Victoria Viewpoints: Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for  Tuesday Wednesday,  July 28, 2021
   

BC Fires

RCMP believe wildfires were deliberately started around Salmo in West Kootenay

White Rock Lake Wildfire near Westwold spreads to 20,000 hectares

Officials eye 'mixed bag' in weather forecast

Residents' refusal to leave evacuation zones hampering firefighters' efforts  

Some BC wildfires show aggressive behaviour as crews brace for more hot weather

Coronavirus response in BC

BC declares COVID-19 outbreak in Central Okanagan, reimposes mask mandate

Some restrictions back in one area of BC as COVID-19 cases rapidly rising

BC officials announce Central Okanagan restrictions following COVID-19 surge in Interior Health

Travel to BC's Central Okanagan discouraged amid surging COVID-19 cases 

BC reports 185 new COVID-19 cases as infections continue to rise in Interior Health Region

The new COVID-19 public health restrictions for the Central Okanagan should not be a surprise

Outbreak in Central Okanagan prompts measures for travel, businesses and more

New case count hits new high in recent weeks; cases climb in Interior health

Mask rules and Travel restrictions return for the Central Okanagan

Restrictions, mask mandate back in BC's central Okanagan region as COVID-19 cases surge

COVID-19 cases surge in parts of BC and Alberta, sparking renewed vaccination effort

BC begins a two-week COVID-19 vaccination blitz 

Upward trend continues as BC records 185 new cases of COVID-19 and 3 more deaths

BC looks to improve lower COVID-19 vaccination rates in the Interior as potential 4th wave looms

Outbreak declared in Central Okanagan, new regional health measures enacted

BC COVID-19 cases climb to 185 as Okanagan outbreak declared

Globe and Mail

Rockies LNG slams rival's 'imaginary' plans in patent dispute 

Modern three-level house in West Vancouver sells for $12.1 million 

CBC

Grasshoppers are swarming pastures in the heat of BC's Interior, causing worry for ranchers

Major rockfall closes popular Stawamus Chief climbing areas until further notice

Penticton-area businesses dismayed by council's rejection of rental housing project

Increased logging endangers rainforests in BC's Interior, study says

BC won't appeal landmark First Nation court victory

BC's budget deficit lower than forecast at $5.5B: finance minister

Report on Indigenous women and girls' health highlights strengths, examines barriers

BC municipalities prepare for another week of high temperatures a month after deadly heat dome

Vancouver Sun

Fentanyl trafficker motivated by 'nothing other than greed' gets five years

BC ends fiscal year with lower than predicted deficit totalling $5.5 billion

Victoria Times-Colonist 

DFO issues warning, tickets in two-day enforcement blitz

Report on downtown core shows businesses bouncing back, says DVBA head

Victoria's crime severity index up, but 'don't press the panic button'

Ships head from Ogden Point to clean up Great Pacific Garbage Patch

First year UVic students scrounge for housing amid shortage of on-campus spaces

Victorians brace for next heat wave; high 20's, low 30's expected

Reforms to Police Act should consider health needs

Victoria News

Victoria Dragon Boat Festival comes ashore for 2021 celebration

Downtown Victoria reps surprised by business resiliency during pandemic

BC budget deficit $5.5 billion, less than half last year's forecast

Global

'It could be lost forever': Community working on economic strategy to save Vancouver's Chinatown

BC won't appeal court ruling that found it breached First Nation's treaty rights

BC economy starting to recover as COVID-19 restrictions ease

Georgia Straight

Those who went after Harsha Walia need to be held accountable for their silence over real hate mongers 

Three vehicles, including van with 14 passengers collide in Abbotsford 

The Tyee

Competition Bureau Quietly Closed Blue-berry price fixing investigation 

Doctors call for Queer Curriculum in Medical Schools

Miscellaneous

BC's budget deficit lower than forecast at $5.5 billion: finance minister

Climate Change could become big election  issue in heat ravaged BC