Local News

Frank Ludwig in a forklift with his long hair during Trooper’s heyday. (Photo submitted)

Humble Island beginnings blossomed into storied career for Trooper keyboardist

Frank Ludwig got his start as a boy pumping the organ in a tiny downtown Chemainus church

Joan Miller with the Vancouver Island North Regional Film Commission says there’s much room for optimism in the region rebounding from COVID-19 and is excited about what the future holds for the region. Black Press File Photo

North Island film industry optimistic about post-COVID rebound

Interest in filming here is still high, according to film commission, once things open back up

This graphic shows the signage for the temporary mural proposed for a building in the 2400-block of Beacon Avenue. (Something Yellow Studio/Sidney Business Improvement Area Society)

Sidney shoots down temporary mural planned to build community spirit

Critics called it work ‘generic’ while questioning its artistic quality

The Valley's Margaret Carlson was honoured by the Royal Academy of Dance last year as the prestigious institution celebrates its 100th anniversary. Pictured is Carlson, left, with her daughter D. Gwen Carlson-Redcliffe. (Submitted photo)

Royal Academy of Dance highlights mid-Island dance icon

Margaret Carlson taught dance in the CowichanValley from 1954 to 1997

  • Mar 24, 2021
The Valley's Margaret Carlson was honoured by the Royal Academy of Dance last year as the prestigious institution celebrates its 100th anniversary. Pictured is Carlson, left, with her daughter D. Gwen Carlson-Redcliffe. (Submitted photo)
Alan Tudyk stars as Alien Harry Vanderspeigel in the new series Resident Alien (Photo by: James Dittinger/SYFY)

Ladysmith-filmed ‘Resident Alien’ renewed for season two

The hit SYFY series will return to film season two in Ladysmith

Alan Tudyk stars as Alien Harry Vanderspeigel in the new series Resident Alien (Photo by: James Dittinger/SYFY)
Willow Street between Mill Street and Victoria Street is a busy place Monday as filming for The Baker’s Son gets underway. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Chemainus provides the perfect small town atmosphere for movie shoot

Community takes on the persona of Windward, Washington for Hallmark production

Willow Street between Mill Street and Victoria Street is a busy place Monday as filming for The Baker’s Son gets underway. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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View Gallery curator Chai Duncan admires the work of graduating visual art student Hailin Zhang, one of the artists in the upcoming End Marks grad show. (Josef Jacobson/News Bulletin)
VIU visual art grad show presented as virtual gallery tour due to COVID-19
Lantzville singer Raymond Salgado will sing ‘O Canada’ before the Vancouver Canucks’ upcoming game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 17. (Photo submitted)
Lantzville singer to perform ‘O Canada’ at Vancouver Canucks game
Nanaimo comedian Peter Hudson’s debut single is Plexiglass, a parody of SexyBack by Justin Timberlake. (Photo courtesy Sam Balsangkar and Bryce Hills)
Vancouver Island comedian releases COVID-19-themed parody song ‘Plexiglass’
This Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, image from a video released by Schwarzenegger shows former Republican California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger delivering a public message. Schwarzenegger compared the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol to the Nazis and called President Donald Trump a failed leader who “will go down in history as the worst president ever.” (Frank Fastner/Arnold Schwarzenegger via AP)
VIDEO: Arnold Schwarzenegger compares U.S. Capitol mob to Nazis
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Sanford and Marlana Williams. Submitted photo.

The silence of Sanford Williams: Island master carver and his wife navigate racism

Indigenous carver and residential school survivor didn’t know how to speak up against discrimination

Sanford and Marlana Williams. Submitted photo.
Willow Street Cafe is going to be looking good as the central building in filming of a movie in Chemainus next week. (Photo by Pete Cavanaugh)

Hallmark movie crews moving into Chemainus for the week

Filming of The Baker’s Sons being conducted downtown

Willow Street Cafe is going to be looking good as the central building in filming of a movie in Chemainus next week. (Photo by Pete Cavanaugh)
A shot from the rehearsal of Being Here: The Refugee Project, the Belfry Theatre’s filmed play that’s set to open on March 16. (Photo: Belfry Theatre)

Victoria’s Belfry Theatre shows filmed play on refugee, sponsor experience

Being Here: The Refugee Project is based off the first-hand accounts of refugees and their sponsors

A shot from the rehearsal of Being Here: The Refugee Project, the Belfry Theatre’s filmed play that’s set to open on March 16. (Photo: Belfry Theatre)
The Sooke Fine Arts Show will be online again this year, showcasing unique artworks from Vancouver Island and B.C.’s coastal island artists from July 23 to Aug. 2. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Fine Arts Show goes virtual for second year in a row

Art exhibition and show set for July 23 to Aug. 2

The Sooke Fine Arts Show will be online again this year, showcasing unique artworks from Vancouver Island and B.C.’s coastal island artists from July 23 to Aug. 2. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
The Gordon Head Recreation Centre stands in as the Quimper Regional Hospital on Feb. 23 for filming Maid, a 10-part Netflix series. (Greg Sutton/District of Saanich)

Netflix transforms Saanich recreation centre into hospital for filming

Facility was closed to public Feb. 23 for filming of Maid

The Gordon Head Recreation Centre stands in as the Quimper Regional Hospital on Feb. 23 for filming Maid, a 10-part Netflix series. (Greg Sutton/District of Saanich)
Cowichan Valley author Teresa Schapansky’s books for young readers have become a phenomenon on Amazon. (Submitted)

Cowichan author tops Amazon charts

Award-winning author Teresa Schapansky learned of a need for low-level readers in the classroom

Cowichan Valley author Teresa Schapansky’s books for young readers have become a phenomenon on Amazon. (Submitted)
A carved stone pillar is shown on the beach in Victoria in this July 2020 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Royal BC Museum, Bernhard Spalteholz

Questions rock Royal B.C. Museum over authenticity of artifact recovered from Victoria beach

Songhees First Nation chief says museum assured him review underway after artist says work as his

A carved stone pillar is shown on the beach in Victoria in this July 2020 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Royal BC Museum, Bernhard Spalteholz
Everett Bumstead (centre) and his crew share a picture from a tree planting location in Sayward on Vancouver Island from when they were filming for ‘One Million Trees’ last year. Photo courtesy Everett Bumstead.

The tree planting life on Vancouver Island features in new documentary

Everett Bumstead brings forth the technicalities, psychology and politics of the tree planting industry in his movie

Everett Bumstead (centre) and his crew share a picture from a tree planting location in Sayward on Vancouver Island from when they were filming for ‘One Million Trees’ last year. Photo courtesy Everett Bumstead.
Scaredy Cats television series has turned Empress Avenue in Fernwood into a Halloween themed neighbourhood. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Trick or treat! Halloween comes to Fernwood in January

New television series Scaredy Cats filming in Victoria

  • Jan 21, 2021
Scaredy Cats television series has turned Empress Avenue in Fernwood into a Halloween themed neighbourhood. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)
The main players in the upcoming pantomime ‘Snow White and the 5 Dwarfs’ will be Sam Mellemstrand as The Prince, Sierrah Borjeau as Snow White, Bill Levity as The King, Alex Gallacher as The Evil Queen and Grant Mellemstrand as The Mirror. (Submitted)

Cowichan pantomime production postponed until late January

‘Snow White and the 5 Dwarfs’ was scheduled for late December

The main players in the upcoming pantomime ‘Snow White and the 5 Dwarfs’ will be Sam Mellemstrand as The Prince, Sierrah Borjeau as Snow White, Bill Levity as The King, Alex Gallacher as The Evil Queen and Grant Mellemstrand as The Mirror. (Submitted)
The Old School House Arts Centre in Qualicum Beach has temporarily closed its doors to the public as of Nov.18. (Mandy Moraes photo)

COVID-19: The Old Schoolhouse Arts Centre in Qualicum Beach closes until 2021

TOSH takes proactive approach to ‘protect the well-being of the community’

The Old School House Arts Centre in Qualicum Beach has temporarily closed its doors to the public as of Nov.18. (Mandy Moraes photo)
2020 Arts Alive sculpture Counterpoise by Richard Young is now on display in Haynes Park along Beach Drive. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)

Voting now ready for Oak Bay’s Arts Alive 2020 sculptures

Audio and written descriptions posted for all 10 sculptures

2020 Arts Alive sculpture Counterpoise by Richard Young is now on display in Haynes Park along Beach Drive. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)
Longevity John Falkner, left, artistic director for the 39 Days of July, and operations manager Trevor Linde go over details of the event’s final days this year. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Cowichan’s 39 Days of July deemed a success, despite COVID-19

Musical productions live streamed from the Duncan Showroom this year

Longevity John Falkner, left, artistic director for the 39 Days of July, and operations manager Trevor Linde go over details of the event’s final days this year. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Former Kwalikum Secondary student Harrison Houde has found success as an actor. (Submitted photo)

Former Vancouver Island student makes his mark in Hollywood

Qualicum’s Harrison Houde an inspiring act for youngsters to follow

Former Kwalikum Secondary student Harrison Houde has found success as an actor. (Submitted photo)