News

Back before computers ruled the day in newspaper offices, reporters would type -30- at the end of each story. It was done to inform the typesetters that they had reached the end of the story. Well … this is the end. Friday is the final issue of the Prince George Free Press. Aberdeen Publishing owner Bob Doull announced to staff Thursday that the Free Press will cease publishing as of May 1. The reason? Declining revenues. “It’s not the fault of anyone at the paper,” he said. “We had...

Right now, there are 15 secondary-school classes in School District 57 which are over the 30-student limit established by the School Act. Superintendent Brian Pepper says that number is higher than it has been recently, but not out of line. “It’s higher than we’ve had the past couple of semesters, but I would call it the high side of usual.” He says in some cases the class is designed so the instructor actually prefers more students. “It may be a peer helping class, or a leadership class,...

In Provincial Court on March 31: Aaron R. Evans was found guilty of obstructing justice, sentenced to one day in jail, placed on probation for 12 months and assessed a victim surcharge of $200. Jason G. Mease was found guilty of failing to comply with a condition of an undertaking or recognizance, sentenced to 24 days in jail and assessed a victim surcharge of $100. Mease was also found guilty of a second count of failing to comply with a condition of an undertaking or recognizance,...

Lynne Rozenboom knows the exact time her world changed. “At approximately 1 p.m. on May 13, 2008,” she told a crowd of about 50 at the Day of Mourning ceremony in Prince George on Tuesday, “my life changed, my children, my grandchildren, parents, friends.” That was when she was told her husband Dirk, a worker with BC Hydro, had been killed in a helicopter crash in Cranbrook. “It was a day like any other one,” she said. “He ate his oatmeal for...

Just two days after the College of New Caledonia announced it will suspend student intakes for the dental assistant and dental hygiene programs, the province coughed up some money for institution. However, it won’t be for the ailing dental programs. On Monday, Victoria announced $330,496 for 64 trade seats to reduce wait times for students entering an in-demand trade profession. Funding will go towards the following programs: Electrical: 16 Foundation seats; millwright: 16 Foundatio...

Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen has expressed concern following the release of a report Tuesday from Canada’s Auditor General on the state of health services for remote First Nations communities. The report, entitled Access to Health Services for Remote First Nations Communities, focused on the state of care and facilities for remote First Nations communities in Ontario and Manitoba. But Cullen noted that the Conservative government’s underlying disregard for the health of indigenous...

Charges have now been laid against a Burns Lake man in connection with a triple homicide there on Monday. Rueben Buhler has been arrested in connection with the homicides and has been charged with three counts of second degree murder and is expected to appear in Burns Lake Provincial Court sometime tomorrow (April 29, 2015). Burns Lake RCMP responded to a report of foul play at a residence in the community on Monday morning. Officers entered the residence and found three people, one woman...

One man has been arrested following a triple homicide in Burns Lake Monday. Burns Lake RCMP were called out to a home in the 200-block of Fifth Avenue at 8:25 a.m. after receiving a report of potential foul play. Officers entered the residence and found three people, one woman and two men, dead inside. The identities of all three victims are not being released at this time. A 54-year-old Burns Lake man has been arrested in connection with the homicides and is currently in police custody...

Most people feel that the 2015 Canada Winter Games was a good investment for Prince George, according to a survey conducted by a UNBC political science class. According to the survey, 51 per cent of respondents agreed, or strongly agreed, with the statement that the games were a good investment. Twenty-two per cent were either neutral or not sure while disagreed or strongly disagreed. “It had a very positive impact on the City of Prince George,” said Grant Bachand of the class. The class...

Supreme Court Justice Glen Parrett is retiring. His last day on the bench will by May 31. Parrett, who recently presided over the Cody Legebokoff murder trial, graduated from Mount View Senior Secondary School in 1964. He attended the University of Victoria and received his bachelor’s degree in 1968. He then attended the University of B.C. receiving his LLB in 1972. After being called to the bar, he practiced with Hope Heinrich. On December 24, 1987, he was appointed Queen’s Counsel. He was...