2024 Comox Valley year in review: September
Comox Valley gymnast sent to Vancouver Hospital for life altering injuries
Taylor Parker, a 19-year-old gymnast and rugby player from the Comox Valley was injured on Hornby Island on Aug. 23. She was at a summer gathering when she slipped during a gymnastics move. She suffered a severe neck injury that has left her paralyzed from the chest down.
She faces a long journey of rehabilitation and recovery. She was first brought by boat, then ambulance, to Nanaimo Hospital where she underwent a CT scan to see how bad her injuries were. She was then sent to Vancouver General Hospital where she underwent an intense six-hour surgery.
Protesters stage die-in at Courtenay Coles book store
At just after 1 p.m. on Sept. 25, members of the Comox Valley 4 Palestine group stood with a banner in front of the Courtenay Coles book store in Driftwood Mall, with other members laying down and pretending to be dead in protest of Coles' parent company Indigo's involvement in the Israeli war in Gaza.
Nineteen protesters laid in front of the store for about an hour, with supporters passing out pamphlets about the reasons for the action, as well as gift cards to locally-owned bookstores. Mall staff was on site as well, ensuring the protesters did not disrupt mall business too much. However, police were called when protesters blocked part of the access to the store. RCMP arrived just after 2 p.m. and informed the group that they were trespassing on private property and asked the group to leave.
The group left without incident.
Courtenay mayor issues statement about Wednesday’s assault
Courtenay’s Mayor, Bob Wells, has stated in response to the stabbing that occurred on Wednesday, Sept. 4 on Sixth Street.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in our community and I commend all involved for bringing this situation to a quick resolution. My heart goes out to those directly impacted by this incident, with gratitude there were no reports of serious physical injuries,” said Wells.
The mayor clarifies that the assault was not connected to the Connect Centre in any way and that the youth suspect that was arrested was unknown to the police.
Early morning Comox fire claims life at golf course
Comox Valley RCMP and the BC Coroners Service are investigating an early morning fire at a Comox golf club that claimed the life of a male.
According to Chief Gord Schreiner of Comox Fire Rescue, crews responded to the report of a large brush fire in the area of Anderton Road shortly after 4 a.m. on Sept. 4.
“Our duty officer responded, it turned out it was a structure fire a block behind this neighbourhood so we had to relocate to where the fire was,” Schreiner said.
Comox Valley Indigenous artist has her jewellery worn at the Emmys
Indigenous artist Agnes Seaweed Wisden of Sea Wisdom Design has had her work soar to new heights as it was worn by two actors at the Emmys on Sept. 15.
Lily Gladstone, known for her work in Fancy Dance, Killers of the Flower Moon and Under The Bridge, which was based on the true story of Victoria’s Reena Virk, donned several pieces made by Wisden.
Gladstone wasn’t the only star to wear Wisden’s pieces. Chad Charlie from TV’s Reservation Dogs, also wore several items made by Wisden.
Car crashes through downtown Courtenay business wall
A driver crashed through the wall of a downtown Courtenay business on the afternoon of Sept. 11.
The driver walked from the vehicle to the ambulance after the crash, and there were no injuries within the building that houses Design Therapy, though owner Jenny Deters said that one staff member had been working near the site just before the crash.
"We were just doing business as usual, and all of a sudden the entire building shook and a car came through the wall," Deters said. "My employee had just moved off of the sofa that was in front of the door, so that was good timing."
Dashcam footage captures head-on Comox Valley collision: RCMP investigating
RCMP in the Comox Valley says they are looking into the possibility of charges against a driver after a serious head-on collision occurred in Black Creek on Sept. 2.
“We’re looking into it as the possible cause of being inattentive, not paying attention, whatever the cause of that might be,” says Const. Monika Terragni of the Comox Valley RCMP
The crash occurred shortly before 8 p.m. on Highway 19a across from the Black Creek Community Church.
K'omoks First Nation condemns racist comedy show
The K'ómoks First Nation has made a statement in opposition to an upcoming show put on by the Danger Cats, a comedy troupe whose make jokes about Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls.
The group was in the news in February when a scheduled performance at Rick Bronson’s House Of Comedy in New Westminster was cancelled due to backlash over t-shirts belittling the victims of serial killer Robert Pickton.
The statement says that "K’ómoks First Nation remains steadfast in our opposition to any form of racism, hate, and discrimination. It has come to our attention that the controversial Albertan “comedy” troupe, Danger Cats, has rescheduled their event for September 26, at an undisclosed location in Comox — just four days before National Day for Truth and Reconciliation."
Comox’s Sophia Vaillant awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal
Local change maker Sophia Vaillant was presented with the King Charles III Coronation Medal by local Courtenay-Comox MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard on the weekend.
“Every one of us is born with our own gifts to give the world. This is an opportunity to not only recognize Sophia’s accomplishments with this medal, but it is a moment to reflect on the fact that each of us can contribute in our own way to a stronger Canada, a stronger future,” said Ronna-Rae Leonard.
The Coronation Medal, a Canadian honour created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, was launched by Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, and recognizes people who have made significant contributions to Canada and their home province and communities.
Sports:
Comox Valley Glacier Grannies to cycle 275 km for charity
Three Comox Valley Grandmothers are preparing to ride over 275 kilometres by bike from Campbell River to Victoria to raise money for the annual Grandmothers for Africa Cycle Tour.
Lisa McKenna, Janet Saunderson and Joanne Wiens are gearing up for the long ride, which will help raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. This is the 18th year of the tour, wherein 30 cyclists will take on the ride between the two communities. The ride will take place between Sept. 6 and 8. Over the past 18 years, the tours have raised 1.2 million dollars.
19 Wing Comox commander balances skies and gridiron as CFL official
From skies to football fields, Chris Shapka navigates two careers with military precision: as the wing commander for 19 Wing Comox and as a Canadian Football League official.
Shapka recently took over the top job at CFB Comox in late July (he was joined by four other CFL officials in Comox at his change of command ceremony). He is also in his 10th year as a CFL official, and most recently, his career came full circle as he was part of the officiating crew during Touchdown Pacific, the inaugural BC Lions versus Ottawa Redblacks CFL game that took place in Victoria over the Labour Day long weekend.
Comox Valley’s annual off-road triathlon crowns youngest winner
The Comox Valley’s annual off-road cross triathlon saw four professional triathletes turn up for this year’s race. The winner, Lewis Dickson, 24, recorded a time of 2:25:37, which was enough to beat the entire group, including the professionals.
“Cross triathlon is a sport in which the top athletes seem to peak a bit later, so it’s great to see young speedsters like Lewis showing us that the future of the sport is as bright as ever,” said race director Ryan Parton. “This is such a fun event with a super supportive atmosphere that attracts participants of all ages and fitness levels, and it’s inspiring to watch them give it their all on one of the toughest courses in Canada.”
The Frontrunners Fit Chiropractic Dodge City X race took participants through a 1.5 km swim in Comox Lake, followed by a 22 km mountain bike ride and ended with a 9.5 km trail run through Cumberland’s trail network.
Arts:
No Vancouver Island MusicFest for 2025 — organizers
Vancouver Island MusicFest won't be happening in 2025, as organizers announced they would be taking the year off to "determine a sustainable vision" for the event.
"The board of the Comox Valley Folk Society and MusicFest staff have announced they are taking a year off from the annual summer festival to rebuild resources and determine a sustainable vision based on the current economic reality and cultural changes," a press release noted. "Sadly, this difficult reality is being faced by numerous Festivals around the world as all grapple with escalating costs."
Organizers say that economic challenges and increased production costs are part of what influenced the decision.
New mural in Courtenay’s Immigration Welcome Centre shines
A new mural painted on the outside and inside of the Immigrant Welcome Centre represents themes of coming to a new community.
Artists Cora Silvestru and Emily Thiessen, also known as Night and Day, discussed the mural with students of the Immigrant Welcome Centre to develop themes that they could incorporate into the piece.
The project is a collaboration between Comox Valley Arts Council and the Immigrant Welcome Centre.
“It’s a combination of our interpretation of what makes us feel welcome. But it’s built on the input and feedback and responses we got from the students who are coming from quite a few countries at this point,” said Silvestru.
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