The current extreme weather situation in Southern British Columbia is creating some ongoing service issues for the CityWest broadband network in to Northern and Northwestern British Columbia.
In an update to their Social media feed, the Prince Rupert based communication company has outlined how they may be facing a possible fibre cut in some of the hardest of hit areas of the flooding and landslides currently taking place in the south.
While they can re-route some of their traffic, it is providing for slower internet speeds and will account for why your video feeds may not be producing a full speed at the moment.
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They advise customers to check the CityWest Maintenance and Outages page for updates on the ongoing situation and how they plan to remedy the situation.
You can also follow their Social media feed for any other pertinent information towards the service issues.
The view from the harbour from earlier today with the prospect of rain or even snow seemingly on the horizon
The omens are multiplying for the prospect of some snow this week, as temperatures drop and another weather system prepares its approach to the North Coast.
Much of today has seen the snow line start to drop on Mount Hays and other mountains within view, the flakes occasionally making their way to the townsite only to hit the ground and dissipate.
From whichever direction you wish to look if you're looking at a mountain the snow line is coming down
Towards what may be ahead, while nowhere the extreme weather that has hit the Fraser and Nicola Valleys and Lower Mainland, our immediate future is one of wet and cold conditions.
And whether the weather will be wet or white, would seem to depend on the shift of a few degrees of Celsius along the way.
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For now it's looking like a rainfall situation for much of the week, with Wednesday set to deliver rain of up to 75mm, though depending on your preferred weather provider, Snow could be part of the mix though in smallish quantities, seemingly at the behest of a northern wind or a drop of a degree or two.
You can track the week ahead from the Environment Canada website which will update the conditions and issue any alerts as required.
We'll also feature an update on the situation in Southern British Columbia through our D'Arcy McGee blog later tonight, when we compile our notes from our Victoria Viewpoints archive which normally publishes at 11PM
Chevron, Esso and PetroCan in the city all have the price of regular gas set at 157.9 pre litre today
The price point at most of Prince Rupert's gas stations has inched up by four cents over the last few days, the new price for a litre of regular set at 1.57.9, the price holding true for Chevron and Esso downtown as well as at the Hays Cove PetroCan.
That spike makes for Prince Rupert to lead the price point parade for commutes from the North Coast to Prince George as this new week gets underway.
For those willing to make the short drive to the Industrial park, the price at the PetroCan on Kaien Road for now has remained steady at 1.53.9as of a 2PM drive across the city to the east side location.
Over in the Industrial park on the was side of town the price has remained at 153.9 per litre
Further down the highway, the GasBuddy website has the checklist of gas prices for those with extended driving on the horizon.
Terrace is set at 1.56.9 per litre for the six of ten stations reporting
Kitimat is reporting a range between 1.55.9 and 1.56.9 for its three stations
Smithers has a lower price per litre at 1.52.9 reported by two of their four stations listed
Burns Lake is set at 1.49.9 for two of six stations listed
The 37 stations listed for Prince George have a price point ranging from 1.42.9 to 1.49.9 depending where you are in Northern British Columbia's largest city.
Gas analysts have suggested we may want to buckle up for the next little while as the price is anticipated to fluctuate over the near term
The Team Photo from Saturday's introduction to their new Command Post asset in Prince Rupert (photo from MLA Rice's FB Page)
It was Show and Shine day at the Northland Cruise Terminal on Saturday, with the feature attraction the latest in Emergency Response equipment on the North Coast.
That showcase vehicle belonging to the Prince Rupert Ground Search and Rescue, which had a large contingent of it's members on hand to answer questions from the public and hear the praise of those who are thankful of their work when it's called into action.
The new vehicle, which the Port assisted towards with Community Investment funding, will be a key element to their responses moving forward and provides for the latest in equipment for the volunteer group that is often required to attend dangerous situations.
The new Command Centre (photo from PR Ground SAR)
Also taking part in the Sirens and Safety event hosted by the Prince Rupert Port Authority was a range of other Emergency Responders, from the Prince Rupert Fire/Rescue Department, Prince Rupert RCMP, BC Ambulance Service and the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 64 Prince Rupert.
North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice paid tribute to the new Command vehicle through a Social media post noting of the work of Prince Rupert Ground SAR and that of all First Responders in the community.
The Prince Rupert Rampage travelled hundreds of miles deep into the Cariboo and back over this past weekend, gaining two points for their troubles as they won in a convincing fashion in Williams Lake but suffered some challenges in Quesnel where the hometown Kangaroos took the win in CIHL weekend action.
The Rampage left all their scoring punch in the Stampede City where they tallied seven goals on the night, an impressive start to the road trip which saw the Rhinos dominate their hosts Saturday .
Hunter Johnson heard his name called out on the Williams Lake PA four times on the evening, Jaco Santurbano and Judd Repole assisting on two each of the four goals.
Repole himself scoring an unassisted marker in the early stages of the third.
Kory Movold picked up a goal in the first with an assist to Johnson making for Hunter's five point night
While Cole Morris put the wraps on the Rampage scoring with an assist from Marcus Atchison midway through the final period.
Kieran Sharpe took the W in the nets turning said 32 of 33 shots on the night, in a game which saw the Stampeders spend a fair bit of time in a penalty box, assessed 34 minutes in nine infractions, the Rampage had eight minutes off ice on four infractions.
However, the hot sticks went cold by the time the Rampage reached Quesnel, where the Kangaroos left no doubt that no one was coming into their rink to take two points away on Sunday afternoon.
The afternoon a feisty affair as described by the Quesnel Observer with fans cheering both scoring and some physical play on the way to the Kangaroos 4-0 victory over the Rampage.
With the Rhinos falling behind early and never able to get into a groove on the afternoon, the missed scoring opportunities began to pile up.
With the third period evolving into one of a settling of scores and a number of penalties that removed any chance of pushing for a comeback.
The Rampage have the rest of the month off and won't see action again until December 14th when their arch rivals in River Kings come to town.
For those who were taking some numbers at the end of the Cariboo road trip, the Kangaroos will make their journey west in January and a showdown at the Jim on January 30th, one no doubt already circled on the calendar for many on the team.
That same weekend the Prince Rupert side will also have opportunity to renew acquaintances with the Stampeders, when Williams Lake comes to town on the 29th.
More notes on Rampage can be explored through their Social media feed.
Last week's Board meeting for SD52 returned briefly to a theme that played out at the end of the 2020-21 school year and an issue on financials that made for much of their year end narrative.
The original plans of the Spring to have a forensic audit take place have seemingly been put on the shelf; that as the Board chooses to go with an Internal audit conducted by their current auditors KPMG.
Board Chair Kate Toye introduced the topic noting how the Board had sought outside support on the issue.
"Since that time we've gone and looked at outside support as to what exactly we are looking for ... I believe that what the Board is really looking for is more of an Internal audit and looking towards our Terms of Reference"
Trustee Beil for the most part covered the view of the Board on the topic
"We did access outside expertise to see what, you know you say Forensic Audit, well once you get to the nitty gritty of what that actually is and what it would provide; putting questions that we had, an Internal audit really did meet our needs better and it certainly is a different process and one we feel would be beneficial to the District"
The trustees didn't expand too much on their plans and there was no discussion as to what why the plan for the Forensic Audit was lacking, or what they believe the Internal audit will deliver in a better fashion.
The deciding factor for the most part appears to be that of cost, with the School District members observing that a Forensic Audit would require a cap of a least 35,000 dollars; while an Internal Audit may be more appropriate with a financial cap of 14 to 15,000 dollars.
Trustee Maier observed that the School District would only be paying up to $15,000 for the audit and the decide further after that. Recommending that the audit be carried out by the District's external auditor, KPMG.
There were also no information offered up towards any timeline as to when the audit would be completed and if they plan to release the details once it is wrapped up.
The discussion on the Internal audit plans can be reviewed from the School Districts Video archive starting at the one hour, four minute mark.
November's SD52 Board meeting provided for a range of themes, with a look at a popular salmon program, special funding and a decision on the Board's themes of an audit from the Spring moving towards some kind of action among the discussion topics raised on November 9th.
The Board Officials met in person at the Booth Building Conference room, while guests and some Board members participated by Zoom.
The first portion of the session was give over to Salmon, with the Board hearing a presentation from Mike McDowall from Prince Rupert Middle School and Jon Pinkhasik from Pacific Coast School, the eighteen minute overview exploring the themes of the Stream to Sea program which has been part of the SD52 curriculum for over thirty years.
The popular program takes the students out of the classroom setting and otudoors to explore the cycle of salmon and its impact on the North Coast and it's importance to the First Nations of the Tsimpsean people.
Some Councillors shared their thoughts on the program and how students have reacted to the instruction that comes from it.
Students taking part in the Stream to Sea program at SD52
There was a discussion on autism funding and the recent changes suggested by the Provincial government with the School District members exploring their options towards delivering advice by way of a letter to the government on what the shift in supports may mean for local families.
During the course of the conversation many of the Board members recalled the tragedy of Robert and Angie and how the need for local supports is an important requirement towards how the issue should be addressed.
While the topic of Mandatory vaccination was on the agenda, for the Board as part of their correspondences portion of the night, with the members noting that they would receive and file the topic, as such there was no discussion related to that theme on the evening.
That was one of a number of items on the agenda that were received and filed during the session.
The Superintendents Report provided for an overview on Field Trips, Enrolment, Research request, COVID update Strategic Plan update and Upcoming projects.
On enrolment Sandra Pond, noted of some changes from the September figures, observing that the current level is at 1,848 which notes of some new arrivals or returning students and five students having moved out of the District.
The Scope of a Survey proposal from UBC interested in speaking with LGBTQ high school students was discussed as to what their goals and objectives of the work were and if the Board may be able to access the results to better aid the students of the District made for much of the discussion.
It was observed that work continues on the Board's Strategic Plan, with consultation among stakeholders in the project continuing with more sessions ahead in December.
Some of the ongoing initiatives towards Indigenous study and reconciliation were also relayed as part of the Superintendent's Report.
An update on the level of practicum students from SFU, Coast Mountain College and Sprott Shaw College was provided, with hopes that some could be placed on School staff in the future.
Secretary-Treasurer Cam McIntyre provided an overview of some of the work that has been done on developing Expenditure and Operations reports. As well the Board reviewed plans for Committee meetings.
The Board also discussed a summary of the special one time funding that it has received for the current year. As was noted in the discussion, the funding is primarily targeted towards mental health funding, learning loss during the pandemic, some of their health and safety protocols, along with reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
Some of their initiatives on Enhanced Student learning and Indigenous education made for a review from trustees, noting of progress in each area of interest.
Trustees also reviewed four Policy items for approval on the night, themes included:
Physical restraint and Seclusion
Code of Conduct and Racism
Role of Superintendent
Delegation to the Superintendent
The Board heard from the Secretary Treasurer who outlined how it may approach future issues related to the lowering of the Canadian flag at District schools, with the School District noting that they may require a policy in place for future situations.
Superintendent Samoil reviewed how the District is approaching the topic in the interim.
The topic of how to address the call earlier this year from the Board for a Forensic Audit, with the Board now looking towards an internal audit process.
Trustee Beil spoke to the topic:
"We did access outside expertise to see what, you know you say Forensic Audit, well once you get to the nitty gritty of what that actually is and what it would provide; putting questions that we had, an Internal audit really did meet our needs better and it certainly is a different process and one we feel would be beneficial to the District"
Trustees Kuntz and Maier also spoke in favour of the revised plan of the internal audit plan, trustee Horne made some inquiries related to the difference in cost between the two options.
Trustee Maier observed that the School District would only be paying up to 15,000 for the audit and the decide further after that. The audit work will be carried out by the District's external auditor, KPMG.
There were no questions raised during the 10 minute Question and Answer availability.
A synopsis of the meeting was offered up by the School District office available here.
The full meeting can be reviewed below:
The Board will next meet in public session on December 14th.
