Author: SKEENA NEWS

TERRACE — The socioeconomic health of a remote municipality is often determined not by its industrial output alone, but by the robustness of its social fabric and the efficiency of its secondary support systems. In the City of Terrace, British Columbia, this role has been historically fulfilled by Volunteer Terrace, a non-profit society and registered charity that has functioned as a central nexus for community service for nearly three decades. Serving as a bridge between enthusiastic human capital and the diverse needs of 38 non-profit community programs, Volunteer Terrace facilitates a complex ecosystem of support that spans geriatric care, youth development, and…

TERRACE — For thousands of young drivers in the Skeena and across British Columbia, the “Novice” sticker has become a permanent fixture on their tailgates, largely due to a provincial licensing system choked by months-long wait times. That is about to change. Public Safety Minister Garry Begg has announced landmark legislation that will officially eliminate the second road test currently required to graduate from a Class 7 (Novice) to a Class 5 (Full) driver’s license. The move, slated for implementation in early 2026, represents the most significant shift in B.C.’s Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) since its inception in 1998. The 12-Month “Clean…

SKIDEGATE / SMITHERS — The Skeena and Haida Gwaii regions faced a dual environmental reminder of the North’s volatile nature this week, as a mid-sized earthquake rattled the coast and stagnant winter air triggered health warnings in the Bulkley Valley. Haida Gwaii Shaken by 4.4 Magnitude Quake On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at approximately 3:57 p.m., a magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck off the southern tip of the Haida Gwaii archipelago. According to Earthquakes Canada, the epicenter was located roughly 184 kilometers south-southeast of Skidegate at a depth of 20 kilometers. While the tremor was significant enough to be recorded across the Pacific Northwest, emergency…

PRINCE GEORGE — Amidst persistent staffing shortages and rural service gaps, Northern Health has launched a new real-time digital tool to inform residents across the North Coast and Interior exactly which emergency departments (ED) are open for care. The “Emergency Department Status” webpage, launched on Thursday, January 22, 2026, provides a live map and list showing the operational status of hospitals from Prince Rupert to Valemount. The move follows a multi-year struggle with “diversions”—periods where hospitals must close their ER doors due to a lack of available doctors or nurses. Focusing on Status, Not Wait Times While many health authorities in…

PRINCE RUPERT — The Prince Rupert RCMP have confirmed that 53-year-old Sharon Anne Trim, who was the subject of an intensive missing person search earlier today, has been located safe and sound. The investigation began on the morning of Wednesday, January 21, 2026, after Trim was reported missing from her residence. She had last been seen on Tuesday, January 20. Given the cold winter conditions and the sudden nature of her disappearance, both her family and local authorities expressed significant concern for her well-being. Rapid Community Response Following a public appeal issued at approximately 6:40 a.m., the description of the 5’8″ Caucasian woman with…

PRINCE GEORGE — The path toward a net-zero industrial corridor in the Northwest reached a critical milestone Tuesday, January 20, 2026, as the provincial government and BC Hydro formalized a massive electrification agreement with Ksi Lisims LNG. Signed during a ceremony at the BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlines the delivery of up to 600 megawatts (MW) of clean electricity to the proposed floating LNG facility on Nisga’a Treaty Lands. The deal is the primary catalyst needed for the project to reach a Final Investment Decision (FID) and provides the “major customer” justification for the province’s $6-billion North Coast Transmission…

TERRACE — While most of the Skeena region slept, the night sky erupted into a vivid dance of neon purple, deep blue, and emerald green early Tuesday morning. The short-lived but striking display was captured by Terrace Mayor Sean Bujtas, who shared a photo on social media shortly after midnight on January 20. “For those of you still up, you have a couple of minutes to see the Northern Lights,” Bujtas wrote, as soft bands of color stretched over the city’s silhouetted rooftops. The Science Behind the Show: A “1-in-20-Year” Event Though the display in Terrace was brief, it was triggered…

VICTORIA — The B.C. Conservative Party has officially fired the starting pistol on its 2026 leadership race, releasing a strict set of rules and a high financial bar for those looking to replace John Rustad. The leadership election, set to conclude on May 30, 2026, follows a turbulent December that saw Rustad resign after a majority of his 44-member caucus signed a letter of non-confidence. For residents of the Skeena, the outcome of this race is critical: the next leader will determine the Official Opposition’s stance on the “Building Canada Act,” the repeal of Indigenous rights legislation (DRIPA), and the future of northern resource…

KWINITSA / SUNSHINE VALLEY — A combination of high-velocity winds on the North Coast and lingering infrastructure damage in the Southern Interior is challenging regional logistics this week, forcing the suspension of high-profile industrial loads and causing significant travel delays. On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, DriveBC issued a wind warning for Highway 16 near Kwinitsa, approximately 70 km east of Prince Rupert. Sustained northeast winds of 60 km/h, with gusts reaching 80 km/h, have been recorded through the mainland inlets and valleys. For the “Prince Rupert Gateway,” these conditions are more than a nuisance; they are a logistical bottleneck. Port regulations and safety protocols often mandate the…

KITIMAT — The District of Kitimat is entering a pivotal year of administrative and cultural transition. On Monday, January 19, 2026, municipal leaders addressed a trifecta of issues: preparing for a major local election, finalizing a social services budget stretched by industrial growth, and navigating a heated debate over how the community acknowledges Haisla Ancestral Territory. Election 2026 – Preparing for October Polls The District has officially launched its public outreach for the upcoming general local election, scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026. Residents will be tasked with electing one mayor and six councillors to guide the community through the next four years…