Author: Andrew Rogers

A man accused in the death of a young mother from Mission, British Columbia, has been found guilty of manslaughter nearly eight years after the crime. Though the victim’s family sees the verdict as a step toward justice, the man remains free on bail until sentencing. Gary Losch, now in his 60s, was originally charged with second-degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Chelsey Gauthier. On Tuesday, a judge in Abbotsford downgraded the charge, convicting him instead of manslaughter and interfering with a dead body. Justice Dev Dley explained that while Losch did try to hide Gauthier’s body and lied…

The Brokenagan Backyard Ultra, held at Vernon’s Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre, has gained national recognition as a key endurance event in Canada. Scheduled for Saturday, July 26, this 24-hour trail run is now officially a Bronze Ticket event in the Backyard Ultra World Championships series. This new status guarantees the winner a spot on the Canadian National Leaderboard. Top performers will also be considered for Team Canada in the Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra World Team Championship. The Brokenagan is among just nine Canadian events awarded this prestigious Bronze Ticket status. The race challenges participants to complete as many 4.17-mile loops…

Vancouver firefighters responded to 35 fire calls during the weekend of July 19-20. The city’s fire rescue team shared details of their busy days on Monday, highlighting the variety and volume of incidents they faced. Among the calls, firefighters tackled three vehicle fires. Several other incidents involved “set fires,” which were handed over to the Vancouver Police Department for further investigation. Fire crews also responded to five fires in single-room occupancy hotels (SROs), which are often vulnerable to fire hazards. Cooking fires accounted for another five calls. These are common during busy weekends when more people cook at home or…

The U.S. flag at Queen’s Park Arena in New Westminster is finally coming down, weeks after a unanimous city council vote to remove it. This decision comes after public attention grew over why the flag remained in place despite clear council orders. On Monday, a city memo confirmed that the flag will be replaced with a custom-made City of New Westminster flag on Tuesday. The new flag, which took time to design and ship, arrived on July 17. City staff with the Parks and Recreation Department are handling the change. The delay has caused frustration. City Councillor Daniel Fontaine, who…

A free elder abuse awareness seminar will be held in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows on Thursday, July 31. Called “See Something, Say Something,” the event is organized by Crime Stoppers and the Ridge Meadows Seniors Society. Its goal is to help seniors identify signs of abuse and learn how to report it safely. The one-hour presentation will cover physical, emotional, and financial abuse, as well as neglect. Each section will explain what signs to watch for and how to protect oneself or others. The event aims to empower older adults to recognize when something is wrong and take steps…

Police are asking for help from the public in finding a 35-year-old woman wanted across Canada for serious crimes involving children. Siobhan Kirby, who was once under legal supervision in Chilliwack, is now the subject of a nationwide arrest warrant. She faces multiple charges, including the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse content. Authorities shared the update this week through social media, asking anyone with information about her location to contact police without delay. Kirby’s case has moved from local to national interest. In June 2024, she was already wanted by law enforcement for two counts of driving while…

Emergency responders were called to a fire at a weigh scale on Highway 97 North in Prince George around 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 19. The flames were coming from the Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) office on the site. Local police confirmed that evidence suggests the fire was deliberately set. It marks the second suspicious blaze at a weigh scale in the area within seven months. According to investigators, the recent incident shares striking similarities with a previous fire that took place on December 24, 2024, at the Highway 97 South weigh scales. Constable Jenna Moore, spokesperson for…

Thousands of people in Victoria enjoyed a thrilling evening on Tuesday as the Snowbirds air show lit up the skies. From downtown to the waterfront along Dallas Road and Ogden Point, spectators packed the area to witness Canada’s iconic flight team in action. The event began right on time at 6 p.m., just as the team announced. The flight show lasted for nearly 15 minutes. Even though it was a shorter version of their full routine, it still gave the crowd an exciting glimpse of their flying skills. The performance was visible and clearly heard across a large part of…

The government of British Columbia has transferred 700 hectares of land to the Snuneymuxw First Nation, marking another major step in fulfilling a 2020 land return agreement. The land, located near Nanaimo in the Mount Benson North area, is known to the Snuneymuxw people as te’tuxwtun. This transfer is the third under the Snuneymuxw Land Transfer Agreement, which aims to return more than 3,000 hectares of ancestral land. The agreement was signed to acknowledge the Nation’s deep cultural and historical connection to these lands. Snuneymuxw First Nation Chief Mike Wyse welcomed the move, calling it an important milestone. He said…

The Kamloops Firefighters Charitable Society has launched an online 50/50 raffle this summer, aiming to support various community organizations through the sale of 3,240 tickets. The Summer Sizzle 2025 50/50 raffle is now live and will run until 12 p.m. on September 1. The winning jackpot could reach up to $10,000, with the total pot capped at $20,000. The online raffle provides a way for residents to support local causes while also having a chance to win. According to firefighter Nick Dalcanale, this summer raffle is a new effort to raise money during a time when in-person events can be…