Local News

Cpl. Martin Giguere visited the Port Hardy council chambers to deliver the RCMP’s second and third quarter crime statistics. (Screenshot from council meeting)

Crime stats: Alcohol fueled brawls in Port Hardy caused high assault numbers in second quarter

Cpl. Martin Giguere was on hand Oct. 12 to speak with mayor and council

The potentially historic storm should have de-escalated by the time it makes landfall. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

‘Potentially historic’ storm brewing off Vancouver Island should calm before landfall

Environment Canada expects most intense winds to dissipate before storm arrives on B.C. shores

Left to right, Chilliwack-Kent MLA Kelli Paddon, Eevah Macdonald, and Vancouver-Kensington MLA Mable Elmore inside the Legislature in Victoria on Oct. 21, 2021. (Submitted)

Chilliwack MLA Kelli Paddon reads powerful words from bullied 11-year-old in BC Legislature

“They said because I am black, I should go kill myself,” Eevah Macdonald wrote

Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, speaks about drug use during a speech in the legislature. (Government of British Columbia)

Greater Victoria MLA Adam Olsen reveals past drug use in an attempt to end stigma

MLA for Saanich North and the Islands talks about cocaine, other substance use in his 20s

Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, speaks about drug use during a speech in the legislature. (Government of British Columbia)
Black Press media file

Off-duty Port Hardy officers thwart break in attempt

‘police are on duty 24/7 trying to keep the community they live and work in safe’

Black Press media file
Timothy Durkin is pictured in a photograph filed in Federal Court. The B.C. Securities Commission claims the Sooke man defrauded an investor out of $1 million. (Federal Court)

B.C. man accused of selling fake ownership in world-renowned Sooke Harbour House

Timothy Durkin faces B.C. Securities Commission in November

Timothy Durkin is pictured in a photograph filed in Federal Court. The B.C. Securities Commission claims the Sooke man defrauded an investor out of $1 million. (Federal Court)
Video
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau arrive for the cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Tuesday, Oct.26, 2021 THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Trudeau unveils larger cabinet with nine new faces
B.C.’s greenhouse gas emissions have continued to rise in recent years, and as of 2018 were 17% higher than 2007, the baseline year for the province’s carbon tax, mainly due to population growth. (B.C. government)
B.C. emissions, carbon tax keep rising as Ottawa rules catch up
NDP Member of Parliament Charlie Angus looks on as Mushkegowuk Council Deputy Grand Chief Rebecca Friday (left) speaks during a news conference on Parliament Hill, Monday, October 25, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
VIDEO: Indigenous leaders say new cabinet must renew commitment to reconciliation
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau puts on a mask as he listens to Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam speak via video during a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic, in Ottawa, Friday, March 12, 2021. Canadians should carefully weigh any future decisions on taking foreign trips even though the federal government has lifted a global advisory asking Canadians to avoid non-essential travel, health officials cautioned Friday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Not the time to ‘freely go wherever,’ says Tam as non-essential travel advisory lifts
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Trees down on the Frigon Road to Port Alice after a 2020 windstorm. (David Burnett | Facebook)

Severe windstorm forecast for Northern Vancouver Island

These winds may cause damage to exposed coastal sections

Trees down on the Frigon Road to Port Alice after a 2020 windstorm. (David Burnett | Facebook)
Mowi Canada West salmon farm in B.C. waters. (Photo supplied by Mowi Canada)

Federal Court hearing on Discovery Island fish farm phase-out underway

Opposing arguments from aquaculture companies and environmental organizations being heard

Mowi Canada West salmon farm in B.C. waters. (Photo supplied by Mowi Canada)
The maple trees planted across from Stink Creek Park on Granville Street. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)

New maple trees planted across from Stink Creek Park a nice ‘welcome’ to downtown Port Hardy

Dunlop’s Home Hardware and Building Centre hosted a special ceremony on Granville…

The maple trees planted across from Stink Creek Park on Granville Street. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)
To celebrate finishing his first round of chemotherapy, Addison Johnston (left) and his younger brother Ryland were taken to a Japanese restaurant in Vancouver by parents Kristin and Shane Johnston. But lots of treatment remains for the teenager, and his family has learned some hard lessons about the healthcare system. (submitted photo)

Chilliwack parents discover gaps in health care as teenage son battles leukemia

Though he’s 17-years-old, Addison Johnston couldn’t access treatment at B.C. Children’s Hospital

To celebrate finishing his first round of chemotherapy, Addison Johnston (left) and his younger brother Ryland were taken to a Japanese restaurant in Vancouver by parents Kristin and Shane Johnston. But lots of treatment remains for the teenager, and his family has learned some hard lessons about the healthcare system. (submitted photo)
The semi-closed aquaculture containment system trialed by Cermaq Canada. Cermaq Canada Photo.

Cermaq halts semi-closed containment system trial

Technical fault led to water quality concerns during third testing phase

The semi-closed aquaculture containment system trialed by Cermaq Canada. Cermaq Canada Photo.
Pictured is a screen shot of the What3Words app website. The app uses a unique three-word address for locations across the globe, as opposed to longitude and latitude coordinates. ‘///pines.patches.nano’ is one of the locations on Elizabeth Lake in Cranbrook. BC Search and Rescue groups are warning against the use of this app, stating it can cause confusion. (Cranbrook Townsman file)

BC Search and Rescue groups warning against use of What3Words app

UK-based app uses three words, instead of longitude and latitude, to locate someone

Pictured is a screen shot of the What3Words app website. The app uses a unique three-word address for locations across the globe, as opposed to longitude and latitude coordinates. ‘///pines.patches.nano’ is one of the locations on Elizabeth Lake in Cranbrook. BC Search and Rescue groups are warning against the use of this app, stating it can cause confusion. (Cranbrook Townsman file)
North Island Gazette file photo of Port McNeill council

Port McNeill council to resume in-person meetings at a larger venue

Port McNeill council debates going back to in-person meetings or continuing virtually

North Island Gazette file photo of Port McNeill council
Port Hardy Fire Rescue on scene at Highland Manor. (PHFR - Adam Harding photo)

Port Hardy Fire Rescue knocks down another late night apartment fire

Damage was limited mostly to the exterior of a single unit at Highland Manor

Port Hardy Fire Rescue on scene at Highland Manor. (PHFR - Adam Harding photo)
The Quatsino First Nation is one of 17 First Nations in Vancouver Island to receive funding to complete well-being and poverty-reduction plans and projects. (Quatsino First Nation photo)

Quatsino First Nation gets funding for a series on community wellness

More than $2 million in grants has been provided to 62 First Nation communities

The Quatsino First Nation is one of 17 First Nations in Vancouver Island to receive funding to complete well-being and poverty-reduction plans and projects. (Quatsino First Nation photo)
Four grids represented in the high-resolution overland tsunami mapping. Phase one of the project focused on the Kyuquot & Nuchatlitz Grids and phase two will be Quatsino & Nootka Grids. Photo supplied

Tsunami maps available for areas from Muchalaht Inlet to Cape Scott Provincial Park

More mapping coming in spring

Four grids represented in the high-resolution overland tsunami mapping. Phase one of the project focused on the Kyuquot & Nuchatlitz Grids and phase two will be Quatsino & Nootka Grids. Photo supplied
Island Health reported its single-day highest COVID-19 case count ever, yesterday. (News Bulletin file)

Vancouver Island set new record-high for COVID-19 cases in single day

107 new cases were reported on the island on Tuesday

Island Health reported its single-day highest COVID-19 case count ever, yesterday. (News Bulletin file)
Kwakiutl Chief and Elder Rupert Wilson Sr. (Facebook photo)

Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs honours the passing of Kwakiutl Chief Rupert Wilson Sr.

UBCIC sends condolences to Rupert’s family, the community of Tsaxis, and the Kwakiutl Nation

Kwakiutl Chief and Elder Rupert Wilson Sr. (Facebook photo)
Line Robert. (ICET Facebook photo)

ICET Chief Executive Officer Line Robert announces her retirement

The CEO position is now open for a new leader to take the helm

Line Robert. (ICET Facebook photo)
A group of supporters pictured at the encampment located just before the RCMP access control checkpoint at kilometre 27 of the Morice West Forest Service Road from Feb. 5, 2020 show their support for the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs in their fight against CGL. (File photo/Houston Today)

Protests renewed along CGL pipeline near Houston

Two people have been arrested; protesters continue to block construction work

A group of supporters pictured at the encampment located just before the RCMP access control checkpoint at kilometre 27 of the Morice West Forest Service Road from Feb. 5, 2020 show their support for the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs in their fight against CGL. (File photo/Houston Today)