Local News

The Cowichan Valley has rallied around victims of a fire in an apartment building on Lewis Street on New Year’s Eve. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Cowichan rallies around fire victims

Donations exceeding capacity; specific items needed

The Cowichan Valley has rallied around victims of a fire in an apartment building on Lewis Street on New Year’s Eve. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
On Jan. 4, 2021, Environment Canada issued a wind warning for the east coast of Vancouver Island, with high winds expected to pick up the morning of Jan. 5. (Black Press file photo)

Environment Canada issues wind warning for east coast of Vancouver Island

Gusts of 70-90 km/h expected for Tuesday, Jan. 5

On Jan. 4, 2021, Environment Canada issued a wind warning for the east coast of Vancouver Island, with high winds expected to pick up the morning of Jan. 5. (Black Press file photo)
CVRD receives funding to offer incentives for people to replace old, polluting wood stoves. (File photo)

CVRD receives $42,000 to encourage residents exchange old wood stoves

Province doles out $270,000 to 19 communities

  • Jan 4, 2021
CVRD receives funding to offer incentives for people to replace old, polluting wood stoves. (File photo)
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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 Cowichan Valley Regional District is monitoring flooding in the region. (File photo)

CVRD monitor flooding in Cowichan region, advises those in low-lying areas to be prepared

Residents will be given as much notice as possible if evacuation is required

The Cowichan Valley Regional District is monitoring flooding in the region. (File photo)
Firefighters work on the balcony of a burned out unit at the Lewis Apartments in the 2500-block of Lewis Street Thursday afternoon. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Investigation continues into fatal apartment fire in Duncan

There is no indication of any illegal drugs/activity that may have been the cause of the blaze

Firefighters work on the balcony of a burned out unit at the Lewis Apartments in the 2500-block of Lewis Street Thursday afternoon. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
Cowichan Tribes has issued an evacuation order for two areas within the First Nation on Jan. 2, 2021. (screenshot)

Flooding causes evacuation order for Cowichan Tribes land

Cowichan Tribes issued an evacuation order for the Wil’seem Road and Sahilton Road areas

Cowichan Tribes has issued an evacuation order for two areas within the First Nation on Jan. 2, 2021. (screenshot)
RCMP pictured at a motor vehicle incident during snowy conditions. (FILE - Phil McLachlan/Black Press Media)

Update: Family of 4 killed in Alberta helicopter crash

RCMP responded to emergency signal in rural county, found crashed helicopter, no survivors

RCMP pictured at a motor vehicle incident during snowy conditions. (FILE - Phil McLachlan/Black Press Media)
Lake Cowichan RCMP and the Lake Cowichan Fire Department were called out after residents heard a loud bang early Jan. 1, 2021. (Black Press file photo)

New year starts with a bang for Lake Cowichan residents

Reports of a possible explosion and potential fire

Lake Cowichan RCMP and the Lake Cowichan Fire Department were called out after residents heard a loud bang early Jan. 1, 2021. (Black Press file photo)
Sahilton Road, behind the Old Farm Market south of Duncan. A crew from Cowichan Tribes rowing residents to safety. (Siona Moon photo)

Year in Review: Water under the bridge: February flood seems so long ago

It’s hard to believe that it even happened this year, but there…

Sahilton Road, behind the Old Farm Market south of Duncan. A crew from Cowichan Tribes rowing residents to safety. (Siona Moon photo)
Chris and Taylor Doughty welcomed their son into the world at 1:54 a.m. on New Year’s Day at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (Courtesy of Island Health)

Vancouver Island’s New Year’s baby born in Nanaimo two hours after midnight

Gerald Patrick Doughty weighs 9 pounds 12 ounces

Chris and Taylor Doughty welcomed their son into the world at 1:54 a.m. on New Year’s Day at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (Courtesy of Island Health)
Provincial Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau speaks at Provincial Green Party headquarters at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe in Victoria on election night. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)

Year in Review: Cowichan ridings stick with incumbents in provincial election

Furstenau and Routley re-elected as NDP wins majority mandate

Provincial Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau speaks at Provincial Green Party headquarters at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe in Victoria on election night. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)
Panic buying at grocery stores and hoarding of some products, notably toilet paper, happened in Cowichan and across Canada. It was not necessary, or desirable to do this. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

COVID-19 top news maker of the year in Cowichan Valley

Year in Review, 2020

Panic buying at grocery stores and hoarding of some products, notably toilet paper, happened in Cowichan and across Canada. It was not necessary, or desirable to do this. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
‘Baby, it’s cold outside’ seems to be the tune for these Polar Bear Swimmers at Cowichan Lake on New Year’s Day 2020. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)

Year in Review: Take a look back at some of the top headlines from Lake Cowichan in 2020

January On New Year’s Eve, many families were delighted to be able…

‘Baby, it’s cold outside’ seems to be the tune for these Polar Bear Swimmers at Cowichan Lake on New Year’s Day 2020. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
Nick McMaster (pictured), owner of the Cinder and Sea art studio in Chemainus, will be offering art classes at the studio in the new year. (File photo)

Business notes: Cinder and Sea to hold art classes in the new year

A look at what’s happening in Cowichan’s business community

Nick McMaster (pictured), owner of the Cinder and Sea art studio in Chemainus, will be offering art classes at the studio in the new year. (File photo)
Police, fire, ambulance crews all were at the scene of a fire on the fourth floor of the Lewis Apartments Thursday afternoon. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

UPDATED: One person dead, more injured, displaced as fire guts North Cowichan apartment units

Residents dazed as fire rips through apartment building

Police, fire, ambulance crews all were at the scene of a fire on the fourth floor of the Lewis Apartments Thursday afternoon. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
Protesters march down James Street after leaving Cowichan Secondary School, on their way to a rally at Quamichan School to oppose the location of Island Health’s new safe injection site. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Year in Review: Recovery and wellness centre hot topic for York Road residents in 2020

Island Health plans to open centre in June

Protesters march down James Street after leaving Cowichan Secondary School, on their way to a rally at Quamichan School to oppose the location of Island Health’s new safe injection site. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
COVID-19 vaccinations for the general public on Vancouver Island are not expected anytime soon. (File photo)

Vaccines for general public in the Cowichan Valley not expected anytime soon

Island Health has received just 1,950 doses of vaccine so far

COVID-19 vaccinations for the general public on Vancouver Island are not expected anytime soon. (File photo)
City of Duncan to buy $12,400 paper folder. (File photo)

City of Duncan to purchase $12,400 paper folder

City has about 3,700 invoices to be mailed between January and April

City of Duncan to buy $12,400 paper folder. (File photo)
RiverQuest Charters owner Dave Gunn had no idea he was creating a viral video when he scaled down an embankment with his chainsaw on Dec. 16 to cut away a tree blocking the river. (Screenshot)

Hazard tree removal from Cowichan River video goes viral

RiverQuest Charters owner and fishing guide Dave Gunn adds spectacular photos and…

RiverQuest Charters owner Dave Gunn had no idea he was creating a viral video when he scaled down an embankment with his chainsaw on Dec. 16 to cut away a tree blocking the river. (Screenshot)
Firefighters arrive at the scene of a blaze on Grieve Road in North Cowichan on Christmas Day. The BC Coroners Service has confirmed that someone died in the fire. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Fatality confirmed in Christmas Day fire in North Cowichan

BC Coroners Service is investigating death in early-morning blaze

Firefighters arrive at the scene of a blaze on Grieve Road in North Cowichan on Christmas Day. The BC Coroners Service has confirmed that someone died in the fire. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)