Kevin Laird

In two years since the pandemic began, Sooke is holding its first full fair. The fall fair is on Sept. 10-11 at the Sooke Community Hall. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Volunteers needed for Sooke Fall Fair

Community event set for Sept. 10-11

In two years since the pandemic began, Sooke is holding its first full fair. The fall fair is on Sept. 10-11 at the Sooke Community Hall. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
RCMP have received at least six different reports of vehicles being vandalized from French Beach to Port Renfrew. (File - Black Press Media)

Gas tanks drilled, fuel stolen from vehicles between French Beach and Port Renfrew

At least six vehicles have been vandalized in past two weeks, police say

RCMP have received at least six different reports of vehicles being vandalized from French Beach to Port Renfrew. (File - Black Press Media)
Sooke district council is continuing its review of the official community plan. The OCP is expected to go to public hearing by this summer. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke council reviews draft OCP chapter by chapter

OCP blueprint for community development

Sooke district council is continuing its review of the official community plan. The OCP is expected to go to public hearing by this summer. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
The private-use of fireworks are only permitted in Sooke on Halloween. (File - Black Press)

Sooke council eyes rework of fireworks bylaw

Councillors want more clarification on permitting

The private-use of fireworks are only permitted in Sooke on Halloween. (File - Black Press)
Diane Bernard shows a feather boa kelp (Eregia menziesii). Kelp is a valuable source of Alginic acid, which is used in the production of detergents, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food products. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

PHOTOS: Bountiful beach buffet makes waves with adult-learning class

Sooke’s Diane (The Seaweed Lady) Bernard conducts tour on some of B.C.’s 600 wild seaweeds

Diane Bernard shows a feather boa kelp (Eregia menziesii). Kelp is a valuable source of Alginic acid, which is used in the production of detergents, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food products. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
A plan to build seven multi-family rental units in the downtown core has moved forward after Sooke council approved a requested variance. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

New housing development for Sooke moves closer to fruition as council approves variance

One-storey cluster dwelling includes seven units, each with two bedrooms and two bathrooms

A plan to build seven multi-family rental units in the downtown core has moved forward after Sooke council approved a requested variance. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Numerous clusters of Scotch bloom are visible along Phillips Road. The District of Sooke is offering free broom drop-off at the parks yard on May 21 and June 4. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Chipped Scotch broom to help gardens grow in Sooke

Free broom drop-off available for Sooke residents on May 21 and June 4

Numerous clusters of Scotch bloom are visible along Phillips Road. The District of Sooke is offering free broom drop-off at the parks yard on May 21 and June 4. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
Grants are available to encourage programs that enhance the quality of life for Sooke residents. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Council approves $83,440 in community grants for local non-profits

Each year a portion of the Sooke municipal budget is set aside for community support funding

Grants are available to encourage programs that enhance the quality of life for Sooke residents. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
The Sooke Fine Arts Show returns to SEAPARC Leisure Centre in July. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Jury selected for Sooke Fine Arts Show

Deadline to submit work is May 24

The Sooke Fine Arts Show returns to SEAPARC Leisure Centre in July. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
A pilot program that allows seniors 80 and older to renew their driver’s licenses in Sooke has been extended through 2022. (File - Black Press Media)

Province extends pilot program for senior driving tests in Sooke

Pandemic measures have resulted in fewer referrals for drivers for on-road assessments

A pilot program that allows seniors 80 and older to renew their driver’s licenses in Sooke has been extended through 2022. (File - Black Press Media)
Sooke council is delaying a plan for a tree-protection bylaw until after the municipal election. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke tree bylaw likely delayed until after fall election

‘The community needs time to look at all the options,’ says councillor

Sooke council is delaying a plan for a tree-protection bylaw until after the municipal election. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
Sooke council has received three pay raises since 2019. The mayor’s salary is $31,500, with councillors earning $15,750. (Sooke News Mirror file photo)

Sooke politicians’ pay to be tied to consumer price index

District approves pay bumps for councillors, mayor

Sooke council has received three pay raises since 2019. The mayor’s salary is $31,500, with councillors earning $15,750. (Sooke News Mirror file photo)
Sooke RCMP released its first-quarter crime statistics this week. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke RCMP report significant jump in theft from vehicles, mischief incidents

Three individuals accounted for much of January’s spike in thefts from vehicles

Sooke RCMP released its first-quarter crime statistics this week. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
A new District of Sooke recruitment and retention program includes boosts in pay and a goal of supporting firefighters and their families. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Pay boost, other supports part of Sooke plan to recruit and retain firefighters

District program includes a goal of supporting firefighters and their families

A new District of Sooke recruitment and retention program includes boosts in pay and a goal of supporting firefighters and their families. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Jeff Reid cuts out troublesome weeds during an invasive plant removal event at Broomhill Park on Friday. The day was sponsored by the Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society and the District of Sooke. (Kevin laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Invasive weeds taken out on Earth Day

Broomhill targeted for weed action by district and volunteers

Jeff Reid cuts out troublesome weeds during an invasive plant removal event at Broomhill Park on Friday. The day was sponsored by the Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society and the District of Sooke. (Kevin laird - Sooke News Mirror)
The Sooke Homeless Coalition wants to work with the District of Sooke to offer stable, safe places for homeless people to park recreatioal vehicles. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Homeless Coalition seeks safety for people sleeping in cars

Emergency billeting idea would link homeless with property owners

The Sooke Homeless Coalition wants to work with the District of Sooke to offer stable, safe places for homeless people to park recreatioal vehicles. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
The public will get a chance to offer more input on Sooke’s draft official community plan at a May 7 open house and later at a June 10 public hearing. (Courtesy of District of Sooke)

District of Sooke OCP passes first reading

Open house, public hearing set for this spring

The public will get a chance to offer more input on Sooke’s draft official community plan at a May 7 open house and later at a June 10 public hearing. (Courtesy of District of Sooke)
More people are stepping forward to resume volunteering in Sooke, say officials. (Metro-Creative)

Volunteers return after the pandemic

Sooke Region Volunteer Centre sees new interest in volunteering

More people are stepping forward to resume volunteering in Sooke, say officials. (Metro-Creative)
Sooke’s new fire truck will feature artwork from T’Sou-ke Nation. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke sets aside $2,500 for Indigenous art on fire truck

Sooke’s new fire truck will feature artwork from T’Sou-ke Nation. The decals…

Sooke’s new fire truck will feature artwork from T’Sou-ke Nation. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Sooke council continues to debate its draft official community plan. (Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke eyes first reading, more public input on community plan

Sooke’s OCP heads to first reading

Sooke council continues to debate its draft official community plan. (Sooke News Mirror)
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