Columnists

Toronto Blue Jays announcer Ben Wagner sits in the broadcast booth in Toronto, Sunday, April 10, 2022. Sportsnet, the Blue Jays’ radio rightsholder, will not resume on-site radio broadcasts for the 2023 regular season and will instead use remote coverage from its downtown Toronto studio for road games. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

THE MOJ: Leaving the broadcasters at home a sad and baffling decision

Radio crew not joining the team on the road leads to an inferior product without much of a saving

Cariboo cultural outlaw Joey Only is getting famous for his unique weather broadcasts. His “comedeorolgy” shows are going global, all from the mountains of Wells. (Photo submitted by Joey Only)

Real weather forecast by outlaw weather-watcher Joey Only

This week’s look at the forecast and environmental conditions

Jim Hilton pens a column on forestry each week for the Williams Lake Tribune. (File photo)

FOREST INK: Changes to B.C. forest policy signal new approach to management

The government seeks a balanced approach

  • Mar 19, 2023
B.C. Lions linebacker Solomon Elimimian speaks to reporters after an end of season meeting at the CFL football team’s practice facility, in Surrey, B.C., on Tuesday November 13, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Saluting the wisdom — and the resolve — of Solomon Elimimian

Hall of Fame induction is the crowning achievement of an examplary B.C. Lions career

B.C. Lions linebacker Solomon Elimimian speaks to reporters after an end of season meeting at the CFL football team’s practice facility, in Surrey, B.C., on Tuesday November 13, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Building year-round tourism is Quesnel’s key

Tourism sector looks to evolve after pandemic

Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser tosses a stick into the crowd after being named the first star of the game after Vancouver defeated the Dallas Stars during an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser tosses a stick into the crowd after being named the first star of the game after Vancouver defeated the Dallas Stars during an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Oakland Athletics’ Conner Capel (21) watches a ground rule double hit by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Miguel Vargas bounce over the fence during the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

THE MOJ: Good reasons to be stuck on Cactus League baseball

Arizona spring baseball offers a chance to soak up the sport in its purest form

Oakland Athletics’ Conner Capel (21) watches a ground rule double hit by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Miguel Vargas bounce over the fence during the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Vancouver Canucks’ JT Miller. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

THE MOJ: For Canucks to dig themselves out of this mess, sacrifices have to be made

Big, long-term contracts need to be offloaded, even if you have to pay to do it

Vancouver Canucks’ JT Miller. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
FILE – The Ocean Cleanup project’s latest iteration of plastic-collecting technology, the System 002, will leave Victoria and heads to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. (Photo courtesy of the Ocean Cleanup/ Twitter)

OPINION: Court case could kill progress on plastic pollution in Canada

‘The world is beginning to act to reduce the plastic crisis’

  • Mar 6, 2023
FILE – The Ocean Cleanup project’s latest iteration of plastic-collecting technology, the System 002, will leave Victoria and heads to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. (Photo courtesy of the Ocean Cleanup/ Twitter)
Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford, back right, listens as general manager Patrik Allvin responds to a question during an end of NHL hockey season news conference, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Trade deadline once again dashes the hopes of Canuck fans

Jim Rutherford and his team did what they said they’d do: retool, not rebuild

Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford, back right, listens as general manager Patrik Allvin responds to a question during an end of NHL hockey season news conference, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The jerseys and logos worn by the Vancouver Canucks — and, consequently, their fans — have seen several drastic changes in the four decades since the team entered the NHL, and pretty much all of those iterations can be spotted in the throngs of people out celebrating the playoffs in recent weeks. In this April 29, 2007 file photo, Vancouver Canucks' Markus Naslund celebrates after scoring against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of an NHL playoff hockey game in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Richard Lam

THE MOJ: Revisiting a snap deadline trade done in minutes that changed Canucks history

Franchise legend Markus Naslund was picked up with no advance warning after a last-minute phone call

The jerseys and logos worn by the Vancouver Canucks — and, consequently, their fans — have seen several drastic changes in the four decades since the team entered the NHL, and pretty much all of those iterations can be spotted in the throngs of people out celebrating the playoffs in recent weeks. In this April 29, 2007 file photo, Vancouver Canucks' Markus Naslund celebrates after scoring against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of an NHL playoff hockey game in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Richard Lam
As the cost of food continues to rise, grocery chains in Canada are reportedly making record profits. It’s time for the CEOs of these companies to explain themselves, says the federal New Democratic Party. (Unsplash photo)

OFF TOPIC: Bread or cake, the rising cost of food is giving me indigestion

How do grocery chain CEOs square skyrocketing prices with massive profits?

As the cost of food continues to rise, grocery chains in Canada are reportedly making record profits. It’s time for the CEOs of these companies to explain themselves, says the federal New Democratic Party. (Unsplash photo)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Dane Evans (9) makes a pass during second quarter CFL Eastern semi-final football action against the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday, November 6, 2022 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

THE MOJ: Dane Evans move shows the Lions commited to winning in 2023

Former Hamilton starter to back up Vernon Adams Jr. giving the Leos an intriguing option

Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Dane Evans (9) makes a pass during second quarter CFL Eastern semi-final football action against the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday, November 6, 2022 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
FILE - Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy addresses the media during an NFL football news conference at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., in this Jan. 23, 2020, file photo. Bieniemy has become the cause celebre when it comes to minority assistants who have been denied the opportunity to become head coaches in the NFL. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

THE MOJ: Case of Eric Bieniemy drawing eyes to the NFL’s lack of black head coaches

In a league where more than 60% of players are black less than 10% of teams have black head coaches

FILE - Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy addresses the media during an NFL football news conference at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., in this Jan. 23, 2020, file photo. Bieniemy has become the cause celebre when it comes to minority assistants who have been denied the opportunity to become head coaches in the NFL. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Ranch Musings columnist David Zirnhelt. (File photo)

RANCH MUSINGS: Where are cattle prices going?

Higher margin years such as we are in should leave us with retained earnings

  • Feb 19, 2023
Ranch Musings columnist David Zirnhelt. (File photo)
Hundreds of people march along Yale Road near Hodgins Avenue during a so-called Fraser Valley Freedom Rally on Saturday, April 3, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

OPINION: The staggering socioeconomic costs of COVID anti-vaxxer behaviour

COVID-is-a-hoax crowd caused thousands more deaths, hundreds of millions in hospital costs: report

Hundreds of people march along Yale Road near Hodgins Avenue during a so-called Fraser Valley Freedom Rally on Saturday, April 3, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)
NBC Sports NFL Analyst Chris Simms played the role of Nostradamus on the Northwest Tank Lines Super Bowl show. (courtesy Bob Marjanovich)

THE MOJ: the coach, the offensive line and why the Chiefs are champions

Credit Kansas City, but there will always be a ‘yeah, but’ tied to this Super Bowl

NBC Sports NFL Analyst Chris Simms played the role of Nostradamus on the Northwest Tank Lines Super Bowl show. (courtesy Bob Marjanovich)
Canada’s Connor Bedard carries the IIHF Championship Cup while celebrating winning over Czechia at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game in Halifax on Thursday, January 5, 2023. Connor Bedard keeps packing arenas in Western Canada after his electrifying performance at the world junior men’s hockey championship. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
Canada’s Connor Bedard carries the IIHF Championship Cup while celebrating winning over Czechia at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game in Halifax on Thursday, January 5, 2023. Connor Bedard keeps packing arenas in Western Canada after his electrifying performance at the world junior men’s hockey championship. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

THE MOJ: Canucks predictably dwindling their way down to season’s end

Looking at the draft all fans have, as Tocchet’s record with the Canucks drops to a dismal 3-6

Canada’s Connor Bedard carries the IIHF Championship Cup while celebrating winning over Czechia at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game in Halifax on Thursday, January 5, 2023. Connor Bedard keeps packing arenas in Western Canada after his electrifying performance at the world junior men’s hockey championship. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
Canada’s Connor Bedard carries the IIHF Championship Cup while celebrating winning over Czechia at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game in Halifax on Thursday, January 5, 2023. Connor Bedard keeps packing arenas in Western Canada after his electrifying performance at the world junior men’s hockey championship. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
Jim Hilton pens a column on forestry each week for the Williams Lake Tribune.

FOREST INK: Looking at green energy options

Phasing out fossil fuels is a complicated process

  • Feb 12, 2023
Jim Hilton pens a column on forestry each week for the Williams Lake Tribune.
Bob Marjanovich poses with podcast co-host Chris Burns and legendary quarterback Joe Montana in Phoenix ahead of the Super Bowl. (courtesy Bob Marjanovich)

THE MOJ: In a drastic shift, the NFL is gambling on a new way to make money

As for the Moj, his money is on the Eagles in this weekend’s big game

Bob Marjanovich poses with podcast co-host Chris Burns and legendary quarterback Joe Montana in Phoenix ahead of the Super Bowl. (courtesy Bob Marjanovich)