For the sixth time in recent years, organizers of a project to build shipping container homes for people in need opened doors on a new residence. For the first time though, they did it under the auspices of a newly incorporated group, WeCanShelter. The project started as a collaboration between the Comox Rotary Club and Dawn to Dawn: Action on Homelessness Society. The Rotary Club of the Comox Valley then came on board. The new society will focus on constructing homes at the Maple Pool Campground in Courtenay as Dawn to Dawn works on a range of housing options for people experiencing homelessness.
Call for more mental health supports
The daughter of a senior attacked in Courtenay two years ago hopes the woman responsible gets the help she needs. The incident has left Denise Henley’s mother, who already had dementia, traumatized. She is hopeful the attacker, who was experiencing a strange psychotic episode, will get enough support to avoid doing this again. The attack took place during daylight on Aug. 27, 2019. The woman accused of attacking Henley’s mother, now 80, was put on trial last fall in provincial court but was found not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder (NCRMD).
Discredited massage therapist allegedly offers services during Courtenay school trip
The regulatory body that oversees massage therapists in B.C. was seeking to prevent one of its former members from ever again identifying - or providing services - as a registered massage therapist. Matthew Arie Romyn practised in the Comox Valley and was convicted of five counts of sexual assault in 2013. He was sentenced to nine months in jail, followed by two years of probation.
The Comox Valley Child Development Association Telethon raised $131,851 — the second-highest total in the 46-year history of the event — Nov. 7 at the Sid Williams Theatre. The money will help fund a capital project to replace the therapy building at 237 3rd St. in Courtenay, which was built in 1913.
Proposed Telus tower polarizing
Telus is proposing to install a 62-metre communication tower at 3505 Dove Creek Rd. The issue has been a polarizing one for area residents. Some feel it’s badly needed. Others have collected signatures on a petition that opposes the CVRD’s letter of concurrence for the tower.
It might be cheaper in the Comox Valley than in some cities, but the cost of living for families is going up, says Living Wages in B.C. The living wage is defined as the amount per hour each of two working parents must make to cover basic expenses after taxes, deductions and subsidies are factored into the equation.
The Salvation Army Pidcock Shelter celebrated 25 years of serving marginalized individuals in the Comox Valley, Nov. 14 in Courtenay. The house at 632 Pidcock Ave. began as men only but became co-ed in 2005.
A total of 22 people — including 16 military personnel — were injured in a Nov.18 explosion of a building at CFB Comox. Building 25, an accommodation facility that was occupied, was undergoing renovations when there was a suspected natural gas leak and subsequent explosion.
Clinton G. Armstrong of the Comox Valley was sentenced to more than five years in prison for two incidents involving his former common-law spouse, including a brutal attack with a box-cutter.
Business:
The price of a house in the Comox Valley rose 31 per cent from last year, meaning on average it will cost $241,490 more to purchase a single-family home in 2021. The Vancouver Island Real Estate Board said 398 single-family homes sold in October, a 23 per cent decrease from a year ago. That trend continued with condo sales - a six per cent decrease compared to last year.
Sports:
Comox footballer Liam Mackenzie, 14, attends the Vancouver Whitecaps MLS (Major League Soccer) Academy. He plays on the Whitecaps Under-15 team that competes in the MLS Next league. He wore the captain’s armband for the team’s first two games.
Record for Courtenay strongman
Following a podium finish at his first professional event earlier this year, Sean Hayes set a Canadian record in the axle deadlift at the Static Monsters Worldwide strongman competition in Surrey. The 6’2, 330-pound Courtenay man lifted 1,020 pounds — 35 pounds shy of a world record. Hayes also managed a 407-pound log overhead press — a Western Canadian record. He was the overall winner with a combined total of 1,427 pounds lifted.
Smith sets half-marathon record
Roz Smith of the Comox Valley Road Runners ran a 1:46 half marathon at the Royal Victoria Marathon. She won her age group, set a course record and set a Canadian age group record for the half marathon.
Courtenay rugby player Foster DeWitt earned his first cap for Canada, Nov. 13 in Brussels, where the senior men’s 15s beat Belgium 24-0 in the team’s final game of the year.
