Community

Literacy Central Vancouver Island’s IPALS program – parents as literacy supporters in immigrant communities – recently secured another five years of funding from senior levels of government. (Photo submitted)

Literacy program working for immigrant families in Nanaimo

Literacy Central Vancouver Island’s IPALS program sees funding extended another five years

A man receives his COVID-19 vaccine. (CP file photo)

COVID-19: Vaccination site in Parksville Community Centre to start March 15

Approximately 60,000 Parksville Qualicum Beach residents to be vaccinated

A COVID-19 vaccination clinic, operated by Island Health, has opened at the University of Victoria’s McKinnon Gym. (Photo courtesy of UVic)

COVID-19 vaccination clinic opens at University of Victoria

Clinic is staffed and operated by Island Health

Pharmacist Madeline Acquilano draws a syringe of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Conn., Wednesday, March 3, 2021. The first shipments of the vaccine arrived at the hospital this morning. Cities and states are rapidly expanding access to vaccines as the nation races to head off a resurgence in coronavirus infections and reopen schools and businesses battered by the pandemic. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Tentative COVID-19 vaccine site chosen in the Comox Valley

B.C. is moving into Phase 2 of its COVID-19 mass immunization plan

Pharmacist Madeline Acquilano draws a syringe of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Conn., Wednesday, March 3, 2021. The first shipments of the vaccine arrived at the hospital this morning. Cities and states are rapidly expanding access to vaccines as the nation races to head off a resurgence in coronavirus infections and reopen schools and businesses battered by the pandemic. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Boma Brown won the Emerging Leader Award for her work founding the Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour. (Courtesy of Boma Brown)

Victorian up for national women’s award for volunteer efforts

SNIWWOC founder Boma Brown a semi-finalist for the L’Oreal Paris Women of Worth award

Boma Brown won the Emerging Leader Award for her work founding the Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour. (Courtesy of Boma Brown)
It’s been almost a year since the last public performance inside the Chemainus Theatre. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Donors pledge $60,000 in matching campaign at Chemainus Theatre

Perrys, Hiltons and Duncan Iron Works help to Bridge the Gap during COVID shutdown

It’s been almost a year since the last public performance inside the Chemainus Theatre. (Photo by Don Bodger)
video
What would you do if you missed out on $1-million dollars?
Canadian Tire replaces stolen toys for Salvation Army
Ask Santa
Meet B.C.'s oldest lawyer
See More Videos 
Robert Schram, here seen in January 2016, died Saturday, according to a friend. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney, Saanich Peninsula mourn the death of Mr. Beads

Bead artist Robert Schram was a familiar, well-loved figure in Sidney and beyond

Robert Schram, here seen in January 2016, died Saturday, according to a friend. (Black Press Media file photo)
The John Hart Dam seismic upgrade project. BC Hydro illustration

John Hart Dam project will move massive amounts of earthfill

Enough to fill about 280 Olympic-sized swimming pools being trucked for Hydro upgrade project

  • Mar 4, 2021
The John Hart Dam seismic upgrade project. BC Hydro illustration
Ladysmith’s famous Festival of Lights decorations are still up as of March 1, 2021. (Cole Schisler photo)

PHOTOS: It’s still looking a lot like Christmas in Ladysmith

Festival of Lights volunteers cannot remove the holiday roof top displays due to COVID-19

Ladysmith’s famous Festival of Lights decorations are still up as of March 1, 2021. (Cole Schisler photo)
The Habitat Acquisition Trust has secured a biodiverse 23-hectare parcel of land in Highlands through a donation from Anne and Jim Ganns, who owned the property for 50 years. (Photo by Todd Carnahan/Courtesy Habitat Acquisition Trust)

23-hectare land donation in Highlands extends permanent habitat protection

Anne and Jim Ganns pass on property purchased 50 years ago to the Habitat Acquisition Trust

The Habitat Acquisition Trust has secured a biodiverse 23-hectare parcel of land in Highlands through a donation from Anne and Jim Ganns, who owned the property for 50 years. (Photo by Todd Carnahan/Courtesy Habitat Acquisition Trust)
Visitors relax at the natural hot springs located within Maquinna Marine Provincial Park. (tofinohiking.com photo)

Maquinna Marine Provincial Park boardwalk project on track

“The walk down the two-kilometre boardwalk to the springs itself is by far one of the most incredible experiences.”

Visitors relax at the natural hot springs located within Maquinna Marine Provincial Park. (tofinohiking.com photo)
A rendering shows the entrance planned for the Hornby Island Arts Centre. Image supplied

Numerous Comox Valley projects get economic recovery grant injection

K’ómoks campground, Hornby arts centre among the projects funded

A rendering shows the entrance planned for the Hornby Island Arts Centre. Image supplied
The Port Alberni Train Station is located outside the entrance to Harbour Quay, on Harbour Road in Port Alberni. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)

Port Alberni gets funding to restore heritage train station

Historic train station needs seismic upgrades

The Port Alberni Train Station is located outside the entrance to Harbour Quay, on Harbour Road in Port Alberni. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)
This poster, spreading misinformation regarding COVID-19 restrictions, has been popping up in communities across Vancouver Island.

UPDATED: Poster popping up in Island communities falsely claiming COVID restrictions are over

Unattributed poster claims COVID restrictions ended March 1; Island Health responds

This poster, spreading misinformation regarding COVID-19 restrictions, has been popping up in communities across Vancouver Island.
Lone orca from a pod that made its way north from Georgia Strait and into Discovery Passage on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021. Photo by Ella Smiley/<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Comoxvalleywildlifesightings/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank">Comox Valley Wildlife Sightings </a>

Island wildlife viewers thrilled by close view of passing Orca pod

Group gives wildlife photographers a classic opportunity to view them off Campbell River shoreline

Lone orca from a pod that made its way north from Georgia Strait and into Discovery Passage on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021. Photo by Ella Smiley/<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Comoxvalleywildlifesightings/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank">Comox Valley Wildlife Sightings </a>
Dasher is back home with mom Christine Girvin thanks to some help from BC Ferries staff. Photo supplied

The cat came back, with help from BC Ferries staff

After Dasher made a dash, staff in Comox found her and got her home safe

Dasher is back home with mom Christine Girvin thanks to some help from BC Ferries staff. Photo supplied
One of the approximately 1,200 street lights within the city of Parksville that will be changed to 3000 Kelvin LED under BC Hydro’s Streetlight Replacement Project. (Mandy Moraes photo)

Parksville to go ahead with 3000K streetlights for BC Hydro project

Concerns about excessive brightness and resident privacy raised

One of the approximately 1,200 street lights within the city of Parksville that will be changed to 3000 Kelvin LED under BC Hydro’s Streetlight Replacement Project. (Mandy Moraes photo)
The Downtown Safety Select Committee has floated the idea of removing the glass on the Spirit Square stage structure in the winter. Photo by Marc Kitteringham, Campbell River Mirror

Campbell River Spirit Square glass removal bad for the homeless?

Committee floats idea of removing glass roof from public facility, advocates object

The Downtown Safety Select Committee has floated the idea of removing the glass on the Spirit Square stage structure in the winter. Photo by Marc Kitteringham, Campbell River Mirror
Gina Adams as she works on her latest piece titled ‘Undying Love’. (Submitted photo)

‘Toothless’ the kitty inspires Vancouver Island wood carver to break out the chainsaw

Inspired by plight of a toothless cat, Gina Adams offers proceeds from her artwork to help animals

Gina Adams as she works on her latest piece titled ‘Undying Love’. (Submitted photo)
Nanaimo’s Joanne Secord is a quarterfinalist in Inked Magazine’s Cover Model Search contest. (Janayh Wright Photography)

50-year-old Vancouver Island mom hopes her tattoos will earn a magazine cover shoot

Nanaimo’s Joanne Secord on cusp of semifinals in Inked Magazine contest

Nanaimo’s Joanne Secord is a quarterfinalist in Inked Magazine’s Cover Model Search contest. (Janayh Wright Photography)