News
House concerts permitted, so long as there’s no charge
Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Are house concerts permitted on Gabriola? So long as it’s not a ticketed event, according to land use bylaws. Concerts and other gatherings on residential properties are popular activities on...
Gabriola library branch accounts for 5.5% of usage in RDN
Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Vancouver Island Regional Library services “deliver on affordability and livability,” the library system’s executive director, says. In an invited presentation, VIRL’s executive director Ben...
New committee recommended to explore improving student representation in school district
Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder School trustees on the education committee are recommending the development of an ad hoc student committee to explore enhancing student engagement opportunities. Nanaimo Ladysmith Public...
RDN board approves grants budget increase supporting GERTIE passes
Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder An increasing need among Gabriolans for help getting around the island will be addressed in part by the addition of a community grant from the Regional District of Nanaimo. In June, People...
68th Annual Salmon BBQ is Aug. 12 – tickets go on sale July 1
Joyce Babula On behalf of the Directors of the Gabriola Island Community Hall Association (GICHA) We are excited to be organizing our 68th Salmon BBQ. Outside! With Entertainment, Raffle, Silent Auction and the delicious Barbecued Salmon Dinner. It will be on the...
Application made to reopen gravel pit accessed off Dempsey
Derek Kilbourn Sounder News An application has been opened by Gabriola Gravel and Excavating to reopen a gravel pit located on a piece of property west of the Gabriola Golf Course. The legal address of the property is 795 South Road. The access to the property being...
Q&A with the Fire Board Byelection candidates
Sounder News There are three candidates running in the byelection this Wednesday, June 14 for the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District Board. Jim Hughes, Kent Moen, and Charleen Wells. Voting is at the Albert Reed Memorial Fire Hall #1 on Church Street from...
Hughes, Moen, and Wells to run in Fire Board byelection June 14
Derek Kilbourn Sounder News Three people have stepped forward to run in the June 14 Byelection for the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District Board. James Hughes, Kent Moen, and Charleen Wells have agreed to stand for the byelection. Two positions are...
Game of Immunity coming to Library
Submitted Article Local sculptor, Fran Usher, decided that her homegrown “Game of Immunity” must be thoroughly shared with the Islanders around her. The idea of the Library was suggested. Fran then offered a hand-made prototype of her community game to the Gabriola...
Ban of ‘problematic’ compostable plastics could ease current challenges for local governments
Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Compostable takeout containers and foodservice packaging may seem like a great way to reduce waste, but local governments like the Regional District of Nanaimo say what is, and isn’t,...
Moher, Moeller, and Johnson elected as Trustees
Derek Kilbourn Sounder News Diana Moher, John Moeller, and Erik Johnson have been elected to be Trustees for the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District for three year terms. This comes as as the result of the largest election held in the GFPID history, with 882...
New Democrats call on Liberal government to create housing acquisition fund for organizations to purchase at-risk rentals
Sounder News NDP MPs say everyday people can’t compete with ultra-wealthy corporate landlords buying up rental units and driving up prices on the federal government’s watch Canada’s NDP housing critic, MP Jenny Kwan, and NDP MP for Nanaimo—Ladysmith, Lisa Marie Barron...
Provincial response to tiny homes resolution elicits disappointment from local elected representatives
Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Local elected representatives are disappointed in the province’s response to appeals to address local government’s concerns around supporting tiny homes as an affordable housing option. The...
Gabriola Talks hosts All Candidates Meeting for persons running in 2023 Fire Board Election
Derek KilbournSounder News This past Friday, April 14, Gabriola Talks hosted an All-Candidates Meeting (ACM for the persons running for election in the 2023 Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District Election on April 19. Voting for the Election will be between...
Six candidates running in 2023 Fire Board election
Sounder News There are six candidates running for three positions in this year’s Fire Board election. The Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District Election and Annual General Meeting will both be held on April 19. Voting for the Election will be between Noon and...
Feedback during NDSS overcapacity consultation ‘shifted’ staff’s thinking
Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Further consultation on the Nanaimo District Secondary School capacity issue is what Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools staff is recommending to the board of trustees as they head into their...
Gabriola’s Shield Maiden recruits at Port Theatre
Sounder Arts On March 16, Gabriola’s Melanie Teichroeb took her solo show Shield Maiden to the stage at Port Theatre in Nanaimo. Teichroeb spoke to the Sounder after the show, saying that it had been the Port Discovery Series for emerging artists team which had...
Sending next year’s Grade 8 students from Gabriola to Cedar off the table for September
Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools announced it will take the proposed Nanaimo District Secondary School capacity scenario of sending Gabriola students entering Grade 8 in September to Cedar...
School district mulling bus application fee
Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder The school district is considering implementing an application fee for a school bus pass to lessen the administrative load for the bus system. Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools says while some...
District considers sending Gabriola students to Cedar
Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder School trustees approved a public consultation process to address the capacity conundrum at Nanaimo District Secondary School, which will include collecting feedback on moving Gabriola high...
Nav Canada establishing new air traffic patterns
Nav Canada establishing new air traffic patterns Sounder News A change in air traffic patterns around the Lower Mainland is being proposed by Nav Canada, including a shift in how aircraft may fly over Gabriola Island. According to the Vancouver Airspace Modernization...
RDN to complete rec facility usage survey in 2023
Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder The Regional District of Nanaimo and its municipal partners will conduct a survey of sports fields and recreation facilities usage this year as part of its service agreements between the...
$23.7 million proposed tax requisition for hospital district
Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder The approved provisional budget for the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District includes a projected increase of nearly $5 per $100,000. The $23.7 million proposed tax requisition for the NRHD...
2023 to be big year for C2C Threads and ReLove Local
Rachelle Stein-Wotten Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder This is the year Gabriola Island Recycling Organization hopes its textile recovery social enterprise will be in full swing. After permitting, supply chain and weather delays in 2022 set work...
BC Hydro is asking customers on Gabriola Island to conserve electricity and limit use for essential needs only.
Sounder News BC Hydro is asking customers on Gabriola Island to conserve electricity and limit use for essential needs only. During repairs to the TELUS line today, crews discovered significant damage to equipment that powers the Island. When the TELUS line snapped...