Coombs-Hilliers Fire Department Captain Erik Lacey responded to the call at around 7:30. He says when he arrived on scene the trailer was fully engulfed in flames and the occupant was just being taken into an ambulance.

Lacey says it appears the fire started in the living room area but says the cause is unclear.

He adds there was damage to a neighboring trailer.

40-year-old Nelson Meggitt of Qualicum Beach is facing 5 counts, including three assault charges.

Two of those stem from an alleged altercation with police in the interrogation room.

Meggitt will undergo a psychiatric assessment.

A 47-year-old woman facing theft charges was released from custody and has a court appearance on the 21st.

His review of the Coastal Ferry Act had 24 recommendations, including tying fare increases to the price of inflation and more financial support from the province.

RDN board Chair Joe Stanhope says he believes B.C. Ferries can be run more efficently. He says in some cases some destinations are over served. He points to an instance when Macatee took a ferry ride and him and his assistant were the only people on the boat.

Stanhope says increasing fares was the main topic of this week's meeting in Victoria.

A man and woman were arrested following a police chase which closed Highway Four in Coombs for nearly five hours.

RCMP Sargeant Darrell Robertson says a car spotted in the Coombs area matched a suspect vehicle linked to the theft of art from a Qualicum Beach business this Wednesday morning.

Robertson says the suspect vehicle turned around and chased the police cruiser in downtown Coombs. He says it approached the police vehicle from behind and rammed it twice, pushing it into another two vehicles.

Robertson says an RCMP officer and a bystander in one of the vehicles were taken to Nanaimo Hospital with minor injuries.

Robertson says charges are pending against a 40-year-old man and 47-year-old woman, both from the Qualicum Beach area.

The 21 year old was walking into the Shoppers Drug Mart in Parksville on Tuesday evening when she was hit. The driver then fled the scene.

The vehicle is described as a newer Pontiac G5 or Chevy Cobalt. The driver was white, in his 60's with gray hair, glasses and possibly a mustache.

Consultant "Urban Systems Limited" has been selected by city council to take over from "HB Lanarc" after one of the company's key planners left the firm last summer.

Parksville's Chief Administrative Officer Fred Manson says this doesn't mean the work that's been done up until now is lost. He says the previous work is being studied and will be used going forward.

Manson says a series of public events on the OCP process are forthcoming, adding its hoped the document will be approved by the end of this year.

VIU Students Union Executive Director Steven Beasley says aim is being taken at high tuition fees and student debt. He says they're having a local event as part of a national “Day of Action” where students across the country are walking out of class to draw attention to the skyrocketing student debt in Canada.

Beasley says there will be a carnival type atmosphere at VIU where students can learn more about the issues of high tuition and student debt.

The walkout takes place between 11 AM and 2 PM.

He says that if elected to office, one of his primary priorities would be to reform the provincial court system. Cummins says one of the first things would be to ensure people can have their cases heard in a reasonable amount of time.

The provincial Conservatives are now tied with the liberals at 23% support.