During his provincial budget presentation, finance minister Kevin Falcon announced plans to privatize the distribution and warehousing of liquor.  The plan is to transfer the government owned liquor distribution branch warehouses located in Vancouver and Kamloops into the private sector.  The Provincial government expects the privatization process to generate over $700 million in three years.  The Canadian Restaurant and Food Services Association says it's a huge boost to the service industry "If you had a direct distribution system where it only has to go to one warehouse and then is directly distributed to the licensee, obviously it saves a lot ... Read More...

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond released a statement yesterday regarding seniors getting behind the wheel. Bond recognizes that driving abilities do change as we age and she says it is important to pay attention to this and make necessary adjustments. Bond wants to educate the public on the program DriveABLE. It assesses seniors cognitive and visual abilities to keep themselves and the roads safe. The scientific review process is already being used across North America. Bond in conjunction with the superintendent of motor vehicles have developed a plan in which staff will visit communities across the province to ... Read More...

The North District RCMP have released the name of the man killed at the Hedley concert at the Encana Events Centre on February 14th. Jason Patrick Foster, 28, died in hospital after being assaulted by three men at the concert. Foster was found unconscious in a bathroom at the venue after the assault was broken up by another concert attendee. Foster lived in the Fort St. John area, but was originally from Manitoba. The names of the three suspects have not been released. The RCMP have released all three from custody, pending their first court appearance. Memorial services are expected to be held ... Read More...

On February 14th an ombudsperson review was released on the care for seniors in B.C. The independent review concluded with over 170 recommendations for the province.  The Provincial government responded within the week with a promise to improve the state of seniors, announcing a Seniors Action Plan.  Northern BC is not immune to the review's raised concerns.  "One [recommendation] is in relation to continuity of care to home support services," Said Northern Health's Tim Rowe.  "Second is to the process of how clients pursue a complaint in relation to assisted living services." Rowe adds that residential services were also an area of concern for Northern ... Read More...

Teens and Youth travelled from all over the Peace and Alberta to compete at Totem Hearts On Ice in Fort St. John. The girls train anywhere from three to five days a week to maintain a competitive level.  Along with the time required to compete, figure skating is quite heavy on expenses, "well my skates were six hundred bucks, two hundred for a blade, four hundred for a boot, the dresses that Tina Lee is making here are like two hundred dollars, they can get up to like four hundred," 13 year old Jaden Burns tells us. Jaden and her friend ... Read More...

One man is in custody in Chetwynd after a drug bust at a house in town. RCMP raided the house on Wildmare Road on Monday as part of a drug investigation. Police seized a large amount of cocaine, steroids, cash, and 9mm handgun at the scene. The male, whose name has not been released, is facing a number of charges. Police are looking for a second male in connection with this investigation. Anyone with information are asked to call the Chetwynd RCMP at 250-788-9221 or Crimestoppers at 2-800-222-TIPS (8477). Read More...