British Columbia's massive Site C hydroelectric dam project has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and now faces construction delays and rising costs.BC Hydro president Chris O'Riley says in a quarterly update submitted to the B.C. Utilities Commission that the pandemic has had a material impact on safety, cost and schedule for the project in northeast B.C.Site C's budget in April 2018 was estimated at $10.7 billion, including reserve and contingency funds amounting to about $1.5 billion for unexpected costs.O'Riley's update to the utilities commission does not estimate the extent of incre

There are currently five people in hospital, sickened with COVID-19, the lowest number since March. Health Minister Adrian Dix says he's pleased to see the lower figure from the peak of 144 people in hospital. There are no deaths to report, but another 29 positive cases have been added to list. While there are no new outbreaks, there are now 59 cases linked to Fraser Valley Packers, the Abbotsford berry packing plant. Total number of COVID-19 cases in British Columbia is now 3,591.

The Tahltan Nation has issued a notice that the public should avoid its territory in northwest British Columbia until the there's a vaccine or community immunity for COVID-19.The Tahltan says in a statement that the consequences of spreading COVID-19 are too great, given the limited access to acute medical care for residents.The nation's territory spans almost 96,000 square kilometres of land or about 11 per cent of the province.The statement says all non-essential travel to Dease Lake, Iskut and Telegraph Creek should be avoided and all recreational activity access points will be blocked with

Vancouver council has approved a pilot project that would allow alcohol at four public plazas in the city. Council voted in favour of the plan yesterday and the project is slated to begin August 10th and continue until mid-October. Approved plazas include three in downtown Vancouver, one on the north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery, another near the Vancouver Convention Centre and the third on a reclaimed side street at Bute and Robson. The fourth plaza is also part of a blocked off side street on 17th Avenue at Cambie Street, in the Cambie Village neighbourhood. A report on the proposal sa

Residents across much of southern Alberta, central and southeast Saskatchewan and British Columbia's southern Interior are sweltering through a hot spell. Environment Canada heat warnings or special weather statements are posted in those regions. The Fraser Canyon community of Lytton, B.C., which often claims the title of hottest place in the country, is forecast to reach a high of 40 C, while the city of Kamloops is expected to be just one degree cooler. Temperatures are lower in Alberta and Saskatchewan, but high humidity in many areas, including Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Saskatoon, will

Homicide detectives are investigating the discovery of a body in a vehicle in Burnaby, B.C. RCMP say the region's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has been called to an industrial area of southeast Burnaby after what is described as ``human remains'' were spotted in the vehicle. Based on the investigation so far, RCMP say the death does not appear random. They also say there is likely no risk to the public. No other details have been released. Officials with the homicide investigation team could provide more information later.

There are more COVID-19 infections from outbreaks at a British Columbia berry packing plant and on Haida Gwaii, contributing to the provincial total of 41 new cases announced Wednesday. A statement from provincial health officials says there are now 31 cases connected to Fraser Valley Packers Inc. in Abbotsford and there have been 20 positive tests on Haida Gwaii. It also says an alert has been issued about community exposure for anyone who was at the Liquid Zoo night club in Kelowna from July 15 to 18. A COVID-19 outbreak at the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouve

An outbreak of COVID-19 at the newborn intensive care nursery of a Vancouver hospital has been declared over. A statement from Providence Health Care, which manages St. Paul's Hospital, says Vancouver Coastal Health declared the outbreak over yesterday, 12 days after it was announced. The statement says all cases were promptly isolated, potential contacts were traced and the nursery was stringently disinfected. Parents visiting the nursery must still wear masks and sign a log book, but Providence Health says the ward has fully re-opened and the nearby maternity ward was never affected.

Community sport organizations in British Columbia will share $1.5 million in provincial government funding to help them survive the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Lisa Beare, B.C.'s minister of tourism, arts and culture, says the funding will help many of the province's 4,100 local sports organizations facing financial hardship without their registration fees, event revenues and sponsorships. Beare says the pandemic has been difficult for community swimming, gymnastics, baseball and other local sports that rely largely on volunteer support but also have fixed costs. A Victoria-area baseb