Local News

The province will be spraying spongy moth insecticide at seven sites around Vancouver Island in the spring to prevent the invasive species from becoming established. (Black Press Media file photo)

Province plans spring sprayings to prevent invasive spongy moths in Port Alberni

The insects pose a threat to trees, crops and the economy, ministry says

The province will be spraying spongy moth insecticide at seven sites around Vancouver Island in the spring to prevent the invasive species from becoming established. (Black Press Media file photo)
Gill Elementary School is located on Beaver Creek Road in Port Alberni. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Former elementary school in Port Alberni sold to Hupacasath First Nation

Property is “historically significant” to the nation

Gill Elementary School is located on Beaver Creek Road in Port Alberni. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
Chief Samuel Schooner of Nuxalk Nation speaks at a press conference in Williams Lake Jan. 12, appealing for information regarding the disappearance if Carl Schooner Jr. (Ruth Lloyd photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

VIDEO: ‘This is a parent’s worst nightmare’; father of missing Bella Coola man

A $10,000 reward offered for information regarding disappearance of Carl Schooner Jr.

Chief Samuel Schooner of Nuxalk Nation speaks at a press conference in Williams Lake Jan. 12, appealing for information regarding the disappearance if Carl Schooner Jr. (Ruth Lloyd photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
The Echo 67 Aquatic Centre is nearing the end of its service life, and many people in Port Alberni want to see a new pool. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Public will get a say in Port Alberni pool feasibility study

Advisory committee will be appointed, won’t have voting privileges, says Alberni-Clayoquot board

The Echo 67 Aquatic Centre is nearing the end of its service life, and many people in Port Alberni want to see a new pool. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
David Daniel Bird is wanted by Port Alberni RCMP. The 43-year old is facing multiple violent offences. (RCMP PHOTO)

Port Alberni RCMP search for man wanted for multiple offences

David Daniel Bird is wanted for robbery, forcible confinement and other charges

David Daniel Bird is wanted by Port Alberni RCMP. The 43-year old is facing multiple violent offences. (RCMP PHOTO)
Recreational cannabis is legal in Canada on Oct. 17th. The City of Lacombe has spent the last year preparing bylaws to allow for the sale and consumption of recreational cannabis in the community. Black Press File Photo

Should B.C. allow cannabis lounges and cafes? Survey gets mixed reviews

Support high for cannabis consumption spaces among users, but police, health experts more cautions

Recreational cannabis is legal in Canada on Oct. 17th. The City of Lacombe has spent the last year preparing bylaws to allow for the sale and consumption of recreational cannabis in the community. Black Press File Photo
A graph showing home sales over the past 20 years in Port Alberni. (PHOTO COURTESY THE FENTON REPORT)

Port Alberni realtors see strange year in 2022

Shift from seller’s market to buyer’s market took place midway through the year

A graph showing home sales over the past 20 years in Port Alberni. (PHOTO COURTESY THE FENTON REPORT)
Solander Laurent Danshin is the first baby born in 2023 in Port Alberni. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Port Alberni’s first baby of 2023 has arrived

Parents surprised to discover son is Vancouver Island city’s New Year’s baby

Solander Laurent Danshin is the first baby born in 2023 in Port Alberni. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
BC Housing won’t be renewing the Port Alberni Shelter Society’s contract to operate Our Home on Eighth shelter. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

BC Housing terminates contract with Port Alberni Shelter Society over shelter

Shelter will remain open, new operator will be chosen by March, BC Housing officials say

BC Housing won’t be renewing the Port Alberni Shelter Society’s contract to operate Our Home on Eighth shelter. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
(File photo)

One person dead after Highway 4 collision near Coombs

BC Highway Patrol has taken over the investigation

(File photo)
(Black Press Media file photo)

Officials scramble for solutions as Tofino-Ucluelet loses bus service

Wilson’s Transportation has cancelled its Tofino Bus service in and out of the West Coast until May

(Black Press Media file photo)
Routes to Tofino will remain suspended until May. (Black Press file photo)

Vancouver Island Connector bus service paused after ridership plummets

Service between Victoria and Tofino, Nanaimo and Campbell River expected to resume in May

Routes to Tofino will remain suspended until May. (Black Press file photo)
AV NEWS FILE PHOTO

More charges added for Port Alberni man accused of several robberies

Angus Brown has been in custody since early December, will return to court later in January

AV NEWS FILE PHOTO
A “Sold” sign sits outside of a home on Anderson Avenue in Port Alberni. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Port Alberni sees 8% rise in home assessments in 2023

Typical assessed value for a single family home in Port Alberni is now $506,000

A “Sold” sign sits outside of a home on Anderson Avenue in Port Alberni. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
An RCMP member photographs the scene of an incident where a pedestrian was struck on Redford Street at Sixth Avenue early Jan. 3, 2022. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Pedestrian dies after being struck by vehicle on busy Port Alberni road

Two lanes of Redford Street were closed for several hours Jan. 3

An RCMP member photographs the scene of an incident where a pedestrian was struck on Redford Street at Sixth Avenue early Jan. 3, 2022. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Vancouver Island residents won big in lottery draws in 2022. (Black Press file photo)
Vancouver Island residents won big in lottery draws in 2022. (Black Press file photo)
Crews from two departments include Central Saanich responded to the aftermath of a collision on Highway 17 that sent this vehicle down an embankment near the future Keating Flyover. (Ryan Vantreight/Submitted)

Monday morning collision sends vehicle down Central Saanich embankment

Two women suffered non-critical injuries in incident that happened Monday morning at 10:30 a.m.

Crews from two departments include Central Saanich responded to the aftermath of a collision on Highway 17 that sent this vehicle down an embankment near the future Keating Flyover. (Ryan Vantreight/Submitted)
Flames burst from a house in the 3500-block of 10th Avenue in Port Alberni, early on New Year’s Day. (PAFD VIDEO SCREENSHOT)

One person sent to hospital in New Year’s Day house fire in Port Alberni

Three fire departments called to battle heavy flame from 10th Avenue residence

Flames burst from a house in the 3500-block of 10th Avenue in Port Alberni, early on New Year’s Day. (PAFD VIDEO SCREENSHOT)
Bouchra Savard, front, dives into the water behind David Wiwchar while Michael Ramsay, left, Dan Savard and Jeff Cook work their way down the boat ramp at Clutesi Haven Marina on Jan. 1, 2023. The friends held their own Polar Bear Swim this year. (JUDY QUINN/ Special to the AV News)

No Polar Bear Swim in Port Alberni? No problem.

Alberni Valley residents took to the waters at Canal Beach, Clutesi Haven to greet 2023

Bouchra Savard, front, dives into the water behind David Wiwchar while Michael Ramsay, left, Dan Savard and Jeff Cook work their way down the boat ramp at Clutesi Haven Marina on Jan. 1, 2023. The friends held their own Polar Bear Swim this year. (JUDY QUINN/ Special to the AV News)
A Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue vessel patrols the waters around Port Alberni. (NEWS FILE PHOTO)

Marine search and rescue volunteers help with Christmas Eve emergency in Bamfield

Alberni Responder teamed with BCAS to bring patient to hospital when road became impassable

A Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue vessel patrols the waters around Port Alberni. (NEWS FILE PHOTO)
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