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This photo made available by NASA shows the planet Jupiter, captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, on June 27, 2019. On Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, scientists said they have discovered 12 new moons around the gas giant, putting the total count at a record-breaking 92. That's more than any other planet in our solar system. (NASA, ESA, A. Simon/Goddard Space Flight Center, M.H. Wong/University of California, Berkeley via AP)
Jupiter’s moon count jumps to 92, most in solar system
(Black Press Media Creative)
Google is getting its ChatGPT competitor ready for prime time.
(Black Press Media Creative)
Choosing safe Valentine’s flowers, plants for pet parents
FILE - Spanish fashion designer Paco Rabanne poses with a model wearing a white dress with a metallic headpiece after presenting his 1992/93 fall-winter haute couture collection in Paris, France, on July 29, 1992. The Spanish-born pace-setting designer known for perfumes sold worldwide and his metallic, space-age fashions, has died, the group that owns his fashion house announced on its website Friday Feb.3, 2023. He was 88. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours, File)
Lauded rebel fashion designer Paco Rabanne dies at age 88
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Routes to Tofino will remain suspended until May. (Black Press file photo)

Vancouver Island Connector bus service paused after ridership plummets

Service between Victoria and Tofino, Nanaimo and Campbell River expected to resume in May

Routes to Tofino will remain suspended until May. (Black Press file photo)
Two arrested after stolen trucks located. (Citizen file photo)

Chase ensues after 2 stolen trucks located near Lake Cowichan

Two suspects arrested

Two arrested after stolen trucks located. (Citizen file photo)
Andrew Lang Wong is giving a talk ‘Help from Kelp’ on Jan. 9, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cowichan Valley Naturalists)

Learn about the importance of seaweed with Cowichan Naturalists

On Jan. 9 starting at 9:30 a.m. Andrew Lang Wong of Ocean Wise will present “Help from Kelp”

Andrew Lang Wong is giving a talk ‘Help from Kelp’ on Jan. 9, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cowichan Valley Naturalists)
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Parents and their children are loaded onto a warming bus as they wait for news after a bus crashed into a daycare centre in Laval, Que., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Two children dead after city bus driven into Quebec daycare, driver charged
A man searches for people in a destroyed building in Adana, Turkey, Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. A powerful quake has knocked down multiple buildings in southeast Turkey and Syria and many casualties are feared. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
VIDEO: Race to find survivors as quake aid pours into Turkey, Syria
B.C.’s Lt. Governor Janet Austin at the B.C. Legislature ahead of the annual Throne Speech on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. (Wolfgang Depner/Black Press Media)
B.C. government to make heavy use of spending surplus: Throne Speech
(Black Press Media Creative)
Hawaii whale dies with fishing nets, plastic bags in stomach
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North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas says the municipality will continue to explore ways to lower the tax increase in 2023 from the 5.6 per cent that is currently projected. (Citizen file photo)

North Cowichan now eyeing 5.6% tax increase in 2023

The tax increase was projected to be 9.26% last June

North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas says the municipality will continue to explore ways to lower the tax increase in 2023 from the 5.6 per cent that is currently projected. (Citizen file photo)
Lori and Jason Hamilton welcomed the first baby born at Cowichan District Hospital in 2023, little Jasper Hamilton. (Hamilton family photo)

Cowichan Valley’s first baby of 2023, Jasper destined to be a holiday baby

Due at Christmas, baby Jasper debuts on New Years day instead

Lori and Jason Hamilton welcomed the first baby born at Cowichan District Hospital in 2023, little Jasper Hamilton. (Hamilton family photo)
Tires on at least 13 vehicles in the Cobble Hill area were slashed in the early morning hours on New Year’s Day. The RCMP are investigating. (Citizen file photo)

Tires slashed on at least 13 vehicles in Cobble Hill on New Year’s Day

RCMP investigating incident

Tires on at least 13 vehicles in the Cobble Hill area were slashed in the early morning hours on New Year’s Day. The RCMP are investigating. (Citizen file photo)
Josh Derrah and Gina Dias. (Submitted photo)

Cold weather shelter not open on night of homeless man’s death in Duncan

28-year-old Josh Derrah died outside of the A&W on Dec. 20

Josh Derrah and Gina Dias. (Submitted photo)
Hundreds of people and even some pets braved the cold on Sunday, Jan. 1 for the Maple Bay Rowing Club’s annual New Year’s day polar bear swim. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

Crowd braves the cold for Maple Bay polar bear dip

More than 100 jump in the water

Hundreds of people and even some pets braved the cold on Sunday, Jan. 1 for the Maple Bay Rowing Club’s annual New Year’s day polar bear swim. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
House prices have risen again in the Cowichan Valley from last year, according to the latest information from BC Assessment. (Citizen file photo)

Lake Cowichan leads the way with 23% increase in home values

Homeowners across Vancouver Island can generally expect about a 10-20% rise

House prices have risen again in the Cowichan Valley from last year, according to the latest information from BC Assessment. (Citizen file photo)
A heavy snowfall Dec. 20 buried cars and anything else left out in the open. (Photo by Carolyn Dykeman)

Twice as much snow and sun during a volatile December on the Island

The month also featured much colder weather than usual

A heavy snowfall Dec. 20 buried cars and anything else left out in the open. (Photo by Carolyn Dykeman)
Fire destroys mobile home in Cowichan Bay on Jan. 13. (Submitted photo)

Fire destroys mobile home in Cowichan Bay

No one hurt in incident

Fire destroys mobile home in Cowichan Bay on Jan. 13. (Submitted photo)
Residents are advised to keep tabs on the ongoing changes to hours at the Chemainus Urgent Care Centre. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Limited physician availability impacts Chemainus Urgent Care hours

Six closure dates during the first half of January

Residents are advised to keep tabs on the ongoing changes to hours at the Chemainus Urgent Care Centre. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Vancouver Island residents won big in lottery draws in 2022. (Black Press file photo)

This is how much Vancouver Island residents raked in with lottery wins in 2022

BCLC details lottery winnings

Vancouver Island residents won big in lottery draws in 2022. (Black Press file photo)
Crews from two departments include Central Saanich responded to the aftermath of a collision on Highway 17 that sent this vehicle down an embankment near the future Keating Flyover. (Ryan Vantreight/Submitted)

Monday morning collision sends vehicle down Central Saanich embankment

Two women suffered non-critical injuries in incident that happened Monday morning at 10:30 a.m.

Crews from two departments include Central Saanich responded to the aftermath of a collision on Highway 17 that sent this vehicle down an embankment near the future Keating Flyover. (Ryan Vantreight/Submitted)
Choir and band students at Queen Margaret’s School perform in their holiday concert before Christmas, 2022. (Ashley Marston photo)

Duncan’s QMS students celebrate the holidays with music

Photo gallery from Queen Margaret’s School holiday concert

  • Jan 2, 2023
Choir and band students at Queen Margaret’s School perform in their holiday concert before Christmas, 2022. (Ashley Marston photo)
A big snowfall in late December left fat pillows of snow on signs, fences, picnic tables lake and even covered the surface of Mayo Dam, as shown in the first edition of January, 2022. (Kathryn Swan photo)

Lake Cowichan Gazette Year In Review – Part I

Editor’s note: This past year has been a busy one around Cowichan…

A big snowfall in late December left fat pillows of snow on signs, fences, picnic tables lake and even covered the surface of Mayo Dam, as shown in the first edition of January, 2022. (Kathryn Swan photo)
The Cowichan Valley’s Tafadzwa Matambe, who is originally from Zimbabwe, has received a $20,000 grant for production funding, personalized training and mentorship to tell the story of his culture and people during Black History Month. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Year in Review: A few of Cowichan’s more fun and heartwarming stories from 2022

From green building to a determined woodpecker

The Cowichan Valley’s Tafadzwa Matambe, who is originally from Zimbabwe, has received a $20,000 grant for production funding, personalized training and mentorship to tell the story of his culture and people during Black History Month. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Police have arrested two after a break-and-enter in Youbou on Dec. 23, 2022. (Gazette file)

Police arrest 2 after B&E in Youbou

One suspect taken to hospital for exposure

Police have arrested two after a break-and-enter in Youbou on Dec. 23, 2022. (Gazette file)
Almost 7,000 people participated in the second annual Every Child Matters march in Duncan on Sept. 30, which is National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Pictured if the front of the march as people turn from Ingram Street onto Jubilee Street. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Year in Review Part 2: Top stories from Cowichan in 2022, July to December

Check out some of the top stories from the Cowichan Valley, month by month

Almost 7,000 people participated in the second annual Every Child Matters march in Duncan on Sept. 30, which is National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Pictured if the front of the march as people turn from Ingram Street onto Jubilee Street. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Students and staff enjoyed the Candlelight Service at Queen Margaret’s School in Duncan before the Christmas holidays. (Hayley Picard photo)

Photos: Duncan’s QMS brings back Candlelight Service in 2022

Check out our photo gallery

  • Dec 29, 2022
Students and staff enjoyed the Candlelight Service at Queen Margaret’s School in Duncan before the Christmas holidays. (Hayley Picard photo)
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