Community

Students at Errington Elementary School do a waste audit as part of its Zero Waste Program. (Submitted photo)

RDN: $70K given to fund zero waste education program in mid-Island schools

Parksville Qualicum Beach and Nanaimo-Ladysmith students involved

Students at Errington Elementary School do a waste audit as part of its Zero Waste Program. (Submitted photo)
Students make a “tiny home” sign with their hands as part of the Tiny Home Challenge at John Paul II Catholic School. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Vancouver Island school gets visit from Netflix show hosts for tiny home competition

Pilot Tiny Home elective was offered for Grades 4-7

Students make a “tiny home” sign with their hands as part of the Tiny Home Challenge at John Paul II Catholic School. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
A memorial tribute to Police Service Dog Gator is growing at a the foot of a flagpole in front of the Campbell River RCMP detachment on July 9, 2021. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

Memorial for Campbell River police dog killed in line of duty grows

VIDEO: Emergency personnel conduct vehicle parade memorial for Gator

A memorial tribute to Police Service Dog Gator is growing at a the foot of a flagpole in front of the Campbell River RCMP detachment on July 9, 2021. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
John Hillman, 102, marks down the last lap for the day hitting 80 on July 6. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Donations lag as 102-year-old veteran laps Oak Bay courtyard for cause

John Hillman set to take his last laps Thursday morning

John Hillman, 102, marks down the last lap for the day hitting 80 on July 6. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
A husband accidentally locked his wife and dog on their Vernon rooftop patio Tuesday morning, June 29, went to work and posted the event to social media which drew hilarious reaction and helpful hints for the husband. The wife and dog were rescued. (Facebook photo)

Vernon man accidentally locks wife, dog on rooftop in heat wave; lives to post about it on social media

The man left for work and jokingly asked friends to ‘send up water’ to stranded pair who were safely unlocked from patio

A husband accidentally locked his wife and dog on their Vernon rooftop patio Tuesday morning, June 29, went to work and posted the event to social media which drew hilarious reaction and helpful hints for the husband. The wife and dog were rescued. (Facebook photo)
Jo and Bruce Rowland were recognized for 27 years of service to The Great Nanaimo Toy Drive at the non-profits annual general meeting in May. (Submitted photo)

The Great Nanaimo Toy Drive honours volunteers for 27 years of service

Jo and Bruce Rowland recognized for dedication to charity that gathers toys for kids at Christmas

Jo and Bruce Rowland were recognized for 27 years of service to The Great Nanaimo Toy Drive at the non-profits annual general meeting in May. (Submitted 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 Vancouver Island Regional Library’s Summer Reading Club is about to begin. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE

Vancouver Island Regional Library’s Summer Reading Club set to launch

‘Crack the case’ the theme to this year’s efforts to keep kids reading

The Vancouver Island Regional Library’s Summer Reading Club is about to begin. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE
A blood drive in support of 1-year-old Rielynn Gormley of Agassiz is scheduled for Monday, June 28 at Tzeachten First Nation Community Hall in Chilliwack. Rielynn lives with type 3 von Willebrand disease, which makes it difficult for her to stop bleeding. (Screenshot/Canadian Blood Services)

Upcoming blood drive in honour of Fraser Valley toddler with rare blood condition

The Gormley family has organized a blood drive in Chilliwack on June 28

A blood drive in support of 1-year-old Rielynn Gormley of Agassiz is scheduled for Monday, June 28 at Tzeachten First Nation Community Hall in Chilliwack. Rielynn lives with type 3 von Willebrand disease, which makes it difficult for her to stop bleeding. (Screenshot/Canadian Blood Services)
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre estimates that less than five per cent of mass-marketing fraud is ever reported.

Tips to avoid scams targeting Vancouver Island seniors

In most cases, fraudsters impersonate an individual, business or agency seniors recognize and trust

  • Jun 15, 2021
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre estimates that less than five per cent of mass-marketing fraud is ever reported.
Gabriola Island artist Sheila Norgate is promoting the Digital Innovation Group’s art impact survey. (File photo)

Island artists get behind regional arts impact study

The survey runs until late June

Gabriola Island artist Sheila Norgate is promoting the Digital Innovation Group’s art impact survey. (File photo)
Victoria’s Taya Lee, left, won Innovator of the Year in the 16 to 19 age category of the 2021 Youth Innovation Showcase, while Cranbrook’s Keanu Chan, right, won Innovator of the Year in the 12 to 15 age category.

Science Fair Foundation BC announces winners in third annual Youth Innovation Showcase

Keanu Chan and Taya Lee each win $5,000 for their innovations

  • Jun 14, 2021
Victoria’s Taya Lee, left, won Innovator of the Year in the 16 to 19 age category of the 2021 Youth Innovation Showcase, while Cranbrook’s Keanu Chan, right, won Innovator of the Year in the 12 to 15 age category.
Nils Haugland, a longtime Nanaimo News Bulletin newspaper carrier, is retiring. Haugland estimates he began delivering the paper in the summer of 1988. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

Longtime Nanaimo News Bulletin newspaper carrier retires after 33 years

Nils Haugland first delivered Nanaimo News Bulletin in summer of 1988

Nils Haugland, a longtime Nanaimo News Bulletin newspaper carrier, is retiring. Haugland estimates he began delivering the paper in the summer of 1988. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
A sea anemone in the Discovery Passage Aquarium on June 8, World Ocean Day.

VIDEO: Island aquarium spreads the word about World Ocean Day

Highlights importance of marine conservation and what people can do to help the ocean

A sea anemone in the Discovery Passage Aquarium on June 8, World Ocean Day.
Elizabeth Pete is a survivor of St. Joseph’s Mission in Williams Lake. (Patrick Davies photo - 100 Mile Free Press)

WATCH: Kamloops bound convoy greeted by Canim Lake Band in 100 Mile House

More than two dozen members of the Tsq’escenemc people (Canim Lake Band) showed up

Elizabeth Pete is a survivor of St. Joseph’s Mission in Williams Lake. (Patrick Davies photo - 100 Mile Free Press)
A fundraiser intended to fund the search of Vancouver Island’s five residential school for children’s remains topped $100,000 Friday (June 4). Pictured is a church at Chawathil First Nation on Highway 1, on May 31, 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Fundraiser to search more B.C. residential schools tops $100,000

Indigenous leaders hope to use radar technology to search for lost children on Vancouver Island

A fundraiser intended to fund the search of Vancouver Island’s five residential school for children’s remains topped $100,000 Friday (June 4). Pictured is a church at Chawathil First Nation on Highway 1, on May 31, 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
BGC Williams Lake staff includes youth outreach worker Dylan McGuire (back from left), youth engagement worker with NOOPA Jo O’Connor, youth engagement worker Mycaela Ryckman, independent living co-ordinator Derek Godin (front from left), manager of club operations Krista Harvey and harm reduction co-ordinator Laurel White. The group is welcoming the organization’s, formerly Boys and Girls Club of Williams Lake and District’s, new name, BGC Williams Lake. (Greg Sabatino photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Boys and Girls Club rebrands to ‘BGC Canada,’ citing push for gender-inclusivity

Club says it already opens its doors to all kids and teens and its name should reflect that

BGC Williams Lake staff includes youth outreach worker Dylan McGuire (back from left), youth engagement worker with NOOPA Jo O’Connor, youth engagement worker Mycaela Ryckman, independent living co-ordinator Derek Godin (front from left), manager of club operations Krista Harvey and harm reduction co-ordinator Laurel White. The group is welcoming the organization’s, formerly Boys and Girls Club of Williams Lake and District’s, new name, BGC Williams Lake. (Greg Sabatino photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Volunteers work on a past year’s poppy fund activities at the Trafalgar/Pro Patria Legion on Gorge Road in Victoria. The provincial government announced $1.5 million in one-time funding for B.C. and Yukon legions on June 2 to help them stay open through the remainder of the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. government announces $1.5 million in pandemic relief for struggling Legion branches

Property tax exemption is what Legions really need, Victoria branch president says

Volunteers work on a past year’s poppy fund activities at the Trafalgar/Pro Patria Legion on Gorge Road in Victoria. The provincial government announced $1.5 million in one-time funding for B.C. and Yukon legions on June 2 to help them stay open through the remainder of the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)
BC Cancer Foundation canvassers are recognizable by their teal vests and ID badges. (Foundation file photo)

B.C. Cancer Foundation canvassers going door-to-door

Residents asked to support monthly donor program, but warned canvassers do not take cash

BC Cancer Foundation canvassers are recognizable by their teal vests and ID badges. (Foundation file photo)
Sweatin’ for Science participants have collectively clocked 90,000+ kilometres during the fundraiser – the equivalent of more than one lap around the perimeter of BC and Yukon.

Sweatin’ for Science group collectively travels the distance of one lap around the perimeter of BC and Yukon

Funds will make science fairs more accessible for those who might not otherwise be able to take part

  • May 31, 2021
Sweatin’ for Science participants have collectively clocked 90,000+ kilometres during the fundraiser – the equivalent of more than one lap around the perimeter of BC and Yukon.