Local News

(Westerly News file photo)

BC Hydro warns Tofino-Ucluelet not to trust clocks next week

Time won’t be moving as it seems

A BC Ferries vessel approaches the Saltery Bay terminal on the Sunshine Coast. (John McKinley file)

BC Ferries fares could climb 9.2 per cent each of the next 4 years, CEO says they won’t

Cap does not reflect the $500 million coming from provincial government to limit fare hikes

The Mental Health and Substance Use Service Link 1-888-885-8824 connects people to information and services in their community seven days a week. (Black Press Media file photo)

New number links Island Health residents to mental health, substance use resources

Mental Health and Substance Use Service Link 1-888-885-8824 available 7 days a week

Trending Video
FILE - Adele appears at the Brit Awards 2022 in London on Feb. 8, 2022. Adele has announced that she’s extending her Las Vegas residency with 34 more dates between June and November and also plans to release a concert film. Saturday night’s show was the last performance in the British singer's original “Weekends With Adele” series that covered 34 dates since last November on the Las Vegas Strip. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP, File)
Adele extends Las Vegas residency, plans concert film
Kenyan gays and lesbians and others supporting their cause wear masks to preserve their anonymity as they stage a rare protest against Uganda's tough stance against homosexuality and in solidarity with their counterparts there, outside the Uganda High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya on Feb. 10, 2014. Ugandan lawmakers passed a bill Tuesday, March 21, 2023 prescribing jail terms of up to 10 years for offenses related to same-sex relations, responding to popular sentiment but piling more pressure on the East African country's LGBTQ community. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)
Uganda’s legislature passes harsh new anti-LGBT bill
Gwyneth Paltrow sits in court, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Park City, Utah. Paltrow is accused of injuring another skier, leaving him with a concussion and four broken ribs. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, Pool)
Gwyneth Paltrow ski collision trial set for family testimony
Councillor Ken Herar shows off the Pride Progress Flag at council on June 6, 2022. The matter was revisited on Monday (March 20) with the council voting to move forward without flying the pride flag at municipal locations. /Screenshot from Mission council
B.C. city says no to flying pride flag at local facilities
More Trending Videos 
A transit bus headed for the Swartz Bay ferry terminal stops to pick up passengers on a snowy Douglas Street in Victoria. Observers are concerned that B.C.’s push for a clean public transportation network is not paying enough attention to rural and remote communities. Don Denton file photo

Will clean transportation shift take rural Vancouver Island along for the ride? ​​​​​​​

Some worried only thing B.C. has been concentrating on is electrified vehicles in bigger centres

A transit bus headed for the Swartz Bay ferry terminal stops to pick up passengers on a snowy Douglas Street in Victoria. Observers are concerned that B.C.’s push for a clean public transportation network is not paying enough attention to rural and remote communities. Don Denton file photo
Saanich North and the Islands MLA Adam Olsen Monday (March 27) said he remains concerned about funding for the Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET), which supports economic development on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. (Black Press Media file photo)

Critics fear B.C. poised to freeze $300 million Vancouver Island development fund

ICET has asked for $150 million funding but not yet received an answer from government

Saanich North and the Islands MLA Adam Olsen Monday (March 27) said he remains concerned about funding for the Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET), which supports economic development on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. (Black Press Media file photo)
Tofino’s municipal council is mulling over a development application that includes 25 housing units at 521 Cypre Crescent. (Image from District of Tofino council agenda)

Tofino council reviews proposed housing project

Council voted 5-1 to give first reading with Coun. Sarah Sloman the only vote in opposition.

Tofino’s municipal council is mulling over a development application that includes 25 housing units at 521 Cypre Crescent. (Image from District of Tofino council agenda)
Video
FILE - Former President Donald Trump announces he is running for president for the third time at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., Nov. 15, 2022. The Supreme Court has cleared the way for the handover of former President Donald Trump’s tax returns to a congressional committee after a three-year legal fight. The Democratic-controlled House Ways and Means Committee had asked for six years of tax returns for Trump and some of his businesses, from 2015 to 2020. The court’s order Tuesday, Nov. 22 leaves no legal obstacle in the way. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
Trump indicted, becomes 1st ex-president charged with crime: lawyer
The New Westminster Police Departments says it’s seeing an increase in the number of men and young boys being targeted by a sextortion scam. (Credit: Pixabay)
Men, young boys increasingly targeted by sextortion scams, B.C. police warn
B.C. sex workers are preparing for their busy season, which can be dangerous. (Unsplash)
Sex trade workers, outreach organizations prepare for busy Kelowna tourist season
B.C.’s cattle ranching industry has welcomed additional funding for veterinary training. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. to spend $22M to give boost to number of veterinarians
More Videos 
Outlets will be powerless throughout the Tofino-Ucluelet region on April 2 due to scheduled BC Hydro work. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Day-long power outage coming to Tofino-Ucluelet

BC Hydro crews work on the transmission line that energizes the region on April 2

Outlets will be powerless throughout the Tofino-Ucluelet region on April 2 due to scheduled BC Hydro work. (Andrew Bailey photo)
On March 18 BC Corrections said the Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC) in Oliver was closed to visitors and volunteers until further notice due to COVID-19. (File photo)

B.C.’s largest prison in Oliver is only at 20% capacity

167 prisoners out of a capacity of 800 are currently at the Okanagan Correctional Centre

On March 18 BC Corrections said the Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC) in Oliver was closed to visitors and volunteers until further notice due to COVID-19. (File photo)
Local leaders and community stakeholders cheerfully toured through a construction site at 363 Peterson Drive on Friday, March 10, that will soon be home to 37 affordable housing units being built through a partnership between the Tofino Housing Corporation and Catalyst Community Development Society. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Local leaders cheer affordable housing progress in Tofino

Stakeholders tour construction site that will soon provide 37 affordable housing units

Local leaders and community stakeholders cheerfully toured through a construction site at 363 Peterson Drive on Friday, March 10, that will soon be home to 37 affordable housing units being built through a partnership between the Tofino Housing Corporation and Catalyst Community Development Society. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Rocky Pass sustained significant damage when the water taxi crashed into a rock on Jan. 25, 2022. (RCMP photo)

Frozen GPS and foggy conditions led to water taxi crash near Tofino, TSB report suggests

Fatigue likely an issue as driver responded to a medical emergency at 10:30 p.m. the night before

Rocky Pass sustained significant damage when the water taxi crashed into a rock on Jan. 25, 2022. (RCMP photo)
While most Lower Mainland routes don’t require winter tires past March 31, anyone heading north or into the Interior should keep them on until April 30. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure file.

Most drivers in B.C. should keep winter tires on vehicles until April 30

Spring is here, but Road Safety at Work’s Shift Into Winter campaign…

While most Lower Mainland routes don’t require winter tires past March 31, anyone heading north or into the Interior should keep them on until April 30. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure file.
Laura Holland spoke out about the police-involved death of her son Jared Lowndes, at an event marking the International Day Against Police Brutality on March 15, 2022. Charges have been recommended against three RCMP officers in Lowndes’ death. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)

Exhibit honours Julian Jones and others killed in interactions with police

March 15 marks the International Day Against Police Brutality

Laura Holland spoke out about the police-involved death of her son Jared Lowndes, at an event marking the International Day Against Police Brutality on March 15, 2022. Charges have been recommended against three RCMP officers in Lowndes’ death. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)
The federal government and B.C. announced the Island Rail Corridor segment running through the Snaw-Naw-As First Nation will return to the community. (Photo by Mike Bonkowski for Island Corridor Foundation)

Canada, B.C. announce Island Rail Corridor lands being returned to First Nation

Snaw-Naw-As First Nation claimed their land was expropriated for rail services no longer in use

The federal government and B.C. announced the Island Rail Corridor segment running through the Snaw-Naw-As First Nation will return to the community. (Photo by Mike Bonkowski for Island Corridor Foundation)
The Ucluelet Recycling Depot on Forbes Rd. will be closed as of March 25, 2023. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Ucluelet recycling depot set to close at the end of the month

Recycle BC is working on finding a solution

The Ucluelet Recycling Depot on Forbes Rd. will be closed as of March 25, 2023. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Ucluelet Mayor and council, clockwise from top left: Ian Kennington, Mark Maftei, Shawn Anderson, Jennifer Hoar and Marilyn McEwen. (Westerly file photo)

Ucluelet council goes back to the future on Lot 16 RV decision

A convincing follow-up letter was received days after council voted in opposition of the proposal

Ucluelet Mayor and council, clockwise from top left: Ian Kennington, Mark Maftei, Shawn Anderson, Jennifer Hoar and Marilyn McEwen. (Westerly file photo)
Two minor earthquakes were recorded off B.C.’s coast on March 11 and 12, the second near Vancouver Island. (Earthquakes Canada)

2 minor earthquakes detected off Vancouver Island, in Haida Gwaii over weekend

Quake in Haidi Gwaii felt by some people Saturday

Two minor earthquakes were recorded off B.C.’s coast on March 11 and 12, the second near Vancouver Island. (Earthquakes Canada)
This was the Connector Saturday evening, March 11. Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for Highway 5, 3 and 1 with up to 25 cm falling and extreme driving conditions. (Facebook)

Heavy snowfall warning issued on 3 major southern B.C. highways

Extreme driving conditions and up to 25 cm to fall on Highways 3, 5 and 1 Sunday to Tuesday

This was the Connector Saturday evening, March 11. Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for Highway 5, 3 and 1 with up to 25 cm falling and extreme driving conditions. (Facebook)
This rendering shows the exterior of an indoor recreational facility Tofino hopes to build. (District of Tofino image)

Tofino’s indoor recreation facility dream still kicking

Town council approves $8.2 million grant application from Green and Inclusive Buildings program

This rendering shows the exterior of an indoor recreational facility Tofino hopes to build. (District of Tofino image)
Weighing five pounds, nine ounces, a baby boy was born in a minivan Feb. 28, en route to the hospital in Williams Lake. (Photo submitted)

Cariboo woman delivers baby in minivan en route to hospital

It was a third baby for Brittany Lee of Likely, B.C.

Weighing five pounds, nine ounces, a baby boy was born in a minivan Feb. 28, en route to the hospital in Williams Lake. (Photo submitted)
A bear cub named Rock came into the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter in the summer of 2020 after police found it in a cage in a home. He spent a year with the shelter before being release healthy. Justin Thibault has now been sentenced for unlawful possession of live wildlife in provincial court on March 3, 2023. (Photo from NLWS Facebook page)

B.C. man fined $7,500 for keeping bear cub in a cage

Bear taken to Northwest B.C. animal shelter in 2020 and released into the wild the following year

A bear cub named Rock came into the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter in the summer of 2020 after police found it in a cage in a home. He spent a year with the shelter before being release healthy. Justin Thibault has now been sentenced for unlawful possession of live wildlife in provincial court on March 3, 2023. (Photo from NLWS Facebook page)