Local News

Tofino is offering to pay for the tuition and housing costs for an applicant willing to commit five years to the district’s child care centre. (Westerly file photo)

Tofino offers to pay tuition and housing costs for child care applicant

“This is reasonable, it’s attainable and in my mind it’s economically viable”

Nine-year-old Chilliwackian Emily Loewen shares a moment with Lytton mayor Jan Polderman on Tuesday. Loewen presented Polderman $3,440 on Tuesday, Aug. 3, most of it raised through lemonade sales. (Eric J. Welsh/ Chilliwack Progress)

Nine-year-old Chilliwack girl presents Lytton mayor with $3,440 from lemonade sales

Emily Loewen’s donation may be used to help re-stock the Lytton library once it’s rebuilt

A highway incident on Highway 19A near Black Creek shut down the road in both directions.

One dead after early morning crash near Black Creek

A car collided with a power pole shortly before 3 a.m. on Hwy 19A

Bedwell Sound is one of several areas seeing significant restoration work underway by the Ahousaht First Nation and Ahousaht is hoping the adventurers who explore the territory will help fund more projects through a voluntary stewardship fee. (Danny O’Farrell photo)

Ahousaht First Nation promotes stewardship fee to fund restoration projects

Wildlife watchers and adventure guides around Tofino encouraged to participate

Bedwell Sound is one of several areas seeing significant restoration work underway by the Ahousaht First Nation and Ahousaht is hoping the adventurers who explore the territory will help fund more projects through a voluntary stewardship fee. (Danny O’Farrell photo)
Kayla Castellarin from the BC SPCA Alberni-Clayoquot branch holds up one of three roosters presently housed at the animal shelter. This Japanese bantam rooster came in a week ago after it and a second one were discovered abandoned in the bush by Great Central Lake. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Young bantam roosters dumped in bush west of central Vancouver Island city

BC SPCA has seen rise in dumped fowl since backyard chickens became legal

Kayla Castellarin from the BC SPCA Alberni-Clayoquot branch holds up one of three roosters presently housed at the animal shelter. This Japanese bantam rooster came in a week ago after it and a second one were discovered abandoned in the bush by Great Central Lake. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is among 16 people honoured with the 2021 Order of B.C. Aug. 2 for their contributions to the province. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Dr. Bonnie Henry among 16 awarded Order of B.C.

2021 honourees include Indigenous leaders, artists, doctors

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is among 16 people honoured with the 2021 Order of B.C. Aug. 2 for their contributions to the province. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Video
A seal gave birth to a pup on a dock at the Comox Marina Aug. 1. Screenshot
VIDEO: Seal gives birth on dock at Comox Marina
Saanich Fire Department worked hard to pull a horse from drowning in a mud bog on July 31 in Saanich. (Photo and video courtesy of Saanich Fire Department)
VIDEO: Firefighters rescue frightened horse stuck nose-deep in Vancouver Island mud bog
Sahtlam Tree Farm owner Robert Russell is photographed in front of his cabin, which he built in the early 70’s, on his 40 acre property in the Cowichan Valley area of Duncan, B.C., on Saturday, July 31, 2021. The recent heat dome and drought have taken a toll on his business of growing trees for the busy Christmas season. Robert farms over 40,000 fir trees including the douglas, grand and noble fir trees. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
B.C. Christmas tree growers say intense heat singes prized trees, kills seedlings
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens as Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam is seen via videoconference during a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa on Friday, June 4, 2021. Federal officials are warning that Canada could be on the brink of a fourth wave of COVID-19 driven by the highly contagious Delta variant if the country opens too fast before enough people have been vaccinated. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Federal modelling warns of 4th COVID wave driven by Delta if reopening is too fast
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(Black Press Media file photo)

Water restrictions arrive in Ucluelet

Stage 1 Water Restrictions will be in effect until further notice

(Black Press Media file photo)
Campfire. (Phil McLachlan - Black Press Media - File)

Campfire ban lifted in Prince George area as wildfire risk remains high elsewhere in B.C.

Campfires allowed throughout Prince George, Northwest Fire Centres

Campfire. (Phil McLachlan - Black Press Media - File)
The DFO found multiple violations of the Fisheries Act. (DFO photo)

DFO Enforcement Blitz of Southern Gulf Islands ‘highly successful’

Detachment Commander Derek Chung says more education and awareness needed

The DFO found multiple violations of the Fisheries Act. (DFO photo)
Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for east Vancouver Island. file photo

Heat warning in place for East Vancouver Island

Heat to last until Sunday

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for east Vancouver Island. file photo
Get the “hull” out of here! A crane lifts the hull of the old Bonilla onto a barge on July 21, 2021. (Nick Touchie photo)

Derelict boats removed from Ucluelet Harbour

Coastal Restoration Society receives another $837, 237 to remove 18 derelict vessels

Get the “hull” out of here! A crane lifts the hull of the old Bonilla onto a barge on July 21, 2021. (Nick Touchie photo)
Members of the Island Health team (back from left) Carlee Bushell, Dr. Mike Benusic, Charlotte Brown, Kaylee Gray (front from left) Matt Erickson and Mike Munro in front of the health authority’s new mobile vaccination clinic, the “Vax Van.” (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Island Health’s ‘Vax Van’ coming to Port Alberni

Mobile COVID-19 immunization clinic will stop here July 28 on Island-wide tour

Members of the Island Health team (back from left) Carlee Bushell, Dr. Mike Benusic, Charlotte Brown, Kaylee Gray (front from left) Matt Erickson and Mike Munro in front of the health authority’s new mobile vaccination clinic, the “Vax Van.” (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
A float plane flipped over in the Tofino Harbour on Monday morning. The plane’s four passengers and pilot escaped the incident without serious injuries. (Submitted photo)

No serious injuries reported after floatplane flips over during takeoff in Tofino harbour

Four passengers and pilot all walk away from incident under their own power

A float plane flipped over in the Tofino Harbour on Monday morning. The plane’s four passengers and pilot escaped the incident without serious injuries. (Submitted photo)
Joe Martin, pictured here smiling next to his daughter Tsimka Martin next to a traditional dugout canoe, began carving a 32-foot totem pole from an 800 year old red cedar tree on June 18. (Westerly News file)

Rekindling culture: Project brings totems back to Opitsaht

Project returning important part of Tla-o-qui-aht culture to community 200 years later

Joe Martin, pictured here smiling next to his daughter Tsimka Martin next to a traditional dugout canoe, began carving a 32-foot totem pole from an 800 year old red cedar tree on June 18. (Westerly News file)
Eamonn and Victoria Nolan with their children Ceili and Tarabh and guide dog Alan. (Submitted photo)

Paralympian files complaint after guide dog hotel controversy in Ucluelet

Blind National Team rower Victoria Nolan hopes to get the word out so it stops future incidents

Eamonn and Victoria Nolan with their children Ceili and Tarabh and guide dog Alan. (Submitted photo)
Michael Lee, MLA for Vancouver-Langara and candidate for the B.C. Liberal Party leadership, stops at the Port Alberni waterfront during a tour of Vancouver Island, July 15, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

B.C. Liberals must rebuild party trust, says leadership candidate

Michael Lee brings message of inclusivity, unity to Vancouver Island campaign tour

Michael Lee, MLA for Vancouver-Langara and candidate for the B.C. Liberal Party leadership, stops at the Port Alberni waterfront during a tour of Vancouver Island, July 15, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Halfmoon Bay in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and Ucluelet First Nation’s traditional territory. (Parks Canada photo)

Injured hiker rescued, wheeled out on stretcher in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

“The visitors were well prepared for their trip”

Halfmoon Bay in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and Ucluelet First Nation’s traditional territory. (Parks Canada photo)
Tofino's summer shuttle service has its first electric bus. (District of Tofino photo)

Tofino launches electric summer shuttle pilot

District partners with Vancouver Island based Wilson Transportation and BYD Canada

Tofino's summer shuttle service has its first electric bus. (District of Tofino photo)
Commercial gillnet fisher Ryan Daynes repairs his net from the Lily M. on one of the wharf fingers at Centennial Pier, Port Alberni, on June 24, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Commercial salmon fishers left high and dry over sudden DFO closures

Island MP calls on federal fisheries minister to provide financial relief

Commercial gillnet fisher Ryan Daynes repairs his net from the Lily M. on one of the wharf fingers at Centennial Pier, Port Alberni, on June 24, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Sgt. Kevin Smith is excited to be back on the West Coast after taking the helm of Ucluelet’s RCMP detachment. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Ucluelet’s new top cop settling in as ‘floodgates open’ for summer

Sgt. Kevin Smith excited to return to Tofino-Ucluelet region.

Sgt. Kevin Smith is excited to be back on the West Coast after taking the helm of Ucluelet’s RCMP detachment. (Andrew Bailey photo)