2024 was "The Year of the Mars" for Port Alberni.
Stories about the Martin Mars waterbombers took up three spots in the Alberni Valley News' 10 most-viewed local stories of 2024, based on our website analytics. The Hawaii Mars and the Philippine Mars, longtime residents of Sproat Lake in Port Alberni, departed this year for their permanent homes in Victoria and Arizona, respectively.
Fires, explosions and pool noodle injuries also made headlines in 2024, but our most-viewed story was actually about the return of a beloved community event.
Our staff members at the Alberni Valley News wish you all a healthy and prosperous 2025 and thank our readers for your patronage and feedback during the past year.
1. Surrey angler nets top prize at Port Alberni's Salmon Festival
The top story of 2024 in Port Alberni was the return of Port Alberni’s Salmon Festival.
Last year was the first full Port Alberni Salmon Festival since the event was interrupted in 2020 by COVID-19 restrictions.
Sean Falkenberg of Surrey hooked the winning fish of the weekend, as well as the $15,000 top prize, for his 28.8-pounder caught near the Bamfield Wall.
2. Harbour Air Pilots prepare to fly historic B.C. waterbomber's final flight
Thousands of people watched as Coulson Aviation's historic 1945 Hawaii Martin Mars waterbomber took its final flight on Aug. 11, 2024.
The iconic waterbomber flew from Sproat Lake in Port Alberni to the Saanich Inlet, landing in Patricia Bay beside Victoria International Airport.
The historic aircraft was eventually de-watered and transported to the B.C. Aviation Museum as part of a new B.C. wildfire aviation exhibit, thanks to $250,000 in funding by the province.
3. Port Alberni RCMP to hold press conference re: Amber Manthorne disappearance
In October, Port Alberni RCMP offered new details in the July 2022 disappearance of Amber Manthorne, from Port Alberni.
Police said they believe that Amber's disappearance was a result of foul play and that she's not likely to be found alive. Amber's boyfriend, Justin Hall, is a person of interest in her disappearance. However, he was located deceased in Merritt, B.C. in 2023.
Police released new information and a timeline of her disappearance and issued a public appeal for more information. Anyone who may have information that would help locate Amber should go to the RCMP.
4. McLean Mill in Port Alberni transformed into movie set
Port Alberni made it to the big screen in 2024.
McLean Mill National Historic Site in Port Alberni was transformed into a movie set for a pair of major motion pictures in the fall. The site was closed to the public as the thriller movie One Mile and its sequel One More Mile were being filmed on site.
Another movie, The Stolen Child, was also filmed at various locations around Port Alberni last year.
5. Philippine Mars waterbomber dips its wingtips in water at Sproat Lake
The Philippine Mars made it back on the water for the first time in a decade. The waterbomber was towed down the ramp at the Sproat Lake Bomber Base on Nov. 4, 2024 and took a taxiing session in preparation for its flight to the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.
Before this, the Philippine Mars had been stored on land since 2015.
6. Port Alberni teacher suspended after student injured with pool noodle
Port Alberni teacher Russ Bodnar had his teaching certificate suspended for three days in March after encouraging students to hit each other with pool noodles in a physical education (P.E.) class.
One student was injured and had their glasses broken in the incident.
7. Philippine Mars waterbomber prepares for final flight
Unlike the Hawaii Mars, which had a set departure date and time with plenty of fanfare, the departure of the Philippine Mars was dependent on weather and operational issues.
The waterbomber first departed from Port Alberni on Dec. 11, but was forced to turn around and return to Sproat Lake due to an engine oil pressure problem.
It departed from Port Alberni again on Dec. 15, but developed engine trouble just south of Victoria and returned to land in Patricia Bay as a precaution. The waterbomber spent the Christmas Holiday moored in Pat Bay and a new departure date has not been set.
8. Crews respond to fire on former Somass Sawmill site
Heavy smoke billowed above Port Alberni on the morning of Aug. 18, drawing crowds of onlookers to the waterfront to watch as a building burned down on the former Somass Sawmill property and firefighters worked to save another.
The mill has been closed for several years and the site is now owned by the City of Port Alberni.
9. RCMP detonate homemade explosive device in Port Alberni building
An explosion was heard on March 27, 2024 and black smoke started billowing out of a building on Burde Street near North Park Drive.
The explosion was caused by a controlled detonation of homemade explosive devices, according to RCMP. One man, 48-year-old Joseph Walczak, was arrested during the investigation. His court case is still ongoing.
10. Port Pub in Port Alberni has 30 days to clean up property
The Port Pub dominated headlines throughout 2024, starting in January when city council ordered the owner to clean up his property within 30 days.
In May, the building was evacuated after building inspections led to the discovery of “hazardous materials” or asbestos. Approximately two dozen tenants were evacuated.
In June, city council gave the order for the Port Pub to be demolished and in November, the city officially took over demolition of the property and began to remove contaminated and hazardous materials in preparation for demolition.
What will the top 10 stories be for 2025 in the Alberni Valley? Stay tuned to our website at www.albernivalleynews.com to find out.
