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

Five years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:

Courtenay ranked No. 98 out of 108 Canadian cities with a population over 10,000 in a MoneySense magazine best-place-to-live-in-Canada article.

"That surprises me," then-Mayor Starr Winchester said. "We are experiencing phenomenal growth; that indicates we are a desirable place."

House prices was one of the reasons for Courtenay's low standing. The town finished just ahead of Prince Rupert and beat out Campbell River by eight spots. Port Alberni was dead last. Leamington, Ont., was No. 1.

An important survey parameter was the percentage of residents who walk to work.

Ten years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:

A research scientist says fishing gear caused the death of a pregnant six-gill shark that beached itself at Goose Spit.

The 13-foot shark died after bleeding profusely from its gills, as determined by scientists who performed an autopsy on the beach. Its five full-term pups that were ready for birthing were dead prior to the autopsy.

Six-gill sharks normally live in water 2,000 feet under the surface near Flora Island. The shark may have swam into shallow waters simply because it was sick and dying.

Fifteen years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:

The main men in Lower Mainland media emerged from behind their microphones and pens to play a 'mystery tour' round of golf at Crown Isle.

"They didn't know they were coming here when they left Vancouver," Crown Isle pro Chris Herkel said.

The 32-player field included Tony Parsons, Wayne Cox and Norm Grohmann of BCTV, and Neil McRae and Rick Honey of CKNW.

The tournament was the BCPGA's way of saying thanks to those who helped make the Golf Expo in Vancouver a success.

Twenty years ago this week in the Comox Valley Record:

At least two new schools plus expansions to five buildings are included in a long-range plan of the school board. Provincial funding has been approved for an elementary school on Ryan Road hill where the school district expects to build a replacement for Courtenay Junior Secondary. An additional building may be needed before the end of the decade.

Money is also available for expansions to Arden and Royston elementaries, and Cumberland Junior.

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

The 1986 Roderick Haig Brown Memorial Conservation Award was presented to the Courtenay Fish and Game Protection Association.

"We're quite delighted, when you consider there are 20 to 30 clubs seeking this prestigious award, from among the 100 or so clubs in B.C.," president Greg Sawchuck said.

The award came with a $300 cheque.

"It recognizes projects we have developed and maintained through the years," Sawchuck said.