David Wiwchar

Port Alberni

Operations Manager and News Director at CJAV (Port Alberni, BC)

Journalist / Broadcaster / Biker / Curmudgeon. Grateful settler in Nuu-chah-nulth lands.

Featured in: Favicon

933thepeak.com Favicon

nanaimonewsnow.com

Articles

MP Johns pushes forestry issues with PM Carney

1 week ago | nanaimonewsnow.com | David Wiwchar

Courtenay - Alberni MP Gord Johns said the first week of the new parlaimentary session has been busy, with the throne speech, speaker vote, and portfolio assignments. Johns said he has met with Prime Minister Mark Carney twice already, and has his support for coastal forestry issues.
MP Johns gives PM mixed reviews

3 weeks ago | nanaimonewsnow.com | David Wiwchar
Court process begins for three accused

3 weeks ago | nanaimonewsnow.com | David Wiwchar

Three Port Alberni men charged with sexual offences against minors began their court processes yesterday. Shaun Pater, Terry Houbregs and Wayne Moore were charged in January this year after a 5-year police investigation. The trio are facing a total of 24 charges involving a person under 16 and another under 14 years of age.
Port Alberni Pickleballers to pay for improvements

3 weeks ago | nanaimonewsnow.com | David Wiwchar

People passionate about pickleball have asked city council to increase the number of courts in town, and they're prepared to pay for the improvements. The proposal would turn the five tennis courts at Gyro Park into 6 pickleball and 3 tennis courts, paid for by the PA Picklers pickleball club. President Sam Dumont says hundreds of people in the Alberni Valley are now playing the game and pitching in. "Probably close to 500 people play pickleball locally," she said.
Tourist Centre remains closed

1 month ago | nanaimonewsnow.com | David Wiwchar

If you've driven through Cathedral Grove within the past few weeks, you'll probably have noticed that tourist season has returned to the island. Despite a predicted increase in tourist traffic this year, the Alberni Tourist Information Centre remains closed due to a loss of local funding. Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Jolleen Dick says a funding agreement with the city had been negotiated earlier this year then cancelled without warning.
Streets reconfigured for safety

1 month ago | nanaimonewsnow.com | David Wiwchar

The City of Port Alberni says it will reconfigure 10th Avenue at Dunbar after two pedestrians were hit there within a month. A pedestrian was hit there Thursday afternoon and taken to hospital for observation. On April 10th a cyclist was hit there and taken by air ambulance to a trauma centre.
Johns blasts McNichol for no-shows

1 month ago | nanaimonewsnow.com | David Wiwchar

Voters across Vancouver Island are blasting their Conservative candidates for not showing up to public all-candidates events. Courtenay-Alberni Conservative Kris McNichol refused to attend two local all-candidates events in Port Alberni, and multiple events throughout the riding. NDP incumbent Gord Johns says McNichol's absence sends a poor message about him, his party, and politics as a whole. "Kris McNichol has not come out and spoken publicly about his positions," said Johns.
New Aquatic Centre plan scrapped

1 month ago | nanaimonewsnow.com | David Wiwchar

Plans for a new Alberni aquatic centre are heading back to the drawing board after regional district directors agreed the $100 million price tag was unaffordable. Sproat Lake area director Penny Cote threatened to pull her community out of the project altogether, saying proposed re-payment plans overly target her residents. "Sproat Lake residents can't afford this," she said. "I think that they're being presented as a cash cow.
Thunder in the Valley returns to Alberni

1 month ago | nanaimonewsnow.com | David Wiwchar
Ice melt will cost City

1 month ago | nanaimonewsnow.com | David Wiwchar

The City of Port Alberni could be out hundreds of thousands of dollars after the ice-chiller at the multiplex failed again. The 5-year old machine has suffered two catastrophic failures and specialists are working to determine whether to repair or replace as well as warranty, insurance, and financial implications according to Parks and Recreation Director Willa Thorpe.