Got the flu? Then call 8-1-1
Got an emergency or see and accident or a crime . . . then call 9-1-1. Experience flu-like symptoms . . . dial up 8-1-1. The Ministry of Health is asking people that may have the influenza to dial up the new number feeling highly infectious cases could put others, at the hospital emergency room, clinic or doctor's office, at...
No winning ticket in $50-million Lotto Max jackpot; 12 MaxMillions prizes available in Friday's draw
There was no winning ticket for the $50-million jackpot in Friday night’s Lotto Max draw. And no one won any two MaxMillions prizes of $1-million each that were up for grabs. However, three prizes of $178,603.10 in the LOTTO MAX 6/7+Bonus category fwere won by winning tickets purchased in British Columbia (2) and Ontario. The...
RCMP traffic officers seize more than $60,000 in cash
The New Year brought in more than $60,000 in cash to the Southeast District Traffic Services during a trio of routine traffic stops. RCMP traffic officers were alerted to two vehicles due to speeding. The first stop happened January 3 (Thursday) on Highway 5 south of vehicle Clearwater. The vehicle was sailing along doing 136...
It makes you want to cry! Highway 1 accident spills cargo of pulp and wine all over road
The good news is no one was hurt in the accident. The bad news, a truck load of wine is now history. Highway 1, two kilometers west of Hope, was shut down for more than ten hours after two semis collided Wednesday night, spilling cargos of pulp and wine all over the highway. The accident happened at approximately 9 p.m....
Provincial health officers issue statement re: H5N1 influenza death in Alberta
British Columbia’s provincial health officer has released the following statement on the recent H5N1 influenza death in Alberta: “B.C. was informed (Tuesday) night by Alberta health officials that they have confirmed a fatal case of H5N1 influenza in someone who recently returned from Beijing, China. “As reported earlier by Health Canada and the Alberta Ministry […]
COMMENT: B.C. government's double standard on electoral boundaries ill-advised
Long-time political watchers in B.C. will know what's meant by Gracie's finger. It was one of Canada's most blatant acts of political gerrymandering. In 1982, then Social Credit cabinet minister Grace McCarthy was suspected of using her influence to have her Little Mountain riding boundaries redrawn to include a sliver of a...
RCMP halt crime spree in Lower Mainland
Around 6 p.m. Jan. 5, the Richmond RCMP responded to a collision on Highway 99. Allegedly, the driver of one of the vehicles involved in the collision ran to a nearby home where he stabbed a resident and stole the resident’s car. The same night, at around 7 p.m., a man was withdrawing money from the automated teller machine...
UPDATE: Trust fund set up to help family of Surrey hockey mom
Anyone wanting to help the family of Julie Paskall, the Surrey hockey mom killed outside the rink in Newton on December 29, can now donate to a trust fund. Any money will be used to help the Paskall family and to assist with any additional expenses. Paskall is survived by a son, 16, two adult daughters and her husband, Al...
BC's top 10 most absurd 9-1-1 calls in 2013
In an effort to draw attention to the ongoing issue of 9-1-1 nuisance calls, E-Comm—the regional emergency communication centre for southwest B.C.—has released a list of 2013’s most absurd reasons to call the emergency line. Throughout the year 9-1-1 call-takers submitted examples of calls they received that do not meet the...
COMMENT: Five New Year's resolutions for B.C.'s politicians
It's that time of year when many of us make resolutions for the new year. Most of them are lofty goals towards self-improvement: quit smoking, lose weight, exercise more often are all among the popular ones. So in the spirit of the season, here are five ideas for B.C. politicians to consider as they set their resolutions for...