Nanaimo RCMP is ‘blitzing’ distracted drivers with $368 fines

New in this update:Thursday COVID-19There have been two deaths and 148 new cases of COVID-19 in BC since yesterday. There are also 30 schools in the province that are reporting exposure events—but there are no outbreaks at any of the schools. On Vancouver Island, there have been no new cases of the virus reported since the weekend. There have been no exposures in island schools, no one is in hospital and the region hasn't reported a death from the virus since early May. Nevertheless, BC's Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry says Islanders need to not let their guard down when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19."We feel a little insular in our Island here, but we need to remember as we're going into cough and cold and flu season that there's going to be a lot more illness around and it's going to be very challenging for us to figure out what is COVID? What is influenza? What's just a cold? So now's our time to start regrouping and pulling back and doing the things that led us to be in this position in Vancouver Island. So it is not a time to be complacent and if we are complacent, that is the time we put our communities at risk."—Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry.Currently, there are 1,371 active cases of COVID-19 in BC including six in Island Health.Cause of fire at Schnitzer Steel remains unknown Schnitzer Steel says a fire at its recycling operation near Cassidy caused no injuries and nor damage to buildings or equipment. However, the cause of the fire remains unknown. Company spokesperson Colin Kelly says the company will continue to work closely with regulators and the community." Toxic fumes from the fire that started on September the 11th, along with chemicals used to extinguish it, raised concerns over air quality and possible contamination of nearby private wells. However, Island Health's Public Health Inspector says test results so far show groundwater is within acceptable limits set under the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines. Tim Bilyk says the company has committed to continuing to take groundwater samples in an area larger than required. He says weekly sampling will continue until the end of October. There will be monthly sampling in November and December, and starting in the new year, sampling will be done quarterly.Nanaimo RCMP are fining distracted driversNanaimo RCMP handed out 19 tickets to drivers using cellphones in a 90-minute blitz at a busy intersection earlier this week. The $368 fine for Use of an Electronic Device While driving were issued at the corner of Highway 19A and Norwell Drive last Tuesday afternoon. RCMP Constable Gary O'Brien says many of the drivers offered no excuse while others expressed in colourful terms, what they thought. O'Brien says the blitzes will continue because cellphone distraction is the second leading cause of fatal motor vehicle accidents. O'Brien says people should ask themselves if the LOL is worth it.