Due to BC Hydro’s spring maintenance on the Puntledge River generating station, Comox Valley water system users will be affected by severe restrictions beginning Wednesday.

Four directors gave it the thumbs down, but the no votes were not enough to prevent the Comox Valley Regional District board from adopting a $56.5 million budget, which is down from last year. The naysayers were Courtenay directors Greg Phelps, Murray Presley and Larry Jangula, and Cumberland representative Leslie Baird.

Taking a conservative approach, the school district's secretary-treasurer is looking at a pretty balanced budget for next year.

BC Ferries wanted room to raise rates even more

For the past month, TimberWest Forest Corporation has been involved with the City of Courtenay in a study that looks at flooding on the Tsolum River. This week, the company explained its management practices to council and expressed hope that the relationship between the company and the city will improve.

Despite his name, Hobo the cat now has a permanent home. Hobo, a stray orange tabby with an infected left front paw was recently caught by the Kitty Cat P.A.L. Society, a non-profit organization who trap, neuter/spay and return feral cats living in managed colonies in the Comox Valley.

An elderly woman died early Sunday morning in the bedroom of her apartment in Comox. The fire began around 9 a.m. at the Manor Place apartments off Comox Avenue near St. Joseph's Hospital, confirmed Rick Shelton, assistant chief operations and training of the Comox Fire Department.

Maj. Chris Hope considers Comox to be the Snowbirds' second home. The Canadian Forces Snowbirds arrived Monday at 19 Wing Comox. Hope, who is from Blenheim, Ont., and is in his second year as Team Lead was excited to begin the squadron's annual spring training deployment in Comox.

About 250 elementary and secondary students from across the district will showcase their favourite aspects of Canadian heritage April 9.