B.C. Weekly Digest — Mar 9–15, 2026

Strong atmospheric river expected for coastal B.C. starting March 15, with 60–200 mm of rain in places like Metro Vancouver, Howe Sound and North Shore mountains — officials warn of flooding, washouts and high streamflow advisories.

Hurricane‑strength winds hit the Fraser Valley and Coquihalla on Mar. 11–12, with gusts up to 139 km/h in Hope that toppled about 14 semi‑trucks and caused widespread tree damage.

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for Metro Vancouver (Mar 11–13) calling for flurries or light snow and 2–5 cm possible — drivers should allow extra commute time.

Port Alberni shooting: 81‑year‑old Herbert Crowley faces second‑degree murder and attempted murder after a March 13 trailer‑park shooting that left one man dead; VIIMCU is leading the probe.

Surrey homicide: Police found a man shot at a Laurel Drive home around 1:40 a.m. (date reported Mar 15); one person was arrested and the Integration Homicide Investigation Team is investigating.

Burnaby remains found: Two people — Mehdi Ahmadzadeh Razavi (48) and Arezou Soltani (45) — have been charged with first‑degree murder after Masood Masjoody’s remains were recovered in Mission on March 6.

IHIT issues Canada‑wide warrant in Navdeep Kaur case: 24‑year‑old Amarbir Singh has been charged with second‑degree murder and may have fled overseas; police say they are working with international partners.

Tumbler Ridge developments: the family of survivor Maya Gebala filed a civil suit against OpenAI and gun‑control groups are pressing for more transparency as multiple investigations into the Feb. 10 school and home shootings continue.

Myles Gray hearing update: a pathologist told a public hearing that Gray likely died of cardiopulmonary arrest complicated by police restraint, noting multiple injuries but no single definitive cause (hearing ongoing).

Old‑growth concerns: all five members of the panel B.C. appointed to map old‑growth forests say the province is still approving logging in areas they flagged as rare and irreplaceable, warning of ecosystem loss.

United Way BC responds to Lapu Lapu fund criticism, saying $2M+ was distributed via 45 grants and pledging reports on how donations were used after March 31 amid calls for more transparency.

YVR parkade left in limbo: six years after construction paused, Vancouver airport CEO says the half‑built 2,000‑stall parkade may never open and the site could be repurposed — about $200M spent so far.

LNG Canada is ramping up exports from Kitimat in March, sending multiple cargoes to Asia as the project nears its 14 million‑tonne capacity and global LNG demand shifts amid international supply disruptions.

Travel and fuel prices: the war involving Iran is pushing jet‑fuel and oil prices up (~30% for jet fuel), which is driving airline surcharges and higher gas prices in the Lower Mainland (some pumps near $1.90+/L).

Good news for phone and internet customers: the CRTC has banned extra fees to activate, change or cancel cellphone and internet plans — you should be able to switch plans without surprise charges.

B.C. recruitment boom: fast‑tracked credentialing led to 1,028 U.S. nurses approved between April and January, part of a push to fill staffing gaps across Island Health and other regions.

Vancouver city politics: Councillor Sean Orr is suing Mayor Ken Sim for defamation after the mayor repeated claims (later apologized for) that Orr gave out illegal drugs on Christmas Day.

Recall effort targets MLA Tara Armstrong: constituents have launched a campaign after controversial moves — including trying to repeal B.C.’s Human Rights Code — with a petition expected to be filed April 20.

Sentencing controversy: Everton Javaun Downey, convicted in the 2021 Metrotown killing, was given parole ineligibility of 12 years after an Impact of Race and Culture Assessment partly influenced the decision, sparking debate about IRCAs and intimate‑partner violence.

Cold‑case sentencing: Arturo Garcia Gorjon was sentenced to 901 days for sexual assaults in Vancouver (2009–2010) after DNA links and guilty pleas closed a long‑running cold case.

Abbotsford murder trial: closing arguments continue in the 2022 double‑homicide of Arnold and Joanne De Jong as defence and Crown clash over each accused’s role in the home invasion that left the couple dead.

Starbucks stabbing trial update: Inderdeep Singh Gosal told court he was off his antipsychotic meds and apologized to the victim’s family as his trial for the Mar. 26, 2023 killing winds down (trial resumes Mar. 17).

Mission seniors’ home fire: Chartwell Carrington House erupted in flames on a Monday evening, forcing dozens of residents to evacuate to the Mission Leisure Centre; emergency supports were on site.

Vernon psychiatric ward concerns: a 22‑year‑old man died after waiting six days in an ER hallway for a psych bed, prompting Interior Health to review capacity and safety in Vernon Jubilee Hospital.

Pokémon card robberies: an Abbotsford collectibles shop lost about $30,000 in rare cards in a targeted early‑morning smash‑and‑grab — retailers warn collectors to avoid displaying high‑value cards.

Taylor Swift ticket refunds: StubHub must contact buyers of Vancouver Dec. 6–8, 2024 tickets in sections 219–236, 336, 418–437 by May 1 if their seats had undisclosed obstructed views and offer refunds or credits.

Shark sighting: researchers 'pinged' a 5‑metre great white named Kara off west Vancouver Island — a neat reminder that big marine life visits local waters and that tracking apps let you follow moves.