Lexi Bainas

Poultry on parade, Christmas cavalcade: whatever you call Shawnigan Lake’s wild turkeys, they are a traffic stopper every time. (Frank Wall photo)

Poultry on parade in Shawnigan Lake as wild turkeys take a stroll

Roving resident flock has become a village staple in south-Island community

Poultry on parade, Christmas cavalcade: whatever you call Shawnigan Lake’s wild turkeys, they are a traffic stopper every time. (Frank Wall photo)
Much needed work on the Silver Bridge in Duncan is now complete. (Citizen file)

Duncan’s Silver Bridge safety updates finished

Cleanup will take until mid-January though

Much needed work on the Silver Bridge in Duncan is now complete. (Citizen file)
With all that equipment displayed among the trees, there was significant damage during the windstorm. (Submitted)

Duncan’s BC Forest Discovery Centre smacked hard in December windstorm

“We’ll rebuild!” says Centre manager Chris Gale, calling for an increase in memberships and donations

With all that equipment displayed among the trees, there was significant damage during the windstorm. (Submitted)
Claire Lynch headlines the new Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival, which sashays into Laketown Ranch June 14-16. (Norm McGuire photo)

Sooke Bluegrass festival relocates to Laketown Ranch at Lake Cowichan

The big venue at Lake Cowichan adds another jewel to its crown with new event June 14-16

Claire Lynch headlines the new Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival, which sashays into Laketown Ranch June 14-16. (Norm McGuire photo)
‘Stuck in Youbou! Swordfern Boutique is closed until further notice’ alerts one local business to potential customers, alongside this image. (Swordfern Boutique/Facebook)
‘Stuck in Youbou! Swordfern Boutique is closed until further notice’ alerts one local business to potential customers, alongside this image. (Swordfern Boutique/Facebook)
‘Stuck in Youbou! Swordfern Boutique is closed until further notice’ alerts one local business to potential customers, alongside this image. (Swordfern Boutique/Facebook)

UPDATED: 28,000 to 29,000 without power in Cowichan Valley; more winds expected

Roads closed, trees down, no estimated time for power to be restored

‘Stuck in Youbou! Swordfern Boutique is closed until further notice’ alerts one local business to potential customers, alongside this image. (Swordfern Boutique/Facebook)
The Washboard Union is back by popular demand at Sunfest this summer. Look for them opening for Terri Clark and Jason Aldean. Wow, what a lineup. (Submitted)

VIDEO: Newcomers join favourites in rounding out Sunfest’s amazing lineup for 2019

The Washboard Union, Cody Johnson, Mitchell Tenpenny, Aaron Goodvin: it just gets better and better

The Washboard Union is back by popular demand at Sunfest this summer. Look for them opening for Terri Clark and Jason Aldean. Wow, what a lineup. (Submitted)
Dennis and Donna Jones love showing off their Christmas village. It’s back at Cassy’s Coffee House in Youbou starting Nov. 30. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)

VIDEO: Expansive Christmas village is a labour of love for Youbou couple

Donna and Dennis Jones are sharing the joy of their collection with this public display

Dennis and Donna Jones love showing off their Christmas village. It’s back at Cassy’s Coffee House in Youbou starting Nov. 30. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
Breakthrough star Maren Morris headlines Saturday night at Sunfest 2019. (Submitted)

VIDEO: Maren Morris, Kip Moore, Terri Clark, Randy Houser, and Michael Ray join lineup for Sunfest 2019

From the first moment the music starts Thursday to the last note Sunday, Sunfest’s going to be rolling out the country

Breakthrough star Maren Morris headlines Saturday night at Sunfest 2019. (Submitted)
‘Teddy’s Trial’ protesters gather outside the Duncan courthouse. From left, Patricia Wakefield, Maria Moore, Lori Tkach, Kris Masson, Nicole Rozon, and Lillianna Blow, are among those who have been following the events. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)

VIDEO: ‘Teddy’s Trial’ adjourned until Dec. 4 to give Joe time to get new lawyer

Lawyer leaving for personal reasons led to postponement of pre-trial conference in Duncan

‘Teddy’s Trial’ protesters gather outside the Duncan courthouse. From left, Patricia Wakefield, Maria Moore, Lori Tkach, Kris Masson, Nicole Rozon, and Lillianna Blow, are among those who have been following the events. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)
Peter Oldring, left, and Pat Kelly really know how to stir the political pot in their show, ‘This is That’. (submitted)

VIDEO: CBC Radio’s hit show ‘This is That’ on its farewell tour

Pat Kelly and Peter Oldring send up the earnest current affairs program in Victoria and Duncan

Peter Oldring, left, and Pat Kelly really know how to stir the political pot in their show, ‘This is That’. (submitted)
Little Women was last performed in Chemainus in 2006, when it received its world premiere. (Submitted)

‘Little Women’ brings a joyous story to Chemainus for the holiday season

Follow the stories of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy in a musical version of the timeless classic

Little Women was last performed in Chemainus in 2006, when it received its world premiere. (Submitted)
Many used needles were found at the riverside location. (submitted)

1,000 needles pulled from Cowichan River

Duncan area cleanup project nets three huge truckloads of garbage

Many used needles were found at the riverside location. (submitted)
’A Streetcar Named Desire’ contrasts the emotional lives of two sisters in post Second World War New Orleans. (submitted)

VIDEO: Ballet Kelowna brings steamy story, A Streetcar Named Desire, to Island

Okanagan ballet company brings a classic tale to the Cowichan Valley

’A Streetcar Named Desire’ contrasts the emotional lives of two sisters in post Second World War New Orleans. (submitted)
Left: The top award given in the macro/closeup category went to this picture by Decker that shows an anemone shrimp that he photographed in Yap during MantaFest 2018. (Jim Decker photo)

Cobble Hill’s Jim Decker lands three top photography awards

During an exciting photo trip to Yap in Micronesia, local man takes top place in three classes

Left: The top award given in the macro/closeup category went to this picture by Decker that shows an anemone shrimp that he photographed in Yap during MantaFest 2018. (Jim Decker photo)
In an early morning protest, a group of Cowichan Tribes members raise concerns with Coun. Stephanie Charlie, right. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)

Protesters get the ear of Cowichan Tribes with attempted blockade

They didn’t close anything down but they did get to talk for an hour about their concerns

In an early morning protest, a group of Cowichan Tribes members raise concerns with Coun. Stephanie Charlie, right. (Warren Goulding/Citizen)
Big bulls like Bob and Henry may be seem friendly enough in summer but in the autumn rutting season, watch out, because tempers flare. (submitted)
Big bulls like Bob and Henry may be seem friendly enough in summer but in the autumn rutting season, watch out, because tempers flare. (submitted)
The accident occurred in the 7000 block of Hillcrest Road on Sunday evening, police say. (submitted)

18-year-old Chemainus man killed in Jeep crash

North Cowichan/ Duncan RCMP are investigating following Hillcrest crash

The accident occurred in the 7000 block of Hillcrest Road on Sunday evening, police say. (submitted)
The accidents occurred near Hillcrest Road on Sunday evening, according to the BC Coroner service. (submitted)

UPDATE: 2 men killed within 2 days in separate crashes in Hillcrest area west of Duncan

North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP, coroners office, investigating following two crashes last weekend

The accidents occurred near Hillcrest Road on Sunday evening, according to the BC Coroner service. (submitted)
Both Sahtlam and Lake Cowichan fire trucks are on the scene as both departments prepare to fight a bush fire Thursday morning, Sept. 7. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)

Two fire departments called out to deal with bush fire near Cowichan River

The half-hectare fire is located in an area of brush and trees and smoke is widespread

Both Sahtlam and Lake Cowichan fire trucks are on the scene as both departments prepare to fight a bush fire Thursday morning, Sept. 7. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)