Lauren Collins

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Phillip Blundell, centre, was 49 when he died of pancreatic cancer in August of 2021. Blundell’s dad Peter, right, was diagnosed with the same cancer and died 55 days later. (Contributed by the Blundell family)

B.C. woman raises awareness of pancreatic cancer after husband, son die 55 days apart

About 80% of those diagnosed with the cancer will come with an advanced disease: Doctor

Phillip Blundell, centre, was 49 when he died of pancreatic cancer in August of 2021. Blundell’s dad Peter, right, was diagnosed with the same cancer and died 55 days later. (Contributed by the Blundell family)
Starting in the new year, B.C. employers will be required to cooperate in a worker’s timely and safe return to work after an injury. A construction worker works from a lift in a new housing development in Ottawa on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

B.C. law to better protect injured employees returning to work begins Jan. 1

Starting in the new year, B.C. employers will be required to cooperate…

Starting in the new year, B.C. employers will be required to cooperate in a worker’s timely and safe return to work after an injury. A construction worker works from a lift in a new housing development in Ottawa on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The province is looking to select a consultant to create a selection of standardized designs for small-scale, multi-unit homes, such as townhomes, triplexes and laneway homes in a new effort to tackle the housing crisis. (B.C. government)

B.C. looks to standardize multiplex designs as latest fix to housing crisis

The province’s pre-approved designs will be for triplexes, fourplexes and laneway homes

The province is looking to select a consultant to create a selection of standardized designs for small-scale, multi-unit homes, such as townhomes, triplexes and laneway homes in a new effort to tackle the housing crisis. (B.C. government)
A two-year-old husky-labrador mix that was recently surrendered to the B.C. SPCA location after a horrible dog attack will soon be up for adoption.

Dog suffers horrible leg injury in attack, surrendered to northern B.C. SPCA

Dobby, a 2-year-old husky-labrador mix, will soon be up for adoption

A two-year-old husky-labrador mix that was recently surrendered to the B.C. SPCA location after a horrible dog attack will soon be up for adoption.
Police say that more than five months after a woman was found dead in Downtown Vancouver on May 25, 2023, she has yet to be identified. In hopes of identifying her, police have released images of her tattoos including: a blue star with the letter “J” on her left wrist, a robot carrying a radio on her right wrist and a tribal design with two red roses on the middle of her back. (Vancouver Police Department handouts)

Woman found dead in Vancouver still unidentified 5 months later: Police

Vancouver police are releasing images of her tattoos in hopes of indentifying her

Police say that more than five months after a woman was found dead in Downtown Vancouver on May 25, 2023, she has yet to be identified. In hopes of identifying her, police have released images of her tattoos including: a blue star with the letter “J” on her left wrist, a robot carrying a radio on her right wrist and a tribal design with two red roses on the middle of her back. (Vancouver Police Department handouts)
Health-care workers talk with a man in a COVID-19 infected ward at Idola Saint-Jean long-term care home in Laval, Que., Friday, February 25, 2022. B.C. seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie released the results Nov. 16, 2023 from her office’s second provincewide survey of thousands of long-term care residents and their family members – and it shows little progress since the pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Better home support needed in order to delay long-term care: Seniors advocate

Report shows lack of progress since the pandemic, but COVID is not the root cause

Health-care workers talk with a man in a COVID-19 infected ward at Idola Saint-Jean long-term care home in Laval, Que., Friday, February 25, 2022. B.C. seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie released the results Nov. 16, 2023 from her office’s second provincewide survey of thousands of long-term care residents and their family members – and it shows little progress since the pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Palestinians look for survivors following an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. A group of 59 B.C. politicians representing local government have signed an open letter to the Canadian government calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Fatima Shbair

59 B.C. politicians sign letter calling for ceasefire in Gaza

Open letter also calls for support for unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, release of all hostages

Palestinians look for survivors following an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. A group of 59 B.C. politicians representing local government have signed an open letter to the Canadian government calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Fatima Shbair
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control is telling people to discard a specific brand of cantaloupes after it was linked to an ongoing salmonella outbreak. A Nov. 15, 2023 public health notice says there have been eight cases so far in the province. (Pixabay)

8 salmonella cases in B.C. linked to cantaloupes

B.C. Centre for Disease Control urges people to throw out the Malichita brand fruit

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control is telling people to discard a specific brand of cantaloupes after it was linked to an ongoing salmonella outbreak. A Nov. 15, 2023 public health notice says there have been eight cases so far in the province. (Pixabay)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is seen leaving a restaurant in Chinatown Tuesday (Nov. 14, 2023) as nearly 100 Vancouver Police officers were deployed to the area to disperse and control pro-Palestine protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. (palsolidaritycad/Instagram)

Protesters demand Gaza ceasefire as Trudeau dines in Vancouver

Vancouver police say 100 officers were deployed and 2 people were arrested

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is seen leaving a restaurant in Chinatown Tuesday (Nov. 14, 2023) as nearly 100 Vancouver Police officers were deployed to the area to disperse and control pro-Palestine protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. (palsolidaritycad/Instagram)
B.C. will be conducting its test of the emergency alert system on Nov. 15, 2023 at 1:55 p.m. (Pacific time) An emergency alert is displayed on a cellphone, Oct. 30, 2020, in Rio Rancho, N.M. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan, File)

Phones, TVs, radios across B.C. to sound with emergency alert test Nov. 15

The province tests the alert system twice a year, in the spring and fall

B.C. will be conducting its test of the emergency alert system on Nov. 15, 2023 at 1:55 p.m. (Pacific time) An emergency alert is displayed on a cellphone, Oct. 30, 2020, in Rio Rancho, N.M. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan, File)
Signage for avian influenza is seen at the entrance to Sardis Park in Chilliwack on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. (Jenna Hauck/Chilliwack Progress)

Henry encourages vaccines as B.C. reports 16 avian flu cases in flocks

‘Little spillover effect globally’ between birds, humans but it can happen

Signage for avian influenza is seen at the entrance to Sardis Park in Chilliwack on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. (Jenna Hauck/Chilliwack Progress)
RCMP officers talk as a tent covers a body at the scene of a shooting in Langley, British Columbia, Monday, July 25, 2022. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

B.C. police forces struggle to recruit amid shifting culture, perception

Calgary Police actively recruiting in B.C.; about 20% of applications from the province

RCMP officers talk as a tent covers a body at the scene of a shooting in Langley, British Columbia, Monday, July 25, 2022. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
FILE - The province reinstated mask mandates in health-care settings on Oct. 3, 2023. (Ashley Wadhwani/Black Press Media)

Early COVID peak levelling off in B.C.; 847K boosters administered: Henry

1 million British Columbians have received their flu vaccine so far this season

FILE - The province reinstated mask mandates in health-care settings on Oct. 3, 2023. (Ashley Wadhwani/Black Press Media)
Three years after a report on the dire outlook for families and caregivers of young people with disabilities dealing with the pandemic, B.C.’s Representative for Children and Youth says there’s still not enough being done. Jennifer Charlesworth’s office released the latest report Nov. 9, 2023. (Needpix.com)

3 years later, B.C. families of children with disabilities still struggling

25% of respondents say they either placed their children in care or considered it for better supports

Three years after a report on the dire outlook for families and caregivers of young people with disabilities dealing with the pandemic, B.C.’s Representative for Children and Youth says there’s still not enough being done. Jennifer Charlesworth’s office released the latest report Nov. 9, 2023. (Needpix.com)
FILE - A view through the trees on the Pesuta Trail in Naikoon Provincial Park. On Friday, July 3, 2020. B.C. has bought 109 hectares of land to expand five provincial parks, including 64 hectares for Naikoon. (Karissa Gall/Haida Gwaii Observer)

B.C. buys land to expand 5 parks

The 5 parcels are valued at $1.9M: Environment Ministry

FILE - A view through the trees on the Pesuta Trail in Naikoon Provincial Park. On Friday, July 3, 2020. B.C. has bought 109 hectares of land to expand five provincial parks, including 64 hectares for Naikoon. (Karissa Gall/Haida Gwaii Observer)
Clayoquot Sound clocked in with B.C.’s highest living wage for 2023 at $26.51, according to the latest data calculated by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. A living wage is the hourly wage that two parents working full time must earn in order to support a family of four based on the actual costs of living in a particular community. (File photo)

Living wage leaps past $25 an hour in 8 B.C. communities

Nanaimo had the highest percentage increase at nearly 13%

Clayoquot Sound clocked in with B.C.’s highest living wage for 2023 at $26.51, according to the latest data calculated by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. A living wage is the hourly wage that two parents working full time must earn in order to support a family of four based on the actual costs of living in a particular community. (File photo)
The B.C. Securities Commission launched a new whistleblower program Nov. 7, 2023, with payments ranging from $1,000 to $250,000. (Pixabay.com)

B.C. Securities Commission to pay whistleblowers up to $250K for tips

Awards will range from $1K to $250K and will depend on information reported, how quickly

The B.C. Securities Commission launched a new whistleblower program Nov. 7, 2023, with payments ranging from $1,000 to $250,000. (Pixabay.com)
Terry Teegee, regional Chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations speaks at a meeting between Canada’s premiers and Indigenous leaders at the Songhees Wellness Centre on July 1, 2022. The BC Assembly of First Nations is calling for a desperate and urgent transformation of the federal correctional system. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

B.C. First Nations call for desperate, urgent changes to Canada’s corrections system

Indigenous women account for half the total female federal inmate population

Terry Teegee, regional Chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations speaks at a meeting between Canada’s premiers and Indigenous leaders at the Songhees Wellness Centre on July 1, 2022. The BC Assembly of First Nations is calling for a desperate and urgent transformation of the federal correctional system. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
First Nations Health Authority acting chief medical officer Dr. Nel Wieman was consulted on the BC Coroner Service’s recent death review panel report on the toxic drug crisis that was released Nov. 1, 2023. Wieman speaks about the illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province and about the effect on First Nation’s communities during a press conference at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, February 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

First Nations grappling with toxic drug crisis need own solutions: B.C. doctor

First Nations Health Authority rep says safer supply engagement lacking in First Nations communities

First Nations Health Authority acting chief medical officer Dr. Nel Wieman was consulted on the BC Coroner Service’s recent death review panel report on the toxic drug crisis that was released Nov. 1, 2023. Wieman speaks about the illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province and about the effect on First Nation’s communities during a press conference at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, February 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, June 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Feds promise $500M to ‘fast track’ old-growth, habitat protection work in B.C.

The announcement was made at a gathering of First Nations leaders in Vancouver

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, June 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck