Olivier Laurin

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The Holmes family from the Comox Valley spent 13 months at sea, sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, navigating more than 21,000 kilometres. Photo supplied

B.C. family completes epic 13-month Atlantic Ocean sailing odyssey

For the Comox Valley’s Holmes family, journey was the realization of long-time dream

The Holmes family from the Comox Valley spent 13 months at sea, sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, navigating more than 21,000 kilometres. Photo supplied
3:59 a.m. - Usually bustling with life, Courtenay’s Connect Centre stands lifeless, hosting more than double its capacity as the region experiences its coldest night of the year. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)

Out cold: Spending the coldest night of the year with Courtenay’s homeless

On the night of Jan.11, the temperature in the Comox Valley plummeted…

3:59 a.m. - Usually bustling with life, Courtenay’s Connect Centre stands lifeless, hosting more than double its capacity as the region experiences its coldest night of the year. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)
The Comox Valley is bracing for severe weather on Thursday night (Jan. 11), with temperatures expected to plummet to -12 C. Meanwhile, the region is still waiting to see the opening of an emergency weather shelter for its unhoused population. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

Still no winter shelter as record-breaking cold set to strike Comox Valley

Emergency Warming Centre scheduled to open at Courtenay’s Native Sons Hall on the night of Jan. 11

The Comox Valley is bracing for severe weather on Thursday night (Jan. 11), with temperatures expected to plummet to -12 C. Meanwhile, the region is still waiting to see the opening of an emergency weather shelter for its unhoused population. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP)
The HMCS Alberni Museum and Memorial (HAMM) is located at 625 Cliffe Ave. in Courtenay. Photo supplied. On Dec. 29, B.C.’s Supreme Court blocked new provincial laws against public consumption of illegal substances. Imposing a temporary injunction until March 31, Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson halted the procedures, stating that “irreparable harm will be caused” if these laws come into effect. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward) The HMCS Alberni Museum and Memorial (HAMM) is located at 625 Cliffe Ave. in Courtenay. Photo supplied.

Reactions to public drug injunction mixed as people avoid downtown Courtenay

Museum sees 46 per cent drop in visitors in the past year as fingers pointed at public consumption

The HMCS Alberni Museum and Memorial (HAMM) is located at 625 Cliffe Ave. in Courtenay. Photo supplied. On Dec. 29, B.C.’s Supreme Court blocked new provincial laws against public consumption of illegal substances. Imposing a temporary injunction until March 31, Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson halted the procedures, stating that “irreparable harm will be caused” if these laws come into effect. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward) The HMCS Alberni Museum and Memorial (HAMM) is located at 625 Cliffe Ave. in Courtenay. Photo supplied.
Each of the 200-plus trails in Cumberland carries a name that hides a rich history, filled with camaraderie, laughter, and stories. Photo by UROC

What’s in a name? Ride down Cumberland’s trail-blazing mountain bike history

Hills surrounding Comox Valley town have become a mecca for mountain biking over the years

Each of the 200-plus trails in Cumberland carries a name that hides a rich history, filled with camaraderie, laughter, and stories. Photo by UROC
Courtenay Fire Department firefighters battle a trailer fire on Leash Road on Sunday, Dec. 31. Photo by Terry Farrell

UPDATE: Vancouver Island firefighters attending a Comox Valley trailer fire

In the late morning of Dec. 31, a trailer home at the…

Courtenay Fire Department firefighters battle a trailer fire on Leash Road on Sunday, Dec. 31. Photo by Terry Farrell
On Nov. 3, outreach workers, bylaws, and RCMP officers were supervising the teardown of a homeless encampment, also known as street sweep, in the parking lot beside Connect Centre in downtown Courtenay. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)

OPINION: B.C. street sweeps perpetuate an endless cycle of misery

Dispossessing the homeless of their belongings does nothing to address the address

On Nov. 3, outreach workers, bylaws, and RCMP officers were supervising the teardown of a homeless encampment, also known as street sweep, in the parking lot beside Connect Centre in downtown Courtenay. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)
(Adobe stock photo)

Vancouver Island residents share their best Christmas memories

What they’re talking about in downtown Courtenay

(Adobe stock photo)
On the afternoon of Dec. 17, numerous communities throughout B.C. felt the shockwave of a magnitude 4.9 earthquake. The epicentre was located 137 kilometres northwest of Pemberton at 3:23 p.m. (Credit: Earthquakes Canada)

Hundreds report feeling 4.9-magnitude quake in B.C.

Epicentre located northwest of Pemberton

On the afternoon of Dec. 17, numerous communities throughout B.C. felt the shockwave of a magnitude 4.9 earthquake. The epicentre was located 137 kilometres northwest of Pemberton at 3:23 p.m. (Credit: Earthquakes Canada)
On the afternoon of Dec. 17, numerous communities throughout B.C. felt the shockwave of a magnitude 4.9 earthquake. The epicentre was located 137 kilometres northwest of Pemberton at 3:23 p.m. (Credit: Earthquakes Canada)

Magnitude 4.9 earthquake felt by Comox Valley and Campbell River residents

Epicentre located northwest of Pemberton

On the afternoon of Dec. 17, numerous communities throughout B.C. felt the shockwave of a magnitude 4.9 earthquake. The epicentre was located 137 kilometres northwest of Pemberton at 3:23 p.m. (Credit: Earthquakes Canada)
A structure fire at 3005 Back Rd. broke out around 8 a.m. on the morning of Dec. 17. Comox Fire Rescue Capt. Pascal Lafreniere confirmed to the Record that no one was hurt during the incident. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)

Five people safely escape house fire in Vancouver Island town

Comox Fire Rescue Capt. confirmed that no injuries were reported

A structure fire at 3005 Back Rd. broke out around 8 a.m. on the morning of Dec. 17. Comox Fire Rescue Capt. Pascal Lafreniere confirmed to the Record that no one was hurt during the incident. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)
Comox artist Wes Seeley has pledged to donate 20 percent of the profits from the sale of his sculpture featuring two eagles to YANA. (Scott Stanfield / Comox Valley Record)

Comox artist to donate 20 per cent of profits from sale of sculpture to YANA

Wes Seeley seeks to sell his monumental 10-feet wooden sculpture featuring two bald eagles

Comox artist Wes Seeley has pledged to donate 20 percent of the profits from the sale of his sculpture featuring two eagles to YANA. (Scott Stanfield / Comox Valley Record)
Mikala Wheeler (left) diligently prepares data sheets as Simon George converses with fellow team members just moments before the two suit up in their dry suits for a day of snorkelling to monitor the salmon population present in the Theodosia River. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)

Comox Valley environmental consultant provides DFO with invaluable data

Mikala Wheeler led a team of four members in surveying the salmon population of the Theodosia River

Mikala Wheeler (left) diligently prepares data sheets as Simon George converses with fellow team members just moments before the two suit up in their dry suits for a day of snorkelling to monitor the salmon population present in the Theodosia River. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)
Water buffalo. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE

By the horns: B.C. farm one of Canada’s few specializing in buffalo dairy

It’s much richer’: Comox Valley’s McClintock’s Farm producing a unique product from a unique animal

Water buffalo. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE
Morgan Jackson, 17, and her team secured the bronze medal at the 2023 Nationals Women’s U18 Hockey Championship held in Dawson Creek on Nov. 11. (Photo courtesy of Morgan Jackson)

Islander named top forward at women’s U18 national hockey championship

Courtenay’s Morgan Jackson finished as the second-highest scorer on her way to a bronze medal

Morgan Jackson, 17, and her team secured the bronze medal at the 2023 Nationals Women’s U18 Hockey Championship held in Dawson Creek on Nov. 11. (Photo courtesy of Morgan Jackson)
Calls for a last-minute moratorium are intensifying as the start of Pacific herring season in the Straight of Georgia (SoG) approaches on Nov.24. (Courtesy of Ian McAllister)

Two sides to a coin: Opening of the herring fisheries in BC

‘We should have a say, as Indigenous leaders, on what happens in our territory’: Chief Chickite

Calls for a last-minute moratorium are intensifying as the start of Pacific herring season in the Straight of Georgia (SoG) approaches on Nov.24. (Courtesy of Ian McAllister)
The Wheels of Hope is a volunteer driver program serving Vancouver Island, including the Comox Valley, that provides transportation for residents to access cancer treatment in Victoria. (Photo courtesy of Wheels of Hope)

Driving for a good cause: Cancer program needs more volunteers in the Comox Valley

Wheels for Hope helps Vancouver Island patients receive life-saving cancer treatment in Victoria

The Wheels of Hope is a volunteer driver program serving Vancouver Island, including the Comox Valley, that provides transportation for residents to access cancer treatment in Victoria. (Photo courtesy of Wheels of Hope)
From left, telethon chair Pam Crowe, Comox Valley Child Development Association executive director Cindy Xavier, and CVCDA president Diane Daigle celebrate after the highest-grossing telethon in their history. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)

Comox Valley children’s telethon achieves highest total in its history

‘We couldn’t be more elated’: Supporters across the province and beyond donated $150,342

From left, telethon chair Pam Crowe, Comox Valley Child Development Association executive director Cindy Xavier, and CVCDA president Diane Daigle celebrate after the highest-grossing telethon in their history. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)
Nicole Harvda poses next to her car following a race. (Photo courtesy of Nicole Havrda)

Comox Valley race car driver makes history

At 17, Nicole Havrda is the first woman to win American Formula 3 Championship

Nicole Harvda poses next to her car following a race. (Photo courtesy of Nicole Havrda)
Marcia Turner (left) and Erin Brillon, accompanied by her husband, Andy Everson, have each been awarded the distinction of Business of the Year for their respective ventures at the 2023 Indigenous Business Awards. (Photo courtesy of BC Achievement Foundation).

Two Comox Valley businesses earn Indigenous Business Awards

Comox’s Marcia Turner, Courtenay’s Erin Brillon among those honoured

Marcia Turner (left) and Erin Brillon, accompanied by her husband, Andy Everson, have each been awarded the distinction of Business of the Year for their respective ventures at the 2023 Indigenous Business Awards. (Photo courtesy of BC Achievement Foundation).