Let’s start with some fun, shall we? The city of Prince George put out a series of Valentine’s post yesterday and they are all great:

I’ve shared criticisms of the city’s social media posts in these pages before but I’ve also shared plenty of posts like these that I think hit the mark of engaging and humourous and (like yesterday’s post on potholes) also informative. These are the way to go!

Here are a few other local Valentine’s posts:

Homicide tracking has begun

On to something less fun: The city has marked its second homicide of the year, and the second in as many week — and, notably, both victims are women, as well:

This time last year there had been one homicide recorded, with three to come in March and a total of six overall. Leading off this way is likely to keep us high in the dangerous crime stats.

The city plays ball with the province on a welfare office(smart, probably)

The Citizen reports that after backlash, the province has backed away from its proposal to open a welfare office in the old Spee-Dee Printers building downtown:

This area was already zoned for use, so really the province didn’t have to take public feedback, at all. But the city has been a good player with the province when it comes to downtown — approving supportive housing and shelter spaces in buildings downtown while other cities resisted them — so there is likely some good will built up there between the two levels of government. Not going to the mat over this one is also probably good for long-term relations, on both sides.

Quick news:

• The B.C. Real Estate Association says early signs are that 2023 is going to be a healthier housing market in northern B.C. than 2022 was.

• The McLeod Lake Indian Band wants an apology from the head of the Prince George District Teacher’s Association after the latter complained about a prayer opening a recent school board session, and the actions of the school board chair, a former employee of McLeod Lake.

• Meanwhile, here’s an expanded interview with said head of the PGDTA on his concerns over anti-LGBTQ sentiment coming from the community.

• UNBC is hosting a session on mental health this Thursday.

• UNBC is also once again one of the best places to work in B.C., according to an annual survey.

• A pair of poor fourth-quarter earnings results yesterday: TC Energy’s earnings were down as the Coastal GasLink pipeline’s costs doubled and West Fraser Timber, which just announced a short-term closure of its mill in Quesnel, says its Q4 earnings were down 128 per cent over a year earlier.

• Related: Local trucking companies are feeling the impact of the forestry downturn.

• Mackenzie is sounding the alarm on limited ambulance service.

• The city and regional district have high hopes for provincial grant money being distributed.

• Ness Lake is hosting a free Family Day event on Monday.

• There will be a candelight vigil to mark the start of the invasion of Ukraine next Wednesday at city hall.

And, as promised, here is a viral TikTok from Quesnel and as not promised, here is Howie Mandel commenting on it.

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