Afternoon News Update for April 27, 2020

NANAIMO—A plan to provide safe shelter to 40 homeless people in Nanaimo has fallen through, due to pushback from the community where they were going to be relocated. Last week, BC Housing announced it secured up to 50 spaces to help homeless people self-isolate during the COVID-19 pandemic. But by week's end, that number dropped to 13. Nanaimo City Councillor Erin Hemmens says when news of the hotel's location leaked out, there was “significant opposition” from the surrounding community. BC Housing says it hopes to announce a new deal within the next two weeks. For more details, see our article here.

Family caregivers in BC are becoming more and more stressed, due to the suspension of programs, designed to give them a break. That's why the province has added a half-million dollars to Family Caregivers of BC. The non-profit group will use the funds to boost its 2-1-1 hotline and to create virtual peer support programs. More than a million British Columbians provide unpaid care to seniors, usually family members. However, COVID-19 has forced the closure of adult day programs and respite care that they rely on. BC's Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie says she hopes the increased virtual supports will give caregivers "some comfort in sharing the burden and the stress with others."

BC's Provincial Health Officer is encouraging women experiencing violence, to reach out for help. Dr. Bonnie Henry says increased stress from isolation can increase family violence. RCMP in Nanaimo has reported a 30 percent increase in calls involving domestic violence, and it expects that number to rise as the pandemic continues. Henry is telling victims of family violence "your immediate safety is more important than physical distancing and self-isolation." Women can get help by calling 9-1-1 in an emergency, or VICTIMLINK BC at 1-800-563-0808.

Campbell River RCMP broke up a brawl among two dozen partiers at a local 7-11 early Sunday morning. Constable Maury Tyre says a group of adults and a group of youths had been partying at different locations. They ended up at the 7-11 parking lot at the same time and a fight started. Tyre says “What was really clear, was that if people had been following social distancing protocols, the event simply wouldn’t have happened.” He says many of those involved were underage and had been drinking. Tyre says both groups had designated drivers, but there were members of four different households in one car. Police continue to investigate, but so far, no charges have been laid.

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Lisa Cordasco

Senior Reporter and News Director — Lisa is responsible for creating the station's first morning news current affairs show on CHLY. She is also deeply involved in training and mentoring student and citizen journalists who volunteer their time at the station. Before joining CHLY, Lisa spent 35 years in various roles at CBC Radio, from host to reporter. Her passion for journalism and radio has led her to Nanaimo, where she intends to provide CHLY listeners with news they can use, in an alternative radio environment. Her other not-so-secret passion is costuming for any occasion.

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