Kasi Johnston, Author at My Cowichan Valley Now

Stage 2 Watering Restrictions In Effect

Kasi Johnston — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 23:25:36 +0000

Stage two watering restrictions are in effect for the majority of the Cowichan Valley. This is in reponse to the province request to conserve water as Vancouver Island hits level […]

The post Stage 2 Watering Restrictions In Effect appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

Possible Changes To Air Quality Rules in North Cowichan

Kasi Johnston — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 22:52:40 +0000

North Cowichan Council are one step closer to adopting new air quality regulations.

The bylaw proposes that residential open burning be prohibited within the urban containment boundary, other than registered farms and properties greater than 2 acres. That used to be the rule for properties larger than half an acre. Mayor Jon Lefebure says they are also extending the fall burning window by two weeks.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/jon-extended.wav"][/audio]

The fall window is now open from September 15th to November 30th. He says they've had a lot of feedback from both sides of the spectrum.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/jon-in-a-year.wav"][/audio]

Another proposed change is that large land clearing burns are banned, unless an air curtain burner is being used.

The bylaw is up for adoption at the September 20th meeting. If passed, the new rules will come into effect on January 1st.

The post Possible Changes To Air Quality Rules in North Cowichan appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

North Cowichan Duncan RCMP Introduce New Officer in Command

Kasi Johnston — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 22:00:33 +0000

The North Cowichan Duncan RCMP has a new Officer in Command.

Staff Sgt. Chris Bear has been promoted to Inspector to replace Superintendent Ray Carfantan, who held the position since October 2013. Bear has 24 years experience with the RCMP and has lived in the Cowichan Valley since 2006.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/bear-happy.wav"][/audio]

He has served in several positions with the Duncan North Cowichan detachment, as well as with Aboriginal Policing Services in the Vancouver Island District Headquarters. Bear says he intends to build on the successes of Superintendent Carfantan.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/bear-goals.wav"][/audio]

Carfantan was promoted to Assistant District Commander at the Southeast District in Kelowna.

The post North Cowichan Duncan RCMP Introduce New Officer in Command appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

Push For Change Coming To Vancouver Island

Kasi Johnston — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 17:22:03 +0000

A cross-Canada walk for youth homelessness will be on Vancouver Island this week.

A Push For Change was created to show support and raise funds and awareness for 35 thousand Canadian youth living on the streets.

Founder Joe Roberts says his own personal experience as a former drug addict and homeless youth in Vancouver pushed him to do this.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/joe-personal.wav"][/audio]

Roberts started his journey on May 1st last year in St. John's Newfoundland and will end with a celebration in Vancouver at the end of this month. He is hoping to help change the way people view homelessness.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/joe-understand.wav"][/audio]

Push for a Change will be in Nanaimo, Ladysmith and Duncan on Monday, and Cobble Hill on Tuesday. They have raised over 540 thousand dollars for national and local relief efforts for youth homelessness.

The post Push For Change Coming To Vancouver Island appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

Cowichan MLA Looking Forward To Return to Legislature

Kasi Johnston — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 23:21:35 +0000

MLAs from across the province return to Victoria on Friday for the fall session.

Cowichan Valley MLA Sonia Furstenau says she's looking forward to a new era in BC politics. She expects to see some new legislation come forward, that was identified in the Confidence and Supply Agreement between the Greens and NDP.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/sonia-new-legislation.wav"][/audio]

Furstenau says in addition to representing the Cowichan Valley in the legislature on items like a new hospital, a new high school, issues with the Cowichan River and the Shawnigan Watershed, she is also assuming the role as spokesperson for a number of big portfolios.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/sonia-portfolios.wav"][/audio]

Furstenau will also be the spokesperson for the green party on the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, as well as the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Resources. She is also serving as house leader for the Green Party.

Furstenau spent the last couple days at the B.C. Cabinet and First Nations Leaders' Gathering, and it was the first time representatives from all parties were invited to sit at the table for this event.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/sonia-nonpartisan.wav"][/audio]

Furstenau says this is just one example of how well a minority government can work for BC.

The post Cowichan MLA Looking Forward To Return to Legislature appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

Paws for A Cause This Weekend

Kasi Johnston — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 23:02:21 +0000

The Cowichan SPCA is hosting their biggest annual fundraiser this weekend.

Paws for A Cause is a 1 or 3 kilometre family and pet friendly walk to raise money to help the local branch support and care for their animals.

Manager Sandi Trent says there will be lots of activities at McAdam Park on Saturday.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/sandi-lots-of-stuff.wav"][/audio]

Trent says they are hoping to raise 12 thousand dollars at this event, to help support the local branch in providing care and medical attention to all their animals throughout the year.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/sandi-goal.wav"][/audio]

Paws for A Cause events are taking place across the province in a number of other communities as well.

The post Paws for A Cause This Weekend appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

Duncan and North Cowichan Chose Spring Referendum for Amalgamation

Kasi Johnston — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 18:06:14 +0000

Duncan and North Cowichan have agreed to hold the referendum on amalgamation next Spring.

Duncan City Council voted in favour of that motion on Tuesday. Mayor Phil Kent says a key part of their plan is to have a communication consultant find the best way to deliver the necessary information to the public.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/phil-consultant.wav"][/audio]

Kent says a lot of work has to be done in a short period of time.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/phil-may.wav"][/audio]

The referendum still has to be approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, after which both municipalities will choose a date.

The post Duncan and North Cowichan Chose Spring Referendum for Amalgamation appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

Pump Test In Lake Cowichan Concerns Neighbours.

Kasi Johnston — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 23:13:38 +0000

A group of Lake Cowichan residents are concerned, after one of their neighbours began executing a plan to pump out a massive amount of water from the local aquifer.

CVRD Director for Cowichan Lake South Ian Morrison says he was on site watching 500 gallons of water per minute being pumped out for a three day period that started Monday. The test is being done to see if the wells will produce enough water for a new development. Morrison says he is standing with residents who are being affected by this test.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ian-residents-affected.wav"][/audio]

He says these pump tests are common for developers, but they must follow specific criteria.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ian-normal.wav"][/audio]

Morrison says he has spent the past two days trying to reach the right person from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations to verify if this project is approved, and whether its breaking any guidelines. He is awaiting their response.

The post Pump Test In Lake Cowichan Concerns Neighbours. appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

Rogers Hometown Hockey Stopping in Cowichan

Kasi Johnston — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 23:10:02 +0000

Rogers Hometown Hockey has announced the Cowichan Valley as part of their tour for the 2017/18 season. Host Ron Maclean and co-host Tara Slone will be in our region for […]

The post Rogers Hometown Hockey Stopping in Cowichan appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

Cowichan Capitals Home Opener This Weekend

Kasi Johnston — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 23:04:45 +0000

The Cowichan Capitals are gearing up for the home opener this weekend.

Justis Doucet is the new voice of Discovery Honda Cowichan Capitals, and is very familiar with the local hockey scene.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/justis-bio.wav"][/audio]

The Capitals welcome Nanaimo to the big stick on Saturday. The Clippers won 3-1 in their last match up in exhibition play. Doucet expects the team to come out strong this time around.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/justis-last-game.wav"][/audio]

Puck drops at 7pm.

The post Cowichan Capitals Home Opener This Weekend appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

Bypass Road Not The Solution Youbou Wants

Kasi Johnston — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 18:39:44 +0000

Dust and mud have been a problem for the Youbou community for many years, as a result of the increased logging trucks that pass in the area.

CVRD Director Klaus Kuhn says TimberWest has been consulting with the community on creating a logging bypass road to help solve the issue. Kuhn says the community was opposed to the idea of another gravel road.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/klaus-bypass.wav"][/audio]

The public meeting was held by TimberWest, along with representatives from the Ministry of Transportation and the community to try and find ways to put an end to the longstanding problem. Kuhn shares what he and other members of the community, believe is the best possible solution.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/klaus-best-soln.wav"][/audio]

Kuhn says the current situation must be improved, and hopefully TimberWest will come around to the idea of paving the road.

The post Bypass Road Not The Solution Youbou Wants appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

Cowichan Tribes Chief Participating in Leaders Gathering Next Week

Kasi Johnston — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 21:52:12 +0000

Cowichan Tribes Chief William Seymour will be in Vancouver next week, along with other leaders for the B.C. Cabinet and First Nations Leaders’ Gathering. This will be the first event […]

The post Cowichan Tribes Chief Participating in Leaders Gathering Next Week appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

BC Gov Announces Free Tuition For Former Youth In Care

Kasi Johnston — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 19:47:30 +0000

Young people leaving foster care will now have access to free tuition across all public post-secondary schools in the province. Premier John Horgan made the announcement in Nanaimo today. The […]

The post BC Gov Announces Free Tuition For Former Youth In Care appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

Location Announced for Cowichan Overdose Prevention Site

Kasi Johnston — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 17:22:47 +0000

A location has been chosen for an overdose prevention site in the Cowichan Valley.

While an opening date has not been announced, the site will be located at 715 Canada Avenue, near the Margaret Moss Health Centre.

Dr. Paul Hasselback with Island Health says it's great to see this essential service finally coming to the Cowichan Valley.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/hb-od-in-cowichan.wav"][/audio]

The site in Nanaimo has seen much success with over 4 thousand visits since it opened at the end of January. Hasselback says it's difficult to know well used this site will be.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/hb-diff-sites.wav"][/audio]

Hasselback says Island Health has been consulting with nearby businesses in that area.

This will be the 9th overdose prevention site on Vancouver Island.

The post Location Announced for Cowichan Overdose Prevention Site appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

Busy Season for BC Conservation Officers

Kasi Johnston — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 22:12:51 +0000

The BC Conservation Officer Service says despite the well-advertised campfire bans across the province, some are choosing to ignore the rules. Deputy Chief Chris Doyle says they will be conducting […]

The post Busy Season for BC Conservation Officers appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

Fire Bans Remain In Effect for Labour Day Long Weekend

Kasi Johnston — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 21:50:37 +0000

The Coastal Fire Centre says they will not be lifting any additional campfire bans in time for the long weekend. Information Assistant Dorthe Jakobson says the region is going to […]

The post Fire Bans Remain In Effect for Labour Day Long Weekend appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

Local MP Celebrating Labour Day In Ladysmith

Kasi Johnston — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 21:18:44 +0000

The MP for Cowichan Malahat Langford says he's celebrating at Transfer Beach in Ladysmith for the Labour Day Long Weekend.

Alistair MacGregor says every year the Nanaimo Duncan and District Labour Council hosts a picnic to celebrate what we've achieved in the labour movement.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/alistair-celebrate.wav"][/audio]

However, he says we still have a long way to go, and a good example of that is what's happening to employees of Sears Canada.

[audio wav="http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/alistair-sears.wav"][/audio]

The public is also invited to celebrate Labour Day at the Transfer Beach picnic. It's taking place on Monday from 11-2pm with kids activities, entertainment, free food and prizes.

The post Local MP Celebrating Labour Day In Ladysmith appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

International Overdose Awareness Day

Kasi Johnston — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 20:03:01 +0000

Vigils and rallies are being held across Vancouver Island today for International Overdose Awareness Day. Dr. Paul Hasselback with Island Health says there’s a recognition that while lots of change […]

The post International Overdose Awareness Day appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

Pedestrian Struck on Malahat

Kasi Johnston — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 23:09:01 +0000

Shawnigan Lake RCMP say a man suffered non-life threatening injuries after being struck by a semi on the Malahat on Wednesday morning. The incident took place on the Trans Canada […]

The post Pedestrian Struck on Malahat appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

Province Granted Intervener Status Against Trans Mountain Pipeline

Kasi Johnston — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 23:08:17 +0000

The Federal Court of Appeal has granted BC intervener status in the legal challenge launched against the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project. Cowichan Malahat Langford MP Alistair MacGregor believes intervener status is good […]

The post Province Granted Intervener Status Against Trans Mountain Pipeline appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.