Auren Ruvinsky

RDN proposes more bus service for Bowser

The regional district is looking to increase from one bus a week to five

Reporter Auren Ruvinsky's last day at the news was Oct. 21.

Auren Ruvinsky says farewell

Reporter's last day at The NEWS was Friday, Oct. 21

Reporter Auren Ruvinsky's last day at the news was Oct. 21.

Looking like development cost charges going up in Regional District of Nanaimo

After eight years of roughly four per cent increases, DCCs for a single-family home will go up 37 per cent when compared to today's rate

Parksville Rotary Club President Bonnie Wallis, right, presented a $1,000 cheque to Will Chambers, chairman and founder of ShuGuy Ministries.

Organization helping the homeless in Parksville Qualicum Beach one step at a time

Parksville Rotary Club helped Shu Guy Ministries with a $1,000 donation

Parksville Rotary Club President Bonnie Wallis, right, presented a $1,000 cheque to Will Chambers, chairman and founder of ShuGuy Ministries.
An artist’s rendering of the renovated Schooner Cove “old hotel” on the right above and proposed second residential building on the left were on display at an Oct. 12 open house.

Nanoose Bay development — Fairwinds owners share their Schooner Cove plan

Condos, coffee shop, pub and restaurant still part of vision

An artist’s rendering of the renovated Schooner Cove “old hotel” on the right above and proposed second residential building on the left were on display at an Oct. 12 open house.
If you noticed blue- and yellow-painted bear paw prints in the Bowser area recently, you can thank the paint cans in Ian McJannet’s garage.

Be on the lookout for a blue and yellow bear in Bowser

Colourful paw prints left behind after bear spills paint in Bowser garage

If you noticed blue- and yellow-painted bear paw prints in the Bowser area recently, you can thank the paint cans in Ian McJannet’s garage.
Kindergarten students at Errington Elementary strain as they try out the new bear-proof garbage container installed at the school through the efforts of the BearSmart B.C. community program.

Experts urge residents to be bear aware in Parksville Qualicum Beach

Report any bear, or cougar, sightings to the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277

Kindergarten students at Errington Elementary strain as they try out the new bear-proof garbage container installed at the school through the efforts of the BearSmart B.C. community program.
The San Pareil neighbourhood, Regional District of Nanaimo jurisdiction wedged between portions of Parksville, is getting about $900,000 worth of water system upgrades.

San Pareil gets federal funding for water system upgrades

Work on the $896,800 project (the total once the Regional District of Nanaimo taxpayer funds are added) is projected to begin Dec. 15

The San Pareil neighbourhood, Regional District of Nanaimo jurisdiction wedged between portions of Parksville, is getting about $900,000 worth of water system upgrades.

Dashwood-based company offers air quality monitoring devices

The levels, for things like wood smoke, are monitored in real time

Parksville city Coun. Sue Powell says she will seek the NDP nomination to run in the May, 2017 provincial election.

Parksville city Coun. Sue Powell wants to represent the NDP in the next provincial election

Her announcement comes soon after the incumbent, Michelle Stilwell of the B.C. Liberals, said she will seek a second term

Parksville city Coun. Sue Powell says she will seek the NDP nomination to run in the May, 2017 provincial election.
The RDN doesn’t appear to be interested in allowing motorized boats on Spider Lake any time soon.

Spider Lake still paddle-only

A local fisherman wants the RDN to allow boats with electric motors on Spider Lake, but that isn’t likely

The RDN doesn’t appear to be interested in allowing motorized boats on Spider Lake any time soon.
John Derek Gardner of John Derek Designer Jewellers in Parksville shows off one of his many award winning creations.

He has never worked a day in his life

After a surprise entry into goldsmithing, local jeweller has never looked back

John Derek Gardner of John Derek Designer Jewellers in Parksville shows off one of his many award winning creations.
Ryan Harris of Parks Canada will speak in Qualicum Beach next week about the discovery of the Franklin Expedition.

Learn about the Franklin Expedition on Oct. 6 in Qualicum Beach

Ryan Harris of Parks Canada was the first person to dive down and see a wreck that was part of the doomed expedition

Ryan Harris of Parks Canada will speak in Qualicum Beach next week about the discovery of the Franklin Expedition.

Judge finds Qualicum Beach picketer not guilty

This may be the last of the fallout from the 2015 labour dispute in Qualicum Beach

Vancouver Island Library system providing ‘great value’

A recently-released report measured direct and indirect benefits and calculated a market value

Participants in an indigenous rights blanket exercise like one that will be held at the Church of the Ascension in French Creek this Saturday, Sept. 24 to help people understand history.

Event Saturday in French Creek aims to educate people about aborignal history

You can take part in a unique exercise to understand indigenous rights

Participants in an indigenous rights blanket exercise like one that will be held at the Church of the Ascension in French Creek this Saturday, Sept. 24 to help people understand history.
Ducks Unlimited recently awarded Quality Foods their Sponsor in Perpetuity Award for contributing over $30,000 to wetland conservation over the last 26 years. From left, John Hiebert (DU Oceanside co-chair), John Briuolo (Quality Foods co-owner) and Wayne Pritchard (DU Canada director).

Parksville Qualicum Beach chapter of Ducks Unlimited looking for award nominations

Past winners of the Community Wetlands Conservation Award include Peter Redford and Fay Smith

Ducks Unlimited recently awarded Quality Foods their Sponsor in Perpetuity Award for contributing over $30,000 to wetland conservation over the last 26 years. From left, John Hiebert (DU Oceanside co-chair), John Briuolo (Quality Foods co-owner) and Wayne Pritchard (DU Canada director).

Report on home support services suggests people are satisfied but want more

B.C. Senior Advocate Isobel Mackenzie released the report this week

Kim Stephens, executive director of the Partnership for Water Sustainability, spoke about watershed science at the Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society’s AGM at the Errington Hall Tuesday.

Returning to the basics of water sustainability

Speaker at AGM of Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society said it's crucial to include watersheds in wider planning

Kim Stephens, executive director of the Partnership for Water Sustainability, spoke about watershed science at the Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society’s AGM at the Errington Hall Tuesday.

Parrots from closed refuge in Coombs still need homes

325 birds who used to be at Coombs refuge still not housed