Sign In Subscribe Now The Strathcona Regional District is informing residents of Northern Area D that Stage 1 water restrictions are now in effect.  Stage 1 runs from May 1 to June 30 and Sept The watering schedule for the electoral district from Ocean Grove Road to Vaughn Road includes even-numbered addresses can water on Tuesday and Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses can water on Wednesday READ ALSO: Stage 1 water restrictions in Campbell River begin May 1 The regional district says residents may water at any time using a hand-held hose equipped with an auto shut-off feature or when utilizing micro/drip irrigation Learn more at srd.ca/services/water/sprinkling-restrictions Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines I was so disappointed that the Chamber was a victim of political skulduggery on April 22 before the Federal election as the all-candidates meeting was cancelled While this is old news and the election is over it is important to emphasize the positive contribution that the Chamber of Commerce provides to this community by holding these debates I have always attended these Chamber political debates and found them always giving an equal opportunity to all candidates provincial or federal level to present their positions on issues affecting our citizens When I attended on April 22, I saw three silent senior citizens with signs silently protesting one candidate. I was stunned to hear that the event was cancelled because of "violent protesters" I guess that the "violent protesters" were tipped off that the debate was cancelled as I didn't encounter any "violent protesters" The fact that the event chair resigned after the cancellation trying to defend an indefensible position comes after the damage was done. It is curious that he only mentions Mr Gunn as planning to attend while he didn't mention any other candidates. Interesting The irony is that the Conservative was on the road to victory without his no show.  I trust that in future when these events are scheduled our community is given an opportunity to hear all candidates Cole Reschny and Keaton Verhoeff didn’t just show up – they showed out The pair of Victoria Royals standouts made a clear impact on the world stage this weekend helping Canada claim gold at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship in stunning fashion The golden moment for 🇨🇦’s 26 CHLers at the #U18MensWorlds! 🥇 pic.twitter.com/uDegbvKAWW With a 7–0 rout of Sweden in Saturday’s final Canada capped off an undefeated run and secured back-to-back U18 titles for the first time in program history The Canadians were relentless from puck drop to final buzzer controlling play from start to finish and outshooting the Swedes 42–28 Canadian goaltender Jack Ivankovic stopped every shot he faced notching his second shutout of the tournament and anchoring a complete team effort that saw 14 skaters register at least one point It was a gold medal game that left no doubt with six different players finding the back of the net Xavier Villeneuve opened the scoring just over four minutes in and precision overwhelmed a Swedish team that has medalled in seven straight tournaments but looked overmatched in every zone on this night Few players left a bigger mark than Reschny and Verhoeff Both joined Team Canada after the Royals were eliminated by Spokane in the second round of the WHL playoffs and both wasted little time proving they belonged Their performances not only helped secure gold but likely earned them serious consideration for spots at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minneapolis and St Paul – the biggest stage in the world for under-20 players wore an ‘A’ on his sweater just as he does in Victoria and played a key leadership role he still racked up five goals and three assists in six appearances finishing with a +8 rating and tying for 11th in tournament scoring He was named one of Canada’s top three players alongside Ivankovic and Seattle Thunderbirds forward Braeden Cootes "It was very special to win with a very special group We knew what we had in mind when we came to this tournament and to be able to do that is pretty special," Reschny said I think (Sweden) thought it was going to be a bit easier than it was the youngest player on Canada’s roster at just 16 The smooth-skating blueliner finished with five points in five games – a goal and four assists – and a +6 rating while logging steady Head coach Cory Stillman praised the group for their progression and composure crediting their gold-medal performance as their best of the tournament “It’s been a long season for these guys and you always want to finish the season with a championship with your club team you get to represent your country and that’s pretty special Tonight was the best game we played and we came out winners.” Canada’s path to gold included wins over Slovakia They edged Czechia 3-2 in overtime in the quarterfinals and blanked Slovakia 4-0 in the semis to reach the final along with one silver and four bronze medals But few will shine quite like this one – not just because they won slid by Slovakia 4-3 as they claimed a medal in their fourth straight tournament.  and receive top headlines in your inbox Monday to Saturday The province has put out a second call for energy sources with an aim to power 500,000 new homes.  Energy Minister Adrian Dix and BC Hydro CEO Chris O'Riley were among the speakers in Victoria Monday (May 5) for the announcement It followed B.C.'s first call out for new energy sources in April 2024 – the first call for power in 15 years – that resulted in 10 new renewable-energy projects Dix said Monday's announcement had five key elements firstly launching the second call for power for a target of up to 5,000 gigawatt-hours per year of energy from large Innovative Clean Energy fund for a three-year call for new made-in-B.C. clean-energy technologies that will combat climate change and create sustainable jobs It also included exploring B.C.'s "power potential" through a request for expressions of interest for projects to deliver for peak demand periods and to provide back-up intermittent energy resources and partnering with innovators  to deliver market-ready demand-side management technologies that help people and businesses save energy and money "We're expecting this call to be equivalent to the first call of power in terms of gigawatt hours a call for power that will be slightly different than the previous one in that there will be no limits on individual projects," Dix said.  the announcement also included "streamlining connections to B.C.'s grid to enable new homes and businesses to access clean electricity faster and less expensively." BC Hydro CEO Chris O'Riley said the Crown corporation remains focused on expanding B.C.'s electricity system to meet demand while also "ensuring security The 2024 call for power is expected to power 500,000 homes and increase electricity supply by eight per cent with the projects representing up to $6 billion in private capital spending throughout B.C. the Energy Ministry said in the news release Nearly all of the 2024 projects have First Nations majority ownership the executive director of Clean Energy Association of B.C. but all over Canada that First Nations are leading the clean-energy transition.  she built one of the first clean energy projects that were led by First Nations at a time when there was not very many." after the first call for power in 2024, First Nations are the proponents of these utility-scale projects Sign up for free account today and start receiving our exclusive newsletters Veterans Affairs Canada is marking the anniversary and the end of the Second World War with local Canada’s role in the Liberation of the Netherlands from the fall of 1944 to the spring of 1945 stands as one of its most recognized contributions during WW2 with nearly 175,000 Canadians involved in the effort Canadians and Allied soldiers accepted the surrender of the remaining German forces in the Netherlands will assemble at the legion parking lot at 5:45pm with a parade to the Cenotaph beginning at 6:10pm Canadians and sailors from coast to coast to coast  commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic It ensured that reinforcements and supplies made it to Europe The word "éy7á7juuthem" means “Language of our People” and is the ancestral tongue of the Homalco, Tla’amin, Klahoose and K’ómoks First Nations with dialectic differences in each community It is pronounced "eye-ya-jooth-hem." Vancouver Island officials are reminding the public not to leave animals behind in cars.  This warning comes from the Oak Bay Police Department after they received a report of two dogs locked inside a vehicle parked in the 2500 block of Estevan Avenue on April 24.  “Police attended and saw that the dogs inside the car appeared to be overheating,” Oak Bay PD said in a news release “Just prior to police taking action to assist the dogs the owner walked up and apologized for leaving them in the vehicle.”  Leaving animals in hot cars can put them at risk "Harmful and even life-threatening effects can occur in a short time," the non-profit says on its website. "Dogs can’t release heat by sweating so their internal body temperature rises more quickly." The Independent Investigations Office of B.C (IIO) has opened an investigation into the Comox Valley RCMP after a motor vehicle incident sent one man to hospital According to a case report published by the IIO an officer was driving an unmarked police SUV the officer was involved in a collision with an unrelated vehicle The car crash occurred at the intersection of Piercy Avenue and 26 Street The IIO states that the officer continued driving to the initial service call but later returned to the collision scene and spoke to the man who had been driving the other vehicle The RCMP reported this separately to the IIO The man who was driving the other vehicle was taken by ambulance to the hospital for assessment and is now investigating," the report says There are two factors that the IIO takes into account at the beginning of each investigation: 1. If there has been an injury that meets the threshold of serious harm If there is a connection between the serious harm/death and police action or inaction "serious harm" is defined as  "injury that may result in death may cause serious disfigurement or may cause substantial loss or impairment of mobility of the body as a whole or of the function of any limb or organ." "When a notification from police is received the on-call Director or the Chief Civilian Director will determine whether a case is within the jurisdiction of the IIO If it is not immediately apparent if the injuries meet the threshold to be considered serious harm initial investigative steps will seek to determine this," the IIO website says If there is a connection to police action or inaction and the person’s serious harm or death the chief civilian director will determine if there are reasonable grounds to believe an offence has been committed Three Vancouver Giants won gold with Team Canada on Saturday at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship Cameron Schmidt, Ryan Lin and Burke Hood all had ice time in the series with Schmidt finishing the tournament with four points (2G-2A) and 22 shots on goal in seven games while Lin – who was one of five underagers on Canada and is eligible for next year’s tournament – recorded two points (1G-1A) and was +8 in seven games Hood played in pre-tournament action during his first time representing Canada internationally It marks the first time Canada has won U18 gold in consecutive years and it is also the seventh year in a row for a medal for Sweden Canada was in control for the entirety of Saturday’s gold medal game three in the second and two more in the third "We had a plan to get pucks in and to the net," said coach Cory Stillman of getting pucks back to the defencemen who got shots on net We had some big bodies that went to the net We built some momentum and eventually created some scoring chances and capitalized." This is the third time Schmidt has won a gold medal representing Canada after also winning at the 2023 U17 World Hockey Challenge with Canada White (where he scored the golden goal) and at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup This is the second time Lin has won a gold medal representing Canada after finishing first at the 2024 U17 World Hockey Challenge with Canada White Lin also played for Canada at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games and identified as belonging to missing Maple Ridge woman Rebecca Harbowy The Ridge Meadows RCMP reported Friday morning The 36-year-old left Ridge Meadows Hospital on Nov early into detoxing from drug use. Her family has been critical of the hospital letting her leave the facility on her own She was last seen walking east on the Haney Bypass at Burnett Street in Maple Ridge at approximately 2:05 a.m Police released few details about the discovery of the remains The family told The News it was in a forested area Distraught mother Debbie Harbowy is hopeful that an intense search of the area will lead to Rebecca Police have searched the area since the remains were discovered in early April The family is unsure where a search would be but plan to appeal to police for more information "I always felt in my heart she had passed away because she hadn't contacted me," said Debbie Rebecca's sister Rachel Bertoia posted videos on social media informing those who have tried to assist in finding Rebecca and those who have been following the missing woman's case She said there is a memorial at the 7-Eleven at the corner of Lougheed Highway and Haney Bypass where there is a missing person sign the family posted I think it would be really lovely for my mom to have people drop off flowers to her sign there," said Bertoia.  "I would love for my mom to be able to see the love and support that I know that we have felt." "I can't imagine being a mom losing a kid." Rebecca was about eight hours into what doctors advised would be a three-day stay but early the next morning she walked away Her family believes she was confused and disoriented She lived with her parents in the Yennadon area Debbie had been sitting with her daughter until midnight she got a call from the hospital that her daughter had left driving the streets of Maple Ridge for hours the family canvassed people in the hospital neighbourhood and searched the area They obtained video showing Rebecca walking down River Road eastbound near the Port Haney West Coast Express station at 1:46 a.m A tipster saw a woman matching Rebecca’s description walking on the Haney Bypass at approximately 2 a.m Another video showed her on the Haney Bypass at Burnett Street at 2:05 a.m. A man said he almost hit a woman walking on Lougheed Highway near 240 Street but the description of the woman having her hair up in a bun matched they have learned nothing more about Rebecca's movements Police and searchers combed roadsides and the edge of the Fraser River Police say this continues to be an active investigation and anyone with information which could help the Ridge Meadows RCMP you are encouraged to call the Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604-463-6251 and refer to File # 2023-23402 The RCMP extended condolences to the family and friends of Rebecca Harbowy community partners and volunteers for their assistance with this investigation thus far For Lewis Nguyen, a real estate lawyer with CR Lawyers LLP in Campbell River the path to a fulfilling legal career wasn’t always clear “I didn’t have much direction when I was younger,” says Nguyen who was born in Vancouver and raised in Surrey “But I loved reading and I enjoyed learning – somehow His initial steps into law were admittedly tentative I didn’t know much about the law going into school – my understanding was based mostly on TV shows,” Nguyen laughs Landing his first job in real estate law “was just luck,” he says I can’t imagine practicing anything else now.” After building his career in the Lower Mainland and spending a few years in the Okanagan Nguyen was drawn to Vancouver Island by a desire for change “From my very first phone call with one of the partners They made it clear they wanted me to be part of the team,  and that really mattered.” Nguyen has now been with CR Lawyers for two years “What I appreciate most is the camaraderie and mutual respect here,” he says “Everyone – from lawyers to support staff – contributes something essential Though he had only spent a single afternoon in Campbell River before relocating “I’ve moved around enough to know I can adapt anywhere but living and working in Campbell River has been truly ideal,” Nguyen says What continues to inspire him after more than two decades in law is the tangible impact of his work “Buying a home is a huge milestone for many people To be part of that journey is incredibly rewarding,” he says “I also enjoy the structure — I’m a big fan of checklists and this area of law is full of them,” he adds with a smile Nguyen offers this advice: “It’s not about being a great arguer learning and understanding that law is a team effort you’ll find a place – like I did – where you truly belong.” The mayors of North Cowichan and Nanaimo are urging the province to increase the amount of timber that can be harvested annually in the province In a letter to Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas and Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog said that despite its recent struggles the forest industry continues to be a major part of the local economies of both municipalities providing high-paying jobs while contributing millions of dollars in taxes every year that help pay for municipal services and build critical infrastructure the Domtar pulp mill in Crofton and the Western Forest Products sawmills and remanufacturing plant in Cowichan Bay and Chemainus employ 655 workers and contribute $7.7 million per year in property taxes while Nanaimo’s Harmac Pacific mill has 350 employees and contributed more than $2.3 million in property taxes in 2024 But they said that in the face of softwood lumber duties and the declining annual-allowable cut in the amount of timber that is permitted to be harvested in B.C. they are increasingly concerned about these companies' ability to continue operating The mayors point out that while softwood-lumber duties and tariffs are beyond Parmar’s ability to control setting the annual allowable harvest is a responsibility of his ministry They said the province’s budget for 2025 projects that only 30 million cubic metres of timber will be allowed to be harvested on Crown land this year further declining to 29 million cubic metres by 2027 while more than 60 million cubic metres were allowed to be harvested in 2024 Douglas said the effects of the fibre shortage are already being felt in North Cowichan where Western Forests Products has announced a two-week shutdown in March and April due to a lack of timber “Your mandate letter from Premier David Eby includes as a priority to ‘work with all partners toward ensuring a sustainable land base to enable harvest of 45-million cubic metres per year while fulfilling our commitment to protect old growth’,” the mayors said to Parmar “We want the government to commit to the promised allowable cut of 45 million cubic metres for 2025 and maintain these levels for future years We anticipate a continued decline in volume harvested compounded with softwood lumber duties and U.S will potentially devastate the forest industry and result in the closure of more mills meaning communities like ours will lose family-supporting jobs and major taxpayers exacerbating the already high cost of living that our residents are facing.” The mayors also said they want to see the province’s permit and regulatory processes for timber harvesting streamlined “Your government has made commitments to fast-track approvals for the housing and mining sectors and we would like to see a similar approach to timber harvesting with metrics to allow the government and industry to measure success,” they said to Parmar “The backlog of cutting permits and the performance of BC Timber Sales are major concerns These issues reduce the overall wood availability for sawmills and impact the supply of residual chips which are vital for the operations of our pulp and paper mills Prompt resolution of these issues is critical for maintaining a steady log flow.” The fire grew to 80 hectares but BCWS is classifying the fire as being held meaning it is not expected to spread further.  Fraser-Fort George has rescinded the evacuation order and alert put in place due to the fire The regional district of Fraser Fort George issued an evacuation alert for properties north of Hixon.  The fire's behaviour has subsided since sunset last night and with windy conditions there is still risk Wildfire crews are continuing to battle the fire and protect infrastructure While BCWS says there is no risk to the highway at this time they are asking that those travelling on the highway do not stop to look at the fire The wildfire near Hixon is now estimated to be 70 hectares Friday evening Prince George Fire Centre lists the fire as out of control and says it measures 45 hectares and was human-caused.  When Victoria resident Charles Ross is up on stage at St From Chewbacca's roar to Han Solo's cynical charm Ross single-handedly re-enacts the original Star Wars trilogy over an hour but I'm able to make fun of my voice," Ross told Victoria News Since Ross premiered One Man Star Wars Trilogy in Toronto in 2001 he's been given legal approval from George Lucas including on NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien And he's achieved success with the barest of bones production. It's just Ross on stage with no set or costumes: just him in his coveralls "Because it allows me to throw myself everywhere .. I sweat like crazy and I'm sort of like the blank canvas where I'm using my body my voice and people's imagination really to be all the things I need to be." who took UVic's Phoenix Theatre program back in the day began his relationship with Star Wars when he was an 11-year-old farm kid growing up in Prince George With no satellite dish and only a few movies to watch he ended up watching the first Star Wars over and over – and over – again all those hours spent watching became useful he's not just reciting the film word for word – he estimates the show is about 25 per cent improv he said the audience tends to be very interactive creating a strong performer-audience relationship "Sometimes you get people who just feel like they can randomly call out because the show is unorthodox It's not a fourth wall kind of production where the lights go down It kind of invites whatever kind of energy is coming at it." Performing his production around the globe he said the tale is experienced differently based on cultural context but his knowledge of the films is like having a "passport of reference" that unites him with people What he loves most about Star Wars is "just how simple the stories are." "You just imagine being Luke; you're just a kid who's on a farm who has adventure come to the front door and you can imagine having a power to affect the world to stop evil it's amazing to think that no matter what station you're in in life or how far away you are from a powerful position that you might actually have all the power that's necessary to affect social change and to change your life." Ross will perform One Man Star Wars Trilogy May 4 from 2-3:30 p.m. at St. Ann's Academy at 835 Humboldt St. Tickets are $25 via Eventbrite It’s important to take time to stop and smell the flowers such as the ones that have been blossoming at Nanaimo's Bowen Park every spring for 50 years The Nanaimo Rhododendron Society is holding a special event this weekend to invite community members to the park's Hailey Rhododendron Grove More than 350 rhododendron plants have burst into blossom each spring since 1975 when Ellen Hailey donated her collection of 350 rhododendron plants to the City of Nanaimo soon after the death of her husband Alfred The Haileys were founding members of the Vancouver chapter of the American Rhododendron Society in the 1950s The Nanaimo chapter of the society formed in 1992 became involved with the Hailey collection and in 1994 adopted the grove as a part of the city’s Partners in Parks program It helped that the parks director at the time was a member of the club The group set out to map the garden and to identify the plants as most were not tagged by the Haileys The club became less involved with the grove until 2019 when the link was revived and today a small dedicated group of volunteers work to remove the many invasive plants that compromise the collection The grove is in flower from late February until early July but the height of the bloom is from mid April to mid May Many of the rhodos in the grove are hybrids and some are thought to be one of a kind and some are between 60 to 70 years old.  Rhodo varieties have a broad size range “There are more than 1,000 varieties of rhodos that range in size some being able to hold in your hand to more than 50 feet tall,” said Deborah Francis who oversees work at the grove for the club Francis and Cadwaladr said blooming in the grove is a little behind where it would usually be at this time of year.  just given the cold snap of weather that we had,” Francis said “Some of the bud got frozen because we were developing bud at that point.” Members of the Nanaimo Rhododendron Society invite community members to explore the grove with them Saturday starting at the Bowen Park tennis court Rhodo society members are active in the community with events including work parties at the rhododendron grove and monthly meetings with guest presenters support charity, and maintain an active association with Vancouver Island University’s Milner Gardens and Woodland Yearly events include garden tours and social activities and the annual Truss Show and Plant Sale which will happen on May 10 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m This year’s sale will have rhododendrons and more with enough exciting new and returning vendors to fill up the hall “This year there’s going to be lots of rhododendrons for sale some of whom are really quite expert at rhododendrons,” Cadwaladr said Sign up below for unlimited digital access for 30 days receive our daily news alerts & breaking news City of Campbell River crews will be working on road maintenance and paving preparations on Nursery Road between Duncan Bay Main and 905 Nursery Road Follow all traffic controls in place and expect traffic delays Commuters are encouraged to avoid this route contact dogwood.centre@campbellriver.ca or 250-286-4033 Enjoying Reading The Campbell River Mirror Enter your email to connect to 30 more days worth of stories by journalists living & working in Campbell River Thank you for supporting local journalism This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Island Health is asking for people’s patience with health-care providers at Cowichan District Hospital as a new fully computerized system for health records is installed The health authority said that learning the new system while providing front-line health care at the hospital will be a new challenge for hospital workers at CDH “We ask that you show your health team patience and kindness as they adapt to this new system,” Island Health said we are taking another step forward in providing safe consistent patient care to all the people we serve.” Cowichan District Hospital is the first community hospital on Vancouver Island to become fully active in the electronic health-record system following the successful implementation of the new system at Royal Jubilee and Victoria hospitals in 2024 "The significant investments we are making in the new system will benefit patients in several ways including creating a more efficient and safe healthcare experience and making comprehensive patient information available to the entire care team in real time,” Island Health said The health authority said the CDH’s emergency department and the hospital will continue to be available for those who need emergent pediatric maternity and medical attention during the transition to best support hospital workers at CDH as they work through this change Island Health is asking people to explore all the community-based services that are available to help them manage their health and prevent unnecessary hospital visits Island Health is encouraging patients where possible during the transition to use urgent and primary care clinics at the Chemainus Health Care Centre or the Ladysmith Community Health Centre and to dial 811 to reach HealthLink BC 24/7 for health information or advice from a trained professional “The improvement to patient care would not be possible without the dedication and skill of our healthcare professionals,” Island Health said “We are deeply appreciative of their commitment and hard work to bring the best patient care to the people of our community.” No One Else Covers Campbell River Like The Campbell River Mirror Don’t miss out on reading the latest local provincial and national news. Join our community and receive daily news alerts & breaking news A pair of Victoria hotels take the top two positions in the  2025 TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Awards – an honour that places them among the top one per cent of accommodations worldwide up from it second-place finish on the coveted list last year “Travellers' Choice is one of the most recognized and coveted awards in the travel space and it is truly valuable to us,” the hotel said in a social media post “This achievement would not have been possible without our dedicated staff whose hard work and passion have made this a reality We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our visitors and reviewers – your support and feedback inspire us to continue creating unforgettable experiences.” Tripadvisor calls Abigail's Hotel “a charming luxurious spot with a convenient location close to Victoria's Inner Harbour.” blends the romance of the past with modern comforts including high-end amenities Second place position on the “best of the best” list this year is held by Victoria neighbour Magnolia Hotel and Spa “This recognition is a reflection of the care and commitment our team brings to the guest experience every day,” general manager Bill Lewis said in a media release “We’re incredibly proud of our staff for their commitment and dedication and of our local ownership that has fostered a culture of excellence.” The hotel features 64 rooms and is known for its focus on service As a 100 per cent Vancouver Island-owned property Magnolia Hotel and Spa is committed to showcasing local artisans producers and experiences through its collection of curated trail maps.  In addition to this latest Tripadvisor award Magnolia Hotel and Spa was recognized in late 2024 with a Michelin One Key a distinction given to hotels offering a stay of notable character and quality It is also the only Vancouver Island hotel to be named to the Travel and Leisure 500 list for two consecutive years (2023 Spots three and four on the list were occupied by a pair of Vancouver establishments: the Wedgewood Hotel and Spa and the Loden Hotel Vancouver's Exchange Hotel slotted at number 6 and the Okanagan's Summerland Waterfront Resort & Spa was number 8 to round out B.C.'s contributions to the top 10 two resorts were also included in the Tripadvisor listings Summerland Waterfront Resort and Spa took the eighth-place spot while Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos was ranked 11th.  Summerland Waterfront Resort and Spa received the Travelers’ Choice Award and Best of the Best Award and was named one of the Top 25 Hotels in Canada “We are beyond honoured to be recognized with these three prestigious Tripadvisor awards,” said Lisa Jaager “To be named among the top hotels in the country — and in the world — means that our guests see and appreciate the care our team puts into every stay.” A social media post from Watermark Beach Resort thanked visitors who left 4.9-star reviews on Tripadvisor We look forward to another amazing year ahead,” the post stated The Travellers’ Choice Awards are issued to those who receive a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community over a 12-month period fewer than one per cent achieve this milestone Find the full list at a tripadvisor.ca President Donald Trump says he's directed his government to "immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff" on any non-U.S In a post to his Truth Social on Sunday (May 4) Trump said the movie industry in the United States is "DYING a very fast death." He said countries are offering "all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States," adding that Hollywood and other areas within the country are "being devastated Join thousands of other like-minded readers and sign up below to gain immediate & unlimited access to our news for the next 30 days – plus start receiving our newsletters The City of Port Alberni will have to replace the ice chiller at the Alberni Valley Multiplex just six years after they spent thousands of dollars to install it And a replacement could cost as much as $600,000 The chiller suffered its second "catastrophic failure" in six years on April 13 and after an ammonia leak was detected the chiller was shut down and the Multiplex was closed Victoria firefighters thwarted a severed gas line spewing fire at a home near Quadra Village on Friday (May 2) afternoon Victoria Fire Department was called out to a home on Blackwood Street for reports of a natural gas smell upgraded to a residential structure fire before crews even left the hall immediately noted heat waves and heard “jet-like sounds” from a gas leak that had ignited With no ordinary combustible materials involved Firefighters immediately secured a water source while simultaneously deploying hand lines and applying water to the home to prevent it from catching fire “A one-inch high-pressure natural gas line was acting like a blowtorch aimed directly at the house,” the department said allowing an unimpeded flow of natural gas directly toward the Blackwood Street residence It is unclear what initially ignited the gas A post shared by Victoria Firefighters Association (@victoriafire730) crews also monitored the house for water exposure setting up water diversion to avoid basement flooding to prevent runoff-related damage,” the post reads Fortis BC arrived within 15 minutes but shutting down a line takes time so fire crews continued cooling exposures with hose lines and allowed the gas to burn for roughly 1.5 hours until additional Fortis crews arrived on scene The natural gas team located the underground gas main and dug access to clamp the main An Instagram influencer known for producing outdoor-related content was sentenced on May 1 at the Yukon Territorial Court for illegally hunting three bears and obtaining Yukon hunting licences using misleading information between October 2022 and May 2023 relate to offences committed under the Yukon Wildlife Act A business has reported losing $162,000 in a digital SIM card swap fraud as scams continue to impact the Parksville Qualicum Beach area was reported on March 31 and appears to be a sophisticated account hacking where the victim did not engage or initiate in any activity with any fraudsters Scale Institute is set to host the Connect Money Impact (CMI) event in Campbell River on May 8 at the Maritime Heritage Centre This dynamic gathering will convene social entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders from Vancouver Island and the Coast to foster learning and connection around pressing local challenges and opportunities The CMI event aims to increase awareness of impact investing approaches strengthen the local impact investing ecosystem and connect promising projects with vital resources Award-winning Early Years Council asked School District 72 to reinstate the Campbell River Children's Charter during the public school board meeting on April 29 Anne Boyd and Brenda Wagman shared Campbell River was awarded the Janusz Korczak Medal for Children's Rights Advocacy due to the Early Year's Council developing the Campbell River Children's Charter in partnership with SD72 and the City of Campbell River.  "The medal is awarded by the Janusz Korczak Association of Canada in partnership with the BC Representative for Children and Youth," said Wagman. "It teacher coordinator, gave a presentation to the School District 72 board on the intention behind the district's curriculum and using student-centred practices.  We have a curriculum designed to create skills our society needs more than ever right now," said Friedrich "My role is one small part of a larger effort to advance this strategic plan The City of Campbell River has awarded the curbside collection contract for trash The ongoing partnership with Emterra Environmental will last for the next decade allowing the city to shift from manual to automated curbside collection services This automated system employs trucks equipped with mechanical arms to pick up and empty standardized bins set out at the curb A structure fire broke out in a building on Highway 19A closing a section of the road until late in the evening on Saturday (April 5) in Campbell River.  Significant damage to one business, Artisan Kitchens at 1661 Island Highway was clearly visible on Saturday evening as fire crews continued to douse the flames There was also significant damage to two apartments on the second floor Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and 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Or sign-in if you have an account Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience Mounties in Richmond are seeking witnesses to an alleged attempted kidnapping Monday that investigators believe was targeted Richmond RCMP said that shortly after 4:15 p.m they received a report from a woman who said she was at a local sports facility in the 4300-block of No 3 Road when she was approached by three men Police say the woman told them one of the men was wearing an item marked with police and carrying a portable radio The woman told police a struggle ensued but she broke free Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The suspects then left the area in a black Jeep Cherokee with an Alberta licence plate, RCMP said. At about 10 p.m., the black Cherokee was found on fire in the 13000-block of Vulcan Way. Richmond RCMP is looking for anyone who was in the area of the 4300-block of No. 3 Road between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., or in the area of the 13000-block of Vulcan Way, between 4 and 6 p.m., as well as between 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. In particular, police are seeking two possible witnesses shown in security footage photographs released by RCMP on Thursday. The first witness is described by police as Asian, wearing a black jacket, blue shirt, white pants, white running shoes and carrying a white and black umbrella. The second witness was wearing a grey jacket, grey pants, white running shoes, black glasses and carrying a pink purse. Anyone with information is asked to contact Richmond RCMP. The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit is taking over a missing person case in Campbell River that is now considered suspicious. Kolby Sinclair, 30, was reported missing on March 22 and was last seen on March 8. Investigators say he hasn’t been in touch with his family, which is out of character. On Thursday, Campbell River RCMP said investigators confirmed the circumstances around Sinclair’s disappearance are suspicious and that the major crime unit was taking over the case. Anyone with information about Sinclair’s disappearance or whereabouts are asked to contact police at 250-380-6161. transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy You can manage saved articles in your account The Strathcona Regional District has unveiled the Active Transportation Network Plan for Electoral Area C highlighting issues like obstacles to walking and biking as well as the need for better connections throughout Quadra Island Created with input from local community members the plan lays out a long-term strategy for a network complete with actionable steps to steer future investments in active transportation infrastructure A Port Alberni artist will have her work exhibited at an upcoming show in the United States Painter Rose Kamma Morrison is an artist with vision loss. Four of her recent paintings have been selected for the Passionate Focus art exhibit in Chicago An art auction will take place on the same day NDP candidate Tanille Johnston came in second place with 26,357 votes while Liberal candidate Jennifer Lash is in third with 21,045 votes Green Party's Jessica Wegg received 1,558 votes followed by Paul Macknight from the People's Party of Canada with 341 votes and Independent candidate Glen Staples with 156 votes Think about the “magic of Disney” and what's sure to come to mind is the music and there’s been no shortage of memorable characters brought to life in the more than 130 Disney movies we’ve grown to love but whether your particular most beloved character is Snow White’s Dopey or Stich from Lilo and Stich the throughline for all the greatest films has been the music The disappearance of 30-year-old Kolby Sinclair has been deemed suspicious and the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit has taken over the investigation The RCMP previously reported Sinclair missing on March 22 He was believed to have been last seen on March 8 and has failed to keep in touch with his family The police said at the time that it was "out of character for him."  READ ALSO: Campbell River RCMP seek public's help to find 30-year-old man Sinclair is described as having brown hair and blue eyes It is not known what clothing he was wearing when he disappeared Oshan Marie Lazuk, has been sharing information about her brother on Facebook since his disappearance she urged anyone who may have information to step forward "No family should ever have to go through this," she wrote "It is unacceptable that we are still waiting for the answers and closure we deserve (...) Even the smallest detail could help community members, the investigators and police officers for their tireless work If you have any information about Kolby Sinclair’s disappearance or whereabouts please contact the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit line at 250-380-6161 government is making new commitments to the removal of invasive plant species said the funding will allow the Coastal Invasive Species Committee (CISC) to continue fighting the spread of invasive plant species “The Coastal Invasive Species Committee does great work to address the impact of invasive species in their communities A rare surprise has stolen the spotlight ahead of Prohibition Vineyard's grand opening this weekend in Saanich: a ewe named Abigail has given birth to quintuplets – five healthy lambs – on the winery’s peaceful pasture just off West Saanich Road who owns the vineyard with her husband Mark still sounds stunned as she recounts the unexpected birth “We were completely shocked when she had five yesterday,” Rice said An early-morning fire on the water in Mission has caused the City of Mission to activate its Emergency Operations Centre The derelict BC Ferry (Queen of Sidney) is on fire on the Fraser River May 3 and a large plume of smoke could be seen coming from the vessel Residents in the nearby area (Chester Street to 287 Street/South of Lougheed Highway) were advised to shelter in place to minimize exposure to any hazardous emissions “if you reside in the surrounding vicinity and turn off any ventilation systems that draw air from outside.” The cause of the fire hasn't been determined led by the RCMP in coordination with other responding agencies," the city said.  Mission RCMP say nothing indicates the fire was intentionally set but investigators haven't been able to board the vessel due to the hazardous nature of the smoke and its overall condition.  The Mission Fire Rescue Service (MFRS) and the Ministry of Environment (MOE) were actively managing the situation. Mission Search and Rescue was also called out to monitor the situation from the river firefighters did not attack the fire but rather alerted several agencies including Coast Guard and BC Fisheries. The fire completely engulfed the old ferry which was decommissioned in 2000 According to an update from the city at 9:30 a.m., the blaze remained active but fire behaviour and smoke production were significantly reduced from the night before.  "At this time there is nothing to indicate the fire was intentionally set although due to the hazardous nature of the smoke and the overall condition of the vessel investigators have not been able to board the former ferry," Cpl Harrison Mohr with Mission RCMP stated in a press release The activation of the Emergency Operations Centre aims to coordinate efforts efficiently and ensure the safety of all affected individuals Mayor Paul Horn told the Mission Record that “according to the fire chief the shelter in place advisory has been removed “We’re asking people to stay away from the area because it is very constrained and we need to make sure that first responders are not hampered,” said Horn “The fire department has collected drone footage with thermal and liDAR imaging That will help with investigation and also ensuring that they can monitor the state of the fire,” he added The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) will take over the site after the fire is extinguished.   The city has been working with the provincial and federal ministries of environment as well as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans the Coast Guard will send a vessel into the area to monitor soon and they have sent an air quality contractor to help monitor air quality in the area.  it continues to assess the incident and is prepared to act quickly if the situation changes "An initial on-water assessment was conducted during the early stages of the incident Another on-water assessment and an overflight occurred during daylight with no pollution observed on the water," the CCG statement reads.  Horn added: “Mission City Council will continue to advocate for a more assertive approach to derelict vessels in our waterways we wrote to the federal government and stated that we were not content to wait for this vessel to become a greater hazard It is very unfortunate that those concerns have been realized and we will be pushing for provincial and federal agencies to learn from this example.” Horn wrote that “there is no logic in waiting until pollution occurs and having to react to a much worse situation with the potential for devastating effects.” CCG deputy commissioner of programs Marc Mes responded on Aug saying a then recent assessment of the 'Bad Adventure' (ex-Queen of Sidney) determined the vessel was not posing a high risk that would require immediate action from the CCG.  The ship was in service for BC Ferries from 1960 to 2000 before it was sold to Robert and Gerald Tapp in 2002 when it was renamed Bad Adventure the coast guard informed the ‘Bad Adventure’ owners of their responsibilities to properly maintain the vessel Traffic controls will be in place to facilitate four-way stop activity at the intersection while the work is being completed the City encourages motorists to avoid the intersection during this time For more information, contact the City of Campbell River, by emailing dogwood.centre@campbellriver.ca Please refrain from entering the area to allow the plants to become established Follow and respect all signs and fencing at the site The Beaver Lodge Forest Lands are situated on the south western side of Campbell River and is home to a complex network of forest ecosystems and a variety of wildlife species An extensive network of trails have been constructed in the forest providing opportunities for activities The Ministry of Forests in partnership with Greenways Land Trust have recently completed riparian restoration at the Simms Creek stream crossing on Norma’s Loop trail The restoration aims to rehabilitate the riparian zone where streamside vegetation has been heavily impacted over time Please respect all signs and fencing that have been installed to protect the newly planted vegetation 1028 acres (416 hectares) of land was donated to the Province of British Columbia by the Elk River Timber Company.  Since the original donation the Beaver Lodge Forest Trust Renewal Act resulted in the first experimental forest protected under its own provincial legislation.  Since then the land has been administrated by the Province and accessible for public use within the Simms Creek Watershed and Coastal Western Hemlock Biogeoclimatic Zone  The drier portions of the forest grow well adapted tree species such as Douglas-fir Wetter areas are more favorable to the growth of western hemlock and Sitka spruce.  Experimental planting techniques used in the l930's utilized a variety of tree species generating a parcel of land comprised of diverse habitats Some of the resulting stands exhibit characteristics of an old growth forest large trees and limbs and a well-developed lower level of vegetation known as the understorey The Beaver Lodge Forest Lands are frequented by many wildlife species Not only an area of high importance to wildlife residents of Campbell River and visitors alike value the extensive network of trails which provide opportunities for mountain biking There are also wheelchair accessible trails from Trask Road and South McPhedran Road parking lots When traveling along trails in the Beaver Lodge Forest Lands please consider the following: The Beaver Lodge Forest Lands were the site of the first large scale plantation in the province.  Early research on how to plant successfully and the survival of various species form the basis for the present provincial planting and species selection guidelines.  The shovel type commonly used by tree planters today was developed during this time.  Since then much of the research has focused on forest management within an urban interface including effects on various plant communities and ecosystems.  Impacts and mitigation measures focusing on Simms Creek a salmon spawning stream continue.  Forest health and climate change are emerging areas of research within the Beaver Lodge Forest Lands.  The proximity of the Beaver Lodge Forest Lands make them ideal for teaching and are frequently used by local schools and North Island College.  Training on appropriate recreation trail maintenance techniques invasive plant identification and control is conducted in the Beaver lodge Lands Beaver Lodge Forest Lands map (PDF, 5.4MB) Please direct questions and comments to the Campbell River Natural Resource District Inbox Forests.CampbellRiverDistrictOffice@gov.bc.caDid you find what you were looking for?YesNoThe B.C Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures We can help in over 220 languages and through other accessible options. Call, email or text us, or find a service centre Today is a day to remember lives lost and those impacted by the Lapu Lapu Day Festival.  recently declared May 2 a provincial day of remembrance and mourning for victims of tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival one non-binary person and a five-year-old girl – and at least two dozen more were injured ranging in age from 22 months old to 60 years old when a person drove an SUV through the crowd at the Vancouver festival on Saturday The federal all-candidates meeting in Campbell River got called off nearly two hours before the event was set to take place on April 22.  The Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce board of directors said it "sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause" in a media release on Tuesday afternoon.  The event was scheduled to be held at the Tidemark Theatre at 4:30 p.m It was originally set for earlier in April that date was postponed due to a scheduling conflict Canada will play for gold at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship following a 4-0 win over Slovakia on Friday in the semifinal The Canadians struck three times on the power play in the third period to turn a 1-0 score into a 4-0 final Defenceman Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada) scored in the first Jack Nesbitt (Windsor Spitfires) and Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs) each found the back of the net in the third period