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City of Penticton is being called out for evicting and selling a vulnerable woman’s home at auction for not paying $10,000 in property taxes. (File photo)

Penticton should repay vulnerable woman after home sold to pay property tax: B.C. Ombudsperson

The City of Penticton sold the home after the woman was unable to pay $10,000 in taxes

Nanaimo’s Stephen Parkes won $50,000 on a $3 scratch-and-win ticket recently. (Photo submitted)

Nanaimo man wins $50,000 on $3 scratch ticket

Stephen Parkes had trouble sleeping after scratching his winner just before bedtime

Saanich police confirm that a youth struck by a vehicle while in a marked crosswalk on Dec. 6 has died. (Black Press Media file photo)

Youth struck by vehicle in Greater Victoria crosswalk dies in hospital

Incident occurred late Monday night near an intertsection in Saanich

People wearing face masks stand near a clock outside of an office building counting down the days to the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Mark Schiefelbein

Canadian officials to boycott Winter Olympics in China

Prime minister says country is ‘extremely concerned’ about China’s human rights abuses

People wearing face masks stand near a clock outside of an office building counting down the days to the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Mark Schiefelbein
It has been a brutal year for bears in the Elk Valley, with dozens destroyed by Conservation Officers and more killed by traffic and trains. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

31 bears euthanized in the Elk Valley

Conservation Officers have been forced to destroy 31 bears in the Elk Valley so far

It has been a brutal year for bears in the Elk Valley, with dozens destroyed by Conservation Officers and more killed by traffic and trains. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
B.C. Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth and his ministry have committed $486,000 to aid 24 school districts to create programs to assist children at risk of entering gangs. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

B.C. public safety ministry commits $486K to combat gangs recruiting children

Money administered through School District Mentorship Program, says B.C. government

B.C. Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth and his ministry have committed $486,000 to aid 24 school districts to create programs to assist children at risk of entering gangs. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
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A hotel worker is seen in a hotel window in Mississauga, Ont. by the Pearson International Airport on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021 as new air travel rules come into effect in Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
Canadian traveller forced to stay in quarantine facility after negative COVID-19 test
Members of the Canadian Forces build a temporary dike with sandbags behind houses on Clayburn Creek in Abbotsford, B.C., on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. flood recovery moves to cleanup of damaged materials
Beams of light are projected into the air behind a plaque placed in memory of the fourteen women who were murdered on December 6,1989, in an anti-feminist attack, in Montreal, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
VIDEO: Tributes planned for victims of Ecole Polytechnique shooting on 32nd anniversary
An Afternoon with Prince Harry & James Corden was one of the top trending YouTube videos in Canada this year. (The Late Late Show with James Corden/YouTube)
VIDEO: Canadians took to YouTube to learn, connect, laugh during 2021
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A security guard stands in position outside a ward being prepared for the Omicron coronavirus variant at Civil hospital in Ahmedabad, India, Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. Within hours of the World Health Organization designating Omicron a variant of concern late last month, Moderna issued a press release telling the public it was already working on a vaccine booster that could target the new threat. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Ajit Solanki

Improvements to vaccine technology in COVID age could benefit future inoculations

One benefit to mRNA vaccines is how they are rapidly adaptable

A security guard stands in position outside a ward being prepared for the Omicron coronavirus variant at Civil hospital in Ahmedabad, India, Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. Within hours of the World Health Organization designating Omicron a variant of concern late last month, Moderna issued a press release telling the public it was already working on a vaccine booster that could target the new threat. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Ajit Solanki
Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Mark Holland speaks during a news conference on November 22, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Liberals raise doubts of high number of vaccine exemptions among Conservatives

House leader calls for Conservative transparency about number of unvaccinated elected officials

Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Mark Holland speaks during a news conference on November 22, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The federal government has confirmed legislation making conversion therapy illegal. Angelo Octaviano said he is proud to be his true self, at a gathering of LGBTQ Prince Rupert community members, supporters and allies to celebrate Pride month on June 19. (Photo: supplied, Kyle Hilliard)

Senate gives speedy passage to bill banning conversion therapy

Bill expected to receive royal assent as early as today

The federal government has confirmed legislation making conversion therapy illegal. Angelo Octaviano said he is proud to be his true self, at a gathering of LGBTQ Prince Rupert community members, supporters and allies to celebrate Pride month on June 19. (Photo: supplied, Kyle Hilliard)
The Sarita Estuary sits at the heart of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations’ ḥahuułi (traditional territory) and has been a source of food, transportation and cultural value to the nations for generations. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Island First Nation mostly agrees to B.C. plan for old growth logging deferral

Huu-ay-aht will defer 96 per cent of plan, 33 percent of its territory made up of old growth forests

The Sarita Estuary sits at the heart of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations’ ḥahuułi (traditional territory) and has been a source of food, transportation and cultural value to the nations for generations. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Walmart Supercentre in Campbell River was the site of a stabbing on Tuesday, Dec. 7. Ronan O’Doherty/ Campbell River Mirror

Arrest made after shoplifter in purple wig stabs security guard in B.C. Walmart

A man in his 30s was taken into custody on Tuesday evening.

Walmart Supercentre in Campbell River was the site of a stabbing on Tuesday, Dec. 7. Ronan O’Doherty/ Campbell River Mirror
The Malahat SkyWalk will host numerous events over the Christmas season. (John McKinley/Black Press)

Malahat Skywalk gearing up for Christmas

Number of events planned over festive season

  • Dec 7, 2021
The Malahat SkyWalk will host numerous events over the Christmas season. (John McKinley/Black Press)
According to a Research Co. survey, 36 per cent of B.C. residents are willing to fly to another province, or territory, this holiday season. (Black Press file)

Are you planning to travel this holiday season? 56% of British Columbians say no

800 B.C. adults surveyed in Research Co. survey

According to a Research Co. survey, 36 per cent of B.C. residents are willing to fly to another province, or territory, this holiday season. (Black Press file)
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and vaccination lead Dr. Penny Ballem outline B.C.’s COVID-19 booster vaccine program, which begins booking third doses for people aged 65 and up this week. (B.C. government photo)

B.C. records 326 cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, one more death

New infections still mainly among unvaccinated people

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and vaccination lead Dr. Penny Ballem outline B.C.’s COVID-19 booster vaccine program, which begins booking third doses for people aged 65 and up this week. (B.C. government photo)
A lone traveler enters the Calgary International Airport on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

African community group says Canada’s new COVID-19 travel rules an example of racism

Members say some rules are being enforced with a different measuring stick for African countries

A lone traveler enters the Calgary International Airport on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Properties on Hatzic Lake are surrounded by high water after floodwaters began to recede, near Mission, B.C., on Sunday, December 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. safety agency issues worker hazard warnings for flooding cleanup

Risks may include asbestos and chemical or biological contamination, among others

Properties on Hatzic Lake are surrounded by high water after floodwaters began to recede, near Mission, B.C., on Sunday, December 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
One woman was convicted, another acquitted for charges involving sexual activity with minors, during a Nov. 24 trial date at Western Communities Courthouse in Colwood. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. woman convicted of sexually assaulting, luring 15-year-old boy

Sex was consensual, but teen was too young to legally consent, judge determines

One woman was convicted, another acquitted for charges involving sexual activity with minors, during a Nov. 24 trial date at Western Communities Courthouse in Colwood. (Black Press Media file photo)
A Lifelabs employee walks past a child waiting for his parents in the COVID-19 testing area for arriving international passengers at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, December 2, 2021. All air travellers entering Canada, except for those coming from the U.S., are now required to be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival and isolate until they get their results, even if they are fully vaccinated against the virus. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Omicron variant grows to 5 cases in B.C., but no serious illness reported: Dr. Henry

Illness for new COVID variant cases has been mild or asymptomatic

A Lifelabs employee walks past a child waiting for his parents in the COVID-19 testing area for arriving international passengers at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, December 2, 2021. All air travellers entering Canada, except for those coming from the U.S., are now required to be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival and isolate until they get their results, even if they are fully vaccinated against the virus. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie head for an update of the COVID-19 situation, B.C. legislature, June 30, 2020. (B.C. government)

B.C. set to begin COVID-19 booster doses for ages 65 and up

Big group coming due 6 months after second vaccine

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie head for an update of the COVID-19 situation, B.C. legislature, June 30, 2020. (B.C. government)
B.C. Supreme Court in Prince George, B.C. (Google Maps)

Quesnel man found not criminally responsible in 2018 stabbing death of uncle

Kristopher Edward Leclair was found to be suffering from schizophrenia

  • Dec 7, 2021
B.C. Supreme Court in Prince George, B.C. (Google Maps)