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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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All four North Cowichan fire halls were called out to a house fire in Chemainus on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

Updated: 4 people lose home in major Chemainus fire

All managed to get out without injury

All four North Cowichan fire halls were called out to a house fire in Chemainus on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
Smoke pours out of the eaves of an abandoned house on Ypres Street as the Duncan fire department worked to deal with the fire. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Duncan fire department quickly deals with house fire on Ypres Street

Fire under investigation

Smoke pours out of the eaves of an abandoned house on Ypres Street as the Duncan fire department worked to deal with the fire. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Work resumed at the construction site of the new Cowichan District Hospital on Dec. 13 after workers took down their blockade that had stopped work since Dec. 2. All that remained was a pile of wood that the protesters had used to keep warm during the blockade. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Work blockade at new Cowichan District Hospital site over, for now

Still no resolution to dispute as of Dec. 13

Work resumed at the construction site of the new Cowichan District Hospital on Dec. 13 after workers took down their blockade that had stopped work since Dec. 2. All that remained was a pile of wood that the protesters had used to keep warm during the blockade. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
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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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Health professionals at the Cowichan District Hospital received a gift of popcorn on Dec. 7 from three people involved with organ transplants as part of the annual Operation Popcorn initiative by the BC Transplant organization. Pictured in front of a group of health workers from various departments are liver recipient Natalie Williams (left) holding a box of popcorn and Olivia Hayne, whose brother Alistair donated organs after his accidental death. Directly behind them is Emma Hayne, Alistair’s mother, who holds a picture of him. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Operation Popcorn visits Cowichan District Hospital

Annual initiative thanks health-care professionals for organ transplants

Health professionals at the Cowichan District Hospital received a gift of popcorn on Dec. 7 from three people involved with organ transplants as part of the annual Operation Popcorn initiative by the BC Transplant organization. Pictured in front of a group of health workers from various departments are liver recipient Natalie Williams (left) holding a box of popcorn and Olivia Hayne, whose brother Alistair donated organs after his accidental death. Directly behind them is Emma Hayne, Alistair’s mother, who holds a picture of him. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Dr. Shannon Waters, Cowichan Valley’s medical health officer, said deaths due to poisoned illicit drugs increased in the Cowichan Valley during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Citizen file photo)

22 drug-related deaths in Cowichan region in first eight months of 2022

Medical health officer said local drug deaths increased during pandemic

Dr. Shannon Waters, Cowichan Valley’s medical health officer, said deaths due to poisoned illicit drugs increased in the Cowichan Valley during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Citizen file photo)
A fully engulfed compact vehicle ablaze in the driveway of a Belcarra Road home Monday morning as photographed by neighbour Alanah Downie. (Courtesy of Alanah Downie)

No injuries as car combusts in Maple Bay driveway

“I heard two explosions before looking outside to see where the noise was from”

A fully engulfed compact vehicle ablaze in the driveway of a Belcarra Road home Monday morning as photographed by neighbour Alanah Downie. (Courtesy of Alanah Downie)
Incident in which a man’s arm was broken during a police traffic stop under investigation. (Citizen file photo)

IIO investigating after man’s arm broken during traffic stop near Duncan

Man disputes police version of events

Incident in which a man’s arm was broken during a police traffic stop under investigation. (Citizen file photo)
Alisa Novak, Cardiology Technologist and Department Supervisor, explains features of new ECG carts to Susan Leslie, HATS store director and Arlene Cristofoli, president of the Auxiliary to Cowichan District Hospital. (Photo courtesy of Auxiliary to CDH)

Auxiliary to Cowichan District Hospital celebrates 90th by giving $90,000

New ECG carts, replacing equipment that is 11 or 12 years old

  • Dec 12, 2022
Alisa Novak, Cardiology Technologist and Department Supervisor, explains features of new ECG carts to Susan Leslie, HATS store director and Arlene Cristofoli, president of the Auxiliary to Cowichan District Hospital. (Photo courtesy of Auxiliary to CDH)
A man died after being struck by a red Dodge Ram truck on Sunday morning (Dec. 11) at Lefeuvre Road in Abbotsford and the driver fled the scene, APD says. /Shane MacKichan Photo

Pedestrian dies in fatal Abbotsford crash with driver still at large

Driver fled the scene after crashing red Dodge Ram truck on Lefeuvre Road

A man died after being struck by a red Dodge Ram truck on Sunday morning (Dec. 11) at Lefeuvre Road in Abbotsford and the driver fled the scene, APD says. /Shane MacKichan Photo
Retired fire chief Micke McKinlay is looking forward to his role as Duncan’s newest city councillor. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

McKinlay looking forward to new role as Duncan councillor

Former fire chief took second highest number of votes in election

Retired fire chief Micke McKinlay is looking forward to his role as Duncan’s newest city councillor. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
On Nov. 19, the Lake Cowichan RCMP joined forces with the 1st Lake Cowichan Scouts in raising $1,300 in cash donations, and collecting more than 700 pounds of food, during their ‘Stuff the Cruiser Fill the Canoe’ event, for the Lake Cowichan Food Bank Society. (RCMP handout)

Lake Cowichan Scouts, RCMP stuff the cruiser… and the canoe!

Food Bank to receive cash donation and 700 pounds of non-perishables

On Nov. 19, the Lake Cowichan RCMP joined forces with the 1st Lake Cowichan Scouts in raising $1,300 in cash donations, and collecting more than 700 pounds of food, during their ‘Stuff the Cruiser Fill the Canoe’ event, for the Lake Cowichan Food Bank Society. (RCMP handout)
The subject lot at the corner of Neva Road and Oak Lane. (Lake Cowichan staff report)

3 small-home densification project approved by Lake Cowichan town council

The project is in concert with Lake Cowichan’s official community plan

The subject lot at the corner of Neva Road and Oak Lane. (Lake Cowichan staff report)
Artist Vivi de Graff shows off the mural she painted in honour of Volume One Bookstore’s 50th anniversary. The mural’s unveiling was held Friday, Nov. 25, and welcomed staff, friends, customers, and even former owners to the book shop for a celebration. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

Business notes: Duncan’s Volume One celebrates 50 years with mural

The latest from Cowichan’s business community

Artist Vivi de Graff shows off the mural she painted in honour of Volume One Bookstore’s 50th anniversary. The mural’s unveiling was held Friday, Nov. 25, and welcomed staff, friends, customers, and even former owners to the book shop for a celebration. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
The Steam Train On Bridge Over Chemainus River that includes the augmented reality feature, with instructions at the site. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Mural goes high tech with augmented reality feature

Plans in the works for adding more special effects to other murals

The Steam Train On Bridge Over Chemainus River that includes the augmented reality feature, with instructions at the site. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Chris Rafuse, executive director of the Cowichan Brain Injury Society, said the CBIS is looking for space to host its programs and gatherings after a fire put the society’s headquarters temporarily out of commission. (Citizen file photo)

Cowichan Brain Injury Society looking for space to hold programs after fire

Repairs to society’s headquarters expected to take some time

Chris Rafuse, executive director of the Cowichan Brain Injury Society, said the CBIS is looking for space to host its programs and gatherings after a fire put the society’s headquarters temporarily out of commission. (Citizen file photo)
Man arrested after being found with a woman he was not to have contact with. RCMP also found several cut catalytic converters. (File photo)

Man arrested after complaint of suspicious vehicle near Cherry Point in Cowichan

34-year-old found in possession of catalytic converters and with woman he was not to contact

Man arrested after being found with a woman he was not to have contact with. RCMP also found several cut catalytic converters. (File photo)
Award-winning actress Queen Latifah has made a post on Instagram encouraging people to visit Duncan’s PlentiFILL store. (Screen shot)

Queen Latifah encouraging people to shop at Duncan’s PlentiFILL

Instagram post part of Lenovo Evolve Small initiative

Award-winning actress Queen Latifah has made a post on Instagram encouraging people to visit Duncan’s PlentiFILL store. (Screen shot)
City of Duncan projects a 9.9 per cent tax increase in 2023 due to increased policing costs, but the draft budget is still very preliminary at this stage. (Citizen file photo)

City of Duncan’s tax increase could be as high as 9.9% in 2023

Potential significant increase related to police costs

City of Duncan projects a 9.9 per cent tax increase in 2023 due to increased policing costs, but the draft budget is still very preliminary at this stage. (Citizen file photo)
(Mike Biden photo)

Oh Deer! Penticton firefighters make frigid rescue

Firefighters saved a deer stuck in the ice on Okanagan Lake

(Mike Biden photo)
Insp. Chris Bear, head of the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment, says assaults in the region during the summer months this year increased from the same time period last year. (Citizen file photo)

RCMP report increase in assaults in Duncan, North Cowichan during summer months

Sex offences also up

Insp. Chris Bear, head of the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment, says assaults in the region during the summer months this year increased from the same time period last year. (Citizen file photo)
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