BCDec 22, 2020
1,667 new COVID-19 cases and 41 deaths reported in B.C.; 3,644 people vaccinated last week
British Columbia's top doctor says every regional health authority has received doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Bonnie Henry says vaccine deliveries last week were concentrated in the Lower Mainland, where case counts and transmission rates are highest. But she says B.C.'s immunization campaign is set to roll out on Vancouver Island, and in the Northern and Interior health regions, which have also seen rising cases. The vaccine must be stored at ultra-low temperatures and Henry says so far, Pfizer requires doses to be administered at points of arrival, so people receiving i
BCDec 22, 2020
Police watchdog looks into RCMP arrest where man was injured in Kamloops, B.C.
The police watchdog in British Columbia has been notified that a person accused of shoplifting was injured during an arrest by RCMP officers in Kamloops. RCMP say in a statement they were called Saturday evening to a business where a store employee had locked the door to prevent the suspect from leaving. When officers arrived, police say they found the man in possession of a weapon, but before they could take him into custody, he was injured with the weapon. Neither RCMP nor the Independent Investigations Office looking into the police actions will say what kind of weapon it was. Police say t
BCDec 22, 2020
Fines could not stop worshippers who were back at churches in Chilliwack and Langley yesterday
Worshippers were back at churches in Chilliwack and Langley yesterday. This happened just days after police announced more than 18,000 dollars in fines to churches for breaking COVID-19 restrictions that ban in-person worship services. Over the month since the ban was implemented, the faithful have gathered on Sundays at the Free Grace Baptist Church and Free Reformed Church in Chilliwack, as well as Riverside Calvary Chapel in Langley. Mac Cross travelled to Chilliwack from Abbotsford to attend church, where he says worshippers were wearing masks and staying apart. The BC Civil Liberties Ass
BCDec 22, 2020
Outbreak of COVID-19 at two lodges where people working on the Coastal GasLink pipeline project have been staying
Northern Health has declared an outbreak of COVID-19 at two lodges. People working on the Coastal GasLink pipeline project have been staying. The health authority says 17 confirmed cases remain active at 7 Mile Lodge in the Burns Lake area and Little Rock Lake Lodge in the Nechako area. Health officials have issued an order restricting work at the affected sites to all but essential workers until an updated safety plan is approved. Northern Health says it found evidence of transmission of COVID-19 among employees of the Pacific Atlantic Pipeline Construction company, one of Coastal GasLink's
WorldDec 22, 2020
British and French officials are working "to unblock the flow of trade as fast as possible": Boris Johnson
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says British and French officials are working "to unblock the flow of trade as fast as possible" after France barred U.K. trucks over concerns about a new variant of the coronavirus. There are kilometres-long lineups of trucks waiting to get out of Britain near the Port of Dover. France has banned trucks from entering for 48 hours while a new strain of COVID-19 that is spreading in southeast England is assessed.Dozens of countries have barred flights from the U.K. because of the new variant, which scientists believe is more easily transmitted. Southern England, wh
BCDec 21, 2020
Snowfall arrives in Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley
Snowfall has arrived today across BC's southern Interior and Environment Canada says it could reach parts of Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria. Environment Canada is forecasting about 5cm of snow in parts of Metro Vancouver and up to 15cm in parts of the Fraser Valley. A winter storm blowing in from Washington state has prompted weather warnings across much of southern B.C. The weather agency is calling for up to 35 centimetres of snow in the Similkameen and Elk Valley areas that should taper off tonight, while Nicola and Boundary could see accumulation up to 20 centimetres. Snowfall is e
BCDec 21, 2020
B.C. on track for record-breaking year for illicit overdose deaths: coroner
In the midst of dual public health emergencies, the BC Coroners Service continues to urge extreme caution due to the increasingly toxic illicit drug supply in British Columbia. The BC Coroners Service reports 153 suspected drug toxicity deaths in November 2020, an 89% increase over November 2019 (81), and a 7% decrease over the number of deaths in October 2020 (164). The latest data is equal to five people per day losing theirlives to illicit drug overdoses."Tragically, as we reach the end of 2020, our province is facing a record-breaking year for lives lost due to a toxic illicit drug supply,
BCDec 21, 2020
Sea to Sky Gondola cable is set to be replaced
The cable for the Sea to Sky Gondola is set to be replaced. It was intentionally cut for a second time in September this year. The new cable has been shipped out of the factory in Switzerland and is on its way to the popular tourist destination in Squamish. The company that manufactured the cable posted on social media saying it's nearly 5 kilometres long and weighs more than 53 tonnes. A 250,000 dollar reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of those found responsible for the vandalism.
BCDec 21, 2020
78 year old pedestrian killed in a multi-car collision; Police in Vancouver calling for witnesses
Police in Vancouver are calling for witnesses after a multi-car collision killed a 78 year old pedestrian. Crash left the victim's 72 year old wife seriously injured. It happened around 12:20 on Friday afternoon near the intersection of Broadway and Alberta Street as two eastbound vehicles collided, causing one to veer onto the sidewalk where the couple was walking. The 29 and 30 year old drivers weren't injured and neither speed nor alcohol were factors in the crash. Police say they're asking for witnesses so they can begin to provide answers to everyone involved. No charges have been laid a