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A new $10-million provincewide program will benefit rural communities and support physicians by improving patient access to rural emergency services.

Funding of up to $200,000 per year will be provided to groups of rural, fee-for-service physicians who commit to work as a team to ensure reliable public access to emergency services at their rural community hospital. Physicians will work with the regional health authority to develop a community-specific plan for how funding might best be applied.

Premier Christy Clark today announced British Columbia’s minimum wage will increase in three stages to $10.25 by May 1, 2012 and the training wage will be eliminated, providing more support for B.C. workers and families in every region of the province.

"Raising the minimum wage and eliminating the training wage is a fair and reasonable step forward in putting families first and building our economy. This increase could mean more than $4,000 additional dollars annually for a full-time employee, providing more support to B.C. workers and the families who depend on them," said Premier Clark. "Businesses told us they needed time to adjust to increases in the minimum wage and we’re pleased we’ve been able to provide that certainty to them through three predictable stages."

Amber alert issued - Daniel Sturm taken by father

Chilliwack BC: At approximately 12:55pm the Chilliwack RCMP were advised of a child abduction that had just occurred in the 46200 block of second Avenue in Chilliwack BC.

(Photo: Daniel Strum, BC RCMP handout)

Fifteen B.C. community groups will receive grants of up to $25,000 each to promote multiculturalism and anti-racism through art, Minister of Citizens’ Services Mary McNeil announced today.

“Tapping people’s creativity is a way to break down barriers and change thinking,” said McNeil. “These projects will use art to engage youth and adults on topics of multiculturalism and racism.”

The combined federal and provincial funding is being provided through EmbraceBC, a program that works to inspire residents, community members and sector leaders to welcome, accept and embrace difference within their communities.

On August 14th 2010 at approximately 3:00pm Prince George RCMP were called to a report of a shooting in the 2400 Block of Oak Street.

Members arrived on scene and located a deceased male on Oak Street. The area was secured and Police spoke to a number of witnesses.

Prince George RCMP Serious Crime Unit continue to investigate the murder and have not yet identified the victim. No suspects have been apprehended at this time and it is not known if the shooting is gang related.

Prince George RCMP are asking anyone with information in relation to this homicide to contact the Prince George Serious Crime Unit at (250) 561-3300 or to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) .

**update**

DECLARATION OF STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY
EVACUATION ORDER for Electoral Areas "O"&"E"
(BONAPARTE LAKE WILDFIRE)

To view the evacuation orders click below:
for Area E
for Area O

Airtankers are currently working to protect homes affected by a wildfire burning at the south-east end of Bonaparte Lake, 22 kilometres north-west of Barriere. The cause is under investigation.

The new Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics (CCJS) report on 2009 incidents of police-reported crime show that B.C. has the largest decline in crime rates and crime severity of all the provinces and territories in Canada, but the Province acknowledges that continued, targeted policing is still needed in communities where combatting gangs and guns remains a priority, Solicitor General Mike de Jong, QC, announced today. 

The Province’s Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) branch, in co-operation with local law enforcement, will be out in strength this summer to ensure commercial vehicles operating in the Southern Interior are meeting safety standards, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Shirley Bond announced today.