Alberni Valley

An air ambulance takes off from Highway 4 on Wednesday, April 6. (PHOTO COURTESY PA FIRE DEPARTMENT)

Two sent to hospital after Highway 4 crash near Cathedral Grove

Highway was closed for several hours on April 6, 2022

An air ambulance takes off from Highway 4 on Wednesday, April 6. (PHOTO COURTESY PA FIRE DEPARTMENT)
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council leaders are demanding immediate action in response to toxic drug deaths. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)

Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council demands action on overdose crisis

New addiction clinic and detox centre needed in Nuu-chah-nulth territory, says president

Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council leaders are demanding immediate action in response to toxic drug deaths. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)
Gaylene Ruel, left, and owner Brad DeClercq from Starboard Grill, and former Little Bavaria owner Kathy Krznaric prepare pierogi for the final stretch of the Ukrainian feast at Starboard on Tuesday, March 22, 2022. (ELLIOT DREW/ Alberni Valley News)

5,000 Island pierogi and 2,000 Island cabbage rolls raise $16,000 for Ukrainian aid

Starboard Grill week-long fundraiser creates special meals to help in humanitarian effort

Gaylene Ruel, left, and owner Brad DeClercq from Starboard Grill, and former Little Bavaria owner Kathy Krznaric prepare pierogi for the final stretch of the Ukrainian feast at Starboard on Tuesday, March 22, 2022. (ELLIOT DREW/ Alberni Valley News)
Provincial government staff host public engagement session over Cathedral Grove safety at the Port Alberni Friendship Center in 2019. (MIKE YOUDS/ Special to the AV News)

Province resumes public engagement over Highway 4 safety at Cathedral Grove

Visitor safety and traffic congestion back under consideration after talks stalled in 2019

Provincial government staff host public engagement session over Cathedral Grove safety at the Port Alberni Friendship Center in 2019. (MIKE YOUDS/ Special to the AV News)
Ukrainian members of the 2008-09 Canada World Youth exchange dress in their traditional clothing for an event in Port Alberni 13 years ago. (PHOTO COURTESY BEN SCHEIDEGGER)

Canada-Ukraine exchange students return to Port Alberni for fundraising cultural night

2008-09 Canada World Youth students spent three months in Ukraine and three months in Alberni

Ukrainian members of the 2008-09 Canada World Youth exchange dress in their traditional clothing for an event in Port Alberni 13 years ago. (PHOTO COURTESY BEN SCHEIDEGGER)
(Pexels)

Cherry Creek under boil water advisory after water main break

Water main break has now been repaired

(Pexels)
The 2022 Wounded Warrior Run team, Canadian Rangers, North Island emergency personnel, and Mayor Dennis Dugas and Kwakiutl First Nation chief Calvin Hunt, all stopped for a group photo bright and early in Port Hardy on Sunday, Feb. 27 before the runners left Carrot Park. (David Grainger photo)

Pair of Vancouver Island first responders run with Wounded Warriors

Maria Marciano, Dave Nesbitt and team taking part in annual Island-wide mental health trek

The 2022 Wounded Warrior Run team, Canadian Rangers, North Island emergency personnel, and Mayor Dennis Dugas and Kwakiutl First Nation chief Calvin Hunt, all stopped for a group photo bright and early in Port Hardy on Sunday, Feb. 27 before the runners left Carrot Park. (David Grainger photo)
The Gardens at Qualicum Beach. (thegardensatqualicum.com)

COVID-19: Outbreak at The Gardens in Qualicum Beach has been declared over

Island Health says 12 resident cases and seven staff cases attributed

The Gardens at Qualicum Beach. (thegardensatqualicum.com)
Fire crews attempt to extinguish a cabin fire on Beaver Creek Road. (SCREENSHOT COURTESY PA FIRE DEPARTMENT)

One person taken to hospital after cabin fire near Port Alberni

All four Alberni Valley fire departments responded to Beaver Creek blaze

Fire crews attempt to extinguish a cabin fire on Beaver Creek Road. (SCREENSHOT COURTESY PA FIRE DEPARTMENT)
Emergency responders on scene at an apartment fire on Port Alberni’s Gertrude Street. Susie Quinn/Alberni Valley News

Residents displaced after Port Alberni apartment fire

One unit receives ‘extensive’ damage, two cats perish, fire chief said

Emergency responders on scene at an apartment fire on Port Alberni’s Gertrude Street. Susie Quinn/Alberni Valley News
Brad Cyr is a third-generation logger from Port Hardy who began working a union job as a grapple yarder in Port Alberni in December. He brought his concerns and a freshly cut slice from a stump to the ‘Stand Up for Forestry’ rally on Johnston Road Dec. 9, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Loggers block Highway 4 in front of MLA’s office to protest gov’t deferral on old-growth logging

Forestry workers, families from Port Alberni speak out at far-reaching effects deferral could have

Brad Cyr is a third-generation logger from Port Hardy who began working a union job as a grapple yarder in Port Alberni in December. He brought his concerns and a freshly cut slice from a stump to the ‘Stand Up for Forestry’ rally on Johnston Road Dec. 9, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Water courses along Third Avenue in front of Smitty’s Restaurant on Nov. 15, 2006, after a heavy storm coupled with a king tide caused Dry Creek to overflow its banks. It was the worst flood in the area since the 1964 tsunami, according to residents. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)

Port Alberni avoids flooding…this time

City, regional district, First Nations prepared for next flooding event

Water courses along Third Avenue in front of Smitty’s Restaurant on Nov. 15, 2006, after a heavy storm coupled with a king tide caused Dry Creek to overflow its banks. It was the worst flood in the area since the 1964 tsunami, according to residents. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)
Dr. Dorothy (Sam) Williams, chief of staff and medical director for West Coast General Hospital, checks out an artist’s rendering of the remodeled emergency department. An official groundbreaking for the $6.2-million expansion took place Oct. 8, 2021, although construction began in September. (PHOTO COURTESY ISLAND HEALTH)

$6.2M expansion at West Coast General Hospital brings improvement to patient care

Plans include seclusion room for people in crisis, separate entrance for ambulances

Dr. Dorothy (Sam) Williams, chief of staff and medical director for West Coast General Hospital, checks out an artist’s rendering of the remodeled emergency department. An official groundbreaking for the $6.2-million expansion took place Oct. 8, 2021, although construction began in September. (PHOTO COURTESY ISLAND HEALTH)
A small group of former workers, workers and family members of residents walk with placards protesting conditions at Fir Park Village on Wallace Street and Echo Village on 10th Avenue, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021 in Port Alberni. (MIKE YOUDS/ Special to the AV News)

Protesters hold second rally for senior care homes in Port Alberni

‘Nobody is listening…’

A small group of former workers, workers and family members of residents walk with placards protesting conditions at Fir Park Village on Wallace Street and Echo Village on 10th Avenue, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021 in Port Alberni. (MIKE YOUDS/ Special to the AV News)
A commercial kitchen at The Dock+ will be available for community use. (MIKE YOUDS/ Special to the AV News)

New Dock+ food hub fuels Vancouver Island appetites and innovation in Port Alberni

The new food hub formally opened with a showcase of vendors

  • Oct 5, 2021
A commercial kitchen at The Dock+ will be available for community use. (MIKE YOUDS/ Special to the AV News)
Crew members aboard the Canadian Coast Guard hovercraft Siyay replace navigational buoys in the Somass River on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. The 29-metre long hovercraft came to the Alberni Inlet from Richmond, B.C., where it is based. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Coast Guard hovercraft not a common sight in Port Alberni waters

29-metre CCGS Siyay made rare visit to Alberni Inlet

Crew members aboard the Canadian Coast Guard hovercraft Siyay replace navigational buoys in the Somass River on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. The 29-metre long hovercraft came to the Alberni Inlet from Richmond, B.C., where it is based. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Cases of COVID-19 are creeping up in the Alberni-Clayoquot health region, mainly from close contact in households and social events, says Island Health (GRAPHIC COURTESY BCCDC.CA)

Alberni-Clayoquot becoming COVID-19 hotspot on Vancouver Island

Cluster of cases at elementary school the latest for Island school districts

Cases of COVID-19 are creeping up in the Alberni-Clayoquot health region, mainly from close contact in households and social events, says Island Health (GRAPHIC COURTESY BCCDC.CA)
‘Road flooded’ signs in the 3500-block of Fourth Avenue caution drivers who are trying to get around in heavy rain on Sept. 17, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Heavy rainfall in Port Alberni came close to setting records

First real storm of September overwhelmed waterways in central Island city

‘Road flooded’ signs in the 3500-block of Fourth Avenue caution drivers who are trying to get around in heavy rain on Sept. 17, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
‘Road flooded’ signs in the 3500-block of Fourth Avenue caution drivers who are trying to get around in heavy rain on Sept. 17, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Heavy rain causes flooding, road closures in Port Alberni

First real storm of September overwhelms waterways in central Island city

‘Road flooded’ signs in the 3500-block of Fourth Avenue caution drivers who are trying to get around in heavy rain on Sept. 17, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Carver Tim Paul, left, talks with a collaborator prior to the ‘closing the eyes’ ceremony for n’aasn’aas?aqsa Aug. 13, 2021 at the Maritime Discovery Centre. The totem will be unveiled in its final resting place near Victoria Quay on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

New home for Indigenous language totem pole in Port Alberni

Language pole was a joint carving project in partnership with the United Nations

Carver Tim Paul, left, talks with a collaborator prior to the ‘closing the eyes’ ceremony for n’aasn’aas?aqsa Aug. 13, 2021 at the Maritime Discovery Centre. The totem will be unveiled in its final resting place near Victoria Quay on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)