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The White Rock Lake wildfire pictured on Aug. 4. (BC Wildfire Service photo)

Entire community of Falkland ordered evacuated due to White Rock Lake wildfire

Evacuation ordered for undreds of more homes across several regional districts on Wednesday night

Chad, son Daxton, daughter Trinity and wife Shanel pose for a photo at DeMille’s Farm Market where Trinity was born in the early morning hours of on Aug. 3, 2021. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

VIDEO: Shuswap couple pull off Highway 1 in Salmon Arm to give birth to child

Father guided over phone through early morning delivery of daughter

A helicopter flies past the Tremont Creek wildfire burning on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., Friday, July 16, 2021. Wildfire starts across British Columbia are ramping up again as heat and dry conditions replace last week’s slightly damper weather, boosting the wildfire danger to high or extreme in all but small pockets of the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Damage estimate for fire-razed Lytton, B.C., reaches $78 million

Fire raced through community, killing two people and leaving other residents minutes to get out

In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, columns of smoke rise from the Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon on Sunday, July 18, 2021. The federal government says neither Canada nor the United States can spare each other any extra personnel as they deal with one of the most severe wildfire seasons in recent memory. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Bootleg Fire Incident Command via AP

Canada, U.S. seek new approach as blistering 2021 wildfire season drains resources

Neither country able to share resources due to severity of conditions on either side of the border

In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, columns of smoke rise from the Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon on Sunday, July 18, 2021. The federal government says neither Canada nor the United States can spare each other any extra personnel as they deal with one of the most severe wildfire seasons in recent memory. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Bootleg Fire Incident Command via AP
A health care worker leaves after finishing her shift for the day at the Eatonville Care Centre in Toronto on Friday, April 24, 2020. A report published this morning by parliamentary budget officer Yves Giroux estimates ending wait lists, increasing staff pay and benefits, providing more hours of care each day and expanding home care could cost around $13.7 billion. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Fixing long-term care in Canada could cost $13.7B, budget watchdog estimates

Pandemic infected more than 1/4 of Canada’s 205,000 long-term care residents, killing over 15,000

A health care worker leaves after finishing her shift for the day at the Eatonville Care Centre in Toronto on Friday, April 24, 2020. A report published this morning by parliamentary budget officer Yves Giroux estimates ending wait lists, increasing staff pay and benefits, providing more hours of care each day and expanding home care could cost around $13.7 billion. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney makes his way to the chamber as the Alberta Legislature sits through the weekend to pass a series of emergency bills, in Edmonton, Friday, March 20, 2020. The Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association is calling on the Government of Alberta to reinstate COVID-19 testing, tracing and isolation requirements to control viral spread. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Alberta’s top doctor apologizes for causing ‘confusion, fear or anger’ on COVID-19

Hinshaw: isolation measures disruptive and no longer necessary with vaccine protection

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney makes his way to the chamber as the Alberta Legislature sits through the weekend to pass a series of emergency bills, in Edmonton, Friday, March 20, 2020. The Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association is calling on the Government of Alberta to reinstate COVID-19 testing, tracing and isolation requirements to control viral spread. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Video
A seal gave birth to a pup on a dock at the Comox Marina Aug. 1. Screenshot
VIDEO: Seal gives birth on dock at Comox Marina
Sahtlam Tree Farm owner Robert Russell is photographed in front of his cabin, which he built in the early 70’s, on his 40 acre property in the Cowichan Valley area of Duncan, B.C., on Saturday, July 31, 2021. The recent heat dome and drought have taken a toll on his business of growing trees for the busy Christmas season. Robert farms over 40,000 fir trees including the douglas, grand and noble fir trees. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
B.C. Christmas tree growers say intense heat singes prized trees, kills seedlings
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens as Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam is seen via videoconference during a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa on Friday, June 4, 2021. Federal officials are warning that Canada could be on the brink of a fourth wave of COVID-19 driven by the highly contagious Delta variant if the country opens too fast before enough people have been vaccinated. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Federal modelling warns of 4th COVID wave driven by Delta if reopening is too fast
Visitors to the Calgary Stampede line up for tickets in Calgary on Sunday, July 18, 2021. Alberta Health says 71 people likely acquired COVID-19 while attending the Stampede. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Alberta to end isolation rules for COVID-19 cases, close contacts as cases rise
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The BC Air Ambulance Services was called to Parksville to transport an elderly woman to hospital on Aug. 3, 2021. (PQB News file photo)

Ontario senior pulled from the water near Parksville Community Park

Woman observed to be alert as air ambulance transported her to hospital

The BC Air Ambulance Services was called to Parksville to transport an elderly woman to hospital on Aug. 3, 2021. (PQB News file photo)
RCMP officers have blocked off a section of Bell McKinnon Road north of Duncan Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 4, 2021. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

1 taken into custody as standoff with RCMP north of Duncan concludes

Multiple police cars and officers in the area

RCMP officers have blocked off a section of Bell McKinnon Road north of Duncan Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 4, 2021. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
Helicopter carries water bucket in B.C. Wildfire Service response. (Phil McLachlan ��� Western News)

Crew battling small wildfire in Chemainus River Provincial Park

Crews are working to knock down 0.3 hectare blaze between Chemainus and Cowichan Lake

Helicopter carries water bucket in B.C. Wildfire Service response. (Phil McLachlan ��� Western News)
Fraser Health held a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib in Surrey on Friday, May 7, 2021. Roughly 400 people pre-registered to get their vaccine the week before. (Photo: Lauren Collins)

B.C. reports 342 new COVID cases as infections reach a two-month high

Half of the day’s cases come from Interior Health

Fraser Health held a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib in Surrey on Friday, May 7, 2021. Roughly 400 people pre-registered to get their vaccine the week before. (Photo: Lauren Collins)
BC SPCA special constables seizing kitten/ dog. (supplied image)

Amid suspicions over animal welfare, BC SPCA points to gaps in accountability

For 126 years, the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has worked to protect the province’s creatures

  • Aug 4, 2021
BC SPCA special constables seizing kitten/ dog. (supplied image)
A couple died after a single vehicle crash in Central Saanich on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo courtesy of Central Saanich Police Services)

Couple dies after single-vehicle crash in Central Saanich on Tuesday

Crash occurred in the 6300-block of West Saanich Road around 4 p.m.

A couple died after a single vehicle crash in Central Saanich on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo courtesy of Central Saanich Police Services)
Two evening ferry sailings between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen have been cancelled Aug. 4 due to a staffing shortage. (Black Press Media file photo)

Staffing issues cancel 2 ferries between Victoria and Vancouver

6 p.m. from Tsawwassen and 8 p.m. from Swartz Bay cancelled

Two evening ferry sailings between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen have been cancelled Aug. 4 due to a staffing shortage. (Black Press Media file photo)
Kristy Sivorot and her son Griffin with Juniper, a lame, pregnant cow she bought from a large dairy operation to nurse back to health. Juniper gave birth to Junior, a bull calf, on July 21 and is doing well. (Zoe Ducklow - Sooke News Mirror)

Women hobby farmers are part of a food revolution

Raising livestock and families: the young women farmers of Sooke

Kristy Sivorot and her son Griffin with Juniper, a lame, pregnant cow she bought from a large dairy operation to nurse back to health. Juniper gave birth to Junior, a bull calf, on July 21 and is doing well. (Zoe Ducklow - Sooke News Mirror)
Wildfire smoke fills the air and obstructs the view of the mountains as people continue to take part in outdoor activities even though the air is currently 18 times above WHO exposure recommendation, in Sicamous B.C., Thursday July 29, 2021. Smoke from British Columbia wildfires has caused flight cancellations and delays at airports in Kelowna and Kamloops. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Rain helps curb B.C. wildfires, not enough to make long-term impact or clear smoke

65 evacuation orders in place affecting about 4,300 properties around the province

Wildfire smoke fills the air and obstructs the view of the mountains as people continue to take part in outdoor activities even though the air is currently 18 times above WHO exposure recommendation, in Sicamous B.C., Thursday July 29, 2021. Smoke from British Columbia wildfires has caused flight cancellations and delays at airports in Kelowna and Kamloops. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
A CBSA officer places a document on the windshield of a car entering Canada and asks it to pull off to the side in Niagara Falls, Ont., Friday, July 16, 2021. A union representing about 9,000 Canadian Border Service Agency workers says its members will begin job action across the country on Friday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power

Canadian border workers issue Friday strike notice

‘Sweeping; series of actions possible at airports, borders, ports, postal facilities and headquarters

A CBSA officer places a document on the windshield of a car entering Canada and asks it to pull off to the side in Niagara Falls, Ont., Friday, July 16, 2021. A union representing about 9,000 Canadian Border Service Agency workers says its members will begin job action across the country on Friday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power
Police vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility’s Metro station. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Man who fatally stabbed Pentagon officer had troubled past

Background suggests act of a violence-prone individual more likely than part of a broader conspiracy

Police vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility’s Metro station. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Dr. Mike Benusic, medical health officer for central Vancouver Island. (Photo submitted by Island Health)

PQBeat: Island Health’s Dr. Mike Benusic discusses impact of COVID-19 vaccinations

Podcast: Medical health officer shares thoughts on pandemic

Dr. Mike Benusic, medical health officer for central Vancouver Island. (Photo submitted by Island Health)
Evacuation re-entry kits are available for property owners returning home.

What B.C. wildfire evacuees need to know upon returning home

Garden food should be discarded, pools should be drained and cleaned

Evacuation re-entry kits are available for property owners returning home.
West Shore RCMP is searching for missing teens Tyson Brown, 15, and Grace Smiley, 16, who are believed to be together in Victoria, Nanaimo or Vancouver. (Courtesy West Shore RCMP)

MISSING: Two missing teens may be in Victoria, Nanaimo

Tyson Brown, 15, and Grace Smiley, 16, missing since Aug. 1

West Shore RCMP is searching for missing teens Tyson Brown, 15, and Grace Smiley, 16, who are believed to be together in Victoria, Nanaimo or Vancouver. (Courtesy West Shore RCMP)