The fire broke out early this morning, Thursday, May 21st, with both the Terrace and Thornhill fire departments responding by 4:30am. Most of the building and everything within now lies in ruins, with only a small portion of the galvanized steel storefront still standing.

Remains of the Terrace Bowling ally after a devastating fire on May 21st, 2026 // Photo Credit: CFNR’s Kobie Smith

With the buildings destruction, Terrace has lost it’s only bowling ally and one that’s served generations of bowlers in the region for decades.

Watching from the sidewalk as the rubble still smoldered, Theresa Moffat, one of the bowling alley’s owners , explained to CFNR’s Kobie Smith just how devastating this loss is.

‘It’s gonna leave a big hole. A lot of people use us as their recreation. When it’s a yucky rainy day we’re always at our busiest, and today… is a yucky rainy day’ – Theresa Moffat, Terrace Bowling Centre LTD

An investigation into the fire is now ongoing with the Terrace RCMP and the Terrace Fire Chief. The City of Terrace has asked residents to avoid the cordoned off area around the bowling alley while that work is underway.

How the fire started is not yet known, but it has been a costly. While the value of the damage hasn’t been officially tallied yet, Theresa Moffat shared some details about just how extensive their operation was, but said right now they don’t have plans to rebuild.

‘It costs a lot to start a bowling ally up, and everything is totally destroyed. Just the system to run it is over $100,000, each lane used is over $10,000, and that’s not including all the machinery and the pins and the bowling balls and everything you have to have to run it.’ – Theresa Moffat, Terrace Bowling Centre LTD

The galvanized steel building that housed the Bowling Centre was actually constructed using a surplus war-era facility, and was built at the same time and by the same architect as the Tillicum Twin Theatre in the early 1950s.

Ironically, back in 2019, the City of Terrace had purchased the building that was home to the bowling alley in anticipation of one day of needing the property to expand city hall – and the fire department.

Both the Terrace Fire Department and the City of Terrace have offered their condolences to the local bowling community with the loss of the bowling alley. They’ve also thanked all those who assisted during the emergency response, including the members of the neighboring Thornhill Fire Department who were quick to assist with the call.

Starting today Tuesday May 19th, riders can tap-to-pay using a debit card, credit card or mobile wallet in all 30 transit systems across the province that offer Umo.

BC Transit said that the contactless payments remove payment barriers, making it easier for people to choose public transit.

Benefits of these new payment methods include:

• Convenient, secure and quick payment options.
• The ability to use the same trusted Interac, Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards that are used for everyday purchases.
• Cards linked to Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay mobile wallets are also accepted.
• Payment with a debit card, credit card or mobile wallet means riders don’t need to load or manage a balance on an account.

To ensure a smooth trip, riders are encouraged to:

• Pay with the same card all day to receive automatic fare capping benefits in participating transit systems.
• Tap a single card and not your full wallet to avoid being charged more than once.
• Plan for each rider in a group to tap their own card, as cards cannot be shared.

Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit said  “Making transit easier and more accessible is a key to building connected communities throughout British Columbia. With the launch of tap-to-pay on BC Transit buses, people can now use the debit cards, credit cards and mobile wallets to pay their fare quickly and securely. – Farnworth

The total cost for this project is $24.8 million, jointly funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and local government partners.

Erinn Pinkerton, President and Chief Executive Officer for BC Transit said “We’re making transit easier to use by introducing contactless payment, allowing you to pay your fare with a simple tap. It’s the same tap-to-pay experience many people already use every day, with your credit card, debit card or mobile wallet. This gives our riders more choice and flexibility, whether you’re commuting, taking an occasional trip, visiting B.C. or getting home safely after a night out.” – Pinkerton

For more information, contact BC Transit’s Umo Customer Service team toll-free at 877-380-8181.

You can also visit  https://www.bctransit.com/contactless/ to learn more about contactless payments and which fare privileges are available in each Umo participating transit system.

GEC had also unveiled new plans to combine the adjacent Crest Hotel and Convention Centre with the Casino to create a fully integrated resort destination on the waterfront complete with a spa.

Plans unveiled by the Gitxaala Enterprises Corporation for a new resort on the waterfront combining Chances Casino with the adjacent Convention Centre and Crest Hotel // Courtesy: Gitxaala Enterprises Corporation

Linda Innes, Elected Chief of Gitxaala Nation called it a step towards creating opportunities for Gitxaala Nation members while remaining true to who they are and where they come from.

Mayor of Prince Rupert, Herb Pond, called it a development worth celebrating; “Gitxaala is breathing life into Prince Rupert through its many Indigenous-owned and operated enterprises. They invest locally. They hire locally. Profits are reinvested locally to the benefit of all.’

British Columbia’s Ministry of Transportation and Transit confirmed that work to build a 2-lane access road across the section of road destroyed by a landslide in late April is expected to being on Friday, May 15th.

The Ministry says a section of Old Fort Road, the only access in and out of the community, had been displaced by about 100 meters in the most recent slide, which affected an area about 400 wide. An area about 150 meters wide is still moving, but far less so than it had been previously.

View of the Old Fort Road from April 30th, 2026 // Courtesy: BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit

This week, work crews had been draining water from the slide area, while on Friday they’ll begin the process of fencing off the construction zone and will use heavy equipment to push upslope debris away from the path of the new road.

Construction of the new access road is expected to take about 2 weeks.

The Ministry has stressed that the work site is not safe for the general public, and have urged local residents not to attempt to travel through it until the new road has been complete. Provincial authorities have warned that non-compliance with traffic control and work zone restrictions could lead to a fine or even the involvement of police to ensure enforcement.

Scarp created by the landslide near it’s western flank as it meets the road // Courtesy: BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit

The landside on April 20th which prompted the evacuation order for the small town of about 150 residents south of Fort St. John was the third such landslide in same area since 2018, and it is in fact the same section of ground involved as the slides in 2018 and 2020.

The man who died had not been named in the report, but the IIO says his presence at the shelter that night was a breach of a condition of a past court order for a mischief charge. RCMP had been called in at 1:11 am on October 27th by shelter staff who reported that other residents had complained the man had defecated his in clothes and was spreading it on the ground – putting their health at risk.

Based on it’s review of the matter and the testimonies of witnesses who were involved that night, The IIO has determined the officer had acted in good faith and was not negligent in their duties as they attempted to convince the man to leave, or to consent to being assessed by paramedics.

The report found the officer who responded had approached the man in a concerned and caring manner, had stayed with him for some time outside, and eventually returned later in the early morning hours to check on him. Furthermore, the IIO determined that the shelter’s tolerance and lenience with regards to the breach of condition had made it impractical to arrest the man for it, leaving medical intervention the only other option – which the man refused.

According to the IIO report, shelter staff had continued to check on the man periodically outside throughout the rest of the night after RCMP had left, including bringing him a blanket and attempting to share a coffee with him around 3:30am, but he was not allowed to re-enter the shelter.

The man was later found unresponsive outside the shelter by a passerby around 8:30 A.M the next morning. Paramedics were called, but he had been pronounced deceased at the hospital.

An autopsy report attributed his death primarily due to pneumonia, with complications from drug intoxication and hypothermia, as well as a number of pre-existing conditions associated with homelessness. Toxicology reports showed at the time of his death he had high levels of both methamphetamine and a synthetic opioid in his system, which the Coroner noted was enough for a fatal overdose in other cases.

While video evidence shows actions consistent with the responding officer administering naloxone to the man at one point, the IIO says it could not determine if this was the case. That said the Chief Civilian Director of the IIO, Jessica Berglund, says they do not believe the officer committed an offence during his response, and they will not be pursuing any charges.

The latest interruption began at 4:00 P.M today and will last until at least 8:00 AM tomorrow morning, Friday, May 15th, similar to the timing of previous interruptions.

Those in the Fort St. James area in need of emergency care for a life-threatening concern while the interruption is underway should still call 9-1-1 for assistance as transport to the nearest available medical facility is still possible.

The Health Authority says the staffing situation in Fort St. James may change abruptly, and they will notify the public if services resume before tomorrow morning.

For up to date information on ER Closures, check out the emergency department status page on Northern Health’s website, which is updated every 10 minutes with the latest details.

The quake took place 31 km east-north-east of the community at a depth of 9.8 km.

Authorities say there is no Tsunami threat associated with the quake, but it had been lightly felt as far away as Masset and Port Clements.

No earthquake damage has been reported.

]]> https://www.cfnrfm.ca/2026/05/12/4-0-earthquake-in-daajing-giids/feed/ 0 https://www.cfnrfm.ca/2026/05/12/121081/ https://www.cfnrfm.ca/2026/05/12/121081/#respond Tue, 12 May 2026 20:39:39 +0000 Nathan Jordan 2026-05-12T22:18:43+00:00 https://d913.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=121081 South facing view of the Windy Creek Wildfire on May 11th, 2026 // Courtesy: BC Wildfire Service The suspected human caused wildfire discovered near Windy creek, northeast of Moberly Lake, on May 11th has now grown to 200 hectares in size and is still considered to be burning out of control as of the latest update from the BC Wildfire Service.

Two BC Wildfire Service Unit crews have been assigned from the Prince George Fire Centre, with helicopters and heavy equipment supporting ground operations and airtankers standing by to assist if needed.

Fire officials say containment lines were put in place Monday night along the fire’s north and south flanks, with work on Tuesday focused on extending it around the fire’s perimeter. Cool temperatures Monday night had kept the fire at bay, but with temperatures today in the low 20s along with light winds and low humidity, the fire had been expected to flare up.

At this time, no evacuation alerts or orders have been issued for the surrounding areas, but as usual, the public has been advised to avoid the fire zone while crews continue to work.

RCMP say that on late Sunday evening May 10, Terrace RCMP were advised that two children had been taken by an individual.

The investigating officers determined the children were in immediate danger and a BC Amber Alert was issued in the early hours of Monday May 11.

RCMP say within 1.5 hours of the BC Amber Alert, tips were received, the children were located in the Burns Lake area within the suspect vehicle, and two individuals were ultimately taken into custody in relation to this incident.

Terrace RCMP Detachment Commander Staff Sargeant Michael Bourguignon said “The BC Amber Alert system worked exactly as intended, and because of that, these children were located quickly and safely, we are incredibly grateful for the public’s immediate attention and willingness to assist. Their vigilance helped ensure a swift and safe resolution.”- Michael Bourguignon

Terrace RCMP said that they extend sincere thanks to the public, media, and policing partners for their assistance and cooperation during the alert, which helped prioritize the safety and well-being of the children.

RCMP also stated that residents are encouraged to learn more about the BC Amber Alert program and how it works by visiting https://rcmp.ca/en/bc/police-services/amber-alert-program

RCMP also stated that further information will be released when appropriate.

All three members of the group were rescued safely, without any significant injuries reported. The Prince George Search and Rescue team says the fact they had a device capable of calling 911 on them at the time made a real difference, and enabled a timely rescue.

With spring melt well underway and watersheds swelling with runoff, the Search and Rescue team has urged all river users to pay close attention to water conditions, which can rapidly change in the early season.

Meanwhile, the BC River Forecast Centre is preparing to release the May 1st snow bulletin, which should have more details on current snowpack conditions and how the spring melt is progressing.