The tallest dust devil I've ever seen

The official beer of drinking in Vancouver parks. And crocodile meat hunter

Quick note: If you are a communtiy group or generally somebody who would like to write to me about this newsletter, you can now do so at northerncapitalnews@gmail.com. Having a dedicated email address will, I think, help me better track comments/announcements and also help out my personal inbox. I still have some work to do around organization but go ahead and send a note there if you’d like.

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Council notes

The mayor still doesn’t believe the CMHC data used to measure vacancy rates in Prince George is reilable and after getting a letter from the province stating that Prince George doesn’t meet the requirements to opt out of new short-term rental rules and suggested at last night’s meeting that council send another letter back. He talked about the lack of hotels out at Otway and Purden ski hills as one reason why that might be necessary but I don’t think there are enough Airbnbs in those locations to house everyone visiting town for major tournaments anywas, unless there are a few hundred listings I’m unaware of. Also, as part of the regional district, the Purden area is exempt from the rules which only apply to cities of a certain size. Same goes for Miworth and most of the lakefront properties up for rent around town.

Anyways, council decided against sending another letter, mostly agreeing with Tim Bennett who suggested it may not be the best strategy to have a prolonged, public fight with the housing minister — who is still responsible for some of the major issues facing the city — through media, and opted instead to put it on the list of things to talk about the next time they get a face-to-face meeting. Councillor Trudy Klassen also suggested it would be a good idea to have some strong data about the extent to which the healthcare system relies on short-term rentals to house both visiting professionals and visiting patients and their families. I would also be very interested to see this data! If it is gathered I hope it is shared publicly.

There were two delegations off the top — the local SPCA and Prince Geoge Share Hope, the organization that is helping settle Ukrainians in the community. These were largely informational, and you can read the presentations by clicking the links on both their names.

Here are some interesting stats from the SPCA presentation:

We cared for 1,447 animals (including 770 strays):

• 386 adopted in Prince George

• 248 redeemed by owner Our Animal Protection Officers responded to 363 complaints of animal cruelty or neglect.

• We respond to wildfires and emergencies with community partners and the provincial ESS. In 2023, we provided:

• 298 days of emergency evacuation boarding during wildfires

• 224 days of emergency compassionate boarding

And here is some info from Prince George Share Hope:

Share Hope has helped to settle 347 displaced Ukrainians within 136 families, across our region since the invasion began in Feb 2022. We currently have another 17 people within 5 families who are still inquiring about settling in Prince George by the end of March 2024.

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Of the 42 who have left Prince George, 34 have moved to other cities in Canada to accept better jobs or move closer to other family and friends who have since arrived elsewhere. We have seen a gradual trickle of people leaving our city to go back to Ukraine, currently 8 have gone back home.

The organization also says they are seeing some challenges:

• Many recent arrivals are struggling to find work, while earlier arrivals are quite successful.

• Common struggles are finding jobs, mental health supports, access to daycare, transportation.

• We expect several of the newest arrivals will experience a far more challenging transition in their settlements due to the rising unemployment levels and cost of living increases.

I didn’t watch much of the rest of council — I am very tired, I had a tiring weekend! Some of it was fun (the Cougars won! I went to the Farmer’s Market!) And some of it was less good, though it has all worked out, don’t worry, I am just sleepy.

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The official beer of drinking in Vancouver parks

Just noting that the thumbnail for this story about drinking in Vancouver is a can of Prince George-brewed Cariboo sitting in a field of dandelions.

The river is still low

I am getting emails about this. There are lots of Facebook posts. It’s true, though — the river is very, very, very low. This is not my dog.

Here are some ducks:

Here, if you look carefully, is grafitti spelling out the word FISH:

Here is a tiny fort someone built:

Here is a Reddit thread of people worried about this.

The tallest dust devil I’ve ever seen

In possibly related weather phenomenon, here is a video of an incredibly tall dust devil at Pine Centre Mall taken by Anakin Gibson.

I drove by that same day — Saturday — and saw several but none like that.

Here’s another thing I saw on Saturday:

And another!

Here’s something someone else saw on Saturday:

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Posts and news roundup:

• The B.C. SPCA is looking for a space to house more than 200 cats that were taken into care from a home in Houston, B.C. It’s a tough situation — the guy started out trying to help a few abandoned cats, and the situation spiraled. He was also willing to talk about how it happened as a bit of a cautionary tale for others who are looking to help. Good for him for doing this — I’ve been involved in animal rescue, and it’s difficult for people who are inclined to help animals to say to themselves that they’ve hit a limit.

• The Cougars ended their season with victory and a sell-out crowd of 6,029 — apparently the highest ever — and the number one spot in the WHL’s western Conference. The crowd was big enough to net 89 grand each for the winner of the 50-50 draw and the Spirit of the North Health Care Foundation. Meanwhile, Riley Heidt signed an entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild.

• The new chair of school district 57 gave an interview to CBC, providing what I think is fair to describe as tactful answers to questions around controversies that have dogged the district, from complaints of racism to COVID. Coming from further north, he is eager to take some of his land-based learning learnings and apply them here.

  

• According to Prince George District Teacher’s Association chair Daryl Beauregard, there are about 45 uncertified teachers on call right now, with 96 vacancies district-wide.

• CKPG is also starting a local history segment, in conjunction with the Exploration Place.

• UHNBC Traditional Drummers celebrate 4th anniversary.

• Prince George seniors protest Canadian pension plan rate.

• With senior population growing, need for seniors’ care rises.

• A retired B.C. teacher has been named in 3 sexual abuse lawsuits, including one in Prince George.

• Prince George restorative justice council to receive provincial funding.

• Handguns seized after high-speed chase.

• Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society seeking board directors, volunteers.

• Exploration Place looking for board member applicants.

• UNBC seeking grant to pay for gym floor repairs at Northern Sport Centre.

• Spring cleanup is coming April 21 and you can sign up now.

• PG building permits values continued strong pace in February.

• Local vendors see boost from Small Business Fair.

• Prince George landscape artist showcased at Studio 2880.

• Don’t pay if you get a text about a speeding ticket.

• Here’s a local school play from 1991:

Here’s some more ‘90s nostalgia:

Today’s song:

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Send feedback by emailing northerncapitalnews@gmail.com. Find me online at akurjata.ca.