the United States over a number of decades, in a similar way Cuba has been. These are socialist countries who are at odds with the United States. In the case of Venezuela, they had strong connections to Russia and China. The Americans in exerting their control of the Western Hemisphere are saying to Russia and China that this is our backyard and stay away from it. We will be in control of the resources.”
When asked if he has seen any type of president or world leader taking control of the Western Hemisphere, Wilson noted this type of hostile takeover hasn’t been done since the 19th Century.
President James Monroe introduced the Monroe Doctrine during his annual address to the U.S. Congress back in 1823.
He warned the European powers not to interfere in affairs of the Western Hemisphere.
However, American presidents like John F. Kennedy, did not adopt the Monroe Doctrine, but Trump revived it, favouring dominance and prioritizing trade over democratic values
“The United States has always been a very powerful country, there is no doubt about it compared to others in the Western Hemisphere but this is kind of a new level of manipulation and control over what is going on in the United States’ back yard.”
“The taking of Maduro is not exactly unprecedented. We can look back to the 1980’s where the Americans capture Manuel Noriega from Panama and brought him back to the United States, so this has happened before. What has not happened before, is where the United States has tried to control part of the territory in an ally called Denmark, a fellow NATO member.”
“If that happened, whether militarily or not, that would be unprecedented. If the Trump administration is willing to takeover Greenland, it’s one thing to take over a socialist-narco state like Venezuela and remove its leader to control the country but it’s another thing to attack a fellow NATO member and ally.” said Wilson.
“It becomes much easier to see the US exerting more control over Canada as we have seen. He has already laid down that root with the 51st State rhetoric. I don’t think that is going away – that will resurface at some point.”
The City of Cranbrook is updating its development cost charges and is seeking public input on how the municipality should manage future growth.
Development cost charges, or DCCs, are collected from developers and builders when new lots are created or buildings are constructed.
“What the DCCs are intended to do is to be used for future projects downstream from the impact out,” said Mayor Wayne Price.
“You have to increase the size when things like that happen and it’s put to the developer, because it’s not really fair to put that burden on the taxpayers across the board in the community.”
The hard balance to strike is that if DCCs are too high developers won’t build, but if they are too low it gets pushed back on the general tax payer.
That’s why the city is gathering input from residents and an online survey is open until Jan. 31.
The city is also having a virtual meeting with developers and builders on Jan. 22 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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RCMP in Cranbrook and Kimberley are asking for the public’s help in identifying suspects linked to two ongoing investigations.
On Dec. 27, 2025, around 4:20 a.m., CCTV footage captured several unidentified suspects in a stolen 2006 white Ford F-350 flat-deck pickup truck breaking into a local business on the 300 block of 317th Ave in Kimberley. The perpetrators stole a cash machine while causing damage to the building.
Shortly after the first incident, around 6:30 a.m., CCTV footage caught one suspect and the same stolen truck attempting to steal a John Deere front-end-loader from the 1800 block of Industrial Road 2 in Cranbrook.
The first suspect wore grey pants with white designs around the knees, a black sweater with a large red and black logo, black shoes and grey gloves.
The second suspect was a Caucasian male wearing a tan brown sweater, dark coloured charcoal/ black pants, with white shoes and black toque.
The third suspect wore all dark clothing, with a black winter jacket.
Police said the stolen truck used in the incidents has since been recovered.
Anyone with information related to the incidents or who can help identify the suspects is asked to call Cranbrook RCMP at 250-489-3471 or Kimberley RCMP at 250-427-4811.
A company is facing a hefty fine for numerous safety violations in connection with an accident at a Nanaimo construction site.
WorkSafeBC said Muchalat Projects Ltd. has been fined nearly $22,000 after attending a site where a double-door frame fell on a worker, who sustained fatal injuries.
An investigation report said the firm was installing heating, ventilation and air conditioning at a mixed-use construction site.
“WorkSafeBC’s investigation determined that the firm had not provided a site-specific orientation prior to beginning work nor had the worker been adequately supervised,” said WorkSafeBC’s penalty summary.
They added no documented hazard identification or risk assessment had been conducted on the day of the incident.
The firm also failed to provide its workers with information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety, which was a high-risk violation.
Families will have a variety of options when it comes to finding information on choice programs in Prince George.
A handful of elementary schools will be holding information sessions about its own choice programs including arts, Aboriginal, and French immersion that are scattered throughout the month.
District Parents Advisory Council (DPAC) Chair, Jamie Giede said their presentation gives families an opportunity to get that information in one day.
“For DPAC, we have all of the choice programs, and we’re doing it all as one.”
“If parents don’t want to go to each school, they can just come to our presentation at one night.”
Giede added that families are still able to attend the individual information sessions to see the other schools firsthand.
The presentation will be held in person at Van Bien Elementary on January 20th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
September 2026 Kindergarten registration begins January 28th for children whose fifth birthday falls on or before December 31st of this year.
Smithers RCMP is highlighting the importance of reporting theft-related crimes as part of Crime Stoppers Awareness Month.
Police said an increase in reports has been experienced in recent weeks and thank community members and businesses who have helped support public safety.
“We sometimes hear from community members that theft-related incidents are not reported because it feels like nothing happens afterward,” Mounties said in a release.
They added the frustration is understood and not every incident reported results in immediate visible outcomes to the public.
Police statistics and planning are based on reported incidents with those going unreported, impacting information used to reflect what is happening in the community.
“We use a range of investigative tools when responding to reported incidents. In some cases, this can include seeking public assistance to help identify individuals when other investigative steps have not been successful,” Officers said.
Mounties added theft-related incidents can be connected to a range of underlying challenges and support services are available locally for those struggling to meet basic needs.
Police are also reminding community members information about incidents can be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers in addition to reporting directly to the RCMP.
This weeks Summit Radio Pet of the Week is Tater Tot from the BC SPCA West Kootenay! He’s a gentle giant, and is a 2 year old male Great Pyrenees / Mountain dog cross who has lived with other dogs, cats, live stock, chickens and ducks. He can be selective with doggy friends at times and when other dogs react to him, he can also be reactive. A slow introduction with other dogs is therefore recommended. He is looking for loving family where he can be the farm guardian. If he sounds like your perfect match, learn more about adopting him here: https://adopt.spca.bc.ca/pets/788407/
The 2025 winter impaired driving campaign played out like Groundhog Day on Vancouver Island, according to RCMP.
The B.C. Highway Patrol said 53 impaired drivers were removed from Vancouver Island roads through December, the same total as the 2024 campaign.
Across the province, December’s campaign saw RCMP issue 240 driving prohibitions, 27 fewer than last year.
Police said northern B.C. had the most prohibitions, with 64 drivers taken off the road, an increase of 24 from 2024.
In a statement, RCMP said impaired driving in the province remains problematic.
“We shouldn’t read too much into number changes from 2024, because different weather conditions and staffing from year-to-year are major factors,” said Inspector Adam Tallboy with the B.C. Highway Patrol. “Overall, B.C. drivers still need to do a better job of driving sober.”
The Kootenay unemployment rate has increased dramatically.
Statistics Canada pegs the rate for December at 6.3 per cent, more than two times higher than December 2024 when the rate was three per cent.
The federal agency reports there were about 81,800 Kootenay residents with jobs last month.
That was a decrease of about 3,400 from December of last year, when there were about 85,200 people working.
Stats Can says the number of job seekers increased by around 2,900 in the last year.
According to the national number cruncher, there were about 5,500 people in the region trying to find work last month. The figure for December 2024 was about 2,600.
Nationally, the unemployment rate was 6.8 per cent. Employment rose among people aged 55 and older, while it fell among youth aged 15 to 24.
More people were working in health care and social assistance and personal and repair services while fewer people were employed in professional, scientific and technical services, accommodation and food services, and utilities.
Police in Prince George are on the hunt for dash cam footage after responding to a call on Highway 97 and Ferry Avenue.
On Sunday, December 28th, shortly before 10:30 a.m., the Prince George RCMP responded to a report of an individual, wearing dark clothing and a backpack, near the guard rail on the south side of the Simon Fraser Bridge.
Officers attended the location and the individual was no longer on scene.
Mounties conducted searches with the assistance of local firefighters, along with Prince George Search and Rescue however the individual was not located.
“It is unclear if the pedestrian was picked up by a vehicle or if they jumped over the side of the bridge. Currently we are looking to speak with any witnesses who were in the area between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. We are asking for anyone who was driving by during this time and has dash camera video that would have captured any movement on the bridge, to call the Prince George RCMP non-emergency line. Any information to help advance this investigation would be appreciated,” stated Cst. Jenna Moore.
Sixty-four motorists from the north were removed from provincial roads during a winter driving campaign last month.
According to the B.C. Highway Patrol, 240 drivers province-wide, were handed everything from 24-hour drug prohibitions (8 total) to 90-day alcohol prohibitions (89 total).
“We shouldn’t read too much into number changes from 2024, because different weather conditions and staffing from year-to-year are major factors,” said Inspector Adam Tallboy with BC Highway Patrol.
“We are encouraged by some of the lower impaired numbers in Central BC, but the increase in northern BC is concerning. Overall, BC drivers still need to do a better job of driving sober.”
Police add Mandatory Alcohol Screening continues to be a key tool for police efforts to remove impaired drivers from the road.
“A mandatory impaired driving breath demand can be made for any motorist,” said Inspector Tallboy.
“Driving on BC highways is a privilege that needs to be treated with the respect it deserves. People who are impaired and endanger other road-users will be removed from the highways.”
Here is a regional breakdown of the number of prohibitions:
Northern BC – 64
Vancouver Island – 53
Central B.C. – 50
Special Traffic Operations (Metro Vancouver, and around BC) – 33
Kootenay Region – 27
South Coast – 13 (Metro Vancouver, Sea to Sky, Fraser Valley)
The unemployment rate in Prince George dropped for the fourth consecutive month according to Stats Canada.
December’s Labour Force Survey revealed the local jobless mark came in at six percent – it was as high as 9.4 percent in September.
Analyst, Vince Ferrao stated the number of people working to end 2025, continued an upward trend.
“We had 53,000 people working. In November, we had 51,400, 49,600 in October, 48,300 in September and 48,100 in August.”
BC’s unemployment rate stayed at 6.4 percent for the second straight month – that ranks as the third-lowest among the provinces trailing Quebec (5.4%) and Manitoba (5.7%).
In Canada, the jobless mark moved up slightly to 6.8 percent after it was 6.5 in November.
A group of British Columbia and Washington State legislators say they’ve inked an agreement to work together on shared goals.
The agreement, signed in Vancouver on Thursday, will see the bilateral group meet at least once a year, with the first meeting scheduled for later in 2026.
A statement said the group aims to boost communication between the jurisdictions and “explore solutions to common challenges.”
“Washingtonians share deep historical, economic, ecological and cultural connections with the people of British Columbia. This interparliamentary group will serve to further those connections,” said Washington Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck.
B.C. Speaker Raj Chouhan will co-chair the group with Heck.
Rick Glumac, B.C.’s minister of state for AI and new technologies, said he and Heck first began discussing the formation of such a group years ago.
Washington state legislators authorized the cross-border group in 2024, and B.C. MLAs voted to establish it in October 2025.
Á’a:líya Warbus, MLA for Chilliwack–Cultus Lake, said the group will be important for border ridings like hers that share social, commercial and environmental concerns with Washington State.
The agreement comes as Washington State works to maintain a positive relationship with B.C., despite tensions between Canada and the Trump administration.
Data from the Whatcom Council of Governments show the volume of traffic at border crossings between B.C. and Washington State fell by 36 per cent in 2025 compared with the previous year.
In March, the U.S. government paused negotiations with Canada to update the Columbia River Treaty. The decades-old agreement allows for the joint management of the Columbia River, which spans B.C. and the northwestern United States.
Calls for better cross-border co-operation were renewed last month when floodwaters from Washington State’s Nooksack River spilled into the Fraser Valley, swamping farms, homes and highways.
The flooding came four years after the devastating floods of November 2021, when overflows from the Nooksack led to significant livestock losses and forced more than 3,300 people from their homes.
The Nelson Leafs are hitting the ice with a revamped lineup this weekend as they prepare for back-to-back games against the Castlegar Rebels.
A flurry of trades this week saw several key players leave the club, including captain and leading scorer Quinn Ramsay, who was dealt to the Kamloops Storm along with forward Cale Nachai. In return, Nelson acquired forwards Sean Milford and Jack Day, and offensive defenceman Emery Corpe.
“We moved some of the vets out, and it was tough moves because Ramsay and Nachai and McIntosh were just awesome Leafs, good people, but they also needed a chance to go for it,” said Dale Hladun, general manager of the Nelson Leafs.
On the same day, defenseman Jackson McIntosh was traded to Kelowna in exchange for forward Christian Stephanson, who has not yet reported to the team.
Despite the shakeup, Hladun said the Leafs are still aiming for the playoffs while laying the foundation for next season.
“Next year we’re going to be recognized as junior A, so let’s start the new culture now with the youth,” he said. “There’s new energy,they’re excited.”
Day, a former midget team captain, is expected to bring leadership and grit, while Corpe adds strength to the back end. Hladun said the new additions help balance out scoring lost with the departure of Ramsay and Nachai.
“We may have lost a couple of real impact players in Ramsay and Nachai, but I feel we’ve spread out our scoring depth a little bit with Day, Milford and Corpe.”
The Leafs also acquired forward Tye Matthews from the Creston Valley Thunder Cats in a deal made by Nicholas Petropolous, and added Aidan Ansell from the Chilliwack Jets for future considerations.
Chris Ugbaja, Connor Hovelkamp and Ty Nykyforuk were released from the roster.
As of Friday, the Leafs had yet to name a new captain or leadership group, but Hladun said there’s a renewed sense of urgency on the ice.
“New energy, and new blood. They’re going to want to play hard,” Hladun said.
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New technology is coming to handyDART, including for Quesnel and Williams Lake.
Adam Bishop, Manager of Accessible Transit with BC Transit, says it will replace outdated dispatch technology with a new modern system, and that.it is designed to give riders options when it comes to booking their trips.
“There’s going to be an online portal for customers to book trips making it easier and faster to manage their trips online, whether that’s through the web, through an app, or on the phone by still calling in and having a conversation with a scheduler, or through what we call an IVR (Interactive Voice Response), which is a phone system that they can use.”
Bishop says there will be other changes as well.
“We’re looking at digitizing the application process so you don’t necessarily have to fill out paper forms. You can still do that, and then they can be ingested into the tool and go from there. There will be onboard technology for the drivers to be able to better adhere to routes to take into consideration anticipating traffic, weather events, those sorts of things. The technology as a whole will also allow for notifications to go out to riders when their bus is arriving, if there are any changes because something has come up in terms of service delivery, those sorts of things.”
On the operations side, Bishop says it will create efficiencies.
“When you think about what the schedulers of the handyDART service do, they play this 3D chess where they work on this massive jigsaw puzzle. They’re not only trying to take into consideration the fleet they have available, they’re also trying to match this person wants to go here by this time, this person wants to go here by this time, that in it of itself may sound easy, but then there are other layers to that. There’s layering in individuals’ care needs, do they need a mobility aid, do they have a time restriction that they can only be on a bus for so long, are there personality conflicts between some riders that may be outside of their control because of some of the care needs that they have. Can they travel independently or do they have to travel with somebody to support them, what does that do with your space needs and all those sorts of things.”
As for when all of this will happen, Bishop says they are currently working on an implementation plan that he says will be phased in across the province.
The new technology is being delivered by Vancouver-based Spare.
The City of Kimberley is welcoming nominations for the Jack Ratcliffe Commitment to Community Award, which honours residents for their dedication to the community.
The annual award is named after its original recipient, Jack Ratcliffe, who spent decades shaping Kimberley by serving and volunteering for the community.
Established in 2020, the award celebrates individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to the community through their time, actions, devotion and talents.
Jack Ratcliffe, who passed away in December 2025, leaves a lasting legacy of commitment, pride and dedication to community. His name will continue to symbolize the spirit of giving in Kimberley for many, many years.
“Jack was the embodiment of community spirit. His decades of service, generosity, and leadership touched every corner of Kimberley. With Jack’s passing this past fall, this award takes on added significance this year.” said Mayor Don McCormick.
Nominees must be residents of Kimberley, have demonstrated a minimum of three years commitment to community, and their contributions should have significantly enhanced the quality of life for Kimberley residents through leadership, service, and volunteering.
The recipient will receive an award and have their name engraved on the “Jack Ratcliffe Commitment to Community” plaque displayed at City Hall. They also get to choose any charity or non-profit to receive a $500 donation.
BC Highway Patrol’s 2025 Winter Impaired Driving Campaign saw an overall decrease in the number of impaired drivers.
Media Relations Officer Michael McLaughlin said that’s good news but definitely some concerning numbers in the Cariboo and the Northern Region.
“That’s in spite of the fact that we had some really bad weather that got in the way of some of our enforcement. So we’re definitely noticing too many impaired drivers in the North and the Cariboo, that’s something we would like to get down over the coming year.”
The North for the RCMP covers the Cariboo, Prince George and Fort St John.
“We do concentrate a little bit along those highways that have lots of people,” McLaughlin said, “That’s why these numbers are really relevant for the Cariboo. When you do have impaired driving it’s impaired driving hurting others that is a particular concern. We want those numbers to come down and that’s not what we’ve seen in this latest Driving Campaign.”
McLaughlin noted that overall numbers are down in the province, about 27 overall Driving Prohibitions for the month of December, however in the North and the Cariboo, they are up and that’s something of concern.
Northern BC, that includes most communities north of 100 Mile House, saw 64 Driving Prohibitions, that’s up by 12 from 2024.
“All of the local detachments are also doing their own Impaired Driving Campaigns so their numbers are going to be on top of what BC Highway Patrol has released.” McLaughlin said, “There’s always a lot of traffic on our Cariboo Highways and a lot of difficult weather. So it’s an extra concern where we see these high impaired driving numbers. This is something we have seen that’s a bit of a trend, too many people choosing to drive while impaired and it’s something we’re going to continue to work to get down.”
McLaughlin added impaired driving is a problem all year round not only during the Holiday Season.
“And BC Highway Patrol will be launching another big Summer campaign as well because whenever you’ve got people going away and using the roads, some of them will choose to drive while impaired which is very dangerous.”
Sports by Hartley Friday, January 9th, 2026 as of 12:05 a.m.
WHL:
The Prince George Cougars made four deals on WHL trade deadline day.
They filled their vacant 20-year-old spot by acquiring forward Dawson Seitz from the Wenatchee Wild in return for an 8th round pick in the 2029 WHL Prospects Draft.
Seitz has 11 points in 22 games this season and he has appeared in a total of 233 WHL regular season games.
In other moves; the Cougars acquired 19-year-old defenceman Tyrone Sobry from the Saskatoon Blades in exchange for two draft picks, a 4th round selection in 2029 and a 9th rounder this year.
Sobry has seven points in 29 games with the Blades this season.
The Cougars picked up 17-year-old forward Koy Funk from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for a 2028 third-round pick.
Funk has six points in 21 games this season.
The Cougars also dealt 17-year-old defenceman Eli Johnson to the Penticton Vees in return for a 6th round draft in the 2027.
Johnson had six assists in 24 games with the Cougars.
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On Wednesday, Prince George acquired 18-year-old defenceman Kaeson Fisher from Everett in exchange for a 6th round draft pick in 2027.
A full list of the WHL trades on Thursday can be found here.
The (23-14-2) Cougars, who have lost five straight and eight of their last nine, host the (29-5-2-1) Everett Silvertips Saturday night at 6:00 and Sunday afternoon at 2:00.
The Silvertips have the best record in the WHL.
Prince George is second in the B.C. Division, three points behind the (22-9-4-3) Penticton Vees.
The PG Cougars regular season schedule and results are here.
The (16-13-1) Prince George Spruce Kings are on home ice this weekend as they entertain the (17-14) Langley Rivermen tonight (Friday) at 7:00 and Saturday night at 6:00.
The Spruce Kings sit 3rd in the Coastal East Division, a point behind Langley and six back of the (19-8-1) Coquitlam Express.
The Spruce Kings regular season schedule and results are here.
The (16-22-5) Canucks, who have lost their last five, continue a 6-game road trip Saturday night (4:00 PT) in Toronto against the (21-15-7) Maple Leafs.
Edmonton 4 Winnipeg 3 (It was the Jets 11 consecutive loss)
Boston 4 Calgary 1
Montreal 6 Florida 2
Toronto 2 Philadelphia 1 (OT)
Colorado 8 Ottawa 2
There are three NHL games tonight (Friday): LA at Winnipeg, Washington at Chicago and St. Louis at Utah.
The organizers of the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver say remembrance and healing will be key parts of this year’s event, one year after an alleged vehicle attack left 11 people dead and more than two dozen injured.
Filipino B.C. said the festival is being planned for the weekend of April 17 to 19, just ahead of the anniversary of the deadly incident. Organizers say they are working closely with the city, the province, and first responders to ensure appropriate safety measures are in place.
“This festival is a way to come together safely, to hold space for grief, and to reaffirm our commitment to one another through culture, connection, and collective care,” said Filipino BC chair RJ Aquino.
Lapu-Lapu Day is celebrated annually in honour of an Indigenous leader of the Philippines who is known for his resistance to Spanish colonization.
Vancouver police have said that on April 26, a man drove a vehicle through a crowd of people celebrating the Lapu Lapu Day festival. Those killed ranged in age from five to 65.
Kai-Ji Adam Lo faces 11 counts of second-degree murder and 31 counts of attempted murder in connection with the alleged attack.
Filipino BC said this year’s festival is being held a week ahead of the anniversary of the tragedy to allow that time to be dedicated to memorial events. The organization said it will share details of its planned memorial gathering soon.
Latincouver is a partner in this year’s event. The Latin American cultural group organizes the annual Carnaval del Sol in Vancouver.
“The Latin community suffered the devastating loss of four community members following the April 26 tragedy—people who had also contributed their time and care to making events like our annual Carnaval del Sol possible,” said executive director Paola Murillo in a statement.
“Our partnership with Filipino BC for Lapu Lapu Day 2026 reflects our shared commitment to supporting one another, honouring those we’ve lost, and uplifting our communities through culture, connection, and solidarity.”
A B.C. government report released in July made several recommendations to improve public safety at community events. It said all public events should conduct thorough risk assessments and called on the province to establish clear guidance for planners. It also said the province should consider more funding to help communities with safety and security costs.
That’s the story for the Prince George Cougars as the WHL’s Trade Deadline has come and gone, with the Cats making five deals before the 5:00 p.m. deadline today. (Thursday)
The latest trade came just before the deadline, with the Cougars acquiring 2006-born defenceman Tyrone Sobry, in exchange for a 2026 ninth-round pick, and a 2029 fourth round pick.
Sobry has played in 33 WHL games this season, 29 for the Blades and four for the Prince Albert Raiders, and has tallied eight points. (3G, 5A)
Tyrone Sobry – Photo: Saskatoon Blades
“He brings valuable WHL experience and will complement an already strong group, particularly on our special teams,” said Cougars GM and Head Coach Mark Lamb.
The first deal for the Cougars came on Wednesday, with the Cougars bringing in 2007-born defenceman Kaeson Fisher from the Everett Silvertips, in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2027 WHL Prospects Draft.
The Cougars started Thursday by sending 2008-born defenceman Eli Johnson to the Penticton Vees, in exchange for a sixth round pick in 2027.
The Cougars also added to the forward core, acquiring 2008-born forward Koy Funk from the Calgary Hitmen, sending a 2028 third-round pick in return.
The open 20 spot for the Cougars was filled as well in a trade with Wenatchee.
The Cougars picked up 2005-born forward Dawson Seitz from the Wild, in exchange for a 2029 eighth-round pick.
On Tuesday, the Prince Albert Raiders made the biggest splash of deadline season, acquiring Vancouver Canucks prospect Braedon Cootes and three picks from the Seattle Thunderbirds, in exchange for four players and four picks, including two first round picks.
The Thunderbirds made another big trade on Monday, one that didn’t involve the PG Cougars, but one that had PG ties.
The Thunderbirds picked sent defenceman Kaleb Hartmann and five picks (including two first rounders) to the Vancouver Giants in exchange for Prince George product Cameron Schmidt, who is currently leading the WHL in points.
The Prince George Cougars have filled their open 20-year-old spot.
The Cougars acquired 2005-born forward Dawson Seitz from the Wenatchee Wild in exchange for a 2029-eighth round pick.
Photo: Brian Liesse
Seitz was also on the 2022 WHL Champion Edmonton Oil Kings.
The Medicine Hat, Alberta product brings 233 regular season WHL games worth of experience.
“We are thrilled to add the experience Dawson brings into our lineup,” said Cougars Head Coach and GM Mark Lamb.
“He has a winning pedigree, he can skate, and he has an excellent shot.”
Through 22 games with the Wild this season, Seitz has registered 11 points. (4G, 7A)
Updated 3:00 p.m., Thursday, January 8th:
The Prince George Cougars have added to the forward core in a trade with the Calgary Hitmen.
The Cougars acquired 17-year-old forward Koy Funk from Calgary, in exchange for a third round pick in 2028.
Koy Funk was traded to the Prince George Cougars (Photo: James Doyle)
“Koy is a strong, physical two-way player and a character kid with a high hockey IQ,” said Cougars Head Coach and GM Mark Lamb.
“Our scouts really liked him in his draft year, and we’re very excited to acquire him. He has the versatility to play both centre and wing, which gives us added flexibility moving forward.”
The product of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba has appeared in 21 games for the Hitmen, recording six points.
Original Story:
The Prince George Cougars have made their first deal on the WHL’s Trade Deadline day.
The Cougars dealt 2008-born defenceman Eli Johnson to the Penticton Vees in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick.
Eli Johnson (Photo: James Doyle)
In 24 games for the Cougars this season has tallied 6 assists.
Police in Sechelt are thanking the public for their patience and cooperation as an incident unfolded at Curtis Place Wednesday, Jan. 7.
Sunshine Coast were called to a residence at Curtis Place around 11:45 a.m. after a report of a person having a mental health crisis.
The residence was contained, and RCMP alerted nearby residents and a local school about the incident while two streets leading to Curtis Place were temporarily blocked.
Local RCMP received assistance from the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team, and the incident was resolved safely at 4:10 p.m.
Police say the person was taken into custody and brought to Sechelt Hospital.
Campbell River fire crews responded to a report of a vehicle fire and thick, dark smoke on Homewood Road just after 3 p.m. Jan. 8.
Deputy Fire Chief Kelly Bellefleur said two vehicles were on fire at the top of a driveway at a home in the area.
“A passerby was driving along Homewood and noticed a giant column of smoke and called the fire department to report that,” said Bellefleur. “Our crews managed to get in there and found two vehicles completely engulfed in flames. They were sitting in the backyard of this home.”
Bellefleur said a travel trailer near the vehicles was exposed to heat but did not catch fire.
“No injuries were reported to fire fighters or the homeowner,” said Bellefleur. “There were no people around the vehicle other than the passer by that called it in.”
Bellefleur said the scene is still under investigation, and no cause has been rooted at this time.
Lake Cowichan RCMP are investigating after logging equipment was damaged by fire along the Caycuse mainline.
Police said they were alerted to the damage around 9 a.m. on Jan. 2. The machines were found smouldering around 7 a.m., and investigators believe the fires occurred overnight.
RCMP attended two locations along Caycuse Forest Service Road and determined that three forest industry machines had been damaged.
“The machines, which included two grapple yarders and one log loader, are reported to have sustained over $530,000 in damages,” RCMP said in a statement.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lake Cowichan RCMP.
Interchange Recycling announced two Prince George locations got significant upgrades to used-oil recycling infrastructure.
The locations include the Vanway Regional Transfer Station and the Quinn Street Regional Recycling Depot, both receiving a 10 foot sea container, a 2,200 litre tank and two drums.
“Upgrading these sites is an investment in the long-term sustainability of our region.” said Graham Thornton, Environmental Services Program Analyst for the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.
“By enhancing two of our key sites, we’re making it easier and more convenient for residents to keep waste out of landfill and do the right thing for the environment.”
Along with storing more used oil, the upgraded infrastructure will also collect antifreeze materials.
More information can be found on Interchange Recycling’s website here.
The City of Campbell River is preparing a major upgrade to water and stormwater services on Erickson Road after opening the project for tender.
A news release from the city said the move marks a key step in the renewal project, which will replace infrastructure that has reached the end of its service life.
“This is an important project for everyone who relies on this key water service and means improved reliability moving forward,” said Grant Parker, director of operations. “We look forward to working with a contracting team that can deliver this effectively.”
Work will take place between the Larwood Creek crossing and west of Nature Park Drive. Commuters and residents can expect single-lane alternating traffic while construction is underway.
The city said construction is expected to begin in spring 2026 and last nine to 12 months.
Contractors interested in the project can now submit bids through the city’s bid opportunities website.
The Prince George community has lost an inspiring and impactful voice.
Wesley Mitchell, co-founder of the University Hospital of Northern B.C. Drummers passed away according to social media posts from friends and family.
Photo (Wesley Mitchell) – taken by Darin Bain, My PG Now staff
Ron Gallo, who was a friends with Wesley, said most of the community will remember him best for what he did for the community.
“If you go back to the pandemic days, Wes was the leader of the drums that was trying to send good vibes to the patients and the healthcare workers in the hospitals, and that continued.”
“Wes continued with that spiritual healing and brought the power of the drum into our community.”
Nanaimo RCMP say thefts from vehicles rose last year. A news release noted a 15 per cent increase in vehicle thefts from 2024 to 2025 and a six per cent increase in other thefts, including items stolen from sheds and garages.
“While most categories are trending in the right direction, we felt it necessary to share this information as we all have a part to play in combating property-related offences,” said reserve constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
Police say unlocked vehicles are often targeted and advise people not to leave valuables in sight.
Community policing volunteers patrol parking lots and parkades, checking vehicles for visible valuables. Drivers may return to find a pamphlet on their windshield reminding them to secure their belongings.
RCMP say people can also take steps to prevent thefts at home.
“Before retiring for the night, make sure your vehicle is secure and all valuables are removed. Then, look over at your neighbour’s vehicle and yard. Are their windows rolled up, did they leave a bike or tools lying around? If so, be a good neighbour and let them know,” the release said.
Police are investigating a break and enter at Nelson’s Civic Theatre.
The Nelson Police Department said signs of unauthorized entry were discovered Jan. 4.
Officers responded and found the interior had been disturbed and items rummaged through.
Police said there was no significant structural damage and no suspects were located.
Entry is believed to have been gained through one set of doors, with an exit through another. The area and nearby spaces were searched as a precaution.
The city has taken steps to further secure the building.
The investigation is ongoing. Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area, or who has CCTV or dash camera footage, to contact the Nelson Police Department.
“Information may help advance the investigation, even if it seems minor,” police said in a press release.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at 250-354-3919 Those wishing to remain anonymous can provide information through Crime Stoppers.
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The Grand Forks Border Bruins are turning heads in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, with two of their top players earning league-wide recognition as Stars of the Month for December.
Forward Levi Astill and goaltender Thomas Samborski were both honoured for their standout performances, helping to power the Bruins through a strong month of play.
Astill leads offensive charge
Astill, a native of Edmonton, racked up 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in just five games, averaging 2.8 points per outing. Three of his goals were game-winners, including one against the Chase Heat and two against the Nelson Leafs.
He was dominant in back-to-back games versus Nelson, notching a hat trick and four points on Dec. 13, followed by a goal and four points on Dec. 19. Astill also set up the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Beaver Valley on Dec. 12.
The six-foot-two, 190-pound forward finished the month plus-17, on the ice for just one goal against, while averaging more than 21 minutes per game.
Samborski perfect in net
Between the pipes, Samborski posted a flawless 4-0 record in December. The Grande Prairie, Alta., product stopped 101 of 104 shots, ending the month with a 0.75 goals-against average and a .971 save percentage.
His biggest outing came in a 40-save shutout of the Beaver Valley Nitehawks on Dec. 12. He followed that up the next day with another shutout, turning aside 19 shots against Nelson.
Bruins building momentum
The recognition comes as the Border Bruins continue a strong push in the Neil Murdoch Division. With Astill leading the attack and Samborski anchoring the crease, the team has been finding success at both ends of the ice.
Two other players from around the league were also named Stars of the Month: defenceman Declan Pocock of the Williams Lake Mustangs and rookie Noah Lawless of the Merritt Centennials.
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The City of Nelson is preparing to launch a new housing dashboard that could help address historic gaps and reliability issues in local housing market data.
Senior planner Ken Bordeau presented the concept to council on Tuesday, Jan. 6.
He said it aims to serve as a central, accessible and reliable source of information about the city’s housing market by consolidating data that is currently scattered across multiple agencies.
“Much of the housing data is spread across probably at least four or five different organizations, including the city, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Statistics Canada, B.C. Housing and so on,” he explained.
“So the concept behind this is to take all of that different information and put it in one central place.”
The dashboard will also serve as a solid base of information to guide informed decision making by staff and council as the city works to meet its housing targets identified in its most recent housing needs report.
Meeting these targets will soon be mandated under provincial law.
In 2022, the province amended housing legislation, including the development of the Housing Supply Act, which gives the Ministry of Housing the authority to impose housing targets on municipalities.
Bordeau said about 40 municipalities have received their targets, with Nelson expecting to get its target within the next few weeks.
He said the housing dashboard ensures the city is prepared for when that happens.
“We want to make sure that we have all the available data and we have all the available reporting leads, all the available information that we need for the reports, for when Nelson receives its housing target in the next couple of weeks,” he said.
Nelson’s most recent housing needs report, conducted in 2024, identified the need for 3,104 new homes over the next two decades. Bordeau said so far the city has reached 46.6 per cent of that target.
Beyond ensuring provincial compliance, the dashboard also tries to address the lack of reliable rental information in Nelson, particularly in the secondary rental category which is defined as suites, laneway houses or condominium unit rentals.
Bordeau said the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has historically struggled to gather data from local landlords, specifically those with secondary market rentals.
“CMHC has had a long-standing issue with a lack of response from landlords, so often the rental vacancy data that we get from CMHC is either non-existent or it’s unreliable,” he said.
CMHC usually publishes rental vacancy data per community every quarter, but Nelson’s is typically updated only once a year.
“They did publish secondary rental market data for the first time in quite a long time just before Christmas, but they put a big caveat on it and they said use with caution,” said Bordeau.
In that case, CMHC’s secondary rental market vacancy rate was roughly 4.5 per cent with a grade of D, which the agency described as poor and not reliable, according to Bordeau.
Nelson’s small population has also made rental data more volatile.
“You add 100 units in Nelson, that’s significant,” he said. “You don’t have to change that much to have that fluctuate.”
The dashboard also tracks the B.C. Housing registry, which shows the number of local households waiting for subsidized housing rose from 52 in 2021 to a peak of 191 in 2024, dropping slightly in 2025 to 165.
Bordeau added that while the initial version of the dashboard relies on limited and sometimes estimated data, it will evolve over time.
“Some of the challenges with creating a dashboard is that over the years, the city hasn’t been particularly diligent with some of the housing information or housing data that we have at our hands,” he said, noting that the dashboard is a first step toward more consistent tracking.
Council received Bordeau’s presentation for information. It will be published to the city’s website and updated as new data become available.
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Included in the proposed amendments is the use of a Request for Expressions of Interest (FFEOI) for a formal process when disposing of assets that retain financial value.
This process would be used if an asset is deemed to have significant cultural or historical value.
The recommendation based on that RFEOI process would be brought to Council for consideration and approval.
Housekeeping amendments were also made to highlight trade-ins for assets of similar use and purpose as a means of disposal, as well as to remove a previously identified separate process for IT assets. These assets would now be treated like any other City asset.
Additionally, Administration are recommending the selection of non-profit entities be part of the procurement procedure rather than the bylaw. The RFEOI would be communicated to the public by posting to BC Bid.
Pre-determined scoring criteria would be used, and City Staff would evaluate the responses and recommend which entity should be selected.
This criteria would include:
Must be a non-profit corporation, association or entity
Responded must be from within the Prince George area, including rural areas within 150 kilometres of city limits. (priority would be given to organizations within the City, then the Regional District, then communities within the 150 km radius.)
Proposed use of the asset
Council will discuss these amendments at Monday’s meeting.
The agenda for Monday’s meeting can be found here.
The BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit(MOTT) has awarded just over $40 million in road contracts to advance two projects in the Cariboo.
The road projects will focus on restoring two routes damaged by washouts and landslides in 2020 and 2021.
$37.5 million has been allocated to work on Highway 97 in Cottonwood, around 18 kilometres north of Quesnel. The work being done is part of Phase 3, which aims to improve the stability of the downward slope of that section of the highway.
MOTT has allocated $3.8 million towards the Bastin Hill project. The project involves rebuilding a section of Bastin Road and Nyland Lake Road, around 24 kilometres south of Quesnel. The work will restore the road to a two-lane route while also improving its long-term stability and reliability.
Additionally, the Ministry states that it is continuing to restore access to flood- and slide-damaged areas.
MOTT says work on these projects will begin in early 2026.
The Village of Burns Lake is looking for feedback from residents to help shape this year’s budget.
The survey was launched yesterday (Wednesday) giving residential and commercial tax payers a change to say where they would like their tax dollars used in the community.
“We use the feedback to help us inform council and provide direction to staff,” said Chief Administrative Officer Ryan Nitchie.
Some of the main questions included on the survey include:
What community issues are important
What services and programs are important and should improve
How much property taxes should change
The survey will remain open until January 30th and can be found here.
The Prince George Cougars have filled their open 20-year-old spot.
The Cougars acquired 2005-born forward Dawson Seitz from the Wenatchee Wild in exchange for a 2029-eighth round pick.
Seitz was also on the 2022 WHL Champion Edmonton Oil Kings.
The Medicine Hat, Alberta product brings 233 regular season WHL games worth of experience.
“We are thrilled to add the experience Dawson brings into our lineup,” said Cougars Head Coach and GM Mark Lamb.
“He has a winning pedigree, he can skate, and he has an excellent shot.”
Through 22 games with the Wild this season, Seitz has registered 11 points. (4G, 7A)
Updated 3:00 p.m., Thursday, January 8th:
The Prince George Cougars have added to the forward core in a trade with the Calgary Hitmen.
The Cougars acquired 17-year-old forward Koy Funk from Calgary, in exchange for a third round pick in 2028.
Koy Funk was traded to the Prince George Cougars (Photo: James Doyle)
“Koy is a strong, physical two-way player and a character kid with a high hockey IQ,” said Cougars Head Coach and GM Mark Lamb.
“Our scouts really liked him in his draft year, and we’re very excited to acquire him. He has the versatility to play both centre and wing, which gives us added flexibility moving forward.”
The product of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba has appeared in 21 games for the Hitmen, recording six points.
Original Story:
The Prince George Cougars have made their first deal on the WHL’s Trade Deadline day.
The Cougars dealt 2008-born defenceman Eli Johnson to the Penticton Vees in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick.
Eli Johnson (Photo: James Doyle)
In 24 games for the Cougars this season has tallied 6 assists.
The Prince George Cougars have added to the forward core in a trade with the Calgary Hitmen.
The Cougars acquired 17-year-old forward Koy Funk from Calgary, in exchange for a third round pick in 2028.
“Koy is a strong, physical two-way player and a character kid with a high hockey IQ,” said Cougars Head Coach and GM Mark Lamb.
“Our scouts really liked him in his draft year, and we’re very excited to acquire him. He has the versatility to play both centre and wing, which gives us added flexibility moving forward.”
The product of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba has appeared in 21 games for the Hitmen, recording six points.
Original Story:
The Prince George Cougars have made their first deal on the WHL’s Trade Deadline day.
The Cougars dealt 2008-born defenceman Eli Johnson to the Penticton Vees in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick.
Eli Johnson (Photo: James Doyle)
In 24 games for the Cougars this season has tallied 6 assists.
The Prince George Public Library is one step closer to revitalizing the outdoor deck space at the Bob Harkins Branch.
This morning (Thursday), the Prince George Public Library announced it reached its $100,000 fundraising goal for the All Hands On Deck initiative.
While community members have donated to the cause, the Prince George Community Foundation stepped up to fund the project in full.
“When this project came in, it really stood out as something special,” said PGCF Board Vice President and Grants Chair Stephanie Deol.
“This grant fund is for legacy projects, projects that not only are going to make a difference now and in the next year, but also a decade from now, and we really believe that this place, this hub, this centre of community that this outdoor space will be in our downtown, is just that.”
“I think because the Community Foundation is such a strong community organization that has the funding backing of many, many residents, I think that’s really a testament to the value of the public library and the enthusiasm for this project in the community, so we’re really pleased about that,” said PGPL Director Paul Burry.
Burry added the next steps will be to work with the City to ensure any engineering upgrades required are complete.
“Once that work is done, then we can begin the work of enhancing the deck space,” he explained.
“What we’ll be doing is working to get further engagement from the community on what we want to see out on the deck, how we want the space to be used. We’ve done some of that work already and then we’ll be putting together a more detailed plan, a design for what the deck could look like and how the various spaces could be used in different ways.”
The library started fundraising for the project in November.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement covering North Vancouver Island communities.
The national forecaster said an atmospheric river is set to begin Thursday night, with strong winds expected by Friday morning.
Wind gusts of 100 to 120 km/h are forecast, raising the risk of power outages.
“While winds will start to strengthen tonight [Thursday], the strongest winds will be delayed until Friday,” said a statement from Environment Canada. “Southeasterly winds of 80 to 100 km/h with gusts up to 120 over exposed coastal sections will begin Friday afternoon and continue into early Saturday morning.”
The special weather statement is expected to remain in effect until Sunday for North Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii and parts of B.C.’s North and Central coasts.
A single vehicle collision caused some damage to the WorkBC Centre on Alpine Avenue.
Earlier this morning (January 8) 100 Mile House RCMP attended with Emergency Health Service where it was determined a vehicle had struck the building.
“The single occupant was assessed by paramedics and taken to hospital for undetermined injuries,” Sargeant Brian Lamb said. “no injuries were sustained to any other person.”
Lamb said impairment was ruled out and a sudden medical event was suspected as being a factor.
Courtenay residents are being invited to celebrate the life of the city’s first full-time fire chief.
A celebration of life for Lawrence Burns will be held Saturday, Jan. 10, at Northgate Foursquare Church from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Legacy
The gathering will be attended by his family, friends and former colleagues, who will reflect on Burns’ years of service and offer a chance to honour his life.
Burns passed away on Nov. 22, 2025. He joined the Courtenay Volunteer Fire Department early in his career and became the city’s first full-time fire chief in 1969, a position he held until his retirement in 1995.
The City of Courtenay said all who knew and respected Burns are welcome to attend.
It was a homecoming Diego Johnson won’t soon forget.
The 19-year-old forward from Fort Saint James scored the game-winning goal on back to back nights as the Penticton Vees swept the PG Cougars by scores of 5-2 and 3-2 Tuesday and Wednesday from CN Centre.
Johnson told Vista Radio it was awesome to have a designated cheering section to support him and the Vees.
“I couldn’t ask for a better trip up north for a home coming. It’s been great and I am so happy to have so many friends and family come out, it’s been unbelievable.”
“I honestly couldn’t tell you (how many friends and family in the stands). I heard around 50 but even my parents were telling me there were others they were not expecting to show up. It was whole section up there, it was pretty cool.”
He was picked up in June’s expansion draft from the Seattle Thunderbirds. Johnson stated post-game its pretty surreal live out a lifelong dream.
“Growing up, I always wanted to play in the western league being so close to PG and the Cougars being a pretty big deal. That didn’t really work out for me when I was younger and I had an opportunity in the summer I thought was a no-brainer to play a little closer to home. It is my last year of junior and Freddy (Harbinson) has done a great job and its a lot of fun so far.”
Diego played three seasons at the Okanagan Hockey Academy before signing in the BCHL where played for the Merritt Centennials in 2022-23.
He then shifted to the AJHL suiting up for the Sherwood Park Crusaders the following season before securing another opportunity with the Madison Capitals of the United States Hockey League.
In its first WHL season, Penticton is red-hot winning seven straight games and is sitting in first place in the B.C. Division, three points up on the Cougars.
Including Johnson, the Vees have eight players with 25 points or more this season.
That group consists of New York Islanders prospect Jason Kvasnicka, Ryden Evers, Brady Birnie, Brittan Alstead, Matteo Danis, Nolan Stevenson and Ethan Webber.
It’s balance like that, which is allowing the Vees to win games so many different ways.
“I feel like that is a big part of our identity is finding different ways to win. We have blown teams out and then we have had games where it is 1-1 pretty much all game until crunch time and a bunch of different guys step up in different moments and that is something our guys have done well so far,” added Johnson.
The 19-year-old has 25 points in 38 games this year with Penticton including 13 goals.
He is committed to play for the University of Connecticut next season.
North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP are asking for the public’s help in an ongoing credit-card fraud investigation in the Duncan area.
Police said a stolen credit card was used at several local businesses in November.
“Purchases happened between Nov. 8, 2025 and Nov. 16, 2025 before the card was cancelled and reported stolen,” said a statement from RCMP.
Officers reviewed surveillance footage from the businesses where the unauthorised purchases took place. RCMP are now hoping members of the public can help identify a man captured on CCTV images.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-748-5522.
The Prince George RCMP are reaching out to the public in hopes of identifying two suspects potentially related to a sexual assault case.
The incident took place on October 30th, 2025, at a residence in the city, where police obtained video surveillance images of the suspects believed to be associated with a small white car and a small black SUV-type vehicle.
Corporal Jennifer Cooper said this is an isolated incident.
“While this is what we would consider to be a stranger sexual assault, these people weren’t previously known to one another.” said Corporal Jennifer Cooper.
“We do not believe there’s any increased risk to the general public.”
Cooper added they’ve released the images in hopes to also get information about the suspect’s whereabouts and further their investigation.
Due to the nature of the investigation, police say they will not be providing any further information.
While housing markets like Toronto and Vancouver saw sales reach over 20-year lows, Prince George continues to punch above its weight heading into 2026.
To finish off 2025, PG recorded 825 single-family home sales, an increase of 18 when compared to 2024.
Kristin Houghtaling with the BC Northern Real Estate Board told MyPGNow.com while forestry is on a downturn, the diverse economy helps deal with the headwinds.
“We have the pulp mills closing and things like that but we do have very diverse employers so I think a lot of it is we don’t really have huge crazy increases like they do in the Lower Mainland.”
She added while the big cities are stuck in a rut, Prince George is still on a nice pace.
“It’s a nice steady Eddie market, everything is moving along and overall, its looking really well for the north up here.”
“We are really healthy, consistent sales, steady growth and much lower days on market and I think its looking really good for the future too.”
Other major centres like Calgary and Edmonton recorded 14 percent and 20 percent declines in home sales in December.
The average selling price for single-family homes in PG last year was $537,000, a spike of roughly 23-grand when compared to the 2024 year-to-date figures.
When looking at sales of all property types, Prince George tallied 1,362, an increase of 27 when compared to 2024.
When looking at the year-to-date sales over the past decade, the steady stream of sales remains the one constant despite some headwinds in 2023 due to higher borrowing rates.
Matthias Pape signed with the Trail Smoke Eaters this past summer with hopes of making the German National Jr. team for the World Championships.
The 19-year-old was added to their roster after playing his best game of the season on Dec. 12 against the Brooks Bandits at Cominco Arena.
Pape says the experience was something he will remember for a lifetime.
“I worked my way up the roster, got some minutes, got some shifts in, the stadium was electric, games were so fun, high tempo, high quality, was just an amazing experience,” Matthias said, adding he noticed the higher level of play immediately.
“A couple of good teams there obviously (Germany played against both the USA and eventual champion Sweden), they play with a high tempo, with good quality, they are good passers, they have great shots, It’s not easy to keep up with them, but I think I managed to,” he added, feeling he can incorporate what he learned from some of the best players in the world into his game.
“You could see what they are doing differently and also playing with the puck, they’re very calm on the puck and making good plays so I think I can really translate it into my own game,” Pape explained.
And what was it like to pull on the national team jersey?
“It’s always electric, I love to represent my country, it’s always and honour, I love it,” said Matthias, who vows to continue to hone his skills with the Smoke Eaters.
“I do a lot of passing stuff (in practice), shooting of course, skating drills, we have a lot of development ice where I can develop my own skills, team practices are very good for me, so I can learn a lot here,” he told Vista News.
Smokies head coach and general manager Eric Thurston says Pape has improved steadily throughout the season.
“His puck movement , his defending, his skating, the confidence and the ability, Matthias has developed,” said Thurston, who is happy to have Pape and fellow countryman Max Hense back on their blue line.
“They certainly were playing up against some really, really stiff competition and some pretty good players and I know that will really help their development, but also we are excited to have both of those guys here in Trail and happy to have them finish up the season with us as well.
Hense and Pape are eligible to return to the the Smoke Eaters next season as 20-year-olds.
In his first game back last Saturday against Salmon Arm, Pape recorded two assists.
This weekend, the Smokies host first place West Kelowna Friday with a chance to cut the gap between themselves and the Warriors to two points.
Trail hosts the Island division leading Cowichan Valley Capitals on Saturday.
It was another record-setting year for the Williams Lake Fire Department.
Fire Chief Evan Dean said they responded to 512 calls for service, a slight increase from their previous record of 504 in 2024.
He added a few notable trends this year.
“Burning complaints increased.” Dean said, “Many of these involved very small warming fires, often as simple as candles or similar items used for heat or light. These calls were typically low-hazard, and we did not see any corresponding increase in major fire categories.”
Dean noted the increase appears to be influenced more by heightened public vigilance and sensitivity to the presence of unhoused individuals than by any rise in fire danger.
“December saw a notable decrease in these incidents, correlating with increased RCMP and Bylaw presence in the downtown core,” Dean said.
Wildland and grass fire responses decreased for the Williams Lake Fire Department in 2025.
“This may reflect improved public vigilance around outdoor fire risks.” Dean said, “We appreciated the community’s attentiveness and willingness to report concerns quickly enabling timely response.”
The highest numbers of calls for service last year (2025) were for:
When comparing the Prince George Cougars and the Penticton Vees, think of Rocky, the titular character in the classic boxing movie, at the halfway point up the Philadelphia Art Museum steps in training for his big bout.
The teams are separated by a thin razor’s edge, the more experienced Cougars in win-now mode while the Vees bring a Championship caliber pedigree from the BCHL.
Now, in their inaugural season in the WHL, Penticton is in the drivers seat for the B.C. Division crown.
With it being the fourth meeting between the two sides, no friendly introductions were needed in this knock-down-drag’em out contest.
Kayden Lemire opened the scoring at 3:52 of the first period sniping a hard wrist shot under the bar past Penticton goalie Ethan McCallum. The 17-year-old power forward accepted a laser of a pass from stud blueliner Carson Carels to make it 1-0 Cougars.
The bad blood seeped into the mid-week slobber knocker as Cole Hajt (PG) and Cameron Norrie (Penticton) threw down in a first period fight, with Hajt scoring the takedown, pumping up the home crowd.
Penticton failed to even the score prior to the intermission on the power-play as a dangerous hit by Jett Lajoie slammed a Vees forward into the boards between the benches.
In the second, Jack Finnegan nearly made it 2-0 PG as he deflected a point shot off the cross bar past a screened McCallum but stayed out.
Brady Birnie was robbed by Cougars netminder Josh Ravensbergen, making his first start back from the World Juniors.
The 20-year-old forward followed up a ding off the post but couldn’t beat the San Jose Sharks first rounder to the loose change.
The Vees finally cracked the ice at 15:32 of the second period as a Ryden Evers slap shot from inside the face-off dot went over the shoulder of Ravensbergen and into the goal.
On the shift after the goal, Tristen Petersen bowled into Carels, knocking him over and drawing the ire of the home crowd.
Brock Souch had a golden opportunity to give the Cougars its one-goal lead back but was stoned cold by McCallum in tight.
Aiden Foster (PG) and towering Penticton blueliner Sean Burick had a spirited fight inside the Cougars zone near the end of the middle frame.
For their trouble, they each received five-minutes for fighting and a game misconduct prior to the intermission.
Tristen Petersen gave the visitors its first lead of the game at 1:12 of the third cashing in on a Jason Kvasnicka pass, going through the wickets of Ravensbergen.
Souch evened the score for the Cougars with seven minutes left, popping the water bottle of the Vees net after zinging a wrist shot that blew into the mesh behind McCallum.
The play began after Finnegan blocked a shot inside the PG blueline and muscled the puck forward.
However, Diego Johnson of Fort St. James shattered all possibilities of overtime as what looked to be an intended pass ricocheted off the pants of Carels and over the shoulder of Ravensbergen to secure the one-goal victory.
Johnson was acquired by Penticton from the Seattle Thunderbirds via the expansion draft and has 25 points in 39 games. He is committed to the University of Connecticut.
The mid-week double header also marked the return of former Cougar Matteo Danis. The 20-year-old from Calgary is one of four over agers on the Vees roster.
Danis has 31 points in 35 games since re-locating to the South Okanagan also via the expansion draft.
He admitted while it was tough to leave PG, Penticton is another great situation for him.
“Life has been unreal. I have really enjoyed my time in Penticton so far it’s an unbelievable city and a great spot to play hockey. That being said, I miss PG a lot, I miss my old teammates and the staff and the city itself but I am proud to say I am in a better place for my development.”
Penticton (22-9-4-3) is three points up on the Cougars for first place in the BC Division. PG is mired in a five-game winless skid (0-4-1).
Danis believes the upstart Vees are starting to peak and could be a dangerous opponent come playoff time.
“We could do a lot of damage. Having that old veteran team plays a big role in how we compete and lead on the ice and I think we will make a splash here.”
“We have four deep lines, guys that can play and can score no matter the period or scenario so we are fortunate to have a different moments and different guys step up.”
The Vees have won all four meetings in the season series outscoring the Cougars 19-11.
Two more games remain in the season-series. February 16th at the South Okanagan Events Centre (2pm) and March 10th at CN Centre (7pm).
Prince George and Penticton recorded 30 shots each, but both teams went a combined o-for-4 on the power-play.
The Cougars (23-14-2-0) wrap up a five-game homestand Saturday (6pm) and Sunday (2pm) against the league-leading Everett Silvertips (29-5-2-1).
The (22-9-4-3) Vees extended their winning streak to seven games and their lead on second place Prince George to three points in the B.C. Division.
The (23-14-2) Cougars, who have lost five straight and eight of their last nine, host the (29-5-2-1) Everett Silvertips Saturday night at 6:00 and Sunday afternoon at 2:00.
The Silvertips have the best record in the WHL.
Prince George has acquired 18-year-old defenceman Kaeson Fisher from the Everett Silvertips in exchange for a sixth-round selection in the 2027 WHL Prospects Draft.
Fisher has spent the majority of the 2025–26 season with the Winkler Flyers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), recording 25 points (1G–24A) in 29 games.
The WHL trading deadline is tonight (Thursday) at 5:00 (PT).
Cameron Schmidt scored his 28th goal of the season and added an assist in his first game with Seattle as he helped the Thunderbirds to a 6-3 victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
The PG Cougars regular season schedule and results are here.
Elkford’s mayor is hoping to get an apartment building in development in 2026.
Mayor Steve Fairbairn said it’s something he’s been working on since his campaign to become mayor.
“I really would like to see an apartment get built in town,” he added.
“That was something that was a part of my election campaign. we’re still in discussions with a couple of groups and I’d like to see something come to fruition.”
He said it’s a battle to get developers to build in Elkford.
“Oddly enough our real estate isn’t expensive enough to draw builders,” he said.
“Relative to the region and the rest of the province we have affordable housing, we just can’t get anybody to come and build it.”
He said another priority for this year is retaining the staff they’ve been able to hire.
“Our staff at the district are a wonderful group of people and If you have a group of happy employees you want to keep them happy. I’m excited about the people we have in place.”
He said they are close to full staffing for the first time in a while.
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Current weather conditions will keep the Emergency Warming Centre (EWC) located at 138 10th Ave N open overnight on Wednesday, Jan. 7, from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. The EWC in Creston can be found at the former work experience program dormitory space on the former Fire Hall property, beside the former ambulance bay.
The EWC is a public space aimed to give those in need a safe, warm, dry place to shelter, with access to washroom facilities, snacks and refreshments, and a place to sit or rest.
The EWC is scheduled to be open just for tonight but depending on the weather conditions could be extended.
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BC Transit has signed a contract with Vancouver-based technology company Spare to introduce a new digital platform for handyDART services.
HandyDART is a door-to-door service for people who can’t independently use fixed-route transit. BC Transit says it has more than 20,000 customers across the province.
“BC Transit understands that handyDART customers want shorter wait times to book a ride, easier booking options, and clearer communication about when their bus will arrive,” the agency said in a release Wednesday.
The new technology includes a mobile app and an online portal to book and manage trips, as well as an option to register for handyDART services online. Onboard trip mapping would also help operators with route navigation and provide real-time updates.
BC Transit said data collected through the digital platform will help inform future service delivery and expansion.
Currently, most trip bookings are done by phone.
The agency said the new digital option follows consultations with customers, operating companies, and accessibility experts.
The provincial Crown corporation said it will next work with local governments and partners on a rollout strategy for the technology.
It said the total cost of the project is $6 million.
Spare’s technology is used by other transit agencies in cities including Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Brampton, Ont.
BC Transit’s 2025 user survey shows the majority of handyDART riders were over the age of 75, and that attending medical appointments was the most common purpose for their trip.
A little over a quarter of respondents said they were interested in a digital option for booking trips, while booking by phone remained the top choice.
The Kootenay Emergency Response Physicians Association (KERPA) is welcoming a new physician to its ranks.
Dr. Brock Browett, a resident physician and experienced paramedic, is joining the organization as an emergency response physician in training.
KERPA founder Dr. Nic Sparrow said Browett brings a unique background to the team and is expected to help strengthen coverage for critical 911 calls across the region.
“He has 10 years of being a paramedic on the streets of Ontario and has moved to the Kootenays and is on the residency program and going to be working with us to provide pre-hospital care to critically injured patients in the Kootenays.”
Browett was recently onboarded into KERPA’s training program, which Sparrow said operates under an accredited framework comparable to major air ambulance services.
“We’re accredited as a special operations medical retrieval service and we’re accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services,” Sparrow explained.
“To put that into perspective, STARS Air Ambulance are accredited by CAIMES, and we have the same accreditation in the ground form.”
KERPA is currently the only special operations organization in Canada operating physician-led ground response units, which requires it to offer an extensive training program.
“We’ve developed a rigorous training program. There’s a number of courses that need to be done before you to even step into the training to align with the National Association of EMS Physician Guidelines and CAINS guidelines,” Sparrow said.
Training also includes up to 400 hours of mentorship, with physicians required to meet national and international core competencies before responding independently.
With the addition of Browett, KERPA now has three physicians, including Sparrow.
While the organization is not expanding its service area at this point, Sparrow said having more physicians increases the likelihood a doctor is available when a critical call comes in.
“We’re still working on responding into the Trail area, there’s quite a lot of red tape that needs to be got through. But more physicians mean we should have more coverage of physicians being actually able to respond because we can only respond when we’re available.”
KERPA is entirely volunteer-run. Sparrow emphasized that physicians are not paid for their work and the organization does not bill the Medical Services Plan or the province.
“We’re doing it for free and there’s a lot of training and a lot of commitment that’s required, and it takes a certain personality type who just sort of has this in their blood to go and do it,” he said.
The time commitment expected of KERPA responders has made recruitment challenging, though Sparrow said it remains a priority as he works to ensure the organization remains viable for years to come.
“We are always recruiting and hoping to continue to grow this resource. I hope that for many years after I retire, we will have KERPA as a support in this region,” he said.
“That’s my goal and I think it’s my life purpose. So for as long as I live, I’m going to be trying to help critically ill and injured patients in this community.”
Sparrow reiterated the goal of KERPA is to help critically ill and injured patients in the region, as well as first responders.
“That’s the reason why this charity exists. We’re not interested in turf war, we’re not interested in competition, we are patient focused and about saving lives and helping people who are really badly injured or hurt in our community.”
KERPA is also preparing to replace one of its response vehicles this year as it looks to maintain operational capacity.
Sparrow said the organization plans to retire its original 2009 Tahoe and finance a newer vehicle, which would bring the fleet to three vehicles, though only two would be operational at a given time.
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Nelson city council has decided not to move forward with scramble crosswalks proposed for Baker and Ward streets and Baker and Josephine streets, at least for now.
A scramble crosswalk is a type of traffic signal movement that stops all vehicle traffic, allowing pedestrians to cross in every direction, including diagonally. Council asked staff to investigate the idea in July 2025.
Senior planner Ken Bourdeau returned to council on Jan. 6 with staff’s findings, which ultimately recommended delaying implementation.
After reviewing traffic patterns, pedestrian volumes and similar crossings in other municipalities, staff found that while the concept may be appropriate long term, implementation would require significant capital investments.
The estimated costs – between $200,000 and $500,000 per intersection – largely considers the need to replace aging traffic signal systems and relocate sidewalk infrastructure, rather than the crosswalks themselves.
While scramble crosswalks can reduce vehicle-pedestrian collisions and improve pedestrian comfort, there were questions about whether the investment is justified for the current state of downtown.
Councillor Jesse Woodward noted that the city has relatively low pedestrian and vehicle volumes compared with larger communities.
“It works really well with huge volumes of people and traffic,” he said, reflecting on a scramble crosswalk he observed while in Victoria.
“But I’m just thinking about the volume here in town. You have your morning peak and your after-work peak. But generally throughout the day, it’s not huge volume. So is there actual value in spending all that money to move people or do we not have the volume to do it?”
Council also discussed the potential long-term benefits of integrating scramble crosswalks with planned downtown upgrades.
Staff noted that several existing downtown traffic signals are nearing the end of their service life, which could provide an opportunity to revisit the concept in the coming years.
Councillor Leslie Payne supported that idea, noting that coordination with future downtown projects would be more practical and cost-efficient than implementing it independently.
“The infrastructure that needs to be upgraded anyway at some point in the future, but accelerating that type of expense at this point doesn’t make sense. But as we are doing that Baker Street redesign, is this something we need to incorporate as we go forward?”
Bordeau’s report found the concept to be better implimented after the city’s Downtown Urban Design Strategy is deployed. That document will act as a roadmap for changes to the downtown core, including the Baker Street streetscaping project.
It was noted that implementation ahead of a planned Baker Street streetscaping project could create “misalignment” and “undermine the planning process.”
Instead, staff recommended an integrated approach. Council agreed and voted against the concept until the downtown design strategy is deployed, at which point the idea may be brought forward again.
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A longtime member of Comox Fire Rescue is getting a community sendoff Friday, Jan. 9.
Assistant fire chief Jim Lariviere worked his last shift with the department at the end of December, ending a 32-year career.
Comox Fire Rescue said Lariviere hopes to see many residents at Friday’s event.
“Jim [Lariviere] has been a true pillar of strength, education and service to our community, and we’d love for you to join us in thanking him and sharing some time together before he begins his next chapter,” said a statement from the fire department.
Residents are invited to stop by the Comox Fire Hall Friday between noon and 4 p.m. to send their well wishes and enjoy coffee, cake and light snacks.
The Cowichan River is one of two rivers topping the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C.’s list of most endangered rivers, the group said, citing threats from climate change.
Mark Angelo, chair and founder of ORCBC, said summers are becoming increasingly warm. Combined with low summer flows, the higher temperatures are causing significant damage to the Cowichan River.
“The resulting high-water temperatures and algae blooms kill fish, particularly juvenile salmon and steelhead,” he said. “An estimated 85,000 juvenile steelhead died in just one low-flow event in 2023.”
Plans are under way to address the low-flow events. Alongside the Cowichan Valley Regional District and Cowichan Tribes, ORCBC has devised a plan to raise the weir at the mouth of the lake, which the group said would allow extra water storage in spring.
“This would be released into the river over the summer to maintain higher and healthier flows for fish,” the group said. “It would also keep the lake level well below winter peaks while preventing the extreme lows that have grounded docks and boats in the past.”
The only hurdle for the weir is the cost. Although the federal and provincial governments have agreed to provide $28 million in funding, the total cost is now estimated at $40 million.
ORCBC executive director Louise Pedersen said waterways such as the Cowichan River support recreation in the region and should be nurtured.
“In this massive project, there was a change to add more recreational value, and it fell through,” she said. “That’s all too common. Recreation is a major part of B.C.’s economy.”
Other rivers on the endangered list include the Heart of the Fraser, Elk River, Kettle River, Stikine River, Similkameen River and the Thompson and Chilcotin rivers.
The City of Nanaimo and the B.C. Ministry of Environment are investigating what appears to be an oil spill on the foreshore in the Duke Point area.
Bill Sims, general manager of engineering and public works for the city, said the spill has been traced to a private property in the Duke Point industrial park. The ministry has ordered the business to conduct an assessment and cleanup.
The Western Canada Marine Response Corporation provided a statement saying it is aware of the spill but has not been engaged for cleanup because of the structure of its spill response calls.
“The structure of the Canadian spill response regime is that Transport Canada response organizations, such as WCMRC, require activation from either the ‘polluter’ or the Canadian Coast Guard,” the statement said.
Vista Radio has reached out to the Ministry of Environment for more information.
The Prince George Cougars have made their first splash of the trade deadline season.
The team announced today they’ve acquired 2007-born defenceman Kaeson Fisher from the Everett Silvertips in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2027 WHL Prospects Draft.
Fisher has spend most the of the 2025-2026 season with the Winkler Flyers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, tallying 25 points (1G, 24A) in 29 games.
He also appeared in one game for the Silvertips, registering an assist.
Fisher was originally picked by Everett in the sixth round of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft.
Northern BC Crime Stoppers wrapped up its 40th year with a significant milestone.
The program not only reached, but surpassed the $40 million mark in total property, cash and drugs seized since its inception in 1985.
Vice President Ron Polillo said they’re thrilled to have reached that significant total.
“It’s really a testament to the program and its effectiveness, how it works and how residents of northern B.C. have really come to rely on it, trust it, and give information that leads to results, to arrests and seizures.”
Last year, the program received 980 tips from 30 communities in the north, and recovered $279,590.
Polillo said that number is comparable to previous years, with 2024 seeing 979 tips processed, recovering $371,400.
Northern BC Crime Stoppers will be at the up coming 2026 Sirens Cup on January 31st to mark Crime Stoppers month, give information about the program, and add one or two new board members.
More information about Northern BC Crime Stoppers past year can be found here.
A man who admitted to killing a Creston woman and a Kimberley man should be sentenced to life in prison with no parole for 13 years, a BC Supreme Court judge has been told.
The joint sentencing submission was proposed today by Crown counsel and defence lawyers at a hearing in Kamloops for Mitchell McIntyre.
McIntyre has pleaded guilty to second degree murder in the death of Creston’s Julia Howe and guilty to manslaughter with a firearm in the death of Kimberley’s David Creamer. McIntyre shot and killed both of them on Feb. 6, 2022.
Police and the BC Coroners Service initially thought each had died of natural causes. McIntyre went to RCMP the day after the killings, telling them that they should take him into custody. He was not arrested in McIntyre’s death, however, until more than a month later. Court has heard that McIntyre was Howe’s neighbour and they knew each other well.
Second degree murder comes with an automatic life sentence, but judges have discretion to set parole eligibility beyond 10 years. The Crown says 13 years would take into account both aggravating factors like the use of a gun and an “element of forethought” as well as mitigating factors like McIntyre’s belated guilty plea, his age (he is in his mid-60s) and his health challenges.
Manslaughter with a firearm comes with a minimum sentence of four years. Lawyers in the case are jointly suggesting that McIntyre receive eight years, to be served concurrently. Courts rarely diverge from joint sentencing submissions.
In addition to the prison time, the Crown will be seeking a firearms ban for McIntyre, a DNA sample, and a no-contact order with relatives of his victims.
The court has listened to several victim impact statements, including from Howe’s partner, daughter-in-law, brother, sister, and nephew, and Creamer’s son and daughter.
“My lifestyle and activities have changed because I don’thave my person to share them with anymore,” her partner said in a statement read into the court record.
“I miss Julia’s company every day, and I still talk about her to keep the good times from getting forgotten,” he said. “I felt guilty that I should have heard or seen something and been able to save her … I feel worried that something like that could happen again. It hurts to know that if he didn’t turn himself in, he could have gotten away with [murder].”
Howe’s eldest daughter described her mother as a “warm, generous, and loving person” who loved her family deeply, including her four children and grandchildren.
“Her constant presence was the support system our entire family relied on,” she said. “All of our lives have been a struggle without that support system, emotionally, physically, financially, and mentally.
“Since the day that my mother was violently taken from us, my world has felt empty. I struggle every day with severe anxiety, nightmares, PTSD, depression, and overwhelming sadness.”
Creamer’s daughter in her statement said she relied on his father for “comfort, advice, and stability,” and described him as “the first person I called when anything happened, good or bad.”
She said she will “never be able to breathe a normal breath again. I have night terrors. I have paranoia, anxiety from the way I lost him. He was stolen from me, and it’s unacceptable. I am not okay. I’ll never be okay.”
(MORE TO COME)
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Prince George-North Cariboo MLA Sheldon Clare is taking a stab at the BC Conservatives leadership race.
Clare is looking to replace John Rustad, who was ousted as leader back in December but still remains the party’s Nechako Lakes MLA.
In an interview with Vista Radio, Clare believes having someone with northern ties leading the way is crucial.
“It needs to be made clear in British Columbia where the resources come from and that they need to be allocated fairly in the province, it’s important that we have leaderships that understands a provincial vision as well as a regional one.”
Clare believes he is a good fit for the top job if chosen.
“I think I have some skills to offer, which are needed and I decided after speaking with some folks that it would be wise for me to put my hat in the ring.”
“I thought to myself that I would work well with this team and to make use of and I’d really like to make sure that we hold the NDP accountable for all the terrible things they have done to the province over the last several years.”
He adds this is not the B.C. Liberal party of years gone by and said the state of the Conservatives is quite healthy despite some of the in-house turmoil that occurred for much of 2025.
“This is something new and different and we have had a few growing pains but I think we are past those growing pains and we are into political maturity that is going to serve us well.”
“Looking at the party and where it has been sitting I have seen some things that I thought needed to be improved and when I offered to make suggestions some were taken well while others were not.”
Clare also sits as the Critic for Environment, Parks, Emergency Management & Climate Readiness.
Currently, Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford is serving as the party’s interim leader.
Port Hardy residents who have questions about how the municipality functions are invited to grab a coffee with the mayor.
The District of Port Hardy is inviting community members to discuss local affairs and chat with Mayor Pat Corbett-Labatt.
The district announced upcoming dates for the gatherings in a social media post, with the first scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 14 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Other dates include Feb. 13 and March 13, both from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., as well as April 9 and May 7 from 10 a.m. to noon.
All gatherings will be held in the municipal hall council chambers at 7360 Columbia St.
A list of past “Coffee with the mayor” topics is available on the district’s website.
The Prince George Symphony Orchestra (PGSO) says it is conducting an internal staff review after a staff member was reportedly identified at a white nationalist rally.
According to the report from the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, the event was held on July 26th in Vancouver.
PGSO Executive Director Ken Hall issued the following statement to My Prince George Now:
“A report was published by the Canadian Anti-Hate Network (antihate.ca) on Dec. 22, 2025, tying PGSO operations manager Thea Coburn to the event Exiles of the Golden Age.
“Prince George Symphony Orchestra management was made aware of the report by a patron on the afternoon of Dec. 22. We had no prior knowledge of the report nor of Coburn’s attendance at the event.
“As the PGSO is still in the process of an internal review, we cannot make any further comment at this time. Coburn is on paid administrative leave until this process has been completed.
“We ask for the public’s patience during our investigation process, but reaffirm that the PGSO values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to upholding the values of universal human rights, fair treatment, and equal opportunity for all.”
A Do Not Consume (DNC) notice remains in effect for the Village of Granisle municipal water system.
The notice was issued on December 15th due to aluminum chlorohydrate entering the water system, which is used as a coagulant and filtered out during treatment.
“That means we can still do our laundry, dishes, and shower, we just can’t consume it,” said Mayor Linda McGuire.
She said the village is working with the company that built the water treatment facility to have a crew sent to diagnose the issue.
“They suspect, and they don’t know until the builders get on site to determine if it was in one of the Ceramic Ultrafiltration (CUF) units, but they are prepared to rebuild them if they need to,” McGuire added.
Since then, the village has been supplying residents with 20 litre bottles of water from Burns Lake along with a water pump which the mayor said will continue until the DNC notice is lifted.
Bottles can be picked up at the village office during business hours, with the fire department delivering to residents who aren’t able to visit the office.
“We really appreciate the patience of our residents and we really want to get a resolution to this as quickly as we can,” said McGuire.
She hopes the builders can be on site in the coming days or weeks.
The Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department was called out to a fire at the downtown government building on Wednesday (Jan 7) morning.
Fire Chief Ron Richert says the calls came in at around 6-15 to Barlow Avenue.
“Upon arrival we had a large campfire that was underneath the overhang next to the provincial government building. The RCMP on scene were able to extinguish most of the fire to keep the flames down. We called some crews in and we were able to extinguish the remaining fire and check for hot spots against the wall area. There was a large debris of clothing that was on fire.”
Richert says there was some damage done to the building.
“We were on scene for approximately 30 minutes. There was some damage to the wall and the interior, and there was some smoke inside the building in one of the rooms on the second floor.”
He says it could have been much worse.
“Obviously the RCMP were on scene fairly quick and were able to extinguish the flames which prevented it from spreading any further. It could have extended a little further than what it had and caused more damage definitely.”
Richert says no one was there when police and the fire department arrived.
He says RCMP are now investigating and will be checking video surveillance cameras in the area.
The qathet Regional District (qRD) has launched a new online land information map outlining district boundaries and providing public access to a range of mapping features.
According to a news release from the regional district, the map is maintained by qathet Regional District geographic information systems staff and is hosted on Esri’s ArcGIS Online platform.
The map includes additional land-use planning layers, including consolidated zoning, official community plan land-use designations and layers identifying development permit areas, the Agricultural Land Reserve and potential hazard areas.
Users can add markups to the map and print maps as image or PDF files.
“This is the culmination of several years of effort by our technical services and planning department staff,” said Caleb Allen, manager of information technology. “Leveraging existing GIS infrastructure and expertise alongside ArcGIS Online will allow for improvements to the user experience, increase publicly available information and reduce costs, while still providing critical basemaps and underlay elements.”
The new map replaces the regional district’s iMaptoo service.
“GIS systems are critical tools that help residents and property owners better understand the spatial layout of our region and provide a transparent overview of the physical conditions of the areas in which we operate,” said qathet Regional District board chair Clay Brander.
The qRD said the map is supported on Mac, PC and mobile browsers.
More information on map features is available on the regional district’s website.
Vancouver-based businessman Yuri Fulmer said he’s running for the leadership of the B.C. Conservatives.
The investment firm owner also serves as chancellor of Capilano University and as chair of United Way Worldwide.
Fulmer teased a leadership bid in a video posted to social media on Jan. 1, and his campaign launched a website earlier this week. He released an official announcement Wednesday.
“I’m running to be the next premier of British Columbia because our province deserves real leadership and a chance to be the envy of Canada once again,” Fulmer said in a statement.
Fulmer was a B.C. Conservative candidate in West Vancouver–Sea to Sky in the 2024 provincial election, losing to Jeremy Valeriote of the B.C. Greens.
He built his career as the owner of several A&W restaurants and other franchises.
“I worked my way up from clearing tables and running the drive-thru at A&W to owning dozens of restaurants across Western Canada. Sadly, that success story is no longer possible in a B.C. where half the population is only $200 away from financial crisis each month,” Fulmer said.
In a new video posted to social media, Fulmer slams the NDP government for what he calls “radical, out-of-touch policies.” He cites the province’s drug decriminalization pilot, a growing deficit and the provincial response to the Cowichan Tribe’s land title case in Richmond.
But he also said the B.C. Conservatives “have not been a credible alternative.”
Trevor Halford has served as interim leader of the party since John Rustad stepped down in early December. That followed months of mounting internal tensions and controversies for the Conservatives, culminating in the party announcing that a majority of caucus members had voted to remove Rustad as leader.
The B.C. Conservatives have not yet confirmed any leadership candidates. The party said last week it had formed a committee to set the rules for the leadership contest and would announce an election as soon as possible.
Others who have said they are considering a leadership bid include Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar, Langley–Abbotsford MLA Harman Bhangu, and former grocery executive Darrell Jones.
Nominations are now open for the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) 2026 Electoral Area Volunteers of the Year.
The RDEK is urging the public to nominate residents who voluntarily contribute to the spirit, culture or people of their community.
“Volunteers are the heart of our communities, and they are all around us. Is someone close to you making a positive change for those around them? These are the individuals or couples that the RDEK wants to celebrate,” said RDEK Board Chair Rob Gay.
Nominees must be residents of an electoral area (outside of incorporated municipalities), as RDEK will honour one volunteer or couple from each of its six electoral areas.
“Please take a moment and nominate a volunteer who lives in your electoral area, as honouring the people who make a difference in our region is so important.” said Gay.
Nomination forms can be filled out on engage.rdek.bc.ca/volunteer or found at the Cranbrook and Columbia Valley RDEK offices.
The deadline for nominations is 12 p.m. on Feb. 2. 2026.
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The District of Sparwood has decided to turn off commenting on all social media posts, with commenting is now disabled on Facebook and Instagram.
District staff said an evaluation of their social media accounts found that a substantial number of comments do not meet the municipality’s expectations for constructive or respectful dialogue.
Many comments included misinformation, unrelated content or were inappropriate.
“The District has a responsibility to safeguard staff, uphold respectful conduct, and ensure that information shared with the public remains accurate and timely. Given this, the benefit of disabling comments outweighs the benefit of keeping them enabled,” city staff said.
Residents looking to give feedback to the district are encouraged to use the online contact form, phone, email or to contact council or staff directly.
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Courtenay residents will have a new tool to learn more about city finances.
The city announced the Balancing Act budget simulator, an online tool that gives residents a hands-on way to explore municipal finances and share their priorities as part of the 2026 financial planning process.
Mayor Bob Wells said the tool will make it easier for residents to see how budget decisions are connected.
“It walks through real choices and shows how these choices affect the budget as a whole, and we hope it helps people learn more about the process and share what matters most to them.”
The simulator allows users to adjust spending and revenue across city services and see how their choices affect the overall budget, while trying to maintain a balanced budget, as required under provincial legislation.
Input collected through the simulator will help inform the city’s 2026 financial plan. Additional budget information, reports and updates will be shared on the city’s website as the process continues.
More than 350 athletes will be making their way to Otway this weekend as the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club hosts the 2026 Teck BC Cup #1.
The event marks the first stop of the provincial BC Cup race series.
“This is one of the provincial cups, the first provincial cup for cross country skiing in the province,” said Media Liaison Kevin Pettersen.
“There’s two BC cups, and then a provincial championship.”
Pettersen added this event also allows athletes to collect points if they’re moving onto higher levels of skiing.
“So if they’re going to be selected for say, the BC Ski Team, or things like that, like moving onto even the national team, these events are key to collecting points for that,” he explained.
Pettersen said this is something Prince George hosts often.
“It’s great to see a lot of familiar faces again,” he said.
“We’re just really delighted that the conditions are looking really good for here this weekend.”
Prince George is in for a warm weekend, with temperatures getting up to five degrees, to go along with a chance of showers on Sunday.
The Quesnel River Rush and 100 Mile House Wranglers traded a high-scoring forward to each other ahead of their weekend matchup.
The Wranglers acquired the playing rights of 2007-born forward Spencer Bates from the River Rush. In exchange, the River Rush acquired the playing rights for 2006-born forward Diego Cazac and future considerations from 100 Mile House.
Bates was acquired by the River Rush in November, has nine goals and 21 points in 25 games with Quesnel.
Cazac, in his second year in the KIJHL, has six goals and 18 points in 27 games with 100 Mile.
The Wranglers acquired another former Quesnel player this morning.
100 Mile acquired the playing rights for Maddox Kinnee from the North Vancouver Wolf Pack of the Pacific Junior Hockey League in return for future considerations.
Kinnee was traded to North Vancouver from Quesnel in November. Kinnee has three goals and 10 points in 11 games with North Van. While Kinnee was in Quesnel, he had one goal and six points in 11 games.
Quesnel will host 100 Mile this Friday night for a Cariboo Cup Rivalry game, while the Williams Lake Mustangs will be visiting first in the division Kamloops Storm.
A new partnership between the qathet Regional District and Kindred ReBuild has been launched to reduce reusable goods going to landfill and support the goal of net-zero waste.
The regional district said the initiative will support the construction of a Reuse Shed to complement the existing Resource Recovery Centre, which serves as a drop-off site for unwanted items.
The Reuse Shed will focus primarily on construction and renovation materials and will operate on scheduled dates with staff on site.
“The Reuse Shed will be open on specific date and focus on the reuse of items such as tools, building supplies and household fixtures,” they said. “The shed will be staffed by knowledgeable Kindred ReBuild personnel who will stock the Reuse Shed and available to answer questions about repairs, maintenance and upcycling.”
Jason Kouwenhoven, manager of environmental services for the qathet Regional District, said the partnership has been in development for nearly a decade and will benefit communities across the region.
“Working towards zero waste is part of the qathet Regional Districts solid waste plan, and our rebuild program will reduce the waste going to the landfill to 325 kilograms per person per year,” he said.
Kouwenhoven acknowledged the target is ambitious but said it is achievable with sustained effort.
“Our recent data shows we are at about 479 per person right now, and this program is going to be one of the tools we use to close that gap, and to keep materials from going to landfill,” he said. “Other things we do is the recycling program, including composting and shoreline cleanup.”
The regional district currently transports waste to Washington state for disposal and pays both shipping and tipping fees. Kouwenhoven said diverting reusable material locally will reduce costs.
He said the program is not intended to generate profit, but to save money.
“What’s important to know is that a program like this doesn’t need huge numbers to pay for itself,” he said. “We’ve worked the numbers and if we can divert roughly six to seven tonnes per month the savings, we see by not shipping this to landfill will pay for the operations of this program.”
Board chair Clay Brander said the partnership represents a significant step forward for the region.
“The knowledge and experience Kindred ReBuild brings will encourage the reuse and repurposing of items that still have life in them,” he said. “This will reduce what we must pay in shipping costs, the greenhouse gas emissions that transport creates and reinforce our region’s commitment to becoming zero waste.”
The regional district said it will host pop-up Reuse Shed events throughout 2026, with the first scheduled for Jan. 17 and the program running through May.
The Prince George RCMP are asking for the public’s help in finding 32-year-old Chad Laurent Presseault.
Police say Presseault is wanted on one endorsed warrant for assault by choking.
He’s described as:
Caucasian male
6’ (183 cm)
196 lb (89 kg)
Brown hair
Hazel eyes
Tattoo on right upper arm of the words “Evanna un jour à la fois”
Tattoo on left side of neck: nautical star
Tattoo on right side of neck: “Emily”
They add he’s considered dangerous and should not be approached, and anyone with information about Presseault’s whereabouts is asked to call the Prince George RCMP at 250-561-3300.
One person died following a motor vehicle incident that happened overnight in Williams Lake.
RCMP Staff Sergent Brad McKinnon said shortly after 1 this morning (January 7) police were notified by the BC Ambulance Service of a two vehicle collision on Highway 97 just South of Fox Mountain.
“All first responders attended to the area including the BC Highway Patrol Unit. Once on scene investigative efforts were made and launched,” McKinnon said, “An individual was located in one of the vehicles and efforts were made to properly remove them from the crash scene, sadly this individual passed away from their injuries.”
McKinnon said the incident, which remains under active investigation, resulted in Highway 97 being closed in both directions for several hours.
Nanaimo has selected a group of artists to help shape public spaces over the next two years.
The city said it has welcomed 28 new and returning artists from across the province to its 2026–2028 Urban Design Roster, a pool of creatives who contribute to public art projects.
“By supporting artists and designers through programs like the Urban Design Roster, we help Nanaimo’s creative spirit thrive. The work of these talented individuals brings colour, beauty and imagination into our public spaces, fostering pride and a deeper sense of connection across our city. I look forward to seeing the many ways this program will continue to inspire and brighten our community,” said Mayor Leonard Krog.
The program was launched in 2021 and supports the creation of murals, artistic surfaces for play areas and splash pads, creative enhancements to streetscapes and art on utility and traffic kiosks.
The city said artists were selected through an open call and chosen based on their previous work and their ability to contribute to urban design projects.
“By embedding artists early and often in civic projects, the Urban Design Roster supports the creation of welcoming, inclusive and visually engaging public spaces, while also providing meaningful professional opportunities for artists and designers to contribute to the city’s evolving urban environment,” the city said in a news release.
A man is in custody after an argument between neighbours in Montrose turned violent.
RCMP say they responded yesterday to a home where they found a man had been injured with an “edged weapon.” The victim reported that he and his neighbour were in an argument that became physical.
Police arrested the suspect without incident. He was jailed and remains in custody pending a court appearance. His name has not been released. The victim was taken to hospital.
Trail RCMP say the assault was isolated incident between the neighbours and don’t believe there is any ongoing risk to the public.
A man who admitted to killing a Creston woman and a Kimberley man should be sentenced to life in prison with no parole for 13 years, a BC Supreme Court judge has been told.
The joint sentencing submission was proposed today by Crown counsel and defence lawyers at a hearing in Kamloops for Mitchell McIntyre.
McIntyre has pleaded guilty to second degree murder in the death of Creston’s Julia Howe and guilty to manslaughter with a firearm in the death of Kimberley’s David Creamer. McIntyre shot and killed both of them on Feb. 6, 2022.
Police and the BC Coroners Service initially thought each had died of natural causes. McIntyre went to RCMP the day after the killings, telling them that they should take him into custody. He was not arrested in McIntyre’s death, however, until more than a month later.
Second degree murder comes with an automatic life sentence, but judges have discretion to set parole eligibility. Manslaughter with a firearm comes with a minimum sentence of four years. Lawyers in the case are jointly suggesting that McIntyre receive eight years, to be served concurrently.
The court has been listening to victim impact statements, including from Howe’s partner, daughter-in-law, brother, sister, and nephew.
He also tallied an assist on the Vees first goal of the game.
Of the 2,840 fans at the CN Centre Tuesday night, a good contingent were there to watch Johnson.
With the loss to the Vees, the Prince George Cougars are now in second place in the WHL’s BC Division.
The Cougars entered Tuesday’s contest with Penticton one point ahead of the Vees in the WHL standings.
The loss also extended Prince George’s losing streak to four.
“I thought it was a lot better, showed signs of life, that’s for sure,” said Cougars Head Coach and GM Mark Lamb on the post-game show on 94.3 the Goat.
“A couple real big mistakes in the third, we get outmuscled on that goal and they take it to us, pretty much that was the game.”
Fresh off a bronze medal win at the World Juniors, Carson Carels made his return to the Cougars lineup and put on an excellent performance. The draft-eligible defenceman scored the Cougars second goal, and helped start the play on the other.
Goaltender Josh Ravensbergen was with Canada for the World Juniors and is back with the team as well. However, Ravensbergen’s and Carels’ equipment was not back in Prince George at game time, meaning Ravensbergen had to sit out and Carels had to use new equipment.
“He put a pair of skates on and some equipment and played like that, unbelievable,” Lamb said.
It was another outstanding game for Alexander Levshyn in the Cougars net, making 35 saves.
Kooper Gizowski opened the scoring with a signature Kooper Gizowski goal, firing the puck past Andrew Reyelts from the right circle on the powerplay just 3:02 into the game.
Less than two minutes later, Carels tied the game.
After Johnson scored his winner just 1:59 into the final frame, Louis Wehmann would add an insurance marker 15:32 into the period, and Kvasnicka would add an empty netter in the final minute.
A little more offensive flair has been added to the Prince George Spruce Kings forward group.
Today (Wednesday), the BCHL club signed 19-year-old Andrew Murray.
Murray is 6’2, 185 pounds from Oneida, New York, who joins the team from the Ontario Junior Hockey League. This season between Markham and Newmarket, Murray has 22 goals and 17 assists in 36 games.
In two OJHL seasons, Murray has scored 31 times and added 23 assists for 54 points in 65 games.
“The BCHL is one of the best leagues in North America to play in and I’ve always wanted to play there. After talking to the coaches and players that have played there before, I heard nothing but great things about the team. I’m excited to get started.” said Murray.
The Spruce Kings are back in action on Friday against the Langley Rivermen at 7pm from the Kopar Memorial Arena.
Max Hense is ready to help take the Trail Smoke Eaters to the top of the BCHL.
The 19-year-old shut-down defenseman has returned from his second stint with Germany at the World Junior Hockey Championships, where he took on more responsibility with the national team.
“I tried to be even more of a leader, be a good example for the younger guys on the ice and off the ice,” said the six-foot-three, 205-pound rearguard, who gained valuable experience during the 2025 tournament.
“The year before I was one of the new guys so I just tired to do my job, fulfill my role and yes this year for sure I was one of the leaders,” he added.
Hense joined the Smokies right after last year’s World Championships.
Head coach and general manager Eric Thurston says Hense has steadily improved because of his work ethic and overall approach to preparation.
“Off the ice he’s just a pro,” said Thurston.
“He’s in the dressing room, he’s in the weight room, he’s just got such great a positive attitude, he’s just such a big, strong guy, he eats up minutes, he plays the game the right way,” the bench boss explained.
Hense feels his increased role with the Smoke Eaters this season helped prepare him for the world championships.
The big, burly back liner also says the high level of competition in the BCHL taught him valuable lessons before putting his Team Germany jersey back on.
“Just to keep it simple as a defenseman, get pucks out and I think that’s so key against those top nations like the states (USA) and Sweden,” Hense explained.
” If you don’t get the puck out you get stuck in there (the defensive zone) for three minutes and you get scored on and that definitely helped me a lot, playing a lot here, a huge help for me” added Hense, who points to the game against eventual World Champion Sweden as skill and endurance builder.
“I think against Sweden I got stuck out there (on the ice) for about three-and-a-half minutes after a penalty killing shift to that was tough, but you play five games in a week, it’s tough on your body and recovery is so key and just playing those tough opponents helps show you what you’ve got to improve,” Hense stated.
Hense suited up for the Smokies last Saturday at home against Salmon Arm, the evening after his last game at the worlds.
Thurston says that spoke volumes about Hense’s commitment and toughness.
“He broke his finger in that last game (against Denmark) but it didn’t seem like it was going to slow him down,” beamed Thurston.
“I asked him if he needed a day-or-two off, he said no, we are coming in and we want to play.”
Hense said it was amazing to walk back into the Smoke Eaters dressing room late Saturday afternoon.
“Great to see the guys, they were all welcoming me and Pappy (Matthias Pape) very warmly and I’m happy to be back.”
Hense played a strong game in the 5-3 victory over the Silverbacks and came close to scoring on a couple of occasions.
Tomorrow, Vista News will feature Pape, who is back from his first experience playing for Germany at the World Juniors.
The second place Smokies host the division-leading West Kelowna Warriors Fridayh and the Cowichan Valley Capital on Saturday.
Downtown Prince George and the Prince George Chamber of Commerce held a meeting Tuesday with Gary Anandasangaree, the federal Minister of Public Safety.
The two groups submitted a joint letter to the minister, which thanked the federal government for introducing Bill C-14 regarding bail reform and made several recommendations to improve the proposed legislation.
“Both of our organizations are members of the Save Our Streets Coalition, a BC-based alliance of community and business groups working collaboratively to address the public safety challenges facing communities across the province,” Downtown Prince George Executive Director Chrisie Berry said.
“Our recommendations to not renew BC’s drug decriminalization pilot and to better address prolific offenders of non-violent but dangerous crimes like arson support the Coalition’s call for targeted federal action.”
The business associations also stressed to the minister that addressing public safety in communities like Prince George speaks to “bringing down costs for Canadians and helping them get ahead,” one of the seven priorities outlined in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s mandate letter from last May.
“For businesses in Prince George, public safety is inseparable from affordability, workforce retention, and economic resilience,” Prince George Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Neil Godbout said.
“We told the minister our organizations and our members stand ready to do our part to help restore safety, confidence, and opportunity in our community.”
Tuesday’s discussion with Minister Anandasangaree was the latest effort by Downtown Prince George and the Chamber of Commerce to improve safety for employers, workers, and customers since they partnered in October to host the Voices For Change Safe Streets Rally at CN Centre.
Last month, Downtown Prince George, the Chamber of Commerce and other local stakeholders met with Nina Krieger, B.C.’s Public Safety Minister.
“We’re hopeful Premier Eby will respond to the letter the Chamber sent to him in December, asking him to meet with Prince George business leaders when he’s here later in January,” Godbout said.
“Both of our groups will be keeping up our efforts in 2026 to make downtown and the entire community safer for all residents,” Berry said.
Combined, Downtown Prince George and the Prince George Chamber of Commerce represent 900 local businesses
In a follow-up letter, Downtown PG noted a series of targeted actions in the following areas:
Do not renew British Columbia’s drug decriminalization pilot.
• Ensure public safety is prioritized in bail decisions.
• Amend Bill C-14 to better address prolific offenders responsible for multiple non-violent crimes.
• Broaden the application of consecutive sentencing beyond organized auto theft to include repeat offenders
accused of theft, assault, and significant property damage.
• Create a distinct Criminal Code offence for organized retail crime.
• Require online marketplaces to take greater responsibility for preventing the sale of stolen goods.
• Permit bail denial on tertiary grounds where an accused has a demonstrated pattern of breaches or repeat
offences.
• Take steps to restore greater efficiency and predictability to the justice system, strengthening public
confidence.
• Establish a national bail repository to allow Crown prosecutors and judges to assess the full scope of an
accused’s conduct, regardless of jurisdiction.
• Expand the application of reverse-onus provisions to better capture repeat and prolific offenders, beyond
their current focus.
• Use federal health transfers to incentivize provinces to build a full continuum of addiction and mental health
care, recognizing that untreated illness contributes significantly to street disorder, retail crime, and public
safety impacts
A Downtown Prince George business survey conducted late last year found that 55 respondents collectively reported more than $4.5 million in damages in
the first nine months of 2025.
FortisBC customers are are starting new year with higher electricity bills.
The utility’s 3.63 per cent general rate increase came into effect Jan. 1.
For the average customer, who uses about 825 kilowatt hours of electricity a month, the increase equals roughly $5.35 more per month.
FortisBC said in a press release the rate change was reviewed and approved by the B.C. Utilities Commission, ensuring rates were set in a fair and transparent manner.
“We know energy costs matter to our customers, and we’re here to help,” said Michelle Carman, vice-president of customer service and external communications.
“Our team is here to provide customers with tips, tools and support, answer any questions about their bill and advise on ways to reduce their energy use.”
The increase is largely driven by higher electricity purchase costs in 2026.
While FortisBC generates some of its own power at four hydroelectric generating facilities, it also purchases a portion of its electricity through long-term contracts with BC Hydro and other producers, as well as from the wholesale market.
To help offset costs, the utility said it continually monitors where it sources power based on price and what is required to meet customers’ needs. It also sells any excess power it generates back into the market.
FortisBC also increased its gas rates by 11.1 per cent as of Jan. 1, affecting residential customers across B.C.
The utility added that it also offers tips, rebates, and a monthly billing plan to help customers manage costs, and encourages residents to contact them for support or questions.
FortisBC can be reached by phone at 1-888-224-2710 or by email at [email protected].
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.
Premier David Eby and Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon will travel to India next week, marking British Columbia’s third trade mission to Asia in less than 12 months.
They said Tuesday the six-day mission includes stops in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Bangalore. The trip is expected to focus on the forestry, energy and technology sectors.
Eby said the mission is part of B.C.’s efforts to diversify the economy beyond the U.S. He noted India’s economy is on track to surpass Germany and become the third-largest in the world.
Kahlon said bilateral trade between India and British Columbia was $2.1 billion in 2024, representing 25 per cent of Canada’s exports to India.
Relations between Canada and India have been rocky in recent years. Tensions soared after the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Sikh temple in Surrey. Nijjar was an activist in the Sikh separatist movement, which is banned in India. Then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged India’s government had ties to the killing, which India denied. Four men, all Indian nationals, are facing charges in connection to the killing.
Last fall, Ottawa announced the two countries were taking steps to restore their relationship.
Eby said British Columbia needs to seize on warming relations with India. He said with India also facing significant U.S. tariffs, there is a “window of opportunity” for B.C. to deepen trade ties with the country.
Eby led a mission to Japan, Malaysia and South Korea last June. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar also travelled to Japan and South Korea in November to double-down on forestry sector outreach.
The B.C. Conservatives said in a statement the NDP government should be looking to more economic opportunities within Canada, including a proposed pipeline to B.C.’s west coast.
“Trade diversification only works if B.C. is credible at home,” said trade critic Teresa Wat in a statement. “Investors and global partners look for certainty, timelines, and rule-of-law decision-making. When government creates confusion and delays domestically, every trade pitch abroad is undermined.”
Real estate sales in the Kootenay-Boundary were down last month compared to November, but up significantly compared to the same time in the previous year.
According to the Association of Interior Realtors, 153 residential properties changed hands in our area in December, which was more than a 25 per cent increase on December 2024. However, it was down from November’s 193 units sold.
There were 174 new listings in the region in December, which was an 8.1 per cent increase compared to the same month the previous year, but down from November’s 254 new listings. Overall active listings in the Kootenays saw a 4.3 per cent decrease compared to December 2024 with 1,189 listings recorded.
“The Kootenay real estate market recorded activity levels consistent with what we typically expect in December, with prices holding relatively stable across much of this diverse region,” association president Kadin Rainville said in a news release, adding that “while inventory constraints typically place upward pressure on prices, the increase in new listings is a positive development as we head into the new year.”
The benchmark price, which realtors say is 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 Kootenays in the single-family and townhome housing categories compared to the same month the previous year, of 1.6 per cent and 1.1 per cent increases respectively; coming in at $598,500 and $500,000. Among condos, benchmark prices saw a decrease of 3.8 per cent in year-over-year comparison, coming in at $324,700.
Real estate sales in the Kootenay-Boundary were down last month compared to November, but up significantly compared to the same time in the previous year.
According to the Association of Interior Realtors, 153 residential properties changed hands in our area in December, which was more than a 25 per cent increase on December 2024. However, it was down from November’s 193 units sold.
There were 174 new listings in the region in December, which was an 8.1 per cent increase compared to the same month the previous year, but down from November’s 254 new listings. Overall active listings in the Kootenays saw a 4.3 per cent decrease compared to December 2024 with 1,189 listings recorded.
“The Kootenay real estate market recorded activity levels consistent with what we typically expect in December, with prices holding relatively stable across much of this diverse region,” association president Kadin Rainville said in a news release, adding that “while inventory constraints typically place upward pressure on prices, the increase in new listings is a positive development as we head into the new year.”
The benchmark price, which realtors say is 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 Kootenays in the single-family and townhome housing categories compared to the same month the previous year, of 1.6 per cent and 1.1 per cent increases respectively; coming in at $598,500 and $500,000. Among condos, benchmark prices saw a decrease of 3.8 per cent in year-over-year comparison, coming in at $324,700.
With a 5-2 loss to the Penticton Vees at the CN Centre Tuesday night, the Prince George Cougars are now in second place in the WHL’s BC Division.
The Cougars entered Tuesday’s contest with Penticton one point ahead of the Vees in the WHL standings.
The loss also extended Prince George’s losing streak to four.
“I thought it was a lot better, showed signs of life, that’s for sure,” said Cougars Head Coach and GM Mark Lamb on the post-game show on 94.3 the Goat.
“A couple real big mistakes in the third, we get outmuscled on that goal and they take it to us, pretty much that was the game.”
Fresh off a bronze medal win at the World Juniors, Carson Carels made his return to the Cougars lineup and put on an excellent performance. The draft-eligible defenceman scored the Cougars second goal, and helped start the play on the other.
Goaltender Josh Ravensbergen was with Canada for the World Juniors and is back with the team as well. However, Ravensbergen’s and Carels’ equipment was not back in Prince George at game time, meaning Ravensbergen had to sit out and Carels had to use new equipment.
“He put put a pair of skates on and some equipment and played like that, unbelievable,” Lamb said.
It was another outstanding game for Alexander Levshyn in the Cougars net, making 35 saves.
Kooper Gizowski opened the scoring with a signature Kooper Gizowski goal, firing the puck past Andrew Reyelts from the right circle on the powerplay just 3:02 into the game.
Less than two minutes later, Carels tied the game.
Just 1:59 into the final period, Diego Johnson scored the eventual winner, making a nifty move down low before taking a pass and ricocheting a shot off a Cougar and into the net.
The (11-8-2-1) U-18 Cariboo Cougars are 3rd out of 7.
The (16-8-0-1) U-17 Cariboo Cougars are 2nd out of 9.
The (11-9-0-0) U-15 Cariboo Cougars are 5th out of 8.
The (8-11-0-1) U-18 Female Northern Capitals are 4th out of 5.
The Johnston Bridge in Quesnel will now cost 15 million dollars for a repair and rebuild.
That is up from just over 8.8 million.
The price tag, revealed at Tuesday (Jan 6) night’s City Council meeting.
An inspection back in 2018 indicated some corrosion and Chris Coben, the Director of Capital Works & Infrastructure, told Council last night that things have gotten worse.
“A recent assessment confirmed that other than the pilings and the deck which are in good condition, the bridge is at its end of life. We confirm there is no longer an option to repair the bridge temporarily to keep it at a reduced weight limit from the original design as a long term solution. A rebuild is now the only solution to provide long term service for the city, so we’d be looking at a 30-plus, 30 to 50 year lifespan, with a full repair.”
There has been a 10,000 kilogram restriction on the bridge since 2018.
Coben says the main reason for the cost increase is inflation.
“There have been significant cost increases from 2018 to 2025, mainly due to increased inflation, additional structural deterioration occurring over the last number of years to keep the bridge remaining in service, and also enhanced inspections and the time overall it’s taken to have a construction ready project.”
Council asked Telus and Rogers to remove their infrastructure from the bridge back in May of 2021 and it wasn’t done until October of 2025.
Councillor Mitch Vik, also the Chair of the Finance Committee, asked how differently they could approach third party infrastructure, telecommunication companies for example, to motivate them in the future to do things more quickly.
Coben said it was a challenge for a number of reasons.
“That bridge is old. When that infrastructure was originally installed there was no formal agreement in place so that didn’t bode well for the city. The second piece, with them moving their infrastructure to an aerial crossing over the Quesnel River, was for their permitting aspect. Where an aerial crossing pertains you have to go through a different set of permits and processes as far as the Navigable Waters Act and getting approval for that. And of course they’re a private business so their contract that they have with their customers, they have service limitations. So those were all the challenges that we had to work through. It was slow, it was definitely challenging.”
The clock is ticking to get this project done as the city received a 6 million dollar grant from the Canada Community Building Fund back in 2023 that is approved until 2027, which means that the city must proceed with and complete the project prior to the end of 2027 or risk losing the approved grant funding.
The project was unanimously approved.
The city will have to dip into reserves for 5.2 million dollars and grants will cover the rest of the bill.
It’s expected to go out to tender next month and the expected completion date would be in December.
The bridge and the Riverfront Trail under the bridge would be fully closed to all traffic during the project.
A vehicle incident on Highway 19 is causing delays in both directions Tuesday night.
DriveBC said a major incident near Nanoose Bay, between Summerset Road and Hillview Road, closed the southbound left lane and blocked the northbound right lane.
Police in Nanaimo are asking for the public’s help finding a 36-year-old man who was in the city for a construction job and reported missing on Dec. 29.
Teddy Archibald was last seen near Carlos O’Bryan’s Pub on Stewart Avenue. Police said he is not familiar with the area and they are concerned for his safety and well-being.
A recent photo of Archibald has been provided by police. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
The City of Campbell River said its Reimagine the Row project is progressing as planned.
Demolition has begun in the 1300 block of Shoppers Row, with city council members and staff on hand Monday to mark the start of that phase of the downtown revitalization project.
In a statement, the city said the lane behind the project area is temporarily closed to allow demolition work to proceed.
The sidewalk in front of 1342 Shoppers Row is also closed for public safety, and additional sidewalk closures are expected as demolition continues.
The city said the Downtown Safety Office has been temporarily relocated to the Centennial Building at 1235 Shoppers Row.
The project is expected to bring up to 200 rental housing units to downtown Campbell River. The city said 10 per cent of the rental units will be below market value.
“In addition to housing, the City envisions a variety of commercial, retail and civic uses at the ground level of the development that aims to invigorate and animate both Shoppers Row and 13th Avenue,” the statement said.
Lhtako Dene Nation celebrates a historic milestone, as its community agreement with the Province’s Ministry of Children and Family Development takes effect today, Tuesday, January 6.
The agreement was officially signed on October 8, 2025, which helps the Lhtako Dene Nation’s children and youth stay connected with their families, culture, and community. The agreement also ensures that Lhtako will be involved in the decision-making and planning of child welfare decisions within its territory, with cooperation by the Province.
“This is great because, as many know, a lot of our people were sent to residential schools, some were apprehended during the Sixties Scoop, and many people spent their lives in care by the Ministry of Children and Family Development, now we’ll have a generation that won’t have to do that,” Terry Boucher, Lhtako Dene Elder and family support worker tells Vista Radio.
“We had our own laws, traditions and rights, so to take back what we had before, our laws before, is really important for us. It’s a step in not only healing ourselves, but for the whole community.”
The agreement is set to charter what the Province calls “a path toward jurisdiction” for Lhtako, with several objectives, including
Establishing guiding principles rooted in the Nation’s cultural values.
Embedding Lhtako Dene knowledge, traditions, and practices into child and family services.
Promoting cultural continuity and meaningful Nation involvement in all aspects of service delivery.
“Today represents a pivotal moment for both the Lhtako Dene Nation and the Province,” said Jodie Wickens, Minister of Children and Family Development, in a statement.
“Centering child and family services in Lhtako Dene teachings, traditions, and values will help their children and youth grow up strong and supported in their communities. This agreement reflects the strength of our collaboration and marks a significant milestone on our shared journey toward reconciliation.”
Lhtako Dene Nation said in a statement that this is a step forward, towards having full jurisdiction over child and family services within its Nation.
Boucher says Lhtako Dene’s next steps, while continuing to work towards full jurisdiction, are the Nation’s child welfare service delivery and adding back in the Nation’s traditional laws. Lhtako Dene will also be extending their Family Centre building and hiring more staff upon completion.
Premier David Eby said he would rather see Canada build more oil refineries than a new pipeline to British Columbia’s northwest coast.
His comments came after Alberta Premier Danielle said the recent U.S. actions in oil-rich Venezuela should spur Canada to speed up pipeline development.
Following the U.S. capture and removal of Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro, the Trump administration has pledged to reopen Venezuela to U.S. oil companies, potentially weakening U.S. reliance on Canadian oil.
“Recent events surrounding Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro emphasize the importance that we expedite the development of pipelines to diversify our oil export markets, including a new Indigenous co-owned bitumen pipeline to BC’s northwest coast to reach Asian markets,” said Smith in a statement Monday on social media.
Eby said Tuesday he’s not sorry to see Maduro removed as leader of Venezuela, calling him “tyrannical” and “a bad guy.” But he expressed concern about the U.S. actions.
“I, like many Canadians, I’m sure, find it deeply unsettling to have Donald Trump deciding unilaterally for regime change in different countries and saber rattling towards Greenland and Mexico,” he said.
Eby said the actions highlight the need for Canada to distance its economy from the U.S., but he maintained that building a new pipeline is not the way to do that.
He reiterated that no private proponent has stepped forward to back the project, and insisted that any new pipeline must not be publicly funded.
“If we’ve got tens of billions of dollars to spend, I think we should spend it on a refinery and we should develop oil products for Canadians and for export instead of being reliant on American and Chinese refineries to do it for us,” said Eby.
He also said Canada should work on expanding the capacity of the existing publicly-owned Trans Mountain pipeline.
Alberta is expected to submit an application to the federal Major Projects Office (MPO) to fast-track a pipeline by next July. A memorandum of understanding signed between Ottawa and Alberta in November stipulates any new pipeline would need to be privately-funded.
The Canada Energy Regulator says Canada’s 17 oil refineries had a capacity of about 1.93 million barrels per day, as of 2024. B.C.’s two refineries made up just four per cent of that capacity.
Vancouver Island’s real estate market closed 2025 with modest growth, according to the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board.
The board reported 7,620 unit sales last year, up from 7,473 in 2024.
The benchmark price for a single-family home on the island rose one per cent in December compared with the same month in 2024 to $773,000.
A total of 412 units sold across the island in December, down six per cent year over year. Active listings totalled 3,075, an increase of seven per cent from December 2024.
“If there’s one word that defines our 2025 housing market, it’s resilience,” said VIREB CEO Jason Yochim. “We began the year bracing for economic disruption, from global trade tensions to lingering inflation, but the impact was far less dramatic than many feared.”
Yochim said the board remains optimistic about market stability despite ongoing economic uncertainty, adding demand continues to support prices.
“A lot of the buyers that come here are not subject to interest rate changes. They often come here and have cash available, they don’t have to rely too much on financing so pricing doesn’t become a big issue and the demand is still strong to move to the area,” Yochim said.
Condominium sales totalled 37 units in December, down 16 per cent from a year earlier and 26 per cent from November 2025. There were 319 condos listed for sale, up from 271 in December 2024. The benchmark condo price rose three per cent year over year to $405,400.
Listings for single-family homes also increased to 837 in December, compared with 829 a year earlier. Excluding acreages and waterfront properties, 215 single-family homes sold during the month, down four per cent year over year.
Parksville-Qualicum remained the most expensive local market on the island, with the benchmark price for a single-family home at $903,200, up three per cent from December 2024.
The North Island was the least expensive market, with a benchmark price of $432,100, down three per cent year over year.
The benchmark price in Nanaimo was $794,700, down two per cent from the previous December.
In Campbell River, the benchmark price dipped slightly to $670,900.
The Comox Valley benchmark rose two per cent to $794,700, while the Cowichan Valley increased one per cent to $752,700.
The Prince George RCMP is asking the public to keep an eye out for stolen logging equipment.
Mounties were called to a logging claim along the Beaver Forest Service Road on January 2nd, 2026, where the owner of the claim reported tens of thousands of dollars in stolen and damaged property.
According to police, the incident would have occurred sometime between December 23, 2025, and January 2nd, 2026.
“Much of what was stolen was hand tools and two-way radios,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper.
“However, certainly the largest and most unique of the items stolen was the harvester head that was physically cut off a piece of machinery.”
Police say this is a very specific and very large piece of equipment that will be showing some damage from its forceful removal.
Investigators are asking the public to be on the lookout for anything matching its description, and are requesting anyone with information pertaining to the investigation to contact their local detachment.
The Conservative Party of BC is moving onto the next steps of its leadership race, with the formation of a new Leadership Election Organizing Committee.
“It is a very exciting time, as we look to the future, we’re looking to build a party that’s going to be the next government in waiting,” said Prince George-Mackenzie Conservative MLA Kiel Giddens.
“We’re hoping to elect here the next Premier of this province, so it’s very exciting to see what’s happening here.”
The committee will serve as an impartial body tasked with the oversight of the race and the administration of the rules and procedures.
“Scott Lamb is the chair of this committee, and is very experienced, he’s a former President of the Conservative Party of Canada,” Giddens said.
“Candidates will use those rules and be held to them to make sure that they are going through and know what’s expected. Right now it’s time for folks to get involved, and really, it’s only members who are able to vote in this election, and that’s why it’s this is an exciting process, there’s a chance for people to actually vote for this leader by signing as a member of the Conservative Party.”
The Committee will have northern representation, with Skeena MLA Claire Rattee serving on the committee.
“The Committee has a lot of legal expertise, a lot of technical expertise, but we also wanted to have expertise within our caucus,” Giddens said.
“She’s a great colleague and a friend so I have all the confidence in her, as I do the rest of the committee as well. It’s a very accomplished group that’s been assembled to put this process forward.”
Giddens has made it clear he will not be running in the race, but he’s looking forward to seeing who may come forward.
“There’s some big names that I’ve heard from the business community, there’s some folks who are considering from within the Conservative caucus,” he said.
“I think it’s going to be a diverse group of candidates, and really looking forward to seeing what this vote brings forward for British Columbia.”
Proponents from across the country have put forward ideas to repurpose the Crofton mill, including manufacturing, real estate and commercial uses.
Domtar previously announced the mill would cease production, a move that would result in the loss of about 350 jobs and millions of dollars in property tax revenue for North Cowichan.
Mayor Rob Douglas said the municipality would prefer to see industrial activity resume at the site to help bring workers back, but remains open to any proposal that would generate revenue and support the community.
“We are hopeful there will be a new owner that’ll continue pulp and paper production on the site, or repurpose the property for other industrial use,” Douglas said.
Douglas said several companies have expressed interest since Domtar announced the closure last year, and discussions with the premier and other members of the provincial government have left him optimistic about the site’s future.
“I was pleasantly surprised how optimistic the province was that a new owner will be stepping in to take over the site,” he said. “I have had regular communication with the forest minister, and know the province is pursuing that avenue.”
Ideas under consideration include another mill, an employee ownership model similar to Tarmac in Nanaimo, real estate development, manufacturing facilities and a racetrack.
Douglas said he hopes some of the proposals move forward.
“Hopefully some of these are serious and viable, because if we can get some industrial use going forward, it’ll be great for local workers and the businesses that depend on the economic activity on that site and for our taxpayers,” he said.
The mill generated approximately $5 million in property taxes annually.
“It’s something I have been gearing towards for the last four years.”
That’s from PG’s Carolina Hiller-Donnelly as she waits confirmation on whether or not she will represent Canada at next month’s Winter Olympics in Italy.
Hiller-Donnelly placed first in the 500m event at the Long Track Canada Cup and Olympic Skate Off in Quebec City on Saturday.
In an interview with MyPGNow.com, she stated after losing her mom to cancer last year, the last year has been a trying time to compete.
“I didn’t know that I could make it this year after losing her. It was really hard to compete again and there was moments where I didn’t know if I could make it here but I truly felt her positive presence this weekend and she helped me. She totally did.”
“I executed exactly how I wanted to and when I crossed the line and saw that I came first I allowed myself to feel everything and had some happy tears. My dream has become a reality.”
The PG product now has one final tune up in Germany prior to the winter games.
“There is not much time obviously. I quickly head home and re-pack and refocus and to get a week of training in, hit the gym a couple of times to get some strength back. This next month is going to go by quick.”
“As a kid, it was always a dream to go to the Olympics. Four years ago I kind of lost sight of it a little bit in my early 20’s but the last four years I started working with a new coach that truly trusted and believed in me and he made that dream a reality again.”
The nominations to the Canadian Olympic team won’t be made official until January 15th.
Canada can only bring a maximum of eight women and seven men to Milano-Cortina 2026.
Frontline officers responded around 7:30 a.m. to a residence in the 100-block of 13th Street in Courtenay.
Police said an 83-year-old woman was home at the time and described the suspect as a masked man wearing dark clothing and sunglasses.
RCMP said a 25-year-old man has been arrested and remains in custody, facing multiple charges including sexual assault, break and enter, unlawful confinement, assault, uttering threats, theft over $5,000, possession or use of a stolen credit card, possession of property obtained by crime and disguising his face with intent to commit an offence.
Police said the arrest followed around-the-clock work by the Comox Valley RCMP Major Crime Unit and frontline members, with assistance from the Integrated Forensic Identification Section.
RCMP said no further information will be released at this time as the matter is now before the courts.
The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is nearing the end of its accessory dwelling unit planning process, with only two online workshops remaining.
The planning process will help the board know whether residents and property owners across the region want more opportunities to have accessory dwelling units.
“Directors made some zoning changes in 2024, as required by the province, but are now seeking feedback from residents and property owners about what types of ADU opportunities they would or would not like to see,” said Board Chair Rob Gay.
Since September there has been 13 in-person open houses covering the topic and a public survey.
Gay said they will develop a draft by this spring.
“The draft amendments resulting from this consultation will not use a one-size-fits-all approach and will be available for public review in the Spring of 2026. The goal is to complete the project by the end of July 2026.
The first online workshop is scheduled for Jan. 12 from 6-8 p.m. and again on Jan. 14 from 7-9 p.m.
Links to the meetings will be posted on the RDEK’s website.
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The City of Nanaimo and the Regional District of Nanaimo will host a pair of open houses before major water infrastructure work begins on the Departure Bay pump station and forcemain expansion project.
A news release from the RDN said a traffic management plan is in development, and information will be available before work begins to help people plan around construction on Hammond Bay Road.
“The expansion project includes the renewal of the pump station at Departure Bay as well as the installation of four kilometres of new sewer forcemain along Hammond Bay Road,” the news release said. “The project is critical as this portion of the wastewater system is now over 50 years old, moves 75 per cent of the City of Nanaimo’s wastewater and is not keeping up with current or future needs.”
Crews will drill along the project route for preliminary ground testing in January, and the RDN said there will be single-lane alternating traffic for a week. The drilling is only preliminary work, and the regional district said the project is set to begin officially in the spring.
The first open house will be Jan. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hungarian Culture Society on Hammond Bay Road. The second will be Jan. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Departure Bay Elementary School.
The events will offer an opportunity for residents to ask questions and learn more about the project.
The route of sewer infrastructure upgrades coming this spring along Hammond Bay Road. (Map via the Regional District of Nanaimo)
The province gave its year end look at the public safety investments made, with Prince George having a part in it.
It said nearly $7 million was provided to police in 2025-26 fiscal year to support operations targeting repeat violent offenders, with $6.2 million for operations targeting street disorder and retail theft.
PG was highlighted in the province’s Special Investigation and Targeted Enforcement program (SITE).
Between April 2024 and March 2025 RCMP conducted high-visibility proactive patrols downtown to address violence affecting local businesses and the public, resulting in over 500 investigations and 101 charges against 54 individuals and seizures of multiple weapons and drugs.
This resulted in a decline in violent crimes in the downtown area in 2024.
“Police in our province play a vital role in keeping our communities safe, and we are dedicated to ensuring they have the support and resources they need to continue doing their job effectively.” said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
“Last year was a strong year for public safety investments that helped police address repeat violent offending and target street disorder and retail theft in our downtown communities.”
An Alberta man whose high-speed trip ended with a crumpled vehicle in a ditch has pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving.
Jivat Aragon-Martnez entered the pleas Monday in Nelson Supreme Court. He also pleaded not guilty to possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking but guilty to the lesser included offence of simple possession.
A pre-sentence report has been ordered with a psychiatric/psychological assessment. Aragon-Martinez will return to court on Feb. 17 to set a date for sentencing.
Aragon-Martinez was accused of crashing a pickup truck just outside of Nelson in August 2024. It’s alleged his trip from Trail to Nelson at extremely high speed ended after his vehicle hit a rock face on Highway 3A just west of Nelson.
One witness told police a pickup almost rear-ended their car, swung out into the opposite lane, and barely missed an oncoming pickup near Thrums. Police said the truck also collided with the back of another vehicle and kept going.
Aragon-Martinez originally pleaded not guilty and waived his right to a preliminary inquiry. He was expected to stand trial by judge alone. However, he missed a court appearance in August 2025, so a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. He next appeared in court in custody on Sept. 15. His bail was revoked on Nov. 27.
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The Vancouver Island hockey community has lost one of its most iconic voices.
Evan Hammond, a longtime play-by-play commentator for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, died on Jan. 2 at age 45 after suffering a medical emergency. He was known to many as “Hammer.”
Hammond was a pillar in the Alberni Valley and a familiar presence on local radio for more than two decades. He spent 22 years as a morning show host on 93.3 The Peak and served as the voice of the Bulldogs, earning multiple Jim Hughson awards, given annually to the British Columbia Hockey League’s top broadcaster as voted by his peers.
Justis Doucet, program director at 89.7 Sun FM, said Hammond stood out for his longevity and connection to the game and the community.
It’s not known how Trail’s rate compared to 2024, because that data isn’t available, but it’s below the provincial rate of 3.5 per cent, and below the three per cent CMHC considers to represent a generally balanced market.
The average monthly rental in Trail was up 17.5 per cent over 2024, rising from $893 to $1,049, but that was still less than the $1,253 average in Nelson.
The total number of Trail apartments stood at 302 last year, down one from the year before. That consisted of 17 studio apartments, 129 one-bedrooms, 129 two-bedrooms, and 27 three-bedrooms.
The average rent for a one-bedroom was up 9.5 per cent, from $852 in 2024 to $933 in 2025. The average rent for a two-bedroom increased 10.3 per cent, from $1,113 in 2024 to $1,228 in 2025. Rental price data was unavailable for studio and three-bedroom apartments.
The CMHC report also said there were no housing starts in the third quarter of 2025 in Trail compared to two in the third quarter of 2024.
Trail and Nelson are the only two cities in the West Kootenay included in CMHC’s housing market information portal.
One person was arrested attempting to use counterfeit money in the South Cariboo.
On December 31, 100 Mile House RCMP received a report from a local business of an adult female trying to pay for merchandise using a counterfeit fifty dollar bill.
Sargeant Brian Lamb said police attended, viewed surveillance, and identified the female.
“The female was subsequently located and arrested on an outstanding warrant from Kamloops as well as using counterfeit money,” Lamb said, “The bill was easily identifiable as counterfeit as it was not close in color to a legitimate bill, it was of low paper quality, and the clear security strip was easily removed.”
He added the bill was also lacking detail in relation to the images on the bill and had no raised brail.
The female was held in custody and later released with a future court date.
Lamb said although less frequent of late, $100 and $50 counterfeit bills are still circulating in the area.
Drivers heading over the Malahat should prepare for difficult conditions during the Tuesday morning commute.
Environment Canada is forecasting 10 to 15 centimetres of snow along the Malahat Drive stretch of Highway 1 early on Jan. 6, issuing a high-confidence weather alert for the area. The agency warns that road conditions could deteriorate quickly, with reduced visibility and slower travel expected during peak traffic hours.
The snowfall is being driven by a weather system moving across the South Coast, combined with snow levels dropping to around 300 metres, which will allow snow to accumulate during the morning. Forecasters said heavy precipitation will begin as snow before gradually changing back to rain later in the morning as temperatures rise.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and be prepared for winter driving conditions.
The 11th annual UNBC Timberwolves Legacy Night is getting an added dose of truculence.
One year removed from UNBC’s most successful Legacy Night ever, Brian Burke is making another appearance.
On Wednesday, Jan 28 at the Prince George Civic Centre, Burke returns after helping set a record for funds raised.
He is hosting a panel discussion with retired NHL players and PG Cougars alumni and co-owners Dan Hamhuis and Eric Brewer.
“I’m excited to be back in Prince George for the 11th annual UNBC Timberwolves Legacy Night,” said Brian Burke. “It’s a privilege to host the panel and talk international hockey with Dan Hamhuis and Eric Brewer.”
A Harvard Law graduate (1981), Burke began his hockey career as a player agent before joining the Vancouver Canucks front office in 1987 alongside the late Pat Quinn.
He became general manager of the Hartford Whalers in 1992, spent five years in the NHL head office, and then returned to Vancouver as GM in 1998. In 1999, Burke orchestrated the famous trades that allowed the Canucks to select both Daniel and Henrik Sedin with back-to-back picks.
Burke later guided the Anaheim Ducks to their first—and only—Stanley Cup championship in 2006–07.
He then returned to Canada, serving five seasons as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs (2008–2013) before becoming president of hockey operations with the Calgary Flames from 2014–2018.
Most recently, Burke held the same role with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2021–2023, before becoming executive director of the Professional Women’s Hockey League Players Association.
“Community support isn’t optional — it matters. Legacy Night is about showing up and backing the student-athletes of UNBC and celebrating their accomplishments in sport and in the classroom. That’s exactly what we’ll do on January 28 in Prince George.”
Hamhuis a Prince George Cougars part-owner played 1,148 NHL games with Nashville, Vancouver and Dallas.
The Smithers, B.C. native represented Canada 10 times internationally, earning Olympic gold in 2014 and two world championship gold medals, among seven international medals overall.
Brewer, also a Cougars part-owner, played 1,009 NHL games with the New York Islanders, Edmonton, St. Louis, Anaheim, and Toronto. A former captain of the Blues, Brewer represented Canada eight times internationally and earned five gold medals, including at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
The Creston Valley Thunder Cats have traded forward Tye Matthews to Nelson for 18-year-old defenseman Nicholas Petropolous.
The Thunder Cats also swung a deal with Kimberley, trading 17-year-old defenseman Owen Bembrick to the Dynamiters for future considerations.
The deals come as the KIJHL trade deadline approaches. The cut-off is 4 p.m. on Jan. 10.
Meanwhile, Nelson completed a blockbuster trade with Kamloops. Coming to the Queen City: 18-year-old forward Sean Milford, 18-year-old forward Jack Day and 18-year-old defenseman Emery Corpe, while 20-year-old forwards Quinn Ramsay and Cale Nachai go to the Storm.
The Leafs have also sent 20-year-old defenseman Jackson McIntosh to the Kelowna Chiefs for 18-year-old forward Christian Stephanson.
The Castlegar Rebels have made two trades so far.
They have picked up 18-year-old defenseman Nix Anderson from Kimberley for future considerations and landed 18-year-old forward Rylan Davis from the CCHL’s Pembroke Lumber Kings for future considerations.
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The Nelson Leafs have been playing “Let’s make a Deal” as the KIJHL trade deadline approaches.
A blockbuster trade with Kamloops brings 18-year-old forward Sean Milford, 18-year-old forward Jack Day and 18-year-old defenseman Emery Corpe to the Queen City with 20-year-old forwards Quinn Ramsay and Cale Nachai going to the Storm.
The Leafs have also sent 20-year-old defenseman Jackson McIntosh to the Kelowna Chiefs for 18-year-old forward Christian Stephanson.
Nelson has also parted with Nicholas Petropolous, trading the 18-year-old defenseman to Creston Valley for Thunder Cats forward Tye Matthews.
The Thunder Cats also swung a deal with Kimberley, trading 17-year-old defenseman Owen Bembrick to the Dynamiters for future considerations.
The Castlegar Rebels have made two trades so far.
They have picked up 18-year-old defenseman Nix Anderson from Kimberley for future considerations and landed 18-year-old forward Rylan Davis from the CCHL’s Pembroke Lumber Kings for future considerations.
The annual trade deadline has been at 4 p.m. on Jan. 10.
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The Nelson Leafs have been playing “Let’s make a Deal” as the KIJHL trade deadline approaches.
A blockbuster trade with Kamloops brings 18-year-old forward Sean Milford, 18-year-old forward Jack Day and 18-year-old defenseman Emery Corpe to the Queen City with 20-year-old forwards Quinn Ramsay and Cale Nachai going to the Storm.
The Leafs have also sent 20-year-old defenseman Jackson McIntosh to the Kelowna Chiefs for 18-year-old forward Christian Stephanson.
Nelson has also parted with Nicholas Petropolous, trading the 18-year-old defenseman to Creston Valley for Thunder Cats forward Tye Matthews.
The Thunder Cats also swung a deal with Kimberley, trading 17-year-old defenseman Owen Bembrick to the Dynamiters for future considerations.
The Castlegar Rebels have made two trades so far.
They have picked up 18-year-old defenseman Nix Anderson from Kimberley for future considerations and landed 18-year-old forward Rylan Davis from the CCHL’s Pembroke Lumber Kings for future considerations.
The annual trade deadline has been at 4 p.m. on Jan. 10.
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Fortis BC customers across the North will be paying roughly $11 more per month on their bills this year.
The rate change kicked in on New Years Day.
The increase is geared towards supporting critical upgrades to keep the gas system safe and reliable, as well as increased funding for energy-efficiency rebate programs that help customers lower their bills over time.
“In addition to the safety and reliability of the energy that we deliver, we know that access to affordable energy is important to the families and businesses we serve,” said Michelle Carman, vice president of customer service and external communications.
“Our team is here to help with billing questions, payment options and tips to save energy.”
Residential customers in Fort Nelson will see an overall change in their bill of about $13.23 per month based on average monthly household consumption of approximately or about 11.5 per cent.
A snowfall warning is in effect for Highway 3 near Kootenay Pass, with total accumulations of 15 to 25 centimetres expected.
The snow began early Tuesday and is forecast to continue through Wednesday morning as a frontal system moves through the B.C. Interior. Conditions are expected to improve as the system passes later Wednesday.
Environment Canada said the snow may reduce visibility at times and make travel difficult. Weather in the mountains can change suddenly, leading to hazardous driving conditions.
Drivers are advised to prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating road conditions.
Stay up-to-date with road conditions are available at DriveBC.
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WildSafeBC is warning residents of the Kootenays about an increase in reported cougar activity, noting some of the animals are showing unusually bold behaviour.
“The bold behaviour is concerning. We want cougars to still have the fear of human beings that they should have, and so that bold behaviour is a worry,” said Karly McMullen, communications specialist with WildSafeBC.
“If there’s a known cougar that’s active in your area, it’s time to take extra precaution. If you do let your pets out at night, that would be trying to bring them in as much as possible, having them inside, and having them on leash when you’re on trails.
“If there’s a cougar active in a certain trail area, I’d recommend looking for a different trail to do that day.”
Over the holiday period, cougars have been sighted in Castlegar and the Slocan Valley.
McMullen said safety and knowledge are key to avoiding an incident.
“If you do come across a cougar, it’s important just to maintain eye contact with them and you never want to run, so never turn your back, never run, maintain that eye contact and if you do have bear spray, that would be a time to deploy it if the cougar is approaching.”
She said cougar sightings increase during the winter as the animals become more active at dusk and dawn—times when people are still out—and may need to travel farther to find food.
“Those two factors combined, we tend to see more interactions and conflicts in winter, so it’s a good reminder just to make sure you’re prepared and you’re extra alert when you’re on the trails in winter.”
WildSafeBC also recommends supervising children at all times and visiting its website for more safety tips.
“You can learn about why they might be in your area and how they follow their prey. They’ll follow deer, and if you’re around big groups of deer, you can know that a cougar might be active in the area.”
A temporary use permit has been granted for a temporary emergency shelter at 395 Elliott Street in West Quesnel.
It is for 16 beds and will run until the end of April.
Council made the decision at a meeting held at 10 a.m. last Tuesday, December 30th.
The vote was near unanimous, despite several concerns raised by each of the Councillors themselves.
Councillor Debra McKelvie said, “This feels really rushed for me to, and I feel ill-prepared to make a decision at this time because it’s such a huge issue. I do agree that we need to do something for the vulnerable people in our community, and we can’t have them freezing to death. However, this problem isn’t going to get smaller; it is going to get larger, whether we have 16 beds or 160 beds. What we need is detox rehabilitation and second-stage recovery in our communities, so for me, I can’t allow people to freeze to death. I feel this is rushed for me.”
Councillor Martin Runge agreed that it was rushed.
“I talked about the process in the beginning. I hate this process. Coming in here on the 30th at 10 o’clock is not fair to a tonne of people. This is an 11th-hour decision, a snap decision; we need as a community to come up with a proper solution. When I look at our timeline, we were supposed to have a solution by March. It should have been done last year, I don’t disagree with that, but to jump ahead of that and to start putting in three-year plans or two-year plans will undermine what I believe everybody is trying to create.”
Councillor Mitch Vik agreed that it was rushed and also questioned the location.
“We’re dealing with a neighbourhood which definitely has infrastructure in place that is helping those that are suffering with addictions, with health issues, and housing those that are, in some cases, being housed for the very first time, so they’re vulnerable. To add another layer of service, in this case, would be a cold weather shelter, to add that on top of all these other services in this very small area, I have a concern about.”
“In the summertime, citizens have reached out to me to address the major lawlessness that occurs at the very property in question here, and bylaw enforcement is stretched. Security, although it has been mentioned, is available at Northern Health. It’s ineffective. The lawlessness and the disregard for the well-being of our neighbours who live in that area struck me. To add this, layer this on top, I can’t agree to it. I just can’t.”
Councillor Scott Elliott, who is the Chair of Council’s Housing Committee, had a different take on the timing.
“We talk about it being rushed through. Okay, maybe things could be slowed down. But when it’s -27 degrees outside, I would say the rush should be in the other direction. Everyone deserves to have a roof over their head, and everyone deserves to be heated at night. I could not imagine being outside at -27. So, is this perfect? No. Do I have another location in mind? No. No one has come forward to me with another location in mind. I think at this point in time, the onus should be on us to create safe housing for people.”
Other concerns included safety in the area, particularly in the alley leading down to the shelter, which has been a highly targeted area for potential vandalism and damage.
Tammy Janzen, Executive Director of the Quesnel Shelter and Support Society, responded to some of those concerns, saying:
“The foot traffic down the alley, I have also raised this as a concern. Bridges Supportive Housing has, since opening, installed extra fencing along our property to reduce the amount of foot traffic, and my recommendation to BC Housing is that they do the same at this site that they’re proposing.”
“Responding to concerns about people congregating outdoors of the shelter. I don’t know how many times I’ve reported this, but we are a 25-capacity shelter with a homeless population, last counted at 131 people. When you have a 25 max capacity, where do the rest of those people go when there is nowhere designated for them?”
The temporary shelter is essentially a block away from Riverview Elementary School, which concerned School Trustee Julie-Anne Runge, who was there speaking on her own behalf.
“No one denies that there is a real growing need for support for people in our community. My concerns are with the location and the proximity, as it’s right down the hill from the elementary school, and the rushed nature of this proposal,” Runge said.
“There have been rising occurrences of community members who are under the influence entering schools, yelling at staff from the street, and sleeping in and around the schools. It’s impacting the school’s ability to provide a safe and enjoyable learning experience for all students. Schools are cancelling events outside. They’re cancelling neighbourhood activities due to the negative interactions.”
Janzen said she was only aware of one instance where the school had to cancel a cross-country run.
“I worked with her, offered solutions, gave my phone number, gave my card, and never heard anything back. So I am very concerned that the School District is still having concerns, but they’re not bringing them to my attention so that we can address them.”
Responding to concerns about what the community implications are if we do this, Janzen asked, “What are the community implications if we don’t?”
Councillor Laurey-Anne Roodenburg successfully suggested that the permit be for just one year, rather than the three years that BC Housing was requesting of Council, and that it then be reviewed again before next year.
In the end, just Councillor Tony Goulet was opposed.
“I agree. We really need to think this through. We need to look at how we can do this properly and beneficially to everybody within the community,” Goulet said. I’m not in favour of the way the resolution is written. I think we have a cold-weather plan that is being developed by the city, and we still need to do some work on it. It always comes down to the location and what the temperature is for when we open these emergency shelters. We need to come up with a hard plan that identifies how we’re going to make this work within the community.”
Councillor Goulet acknowledged there is a larger homeless count than there are beds, and potentially a larger count than has been projected. While saying there is a need to add more beds, Goulet brought to attention that there are more services within the Quesnel community, including potentially three places that house people that could add up to almost 80 beds, that could serve as potential locations, if, as Goulet pointed out, the City had a long-term comprehensive plan in the works, and in motion.
Goulet noted that there were a lot of pieces to this issue and that he needed some time to think this through.
In the end, the Quesnel Council voted by majority that the temporary shelter will open at the start of the New Year, ending April 30.
Council, BC Housing, and Northern Health confirmed that Northern Health will be providing security at the temporary shelter on Elliot Street at their locations. Security will consist of three patrols per night.
Sports by Hartley Tuesday, January 6th, 2026 as of 12:05 a.m.
WHL:
The Prince George Cougars try to get back on the winning track when they host the Penticton Vees in a doubleheader, tonight (Tuesday) and Wednesday at 7:00.
The (23-12-2) Cougars have lost their last three and six of their last seven games.
The (20-9-4-3) Vees are riding a 5-game winning streak and sit second in the B.C. Division, just a point behind Prince George.
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Sniper Cameron Schmidt of Prince George is on the move.
In a blockbuster WHL trade, the Vancouver Giants dealt Schmidt to the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for defenceman Kaleb Hartmann, three draft picks (two of them first rounders) and two conditional picks.
Schmidt is currently second in WHL scoring with 60 points in 39 games.
His 27 goals is also second in the league.
The 18-year-old Schmidt was a third round pick by the Dallas Stars in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
TRADE: The Seattle Thunderbirds have acquired Cameron Schmidt from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for Kaleb Hartmann, three picks and two conditional picks.
The (16-20-5) Vancouver Canucks visit the (21-15-4) Buffalo Sabres tonight (4:00) to begin a 6-game road trip.
It is one of 10 Tuesday games in the NHL.
The Canucks are last in the Pacific Division and second last in the overall NHL standings, ahead of only the (15-21-4) Winnipeg Jets. The Jets have lost nine straight.
The (11-8-2-1) U-18 Cariboo Cougars are 3rd out of 7.
The (16-8-0-1) U-17 Cariboo Cougars are 2nd out of 9.
The (11-9-0-0) U-15 Cariboo Cougars are 5th out of 8.
The (8-11-0-1) U-18 Female Northern Capitals are 4th out of 5.
The Creston Emergency Warming Centre will be open again tonight, Monday, Jan. 5.
The Town says it will be available from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m. Tuesday, located at 138 10th Avenue North in the former work experience program dorm space at the old fire hall.
The Town says it’s only expected to be open tonight but could be extended depending on conditions.
The Emergency Warming Centre is a public space intended to provide a safe, warm, and dry place of refuge, with access to washroom facilities, seating, snacks, and refreshments.
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For Carson Carels and Josh Ravensbergen, it wasn’t the colour they had in mind but at least they are returning to Prince George with a medal around their necks.
Less than 24 hours after falling to Czechia 6-4 in the semi-finals, Canada picked themselves up off the mat to double up Finland 6-3 Monday afternoon in the bronze medal game at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Minnesota.
The afternoon tilt started how the semi-finals ended for the Canadians culminating in lots of frantic offense.
Sam O’Reilly struck first for Canada beating Petteri Rimpanen for a 1-0 lead 1:10 into the contest.
Two minutes later, Arttu Valila evened the score for the Fins solving Carter George.
Both teams continued to trade goals as Braeden Cootes (Canada) and Julius Miettinen (Finland) found the back of the net.
Canada’s lethal power-play found the back of the net with less than two minutes remaining as Zayne Parekh put a shot past Rimpinen for a 3-2 edge after 20 minutes.
O’Reilly and Porter Martone gave the Canadians some much-needed breathing in the second scoring twice in a span of four minutes.
Heikki Ruohonen kept Finland within ear shot making it a 5-3 game.
Gavin McKenna iced the bronze medal for Canada with a late goal in the third period.
McKenna and Michael Hage ended the contest with four points each.
Zayne Parekh set the record for most points by a Canadian defenseman at the world juniors with 13 thanks to a goal and an assist.
The 19-year-old surpassed previous record holders Alex Pietrangelo (2010) and Bryan McCabe (1995).
Carels played once again on the fourth pairing with Keaton Verhoeff and got 10 1/2 minutes of ice time while Ravensbergen dressed as the backup goalie but didn’t see any game action in the tournament.
Canada outshot Finland 30-25 and went 2-for-4 on the power-play while Finland was 1-for-3.
The City of Prince George says part of Carney Street will be closed to vehicle traffic tomorrow (Tuesday) to complete water service repairs.
According to the City, the utilities division is working to repair infrastructure installed in the 1950s.
Nearby properties may experience temporary water pressure changes and/or sediment in their water.
Residents who will be without water during the work have been notified.
Carney Street will be closed to vehicle traffic between 8th Avenue and 10th Avenue from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, but sidewalks will remain open on the east side for pedestrians.
A detour will be in place along Burden Street and Douglas Street.
Comox Fire Rescue members are thanking those who came out to the fire department’s annual Christmas tree chipping fundraiser over the weekend.
The event happened through January 3rd and 4th, with the local fire department feeding discarded Christmas trees into a wood chipper.
This year’s fundraiser netted $3,850 worth of donations.
Funds will be used to support You Are Not Alone Comox Valley, an organization which offers help to families who need to travel for medical treatment for a child or for a pregnant mother.
Nelson RCMP are investigating extensive damage to YRB equipment at a gravel pit near the intersection of Goose Road and Towers Road in Krestova.
Police believe the damage occurred sometime between Dec. 31 and Jan. 3. They say the damage is significant and is expected to result in substantial repair costs and operational impacts.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area during this time, or who has information that could assist the investigation, to come forward and contact them at 250-352-2156. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
More than one year after a fire caused extensive damage at Telegraph Cove, rebuilding efforts are continuing into 2026.
The Whale Interpretive Centre said on social media it is grateful to those who have supported the rebuilding process. The centre said support throughout 2025 has brought it closer to securing a new venue for educational programming.
“As encouragement from the public poured in, the directors of the Johnstone Strait Killer Whale Interpretive Centre Society committed to rebuild the Whale Interpretive Centre,” read a statement posted to social media.
Repairs to the boardwalk where the centre was previously located are ongoing. In a statement, the centre said it is moving into 2026 with optimism and gratitude for the community support it has received.
“In less than a year, the Telegraph Cove boardwalk is nearly complete, the damaged pilings replaced, and the walls of the restaurant and pub have been raised,” the centre said. “This is a remarkable feat and provides the WIC with great optimism for the future.”
The fire ignited on the evening of Dec. 31, 2024, causing extensive damage to several Telegraph Cove amenities and attractions.
Donations to support rebuilding efforts can be made here.
Nelson RCMP are investigating extensive damage to YRB equipment at a gravel pit near the intersection of Goose Road and Towers Road in Krestova.
Police believe the damage occurred sometime between Dec. 31 and Jan. 3. They say the damage is significant and is expected to result in substantial repair costs and operational impacts.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area during this time, or who has information that could assist the investigation, to come forward and contact them at 250-352-2156. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Party-goers on New Years Eve in Prince George were able to get home safely thanks to Operation Red Nose, delivering 82 rides while tacking on 2,000 kilometres travelled.
Co-chair, Dolly Hilton told MyPGNow.com they were kept on their toes all night long.
“We had 44 volunteers working on New Year’s Eve with 11 teams and of course, some inside people on the phones and getting cars ready. We were also open until 4am, we had one ride at one minute until four.”
Hilton added their dedicated volunteer base will be treated to a nice dinner on Sunday.
“We raised a fair amount of money to be able to give back to the community through youth programs. The support of the volunteers is actually quite amazing. We are having our volunteer appreciation dinner and hopefully this cements them coming back next year.”
The designated-driver service issued 418 rides over nine nights in December, an increase of six when compared to 2024.
Nelson RCMP are asking witnesses to come forward after an alleged assault near Proctor on New Year’s Eve.
RCMP Cpl. Derek Pitt said police received a report of an assault at the Victor Road gravel pit around 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 31.
Some witnesses left the scene before officers arrived, and investigators are seeking independent accounts of what happened.
Pitt said the circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation, including what led up to the alleged assault.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is asked to contact the Nelson RCMP at 250-352-2156.
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.
Help is needed to identify suspects after a break and enter at the old Cowichan High School.
According to North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP, the incident happened on Jan. 3 just after 1 a.m. after they received a report from a security company that five males had broken in.
Police said the men are in their mid 20s and were about to leave the school carrying five 2020-2021 yearbooks.
The suspects are believed to have escaped the school in a black Dodge Ram with a loud exhaust
Anyone with information is asked to contact the detachment’s non-emergency line at 250-748-5522.
The B.C. Government says an amendment to the Mt. Milligan copper-gold mine environmental assessment certificate has been approved by the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO).
This will authorize the mine, located 90 kilometres northeast of Fort St. James, to increase production and continue operations until 2035.
The decision was made after carefully considering the conclusions of the EAO’s comprehensive nine-month review of Thompson Creek Medal Company Inc.’s application to continue mining at the site.
The review examined potential effects on nearby communities and First Nations, water and fish habitat, air quality and noise, and considered safety risks, First Nations rights and cumulative effects.
The assessment determined that with the application of legally binding conditions, continuing mining operations would not create significant new impacts, and impacts can be appropriately mitigated.
The EAO has updated the requirements in the project’s environmental assessment certificate to address the expansion’s impacts on the environment and people. These include:
ensuring First Nations have the opportunity to participate in developing and implementing environmental monitoring and baseline data collection programs,
monitoring and reporting wildlife mortality along transportation corridors,
developing a plan for wetland reclamation and replacement areas when the mine closes
The province added permitting decisions are expected soon.
The Mt. Milligan mine employees around 600 people. If all other authorizations are approved, the mine expansion will generate additional jobs during construction and expanded operations, and contribute as much as $450 million in additional economic benefits to the region.
Bulkley Valley-Stikine MLA Sharon Hartwell called 2025 eventful after completing her first full year in the position.
One of the main things she used this year for was learning how provincial politics operates.
“All my municipal governance experience did come in handy but the routine in parliament has been a little bit different,” Hartwell said.
A main point she focused on through last year was healthcare in northern B.C. which one of the reasons Hartwell returned to politics.
One example she mentioned was Stewart which has been struggling to gain a permanent, full time paramedic along with Kitwanga.
“I think what I want the government to know, and they hear this regularly, is that we’re completely underserved for all kinds of things in the north.”
Another item Hartwell mentioned was the Bulkley Valley District Hospital which has been operating at near full staffing but has inadequate facilities.
Plans for a new hospital facility were submitted to the province in 2019 by the North West Regional Hospital District.
“We are planning town halls coming in January and maybe early February. One will be on forestry, and one certainly will be on health care,” said Hartwell.
She added consulting with residents in the riding on various issues is something being looked forward to in 2026.
“I’m a very firm believer on consultation eye to eye. You can put posts out on social media to say this is the result but for me, that is not consultation.”
Also last year, Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad stepped down as leader of the B.C. Conservatives which Hartwell called unsettling.
“It’s interesting people seem to be unsettled because one man left his party and started another party, because he wanted to do good things for B.C. He wanted other people to have a voice,” she said.
“We would not be here if it wasn’t for Rustad.”
This year, one of Hartwell’s main focuses is on road safety and askes drivers to think about their speed and where they’re going.
The Town of Comox is marking its birthday this month and residents are being invited to take part in the celebration.
The town will host an evening of guest stories, tours, prizes and the unveiling of a 1946 time capsule exhibit on Jan. 14 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Comox Museum and Pearl Ellis Gallery.
Mayor Nicole Minions said the milestone reflects a long journey for the community.
“We are really excited to welcome you, your family, friends and colleagues to join us and celebrate 80 years of incorporation for the town.”
Stories will be shared shortly after 6:00 and 7:00 p.m., followed by guided museum tours.
Ferry operator Western Pacific Marine (WPM) is facing a lawsuit over millions in unpaid invoices related to the construction of the new Kootenay Lake ferry.
Vancouver-based company Eco HeavyDuty Repairs (EHDR) filed a lawsuit on Dec. 24, 2025, with the B.C. Supreme Court, claiming it is owed more than $6.4 million for work completed on the project.
The lawsuit comes a few months after the provincial government exercised its step-in rights to take control of the ferry project, citing problems with project delivery by Western Pacific Marine.
According to a notice of civil claim filed on the B.C. court services online website, Eco HeavyDuty Repairs alleged it provided Western Pacific Marine with labour and materials for the project under an oral agreement before entering into a formal cost-plus contract on Jan. 1, 2024.
Under the formal agreement, Western Pacific Marine was to pay Eco HeavyDuty Repairs monthly as the work progressed.
The company claimed it submitted 86 invoices between January 2024 and September 2025, all of which were reviewed and approved by Western Pacific Marine’s project manager, CYJ Marine Ltd., but allege they were not paid in full.
While Western Pacific Marine paid more than $11.7 million on earlier invoices, the lawsuit alleged it still owes $6,443,656.52 after two partial payments were made in October and November 2025.
A notice of default was issued in November after Western Pacific Marine allegedly failed to make payment within the timelines set out in the contract.
The lawsuit also alleged Western Pacific Marine breached its contract by failing to pay the outstanding balance.
Damages equal to the amount allegedly owed, interest and court costs are being sought.
“As a result of WPM’s breach of the Contract, EHDR has suffered and continues to suffer damage, loss, and expense, including but not limited non-payment of the Outstanding Balance and any applicable contractual interest,” the lawsuit said.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
The case is scheduled to be heard in Vancouver.
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The Municipality of North Cowichan said it is hoping to reopen the Bridging to Retirement Program and lower the eligible age to increase support for workers affected by the Crofton mill closure.
Mayor Rob Douglas said he has asked the premier and the minister of forests to work with the federal government to reinstate the program, which was launched in 2021. He said the program is aimed at workers over 55 who do not “relish the idea” of retraining for new careers.
“We recognize workers who are in their 50s and 60s are in a tough spot and are able to access pensions,” Douglas said. “For obvious reasons some aren’t too excited about going back and getting retrained to work in a whole different field.”
The municipality would like to see the age limit lowered as soon as possible, but Douglas said the decision rests with the province and there is no definitive timeline for when workers or the municipality could see results.
“Ultimately it’s going to be up to the premier and the minister of labour and the provincial government when they’re going to open up applications,” he said. “The union leadership has been quite vocal on this as well and we’re hoping for some positive news sooner rather than later.”
The program ran from 2021 to 2025, but Douglas said the province stopped accepting applications in February of last year. He said he hopes applications will reopen quickly.
If approved, Douglas said the program could provide up to $75,000 in funding to eligible forestry workers to support their transition into retirement.
In addition to extending the Bridging to Retirement Program, the municipality is also seeking provincial and federal support for upskilling, reskilling and income supports, as well as employment services, career counselling and skills retraining.
Most Vancouver Island homeowners are expected to see minimal change in their 2026 property assessments.
B.C. Assessment released data for about 400,000 properties across Vancouver Island. Updated property values are available on the agency’s website.
“The Vancouver Island housing market has been generally quite stable, which is reflected in the 2026 property assessments,” said B.C. Assessment deputy assessor Matthew Butterfield. “Most homeowners can expect minimal assessment value changes in the range of minus five per cent to plus five per cent.”
A news release from B.C. Assessment said Vancouver Island’s total assessment increased from nearly $391 billion to almost $399 billion this year. About $4.71 billion of that increase was attributed to new construction, subdivision and rezoning.
Alert Bay recorded the largest increase in value for a typical single-family home in the Vancouver Island region, rising seven per cent. The largest decrease, at three per cent, was reported in Port Alberni and the District of Highlands in the Greater Victoria area.
Several communities saw no change in typical single-family home values, including rural Powell River, Campbell River, Cumberland and Lantzville.
Property owners will receive their assessment notices by mail and can also access them through the B.C. Assessment website.
“It is important to understand that changes in property assessments do not automatically translate into a corresponding change in property taxes,” Butterfield said. “As indicated on your assessment notice, how your assessment changes relative to the average change in your community is what may affect your property taxes.”
The past December was the ninth wettest on record in the Bulkley Valley and Lakes District.
According to Environment Canada, almost 80 millimetres of precipitation fell across the region compared to the normal of 44.3.
“It makes to be 180 per cent of normal,” said Meteorologist Derek Lee.
The average temperature over the month was -5.4 degrees which is warmer than normal at -6.5.
December 2024 was warmer compared to this year which sits at 7th warmest and saw 85 per cent normal precipitation.
“It looks like a wet pattern is continuing for the next week and a half. Temperatures are definitely going to be still a bit on the warmer side as we get a lot more pacific storms coming in,” said Lee.
Despite being warmer than normal, temperatures are expected to remain below freezing with the region possibly getting colder about halfway through January.
“Estimates indicate an approximate annual revenue impact of $580,000.00 equivalent to 11% of our taxation,” Moutray said.
“District staff are actively assessing both the short- and long-term financial implications of this revenue loss and are exploring a range of measures to help mitigate its impact. A key priority is to minimize the increase in taxation for residents and businesses, while continuing to fund the essential operational activities and core services the community relies upon. Services such as infrastructure maintenance, public safety, utilities, and administrative operations remain critical to the health, safety, and overall functionality of the District of Vanderhoof.”
The District says it will continue to monitor the situation closely, and will keep the community informed as more information becomes available.
DID SOMEONE SAY BLOCKBUSTER?
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SAVE OF THE NIGHT
