Karly Blats

Rendering of a proposed mixed-used, multi-building development at 113 and 161 Island Highway West. - City of Parksville

Parksville not ready for waterfront skyscrapers — yet

IAG Developments go back to drawing board after high-rise application deferred by council

Rendering of a proposed mixed-used, multi-building development at 113 and 161 Island Highway West. - City of Parksville
Michelle Stilwell, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, uses the Lokomat machine at the Neuromotion Physio clinic in Victoria. - Submitted photo

WATCH: Parksville Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell takes first extended steps in nearly three decades

‘It actually felt like walking. It’s been 27 years… but it felt realistic to me’

Michelle Stilwell, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, uses the Lokomat machine at the Neuromotion Physio clinic in Victoria. - Submitted photo
Twenty-one-year-old Nick Major from Parksville has died from a viral rabies infection after coming into contact with a bat on Vancouver Island in May. - Facebook photo

Taekwondo instructor, 21, identified as bat rabies victim

Nick Major, 21, an instructor at Cascadia Martial Arts in Parksville

Twenty-one-year-old Nick Major from Parksville has died from a viral rabies infection after coming into contact with a bat on Vancouver Island in May. - Facebook photo
Nature photographer Mike Yip spotted this white raven in Coombs last month. - Mike Yip photo

Rare white ravens spotted again in mid-Island

Nature photographer Mike Yip said mysterious birds back in Coombs area

Nature photographer Mike Yip spotted this white raven in Coombs last month. - Mike Yip photo
A competitor begins his sand sculpture during the 2019 Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition on Friday, July 12. - Karly Blats photo

World-famous sand sculpting competition begins in Parksville

Master sculptors from around the world compete as exhibit opens to public

A competitor begins his sand sculpture during the 2019 Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition on Friday, July 12. - Karly Blats photo
Island propane explosion sends two to hospital

Island propane explosion sends two to hospital

Police say incident was not criminal

Island propane explosion sends two to hospital
Evelyne and Michael Doerksen of Dragonfly SUP Adventures have recently built a ‘SUP Shack’ in Qualicum Beach to store rent standup paddle boards. - Karly Blats photo

VIDEO: Have you ever tried paddle boarding?

Black Press reporters Karly Blats and Emily Vance test the waters at Spider Lake

Evelyne and Michael Doerksen of Dragonfly SUP Adventures have recently built a ‘SUP Shack’ in Qualicum Beach to store rent standup paddle boards. - Karly Blats photo
Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne. (File photo)
Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne. (File photo)
A resident stumbled upon needles left in a secluded area near Parksville’s recycling depot in May. - File photo

Parksville council advances proposed bylaw to regulate distribution of needles

Mayor: ‘I believe that we have an obligation to protect the 14,000 people of Parksville’

A resident stumbled upon needles left in a secluded area near Parksville’s recycling depot in May. - File photo
Parksville resident Gary McAlpine has been in need of a psychiatrist for months, but a shortage in the Parksville Qualicum Beach region is preventing him from receiving the help he needs for his severe depression and anxiety. - Karly Blats photo

Parksville couple urges province to address shortage of psychiatrists

‘The government needs to do something’

Parksville resident Gary McAlpine has been in need of a psychiatrist for months, but a shortage in the Parksville Qualicum Beach region is preventing him from receiving the help he needs for his severe depression and anxiety. - Karly Blats photo
Wendy Williams, who lives in Qualicum Beach, has been named the first Canadian woman to captain a major cruise ship. - Virginvoyages.com

Qualicum Beach resident named first Canadian woman to captain a major cruise ship

When not at sea, Wendy Williams resides on her Island hobby farm

Wendy Williams, who lives in Qualicum Beach, has been named the first Canadian woman to captain a major cruise ship. - Virginvoyages.com
Clarke Gourlay, founder of Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and Morningstar Farm, passed away on June 29, 2019 in a hiking accident in Strathcona Provincial Park. - File photo

Clarke Gourlay, founder of Little Qualicum Cheeseworks, dies in mountaineering accident

Board set up at farm for people to share their memories

Clarke Gourlay, founder of Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and Morningstar Farm, passed away on June 29, 2019 in a hiking accident in Strathcona Provincial Park. - File photo
Mark’s Nature Park at 124 Finholm St. in Parksville has seen an influx of homeless individuals camping. - Karly Blats photo

Parksville residents concerned about garbage, needles in park

City pays to have Mark’s Nature Park cleaned up each week

Mark’s Nature Park at 124 Finholm St. in Parksville has seen an influx of homeless individuals camping. - Karly Blats photo
The 52-unit supportive housing facility at 222 Corfield St. in Parksville is expected to open this summer. - Karly Blats photo

Chosen 52 to begin ‘road to recovery’ at controversial Parksville facility

Orca Place supportive housing at 222 Corfield St. expected to open this summer

The 52-unit supportive housing facility at 222 Corfield St. in Parksville is expected to open this summer. - Karly Blats photo
A group of Canadian and Americans are back together for a reunion in California after backpacking Europe in 1969. Sitting from left; Kathy, Merry, Lowell, Bevan. Standing from left; are Mike, Doug Bradley and Dave Tryon. - Submitted photo
A group of Canadian and Americans are back together for a reunion in California after backpacking Europe in 1969. Sitting from left; Kathy, Merry, Lowell, Bevan. Standing from left; are Mike, Doug Bradley and Dave Tryon. - Submitted photo
Karly Blats photo                                From left: Haylie, Janelle, Carly, Courtney, Angela and Chelsea, are on their annual camping trip at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park.

Wheelchair accessibility setting Island’s Rathtrevor Beach park apart

Friends enjoy special annual camping trip at Parksville’s popular provincial park

Karly Blats photo                                From left: Haylie, Janelle, Carly, Courtney, Angela and Chelsea, are on their annual camping trip at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park.
Ian Paton, MLA for Delta South and co-critic for agriculture, speaks to a group of concerned farmers at Rusted Rake Farm in Nanoose Bay on June 17. - Karly Blats photo

B.C. farmers concerned Agricultural Land Reserve changes choking their livelihood

Dozens voice concerns at special meeting hosted on Vancouver Island

Ian Paton, MLA for Delta South and co-critic for agriculture, speaks to a group of concerned farmers at Rusted Rake Farm in Nanoose Bay on June 17. - Karly Blats photo
Ian Paton, MLA for Delta South and co-critic for agriculture, speaks to a group of concerned farmers at Rusted Rake Farm in Nanoose Bay on June 17. - Karly Blats photo

Island farmers concerned Agricultural Land Reserve changes choking their livelihood

Dozens voice concerns at special meeting hosted near Parksville

Ian Paton, MLA for Delta South and co-critic for agriculture, speaks to a group of concerned farmers at Rusted Rake Farm in Nanoose Bay on June 17. - Karly Blats photo
Fire burned down a single duplex structure on June 6 at the River Green Resort in Parksville. — Michael Briones photo

Parksville resort fire caused by flammable gas used to extract oil from cannabis

Investigators detail reasons for explosion and blaze that destroyed building

Fire burned down a single duplex structure on June 6 at the River Green Resort in Parksville. — Michael Briones photo
Parksville’s Log Cabin General Store, 1000 Resort Dr., was broken into on June 10 or 11 and a suspect stole a large quantity of cigarettes and lottery tickets. - Karly Blats photo

‘Every cigarette, lottery ticket’ stolen from Parksville’s Log Cabin General Store

Break-in, theft occurred late on June 10 or early June 11

Parksville’s Log Cabin General Store, 1000 Resort Dr., was broken into on June 10 or 11 and a suspect stole a large quantity of cigarettes and lottery tickets. - Karly Blats photo