Katya Slepian

Students walk through a corridor at the relocated New Westminster Secondary School, in New Westminster, B.C., on Thursday, October 14, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. schools to have a staggered re-start in January; essential workers’ kids return first

All K-12 students will be in class as of Jan. 10

Students walk through a corridor at the relocated New Westminster Secondary School, in New Westminster, B.C., on Thursday, October 14, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada’s Lukas Cormier (6) and Austria’s Fin van Ee (15) battle for the puck during first period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action in Edmonton on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

IIHF cancels remainder of 2022 world juniors due to COVID-19 spread

Omicron has led to multiple forfeited games and teams placed under quarantine

Canada’s Lukas Cormier (6) and Austria’s Fin van Ee (15) battle for the puck during first period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action in Edmonton on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Germany’s Jan Munzenberger (27) chases Switzerland’s Noah Meier (24) during third period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action in Edmonton on Wednesday, December 30, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

U.S. forfeits world juniors game against Switzerland due to COVID-19 quarantine

Yet to be determined if U.S. can play Sweden on Dec. 29

Germany’s Jan Munzenberger (27) chases Switzerland’s Noah Meier (24) during third period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action in Edmonton on Wednesday, December 30, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
A man walks a dog after an overnight snowfall in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Arctic outflow leads to new record for peak electricity demand: BC Hydro

BC Hydro recommends turning off heat when no one is home to save on power bills

A man walks a dog after an overnight snowfall in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau participates in a year end interview with The Canadian Press in Ottawa, on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Feds add businesses, employees impacted by capacity limits to COVID benefit eligibility

As provincial governments across the country bring in sweeping new restrictions to…

FILE – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau participates in a year end interview with The Canadian Press in Ottawa, on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
University of B.C. researchers have complete a cryo-electron microscope analysis of the Omicron variant spike protein. Their findings show that it is ‘highly evasive of immunity’ but that vaccines remain the best defence. (University of B.C.)

Molecular analysis of Omicron variant shows it’s ‘highly evasive of immunity’: UBC

Vaccines remain the best defence, researchers found

University of B.C. researchers have complete a cryo-electron microscope analysis of the Omicron variant spike protein. Their findings show that it is ‘highly evasive of immunity’ but that vaccines remain the best defence. (University of B.C.)
FILE – Spin studio. (pxhere.com)

B.C. closes gyms and bars, bans indoor organized events over holidays as Omicron surges

Concerts, movies, sports to be reduced to 50% capacity

FILE – Spin studio. (pxhere.com)
FILE – An Abbott Laboratories Panbio COVID- 19 Rapid Test device is displayed at a pop-up COVID-19 testing site on the Dalhousie University campus in Halifax on Wednesday, Nov. 235 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

Rapid testing to expand; return of mass-vaccination sites for COVID booster shots in B.C.

Province expected to receive 11 million tests by mid-January

FILE – An Abbott Laboratories Panbio COVID- 19 Rapid Test device is displayed at a pop-up COVID-19 testing site on the Dalhousie University campus in Halifax on Wednesday, Nov. 235 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
Cars line up to enter the U.S. from Canada at the Peace Arch border crossing Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, in Blaine, Wash. The U.S. reopened its land borders to nonessential travel Monday after almost 20 months of COVID-19 restrictions. Travel across land borders from Canada and Mexico has been largely restricted to workers whose jobs are deemed essential. New rules will allow fully vaccinated foreign nationals to enter the U.S. regardless of the reason. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Short trip across the border? COVID molecular tests are required again after brief hiatus

Test must be taken outside of Canada within 72 hours of arrival

Cars line up to enter the U.S. from Canada at the Peace Arch border crossing Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, in Blaine, Wash. The U.S. reopened its land borders to nonessential travel Monday after almost 20 months of COVID-19 restrictions. Travel across land borders from Canada and Mexico has been largely restricted to workers whose jobs are deemed essential. New rules will allow fully vaccinated foreign nationals to enter the U.S. regardless of the reason. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
A food delivery person wears a protective face mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as they do a pick up in Yaletown in Vancouver, Thursday, December 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. extends 15% cap on restaurant delivery fees for another year

Dining inside restaurants has gone down during the pandemic, while delivery services have surged

A food delivery person wears a protective face mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as they do a pick up in Yaletown in Vancouver, Thursday, December 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Minister Sheila Malcomson speaks at an Oct. 29 announcement of new treatment spaces at Red Fish Healing Centre on Kwikwetlem territory. (Goverment of BC/YouTube)

B.C. gives $720K grant to organization supporting seniors at risk of homelessness

SHINE helps connect seniors to housing and other supports

Minister Sheila Malcomson speaks at an Oct. 29 announcement of new treatment spaces at Red Fish Healing Centre on Kwikwetlem territory. (Goverment of BC/YouTube)
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is probing the death of an individual after a stabbing near Metrotown Mall in Burnaby on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. (Shane MacKichan)

1 person arrested in fatal Metrotown stabbing; IHIT says public not at risk

Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious is being asked to contact IHIT

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is probing the death of an individual after a stabbing near Metrotown Mall in Burnaby on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. (Shane MacKichan)
Edmonton Oilers’ Cody Ceci, left, makes a pass in front of Seattle Kraken’s Marcus Johansson (90) in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Seattle. The Oilers won 5-3. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

NHL postpones cross-border games, teams to play under ‘enhanced’ protocols due to COVID threat

New restrictions discourage any mingling with the community both on the road and at home

Edmonton Oilers’ Cody Ceci, left, makes a pass in front of Seattle Kraken’s Marcus Johansson (90) in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Seattle. The Oilers won 5-3. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
An Abbott Laboratories Panbio COVID- 19 Rapid Test device is displayed at a pop-up COVID-19 testing site on the Dalhousie University campus in Halifax on Wednesday, Nov. 235 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

Doctors’ group urges B.C. to expedite booster shots as Omicron moves in

Better ventilation, free rapid antigen tests also needed, experts say

An Abbott Laboratories Panbio COVID- 19 Rapid Test device is displayed at a pop-up COVID-19 testing site on the Dalhousie University campus in Halifax on Wednesday, Nov. 235 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
FILE – An Uber driver is seen in Vancouver, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Regulator denies Uber expansion across B.C., ‘not convinced’ of need outside Lower Mainland

Financial effect on taxi companies also taken into account

FILE – An Uber driver is seen in Vancouver, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Vancouver Park Board has created a brand new beach for residents to enjoy. (Vancouver Park Board)

New Barge Chilling Beach makes its debut on Vancouver’s shoreline

Barge washed up on Sunset Beach during the mid-November storms

The Vancouver Park Board has created a brand new beach for residents to enjoy. (Vancouver Park Board)
FILE – British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks during the official opening of the Canadian Cancer Society Centre for Cancer Prevention and Support, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, November 10, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Dix warns against non-essential travel as Omicron spreads; B.C. rapid testing strategy coming

Province reporting 589 new cases in slight increase as Omicron cases spread

FILE – British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks during the official opening of the Canadian Cancer Society Centre for Cancer Prevention and Support, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, November 10, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A WestJet Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is seen parked at a gate at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, January 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Feds urge Canadians to avoid international travel over holidays due to Omicron spread

This is the second time feds have issued international travel advisory since pandemic began

A WestJet Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is seen parked at a gate at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, January 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Ravi Kahlon, B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, has his provincial COVID-19 vaccine card scanned by White Spot restaurant general manager Bill Warwick, before having breakfast in Delta, B.C., on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. British Columbia’s COVID-19 vaccine card system went into effect Monday. Anyone who wants access to a range of non-essential indoor services must show proof of at least one dose of vaccine, with a second shot required by Oct. 24. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C.’s vaccine card expected to extend past January; officials look at medical exemptions

No exemptions had previously been allowed as vaccine cards were time-limited program

Ravi Kahlon, B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, has his provincial COVID-19 vaccine card scanned by White Spot restaurant general manager Bill Warwick, before having breakfast in Delta, B.C., on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. British Columbia’s COVID-19 vaccine card system went into effect Monday. Anyone who wants access to a range of non-essential indoor services must show proof of at least one dose of vaccine, with a second shot required by Oct. 24. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE – British Columbia Privacy Commissioner Michael McEvoy speaks during a news conference in Ottawa on April 25, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Privacy watchdog orders Clearview AI to stop collecting, delete images of British Columbians

Commissioner said company refused to comply with results of investigation

FILE – British Columbia Privacy Commissioner Michael McEvoy speaks during a news conference in Ottawa on April 25, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld