Avalanche rescue
A woman was taken to hospital in Vancouver after she was rescued from an avalanche north of Mount Apps in the southern end of the Comox Valley. Paul Berry said Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue received a call to assist a guided ski group touring the mountain. One of the group members was caught in a Size 2 avalanche — enough destructive potential to bury, injure or kill an individual. The woman was fully caught in the avalanche and was buried in 1.5 metres of snow.
The woman suffered multiple fractures in her legs and a dislocated shoulder.
Chamber awards
The 2020 Comox Valley Chamber Awards included a tribute to one of Comox Valley’s most well-known and well-respected community leaders. The President’s Merit Award was presented posthumously to former 19 Wing Commander and Comox Valley Airport CEO Fred Bigelow, who lost a courageous battle with cancer in August.
Man rescued from blaze
A quick-thinking neighbour and a guest of an adjacent B&B rushed to pull a man from a residential fire on Salmon Point Road, north of Courtenay. Campbell River RCMP was called to assist with the investigation of the fire, in which a man in his 40s was pulled out a back window by the neighbour and guest. The residential cabin was gutted by the blaze, and the man was taken to hospital to be treated for burns and smoke inhalation.
Thea returns to MasterChef
Thea VanHerwaarden of the Comox Valley is among 12 returning cooks vying for the title of MasterChef Canada. The seventh season of the reality television series offers a second chance to win $100,000. VanHerwaarden, now a Vancouver resident, finished in the runner-up position in MasterChef 2017.
MusicFest shelved
Vancouver Island MusicFest was shelved for 2021, due to the pandemic. Executive producer Doug Cox said they held off on the decision for as long as possible, but the cancellation was inevitable. Many of the ticket holders from the cancelled 2020 event had opted to roll their tickets over for the 2021 event, as opposed to receiving a refund. Cox said his staff has reached out to all those who had done that, and the majority of those who replied asked if they could simply roll their tickets over again, for the 2022 festival.
Pedestrian crossing installed
A pedestrian crossing was installed at Ryan Road and Cowichan Avenue at the turn-off to North Island College.
Though located in Courtenay, the stretch of road falls within the jurisdiction of the province’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Businessowner honoured
Carmen Wakening, CEO and co-owner of Eatmore Sprouts & Greens in Courtenay, has been given the BC Agriculture Council’s Awards for Excellence In Agriculture Leadership. The award is designed to honour leaders in the agriculture industry who have exemplified personal values, performance and achievement in B.C.’s farm community.
KFN, CVRD ratify sewer agreement
The K’ómoks First Nation and the Comox Valley Regional District Sewage Commission have ratified a Community Benefits Agreement that commits both parties to collaborate on a regional solution for sewer. The agreement will provide upgrades for Comox and Courtenay sewer infrastructure while supporting the growth and economic development plans of the K’ómoks community.
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