Delta Mayor George V. Harvie has written to Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth urging new measures to address the ongoing Lower Mainland gang conflict, which has been linked to a series of violent incidents across the region. Harvie’s letter proposes two immediate steps – expanded use of the RCMP Air 1 helicopter for daily and weekly patrols, and tougher provincial legislation targeting vehicles used in dial-a-dope drug operations. He argues these actions would improve rapid response at crime scenes and create significant consequences for rental agencies or vehicle owners whose cars are

An evacuation alert has been issued for more than 200 homes and businesses in southeastern British Columbia as a weekend downpour and the likelihood of more rain raise the potential for flooding in the Fairmont area. The Regional District of East Kootenay issued the alert late Monday for 229 properties in the Fairmont Hot Springs and Cold Spring Creek areas about 100 kilometres north of Cranbook. A state of local emergency has also been declared around Fairmont. More than 40 millimetres of rain fell in the area between Sunday and Monday, swelling creeks and filling debris traps along the rive

Officials are continuing to urge British Columbia residents to follow COVID-19 health restrictions ahead of Tuesday's restart announcement. B.C. recorded 974 new cases of COVID-19 over the long weekend, for a total of 142,347 during the pandemic, as well as a drop in hospitalizations. The majority of the cases occurred in the hard-hit Fraser Health Authority region, which accounted for roughly two-thirds of the new cases. The province also reported 12 new deaths for a total of 1,679. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry say in a joint statement that they

Police say a man is dead after a shooting Saturday evening in Coquitlam, B.C. Investigators say the victim was gunned down near Hart St. and Henderson Ave. around 5:30 p.m. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) tweeted that they believe it was a targeted shooting. The victim's identity was not immediately released, nor was any suspect information. And IHIT did not say in their tweet whether they suspect the shooting is tied to the ongoing gang conflict in Metro Vancouver. There have been 20 gang-related homicides and 20 attempted murders in Metro Vancouver so far this year.

British Columbia recorded 420 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, for a total of 141,373 since the pandemic began, along with six new deaths. The authority's push to get young people vaccinated is being spread on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Lee says they're looking forward to more young people registering, booking and getting their shots as quickly as possible so the pandemic can be put behind us. The Fraser Health authority is leveraging the fear of missing out in its campaign aimed at convincing young adults to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Dr. Victoria Lee

Restaurants, pubs and breweries with outdoor patios will be under the microscope in British Columbia over the Victoria Day long weekend as WorkSafeBC inspectors ensure businesses abide by COVID-19 safety plans. A statement from the agency responsible for workplace health and safety says it will be stepping up inspections of businesses in potential COVID-19 hot spots in the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health regions. As WorkSafe reminds businesses to pay strict attention to safety plans designed to limit the spread of the virus, Vancouver police are reminding city residents that provin

The court case against a New Westminster man accused of arson has been ended by his death. New Westminster police say the prosecution of Sean Warnick has been abated. Warnick was 49 when he was charged last October with setting the fire that destroyed a large section of the New Westminster pier one month earlier. Warnick had been released on conditions while awaiting his trial and police say the prosecution was abated when his death was confirmed, no further investigation is planned and no other suspects are linked to the case. New Westminster police department on Twitter: Charges abated in P

The actions of police are under scrutiny after a fatal crash in B.C.'s Interior as a vehicle tried to evade a traffic stop. A statement from RCMP says the independent office that examines all cases of police-involved death or serious injury has been notified about the single-vehicle crash Thursday near Sicamous. Police say a woman in the vehicle died and the man driving was seriously hurt when he lost control as RCMP tried to stop the car. An officer in an unmarked cruiser was among a line of vehicles on Highway 1 near Salmon Arm when the vehicle passed and police say the driver wouldn't pull

Workers across BC are now eligible to take up to three days of paid sick leave if they develop COVID-19 or must self-isolate because of close contact with someone who has the virus. Labour Minister Harry Bains says BC's paid sick leave provisions took effect yesterday. He says those who have the illness, are self-isolating or are simply waiting for the outcome of a COVID-19 test are eligible for the assistance, and if workers need more help the legislation provides a bridge to other benefits. Employers will be reimbursed up to 200-dollars per day for each worker claiming paid sick leave and B