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A B.C. Centre for Disease Control naloxone kit. B.C. Emergency Health Services released a list detailing the annual number of overdose/poisoning calls in different communities throughout the province, for a total of 42,172 calls in 2023. (Darryl Dick/The Canadian Press)

Overdose calls spiked 25% in B.C. in 2023 amid highest recorded deaths in history

B.C. paramedics responded to 42,172 overdose or poisoning calls last year

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP found several explosive devices after conducting a traffic stop in Spallumcheen Monday night, Jan. 22, 2024. (Black Press file photo)

Explosives ‘resembling hand grenades’ found in car that fled B.C. police

RCMP confirm several items that resembled hand grenades contained explosives

Meagan Watson, left, and her wife Mindy are seen in a undated handout photo with their luggage. The Watsons were among thousands of WestJet customers whose trips were cancelled amid an extreme cold snap in Alberta earlier this month. Many say the airline refused to book them within two days despite a regulatory obligation to do so in most cases. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Watson family

Comox family scraps holiday after airline rebooking frustrations

Critics say WestJet ignoring passenger rights with rebooking frustrations

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Celine Dion has announced she is cancelling her “Courage” world tour as she continues to receive treatment for a rare neurological disorder. Dion gestures as she performs at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Sunday, July 31, 2016.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Celine Dion has lost control of her muscles due to illness, says her sister
Mariah Carey performs at the New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square, Dec. 31, 2017, in New York. Billboard has posted a list of top seasonal hits since 2010, and Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” has been No. 1 for 57 of the 62 weeks it has run, said Gary Trust, chart director. The Luminate data company said the song peaked at 387 million streams in 2019, the song’s 25th anniversary, although last year it had 353 million. (Photo by Brent N. Clarke/Invision/AP, File)
Why Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ became so popular – and stayed that way
FILE - A McDonald’s golden arches is shown at restaurant in Havertown, Pa., Tuesday, April 26, 2022. McDonald’s expects to open nearly 10,000 restaurants over the next four years, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, a pace of growth that would be unprecedented even for the world’s largest burger chain. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
World to add 10,000 McDonald’s restaurants in 4 years
FILE - A fan waits for former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning to sign autographs before an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts, Nov. 20, 2016, in Indianapolis. Sports Illustrated is the latest media company damaged by being less than forthcoming about who or what is writing its stories. The website Futurism reported that the once-grand magazine used articles with “authors” who apparently don’t exist, with photos generated by AI. The magazine denied claims that some articles themselves were AI-assisted, but has cut ties with a vendor it hired to produce the articles. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
AI raising questions about transparency as it creeps into media
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Dr. Marc Romney, Head of Medical Microbiology and Virology watches a new AI-assisted machine to help the microbiology lab at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. St. Paul’s has installed a new $1 million automated AI-based lab system which uses artificial intelligence and robots for repetitive tasks so humans can do the complex work. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Robots Tarzan and Jane swinging through B.C. hospital lab jungle

Automation helps St. Paul’s lab handle more than 145,000 microbiological samples each year

Dr. Marc Romney, Head of Medical Microbiology and Virology watches a new AI-assisted machine to help the microbiology lab at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. St. Paul’s has installed a new $1 million automated AI-based lab system which uses artificial intelligence and robots for repetitive tasks so humans can do the complex work. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
<div>RCMP is reminding people planning to go into the backcountry this winter to “expect the best, but be prepared for the worst” after one death on Jan. 21 and a separate rescue on Jan. 22 near Golden. The RCMP logo is seen outside Royal Canadian Mounted Police “E” Division Headquarters, in Surrey, B.C., on Friday April 13, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>

1 dead, 2 rescued in separate backcountry emergencies near Golden

2 backcountry skiiers found stranded on a cliff in Yoho National Park

<div>RCMP is reminding people planning to go into the backcountry this winter to “expect the best, but be prepared for the worst” after one death on Jan. 21 and a separate rescue on Jan. 22 near Golden. The RCMP logo is seen outside Royal Canadian Mounted Police “E” Division Headquarters, in Surrey, B.C., on Friday April 13, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>
The Bank of Canada kept its overnight lending rate at 5 per cent, but a senior economist with TD forecasts that interest rate cuts are on the horizon, which promise to ease housing costs in B.C. But B.C.’s economy is not predicted to grow as fast as the rest of the country’s. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)

TD forecasts B.C.’s housing costs to ease with interest rate cuts on horizon

Bank of Canada held overnight lending rate at 5 per cent, but TD forecasts cuts in 2024

The Bank of Canada kept its overnight lending rate at 5 per cent, but a senior economist with TD forecasts that interest rate cuts are on the horizon, which promise to ease housing costs in B.C. But B.C.’s economy is not predicted to grow as fast as the rest of the country’s. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)
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Most Canadians don’t think the quality of health care in their province is likely to improve a new survey suggests, despite new federal health accords with several provinces designed to quell the health-care crisis unfolding across Canada. An exam room is seen at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Canadians pessimistic about health care quality improving: poll
Whistler Blackcomb has confirmed a 62-year-old skiier is dead following a “serious incident” in Sapphire Bowl on Jan. 19, 2024. Skiers and snowboarders make their way down Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler, B.C., on Monday March 8, 2010. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. man dies in skiing incident at Whistler Blackcomb
Meaz Nour-Eldin, who was once wanted on a Canada-wide warrant, has been sentenced to six years in a human trafficking case that involved a 15-year-old girl. (File photo: Lauren Collins)
B.C. man sentenced to 6 years for trafficking 15-year-old girl
Vancouver Coastal Health has issued a warning about carbon monoxide poisoning as the province deals with into the coldest months of the season. (Pixabay photo)
Colder, winter months can lead to uptick in carbon monoxide poisonings
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Sidney staff are working on bylaw changes that would restrict overnight use of public facilities, picnic shelters, stages and public structures within town parks. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney preparing bylaw changes to restrict overnight use of park structures

The proposed hours when the amended bylaw may be enforced are 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Sidney staff are working on bylaw changes that would restrict overnight use of public facilities, picnic shelters, stages and public structures within town parks. (Black Press Media file photo)
Alfonso Tejero, 56, smiles posing in front of two motorcycles. (Facebook/ Moira Collie)

Sobbing driver helped from B.C. courtroom, gets 10 days for ‘risky’ fatal pass

Erika Gebhardt overcome after sentencing connected to the death of Alfonso Tejero near Hope

Alfonso Tejero, 56, smiles posing in front of two motorcycles. (Facebook/ Moira Collie)
The father of a murdered 13-year-old girl has been under police investigation for allegedly bringing a gun into a Vancouver courtroom on the day that Ibrahim Ali was convicted of the killing, the man’s lawyer has told a hearing. The Law Courts building, which is home to B.C. Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, is seen in Vancouver, on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Ali’s lawyers fear dead girl’s dad, police probe claim he brought gun to court

Defence lawyers refusing to show up for post-trial proceedings citing safety concerns

The father of a murdered 13-year-old girl has been under police investigation for allegedly bringing a gun into a Vancouver courtroom on the day that Ibrahim Ali was convicted of the killing, the man’s lawyer has told a hearing. The Law Courts building, which is home to B.C. Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, is seen in Vancouver, on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Parkland Corp. says it has temporarily shut down fuel processing at its Burnaby, B.C. refinery. A boat travels past the Parkland Burnaby Refinery on Burrard Inlet at sunset in Burnaby, B.C., on Saturday, April 17, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. refinery could be shut down for 4 weeks after stinky startup

Parkland has temporarily halted fuel processing in Burnaby after problematic cold snap restart

Parkland Corp. says it has temporarily shut down fuel processing at its Burnaby, B.C. refinery. A boat travels past the Parkland Burnaby Refinery on Burrard Inlet at sunset in Burnaby, B.C., on Saturday, April 17, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Stabbing suspects set to appear in Surrey provincial court, with the adult appearing on Friday, Jan. 26 and the youth on Wednesday, Jan. 31. (File photo: Tom Zytaruk)

Pair charged after teen stabbed in the gut on a bus outside Surrey mall

Police say 2023 incident tied to mall altercation following remarks made to victim’s girlfriend

Stabbing suspects set to appear in Surrey provincial court, with the adult appearing on Friday, Jan. 26 and the youth on Wednesday, Jan. 31. (File photo: Tom Zytaruk)
Koala Agusta 119 (Source: Skyline Helicopters) Koala Agusta 119 of the kind flown by Skyline Helicopters out of Kelowna, one of which crashed north of Terrace on Monday Jan 22. (Skyline Helicopters photo)

Federal transport agency begins probe into fatal northwest B.C. helicopter crash

Three killed, four injured in Jan. 22 incident north of Terrace

  • Jan 24, 2024
Koala Agusta 119 (Source: Skyline Helicopters) Koala Agusta 119 of the kind flown by Skyline Helicopters out of Kelowna, one of which crashed north of Terrace on Monday Jan 22. (Skyline Helicopters photo)
Buses line the Vancouver Transit Centre as transit workers from the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 4500 strike in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. Bus and SeaBus services in Metro Vancouver are set to resume this morning after the end of a 48-hour strike by supervisors that ground Coast Mountain Bus Company routes to a standstill. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

72-hour Metro Vancouver bus strike promised next week if deal not reached

Union warns of renewed action as province assigns Vince Ready to mediate transit dispute

Buses line the Vancouver Transit Centre as transit workers from the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 4500 strike in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. Bus and SeaBus services in Metro Vancouver are set to resume this morning after the end of a 48-hour strike by supervisors that ground Coast Mountain Bus Company routes to a standstill. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
The driver in a Central Saanich crash that left one sister dead and another with life-changing injuries will not have his prison stay changed after his appeal was defeated.. (Black Press Media file photo)

Driver who hit Central Saanich sisters, killing one, loses appeal

Anthony Thomas’ prison term unchanged despite some convictions being stayed

The driver in a Central Saanich crash that left one sister dead and another with life-changing injuries will not have his prison stay changed after his appeal was defeated.. (Black Press Media file photo)
Dean Anderson holds up a sign before a march on the first National Day of Action to draw attention to the opioid overdose epidemic, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on February 21, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

2023 was the worst year for fatal toxic drug poisonings in B.C. history

The coroners service warned in October that 2023 would be an unprecedented year for deaths

Dean Anderson holds up a sign before a march on the first National Day of Action to draw attention to the opioid overdose epidemic, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on February 21, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Artist Jessica Chickite stands with the mural she painted for the new Starbucks run by the We Wai Kai first Nation. Photo courtesy Starbucks Canada

We Wai Kai celebrate opening of Island’s first Indigenous-owned Starbucks

When ground broke last year, Campbell River area outlet was called the first of its type in Canada

Artist Jessica Chickite stands with the mural she painted for the new Starbucks run by the We Wai Kai first Nation. Photo courtesy Starbucks Canada
Whistler Blackcomb has confirmed a 62-year-old skiier is dead following a “serious incident” in Sapphire Bowl on Jan. 19, 2024. Skiers and snowboarders make their way down Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler, B.C., on Monday March 8, 2010. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. man dies in skiing incident at Whistler Blackcomb

Spokesperson says ski patrol responded to incident in Sapphire Bowl

Whistler Blackcomb has confirmed a 62-year-old skiier is dead following a “serious incident” in Sapphire Bowl on Jan. 19, 2024. Skiers and snowboarders make their way down Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler, B.C., on Monday March 8, 2010. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Most Canadians don’t think the quality of health care in their province is likely to improve a new survey suggests, despite new federal health accords with several provinces designed to quell the health-care crisis unfolding across Canada. An exam room is seen at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Canadians pessimistic about health care quality improving: poll

Leger poll comes in the aftermath of new health accords designed to pump more money into system

Most Canadians don’t think the quality of health care in their province is likely to improve a new survey suggests, despite new federal health accords with several provinces designed to quell the health-care crisis unfolding across Canada. An exam room is seen at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Buses line the Vancouver Transit Centre as transit workers from the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 4500 strike in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. Bus and SeaBus services in Metro Vancouver are set to resume this morning after the end of a 48-hour strike by supervisors that ground Coast Mountain Bus Company routes to a standstill. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Transit service returns to Metro Vancouver as 48-hour job action ends

Regular service resumed at about 4 a.m. but dispute not yet settled

Buses line the Vancouver Transit Centre as transit workers from the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 4500 strike in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. Bus and SeaBus services in Metro Vancouver are set to resume this morning after the end of a 48-hour strike by supervisors that ground Coast Mountain Bus Company routes to a standstill. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Transit workers from the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 4500 picket outside of the Lonsdale SeaBus station in the rain during a strike in North Vancouver, B.C., on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Job action fades, uncertainty remains in Metro Vancouver transit dispute

Bus and Seabus service set to restart in time for tomorrow’s commute but sides still far apart

Transit workers from the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 4500 picket outside of the Lonsdale SeaBus station in the rain during a strike in North Vancouver, B.C., on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns