Robert Barron

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Workers prepare to take down 28 large trees on private property on Mill Bay Road this week after they were intentionally poisoned almost two years ago. (Submitted photo)

Still no charges over poisoning of trees in Mill Bay

It’s been almost two years since incident involving 28 large trees

Workers prepare to take down 28 large trees on private property on Mill Bay Road this week after they were intentionally poisoned almost two years ago. (Submitted photo)
The new Malahat Skywalk is expected to be completed by this summer. (Submitted graphic)

Malahat Skywalk expected to be complete by this summer

$15-million project will see 650-metre elevated wooden pathway constructed

The new Malahat Skywalk is expected to be completed by this summer. (Submitted graphic)
The new Malahat Skywalk is expected to be completed by this summer. (Submitted graphic)

Malahat Skywalk expected to be complete by this summer

$15-million project will see 650-metre elevated wooden pathway constructed

The new Malahat Skywalk is expected to be completed by this summer. (Submitted graphic)
North Cowichan will dip into its reserve funds to cover costs at the 5,000-hectare municipal forest reserve during 2021 after deciding not to log this year as a forestry review continues. (File photo)

North Cowichan to dip into reserve funds to cover forestry costs

Municipality has no revenue from logging in 2021 due to ongoing review

North Cowichan will dip into its reserve funds to cover costs at the 5,000-hectare municipal forest reserve during 2021 after deciding not to log this year as a forestry review continues. (File photo)
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)

Cowichan Valley residents with feeders cautioned to watch for sick birds

Pine Siskin birds flocking at feeders, spreading disease

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)
The marsh at the west end of the pickle ball courts on E. Cowichan Ave had overflown its banks during heavy rain on Friday and Saturday, (Kathryn Swan photo)

Heavy rain brings flooding to Lake Cowichan

Town hands out sandbags to concerned citizens

The marsh at the west end of the pickle ball courts on E. Cowichan Ave had overflown its banks during heavy rain on Friday and Saturday, (Kathryn Swan photo)
Laurie Arbuthnot, owner of Wild Coast Perfumery in Cowichan Bay, poses with some of her products. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Opening Wild Coast Perfumery a dream come true for Cowichan Bay owner

Business notes

Laurie Arbuthnot, owner of Wild Coast Perfumery in Cowichan Bay, poses with some of her products. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
The provincial Office of the Ombudsperson is investigating a complaint regarding the lack of transparency in the public consultation process over the future of the municipal forest reserve. The demand for more public input into the future of the reserve has led to protests at the municipal hall in the past. (Citizen file)

Ombudsperson investigating North Cowichan’s consultation process on forest reserve

Complaint claims process too secretive

The provincial Office of the Ombudsperson is investigating a complaint regarding the lack of transparency in the public consultation process over the future of the municipal forest reserve. The demand for more public input into the future of the reserve has led to protests at the municipal hall in the past. (Citizen file)
The tents at the two remaining tent sites for the homeless in the Cowichan region are coming down and will be replaced by small wooden cabins. (File photo)

Cabins to go in at tenting sites for homeless in Duncan Friday

A total of 39 cabins are to be placed at two sites

The tents at the two remaining tent sites for the homeless in the Cowichan region are coming down and will be replaced by small wooden cabins. (File photo)
Gerry Dore, the man who died in the fire at Lewis Street Apartments on New Year’s Eve, is pictured with his daughter Dawn who has begun a GoFundMe page to help pay for his funeral. (Submitted photo)

Victim of New Year’s Eve blaze in Duncan described as “good man”

Daughter of Gerry Dore starts GoFundMe page to help pay for funeral

Gerry Dore, the man who died in the fire at Lewis Street Apartments on New Year’s Eve, is pictured with his daughter Dawn who has begun a GoFundMe page to help pay for his funeral. (Submitted photo)
Mark Frame, North Cowichan’s finance director, says the proposed tax increase for 2021 could be substantially lower than anticipated due to a provincial grant. (File photo)

Proposed tax increase in North Cowichan significantly reduced to 2.31 per cent

A tax increase of more than seven per cent was feared

Mark Frame, North Cowichan’s finance director, says the proposed tax increase for 2021 could be substantially lower than anticipated due to a provincial grant. (File photo)
Panic buying at grocery stores and hoarding of some products, notably toilet paper, happened in Cowichan and across Canada. It was not necessary, or desirable to do this. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

COVID-19 top news maker of the year in Cowichan Valley

Year in Review, 2020

Panic buying at grocery stores and hoarding of some products, notably toilet paper, happened in Cowichan and across Canada. It was not necessary, or desirable to do this. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
Nick McMaster (pictured), owner of the Cinder and Sea art studio in Chemainus, will be offering art classes at the studio in the new year. (File photo)

Business notes: Cinder and Sea to hold art classes in the new year

A look at what’s happening in Cowichan’s business community

Nick McMaster (pictured), owner of the Cinder and Sea art studio in Chemainus, will be offering art classes at the studio in the new year. (File photo)
Police, fire, ambulance crews all were at the scene of a fire on the fourth floor of the Lewis Apartments Thursday afternoon. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

UPDATED: One person dead, more injured, displaced as fire guts North Cowichan apartment units

Residents dazed as fire rips through apartment building

Police, fire, ambulance crews all were at the scene of a fire on the fourth floor of the Lewis Apartments Thursday afternoon. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
Protesters march down James Street after leaving Cowichan Secondary School, on their way to a rally at Quamichan School to oppose the location of Island Health’s new safe injection site. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Year in Review: Recovery and wellness centre hot topic for York Road residents in 2020

Island Health plans to open centre in June

Protesters march down James Street after leaving Cowichan Secondary School, on their way to a rally at Quamichan School to oppose the location of Island Health’s new safe injection site. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
COVID-19 vaccinations for the general public on Vancouver Island are not expected anytime soon. (File photo)

Vaccines for general public in the Cowichan Valley not expected anytime soon

Island Health has received just 1,950 doses of vaccine so far

COVID-19 vaccinations for the general public on Vancouver Island are not expected anytime soon. (File photo)
City of Duncan to buy $12,400 paper folder. (File photo)

City of Duncan to purchase $12,400 paper folder

City has about 3,700 invoices to be mailed between January and April

City of Duncan to buy $12,400 paper folder. (File photo)
The Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society said returning the site at 6060 Canada Ave., where the RCMP detachment is currently located, to wetlands would do much to mitigate the regular flooding on Canada Avenue as well as helping fish populations. (File photo)

Society wants North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment property returned to wetlands

Advocates state regular flooding would be mitigated, and salmon conservation assisted

The Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society said returning the site at 6060 Canada Ave., where the RCMP detachment is currently located, to wetlands would do much to mitigate the regular flooding on Canada Avenue as well as helping fish populations. (File photo)
Jody Anderson has been missing since Dec. 22 (Submitted photo)

UPDATE: Missing woman found safe; man remains missing from Lake Cowichan

Cory Harrington last seen on Dec. 11; Jody Anderson missing since Dec. 22

Jody Anderson has been missing since Dec. 22 (Submitted photo)
North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring said it’s often up to the discretion of the municipality’s bylaw officers to determine whether a property is a nuisance. (File photo)

North Cowichan looks to deal with nuisance properties more efficiently

New bylaw gets first three readings

North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring said it’s often up to the discretion of the municipality’s bylaw officers to determine whether a property is a nuisance. (File photo)