New rules will allow property owners in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) increased housing flexibility, helping farmers and non-farmers support their families and businesses in their communities.Options for an additional small secondary home have been added to regulations, allowing farmers and ALR landowners to have both a principal residence and small secondary residence on their property with a streamlined approval process. Only permissions from local government or First Nations government will be required, and there will be no application to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC).The add

A state of local emergency has been issued by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen as one of the newest wildfires in BC threatens 77 homes near the south Okanagan community of Okanagan Falls at the south end of Skaha Lake. Flames broke out yesterday just east of Skaha Lake and the B-C Wildfire Service says about 600 properties in the same area are on evacuation alert as the out-of-control blaze is now estimated at five square kilometres. The wildfire service says more than 300 active fires are currently burning, including one that has prompted an evacuation alert for the resort munic

A crane has collapsed at a construction site in downtown Kelowna, B.C., injuring at least three people. B.C. Emergency Health Services says in a news release that it received word around 11 a.m. that a crane had fallen onto an adjacent building. It says three patients have been taken to hospital with one in critical condition, another seriously hurt and the third with minor injuries. Twelve ground ambulances were sent to the scene along with two critical care teams. RCMP say the industrial accident has knocked out power for most of Kelowna's downtown core and traffic is being rerouted around

The widow of a Toronto police officer killed in the line of duty remembered him as her knight, her strength, her confidante and her best friend. Margaret Northrup delivered the eulogy this afternoon at the police funeral for Constable Jeffrey Northrup, who was struck by a vehicle while responding to a robbery in a parking lot at Toronto City Hall. Officers from across the country attended the funeral at B-MO Field stadium. Constable Jeffrey Northrup died in what investigators have called a deliberate act while he was responding to a robbery in a parking lot at Toronto City Hall earlier this m

British police have opened investigations into the racist abuse of three Black players who failed to score penalties in England's shootout loss to Italy in the European Championship final. The Metropolitan Police has condemned the ``unacceptable'' abuse of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka and says they will be investigating the ``offensive and racist'' social media posts published soon after Italy won Sunday's shootout 3-2 following a 1-1 draw. The English Football Association says it is ``appalled'' by the ``disgusting behavior.'' It adds that social media companies should take

A traffic stop by the Surrey Gang Enforcement Team (SGET) has led to the arrest of a man with gang connections and the seizure of a loaded handgun. On June 29, 2021 at 10:20 pm, SGET officers conducted a traffic stop under the BC Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) with a rental vehicle in the area of 6500-block of 152 Street. During their interaction with the driver, officers noted signs of alcohol impairment, and arrested him. During a further investigation of the vehicle, officers located a loaded handgun, gloves, and an empty jerrycan inside the vehicle.The driver, a 21-year-old Surrey man, was issued

Police in Nanaimo say a quote, ``marginalized person'' who was run over by a vehicle and then pepper-sprayed suffered serious injuries. RCMP Constable Gary O'Brien says various witness accounts suggest the man was targeted on Saturday night as he walked down the street with his belongings in a shopping cart. He says a black vehicle with several occupants stopped next to the man, spoke with him, sped up and then drove over him before someone got out and pepper-sprayed the 45 year old as he lay on the ground. O'Brien says the vehicle sped away and witnesses were not able to get a licence plate

Squamish RCMP and search and rescue teams are looking for a missing hiker in Garibaldi Provincial Park. 33 year old Daniel Ring was dropped off at the Elfin Lakes trailhead on July 7th and had planned to camp at the Rampart Ponds. Police say Ring failed to return to the pickup site two days later and that people on the trails should keep an eye out for him. Ring, who is white, 33 years old, and has a medium build, was last seen wearing a grey T-shirt, black shorts, a camouflage vest and a camouflage backpack. Squamish RCMP on Twitter: BC RCMP - Missing Person: Squamish RCMP and Squamish SAR s

The federal government is donating 17.7 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and is asking Canadians to give their own money to help other countries get needles into arms. Procurement Minister Anita Anand says after talking to provinces, it was determined these COVID-19 doses to be excess supply.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously pledged that Canada would give back 13 million shots it was set to receive through a contract with the global vaccine-sharing alliance COVAX. Canada is on track to receive 68 million doses by the end of July, which would be enough to inoculate mos