News

Fire-related deaths in B.C. up 207% since 2018, according to latest data

Brian Godlonton says causes include aging demographics and rising homelesness among factors

The BC SPCA seized 162 rabbits, including the ones in the photo, from an Abbotsford home on May 26. (Photo: Suzaku Sanctuary)

SPCA seizes 162 rabbits from Abbotsford property

Owner says animals were not in danger and he is appealing decision

(Ovry)

Revelstoke business wins Small Business BC Award, pitches to Dragons’ Den

Ovry was awarded for Best Youth Entrepreneur by Small Business BC

An evacuation order has been issued for the northern community of Tumbler Ridge due to wildfires. (BC Wildfire Service)

Wildfire creeps close to Tumbler Ridge amid evacuation order

Fort St John opens ESS to greet overflow of evacuees from Dawson Creek

An evacuation order has been issued for the northern community of Tumbler Ridge due to wildfires. (BC Wildfire Service)
A firefighter directs water on a grass fire burning on an acreage behind a residential property in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, on Monday, June 5, 2023. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Eyes on the weather as fierce wildfire rages, forces evacuations in northeastern B.C.

B.C. Wildfire Service says the blaze is among 83 active wildfires in the province

A firefighter directs water on a grass fire burning on an acreage behind a residential property in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, on Monday, June 5, 2023. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Kelowna RCMP are investigating a home in an Upper Mission neighbourhood following two people found dead in a home on Thursday, June 8. (Jen Zielinski/Black Press)

2 women dead, man in hospital following ‘serious crime’ in Kelowna, no concern for public safety

A baby was found uninjured in the home; RCMP asking public to stay away during investigation

The Kelowna RCMP are investigating a home in an Upper Mission neighbourhood following two people found dead in a home on Thursday, June 8. (Jen Zielinski/Black Press)
In Vancouver, Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma, left, looks on as BC Wildfire Service operations director Cliff Chapman speaks over Zoom June 8, 2023 in an update about the province’s wildfire situation. (Lauren Collins)
In Vancouver, Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma, left, looks on as BC Wildfire Service operations director Cliff Chapman speaks over Zoom June 8, 2023 in an update about the province’s wildfire situation. (Lauren Collins)
A combination of dried-out forests, potentially strong winds and lightning could make for a “very challenging” fire season in 2023, which has already turned to be unprecedented in many ways, provincial officials said Thursday (June 8) during a news conference. (Black Press Media file photo)

Officials warn of ‘very challenging’ fire season ahead in B.C.

Large ‘chunks’ of B.C.’s interior already find themselves in ‘desert-like conditions’

A combination of dried-out forests, potentially strong winds and lightning could make for a “very challenging” fire season in 2023, which has already turned to be unprecedented in many ways, provincial officials said Thursday (June 8) during a news conference. (Black Press Media file photo)
Last year, Hope Air was able to facilitate 10,251 travel arrangements for Canadians in medical need. (Hope Air/Special to The News)

Give Hope Wings fundraiser cleared for takeoff at B.C. regional airports

Western leg of Hope Air fundraising campaign starts at Pitt Meadows airport on June 10

Last year, Hope Air was able to facilitate 10,251 travel arrangements for Canadians in medical need. (Hope Air/Special to The News)
The Hugh Keenleyside Dam near Castlegar was one of three built as part of the Columbia River Treaty. It has had a huge impact on the Columbia River valley all the way to Revelstoke. Photo: Contributed

Agreement reached to share Columbia River Treaty revenues with First Nations

The Ktunaxa, Secwépemc and Syilx Okanagan Nations will each receive 5% of the revenue generated

The Hugh Keenleyside Dam near Castlegar was one of three built as part of the Columbia River Treaty. It has had a huge impact on the Columbia River valley all the way to Revelstoke. Photo: Contributed
Three-year-old Deerat Kaur Chahal enjoys some time at Skaha Park. Her family and her are being deported if a reprieve isn’t given. (Mark Brett / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter)

Okanagan MP, community rallies to keep young family from being deported

Hardeep Singh Chahal, his pregnant wife Kamaldeep Kaur and daughter want to stay in Penticton

Three-year-old Deerat Kaur Chahal enjoys some time at Skaha Park. Her family and her are being deported if a reprieve isn’t given. (Mark Brett / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter)
12,000 BC Hydro customers without power north of Kamloops. (BC Hydro)
12,000 BC Hydro customers without power north of Kamloops. (BC Hydro)
A boardwalk lines ‘downtown’ Winter Harbour, providing a view of the harbour and inlet. (North Island Gazette file photo)

MLA says funding for local airport will improve services for passengers and businesses

The BCAAP grant program has committed $66.8 million to infrastructure projects at 71 air facilities

A boardwalk lines ‘downtown’ Winter Harbour, providing a view of the harbour and inlet. (North Island Gazette file photo)
An evacuation order has been issued for the northern community of Tumbler Ridge due to wildfires. (BC Wildfire Service)

UPDATE: Evacuation order issued for Tumbler Ridge due to wildfire

Evacuees are to report to the reception centre in Dawson Creek Ovintiv Events Centre.

An evacuation order has been issued for the northern community of Tumbler Ridge due to wildfires. (BC Wildfire Service)
Hope RCMP are looking into a serious spate of alleged hate crimes in Hope, just days into the community’s first Pride festival. (Kemone Moodley/Hope Standard/Megan te Boekhorst)

PHOTOS: Pride flag set on fire during night of alleged hate crime in Hope

Hope RCMP extend support to local LGBTQIA2S community following rash of crime

Hope RCMP are looking into a serious spate of alleged hate crimes in Hope, just days into the community’s first Pride festival. (Kemone Moodley/Hope Standard/Megan te Boekhorst)
Conservation officers confirmed it was a grizzly bear roaming in a yard in the Hyde Creek/Nimpkish Heights area of Northern Vancouver Island. (Jessica Colombo Facebook photo)

VIDEO: Grizzly bear sighting on Northern Vancouver Island

While uncommon, Grizzly Bears from the Central Coast have occasionally island-hopped in the past

Conservation officers confirmed it was a grizzly bear roaming in a yard in the Hyde Creek/Nimpkish Heights area of Northern Vancouver Island. (Jessica Colombo Facebook photo)
Smoke billowing from the Soards Creek Wildfire on Monday (June 5). (Photo by Laura Dempsey)
Smoke billowing from the Soards Creek Wildfire on Monday (June 5). (Photo by Laura Dempsey)
Nanaimo RCMP have reported a man has died on June 7 after going into medical distress while swimming at Westwood Lake. (Black Press Media file photo)

Man dies after going into medical distress while swimming in Vancouver Island lake

Rescue attempt by friends, emergency services successful, but victim died later in Nanaimo hospital

Nanaimo RCMP have reported a man has died on June 7 after going into medical distress while swimming at Westwood Lake. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur poses atop her late brother Tupac Shakur’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during a posthumous ceremony in his honor on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Los Angeles. The late rapper and actor is pictured at right. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur poses atop her late brother Tupac Shakur’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during a posthumous ceremony in his honor on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Los Angeles. The late rapper and actor is pictured at right. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Kasari Govender, B.C. Human Rights commissioner, speaks after releasing the final report on her inquiry into hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

BC Human Rights Commissioner talks battling hate during Okanagan visit

The Commissioner sat down for a one-on-one interview with Black Press

Kasari Govender, B.C. Human Rights commissioner, speaks after releasing the final report on her inquiry into hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck