Author: SKEENA NEWS
TERRACE, B.C. – The labour strike that has impacted public services across British Columbia for nearly eight weeks has concluded, with the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) announcing a tentative deal with the provincial government on Sunday, October 26. The agreement, which still requires a final ratification vote by the membership, was reached after both sides agreed to non-binding mediation with special mediators Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers. The strike, driven by core disagreements over cost-of-living wages, involved nearly 25,000 workers and had caused significant disruption to government services, including the closure of liquor stores and regulatory offices. Key Terms of the Four-Year Deal The…
TERRACE, B.C. – Terrace City Council has reluctantly approved a major payment of $182,000 to CN Rail for mandatory maintenance on the Kenney Street railway crossing, a charge that has prompted a strong commitment from Mayor Sean Bujtas to challenge the foundational agreement at the highest levels of government. The payment is being mandated by a railway crossing agreement dated January 30, 1979, which obligates the City to cover the cost of maintenance on the crossing. The necessity for repair arose after CN discovered the rails were moving as vehicles crossed, and a subsequent investigation confirmed the infrastructure beneath the crossing was completely…
PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. – Environment Canada has issued concurrent Rainfall and Wind Warnings for the North Coast, advising residents of Prince Rupert and other coastal sections of B.C. to prepare for a significant storm system rolling in tonight and lasting through midday Thursday. The double alert, issued Wednesday, October 22, indicates that a strong frontal system is expected to cross Haida Gwaii and move southeastward across the Central Coast. Details of the Warnings Affected Areas and Public Safety The warnings are specifically in effect for the North and Central Coast sections, Haida Gwaii, and the west coast of northern Vancouver Island. The…
TERRACE, B.C. – Northern Savings Credit Union has named Arabisk Mediterranean Cuisine as its featured “Business of the Month” for October, shining a spotlight on the family-run restaurant with locations in Prince Rupert and a new spot in Terrace. The recognition celebrates the restaurant’s commitment to community and its mission to showcase the vibrant and diverse flavors of the Middle East. Arabisk is known for its authentic Lebanese and Mediterranean culinary traditions, emphasizing fresh and delicious dishes served with welcoming hospitality. “We can’t wait to serve the Terrace community and create memorable experiences together. Thank you for welcoming us, and we look…
Local businesses and individuals who step forward to support the Thomas Kelly search will be recognized across Skeena News platforms throughout October. SKEENA REGION – As the dedicated volunteer team prepares for a critical final series of river searches for Thomas Kelly this October, Skeena News is committing its platform to amplify the efforts and recognize the generosity of local supporters. The time-critical nature of the search—the last major effort before winter conditions halt operations until next summer—requires significant community resources, particularly fundraising for specialized K9 and boat teams. Skeena News is committed to providing visibility for the businesses and…
SKEENA REGION – The dedicated community search team for Thomas Kelly, who has been missing since July 12, is preparing for one last, highly specialized search effort before winter conditions halt river operations until next year. Organizers have announced a postponement of the initial October 4–5 search to align with the availability of the CASDDA K9 team. The decision ensures the highest chance of success, as the certified Human Remains Detection (HRD) dogs are considered a critical resource for detecting scent pools and increasing search accuracy in the final days of the season. The last major river searches are now tentatively…
SKEENA REGION – The dedicated community search team for Thomas Kelly, who has been missing since July 12, is launching a final, urgent search effort this weekend, October 4th and 5th, before winter conditions halt river operations until next year. With water levels recently dropping to an optimal mid-August level, the community is racing against the calendar to cover the critical downstream sections of the Skeena River. The focus of this final major push will be the area from South Skeena River Provincial Park through to the Haysport and Port Essington estuary. Due to the strong currents and tidal influence in this area, the team…
SKEENA REGION – A catastrophic 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck the Central Philippines earlier this week has sent a wave of acute anxiety and financial strain through the Filipino-Canadian community of Northern British Columbia. The quake, which hit late Tuesday evening (Sept. 30, 2025) near Bogo City in Cebu Province, has resulted in at least 69 verified fatalities and over 200 injuries. The extremely shallow depth of the tremor, estimated at only 5 kilometers, caused widespread structural collapse and immediate failure of critical lifelines, including power and clean water systems. The severity of the crisis is compounded by the fact that the quake…
PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. – Prince Rupert Regional Hospital’s emergency department is now open with a significant upgrade, a $16.5-million modernization that Northern Health says will improve patient care and help attract and retain health-care professionals in the region. The province announced on September 19 that the bigger and better emergency department is now officially in service. The upgrades are designed to enhance the experience for the roughly 16,000 patients who visit the department each year, averaging 43 visits per day. The improvements include: Colleen Nyce, Northern Health board chair, said the new space is a welcome addition for the community.…
TERRACE, B.C. – The new parking lot at Ksyen Regional Hospital has officially opened, bringing a significant increase in free parking spaces and providing a welcome solution to a long-standing parking shortage that has challenged patients, staff, and nearby businesses. Northern Health announced that the completed lot, which provides 313 new parking spaces, was opened on Monday, September 22. The new lot marks the end of months of tight parking, which began after the new hospital opened in 2024. During the construction period, hospital users were often forced to park on both sides of Tetrault Street and on nearby access roads,…