Local News

Salmon at Goldstream Provincial Park were swept up in stormy floodwaters on Nov. 15. (Courtesy RLC Park Services)

VIDEO: Goldstream salmon swim beside picnic tables amid surging stormwaters

Park still closed as Malahat region sustains flood damage

Salmon at Goldstream Provincial Park were swept up in stormy floodwaters on Nov. 15. (Courtesy RLC Park Services)
Shelly Bell, manager of Destination Motorcycle on the highway corridor, holds up discarded needles that were collected in front of the shop. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Business along troubled TCH corridor in Duncan looking to move due to area problems

Destination Motorcycle is looking for new location

Shelly Bell, manager of Destination Motorcycle on the highway corridor, holds up discarded needles that were collected in front of the shop. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Flooding and bank instability closed the south and northbound lanes of the Malahat past West Shore Parkway Nov. 15. (Courtesy Emcon Servcies)

UPDATE: Malahat reopening to alternating traffic following safety assessment

Essential travelers to be allowed through in 30 minute intervals

Flooding and bank instability closed the south and northbound lanes of the Malahat past West Shore Parkway Nov. 15. (Courtesy Emcon Servcies)
Video
Vancouver International Airport (YVR Airport/Twitter)
COVID-19 variant prompts ban on travellers from southern Africa
Vanderhoof RCMP detachment seen on Nov. 25, 2021, after a man was seen with a long gun targeting the building. (Aman Parhar/Vanderhoof Omineca Express)
VIDEO: Suspect arrested in Vanderhoof after active shooter sparks city-wide lockdown
Damage caused by heavy rains and mudslides is shown in this aerial photo along the Coquihalla Highway south of Merritt, B.C., on Monday, November 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. officials urge residents to prep for more storms, say food supply is stable
A farm is surrounded by flood waster as seen from a fly over of the flood damage in Abbotsford, B.C., Tuesday, November 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Financial aid coming to flood evacuees as B.C. officials warn of rainy, ‘challenging’ days ahead
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The old Stanley Gordon school. (Gazette file)

Still waiting: provincial funding request holds up Cowichan Lake school demolitions

A.B. Greenwell and Stanley Gordon Elementary Schools are slated for removal

The old Stanley Gordon school. (Gazette file)
Signy Madden, regional director of the United Way British Columbia, Central and Northern Vancouver Island, invites organizations in the Cowichan Valley that help deal with homelessness to apply for more than $450,000 in federal funding. (File photo)

Federal funding available to help deal with homelessness in Cowichan

More than $450,000 will go to local organizations

  • Nov 16, 2021
Signy Madden, regional director of the United Way British Columbia, Central and Northern Vancouver Island, invites organizations in the Cowichan Valley that help deal with homelessness to apply for more than $450,000 in federal funding. (File photo)
North Cowichan pinpoints roads that remain closed.

Numerous road closures still in effect in North Cowichan

Crews continue working overnight to monitor creeks and rivers

North Cowichan pinpoints roads that remain closed.
B.C. Ferries MV Klitsa and crew will be doing extra duties tonight and overnight between Brentwood Bay and Mill Bay, in an attempt to get travellers stranded by the closure of the Malahat due to heavy rains to their destination. (Black Press Media file photo)

BC Ferries sailing through the night between Mill Bay and Brentwood Bay

Closure of Malahat on Highway 1 prompts action to move traffic on South Island

  • Nov 15, 2021
B.C. Ferries MV Klitsa and crew will be doing extra duties tonight and overnight between Brentwood Bay and Mill Bay, in an attempt to get travellers stranded by the closure of the Malahat due to heavy rains to their destination. (Black Press Media file photo)
A mudslide prompted Emcon Services Inc. to close Allenby Road between Miller and Boys Roads earlier in the Day on Monday. (Emcon Services photo/Twitter)

Duncan’s Riverside Campground evacuated due to flood

Residents are asked to register online with Emergency Social Services

A mudslide prompted Emcon Services Inc. to close Allenby Road between Miller and Boys Roads earlier in the Day on Monday. (Emcon Services photo/Twitter)
Fresh cut sawdust is seen from a tree cut from a cut block near the Òheli campÓ in Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. forest company says rule of law must apply to ongoing protests at Fairy Creek

Teal Cedar Products seeking to extend injunction against blockades through court appeal

Fresh cut sawdust is seen from a tree cut from a cut block near the Òheli campÓ in Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Benjamin Gatchell was wanted on several warrants for uttering threats, failing to stop after an accident, causing fear of injury and dangerous operation of a conveyance. (Courtesy of VicPD)

UPDATE: Victoria, Cowichan Valley police arrest wanted man Benjamin Gatchell

Man arrested on warrants stemming from incidents on South Island

Benjamin Gatchell was wanted on several warrants for uttering threats, failing to stop after an accident, causing fear of injury and dangerous operation of a conveyance. (Courtesy of VicPD)
Road flooded signs are everywhere around North Cowichan. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Rain finally subsides, but flood damage extensive in Cowichan

Still no direct access to Chemainus from the south due to road closures

Road flooded signs are everywhere around North Cowichan. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Tzouhalem Road on Cowichan Tribes land was still flooded Monday afternoon. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

Evacuation order issued by Cowichan Tribes

‘We are doing this to keep community members safe’

Tzouhalem Road on Cowichan Tribes land was still flooded Monday afternoon. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
Roads throughout the Cowichan Valley, including the Trans-Canada were closed at various points as a result of heavy rain and subsequent flooding. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

Cowichan Valley Regional District declares state of local emergency due to rain

Cowichan Valley residents asked to restrict travel if possible

Roads throughout the Cowichan Valley, including the Trans-Canada were closed at various points as a result of heavy rain and subsequent flooding. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
Members of the BC Museum Portraits Project were at the Kaatza Historical Society’s museum in Lake Cowichan on Nov. 1 to take pictures of the archives and interview staff to showcase on the BC Museum Society’s website. Pictured, from left, are project photographer Tayu Hayward, project manager Spencer W. Stuart, president of the Kaatza Historical Society Pat Foster, and museum manager Lynn Engstrom. (Robert Barron/Gazette)

Collection at Lake Cowichan’s museum to be archived online

Initiative part of the BC Museum Portraits Project

Members of the BC Museum Portraits Project were at the Kaatza Historical Society’s museum in Lake Cowichan on Nov. 1 to take pictures of the archives and interview staff to showcase on the BC Museum Society’s website. Pictured, from left, are project photographer Tayu Hayward, project manager Spencer W. Stuart, president of the Kaatza Historical Society Pat Foster, and museum manager Lynn Engstrom. (Robert Barron/Gazette)
Members of Cowichan Search and Rescue and RCMP work to transport residents of the Meadow Glen Apartments to higher ground due to flooding in the Duncan area. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

VIDEO: Evacuation underway for Duncan apartment residents as floodwaters rise

Residents told to leave, at least one upset with North Cowichan for the late notice

Members of Cowichan Search and Rescue and RCMP work to transport residents of the Meadow Glen Apartments to higher ground due to flooding in the Duncan area. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
Posted to Facebook prior to the highway closure: “Just drove Chemainus to Duncan, I’m surprised they’re still letting traffic through. The water is deep. Stay home if you can. Picture is just south of Mt Sicker Road before Hidden Hills.” (Photo by Shelby Mitchell)

UPDATED: Island Highway moving again near Crofton, Malahat remains closed

Flooding impacting movement of traffic in several areas

Posted to Facebook prior to the highway closure: “Just drove Chemainus to Duncan, I’m surprised they’re still letting traffic through. The water is deep. Stay home if you can. Picture is just south of Mt Sicker Road before Hidden Hills.” (Photo by Shelby Mitchell)
Environment Canada issued heavy rain and wind warnings for Greater Victoria, and much of Vancouver Island, Nov. 15. (Black Press Media file photo)

Heavy rain, wind warnings issued for Vancouver Island

Up to 180 millimetres expected by noon, according to Environment Canada

Environment Canada issued heavy rain and wind warnings for Greater Victoria, and much of Vancouver Island, Nov. 15. (Black Press Media file photo)
Flames engulfed this home early Sunday morning. (Photo by North Cowichan Fire Department)

Two taken to hospital after early Sunday morning fire near Westholme

House fully engulfed when firefighters arrived

Flames engulfed this home early Sunday morning. (Photo by North Cowichan Fire Department)
Cowichan-Malahat-Langford MP Alistair MacGregor has been appointed as the Public Safety Critic in the NDP shadow cabinet. (File photo)

MacGregor appointed Public Safety Critic in the NDP shadow cabinet

He will also continue to sit as the Critic for Agriculture and Deputy Critic for Justice

  • Nov 14, 2021
Cowichan-Malahat-Langford MP Alistair MacGregor has been appointed as the Public Safety Critic in the NDP shadow cabinet. (File photo)
Robert’s column

Robert Barron column: Wreath vandals should learn history

Yhose who destroyed the wreaths have no concern for the sacrifices made

Robert’s column