Susie Quinn

City of Port Alberni workers and contractors replace a section of the city’s main water supply pipe the morning of March 10, 2023. A logging truck left Franklin River Road the previous afternoon and crashed on top of the pipe, severing it and damaging approximately 10 metres of the waterpipe. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

City crews work through the night to repair break in Port Alberni’s main water supply

Watermain has been repaired; all restrictions lifted with exception of some Franklin River homes

City of Port Alberni workers and contractors replace a section of the city’s main water supply pipe the morning of March 10, 2023. A logging truck left Franklin River Road the previous afternoon and crashed on top of the pipe, severing it and damaging approximately 10 metres of the waterpipe. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
A logging truck crash on Franklin River Road on the outskirts of Port Alberni has damaged the city’s main water line. (SUSAN QUINN / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Port Alberni under emergency water restrictions after logging truck crash

Incident severed city’s main water supply line; restrictions in place ‘until further notice’

A logging truck crash on Franklin River Road on the outskirts of Port Alberni has damaged the city’s main water line. (SUSAN QUINN / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
Emergency crews respond to a logging truck crash on Franklin River Road on March 9, 2023. (SUSAN QUINN / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Port Alberni under water restrictions after logging truck crash

City under Stage 3 water restrictions ‘until further notice’

Emergency crews respond to a logging truck crash on Franklin River Road on March 9, 2023. (SUSAN QUINN / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
Canada Post carrier Gary Savard delivers mail in Chilliwack on Jan. 13, 2020. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

Heavy snow in Parksville halts mail service to Port Alberni

Canada Post issues regional ’red’ alert for Feb. 23

Canada Post carrier Gary Savard delivers mail in Chilliwack on Jan. 13, 2020. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)
Search and rescue volunteers from Alberni Valley Rescue Squad and Comox Valley Search and Rescue participate in an Organized Avalanche Response Training course in January 2023. (PHOTO COURTESY AVRS)

Alberni Valley Rescue Squad volunteers training for avalanche rescue

Half of squad specializing for backcountry emergencies

Search and rescue volunteers from Alberni Valley Rescue Squad and Comox Valley Search and Rescue participate in an Organized Avalanche Response Training course in January 2023. (PHOTO COURTESY AVRS)
Kayla Castellarin of the BC SPCA Alberni-Clayoquot Branch feeds Herby the cat some treats on his first birthday, Friday, Jan. 20, 2023. Staff decorated Herby’s living quarters for the occasion. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Herby the black cat seeks fur-ever home on Vancouver Island

Alberni-Clayoquot SPCA staff throw party for one-year old cat who has spent 70-plus days in care

Kayla Castellarin of the BC SPCA Alberni-Clayoquot Branch feeds Herby the cat some treats on his first birthday, Friday, Jan. 20, 2023. Staff decorated Herby’s living quarters for the occasion. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Lucas Dewey’s photo of the MV Frances Barkley with Mount Arrowsmith in the background took first place in the Maritime Discovery Centre’s photo contest. (PHOTO COURTESY MARITIME DISCOVERY CENTRE)

Photos capture marine mystique of Port Alberni

Maritime Discovery Centre contest winners are currently on display

Lucas Dewey’s photo of the MV Frances Barkley with Mount Arrowsmith in the background took first place in the Maritime Discovery Centre’s photo contest. (PHOTO COURTESY MARITIME DISCOVERY CENTRE)
Port Alberni Fire Department crews attend to a fire at the Beaufort Hotel on Angus Street, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. (ELENA RARDON/ Alberni Valley News)

20 residents of low-income building in Port Alberni displaced after fire

No injuries, but water damage forces residents into emergency housing

Port Alberni Fire Department crews attend to a fire at the Beaufort Hotel on Angus Street, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. (ELENA RARDON/ Alberni Valley News)
BC Housing won’t be renewing the Port Alberni Shelter Society’s contract to operate Our Home on Eighth shelter. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

BC Housing terminates contract with Port Alberni Shelter Society over shelter

Shelter will remain open, new operator will be chosen by March, BC Housing officials say

BC Housing won’t be renewing the Port Alberni Shelter Society’s contract to operate Our Home on Eighth shelter. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
An RCMP member photographs the scene of an incident where a pedestrian was struck on Redford Street at Sixth Avenue early Jan. 3, 2022. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Pedestrian dies after being struck by vehicle on busy Port Alberni road

Two lanes of Redford Street were closed for several hours Jan. 3

An RCMP member photographs the scene of an incident where a pedestrian was struck on Redford Street at Sixth Avenue early Jan. 3, 2022. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Flames burst from a house in the 3500-block of 10th Avenue in Port Alberni, early on New Year’s Day. (PAFD VIDEO SCREENSHOT)

One person sent to hospital in New Year’s Day house fire

Three fire departments called to battle heavy flame from Port Alberni residence

Flames burst from a house in the 3500-block of 10th Avenue in Port Alberni, early on New Year’s Day. (PAFD VIDEO SCREENSHOT)
A fire investigator from Port Alberni Fire Department examines the aftermath of a Boxing Day fire at a home on Haslam Lane, Dec. 27, 2022. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Four people escape Boxing Day house fire in Port Alberni

Son starts fundraiser for mother, who lost everything in early-morning blaze

A fire investigator from Port Alberni Fire Department examines the aftermath of a Boxing Day fire at a home on Haslam Lane, Dec. 27, 2022. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
École Alberni Elementary School teachers Tammy Petrone and Sonia Organ wear tinsel as part of the teachers’ Christmas video, sung to Run-D.M.C.’s ‘Christmas in Hollis.’ (VIDEO SCREENSHOT)

Vancouver Island teachers’ Christmas video goes viral

École Alberni Elementary staff gets into the spirit with hip hop-inspired antics

École Alberni Elementary School teachers Tammy Petrone and Sonia Organ wear tinsel as part of the teachers’ Christmas video, sung to Run-D.M.C.’s ‘Christmas in Hollis.’ (VIDEO SCREENSHOT)
New B.C. Premier David Eby welcomes Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA Josie Osborne into his cabinet as B.C. Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. (PROVINCE OF B.C. PHOTO)

Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA gets new B.C. cabinet position under David Eby

Third spot on cabinet for Josie Osborne since she was elected in 2020

New B.C. Premier David Eby welcomes Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA Josie Osborne into his cabinet as B.C. Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. (PROVINCE OF B.C. PHOTO)
Port Alberni artist Michael Wright builds up the base below his metal sculpture of a grey whale, placed on a berm on San Group property along Stamp Avenue. Wright has since added a green copper sea turtle, and is working on a full-sized basking shark. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Port Alberni artist Michael Wright finds unorthodox home for metal sculptures

San Group hopes to develop public art program for berm around its property

Port Alberni artist Michael Wright builds up the base below his metal sculpture of a grey whale, placed on a berm on San Group property along Stamp Avenue. Wright has since added a green copper sea turtle, and is working on a full-sized basking shark. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
The RBC Mobile Bank, which includes seating for customer service as well as an ATM at the back of the truck, has been set up in Port Alberni after a fire forced temporary closure of the RBC Royal Bank on Third Avenue. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

RBC in Port Alberni brings in mobile bank as branch recovers from fire

Main branch on Third Avenue is expected to re-open on Monday, Dec. 19

The RBC Mobile Bank, which includes seating for customer service as well as an ATM at the back of the truck, has been set up in Port Alberni after a fire forced temporary closure of the RBC Royal Bank on Third Avenue. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Dalyn Fredrickson carts a giant orca up the stairs at the Alberni Valley Multiplex during the second period intermission of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs’ teddy bear toss game on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. <ins>Fredrickson had to wait until the final buzzer to throw his whale onto the ice as the ‘Dogs were shut out 5-0. </ins>(SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

BCHL: Alberni Valley Bulldogs shut out during teddy toss game

Fans threw their stuffies on ice at the end of the game

Dalyn Fredrickson carts a giant orca up the stairs at the Alberni Valley Multiplex during the second period intermission of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs’ teddy bear toss game on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. <ins>Fredrickson had to wait until the final buzzer to throw his whale onto the ice as the ‘Dogs were shut out 5-0. </ins>(SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Severe weather such as the heat dome last year and the draught this summer has not only affected Christmas trees this year but will do so in future years . (Pixabay photo)

It’s beginning to look a lot more expensive for a Christmas tree this year

Variety of factors contributing, effect on Islanders will vary depending on where you shop

Severe weather such as the heat dome last year and the draught this summer has not only affected Christmas trees this year but will do so in future years . (Pixabay photo)
Fire crews and the RCMP respond to a fire in the ATM vestibule at the Royal Bank on Third Avenue, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022. (JERRY FEVENS/ Special to the AV News)

Fire at Royal Bank in Port Alberni starts in little library

A bystander flagged down firefighters already in area, prompting fast response

Fire crews and the RCMP respond to a fire in the ATM vestibule at the Royal Bank on Third Avenue, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022. (JERRY FEVENS/ Special to the AV News)
The MV Frances Barkley ties up at Lady Rose Marine Services in this undated file photo. SUSAN QUINN PHOTO

Lady Rose Marine drops fees or charity to sail to Bamfield in December

Company asks for donations to Salvation Army, hospice instead; Budget Rental issues challenge too

The MV Frances Barkley ties up at Lady Rose Marine Services in this undated file photo. SUSAN QUINN PHOTO