Author: Priya Patel

A North Vancouver woman has been awarded $1.3 million in damages after falling victim to a fraudulent real estate scheme tied to a promised development project in Dubai. The ruling, released on August 6, requires Meera Virk and Kuldeep Virk to repay Manjeet Kaur Sandhu’s $600,000 investment, along with accrued interest and additional damages. The B.C. Supreme Court determined that the defendants breached a verbal agreement to borrow the money and use it for construction abroad. Sandhu, a nurse and single mother, became involved after her brother-in-law introduced her to the Virks. He vouched for Meera Virk, who was described…

A North Vancouver man has achieved an extraordinary feat by completing two ultramarathons over a single weekend while wearing an ostomy bag. Alex MacInnis ran the Squamish 50/50, a grueling race that spans 80 kilometres on the first day and 50 kilometres on the second, climbing more than six kilometres in elevation. MacInnis finished the race in just under 27 hours alongside 103 other participants. He said he wasn’t sure he could finish, but the accomplishment left him extremely proud. Since 2018, MacInnis has lived with an ostomy bag after losing his large intestine due to Crohn’s disease. The condition,…

A North Vancouver man has regained his vision in a remarkable procedure known as tooth-in-eye surgery. Brent Chapman, 33, had a tooth implanted in his right eye, giving him sight for the first time in 20 years. Chapman underwent osteo-odonto-keratoprothesis, a complex surgery in which a tooth is extracted, fitted with a plastic lens, and implanted in the eye socket. Flesh from the patient’s cheek holds the tooth in place. The operation may sound extreme, but for Chapman, it has been life-changing. When he was a teenager, the idea of placing a tooth in his eye was unthinkable. “I was…

A North Vancouver man faces charges after being caught with black market tobacco in Squamish. RCMP officers from the BC Highway Patrol stopped a 42-year-old man near downtown Squamish on Saturday, August 9. The driver was prohibited from driving at the time. During the stop, officers discovered roughly seven cases of unstamped contraband tobacco products in his pickup truck. The man is now charged with both driving while prohibited and possession of unstamped tobacco under Section 32(1) of the Excise Act. “The driver was suspected of running an illegal tobacco store,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin. “He will appear in court…

North Vancouver firefighters carried out a rope rescue after a woman fell down a steep slope near the Capilano River on Sunday morning. Just before 8:30 a.m., the District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services received an emergency call. Two women in their 30s were climbing down a steep 150-foot slope near Capilano Crescent by the river. During the descent, one of the women slipped and fell, injuring her head, ribs, and leg. Her friend managed to call for help, said assistant chief Ryan Stewart. When the rope rescue team arrived, firefighters were lowered down the unstable slope with…

Pamela Horton, a dedicated advocate from North Vancouver, has been posthumously honoured with the Medal of Good Citizenship. This award is one of the province’s highest recognitions for people who make extraordinary contributions to their communities. Horton, who passed away in May, spent more than 50 years working to improve the lives of people with disabilities in British Columbia and across Canada. Her efforts focused on ensuring dignity, equal rights, and inclusion for people facing physical and systemic barriers. The province announced on Monday that she was among 18 recipients to receive the medal this year. Since the award’s creation…

Pamela Horton, a trailblazing North Vancouver disability advocate, has been posthumously awarded the prestigious Medal of Good Citizenship. Her lifelong dedication to supporting people with disabilities has now been recognized as part of a provincial celebration of community service. Horton was one of 18 recipients announced this week as a 2025 Medal of Good Citizenship honouree. The award is one of the highest distinctions in British Columbia, celebrating individuals who make meaningful and lasting impacts on their communities through acts of service. Horton passed away in May, leaving behind a legacy of advocacy that spanned over 50 years. Throughout her…

Every Friday at 5 p.m., a joyful sound rolls through Lonsdale Avenue in North Vancouver. It’s not traffic or music from a café. It’s the sound of bagpipes played by the now-famous “Pink Pied Piper,” also known as Frank Wimberley. Wimberley wears bright pink clothing and marches down the street, marking the start of the weekend. For many locals, his bagpipe parade has become a signal to relax and enjoy a glass of wine. “It’s become a tradition,” said Wimberley. “People come out on their patios and cheer. They say it helps them know when to shut their computers and…

Vancouver Island is seeing several exciting developments across health, housing, business, and community spaces. Starting next month, Dr. Serag Elhendy will join the North Island Community Health Centre team as a full-time physician. This addition is expected to boost healthcare access for local residents. In Port Hardy, the KSM Skate Park has officially opened its doors. The park provides a safe, fun space for youth to engage in skateboarding and outdoor activities. Construction began on July 22 for a major Indigenous housing project at 8925 Park Drive in Port Hardy. Led by the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Housing Society, this subsidized initiative will…

Lynn Creek in North Vancouver is set to welcome its first full-service restaurant, filling a commercial space that has sat empty for years. The space, located in the Compass building at Seylynn Village, was completed in 2018 but has never had a tenant. It was originally approved for office, retail, or take-out use only. Since 2022, the building owners have pushed to turn it into a sit-down dining spot. When the plan went before the District of North Vancouver council in June, some residents raised concerns about traffic, odors, and rodents. However, council members showed strong support. Councillor Jordan Back…