What's the difference between a hypothesis and a theory?
Science columnist TODD WHITCOMBE explains how the answer shapes the evolution debate /26

MICHENER AWARD WINNER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE JOURNALISM

Seriously injured hockey player recalls horrific accident /12
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2008 www.princegeorgecitizen.com $1.25 (HOME DELIVERED: 61 CENTS A DAY)

INSIDE

West Fraser axes production
by GORDON HOEKSTRA Citizen staff West Fraser Timber is cutting lumber production at its sawmills in the U.S. and Canada, ramping up indefinite closures at sawmills in northern B.C. and the U.S. The company is reacting to the same negative market forces that have made other companies take similar curtailments: low lumber prices due to a collapse in the U.S. housing market, a high Canadian dollar and a 15-per-cent export tax on lumber shipments to the U.S. But in an unusual move, Vancouver-based West Fraser, normally tightlipped about its production moves, has been public about its reductions. The company Thursday revealed a $34-million loss and said it will be cutting production by 350 million board feet of production in the U.S., mostly through hourly reductions. In B.C., its Terrace sawmill has already been shut down indefinitely since October. The company also cut a graveyard shift at its 100 Mile House sawmill a week ago, an indefinite shift reduction affecting 51 workers. In Smithers, the graveyard shift is being taken down for six weeks, affecting 25 workers. And a temporary fiveweek cut of the third shift at West Fraser's sawmill in Houston has been made indefinite. That shift reduction impacts about 70 workers. -- See IT'S A BLOODBATH on page 3

Haida hat maker shows her skills /13

Cougars seen in Pineview
by FRANK PEEBLES Citizen staff Conservation officers were called to the Pineview area on Thursday to investigate a pair of cougar sightings. CO Gary Van Spengen said the sightings are unconfirmed, but there were two separate alerts from the public in the same area, so no chances are being taken. "We did have two complaints today, but have been unable to locate either complaint," Van Spengen said. "I have been to both areas that were noted and I have found wildlife tracks, but none of them are cougar. So I am still investigating and it is unconfirmed." The first Pineview sighting on Thursday was at about 8:30 a.m. and the second was about 12:45 p.m. They were both in the Chilcotin Road vicinity. -- See ATTACK on page 3

Sun and fog
Citizen photos by Brent Braaten

Go to prom dressed in duct tape /31

Film commission cut
by MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff The final credits are about to roll for the Northern B.C. Film Commission. The commission's office on First Avenue will be closed down at the end of March, Initiatives Prince George economic development director Kathie Scouten told city council during Wednesday night's budget meeting. A combination of factors for the decision were cited, including with the general difficulty in attracting major productions due to the high Canadian dollar and a lack of interest from northern B.C. communities in supporting the commission. The commission, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in October, operated on a budget of about $170,000 -- the city contributing $40,000 and the rest coming from other sources. In 2006, it smoothed the way for $360,000 worth of filming in northern B.C., mostly in the form of documentaries and commercials, but the major productions were becoming few and far between. The last feature-length film shot in northern B.C. came in 2005 when parts of Eight Below, the Disney movie about the sled dogs left behind in the Antarctic for a winter, was shot in Smithers. An economic impact study showed the work generated $11 million for the region and a further $14 million in Vancouver. -- See PRODUCTIONS on page 3

Jon Stewart prepares for Oscars /32

Cheryl Holmgren gets some skating in under sunny skies at the Outdoor Ice Oval on Thursday afternoon. Despite the warm daytime temperatures, the ice is holding up well. Earlier in the day, a cyclist rides through dense fog at the intersection of Massey and Westwood.

INDEX
0

58307

00200

5

Annie's Mailbox . . . . . . . . 34 Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Business. . . .. . . . . . . . .22-24 City, B.C. . . . . . . . . . . 3,5-7,13

Classified . . . . . . . . . . .16-20 Coming Events . . ... . . . . . .27 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Entertainment . . . . . . . 32,33

Horoscope . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Nation . . . . . . . . . . . .7,14,24 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-12 World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14,15

High : 2 Low : -7 page 2

E-Mail address:

news@princegeorgecitizen.com
Our website:

http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com

07 Okanagan 1 1 6 U LT 's

CAMPING ur way!
yo

TH E ULTIMATE SUITES!
LAYAWAY PLANS AVAILABLE UNTIL APRIL 1, 2008.
Pricing and options vary per unit.

07 Okanagan 1 1 7 D B L 's
S a le p r ic e s s t a r t in g a t

S a le p r ic e s s t a r t in g a t

$ 3 2 ,5 9 6

$ 4 1 ,0 2 4

DL# 7970

805 First Ave � 563-8891 � 1-800-563-8893 ON SITE FINANCING AVAILABLE ON APPROVED CREDIT.

Prices are net of taxes, documentation & insurance.

To see our full inventory go to www.nrmotors.ca

SWITCHBOARD: 562-2441

CLASSIFIED: 562-6666

READER SALES: 562-3301