After 11 years of bringing you local reporting, the team behind the Vancouver Observer has moved on to Canada's National Observer. You can follow Vancouver culture reporting over there from now on. Thank you for all your support over the years!

Penny Ballem

Sadhu Johnston, Penny Ballem, Vancouver, Vancouver City Hall, City manager

Johnston Acting City Manager, Ballem fired

Mayor Gregor Robertson says Vancouver will benefit from a "new approach" and a "fresh perspective."

White House salaries put to shame by BC municipal paycheques

Pity Jack Lew, President Barack Obama's White House Chief of Staff, the highest ranking employee inside the Executive Office of the President of the United States. Earning a paltry $172,200 a year,...

Skirmish with fire department, police leads ex-Occupy organizers to reach out to city

Following a skirmish between authorities and protesters at Occupy Vancouver, some of the protest's original organizers met to discuss ways forward – without the camp's approval.

Occupy Vancouver reflects on day after death of 23-year old: slideshow

A day after a woman -- now identified by police as Ashlie Gough, 23, of Victoria -- was found dead at Occupy Vancouver, energy at the camp was "thick" as demonstrators debated their next steps.

Artistic director Max Reimer defends city's million dollar Vancouver Playhouse bailout

"It's like they're trying to elicit a Tea Party response,"  Vancouver Playhouse artistic managing director Max Reimer said. He was referring to reactions critical of public funding for one...

Will surveillance cameras be the legacy of the Stanley Cup riots?

Police, city leaning in that direction -- but civil-liberties officials aren't so sure.

Olympic village condos will be sold in months, not years, says receiver

VANCOUVER - Condo sales at Vancouver's troubled Olympic Village have soared since the prices were slashed, with the receiver now predicting the development will be sold out in a matter of months...

City defends Olympic Village

The City of Vancouver has gone on the defensive to battle suggestions the Olympic Village will saddle city taxpayers with a legacy of debt. The village was once touted by the mayor as the city's...

City appoints Mairi Welman as communications director

Mairi Welman, formerly of the Recycling Council of BC, has been appointed communications director for the City of Vancouver.

City of Vancouver celebrates Earth Day with launch of residential food scraps collection

The goal of the city's new food scrap composting program is to reduce garbage by 35%, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said at a press conference outside City Hall this morning. The city's residential