Robert Barron

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A number of opinions from the community have come forward on what, if anything, the cross that was cut down this summer on Mount Tzouhalem should be replaced with. (File photo)

Cowichan residents ponder how — or if — fallen cross should be replaced

Vandals cut down longstanding landmark at the top of Duncan area’s Mount Tzouhalem in July

A number of opinions from the community have come forward on what, if anything, the cross that was cut down this summer on Mount Tzouhalem should be replaced with. (File photo)
Mark Anderson, owner of West Coast Driver Training, is planning on defying the rules that prevent him from installing dash cams in his company cars. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

B.C. driving school owner to install dash cams, in spite of prohibition

Mark Anderson said he intends to defy regulations due to better serve his clients

Mark Anderson, owner of West Coast Driver Training, is planning on defying the rules that prevent him from installing dash cams in his company cars. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Kathy Park holds a bottle of pepper spray that was found by a child in a community park in south Duncan. The child got some of the spray in her eye and had to be treated by a paramedic. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Child treated after getting pepper spray in eye at Duncan park

Spray bottle found in public park

Kathy Park holds a bottle of pepper spray that was found by a child in a community park in south Duncan. The child got some of the spray in her eye and had to be treated by a paramedic. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
While most tubers on the Cowichan River are respectful and just looking for some fun in the water, as those shown in the photo, a riverside business owner says a minority of rowdy tubers are driving away business. (File photo)

Lake Cowichan riverside business says rowdy tubers deterring customers

Long-time customers at Greendale Riverside Cabins say they won’t return

While most tubers on the Cowichan River are respectful and just looking for some fun in the water, as those shown in the photo, a riverside business owner says a minority of rowdy tubers are driving away business. (File photo)
More sleeping cabins for the homeless in the Cowichan Valley will soon be put in place after a $2.5-million grant application to the UBCM Strengthening Communities’ Services funding program was successful. (File photo)

New site sought for 46 cabins for homeless in Cowichan

Cowichan Housing Association looks to lease 1.5-acre property

More sleeping cabins for the homeless in the Cowichan Valley will soon be put in place after a $2.5-million grant application to the UBCM Strengthening Communities’ Services funding program was successful. (File photo)
Fundraisers are being held to help Kristal Mayo (right) and her family, husband Dustin (left) and daughter Kourtlyn (middle) after Kristal underwent emergency brain surgery last week. (Facebook)

Fundraisers being held to assist longtime Lake Cowichan volunteer hit by cancer

Long-time community volunteer has undergone emergency brain surgery

Fundraisers are being held to help Kristal Mayo (right) and her family, husband Dustin (left) and daughter Kourtlyn (middle) after Kristal underwent emergency brain surgery last week. (Facebook)
The drought level for Vancouver Island has been raise to level 5. (B.C. Ministry of Environment)

Drought level on Vancouver Island raised to level 5

New water restrictions implemented in some areas

The drought level for Vancouver Island has been raise to level 5. (B.C. Ministry of Environment)
Organ technician and builder Jason Barnsley hands one of the 541 pipes in the pipe organ at Duncan United Church to Connie Masson, the church’s music director, for cleaning. For the full story, see page 15. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Expert flown in to give Duncan church’s 120-year-old pipe organ a tune up

Instrument has been at Duncan United Church since 1933

Organ technician and builder Jason Barnsley hands one of the 541 pipes in the pipe organ at Duncan United Church to Connie Masson, the church’s music director, for cleaning. For the full story, see page 15. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Water use on the Koksilah River has been curtailed again this year due to critically low water flows. (File photo)

Cowichan’s Koksilah River flows hit critical level, B.C. orders some to turn off taps

Water use curtailed for industrial purposes, as well as for irrigation of forage crops

Water use on the Koksilah River has been curtailed again this year due to critically low water flows. (File photo)
The Municipality of North Cowichan is considering retiring its coast of arms. (File photo)

North Cowichan to consider retiring its coat of arms

Reconciliation with First Nations cited in recommendation

The Municipality of North Cowichan is considering retiring its coast of arms. (File photo)
The standoff on Bell McKinnon Road on Aug 4 was the result of a mental health issue, says a police spokesman. (File photo)

Mental health issue led to Duncan standoff, says RCMP spokesman

Suspect taken to hospital for assessment

The standoff on Bell McKinnon Road on Aug 4 was the result of a mental health issue, says a police spokesman. (File photo)
RCMP officers have blocked off a section of Bell McKinnon Road north of Duncan Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 4, 2021. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

1 taken into custody as standoff with RCMP north of Duncan concludes

Multiple police cars and officers in the area

RCMP officers have blocked off a section of Bell McKinnon Road north of Duncan Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 4, 2021. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
The City of Duncan has retired the position of town crier. Pictured is Ben Buss, who has served as the city’s town crier since 2011. (Citizen file)

City of Duncan eliminates town crier position

Cites “increased awareness of historical injustices” as reason

The City of Duncan has retired the position of town crier. Pictured is Ben Buss, who has served as the city’s town crier since 2011. (Citizen file)
All the rowing athletes from Canada participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were trained on Quamichan Lake. (File photo)

North Cowichan cheers on “home-town” rowing team at Tokyo Olympics

All Olympic rowers from Canada trained at Quamichan Lake

All the rowing athletes from Canada participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were trained on Quamichan Lake. (File photo)
The invasive seaweed Japanese sargassum is rapidly spreading in Maple Bay. (Sue Fryer photo)

Event aims to uproot invasive seaweed sweeping through Vancouver Island bay

Japanese Sargasso now taking over from Campbell River to Baja, California

The invasive seaweed Japanese sargassum is rapidly spreading in Maple Bay. (Sue Fryer photo)
The Tube Shack in Lake Cowichan is opening a second location this year. (File photo)

The Tube Shack opening second location in Lake Cowichan

Cowabunga Tubes will be on North Shore Road

The Tube Shack in Lake Cowichan is opening a second location this year. (File photo)
View of the Malahat Skywalk’s Welcome Centre & Gathering Place, which has ticket sales, a cafe and a gift shop. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Unique Malahat SkyWalk wows opening day visitors

Tourist facility combines nature-based tourism with a cultural tourism experience

View of the Malahat Skywalk’s Welcome Centre & Gathering Place, which has ticket sales, a cafe and a gift shop. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Alex and Genevieve Johnny have spent their lives dealing with the trauma they experienced at schools when they were young. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Island couple shares heart-wrenching stories of their residential school youth

Abuse and racism were common in the experiences of Cowichan’s Alex and Genevieve Johnny

Alex and Genevieve Johnny have spent their lives dealing with the trauma they experienced at schools when they were young. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Donna Jack holds a picture of her son Thomas Jimmy, who died of a drug overdose in May. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Cowichan mother wants answers to son’s apparent overdose death

Mom says Thomas Jimmy died after smoking cannabis, unaware it was laced with fentanyl

Donna Jack holds a picture of her son Thomas Jimmy, who died of a drug overdose in May. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Abid Atrchi, owner Applepress on the Trans Canada Highway in Duncan, wants something done about the ongoing crime in the area after having his window smashed out last weekend. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Duncan business owner frustrated with “catch-and-release” approach to crime

Manhole cover tossed through window, the fourth time in three years his shop has been targeted

Abid Atrchi, owner Applepress on the Trans Canada Highway in Duncan, wants something done about the ongoing crime in the area after having his window smashed out last weekend. (Robert Barron/Citizen)