Author: Owen McKenzie
Owen McKenzie
Owen McKenzie is an experienced journalist based in Port Alberni, known for his in-depth local reporting and community engagement. With over 12 years in the field, Owen is a graduate of Thompson Rivers University and has contributed to publications such as the Alberni Valley News and CBC Vancouver Island. He is an active member of the Canadian Association of Journalists and is passionate about covering rural development, labor issues, and coastal conservation efforts.
A dog found chained to a tree in a wildfire evacuation alert zone near Port Alberni is now safe and recovering. The dog was rescued on August 3 from a remote trail near the Wesley Ridge wildfire, close to Marples Road and Winning Way at Cameron Lake. Local resident Janet O’Reilly first heard the dog crying deep in the woods. Although she considered investigating, she held back at first due to safety concerns. “Cars don’t usually go up that road,” she said. “I didn’t feel safe going into the bush alone. It might’ve been someone’s camp.” Later that day, about…
A love for fashion and a deep connection to her hometown led one Port Alberni local to turn her favorite pastime into a full-time dream. In 2022, Anita Sutherland took over the beloved local boutique, Walk the Coast, and gave it new life while honoring its strong roots in the community. Anita, known among friends for her shopping passion, jokes about being a “shopaholic,” but her love for clothing and footwear goes beyond the average customer. “Shopping has always been a happy place for me,” she says with a smile. Her journey to becoming a business owner was shaped by…