Five years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:

The wheels on Comox Valley buses went round and round with more and more passengers in 2006, giving a lift to the province鈥檚 largest increase in ridership for the second year in a row.

Of all BC Transit鈥檚 municipal conventional systems, it鈥檚 the Comox Strathcona Regional District鈥檚 that stood out 鈥� marking a 22-per-cent increase in the fiscal year ending March 2007.

Ten years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:

Although the West Nile virus has been extensively covered in the media, the Human Society of Canada (HSC) is urging people not to panic, but to take appropriate precautions for themselves and their pets.

鈥淲hile there have been several confirmed cases among birds in southern Ontario, Winnipeg and other parts of Canada, there still hasn鈥檛 been a confirmed human case in Canada,鈥� says Al Hickey, HSC western regional director.

Fifteen years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:

Who says black cats are unlucky?

One local kitten proved you shouldn鈥檛 judge a feline by its colour by taking a wild trip around town while pinned between the radiator and fan of Wayne Thomas鈥� pickup.

When Thomas got into his truck, he thought he heard a cat鈥檚 meow. A search of his truck failed to turn up the animal. About an hour later, while doing his rounds, Thomas again heard the meow and figured the animal was in his engine compartment.

Three firefighters were able to remove the kitten and take it to the SPCA, where it was found to be in perfect health. Thomas plans to adopt the kitten, now known as Lucky, if her owner is not found.

Twenty years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:

A woman will spend six months in jail for embezzling funds from the Courtenay and District Historical Society, Judge Edward O鈥橠onnell decided Monday.

Margaret Van Achte admitted stealing bingo proceeds totalling close to $6,000 over an extended period of time, Crown counsel Stirling Fraser told court.

Twenty-five years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:

Proposed amendments to the Vital Statistics Act would make it possible for parents to give their children hyphenated surnames, Health Minister Peter Dueck announced recently.  Furthermore, the legislation adopts recommendations made by the Uniform Law Conference of Canada, which makes it possible for parents to choose any surname for their child, and removes all distinctions based on marital status, Dueck said.