BCMar 02, 2021
1,478 new COVID-19 cases and 8 deaths reported in B.C.; 42 new cases are variants of concern
More than 275 thousand COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in BC, but that isn't nearly enough to prevent new health facility outbreaks at Glacier View Lodge, Chilliwack General Hospital, Royal Columbian Hospital and Surrey Memorial Hospital. However, several outbreaks were also declared over, including one at St. Paul's Hospital in downtown Vancouver. BC is reporting 1,478 new COVID-19 infections from Saturday to Monday, for a total of 80,672 cases in the province since the pandemic began. There are 4,464 people with active cases in the province, of whom 236 are hospitalized and 65 are
BCMar 02, 2021
Two arrested after youth hurt in assault with weapon outside school in Surrey
RCMP say two youths have been arrested after a male was injured in an assault with a weapon outside a high school in Surrey, B.C. Mounties say investigators have identified three suspects in the assault, which happened Monday morning outside of Panorama Ridge Secondary School. The injured youth was taken to hospital in stable condition and the school was placed on a "hold and secure" until the safety of all students was confirmed, police say. All of the suspects are youth and were not previously known to police, RCMP say, and while two have been arrested and are in custody, officers are still
BCMar 01, 2021
IHIT called after a child was found in medical distress in a small community in Fraser Valley
Police say homicide investigators have been called after a child was found in medical distress in a small community in the Fraser Valley. The RCMP in Agassiz say the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has taken over after they were called to a home in Harrison Mills to assist BC Ambulance Service when it was called to a medical emergency. They say the child was taken to a regional hospital where he was in critical condition and not expected to survive. The RCMP say no other details are being released. Upper Fraser Valley RCMP on Twitter: Agassiz - Agassiz RCMP Engage IHIT Following Call o
BCMar 01, 2021
Host of a party gets $2,300 fine for violating COVID-19 provincial health order: VPD
Police say they've fined the host of a gender reveal party in downtown Vancouver. The host got a fine of 2,300 dollars for violating the COVID-19 provincial health order banning gatherings. Police spokesman Sergeant Steve Addison says officers were called to an apartment Saturday evening for a report of a large gathering. He says 17 people were found inside the apartment. Addison says the incident shows terrible judgment and a lack of consideration for the community.
BCMar 01, 2021
Man was shot and killed in a First Nations community near Tofino, BC's police watchdog investigating
BC's police watchdog is investigating after a man was shot and killed in a First Nations community off the west coast of Vancouver Island. The RCMP say two Mounties from the Tofino detachment were sent to a residence on the Opitsaht First Nation Saturday night to investigate a report of a woman in distress. They allege an unspecified "interaction" then occurred in which one man was shot and another was arrested. Police say the woman was taken to hospital for assessment, and no one else was injured. BC RCMP on Twitter: #bcrcmp #Tofino - BC RCMP notify the IIO BC of an incident in Tofino https:
BCMar 01, 2021
Units in two Vancouver-area hospitals closed by COVID-19 outbreak
Health officials have declared COVID-19 outbreaks at two more Metro Vancouver hospitals after finding evidence the virus was transmitted within a medicine unit at both locations. A statement from Fraser Health says the outbreaks are in single units of Surrey Memorial Hospital and Chilliwack General Hospital. One patient at Surrey Memorial and five patients at Chilliwack General have tested positive for COVID-19. Those units have been closed to admissions, but Fraser Health says other units and the emergency rooms of both hospitals remain open. Information from Vancouver Coastal Health shows a
BCFeb 27, 2021
B.C. records 589 new cases of COVID-19 as officials welcome new vaccine approvals
British Columbia health officials say the federal government's approval of two new vaccines is encouraging news and one more layer of protection to help get the province through the pandemic. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a statement that approval of the vaccines by Oxford-AstraZeneca and Verity-Serum Institute of India is an "exciting" step forward. The statement says the new vaccines are "fridge stable," making them easier to transport and distribute across the province. British Columbia announced 589 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday along w
BCFeb 27, 2021
B.C. man sentenced to 29 months, fined nearly $645K for tax evasion, forgery
The Canada Revenue Agency says a West Vancouver man has been sentenced to 29 months in jail and handed a stiff fine for attempting to avoid a tax bill. Court records show Michael Sholz was sentenced Wednesday in provincial court in Vancouver. Sholz, who is in his late 60s, was convicted in June 2020 of three tax-related offences under the Excise Tax Act and two counts of uttering forged documents related to ownership and construction of a West Vancouver home. A statement from the agency says, in addition to the jail term, Sholz has been fined $644,975.71. The statement says an investigation sh
BCFeb 27, 2021
B.C. police under investigation after video shows officers posing in front of body
A spokeswoman for Vancouver police says the conduct of two officers is under investigation after video footage emerged of the pair allegedly posing with a dead body at a popular beach. Const. Tania Visintin says the officers responded to calls about a deceased individual at Stanley Park's Third Beach, and waited for the coroner to arrive. Visintin would not comment on the officers' actions but says the police department does not condone, and strictly prohibits, officers taking photographs without an authorized purpose. Zac Ratcliffe was in the area for a walk on Wednesday morning when he saw t