British Columbia

West Kelowna wine country, pictured in October 2020. (Phil McLachlan - West K News)

B.C. wine industry still recovering, looking to return to pre-pandemic boom

The wine industry contributed $3.75 billion to the province economy in 2019

 

Jason Heit. (photo submitted)

PODCAST: Jason Heit: From the boxing ring to security for the stars

TODAY IN B.C. Island fighter/trainer worked security for Drew Barrymore, Nicholas Cage

 

Tours of the dome hosting the Plaskett telescope are included in admission to the Centre of the Universe. Black Press Media file photo

Centre of the Universe reopens for astronomy enthusiasts in Saanich

Release of first images from James Webb Space Telescope has people excited

 

(Photo - Rosie Ann Peters/Facebook)

Highway 1 remains closed due to mudslide outside Lytton

The highway is closed until further notice; an assessment is taking place

(Photo - Rosie Ann Peters/Facebook)
Fire activity at the Maria Creek wildfire on Aug. 1. (Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)

B.C. wildfires: Blazes in southern regions continue to challenge crews

50 active fires burning across the province

Fire activity at the Maria Creek wildfire on Aug. 1. (Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)
Jessica MacNiel. (photo submitted)

PODCAST: Jessica MacNiel – is the reigning Miss Teenager World

TODAY IN B.C.: White Rock teen has made it her mission to separate beauty from appearance

Jessica MacNiel. (photo submitted)
Paramedics in B.C. responded to about 210 heat-related patient events during the July 2022 heat wave. According to the BC Coroners Service, 16 people died. (APBC image)

16 deaths recorded during B.C.’s July heat wave

Heat-related death data first since review into 2021 heat dome was issued

Paramedics in B.C. responded to about 210 heat-related patient events during the July 2022 heat wave. According to the BC Coroners Service, 16 people died. (APBC image)
BC Wildfire Service crews are using planned ignitions to control where wildfires are burning. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)

B.C. wildfires: 55 blazes burning, 8 of particular concern

Steep, rocky terrain and hot, dry conditions posing challenges for crews

BC Wildfire Service crews are using planned ignitions to control where wildfires are burning. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)
Greater Victoria is a hiker’s paradise, and one of the favourites for locals? Mount Douglas in Saanich, whose shady trails through dense coastal forest give way to open, rocky areas and stunning views at the summit. Justin Samanski-Langille/Victoria News photo

Hike like a local: Victoria hikers share their top 3 destinations

With its scenic West Coast location, boasting a unique mix of ocean…

Greater Victoria is a hiker’s paradise, and one of the favourites for locals? Mount Douglas in Saanich, whose shady trails through dense coastal forest give way to open, rocky areas and stunning views at the summit. Justin Samanski-Langille/Victoria News photo
FILE - Pieces of lithium sparkle in an ore sample in Prague, Czech Republic. A lithium mining company in B.C. known as Bearing Lithium Corp. was fined $35,000 by the B.C. Securities Commission for misleading advertising. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)

B.C. mining company fined $35K over ads masquerading as journalism

Bearing Lithium Corp. pushed the content through influencers, social media and websites

FILE - Pieces of lithium sparkle in an ore sample in Prague, Czech Republic. A lithium mining company in B.C. known as Bearing Lithium Corp. was fined $35,000 by the B.C. Securities Commission for misleading advertising. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)
Over 400 firefighters are tackling the wildfire at Keremeos Creek, near Penticton. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)

B.C. wildfires: 8 fires of note burning in province’s south

Keremeos Creek fire near Penticton by far the largest at 5,903 hectares

Over 400 firefighters are tackling the wildfire at Keremeos Creek, near Penticton. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)
B.C. is currently Canada’s leading province in overall percentage of zero emission vehicle adoption (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward).

New Car Dealers Association of BC applauds electric vehicle rebate increase

Rebate for EVs hiked to a maximum of $4K

B.C. is currently Canada’s leading province in overall percentage of zero emission vehicle adoption (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward).
B.C. is currently Canada’s leading province in overall percentage of zero emission vehicle adoption (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward).

New Car Dealers Association of BC applauds electric vehicle rebate increase

Rebate for EVs hiked to a maximum of $4K

B.C. is currently Canada’s leading province in overall percentage of zero emission vehicle adoption (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward).
A B.C. teacher has been banned for 15 years for engaging in inappropriate relationships with former students. (Pixabay)

15-year ban for B.C. teacher who travelled overnight, shared room with recent graduates

Teacher entered into intimate relationship with 1 former student during trip

A B.C. teacher has been banned for 15 years for engaging in inappropriate relationships with former students. (Pixabay)
A BC Wildfire Service photo shows fire activity at Maria Creek near Pavilion on Aug. 2. The service says wildfire activity will continue throughout August. (Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)

Intensified wildfire activity expected to continue through August: BC Wildfire

Southern areas will bear the brunt with above seasonal temperatures forecast

A BC Wildfire Service photo shows fire activity at Maria Creek near Pavilion on Aug. 2. The service says wildfire activity will continue throughout August. (Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)
People protest the mishandling of sexual assault cases at a university campus on Nov. 4, 2021. In B.C., the number of reported sexual assaults in 2021 leapt 15 per cent over the year before. (Kendall Warner/The News Advance via AP)

Record number of sexual assaults reported to police in B.C. in 2021

15 per cent jump recorded over 2020

People protest the mishandling of sexual assault cases at a university campus on Nov. 4, 2021. In B.C., the number of reported sexual assaults in 2021 leapt 15 per cent over the year before. (Kendall Warner/The News Advance via AP)
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. issued a public safety notice Aug. 3, identifying 11 dangerous B.C. gangsters. (Courtesy of CFSEU-BC)

11 B.C. gangsters identified as posing a ‘significant threat’ to public safety

Police believe anyone connected to or near the gangsters may be putting themselves at risk

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. issued a public safety notice Aug. 3, identifying 11 dangerous B.C. gangsters. (Courtesy of CFSEU-BC)
Firefighters are battling 91 active fires in B.C. as of Aug. 3, including at Keremeos Creek near Penticton. Here, they work to implement small-scale planned ignitions along Highway 3A. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)

B.C. wildfire season intensifies with 91 active blazes, 5 of note

Vast majority believed to be caused by lightning

Firefighters are battling 91 active fires in B.C. as of Aug. 3, including at Keremeos Creek near Penticton. Here, they work to implement small-scale planned ignitions along Highway 3A. (BC Wildfire Service/Twitter)
A electric car is seen getting charged at parking lot in Tsawwassen, near Vancouver B.C., Friday, April, 6, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. improves rebate for electric vehicles to a maximum of $4,000: ministry

Individual making up to $80,000, household making up to $125,000 eligible for maximum rebate

A electric car is seen getting charged at parking lot in Tsawwassen, near Vancouver B.C., Friday, April, 6, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Aydin Coban is shown in this handout photo from the time of his arrest by Dutch police, entered into an exhibit at his trial in British Columbia Supreme Court in New Westminster, B.C.. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-DUTCH POLICE **MANDATORY CREDIT**

Data ‘fragments’ can’t identify Dutch man as Amanda Todd’s extortionist, says defence

Crown, in contrast, said ‘treasure trove of information’ linking man to Todd

Aydin Coban is shown in this handout photo from the time of his arrest by Dutch police, entered into an exhibit at his trial in British Columbia Supreme Court in New Westminster, B.C.. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-DUTCH POLICE **MANDATORY CREDIT**