others also read... The city is setting out to recoup the costs of battling three arsons at two derelict buildings in the downtown core on Sunday. Firefighters fought three suspicious fires in a 12-hour period at two separate boarded-up buildings, said fire prevention officer Capt. Steve Oldroyd.

others also read... Abbotsford taxpayers are not alone in potentially having to cover financial losses expected at the new spectator arena.

Ensuring an adequate water supply for local residents is a priority in coming years. others also read...

others also read... The trial of a father and son charged with the first-degree murder of a runaway teenage girl from Abbotsford is expected to start next Monday.

Darielle Goosen, Shanelle Siemens and Karissa Chutskoff wore wild hairdos at Abbotsford Collegiate’s High Art hair design show Friday at the Abbey Arts Centre.

others also read... Housing, education, food security, and the economy and employment are the top areas of concern expressed by Lake Cowichan residents who attended a town hall meeting on November 16.

Jesse Showalter of Corix installs a meter in front of a home on Cowichan Avenue East on Friday. others also read...

Tom Fletcher is legislative reporter and columnist for Black Press newspapers. He's based in Victoria.

others also read... Tzouhalem Road Opened - As of 5:15 p.m., Tzouhalem Road will be open. The only road that will remain closed in North Cowichan and Duncan is Lakes Road, between Beverly Street and Tzouhalem Road.

others also read... Oak Bay police were called to the University of Victoria at 3:30 p.m. on Friday to investigate an alleged assault. A 56-year-old university employee was reportedly attacked by a 69-year-old woman of no fixed address, said Sgt. Ray Maxwell.

It was a productive weekend for a robber targeting vernon businesses as his crime spree grows to nine. Win Tickets!

He has the legal right to smoke marijuana so why was the seriously ill Okanagan man arrested and put in jail? Win Tickets!

Their own homes could cause them to suffer serious accidents but there's a new safety program to help out. Win Tickets!

It helps hundreds of needy people every week, and the number is growing, but the facility's future is in doubt. Win Tickets!

In part two of her series, April Lawrence reports on two of B.C.'s most troubled teens and the help they're receiving. Win Tickets!

others also read... It might not look like much from the outside, but the new academic building for the Justice Institute of B.C. at Chilliwack’s Canada Education Park represents a toehold at the park that the JIBC plans to grow into a major instructional footprint.

Larry Gilmour, 55, unsuccessfully panhandles former federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion in downtown Victoria, where Dion attended a meeting on homelessness in November 2007.

A Chilliwack man died accidentally two years ago due to brain damage caused by the lack of oxygen and due to the rapid breakdown of muscle tissue that led to massive organ failure, BC Coroner Vince Stancato ruled late Thursday.

Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone spoke to Metro Vancouver business and civic leaders Thursday. Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone says the controversial congestion charge he forced on his city's motorists was a winning strategy to beat gridlock, but one that might be difficult to replicate here.

A local man and woman were charged with five counts each of break and enter this week in connection with a series of residential and business B&Es in Chilliwack.

Larry Gilmour, 55, unsuccessfully panhandles former federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion in downtown Victoria, where Dion attended a meeting on homelessness in November 2007.

VICTORIA – All B.C. residents are now eligible for the H1N1 influenza vaccine, and the provincial health officer is hoping that available supplies available around the province are used up as soon as possible.

Finance Minister Colin Hansen has extended an extra break for new homes from next year's harmonized sales tax. VICTORIA – The B.C. government is giving a bigger break to new home buyers in the latest move to ease the impact of next year's harmonized sales tax.

Construction of headpond for Fitzsimmons Creek hydro project on Blackcomb Mountain, 2008. That project will soon be in service and BC Hydro is planning a large expansion of run-of-river and wind power around the province.

Local area clinics announced for this week

Larry Gilmour, 55, unsuccessfully panhandles former federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion in downtown Victoria, where Dion attended a meeting on homelessness in November 2007.

Austin Hudson, 5, receives his H1N1 flu shot on Thursday afternoon in Agassiz. While the H1N1 clinic was planned long in advance, public health workers were just informed Thursday morning that the vaccine would be available to everyone over the age of six months.

Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone spoke to Metro Vancouver business and civic leaders Thursday. Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone says the controversial congestion charge he forced on his city's motorists was a winning strategy to beat gridlock, but one that might be difficult to replicate here.

others also read... Paramedics aren't pleased about the recent legislation that's ended their "working strike," says Agassiz's Paramedic Chief Larry Kennedy.

others also read... Striker's corner was the site of another accident over the weekend. But in this incident, police say, no one was seriously injured.

others also read... Health authorities are considering contracting out more laundry and food services at Lower Mainland hospitals to save money. Fraser Health officials say they're in exploratory talks with affected unions but no decisions have yet been made.

Larry Gilmour, 55, unsuccessfully panhandles former federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion in downtown Victoria, where Dion attended a meeting on homelessness in November 2007.

Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon MP Chuck Strahl and Chilliwack-Hope MLA Barry Penner braved the rain and the rushing waters of Silver Creek today to formally announce three infrastructure projects in the Hope and Fraser Canyon region.

Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone spoke to Metro Vancouver business and civic leaders Thursday. Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone says the controversial congestion charge he forced on his city's motorists was a winning strategy to beat gridlock, but one that might be difficult to replicate here.

VICTORIA – All B.C. residents are now eligible for the H1N1 influenza vaccine, and the provincial health officer is hoping that available supplies available around the province are used up as soon as possible.

A man has been killed in an apparent hit-and-run incident near 200th Street and 59th Avenue in Langley, B.C.

Critics have long questioned whether the Northern Adventure ferry is suitable for the stormy waters off B.C.'s north coast, and Monday's aborted voyage, which saw the vessel return to shore because of high winds, is bound to add to the controversy.

Midwives in B.C. are raising the alarm about a potential slowdown in the province's only registered midwife training program.

U.S. government safety regulators are recalling more than 2.1 million drop-side cribs made by B.C.-based Stork Craft Manufacturing, the biggest crib recall in U.S. history.

The outdoor skating rink at Robson Square in the heart of downtown Vancouver has been reopened for the first time in nearly 10 years.

The ship’s captain tried to wait out the rough seas, but gave up after four hours and returned to Prince Rupert.

Devon Daughtry testified she saw Ken Brotherston, a former Highlands councillor, hit Keith Taylor and also watched his two sons kick the fallen man. The three men are on trial for second-degree murder.

A B.C.-led team of archeologists has discovered the wreck of a Klondike Gold Rush steamer perfectly preserved in the icy waters of Lake Laberge.

Victoria - A woman was taken to hospital Monday with non-life threatening injuries after her northbound car slammed into a light standard on the Pat Bay Highway at Martindale Road just after 1 p.m.

Twelve Canadians were proclaimed on Monday as recipients of one of the nation's highest honours of courage — the Medal of Bravery.

A North Vancouver gangster wanted in California in a drug conspiracy case was gunned down in downtown Toronto early Sunday morning in what police are calling a targeted hit.

A violent storm in Hecate Strait early Monday forced BC Ferries to turn a Skidegate-bound vessel back and return to Prince Rupert. Four vehicles on the car deck were damaged and two crew members received minor injuries after the Northern Adventure hit a storm sometime after 3 a.m. at around the midway point of Hecate Strait, according to BC Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall.

Abbotsford council was voting Monday night on plans for a Canuck Place children’s hospice in Abbotsford that would eliminate the long trip to Vancouver’s facility for hundreds of sick children and their families.

METRO VANCOUVER - Bernd Dittrich was remembered Monday as a talented athlete and a sharing individual who gave back to Simon Fraser University much more than he ever took.

Vancouver restaurant owners will no longer face a strict limit on how much alcohol they can sell, city Coun. Heather Deal said Monday.