BCJan 13, 2021
Riverside residents in Vanderhoof, B.C., alarmed as ice jams limit Nechako River flow
Ice jams are building along the Nechako River in central British Columbia and officials in Vanderhoof say flooding of nearby properties is possible. The district has posted a warning advising its roughly 4.500 residents to stay clear of the riverbanks. Ice jams began building on the waterway in mid-December, but the warning says the blockages worsened this week. The District of Vanderhoof website says the jams have the potential to cause severe, unexpected changes in river levels. Mayor Gerry Thiessen posted photos on social media showing water nearly topping the decks of several homes overlo
BCJan 13, 2021
Manslaughter charge laid after deadly post-Christmas assault in Chilliwack, B.C.
A manslaughter charge has been laid after the death of a man in late December in Chilliwack, B.C. A statement from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says 45 year old Carlton Leith died several days after he was injured Dec. 27 during a fight with another man. A 42 year old suspect was arrested shortly after the assault, and RCMP said the isolated incident did not pose a risk to the public. William Escott remains in custody, charged with several offences, including manslaughter and aggravated assault. Court records show he returns to court in Chilliwack on Monday. Investigators are no
BCJan 13, 2021
Wind, snow, prompt warnings, power outages across much of southern B.C.
The latest wicked weather to sweep across southern British Columbia downed trees and power lines in many areas and left thousands in the dark. Environment Canada says wind gusts topped 100 km/h in Victoria and the eastern Fraser Valley at the height of the storm early Wednesday. It had moved into the southern Interior by dawn, prompting special weather statements across the region while BC Hydro reported more than 100,000 customers lost power, with the hardest hit areas in Abbotsford, Victoria and Vernon. The weather office says winds ended over Metro Vancouver overnight and were expected to
BCJan 13, 2021
British Columbia reports 446 new COVID-19 infections and nine more deaths
British Columbia health officials say staying active and connected is important for physical and mental well-being despite the challenges of COVID-19. In a news release Tuesday, they say people have learned and adapted to the changing pandemic. The advice to stay active comes as officials reported 446 new COVID-19 cases and nine more deaths. Health officials also reported a new health-care facility outbreak at Mount St. Joseph's Hospital. The total number of COVID-19 infections in the province now stands at 58,553 with 1,019 deaths. To date, 62,294 people have received a COVID-19 vaccine in B
BCJan 12, 2021
Homeless woman OK after man tries to set her blankets ablaze in Vancouver: police
A homeless woman is unhurt but police want to catch the man who tried to set her blankets on fire as she slept on a Vancouver street. A statement from the Vancouver Police Department on Tuesday says the apparent arson happened at around 4 a.m. on Dec. 13. Sgt. Steve Addison says the woman, who's in her 30s, was wrapped in a jacket and blankets and the man paced around her as she lay on the ground, then set her belongings on fire and walked away. Addison says video the department just acquired shows the fire smouldering before flames emerge, but the woman woke up in time to avoid serious harm.
BCJan 12, 2021
B.C. First Nation faces COVID-19 outbreak; community leaders issue racism warnings
A First Nations community on Vancouver Island is fighting to contain a COVID-19 outbreak while facing intolerance from some members of the surrounding community. Cowichan Tribes general manager Derek Thompson says some members of his Duncan-area First Nation have faced discrimination in the community since COVID-19 cases were first reported this month. Thompson says there were no COVID-19 cases among their members for the first 10 months of the pandemic, but that has increased to 73 people since Jan. 1. The First Nation has issued a stay-at-home order for tribal members until Jan. 22 in an ef
BCJan 12, 2021
Meng's lawyers ask court to loosen in-person surveillance in bail agreement
Chinese tech executive Meng Wanzhou is back in British Columbia Supreme Court as her lawyers seek to ease bail conditions for the Huawei chief financial officer. Speaking English and aided by an interpreter, her husband Liu Xiaozong testified he believes Meng is at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 given her proximity to multiple security personnel whenever she leaves home. He says his wife is a survivor of thyroid cancer and has hypertension, while their daughter and her son are afraid of being publicly identified during visits to Vancouver due to the presence of private security. Her l
BCJan 12, 2021
Avalanche Canada is warning of a high danger rating in several coastal B.C. locations
Avalanche Canada is warning of a high danger rating in several coastal BC locations. The forecaster says mountains and slopes on the South Coast, Sea to Sky, South Coast Inland and Northwest Coastal ranges all have high risk of slides in the alpine and treeline. On the southern mountain ranges, it says natural avalanches are expected today with buried weak layers that could produce large slab avalanches. Avalanche Canada says with new snow and extreme winds forecast for the Northwest Coastal ranges, avalanches are expected in many areas. In B.C. 4 people have been killed in snow sports in the
BCJan 12, 2021
B.C. crosses grim milestone of 1,000 COVID-19 deaths; 1,475 cases reported today
British Columbia's top doctor says the first dose of a vaccine for COVID-19 gives "amazing" immunity, so the government's decision to allow for a 35-day gap before the second dose is administered is rooted in science. Dr. Bonnie Henry's statements come as B.C. recorded a grim milestone Monday, reaching 1,000 COVID-19 related deaths. She says the decision to delay the second shot is about maximizing the vaccines' distribution, while balancing the supply and making sure the province has a safe and effective immunization program. Dr. Henry says the first dose primes the immune system while the s
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