Police in Essex, England, say a 19-year-old British Columbia woman has been murdered and a man is under arrest. A statement from Essex Police says 19 year old Ashley Wadsworth of Vernon died Tuesday, shortly after officers were called to a disturbance at a home in Chelmsford, northeast of London. A 23 year old man was arrested at the scene and police say he has been charged with murder. Jack Sepple, who lived at the address where Wadsworth died, was charged Thursday. Police said he was expected to appear in Colchester Magistrates' Court later in the day. Detectives in Essex have released littl

Erin O'Toole says it's been the honour of a lifetime to lead the party of Sir John A. MacDonald and Confederation. Speaking this evening he says he believes the Conservative party needs to be both an intellectual force and a governing force. Erin O'Toole was ousted today by his caucus in a strong vote against his leadership. But he intends to remain as a sitting MP, saying, ``there is not a bad seat in the House of Commons, from the back corner where he first sat, to the front rows.'' Erin O'Toole has headed the party since August of 2020 after Andrew Scheer was pushed out as leader. Click th

Erin O'Toole has been ousted as Conservative Party of Canada leader after 73 members of the Tory caucus voted to replace him. 45 endorsed O'Toole's leadership. Caucus members are now going to choose an interim leader and New Brunswick MP John Williamson was quick to post on social media that he'd like to have the job. The party's members of Parliament met virtually today to cast secret ballots after about one-third of them signed a notice that triggered a leadership review. Quebec MP Pierre Paul-Hus says the party is more united than ever after this morning's vote and want to move forward so

Coquitlam RCMP is informing the public of an investigation by Coquitlam RCMP Drugs and Organized Crime Section that resulted in the crucial seizure of firearms, drugs, cash and luxury vehicles.In September 2020, Coquitlam RCMP received information about an alleged drug trafficking network that prompted the Coquitlam Drugs and Organized Crime Section to start an intensive, in-depth investigation. After a thorough multi-jurisdictional investigation, police obtained seven search warrants that were executed between April and December of 2021.Coquitlam RCMP would like to thank the Vancouver Police

British Columbia's top doctor says COVID-19 hospitalizations are at their highest level and over 60 per cent of patients since December have tested positive for the virus after being admitted for other reasons. Dr. Bonnie Henry says 706 people have been hospitalized in the last week, but the numbers appear to be peaking. She says patients who contracted the dominant Omicron variant are going home in about half the time compared with those who are sickened with the Delta variant. Dr. Henry says 16 per cent of people hospitalized since Dec. 1 have needed critical care, a much smaller proportion

Quebec Premier Francois Legault says he is abandoning his threat to tax the unvaccinated. Legault told a news conference today he is worried about dividing Quebecers and is backtracking in order to maintain social peace in the province. The premier announced on Jan. 11 he planned to make the unvaccinated pay a significant financial penalty because they were overrepresented in the health-care system. About 10 per cent of the province's eligible population are unvaccinated. Legault is also announcing that gyms and spas will be allowed to reopen on Feb. 14.

Over a three-day period, B.C. is reporting 4,075 new cases of COVID-19, including five epi-linked cases, for a total of 324,615, cases in the province. Jan. 28-29: 1,725 Jan. 29-30: 1,293 Jan. 30-31: 1,057 There are currently 27,454 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 293,124 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 1,048 COVID-positive individuals are currently in hospital and 138 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. The new/active cases include: 1,225 new cases in Fraser Health Total active cases: 11,503 645 ne

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau isn’t planning to meet with the protesters involved in the truck convoy against vaccine mandates. He says while he has attended rallies in the past, he has chosen not to go anywhere near protests that have expressed hateful rhetoric and endorsed violence toward fellow citizens. He had this message for politicians who he says are exploiting people’s fears.Trudeau has tested positive for COVID-19 and says two of his children have now contracted COVID. He says he's feeling fine and will be working from home this week as he follows public health guidelines. Trudea

British Columbia's top doctor says COVID-19 restrictions on social gatherings are expected to be gradually lifted next month, starting on Family Day.Dr. Bonnie Henry says that's possible in part because 90 per cent of residents aged 12 and over have received two doses of vaccine, though more people need to get a booster shot for longer-lasting protection.She says taking that step is necessary as new variants will surely emerge as immunity wanes and respiratory season in the fall again brings an increased risk of transmission.Henry says B.C.'s committee on immunization will be discussing a reco