Local News

Friends and family welcomed members of HMCS Edmonton back home on April 28 as the ship returned to CFB Esquimalt. The vessel was on a two-and-a-half month deployment involved in a multi-nation narcotics-combatting operation off of Central America. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Loved ones reunite as navy ship returns to Greater Victoria after months at sea

HMCS Edmonton helped make $50-million drug bust during Central American narcotics operation

Friends and family welcomed members of HMCS Edmonton back home on April 28 as the ship returned to CFB Esquimalt. The vessel was on a two-and-a-half month deployment involved in a multi-nation narcotics-combatting operation off of Central America. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
With Stihl Timbersports athlete Stirling Hart watching, Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce executive director Leanna Kemp fires up a chainsaw and cuts through a log. Hart was in town Monday to promote the Stihl Timbersports National Championship, which is coming to Chilliwack Aug. 12-13, 2023. (Eric J. Welsh/ Chilliwack Progress)

VIDEO: Stihl Timbersports nationals coming to Chilliwack in August

The Chilliwack Coliseum will host a pro and women’s competition featuring chopping and sawing events

With Stihl Timbersports athlete Stirling Hart watching, Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce executive director Leanna Kemp fires up a chainsaw and cuts through a log. Hart was in town Monday to promote the Stihl Timbersports National Championship, which is coming to Chilliwack Aug. 12-13, 2023. (Eric J. Welsh/ Chilliwack Progress)
Logan Red Crow of the Siksika First Nation in Alberta with Sally who are featured in the documentary Aitamaako’tamisskapi Natosi: Before The Sun directed by Banchi Hanuse of Bella Coola. (Taxam Films photo)

Films from two Bella Coola directors part of Hot Docs Festival 2023 lineup in Toronto

Banchi Hanuse and Jean-Philippe Marquis will be attending the screenings

Logan Red Crow of the Siksika First Nation in Alberta with Sally who are featured in the documentary Aitamaako’tamisskapi Natosi: Before The Sun directed by Banchi Hanuse of Bella Coola. (Taxam Films photo)
A map of the Central Coast Regional District. (Central Coast Regional District map)

Bella Coola and area residents facing average 61.9 % property tax increase

‘Our reliance on funding our local government through surplus is a cautionary tale’: CCRD chair.

A map of the Central Coast Regional District. (Central Coast Regional District map)
One person has died in a crash that occurred Tuesday afternoon (April 25) between Hunter Creek Road (Exit 160) and Flood-Hope Road (Exit 165). (Shane MacKichan)

1 dead in semi-truck crash on Highway 1 near Hope

Hope RCMP, BC Highway Patrol, and Hope firefighters all on scene

One person has died in a crash that occurred Tuesday afternoon (April 25) between Hunter Creek Road (Exit 160) and Flood-Hope Road (Exit 165). (Shane MacKichan)
A still of a video of Mark Alexander Van Heek being handcuffed by an RCMP officer on Sardis Elementary school grounds on Feb. 8, 2022. (Facebook)

Chilliwack man fined $500 for ignoring order to stay away from elementary school

Mark Alexander Van Heek was one of several people protesting COVID measures at the school last year

A still of a video of Mark Alexander Van Heek being handcuffed by an RCMP officer on Sardis Elementary school grounds on Feb. 8, 2022. (Facebook)
Jane and Vernon Deon of Red Deer say a Red Deer RCMP officer police should not have fatally shot their mentally ill son, Derek Deon. (Photo by LANA MICHELIN/Advocate staff)

‘I wish we had never called the police’: Alberta man fatally shot during mental health crisis

Red Deer parents regret calling police after officer fatally shoots their mentally ill son

Jane and Vernon Deon of Red Deer say a Red Deer RCMP officer police should not have fatally shot their mentally ill son, Derek Deon. (Photo by LANA MICHELIN/Advocate staff)
After much buzzing and speculation on who won the grand prize, Thelma Florence is the winner of BCLC’s Lotto 6/49’s Guaranteed Prize of $1 million draw that took place on April 1. (BCLC)

Hope woman hits million-dollar jackpot

Chawathil’s Thelma Florence purchased winning ticket at Bee’s Food Market

After much buzzing and speculation on who won the grand prize, Thelma Florence is the winner of BCLC’s Lotto 6/49’s Guaranteed Prize of $1 million draw that took place on April 1. (BCLC)
Cash, firearms, drugs and ammunition were found in a brown Jeep during a routine patrol stop in Abbotsford on April 11. (Abbotsford Police photo)

Firearms, drugs and cash seized during traffic stop in Abbotsford

Police recommending several charges after plainclothes officers stopped known offender leaving house

Cash, firearms, drugs and ammunition were found in a brown Jeep during a routine patrol stop in Abbotsford on April 11. (Abbotsford Police photo)
A major rock-scaling project is set to begin near Exit 160 at Hunter Creek Road — which the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) says will protect travellers from future rockfall. (flickr/Zach)

Major rock-scaling project taking place on Highway 1 near Hope

Drivers can expect multiple highway closures and delays starting April 17

A major rock-scaling project is set to begin near Exit 160 at Hunter Creek Road — which the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) says will protect travellers from future rockfall. (flickr/Zach)
BC Ferries cancelled numerous midday sailings between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen on Easter Sunday, amid adverse weather. (Black Press Media file photo)
BC Ferries cancelled numerous midday sailings between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen on Easter Sunday, amid adverse weather. (Black Press Media file photo)
The BC SPCA has seen a marked increase in the number of puppies being surrendered into the humane society’s care in 2023. (BC SPCA photo)

BC SPCA has seen a ‘marked increase’ in number of puppies being surrendered in 2023

Such seizures, including one from a Surrey breeder, put a huge strain on society’s resources

The BC SPCA has seen a marked increase in the number of puppies being surrendered into the humane society’s care in 2023. (BC SPCA photo)
Vernon Fire Rescue Services currently has 24 auxiliary firefighters, six on active duty, 13 in training and five on temporary leave (City of Vernon).

8 Vernon volunteer firefighters resign

City of Vernon has recently hired four new full-time firefighters

Vernon Fire Rescue Services currently has 24 auxiliary firefighters, six on active duty, 13 in training and five on temporary leave (City of Vernon).
Col. Al De Genova is taking the Tour of Honour Humvee across B.C. and as far north as the Yukon Territory, raising awareness and money for Honour House and Honour Ranch. (Eric J. Welsh/ The Progress)

Tour of Honour supporting military, first responders kicks off in Chilliwack

The tour will raise awareness in places across B.C. and the Yukon for Honour House and Honour Ranch

Col. Al De Genova is taking the Tour of Honour Humvee across B.C. and as far north as the Yukon Territory, raising awareness and money for Honour House and Honour Ranch. (Eric J. Welsh/ The Progress)
The Gitxaała First Nation Flag flies in Kitkatla in June 2022. (Photo: K-J Millar/The Northern View)

First Nation in Supreme Court trying to enforce B.C. ‘duty to consult’ on mineral rights

Legal action seeks to overturn mineral rights claims and suspend further claim in Gitxaała territory

The Gitxaała First Nation Flag flies in Kitkatla in June 2022. (Photo: K-J Millar/The Northern View)
The Sardis Library is seen on June 23, 2022. The NDP government announced on March 31, 2023 that Fraser Valley Regional Library will receive more than $2.3 million in provincial funding. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

More than $2.3 million in provincial funding coming for Fraser Valley Regional Library

‘We are providing people with the resources they need to succeed in an ever-changing world,’ says MLA

The Sardis Library is seen on June 23, 2022. The NDP government announced on March 31, 2023 that Fraser Valley Regional Library will receive more than $2.3 million in provincial funding. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)
On March 18 BC Corrections said the Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC) in Oliver was closed to visitors and volunteers until further notice due to COVID-19. (File photo)

B.C.’s largest prison in Oliver is only at 20% capacity

167 prisoners out of a capacity of 800 are currently at the Okanagan Correctional Centre

On March 18 BC Corrections said the Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC) in Oliver was closed to visitors and volunteers until further notice due to COVID-19. (File photo)
While most Lower Mainland routes don’t require winter tires past March 31, anyone heading north or into the Interior should keep them on until April 30. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure file.

Most drivers in B.C. should keep winter tires on vehicles until April 30

Spring is here, but Road Safety at Work’s Shift Into Winter campaign…

While most Lower Mainland routes don’t require winter tires past March 31, anyone heading north or into the Interior should keep them on until April 30. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure file.
This was the Connector Saturday evening, March 11. Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for Highway 5, 3 and 1 with up to 25 cm falling and extreme driving conditions. (Facebook)

Heavy snowfall warning issued on 3 major southern B.C. highways

Extreme driving conditions and up to 25 cm to fall on Highways 3, 5 and 1 Sunday to Tuesday

This was the Connector Saturday evening, March 11. Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for Highway 5, 3 and 1 with up to 25 cm falling and extreme driving conditions. (Facebook)
Weighing five pounds, nine ounces, a baby boy was born in a minivan Feb. 28, en route to the hospital in Williams Lake. (Photo submitted)

Cariboo woman delivers baby in minivan en route to hospital

It was a third baby for Brittany Lee of Likely, B.C.

Weighing five pounds, nine ounces, a baby boy was born in a minivan Feb. 28, en route to the hospital in Williams Lake. (Photo submitted)