British Columbia — Daily Digest (2026-03-16)

Heartbreaking update: Blaine Redlac, 29, says the system failed him after the April 26 Lapu Lapu Festival attack that threw him up to 10 metres and killed his high‑school sweetheart, 27‑year‑old Jendhel May Sico; 11 people died and dozens were injured. He’s off work with mobility issues and frustrated with ICBC’s enhanced care model (introduced 2021) and how more than $2 million in donations were granted by United Way — Premier David Eby says almost $4 million in support has been given and flagged a five‑year ICBC review.

Price pinch: experts say the war in Iran has pushed oil up about US$30 a barrel, sending Metro Vancouver gas above $2.00 per litre and gasoline up roughly 24¢/L (diesel up 45–52¢/L). That higher fuel cost is starting to ripple into groceries (food inflation was 5.4%), travel (airlines adding fuel charges) and freight — if oil stays near $90/barrel shoppers could see another 2–3% rise across many goods.

Sports loss: Tom Brown, a three‑time CFL all‑star and member of the 1964 Grey Cup–winning B.C. Lions, has died at 89. Brown played 97 regular‑season games for the Lions (1961–1967), was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1984 and is remembered as a key defensive player and family man.

Surrey shooting: Surrey homicide investigators say a 29‑year‑old man has been arrested and charged with manslaughter after an early‑Sunday shooting at a Laurel Drive home; he remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing. Police say the victim and accused knew each other, the case appears isolated and not linked to gangs, and anyone with information is asked to contact investigators.

Hospital scare over quickly: Abbotsford Hospital was placed on lockdown about 2:40 p.m. and the lockdown was lifted around 3:20 p.m.; police say officers searched the building, a suspect is in custody and normal operations have resumed. Sgt. Paul Walker confirmed no shots were fired and no one was injured, and more details will be released as confirmed.

Murder case: two people — Mehdi Razavi (48) of Maple Ridge and Arezou Soltani (45) of North Vancouver — made a brief court appearance after being arrested Friday and face first‑degree murder charges in the death of Masood Masjoody. Masjoody was reported missing Feb. 2 and his remains were found in Mission on March 6; he had previously made public allegations (unproven in court) about links to the IRGC and legal disputes, and the accused return to court March 25.

Wet week ahead: an atmospheric river is expected to drop about 150 mm of rain on B.C.’s South Coast from Sunday night through Wednesday, with the biggest impacts on the Sea‑to‑Sky Highway and North Shore highlands, Environment Canada meteorologist Brian Proctor said. Rainfall warnings and flood watches are in place for Metro Vancouver, Howe Sound, the Sunshine Coast and parts of Vancouver Island, and more rain is likely after Wednesday.