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

The RCMP say one person is in custody after human remains were found in a ditch in Surrey, B.C. An RCMP spokeswoman says the body was found at about 4 a.m. Friday as firefighters put out a small blaze in a rural area of south Surrey. Investigators say the case is not related to the ongoing gang conflict in Metro Vancouver. They say the public is not at risk. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is taking over the case. Police say they believe they know who the victim is but the BC Coroners Service is also expected to be involved in the investigation.

One person is dead after a shooting at a strip mall in Nanaimo, B.C. Nanaimo RCMP say they responded to reports of shots fired at about 3 p.m. at the Rock City Plaza parking lot. One man, who suffered apparent gunshot wounds, was found dead in a vehicle at the mall. Mounties say they arrested several people at the Best Western Hotel on Metral Drive shortly afterwards and seized a vehicle. Const. Gary O'Brien says police can't confirm whether they are looking for other suspects. Police are asking anyone with dashcam video from the area between 3:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Thursday to contact Nana

Premier John Horgan is urging people to follow all COVID-19 public health orders over the long weekend so the province can have the summer than everyone wants to see. Horgan says COVID-19 case counts are coming down and the burden on hospitals is easing somewhat, but all current restrictions including the ban on travel remain in place until midnight Monday. He says the province will be announcing a new road map for reopening on Tuesday and people can expect the circuit breaker imposed to slow rising cases to be over. However, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says it's not going to b

A project to deliver packages by cargo electric bicycle is about to launch in Vancouver as the city works to reduce pollution and traffic congestion. A joint statement from the Transportation and Environment ministries says the province is providing $200,000 to partner with Vancouver to create the e-bike micro hub. The statement says packages will be brought to the hub by truck and transferred to the e-bikes equipped with large rear cargo boxes for final delivery. The project will begin in June and run until the end of next August, with a midpoint evaluation of greenhouse gas reductions, prod

An early morning drinking and driving roadblock in North Vancouver captured known gang associates in possession of cash, drugs and a knife.At approximately 3:00 a.m. on May 18, 2021, North Vancouver RCMP officers were conducting an impaired driving enforcement road check near Capilano Rd. and Marine Dr. A newer model Range Rover approached, and the driver stopped and rolled down the window to speak to one of the officers."Generally, this initial brief discussion our officers have with the person behind the wheel allows them to detect possible impaired drivers," said Sgt. Peter DeVries of the N