Year in Review

Many put some effort into dressing festive to attend the Mesachie Lake Canada Day celebrations hosted by the Cowichan Valley Regional District on July 1. (Sarah Simpson/Gazette)

Lake Cowichan Gazette Year In Review – Part II

Editor’s note: This past year has been a busy one around Cowichan…

 

Geoff de Ruiter organized a Ducknana event in Victoria to help build a sense of community after a couple of difficult years. (Photo courtesy of Geoff de Ruiter)

Censored Sasquatch, Ducknana diehards: Wacky B.C. stories from 2022

Don’t forget the breastfeeding mom who saved her goose or the music teacher who scared off a bear

 

Autumn Lott at Gilman’s point, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. At seven years old, she’s the youngest Canadian to have ever summitted the infamous peak. (Francesca Lott photo)

Good news stories from 2022 to reflect on in 2023

These British Columbians were lifting spirits across the province

Autumn Lott at Gilman’s point, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. At seven years old, she’s the youngest Canadian to have ever summitted the infamous peak. (Francesca Lott photo)
A big snowfall in late December left fat pillows of snow on signs, fences, picnic tables lake and even covered the surface of Mayo Dam, as shown in the first edition of January, 2022. (Kathryn Swan photo)

Lake Cowichan Gazette Year In Review – Part I

Editor’s note: This past year has been a busy one around Cowichan…

A big snowfall in late December left fat pillows of snow on signs, fences, picnic tables lake and even covered the surface of Mayo Dam, as shown in the first edition of January, 2022. (Kathryn Swan photo)
The Cowichan Valley’s Tafadzwa Matambe, who is originally from Zimbabwe, has received a $20,000 grant for production funding, personalized training and mentorship to tell the story of his culture and people during Black History Month. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
The Cowichan Valley’s Tafadzwa Matambe, who is originally from Zimbabwe, has received a $20,000 grant for production funding, personalized training and mentorship to tell the story of his culture and people during Black History Month. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Duncan’s Sara Goodman helped the national senior field hockey team earn a spot in the 2022 Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup, something that hasn’t been achieved since 1994. Her sister Jenna also competed for Canada at the Junior World Cup in April. (Submitted by Heather Goodman)

Cowichan sports scene full of winners in 2022

From first year players to the elites, it was another spectacular year for Duncan sports

Duncan’s Sara Goodman helped the national senior field hockey team earn a spot in the 2022 Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup, something that hasn’t been achieved since 1994. Her sister Jenna also competed for Canada at the Junior World Cup in April. (Submitted by Heather Goodman)
Almost 7,000 people participated in the second annual Every Child Matters march in Duncan on Sept. 30, which is National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Pictured if the front of the march as people turn from Ingram Street onto Jubilee Street. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Year in Review Part 2: Top stories from Cowichan in 2022, July to December

Check out some of the top stories from the Cowichan Valley, month by month

Almost 7,000 people participated in the second annual Every Child Matters march in Duncan on Sept. 30, which is National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Pictured if the front of the march as people turn from Ingram Street onto Jubilee Street. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Lake Cowichan’s Kristal Mayo (right) died on New Year’s Eve after battling cancer for many months. Pictured with Kristal is husband Dustin and daughter Kourtlynn. (File photo)

Year in Review: Some community leaders we lost in Cowichan in 2022

These dedicated individuals made a big impact on the Cowichan Valley

Lake Cowichan’s Kristal Mayo (right) died on New Year’s Eve after battling cancer for many months. Pictured with Kristal is husband Dustin and daughter Kourtlynn. (File photo)
Cars were crushed on Duncan Street when a tree crashed down on them during the windstorm on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

Year in Review Part 1: Top stories from Cowichan in 2022, January to June

Check out some of the top stories from the Cowichan Valley, month by month

Cars were crushed on Duncan Street when a tree crashed down on them during the windstorm on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
Olive doesn’t mind the snow if there are treats involved (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
Olive doesn’t mind the snow if there are treats involved (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
B.C. athletes shot for the stars in 2022. Clockwise from top left: Melanie Vogal, Rio Crystal, Teagan Dunnett, Kimberly Newell. (Photos submitted)

From cross-Arctic treks to Olympic dreams, B.C. athletes made 2022 one for the books

Athletes didn’t shy away from adventure this year

B.C. athletes shot for the stars in 2022. Clockwise from top left: Melanie Vogal, Rio Crystal, Teagan Dunnett, Kimberly Newell. (Photos submitted)
Leah Hollins and Kathy MacNeil prepare for public forum in Chemainus. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Island Health board chair reflects on challenges and accomplishments of the past year

Leah Hollins Special to Black Press 2022 challenged publicly-funded health-care systems locally…

  • Dec 28, 2022
Leah Hollins and Kathy MacNeil prepare for public forum in Chemainus. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Members of Cowichan Search and Rescue and RCMP work to transport residents of the Meadow Glen Apartments to higher ground due to flooding in the Duncan area in November. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

Year in Review: Cowichan weather saw all kinds of extremes in 2021

From heatwaves to flooding, the climate changed before our eyes

Members of Cowichan Search and Rescue and RCMP work to transport residents of the Meadow Glen Apartments to higher ground due to flooding in the Duncan area in November. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
An elk got his antlers caught up in a zip line in Youbou in mid-January, and conservation officers were called in to remove it. (Conservation Officer Service Photo)
An elk got his antlers caught up in a zip line in Youbou in mid-January, and conservation officers were called in to remove it. (Conservation Officer Service Photo)
Videos from throughout 2021 capture Greater Victoria’s wildest sights. (Black Press Media file photos)

2021 in videos: Greater Victoria’s top footage for the year

Major events, weather patterns and animal behaviour caught on tape

Videos from throughout 2021 capture Greater Victoria’s wildest sights. (Black Press Media file photos)
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?

Moira Mercer spent her summer riding her e-bike around Cowichan Lake and beyond, collecting any empties she found along the way. (Submitted)
Many braved the chilly waters of Maple Bay during the annual New Year’s Day polar bear swim on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
Many braved the chilly waters of Maple Bay during the annual New Year’s Day polar bear swim on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
Provincial Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau speaks at Provincial Green Party headquarters at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe in Victoria on election night. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)

Year in Review: Cowichan ridings stick with incumbents in provincial election

Furstenau and Routley re-elected as NDP wins majority mandate

Provincial Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau speaks at Provincial Green Party headquarters at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe in Victoria on election night. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)
Cowichan Secondary wrestler Talon Hird displays his five provincial gold medals as well as his hardware for being named male Wrestler of the Meet at the B.C. high school meet in February. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Triumph and disappointment: Cowichan Valley sports year in review

Lots of highlights in spite of rampant COVID-19 cancellations

Cowichan Secondary wrestler Talon Hird displays his five provincial gold medals as well as his hardware for being named male Wrestler of the Meet at the B.C. high school meet in February. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)