Local Business

Long-time treasure hunter Werner Streicek shows off a bit of gold he discovered. He and his daughters are set to begin their first full season of mining in the Cariboo region starting this summer. (Adam Louis/Observer)

Harrison Hot Springs treasure hunter eyes gold in the Cariboo region

Werner Streicek will rely on decades of mining experience to create legacy for family

Agassiz Produce is currently closed as renovations are underway. Manager Marie Christie said the store is set to reopen on Canada Day. (File Photo)

Agassiz Produce set to open July 1

The produce store has been closed since November 2021

Yvan Charette, owner of the Haney Public House, is the new president of the Alliance of Beverage Licensees, ABLE BC. (Special to The News)

Lower Mainland restaurateur head of ABLE BC

Yvan Charette was voted president of agency representing bars and private liquor stores across B.C.

Snow on Highway 5 early morning April 5, 2022 southbound at Zopkios Rest Area, near the Coquihalla Summit, looking southwest. (DriveBC)

Storm warning still in effect on Coquihalla Highway with more flurries forecast

‘Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve,’ says Environment Canada warning

Snow on Highway 5 early morning April 5, 2022 southbound at Zopkios Rest Area, near the Coquihalla Summit, looking southwest. (DriveBC)
Agassiz Produce manager Marie Christie announced that asbestos has been removed and renovations are nearing completion at one of Agassiz’s longest-standing businesses. Reopening is tenatively slated for mid-March. (Adam Louis/Observer)

After a long four months, Agassiz Produce announces reopening plans

Work is wrapping up following asbestos removal, renovations

Agassiz Produce manager Marie Christie announced that asbestos has been removed and renovations are nearing completion at one of Agassiz’s longest-standing businesses. Reopening is tenatively slated for mid-March. (Adam Louis/Observer)
The Love Local Shop Local event this past weekend featured a hot chocolate bar at the Agassiz-Harrison Museum. (Dani Kent/Observer))

Love Local Shop Local pours on the local business love

The Love Local Shop Local celebration joined in on the Valentine’s Day…

The Love Local Shop Local event this past weekend featured a hot chocolate bar at the Agassiz-Harrison Museum. (Dani Kent/Observer))
Love Local Shop Local is an area business initiative designed to encourage supporting small businesses in the Agassiz-Harrison area. (Graphics/Harrison Agassiz Chamber of Commerce)

Love Local Shop Local launches weekend fun

Weekend event takes place Saturday and Sunday, 11 to 5 in Pioneer Park

Love Local Shop Local is an area business initiative designed to encourage supporting small businesses in the Agassiz-Harrison area. (Graphics/Harrison Agassiz Chamber of Commerce)
Sqéwqel Development Corporation received a $50,000 government grant to study the feasibility of renewable natural gas operations in the Seabird Island community. (Graphic/SqDC)

Seabird Island gets clean-energy grant for renewable natural gas studies

Province gives $50K through First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund

Sqéwqel Development Corporation received a $50,000 government grant to study the feasibility of renewable natural gas operations in the Seabird Island community. (Graphic/SqDC)
Fields along Tolmie Road on Sumas Prairie in Abbotsford were still flooded on Dec. 7, 2021. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)

Evacuation order lifted for south portion of Sumas Prairie in Abbotsford

Orders have now been rescinded for three of the four areas impacted by flooding

Fields along Tolmie Road on Sumas Prairie in Abbotsford were still flooded on Dec. 7, 2021. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)
Jordan Froese, with son Mitchell, points to salmon in flooded yard on Chilliwack River Road. (Prossy Froese photo)

B.C. researchers, advocates consider impacts of catastrophic flooding on Fraser River salmon

Stranded and trapped salmon seen swimming in yards, trapped on railway tracks, trails, in ditches

Jordan Froese, with son Mitchell, points to salmon in flooded yard on Chilliwack River Road. (Prossy Froese photo)
Anita’s Organic Mill co-owner Taylor Gemmel outside the Chilliwack location. (Michelle Gemmel submitted file photo)

Nature’s Path acquires majority interest in Chilliwack organic food business

Largest organic cereal and snack maker buys into Anita’s Organic Mill

Anita’s Organic Mill co-owner Taylor Gemmel outside the Chilliwack location. (Michelle Gemmel submitted file photo)
In the past two weeks, at least a few businesses in the Agassiz-Harrison area have experienced harassment related to the B.C. vaccine card. Some have had signage related to COVID-19 protocols destroyed. (File Photo)

Majority of Agassiz-Harrison businesses who replied to survey deal with verbal abuse when enforcing COVID-19 restrictions

The Observer conducted a survey recently related to COVID-19 protocols and harassment

In the past two weeks, at least a few businesses in the Agassiz-Harrison area have experienced harassment related to the B.C. vaccine card. Some have had signage related to COVID-19 protocols destroyed. (File Photo)
(From left to right) MP Brad Vis, PowerWood managing director Jake Power, MLA Kelli Paddon and District of Kent Mayor Sylvia Pranger prepare to cut the ribbon to celebrate PowerWood’s grand opening in Agassiz on Wednesday, July 7. See more photos online at www.agassizharrisonobserver.com. (Adam Louis/Observer)

PHOTOS: PowerWood’s grand opening celebrated in Agassiz

The company was established in Coquitlam in 1995

(From left to right) MP Brad Vis, PowerWood managing director Jake Power, MLA Kelli Paddon and District of Kent Mayor Sylvia Pranger prepare to cut the ribbon to celebrate PowerWood’s grand opening in Agassiz on Wednesday, July 7. See more photos online at www.agassizharrisonobserver.com. (Adam Louis/Observer)
West Coast Robotics project manager Jesse Wheeler opens the door to a Lely Astronaut milking machine. These machines were designed with the comfort of the cow in mind, allowing them to come and go and be milked as they choose. (Adam Louis/Observer)

Driven by dairy and data, West Coast Robotics brings innovation to farming

WCR was founded in 2008 in Harrison Mills

West Coast Robotics project manager Jesse Wheeler opens the door to a Lely Astronaut milking machine. These machines were designed with the comfort of the cow in mind, allowing them to come and go and be milked as they choose. (Adam Louis/Observer)
Holger Schwichtenberg and his son Philip talk in the barn of the 150-acre Schwichtenberg farm. This farm is one of many throughout B.C. that support more than 12,500 jobs across the province in the dairy industry. (Contributed Photo/B.C. Dairy Association)

Agassiz dairy farm a model of care for environment, animals, and family

Farm is part of a dairy sector centred in the Fraser Valley, supporting 12,500 jobs province-wide

Holger Schwichtenberg and his son Philip talk in the barn of the 150-acre Schwichtenberg farm. This farm is one of many throughout B.C. that support more than 12,500 jobs across the province in the dairy industry. (Contributed Photo/B.C. Dairy Association)
Honey / Kevin Mills Photo

Engineering couple buzz from corporate jobs to honey farming in Mission

Husband-and-wife team at Viewcrest Farms leasing land from District of Mission for more beehives

Honey / Kevin Mills Photo
Sasquatch smiles while illustrating social distancing on a sign on Esplanade Avenue during a quiet, cloudy morning. Businesses along Harrison’s beachfront street are among many in Agassiz-Harrison awaiting word about provincial COVID-19 restrictions. Restrictions will be reassessed on May 25, and any decisions made that day could change the course of the summer for local tourism and business. (Adam Louis/Observer)

‘Waiting with bated breath’: Local businesses grapple with lack of predictabilty amid COVID restrictions

Mixed emotions as Lower Mainlanders rediscover Agassiz-Harrison, businesses operate online

Sasquatch smiles while illustrating social distancing on a sign on Esplanade Avenue during a quiet, cloudy morning. Businesses along Harrison’s beachfront street are among many in Agassiz-Harrison awaiting word about provincial COVID-19 restrictions. Restrictions will be reassessed on May 25, and any decisions made that day could change the course of the summer for local tourism and business. (Adam Louis/Observer)
A lumber planer has been installed at the former Metric Modular site as PowerWood works on moving from Surrey to Agassiz. Established in 1995, the red cedar product manufacturer will have plenty of room to grow in Agassiz, said co-owner Jake Power. (Adam Louis/Observer)

Surrey cedar processor PowerWood moving to Agassiz

The company ships red cedar projects all over the world

A lumber planer has been installed at the former Metric Modular site as PowerWood works on moving from Surrey to Agassiz. Established in 1995, the red cedar product manufacturer will have plenty of room to grow in Agassiz, said co-owner Jake Power. (Adam Louis/Observer)
Chilliwack-Kent MLA Kelli Paddon takes a selfie outside of Lakeside Beach Club in Cultus Lake. During "circuit-breaker" restrictions, Paddon hosted gift card giveaways to support businesses in the riding and encouraged businesses to apply for government grants to help them through the pandemic. (Facebook/Kelli Paddon MLA)

Chilliwack-Kent MLA Kelli Paddon salutes province for quick aid for small businesses

Paddon encouraged businesses in hospitality, fitness, food to apply before June 4 deadline

Chilliwack-Kent MLA Kelli Paddon takes a selfie outside of Lakeside Beach Club in Cultus Lake. During "circuit-breaker" restrictions, Paddon hosted gift card giveaways to support businesses in the riding and encouraged businesses to apply for government grants to help them through the pandemic. (Facebook/Kelli Paddon MLA)
Hundreds of Harrison Hot Springs Resort employees face a potential lockout on Friday (April 30) afternoon amid a labour dispute involving UNITED HERE Local 40. (Grace Kennedy/The Observer)

Friday lockout looms for Harrison resort workers

Hospitality union, employer group remain at odds

Hundreds of Harrison Hot Springs Resort employees face a potential lockout on Friday (April 30) afternoon amid a labour dispute involving UNITED HERE Local 40. (Grace Kennedy/The Observer)