The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says a woman whose burned body was found in a Burnaby park was a recent immigrant from the Philippines and mother with a loving family.Ma Cecilia Loreto was 49 years old and two people, aged 21 and 15, have been charged with first-degree murder and indignity to human remains after her death.Corporal Frank Jang says it is ``incredible'' that Carlo Tobias and the youth are facing the most serious murder charges in the book, but he cannot say much about the case as it's before the courts.He did say that the three knew each other, the alleged killing was

BC is reporting 716 more cases of COVID-19 just as the province sets out new plans to have laid-off tourism and hospitality workers help with the immunization rollout. Today's additions bring BC's case count to 93 thousand 969 since the pandemic began. The province also reported three new deaths, for a toll of one thousand 441. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a joint statement that there has been "much progress" in BC's vaccine program. However, they urged residents to continue working together to help combat the pandemic. They say people who r

New financial data shows operating revenues for the City of Vancouver dropped by 90 million dollars, in large part due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Kennedy Stewart says the city was able to save some money through more than 1,800 layoffs and the deferral of expensive capital projects as well as city council taking a 10 per cent pay cut. Stewart says the city is in much better shape than this time last year. A report on the city's budget says it expects the pandemic to continue to negatively affect non-tax revenues in to 2021. City of Vancouver on Twitter: Today the City released its 2020 S

Figures released by the British Columbia Coroners Service identify 155 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths in February, the 11th consecutive month in which the province has recorded more than 100 lives lost."The number of deaths due to toxic illicit drugs in February highlights the ongoing critical risk to public health and safety from the illicit drug market," said Lisa Lapointe, B.C.'s chief coroner. "I extend my sincere sympathy to everyone who has lost a beloved family member or friend to substance use. The continued tragic and unprecedented rate of death in B.C. highlights the urgent n

More than 90 new, affordable homes are coming to southern Vancouver Island, after the B.C. and federal governments announced $13.1 million in funding for the initiative. The homes will be split between Saanich and Central Saanich, with construction expected to begin this spring and summer. The funding is part of the federal government's Rapid Housing Initiative delivered through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and aimed at creating 4,700 affordable housing units across the country. The B.C. government will support the projects with annual operating funding over 20 years, and non-p

The Surrey and Burnaby RCMP Gang Enforcement Teams say they worked together to arrest two suspects following an alleged armed robbery in Newton. Mounties say just before 8 pm on Sunday, two men flagged down a passing vehicle under the pretence of needing help before stealing the victim's personal property and driving away in a nearby vehicle. Police say although the victim was physically unhurt, this was a distressing incident for them, and victim services have been engaged. The Surrey RCMP Gang Enforcement Team says it immediately broadcasted details about the incident to other Lower Mainlan

Victoria police and members of Michael Dunahee's family have released an age-enhanced sketch of the boy who went missing 30 years ago. The four year old boy was in the Blanchard School playground on March 24th, 1991, not far from where his family and others were playing a touch football game. A search for Michael involved hundreds of volunteers and numerous police agencies, but no trace of the boy was found. Police say the sketch was prepared by an RCMP forensic artist and shows what Michael may look like today at age 34. Victoria Police on Twitter: Have you seen missing man Michael Dunahee?

British Columbia Premier John Horgan and Dr. Penny Ballem, the lead on the provincial COVID-19 immunization team, are to reveal more information today on the vaccine rollout.A government release says they will be announcing new partnerships for the immunization plan.Health officials announced yesterday that another 200,000 people who have serious medical conditions would be able to book a shot sooner than expected, starting on Monday.Health Minister Adrian Dix says "tremendous progress" has been made in the age-based vaccine program, allowing the government to move those who are at increased

The British Columbia government says it is accelerating the timeline for the COVID-19 vaccine once again, allowing people who are "extremely clinically vulnerable" and some seniors to book their shots earlier than expected.The Ministry of Health says in a news release that people at higher risk from COVID-19 due to existing medical conditions, including transplant recipients and those with cancer and severe respiratory conditions, will be able to register for their vaccine beginning next Monday.This group of people was originally scheduled to receive their shots in Phase 3 starting in April, b