Amazing Race locals
Two Comox Valley couples competed against each other and eight other teams in season nine of The Amazing Race Canada, which kicked off on July 4. The Record interviewed the couples, Allie and Eddie: Personal trainers and entrepreneurs, versus Tyler and Kayleen: A pro athlete and a scuba diver. Tyler and Kayleen, from Royston, were eliminated in the final episode.
Canada day parade
Thousands lined the streets of Courtenay for the annual Canada Day parade. The Ducky 500 rubber duck race was a hit, a Hercules plane flew over 5th Street to join the parade, and musician Fred Penner played a show in Lewis Park.
Peer-Assisted Care Teams
At an announcement at Simms Millennium Park on July 7, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside said the provincial government, along with the support of the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division, would be bringing new a Peer Assisted Care Team (PACT) to the Valley. The teams are community-led crisis response teams for those experiencing a mental health or substance-use crisis.
Crash stats released
The crash statistics for Comox Valley in the year 2022 were released by ICBC, showing the most dangerous intersections in town. The intersections at Lerwick Road and Ryan Road, Cliffe Avenue and 17th Street, and Back Road and Ryan Road had the most crashes.
Aircraft leaves Comox
After spending the last three decades sitting in Comox鈥檚 Heritage Airpark, the CF-104 Starfighter aircraft left town to go to its new home in Victoria鈥檚 BC Aviation Museum. 鈥淭he Starfighter was the fastest aircraft that ever served in the RCAF and Canadian Forces,鈥� retired Lt.-Col. Dan Dempsey said at the time.
Naval ship tour
His Majesty鈥檚 Canadian Ship (HMCS) Edmonton was docked in Comox Marina on July 9. Crew members offered tours to residents and greeted visitors of all ages to inform citizens about the ins and outs of the ship.
Fatal motorcycle crash
At around 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday (July 11), Comox Valley RCMP received a report of a motorcycle crash on the Comox Logging Road near the Island Highway overpass. A 29-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
New landfill dig
鈥淐ell 2鈥� reached completion at the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre. The $14.8 million budget cell opened to be able to hold trash in a space equal to a cube 100 meters wide, 100 meters tall and 100 meters high.
Fire save awarded
Junyi Liu was given the Citizen Service Award for pulling a woman from a flaming vehicle at the Comox Esso station, which burned to the ground that day. The award was presented to Liu by the mayor and the fire chief of Comox.
RCMP contract increase
Courtenay council agreed in principle to have the city pay more for RCMP, capping off an 80 per cent increase in contracts since 2010. The increase was planned to be funded by an increase to taxes of 0.67 per cent. The increase would fund 3.5 per cent pay raises and $3,000 body cameras in next year鈥檚 RCMP contracts, among other things.
Canadian tire fraud
More than $4,500 of welding equipment was taken from Canadian Tire on Canada Day. On July 1, three suspects were seen on surveillance at Canadian Tire in Courtenay as they emptied out boxes of inexpensive items and replaced those items with significantly more expensive merchandise. RCMP sought public help identifying the suspects captured on security camera footage.
Sewer extension workaround
The Comox Valley Regional District confirmed it is working on getting approval for a costly sewer extension to Royston and Union Bay from provincial authorities rather than through public vote. Last time the project was proposed, it required public approval through vote, and the referendum was voted down. CVRD confirmed the extension to Union Bay and Royston would add these communities to Comox Valley鈥檚 sewer system, meaning ongoing maintenance costs would be shared by everyone including households in Courtenay and Comox.
