The Lake Trail Community Education Society is hosting an event to help with waste diversion.

The Repair Café event is taking place at Lake Trail Community School on Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Volunteer fixers will be at the school with tools and materials to help fix small electronics and appliances, wood projects, bicycles, toys, clothes and other items that may have been thrown away or taken to the landfill.

“Even if you do not have an item to repair, you are welcome to come by and enjoy a bowl of chili or some apple crisp at the Repair Café concession, which is a fundraiser for the Lake Trail Community Education Society,” said Lake Trail Community Education Society executive director Anna Rambow. “This is a community celebration where we can learn from one another and have fun in the process.”

Several community partner organizations and businesses will be at the site to share information and provide activities.

“Repairing items is an essential part of keeping products in use, rather than immediately recycling them or throwing them out when something goes wrong,” said Comox Strathcona Waste Management educator Lindsay Eason. “Learning how to repair your own stuff can build lifelong skills that save money and reduce waste.”

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The 3300 block of Egremont Road will soon be getting pedestrian safety upgrades.

Construction on sidewalk safety improvements is scheduled to begin next week and will continue for around two weeks.

The project is receiving funding from the Vision Zero grant program.

The work will be finished in partnership with the Cumberland Community School Parent Advisory Council.

The Village of Cumberland says crews will work to limit noise and to avoid disturbing residents living at adjacent properties.

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BC Ferries is planning to welcome around 140,000 vehicles and over 400,000 passengers from Thursday to Monday.

The fleet will be operating at maximum capacity and is preparing to offer 2,500 sailings.

BC Ferries is offering tips ahead of the long weekend.

They are encouraging customers to book in advance, ride-share and arrive early.

BC Ferries is also recommending that people travel on Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning to avoid the busier sailings.

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The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is providing tips to beat the heat.

The CVRD is reminding people to sleep in the coolest room possible, stay hydrated, close blinds during the daytime and take cool showers or baths.

A heat warning is in effect for the area, and Environment Canada says hot temperatures are expected to stick around until Saturday.

Several cooling stations in the Comox Valley are scheduled to be open until Friday.

The list of stations can be found here.

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The Building Connections for Valley Families project is being completely funded through spring 2023 after a $100,000 grant was approved by the Comox Valley Community Foundation.

The project is focused on improving kid’s health.

The initiative is working to have less than 25 per cent of children in the Comox Valley be considered vulnerable on the early development instrument scale by 2025.

The project is in its fourth year and 40 per cent were considered vulnerable when it launched.

The early development instrument scale evaluates the developmental health of kids in kindergarten.

“The need for supports and connections for families is more critical now than ever,” explains
Joanne Schroeder, a member of the Building Connections steering committee.

“Families have been isolated and struggling through the pandemic and offering safe and welcoming spaces for families to gather, connect, and access supports is immensely valuable. Many parents have expressed concern over their child’s/children’s lack of social
contact during COVID-19. Often, attending the drop-in groups have been one of the first social
encounters for children whose beginning years have been overlapped with the pandemic.”

The grant is being delivered thanks to Vancouver Foundation’s Robert and Florence Filberg Fund for Medical (Health) Research.

“The Comox Valley Community Foundation is very pleased to continue its funding of this
important project,” said Christine Helpard, president of this Comox Valley Community Foundation. “Community connection is central to children’s healthy development and
creates a necessary web of resources and supports that families can easily rely on. When families are supported, children thrive and become the foundation of stronger communities in the long term.”

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COURTENAY, B.C. – Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North (Habitat VIN) is now able to build more affordable housing after raising over $46,000 during their third annual bid to build online auction.

Habitat VIN raised $5,000 more than last year and also saw an increase in volunteer engagement, donors, and registered bidders.

More than 180 people and businesses donated 251 items for the auction, and every item was bid on.

“The cost of construction has never been higher,” said Jeff West, Habitat VIN’s executive director. “We’re feeling the impact of inflation and supply chain issues. It’s heartening to see both individuals and businesses in the community step up in such a big way when we need their support more than ever.”

Habitat VIN has built 39 affordable homes on North Vancouver Island.

Donations can be made to the non-profit’s upcoming housing projects at habitatnorthisland.com/donate.

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COURTENAY, B.C. – Comox Valley RCMP are investigating after a fatal collision in Courtenay.

Police were contacted at approximately 1 a.m. Wednesday about a 35-year-old man being struck by a vehicle on the 3900 block of Ryan Road.

Witnesses at the scene say the man had been lying in the middle of the travel portion of the road when a vehicle nearly missed hitting him.

The driver of that vehicle pulled over to the side of the road and turned on their hazard lights to warn other motorists.

RCMP say an oncoming driver did not see the man laying on the road and struck him.

The driver stayed at the scene and was cooperative with the investigation.

“At this time, we do not know what the man was doing in the middle of the road,” said Comox Valley RCMP Cst. Monika Terragni. “We will continue our investigation and will work with the BC Coroners Service to determine all the factors leading up to this man's death. including whether or not he may have suffered an injury or medical incident prior to being struck by the vehicle.”

Anyone with related information or dashcam footage from the incident is asked to call Comox Valley RCMP at (250) 338-1321.

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COURTENAY B.C. – The Courtenay Volunteer Fire Department is searching for new recruits.

Those interested in volunteering can apply here and come to an open house on July 27 from 6-8 p.m. at the Courtenay fire hall.

Medical and fitness testing will be finished in early August, and successful applicants will officially start in September.

There will be weekly training on Tuesday nights.

“We’ve worked hard to build a training program that will provide all the skills someone will need to achieve professional firefighter certification in one year…the same certification used by departments across North America,” said deputy fire Chief Jonathan Welsh. “We’re very proud of our members, our equipment, and our facilities, and we’re really looking forward to welcoming new recruits to our team.”

Welsh says the department is looking for about 10 recruits.

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The Comox Valley RCMP Major Crime Unit is investigating after three youths were arrested for an assault at the Mex Liquor Store in Courtenay.

RCMP were contacted at around 10:30 p.m. Friday about the incident, where they say a 62-year-old man was stabbed several times.

The suspects left the scene but were found and arrested just after midnight.

The victim suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital, where he is expected to recover.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Comox Valley RCMP at (250) 338-1321.

Police aren’t releasing any more details at this time.

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The Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Centre (CVLLC) is putting on story walks in four public parks to raise awareness about refugee and settlement experiences.

Children’s books have been placed at Cottonwood Greenway, Number 6 Mine Memorial Park, Rotary Skypark and Cousins Park and will be on display until July 2.

The CVLLC and the Immigrant Welcome Centre’s Welcoming Communities Coalition have selected Salma the Syrian Chef by Danny Ramadan, Stepping Stones by Margriet Ruurs and Nizar Ali Badr, The Name Jar by YangSook Choi and Wishes by Muon Thi Van and Victo Ngai for the walks.

“It’s our hope that these stories will help people of all ages think about some of the challenges people face when they are forced to leave their homes, move and settle in a new country,” said coalition coordinator Julie Keumbehdjian. 

“Imagine leaving loved ones, possibly learning a new language and finding a new home. We hope these stories prompt conversations about what we as a community can do to support and welcome people no matter their circumstances.”

The organizations are also promoting World Refugee Day with the story walks. 

World Refugee Day is coming up on June 20 and the 2022 theme is the right to seek safety no matter who and where you are.

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