Seven people were taken to hospital after a fire broke out at a Nanaimo motel early Friday morning, sending smoke through the building and forcing guests to evacuate. Nanaimo RCMP say officers were called to the Value Lodge on Terminal Avenue shortly after 3 a.m., alongside local fire crews, after reports of a structure fire. Emergency responders worked to clear the building and assist occupants as smoke spread through parts of the motel. BC Emergency Health Services confirmed in a statement issued Saturday that seven patients were transported to hospital for treatment related to smoke inhalat

The B.C. Conservative candidate who narrowly lost the Surrey–Guildford riding in last year’s provincial election has withdrawn his legal challenge of the results, ending a court case that centred on alleged voting irregularities. Honveer Singh Randhawa, who was defeated by 22 votes, said Tuesday he has decided to drop his petition before the B.C. Supreme Court. In a written statement, Randhawa said his legal action had already led to what he described as a material outcome after the province’s chief electoral officer acknowledged that some violations had occurred. In his original filing,

Penticton RCMP say a man is facing criminal charges following an alleged sexual assault reported in the city on Monday evening. Police were called shortly before 6 p.m. on December 22 to the 200 block of Orchard Avenue after receiving reports of a possible sexual assault in progress. According to investigators, several bystanders intervened and restrained the suspect until officers arrived at the scene. The victim was taken to hospital for medical assessment. Police have not released details about the victim’s condition. RCMP say Josiah Foisy has been charged with sexual assault and assault.

Burnaby RCMP are asking for the public’s help to identify two pickup trucks believed to be involved in the theft of a Bobcat loader valued at about $100,000 in North Burnaby. Police say the theft happened on the afternoon of Sunday, November 30, when two pickup trucks arrived near the intersection of Midlawn Drive and Westlawn Drive in the Brentwood area. One of the trucks was towing an empty flat deck trailer. A short time later, both vehicles were seen leaving the area with the Bobcat loader loaded onto the trailer. Investigators describe the first suspect vehicle as a dark-coloured pickup

Richmond RCMP say a targeted enforcement operation aimed at retail theft led to 16 arrests earlier this month, as police continue efforts to address repeat shoplifting and organized theft in the city. The arrests were made during a Project Boost and Bust operation carried out by frontline officers on December 13. The initiative is supported through the Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement Program and focuses on high-theft retail locations across Richmond. Police say most of the individuals arrested do not live in Richmond, reinforcing concerns that retail theft in the city is frequently d

Sooke RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance as they investigate an alleged counterfeit currency transaction at a local gas station earlier this month. Police say two men attended the Chevron gas station at 6610 Sooke Rd. on December 20 shortly after 6:00 p.m., where a counterfeit $100 bill was allegedly used during a transaction. The incident was reported to police two days later, on December 22. The first suspect is described as a Caucasian man between 20 and 30 years old, with brown hair and a beard. At the time, he was wearing a black North Face jacket. The second suspect is also de

The upcoming leadership race for the Conservative Party of B.C. will offer members a chance to present a new vision and rebuild unity after weeks of public turmoil, according to interim leader Trevor Halford. He says the party is focused on moving forward following a rare and highly visible split within its caucus earlier this month. Halford was appointed interim leader on Dec. 3 after the party board removed John Rustad, citing a loss of confidence and describing him as professionally incapacitated. The decision followed months of internal disputes that Conservative MLAs said had hurt fundrai

Nearly six years after the body of 24-year-old Edi Bogere was found on a vacant forested property in Maple Ridge, homicide investigators say charges have now been approved in the case. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team confirms that a 31-year-old Port Coquitlam man has been charged in connection with Bogere’s death, which was first deemed suspicious in January 2020 after Ridge Meadows RCMP responded to the scene and requested IHIT assistance. Investigators believe Bogere was last seen leaving his home in Coquitlam on the evening of December 27, 2019. His body was discovered two week

Vancouver Police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of an elderly pedestrian in East Vancouver early Tuesday morning. Officers say the collision occurred shortly after 6:30 a.m. on Rupert Street near Euclid Avenue. Police and BC Emergency Health Services responded to reports that an 81-year-old woman had been struck by a vehicle. The driver did not remain at the scene and was last seen travelling northbound on Rupert Street. The woman died at the scene before she could be taken to hospital. Investigators believe the vehicle involved is a dark grey Volkswagen Golf, like