ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS

British Columbia’s 2025 Winter Impaired Driving Campaign resulted in fewer impaired drivers being taken off BC’s highways than last year’s initiative but results varied greatly throughout the province. Photo of a checkstop from the BC Highway Patrol media release BC Highway Patrol reported that 240 drivers were removed from BC roadways in December 2025 for alcohol and drug related driving prohibitions according to a media release , a decrease from the 267 prohibitions served

The local police swiftly responded on January 6, to a collision which involved multiple vehicles on Highway 97.   The RCMP and the Fort St. John Fire Department were quickly on scene following the two-vehicle collision on Highway 97, which resulted in traffic being closed in both directions for roughly 5 hours. "The 5 occupants in a 2 vehicle collision escaped serious injury in collision on Highway 97," said Cpl. Shawn Ingham Fort St. John RCMP in a media release. Two individ

Where did 2025 go? As I look back, I am truly celebrating all of the wins much like new parents do with their child’s first few years.  This past year I passed some great milestones that included: *First solo 5 km walk *First solo trip to mall and nail spa *First participation as a speaker  in a panel at a  UBC Conference *First time making all my own travel arrangements. *First solo trip via plane complete with gate changes to connecting flights *Taught a winter solstice kun

North Peace residents can now donate to the Fort St. John Association for Community Living (FSJACL) when you recycle using the Return-It App. Supplied photo The FSJACL is collaborating with the Return-It App to raise money to support people with developmental disabilities and complex needs in Fort St. John. This initiative allows residents who use the Return-It App to direct their refunds back to FSJACL, turning your empty beverage containers into support for a good cause. “M

The local police have reached out to the public for help locating Taylor Lepine, a 32 year old woman who is currently wanted in relation to warrant for Theft Under $5000. Photo from the RCMP media release The RCMP describe Lepine as: 5 feet 4 inches tall (162 cm), 128 lbs (58 kg), Caucasian female, Green eyes, Blonde dyed hair, Has a tattoo of lips on the right side of her neck.   Fort St. John RCMP have asked anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Lepine to con

Bear Flat Dispatch.  January 1, 2026 "There have been a lot of changes in the Peace River Valley in the last decade.  Here is an opinion piece that I wrote on January 1, 2016 about our New Year’s Eve celebration on the banks of the Peace River at historic Rocky Mountain Fort" - Ken Boon Supplied Photo On the south bank of the Peace River, just a short distance upstream from the mouth of the Moberly River, is the site of historic Rocky Mountain Fort in Northeast BC.  It was es

As many locals, friends, and family filtered through the doors on 100th Street, Saturday, Dec. 6, it marked the official opening of Tanalea L. Belter CPA Inc., Fort St. John’s ‘funkiest’ accounting firm and one that’s already rooted firmly in the community’s past. Photo of Tanalea and her husband Cameron Belter The office is located in a renovated downtown building with a story of its own. Long before spreadsheets and tax filings, the structure once belonged to Fort St. John’

With winter weather conditions worsening across the Peace Region, Fort St. John RCMP are reminding drivers to slow down and be prepared. Police say the combination of snowfall, blowing snow and colder temperatures has already seen an increase in weather-related collisions across the detachment area. With much more winter weather in the forecast, officers including Police Service Dog Mako and his handler are patrolling and responding to incidents. December is one of the most d

The days are getting shorter and for some people that might mean sinking deeper into winter blues, but for the rest of us in Fort St. John it means outdoor ice rinks are back. A number of outdoor rinks around town opened over the last couple of weeks and with that came the familiar sounds of sticks clacking on boards, skates on ice, and kids wrapped from head to toe, learning how to not fall over.  This sort of energy and activity can make even the coldest weather feel a litt

Two individuals were pronounced dead, and one was transported to Vancouver following a serious highway crash north of Pink Mountain earlier last week. According to Fort St. John RCMP, general duty officers and the BC Highway Patrol were called to a two-vehicle collision involving two tractor trailer units, which occurred during adverse winter driving conditions at around 1:39 pm on December 8. Police say two men were pronounced deceased at the scene, and a third man was taken

A familiar face around the council table in Taylor is being celebrated for a big milestone. - Photo from the District of Taylor's Facebook Councillor Ponto has reached 20 years of service on council, marking two decades on the municipal stage which included participating in important discussions, decisions, and events that have made up life in the District of Taylor over that time.  From local issues and concerns to long-term plans as the community has evolved, she has had a

16-year-old Kiyara Blue was reported missing after not being heard from since November 20. Photo from RCMP media release. The RCMP believe Blue is in the Fort St. John area and are concerned about her wellbeing. She has been associated with a white 2013 Dodge Ram pickup according to the police, and describe her as: Medium length red hair Slender build Brown eyes 5’6” (170 cm)   The RCMP are asking anyone with information about Kiyara Blue or where she might be to contact them

Purdy’s holiday Dear Santa bars are back, and every bite helps support the kids in the Peace who receive support from the BC Children’s Hospital.   The ‘Dear Santa Bar’ is back for a limited time and raising money for BC Children’s Hospital and partners, with two dollars from every sale being donated to children’s hospital foundations. The money raised is used to fund vital care and essential support for children and their families in need during the holiday season.   This ch

Peace Country Mobile Home Park has once again drawn police attention after a search warrant executed on November 21 led to eight arrests and the seizure of a loaded firearm. A drug trafficking investigation recently came to an end in the park following the execution of a search warrant at what police called a ‘problem premise’.   On November 21, the North Peace RCMP conducted a search warrant at a residence in the park which was well known to local police following multiple

RCMP are searching for whoever vandalized Mathews Park recently, damaging the facilities while staining the park with their graffiti as authorities ask the public for any tips. Photo from media release Mathews Park has once again been the target of vandalism with graffiti being sprayed throughout the interior of the bathroom in the park, leaving behind damage, not art. The vandalism took place on October 6, according to the release, and it was reported to the RCMP that the ba

The Fort St. John RCMP are currently trying to locate Nicholas Stafford who is wanted on multiple warrants. Photo from media release The local police are now asking for the public’s help in locating 34-year-old Stafford, who is reportedly wanted on various unendorsed warrants. These warrants include Theft Under $5000 (CC), Robbery (CC), Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 (CC), Fail to Stop After Accident (CC), Driving While Prohibited (MVA), and Failure to Y

Community partners, donors, and volunteers came together on November 8 th  for the annual Be an Angel Gala in Fort St. John. Photos supplied The unforgettable event was held at the Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre, where volunteers had decorated with warm and woodland themed décor, effectively setting the tone for a night of impact and celebration. This magnificent event featured live and silent auctions, live entertainment, and award presentations.   The evening began wit

The Northern Lights blessed the region with a beautiful performance last week, as they danced among the stars of the Peace. Photo credit: Heather Walker Photography Residents in the Peace were treated to a rare show on November 12-13, as auroras lit the night sky with beautiful and rare hues of red and pink. Auroras don’t just grow green, they can sweep across the sky in blues, purples, pinks, and even deep reds. The colors show up when fast-moving particles from the Sun coll

The scent of beeswax and the glow of layered color fill Peace Gallery North as artist Irene Gut’s exhibit ‘From the Beehive to the Canvas’ is currently on display here in the North Peace. Gut’s exhibit is based around encaustic art, essentially painting with damar resin and molten beeswax, creating layers of color while adding texture that feels alive through every stroke. “A huge thank you to everyone who came out to my art show opening on Friday night,” said Gut on Facebook

The people of Fort St. John came together on Monday, November 11, to participate in Remembrance Day an attend the parade and ceremony. Veterans, family members, service clubs and citizens filled the street and paid their respects at the cenotaph. The turnout for the Remembrance Day ceremony shows the people of the North Peace stand together in gratitude for those who have served our nation. For many residents, this is a solemn occasion as it’s a time to remember our fallen ve