Barbara Roden

One of the few places where pumpkin spice is accceptable. (Photo credit: Wallpaper Flare)

The Editor’s Desk: Fall is the most wonderful time of the year

The only bad thing to say about fall is that we’ve now reached pumpkin spice overload

One of the few places where pumpkin spice is accceptable. (Photo credit: Wallpaper Flare)
A portrait of the author as a young girl, third from right in the yellow dress, at Harry Eburne Elementary School in Richmond <em>c.</em> 1973. School supplies not included. (Photo credit: Facebook)

The Editor’s Desk: The bliss of back to school supplies

Few things are more full of promise than a pristine set of back to school supplies

A portrait of the author as a young girl, third from right in the yellow dress, at Harry Eburne Elementary School in Richmond <em>c.</em> 1973. School supplies not included. (Photo credit: Facebook)
Ah, the good old days before seatbelt use became mandatory, and people were free to end up like the dummies in the simulation above (yes, there is a dummy in the front seat as well). (Photo credit: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety/YouTube)

The Editor’s Desk: The good old days?

The past wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and the present isn’t so bad

Ah, the good old days before seatbelt use became mandatory, and people were free to end up like the dummies in the simulation above (yes, there is a dummy in the front seat as well). (Photo credit: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety/YouTube)
The Kookipi Creek wildfire has prompted evacuation orders for properties in the Fraser Valley and Thompson-Nicola Regional Districts, and an evacuation alert for the Village of Lytton. (BC Wildfire Service/Facebook)

UPDATE: More evacuation orders and alerts for Kookipi Creek wildfire

Kookipi Creek wildfire near Boston Bar estimated at 8,791 hectares

The Kookipi Creek wildfire has prompted evacuation orders for properties in the Fraser Valley and Thompson-Nicola Regional Districts, and an evacuation alert for the Village of Lytton. (BC Wildfire Service/Facebook)
The Kookipi Creek wildfire as seen from Canyon Alpine Motel north of Boston Bar in the Fraser Canyon on the evening of Aug. 17. The fire has prompted evacuation orders for properties in the Fraser Valley and Thompson-Nicola Regional Districts, and an evacuation alert for the Village of Lytton. (Photo credit: Debbie Harper/Facebook)

Kookipi Creek wildfire at 2,000 hectares; evacuation orders and alerts remain for Fraser Canyon

Highway 1 closed from Hope to Lytton; Village of Lytton on evacuation alert

The Kookipi Creek wildfire as seen from Canyon Alpine Motel north of Boston Bar in the Fraser Canyon on the evening of Aug. 17. The fire has prompted evacuation orders for properties in the Fraser Valley and Thompson-Nicola Regional Districts, and an evacuation alert for the Village of Lytton. (Photo credit: Debbie Harper/Facebook)
A mileage sign on Highway 97C near Ashcroft is not incorrect when it says it’s 190 kilometres to Kamloops from that point, but it is a bit misleading. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)

The Editor’s Desk: Facebook can be fun!

Stop the presses: a recent Facebook post prompted only pleasant and informative comments

A mileage sign on Highway 97C near Ashcroft is not incorrect when it says it’s 190 kilometres to Kamloops from that point, but it is a bit misleading. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)
Some of the 20 million or so seedlings growing at the Juniper Beach facility of PRT Growing Services east of Cache Creek. (Photo credit: PRT)

Millions of seedlings hiding in plain sight near Juniper Beach

Facility east of Cache Creek is one of the largest tree-growing sites in North America

Some of the 20 million or so seedlings growing at the Juniper Beach facility of PRT Growing Services east of Cache Creek. (Photo credit: PRT)
A poster printed by the <em>Journal</em> advertising the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation celebration in Ashcroft on July 1, 1927. (Photo credit: <em>Journal</em> archives)

Canada Day events and Indigenous music festival on the way

Communities including Ashcroft, Cache Creek, Clinton, Savona, Kamloops, Barriere, Clearwater, and Blue River all holding July 1 celebrations

A poster printed by the <em>Journal</em> advertising the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation celebration in Ashcroft on July 1, 1927. (Photo credit: <em>Journal</em> archives)
The BC River Forecast Centre says there is a high risk of drought throughout B.C. this summer. (Photo credit: Black Press files)

B.C. faces high risk of province-wide drought this summer

Hottest May on record and extremely low snow packs contributing to risk

The BC River Forecast Centre says there is a high risk of drought throughout B.C. this summer. (Photo credit: Black Press files)
Members of the Sage Sound Singers choir were among the 30 singers taking part in a final rehearsal at the Ashcroft HUB on June 18 before they fly to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall. Concertmaster Cvetozar Vutev is standing at right, with accompanist Dimiter Terziev at the piano and Sage Sound Singers musical director Michelle Reid at centre in blue sweater. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)

B.C. singers set to hit the stage at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall

Members of Sage Sound Singers from Ashcroft, Cache Creek, Clinton performing in New York on June 27

Members of the Sage Sound Singers choir were among the 30 singers taking part in a final rehearsal at the Ashcroft HUB on June 18 before they fly to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall. Concertmaster Cvetozar Vutev is standing at right, with accompanist Dimiter Terziev at the piano and Sage Sound Singers musical director Michelle Reid at centre in blue sweater. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)
Members of the BC United Party caucus survey the damage at the Quartz Road culvert (just visible under the water) in Cache Creek on June 20. Nine MLAs heard about the damage caused by this year’s flooding and toured some of the affected sites before travelling to Lytton for a tour of that community. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)

BC United MLAs get firsthand look at Cache Creek flood damage

Nine members of the BC United caucus toured Cache Creek on June 20 before heading to Lytton

Members of the BC United Party caucus survey the damage at the Quartz Road culvert (just visible under the water) in Cache Creek on June 20. Nine MLAs heard about the damage caused by this year’s flooding and toured some of the affected sites before travelling to Lytton for a tour of that community. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)
Wild horses near a highway in the South Okanagan. Police are still seeking information from the public regarding the killing of 17 wild horses west of Kamloops earlier this year. (Photo credit: Black Press file photo)

RCMP still seeking information about killing of wild horses in Southern Interior

17 Skeetchestn traditional horses were found dead west of Kamloops in early March

Wild horses near a highway in the South Okanagan. Police are still seeking information from the public regarding the killing of 17 wild horses west of Kamloops earlier this year. (Photo credit: Black Press file photo)
Flooding in Cache Creek Park on May 10. Water levels are receding, but the park remains closed to prevent damage. (Photo credit: Tim Gross)

Some evacuation orders rescinded as flood threat recedes in Cache Creek

Bonaparte River water levels dropping but Sage and Sands Trailer Park still on evacuation order

Flooding in Cache Creek Park on May 10. Water levels are receding, but the park remains closed to prevent damage. (Photo credit: Tim Gross)
Mud and debris outside the Cache Creek fire hall on May 6, 2023, including ther remains of a wrecked Hesco basket (centre) that was set up to try to protect the hall. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)

UPDATE: Dozens of Cache Creek properties on evacuation order as Bonaparte River rises

Flood-ravaged community braces for more flooding as temperatures set to rise

Mud and debris outside the Cache Creek fire hall on May 6, 2023, including ther remains of a wrecked Hesco basket (centre) that was set up to try to protect the hall. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)
The junction of Highways 1 and 97 in Cache Creek on May 3. Both highways have now reopened to single-lane, alternating traffic. (Photo credit: Keith Bevan)

Cache Creek residents urged to conserve water as flood assessment underway

Village says water and sewer systems under ‘extreme stress’ due to flooding

The junction of Highways 1 and 97 in Cache Creek on May 3. Both highways have now reopened to single-lane, alternating traffic. (Photo credit: Keith Bevan)
Highway 97 in Cache Creek at the junction with Highway 1 on May 2. Highways 1 and 97 have both reopened to single-lane-alternating traffic with a pilot car. (Photo credit: Sheila Olson)

Highways 1 and 97 in Cache Creek reopen to single-lane traffic

Both highways have been closed to all traffic due to heavy flooding

Highway 97 in Cache Creek at the junction with Highway 1 on May 2. Highways 1 and 97 have both reopened to single-lane-alternating traffic with a pilot car. (Photo credit: Sheila Olson)
Cache Creek overflowed the culvert at Quartz Road on the evening of April 29, prompting the village to declare a State of Local Emergency and place one property east of the site on evacuation order. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)

Flooding prompts state of local emergency in Cache Creek

One property has been placed on evacuation order

Cache Creek overflowed the culvert at Quartz Road on the evening of April 29, prompting the village to declare a State of Local Emergency and place one property east of the site on evacuation order. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)
Cache Creek overflowed the culvert at Quartz Road on the evening of April 29, prompting the village to declare a State of Local Emergency and place one property east of the site on evacuation order. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)

Flooding prompts state of local emergency in Cache Creek

One property has been placed on evacuation order

Cache Creek overflowed the culvert at Quartz Road on the evening of April 29, prompting the village to declare a State of Local Emergency and place one property east of the site on evacuation order. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)
The proposal to move Ashcroft, Cache Creek and Clinton from Fraser-Nicola has come as a shock to the riding’s MLA, Jackie Tegart, who lives in Ashcroft. (Angie Mindus photo - Black Press Media)

Ashcroft, Cache Creek, Clinton set to move to Cariboo-Chilcotin riding

The communities are currently in the Fraser-Nicola riding

The proposal to move Ashcroft, Cache Creek and Clinton from Fraser-Nicola has come as a shock to the riding’s MLA, Jackie Tegart, who lives in Ashcroft. (Angie Mindus photo - Black Press Media)
The winding Loon Lake Road can be a challenging one for drivers, especially in winter. (Photo credit: Google maps)

Plow truck driver saves motorist in distress along Loon Lake Road

It’s the second time that Grant Gray has come to the aid of a driver who has gone off the road

The winding Loon Lake Road can be a challenging one for drivers, especially in winter. (Photo credit: Google maps)