Due North Info Bulletin - 20 April 2026

An audio bulletin for the weeK of April 20th 2026

Looking at the week ahead Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh, the weather forecast contains a sometimes absent component, the sun. Not a bad reminder of what planet we’re on as Earth Day occurs on Wednesday the 22nd. Speaking of what’s going on this week, and in the newsroom, here is what we’ve picked up on:

  • The Spruce Kings, Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh’s BCHL Hockey Club successfully opened the second round of their playoff season, against the Chilliwack Chiefs, with two consecutive wins April 17 & 18th.

  • Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh’s Cougars WHL Hockey Club wrapped up their Western Conference Semi-Finals against the Penticton Vees in a game seven loss on home ice, April 19th. It completes a passionate series with beer and debris projected against the officials in game four.

  • Prices at the pump dropped from last week, with highs of ¢165.9/L and lows of ¢154.9/L for gasoline reported. The drop follows the April 14th announcement from the PMO, rescinding the federal fuel excise tax until Labour Day September 7th, 2026.

  • There is one active fire in the Prince George fire district, approximately 10km west of Chetwynd, and it is currently under control.

  • UNBC MA NRES student Courtney Dallaire received a Canada Graduate Research Scholarship–Masters for her project researching unconventional gardening as a path towards community-based conservation action. 

  • Jo van Winkle, coordinator of PHABC’s Rise Up program looks for youth recruits in BC’s north to connect to gardening & agricultural projects strengthening regional food security.

  • Dunster, BC based musicians Dream Heavy have teamed up with Valemount’s Wishbone Productions & Gold Pan City Dance of Quesnel, BC to present The Mourning After, an alt-rock musical touring from Valemount, McBride, to Prince George April 24th, 2026.

  • At Legion 43, Saturday night April 25th, Genevieve Jaide accompanied by a full band, performs a folk & soul set with Kiziah and the Kreatures taking the stage as well. Doors open at 8pm, show starts at 9pm, 19+ event.

  • Local band Plagued by Fire followed by Sycatrys from Quesnel, fire up the stage at  Omineca Arts Centre before Edmonton based guests Powerload headline at an all-ages event 8:00pm on Friday April 24th in downtown Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh. Tickets $20 in advance, $30 @ the door. Door prizes presented after the show.

  • REAPs (Recycling & Environmental Action Planning Society) hosts its Earth Day program Friday, April 24 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the main downtown branch of  the Prince George Public Library. They offer an opportunity to learn and be inspired by our planet, the earth by planting seeds, making earth-themed crafts, and attending a presentation.

  • As Earth Day occurs on Wednesday the 22nd, the city’s annual Spring Clean Up follows suit on Sunday the 26th.

- Ian Gregg, CFURadio 88.7FM, Due North News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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An update on Northern Health's UHNBC Acute Care Tower

Then Minister of Health, Adrian Dix, announced the approval of Northern Health’s (NH) business plan for an Acute Care Tower in the fall of 2024 and since then residents of Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh have seen the completion of a parking garage at the University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC) campus, but many wonder what is happening with the tower now.

Providing an update for CFURadio is NH’s Jack Jenkinson, Director of Clinical Planning and Operational Readiness, with a focus on mental health and substance use. Jenkinson walked us through: moving the Northern Interior Health Unit (NIHU) building’s services across the road to Parkwood Place to fill the former Bay location, so that footprint can be filled with the new tower, the collaborative Alliance Development Agreement in place for construction, how many patient units it will provide, including withdrawal management and more, tentatively set to break ground in early 2027. While the use of the vacated space opened up by the new building is being determined, a long-term care project is underway at 6500 Southridge Avenue in the College Heights neighborhood.

Speaking to the current stress on the services NH provides, and the solutions the tower could bring, Jenkinsons says:

“We have multiple aims with this project, and so often there are conversations around capacity and conversations around services. But if we can provide the right type of services, in the right space, at the right time, what that does is alleviate the need for acute care, and it supports the patients, directly supports the community, and it supports the people that are working in that location as well. So we’re trying to think about this in an innovative way so that we can provide the best care possible.”

More information on the Acute Care Tower action plan can be found on the Let’s Talk Northern Health site.

- Ian Gregg, CFURadio 88.7FM, Due North News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mock Up of New Acute Care Tower superimposed over the existing Northern Interior Health Unit (NIHU) building. Details subject to change.
Image Credit - Northern health

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