Sam Konnert

3:16 p.m. The trawler MV Raw Spirit is docked at Berth 2 at the Port Alberni Port Authority while a log barge passes in the middle of the Alberni Inlet. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Northwest NDP MP slams Liberal government over foreign ownership of B.C. fishing licences

Taylor Bachrach urges federal government to heed 2019 recommendations

3:16 p.m. The trawler MV Raw Spirit is docked at Berth 2 at the Port Alberni Port Authority while a log barge passes in the middle of the Alberni Inlet. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Tahltan president Chad Norman Day (third from the right) stands with Minister of Forests Katrine Conroy (fourth from the right) and others in Victoria on Oct. 18, 2022. The parties struck a deal to develop a wildlife regime to protect Tahltan wildlife, culture and way of being. (B.C. Government photo)

Tahltan Central Government and province of B.C. agree to create wildlife stewardship program

The program will have joint wildlife governance, management and data collection.

Tahltan president Chad Norman Day (third from the right) stands with Minister of Forests Katrine Conroy (fourth from the right) and others in Victoria on Oct. 18, 2022. The parties struck a deal to develop a wildlife regime to protect Tahltan wildlife, culture and way of being. (B.C. Government photo)
Prince Rupert tug boat captain Troy Pearson (right) and Charlie Cragg (left) lost their lives on Feb. 11, 2021. Families say the penalty does not do justice. (Photo: supplied)

Transport Canada fines Wainwright Marine $52K for 2021 fatal tugboat sinking off B.C. North Coast

Families and politicians call for stronger rules and harsher penalties to protect tugboat workers

Prince Rupert tug boat captain Troy Pearson (right) and Charlie Cragg (left) lost their lives on Feb. 11, 2021. Families say the penalty does not do justice. (Photo: supplied)
A “closed’ sign hangs in a store window. Rising operating costs, lack of demand and hikes in interest rates are significantly affecting small businesses. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Canadian business bankruptcies on the rise with no signs of slowing

54 per cent of business owners are yet to return to normal, pre-pandemic revenue levels

A “closed’ sign hangs in a store window. Rising operating costs, lack of demand and hikes in interest rates are significantly affecting small businesses. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Mario Rayna, center, chants with others at an entrance to the Nevada Test and Training Range near Area 51 Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, near Rachel, Nev. People gathered at the gate inspired by the "Storm Area 51" internet hoax. (AP Photo/John Locher)

UFO sightings on the rise in B.C., Alberta? At least, according to researchers

British Columbians are more likely to claim to see UFOs than the rest of Canada

Mario Rayna, center, chants with others at an entrance to the Nevada Test and Training Range near Area 51 Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, near Rachel, Nev. People gathered at the gate inspired by the "Storm Area 51" internet hoax. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Aaron Banfield poses in front of the non-denominational stained glass window in the soon-to-be sacred space. The space will support connectedness and mindfulness among patients at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital. Photo: Submitted

Cancer patient plans sacred space in Kootenay hospital

The space will allow patients to focus on emotional wellness and find support from their peers.

Aaron Banfield poses in front of the non-denominational stained glass window in the soon-to-be sacred space. The space will support connectedness and mindfulness among patients at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital. Photo: Submitted
Hikers at the top of Mount Terry Fox. The peak was named in Terry’s honour in 1981, and the fundraiser first started on the 35th anniversary of Terry’s death (photo courtesy of Terry Fox Foundation).

‘Quite an emotional feeling’: Hikers to ascend Mount Terry Fox in support of cancer research

The hike follows 18 km of alpine streams and wildflower meadows.

Hikers at the top of Mount Terry Fox. The peak was named in Terry’s honour in 1981, and the fundraiser first started on the 35th anniversary of Terry’s death (photo courtesy of Terry Fox Foundation).
67 per cent of British Columbians with type two diabetes say their diabetes makes them feel isolated, and 76 per cent feel they are being judged for their diabetes and can’t be honest with their loved ones about their condition. (stevepb/Pixabay)
(stevepb/Pixabay)

British Columbians with Type 2 diabetes are struggling with their mental health: survey

Federal diabetes strategy must include emotional support

67 per cent of British Columbians with type two diabetes say their diabetes makes them feel isolated, and 76 per cent feel they are being judged for their diabetes and can’t be honest with their loved ones about their condition. (stevepb/Pixabay)
(stevepb/Pixabay)
To combat the shortages, BC Ferries is limiting onboard services, backfilling positions and having employees work overtime. The Island K’ulut’a (BC Ferries photo)

Staff absenteeism has doubled at BC Ferries, impacting sailings and cancellations

COVID-19, injury and family emergencies are all to blame

To combat the shortages, BC Ferries is limiting onboard services, backfilling positions and having employees work overtime. The Island K’ulut’a (BC Ferries photo)
Save Old Growth has seen 120 arrests during its demonstrations (Photo courtesy of SaveOldGrowth)

B.C. old-growth protesters spray-painted landmarks; celebrate global civil disobedience

The group has made headlines recently for blocking traffic

Save Old Growth has seen 120 arrests during its demonstrations (Photo courtesy of SaveOldGrowth)
This image released by NASA on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, shows the edge of a nearby, young, star-forming region. The conference on Aug 15-19 could have a huge impact on our understanding of space and time. (NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI via AP) (NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI via AP)

World’s top physicists to be in B.C. this summer to bring down science’s greatest mystery

The Quantum Gravity Institute could be the start of time travel, quantum devices or clean energy

This image released by NASA on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, shows the edge of a nearby, young, star-forming region. The conference on Aug 15-19 could have a huge impact on our understanding of space and time. (NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI via AP) (NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI via AP)
Policies recommended include investments in public housing, mandatory inclusionary zoning and tying rent increases to units rather than individual tenancies. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

British Columbians support progressive housing policies to combat affordability crisis: poll

The soaring cost of housing is the single biggest component of the affordability crisis in B.C.

Policies recommended include investments in public housing, mandatory inclusionary zoning and tying rent increases to units rather than individual tenancies. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The ‘majestic’ banaduck sits calmly, unaware of the shopping frenzy it has unleashed (photo credit: @whit3lighter/Twitter)

Ducknana? Banaduck? London Drugs sells quacky deal and takes internet by storm

The strange sculpture is taking B.C. by storm

The ‘majestic’ banaduck sits calmly, unaware of the shopping frenzy it has unleashed (photo credit: @whit3lighter/Twitter)
Justin Morhmann, 29, was taken to hospital last Monday but died a short time later. Lindsay Scott, 34, is in custody. Photo provided by Vancouver Police Department

Charges laid in Yaletown homicide; police say suspect and victim were strangers

A Vancouver woman has been charged and is in custody following last week’s stabbing in Yaletown.

Justin Morhmann, 29, was taken to hospital last Monday but died a short time later. Lindsay Scott, 34, is in custody. Photo provided by Vancouver Police Department
A render of a planned building by developer Stober Group, that focuses on adding a deep sense of community for its residents (Photo from Stober Group)
A render of a planned building by developer Stober Group, that focuses on adding a deep sense of community for its residents (Photo from Stober Group)
A community of 1,396, Galiano Island saw an estimated 80,200 visitors in 2007 (John McKinley file)

Galiano Island’s ecological footprint swells from tourism: study

Community’s footprint ‘much larger’ than other B.C. locales

A community of 1,396, Galiano Island saw an estimated 80,200 visitors in 2007 (John McKinley file)
The top reasons for shopping local included a desire to support the community, the friendliness of the owners and the quality and convenience of products (Pexels.com)

A majority of British Columbians are choosing to shop at small businesses: survey

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business launches annual contest to encourage local shopping

The top reasons for shopping local included a desire to support the community, the friendliness of the owners and the quality and convenience of products (Pexels.com)
As patio season returns stronger than ever, craft beer enthusiasts at the B.C. Ale Trail have put together a list of the top 10 local brewery patios to visit, which includes Penticton's very own Cannery Brewing. Source: pixabay.

B.C. leads Canada in breweries despite quaffing less beer than any other province

Province sees 15 per cent increase in breweries as per capita beer sales decline

As patio season returns stronger than ever, craft beer enthusiasts at the B.C. Ale Trail have put together a list of the top 10 local brewery patios to visit, which includes Penticton's very own Cannery Brewing. Source: pixabay.
Bald eagle populations in the southwestern part of the province are suffering (Courtesy Photo / Jack Beedle).

B.C. bald eagle nest success threatened amid avian influenza outbreaks

Province is monitoring troublesome conditions for eagles in southwestern B.C.

Bald eagle populations in the southwestern part of the province are suffering (Courtesy Photo / Jack Beedle).
As wildfires in B.C. are predicted to worsen, researchers are looking for ways in which families and communities can prepare for more extreme wildfire seasons (Courtesy photo / Parker Anders)

Learning to live with wildfires should be at core of prevention efforts, experts urge

As wildfires are predicted to worsen, we must learn to ‘co-exist’ with fires

As wildfires in B.C. are predicted to worsen, researchers are looking for ways in which families and communities can prepare for more extreme wildfire seasons (Courtesy photo / Parker Anders)