COVID-19 outbreaks in pockets around British Columbia have prompted health officials to shorten the recommended delay between vaccinations by three weeks. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the change from 49 days to 28 will help bring up the level of community protection in areas of the province that are experiencing outbreaks. Notices will be sent out to about 170,000 people in the coming days, asking them to book their second dose appointment. Dr. Henry says the optimal time to wait for the second shot is six to 10 weeks, but that needs to be balanced with the risk of getting

The wildfire situation is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 7 p.m. (Pacific time) on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021.For real-time updates on evacuation alerts and orders, visit: https://twitter.com/EmergencyInfoBCFor the latest wildfire information, visit: www.bcwildfire.ca Fires:Wildfires burning in B.C.: 273Since April 1, 2021:1,445 wildfires644,420 hectares burnedActive fires by fire centre:Cariboo: 35Coastal: 24Kamloops: 86Northwest: 7Prince George: 60Southeast: 61Crews and equipment:Firefighters and other personnel fighting the fires: 3,583Out-of-province firefighters

Police have arrested a 28-year-old man following a string of late-night shootings in Surrey and Delta that left several vehicles and a residence damaged. No injuries were reported. Surrey RCMP say shots were fired at three locations Saturday night – the 6900-block of 127A Street, the 12900-block of 73A Avenue, and the 6600-block of 132 Street. Less than an hour later, Delta Police responded to a similar report near the 7900-block of 114A Street, which investigators believe is connected. Corporal Vanessa Munn, Surrey RCMP spokesperson, said the incidents appear linked. “All four incidents a

The BC Conservation Officer Service says its predator attack team is responding after a black bear seriously injured a man in the province's north yesterday. The attack happened near Fort Fraser, a village about 90 minutes west of Prince George. Conservation officers say bystanders helped scare the bear away and the victim was taken to hospital. His condition was unknown. BC Conservation Officer Service on Twitter: Black Bear Attack | The #BCCOS Predator Attack Team is responding to a black bear attack in the #FortFraser area near #Vanderhoof.One man was seriously injured in the attack, which

Two people have been arrested after a stabbing at a Lower Mainland strip club. Police in New Westminster say they responded around 2 a-m Sunday and found a man suffering from stab wounds at the Paramount Gentleman's Club. They say two suspects were located nearby and arrested after a short foot chase, while the victim was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. New Westminster Police department on Twitter: The Major Crime Unit is investigating a stabbing in downtown #NewWest. If you witnessed this incident and have yet to speak to investigators please call 604-529-24

British Columbia's COVID-19 infection rate keeps climbing, fuelled by the Delta variant and unvaccinated people in the Okanagan. About 80 per cent of the new infections in the central Okanagan are of the Delta variant, prompting provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry to announce new restrictions on gatherings and bar and nightclub closures in that area. BC reported 464 new cases today, more than half of which are in the Interior. Dr. Henry says many of the cases are in those between the ages of 20 and 40 who haven't been vaccinated or who have had just one shot. Almost 82 per cent of thos

Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon says employment figures for July show BC is the only province with employment above pre-pandemic levels. Statistics Canada says unemployment stood at 6.6 per cent in BC last month, the same as June. A statement from Kahlon's office says that's one of the lowest rates in Canada and although the province lost 6,500 part-time jobs in July, it gained 3,300 full-time positions. He says July's data reflects increased travel within B-C as COVID-19 restrictions relax but bans on international travel continue to limit growth in some sectors. StatsCan says the national unempl

Surrey RCMP is investigating collision and fatality involving a garbage truck and a pedestrian, in Whalley. On August 6, 2021, at approximately 2:55 a.m., Surrey RCMP received a report of collision involving a garbage truck and a pedestrian in the 10600-block of King George Blvd. Emergency Health Services responded to the incident but sadly, the pedestrian was confirmed deceased at the scene of the incident. The driver remained at the scene of the collision and has spoken to police. The Surrey RCMP Criminal Collision Investigation Team has taken conduct of the investigation. Investigators are

BC's police watchdog has been called to investigate after one man died and two women suffered non-life-threatening injuries in an incident in the North Okanagan. The RCMP didn't identify the man they say died of apparent self-inflicted wounds, but they say he was one of two people targeted in a Kelowna shooting on July 31st, and he had been the subject of a public warning. They say officers in Vernon responded shortly after midnight on Thursday to a call about an alleged double stabbing of two women with a male suspect acting erratically at a campground near Enderby. They say the man was loca