Winners of inaugural Bop City Records Community Music Fund are ready to rock

The 2025 Bop City Records Community Music Fund has been granted to two winners, local punk rock band Mean Bikini and local musician and guitar teacher Sebastian Robles.

VIU students to vote on adding a new fee for a proposed student-owned building

Vancouver Island University students are going to have a say in whether they approve of a new fee to support the construction of a new student activity centre.

Lauryn MackenzieApril 7, 2025VIU, VIUSU, Vancouver Island University

Election 2025 – Knock-knock-knockin’ on Courtenay–Alberni’s doors

The 45th federal general election is in full swing across Canada, leading up to election day on Monday April 28th. This week CHLY and CVOX reached out to candidates from the Courtenay–Alberni riding for their thoughts going into the election.

Heather WatsonApril 3, 2025Comox Valley, election, election 2025, Courtenay--Alberni

Candidates excited to start campaigning in North Island—Powell River

The writ dropped on Sunday, March 23rd, launching Canada into its next federal election period, ending the anticipation for local party candidates in North Island—Powell River.

Heather WatsonMarch 28, 2025Comox Valley, election, election 2025, North Island--Powell River

Student-led program helped fight food insecurity at VIU

It has been a busy year for Leah Vaisanen as she finishes up her studies while running a program tackling food insecurity on campus.

Lauryn MackenzieMarch 27, 2025VIU, VIUSU, Vancouver Island University

VIU Students’ Union starts campaign to bring back 24-7 library hours

In prior years, Vancouver Island University students could access the library 24-7, but in the last year, this has changed to reduced hours, leaving many students annoyed.

Risebridge to make sure no child goes without a birthday celebration

A local non-profit is making sure no child will go out without a birthday cake on their special day.

Lauryn MackenzieMarch 26, 2025Risebridge, Birthday, Birthday cake, low income, family

Comox Valley’s Liam Mackenzie gets first start in Major League Soccer

Local Comox Valley athlete Liam Mackenzie made his Whitecaps debut with his first start for the Vancouver Major League Soccer team on Saturday, March 22nd.

Heather WatsonMarch 26, 2025Comox Valley, sports, Liam Mackenzie, Major League Soccer, soccer, Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Record store gives back with community music fund

Kip and Karen, spouses and co-owners of Bop City Records in Courtenay, are launching a brand new community music fund to support the local music scene.

Heather WatsonMarch 21, 2025Comox Valley, music, community, grant, fund, local music, community music fund

From celebration to theft: a buzzy week for a local food forest

It has been a busy week for Beaufort Food Forest after celebrating their first annual Mason Bee Day to then finding out their mason bee cocoons had been stolen.

Lauryn MackenzieMarch 21, 2025Mason Bees, Nanaimo, Beaufort Food Forest, Beaufort Park

Historic vote ratifies K’ómoks Constitution and Treaty

On March 8th 2025, K’ómoks First Nation voted overwhelmingly in favour of ratifying both a Constitution and Treaty, achieving a double majority on each vote.

Change through metamorphosis reflected in Nanaimo street banners

With Spring around the corner, change is in the air and new banners will brighten up the streets of Nanaimo

Lauryn MackenzieMarch 20, 2025City of Nanaimo, Nanaimo, Art, street art

Local Nanaimo arts and culture group shares concerns about provincial funding

Following concerns about the lack of funding renewal to the B.C. Fairs, Festivals, and Events Fund, the B.C. government has announced a new event fund that a local Nanaimo arts organization says is not good enough.

Lauryn MackenzieMarch 17, 2025B.C. Fairs, Art, Arts, Arts and Culture, crime, Crimson Coast Dance

The smell of spring — herring spawn marks the new season

As March begins off the coast of Vancouver Island, subtle cues like the changing colour of the ocean, the gathering of seagulls, eagles, sea lions, and orcas, and even the scent on the air, tell us two things. The herring are spawning, and Spring is near.

Heather WatsonMarch 13, 2025Comox Valley, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, DFO, herring spawn, IMAWG, Spring, Salish Sea

Local festival calls for the renewal of B.C. festival fund

For 20 years, the Nanaimo Blues Festival has been bringing international and local blues music to Nanaimo’s backyard, but right now, they are wondering why provincial funding has not been renewed for an important fund.