Local News

The projected costs for a planned new childcare service building in North Cowichan have risen substantially. (File photo)

Projected costs of new North Cowichan childcare facility rise substantially

Escalating expenses and need for big contingency fund cited as main reasons

View from the reconnaissance flight. BC Wildfire Service

Mt. Evans fire near Kimberley being monitored by helicopters and air tankers

Terrain is not safe for ground crews says BC Wildfire Service

With two vials of lake water already collected, Jim Deck pours a vial of regular water into an empty vial to measure the amount of sunscreen in the air. (Sarah Simpson/Gazette)

Volunteers take the plunge to test sunscreen levels in Cowichan Lake, river

Visitors coming to Cowichan Lake area from around the globe

Trending Video
An elephant and her calf are rescued from a deep pit in Thailand. (Associated Press/screenshot)
VIDEO: Thai elephant calf, mother rescued from deep pit
More Trending Videos 
Wendy Finch, manager at the Merit Furniture location in Duncan, and Mike Ruhr invite people to attend the company’s 38th anniversary which will see sales on lots of the store’s merchandise. The anniversary sale will run until Aug. 25. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Business notes: Merit Furniture celebrates 38th anniversary

The latest from the Cowichan Valley business community

Wendy Finch, manager at the Merit Furniture location in Duncan, and Mike Ruhr invite people to attend the company’s 38th anniversary which will see sales on lots of the store’s merchandise. The anniversary sale will run until Aug. 25. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
CVRD vice chair Sierra Acton said she should not have to sign off on the business expenses of the chair of the board, as recommended by district auditors. (File photo) CVRD board vice chair Sierra Acton told the board she does not want to be responsible for signing off on the expenses of the chair. (File photo)

CVRD directors’ business expenses policy hot topic at meeting

Who signs off on expenses raises questions around best practices

CVRD vice chair Sierra Acton said she should not have to sign off on the business expenses of the chair of the board, as recommended by district auditors. (File photo) CVRD board vice chair Sierra Acton told the board she does not want to be responsible for signing off on the expenses of the chair. (File photo)
Vancouver Island Pagan Pride will be hosting its annual festival in Duncan on Aug. 13, 2022. (William Jorgensen photo/courtesy of Pagan Pride)

Pagan festival coming to Duncan

Entertainment, vendors and more in Charles Hoey Park

  • Aug 11, 2022
Vancouver Island Pagan Pride will be hosting its annual festival in Duncan on Aug. 13, 2022. (William Jorgensen photo/courtesy of Pagan Pride)
Video
Canadian jazz piano impresario Oscar Peterson sits at a piano in a television studio in a January 26, 1963, handout photo. Peterson is the subject of the documentary “Oscar Peterson: Black + White,” which premieres Saturday at the Toronto International Film Festival. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Archives Radio-Canada, Andre Le Coz,
Pianist Oscar Peterson becomes first Black Canadian featured on a circulation coin
Vanessa Kizyma
Video: Okanagan sky lights up after thunderstorm
Paramedics in B.C. responded to about 210 heat-related patient events during the July 2022 heat wave. According to the BC Coroners Service, 16 people died. (APBC image)
16 deaths recorded during B.C.’s July heat wave
AP Illustration by Peter Hamlin based on legal documents regarding sex abuse in the Mormon church.
VIDEO: How the Mormon church ‘help line’ hid child sex abuse
More Videos 
A North Cowichan officer diverts traffic around a brush fire at the intersection of Kingsview Road and Donnay Drive Aug. 11. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

2 firehalls called out to brushfire in Maple Bay

Fire at Kingsview and Donnay traffic circle

A North Cowichan officer diverts traffic around a brush fire at the intersection of Kingsview Road and Donnay Drive Aug. 11. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring said BC Housing has committed to deal with street disorder issues at its new homeless facility on Paddle Road. (File photo)

BC Housing commits to dealing with “street disorder” at Cowichan supportive housing complex

Sq’umul’ Shelh Lelum’ opened in April on Paddle Road

North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring said BC Housing has committed to deal with street disorder issues at its new homeless facility on Paddle Road. (File photo)
BC Wildfire Service crews mopping up as a result of the Keremeos Creek wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service- Facebook)

Keremeos Creek wildfire evacuation orders rescinded for Olalla

Village of Apex and portion of Green Mountain Road remain on evacuation

BC Wildfire Service crews mopping up as a result of the Keremeos Creek wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service- Facebook)
Kerkhoff Construction is proposing to build a comprehensive apartment complex at the north end of Paddle Road. (Graphic courtesy of North Cowichan)

2 large apartment complexes proposed in North Cowichan

But some councillors take issue with lack of affordable housing and public amenities

Kerkhoff Construction is proposing to build a comprehensive apartment complex at the north end of Paddle Road. (Graphic courtesy of North Cowichan)
The wildfire south of Rosswood as it looked from the air earlier. Skimmer aircraft were deployed today. (BC Wildfire Service photo)

Rosswood fire has moved away from structures

Skimmer aircraft used today to establish perimeter

The wildfire south of Rosswood as it looked from the air earlier. Skimmer aircraft were deployed today. (BC Wildfire Service photo)
The Municipality of North Cowichan is expected to decide this month if it intends to keep the corridor safety office open on its own. (File photo)

North Cowichan still to decide on future of corridor safety office

City of Duncan pulled out of office on Aug. 1

The Municipality of North Cowichan is expected to decide this month if it intends to keep the corridor safety office open on its own. (File photo)
On Aug. 13, the Youbou Regatta is back! (Gazette file)

Youbou Regatta returns following hiatus

No lifeguard for quarter-mile swim

On Aug. 13, the Youbou Regatta is back! (Gazette file)
This burned tree along Highway 3A is a hazard and could come down onto the road. It’s an example of the dangers of opening the highway too soon, said BC Wildfire. (BC Wildfire)

Some Keremeos Creek fire evacuation orders and alerts rescinded

Evacuations lifted for over 40 properties along Hwy 3A corridor

This burned tree along Highway 3A is a hazard and could come down onto the road. It’s an example of the dangers of opening the highway too soon, said BC Wildfire. (BC Wildfire)
Ian Morrison, CVRD’s director for Cowichan Lake South/Skutz Falls, said he doesn’t want to leave the decision on whether to raise the compensation for electoral area directors to the next board. (File photo)

Pay increase for CVRD directors back at table

Ian Morrison wants board to discuss issue before end of term

Ian Morrison, CVRD’s director for Cowichan Lake South/Skutz Falls, said he doesn’t want to leave the decision on whether to raise the compensation for electoral area directors to the next board. (File photo)
Two-term North Cowichan councillor Rob Douglas is running for mayor in the municipal elections on Oct. 15. (Submitted photo)

Rob Douglas announces bid for mayor of North Cowichan

Douglas has served two terms as councillor

Two-term North Cowichan councillor Rob Douglas is running for mayor in the municipal elections on Oct. 15. (Submitted photo)
The Municipality of North Cowichan has renamed Herd Road Park for longtime community volunteer Andy Hutchins. (Photo submitted by Hutchins family)

Maple Bay’s Herd Park renamed Andy Hutchins Park

Andy Hutchins was a prominent person in the community

  • Aug 9, 2022
The Municipality of North Cowichan has renamed Herd Road Park for longtime community volunteer Andy Hutchins. (Photo submitted by Hutchins family)
Plans by the CVRD to build a parking lot in Taylor Park have been cancelled after a report concluded the area has too many environmentally sensitive areas for the project to move forward. (File photo)

Plans for parking lot in Taylor Park in Shawnigan Lake won’t go ahead

Park contains environmentally sensitive areas

Plans by the CVRD to build a parking lot in Taylor Park have been cancelled after a report concluded the area has too many environmentally sensitive areas for the project to move forward. (File photo)
Police catch 23 impaired drivers in Lake Cowichan area during long weekend

RCMP catch 23 drunk drivers in Lake Cowichan area during long weekend

Six drivers also ticketed for excessive speeding

Police catch 23 impaired drivers in Lake Cowichan area during long weekend
A Mill Bay family “lost everything” in a fire on Saturday afternoon. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Family escapes, but house a “total loss” after fire in Mill Bay

1 dog died in blaze, but other pets managed to get out

A Mill Bay family “lost everything” in a fire on Saturday afternoon. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)