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In Vancouver, Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma, left, looks on as BC Wildfire Service operations director Cliff Chapman speaks over Zoom June 8, 2023 in an update about the province’s wildfire situation. (Lauren Collins)

B.C. might need to ‘dig deep’ into its own resources for fighting wildfires this year

Province has multiple requests in for support already

A combination of dried-out forests, potentially strong winds and lightning could make for a “very challenging” fire season in 2023, which has already turned to be unprecedented in many ways, provincial officials said Thursday (June 8) during a news conference. (Black Press Media file photo)

Officials warn of ‘very challenging’ fire season ahead in B.C.

Large ‘chunks’ of B.C.’s interior already find themselves in ‘desert-like conditions’

Last year, Hope Air was able to facilitate 10,251 travel arrangements for Canadians in medical need. (Hope Air/Special to The News)

Give Hope Wings fundraiser cleared for takeoff at B.C. regional airports

Western leg of Hope Air fundraising campaign starts at Pitt Meadows airport on June 10

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FILE - The Iron Sheik arrives at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on July 15, 2009. The Iron Sheik, born Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, died Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at age 81. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)
The Iron Sheik, charismatic former pro wrestling villain and Twitter personality, dies at 81
Prince Harry arrives at the High Court in London, Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Prince Harry is due at a London court to testify against a tabloid publisher he accuses of phone hacking and other unlawful snooping. Harry alleges that journalists at the Daily Mirror and its sister papers used unlawful techniques on an “industrial scale” to get scoops. Publisher Mirror Group Newspapers is contesting the claims. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Prince Harry testifies the tabloids destroyed his childhood, but fails to recall specific stories
FILE - This May 14, 2018 file photo shows Chuck Todd at the 2018 NBCUniversal Upfront in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
Chuck Todd leaving NBC political panel show ‘Meet the Press’ and being replaced by Kristen Welker
FILE - Workers on scaffolding repaint the NASA logo near the top of the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., May 20, 2020. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
NASA talks UFOs with public ahead of final report on unidentified flying objects
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The Hugh Keenleyside Dam near Castlegar was one of three built as part of the Columbia River Treaty. It has had a huge impact on the Columbia River valley all the way to Revelstoke. Photo: Contributed

Agreement reached to share Columbia River Treaty revenues with First Nations

The Ktunaxa, Secwépemc and Syilx Okanagan Nations will each receive 5% of the revenue generated

The Hugh Keenleyside Dam near Castlegar was one of three built as part of the Columbia River Treaty. It has had a huge impact on the Columbia River valley all the way to Revelstoke. Photo: Contributed
Three-year-old Deerat Kaur Chahal enjoys some time at Skaha Park. Her family and her are being deported if a reprieve isn’t given. (Mark Brett / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter)

Okanagan MP, community rallies to keep young family from being deported

Hardeep Singh Chahal, his pregnant wife Kamaldeep Kaur and daughter want to stay in Penticton

Three-year-old Deerat Kaur Chahal enjoys some time at Skaha Park. Her family and her are being deported if a reprieve isn’t given. (Mark Brett / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter)
An evacuation order has been issued for the northern community of Tumbler Ridge due to wildfires. (BC Wildfire Service)

UPDATE: Evacuation order issued for Tumbler Ridge due to wildfire

Evacuees are to report to the reception centre in Dawson Creek Ovintiv Events Centre.

An evacuation order has been issued for the northern community of Tumbler Ridge due to wildfires. (BC Wildfire Service)
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B.C’s Health Minister Adrian Dix, right, and Fraser Health CEO Dr. Victoria Lee at a health care announcement at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo: Anna Burns)
Dix plans summer tour as B.C. hospitals, health care facing ‘crises’
Bigg’s Killer Whales, more commonly seen off B.C. shores, are recorded in a hunting and feeding frenzy in the waters off California. (evanb_ocean for the California Killer Whale Project/Instagram)
VIDEO: B.C. Bigg’s whales spotted in hunting frenzy in California waters
Vancouver Island Ferry Company’s Hullo vessels at the Damen Group facility in Vietnam. (CNW Group/Vancouver Island Ferry Company photo)
Nanaimo to Vancouver Hullo Ferries announces fare prices, service to begin in August
The Matsqui Institution, a medium-security federal men’s prison, is seen in Abbotsford, B.C., Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017. An architect of the legislation governing Canada’s prison system says while most want retribution on killer and serial rapist Paul Bernardo, it was some time ago that the country “gave up torture.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canadians want revenge on Bernardo, but that’s not how prison works: ex-official
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Hope RCMP are looking into a serious spate of alleged hate crimes in Hope, just days into the community’s first Pride festival. (Kemone Moodley/Hope Standard/Megan te Boekhorst)

PHOTOS: Pride flag set on fire during night of alleged hate crime in Hope

Hope RCMP extend support to local LGBTQIA2S community following rash of crime

Hope RCMP are looking into a serious spate of alleged hate crimes in Hope, just days into the community’s first Pride festival. (Kemone Moodley/Hope Standard/Megan te Boekhorst)
Smoke billowing from the Soards Creek Wildfire on Monday (June 5). (Photo by Laura Dempsey)

Soards Creek Wildfire grows to over 1,100 hectares north of Revelstoke

The fire was discovered on June 3

Smoke billowing from the Soards Creek Wildfire on Monday (June 5). (Photo by Laura Dempsey)
Nanaimo RCMP have reported a man has died on June 7 after going into medical distress while swimming at Westwood Lake. (Black Press Media file photo)

Man dies after going into medical distress while swimming in Vancouver Island lake

Rescue attempt by friends, emergency services successful, but victim died later in Nanaimo hospital

Nanaimo RCMP have reported a man has died on June 7 after going into medical distress while swimming at Westwood Lake. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur poses atop her late brother Tupac Shakur’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during a posthumous ceremony in his honor on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Los Angeles. The late rapper and actor is pictured at right. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Tupac Shakur receives Walk of Fame star honor in the same month as birthday

Shakur was given the 2,758th star on the Walk of Fame

Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur poses atop her late brother Tupac Shakur’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during a posthumous ceremony in his honor on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Los Angeles. The late rapper and actor is pictured at right. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Kasari Govender, B.C. Human Rights commissioner, speaks after releasing the final report on her inquiry into hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

BC Human Rights Commissioner talks battling hate during Okanagan visit

The Commissioner sat down for a one-on-one interview with Black Press

Kasari Govender, B.C. Human Rights commissioner, speaks after releasing the final report on her inquiry into hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
BC Wildfire air skimmers over Okanagan Lake on June 5. (Steve Tidder)

Wildfire burning near Peachland now being held after 4 days

Blaze remains at 33 hectares

BC Wildfire air skimmers over Okanagan Lake on June 5. (Steve Tidder)
Vancouver Island Ferry Company’s Hullo vessels at the Damen Group facility in Vietnam. (CNW Group/Vancouver Island Ferry Company photo)

Nanaimo to Vancouver Hullo Ferries announces fare prices, service to begin in August

Pets and bikes allowed on ferries, says ferry operator

Vancouver Island Ferry Company’s Hullo vessels at the Damen Group facility in Vietnam. (CNW Group/Vancouver Island Ferry Company photo)
The Hazelton RCMP detachment. (Interior News file photo)

New Hazelton RCMP looking for spray painting vandal

Police say someone is tagging other people’s property with derogatory comments

The Hazelton RCMP detachment. (Interior News file photo)
The Chehalis River wildfire has razed about 800 hectares since Saturday and remains classified as “out of control” and as a wildfire of note as of Thursday (photo/B.C. Wildfire Service)

2 wildfires blaze out of control north of Harrison Hot Springs

Nearly 900 hectares burned

The Chehalis River wildfire has razed about 800 hectares since Saturday and remains classified as “out of control” and as a wildfire of note as of Thursday (photo/B.C. Wildfire Service)
A Chilkat blanket, created in a Tlingit community in the 1800s, is seen in an undated handout photo. A man who is helping return the 140-year-old robe to the British Columbia First Nation where it was created says it’s as if the regalia called out to its people and they are bringing it home. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Taku River Tinglit First Nation

B.C. First Nation buys back 140-year-old robe, paying almost $40,000 to bring it home

The intricately woven Chilkat robe was purchased by the Taku River Tlingit First Nation

A Chilkat blanket, created in a Tlingit community in the 1800s, is seen in an undated handout photo. A man who is helping return the 140-year-old robe to the British Columbia First Nation where it was created says it’s as if the regalia called out to its people and they are bringing it home. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Taku River Tinglit First Nation
The Canadian Red Cross is calling on volunteers in northern British Columbia to assist with its Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP), a free service offering temporary access to medical equipment like canes and wheelchairs to people recuperating from illness or surgery, or those spending their final days at home. In this photo, Terrace Red Cross technician Robert Mitch repairs a wheelchair in 2018. (Black Press Media file photo)

Canadian Red Cross seeks volunteers for northern B.C. health equipment loan program

Anyone with a bit of spare time and a desire to make a difference can be a part of the cause

The Canadian Red Cross is calling on volunteers in northern British Columbia to assist with its Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP), a free service offering temporary access to medical equipment like canes and wheelchairs to people recuperating from illness or surgery, or those spending their final days at home. In this photo, Terrace Red Cross technician Robert Mitch repairs a wheelchair in 2018. (Black Press Media file photo)
Matthew and Brittany Giesbrecht at the Small Business Awards gala held in Vancouver on June 6. ( The Speckled Sow/ Facebook)

Homegrown Vanderhoof Butchery snags top business award in B.C.

The Speckled Sow won a Small Business BC Award in the business impact category

Matthew and Brittany Giesbrecht at the Small Business Awards gala held in Vancouver on June 6. ( The Speckled Sow/ Facebook)
B.C’s Health Minister Adrian Dix, right, and Fraser Health CEO Dr. Victoria Lee at a health care announcement at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo: Anna Burns)

Dix plans summer tour as B.C. hospitals, health care facing ‘crises’

Health minister says challenges different in each region, but broad issue of healthcare is a B.C.-wide problem

B.C’s Health Minister Adrian Dix, right, and Fraser Health CEO Dr. Victoria Lee at a health care announcement at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo: Anna Burns)
People pass the Bank of Canada building on Wellington Street in Ottawa, on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. The Bank of Canada raised its benchmark interest by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent Wednesday, June 7, 2023– the highest point in more than two decades. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Bank of Canada’s interest rate hike a ‘mistake,’ says B.C. economist

Marc Lee fears the rate hike will not fight inflation, but actually make it worse

People pass the Bank of Canada building on Wellington Street in Ottawa, on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. The Bank of Canada raised its benchmark interest by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent Wednesday, June 7, 2023– the highest point in more than two decades. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang