Karly Blats

Motorcyclist dies following head-on collision in Bowser

Motorcyclist dies following head-on collision in Bowser

Police say driver of other vehicle being investigated for impaired driving

Motorcyclist dies following head-on collision in Bowser
Parksville woman Sharon Hamlyn is cycling from Victoria to Port Hardy, beginning April 29, to raise awareness for neuroendocrine cancer.

Parksville woman cycles Vancouver Island to raise awareness for rare cancer

Sharon Hamlyn will ride from Victoria to Port Hardy for her sister

Parksville woman Sharon Hamlyn is cycling from Victoria to Port Hardy, beginning April 29, to raise awareness for neuroendocrine cancer.
West Ballenas Island is for sale for $3.6 million. - Google image

Ever wanted to own your own Island?

West Ballenas Island near Parksville is for sale for $3.6 million

West Ballenas Island is for sale for $3.6 million. - Google image
Qualicum Beach’s iconic Crown Mansion estate is for sale for $5.9 million. - Colliers International photo

Who wants to buy a mansion?

For $5.9M, Qualicum Beach’s iconic Crown Mansion can be all yours

Qualicum Beach’s iconic Crown Mansion estate is for sale for $5.9 million. - Colliers International photo
Issues arising from homeless camps and individuals in the Town of Qualicum Beach are causing a high demand for the services of the bylaw enforcement officer. - NEWS file photo

Qualicum Beach struggling to keep up with growing homeless population

Growing homeless population requires more attention from town’s only bylaw officer

Issues arising from homeless camps and individuals in the Town of Qualicum Beach are causing a high demand for the services of the bylaw enforcement officer. - NEWS file photo
Two people from Campbell River were injured after they were in involved in an ATV incident near the north side of Horne Lake on Sunday (April 7). - Photo Submitted by Collin Elm

Pair flown to hospital after mid-Island ATV incident

Arrowsmith SAR flew by helicopter to help Campbell River pair at scene near Horne Lake

Two people from Campbell River were injured after they were in involved in an ATV incident near the north side of Horne Lake on Sunday (April 7). - Photo Submitted by Collin Elm
Joan Lemoine, honourary director with the Parksville Beach Festival Society, and her late husband, Jim, were instrumental in moving the Parksville sand sculpting competition off the beach and onto a plot of sand in the Community Park 20 years ago. - Karly Blats photo

Parksville’s sand sculpting competition marks 20 years since moving off the beach

Longtime community volunteer Joan Lemoine rallied for event to happen in Community Park

Joan Lemoine, honourary director with the Parksville Beach Festival Society, and her late husband, Jim, were instrumental in moving the Parksville sand sculpting competition off the beach and onto a plot of sand in the Community Park 20 years ago. - Karly Blats photo
Geese roam in the Parksville Community Park. - File photo

Parksville plans for annual Canada goose harvest

Geese are shot in the head with a bolt gun, which kills them instantly

Geese roam in the Parksville Community Park. - File photo
Nancy DeGagne, founder of the Vancouver Island Ladies Car Club, stands with her 1990 Corvette, which was the stock winner at the 2018 Shriners Show & Shine. - Karly Blats photo

Vancouver Island’s first all-female car club gears up for debut

Grease Nipples group hosts first meet-and-greet April 7 in Parksville

Nancy DeGagne, founder of the Vancouver Island Ladies Car Club, stands with her 1990 Corvette, which was the stock winner at the 2018 Shriners Show & Shine. - Karly Blats photo
Howard, the world’s tallest gnome, located along the Island Highway near Nanoose Bay will be moved to Galey Farms in Saanich. - Facebook photo/Howard the Worlds Tallest Gnome

Mid-Island disappointed to see Howard leave, but they are excited in Saanich

Some show support for new Saanich home; others hoped he’d remain ‘local’

Howard, the world’s tallest gnome, located along the Island Highway near Nanoose Bay will be moved to Galey Farms in Saanich. - Facebook photo/Howard the Worlds Tallest Gnome
Howard, the world’s tallest gnome, located along the Island Highway near Nanoose Bay will remain on Vancouver Island. (Facebook photo/Bridget Matewish)

Giant gnome finds new home at Galey Farms in Saanich

‘Howard’, the iconic Nanoose Bay attraction, will be moved as soon as possible

Howard, the world’s tallest gnome, located along the Island Highway near Nanoose Bay will remain on Vancouver Island. (Facebook photo/Bridget Matewish)
Parksville’s Kaiden Finley, centre, is surrounded by his five siblings. Kaiden passed away on March 21 after a long battle with brain cancer. - Photo submitted by Tasha Finley

Inspirational Vancouver Island youngster dies after battle with brain cancer

Kaiden Finley ‘was seriously the strongest 11-year-old’

Parksville’s Kaiden Finley, centre, is surrounded by his five siblings. Kaiden passed away on March 21 after a long battle with brain cancer. - Photo submitted by Tasha Finley
Short list for new gnome home includes Parksville, Coombs

Short list for new gnome home includes Parksville, Coombs

Five potential locations have been chosen by Howard’s owners who will decide Tuesday

Short list for new gnome home includes Parksville, Coombs
Tofino surfer Brett Nelson watches waves break off Lovekin Rock at Long Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on the first day of spring.-Nora O’Malley photo

Tofino Canada’s hot spot

This morning’s temperatures nation’s highest, Tuesday reached 23.5 C

Tofino surfer Brett Nelson watches waves break off Lovekin Rock at Long Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on the first day of spring.-Nora O’Malley photo
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Parksville resident Fred Buott to help him get a new electric tricycle. - File photo

New fundraising campaign started to help get Parksville senior an electric trike

Fred Buott’s tricycle was damaged when he was nearly hit by a truck last July

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Parksville resident Fred Buott to help him get a new electric tricycle. - File photo
Less than an hour after Parksville resident Karen Brooks attached hearts to the fence at the 222 Corfield supportive housing site to show support for the incoming tenants, someone tore several down. - Karly Blats photo

Broken Hearts: Display at controversial Vancouver Island supportive housing site torn down

Woman says she was yelled at while supporting incoming Parksville supportive housing tenants

Less than an hour after Parksville resident Karen Brooks attached hearts to the fence at the 222 Corfield supportive housing site to show support for the incoming tenants, someone tore several down. - Karly Blats photo
Vancouver Island school superintendent says ranking ‘does more harm than good’

Vancouver Island school superintendent says ranking ‘does more harm than good’

Elementary schools ranked annually by Fraser Institute

Vancouver Island school superintendent says ranking ‘does more harm than good’
Modular building units for a supportive housing project are being delivered to the 222 Corfield site in Parksville. - Michael Briones photo

Legal proceedings continue in Parksville supportive housing case, no new court dates set

Controversial 222 Corfield project continues to move ahead under a valid bylaw and permits

Modular building units for a supportive housing project are being delivered to the 222 Corfield site in Parksville. - Michael Briones photo
Facebook photo/Bridget Matewish Howard, the world’s tallest gnome, located along the Island Highway in Nanoose Bay will be torn down if he doesn’t find a new home by April 30.

Suitors lining up for Howard the Gnome

World’s largest gnome will soon get a new home on Vancouver Island

Facebook photo/Bridget Matewish Howard, the world’s tallest gnome, located along the Island Highway in Nanoose Bay will be torn down if he doesn’t find a new home by April 30.
Olivia Kenton, left, and supporter Mara Nord light candles to celebrate the lives of Kenton’s two huskies Kodi and Tigger during a vigil at Errington Community Park on March 10. - Karly Blats photo

Deceased Vancouver Island huskies celebrated at vigil

Close to 40 people gather in Errington to remember Kodi and Tigger

Olivia Kenton, left, and supporter Mara Nord light candles to celebrate the lives of Kenton’s two huskies Kodi and Tigger during a vigil at Errington Community Park on March 10. - Karly Blats photo