J.R. Rardon

Colleen Murray, director of the new Arrowsmith Independent School in Whiskey Creek, stands with the tree house built into the grade 2-3-4 classroom.

Independent school near Qualicum Beach seeking students, funding

Director says the school's curriculum has been certified by the provincial government

Colleen Murray, director of the new Arrowsmith Independent School in Whiskey Creek, stands with the tree house built into the grade 2-3-4 classroom.
Kai Langerfeld, second from left, Canada’s men’s coxless four crew (from left, Will Crothers, Conlin McCabe and Tim Schrijver) rowed to gold at Toronto 2015 Pan American Games.

Ballenas graduate going for gold

Kai Langerfeld didn’t even like rowing when he first started following in his father’s rowing wake

Kai Langerfeld, second from left, Canada’s men’s coxless four crew (from left, Will Crothers, Conlin McCabe and Tim Schrijver) rowed to gold at Toronto 2015 Pan American Games.
Diane Cave of Cumberland, left, and Fred Tutt of Royston pump their way up the railroad track near Coombs on a handcar ride with Glenn Migneault, Chuck Cave, centre, and Margaret Ryan last Saturday. Handcar rides will again be offered Aug. 13-14 during the 130th anniversary celebration of the E&N Railroad.

THURSDAY SPOTLIGHT: Handcar Man shares his passion

The public will get another chance to try the handcars on Aug. 13-14

Diane Cave of Cumberland, left, and Fred Tutt of Royston pump their way up the railroad track near Coombs on a handcar ride with Glenn Migneault, Chuck Cave, centre, and Margaret Ryan last Saturday. Handcar rides will again be offered Aug. 13-14 during the 130th anniversary celebration of the E&N Railroad.
Billy Buhler, 17, of Parksville, is going after the record book in his first powerlifting competition this weekend in Victoria.

Parksville lifter pumped for first meet

Local teen takes aim at powerlifting title at Taranis Open competition in Victoria

Billy Buhler, 17, of Parksville, is going after the record book in his first powerlifting competition this weekend in Victoria.
John Campbell has been a fixture at Ravenson Aquatic Centre since taking over the coaching position with the Ravensong Breakers swim club 16 years ago. Campbell is stepping down from the post this summer.

After 16 years, coach takes new helm

Ravensong Breakers swim coach steps down, steps onto deck of sailboat after building 'little team that could'

John Campbell has been a fixture at Ravenson Aquatic Centre since taking over the coaching position with the Ravensong Breakers swim club 16 years ago. Campbell is stepping down from the post this summer.
Cliff Craven of Target Multi-Media, left, and Blain Sepos of the Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism Association show off an interactive historic tour panel at the Rod & Gun Bar and Grill in Parksville. The site is one of 10 on an historic tour of the mid-Island.

Filmmaker brings Parksville Qualicum Beach history to life

Tour features interactive panels outside historic locations, sites

Cliff Craven of Target Multi-Media, left, and Blain Sepos of the Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism Association show off an interactive historic tour panel at the Rod & Gun Bar and Grill in Parksville. The site is one of 10 on an historic tour of the mid-Island.
Firefighters hose down the roof of a home after it caught fire in Parksville Thursday afternoon. One person was hospitalized and a neighbouring home sustained minor damage in the incident, which involved 30 firefighters from three area departments.

Fire destroys one house, damages three others in Parksville

Residents got out safely; female resident taken to hospital then released

Firefighters hose down the roof of a home after it caught fire in Parksville Thursday afternoon. One person was hospitalized and a neighbouring home sustained minor damage in the incident, which involved 30 firefighters from three area departments.

Shriners bring classic cars to Parksville’s beach

The event has drawn nearly 300 vehicles and raised $10,000 in each of its first two years

Oceanside Reds peewee pitcher Anson McGorman delivers a pitch during his team's 6-0 win over Campbell River in the first game of Saturday's AA doubleheader at Springwood Park.

Reds cap unbeaten season with sweep

Oceanside peewee baseball team doubles up on Campbell River in final regular-season games; provincial tourney coming to Parksville Aug. 6-7

Oceanside Reds peewee pitcher Anson McGorman delivers a pitch during his team's 6-0 win over Campbell River in the first game of Saturday's AA doubleheader at Springwood Park.
Harry Miller, left, and Courtney Smith, two mid-Island lung transplant survivors, will be signing up organ donors while showing off their vintage vehicles in the upcoming Blast from the Past Car Show in Coombs July 30.

Coombs car show this weekend: ‘Car nuts’ from Parksville say they have a new lease on life

Lung transplant recipients happy to share their stories and raise awareness during Coombs event

Harry Miller, left, and Courtney Smith, two mid-Island lung transplant survivors, will be signing up organ donors while showing off their vintage vehicles in the upcoming Blast from the Past Car Show in Coombs July 30.
Firefighters hose down the roof of a home after it caught fire in Parksville Thursday afternoon. One person was hospitalized and a neighbouring home sustained minor damage in the incident, which involved 30 firefighters from three area departments.

Fire damages Parksville home

One woman treated and released from hospital; investigation into cause of Thursday blaze continues

Firefighters hose down the roof of a home after it caught fire in Parksville Thursday afternoon. One person was hospitalized and a neighbouring home sustained minor damage in the incident, which involved 30 firefighters from three area departments.
Parksville Royals first baseman Robbie Dhut, right, reaches for an attempted pickoff throw from pitcher Ethan Christensen as Whalley Chiefs baserunner Will Chaba dives back to the bag during the first game of the teams' doubleheader Saturday at Springwood Park in Parksville.

Royals return to Western Canadian championships

Parksville baseball squad places second in nine-team Baseball B.C. Midget AA qualifier

Parksville Royals first baseman Robbie Dhut, right, reaches for an attempted pickoff throw from pitcher Ethan Christensen as Whalley Chiefs baserunner Will Chaba dives back to the bag during the first game of the teams' doubleheader Saturday at Springwood Park in Parksville.
Nolan Thoroughgood of Victoria, right, is doused with water by fellow Royal Colwood GC players Kevin Carrigan, left, and Dylan Bell after winning the B.C. Amateur Golf Championship at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort in Qualicum Beach Friday afternoon. For full coverage, scroll down or click the Sports link above.

Bad to the bone: Thoroughgood takes B.C. Am trophy

Teen becomes youngest winner in history of 114th golf championship at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort in Qualicum Beach

Nolan Thoroughgood of Victoria, right, is doused with water by fellow Royal Colwood GC players Kevin Carrigan, left, and Dylan Bell after winning the B.C. Amateur Golf Championship at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort in Qualicum Beach Friday afternoon. For full coverage, scroll down or click the Sports link above.
Stephen Watson of Nanoose Bay blasts from a bunker on the 18th hole during the second round of the B.C. Amateur Golf Championship at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort in Qualicum Beach Wednesday.

Pheasant Glen strikes back

Low first-round scores brought back into line in tough second round at B.C. Amateur Golf Championship in Qualicum Beach

Stephen Watson of Nanoose Bay blasts from a bunker on the 18th hole during the second round of the B.C. Amateur Golf Championship at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort in Qualicum Beach Wednesday.
Left: Etienne (played by Paul Churchill) and Dr. Hercule Molineaux (played by Rob Atkinson) in the reception area of the Molineaux's home during the opening scene of The Ladies Man.

REVIEW: Bedroom farce a hit with audiences

The adapted and translated French play is now playing to audiences in Qualicum Beach

Left: Etienne (played by Paul Churchill) and Dr. Hercule Molineaux (played by Rob Atkinson) in the reception area of the Molineaux's home during the opening scene of The Ladies Man.
Doug Roxburgh of Vancouver, competing in his 50th straight B.C. Amateur Golf Championship, watches his approach shot through the rain on the 18th hole in Tuesday's opening round at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort in Qualicum Beach.

Golfers go low at Pheasant Glen

Opening round of 114th B.C. Amateur Golf Tournament sees 42 players under par

Doug Roxburgh of Vancouver, competing in his 50th straight B.C. Amateur Golf Championship, watches his approach shot through the rain on the 18th hole in Tuesday's opening round at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort in Qualicum Beach.
From left, mid-Island athletes Tom Davison, Paiton Breierley, Austin Gibson, Caleb Price and Colton Schoenke successfully tackled the Tough Mudder obstacle challenge at Whistler's Olympic Park.

One for all and all for mud

Parksville friends excel in first 'Tough Mudder' challenge at Whistler's Olympic Park

From left, mid-Island athletes Tom Davison, Paiton Breierley, Austin Gibson, Caleb Price and Colton Schoenke successfully tackled the Tough Mudder obstacle challenge at Whistler's Olympic Park.
Ben Schow of Parksville chips from a bunker to the 17th green at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort during Sunday's supplemental qualifying round for this week's B.C. Amateur Golf Championship at the Qualicum Beach course.

Final spots filled; time to tee up B.C. Am

Parksville newcomer gains supplemental berth as 114th edition of B.C. Amateur Golf Championship begins at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort

Ben Schow of Parksville chips from a bunker to the 17th green at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort during Sunday's supplemental qualifying round for this week's B.C. Amateur Golf Championship at the Qualicum Beach course.

Canada Day crowd behaved in Parksville

For the first time in memory, there were no arrests

Qualicum School District 69 OKs eyesight screening program

The partnership will allow Lions Club volunteers to enter classrooms to provide the non-invasive screenings