Monday, September 2, 2019

Prince Rupert Search and Rescue, RCMP search for missing boater near Butze Rapids area

Butze Rapids south of Fern Passage has been the scene of
a day long search for a missing boater

(BC gov't map)


A missing boater has been the subject of an all day search by members of Prince Rupert Search and Rescue and RCMP working in the vicinity of the Butze Rapids area on the outskirts of the city

The call for assistance was relayed through the Joint Rescue Centre  out of Victoria shortly before 8:30 this morning, with a call about a capsized boat in the waters of the east side Fern Passage area, with three of the four who were aboard the vessel rescued by those responding to the incident.

Butze Rapids near Prince Rupert
(BC Gov't photo)

The search for the final member from the boat still missing continued through the afternoon, making use of an air asset, as well as those on the ground and water.

There have been no updates provided as to the status of the search so far.

More items of note on the work of Emergency Responders can be found from our archive page here.


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September sees NDP retain lead in Skeena-Bulkley Valley, with slight uptick in voter intentions for Conservatives as August ended



The first notes  from 338Canada on the September campaign in Skeena Bulkley Valley don't see much of a change from the previous month, with the NDP retaining the top placement in polling results for the region, though the Conservatives can find some positives from a chart showing a slight uptick in projected voters as August came to an end.

The national organization that charts all 338 Parliamentary riding's across the Country released their latest figures this morning and for Taylor Bachrach the start of September still has him holding a six percent lead on Cosnervative Claire Rattée, with the news of September also positive for the Conservative with a shift upwards from recent weeks.

From the September 1st numbers the NDP are projected to win 35.1% of the vote, the Conservatives 29.8% the plus or minus for both suggesting that the race in Skeena-Bulkley Valley is getting tight.

Following in the mid teens are the Liberals at 17.2% and the Greens at 13% while the People's party of Canada sits at 4.4%, the CHP did not register in the latest polling relays.

Overall however,  338Canada remains fairly bullish on the NDP prospects on October 21st.


Provincially, the Northern part of British Columbia remains a Conservative strong hold with three of the four Northern ridings expected to remain in Conservative hands by the third week of October.



Nationally the Liberals appear to edging closer to the potential for a majority government with a projected seat total of 171, that outcome depends on how the Leading and toss up contests may shake out by October 21st.




For more items of note on the Skeena-Bulkely Valley campaign see our archive page here.


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

Emergency Service Files: September 2019











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

HMCS Calgary's farewell video to Prince Rupert
Terrace RCMP look for help on store theft file from July
Prince Rupert Port Authority helps out in securing new Fast Response SAR vessel for Haida Gwaii
Port Edward Break and Enter call brings arrests and charges pending
Charges pending from Friday morning traffic incident at Miller Bay Hill
Alaska Marine Highway System to end Service to Prince Rupert on October 1st
Prince Rupert RCMP update notes on search for Lawrence Maitland
With return of School ... comes return of School Zone Speed enforcement 
Prince Rupert Search and Rescue and RCMP search for missing boater near Butze Rapids area
City relays details of Friday Police incident involving an aggressive Dog in Seal Cove area



**************************************************************************

Prince Rupert/Port Edward/Haida Gwaii/North Coast

September 23 -- Weekend-long tent city protest comes to an end, here's what happened
September 20 -- Queen Charlotte RCMP looking for stolen vehicle
September 13 -- Brand new vessel for Massett Marine Rescue
September 10 -- Big Investment for the Massett Marine Rescue Society
September 9 -- Arrest made in single vehicle crash on Highway 16
September 9 -- Two Prince Rupert men arrested after Port Edward break and enter
September 9 -- RCMP suspect impaired driving in Friday crash
September 9 -- RCMP arrest two men for Port Edward B & E
September 6 -- Charges pending following single vehicle crash (RCMP statement)
September 6 -- Two men face charges following break and enter (RCMP statement)
September 6 -- Single vehicle crash on Highway 16
September 5 -- Prince Rupert RCMP solicit support from North District in disappearance of Lax Kw'alaams man
September 5 -- RCMP issue update on Missing file for Lawrence Maitland (video)
September 4 -- Alaska Marine Highway System to end service to Prince Rupert
September 4 -- RCMP consider disappearance of Lax Kw'alaams man suspicious
September 4 -- Failure to secure armed RCMP presence at Prince Rupert's terminal leads to end of Alaska ferry service
September 4 -- Kitimat SPCA on Dog Shooting in Prince Rupert (video)
September 4 -- Missing person investigation continues (RCMP statement)
September 3 -- Rupert Dog Shot (video)
September 3 -- Prince Rupert RCMP shoot dog described as Aggressive
September 3 -- Boat capsizes near Butze Rapids
September 2 -- Search and Rescue looking for missing person near rapids
September 1 -- Prince Rupert RCMP shoot and kill dog
September 1 -- Aggressive Dog (RCMP statement)

Terrace/Kitimat

September 27 -- Terrace Search and Rescue Building (video)
September 27 -- RCMP Northern murders update (video)
September 27 -- Beam structure goes up for new Terrace Search and Rescue headquarters
September 27 -- RCMP partnering up with R.E.D. Cycles to protect bike (RCMP statement)
September 26 -- Conservation Officer Service investigating after grizzly bear shot near Terrace
September 26 -- Terrace woman wanted on warrants (RCMP statement)
September 25 -- Bear shot in Stewart was a danger to the public, RCMP say
September 25 -- Hydro line damaged by gunfire
September 25 -- Terrace RCMP arrest man for making multiple purchases on stolen cards
September 25 -- Grizzly bear found shot near Terrace
September 25 -- "It's a surreal existence': family of missing Hazelton woman still searching for answers
September 24 -- Bell Hydro mischief (video)
September 24 -- Terrace man accused of credit card fraud
September 24 -- Mischief to BC Hydro insulator near Bell 2 Causes major outage, damage
September 24 -- Public helps identify people of interest in theft file (RCMP statement)
September 24 -- Man arrested after string of fraudulent credit card purchases (RCMP statement)
September 20 -- Bear shot by police in Stewart neighbourhood, residents say
September 18 -- Terrace RCMP trying to identify theft suspects
September 18 -- The importance of laundry facilities for firefighters  (audio)
September 18 -- Important to include community in emergency training, says Terrace fire chief
September 17 -- Terrace RCMP looking for public's help in identifying two persons of interest
September 16 -- Police look for help identifying suspects (RCMP statement)
September 16 -- Laundry an essential cycle to protect Terrace firefighters from cancer
September 13 -- Stolen property recovered
September 12 -- Terrace Detachment Service Report (September 11)
September 11 -- CN Hosting Emergency Response Training with Kitsumkalum
September 11 -- CN Rail hosts emergency response training at Skeena River in case of train derailment
September 11 -- Terrace Detachment Service Report (September 2 - 8)
September 9 -- Belgian man thought to be missing kayaker
September 9 -- Terrace Man wanted on arrest warrant
September 9 -- Three people wanted on warrants
September 6 -- Missing Belgian tourist possible subject of Nass Search (video)
September 6 -- Kayaker missing in Nass Valley believed to be Belgian tourist
September 6 -- Terrace man wanted on warrant (RCMP statement)
September 6 -- Thornhill woman wanted on warrants located (RCMP statement)
September 6 -- Man located, arrested on warrants (RCMP statement)
September 6 -- Stewart RCMP believe items found belong to missing Belgian Man (RCMP statement)
September 5 -- Police considering Lax Kw'alaams Man's disappearance as suspicious
September 5 -- Terrace RCMP seek owners of dozens of lost, stolen bikes from the summer
September 5 -- Woman rescued after suffering injury while running on Terrace Mountain
September 5 -- Terrace Search and Rescue evacuate injured runner from Terrace Mountain
September 5 -- SAR responds to injured runner on Terrace Mountain
September 5 -- RCMP working to reunited bikes with their rightful owners
September 4 -- Nass Valley Mushroom picker rescued after smoke alerts SAR Helicopter
September 4 -- "I would like to be able to go for a walk without being afraid': Homelessness, public safety addressed at Terrace forum (audio)
September 4 -- Property crimes spike 42 per cent in Terrace
September 4 -- Terrace Search and Rescue retrieve man stranded on gravel bar in Skeena River
September 4 -- Stray bullet in Terrace (video)
September 4 -- PPC candidate for Skeena-Bulkley Valley has car stolen, crashed into house
September 4 -- Nass Rescue (video)
September 4 -- Terrace SAR find missing mushroom picker after two nights in the Nass
September 4 -- Terrace Search and Rescue retrieve man stranded on gravel bar in Skeena River
September 4 -- Terrace Search and Rescue find missing mushroom picker after two nights in Nass Valley
September 4 -- Nass Valley Mushroom Picker rescued after Smoke Alerts SAR
September 4 -- PPC candidate for Skeena-Bulkley Valley has car stolen, crashed into house
September 3 -- School Safety in NW (video)
September 3 -- RCMP Step up patrols as School Year begins
September 3 -- Highway 37 cellular dead zone signage not their responsibility, province says
September 3 -- Terrace property crimes up 42% from April 1 to June 30
September 3 -- RCMP looking to reunite bikes with rightful owners (RCMP statement)
September 3 -- Help police help you: Take steps to prevent theft (RCMP statement)
September 2 -- Search and Rescue looking for missing person near rapids
September 2 -- Search and Rescue looking for missing person near rapids


Bulkley Valley/Lakes District and elsewhere

September 27 -- Group seeks more support for first responders
September 26 -- Houston Fire department seeks training aids
September 25 -- Houston Health Centre will pick up used needles
September 24 -- Strimbold sentencing postponed to November
September 23 -- Strimbold Sentencing delay (video)
September 23 -- Strimbold gets new sentencing hearing date
September 20 -- Strimbold sentencing hearing postponed
September 18 -- Airport improvements in Houston  could spur increased use
September 18 -- Smithers air search group to get military spotter training
September 17 -- Coroner's Jury makes recommendations In-custody of Smithers Man in 2015
September 14 -- Jury determines death of Jacobus Jonker
September 13 -- Jury makes five recommendations following coroner's inquest into Smithers man's 2015 death
September 12 -- Patrick Anniversary (video)
September 11 -- RCMP to boost speed enforcement on resource road near Houston
September 11 -- 'Not an easy fix" Smithers Council says about homeless camp
September 11 -- October court date for pair accused of Southside assault
September 11 -- Fire Department raises flags in memory of fellow first responders lost on 9/11
September 11 -- RCMP officers testify at Jonker inquiry
September 10 -- Traffic enforcement campaign along Morice Forest Service Road near Houston (RCMP statement)
September 10 -- RCMP provide update on Jack family search
September 10 -- Jack Family Mystery (video)
September 10 -- RCMP continue to investigate 30 year old Jack Family disappearance
September 9 -- Coroner's Inquest begins for man who died in 2015 after police altercation
September 4 -- Accident victim left with minor injuries
September 4 -- Crash causes highway to close near Burns Lake
September 4 -- Fire fighters in training
September 4 -- Pedestrian recovering after accident
September 3 -- RCMP begin Distracted Driving and Occupant Restraint campaign


Ketchikan and Southeast Alaska


September 26 -- North end home fire claims three pets
September 11 -- Petersburg police arrest one for drugs, guns
September 11 -- Former Petersburg man gets time served for seized drugs
September 6 -- Ketchikan man accused of attempted murder
September 6 -- Teen arrested on weapons charge after fight
September 4 -- Alaska says it can't meet Homeland Security mandate, will cut ferries to Canada
September 4 -- Air Station Sitka crew assists stranded boaters near POW



Archive of month to month review for 2019 





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





As Canadian Labour prepares to observe their day; the politicians offer their salutes and some thoughts

The Winnipeg General Strike, a pivotal moment for labour history
in Canada, made for some of the theme for the
Labour Day Statement from Prime Minister Trudeau today

Across Canada today, members of organized labour will gather at picnics, marches and other celebrations to pay tribute to those who advocated and in some cases fought for their right to organize and create better working conditions and pay for Canadians from coast to coast.

From Ottawa, the Prime Minister issued his annual Labour Day commentary, this year calling to the history books with a review of the Winnipeg General Strike and its importance to the Labour movement and Canada.

“This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Winnipeg General Strike, one of the most influential strikes in Canadian history. It launched a labour movement that fought for – and won – many of the benefits and protections Canadian workers can count on today. From universal health care to fair wages, weekends, and paid vacations, the movement transformed the lives of millions of Canadians, and laid the foundations of a growing economy and a strong middle class."

You can review his full statement here, a correspondence which at times shifts into a campaign speech it seems.

Premier John Horgan also shares a few thoughts on Labour today,  a missive that pays tribute to British Columbia's workers and like the Federal statement also finds a bit of time for a review of some recent steps from government on the labour file

“The rights we enjoy today would not exist without the hard-fought victories of unions. Minimum wage, weekends and holidays, job security, parental leave, vacation and overtime pay, protection from discrimination and harassment, and safety standards, are the result of collective action grounded in the belief that all working people deserve to be treated fairly."

Mr. Horgan's full address can be reviewed here.

For Prince Rupert, one event taking place is at Mariner's Park where MLA Jennifer Rice will be on hand to salute the workers of the region and offer up something off the grill as part of her day in Prince Rupert.



Ms. Rice relayed the Premier's wishes today through her Facebook page, that after offering her own salute to Labour on Friday.

So far, Mayor Lee Brain has not followed the lead of the other levels of government with his own tribute to Labour on behalf of the City of Prince Rupert; should the city make comment we will update our notes accordingly.

For more items of interest related to Labour issues in the Northwest see our archive page here.


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

Real Estate Tracker: Week ending September 1, 2019


A few changes this week as a number of listings from the summer come off the open market accounts and some previous listings take their place.

The west side of the city takes all of the spots for the week, with the weight of the listings tilting towards the Graham Avenue and area side of town, which hosts a large number of our ten top end listings this week.

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 1, 2019 can be explored below:

No Listings for our top ten notes were from the east side this week

Real Estate Listings on the West Side of Prince Rupert
Week ending September 1, 2019

The east side is shut out once again, as the end of summer realty market found all our ten top listings concentrated on the area far to the west of the McBride Street line.

Six of the ten are in a cluster around Graham and Atlin, while others are in the Pineridge area, as well as near the downtown waterfront area.

The total value of the list of ten shifts just below the 7 million mark this week, dropping slightly from the last few weeks of the summer.

The lowest mark for the list of ten sits  at  $549,900, while our top end from the last week now is marked  at the price point of  $1,350,000

Below find our findings as of the Week ending September 1, 2019

1824 Graham Avenue                    $1,350,000 -- Remax
175 Bill Murray Drive                   $669,900 -- Remax
1933 Graham Avenue                    $649,000 -- Remax
1714 Sloan Avenue                        $649,000 -- Remax
1800 Atlin Avenue                         $649,000 -- Remax
1830 Graham Avenue                    $644,000 -- Remax
1942 Sloan Avenue                        $639,000 -- Remax
500 Pillsbury Avenue                    $615,000 --  Realty Executives
100 McRae Place                           $588,000 --  Remax
1827 Graham Avenue                    $579,900 -- 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.


5.1 quake rumbled along northern Alaska panhandle on weekend

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded at Haines Alaska
on Saturday evening

Another shift of seismic plates took place over the weekend, with a 5.1 magnitude quake recored near Haines Alaska at the top of the Alaska panhandle, located 668 kilometres NorthWest of Prince Rupert.

The shallow quake which struck at 930PM British Columbia time on Saturday evening had a depth of 0.6 kilometres and was felt in nearby communities, including the capital Juneau 171 kilometres away.

No Tsunami Warning was generated by the seismic event.





For more items related to seismic activity along the BC and Alaska fault line see our archive page here.

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

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Blog Watching: Week ending September 1, 2019



The last week for August was one that started with great celebration when it comes to the future for Prince Rupert's water infrastructure and wrapped up with a reminder of some of the current concerns that Prince Rupert residents need to keep in mind.

Tuesday, the city heard positive news related to the third element of their water infrastructure ambitions, with 22 million towards the 30 million dollar cost of a new facility provided by the Federal and Provincial government, leaving the city to providing funding for the remaining share.

The good vibes faded pretty quickly by Thursday however, as the City provided a statement outlining the findings from some recent testing of waterlines in some homes and businesses, with the Mayor also delivering a video presentation on the need for proper flushing of those same water lines.

Also creating some interest this week was a report commissioned by the ILWU which explored some stark numbers for lost jobs should automation become a major element of port operations in British Columbia.

The demolition teams may be warming up soon, as SD52 began the early process of making both Seal Cove and Kanata elementary schools ready for demolition.

One of the North Coasts longest serving leaders will continue to hold his post for four more years, as Harold Leighton was once again elected Chief Councillor for the Metlakatla First Nation, he will see some new and familiar faces around the council table following Wednesday's election.

And the first day of University for former Charles Hays Rainmaker became a bit of viral moment for the North Coast after we outlined the twitter salute from the Utah State Aggies as they welcomes the newest member of NCAA Hurd.

However, the top item of the last seven days, returns Prince Rupert to a familiar theme and more discussion on the city's water infrastructure.

Federal, Provincial Funding secured for 30 million dollar plus water treatment plans; City's share to be 8 million dollars  -- Some much anticipated funding news was delivered by the Federal government on Tuesday, with an announcement on three level funding for a new water treatment facility for Prince Rupert.  The celebratory clinking of glasses however was short lived, as an ongoing concern over lead in the water lines of some residences and commercial buildings brought a statement from the City and a video from the Mayor to review the current status of the situation.   (posted  August 27, 2019)

That article was followed by:

ILWU report on automation paints a future of lost BC Waterfront jobs and significant impact on local economies --  The future of employment on waterfront in British Columbia made for some headlines this week after a report commissioned by the International Longshore Workers Union relayed some grim figures should automation become a key element of life for BC's Ports. To follow up on the report, on Thursday, we outlined some of the observations from the Port of Prince Rupert when it comes to future of port expansion and job opportunities on the North Coast.   (posted  August 28, 2019)

SD52 puts out tender call for abatement work on schools scheduled for demolition -- The days for a pair of long closed elementary schools in Prince Rupert would appear to be numbered, as the School District put out a request for bids for the first phase of work required towards the demolition of the Kanata and Seal Cove School buildings    (posted August  28, 2019)

Metlakatla voters return Harold Leighton to Chief Councillor's position; select their six councillors for next four years of governance -- A long-standing leader on the North Coast will have four more years to continue to chart the course for the Metlakatla First Nation, as Chief Councillor Harold Leighton was once again returned to office, he will be joined by a mix of old and new faces for the Council following the Wednesday election count.   (posted  August  28, 2019)

Former Rainmaker gets a public welcome to his new University -- Judging by the strong readership numbers for our notes on Liam McChesney's first day at Utah State, the Aggies may be finding a pretty strong fan base from far off Northwest BC. The former Rainmaker, who is a member of the NCAA Aggies basketball team was one of the featured athletes in a welcome to Utah State twitter stream this week as university students hit the campus.   (posted  August 26, 2019)

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.

As well, those who use Twitter can get updates as we post new items from our twitter feed

Our archive of weekly Blog Watching can be found here.

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