Tag Archives: South Island

Transportation

Cortes Island-bound ferry traffic loses priority loading status, locals concerned

CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

BC Ferries’ two-ferry service that began on the Quadra Island-Campbell River route on Jan. 18 was deployed for convenience and speed, but some Cortes Island passengers are concerned with their recent experiences.

The loss of a priority loading lane for Cortes-bound traffic was mentioned in a news release by the company Jan.16. Traditionally, vehicles en route to Cortes were directed into lane 7 at the ferry terminal in Campbell River, and they board and disembark first. This would assist the drivers in arriving at the other ferry terminal on Quadra in time to catch a connecting 45-minute ferry home to Cortes—ferries that only sail every two hours.

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Transportation

B.C. islanders bid adieu to their Queen who reigned for nearly 60 years

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National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Editor’s note: the 40% increase of capacity on the Campbell River-Quadra run will undoubtedly translate into more traffic using the adjoining the Quadra-Cortes Island ferry.

Quadra Islanders braved lashing wind and rain to bid farewell to the queen that for decades dictated many aspects of their lives and reigned over their West Coast community. 

After operating 32 years as the sole vessel serving the small ferry-dependent island — and a full 58 years with the BC Ferries fleet — the ‘Powell River Queen’ was retired from service on Jan. 17. 

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Politics

Robyn Mawhinney’s First Two Months as Regional Director

Originally published on the Bird’s Eye

By Ramona Boyle

BE: What has it been like for you to work with the Strathcona Regional District? Is it what you expected? 

Robyn: It’s been a lot of listening and learning about issues in various areas of our community. Folks have been asking me a lot of questions. If I haven’t known an answer, it’s been a great opportunity for me to be able to learn and share that answer with the bigger community as well as with the folks who are asking the question. There’s also lots of reading and writing. Is it what I expected? I expected a big learning curve, and there is one. So, yes, it is what I imagined it would be. 

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Weather

Quadra resident hangs up ‘volunteer weather observer’ hat after 39 years

CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

Quadra Island resident Sharron Hatelt retired from her volunteer weather observer duties with Environment and Climate Change Canada‘s Atmospheric Monitoring Section on Dec. 31, 2022—a position she held continuously since 1983.

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Transportation

A long serving BC Ferries vessel retires on January 17th and the public is invited to say goodbye

Editor’s note: This story concerns matters that will have an effect on ferry traffic to Cortes Island.

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

The 58-year-old Powell River Queen sails her last run on the Campbell River to Quadra Island BC Ferries route next week and the public is invited to bid farewell to the vessel.

Continue reading A long serving BC Ferries vessel retires on January 17th and the public is invited to say goodbye →