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BC Cancer Agency scientists have identified a cancer-causing gene, BRF2, specific to squamous lung cell carcinoma. The gene could be used as an identification marker for this specific type of lung cancer and provide a new target for drug therapy. These findings come from a study by William Lockwood, PhD, and colleagues from the BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, published in this week’s PLoS Medicine. 

Effective noon July 23, all open burning, including campfires and fireworks, will be prohibited across the Coastal Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

The new Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics (CCJS) report on 2009 incidents of police-reported crime show that B.C. has the largest decline in crime rates and crime severity of all the provinces and territories in Canada, but the Province acknowledges that continued, targeted policing is still needed in communities where combatting gangs and guns remains a priority, Solicitor General Mike de Jong, QC, announced today. 

The Province’s Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) branch, in co-operation with local law enforcement, will be out in strength this summer to ensure commercial vehicles operating in the Southern Interior are meeting safety standards, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Shirley Bond announced today. 

A final consultation stage in major reforms to replace B.C.’s Family Relations Act was announced today by Attorney General Michael de Jong, QC, with release of a white paper containing draft legislation and policy proposals. 

The Prince George RCMP would like to acknowledge that some procedural errors occurred in obtaining information from two potential witnesses that may have sighted the vehicle related to the missing Alberta couple.

When the witnesses attended the front counter of the Prince George RCMP detachment, the information provided was not processed according to standard operating procedures and the two witnesses were allowed to leave before their names were obtained.  Once that error was identified, immediate steps were taken to ensure future compliance with proper procedures and policies. Operational guidance has been provided to the staff that were involved.  

Images of this week's Peachland wildfire and Armstrong sawmill fire offer vivid reminders of the devastation fire can have on homes, personal property and residents' peace of mind. Both Okanagan fires quickly ballooned after erupting and forced evacuations of over sixty people from their homes in the Peachland area and nearly 250 people near Armstrong. Firefighters took two days to contain the Armstrong blaze and one day to get the Seclusion Bay Resort fire to a manageable level.

The Province is exploring additional compensation options for Oliver-area residents affected by the June 13 debris torrent, Solicitor General Michael de Jong, QC, announced today in accepting all 12 recommendations from the deputy solicitor general’s review of the incident. 

“The review highlights evidence of a consistent pattern of concerns and warnings about the state of the Testalinden Dam dating back to the 1960s,” said de Jong. “We cannot turn back time or change what has happened, but going forward, we will ensure communities are better protected from this kind of risk. As well, we are currently looking at possible ways to build on existing compensation programs for either remediating or purchasing properties.” 

Environment Minister Barry Penner says cool weather and rainfall in June in the southern half of the province has eased some of the water supply concerns that developed this spring in many communities. 

Rivers in the southern Interior and on Vancouver Island are generally flowing at normal rates for this time of year. However, throughout much of northern B.C., streamflow conditions generally vary from below-normal to significantly below-normal. 

Penner encourages British Columbians to conserve water this summer to protect water sources and help manage water demands. 

At about 3:30pm July 11, 2010, the North Okanagan Regional Detachment RCMP received a call to assist at a fire that had broken out c.

The large chip pile, commonly referred to as the Hog Pile, located just North of the mill building ignited. Tolko Mill responded to the fire but with the high winds the fire quickly grew in size and began to spread to the log yard North of the mill and hog pile.