Local News

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

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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)
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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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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)
Snuneymuxw First Nation’s Daisy Elliott has gone public with her COVID-19 diagnosis in the hope of instilling a sense of the seriousness about the illness in people. (Facebook)

Snuneymuxw woman goes public with COVID-19 diagnosis to keep others safe

A warning to all that the virus is here, and a call for compassion over stigmatization

Snuneymuxw First Nation’s Daisy Elliott has gone public with her COVID-19 diagnosis in the hope of instilling a sense of the seriousness about the illness in people. (Facebook)
Cowichan Tribes sign

Cowichan Tribes under shelter in place order

Due to COVID-19 outbreak, members are required to stay at home until Jan. 22

Cowichan Tribes sign
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)
Megan Desjarlais was reported missing on Monday, Jan. 4. (Submitted)

UPDATE: Missing woman located

Police have located a woman who was reported missing on Jan. 4

Megan Desjarlais was reported missing on Monday, Jan. 4. (Submitted)
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)
A case of COVID-19 has been detected at Chemainus Secondary School. (Don Bodger/Black Press)

COVID-19 detected at Chemainus Secondary School

Staff and students who need to isolate or self-monitor will be notified

A case of COVID-19 has been detected at Chemainus Secondary School. (Don Bodger/Black Press)
The CVRD has issued an evacuation alert for Tzouhalem Road (south), Samuel Road, Westcan Terminal Road and Lochmanetz Road. (Screenshot)

Evacuation alert issued for parts of Cowichan Bay

Residents should wait for an order before evacuating

The CVRD has issued an evacuation alert for Tzouhalem Road (south), Samuel Road, Westcan Terminal Road and Lochmanetz Road. (Screenshot)
One man has been arrested after two robberies at businesses in Duncan. (Patrick Davies/100 Mile Free Press)

Man charged after robberies at Cowichan Valley businesses

Roy Spencer remains in custody after two incidents in late December

One man has been arrested after two robberies at businesses in Duncan. (Patrick Davies/100 Mile Free Press)
An evacuation order has been rescinded for the Sahilton and Wil’seem road areas. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Evacuation order lifted for Cowichan Tribes areas

Evacuation alert remains in effect along with boil-water advisory

An evacuation order has been rescinded for the Sahilton and Wil’seem road areas. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)