The RCMP have now made more than 630 arrests related to blockages set up to protest the logging of old-growth forests on southern Vancouver Island, including 56 people who have previously been arrested a combined total of 131 times. The Mounties say 462 people have been arrested for breaching a court-ordered injunction against blockades around the Fairy Creek watershed near Port Renfrew, while the remainder have been for obstruction, mischief and other offences. They say protesters continue to lock themselves into structures and trenches dug into forest service roads and the latest 13 arrests

Over a three-day period, B.C. is reporting 1,434 new cases of COVID-19, including four epi-linked cases, for a total of 156,513 cases in the province:Aug. 13-14: 532 new casesAug. 14-15: 441 new casesAug. 15-16: 461 new casesThere are 5,090 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 149,553 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 104 individuals are in hospital and 47 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the past 72 hours, one new death (Fraser Health) has been reported, for an overall total of 1,780.There are 10 acti

Vancouver Police are investigating after a man’s throat was slashed by a stranger during an unprovoked attack in Mount Pleasant Sunday afternoon. "This attack appears to have been random, and it caused serious injuries to the victim," says Sergeant Steve Addison, VPD. "We believe there were a number of people in the area when it happened, and we’re asking anyone with information to contact VPD investigators."The victim, a 46-year-old man from Vancouver, was near Quebec Street and East 10th Avenue around 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon when someone approached from behind and cut his throat, then wa

Vancouver Police arrested a 35 year old man Sunday morning, after two people were randomly assaulted while walking on Commercial Drive."These assaults appear to have been completely unprovoked," says Sergeant Steve Addison, VPD. "Fortunately, witnesses called 911 right away and VPD officers were able to arrest the suspect before anyone was seriously hurt."Police believe the suspect was walking near Broadway and Commercial Drive around 8 a.m. Sunday when he allegedly approached a 35-year-old man outside a fast-food restaurant and sexually assaulted him by groping him from behind. A number of pe

Fourteen people are safe after a harrowing incident off Gabriola Island just east of Nanaimo. An eight-metre boat began taking on water near Pilot Bay yesterday. A BC Ferry running between Nanaimo and Horseshoe Bay was one of the many vessels that responded to the call. All 14 people were rescued while their crippled boat was towed to Nanaimo for repairs. BC Ferries on Twitter: #ServiceNotice UPDATE #Tsawwassen - #DukePoint #QueenOfAlberni is currently delayed 30 minutes due to assisting in a marine rescue for a vessel in distress. Details posted here: http://ow.ly/IAB130rR794 ^gh1:59 PM · A

Police say a male victim is in hospital after a shooting in Surrey, B.C. The RCMP say officers responded to a shots fired call on 152nd Street just after midnight. Police say a male with a gunshot wound was found at the scene and rushed to hospital. There was no immediate word on his condition. Investigators say the investigation is in its early stages, but they believe the victim was targeted. Mounties have been canvassing the neighbourhood, hoping to talk to possible witnesses.

The wildfire situation is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 7 p.m. (Pacific time) on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021.Fires:Since April 1, 2021:1,511 wildfires766,709 hectaresCurrently burning: 268Active fires by fire centre:Cariboo: 32Coastal: 21Kamloops: 86Northwest: 5Prince George: 60Southeast: 64Resources:Total personnel: 3,701Contract firefighters: 1,236Out-of-province personnel: 480Aircraft (rotary and fixed-wing): 213Evacuations:Evacuation orders: 74 (+13)Evacuation alerts: 119 (-1)Properties:Number of properties on order: 6,607 (+717)Number of properties on alert: 1

B.C. is reporting 717 new cases of COVID-19, including 11 epi-linked cases, for a total of 155,079 cases in the province.There are 4,277 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 148,964 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 82 individuals are in hospital and 39 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.The new/active cases include:140 new cases in Fraser HealthTotal active cases: 821101 new cases in Vancouver Coastal HealthTotal active cases: 593376 new cases in Interior HealthTotal active cases: 2,44660 new cases in Nort

As we head into a warm and sunny weekend, Vancouver Police are reminding everyone that open alcohol in public places is prohibited."Generally speaking, we have seen a substantial increase in open consumption of alcohol in the downtown core, despite there being designated spaces set out by the City of Vancouver," says Constable Tania Visintin, VPD.Along the Granville Entertainment District, officers report a 607 per cent increase in liquor pour outs since June 1, compared to the same period last year, and an 84 per cent increase since 2019."The Granville Mall is a place people are congregating