Author: SKEENA NEWS
SKEENA REGION, B.C. – Coastal life in the Skeena region is returning to normal after a tense night under a Tsunami Advisory, which was officially lifted by Emergency Info BC at approximately 6:30 a.m. this morning. The alert was triggered Tuesday afternoon by a massive and distant earthquake, now confirmed by the United States Geological Survey as magnitude 8.7. The quake struck at 4:25 p.m. Pacific Time in the Pacific Basin, about 129 kilometres southeast of Kamchatka, Russia. In the hours that followed, more than 40 significant aftershocks were recorded, shaking the region further. The event unfolded methodically on Tuesday evening. Emergency…
HAZELTON, B.C. – Ross Lake Park, a popular day-use area just south of Hazelton, is now more welcoming to all visitors following the completion of a $350,000 project to significantly upgrade its accessibility. BC Parks recently announced the completion of the work, which was funded by a provincial investment aimed at removing barriers in parks across the province. The upgrades provide a barrier-free experience from the parking lot to the shoreline. The centerpiece of the project is a new 15-metre-long, wheelchair-accessible aluminum dock, allowing visitors of all mobility levels to enjoy fishing or get closer to the water for a swim.…
SKEENA REGION, B.C. – The release of the latest B.C. Drought Map has officially confirmed the entire Skeena-Nass basin is at Drought Level 2, prompting a call for voluntary water conservation across the region. The update comes as July’s “Lakes Appreciation Month” draws to a close, serving as a powerful reminder of the value of our local water resources. The map, which is the province’s official tool for tracking water scarcity, classifies Level 2 as “Dry,” a stage where adverse impacts on local ecosystems and communities are possible. British Columbia is home to more than 20,000 lakes, and here in the…
SKEENA REGION, B.C. – Emergency Info BC has issued an urgent Tsunami Advisory for the North and Central Coasts of British Columbia, including all coastal communities in the Skeena region, following a powerful offshore earthquake that has prompted alerts across the Pacific. The advisory covers two key notification zones in the region: A Tsunami Advisory means that a tsunami wave that could cause strong currents and surges is expected. These currents can be dangerous to those in or near the water. Widespread inundation of land is not expected for an advisory, but coastlines, harbours, and inlets are considered dangerous. Official Instructions for Residents If you…
KITAMAAT VILLAGE, B.C. – The Haisla Nation-led Cedar LNG project received a major boost Tuesday with a $200 million provincial commitment to power the facility with clean hydroelectricity, a move leaders say will make it one of the lowest-emitting liquefied natural gas facilities in the world. Premier David Eby, speaking alongside Haisla Nation Chief Councillor Maureen Nyce in Kitamaat Village, announced the funding agreement which will directly support the construction of crucial electrification infrastructure. The funds are earmarked for a new 287-kilovolt transmission line, a substation, and distribution lines required to connect the floating LNG terminal to B.C.’s power grid. “By…
PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. – An adventurous dog dubbed “Rupert’s Littlest Hobo” is finally safe and settling into his new home after a nearly three-week saga that captivated the hearts and mobilized the efforts of the entire Prince Rupert community. Three-year-old Pluto, who was rescued from a puppy mill near Hazelton on July 5, went missing that very same day, sparking a city-wide search. His journey finally came to a happy conclusion on July 23 when he was safely captured and reunited with his new owner, Kim Spencer. The rescue effort was largely coordinated online by Kim’s cousin, Sonja Spencer, who provided…
SMITHERS, B.C. – In a move toward greater community transparency, the Smithers RCMP released a snapshot of its calls for service this month, revealing that a full one-third of all police responses involved non-criminal situations, primarily related to individuals experiencing a health crisis. In a statement posted Monday, the detachment reported it has responded to 219 calls for service so far in July. Of those, 73 were for health-related matters that were not connected to any criminal activity. The RCMP explained they shared the data to help the public understand the realities of modern policing and the significant strain placed on…
KITIMAT, B.C. – The Kitimat RCMP had a busy week responding to a range of calls, from rescuing stranded paddle boarders near Minette Bay to taking an impaired driver off the road during a check stop. According to the detachment’s weekly report covering July 17 to July 23, officers were active with traffic enforcement. During a check stop on Kuldo Boulevard on the night of July 22, a driver provided a breath sample that resulted in a ‘FAIL’ reading on an approved screening device. The driver was issued a 90-day immediate roadside driving prohibition, and their vehicle was impounded for 30…
TERRACE, B.C. – The excitement for Riverboat Days is palpable across Terrace this week, as a wave of visitors prepares to descend on the city for the annual long weekend celebration. A clear sign of the festival’s massive draw, hotels across the city are reporting they are fully booked, signaling a busy and vibrant weekend ahead for local businesses. Anyone seeking a last-minute room in Terrace will find it nearly impossible, with major accommodations like The Sandman Inn, the Best Western Terrace Inn, The Lodge at Skeena Landing, Copper River Motel in Thornhill showing no vacancies through the long weekend. The…
THORNHILL, B.C. – A promise made to one of Thornhill’s most dedicated local historians is blossoming into a new community celebration this Riverboat Days. For the first time, a special event on August 4 will be dedicated entirely to honouring the rich history of Thornhill. The gathering, organized by community members Debbie Letawski and Kam Siemens, was inspired by the late Yvonne Moen, a beloved community historian who passed away in 2023. Letawski explained that Moen had long wished for an event that would bring the community together to celebrate its specific heritage, and she was inspired to help make that…