The BC and Yukon Book Prize finalists have been announced for this year, and 11 Island authors have been nominated. Chelsea Wakelyn is from Nanaimo, her book “What Remains of Elsie Jane” is up for the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, which goes to the author of the year’s best literary...

A lot of young people are struggling to find jobs across Canada, especially on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. According to Labour force statistics from the province in March, British Columbia’s unemployment rate was at 5.5 percent, up 0.3 percent from February and 0.9 percent more than the number...

Today marks the eighth anniversary of the toxic drug public-health emergency, and the province recognizes its tragic impact. That comes from Premier David Eby in a statement this morning, saying every life taken by the toxic drug crisis is a loss to our communities. “They are friends, parents, siblings and children....

Coastal communities around Vancouver Island have upgraded ambulance stations, to provide better coverage and staff working conditions. All 16 communities in the Island Health region have now switched from a scheduled on-call system to one of three new models, which all increase hours of coverage by paramedics. “In our many discussions...

Warming ocean temperatures are killing BC’s coastal kelp forests, a new study shows. The research was published last week in Marine Ecology Progress. Scientists looked at 30 years of data, and found that in southern BC, warming temperatures have caused significant reductions in the amount of floating canopy kelp. The biggest...

The first of six new child care facilities in Campbell River is now open at Ripple Rock Elementary. The Ripple Rock Child Care Centre will provide 30 spaces for school-age kids who need after-school care while parents are at work. In a news release, parent Chelsea Frederickson says the new centre...