Couch Conversations is back with a new episode! This episode covers 'stigma'.
Tune in every Thursday at 7pm on CFUR 88.7FM or check out their podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/4hdAUVKdoaUFCrC6SlzQzh?si=826cf4c540354e0f
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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Moving into the weekend in Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh the weather forecast has something for everyone, and so do the municipal events on offer:
On Monday April 13th a man walking his dogs near Vanderhoof, BC received non-life threatening injuries following a grizzly bear attack. Following an investigation, the Conservation Officer Service deemed that the bear does not present a continuing threat.
The Prince George Astronomical Observatory is hosting an open house on Friday April 16th at 8:30pm. Doors open at 8:15pm.
The Spruce Kings, Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh’s BCHL Hockey Club wrapped up the first round of playoffs against the Langley Rivermen April 14th.
Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh’s Cougars WHL Hockey Club are in the midst of the Western Conference Semi-Finals against the Penticton Vees. Their fourth matchup will be held Wednesday April 14th at the CN Centre, 7pm.
Prices at the pump dropped slightly from last week, with highs of ¢181.9/L and lows of ¢164.9/L for gasoline reported.
UNBC MA NRES student Courtney Dallaire received a Canada Graduate Research Scholarship–Masters for her project on gardening as a path towards community-based conservation action. One of a number of food-security related initiatives you’ll be hearing about on Due North in the coming weeks.
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 this April 2026.
Independently published underground punk zine, v0id celebrates its second anniversary this month
School District 57 approved their capital budget Tuesday April 14th, with projects totalling $2,177,605. That amount does not include considerations for renovating or replacing D.P. Todd Secondary school.
Coming in from Calgary, Amy Nelson & Carter Felker play at Legion 43, Saturday night April 18th with Big Fancy warming up the folk-blues-Candiana vacuum tubes at 9pm. Doors open at 8pm.
The Goomahs, Brainium, along with guests The Cavernous, of Kelowna BC play Omineca Arts Centre 8:00pm on Saturday April 18th in downtown Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh. Tickets $20 @ the door.
- Ian Gregg, CFURadio 88.7FM, Due North News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Sara Jones is back in the studio with a brand new episode of The Omineca Hour! Sara will fill you in on all the local community events happening at Omineca Arts Centre all while playing you some of her favorite local music.
The Mourning After, a dystopian tale from a familiar parallel universe is touring across northern BC now, a theatrical production complete with dark humour, songs, and dancing! Collaborating across distances, this play is a joint effort between Valemount BC’s Wishbone Theatre Productions, Gold Pan City Dance of Quesnel BC, and Dunster BC’s prog-metal ensemble Dream Heavy. Wishbone’s Artistic Producer, Sharon Stearns wove together this performance with the original music and script written by Seth Macdonald of Dream Heavy, and dance choreography by Jessie Herman, known for her Foxxie Follies dance troupe.
Tying together the talents across the geographic distances is the theme of the production that Stearns notes, “this is a show about our human need for power & conquest, colliding with our human need for love, and justice, and community.” The show is on the road this April 2026 from the 10th to 24th, then headed further through the province in September.
- Ian Gregg, CFURadio 88.7FM, Due North News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
For a full length version of our interview with Sharon & Seth, visit our Podcast page here.
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Moving into the weekend in Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh the weather forecast looks like spring, while some municipal events have sprung:
The Northern Pride Society is hosting its Annual General Meeting on Friday April 10th at UNBC from 6-8pm.
The Prince George Astronomical Observatory is hosting an open house on Friday April 10 at 7:45pm.
Fuel prices are comparable to last week, with highs of 183.9/L and lows of 166.8/L for gasoline reported.
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 this April 2026.
Independently published underground punk zine, v0id celebrates its second anniversary this month.
Carrier Sekani Family Services wraps up the Highway of Tears 20th Anniversary Symposium on Friday April 10th with the unveiling of The Pillar of Hope at the Cottonwood Island Nature park in Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh.
Coming in from Calgary, alt-pop emo rockers July Crowd perform with local act Madbomb & Witset based alt-punk funkers, The Infirmary at Omineca Arts Centre 7:30pm on Saturday April 11th in downtown Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh.
Stay tuned to CFURadio 88.7FM & www.cfur.ca/listen-live for local news, updates, events, & information. Due North airs weekdays at 7am & 5pm.
- Ian Gregg, CFURadio 88.7FM, Due North News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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On February 10th, 2006 14 year old Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh resident Aielah Saric-Augera was found deceased on a Highway 16 embankment, and this discovery set off a chain reaction of activism across northern BC leading to the first Highway of Tears Symposium. Now 20 years later, the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit peoples (MMIWG2S+) has far more visibility, but indigenous people continue to disappear or be murdered at a much higher rate than their settler counterparts. At the 20th anniversary of this event, occurring at the Civic Centre April 7th-10th in Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh, the past origins, the current reality, and hopes for the future of the MMIWG2S+ issue were all on the table during public demonstrations, discussion through panels, and more.
Speaking to CFURadio at the gathering was Mary Teegee, Executive Director, Child and Family Services at Carrier Sekani Family Services, and BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) Regional Chief, Terry Teegee. Ongoing concerns such as the creation of man camps in remote areas where industrial development is occurring, unaddressed calls to action, recommendations, and systemic societal issues were a few of the obstacles cited in the conversation.
In terms of the community advocating for government support, Mary Teegee welcomed citizens to demand better from their government representatives because, “this is not an Indigenous problem, it's a Canadian problem.”
To watch panels & discussions from the Highway of Tears 20th Anniversary Symposium, visit the Carrier Sekani Family Services facebook page here.
- Ian Gregg, CFURadio 88.7FM, Due North News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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