Comox Valley

Sawyer, a northern saw-whet owl that became synonymous with Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society, passed away peacefully over the weekend. Sawyer would make numerous public appearances with MARS staff in and around the Comox Valley and Campbell River. Photo supplied.

Popular MARS ambassador owl dies

Submitted MARS Wildlife Rescue has lost one of its mightiest ambassadors. Tiny…

  • Jan 26, 2021
Sawyer, a northern saw-whet owl that became synonymous with Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society, passed away peacefully over the weekend. Sawyer would make numerous public appearances with MARS staff in and around the Comox Valley and Campbell River. Photo supplied.
Rod Bitten of Union Bay won $500,000 in the Lotto Max draw on Jan. 15. Photo supplied

Vancouver Island electrician gets shocking surprise with $500K Extra win

Rod Bitten has been hard at work with home renovations, which is…

  • Jan 20, 2021
Rod Bitten of Union Bay won $500,000 in the Lotto Max draw on Jan. 15. Photo supplied
Oyster River Fire Rescue members were called out to a suspicious fire in Black Creek. Two vehicles parked at a private residence were destroyed by fire. Photo courtesy Oyster River Fire Rescue

Suspicious fire destroys two vehicles at Black Creek residence

Oyster River Fire Rescue personnel were dispatched to a fire at a…

Oyster River Fire Rescue members were called out to a suspicious fire in Black Creek. Two vehicles parked at a private residence were destroyed by fire. Photo courtesy Oyster River Fire Rescue
Oyster River Fire Rescue members were called out to a suspicious fire in Black Creek. Two vehicles parked at a private residence were destroyed by fire. Photo courtesy Oyster River Fire Rescue

Suspicious fire destroys two vehicles at Vancouver Island residence

Oyster River Fire Rescue personnel were dispatched to a fire at a…

Oyster River Fire Rescue members were called out to a suspicious fire in Black Creek. Two vehicles parked at a private residence were destroyed by fire. Photo courtesy Oyster River Fire Rescue
The objectives of the Vancouver Island Down Syndrome Society include peer support for parents and caregivers, as well as developing support services, projects, educational and employment opportunities for people with Down Syndrome. Photo supplied.

Vancouver Island Down Syndrome Society offers support for families in the community

New non-profit seeking directors in cities across Vancouver Island

The objectives of the Vancouver Island Down Syndrome Society include peer support for parents and caregivers, as well as developing support services, projects, educational and employment opportunities for people with Down Syndrome. Photo supplied.
Dr. John Hooper is the new conductor of Island Voices. Photo supplied

Island Voices welcomes new conductor

This spring will be a time of transition for Island Voices chamber…

Dr. John Hooper is the new conductor of Island Voices. Photo supplied
Courtenay teacher Rebecca MacKenzie won $500,000 on Boxing Day. Photo courtesy BCLC

Vancouver Island teacher picks up an Extra $500,000 with Boxing Day lotto win

Rebecca MacKenzie teaches math and French, so chances are there was some…

  • Jan 5, 2021
Courtenay teacher Rebecca MacKenzie won $500,000 on Boxing Day. Photo courtesy BCLC
Comox Valley resident Mackai Sharp has created a project addressing bigotry and intolerance in the community. Photo montage submitted.

Vancouver Island teen releases ‘devastating’ exploration of local hatred

Comox Valley student creates project addressing intolerance and bigotry in our community

Comox Valley resident Mackai Sharp has created a project addressing bigotry and intolerance in the community. Photo montage submitted.
School District 71 office

Outrage greets Island push for international students in the middle of a pandemic

Comox Valley school board says strict COVID-19 protocols in place for international student program

School District 71 office
12-year-old Ella Smiley captured some video of orcas on a sea lion hunt on Nov. 28 at Kitty Coleman Park, just north of Courtenay. Photo by Ella Smiley

VIDEO: Orcas hunt sea lion near Vancouver Island shoreline

Twelve-year-old Ella Smiley, of Comox Valley Wildlife Sightings, caught up with a…

12-year-old Ella Smiley captured some video of orcas on a sea lion hunt on Nov. 28 at Kitty Coleman Park, just north of Courtenay. Photo by Ella Smiley
The Nov. 20 WestJet flight 3171 has been identified by the BC Centre for Disease Control with a COVID case aboard. (Black Press file photo)

Fifth COVID-19 exposure reported on flight at Comox airport

Another exposure risk from flight originating in Calgary

The Nov. 20 WestJet flight 3171 has been identified by the BC Centre for Disease Control with a COVID case aboard. (Black Press file photo)
Brenda Wagman has been honoured with the Immigrant Welcome Centre Ambassador Award, recognizing her exceptional leadership qualities in creating an environment that welcomes and includes all newcomers, acknowledging their diversity, humanity and value.

Brenda Wagman receives Immigrant Welcome Centre Ambassador Award

The Immigrant Welcome Centre hosted its very first virtual annual General meeting…

  • Nov 16, 2020
Brenda Wagman has been honoured with the Immigrant Welcome Centre Ambassador Award, recognizing her exceptional leadership qualities in creating an environment that welcomes and includes all newcomers, acknowledging their diversity, humanity and value.
Members of the Martin Park Drive neighbourhood celebrate the designation as the north Island’s first FireSmart community. Photo supplied

Black Creek neighbourhood is north Island’s first FireSmart community

On Saturday, Nov. 7, Area C director Edwin Grieve and area resident…

Members of the Martin Park Drive neighbourhood celebrate the designation as the north Island’s first FireSmart community. Photo supplied
The Immigrant Welcome Centre’s Welcoming Communities Coalition will be hosting its annual community forums virtually, on Wednesday, Nov. 18 in Campbell River and Thursday, Nov. 19 in the Comox Valley. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE

Pair of online events planned to address discrimination and racism in the Comox Valley and Campbell River

The Immigrant Welcome Centre’s Welcoming Communities Coalition will be hosting its annual…

  • Nov 8, 2020
The Immigrant Welcome Centre’s Welcoming Communities Coalition will be hosting its annual community forums virtually, on Wednesday, Nov. 18 in Campbell River and Thursday, Nov. 19 in the Comox Valley. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE
Rozzy Hatch poses with Marlowe, the owl she named. Marlowe is the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society’s newest owl ambassador. Photo by Jan Smith

New MARS ambassador owl officially named

Marlowe will be the perfect sidekick to Shakespeare

  • Nov 3, 2020
Rozzy Hatch poses with Marlowe, the owl she named. Marlowe is the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society’s newest owl ambassador. Photo by Jan Smith
Carolyn and Steve Touhey came across a pod of humpback whales while on their boat Sunday, Oct. 25. Photo supplied

VIDEO: Boaters encounter pod of humpbacks in Georgia Strait

Pod spotted between Comox and Texada Island

Carolyn and Steve Touhey came across a pod of humpback whales while on their boat Sunday, Oct. 25. Photo supplied
Skiers line up to start the Royal LePage Comox Valley Snow to Surf Adventure Relay Race. Photo by Tim Penney

Popular Comox Valley adventure race cancelled for 2021

COVID forces Comox Valley Royal LePage Snow to Surf Adventure Relay Race cancellation again

  • Oct 21, 2020
Skiers line up to start the Royal LePage Comox Valley Snow to Surf Adventure Relay Race. Photo by Tim Penney

Vancouver Island SAR teams join forces to extract injured mountaineers from a glacier

Injured mountaineers rescued from the side of a glacier in Strathcona Park

Campbell River and Comox Valley Search and Rescue teams join forces to rescue injured mountaineers

Injured mountaineers rescued from the side of a glacier in Strathcona Park

WestJet announces additional flights from Comox Valley Airport to Calgary, Edmonton

WestJet’s morning and evening service from the Comox Valley Airport to Calgary…

  • Oct 7, 2020