Local News

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

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)
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)
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)
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)