H1N1 flu clinics are scheduled to continue in Prince George Monday and Tuesday, but will not operate on Wednesday during Remembrance Day.Northern Health expects to have enough flu vaccine for the priority groups scheduled the week of Nov. 9, said Eryn Collins, communications officer.That includes all high-risk priority groups: people under 65 who have chronic conditions; pregnant women in the ...

Prince George Regional Hospital has been renamed the University Hospital of Northern B.C.During the announcement, Kevin Falcon, B.C. Health Services Minister, said the role of the hospital has changed significantly over the past five years in terms of academic development, teaching, learning and research in northern health."The new name better reflects the current role of the hospital as the ...

A recent commitment by Northern Health to provide clinic training for future medical radiography students is a big step towards making the vital technology program a reality at College of New Caledonia.The clinical placements, negotiated during a recent meeting of CNC, NH and provincial government ministries, ensure the program will start in 2011.“We have committed to providing 16 clinical ...

Although it's improved slightly, the City of Prince George remains the "worst offender" for B.C. communities of its size when it comes to increases in municipal spending, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.According to a CFIB study released Thursday, the city's spending rose at 2.89 times the rate of inflation plus the city's population growth between 2000 and 2007, the highest ...

Here's a by-the-numbers look, as provided by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, of how spending by the City of Prince George looked between 2000 and 2007:- Over that time, spending rose to $122.4 million from $86.1 million, a 34.7-per-cent increase, while inflation plus Prince George's population grew by 12.02 per cent.- Divide the increase in spending by the hike in inflation plus ...

The Christmas spirit is already flowing through the downtown, the heart and soul of Prince George.The city centre sector invites every resident to join in a Traditional Christmas Downtown.Snowflakes and trees will abound during the main kickoff event Nov. 21 throughout the core area where businesses and organizations will display the magic of the season in unique ways.Mayor Dan Rogers said a key ...

The Christmas fantasyland enjoyed for the past two years atop Connaught Hill is being extended to the downtown core this year, says an official with Tourism Prince George.Manager Sherry Powney said the plan is to extend the Northern Lights Festival into the downtown area where merchants will light up their businesses and participate in ways to create a magical, traditional Christmas atmosphere ...

Lumber demand is expected to improve in 2010 after five straight years of losses, but it will be a slow recovery, the U.S.-based Western Wood Products Association said in a forecast released Thursday.“Given the unprecedented downturn, recovery for the lumber industry is unlikely to follow the same path as it has in the past,” said David Jackson, WWPA economist. “The challenge for mills will be ...

Thompson Creek Metals Co. Inc., which is expanding and upgrading its Endako molybdenum mine west of Prince George, posted a $19.3-million US profit in the third quarter.In the first nine months of the year, the company has had a profit of $30 million US.“Thompson Creek’s financial results improved in the third quarter primarily due to higher molybdenum prices,” said Thompson Creek Metals ...

The city's unemployment rate stood at 11.9 per cent in October according to Statistic Canada labour market survey numbers released Friday, a two-tenths increase from the month before.People holding down jobs in the city fell by 800 to 41,300 while those unemployed but not actively seeking work rose by 900 to 20,800 and those unemployed but actively seeking work held steady at 5,600.As a result ...

Expectations are high.The UNBC Northern Timberwolves start the B.C. Colleges Athletic Association men’s basketball season tonight in Vancouver with a game against the Langara College Falcons. The Timberwolves enter the contest as the top-ranked team in the BCCAA and the No. 4 seed in Canada.Prognostication is far from an exact science, but basketball evaluators have good reason to consider UNBC ...

If you like using the racquetball and squash courts at the Prince George Family Y, you’re not going to like this.Those courts are about to be demolished, starting Dec. 4, to make way for a youth and family recreation area.The $300,000, 5,000-square-foot renovation, scheduled to be complete by March 1, 2010, is geared toward getting kids more active. A climbing wall, a high-ceiling indoor ...

Prince George Regional Hospital has been renamed the University Hospital of Northern B.C.During today's announcement, Kevin Falcon, B.C. Health Services Minister, said the role of the hospital has changed significantly over the past five years in terms of academic development, teaching, learning, and research in Northern Health."The new name better reflects the current role of the hospital as ...

A house in the 3100 block of Spruce Street was the target of shots fired during a drive-by shooting that took place early Friday morning.Police received two reports at about 1:44 a.m. Friday of possible shots being heard. When RCMP attended they confirmed a house on Spruce Street had been struck. No one was injured. The residence involved is known to police and was believed to be targeted.Police ...

From the frying pan into the fire.That’s where the Prince George Spruce Kings find themselves this weekend.Coming off a disappointing 4-1 loss at home to Quesnel Tuesday, the Spruce Kings will have to find a way to elevate their game considerably to keep pace with tonight’s opponents, the first-overall Vernon Vipers. The Vipers (18-1-0-0) are just one loss short of perfection with the season ...

With six games left in their longest roadtrip of the season, the Prince George Cougars are going to be living out of their suitcases for another nine days.For the sake of the Cats, last-overall in the Western Hockey League, let’s hope they packed a little confidence with them when they left Kelowna, after very nearly beating their divisional opponents Wednesday night.Kelowna escaped with a 5-4 ...

For the 33rd time Studio Fair, presented by the Community Arts Council of Prince George and District, will offer patrons the opportunity to attend northern B.C.'s biggest juried art show.The Civic Centre will see more than 75 artisans from all over Canada, as well as local arts groups, display their wares today to Sunday. The annual event is a major fundraiser for the Community Arts Council in ...

There'll be a whole lot of shakin' going on at Theatre North West's upcoming production, All Shook Up, which opens Nov. 19.The scene is set in a small, sleepy town in the mid-west during the 1950s.What could cause a greater stir than a hip-swivelin', lip-curlin' roustabout riding into town on his motorcycle with his guitar slung over his back.It's a magical evening of laughter and Elvis music as ...

Although it's improved slightly, the City of Prince George remains the "worst offender" for B.C. communities of its size when it comes to increases in municipal spending, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.According to a CFIB study released Thursday, the city's spending rose at 2.89 times the rate at which inflation plus the growth the city's population climbed between 2000 and ...

Bubbles is worried about performing for two hours, so he figures a puppet show might help pass the time during the Trailer Park Boys Community Service Variety Show at Vanier Hall Nov. 16. Ricky, Bubbles and Julian are famous for their shenanigans at Sunnyvale Trailer Park. The trailer park lifestyle was mockumented during the popular television series the Trailer Park Boys that had a strong cult ...