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2019 Comox Valley Year in Review: April

Record lows; The Junction opening
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The month began with a high-angle rescue from above thanks to a Royal Canadian Air Force unit from Comox. Four people spent about two hours trapped by surging seas on a large rock off Long Beach before being rescued unharmed, thanks to 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron from 19 Wing Comox.

Record lows

It was determined that March was a record low month for precipitation throughout the Comox Valley, with 4.6 mm of rain within the month, according to data from Environment Canada. The average for March, calculated between 1981 to 2010 is 105.7 mm.

Arden recognized

Arden Elementary School was recognized for its environmental initiative. The top 100 finalists for the Staples Superpower your School competition placed the school on the list out of nearly 500 which entered the competition.

No demo

It was confirmed the CF-18 demo plane would not take to the skies over the Comox Valley Valley, as the schedule did not match that of the Snowbirds. Instead, the team trained at 4 Wing Cold Lake from May 15 to June 2.

Junction opening

Located at 988 Eighth St., The Junction, a three-storey modular apartment housing people experiencing homelessness, opened. It contains 46 units that each have a kitchenette and washroom.

High schoolers shine

Three local high school student shared the top spot in the world for their robotics skills. Gauthier Appaix, Eony Kim and Taylor LaFleur, who make up 7K Robotics, travelled to Iowa for the CREATE US Open Robotics Championship where they won two titles: skills champion and tournament champion.

Waving goodbye

Tinney Davidson has been waving at kids on their way to school for over 11 years. Photo by Jolene Rudisuela

Since 2007, every morning Tinney Davidson waved to kids on their way to Highland Secondary, but as she planned her move from her Comox home, more than 400 students gave her a surprise send-off at her home. The students wanted to show their appreciation and carried lawn signs and homemade signs to decorate the senior’s home. They each blew her a kiss and gave her a wave goodbye.

READ: Big send-off for waving granny

More than bullying

A Comox Valley mother said “it was more than bullying” at play as her daughter reported an assault by four teens near Valley View Elementary School in Courtenay. According to Comox Valley RCMP, a student was walking on a trail near the school when she was assaulted. The student’s mother believes the incident was a violent, targeted attack, as her daughter had issues with threats throughout the entire school year.

New funding

New Democrat MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard welcomed $1 million in provincial funding to support the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society’s acquisition of the former Field Sawmill site (Kus-kus-sum) in the K’omoks estuary.

BUSINESS

In business, a new wellness centre in Courtenay opened to offer an innovative and unique approach to healthcare, allowing Valley residents the opportunity to better manage their well-being. The Grove Health & Wellness opened its door at the corner of Third Street and Duncan Avenue. It is the only clinic exclusively dedicated to an integrated and collaborative model of healthcare.

Alcohol on ferries

BC Ferries confirmed they were exploring a pilot project that would allow limited alcohol sales in the Pacific Buffet abroad the Costal Celebration, Spirit of British Columbia and Spirit of Vancouver Island.

Second thrift store

After a devastating fire that destroyed Too Good To Be Threw in January, the Comox Valley Transition Society opened the thrift store’s second location downtown on Fifth Street.

ARTS

Red Rider announced

In arts, executive producer Doug Cox announced he landed Canadian Music Hall of Famer Tom Cochrane with Red Rider as a headliner for Vancouver Island MusicFest in July.

SPORTS

Coach Ross recognized

In sports, Sport BC named Pam Ross its female coach of the year for 2019. The Courtenay-Comox Shito-ryu instructor returned from the Senior Pan American Championships in Panama where Team Canada qualified three more people for the Pan-Am Games.

Honour for Murphy

Isfeld volleyball star Sierra Murphy won a Premier’s Award for Excellence in Sports, one of 12 outstanding Indigenous youth athletes to receive the honour.

Fast marathoner

Roslyn Smith of the Comox Valley was the fastest runner among women in the 70-74 age bracket at her third Boston Marathon on Patriots’ Day, April 15. She completed the course in 3:53.

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The Junction, a 46-unit supportive housing project in Courtenay opened in April this year. Photo by Terry Farrell
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Tinney Davidson has been waving at kids on their way to school for over 11 years. Photo by Jolene Rudisuela
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MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard announced $1 million in provincial funding to go towards the acquisition of Kus-kus-sum. Photo by Jolene Rudisuela
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Pam Ross has been named Sport BC female coach-of-the-year for 2019. Photo supplied
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From left: Andrea Wilson, Roslyn Smith and Coco Elgood celebrate a successful day in Boston.
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Erin Haluschak

About the Author: Erin Haluschak

Erin Haluschak is a journalist with the Comox Valley Record since 2008. She is also the editor of Trio Magazine...
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