Monday, Sept. 13, 2021

WEST NEWS ADVISORY

Here are the top Western stories so far today from The Canadian Press. All times are local unless otherwise stated. Entries are subject to change as news develops. If you have questions you can contact B.C./Yukon bureau chief Kevin Ward at kevin.ward@thecanadianpress.com, 604-692-1160, acting Prairies bureau chief Chris Purdy at chris.purdy@thecanadianpress.com, 780-412-6252, or acting Prairies news editor Colette Derworiz at colette.derworiz@thecanadianpress.com, 780-412-6263, or B.C./Yukon news editor Terri Theodore at terri.theodore@thecanadianpress.com, 604-692-1171.

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NEWS NOW

Jail urged for pastor and his brother

COVID-Alta-Contempt

Calgary, Alberta, Canada -- Alberta Health Services is asking for jail time for an Alberta pastor and his brother found guilty of contempt after deliberately violating COVID-19 health orders. 

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Accused attacked boy in vengeance: Crown

Mba-Boy-Killed

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada -- The Crown has told the trial of a Winnipeg man accused in the fatal stabbing of a three-year-old boy that the attack was an act of vengeance against the child's mother. , Photos: 1

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B.C. COVID-19 vaccine card takes effect

COVID-BC-Card

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada -- British Columbia's COVID-19 vaccine card system went into effect Monday as the province aims to curtail cases and hospitalizations in the fourth wave of the pandemic. By Brenna Owen. , Photos: 1

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B.C. projects lower deficit, uneven recovery

Fiscal-Update

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada -- The health and economic risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic cast uncertainty on the financial horizon in British Columbia despite signs of recovery, says Finance Minister Selina Robinson. By Dirk Meissner. , Photos: 1

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Death of man in Penticton now a homicide: RCMP

Penticton-Homicide

Penticton, ,  -- The RCMP say the death of a man who was found critically injured on a school playing field in Penticton, B.C., is now being treated as a homicide. 

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Tourism industry braces for labour shortages

Tourism-Staffing

Banff, ,  -- Stephane Prevost managed to weather the staffing shortages at his restaurants in Banff, Alta., for most of the summer. But by early August, he had to close one day a week to give his workers a day off. By Salmaan Farooqui. , Photos: 1

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Officials warn against planned hospital protests

Cda-Hospital-Protests

TORONTO – A Toronto hospital where protesters denouncing COVID-19 measures rallied Monday afternoon said such demonstrations are demoralizing for health-care workers who have cared for patients infected with the virus despite the risk to themselves and their families. The University Health Network, which runs Toronto General Hospital, made the comments in a statement ahead of a number of protests expected to take place at hospitals across Canada on Monday. Photos: 1

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COMING TOMORROW

Bat-killing fungus found in Saskatchewan

UNDATED- A fungus that is destroying bat populations in eastern North America has made its first appearance on the Canadian Prairies. Researchers with the Wildlife Conservation Society report they've found the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in eastern Saskatchewan, despite hopes the western grasslands would prove a barrier. By Bob Weber.

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CALGARY – Sentencing continues for Artur and Dawid Pawlowski for violating COVID-19 health orders.

WINNIPEG – Trial continues for Daniel Jensen, charged with first-degree murder in the death of three-year-old Hunter Smith-Straight.

UNDATED − The 118th annual UBCM Convention: The Union of BC Municipalities holds its annual convention. Events on Tuesday include an address by the minister of municipal affairs and a plenary session involving First Nations' leaders and government officials on truth and reconciliation.

NANAIMO, B.C. − Hearings are scheduled in B.C. Supreme Court in Nanaimo as Teal-Jones seeks an extension of the court injunction against old-growth logging blockades in the Fairy Creek area of Vancouver Island.

VANCOUVER − The Lheidli T’enneh First Nation holds a news conference to share new information related to the ongoing court case against Enbridge following a natural gas pipeline explosion near the nation in October 2018.

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Canadian Press Western Bureau

The Canadian Press