Final days of preparation underway for Mount Hays QuickClimb

It's twelve days and counting now until North Coast residents launch their next assault on the Mountain, with the Mount Hays QuickClimb set for Saturday, August 12th.

The popular run up one of Prince Rupert's most recognizable sights is a family fun event, which sees runners, walkers and parents with strollers making the ascent and return trek down to a celebration BBQ at the foot of Mount Hays.

After a five year absence, the event was brought back to the local scene by a group of dedicated volunteers in May of 2015, securing both individual and corporate financing and rebuilding the infrastructure required to put on an event of such scale.

The planning for 2017 began long ago and now with less than two weeks until climb day, the focus is turning towards registration time and putting the finishing touches on the days events.

Race Day Registration on August 12th Opens at 8 AM, while the first fleet of climbers head up the mountain at 8:30AM.

The BBQ is fired up at 11:30, with the Prizes and draws for the day to be handed out at 1:30 PM.

There is a range of fees related to the QuickClimb to help cover the costs of the events, they range from Free for toddlers to 25 dollars for adults, the full race schedule can be found below:

You can register for the event here.

If you don't feel the urge to tackle the Mountain, you can still become involved in the event, with organizers currently looking for volunteers for a number of QuickClimb day duties.

You can learn more about the event from the Mount Hays QuickClimb Facebook page  or twitter feed

Notes on this years QuickClimb and a look back at some of the past events can be found here.

For more items related to North Coast events see our archive page here.

Mount Hays QuickClimb Archives

Quickclimb website
Quickclimb Facebook page
Quickclimb Twitter page

Notes related to this year's Mount Hays Quick Climb event of August.


August 1 -- Final days of preparation underway for Mount Hays QuickClimb NCR


Some notes on the event since its return in 2015 can be found below:

Items from 2016

September 12 -- Smith takes crown at wet Mount Hays QuickClimb
September 9 -- Tropical storm system hits the North Coast
September 8 -- Mount Hays QuickClimb back this weekend
September 8 -- Mount Hays QuickClimb set for Saturday NCR
September 2 -- QuickClimb back for 2016

Items from 2015

August 18 -- Mount Hays Quick Climb held over weekend  (video)
August 17 -- Mount Hays Quick Climb (video)
August 11 -- Countdown to QuickClimb heads towards Sunday event  NCR
June 30 -- Mount Hays Quickclimb looking for volunteers for August event  NCR
June  9-- Quickclimb laid groundwork for community trail construction
May 26 -- Mount Hays Quickclimb returning in 2015
May 25 -- Mount Hays Quickclimb to return after five year absence  NCR

RayMont Logistics to host Employment Info session for Lax Kw'alaams and Metlakatla members this week

One of the new industrial operators in the community will be offering up a glimpse of potential job opportunities this week, with RayMont Logistics, the operators of a new specialty grain loading facility at Ridley Island hosting an employment information session this week.

Set to take place tomorrow, the information session will run from 2 to 3:30 PM in the BC Room of the Crest Hotel, advertising for the information session notes that it is for Lax Kw'alaams and Metlakatla members only.

During the hour and a half info session, the Terminal manager and Human Resources Director will be offering up a look at what RayMont has to offer in the way of job opportunities and what requirements they have for available positions.

Interviews are set to take place on Wednesday and Thursday.

Among some of the positions that RayMont is seeking to fill prior to the launch of their operations are:

Dispatchers, Crane Operators, Yard Supervisors, Bulk Plant Operators and Administrative Assistant

The Montreal based company has yet to set up a website for its Prince Rupert Operations, though the national website does have a link to the Human Resources Department for those looking to inquire about job opportunities and to submit a resume.

It's not known at the moment as to what the RayMont timetable may be for future Job Fair opportunities in the region, or when another intake of resumes will be underway.

The target date to launch operations at the grain stuffing facility is set for September 1st.

The RayMont facility is located along the Road, Rail and Utility Corridor on Ridley Island and will be the only train stuffing facility on Canada's West Coast.

For more items related to RayMont's Prince Rupert operations see our archive page here.

AltaGas shares project update through newsletter presentation

AltaGas has issued their first update on the work
taking place at Ridley Island for the Propane
Export Terminal under construction
(photos from AltaGas newsletter)

Work is going strong on Ridley Island these days as AltaGas continues to make progress on their Propane Export Terminal for the Ridley Industrial site.

The first newsletter from the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal project provides a glimpse into some of the construction to this point of the project timeline as well as what comes next as the propane takes shape and rises from its concrete foundation.

AltaGas is making use of what they call a self-perform model,  with AltaGas taking the lead as manager and general contractor, making use of supporting services from affiliate contractors to bring the project to its completion.

Over the course of the next few months the propane tank will begin to take shape, with eight concrete pours planned between now and the end of the year, with the final pour scheduled towards the end of 2017.

Following final pour, work will then shift towards the installation of the roof, which will take place in the first quarter of 2018. Once the structure is complete it will feature a dome that is 45 metres high to the top of the dome.

The newsletter also reviews some of the environmental work and monitoring that is taking place as the project moves forward, as well as the operations of the LandSea Camp located just outside of Port Edward that is housing workers that are bringing the project together at Ridley.

As the newsletter rolled out, AltaGas noted that there are currently 40 workers staying in the camp, bussed to and from the project site daily.

While relatively new to the region, AltaGas has already given back to the Port Edward community, providing a 250,000 donation to the District to go towards the installation of controlled railway crossings across the length of Port Edward.

That was an initiative that was welcomed by Port Edward Mayor Dave MacDonald.

“Thanks to the financial and moral support from AltaGas, Ridley Terminals, the Federal Ministry of Transportation and our Federal Port Authority, Council is very pleased that all four rail crossings in Port Edward will be upgraded this summer,”  ... “This has been a significant quality of life issue for our community. Once the work is complete, the District will pass a resolution that will reduce the train whistling to emergencies only and the public crossings will be upgraded to meet the new federal regulations.”

With the work on the site moving at its current pace, AltaGas has already turned its attention to the need to staffing positions at the plant, noting in their newsletter that they are currently accepting applications for entry-level to senior level plant operators for the Terminal,  with the need to staff positions for work commencing in September.

Currently those positions require a High School Diploma, GED and Gas Processing Operations certification as minimum requirements.

Those with an interest in positions available at the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal can email their resume to RIPETCareers@altagas.ca

Once the Terminal is up and running, it's anticipated that between 40 to 50 permanent jobs will be created for the shipping facility at Ridley.

You can review the full AltaGas update on the progress of the terminal here.

More photos of the work that is underway and notes related to the project can be found on the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal website.

For more items related to the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal see our archive page here.

Familiar face and voice for the Port Authority set to chart course for new adventures

Changes are in motion for the staff listings
at the Prince Rupert Port Authority

For many in Prince Rupert and the North Coast, Michael Gurney has been the familiar face and voice of the news from the region's major economic engine of the Prince Rupert Port Authority

Through his years with the Port, the Corporate communications specialist offered some of the first notes related to port initiatives, to go along with background on much of the work of the PRPA as it increased its footprint in the shipping industry.

However, the go to guy for media and non media Rupertites alike, has stepped away from his duties as Communications Manager with the Port, departing from his post at the end of July, bringing to a close his six years at the Port Authority.

In an email with the North Coast Review, Mr. Gurney confirmed his departure from the PRPA, adding that the first item on his plan ahead is to take a vacation to recharge, following which he will be exploring his future career options, with hopes of making Prince Rupert his base.

That would be good news for the North Coast, as beyond his work at the Port, Gurney had become quite active with a number of community groups and initiatives.

Over the course of his six years in town, Gurney has invested in his time and talents to help rebuild the Prince Rupert Toastmasters, as well as to take to the stage, as well as produce a range of theatrical presentations at the Lester Centre and with Harbour Theatre.

As well he has been a long time supporter of the North Pacific Cannery Historical Site and member of the Board of the Port Edward Historical Society, to name just some of the commitments he has made to the community.

Prior to his arrival in Prince Rupert, Mr. Gurney had served in a communications capacity with BC Hydro's Power Smart Division, as well as Director of Communications with the non-profit organization Alpha Ministries Canada.

For six years, Michael Gurney had been the voice of the Prince Rupert 
Port Authority, providing background on many of the Port's ongoing initiatives.
The Communications Manager wrapped up his time with the port in late July.
(photo above a screen shot from a recent TV 7 appearance)

There has yet to be any formal announcement from the Port as to who will step into the role of Communications Manager in the communications department at the Atlin Terminal offices, though the first task on the to do list for whomever takes on the role may be to update the staff listings, which still lists Gurney as Manager, Corporate Corporations..

The departure of the spokesman for the Port, marks the second significant departure at the PRPA in recent months.

In April of this year, Andrew Mayer, the Port's VP, Commercial and Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel accepted an appointment to the bench of the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

For more items related to Port of Prince Rupert see our archive page here.

Emergency Service Files: August 2017

Our Archive of items for the month of August, from the files of law enforcement and other emergency responders in Northwestern British Columbia.

From the North Coast Review

Highway 16 closed to traffic east of Terrace, owing to vehicle incident
Prince Rupert City Council hears of successes and challenges of policing in the city
Council to receive update on RCMP's work in the community
More bear sightings on the city's west side
City calls attention to arson/vandalism incident at city baseball field
Commercial crabber ordered to pay $15,000 fine from 2015 incident
Terrace Mounties release details of July drug bust on Highway 16 West
Northwest Fire Centre reinforces campfire ban in region



Media From Across the Northwest

Prince Rupert/Port Edward/Haida Gwaii/North Coast

August 31 -- Crab Fishing boat runs aground
August 31 -- Crew Safe after crabbing vessel goes aground near Haida Gwaii
August 31 -- Crab-fishing boat runs aground on Rose Spit
August 25 -- Prince Rupert RCMP struggle with retention of experienced officers
August 23 -- Headless bear carcass dumped near Sandspit
August 23 -- Wrong people for the job
August 23 -- Rice reaffirms commitment to more conservation officers
August 19 -- Fire set at Patty Hutcheon Field
August 18 -- RCMP handling Prince Rupert dugout fire investigation
August 18 -- Five kayakers rescued off Hunter Point
August 18 -- Dugout fire in Prince Rupert (video)
August 17 -- Commercial Crab Harvester fined $15,000
August 17 -- Baseball dugout set on fire in Prince Rupert
August 16 -- Skipper fined $15,000 for illegal Dungeness harvest
August 15 -- RCMP wrangle tangled buck
August 8 -- 100 litres of diesel spilled along Highway 16
August 8 -- Small campfires permitted in Rupert
August 2 -- A look at Prince Rupert's Fire restrictions



Terrace/Kitimat

August 31 -- Terrace Detachment Service Report (August 29-30)
August 29 -- Terrace Detachment Service Report (August 28)
August 29 -- Vandalism on the pickleball court
August 29 -- Kitimat RCMP are continuing to see bear activity
August 28 -- Local man faces drug trafficking charges
August 28 -- Terrace man arrested for drug trafficking (RCMP statement)
August 28 -- Multiple Bear Calls in Kitimat RCMP statement)
August 28 -- Terrace Detachment Service Report (August 25 to 27)
August 27 -- RCMP still investigating crash east of Terrace
August 25 -- Bear destroyed in Thornhill  (video)
August 25 -- CO's warn against attracting bears, after Grizzly killed in Thornhill
August 25 -- Stolen Toyota found
August 25 -- Accident reduces Hwy 16 traffic to single lane east of Terrace
August 25 -- Bear terminated in Thornhill after rummaging through garbage
August 25 -- Bear complaints up this year
August 24 -- Grizzly  destroyed in campground
August 23 -- Grizzly seen in Terrace backyards
August 22 -- RCMP are warning Burns Lake residents of a possible scam (audio)
August 22 -- Black bear terminated Sunday night in Kitimat
August 22 -- Charges laid in  armed robbery earlier this year
August 22 -- Responsible driver's truck stolen from pub parking lot
August 21 -- Keith Avenue crash (video)
August 21 -- Crash takes out power in Terrace over weekend
August 21 -- Truck smashes into power pole closed Highway 16
August 21 -- Kitimat RCMP are dealing with multiple mischief calls
August 21 -- Mischief to Vehicles RCMP statement)
August 21 -- Terrace man charged with armed robbery
August 21 -- Kitimat RCMP investigating a Break and Enter (RCMP statement)
August 20 -- Grizzly sightings in rural residential area east of Terrace
August 16 -- Dramatic rescue on Kitimat Ricer reminder of need for water safety (audio)
August 14 -- Break and Enter at Kitimat Shoppers Drug Mart 
August 12 -- Terrace Swiftwater rescue team helps search for lost man in Stikine River
August 10 -- Terrace firefighters scramble to extinguish loader fire at Skeena Sawmills
August 10 -- Loader fire at Skeena Sawmills under investigation
August 3 -- Terrace Detachment Service Report (For August 2)
August 3 -- Pounds of marijuana seized during vehicle stop (RCMP statement)
August 2 -- Terrace Detachment Service Report (July 31 to August 1)
August 2 -- Tensions mount between Kitsumkalum Food fishers and Sports anglers
August 1 -- Anglers caught with Sockeye east of Stewart
August 1 -- RCMP respond to incident on Skeena River
August 1 -- Fire ban back in Terrace
August 1 -- City of Terrace issues second fire ban, this time including Ferry Island


Bulkley Valley and elsewhere


August 29 -- Jail N Bail fundraiser to assist Cops for Cancer Tour De North
August 25 -- Smithers to get a new fire truck
August 23 -- RCMP warn of possible paving scam in Burns Lake
August 23 -- Burns Lake RCMP warn of possible paving scam
August 21 -- Smithers RCMP report several motor-vehicle collisions over the last week
August 18 -- Conservation Officer service reminding public to keep a lid on wildlife attractants
August 18 -- 2 year anniversary of the search for Lester Sampson (video)
August 14 -- RCMP locate vehicle of Missing Fraser Lake Man - But search for Jerry Krietz continues
August 14 -- A single vehicle rollover in Telkwa results in no serious injuries
August 14 -- Single vehicle collision with a moose near Smithers sends two to hospital
August 18 -- Telkwa looks to deal with dangerous and aggressive dogs in the village
August 4 -- Bear cub rescued near Houston
August 8 -- RCMP nab pair of Burns Lake men after drug seizure
August 2 -- Fraser Lake Man missing

Ketchikan and Southeast Alaska


August 30 -- Coast Guard medevacs woman injured in fall aboard cruise ship
August 28 -- No injuries in early Monday trailer fire
August 23 -- Ketchikan man charged with alleged stabbing
August 22 -- Cutter Maple documents  a 'changing Arctic' in the NW Passage
August 14 -- Sitka camper unfazed by nosy brown bear
August 11 -- Sitka murder defendant to seek change of venue
August 2 -- Joplin murder trial pushed to mid-April
August 1 -- Troopers rescue two overdue boaters on POW


Archive of month to month reviews

Northwest Fire Centre reinforces campfire ban in region

With a week of hot weather on the horizon and a long weekend coming our way, the Northwest Fire Centre has once again reissued the current Campfire Ban that is in effect for the region.

Key to their announcement was an emphasis on the current wildfire situation in the rest of the province and the need to maintain response levels in those locations.

Although sufficient firefighting resources remain in the Northwest Fire Centre to deal with current fire activity here, it is vital that BC Wildfire Service resources not be diverted to respond to unnecessary and preventable human-caused fires. Open fires, including campfires, present an unacceptable risk and detract from detection and response capabilities by increasing the number of “false alarm” smoke chases and nuisance fires.

You can review the full announcement from the Northwest Fire Centre here.

Whether that means that the City of Prince Rupert and District of Port Edward will reverse their position on the fire bans in each community remains to be seen.

As of today, both Prince Rupert and Port Edward were allowing small cooking fires in the respective communities.

Prince Rupert Notice

Port Edward Notice

The Most recent updates for the Cariboo wildfires can be reviewed here.

More background on the forest fire situation in BC can be found on our archive page here.

Further notes related to Emergency Responders in the Northwest can be reviewed here.

Update: Terrace which like Prince Rupert and Port Edward had previously lifted its ban on small fires has once again reinstated it, issuing a public notice on Tuesday.