Police arrest man blocking traffic on Highway 440

Laval police have apprehended an armed man who was blocking traffic on Highway 440. Laval is a small town north of Montreal.  As per reports, the man was in a depressed state. He was armed with a rifle and was in a vehicle.  Police had to negotiate with the armed man and managed to arrest him almost after an hour of hard work. Police closed the highway creating rush-hour traffic jams and backups throughout the area.

Drought levels increase on Vancouver Island

Continued warm and dry conditions have prompted British Columbia to elevate the East Vancouver Island drought rating to Level 4. As a result, a maximum reduction of water use is recommended and regulatory action may become necessary.

West Vancouver Island remains at Level 3 and will be re-evaluated as conditions deteriorate. The Province is urging all surface water and groundwater users, including residents, industry, farmers and municipalities, to voluntarily reduce water consumption.

If voluntary reductions of water use are not sufficient to maintain flows above critical levels, the Province may consider regulating water usage under the Water Sustainability Act. Specific actions could include the temporary suspension of water licences or short-term water approvals to restore flows to minimum critical levels in the impacted streams.

A number of streams on Vancouver Island are at or near record-low flows for this time of the year. Ministry staff will continue to monitor river levels, and angling closures may go into effect if the warm temperatures continue to negatively impact stream flows and water supplies.