British Columbia is tightening public health restrictions as it also introduces enhanced rapid testing and booster shot programs to fight the highly contagious COVID-19 Omicron variant. Starting at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, bars, nightclubs, gyms, fitness centres and dance studios will have to close, and all seated events will be reduced to 50 per cent capacity. Indoor gatherings including weddings are being cancelled. The health orders allow restaurants and cafes to stay open, but seating will be limited to a maximum of six people at a table, and physical distancing must be followed. The new

RCMP in West Kelowna say two men are in hospital recovering from gunshot wounds. Few details have been released, but police say the two were attacked late yesterday afternoon in the parking lot of a West Kelowna hotel. Investigators believe the shootings were targeted, but haven't said if any suspects have been identified. The two men were rushed to hospital, prompting a roughly three-hour lockdown but normal operations at Kelowna General had resumed before 9 p.m. last night.

Canadian Maggie Mac Neil has won the gold medal in the women's 100 metre butterfly at the world short course swimming championships in Abu Dhabi. She did it in a Canadian record time of 55.04 seconds. Mac Neil was also part of the team that earned silver in the women's four-by-100 medley today, and yesterday she set a world record in the 50 metre backstroke. FINA on Twitter: 4 gold medals and a WR for Maggie Macneil at the World Swimming Championship 🤩"If you would have told me my first world record would be backstroke, I wouldn’t have believed you" said MacneilHow would you describ

North Vancouver RCMP is seeking public assistance in a suspicious person investigation.On November 18, at approximately 7:00 p.m. on a walking trail near Blueridge Elementary, an adult man approached a 14 year-old teenager and asked him to accompany him to help him find his dog. In a second incident the following afternoon, at approximately 4:00 p.m. on a walking trail near Seymour Heights Elementary, the same teenager reported being approached by the same man.The man is described as Caucasian, in his mid-30s, 5’7 tall, very skinny, with dark brown hair and hazel or brown eyes. Police are re

More health measures could be coming in British Columbia one day after restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 took effect.Health Minister Adrian Dix, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry are set to provide another update this afternoon on COVID-19.The Ministry of Health has reported 2,550 new cases between Friday and Sunday, pushing the total number of active infections to 5,435 _ a leap of 2,486 cases in one week.The ministry says public health is monitoring the increase as well as developments in other areas, and will outline addi

Over a three-day period, B.C. is reporting 2,550 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 228,335 cases in the province:Dec. 17-18: 911 new casesDec. 18-19: 832 new casesDec. 19-20: 807 new casesThere are 5,435 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 220,348 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 185 individuals are in hospital and 77 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the last 72 hours, three new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,402.The new deaths include:Fraser Health: oneNorthern Health: one

The RCMP say they are investigating allegations that protesters threatened security officials, set off flares and damaged vehicles at a drill site for the Coastal GasLink pipeline in northern British Columbia. The Mounties say in a statement released Monday that officers were called to the site along a forest service road near Houston on Sunday. They say anyone blocking worker access to the area is in breach of a court-ordered injunction. Opposition to the pipeline project among Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs sparked rallies and rail blockades across Canada last year. The elected council of t

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP and BC Coroners Service are investigating after a Vernon man died while snowboarding at Silverstar Mountain Resort on Saturday morning.On Saturday, December 18th, 2021, at approximately 11:20 a.m., the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP were notified that a snowboarder had been found unconscious in the Putnam Creek area of the mountain. The initial investigation has determined the man was snowboarding in an area of complex terrain that was closed at the time due to poor conditions. The victim, who was alone, fell into a ravine and was later discovered by a skier who noti

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has tested positive for COVID-19. She shared the information on Twitter. Her rapid test has ben found positive as she waits for the results of a PCR test. Mélanie Joly on Twitter: I have taken a rapid test and tested positive for #COVID19. Following public health guidelines, I am in isolation and will continue my work virtually, as I have been for a number of days, until I get the results of my PCR test. 1/3 I’m grateful for the protection that vaccines offer us and encourage everyone to get vaccinated and boosted. It’s the best thing we c