Landslide east of Port Edward Turnoff reduces Highway 16 to one lane

A landslide east of Port Edward closed highway 16 for a period of
time this afternoon, the road is now open but restricted to 
one lane in the clean up area

Traffic flow has been slowed between Prince Rupert and Terrace today, with Drive BC reporting of a landslide between the Port Edward Turnoff and the Rainbow Lake Avalanche gates.

A Social Media image from this afternoon shows a volume of rock and trees blocking the roadway, though it appears that work has now removed some of the debris to allow for traffic to continue through the area.

Traffic control workers are on the scene to direct travellers, with alternating traffic using the open lane that has been cleared for use.

The next update from Drive BC is set for 8AM Friday

Follow the Drive BC website here, or their social media stream for any further updates.

More notes from the highway 16 corridor can be reviewed here.

New Semester brings new faces to Coast Mountain College Prince Rupert

The Holiday break is over for college students across the northwest and in Prince Rupert the new year means a new cohort of students for the programs of Coast Mountain College.

For some it means a return to studies from the Fall semester but for a number of others it marks a new experience and a new country, with the Coast Mountain College campus in Prince Rupert welcoming a number of International students to the community this week.

The College's International outreach has proven to be a popular initiative to attract students from afar; with the Prince Rupert campus home for a growing volume of the diaspora of the world making its way to the north coast.

This week marks the college's Orientation program, with the Prince Rupert campus hosting its event tomorrow in the Multi-Purpose room.

At the Friday session Students will receive their official welcome back to studies and for some a welcome to town; as well as to hear more about what college life in Prince Rupert is like from 10AM to 2PM

 More notes from Coast Mountain College  across the Northwest can be explored here. 

Popular Gymnastics program set to ramp up in January

The program options from Prince Rupert Gymnastics have quickly helped to make the Association one of the most popular and fastest growing destinations for youth in the community. 

And this month launches the start of a wide range of gymnastics for youth to take on or for newcomers to explore.

Operating seven days a week in the Rushbrook Warehouse facility on the city's east side,  the schedule for 2023 provides a glimpse as to wha they have to offer.

Some of the programs are still in need of a few participants to launch this month, with the PRGA noting of those of note in a social media message yesterday.

You can follow their feed here for updates.

For more information on what they have to offer, give them a call at 250-624-5867

You can follow our notes for the 2024 season here.

New Year brings New Plywood for downtown's former Daily News building

 

It's a refresh of sorts for the once Daily News Building in the city's downtown core, the building which has long been closed is sporting new plywood to ring in the New year.

The building at the corner of Second West and Seventh Street has not been in public use since the Daily News ended its operations in July of 2010.

Over the thirteen years since, It has at times been rumoured to be set for redevelopment, with a range of uses speculated over the years.  

The one that seemed to have the most traction at one point, was a repurposing into a health facility with addiction services to be among those offered.

However, that hopeful plan to add to the services in the community from 2016 has long since faded and of late there's been little heard about the fate for the building.

With some luck, perhaps 2024 will herald the rebirth and replacement of boards for windows once again.

Themes of Civic planning and sustainable city initiatives can be followed through the year from our archive page.

Shames Mountain sets Saturday for Season relaunch

For a ski resort operator that worst possible scenario is a holiday period with little to no snow and for Shames Mountain, just west of Terrace, that was the fate dealt to them by the Weather gods over New Years.

The sad news for skiers relayed through the Shames Social Media stream updates that charted weather systems that brought rain more than snow and scuppered the plans for many over the holiday period, leaving the ski hill closed over what would normally be a bustling first week of winter with the schools out until January 8th.

As we noted in the last week of December, such had been the volume of rain to fall on the mountain, that Shames officials were at that time making preparations for contingencies to deal with the concerns.

The weather news however has seen some improvement,  the snow to date and a forecast  ahead,  that over the next few days is set to put some aerial lift for skiers and boarders alike, with Shames announcing it will resume its operations this coming Saturday January 6th.

Ski and Board enthusiasts can check out the Snow Report here, which offers the latest reports on how much snow is on the runs at this time.

The Saturday return also marks the first of the celebrations at Shames for 2024 with the ski hill hosting its Multicultural Weekend.

Follow the Shames Mountain social media stream for updates from the mountain.

More notes on Skiing and Boarding in the Northwest can be explored here.

Week ahead heralds start for 2024 for City Council

This first week of 2024 is still a rather low key affair when it comes to the workings of municipal government in Prince Rupert.  

That as Council members and civic officials ease their way back into the work week following the two week break from duties over the Christmas/New Year's period.

So far the City's information stream is one that has focused on the achievements of 2023, over any notes towards what's to come for the year ahead.

The City posted its wide ranging account of the year that was, through its social media stream on New Year's Eve.

Ringing in the New Year publicly, was mostly it seems a private thing for the members of elected council over the holidays.  

Mayor Herb Pond's last contribution to his social media stream came in November, while the majority of City Council members are for the most part,  infrequent visitors to their social media conduits through the year.

The list of those portals of occasional contribution can be accessed through our Council Meeting archive page.

The last official bit of commentary from the group coming at the final Council session for 2023 in early December.

The exception being that of Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven, who posted a New Year's Greeting for community members two days ago, his commentary through his social medias stream one which noted of challenges and the promise of 'many exciting announcements' to come.

In his commentary, Mr. Skelton-Morven does not indicate if his plans include a return to In Council participation for January. He has been participating mainly through long distance video means since October, that while attending to a family health challenge in Vancouver.

The last time that the Councillor participated in person at a City Hall council session was on October 23rd.

Mr. Skelton-Morven also would seem to have some unfinished business to attend to with his former employer the Northern View, with there yet to be any follow up to their story from November related to concerning accusations made against the Council member and the news organizations unsuccessful attempts to receive a comment from him.

The first opportunity to hear more from the Council membership and their plans for 2024 comes on Monday with the first of the twenty Scheduled Regular City Council sessions to take place in the year ahead.

As they come back to the council chamber on January 8th, hopefully they will call on senior city staff for some updates on the range of infrastructure work that has created some challenges for residents of a number of neighbourhoods.

Among the areas of note for residents, the status of the work on the Sixth Avenue East Bridge and the ongoing work at Kootenay and McKay that has left that area without a key surface route.

As well, residents of the Crestview area may be hoping for some positive news as to when the now more than a year long work underway at Applewaite and Crestview may conclude and return full access to their neighbourhood.

Monday's session will also offer up an opportunity for Mayor Pond to chart the path forward on the large scale infrastructure plans for the city's waterlines.  

Hopefully, the first moments for 2024 will deliver some indication as to when the City anticipates word from Ottawa towards their massive 82 million dollar grant funding application towards that required work.

You can follow the path of Council through the year by way of our City Council Discussion archive page.

Anniversary plans in motion as Prince Rupert's Museum of Northern British Columbia celebrates 100 years

With 100 years of sharing history, art and culture in Prince Rupert,
the Museum of Northern BC prepares for its centennial year

It's been a fixture in Prince Rupert for almost as long as the town was established and as we move into 2024, the Management, staff and supporters of the Museum of Northern BC are preparing to celebrate the museum's 100th year.

In a social media post this morning, the Museum hints of things to come for 2024, but doesn't quite spill the beans just yet on what's ahead for the Centennial year.

Follow their Social Media page through the year for updates on the milestone year for the long serving community cultural and gathering spot.

More notes on Community themes can be explored here.