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Conservative Party of BC Leader John Rustad at a town hall on Dec. 5, 2023. (John Rustad/X)

Kelowna MLA condemns ‘third world crime’ comment by B.C. Conservative leader

Renee Merrifield calls John Rustad’s comment ‘despicable’

Black Press NFL expert Erin Haluschak and PQB News/VI Free Daily editor Philip Wolf. (File photo)

PODCAST: Seahawks look to remain in NFL playoff chase

NFL REPORT: Black Press insiders share insights after Week 14

VIU microbiology professor Andrew Loudon’s research is focusing on the relationship between animals and microbes. (Vancouver Island University photo)

VIU prof researching ways to protect frogs and oysters from disease

Microbiology prof receives grants totalling more than $175,000

A wolf-hybrid dog outside of Parksville. (Photo courtesy Vaughan Roberts)

PODCAST: WD40: Vancouver Island’s escaped wolf-dog saga explained

Gary Shade explains Find Lost and Escaped Dog’s journey and mission

A wolf-hybrid dog outside of Parksville. (Photo courtesy Vaughan Roberts)
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. A British Columbia Supreme Court jury has retired to deliberate in the first-degree murder trial of Ibrahim Ali, more than eight months after he pleaded not guilty to killing a 13-year-old girl in a Metro Vancouver park in 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Ali guilty of 1st degree murder in death of 13-year-old B.C. girl

Jury delivers its verdict after marathon trial in 2017 Burnaby killing

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. A British Columbia Supreme Court jury has retired to deliberate in the first-degree murder trial of Ibrahim Ali, more than eight months after he pleaded not guilty to killing a 13-year-old girl in a Metro Vancouver park in 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Wes Craig rink from Duncan is representing B.C. in the men’s draw at the 2023 Everest Canadian Senior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships, and remains in the mix for a Saturday morning semifinal spot Dec. 9. (Contributed)

B.C. teams still in mix at Canadian senior curling finals in Vernon

Final draw at 6 p.m. Friday to determine final four placings in both women’s and men’s draws

The Wes Craig rink from Duncan is representing B.C. in the men’s draw at the 2023 Everest Canadian Senior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships, and remains in the mix for a Saturday morning semifinal spot Dec. 9. (Contributed)
FILE - St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Tyler O’Neill dives to catch a fly ball by Washington Nationals’ Lane Thomas for an out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in St. Louis. The Boston Red Sox acquired O’Neill from the Cardinals on Friday, Dec. 8. ,2023, bringing in a two-time Gold Glove winner to replace the departing Alex Verdugo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Gold Glove B.C. outfielder Tyler O’Neill dealt to the Boston Red Sox

St. Louis Cardinals acquire a pair of pitchers in the trade

FILE - St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Tyler O’Neill dives to catch a fly ball by Washington Nationals’ Lane Thomas for an out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in St. Louis. The Boston Red Sox acquired O’Neill from the Cardinals on Friday, Dec. 8. ,2023, bringing in a two-time Gold Glove winner to replace the departing Alex Verdugo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
Tamara Lich and her lawyer Lawrence Greenspon arrive for her trial at the courthouse in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. The criminal trial of “Freedom Convoy” leaders Lich and Chris Barber has adjourned after more than 30 days of evidence and arguments, and is expected to resume early next year.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Freedom Convoy trial of Lich and Barber adjourned until 2024

Pair accused of mischief, intimidation and counselling others to break the law

Tamara Lich and her lawyer Lawrence Greenspon arrive for her trial at the courthouse in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. The criminal trial of “Freedom Convoy” leaders Lich and Chris Barber has adjourned after more than 30 days of evidence and arguments, and is expected to resume early next year.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Birth control pills, IUDs, patch, ring. (AccessBC)

188,000 people access free contraception prescriptions in first 8 months

60 types of birth control were made available through B.C. PharmaCare on April 1, 2023

Birth control pills, IUDs, patch, ring. (AccessBC)
Critics of the BC NDP government THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Political opposition in B.C. tears down housing models

But measures projected to create 250,000 new housing units in a decade also enjoy support

Critics of the BC NDP government THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
RCMP are requesting the public’s help in locating Brett Bystrom, who has multiple outstanding warrants for his arrest.

Prolific offender with warrants in multiple Island cities wanted by RCMP

RCMP are requesting the public’s help in locating Brett Bystrom, who has…

  • Dec 8, 2023
RCMP are requesting the public’s help in locating Brett Bystrom, who has multiple outstanding warrants for his arrest.
DriveBC camera in Little Fort at Highway 5 and Highway 24 junction, looking north. (DriveBC)

Family speaks out about tragic loss of their parents on B.C.’s Highway 5

Amber and Gordon Bjorkman were killed in head-on collision on Dec. 2

DriveBC camera in Little Fort at Highway 5 and Highway 24 junction, looking north. (DriveBC)
Integrated Homicide Investigation Team Sgt. Timothy Pierotti holds up a photo of 46-year-old Derrek Chen who was found dead in his Richmond home with his 13-year-old son on Nov. 30, 2023. (Lauren Collins)

Victim identified in killing of B.C. father, 13-year-old son, police say

46-year-old Derrek Chen was found dead inside his Richmond home on Nov. 30

Integrated Homicide Investigation Team Sgt. Timothy Pierotti holds up a photo of 46-year-old Derrek Chen who was found dead in his Richmond home with his 13-year-old son on Nov. 30, 2023. (Lauren Collins)
Tara Armstrong is the BC Conservative Party candidate for the riding of Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream in the next provincial election. (Contributed)

BC Conservative candidate announced for Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream

Kelowna businesswoman Tara Armstrong pushing for a common sense cause

Tara Armstrong is the BC Conservative Party candidate for the riding of Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream in the next provincial election. (Contributed)
Mount Washington Alpine Resort is open for the winter. Photo via mountwashington.ca

Mount Washington officially opens for the year; snow base sits at 40cm

On Dec. 8, the Comox Valley resort kicked off its 2023/24 winter season

Mount Washington Alpine Resort is open for the winter. Photo via mountwashington.ca
More than half of British Columbians (56 per cent) report feeling worried about their finances this holiday season and about a third cannot afford to buy gifts for their loved ones. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)

1 in 3 B.C residents say they cannot afford to buy holiday gifts this year

Survey: Inflation depresses Christmas spending in B.C., with nearly 75% cutting back spending

More than half of British Columbians (56 per cent) report feeling worried about their finances this holiday season and about a third cannot afford to buy gifts for their loved ones. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)
Ashcroft Terminal and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority have signed a letter of intent to invest in, build, and operate rail infrastructure at Ashcroft Terminal to reduce congestion within the Port of Vancouver. (Photo credit: Ashcroft Terminal)

Ashcroft Terminal upgrade aimed at unclogging B.C. supply chain congestion

Ashcroft Terminal, Port of Vancouver to work together to reduce congestion within Port of Vancouver

Ashcroft Terminal and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority have signed a letter of intent to invest in, build, and operate rail infrastructure at Ashcroft Terminal to reduce congestion within the Port of Vancouver. (Photo credit: Ashcroft Terminal)
Port Hardy Hawks player Weston Ireton (right) watches the Vancouver Canucks and the Anaheim Ducks from the bench. (Vancouver Canucks Facebook photo)

Hockey Fights Cancer: Vancouver Island youth skates with the Canucks

A handful of cancer survivors were invited to attend the Canucks versus Ducks game

Port Hardy Hawks player Weston Ireton (right) watches the Vancouver Canucks and the Anaheim Ducks from the bench. (Vancouver Canucks Facebook photo)
Chelsey Quaw (Heron) went missing from Saik’uz First Nation Oct. 11, 2023. (Photo submitted)

Police watchdog probes death of B.C. Indigenous woman near Vanderhoof

Chelsey Quaw-Heron’s body was located one kilometre from where she was reported missing

Chelsey Quaw (Heron) went missing from Saik’uz First Nation Oct. 11, 2023. (Photo submitted)
Two workers install Christmas lights in a tree in the 4700-block of Johnston Road on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Lights approval means a merry Port Alberni Christmas after all

Ministry of Transportation expedites temporary approval for ‘limited’ return of main road lights

Two workers install Christmas lights in a tree in the 4700-block of Johnston Road on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)