Every Friday we feature Valley history taken from our back issues.

Five years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:

Comox Valley Record reporter Bruce MacInnis retired after 20 years with the paper. Since April, 1986, he covered courts, police, Courtenay, Cumberland and Comox councils, and regional district. He cannot estimate how many elections he has covered at the municipal, provincial and federal levels.

MacInnis plans to retire to what he calls his 'estate' in Union Bay.

He was replaced by Colleen Dane, who had been a reporter at the Parksville-Qualicum Beach News since August 2004.

Ten years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:

The Comox Valley benefited from a $250,000 boost to the harbour revitalization project. The initiative was approved by the Community Economic Adjustment Initiative Steering Committee.

"One of the special things about the Comox Valley is the harbour and the fact that it's a working harbour," project co-ordinator Mardy Bodie-Atkin said.

Residents will see an increase in economic activity and tourism through an extended walkway system, with sidewalks into Harbour Authority land, and the reworking of the parking lot that adjoins the harbour. A boardwalk on the west side of the causeway and extending the harbour authority docks were also in the plans.

Fifteen years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:

A quick escape from a burning vehicle may have saved the life a young Comox man.

Jason Cumby, 19, had installed a 'lift kit' on his truck when the accident occurred on Ryan Road near the Island Highway bypass, according to police. It seems Cumby and another driver attempted to change lanes simultaneously. As Cumby touched his brake to avoid a collision, his truck rolled over and caught fire.

The kit, which raises the vehicle's suspension, made the truck top-heavy so it rolled over when he applied the brake, police said.

Cumby managed to escape with minor injuries.

Twenty years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:

A daring rescue earned two local men the Canadian Medal of Bravery.

On Dec. 19, 1988, Leslie Armitage of Black Creek and Carl George of Courtenay risked their lives to rescue a woman from a burning mobile home outside Comox.

Armitage discovered a fire in his residence and ran outside to get an extinguisher. When he returned, flames were coming out the front door, trapping the woman inside.

Hearing her cries for help, he re-entered the trailer and was knocked unconscious by a ball of fire. In the meantime, the woman had escaped through the window and George had arrived on the scene. He cut a hole in the door with a chainsaw, squeezed through the narrow opening and after three attempts lifted Armitage to safety.