By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca
A nearly 70-year old tractor is now being proudly displayed in a spot visible to the public on Cortes Island. Co-owners Joy Shipway and George Sirk say the utility vehicle has a rich history and has performed numerous and varying jobs for its many owners over the decades.
Continue reading Red tractor reborn: Cortes Island’s oldest operational vehicle proudly showcased for public viewing
(De Clarke produced the audio version of this story, which is part of the March 15th Cortes Currents broadcast.)
The people living on this island have had a long and deep history with its forests. First Nation people lived here at least 4,000 years ago with new research pushing that date back to 10,000 years and perhaps even more.
In 1896 the first European settlers arrived and began clearing the forest for their homesteads. By the 1920’s, there were 120 families on this island making a living from logging so that by the 40’s and 50’s, much of the easily accessible old growth forests were already fallen. Today on any walk in the woods, you can still see those massive, ancient stumps.
Continue reading A brief history of Cortes, Forestry and MosaicIt was a beautiful time; you know, there’s these blips in history and you don’t realize that when it’s happening, how special it is.
— Lovena Harvey
On February 9th 2022, Whaletown neighbours near the Robertson/Whaletown intersection were alarmed by an unusual sight: the old “Trude’s Café” building was on fire.
Continue reading Farewell To Trude’s Café(Episode 1 in a 3 part series)
As the second year of the Dillon Creek Wetlands Restoration project on Cortes Island is coming to an end, project manager Miranda Cross gave an overview of the creek’s natural history and ways to restore it.
Continue reading Dillon Creek’s natural history, and ways to restore the damagesBy Norman Galimski, Prince Rupert Northern View, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Editor’s note: Coast Guard 509 Cortes Island, in Cortes Bay, has been in operation close to 50 years and is one of four B.C. stations opened for summer duty. The other three are Coast Guard 508 Sointula; Coast Guard 501 Victoria; and Coast Guard 507 Nootka.
Today, Jan. 26, the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) has sailed from coast to coast to coast for 60 years.
“To me, working for the coast guard is about helping people save lives, protecting the environment [and] making a difference for Canadians,” Ashley Wilson, officer in charge at the Prince Rupert Coast Guard base, said.
Continue reading Canadian Coast Guard celebrates 60 years
