Adam Kveton

On Vancouver Island, 214 people died from illicit drug overdoses in 2018. Various forms of treatment are available, from public to private programs and facilities. (File photo)

Addictions treatment: barriers and doors on Vancouver Island

Parksville activist says process failing some; service providers explain why process required

On Vancouver Island, 214 people died from illicit drug overdoses in 2018. Various forms of treatment are available, from public to private programs and facilities. (File photo)
This Fraser Institute graph compares SD69 elementary schools based on Fundamental Skills Assessment test results and other indicators based on those test results. School District 69 and others are seeking for the Ministry of Education to not provide the names of schools or districts when publicly publishing overall test scores, calling the process of ranking schools unfair. — Fraser Institute screen capture

BC school district wants an end to public circulation of test scores

Qualicum asks ministry what steps have been made to mask identity of schools, districts

This Fraser Institute graph compares SD69 elementary schools based on Fundamental Skills Assessment test results and other indicators based on those test results. School District 69 and others are seeking for the Ministry of Education to not provide the names of schools or districts when publicly publishing overall test scores, calling the process of ranking schools unfair. — Fraser Institute screen capture
Baby Jesus stolen from Parksville church

Baby Jesus stolen from Parksville church

Roman Catholic Church of the Ascension’s replica goes missing from nativity scene

Baby Jesus stolen from Parksville church
A small, injured sugar glider looks out from Leah Moore’s hand on Jan. 8. The exotic, Australian animal arrived at the doorstep of Flying Fur Animal Rescue and Refuge in Parksville several days ago. — Adam Kveton Photo

Marsupial mystery: Injured ‘sugar glider’ left at B.C. animal rescue centre

Exotic animal will lose tail, but people already want to give her a home

A small, injured sugar glider looks out from Leah Moore’s hand on Jan. 8. The exotic, Australian animal arrived at the doorstep of Flying Fur Animal Rescue and Refuge in Parksville several days ago. — Adam Kveton Photo
A firefighter walks by the burnt wreckage of a trailer at Pires Mobile Park in the Coombs area off of the Alberni Highway on Saturday, Jan. 5. — Adam Kveton Photo

Coombs trailer destroyed in morning blaze

Occupant sent to hospital for observation: Coombs-Hilliers fire chief

A firefighter walks by the burnt wreckage of a trailer at Pires Mobile Park in the Coombs area off of the Alberni Highway on Saturday, Jan. 5. — Adam Kveton Photo
The contaminant that resulted in a recall of this Little Qualicum Cheese product, linked to five case of E. coli, has not yet been found as of Nov. 17. — BCCDC photo

Search for contaminant continues at Little Qualicum Cheeseworks

Island company ‘blown away’ by support after E. coli recall of Qualicum Spice cheese

The contaminant that resulted in a recall of this Little Qualicum Cheese product, linked to five case of E. coli, has not yet been found as of Nov. 17. — BCCDC photo
Chris Plaus holds his therapy cat, Tobi, who’s home safe and sound after a member of the CatSpan Registered Charity group in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area was able to catch Tobi following a months-long search for the lost cat. — Submitted by Susan Plaus

Beloved therapy cat reunited with 22-year-old B.C. man

CatSpan member captures skittish kitty that went missing in July on Vancouver Island

Chris Plaus holds his therapy cat, Tobi, who’s home safe and sound after a member of the CatSpan Registered Charity group in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area was able to catch Tobi following a months-long search for the lost cat. — Submitted by Susan Plaus
This sand sculpture by Peter Vogelaar looks like it’s enjoying a bit of a cool-down on Sunday, July 15, just a few hours before sculptors had to stop their work and make way for the judges. — Adam Kveton Photo

VIDEO: Life’s a beach at this B.C. sand sculpting contest

More than $50,000 was up for grabs at the annual contest held in Parksville

This sand sculpture by Peter Vogelaar looks like it’s enjoying a bit of a cool-down on Sunday, July 15, just a few hours before sculptors had to stop their work and make way for the judges. — Adam Kveton Photo
Dr. Paul Hasselback, chief medical officer with Island Health, released a letter to the Regional District of Nanaimo about the possible source of the norovirus. — NEWS file photo

Vancouver Island norovirus may be linked to herring run

Investigation ongoing; cause of contamination unknown

Dr. Paul Hasselback, chief medical officer with Island Health, released a letter to the Regional District of Nanaimo about the possible source of the norovirus. — NEWS file photo
A vehicle burst into flames after being in a multi-vehicle accident near Hillview Rd. in Nanoose Bay the morning of March 22. — Raine McCue Photo

UPDATE: both lanes open Hwy. 19 south after multi-vehicle accident

A car fire has since been extinguished at the Hillview Rd. crash site Thursday morning

A vehicle burst into flames after being in a multi-vehicle accident near Hillview Rd. in Nanoose Bay the morning of March 22. — Raine McCue Photo
This twitter account, run by Leading Influence Ministries, tweets out prayers for BC MLAs Monday to Friday, in alphabetical order with the hopes that others will take up the prayer. — Twitter screenshot

Twitter feed prays for — instead of preying on — B.C. MLAs

Non-partisan Christian group wants to support politicians through personalized prayer

This twitter account, run by Leading Influence Ministries, tweets out prayers for BC MLAs Monday to Friday, in alphabetical order with the hopes that others will take up the prayer. — Twitter screenshot
Michelle Stilwell holds one of her medals won during the 2013 World Paralympic Championships in Lyon, France. — NEWS file

Parksville-Qualicum MLA missing a medal

World championship gold medal unnaccounted for after office move

Michelle Stilwell holds one of her medals won during the 2013 World Paralympic Championships in Lyon, France. — NEWS file
Rod Gallant, national health and safety officer and Public and Private Workers of Canada local eight member (centre) holds a sign at a rally in Errington on Wednesday, Sept. 13 protesting job losses and shift reductions at Long Hoh mill, which rally-goers said was due to raw trees being shipped to mills overseas. See the story on page 14. — Adam Kveton

Local mill workers rally in hopes of regulation change

Lay-offs at Errington mill due to wood being shipped to overseas mills: rally-goers

Rod Gallant, national health and safety officer and Public and Private Workers of Canada local eight member (centre) holds a sign at a rally in Errington on Wednesday, Sept. 13 protesting job losses and shift reductions at Long Hoh mill, which rally-goers said was due to raw trees being shipped to mills overseas. See the story on page 14. — Adam Kveton
A fire consumes a large shop, and catches on a truck and a trailer in Hilliers the morning of Saturday, July 22. — Courtesy Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Dept.

Shop, RVs, vehicles destroyed in Hilliers fire

Six departments deployed early morning of July 22

A fire consumes a large shop, and catches on a truck and a trailer in Hilliers the morning of Saturday, July 22. — Courtesy Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Dept.
Randal Warnock from Qualicum Beach is recovering at home after being attacked by a bear (not the one pictured here) north of Vancouver Island Monday, July 17. File photo

Man attacked by grizzly bear north of Van. Island

BC Ferry captain says punching bear in nose helped save his life

Randal Warnock from Qualicum Beach is recovering at home after being attacked by a bear (not the one pictured here) north of Vancouver Island Monday, July 17. File photo
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