Latest news with #CelebrationofLight
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
15-year-old boy stabbed to death near Vancouver law courts, police say
Vancouver police say they are investigating the murder of a 15-year-old boy who died after being stabbed Saturday night near the Vancouver Law Courts at Smithe and Hornby streets. "Vancouver police investigators have been working non-stop to secure evidence, identify witnesses, and find the person, or people, responsible for this murder," said Sgt. Steve Addison in a statement. Police said the victim, a Surrey resident, was stabbed sometime before 11:40 p.m. PT. A passerby called 911. Officers located the boy, who was treated by other first responders, on Hornby Street. The victim died in hospital early Sunday morning, said police. No arrests have been made, and police are asking anyone with information or dashcam footage from the area at the time to come forward. Police are not releasing the name of the victim at this time. Addison told reporters in a news conference on Monday that police may eventually choose to release surveillance footage of the area as they continue their investigation. He did not say if a suspect had been identified in the stabbing and urged anyone driving in the area between 11:25 p.m. and 11:40 p.m. to send dashcam video to told reporters Vancouver's downtown core was particularly busy on Saturday night, given the Celebration of Light fireworks event that had just wrapped up in the West End. "Lots of vehicle traffic in that block, it's downtown Vancouver, lots of cars driving around," he said. "And there may be people with dashcam video, who were passing through the area at the time, who perhaps unknowingly captured something that might be of use to our investigators." Addison said he wasn't aware of whether the victim had attended the Celebration of Light event, and there was an altercation prior to the stabbing. While the stabbing was not related to the Celebration of Light, he said that police would be changing their security plans for the next leg of the event on Wednesday after a few fights were reported as crowds were leaving on Saturday. "That may include additional officers, placing officers at more strategic locations so that we have that additional presence in places where we had some challenges ... so that we can address those and mitigate those concerns," he said.
The Province
a day ago
- The Province
'Serious incident' under investigation in Vancouver's Robson Square: VPD
A VPD spokesman said details remain scarce but more information is expected later Sunday or early Monday Crime scene tape at downtown Vancouver's Robson Square on Sunday morning, July 20. VPD is at the scene. Photo: Doug Quan Police are investigating a 'serious incident' on Sunday in the area of Robson Square. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors There were indications of a violent altercation at the scene late Sunday morning, but police are not yet confirming the nature of the investigation. 'I have only limited information to provide at this time about the incident at Robson Square,' said Vancouver police spokesman Sgt. Steve Addison in response to questions. 'It's a serious incident that is under investigation by our major crime section and we will have additional officers in the area throughout the day to collect evidence.' Addison said a more detailed update might be available later Sunday or early Monday. The investigation is not related to Saturday night's Celebration of Light fireworks show. Addison said 'there were no major public safety incidents at the fireworks last night.' Crime scene tape at downtown Vancouver's Robson Square on Sunday morning, July 20. VPD is at the scene. Photo: Doug Quan Crime scene tape at downtown Vancouver's Robson Square on Sunday morning, July 20. VPD is at the scene. Photo: Doug Quan jruttle@ Read More Crime NFL Vancouver Canucks News News
Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
'Serious incident' under investigation in Vancouver's Robson Square: VPD
Police are investigating a 'serious incident' on Sunday in the area of Robson Square. There were indications of a violent altercation at the scene late Sunday morning, but police are not yet confirming the nature of the investigation. 'I have only limited information to provide at this time about the incident at Robson Square,' said Vancouver police spokesman Sgt. Steve Addison in response to questions. 'It's a serious incident that is under investigation by our major crime section and we will have additional officers in the area throughout the day to collect evidence.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Addison said a more detailed update might be available later Sunday or early Monday, as well as more on an unrelated incident at Burrard Street and Cornwall Avenue in Kitsilano. Neither police investigation is related to Saturday night's Celebration of Light fireworks show. Addison said 'there were no major public safety incidents at the fireworks last night.' jruttle@
The Province
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Province
Celebration of Light: What you need to know for July 19, 2025
Here's everything you need to know to enjoy the 2025 Celebration of Light presentation featuring Team Yukon on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Preparation on the fireworks barge for the Honda Celebration of Light Photo by NICK PROCAYLO / 10108563A The 2025 Celebration of Light kicks off this weekend and it's bound to be a spectacular event. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Here's everything you need to know to enjoy the Honda Celebration of Light presentation featuring Team Yukon on Saturday, July 19: Team Yukon, represented by Midnight Sun Fireworks, will be presenting on July 19. The team last competed at the Celebration of Light in 2022 and walked away with the top prize that year. The volunteer group of pyrotechnicians is known for their 'unique and imaginative fireworks displays … filled with colour, joy and emotion.' 'Every performance is a testament to their deep passion for the art of pyro-musical design, where light, sound and creativity dance together in perfect harmony,' reads their official bio. The team's name references the Yukon's high latitude and the ability to see the sun, even at midnight. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Preparation on the fireworks barge for the Honda Celebration of Light Photo by NICK PROCAYLO / 10108563A Road closures for the downtown area, particularly the West End, will begin between 5 and 7 p.m., and remain in place until crowds have cleared and police signal that it's safe to allow vehicles back in. That usually happens at around 11 p.m. Vehicle access will be restricted in the blocks between Gilford and Thurlow streets and from Alberni Street to Beach Avenue. Residents of the area can access the restricted blocks using access points at Thurlow and Burnaby, Thurlow and Nelson, and Alberni and Denman. Residents will need to show a parking permit or recent proof of address. Will there be service changes for public transit on fireworks nights? On evenings when the Celebration of Light is taking place, there will be increased SkyTrain, Canada Line and bus service to help get crowds in and out of the downtown Vancouver area. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Those taking SkyTrain should get off at Burrard Station and those taking the Canada Line should exit at Yaletown-Roundhouse Station to walk into the English Bay area. Those taking the bus can take any route that takes you into downtown and walk from the Granville Strip area or consider one of the many buses that travel along Georgia Street to Denman. What's the weather going to be like on July 19? According to Environment Canada, Vancouver's weather will be a mix of sun and cloud on Saturday, with a high of 22 C and a low of about 15 C. If you're planning to camp out at the beach before the show, don't forget to wear sunscreen even if it's cloudy and grab a spare layer of clothing for the evening. No rain is expected this weekend. sip@ News Vancouver Canucks Celebrity News Local News
The Province
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Province
Fixes needed or this could be Vancouver's last Celebration of Light, producer warns
Soaring costs and the loss of public and private funding have pushed Vancouver's beloved summer tradition — and other major city events — to the brink. Paul Runnals is the executive producer of the Celebration of Light fireworks festival that takes place every summer in Vancouver's English bay. This year sponsorship for the event is down, and the event is not alone as government at all levels have reduced sponsorship. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG As producer Paul Runnals busily prepares for the weeklong Honda Celebration of Light fireworks festival, the largest public event in British Columbia, he faces a difficult reality: this could be the final year of the show. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'If we don't fix this, we won't have fireworks next year,' Runnals told Postmedia News. Soaring costs and the loss of public and private funding have pushed Vancouver's beloved summer tradition — and other major city events — to the brink. Public funding has taken a major hit in the past year, said Runnals. Provincial support for the fireworks festival is set to drop from $250,000 to $100,000 next year, while federal funding fell from $450,000 in 2023 to $250,000 last year and has been cut entirely for 2026. 'The feds basically said, 'We're not going to give you any more, so don't bother asking,'' said Runnals. The annual Celebration of Light draws more than 1.5 million visitors and generates $40 million in economic activity for B.C., primarily through tourism and hospitality spending. Organizers warn that without new support, the festival may not return next year. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Paul Runnals is the executive producer of the celebration of Light fireworks festival that takes place every summer in Vancouver's English bay. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG The City of Vancouver covers police overtime, traffic control, and sanitation, an in-kind contribution valued at nearly $1 million a year. Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim called the situation unacceptable. 'Senior levels of government withdrawing financial support to place additional burden on both the city and the event organizers is unacceptable,' Sim said. 'Losing the Celebration of Light is not an option.' Although the non-profit Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society oversees the $3 million event, it is produced by for-profit BrandLive. That structure disqualifies the festival from several federal arts and culture funding streams, including Canadian Heritage grants. To help close the gap, the society introduced ticketed, catered viewing areas in 2010. These generate roughly $1 million in gross revenue annually, but fall short of covering rising production costs. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In a statement to Postmedia, B.C.'s Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport said: 'Government is proud to support this event, and the funding provided reflects the growing demands on the ministry. 'We know this is a challenging time for many industries and our focus remains on making the best use of available resources to support economic growth while protecting core services people count on.' Postmedia reached out to the federal government, but did not receive a response by deadline. Other major Vancouver events, including the International Jazz Festival and Pride Parade, are also warning of cutbacks or cancellations amid inflation, sponsorship losses and uncertain public support. Organizers say that without renewed government and private-sector backing, these flagship public gatherings, which draw hundreds of thousands of residents and millions in tourism dollars to the city each year, are on shaky ground. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Because the corporate world is nervous and holding onto their dollars or being very selective with them, I fear we're going to see a number of major events disappear in the city,' predicts Runnals. Organizers also worry that the arrival of FIFA 2026 could draw money and attention away from local events already struggling to survive. Yuri Fulmer, co-chair of the Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society, said while local festivals grapple with reduced government funding, hundreds of millions are being spent by all three levels of government for the World Cup soccer event. The most recent budget estimate released for FIFA in Vancouver includes a combined $740 millions from municipal, provincial, and federal taxpayers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Organizers worry this major investment could divert public funds and corporate sponsorship away from Vancouver's established cultural events, putting their future at risk. 'The money to fund FIFA just doesn't come out of nowhere, it comes from slashing some things, definitely including arts and culture funding,' Fulmer said. Additionally, hosting the internationally renowned soccer competition at B.C. Place Stadium enforces a strict buffer zone. Known as a commercial exclusion zone, the restriction bars conflicting sponsor promotions within a set radius of FIFA venues. Nina Horvath, executive director of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, fears these restrictions could reduce sponsorship opportunities for next year's festival, which takes place during the same time. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'There are still a lot of unknowns about what accommodations we'll need to make for our event,' she said. Since 2022, Horvath said the festival has seen corporate sponsorship decline by 50 per cent, including the loss of its title sponsor. Support recovered modestly by 10 per cent this year, thanks to focused outreach efforts, while government funding has remained relatively stable. 'We've made some very tough choices along the way to ensure that we can be sustainable,' Horvath added, noting the festival has since adapted by reducing programming, which means fewer opportunities for artists and cultural workers. She's calling for incentives, like expanding community amenity agreements, the city fees paid by developers, to help attract more corporate sponsorship. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Morgane Oger, secretary of the Vancouver Pride Society, told Postmedia last week that this year's parade is barely going ahead. Vancouver's Pride Parade, which draws hundreds of thousands downtown each summer, is also in jeopardy. Corporate sponsorship has dropped from $900,000 to $500,000, and provincial funding has fallen from $115,000 to just $45,000, Oger said. 'We're entering a period of debt tightening for governments and corporations,' she added. 'Festivals across the board are feeling the financial squeeze.' These steep losses threaten the parade's future, with organizers warning they may have to cancel next year's event without renewed support. sgrochowski@ Read More Vancouver Canucks News News Celebrity News
