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BC Lions’ quarterback Vernon Adams (8), Bryan Burnham (16) and Alexander Hollins (13) comfort eachother after losing to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL western final in Winnipeg, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

THE MOJ: Pretty safe bet the B.C. Lions will be expecting more than 5 1/2 wins next year

Checking their egos at the door made for a surprising and satisfying year in B.C. Place

BC Lions’ quarterback Vernon Adams (8), Bryan Burnham (16) and Alexander Hollins (13) comfort eachother after losing to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL western final in Winnipeg, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Firefighters hose down the PQB News offices on Wednesday, Nov. 9. (Michael Briones photo)

WOLF: Massive Parksville blaze sees ‘The News’ become the news

COLUMN: Despite best efforts of firefighters, 6 businesses razed

Firefighters hose down the PQB News offices on Wednesday, Nov. 9. (Michael Briones photo)
Former Vancouver Canucks linemates Todd Bertuzzi, from left, Brendan Morrison and Markus Naslund, of Sweden, are honoured during a ceremony before the Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres play an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday December 7, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: B.C. still has a special place in the heart of Brendan Morrison

Former Canuck centre has stayed busy since his NHL career came to a close in 2012

Former Vancouver Canucks linemates Todd Bertuzzi, from left, Brendan Morrison and Markus Naslund, of Sweden, are honoured during a ceremony before the Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres play an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday December 7, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) reacts toward fans after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt York)

THE MOJ: These are interesting times to be a B.C. sports fan

Lions, Seahawks riding high as the Canucks roil in despair

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) reacts toward fans after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt York)
File photo

Barron: Remembering when gun-toting elementary schoolkids said ‘enough’ to the rats

A half-century ago, school pest-control methods were a little bit different

File photo
The Grey Cup trophy sits on display before a B.C. Lions news conference where the Canadian Football League team was announced as hosts of 2024 Grey Cup, in Vancouver, on Thursday, November 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Grey Cup latest step in Doman’s bid to reconnect B.C. with the Lions

Lions owner is a man on a mission with the vision to get things done

The Grey Cup trophy sits on display before a B.C. Lions news conference where the Canadian Football League team was announced as hosts of 2024 Grey Cup, in Vancouver, on Thursday, November 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
(courtesy Bob Marjanovich)

THE MOJ: Flames broadcaster feeling fortunate recovering from serious health scare

Rick Ball hit with a pulmonary embolism tied to a broken leg suffered golfing

(courtesy Bob Marjanovich)
Barb Presseau, seen here on Oct. 21, 2022, is upset the man who killed her son Doug on July 7, 2017 downtown Chilliwack is set for statutory release on or near Nov. 19, 2022. Kirkland Russell was sentenced to eight years for the killing. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)

OPINION: Mother of B.C. man stabbed to death outraged over killer’s imminent release

Barbara Presseau wants public to know that offenders only serve two-thirds of sentences behind bars

Barb Presseau, seen here on Oct. 21, 2022, is upset the man who killed her son Doug on July 7, 2017 downtown Chilliwack is set for statutory release on or near Nov. 19, 2022. Kirkland Russell was sentenced to eight years for the killing. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)
BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke (12) evades a tackle from Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Charleston Hughes (39) during the second quarter of CFL football action in Regina, on Friday, July 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

THE MOJ: Can a restored and revived Rourke lead the Lions to the promised land?

Quarterback’s surprise recovery has B.C. football fans on the edge of their seats

BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke (12) evades a tackle from Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Charleston Hughes (39) during the second quarter of CFL football action in Regina, on Friday, July 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
Referee Kendrick Nicholson picks up a Vancouver Canucks jersey that was thrown onto the ice by a fan as the team plays the Buffalo Sabres during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Canucks getting paid to win and their coach may pay the price

As the early season results mount in Vancouver, Boudreau’s seat getting hotter — his fault or not

Referee Kendrick Nicholson picks up a Vancouver Canucks jersey that was thrown onto the ice by a fan as the team plays the Buffalo Sabres during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Sockeye salmon struggle to get upstream in historically low water levels in Weaver Creek near the Harrison River north of Chilliwack on Oct. 20, 2022. (Submitted by a Watershed Watch Salmon Society volunteer)

OPINION w/VIDEO: Salmon die and people lose their water as B.C. sleepwalks into yet another crisis

‘It’s time those responsible for protecting B.C.s environment spent a little more time out here with us’

  • Oct 25, 2022
Sockeye salmon struggle to get upstream in historically low water levels in Weaver Creek near the Harrison River north of Chilliwack on Oct. 20, 2022. (Submitted by a Watershed Watch Salmon Society volunteer)
A woman walks through an art installation in Montreal, on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

THE MOJ: For the best stop on the CFL road trip circuit, you can’t beat Montreal

As for the bottom-ranked city, if you can’t say anything nice…

A woman walks through an art installation in Montreal, on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Voters mark their civic election ballots at a polling station in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

CAMERON: Boosting 2022 local election turnout in B.C. unlikely

‘One reason cited for the low turnout is the peculiar nature of local elections’

Voters mark their civic election ballots at a polling station in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Lions’ Keon Hatcher (4) fails to make the reception in the end zone as Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Brandon Alexander (37) defends and Desmond Lawrence (46) watches during the first half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Lions’ Keon Hatcher (4) fails to make the reception in the end zone as Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Brandon Alexander (37) defends and Desmond Lawrence (46) watches during the first half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks forward Ilya Mikheyev, of Russia, skates during the NHL hockey team’s training camp in Whistler, B.C., Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Canucks adopt philosophy of making a good offence their best defence

Unable to fix the blueline, Vancouver looks to outscore the opposition

Vancouver Canucks forward Ilya Mikheyev, of Russia, skates during the NHL hockey team’s training camp in Whistler, B.C., Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Dalton Schoen (83) is tackled by B.C. Lions' Delvin Breaux Sr. (23) after making a reception during the second half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, July 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Lions path to clinching 2nd place not as tough as you might think

Winnipeg will be relaxed, resting starters and less focused for two remaining tilts

Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Dalton Schoen (83) is tackled by B.C. Lions' Delvin Breaux Sr. (23) after making a reception during the second half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, July 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith reacts after his 8-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

THE MOJ: Don’t be surprised if Geno Smith keeps the Seahawks soaring

Many factors allowing former journeyman to shine in starter’s role

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith reacts after his 8-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
About 17 per cent of British Columbians are currently experiencing a mental illness or substance use issue, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association. (File photo)

COLUMN: Breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness and PTSD

I always thought only those who were in a war had PTSD. I was wrong.

About 17 per cent of British Columbians are currently experiencing a mental illness or substance use issue, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association. (File photo)
Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser lines up for a faceoff against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Wednesday, March 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Pre-season for any professional sports team is a time for optimism

It’s what happens during the start of the regular season that actually matters

Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser lines up for a faceoff against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Wednesday, March 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
(courtesy B.C. Lions)

THE MOJ: A Rourke return for the Lions? Let’s call it a long shot with a shot

Still a faint hope that B.C.’s quarterback sensation could be back in time for the playoffs

(courtesy B.C. Lions)