British Columbia residents who received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will be able to choose if they want to stay with the same shot or take one of the other options. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says those who received the AstraZeneca vaccine earlier this year made ``the right choice'' in getting vaccinated, and helped to ease the COVID-19 caseload in the province. She says research has shown that it is safe and effective to mix and match the COVID-19 vaccine options. Dr. Henry also said the province is having issues maintaining a steady supply of the Moderna vaccine, meaning

Police in New Westminster say they've have made an arrest in a stabbing last Saturday at the Columbia SkyTrain station. A man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police say they tracked down their suspect two days later and he remains in custody. 26 year old Murid Ghulam of New Westminster is now charged with one count of attempted murder. New Westminster Police on Twitter: Suspect associated to Lower Mainland gangs arrested and charged with attempted murder following stabbing outside Columbia SkyTrain Station. #NewWest https://nwpolice.org/blog/2021/06/03/suspect-arrested-a

Vancouver Police are investigating the death of a homeless man, who was run over by a car last week after falling asleep in a Downtown Eastside laneway. "This is tragic and heartbreaking on many levels," says Sergeant Steve Addison, VPD. "While this was an awful and avoidable set of circumstances, we don’t believe foul play or dangerous driving were factors in this collision." VPD investigators believe the man, a 39-year-old with no fixed address, was using drugs in a lane near Gore Street and Union Avenue on May 26 when he fell asleep in front of a parkade gate around 3:30 p.m. A driver, w

Hundreds of people turned out last night in East Vancouver to honour the discovery of what are believed to be the remains of 215 students buried at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. The ``Remember the Children'' event was organized to support the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation whose members are leading the investigation of the school grounds, which are on their lands. A statement released this morning by the BC Assembly of First Nations says the Tk'emlups First Nation wants supporters to hold memorials and healing events in their local communities, rather than travelling to

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has spoken with Premier John Horgan about the discovery of the remains of 215 children at a former Indian residential school site in Kamloops as well as potential next steps. A release from the Prime Minister's Office says they spoke yesterday about the work both governments are doing in relation to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls for action as well as new federal funding. Horgan said Tuesday that BC has an obligation to ensure the 94 calls to action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission are realized. However, he stopped short of offe

The director of the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre at the University of British Columbia says a lack of co-operation in accessing records and other data limits the ability to identify the remains of 215 children found at the former residential school in Kamloops. Mary Ellen-Turpel Lafond says churches and the federal government have fought for more than 20 years against making such school records available. She says the public has an obligation to help identify the remains. But a forensic human identification expert says the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation faces a d

Police say a suspect is in custody after customers in a bank in British Columbia refused to obey orders from a shotgun-brandishing robber and tackled him. A statement from Abbotsford police says a man entered the Scotiabank branch just before noon yesterday and ordered customers to the floor. As he threw bags onto a counter and demanded money, police say one customer confronted him and three more stepped up. The four tackled the man, disarmed him and held him until officers arrived minutes later. No one was hurt and Sgt. Judy Bird says a 46-year-old man is facing robbery and firearms-related

Victoria police say they're investigating several additional allegations of sexualized violence involving a masseur charged with sexual assault. Police say 35-year-old Ajesh Jacob has been charged in connection with an incident at a massage and reflexology business where he was employed. Jacob was arrested on May 13th and has since been released on several conditions including not to perform massage services on anyone. Detectives say additional survivors have come forward since that time and they are asking any others who have not yet spoken with police to contact them. Victoria Police on Twi

Health officials say British Columbia's COVID-19 restart plan will be a slow, cautious progression to normal life, but they acknowledge it may cause anxiety or fear in some people. In a news release Wednesday, Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry say many others are excited about the transition and people will be able to progress along with the restart plan or in a slower, more gradual process. Dix and Henry say people must be mindful of communities that are assessing their own risks and take time to welcome back visitors. They also say businesses will be r