Columnists

(courtesy Bob Marjanovich)

THE MOJ: Flames broadcaster feeling fortunate recovering from serious health scare

Rick Ball hit with a pulmonary embolism tied to a broken leg suffered golfing

(courtesy Bob Marjanovich)
Barb Presseau, seen here on Oct. 21, 2022, is upset the man who killed her son Doug on July 7, 2017 downtown Chilliwack is set for statutory release on or near Nov. 19, 2022. Kirkland Russell was sentenced to eight years for the killing. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)

OPINION: Mother of B.C. man stabbed to death outraged over killer’s imminent release

Barbara Presseau wants public to know that offenders only serve two-thirds of sentences behind bars

Barb Presseau, seen here on Oct. 21, 2022, is upset the man who killed her son Doug on July 7, 2017 downtown Chilliwack is set for statutory release on or near Nov. 19, 2022. Kirkland Russell was sentenced to eight years for the killing. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)
BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke (12) evades a tackle from Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Charleston Hughes (39) during the second quarter of CFL football action in Regina, on Friday, July 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

THE MOJ: Can a restored and revived Rourke lead the Lions to the promised land?

Quarterback’s surprise recovery has B.C. football fans on the edge of their seats

BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke (12) evades a tackle from Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Charleston Hughes (39) during the second quarter of CFL football action in Regina, on Friday, July 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
Referee Kendrick Nicholson picks up a Vancouver Canucks jersey that was thrown onto the ice by a fan as the team plays the Buffalo Sabres during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Canucks getting paid to win and their coach may pay the price

As the early season results mount in Vancouver, Boudreau’s seat getting hotter — his fault or not

Referee Kendrick Nicholson picks up a Vancouver Canucks jersey that was thrown onto the ice by a fan as the team plays the Buffalo Sabres during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Sockeye salmon struggle to get upstream in historically low water levels in Weaver Creek near the Harrison River north of Chilliwack on Oct. 20, 2022. (Submitted by a Watershed Watch Salmon Society volunteer)

OPINION w/VIDEO: Salmon die and people lose their water as B.C. sleepwalks into yet another crisis

‘It’s time those responsible for protecting B.C.s environment spent a little more time out here with us’

  • Oct 25, 2022
Sockeye salmon struggle to get upstream in historically low water levels in Weaver Creek near the Harrison River north of Chilliwack on Oct. 20, 2022. (Submitted by a Watershed Watch Salmon Society volunteer)
A woman walks through an art installation in Montreal, on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

THE MOJ: For the best stop on the CFL road trip circuit, you can’t beat Montreal

As for the bottom-ranked city, if you can’t say anything nice…

A woman walks through an art installation in Montreal, on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Voters mark their civic election ballots at a polling station in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

CAMERON: Boosting 2022 local election turnout in B.C. unlikely

‘One reason cited for the low turnout is the peculiar nature of local elections’

Voters mark their civic election ballots at a polling station in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Lions’ Keon Hatcher (4) fails to make the reception in the end zone as Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Brandon Alexander (37) defends and Desmond Lawrence (46) watches during the first half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Lions’ Keon Hatcher (4) fails to make the reception in the end zone as Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Brandon Alexander (37) defends and Desmond Lawrence (46) watches during the first half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks forward Ilya Mikheyev, of Russia, skates during the NHL hockey team’s training camp in Whistler, B.C., Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Canucks adopt philosophy of making a good offence their best defence

Unable to fix the blueline, Vancouver looks to outscore the opposition

Vancouver Canucks forward Ilya Mikheyev, of Russia, skates during the NHL hockey team’s training camp in Whistler, B.C., Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Does pumpkin spice really need to be in spam? (Image courtesy Pixabay)
Does pumpkin spice really need to be in spam? (Image courtesy Pixabay)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Dalton Schoen (83) is tackled by B.C. Lions' Delvin Breaux Sr. (23) after making a reception during the second half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, July 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Lions path to clinching 2nd place not as tough as you might think

Winnipeg will be relaxed, resting starters and less focused for two remaining tilts

Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Dalton Schoen (83) is tackled by B.C. Lions' Delvin Breaux Sr. (23) after making a reception during the second half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, July 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith reacts after his 8-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

THE MOJ: Don’t be surprised if Geno Smith keeps the Seahawks soaring

Many factors allowing former journeyman to shine in starter’s role

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith reacts after his 8-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
About 17 per cent of British Columbians are currently experiencing a mental illness or substance use issue, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association. (File photo)

COLUMN: Breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness and PTSD

I always thought only those who were in a war had PTSD. I was wrong.

About 17 per cent of British Columbians are currently experiencing a mental illness or substance use issue, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association. (File photo)
Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser lines up for a faceoff against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Wednesday, March 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Pre-season for any professional sports team is a time for optimism

It’s what happens during the start of the regular season that actually matters

Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser lines up for a faceoff against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Wednesday, March 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
(courtesy B.C. Lions)

THE MOJ: A Rourke return for the Lions? Let’s call it a long shot with a shot

Still a faint hope that B.C.’s quarterback sensation could be back in time for the playoffs

(courtesy B.C. Lions)
When taking a road trip to border towns like Osoyoos, don’t travel without your passports or turn off your car’s GPS. (Black Press Media photo)

BUSH: Road trip wrong-turn triggers bungle at the Osoyoos border

Don’t shut off your GPS if you haven’t driven through Osoyoos in 30 years, warns columnist

When taking a road trip to border towns like Osoyoos, don’t travel without your passports or turn off your car’s GPS. (Black Press Media photo)
This photo, provided by National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong museum, in Rochester, N.Y., shows the class of 2022 finalists for induction, announced Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. (National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong museum via AP)

WOLF: Which toys would make the cut for induction into your own Hall of Fame?

COLUMN: Table hockey, Intellivision, Hot Wheels and Nerf balls stir memories

This photo, provided by National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong museum, in Rochester, N.Y., shows the class of 2022 finalists for induction, announced Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. (National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong museum via AP)
King Charles III, center, attend the committal service for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. (Joe Giddens/Pool Photo via AP)

KIRKA: Inside the abbey, a funeral fit for a leader

A first-person account of Queen Elizabeth II’s service

King Charles III, center, attend the committal service for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. (Joe Giddens/Pool Photo via AP)
Buckingham Palace is a huge tourist attraction, as is the British monarchy. (Photo courtesy Dimitris Vetsikas/Pixabay)

Editorial: A relevant monarchy

If the British monarchy is to continue, it needs to be dragged into the 21st Century

Buckingham Palace is a huge tourist attraction, as is the British monarchy. (Photo courtesy Dimitris Vetsikas/Pixabay)
Person writing in a book. (Image courtesy Pexels/Pixabay)

Kidding Around: Writing a column is hard work

It all starts with an idea, or lack of one

Person writing in a book. (Image courtesy Pexels/Pixabay)