Local News

A nurse prepares a vaccine dose at an immunization clinic for long-term care workers in Nanaimo. (Island Health photo)

Vancouver Island breaks record for COVID-19 cases

Island Health reported 102 new cases, 700 active cases on Sept. 17

Backyard hens are now permitted within the Town of Lake Cowichan. (Citizen file)

Backyard hens legally take up residency in Lake Cowichan

Decades-old battle finally ends, chickens legal in Lake Cowichan backyards

Tim Hortons is hosting the annual Smile Cookie campaign this week to raise money for three local non-profit organizations. Pictured, from left, are Vickie Davis from Nourish Cowichan, Greg Adams, owner of a number of Tim Hortons in the region, Erin Generous from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Cowichan Valley, and Leslie Welin from The Clements Centre. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Business notes: Smile Cookie campaign on at local Tim Horton locations

The latest from the Cowichan Valley business community

Lucie Cerny, RASTA founder, with one of her beloved pot belly pigs. (Photo submitted)

Health of Chemainus sanctuary founder forces transfer of animals, some assets to Duncan facility

Animals will eventually be moved from RASTA to A Home For Hooves

Lucie Cerny, RASTA founder, with one of her beloved pot belly pigs. (Photo submitted)
Island Health’s Wellness and Recovery Centre on York Road will open this fall. (File photo)

Wellness and Recovery Centre in Duncan on schedule to open in the fall

Island Health project has upset many of its neighbours on York Road

Island Health’s Wellness and Recovery Centre on York Road will open this fall. (File photo)
RCMP officers and protesters face off at a camp in Fairy Creek with tripod structures visible in the background. (Submitted by BC RCMP)

Police union survey says most in B.C. support enforcement at Fairy Creek

82% agree with enforcement, 77% support right to peaceful protest

RCMP officers and protesters face off at a camp in Fairy Creek with tripod structures visible in the background. (Submitted by BC RCMP)
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Tom LaFortune, left, Steve Sxwithul’txw and Snuneymuxw Chief Michael Wyse were among those in attendance for a cheque presentation at the band office Sept. 15. LaFortune and Sxwithul’txw organized a GoFundMe campaign, with proceeds funding a search for unmarked graves at a site in Nanaimo. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
First Nation welcomes donation to help with search of Nanaimo Indian Hospital site
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announces new COVID-19 measures for Alberta in Calgary, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Alberta introduces new rules, passport as COVID puts health system days from collapse
Canadians should expect plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors this fall, according to the Weather Network’s long-term outlook. (Jenna Hauck/ Progress file)
Weather Network says a pretty nice fall is in store for Canada
FILE – A health care worker is seen outside the Emergency dept. of the Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver Monday, March 30, 2020. . THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
All health care workers in B.C. must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 26: Henry
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A number of opinions from the community have come forward on what, if anything, the cross that was cut down this summer on Mount Tzouhalem should be replaced with. (File photo)

What should replace Tzouhalem cross? Ideas come forward

Vandals cut cross down in July

A number of opinions from the community have come forward on what, if anything, the cross that was cut down this summer on Mount Tzouhalem should be replaced with. (File photo)
Josh Mellor has COVID-19 and is fighting for his life in an ICU in Victoria. (Submitted by Miranda Mellor)

Young Cowichan farmer with COVID-19 battling for his life

Josh Mellor is in the ICU at Royal Jubilee Hospital

Josh Mellor has COVID-19 and is fighting for his life in an ICU in Victoria. (Submitted by Miranda Mellor)
Mark Anderson, owner of West Coast Driver Training, is planning on defying the rules that prevent him from installing dash cams in his company cars. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Cowichan driving school owner to install dash cams, in spite of prohibition

Mark Anderson said he intends to defy law

Mark Anderson, owner of West Coast Driver Training, is planning on defying the rules that prevent him from installing dash cams in his company cars. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
File photo.

UPDATED: Khowhemun latest Cowichan Valley schools with COVID within school community

10 Valley schools have reported cases in their communities

File photo.
Fairy Creek protesters say that some of their belongings, including tarps and awnings, ended up in this dumpster at the Bings Creek waste management facility. (Carole Toothill photo)

Protesters, Teal Jones disagree about Fairy Creek ‘garbage’

Abandoned or confiscated? Company says personal items are being returned

Fairy Creek protesters say that some of their belongings, including tarps and awnings, ended up in this dumpster at the Bings Creek waste management facility. (Carole Toothill photo)
RCMP officers gather in front of a tripod erected by protesters on the Granite Mainline Forest Service Road in the Fairy Creek watershed on Tuesday, Sept. 14. (RCMP photo)

Fairy Creek arrests surpass 1,000 mark

Canada’s largest act of civil disobedience continues

RCMP officers gather in front of a tripod erected by protesters on the Granite Mainline Forest Service Road in the Fairy Creek watershed on Tuesday, Sept. 14. (RCMP photo)
Cowichan Tribes’ Chief William Seymour, also known as Squtxulenuhw, was one of the five chiefs of the Cowichan Nation to sign an agreement with the province to work cooperatively to advance reconciliation. (File photo)

Cowichan Nation, province sign agreement to work together, government to government

Agreement intended to advance reconciliation

  • Sep 15, 2021
Cowichan Tribes’ Chief William Seymour, also known as Squtxulenuhw, was one of the five chiefs of the Cowichan Nation to sign an agreement with the province to work cooperatively to advance reconciliation. (File photo)
The rezoning application for the redevelopment of Duncan Manor is expected to be submitted to the City of Duncan by the end of September. (File photo)

Controversial Duncan Manor proposal expected to be submitted to city in September

Duncan Housing Society expected to submit rezoning application by end of month

The rezoning application for the redevelopment of Duncan Manor is expected to be submitted to the City of Duncan by the end of September. (File photo)
Protesters hold a banner as they stand in front of stacks of lumber during a demonstration against old-growth logging, at Teal-Jones Group sawmill in Surrey, B.C., on Sunday, May 30, 2021. Teal-Jones holds licenses allowing it to log in the Fairy Creek Watershed on Vancouver Island. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Old-growth activists want fewer police powers at Fairy Creek, RCMP asking for more

Teal Cedar Products asks B.C. court for one-year injunction extension at Fairy Creek

Protesters hold a banner as they stand in front of stacks of lumber during a demonstration against old-growth logging, at Teal-Jones Group sawmill in Surrey, B.C., on Sunday, May 30, 2021. Teal-Jones holds licenses allowing it to log in the Fairy Creek Watershed on Vancouver Island. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Area G director Lynne Smith. The community of Saltair, located in the Cowichan Valley Regional District, will receive approximately $3.9 million from a federal/provincial program for its water filtration project. (File photo)

Saltair to receive $3.9 million for water project

Funding comes from joint provincial/federal program

  • Sep 14, 2021
Area G director Lynne Smith. The community of Saltair, located in the Cowichan Valley Regional District, will receive approximately $3.9 million from a federal/provincial program for its water filtration project. (File photo)
Firefighters have responded to a structure fire at a home on Belvedere Crescent in Sahtlam on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen) Firefighters have responded to a structure fire at a home on Belvedere Crescent in Sahtlam on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

UPDATE: Fundraiser set up to help family whose Sahtlam house went up in flames

One person inside managed to get out safely

Firefighters have responded to a structure fire at a home on Belvedere Crescent in Sahtlam on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen) Firefighters have responded to a structure fire at a home on Belvedere Crescent in Sahtlam on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
CVRD is looking for public input into the renewal of its OCP. (File photo)

What do you want your community to look like? Cowichan district looks for input on plan renewal

Virtual public hearing to be held Sept. 21

CVRD is looking for public input into the renewal of its OCP. (File photo)
FILE – Protesters hold a banner as they stand in front of stacks of lumber during a demonstration against old-growth logging, at Teal-Jones Group sawmill in Surrey, B.C., on Sunday, May 30, 2021. Teal-Jones holds licenses allowing it to log in the Fairy Creek Watershed on Vancouver Island. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

RCMP make 27 more arrests at Fairy Creek old-growth logging blockades

Officers have made nearly 1,000 arrests in total at the old-growth protests

FILE – Protesters hold a banner as they stand in front of stacks of lumber during a demonstration against old-growth logging, at Teal-Jones Group sawmill in Surrey, B.C., on Sunday, May 30, 2021. Teal-Jones holds licenses allowing it to log in the Fairy Creek Watershed on Vancouver Island. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Mandwe family is ready to help with next week’s BC Thanksgiving Food Drive by picking up the bags left on your front doorsteps. Even four-year-old Benji wants to help. (Submitted by Carol Stiles)

Thanksgiving Food Drive begins next week in Cowichan

The goal? To get the community’s help to fill the shelves of Cowichan’s food banks

The Mandwe family is ready to help with next week’s BC Thanksgiving Food Drive by picking up the bags left on your front doorsteps. Even four-year-old Benji wants to help. (Submitted by Carol Stiles)