Author: SKEENA NEWS
BELLA COOLA, B.C. – The intensive investigation into the grizzly bear attack that left four people badly injured in the Bella Coola Valley last month continues, with B.C. conservation officers confirming the capture of four more bears for forensic testing. The provincial Conservation Officer Service (COS) announced in an online post on Wednesday that the four grizzly bears were safely captured overnight, and evidence is now being collected for testing to determine if they were involved in the November 20 incident. The attack occurred as a school group of approximately 20 students and staff ate lunch during a field trip,…
VICTORIA, B.C. – After weeks of internal party turmoil and a dramatic day of defiance, John Rustad officially resigned as leader of the BC Conservatives on Thursday morning. The announcement ends a chaotic period for the party’s leadership, which had seen a majority of Conservative MLAs publicly call for Rustad’s removal. Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford has been appointed as interim leader while the party begins the process for an official leadership race. Week of Chaos and Caucus Revolt Rustad’s resignation came just a day after the party board released a statement claiming he was “professionally incapacitated and unable to continue” as leader, citing…
Terrace, B.C. CANADIANS will soon face another tough bill at the grocery store. The annual 2026 Food Price Report forecasts that the cost of food will increase by anywhere between four and six per cent next year, continuing a significant trend of rising costs. According to Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, the report’s lead author and a food researcher at Dalhousie University, an average family of four in Canada can expect their food bill to go up by as much as $994 for 2026. This means a family of four will fork out an estimated $17,571.79 on food in 2026. These 2026 projections follow a trend of relentless food price…
PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. – The holiday season officially launches in Prince Rupert with the Winterfest 2025 celebration, hosted by the Prince Rupert Special Events Society. The community is invited to enjoy three days of festive events, markets, and illumination spanning Friday, December 5, through Sunday, December 7, 2025. Friday, December 5: Lighting Up the Town The festival begins with activities blending community competition and tradition: Saturday, December 6: The Festival Hub and Fireworks Saturday offers the busiest schedule, centered around the Courthouse and Cow Bay: Sunday, December 7: Crafts, Fitness, and Skating The final day blends fitness and family fun: Thank You to…
KITIMAT, B.C. – The holiday season is about to sparkle in Kitimat! The community is invited to gather for the annual “Light Up Kitimat 2025” celebration this coming Sunday, December 7, 2025, at the Upper City Centre. Organized by the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce, this year’s festivities promise fun for the entire family, centered around the spectacular moment the town’s Christmas tree comes alive. The Main Event: Sunday Schedule Highlights Sunday, December 7th, is packed with activities, leading up to the main event: Throughout the afternoon, attendees can also enjoy Carolers Sing, browse a Craft Fair, and check out the creativity on display at the School…
CANADA – Prime Minister Mark Carney promised to meet with Coastal First Nations leaders after chiefs from across the country voted unanimously on Tuesday to reject the federal-Alberta agreement that clears a path for a new oil pipeline and challenges the B.C. coastal oil tanker ban. During the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) special gathering in Ottawa, the resolution was put forward by Chief Donald Edgars of Old Massett Village in Haida Gwaii. He told the assembled chiefs that a new pipeline to the B.C. coast is “nothing but a pipe dream.” “We cannot let this happen,” Edgars stated. “I ask the chiefs to stand in support of…
TERRACE, B.C. – The Salmonella outbreak linked to pistachios and pistachio-containing products continues to escalate across Canada, with public health agencies confirming a dramatic rise in both confirmed illnesses and product recalls. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is now investigating 155 laboratory-confirmed Salmonella infectionslinked to the consumption of pistachios, with illnesses reported across seven provinces, including British Columbia. The contamination has triggered a cascade of recalls by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), with the total number of recalled products—ranging from raw kernels to pistachio baklava and eclairs—growing to 133. Source Identified: Mandatory Testing and Import Ban The source of the contamination has…
The Canadian women’s curling championship is set for a shakeup, with Team Kerri Einarson assuming the role of Team Canada at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts next month, following the withdrawal of the reigning champions, Team Rachel Homan. Curling Canada confirmed Tuesday that Team Homan will not return to defend their second straight Scotties crown, as the Ottawa rink focuses on preparing for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics scheduled for February 2026. Team Einarson, the silver medallists at the 2025 national playdowns, will instead wear the Maple Leaf colors at the Jan. 23-Feb. 1 playdowns in Mississauga, Ont. “We are thrilled to be wearing the [Maple Leaf] at the…
KITIMAT, B.C. – The District of Kitimat is moving decisively to resolve a long-standing public health vulnerability. A comprehensive, multi-layered financing strategy has successfully secured the Water Treatment Upgrade Project (WTP), which is now in active construction and slated for commissioning in 2026. For years, the District struggled with an aging water system that drew from the Kitimat River, rendering it highly susceptible to quality advisories and frequent Boil Water Notices during periods of high turbidity. The new WTP is designed to eliminate these disruptions by employing a multi-barrier approach utilizing filtration and UV disinfection. Mayor Phil Germuth noted that starting the groundwork moves the…
PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. – The BC SPCA is recommending animal cruelty charges to Crown Counsel after rescuing a dog near Prince Rupert that was found in severe neglect, calling the situation a “heartbreaking sight.” On November 18, an animal protection officer responded to a complaint about animal cruelty near a remote property east of Prince Rupert. They found a heavily-matted, shivering seven-year-old poodle mix lying in the snow. The owner subsequently surrendered the dog to the SPCA. Rescue and Recovery The regional manager for animal protection services, Alex Schare, described the dog’s condition: “The snow around the dog had turned…