A new tool is being introduced to Port Alberni’s streets as front-line workers fight to make life safer for illicit drug users. 

The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s health department has purchased a mobile drug testing machine, which can instantly detect the contents of a sampled batch of substances. The device came into use on Sept. 15, and it will accompany harm reduction workers as they provide street-level services from a van operated by the NTC’s Teechuktl Mental Health department.

The Port Alberni branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) will be taking over managing operations of the Landmark Cinema effective October 1, 2025. 

An anonymous, private owner purchased Landmark Cinema earlier this year and chose to pass management rights onto the Port Alberni branch of the CMHA. No major changes are expected to take place after the switch in management, except changing how profits are allocated and a name change. 

The Mount Underwood Wildfire, discovered Aug. 11, raged just a few short kilometers south of Port Alberni, causing road closures, evacuation alerts, power failure and water restrictions. 

Wheels are turning at Redd Fish Restoration Society (Redd Fish) as their dream to establish British Columbia’s first-ever habitat restoration interpretive centre in downtown Ucluelet, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Territory, takes flight.

An initial call for artists at the beginning of September to create a crankie exhibit that tells the story of the Pacific salmon drew an unexpected crowd with artists from all over the globe expressing interest in the project.

West Coast Vancouver Island – A BC Supreme Court Justice has granted an interim injunction to C̕awak ʔqin Forestry Ltd. after protesters began setting up an encampment aimed at preventing the company from carrying out government-approved harvesting activities in the Walbran Valley.

C̕awak ʔqin Forestry, co-owned by Huu-ay-aht First Nation, applied for the injunction earlier this month. The matter when to the BC Supreme Court on September 9, 2025, and again on September 11 before the decision was rendered on September 12.

Hesquiaht First Nation chief Mariah Charleson is among several First Nation leaders speaking out against an application from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) to expand their business operations into B.C. coastal waters.

Hesquiaht territory is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island and encompasses the site of Canada’s historical Estevan Point Lighthouse. 

As yet another protest encampment begins growing in the backroads of Pacheedaht traditional territory, First Nations are pushing back, ordering the unwelcome protestors out.

At issue is an area in the Walbran Valley that protestors say contains old growth trees that they claim are slated to be logged by forestry company Tsawak-qin Forestry Ltd. co-owned by Western Forest Products at 65 percent equity with Huu-ay-aht First Nations owning the remaining 35 per cent.

The Alberni Valley Senior Citizens Homes Society (AVSCHS) is under fire after multiple tenants of Pioneer Towers have filed for dispute resolution with the B.C. Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB).

There are currently four Pioneer Towers tenants with active filings and hearings scheduled throughout Sept. and Oct. 

According to Anita Eskola, community advocate supporting the tenants of Pioneer Towers, the total amount of compensation being sought by the tenants is “substantial”.

Officials from a Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation are among those who are pleased they have renewed a noteworthy Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

It was announced in mid-August that Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, the District of Tofino,

Tourism Tofino and the Tofino Chamber of Commerce have renewed an MOU first agreed upon in 2022.

The MOU reinforces the partners will collaborate and take actions to share stewardship efforts in Tla-o-qui-aht territory.