Thom Barker

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RCMP cruiser with lights flashing. (File photo)

But, overall, rates higher in the north than the south

New stats from StatCan mark the first decline in crime severity in four years for the town

RCMP cruiser with lights flashing. (File photo)
Sgt. Mark Smaill will be the new staff sergeant in Smithers starting Aug. 8. (File photo) Sgt. Mark Smaill has left Houston to be the new staff sergeant in Smithers as of Aug. 8. (File photo)

Houston sergeant promoted to staff sergeant to lead Smithers RCMP

Mark Smaill takes over as detachment commander in Smithers August 8

Sgt. Mark Smaill will be the new staff sergeant in Smithers starting Aug. 8. (File photo) Sgt. Mark Smaill has left Houston to be the new staff sergeant in Smithers as of Aug. 8. (File photo)
Roxi Dykstra, artistic director, Spirit of the North Classicial Music Festival Director. (File photo)

Classical music festival returns to the Bulkley Valley

Spirit of the North Classical Music Festival runs Aug. 10 - 14 in Smithers and Prince George

Roxi Dykstra, artistic director, Spirit of the North Classicial Music Festival Director. (File photo)
Recent encounters between grizzlies and people have the Conservation Officer Service warning residents and visitors to the Kitimat area to be bear smart particularly along the lower portion of the Kitimat River. (File photo)

Grizzly encounters in Kitimat prompt warning from Conservation Officer Service

Bears are common particularly on the lower portion of the Kitimat River

Recent encounters between grizzlies and people have the Conservation Officer Service warning residents and visitors to the Kitimat area to be bear smart particularly along the lower portion of the Kitimat River. (File photo)
Natasha Seymour wearing a pair of bead earrings she made. She said learning the traditional art form has been transformational in her healing journey. (Contributed photo)

B.C. court awards sexual battery victim $322K

Natasha Seymour’s civil suit confirms women’s sexual consensual rights

Natasha Seymour wearing a pair of bead earrings she made. She said learning the traditional art form has been transformational in her healing journey. (Contributed photo)
Marcel Dubroy during his time as Smithers gymnastics coach. (Tom Best photo)

Trial of former Smithers gymnastics coach for sexual assault of a minor underway in Saskatchewan

Marcel Dubroy denies having inappropriate contact with former gymnast; trial to resume Sept. 1

Marcel Dubroy during his time as Smithers gymnastics coach. (Tom Best photo)
(Photo: Tom Zytaruk) B.C. Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in Vancouver

Gidimt’en members sue RCMP, Coastal GasLink for harassment, intimidation

Civil claim alleges relentless campaign since February aimed at forcing residents off ancestral land

(Photo: Tom Zytaruk) B.C. Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in Vancouver
(Photo: Tom Zytaruk) B.C. Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in Vancouver

Gidimt’en members sue RCMP, Coastal GasLink for harassment, intimidation

Civil claim alleges relentless campaign since February aimed at forcing residents off ancestral land

(Photo: Tom Zytaruk) B.C. Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in Vancouver
Northern Health and the First Nations Health Authority issued a toxic drug alert for the Smithers area this morning (June 17).

Toxic drug alert issued for Smithers area

Dark burgundy/red, chunky, dense substance being sold as “down” causes sudden overdose, NH says

Northern Health and the First Nations Health Authority issued a toxic drug alert for the Smithers area this morning (June 17).
Northern Health and the First Nations Health Authority issued a toxic drug alert for the Smithers area this morning (June 17).

Toxic drug alert issued for Smithers area

Dark burgundy/red, chunky, dense substance being sold as “down” causes sudden overdose, NH says

Northern Health and the First Nations Health Authority issued a toxic drug alert for the Smithers area this morning (June 17).
A tractor-trailer carrying a load of lumber caught fire near Kitwanga this morning. (Lawrence Wilson photo)

Truck hauling lumber catches fire near Kitwanga

Firefighters from Gitwangak and Gitanyow get blaze under control

A tractor-trailer carrying a load of lumber caught fire near Kitwanga this morning. (Lawrence Wilson photo)
The RCMP arrested, and subsequently released, two more opponents of the Coastal GasLink pipeline for setting up a blockade near the construction site in Houston on Monday morning, Nov. 29. (Gidimt’en Checkpoint/ Facebook)

Crown proceeds with criminal charges against 15 Coastal GasLink pipeline opponents

10 more cases under review, 2 dropped for insufficient evidence connected with activity near Houston

The RCMP arrested, and subsequently released, two more opponents of the Coastal GasLink pipeline for setting up a blockade near the construction site in Houston on Monday morning, Nov. 29. (Gidimt’en Checkpoint/ Facebook)
Installation of 200 kilometres of fibre optic cable to connect Dease Lake and Iskut with high-speed internet gets underway May 31 on Tahltan territory. (Submitted photo)

Tahltan, Citywest break ground on project to provide northwest communities with high-speed internet

The $13 million project is expected to be completed in early 2023

Installation of 200 kilometres of fibre optic cable to connect Dease Lake and Iskut with high-speed internet gets underway May 31 on Tahltan territory. (Submitted photo)
Smithers Conservation Office Ron Leblanc chased down and apprehended an armed robbery suspect May 24 in Smithers. (COS photo)

Northwest BC conservation officer chases down armed robbery suspect

Ron Leblanc says it was ‘just like out of a movie; as he’s running, the cash is falling out of his pocket’

Smithers Conservation Office Ron Leblanc chased down and apprehended an armed robbery suspect May 24 in Smithers. (COS photo)
From left: Tahltans Harlan Inkster; Rick McLean; Hon. Jeanie McLean (Dendys), Yukon minister of education and minister responsible for the women and gender equity directorate; Erin Paul; Chad Thomas; and Jerry Asp accept the Indigenous Business of the Year for Northern B.C. Award on behalf of TNDC at the 5th Annual Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference in Whitehorse, presented by the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce. (Contributed photo)

Tahltan business arm named business of the year

The Tahltan Nation Development Corporation honoured by Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference

From left: Tahltans Harlan Inkster; Rick McLean; Hon. Jeanie McLean (Dendys), Yukon minister of education and minister responsible for the women and gender equity directorate; Erin Paul; Chad Thomas; and Jerry Asp accept the Indigenous Business of the Year for Northern B.C. Award on behalf of TNDC at the 5th Annual Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference in Whitehorse, presented by the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce. (Contributed photo)
Coastal GasLink has been fined for a second time this year for erosion and sedimentation control violations by the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office. (CGL photo)

Coastal GasLink receives second fine for erosion control violations

Several inspection by Environmental Assessment Office found non-compliance with EA certificate

Coastal GasLink has been fined for a second time this year for erosion and sedimentation control violations by the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office. (CGL photo)
Wildfire burns on Snake Hill near Kitwanga. (Screen capture/Jacob Beaton video/Facebook)

Wildfire service rescinds open fire ban

Category 2 and 3 fires permitted throughout Northwest Fire Centre effective immediately

Wildfire burns on Snake Hill near Kitwanga. (Screen capture/Jacob Beaton video/Facebook)
Chloe Cuthbert.

Police seek help locating missing Prince George girl

Chloe Cuthbert, 13, was last seen Monday wearing a black hoodie, jeans and no shoes

Chloe Cuthbert.
Wildfire burns on Snake Hill near Kitwanga. (Screen capture/Jacob Beaton video/Facebook)

Out of control wildfire burning near Kitwanga

The BC Wildfire Service believes the fire burning on the Gitwangak Reserve was human-caused

Wildfire burns on Snake Hill near Kitwanga. (Screen capture/Jacob Beaton video/Facebook)
Kitkatla’s Jacob Thom (#9, white) is double-teamed by Metlakatla’s Brad Martinez (left) and Jason Enright on his way to 29 points in the All Native Basketball Tournament Seniors Division final and tournament MVP title. (Thom Barker photo)

Kitkatla wins third All Native Basketball Tournament seniors title in four years

Jacob Thom named Seniors Division Most Valuable Player; Joe Lewis senior and junior receive awards

Kitkatla’s Jacob Thom (#9, white) is double-teamed by Metlakatla’s Brad Martinez (left) and Jason Enright on his way to 29 points in the All Native Basketball Tournament Seniors Division final and tournament MVP title. (Thom Barker photo)