Local News

Houston mayor Shane Brienen at a spring job fair. He’s now been named to run for the B.C. United party for the Nechako Lakes riding in the next provincial election. (File photo)

Houston mayor to run for B.C. United Party

Shane Brienen has been Houston mayor since 2014

The Nechako River. (Photo submitted by the Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Centre)

Love taking photos? Send us your scenic photos of Vanderhoof

Photos will be featured in the Vanderhoof Omineca Express Calendar

  • Oct 3, 2023
A post by B.C. Conservative Party Leader John Rustad to X, formerly known as Twitter, has drawn criticism for politicizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. (Screenshot/X)

John Rustad compares gender education to residential schools

Nechako Lakes MLA criticized for pushing parental rights movement on Orange Shirt Day

Laxgalt’sap Cultural Dancers started and finished the ceremony with traditional songs. (Seth Forward/Northern View)

Nisga’a celebrate return of ancestral totem pole to their territory

Held in a Scottish museum for nearly a century, the pole was celebrated in a grand ceremony Sept. 29

Laxgalt’sap Cultural Dancers started and finished the ceremony with traditional songs. (Seth Forward/Northern View)
Supporters gathered at Hagwilget Canyon Bridge on July 28 to demand justice for Kaylee Gunanoot, holding up protest signs bearing her name and seeking answers regarding her tragic death on the Hagwilget First Nation reserve. (Viktor Elias/Terrace Standard)

RCMP’s investigation into Kaylee Gunanoot’s death questioned by First Nations leaders

Persistent pleas for clarity, as community demands answers and action in tragic case

Supporters gathered at Hagwilget Canyon Bridge on July 28 to demand justice for Kaylee Gunanoot, holding up protest signs bearing her name and seeking answers regarding her tragic death on the Hagwilget First Nation reserve. (Viktor Elias/Terrace Standard)
(File photo)

Major set back predicted for cattle industry in northwest B.C as hay shortage forces farmers to sell cattle

Cattle ranchers in Hwy 16 corridor to be economically affected for next 2-3 years

(File photo)
With the sun casting its glow on Hwy 16 between Prince Rupert and Terrace, lingering snowbanks stand as rare sentinels to a season past. This picturesque, albeit not unusual scene, is not expected to be commonplace this winter. As El Niño sets in, Environment Canada meteorologists anticipate milder temperatures, turning the iconic, snow-clad landscapes of northwestern B.C. into anomalies rather than the norm. The imminent warmer winter heralds a drastic shift from the La Niña conditions experienced over the past three years, introducing a season of unexpected warmth and uncertainty in precipitation. (Black Press Media file photo)

El Niño forecasted to bring warm winter to northwestern B.C., Environment Canada says

Shift to El Niño may bring milder winter to northwestern B.C., with uncertain precipitation

With the sun casting its glow on Hwy 16 between Prince Rupert and Terrace, lingering snowbanks stand as rare sentinels to a season past. This picturesque, albeit not unusual scene, is not expected to be commonplace this winter. As El Niño sets in, Environment Canada meteorologists anticipate milder temperatures, turning the iconic, snow-clad landscapes of northwestern B.C. into anomalies rather than the norm. The imminent warmer winter heralds a drastic shift from the La Niña conditions experienced over the past three years, introducing a season of unexpected warmth and uncertainty in precipitation. (Black Press Media file photo)
Tires displaying the 3-peaked mountain/snowflake symbol and M+S (mud and snow) tires both meet the legal requirement as long as they have least 3.5 mm of tread. Winter tires outperform M+S tires in cold and snowy conditions. Black Press file

Winter tires required by October 1

Designated highways require winter tires or chains from Oct 1 to March 31, other routes to April 30

Tires displaying the 3-peaked mountain/snowflake symbol and M+S (mud and snow) tires both meet the legal requirement as long as they have least 3.5 mm of tread. Winter tires outperform M+S tires in cold and snowy conditions. Black Press file
A firefighter combats a wildfire near Smithers, where eased campfire restrictions following recent rainfall come with continued warnings for public caution amid persistent fire activity in the region. (BC Wildfire Service)

BC Wildfire Service relaxes campfire restrictions in northwest amid rainy conditions

While the campfire bans have been eased, officials continue to urge caution amid ongoing wildfires

A firefighter combats a wildfire near Smithers, where eased campfire restrictions following recent rainfall come with continued warnings for public caution amid persistent fire activity in the region. (BC Wildfire Service)
Selwyn Romilly and his wife, Lorna. (Charis Romilly Turner/Contributed to Black Press Media)

Selwyn Romilly, B.C.’s first Black judge, dies at age 83

Romilly practiced law in Smithers and Prince Rupert before being called to the bench in 1974

Selwyn Romilly and his wife, Lorna. (Charis Romilly Turner/Contributed to Black Press Media)
The House of Ni’isjoohl Memorial Pole returned to Terrace on Sept. 24, symbolizing a historic homecoming. (Sailor First Class Erin Roberts, Canadian Armed Forces, via House of Ni’isjoohl/Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government)

PHOTOS: Stolen totem pole returns to Nisga’a after nearly a century in Scotland

Historic repatriation marks a significant milestone for the Nisga’a

The House of Ni’isjoohl Memorial Pole returned to Terrace on Sept. 24, symbolizing a historic homecoming. (Sailor First Class Erin Roberts, Canadian Armed Forces, via House of Ni’isjoohl/Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government)
Delegates from the Nisga’a Nation arrive in anticipation at the National Museum of Scotland on August 28, 2023. From left to right: Apdii Lax̱ha (Andrew Robinson), Sim’oogit Duuk (Chief William Moore), Laax̱ Yee (Bobby Clark), Sim’oogit Laay̓ (Chief Bruce Haldane), Mmihlgum Maakskwhl G̱akw (Pamela Brown), Sim’oogit Ni’isjoohl (Chief Earl Stephens), Sigidimnaḵ’ Nox̱s Ts’aawit (Dr. Amy Parent), and Shawna Mackay. The delegation’s presence underscores the significance of the Ni’isjoohl Memorial Pole’s journey and the deep-rooted ties to their heritage. (Duncan McGlynn)

Nisga’a totem pole to return home after nearly a century in Scottish museum

A cherished Nisga’a totem pole is en route home, marking a significant moment of reconciliation

Delegates from the Nisga’a Nation arrive in anticipation at the National Museum of Scotland on August 28, 2023. From left to right: Apdii Lax̱ha (Andrew Robinson), Sim’oogit Duuk (Chief William Moore), Laax̱ Yee (Bobby Clark), Sim’oogit Laay̓ (Chief Bruce Haldane), Mmihlgum Maakskwhl G̱akw (Pamela Brown), Sim’oogit Ni’isjoohl (Chief Earl Stephens), Sigidimnaḵ’ Nox̱s Ts’aawit (Dr. Amy Parent), and Shawna Mackay. The delegation’s presence underscores the significance of the Ni’isjoohl Memorial Pole’s journey and the deep-rooted ties to their heritage. (Duncan McGlynn)
A logging truck delivers timber to Skeena Sawmills in Terrace, in 2021, during better days before the company faced severe financial challenges. (Black Press Media file photo)

BREAKING: Skeena Sawmills in Terrace placed under receivership

B.C. Supreme Court appoints Alvarez & Marsal Canada as receiver amid escalating debts

A logging truck delivers timber to Skeena Sawmills in Terrace, in 2021, during better days before the company faced severe financial challenges. (Black Press Media file photo)
It was in 2021 that a tugboat sank near Kitimat killing two mariners: 58-year-old tug captain Troy Pearson and 25-year-old crew member Charley Cragg. A third crew member survived when the tug Ingenika went down in a storm in February 2021 while towing a barge.

Judge approves $310K proposal for prevention programs in 2021 fatal tugboat crash

James Geoffrey Bates to pay $15K, while Wainwright Marine will pay the remaining $295K

It was in 2021 that a tugboat sank near Kitimat killing two mariners: 58-year-old tug captain Troy Pearson and 25-year-old crew member Charley Cragg. A third crew member survived when the tug Ingenika went down in a storm in February 2021 while towing a barge.
A fallen tree lays on top a car parked on Nowell Street near Chilliwack Central Road on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020 during a wind storm in Chilliwack. Another windstorm is forecast for B.C.’s South Coast beginning Sept. 24. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Power outages, rising rivers expected as storm heads for B.C.’s South Coast

First fall storm set to begin Sunday on Vancouver Island, Monday in Metro Vancouver

A fallen tree lays on top a car parked on Nowell Street near Chilliwack Central Road on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020 during a wind storm in Chilliwack. Another windstorm is forecast for B.C.’s South Coast beginning Sept. 24. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Crews from around the world say goodbye after working together in the Prince George Fire Centre. (BC Wildfire Service/ Facebook)

445 personnel currently assigned to Vanderhoof– Fort St. James zone for wildfire efforts

215 firefighters from South Africa conclude deployment in the area with a traditional performance

Crews from around the world say goodbye after working together in the Prince George Fire Centre. (BC Wildfire Service/ Facebook)
The Coastal GasLink pipeline has been fined $340,000 by the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office for issues related to erosion and sediment control. Piping is seen on the top of a receiving platform which will be connected to the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline terminus at the LNG Canada export terminal under construction, in Kitimat, B.C., Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Coastal GasLink fined $340,000 for erosion, sediment control challenges

Work on northern B.C. pipeline has racked up $800,000 in fines since 2019

The Coastal GasLink pipeline has been fined $340,000 by the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office for issues related to erosion and sediment control. Piping is seen on the top of a receiving platform which will be connected to the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline terminus at the LNG Canada export terminal under construction, in Kitimat, B.C., Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
(Vanderhoof Public Library)

Vanderhoof Library gets new life-like baby doll for dementia therapy

Cradling the weighted doll is a very comforting, therapeutic experience

(Vanderhoof Public Library)
Gladys Radek leads a determined group of protesters along Highway 16, near Eby Street in Terrace, amplifying the call for justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. (Viktor Elias/Terrace Standard)

Terrace protesters demand Manitoba search landfill for Indigenous remains

Marchers nationwide join the call, spotlighting the broader issue of MMIWG

Gladys Radek leads a determined group of protesters along Highway 16, near Eby Street in Terrace, amplifying the call for justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. (Viktor Elias/Terrace Standard)
The Four Rivers Co-operative’s Fuel Good Day will be held on Sept. 19 across 12 of its gas bars in northern B.C. (File photo)

Four Rivers Co-op’s Fuel Good Day fundraiser back on Sept. 19

8 local organizations in northern B.C. to benefit from fundraiser

The Four Rivers Co-operative’s Fuel Good Day will be held on Sept. 19 across 12 of its gas bars in northern B.C. (File photo)