BCAug 21, 2020
Surrey RCMP arrest youth in connection with a string of robberies
The Surrey RCMP Robbery Unit has arrested a 16 year old youth for a string of robberies that allegedly involved the use of the online marketplace app, Letgo. The four robberies occurred between March 15, 2020 and June 27, 2020, in Whalley. Each of these incidents took place during daylight hours and were the result of meet ups arranged online for the purpose of buying high-value cellphones. During the encounters, the victims were allegedly sprayed with bear mace and robbed of their cellphones.With the help of witnesses, the Surrey RCMP Robbery Unit identified the suspect and on August 13, 2020
BCAug 20, 2020
Pandemic pushes BC Ferries revenue losses to $62 million in first quarter
BC Ferries says it sank to a first quarter loss of 62 million dollars due to the impact of COVID-19 on ferry traffic. That compares with a profit of 12.2 million dollars in the April to June period last year. It says revenue was down 109 million dollars as lockdowns imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 saw ferry traffic plummet at the start of the pandemic. A statement from BC Ferries says ferry traffic dropped 75 to 80 per cent across the system in a matter of days at the outset of the pandemic. The province announced earlier this month that BC Ferries would be included in a 1.08 billi
CanadaAug 20, 2020
Kentucky man to face upto $750K fine for breaking quarantine rules
A Kentucky man could face a fine of up to 750-thousand-dollars or six months in jail for allegedly violating a quarantine order in Banff in late June. John Pennington was initially given a 12-hundred dollar ticket on June 25th after staff at a Banff hotel called the RCMP saying they believed the American citizen was violating the Alberta Public Health Act during the COVID-19 pandemic. R-C-M-P Corporal Tammy Keibel says officers received a call the next day about a car with American plates at a gondola parking lot.
BCAug 20, 2020
Potential exposure to COVID-19 at a bar in Vancouver
The latest reported potential exposure to COVID-19 in British Columbia was at a bar in Vancouver. The regional health authority says anyone who was at Bartholomew Bar during operating hours on Aug. 13 and 14 should monitor themselves for symptoms. Vancouver Coastal Health says the possible exposures are believed to be low risk. Environmental health officers with Vancouver Coastal have issued closure orders for Pierre's Champagne Lounge and the West Oak Restaurant, while the Ivy Lounge in the Trump Tower closed voluntarily after public exposures to COVID-19. The province reported 68 new cases
BCAug 20, 2020
Ministry mislead students in wake of exam errors: Ombudsperson
British Columbia's ombudsperson says the Education Ministry has agreed to apologize and compensate students harmed by incorrect provincial exam results last year.Jay Chalke says his investigation found the ministry's communication with students and their families to be misleading and in some cases inaccurate even after the errors were identified.The ministry posted more than 18,000 incorrect exam scores, roughly half of which were lower than they should have been.Grade 12 students intending to enter Canadian universities in the fall are often accepted based on marks that only reflect their fir
CanadaAug 20, 2020
Liberals to replace CERB with new benefit, simplified EI program at cost of $37B
The federal Liberals are rolling out a $37-billion income-support plan for workers whose earnings have crashed during the pandemic. The details released today outline what will happen to some four million workers receiving the $500 a week Canada Emergency Response Benefit, which is set to wind down starting next month. The CERB will be extended another four weeks, and a new benefit that pays $400 a week for up to 26 weeks will replace it for those ineligible for employment insurance. Anyone eligible for EI will get the same minimum for at least 26 weeks and will need to have worked 120 hours
BCAug 20, 2020
Youngster dead, woman hurt as tree falls on hiking group near Chilliwack, B.C.
A five-year-old boy has been killed in an accident involving a group of hikers on a walk east of Vancouver. RCMP in Chilliwack say a tree fell on the group Tuesday as they walked along a trail in Yarrow, 90 kilometres east of Vancouver. A statement from police says the boy had died by the time officers arrived.Cpl. Mike Rail says a 22-year-old woman was also hurt. He says she was treated in hospital for what are described as non-life-threatening injuries. The BC Coroners Service and RCMP are investigating.
CanadaAug 20, 2020
US officials install cable barrier along Canadian border
A cable barrier was installed along a section of the border between Washington state and Canada in an effort to curb ``dangerous criminal enterprises,'' according to a statement from the U.S. Border Patrol Wednesday.KING-TV reports the U.S.-Canada border has been closed to all non-essential travel since March to help limit the spread of the virus.The section of the border near Lynden, Wash., where the barrier is being constructed, has been used as a meeting place for families and friends during the coronavirus pandemic.The new barrier is designed to prevent vehicles either ``accidentally, or
CanadaAug 20, 2020
319 COVID-19 cases reported in Canada
There are 123,490 confirmed cases in Canada. Quebec: 61,316 confirmed (including 5,729 deaths, 54,238 resolved) Ontario: 40,972 confirmed (including 2,792 deaths, 37,216 resolved) Alberta: 12,501 confirmed (including 227 deaths, 11,167 resolved) British Columbia: 4,745 confirmed (including 198 deaths, 3,749 resolved) Saskatchewan: 1,586 confirmed (including 22 deaths, 1,410 resolved) Nova Scotia: 1,076 confirmed (including 64 deaths, 1,007 resolved) Manitoba: 763 confirmed (including 12 deaths, 528 resolved) Newfoundland and Labrador: 268 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 263 resolved) New Bruns