Surrey RCMP officers were called after disturbance on a local highway. Police said a llama managed to escape its enclosure this morning.Police said the llama made it through a hole in a fence and was loose on the east side of Highway 99 near 8th Avenue. Officers got to the area at about 7:30 a.m. and managed to contact the owner. Later police informed through a tweet that the llama safely made it back to property. Surrey RCMP on Twitter: Thanks to all who expressed concern for the llama on the loose this morning at highway 99 and 8 Ave, who is now home safe. Update from the officer on scene, t

Permanent repairs could be completed by the end of this year on three of the seven Coquihalla Highway bridges damaged during last November's devastating rain, floods and washouts. The Highways Ministry says it is starting the process to select contractors for repairs at three sites between the Coquihalla summit and Merritt, with work to start this summer and wrap up later in the year. A tender package is also being prepared for contractors interested in handling permanent repairs to the washed out Othello section of Highway 5, just east of Hope. The ministry says more details about repairs to

Vancouver council will consider a motion next Tuesday that could see the city hold a vote on whether or not to participate in the bid to bring the Winter Olympics back to this province. Councillor Colleen Hardwick has proposed the motion, saying if a vote is approved it could be added to the ballot during municipal elections this October. A similar vote in 2003 resulted in a nearly 64 per cent majority in favour of hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics. A feasibility study is currently underway as an Indigenous-led partnership, including four local First Nations, the City of Vancouver, Resort Muni

Missing person Mohd Abdullah is believed to be a victim of homicide, following an autopsy Tuesday.What began as a suspicious death investigation related to the March 17 discovery of a deceased person inside a vehicle on the 1600-block of Monterey Place, is now being treated as a homicide, with police looking for more information on the victim’s movements prior to his death.Mr. Abdullah, 60, was reported missing after he failed to attend work on March 14. He was last heard from on March 11, 2022.We are sorry to confirm that Mr. Abdullah is the deceased person discovered last week, said Sergea

B.C. is reporting 269 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 354,603 cases in the province. There are 258 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19, and 49 are in intensive care.In the past 24 hours, one new death (Northern Health) has been reported, for an overall total of 2,975.There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks, for a total of five facilities with ongoing outbreaks. From March 15-21, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 16.0% of cases.From March 8-21, they accounted for 26.3% of hospitalizations.Past week cases (March 15-21) - Total 1,416Not vaccinated: 203 (14.3%)Partia

Starting Wednesday, March 23, 2022, rapid antigen test kits will be available to people aged 18 years and older through community pharmacies. Eligible individuals can pick up one kit of five tests every 28 days from participating pharmacies at no cost. Individuals must present their personal health number when picking up the kit or, if others are picking up kits on their behalf, in addition to the individual’s name and personal health number, date of birth must also be supplied.Individuals should pick up a test kit when not having symptoms of illness to use at a future time when having sympt

An arrest warrant has been issued for Jesse Bennett on March 22, 2022.As North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP officers continue to search for Jesse and his daughter Violet, investigators have now gathered sufficient evidence to recommend a criminal charge against Jesse. As a result, a warrant for his arrest has been issued by a Provincial Court.Jesse and Violet Bennett have been reported missing on January 24, 2022. See original media release here.Jesse Bennett is wanted for Abduction in contravention of a custody order. Jesse Bennett is described as:Caucasian man;36 years old;5’10160 lbsBlue eyesBrow

Vancouver Police have arrested the man who allegedly defaced a memorial to passengers of the Komagata Maru last summer.VPD officers located and arrested Yuniar Kurniawan in the Downtown Eastside on Monday night. Kurniawan was charged with one count of mischief in January, and had been wanted on a BC-wide warrant prior to his arrest.The charge stems from a VPD investigation that was launched on August 22, 2021, when the Komagata Maru memorial, located in Coal Harbour, was defaced with white paint, hand prints, and graffiti. The memorial honours passengers who were aboard the Komagata Maru when

Victoria Police Chief Del Manak says he's disappointed Esquimalt council has rejected the portion of his department's 2022 budget that would have funded 10 new positions. Esquimalt and the City of Victoria share policing costs for the capital and although Victoria council has approved the department's entire 63.4-million dollar budget, Esquimalt rejected the portion that would have funded the 10 new jobs. Manak says the new hires, including two plainclothes co-responder officers who work as a team with a psychiatric nurse, are ``an essential component of the department's overall core budget r