Emergency Service Files: September 2018

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


From the North Coast Review

Community Policing to be the focus for discussion for Lax Kw'alaams Thursday
Ministry of Highways to tackle number of road safety issues on Second Avenue West
Wolf incident has RCMP asking public to avoid Butze Rapids Trail until issue resolved by Conservation Service
Arbitration Panel sends City's Firefighters and Municipal government back to the negotiation table to try to resolve salary parity issue
BC Government's Spill Response Program begins tracking work related to Haida Gwaii Barge grounding
HaiCo outlines status of Westcoast Resorts barge grounded near Village of Queen Charlotte
Province salutes British Columbia's Fire Fighters on National Memorial Day
Marine incident has Prince Rupert response team Haida Gwaii bound
Prince Rupert RCMP lock down much of Frederick Street over the supper hour Wednesday
Prince Rupert RCMP seek public assistance on Third Avenue assault file



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Prince Rupert/Port Edward/Haida Gwaii/North Coast

September 21 -- Several more days before salvage of barge can begin on Haida Gwaii
September 20 -- Crosswalk improvements are coming
September 18 -- Improved intersections coming to parts of Prince Rupert this fall
September 18 -- Visibility improvements coming for Prince Rupert's downtown streets
September 17 -- RCMP examining new models for rural policing to counter staffing shortages in Northern BC  (audio)
September 14 -- Fishing boat "Haida Legend" sinks off Langara Island
September 14 -- Wolf attacks dog at popular Prince Rupert trail
September 14 -- RCMP urges caution after wolf attack on Butze Rapids Trail
September 13 -- Firefighters argue pay grievance with City of Prince Rupert
September 12 -- Crews begin to release gas from grounded barge in Haida Gwaii
September 11 -- Pedestrian struck in crosswalk on Second Avenue
September 10 -- Haida Gwaii grounded barge awaits further evaluation
September 9 -- Crews testing for gas vapours in grounded Haida Gwaii barge
September 9 -- Floating fishing lodge grounded on Haida Gwaii
September 6 -- Driver in hospital after highway 16 crash in Prince Rupert
September 6 -- Father and son fined $31,000 for crab fishing offences
September 5 -- Prince Rupert RCMP arrest two rifle-toting men
September 5 -- Two men arrested in Prince Rupert after police blockade on Frederick Street
September 4 -- Assault on Third Avenue West leaves man in serious condition
September 4 -- New Haida Gwaii school busses offer more safety, and savings
September 4 -- Suspicious fire at Roosevelt Elementary School

Terrace/Kitimat

September 28 -- Kitimat RCMP respond to one vehicle incident near Kitimat Air Park  (RCMP statement)
September 26 -- Terrace Fire Department sees 68 percent increase in calls from 2016
September 24 -- Donation bin break-in ends in arrests
September 24 -- One arrested after break-and-enter in Terrace
September 24 -- RCMP in Terrace arrest 4 after donation box break-in
September 24 -- Terrace Detachment Service Report  (RCMP statement)
September 21 -- Cops for Cancer tour (video)
September 21 -- Two new child pornography arrests bring total to 4 in Terrace this summer
September 20 -- Terrace man arrested for making, distributing child pornography
September 20 -- Terrace RCMP cracks down on child pornography   (RCMP statement)
September 19 -- Kitwanga inches closer to ambulance station goal
September 17 -- New RCMP Inspector named for Terrace detachment
September 12 -- Stewart RCMP ask residents to be bear aware
September 12 -- Kitwanga fundraises for New Ambulance Station
September 11 -- Kitimat firefighters prevent what could have become a wildfire
September 11 -- Coastal Fire Centre lifts campfire ban
September 11 -- Terrace RCMP investigating possible abduction attempt of 13 year old girl
September 8 -- Police seize vehicle from long weekend hit-and-run at car dealership
September 7 -- Terrace campfire ban lifted
September 7 -- Kitimat's bylaw services challenged by growing number of calls over off-leash dogs (video)
September 3 -- Fishing rods stolen from Radley Park  (RCMP statement)

Bulkley Valley and elsewhere

September 26 -- Houston Search and Rescue's command centre completed
September 26 -- Cops for Cancer bike into Houston
September 26 -- Wildfire season in Burns Lake a 'rollercoaster of emotions'
September 26 -- Burns Lake area wildfires contained, but still burning
September 25 -- Gak 4 Cops for Cancer
September 24 -- Distracted driving on the rise in Smithers
September 24 -- RCMP ask for tips as identity of Human Remains confirmed
September 21 -- RCMP confirm death of Jessica Patrick
September 21 -- RCMP confirm human remains found last weekend are Jessica Patrick (Balczer's)
September 21 -- Inquest jurors call for sobering centre after the death of a Northwest BC man in custody
September 20 -- Jessica comes home
September 20 -- Burns Lake residents honour Jessica Patrick
September 20 -- Jessica Patrick family send-off from PG resurfaces highway of tears concerns
September 20 -- Dozens gather along Highway 16 as 18 year old Jessica Patrick's remains brought home (audio)
September 20 -- Body of young Smithers woman to be brought home today
September 20 -- Family invites community to gather by Highway 16 to honour Jessica Patrick
September 20 -- Smithers community gathers along Highway 16 in honour of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women
September 20 -- Missing Person Jessica Balczer's Body Found  (RCMP statement)
September 19 -- Family member confirms the human remains found on Saturday are Jessica Patrick's
September 19 -- MP Nathan Cullen stresses importance of certainty in Smithers remains investigation
September 18 -- Cops for Cancer fundraiser pedals through Smithers
September 17 -- Vigil held in Smithers for Missing Woman
September 17 -- Jessica Patrick (Balczer's) family says that her body had been found
September 17 -- Human remains discovered near Smithers (video)
September 17 -- Found Human Remains (RCMP statement)
September 16 -- Vigil planned for Jessica Patrick in Smithers
September 16 -- Vigil for Jessica Patrick
September 16 -- RCMP looking at human remains
September 16 -- Human remains found
September 16 -- Smithers RCMP investigating after human remains found
September 13 -- Open fire ban lifted in Smithers
September 12 -- Burns Lake RCMP have hands full with wildfire situation
September 12 -- Missing Person (RCMP statement)
September 11 -- Smithers fire ban over
September 11 -- Open Fire Ban rescinded for Smithers
September 10 -- Smithers RCMP continue search for missing teen
September 7 -- Smithers resident reported missing
September 7 -- Unconfirmed sightings of missing Smithers area teen
September 6 -- Missing Smithers Girl
September 6 -- Mama bear and four cubs euthanized in Houston
September 6 -- "The community is still very much an active state of emergency" Burns Lake Mayor, Council
September 6 -- Missing Person (RCMP statement)
September 5 -- RCMP watching for speeders in Northern BC School Zones
September 5 -- Police search for mama bear and cubs in Houston
September 5 -- Houston SAR seeks funding for snowmobiles for a third year
September 5 -- Family searching for missing teen in Smithers
September 4 -- Armed forces converge on Smithers
September 3 -- With School back in session, drivers and students need to keep an eye on each other

Ketchikan and Southeast Alaska

September 26 -- 'Bush Blues': An ordinary cop solves crimes in an extraordinary world
September 21 -- City of Sitka denies allegations in police whistleblower suit
September 21 -- High voltage surge shuts off power, damages equipment in Sitka
September 14 -- Ketchikan man charged with home invasion
September 11 -- Ketchikan School Board to hear investigation update
September 4 -- No injuries in Monday emergency landing

Archive of month to month review for 2018



To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

First Day of school provides for new adventures for students across Prince Rupert and around North Coast

Lax Keen Elementary like all of the city's elementary schools, middle school,
high schools and Independent School welcome students back to their studies today

The Labour Day weekend now behind us, the old familiar rituals are back in motion, as parents, students, teachers and school staff prepare for another school year on the North Coast.

Today is the first day of school, a short day for all as students and teachers get acquainted at schools across the District, with the first full day of classroom instruction to take place tomorrow.

An update on the first day of school routine is available from the SD52 website here.

Students who are attending the city's Catholic Independent School Annunciation can learn more about the Back to School process here.

Over the final weeks of August, street painting took place in all areas where the city's schools are found with road markings and crosswalks in place with new paint, along with signage on the side of the road.

All of which is designed to alert motorists as to the need for increased awareness while transiting through the school zones.

With the return to classes, drivers are reminded that School Zone speed limits now go into effect and members of the Prince Rupert detachment of the RCMP will be keeping an eye on motorists in the city and Port Edward as the start of the school year goes into motion.

You can follow along with the issues of the day with education on the North Coast from our archive page here.

To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

Nathan Cullen among MP's to sit in on emergency committee session on TransMountain decision

Last weeks political earthquake in Ottawa, which saw the Federal Government's plans to twin the TransMountain pipeline put to the sidelines following a Federal court of Appeal decision. will make for the theme of an emergency session of Parliament's Natural Resources Committee.

The court decision which ruled that consultation with Indigenous communities had not been robust enough, along with concerns over the impact of an increase of oil tanker traffic off the coast of British Columbia has sent the Liberals back to the drawing board when it comes to moving forward their plans for their 4.5 billion dollar purchase of the Kinder Morgan pipeline and assets.

With the government still to announce how it plans to address the court ruling and what the next steps may be when it comes to moving Alberta's oil to port facilities, four committee members requested today's session to discuss the issue and seek some clarification from the Federal government on the issue.

Mr. Cullen made note of the call to Committee this morning and his plans to sit through his social media accounts.

Last week, the Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP noted how the federal NDP had welcomed the federal court ruling, observing that the Liberals under Justin Trudeau, had followed what he calls "the same failed approach of the previous Conservative government of Stephen Harper", drawing a parallel to the debates over the Northern Gateway pipeline proposal of the time.

“This is a win for Indigenous rights, for protection of the coast and waterways of British Columbia and for the future of our climate. Trudeau made a clear promise to properly review this pipeline and to meaningfully consult Indigenous groups. Instead the Liberals went ahead with the same failed approval process inherited from Stephen Harper,”    

“In the Northwest, we faced and fought the exact same process with Enbridge’s Northern Gateway and it was clear it gave virtually no consideration of the effect of a pipeline project on the coast and waterways.”

Today's session of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources will be televised through the Parliament of Canada streaming service, you can access the session here.

While Mr. Cullen has plans to sit in on the session, he is not a member of the Committee, the list of Committee members and associate members can be examined here.

The proceedings get underway at 9AM Pacific time and continue through until 11 AM.

For more items of interest related to Federal politics see our archive page here.

To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

Labour Day marked by statements from politicians and labour leaders

The final long weekend of the summer makes for one for reflection on labour  and the impact of the labour movement on the lives of those that are employed in British Columbia and across Canada.

More than just an end of summer milepost, Labour Day provides the opportunity for a look into the history of labour in the past, a review of the struggles for workers rights and the growing footprints that the labour movement leaves on the political scene both provincially and on the national scene.

Prime Minister Trudeau starts off the political salutes of the day, with thoughts on the achievements made through the labour movement and the importance of the workers of the nation to its success.

“On Labour Day, we celebrate Canada’s workers and the major achievements of our country’s labour movement. Today, thanks to generations of labour activists, Canada’s workplaces are safer, more equitable, and more just. We honour the dedication and determination of the labour movement, and continue to stand with workers from coast to coast to coast. 

 “Canada’s workers have been the backbone of our country for generations. From building crucial infrastructure, to providing the services we rely on, our workers make Canada strong. Year after year and across every sector and industry, they grow our economy and strengthen the middle class at the heart of our country’s success."

The Prime Ministers full statement can be found here.

Nationally, the salute to the labour movement was also the domain of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour who delivered some further federal notes on the day.

Premier Horgan offered up one of the early testimonies to the Labour Day Weekend, releasing his statement in tribute to Labour Day on Friday.

“On Labour Day, we celebrate and honour the working people who have fought, and continue to fight, for workers’ rights and better lives for everyone, in every workplace. 

We still have a long way to go to make B.C. jobs work better for people. But we’re making important progress."

The Premier's complete notes for the province can be explored further here.

BCGEU President Stephanie Smith provided a look at some of the past for her membership and a reminder of the work ahead for the labour movement in the province.

Labour Day is a moment to appreciate how much workers have accomplished since Canada's first Labour Day event in 1872-when unions were still illegal-and since Labour Day was declared a national holiday in 1894. Everything from paid vacations and sick leave to occupational health and safety regulations and protections from bullying, harassment and discrimination in the workplace are part of our current reality because of the efforts and sacrifices of working people. 

 Labour Day is also a moment to acknowledge how far we have left to go to create a society where all working people are truly respected and protected. There is still progress to be made, and our ability to create the future we want depends on the actions we take right now.

The full text of her address to the membership can be viewed here.

The National Labour union UNIFOR, one of the largest in the ntation, is celebrating it's Fifth Anniversary today, marking the five years that have passed since the Labour movement in Canada saw one of its largest organization periods.

That merger of unions has made for the theme for UNIFOR's Labour Day focus today.

Locally, the UNIFOR presence is most reflected in the merger with UFAWU of a few years back, which created the UNIFOR-UFAWU collective to continue to advocate for workers of the North Coast fishery.

The growing footprint of the labour movement from the Prince Rupert waterfront is now making for the largest presence of labour on the North Coast, particularly among the port related terminals and occupations that are being created in the region.

As well, the labour movement is also finding success with the increased levels of public service employment in the region.

On the North Coast, Mayor Lee Brain took to his social media site today to offer his salute on behalf of the City of Prince Rupert to Labour.

Somewhat surprisingly, the day's observation have so far gone (by mid morning) without comment on Social Media from MLA Jennifer Rice or MP Nathan Cullen, both of whom count on strong labour support among their political base across the region.

Labour Day is observed in many forms across the country, some communities host parades and picnics, while others tend to make use of the day away from their labours to enjoy the time with their families and friends, Prince Rupert following that theme more than the larger expressions of other locales.

You can get a sense of the nationwide observations from the #LabourDay2018 twitter feed

More items of note related to Labour issues on the North Coast can be found on our archive page here.

For those within the Labour movement, as well as those who work outside of it, if today is indeed a day of rest, enjoy the opportunity for time with family and friends that Labour Day provides for.

Sitka Shimmies with 3.3 temblor

A 3.3 temblor was recorded this morning just off of Sitka Alaska

The seismic plates under the Northwest coast shimmied a bit overnight with Sitka, Alaska the centre point of a 3.3 earthquake located 116 km South of the Alaskan community.

The temblor which was recorded at 8:10 this morning and was noted at some 387 kilometres to the Northwest of Prince Rupert and had a depth of 4.1 kilometres.

It is the latest in a number of similar sized quakes which have dotted the fault line that runs along the Alaska and BC coasts part of the line that leads from Haida Gwaii to Vancouver Island and the points south.

No tsunami warning was generated by today's event.

Further background on the temblor can be found here.

For more items of note related to seismic activity along the BC and Alaska coasts see our archive page here.

Real Estate Tracker: Week ending September 2, 2018

Our weekly review of the listings of the local real estate agents, tracking those properties which appear to be driving the local price structure for the North Coast.

Every Monday, we look over the listing prices of the past seven days and outline the Top 10 asking prices in the area, providing a snap shot as to where the Real Estate market may be trending on a week to week basis.

The listings below are purely for information purposes, for further background on the properties recorded, see our links page for access to the individual real estate listings.

The Archive for our weekly review can be found here.

Our list of the top ten priced homes for the week ending September 2, 2018 is below:

Real Estate Listings on the East Side of Prince Rupert

Week ending September 2, 2018

Real Estate Listings on the East Side of Prince Rupert

Week ending September 2, 2018

The end of the summer selling season has brought some significant shifts to the local real estate listings, with a number of top end properties returning to the Realtors listings after a bit of a hiatus.

The movement for single detached homes, has served to return the dominance of the west side of the city when it comes to the top end listings, with Graham Avenue continuing to mark the busiest street for viewings over the last few weeks.

As we start the month of September,  Prince Rupert's realty map now features seven properties found on the west side of the McBride Street line for this week, with three to the east.

With the summer shift, the combined ask prices for the ten properties at the top of the list drops below the 6 million dollar range, with this week's total  value of  $5,9632,000 now serving as the benchmark in the city.

The lowest mark for the list of ten is set at  $556,000, while our top end from the last week features a new price point of  $699,000


Below find our findings as of the Week ending September 2, 2018

1830 Graham Avenue                   $699,000 -- Remax
1881 Graham Avenue                   $669,000 --  Realty Executives
1830 Atlin Avenue                        $639,000 -- Remax
1042 Edward Street                       $625,000  -- Realty Executives
1027 Borden Street                        $625,000 --  Realty Executives
2017 Graham Avenue                    $599,000 --  Remax
2230 Graham Avenue                    $599,000 -- Remax
536 Sherbrooke Avenue                 $589,000 -- Remax
2067 Graham Avenue                    $588,000 -- Realty Executives
638 11th Avenue East                    $556,000 -- Realty Executives


For more items related to Real Estate see our archive page here. 

For background on Housing issues in the region see our past items here.

To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

Blog Watching: Week ending September 2, 2018

Our return to the blog this week was heavy on catching up on City Council notes, but as things turn out, the largest interest of our work was found in areas outside of civic politics.

A familiar name from Prince Rupert's recent past returned to prominence this week, with word that Don Krusel, the former President and CEO of the Port of Prince Rupert is back on the global shipping scene, with Mr. Krusel now taking the lead on the plans of the Port of Quebec City to build a container shipping terminal project to help increase the visibility and importance of the Quebec City gateway to the world.

Also capturing the attention of our readers this week, the launch of phase two of the Redesign Rupert initiative, a project which had gone somewhat dormant over much of this year, the second phase set to put a focus on the downtown, waterfront and human capital issues in the city.

Two items from the August 20th City Council meeting resonated large with readers, with our notes on a controversy on Frederick Street and how some past zoning of an industrial area has become the focus of a landlord/tenant dispute for two mobile home owners. 

The other Council item that caught the eye of readers was Councillor Barry Cunningham's review of and disappointment in the results from a motion of earlier this year, one that sought to provide for more information from Community groups and services in the city, a goal of council didn't seem to gain much traction as the months went by.

And the process for selecting this years CityWest Phone Book Cover provided for a much read article on the week, as readers explored the ten options up for review and discovered how they could cast their ballot before Tomorrow evenings deadline expires.

However, the story which attracted the most interest through the week, was the news that Don Krusel is sharing his talents and vision with the Port of Quebec City and their ambitious plans to enter the container shipping business.

Bonjour, je ma'ppelle Don Krusel: Former Port of Prince Rupert President and CEO joins Port of Quebec City -- Almost one year from his departure from the Port of Prince Rupert, Don Krusel has found a new challenge for his talents, set to bring the Port of Quebec City onto the global shipment radar as he guides along that ports planned Container Terminal project.    (posted August 30, 2018)

That article was followed by:

Return of Redesign Rupert heralds Phase Two plans -- After a number of months of little in the way of information on the plan, the City of Prince Rupert and Community Futures combine forces to move into Phase two of the Redesign Rupert initiative.   (posted August 31, 2018 )

Past zoning arrangement comes back as focus on trailer home eviction plans  -- One of our more widely read reviews of the August 20th Council session, put the focus on a dispute between tenants and landlord at a Frederick Park industrial site which hosts two remaining mobile homes, with the residents seeking the assistance of the City to remain in their spot in the face of an eviction move   (posted August 30, 2018)

Councillor Cunningham draws attention to missed opportunities on transparency for council members  -- The August 20th council meeting provided Councillor Barry Cunningham to offer up a report card of sorts on the progress of Council on the themes of Community organization or service presentations to Council and how the City approaches transparency on those issues.  (posted August 30, 2018)

Days dwindling to cast your vote on CityWest Phone Book Cover options  -- The annual process to select the next CityWest Phone Book cover comes to an end on September 3rd, which is the final day for community voting on the ten options up for our review. (posted August 31, 2018)

You can find our weekly Blog watching feature posted every Sunday morning by 9AM, making for a handy way to catch up to the week that was, at a leisurely weekend pace.

You can also review the full listings of the week just past from our Blog Archive index page found on the right hand side of the page.

For those looking for updates to items as they are posted to the blog, don't forget about our email alert access.

A daily review of the latest items on the blog can be delivered to your email in box, simply by entering your email address into the information bar, items posted to the blog will be delivered to your e-mail account each day.

You can find the link to that feature on the upper, right hand side of the blog. It can be found underneath the Follow the North Coast Review by Email indicator.

Our archive of weekly Blog Watching can be found here.



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