Mike Chouinard

The equipment DFO seized was a Hitachi EX120 excavator. Screenshot, www.hitachiconstruction.com

Judge orders DFO to return seized excavator to Comox Valley landowner

Equipment was confiscated over fish habitat dispute at the Trent River south of Courtenay

The equipment DFO seized was a Hitachi EX120 excavator. Screenshot, www.hitachiconstruction.com
With the community facing a shortage, some housing on Denman Island does not conform to bylaws. File photo

Enforcement on Denman Island exposing serious housing shortage

Community’s trust committee temporarily holds off on some eviction situations

With the community facing a shortage, some housing on Denman Island does not conform to bylaws. File photo
Fisheries and Oceans Canada released its final plan for 2021’s herring fishery in the Pacific Region on Friday morning, with the Strait of Georgia’s harvest rate remaining at 20 per cent. Some areas will have smaller-scale fisheries, while in two areas the fishery remains closed. (File photo)

DFO releases final herring plan for 2021

Strait of Georgia harvest rate remains at 20 per cent, two areas still closed

Fisheries and Oceans Canada released its final plan for 2021’s herring fishery in the Pacific Region on Friday morning, with the Strait of Georgia’s harvest rate remaining at 20 per cent. Some areas will have smaller-scale fisheries, while in two areas the fishery remains closed. (File photo)
The Court of Appeal for British Columbia in Vancouver. (Black Press file photo)

Court of Appeal reduces prohibition time in Island child porn case

Evidence against Courtenay man included 2,700 images and 125 videos on iPad and phone

The Court of Appeal for British Columbia in Vancouver. (Black Press file photo)
Friends and family say much more needs to be done to help people like ‘Roby.’ Photo supplied

More than a statistic: how ‘Roby’ fell through Vancouver Island’s cracks

Mother, friends point to obstacles preventing the most vulnerable people from getting help

Friends and family say much more needs to be done to help people like ‘Roby.’ Photo supplied
Panda Jewellers on 5th Street were cleaning up after a break-in. Photo by Mike Chouinard

Break-in at downtown Courtenay jeweller

Panda Jewellers owner says watches, pocket watches and bracelet were stolen

Panda Jewellers on 5th Street were cleaning up after a break-in. Photo by Mike Chouinard
Conservancy Hornby Island is working to have a moratorium on the upcoming herring fishery. Photo, Simon Ager

Island lobby group pushing for roe herring moratorium

DFO is considering feedback before issuing its final plan for season

Conservancy Hornby Island is working to have a moratorium on the upcoming herring fishery. Photo, Simon Ager
The soldiers practise with radios communicating during an exercise. Photo by Mike Chouinard

Army reserve soldiers do recon training at Seal Bay

Canadian Scottish Regiment has about 20 soldiers training locally

The soldiers practise with radios communicating during an exercise. Photo by Mike Chouinard
Ginette Matthews shows off some of the wares at The Local Refillery. Photo by Femke Overmaat

Pandemic meant going digital quickly for Courtenay’s Local Refillery

Owner Ginette Matthews says system keep business open in its early months

Ginette Matthews shows off some of the wares at The Local Refillery. Photo by Femke Overmaat
Seiners fill the waters between Comox and Nanoose Bay during roe herring fishery. file photo, Pacific Wild

Quota debate heats up on the eve of Vancouver Island herring fishery

Industry and conservationists weigh in how much catch should be allowed as DFO decision coming soon

Seiners fill the waters between Comox and Nanoose Bay during roe herring fishery. file photo, Pacific Wild
A rendering shows the entrance planned for the Hornby Island Arts Centre. Image supplied

Work on Hornby Island Arts Centre to start this month

Community worked with award-winning architectural firm on design

A rendering shows the entrance planned for the Hornby Island Arts Centre. Image supplied
School District 71 and Island Health have reported a second COVID-19 exposure in a local school. File photo

Second COVID-19 exposure in Miracle Beach school community

Latest case is seventh on Island in 2021 and was linked to bus route, not school itself

School District 71 and Island Health have reported a second COVID-19 exposure in a local school. File photo
A large crowd gathered at Simms Park in June to hear speakers in support of Black Lives Matter. Such events are prompting a discussion around revising the school district’s anti-discrimination policy. Record file photo

‘Kill Yourself’ artistic statement inspires school trustees to rethink discrimination

Comox Valley school board looks to revise policy in wake of former student’s public plea

A large crowd gathered at Simms Park in June to hear speakers in support of Black Lives Matter. Such events are prompting a discussion around revising the school district’s anti-discrimination policy. Record file photo
Every dinner was delivered in a specially designed Christmas bag at the 2020 Earl Naswell Community Christmas Dinner - COVID-19 edition. Photo by Terry Farrell

Vancouver Island students decorate 600-plus meal bags for community dinner

Earl Naswell Community Christmas Dinner had to be delivered to people in need this year

Every dinner was delivered in a specially designed Christmas bag at the 2020 Earl Naswell Community Christmas Dinner - COVID-19 edition. Photo by Terry Farrell
The fundraising campaign stopped for dinner at Browns Socialhouse in Courtenay on one night and ended up with not only a meal but some more fans and donations to the cause. Facebook photo

Comox Valley Christmas Light Trucks raises more than $20,000

Campaign collected funds instead for food bank on almost nightly trips

The fundraising campaign stopped for dinner at Browns Socialhouse in Courtenay on one night and ended up with not only a meal but some more fans and donations to the cause. Facebook photo
Rick Kellow, with his trusty walking stick, will be walking 90 kms in 90 days to mark his 90th birthday and raise funds for YANA. Photo by Mike Chouinard

Courtenay man to walk ‘90 in 90’ for YANA to mark his 90th birthday

While Rick Kellow walks regularly, this is his first time on a fundraising walk

Rick Kellow, with his trusty walking stick, will be walking 90 kms in 90 days to mark his 90th birthday and raise funds for YANA. Photo by Mike Chouinard
The monolith showed up in the Courtenay yard just before Christmas. Photo by Mike Chouinard

Monolith appears in Vancouver Island yard

Item in Courtenay showed up on Wikipedia list for a little while

The monolith showed up in the Courtenay yard just before Christmas. Photo by Mike Chouinard
Comox Valley Search and Rescue rescued a missing snowboarder from Mt. Washington on Dec. 31. File photo supplied

Comox Valley Search and Rescue finds missing snowboarder

Mt. Washington man had been caught in avalanche in ‘challenging terrain’

Comox Valley Search and Rescue rescued a missing snowboarder from Mt. Washington on Dec. 31. File photo supplied
RCMP arrested a man on a Canada-wide warrant in Courtenay on Wednesday. file photo

Police arrest man on Canada-wide warrant in Courtenay

Corrections Canada had issued parole violation notice from Victoria the same day

RCMP arrested a man on a Canada-wide warrant in Courtenay on Wednesday. file photo
CORE Landscape Products’ work at a California home. Photo by Jessica Bodas Photography

Island’s CORE featured Dec. 28 on Celebrity IOU with Justin Hartley

Comox eco-landscaping firm also on Property Brothers’ spinoff again with ‘American royalty’

CORE Landscape Products’ work at a California home. Photo by Jessica Bodas Photography