NEWS

Courtenay鈥檚 Anderton Arms apartment to be demolished

The Anderton Arms apartment building in Courtenay is set for demolition after being acquired by the City. Tenants of Anderton Arms were given four months to find new accommodations, in line with the Residential Tenancy Act guidelines. The city is offering monetary compensation to tenants based on how long they have lived in the building. The city has retained the M鈥檃kola Housing Society to support tenants in their search for new housing and help coordinate their move. In Dec. of 2023, structural engineers detected movement of the sheet pile wall located between Anderton Arms and Courtenay River. In a letter sent to residents, it was stated that there was a risk of death due to the structural issues. 

Standoff in Comox peacefully resolved after three hours

RCMP say they were able to peacefully resolve a stand-off that lasted three hours in Comox. Police were called to the 2200 block of Manor Place according to one man who lives in the same condo building that was quickly cordoned off. 鈥淭he RCMP officers started showing up in the parking lot, there was nothing different at all but all of a sudden there was a huge police presence all over the place鈥� he says. According to RCMP Spokesperson Corporal Alex B茅rub茅  鈥淭he person was apprehended under the Mental Health Act to receive the care they need.  Out of respect for privacy, we won鈥檛 be sharing further details鈥�

New Care-A-Van hitting Comox Valley Streets

A new Care-A-Van is hitting the streets in the Comox Valley. After fifteen years, the Comox Bay Care Society's original Care-A-Van is being replaced on local streets with a new, state-of-the-art vehicle to better serve and support the community. The new vehicle is a 2020 Ford E-450 V10 chassis with an ALP Adventurer build out that has been heavily modified to meet the unique needs of the Care-A-Van crew. The vehicle is 26 feet long, and has only 51,000 km, which will help reduce maintenance costs and promote the longevity of the program. Over the past 15 years, the Care-A-Van has helped 1,900 people with anything from occupational therapy to mental health support to the new substance use support program.

Comox Valley army cadet selected as regimental sergeant major

James Vernon had a busy week, taking part in an assessment of over 70 youth from across Canada to find his way to the top of the pack and gaining him the appointment at the Mountain Cadet training centre. Vernon, who was in his last summer of the cadet program, demonstrated leadership and commitment to the program. After coming out in the forefront of the cadet training, he now will have a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of leaders from across Canada. The program specializes in expedition and drill and ceremonial.

B.C. Greens calling for stricter measures to conserve water during droughts

The B.C. Greens were urgently calling for the province to take action on the worsening drought crisis in the Comox and Cowichan Valleys. In April, a report from the BC River Forecast Centre said that the snowpack in B.C.was only 63 per cent of normal, which is the lowest it has been in 50 years. On the Island, the snow basin index was lower, at 49 per cent (the lowest on record for the Island was 15 per cent in 2015). The province has allocated $80 million to help farmers manage water resources, but the Green Party of B.C. is advocating for more robust and long-term solutions to the crisis.

Brennan Day running for BC Conservatives in Courtenay-Comox

Comox Valley resident Brennan Day announced he would be running as the Conservative Party of BC Candidate in Courtenay-Comox in the upcoming provincial election. Day was elected with a 92-vote margin over NDP incumbent Ronna-Rae Leonard. Day's priorities are creating safer communities by including tougher penalties for repeat offenders, justice system reform, and support for front-line personnel. He is also campaigning on housing, with a focus on cutting red tape and removing barriers to construction to increase the availability of affordable housing, and to reopen involuntary rehabilitation institutions for people living with addictions and mental health challenges.

Arrest made following axe attack on vehicle near Cumberland

The Comox Valley RCMP  made an arrest in connection with a smashed car windshield near Cumberland. On August 9, the RCMP identified and arrested 33-year-old Kaj Peterson of Cumberland in connection with the incident. Peterson was held for court, and charged with mischief and assault with a weapon. On Aug. 6, a woman was camping in her vehicle near Comox Lake when an unknown man pulled up in a vehicle in front of her and struck her windshield with an axe. The man returned to his vehicle and continued towards Comox Lake.

Early morning fire consumes Courtenay car wash

Courtenay fire crews faced an unusual blaze Wednesday morning (Aug. 21) as flames quickly consumed the Charlie鈥檚 Auto Wash business on Puntledge Road. Numerous electrical arcs and sparks were visible from the roof area until the fire could be disconnected. The arching noise and smoke had first been noticed by Mandy-Lynn Miller who had just washed and shampooed her vehicle at the business. 鈥淚 was looking at the top and I鈥檓 like is that smoke? And then at the back of the first bay closest to Value Village we鈥檇 seen on the right hand corner getting really red and then all of a sudden sparks shooting out鈥� Miller notes.

Community

Courtenay's 鈥淪ummer Pulse on Plaza鈥� celebrates Pride

Courtenay鈥檚 weekly summer festival, Summer Pulse on the Plaza will feature music, art making and exhibitions from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Queer Culture, Pride Comox Valley, and Lush Valley are all collaborators in Friday鈥檚 event. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to collaborate with so many cultural and community organizations to celebrate Pride,鈥� said Kitty Pitt of Queer Culture. Later, the Pride Parade has held in downtown Courtenay.

Comox Valley boys build raft and sail to Hornby Island

On B.C. Day long weekend, a group of seven teenagers built and sailed a homemade, 35-foot wooden raft from Kin Beach in the Comox Valley to Hornby Island. "I always forget why I want to do it," said Leif Race, the mastermind of the whole project. "I just got so excited about this idea, and just went for it because I thought it'd be cool." They started by building frames around their floats, then framed all of that together. They then built a floor, second storey, mast, sail, motor, and of course, a barbecue, piano and trampoline. As the tide rose, so did the raft. After gathering the crew of seven they were on their way.

One year after rescue, Comox Valley man conquers Mount Becher again

When Comox Valley's Terry Vrain was lost on Mount Becher, Vancouver Island last August, spending a cold and frightening night out on the mountain, he little imagined that a year later he would be back on the summit and celebrating his miraculous survival. Last time, his hike ended with a helicopter trip to the hospital. This year, the mountain holds new lessons and meaning. Despite concerns about whether he could complete the arduous hike this year, Vrain chose to face his fears and start training this past winter to ensure he would be ready to once again climb Mount Becher.

Festival for Falastin helps Comox Valley residents bear witness to crisis

More than 120 people attended the Festival for Falastin held in Cumberland. The event featured workshops, activities and a silent auction. This evening featured a Palestinian dinner, panel discussion, music and dancing. One of the workshops was on antisemitism and how common narratives can conflate support for Palestinian causes with being antisemitic. The workshop is being led by the group Jewish Voices out of Victoria. The event was in part to help raise direct aid funds for Palestinian families in need.

Open Cockpit days at the Heritage Air Museum in Comox

Attendees got to get behind the wheel of planes and helicopters at the Heritage Air Museum in Comox. Selected aircraft, including the CH-124 Sea King helicopter and a CP-140 Aurora, were available for public viewing. The CL-28 Argus (airplane), CH-113 Labrador (helicopter) and H-21A Piasecki (helicopter) were also available for touring.

SPORTS

Comox Valley Backyard Ultramarathon pushes runners to the limits

Runners from across the country flocked to the Comox Valley to participate in a unique style of running event: a backyard ultramarathon. It was the fifth annual Comox Valley Road Runners (CVRR) Backyard Ultra, an atypical style of running event inspired by the infamous Barkley Marathons. Started by Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell, the Barkley Marathons is an annual event where runners take on a difficult and demanding course through the forests of Tennessee. Local runner Hugo Henckel survived to take home the "finisher" title. Henckel ran a total of 20 yards, or 134 km, beating second place finisher (or "assist") Wade Repta from Victoria by one yard. The final stages of the race were a great battle, with seven runners still competing after the 15 yard or 100 km mark.