Community

Dean and Russ pose with Tortuga the sea turtle hauling Gary the VW bug. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Sand sculpting family visits Tofino

Ocean Village vacation spent building sand sculptures on Mackenzie Beach

John Erickson noted that the forest fuels are exceptionally dry this year. (John Erickson/Special to the News)

See smoke? Here’s how to help crews when you report a wildfire from a B.C. expert

Err on the side of caution, advises B.C. Wildfire Service

Practical nursing student Desmond Rutherford learns about the proper care and assessment of an IV with a patient simulator in NIC’s Practical Nursing labs. Photo supplied

North Island College launches Access to Practical Nursing program

North Island College is introducing a new program to help health care…

The skies above Osoyoos are thick with smoke from the nearby Nk’Mip Creek wildfire. (Twila Amato /Black Press Media)

Smoke from B.C. wildfires creating issues for those with respiratory illnesses

The wildfire smoke has made it difficult to be outside for some

The skies above Osoyoos are thick with smoke from the nearby Nk’Mip Creek wildfire. (Twila Amato /Black Press Media)
Goat hobbyist Robert de Haas won a $1-million Maxmillions prize in the June 15, 2021 draw. Photo supplied

Vancouver Island man wins a $1-million Maxmillions prize

A Courtenay man is a million dollars richer, after buying a lottery…

  • Jul 27, 2021
Goat hobbyist Robert de Haas won a $1-million Maxmillions prize in the June 15, 2021 draw. Photo supplied
A fleet of supercars filled a quiet Langley City street to visit Langley City teen Alyssa Anderson on Sunday, July 25, as part of the Drive Project. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: Cool cars provide some automotive magic for B.C. teen

Driven Project brought fleet of supercars to quiet street

A fleet of supercars filled a quiet Langley City street to visit Langley City teen Alyssa Anderson on Sunday, July 25, as part of the Drive Project. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
North Island College early childhood care and education certificate student Kelsey Kryzanowski at the Beaufort Children’s Centre at NIC’s Comox Valley campus. Photo supplied

North Island College offers early childhood care and education certificate

North Island College early childhood care and education certificate students are preparing…

North Island College early childhood care and education certificate student Kelsey Kryzanowski at the Beaufort Children’s Centre at NIC’s Comox Valley campus. Photo supplied
RBC presents $80,000 cheque to North Island College. From left to right: Kathleen Kuhnert, NIC vice-president, Students & Community Engagement; Rick Eigler, RBC branch manager, Comox Valley; Kelly Bissell, RBC regional vice-president; Kelly Shopland, NIC executive director Indigenous Education; Aubrey Lively, RBC assistant branch manager; and Katharina Schulte-Bisping, RBC assistant branch manager.

RBC gives $80,000 to support Indigenous students at North Island College

Indigenous students at North Island College will be able to access expanded…

RBC presents $80,000 cheque to North Island College. From left to right: Kathleen Kuhnert, NIC vice-president, Students & Community Engagement; Rick Eigler, RBC branch manager, Comox Valley; Kelly Bissell, RBC regional vice-president; Kelly Shopland, NIC executive director Indigenous Education; Aubrey Lively, RBC assistant branch manager; and Katharina Schulte-Bisping, RBC assistant branch manager.
Students make a “tiny home” sign with their hands as part of the Tiny Home Challenge at John Paul II Catholic School. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Vancouver Island school gets visit from Netflix show hosts for tiny home competition

Pilot Tiny Home elective was offered for Grades 4-7

Students make a “tiny home” sign with their hands as part of the Tiny Home Challenge at John Paul II Catholic School. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
USS graduate Tristan Hinder-Hohlweg celebrates the prestigious Pacific Rim Foundation Dick Close Scholarship with proud parents Sandra and Brent. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Ucluelet filmmaker earns $40,000 Pacific Rim Foundation academic scholarship

“I am so blessed to live in such a community that supports the youth with pride”

USS graduate Tristan Hinder-Hohlweg celebrates the prestigious Pacific Rim Foundation Dick Close Scholarship with proud parents Sandra and Brent. (Nora O’Malley photo)
A memorial tribute to Police Service Dog Gator is growing at a the foot of a flagpole in front of the Campbell River RCMP detachment on July 9, 2021. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

Memorial for Campbell River police dog killed in line of duty grows

VIDEO: Emergency personnel conduct vehicle parade memorial for Gator

A memorial tribute to Police Service Dog Gator is growing at a the foot of a flagpole in front of the Campbell River RCMP detachment on July 9, 2021. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
John Hillman, 102, marks down the last lap for the day hitting 80 on July 6. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Donations lag as 102-year-old veteran laps Oak Bay courtyard for cause

John Hillman set to take his last laps Thursday morning

John Hillman, 102, marks down the last lap for the day hitting 80 on July 6. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
A husband accidentally locked his wife and dog on their Vernon rooftop patio Tuesday morning, June 29, went to work and posted the event to social media which drew hilarious reaction and helpful hints for the husband. The wife and dog were rescued. (Facebook photo)

Vernon man accidentally locks wife, dog on rooftop in heat wave; lives to post about it on social media

The man left for work and jokingly asked friends to ‘send up water’ to stranded pair who were safely unlocked from patio

A husband accidentally locked his wife and dog on their Vernon rooftop patio Tuesday morning, June 29, went to work and posted the event to social media which drew hilarious reaction and helpful hints for the husband. The wife and dog were rescued. (Facebook photo)
North Island College graduates gathered at the Campbell River campus in early June to have their photo taken in their regalia. The photos are part of the virtual grad celebration, which is now live online. Photo supplied

North Island College launches Virtual Grad 2021

COVID-19 restrictions force second virtual graduation at NIC

North Island College graduates gathered at the Campbell River campus in early June to have their photo taken in their regalia. The photos are part of the virtual grad celebration, which is now live online. Photo supplied
Operation Freedom Paws Canada, in partnership with Pauliina Saarinen Photography, has announced the 2022 Calendar Contest featuring Vancouver Island Dogs, and they are looking for submissions. Photo courtesy pauliinasaarinen.com

Vancouver Island dog calendar seeking submissions for fundraising initiative

Contest will raise funds for Operation Freedom Paws Canada

Operation Freedom Paws Canada, in partnership with Pauliina Saarinen Photography, has announced the 2022 Calendar Contest featuring Vancouver Island Dogs, and they are looking for submissions. Photo courtesy pauliinasaarinen.com
Mooshu is on the mend and is helping to raise money for a shelter facility for her unique Meares Island herd. (CARE photo)

Rescued baby cow becomes spokes-calf for Meares Island herd

Rescued little one becomes spokes-calf for unique, seaweed-eating herd off Tofino

Mooshu is on the mend and is helping to raise money for a shelter facility for her unique Meares Island herd. (CARE photo)
The Vancouver Island Regional Library’s Summer Reading Club is about to begin. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE

Vancouver Island Regional Library’s Summer Reading Club set to launch

‘Crack the case’ the theme to this year’s efforts to keep kids reading

The Vancouver Island Regional Library’s Summer Reading Club is about to begin. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE
A blood drive in support of 1-year-old Rielynn Gormley of Agassiz is scheduled for Monday, June 28 at Tzeachten First Nation Community Hall in Chilliwack. Rielynn lives with type 3 von Willebrand disease, which makes it difficult for her to stop bleeding. (Screenshot/Canadian Blood Services)

Upcoming blood drive in honour of Fraser Valley toddler with rare blood condition

The Gormley family has organized a blood drive in Chilliwack on June 28

A blood drive in support of 1-year-old Rielynn Gormley of Agassiz is scheduled for Monday, June 28 at Tzeachten First Nation Community Hall in Chilliwack. Rielynn lives with type 3 von Willebrand disease, which makes it difficult for her to stop bleeding. (Screenshot/Canadian Blood Services)
Tofino General Hospital Foundation board members Phyllis Banks, left, Camilla Thorogood, and Arlene McGinnis clutch a giant cheque presented by Coastal Community Credit Union branch manager Marc Salewski. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Tofino General Hospital Foundation presses VIHA for a new hospital

Ministry of Health says they are in the early stage of the planning process and there is no timeline

Tofino General Hospital Foundation board members Phyllis Banks, left, Camilla Thorogood, and Arlene McGinnis clutch a giant cheque presented by Coastal Community Credit Union branch manager Marc Salewski. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Timmy Masso smiles alongside his niece Huumiis and nephew Cinkwa. (Submitted photo)

Ucluelet Secondary School graduate earns TD Scholarship for Community Leadership

Timmy Masso’s passionate advocacy of the Nuu-chah-nulth language leads to $70K scholarship

Timmy Masso smiles alongside his niece Huumiis and nephew Cinkwa. (Submitted photo)