If your phone vibrates or makes an unusual sound at 1:55 this afternoon (2:55 p.m. Mountain time) you'll know you are ready to receive important safety alerts. Emergency Management BC is testing its Alert Ready system this afternoon to ensure it is able to send safety alerts through television, radio and 4G capable wireless devices such as phones. The system is only used during major disasters or emergencies and the tone indicates vital information is about to follow, although during today's test you'll only hear the tone or feel your phone vibrate, a message won't be attached. In a real emer

Police in Victoria say they've handed out two tickets for people failing to follow COVID-19 safety protocols in a restaurant and attempting to leave without paying. Police say they were called to a restaurant just after 7:30 pm Monday night for reports that a group had left without paying. After locating the group, police escorted them back to pay where they discovered that one man had been abusive towards staff and refused to follow COVID-19 safety protocols. The man was located later that night and issued two tickets for 230 dollars apiece.

BC's solicitor general announced new fines for those who refuse to follow provincial orders on wearing masks in public spaces. Those who refuse to wear masks are subject to a 230 dollar fine. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says in a release that masks are required for a range of public spaces, but those unable to put on or remove a mask without assistance are exempt. The province also extended its state of emergency until December 8th.

British Columbia health officials are reporting a dramatic spike in COVID-19 cases, while they order a pause indoor physical activities. B.C. recorded 941 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday and 10 deaths. There are 7,732 active COVID-19 cases in B.C., and 284 people are in hospital. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a joint statement that residents need to support B.C.'s health-care workers by slowing the spread of COVID-19. The latest peak in numbers comes as health officials ordered dance studios, yoga studios and other indoor physical activity s

BC Hydro says its latest report shows people around the province are coping with pandemic restrictions by boosting holiday spirits with brighter, more elaborate lighting displays and decorations. An online survey of 800 people shows more than 90 per cent think COVID-19 will affect their holiday celebrations but about 20 per cent plan to do more indoor and outdoor decorating to combat the disappointment. Almost two-thirds say they will put up an outdoor display with 22 per cent expecting to use an average of eight strands of lights and 10 per cent firing up more than 10 strands, a three per ce

A University of BC researcher is being hailed for an innovation that uses salt to destroy COVID-19 droplets on reusable masks. Recent PhD graduate Ilaria Rubino used a salt and water solution on the first or middle layer of a mask and found as droplets were exhaled through the mask, spiky salt crystals would develop and damage the bacteria or virus within minutes. Rubino receives an innovation award today from Mitacs, a not-for-profit organization honouring academic researchers, and joins Simon Fraser University Chemistry PhD student Audrey Taylor at the virtual ceremony. Taylor is being reco

A woman in Kelowna has been arrested after refusing to wear a mask at a Value Village store. Mounties say they responded to a call on Sunday, with the woman refusing to leave the store. She was arrested for allegedly causing a disturbance and obstructing a police officer. The woman was later released on conditions for a future court date.

British Columbia health officials are working to clear up confusion surrounding COVID-19 restriction guidelines announced last week. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix spent part of their news conference Monday explaining what counts as an event or social gathering. Non-essential travel is not recommended across the province, and worship services along with community and social events have been suspended. Dr. Henry and Dix announced 1,933 new cases of COVID-19 over the past three days, along with 17 additional deaths for a total of 348 people since the p

Longtime legislature member Shirley Bond will serve as the B.C. Liberal party's interim leader after Andrew Wilkinson's resignation on Saturday. Bond has been a member of the legislature since 2001, representing Prince George-Valemount, and served in cabinet, including as justice minister and deputy premier in the province's previous Liberal government. Bond says in a statement that she is looking forward to holding the NDP government accountable over the coming months. The NDP won 57 seats in last month's provincial election to form a majority government. The Liberals won 28 seats and the Gr