Residents in parts of northern Vancouver Island continue to experience widespread service disruptions affecting landline phones, mobile, internet, and even 911 emergency access.

Scope of the Outage

The outage has been confirmed by telecom provider Telus, which attributes the service breakdown to deliberate vandalism that “damaged infrastructure” in affected areas, including Port McNeill and Port Hardy. The disruptions extend to internet, mobile, home phone, and 911 landline services. 

Additional communities such as Alert Bay, Campbell River, and Port Alice have also seen impact from the outage. 

Emergency Response and Precautions

Emergency Info B.C. has urged residents to continue attempting to call 911 during emergencies, but also cautions that landline service may not be reliable. In such cases, people are advised to seek help from neighbors or nearby individuals. 

Summary

Cause: Telus infrastructure damage due to vandalism.

Impacted Services: Landline phone, mobile, internet, and 911 landline.

Affected Areas: Port McNeill, Port Hardy, Alert Bay, Campbell River, Port Alice.

Emergency Recommendation: Attempt to call 911; if unsuccessful, seek in-person assistance.

As summer winds down and students return to class, drivers are reminded to take extra care on the roads. Back-to-school season means more children walking, biking, and riding buses, making road safety more important than ever. Here are two critical reminders for all motorists: school zone speed limits and school bus stopping rules.

School Zone Speed Limits

School zones are designed to protect children traveling to and from school. Speed limits in these areas are significantly reduced during posted hours, often 30 km/h in many communities. Slowing down gives drivers more time to react if a child unexpectedly steps onto the road.

Always watch for posted signs — school zone hours may vary by community.

Stay alert for crossing guards and crosswalks.

Anticipate sudden movements. Children are smaller, harder to see, and may not always follow traffic rules.

By easing off the accelerator, you’re giving kids the space and safety they need.

Stopping for School Buses

School buses use flashing lights and a stop sign arm to signal that children are getting on or off. When those lights are flashing:

Drivers in both directions must stop on an undivided road.

Do not pass the bus until the lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm is retracted.

Leave plenty of space. Children may cross the road unexpectedly in front of or behind the bus.

These rules are in place because kids are most at risk when they’re getting on or off the bus—not while they’re riding it.

Why It Matters

A few extra seconds of patience can prevent a tragedy. Fines for speeding in school zones or passing a stopped school bus are steep, but the real cost is the safety of our children.

As the school year begins, let’s all commit to safer driving habits. Slow down, pay attention, and always stop for flashing school bus lights. Every child deserves a safe trip to and from school.

In a deeply moving scene that touched researchers and whale watchers, a well-known Northern Resident killer whale, I76, died in Johnstone Strait on Sunday, August 17, 2025. The 28-year-old male was surrounded by his close family and a group of dolphins during his final hours, a moment witnesses described as both heartbreaking and profound.

Marine biologist Jared Towers, executive director of Bay Cetology, was called to the area after reports that I76 appeared weak and emaciated. He was located near the entrance to Blackney Pass on the Vancouver Island side of the strait. Close by were his 45-year-old mother, I4, his 22-year-old sister, and his young nephew. As I76 slipped beneath the surface for the last time, dolphins circled the pod, remaining with them through the final moments.

“I’ve had to change the official status of many Northern Resident orcas from alive to deceased over the years, but I have never watched one pass until this day,” Towers shared in a heartfelt social media post. He reflected on years of observing I76 socializing, foraging, and playing, recalling one especially vivid memory from July 2024: “He was healthy then, chasing a big salmon past my boat. I like this memory of him, and like to think he enjoyed that moment too.”

OrcaLab researchers also documented the event, noting the quiet, grief-like behavior of I76’s family and the dolphins that lingered motionless around them until his final breath. Helena Symonds of OrcaLab described the moment as profoundly sad, with the family remaining in place before beginning to vocalize.

Northern Resident killer whales are known for their lifelong family bonds. They feed primarily on Chinook salmon and are currently listed as “threatened” under Canada’s Species at Risk Act, facing challenges such as declining prey, pollution, and vessel traffic.

I76’s death is a significant loss for the Northern Resident community, a population of more than 200 whales across 34 pods ranging from northern Vancouver Island to southeast Alaska. His passing is a poignant reminder of both the fragility of these iconic whales and the importance of continued conservation efforts.

In a significant development for the Village of Sayward, multiple levels of government are contributing to fund critical upgrades to the community’s stormwater and drainage systems. Through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, Sayward is receiving $697,230.40 in federal funding, complemented by $580,967 in provincial support, and an additional $464,879 in municipal contributions.

This substantial investment—amounting to nearly two and a half times Sayward’s annual tax revenue—marks a transformative moment for the village. Mayor Mark Baker hailed the funding as “a game-changer for the Village of Sayward,” emphasizing its potential to protect homes, improve water quality, and bolster resilience to flooding and extreme weather.

What’s Planned

The funding will directly target Sayward’s drainage infrastructure improvements:

• Upgrading stormwater pipes
• Incorporating biofilters to reduce pollution runoff
• Implementing other enhancements aimed at fostering sustainable stormwater management

These upgrades will enhance Sayward’s ability to manage extreme weather events, protect water quality, and create a safer, healthier environment for residents and wildlife alike.

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is currently recruiting for a full-time Bylaw Compliance Officer. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Community Services, the Bylaw Compliance Officer is responsible for investigating bylaw complaints and infractions, gathering evidence, preparing reports on violations, attending court and presenting evidence, interpreting and explaining applicable bylaws, statutes, and regulations, and undertaking or assisting with bylaw preparation and amendments. The officer must have strong public relations and dispute-resolution skills. The officer must work efficiently with minimum supervision and have sound knowledge of regulatory bylaws and related legislation. This position will be of interest to candidates who can also perform Building inspection Level I duties to ensure compliance regarding buildings and properties within the SRD’s building inspection service area(s).

The ideal candidate will have:

• A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in investigations, bylaw inspection and enforcement work, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Bylaw Compliance and Enforcement and Investigative Skills Level 1 and 2 Certificate
• B.C. Class 5 Driver’s License
• Strong Asset: Registered Building Official (Level 1) or commitment to the Building Officials’ Association of BC’s Building Official in Training Level 1 Program.

The position is full-time, 35 hours a week, onsite, with an hourly salary range of $37.42 to $42.94 and a generous, comprehensive benefits package.

For more information on this opportunity, please refer to the attached job description, which outlines all the duties and necessary qualifications for this position.

HOW TO APPLY: Qualified candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, resume and relevant certifications quoting posting #2025-24 Bylaw Compliance Officer in the subject line of the application to hr@srd.ca. The SRD thanks all candidates for their interest and advises that only those candidates under consideration will be contacted. The successful candidate must attain a clear Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector check.

More information available at the SRD website.

Here’s the smoke forecast and air quality outlook for North Vancouver Island this week:

Smoke & Air Quality Overview

Friday, August 14 – Saturday, August 16:

• Expect intermittent periods of rainfall, which should help clear lingering smoke or haze. The wet conditions will likely improve air quality temporarily by washing particulates from the air.
• Environment Canada has issued a Rainfall Warning for the Metro Vancouver – North Shore region (which also covers nearby areas across the sound). Heavy downpours could deliver 50–80 mm+ of rain, significantly aiding in clearing smoke and pollutants .

Sunday, August 17 – Wednesday, August 20:

• The skies are forecasted to clear up with increasing sunshine and diminishing clouds. This means that any residual smoke could linger if there are ongoing fires or drift from inland, due to limited precipitation after Saturday.
• With stable, dry weather returning, light winds could allow particulates to accumulate, especially in low-lying valleys.

Air Quality Recommendations

• During Rain Events (Friday–Saturday): Take advantage of naturally cleaner air for outdoor activities. Wearing a light rain jacket as needed will help you make the most of these fresh conditions.

• During Dry, Sunny Days (Sunday onward):

  • Keep an eye on local air quality indices (AQI) via apps like the BC Smoke Dashboard or Google’s Air Quality layer.
  • If AQI rises (e.g., AQI > 100), sensitive individuals — such as children, seniors, and those with respiratory conditions — should consider staying indoors or reducing physical exertion outdoors.
  • Even when visible smoke isn’t present, small particulate matter (PM₂.₅) may still be elevated.

Day-by-Day Smoke Outlook:

Final Takeaway:
Rainfall Friday and Saturday offers great natural smoke-clearing potential. Enjoy the outdoors during that window! Afterward, watch for accumulating haze during the dry stretch Sunday through mid-week, especially if nearby wildfires continue. Monitoring AQI in real time will be key for deciding when it’s safe to be outside.