Robert Barron

The Municipality of North Cowichan is considering retiring its coast of arms. (File photo)

North Cowichan to consider retiring its coat of arms

Reconciliation with First Nations cited in recommendation

The Municipality of North Cowichan is considering retiring its coast of arms. (File photo)
The standoff on Bell McKinnon Road on Aug 4 was the result of a mental health issue, says a police spokesman. (File photo)

Mental health issue led to Duncan standoff, says RCMP spokesman

Suspect taken to hospital for assessment

The standoff on Bell McKinnon Road on Aug 4 was the result of a mental health issue, says a police spokesman. (File photo)
RCMP officers have blocked off a section of Bell McKinnon Road north of Duncan Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 4, 2021. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

1 taken into custody as standoff with RCMP north of Duncan concludes

Multiple police cars and officers in the area

RCMP officers have blocked off a section of Bell McKinnon Road north of Duncan Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 4, 2021. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
The City of Duncan has retired the position of town crier. Pictured is Ben Buss, who has served as the city’s town crier since 2011. (Citizen file)

City of Duncan eliminates town crier position

Cites “increased awareness of historical injustices” as reason

The City of Duncan has retired the position of town crier. Pictured is Ben Buss, who has served as the city’s town crier since 2011. (Citizen file)
All the rowing athletes from Canada participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were trained on Quamichan Lake. (File photo)

North Cowichan cheers on “home-town” rowing team at Tokyo Olympics

All Olympic rowers from Canada trained at Quamichan Lake

All the rowing athletes from Canada participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were trained on Quamichan Lake. (File photo)
The invasive seaweed Japanese sargassum is rapidly spreading in Maple Bay. (Sue Fryer photo)

Event aims to uproot invasive seaweed sweeping through Vancouver Island bay

Japanese Sargasso now taking over from Campbell River to Baja, California

The invasive seaweed Japanese sargassum is rapidly spreading in Maple Bay. (Sue Fryer photo)
The Tube Shack in Lake Cowichan is opening a second location this year. (File photo)

The Tube Shack opening second location in Lake Cowichan

Cowabunga Tubes will be on North Shore Road

The Tube Shack in Lake Cowichan is opening a second location this year. (File photo)
View of the Malahat Skywalk’s Welcome Centre & Gathering Place, which has ticket sales, a cafe and a gift shop. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

VIDEO: Unique Malahat SkyWalk wows opening day visitors

Tourist facility combines nature-based tourism with a cultural tourism experience

View of the Malahat Skywalk’s Welcome Centre & Gathering Place, which has ticket sales, a cafe and a gift shop. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Alex and Genevieve Johnny have spent their lives dealing with the trauma they experienced at schools when they were young. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Island couple shares heart-wrenching stories of their residential school youth

Abuse and racism were common in the experiences of Cowichan’s Alex and Genevieve Johnny

Alex and Genevieve Johnny have spent their lives dealing with the trauma they experienced at schools when they were young. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Donna Jack holds a picture of her son Thomas Jimmy, who died of a drug overdose in May. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Cowichan mother wants answers to son’s apparent overdose death

Mom says Thomas Jimmy died after smoking cannabis, unaware it was laced with fentanyl

Donna Jack holds a picture of her son Thomas Jimmy, who died of a drug overdose in May. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Abid Atrchi, owner Applepress on the Trans Canada Highway in Duncan, wants something done about the ongoing crime in the area after having his window smashed out last weekend. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Duncan business owner frustrated with “catch-and-release” approach to crime

Manhole cover tossed through window, the fourth time in three years his shop has been targeted

Abid Atrchi, owner Applepress on the Trans Canada Highway in Duncan, wants something done about the ongoing crime in the area after having his window smashed out last weekend. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
More than 200 people took part in the "Every Child Matters March' on June 25. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Hundreds march at Malahat for children who died at residential schools

More than 200 join Malahat First Nation members at event

More than 200 people took part in the "Every Child Matters March' on June 25. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
The Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society, which has been operating a treatment centre on land leased from the Nanoose First Nation for 35 years (pictured), has begun a fundraising campaign to open a new centre near Duncan. (Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society photo)

New residential school healing centre to be built near Duncan

$5-million Indigenous treatment centre will help survivors of residential schools heal

The Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society, which has been operating a treatment centre on land leased from the Nanoose First Nation for 35 years (pictured), has begun a fundraising campaign to open a new centre near Duncan. (Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society photo)
Charles (Wayne) Malmsten stands next to the parking lot on Lewis Street where his car was stolen on March 26. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

More than two months later, Duncan senior still waiting for ICBC to replace torched car

‘I have congestive heart failure and having to rely on other people for everything is doing me in’

Charles (Wayne) Malmsten stands next to the parking lot on Lewis Street where his car was stolen on March 26. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
North Cowichan has banned the use of anticoagulant rodenticides in all properties owned by the municipality. (File photo)

Vancouver Island community bans use of rat poisons in municipal properties

Report indicates rodenticides can be consumed by non-target species

North Cowichan has banned the use of anticoagulant rodenticides in all properties owned by the municipality. (File photo)
Tourist-related industries have had a hard year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the related travel bans in B.C., across the country and internationally. (File photo)

Cowichan Valley tourism feeling tight pinch from pandemic

Charting a course for recovery necessary, as about 37 per cent can’t pay their bills right now

Tourist-related industries have had a hard year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the related travel bans in B.C., across the country and internationally. (File photo)
More “strings of lights” were seen on May 15, 2021, in night sky over Vancouver Island. (File photo)

More ‘strings of lights’ reported in coastal B.C.’s night skies

At least three sightings were made on May 15

More “strings of lights” were seen on May 15, 2021, in night sky over Vancouver Island. (File photo)
Nurses at the Cowichan District Hospital are thanking the community for following the health protocols during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured from left are nurses Jacqueline Kendall, Melissa Bustard and Heidi Ferris. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Still in this together: Island nurses finally see light coming after a year like no other

May 10-16 is National Nursing Week, giving pause to reflect on the pressures of a pandemic

Nurses at the Cowichan District Hospital are thanking the community for following the health protocols during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured from left are nurses Jacqueline Kendall, Melissa Bustard and Heidi Ferris. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Guy Johnstone, who operates the Michelle Rose Community Supported Fishery in Cowichan Bay, hopes that an emergency review of new regulations governing the spot prawn industry will see some changes. (File photo)

Feds to conduct emergency review of new West Coast prawn fishery regulations

Regulations make the sale of frozen-at-sea spot prawns illegal

Guy Johnstone, who operates the Michelle Rose Community Supported Fishery in Cowichan Bay, hopes that an emergency review of new regulations governing the spot prawn industry will see some changes. (File photo)
North Cowichan councillor Tek Manhas did not violate the municipality’s code of conduct by posting a sexist meme on Facebook, council concludes. (File photo)

B.C. municipality to take no action against councillor who posted sexist meme

Tek Manhas’s meme doesn’t violate North Cowichan council’s code of conduct, municipality concludes

North Cowichan councillor Tek Manhas did not violate the municipality’s code of conduct by posting a sexist meme on Facebook, council concludes. (File photo)