Local News

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)
Kindergarten registration begins Jan. 18 for the nature and French immersion schools and on Jan. 25 for the rest of the district. (School District 79 photo)

Cowichan Valley kindergarten registration begins Jan. 18

Lottery system may be used for in-demand French and nature schools

Kindergarten registration begins Jan. 18 for the nature and French immersion schools and on Jan. 25 for the rest of the district. (School District 79 photo)
Pamela Anderson is putting herself out there to promote the RASTA Sanctuary in Chemainus and the vegan lifestyle. (Photo submitted)

Pamela Anderson promotes Island animal sanctuary with billboard campaign

Island celebrity pushing animal compassion, vegan lifestyle, on behalf of RASTA Sanctuary

Pamela Anderson is putting herself out there to promote the RASTA Sanctuary in Chemainus and the vegan lifestyle. (Photo submitted)
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Fire on Jan. 13, 2021, off of the Trans Canada Highway in Duncan
Lewis Apartments
Fatal fire Christmas Day in Cowichan Valley
Snow in the Cowichan Valley Dec. 21, 2020
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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)

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)
North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring is among the elected officials in the region who have taken to social media to disavow COVID-19-related racism in the community. (File photo)

Cowichan Valley leaders condemn COVID-related racism

Mayor Siebring, MLA Furstenau among those to speak out

North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring is among the elected officials in the region who have taken to social media to disavow COVID-19-related racism in the community. (File photo)
One staff member has tested positive for COVID-19 at Sunridge Place on Bundock Avenue In Duncan. (Citizen file)

One staffer positive for COVID-19 at Duncan’s Sunridge Place, but no exposure to residents, Island Health says

No risk of exposure to residents, Island Health confirms

One staff member has tested positive for COVID-19 at Sunridge Place on Bundock Avenue In Duncan. (Citizen file)
An early morning fire on Monday forced classes to be cancelled at Drinkwater Elementary School. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Classes cancelled at Drinkwater Elementary after fire

Flames damaged exterior, but smoke filled halls and classrooms

An early morning fire on Monday forced classes to be cancelled at Drinkwater Elementary School. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
COVID-19 has been reported at Cowichan Secondary School, and two other schools in the district. (File photo)

COVID-19 reported at three Cowichan Valley schools, Cowichan Tribes buses

Cowichan Secondary, Duncan Christian and Quamichan School all affected

COVID-19 has been reported at Cowichan Secondary School, and two other schools in the district. (File photo)
Signs are being placed this July around Lake Cowichan and the region asking tourists to follow the rules around COVID-19 while visiting local businesses and other attractions and facilities this summer. (Submitted graphic)

Year in Review: Top headlines from Lake Cowichan in 2020, part II

May Tubing the Cowichan River has been banned for the summer of…

Signs are being placed this July around Lake Cowichan and the region asking tourists to follow the rules around COVID-19 while visiting local businesses and other attractions and facilities this summer. (Submitted graphic)
Winning numbers in Jan. 9, 2021 draw

Winning lotto ticket sold in Duncan

$2 million grand prize ticket drawn on Saturday

Winning numbers in Jan. 9, 2021 draw
Many braved the chilly waters of Maple Bay during the annual New Year’s Day polar bear swim on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

These were some of the most memorable stories from 2020 in Cowichan

What are your picks?

Many braved the chilly waters of Maple Bay during the annual New Year’s Day polar bear swim on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
An employee at Duncan’s Real Canadian Superstore has tested positive for COVID-19. (Don Bodger/Black Press)

Cowichan Superstore employee tests positive for COVID-19

Reports of an employee of a local supermarket testing positive for Coronavirus…

An employee at Duncan’s Real Canadian Superstore has tested positive for COVID-19. (Don Bodger/Black Press)
A helicopter similar to this was seen hovering over Duncan Friday mid-day. (BC RCMP image)

RCMP helicopter circles Duncan Friday for property crime investigation

An RCMP helicopter flew in circles around Duncan’s core Friday mid-day while…

A helicopter similar to this was seen hovering over Duncan Friday mid-day. (BC RCMP image)
The Malahat Nation activated a Shelter in Place order for its members on Jan. 8. (Submitted)

Malahat First Nation members ordered to shelter in place

The Malahat Nation has followed Cowichan Tribes’s lead and activated a Shelter…

The Malahat Nation activated a Shelter in Place order for its members on Jan. 8. (Submitted)
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)
Suspect arrested in break-and-enter near Cowichan Bay. (File photo)

Suspect arrested after break-in near Cowichan Bay

Poilce dog used in search for suspect

Suspect arrested in break-and-enter near Cowichan Bay. (File photo)
A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at the Ts’i’ts’uwatul’ Lelum assisted-living facility in Duncan. (File photo)

COVID-19 outbreak declared at assisted-living facility in Duncan

One staff member has tested positive for disease

  • Jan 7, 2021
A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at the Ts’i’ts’uwatul’ Lelum assisted-living facility in Duncan. (File photo)
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)
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)