vancouverisland

The Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps. Opening Aug. 14 at the Royal BC Museum, Hope Meets Action: Echoes Through the Black Continuum highlights the contributions of Black leaders whose actions echo across the centuries. Photo courtesy BC Archives

New Royal BC Museum pocket gallery exhibition reclaims BC Black history

At a time when many British Columbians are already re-examining the province’s…

  • Aug 4, 2021
The Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps. Opening Aug. 14 at the Royal BC Museum, Hope Meets Action: Echoes Through the Black Continuum highlights the contributions of Black leaders whose actions echo across the centuries. Photo courtesy BC Archives
Dr. Mike Benusic, medical health officer for central Vancouver Island. (Photo submitted by Island Health)

PQBeat: Island Health’s Dr. Mike Benusic discusses impact of COVID-19 vaccinations

Podcast: Medical health officer shares thoughts on pandemic

Dr. Mike Benusic, medical health officer for central Vancouver Island. (Photo submitted by Island Health)
Black Press photojournalist and movie director Arnold Lim. (Submitted photo)

PQBeat: Black Press photojournalist Arnold Lim covers the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Podcast: Chat includes things to do while quarantining and Lim’s movie ‘All-in Madonna’

Black Press photojournalist and movie director Arnold Lim. (Submitted photo)
Three electoral areas of the northern part of Vancouver Island. Photo courtesy Elections BC

2020 voter turnout second highest in B.C.’s history

53.93 per cent turnout in North Island riding

Three electoral areas of the northern part of Vancouver Island. Photo courtesy Elections BC
Retired RCMP Staff Sgt. Dale Djos was in Port Alberni on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 to receive a Commanding Officer’s Commendation, presented by Port Alberni RCMP Inspector Eric Rochette, left. Retired journalist Shayne Morrow, right, wrote a book titled The Bulldog and the Helix about Djos’s efforts to solve a pair of murders in the city. Djos was one of three people to receive similar awards. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Island RCMP officers honoured for roles in solving high-profile cold case murders

Carolyn Lee and Jessica States murders happened 20 years apart in Port Alberni

Retired RCMP Staff Sgt. Dale Djos was in Port Alberni on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 to receive a Commanding Officer’s Commendation, presented by Port Alberni RCMP Inspector Eric Rochette, left. Retired journalist Shayne Morrow, right, wrote a book titled The Bulldog and the Helix about Djos’s efforts to solve a pair of murders in the city. Djos was one of three people to receive similar awards. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Thea VanHerwaarden of Comox. (Photo supplied)

PQBeat: Chat with Vancouver Island’s ‘master chef’ Thea VanHerwaarden

Podcast: Talk includes an early introduction to food, time on TV and future plans

Thea VanHerwaarden of Comox. (Photo supplied)
The Morningstar Golf Club has turned things around since going into receivership in 2018 and successfully staged its first major tournament, the B.C. Junior Golf Championships ,with member Gavyn Knight clinching the crown in June. (Michael Briones photo)

Former ownership group buys back Morningstar Golf Club on Vancouver Island

Parksville course on the upswing since going into receivership in 2018

The Morningstar Golf Club has turned things around since going into receivership in 2018 and successfully staged its first major tournament, the B.C. Junior Golf Championships ,with member Gavyn Knight clinching the crown in June. (Michael Briones photo)
Left, Harold Mortimer Lamb, Emily Carr in her studio, c.1939 (1980.087.003). Right, Emily Carr, Totem Walk at Sitka, 1907 (1994.055.004)

New Art Gallery of Greater Victoria exhibition explores work of Emily Carr

Seeing and Being Seen continues through July 2022

Left, Harold Mortimer Lamb, Emily Carr in her studio, c.1939 (1980.087.003). Right, Emily Carr, Totem Walk at Sitka, 1907 (1994.055.004)
A common wall lizard captured on a Victoria street. July 15, 2021 (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Invasive lizard population spreads across Vancouver Island

Even record-breaking heat didn’t diminish European wall lizard population

A common wall lizard captured on a Victoria street. July 15, 2021 (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
The rare white raven continues to be nursed back to health at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington. (Michael Briones photo)
The rare white raven continues to be nursed back to health at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington. (Michael Briones photo)
The WSANEC leadership council is in the beginning stages of setting up a program to monitor southern resident killer whales. (AP file photo/Elaine Thompson)

WSANEC leadership council announces orca monitoring program

Program hopes to build knowledge, restore traditional relationship with the whales

The WSANEC leadership council is in the beginning stages of setting up a program to monitor southern resident killer whales. (AP file photo/Elaine Thompson)
Rising fuel prices will see ferry customers receive a reduced fuel rebate beginning Aug. 1, BC Ferries says. (Black Press file photo)

BC Ferries: Soaring price of gas means reduction in fuel rebates for customers

Cost increase of 30 cents for vehicles on Metro Vancouver-Island routes as of Aug. 1

Rising fuel prices will see ferry customers receive a reduced fuel rebate beginning Aug. 1, BC Ferries says. (Black Press file photo)
St. Michael’s residential school before it was torn down in 2015. (File photo)

B.C. First Nation to search for unmarked residential school burial grounds in Alert Bay

On Vancouver Island, there are 202 children known to have died at 5 schools

St. Michael’s residential school before it was torn down in 2015. (File photo)
Bill Flower visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (PQB News file photo)

PQBeat: How Vancouver Island golfers can beat the heat

Podcast: Instructor Bill Flower shares thoughts on pandemic, area courses and more

  • Jul 12, 2021
Bill Flower visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (PQB News file photo)
Cameron Thompson was seriously injured while swimming in the Puntledge River July 3. Photo via Facebook

Young man paralyzed after diving mishap on Puntledge River in Courtenay

A typical Saturday of fun on the Puntledge River went horribly wrong…

Cameron Thompson was seriously injured while swimming in the Puntledge River July 3. Photo via Facebook
Blain Sepos, executive director of the Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism Association, visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (Peter McCully photo)

PQBeat: Catching up with Blain Sepos of the Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism Association

Podcast: Chat includes COVID-19, tourism’s huge impact on the PQB/Island economy and more

Blain Sepos, executive director of the Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism Association, visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (Peter McCully photo)
The Island Corridor Foundation wants to restore train service from Victoria to Courtenay. Scott Stanfield photo

Foundation presents case to restore rail service from Victoria to Courtenay

Courtenay directors question feasibility of ICF proposal

The Island Corridor Foundation wants to restore train service from Victoria to Courtenay. Scott Stanfield photo
Operation Freedom Paws Canada, in partnership with Pauliina Saarinen Photography, has announced the 2022 Calendar Contest featuring Vancouver Island Dogs, and they are looking for submissions. Photo courtesy pauliinasaarinen.com

Vancouver Island dog calendar seeking submissions for fundraising initiative

Contest will raise funds for Operation Freedom Paws Canada

Operation Freedom Paws Canada, in partnership with Pauliina Saarinen Photography, has announced the 2022 Calendar Contest featuring Vancouver Island Dogs, and they are looking for submissions. Photo courtesy pauliinasaarinen.com
The 1946 earthquake severely damaged Comox Road. Photo donated by the late Eileen Turnbull, former Town of Comox clerk and council member. Courtesy of Comox Archives & Museum

The day the Island shook: Vancouver Island rocked by earthquake 75 years ago today

7.3 earthquake knocked down 75 per cent of chimneys in Cumberland, Union Bay and Courtenay

The 1946 earthquake severely damaged Comox Road. Photo donated by the late Eileen Turnbull, former Town of Comox clerk and council member. Courtesy of Comox Archives & Museum
This map outlines the area affected by the open burning prohibition. Via Coastal Fire Centre

Vancouver Island open fire prohibition takes effect June 23

Ban applies to both public and private land, includes fireworks

This map outlines the area affected by the open burning prohibition. Via Coastal Fire Centre