University of British Columbia researchers say they've completed an analysis of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant of COVID-19, revealing key information about why it's so infectious. Sriram Subramaniam with the department of biochemistry and molecular biology says it has 37 mutations, three to five times more than any other variant so far. He says that means Omicron is very effective at evading the binding of antibodies that can neutralize and block its entry into cells, while at the same time it retains the ability to bind with receptors that transport it inside cells, a combination of c

Police in Vancouver say they're investigating the city's 18th homicide of this year after a 52 year old man was fatally stabbed. They say officers responded to reports that a man had been stabbed outside the Hazelwood Hotel in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood yesterday morning. The man was taken to hospital where he later died from his injuries. Police say no arrests have been made.

B.C. is reporting 1,474 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 231,117 cases in the province.There are 7,253 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 221,280 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 187 individuals are in hospital and 71 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the last 24 hours, six new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,409.The new deaths include:Fraser Health: threeNorthern Health: oneIsland Health: twoNote: The update on cases of the Omicron variant of concern will be provided in to

The approval of the R6 RapidBus service by the Safe Surrey Coalition-led City Council gives the green light toa desperately-needed upgrade to transit service along Scott Road. The new project will connect Scott Road SkyTrainStation to the Newton Exchange Bus Loop and improve commute times by 22 per cent. According to Translink, the existing 319 transit bus that currently covers this route is the top bus route and one of thefastest wing corridors in the South of the Fraser region, with 7.5 million passenger boardings in 2019. This route is a transit gap that was well known about by past Surrey

A weather system from the Pacific Ocean is forecast to bring heavy snow and the risk of freezing rain to several areas of southern and central British Columbia. Environment Canada has issued snowfall and winter storm warnings until Thursday covering an area from the Fraser Valley to the Peace River district. The Coquihalla Highway, which was recently reopened to commercial traffic, could see between 35 and 60 centimetres of snow with the heaviest accumulations on Thursday. Higher mountain routes, including the Yellowhead, Highway 3 through the Kootenay and Allison passes, and Highway 1 headin

One person has died in a multi-vehicle crash in Surrey. RCMP say it happened just before seven last night when a Lexus sedan lost control, crossed the median and collided with a Jeep and a minivan in south Surrey. The driver of the Lexus died at the scene while those in the other two vehicles were treated for various injuries at local hospitals. Police say drugs, alcohol and speed have not been ruled out and both the Coroner's Service and the Mounties continue to investigate.

A charge of second-degree murder has been laid after a young woman was found dead in a home in British Columbia's central Interior. A statement from North District RCMP says the death of the 19 year old was confirmed on Monday when police and paramedics were called to the home in Esk'etemc, a First Nation community near Williams Lake. A 23 year old man was taken into custody at the same time. Investigators say the two knew each other. The RCMP statement says the BC Prosecution Service has approved a charge of second-degree murder against Waylon Harry. He remains in custody and court records s

British Columbia residents are being urged to prepare for extremely cold temperatures, power outages and slick streets as a series of winter storm and freezing rain warnings covered most of the province. The B.C. government released a statement saying strong storms would clash with cold Arctic air throughout the province between Tuesday and New Year's Day. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says it's important to carefully watch the forecast and look out for those who are most vulnerable, while Transportation Minister Rob Fleming discouraged travel that isn't necessary. The province says p

B.C. is reporting 1,308 new cases of COVID-19, including 10 new epi-linked cases, for a total of 229,643 cases in the province.There are 6,348 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 220,741 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 192 individuals are in hospital and 76 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the last 24 hours, one new death (Northern Health) has been reported, for an overall total of 2,403. There have been 756 cases of the Omicron variant of concern identified in B.C.:Fraser Health: 129Vancouver Coas