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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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The CVRD is applying for a provincial grant of up to $650,000 to help deal with wildfires in the region. (Citizen file)

CVRD applies for grant to help deal with wildfires in Cowichan

Much of the up to $650,000 grant would be used for FireSmart initiatives, equipment

The CVRD is applying for a provincial grant of up to $650,000 to help deal with wildfires in the region. (Citizen file)
Kelly Favro, a 39-year-old Victoria mother went to the provincial supreme court to get her publication ban lifted. (Courtesy of Kelly Favro)

Vancouver Island women push to end court-ordered silence of sexual assault victims

Group wants victims to have a say on publication bans for sexual assault cases

Kelly Favro, a 39-year-old Victoria mother went to the provincial supreme court to get her publication ban lifted. (Courtesy of Kelly Favro)
The Independent Investigations Office has determined that the RCMP is not responsible for the death of man found in a car on Nov. 29 near Lake Cowichan. (Citizen file photo)

RCMP not responsible for man’s death outside Lake Cowichan, IIO probe determines

The IIO investigation is now concluded

  • Dec 6, 2022
The Independent Investigations Office has determined that the RCMP is not responsible for the death of man found in a car on Nov. 29 near Lake Cowichan. (Citizen file photo)
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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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The Cowichan Valley’s annual Salvation Army Christmas kettle campaign hopes to raise $100,000 for local programs this year. (Citizen file photo)

Christmas Kettle campaign underway in Cowichan

Salvation Army hopes to raise $100,000 for local programs this year

The Cowichan Valley’s annual Salvation Army Christmas kettle campaign hopes to raise $100,000 for local programs this year. (Citizen file photo)
A 4.6-magnitude earthquake was registered off the west coast of Vancouver Island on Dec 6. (Courtesy of Earthquakes Canada)

4.6-magnitude earthquake hits off west coast of Vancouver Island

Tuesday’s event was the third quake off the Island’s coast in last weeks

A 4.6-magnitude earthquake was registered off the west coast of Vancouver Island on Dec 6. (Courtesy of Earthquakes Canada)
Costs at the new Cowichan District Hospital have skyrocketed to $1.45 billion. (Citizen file photo)

Costs of new Cowichan hospital increase to $1.45 billion

Government says cost increase related mostly to labour shortages and supply-chain challenges

Costs at the new Cowichan District Hospital have skyrocketed to $1.45 billion. (Citizen file photo)
Fire crews and RCMP emerge from behind a hedge giving cover to the property at 491 Festubert St. in Duncan Saturday night. The garage on the property caught fire and crews extinguished it promptly. (Courtesy of Kevin Rothbauer)

Festubert Street garage burns down Saturday night

Fire crews quickly extinguish the blaze

Fire crews and RCMP emerge from behind a hedge giving cover to the property at 491 Festubert St. in Duncan Saturday night. The garage on the property caught fire and crews extinguished it promptly. (Courtesy of Kevin Rothbauer)
The tree lighting in memory of loved ones lost is always a meaningful event of the Christmas season, held at Cowichan District Hospital. (Citizen file)

Coming up in Cowichan: Hospice tree lighting; spiders

Some of the things coming up in Cowichan

The tree lighting in memory of loved ones lost is always a meaningful event of the Christmas season, held at Cowichan District Hospital. (Citizen file)
The Malahat will have single-lane alternating traffic overnight starting Dec. 5 and continuing until Dec. 7. (File courtesy BC Transportation)

Overnight Malahat delays expected Monday through Wednesday

Traffic through Goldstream Provincial Park will be reduced to a single lane

The Malahat will have single-lane alternating traffic overnight starting Dec. 5 and continuing until Dec. 7. (File courtesy BC Transportation)
An artist’s rendering of Cowichan Lake Elder Care Society’s Lakewood Manor — an affordable senior independent living facility. (Courtesy of the Cowichan Lake Elder Care Society)

Another hurdle cleared in Lakewood Manor development

Cowichan Lake Elder Care Society can now proceed with funding requests

An artist’s rendering of Cowichan Lake Elder Care Society’s Lakewood Manor — an affordable senior independent living facility. (Courtesy of the Cowichan Lake Elder Care Society)
Jon Coleman (right) and other members of the Cowichan Tribes-owned Khowutzun Development Corporation are blocking work at the site of the new Cowichan District Hospital on Bell McKinnon Road over union issues. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

UPDATED: Picket line stops work at new Duncan hospital in dispute over union requirements

Cowichan Tribes-owned company concerned over union issues

Jon Coleman (right) and other members of the Cowichan Tribes-owned Khowutzun Development Corporation are blocking work at the site of the new Cowichan District Hospital on Bell McKinnon Road over union issues. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
After years and years of looking, the Lake Cowichan Food Bank has finally has a place to call home: the St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church on 62 Fern Rd. (Google Maps)

Lake Cowichan food bank finally finds a home

St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church on 62 Fern Rd. in Lake Cowichan

  • Dec 2, 2022
After years and years of looking, the Lake Cowichan Food Bank has finally has a place to call home: the St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church on 62 Fern Rd. (Google Maps)
The Malahat SkyWalk has a roster of fun holiday events planned at the attraction. (Andrea Rondeau/Citizen)

Business notes: Malahat SkyWalk bringing the Holiday Magic to Cowichan

Exciting line-up of fun and festive activities for all to enjoy

The Malahat SkyWalk has a roster of fun holiday events planned at the attraction. (Andrea Rondeau/Citizen)
Environment Canada has issued another snowfall warning for eastern and inland areas of Vancouver Island, with 5-15 centimetres forecast between Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3. (News Bulletin file photo)

Another snowfall warning issued for most of Vancouver Island

Environment Canada forecasts 5-15 centimetres starting in the afternoon Friday, Dec. 2

Environment Canada has issued another snowfall warning for eastern and inland areas of Vancouver Island, with 5-15 centimetres forecast between Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3. (News Bulletin file photo)
William Karl Paulsen, left, Sean Oliver Douglas Kendall and Kristopher Steven Smith are three of the four men charged after a joint forces operation related to drug trafficking on Vancouver Island. (Photos submitted)

Alleged drug traffickers on Vancouver Island with Hells Angels ties face ‘serious charges’

Drugs and guns seized following four-year investigation

William Karl Paulsen, left, Sean Oliver Douglas Kendall and Kristopher Steven Smith are three of the four men charged after a joint forces operation related to drug trafficking on Vancouver Island. (Photos submitted)
The Urgent Care Centre in Chemainus is closed for two days during the first half of December. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Chemainus Urgent Care Centre hours include two closures in early December

Physician availability still hampering efforts to remain fully operational

The Urgent Care Centre in Chemainus is closed for two days during the first half of December. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Lance DeBreé was presented with a Challenge Coin and certificate from the RCMP for his efforts to better himself and the community on Nov. 9. Pictured, from left, is Will Arnold, owner of Experience Cycling, Warren Kongas, a member of the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment, DeBreé and his mother Ro. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Police and community celebrate achievements of a once troubled Duncan man

Lance DeBreé awarded with a RCMP Challenge Coin

Lance DeBreé was presented with a Challenge Coin and certificate from the RCMP for his efforts to better himself and the community on Nov. 9. Pictured, from left, is Will Arnold, owner of Experience Cycling, Warren Kongas, a member of the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment, DeBreé and his mother Ro. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
(Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

Christmas Kick-off packs Duncan

Event back full-force

(Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
A van runs up against the barrier on Crofton Road. (David van Deventer/Black Press)

Winter storm wreaks havoc on Cowichan Valley roads

Lots of traffic volume but no major incidents

A van runs up against the barrier on Crofton Road. (David van Deventer/Black Press)
Drive BC’s Skutz Falls highway cam looking west Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 5:16 p.m. (Drive BC screenshot)

UPDATE: IIO investigating after RCMP find man dead following police search for robbery suspect near Lake Cowichan

“I can tell you it was not snow or weather related”

Drive BC’s Skutz Falls highway cam looking west Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 5:16 p.m. (Drive BC screenshot)
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