Andrew Bailey

A West Coast black bear attempts to access an organics bin. The region is celebrating after no bears were killed due to unnatural food conditioning in 2023. (WildSafeBC photo)

2023 was a great year for black bears in Tofino – Ucluelet

WildSafeBC Pacific Rim coordinators celebrate 0 bear deaths due to unnatural food sources

A West Coast black bear attempts to access an organics bin. The region is celebrating after no bears were killed due to unnatural food conditioning in 2023. (WildSafeBC photo)
A new municipal flag design for Tofino done by two Grade 9 students from Salmon Arm. (Image from DoT council Agenda

Salmon Arm students pitch new municipal flag for Tofino

Tofino’s current municipal flag was designed by artist Roy Henry Vickers

A new municipal flag design for Tofino done by two Grade 9 students from Salmon Arm. (Image from DoT council Agenda
Wildfires created extended closures on Hwy. 4 near Cameron Bluffs over the summer. (Alberni Valley News file photo)

Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet chambers collaborate on Hwy 4 closure report

Business leaders investigate impacts of Hwy. 4 closures due to wildfires near Cameron Bluffs

Wildfires created extended closures on Hwy. 4 near Cameron Bluffs over the summer. (Alberni Valley News file photo)
The Tofino Distillery is excited to be releasing its new West Coast Whiskey after five years in the making. (Photo from tofinocraftdistillery.com)

Tofino Distillery ready to pour new West Coast Whiskey five years in the making

Tofino Distillery’s West Coast Whiskey arrives just in time to add a festive spirit to the season.

The Tofino Distillery is excited to be releasing its new West Coast Whiskey after five years in the making. (Photo from tofinocraftdistillery.com)
Parkings fees could be coming to visitors in Ucluelet, but the town’s municipal council wants to hear local opinions first. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Ucluelet considering charging tourists a parking fee

Ucluelet is considering following Tofino into charging tourists a fee to park in the community

Parkings fees could be coming to visitors in Ucluelet, but the town’s municipal council wants to hear local opinions first. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Kayak guide Alex Scarth found this cemetary of dumped hake last month. (Alex Scarth photo)

Ucluelet kayak guide sound alarm over ‘gnarly’ offal increase

Group of kayakers discover grotesque dump site of unprocessed hake carcasses in Ucluelet harbour.

Kayak guide Alex Scarth found this cemetary of dumped hake last month. (Alex Scarth photo)
Owen and Tyson Rhodes check out the view from the captain’s seat during a tour of WCMRC oil response vessel Barkley Sentinel. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Oil spill response vessels tour through Tofino and Ucluelet

Western Canada Marine Response Corporation offers tours of Barkley Sentinel and Solander Sentinel

Owen and Tyson Rhodes check out the view from the captain’s seat during a tour of WCMRC oil response vessel Barkley Sentinel. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Mathea Olin is carried out of the waves after winning the Queen of the Peak’s shortboard finals at Cox Bay. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Massive talent cheered at Tofino’s Queen of the Peak female surf competition

Kristy Murphy, Mathea Olin and Ella Wallace take top spots in epic contest

Mathea Olin is carried out of the waves after winning the Queen of the Peak’s shortboard finals at Cox Bay. (Andrew Bailey photo)
An adult male died at Florencia Bay on Sept. 16. (Westerly file photo)

Officials confirm death in Island’s Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

The Park Reserve ended the summer draped in tragedy as a man died at Florencia Bay

An adult male died at Florencia Bay on Sept. 16. (Westerly file photo)
Claire Watson’s winning design shows Canadian icon Elsie MacGill holding blueprints with a Maple Leaf Trainer II and Hawker Hurricane fighter plane. (Royal Canadian Mint image)

Tofino artist designs new loonie honouring Canadian icon Elsie MacGill

Claire Watson’s vision selected by Royal Canadian Mint to honour barrier-breaking engineer

Claire Watson’s winning design shows Canadian icon Elsie MacGill holding blueprints with a Maple Leaf Trainer II and Hawker Hurricane fighter plane. (Royal Canadian Mint image)
Tofino’s Christine Lowther is a top-five finalist for the 2023 CBC Nonfiction Prize with the winner expected to be announced on Sept. 21. (Warren Rudd photo)

Tofino writer Christine Lowther earns spot in CBC writing award’s top 5

“A world of motivation has suddenly popped into my life”

Tofino’s Christine Lowther is a top-five finalist for the 2023 CBC Nonfiction Prize with the winner expected to be announced on Sept. 21. (Warren Rudd photo)
Whiskey was in good spirits while enjoying a pet from Leo Jackson after being vaccinated for canine parvovirus at an emergency clinic on Sept. 4. (Photo courtesy of the Coastal Animal Rescue and Education Network)

Canine parvovirus outbreak continues in Tofino – Ucluelet region

The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation continues to battle a canine parvovirus outbreak in Ty-Histanis

Whiskey was in good spirits while enjoying a pet from Leo Jackson after being vaccinated for canine parvovirus at an emergency clinic on Sept. 4. (Photo courtesy of the Coastal Animal Rescue and Education Network)
Mainroad Mid Island Contracting began bridge maintenance work on Lost Shoe #2 on Monday morning and the work will bring nightly closures to Hwy. 4 from Sept. 12-14. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Bridge repairs bring nightly closures to Tofino-Ucluelet access

‘Drivers are reminded to obey signs and traffic control personnel and watch for roadside workers’

Mainroad Mid Island Contracting began bridge maintenance work on Lost Shoe #2 on Monday morning and the work will bring nightly closures to Hwy. 4 from Sept. 12-14. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Local dogs are under threat from a potential canine parvovirus outbreak. The deadly virus spreads quickly and emergency vaccination clinics are underway. (photo: freepexels.com)

Vancouver Island First Nation tackling deadly dog virus

CARE working to prevent canine parvovirus from spreading around Tla-o-qui-aht in Tofino region

Local dogs are under threat from a potential canine parvovirus outbreak. The deadly virus spreads quickly and emergency vaccination clinics are underway. (photo: freepexels.com)
NHL players Tyson Barrie and Tyler Ennis were all smiles as they played ball hockey with local kids in Ty-Histanis on Aug. 17. (Andrew Bailey photo)

NHL players promote potential multiplex in Tofino-Ucluelet region

Tyson Barrie, Mike Smith, Tyler Ennis and more join West Coast Multiplex Society push in Ty-Histanis

NHL players Tyson Barrie and Tyler Ennis were all smiles as they played ball hockey with local kids in Ty-Histanis on Aug. 17. (Andrew Bailey photo)
(MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION PHOTO)

Tofino mayor urges better communication on Hwy. 4 closures

“The 10 millimetre rainfall safe work work shutdown was a surprise”

(MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION PHOTO)
(Black Press Media photo)

Man dies in possible drowning at Long Beach between Tofino and Ucluelet

Tragedy at the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

(Black Press Media photo)
A screenshot of a TikTok video posted on Monday that shows a couple embracing in the middle of a heart-shaped fire set on a Tofino beach during a fire ban and severe drought that has the community currently in Stage 3 water restrictions.

TikTokers’ heart-shaped fire at Tofino beach ignites local fury

“This is not cute, it’s so irresponsible and disrespectful to the local community.”

A screenshot of a TikTok video posted on Monday that shows a couple embracing in the middle of a heart-shaped fire set on a Tofino beach during a fire ban and severe drought that has the community currently in Stage 3 water restrictions.
A lineup of cars travels through the construction work along Highway 4 at Cameron Lake. (Submitted photo)

Survey shows Highway 4 closure cost Tofino-Ucluelet businesses $44M

Scheduled closures will be in effect from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday until mid-August

A lineup of cars travels through the construction work along Highway 4 at Cameron Lake. (Submitted photo)
Leanndra Botting captured this shot of a bear trying to break into a latched, bear-resistant bin in Ucluelet last week. (Leanndra Botting photo)

Unnatural food addiction puts three bears in peril around Tofino-Ucluelet

“Once they become food conditioned, it tends to follow a fairly predictable pattern”

Leanndra Botting captured this shot of a bear trying to break into a latched, bear-resistant bin in Ucluelet last week. (Leanndra Botting photo)