News

The public is invited to a free lecture on the importance of community leadership, and the power of a community vision, in building and sustaining vibrant and livable communities, with Fort St. John Mayor Lori Ackerman. Drawing on her experience working to revitalize Fort St. John’s downtown core, and the development of the community’s Downtown Action Plan, Mayor Ackerman will describe effective ways to engage a variety of stakeholders, including community residents, business owners, local...

Over the past six months the Prince George RCMP have received three reports of nails being distributed along streets in an area near the University Hospital of Northern BC. Investigators believe these incidents to be deliberate acts of mischief and are looking for information from the public. The first report was received on the afternoon of October 21, 2014. The report stated that nails had been strategically placed by vehicles parked near the intersection of 11th Avenue and Laurier...

Police continue to appeal to the public to provide information following the stabbing death of a Prince George man last month. At 3:05 p.m. on Wednesday March 4, the Prince George RCMP were called to the area of Vancouver Street and 11th Avenue for a reported stabbing. Ronald James Larson, a 46-year-old Prince George man, was located and transported by the BC Ambulance Service to the University Hospital of Northern BC where he later died as a result of injuries sustained. The Prince George...

Canada’s aboriginal land claims resolution system has turned into an employment program for some of those involved, with “a conspicuous lack of urgency in negotiations” and little common ground after 10 or more years at most treaty tables. That’s one conclusion from federal advisor Doug Eyford, who spent six months consulting on the state of treaty-making across Canada since aboriginal title was protected in Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The report...

In Provincial Court on March 11: Clifton G. Anatole was found guilty of break and enter, sentenced to 45 days in jail, placed on probation for one year and assessed a victim surcharge of $200. Cory J. Coombes was found guilty of theft of property with a value less than $5,000, sentenced to one day in jail, fined $500 and assessed a victim surcharge of $150. Theresa A. Joseph was found guilty of theft of property with a value less than $5,000, received a conditional sentence of 30 days, was...

A house in the 9000-block of Inglewood Road was severely damaged by fire Sunday. Fire crews were called out at about 11:30 p.m. On arrival crews found the home fully engulfed in flames. One occupant was home at the time and was awakened by the smoke detector. The occupant was taken to University Hospital of Northern B.C. with smoke inhalation. Fire damage was extensive and cause is still unknown. Crews were on scene for many hours putting out spots and protecting surrounding buildings...

Sometimes the biggest discovery is what isn’t there. “We were totally surprised that the U1 wasn’t there,” says UNBC Professor of Chemistry Dr. Stephen Rader. “U1 has always been found in other organisms.” U1 is a specific type of small nuclear ribonucleic acid (RNA), which Rader and his team of researchers found wasn’t in red algae. The group was looking for new ways to study gene splicing. “Red algae refers to the pigments in them, not the actual colour,” Rader says. “They are actually...

Tributes for 250News president Ben Meisner, who died Thursday in Manitoba, have begin pouring in. Meisner, who spent 40 years in media, fell ill while vacationing in Manitoba last week. He was diagnosed with cancer. Premier Christy Clark “British Columbia lost a wise and passionate voice today. For decades, Ben Meisner needed no introduction in Prince George and northern B.C. - his voice was instantly recognizable. “Ben led more than just opinion - one of the true...

The labour dispute between the University of Northern B.C. and its faculty association is going to arbitration. Job action ended last week when the university applied to the Labour Relations Board for access to a specialized process, available only for negotiations on a first collective agreement. Labour Relations Board Mediator Trevor Sones has now recommended that the parties settle their outstanding issues via binding arbitration before a single arbitrator or the board. Today the parties...