Alberni Valley

An aerial photo shows the forest fire burning on Cameron Bluffs along Highway 4 by Cameron Lake. The fire was first discovered late Saturday night, June 3, 2023. (COASTAL FIRE CENTRE PHOTO)

Helicopters, initial attack crews tackle wildfire east of Port Alberni

Cameron Bluffs fire near Cameron Lake on Highway 4 estimated at 20 hectares

 

An aerial photo shows the forest fire burning on Cameron Bluffs along Highway 4 by Cameron Lake. The fire was first discovered late Saturday night, June 3, 2023. (COASTAL FIRE CENTRE PHOTO)

Highway 4 closes again east of Port Alberni as wildfire grows to 109 hectares

Cameron Bluffs fire east of Port Alberni estimated at 25 hectares

 

The Penticton Vees battle the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the 2023 Fred Page Cup Finals. The mayors of the B.C. cities have made a friendly bet ahead of the series. (Photo- Jack Murray)

Mayors of Penticton, Port Alberni make bet ahead of BCHL Finals

Losing mayor will have to wear the opposing city’s jersey at an upcoming council meeting

 

A fire in the bottom floor of a two-storey home on First Avenue in Port Alberni got into the roof and caused heavy damage, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. (ELENA RARDON/ Alberni Valley News)

House fire in central Vancouver Island sends two to hospital

Port Alberni Fire Dept. answers call to two structure fires in one night

A fire in the bottom floor of a two-storey home on First Avenue in Port Alberni got into the roof and caused heavy damage, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. (ELENA RARDON/ Alberni Valley News)
Pope Francis says vespers in the Roman Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls on the solemnity of the conversion of St. Paul, in Rome on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. An Indigenous delegation is to meet with the Pope at the Vatican in early spring to discuss reconciliation and healing after a visit was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Andrew Medichini

Papal repudiation only the first step, says Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council

NTC president Judith Sayers asks Canada to acknowledge repudiation

Pope Francis says vespers in the Roman Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls on the solemnity of the conversion of St. Paul, in Rome on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. An Indigenous delegation is to meet with the Pope at the Vatican in early spring to discuss reconciliation and healing after a visit was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Andrew Medichini
Roman Waitr, left, Dan Goddard, Kevin Berard and Dave Badovinac model the Port Alberni Cubs uniforms for the 2023 season. The Cubs will host the Canadian National Old Timers Baseball Federation championships in August 2023. (PHOTO COURTESY DWAYNE STERN)

Port Alberni primed to welcome Canada for the Old Timers Baseball Nationals

Vancouver Island city will host two ages groups of old timers’ baseball championships Aug. 4–7

Roman Waitr, left, Dan Goddard, Kevin Berard and Dave Badovinac model the Port Alberni Cubs uniforms for the 2023 season. The Cubs will host the Canadian National Old Timers Baseball Federation championships in August 2023. (PHOTO COURTESY DWAYNE STERN)
In 2015, young volunteers Casey Greggain, left, and Rod Gledhill attach the refurbished bell onto its place of pride on the Two Spot locomotive. (DAVID HOOPER PHOTO)

Iconic brass bell stolen from heritage Two Spot locomotive in Port Alberni

Two Spot was the first steam locomotive to work in the forests of the Alberni Valley

In 2015, young volunteers Casey Greggain, left, and Rod Gledhill attach the refurbished bell onto its place of pride on the Two Spot locomotive. (DAVID HOOPER PHOTO)
A member of Alberni Valley Rescue Squad traverses the snowy slopes of 5040 Peak during a rescue of three stranded skiers, March 8, 2023. (AVRS INSTAGRAM PHOTO)

Alberni Valley Rescue Squad helps stranded skiers off mountainside

Trio called for help after trying to find safe descent on Vancouver Island mountain

A member of Alberni Valley Rescue Squad traverses the snowy slopes of 5040 Peak during a rescue of three stranded skiers, March 8, 2023. (AVRS INSTAGRAM PHOTO)
Colin Murray is one of about a dozen homeowners and businesses on Franklin River Road that were cut off from the city’s water supply for more than 24 hours after a logging truck left the road and crashed into a main water supply pipe on that road, Thursday, March 9, 2023. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

City will begin review after truck crash cuts off main water supply to Port Alberni

Watermain was repaired and restrictions lifted within 30 hours of incident

Colin Murray is one of about a dozen homeowners and businesses on Franklin River Road that were cut off from the city’s water supply for more than 24 hours after a logging truck left the road and crashed into a main water supply pipe on that road, Thursday, March 9, 2023. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Raylene Watts, left, and Alex Tuele, both from Fanny Bay, visit the Port Alberni waterfront looking for treasure on Wednesday, March 9, 2023. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Treasure seekers scour British Columbia for pot of ‘gold’

B.C.-based scavenger hunt offered $1,000 if someone could solve five riddles

Raylene Watts, left, and Alex Tuele, both from Fanny Bay, visit the Port Alberni waterfront looking for treasure on Wednesday, March 9, 2023. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
City of Port Alberni workers and contractors replace a section of the city’s main water supply pipe the morning of March 10, 2023. A logging truck left Franklin River Road the previous afternoon and crashed on top of the pipe, severing it and damaging approximately 10 metres of the waterpipe. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

City crews work through night to fix Port Alberni water supply, hope to finish today

Some homes without water since the pipe was severed in logging truck crash; restrictions in place

City of Port Alberni workers and contractors replace a section of the city’s main water supply pipe the morning of March 10, 2023. A logging truck left Franklin River Road the previous afternoon and crashed on top of the pipe, severing it and damaging approximately 10 metres of the waterpipe. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Gloria Krivicich of Port Alberni had no idea when she bought a Lotto 6/49 ticket on a whim last fall that it would change her life. (BCLC PHOTO)

Island woman hopes to make Croatian connection after $1M Lotto 6/49 jackpot

Gloria Krivicich says win is all about family—from her special numbers to her plans

Gloria Krivicich of Port Alberni had no idea when she bought a Lotto 6/49 ticket on a whim last fall that it would change her life. (BCLC PHOTO)
Kayla Castellarin of the BC SPCA Alberni-Clayoquot Branch feeds Herby the cat some treats on his first birthday, Friday, Jan. 20, 2023. Staff decorated Herby’s living quarters for the occasion. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Herby the black cat seeks fur-ever home on Vancouver Island

Alberni-Clayoquot SPCA staff throw party for one-year old cat who has spent 70-plus days in care

Kayla Castellarin of the BC SPCA Alberni-Clayoquot Branch feeds Herby the cat some treats on his first birthday, Friday, Jan. 20, 2023. Staff decorated Herby’s living quarters for the occasion. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
A fire investigator from Port Alberni Fire Department examines the aftermath of a Boxing Day fire at a home on Haslam Lane, Dec. 27, 2022. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Four people escape Boxing Day house fire in Port Alberni

Son starts fundraiser for mother, who lost everything in early-morning blaze

A fire investigator from Port Alberni Fire Department examines the aftermath of a Boxing Day fire at a home on Haslam Lane, Dec. 27, 2022. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
École Alberni Elementary School teachers Tammy Petrone and Sonia Organ wear tinsel as part of the teachers’ Christmas video, sung to Run-D.M.C.’s ‘Christmas in Hollis.’ (VIDEO SCREENSHOT)

Vancouver Island teachers’ Christmas video goes viral

École Alberni Elementary staff gets into the spirit with hip hop-inspired antics

École Alberni Elementary School teachers Tammy Petrone and Sonia Organ wear tinsel as part of the teachers’ Christmas video, sung to Run-D.M.C.’s ‘Christmas in Hollis.’ (VIDEO SCREENSHOT)
School District 70-Pacific Rim’s head office is located in Port Alberni, B.C. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)

Vancouver Island teacher suspended for touching student during athletic demonstration

Teacher didn’t warn student or ask permission: BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation

School District 70-Pacific Rim’s head office is located in Port Alberni, B.C. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)
The sun sets behind the Somass River at Victoria Quay in Port Alberni. (Elena Rardon / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Port Alberni continues to lead B.C’s October heat parade and shatter many records

Century-old records fall away as mid-Island city sees temperatures in upper 20s Celsius

The sun sets behind the Somass River at Victoria Quay in Port Alberni. (Elena Rardon / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
Robbie Jai, left, unit chief for the Parksville Ambulance Station, presents Ed Francoeur, centre, and Tyler Ruel of Port Alberni with Vital Links awards for saving golfer Fred Fredrickson after he collapsed at Alberni Golf Course on Sept. 13, 2020. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Island golfers honoured saving man who went into cardiac arrest on the course

Ed Francoeur, Tyler Ruel saved fellow golfer after he went into cardiac arrest in 2020

Robbie Jai, left, unit chief for the Parksville Ambulance Station, presents Ed Francoeur, centre, and Tyler Ruel of Port Alberni with Vital Links awards for saving golfer Fred Fredrickson after he collapsed at Alberni Golf Course on Sept. 13, 2020. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
A hiker who suffered injuries while on Mount Arrowsmith’s Judge’s Route trail is rescued due to the combined efforts of Alberni Valley and Arrowsmith volunteer rescuers. (PHOTO COURTESY ALBERNI VALLEY RESCUE SQUAD)

Volunteers rescue hiker in medical distress from steep slopes of Mount Arrowsmith

Multiple agencies involved in complicated retrieval from Judges Route on Island peak

A hiker who suffered injuries while on Mount Arrowsmith’s Judge’s Route trail is rescued due to the combined efforts of Alberni Valley and Arrowsmith volunteer rescuers. (PHOTO COURTESY ALBERNI VALLEY RESCUE SQUAD)
Firefighters attend the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial Ceremony in Ottawa. (PHOTO COURTESY PA FIRE DEPARTMENT)

Trio of Alberni Valley firefighters who died of job-related causes honoured in Ottawa

Canadian Firefighters Memorial took place on Sept. 11, 2022

Firefighters attend the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial Ceremony in Ottawa. (PHOTO COURTESY PA FIRE DEPARTMENT)