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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

Man who broke into B.C. home, sexually assaulted woman sentenced to 5 years

Man got caught 14 years after offence after providing his DNA for a separate conviction

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
A picture taken on Oct. 31, 2022, shows the cleanup operations in progress after the incident of vandalism that caused over $30,000 in damages (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Man charged 2 years after causing $30K in damage to B.C. aquatic centre

A man was charged for an incident of vandalism that occurred at the Aquatic Centre two years ago

A picture taken on Oct. 31, 2022, shows the cleanup operations in progress after the incident of vandalism that caused over $30,000 in damages (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
Damon Scrase is no longer running for the BC Conservatives in the upcoming provincial election. Photo via X

BC Conservative Party candidate steps down after social media exposé

The BC Conservative Party is down a man, after Courtenay-Comox candidate Damon…

Damon Scrase is no longer running for the BC Conservatives in the upcoming provincial election. Photo via X
Hundreds braved the rain to show up for the Stronger Together Rally in Osoyoos on May 28, calling for support for the agricultural industry. (Brennan Phillips/Western News)

‘We need to fight’: Farmers rally in Okanagan as BC NDP gather for retreat

The agricultural industry has faced years of climate disasters that have left them stretched thin

Hundreds braved the rain to show up for the Stronger Together Rally in Osoyoos on May 28, calling for support for the agricultural industry. (Brennan Phillips/Western News)
The BC Coroners Service says 126 children and youth have died in B.C. from toxic drug overdoses in the last five years. Over a dozen friends, family members, and outreach workers gathered in front of the Comox Valley Art Gallery on May 15, 2024 to publicly bid their last goodbyes to loved ones lost to the toxic drug crisis. (Olivier Laurin/Black Press Media)

126 B.C. children have died from toxic drugs in the last 5 years: coroner

Numbers highest among children who spent time in ministry care, those who had mental health struggles

The BC Coroners Service says 126 children and youth have died in B.C. from toxic drug overdoses in the last five years. Over a dozen friends, family members, and outreach workers gathered in front of the Comox Valley Art Gallery on May 15, 2024 to publicly bid their last goodbyes to loved ones lost to the toxic drug crisis. (Olivier Laurin/Black Press Media)
A Canada Action advertisement seen on a bus in Victoria in December 2023 has been ruled as misleading by national oversight group Ad Standards Canada. Ad Standards ruled in January 2024 that the ad’s claim that LNG “will” reduce emissions cannot be backed up with evidence and amounts to greenwashing. (Photo courtesy of Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment)

B.C. LNG ads claiming emission reductions are misleading, watchdog rules

Ad claims LNG ‘will’ cut emissions, but Ad Standards Canada says that isn’t a known fact

A Canada Action advertisement seen on a bus in Victoria in December 2023 has been ruled as misleading by national oversight group Ad Standards Canada. Ad Standards ruled in January 2024 that the ad’s claim that LNG “will” reduce emissions cannot be backed up with evidence and amounts to greenwashing. (Photo courtesy of Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment)
Photos of convicted sex offender Randall Hopley taken in 2018 and 2019, show Hopley with different hair styles and a different appearance. Hopley was issued an 18-month prison sentence on May 24, 2024 for breaching his long-term supervision order in 2022 and 2023. (Vancouver Police Department handout)

B.C. sex offender Randall Hopley gets 18 months in jail after going on run

58-year-old went missing for 10 days after leaving his Vancouver halfway house in November 2023

Photos of convicted sex offender Randall Hopley taken in 2018 and 2019, show Hopley with different hair styles and a different appearance. Hopley was issued an 18-month prison sentence on May 24, 2024 for breaching his long-term supervision order in 2022 and 2023. (Vancouver Police Department handout)
A Langford man has been charged with seven child exploitation offences after an investigative effort by Canada and U.S. agencies. (The Canadian Press - Jonathan Hayward)

Greater Victoria man charged with child porn offences after joint investigation

Jae Alexander Hegan is accused of luring multiple youth victims online

A Langford man has been charged with seven child exploitation offences after an investigative effort by Canada and U.S. agencies. (The Canadian Press - Jonathan Hayward)
Firefighters working the Parker Lake wildfire are seen in a staging area along Highway 97 looking south with a water bladder and fire hose set up among charred grassland in a May 15, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service

Banners hung by B.C. firefighters welcome evacuees back to Fort Nelson

‘There’s a lot of joy and happiness that people are back, relief that they’re back’

Firefighters working the Parker Lake wildfire are seen in a staging area along Highway 97 looking south with a water bladder and fire hose set up among charred grassland in a May 15, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service
Joshua Hawco is guilty of sexually assaulting a woman he did not know who was sleeping. (Submitted)

Delays hinder sentencing in Kelowna sexual assault trial

Joshua Hawco was found guilty of sexual assault in 2022 and has yet to be sentenced

Joshua Hawco is guilty of sexually assaulting a woman he did not know who was sleeping. (Submitted)
Fort Nelson, B.C. evacuees gather at the North Peace Arena in Fort St. John , B.C., on Monday, May 13, 2024. Residents in Fort Nelson are able to go home today after being evacuated for more than two weeks due to wildfires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jesse Boily

Fort Nelson wildfire held as highway reopens, evacuation order ends

‘16 days of sustained wildfire suppression’ mean 123-square-km fire not expected to grow

Fort Nelson, B.C. evacuees gather at the North Peace Arena in Fort St. John , B.C., on Monday, May 13, 2024. Residents in Fort Nelson are able to go home today after being evacuated for more than two weeks due to wildfires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jesse Boily
Amy Soranno and Nick Schafer are appealing their sentences in relation to a protest in April 2019 at an Abbotsford hog farm. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)

Two Abbotsford hog-farm protesters to appeal sentence

Hearing takes place Friday for Amy Soranno and Nick Schafer

Amy Soranno and Nick Schafer are appealing their sentences in relation to a protest in April 2019 at an Abbotsford hog farm. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)
Oak Bay teen Liam Pope-Lau celebrates his Ingenious+Innovation Award during the recent Ottawa event. (Photo by Gary Lau)

Vancouver Island teen bringing the heat in quest to save lives

Oak Bay’s Liam Pope-Lau, 14, earns $10,000, mentorship to continue development of heated life jacket

Oak Bay teen Liam Pope-Lau celebrates his Ingenious+Innovation Award during the recent Ottawa event. (Photo by Gary Lau)
Fort Nelson, B.C. evacuees gather at the North Peace Arena in Fort St. John , B.C., on Monday, May 13, 2024. Residents in Fort Nelson are able to go home today after being evacuated for more than two weeks due to wildfires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jesse Boily

Evacuation orders lifted, Fort Nelson residents heading home

About 4,700 people left due to wildfire threatening northern B.C. community

Fort Nelson, B.C. evacuees gather at the North Peace Arena in Fort St. John , B.C., on Monday, May 13, 2024. Residents in Fort Nelson are able to go home today after being evacuated for more than two weeks due to wildfires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jesse Boily
Police use water cannon to disperse demonstrators during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, and calling for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Palestinian medics say Israeli airstrikes kill 35 in Gaza’s Rafah

Strikes hit tents where displaced people are living, medics say

Police use water cannon to disperse demonstrators during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, and calling for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Sweden’s Carl Grundstrom, left, celebrates with Sweden’s Adrian Kempe after scoring his sides third goal during the bronze medal match between Sweden and Canada at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Czech Republic shuts out Switzerland 2-0 to win hockey world championship

It was the seventh title won by the Czech Republic after the country was created in 1993

Sweden’s Carl Grundstrom, left, celebrates with Sweden’s Adrian Kempe after scoring his sides third goal during the bronze medal match between Sweden and Canada at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The mayor of the regional municipality that includes the evacuated community of Fort Nelson, B.C., says evacuees are set to return Monday. Firefighters working the Parker Lake wildfire, designated G90267 by the B.C. Wildfire Service, are seen in a staging area along Highway 97 looking south with a water bladder and fire hose set up among charred grassland in a May 15, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service

Evacuation orders in and around Fort Nelson to lift Monday: mayor

Mayor says alerts will remain in place but evacuees will be allowed to return home

The mayor of the regional municipality that includes the evacuated community of Fort Nelson, B.C., says evacuees are set to return Monday. Firefighters working the Parker Lake wildfire, designated G90267 by the B.C. Wildfire Service, are seen in a staging area along Highway 97 looking south with a water bladder and fire hose set up among charred grassland in a May 15, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service
The RCMP logo is seen outside Royal Canadian Mounted Police “E” Division Headquarters, in Surrey, B.C., on Friday April 13, 2018. Mounties confirmed on May 26, 2024 that two people died in a May 24 plane crash near Squamish. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

2 people confirmed dead in plane crash near Squamish

Plane went down Friday evening, but police weren’t able to access the crash site until Saturday

The RCMP logo is seen outside Royal Canadian Mounted Police “E” Division Headquarters, in Surrey, B.C., on Friday April 13, 2018. Mounties confirmed on May 26, 2024 that two people died in a May 24 plane crash near Squamish. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The remains of Shell gas station damaged by a suspected tornado are seen, Sunday, May 26, 2024, in Valley View, Texas. Powerful storms killed at least seven people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where drivers took shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S. (Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

At least 14 dead in southern U.S. after severe weather roars across region

Storm left trail of debris through Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas

The remains of Shell gas station damaged by a suspected tornado are seen, Sunday, May 26, 2024, in Valley View, Texas. Powerful storms killed at least seven people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where drivers took shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S. (Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News via AP)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his trade and industry ministers say Canada is investigating the notion of hiking tariffs on imported electric vehicles from China following a massive tax hike by the Americans earlier this month. Leapmotor vehicles are parked outside a showroom in Hangzhou in eastern China’s Zhejiang province on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Caroline Chen

Canada mulls Chinese EV tariff following U.S. move

Teslas coming into the country come from a manufacturing plant in Shanghai

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his trade and industry ministers say Canada is investigating the notion of hiking tariffs on imported electric vehicles from China following a massive tax hike by the Americans earlier this month. Leapmotor vehicles are parked outside a showroom in Hangzhou in eastern China’s Zhejiang province on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Caroline Chen