VPD detective James Fisher charged with sexual exploitation and sex assault

by Karin Larsen, Chad Pawson

A veteran Vancouver police detective, who in 2015 received a special citation for his work on a sexual exploitation investigation, has been charged with sexual exploitation.

Snowboarder recounts tale of survival after spending 3 days stranded on Cypress Mountain Resort

by Anna Dimoff

Snowboarder Sebastien Boucher spent days alone on the North Shore mountains after getting lost in 2012.

Province's last leather dry cleaner can't be 'suede' to stay open

by Kamil Karamali

'Ace of Suedes' is shutting its doors for good after spending decades near Vancouver's Commercial Drive.

Injection site worries prompt Nanaimo city hall shutdown

by Deborah Wilson

Nanaimo's city hall was closed Thursday in response to safety concerns about an unsanctioned supervised injection site in a tent pitched in the city hall parking lot.

New Norovirus triggers second shellfish closure in B.C. waters

by Megan Thomas

A closure notice has been issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada for the Subtle Islands, located east of Campbell River, B.C., after tests by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency found the norovirus in oysters from the site.

Coquihalla Highway closed for several hours due to severe weather

by Jenifer Norwell

The Coquihalla Highway was closed for several hours Thursday because of severe weather conditions.

Couple charged in relation to cheetah spotted wandering in B.C.

Two people have been charged more than a year after a cheetah was seen wandering along the side of a B.C. highway.

Tenants of Victoria apartment building worry about potential asbestos exposure

by Megan Thomas

People who live in a Victoria apartment tower that is undergoing renovations are worried about risks to their health after WorksafeBC stopped work over concerns that asbestos has been disturbed.

Crash leads to attempted murder charges after Victoria collision

Victoria police say a man is in custody facing two charges of attempted murder. They say there is a "long" history of domestic violence between the accused and one of the victims.

Burnaby author gives children who stutter relatable superhero

by Anna Dimoff

‘It’s okay to be different’ is an idea that took Kim Block quite a few years to accept growing up with a stutter.

'Good riddance' to 2016: Vancouverites hope for a happy new year

From a province-wide opioid crisis to the war in Syria, many Canadians have dubbed 2016 to be a rocky year for the world as a whole. But some British Columbians are hopeful that 2017 will be a new beginning.

Tumbler Ridge to ring in new year with return of mining jobs

by Andrew Kurjata

The second of three coal mines purchased by American investors is slated to begin operating on Jan. 2, bringing 220 new jobs to struggling Tumbler Ridge.

Missing North Shore hikers search still suspended due to weather

by Karin Larsen

The search for two snowshoers missing in the Cypress Mountain Resort area remains suspended Thursday morning due to bad weather and a growing risk of avalanche.

Worst 911 calls, 2016 edition: Help, my gym locker is broken!

by Yvette Brend

B.C.'s largest emergency call centre handles 1.35 million calls a year, but there are a few callers they may want to block.

Abbotsford police continue search for missing pregnant woman

Abbotsford police say they've had a handful of tips about Marie Stuart, missing since Tuesday.

Booze, brawls and Backstreet Boys: Remembering a legendary B.C. nightclub

by Jesse Johnston

Whether you knew it as Tabasco's, the Scottsdale, Cheers or one of the many other names it went by, you can raise a glass to the nightclub that stood on Scott Road and 70th Avenue in North Delta since 1977.

Dairy Queen hep A case prompts immunization push in Clearwater, B.C.

by Jenifer Norwell

The Interior Health Authority says it has immunized more than 350 people after a case of hepatitis A was confirmed last week in Clearwater.

Eagles, snakes, and nukes: the quirkiest B.C. tales of 2016

by Roshini Nair

Take a look back at some of the strangest stories of 2016 from across B.C.

B.C. 1st-time homebuyers loan might not make a difference, mortgage broker says

As applications for the first-time homebuyers grant open on Jan.16, a mortgage broker questions how the program will be implemented and whether it will make a difference.

'I can't do it on my own': inmates in need of mentors face a long wait list

by Maryse Zeidler

Tony Vanderwal has been volunteering as a mentor for prisoners for 50 years. But like many involved with M2W2, he is aging out of the organization.

School wish lists become reality thanks to UBC students

by Cory Correia

A new charity started by a couple of UBC students is providing Lower Mainland children with items for them to learn, play, and grow.

British Columbia's top political stories of 2016

by Richard Zussman

The housing crisis, opioid epidemic, pipelines and education dominated the political headlines in 2016. The province also faced heat on political donations and Premier Christy Clark toured British Columbia with one of the world's most famous couples.

A year of overdoses: 7 charts that show the scope of B.C.'s drug crisis

There was little good news in British Columbia's drug crisis in 2016.

Beware 'time for change' message in new election, says Terry Lake

by Dirk Meissner

Health Minister Terry Lake will be sitting on the sidelines, but he expects the winds of political change will be one of the strongest challenges facing B.C. Premier Christy Clark's Liberal government in May's election.

3 horses rescued from Langley, B.C., barn fire

by Yvette Brend

Three horses were saved from a raging barn fire in Langley, B.C. today.

Victoria family makes emotional plea for coverage of Parkinson's drug

by Megan Thomas

The family of a Victoria woman with advanced Parkinson's disease is pleading with the province to cover the cost of a drug called Duodopa.

Growing city with growing pains was story of Kelowna in 2016

by Liam Britten

We look back on how the Kelowna area grew significantly in 2016 and how that brought with it some new challenges — and solutions

'Miracle' message in a bottle connects B.C. pair with newlyweds halfway around world

by Roshini Nair

A mysterious message in a bottle that washed up on the remote shores of Haida Gwaii has connected two couples halfway across the world.

Is Boxing Day still worth it? Some bargain hunters say Black Friday has better deals

by Lien Yeung

Shopping on Boxing Day is still a Canadian tradition but industry watchers say some retailers are shifting its focus by also offering sweet deals on Black Friday.

Your guide to getting home safely on New Year's Eve 2016

by Michelle Ghoussoub

From extended transit hours to volunteer-run ridesharing, there are a myriad of ways to get a safe start to 2017.

Drug injection tent pops up next to Nanaimo city hall

by Deborah Wilson

A group of Nanaimo volunteers, frustrated with delays in providing supervised injection services, have opened their own service.

Owner reunited with puppy days after she went missing near Merritt

by Jenifer Norwell

Penticton's Mark Wright wasn't sure he'd ever see his puppy again after she got spooked by a passing truck on the highway just outside of Merritt on Dec. 22.

Fire chief says children playing on frozen river the most "irresponsible" thing he's seen in 29 years

by Andrew Kurjata

City officials in Prince George are asking the public to stay away from the icy Fraser and Nechako Rivers, but warnings are being ignored by some.

Victoria food bank to double aid with new warehouse

by Deborah Wilson

The largest food bank on Vancouver Island is seeking to reduce its reliance on donations as it launches two new projects in the new year.

'Breaks our hearts': Mother of young woman who died on party bus wants tougher rules

by Tina Lovgreen

Nearly a year after her daughter's death, Shelley James says very little has changed when it comes to party bus regulations.

Abbotsford police search for missing pregnant woman

A pregnant Abbotsford woman was reported missing Tuesday afternoon after becoming separated from her husband.

'She wanted to be with Carrie': Actress Debbie Reynolds dead at 84

Legendary actress Debbie Reynolds has died, a day after her famous daughter Carrie Fisher passed away. She was 84.

Woman claims snowplow debris smashed her SUV's window

by Kamil Karamali

A New Westminster woman says an errant chunk of ice that came from a snowplow broke through her vehicle's window while she was driving down Highway 1

Piles of uncollected recycling frustrate Vancouverites

by Karin Larsen

After consecutive missed pick ups, curbside recycling is piling up in some parts of Vancouver.

Francophone B.C. man denied bid to have trial held in French

A judge in British Columbia has ruled against a Francophone man's bid to have his trial heard in French.

Freezing fog grounds flights at Kamloops Airport

by Jenifer Norwell

Freezing fog is leading to the cancellation of some flights into and out of Kamloops during one of the busiest travel times of the year.

Vancouver-based PayByPhone app acquired by German auto giant

by Bal Brach

Vancouver based PayByPhone app has been acquired by Volkswagen -- the world's second largest automobile manufacturer.

YVR traveller traffic set to top record at 22 million

Vancouver's International Airport (YVR) is booming with predicted total of 22-million passengers passing through its security gates in 2016.

Thousands of blood donations needed before end of year, says agency

by Angela Sterritt

Snowstorms, freezing rain and unexpected snowfall across the country have curbed efforts for many to give blood this winter, says Canadian Blood Services.

Lifestyle changes better than resolutions, life coach says

Although New Year's resolutions are often well intentioned, a Vancouver-based life and nutrition coach says they're the worst way to get into better shape in the new year.

Red light texting still a problem in Canada, says CAA

by Kendall Latimer

Canadians continue to text at red lights, despite thinking it is unacceptable, according to a recent poll conducted by CAA.

Winter conditions testing patience of Lower Mainland residents

by Cory Correia

Lower Mainland residents and city workers are still trying to clean up after the latest snowfall.

Border-dwelling beaver wages battle against North Vancouver trees

by Michelle Ghoussoub

A beaver has taken up residence on the border between two municipal districts on the North Shore.

Fire breaks out at homeless camp in Langley overnight

by Rhianna Schmunk

A fire broke out at a homeless camp on Mufford Cres. near 62nd Ave. late Tuesday night

Vancouver boosts fines for pot shops but defiant retailers still selling

by Meera Bains

In Toronto and Ottawa, police tried co-ordinated raids to crack down on illegal pot shops. In Montreal, police recently swept through six marijuana storefronts — the day after they opened. City officials in Vancouver are trying something different, hoping licensing rules, hefty fees and fines can control the marijuana boom.