Community

John Erickson noted that the forest fuels are exceptionally dry this year. (John Erickson/Special to the News)

See smoke? Here’s how to help crews when you report a wildfire from a B.C. expert

Err on the side of caution, advises B.C. Wildfire Service

Kevin Hossack of Team Good People adds to his pile as Jennifer Lawson and Bruce Cates look on during a clean-up of Japanese sargassum at Maple Bay on Sunday, July 25. Lawson organized the event to help prevent the spread of the invasive species in the bay. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Volunteers pull invasive seaweed from Maple Bay by wheelbarrow load

Japanese sargassum is very tall and aggressive

Graham Cannon is the first winner of the Barb de Groot grant, which has been presented for the first time this year. (Submitted)

First winner of de Groot grant in Cowichan is former student

Cannon is the lead instructor for a class of four boys

  • Jul 30, 2021
Shawnigan Rotary EcoClub members celebrate receiving their charter from Rotary International. (Submitted)

Shawnigan Lake has Canada’s first Rotary EcoClub

Focused on environmental sustainability, club received charter in June

Shawnigan Rotary EcoClub members celebrate receiving their charter from Rotary International. (Submitted)
The skies above Osoyoos are thick with smoke from the nearby Nk’Mip Creek wildfire. (Twila Amato /Black Press Media)

Smoke from B.C. wildfires creating issues for those with respiratory illnesses

The wildfire smoke has made it difficult to be outside for some

The skies above Osoyoos are thick with smoke from the nearby Nk’Mip Creek wildfire. (Twila Amato /Black Press Media)
Goat hobbyist Robert de Haas won a $1-million Maxmillions prize in the June 15, 2021 draw. Photo supplied

Vancouver Island man wins a $1-million Maxmillions prize

A Courtenay man is a million dollars richer, after buying a lottery…

  • Jul 27, 2021
Goat hobbyist Robert de Haas won a $1-million Maxmillions prize in the June 15, 2021 draw. Photo supplied
A fleet of supercars filled a quiet Langley City street to visit Langley City teen Alyssa Anderson on Sunday, July 25, as part of the Drive Project. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: Cool cars provide some automotive magic for B.C. teen

Driven Project brought fleet of supercars to quiet street

A fleet of supercars filled a quiet Langley City street to visit Langley City teen Alyssa Anderson on Sunday, July 25, as part of the Drive Project. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
“These are the ones you want, not me,” mayor Ross Forrest, second from right, told photographers during the unveiling of the first four inductees for the Cowichan Lake Sports Wall of Fame at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena, Friday, July 22. From left is skiier Gord Tuck, golfer Dawn Coe-Jones, mayor Ross Forrest, and hockey player Brad Palmer. Baseball player Charlie Stroulger, who died in 2005, was represented by his wife Trudy and son John. (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, July 27, 2011)

Flashback: Sports icons, river tragedy, the summer of strikes

A look back into Cowichan Lake area history

“These are the ones you want, not me,” mayor Ross Forrest, second from right, told photographers during the unveiling of the first four inductees for the Cowichan Lake Sports Wall of Fame at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena, Friday, July 22. From left is skiier Gord Tuck, golfer Dawn Coe-Jones, mayor Ross Forrest, and hockey player Brad Palmer. Baseball player Charlie Stroulger, who died in 2005, was represented by his wife Trudy and son John. (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, July 27, 2011)
Warmland Women’s Support Services Society is offering a free program called ‘Transformation Through Movement’, for self-identified women and genderqueer survivors of intimate partner abuse and/or sexualized violence. (Submitted graphic)

Cowichan program aims to help abuse survivors transform through movement

For self-identified women and genderqueer survivors of intimate partner abuse or sexualized violence

  • Jul 23, 2021
Warmland Women’s Support Services Society is offering a free program called ‘Transformation Through Movement’, for self-identified women and genderqueer survivors of intimate partner abuse and/or sexualized violence. (Submitted graphic)
The Cowichan School District is offering a new program in the fall for students needing full-time mental health and emotional support. (File photo)

New program for Cowichan students needing mental health, emotional support

The district is partnering with the Take a Hike Foundation

  • Jul 20, 2021
The Cowichan School District is offering a new program in the fall for students needing full-time mental health and emotional support. (File photo)
“Her first-ever time at the Honeymoon Bay Farmer’s Market, nine-year old Olivia Skinner braved the rain and sold pin and fridge magnets fashioned from bottle caps during the Saturday, July 16, market. The youngster has lived in Honeymoon Bay for the past year, and began her unique art form a few years ago when she lived in Whistler. The bottle caps were from recycling and from donations from a Whistler bar, with Skinner filling them in with images and clear sealants, attaching a magnet or pushpin onto the back. Her grandfather helped with the display boards that held up the pins and magnets during the Farmer’s Market. (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, July 20, 2011)

Flashback: Cowichan Lake is no toilet, an important wrong number, and a toll-free request

Remember these stories from Cowichan Lake?

“Her first-ever time at the Honeymoon Bay Farmer’s Market, nine-year old Olivia Skinner braved the rain and sold pin and fridge magnets fashioned from bottle caps during the Saturday, July 16, market. The youngster has lived in Honeymoon Bay for the past year, and began her unique art form a few years ago when she lived in Whistler. The bottle caps were from recycling and from donations from a Whistler bar, with Skinner filling them in with images and clear sealants, attaching a magnet or pushpin onto the back. Her grandfather helped with the display boards that held up the pins and magnets during the Farmer’s Market. (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, July 20, 2011)
A display panel at the Cowichan Valley Museum’s new Prince of Wales Fairbridge Farm School exhibit features images of children setting off from Britain to travel to Canada in what was a promotion for the school. (Courtesy of Cowichan Valley Museum)

Cowichan Valley Museum now open four days a week

New display features Prince of Wales Fairbridge Farm School

A display panel at the Cowichan Valley Museum’s new Prince of Wales Fairbridge Farm School exhibit features images of children setting off from Britain to travel to Canada in what was a promotion for the school. (Courtesy of Cowichan Valley Museum)
Students make a “tiny home” sign with their hands as part of the Tiny Home Challenge at John Paul II Catholic School. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Vancouver Island school gets visit from Netflix show hosts for tiny home competition

Pilot Tiny Home elective was offered for Grades 4-7

Students make a “tiny home” sign with their hands as part of the Tiny Home Challenge at John Paul II Catholic School. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #53 has donated $1,500 to Providence Farms with proceeds from its annual poppy campaign. Pictured is Legion president Betty James (centre) handing the cheque to the Providence Farms’ Leah Boisvert (left) and Tracey Parrow (right). (Submitted photo)

Almost $10,000 raised from annual poppy campaign in Cowichan

The local Legion’s poppy campaign was one of the most successful across Canada

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #53 has donated $1,500 to Providence Farms with proceeds from its annual poppy campaign. Pictured is Legion president Betty James (centre) handing the cheque to the Providence Farms’ Leah Boisvert (left) and Tracey Parrow (right). (Submitted photo)
Members of the Cowichan Life Cyclers Mary Hoff, Dana Lyngaard and David Pope are ready to take to their bikes to raise money for Cowichan Hospice on July 24 during the Cycle of Life Tour. (Submitted)

Cowichan Life Cyclers ready to ride for Hospice

There is no limit to the team size, so anyone can join Cowichan Life Cycler’s virtual team

  • Jul 12, 2021
Members of the Cowichan Life Cyclers Mary Hoff, Dana Lyngaard and David Pope are ready to take to their bikes to raise money for Cowichan Hospice on July 24 during the Cycle of Life Tour. (Submitted)
"Mayor Ken Douglas throws first pitch to open upper Island Little League tournament here on Saturday while Barry Wilson, president of Cowichan Lake Little League offers smiling encouragement. The throw was a strike, the Ump said." (Lake News, July 22, 1981)

Lake Cowichan Flashback: Water safety, the blame game, an MLA dies

A dive into the history of the Cowichan Lake area

"Mayor Ken Douglas throws first pitch to open upper Island Little League tournament here on Saturday while Barry Wilson, president of Cowichan Lake Little League offers smiling encouragement. The throw was a strike, the Ump said." (Lake News, July 22, 1981)
A memorial tribute to Police Service Dog Gator is growing at a the foot of a flagpole in front of the Campbell River RCMP detachment on July 9, 2021. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

Memorial for Campbell River police dog killed in line of duty grows

VIDEO: Emergency personnel conduct vehicle parade memorial for Gator

A memorial tribute to Police Service Dog Gator is growing at a the foot of a flagpole in front of the Campbell River RCMP detachment on July 9, 2021. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
John Hillman, 102, marks down the last lap for the day hitting 80 on July 6. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Donations lag as 102-year-old veteran laps Oak Bay courtyard for cause

John Hillman set to take his last laps Thursday morning

John Hillman, 102, marks down the last lap for the day hitting 80 on July 6. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
An oldie, but a goodie: a 1956 Pontiac. (Photo by Dan Dertien)

All revved up with some place to go: Chemainus

Car meets in Chemainus at the public market a summer spectacle

An oldie, but a goodie: a 1956 Pontiac. (Photo by Dan Dertien)
Artist Angela Carlson at the new mural she created. (Photo by Shannon Bellamy)

Fire department commemorative mural hangs in place in Chemainus

Final touch-ups made for Shawnigan Lake artist’s addition to the outdoor collection

Artist Angela Carlson at the new mural she created. (Photo by Shannon Bellamy)