Lake Cowichan

Jim Neiser of Neiser Sales, Service & Rentals Ltd. died suddenly on Jan. 4. after suffering an apparent cardiac event at work. (Submitted photo)

Prominent Lake Cowichan businessman Jim Neiser dead at 63

Lake Cowichan Mayor Bob Day said the long-time laker will be missed.

 

‘Lake Cowichan Secondary School Grade 12 students Tina Delainey and Kelsey Johnston, from left, sort bottles and cans during the graduating class’s latest fund-raising effort, at Saywell Park, Saturday, Jan. 8. The students raised about $2,000. Graduation plans include a prom and a dry grad trip to go white water rafting, at a cost of about $500 per student. There are 53 potential future graduates in Grade 12. The students’ last bottle drive, in September, raised about $3,600.’ (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, 2011) ’Lake Cowichan Secondary School Grade 12 students Tina Delainey and Kelsey Johnston, from left, sort bottles and cans during the graduating class’s latest fund-raising effort, at Saywell Park, Saturday, Jan. 8. The students raised about $2,000. Graduation plans include a prom and a dry grad trip to go white water rafting, at a cost of about $500 per student. There are 53 potential future graduates in Grade 12. The students’ last bottle drive, in September, raised about $3,600.’ (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, 2011)

Flashback: Lakefront property woes, mudslides, and one great big stink

Remember these stories from Lake Cowichan?

 

Moira Mercer spent her summer riding her e-bike around Cowichan Lake and beyond, collecting any empties she found along the way. (Submitted)

Lake Cowichan 2020 in review — conclusion

What were your top stories from 2020?

 

Signs are being placed this July around Lake Cowichan and the region asking tourists to follow the rules around COVID-19 while visiting local businesses and other attractions and facilities this summer. (Submitted graphic)

Year in Review: Top headlines from Lake Cowichan in 2020, part II

May Tubing the Cowichan River has been banned for the summer of…

Signs are being placed this July around Lake Cowichan and the region asking tourists to follow the rules around COVID-19 while visiting local businesses and other attractions and facilities this summer. (Submitted graphic)
Lake Cowichan RCMP and the Lake Cowichan Fire Department were called out after residents heard a loud bang early Jan. 1, 2021. (Black Press file photo)

New year starts with a bang for Lake Cowichan residents

Reports of a possible explosion and potential fire

Lake Cowichan RCMP and the Lake Cowichan Fire Department were called out after residents heard a loud bang early Jan. 1, 2021. (Black Press file photo)
‘Baby, it’s cold outside’ seems to be the tune for these Polar Bear Swimmers at Cowichan Lake on New Year’s Day 2020. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)

Year in Review: Take a look back at some of the top headlines from Lake Cowichan in 2020

January On New Year’s Eve, many families were delighted to be able…

‘Baby, it’s cold outside’ seems to be the tune for these Polar Bear Swimmers at Cowichan Lake on New Year’s Day 2020. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
“An angel tells part of the Christmas story while shepherds and angels keep watch during the Yount School Christmas nativity pageant.” (Lake News, Dec. 22, 1980)

Lake Flashback: Workers cleared, Jaws used, payment sought

Do you remember these stories from Cowichan Lake?

“An angel tells part of the Christmas story while shepherds and angels keep watch during the Yount School Christmas nativity pageant.” (Lake News, Dec. 22, 1980)
‘Santa at the Co-op was a big success with not only small children, but even his helpers had a big kiss for him, for the job he does so well. Sitting on Santa’s knee is Kimberly Knott (left) and Nina Padjen (right).” (Lake News, Dec. 20, 1995)

Flashback: Vandals, a new pub, and development delays

Remember these stories from Cowichan Lake?

‘Santa at the Co-op was a big success with not only small children, but even his helpers had a big kiss for him, for the job he does so well. Sitting on Santa’s knee is Kimberly Knott (left) and Nina Padjen (right).” (Lake News, Dec. 20, 1995)
Fifth-grader Riley Morris is hoping to pair seniors with bird feeders and seed as part of his passion project at school. (GoFundMe screengrab)

Grade 5 student looking for help to bring birds to seniors

“A bird feeder to put up outside their window will give them something to look forward to”

Fifth-grader Riley Morris is hoping to pair seniors with bird feeders and seed as part of his passion project at school. (GoFundMe screengrab)
“Lake Cowichan Fire Department members, outside Country Grocer during their third annual Christmas Hamper Toy Drive event, Saturday, Dec. 11 [2010], wherein they collect non-perishable foods, monetary donations, and toys, for Cowichan Lake Community Services’ Christmas Hamper program. Throughout Friday evening and Saturday, the firefighters collected $1,419 and four truck loads of toys and food. The Christmas hampers will be put together by volunteers at the Centennial Hall, throughout the day, Wednesday, December 15, and distributed to recipients the following day.” (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette/Dec. 15, 2010)

Flashback: Singing sweetheart, an ice storm, new emergency leadership

Remember these stories from Lake Cowichan?

“Lake Cowichan Fire Department members, outside Country Grocer during their third annual Christmas Hamper Toy Drive event, Saturday, Dec. 11 [2010], wherein they collect non-perishable foods, monetary donations, and toys, for Cowichan Lake Community Services’ Christmas Hamper program. Throughout Friday evening and Saturday, the firefighters collected $1,419 and four truck loads of toys and food. The Christmas hampers will be put together by volunteers at the Centennial Hall, throughout the day, Wednesday, December 15, and distributed to recipients the following day.” (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette/Dec. 15, 2010)
The old Stanley Gordon school. (Gazette file)

Mayor: Old school demolitions at Lake Cowichan not coming soon enough

“We’ve been sitting around looking at those for quite some time now”

The old Stanley Gordon school. (Gazette file)
Lake Cowichan Mayor Bob Day. (File photo)

Freedom of information request leads to changes at Lake Cowichan town hall

New software to help with records transfer

Lake Cowichan Mayor Bob Day. (File photo)
‘Eileen Pilkington, right, and her daughter Brenda, in an entranceway to their Lions Christmas House yard, which is sprinkled with decorations. Every room in their house is covered with Christmas decorations, and Santa Claus may even pay them a visit. The house will open to the public Dec. 4, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. through to Dec. 12.’ (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, Dec. 1, 2010)

Flashback: Christmas, ICBC relents, and a BCFP fine

Remember these stories from Lake Cowichan?

‘Eileen Pilkington, right, and her daughter Brenda, in an entranceway to their Lions Christmas House yard, which is sprinkled with decorations. Every room in their house is covered with Christmas decorations, and Santa Claus may even pay them a visit. The house will open to the public Dec. 4, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. through to Dec. 12.’ (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, Dec. 1, 2010)
North Cowichan council (pictured) held it’s first virtual council meeting back in April. Lake Cowichan council is following suit and will be posting their meetings on YouTube as well. (Screenshot)

Lake Cowichan going online with council meetings

For some, it’ll be the perfect background noise for deep sleep induction,…

North Cowichan council (pictured) held it’s first virtual council meeting back in April. Lake Cowichan council is following suit and will be posting their meetings on YouTube as well. (Screenshot)
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lake Cowichan’s town hall is now locked. Members of the public can only enter by knocking or by phoning and making an appointment. (File photo)

$1.16-million in COVID cash granted to Lake Cowichan

Pandemic protocol locks town hall doors

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lake Cowichan’s town hall is now locked. Members of the public can only enter by knocking or by phoning and making an appointment. (File photo)
“Say cheese, uh, apple… nine-year-old Jason Moran and mum Bonnie are all smiles over a number of sales made during “apple day” of local cubs and beavers. Jason, a wolf cub, was one of 22 boys who, with the ready assistance of mothers, sold several boxes of apples in money-raising scheme for various projects.” (<em>The Lake News</em> Nov. 26, 1980)

Flashback: Crime wave, canoe misfortune and a highway lawsuit

Welcome to Lake Flashback. Reporter Sarah Simpson has been combing through old…

“Say cheese, uh, apple… nine-year-old Jason Moran and mum Bonnie are all smiles over a number of sales made during “apple day” of local cubs and beavers. Jason, a wolf cub, was one of 22 boys who, with the ready assistance of mothers, sold several boxes of apples in money-raising scheme for various projects.” (<em>The Lake News</em> Nov. 26, 1980)
Lake Cowichan’s Oliver Finlayson, second from left, and his family — including grandma Marnie Mattice, sister Avery, mom Amie Mattice and dad Blair Finlayson — were all smiles on Nov. 16 when their pool arrived, thanks to lots of fundraising and the generosity of the Cowichan Lake community. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Cowichan Lake community comes together to help family get vital pool

Oliver Finlayson, 9, has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and hydrotherapy is a big help

Lake Cowichan’s Oliver Finlayson, second from left, and his family — including grandma Marnie Mattice, sister Avery, mom Amie Mattice and dad Blair Finlayson — were all smiles on Nov. 16 when their pool arrived, thanks to lots of fundraising and the generosity of the Cowichan Lake community. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
“Jeff Abbott sinks in a mass of mud where a tributary to Coon Creek earlier ran. The creek supplies 60 families in Youbou with drinking water.” (Lake News, Nov. 19, 1980)

Flashback: Winter tires, winter weather, watershed watch

Remember these stories from Lake Cowichan

“Jeff Abbott sinks in a mass of mud where a tributary to Coon Creek earlier ran. The creek supplies 60 families in Youbou with drinking water.” (Lake News, Nov. 19, 1980)
“Truck and car meet on ‘new’ highway. Is there more danger now?” (Lake News, Nov. 12, 1980)

Flashback: A boy’s birthday food drive, Remembrance Day, and Highway 18 damages

Welcome to Lake Flashback. Reporter Sarah Simpson has been combing through old…

“Truck and car meet on ‘new’ highway. Is there more danger now?” (Lake News, Nov. 12, 1980)
Almost a year to the day of his disappearance, Lake Cowichan RCMP have announced they've found the body of Colin Court. Court was last seen fishing from his kayak on the lake. (Courtesy of Bill Court)

Body of fisherman who went missing a year ago recovered from Cowichan Lake

Two days shy of exactly a year from the day he went…

Almost a year to the day of his disappearance, Lake Cowichan RCMP have announced they've found the body of Colin Court. Court was last seen fishing from his kayak on the lake. (Courtesy of Bill Court)