Daily Digest: British Columbia — March 6, 2026

A mother still waiting for justice: Tracey Savage says more than four years after her son Taig Savage was found injured on Sept. 5, 2021 and later died, delays keep pushing the case forward. Four people were charged in 2024 (three youths to be tried together later this year; Isaac Hayes Jack to be tried as an adult), but defence health issues and a move of the trial from Penticton to Kelowna — adding about two hours’ commute — mean the family may wait another year.

Good news for a young survivor: Doctors removed the breathing tube from 12-year-old Maya Gebala, wounded in the Feb. 10 Tumbler Ridge shootings, and her mother says Maya is "looking more like her beautiful self." The community is grieving victims Jennifer Strang and 11-year-old Emmett Jacobs; local chambers are urging bans on social media/AI for under-16s, an inquest will look at AI’s role, and RCMP say the probe into shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar is ongoing.

Happy reunion after nearly three months: Chilli, a six-year-old German Shepherd-cross, ran off in December near Drayton Valley and was found this week about 2 km from where she disappeared. The Scent Rescue Team from B.C. set cameras and bait, found her within 48 hours — she’s healthy though about half her previous weight — and her family is overjoyed.

$50,000 reward in a 40-year cold case: Shelley-Anne Bacsu vanished on May 3, 1983 at age 16; some belongings were found near the Athabasca River and police believe foul play was involved. Businessman Todd Beasley has offered $50,000 to spark tips; the RCMP Historical Homicide Unit is re-examining evidence and anyone with information can contact RCMP.KHHU-KHHU.GRC@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, call 587-336-6589, or reach Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Sechelt could lose 300 temporary workers: Sunshine Coast mayors met Immigration Minister Lena Diab to urge relief from a federal 10% cap on low-wage temporary foreign workers, warning the community could lose about 300 workers and their families this year. Mayor John Henderson and residents say the loss would hit elder care, dental and health services and local businesses, and they’ll press Ottawa for more granular, community-specific solutions.

Vancouver’s World Cup Fan Zone plans revealed: The official Fan Festival will be at the PNE/Hastings Park site with multiple screens, food and family activities, free general entry and a new Freedom Mobile Arch Amphitheatre offering premium paid seating. Jessie Adcock of the host committee says tickets for premium seats will be announced later; the city is working with VPD and partners on security and accessibility so families can enjoy the 2026 FIFA World Cup together.

Closing arguments in Abbotsford double murder trial: Closing submissions continued in the case over the May 2022 killing of Arnold and Joanne De Jong; three men — Gurkaran Singh, Abhijeet Singh and Khushveer Toor — were arrested in Dec. 2022 and plead not guilty. Crown says bank, cellphone and DNA links tie the accused to purchases and to more than $10,000 taken from the victims; the judge-alone trial resumes final submissions next week.

Paramedic describes severe bruising in 2015 police-involved death: Veteran paramedic Steven Shipman told an inquest Myles Gray, 33, arrived with so much bruising around his face and neck that his skin colour was initially unclear; Gray later died after a 2015 encounter with seven Vancouver officers. The 2023 coroner’s inquest ruled the death a homicide and the current inquiry will hear from a toxicologist, a forensic pathologist and a use-of-force expert next.

Two new police training sites announced for Vancouver and Victoria: The B.C. government says satellite sites of the JIBC Police Academy will open this year to speed recruit training, building on a $4-million investment and an earlier expansion to train 50% more recruits. Vancouver’s site will support the VPD (including the new Woodward’s 351 Abbott St. academy) and Victoria will train South Vancouver Island recruits to address rising municipal demand.