Local News

Chemainus Theatre facilities manager Damion Knight at the spot inside the gallery and gift shop where thieves smashed a window and grabbed masks. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Unique masks valued at $1,000 stolen from Chemainus Theatre Gallery

Thieves smash a window and grab the goods early Monday morning

Chemainus Theatre facilities manager Damion Knight at the spot inside the gallery and gift shop where thieves smashed a window and grabbed masks. (Photo by Don Bodger)
City of Duncan Coun. Tom Duncan said that with the city close to reaching a population of 5,000, it’s a good time to review and update its Official Community Plan. (File photo)

City of Duncan to review, update its OCP

Plan last updated in 2007

City of Duncan Coun. Tom Duncan said that with the city close to reaching a population of 5,000, it’s a good time to review and update its Official Community Plan. (File photo)
Heavy rains are forecast for most of Vancouver Island but a rain-snow mix could fall at higher elevations. (Black Press file photo)

Vancouver Island may see snow in higher elevations Friday

Above-normal temperatures on the way for early next week

Heavy rains are forecast for most of Vancouver Island but a rain-snow mix could fall at higher elevations. (Black Press file photo)
Video
(The Canadian Press)
Trudeau won’t say whether Canada supports patent waiver for COVID-19 vaccines
Protesters attempt to stop clear-cutting of old-growth trees in Fairy Creek near Port Renfrew. (Will O’Connell photo)
VIDEO: Workers, activists clash at site of Vancouver Island logging operation
Jose Marchand prepares Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination doses at a mobile clinic for members of First Nations and their partners, in Montreal, Friday, April 30, 2021. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization is coming under fire after contradicting the advice Canadians have been receiving for weeks to take the first vaccine against COVID-19 that they’re offered. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Trudeau says he is glad he got AstraZeneca, vaccines are only way out of pandemic
FILE – Pharmacist Barbara Violo shows off a vile of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at the Junction Chemist, an independent pharmacy in Toronto, Friday, March 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Looking for the nearest COVID shot? Tech entrepreneur creates texting software in B.C
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Theo, an aplomado falcon, has been missing from The Raptors on Herd Road since Monday, April 5. (Facebook image)

Missing falcon returns to Cowichan’s The Raptors

Theo flew away from wildlife centre on April 5

Theo, an aplomado falcon, has been missing from The Raptors on Herd Road since Monday, April 5. (Facebook image)
Health Minister Adrian Dix said there has been no decision made about the future of the site of the current Cowichan District Hospital on Gibbins Road when the hospital moves to a new site in 2026, but noted there are many needs for health facilities in the Valley in the future, particularly for the growing senior’s population. (File photo)

Old Cowichan hospital could help address seniors care: Dix

Health minister states the region’s senior population will explode in next 50 years

Health Minister Adrian Dix said there has been no decision made about the future of the site of the current Cowichan District Hospital on Gibbins Road when the hospital moves to a new site in 2026, but noted there are many needs for health facilities in the Valley in the future, particularly for the growing senior’s population. (File photo)
Dog feces was thrown in front of Penticton’s Compass House homeless shelter Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Suzie Green witnessed it and caught the aftermath on camera. (Suzie Green / Facebook)

Penticton business owner apologizes for throwing poop

“I simply snapped after once again finding human feces near my restaurant,” the apology letter reads

Dog feces was thrown in front of Penticton’s Compass House homeless shelter Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Suzie Green witnessed it and caught the aftermath on camera. (Suzie Green / Facebook)
Cowichan Tribes is holding vaccination clinics April 14 and 15. (Citizen file)

Cowichan Tribes offers COVID-19 vaccine clinic Wednesday and Thursday

All Indigenous individuals are eligible

Cowichan Tribes is holding vaccination clinics April 14 and 15. (Citizen file)
From left: Kelly McLeod, Brandon Cairney, Desmond Peter,Ian Henry, Daniel MacDonnell have all gone missing on Vancouver Island. The five men are the subject of podcaster Laura Palmer’s Island Crime: ‘Gone Boys’ missing men series. (Submitted)

Island Crime’s ‘Gone Boys’ podcast features five missing Island men

When Laura Palmer was working on the first season of her podcast…

From left: Kelly McLeod, Brandon Cairney, Desmond Peter,Ian Henry, Daniel MacDonnell have all gone missing on Vancouver Island. The five men are the subject of podcaster Laura Palmer’s Island Crime: ‘Gone Boys’ missing men series. (Submitted)
A lot of smoke can be seen from a boat fire on the Crofton waterfront Thursday evening. (Facebook photo)

Many hours of work on boat goes up in flames and smoke

Firefighters douse fire on the Crofton waterfront to prevent spread to nearby vessels

A lot of smoke can be seen from a boat fire on the Crofton waterfront Thursday evening. (Facebook photo)
An old growth cedar stands in a cut-block within the Caycuse Valley. (Submitted)

Protesters defy court order, stage Easter weekend logging blockades near Cowichan Lake

Group says members willing to risk arrest to save old growth forest near Caycuse, Fairy Creek

An old growth cedar stands in a cut-block within the Caycuse Valley. (Submitted)
Frank Ludwig in the control room of his home studio. (Photo submitted)

The Day They Closed The Old Mill Down in song

Former member of Trooper captures the essence of small town struggles and triumphs

Frank Ludwig in the control room of his home studio. (Photo submitted)
Former Duncan resident Rick Fall is running from Vancouver Island to Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. to raise money for two charities. (Submitted)

Former Duncan man laces up for run across Canada

Rick Fall is raising money for Childhood Cancer and Make-a-Wish

Former Duncan resident Rick Fall is running from Vancouver Island to Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. to raise money for two charities. (Submitted)
CVRD headquarters will now be closed until late April after water leak. (File photo)

CVRD headquarters now closed for at least three weeks

Offices were to be closed for two weeks after water leak

  • Apr 5, 2021
CVRD headquarters will now be closed until late April after water leak. (File photo)
Construction of the new $887.4-million Cowichan District Hospital to replace the existing hospital on Gibbins Road (pictured) is expected to begin in 2022. (File photo)

Land for new Cowichan hospital transferred to Island Health

New $887.4-million hospital expected to be completed in 2026

Construction of the new $887.4-million Cowichan District Hospital to replace the existing hospital on Gibbins Road (pictured) is expected to begin in 2022. (File photo)
John Horn, executive director of the Cowichan Housing Association, said the CHA is working with the BC Rent Bank to set up a local rent back to assist renters facing financial difficulties. (File photo)

‘Rent bank’ would offer financially strapped in Cowichan Valley relief

Cowichan Valley Association establishing a rent bank

John Horn, executive director of the Cowichan Housing Association, said the CHA is working with the BC Rent Bank to set up a local rent back to assist renters facing financial difficulties. (File photo)
Don Beldessi, co-chairman of the Cowichan Lake Elder Care Society, said construction on the new Lakewood Manor could begin within a year. (File photo)

New affordable-housing project for seniors in Lake Cowichan inches forward

Construction of Lakewood Manor expected to begin within a year

Don Beldessi, co-chairman of the Cowichan Lake Elder Care Society, said construction on the new Lakewood Manor could begin within a year. (File photo)
Catalyst Crofton will soon resume regular seasonal operations of the Cowichan Lake weir. (File photo)

Cowichan Lake weir to begin seasonal operations

Operations to begin in early April

  • Apr 2, 2021
Catalyst Crofton will soon resume regular seasonal operations of the Cowichan Lake weir. (File photo)
A dramatic rise in property values is a major reason why property owners in the CVRD's Electoral Area Cowichan Lake South/Skutz Falls are facing a 9.55 per cent tax increase in 2021. Pictured is Honeymoon Bay, which is in the electoral area. (File photo)

Skyrocketing property assessments play big part in Cowichan’s Area F tax increase

Property owners in Cowichan Lake/Skutz Falls face 9.55% tax increase

A dramatic rise in property values is a major reason why property owners in the CVRD's Electoral Area Cowichan Lake South/Skutz Falls are facing a 9.55 per cent tax increase in 2021. Pictured is Honeymoon Bay, which is in the electoral area. (File photo)
Matt Hewlett opened Full Bug Records at 171 Jubilee St. three weeks ago. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Business notes: Full Bug Records opens in Duncan

What’s going on in the Cowichan business community

Matt Hewlett opened Full Bug Records at 171 Jubilee St. three weeks ago. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
The Cowichan Seniors Community Foundation is closing its doors as of April 1. Some programs will be picked up by other agencies. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Cowichan Seniors Community Foundation closing its doors

CSCF has assisted Valley seniors for 36 years

The Cowichan Seniors Community Foundation is closing its doors as of April 1. Some programs will be picked up by other agencies. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)