Author: Andrew Rogers

A 27-year-old man from Kelowna had a dangerous encounter with highway patrol after speeding and texting behind the wheel on Highway 97 in the Cariboo region. The incident happened on Wednesday, July 16, around 4 p.m., near 83 Mile House. Two highway patrol officers were conducting roadside checks that afternoon. They were in full uniform, wearing high-visibility vests, and holding stop signs while monitoring traffic. One of the officers stepped out to signal a white BMW to stop. The vehicle was caught going 145 km/h in a 110 km/h zone. Despite the clear visibility and ample time to react, the…

Saanich residents have officially stopped a $150-million borrowing plan for redeveloping the Saanich Operations Centre. The result came through the Alternative Approval Process (AAP), with the final count presented to council on July 21. A total of 10,613 valid responses were received before the June 25 deadline. This represents 12.2% of eligible voters, surpassing the 10% required to reject the plan. An additional 497 responses were submitted but were found invalid for various reasons. During the council meeting, Saanich’s corporate officer Angila Bains explained why some forms were rejected. Many were missing full names, addresses, or signatures. Some included more…

The man responsible for the 2017 killing of Chelsey Gauthier, a 22-year-old single mother from Abbotsford, has been found guilty of manslaughter. The verdict was delivered on July 22, and the convicted man, 69-year-old Gary Losch, was released on bail while awaiting sentencing. Justice Dev Dley of the B.C. Supreme Court delivered the decision in a courtroom filled with around 50 of Gauthier’s friends and family members. Many wore green ribbon pins in memory of her favorite color. Losch was also found guilty of interfering with human remains. He is scheduled to return to court on August 18 to schedule…

The City of Richmond has officially been named Canada’s Most Active Community for 2025, standing out among hundreds of cities across the country. The title was awarded through the annual ParticipACTION Community Challenge, a nationwide initiative held every June to encourage Canadians to be physically active. With this victory, Richmond also receives a $100,000 prize to support local programs that promote physical activity and healthy living. This is the first time Richmond has won the national award. In previous years, the city was named British Columbia’s Most Active Community in 2022 and was again recognized in 2024 for its commitment…

The City of Burnaby has officially replaced its traditional method of measuring building size. It will no longer rely on floor area ratio (FAR) to approve new construction projects. Instead, Burnaby has adopted a new system that uses building height as the main guide for city planning and approvals. For many years, FAR was a central tool in city development. This method compares the total floor space of a building with the size of the land it stands on. For example, if a building has 200,000 square feet of floor area and sits on a 20,000 square foot lot, it…

Two young men have each been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to a fatal hit-and-run in Surrey, B.C. The tragic event happened on January 27, 2024, when a 47-year-old Indigenous man was hit and dragged under a car for over a kilometre. The man later died. The two accused, both 22 years old and Indian nationals, were identified as Gaganpreet Singh and Jagdeep Singh. They are not related. They pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stay at the scene, and indignity to a dead body. The case was heard by Judge Mark…

Late-night fun in Vancouver is getting a boost. The city will now allow liquor service until 4 a.m. in the downtown core. In other parts of the city, bars and pubs can stay open until 3 a.m. on weekends and 2 a.m. on weekdays. City councillors recently voted in favor of these changes. They aim to help small businesses earn more and provide more nightlife options for residents and tourists. However, the extended hours will not happen automatically. Each business must apply to change its liquor license. This includes a review process that involves feedback from nearby residents and the…

White Rock RCMP are stepping up enforcement to stop dangerous driving. Between July 11 and 17, officers issued 94 tickets and took three impaired drivers off the road. The crackdown is part of a larger push to keep roads safe during the busy summer season. Warm weather and the city’s popular beach area are drawing more drivers to White Rock. This has led to a rise in unsafe behavior behind the wheel. Police say most of the recent violations were linked to speeding, racing, and impaired driving. On Friday, July 11 alone, officers handed out 57 tickets during one shift.…

The Bear Mountain sale process is officially underway. A court-ordered bidding process for the resort’s key lands and operations will begin Tuesday, opening the door to new investors. This comes after ongoing financial problems led to receivership for the parent company. Bear Mountain, located in Langford, has been at the center of a legal and financial dispute for months. The B.C. Supreme Court approved a sale and investment solicitation process on July 15. This allows potential buyers to place bids on the resort’s properties and business units. These include its popular golf courses, tennis facilities, and other development lands. However,…

The City of Courtenay is holding public information sessions today to share details on upcoming changes to its development cost charges (DCCs). These charges are one-time fees paid by developers to help pay for infrastructure like roads, water lines, sewer systems, and parks that are needed to support growth in the community. Today’s sessions aim to help developers and residents understand the updated bylaw and what it could mean for future projects in Courtenay and the wider region. The last major update to this program happened in 2016, with a smaller revision made in 2022. The updated bylaw includes new…