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Plush monkey inspires Olympic swimmer to write children's book

Before we can appreciate the important role a plush toy named Monkey Guy has played in Elaine Tanner’s life, we need go back to when people started calling her Mighty Mouse.

Message in a bottle found in B.C. inspires international friendship

While it's not unusual for Lisa Amorim to spot wildlife while paddling her kayak, seeing a bottle bobbing about beside her is.

Countless acts of kindness allow parents with terminal cancer to attend Sooke woman's wedding

When Shannon Alce said yes to Clayton Taylor's proposal, she never could have imagined how challenging it would be to say "I do."

Wendy's lets husband surprise wife by being first customers at new Parksville, B.C., location

It’s been said "men are from Mars and women are from Venus," but in this couple’s case, Thomas is a McDonald’s man, while Ellie is a Wendy’s woman.

80-year-old Esquimalt man maintains decades-long friendship with parrot

If you ask Barry what it’s like being out and about with his bird, he’ll tell you it's no big deal.

79-year-old retired B.C. logger becomes professional artist

Robert Burke is in the midst of an unexpected journey that began with a childhood he describes as "violent and chaotic."

B.C. volunteer's handmade 'merry mailbox' inspires 3-year-old to send first letter to Santa

A pair of festively decorated mailboxes have popped up on a Colwood Street. One says, "Mail your letter to Santa here." The other says, "Check in here for your letter from Santa Claus."

Nanaimo family pays glowing tribute to late father with Christmas display

After the accident this spring, after they were told Rohn Brown wouldn’t make it, his family felt lost. “I turned to the kids and said, ‘We have to do the decorations for dad this year.”

Vancouver Island hotel promotes sexual positivity with Valentine's Day 'nooner' package

A Vancouver Island hotel is bringing back its afternoon stay packages to encourage romantic rendezvous this Valentine's Day.

Hotel Zed says it aims to promote sexual positivity with its "Nooner" stays in Victoria and Tofino, B.C. The special afternoon packages start at $69 for a three-hour stay from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 14. (Supplied)

Nanaimo RCMP searching for missing woman, 30

Mounties are asking the public for help finding a 30-year-old woman missing in Nanaimo, B.C. Police say Samantha Evans has not been heard from since Jan. 11. Her family contacted the Nanaimo RCMP one week later and a missing person's investigation was launched on Jan. 18.

Samantha Evans is described as a white woman, standing 5'7" tall and weighing approximately 170 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes and may have a piercing below her lower lip. (CTV News)

Island Health searching for ways to improve health care with 'Code Hack' event

Island Health is on the lookout for fresh ways to improve the health-care system with its 24-hour event, "Code Hack."

Decades-old Vancouver Island school to be demolished

A now vacant elementary school in Lake Cowichan, B.C., is slated for demolition this year after it was closed for safety reasons.

The Cowichan Valley School District office is pictured on Sept. 1, 2020. (CTV News)

B.C. reveals plan for decriminalization of small amounts of drugs for personal use

British Columbia is taking a major step forward in its fight against the province’s deadly overdose crisis by decriminalizing the possession of a small amount of certain illicit drugs for personal use.

An undated photo shows illicit drugs being prepared for use.

UVic prof's 'Geographies of Surfing' course teaches students on the beach

Chris Darimont is the instructor for a course in UVic's geography field program called "Geographies of Surfing."

Chris Darimont, the instructor for a course in UVic's geography field program called "Geographies of Surfing," holds a photo of surfer and filmmaker Chris Malloy. (CTV)

FortisBC Holdings Inc. signs agreement with First Nation over B.C. LNG project

FortisBC Holdings Inc. says it has signed a deal with a First Nation in British Columbia over the Tilbury liquefied natural gas expansion projects.

Victoria nurse reprimanded for drinking on the job, encouraging others to do so

A Victoria nurse who drank alcohol at his workplace and encouraged subordinates to do the same has been reprimanded by his professional college.

B.C. distillery first in Canada to join prestigious Scotch Malt Whisky Society

A distillery on Vancouver Island is the first ever in Canada to be welcomed into the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

Victoria council approves 'missing middle' initiative

Victoria’s newest council has greenlit a contentious housing initiative that makes it easier to densify neighbourhoods, after a tumultuous and lengthy debate that’s gone on for years.

Plush monkey inspires Olympic swimmer to write children's book

Before we can appreciate the important role a plush toy named Monkey Guy has played in Elaine Tanner’s life, we need go back to when people started calling her Mighty Mouse.

B.C. First Nations face complex, stressful choice: should school sites be excavated?

The chief of the Williams Lake First Nation says he would support excavating possible unmarked graves at the site of the former St. Joseph's Mission residential school if that's what elders and the community decide is best.

Canucks winger Ilya Mikheyev to have season-ending knee surgery

The Vancouver Canucks have shut down Ilya Mikheyev for the season, months after the right-winger suffered a serious knee injury.

Downtown road closures planned for Victoria Chinese New Year parade

Road closures are planned for downtown Victoria on Sunday as lion dancers take to the streets to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Health Canada sticks with Evusheld despite U.S. FDA dropping the COVID drug

Health Canada says it will continue to recommend COVID-19 prevention drug, Evulsheld, despite U.S. FDA pulling back its emergency use authorization due to concerns around its efficacy against Omicron subvariant 'Kraken.'