Community

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).
The proposed new location for the "World's Largest Burl" in Port McNeill. (Derek Koel photo)

‘World’s Largest Burl’ on the move in Port McNeill

$50,000 grant will help community to display the landmark at a new location

  • Oct 24, 2023
The proposed new location for the "World's Largest Burl" in Port McNeill. (Derek Koel photo)
Jan Kotyk attempted to swim across the Strait of Georgia in a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish charity. (Photo submitted)

Island dad attempts swim across Strait of Georgia for Make-A-Wish

Family received a wish from the Make-A-Wish foundation one year before

Jan Kotyk attempted to swim across the Strait of Georgia in a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish charity. (Photo submitted)
Pharmasave Parksville was recently named the ‘Pharmasave Store of the Year’. (Submitted photo)

Pharmasave Parksville recognized as best in Western Canada

Store chosen out of 184 locations

Pharmasave Parksville was recently named the ‘Pharmasave Store of the Year’. (Submitted photo)
Huard’s Haunted House in Cassidy is once again open, this year with a ‘hillbilly farm’ theme, to deliver frights to willing participants. The haunted house is open from Oct. 19-22 and Oct. 25-31. (Bailey Seymour/News Bulletin)

Haunted house near Ladysmith is a Halloween scream

Huard’s Haunted House in Cassidy has been scaring visitors for 12 years

Huard’s Haunted House in Cassidy is once again open, this year with a ‘hillbilly farm’ theme, to deliver frights to willing participants. The haunted house is open from Oct. 19-22 and Oct. 25-31. (Bailey Seymour/News Bulletin)
A website that lets people log and describe their crow encounters tracked around 30 incidents in and around Victoria this year. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

BC SPCA offers tips after Victoria crow kerfuffles, unseasonably angry owls

People reminded to give birds space and not feed them

A website that lets people log and describe their crow encounters tracked around 30 incidents in and around Victoria this year. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Zena Roland holds a knitted Cowichan sweater she made for the Knit launch. (Photo courtesy of VNFC)

‘Knit’ launched to ensure better earnings for Cowichan sweater knitters

Knit proceeds will help design curriculum to explore business planning, distribution and e-commerce

Zena Roland holds a knitted Cowichan sweater she made for the Knit launch. (Photo courtesy of VNFC)
The first ever ‘Roper Romp’ event in the PQB area raised $4,600 for the Haven Society on Oct. 14. (Ian Warren photo)

Parksville ‘Roper Romp’ event raises $4,600 for Haven Society

First event of its kind in PQB region

The first ever ‘Roper Romp’ event in the PQB area raised $4,600 for the Haven Society on Oct. 14. (Ian Warren photo)
Workers at the new Quw'utsun Secondary School sign the last steel girder to be installed at the facility at an event on Oct. 13. (Submitted photo)

Construction of Cowichan’s new high school hits major milestone

The facility’s final concrete pour was also prepared on Oct. 13

Workers at the new Quw'utsun Secondary School sign the last steel girder to be installed at the facility at an event on Oct. 13. (Submitted photo)
Dr. Kelly Hadfield founded Ghana Medical Help 14 years ago. (Photo courtesy of Curtis Comeau)

Vancouver Island doctor’s organization improving healthcare in Ghana

Dr. Kelly Hadfield founder and executive director of Ghana Medical Help

Dr. Kelly Hadfield founded Ghana Medical Help 14 years ago. (Photo courtesy of Curtis Comeau)
Kerri van Kooten-Perras’ giant pumpkin “Walter” won big at the Giant Pumpkins B.C. weigh-off, coming in at 1,152 lbs. Photo courtesy Kerri van Kooten-Perras

Campbell Riverite grows B.C.’s largest pumpkin

Pumpkin, named ‘Walter,’ weighs 1,152 pounds

Kerri van Kooten-Perras’ giant pumpkin “Walter” won big at the Giant Pumpkins B.C. weigh-off, coming in at 1,152 lbs. Photo courtesy Kerri van Kooten-Perras
A rider rides a bermed corner at the Jordie Lunn Bike Park in Langford. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Langford Bike Fest makes its return with races and skills sessions

Event runs Oct. 21 to 22

  • Oct 16, 2023
A rider rides a bermed corner at the Jordie Lunn Bike Park in Langford. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Nico Petch takes part in the 45-kilometre race at the eighth annual Tripleshot CrossFondo Sunday (Oct. 15). (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

Over 400 ride during Greater Victoria’s Tripleshot CrossFondo

Around 140 volunteers helped out with the event

Nico Petch takes part in the 45-kilometre race at the eighth annual Tripleshot CrossFondo Sunday (Oct. 15). (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)
Canada produces wines in Ontario and British Columbia. Do you know which country leads the world in wine production? (File photo)

QUIZ: A thirsty quiz about wine and beer

Fall is the season for wine-themed and beer-themed celebrations

Canada produces wines in Ontario and British Columbia. Do you know which country leads the world in wine production? (File photo)
Geoff and Jessica Postle. The two shared a passion for rugby, which Jessica learned from her dad. After four years of coaching, she went on to Team Canada. Her father died shortly before seeing her make the cut. (Photo: Erin Postle/Facebook)

Courtenay’s Jessica Postle ‘living the (rugby) dream’ in memory of her dad

Jessica wishes her dad had a chance to see her on Team…

Geoff and Jessica Postle. The two shared a passion for rugby, which Jessica learned from her dad. After four years of coaching, she went on to Team Canada. Her father died shortly before seeing her make the cut. (Photo: Erin Postle/Facebook)
Amanda Swinimer’s new children’s book – The Science and Superpowers of Seaweed – has won an international award. (Contributed photo)

Shirley author wins North American book award

Amanda Swinimer wrote children’s book on seaweed

Amanda Swinimer’s new children’s book – The Science and Superpowers of Seaweed – has won an international award. (Contributed photo)
Lake Cowichan Tipton’s Gas bar on North Shore Road saw an unusual customer on Thanksgiving morning. From a screenshot of security footage a bear is seen on camera around 6:30 a.m., sniffing around the ice cream fridge and candy bar rack for a sweet treat, funny enough he settled on gummy bears. (Courtesy of Tiptons)

Bear tiptoes into Tiptons in Lake Cowichan on Thanksgiving morning

Owner says bear was not aggressive, just stopped by for some gummy bears and fled

Lake Cowichan Tipton’s Gas bar on North Shore Road saw an unusual customer on Thanksgiving morning. From a screenshot of security footage a bear is seen on camera around 6:30 a.m., sniffing around the ice cream fridge and candy bar rack for a sweet treat, funny enough he settled on gummy bears. (Courtesy of Tiptons)
The first Ukrainian Arts and Culture Celebration featured traditional Ukrainian dancing, music and art at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre, April 15. The Society is hosting a similar fundraising event titled the Sunflowers for Ukraine Concert on Oct. 15, 2023. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

Ukrainian society in Victoria celebrates 45 years with Oak Bay event

Over 55 Ukrainian performers, including those the organization helped flee from the war in Ukraine, will perform at fundraiser

The first Ukrainian Arts and Culture Celebration featured traditional Ukrainian dancing, music and art at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre, April 15. The Society is hosting a similar fundraising event titled the Sunflowers for Ukraine Concert on Oct. 15, 2023. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Daphne and Rick Swift have been hosting their Big Shop of Horrors at the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds since 2019. Before that they ran in out of their home. The Swifts pose with their mascot Seymour, the venus fly trap affectionately remembered from ‘The Little Shop of Horrors’ play and film. (Courtesy of Daphne Swift)

Annual Big Shop of Horrors event at Cowichan Exhibition sure to be a scream

Event gets to a frightening start on Friday the 13th and runs until Oct. 29

Daphne and Rick Swift have been hosting their Big Shop of Horrors at the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds since 2019. Before that they ran in out of their home. The Swifts pose with their mascot Seymour, the venus fly trap affectionately remembered from ‘The Little Shop of Horrors’ play and film. (Courtesy of Daphne Swift)
Feet protruding from a pile of leaves had a Victoria Facebook group debating whether they were part of Halloween decorations or belonged to a dead animal. (Courtesy of Tracy Mildenberger)

Halloween decor or raccoon no more: Mystery feet stimulate Victoria debate

Comical comment section demanded answers about what was protruding from a pile of leaves

Feet protruding from a pile of leaves had a Victoria Facebook group debating whether they were part of Halloween decorations or belonged to a dead animal. (Courtesy of Tracy Mildenberger)