Local News

West Coast General Hospital in Port Alberni received some good news about an expansion to its emergency department on Jan. 15, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

B.C. health ministry commits $6.25M to hospital expansion in Port Alberni

Plans for larger emergency department have been on hold since 2015

Black Press media file

Port McNeill driver tells police he thought the pandemic meant no breathalyzers

Suspect facing criminal charges after breathalyzer readings in excess of 3.5 times the legal limit

A Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation guardian took this photo of dozens of vehicles parked along a forest service road in the Kennedy watershed. (Submitted photo)

Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District looks at enforcement of illegal camping

ACRD currently does not have an existing bylaw service to tackle the issue

Ucluelet local Geoff Johnson snapped this photo of a Risso’s dolphin that washed up near Chesterman Beach in Tofino on Wednesday, Jan. 13. (Geoff Johnson photo)

Washed up Risso’s dolphin offers glimpse into “whole other world” near Tofino

“It’s like a UFO crash landed and you can come look at it.”

Ucluelet local Geoff Johnson snapped this photo of a Risso’s dolphin that washed up near Chesterman Beach in Tofino on Wednesday, Jan. 13. (Geoff Johnson photo)
Island Health’s COVID-19 testing site for the Comox Valley is located at inspection bays at the ICBC Claim Centre at 505 Crowne Isle Blvd. (Black Press Media file photo)

Island Health sets new daily COVID-19 case record despite stagnant provincial infection rates

Island Health Authority recorded 34 new cases on Jan. 13

Island Health’s COVID-19 testing site for the Comox Valley is located at inspection bays at the ICBC Claim Centre at 505 Crowne Isle Blvd. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich police stopped a driver going more than 60 km/h over the posted speed limit on the Pat Bay Highway on Jan. 11. (Saanich Police Traffic Safety Unit/Twitter)

Saanich driver tells police he was ‘only’ going 45 km/h over posted limit

Driver caught going 144 km/h on Greater Victoria-area highway slapped with hefty fines

Saanich police stopped a driver going more than 60 km/h over the posted speed limit on the Pat Bay Highway on Jan. 11. (Saanich Police Traffic Safety Unit/Twitter)
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People with bird feeders are urged to watch for sick birds after reports of migrating Pine Siskens spreading salmonella by flocking at feeders in parts of the province. (Courtesy of Wildlife Association of BC)

Vancouver Islanders with feeders cautioned about salmonella outbreak

Pine Siskin birds flocking at feeders, spreading disease, residents warned to watch for sick birds

People with bird feeders are urged to watch for sick birds after reports of migrating Pine Siskens spreading salmonella by flocking at feeders in parts of the province. (Courtesy of Wildlife Association of BC)
Island Health had a record number of new cases reported Jan. 6 (Black Press Media file photo)

Island Health’s daily COVID-19 case count reaches record high

28 new cases reported on Jan. 6

Island Health had a record number of new cases reported Jan. 6 (Black Press Media file photo)
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council nurse Marion Guiraud administers a Moderna vaccine shot to Huu-ay-aht chief councillor Robert Dennis Sr. at Huu-ay-aht’s Anacla Government office on Monday. Photo courtesy, Rachel Young.

Eight Island Health region First Nations share 1,900 doses of COVID-19 vaccine

Moderna vaccine given six West Coast Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations, two others on North Island

Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council nurse Marion Guiraud administers a Moderna vaccine shot to Huu-ay-aht chief councillor Robert Dennis Sr. at Huu-ay-aht’s Anacla Government office on Monday. Photo courtesy, Rachel Young.
A photo taken while waiting in the lineup heading west on Highway 4 on Jan. 6. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Port Alberni man in critical condition after Highway 4 crash

Highway was closed for several hours on Jan. 6

A photo taken while waiting in the lineup heading west on Highway 4 on Jan. 6. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Clockwise from top right: Four-legged pal Itska made headlines last year after being taken from her Tofino owner, a rock blasting mishap caused Highway 4 to be shut down for three days, back in March Tofino and Ucluelet resorts and restaurants closed to help “flatten the curve” and stop the transmission of COVID-19, a jet-ski operator revved concerns after playing in the surf at Chesterman Beach.

Looking back on the West Coast’s top 10 news stories of the year

Tofino and Ucluelet’s top headlines of 2020.

  • Jan 6, 2021
Clockwise from top right: Four-legged pal Itska made headlines last year after being taken from her Tofino owner, a rock blasting mishap caused Highway 4 to be shut down for three days, back in March Tofino and Ucluelet resorts and restaurants closed to help “flatten the curve” and stop the transmission of COVID-19, a jet-ski operator revved concerns after playing in the surf at Chesterman Beach.
Ucluelet RCMP are investigating a holiday vessel parade that took place on Dec. 22, 2020. (Westerly file photo)

RCMP investigating spontaneous Dec. 22 Sail Past event in Ucluelet

A complaint was filed for possibly breaking Provincial Health Orders

Ucluelet RCMP are investigating a holiday vessel parade that took place on Dec. 22, 2020. (Westerly file photo)
On Jan. 4, 2021, Environment Canada issued a wind warning for the east coast of Vancouver Island, with high winds expected to pick up the morning of Jan. 5. (Black Press file photo)

Environment Canada issues wind warning for east coast of Vancouver Island

Gusts of 70-90 km/h expected for Tuesday, Jan. 5

On Jan. 4, 2021, Environment Canada issued a wind warning for the east coast of Vancouver Island, with high winds expected to pick up the morning of Jan. 5. (Black Press file photo)
Ucluelet’s Amphitrite Point is a popular spot to storm watch, but goers are reminded to enjoy the extreme weather safely by staying off the rocks and being <a href="https://coastsmart.ca/" target="_blank">CoastSmart</a>. (Westerly file photo)

Storm expected to blast through Tofino-Ucluelet on Tuesday

Winds up to 100 km/h are expected.

Ucluelet’s Amphitrite Point is a popular spot to storm watch, but goers are reminded to enjoy the extreme weather safely by staying off the rocks and being <a href="https://coastsmart.ca/" target="_blank">CoastSmart</a>. (Westerly file photo)
(Black Press Media file photo)

Man arrested after fleeing police near Tofino

Helicopter and Police Dog Services locate suspect.

(Black Press Media file photo)
Ahousaht First Nation.

Search for Hesquiaht First Nation elder ends in tragedy near Tofino

Harry Lucas was found deceased near Tofino on Saturday.

Ahousaht First Nation.
RCMP pictured at a motor vehicle incident during snowy conditions. (FILE - Phil McLachlan/Black Press Media)

Update: Family of 4 killed in Alberta helicopter crash

RCMP responded to emergency signal in rural county, found crashed helicopter, no survivors

RCMP pictured at a motor vehicle incident during snowy conditions. (FILE - Phil McLachlan/Black Press Media)
Police are investigating the suspicious death of a man in Tofino. (Black Press file photo)

Police investigating suspicious death in Tofino

Police found the deceased man while conducting a welfare call at a Chesterman Beach Road residence.

Police are investigating the suspicious death of a man in Tofino. (Black Press file photo)
Chris and Taylor Doughty welcomed their son into the world at 1:54 a.m. on New Year’s Day at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (Courtesy of Island Health)

Vancouver Island’s New Year’s baby born in Nanaimo two hours after midnight

Gerald Patrick Doughty weighs 9 pounds 12 ounces

Chris and Taylor Doughty welcomed their son into the world at 1:54 a.m. on New Year’s Day at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (Courtesy of Island Health)
Longtime commercial salmon fisher Doug Kimoto says Trudeau should revamp DFO and move towards a regional management. He says the fisheries department is not working and it hasn’t for decades. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Lifelong Ucluelet fisherman Doug Kimoto shares his thoughts on restoring fisheries

“The government needs to revamp DFO and move towards a regional management program.”

Longtime commercial salmon fisher Doug Kimoto says Trudeau should revamp DFO and move towards a regional management. He says the fisheries department is not working and it hasn’t for decades. (Nora O’Malley photo)