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Residents of Riverview Drive in Hope fill sandbags on Nov. 29, 2021, one day before the District of Hope issued an evacuation alert for 114 homes on the Coquihalla River. (Jessica Peters/ Hope Standard)

Atmospheric river puts more than 100 homes on evacuation alert in Hope

‘Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to an evacuation’

Residents of Riverview Drive in Hope fill sandbags on Nov. 29, 2021, one day before the District of Hope issued an evacuation alert for 114 homes on the Coquihalla River. (Jessica Peters/ Hope Standard)
Flood waters coming from the United States is seen crossing into Canada and Abbotsford, B.C., Monday, November 29, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

South coast cities record wettest fall on record as atmospheric river drenches B.C.

Environment Canada meteorologist says rain will subside on Thursday

Flood waters coming from the United States is seen crossing into Canada and Abbotsford, B.C., Monday, November 29, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Dr. Bonnie Henry. (B.C. government photo)

Masks must be worn at in-person worship services in B.C., Dr. Henry says

Choirs are included in the the face mask order

Dr. Bonnie Henry. (B.C. government photo)
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Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth, and Princeton Mayor Spencer Coyne, toured flood areas Friday, Dec. 2. Photo Andrea DeMeer
‘It’s just unbelievable’: Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth tours Princeton flood
Flood waters surround a farm in Abbotsford, B.C., Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
B.C.’s year of extreme weather ‘consistent’ with climate change, meteorologist says
FILE – A COVID-19 rapid testing area is seen on the international arrivals level at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, July 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Non-U.S. air travellers must take COVID test, isolate as feds try to slow Omicron spread
A sign showing limits on consumer gasoline purchases is seen on a fuel pump at a gas station in Abbotsford, B.C., Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
B.C. extends gas rationing, state of emergency until Dec. 14 as Trans Mountain remains offline
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Alberta chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, provides a COVID-19 update in Edmonton on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Alberta confirms its first case of Omicron COVID-19 variant in a traveller

Asymptomatic individual has not left quarantine since their arrival from international travel

Alberta chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, provides a COVID-19 update in Edmonton on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix update B.C.’s COVID-19 situation from the Vancouver cabinet offices, Sept. 17, 2020. (B.C. government)

COVID gathering rules eased for Interior Health as north gets further restrictions

Restaurants returning to 100% capacity with vaccine card in IH, bars close in NH

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix update B.C.’s COVID-19 situation from the Vancouver cabinet offices, Sept. 17, 2020. (B.C. government)
Daily new cases of COVID-19 reported to B.C. public health, to Nov. 28, 2021. (B.C. Centre for Disease Control)

B.C. sees 358 more COVID-19 cases Tuesday, 300 in hospital

No deaths or health care outbreaks in past 24 hours

Daily new cases of COVID-19 reported to B.C. public health, to Nov. 28, 2021. (B.C. Centre for Disease Control)
The entrance sign to the Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto is seen on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. The Canadian Medical Association say it will cost $1.3 billion to clear the backlogs for eight key procedures that were put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Evan Buhler

More than $1B needed to clear surgical backlogs: Canadian Medical Association

Consulting firm Deloitte found a backlog of 327,800 procedures across the country

The entrance sign to the Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto is seen on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. The Canadian Medical Association say it will cost $1.3 billion to clear the backlogs for eight key procedures that were put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Evan Buhler
A man walks through a deserted part of Johannesburg’s OR Tambo’s airport, South Africa, Monday Nov. 29, 2021. The World Health Organisation urged countries around the world not to impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concern over the new omicron variant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Jerome Delay

What we know so far about COVID-19’s Omicron variant, as it arrives in Canada

Right now there remains many questions to be answered about latest virus strain

A man walks through a deserted part of Johannesburg’s OR Tambo’s airport, South Africa, Monday Nov. 29, 2021. The World Health Organisation urged countries around the world not to impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concern over the new omicron variant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Jerome Delay
The RCMP arrested, and subsequently released, two more opponents of the Coastal GasLink pipeline for setting up a blockade near the construction site in Houston on Monday morning, Nov. 29. (Gidimt’en Checkpoint/ Facebook)

Resistance activities continue on Northwest pipeline construction site, police make 2 more arrests

The individuals were arrested for contempt of court order and mischief and then released

The RCMP arrested, and subsequently released, two more opponents of the Coastal GasLink pipeline for setting up a blockade near the construction site in Houston on Monday morning, Nov. 29. (Gidimt’en Checkpoint/ Facebook)
Area residents survey the damage at Othello Campground on Nov. 29, 2021, including some forced out by flood waters on Nov. 15. (Jessica Peters/ Hope Standard file)

Fraser Valley Regional District says applications for B.C.’s help on floods ‘unanswered for days’

‘We need help today, not tomorrow, or in the coming days or weeks,’ said FVRD chair Jason Lum

Area residents survey the damage at Othello Campground on Nov. 29, 2021, including some forced out by flood waters on Nov. 15. (Jessica Peters/ Hope Standard file)
Very few people, if any, lined up at the Peace Arch border to enter the U.S. Tuesday. (B.C. Highway camera)

No wait at B.C. border as PCR test requirement removed for short trips

As of Nov. 30, fully vaccinated Canadians can enter U.S. for less than 72 hours without PCR test

Very few people, if any, lined up at the Peace Arch border to enter the U.S. Tuesday. (B.C. Highway camera)
British Columbians are again expected to see an atmospheric river event Nov. 30, and into Dec. 1, with some areas seeing 120 mm of rain. Highway closures will be coming due to this, says Rob Fleming, B.C. Minister of Transportation. Pictured here a truck in the Abbotsford area Nov. 29. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

More B.C. highway closures announced in anticipation of heavy rains

Highway 99 to close at 4 p.m. Tuesday, between Pemberton and Lillooet

British Columbians are again expected to see an atmospheric river event Nov. 30, and into Dec. 1, with some areas seeing 120 mm of rain. Highway closures will be coming due to this, says Rob Fleming, B.C. Minister of Transportation. Pictured here a truck in the Abbotsford area Nov. 29. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
FILE – A COVID-19 rapid testing area is seen on the international arrivals level at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, July 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Non-U.S. air travellers must take COVID test, isolate as feds try to slow Omicron spread

Nigeria, Malawi and Egypt have been added to the travel ban list

FILE – A COVID-19 rapid testing area is seen on the international arrivals level at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, July 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry update the COVID-19 situation, B.C. legislature, July 20, 2020. (B.C. government)

B.C. reports first case of COVID-19 Omicron variant, in isolation

204 recent travellers to Africa being tested in B.C.

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry update the COVID-19 situation, B.C. legislature, July 20, 2020. (B.C. government)
B.C. flood alert map for the morning of Nov. 30, 2021. Yellow indicates high stream flow advisory, with minor local flooding possible. Orange is flood watch, where rivers are rising and may exceed bank full. Red is flood warning, where rivers have exceeded bank full or will do so imminently. Red area shown is east of Hope. (B.C. River Forecast Centre)

Snow-melt, rain to increase B.C. flood risk as 3rd storm moves in

Flood watch across southern B.C., Nooksack River in U.S.

B.C. flood alert map for the morning of Nov. 30, 2021. Yellow indicates high stream flow advisory, with minor local flooding possible. Orange is flood watch, where rivers are rising and may exceed bank full. Red is flood warning, where rivers have exceeded bank full or will do so imminently. Red area shown is east of Hope. (B.C. River Forecast Centre)
A collaboration between Canadian, American and Australian law enforcement saw seizure of 4.1 kilograms of methamphetamine, hidden in a painting. (B.C. RCMP photo)

Canadian, U.S. law enforcement seize 4 kg of meth encased in painting en route to Australia

Multi-jurisdictional operation sees Australian man arrested

A collaboration between Canadian, American and Australian law enforcement saw seizure of 4.1 kilograms of methamphetamine, hidden in a painting. (B.C. RCMP photo)
A man walks between transport trucks waiting to deliver cargo containers at Port Metro Vancouver’s Center container facility in Vancouver, B.C., on Friday May 10, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Two trucking companies serving Vancouver port threaten to strike Friday

Unifor drivers may walk off the job at Aheer Transportation and Prudential Transportation

A man walks between transport trucks waiting to deliver cargo containers at Port Metro Vancouver’s Center container facility in Vancouver, B.C., on Friday May 10, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos responds to a question during a news conference by video conference, in Ottawa, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. Duclos says Canada supports the development of a new global convention on pandemic preparedness and response that will be debated at a special meeting of the World Health Assembly Monday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

G7 health ministers closely monitoring new Omicron variant of COVID-19

Omicron’s appearance prompted border closures, screening measures in Canada and around the world

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos responds to a question during a news conference by video conference, in Ottawa, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. Duclos says Canada supports the development of a new global convention on pandemic preparedness and response that will be debated at a special meeting of the World Health Assembly Monday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Lawyer Jonathan Denis speaks to reporters in Calgary, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. A proposed class-action lawsuit has been filed by a former junior high school students alleging sexual misconduct of a Calgary teacher who died in February. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Graveland

‘I definitely feel cheated’: Former students suing deceased Calgary teacher, board

Gregory was charged in February with 17 counts of sexual assault and sexual exploitation

Lawyer Jonathan Denis speaks to reporters in Calgary, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. A proposed class-action lawsuit has been filed by a former junior high school students alleging sexual misconduct of a Calgary teacher who died in February. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Graveland
The first ever fully net-zero home built in northern B.C. was built in Fort St. James. The town has become something of a leader in energy-efficient homes thanks to Northern Homecraft, a Vanderhoof company. (Photo Northern Homecraft)

This northern B.C. town is leading the way in net-zero energy homes

Vanderhoof company wins awards for work they are doing in Fort St. James

The first ever fully net-zero home built in northern B.C. was built in Fort St. James. The town has become something of a leader in energy-efficient homes thanks to Northern Homecraft, a Vanderhoof company. (Photo Northern Homecraft)