It has been a little over a month since the BC SPCA received a call from a Houston man asking them to come and take over 200 cats that were living on his property.

Since then, SPCA teams have been hard at work providing care for the cats while also performing medical exams and spaying and neutering the lot.

Now, many of the cats are ready or nearly ready to be adopted - just in time for the SPCA's ‘Adopt-a-Shelter-Pet’ week, where adoption fees are cut in half.

Jamey Blair, the SPCA's Senior Manager of the Interior-North region, said the original estimate of 200 cats on the property was low and the actual total is above 260.

"The cats are still in varying degrees of being ready for adoption," she said. "Some still require medical care, others have been adopted already."

Even a month later, some cats remain on the property in Houston. The SPCA has given the owner food and supplies to continue to care for the cats in the interim.

"We are so grateful to the community for everything they have done to make this possible," Blair said - citing cash and supply donations as well as a temporary location to house all these cats while they are treated.

"As you can imagine, the cost for caring for these animals is significant," she said. "We are accepting donations towards the cost of the care, as well as the typical supplies you would need to care for a cat."

SPCA locations across the province are hosting open houses today (Saturday) for people to take a tour and take advantage of the half-off adoption rate.

The post Over 260 Houston cats surrendered to SPCA; many ready for adoption appeared first on My Nechako Valley Now.

The Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Centre is celebrating its 10th anniversary by releasing Sturgeon.

Two-year-old Nechako White Sturgeon will be released into the Nechako River with the help of 900 Vanderhoof area students, as well as the mayor of Vanderhoof and other dignitaries.

Each student will get to release their own salmon fry, and as a group send 63 juvenile Nechako white sturgeon into the river.

The release will happen on Friday, June 7th at Riverside Park in Vanderhoof.

Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, is expected to make an appearance and say a few words about the Conservation Centre.

You can learn more about the event here.

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Summer is right around the corner and BC Hydro has launched a new campaign to help some customers beat the heat.

Eligible low-income and vulnerable BC Hydro customers can apply for a free portable Air Conditioning unit.

According to BC Hydro, AC use is up 20% in the last "few years," half of the province is using AC now as opposed to just one third in 2020.

They estimate 730,000 portable AC units are in use around BC right now, nearly double what was in use three years ago.

Despite the uptick, BC Hydro says all their customers can't afford to pick up a portable AC unit.

According to BC Hydro, "Last summer the Government of B.C. announced a three-year program with $10 million in funding for BC Hydro to install 8,000 free portable air conditioning units in the homes of British Columbians that need them the most."

You can see if you are eligible for a free unit here.

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Public illicit drug use will soon be banned in the province, and police will be given more power to enforce the ban.

This ban includes within hospitals, on transit, and at parks and beaches.

“Keeping people safe is our highest priority. While we are caring and compassionate for those struggling with addiction, we do not accept street disorder that makes communities feel unsafe,” said Premier David Eby. “We’re taking action to make sure police have the tools they need to ensure safe and comfortable communities for everyone as we expand treatment options so people can stay alive and get better.”

The province and federal government are collaborating to make changes to "the legality of possessing drugs in B.C.," which will allow police to enforce against public drug use.

Officers will have the option to make someone using drugs in public leave the space, take the drugs, or arrest the person if necessary.

“Our communities are facing big challenges. People are dying from deadly street drugs and we see the issues with public use and disorder on our streets,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “As we continue to go after the gangs and organized criminals who are making and trafficking toxic drugs, we’re taking action now to make it illegal to use drugs in public spaces, and to expand access to treatment to help people who need it most.”

The province was clear that this change is not the recriminalization of drug possession in a private residence, legal shelter, or overdose prevention site.

People who are addicted will also have expanded access to treatment, the province said they will be:

• increasing the availability and accessibility of opioid-agonist treatment (OAT), a
  medication-assisted treatment for people who have an opioid-use disorder, by
  implementing a provincewide virtual system;
• integrating addictions services with health care, housing and related services; and
• working with experts to develop methods to track prescribed alternatives with the aim of
  identifying and preventing diversion.

“People across the country are dying from poisoned drugs and B.C. is no exception,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “Addiction is a health-care issue, not a criminal one, and we’re going to keep doing everything we can to save lives and connect people to treatment.”

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The BC SPCA is stretching ‘Adopt-a-Shelter-Pet-Day’ into a near two week event.

Anyone who adopts a pet from the SPCA between today (April 25) and May 5th will see half of their adoption fees waived.

On top of that, each shelter across the province will be holding an open house on Saturday (April 27).

“The open houses are an opportunity for the public to learn more about what the BC SPCA does and see all of the ways we care for animals in our community,” says Adrienne McBride, the BC SPCA’s Senior Director of Community Animal Centres. “It also gives us a chance to shine a light on some of the amazing animals in our centres who have been patiently waiting for their forever home.”

Last month, more than 200 cats were surrendered to the SPCA from a single property in Houston.

Some of those cats are ready for adoption in time for this event.

You can find out more about adopting a pet through the SPCA here.

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- Files from Zachary Barrowcliff, My Cariboo Now

A cyclist is making the trek from Prince George to Vancouver in the name of the BC Cancer Foundation.

Mark Camps’ journey began in the Northern Capital on Sunday, April 21st.

Camps said he doesn’t just have one person in mind when he’s riding.

“There’s been parents of good friends, there’s been personal relatives of mine, very good neighbours at home,” he told Vista Radio. “It’s not specifically for one individual, but it’s kind of for everybody that’s had a bit of a struggle.”

From Prince George, he’s gone south down Highway 97 and made his way to Clinton yesterday (April 24).

Next up: Lillooet, Pemberton, and finally Vancouver by Friday.

Donations can be made on Camp’s personal fundraising page on the BC Cancer Foundation’s website.

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- Files from George Henderson, My Cariboo Now

The Independent Investigations Officer of B.C. (IIO) has cleared police officers in Quesnel of any criminal wrongdoing in connection with an incident that left a suspect with a broken arm.

The IIO says RCMP were attempting to stop a pickup truck driven by a man who was a prohibited driver.

It says they attempted to stop the vehicle at around 5:20 p.m. back on March 10th, 2023 but it fled the scene.

Officers did not pursue as the suspect was seen driving dangerously, including driving on the wrong side of the road and speeding through a school zone.

The IIO says the pickup was eventually seen turning into a Y-shaped cul-de-sac with only two exits.

The report indicates that police then approached in both directions and the suspect then attempted to leave.

One of the police vehicles then "rammed" the pickup on the driver's side causing it to spin into the snow bank.

[caption id="attachment_96777" align="alignright" width="300"] (Drawing of the man pinned between the two vehicles-photo provided by IIO)[/caption]

A second officer, driving behind the first officer, then approached the vehicle and despite attempting to stop, it slid in the snow into the right side of the pickup.

The IIO says the suspect's arm was then pinned against his pickup and the first police cruiser.

The IIO says the suspect told them that the first impact came as a surprise and caused him to be thrown out of the pickup and onto the ground.

It says he then reached up with his right hand to pull himself up when there was a second impact. and his arm was pinched between the door and the truck body.

In terms of legal issues, the IIO noted that the actions of the first officer, had the potential to be viewed both as dangerous driving and assault with a weapon (the police vehicle).

It determined however, that the officer's actions were justified as there was no pedestrian or other vehicle traffic, and therefore no obvious danger to the general public, and that the suspect driver was enclosed in a pickup and not in a small car or on a motorcycle.

As for the second police officer that appeared to cause the injury, the IIO determined that the contact was not intentional and called it "an unfortunate accident."

The IIO says their investigation was based on statements from the suspect, a paramedic and two witness police officers, as well as from police dispatch, audio recordings of police radio transmissions, data downloads from the police vehicles, and from a collision reconstructionist.

The two officers involved, who were not compelled to submit notes, reports and data, chose not to.

This did not impact the IIO's investigation, but it says it did limit what charges could be laid against the suspect.

Police forward several driving-related offences to the crown for approval but also charges related to firearms and narcotics, based on items found in a search of the pickup.

The IIO says on August 16, 2023 Crown counsel wrote to RCMP advising that it would not be able to proceed with any of the firearm or drug charges because both 'subject officers' had refused to provide any evidence regarding the incident.

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Fans of the Prince George Cougars are not only selling out the CN Centre to watch the team on this year's playoff run, they are also travelling to other cities to support the team.

According to Angela Jones, the Co-President of the Prince George Cougar Fan Club, 70-100 Cougars fans converged on Kelowna's Prospera Place for games 3 and 4 of the Cats second-round series against the Rockets.

"You could hear us in the crowd," she said. "When we would cheer, the Kelowna fans would cheer over top of us. It was a great atmosphere to be in."

"This has been one of the most exciting years for me to watch," said Jones, who also billets Carlin Dezainde and Chase Pauls. "The excitement at home of the lead-up to games - they are excited about these playoffs. In town there are more Cougar jerseys around, you can just feel the excitement in people."

The fan club typically goes on one regular season road trip a year with the team - this season they went to Victoria to watch the Cougars play the Royals on the second-last weekend of the year.

"We are always looking for new fan club members," Jones said. "Starting in September we are usually set up in guest services. Next year we are hoping to do more trips... it is a lot of fun, and the guys really appreciate it when they can see and hear us in the stands."

After eliminating the Rockets in five games last night, the Cougars will face the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Conference Finals next round.

Jones said organizing a proper trip is difficult when the two cities are so far apart and the international border separates the two, but fans that go down on their own can still reach out to the fan club to try and get a better rate on tickets and hotels.

"If we wanted to do a bus trip, it is really is really hard," she explained. "You can't really get a bus, hotel, and people signed up when you have such short notice. It takes us a couple weeks to get a road trip together."

Anyone who is interested in traveling to Portland for games 3-5 are being asked to contact the fan club through their Facebook Page.

Tickets to games 1 and 2 of the series in Prince George will go on sale at 11:00, fans can purchase them online or at the box office.

Here is the round three schedule:

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A research partnership between UNBC, Thompson Rivers University (TRU), and the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus (UBC Okanagan) will last for at least another five years.

The trio of schools make up the Interior Universities Research Coalition (IURC) and have all renewed a Memorandum of Understanding that will last until 2029.

According to UNBC, "since its creation in 2017, the IURC has attracted nearly $8 million for cross-institutional research projects and other collaborations at the three universities and has developed a multitude of new research opportunities in the B.C. Interior."

Some regional issues the projects have looked at include COVID-19, disaster prevention, aging in rural communities, education, and wildlife stewardship.

“The Interior Universities Research Coalition facilitates partnerships among scholars at all three institutions as they work with community partners to identify solutions to pressing issues in our region and beyond," UNBC Vice-President of Research and Innovation Dr. Paula Wood-Adams said in a news release. "The knowledge generated through these projects builds capacity for healthy, productive and thriving Interior communities.”

You can read more about the MOU here.

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- Files from Ryley McCormack, My East Kootenay Now

Residential property owners in B.C. will only be able to operate short-term rentals on their primary residence, along with several other changes coming into effect next month.

This comes as the B.C. government takes steps to reign in the market and free up homes for people who want to live in them.

“We are in a housing crisis that requires strong action to deliver more housing for the people who live and work in our communities,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing.

“The changes passed last fall to tackle the growing short-term rental challenges are already bringing more long-term homes back onto the market. As the rules for hosts and platforms come into effect, we are taking another strong step to deliver more long-term homes for people in communities throughout B.C.”

The changes come into effect on May 1, and will only impact communities with populations over 10,000.

However, local governments can still use existing or additional bylaws aimed at regulating short-term rentals.

B.C. officials said short-term rentals will only be able to operate in the host’s principal residence or one an additional unit, such as a guest house.

Hosts must have a valid business licence number on their listing if their local government requires licensing, and the listing can be removed if they do not have that number displayed.

Hosts and short-term rental owners could face some penalties if they do not comply once the new provincial legislation takes effect.

B.C. will begin phasing in its Short-Term Rental Compliance Enforcement Unit on May 1, which will investigate allegations of non-compliance.

“Administrative penalties for hosts breaking the rules can range from $500 to $5,000 a day per infraction, and up to $10,000 per day for corporations, depending on the infraction,” said the B.C. government.

“Visitors and guests will not face any fines. The unit will also facilitate data sharing and requests to platforms to remove listings.”

Existing short-term rentals will not be spared by grandfathering-in under non-conforming protections, as they will need to conform to B.C.’s new regulations.

“The effect of short-term rental apps like Airbnb, VRBO and others has been the loss of thousands of long-term rental homes in the midst of a housing crisis, driving up the cost of housing for British Columbians,” said Premier David Eby.

“That’s why our government has created balanced new rules to crack down on speculators who are effectively operating mini hotels, while also ensuring homeowners can still rent out spaces in their principal residence.”

Guests who have stays booked in a short-term rental on or after May 1 should check with their host to confirm the unit complies with local and provincial regulations.

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