AHN MAR 15 2018 by Alaska Highway News

THURSDAY, march 15, 2018 Vol. 75, No. 11

Serving Fort St. John, B.C. and Surrounding Communities

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Abigail Francoeur, playing Aladdin, captures the magic lamp from the Cave of Wonders in a scene from Ecole Central Elementary’s musical production of Disney’s Aladdin KIDS at the North Peace Cultural Centre on March 8, 2018. Read more about this school-wide production and see more photos on A13.

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Fentanyl dealer back behind bars matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

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Just six months after a BC Supreme Court judge found him guilty of trafficking fentanyl in Fort St. John, Dana Andrew Nazarek has been arrested and charged once again for allegedly dealing the deadly and illicit opioid, responsible for killing more than 1,100 British Columbians last year — 14 of them in Northeast B.C. Fort St. John RCMP say Nazarek, 46, was arrested and charged with four counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking after a drug and weapons bust Feb. 24 at a home in the 8900 block of 87

Avenue. Under a search warrant, the RCMP’s Drug Section and Crime Reduction Unit seized 800 suspected fentanyl tablets and two ounces of suspected fentanyl. Police also seized quantities of suspected crack cocaine and crystal meth, five loaded firearms, and $38,000 in cash. Nazarek was also charged March 1 for escaping custody. In provincial court March 12, Nazarek had a bail hearing held over until April 23 as he retains a lawyer and applies for legal aid. He has not been found guilty, and has agreed to remain in custody. Nazarek was convicted in

B.C. Supreme Court in August 2017 for possessing both fentanyl and cocaine for the purposes of trafficking. Nazarek was also found guilty of possessing the proceeds of crime. He was out on bail waiting for a sentencing date at the time of his arrest in February. In Supreme Court March 12, setting a sentencing date for that conviction was also pushed back to April 23 due to a clerical error. The Crown said it plans to file an application to revoke Nazarek’s bail at that time to keep him behind bars given his latest charges. See FENTANYL on A11

Firefighters charity win big from 100 Women matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Local firefighters saw their medical travel fund for families in crisis topped up March 6 with a $10,100 donation from 100 Women Who Care Fort St. John. There were 101 women who gathered for the group’s second meeting to support local charities, with the Fort St. John Fire Fighters Charitable Society walking away with the prize. “It’s a big relief. We’re always needing funds,” said society president Adam Winn. The society has supported

22 families so far with their medical travel needs, ranging from $500 to $17,000. Winn gave an emotional speech to the women who gathered at the Lido when he highlighted some of the families that have been able to travel as far away as Edmonton, Vancouver, and Portland for medical care for a range of needs including cancer treatment, spinal surgery, and club foot rehabilitation. At the same time, the fund has helped those families maintain some stability in their households during their crises and frequent outof-town travel. “The money goes pretty

quickly,” Winn said. The fund not only relieves financial burdens, but shows families that the community is there to walk beside them during their difficult times, Winn said. “Every time we do an event, we’re genuinely overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of Fort St. John,” he said. Also up for funding were the North Peace SPCA and the Fort St. John and Area Seniors Foundation. All three had to make a pitch to those gathered to earn the donation, which was determined by secret ballot. See 100 Women on A3

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On March 16, 1944, the first edition of the Alaska Highway News rolled off the presses. For two years, the paper sent the copy for advertising, news, legal, etc. to printers in Vancouver and they flew the finished product back to us via Canadian Pacific Airlines until 1946, when a printing press was installed here. We are approaching our 75th year of publishing a newspaper for Fort St. John, the North Peace, and Northeast B.C., and we take pride in being one of the oldest businesses still in the city today. Much has changed, of course, since 1944, and as we count down to our 75th we hope you will join us. The time has come, the walrus said, to talk of many things. Plans are afoot, and we look forward to engaging with you in new ways about your neighbourhoods, your local media, your politics, and your ambitions to build a better community over the next year. But we can’t do it alone. Stay tuned to these pages to learn more about getting involved. We begin next week with a readership survey and a call out for audience panel members to join us to help chart the waters ahead, and ensure the spirit of this frontier newspaper carries on.

Volunteers needed for homeless count matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

There’s no official estimate of the size of Fort St. John’s homeless population, but an upcoming count next month hopes to get an accurate snapshot in time. The Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society is co-ordinating the city’s first-ever homeless count over 24 hours April 17 and 18, to get a “pointin-time” snapshot of the population. It’s part of a national survey also taking place in 11 communities in B.C. “It’s one thing to have statistics from the Salvation Army, our organization, the Friendship Centre, but it’s a whole other thing to take part in a provincial and national initiative,” said Phallon Stoutenburg, who is co-ordinating the count for the society. “A lot of people think Fort St. John is this big, energetic city where we don’t have problems with at-risk individuals. We want to show people there is a problem and their continued support is needed.” See HOMELESS on A5

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Local News

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happy dog, happy life

this week’s flyers M&M Meats London Drugs Jysk Walmart Rona The Brick No Frills Save-On Foods Staples Marks Safeway Shoppers Drug Mart Canadian Tire

Candace Buchame, branch manager of the North Peace SPCA, and Kari Sharpe sit with Grover before their presentation to 100 Women Who Care on March 6, 2018. Grover bravely, with the support of the SPCA, survived horrendous neglect. He is a happy dog with his mom, Kari. Eve Petford Photo

Want To Live Longer? Take Plenty Of Ice Baths PROCRASTINATION SITUATION: Before we begin our weekly news chewing session, a reminder last week was National Procrastination Week.

GAS WATCH KNOWBEFOREYOUGO Prevailing Prices Dawson Creek

119.9

ROYAL REPORT: Our first stop is London. As excitement builds ahead of the upcoming royal wedding, it was revealed Meghan Markle’s wedding gown cost $400,000. Gee, and you thought she would order something for a couple hundred bucks on Amazon.

AMAZON ANIMALS: And speaking of Amazon, according to an item on TV, Fort St. John 129.9 Amazon employees are allowed to bring their dogs to work with them. This explains Alberta-B.C. border why the item I ordered online arrived with 117.9 teeth marks and slobber on it. I was wrong t St. John, BC - 7 Day Forecast - Environment Canada when I blamed the delivery guy. Fort Nelson

135.9

STRESS STORY: A study shows the average Canadian is stressed out six hours a day. Our topic next week will be: If I’m Stressed Out Less Than Six Hours Daily, Should I Worry? SNAIL STORY: Surgeons are testing a new wound-sealing product made from snail goo. Yes, the sticky goo snails make. In a survey: 50 per cent of surgeons said they will try using snail goo. The other 50 per cent said they will wait until there’s something even more disgusting.

Bob Snyder Chews the news

sell stuff? What will NASA learn about the sun? I predict they will learn it’s hot — but it’s a dry heat. CRASH LANDING: Experts say an out-ofcontrol Chinese space lab is falling out of orbit. Burning debris may crash somewhere ROBOT REPORT: Some fast food joints in North America in April. With my luck, I in Ontario are now using robot arms to flip will park my car after arriving home from burgers. The hi-tech burger flippers will the carwash. I’ll be happy that no birds have soon be seen across Canada. A buddy of pooped on my sparkly clean vehicle. And mine wonders if the same robot flipping then — BAM! — as I walk away from my car, technology could be used for flipping kids https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/bc-78_metric_e.html it’s crushed by a flaming Chinese space sta- off the couch when he wants to sit down tion that fell from the sky. and watch TV.

DISTRACTION ACTION: The city of Montclair, California, made headlines with ICE, NOT NICE: According to an item in CHECKOUT CHUCKLE: Not every comits new distracted walking law. It’s now il- Healthy Living Magazine, the latest health pany is sold on the idea of technology reto cross the street while using a phone fad is taking ice baths. They say it will help placing human workers. Some supermarket Chetwynd 129.0 legal or wearing earbuds. Other cities are expec- you live longer. You know the bath is cold chains are getting rid of those self-checkout Home  Environment and naturalted resources Weather information  Weatherwhen  Local forecasts  British Columbia to do thesame. Pedestrians everywhere you’re sitting in a tub filled with ice registers. They say it’s too expensive to keep Tumbler Ridge 128.9 should always exercise caution, but here in and your rubber ducky turns from yellow to fixing them. I hold the world record for Fort St. John it’s not illegal to listen to tunes blue. self-checkout catastrophes. It once took five while crossing 100 Street. And if your music store employees to figure out what wrong Prince George 109.9 is groovy, feel free to snap your fingers. WINTER WOES: An expert predicts Cana- buttons I had pushed. By the way: You know Observed at: Fort St. John Airport will 9:00 become AM MST Tuesday 13 March Current Conditions dian winters very erratic, with2018 you’ve messed up the self-checkout pretty Hythe t Nelson, BC - 7 Day Forecast Canada https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/bc-83_metric_e.html N/A- Environment SPACE CADETS: NASA is offering to fly sudden swings from mild to extreme cold. good when the computer voice from inside you toPartly the sun. Well, at least yourTemperature: name. I remember winters when was a4 kid. Condition: Cloudy -4.7°C Wind:I ESE km/hMy the machine says: “Thank you for shopping NASA101.9 is nowkPa accepting online applications mom tied my mittens to a string through at Safeway. Please never come back.” Grande Prairie 115.9 Pressure: Dew point: -6.9°C Wind C… -7 to have names sent in a probe that will fly my sleeves so I wouldn’t lose them. She did Tendency: Falling Humidity: 85% Visibility: 81 km close by sun. This sounds kind of like a scam. the same with my socks, on a string through Bob Snyder can be reached at: Calgary 107.1 If I let them send my name into space, will my undershorts. chewsthenews@fastmail.com little green men come to my house trying to Home  Environment and natural resources  Weather information  Weather  Local forecasts  British Columbia Edmonton 100.8

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THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018 A3

Local News

Dog park contract awarded matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

eve petford Photo

Party-goers were all smiles March 10, 2018, at the Pomeroy Hotel for the SuperPark’s annual Masquerade Ball.

Masqueraders raise $2,400 for SuperPark matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Masquerade revellers helped to raise $2,400 to buy playground equipment as part of efforts to build a non-profit, accessible indoor playground in town. More than 100 turned out for the North Peace Family SuperPark Society’s Masquerade Ball March 10. “I am happy for any profit that we make. It’s $2,400 more towards the playground equipment that we didn’t have,” said organizer Jaandi Roemer.

“I would like this to continue to be an annual fundraiser and for it to promote the playground more and really drive the need for raising money to purchase this equipment.” Playground equipment doesn’t come cheap, and the society has set a goal of raising $350,000. The group envisions a mixed-use indoor space, from an area for toddlers and babies, to a sensory zone that supports science, technology, education, arts and music play, to a reading station and more.

The society is working to secure partnerships and make the park a reality within the next two years. The group is still looking for a facility at the right size and at the right price, with partnerships to share the monthly costs of leasing. Fundraising until then will support the purchase of toys and playground equipment, Roemer said. “It’s not an easy task finding something prebuilt that is the right size and height,” Roemer said. To learn more, call Roemer at 250-262-2703, or visit the society on Facebook.

Fort St. John city council approved a contract for dog park improvements and development to EDS Group Inc. from Spruce Grove, Alberta, at Monday’s meeting. The contract has a value of $24,990, and includes consultation and conceptual designs for improvements to the current dog park at Toboggan Hill, and the development of a new dog park. Public engagement and site selection for a new park are the first priorities, at the same time drafting options for the redevelopment of the existing park, said Wally Ferris, general manager of community services. However, construction on upgrades to the existing park will likely start before construction of a new one, he said. “Hopefully sometime in

summer we can move into detailed design and break ground,” Ferris said. City councillors earmarked $500,000 for dog park development in their 2018 capital plan following complaints from dog owners last year. The city’s current dog park at Toboggan Hill was established in 2012, however, was never intended to be a permanent park. The development of a permanent dog park is listed as a priority item in the city’s new parks and recreation master plan, which suggests building up to four new dog parks. Fifty-one per cent of households in and near Fort St. John have dogs, according to the parks plan. The plan recommends adding new off-leash areas for dogs within city parks, listing Garrison Park, Estates Park, Energy Park, Duncan Cran Park, and Centennial Park as potential locations.

No backyard hens allowed matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Fort St. John has scrapped the idea of allowing backyard hens inside city limits. City council confirmed the matter at its Monday meeting in response to a request from a resident to revisit the issue. The concept was put on council’s agenda in April 2017, though it was removed from city staff’s work plan in January. The two biggest issues for the city were bylaw enforcement and capacity issues at the SPCA for seized and sur-

rendered hens, Mayor Lori Ackerman said. Last year, Jim Rogers, the city’s protective services director, said animal seizures would need to be taken into consideration along with noise, smell, and the city’s population growth before permitting backyard hens. It was estimated that the SPCA would need to build a chicken coop at a cost of $3,000 if backyard hens were permitted. “It’s not as simple as getting a hen and throwing in the backyard and it’s going to turn out well,” he said at the time.

Poverty reduction strategy meetings next week matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

eve petford Photo

Fort St. John firefighters poses before the 100 Women Who Care event begins on March 6, 2018. Their charity ended up receiving the most votes and a $10,100 cheque to support families with extraordinary health needs requiring travel and hospital stays away from home. 100 women from a1

Tara Waddy, one of the organizers, was left impressed the groups and their pitches. While only one group left with the money, the other two groups were able to walk away with more exposure she hopes will help their efforts in the community.

“I know the impact the three groups have had on the community, and the impact they’ll continue to have,” Waddy said. 100 Women have now donated $21,600 in the last six months, after giving their first round of funding, $11,500, to the North Peace Ride for the

Disabled last fall. “If we all walked into a charity with $100, they would be thankful, but it wouldn’t have a big impact,” Waddy said. “Individually, it’s not as strong. As a group, we can do a lot.” The group will hold its next event Sept. 11.

Residents in Fort St. John and Fort Nelson are being asked to give input on how poverty can be reduced in British Columbia. The province will hold two public meetings in the region on March 22 and 23 to gather the input as part of its poverty reduction strategy currently in development, and scheduled for release in the fall. B.C. has the highest rate poverty in Canada, with 678,000 British Columbians living in poverty, according to the Market Basket Measure. The Market Basket Measure recognizes that a minimum disposable income of $20,000 a year for singles and $40,000 a year for a family of four is necessary to provide a basic standard of living, according to the province. Of those living

in poverty, 118,000 children in low-income families, and about 64,000 are seniors. The Fort St. John meeting will take place Friday, March 23, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the North Peace Cultural Centre. Doors open at 1 p.m. A meeting will be in held in Fort Nelson on Thursday, March 22, at the Fort Nelson Aboriginal Friendship Society. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the meeting scheduled from 5:30 to 8:30. Supports are available including transportation, child care, disability and health supports, as well as secure storage for belongings. Those who need assistance to attend either meeting are asked to contact Jayd Ursulak at 604718-7745 or by emailing JUrsulak@sparc.bc.ca. Learn more by visiting https://engage.gov.bc.ca/ bcpovertyreduction.

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Local News

New report sheds light on an evolving Fort St. John matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

The City of Fort St. John is still young, but getting a little grey around the edges, more educated and less likely to be married, but dealing with an aging housing stock and wage gap between the genders even as more women enter the workforce. The Community Development Institute presented the first phase of its community profile of the city to councillors on Monday, its “first major piece of research,” since opening last year. “It’s important for the community profile to provide a solid and broad understanding of the assets, opportunities, and challenges in Fort St. John,” researcher Dr. Michael Lait said. Here are some highlights:

matt preprost Photo

Dr. Michael Lait, researcher, and Marleen Morris, co-director, of the Community Development Institute.

Population • From 1981 to 2016, the city’s population grew from 13,891 to 20,155. The median age of the city is 31.5 years old. In 1981, 75% of the population was under 35. In 2016, just 57% of the population was under 35. Between 1986 and 2016, the number of people 65 and older grew by 199%, Lait said. • The percentage of those who are married or living common law has decreased from 66% to 57%, while those who are not married or living common law has grown from 34% to 43%. The percentage of couples without children has grown from 30% in 1981 to 45% in 2016. • Changes in family structure and the increasing proportion of couples without children is attributed in part to an aging population and

city hall

news in brief Highlights from the city council meeting held Monday, March 12, 2018. • The city awarded a contract for security and surveillance upgrades at city facilities to Houle Electric from Burnaby, at a cost of $419,278. The upgrades are slated for North Peace Recreational Centre, the Pomeroy Sport Centre, and the North Peace Cultural Centre. The upgrades are being

more empty nesters, Lait said. • 11% of the population identifies as Indigenous, compared to 5% of B.C. • Visible minorities made up 12% of the population in 2016, more than double from 5% in 2011, the result of increasing external migration to the city. Education

ship or trades certificate remained steady at 15% over the last 10 years. • High school completion rates have stayed stagnant around 70% from 2011 to 2016, while aboriginal completion rates are below 50%. Housing

nearly 50% of it was built before 1980 — 41% of it built between 1961 and 1980. But Fort St. John differs from other northern communities in that it’s quickly adding to its stock, Lait said, noting 22% of its housing stock has been added since 2006. Economy

• In 2006, 1 in 5 residents had no educational certificate, diploma, or degree, well above the provincial average of 12%. In 2016, the city had levelled down to the provincial average, with about 1 in 10 residents with no certificate, diploma, or degree. • Over the last 10 years, the proportion of those with a university certificate, diploma, or degree at or below the bachelor level rose from 15% to 20%. • Those with an apprentice-

• Average rents in Fort St. John are $1,275, on par with Vancouver at $1,296. The average value of a home is just $387,667 in the city, compared to $1.4 million in Vancouver. • In the rental market, 36% of renters were spending 30% or more of their income on shelter in 2011. That dropped to 30% of renters in 2016, though, “you can see renters are struggling with housing affordability in Fort St. John,” Lait said. • Of the city’s housing stock,

prompted by public safety concerns, and that existing CCTV infrastructure has either not been able to record or been of poor quality. The upgrades includes new HD cameras, IT infrastructure, and staff training. • The city is partnering with the Settlement Workers in Schools program to help put on its annual World Fair. The city will provide set up support, and will lend tables, chairs, and tents to the fair. This year’s event is scheduled for June 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the park at 100 Street and 100 Avenue. It will take place as part of the North Peace Cultural Centre’s Bright Nights

in June celebration. • The city will apply to Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart Community Accessibility Grant program to help fund the redesign of Centennial Park, which includes an accessible inclusive play area for kids. Canadian Tire issuing seven grants this year to communities building or renovating recreation spaces to improve accessibility for children with disabilities. The grants are valued between $250,000 and $1 million. • The city issued a temporary use permit for Medpro Respiratory Care. The clinic is operating at 8707 100 Avenue,

• In the last two censuses, the city’s median income was more than $100,000, and the highest in B.C. However, there was a 70% per cent difference in median incomes between men and women in the city in the latest census, Lait said. • In 2016, the city’s labour force participation rate was 79%, up from 72.9% in 1986, due to a growing percentage of women entering workforce, Lait said. • A high labour force particurrently zoned for C4 for service commercial, which does not allow for a health facility. The permit allows the clinic to continue operating at the location for three years. Bylaws • Council gave first three readings to Business Licence Amendment Bylaw No. 2411, 2018. The amendments are clerical to reflect inclusion of the new intercommunity business licence, as well as fire inspections. • Council gave first three readings to Election and Assent Voting Bylaw No. 2413, 2018.

cipation and young population means workers in the city as less reliant on government transfers for income, though that will change as the city ages, Lait said. • Construction saw the biggest job gains from 2011 to 2016, up from 1,015 workers to 1,540. Jobs in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction grew moderately from 1,265 to 1,420. • The retail trade sector grew by nearly 300 jobs in the same five years, to 1,395 workers; employment in accommodation and food services grew by roughly 100 jobs, to 1,015 in 2016. • There were 650 workers in the health care and social assistance fields in 2011, and 875 in 2016. The institute plans to complete a program and service inventory, and launch a community well-being survey in the second phase of developing the community profile. It will also collect data from the city and community groups. The CDI will use the data from the community profile to develop an economic strategy and social framework with the city. “The community profile is a living document and work is underway to make it even more comprehensive and informative,” Lait said. Mayor Lori Ackerman was pleased with the report and surprised by some of its findings so far, including the number of people living in the city who are not married and managing a lifestyle on a single income, as well as the growth in the number of visible minorities. “I’m really pleased with this information. This is foundational to moving forward,” she said. The bylaw deals with candidate nominations, advance voting scheduling, curbside voting, and how names are placed on the ballot. • Council gave first three readings to Automated Vote Counting System Authorization and Procedure Bylaw No. 2415, 2018. The bylaw authorizes an automated vote counting system for tallying votes. • Council gave first three readings to Mail Ballot Authorization and Procedure Bylaw No. 2416, 2018. The bylaw allows the city to offer mail ballots for electors to vote in an election or referendum.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018 A5

LOCAL NEWS

Open stage looks to nurture arts talent MATT PREPROST editor@ahnfsj.ca

A new, all ages stage opens to local artists in Fort St. John next week. Starting March 22, Whole Wheat and Honey will open its doors every second Thursday evening for musicians, poets, storytellers and more to fill the cafe with their latest sounds and words. The idea was born out of a need for an all ages space for artists, especially youth, to workshop their material, learn how to perform, and collaborate with one another, in a more focused space that’s not an adults-only bar or pub. “The goal is not to get drunk — the goal is to get creative and support each other,” said Naomi Shore, who will co-host the evenings with Ryan Sebastiano. Shore, who’s returning home after a three-year absence of touring and exploring the world, wants to see more collaboration between new and established artists in the city to help mentor up-and-coming talent. “We’ve been really lucky in the music scene and artistic community to have so many people pop in and lend their talents to the scene,” she said. “If I’m going to live in Fort St. John again, I want to be part of that community to revive it and build it up.”

TAYLOR DISTRICT

NEWS IN BRIEF

Highlights from the District of Taylor council and committee meetings on March 5, 2018: FIREFIGHTERS PLAN FOR HOSELAY COMPETITION The Taylor fire department celebrates its 60th year in 2018, and firefighters are gearing up to host the annual Peace Region Hoselay Competition in May. The competition will bring out firefighters from across the Peace, and as far away as Mackenzie and Fort Nelson, to compete in events that simulate firefighting activities. “We have a lot of history with the hoselay competition, we like to win, and we like to show off our community,” said Lieutenant Matt Edgar, planning committee chairman and who is nearing his 10th year of service with the department. “Truly, it is a once-a-year opportunity where we all come together, we have an opportunity to show off our skills, build rivalries, but also build companionship with other departments.” The competition runs from May 25 to 27, and is funded through the firefighters’ association, as well as community sponsorships. It will cost around $12,500 to organize the competition. Council voted at the meeting to waive rental fees for the use of the

Shore is one half of the award-winning local folk and roots duo Twin Peaks. Growing up and learning how to express herself through music was important, and she wants other youth to be able to find their voice. “I do think I have a lot of insight as far as mentoring younger people or adults new to performing and new writing,” she said. “It’s important to mentor and inspire the younger generation, or even just adults new to the stage, but have been singer-songwriters for years but are too scared to get up there and do it.” Artists will be given a 15-minute slot to fill however they choose, original material encouraged. Shore said she’s already been contacted by parents whose 11 and 12-year-old kids are interested in taking part — there’s even interest from a 10-year-old who wants to practice a standup comedy routine, she said. “That’s the space we’re hoping to provide — a nurturing space for creative ventures,” Shore said. “Not everyone needs to sing a Taylor Swift cover.” The stage will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. every second Thursday, and is free to the public. For more, visit OpenStageWWH on Facebook.

arena, community hall, curling rink, and swimming pool for the event, as well as approving the use of the ball diamonds, parking lots, and hydrants for the event. Council also approved a $1,000 sponsorship for the event, as well as a number of prize bag goodies including swim passes and golf tokens for participants. “I don’t think this should cost the association a nickel,” Mayor Rob Fraser said. GRANT WRITER HIRED Council voted to direct award a grant writing contract with Andy Ackerman of Myriad Consulting up to $10,500, pending negotiations with the firm and evaluation of the district’s grant writing needs. Council voted to hire its own grant writer instead of collaborate with the Peace River Regional District on those services due to Ackerman’s strong connection to and experience with local user groups. The regional district is looking to Adlard Environmental of Charlie Lake for its services. “This year is really important,” Mayor Rob Fraser said. “It’s not just writing the physical grants, it’s preparing the non-profit organizations, especially this year, because it’s the year the province will implement the new Societies Act. We will need somebody working with our groups. That’s the unseen work that Myriad Consulting has been providing.”

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

Phallon Stoutenburg of the Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society is co-ordinating the city’s firstever homeless count. HOMELESS FROM A1

Measuring homelessness is tough — it’s not just the people who are by definition homeless and living on the streets. It’s also about the “hidden homeless,” Stoutenburg said, the people living in their cars, or in tents, or couch surfing. The count will start the evening of April 17 and include counts in shelters, RCMP holdings cells, hospitals, and other places where at-risk individuals are known to seek shelter. On April 18, the same counts will occur during the day,

and ensure people aren’t counted twice. Volunteers are needed to help with the survey and will be partnered into pairs with someone who has social service experience and expertise. The pairs will then be set off on identified routes where people are known to sleep overnight and hangout. The data will be sent to the Homelessness Services Association of BC to be analyzed and released to the public. The data will help support the work already being

Calling all brave shavers for Bluey Day 2018 MATT PREPROST editor@ahnfsj.ca

The Fort St. John Hospital Foundation is looking for 50 residents brave enough to go bald in an effort to raise $100,000. Registration for the Foundation’s 19th annual Bluey Day event is now open. “Bluey Day is about celebrating. Celebrating those with cancer, survivors of cancer, and the lives of those we’ve lost to cancer,” Foundation Executive Director Ashley Bentley said in a statement. “It’s a day to remember and reflect while trying to make the journey better for future patients.” The Foundation wants at least 50 participants for this year’s drive who help raise $100,000 for equipment to diagnose and treat local cancer patients. The equipment will allow patients to remain in Fort St. John whenever possible, the Foundation says. Participants will spend the next three months growing out their hair and have their head shaved on Bluey Day on Saturday, May 26 at the BC Ambulance building on 96 Street. Since the first Bluey Day held in 1998, donors have contributed more than

MATT PREPROST PHOTO

Bluey Day 2017 was personal for Garret McComber and his mother Melissa. McComber, 15, was diagnosed with leukemia 3.5 years ago, and was declared cancer-free Nov. 27, 2016.

$1.8 million for cancer equipment for the hospital. That has helped pay for a $200,000 software upgrade to the hospital’s CT Scanner, which is now the lowest radiation dose CT scanner in operation throughout the north, as well as a $150,000 pledge toward the MRI machine that arrived in 2017, and has already conducted over 700 scans. For more information, contact the Foundation at 250-261-7563, or visit fsjhospitalfoundation.ca.

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done by social service providers in town, and be used to support the need for more resources for service providers. “It’ll be nice for us to get out in the community to see what our community does look like for homelessness,” Stoutenburg said. Interested volunteers will be asked to complete a survey. A training session will be held April 10. For more information, contact Stoutenburg at 250-787-1121 or by emailing her at outreach@fsjwrs.ca.

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A6 THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018

Opinion

Published every Thursday at 9916 - 98th Street, Fort St. John, BC V1J 3T8 by Glacier Media Tel: 250-785-5631 Fax: 250-785-3522 Online at alaskahighwaynews.ca

regional manager

William Julian wj@ahnfsj.ca

managing editor

Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

sports reporter

Dillon Giancola sports@ahnfsj.ca

sales manager

Ryan Wallace rwallace@ahnfsj.ca

sales associate

Brenda Piper

bpiper@ahnfsj.ca

circulation manager

Lynn Novack

circulation@ahnfsj.ca

WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? Send your letters to: editor@ahnfsj.ca Please put “Letter to the Editor” in the subject line. All letters must be accompanied by a daytime phone number (for verification purposes only) and your full name. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, taste, accuracy and libel. Please keep letters under 600 words. We ask that submissions protest the policy - not the person. Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect those of the Alaska Highway News.

NATIONAL NEWSMEDIA COUNCIL The Alaska Highway News is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please let us know first. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

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A rookie government and rookie mistakes

fter less than a year of watching the NDP-Green alliance govern our province, one word keeps on appearing in my mind as each policy decision announcement is released: rookies. As I wrote about previously, the payroll health tax was not only a grave strategic political error, but from a business perspective it is sending the wrong message loud and clear: that B.C. is bad for business. This slight of hand manoeuvre by shifting a tax burden from the resident to businesses without prior consultation was heavy handed and the NDP have cued up another “bold” measure, the speculation tax. Yes, another tax. I can understand taxing people who own property that are not living in Canada, but

Jeff Richert COMMUNITY VIEWS

what boggles my mind is how someone who lives in Alberta would be taxed for owning a vacation property in Kelowna, for example. They have taken money made in Alberta, invested it in British Columbia real estate, and their seasonal presence and spending activities are captured by local businesses. How is this a bad thing for our economy? Why would we punish someone for owning property in B.C. after they purchased it legally and have followed the law paying their respective property taxes? What have they done wrong?

Imagine if you lived in Alberta and the B.C. government informed you that next year you will have a tax bill of $10,000 for your vacation property in B.C. What would you do? I would curse and swear, as we already pay enough taxes it seems, and then I would call a realtor and put my vacation home up for sale before the other vacation home owners do the same. Why would I pay a tax for a home in British Columbia that I bought legally and already pay property taxes for? The scenario is exactly what could happen and are the unintended consequences of such a speculation tax being put into place. I suspect that many people will throw their hands up in the air and sell. Not good for business, tourism, or housing prices.

As it stands, the NDPGreen alliance is trending in a disturbing direction less than a year in power. When a solution to a problem is to increase taxes, shift a tax burden, add another tax, or increase yet another tax in order for other people who are taxed to be taxed less, we have a problem. We have a government, like many in the past, that is incapable of coming up with real, tangible, prudent solutions that address the core of an issue in a sustainable manner. As each NDP-Green policy blunder or heavy-handed measure appears before our eyes, created by a decision making process that appears to be flying by the seat of its pants, that word once again comes to mind: rookies. Jeff Richert lives in Taylor.

Time to stand in solidarity against sexual harassment

estaurants, work camps, the library — if you had to guess where sexual harassment runs rampant in Fort St. John, where would you guess? If you picked all of the above, you’d be right, and it’s something I heard all about while writing a piece for this year’s Vagina Monologues. I spoke with local women and men who had shocking stories to tell. One restaurant worker had her rear and breasts grabbed by a customer her grandfather’s age. Her boss dismissed it as “giving an old man a thrill.” Another had worked a popular tournament where prominent local businessmen yelled at her to strip as they waved fifty dollar bills. At another job, she was locked in a storage room by an employer who was propositioning her. Many agreed: “the oilpatch is so bad for it.” A male welder said that offensive jokes, teasing about body parts, and physical assaults by other males are common. “If you say anything, it gets worse... if you’re a subcontractor, you’ll lose out on jobs.” A woman who’d worked as a welder’s helper said she was often in physical danger: “All the welders I worked with seemed to think you owed them sexual favours on the way home.” In camp, another had to sit with her back against her bedroom door as men pounded on it trying to come in. I love working at the library, but sexual harassment from patrons happens far too often. It ranges from name-calling and leering, to being badgered for dates, and worse. I’ve been jeered at by groups of patrons, and was once followed home.

Fortunately, my employer is taking action: creating zero-tolerance policies and a culture where staff can talk about it openly without judgment. Sexual harassment at work is not just an annoyance, it’s a human rights and occupational health and safety issue. The mental health impact of workplace harassment is well-known. Consequences can include fight-or-flight response (like increased heart rate and sweating), chronic headaches, digestive problems, sleep disturbance, low morale, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. For those with past sexual trauma, name-calling alone can trigger re-traumatization. In the BC Human Rights Code, sexual harassment is a form of discrimination. Government fact sheets say sexual harassment can include these behaviours by a customer, co-worker, supervisor, or employer: • unwelcome touching; • offensive jokes or remarks about women or men; • sexual requests or suggestions; • leering or staring; • unwelcome comments about a person’s body; • showing sexual images; and • comments not sexual in nature, but directed at a person because of their gender. Case law prescribes a duty to accommodate, meaning employers must take all reasonable steps to eliminate discrimination based on gender. This can be done with training, or by making

HaveYOUR

changes to policy, practice, or services. Additionally, the Worker’s Compensation Act requires employers to have policies on bullying and harassment and to respond appropriately to incidents. Are you dealing with sexual or gendered harassment at work? Have some calm replies ready: • “That comment/behavior is inappropriate. Please stop.” • “Do you have a question about the store/menu/work? If not, I need to return to my work.” • “I am happy to answer questions about work, but I will not answer questions about my personal life.” • “Calling me sweetheart/honey/miss is demeaning to me as a professional. Please do not call me that again.” • “My marital status/appearance/ personal life has no bearing on my ability to assist you.” • “Would you care to speak to a manager about this?” • “If this behavior continues, I will have someone else finish assisting you.” • “If this behavior continues, I will ask you to leave.” The Time’s Up movement has women and men across the globe standing in solidarity against sexual harassment in the workplace. Let’s stop accepting it as just part of the job. Time’s up in the Peace Country, too, and I, for one, will not be silent. Amy von Stackelberg is an activist, loudmouth, and occasional writer in Fort St. John.

Do you have something to say or a story to share? The Alaska Highway News wants to hear from you. Email us at editor@ahnfsj.ca with “Have Your Say” in the subject line. Letters should be kept under 300 words, and must be accompanied by your full name, city, and a daytime phone number (for verification purposes only). We reserve the right to edit letters for length, taste, accuracy and libel. Letters will be published each Thursday.

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018 A7

op-ed

Local spenders or local trenders?

e’ve all heard it a million times: buy local, support local,

eat local. But what does local really mean? With the constant expansion of international trade and multi-national corporations, it can be hard to decipher what is really local anymore. We all like the idea of keeping the money we earn within the communities we live in, but this is becoming harder all the time. In this age of giant box stores and chain restaurants, it is increasingly difficult to support the small mom-and-pop businesses that used to be on every corner, especially on a tight budget. As a result, local businesses are struggling to make ends meet, needing to cut corners wherever they can to compete with the big boys. Sadly, this often means that local businesses are supporting big corporate suppliers over local providers, the catch twenty-two of local business.

Recently, I have heard franchise owners boasting that their businesses are locally owned, which might be true, but their products are often from the other side of the world — where most of the profits go as well. Even small, independently formed and run businesses are often completely dependent on big corporate suppliers, and if Bob’s Pizza Shop is producing the same pizza, made from the same ingredients as the chain franchise that is also locally owned, what’s the difference? Essentially there is none. Living in the north with a short growing season and limited availability, providing locally made goods from local materials can be next to impossible. This is why we need to recognize the difference between local products and locally sold products, because local products are worth paying more for and locally sold import goods are not.

As an entrepreneur and small business owner who lives and works in the Peace, I was impressed with the support and encouragement from the local community. The small market garden I am a partner in was able to earn a small profit in only our second year, moving from strictly farmer’s market sales to also providing a weekly produce box to more than 50 local families, but it hasn’t been easy. I was shocked when approaching local restaurant owners and the excuses made for not buying local produce. I know my produce is better than the big food distributors. It is free from harmful sprays, harvested at peak ripeness, and, most importantly, it is fresher because it hasn’t spent days (or weeks) in a truck or warehouse. Despite these glaring differences and a promise to match prices, I was often told it was not possible, the owners were too tied in to the import system

and weren’t interested in making the switch, even for the few months that local produce is available. As I left disappointed, I would see “Eat Local” or “Support Local” posted out front. The hypocrisy was obvious to me. The intention of this article is not to discourage support for local businesses and I am not suggesting anyone is being intentionally dishonest. Having spent most of my working years in the food service industry, I understand the stiff competition. The Globe and Mail reports that approximately 60 per cent of independent restaurants fail in the first three years, which is not encouraging. This is largely because they are competing with huge chains with massive buying power and are often providing essentially the same food. I would like to suggest that buying local is what can set an

Railway inaction threatens grain farmers

n recent weeks, I have heard from many local farmers with concerns about the lack of rail car service in our region. One farmer who visited my office in Fort St. John told me that CN hadn’t delivered any grain cars to the Viterra grain elevator in over five weeks. That is completely unacceptable. How can our local farmers succeed if they can’t move their goods to and from the region? In response to these complaints, I wrote a letter to CN Rail President and CEO Luc Jobin asking him directly to look into this to see what can be done to fix it. Mr. Jobin has since left CN Rail, however, I look forward to a response from JJ Ruest who has been named interim chief executive. Sadly, our region isn’t the only one dealing with a decline in railway service

for the grain sector, as rail car service numbers across Western Canada have dropped dramatically, resulting in the worst grain backlog in years. For example, for the week of February 18, CN and CP only supplied a combined 32 per cent of the cars requested — an all-time low. CN supplied 17 per cent of the cars ordered while CP supplied 50 per cent of the cars ordered. Again, this is unacceptable. Our grain farmers’ livelihoods are at stake. This uncertainty that they are currently dealing with, as well as the threat of loss of income and even the family farm, have created an unnecessarily stressful situation. My Conservative colleagues and I know how important it is for Canadian farmers to have access to a reliable rail system that gets their

goods to market in a predictable and timely way. That is why, when we were in government we immediately responded to challenges facing Western Canada’s rail shipping system by issuing an orderin-council mandating minimum grain volume shipments of over 500,000 tonnes of grain per week or face hefty fines for noncompliance. This measure has been widely credited as one of the key factors that ensured Western grain moved again at that time. In 2014, the Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act was passed which expanded grain monitoring, data collection, and strengthened contracts between producers and shippers. It also extended interswitching distance to 160 km from 30 km. These were all very positive changes that improved the shipping situation for

grain farmers all across Western Canada so it’s very disappointing that the Liberals have allowed this Act to expire. Thanks to inaction by the Liberal government, the costs for our local farmers is increasing, in the form of demurrage fees, while the rail companies face no real consequences. Not only that but contracts are in jeopardy and Canada’s reputation as a reliable grain exporter are on the line. We will continue to push the Liberal government to take immediate action to resolve the backlog in grain delivery and provide the necessary tools to hold railways accountable for inadequate service levels.

independent restaurant apart from the competition. Pizza dough made from locally grown wheat, and locally milled, will taste different from the generic, pre-frozen dough offered at chains. Fresh local tomatoes make a very different sauce than the ones from a can. I challenge local businesses to not only sell locally but to try and source locally whenever they can, and to remember they are not the only locals trying to make a living. In the end, consumers decide if a business succeeds or fails, so I also challenge everyone to demand that business owners asking us to support local practice what they preach. Mike Vanzandwyk lives and works in Fort St. John.

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LABOUR RELATIONS CODE REVIEW REQUEST FOR SUBMISSIONS AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The B.C. Labour Relations Code is being reviewed to ensure B.C.’s unionized workplaces support fair laws for workers and businesses and is consistent with the best practices elsewhere in Canada. People throughout the Province, including labour organizations, business, industry stakeholders, individual citizens and the legal profession are encouraged to provide written submissions by email to LRCReview@gov.bc.ca by March 20, 2018. A public hearing providing an opportunity to review highlights of submissions will be held in Cranbrook on Friday, April 6th. For more information please visit engage.gov.bc.ca/labourrelations

Bob Zimmer is the Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace RiverNorthern Rockies.

Letters to the editor Too many people don’t receive, or offer, enough kindness is this modern age of ours. This past Saturday (March 3), my husband and I had the pleasure of receiving kindness offered unasked for by a stranger and want others to know that kindness is still in existence. Doug and I were shoveling the copious quantity of Friday snow from our driveway on 103 Avenue when a person came down the road, driving a small bobcat/skid steer. Without an exchange of other than smiles, he pulled into our driveway, put the bobcat’s shovel down and went to work. In just a few minutes,

he cleared our driveway of the snow that would have taken us a couple of hours to remove. He waved, backed out and continued down the road. We don’t know who he was, where he was going before he saw us, nor where he went after but what he did was one of the kindest things we’ve experienced in our few short years here. Thank-you, whoever you are, for being the person you are. Your kindess to strangers confirms our belief that there is hope. — Jo-Anne and Doug Carter, Fort St. John

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See dealer for details. † Eligible 2018 GMC Canyon Extended Cab: Lease based on suggested retail price of $35,970, includes $750 manufacturer-to-consumer GM Card Application Bonus (offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank GM Visa Card [GM Card] or current GM Card cardholders) (tax inclusive), $500 manufacturer-to-dealer Delivery Credit (tax exclusive), $750 manufacturer-to-dealer Extended Credit (tax exclusive) and $750 manufacturer-to-dealer Truck Month Credit (tax exclusive) towards the lease of an eligible new 2018 GMC Canyon Extended Cab at participating dealers. Bi-weekly payment is $150 for 48 months at 1.9% interest rate on approved credit to qualified retail customers by GM Financial. The $75 weekly payment is calculated by dividing the bi-weekly payments of $150. $2,435 down payment is required. Total obligation is $17,983 plus applicable taxes. Taxes, license, insurance, registration and applicable fees, levies, duties and, except in Quebec, dealer fees (all of which may vary by dealer and region) are extra. Option to purchase at lease end is $16,546. See dealer for details. Discounts vary by model. Dealer may sell for less. Limited time offer, which may not be combined with certain other offers. General Motors of Canada Company may modify, extend or terminate offers in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. Offers may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia.†† Eligible 2018 GMC Sierra HD Diesel: Offer available to qualified retail customers in Canada for vehicles financed and from between March 1 – April 2, 2018. Financing provided, on approved credit, by TD Auto Finance Services, Scotiabank® or RBC Royal Bank. Participating lenders are subject to change. Rates from other lenders will vary. Representative finance example based on a new 2018 GMC Sierra HD Diesel. Down payment, trade and/or security deposit may be required. Monthly payment and cost of borrowing will vary depending on amount borrowed and down payment/trade. Example: $40,000 financed at 0% nominal rate (0% APR) equals $555.56 monthly for 72 months. Total Value consists of $3,272 manufacturer-to-dealer Delivery Credit (tax exclusive), $1,000 manufacturer-to-dealer Truck Month Credit (tax exclusive), $500 manufacturer-to-dealer Finance Cash (tax exclusive), and $1,000 manufacturer-to-consumer GM Card Application Bonus (offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank GM Visa Card [GM Card] or current GM Card cardholders) (tax inclusive). Cost of borrowing is $0 for a total obligation of $83,633. Taxes, $1,700 freight and PDI, $100 air conditioning charge (where applicable), PPSA, license, insurance, registration and applicable fees, levies and duties (all of which may vary by region and dealer) are extra. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Limited time financing offer, which may not be combined with certain other offers. GM Canada may modify, extend or terminate offers in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for details. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. ¥ Offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank® GM® Visa* Card (GM Card) or current Scotiabank® GM® Visa* Cardholders. Credit valid towards the retail purchase or lease of one eligible 2018 model year (“MY”) GMC delivered in Canada between March 1st, 2018, and April 2nd, 2018. Credit is a manufacturer-to-consumer incentive (tax inclusive) and credit value depends on model purchased: $1500 credit available on: GMC Terrain, Acadia, Yukon and Yukon XL; and $750 credit available on: GMC Canyon (except 2SA); and $1,000 credit available on: GMC Sierra, Sierra HD. Offer is transferable to a family member living within the same household (proof of address required). As part of the transaction, dealer may request documentation and contact General Motors of Canada Company (GM Canada) to verify eligibility. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. Certain limitations or conditions apply. Void where prohibited. See your GM Canada dealer for details. GM Canada reserves the right to amend or terminate offers for any reason in whole or in part at any time without prior notice. 1 Vehicle user interfaces are products of Apple and Google and their terms and privacy statements apply. Requires compatible smartphones and data plans rates apply. 2 Comparison based on wardsauto.com 2017 Small Pickup segment and latest competitive information available at time of posting. Excludes other GM vehicles. 3 Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the trailering section of the Owner’s Manual. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow. 4 Whichever comes first. Limit of four complimentary LubeOil-Filter services in total. Fluid top-offs, inspections, tire rotations, wheel alignments and balancing etc., are not covered. Conditions and limitations apply. See your dealer for details. 5 Whichever comes first, fully transferable. Conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for complete details. 6 Visit onstar.ca for coverage maps, details and system limitations. Services and capabilities vary by model and conditions as well as geographical and technical restrictions. Terms and conditions apply. OnStar® acts as a link to existing emergency service providers. Not all vehicles may transmit all crash data. After the trial period, an active OnStar® service plan is required. OnStar® 4G LTE: Services and connectivity vary by model and conditions as well as geographical and technical restrictions. Requires active OnStar® service and data plan. Data plans provided by AT&T or its local service provider. Accessory Power must be active to use the Wi-Fi® hotspot.

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018 A9

Business

“My prediction — the interest rate arrow is pointed upwards.” — Edwina Nearhood, A10

Whole Wheat and Honey lands new cafe kiosk at North Peace Airport matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Travellers looking for an early morning kick of caffeine will soon be able to grab a cuppa while they wait for their flight at the North Peace Regional Airport. Whole Wheat and Honey Cafe will open a new kiosk in the passenger holding room past security later this month. It’s part a pilot project as the airport looks to bring more food and beverage options to passengers, and meet the needs and wants of a growing passenger base. “We want to take small steps, and certainly customer feedback has been the people that use the airport would really like to have food and beverage in the hold room, and have a coffee and relax before their flight,” said Gord Duke, the airport’s managing director. The airport is already served by the Spicy Fusion restaurant, but beyond security the best passengers get is a coffee machine.

Whole Wheat and Honey will operate a small kiosk for early morning flights, serving up coffee, tea, and baked goods, owner-operator Devrey Robbins said. Expanding the business from its downtown location is necessary, she said. “It’s a good business opportunity. If you’re flight is delayed, you sit there without options. I’ve been sitting there wanting an option,” she said. “Having people fly in and out of this town on a regular basis gives us a chance to talk to them, and if they think our coffee is great to visit us in town for lunch.” The cafe will pilot the early morning flights, and if all goes well with staffing and customer buy-in, it will look to expand to a second set of flights in the afternoon and evening, Robbins said. The airport has its eye on expansion to meet the needs of a growing passenger base. The airport was designed for 130,000 but now sees an annual average of 250,000. “We’re always looking for opportunities,” Duke said.

$105,000 for water supply planning matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

The City of Fort St. John has secured federal gas tax funding to study the future of its water supply. The project is part of a $192.9-million funding package for B.C. announced by the province last week. The city has been trying for years to secure funding to help develop the plan, and had included it in this year’s budget. The city sources its water from the Peace River through

groundwater wells downstream of the where Site C is being built. In 2016, city staff told council the city’s current supply from aquifers was good to about 25,000 people. Under a community measures agreement with BC Hydro, the city has secured access to the dam’s reservoir for future domestic water needs if it so chooses. Charlie Lake has been tapped as an interim supply source, but a 50-year growth study in 2015 noted the quantity and quality of the water only make it a short-term solution.

Unemployment at 4.5% in February matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Unemployment in Northeast B.C. edged up slightly to 4.5 per cent in February, according to the latest Statistics Canada labour force survey. In a labour force of 39,800, the region saw 38,000 people employed in February. There were 1,800 people unemployed. In February 2016, unemployment in the region was at 8.7 per cent. Year-over-year, the region’s

ILA SUTHERLAND Photo

Students from North Peace Secondary and the Energetic Learning Campus met with four different sets of professionals in 15-minute “speed mentoring” sessions at a forum Feb. 28, 2018, at the Lido.

North Peace students rub shoulders with career pros at mentorship forum matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Engineers and archaeologists, lawyers and accountants, realtors and reporters — whatever the job, it takes a cross-section of careers to help build a community. On Feb. 28, more than 60 North Peace Secondary students got an idea of their opportunities in the region as part of mentorship forum at the Lido aimed at connecting them with working professionals in the community. Students from North Peace Secondary and the Energetic Learning Campus met with four different sets of professionals in 15-minute “speed mentoring” sessions. “It was amazing to speak to people and the real values of their careers,” said Grade 11 student Erica Thomas Schulenburg, “hearing what they enjoyed, what they didn’t, of their experiences.” The best advice Schulenburg said she walked away with was to expand her opportunities by trying her hand at everything, and that it was OK to fail.

“To find of what’s best for you, you need to fail,” she said. “Changing your path in life can really work.” Indeed, that was the message coming from Jared Giesbrecht, a lawyer with the Earmme & Giesbrecht Law Corporation: work hard, take risks, and reap the rewards of the opportunities that can follow. “The key with education is to open opportunities for yourself, and where you can go with your life,” he said. “You need to commit to things in life, but you also need to keep your options open.” It can be hard for smalltown kids to take risks, he said, and it can be easy for them to follow in the footsteps of friends who go to work in the oilfield. But there are a lot of other professionals needed to support all that field work, Giesbrecht said, many of them small business owners. There’s an important role for homegrown professionals in the community, he said. “Kids get stuck; they got a friend in the oilfield who makes a lot of money … but 10 years later they want something different,” he said.

“The attitude of just thinking about money is not healthy for kids.” Other mentors at this year’s forum included mortgage specialists, financial planners, nurses, medical imaging technologists, kinesiologists, dentists and hygienists, college instructors, biologists, early childhood educators, community planners, and funeral directors. Broadening young minds was the goal of the forum, said organizer Kim Zackodnik with Urban Systems. Students start thinking about their careers and the elective courses they’ll need to take in high school ahead of their university or college education, she said. “We’re really trying to get a wide variety of professional careers and trying to pick some that students aren’t necessarily thinking about,” she said. It was the second time Urban Systems has hosted the mentorship forum with the school district, and it hopes to return for a third time next year. “The mentors are happy about seeing this happen in the community,” she said.

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labour force has shrunk from 44,600. At this time last year, there were 40,700 people employed. Northeast had the second lowest unemployment rate in B.C. last month. Provincially, B.C. unemployment sat at 4.9 per cent in February as full-time job declines were offset by parttime increases, according to Stats Canada. Year-over-year, employment in the province rose by 40,000, entirely due to increases in part-time work, according to the agency.

1,743 employed on Site C in January Employment on BC Hydro’s Site C dam edged up at the start of 2018. The project’s workforce totalled 1,743 in January, according to figures released by BC Hydro. That’s up from 1,525 workers on the project in December 2017. There were 421 workers from the Peace Region on site employed as construction and non-construction contractors, or 24 per cent of the project’s total workforce. Local workers make up 35 per cent of the construction and non-construction workforce, which includes work at the dam site, on transmission corridors, reservoir clearing, public roadworks, and camp accommodations. There were a total of 1,498 workers, 86 per cent, from B.C. in construction and non-

construction contractors, engineers and project team jobs. BC Hydro says there were five temporary foreign workers employed on the project in January, along with eight apprentices, 118 First Nations people, and 228 women. The bulk of the project’s construction and nonconstruction workforce continues to be heavy equipment operators, with roughly 350 employed on the project in January, 100 more than the month before. Workforce numbers are collected monthly from contractors, which are also required under contract to report on indigenous inclusion and women participation on the project. The figures do not include indirect or induced employment, and are not broken down by full-time or part-time work.

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A10 THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018

BUSINESS

New real estate tax measures will have minimal impact here

CERAM—MIX Above: Leanna Carlson and Karen Heathman stand with their ceramic works at the opening of their show Road Trip March 9, 2018, at Peace Gallery North. The exhibit is on display until March 31. Right: An intriguing and curious piece by Leanna Carlson. Below: Ratz Rule by Karen Heathman EVE PETFORD PHOTOS

Edwina Nearhood LIFE AT GROUND ZERO

eration to have to be fully prepared and qualified to make that purchase. Start shopping, the sale is on now! Current market conditions have sellers lined up with open arms for the spring market buyers. Are you ready? Long-term stable employment? Check. Tired of paying rent? Check. Qualified for a mortgage? Check? What are you waiting for? Is the time to buy right for you? LOCAL MARKET CONDITIONS Fort St. John and area, as of March 9, 2018 • Total attached and detached residential sales completed: 46 (Sales that have close; accepted offers not included) • Average Sale Price: $356,039 • Average Days on Market for Average Sale Price: 98 • Average Days on Market for homes listed between $450,000 to $600,000: 138 • Total active listings of attached and detached residential properties: 432 • Average List Price: $418,039 • Average Days on Market for Average List Price: 151 THIS TIME LAST YEAR • Total attached and detached residential sales completed : 67 • Average Sale Price: $385,755 • Average Days on Market for Average Sale Price: 109 • Active Listings March 16, 2017: 308 THE LAST WORD My prediction — the interest rate arrow is pointed upwards. Edwina Nearhood is a life-long resident of Fort St. John, with 30 years experience in the appraisal industry.

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ood news! The property transfer tax rate increased for properties above $3 million for residential properties will have minimal impact in Fort St. John. The Peace River Regional district is not located in an area impacted by additional property transfer tax for foreign entities and taxable trustees. The speculation tax on residential properties arrives too little too late along with pre-sale condo reassignments. Both of these measures would have brought more control into the Fort St. John market at a time where accessibility of affordable housing options in the area was difficult. When vacancy rates were very low in the community a large number of condo units were pre-sold to out-of-town investors. Current market conditions in the northeast will see minimal impact on either of these tax measures. The Home Owner Grant Act increase is targeted to support those in the Lower Mainland. Hmm, and the bad news? Something that did not have a very loud public announcement at budget time was the cancellation of the BC Home Owner Mortgage and Equity Partnership, which assists residents who are eligible first-time homebuyers by providing repayable down payment assistance loans. Under this program up to 5% of a down payment can be borrowed for homes $750,000 or less. The purchaser must be eligible for a high-ratio insured first mortgage. The final date of application approval under this program is March 3. For more information, you can view the BC Housing website. The cancellation of this program will likely impact eligibility of our local buyers. The not so bad news? Government policy, interest rate testing, and accountability for first time buyers will help protect home buyers in a market that has many opposing forces impacting one of the largest purchases people make in a lifetime. A well prepared home buyer has an opportunity to purchase a home that is more affordable than it has been in Fort St. John for quite a long time. It is a bit of a crush on the millennial gen-

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018 A11

Local News

peace region

court docket A summary of sentences and fines handed out in Peace Region courts for the week ending March 9, 2018. Fort St John Law Courts • Aaron Steven Dietz (born 1985) was given 18 months of probation with a suspended sentence, handed a 10year mandatory firearms ban, ordered to provide a DNA sample, and assessed a $200 victim surcharge for robbery. Dietz also received a six-month conditional sentence, 18 months of probation, and assessed a $100 victim surcharge for theft $5,000 or under. Dietz was given a six-month conditional sentence, handed another 18 months of probation, and assessed a $100 victim surcharge for fraud. • Steven Thomas Barker (born 1963) was fined $200 and assessed a $60 victim surcharge for theft $5,000 or under. Barker was handed a oneyear probation order with a suspended

sentence and assessed a $100 victim surcharge for breach of undertaking. • Brianna Helen Wolf (born 1995) was handed three months of probation with a conditional discharge and assessed a $100 victim surcharge for theft $5,000 or under. • Matthew Edward Beckerton (born 1986) was fined $500 and assessed a $75 victim surcharge for driving with a suspended licence. • Dion Alexander Dock (born 1974) was fined $500, sentenced to 14 days jail, and assessed a $75 victim surcharge for driving with a suspended licence. • Stuart Embree Prest (born 1970) was fined $1,000, handed a one-year criminal driving ban, and assessed a $150 victim surcharge for care or control of a vehicle or vessel while impaired. Prest was fined $500 and assessed a $75 victim surcharge for driving with a suspended licence. • Cody Mackenzie Grendus (born 1987) was fined $900, handed a twoyear driving ban, and assessed a $135 victim surcharge for driving while prohibited/licence suspended. — Tom Summer

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The Nazareks’ arrests and charges in 2013 came at a time when RCMP said fentanyl was starting to creep into the local illicit drug supply disguised as OxyContin, as that drug became more heavily regulated. Fentanyl is up to 80 times more potent than morphine, and hundreds of times more potent than heroin, according to the Centre for Disease Control. It wasn’t seen in Fort St. John until 2013 when the B.C. Coroners Service attributed two deaths to the drug. In 2014, that number jumped to four. In 2017, fatal overdoses from fentanyllaced drugs had reached 14 in Northeast B.C., as the Coroners Service has amalgamated its township statistics for the region. There were 125 fatal drug overdoses in B.C. in January 2018, just one of them in the Northeast, the latest available data. The stats do not break down how many of the deaths so far this year have involved fentanyl. Today, Fort St. John RCMP say fentanyl is the drug of choice on the streets. Detachment commander Insp. Mike Kurvers said police share the public’s frustration over the game of catch and release, but noted the court process is out of police hands. The police are responsible to follow up on any bail conditions placed on an offender upon their release, even as they await their sentencing in the community, he said. “It’s a continuing battle,” Kurvers said. “The bottom line is that drug line is going to be filled by somebody else; there’s always somebody stepping next in line to take that job. We have to identify people, we have to disrupt, we have to target, we have to do all these investigative techniques to get the evidence to support charges and then we take action.”

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Nazarek has switched lawyers since his August conviction, and was represented in both matters by Prince George defence lawyer David Donnelly, who is helping Nazarek apply for legal aid funding for an out-of-town lawyer. A police raid on Nazarek’s home in December 2013 found more than 2,000 fentanyl pills disguised as counterfeit OxyContin, along with more than a kilogram of cocaine and more than $100,000 in Canadian and American cash. The value of the drugs was estimated up to $138,000, and RCMP testified the home’s laundry room was used to process the drugs. The drug operation was “indicative of a midlevel supplier,” RCMP testified. In his defence, Nazarek’s lawyer argued there was no evidence Nazarek had knowledge the seized pills were drugs, and “may have believed that they were some sort of vitamins, antacids, or even breath mints,” according to the ruling. The defence also argued there was no evidence of where the pills had come from, and no witnesses to testify they had bought drugs at the house or from Nazarek. The defence tried to have the case thrown out, saying Nazarek’s Charter right to be tried within a reasonable time had been violated, however, the Supreme Court dismissed that effort in a December 2017 ruling. On Jan. 17, 2018, the Supreme Court sentenced Laura Wensley Nazarek to two years in jail after she pleaded guilty to possessing fentanyl and cocaine for the purpose of trafficking in relation to the 2013 bust. She was also sentenced to one year of probation upon her release, and assessed a $400 victim surcharge. The court noted the federal sentence was “at the low end of the range.”

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A12 THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018

perspectives

eve petford Photos

Science World ended its week-long visit to the North Peace last week with a day-long community science celebration at Northern Lights College on March 10. Left: Camden Jeppson takes a peek through a microscope at a booth all about microorganisms. Right: Parker McLean shows off some water glass magic to a youth, explaining surface tension and adhesion. A full glass of water turned upside down holds a plastic lid in place and doesn’t fall to the floor. Not magic, it’s science!

Building a virtual power plant

n South Australia, 50,000 homes will receive free solar panels and Tesla batteries over the next four years in a groundbreaking plan to create the world’s largest virtual power plant. Virtual power plant? This idea has been growing rapidly over the last few years, driven by “smart” battery technology developed by Tesla (among others). Smart batteries not only store the energy produced by a solar array, but link with other solar/battery systems scattered over vast areas of the grid, creating, in essence, a giant, interconnected power plant. South Australia is worried. In 2016, a vast “unprecedented” storm caused a statewide blackout that has sent them scrambling for a more reliable energy source. Also, several of their aging coal plants have closed, and gas drilling is either facing restrictions or most of the gas is

Don Pettit WATT’S HAPPENING

slated for export. So Australia is turning to renewables like solar and wind, which now supply 14% of their power. South Australia is already home to the world’s largest battery system (Tesla again) that supplies power to 30,000 homes. Now, they’re taking it to the next level. “We will use people’s homes as a way to generate energy for the South Australian grid,” said Premier Jay Weatherill, “with participating households benefiting with significant savings in their energy bills.” The trial phase will begin with 1,100 public housing properties, each supplied with a 5 kW solar

system and Tesla battery. Interconnected via the existing grid, the solar/battery systems will share both power and storage while exporting excess power to the grid, becoming a net generator: a vast, reliable and resilient “virtual” power plant. The project is being funded by a loan from their taxpayer renewable energy fund, and by the sale of excess electricity generated by the network, some 250 megawatts of solar energy plus 650 megawatt hours of battery storage. South Australia, of course, has a great solar resource, but the idea can work almost anywhere, because solar energy will work almost anywhere (look at Germany, a world leader in solar but not exactly a bright sunny place). Just for fun, I have run some rough numbers (yes, very rough, but conceptually accurate), to see what we could do if B.C.

built a virtual solar power plant instead of destroying another pristine river valley. Bear with me, here come the numbers… The Site C dam is rated at about 1,000 megawatts, but with a “power capacity factor” of 60% (BC Hydro figure) it will actually produce about 600 megawatts of reliable power averaged over any given year. How many 5kW roof-top solar arrays would we need to make this much power? About 120,000 to reach that peak of 600 megawatts, but since solar is more intermittent, let’s be generous and multiply that by 4, for a total of about 480,000 roof tops arrays. Assuming economies of vast scale, each solar/battery system would cost about $20,000 installed. Total cost? $9.6 billion. Hmmm, about the same cost as Site C! Benefits besides the clean electricity? Lots.

1) Tiny environmental footprint, since only existing roofs would be used; 2) Half a million BC residents receive a direct and immediate financial benefit, reducing their electrical costs for decades, plus a valuable solar asset for their home or business; 3) The province gets a thriving solar industry, employing tens of thousands of electricians, engineers, truckers, roofers, carpenters, manufacturing facilities etc. all across the province, for decades; Truly clean energy is distributed and phased in as needed, not mega-project boom-bust centralized. Driven by necessity and basic economics, virtual power plants will soon become the norm where there is the political will to implement them. Don Pettit can be reached at dpettit@pris.ca

House

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At its core is a lofty vaulted great room, accessed via a vaulted foyer with an equally high ceiling. The wide alcove at the juncture between the two spaces is designed to house a grand piano. Music created here will resonate throughout.

Cabinetry for a home entertainment center flanks the stately gas fireplace, and windows fill most of the rear wall. Across the room, another fireplace and TV hutch extend the nook that expands the roomy kitchen. A long conversation bar bounds the kitchen, with wings stretching out in two directions from the sink. The pantry

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Breckenridge

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THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018 A13

Local News

Aladdin a vibrant display of student collaboration matt preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca

Students of Ecole Central Elementary took to the North Peace Cultural Centre stage last week, all 370 of them, to perform Disney’s musical Aladdin KIDS. The production, which had a string of sold-out shows to the public and other schools, was a vibrant and impressive display of collaboration and community building. “It’s community building. We have an amazing staff that want to do a school-wide project involving the arts,” principal Broyden Bennett said. Though there was a main cast to anchor to the show, each class took part in the production, designing their own costumes, learning their own songs and dance routines. Those wanting to help build sets were encouraged to help outside of class. It’s the second year Ecole Central has put on a school-wide production after the success of last year’s performance of The Lion King. The classic tale of Aladdin brought audiences to the kingdom of Agrabah, where street rat Aladdin vies for the love of the princess Jasmine. When the evil Jafar sends Aladdin to steal a magic lamp from the Cave of Wonders, Aladdin accidently releases a genie that grants his wish to become a prince so he can marry Jasmine. But Jafar had other plans for the genie in his quest to rule Agrabah, and Aladdin must escape Jafar’s attempts to ambush him and steal back control of the genie. Ecole Central’s motto is ARTS: acceptance, respect, together, and safe, and Bennett said the production ties into those learning values. “Every class takes on their own roles and use it as part of their learning,” he said. “Our staff and students did a fantastic job. It can’t happen without a great group of kids and group of staff.”

matt preprost Photos

Scenes from Ecole Central Elementary’s production of Aladdin KIDS. To see more, visit alaskahighwaynews.ca/photos.

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A14 THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018

PERSPECTIVES

A toast to good health this St. Patrick’s Day

How do you learn as a family? Tell us #FamilyLiteracyDay fl Have a shapes scavenger hunt, taking turns ﬁnding shapes indoors and outdoors. Then make each shape with your body — kids and adults work together.

LEARN AT PLAY, EVERY DAY.

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Find more ways to learn at play as a family at www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca

HOROSCOPE

For Thursday March 15 2018

ARIES (MARCH 21 TO APRIL 19) This is an excellent day to take care of practical matters with bosses or parents. You will choose to be private about your dealings or work behind the scenes.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23 TO OCT. 22) This is a productive day at work for you, especially as the day wears on. You’re willing to roll up your sleeves and get things done. (You won’t overlook details.)

TAURUS (APRIL 20 TO MAY 20) Someone older or more experienced might have excellent advice for you today. Be open to whatever is offered. It never hurts to listen.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 TO NOV. 21) You will enjoy teaching children or young minds today. This also is a good day to work out details regarding vacations or something to do with sports — professional or amateur

GEMINI (MAY 21 TO JUNE 20) People in authority, including bosses and parents, are impressed by your common sense today. It looks like you’ve done your homework, and they’re willing to trust your judgment. CANCER (JUNE 21 TO JULY 22) You’ll find it easy to study today, because you have focus and concentration. You also might work out the details of future travel. LEO (JULY 23 TO AUG. 22) You couldn’t pick a better day to wrap up loose details regarding red-tape issues, such as banking, taxes, debt, inheritances or insurance matters. You’re in the right mindset for this today. VIRGO (AUG. 23 TO SEPT. 22) A discussion with your partner or a close friend will be practical and productive today. You’re both on the same page, and you both want solid results.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 TO DEC. 21) Listen to an older family member today if you have important discussions about home or a family business. Never underestimate the wisdom of experience. CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 TO JAN. 19) You’re in a serious frame of mind today, which is why you will be productive in your conversations with others. You won’t mind doing routine, tedious work that you usually might avoid. AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 TO FEB. 18) You will be conservative about financial decisions today, and that’s how it should be. Check out the facts before you act. This includes buying something. PISCES (FEB. 19 TO MARCH 20) You might want to be alone today just because you want to be calm and have a chance to reflect. You’ll be careful and thorough in whatever you do.

t. Patrick’s Day marks the feast day of a RomanoBritish Christian missionary and the first bishop of Armagh known as Patrick (Pádraig). He was born in the year 387 near the present day border Scotland shares with England. When Patrick was 16, Irish pirates forcibly took him as a slave to Ireland. After six years in captivity, during which time Patrick became very religious, he escaped his captors and fled to his family in Britain. Patrick then became a cleric, eventually returning to northern and western Ireland as a missionary. Legend claims that Patrick rid the Emerald Isle of snakes; however, there is no evidence that snakes have ever been in Ireland. The ‘snakes’ he drove from Ireland may represent pagans or druids who refused to convert to Christianity. St. Patrick, then, is credited with converting Celtic 5th Century Ireland from polytheism. He is referred to as the Apostle of Ireland, the Enlightener of Ireland, and is venerated in the Catholic, Anglican and Eastern Orthodox traditions. St. Patrick died on March 17 sometime between the year 461 and 493. In the dioceses of Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is both a solemnity and a holy day of obligation. The day is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland and a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland. In other parts of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and America, it is celebrated, but not an official holiday. The first recorded celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in Canada was in 1759 by Irish soldiers serving with the British army following their conquest of part of New France. St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in Newfoundland and Labrador, marked on the nearest Monday to March 17. It is not a public holiday in other parts of Canada, but some Canadian cities — most notably Toronto and Montreal — hold large St. Patrick’s Day parades on the Sunday closest to March 17. The St. Patrick’s Day parade in Montreal has been held every year since 1824. After

Angela Griffin PEACE REFLECTIONS

the famine in Ireland drove millions of Irish Catholics from their home in the late 1840s, the number of Irish Catholics eclipsed the number of Irish Protestants in Canada. The St. Patrick’s Day parade provided the disenfranchised and poor Irish Catholics with the opportunity to protest the inequalities that still existed between Irish Catholic and Irish Protestant. In Toronto, the parade became a response to the Orangeman Walk that occurred every July 12. Toronto authorities outlawed the St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1878 after a particularly wild night of sectarian violence. The Toronto St. Patrick’s Day parade didn’t resume until 1988, 110 years after the last time the Irish processed through downtown Toronto wearing green and brandishing shamrocks, an Irish Catholic symbol of the Holy Trinity. St. Patrick’s Day celebrates Irish culture, history and traditions. People of Irish heritage might host a party or serve traditional Irish dishes, such as Colcannon (mashed potatoes mixed with kale or cabbage) or Irish stew (a lamb or beef dish with root vegetables). Traditional Irish drinks include stout (dark ale) and whiskey. St. Patrick is buried under Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, County Down, and is the primary patron saint of Ireland. The other patron saints of Ireland are St. Brigid of Kildare and St. Columba. A traditional St. Patrick’s Day toast that means ‘Good health!’ is ‘Sláinte mhaith!’ The Peace is a place of many peoples and faiths. In this space, readers are invited to share their own reflections of faith in the Peace. If you have a story of faith you’d like to share, email angelamarygriffin@gmail.com.

Say What?

Dear Annie: Frustration is interrupting my sleep, upsetting my stomach and leaving me on the edge of tears or screaming. My husband of many years has had a hearing problem for years, but he won’t do anything about it. I have tried all manner of things to get him to go to an audiologist for assessment, including telling him I’ll go, too (even though I have excellent hearing!). I try to make him understand how much he’s missing every day, to no avail. I’ve realized that I can be verbally nasty when he doesn’t hear or hears incorrectly -- which often starts an argument. I’ve been to a counselor to try to get some coping skills, as this is really affecting our overall relationship, but trying her suggestions is getting me nowhere. He just digs his heels in deeper. I feel that if he really loved me, he’d at least get an evaluation to stop this downward swing in our relationship. I don’t like how this is all making me feel. It’s getting hard to pretend I’m happy in front of friends. Any suggestions? -- Sad and Frustrated Beyond Words Dear Sad and Frustrated Beyond Words: The good and bad news is that you are already taking all the right steps. Try to get out of the mindset that if he really loved you, he’d get a hearing evaluation. Though this obviously impacts you, it isn’t about you. It’s about your husband’s own hang-ups with accepting and admitting he has hearing loss.

Annie Lane DEAR ANNIE

Continue with therapy, and consider trying meditation. Until he’s open to seeing a doctor, focus on your mental health. Sometimes it’s only after we stop trying to get loved ones help that they decide they want it for themselves. Dear Annie: My brother and his wife tell everyone, friends and family, that they are always welcome in their home -- to just stop by anytime. They make a big show of saying this repeatedly. However, they never actually invite anyone over for holidays, meals or just a simple visit. For example, we live in a different state, and when we visit other relatives in the area, they never invite us to their home. I assume they expect us to just “show up.” I personally hate it when people show up unannounced at my house. I could still be in my pajamas or eating a meal, or maybe I haven’t finished the cleaning the kitchen yet. I was taught that it is rude to just show up at someone’s house. Could you please clarify? -- Mystified in Montana Dear Mystified: Usually when people say to “visit anytime,” they don’t actually mean “pop by with

no warning whenever.” They just mean “call and plan a visit for any time.” So pick up the phone and plan a visit -- and while you’re there, you might ask your brother to be more specific about making plans in the future. Dear Annie: I am wondering what to say to relatives who ask to come over after Christmas, get out what they call their leftovers and heat them up, leaving us with none. We think that coming over to visit is fine but that being presumptuous and helping themselves to our food is so rude. What do you think? -- Nothing Left Dear Nothing Left: From the sound of it, you host Christmas dinner at your house and have relatives bring dishes. If that’s the case, I can understand why they’d say “our leftovers.” Everyone contributed, so everyone wants to keep riding the gravy train, so to speak. If you want to keep some leftovers, store some portions in a separate container and stick it out of sight in the freezer.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. To find out more about Annie Lane and read features by other Creators Syndicate columnists and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2017 CREATORS.COM

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018 A15

Coffee Corner

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hOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once. Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3x3 box. PREVIOUS PUZZLES ANSWERS

• • • • • • • • • • • •

ACCOMPANIMENT ADDUCTED ALTO ARIA ARPEGGIO BALLAD BARITONE BELTING CHEST DIAPHRAGM DICTION FALSETTO

• • • • • • • • • • • •

FLAT HEAD KARAOKE LARYNX LEGATO NASAL NOTES PHRASING PITCH POWER PROJECTION RANGE

RESONANCE REVERB SCALE SHARP SOLO SOPRANO STACCATO TECHNIQUE TEMPO TENOR VIBRATO VOCALS

TODAY’S PUZZLE

42. Actress __ Rachel Wood 43. Not bright 44. Western Asia peninsula 45. Baseball speedster Gordon 46. Golf score 47. Transmits genetic information from DNA to the cytoplasm 48. Diego, Francisco, Anselmo 49. Songs to one’s lover 52. Cattle’s mammary gland 55. Having ten 56. Fencing sword 60. Scarlett’s home 61. Hold valuables 63. Italian Seaport 64. Cain and __ 65. Bad places to live 66. Large, wading bird 67. Witches 68. Cover with drops 69. Props up the head CLUES DOWN 1. Philippine province

PREVIOUS PUZZLES ANSWERS

CLUES ACROSS 1. Unpleasant substance 5. Oil group 10. One-time Yankees rookie sensation 14. Ireland 15. Less easily found 16. Southeast Nigeria people 17. Bridgeline Digital stock designation 18. Play loudly 19. Elegantly fashionable 20. Open sore 22. Frozen water 23. Sacred Islamic site 24. “Kokomo” rockers 27. Follows sigma 30. Cease to exist 31. Cool 32. Doctors’ group 35. Less attractive 37. Swiss river 38. Greek sophist 39. Grandmothers 40. Afflict 41. Russian pancake of buckwheat flour and yeast

13. Soul and calypso song 21. Advises 23. “The Spanish Tragedy” playwright 25. Surrounds the earth 26. Paddle 27. Adjusted 28. Succulent plant 29. Forearm bones 32. Belonging to Egyptian ascetic Apollo’s colleague 33. Type of mental illness 34. One from Asia 36. 007’s creator 37. Direct toward 38. Pie _ __ mode 40. Large terrier 41. Hillsides 43. Patriotic women (abbr.) 44. Connects words 46. For each 47. Flower cluster 49. Closes a deal 2. Shallow channel 50. Arabian desert 3. Type of acid 51. Vaccine against 4. Cygnus’ brightest poliomyelitis star 52. American state 5. One who buys and 53. Religion practiced in sells securities (abbr.) China 6. Ill will 54. Type of sediment 7. Plant of the goosefoot 57. Hall of Famer Ruth family 58. “Layla” singer 8. Intellectual Clapton 9. Mineral 59. Gamble 10. Shiny silicate 61. Sino-Soviet block minerals (abbr.) 11. Ottoman civilian title 62. Midway between 12. What you wear when south and southwest eating BBQ (2 words)

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A16 THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018

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Why we can’t have nice things Dillon Giancola THE DILL ZONE

T DILLON GIANCOLA PHOTO

Brandon Millin fires a blast on net in the Flyers’ 6-5 overtime loss in game three of the NPHL final on March 8. The Flyers hosted game five on Tuesday night, after this edition of the News went to print. Up 3-1 in the series, the Flyers were looking to close out the series and hoist the trophy on home ice in front of their passionate fans. Go to alaskahighwaynews.ca for the results and story.

Huskies meet Navigators in NWJHL final DILLON GIANCOLA sports@ahnfsj.ca

The Fort St. John Huskies advanced to the NWJHL final after winning their semifinal series on March 8. On Wednesday, March 14, the final started, after press time, against the North Peace Navigators. The final series looks to be a defensive, low-scoring battle. The Navigators were the only team the Huskies had a losing record against this season, going 2-3-1 versus North Peace in six games. Fort St. John only scored 12 goals in those six games, while North Peace scored 17. “Our record doesn’t look good on paper against them, but there’s only two games we weren’t happy with how we played. For the most

part, we played well, and just didn’t get rewarded,” Head Coach Todd Alexander said. On the season, the Huskies scored 27 more goals than the Navigators, who finished third in goals scored. The Huskies also had the advantage in goals against with 79. However, the Navigators were the only team to come close to that mark, as they only allowed 102 and were second in goals allowed. “I think if we stick to the game plan and how we play for 60 minutes; we’ll be just fine,” said Alexander. The Navigators knocked the Huskies out in game seven of the semifinal last year, and Alexander said the team would love to get some redemption. On the injury front, both

defenceman and captain Jarod Lang, as well as forward Joshua Robinson, remain questionable as they are both out with consussions. “You never know with these head injuries. They’ve both had some improvements, but they still need 100 per cent clearance,” Alexander said. Goaltender Jonathan Bateman, who has been out with a broken collarbone and was the only goalie in the NWJHL that had a better record than the Navigator’s Ryan Noble, is back in Fort St. John and may see some playing time this series. Alexander said that he’s been told by doctors that Bateman’s collarbone is completely healed, and the plan is to have a couple practices and see how he’s

feeling. Either way, Zak Babin got the call to start game one. “Zak’s been good for us. Not that Brody (Greggain, backup) has done anything wrong, we just feel that Zak has played a little bit better with the team that’s in front of him right now,” said Alexander. The final series will be a best-of-five instead of seven games. The decision was made after the Huskies and Navigators advanced, to give both teams a week off before the Hockey Alberta Junior B provincials, which start on March 29 in Fort St. John. The Huskies earned a spot in the tournament due to hosting the event, while the Navigators earned a spot by advancing to the final. Game two is Friday, March 16, in Peace River.

Middleton wins world junior gold in curling Sterling Middleton of Fort St. John is a world curling champion, after Team Canada’s men’s team beat Scotland 6-5 March 10 in Aberdeen, Scotland, at the World Junior Curling Championships. Middleton is the third on Team Tardi, from B.C. “It’s pretty cool. We went to worlds last year and didn’t really play up to our standards or place well. To be able to bring the intensity and play better, our result this year reflects more what we can do as a team,” Middleton said. Canada was leading 5-2 after eight ends and seemed in control, but Scotland scored two in the ninth and stole one more in the 10th to force an extra end, after skip Tyler Tardi missed a draw for the win. In the 11th end, Canada drew in for a single to win. “We had to pull ourselves together, we still had the

RICHARD GRAY/ WCF PHOTO

Sterling Middleton, second from right, and Team Canada won the 2018 World Junior Curling Championships.

hammer. We missed a couple shots in the 11th, but made the last ones and Tyler had a fairly easy shot for the win,” said Middleton. Canada was 7-2 after the

round robin, which included a 6-5 loss to Scotland. Middleton and the rest of the team then beat USA 8-5 in the semi-final before facing Scotland in the final.

Middleton said he enjoyed the atmosphere in Scotland, including the scenery, the ancient granite and brick buildings, and the fans. See MIDDLETON on B4

he Oilers versus the Flames, the Leafs against the Habs, the Boston Red Sox battling the New York Yankees — these are some of the most heated rivalries in sports. We can add another one to that list — Fort St. John and Dawson Creek. The 2017-18 hockey season reignited the rivalry between the two cities, as both junior and senior teams in each town competed at the top of the standings all winter long. Peace Region hockey fans were 16 seconds away from an all-B.C. NWJHL final between the Huskies and the Junior Canucks. It was going to be great theatre, both arenas full of each other’s fans making the short road trip to cheer on their boys. There would be so many goals, and lead changes, as these two were atop the league in goals scored by a wide margin over the rest of the teams. Not to mention, everybody hates everybody. Of course, this all was contingent on the Canucks winning their semifinal against the North Peace Navigators. Up 3-2 in the series, Dawson Creek had a golden opportunity to punch their ticket to the finals with a win at home in game six March 7. They almost did exactly that. It was a wild game, which the Canucks were winning 6-5 with less than a minute left. Of course, teams are fond of pulling their goalie for a sixth attacker, because it works, like it did in game six. The Canucks missed a chance to score on the empty net, and the Navigators scored with 16 seconds left on the clock. From there, the Navigators won in overtime, and easily took care of business in game seven, winning 5-1. The Navigators, not the Canucks, will face the Huskies in the final. A three-hour road trip instead of a 45-minute jaunt. This is why we can’t have nice things. Now, the excitement will have to come solely from the fact that these teams are playing for a championship. It’s still a big deal, but the emotion is lacking and the Navigators are a boring team. What bothers me the most, however, is that a number of management and players from the Canucks were in Fort St. John to watch the Huskies defeat the County of Grande Prairie Kings in game five, on March 13. It’s actually a kind of cool gesture. The spunky underdog Canucks scouting and rooting for the rival Huskies, because they wanted to face the NWJHL’s best. The only problem was, the Canucks hadn’t yet made the final. They were looking past the Navigators, and paid the price. Worry about what’s in front of you. For the Huskies, it won’t be the Canucks. Dillon Giancola covers Peace Region sports for the Alaska Highway News. Email him at sports@ahnfsj.ca

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B2 THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018

Local Sports

Trackers host provincials Monday

supplied photo

The NEBC and Yukon Trackers celebrate winning the NAHL’s Bouchier Division playoff tournament last weekend, in Fort McMurray.

Dillon giancola sports@ahnfsj.ca

The NEBC and Yukon Trackers are entering the Midget B.C. Tier One Championships in Fort St. John as Bouchier Division champions. The Trackers were in Fort McMurray last weekend for a divisional tournament, and they returned to Fort St. John champions after beating the GPAC Peaceland Directional Drilling Storm 3-0 in the final. “I’m proud of these kids. They put in a lot of work and we have high expectations of them, on and off the ice. We’re developing young men first and hockey players second. All these kids have had success this year,” said Head Coach Gerard Dicaire. Seven teams made the provincials, and the Trackers play their first game Monday night against Prince George. Each team will play six games in the round robin, with the top two teams playing in the final on Friday, March 23, at 7:30 p.m. “There’ll be some stiff competition. We’ve accomplished two of our three

goals — winning the division and the playoffs — and now we want to win provincials. We’re going to get some rest and have some good skates in and be ready for next week,” Diciare said. The Trackers were without star forward Connor Bowie for the tournament, who remained with the Prince George Cougars of the WHL, and scored his first career WHL goal against his former club, the Portland Winterhawks, on March 7. Bowie will be back in Fort St. John this weekend, before the provincials start. Dicaire has some tough choices, as he now has to insert Bowie and John Herrington back into a lineup that just won the tournament in Fort McMurray without them. In the playoff tournament, the Trackers lost to the Storm to begin, and had two must-win games on March 10 just to make the final. Down 2-0 in the third period against Whitecourt, the Trackers scored four straight goals to win 4-2. That evening, the Trackers beat the Peace River Royals easily, 10-4. From there, they carried the momentum into Sunday’s final and won the rematch.

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Joel Marklund/OIS/IOC photo

Ina Forrest, originally from Fort St. John, is seeking her third gold medal at the 2018 Winer Paralympics in Wheelchair Curling.

Ina Forrest looking for third gold medal in wheelchair curling Ina Forrest, who was born and raised in Fort St. John and is now based out of Vernon, is in PyeongChang for the 2018 Winter Paralympics. She is representing Team Canada in Mixed Wheelchair Curling, as third, looking to win her third straight Olympic gold medal. Canada won its first three games, but lost both of its draws on Monday. On Tuesday, Forrest and team rebounded to win two more, and had a record of 5-2 as of press time. There were four more

games in the round robin for Canada, with the playoffs starting Friday. The medal games are on Saturday. Forrest, now 55, didn’t begin wheelchair curling until she was 42. She has been very successful in the last eight years, and was inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in 2016. Forrest was paralyzed when she was 21, after being hit by a drunk driver. Follow Forrest and Team Canada at alaskahighwaynews.ca.

Haugan begins triathlon season Tate Haugan began the 2018 triathlon season March 10 in Sarasota, Florida, with his official International Triathlon Union (ITU) race. In the CAMTRI North American Junior Championships, Haugan finished second out of the field of 48, and qualified for the 2018 PanAmerican Junior Championships in Brazil this summer.

He is now in Queensland, Australia for the Runaway Bay Mixed Team Relay, a new race format, which goes March 17 and 18. Following that, he will race in the New Plymouth OTU Triathlon Oceania YOG Qualifier & Junior Oceania Championships in New Zealand on March 25.

PRO GOLF WEEKLY UPDATE Golf News, Tips, Trivia & Stats

This Week: The Arnold Palmer Invitational

Tiger Woods returns to Bay Hill this week for the first time since claiming an eighth victory there five years ago. The Arnold Palmer Defending: Marc Leishman Invitational became a part of the Winning Score: 11-under par Tour back in 1966 as the Florida Winning Share: $1,566,000 Citrus Open Invitational. Lionel Hebert won the inaugural event, defeating Charles Coody and Jack Nicklaus by two strokes. Woods, 2016 winner Jason Day, Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler will be among the challengers to reigning titleholder Marc Leishman as another robust Florida Swing embarks on its final act for 2018. Bay Hill Club & Lodge Orlando, Fla. 7,419 yards, Par 72

Golf TV Schedule Arnold Palmer Invitational Day Time Thursday 2:00pm-6:00pm Friday 2:00pm-6:00pm Saturday 12:30pm-2:30pm Saturday 2:30pm-6:00pm Sunday 12:30pm-2:30pm Sunday 2:30pm-6:00pm

Paul Casey rallied from five Tournament Results shots behind on Sunday to win 1. Paul Casey the Valspar Championship. Score: -10 Earnings: $1,170,000 He ran off three consecutive T-2. Patrick Reed birdies early on the back nine and Score: -9 Earnings: $572,000 closed with a 6-under 65 to win by T-2. Tiger Woods one shot over Patrick Reed and Tiger Score: -9 Woods. Woods, red shirt blazing on Earnings: $572,000 Sunday, holed a 45-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole that pulled him to within one shot of Casey’s lead. Moments later, Woods missed a birdie putt from just inside 40 feet that would have forced a playoff.

Golfing News

Network GOLF GOLF GOLF NBC GOLF NBC

Golf Trivia Which golfer holds the 72-hole record score in the Arnold Palmer Invitational? a) Tiger Woods b) Payne Stewart

Last Week: Paul Casey won the Valspar Championship

c) Greg Norman d) Adam Scott

Answer: b) Payne Stewart with 264 strokes in 1987.

This week, the PGA Tour is launching PGA Tour AR, an innovative app designed to draw fans deeper into the action. AR stands for augmented reality, and as its name suggests, it creates an enhanced version of the real world. The 555-yard par-5 6th hole at Bay Hill will be available on PGA Tour AR this week. Fans will be treated to a 3D image of the hole along with 3D shot trails from the player or players of their choice projected on whatever flat surface is in front of them. In addition to capturing the live action, the app will archive every shot struck on the 6th hole throughout the four-day competition, allowing fans to compare shot trails of any players from any round.

Lessons from the Golf Pro Both the uphill and the downhill bunker shots provide different challenges, but both can be addressed to provide an easy solution. For the uphill bunker shot, address the ball with it forward in your stance and your shoulders tilted more than normal. You do this with your shoulders in order to hit through the ball without digging too much sand out as you make your swing on the ball. There can be no denying that the downhill bunker shot is the more difficult of the two shots. The biggest problem that the amateur golfer has is getting the ball up quick enough to get it out of the bunker. Your hands need to be ahead of the ball to create a descending blow. The most important aspect is that you have to hit the ball with authority to get it out of the bunker rapidly.

Player Profile

Paul Casey

Turned Professional: 2000 FedEx Cup Ranking: 8th World Ranking: 12th PGA Tour Wins: 2

FedEx Cup Standings Through March 11, 2018

1) Justin Thomas 1,573 pts. / 4 top tens

2) Patton Kizzire 1,314 pts. / 4 top tens

3) Phil Mickelson 1,149 pts. / 5 top tens

4) Dustin Johnson 1,044 pts. / 4 top tens

5) Jon Rahm

982 pts. / 2 top tens FedEx Cup Standings continued... Player Points 6) Brendan Steele 866 7) Tony Finau 850 8) Paul Casey 842 9) Pat Perez 837 10) Jason Day 814

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Top 10s 2 3 3 3 2

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018 B3

Local Sports

New Totem’s new indoor location Dillon giancola sports@ahnfsj.ca

As winter turns into spring, change is also in the air for the New Totem Archery Club. Following the club’s indoor archery tournament on March 4, the club moved from their previous indoor location, the Taylor Community Hall, to the Stonebridge Hotel’s Alexander Ballroom, where they’ve been shooting since March 7. “To better serve the needs of our immediate group, we thought it might be wise to experiment with another location that is closer to where the main body of our club members is located,” said President Graham Goertzen about the move to a Fort St. John location. Goertzen said the plan is to try out the Stonebridge for three months, and then consider it long term after that

time period. In addition to most club members living in Fort St. John, another reason for the change was the ability to have four availabilities a week instead of two. New Totem will continue to host their regular shooting times on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m., and Wednesdays 6:30 to 9 p.m. Starting March 19, there will be a junior program every Monday from 6:30 to 7:30, and a ladies night and a Thursday league night are being considered. “We’re pretty excited. It’s all about trying to expand our reach,” said Goertzen. New Totem is also hosting its first ever bare-bow Traditional Tournament on April 7, beginning at 10 a.m. There will be no sights or stabilizers allowed. “It’s just classic stick and sting. The person who’s practiced the most is likely to win it.”

Kids bonspiels this weekend in Fort St. John and Taylor Dillon giancola sports@ahnfsj.ca

Curling season isn’t quite over yet, but the end is near. League play at the Fort St. John Curling Club wraps up this week, with March 16 being the last day. There are a couple bonspiels remaining, including two this weekend — one in Fort St. John and one in Taylor. The Kids Kin Curl Jam Can Bonspiel returns to Fort St. John on March 17. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., kids from kindergarten to Grade 6 will compete in a minimum of three four-end games

Wally Ferris photo

Paul van Nostrand, right, and his son Mike, at the CSTA Prestige Awards Luncheon March 8, 2018.

Van Nostrand honoured at Prestige sports tourism awards Dillon giancola sports@ahnfsj.ca

each. The winners of each of the three divisions will receive a trophy for their school, and everyone involved will get a prize. The Taylor Curling Club is hosting the 2X2 Bonspiel March 16 and 17, similar to the Kids Kin bonspiel in age and length of games. Each team is made up of two adults and two students, with a student either being the third or skip of each team. Games are also just four ends long. Both events offer a family-friendly curling experience, before both clubs host their wrap-up bonspiels in the coming weeks.

Paul van Nostrand was in Halifax last week for the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance’s Prestige Awards luncheon on March 8. Van Nostrand was named a finalist for the Sport Event Volunteer of the Year award for his work in co-chairing the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. The winner of the award was Robbie Larter from Charlottetown, PEI, who organized a Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour as well as the 2017 World Sledge Hockey Challenge. “It was a great experience, a first class event. I was really humbled and honoured to be there and it was a lot of fun,” Van Nostrand said. Also making the trip was Van Nostrand’s son Mike, and Wally Ferris,

general manager of community services with the City of Fort St. John. “It was great for Paul to be honoured at this event. It’s great exposure for the city,” Ferris said. “Not only has the city been developing a great resume with hockey and speed skating events, but the Hockey Alberta Junior B provincials are this month and the 2020 B.C. Winter Games are coming here as well. We’re getting more and more recognized everywhere we go.” Van Nostrand was very thankful to his U-17 co-chair and close friend Lee Hartman, “who was instrumental in the overwhelming success of the 2015 and 2017 World Hockey Challenges.” He also said they couldn’t have done it without the hundreds of volunteers who made the events their own and proudly showcased the community.

PRO RACING THIS WEEK Racing g News,, Stats & Trivia Race Preview

Location: Fontana, Calif. Date: Sunday, March 18, 3:30 p.m. Last Year’s Pole: Kyle Larson - 187.047 mph Last Year’s Winner: Kyle Larson

Auto Club Speedway Track Details Distance: 2.0 miles Shape: D-Shaped Oval Turns / Front / Back: 14º / 11º / 3º

Auto Club Speedway opened its doors in June of 1997 with the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series California 500 presented by NAPA. More than 90,000 guests watched as Jeff Gordon won the 500-mile race. Auto Club Speedway stands on the historic site of the former Kaiser Steel Mill. The speedway stretches across 568 acres, including 131 acres in the infield and a 30acre parking lot. Current points leader, Kevin Harvick, finished 7th in last year’s race. Jimmie Johnson has been the dominant driver at this track. He has won 3 of the last 10 races at Auto Club Speedway. Qualifying for the race will be held Friday at 7:15 p.m. on FS1. The race will be shown live on FOX on Sunday, March 18th at 3:30 p.m.

Last Weekend’s Race: Kevin Harvick won at Phoenix Kevin Harvick raced to his third straight NASCAR Cup Series victory Sunday, holding off Kyle Busch in the TicketGuardian 500. Harvick is the first driver to win three straight Cup races since Joey Logano in 2015. “This organization does a great job and we’ve got fast race cars,” Harvick said after the race. Harvick took the lead with 22 laps left when Ryan Newman finally made his last stop on the sunny afternoon. Busch finished 0.774 seconds back. Chase Elliott was third, followed by Denny Hamlin.

Kevin Harvick Born: Dec. 8, 1975 Crew Chief: Rodney Childers Car: Ford

Year 2018 2017

Wins 3 2

Top 10s 3 23

Avg. Finish 8.5 11.1

2018 Standings Cup Series Top Ten Drivers 1) Kevin Harvick 2) Kyle Busch 3) Martin Truex, Jr. 4) Joey Logano 5) Ryan Blaney 6) Denny Hamlin 7) Brad Keselowski 8) Kyle Larson 9) Clint Bowyer 10) Aric Almirola

Points 168 156 156 152 152 137 134 131 125 123

Xfinity Series Top Ten Top 10s 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 2

Drivers 1) Elliott Sadler 2) Tyler Reddick 3) Justin Allgaier 4) Christopher Bell 5) Daniel Hemric 6) Spencer Gallagher 7) Brandon Jones 8) Ryan Truex 9) Ryan Reed 10) Matt Tifft

Points 151 150 144 143 130 117 115 114 107 103

Top 10s 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1

Jeff Gordon among 5 new nominees for NASCAR Hall of Fame Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon headlines a list of five new nominees to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Gordon and 19time race winner Harry Gant are the two drivers added to the list of 20 nominees, which includes all 15 nominees who were not selected last year. Joining them as new nominees are former team owners John Holman and Ralph Moody (who won two Cup titles together), as well as Kirk Shelmerdine, who won four Cup titles as a crew chief for Dale Earnhardt. Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Newman climb past Ken Schrader on NASCAR’s ‘Ironman’ list With their respective starts in Sunday’s TicketGuardian 500 at ISM Raceway, Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Newman have moved up to ninth on the all-time consecutive starts list in NASCAR history. Both drivers now stand at 580 consecutive starts as they passed Ken Schrader on Sunday afternoon. Johnson’s and Newman’s streaks both began with the start of the 2002 season and are two of five drivers with active streaks of over 500 consecutive starts in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Jeff Gordon holds the longest consecutive starts streak at 797 starts from the last race of 1992 to his last fulltime start in 2015.

Racing Trivia Which current driver has the most pole wins at Auto Club Speedway? a) Jimmie Johnson b) Denny Hamlin

c) Kurt Busch d) Jamie McMurray

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Race Details