May 20, 2012

Fire damages Abbotsford lumber mill

A fire at an Abbotsford lumber mill had smoke visible to much of the Fraser Valley this morning. Eyewitness Kevin MacDonald says the fire started around 4:00 a.m. "When crews arrived, the building and yard was fully engulfed.  Crews did what was called a surround and drown, but they didn't really get close.  Multiple explosions were going … [Read more...]

Coast Guard union shooting down idea of replacing Kits station with auxillary members

One possible plan to replace the Kits Point Coast Guard station once it is closed is to use auxillary members, but the Coast Guard union isn't amused.  The Union of Canadian Transportation Employees National President Christine Collins says volunteers aren't replacements for trained coast guards. "Coast Guard auxillary's mandate is to … [Read more...]

BC mayors call for discussions with provincial and federal governments

BC mayors want to increase the lines of communication between their municipalities and the other two levels of government. 86 mayors from across the province want to have a round table chat with the Premier, as well as a round table on infrastructure with the provincial and federal governments. Surrey mayor Dianne Watts says, "Those conversations … [Read more...]

$5,000 reward offered for information leading to convictions of tree poachers

An environmental group is offering a $ 5,000 reward for information leading to the convictions of the people responsible for poaching an 800-year-old tree on Vancouver Island. If you know who chopped down the red cedar in Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park, the Wilderness Committee and the BC Government Employees Union are ready to show you the … [Read more...]

Mobile needle exchange program hoping for permit from City of Abbotsford

A mobile needle exchange program run by the same organization that runs Insite is hoping to get a permit to legally operate in Abbotsford. Mark Townsend with the Portland Hotel Society says the van distributes up to 400 needles per trip, and that in the six months the van has operated informally in the city, he's heard of no complaints. "They've … [Read more...]

Grouse official warns of slippery conditions as popular hiking trail opens

The Grouse Grind opens on Saturday, which is three weeks earlier than last year, but you might want to watch your step. Sara Lusk with Grouse Mountain Resort explains the conditions might be a bit slippery near the trail's summit. "Mainly that has to do with high temperatures and sunshine we've had over the past little while, which has helped melt … [Read more...]

West Coast Fisheries and Oceans Critic disputes claims of consultation on cuts to marine services

The NDP's critic for West Coast Fisheries and Oceans disputes the Harper government's claims of widespread consultation before cuts were made to marine services in BC. BC's top cabinet minister in Ottawa, James Moore, says the cuts to the Kitsilano Coast Guard station and marine communication centres shouldn't have come as a surprise. Vancouver … [Read more...]

Dave Barrett among recipients of this year’s Order of BC

Former NDP premier Dave Barrett is among the 14 recipients of this year’s Order of B.C., the province’s highest honour. Other recipients this year include Canada’s first female prime minister, Kim Campbell, Bard on the Beach found Christopher Gaze, astronaut Robert Thirsk, Dr. Peter Cooperberg, a world leader in ultrasound, and … [Read more...]