Community

Lake Cowichan Tipton’s Gas bar on North Shore Road saw an unusual customer on Thanksgiving morning. From a screenshot of security footage a bear is seen on camera around 6:30 a.m., sniffing around the ice cream fridge and candy bar rack for a sweet treat, funny enough he settled on gummy bears. (Courtesy of Tiptons)

Bear tiptoes into Tiptons in Lake Cowichan on Thanksgiving morning

Owner says bear was not aggressive, just stopped by for some gummy bears and fled

Lake Cowichan Tipton’s Gas bar on North Shore Road saw an unusual customer on Thanksgiving morning. From a screenshot of security footage a bear is seen on camera around 6:30 a.m., sniffing around the ice cream fridge and candy bar rack for a sweet treat, funny enough he settled on gummy bears. (Courtesy of Tiptons)
Small Eyes, a Northern Spotted Owl, at the Spuzzum First Nation’s First Fish Ceremony on July 29, 2023. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)

Federal government rejects emergency order to protect Northern Spotted Owl habitat

Members of Spuzzum First Nation “furious” at federal government

Small Eyes, a Northern Spotted Owl, at the Spuzzum First Nation’s First Fish Ceremony on July 29, 2023. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)
Small Eyes, an animal ambassador, is one of the Northern Spotted Owls that is part of the breeding program in Langley. As of July 25, three owls — two males and one female — are living in the wild in Fraser Canyon/Spuzzum First Nation territory. (Kemone Moodley/Hope Standard)

Second release brings B.C.’s wild spotted owl population from 1 to 3

Two male owls join one female owl in Fraser Canyon

Small Eyes, an animal ambassador, is one of the Northern Spotted Owls that is part of the breeding program in Langley. As of July 25, three owls — two males and one female — are living in the wild in Fraser Canyon/Spuzzum First Nation territory. (Kemone Moodley/Hope Standard)
The Kookipi Creek wildfire is an estimated 18,045.3 hectares as of Monday, Sept. 4, 2023 and remains out of control. (bc wildfire Service)

27 structures so far burned down by Kookipi Creek wildfire

6 residential homes and 21 recreational and maintenance buildings taken by fire

The Kookipi Creek wildfire is an estimated 18,045.3 hectares as of Monday, Sept. 4, 2023 and remains out of control. (bc wildfire Service)
Skyler Punnett’s new illistration, ‘The Crow That Ate The Wind,’ honours the first responders who fight wildfires. (Skyler Punnett)

Penticton artist honours firefighters nationwide

Proceeds from the work’s sales set to go to the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation

Skyler Punnett’s new illistration, ‘The Crow That Ate The Wind,’ honours the first responders who fight wildfires. (Skyler Punnett)
Students at Sandy Hill elementary in Abbotsford created banners to welcome in the participating athletes to the 55+ BC Games on Aug. 23. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)

VIDEO: 55+ BC Games opening ceremony to feature artistic touch from Abbotsford youth

Sandy Hill elementary students handpainted signs to be used at August event

Students at Sandy Hill elementary in Abbotsford created banners to welcome in the participating athletes to the 55+ BC Games on Aug. 23. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)
Longtime leading Canadian player, Eric Dunn of Saanich is among the first inductees to the national foosball hall of fame. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Meet B.C. man named Canada’s first-ever foosball hall-of-famer

Saanich’s Eric Dunn first Canadian to reach the rank of pro-master – the top level on tour

Longtime leading Canadian player, Eric Dunn of Saanich is among the first inductees to the national foosball hall of fame. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
James Sails reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 24. (Submitted by James Sails)

Retired B.C. soldier conquers Mount Everest, fulfilling lifelong dream

East Sooke resident journeys to top of world in mountaineering quest

James Sails reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 24. (Submitted by James Sails)
Amanda Smith of LEPS checks out the progress of cherries in Derek Doubleday Arboretum. Smith wants to recruit more local fruit tree owners to the Community Harvest program that donates fresh fruit to local food banks. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)

Plenty of volunteers, not enough fruit trees for Langley harvest

Community Harvest program seeks fruit donors for 2023 season

Amanda Smith of LEPS checks out the progress of cherries in Derek Doubleday Arboretum. Smith wants to recruit more local fruit tree owners to the Community Harvest program that donates fresh fruit to local food banks. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)
Tickets are now on sale for Charcuterie on the Pier, hosted by Sheila’s Catering owners Brant Darling, left, and Wes Levesque. The fundraising event, scheduled for Sept. 2, 2023, will also attempt to break the Guinness World Record for longest charcuterie board. (contributed photo)

Tickets now on sale for Charcuterie on the Pier event

Fundraiser aims to break Guinness World Record with 500-foot consecutive charcuterie board

Tickets are now on sale for Charcuterie on the Pier, hosted by Sheila’s Catering owners Brant Darling, left, and Wes Levesque. The fundraising event, scheduled for Sept. 2, 2023, will also attempt to break the Guinness World Record for longest charcuterie board. (contributed photo)
Jessica is running more than 900 kilometres from Nelson to Victoria as part of “Aubrey’s Run Across B.C. to End Toxic Drug Death,” passing through the Okanagan and stopping in communities for events along the way. She is running in memory of her son Aubrey, who died from toxic drug poisoning on Aug. 30, 2022. (Bill Metcalfe photo)

Running for Aubrey: Grieving B.C. mom hits pavement to Penticton for safe supply

Jessica Michalofsky will be at the Peach at 3 p.m. on Sunday

Jessica is running more than 900 kilometres from Nelson to Victoria as part of “Aubrey’s Run Across B.C. to End Toxic Drug Death,” passing through the Okanagan and stopping in communities for events along the way. She is running in memory of her son Aubrey, who died from toxic drug poisoning on Aug. 30, 2022. (Bill Metcalfe photo)
Kelowna’s tent city garnered national attention after twee by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

Poilievre’s depiction of Kelowna’s tent city ‘disappointing’, says safety director

‘This issue is one that cities across the province and in fact across the country’

Kelowna’s tent city garnered national attention after twee by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
War medals were fished out of the Sumas River near Abbotsford and the teenager who found them is hoping to find the rightful owner. (Submitted photo)

Teen pulls box of war medals out of Abbotsford river while fishing

First and Second World War medals were in a small plastic box with duct tape on it

War medals were fished out of the Sumas River near Abbotsford and the teenager who found them is hoping to find the rightful owner. (Submitted photo)
The pink car sits on its familiar perch on the old Pick-A-Part and new Southern Irrigation property, welcoming eastbound travellers on Highway 1. The iconic landmark is the focus of the ‘Save the Car’ campaign, raising money to build a new facility for the Chilliwack Salvation Army.

Chilliwack’s famous pink car needs help to avoid being crushed

Southern Irrigation’s ‘Save the Car’ campaign is raising money for the Chilliwack Salvation Army

The pink car sits on its familiar perch on the old Pick-A-Part and new Southern Irrigation property, welcoming eastbound travellers on Highway 1. The iconic landmark is the focus of the ‘Save the Car’ campaign, raising money to build a new facility for the Chilliwack Salvation Army.
Penticton’s Mae Smith celebrated her 100th birthday at the Concorde Retirement Community on Wednesday, May 3. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

‘I’m so fortunate’: Penticton’s Mae Smith celebrates 100th birthday

The Penticton resident was joined by family and friends to mark the milestone Wednesday

Penticton’s Mae Smith celebrated her 100th birthday at the Concorde Retirement Community on Wednesday, May 3. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
Mount Baker vents regularly with steam visible depending on weather. (Photo by Gary Woodburn)

A picturesque volcano, Mount Baker steaming is ‘mostly’ hot water, says UVic prof

American Cascades include multiple volcanoes, both active and dormant

Mount Baker vents regularly with steam visible depending on weather. (Photo by Gary Woodburn)
After much buzzing and speculation on who won the grand prize, Thelma Florence is the winner of BCLC’s Lotto 6/49’s Guaranteed Prize of $1 million draw that took place on April 1. (BCLC)

Hope woman hits million-dollar jackpot

Chawathil’s Thelma Florence purchased winning ticket at Bee’s Food Market

After much buzzing and speculation on who won the grand prize, Thelma Florence is the winner of BCLC’s Lotto 6/49’s Guaranteed Prize of $1 million draw that took place on April 1. (BCLC)
A major rock-scaling project is set to begin near Exit 160 at Hunter Creek Road — which the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) says will protect travellers from future rockfall. (flickr/Zach)

Major rock-scaling project taking place on Highway 1 near Hope

Drivers can expect multiple highway closures and delays starting April 17

A major rock-scaling project is set to begin near Exit 160 at Hunter Creek Road — which the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) says will protect travellers from future rockfall. (flickr/Zach)
The Victoria petting zoo welcomes its first two baby goats of the season – Jupiter and Solaris. (Beacon Hill Children’s Farm/Facebook)

Tragic birth in Victoria petting zoo leads to happy beginnings for 2 mama goats

Goat run returns to Beacon Hill Park as children’s farm welcomes spring babies

The Victoria petting zoo welcomes its first two baby goats of the season – Jupiter and Solaris. (Beacon Hill Children’s Farm/Facebook)
Kevin Smith is calling attention to a significant theft at his Highway Antique Barn business on the Trans-Canada Highway. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Thieves pillage B.C. business of $100,000 worth of gold and silver

Owner calls for more awareness, security measures to combat crime in Chemainus area

Kevin Smith is calling attention to a significant theft at his Highway Antique Barn business on the Trans-Canada Highway. (Photo by Don Bodger)