Wolf Depner

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Higher prices at the pump contributed to a one per cent jump in the Consumer Price Index in January 2021 compared to 12 months ago. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

Higher gas prices led to higher consumer prices in January

Prices for other goods including food also but at a slower pace

Higher prices at the pump contributed to a one per cent jump in the Consumer Price Index in January 2021 compared to 12 months ago. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)
The number of housing units that started construction across Greater Victoria declined by 12.4 per cent in 2020 compared to the number started in 2019, according to a new report. (Black Press Media File)

New report finds residential development in Greater Victoria ‘resilient’

New construction starts drop 12.4 per cent in 2020 compared to 2019

The number of housing units that started construction across Greater Victoria declined by 12.4 per cent in 2020 compared to the number started in 2019, according to a new report. (Black Press Media File)
Canadian cannabis retailers saw their year-to-year sales of cannabis double in 2020, from about $148 million in December 2019 to $298 million in December 2020. (Black Press Media File)

Canadian retail sales of cannabis double in December 2020 compared to December 2019

COVID-19 pandemic caused largest decline in Canadian retail since 2009

Canadian cannabis retailers saw their year-to-year sales of cannabis double in 2020, from about $148 million in December 2019 to $298 million in December 2020. (Black Press Media File)
Recent comments from officials representing Washington State Ferries (WSF) offer a case of bad-news, good-news for the future of the ferry connecting Sidney with the United States. (Black Press Media File)

Sidney-to-Anacortes ferry suspended until fall 2021

WSF has no plans to cut service in long-run

Recent comments from officials representing Washington State Ferries (WSF) offer a case of bad-news, good-news for the future of the ferry connecting Sidney with the United States. (Black Press Media File)
Communication and accountability are among contributing factors for a decline in property crime in Sidney, says the head of the local RCMP detachment. (Courtesy of Sidney/North Saanich RCMP)

Sidney witnessed ‘significant fluctuations’ in crime over 2020 according to top cop

Staff-Sgt. Wayne Conley lauds decline in property crime

Communication and accountability are among contributing factors for a decline in property crime in Sidney, says the head of the local RCMP detachment. (Courtesy of Sidney/North Saanich RCMP)
Student Jasper Dolan and educational assistant Gabrielle Featherby helped Lakeview Christian School raise $1,213 for Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank. (Lakeview Christian School/Submitted)

Saanich school, North Saanich church team up to support Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank

Drawing on a Chinese New Year tradition, the institutions raised more than $2,400 dollars

Student Jasper Dolan and educational assistant Gabrielle Featherby helped Lakeview Christian School raise $1,213 for Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank. (Lakeview Christian School/Submitted)
Sidney held its second round of budget discussions Tuesday, just as Central Saanich council kicked off its discussions. North Saanich councillors are scheduled to start their discussion on Feb. 25. (Black Press Media file photo)

Budget talks unfold across the Saanich Peninsula

Sidney hosts second round of budget talks, while Central Saanich held inaugural budget session

Sidney held its second round of budget discussions Tuesday, just as Central Saanich council kicked off its discussions. North Saanich councillors are scheduled to start their discussion on Feb. 25. (Black Press Media file photo)
Central Saanich has renewed one fire protection agreement, while announcing its departure from another agreement. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Central Saanich renews one fire agreement, while preparing to leave another

Fire Chief Chris Vrabel says municipality remains fully covered

Central Saanich has renewed one fire protection agreement, while announcing its departure from another agreement. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
A new reports finds that the number of active businesses in British Columbia had dropped by 5.1 per cent in October 2020 compared to 2019. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)

New report finds COVID-19 pandemic reverses tight labour market in B.C.

Some 14,000 businesses closed during height of pandemic

A new reports finds that the number of active businesses in British Columbia had dropped by 5.1 per cent in October 2020 compared to 2019. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)
Holding debris from a damaged car bumper, Gerald Donaldson stands near the railing part of McTavish roundabout recently damaged by a vehicle. Donaldson fears flaws in the design of the roundabout threaten pedestrian safety in the area. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

North Saanich roundabout remains the object of safety concerns

Resident near McTavish roundabout blames design flaws

Holding debris from a damaged car bumper, Gerald Donaldson stands near the railing part of McTavish roundabout recently damaged by a vehicle. Donaldson fears flaws in the design of the roundabout threaten pedestrian safety in the area. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Sidney/North Saanich RCMP recently used “alternative processes” to deal with a case involving the non-consensual sharing of intimate images among youth from Sidney and North Saanich. (Black Press Media File)

Sidney, North Saanich youth involved in ‘non-consensual sharing’ of intimate images

Sidney / North Saanich RCMP dealt with case using ‘alternative processes’

Sidney/North Saanich RCMP recently used “alternative processes” to deal with a case involving the non-consensual sharing of intimate images among youth from Sidney and North Saanich. (Black Press Media File)
Funding from the federal tax gas money helped pay for this playground in Sidney’s Rathdown Park. (Courtesy Town of Sidney)

Sidney mayor praises federal gas tax support

Funding includes $140,000 toward new playground among other projects

Funding from the federal tax gas money helped pay for this playground in Sidney’s Rathdown Park. (Courtesy Town of Sidney)
Patti Haney, who lives in Thetis Heights, Sunday made this snow bunny in honour of Valentine’s Day for her granddaughter Caelin, who lives on B.C.’s Mainland. (Photo Courtesy of Patti Haney)

Photo Gallery: Greater Victoria sparkles in the snow with fun and creativity

Snowfall on Saturday and Sunday becomes a canvass for all ages

Patti Haney, who lives in Thetis Heights, Sunday made this snow bunny in honour of Valentine’s Day for her granddaughter Caelin, who lives on B.C.’s Mainland. (Photo Courtesy of Patti Haney)
North Saanich may have moved closer to formally joining a regional pilot project reducing speed limits on certain streets, but questions about its enforcement and thus its effectiveness remain.

North Saanich driving towards joining regional speed reduction project

Local police have told municipality they have no plans for additional enforcement

North Saanich may have moved closer to formally joining a regional pilot project reducing speed limits on certain streets, but questions about its enforcement and thus its effectiveness remain.
BC Hydro crews are on their way to a power outage near Metchosin that is affecting 1,492 customers in the area. (BC Hydro/Twitter)

Almost 1,500 people in Metchosin area without power

BC Hydro said crews are on their way to the area

BC Hydro crews are on their way to a power outage near Metchosin that is affecting 1,492 customers in the area. (BC Hydro/Twitter)
Greater Victoria residents continue to enjoy the snow, as it was the case Sunday morning near Victoria International Airport, where a popular sledding hill has remained a popular destination for winter fun. (Submitted)

Travel advisories lifted for Highway #17 in Greater Victoria but in effect for parts of Highway #1

Sailing also appears to be smooth for BC Ferries as residents enjoy snow on Valentine’s Day

Greater Victoria residents continue to enjoy the snow, as it was the case Sunday morning near Victoria International Airport, where a popular sledding hill has remained a popular destination for winter fun. (Submitted)
Rose petals covered this snowy bench in downtown Sidney morning as Greater Victoria prepares for another round of snow (Wolf Depner/News Staff).

More snow drops on Greater Victoria on Valentine’s Day

Environment Canada expects another five to 10 centimetres of snow on Sunday

Rose petals covered this snowy bench in downtown Sidney morning as Greater Victoria prepares for another round of snow (Wolf Depner/News Staff).
A new report finds a provincial tax designed to curb speculation and improve housing affordability “may not be having a large impact on turning empty homes into affordable or rental housing stock” in North Saanich. (Black Press Media File)

Report finds speculation tax not working in North Saanich as intended

North Saanich wants to be ‘allocated’ a share of revenues raised in the district

A new report finds a provincial tax designed to curb speculation and improve housing affordability “may not be having a large impact on turning empty homes into affordable or rental housing stock” in North Saanich. (Black Press Media File)
Ellen Connell says she is not a quitter but is now looking for a way forward after closing Sidney Hot Yoga on Jan. 31. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney yoga studio folds against backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic

Closure of business holds larger lesson for other businesses

Ellen Connell says she is not a quitter but is now looking for a way forward after closing Sidney Hot Yoga on Jan. 31. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
A Sidney staff report identifies Tulista Park as the possible location for two pickleball courts as council has asked staff to request recommendations from the Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Association “on ways to minimize community impacts of pickleball courts and provide details on a funding partnership.” (Town of Sidney/Screencap)

Sidney hits ball back into the court of pickleball association

Staff report also identifies Tulista Park as possible location for two dedicated pickleball court

A Sidney staff report identifies Tulista Park as the possible location for two pickleball courts as council has asked staff to request recommendations from the Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Association “on ways to minimize community impacts of pickleball courts and provide details on a funding partnership.” (Town of Sidney/Screencap)