Qualicum Beach mayor settles defamation case with public apology, $130K settlement

Qualicum Beach town hall. (File photo)
Statements in question were made when Teunis Westbroek was councillor in 2020-21
Dr. David Suzuki. (David Suzuki Foundation photo)

PODCAST: Dr. David Suzuki will retire this year as host of The Nature of Things
Bob Marjanovich podcasts from Phoenix, the site of Super Bowl 57. (Nik Kowalski photo)

PODCAST: Bob Marjanovich podcasts from Super Bowl 57 in Phoenix
Touring the Bob Marley One Love Experience in Hollywood

Touring the Bob Marley One Love Experience in Hollywood
Spring sensations: Chilly nights yield to sunny adventures in Parksville Qualicum Beach

Spring sensations: Chilly nights yield to sunny adventures in Parksville Qualicum Beach

Heavy equipment at work at Coastal GasLink pipeline crossing at the Lho Kwa (Clore River) in northwestern B.C. (David Suzuki Foundation photo)

Feds quietly backed off while Coastal GasLink pipeline work killed fish in B.C.

  • 42 mins ago
Bernie Pauly, a professor in the UVic School of Nursing and a scientist with the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, said decriminalization of certain amounts of drugs for personal use can improve access to harm reduction and other services without fear of criminalization for personal possession. But other aspects still need to be worked out. (Photo courtesy University of Victoria)

As drug decriminalization rolls out, expert largely praises what B.C. is trying to do
Victoria seniors are struggling to afford food due to rising costs. (Pexels photo)

B.C. seniors – and parents – skipping meals as ‘sticker shock’ from food inflation hits
A loved one’s hearing loss doesn’t take away from who they are or your love for them, but it does present a unique challenge in relationships. Fortunately there are a variety of ways you can support your partner and strengthen your relationship. Photo courtesy NexGen

6 things to remember when dating someone with a hearing loss
    Video
    (Black Press Media Creative)

    Hawaii whale dies with fishing nets, plastic bags in stomach

    Rescue dog Hope waits for departure at Cologne/Bonn Airport, in Cologne, Germany, Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. To help the victims of the severe earthquakes in Turkey, rescue workers from ISAR Germany in North Rhine-Westphalia headed to the crisis areas. Rescuers in Turkey and war-ravaged Syria searched through the frigid night into Tuesday, hoping to pull more survivors from the rubble after an earthquake killed and injured thousands of people and toppled thousands of buildings across a wide region. (Federico Gambarini/dpa via AP)

    Engineers, search dogs sent to Turkey, Syria after quake

    The Uber app is seen on an iPhone near a driver’s vehicle after the company launched service in Vancouver, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. Uber Technologies Inc. says it is bringing its shared rides offering back to Canada with a new name. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

    Uber relaunches ride share option in some Canadian cities under new name

    Official Opposition Leader Kevin Falcon of the B.C. Liberals said B.C. health care system is getting worse after the release of a study that shows British Columbians waited 79 minutes to a see walk-in-clinic doctor. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

    B.C. has the 2nd worst wait times for walk-in clinics across Canada: Survey

    More Videos 

    News
    Three days in Parksville Qualicum Beach, from top: Camping and beachcombing at Rathtrevor Provincial Park; a tasting flight at Mount Arrowsmith Brewing; Elsa the snowy owl at NIWRA. Jen Blyth / West Coast Traveller photos

    Spring sensations: Chilly nights yield to sunny adventures in Parksville Qualicum Beach

    It was around this time last year that, thanks to unseasonably warm…

    Protesters and advocates brought painted rocks in memory of friends and family they have lost to eating disorders. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

    VIDEO: ‘Huge gaps’ in care for adults with eating disorders says protest at B.C. capital

    Protesters at the B.C. Legislature called for better care for adults with eating disorders

    More in News 

    Community
    The 2023 Brant Wildlife Festival is set to take place this coming spring. (Michael Briones photo)

    Brant Wildlife Festival to feature a variety of events in Parksville Qualicum Beach

    Grants sought by organizers to help cover $22,000 budget costs

     

    More in Community 

     

    LOCAL GOOD (Powered by Do Some Good)

    What GOOD are you seeing in your community?

    Tell us about your favourite cause. Celebrate friends, family, and neighbours for their acts of kindness. Show your employees volunteering in the community. Ask for needed supplies and volunteers for your cause. Share fundraising event details.  
    Click HERE to find out how to get featured. 

    Looking for a Local Event?
    Want to Volunteer Locally?


    A special thank you to our Community Partners, Good Companies and Local Champions who are essential allies in our mission to build stronger communities. Their support allows causes you care about and volunteers to use the Do Some Good platform for FREE. This increases volunteerism and support to ALL nonprofits and charities in our community.



    Read more stories here

    Most Read

     

    Sports
    Abbotsford’s Jake Virtanen (red jersey) has irritated his teammates who now want him off the roster. (EHC Visp Instagram)

    Swiss League team forces management to remove Abbotsford’s Jake Virtanen ahead of playoffs

    Former Vancouver Canucks first round draft pick is reportedly very unpopular with EHC Visp players

    Abbotsford’s Jake Virtanen (red jersey) will compete in the Swiss League playoffs starting next week. (EHC Visp Instagram)

    Abbotsford’s Jake Virtanen set to compete in the Swiss League playoffs

    Former Vancouver Canucks first round draft pick collects 25 points in 21 games for Visp EHC

    More in Sports 

    Entertainment
    The first round of lineup announcements for the 2023 Vancouver Island MusicFest includes (clockwise, from upper left) - Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore; The Blue And Gold; Nikki D & The Sisters of Thunder; Angelique Francis; Daniel Lapp (LappElectro); and Skye Consort & Emma Björling. Photos supplied

    First set of Vancouver Island MusicFest acts features a diverse selection

    Annual festival returns to the Comox Valley in July

    Harry Styles, winner of the award for album of the year for “Harry’s House” and best pop vocal album for “Harry’s House,” poses in the press room at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

    The Grammys ended in controversy, again: here’s what to know

    Harry Styles’ win and subsequent comments attracting a lot of commentary

    More in Entertainment 

    Business
    Money is removed from an ATM in Montreal, Monday, May 30, 2016. A new poll finds one-third of Canadian households say their financial situation has worsened over the last year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

    1/3 of households say they’re financially worse off compared to year ago: poll

    ‘People … in lower income brackets are finding the pinch particularly difficult…’

    (Black Press Media Creative)

    Google is getting its ChatGPT competitor ready for prime time.

    The company said on Monday that its new conversational AI service, called…

    More in Business 

    Obituaries

    Carole Ann Almond (nee Bell)

    Feb 2nd, 2023

    Lou Biggemann

    Jan 29th, 2023

    Pauline Marie Gray

    Jan 24th, 2023

    Trevor Wood

    Jan 23rd, 2023

    Margaret Robinson

    Jan 22nd, 2023

    Nancy Margaret Shaver

    Jan 16th, 2023

    See Celebrations of Life See More Obituaries 

    Opinion

    File - In 2023, are celebrations such as Black History Month still needed? This writer weighs in. Picture shown is an event promoting Black history month at the The Nanaimo African Heritage Society in lieu of their second annual online gala. (News Bulletin file photo)

    HITCHINS: In 2023, yes, Black History Month is still important

    Recognizing accomplishments by those of African origin vital to identity

    A COVID-19 test. Island Health workers are being urged to not get tested. (Black Press Media file photo)

    CAMPBELL: Sick Island Health workers urged by bosses to not test for COVID-19

    New memo seems to run counter to provincial policy on isolation

    eEdition

    Parksville Qualicum Beach News, Feb 8

    Recent Issues

     

    More in Opinion 

    Trending Now
    Aerial photo shows the destruction in Hatay city centre, southern Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. Donations are pouring into a Vancouver warehouse for those affected by Monday’s devastating earthquake in Turkey but a volunteer organizer says the country could most benefit from professional search and rescues teams.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, IHA

    Vancouver’s Turkish community unites to collect donations for quake survivors

    City’s Turkish community flocked to warehouse in the industrial area of Vancouver on Tuesday

    Hotel Zed Tofino staff Jennie Foster, left, Ki Berentsen and Myles Beeby pose with the new amenity parked at the back of the property. (Nora O’Malley photo)

    Cheeky ’70s themed ‘Shaggin’ Wagon’ pops up in Tofino ahead of Valentine’s Day

    The Shaggin’ Wagon is in town for a good time, but not a long time

    More in Trending Now 

    Life
    2023 trends

    Colour, curves and cocooning

    Design trends for 2023

    • 4h ago
    De Pieri Clinic - Lia Crowe photograph

    The art of cosmetic medicine

    The De Pieri Clinic helps clients maintain a youthful appearance amid a vibrant culture of healthy living

      More in Life 

      Impress
      Ensuring Indigenous patients have access to cancer care, and feel safe when accessing this care, is critical to closing the care gap, says Warren Clarmont, Director, Indigenous Cancer Control, BC Cancer, and Member of the Gitanmaax Band of the Gitxsan First Nation.

      Overcoming Indigenous Barriers to Cancer Care Benefits Us All

      Warren Clarmont, Director, Indigenous Cancer Control, BC Cancer | Member of the…

        Photo Courtesy of Nanaimo Botox

        Meet the team at Nanaimo Botox, where patient care and medical excellence come first and formost!

        Nanaimo Botox putting patient care and medical excellence first and foremost.

          More in Impress