A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared in the nephrology unit at a hospital in Surrey, B.C. Fraser Health's interim chief medical health officer says a patient tested positive for the virus on Tuesday. Dr. Elizabeth Brodkin says the unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital has fewer than a dozen patients, and staff are being monitored and screened. She says the nephrology unit is closed to new patients and it is not expecting visitors. Brodkin says an outbreak is defined as a transmission at a hospital site. The new outbreak comes as B.C.'s health minister and provincial health officer announced 104 n

Police say alcohol may have been a factor in a head-on crash in the George Massey Tunnel that killed one person and injured two others. Richmond RCMP say a vehicle travelling south on Highway 99 early Wednesday crossed the centre line, hitting an oncoming vehicle. A 61 year old woman from Richmond who was travelling northbound died in the crash, while a passenger in her vehicle was hurt. The driver of the vehicle that veered into the other lane also has serious injuries. Staff Sgt. Quentin Frewing, with Lower Mainland traffic services, says all possible factors of the crash are being investig

A man who was hiking in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park in the Okanagan has a warning for other park users. Andrew Nydam says he was taking photos Monday when he came within a metre of stepping on an unexploded World War II mortar. The area was used for military training decades ago. Police say the device wasn't on a public trail and a Canadian Forces disposal unit will collect and dispose of the mortar.

Schools in British Columbia are getting an extra $2 million for mental health programs from the provincial government. Judy Darcy, the minister of mental health and addictions, says the province is spending more on mental health programs this year because children are facing an unprecedented return to school. She says a total of $3.75 million will be spent in the 2020-21 school year to promote mental wellness and provide additional support for students, families and educators.The province says school districts will determine how the funds are used based on their needs. The government says surv

Metro Vancouver home sales hit 3,047 in August at a benchmark price of $1.04 million, as the housing market continued its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says the number of homes sold last month was nearly 20 per cent higher than the 10-year average for August, although there was a slight decrease from the 3,128 homes sold in July. The benchmark price in August was 5.3 per cent higher than August 2019 and 0.7 per cent higher than July. Board chairwoman Colette Gerber says the higher-than-average sales were driven by people who put their plans on

An outbreak of COVID-19 in British Columbia's Nass Valley has prompted an alert from the Northern and First Nations health authorities. The warning goes out to anyone who attended gatherings between Aug. 21 and 25 in the valley. A statement from the Nisga'a government says all those who attended a memorial, a funeral or settlement feast need to contact their community clinic. A joint statement Tuesday from Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says there have been 58 new cases of COVID-19 for a total of 5,848 cases. There has been one additional death, whil

Two Snowbird jets took off from the Kamloops airport today, more than three months after being grounded because of a deadly crash. Captain Jennifer Casey was killed in the crash on May 17th,while the pilot, Captain Richard MacDougall was injured. Kamloops councillor Bill Sarai lives in the Brocklehurst neighbourhood where the plane crashed and says the sound of the planes leaving has taken on new meaning. He says it's an emotional time for residents and had they been given more notice, there would likely have been a long line of residents paying tribute on the road to the airport.

BC Ferries has won two environmental leadership awards for its green strategies. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has given the company its Blue Circle Award for BC Ferries efforts to save energy and reduce emissions. It has also been awarded the Green Marine certification by Prince Rupert Port Authority for its participation in the port's environmental incentive program. Ferries president Mark Collins says they operate in some of the most pristine waters in the world and they're honoured to win the awards recognizing Ferries commitment to improve its environmental sustainability.

The B.C. government and City of Vancouver are partnering to build 450 new supportive homes for people experiencing homelessness.Housing Minister Selina Robinson and Mayor Kennedy Stewart announced plans to build 98 temporary modular homes just a few blocks from Strathcona Park where a homeless encampment has been growing.Another 350 units of permanent supportive housing are planned for other city-owned lands with locations to be announced in the next few months.The goal is to open the temporary units next spring pending a public information session, and the units will remain in place for abou