Emily Vance

Illana Hester, the exective director of The Old School House Arts Centre in Qualicum Beach. (NEWS file photo)

From New York to Qualicum Beach

Art director Illana Hester reflects on the past and future of The Old School House Arts Centre

Illana Hester, the exective director of The Old School House Arts Centre in Qualicum Beach. (NEWS file photo)
The Perfect Storm Group in Parksville Qualicum Beach is moving forward with a request for proposal following funding for a feasibility study from the Qualicum Beach town council. (Black Press media file photo)

Group works for ‘Perfect Storm’ solution for Parksville Qualicum Beach doctor shortage

With feasibility study funded, group shares vision of ‘campus of healthcare’

The Perfect Storm Group in Parksville Qualicum Beach is moving forward with a request for proposal following funding for a feasibility study from the Qualicum Beach town council. (Black Press media file photo)
Swiss cheesemaker Levi Friess will be on hand at the annual Christmas on the Farm event at Little Qualicum Cheeseworks to hand out samples of freshly melted raclette cheese. (Emily Vance photo)

A very cheesy Christmas at Little Qualicum Cheeseworks

Annual family Christmas event, this year with raclette hot off the melting wheel

Swiss cheesemaker Levi Friess will be on hand at the annual Christmas on the Farm event at Little Qualicum Cheeseworks to hand out samples of freshly melted raclette cheese. (Emily Vance photo)
A lack of family physicians in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area is worsening. (Pixabay photo)

Closure adds to Parksville Qualicum Beach doctor crisis

One of Canada’s oldest populations having trouble attracting medical expertise

A lack of family physicians in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area is worsening. (Pixabay photo)
The proposed location of the Parksville Posh Wash car wash, which was voted down by Parksville council on Dec. 2, 2019. (Emily Vance photo)

Parksville says high-traffic area no place for a car wash

Councillor also voices concern 24-hour operation could be disruptive to nearby nursing home

The proposed location of the Parksville Posh Wash car wash, which was voted down by Parksville council on Dec. 2, 2019. (Emily Vance photo)
Sixteen-year-old Sara Picard intervened in a struggle between a man and a woman downtown Parksville on Nov. 14. Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne awarded the teen with a token of the city’s gratitude at the Dec. 2 city council meeting. (City of Parksville photo)

Parksville honours teen Sara Picard for ‘selfless bravery’

‘Courageous individuals rarely call themselves heroes, but that’s exactly what they are’

Sixteen-year-old Sara Picard intervened in a struggle between a man and a woman downtown Parksville on Nov. 14. Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne awarded the teen with a token of the city’s gratitude at the Dec. 2 city council meeting. (City of Parksville photo)
The area where a Coombs man found a pair of dead sheep on the side of Hilliers Road, just south of the Island Highway. (Emily Vance photo)

Coombs man concerned after finding two discarded, dead sheep

Resident concerned deceased livestock could attract predators

The area where a Coombs man found a pair of dead sheep on the side of Hilliers Road, just south of the Island Highway. (Emily Vance photo)
Parksville-based digital artist Brian Middleton’s work is currently on display at the McMillan Arts Centre. (Emily Vance photo)

‘I Paint With Light Now’: Parksville digital artist on display

After four decades of painting on canvas, Brian Middleton embraces new form of creation

Parksville-based digital artist Brian Middleton’s work is currently on display at the McMillan Arts Centre. (Emily Vance photo)
NEWS file photo - Parksville city council has rejected a proposal by Island Crisis Care Society and BC Housing to operate a craft-making business program for Orca Place residents in the former temporary shelter space.

Parksville rejects Handmade for Hope proposal at supportive housing complex

Proposal would have seen residents of Orca Place learn how to make, market and sell craft items

NEWS file photo - Parksville city council has rejected a proposal by Island Crisis Care Society and BC Housing to operate a craft-making business program for Orca Place residents in the former temporary shelter space.
Sara Picard, 16, intervened to assist a woman involved in an incident Thursday, Nov. 14, in Parksville. (Facebook photo)
Sara Picard, 16, intervened to assist a woman involved in an incident Thursday, Nov. 14, in Parksville. (Facebook photo)
An example of an Island Health safe needle disposal box in Campbell River. (Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror)

Parksville rejected sharps disposal containers from Island Health

Mayor says cost of maintaining boxes too much for city

An example of an Island Health safe needle disposal box in Campbell River. (Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror)
Courtesy of John Gogo - John Gogo tells the story of four generations of logging in his family, and on Vancouver Island.

Four generations of Vancouver Island logging and mining stories in one show

Nanaimo’s John Gogo will share regional stories, family history and song in his latest project

Courtesy of John Gogo - John Gogo tells the story of four generations of logging in his family, and on Vancouver Island.
Emily Vance photo - Multiple first responders attended the scene of a crash on Northwest Bay Road at Wall Beach Road in Nanoose Bay on Thursday Nov. 14.

Senior dies after suffering medical emergency and crashing vehicle in Nanoose Bay

Bystanders performed CPR while waiting for first responders

Emily Vance photo - Multiple first responders attended the scene of a crash on Northwest Bay Road at Wall Beach Road in Nanoose Bay on Thursday Nov. 14.
A man was airlifted to hospital from Parksville Community Park by BC Ambulance Service on Thursday, Nov. 14. (Emily Vance photo)

Man, 50, dies following incident in downtown Parksville

Teenage girl hailed as hero for intervening after witnessing situation unfold

A man was airlifted to hospital from Parksville Community Park by BC Ambulance Service on Thursday, Nov. 14. (Emily Vance photo)
Emily Vance photo - Moments after the handover of the Silver Cross medal that William Reeve reunited with a Vancouver Island family.

Vancouver Island family reunited with Silver Cross medal after 40 years

‘It’s very moving’: Cilka LaTrace and siblings reflect on uncle’s military service medal

Emily Vance photo - Moments after the handover of the Silver Cross medal that William Reeve reunited with a Vancouver Island family.
NEWS file photo - A bylaw that would limit the distribution of clean needles in the city of Parksville is at odds with the medical health officer for central Vancouver Island.

Parksville, Island Health at odds over needle bylaw

City risks causing ‘significant harm’ to some individuals: Dr. Paul Hasselback

NEWS file photo - A bylaw that would limit the distribution of clean needles in the city of Parksville is at odds with the medical health officer for central Vancouver Island.
Emily Vance photo - William Reeve has tracked down the descendants of a Parksville-area man buried in France who died in the Second World War. He’s reuniting the granddaughter of Private Alexander Edwin Shaw with a piece of family history – a Memorial Cross.

Vancouver Island man helps reunite Parksville family with a piece of history

Silver Cross medal to be returned to family members on Remembrance Day

Emily Vance photo - William Reeve has tracked down the descendants of a Parksville-area man buried in France who died in the Second World War. He’s reuniting the granddaughter of Private Alexander Edwin Shaw with a piece of family history – a Memorial Cross.
Emily Vance photo – Janet Dol will be reading from her book, Children at War, on Sunday Nov. 10 at St. Mark’s Church in Qualicum Beach. The book is a recollection of Dol’s memories of growing up outside London during World War II.

Qualicum Beach author remembers wartime in London

Book ‘Children at War’ takes readers back to Second World War

Emily Vance photo – Janet Dol will be reading from her book, Children at War, on Sunday Nov. 10 at St. Mark’s Church in Qualicum Beach. The book is a recollection of Dol’s memories of growing up outside London during World War II.
(Janet McEwan/Facebook) - A white truck crashed into the south fuel pump at the Dashwood Chevron in north Qualicum Beach at 9:40 p.m. on Sunday Nov. 3.

Truck smashes into fuel pump on Island Highway near Qualicum Beach

Multiple tickets issued to driver; pump knocked completely off its base

(Janet McEwan/Facebook) - A white truck crashed into the south fuel pump at the Dashwood Chevron in north Qualicum Beach at 9:40 p.m. on Sunday Nov. 3.
NEWS File photo

Medical health officer pans Parksville push limit needle access

Hasselback says bylaw could limit access to lifesaving services

NEWS File photo