VI Free Daily Staff

The sky glowed a deep orange Monday night just before the sun set below the horizon. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Port Alberni’s blistering Monday fails to break all-time Vancouver Island high

Highest temperature ever on the Island was recorded in 1942 in Cumberland

The sky glowed a deep orange Monday night just before the sun set below the horizon. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
An update to Environment Canada's snowfall warning said up to 30 centimetres of snow could be in store for Greater Victoria Tuesday. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Winter storm watch snow warning issued for much of Vancouver Island

Wet Pacific air colliding with cold snap could bring 15-25 cm Friday night

An update to Environment Canada's snowfall warning said up to 30 centimetres of snow could be in store for Greater Victoria Tuesday. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
Mount Washington cross-country skiing instructor Keith Nicol has become somewhat of a YouTube sensation for his instructional videos. Photo supplied

Vancouver Island ski instructor’s YouTube videos pass 3.5 million views

Mount Washington Nordic ski teacher’s channel getting a life of its own

Mount Washington cross-country skiing instructor Keith Nicol has become somewhat of a YouTube sensation for his instructional videos. Photo supplied
Flooding on Macmillan Road in Cedar didn’t deter some drivers on Sunday. (ChrisBush/NewsBulletin)

Vancouver Island about to get very wet

Residents of several low-lying communities keeping their eyes on water levels as deluge arrives

Flooding on Macmillan Road in Cedar didn’t deter some drivers on Sunday. (ChrisBush/NewsBulletin)
An air ambulance leaves West Coast General Hospital for a trauma centre at 9:50 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12 after a Port Alberni youth was injured in an accident on the Somass River. SUSAN QUINN PHOTO

COVID-19 outbreaks at pair of Vancouver Island Hospitals

Saanich Peninsula Hospital in Saanichton and West Coast General Hospital in Port Alberni affected

An air ambulance leaves West Coast General Hospital for a trauma centre at 9:50 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12 after a Port Alberni youth was injured in an accident on the Somass River. SUSAN QUINN PHOTO
A man was issued a $230 fine after refusing to wear a mask inside a Central Saanich business. (Central Saanich Police Services/Twitter)

New restrictions unmasking Vancouver Island’s belligerent

Businesses recount customer anger about mask edict, as police pledge fines and enforcement

A man was issued a $230 fine after refusing to wear a mask inside a Central Saanich business. (Central Saanich Police Services/Twitter)
Waves pound the Sidney waterfront Tuesday morning. (Wolfgang Depner photo)

VIDEO: Rain, snow, lightning, high winds batter Vancouver Island

Power out for many in West and North coast communities ferries set to resume this afternoon

Waves pound the Sidney waterfront Tuesday morning. (Wolfgang Depner photo)
The Cowichan Lake area could see some heavy wet snow starting this evening. (Citizen file)

UPDATE: Some wet snow could precede the strong winds expected to hit Vancouver Island

Environment Canada warns of snow inland, gusts up to 70 km/h

The Cowichan Lake area could see some heavy wet snow starting this evening. (Citizen file)
Courtenay artist Bill Bolten recently presented Dr. Bonnie Henry with this carving of a yellow warbler. Photo supplied.

Courtenay carver creates gift for Dr. Bonnie Henry

Bill Bolten presented the carving to B.C.’s public health officer in person

Courtenay artist Bill Bolten recently presented Dr. Bonnie Henry with this carving of a yellow warbler. Photo supplied.
A fallen tree on Marshall Road was among the problems caused by windy weather in the Cowichan Valley on Tuesday. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
A fallen tree on Marshall Road was among the problems caused by windy weather in the Cowichan Valley on Tuesday. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
Storm watchers look to be in luck this week as Environment Canada is predicting extreme weather to hit the Tofino-Ucluelet region on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Westerly file photo)

First storm of the season expected to hit Vancouver Island tonight

Environment Canada has issued a storm warning with wind, and rain that could last into the weekend

Storm watchers look to be in luck this week as Environment Canada is predicting extreme weather to hit the Tofino-Ucluelet region on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Westerly file photo)
Wildfire smoke from the United States will again affect Nanaimo and areas on central Vancouver Island on Saturday, Sept. 12. (Karl Yu/Nanaimo News Bulletin)

Smoky skies expected to continue throughout Monday

Some rain in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow

Wildfire smoke from the United States will again affect Nanaimo and areas on central Vancouver Island on Saturday, Sept. 12. (Karl Yu/Nanaimo News Bulletin)
Play returning to playgrounds across Vancouver Island

Play returning to playgrounds across Vancouver Island

A look at where playgrounds are opening and when they might be opening

Play returning to playgrounds across Vancouver Island
An anti-racism rally, led by organizer Vanessa Sjo, took to the streets of downtown Victoria Monday, June 1, in solidarity with movements taking place across the U.S. and Canada. Another rally is planned for Sunday. (Katherine Engqvist/News Staff)

Vancouver Islanders gathering to rally for Black lives

‘To speak up, all you need is a voice and the will to be heard’

An anti-racism rally, led by organizer Vanessa Sjo, took to the streets of downtown Victoria Monday, June 1, in solidarity with movements taking place across the U.S. and Canada. Another rally is planned for Sunday. (Katherine Engqvist/News Staff)
City of Victoria outdoor recreation facilities will reopen to the public May 14. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Recreation facilities begin to reopen across Vancouver Island

Physical distancing, health and safety protocols still in place

City of Victoria outdoor recreation facilities will reopen to the public May 14. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
Englishman River Falls Provincial Park will re-open May 14. (Michael Briones photo)

Vancouver Island’s provincial parks ready to reopen

Visitors advised to follow physical distancing protocols as day use returns to selected parks May 14

Englishman River Falls Provincial Park will re-open May 14. (Michael Briones photo)
The parking lot at Willows Beach Park joins those across the region now closed to the public. (@OakBayPolice/Twitter)

Popular parking lots closing across Vancouver Island to encourage long weekend social distancing

Officials concerned warm weather will ease people’s commitment to fighting the pandemic

The parking lot at Willows Beach Park joins those across the region now closed to the public. (@OakBayPolice/Twitter)
A 38-year-old temperature record was broken in the Campbell River area on March 16, 2020. The coldest temperature recorded on this day since 1958 is now -7.5 C. Pixabay image

Thermometer drops to record lows in three Vancouver Island communities

Campbell River’s -7.5 C now its coldest temperature on record for March 16

A 38-year-old temperature record was broken in the Campbell River area on March 16, 2020. The coldest temperature recorded on this day since 1958 is now -7.5 C. Pixabay image
Win tickets to see Michelle Obama

Win tickets to see Michelle Obama

Former first lady speaking at Victoria’s Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on Tuesday, March 31

Win tickets to see Michelle Obama
Pictured here, striking workers from a November rally in Nanaimo. (Black Press file)

Province appoints special mediators in bid to end coastal forest strike

Amanda Rogers and Vince Ready given powers to craft recommended deal to break eight-month impasse

Pictured here, striking workers from a November rally in Nanaimo. (Black Press file)