The month began with a high-angle rescue from above thanks to a Royal Canadian Air Force unit from Comox. Four people spent about two hours trapped by surging seas on a large rock off Long Beach before being rescued unharmed, thanks to 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron from 19 Wing Comox.
Record lows
It was determined that March was a record low month for precipitation throughout the Comox Valley, with 4.6 mm of rain within the month, according to data from Environment Canada. The average for March, calculated between 1981 to 2010 is 105.7 mm.
Arden recognized
Arden Elementary School was recognized for its environmental initiative. The top 100 finalists for the Staples Superpower your School competition placed the school on the list out of nearly 500 which entered the competition.
No demo
It was confirmed the CF-18 demo plane would not take to the skies over the Comox Valley Valley, as the schedule did not match that of the Snowbirds. Instead, the team trained at 4 Wing Cold Lake from May 15 to June 2.
Junction opening
Located at 988 Eighth St., The Junction, a three-storey modular apartment housing people experiencing homelessness, opened. It contains 46 units that each have a kitchenette and washroom.
High schoolers shine
Three local high school student shared the top spot in the world for their robotics skills. Gauthier Appaix, Eony Kim and Taylor LaFleur, who make up 7K Robotics, travelled to Iowa for the CREATE US Open Robotics Championship where they won two titles: skills champion and tournament champion.
Waving goodbye
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| Tinney Davidson has been waving at kids on their way to school for over 11 years. Photo by Jolene Rudisuela |
Since 2007, every morning Tinney Davidson waved to kids on their way to Highland Secondary, but as she planned her move from her Comox home, more than 400 students gave her a surprise send-off at her home. The students wanted to show their appreciation and carried lawn signs and homemade signs to decorate the senior’s home. They each blew her a kiss and gave her a wave goodbye.
READ: Big send-off for waving granny
More than bullying
A Comox Valley mother said “it was more than bullying” at play as her daughter reported an assault by four teens near Valley View Elementary School in Courtenay. According to Comox Valley RCMP, a student was walking on a trail near the school when she was assaulted. The student’s mother believes the incident was a violent, targeted attack, as her daughter had issues with threats throughout the entire school year.
New funding
New Democrat MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard welcomed $1 million in provincial funding to support the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society’s acquisition of the former Field Sawmill site (Kus-kus-sum) in the K’omoks estuary.
BUSINESS
In business, a new wellness centre in Courtenay opened to offer an innovative and unique approach to healthcare, allowing Valley residents the opportunity to better manage their well-being. The Grove Health & Wellness opened its door at the corner of Third Street and Duncan Avenue. It is the only clinic exclusively dedicated to an integrated and collaborative model of healthcare.
Alcohol on ferries
BC Ferries confirmed they were exploring a pilot project that would allow limited alcohol sales in the Pacific Buffet abroad the Costal Celebration, Spirit of British Columbia and Spirit of Vancouver Island.
Second thrift store
After a devastating fire that destroyed Too Good To Be Threw in January, the Comox Valley Transition Society opened the thrift store’s second location downtown on Fifth Street.
ARTS
Red Rider announced
In arts, executive producer Doug Cox announced he landed Canadian Music Hall of Famer Tom Cochrane with Red Rider as a headliner for Vancouver Island MusicFest in July.
SPORTS
Coach Ross recognized
In sports, Sport BC named Pam Ross its female coach of the year for 2019. The Courtenay-Comox Shito-ryu instructor returned from the Senior Pan American Championships in Panama where Team Canada qualified three more people for the Pan-Am Games.
Honour for Murphy
Isfeld volleyball star Sierra Murphy won a Premier’s Award for Excellence in Sports, one of 12 outstanding Indigenous youth athletes to receive the honour.
Fast marathoner
Roslyn Smith of the Comox Valley was the fastest runner among women in the 70-74 age bracket at her third Boston Marathon on Patriots’ Day, April 15. She completed the course in 3:53.
