BCFeb 21, 2020
New COVID-19 case in BC, woman recently travelled from Iran
Another case of the coronavirus has been diagnosed in British Columbia. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says a woman in her 30s has been diagnosed with COVID-19 after returning from Iran. Henry says the woman's case is relatively mild and a number of her close contacts have already been put in isolation. This brings the number of cases of COVID-19 in B.C. to six. Henry said earlier this week that four of the five people already diagnosed with the virus were symptom free. The fifth person, a woman in her 30s who returned from Shanghai, China, is in isolation at her home in B.C.'s In
BCFeb 20, 2020
Independent Investigations Office has cleared officers of any wrongdoing in the death of a UBC student
The Independent Investigations Office has cleared officers in the RCMP's University of B.C. detachment of any wrongdoing in the death of a UBC student two weeks ago. The student had been arrested early in the morning on February 5th and was briefly held at the UBC detachment but was released about 2:30 a.m. and taken back to his residence on campus. Just hours later a security guard found the unnamed student dead under the Lions Gate Bridge. The office, which examines all incidents of police involved death or serious injury in B.C., says the student's death was not the result of RCMP action o
BCFeb 20, 2020
Vancouver Fire says smoking caused the city's first fatal fire of 2020
A man with mobility challenges has died after being trapped in his burning home in Vancouver. Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services says in a statement that the fire broke out Sunday evening in a home on the city's west side. Crews found the 55-year-old victim in the home as they arrived. He had been badly burned and was rushed to hospital but the statement says he did not survive. Investigators say the fire was caused by smoking materials. The man's death marks the first fatal fire in Vancouver in 2020.
BCFeb 20, 2020
First person to be found positive for COVID-19, now fully recovered
B.C.'s medical health officer, Doctor Bonnie Henry, says the first person in the province who developed a case of the new coronavirus after returning from a trip to China earlier this year is now fully recovered and out of isolation. Five cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in this province since the outbreak began late last year in China and Henry says four of the five other sufferers are also likely to be declared free of the disease when tests are expected to come back negative later this week. She says B.C.'s most recent case a woman identified in the Interior Health region on Friday re
BCFeb 19, 2020
Forestry workers park rigs near B.C. legislature for pro-industry rally
Hundreds of forestry workers staged a rally on the lawn of British Columbia's legislature Tuesday, reminding the government about how important the industry is to the economy and to the survival of rural communities. Many of the workers arrived in logging trucks and parked their rigs near the legislature, temporarily shutting down a busy thoroughfare. Among the crowd of about 500 people were many who carried placards saying, ``Forestry Feeds My Family.'' Forests Minister Doug Donaldson spoke to the crowd, saying he will take their message to the government. Port McNeill Mayor Gaby Wickstrom t
BCFeb 18, 2020
Top earners, pop drinkers pay more in British Columbia budget
Budget 2020 moves British Columbia forward by building the infrastructure the growing province needs, supporting thousands of new jobs, strengthening investments in health and education and making life more affordable for everyone.
"From new roads, hospitals, housing, schools and child care centres to better, more affordable services in every community, we're seeing fundamental changes that are making life better for British Columbians," said Carole James, Minister of Finance.
"Together, we've made a lot of progress and we can't turn back. Budget 2020 keeps our province moving forward by foc
BCFeb 17, 2020
Surrey: Driver in critical condition after crash involving pickup, van and small bus
RCMP say a driver is in critical condition following a three vehicle crash in Surrey, B.C., that closed roads Sunday night. Mounties say in a news release that a grey pickup truck was heading south when it collided with a white van and a small privately owned bus. They say the man driving the pickup was taken to hospital in critical condition. The three occupants of the bus and five occupants of the van received either minor injuries or no injuries. None of those drivers or passengers went to hospital. The RCMP says impairment and speed have not been ruled out as contributing factors in the c
BCFeb 17, 2020
Federal and Provincial Indigenous Relations ministers to meet today
B.C. Indigenous Relations Minister Scott Fraser is set to meet with Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett today in Victoria amid ongoing rail blockades and protests for Indigenous land rights.
The two were invited last week to meet by Gitxsan chief Norm Stephens after members of the First Nation erected a blockade near New Hazelton in support of neighbouring Wet'suwet'en chiefs who oppose a pipeline through their territory.
The invitation was also extended to Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs.
Today's meeting only involves Fraser and Bennett but they are sending a letter to heredita
BCFeb 15, 2020
Abbotsford Police warning about (so-called) distraction thieves
Abbotsford Police are once again warning the public that a group of so-called distraction thieves is back in town and targeting elderly pedestrians. They say a female suspect got out of a grey vehicle and pushed an elderly woman to the ground before taking a gold chain from her neck and fleeing on Monday. Police say thieves struck again late this morning, when a female suspect got out of a white vehicle and approached another elderly woman, stealing her necklace. They say there appears to be more than one suspect involved and police are concerned by their escalating violence in the incidents