Andrew Bailey

Countless charismatic critters have made their debut as the Ucluelet Aquarium opened its doors to a brand new season on March 1. Aquarium staffers Veronica Aguiar (left) and Rachel Baker cheerfully posed in front of a colourful tank that includes strawberry anemones, a Red Irish Lord, roughback sculpins, giant acorn barnacles and heart crabs. The aquarium is open every day from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Touch tanks return as Ucluelet Aquarium unveils new season’s creatures

Touch tank exhibits are back for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic

Countless charismatic critters have made their debut as the Ucluelet Aquarium opened its doors to a brand new season on March 1. Aquarium staffers Veronica Aguiar (left) and Rachel Baker cheerfully posed in front of a colourful tank that includes strawberry anemones, a Red Irish Lord, roughback sculpins, giant acorn barnacles and heart crabs. The aquarium is open every day from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Outlets will be powerless throughout the Tofino-Ucluelet region on April 2 due to scheduled BC Hydro work. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Day-long power outage coming to Tofino-Ucluelet

BC Hydro crews work on the transmission line that energizes the region on April 2

Outlets will be powerless throughout the Tofino-Ucluelet region on April 2 due to scheduled BC Hydro work. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Rocky Pass sustained significant damage when the water taxi crashed into a rock on Jan. 25, 2022. (RCMP photo)

Frozen GPS and foggy conditions led to water taxi crash near Tofino, TSB report suggests

Fatigue likely an issue as driver responded to a medical emergency at 10:30 p.m. the night before

Rocky Pass sustained significant damage when the water taxi crashed into a rock on Jan. 25, 2022. (RCMP photo)
The District of Tofino has activated Stage 4 Water Restrictions due to critical generator failures. (District of Tofino image)

UPDATED: Water emergency ends in Tofino

District announces Stage 4 water restrictions on Sunday

The District of Tofino has activated Stage 4 Water Restrictions due to critical generator failures. (District of Tofino image)
File photo

Senior saves son from near drowning during Family Day surf trip in Tofino

RCMP, Canadian Coast Guard, BC Ambulance and Volunteer Fire Department respond at Chesterman Beach

File photo
During a visit from North Saanich, Kathy Sanderson and Phil Scott powered up their Tesla on Jan. 29 with a new fast charging unit recently installed by BC Hydro at the Pacific Rim Visitor Centre. Andrew Bailey / Westerly News photo

BC Hydro installs new electric vehicle charger at Tofino-Ucluelet junction

50-kilowatt fast charging unit doubles charging capacity at Pacific Rim Visitor Centre

During a visit from North Saanich, Kathy Sanderson and Phil Scott powered up their Tesla on Jan. 29 with a new fast charging unit recently installed by BC Hydro at the Pacific Rim Visitor Centre. Andrew Bailey / Westerly News photo
During a visit from North Saanich, Kathy Sanderson and Phil Scott powered up their Tesla on Jan. 29 with a new fast charging unit recently installed by BC Hydro at the Pacific Rim Visitor Centre. (Andrew Bailey photo)

New electric vehicle charger adds jolt to your Vancouver Island West Coast jaunt

50-kilowatt fast charging unit doubles charging capacity at Pacific Rim Visitor Centre

During a visit from North Saanich, Kathy Sanderson and Phil Scott powered up their Tesla on Jan. 29 with a new fast charging unit recently installed by BC Hydro at the Pacific Rim Visitor Centre. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Don Buchner is Wheels for Wellness Society executive director. (Black Press photo)
Don Buchner is Wheels for Wellness Society executive director. (Black Press photo)

Wheels for Wellness pulls out of Vancouver Island’s west coast

Medical appointment passenger service not financially feasible, says executive director

Don Buchner is Wheels for Wellness Society executive director. (Black Press photo)
Don Buchner is Wheels for Wellness Society executive director. (Black Press photo)
(Black Press Media file photo)

West Coast officials scramble for solutions after losing bus service

Wilson’s Transportation has cancelled its Tofino Bus service in and out of the West Coast until May

(Black Press Media file photo)
The Ucluelet Volunteer Fire Brigade responded to a vessel fire at the outer boat basin around 1:30 a.m. Thursday. (Photo courtesy of the Ucluelet Volunteer Fire Brigade)

Vessel catches fire before sinking in Ucluelet harbour

Firefighters tackle early morning blaze on Thursday, Jan. 5

The Ucluelet Volunteer Fire Brigade responded to a vessel fire at the outer boat basin around 1:30 a.m. Thursday. (Photo courtesy of the Ucluelet Volunteer Fire Brigade)
(District of Tofino image)

Estimated cost of Tofino recreation facility doubles

Tofino’s pursuit of an indoor recreation facility is being outpaced by skyrocketing construction costs

(District of Tofino image)
Ucluelet senior Katharine Fleming’s SUV was one of 35 vehicles that West Coast black bears broke into this year. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Bears broke into 35 vehicles in Tofino-Ucluelet this year

Eight bears were killed after becoming food-conditioned past the point of no return

Ucluelet senior Katharine Fleming’s SUV was one of 35 vehicles that West Coast black bears broke into this year. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Residents and supporters of Tofino’s Crab Apple Campground gathered at the Village Green in April, 2021, to draw attention to their concerns over losing their homes. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Residents and supporters of Tofino’s Crab Apple Campground gathered at the Village Green in April, 2021, to draw attention to their concerns over losing their homes. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Police have arrested 25 year-old Luke Priddle in connection to the death of a 47 year-old Tofino man in 2020. (File photo)

Two-year murder investigation in Tofino leads to arrest in Nanaimo

Luke Priddle, 25, charged with second degree murder, robbery and theft of a motor vehicle

Police have arrested 25 year-old Luke Priddle in connection to the death of a 47 year-old Tofino man in 2020. (File photo)
Police have arrested 25 year-old Luke Priddle in connection to the death of a 47 year-old Tofino man in 2020. (File photo)

Two-year murder investigation in Tofino leads to arrest in Nanaimo

Luke Priddle, 25, charged with second degree murder, robbery and theft of a motor vehicle

Police have arrested 25 year-old Luke Priddle in connection to the death of a 47 year-old Tofino man in 2020. (File photo)
File photo

Tofino’s new council approves wage increase

Tofino’s recently elected council will be its most expensive one yet

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Westerly File Photo

Medical lab services finally returning to Ucluelet this week

Ucluelet’s outpatient medical lab has been closed since August due to a staffing shortage

Westerly File Photo
Crews install a cantilever along Hwy. 4 in August 2022. (BC Ministry of transportation and infrastructure photo)

Province promises Tofino-Ucluelet highway will open to two-way traffic in early 2023

Four years of travel delays may finally be coming to an end for West Coast residents and visitors

Crews install a cantilever along Hwy. 4 in August 2022. (BC Ministry of transportation and infrastructure photo)
Crews install a cantilever along Hwy. 4 in August 2022. (BC Ministry of transportation and infrastructure photo)

Province promises Tofino-Ucluelet highway will open to two-way traffic in early 2023

Four years of travel delays may finally be coming to an end for West Coast residents and visitors

Crews install a cantilever along Hwy. 4 in August 2022. (BC Ministry of transportation and infrastructure photo)
Tourism Tofino is hoping to boost its visitor centre’s educational offerings as well as retail revenue. (Westerly file photo)

Tofino DMO hopes to help tourists get along with locals

Tourism Tofino focused on increasing offseason traffic and cultural education

Tourism Tofino is hoping to boost its visitor centre’s educational offerings as well as retail revenue. (Westerly file photo)