25 tickets in 2 hours...That is the tally of distracted driving tickets handed out by local Mounties, with an RCMP officer posing as a homeless man, to alert fellow officers of drivers yapping away on their cell phones.

RCMP Constable Don Sinclair says some drivers thought this tactic was underhanded.

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Constable Sinclair says more of these crackdowns are on the way...

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That distracted driving campaign was carried out on Ryan Road near superstore.

The post Local RCMP carry out Distracted Driving Crackdown appeared first on My Comox Valley Now.

Information and Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham's latest report says BC's Health Authorities need to do more to protect patient information in the digital age.

She says too many records are still unencrypted, and too easy to access for people who shouldn't see them

But, Denham says Island Health stands out for how it's dealt with several cases over the past two years of employees "snooping".

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Island Health has fired at least three employees as a result of privacy breaches in 2014 and 15.

The post Protecting patient information top of mind for Information and Privacy Commissioner appeared first on My Comox Valley Now.

The Comox Valley Regional District is advising residents that water restrictions throughout
the region will be lowered on October 1st.

Working closely with BC Hydro, the CVRD is now in a position to reduce water restrictions to stage
one for those connected to the Comox Valley water system. This applies to the residents living in
the Town of Comox, the City of Courtenay, and the Arden, Comox Valley, England Road,
Marsden/Camco, and Greaves Crescent local service areas.

Stage one is in effect year round unless conditions warrant an increase to a more stringent phase. In this water system, stage one allows people living at an even-numbered address to use a sprinkler to water a lawn from 4 am to 9 am, and 7 pm to 10 pm on an even-numbered day. People living at an odd-numbered address can water during the same time period on odd-numbered days.

RD Spokesperson Koreen Gurak says the CVRD has consulted BC Hydro on this...

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Water restrictions for those living in Royston and tied into the Village of Cumberland water system
are lifted completely from October 1st through to April 30th, unless future circumstances determine
otherwise.

Stage three water restrictions for properties connected to the Black Creek-Oyster Bay water system
are also lifted; there is now no watering restriction for this system. Water restrictions in this area are put in place when the CVRD considers it necessary (i.e. extreme drought situations).

The CVRD would like to thank the region’s water users for adhering to the water restrictions during
an unprecedented dry summer. To keep up-to-date with the local area water restrictions, visit
www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/restrictions.

The post CVRD takes water restrictions down a notch appeared first on My Comox Valley Now.

After pretty much tuning out of the long federal election campaign during the dog days of summer, residents are now starting to pay attention to the various issues, with election day fast approaching.

That from Courtenay-Alberni Conservative candidate John Duncan...

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And despite some Conservative candidates coming under fire recently in choosing not to take part in various all candidates debates, meetings and election forums, Duncan says he has committed to about ten all candidates meetings, including the upcoming Comox Valley Chamber event next week.

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Meanwhile Duncan is asked whether Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper is loosening up when it comes to public access on the campaign trail, after earlier in the campaign often staging tightly controlled appearances in private gatherings with party supporters, involving limited or no public access.

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Meanwhile Duncan says seniors issues are front and centre on the campaign trail...and he says stats on those who actually show up at the polls, clearly reflect that.

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Canadians go to the polls, on October 19th.

The post Voters starting to “engage” in campaign says Conservatives John Duncan appeared first on My Comox Valley Now.

The Campbell River Youth Action Committee is looking for new members to help shape the future of Campbell River. The Youth Action Committee provides City staff and Council a youth perspective on community issues like art, recreation, safety, transportation, culture, parks and the environment.

Last year the Youth Action Committee worked on a project with the City’s transportation department looking at improving cycling routes and facilities, and adding bike rack locations throughout Campbell River. Other projects included helping organize the annual Earth Week Film Festival and providing a $500 environmental bursary for a graduating student, assisting with the development of the Urban Forest Management Plan, donating to the Food Bank at Christmas, and meeting with MLA Claire Trevena to provide a youth perspective on provincial issues.

“The Youth Action Committee is a fun way to get involved in the community. It gives youth a say in City projects and decisions that inevitably affect our future as adults in Campbell River,” says previous committee member Maneesha Bains.

The Youth Action Committee is composed of open-minded, innovative, motivated youth aged 14 to 18. The committee launches again this fall with a workshop on Friday, Oct. 23 and meets twice per month on Mondays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. to discuss topics important to youth in Campbell River.

“The Youth Action Committee is a place where your opinion not only matters, it can ignite ideas for change in the city that we live in,” says Mariah Carpenter, prior Youth Action Committee Chair. “As youth, often times we feel as though we have no control over how things are done and as though our voices don’t hold much power. By joining a committee like YAC that is specifically for youth, you not only have the opportunity to let your voice be heard, but you have a group of your peers coming together, also bringing their ideas which can lead to changes that we, as youth, want to see. We’re a real committee of real teenagers, creating real plans and making a difference for the present and future youth of Campbell River.”

Application forms for the Youth Action Committee are available at Timberline and Carihi school offices, the Sportsplex and the Community Centre. Applications are due by Oct. 9 and can be submitted via email until 11:59 p.m. or dropped off during regular hours at the above locations.

For more information, or to request or submit an application form, please email:
meghan.lawley@campbellriver.ca or kirsten.baird@campbellriver.ca.

The post Youth Action Committee seeking volunteers appeared first on My Comox Valley Now.

Powell River RCMP confirm they were recently contacted by a concerned family member who needed help locating two of his relatives.

The Powell River RCMP launched a missing person investigation and found the bodies of an adult female and an adult male at the family's summer home in Bliss Landing located north of Powell River on the Sunshine Coast.

The Vancouver Island Major Crime Unit is in Powell River today to help with the investigation. The BC Coroners Service has also launched an investigation into the deaths.

Police say based on preliminary evidence, there is nothing to suggest a threat to public safety. Police are not seeking any suspects in relation to these deaths at this time.

Police say out of respect for the family, the names of the deceased will not be released at this time.

The post Sunshine Coast RCMP-Coroner, investigating discovery of two bodies appeared first on My Comox Valley Now.

There will be much more water flowing down the Campbell River starting today.

BC Hydro spokesperson Stephen Watson says at this time of year, they are increasing the river water flows to help spawning salmon, going from about 30 cubic metres per second to about 90.

Watson says this is a very significant increase in water flows, so the public is advised to be careful.

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Watson says this increase is an annual regime aimed at providing deeper water conditions for successful spawning for the fall fisheries on the Campbell River.

The post BC Hydro boosts Campbell River water flows appeared first on My Comox Valley Now.

The LINC Youth Centre is a great place to be for youth 10 – 18 years. This October and November the LINC offers skills-training, art, music, early-dismissal and drop-in programs.

Train to be an employable food handler in Food Safe Level 1, and learn job-readiness skills in Job Preparation Program. Both programs are an asset to any resume. In #HackYourResume, youth will get help tweaking their resume into a professional document ready to submit to employers.

In Music Appreciation participants trace the history of their favourite bands– through jazz, rock and roll, disco, etc. and leave with a family tree of their favourite band. Record a song, make a video and create an online presence to help get paid gigs in Multimedia for Songwriters & Musicians.

Craft Fair Prep and Green Gift Giving will get youth into the holiday spirit. Craft Fair Prep provides youth with supplies to create wares to sell at The Gnarly Little Christmas Craft Fair on December 5.

Youth crafters, bakers and entrepreneurs are invited to register their table for this event for $10. In partnership with Comox Strathcona Waste Management, Green Gift Giving will give participants creative ways to give gifts that don’t break the bank.

October also brings the return of Family Drop-ins and Adult Skate Night. Family Drop-in starts October 18, from 3-5pm – drop-in with your children and youth for just $5 and play in the games room or skatepark together! Adult Skate Night, begins October 26, and runs Mondays from 7-9pm for a $4/drop-in. The LINC also offers programming for youth during PLC and Pro-D Days.

For more information, or to register call the Courtenay Recreation Lewis Centre at 250-338-5371. For full youth program information visit www.courtenay.ca/rec

The post Fall programs offered up at the LINC Youth Centre appeared first on My Comox Valley Now.

The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of two men
who died after separate bicycle incidents in Kelowna and near Port
Alberni on Sept. 24 and 25, 2015.

They are Ralf Ronald Jarchow, aged 61, of Brampton, Ontario, and Imre
James Nagy, aged 62, of Kelowna.

Jarchow was riding his bicycle westbound on Highway 4 between Port
Alberni and Ucluelet at about 11:45 a.m. on Sept. 24 when on a steep
downgrade above Kennedy Lake, he lost control and collided with a pickup
truck. Mr. Jarchow was immediately transported to Westcoast General
Hospital in Port Alberni, but died there within a few hours.

On Sept. 25, Mr. Nagy was riding his bicycle northbound on Belgo Road in
Kelowna at about noon when, on a moderate downgrade at the
intersection with Springfield Road, he was involved in a collision with a
car.

Nagy was immediately transported to Kelowna General Hospital, but
succumbed to his injuries the next day.

The BC Coroners Service and RCMP Traffic Services continue to investigate
these deaths.

The families of both men have been notified of their deaths.

The post BC Coroners Service identifies bicycle incident victims appeared first on My Comox Valley Now.

On Monday September 21st police received a report of a mischief that had occurred at a BC Hydro gate in the Forbidden Plateau road area. The BC Hydro representative stated that someone had shot 13 holes in a sign sometime over the night of September 20th.

On the evening of September 21st police stopped a female driver suspected of driving contrary to her licence restrictions. The investigation revealed she was breaching the conditions of her licence by not having a supervisor with her but she was also consuming alcohol and it was found that she was over the legal limit. The woman was served with a 90 day Immediate Roadside Prohibition, had her vehicle towed and impounded for 30 days and was given two motor vehicle act tickets.

On September 25th police were patrolling on the Comox valley parkway looking for motor vehicle infractions and happened upon a vehicle that appeared to be driving over the posted speed limit. Radar confirmed that the vehicle was travelling at 130 km/h in an 80 km/h zone. The car was stopped and the driver received a ticket for excessive speed and had his vehicle towed and impounded for 7 days.

On the afternoon of September 25th police received information of an impaired driver in the Tull Avenue and 17th street area of Courtenay. The vehicle in question was located and the driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol. The driver was given a 90 day Immediate Roadside Prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.

Constable Don Sinclair says police strongly urge persons who have consumed alcohol to find other methods of getting home, adding police prefer to see drivers getting the message that booze and driving simply don't mix.

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Police witnessed and stopped a vehicle on 17th street and Cliffe Avenue in Courtenay, in heavy afternoon traffic, after it was seen to spin its tires and sliding sideways and then accelerating at a high rate of speed. The driver received a ticket for Driving without consideration and had his vehicle impounded for 7 days.

Police received a second hand report of a man punching a female in the head while seated inside a car on Royston road on September 26th. Police attended the location and took a man into custody and he is now been charged with assault. The man was remanded into custody by a Judicial Justice of the peace and be appearing in provincial court on a later date.

On September 28th police responded to a report of a break, enter and theft from a coffee shop on the 2700 block of Dunsmuir Avenue in Cumberland. Thieves smashed a window to gain entry and once inside stole cash.

Police received a report of a break in and a theft from a locked storage shed on the 2600 block of Derwent Avenue in Cumberland. Thieves stole a number of power tools in this theft.

The Comox valley citizens continue to be targeted by the CRA income tax scam. This scam started several months ago and is continuing strong today. The scammers call individuals and say they owe money to the the CRA and if they don’t pay a warrant will be issued and the police will attend and arrest them. THIS IS NOT TRUE. If the government wishes to contact you they will do it through written correspondence first. If you receive a call of this nature please contact the Canadian Anti- Fraud center at 1-888-495-8501 or the Canada Revenue Agency to

The post RCMP Weekly Crime Blog appeared first on My Comox Valley Now.