Man facing charges in relation to arson-caused wildfires near Stave Lake/Mission
An investigation into a series of deliberately set fires near Stave Lake has resulted in arson charges against one Lower Mainland man. Christopher White, 35, has been charged with three counts of arson, damage to property under Section 434 of the Criminal Code of Canada. Mr. White is making his first court appearance today,...
IHA joins in expanding overdose prevention program
As part of Interior Health’s overdose emergency response, the Take Home Naloxone program has expanded to 70 sites which includes: all Interior Health emergency departments, public health centres, mental health and substance use offices as well as several community agencies. “Drug-related overdoses and deaths are a huge...
Driver clad in his birthday suit goes on crime spree in downtown Vernon
The Vernon RCMP responded to a single vehicle collision on 30th Avenue in Vernon, where a man dressed only in his birthday suit crashed his vehicle into a store front. On Friday afternoon on Aug. 5, the Vernon RCMP received a report that a 1996 Jeep Cherokee SUV had crashed into a local business in the […]
B.C. Human Rights Code to include explicit protection for gender identity, expression
Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton introduced legislation Monday to make B.C.'s Human Rights Code more explicit in the protections it affords transgender persons in British Columbia. Bill 27, Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2016, was passed to include "gender identity or expression" among the protected ...
Joint task force mobilized to scale up overdose response
British Columbia is experiencing an unprecedented rise in overdoses. In response to this, Premier Christy Clark announced Wednesday a newly-formed Joint Task Force on Overdose Response headed by provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall and Clayton Pecknold, director of police services. Other members are still being determined...
UBC researchers find people judge trustworthiness based on facial features
UBC researchers have determined that certain facial features, not the expression, influence whether people think someone is trustworthy. UBC psychology professor Stephen Porter, who teaches psychology at UBC’s Okanagan campus, and PhD student Alysha Baker, recently completed two studies determining that people often make judgments of trustworthiness based solely on the face. “Our findings in […]
June overdose death numbers show increase
Updated statistics from the BC Coroners Service show the number of illicit drug overdose deaths among B.C. residents has increased. The total number of overdose deaths for June 2016 was 56, an increase from 43 in May 2016. A total of 371 overdose deaths have been reported from January to June 2016. The most recent fentanyl-related...
BC government announces contingency plans in place during Canada Post disruption
Arrangements are being made to ensure that British Columbians continue to receive cheques and critical documents in the event of a Canada Post labour disruption. British Columbians who receive government funds by direct deposit will not be affected by the labour action and will continue to receive their payments. For those ...
Duckface allowed: BC SPCA wildlife photography contest now open for entries
Ready to go wild with your camera? The BC SPCA’s eighth annual Wildlife-In-Focus Photography Contest, featuring a new platform and a brand-new look, is now open for entries. Each year, participating shutterbugs strive to capture the best of British Columbia’s wildlife through the lens, from the comfort of their own backyards...
Mail disruptions loom as Canada Post rejects CUPW proposal
There appears to be no turning back on a potential disruption to mail delivery after Canada Post CEO Deepak Chopra officially rejected a letter from postal workers asking him to extend the July 2 deadline for a lockout by a period of two weeks. Mike Palecek, national president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, […]
