Connor McDowell

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Lake Trail Thrift Store owner Mathew Townsend stands in front of his store. On Thursday morning, he put out a call for immediate help to keep the shop open. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)

Thrift store close thwarted by community support in Courtenay

Lake Trail Thrift Store put out a call for help on Thursday morning

Lake Trail Thrift Store owner Mathew Townsend stands in front of his store. On Thursday morning, he put out a call for immediate help to keep the shop open. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)
Skating on Whonnock Lake on Sunday, Jan. 14. The same day, at Maple Lake in Cumberland, a teenager fell through the ice into five feet of water, according to local fire department. (Photo by: Neil Corbett/The News)

Fall through ice at Maple Lake in Cumberland leads to safety tips from SAR

Search and Rescue share tips about avoiding danger on frozen lakes

Skating on Whonnock Lake on Sunday, Jan. 14. The same day, at Maple Lake in Cumberland, a teenager fell through the ice into five feet of water, according to local fire department. (Photo by: Neil Corbett/The News)
A car is seen in downtown Courtenay on the night of Friday, Oct 13, 2023. Courtenay council on Thursday passed two readings of a new bylaw that would help the city regulate the use of temporary sheltering within parks and open spaces in the city. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)

New bylaw would ban sheltering in many places in Courtenay

Courtenay council passed two readings with one councillor against the motion

A car is seen in downtown Courtenay on the night of Friday, Oct 13, 2023. Courtenay council on Thursday passed two readings of a new bylaw that would help the city regulate the use of temporary sheltering within parks and open spaces in the city. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)
The building is seen collapsing into itself, while a neighbouring structure is seen catching smaller flames. (Photo supplied by Oyster Bay Fire)

Fire extinguished without any injuries in Comox Valley

Chief says the fire is not considered suspicious

The building is seen collapsing into itself, while a neighbouring structure is seen catching smaller flames. (Photo supplied by Oyster Bay Fire)
Traffic is seen in downtown Courtenay at the intersection of Fitzgerald Avenue and 5th Street on Oct. 27, 2023. The value of a typical single-family home in Courtenay fell four per cent compared to last year, according to new data from BC Assessment. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)

Property values down in Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland

Home values have dropped in Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland, according to data…

Traffic is seen in downtown Courtenay at the intersection of Fitzgerald Avenue and 5th Street on Oct. 27, 2023. The value of a typical single-family home in Courtenay fell four per cent compared to last year, according to new data from BC Assessment. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)
The Highway 19 route between the Cumberland exit and Hamm Road is seen on Google Maps. (Photo: Google Maps)

Traffic on Highway 19 will be impacted by tree removal near Courtenay

Travellers can expect a full closure of slow lanes northbound and southbound…

The Highway 19 route between the Cumberland exit and Hamm Road is seen on Google Maps. (Photo: Google Maps)
(Adobe stock photo)

Vancouver Island residents share their best Christmas memories

What they’re talking about in downtown Courtenay

(Adobe stock photo)
The lawn was flush with the wall 23 years ago, according to a tenant. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)

Courtenay retaining wall failure could pose risk of death: City letter

Retaining wall near 5th Street Bridge at risk of failure, city working on fix for residents

The lawn was flush with the wall 23 years ago, according to a tenant. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)
Police stand outside 2378 Urquhart Avenue in Courtenay. (Photo submitted)

Armoured police raid Island home, resident opens door for them

Armoured police raided a home in Courtenay on Saturday morning (Dec. 16).…

Police stand outside 2378 Urquhart Avenue in Courtenay. (Photo submitted)
Comox Valley Curling Club manager Keith Parry has worked for the past six years to expand the club and improve its value. Photo by Ali Roddam

Sweeping changes: how this Island curling club is attracting a younger crowd

‘It’s a wonderful, fun game. Intellectually challenging, good physical workout, it’s social’

Comox Valley Curling Club manager Keith Parry has worked for the past six years to expand the club and improve its value. Photo by Ali Roddam
Outreach, RCMP and bylaw are supervising the parking lot beside the Connect Centre as people sheltering in parking spaces dismantle their tents to leave. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)

Homeless man speaks out on encampment issues in Courtenay

“People don’t have anything to put their faith into. It’s all talk talk talk, and nothing’s done.”

Outreach, RCMP and bylaw are supervising the parking lot beside the Connect Centre as people sheltering in parking spaces dismantle their tents to leave. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)
Jan Kotyk attempted to swim across the Strait of Georgia in a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish charity. (Photo submitted)

Island dad attempts swim across Strait of Georgia for Make-A-Wish

Family received a wish from the Make-A-Wish foundation one year before

Jan Kotyk attempted to swim across the Strait of Georgia in a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish charity. (Photo submitted)
Geoff and Jessica Postle. The two shared a passion for rugby, which Jessica learned from her dad. After four years of coaching, she went on to Team Canada. Her father died shortly before seeing her make the cut. (Photo: Erin Postle/Facebook)

Courtenay’s Jessica Postle ‘living the (rugby) dream’ in memory of her dad

Jessica wishes her dad had a chance to see her on Team…

Geoff and Jessica Postle. The two shared a passion for rugby, which Jessica learned from her dad. After four years of coaching, she went on to Team Canada. Her father died shortly before seeing her make the cut. (Photo: Erin Postle/Facebook)
A fence blocks an area where people who are homeless frequently camp. According to a report from WorkSafe BC, several violent incidents have taken place in the attached City Hall parking lot since 2021. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)

Leaked document says homeless people attacked city staff in Courtenay

WorkSafe BC reports several “violent incidents” in parking lot part of ongoing issues

A fence blocks an area where people who are homeless frequently camp. According to a report from WorkSafe BC, several violent incidents have taken place in the attached City Hall parking lot since 2021. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)
A black bear joins fishers at Campbell River during salmon spawning season. Peggy Street said she didn’t even see the bear when she took the photo. It was only after speaking to some of those in the photo that she was made aware there was a bear in the area. (Photo by Peggy Street)

B.C. woman comes face to face with black bear on Vancouver Island

Peggy Street’s curiosity led her to danger, but black bear was preoccupied

A black bear joins fishers at Campbell River during salmon spawning season. Peggy Street said she didn’t even see the bear when she took the photo. It was only after speaking to some of those in the photo that she was made aware there was a bear in the area. (Photo by Peggy Street)
Jonathan Kerr and Dr. Eberechi Adenle receiving her welcome gift. (Photo submitted)

Innovative project recruits 28 new doctors to Vancouver Island community

“Task Force” recruiting doctor efforts seem to be working

Jonathan Kerr and Dr. Eberechi Adenle receiving her welcome gift. (Photo submitted)
Tyler and Kayleen (right) reach the mat to win the semi final leg of The Amazing Race Canada season 9. The couple advanced to the season finale as a result, and will compete to win in the last episode, which will air on Sept. 19. (Photo by CTV)

Q&A with finalists of The Amazing Race Canada from Royston

TV show’s season finale will air Sept. 19. Tyler and Kayleen talk what’s next

Tyler and Kayleen (right) reach the mat to win the semi final leg of The Amazing Race Canada season 9. The couple advanced to the season finale as a result, and will compete to win in the last episode, which will air on Sept. 19. (Photo by CTV)
A map created by RCMP shows the distribution of violent crime files in the city of Courtenay for the period of April 1 to June 30, 2023. (Comox Valley RCMP photo)

Violence steady or growing in Courtenay year-to-year crime stats show

Thirty-eight more violent cases for RCMP compared to same period last year

A map created by RCMP shows the distribution of violent crime files in the city of Courtenay for the period of April 1 to June 30, 2023. (Comox Valley RCMP photo)
Pawan Saroop is behind the grill at Airpark Beachwood Cafe on Saturday, Aug. 26. He and his wife Sonia fear that their business will be soon displaced by development in the city. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)

New six-storey development may demolish a cafe in Courtenay

Property underneath Airpark Beachwood Cafe is gaining a lot of attention from redevelopers

Pawan Saroop is behind the grill at Airpark Beachwood Cafe on Saturday, Aug. 26. He and his wife Sonia fear that their business will be soon displaced by development in the city. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)
A fishing boat is seen speeding towards Comox Valley Marina on Saturday, Aug. 19. Two boats collided on Monday near the marina, sending two people to the hospital. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)

T-bone boat collision sends two to hospital in Courtenay

Impact happened in the evening of Monday, Aug. 21

A fishing boat is seen speeding towards Comox Valley Marina on Saturday, Aug. 19. Two boats collided on Monday near the marina, sending two people to the hospital. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)