Community

Canada has been very good to Oksana Pryshlyak, left, and her children Zlatasvita, front, and Danyla. Catherine Murphy and Steve Chadwick have been happy to accommodate them at their Chemainus home. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Ukrainian family settles into a new routine in Island community

Woman and her two children grateful for the kindness of Canadians

Canada has been very good to Oksana Pryshlyak, left, and her children Zlatasvita, front, and Danyla. Catherine Murphy and Steve Chadwick have been happy to accommodate them at their Chemainus home. (Photo by Don Bodger)
A couple travelled from Osoyoos to Penticton on Friday, June 24, to pick up their new vehicle after winning a Canada-wide contest, courtesy of General Motors. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

PHOTOS: B.C. couple presented with new car after winning Canada-wide contest

‘We thought it was some scam when we found out we won,’ they said

A couple travelled from Osoyoos to Penticton on Friday, June 24, to pick up their new vehicle after winning a Canada-wide contest, courtesy of General Motors. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
Doug Groenendijk is one of six Canadian farmers who will be looking for love on an upcoming CTV reality series. (CTV Farming For Love photo)

Farmer Doug in the right field for TV series, hoping his true love comes out of left field

Island resident will be looking for a soulmate in upcoming reality show

Doug Groenendijk is one of six Canadian farmers who will be looking for love on an upcoming CTV reality series. (CTV Farming For Love photo)
(Black Press file photo)

Okanagan-based group ready for B.C.-wide celebration of collector cars

July 9 is recognized as Collector Car Appreciation Day in the province

(Black Press file photo)
Megan Radatzke, an eduction assistant at Ecole Poirier Elementary, says the addition of a sensory room has been well received by all of the students at the school. (Rick Stiebel- Sooke News Mirror)

Special Vancouver Island schoolroom helps kids escape anxiety

Sooke school has sensory room that ‘allows the brain to reboot’

Megan Radatzke, an eduction assistant at Ecole Poirier Elementary, says the addition of a sensory room has been well received by all of the students at the school. (Rick Stiebel- Sooke News Mirror)
Staff at Foundry Vancouver-Granville, operated by Providence Health Care. One of many Foundry centre across BC that provide integrated health services to young people like Aslam and Lee. Jeff Topham photo.

Foundry supports youth in living a good life

Free and confidential health and wellness supports for BC youth ages 12 to 24 – online and in-person

  • May 2, 2022
Staff at Foundry Vancouver-Granville, operated by Providence Health Care. One of many Foundry centre across BC that provide integrated health services to young people like Aslam and Lee. Jeff Topham photo.
UFV is working with artificial intelligence robots that can help combat isolation and loneliness, thanks to funding from the TD Bank Group. (UFV photo)

Robots and AI being used to help combat COVID-19 loneliness at UFV

Findings will be shared with government, industry, and community partners to enhance wellness

UFV is working with artificial intelligence robots that can help combat isolation and loneliness, thanks to funding from the TD Bank Group. (UFV photo)
Duncan’s Michael Wadsworth won $1 million in the Lotto 6/49 in the Jan. 19 draw. (BCLC photo)

Duncan man wins $1M in Lotto 6/49

In 2021, B.C. lottery players redeemed more than $99 million in winnings from Lotto 6/49

Duncan’s Michael Wadsworth won $1 million in the Lotto 6/49 in the Jan. 19 draw. (BCLC photo)
A social media post on Tuesday, Jan. 25, showing the escaped cattle entering a property on Gibbs Road. (Facebook photo)

‘Til the cows come home: Errington’s cruising cows back after adventurous escape

Owners notified animals were kept safe a short distance away; fence now beefed up

A social media post on Tuesday, Jan. 25, showing the escaped cattle entering a property on Gibbs Road. (Facebook photo)
The Sustainable Clothing Project aims to divert clothes that were destined for the landfill and redistribute them to people in the community. (Pixabay)

Sustainable Clothing Project aims to help people, keep clothing out of landfill,

Unsold clothing from thrift stores gets distributed to people and families who need it

The Sustainable Clothing Project aims to divert clothes that were destined for the landfill and redistribute them to people in the community. (Pixabay)
This holiday season, help keep the lights burning for grieving families and support the work of the Alberni Valley Hospice Society by donating to the organization's festive Christmas Light display — a time for caring and remembering those who we have loved and lost.

Alberni charity’s spectacular holiday display lights up more than Christmas!

Christmas is a time of traditions and family gatherings. We spend time…

  • Dec 13, 2021
This holiday season, help keep the lights burning for grieving families and support the work of the Alberni Valley Hospice Society by donating to the organization's festive Christmas Light display — a time for caring and remembering those who we have loved and lost.
Catherine Crewe of Fernie with the card that she and Nancy Nester of Invermere have been sending back and forth to each other since 1964. Pictured here in 2021. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

60 years of good wishes: Two long-time Kootenay penpals keep a Christmas tradition alive

Catherine Crewe of Fernie, and Nancy Nester of Invermere have been sending the same card back and forth to each other since they were both five years old

Catherine Crewe of Fernie with the card that she and Nancy Nester of Invermere have been sending back and forth to each other since 1964. Pictured here in 2021. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Jillian Harris and Team Jilly have joined with Do Some Good to engage the community, support local causes and amplify the many amazing stories that non-profit organizations share. Join her for the 12 Days of Christmas campaign, Dec. 1 to 12.

Jillian Harris joins Do Some Good to drive more community impact

Team Jilly’s 12 Days of Giving campaign runs Dec. 1 to 12

  • Nov 22, 2021
Jillian Harris and Team Jilly have joined with Do Some Good to engage the community, support local causes and amplify the many amazing stories that non-profit organizations share. Join her for the 12 Days of Christmas campaign, Dec. 1 to 12.
The owner of these military medals and ribbons that were found in a bag near Cowichan River is bing sought. (Submitted photo)

Owner of military medals and ribbons found in Duncan sought

Bylaw officer found them in plastic bag by Cowichan River

The owner of these military medals and ribbons that were found in a bag near Cowichan River is bing sought. (Submitted photo)
Mick Trodden, an 11-year employee at the market, said he’d use his bonus to visit his grandchildren. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

B.C. grocer hands out thousands in employee bonuses amid regional staffing shortages

The extra cash followed a busy summer, says store owner Jean-Marc Pesant

Mick Trodden, an 11-year employee at the market, said he’d use his bonus to visit his grandchildren. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Deni Bezeau, owner of Deni’s Dynamite Deals, set up his thrift store at the corner of Bruce Avenue and Seventh Street in Nanaimo to raise money for high school extracurricular programs and other organizations in need of cash. He now donates about $11,000 monthly. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Island retiree operates thrift store to keep his neighbourhood neighbourly

Deni’s Dynamite Deals donates thousands of dollars every month

Deni Bezeau, owner of Deni’s Dynamite Deals, set up his thrift store at the corner of Bruce Avenue and Seventh Street in Nanaimo to raise money for high school extracurricular programs and other organizations in need of cash. He now donates about $11,000 monthly. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Cats in Nanaimo that want to go outdoors will have to be sterilized and bear identification under the animal responsibility bylaw adopted by city council Tuesday, Sept. 21. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo’s ‘cat control’ animal responsibility bylaw now official

Outdoor cats can’t be at large on other people’s properties, but enforcement will be complaint-based

Cats in Nanaimo that want to go outdoors will have to be sterilized and bear identification under the animal responsibility bylaw adopted by city council Tuesday, Sept. 21. (News Bulletin file photo)
Renovated and expanded Forbes Hall is a spectacular addition to the Thetis Island community. (Photo submitted)

Little Island That Could opens expanded $2 million community centre

Rejuvenated Forbes Hall a shining beacon for Thetis Island — built largely without taxpayer’s dollars

  • Sep 16, 2021
Renovated and expanded Forbes Hall is a spectacular addition to the Thetis Island community. (Photo submitted)
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)
A video of two RCMP officers dancing outside of 7-Eleven in Vanderhoof by Ada Madam has received more than 10,000 views on Facebook as of Wednesday, September 1. (Facebook image)

Video of dancing cops in Northern B.C. goes viral

“It just lightened all of our moods.”

A video of two RCMP officers dancing outside of 7-Eleven in Vanderhoof by Ada Madam has received more than 10,000 views on Facebook as of Wednesday, September 1. (Facebook image)