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Crew members aboard the HMCS Ottawa frigate ready the Canadian Naval ship as it departs Port Alberni down the Alberni Inlet on March 9, 2023. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Navy ships visit Port Alberni waterfront

HMCS Ottawa and HMCS Winnipeg make a ‘maintenance’ stop in Port Alberni

Crew members aboard the HMCS Ottawa frigate ready the Canadian Naval ship as it departs Port Alberni down the Alberni Inlet on March 9, 2023. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Oak Bay artist Myra Baynton is among the Victoria Sketch Club members with works on display during the annual show and sale that opens at Glenlyon Norfolks School on Beach Drive March 18. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

114-year-old arts club opens doors to annual Oak Bay show and sale

Victoria Sketch Club show opens March 21 in Glenlyon-Norfolk School gym

Oak Bay artist Myra Baynton is among the Victoria Sketch Club members with works on display during the annual show and sale that opens at Glenlyon Norfolks School on Beach Drive March 18. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Construction of a fire hall for Mount Washington has been delayed. File photo

Construction of Mount Washington fire hall suffers setback

Construction of the proposed Mount Washington fire hall has had a setback.…

Construction of a fire hall for Mount Washington has been delayed. File photo
Threatened yellow-montane violets in the Mt. Tuam protected area on Salt Spring Island. (Photo by Laura Mattias)

Islands conservancy receives funding to address biodiversity loss

Three-year funding boost ensures the continuation of species-at-risk program

Threatened yellow-montane violets in the Mt. Tuam protected area on Salt Spring Island. (Photo by Laura Mattias)
For her father’s birthday, Christine Fritz made a donation at the Canada Blood Services Clinic in Walnut Grove on Saturday, March 11. It was her eighth contribution. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

Daughter donates blood for dad’s birthday

‘If I’m out there donating, someone else is donating for him’ B.C. woman says

For her father’s birthday, Christine Fritz made a donation at the Canada Blood Services Clinic in Walnut Grove on Saturday, March 11. It was her eighth contribution. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
Leaders from Vancouver Island grocery brands announce a fundraising campaign to bring life-saving diagnostic equipment to BC Cancer – Victoria. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Vancouver Island grocers come together for blooming good cancer campaign

Shoppers can buy flowers and fund cutting-edge tools for those facing cancer

Leaders from Vancouver Island grocery brands announce a fundraising campaign to bring life-saving diagnostic equipment to BC Cancer – Victoria. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Coho is one of the many salmon species that spawns in Little Qualicum River. (Submitted photo)

Nature Trust of B.C. raising funds to protect land in Little Qualicum River

Crowdfunding campaign launched with goal to raise $415,000 by April 30

Coho is one of the many salmon species that spawns in Little Qualicum River. (Submitted photo)
Last year’s Easter egg hunt put on by Pemberton Holmes drew a crowd. This year’s event takes place on April 8 at Ed Macgregor Park. (Contributed)

Easter egg hunt promises fun-filled day for families

Event takes place at Ed Macgregor Park on April 8

Last year’s Easter egg hunt put on by Pemberton Holmes drew a crowd. This year’s event takes place on April 8 at Ed Macgregor Park. (Contributed)
The Sooke Women’s Mastermind Group offers entrepreneurial strategies and support during bi-weekly sessions over three months beginning in April. (Shutterstock)

Sooke launches Women’s Mastermind Group for entrepreneurs

Group offers entrepreneurial strategies and support during bi-weekly sessions

The Sooke Women’s Mastermind Group offers entrepreneurial strategies and support during bi-weekly sessions over three months beginning in April. (Shutterstock)
Saanich sisters Myla (left) and Leila Bui hope to enjoy bike rides together again as the family looks to customize an adaptive bike for Leila who requires a wheelchair. (1001 cranes 1 Wish/Facebook)

Saanich mom astonished by flood of support, hopes to customize bike for Leila Bui

Tandem bike will allow Leila Bui to cycle with her family

Saanich sisters Myla (left) and Leila Bui hope to enjoy bike rides together again as the family looks to customize an adaptive bike for Leila who requires a wheelchair. (1001 cranes 1 Wish/Facebook)
Victoria International Airport president and CEO Geoff Dickson has announced he will retire from the role he has held since 2011 this September. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

‘Everyone feels pretty proud’: Geoff Dickson reflects on 12 years piloting Victoria airport

The airport’s president and CEO since 2011, Dickson announced he will retire in September

Victoria International Airport president and CEO Geoff Dickson has announced he will retire from the role he has held since 2011 this September. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Tammy Young beams with excitement when she returns from her first call with the Salmon Arm Fire Department. (Photo contributed)

‘I fell in love with it’: Salmon Arm woman always wanted to be a firefighter

Fire department celebrates its female firefighters on International Women’s Day

Tammy Young beams with excitement when she returns from her first call with the Salmon Arm Fire Department. (Photo contributed)
Dalys Barney poses with her new booklet “Message on a Bottle: Nanaimo’s Soda History. Photo provided by Bill Wilson

Nanaimo’s soda pop history will be uncapped at historical society meeting

Author Dalys Barney presenting her booklet ‘Message on a Bottle’ on March 9

Dalys Barney poses with her new booklet “Message on a Bottle: Nanaimo’s Soda History. Photo provided by Bill Wilson
Wendy Kotorynski captured a rare display of the Aurora Borealis at the Parksville waterfront the night of Feb. 26 and Feb. 27. (Wendy Kotorynski photo)

Parksville photographer captures rare Aurora Borealis showing

Strong geomagnetic storm and lack of clouds made for ‘amazing display’

Wendy Kotorynski captured a rare display of the Aurora Borealis at the Parksville waterfront the night of Feb. 26 and Feb. 27. (Wendy Kotorynski photo)
Ethan, 12, suffered damage to his leg after falling under a Kelowna transit bus on Feb. 28, 2023. (GoFundMe)

Fundraiser tops $10,000 for Okanagan boy injured after falling under bus

The GoFundMe says donations will help with cost of physiotherapy

  • Mar 7, 2023
Ethan, 12, suffered damage to his leg after falling under a Kelowna transit bus on Feb. 28, 2023. (GoFundMe)
Jack Rogers looks on as the model trains go by at this year’s Model Train exhibit at the Museum at Campbell River. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

There’s just something about trains: Model show returns to Campbell River

Annual Model Train Show taps into ‘Canadian psyche’ around trains — Ken Blackburn

Jack Rogers looks on as the model trains go by at this year’s Model Train exhibit at the Museum at Campbell River. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
Karly Nygaard-Petersen, a doctoral student at Royal Roads University, researched what role fun played in people’s uptake of e-scooters and micro-mobility options. (Courtesy of Karly Nygaard-Petersen)

E-scooter uptake highlights role of fun in transportation: Royal Roads researcher

Study looks into how cities can use commuter enjoyment in street adaptation decisions

Karly Nygaard-Petersen, a doctoral student at Royal Roads University, researched what role fun played in people’s uptake of e-scooters and micro-mobility options. (Courtesy of Karly Nygaard-Petersen)
Mike Bowen and Nathalie Butler embark on the Wounded Warrior Run B.C. bound from Nanaimo to Ladysmith the morning of March 4. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

Wounded Warriors running down the Island, asking for support for their programs

Fundraiser run stopped by Nanaimo on Friday and Saturday, March 3-4

Mike Bowen and Nathalie Butler embark on the Wounded Warrior Run B.C. bound from Nanaimo to Ladysmith the morning of March 4. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
Two single-family homes on a development site in Esquimalt will be saved and relocated to the Songhees Nation. (Courtesy TLA Developments)

Two Esquimalt homes saved from development site heading to Songhees Nation

Upcycling move a welcome one given housing crisis, says Chief Ron Sam

Two single-family homes on a development site in Esquimalt will be saved and relocated to the Songhees Nation. (Courtesy TLA Developments)
The Lavallee family: Shilo, Kristie and their daughters Desiree and Kailee. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Life-changing medical diagnosis hits Port Alberni family hard

Parents forced to change jobs to stay closer to home for five-year-old daughter

The Lavallee family: Shilo, Kristie and their daughters Desiree and Kailee. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)