Local News

SIMRS executive director/marine biologist Karyssa Arnett, centre, with summer intern Amanda Purnell, left, and program coordinator/biologist Sophie Vanderbanck get ready for a Build-A-Whale event where participants help construct the skeleton of an offshore killer whale. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Strawberry Isle Marine Research Society is having a hard time recovering from pandemic downfall

One of Tofino’s long-standing non-profits needs help to stay afloat. Strawberry Isle…

SIMRS executive director/marine biologist Karyssa Arnett, centre, with summer intern Amanda Purnell, left, and program coordinator/biologist Sophie Vanderbanck get ready for a Build-A-Whale event where participants help construct the skeleton of an offshore killer whale. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Donna Seedorf-Harmuth and Phil Harmuth spend quality time together on Cox Bay. (Cathy Thicke photo)

Free beach wheelchairs up for rent courtesy of Tourism Tofino

“Now families can spend more time together on the beach”

Donna Seedorf-Harmuth and Phil Harmuth spend quality time together on Cox Bay. (Cathy Thicke photo)
Ted Eeftink of Ucluelet gazes out the window of Angel Flight pilot Bruce Burley’s Cessna C210) on the way to Boundary Bay Airport and cancer treatment in Vancouver. (PHOTO COURTESY BRUCE BURLEY)

Angels take flight over Vancouver Island

Angel Flight BC has made more than 2,000 special flights for patients needing medical treatment

Ted Eeftink of Ucluelet gazes out the window of Angel Flight pilot Bruce Burley’s Cessna C210) on the way to Boundary Bay Airport and cancer treatment in Vancouver. (PHOTO COURTESY BRUCE BURLEY)
A boat theft early this morning at Topley Landing has resulted in one injury after a police service pistol was discharged. (File photo)

Boat theft leads to officer-involved shooting in northwestern B.C.

Incident now in hands of independent investigation office

A boat theft early this morning at Topley Landing has resulted in one injury after a police service pistol was discharged. (File photo)
Josie Osborne is the MLA for the Mid Island-Pacific Rim riding, which includes Cumberland, as well as the southern part of the Comox Valley. (Photo submitted)

Commissioner finds MLA Josie Osborne had no conflict of interest in MakeWay grant

B.C. Liberal MLA Lorne Doerkson brought the allegation over a $15 million grant

Josie Osborne is the MLA for the Mid Island-Pacific Rim riding, which includes Cumberland, as well as the southern part of the Comox Valley. (Photo submitted)
Ucluelet’s municipal council is considering changes to the town’s local Airbnb laws. (Black Press Media file photo)

Ucluelet council hosts another B&B bylaw public hearing

Council will make their decision on the proposed B&B bylaw changes during a special Sept. 6 meeting

Ucluelet’s municipal council is considering changes to the town’s local Airbnb laws. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Ministry of Forests has upgraded Vancouver Island’s drought level warning to level 3 after a long period of hot weather and no rain. (Courtesy of Ministry of Forests)

Vancouver Island’s drought rating rises to level 3

Province asking people to cut back on water usage, may add restrictions if conditions don’t improve

The Ministry of Forests has upgraded Vancouver Island’s drought level warning to level 3 after a long period of hot weather and no rain. (Courtesy of Ministry of Forests)
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District office is located in Port Alberni. NEWS FILE PHOTO

Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District board votes for 15 percent raise

Wage increase will come into effect after 2022 election

The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District office is located in Port Alberni. NEWS FILE PHOTO
It started with pizza delivery. (Pixabay photo)

Dial-a-dope drug bust in Ucluelet

Pizza delivery to undercover cops leads to convictions

It started with pizza delivery. (Pixabay photo)
Evacuation Alert Issued for Morice River Wildfire. (Submitted photo)

BREAKING: Evacuation Alert issued for Bulkley-Nechako region in northwest B.C in due to wildfire

The Morice River wildfire is located approximately 45kms southwest of the District of Houston

Evacuation Alert Issued for Morice River Wildfire. (Submitted photo)
A commercial fishing boat navigates rough seas near Ucluelet. (George Fifield photo)

Ucluelet man gets one day jail for possession of $1,000 worth of drugs

David Cameron, 37, was sentenced in Ucluelet Provincial Court on Aug. 8

A commercial fishing boat navigates rough seas near Ucluelet. (George Fifield photo)
Mułaa surf team members throw shakas in front of their new surf shed at Esowista at the north end of Long Beach. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Introducing Mułaa, Canada’s Indigenous surf team

“My kids didn’t know they loved surfing because they didn’t have the equipment and now they do”

Mułaa surf team members throw shakas in front of their new surf shed at Esowista at the north end of Long Beach. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Island Health announced last week that Ucluelet’s outpatient medical lab located at 1566 Peninsula Road would be temporarily closed, effective August 9. (Westerly file photo)

Staffing shortage shuts down medical lab services in Ucluelet

Temporary closure required in order to “ensure reliable” services at Tofino General Hospital

Island Health announced last week that Ucluelet’s outpatient medical lab located at 1566 Peninsula Road would be temporarily closed, effective August 9. (Westerly file photo)
Anna Atleo dances with Rebecca Atleo, right, during an announcement ceremony on Aug. 10 in the Maaqtusiis School Gym. (Nora O’Malley photo)

First Nation women to guide framework for new Big House in Ahousaht territory near Tofino

“If I ever have grandchildren, one day they will be dancing in that Big House”

Anna Atleo dances with Rebecca Atleo, right, during an announcement ceremony on Aug. 10 in the Maaqtusiis School Gym. (Nora O’Malley photo)
View from the reconnaissance flight. BC Wildfire Service

Mt. Evans fire near Kimberley being monitored by helicopters and air tankers

Terrain is not safe for ground crews says BC Wildfire Service

View from the reconnaissance flight. BC Wildfire Service
BC Wildfire Service crews mopping up as a result of the Keremeos Creek wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service- Facebook)

Keremeos Creek wildfire evacuation orders rescinded for Olalla

Village of Apex and portion of Green Mountain Road remain on evacuation

BC Wildfire Service crews mopping up as a result of the Keremeos Creek wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service- Facebook)
Westerly file photo

Tofino firefighters respond to two cigarette-caused fires

Dry conditions have axed campfires and led to two separate cigarette-caused fires in Tofino.

Westerly file photo
The wildfire south of Rosswood as it looked from the air earlier. Skimmer aircraft were deployed today. (BC Wildfire Service photo)

Rosswood fire has moved away from structures

Skimmer aircraft used today to establish perimeter

The wildfire south of Rosswood as it looked from the air earlier. Skimmer aircraft were deployed today. (BC Wildfire Service photo)
Lightning storms are expected across Southern B.C. on Wednesday and Thursday, creating the risk of new wildfires. (Photo courtesy of Murray Foubister, via Wikimedia Commons)

Thunderstorms land near Alberni, Tofino, spark multiple Vancouver Island wildfires

Electrical storms heading inland to drier areas of the province

Lightning storms are expected across Southern B.C. on Wednesday and Thursday, creating the risk of new wildfires. (Photo courtesy of Murray Foubister, via Wikimedia Commons)
This burned tree along Highway 3A is a hazard and could come down onto the road. It’s an example of the dangers of opening the highway too soon, said BC Wildfire. (BC Wildfire)

Some Keremeos Creek fire evacuation orders and alerts rescinded

Evacuations lifted for over 40 properties along Hwy 3A corridor

This burned tree along Highway 3A is a hazard and could come down onto the road. It’s an example of the dangers of opening the highway too soon, said BC Wildfire. (BC Wildfire)