John Harding

BREAKING: Another oil spill reported off northern Vancouver Island

BREAKING: Another oil spill reported off northern Vancouver Island

Up to 1,100 litres may have spilled near Port Harvey Marine Resort about 60 km south of Port McNeill

BREAKING: Another oil spill reported off northern Vancouver Island
The death Tuesday of 69-year-old Canadian actor Alan Thicke while he was playing hockey in Los Angeles has raised some debate about the suitability of the sport for the senior set. Above is action this year from a Parksville Panters game, a team that includes players beyond their 65th birthdays.

The death of Alan Thicke — is hockey OK for seniors?

Five players over the age of 65 have suffered heart attacks during, or just after, games at Parksville's Oceanside Arena the past five years

The death Tuesday of 69-year-old Canadian actor Alan Thicke while he was playing hockey in Los Angeles has raised some debate about the suitability of the sport for the senior set. Above is action this year from a Parksville Panters game, a team that includes players beyond their 65th birthdays.
MLA Michelle Stilwell is pictured above on the May 2013 night she won election as MLA for Parksville-Qualicum. With Stilwell is her husband Mark, right, and son Kai.

EXCLUSIVE: Stilwell will seek second term

The Parksville-Qualicum MLA is the last of Premier Christy Clark's cabinet to announce her intentions for the May 2017 election

MLA Michelle Stilwell is pictured above on the May 2013 night she won election as MLA for Parksville-Qualicum. With Stilwell is her husband Mark, right, and son Kai.
Rail cars in a Nanaimo yard earlier this year.

Report suggests ICF’s lack of transparency leading to lack of trust from politicians, public

The report was prepared by aKd Resource for the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities

Rail cars in a Nanaimo yard earlier this year.

EDITORIAL: There’s a push to get the Salish Sea designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Just what effect would the designation have on shipping, fishing, oil tankers, etc.?

North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre co-founder Robin Campbell is pictured with the famous bear cubs just before their release on Friday.

Bear cubs spared from death by conservation officer released into the wild

Conservation officer Bryce Casavant was suspended for not following orders to shoot the bears near Port Hardy in July of 2015

North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre co-founder Robin Campbell is pictured with the famous bear cubs just before their release on Friday.
94-year-old Patrick Allen of Gabriola Island celebrated Father's Day by skydiving.

94-year-old Gabriola Island man celebrates Father’s Day with a skydive over Parksville Qualicum Beach

Daughter, from 100 Mile, bought him unique present to be used at Qualicum Beach

94-year-old Patrick Allen of Gabriola Island celebrated Father's Day by skydiving.
Robin Richardson of Victoria says he is the leader of a new political party called the Vancouver Island Party.

New political party wants Vancouver Island to be Canada’s 11th province

The Vancouver Island Party is led by Victoria's Robin Richardson; platform includes light rail system from Duke Point to Qualicum Beach

Robin Richardson of Victoria says he is the leader of a new political party called the Vancouver Island Party.
The future of the management group that wants to bring passenger rail service back to Vancouver Island, could be determined during a meeting Tuesday.
The future of the management group that wants to bring passenger rail service back to Vancouver Island, could be determined during a meeting Tuesday.
The future of the management group that wants to bring passenger rail service back to Vancouver Island, could be determined during a meeting Tuesday.

Meeting Tuesday could shed light on Graham Bruce’s future with foundation that wants to re-start passenger rail on Vancouver Island

The former Liberal MLA's contract with the Island Corridor Foundation ends Tuesday, May 31

The future of the management group that wants to bring passenger rail service back to Vancouver Island, could be determined during a meeting Tuesday.
MP Gord Johns, left, toured Deep Bay on Tuesday to get an up-close look at the 100-foot abandoned tugboat Silver King (background), which is taking on water. Pictured with Johns are Regional District of Nanaimo chair (and Deep Bay rep) Bill Veenhof, centre, and Stellar Bay Shellfish owner Keith Reid.

UPDATE: Federal Fisheries and Oceans minister says vessel ‘beyond repair’

Minister Hunter Tootoo says unstable boat will be removed from Deep Bay; MP Gord Johns encouraged by minister's response

MP Gord Johns, left, toured Deep Bay on Tuesday to get an up-close look at the 100-foot abandoned tugboat Silver King (background), which is taking on water. Pictured with Johns are Regional District of Nanaimo chair (and Deep Bay rep) Bill Veenhof, centre, and Stellar Bay Shellfish owner Keith Reid.
Shellfish business owner Keith Reid said if the 100-foot Silver King (the tug above, pictured Saturday) sinks, he’s been told by Environment Canada the area could be closed for shellfish operations for at least a year.

Shellfish operations in jeopardy: two derelict boats sink in Deep Bay, another taking on water

At least 40 full-time jobs in the shellfish industry on the line — MP Gord Johns expected to visit the site Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Shellfish business owner Keith Reid said if the 100-foot Silver King (the tug above, pictured Saturday) sinks, he’s been told by Environment Canada the area could be closed for shellfish operations for at least a year.
Southern Rail employees manoeuvre the Island Explorer excursion train along the tracks at rail yard on the Nanaimo waterfront. Tuesday. The 1952 locomotive and four heritage coaches arrived earlier that morning in anticipation of an April 8 event celebrating the 130th anniversary of Island rail.

Passenger rail plan loses $1M commitment from Nanaimo regional district

RDN chair Bill Veenhof says the RDN has "lost confidence that the day-to-day operations of the ICF reflect the interests of the RDN"

Southern Rail employees manoeuvre the Island Explorer excursion train along the tracks at rail yard on the Nanaimo waterfront. Tuesday. The 1952 locomotive and four heritage coaches arrived earlier that morning in anticipation of an April 8 event celebrating the 130th anniversary of Island rail.