Alberni News Staff

The CT scanner at West Coast General Hospital, seen here in July 2019, is being replaced with a new, state-of-the-art model in 2024. The CT scan room is also undergoing renovation. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

West Coast General Hospital getting new ‘cutting-edge’ CT scanner

Machine will offer new cardiac, neurologic scanning for Alberni Valley patients

The CT scanner at West Coast General Hospital, seen here in July 2019, is being replaced with a new, state-of-the-art model in 2024. The CT scan room is also undergoing renovation. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
What do you do when it’s a balmy 10 degrees outside and all you want is a snow day? Find out from the teachers at École Alberni Elementary in their annual holiday rap, which premiered online last week. (SCREENSHOT COURTESY JEFF BORDAL)

B.C. elementary school teachers ‘hoping for snow’ in holiday music video

Annual holiday rap music video stars school staff members

What do you do when it’s a balmy 10 degrees outside and all you want is a snow day? Find out from the teachers at École Alberni Elementary in their annual holiday rap, which premiered online last week. (SCREENSHOT COURTESY JEFF BORDAL)
First responders were parked outside of a driveway on Lakeshore Road on Friday, Dec. 15. (ELENA RARDON / Alberni Valley News)

Police watchdog investigating after death of Port Alberni senior

Brian Watkins was found dead in his car, which was submerged in Sproat Lake

First responders were parked outside of a driveway on Lakeshore Road on Friday, Dec. 15. (ELENA RARDON / Alberni Valley News)
Brian Watkins was last seen driving on Lakeshore Road in Port Alberni on Dec. 13, 2023. (RCMP PHOTO)

Missing senior from Port Alberni found dead

Brian Watkins, 83 years old, had been missing from the Sproat Lake area since Dec. 13

Brian Watkins was last seen driving on Lakeshore Road in Port Alberni on Dec. 13, 2023. (RCMP PHOTO)
An excavator works to remove debris from the former Somass sawmill site on Port Alberni’s waterfront. (ELENA RARDON / Alberni Valley News)

City of Port Alberni to announce Somass Lands developer

Staff states announcement on 43-acre property will be coming Dec. 12

An excavator works to remove debris from the former Somass sawmill site on Port Alberni’s waterfront. (ELENA RARDON / Alberni Valley News)
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure crews will be removing debris from Highway 4 on Thursday, Dec. 7. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Temporary closure planned for Highway 4 on Dec. 7

Closure will allow crews to remove debris

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure crews will be removing debris from Highway 4 on Thursday, Dec. 7. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Port Alberni RCMP are looking for Scott Andrew Bezanson of Port Alberni, who hasn’t been seen since Dec. 2, 2022. (RCMP PHOTO)

Port Alberni RCMP appeal to public for information on man missing for a year

Scott Bezanson was last seen on Dec. 2, 2022 but hasn’t been heard from since then

Port Alberni RCMP are looking for Scott Andrew Bezanson of Port Alberni, who hasn’t been seen since Dec. 2, 2022. (RCMP PHOTO)
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Teenager drowns after canoe flips during weekend trip on Sproat Lake

Two teens were saved by boaters, 17-year-old’s body recovered Monday after extensive search

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Port Alberni RCMP are investigating a fatal stabbing in an apartment in the 5100 block of Argyle Street. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)

RCMP investigate fatal stabbing at Port Alberni apartment

Port Alberni RCMP say this was an ‘isolated incident’ and there is no danger to the public

Port Alberni RCMP are investigating a fatal stabbing in an apartment in the 5100 block of Argyle Street. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)
RCMP obtained this CCTV footage of the suspect vehicle. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

UPDATE: RCMP arrest suspect in Port Alberni hit and run

Man in his 80s arrested after picture of suspect vehicle released

RCMP obtained this CCTV footage of the suspect vehicle. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
An aerial view of Angel Rock at Cameron Lake Bluffs on Highway 4. (PHOTO COURTESY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE)

Traffic delays expected on Highway 4 east of Port Alberni on Sept. 14

Drivers can expect delays near the Cameron Bluffs wildfire site until early afternoon

An aerial view of Angel Rock at Cameron Lake Bluffs on Highway 4. (PHOTO COURTESY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE)
Port Alberni firefighters work on knocking down a house fire on Bishop Crescent the morning of Sunday, Sept.10, 2023. (JERRY FEVENS PHOTO)

House burns on Bishop Crescent in Port Alberni

Port Alberni Fire Department crews were called out to a structure fire…

Port Alberni firefighters work on knocking down a house fire on Bishop Crescent the morning of Sunday, Sept.10, 2023. (JERRY FEVENS PHOTO)
Port Alberni RCMP had the Wintergreen Apartments taped off in the 3600 block of Fourth Avenue on Aug. 8, 2023. (ELENA RARDON / Alberni Valley News)

Port Alberni man charged with murder

Victim was found with ‘significant’ injuries in area notorious for serious crime

Port Alberni RCMP had the Wintergreen Apartments taped off in the 3600 block of Fourth Avenue on Aug. 8, 2023. (ELENA RARDON / Alberni Valley News)
Scalers observe scaling from a safe distance on Highway 4. (PHOTO COURTESY BC MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE)

Two daytime closures planned for Highway 4 east of Port Alberni

Closures will allow for removal of ‘refrigerator-sized boulders’ from the highway

Scalers observe scaling from a safe distance on Highway 4. (PHOTO COURTESY BC MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE)
Crews work on rock scaling on Highway 4 east of Port Alberni. (FACEBOOK PHOTO COURTESY BC TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE)

Highway 4 east of Port Alberni to re-open after crane repairs

The area is subject to closure when winds hit a certain speed

Crews work on rock scaling on Highway 4 east of Port Alberni. (FACEBOOK PHOTO COURTESY BC TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE)
Firefighters inspect the site of a wildfire in Dry Creek gully near 16th Avenue on Monday, July 17, 2023. The fire was nearly a hectare in size, burned in difficult terrain and was still under investigation. (PORT ALBERNI FIRE DEPT. PHOTO)

Firefighters knock down ‘highly visible’ wildfire near Alberni neighbourhood

One-hectare blaze in Dry Creek gully did not threaten structures, but scrambled multiple departments

Firefighters inspect the site of a wildfire in Dry Creek gully near 16th Avenue on Monday, July 17, 2023. The fire was nearly a hectare in size, burned in difficult terrain and was still under investigation. (PORT ALBERNI FIRE DEPT. PHOTO)
A lineup of cars travels through the construction work along Highway 4 at Cameron Lake. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Highway 4 east of Port Alberni facing temporary closures

Highway will be periodically closed for rock scaling and removal of danger trees

A lineup of cars travels through the construction work along Highway 4 at Cameron Lake. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
A photo of Clifton Johnston is placed against a rock in front of the Port Alberni Friendship Center during a candlelight vigil for the young man. (SUSAN QUINN/Alberni Valley News)

Teenager convicted in 2021 Port Alberni murder

The body of 20-year-old Clifton Johnston was found in front of the Port Alberni Friendship Center

A photo of Clifton Johnston is placed against a rock in front of the Port Alberni Friendship Center during a candlelight vigil for the young man. (SUSAN QUINN/Alberni Valley News)
A photo of Clifton Johnston is placed against a rock in front of the Port Alberni Friendship Center during a candlelight vigil for the young man. (SUSAN QUINN/Alberni Valley News)

Teenager convicted in 2021 Port Alberni murder

The body of 20-year-old Clifton Johnston was found in front of the Port Alberni Friendship Center

A photo of Clifton Johnston is placed against a rock in front of the Port Alberni Friendship Center during a candlelight vigil for the young man. (SUSAN QUINN/Alberni Valley News)
(Pixabay photo)

B.C. nurse stripped of licence for sexual misconduct with psychiatric patient

Former LPN on Vancouver Island had relationship with ‘vulnerable’ patient while providing direct care

(Pixabay photo)