Your trusted source for local North Vancouver, BC news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
Starting April 8, 2025, free COVID-19 vaccines will be available in British Columbia, prioritizing individuals at higher risk of severe illness. Health officials are also urging residents to check their measles immunization status due to a rise in cases linked to travel. The spring vaccination program aims to bolster immunity as respiratory illnesses continue to circulate.
Drivers in the area should prepare for nighttime closures on Highway 1 eastbound near the 264th Street interchange on March 28, 2025, as crews remove an overhead sign. The closures will occur between midnight and 4:30 a.m., with full stoppages lasting 20 minutes at a time. Traffic will be rerouted, and updates can be found at DriveBC.
Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer of British Columbia, has officially declared the end of the 2024-25 respiratory illness season, citing decreasing levels of respiratory illnesses such as influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. With this announcement, additional health measures in healthcare settings will no longer be required, although certain precautions remain in place. The public is encouraged to continue practicing healthy habits to prevent illness spread.
The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) in Merritt is set to expand its on-campus housing and childcare facilities with the construction of a new family housing complex, specifically designed for Indigenous families. This initiative, backed by a $19.6 million investment from the Province, aims to provide stable homes for students and their families, promoting educational success and community engagement. The project is part of a broader effort to enhance student housing across British Columbia.
Drivers on Highway 17 northbound are facing delays due to emergency repairs near Keating Cross Road, resulting in the full closure of the Keating off-ramp until at least 3 p.m. on March 28, 2025. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes, such as Island View Road, and exercise caution in the area. The ongoing repair work involves a steel plate on the highway, which is expected to cause delays of at least 20 minutes.
The article announces the final recipients of The King Charles III Coronation Medal, awarded by the Government of British Columbia. A total of 537 individuals were recognized for their leadership and achievements, with nominations primarily coming from the B.C. Public Service. The medal commemorates the coronation of King Charles III, which took place on May 6, 2023.
Highway 1 in Hope will be reduced to one lane in both directions starting tonight, March 27, 2025, due to a sinkhole requiring urgent repairs. The eastbound lanes have been affected since November 2024, with deteriorating conditions necessitating further interim work to ensure motorist safety. Drivers are advised to expect delays, particularly during peak travel times over the weekend.
The British Columbia government has approved an order allowing Mount Polley Mining Corp. to increase the height of its tailings pond dam by four meters, a decision rooted in a thorough Environmental Assessment Office review. This approval comes after past environmental concerns following a dam breach in 2014, which prompted significant regulatory changes. The mine's expansion plans are still under review, with no decisions made on extending operations beyond 2031.
Jagrup Brar and Tamara Davidson announced the approval for the Mt. Polley Mine to raise its tailings storage facility by four meters, a decision made to ensure safe water management before the spring freshet. This decision follows comprehensive reviews and consultations, emphasizing the mine's adherence to stronger environmental standards since 2016. The ministers reiterated their commitment to environmental protection, ensuring that past incidents are not repeated.
The Province of British Columbia is investing nearly $4 million in tuition-free Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English Language Learning (ELL) pathway programs, which will enhance access to high-priority post-secondary career programs. These initiatives, available at 11 public institutions and Native Education College from April 2025 to August 2026, aim to support adults in upgrading essential skills for fields such as health care and skilled trades. Since the inception of these programs in 2017, over 85,000 domestic students have benefited from this tuition-free education.