Evil menace or harmless entertainment? Robin Brunet heads to the suburbs to find out the truth about slot machines. Photo by Dan Toulgoet.

The gambler
It's noon on a Wednesday in February, and in the glow of multi-coloured lights, I'm jostled by people clutching plastic cups full of quarters and moving from one slot machine to the next.
 

Ladner wants city to look at on-line voting
He calls it e-democracy.
 

Tory hopefuls go head to head
A former United Nations' peacekeeper will challenge a gay communications consultant Sunday for the right to represent the Conservative Party of Canada in the Vancouver-Centre riding.
 

Police say better drug treatment best way to control street crime
City police and the Pivot Legal Society have temporarily put aside their differences to form an unusual alliance, calling for more treatment beds to help deal with the Downtown Eastside's chronic crime problem.
 

Busy street worries neighbours
For more than three years, Celia Brauer has been pleading with city hall to install speed bumps along a stretch of Ontario Street between 21st Avenue and King Edward.
 

Late-night gunshots wake up neighbours
Another weekend, another gun incident in downtown Vancouver.
 

RAV critic calls GVRD approval 'nuts'
Greater Vancouver Regional District directors backed TransLink's controversial Richmond Airport Vancouver rapid transit line without knowing how much taxpayers will have to pay if tunneling costs spiral out of control, says a key RAV opponent.
 

Parents taking back streets
West Enders plan to launch patrols around downtown schools in the next few months in an attempt to drive away criminals.
 

City wants to make it easier for event organizers
Organizers of small events will no longer have to pay an engineer to inspect their marquee tents and will be able to stretch banners across city streets if proposed bylaw changes get the nod from council.
 

Teachers' union says trustees swayed by video and dinner
Teachers will bear the brunt of a proposed $11 million in cuts to the school district's budget, says the union representing elementary teachers.