Columnists

Vancouver Canucks’ Ilya Mikheyev, back, of Russia, Brock Boeser, back right, and Elias Pettersson celebrate Mikheyev’s goal against Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Reassuring to see the allure of the Montreal Canadiens continues

Rich legacy of the franchise ensures their visits to B.C. are never really road games

Ranch Musings columnist David Zirnhelt. (File photo)

Financial bad news and yet there is hope

David Zirnhelt’s column to the Free Press

  • Dec 8, 2022
(Nature Conservancy of Canada handout photo)

OPINION: Conserving forest, grassland and wetland ecosystems in B.C. has global impact

This week and next governments, scientists and conservation experts are gathering in…

  • Dec 8, 2022
Donna White, front right, president of the 108 Mile Ranch Community Association, and Laura Oliffe, view part of a light display on Annaham Crescent Monday as part of the community’s annual lights competition. The display took top spot in the competition. (Kelly Sinoski photo - 100 Mile Free Press)

108 Mile Ranch celebrates Christmas light-up

There’s plenty of beautiful light displays to see this year

  • Dec 8, 2022
Donna White, front right, president of the 108 Mile Ranch Community Association, and Laura Oliffe, view part of a light display on Annaham Crescent Monday as part of the community’s annual lights competition. The display took top spot in the competition. (Kelly Sinoski photo - 100 Mile Free Press)
Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat, left, and J.T. Miller celebrate Horvat’s goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Why the floundering Canucks really need to consider breakfast

It’s time for franchise to step off cycle of mediocrity by truly committing to the draft

Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat, left, and J.T. Miller celebrate Horvat’s goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Jim Hilton pens a column on forestry each week for the Williams Lake Tribune. (File photo)

More common sense needed on cull pile use

Jim Hilton’s column to the Free Press

  • Dec 5, 2022
Jim Hilton pens a column on forestry each week for the Williams Lake Tribune. (File photo)
Lorne Doerkson is the Liberal MLA for the Cariboo-Chilcotin. (Black Press Media file photos)

Reflecting on fall at the legislature

MLA Lorne Doerkson’s column to the Free Press

  • Dec 5, 2022
Lorne Doerkson is the Liberal MLA for the Cariboo-Chilcotin. (Black Press Media file photos)
Motorists who are in excess of the posted speed limit are warned to reduce their speed. (Fiona Grisswell photo - 100 Mile Free Press)

Lack of awareness of speed changes causes close calls

Fiona Grisswell’s column to the Free Press

Motorists who are in excess of the posted speed limit are warned to reduce their speed. (Fiona Grisswell photo - 100 Mile Free Press)
Sabrina Boulay of Legendary Cactus Ceramics with her beautiful pottery, which includes an array of unusual coffee mugs. (Diana Forster photo)

Interlakes Christmas Craft Fair a success

Diana Forster’s column to the Free Press

  • Dec 3, 2022
Sabrina Boulay of Legendary Cactus Ceramics with her beautiful pottery, which includes an array of unusual coffee mugs. (Diana Forster photo)
Most outstanding Canadian player, quarterback Nathan Rourke of the BC Lions, holds up his trophy during the CFL Awards in Regina, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

THE MOJ: Colts among the team’s eyeing Lions Rourke south of the border

CFL’s outstanding Canadian will be working out in Indianapolis this month

Most outstanding Canadian player, quarterback Nathan Rourke of the BC Lions, holds up his trophy during the CFL Awards in Regina, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
The Lac Hache Volunteer Fire Department hosted a Remembrance Day Ceremony in Lac La Hache on Friday, Nov. 11. (Photo submitted)

Lac La Hache community abuzz with winter events

Barb Hansen’s column to the Free Press

  • Nov 30, 2022
The Lac Hache Volunteer Fire Department hosted a Remembrance Day Ceremony in Lac La Hache on Friday, Nov. 11. (Photo submitted)
Ranch Musings columnist David Zirnhelt. (File photo)

Taking land out of direct food production?

David Zirnhelt’s column to the Free Press

  • Nov 29, 2022
Ranch Musings columnist David Zirnhelt. (File photo)
Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers reacts after being sacked by San Francisco 49ers’ Arik Armstead during the second half of an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

THE MOJ: Continued surprises are what makes the NFL must-watch sports

Experts from around the league share their takes on the season’s most unexpected developments

Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers reacts after being sacked by San Francisco 49ers’ Arik Armstead during the second half of an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Being sick in the hospital is no fun, but complaints go both ways. (Image by OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay)

Being a patient patient

A short stay in Kelowna General Hospital brings on musings about patient life

Being sick in the hospital is no fun, but complaints go both ways. (Image by OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay)
At the 108 Mile Heritage Site’s Canada Day Celebrations Gisele Poliseno enjoyed a meal with her other half Guy Poliseno. (Patrick Davies photo - 100 Mile Free Press)

Register now for Watch Lake/Green Lake Community Association Christmas Party

Gisele Poliseno’s column to the Free Press

  • Nov 27, 2022
At the 108 Mile Heritage Site’s Canada Day Celebrations Gisele Poliseno enjoyed a meal with her other half Guy Poliseno. (Patrick Davies photo - 100 Mile Free Press)
(Photo - Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets)

THE MOJ: Rocketing into orbit with a B.C. hockey success story

Bruce Hamilton’s Kelowna Rockets have been doing junior hockey the right way for years

(Photo - Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets)
FILE - The login/sign up screen for a Twitter account is seen on a laptop computer Tuesday, April 27, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. Musk is offering to buy Twitter, Thursday, April 14, 2022. He says the social media platform he has criticized for not living up to free speech principles needs to be transformed as a private company. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Can you place a monetary value on free speech?

Patrick Davies’ column to the Free Press

FILE - The login/sign up screen for a Twitter account is seen on a laptop computer Tuesday, April 27, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. Musk is offering to buy Twitter, Thursday, April 14, 2022. He says the social media platform he has criticized for not living up to free speech principles needs to be transformed as a private company. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Ranch Musings columnist David Zirnhelt. (File photo)

Transition: warm to cold

David Zirnhelt’s column to the Free Press

  • Nov 22, 2022
Ranch Musings columnist David Zirnhelt. (File photo)
Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko, right, stops Vegas Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel (9) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Monday, November 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: This Vancouver Canuck tire fire is going to be difficult to extinguish

This team is going to be paying the price of previous bad decisions for a long time

Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko, right, stops Vegas Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel (9) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Monday, November 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
70 Mile House Fire Chief Jeff Warner stands in the Structural Protection Unit the fire department put together in the past couple of years to protect residents during a wildfire. (Ken Alexander photo)

70 Mile House Firefighters Association president doubtful about amalgamation

Ken Alexander’s column to the Free Press

  • Nov 21, 2022
70 Mile House Fire Chief Jeff Warner stands in the Structural Protection Unit the fire department put together in the past couple of years to protect residents during a wildfire. (Ken Alexander photo)