Local News

Unifor Local 2301 have confirmed with its members that they are absolutely on strike and will be withdrawing their services as of midnight tonight. (Rio Tinto)

Unifor Local 2301 confirms strike to commence as of midnight tonight: July 25

The union confirmed they are absolutely on strike and will be withdrawing services starting July 25

Unifor Local 2301 extended its strike notice until midnight on July 24. If no agreement is made, picketing will begin to take place on the road leading to the smelter cafeteria gate and the main smelter gate. (Rio Tinto)

Union extends collective agreement process for another 24 hours: Unifor Local 2301

The deadline extension will give the union an opportunity to satisfy the mandate given by membership

Carrie Weir is the same female who robbed the Circle K gas station in Kitimat B.C., on May 18 around 3:00 a.m. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Kitimat RCMP at (250) 632-7111 or Crime Stoppers at 1(800) 222-8477. (Kitimat RCMP photo)

Kitimat RCMP looking for wanted female

Kitimat RCMP are looking for the female who allegedly robbed the Circle K in Kitimat on May 18

(Black Press file photo)

Kitimat projected to receive just under $1-million after feds double 2021 gas tax funding

The money allocated through UBCM’s Community Works Fund stream is for local infrastructure priorities

  • Jul 23, 2021
(Black Press file photo)
According to the provincial government’s policy directive, retail owners of private cannabis stores have to own the vehicle that will be delivering the goods and the vehicle has to be commercially registered with a vehicle inspection. (Pixabay photo)

Kitimat cannabis retailer irked by delivery red tape

Local private retailers are saying the provincial government isn’t making deliveries easy for them

According to the provincial government’s policy directive, retail owners of private cannabis stores have to own the vehicle that will be delivering the goods and the vehicle has to be commercially registered with a vehicle inspection. (Pixabay photo)
Airbus A230 at the Northwest Regional Airport on June 30, 2021. Passenger totals increased by over 3,000 from May to June. (Black Press Media file photo)

Northwest Regional Airport passenger totals jump in June

Number over 3,000 higher than May, still under half of pre-COVID-19 levels

Airbus A230 at the Northwest Regional Airport on June 30, 2021. Passenger totals increased by over 3,000 from May to June. (Black Press Media file photo)
Video
Bill Merilees, a retired B.C. Parks regional information officer, collected mollusk shells from B.C. and Washington state coastlines for 50 years and has donated his 140,000-specimen collection to University of British Columbia’s Beaty Biodiversity Museum. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
VIDEO: B.C. man donates 140,000 mollusk specimens to biodiversity museum
Mary Simon speaks during an announcement at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. Simon, an Inuk leader and former Canadian diplomat, has been named as Canada's next governor general — the first Indigenous person to serve in the role. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
VIDEO: Mary Simon becomes Canada’s 1st Indigenous governor general
Helicopters fly past the Tremont Creek wildfire as it burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. says expanding emergency alert for wildfires is a priority, but no timeline set
Richard and Linda Davis hug their grandchildren Miles and Linda Carnegie at their home in Winnipeg, Sunday, July 18, 2021. The couple were able to hug their grandchildren for the first time in fifteen months when Manitoba lifted some COVID-19 restrictions this weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
‘A light at the end of the tunnel’: Canadians hug loved ones in post-vaccine reunions
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The Transportation Safety Board of Canada identified snow as a contributing factor in an incident at the Northwest Regional Airport Jan 31, 2020 that resulted in the collapse of a WestJet aircraft’s nose landing gear. (Northwest Regional Airport/Transportation Safety Board of Canada)

Snowy conditions the main factor in landing gear collapse at Terrace airport: TSB

Jan. 31, 2020 incident resulted in ‘substantial damage’ to plane, closure of airport but no injuries

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada identified snow as a contributing factor in an incident at the Northwest Regional Airport Jan 31, 2020 that resulted in the collapse of a WestJet aircraft’s nose landing gear. (Northwest Regional Airport/Transportation Safety Board of Canada)
Unifor Local 2301 members have commenced a work stoppage starting July 24 at 12:01 a.m. (Rio Tinto photo)

Unifor Local 2301 set to commence strike

The union has served a 72 hours strike notice, clearing the way for a work stoppage starting July 24

Unifor Local 2301 members have commenced a work stoppage starting July 24 at 12:01 a.m. (Rio Tinto photo)
A Unifor Local 2301 poster that highlights the Rio Tinto and Kemano workers are looking for jobs, pensions, benefits, health, safety, community, and respect within their new collective agreement. (Unifor Local 2301 poster)

Kitimat smelter and Kemano power operations workers vote unanimously in favour of a strike

The union decided that a strike is the most efficient way to get their demands across to the company

A Unifor Local 2301 poster that highlights the Rio Tinto and Kemano workers are looking for jobs, pensions, benefits, health, safety, community, and respect within their new collective agreement. (Unifor Local 2301 poster)
The Nechako Centre building was a retail space built in 1955. The building is now vacant and is listed for sale for $4.4Million. Sitting on 0.72 acres, the building is currently under a redevelopment/revitalization process. (Jacob Lubberts Photo)

Kitimat council continue to work on Nechako Centre plans

Planning staff believe that creating a concept plan will help revitalize the Nechako Centre lands

The Nechako Centre building was a retail space built in 1955. The building is now vacant and is listed for sale for $4.4Million. Sitting on 0.72 acres, the building is currently under a redevelopment/revitalization process. (Jacob Lubberts Photo)
On June 1, Crystal Smith, chief councillor of Haisla Nation and Darcy McKeown, owner of Progressive Ventures Construction, pose for a photo during the groundbreaking ceremony that was held in Kitamaat Village for the development of a new Haisla Youth Centre, which will be adjacent to the soccer field. (Haisla Nation video screenshot)

New youth centre coming to Kitamaat Village

Haisla Youth Centre will have supportive spaces for counselling, tutoring and mental health

On June 1, Crystal Smith, chief councillor of Haisla Nation and Darcy McKeown, owner of Progressive Ventures Construction, pose for a photo during the groundbreaking ceremony that was held in Kitamaat Village for the development of a new Haisla Youth Centre, which will be adjacent to the soccer field. (Haisla Nation video screenshot)
A boat was stolen from MK Bay Marina on July 11, 2021. Kitimat RCMP are asking anyone that may have seen the boat prior to it going missing or if spotted on the waterways to call the Kitimat RCMP or Crime Stoppers. (Kitimat RCMP photo)

Boat stolen from MK Bay Marina in Kitimat

The boat also has an aluminum hull with a tan soft top and a 9hp Yamaha kicker motor on the back

A boat was stolen from MK Bay Marina on July 11, 2021. Kitimat RCMP are asking anyone that may have seen the boat prior to it going missing or if spotted on the waterways to call the Kitimat RCMP or Crime Stoppers. (Kitimat RCMP photo)
(Jacob Lubberts photo)

Distracted drivers top Kitimat survey

Out of the 336 pedestrians counted, 90 of them failed to take precautions while using the crosswalk

(Jacob Lubberts photo)
Haisla Nation Hereditary Chiefs watching the Haisla Braid singers and dancers at the opening ceremonies for the Every Child Matters soccer tournament. (Jacob Lubberts photo)

Kitimat Canada Day celebrations scaled back following horrific residential school discoveries

Ceremonies began at the Riverlodge Recreational sports fields, for the ECM soccer tournament

Haisla Nation Hereditary Chiefs watching the Haisla Braid singers and dancers at the opening ceremonies for the Every Child Matters soccer tournament. (Jacob Lubberts photo)
A pyrocumulus cloud, also known as a fire cloud, forms in the sky as the Tremont Creek wildfire burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

BC Hydro keeping eye on large wildfire burning near transmission line

The Brenda Creek wildfire in Central Okanagan is still classified as out of control

A pyrocumulus cloud, also known as a fire cloud, forms in the sky as the Tremont Creek wildfire burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The District of Kitimat (DoK) has allocated $16,000 to change most of the annual plants to perennial plantings and gardening methods. Some of the main changes will switch the flowers in the downtown core, Centennial Park, Coughlin Park, Kitimat Fire Hall, and Nechako Centre, to perennial plants. (District of Kitimat photo)

District of Kitimat spending $16k in switch to perennial plants

Main changes will be downtown, Centennial Park, Coughlin Park, Kitimat Fire Hall, and Nechako Centre

The District of Kitimat (DoK) has allocated $16,000 to change most of the annual plants to perennial plantings and gardening methods. Some of the main changes will switch the flowers in the downtown core, Centennial Park, Coughlin Park, Kitimat Fire Hall, and Nechako Centre, to perennial plants. (District of Kitimat photo)
The Rio Tinto “red” tents as well as the picnic tables at the Hirsch Creek Golf & Winter Club. (Kitimat Chamber of Commerce photo)

Rio Tinto comes up big with patio furniture

Kitimat restaurants get the chance to get their hands on some free outdoor furniture for the season

The Rio Tinto “red” tents as well as the picnic tables at the Hirsch Creek Golf & Winter Club. (Kitimat Chamber of Commerce photo)
(District of Kitimat logo)

Kitimat poverty reduction plan receives $25k funding

Kitimat will be receiving funding through the province to develop poverty reduction plans

  • Jul 15, 2021
(District of Kitimat logo)
There’s a reason why electric clocks are running faster these days. (Black Press file)

Power switch causing northwest B.C. clocks to run faster

Rio Tinto power being used until July 16

There’s a reason why electric clocks are running faster these days. (Black Press file)
Family friends will be going down to Kelowna on Thursday and will be dropping off cards to the family, showing love and support from the community. (Cards for Cailen poster)

Kitimat community comes together to help family after son dies in Kelowna crane collapse

Cailen Vilness, 23, lost his life in the crane collapse that occurred in Kelowna, July 12, 2021

Family friends will be going down to Kelowna on Thursday and will be dropping off cards to the family, showing love and support from the community. (Cards for Cailen poster)