Author: SKEENA NEWS

TERRACE — The City of Terrace has reached a critical milestone in its plan to modernize the downtown core. Engineering consultants are currently evaluating competitive bids for the complete reconstruction of the 4600 block of Lakelse Avenue, a project that will replace failing underground infrastructure and dramatically transform the city’s “main street” for the first time in over four decades. The submission deadline for the work—stretching from Emerson Street to Kalum Street—closed on February 5, 2026. Municipal officials are aiming for an April start date, with a target completion by October 2026. A Grant-Funded Transformation The City has established a total project budget…

TERRACE — The Ksyen Regional Hospital, which replaced the aging Mills Memorial Hospital in November 2024, reached a significant clinical milestone on February 6, 2026. It was reported that elective knee replacement surgeries have successfully begun at the facility, marking the first time such specialized elective care has been available in Terrace. Expanding Orthopedic Services The introduction of elective orthopedic surgeries is a major step forward for local healthcare, allowing residents to receive specialized care without the need for travel to Prince George or Vancouver. The Trauma Designation Challenge Despite these surgical gains, the hospital’s pursuit of a Level 4 trauma designation remains stalled due…

PRINCE RUPERT — In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Canadian energy sector, the Metlakatla First Nation officially withdrew its consent for the Ridley Island Energy Export Facility (REEF) on February 4, 2026. The Nation contends that its original support for the $1.35 billion project—a 50-50 joint venture between AltaGas and Royal Vopak—was “unlawfully obtained” due to the non-disclosure of a “secret monopoly agreement”. The “Export Monopoly” Discovery The Metlakatla’s withdrawal is predicated on the discovery of a 2015 exclusivity agreement between the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) and Vopak. According to the Nation, this agreement granted Vopak the power to arbitrarily veto competing energy projects in the port, effectively creating…

KITIMAT / TERRACE — The weather system impacting the Northwest delivered concentrated rainfall that, when combined with rapid snowmelt from unseasonable warmth—a phenomenon known as “rain-on-snow” runoff—led to immediate surges in river levels across the region. The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, through the River Forecast Centre, maintained an active High Streamflow Advisory and regional flood watch throughout February 5 and 6, 2026, specifically targeting the outer coast and inland areas. Meteorological Impact Snapshot (Feb 5–6, 2026) ParameterPrince Rupert (YPR)KitimatTerrace (YXT)Two-Day Rainfall132 mm144 mm80–120 mm (est.)Peak Temperature11°C8°C8°CInfrastructureOpen / OperationalDike Road ClosedOn-Time Flights The accumulation of 144 mm of rain in Kitimat over a forty-eight-hour period forced the District…

KITIMAT — The District of Kitimat has escalated its water advisory to a formal Boil Water Notice as of 11:30 a.m. on February 4, 2026. The notice was confirmed by the District in information shared directly with Skeena News, following consultation with Northern Health. The notice follows several days of heavy regional rainfall and rising water levels in the Kitimat River, which have caused elevated turbidity (cloudiness). This notice upgrades a previous Water Quality Advisory from February 2 and applies to all residential and commercial users in the municipal water system. Safety Protocols for Residents Under a Boil Water Notice,…

SMITHERS / TERRACE / KITIMAT — The robust administration of public health protocols serves as the foundational bedrock for community safety across the Northwest. As of February 4, 2026, a comprehensive review of Northern Health (NH) enforcement actions reveals a singular high-profile closure in the Bulkley Valley, contrasted by an uncharacteristically stable period for regional emergency medical infrastructure. Forensic Case Study: The Smithers Subway Closure The focal point of regulatory action this week is the Subway location on Main Street in Smithers, which remains under a mandatory Cessation of Operations order following a “High Hazard” designation. The closure was precipitated by digital citizen surveillance—specifically a viral…

TERRACE — The transportation network of the Skeena region, which is vital for the movement of people and industrial supplies, faced several operational challenges and updates on February 1 and 2, 2026. Highway 16, the “Yellowhead Highway,” remained open but was subject to numerous minor incidents and maintenance projects that impacted travel times. Highway 16: The Constant Battle Against Terrain The region’s primary artery faced a series of localized disruptions over the two-day period: Aviation Status: Reliability at YXT At the Northwest Regional Airport (YXT), flight operations on February 1 and 2 were largely on time, providing essential links between the Northwest,…

HOUSTON — February 1 and 2, 2026, marked a period of high-stakes budget deliberations for municipalities throughout the Skeena and Bulkley Valley. In the District of Houston, local leaders are wrestling with a $1.2 million deficit in the 2026 budget—a shortfall that represents approximately 20% of the district’s annual taxation income. The “Closure Allowance” Crisis The primary cause of this fiscal gap is a “closure allowance” recently issued by BC Assessment for the permanently closed Canfor mill site. Because the property is no longer considered an active enterprise, its industrial assessment has been significantly reduced, stripping the district of the tax revenue that once served as the town’s…

SMITHERS — The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) intensified its efforts on February 2, 2026, seeking public assistance in the investigation into the death of a First Nations female youth. The youth was found deceased on a walking trail near Riverside Park on December 27, 2025, less than 24 hours after she was reported missing. As the province’s civilian-led police oversight agency, the IIO’s mandate is to determine if there is any connection between police action or inaction and the death, regardless of whether there is an initial allegation of wrongdoing. A Critical Discrepancy in Attire A key development released on…

BURNABY — A coroner’s inquest into the 2023 deaths of a Prince Rupert family began Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, at Burnaby Coroner’s Court, with early testimony painting a sobering picture of fear and uncertainty in the days before the family was found dead. The inquest is examining the deaths of Christopher Duong, 38; Janet Nguyen, 35; and their two young children, Alexander, 4, and Harlan, 2, who were discovered inside their Silverside Drive home in June 2023. A coroner’s inquest is a fact-finding proceeding that does not assign criminal or civil blame. Its purpose is to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and, where appropriate, make recommendations…