As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to climb in BC, especially among young people, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says a party is ``not worth someone's life.'' Farnworth says $2,000 tickets can now be issued to the owner of a home where a large party is underway or to the organizer of an event such as a drum circle if such gatherings violate health rules. $200 tickets can also be issued to anyone refusing to leave a gathering or who is abusive to staff trying to maintain physical distancing rules. Farnworth says a small minority of people are either wilfully ignorant

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Réka Gustafson, B.C.'s deputy provincial health officer, have issued a joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia. "Today, we are announcing 80 new cases for a total of 4,825 cases in British Columbia. "There are 780 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, 2,574 people who are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases and 3,845 people who tested positive have recovered. "Currently, 11 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19, four of whom are in int

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

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

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

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

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.

Testing for COVID-19 is being stepped up as the number of new cases increases in British Columbia. Health Minister Adrian Dix and deputy provincial health officer Dr. Reka Gustafson say new testing centres and extended hours of service have been added in the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions. In a joint statement, they say the province can now complete 8,000 tests a day. Another 68 new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in the province, bringing the active cases in the province to 798. A total of 4,745 cases have been diagnosed in B.C., while 3,749 people have recovered.

Police in New Westminster are applauding a Good Samaritan who turned in a wallet stuffed with so much cash it couldn't be closed. Police say a citizen found the wallet with nearly 2,300 dollars inside while walking down the street and brought it to police in hopes the owner could be contacted. The owner told police he'd lost the wallet while heading to the bank and was very relieved to get it back. Deputy Chief Constable Paul Hyland says it's great to get a reminder of how amazing people can be, especially when so many are negatively affected by COVID-19.