Don Bodger

A sombre group after the Colin John decision in the murder of Derek Descoteau. From left: Paula Phillips, Kristina Tkachuk, Brenda Smith, Janelle Guyatt and Leah Guyatt outside the Duncan courthouse. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Anger grips B.C. courtroom after man found not responsible in 2016 slashing death

Judge rules Colin John not criminally responsible in Chemainus knifing of Derek Descoteau

A sombre group after the Colin John decision in the murder of Derek Descoteau. From left: Paula Phillips, Kristina Tkachuk, Brenda Smith, Janelle Guyatt and Leah Guyatt outside the Duncan courthouse. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Kevin Smith is calling attention to a significant theft at his Highway Antique Barn business on the Trans-Canada Highway. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Thieves pillage B.C. business of $100,000 worth of gold and silver

Owner calls for more awareness, security measures to combat crime in Chemainus area

Kevin Smith is calling attention to a significant theft at his Highway Antique Barn business on the Trans-Canada Highway. (Photo by Don Bodger)
B.C. Premier David Eby at the Crofton mill announcement, backed by Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Brenda Bailey. (Photo by Don Bodger)

$68.8M to retool B.C. mill to produce wood-based single-use plastic replacements

Government, Paper Excellence investments putting 100 workers back to work in Crofton

B.C. Premier David Eby at the Crofton mill announcement, backed by Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Brenda Bailey. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Kathi Diewert of Chemainus captures many interesting nature shots around the Island. No matter what it looks like outside, there’s no sense in creating any false sadness on so-called Blue Monday and beyond. (Photo by Kathi Diewert)

BODGER: Blue Monday is bogus, stop looking for reasons to be sad

There’s no evidence one day should be the saddest compared to any other

Kathi Diewert of Chemainus captures many interesting nature shots around the Island. No matter what it looks like outside, there’s no sense in creating any false sadness on so-called Blue Monday and beyond. (Photo by Kathi Diewert)
Around the world in many, many days being spent in this van by Marianne and Chris Fisher. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Around the world in 80…months? Touring YouTube sensation reaches B.C.

COVID lockdown kept English couple in Turkey 18 months on their world tour

Around the world in many, many days being spent in this van by Marianne and Chris Fisher. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Two images of Deedee Brown with different hair colours. Her killer or killers still have not been brought to justice. (Photos submitted)

Seven years have passed since B.C. teen’s murder, still no answers

Body of Deedee Brown found floating off Vancouver Island three weeks after her disappearance in 2015

Two images of Deedee Brown with different hair colours. Her killer or killers still have not been brought to justice. (Photos submitted)
Penelakut Tribe elder August Sylvester and his daughter Marya Luby perform a ceremonial cleansing of the MV Island Responder to rid it of evil, accompanied by captains Chris Mullin and Bob Mollet. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Official ceremony launches Island Responder into a new era

Commemoration of marine ambulance in B.C. community features Penelakut blessing

Penelakut Tribe elder August Sylvester and his daughter Marya Luby perform a ceremonial cleansing of the MV Island Responder to rid it of evil, accompanied by captains Chris Mullin and Bob Mollet. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Maynard Johnny Jr. looks over the Salish Heron at BC Ferries Fleet Maintenance Unit in Richmond. (Photo by BC Ferries)

Scope of Salish Heron ferry design captivates artist

Seeing the final product for the first time inspiring

Maynard Johnny Jr. looks over the Salish Heron at BC Ferries Fleet Maintenance Unit in Richmond. (Photo by BC Ferries)
Happy days are here again for mom Selina and daughter Sophia Taylor after Sophia’s quick recovery from a horrible ordeal. (Photo by Don Bodger)

‘Chasing deer and making friends: B.C. girl running around again after scary fall’

3-year-old Sophia back to being a kid again after 20-foot park fall on to concrete

Happy days are here again for mom Selina and daughter Sophia Taylor after Sophia’s quick recovery from a horrible ordeal. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Brian Francoeur, left, and Harman Bootsma inside the Island Responder. (Photo by Don Bodger)

First purpose-built marine ambulance in B.C. waters a valuable commodity

Island Responder operating off Chemainus for island residents features an on/off ramp for stretchers

Brian Francoeur, left, and Harman Bootsma inside the Island Responder. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Sophia Taylor suffered major brain injuries and a fractured skull after falling nearly 20 feet at Transfer Beach Park in Ladysmith on Feb. 12. (Go Fund Me photo)

Family needs help after toddler falls 20 feet onto concrete in B.C. park

Taylor family grateful for community support after tragic accident

Sophia Taylor suffered major brain injuries and a fractured skull after falling nearly 20 feet at Transfer Beach Park in Ladysmith on Feb. 12. (Go Fund Me photo)
Justin James Dodd appeared in a Duncan courtroom via video conference for the first time Tuesday morning on two counts of second degree murder. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Accused vows to represent himself in double murder of B.C. father and son

Justin James Dodd makes first court appearance on charges via video conference in Duncan

Justin James Dodd appeared in a Duncan courtroom via video conference for the first time Tuesday morning on two counts of second degree murder. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Tommy Johnson with daughter Chelsea Lloy and son Brad Johnson. (Facebook photo)

‘They both had such big hearts’: Father and son identified as victims in Island killings

Tom and Brad Johnson known for their big hearts and willingness to help out anyone

Tommy Johnson with daughter Chelsea Lloy and son Brad Johnson. (Facebook photo)
The house at 6848 Crofton Road where two people were found dead on the weekend remains an active crime scene. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Suspect charged in Vancouver Island double homicide

Justin James Dodd faces two counts of second degree murder in Crofton

The house at 6848 Crofton Road where two people were found dead on the weekend remains an active crime scene. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Barbara Allen of Chemainus talks about the incident that happened to her in 1990 and resulted in a traumatic brain injury. (Photo by Don Bodger)

B.C. woman battling brain injuries and public misperceptions

Chemainus resident wants to raise awareness after being repeatedly mistaken for being drunk

Barbara Allen of Chemainus talks about the incident that happened to her in 1990 and resulted in a traumatic brain injury. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Kids take the plunge at Camp Qwanoes’ Aqua Park. (Photo submitted)

Several campers and staff test positive for COVID-19 at B.C. kids summer camp

Crofton’s Camp Qwanoes executive director hopeful a day camp can still proceed next week

Kids take the plunge at Camp Qwanoes’ Aqua Park. (Photo submitted)
Children from Penelakut led the march up Oak Street toward Waterwheel Park. (Cole Schisler photo)

More than 1,500 march in support of Penelakut First Nation after unmarked graves found

Large crowd supports families with children who never came home from residential schools

Children from Penelakut led the march up Oak Street toward Waterwheel Park. (Cole Schisler photo)
Derek Descoteau with his trusty dog Harvey. (Photo submitted)

Friends provide continuing comfort for family in wake of unresolved senseless B.C. murder

Case remains before the courts five years after Derek Descoteau’s abrupt stabbing death in Chemainus

Derek Descoteau with his trusty dog Harvey. (Photo submitted)
Frank Ludwig in the control room. (Photo submitted)

The Day They Closed The Old Mill Down in song

Former member of Trooper captures the essence of small town struggles and triumphs

Frank Ludwig in the control room. (Photo submitted)
Life and business partners Bronwyn Berg and Hal Bennett. (Photo by Don Bodger)

B.C. couple’s love and life connection blossoms from a shared wheelchair

Clover Clothing Co. is a manifestation of Berg and Bennett’s rebuttal of the ‘unlucky’ label

Life and business partners Bronwyn Berg and Hal Bennett. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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