ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS

March 1, 2026, We had some interesting interactions with ‘Flora and Fauna’ in 2025 and no, that is nothing like Thelma and Louise. Supplied photo The south facing hillsides here in the valley are home to prickly pear cactus that briefly flower normally around July 1st. The rain and heat must have lined up just right last year to produce the most prolific production of flowers we have seen that stretched out over an unusually long period of time. On October 12, a doe mule deer

On March 1, 2026, BC PharmaCare National Pharmacare Plan will be launching for provincial residents and will cover the full cost of various diabetes medications and menopausal hormone therapy.   According to a recent release form the Province, close to 570,000 British Columbians who are living with diabetes will receive support from this improved coverage as well as roughly 160,000 individuals dealing with menopausal symptoms.   “This is a game changer for people who will now

The BC Coroners Service released their report for unregulated drug deaths in our province throughout 2025 showing a decline in lost lives, however the toll remains high.   The report which was recently released states that the number for unregulated drug-toxicity deaths for 2025 was 1,826, which is roughly 21 percent lower than the previous year, 2024, which saw 2,315 fatalities.   During the last two months of 2025 the province lost roughly 4.5 lives a day according to their

The 40th annual Art Auction Gala is just around the corner, with this year’s event promising a touch of vintage glamour in the North Peace. Painting that will be at the auction on March 7 - Photos submitted Hosted by the Fort St. John Community Arts Council, the milestone event will embrace a Roaring Twenties theme, inviting guests to step into the elegance and energy of the Jazz Age. Attendees can channel their inner flapper and dress in their finest 1920s fashion, though pa

The annual tournament is a weekend long event filled with outdoor fun, community engagement and winter activity in the North Peace that attracts all branches of the community. Located just outside Fort St. John on Charlie Lake, this year’s Crystal Cup saw the frozen lake packed with activity as players and spectators came out in support. Last year’s tournament saw difficult conditions with warm temperatures and slush impacting organizers and players alike, however this year m

The BC Coroners Service released their report for unregulated drug deaths in our province throughout 2025 showing a decline in lost lives, however the toll remains high.   The report which was recently released states that the number for unregulated drug-toxicity deaths for 2025 was 1,826, which is roughly 21 percent lower than the previous year, 2024, which saw 2,315 fatalities.   During the last two months of 2025 the province lost roughly 4.5 lives a day according to their

Braxtyn tries his luck at the Free Mini Golf course that was set up in Totem Mall over the past weekend, as part of Winter Fest here in the North Peace. This super cool mini putt course was set up at the center of Totem Mall in Fort St. John last weekend, allowing shoppers passing by to stop and spend a few minutes on the course while warmly tucked away from the weather. There were multiple short courses set up with unique obstacles, proving to shoppers that putting the ball

Team Canada Fell to team USA in Overtime of the gold medal game for Olympic hockey, losing a hard-fought game after the toughest tournament in the world. The Canadian Brewhouse was packed from wall to wall at 6AM,as Team Canada went to war against team USA during the Gold Medal Hockey Game on February 22. The Alaska Highway News woke up before the sun to watch the gold medal game at the Canadian Brewhouse, who opened early and provided the community with somewhere to watch th

To the Editor, Please accept the following letter for consideration in your Letters to the Editor section. NCI Are Farmers Safe in Canada? (Kelowna Hearings March 9–11, 2026) Across Canada, agricultural producers are facing mounting pressure from disease-control policies, regulatory frameworks, and trade obligations that can result in the rapid loss of entire herds or flocks. Recent events in British Columbia highlighted these tensions, but similar herd and flock losses have

Cold temperatures in the North Peace often create opportunities for people to connect, Saturday, Feb. 7 was no exception, as curious community members gathered on the ice at Charlie Lake to witness Ice-X. Peace Region Motor Sports Association held their annual Ice-X Event, transforming a section of frozen Charlie Lake into a racetrack that brings fast cars and flying snow. Competitors spent their morning and afternoon sliding their vehicles which ranged from daily drivers to

Business owners in rural communities across the Peace River region can now upgrade their storefronts, with new funding from the Peace River Regional District.   Thanks to financial contribution from the Northern Development Trust Initiative, the PRRD has created a Business Facade Improvement Program for 2026 targeting commercial corridors outside of municipal areas.   Owners will be able to access reimbursement grants covering up to 50 per cent of eligible expenses, to a maxi

Fort St. John Lego builders invited to participate in a community-wide challenge in celebration of International LEGO Day. Adults and kids of all ages, from little builders to lifelong fans of The LEGO Group, are being asked to recreate their favourite spot in Fort St. John out of LEGO bricks.  From parks and familiar buildings to historical landmarks, this free-thinking competition has no limits on size or structure. There are four categories in this friendly competition: ag

Bear Flat Dispatch February 13, 2026 There are horrific tragedies around the world every day, but a mass killing of kids at a school is the worst. To have that happen not only somewhere in Canada, where such events are rare, but right here in the Peace is devastating.  We have all seen reporting on school shootings in the US, and how residents are often shocked that such a horrible event could take place in their relatively peaceful community and region.  Sadly, now we know h

Thank-you FSJ! My heart smiles and melts each time I go out. I would like to share some great experiences I have had that explain the benefits of community!  One of the social determinants of health is community. I go out more for social interaction than anything else.  Fort St. John, you do not disappoint. The more I find myself out the more I experience people getting used to the idea that I am a person first and the blindness is something need only be accommodated on occas

Nine lives were stolen from their families during a school shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, marking the darkest day in the community’s history Victims photos from RCMP media release. Tumbler Ridge RCMP were alerted to the active shooter at the school just after 1 p.m. on February 10 according to a media release and issued a public alert while responding. Officers from Tumbler Ridge RCMP responded to the school within minutes of the call, where there was active gunf

The next generation of North Peace hunters took center stage this weekend as the North Peace Rod and Gun Club wrapped up its Annual Rich Petersen Youth Memorial White-Tail, Mule Deer, and Big Game Recognition Awards. Photo submitted by Kim Rose With 24 youth entries recognized and more than 70 people in attendance, this year’s awards night marked one of the most successful turnouts in the event’s history. Organizers say the numbers are an encouraging sign for the future of hu

A group of North Peace residents gathered Sunday afternoon in Fort St. John to remember and raise awareness for Kiara Agnew, the Dawson Creek woman was vacationing with her boyfriend Ryan Friesen in 2023 when she was tragically murdered.  Agnew’s body was discovered beaten to death in a laundry room while Friesen was asleep beside her.People at the gathering held signs with photos and details surrounding this tragedy, speaking with one another and urging justice for Agnew. Fr

People arrived to Peace Gallery North Friday evening to attend the opening of their newest exhibit ‘Natural Resources’, which features driftwood, fabric art, photography, and paint created by two local artists. ‘Natural Resources’ is a two-person show by North Peace artists Miep Burgerjon and Ken Lane. This exhibit was inspired by the beauty that surrounds us in the Peace Region, and the collection features an array of mediums including driftwood art, wood carving, fabric art

British Columbia Conservative Party MLA Sheldon Clare stopped through Fort St. John as part of his campaign for party leadership last week. While in town, he spent time with community members and future voters from Fort St. John. MLA for Prince George–North Cariboo, Sheldon Clare while in Fort St. John for a meet and greet. MLA for Prince George–North Cariboo, Sheldon Clare, announced last month that he would be throwing his name in the ring to run as leader of the Conservati

The police are currently investigating a $250,000 copper theft in the Charlie Lake area, and are asking for the public’s help to catch the thief. Photo of stripped copper from RCMP media releaase The Local RCMP received a report on February 4, stating nearly a quarter of a million dollars’ worth of copper had been stolen and stripped from a location on Lower Cache Creek Road in Charlie Lake, near the Alaska Highway.   The police believe the theft took place at the unmanned ru