Robert Barron

Citizen satisfaction survey finds that 73 per cent of respondents in Duncan feel the city is less safe than five years ago. (Citizen file photo)

73% of Duncan residents say they feel less safe than 5 years ago: survey

Survey found that crime, homelessness and drugs most important issues facing city

Citizen satisfaction survey finds that 73 per cent of respondents in Duncan feel the city is less safe than five years ago. (Citizen file photo)
Katy Ehrlich, who owns Duncan’s Alderlea Farm along with her husband John, fears for the future of the farm because they don’t have a groundwater licence. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Lack of water licences have many Cowichan farmers worrying about the future

Less that half of the province’s commercial groundwater users have water licences

Katy Ehrlich, who owns Duncan’s Alderlea Farm along with her husband John, fears for the future of the farm because they don’t have a groundwater licence. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Cowichan Valley teacher faces a four-day suspension of his teaching certificate due to unprofessional conduct. (Citizen file)

Cowichan teacher suspended after student injured during game

Educator failed to maintain a safe and positive learning environment

Cowichan Valley teacher faces a four-day suspension of his teaching certificate due to unprofessional conduct. (Citizen file)
A fire on Beverly Street in the early hours on Aug. 27 was close to an Esso station’s gas pumps. (Jasmine Totzke photo)

Firefighters praised for quick douse of big weekend blaze in Duncan

The fire, on Beverly Street, was extinguished within 45 minutes

A fire on Beverly Street in the early hours on Aug. 27 was close to an Esso station’s gas pumps. (Jasmine Totzke photo)
The province is temporarily restricting water use for industry and forage crops in the Koksilah River watershed, and the fishing closure on the Cowichan River will be extended, to help fish populations as the summer drought continues. (Citizen file photo)
The province is temporarily restricting water use for industry and forage crops in the Koksilah River watershed, and the fishing closure on the Cowichan River will be extended, to help fish populations as the summer drought continues. (Citizen file photo)
Volunteer firefighter John Lampard, from North Cowichan’s South End fire hall, works to extinguish hots spots around the wildfires that are threatening West Kelowna. (North Cowichan photo)

Cowichan Valley firefighters lend a hand in Kelowna area

Crews called in to help with wildfires

Volunteer firefighter John Lampard, from North Cowichan’s South End fire hall, works to extinguish hots spots around the wildfires that are threatening West Kelowna. (North Cowichan photo)
Lana Popham (centre), B.C.’s Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, poses with members of the Cowichan Public Art Gallery Society, including society president Jock Hildebrand (front left), Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA Doug Routley (far left) and Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples (third from right). (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Arts minister impressed with plans for new Duncan art gallery

Lana Popham said she’ll look into funding options

Lana Popham (centre), B.C.’s Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, poses with members of the Cowichan Public Art Gallery Society, including society president Jock Hildebrand (front left), Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA Doug Routley (far left) and Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples (third from right). (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Some farms who use groundwater from the Koksilah watershed without a water licence are being told to shut off their water as the severe drought continues. (B.C. government photo)

Island farmers without licences told to shut off water as drought threat grows

Province cracking down on scofflaws as water levels in Cowichan’s Koksilah watershed extremely low

Some farms who use groundwater from the Koksilah watershed without a water licence are being told to shut off their water as the severe drought continues. (B.C. government photo)
Riders can expect some scheduling and name changes to commuter routes between Duncan and Victoria. (Citizen file photo)

Changes coming for some Cowichan-Victoria commuter bus routes

Bus service to Victoria will see two runs cut, two more added

Riders can expect some scheduling and name changes to commuter routes between Duncan and Victoria. (Citizen file photo)
Shelley Robinson, a homeowner of waterfront property in Honeymoon Bay, holds a notice from the property assessment review panel upholding BC Assessment's valuation of the property at $2.3 million, despite the fact that the home and property are in a dilapidated state. (Jason Anson photo)

Fixed-income B.C. senior ‘bullied’ by $12,000 tax bill for waterlogged home

Frustrations continue with mounting BC Assessment as regulation deters upgrade of decaying property

Shelley Robinson, a homeowner of waterfront property in Honeymoon Bay, holds a notice from the property assessment review panel upholding BC Assessment's valuation of the property at $2.3 million, despite the fact that the home and property are in a dilapidated state. (Jason Anson photo)
The E&N rail line on Vancouver Island has been dormant for years. (News Bulletin file photo)

Trail group wants cost-benefit study on E&N rail corridor future

Friends of Rails to Trails estimates it would cost $172 million to switch to world-class trail

The E&N rail line on Vancouver Island has been dormant for years. (News Bulletin file photo)
The Cowichan Valley Regional District is considering a re-zoning application from Schnitzer Steel Canada in Cassidy. (News Bulletin file photo)

Regional district says steel recycler isn’t negatively impacting Cassidy aquifer

Staff says there’s no evidence of water contamination as directors consider re-zoning application

The Cowichan Valley Regional District is considering a re-zoning application from Schnitzer Steel Canada in Cassidy. (News Bulletin file photo)
The Cowichan Watershed Board held a news conference on July 31 about the worsening drought in the region. From left are board members Alison Nicholson, co-chair Aaron Stone, co-chair Lydia Hwitsum, David Slade and Dr. Shannon Waters. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
The Cowichan Watershed Board held a news conference on July 31 about the worsening drought in the region. From left are board members Alison Nicholson, co-chair Aaron Stone, co-chair Lydia Hwitsum, David Slade and Dr. Shannon Waters. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Caiden Morris, 14, was reported missing in the Duncan area on July 29. (Submitted photo)

Missing Duncan teen found safe

Caiden Morris missing since July 29

Caiden Morris, 14, was reported missing in the Duncan area on July 29. (Submitted photo)
Farmers from Pine North, a small-scale farm, drop off their fresh products at the Cow-op warehouse in Duncan. (Submitted photo)

Vancouver Island’s Cow-op connects consumers directly with local farmers

Online marketplace connecting South Island farmers with people who want their products

Farmers from Pine North, a small-scale farm, drop off their fresh products at the Cow-op warehouse in Duncan. (Submitted photo)
The 70 NCX Nanaimo-Cowichan Express bus has met expectations in its first year of operations. (Citizen file photo)

Duncan-Nanaimo bus route provides more than 30,000 rides in first year

Riders would like to see expanded schedule, as officials call new transit connection a success

The 70 NCX Nanaimo-Cowichan Express bus has met expectations in its first year of operations. (Citizen file photo)
Community activist Peter Rusland has started a petition urging the province and Island Health to keep the current Cowichan District Hospital in public hands and used for medical purposes when the new CDH opens in 2027. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Petition started to keep old Cowichan hospital for medical purposes

Old CDH to close in 2027 when new one opens, Island Health has yet to announce plans for site

Community activist Peter Rusland has started a petition urging the province and Island Health to keep the current Cowichan District Hospital in public hands and used for medical purposes when the new CDH opens in 2027. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
The fight goes on as dozens of property owners in the Cowichan Lake area, particularly waterfront properties in Youbou, go through a log and arduous appeal process of their assessments with BC Assessment. (Gazette file photo)

Dozens of Youbou property owners still in limbo with assessment appeals

Information and Privacy Commission denies request for information from BC Assessment

The fight goes on as dozens of property owners in the Cowichan Lake area, particularly waterfront properties in Youbou, go through a log and arduous appeal process of their assessments with BC Assessment. (Gazette file photo)
The last of the three sections of the Cowichan Valley Trail, between Agira Road and Sherman Road, that was washed out in the atmospheric river event that struck the region in November 2021 is expected to be repaired soon. (Courtesy of CVRD)

CVRD gets provincial funding to repair Cowichan Valley Trail

Trail section between Agira Road and Sherman Road closed since 2021

The last of the three sections of the Cowichan Valley Trail, between Agira Road and Sherman Road, that was washed out in the atmospheric river event that struck the region in November 2021 is expected to be repaired soon. (Courtesy of CVRD)
Ts'uubaa-asatx Chief Melanie Livingstone and Murray Rankin, minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, sign an Incremental Treaty Agreement that will return 31 hectares of Crown land to the First Nation. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Province transfers 31 hectares of Crown land at Lake Cowichan to Ts’uubaa-asatx Nation

Transfer considered a key reconciliation milestone

Ts'uubaa-asatx Chief Melanie Livingstone and Murray Rankin, minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, sign an Incremental Treaty Agreement that will return 31 hectares of Crown land to the First Nation. (Robert Barron/Citizen)