BC Liquor Stores accepting donations for Fort McMurray
As wildfires rage in Fort McMurray, Alta., forcing the emergency evacuation of 80,000 residents, BC Liquor Stores customers can support Red Cross relief efforts there by donating at stores throughout the province. Starting today, BC Liquor Stores customers can donate $2, $5 or more to help the Red Cross in Alberta reunite...
BC aims to stop profits from crime in wake of Pickton book
Murderers and others convicted of serious crimes will not be able to profit from their crimes through memoirs or memorabilia and inflict further anguish on their victims and families, under proposed legislation introduced today. If passed, the Profits of Criminal Notoriety Act will target those who attempt to benefit from the...
Coroners Service confirms identity of man killed in snowmobile accident near Sparwood
The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man who died in a snowmobiling accident near Sparwood on April 21, 2016. He was Mark Wayne Paniec, aged 54, of Sparwood. Mr. Paniec was one of a party of seven who had travelled to the Barnes Lake area to go snowmobiling. At about 3 p.m. on April 21, Mr. Paniec's snowmobile,...
What a Shock! More Electric Rays in BC Waters
By David Suzuki Gary Krause was mystified by an unusual fish he caught in his trawl net off B.C.’s Pacific north coast in October. It was a Pacific electric ray, named for a pair of organs behind its head that can knock a human adult down with a powerful shock. Trawl fishery records show 88 of these rays in B.C. waters since...
Queen's Cowboys rescue drowning dog
On April 7, at 11:39 a.m., the Fraser Lake RCMP received a report of a dog that had fallen through the ice at a local pond. Officers immediately attended and learned that the dog had been in the water for almost an hour and wasn’t faring well. Police learned that the caller was not able to get anyone else to assist so finally...
Permanent stations to protect B.C. from invasive mussels
Following a successful pilot program in 2015, Premier Christy Clark announced Wednesday a $2 million boost to the province’s invasive mussel defence program that will see eight permanent mussel inspection stations installed at major entry points along B.C.’s borders. “B.C. is leading the fight against invasive species,” said...
Is there a bump coming to BC Minimum Wage?
BC Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Shirley Bond said in a media statement the province is "reviewing the minimum wage increase to keep it in line with overall economic growth." "We expect to announce a minimum wage increase this spring, with the new rate coming into effect...
Oliver RCMP on hunt for vandals responsible for damaging Telus cellphone tower
The South Okanagan experienced cellular and internet interruptions after vandals knocked down a Telus owned cellphone tower in Oliver (Thursday) March 17. The damage now has Oliver RCMP investigating the willful damage. The sole intent appears to be one of causing willful damage, as there is no evidence of theft of materials...
B.C. and Oliver partner on irrigation repair to keep agriculture economy flowing
The B.C. government and the Town of Oliver are partnering on a $1-million repair project to an irrigation system so area fruit, vegetable and crop growers can continue to be an economic driver in the region. The project will repair a section of pipe near Gallagher Lake that was damaged by a January rock slide to ensure the ...
UPDATE: RCMP Returned Kidnap Victim and Arrested Lash Leroux
RCMP acted on a tip and were able to arrest susected kidnapper Lash Leroux, and to return the 50-year-old female victim to medical care. Original Story: RCMP in Prince Geroge are urgently asking for the public’s assistance to locate a female kidnapped from the local hospital. Cpl. Craig Douglass said just before 1 p.m. on...
