Local News

Even though gas prices have been falling at the pump, B.C. Ferries plans to implement another fuel surcharge to cover rising gas costs on Feb. 1. The corporation asked the B.C. Ferry Commissioner for permission to raise fares by 2.

Sunshine Coast RCMP are investigating three fires on Marine Way in Sechelt and a separate fire in Davis Bay for arson on New Year's Day. Three vehicles were lit on fire near the 5800 block of Marine Way sometime between 11:30 p.m Dec. 31 and 11:30 a.

A windstorm along the Coast left some residents starting off the new year lighting fires and candles, while BC Hydro crews and volunteer firefighters worked to restore power and safety to communities.

The Sunshine Coast Natural History Society (SCNHS) presents an evening with Brian Carson tonight (Jan. 6) at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre. Carson will be on hand to present a talk on natural resource management on the Mekong River in Laos.

Gibsons council authorized $25,000 for its staff to negotiate the completion of the Upper Gibsons neighbourhood plan with engineering consultants, to cover current and future cost overruns.

The first baby to be born this year on the Coast arrived at 8 p.m. Jan. 1 at St. Mary's Hospital in Sechelt. Mikayla Sydney Totten is the daughter of first-time parents Christie and Dean Totten, weighing nine pounds, 11 ounces at birth.

Incumbent mayor Barry Janyk is thrilled by the prospect of three more years leading Gibsons council. Janyk was returned to office in Saturday's civic election, besting current Coun. Angela Letman 642 to 521 in the race for the mayor's chair.

Traffic was re-routed on Hwy. 101 for about seven hours while police investigated the scene of an accident where 64-year-old Hayden Raymond (Ray) Jenkins of Roberts Creek was killed Saturday afternoon.

Over 700 people packed the Elphinstone Secondary School gym last Friday night to watch this year's Banff Mountain Film Festival. The crowd, ranging in age from toddlers to seniors, was entertained by a slate of eight films as diverse as the audience.

It is time once again for the Sunshine Coast Hospice Society's Lights of Life program. This year will be the 15th annual event. The familiar Christmas trees can be seen at the Sunnycrest Mall in Gibsons and at the Trail Bay Mall in Sechelt.